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EDIT Amy Christian
Arts Editor/Production Director
amy@themetrospirit.com
Stacey Eidson Staff Writer
stacey@themetrospirit.com
Molly Swift Staff Writer
molly@themetrospirit.com
TableJanuary of Contents 21, 2016
CREATIVE Joshua Bailey Lead Designer
joshua@themetrospirit.com
COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
SALES Gayle Bryan
Senior Account Executive
gayle@themetrospirit.com 706-373-4846
Jim Christian Account Executive
jim@themetrospirit.com 706-414-4059
BUSINESS Joe White
Still Rolling After 20 Years Page 18
Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Johnny Beckworth circulation manager
johnny@themetrospirit.com
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.Š 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
Whine Line
4
Dance
27
Ruffin It
6
Calendar
28
Augusta Tek
8
Nightlife
32
Jenny Is Wright
10
Sightings
34
Insider
12
NYT Crossword
35
News
16
The Eight
36
Beer University
23
Austin Rhodes
38
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The Whine Line
OPINION 10
8
6
The futurity seems like an antiquity . I just watched a “cowboy” use a horse to corral and torment a defenseless calf. So sad, now pardon me while I smack down on his juicy veal burger. Ahhh Who better to replace Overstreet than Austin Rhodes? After listening to Rhodes drone on and on about what a terrible job Overstreet has done, why not let him take a shot at it?
s n ia h t in r o C o w T into a bar. . . walk
Thursday, Jan. 14, 3:57 PM, RCSO car #1101 turned right on red from Crawford Ave. onto Broad St. without signaling or stopping. I see this all the time, and other people do too, I’m sure. I’ll bet a lot of younger drivers think it’s okay to do that sort of thing because “the cops do it, too.” Come on, set an example. It does not diminish you to set aside your privilege and practice some safe driving habits. It will improve your standing in the law-abiding community.
Ruffin’ It Augusta Tek Jenny is Wright
to the person from last weeks whine line that says its nobodys business that parents smoke around their children. You know a child cannot speak up for themselves. im sure your one of those idiots that thinks its ok to leave a child in a car during 100 degree weather. Nikki Haley did well with a reasonable presentation after Obama’s State of the Union babble. At this time, she would be the best person to balance the unbalanced Republican candidates. I moved out of Augusta 30 years ago. But, every time I come back to visit, it still seems to be stuck in the last century. Will it ever catch up? Hey filthy McNasty what’s up with the fake cursing this is supposed to be friendly banter with the fake cursing I think..... Boo! The Gordon highway wild-west shootout inside scoop is,,,there was obviously some type of interaction that
prompted the bumper car battle even if the Ford Ranger initiated contact. The driver shooting six shots was acting without regard to public safety when shooting from a moving vehicle into an adjacent moving vehicle with a passenger. Where did the other bullets terminate? Both parties should be brought up on charges and have the court pass judgement. The police should not be establishing themselves as judge and jury for who was at fault. The police as judge and jury seems to be a habit of theirs. To Scott Johnson in Columbia County - Inquiring minds want an update on your Broadband Project. Let me be clear, I don’t vote for the president! I am not a member of the electoral college. I still watched The democratic debate , just like the other party it is a clown show to give the sheep a feeling of control on the way to the slaughterhouse. I just enjoy watching the old insane man fight with the woman( who can’t say GOLDMAN SACHS) Now that’s entertainment!!! Because there were Powerball winners, ready yourselves for the ubiquitous, cliche’-filled “magical stories” we are now going to endure - “I spent my last $10 on the Powerball...I can finally quit my pathetic job...I prayed for a miracle and it happened...I wasn’t going to be able to pay next months rent...” ad nauseum. Congratulations to the winners, but the only “magical story” here is one word LUCK, that’s it!
You people are a bunch o f
cry babies
Obama, the greatest president of the century, took his victory Lab last week. Nations all over the world reconize him as great ! The Canadians want him to go fix their mess. People that hate him are the clueless few racoon eating backwoods retards. You cant spend your daily life smoking drugs, then suddenly wanna give an opinion about a very complicated political situation and process. I just let them bark. The last election they swore Obama was over. The American people spoke. Loud and clear. Obama the great !
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.
4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
21JANUARY2016
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Again we have a presidential candidate debate. Conclusion: Trump sucks, Cruz sucks, Rubio sucks, Carson sucks, Christie sucks, Bush sucks, and for the other side Clinton sucks, Sanders sucks, OMalley sucks. The rest are even less worth mentioning. This election’s preliminary battle is an international embarassment. The final will be worse.
21JANUARY2016
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 5
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#Hashtag Editor’s Note: As Josh takes a week off, please enjoy this column from about this time last year. Unfortunately, we as a country are still trying to hash out this issue. We are told — in elementary school science classes, in college philosophy seminars, by “Big Bang Theory” writers just after their mid-morning tweak — that, for every reaction, there is an equal yet opposite reaction. The natural world, at least at the atomic level and above, seems to back this up: our universe is a symphony of mathematical precision, even if we do not fully grasp the extent of it all. Physics, after all, is reliable. It must be, for our own peace of mind and sense of place in the whole of existence. Otherwise, we may as well resign ourselves to our roles as specks of ant-s**t in the great gibbering Lovecraftian universe: logic, order and faith are not just dead, but never were in the first place. Life — and all that came before or after — is void of significance. Is it that dire? Cosmically, no. But it’s difficult to know where to place one’s faith; gods are ephemeral, formless, subject to man’s interpretation, for better or worse. Perhaps, though, they do indicate that the idea of equal reactions holds some merit: if man believes he has a deity at his back, what is to stop him from committing any act in that god’s name? People, speaking of man, are even more of a dicey proposition. Faith in a person is one thing; faith in mankind is naïve at best, self-damning at worst. Here, history and context are what matter: I trust a handful of people with my closest secrets, my deepest, most vulnerable thoughts, and with my life, because they’ve given me no reason, or choice, to do anything else. Taken in a broader view, humanity tends to make great strides forward based on the concentrated efforts of one person or a group of people at a given time — that success billows out and has a ripple effect on society, thereby irrevocably altering it. Mankind
as a whole, though, has typically shown itself to be more bloodthirsty and assimilationist than anything else. There is cause for worry because there is no other reason, or choice, to do anything but. Which brings me, as most things do, to Twitter. I know. I KNOW. I use Twitter mostly to brag about beer, which is kind of like using your two minutes during open mic night at the Apollo to repair a VCR. As it is, I’m still sort of figuring out the nuances of the whole thing. I don’t really use hashtags all that much, but I understand what they’re supposed to do, and oh my god I sound like I’m 80 years old so let me just get on with this. The hashtags #ICantBreathe and #BlackLivesMatter have been trending pretty regularly on Twitter in response to, specifically, the death of Eric Garner, and more broadly to the alarming and infuriating streak of young black men being gunned down or otherwise assaulted by non-black police officers. The act itself of starting a hashtag is typically a fairly innocuous one: usually less than a dozen keystrokes. In these cases, however, the action-reaction relationship disintegrated: heaven and hell alike were unleashed. We are, of course, going to touch more heavily upon hell. As the issue gained steam, apologists for the officers — let’s call them, oh, bigots — responded with the slogan “I Can Breathe.” A cadre of men were photographed in New York City wearing shirts bearing that phrase, with a sign that further elaborated “Thank You for Your Service.” No less than Jon Stewart has already eloquently decimated the validity of doing such a thing, so I’ll simply echo him here: punishing officers who abuse their power and position within society is not mutually exclusive with supporting officers who do the right thing. More recently, the hashtag #AllLivesMatter has been making the rounds. It’s one of the sneakier, most oft-utilized forms of latent racism: on the surface, there’s nothing untrue about the statement. All lives matter. Yes, yes indeed they do. But saying something like that in the course of co-opting a slogan meant to bring awareness to pervasive, ongoing cultural problem that affects a very specific demographic — AND carries a ton of historical implications and baggage — is irresponsible, harmful and ignorant. If the hashtag and slogan had come about on their own accord, apart from these tragedies, then maybe we could talk. As it is, it seeks to undermine a legitimate issue. This is what I mean by the inequality of action-reaction when you boil it down to online interactions: it is both true and untrue. One hashtag meets its counterpart; each seeks to execute a similar, opposite act and yet, it highlights inequality on a more major scale. Worse yet, it highlights the stasis in which we find ourselves when it comes to addressing the problem. Until things change on this front, until someone is taken to task for these deaths, we continue to defy physics, and to invite oblivion. JoSH rUFFIN is a long way from home, having moved from Augusta to Middleton, Wisconsin, with his wife, Michelle. He is a selfdescribed beer guru, so most of his Twitter posts are about what he’s drinking. While drinking, he enjoys writing poetry and watching MMA fights… or writing poetry about MMA fights.
6 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
21JANUARY2016
$5 Cash Back THIS WEEK, we are going to spend some time with Joe. Joe is your average ordinary kind of guy. He has a technical degree and works for an engineering firm. On occasion, he watches “Downton Abbey” with his wife, but he prefers watching shows like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Face Off.” Needless to say, Joe has twice taken his kids to see the new Star Wars movie. This past Christmas, Joe received a very exciting gift from his family, and he couldn’t be happier. Joe finally owns a drone. However, Joe is very confused about using his drone. Like everyone else, he’s read numerous news stories about drones crashing into stadiums and disrupting air flight. He’s investigated the stories, and the data seems to indicate that the issue is overblown (Joe is a technical-minded person, after all). However, the public perception remains — drones are bad, and the people who own drones are nothing more than anarchists who want to steal your privacy and credit card numbers. Poor Joe. All he wants to do is fly safely and take a few pictures of his kids riding their bikes and such. What is he going to do? Fortunately for Joe, the Federal Aviation Administration has finally stepped up and provided some guidance. The FAA has been silent on the subject for too many years — which Joe notes is probably the correct action, since Congress hasn’t passed any laws regarding drones. But Joe remembers that last fall the FAA issued guidelines for the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UASs. (FYI — that’s what the government calls drones.) After a quick internet search and a couple of hours of reading bureaucratic publications, Joe discovers that the following bullet points summarize all the rules: · Be safe and respectful of other people. · Don’t fly your drone in areas where UAS (i.e., drone) use is restricted. · Don’t fly for money. · If your drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds, (the same as approximately two sticks of butter), register your UAS (i.e., drone) by February 19, 2016.
stupid. (Of course, this presumes that the stupid person registers their drone.) Since Joe doesn’t consider himself a stupid person (maybe a little absent minded on occasion), Joe registers his UAS (i.e., drone). To the credit of the FAA, the process is really simple. After a quick search, Joe finds the link to registermyuas.faa.gov. Joe creates a user account on the government website linked to his verified email address. The registration form requests Joe’s name and address, and asks Joe to certify the following, completely reasonable statements: · I will fly below 400 feet · I will fly within visual line of sight · I will be aware of FAA airspace requirements —faa.gov/go/uastfr · I will not fly directly over people · I will not fly over stadiums and sports events · I will not fly near emergency response efforts such as fires · I will not fly near aircraft, especially near airports · I will not fly under the influence The registration fee is $5, so Joe enters his credit card information. Since Joe is registering before January 21, 2016, Joe will be refunded the registration fee. However, the credit card information is required to continue. When all is done, Joe successfully completes the registration process. The FAA website provides Joe his UAS (i.e., drone) registration number, and Joe dutifully marks his drone with the registration number. Joe is now compliant with the regulations, and that’s a good thing. Joe can now fly his drone in a safe and responsible manner, which is exactly what Joe intends to do! (Stay tuned for more of Joe’s GREGORY BAKER PH.D. drone adventures!) @gregory_a_baker
Ah, yes, the call to action — Register Your Drone! While Joe’s first reaction is somewhat defensive (“Why does the federal government need to know that Joe has a drone? Does Joe really pose an existential threat to the security of the United States?”), after some contemplation, Joe realizes that this is probably a reasonable action. Stupid people will continue to do stupid things with their drones. A registration number will allow law enforcement to trace the drone and cite the stupid person for being
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.
21JANUARY2016
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Famous Person Moments PEOPLE ARE FUNNY ABOUT CELEBRITIES. We get nervous, excited and act downright stupid in the presence of our idols. They inspire us and make us laugh. Who’s your Famous Person? Come on. You have one. It doesn’t matter if you read People magazine or follow Perez Hilton. Maybe your Famous Person is a clarinetist with the Boston Symphony or a lesser-known poet. We all have someone we rely on to bring us up when we’re down. I don’t have any one person who stands out, but there are several people, famous for different things, I’d have to my table for dinner if I had to choose. With the 2016 deaths of David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Glenn Frey and others, the internet is overflowing with fans’ Famous Person stories. 1980s Friday nights spent watching the creepily awesome tale of the Labyrinth unfold. Would they find the baby? Harry Potter enthusiasts wept, knowing the stories wouldn’t ever be the same without Professor Snape. I can’t imagine any of you missed the news about Glenn Frey. The Eagles’ songs are a staple in American music history. Legendary. For a time, my son’s Famous Person was Abraham Lincoln. He loved all presidents, but had he run into Honest Abe, he would’ve been a bumbling mess. Through the years, his Famous People have changed with his interests. He’s never been completely obsessed. My daughter hasn’t either, until now. I remember a story told by a friend of her Famous Person obsession. Her name has been changed to protect her innocence. And her dignity. She was in love with River Phoenix and she had a chance to meet him. She planned her outfit for weeks, imagining being in his presence. The outfit still pains her. I know it was rainbow, but I can’t remember if the pants, sweater and leg warmers were rainbow tie dye, or just the sweater and leg warmers. Either way. It was the biggest day of her teenage life. She’s still sure he thought she was a total weirdo.
10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
This past weekend, I was with my kids at a musical theatre festival for young people. The Augusta Jr. Players attended workshops and performed a portion of The Little Mermaid, which was to be judged and scored against their peers. We got lucky. One of our judges was Ben Platt. If you’re not sure who that is, I understand. He was in Pitch Perfect and has otherwise starred in various musicals. I saw him in the irreverent and hilarious Book Of Mormon in Chicago. He’s currently starring in Pasek and Paul’s “Dear Evan Hansen.” Confused? It’s okay. Stay with me. While our group was performing, I waited for The Girl to notice the celebrity judge, easily her Famous Person. It took a minute, but it was obvious when she figured it out. She kept it together until they finished, but I thought she’d smile her face off once they did. Her eyes welled with happy tears. Later in the day, we saw him over there, taking fan photos with another group. The Girl wanted to go but feared bothering him. An older girl in our cast, Savannah, grabbed her and said “Come on!” I followed behind. As we walked up, Ben’s very large security guard pulled him close and started to usher him away. Too close to miss out, The Girl tapped him on the shoulder, looking up at him with her big brown eyes. “Okay. One more.” He smiled and ducked down with her, hugging her after we took the photo. He made her day. Her year, even. He didn’t have to stop one more time, but he did. Her first real celebrity crush, and there’s photographic proof they’ve met. Sweet Savannah, who helped The Girl in her quest to meet Ben, got her reward. On the last night at the festival, Darren Criss (Glee, Hedwig and the Angry Itch, and more), performed a concert for all 5,500 musical theatre nerds, I mean kids, in attendance. Who knew she liked him so much? We did, and it didn’t take long to figure it out. She cried, in Famous Person obsessed fashion, through every song. At the Meet and Greet, she bawled like a baby. Darren hugged her, as if this was an everyday thing. For him, maybe it is. For Savannah, it was her teenage Famous Person Moment. The Girl had one, too. JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous Cheers to Mr. Criss and observations on marriage, motherhood living in Augusta have earned Mr. Platt for making the girls and her a devoted following, both in feel so special. No rainbow print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the leg warmers involved. carpool line at school, you’ll probably find her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.
21JANUARY2016
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And Stay Out!
18
16
Insider Here Comes the Bride Still Rolling After 20 Years
12
NEWS
12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
THERE WAS A FLURRY of news stories this week talking about a proposal by the Augusta Commission’s rules and regulations subcommittee to extend the time behind closed doors for a legal session. A lot of folks were outraged. How dare the commissioners request to stay behind closed doors an hour longer? People were accusing commissioners of trying to become even more secretive and prolong their time out of the public eye in order to further their back-room deals. While it sounds like a juicy story, the fact is, Augusta commissioners already take all the time they want. Just, right now, they force the public to sit and wait for hours hoping and praying that the commissioners will soon emerge from their legal meeting so they will finally conduct the city’s business. For years, those seeking a business or alcohol license from the city could wait more than three hours for the committee meetings to start. These were folks trying to invest in the city’s future and they were left waiting and waiting. There is truth to the saying that time is money. And, in most cases, it didn’t matter who you were. If the commissioners were in a legal meeting, you had no choice but to sit there patiently and wait. Even wealthy local businessmen such as Paul Simon, the president of Augusta Riverfront LLC, and Darryl Leech, the general manager of the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, were often seen sitting and waiting for countless hours for commissioners to return from a legal session. Over the years, there have been attorneys, consultants and experts in a variety of different fields who have traveled from Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia, S.C., and even parts of Florida just to sit and wait for a meeting to begin. Some have missed flights out of Augusta Regional Airport because the meetings ran long. In some cases, these experts, consultants and attorneys were charging the county by the hour as they sat chatting with department heads or staring at their phones while they waited for the committee meetings to finally start. Before Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis and commissioners Dennis Williams and Sammie Sias were sworn into office in 2015, the three elected officials would sit with the general public, shaking their heads and staring at their watches during the legal meetings. At the time, they didn’t like waiting and some even vowed to do something about it when the tables were turned and they were the ones sitting in the commission chairs. The only folks throughout the years that are sometimes given the privilege of not having to suffer through hours of waiting for the committees to begin have been the sheriff and some judges. Whether it was former Richmond County Sheriff Charlie Webster, former Sheriff Ronnie Strength or current Sheriff Richard Roundtree, if the commission knew the sheriff was sitting out in the chambers waiting for an agenda item, they would regularly speed the process along. After all, who wants to keep the sheriff waiting? The same was often true when former Richmond County Superior Court Judge William Fleming came before the commission to discuss an item. But in a few cases, the commissioners even kept the city’s top law enforcement official and chief judge waiting as they
wrangled behind closed doors. So, what happens when commissioners finally open the door and exit their legal meeting? They are frequently met with heavy sighs and folks in the audience rolling their eyes. Why? Because the commissioners have just completely disrespected the public. They sent every member of the audience the same message: Our time is more valuable than yours. You can just sit and wait. That is not the way to run a government. Instead, that kind of attitude promotes animosity and resentment. To make matters worse, sometimes the legal meetings run so long that one of the later committee meetings will lose its quorum because commissioners begin leaving for the day. There have been a number of occasions that citizens or business leaders hoping to address the commission will sit in the chambers for an entire afternoon just to discover that their committee meeting has been canceled because the commissioners are headed home or they have a previous engagement. Unbelievable? Well, it happens. The complete frustration over wasting an entire day down at the Municipal Building has, at times, caused some folks to stand up and yell at the remaining commissioners. Sometimes these folks are facing serious problems within their community and they have taken time off work and traveled downtown so that city leaders will hear their concerns, only to discover that they will not be given the opportunity to speak. It can be devastating for some people. So, for those Augustans who might be concerned about the subcommittee’s recommendation to extend the closed door meetings by one hour, don’t be. Basically, this subcommittee is simply asking to move the meeting up an hour. That way, hopefully, commissioners will start their committee meetings on time. But in order for the plan to work, three things need to happen: All commissioners must show up to the legal meeting promptly at 11 a.m. General Counsel Andrew MacKenzie needs to keep commissioners on topic. And there has to be someone in the legal meetings watching the clock. Because if 1 p.m. comes rolling around and the commissioners are still in their legal session, then the public has every right to ask: What exactly is going on behind those closed doors? 21JANUARY2016
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Take Responsibility for the Marshall Square Fire WHO SHOULD take responsibility for the devastating results of the Marshall Square fire? Let’s see. How about the administrative staff at the Marshall Square retirement community? What about Columbia County Fire Chief Doug Cooper? What about the county officials who approved the apartment complex for elderly citizens? How about the Columbia County commissioners? Here is a brief recap: It was 3 a.m. and about 80 senior citizens awoke to the screeching sound of a fire alarm. Smoke was filling the upper hallways, but little did the residents of the Marshall Square retirement community know that the roof was about to be completely engulfed in flames. Inside the retirement complex there was total confusion, misdirection and a complete denial of the seriousness of the situation. The residents were scared, misinformed and in serious danger. As the fire continued to intensify in the early morning hours of June 2, it was the perfect storm. From less than a mile from the scene, it looked as if the world was on fire. Many citizens throughout the CSRA were left speechless while watching the news coverage that morning as the fire rapidly spread throughout the Evans complex, which had only opened in late 2014 along Ronald Reagan Drive at North Belair Road. How could a fire like that burn so quickly? Why would the staff at Marshall Square not immediately evacuate its residents as soon as the fire alarm went off ? Why did employees at Marshall Square tell residents to remain in their rooms? Why was the alarm system at Marshall Square manually silenced four times that morning before the fire was reported to emergency officials? What reasonable explanation is there for turning the sprinklers off ? As soon as fire fighters on the scene realized the intensity of the fire, why didn’t the Columbia County Fire Rescue immediately call for assistance from the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department? If a similar fire had occurred at a retirement community in Augusta-Richmond County, four aerial trucks would have immediately been sent to the scene. Columbia County has only two aerial ladder trucks to cover the entire county. It is simple math. Whether Columbia County Fire Chief Doug Cooper wants to acknowledge it or not, some firefighters within his own department are insisting that the fire stations are understaffed and not fully equipped to properly address large, commercial or multi-unit residential fires. Within the first hour of the Marshall Square fire, insiders say that there were simply not enough firefighters on the scene to handle the massive blaze. Apparently, the first group of firefighters on the scene allegedly entered the building to search for a possible fire without their tools. 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
That is unheard of in larger cities. Firefighters always enter a building with their equipment, fully prepared for whatever they may encounter. When the firefighters saw smoke, they returned to the truck to retrieve the necessary tools to break the wall. That’s when they discovered the fire. By then, they had lost precious time and immediately needed to concentrate on evacuating the residents. There was also a delay in stretching the hose line because firefighters on the scene didn’t realize the intensity of the fire and they didn’t have enough firefighters initially at the Marshall Square. The general public doesn’t realize that there are typically only two firefighters on each truck sent to a scene in Columbia County. So Columbia County is only putting six or eight guys on the scene of a major fire. That number of firefighters can put out little house fires, but a handful of firefighters can’t handle a fire at a big apartment complex like Marshall Square. Longtime firefighters say there should have been at least 15 firefighters immediately sent to the Marshall Square after the initial 911 call around 3:20 a.m. There should have been at least nine firefighters taking care of the hoses and six firefighters taking care of breaking the glass and searching for people, experts say. Want proof that there were not enough firefighters immediately sent to the scene? The fact that deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff ’s Office and EMTs from Gold Cross Ambulance Service raced into the building to retrieve residents speaks volumes.
The truth is, deputies and EMTs should not have entered a building engulfed in flames. The county is very, very lucky that more lives were not lost that day. But, tragically, 91-year-old Dorothy Carpenter lost her life in the fire, while 82-year-old Rhetta Cadle miraculously survived after being trapped in the building for almost seven hours. Seven hours. How is that possible? By the time Mrs. Cadle was located, trapped in her bathroom after 10 a.m., there were more than a hundred firefighters on the scene. Cadle’s family knew she was still missing. What in the world took so long? Even if the family was already mourning the fact that they probably lost their beloved mother, the firefighters should have been desperately searching that building for any survivors as soon as the fire was contained. But, the Insider will say it, many of the firefighters were standing around outside, under tents waiting for any instructions from anyone, like maybe a fire chief. When Mrs. Cadle was brought out of the building, staff from the Metro Spirit were standing there in disbelief. How could this poor woman be trapped in her bathroom for seven hours without one of the firefighters reaching and searching her room? Word on the street is that firefighters from Columbia County concentrate on trying to save lives, but will, at times, not enter a burning building until the fire is completely under control. The secret motto: Save lives, but if the building burns to the ground, so be it.
The River Stone Apartments in Grovetown are an example of the recent wave of residential development expanding throughout Columbia County. Is Columbia County Fire Rescue prepared to handle such massive growth throughout the county in the case of emergencies?
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The Insider knows it will be blasted and trashed for making this statement publicly, but that is the word on the street from trustworthy sources. People can throw stones at the Metro Spirit, but these questions need to be not only asked, but addressed. The fact that not one commissioner has publicly demanded answers regarding the events surrounding this fire is shameful. All of the Columbia County commissioners have a responsibility to address problems facing the county. And if they don’t think the Marshall Square fire was a major problem, they’re in serious denial. Why were there people over the age of 80 who had difficulty walking located on the third floor of the complex? In the case of an emergency, like let’s say a fire, the residents would not be able to use an elevator. They would be forced to use the stairs. Marshall Square’s management should have known that residents over the age of 80 and those who have difficulty using stairs shouldn’t be given apartments on the second or third floors. There is also the serious question as to why, under the county’s current building codes, Marshall Square was approved as basically an apartment complex. While Marshall Square wasn’t an assisted living facility or “nursing home,” it was clearly sold as a “retirement community” and therefore had a number of residents over the age of 80 living in the facility who had mobility difficulties. So the question is: Shouldn’t a facility like Marshall Square be required to have higher safety measures in place? Many citizens throughout the community are demanding higher standards for such retirement facilities. But it’s been almost eight months since the devastating fire destroyed the Marshall Square retirement community and tragically killed 91-year-old resident Dorothy Carpenter. And the community is still waiting for answers. Why hasn’t the state fire marshal’s office released its findings and report regarding this horrific fire? With all of these outstanding questions still surrounding this tragic fire, the Metro Spirit would like to offer some answers: The Columbia County fire chief should be fired. He says there was adequate equipment and manpower at the scene that morning. “At the fire, I had six pumps and two ladder trucks and 104 firefighters. I had about everything that I needed over there,” Columbia County Fire Chief Paul Cooper told the Metro Spirit after the fire. But when did all of those folks actually show up? It wasn’t at 3:30 a.m. that’s for sure. Chief Cooper also doesn’t know exactly how to read the info relating to when and how the fire alarms were disabled. Cooper reportedly told Columbia County News-Times Publisher Steve Crawford last month that his department received a copy of the fire panel data relating to the Marshall Square fire, but “hasn’t been able to decipher it yet.” Does the public need more reasons to show him the door? Also, the staff at Marshall Square that instructed residents to remain in their rooms should face criminal charges. The county staff who approved Marshall Square as an apartment complex should be, at the very least, reprimanded, if not fired. Those commissioners not addressing this major county concern should be voted out of office. Those suggestions may sound harsh, but why is it that only former residents of Marshall Square, local attorneys representing their clients and a very few members of the local media are demanding answers? If Dorothy Carpenter or Rhetta Cadle was your mother, wouldn’t you want answers? Wouldn’t you want the county to fix what’s clearly broken? Ignoring the problem won’t solve anything. The fire at Marshall Square was a tragedy. The investigation, or lack thereof, surrounding the fire is an absolute nightmare.
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Here Comes the Bride
Fat Man’s Catering gears up for that all-important wedding season Fat Man’s Catering and events isn’t quite a one-stop shop for brides, but they very well could be in the near future. “I keep joking that they just need to open up a big wedding one-stop shop,” said Event Coordinator Heather Bowen. “I can do hair, I can do floral arrangements, I can do wedding cakes, we’ve got the catering, we’ve got the venue. We’re good to go.” Bowen, who joined the Fat Man’s team last June, didn’t come by event coordinating naturally. In fact, up until college she thought she was going to be a doctor. But even in high school, Bowen had a thing for weddings. “In Columbia County (where she went to high school) you had to have a senior project in order to graduate,” she explained. “The first semester you spent time researching and, at that point, I thought I wanted to go to med school but I did my senior project on wedding traditions. Then second semester you had to spend 20 hours making some sort of finished product and I made a wedding cake. It looked like the leaning tower.” On purpose? “No,” she laughed. “I kind of worked with someone a little bit. They gave me some pointers and tips and then I just kind of winged it from there. I did not know what I was doing then but I made a three-tier wedding cake… 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
you just couldn’t put the top tier on or it would fall over. After that I just started playing with custom cakes, and when I started working at Very Vera, I managed her nighttime bakery.” Bowen worked for Very Vera twice, separated only by a move back to her native Illinois that didn’t last very long before she returned to Augusta. She left when Vera Stewart closed her bakery in 2013. Her senior project and time spent in a top-notch bakery have served her well in her new role at Fat Man’s and Enterprise Mill Events Center — two names for essentially the same place — where she will often take on the role of baker in addition to event coordinator. “Fat Man’s didn’t offer wedding cakes until I came on board and I’ve done a few since I got here,” she said. “I do hair and I do this, so I try not to overflow my plate. It’s already full to the rim. I don’t take on everybody, but if I do have a bride who has something specific in mind that I feel like I’m comfortable with taking on, I’ll do it.” In addition to her work at Fat Man’s, Bowen is also a part-time stylist at Accent on Hair. Cakes and hair are fun, but they’re not the focus of Bowen’s work at Fat Man’s, where she works closely with clients on different aspects of their weddings. Since they moved to Enterprise Mill in 2009, Fat Man’s has
by Amy Christian
become an increasingly popular place to host weddings. It’s not surprising, really. After all, they’re located right next to the Augusta Canal, which is perfect for pictures, and clients have access to a gazebo and a fire pit, all surrounded by the lush greenery of the grounds. They also have access to indoor space. Bowen credits the beautiful surroundings with their popularity with brides and grooms. “I think it’s just the history behind the building and the brick,” she said. “The whole rustic thing is in right now. Brides who get married down her can take pictures by the canal. I think it’s just the room and the architecture.” Even if the wedding is off-site, Fat Man’s can cater in a variety of ways, from a formal, sit-down dinner to a more casual food truck. Yep, a food truck at a wedding reception. “We’ve actually done backyard weddings where we literally pull into someone’s backyard by the pool,” she said. “Food trucks are becoming more popular so it’s fun.” And while Fat Man’s restaurant is known for soul food and down home “speshuls,” the catering side of the business can do almost anything. “I have a 56-page menu that I send out to brides or corporate parties that we have coming up, but I always 21JANUARY2016
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tell them, ‘We’re not limited to what’s in this menu,’” she said. “Havird (Usry), who is one of our owners, has gone through culinary school and we also have four other members of our staff who have gone to culinary school, so sometimes they just put their heads together and come up with something unusual.” Thanks to the internet and sites like Pinterest, Bowen said they’ve seen an increase in fun foods at receptions. Build your own stations, whether they be for cupcakes, mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese, are on the rise. “This week we’ve got an event coming up with a grilled cheese bar,” she said. “So it could be a peanut butter and jelly with cheese and apples or whatever they come up with and an attendant will be making those to order. Stations are definitely popular right now, but we can do plated dinners as well as a buffet. We do more buffets, but for more formal events we can do plated dinners, and that’s when the culinary people come in and make it really special. Havird has really gotten into the food aspect of it. Right now, he’s working in LA with a chef, and he’s got a much bigger vision for where it can go.” And just as event food has changed and evolved, so have weddings themselves. Saturdays used to be the day to hold weddings, but Bowen says these days any day is a good one for a wedding. Saturdays are still the most popular day, and to prove it she points out that most all their Saturdays this year are booked. For those planning a wedding a little further out, however, Fat Man’s is hosting a Southern Square Bridal Show this Sunday, January 24, from noon-4 p.m. The show will host a variety 21JANUARY2016
of vendors, who can help brides out with everything from DJs to cakes. Fat Man’s may have the bridal business down to a science, but they’re interested in doing more. “We do some Masters Week events but we would like it to be bigger,” Bowen said. “Before they moved to Enterprise Mill they didn’t really have the space to do Masters events. Now we do, but most Masters clients use the same caterers over and over for 10-plus or 20-plus years, so every year they call the same person. We have signed a couple of contracts for this year, but we’re really trying to grow that business.” While they grow their Masters business, Fat Man’s continues to try and improve upon their wedding clients’ experiences, and Bowen says she looks forward to the end of each event… but not for the reason you might think. “My favorite part is probably the day after the wedding or the week after the wedding when I start getting emails saying how perfect everything was,” she explained. “Then you feel like you did your job and you’re doing something that’s worth it.” Fat Man’s Catering and events enterprise Mill events info@enterprisemillevents.com enterprisemillevents.com
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Photo by Joe White
Still Rolling After 20 Years Two decades ago, Nacho Mama’s opened its doors in downtown Augusta and immediately began to feed the city’s future When good friends and Augusta natives Barry Blackston and Matt Flynn opened the doors to Nacho Mama’s on Broad Street exactly 20 years ago, no one knew what to expect. For months prior to its January 1996 opening, all eyes had been on the activity inside the 976 Broad Street location. People working in downtown Augusta were anxious for a new option during their lunch hour. “By the time we actually opened the doors, people knew all about us because there weren’t many places to eat downtown,” Flynn said. “Back then, there were slim pickings.” At the time, the lunch crowd in downtown Augusta had only a handful of options, such as Sunshine Bakery, Joe’s Underground and Hildebrandt’s. “Something new was a big to-do in this little town back then,” Blackston said, chuckling. “So, when we opened up that first day, there was a line out the door.” Blackston and Flynn had worked tirelessly for months to 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
get the restaurant ready for its grand opening, but they were completely unprepared for the enormous crowd that arrived the first day. “It was nuts. It was absolutely nuts,” Flynn said, laughing. “We had no idea what we were getting into. We ripped through the food that we had prepared almost immediately and just started running out of everything. I mean, everything. We were completely clueless as to how much we needed, like how much chicken we needed or how much rice. It was chaotic to say the least.” The two friends became so overwhelmed by the number of customers standing in line waiting to try downtown’s newest restaurant that Blackston joked that they got desperate. “We turned the stereo up loud enough to run people out the door,” Blackston said, laughing and shaking his head. “But people were still coming.” The first few months after Nacho Mama’s opened in 1996 were some of the longest days of his life, Blackston said.
By Stacey Eidson “We worked day and night,” Blackston said. “Matt and I cooked day and night when we opened. We didn’t have any employees, so we worked our butts off until we finally got a little bit of staff.” And money was extremely tight, he said. “Prior to opening Nacho Mama’s, I had two jobs and then I eventually quit my day job, but kept working at Calvert’s,” Blackston said, referring to Calvert’s Restaurant in Surrey Center that has been an Augusta tradition for almost 40 years. “Then, I quit working at Calvert’s about two months before we opened here. So I actually sold personal possessions to buy Christmas presents for my family and my girlfriend that year because I had no money.” The two friends had no money, but they had tons of free beer, Blackston said. “We had stocked the place with beer because we kept thinking we could open in 1995 but then we would have to push it back,” he said. “So we had kegs of beer on tap for two 21JANUARY2016
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months before we even opened, so we had plenty of free beer that Christmas.” Flynn recalled also working two jobs prior to Nacho Mama’s opening and yet both friends still stayed up in the wee hours of the morning to work on their new restaurant. “We would work all day, go home and shower, then go back to work and then come here,” Flynn said. “It was a crazy schedule.” About three months after the restaurant’s grand opening, Blackston said some longtime college friends from the University of Georgia quickly realized he needed a stress reliever. “We were working and, all of a sudden my friend Bruce came into the restaurant wearing a dress made out of neckties with a banjo,” Blackston said. “So he climbs up on this little stage that we used to have and announces himself as ‘Banjo Bitch’ and he starts playing this banjo and people are looking at him like, ‘What the hell is going on?’” Blackston remembered walking around to the front of restaurant in complete disbelief. “So I’m just laughing watching him and I didn’t realize that two other friends were dressed in Secret Service outfits with walkie talkies and they are communicating with each other,” Blackston said. “The next thing I know, another friend in a gorilla suit comes through the front door and hits me in the face with a pie.”
“My dad thought I was nuts. That is still a running joke in our family.” - Barry Blackston
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Matt Flynn and Barry Blackston It was an extremely elaborate and hilarious prank that Blackston said he desperately needed. “That was probably the happiest I had been in five months because we were just working our asses off,” Blackston said. “It was hilarious. So, right next to the menu on the wall when you walk into the restaurant, I keep a picture of my friend and his necktie dress playing the banjo. It’s a good reminder of that day.” Both Blackston and Flynn say it is hard to believe that Nacho Mama’s has been serving up its enormous burritos, delicious quesadillas and tasty tacos for two decades. “Twenty years for any restaurant is a pretty long time,” Flynn said. “We’re an institution,” Blackston jokingly said. But Nacho Mama’s has withstood the test of time and become a much beloved downtown restaurant on Broad Street. “People support us. Our customers are very loyal,” Blackston said. “We have people who come every week, some of them come twice a week, and they have been coming in here for decades.” Blackston, who is now the sole owner of Nacho Mama’s after buying out Flynn several years ago, is extremely proud of the restaurant’s legacy in downtown Augusta. “People have always been super kind to us because, when we first opened, we weren’t that good,” Blackston said, laughing. “The food has definitely evolved in terms of quality and consistency over the years, but people still supported us because we’re local. We know a lot of people and our friends and family definitely supported us in the early days.” However, many people were skeptical as to whether a restaurant like Nacho Mama’s could survive downtown, Blackston said. “My dad thought I was nuts,” he said, chuckling. “That is still a running joke in our family. He’s a bit of pessimist anyway, but he thought I was crazy.” He wasn’t alone, Flynn said. “Generally speaking, a lot of the people we were talking to for advice were also telling us not to do it,” Flynn said. But the two friends saw a future and great possibilities in downtown Augusta.
“Obviously, The Soul Bar had already opened a few months before us in 1995,” Flynn said. “And we were friends with those guys way before anybody got into this business. But we were definitely among some of the first to take a chance on downtown back in those days. It was exciting, but who knew what was going to happen?” Following the success of Nacho Mama’s, Blackston and Flynn opened Stillwater Taproom, a great local bar showcasing a unique blend of bluegrass and Americana music, right next door at 974 Broad Street in 2003. “Of course, when we told people we were opening a bluegrass bar people thought we were nuts, too,” Blackston said, laughing. “So you never know.” The partners also previously owned Blue Sky Kitchen featuring eclectic Cuban, Asian and American-style food which opened in 2000, but Blackston sold that restaurant a few years ago to spend more time with his wife and two young boys. Developing businesses in downtown Augusta has definitely been a journey, but a very rewarding one, Blackston said. “Downtown is extremely healthy,” he said. “Every year we do more business than the previous year. And, 20 years in, that says something about the health of the restaurant, in terms of business. Downtown is doing great. Anybody who tries to speak poorly of downtown has a grudge or they don’t come downtown. Every restaurant down here that is worth its salt is slammed on the weekends and is doing a good business during the week.” In fact, less than a year after Nacho Mama’s opened its doors, another popular downtown restaurant was born. In December 1996, former Augusta State University student Michael Schepis and his then-business partner, Roscoe Williams, opened The Pizza Joint. The Broad Street restaurant quickly became a popular hangout for Augustans of all ages and a downtown favorite that offered delicious pizza by the slice. “Downtown Augusta has a long history. It is the backbone of the city,” Schepis said. “But downtown has gone through its ups and downs. Obviously, with the advent of the mall in the late 1970s, that AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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is when it cleared out the downtown district. But I’ve always been attracted to the historic value of a downtown. So, we just tried to open up a little pizzeria to have a place where people could come, eat and enjoy themselves.” While Roscoe Williams parted from the business very early on, Schepis stuck with the downtown restaurant, determined to make it a success. He believes The Pizza Joint definitely benefitted from having both The Soul Bar and Nacho Mama’s open up first on Broad Street. “I think Coco was smart and forward thinking in going downtown and he had a good vision,” Schepis said, referring to Coco Rubio, who opened The Soul Bar in October 1995 with his brother, Jayson. “And so did the guys at Nacho Mama’s. They were all friends and they had a good sense of what the city needed. They were tied into the community really well. I definitely give them credit for reigniting an interest in downtown. They were on the tip of helping bring downtown back around.” All of sudden, people throughout Augusta were talking about downtown once again, Schepis said. “Opening around the same time they did, it created a lot of buzz,” he said. “They did a lot of work and we were sort of lucky enough to decide to do something around the same time.” In fact, Schepis said he would often
frequent both Nacho Mama’s and The Soul Bar when he lived on Broad Street for about a decade. “I enjoyed going to their establishments. So it was nice to open up a place while they were already open,” he said. “I lived on Broad Street for almost 10 years. I walked everywhere. That was my backyard. Everybody said hello and spoke to you. They asked how you were doing. It’s a family vibe down there.” When it comes to The Pizza Joint’s 20-year legacy, Schepis is extremely humble and gives most of the credit to his long-time staff and his loyal customers. “We didn’t bring anything to downtown,” Schepis said. “Downtown had everything that made us want to come down there. Downtown provided everything and more that a young businessperson would want: available parking, affordable rent, historic properties, scenic sidewalks, a beautiful river, accessibility to government buildings and professionals that work down there who had remained during the city’s ups and downs.” Augusta has been extremely kind to The Pizza Joint, Schepis said. “I give credit to Augusta and its beautiful downtown that made us successful,” he said. “The least we can do is pump out good food, like our scratch-made East Coast-style pizza, for everyone to enjoy.” The fact that some of Schepis’ employees have been with him since almost the beginning, such as his district manager Diane
“We had no idea what we were getting into. We ripped through the food that we had prepared almost immediately and just started running out of everything. I mean, everything.” - Matt Flynn 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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“We didn’t bring anything to downtown. Downtown had everything that made us want to come down there.” - Michael Schepis
Michael Schepis and Diane McCall McCall, also means the world to him and the restaurant. “Diane has been with me 18 years. She was 18 when she started,” Schepis said. “She has been a huge part of our success. We have a lot of long-term employees, so it is just about creating sort of a family. Sure, we make pizza, we pour beer, but we have evolved as the years have gone by. And pizzerias are meant to be fun. I sincerely believe, happy employees equal happy guests.” While The Pizza Joint now has locations in Evans, Aiken and even Columbia, S.C., Schepis said nothing will ever replace the Broad Street location. “Downtown is the original. It has its own unique feel,” Schepis said. “A lot of people who were in their teens going to the downtown location, they met their girlfriend or boyfriend over the years at The Pizza Joint. Now, they are married with five or six kids. It amazing that Pizza Joint played an integral part in all of that. So that’s really cool, but we don’t take anything for granted. Just because you opened up in downtown 20 years ago, you have to keep working hard to provide a good product.” A few years ago, Schepis teamed up with Chef David Alcaraz to open Oliviana Bar Italiano & Pizzeria in Surrey Center which features rustic, Italian-inspired food in an “elevated, yet casual” atmosphere. Sitting at a table in the beautiful dining area in Oliviana, Schepis said it is hard to believe its been almost 20 years since he first decided to take a chance on bringing The Pizza Joint to Broad Street. “I dropped out of college to open up a pizza joint. That was my goal,” he said. “I felt ambitious. I wanted to provide a place that 21JANUARY2016
could grow. I like working with people and building a team and trying to create a team that could help grow restaurants. The Pizza Joint, it’s not about me. It’s about our great team.” It’s also about being a part of downtown Augusta’s history, he said. “You feel obligated to continue to raise the bar,” Schepis said. “After 20 years, we are not in our 20s anymore. We are all middle aged now and we are hiring friends’ kids to work with us. That history makes us work harder to be even better.” Looking back over the years, Blackston said the concept behind Nacho Mama’s was simple, but building a successful restaurant literally took blood, sweat and tears. “The concept came up because I like burritos,” Blackston said, chuckling. “I went to school in Athens and we were poor, so the taco stand was a luxury. But Augusta just didn’t have anything like that. Every other college town had a burrito or a Tex-Mex kind of place, but Augusta didn’t, so we saw an opportunity here.” Blackston and Flynn also recalled an amazing trip that they took to Copan, Honduras, in 1994. “We had a giant burrito down there that was life changing,” Blackston said, smiling. “We didn’t have anything like that around here.” So the two friends began a journey that resulted in a very successful downtown restaurant that has grown each and every year with an extremely dedicated staff. “I can’t say enough about Shannon Piazza Carpenter and Shaun Piazza,” Blackston said, referring to two of his long-time employees. “They are my right and left hands. Shannon AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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has been there 16 years and Shaun has been there like 14 years. I honestly couldn’t do it without them. I do everything I can for them.” While Blackston has considered opening up another Nacho Mama’s location in the future, he said that possibility is still “down the road.” “My kids are still kind of young,” Blackston said, adding his boys are 4 and almost 7 years old. “I may do another one someplace else, but I need to get my kids well into school. Because once I open another place, I won’t have time to hang out with them like I do now and I really like spending time with them.” But the two young boys already have a great fondness for their father’s restaurant. “It is funny because when I work, I usually eat here, so my wife always gives me hell that she never gets to come down here because I don’t want to come back and eat when I’m not working,” Blackston said, chuckling. “So she will bring the kids down some days when I’m working and we’ll have lunch and they will have ball. They absolutely love it.” In fact, all of Blackston’s family appreciates the hard work and great effort it took to make Nacho Mama’s successful. “My parents come down and still eat here every two weeks and they have for 20 years,” Blackston said, adding that even his dad eventually admitted he was wrong about taking a risk on a downtown restaurant. “He stopped doubting my intuition several years ago after seeing how it has grown.”
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As the years go by, Blackston said he and his family have seen the impact that Nacho Mama’s has had on, not only local Augustans, but people all over the region. “Last year, I was in a restaurant in Beaufort and I was talking to the owner and I just happened to say the name of my restaurant,” Blackston said. “Suddenly, the guy next to me just chimed in and said, ‘I love that place! I travel to Augusta every year and I always go there!’” Only a few months later, a similar situation happened while on vacation in North Carolina, Blackston said. “We were in the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, N.C., and my wife had on a Nacho Mama’s T-shirt,” Blackston said. “Well, a guy came up from a tour group and started to talk to her about how he loves that restaurant and every time he comes to Augusta, he eats there.” On two separate trips just last year, Blackston said he was floored that complete strangers from outside the Augusta area raved about the great food and fun atmosphere at Nacho Mama’s. “Both people told us the name of their favorite item on the menu when they come in and eat, so I knew they were telling the truth. They weren’t lying,” Blackston said, laughing. “It is just one of those things that kind of makes me happy inside. It’s a really good feeling.”
“Anybody who tries to speak poorly of downtown has a grudge or they don’t come downtown.” - Barry Blackston
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WHAT’S UP
Beer University Calendar Music Listings
BEER UNIVERSITY
If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com. 21JANUARY2016
by Amy Christian
Marty Koger will be the first to admit that he doesn’t have a background in high-quality beer. “I can’t say that I grew up with porters or IPAs,” he laughed. “My palate was developed on Michelob Light and things like that.” That changed last April, when Koger added Tip Top Taps to the list of businesses he owns. “After being a part of this, I have much, much more appreciation for all styles of beer,” he explained. “It’s really a lot of fun knowing that when I go to a restaurant and see different styles of beer on the menu I can buy those with some understanding of what I’m going to be getting.” Located in one of Koger’s former convenience stores on busy Washington Road in Columbia County, Tip Top Taps sells 20 different draft beers and ciders in containers ranging in size from 32 ounces (howler) and 64 ounces (growler) to one gallon. Once customers have made their purchases and the chilled containers are filled, the top is sealed (to comply with open container laws) so customers can take them home to enjoy.
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THIS WEEK
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
TUESDAY
Fake It to Make It: A Lip Sync Challenge is a benefit for SafeHomes of Augusta at the Imperial Theatre at 7:30, and looks to be fun whether you’re participating or watching. $12-$32.
Don’t know anything about Adam Harris Thompson and Michael Baideme, who are performing tonight at Metro Coffeehouse & Pub? Trust us, they’re good. Besides, who needs an excuse to go to Metro?
“Motivated by Color: The Life & Art of Phillip Morsberger” shows at noon today for free at the Morris Museum of Art. Can’t make it? It also shows Thursday, January 28, at 4:30 p.m. so you have no excuse.
The Emerging Woman, at 5:30 p.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library, is a talk by local entrepreneur Laura Lee Galipo about life as transgendered. It should be fascinating, so plan ahead because pre-registration is required.
For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 28. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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In fact, one of the first things Koger wants to clarify about Tip Top Taps is that it is not a bar even though it may look like a pub on the outside. “It’s really not even a hangout. This is not a bar, but a lot of people are regulars. The main attraction is finding out what we’ve brought in new for them because it’s an indulgence,” he explained. “We’re providing you with a piece of entertainment that you’re not going to get much anywhere else. And you take it home with you and enjoy it with your wife or your husband or your friends or whatever. These are really for sharing and so it’s a social thing.” Tip Top Taps is not a bar, and it very nearly wasn’t even a growler store. Two years ago, when Koger wasn’t looking for something to do with the site after closing down the convenience store, his IT guy told him he should get into the vapor business. “At first I was very much reluctant,” Koger said. “I was not familiar with that business at all. It was a new business, a new industry and a new concept, something that I knew was going to be a challenge for me as a nonsmoker.” Koger, however, said he likes to keep an open mind about new business ideas so, after talking to his IT guy, he started doing his own research. “I came to the conclusion that vapor is the future of nicotine consumption and, as opposed to smoking, it is so much better as a delivery method for nicotine than cigarettes,” he said. “So I almost felt like it was my purpose to bring to Columbia County a store that would be neutral territory. Not a head shop, but neutral territory, a former convenience store, someplace that everybody already considers themselves welcome at.” When he told his wife about his plans,
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however, she wasn’t convinced. So he asked her to come up with ideas for the space. She, in turn, consulted their daughters who live in Atlanta, who said he should open a growler shop. Now it was Koger’s turn to be doubtful. He had seen the rise and fall of a downtown that sold growlers, but that was his only experience. To keep an open mind, though,
he and his wife went to visit their daughters and, during the trip, also visited many growler shops. “I took pictures and asked questions and made as much of that trip as I possibly could to give me a foundation of knowledge that I could start using to get creative,” he said. “I really liked what I saw in Atlanta, but then I talked with people in the industry, distributors in particular, and they said they didn’t know if a growler shop by itself would be a good business.” So that’s when Koger decided to combine the ideas. Bel Air (Beautiful Air) Vapors now sits inside Tip Top Taps and offers devices and juices to those who like to vape, as well as those looking to stop smoking cigarettes. “This doesn’t cause cancer and it is so benign,” he explained. “the steam, the vapor that is created is the exact same thing that people with asthma squirt from inhalers. It’s so misunderstood.” Those still skeptical should know that the juices that go in the devices are handcrafted locally for Koger, the nicotine added to the juices is already diluted and that all juice is kept in a refrigerator. “Now, what I don’t do is encourage people to come in here and smoke up the place because people who don’t know it don’t know whether they want to be involved in it,” he said. “So I do my best to discourage overvaping and steaming up the place even though it is just fog.” Vaping and buying beer in growler form share a similar demographic and are both
new ideas to Columbia County, so Koger knew he’d have to hire experts. “The men that I’ve hired to run the store are also home brewers themselves and have a passion for craft beer,” he said. “They know it, they know what it is, how it’s made, what goes into it, they can describe it and they can educate.” And education is a lot of the job at Tip Top Taps, especially when someone walks in for the first time. “It’s amazing to me that every single day, and I mean every day, 50 percent of my customers that come inside this store have never been in before, have been driving by for almost a year now, have not known what in the world we sold,” he said. “I guess their curiosity finally gets the best of them and they come in to ask what we do. And we tell them and teach them what we do.” It’s a lot of work on the front end, but it results in a lot of repeat business and a lot of loyal customers. Tip Top Taps may not be a hangout, but a lot of thought went into everything in the store — the height of the bar, the footrests, the number of taps — to make sure customers are comfortable when they are there. Koger also uses the DigitalPour system. Four monitors above the taps display information about the beer in the five taps under each monitor. The information includes the name of the beer, the name of the brewery, the style of beer, where it’s brewed, the ABV (alcohol by volume), the IBU (international bitterness unit), the color of the beer and the prices. 21JANUARY2016
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The same information can be found on the store’s website. The DigitalPour system also shows customers how much is left in the keg. “You see this one here?” Koger says, pointing to one beer’s information that shows a keg with less than five percent left. “Somebody soon is going to get a free growler of beer because, when it blows, we give it to you free. It’s called growler roulette. Some people will come in and play growler roulette and they will buy the ones that are almost out, hoping to hit. Sometimes when they hit, they hit two or three times and the other people in here are rooting for it. It’s a lot of fun. It’s almost like being in Vegas.” Also fun is getting to taste and talk about the beers. Tip Top Taps may not be a bar, but customers can definitely try before they buy. Once they find one (or more) they like, their first purchase simply requires a one-time $5 deposit (or $8 if purchased by the gallon) for the container. After that, customers simply bring their old container in and exchange it for a new one. Beer may be fun but, to the guys at Tip Top Taps, it’s also serious business. Koger said his barkeeps, especially employee Will Smith, research beer constantly and he allows all of them to order. “I allow all my barkeeps to order beer but, in particular, Will does most of the ordering,” he said. “He has so much experience and so much understanding. He knows it’s called Tip Top Taps for a reason, so we end up with a heck of a lot of top-end beers.” They do, in fact, have Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde, one of the top rated beers in the world, currently on tap. They also have Ace Pineapple Cider, which Koger describes as “summertime in a glass,” always on tap, though all of the other taps rotate between seasonal offerings and whatever the staff thinks looks good. 21JANUARY2016
“I wanted people to be able to come in here and find something new on the wall every time they came in,” he said. “Our beers are not going to be your run of the mill beers. These are all going to be rated by Beer Advocate, highly, or by ratebeer.com and they’re all going to be top shelf.” Koger understand that, for some, his shop may be a little intimidating, but he says one visit is all it takes to get over that feeling. “People really do want to try it but they’re a little intimidated. A lot of people don’t know what a stout or a porter or an IPA is, but we have a little saying here: fear no beer,” he said. “We want people to open their minds, expand their palates, learn how beer should be appreciated just like fine food or fine art. Wine has had this down for years and now it’s the beer industry’s turn to share knowledge and taste with a whole population that has been not brainwashed but mouthwashed with beer. With lite beer. “ Koger says he simply provides a fun “school” in which to learn a little bit about brews from around the world. “I love this little place, I really do,” Koger said. “And when it’s got a crowd in here, it’s the friendliest place in Evans, Georgia. People come in here happy and they leave happier.” TIP TOP TAPS 4317 Washington Road, Evans Monday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m.; Friday, noon9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:30-8 p.m. 706-860-2320 tiptoptaps.com
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What started off as a roadblock turned into a blessing for Cristell Reyes. Her former dance partner, Eduardo Diaz, may have moved away, but from that came an opportunity to own her own dance studio. Fusion Ballroom holds its grand opening this Saturday, January 23, from 7 p.m.-midnight and the public is invited to take part in the free party that will feature performances, wine and food. Fusion Ballroom is owned by Reyes and fellow dancer Christopher Truelove, who are shown above. “We are the only studio that not only provides ballroom, but also Latin, swing, and Argentine tango with specialized instructors in each dance style,” said Reyes, who is also executive director of the Columbia County Choral Society. “We are cordially inviting the whole CSRA community to join us in our grand opening to get a taste of what we are offering.” For more information, call 706-922-9837 or visit fusionballroomofaugusta.com.
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Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
The Cinema Series at Augusta University honors the recently deceased David Bowie with a screening of “The Man Who Fell To Earth” Saturday, January 23, at 7 p.m. at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. The tribute will begin with music clips and film trailers before showing the 1976 movie in which Bowie had his first starring role. Free. Call 706-667-1400 or visit gru.edu/maxwelltheatre/.
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 706724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.
Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta
ARTS
DANCE
Sat Jan 23, 2016
Sat Jan 23, 2016
Kroc Center An acrylics class for those ages 12 and up. No previous experience necessary and all supplies are included. $40; pre-registration required. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Aiken Community Playhouse Led by Edgefield native and Disney performer Warren Sain, this musical theatre dance intensive will help students ages 10 and up channel their imagination, creativity, passion, and dreams into dance and movement on stage. $25; pre-registration required. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
10am - 1pm Scripture Painting
Mon Jan 25, 2016
1:30pm - 4:30pm Oil Painting Attic Treasures, Harlem A class led by Minette Hatcher for those ages 10 to adults. There are three sessions of this class; session 2 is January 25, while session 3 is February 1. $30, one class; $55, two classes; $80, all three classes plus supply fee. Call 706-394-4682 or email harlemartscouncil@gmail.com.
Wed Jan 27, 2016
7pm Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Le Chat Noir An burlesque live drawing event featuring contests, performances, prizes and more. $10, advance; $12 at the door. Call 706-7223322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
9am - 5pm Choreography Workshop
7pm - midnight Grand Opening Fusion Ballroom of Augusta A free event featuring performances, wine, food and more. Call 706-922-9837 or visit fusionballroomofaugusta.com.
EDUCATION Fri Jan 22, 2016
Noon - 2pm How to Survive the Coming Times Headquarters Branch Library A systematic study of life-changing world events, including the future of America, global financial collapse, new world order, one world religion and more. The first class provides the framework for this weekly
teaching series. Call 706-751-9152.
Mon Jan 25, 2016
10:30am Introduction to the Internet Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
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 26, 2016
2pm eBooks and Georgia Download Destination Diamond Lakes Branch Library Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
5:30pm The Emerging Woman Maxwell Branch Library Local entrepreneur Laura Lee Galipo will discuss life as transgendered. Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
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 Fri Jan 22, 2016
7pm The Great Ladies of Song w/ Vocalist Maria Howell Columbia Museum of Art Part of the museum’s Jazz on Main concert series. $35; $28, members or $5 for students. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
Sun Jan 24, 2016
2pm Gallery Tour: Highlights of the CMA Collection Columbia Museum of Art Free with admission. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
Ongoing
Free Admission Days
Thu Jan 28, 2016
Columbia Museum of Art Held January 18-29. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
Columbia County Library
Life After Life: Representational
5:30pm PowerPoint
If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com. 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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and Interpretive Paintings of Elaine Thillen LithaMoonGallery, Greensboro Shows through February 13. Visit lithamoon.com.
EXHIBITIONS Thu Jan 21, 2016
6pm - 9pm “Scenic Impressions” Opening Reception Morris Museum of Art Art historian and author Martha Severens discusses the exhibition from the Johnson Collection. A reception and book signing will follow. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Ongoing
The Winter Exhibition Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Featuring the work of Carrie Brooks and Hyunsuk Erickson, this exhibit shows through February 26. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
History of African-American Nursing Exhibition Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History The exhibit shows through February 26. Call 706-724-3576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.
Ajibola Exhibition Sacred Heart Cultural Center Also known as Daphne Taylor, this local artist will exhibit her original paintings through February 26. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.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 westoboufestival.com.
Exhibits Augusta Museum of History Includes the following: “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 Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots”. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
FLIX Sat Jan 23, 2016 3pm “Pan”
Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
7pm “The Man Who Fell To Earth” Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre Free. Call 706-667-1400 or visit gru.edu/ maxwelltheatre/.
Sun Jan 24, 2016
Noon “Motivated by Color: The Life & Art of Phillip Morsberger”
Thu Jan 21, 2016
6pm Breastfeeding Class
Morris Museum of Art Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Babies R Us Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Thu Jan 28, 2016
6:30pm - 9:30pm Breastfeeding Class
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 706650-5760 or visit goodwillworks.org.
HEALTH
4:30pm “Motivated by Color: The Life & Art of Phillip Morsberger” Morris Museum of Art Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Doctors Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Sat Jan 23, 2016
9am - 4:30pm Short and Sweet Doctors Hospital A weekend childbirth education class that continues Sunday, January 24, from 1-5 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
1pm - 4:30pm Open House
Are you ready for what the future has in store for Earth? If you’re not sure, you might want to attend How to Survive the Coming Times, a systematic study of life-changing world events, including the future of America, global financial collapse, new world order, one world religion and more. The first class, held Friday, January 22, from noon-2 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library downtown, provides the framework for this weekly teaching series. Call 706-751-9152. 21JANUARY2016
The Yoga Center, North Augusta During this event there will be free mini classes in two studios, free Thai Yoga sessions, One Mockingbird jewelry available for purchase and a free Pranakriya yoga class from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Visit theyogacenter.net.
or visit gchrl.org.
Tue Jan 26, 2016
6pm - 8pm Treating Acid Reflux Doctors Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Thu Jan 28, 2016
7pm Happiest Baby on the Block Doctors Hospital An infant care and sleep class for new parents. Pre-registration required. Call 706651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR Class University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
HOBBIES Sat Jan 23, 2016
10am Keep Calm and Coupon On Euchee Creek Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-5560594 or visit gchrl.org.
Noon Saturday Chess Club
Mon Jan 25, 2016
6pm Transcendental Meditation Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946
Euchee Creek Branch Library An all ages program. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.
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Tue Jan 26, 2016
7pm - 8:30pm Tragic Affairs Abroad Book Talk Aiken Public Library A discussion of “Memoirs of a Geisha,” which showed Tuesday, January 19, at 6 p. m. at the library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Wed Jan 27, 2016
6:30pm - 8pm Book Club
Metro Spirit columnist and radio talk show host Austin Rhodes pairs up with WRDW’s Meredith Anderson for “Love Letters,” a story of two people drawn to each other through years, wars, marriages and life. It shows Friday and Saturday, January 22 and 23, at 8 p.m. at Le Chat Noir. $30. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
Kroc Center Open to anyone ages 25 and older interested in a fun, dynamic discussion. Books are selected by members and cover a variety of topics. Free. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Thu Jan 28, 2016
10am - noon Morning Book Club
Mon Jan 25, 2016
Euchee Creek Branch Library Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.
Maxwell Branch Library Discussion will be on “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org.
Diamond Lakes Branch Library Led by Alicson Roberts. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Jan 27, 2016
10:30am On the Same Page Book Club
5pm Coupon Class
Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Euchee Creek Branch Library Book to be announced. Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.
Diamond Lakes Branch Library An event for adults that includes classic games such as bingo, checkers, chess and more. Pre-registration required. Call 706772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
4pm Alice in Wonderland Party
MUSIC
2pm Cool Coloring & Hot Chocolate for Grownups
4:30pm, 5:30, 6:30pm Princess Party
Thu Jan 28, 2016
11am Thursday Game Mania
Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
KIDS-TEENS
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library An event for those in third-sixth grades that will include games, crafts and more. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org. Barnes & Noble A meet and greet with Anna and Elsa that will include songs, stories, milk and cookies. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Thu Jan 21, 2016
7pm Winter Nocturne: Dana Morgan USC Aiken’s Etherredge Center This celebrated pianist’s performance will feature works by Gershwin and Beethoven. $20, general; free for students with ID. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.
Fri Jan 22, 2016
7:30pm Eden Stell Guitar Duo Concert Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre Part of the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society series. $25; $5, students with ID; free, AU students, faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit gru.edu.
Fri Jan 22, 2016
Thu Jan 28, 2016
Reed Creek Park For those ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email kbyne@columbiacountyga.gov.
Barnes & Noble A meet and greet with Anna and Elsa that will include songs, stories, milk and cookies. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Sat Jan 23, 2016
4pm Harlem Book Club
Jabez S. Hardin PAC An Augusta Amusements event. $43. Call 706726-0366 or visit augustaamusements.com.
Harlem Branch Library Call 706-556-9795 or visit gchrl.org.
Sat Jan 23, 2016
7pm Nocturnal Nightcrawlers
10am Anime and the Graphic Novel Kroc Center A class for those ages 9-14. No previous experience necessary and all supplies are included. $40; pre-registration required. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
11am The Wonderful Things You Will Be Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Mon Jan 25, 2016
4:30pm, 5:30, 6:30pm Princess Party
LITERARY Thu Jan 21, 2016
Mon Jan 25, 2016
6pm Friends of the Augusta Library Annual Meeting Headquarters Branch Library The meeting will feature speaker Charlie Bennett, the engagement librarian for the Georgia Institute of Technology library system, radio host, speaker and podcast producer. Call 706-296-9731 or email friendspresident@arcpls.org.
7:30pm The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra
7:30pm Soiree: Jazz + Wine Jessye Norman School of the Arts Featuring classic live jazz and wines selected by the host. $7. Call 762-233-5299 or visit jazzsoiree.com.
7:30pm Turtle Island Quartet Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Part of Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Columbia County Music Series. $15.74. Call 706-826-4705 or visit soaugusta.org.
Sun Jan 24, 2016
2pm Stephanie Santana Morris Museum of Art Part of the Music at the Morris series. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Tue Jan 26, 2016
Noon Tuesday’s Music Live Saint Paul’s Church Features the Athens Guitar Duo in concert. Lunch afterwards requires advance reservations. Call 706-722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.
Thu Jan 28, 2016
7:30pm Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra USC Aiken’s Etherredge Center $40, general; $15, students at box office. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.
SENIORS Thu Jan 21, 2016
10:30am Seniors Golden Games Appleby Branch Library Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org.
1pm - 1:30pm Got 30 Minutes? Kroc Center Conducted by the Area Agency on Aging, this workshop provides an overview of services available to caregivers, the aging, and those with disabilities. Call 706-9220171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Fri Jan 22, 2016
11:30am Habits for a Healthier You Columbia County Library An Alzheimer’s Association class in which participants will learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help them incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Jan 21, 2016 11am Adult Time-Out
Euchee Creek Branch Library Participants will learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Pre-registration required. Call 706-5560594 or visit gchrl.org.
5pm - 8pm Third Thursday Tasting Wine World This drop-in event requires no registration. $5; $3 rebate upon purchase of one bottle of the featured wines. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.
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Fri Jan 22, 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.
7:30pm Fake It to Make It: A Lip Sync Challenge Imperial Theatre A benefit for SafeHomes of Augusta. $12-$32. Call 706-722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.
$14.50-$35. For more information and a schedule of events, visit augustafuturity.com.
8am Navy Classic 10 Miler/5K Enterprise Mill A CSRA Navy Day Association event featuring a flat and fast course. 10 Miler: $40; 5K, $20. Visit active.com.
8am Resolution Run 5K Savannah Rapids Pavilion Proceeds benefit Christ Church Health Clinic. $20. Visit runsignup.com.
Sat Jan 23, 2016
9am - noon Waterfowl Hike
The public can bring old and unused electronics to be recycled at either the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce or the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce offices. Call 706-8211300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A walking/driving field trip through Phinizy Swamp’s constructed wetlands in search of some of the Nature Park’s many wintering waterfowl. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-828-2109 or visitphinizycenter.org.
9am - noon eWaste Day
7pm “Ancient Sky Lore” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
8pm “Digistar Laser Fantasy”
9:30am - 11:30am Stream Explorers Phinizy Swamp Nature Park For those ages 8 and up, participants should wear long socks and bring water. Waders provided. Free, members; $2, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.
which costs $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, military and students without a boat tour. Pre-registration encouraged. Call 706-8230440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.
7:30pm “Wait Until Dark”
SUPPORT Thu Jan 21, 2016
Aiken Community Playhouse Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
University Hospital Call 706-774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.
8pm “Love Letters”
6pm Bariatric Surgery Support Group
Mon Jan 25, 2016
6pm - 7:30pm Cancer Share University Hospital For those with any type of cancer. Call 706774-5946 or visit universityhealth.org.
Tue Jan 26, 2016
6pm CSRA Parkinson Support Group St. John Towers dining room A 25th anniversary celebration featuring Dr. Kapil Sethi, co-founder of the group and a movement disorders expert, who will talk about the future of Parkinson’s treatment and research. Free and open to the public. Call 706-364-1662.
7:30pm “Wait Until Dark”
Cabela’s Free. Call 762-444-6500 or visit cabelas. com/augusta.
Aiken Community Playhouse An Aiken Community Playhouse production. $25; $20, seniors; $15, students and $10, children 12 and under. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
Sun Jan 24, 2016
Tue Jan 26, 2016
8pm “Love Letters”
USC Aiken Convocation Center Event begins with a service fair featuring area nonprofits, followed by the program at 3 p.m. Judge Glenda Hatchett is the keynote speaker. Free. Call 803-508-7477.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Thu Jan 21, 2016 Augusta Futurity
James Brown Arena $14.50-$35. For more information and a schedule of events, visit augustafuturity.com.
8pm USC Aiken Extra Inning Bullriding
Cabela’s Free. Call 762-444-6500 or visit cabelas. com/augusta.
Ongoing
Augusta Sports Leagues The group offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, and more for coed and mens leagues. Visit augustasportsleagues.com Augusta Fencers Club Classes for children as young as six, as well as teens and adults, meet five nights a week. Call 706-722-8878.
Fri Jan 22, 2016
Daily Canal Tours
James Brown Arena $14.50-$35. For more information and a schedule of events, visit augustafuturity.com.
Sat Jan 23, 2016 Augusta Futurity James Brown Arena
3pm “The Me I Like”
Judith Simon Drama Studio Call 706-722-0598 or visit augustaminitheatre.com.
Thu Jan 28, 2016
7pm “Bang Bang You’re Dead” Aiken Community Playhouse A revival of the ACP Youth Wing’s 2015 production. $5. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
Kroc Center Auditions for this Enopion Theatre Company production that shows at the Kroc Center in March will be held by appointment only in January. Call 706-771-7777 or visit enopion.com.
VOLUNTEER
Le Chat Noir Presented by Austin Rhodes. Call 706-7223322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
Sat Jan 23, 2016 3pm “The Me I Like”
Judith Simon Drama Studio An Augusta Mini Theatre production to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. $15, adults; $10, students
Ongoing RSVP
Senior Citizens Council 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.
MARKETPLACE
Fencing Classes
James Brown Arena $18-$24. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Augusta Futurity
Sun Jan 24, 2016
“At the Last Supper” Auditions
Fri Jan 22, 2016
1pm Responsible Gun Ownership for Women
6:30pm Don’t Be a Victim Firearm Safety Seminar
Le Chat Noir Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
Ongoing
THEATER
Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
2:30pm - 5pm Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration
ages 2-18; $8.50, youth and senior groups of 10 or more. Call 706-722-0598 or visit augustaminitheatre.com.
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,
ALL CLASSIFIED ADS ARE
$40 PER WEEK.
EMAIL JOE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM OR CALL
(706)373-3636
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The Steppin Stones, from Charleston, S.C., started out as a classic rock cover band, and vocalist Hannah Wicklund’s guitar licks certainly have the feel of that era, even in their more recent original work. See Hannah, Andrew Ottimo on bass and vocals and Justice Ian Jones on drums, as well as openers The High Divers, when they visit Sky City Saturday, January 23. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts around 10. $5. Visit skycityaugusta.com.
Thursday, January 21 Live Music
Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Will McCranie Red Pepper (Aiken) - Sherry Iles, Lo Down Brown Sky City - Open Mic Night Stillwater Taproom - Adam Harris Thompson Wild Wing - Bethany Davis Duo 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 Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Karaoke
Friday, January 22 Live Music
Cotton Patch - Saxophonist Fred Williams Country Club - Benton Blount Coyotes - Fundraising Concert for Lt. Wayne
32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Wingrove Jabez S. Hardin PAC - The Glenn Miller Orchestra Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Jazz w/ Karen Gordon Shannon’s - Perfect Picture Sky City - Kenny George Band, Josh Brannon Band Somewhere in Augusta - The Unmentionables Stillwater Taproom - Nick Dittmier and the Sawdusters Tin Lizzy’s - BoJack Dawson Wild Wing - Black Cat Sunshine
What’s Tonight?
Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Soul Bar - (R)evolution Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke w/ Denny van Valkenburgh
Saturday, January 23 Live Music
Cotton Patch - Doc Easton Country Club - Whiskey Run Coyotes - Departure (Journey Tribute Band) Jessye Norman School of the Arts - Soiree: Jazz + Wine Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Adam Harris Thompson & Michael Baideme Shannon’s - The Unmentionables Sky City - The Steppin’ Stones, The High Divers Somewhere in Augusta - Old Man Crazy
Stillwater Taproom - Scott Low and Southern Bouillon Surrey Tavern - The Wild West Band Wild Wing - Kenny George Band The Willcox (Aiken) - Jon Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
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 Soul Bar - Boom Box Saturdays Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke w/ Denny van Valkenburgh
Sunday, January 24 Live Music
Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Brunch w/ Mike Frost and Lauren Meccia Wild Wing - Sabo & Dave The Willcox (Aiken) - Jon Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane
Monday, January 25 Live Music
Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
What’s Tonight?
Joe’s Underground - Poker Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - World Tavern Poker Wild Wing - Trivia
Tuesday, January 26 Live Music
Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
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 27 Live Music
The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Wild Wing - Brandon Reeves
21JANUARY2016
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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 w/ Sid Davis and Eric Grady Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey Three Dollar Lounge - World Poker Tournament
The Major Rager w/ Umphrey’s McGee, the Revivalists, Earphunk and Tauk
Widespread Panic
- Augusta Common April 7
Wilco
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta February 10-11
Elsewhere
- Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah February 11
Billy Gibbons
Jerry Seinfeld
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta January 23
- Classic Center, Athens February 12
Tool, Primus
Todd Rundgren
- Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth January 25
- Center Stage, Atlanta February 12
Grace Potter
Chris Brown
- Georgia Theatre, Athens January 26
- Columbus Civic Center, Columbus February 13
Art Garfunkel
- Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta January 29 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
The Hornitz
Carrie Underwood, Easton Corbin, The Swon Brothers
- Metro Coffeehouse & Pub, January 30
- Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth February 1
Brantley Gilbert
Lupe Fiasco
- James Brown Arena February 4
- Georgia Theatre, Athens February 2
The Fairfield Four and the McCrary Sisters
Graham Nash
- Imperial Theatre February 12
- Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta February 5
Snapdragon, Jennifer Daniels
Colin Hay
- Sky City February 12
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta February 5
R5
Diana Ross
- Bell Auditorium February 16 Colonel Bruce Hampton
- Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah February 6
- Sky City February 20
Willie Nelson
Copious Jones
- Sky City March 3
21JANUARY2016
Jerry Seinfeld
- Terminal West, Atlanta January 21
Reverend Horton Heat
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta January 29
Upcoming
- Classic Center, Athens February 9-10
- UGA Tifton Conference Center, Tifton February 8
Fool’s Paradise w/ Lettuce, Griz, Chris Robinson’s Soul Revue, Vulfpeck, The Nth Power, Goldfish
- St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine, Fla., April 1-2
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
Try FREE: 706-434-0108
More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
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FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 33
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Deke and Malisa Copenhaver with Cal Forrester at Calvert’s.
Dustin Burdick and Ashley Peel with Pam and Jeff Burdick at the Country Club.
Michelle Harrison, Kristin Cato and Amy Perkins at the Country Club.
Rachel McCall with Chris and Kori Howell at Southbound Smokehouse.
Jamie Bricker, Camaryn Fiorane, Carley Jones and Raven Honsaker at the Indian Queen.
Ashley Cook with Charlie and Delaine Brown at Le Chat Noir.
Michael Cosper with Debbie and Marion Cosper
Chuck Benson, Karen Barton, David Mulherin and Dave Garrett at Cue and Brew.
Charity Marcus, Regan Roberts and Julie Kennedy at Le Chat Noir.
34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
21JANUARY2016
POLITICAL PROMISES By Patrick Merrell / Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Advisory panels 7 Take down a notch 12 Silverstein who wrote “A Boy Named Sue” 16 Put on a nonpolitical button, say 19 Crack open, in a way 20 Some parade performers 22 Clamor 23 “Unemployment will be a thing of the past!” 25 Publicity, in Variety-speak 26 Back 27 Impose ____ on 28 High season in Hawaii 29 Coding molecules 30 “____ in the Morning” 31 Skedaddle 33 “You’re looking at the whole department” 35 “No new taxes!” 42 Ornithologist James of whom Ian Fleming was a fan 43 W.W. II arena: Abbr. 44 Dallas sch. 45 Circus prop 46 ____ buco 47 Author whose most famous character is introduced as Edward Bear 51 Some four-year degs. 53 ____-deucey (card game) 54 “I will maintain a strong defense!” 58 Basic car maintenance 59 Car decoration 60 “Silent Spring” spray 61 Muffin variety 62 Gives off light, as a 65-Across 65 See 62-Across 67 Bank acct. info 70 One of five rhyming Greek letters 71 Dances accompanied by gourd drums 75 Sitting together at the movies, say 77 “Deficit spending must stop!” 83 Another time 84 When a vampire sleeps 85 Oblong desserts 86 “Poke-____!” (kids’ book series) 87 Film critic Jeffrey 89 120-Across, in Spain 91 Hellion
92 Bridge-table foursome 93 “I’ll slow this country’s spread of drugs!” 100 Next in line 101 Breathing disorder 102 Not much at all 103 Pleasures 105 A Musketeer 108 L.A. gang member 109 Place with expensive mud 112 Tiny tunneler 113 “Education will be my top priority!” 117 It’s found in sheets or, in softer form, blankets 118 Thermometer, e.g. 119 Consolidated 120 89-Across, in France 121 Some 35mm cameras 122 Rogen and Meyers 123 They may be measured by the pound
39 Boot 40 Low-grade?: Abbr. 41 Eye inflammation 42 Greet respectfully 47 Not just theoretical 48 Lhasa ____ (dog breed) 49 Upstream on the Mississippi River, along Miss. 50 Abbr. for those not mentioned 52 Seine-____, department bordering Paris 55 Need (to) 56 Coll. fraternity 57 “What ____!” (“Bummer!”) 63 Question of surprise to a volunteer 64 Total 66 Object of a hunt in “Lord of the Flies” 67 Tool used in the evening? 68 Lackey 69 Some witches like their eyes 70 Great Plains Indians DOWN 72 Oven-cleaner ingredient 1 Shine up 73 Org. for Duke 2 Words before “before” 74 Like the ocean 3 Common prefix with phobia 76 Forensic facility 4 ____-com 77 Hill’s partner 5 Thought (up) 78 First gemstone mentioned in the 6 One who’s always getting a pass? Bible 7 Certain game point 79 Novices 8 One piece of a two-piece 80 It might be patted on the back 9 Archery asset 81 Bambino’s first word 10 Whole lotta 82 Prop for Popeye or Santa 11 “Billy ____,” 2000 film 88 Fi preceder 12 Abbr. on a stadium ticket 90 John of Fox’s “Grandfathered” 13 Give zero stars, say 94 Hit the road 14 First name among celebrity chefs 95 Treats vengefully 15 Acid 96 Wild 16 Present-day figure 97 What eyes and pedestrians may do 17 Ned’s bride on “The Simpsons” in 98 Blue-collar and pink-slip 2012 99 Pill type 18 They’re handled in Asian restaurants 103 One corner of a Monopoly board 21 Tithing amounts 104 Start of a reminiscence 24 Burkina ____ (Niger neighbor) 106 Raise 29 What a rabble-rouser might be read 107 Operatives: Abbr. 30 Needs no further cooking 108 Some med. facilities 31 Take root 109 Story with many chapters 32 Air-conditioned 110 Sparrow, to a sparrow hawk 34 H.M.O. figures 111 Common connectors 35 Israelites’ leader after Moses 113 Monogram on Christian crosses 36 Still in the outbox 114 Amphibious W.W. II vessel 37 San ____, Italy 115 “Wonderful!” 38 Prepare for the afterlife 116 Go wrong
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S T R S L O G E S C E R T S S S R S
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THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS We would predict a short-lived reign for “Ride Along 2,” but have you seen what’s coming out this week? RANK
TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS
TOTAL GROSS
WEEK #
LAST WEEK
1
RIDE ALONG 2
$35,320,000
$35,320,000
1
-
2
THE REVENANT
$31,800,000
$89,974,769
4
2
3
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
$26,377,000
$852,309,841
5
1
4
13 HOURS
$16,218,000
$16,218,000
1
-
5
DADDY’S HOME
$9,543,000
$129,499,102
4
3
In Theaters January 22
Comedy
“Dirty Grandpa,” rated R, starring Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Abrey Plaza. Zac Efron plays an tightly wound man about to be married. De Niro plays a former Army general and notorious dirty old man who just wants to go to spring break with his grandson. First of all, they should have dug a little deeper on that title, since “Jackass”’s Johnny Knoxville unleashed “Bad Grandpa” in only 2013. Second of all, we understand that De Niro is old enough that he doesn’t give a sh** about what other people think anymore. But if he died next week (God forbid), is this really the last role he wants on his resume? 36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
ACTIoN
“The 5th Wave,” rated PG-13, starring Chloe Grace Moretz. In author Rick Yancey’s world, the planet can withstand four waves of destruction including things like weather disasters, pandemics and invasions. It’s the fifth wave that’s going to send us over the edge, and Chloe Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass,” “If I Stay”) is right in the middle of said wave looking to rescue her brother. Honey, it looks like he’s the least of your worries.
HoRRoR
“The Boy,” rated PG-13, starring Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans. The boy in question doesn’t refer to the child an American nanny is hired to look after for an English family. Nope. Because it turns out there is no boy look after, only a life-sized doll who may or may not be really alive and responsible for increasingly disturbing events that happen when the nanny can’t follow directions.
21JANUARY2016
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Race Card Played on Hollywood Elite THIS MAY BE more fun to watch than any movie I will see this year. Something is foul in La-La Land, something is apparently horribly, horribly wrong, and this time, no one can blame it on conservatives. The 2015 Oscar nominations are out, and ut-oh, the field for the top awards is whiter than the Lawrence Welk Fan Club. All those white folks. Damn, it looks like the 2016 Democratic Presidential Primary all over again. Whiter than Barry Manilow singing in a snow storm. Or polar bear night at the Grand Old Opry. Lots and lots of white. So leave it to that sage of all things black, Michael Moore, to perfectly describe the problem, or at least, what he thinks it is: “A fish rots from the head down,” he said, “and the head is over there in this industry. The problem has to get fixed in the studio system, which has been a white-dominated, male-dominated industry forever...” Moore added, “...the idea that we could go two years in a row, where 40 actors could be nominated and none of them were black, is just crazy...” (Just to clarify, Moore just happens to be a white guy. But he actually has more white skin all by himself than any four of the Osmond brothers, added together.) Hollywood’s creative liberal elite are fit to be tied, and I don’t mean in the fun way. Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, is leading the charge to boycott the Oscars in response to what she believes is a racist snub: “Begging for acknowledgement, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power,” she said. “And we are a dignified people and we are powerful... Let’s let the academy do them, with all grace and love. And let’s do us differently.” Separate but equal, anyone? Oh... and Jada’s cohort in the boycott talk is the always quotable Spike Lee (who incidentally was robbed when he was passed over for the role of the Mayor of Munchkinland in NBC’s recent remake of “The Wiz”). He had this to say: “We need to have a serious discussion about diversity (in film)... It’s easier to be the president of the United States as a black person than to be head of a studio, or be head of a network.” In fairness, American presidential races are popularity contests, while business leadership positions, even in Hollywood, are usually secured by establishing a time-tested track record, a resume. It is not a perfect system, but the limited positions available usually go to the best available talent on hand. You know Spike, kinda like the NBA.
38 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
And while it has been two years since a black person was nominated for an acting Oscar, black women have won four Best Supporting Actress statues since 2006. That means in the last 10 years, black women took 40 percent of the awards in that category. Pretty good representation for a race that makes up 13.2 percent of the country. Keep in mind folks, awards for artistic achievement, particularly when you score them on a points system, are subject to wild swings in personal subjective opinion. This is not science, this is art. The legitimacy of the Academy Awards was lost forever with me with me when they chose to give the 1997 Best Picture Oscar to that glorified, light as a feather, “made for Lifetime” movie “Shakespeare in Love” over the heartwrenching and all too accurate battlefield drama “Saving Private Ryan.” There may be some legitimate complaints that the voting body of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is too old, too white and too male, but if membership in the academy is predicated upon working in the industry, it sounds like women and minorities need to step up the pace in their quest to qualify to join the entertainment workforce. Ironically, the current head of the AMPAS, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, is a 66-yearold black woman. Her impassioned letter to the membership of her organization is featured here for your consideration. She is asking for more “inclusion.” I do have to ask, if her membership was enlightened enough in the last decade to award as many Oscars to minority actors as they did, and many more minority nominations in that time, what happened in the last two years to turn the esteemed artists into a bunch of insensitive racists? On one point, I am gleefully confident. This is one mess that cannot be blamed on Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh or any conservative that may agree with their philosophies. The entertainment industry is almost under the left-wing, control of the left wing, liberal establishment, and their politically correct, tree hugging, ar-teests. Whatever lack of “inclusion” or bigotry has occurred in the Oscar nominations and awards belongs lock, stock and barrel to them. AUSTIN RHODES
The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
21JANUARY2016
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA. 976 BROAD STREET
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
NACHOMAMASAUGUSTA.COM