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Table of Contents October 12, 2017
Bethany and the Southside Boys growing their fan base
Insider Kris Fisher Whine Line The Race for Chair Music Food Stuff Get Amped in Aiken What’s Up Calendar Nightlife The Eight Sightings
4 8 9 12 18 24 26 27 28 34 36 37
Page 18 EDIT
CREATIVE
Amanda Main
Joshua Bailey
Joe White
amanda@themetrospirit.com
joshua@themetrospirit.com
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Arts Editor/Production Director
Lead Designer
Stacey Eidson
Publisher
Johnny Beckworth
Staff Writer
stacey@themetrospirit.com
BUSINESS
SALES
circulation manager
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Joe White Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson
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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.
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Cross supports Conformity in Columbia County Over the past 16 years that Ron Cross has served as chairman of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, residents have become accustomed to bracing themselves when they open their water bills. Why? It’s not the water rates they are paying that are scaring them. It’s the message from Cross that they might find inside their bills that disturbs some residents. The fact is, Columbia County taxpayers never know what they’ll discover inside their bills each month because Cross likes to preach politics in the county’s monthly insert. Sometimes it’s a vague commentary such as complaints about the “fake news” plaguing our country. Other times, it’s more specific such as the national debate over transgender people in bathrooms. That’s right. A few months ago, under the tagline “Political Correctness,” Cross actually decided to talk about his opinion on gendered bathrooms. “Can you believe that we have reached a point where we must have direction on which restroom to use?” he asked. “It seems to me it is very simple: you go to the restroom that matches the equipment that God gave you. Regardless of how I may feel, nature has already made a determination.” But this month’s newsletter that was sent out last week might have officially taken the cake. Cross begins the newsletter by innocently talking about what a shame it was that the county had to cancel its Memorial Service for the 16th anniversary of Sept. 11 because of Hurricane Irma. The chairman talked about how after such disasters, “respect was high for our police, firemen, emergency responders, and military.” Then, out of the blue, Cross decided to go on the attack. “Where has that unity and respect gone?” Cross asked in the newsletter. “Today there is open hostility to the police, and social media has made it fashionable to mock one and all, including our glorious flag and national anthem. No one gets any respect, regardless of position.” All right, so Cross is upset about those NFL players not standing for the national anthem. A lot of people understand that sentiment, even though it doesn’t really belong in the water bill. But then Cross begins to analyze the issues facing our country and doesn’t just get political. He actually begins pointing fingers and criticizing Democrats throughout this country. Even those in his own backyard. “People are fired for almost insulting someone, and the entire country is so emotionally fragile that everyone is afraid to breathe,” Cross wrote in the October newsletter. “Democrats continue to seek a safe haven after their disastrous election, and their current liberal playbook is simply to insult and ridicule the President. Of course, he makes that very easy. Another thing, ‘Will Hillary ever go away?’” Wow. There is nothing subtle about that comment. “It seems the political divide is affecting almost all aspects of our lives or is it possible that our personal opinions are causing our political divide?” Cross asked. He then discusses an article in the Wall Street Journal that talks about the political affiliations of individuals and how those people regard certain topics such as climate change, the National Rifle Association and religion. (And you crazy residents thought you were just going to pay your water bill.) All of a sudden, Cross’ letter goes beyond just politics. It discusses the differences between people’s culture, history and languages “The whole truth is that we are a divided nation because we invite and encourage division without restraint,” Cross wrote. “There is certainly some strength in diversity, but there is a heck of a lot more in unity.” Cross apparently doesn’t appreciate the melting pot theory. He may also want to recognize that organized hatred is, in fact, unity. 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
So, be careful what you wish for, Mr. Chairman. “We invite people into our country and encourage them to bring their cultures, their religions, their habits, and their differences,” Cross wrote. “We do not even require them to go through the immigration process. We do require that they learn our language, our culture, our history, and our laws. We wait until they break laws and then they try to explain why.” Cross might as well have inserted a “bad hombres” comment right here. “We allow them to vote without any education of our political system; we allow them to drive without being a citizen or having a visa; we pay many of them not to work and then wonder why they are so many living in poverty,” Cross wrote. “We do not call them illegal immigrants anymore, but ‘undocumented citizens.’” With this next line, Cross finally writes something that’s 100 percent accurate. “I know this is not politically correct...” Cross began. That’s right, Mr. Chairman, so you might want to stop writing. But he continues. “I agree with the quote attributed to President Teddy Roosevelt, ‘The term hyphenated-American is the greatest threat to the United States of America,’” Cross wrote. “We do not need Italian-American, German-American, or African-American. We should all be American. We should all speak the same language, know the same history, observe the same language, know the same history, observe the same main culture, and obey the same laws.” Wear the same clothes, eat the same meals and drink the same Kool-Aid... if you know what we mean. 12OCTOBER2017
“Remembrance of individual family traditions is fine, but if their culture, customs, and politics were so great, why are they seeking a change?” Cross asked. Apparently, this is Cross’ take on what it means to be an American. Everyone is the same. No one is different. And if you are different, you need to conform to match the majority. “It is probably good to know the problems of the nation as a whole, but please do not let that story dampen our appreciation and enjoyment of Columbia County,” Cross wrote. “Sadly, national and state events will someday and someway trickle down to us, but maybe our own national and state officials can make some longterm corrections. America remains the land of opportunity, and I totally believe that the people of Columbia County work very hard to stay united.” As more and more new residents move into Columbia County from all across the country and the world, Cross is showing that he doesn’t mind isolating those who are different. Cross has officially proven it is time for a new chairman of the commission. Sixteen years of the same is more than enough. Change is good.
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Grind Don’t Quit Kris Fisher LateLy, I’Ve FeLt LIKe My LIFe has been on auto pilot. It happens to many of us, especially parents. We get lost in our daily routine. It goes something like this: Wake up, make lunches for kids, take kid(s) to school, go to work, take kid(s) to practice, get home with about an hour, maybe an hour and a half to get kids to do their homework, shower, eat something that resembles dinner, then get them to bed. Then we collapse into a bed of our own, only to begin the whole routine again in a matter of hours — rinse and repeat. On a good day, we get to squeeze in a shower or meal of our own in there somewhere. The daily routine becomes a weekly routine and, if we’re not careful, a monthly routine. It really starts to affect our whole life. I noticed that in the past few weeks when I sit down to write this very column. If you read it regularly, you know it comes from whatever is going on in my life at the moment. Well, in my life, at this moment, it’s the routine I mentioned before. After writing about kids’ sports 3 or 4 times the past 2 months, I started to think that my life, and my column, was starting to become redundant and boring. Well, maybe it was always boring, but it usually at least contains a variety of boring topics. Then something happened: My cousin went on a cruise. He and his wife decided to take some time for themselves, away from the kids for a few days. When they came back, they were different people. They acted weird, all smiling and giddy. When I saw them all energetic and happy, I remember asking my cousin what the hell was wrong with him. Then I realized there wasn’t anything wrong with him, there was something wrong with me. I’m so wrapped up in my routine than I’ve started to take life way too seriously. With a full-time job with long hours, a side hustle, 3 kids and more, I’ve started to think less about the things that give me enjoyment. I’ve forgotten how to be happy. I’ve become an overwhelmed zombie, constantly worried about what deadline is coming up next. It’s not that my cousin and his wife were unhappy before. But, like most of us, they were fully enveloped in their routines. It reminded me how important it is to take time away from our routine to enjoy life. It encouraged my wife and me to start being a little selfish, demanding some time for ourselves. She recently went on a much-needed camping trip with her girlfriends, and I’ve been playing on a softball team. Together, we’ve got an out-of-town trip planned for later this month. I don’t want to make it seem like we just decided “hey, we’re doing this,” and then it’s done. With our busy schedules, it’s taking a lot of creativity to carve out our personal time. But it’s very worth it. I talk to a lot of people who can identify with our situation. The daily grind can be relentless. But if we don’t take time to enjoy life, then what’s the point of the grind itself? So, if you don’t already, I encourage you to carve out a little time for yourself. It doesn’t have to be something as big as a cruise or even a weekend camping trip. Maybe just an hour or two here or there to craft, play a sport, read a book or something. It may be difficult at first. But I am confident that you’ll realize almost immediately that it is worth it. If you don’t take it from me, take it from Ferris: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.” KRIS FISHER is the midday host and program director for HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple. He is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, as well as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. djkfish.com.
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Wait so a young black kid guns down an innocent black woman and all I hear are crickets? Bunch of hypocrites, yal will come out hollering if he had been shot by a cop, especially a white one. Kinda like the black guy that shot up the white church the other day. Crickets... As a Savannahian who visits Augusta regularly on business, I’m incredulous that city officials are considering putting this proposed J. B Arena some other place than downtown. WTF are these people thinking? Parts of Broad Street are still a set from Walking Dead. Fix that s#%t by getting more people downtown!
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.
Why have you discontinued the NYT Crossword? I have waited so patiently hoping to see its return. #pleasey’all Using $120 million in tax money to build a new James Brown Arena on the Regency Mall property that is privately owned by a New York company is DUMBER THAN DIRT. But, hey we’re talking about the brain trust also known as the Augusta Commission. How can contractors operate in the City of Augusta WITHOUT a business license, NO insurance and probably pay NO TAXES WAY TO GO City of Augusta!
A plus you need to think of for those groups that perform music and dancing at the Arts in the Heart is that they have a captive audience of literally tens of thousands around there. You cannot beat that amount of people who could see and hear your show as they come for the foods and vendors. And there are the expenses to set up a stage, sound equipment and other things that the groups cannot get set up just for free otherwise. This is absolutely unbelievable, no BLM, no so called reverends or politicians are out here protesting or standing up for the rights of the black homeless woman murdered by none other than another person of color. Highest murder rate is black on black but yal don’t wanna hear that, nobody to point the finger at and hate about that. I saw a Grovetown city employee placing political signs out by roadways for a current campaigning council member, looks like the “good ole boy” games continue. Does council member Sylvia Martin really believe that utilizing taxpayer money to assist with campaigning is acceptable? Welcome everyone to the greatest show on earth! Right here is Augusta! Come to the municipal building Thursday
mornings to see the spectacle that is drug court! Where everything is a mystery! When is the paperwork due?? Today! No, tomorrow! No, Friday evening! No, its Monday! But better not get it wrong or you go to jail!! Don’t have the money? Go to jail! Stuck in the hospital? Go to jail! Short not tucked in? Go to jail! No wonder Augusta has a drug problem. I was unemployed for 8 months. I stopped paying bills. Then I found a job, and since I started paying bills with some type of regularity, that info was sold to 3rd parties. Now I get these annoying phone calls to buy, donate, support, and what have you. I miss the peace and quiet of bad credit. Oh, look, another story about Fat Man’s. I thought a new editor was supposed to bring new ideas? What about holein-the-wall ethnic places like the TWO Korean restaurants in town? How about some of the black-owned businesses on the South side? Why not a bakery, one of the small places on Shartom Dr, or a look at the two breweries in town? Hot Foods Middle Eastern Deli and Grocery on Eve Street? The sandwich shop at the corner of Laney Walker and Blounts? No one wants a rehash of the same people every week. As a white adult I experience racism every day, always have in Augusta, Ga. I always smile and greet people with a genuine hello while looking them in the eye. Many blacks from all age groups try to avoid being sociable. Pop taught me to give respect to get respect. I will keep trying. I am becoming increasingly dissappointed with the bulletin that comes with the Columbia County water bill. Chairman Cross: be a part of the solution, not the problem. Our country is divided because of extremely partisan views like your own. There is strength in unity but the very definition of unity requires that we come together regardless of our religious beliefs, skins tones and subcultures.
Austin Rhodes uses Pretzel Logic defending his NFL Steelers. While often invoking his Grandfathers honorable military service (rightly so) he rationalizes the disrespect his favorite team demonstrate to the nation his Grandfather so commendably served. The National Anthem plays. Loyal Americans stand. Anything less is despicable. Has anyone determined which seat on the bus suits Scott Johnson the best? Oh Lordy, I guess it’s depends on wether its a long or short one. The best part of the Metro Spirit is the Whine Line. The second best part is the Kevin Palmer response to whatever diatribe emanates from Austin Rhodes. Jesus is black. He did not explain it, because it did not matter. God called him the Lamb. Lambs are born in stables, among other animals. Thats why Jesus was born there. If his parents werent black refugees, riding a donkey, they would have given them a room in the Inn. And why are black people still suffering today ? Because they did not turn from their wicked ways yet. Untill that day, God will not heal their land. As for White people...whosoever believe shall be saved. Why would you tell Columbia County to build an arena? They just lost the now formerly named Evans on Ice to Augusta! So Augusta will have a new attraction downtown for 50 days in November through December. We may not get the properly cooler temperatures for as many days as I’d like but we will get ice to skate on! 12OCTOBER2017
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Who will head the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in 2018? After serving Almost 16 yeArs as chairman of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, Ron Cross has earned the nickname of “King of Columbia County.” For the past four terms, Cross has led Columbia County through tremendous growth and prosperity, the likes of which few counties have ever experienced. But now there are three new candidates who have announced their intentions to run for the seat currently held by Cross. Former EMA Director Pam Tucker, District 1 Columbia County Commissioner Doug Duncan and business owner Mark Herbert have all thrown their hats into the ring. While Cross has not officially made an announcement as to whether he will seek reelection, he has stated on numerous occasions that he will happily make way for the right candidate who comes along to have his seat. “I have said repeatedly, I will be glad to step aside if there is someone who I felt would be able to have the vision to lead Columbia County like it should be led,” Cross said earlier this year. “If it happens this 12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
time, I will gladly step aside. If it doesn’t happen, I may be there on qualifying day.” Cross made that statement this past spring when only one candidate, Tucker, had announced she planned to run for chair of Columbia County. Clearly, Cross understands the importance of the chair seat in Columbia County. Unlike in Augusta-Richmond County, where the mayor is the face of the city government, but has very little power or influence, the chairman in Columbia County is a powerhouse. Not only does the chairman represent the county in all official functions, he also prepares and presents the commission agenda, conducts all of the board meetings and appoints his fellow commissioners to each of the county’s standing committees. He also executes all contracts and agreements and is a voting member of each of the four standing committees. Now, that’s a position that really matters. And, let’s just say, Tucker definitely isn’t on Cross’ list of favorite people in Columbia County. At the start of the year, Tucker accused Columbia
By Stacey Eidson
County Administrator Scott Johnson of creating a “hostile work environment” after resigning from her longtime position as EMA director. While an internal investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office found no evidence to support Tucker’s claims against Johnson, it attracted a great deal of unwanted, negative attention to Columbia County. And Cross wasn’t shy about his feelings regarding Tucker’s accusations against Johnson. “This appeared to be a deliberate attempt to discredit Mr. Johnson and embarrass Columbia County,” Cross said of Tucker during a press conference in May. Cross insisted Tucker was not behaving like someone who truly cared about Columbia County. However, Tucker quickly shot back that nothing could be further from the truth. “I’m not looking for any revenge. I’m not running to just shake things up. I want to truly come in and effect positive change because I love this county and I want the best for it,” Tucker told the Metro Spirit. 12OCTOBER2017
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“I have said repeatedly, I will be glad to step aside if there is someone who I felt would be able to have the vision to lead Columbia County like it should be led. If it happens this time, I will gladly step aside. If it doesn’t happen, I may be there on qualifying day.” — Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross “But I’m not naive. Let me tell you something, I fully understand and recognize that I am walking into the world that the good ol’ boys have controlled forever. I am fully aware of that. People say, ‘Don’t underestimate them.’ And I say, ‘Don’t underestimate me.’” But just last month, the race for chair got a little more crowded with the addition of two more candidates: Doug Duncan and Mark Herbert.
Duncan, who was elected and sworn into the county’s District 1 seat in 2015, says he wants to become chairman of the commission to keep Columbia County moving forward. “It has become obvious to me that the county is at a critical juncture with all of the massive growth going on,” Duncan said. “And I just perceive I have the right experience and the right knowledge to effectively lead the county.” His top three goals as commission chair would be to ensure Columbia County gets ranked first in the state among counties in which to do business; improve the county’s infrastructure; and continue to enhance the quality of life for all of Columbia County residents. “The voters have approved the general obligation bond and the SPLOST projects,” Duncan said. “We need to finish those projects on time and within budget because quality of life matters. A subset of quality life is, you have to throw the fire department in there and the sheriff’s office, as well, because I don’t care how great the schools are and how wonderful the roads are — if we have bad crime, none of that matters. So we have to have a very strong, wellfunded sheriff’s department to protect our citizens.” If he becomes the new chairman of Columbia County, Duncan says he will bring fresh ideas to the table. “Ron (Cross) has been there a long time, and I just think it is time for new leadership,” Duncan said. “The current guys (commissioners), we work together really well. It is a results-oriented team.” Duncan said he’s very proud of what the Columbia County Commission has accomplished during his more than two years on the board. “There is no perfection. I’ve said this before in public, I’ve got no nail holes. Sorry,” Duncan said, pointing to the palms of his hands. “But it is time for new leadership. It’s time to have some laser focus on the issues that matter to the constituents that I’ve spent time with.” Duncan, who is the vice president of professional and office services at MAU Workforce Solutions in downtown Augusta, said his connections throughout the state and nation will undoubtedly help him fully address the needs of Columbia County. “I have relationships throughout state government, all the way up to the governor,” Duncan said. “I also have a lot of relationships at the federal level, too. Politics is like business and life. It’s about relationships. I can pick up the phone and call the right people at the right time and hopefully get the results that Columbia County needs.” Throughout his professional career, Duncan said he also has proven his value to both the state of Georgia and South Carolina. “In 2012, I had been involved in rewriting the unemployment laws of the state
“Let me tell you something, I fully understand and recognize that I am walking into the world that the good ol’ boys have controlled forever. I am fully aware of that. People say, ‘Don’t underestimate them.’ And I say, ‘Don’t underestimate me.’” — Pam Tucker, candidate for Columbia County chair 12OCTOBER2017
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“Everything that happened earlier this year, that’s drama from the past. It was extremely thoroughly vetted. So I have no intention of rehashing any of that. Not on my platform or not on my watch. Not at all.” — Columbia County Commissioner Doug Duncan
of South Carolina,” Duncan said, adding that after working with South Carolina, he realized that Georgia could also benefit from his experience. “I reached out to the governor’s staff and reviewed with them what we had done in South Carolina, and the governor asked me to help rewrite the laws in Georgia.” Duncan said his leadership and work with the governor’s staff helped to save Georgia billions of dollars in the future. “We now have a $1.4 billion surplus,” Duncan said. “So that was removing some of the burden off of business. Therefore, having that seat at the table, we helped the state be solvent.” Due to his influence across the state and his contacts within the national government, Duncan’s name has been bounced around and mentioned as a possible candidate in other races for the state Legislature.
“Ron (Cross) has been there a long time, and I just think it is time for new leadership. The current guys (commissioners), we work together really well. It is a results-oriented team.” — Columbia County Commissioner Doug Duncan But Duncan said he isn’t ready to consider any of those options. “Not at this time,” he said. “I believe I can have a greater impact locally. At this time, this is my focus. I believe if we have a clear vision going forward that Columbia County’s future is so bright. It is exciting.” When asked to describe Cross’ leadership style over the years, Duncan was highly complimentary of the current chairman’s service. 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
“Ron is very thorough and strong,” Duncan said. “He has been doing it like 16 years, so he knows the system. He has good relationships, too.” However, Duncan thinks he is ready to take over the reins in Columbia County. And, as far as any possible tension between his opponent, Pam Tucker, and her past disputes with Cross or County Administrator Scott Johnson, Duncan said he doesn’t intend to debate any of those matters. “Everything that happened earlier this year, that’s drama from the past,” Duncan said, referring to Tucker’s accusations against Johnson. “It was extremely thoroughly vetted. So I have no intention of rehashing any of that. Not on my platform or not on my watch. Not at all.” But Duncan said he is extremely excited about the idea of publicly debating both Tucker and Herbert in the near future regarding matters facing the county. “Yes. I relish the opportunity,” Duncan said. “I’m focusing on the issues. I spent a significant amount of time over the last three months talking to residents, talking to voters, and I’m fairly confident that I know the issues that matter.” While Herbert might be a new candidate in the race, he is a longtime builder and businessman in Columbia County. “I have been a resident of Columbia County for the last 55 years and a Columbia County business owner since 1978,” Herbert stated on his campaign’s website. “In 1991, I helped restructure the Columbia County Construction Advisory Board, serving as chairman or vice chairman on five occasions. I have also served the county on the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce as Secretary and Executive Committee member.” In fact, Herbert was honored by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce in 2015 when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the chamber’s 10th annual Banquet and Red Carpet Gala at the Columbia County Exhibition Center. “Unbelievable, a lifetime achievement award. It seems my life is flashing before my eyes,” Herbert told the audience in 2015, according to The Columbia County News-Times. During the gala, he recalled applying for his first construction loan at age 19 and attributed his success to the support of the community, the love of his family and his faith in God. “Believe me, he forgives sinners,” Herbert reportedly said. “I just show up on time dressed and ready to play, and great things happen.” Herbert says he is running for chair of Columbia County to “help make Columbia County the best it can be” for his grandchildren and future generations. “Over the years, I have donated land, money and houses to various groups around the community including 54 acres to the city of Grovetown,” Herbert stated. “As a builder, I have helped several organizations, churches and public entities remodel and rebuild some of their existing facilities. I have helped fund a scholarship for Evans High School and have supported the Fort Gordon Soldier Morale Fund.” 12OCTOBER2017
“Columbia County is a special place, and investing in the county is very important to me. As a father of four and grandfather of six, I want to bring responsible leadership to this county through strong personal values, action-oriented planning and transparent operation.” — Mark Herbert, candidate for Columbia County chair
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“I have been a resident of Columbia County for the last 55 years and a Columbia County business owner since 1978.” — Mark Herbert, candidate for Columbia County chair Herbert says his dedication to Columbia County over the past 55 years makes him the best candidate for the job. “Columbia County is a special place, and investing in the county is very important to me,” Herbert stated. “As a father of four and grandfather of six, I want to bring responsible leadership to this county through strong personal values, action-oriented planning and transparent operation.” However, Tucker says her 39 years of public service in both Augusta-Richmond County and Columbia County gives her all the experience necessary to be the next commission chair. In fact, following her 18 years of service with Columbia County, Tucker says she knows what it means to work hard for the taxpayers. “I was a born leader. I was born to have a problem and to find a solution. I don’t have unsolved problems,” Tucker said. “You have to take time, you have got to be dedicated, you have to be on the job, and that was me. I took it seriously. And, yes, I do take taxpayer money seriously.”
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Tucker says there is no one in the county who will work harder than she will for its citizens and provide the entire county with positive leadership. “If elected, I am going to share the power of the seat of the chair with the other four commissioners because, right now, it is not like that,” Tucker said, referring to Cross. “The other four commissioners don’t have a voice. That needs to change.” All she needs is the grassroots support from Columbia County citizens, and Tucker said she will proudly and honorably serve as the next commission chair. “This is the right time for me, and I want to do this. This is in my heart,” Tucker said, adding that she has lived in Columbia County for 37 years and wants to see the county prosper for her two grandchildren. “I think the citizens of this county deserve better, and I’m going to give them better. I will never let them down.” But Duncan says that as a sitting commissioner, a private businessman and a community leader, he is the most well-rounded candidate for the job. “I think it is experience. I have got a lot of private sector experience that is focused on getting people jobs. I also have years of being the chair of the development authority, so I have been involved in the process for a long time,” Duncan said. “But now I have elected official experience, too. So I have had a seat at all three tables, and I know how they operate. I will be 55 in December, and I know enough about developing relationships to get things done.”
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Quits job, lives dream
Bethany and the Southside Boys growing fan base SINGER BETHANY DAVIS is a chameleon of sorts. Her main project, Bethany and the Southside Boys (with guitarist Keith Petersen, bass player Deveran Roof and drummer Thomas Reid) started out as a side project to Delta Cane, the bluegrass band with which she broke out into singing professionally about six years ago. Bethany and the Southside Boys is her full-time gig now, but Delta Cane still gets together to make an appearance every once in a while — she also sings with other musicians, including Ed Turner & Number 9 (voted Metro’s Best Local Band) and ABBA Baby Daddy, a jazz band made up of professional musicians, music instructors, students and others in the CSRA. Davis grew up singing, but she never imagined herself making a living off of it — though she had long dreamed of doing so. She sang the National Anthem at all kinds of events as a kid, sang at church and did karaoke contests. She had no formal lessons but taught herself to sing by picking out harmonies to melodies while listening to 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
songs in the car. After she graduated from North Augusta High School in 2003, she immediately moved to Charleston, living on Folly Beach for about seven years. She moved back to North Augusta to be near family after she became pregnant with her daughter, Veda. Davis ended up working at a tax office to support herself and her daughter, but Delta Cane’s Michael Balducci — who told Davis he could not get her voice out of his head after hearing her sing — invited her to sing with his band. The band ended up loving her voice. “I had just started with Delta Cane, and they were like, ‘just quit your job. Just quit your job.’ And so one day I just woke up and decided if I’m gonna quit my job, my real job — I was managing a tax office at the time,” she said. “I’m a smart girl, I used to work a day job, and I was tired all the time from trying to gig out and then work the next day, and my boss heard me play a couple songs and he said, ‘Bethany, you are not supposed to be working
By Amanda Main this job; you’re supposed to be a singer.’ “So he said, ‘I’m not gonna fire you; you’re gonna quit, and you’re gonna sing, and that’s what you’re gonna do.’ I was so pissed off at him at the time, because I thought I needed the job. But as soon as I was able to focus all my attention on singing, it just took off from there, and I’ve just been so lucky that the community has been really supportive and they come out. … Now, (Bethany and the Southside Boys) is at like four or five gigs a week, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve never had to get a temporary side job or anything like that; the music is fully supporting me and my kid.” As time went on, Bethany and some of the others in Delta Cane noticed people were wanting to hear cover songs more than their originals. “So we started Bethany and the Southside Boys as a spin-off from Delta Cane to be able to do covers and perform more to the mainstream crowd, because bluegrass is a niche market,” Davis said. “With Southside 12OCTOBER2017
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Boys, it kind of opened up the area of us being able to play all kinds of different music. We do everything from rap to country, and now we’ve started to write our own. We have one album that’s out (an EP called “Raunchy Tonk”), and one that’s in the works, so we’re now performing originals, as well. “So it started as a spin-off about three years ago, and the Southside Boys’ name came from, literally half of Delta Cane was there, and the other half wasn’t. So we couldn’t call it Delta Cane. Both of the guys that were playing with me grew up in the Alleluia Community in south Augusta, and somebody looked up in the bar and said ‘look, it’s Bethany and the Southside Boys,’ and that’s the name came to be — they were literally Southside Boys,” she said with a laugh. Community support Davis noted how much the community has been coming out for live music and other entertainment in the Augusta area, compared to a decade ago. “The support of the community has been huge. The festivals have been building; people have been coming downtown, we’ve got very involved in lots of work during Masters Week. The tourism has been starting to pick up. There’s more reasons for people to visit, which is pulling new people in, which we weren’t hitting that demographic five or 10 years ago,” she said. “And now we’re seeing people that are coming out at night from ages 21 to 60, instead of just ages 21 to 35, 40, and it’s making the fan base larger.” That support for arts and music in the community has been showing up on local radio, in a segment Davis is doing with former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver on his show “There It Is with Deke Copenhaver.” Davis helped start the Midweek Music Mashup, which can be heard on his show from 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays on 95.1 FM. “It’s my new favorite thing,” she said. “I have such a blast with him; he’s the nicest dude, and I went on one time to do my music and play a little bit, and we just got along so well, I was like, ‘What if you did a music segment?’ So every week, I call a different friend of mine, and it’s been a different person every week for eight months. I haven’t had to repeat anybody. … It’s really about Augusta and the community, and anything that’s gonna improve the community — we do talk strictly music because I’m scared to death to talk politics on conservative talk radio, because I’m like, if you go to the left 12OCTOBER2017
and then make a left-hand turn, that’s about where I live in my political beliefs. So it was very ‘I won’t say the F-word if you won’t say Trump’ — that was the deal when I did the radio show. And we were like ‘cool,’ and shook hands on it.” Though Bethany typically doesn’t use her platform to state her political beliefs — and she said the rest of the Southside Boys definitely stay out of getting political — she has been very vocal recently about the possibility of the James Brown Arena moving to the Regency Mall site. She and Mayor Hardie Davis even got into a heated back-and-forth on Facebook about it. But she says the reason she’s gotten involved in speaking out against moving the arena from downtown is because it would directly affect her way of making a living, along with affecting that of others who work and play downtown. “I think that a lot of the money that we make down here stems from these big shows that they’re having from the James Brown Arena,” she said. “Downtown is what I’m all about right now. They’d be taking money right out of our pockets that we’re used to having. When shows let out, they come this way; we play the music. They tip really well because they’re happy; they just saw a show. They’re all about staying out and hanging out. And if they take it away, they’re not gonna have anywhere to go. People are not gonna want to drive from (south Augusta) back down here again. … And somehow the mayor has decided that, that’s the best decision, and unfortunately a few of the Coliseum Authority members agree with him. I just think it makes absolutely no sense. No. 1, what are you gonna do with the one here? We’ve already got an 8,000-seat arena that we can’t fill. Why are we gonna build a bigger arena in a place that is away from the popular area as far as people going out to
“(My boss) said, ‘I’m not gonna fire you; you’re gonna quit, and you’re gonna sing, and that’s what you’re gonna do.’ I was so pissed off at him at the time, because I thought I needed the job. But as soon as I was able to focus all my attention on singing, it just took off from there.” — Bethany Davis, of Bethany and the Southside Boys AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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restaurants, the entertainment district? And they’re wanting to build a bigger arena, and we can’t even keep a second-string hockey team. They couldn’t fill enough seats to keep the team here, so why in God’s name would you want to build a bigger one?” She promises to go back to not being political once the James Brown Arena issue is settled.
“I think that a lot of the money that we make down here stems from these big shows that they’re having from the James Brown Arena. Downtown is what I’m all about right now. They’d be taking money right out of our pockets that we’re used to having (if it moved away from downtown).” — Bethany Davis, of Bethany and the Southside Boys Upcoming album While Bethany and the Southside Boys’ first album was an EP, Davis said they are working on an LP for their second album. They’re shooting to have it done in mid-2018. “It’s gonna be kind of a mixture of funk and jazz fusion-ish. (The band wants) me to go soul, jazz, you know — meaty singing,” she said. “So that’s kind of my plan is to listen to the style of the people I play with, which after three years of playing cover songs, we’ve finally found where we want to go stylistically ourselves. And that takes a while to get your footing and get comfortable and share your ideas with each other and be creative together, cohesively as a unit. The past album we put out, I did most of the writing and I bought a couple songs from other people and used them on the album. So they were all originals, but I didn’t write them all. This next album, my only goal is for us as a cohesive unit to write all of the songs together. Because then we have a foundation to build off of, and we’re representing ourselves more adequately than probably the last one. I didn’t know which way I was going on the last one, and now we’ve honed in on where we need to be.” Davis is the lyricist on her band’s originals, and she usually keeps the subjects of her songs positive. “Love, for sure; love is a very fickle beast. You know, love, life, happiness,” she said. “I generally go for things that make me happy instead of things that bring me down. I’m not really a Debbie Downer kind of a girl. So they’re all positive. But they’re thoughtinvoking. Existence, I guess. One of them is ‘What is time?’ — what literally is time? What is it? Who knows? But most of it is all love and happy. … I have a couple about moving back to North Augusta from living in Charleston, which was a very, very huge transition for me. But life experiences, I guess, in general. Things I’ve been through, things (the band has) been through.” Davis expressed being so grateful to the community and how she and her band have been received. She’s also grateful to have come into doing music professionally in life when she did. “I wanted to be a musician my entire life, and I just resounded to the fact that it was not gonna happen, and I was working a normal 9 to 5 job,” she sad. “And I guess in the grand scheme of life, I’m glad it eventually happened, but I wish I hadn’t waited so long to jump on it, because I may know how to play an instrument. But starting that late makes me so much more grateful for it than people that have been doing it 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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for 20 years. I’m like 20 years away from my first burnout. I love every show; I don’t care where I’m playing, I’m happy to be standing there with a microphone in my hand rather than behind a computer desk. I know that life. I lived that life, and I felt like an outsider and could not figure out what was wrong. When you don’t know what you’re missing, there’s no way to put your finger on a problem, and once I started playing, I immediately my first show knew, ‘Oh my God, I feel normal. This feels good. This feels right.” Bethany and the Southside Boys play 220 to 250 gigs a year. Some upcoming shows include: Metro Coffeehouse & Pub on Thursday, Oct. 12; Surrey Tavern on Friday, Oct. 13; Trucks N’ Tunes festival at Gyles Park in Aiken at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; Metro Coffeehouse & Pub at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; Amp the Alley in Aiken from noon to 3 Sunday, Oct. 15; The Highlander with ABBA Baby Daddy (w/ Davis and guitarist Keith Petersen) on Wednesday, Oct. 18; Augusta Canal Heritage Festival at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11; and The Highlander on Friday, Dec. 29. Follow the band on Facebook at facebook.com/BethanyandtheSouthsideBoys.
DELI IOUS
Tucked in the heart of South Carolina, you’ll find a city that’s equal parts urban and low-key. After enjoying brunch at a sidewalk café or picking up a pulled pork sandwich from a takeaway hutch, there’s still room in this thriving metropolis to enjoy our gracious charm and a rollicking good time. Start your trip at ExperienceColumbiaSC.com
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Bumping up in growth
Fat Man’s catering services booming
By Amanda Main When LOnGTIMe AUGUSTA BUSIneSS Fat Man’s moved to its current location at Enterprise Mill, the father-son team who run the business couldn’t have predicted the explosion in growth that happened. “Since we relocated here in 2009, which that would put us at eight years this past May, we’ve grown exponentially,” said Havird Usry, vice president of operations and development. “To put a number on that, I would say we have grown by about 400 percent over eight years. So it’s pretty cool. We see a little bit of growth every year, as well. Not near as much as those first four or five years, but we still have a good 10 to 20 percent growth rate every year.” Even though catering has been a part of Fat Man’s since before it moved in 2009, it has become a big focus of the Fat Man’s Mill Café business. Havird and his father, Brad, are carrying on the tradition started by Havird’s grandfather — the original Fat Man — Horace Usry. “I grew up in Fat Man’s from when it was a restaurant to retail store that was down on Laney Walker, so it’s really all that I’ve known,” Havird said. “Somebody asked me the other day, ‘What other jobs have you had in your life?’ and I said, ‘Well, I used to work some soccer camps when I played soccer in college, but that’s literally it.’ I’ve known Fat Man’s, Fat Man’s and Fat Man’s. “I mean, it’s been my life and it’s been very cool. It’s crazy how things work out, because when we opened this place, it was literally the year I moved back from college. My dad was like, ‘I’m in kind of a transitional period; do you want to go in with me and do this?’ And we went from a family business where tens of people in the family were involved, to just kind of a father-son combination. And that’s been a cool dynamic. It’s kind of nerve-wracking in the beginning going into business with a family member, just because it could change the dynamic of a relationship, but since me and him have been in business together, it’s been super easy.” The father-son duo’s catering and events services have been gaining attention — so much that Metro Spirit readers chose Fat Man’s for Metro’s Best FullService Caterer for 2017. Havird is thankful for the support — it’s the same support that has kept Fat Man’s open in Augusta for nearly 70 years. He says the key to Fat Man’s success has been consistency and customer service. “In food and beverage, there’s no off days,” he said. “You’ve got to come in every day and have that consistency and have that quality of food. And if anything goes wrong, you also have to treat it as an opportunity to make things right with the customer. So, I think those are the two things that kind of put us over the top and have contributed to the success we’ve had.” Fat Man’s has a wide range of ways to meet the community’s catering needs. There are special events areas on site, but Fat Man’s also is able to serve any location within a 50-mile radius of Fat Man’s Mill Café. And even though the café itself is especially known for Southern foods, which all are worth trying — from fried chicken to pot roast to squash casserole and sweet potato casserole — Fat Man’s is able to do a wide range of types of food for any catered event. “I would say our catering menu has somewhat of a Southern spin to it, too, but it’s super eclectic,” Havird said. “We do a lot of wedding stations that’ll be tacos all the way to paella, which we did recently for a wedding. It’s a pretty wide array of things we offer. A lot of different Italian food — people always want pasta stations where we’ve got attendants cooking in front of them. So, we have a wide range as far as the catering goes. We’ve got some great chefs and great wait staff that can attend to those things.” There are five on-site facilities available for events. The Enterprise Event Center, with a complete catering kitchen, has hosted many weddings, receptions, dinners, meetings, banquets and concerts. The room can hold up to 250 people, with the opportunity to serve 500 people, when incorporating tents in the courtyard space. The Enterprise Courtyard Gazebo is often used for outdoor weddings in the spring and fall, as well as for big parties, receptions and other events. The
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tented area can accommodate up to 750 people. The Café Dining Room can hold up to 75 people and is available on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. This space is good for sporting events and presentations, with its 52-inch TV that has a USB port. The Mill Starch Room is similar in size to the dining room. And the Conference Room can seat up to 20 people, with full audio-visual capabilities. “We offer full-service from bar to buffet service to plated dinners,” Havird said. “You name it, any type of white-linen (to casual) affair, we can handle. I think that’s where we’ve really stepped up our game; that’s what we do really well now. We also offer all those services offsite to all of the venues locally from North Augusta to Aiken to just downtown at Sacred Heart, so we’re all around town, as well.” Havird said he is glad to be continuing his family’s tradition in serving the Augusta area. He and his father’s new restaurant concept at 1006 and 1008 Broad Street is still upcoming, too. “My family’s been here a long time; this is home to me and will always be home to me,” he said. “It’s my roots, but it’s also an exciting time to be in Augusta. All the stuff that’s going on — the growth in population, the growth in businesses. It’s just an exciting time, and I think if the last 65 years have kept Fat Man’s going and Augusta’s supported Fat Man’s, I think the next 50 are going to be pretty cool.” Visit fatmans.com to see the Café menu as well as the catering menus. Fat Man’s Mill Café and events is located at 1450 Greene St., Suite 600, adjacent to Historic Enterprise Mill in Augusta. Call 706-733-1740.
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Get amped in Aiken
Amp the Alley consistently brings a good time A pArty HAS BEEN HAppENING every week in Aiken since April, and everyone is invited. Amp the Alley is a destination for free live music in the downtown area, and it’s been going on every Thursday since its inception. The music series goes back to when the city closed the Alley to work on a streetscape, doing things like tearing up the road and removing trees to improve the area. After the area was under construction during a recent summer, the bars and restaurants in the area were having trouble getting customers to come back in like they were before. So, some of the business owners in the area got together to figure out a way to liven things up. One of those business people was Mellow Mushroom owner Shawn Ledford. “Once it opened back up and they finished everything, Jeffrey Jordan at TRIO approached me about doing things in the Alley — maybe on just different nights or whatever would come up,” Ledford said. “And so we started talking, and started working on it in February of this year. The first Amp the Alley was going to be a spring music series in the Alley, and it started Masters Week. It was supposed to go on for four weeks, but it had such huge success that people wanted more. So, we have not missed a Thursday night since that first month.” With the music series’ growing success, Ledford and the other organizers (the owners of TRIO Bar and Kitchen, Takosushi and the Alley Downtown Taproom) saw that they probably should meet with the city, to take care of things like noise ordinance rules. The city of Aiken replied that they’d love to contribute to Amp the Alley. “They bought rocking chairs and gliders and different tables for right behind the municipal building, and they also offered up the city stage, which they put up every Thursday,” Ledford said. “They also pay for security because they have allowed us to have open containers in the Alley area. So we can go from restaurant to bar or restaurant to restaurant with open containers (of alcohol). So that made it really fun, something different. People can just kind of mill around in the Alley, and also the city wanted to show off their new streetscape.” 26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
The music scene has existed for quite a while in Aiken, in the form of festivals and music at different locations. Ledford said with that support of music in the community, Amp the Alley grew quickly and hasn’t backed off. He and the other organizers foresee more growth, and they are seeking sponsorships — whether it be for just one Thursday or an entire month. “We hope to get more sponsorship, and that way we can get maybe even some regional bands every now and then, with a little bit higher cost,” he said. “But this is always free to the public, so we’re really footing the bill here to create this scene in the Alley.” The Alley is in the center of Aiken, surrounded by Richland Avenue, Newberry Street, Laurens Street and Park Avenue. The restaurants and bars in the Alley have a good working relationship, which is part of what makes Amp the Alley work so well. But Ledford said what especially makes Amp the Alley successful and popular is the Aiken community. “It’s just the people and the setting,” he said. “It’s a neat town when you can ride a bike into your downtown and dine for the evening and just kind of mill around and see people. So you kind of have that community feel; it’s really that. In Augusta, it would be hard to do, because it would get so big too quickly. Here, it’s just a small setting and you’re in the Alley behind buildings, and it’s just a really neat feel.” Organizers mostly keep the music local, but they also are looking for regional bands to keep a fresh mix of musicians coming through. Some of the names that have played Amp the Alley include local favorites Phillip Lee Jr. and The Kenny George Band.
By Amanda Main
Amp the Alley is open to all ages — Ledford said attendees commonly see kids all the way up to older folks dancing and having a good time. The music series likely will take a break after the end of October, partially because of the upcoming colder months, but also to possibly focus on fundraising for when it gets back into full swing in the spring. However, Ledford said that, depending on weather, they might still have some events during the winter. “My experience is, Aikenites are not scared to put on a jacket and still get outside and enjoy activities,” he said. “So, weather permitting, we will do some different events, but I’m just not sure we can sustain every single Thursday through the cooler months.” The schedule for Amp the Alley through the rest of October includes: Mike Frost Band & Friends on Thursday, Oct. 12; DJ Bob Bonnett with a Shag Party on Friday, Oct. 13; Bethany and the Southside Boys on Sunday, Oct. 15; Third Time Charmers on Thursday, Oct. 19; and Scarlet Begonias with a Spook-tacular Halloween Bash on Thursday, Oct. 26. To keep up with Amp the Alley, follow their page on Facebook at facebook.com/ampthealley.
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WHAT’S UP
Calendar: 28 | Music Listings: 34 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amanda Main at amanda@themetrospirit.com.
ROCK THROUGH THE WEEKEND IN AIKEN WHAT BETTER WAY to spend a mid-October weekend than being outside and jamming out to some tunes? Aiken is celebrating music Thursday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 15, at multiple venues, and most of the events are free. The inaugural Aiken City Limits came to be when two event organizers — Katy Lipscomb with Aiken Music Fest and Derek Herron with Aiken Young Professionals, putting on Trucks N’ Tunes — saw that their music events were happening on the same weekend, according to information at visitaikensc.com. The organizers decided to work together and pull in help from across the city to turn it into a wide-spanning collaboration of entertainment. Trucks N’ Tunes Festival, taking place at Gyles Park from 2-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, will include a lineup headed by Rebel Union, Cody Webb and Cole Taylor. The event is free, with food trucks and craft beer vendors available. Aiken Music Fest is free and will be at Highfields Event Center from 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Bands include New Holland Road, The Kenny George Band and headliners Cranford Hollow. There also will be food vendors, activities for kids and more. The weekend is bookended by Amp the Alley events on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Also on Saturday, a free trolley will be taking people between events and downtown from 1 p.m. to midnight — along with live, local musicians playing on board. Visit visitaikensc.com/aiken_city_limits for show information throughout the weekend.
Third Time Charmers 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 Gyles Park, Aiken
FRIDAY, OCT. 13
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
SUNDAY, OCT. 15
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
It’s fair season! The Georgia-Carolina State Fair kicks off Friday and runs daily through Oct. 23. Go eat all the fried foods and ride all the rides! The fair, in its 95th year this year, opens at 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Call 706-7220202 or visit georgiacarolinastatefair.com to find out more about it.
If you’re the kind of person who loves sleeping under the stars but you’re sick of cooking hot dogs and hamburgers on your camping trips, then the Campfire Cooking class is for you. The class is from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Mistletoe State Park, and you’ll learn how to use Dutch ovens, cast-iron pans and grills over the fire. The class is $15 with $5 parking, with pre-registration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/ mistletoe.
The oldest bike ride in Columbia County, the Hardy 100K, is a good way for biking enthusiasts to get in some physical activity on Sunday. The cost is $40 for adults and $15 for children 10 and younger. The ride, presented by the Rotary Club of Columbia County West, takes place from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. starting at Harlem High School. Call 706-833-8291 or 706-830-2654, or visit active.com to register. Visit rotaryccw.org for more information.
Golfers wanting to play in the Willard Prior Memorial Golf Tournament have until Sunday, Oct. 15, to sign up. The tourney starts at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Forest Hills Golf Course and benefits Leader Dogs for the Blind, Augusta Lions Club, Georgia Lines Camp for the Blind and Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. Registration is from 10-noon, with a lunch at 11:15. Cost is $500 for a team of four, or $125 for single players. Email sthurmond@ duplicatingsystems.com or call 706-7376482.
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For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 28.
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Group Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.
Thu Oct 19
11:30am - 1pm Third Thursday Business Builder Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Presentation will be “Managing the Digital Reputation and Maximizing Web Visibility” with speaker Mike Parsons of PowerServe. Free, chamber members; $15, nonmembers. Pre-registration required by Oct. 16. Visit augustametrochamber.com.
ELSEWHERE Fri Oct 13
5:30pm - 9:30pm Scare on the Square Downtown Washington Trick-or-treating, costume contest, screening of “Hocus Pocus.” Call 706-6782013 or visit washingtonwilkes.org.
An Evening with Melissa Manchester Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m. Fri Oct 13; $55 AugustaAmusements.com or 706-726-0366
ARTS
2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
Sat Oct 14
EDUCATION
10am - 1pm Angel Pendant/Earrings Class Harlem Arts Council Class with Herman Kunis. $30. Register at least 24 hours in advance. Call 706-3392955.
10am - 1pm Dirty Pour Class Harlem Arts Council Dirty Pour with Jeanne Stanford. $30. Register at least 24 hours in advance. Call 330-592-2256.
10am - noon Weaving with Ulrike Harlem Arts Council Make a unique Kumihimo bracelet. $20; all materials included. Register at least 24 hours in advance. Call 706-556-1984.
Mon Oct 16
10am - noon Oil Painting Class Harlem Arts Council Oil painting with Minette Hatcher. $20 per class. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Call 706-556-6656.
Tue Oct 17
2pm - 5pm Acrylic Painting for Beginners Aiken Public Library A class that meets Tuesdays through Nov. 28. Pre-registration required. Call 803-64228 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Thu Oct 12
7pm - 8:30pm Intermediate Sign Language University Hospital An eight-week class that meets Thursdays through Dec. 7. No class Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving). $50, tuition; $45, text. Preregistration required. Call 706-738-2095 or visit universityhealth.org.
Sat Oct 14
9am Financial Education Class Kroc Center An EmpowerU class from Fifth Third Bank that includes information on budgeting, saving for a house, building your credit and more. Held the second Saturday of each month. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
11:30am The Other Tubmans Augusta Museum of History Part of the Voices of the Past series of character monologues that also shows at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Free with museum admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Sat Oct 14
9am - 4pm Mule Day Southern Heritage Festival
Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366758 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Oct 17
10:30am - noon English as a Second Language Columbia County Library All levels welcome. Email boassma@gmail. com or call 706-863-1946.
12:45pm - 2:30pm Embracing the Value of Public Art Jaguar Student Activities Center This Porter Fleming Public Art Symposium features keynote speaker Patricia Walsh. Call 706-667-4888 or email chcross@ augusta.edu.
Wed Oct 18
10am Computer Boot Camp: Part I Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-8631946 or visit gchrl.org.
3pm - 4:30pm Domestic Violence Lecture and Panel
Mon Oct 16
AU’s University Hall 170 Featuring Advocate and Sexual Assault Educator Sherry Allsup, to discuss CSRA sexual violence, dating violence and domestic violence. Email ajfoley@augusta. edu or call 706-737-1735.
Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the
6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation
5:30pm Beginner Spanish Class
Callaway Plantation, Washington An event that includes mule contests, primitive demonstrations, food, an arts and crafts show, family activities and more. Free, with $10 parking. Call 706-678-5111 or visit washingtonwilkes.org.
EXHIBITIONS Fri Oct 13
6pm - 8pm Syd Padgett Exhibit Reception 4P Studios Call 706-267-6724 or visit 4pstudiosart. com.
6pm - 8pm Various Artists Exhibit Reception That Place Coffee Call 706-339-7011 or visit thatplacecoffee. com.
Thu Oct 19
6pm - 8pm Hattie Saussy preview party Morris Museum of Art Sneak peek of upcoming exhibition “Hattie Saussy: The Rediscovery of an Artist.” Reception follows. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Reserve a spot by calling 706-828-3867 or emailing kara.exum@ themorris.org.
Ongoing
Augusta Museum of History Includes the following: “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That 12OCTOBER2017
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 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum. org.
Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Drawing and Its Peripheries
Thu Oct 12
Jessye Norman School of the Arts Drawing and Its Peripheries is a traveling exhibit of contemporary drawings selected from student artwork from the School of Visual Art at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., and the Department of Art & Design at Augusta University. The show will be on display from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20 before it goes to Virginia Tech in November. Reception with artists to take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 6. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
Exhibit of Robert Amato and Tire City Potters The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta will feature the work of Robert Amato and Tire City Potters (Main Gallery) with Shirley Olson (Balcony Gallery) on display from Oct. 5-Nov. 3. Free. Visit artsandheritagecenter.com or call 803-4414380.
Annual Quilt Exhibition Opening Reception Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Reception held 3:30-5 p.m. Oct. 29, featuring work from members of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilting Guild in Atlanta. The exhibition will remain on display until Dec. 30. Call 706-724-3576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.
FLIX Thu Oct 12
6:30pm “The Promise” Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
7pm “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Fri Oct 13
7:15pm “Goosebumps” Columbia County Amphitheater Part of the Screen on the Green series. $1 per person; free, children 3 and younger. Visit facebook.com/ColumbiaCountyEvents or call 706-868-3484.
Tue Oct 17
5:30pm - 8pm Tuesday Night Movie Series Headquarters Branch Library Eclectic variety of films. Visit arcpls.org or call 706-821-2600.
6:30pm “Hamlet”
6:30pm “Spiderman: Homecoming”
Buddhist Community the first and second Wednesday of each month. Sessions are free and open to the public. Visit sebuddhist.org.
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
HOBBIES
HEALTH 7pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Fri Oct 13
6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Class continues Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth. org.
Sat Oct 14
8am - noon Knitting/Crochet Class 211 N. Louisville Street, Harlem Drop by for “Stitch and Sip” with Sharon Bell at the Harlem Java House. Free. Call ahead to let her know you’re coming at 301-659-9509.
10am - 12:30pm Pizza, Flatbread & Focaccia Helms College Part of the Saturday Chef series. $75; preregistration required. Call 706-651-9707 or visit helmscontinuingeducation.com.
Sun Oct 15
Ongoing
Basic Genealogy Tutorials Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
KIDS-TEENS Thu Oct 12
4pm Job Applications for Teens Maxwell Branch Library Tips on filling out a job application. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
4pm Lego Club Aiken Public Library For kids ages 5-11. Legos provided. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
6pm - 7:30pm Big Brother/Big Sister
AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.
Columbia County Library Workshop leads up to NaNoWriMo, to discuss writing tips and answer questions. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Doctors Hospital An educational and interactive class for children ages 3-8 who will soon be welcoming a new baby into the home. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Mon Oct 16
Mon Oct 16
Fri Oct 13
University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute A class that offers information, diagnostic exams, lab work, a personal plan and more. Class also held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7745548 or visit universityhealth.org.
Goodwill’s The Snelling Center Jack Davis, storyteller, presents on “Love Amid the Ruins: The Romance of Nannie Radford and General Gabriel Wharton, CSA.” Meetings are $15, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.
2:30pm Writing Workshop
Sat Oct 14
10:30am Childbirth Tour
6pm Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Class
Tue Oct 17
7pm Center for Women Tour Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-6512229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Wed Oct 18
5pm Breastfeeding Class
6pm - 8pm Civil War Roundtable Meeting
Wed Oct 18
2pm - 4pm A Legacy Family Tree Webinar Headquarters Branch Library Learn about online access to genealogy. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Thu Oct 19
6:45pm Childbirth Tour
Big Daddy’s Bar & Grill The meeting’s speaker will be Dr. Al Goodyear, archaeologist, SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, whose talk is titled “Recent Advances in Paleoamerican Research in Florida.” Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; program, 8 p.m. Call 706-8291615.
AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.
Thu Oct 19
7pm - 8:30pm Babies, Bumps and Bruises Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-6512229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Ongoing
Meditation Sessions The Yoga Center, North Augusta Led by members of the Southeastern
6:30pm - 9:30pm Augusta Archaeological Society Meeting
6:30pm - 8:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club Meeting The Book Tavern A club open to all ages and skill levels that meets the first and third Thursdays of each month. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chess sets. Call 706-8261940 or visit booktavern.com.
10am - 12:30pm Story Time Fridays Aiken Public Library Stories, songs and interactive activities. Story time for babies (0-23 months) begins at 10:15 a.m., toddlers (2-3 years) at 11 a.m. and preschoolers (4-5 years) at 11:45 a.m. Participants and caregivers are encouraged to participate. Call 803-6422023 or visit abbe-lib. org.
10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play Jessye Norman School of the Arts Participants will read, sing, play musical instruments and explore movement designed to help them develop both literary and cognitive skills. Parents or caregivers participate in the class through age 3. Preschool and kindergarten children may attend with, or without, a parent or caregiver. $10; pre-registration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
Sat Oct 14
9:30am - 11am Children’s Hike with Story Time Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Story time and nature hike designed for kids from toddler age to age 8. Preregistration required. Free, members; $2, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1428 or email
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Board games, card games, puzzles, play for all ages. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
7pm Terrifying Tales for Teens North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Winners of the Ghost Story Contest read their winning entries; others may read their own afterward. Spooky refreshments. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Ongoing
Fabulous Friday Homeschool Jessye Norman School of the Arts The second eight-week sessions are available for homeschool children ages 6 through teens. Each Friday begins with fitness at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and then art classes from noon-2 p.m. Participants are organized into two groups according to age. The second session is Oct. 13-Dec. 8. $100, each session; preregistration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
The Shepard Project
Choc-Tail: A Night of Chocolate Indulgence Goodwill’s The Snelling Center 6-9 p.m. Fri Oct 13 Annual party benefits the Family Counseling Center of the CSRA. Come for chocolatecrafted cocktails, raffle ticket, live entertainment by Not Even Brothers Band, silent auction and catered food. Wear cocktail attire. $40, advance; $45, at door; $35, military. Buy tickets at Martina’s Flowers and Gifts or Midtown Market, or online at eventbrite.com. info@phinizycenter.org.
of 6 or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
10am Story Time with the Morris Museum of Art
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time
1:30pm Monarch Butterflies
Headquarters Branch Library Pre-registration recommended. Call 706821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
11am ‘After the Fall’ Story Time
Reed Creek Park Kids ages 5 and up will learn about monarch butterflies and explore the pollinator garden. Free, members; $2 per child, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email reedcreekpark@columbiacountyga.gov.
Mon Oct 16
7pm Teen Gaming Night North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Board games and Xbox One provided for teens in 6th-12th grade; bringing games encouraged. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
4pm Storytime in the Gardens Hopelands Gardens For families with children ages 8 and younger. Blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks are welcome. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
4:30pm - 6:30pm Family Movie Night
10am Preschool Story Time Diamond Lakes Branch Library A program for those ages 3-5 that includes stories, songs, games, short movies and crafts. Pre-registration required for groups 30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
10:30am Preschool Story Time Appleby Branch Library Songs, finger plays and stories for those ages 18 months to 3 years. Pre-registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
5pm - 6:30pm Unplug and Play for Teens
Columbia County Library An event for those ages 3 and up and their families. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Diamond Lakes Branch Library No electronic devices allowed. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Oct 18
Thu Oct 19
Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.
Aiken Public Library Paint mini-pumpkins, for teens in grades 6-12. Attendance limited to first 10 teens. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
10am Story Time
Tue Oct 17
Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
10:05am Toddler Story Time Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18
5pm Pumpkin Painting for Teens
6pm Family Game Night Columbia County Library
Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A teen hangout and safe space for LGBTQ+ teens, ages 14-17, and allies that meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. The group is also looking for chaperones ages 25 and older and youth mentors 18-24 years old, who must pass a background check. Call 803617-8352 or email shepardprojectaugusta@ gmail.com.
LITERARY Sat Oct 14
10am - 6pm Indie Author Day Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbelib.org.
11am Indie Author Day Columbia County Library Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
1pm - 3pm Meet the Author The Book Tavern Featuring Terry Grace, author of “Dracon: The Lost Prince.” Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
MUSIC Thu Oct 12
All day Aiken City Limits Aiken Music at various locations throughout the weekend of Oct. 12-15. Visit visitaikensc. com/aiken_city_limits.
6pm - 7:30pm Adult Guitar Club Columbia County Library A club for experienced guitar players. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Fri Oct 13 12OCTOBER2017
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6pm - 7:30pm Music Cruise Augusta Canal National Heritage Area Featuring Double D with classic rock covers. Participants are invited to bring snacks and beverages. $25; $23, seniors, military and students. Pre-registration required. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.
7:30pm An Evening with Melissa Manchester
aikenmusicfest.
8pm Allen Stone Imperial Theatre $20, advance; $25, day of show. Call 706722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.
Sun Oct 15
2pm John and Kiran Fernandes
Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center $55. Visit AugustaAmusements.com or call 706-726-0366.
Morris Museum of Art Athens-based father and son duo perform improvised ambient soundscapes as part of the Music at the Morris series. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
7:30pm The Becky Buller Band with Kenny and Amanda Smith
Thu Oct 19
Imperial Theatre $15-$40. Call 706-722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.
Sat Oct 14
8am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing Eighth Street Plaza Live music from local jazz artists and performing arts groups during the Augusta Market. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.
2pm - 10:30pm Trucks N’ Tunes Festival Gyles Park, Aiken Lineup headed by Rebel Union, Cody Webb and Cole Taylor. Food trucks and craft beer vendors. Free. Visit trucksntunes.com.
5pm - 11pm Aiken Music Fest Highfields Event Center Bands include New Holland Road, The Kenny George Band and headliners Cranford Hollow. There also will be food vendors, activities for kids and more. Free. Call 803-649-3505 or visit facebook.com/
12OCTOBER2017
7:30pm Popular Selections from Opera, Operetta and Broadway AU’s Maxwell Theatre The Augusta University Opera Ensemble presents favorites from opera, operetta and Broadway. $10, general; $5, children and students. Discounts for alumni, seniors, military and AU and EGSC faculty and staff. Free, AU and EGSC students. Call 706-6674100 or visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre.
Ongoing
Pet-A-Palooza Animal Rescue Benefit Concert Backyard Tavern A fundraiser for Hands to Paws Animal Rescue set 4-8 p.m. Oct. 21 that features performances by Bill Tolbert & the BTUs, Blues Hogg, Jaylight Savings Time and Willess. $8, advance; $10, door. Tickets are available at Backyard Tavern, Graced Kennel/Grooming and Hands to Paws Rescue. Call 706-481-0657 or visit hands2paws.org.
Kicks 99 Guitar Pull
James Brown Arena 19th annual Kicks 99 Guitar Pull is coming Nov. 14, featuring Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brett Young, and Big & Rich. Tickets on sale at SRP Box Office at James Brown Arena (no online ticket sales). $35; four-ticket purchase limit. Call 706-722-3521, 706-3967000 or visit kicks99.com.
Veterans Day Tribute Concert Evans Towne Center Park Inaugural tribute concert at 2 p.m. Nov. 11 featuring Shooter Jennings, Beth Spangler, Johnny Rodriguez, Rachel Lynn and Jordan Brower. $27-$40; free, kids 12 and under. Visit freshtix.com or buy tickets at any Security Federal Bank. Visit evanstownecenterpark.com or call 706650-5005.
as well as shopping in the marketplace and church tours. Continues 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 14, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. Visit holytrinityaugusta.org.
6pm - 9pm Ladies Night Out - Bunco Night Legends Club Doctors Hospital event invites women to roll the dice, learn about health and support a great cause. Raffles, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. $20. Pre-registration required. Visit doctors-hospital.net or call 706-651-3232.
Fri Oct 13
All day Georgia-Carolina State Fair
Pendleton King Park Free. Call 706-796-5025.
Exchange Club Fairgrounds Runs daily through Monday, Oct. 23. An annual Exchange Club event that includes carnival rides, shows, exhibits, food and more. Hours are Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from noon. Advance tickets available. Call 706-722-0202 or visit georgiacarolinastatefair.com.
Thu Oct 19
5:30pm - 8:30pm Augusta U Brew-NQue
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.
Douglas Barnard Amphitheatre An event featuring barbecue, a kids zone, live music, fireworks and more. $10, students and children; $15, adults; $20, day of event. Call 706-729-2390 or visit augusta.edu/bbq.
SPECIAL EVENTS
6pm - 9pm Choc-Tail: A Night of Chocolate Indulgence
SENIORS Thu Oct 12
9am - 2pm Senior Adult Oktoberfest
1pm - 1:30pm Got 30 Minutes?
Thu Oct 12
4pm - 9pm Greek Festival Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church A four-day celebration that includes traditional foods, drinks and entertainment,
The Snelling Center Annual party benefits the Family Counseling Center of the CSRA. Come for chocolate-crafted cocktails, raffle ticket, live entertainment by Not Even Brothers
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 31
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adults. Pre-registration required. Call 706772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Oct 19
11am - 2pm Purple Thursday Spirit Day and Donation Drive JSAC Breezeway Wear purple to take a stand against gender-based bullying, abuse and violence in recognition of GLAAD’s Spirit Day and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Purple Thursday. Items also will be collected for SafeHomes of Augusta; accepted items are online at safehomesdv. org/Donation-Days-at-Warren. Monetary donations and gift cards also accepted. Call 706-737-1735 or visit facebook.com/ augusta.dvam.
6pm Women in Business Signature Event
Hispanic Festival Augusta Common 6-11 p.m. Oct 13; noon-11 p.m. Oct. 14; noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 An event that includes authentic food stands from several different countries, entertainment from folkloric and musical groups, arts and crafts, activities for children and families and more. $5; free, children 12 and under ACHA members, active-duty military, and those dressed in authentic costume of their country. Visit elcervantino.org. Band, silent auction and catered food. Wear cocktail attire. $40, advance; $45, at door; $35, military. Buy tickets at Martina’s Flowers and Gifts or Midtown Market, or online at eventbrite.com.
6pm - 11pm Hispanic Festival Augusta Common An event that includes authentic food stands from several different countries, entertainment from folkloric and musical groups, arts and crafts, activities for children and families and more. Continues noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. $5; free, children 12 and under ACHA members, active-duty military, and those dressed in authentic costume of their country. Visit elcervantino.org.
7pm - 10pm Casino Night 118 York St., Aiken Proceeds benefit the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons. $50 ticket includes $10,000 play money, one drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres. Must be purchased in advance at Aiken Board of Realtors Office, or call 803-648-1891.
Sat Oct 14
8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River 32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com.
8am - 4pm The Vintage Market 5th Street Marina Vintage furniture, jewelry, farm equipment, food trucks. Park on other side of levee. Leashed animals welcome. Call 706-869-5404 or visit facebook.com/ fifthstreetmarina.
10am - 1pm Pull-ups for Patriots CrossFit Stars and Bars, Grovetown Fundraiser puts service members in a pull-ups competition to raise money for the Augusta Warrior Project and service members stationed in the Augusta area. Visit facebook. com/pullupsforpatriots.
11am - 3pm Star Wars Reads Day Headquarters Branch Library A free event open to all ages. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.
1pm - 3pm Women Empowerment Seminar Wallace Branch Library Celebrate the “different shades of beautiful.” Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.
6pm “Magic Tree House: Space Mission” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2-$6.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec. usca.edu.
7pm “Cosmic Colors” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Also showing at 8 p.m. Oct. 14. Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2-$6.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
4:30pm - 7pm Veggie Park Farmers Market Mill Village Trailhead, 109 Eve Street This weekly event in the park behind the Kroc Center features all local farmers and doubles EBT/SNAP benefits. Visit http:// augustalocallygrown.org/veggie-parkfarmers-market/.
Wed Oct 18
4:30pm - 6:30pm Fright Night @ Your Library Diamond Lakes Branch Library Screening of horror movie for teens and
Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce presents bestselling author Becky Blalock as the keynote speaker at Women in Business event. $55, members; $65, nonmembers. Pre-registration required at AugustaMetroChamber.com. Email Sabrina. Balthrop@augustametrochamber.com or call 706-821-1300.
6:30pm Natalie’s Light Columbia County Library Program presents the experiences of teen suicides/suicide attempts, with Q&A afterward. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
7pm - 9:30pm A Taste of Wine and Art Aiken Center for the Arts A fundraiser featuring local cuisine, wine tastings, silent auctions and more. $50 per person. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
7:30pm Cirque Spooktacular Bell Auditorium Cirque de la Symphonie’s aerial flyers, acrobats, jugglers and strongmen perform daring feats choreographed to live music by Symphony Orchestra Augusta. $16-$66. Visit soaugusta.org or call 706-826-4705.
SPIRITUAL Sat Oct 14
9:30am - 3:30pm Women’s Faith Retreat Jessye Norman School This women’s retreat hosted by Bring It Home offers participants workshops, speakers, food, prizes and more. $35, general; $10 per child ages 6-12 for child care (lunch is provided). Visit bringithomebyvictoria.com or call 706-9107179.
Ongoing
Marvin Corner Pumpkin Patch 12OCTOBER2017
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Marvin United Methodist Church Pumpkins, gourds, mums and bales of straw for sale to support missions and community outreach. Runs through Oct. 31. Visit marvinchurch.com or call 605-8630510.
Mistletoe State Park Learn how to cook using dutch ovens, cast-iron pans and grills over the fire. $15; $5, parking. Pre-registration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/ mistletoe.
CSRA Wine and Culinary Festival
Sun Oct 15
West Lake Club House Festival coming 1-4 p.m. Oct. 21 features wine and food samplings, as well as a silent auction. Each attendee will receive a free wine glass. $50; $25, designated drivers. Visit csrawinefestival.com.
Art After Dark Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Coming 7 p.m. Nov. 4 is an evening with the arts sponsored by the Artists Guild of Columbia County that includes entertainment, refreshments and a silent auction. Art will be available for purchase. Free. Visit artistguildcc.org.
Lynndale Advocates Vendor/Craft Bazaar 1490 Eisenhower Drive Coming 9 a.m.-2 p.m Nov. 4, shop for fall and winter decor and holiday gifts. Raffle and refreshments available. $25 for vendor/ craft tables, or $20 for space. Email rosemary@knology.net or call 706-231-2066.
TEDx in Augusta TEDx pre-sale tickets are now available for 10 a.m. Feb. 3 event at the Miller Theater. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Tickets are $50 and include lunch, refreshments and a T-shirt. Visit tedxaugusta.com.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Fri Oct 13
6pm - 9pm Haunted Augusta Fun Run 8th Street and Reynolds 5K walk/run takes participants past reportedly haunted Augusta locations. Metro Runners asking for $5/runner donation. Snacks and water provided after. Email mondaymetrorunners@gmail.com.
Sat Oct 14
All day MFHA Qualifier Stableview Farms, Aiken A qualifier and classes for the MFHA Championships Nov. 17-19 at Tryon. Call 803-648-1222 or visit stableviewfarm.com.
8am - 10am Adopt a Highway Cleanup Riverwatch Parkway Pilot Travel Center A Sierra Club event in which participants will clean up a mile stretch on Riverwatch Parkway and be done by 10 a.m. Call 706945-3454 or email t.nelken@att.net.
8:30am - 3:30pm Hardy 100K Harlem High School Oldest bike ride in Columbia County, presented by the Rotary Club of Columbia County West. $35, adults; $10, children 10 and younger. $5 late fee after Oct. 9. Call 706-833- 8291 or 706-830-2654, or visit active.com to register. Visit rotaryccw.org for more information.
Tue Oct 17
10am Willard Prior Memorial Golf Tournament Forest Hills Golf Course Benefits Leader Dogs for the Blind, Augusta Lions Club, Georgia Lines Camp for the Blind and Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. Registration is from 10-noon; lunch at 11:15 and shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. $500 for team of four; $125 for single players. Deadline to sign up is Oct. 15. Email sthurmond@duplicatingsystems.com or call 706-737-6482.
6:30pm - 8pm Sierra Club Monthly Meeting Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A Savannah River Group Sierra Club event that will include a screening of Mark Albertin’s “The Shrinking Sanctuary” about Cumberland Island. Free and open to the public. Email msmcb@outlook.com.
9am Brewtober Fest 5K Riverwatch Brewery Two free beers with registration. $30; price increases Oct. 2. Visit brewtoberfest5k.com or call 706-495-8188.
9:30am - noon Swamp Bike Saturday Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A guided bike ride through approximately 7 miles of wetland trails. Helmets and preregistration required. Free, members; $2, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1426 or visit phinizycenter.org.
10am - 1pm Campfire Cooking 12OCTOBER2017
Ongoing
Augusta Sports Leagues This organization offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, dodgeball and more for coed and men’s leagues. For more information, visit augustasportsleagues.com or call 706309-0280.
SUPPORT Tue Oct 17
10am - 11:30am Moms Connection Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor beginning at 10:20 a.m. All new moms and their babies are welcome and an international board certified lactation consultant/educator/perinatal nurse will answer questions and offer resources. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.
cr@journeycommunity.net.
Write to Heal Creative Writing Program Children’s Hospital of Georgia family resource library For patients, family members and caregivers, this program meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Preregistration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.
7pm Trans Support Group Meeting
Diabetes Youth Support Group
Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta Support group for transgender individuals. Refreshments to be served. Visit facebook. com/transsuportgroupofAugusta.
Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
Ongoing
Recovery International Mental Health Support Group Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A weekly group that meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. Based on the work of Abraham Low, MD, RI offers its members a low cost method to regain and maintain their mental health by using mental health through will training. People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other symptoms. Email marykahb@yahoo.com.
Georgia Carolina Toastmasters Group empowers people to become more effective communicators and leaders. Meets weekly from noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays at Fat Man’s Cafe. Email jmcneill22@att.net.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weigh-in beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-481-0529 or visit tops.org.
La Leche League
Overeaters Anonymous Meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, and at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 706-863-9534 or email oa.augusta.recovery@gmail.com.
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/ documents/Meetings/meetings.pdf.
Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.
Beyond the Bars A support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call 706-855-8636.
THEATER Ongoing
“I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” The Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Showing Oct. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. $53, civilians; discounts for seniors, military retirees and others. No kids 12 and under. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.
“Breath of Spring”
A breastfeeding support group. For more information on meeting dates, times and locations, visit them on Facebook under La Leche League of Augusta or at lllaugusta. wordpress.com.
Aiken Community Playhouse Showing at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 and 3 p.m. Oct. 22. $20, adults; $17, seniors and military; $12, students. Visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com or call 803648-1438.
Celebrate Recovery
VOLUNTEER
Journey Community Church This Christ-centered recovery program meets every Monday night at 7 p.m. The meetings last two hours and childcare is provided. Pre-registration suggested. Visit
Sat Oct 14
9am ACT Adopter, Booz Allen Hamilton Clean-up River Levee Trail Email jgshurtleff88@gmail.com. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989 METROSPIRIT 33
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8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Alley (Aiken) - Open Mic Sampler The Backyard Tavern - Keith Gregory Fox’s Lair - Taylor Swain Gyles Park (Aiken) - Trucks N’ Tunes Highfields (Aiken) - Cranford Hollow, The Kenny George Band, New Holland Road Imperial Theatre - Allen Stone Shannon’s - Hello Betty Band Sky City - Hispanic Festival After Party Stillwater Taproom - Adam Harris Thompson Surrey Tavern - Kick the Robot Wild Wing - Moby Dick Acoustic The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
The Becky Buller Band (pictured) with Kenny and Amanda Smith Imperial Theatre 7:30 p.m. Fri Oct 13; $15-$40 706-722-8341 or imperialtheatre.com
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke
Sunday, October 15 Live Music
The Alley (Aiken) - Bethany and the Southside Boys Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Wild Wing - Prettier Than Matt The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
World of Beer - Trivia
Upcoming Folk You
- Southbound Smokehouse October 19 Sabo and Dave
- Wild Wing October 19 Bethany and the Southside Boys
- The Highlander October 20 Drivin’ N Cryin’
- Country Club October 20 Deleveled
- Wild Wing October 20 Chris Janson
- Bell Auditorium October 21 Pet-A-Palooza
- The Backyard Tavern October 21 Shinebox
- Shannon’s October 21 Jake Bartley Acoustic
- Wild Wing October 21 Russell Joel Brown, Damien Sneed (a tribute to Jessye Norman)
- Imperial Theatre October 22 Baideme and Phil
- Wild Wing October 22 Kansas
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
- Bell Auditorium October 25 The Lucky Bastards
- The Highlander October 27
Monday, October 16 Live Music
The Highlander - Acoustic Mondays The Iron Heights - First Fragment (Officiel) Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
Unmentionables “Halloween Party”
- Shannon’s October 28 Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Sky City October 28 Funk You
- Sky City October 31 Chicago
What’s Tonight?
Allen Stone Imperial Theatre 8 p.m. Sat Oct 14; $20, advance; $25, day of show 706-722-8341 or imperialtheatre.com Thursday, October 12 Live Music
The Alley (Aiken) - Mike Frost Band The Bee’s Knees - Live jazz w/ Rob Foster and Travis Shaw Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Imperial Theatre - Becky Buller Band, Kenny and Amanda Smith The Red Pepper (Aiken) - Jeff Johnston Sky City - The Get Right Band Wild Wing - Sabo and Dave The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House
What’s Tonight?
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane That Place Coffee - Open Mic w/ J. Martin-Moses
Friday, October 13 34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Live Music
The Alley (Aiken) - Beach Music w/ DJ Bob Country Club - 8 Second Ride Fox’s Lair - Rev. Billy and the Soul Patrol (Billy McKnight) Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center - Melissa Manchester The Loft - Roshambeaux Shannon’s - Preston and Weston The Stables (Aiken) - Keith Gregory Stillwater Taproom - Flat Out Strangers The Village at Woodside (Aiken) - Bluegrass & Brews Wild Wing - Broadcast 90 The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Sally’s - Friday 13th w/ Claire Storm Soul Bar - ‘80s Night (Just Like Heaven)
Saturday, October 14 Live Music
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night
- Bell Auditorium November 1 Kenny George Band
- Stillwater Taproom November 3 Symphony Orchestra Augusta
- Bell Auditorium November 9 Chris Tomlin
Tuesday, October 17 Live Music
Capri Lounge - Trick or Trivia Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
What’s Tonight?
The Highlander - Game Night World of Beer - Karaoke
Wednesday, October 18 Live Music
The Highlander - ABBA Baby Daddy w/ Bethany Davis and Keith Petersen Soul Bar - Mike Tanksley Band Wild Wing - Jeff Lucero Duo
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Capri Lounge - Game Night Chevy’s - DJ Richie Rich Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Sky City - Hip-Hop Night Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz
- Evans Towne Center Park November 10 Veterans Day Tribute Concert w/ Shooter Jennings and more
- James Brown Arena November 11 Rick Springfield, Richard Marx
- Bell Auditorium December 6 An Evening with Molly Ringwald
- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center January 13
Elsewhere Kid Cudi
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta October 12 Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta October 12 Chris Isaak
- Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta October 13 Azealia Banks
- Heaven at The Masquerade, Atlanta October 14 Willie Nelson
- Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta October 14 Trevor Noah
- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta October 14 Conor Oberst, The Felice Brothers
- 40 Watt Club, Athens October 14 12OCTOBER2017
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- City Winery Atlanta, Atlanta October 15 Pete Yorn
- Vinyl, Atlanta October 15 Foo Fighters, The Struts
- Colonial Life Arena, Columbia October 17 Nick Offerman
- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta October 19 Spoon, Mondo Cozmo
- Music Farm Columbia, Columbia October 20 Lil Yachty
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta October 20 The Eagles
- Philips Arena, Atlanta October 20 and 21 LCD Soundsystem
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta October 21 and 22 Andrew W.K., Seven Ten Split
- Terminal West, Atlanta October 23 New Found Glory, Roam
- Music Farm Columbia, Columbia October 24
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
Brand New, Nada Surf
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta October 26 Third Eye Blind, Tigerdog
- Music Farm Columbia, Columbia October 27
Try FREE: 706-434-0108
More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
Fall Out Boy, Blackbear
- Philips Arena, Atlanta, November 4 Imagine Dragons, K.Flay, Grouplove
- Philips Arena, Atlanta, November 7 Primus
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 9 Bon Iver, Aero Flynn
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 9 Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 11
Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+ Meet sexy new friends
FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
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THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
BLADE RUNNER 2049
$32,753,122
$32,753,122
1
-
2
THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US
$10,551,336
$10,551,336
1
-
3
IT
$9,972,002
$305,250,480
5
2
4
MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE
$8,885,899
$8,885,899
1
-
5
KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE $8,675,412
$80,539,837
3
1
In Theaters October 13
ACTION HORROR DRAMA “The Foreigner,” rated R, starring Jackie Chan “Happy Death Day,” rated PG-13, starring Jessica “Marshall,” rated PG-13, starring Chadwick and Pierce Brosnan. When a businessman’s daughter dies in a terrorist attack, he relentlessly seeks out the identity of her killers. Jackie Chan is still a big box office draw in China, but it’s been a while since he’s headlined a North American release. While “The Foreigner” is a more serious departure for the action star, the marketing campaign relies heavily on moviegoers’ nostalgic fondness for Chan. 36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Rothe, Israel Broussard and Ruby Modine. After being murdered on her birthday, Tree Gelbman wakes up and must relive the same day over and over again. With each new death, the young college student attempts to uncover more clues about the true identity of her masked murderer. Slasher films are the perfect way to celebrate Friday the 13th. Looks like a fun one.
Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Dan Stevens, Sterling K. Brown and James Cromwell. This biopic is based on the early life of lawyer Thurgood Marshall, who would eventually become the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Chadwick Boseman, who recently portrayed James Brown in “Get On Up” and Jackie Robinson in “42,” is an excellent choice for this role. 12OCTOBER2017
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Jim Christian, Jenny Wright and Amy Christian at the Westobou Launch Party
Karl Fornes, Jennifer Onofrio-Fornes, Lilly Morris and Blake Lansford at Enigma: The Telephone Game Project at Westobou Gallery
Randy Pace, Heather Dunaway and Drew Greiner at the Westobou Launch Party
Christel Mottel, Lance Gilbreath and Sophia Viller at the Westobou Launch Party
Russell Joel Brown, Steven Utles and Kristi Jilson at the Westobou Launch Party
Katie Hasen, Daniel Rigon and Heather Wagner at Friends With Benefits concert at Sky City
Lydia Pacheco, Amy Patrick, Anna Patrick and Claire Duteau at Wolf and Finch Art Gallery
Ron and Patricia Clements, Gabby Stephens and David Clements at Westobou Central
Libby Mudano, Kim Mitchell, Vickie Harby and Tamara Burkett at Stillwater Taproom
12OCTOBER2017
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 37
THE PERFECT SETTING.
THE PERFECT SET.
2635 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30904 Mon - Sat 9am - 9pm | 706.738.7777 www.windsorfinejewelers.com