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Table of Contents July 27, 2017
Whine Line 4 Jenny is Wright 6 Kris Fisher 8 Insider 10 Feature 14 Metro Week What’s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings The Eight Austin Rhodes
EDIT
CREATIVE
Amy Christian
Joshua Bailey
Joe White
amy@themetrospirit.com
joshua@themetrospirit.com
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Arts Editor/Production Director
Lead Designer
Stacey Eidson stacey@themetrospirit.com
BUSINESS Publisher
Johnny Beckworth
Staff Writer
SALES
circulation manager
jdbeckworth@gmail.com
Joe White Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson, Tyler Strong
Rachael Foss Account Executive
rachael@themetrospirit.com 706-910-3461
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COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.Š 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.
Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? Call or email Joe at 706.373.3636 joe@themetrospirit.com
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Not really a whine but I’m on board with Kris and his pyramid scheme story. I hate people that try to use their name, influence, salesmanship, etc to lure me into something that will only benefit them. Yes, I too highly praise those leakers for the truth about Trump and his various lies. Keep up the great work. It’s wonder how it caused Don Jr. to put out the truth in piecemeal after over a year about his meeting with the Russians that he kept lying about. And now we know about Jared, Manafort and others being there as well. “As the Trumps Churn” has caused wins for SNL for entertainment value that helps us laugh instead of cry over the tragedies.
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.
Rather than erect more nuclear reactors, why not use that entire area for solar panels? Way safer and cheaper and smarter. Goodness knows we have enough sunshine to keep us in energy forever! To healthy people who don’t want to buy insurance: you don’t wait to get auto insurance until you have a wreck or homeowners insurance until your house burns down. You have insurance IN CASE these things happen. So, you don’t wait to get insurance until you get sick or have an accident and need medical care! The mandate to be insured, along with requiring insurance companies to offer ACA and the expansion of Medicaid is what will bring premiums down. Or, even better, just go to Single Payer! And no, using the ER makes ALL our costs rise. Not a choice for care.
Whenever the government declares war on something, rather than someone, It doesn’t seem to help the problem. The war on poverty hasn’t eradicated poverty. The war on drugs has not stopped, decreased or even slowed the flow and use of drugs. Maybe it’s time to try a differnent approach and declare peace On drugs!! Maybe by treating it as a health problem not a criminal one we will get a different result. By daring to even mention this I can hear the screams from the private prison industry and law enforcement segment that feed off the billions of $$$$ thrown away on failed policies. It is time to address this problem with logic and reason.... What do we really have to loose..... A war that has been lost? As the world becomes increasingly polarized, I suggest the following test to ensure you are being fair-minded about politics, issues and politicians. Step back, remove the names from the stories, then replace them with your opposition. Keep the events exactly the same. Just replace who the key figures of the events are. Take Trump, for instance, and imagine Obama in his place. Then ask yourself if you are okay with the same things
being done by the opposition. If you are, then support them. If you are not, then you probably are not being intellectually honest. You can try a different test with issues. Does the issue affect you and people you know personally, and if so, how? What will the long term effects be? Also, if 97% of the authorities on that issue say one thing and you are only listening to the 3% that say something different, such as climate change or vaccines causing autism for instance, step back and check your sources. Start critically reading up on the other 97%. Read what they are saying and digest it. Understand it. Be able to speak it as if it is your own beliefs. Even if you still disagree, then consider issues involved with these beliefs. Do they affect you personally or people you care about? Will there be a direct impact on your life. If you have a strong feeling about immigrants taking your job and living near you, for instance, ask yourself: How many immigrants have you ever seen? How many have taken jobs in your field? How many live near you? Just... just try this process out, please... just give an inch. Only an inch. See what is inside someone else’s head. Consider the world outside your bubble of information. Get truly informed on complex issues before you start speaking loudly about them. Think. Don’t repeat. Think. I have a question about the following; “Only 13% of America is Africn-American. Most states dont even have them living there”. Am I the only one here who DOES NOT believe this? To the people waiting to join the class action lawsuit to stop access to our vote registration information, don’t hold your breath. Instead, please take a moment to find out what the term “public record” actually means. You would be surprised how much of your personal information is available to anyone who asks.
The biggest problem with Augusta is that there are too many property renters and not enough property owners. Most of them have moved out to Columbia County, thanks to the inept and backyard-looking Augusta Commission. When the Augusta Commission can’t find enough “fees” to charge in lieu of property taxes, they will have to declare bankruptcy just like old City of Augusta faced -- until Charles Walker and Robin Williams bailed them out with their now sinking to the high hills Consolidation Charter. I just want to say that if you do not like our area please leave and do not come back. Thank you and good bye. I thought they were having a concentrated speeding crackdown this weekend. The speeding on I- 20 crossing the river [both ways] was the same as always... out of control. Al Gray hosting the Austin Rhodes show actually makes Alex Jones sound like mainstream radio. You know who fears a witch hunt the most? That would be a witch. Russia and trump: where there is this much smoke there is definitely fireski! 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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College rules Jenny is wright TwenTy-Two years ago, I was packing for college. I don’t care that you now know how old I am. Don’t do math? I’m 40. Age is but a number, anyway. Twenty-two years ago, I knew so much more that I know now. With each passing year, I’m happy to admit that I am, in fact, clueless. Academic advisors in Athens were plentiful, but no one ever told me this stuff. Maybe I just didn’t hear you. Ramen noodles are a complete meal. So are instant mashed potatoes. Kraft mac and cheese can definitely be made without milk. If you have milk, you can live for weeks on cereal alone. The $6 cab fare is always worth it. If the school bus system has a family housing (for example) bus that goes downtown, you can take that, too. It’s free. Be aware of the schedules. They don’t run all night. The free T-shirt they give you for signing up for a credit card isn’t really free. It comes with a hefty 17 percent monthly interest rate. It doesn’t matter that the cute card has your college mascot on it. It will still get you in trouble. Stick with cash. Living on a budget is possible. Low checking account balances enhance creative thinking skills. It’s also possible to work, go to class and still have a life. Even if you’re going home for the holidays, get a Christmas tree. A potted plant can be decorated on limited funds. Moving every year isn’t that uncommon. It doesn’t ever get easier. Getting the security deposit back is totally worth the effort. If you’re lucky, you’ll make forever friends. High school friends will always matter, but latenight porch talks after $1 beer night are the ties that bind. Even the best of friends don’t make perfect roommates. I’m incredibly messy. I tried to at least do the dishes. I kept my bedroom door closed most of the time. Sharing clothes with your roommates is expected. Taking clothes without asking and wearing them to a smoky bar isn’t. You will get caught, and the rest of the apartment will talk about you. Fights between roommates can be settled with a box of wine. Just because she goes out with you doesn’t mean she wants to spend the night. The first guy you date probably won’t become your husband.
I knew three people who got dogs in college and actually took care of them. As a general rule, wait until graduation. Your parents only recently got rid of you. They probably don’t want your dog. Joining a sorority or fraternity isn’t mandatory or necessary, even in The South. Promising to cook fried chicken for your boyfriend is a lofty goal. It isn’t as easy as it looks on TV, and unless the oil is the perfect temperature, the chicken will still be bloody when you go to eat it. Unless you practice first, stick to the basics. He’ll be impressed. Sign up for 8 a.m. classes as a last resort only. Trust me. Attendance policies are no joke. Skipping class on the first sunny day in the spring is not only acceptable, it’s required. Every year, take at least two classes not required by your major. You might be surprised. Your parents don’t have to know about the cash refund for returning your textbooks. Consider it a bonus. Buy milk. Have fun, but don’t get sent home. Remember the dog? They don’t want you back, either. Mom and Dad have been looking forward to this for years. They’ll cry when you leave. They’re sad and proud. They’ll celebrate your absence. During holiday breaks, they’ll tell everyone you’re coming home. They might seem crazy. The day your first child is born, it will all make sense. I don’t have regrets. Okay, I kind of wish my friend hadn’t prank called my high school boyfriend — did you know you can go to jail for that? Otherwise, I’d do it all again. My only complaint is that I can’t. Enjoy it while it lasts, kids. The rest of your life is an 8 a.m. class. Attendance mandatory.
JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably find her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.
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One More Light kris Fisher Last week we received more bad news. The singer for one of the bigger rock bands of my generation passed away. Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington is the second big name in the rock community to take his own life this summer. Just barely two months ago, one of the pioneers of alternative and “grunge” rock, Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, was found dead from an apparent suicide in a Detroit hotel. Two months and two days later, Bennington was found after taking his own life. To make it even more surreal, Bennington was found on what would have been Cornell’s 53rd birthday. The two were close friends, Cornell’s death hitting Bennington very hard. Even so, Chester’s friends would say that they never suspected that he would consider suicide. In fact, TMZ reported that he bought his family a new house the month before his suicide. It would end up being the place where his body was found. He was also set to begin a world tour with his band the following Friday (which would be the Friday after this Metro Spirit hits the yellow boxes). Eerily, the tour was called the “One More Light” tour, named for a Linkin Park song that is about dealing with the death of a loved one or friend and letting people know you care, something that Bennington was obviously struggling with. I don’t claim to have a lot of experience and knowledge when it comes to suicide. I’ve lost some friends in this manner and some friends of friends or so on. But I’ve seen the way it affects those close to the deceased. Or, I’ve seen it to the degree that those people have let it be seen. Meaning: I haven’t seen the sleepless nights wondering why and what if… I haven’t been in the therapy sessions. I haven’t experienced the tiny memories that bring uncontrollable emotions. But I know those things are there and I know it’s a reality for some very close friends and relatives in my life that I don’t want to experience myself. I’ve always thought suicide was very selfish. Maybe a person is going through a moment or even several moments in life that make it seem like it’s the only way out. Some people have deeper reasons. But it’s also creating a life full of consequences, like those mentioned above, for those left behind — like Bennington’s six kids. That’s not the life I want to create for the people I love in my life. I would think that most people would feel the same about their loved ones. Even so, I know depression and the way it can warp one’s thought process. Even I get in moods where I’m angry or upset over who knows what. Sometimes I don’t even know what the mood is about and that usually makes me even more depressed or angry. But, I can usually recognize it. It’s the reason there’s a punching bag hanging in my garage. Man, that thing helps me through some tough times! I would never dream of taking my own life, but the next person might. If you suspect someone may be going through a tough time, you never know what might help: Let them know you care, offer a non-judgmental ear or maybe just a smile and a wave. A quick Google search can show you some of the things that have helped others who thought they’d had enough. For people who may be in that position: Please reconsider. I’ve seen what it has done to some people I care a lot about. Many are now broken people because of it. There’s always help. If not a loved one, ask a friend. If not a friend, ask a stranger. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 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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706.724.8840 AugustaPowderCoating.com
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Should augusta Save 401 Walton Way? The facT that Chief Superior Court Judge Carl Brown is actually asking the Augusta Commission to consider saving the former Joint Law Enforcement Center at 401 Walton Way shows exactly how desperate the local judges are for additional courtrooms and office space. Let’s face it: That facility is a complete and total wreck. So, how in the world did Augusta already get to the point that it is contemplating reopening the Joint Law Enforcement Center? Well, the new Augusta-Richmond County Judicial Center, which cost taxpayers a whopping $67 million and just opened back in 2011, is already running out of room because it offers smaller courtrooms and not enough adequate storage space. Specifically, Brown told commissioners they should consider reopening the more than 30-year-old Joint Law Enforcement Center on Walton Way to meet the needs of “Juvenile Court, training, additional courtrooms, office space, storage, mediation and future growth.” But the Joint Law Enforcement Center has remained completely vacant since 2013 after the city received more than a decade of complaints about leaks, mold, mildew and other dangerous health concerns inside the building. So why in the world should Augusta consider throwing more money at an aging facility that could be potentially hazardous to the public? Well, Brown is saying the courts can’t wait for the county to construct a new, adequate facility. The judges need more space... like, yesterday. The ironic thing about this entire mess is that when several local media outlets asked to take a tour of the former law enforcement center, the city informed reporters, such as WJBF Senior Reporter George Eskola, that they couldn’t go inside the building because of “concerns of safety and potential liability.” That should really tell the public something. Folks, it must look pretty terrible inside good ol’ 401 Walton Way if the city doesn’t want cameras inside the building. But is that really a big surprise? After all, law enforcement officials have been screaming about the horrible conditions inside that building for years and years. Way back in 2000, the Metro Spirit sat down with then-Richmond County Sheriff Charles Webster to talk about the conditions at the law enforcement center. Webster, along with then-Assistant Chief Jailor Gene Johnson and Chief Jailor Charles Toole, gave the Metro Spirit a tour of the entire facility. And even back then, conditions were bleak. “This place is a nightmare,” Toole told the Metro Spirit in 2000. But the sheriff’s office didn’t have a choice but to work with what it was given. The need for the law enforcement facility on Walton Way began back in 1978 when U.S. District Judge Anthony Alaimo ruled that the former Fourth Street jail was in such bad shape that holding inmates in the facility was “unconstitutional.” The county immediately fell under a federal court order to improve the conditions. While running for sheriff in 1984, Webster told the Metro Spirit that the facility on Walton Way was under construction at a cost of about $14 million. The Walton Way jail opened during Webster’s first year in office, but even in 1985, the facility was already seeing serious problems of overcrowding and some leaks in the newly constructed building. After only a few years in office, Webster said he already knew that the sheriff’s office needed a new site for a jail. By November 1997, the Phinizy Road Detention Center, now named the Charles B. Webster Detention Center after the late sheriff, was completed on approximately 50 acres of land at a cost of approximately $20 million.
However, by 2000, Webster was once again before the Augusta Commission requesting additional money to build more pods to house inmates on the Phinizy Road site. But while more and more inmates were moved out to Phinizy Road, officers and officials in the sheriff’s department remained housed in the Joint Law Enforcement Center. Working inside that building soon took a toll on many of the employees’ health. One of the most vocal employees concerned about the mold conditions in the law enforcement center was the department’s finance director, Mary Ann Gibbs. In 2004, Gibbs told Augusta commissioners that she believed the Joint Law Enforcement Center was making her sick. She began working in the law enforcement center on Walton Way in 1993 and over the next 10 years, she was forced to take 10 prescription medications to prevent the inflammation in her lungs. Doctors eventually discovered that Gibbs was suffering from mold allergies. Her test results finally convinced the county to hire an engineering firm to conduct a mold survey of the law enforcement center. What were the result of the investigation? There were 17 types of mold spores found inside the building. The report stated that the mold levels were “excessive” inside the law enforcement center. And that was more than 10 years ago. Does the Augusta Commission really think the situation has gotten better and not worse over the past decade? There is a clear reason that the Joint Law Enforcement Center closed its doors and was finally abandoned in 2013 and that reason was the potential for mold to harm workers. The Augusta Commission and the judges better think twice before opening up those moldy courtrooms and offices, especially if they are seriously talking about conducting juvenile court in the facility. There must be a better solution or more appropriate location somewhere in Augusta, right? 27JULY2017
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Finally, “It Is Time” for The Miller For years, the words “It Is Time” posted on The Miller Theater’s old marquee in downtown Augusta was like a knife in the heart for locals walking along the lower end of Broad Street. Many believed the reopening of The Miller Theater would never come about. They thought it would take too much money, the theater was too far gone or no one really cared enough. Well, they were wrong. Just this past week, representatives of Symphony Orchestra Augusta announced they will be hosting an opening night gala on Jan. 6 at the historic Miller Theater. The black-tie event will feature Tony award winner and television star Sutton Foster. It will truly be a day to celebrate in downtown Augusta. Earlier this year, Catherine Murray, executive director of Symphony Orchestra Augusta, told the Metro Spirit that the restoration of The Miller has been a long time coming. “The symphony has never had its own, official home,” Murray said. “So while we’ve been very fortunate to play in some fabulous places, including our home of the past several years, First Baptist Church, we will now have our own home with amazing, state-of-the-art acoustics. For us, it’s simply incredible.” There has always been a deep, local love for The Miller Theater in downtown Augusta. When The Miller first opened its doors on Broad Street in 1940, it was described as a gala premiere that rivaled any Hollywood affair. Augustans were dazzled by the Art Moderne theater with its Italian marble terrazzofloored entrance, colorful murals of dancing figures flanking the stage and brushed aluminum handrails leading up to the balcony. The Miller, which cost $500,000 to construct in 1939 and was both a movie theater and vaudeville house, was the pride of Augusta. The theater helped make Broad Street a highly successful entertainment district. But about 40 years later, the crowds disappeared and the public was no longer coming downtown to eat, shop and take in a show. As a result, The Miller was forced to close its doors in 1984 due to poor attendance. The theater went dark for more than three decades and it began to slowly fall into disrepair. By 2005, the abandoned theater’s roof was literally about to cave in and the owner at the time, Homer Boyd, owed delinquent taxes on the building he had purchased in 1989. The much-beloved theater was about to be sold on the courthouse steps. That’s when businessman and philanthropist Peter Knox IV stepped into the picture. Knox spent more than $500,000 to buy the building, repair the roof, remove the moldy carpet and seats and install a ventilation system. He then generously offered the historic theater to the symphony. However, it wasn’t until the fall of 2011, that the Board of Directors for Symphony Orchestra Augusta unanimously voted to accept the gifted building.
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Needless to say, The Miller was a massive undertaking. The restoration project came as a result of a $23 million capital campaign made possible by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations as well as the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding and state and federal historic tax incentives. When Catherine Murray gave the Metro Spirit a tour of the historic theater earlier this year, it was clear the excitement over the project was rapidly mounting. While walking through the building, Murray said the entrance to The Miller will eventually be as breathtaking as it was in the 1940s. “Notice how these doors sort of have this cruise ship look,” Murray said. “And these marble floors will all be polished up and be brought back to life. It’s going to be gorgeous.” The symphony also found some cool playbills, old popcorn machines, some phone booths from the 1970s and, up in the projection room, several pieces of old equipment, Murray said. “There are a lot of really cool details throughout the building,” she said. The Miller property was designed by famed theater architect Roy Benjamin in 1938 in conjunction with the best sound engineers in the country, Murray said. “The acoustics are incredible in here,” she said, walking into the theater. “And we have one of the finest acousticians in the country. They have studied every inch of this building, down to the breathability of the seat fabric to make sure it is appropriate for the sound. We’ve looked at the finishes on the wall and how we need to protect those or enhance those to make sure that one, we are protecting the historic integrity of the building, but also that it is not negatively impacting the sound.” The stage will soon be set. Augustans are anxious to see the historic Miller Theater come alive once again. It is time.
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After 50 years of dedicated service, A.B. Beverage Company celebrates Warren “Choppy” Woodward When Warren “Choppy” Woodward walked into A.B. Beverage Company on his very first day of work back in 1967, he didn’t know what to expect. “I remember that I came to work on July 3 and I worked for one day and then had the day off because of the Fourth of July holiday. But I remember that first day vividly,” Woodward said, smiling. “Back then, the company was located at 1103 Walton Way, which is across from the Cadillac dealership. They just tore that old building down last month. Well, I came in and they showed me this big old room that was dusty as it could be and full of point-of-sale signs. They looked at me and just said, ‘Straighten this room up.’” At 26 years old, Woodward said no one had to ask him twice. He immediately went to work. “So that’s what I did. I got in there and I straightened up that big ol’ dusty room. I didn’t stop until I was done,” Woodward said, laughing. “I threw the stuff away that they wanted thrown out and went through all of the signs and saved what they had that could still be used.” At the end of the day, his new boss was extremely impressed. So began Woodward’s new job at A.B. Beverage that would eventually blossom into 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
By Stacey Eidson
a 50-year career that he loves dearly. “This company has meant an awful lot to me over the years,” Woodward said. “I’m 76 years old and, gosh, it’s my life. I can’t think of anything I could have done that would have been more fun. And I work for the best people in the world. I mean, you can’t beat Cathy and Doug (Varnadore). They are like my family.” Cathy Varnadore, president of A.B. Beverage, feels the same way about Woodward. Just last week, Varnadore and the entire A.B. Beverage family threw Woodward a surprise party to celebrate his 50 years of dedicated service to the company. Woodward said it has been an honor to work for such a tight-knit, family owned company for the past five decades. “We are all very close here. Of course, I worked for Cathy’s father, Joe Pond,” Woodward said, adding that Pond had a wonderfully dry sense of humor. “Joe was quite a guy. We always had a good time. We used to fish together and he was just a fun guy to be around. He was my employer, but he was also my friend and one never got in the way of the other. It just always worked out. I miss him.” For more than seven years, Pond battled cancer, while still sharing his love for life with everyone around him. Unfortunately, Pond passed away in 2006. 27JULY2017
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“This company has meant an awful lot to me over the years. I’m 76 years old and, gosh, it’s my life. I can’t think of anything I could have done that would have been more fun.” Today, the company is run by Joe Pond’s daughter, Cathy Varnadore, and her husband, Doug. Cathy is the third generation to lead the family-owned beer distribution company. Joe Pond actually worked for his father, Miles Joseph Pond, at A.B. Beverage and became president of the company in 1978 after his father died. A.B. Beverage was originally founded back in 1933 as Aiken Barnwell Beverage, Woodward explained. “Prohibition ended around December 1933, but Georgia didn’t really go wet until 1934,” Woodward said. “So the company opened up over in Hamburg, S.C., and was named Aiken Barnwell Beverage Company. That’s where A.B. comes from. And now it is a family-owned business led by a third generation, which is remarkable. You can’t beat that.” As Woodward walks the halls of A.B. Beverage these days and looks at all the black- and-white photos lining
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the walls in the company’s current Evans location, he can’t help but smile at the past. “That’s a picture of Miles Pond and this lady worked here forever,” Woodward said, pointing to a photo of a beautiful young woman. “Her name was Birdie. Believe it or not, she left just before I came here. But I know several of the people in these black and white photos who I worked with over the years.” As Woodward walked around the building, he recalled many of the good times he’s had at the company over the past 50 years. “I remember the first company Christmas party I ever went to,” Woodward said, laughing. “I bet you there wasn’t more than 16 to 18 people at that Christmas party. That’s spouses and all. Now we have 150 folks, so that gives you an idea of the growth and what has happened in this business.”
Over the years, A.B. Beverage Company has continued to expand along with the ever-growing popularity of beers throughout this country. In fact, A.B. Beverage recently expanded its 50,000-square-foot Evans warehouse specifically for craft beers. “When I came to work here we had three flavors. We had Budweiser, Busch Bavarian, and Michelob. Personally, I’m still a Budweiser fan, myself,” Woodward said, chuckling. “Well, I grew up drinking Budweiser. But it is amazing how different the beer business is these days. All of the craft beers have really changed things. We probably have more than 50 different flavors today and no telling how many different packages in all different sizes. Big sizes, little sizes and now we have the sixth barrels that have five gallons of beer. I never
“Joe (Pond) was quite a guy. We always had a good time. We used to fish together and he was just a fun guy to be around. He was my employer, but he was also my friend and one never got in the way of the other. It just always worked out. I miss him.” AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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“When I came to work here we had three flavors. We had Budweiser, Busch Bavarian, and Michelob. Personally, I’m still a Budweiser fan, myself.” dreamed I’d see those things, but that is what most of the craft breweries are using. It is just amazing to me the amount of those things that we sell.” But Woodward said he has always adapted well and grown along with the business. “While I started at 1103 Walton Way in 1967, we moved down to Laney Walker in 1973,” he said. “And, of course, we moved here to Evans in 1992. So I’ve been in three different locations in the 50 years that I’ve worked here.” And through the years, Woodward said he has served in several different positions and roles throughout the company. “When I started off working here, I hung signs,” Woodward said. “I worked at Fort Gordon and hung signs for a while. Then, I worked a route out there. Eventually, I went on a non-military, civilian, regular route and I worked that route for nine years.” After working the same route for almost a decade, he became extremely attached to his regular customers, Woodward said. “But I remember we only had one supervisor back then because we didn’t have that many employees. We really just needed one,” Woodward said. “And the guy that was the supervisor had health problems and he had to retire in 1975 or 1976. So, Miles Pond was living back then and he called me into his office one day and said, ‘You know, we need a new supervisor. I would like for you to take the job.’” At first, Woodward turned down the position. “I said, ‘You know what. I have been working this route for nine years and I really got to know these people. You get to be like family,’” Woodward said. “And I remember Miles Pond said, ‘I know. I understand. I’ve done the same thing. But I really need you to be our supervisor.’” Woodward knew there were very few employees at the company at that time with his level of experience. So, while he loved his route, he couldn’t say no to the Pond family. “I agreed and went ahead and became the supervisor,” Woodward said. “I did that for about 10 years or so. Then, one day Joe (Pond) came up with a new idea. He told me, ‘I want 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
people to know who we are. They know we sell beer and all that, but they don’t know who we are. I want you to start getting out and talking to people and letting them know who we are.’” It was Woodward’s introduction to the world of public relations and marketing. He officially became A.B. Beverage’s public relations and promotions manager. “So I started doing that and, at the same time, all of these special events started to happen around 1987,” Woodward said. “So those special events were part of what I did and still do. That’s the main thing I do now.” While Woodward jokes that he has slowed down a little bit over the past few years, he says he still thoroughly enjoys promoting all the events that A.B. Beverage offers the community throughout the year such as Papa Joe’s Banjo-BQue & Music Festival. “The events are what I like. Those are fun. I like the festivals and the concerts,” Woodward said. “Some people, because it is weekend work, they don’t care for it because they want to be off on the weekends. But I’ve been doing it for so long and I always did enjoy it. And, let’s face it, you’ve got to like doing it. If you don’t like it, it ain’t going to work out.” Woodward said he has also always loved his hometown of Augusta. “I grew up right here in Augusta on Wrightsboro Road, just east of where Augusta Mall is now,” Woodward said, adding he is a proud graduate of Richmond Academy. “Augusta is home. It’s where I live and I like it here. I’ve traveled a good bit over the years, but I just haven’t found anywhere that I like any better.” Woodward has been married to his wife, Jackie, for more than 50 years and the couple has two grown children, Casey and Brent. “We also have four grandchildren. My daughter, Casey, who lives in Salt Lake City, has two little girls, 10 and 7,” Woodward said. “And my son, Brent, lives down in Orlando and he has a 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter.” The entire family traveled to Augusta to celebrate
Woodward’s 50 years of service at A.B. Beverage, followed by a relaxing beach vacation along the South Carolina coast. Family has always played a huge role in Woodward’s life. “My dad grew up on Moore Avenue right here in Augusta. He was one of 12 kids, so he came from a big family. And my mom was actually born on Washington Road,” Woodward said. “My grandfather was a cotton farmer. He never owned the land on Washington Road, but right there where Augusta National is or just west of Augusta National there was a big old white house that was eventually turned into a real estate office. Well, my mom was born in that old house in 1909.” Being a cotton farmer in the early 1900s was a challenge, Woodward said. “I’m not sure what year my grandfather started raising cotton, but it was before 1913 because he told me that the boll weevil came in 1913,” he said. “The boll weevil came up from Mexico and worked its way on up to Georgia.” The boll weevil wreaked havoc on the entire area’s cotton crop, Woodward said. “I remember he jokingly told me, ‘I didn’t work too much. My friends and farmers just planted enough cotton for us and the boll weevil, too. But it turned out that you couldn’t plant enough for the boll weevil. The boll weevil was too greedy,’” Woodward said, laughing. “After that, he actually went broke and the family moved back to south Richmond County and that’s where my mother grew up. She went to Hephzibah High School.” Woodward’s grandfather on his dad’s side came to Augusta from Montmorenci, 27JULY2017
S.C., around 1892. “My grandfather was a butcher by trade. He opened up a butcher shop at 15th Street and Walton Way,” Woodward said. “Of course, that area doesn’t look anything like it did back then.” After more than 75 years of living in Augusta, Woodward said he is always amazed at the city’s continuous growth. “Just look at Wrightsboro Road where I grew up. It is just absolutely amazing to me how much it has changed,” Woodward said. “When I was growing up, we would play around our house that was about 300 feet back off the road. We would play in a big old field out in front of the house that had huge trees all around it. As a kid, I remember noticing that there weren’t many cars. You could go a long time without a car going by. Now, if you go for a minute without seeing a car go by, you wonder where everybody went.” And, here’s the $50,000 question: Where did the nickname “Choppy” come from? “My dad started calling me Choppy when I was a baby,” Woodward said, smiling.
“Augusta is home. It’s where I live and I like it here. I’ve traveled a good bit over the years, but I just haven’t found anywhere that I like any better.” “The funny thing was, he did not know why himself. He has been gone a good while now, but I asked him before he died where Choppy came from and he said, ‘I just started calling you that for some reason. I don’t know why.’ It just stuck.” However, Woodward says he’s not the only Choppy in Augusta. “I remember my wife, Jackie, and I were shopping at T.J. Maxx one day and she called out, ‘Choppy!’” Woodward said, adding that there was a young, African-American man standing next to her in the store. “When she called out my name, it startled him, so she asked, ‘Is your name Choppy?’ And he said, ‘Yes. That is my nickname. That’s what people call me.’ And she said, ‘That’s what my husband’s nickname is, too.’” The two men began talking about where the name Choppy came from. “He told me he was a school teacher and worked for Richmond County,” Woodward said. “The one similarity that we could figure out was, my name is Warren Charles Woodward and his first name is Charles, but I really don’t think that has anything to do with it.” Woodward has only met a handful of other men nicknamed Choppy over the years. “There is one guy that used to run a marina down at Sullivan’s Island called Choppy’s Marina. He was there for a long time,” Woodward said. “There was another one over in Columbus, Ga. My brother-in-law was stationed at Fort Benning years ago and there was a guy who ran Choppy’s Drive-In Restaurant on Victory Drive. I never met him, but I knew he was over there. So I’m not the only Choppy around.” When it comes to thinking about his future, Woodward said he isn’t ready to retire just yet. “People ask me that all the time and I don’t know,” Woodward said, laughing. “I doubt if I’ll ever totally quit. Of course, everybody reaches the point that you’re not able to do it anymore. But as long as I’m healthy and feel good and like what I’m doing and they want me to stay, I will probably keep on doing something because I enjoy it. That’s the thing. I really enjoy it.” Being an employee at A.B. Beverage for the past 50 years has never felt like “work” because he has enjoyed every minute of it, Woodward said. “I love my job,” Woodward said, as he looked around the office that he shares with his boss, Cathy Varnadore. “However, I have told them, if I ever quit having fun, I’ll be the first to say it’s time for me to go. Because they don’t want me here and I don’t need to be here if I’m not having a good time. But I can’t imagine not having a good time. I love it here.”
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If the thought of singing in front of a room full of people is the only thing that’s kept you from auditioning to be a member of the Augusta Choral Society, we have good news: the audition won’t be anything close to resembling your worst nightmare. In fact, this Tuesday’s voice placement for new singers, open to anyone highschool-aged and older who enjoys singing choral music, is simply a chance for the conductor to meet and talk to you about your musical background. You’ll then choose from some familiar songs, sing the one you choose and sing a vocal exercise to determine your range. The simple process will take only 10 minutes or so. The ACS even makes paying dues easy, with options for paying by the season ($140) or by each of the four concerts ($35), and there’s even a scholarship available to those who might need it. So don’t let fear keep you from joining a group that is going to explore some interesting material in the 2017-2018 season, include Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, a St. Patrick’s Day concert that promises to be loads of fun, and a Memorial Day Concert to honor those who serve in the military. VoIce Placements for new sIngers Saint Paul’s Church Tue Aug 1 6pm 706-826-4713 augustacs.org 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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WhaT’S up
Calendar: 20 | Music Listings: 26 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.
improbably Funny iF you’ve never experienced a classic French farce, a play characterized by wildly improbable situations that cause a world of misunderstandings, now’s your chance. The Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre’s production of “Don’t Dress for Dinner” by Marc Camoletti begins this weekend. The play begins with Bernard having planned a romantic weekend tryst with his Parisian mistress in a rustic French farmhouse. To keep his wife Jacqueline in the dark, he’s also invited his best friend Robert along to act as his alibi. Unfortunately, and unbeknownst to Bernard, Robert and Jacqueline are also having an affair. Add to this mix a Cordon Bleu chef and the mistaken identities keep piling up, forcing Bernard and Robert to do some quick thinking to keep all the wheels in motion with no one the wiser. Needless to say, hilarity ensues. The Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre is known for its high-quality shows, and while patrons can attend just the show, we wouldn’t advise skipping the dinner they provide before the it begins. This time around, they’ve designed a French menu that include classic dishes like Chicken Cordon Bleu. A decadent French dinner followed by light theatrical fare? It sounds like a perfect evening to us. “don’T dreSS For dinner” Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Fri-Sat, July 29-30, Aug 4-5; Thu-Sat, Aug 10-12 7pm $53, civilians; $50, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $40, active-duty E6 and below, students; $30, show only. 706-793-8552 fortgordon.com
ThurSday, July 27
Friday, July 28
Sunday, July 30
WedneSday, aug 2
What the hell is pickleball? From what we can figure out, it’s a game you play with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes in it that sounds like a cross between tennis, ping-pong and badminton. If you need any more information than that, you’ll have go to the Newman Tennis Center from 6-8 p.m. tonight. There, you can participate in a 30-minute introductory class and then play on your own. Sounds like fun!
Speaking of fun, today is the last day your children can participate in Mistletoe State Park’s Friday Summer Fun. From 1-3 p.m., one of the park’s employees will lead an activity time outside with a predator vs. prey theme. If you go, remember that children should be dressed to play outside and should bring water and sunscreen. $3, plus $5 parking.
Last June, two Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta staff members were assaulted while in New Orleans for the denomination’s General Assembly. To raise money to help them with their medical bills, the church is holding a benefit concert tonight at 6 p.m. featuring the Louisiana Soul Revival with Doug Duffey. $10 gets you into the party in the sanctuary and refreshments will be sold as well, so bring your dancing shoes and have a good time for a great cause.
School hasn’t event started yet, and already back-to-school shopping has your nerves frayed. What to do? Well, if anyone can get you back to your second week of summer relaxation point it might member members of the Southeastern Buddhist Community. Good thing they hold meditation sessions at The Yoga Center in North Augusta the first and second Wednesdays of each month. And they’re free! Peace, here we come!
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For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 20.
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A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.
Ongoing
James Brown Family Historical Tour Augusta Museum of History Available each Saturday at 11 a.m. and lasting approximately two hours, this bus tour includes Brown’s elementary school, his childhood home, his statue and more. $15 fee, includes admission to the museum, which houses the largest collection of James Brown memorabilia. Reservations 24 hours in advance required. Call 803-6402090 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.
ELSEWHERE Back to School Giveaway Brigham Community Center Sat July 29 1pm - 5pm An event featuring free school supplies, food, giveaways, music, games and more. augustaga.gov AND Back to School Bash May Park Mon July 31 10am - 2pm An event that includes live entertainment, free haircuts and school supplies for children, giveaways and more. 803-279-2330
ARTS Thu July 27
6pm Camera (Geek) Night Artus Co-Op A night of connections, information, swap shop and learning for camera geeks and photographers. Visit facebook.com/pages/ArtusCo-op/532417963629102.
Sat July 29
9am - 3pm Nature Printing on Fabric Phinizy Swamp Nature Park All materials are provided and no experience is necessary. $40, members; $50, non-members. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.
10am - 5pm Basket Weaving: Summer Catch All Aiken Center for the Arts No previous experience is necessary and all materials are provided. Participants should bring lunch, a hand towel, garden scissors, spray bottle and pencil. $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
10am - 2pm Pen & Ink Lowcountry Scene Aiken Center for the Arts Supplies provided and participants should bring a lunch. $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
CAMPS Ongoing
8am - 4:30pm Summer Adventures Day Camp 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
H.O. Weeks Center, Aiken A camp for those ages 5-12 that includes activities based around each week’s theme. Camps are held weekly through August 18, and early drop-off at 7:30 a.m. and late pick- up at 5 p.m. are available. For more information, call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
9am - 3pm Camp Kroc Kroc Center A camp for those ages 5-12 in which participants will enjoy swimming, arts & crafts, group games, sports, Bible lessons and more. Before- and after-care available. Members: $400 per session; non-members, $600 a session. Sessions available July 17-August 11. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
EDUCATION Thu July 27
11:30am YPA Professional Development Luncheon Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church Featuring speaker Melissa Furman, assistant dean with the Hull College of Business at Augusta University, who will speak on generational differences in the workplace: millennial edition. Lunch, provided by Wife Saver, is $5. Visit ypaugusta.com.
Wed Aug 2
2pm Introduction to PowerPoint Headquarters Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2615 or visit arcpls.org.
6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation Group Headquarters Branch Library
Thu Aug 3
6pm The Art and Craft of Historic Preservation Columbia Museum of Art A panel discussion in which attendees will learn what building a community looks like from the early stages of drafting plans to later considerations, such as how to preserve the design. Panelists include Adrienne Montare, AIA SC executive director and Columbia Design League member (moderator); Chuck Moore, president of SC Building Trades and member of SC AFL CIO; Sean Stucker, director of facilities at Historic Columbia; Walter Hill, director of the Horry County Museum and blacksmith; and Joseph Johnson, archaeologist at Historic Columbia. Visit columbiamuseum.org.
EXHIBITIONS Thu Aug 3
6pm - 8pm Gallery Opening Reception Aiken Center for the Arts Featuring the South Carolina Watermedia Society Traveling Show, Joy in the Journey and ACA Summer Art Camps shows. Call 803641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
FLIX Thu July 27
10:30am Summer Movie Break for Adults Appleby Branch Library A PG-13 rated feature on the library’s almost big screen in which participants can bring their own snacks. Pre-registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
4pm “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” Interactive Movie Aiken Public Library A celebration of Harry Potter’s birthday for those in grades 6-12. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Fri July 28
1pm “Rock Dog” Aiken Public Library 27JULY2017
Part of the Dog Days of Summer movie series going on Fridays through August 11. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Georgia Cancer Center Open to anyone being treated at the center. Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
2pm Movie Time
6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth Education Class
Maxwell Branch Library Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
6:45pm Family Movie Night Kroc Center A free movie showing. Concessions will be available for purchase. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
7:30pm Movies on the Common Augusta Common Also featuring pre-movie activities. Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. and the movie, “Moana,” begins at dusk. Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.
Sat July 29
11am Movie Time Maxwell Branch Library A rated G or PG kid-friendly movie will show. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 1
Noon Back to School Movie for Kids Diamond Lakes Branch Library A rated G movie will show, and participants are invited to bring their own snacks. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
5:45pm Free Movie Tuesdays Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2600 for weekly selections. Visit arcpls.org.
Wed Aug 2
Noon Back to School Movie for Teens Diamond Lakes Branch Library A rated PG or PG-13 movie will show, and participants are invited to bring their own snacks. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Aug 3
4:30pm Family Movie Night Columbia County Library Featuring “The Lego Batman Movie.” Call 706-863-1946 or visit arcpls.org.
HEALTH Thu July 27
University Hospital Class continues Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Mon July 31 6:30pm Refit
Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 1
9am - 5pm Help a Child Smile Mobile Dentist Maxwell Branch Library Appointments required. Call 770-760-7900, ext. 42149.
2pm Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Class University Hospital A class that offers information, diagnostic exams, lab work, a personal plan and more. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org.
4:30pm - 6pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
6pm Beat the Pack: Smoking Cessation Class
7pm Infant CPR University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Fri July 28
10am Chair Yoga 27JULY2017
Thu Aug 3
Doctors Hospital An infant care and development class. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Aiken Public Library Pre-registration required. Call 803-6422020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
7pm - 9:30pm Baby 101
University Hospital A free class that meets Tuesdays through August 22. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-8094 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm Center for Women Tour
6pm Weight Loss Surgery and You
Ongoing
University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm - 9:30pm Childbirth Education University Hospital A four-session class that continues Tuesdays through August 22. Preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
6:30pm - 9pm Your Amazing Baby Augusta University Medical Center Pre-registration is required for this baby care class. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augusta.edu.
Thu Aug 3
Wed Aug 2
5pm Breastfeeding University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm - 9:30pm Childbirth Education University Hospital A four-session class that continues Wednesdays through August 23. Preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Meditation Sessions The Yoga Center, North Augusta Led by members of the Southeastern Buddhist Community the first and second Wednesday of each month. Sessions are free and open to the public. Visit sebuddhist.org.
HOBBIES Sat July 29
10:30am Chess for Beginners The Book Tavern A free event in which chess sets will be provided. Visit augustachess.com.
Wed Aug 2
Noon Doodle Hour Columbia County Library Coloring for grown ups. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
1pm - 3pm Coloring for Grownups
6:30pm Culture Club: Yogurts Icebox Urban Farm Participants will learn how to make yogurt at home and sample some already made. Suggested donation: $5. Pre-registration required. Email register@iceboxfarm.com.
6:30pm - 8:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club Meeting The Book Tavern A club open to all ages and skill levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chess sets. Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
KIDS-TEENS Thu July 27
2pm - 4pm Lego Bridge-Building Contest Headquarters Branch Library A contest for those ages 11-17 in which prizes will be awarded. Call 706-721-2600 or visit arcpls.org.
Fri July 28
10am - noon Play and Grow Aiken Public Library A drop in program for those ages 0-5 that includes puzzles, toys, puppets and more. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989 METROSPIRIT 21
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10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
10:05am Toddler Craft Time Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
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 706736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern Featuring a pirate story time with Pirate Guv’na Annie Snowhelm. Participants are invited to dress as pirates and story time will be followed by a Jolly Roger flag craft. Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
3pm Disney World: Then and Now Maxwell Branch Library A teen program featuring guest speaker Joshua Goodman. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Miracle Treat Day Area Dairy Queen locations Thu July 27 A fundraiser from the Children’s Hospital of Georgia in which $1 from each Blizzard sale will go to the hospital. augusta.edu
Ongoing
Together Augusta Shoes for Schoolchildren
10am Tie Dye Event
706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
Maxwell Branch Library An all-ages event led by the 4-H club. Participants should bring their own shirts. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 1
10:30am Story Times
Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 3-6. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-8212623 or visit arcpls.org.
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Story time for those ages 0-2 begins at 10:30 a.m., and story time for those ages 3-6 begins at 11:15 a.m. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
1pm - 3pm Friday Summer Fun Mistletoe State Park A naturalist-led kid-friendly activity time. Children should be dressed to play outside and should bring water and sunscreen. $3, plus $5 parking. Call 706-514-0321 or visitgastateparks.org/mistletoe.
Sat July 29
11am Story Time Celebration Barnes & Noble Featuring Good Morning, Superman!, Be a Star, Wonder Woman! and Bedtime for Batman. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Mon July 31
10:30am Jr. Lego Club Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 2-4. Legos provided. Pre-registration required. Call 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
10am Big Kid Story Time
6pm Rock Painting Party Columbia County Library All supplies will be provided. Pre-registration required. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Wed Aug 2
9:30am Sidewalk Art Friedman Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
10am Story Time for Tots Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 0-3. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-8212623 or visit arcpls.org.
WAFJ 88.3 and Samaritan’s Feet International will begin collecting funds to give each child in a selected local school a new pair of shoes at the beginning of the school year. Shoe Stops, in which participants can donate $20 per pair, will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month. For a list of Shoe Stop sites, or to donate online, visit wafj.com.
The Family Y’s Summer Food Program The Family Y offers five mobile food buses, along with sites at their summer camp locations, to ensure that kids have healthy meals and snacks throughout the summer. Mobile sites are at Salem Arms Apartments on Rosier Road from 11-11:30 a.m. June 5-July 28; Providence Place Apartments on Southgate Drive from 11:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. July 5-July 28; Cedarwood Apartments on Richmond Hill Road West from noon12:30 p.m. June 5-July 28; Cedar Grove Apartments on Richmond Hill Road West from 12:40-1:10 p.m. June 5-July 28; and Villa Marie Apartments on Deans Bridge road from 12:45-1:25 p.m. June 5-July 28. All mobile sites closed on July 4. A list of camp sites can be found at thefamilyy.org. Free to those 18 years old and younger.
The Shepard Project 27JULY2017
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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 803-6178352 or email shepardprojectaugusta@gmail.com.
LITERARY Thu July 27
10am - noon Morning Book Club Maxwell Branch Library “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins will be discussed. Call 706-793-2020 or visit maxwellbookclub.wordpress.com.
7pm - 9pm Graphic Novel Discussion The Book Tavern A group open to older teens and up. This meeting, the group will discuss “X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.” Call 706826-1940 or email david@booktavern.com.
Wed Aug 2
6pm Page Turners Book Club Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
6:30pm - 8pm Book Club Meeting The Book Tavern Featuring “How to Be Secular: A Call to Arms for Religious Freedom” by Jacques Berlinerblau. Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
Ongoing
Month-Long Book Sale Appleby Branch Library Held in the story hour room through August 31. Call 706736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
MUSIC Sat July 29
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.
Sun July 30
6pm Benefit Concert Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta
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Featuring the Louisiana Soul Revival with Doug Duffey. Refreshments will be sold and proceeds will go to the medical fund of two UUA staff members who were recently assaulted in the French Quarter. $10. Call 706-733-7939 or visit uuaugusta.org.
Sat July 29
7:30pm Candlelight Music Series
10am - 1pm Last Saturday in the Park
Augusta Common Featuring Preston & Weston. Participants are invited to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs at this weekly event, this week. $8. Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.
Tue Aug 1
6pm Voice Placements for New Singers Saint Paul’s Church Anyone high-school-aged and older who enjoys singing choral music is invited to join the Augusta Choral Society for their 2017-2018 concert season. Visit augustacs.org.
SENIORS Thu July 27
11am Classic Movie for Seniors Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu July 27
Miracle Treat Day Area Dairy Queen locations A fundraiser from the Children’s Hospital of Georgia in which $1 from each Blizzard sale will go to the hospital. Visit augusta.edu.
7pm - 10pm Sips & Sass: Christmas in July Augusta Museum of History A fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charity of Augusta hosted by the Aiken-Augusta Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association. The semi-formal event features dancing, food, drinks and a silent auction. $30. Email adpiaugusta.treasurer@gmail.com.
Fri July 28
8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River 8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com. North Augusta’s Living History Park Featuring living history demonstrations. Call 803-279-7560 or visit colonialtimes.us.
1pm - 5pm Back to School Giveaway Brigham Community Center An event featuring free school supplies, food, giveaways, music, games and more. Visit augustaga.gov.
8pm “Dark Shadows” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1$5.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
9pm “Digistar Laser Fantasy” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1$5.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
Mon July 31
10am - 2pm Back to School Bash May Park An event that includes live entertainment, free haircuts and school supplies for children, giveaways and more. Call 803-279-2330.
Tue Aug 1
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. augustalocallygrown.org/veggie-park-farmers- market/.
7pm The Italian Wines of Jean-Pierre Chambas
Wed Aug 2
Wine World A tasting seminar featuring nine wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres. $18, members; $25, non members; $30, door (if space is available). Pre-paid reservations recommended. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.
SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare An event that includes live music, a cash bar, open dog park and food. Visit letlovelive.org.
6pm - 8pm Yappy Hour
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Thu Aug 3
10am Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Kroc Center For those dealing with Alzheimer’s and/or caregivers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-860-5233.
Noon Active-Duty Parent Support Group Fort Gordon’s Family Outreach Center Call 706-792-5220 or visit fortgordon.com.
Ongoing
Recovery International Mental Health
Movies on the Common Augusta Common Fri July 28 7:30pm Also featuring pre-movie activities. Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. and the movie, “Moana,” begins at dusk. 706-821-1754 augustaga.gov
Thu Aug 3
Thu Aug 3
Shops of Midtown, Kings Way at Central Avenue This event features discounts in the shops, hors d’oeuvres and more. Call 706-733-1788.
Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
5pm - 8pm First Thursday
SPIRITUAL Thu Aug 3
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Columbia Fireflies
SUPPORT Tue Aug 1
10:20am Moms Connection
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.
La Leche League A breastfeeding support group. For more information on meeting dates, times and locations, visit them on Facebook under La Leche League of Augusta or at lllaugusta. wordpress.com.
Celebrate Recovery
SPORTS-OUTDOORS
Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor. 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.
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 cr@journeycommunity.net.
Thu July 27
8am - 11:30am When Back Pain Takes You Out of the Game
5:30pm Weight Loss Support Group
Diabetes Youth Support Group
Jones Creek Golf Course Clubhouse A breakfast, seminar and adaptive golf clinic for those with back, shoulder or other aches and pains. Led by Doctors Hospital, Jones Creek and the Georgia State Golf Association. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
AU Professional Building 1 Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2609 or visit augustahealth.org/weightloss.
Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
6pm Stroke of Hope
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.
7pm Lifting the Veil on Islam Islamic Society of Augusta Part of a monthly program to enlighten newcomers about Islam. Free. Email outreach@isaugusta.com.
6pm - 8pm Pickleball Frenzy Newman Tennis Center A free event in which participants will learn to play the game that includes elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. Includes a 30-minute introductory class. Call 706-796-5025 or visit augustaga.gov.
Fri July 28
Doctor Hospital A support group for stroke patients, families and caregivers. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
6:30pm Lung Cancer Support Group University Hospital Call 706-744-5946 or visit universityhealth.org.
6:30pm - 8:30pm Off the Beaten Path Ride
Wed Aug 2
Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse A monthly mixed-surface ride in which cross/gravel bikes are recommended. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-2453 or visit andyjordans.com.
University Hospital A breastfeeding support group for mothers of NICU babies. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Wed Aug 2
2:30pm - 9pm Under the Stars Jumper Night Stable View Farm Call 803-648-1222 or visit stableviewfarm.com. 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
1pm The Lactation Club
5:30pm Girl Talk Support Group Doctors Hospital A support group for those who have pelvic health issues. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Overeaters Anonymous
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/meetings.pdf.
Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta 27JULY2017
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Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.
THEATER Thu July 27
7:30pm “From Charleston with Love: A Musical Slice of Aiken History” AECOM Performing Arts Center A benefit for Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS). $20, advance; $25, door. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
Fri July 28
7pm “Curtains, the Musical” Greenbrier High School A production of the Augusta Jr. Players. $15, adults; $8, children 12 and under. Call 706-826-4707 or visit augustaplayers.org.
7pm “Don’t Dress for Dinner” Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $53, civilians; $50, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $40, active-duty E6 and below, students; $30, show only. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.
7:30pm “From Charleston with Love: A Musical Slice of Aiken History” AECOM Performing Arts Center A benefit for Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS). $20, advance; $25, door. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
Sat July 29
7pm “Curtains, the Musical” Greenbrier High School A production of the Augusta Jr. Players. $15, adults; $8, children 12 and under. Call 706-826-4707 or visit augustaplayers.org.
7pm “Don’t Dress for Dinner” Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $53, civilians; $50, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $40, active-duty E6 and below, students; $30, show only. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.
7:30pm “From Charleston with Love: A Musical Slice of Aiken History” AECOM Performing Arts Center A benefit for Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS). $20, advance; $25, door. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
Walpert, has parts available for two men ages 25-65 and two women ages 25-45. The production will show in October. Call 706-793-8552 or email stevewalpert@gmail.com.
Wed Aug 2
7:30pm “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” Auditions Musical Theatre Studios This Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre production, directed by Steve Walpert, has parts available for two men ages 25-65 and two women ages 25-45. The production will show in October. Call 706-793-8552 or email stevewalpert@gmail.com.
Ongoing
“Eli’s Bethlehem Inn” Auditions Enopion Theatre Company Appointments for auditions for the company’s annual Christmas dinner show are now being scheduled and will begin August 28. The website lists monologues, rehearsals and show times for those considering auditioning. Call 706771-7777 or visit enopion.com.
Sun July 30
65th Anniversary Time Capsule
Greenbrier High School A production of the Augusta Jr. Players. $15, adults; $8, children 12 and under. Call 706-826-4707 or visit augustaplayers.org.
Aiken Community Playhouse The theatre group is seeking donations to seal in a time capsule to honor its 65 anniversary. The time capsule will be opened in 2052 when the ACP marks its 100th anniversary. The deadline for donations is August 25. Email wolt1545@ gmail.com or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
3pm “Curtains, the Musical”
Tue Aug 1
7:30pm “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” Auditions Musical Theatre Studios This Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre production, directed by Steve
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What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
Riverwalk Revival w/ Gov’t Mule, Galactic Jessye Norman Amphitheater Tue Aug 1 6-11pm $34.50, general admission; $69.50, pit fwbpro.com Riverwalk Revival After Party w/ Caleb Takarska Band’s Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute Sky City 10pm $5 skycityaugusta.com
Monday, July 31 Live Music
The Highlander - Acoustic Mondays Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night
Tuesday, August 1 Live Music
Country Club- Canaan Smith Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Jessye Norman Amphitheater - Riverwalk Revival w/ Gov’t Mule, Galactic Joe’s Underground - Open Mic Sky City - Gov’t Mule After Party w/ Caleb Takarska Band’s Jerry Garcia Birthday Tribute The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck Kaya Reunion, the BMT Allstar Reggae Band Wild Wing - Cover Story The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Bell Auditorium - Magic Men Live Sally’s- boyMONROE, DJ Coddec
Saturday, July 29 Live Music
The OGs of Comedy w/ Hope Flood, Don DC Curry, J. Anthony Brown, George Wallace and host Rudy Rush Bell Auditorium Sat July 29 8pm $25-$65 877-4AUGTIX georgialinatix.com Thursday, July 27 Live Music
The Alley (Aiken) - Amp the Alley w/ Matt Acosta Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Mellow Mushroom (Augusta) - Kenny George Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - Ruskin and Cam The Red Pepper (Aiken) - Mike Frost Band Soul Bar - Roadside Glorious, Caleb Tokarska 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
26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Sky City - Latin Soul Boogaloo Night w/ DJ Arun That Place Coffee - MAD Open Mic
Friday, July 28 Live Music
Cotton Patch - Live Jazz Country Club- Riley Green Coyotes - Augusta’s Most Wanted Doubletree - MP4 Fox’s Lair - Carey Murdock The Highlander - Vicky Grady Band The Loft- Crane Polo Tavern (Aiken)- Southern Meltdown Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Jazz w/ Jimmy Easton Shannon’s - The Unmentionables Sky City - Bob Marley Tribute w/ Lady D, Passionate,
8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Backyard Tavern - Vicky Grady Band Cotton Patch - MP4 Country Club- Chuck Courtney Coyotes - Sabin Sharpe Fox’s Lair - Bethany Davis and Phillip Lee Jr. Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Gray Mayfield Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Bluegrass w/ One Step Ahead Sally’s- Drea Suarez Shannon’s - Shinebox Sky City - Bullmoose, Gloom Cocoon, The Sunsets Stillwater Taproom - Happy Bones Surrey Tavern - Crane Tribeca Lounge - The Loris Trio w/ Nefertiti Wild Wing - Just Sweet Karma The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Ippie Music
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bell Auditorium - The OGs of Comedy w/ Hope Flood, Don DC Curry, J. Anthony Brown, George Wallace, Rudy Rush Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke
Sunday, July 30 Live Music
Augusta Common - Candlelight Jazz w/ Preston & Weston Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Southbound Smokehouse - Interstellar Boys Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta Louisiana Soul Revival w/ Doug Duffey The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
Wednesday, August 2 Live Music The Highlander - Open Mic Shannon’s - Mike and Walter
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 - Conspiracy w/ DJ Knightmare Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz World of Beer - Trivia
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
David Hemann, Amanda Freeman, Morgan Hayes and Matt Mcalvin at the Indian Queen.
Jake Troupe, Stefanie Bloedel and Drew Taylor at the Indian Queen.
Katrinia Hazel, Shelton Peniston, Brandi Alvin and Malik Jones at the Indian Queen.
Josh Cunningham, Christi Skarosi and Matt Weber at Chevy’s Nite Club.
Augustin Geeraert, Daryal Turner, Arjonetta Gaillard and Robert Gonnella at Carolina Ale House.
Amy Stanphill, Pam Hutchings and April Cosby at Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar.
Tyner Holmes, Angel Hisbee and Dillon Kennedy at Wild Wing.
Christy Eastman, Alex Morgan and Darotah O’Dell at Wild Wing.
Sawyer Lons, Chelsea Gould and Daniel Mealing at Robbie’s Sports Bar.
Each month Westobou delivers a curated list of events, things to do and places to see, directy to your inbox. Subscribe now at westobou.org #westobou10 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
27JULY2017
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THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
DUNKIRK
$50,513,488
$50,513,488
1
-
2
GIRLS TRIP
$31,201,920
$31,201,920
1
-
3
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
$22,150,085
$251,851,666
3
2
4
PLANET OF THE APES
$20,884,223
$98,235,137
2
1
5
VALERIAN AND THE CITY...
$17,007,624
$17,007,624
1
-
In Theaters July 28
ACTION FAMILY “Atomic Blonde,” rated R, starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John “The Emoji Movie,” rated PG, starring TJ Miller, James Corden, Anna Goodman. What’s better than a spy movie? A flick about a super sexy, super lethal spy who can beat the crap out of the bad guys before killing them just as easily as she can don the dominatrix gear to seduce anyone, male or female, who has information she needs. Female empowerment movie or soft-core porn for 18-25-year-old guys? Does it matter? 27JULY2017
Faris, Maya Rudolph, Patrick Stewart. Oh good lord, a movie about Textopolis, a city that lives inside your smartphone? We’re shocked that they could come up with a plot for this one. And somehow they enlisted Sir Patrick Stewart, Order of the British Empire, to voice the poop emoji? Actually, we’re not shocked about this at all. Stewart seems to have a wicked sense of humor. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 29
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A Great Example for Augusta Austin Rhodes IT IS one of the greatest “road trip reveals” you can experience in North America, and it comes out of nowhere. When you hit the south entrance of the Fort Pitt Tunnel in Western Pennsylvania, you are in the midst of what looks like no man’s land. Imagine the South Augusta industrial area, but with more hills. There are crisscrossing interstate roads, hairpin-turn access ramps and enough warning signs to outfit a failing nuclear power plant. I would call it butt ugly, but that may actually be an upgrade. And then, as you exit the tunnel, there it is. I honestly believe they should pipe in their own music to augment the experience with a dramatic, royal flourish. It is just that spectacular. An amazing big city skyline dropped right smack dab in the middle of a rolling mountain valley, where two great rivers merge to create an even greater, bigger, single river. It is a little place we all know as Pittsburgh. I first made that drive through the tunnel in 1984, and while there has never been a time when the view disappointed, it was a considerably dimmer sight to behold 33 years ago. The entire city seemed to be a flat, light shade of grey back then. Even in direct sunlight, the architecture and landscape could jump out at you, but it was like you were looking at a New York City glamour shot circa 1925. Beautiful, but all in black and white. I had no way of knowing about it at the time, but I was looking at about 100 years’ buildup of industrial grime and acidic fallout from Pittsburgh’s salad days as the steel and coal capitals of America. During World War II, there was more steel produced in the City of Pittsburgh than in all of Germany, Japan and Italy combined. While that industry made a whole lot of guys named Carnegie, Frick, Lauder and Phipps more money than they could count, the pollution it created also made the skies over the entire region so dark that street lights often stayed on all day. For local men in the early 20th century it was common practice to have two white shirts on hand at the beginning of the workday, because inevitably, the shirt worn to work would be visibly dirty by lunchtime and had to be changed. These were indoor, executive types, mind you. All those years later the fallout and stains from the steel mill pollution was still easy to see, but the amazing windfall that industry brought to thousands and thousands of regional mill families had just about completely petered out. The historic successes of their hometown sports teams in the ‘70s helped soften the depression that hit Pittsburgh about the same time, but by the mid ‘80s the championships of the Steelers, the Pirates and the NCAA football title won by the University of Pittsburgh’s Panthers were all but a fading memory. Thank goodness there was more than just greed in the hearts and minds of the city’s leaders back in the glory days of the 24-hour operating steel foundries; there was insight and more than just a little innovation and research going on. As billions in steel revenue poured in, there was little thought given to the medical institutions and technology research centers that were growing up in the shadows of the commerce, but they were there. About 40 years ago those industries and the brain trusts behind them slowly started emerging as the economic engines for the region, and as much more cheaply produced (and some would say inferior) foreign steel flooded the world market, it could not have happened at a better time. In 2017 Pittsburgh has indeed turned a major corner and even though residents are very proud of the environmentally sound manufacturing base still active in the area, there is no doubt that technology, education and medical innovation are the focal points for future commerce and growth. It is an area whose renaissance has me hopeful, because it reminds me of what we see our own hometown going through right now. The loss of longstanding employment bases in local manufacturing and industry have had Augusta going backwards for some time. The inevitable collapse of the urban business center 35 years ago and the snail’s pace recovery we have seen downtown survive is a familiar tale from coast to coast. Is it coincidence or serendipity that saw the tallest buildings in both cities switching from corporate logos adorning the structures (U.S. Steel and Wells Fargo) to the names of institutions of research and higher education (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Augusta University). Even the once taken for granted and overlooked rivers of our fair cities are finally getting their proper respect, with Augusta definitely playing catch-up to what Pittsburgh has been doing for quite some time. Here’s to hoping some entrepreneur can find a cool way to get tourists back to the river here the way they have up north with the Just Ducky amphibious truck tours. Built around a fleet of eight authentic 1944 DUKW trucks that can navigate land and water on demand, the WWII-era vehicles are quite a hit, and my family had a blast with our turn in the boat this week. Can you imagine what fun it would be going straight from a tour of downtown Augusta and Olde Town to a ride on the Savannah without ever leaving your seat? It was during our Duck Boat tour that the guide reminded me over three decades ago, when I first saw the dramatic landscape of the Steel City, it was just recovering from decades of dirty 30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
air and acidic smog. For years there was little greenery along the sides of the cascading cliffs and hills surrounding their urban center, but now, the trees and shrubs have taken hold and transformed the once grey and black backdrops, to a multilayered and very much alive canopy of deep greens. Just as Pittsburgh is becoming a haven for “eds and meds,” the explosion of cyber, medical and education expansion in Augusta is turning heads and gathering notice all over the world. Here’s to hoping our business and political leaders can take note of all that has gone right with Western PA during their recovery, while perhaps steering clear of what has not.
AUSTIN RHODES A long-time radio talk show host who can be heard weekdays on WGAC from 3-6 p.m. The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
27JULY2017
THIS WEEK
ONLY
JUL-29TH thru
AUG-5TH
AND JUST IN TIME FOR BACK TO SCHOOL!
Purchase the dazzling piece you’ve had your eye on and we’ll pay the sales tax for you! Sales must completed during this time period and are good for residents of any state. *Offer good 7/29/17 through 8/5/17 only. *Sales and sale agreements prior to 7/29/17 not eligible. 2635 Washington Road F Augusta, GA 30909 F Mon. - Sat. 9am - 9pm F 706.738.7777 F WindsorFineJewelers.com