Table of Contents March 16, 2017
Whine Line 4 Kris Fisher 6 Insider 8 Feature 12 Metro Week What’s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword The Eight
16 17 18 24 26 27 28
12 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 Molly Swift Staff Writer
molly@themetrospirit.com
Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson, Tyler Strong
Publisher
Johnny Beckworth
Staff Writer
stacey@themetrospirit.com
BUSINESS
SALES
circulation manager
jdbeckworth@gmail.com
Joe White Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
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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OPINION
Kris Fisher: 6
The Whine Line There is a very simple reason every other civilized nation in the entire world has single payer health care. Every other civilized nation in the world has tried all possible ways imaginable to make it work through the free market only to result in miserable failure, mainly related to greed of the behemoth insurance companies and their refusal to make insurance affordable to the elderly and those people with chronic and/or acute conditions. So, today, when you are hearing the Repugnicans bashing the CBO’s assessment of 14-15 million people losing health care if Trump Care passes, just remember the head of the CBO is a Republican who was hand picked by the Republicans in Congress now. Also make note that all our representatives in Congress have top shelf health care plans funded to the tune of 72% by the government, i.e., taxes collected from the citizenry, including the 14-15 million who will lose health care from this scorched earth policy. Am I the only one who sees the nation collapsing? Local news women, please stop wearing those huge chunky necklaces. They look ridiculous, are distracting and do not go with your “outfits”. So this morning the White House tells me, “if you are looking for accuracy from the CBO, you’re looking in the wrong place” as it relates to the Congressional Budget Office and their assessment of the brutal impact the Death Panels health care bill the Republicans are trying to shove down our throats. Our So-Called President attacking another government office’s credibility. Well, let me tell you this, if you are looking for even the faintest link to credibility and/or truth from the White House, then YOU are looking in the wrong place.
Have you ever heard of someone having their job threatened over GLITTER? Just a hint of things to come with the investigation of Mr. Johnson. Several mistreated Columbia County employees are hosting a job fair for Mr. Johnson. If you own a business in need of a power hungry micro-manager with proven skills then Mr. Johnson is your man. Please be prepared to offer a great package including a position for his trusted assistant. The job fair for Mr. Johnson will be held the day after the investigation underway is released. That investigation will serve as his resume as it clearly defines his leadership skills. Prayers to the family of the soldier killed in the horrible wreck on I-20. We have been asking for speed enforcement on that section of I-20 for several years. There has always been too much speeding on I-20 between the Belair Road exit and the river bridge crossing over into SC. So what did the DOT do... they raised the speed limit from 55 to 65mph. Please turn up the speed enforcement.... and consider reducing the speed limit back to 55mph. [The same goes for Bobbie Jones Expressway.] the blog thisainthell.us is neither podunk nor anonymous. its the most on-the-level thing happening in the mike sleeper fake ranger news department, bar none.. locals werent interested or aware until out-of -staters started writing to metro augusta area media outlets. contrary to the false “podunk” rant there isnt any indication locals know anything’s wrong with cross. y’all keep reelecting him. time to reconsider that. also this is becoming a gripe board against cross. try submitting SPECIFICS on cross’s alleged misconduct. post it on TAH. the vets of TAH will investigate further. he seems to be in the way of sleeper’s removal. try this news outlet also. also we have contacted mr. cross in the hopes he would rein in his protege. we will again.
2018: Pam Runs/Pam Wins/Scott Scoots/Ron Wonders/Go figure... Mayor, Councilmen, Commissioners, Chief of Police, RCBOE, AHA, APT, and the Augusta Chapter of the NAACP to name the least “Lend Me Your Ears” WAKE UP!!!!!!!! Didn’t you forget somebody? How about the purposely UNHEARD VOICES or the little devil on your shoulders saying: Stop kissing A__es, Excepting Crumbs and “Do The Right Thing” for your Black Constituents. Our advice: Stop pushing US out of the decision making process! Your right., we may not have MONEY but, we know how to VOTE...Better Yet “Just Leave Office”... After reading the article concerning Butch Holley, one would wonder why he didn’t just call the county’s anonymous whistle blower hotline. The reason is because the county doesn’t have one and that decision was made by none other than Mr. Johnson. The last time I checked the county was not a privately held company with Mr. Johnson it’s sole stockholder. Regarding the “Bar Ban” in the March 9 edition......We moved here two years ago, and one thing we noticed and were disappointed about was the lack of bars. In Pittsburgh, we met many good friends and had somewhere to hang out with other people our age (55). I don’t want to spend my evenings at Applebee’s or a “restaurant.” We are Christians, but we enjoy our beers or wines and meeting new people (especially since we are not from here). And people in their late 40’s and beyond need somewhere to enjoy other people and get out of the house. I don’t agree with Ron Cross at all. If people are going to drive drunk, they’re going to do it anyway (drink at home, friends homes or restaurants with alcohol). I don’t believe allowing there to be “bars” with mostly alcohol and some finger foods is going to increase the DUI’s. If there’s a will, there’s a way - but what you’re doing is making people want to live elsewhere. This town has not much to offer - you would think you would want people to enjoy it here. Live and let live.
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit.com. The Metro Spirit reserves the right to edit submitted whines for content, but we will otherwise print them pretty much exactly as you type them… spelling errors and all. 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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I Chose
Nnenna, Stone Mountain, GA – Master of Physician Assistant
This is our university. Like thousands of diverse and talented students and faculty from across the globe, Nnenna chose Augusta University. As a leading research institution dedicated to excellence in the health and cyber sciences and the arts, our community is developing the next generation of leaders.
Augusta is a great place to work, live and go to school. The future, both for our community and for Augusta University, is now brighter than ever.
augusta.edu/choice
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spotify Killed the Radio star Kris Fisher I saw a post on Facebook recently and liked it so much I felt compelled to repost it. No, it wasn’t a video of a cat, a high school fight or anyone suggesting that we “cash them ousside.” It was from a radio personality from another city, in another state. It went like this: “You hear the phrase “shop locally” all of the time now. Local businesses want you to shop with them instead of online or at big box stores to keep your dollars in the community and support your neighbors. I try to do it as much as I can, but the other day I entered a downtown store where they were listening to Spotify and it got me thinking about the future of my job. I work for a locally owned radio station with free music for all, but yet my industry is slowly being abandoned for online music services, satellite radio, and digital advertising with giant internet corporations, which could directly impact my employment. So If you’re a big advocate of shopping locally and supporting local business- listen locally as a music consumer and advertise with local radio if you’re a business owner to support your friends and neighbors in the radio world.” I thought it was a valid point. Most of my radio colleagues did, too. No surprise, there. But there were a few people explaining why local radio is completely not an option. I’ll admit, I took offense to the criticism at first. But, it goes with the territory. Radio is one of the few professions that complete strangers tell you on a regular basis that you’re doing your job wrong. Can you imagine going to something like a mechanic who’s got 15-plus years in the gig and telling them that they’re turning the wrench the wrong way? Never. But, we’re here for the people, so I value all opinions. There were the usual complaints: first and foremost was that we play the same thing over and over. While there’s a certain amount of truth to that, I’ll add that most stores sell the same thing over and over, too. Restaurants sell the same food over and over and bars sell the same drinks over and over. Furthermore, if more people like a certain item, hamburger or drink, that business will stock more and sell more of that item. Radio is the same way, especially Top 40 radio. New music formats are based on the principle of ensuring that our listeners hear their favorite song whenever they turn on the station. With that logic in mind, it tends to work out pretty well. The second argument was that we play commercials. I gotta tell ya, I got no comeback for that. At the end of the day, radio is a business. A business with the exact same goal as the local businesses that the Facebook post was about: To make money. But a lot
of those commercials are for the local businesses in question. They spend money with us, get their message out to their consumers, the consumers spend money with their business. And the wheels keep turning. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I love feedback, both positive and negative. But it goes without saying that “I love your station! You play all my favorite songs” goes down much easier than “You play the same five songs over and over!” I understand the opposition. Just like I understand the opposition to shopping locally. It’s much easier to buy whatever it is that I need online. I’d probably save a few dollars, it’d be conveniently delivered to my doorstep and I wouldn’t have to change out of my Spider-Man pajamas. But, therein lies the point: While shopping locally might be a tad more inconvenient, I’d much rather support my neighbor’s business than a huge corporate conglomerate that isn’t even based in our state. So, I’ll take the little bit of inconvenience if it means I’m supporting my fellow Augustan. While my station isn’t owned by a local company, our entire staff is local with the exception of The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show. We live here, our kids go to school here, we shop here, etc. I’m not saying that you have to love our radio station. I’m not even saying not to listen to the streaming and satellite services. Even I cave to buying things online from time to time. I’m just saying don’t forget about us or the other locally programmed and staffed radio stations. There’s real, live people here with real lives. That’s where I feel like local radio far outweighs streaming and satellite. They’re not going to tell you what the temperature of Augusta is or how the Haunted Pillar finally came down. They have never been to First Friday and they most certainly don’t know anything about golf traffic. For those that listen daily: Thank you. You are appreciated more than we could ever explain. For those that don’t: Come on by sometime. You don’t have to stay, but we’ll sure be happy to see ya.
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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newS
Behind the Scene: 12
Scott Johnson’s Surprise for Taxpayers For monThS and monThS after Columbia County was hit by the crippling 2014 ice storm, EMA Director Pam Tucker was slammed with endless stacks of invoices relating to costs incurred by the county. After the storm was all over and done with, it was estimated that the storm’s price tag for Columbia County was approximately $10 million. But thanks to Tucker’s due diligence with recording and reporting the costs to both the state and federal emergency management agencies, more than 90 percent of those expenditures were reimbursed to the county. Some folks may also recall that Tucker had an extremely exciting day when the ice storm struck the CSRA. At 3 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 12, a few hours prior to the ice storm turning ugly, Tucker’s phone rang and she learned that her daughter-in-law had gone into labor. Tucker’s first grandchild, Aria Rose Smith, was on her way. While Tucker had planned to arrive at the county’s Emergency Operations Center at 6 a.m. prior to the ice storm getting really bad, suddenly her plans changed. When Columbia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Danny Kuhlmann arrived to pick her up and take her to the EOC, she just couldn’t do it. Tucker realized she needed to be with her son and daughter-in-law for the birth of her granddaughter. Therefore, Tucker asked Kuhlmann to drive her to University Hospital. Even though her first grandchild was being born in the middle of the ice storm, Tucker still remained in constant contact with the EOC and was busy keeping people throughout the CSRA abreast of the storm situation. She did an outstanding job warning residents of power outages, icy roads and falling trees throughout the day. But guess what Tucker received from the county a few weeks after the ice storm? A bill for $33.77. That was the estimated cost of Kuhlmann driving Tucker to University Hospital to see the birth of her grandchild. Apparently, County Administrator Scott Johnson felt Columbia County should be reimbursed for helping Tucker. Now, just a quick reminder, this is the same county administrator who charged a lavish $3,500 dinner tab at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Savannah to the taxpayers of Columbia County in 2015. But Scott Johnson wanted to make sure that Tucker forked over $33.77 for a lift to the hospital? Needless to say, Tucker promptly wrote a check and reimbursed the county. She then went back to work, trying to get the state and federal government to reimburse the county millions of dollars for the costs it incurred during the ice storm. Meanwhile, what was on Scott Johnson’s mind a few weeks after the storm? His wife’s 40th birthday party at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, of course. Hmmm... that’s understandable, right? After all, the “Big 4-0” is a milestone in anyone’s life and it should be properly celebrated. A lot of work and effort needs to be put into the details of such an event, right? Apparently, Scott Johnson thinks so, but he wasn’t the one doing all the work to make sure his wife’s surprise party was absolutely perfect. Instead, it was Scott Johnson’s executive assistant, Janeabeth Wells, working her tail off to guarantee that the surprise party for Susan Johnson was a gloriously special occasion. What a great assistant, eh? To volunteer her spare time, outside of work, to help plan a surprise party for her boss’s wife. Well, not exactly. There is no doubt that Janeabeth Wells is a dedicated and loyal assistant to Scott Johnson, but it appears that she was asked to help iron out the details of Susan Johnson’s party during regular working hours. On the taxpayers’ dime. 8 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Copies of several emails between Janeabeth Wells and the county’s former public relations manager, Calie Cook, were recently provided to the Metro Spirit. Cook, who previously worked in the Columbia County Rental Facilities and Venues department, contacted Wells on Thursday, March 6, 2014, via an email to ask her for details regarding Susan Johnson’s surprise party. In the email that Cook sent to Wells at 1:47 p.m. that day, she provided her a copy of the floor plan and contract for Susan Johnson’s surprise party scheduled for March 14. “Let me know how you would like everything set up and what you would like the reader board to display,” Cook wrote to Wells. “I have to get this info to our set up crew 16MARCH2017
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no later than tomorrow late afternoon. Also, if you are having 200 people, we will need to schedule 1 deputy since alcohol is being served. If the guest count is closer to 250, then we would need to schedule 2 deputies. We will schedule the deputies for you and you can pay them at the end end of the night. The cost per deputy is $20 an hour.” Cook also explained about the “discount linens” that would be available for the party. “As for linens, we have 25-85’s for the round tables and 5-114’s for the food tables,” Cook wrote. “Let me know if that’s ok and if you need anything else. We have scheduled one of our best event managers to oversee this event as well. I’m not sure if you have ever worked with Diane, but she will be overseeing your event and she is WONDERFUL!” A few minutes later, during the middle of the workday, Wells responded to Cook’s email. “Thank you! I will get with Scott on this ASAP and send it back to you,” Wells wrote. “We are probably only going to have 150 people.” Cook quickly shot back another email. “If you have 150 guests, you may only want to have 18 or 19 tables set up, 8 people to a table,” Cook wrote. “Or if you want to have 6 people to a table, we can have 25 tables set up. Whatever you think will be best. Since you are only going to have 150 guests, I will make sure that only 1 deputy is scheduled. If you need anything else in the meantime, let me know!” Wells immediately responded that Scott Johnson had already gotten Columbia County Sgt. Ray Childress to serve as the officer on duty during the party. “Scott already has a deputy scheduled, but thanks for offering,” Wells wrote. “Scott also was thinking about 10 tables with 10 chairs and maybe some chairs along the wall. He doesn’t want people sitting around all evening... he wants them up and dancing!!!” Nice party, eh? Sounds like a pretty good time was had by all.
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So, what did Johnson pay for this surprise party for his wife, according to county records? Johnson got a $200 discount on the rental fee of the Savannah Rapids Pavilion’s Grand Rapids Room. He was also offered “discounted linens” at only $100 for the evening. Therefore, his grand total for renting the multi-purpose facility with a balcony overlooking the Augusta Canal and Savannah River from 7 p.m. until midnight on that March 14 was $800, according to county records. So, $800 for the rental fee and a free party planner in the form of your own executive assistant working on county time to make sure your wife’s surprise party is flawless. Not a bad deal... well, at least for Scott Johnson. Following the party, Diane (the events manager working that night) wrote, “Everything went exceptionally well!” Thanks, Janeabeth for working so hard to make Susan Johnson’s surprise party a huge success. Taxpayers may want to check the calendar. It looks like Susan Johnson’s birthday is right around the corner. Wonder what Scott Johnson has up his sleeve this year? Wonder what it will cost the county? Columbia County taxpayers should at least be grateful that there isn’t a Ruth’s Chris Steak House located somewhere in the CSRA.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 9
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Living the Swinging Life in Georgia Have you ever wondered if someone you knew or met in Augusta is a swinger? While it might be an odd thing for some people, there is a little known fact around town that Augusta has a pretty decent population of swingers for an area its size. In fact, there are a few swingers in the Garden City whose names would ring a bell. There are swingers who are former politicians, attorneys, members of the local media and a long-time local restaurant owner, just to name a few. How does The Insider know such a thing? Swingers are usually not shy. They are discreet, but after a few drinks at the bar, you’d be amazed by what they’ll tell you about their private lives. So, who cares what adults do behind closed doors, right? Well, no one cares until their dirty laundry is aired out in public. Such is the case in Atlanta right now. The Atlanta JournalConstitution reported this week that a Georgia woman named Cidney Green made several thousand dollars when she billed her 27th birthday celebration as “a private party for adult swingers.” “The event, which takes place this weekend, quickly earned the hashtag #ATLOrgy on social media,” the AJC reported. “It promises an overnight overload of food and sex at a lakefront mansion on four acres with private parking for guests and security on-site.” But this sinful fun comes at a price. “The cost to join is a pre-paid $99 for single women or $175 for couples and men,” the AJC reported. “The event sold out to a reported 35 guests before Green opened up additional spaces and hinted that prices would increase.” Wow. The swinging life in Georgia appears to be on the rise. Apparently, Green is a phone sex operator and the writer behind the blog, “Total Liberation” where she frequently talks about multiple partners. Are you interested in Green’s party? It looks like she is still taking reservations. “The event begins at 8 p.m., dinner is served at 10 p.m. and at 12 a.m. the atmosphere shifts to the swingers party,” the AJC reported. “She is hoping to attract women who resent being sexually repressed or anyone who wants to shed the shame and taboo of sex.” That is probably a pretty broad stroke of people in a conservative state like Georgia. According to a recent story published by alternet.org called, “Open Relationships Reduce Jealousy?”, swingers are becoming so prevalent that they are now getting a new name. “Consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships” is the new phrase used for those who have committed partners and have mutually agree not to be sexually and romantically exclusive to one another. To better define swingers or people in CNM relationships, alternet.org outlined some basic statistics.
10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
For example, apparently more than 40 percent of men and up to 25 percent of women in this country have considered a CNM lifestyle at one point in their lives. That seems a little high, but who knows really. The article also pointed out that stigma against CNM is “strong, robust, and incredibly pervasive.” “CNM and the people engaged in it are considered worse that monogamists on virtually every personal or relationship characteristic you could think of, including sexual health, commitment, trust, romance, kindness, loneliness, jealousy, generosity, life satisfaction, education, and success, to name a few,” the alternet. org article stated. “In a psychological phenomenon called the ‘halo effect,’ this negativity extends to traits and behaviors that have nothing to do with relationships. People think that non-monogamists are worse at paying taxes, dog walking, taking multivitamins or teeth flossing.” Yes. These are weird “facts.” They might be what we now refer to as “alternative facts.” But this alternet.org story implies that swingers are viewed as the worst kind of CNM relationships. “Swingers (who typically have purely casual sex with others, together with their partners, often in group sex situations) are perceived as dirtier, less moral, less responsible, and less mature than polyamorists (who typically have multiple, long-term sexual and romantic relationships),” the article stated. “Those in open relationships (who typically have casual sex with others, but one-on-one, separately from their main partners) were perceived somewhere in between.” The stigma surrounding swingers is probably the main reason for all the attention that has been given to this “sex party” in Atlanta. Of course, this highly publicized swingers party in Atlanta is not going over well with everybody. Many Georgians are pointing out that such parties do nothing more than promoting sexually transmitted diseases. Just last month, a new study using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention located in... yep, Atlanta... found that the Peach State ranks among the top “most sexually diseased” states. That’s not really something you want to have on your state’s logo or printed on promotional material trying to attract visitors. According to the study, Georgia has a gonorrhea rate of 158.3 cases per 100,000 residents and a chlamydia rate of 570.8 per 100,000 people, according to the AJC. As a result of those findings, Georgia came in at No. 7 of the 50 states. No. 7, folks. Let that sink in for a moment. So what’s the moral of this story? If you’re a swinger, you better use a condom or make your “new friend” put on a rubber because, at the end of the night, not everything is fun and games. 16MARCH2017
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A new local bar in the former Planned Parenthood location in downtown Augusta sparks controversy By Stacey Eidson WHEN PLANNED PARENTHOOD closed its doors on Broad Street in downtown Augusta in February 2016, several local churches and pro-life groups celebrated. In fact, the Augusta Care Pregnancy Center located right across the street from the former Planned Parenthood location announced its prayers had been answered. “For 35 years, Augusta Care Pregnancy Center has prayed that Augusta Planned Parenthood would close,” Susan Swanson, the owner of Augusta Care Pregnancy Center, said last year. “Thousands of pregnant mothers have been wounded, some physically and some mentally. God has answered many prayers of the Augusta people.” But, just last week, some of those same protestors who opposed Planned Parenthood’s presence in downtown Augusta were appalled by the fact that a new bar called The Scene plans to move into the former clinic’s location at 1289 Broad Street. They insist that the former Planned Parenthood building should not be used as a bar, but as a memorial for the “little human beings” who were aborted there. “We are blessed in this city that Augusta Planned Parenthood closed one year ago on Feb. 29. 12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
That day, a dark cloud was lifted from downtown,” Swanson said. “I have spent 33 years of my life watching the tragedy of abortion at Planned Parenthood. Thousands of women were hurt there and approximately 60,000 babies died there. We must remember that building is their grave. The idea of a bar going in it really grieves many people because they understand that a bar is likely to perpetuate the same behaviors, like drugs, prostitution and human trafficking that closing Planned Parenthood helped prevent.” While the new owners of The Scene have not publicly discussed their plans for the bar, the Augusta Commission and members of the city’s planning and development department insist that the local government has no right to prohibit a bar from opening at the former Planned Parenthood location. “It is roughly 150 feet from the intersection of Broad Street and 13th Street,” said Rob Sherman, deputy director of the city’s planning and development department. “The property is zoned B-2, general business and the location meets the distance requirements.” Therefore, the Richmond County Sheriff ’s Office and the planning and development 16MARCH2017
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“I ask you, would you permit a bar and a dance floor to be established in the gas chambers of Auschwitz?” — Eva Edl,
a local pro-life advocate
“The idea of a bar going in it really grieves many people because they understand that a bar is likely to perpetuate the same behaviors, like drugs, prostitution and human trafficking that closing Planned Parenthood helped prevent.” — Susan Swanson,
the owner of Augusta Care Pregnancy Center department recommended to the Augusta Commission this month that the license be approved with one condition: the main entrance of the new bar must be facing Jones Street instead of the main thoroughfare of Broad Street. “When we were talking about the distance requirements, (The 16MARCH2017
Scene) meets the distance requirements to the church,” Sherman said, referring to Curtis Baptist Church located across the street and a block over at 1348 Broad Street. “To get the distance, you measure out the front door to the sidewalk, down the sidewalk, across the street and down to the front door of the church. That distance is 740 feet. And 300 feet is what’s required by the city.” However, The Scene must also meet the distance requirements associated with a school since Curtis Baptist also has a private school at its Broad Street location. “The school is on the far side of the property away from where this proposed establishment is going,” Sherman said. “So, for an onpremise, liquor, beer and wine license, as it relates to a school — for beer and wine it is 100 yards, still 300 feet — but for liquor, it is 200 yards or 600 feet.” Sherman explained that The Scene plans to offer liquor, as well as beer and wine at its location. Therefore, it needed to meet the distance requirement of 600 feet from Curtis Baptist’s school. “The walking distance from this location to the school building is roughly 850 feet, so it more than meets the distance,” Sherman said. “But what the ordinance also says is it must be 200 yards — or 100 yards for beer and wine — to the building or the property.” The ordinance’s wording of “property” is what made this alcohol license application a little bit trickier, Sherman said. “The way we have looked at that in the past is, if there is a school building further away from the establishment, but, let’s say, a playground is in between, we measure to the playground,” Sherman said. “In this case, there is a little more of a twist because it is the church and the school all on the same property. So which is the school ground and which is the church ground?” In order to err on the side of caution, Sherman said the city decided to view all of Curtis Baptist’s property as school grounds. “What we did was, we looked at it in the most restrictive way and said that all of it is school property,” Sherman said. “Now, I don’t know that all of those buildings that are between the sanctuary and this corner that I am talking about, whether they are used for the school or for the church. But we are saying that it is being used for the school. So, what that meant was that we had to measure from the proposed
establishment to the very closest corner of the property. That is where we had a problem. It came out to 450 feet.” Therefore, if the owners of The Scene want a full bar that serves liquor, they could not have the bar’s main entrance on Broad Street, Sherman said. “So, we got in touch with the alcohol applicant and their property is a through lot, so the building has frontage on both Jones Street and Broad Street,” Sherman said. “They have a driveway in the front on Broad and two driveways in the back on Jones Street and the parking lot is in the back on Jones. So the owner said he had even considered putting the front door at the Jones Street location. And I said, ‘Well, that’s what you will need to do to make this work.’” While Robyn Jarrett applied for the alcohol license for The Scene and is listed as its manager, the owners of the proposed bar are William Jarrett, Michael Wilby and Edward Goode, according to the application for the license. Some of the owners did attend the public hearings regarding the bar’s alcohol application, but they did not publicly address the commission or the objectors to the license during the meetings. Instead, Sherman answered all of the questions involving the application. “It meets all of the code requirements,” Sherman told the Augusta Commission on March 7. “(The owner) has to do alterations to the building and he is going to put the front door on the backside in order to meet the distance requirements. That is a condition of this license being approved: the front door has to go on the Jones Street side.” Eva Edl, a local pro-life advocate and resident of Aiken, S.C., strongly objected to the alcohol application at the former Planned Parenthood location. She stood before the Augusta Commission and explained that when she was 9 years old, her native country of Yugoslavia was AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989 METROSPIRIT 13
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“I feel the same as far as what has happened in that building, but we can’t prevent someone from buying that building and then opening up according to and following all of the regulations, rules and laws that we have.” — Mayor Pro Tem Mary Davis overtaken during World War II. As a result, her family was separated from one another and they forced to live in one of Europe’s concentration camps in 1945. “I am a survivor of a World War II death camp. And I see this issue of granting a liquor license to the old Planned Parenthood building in that prospective,” Edl said. “If you think about it, Planned Parenthood or any other abortion clinic in our country is no different than the death camps of Europe, except that the victims are much smaller.” Edl provided members of the Augusta Commission photos of some fetuses. “I ask you, would you permit a bar and a dance floor to be established in the gas chambers of Auschwitz?” Edl asked the commission, referring to the German Nazi concentration camp. “It is unthinkable, isn’t it? Now consider Planned Parenthood of Augusta. More than 60,000 babies, little human beings were killed there. I used to stand out front and beg women to give life to their babies. I offered to adopt them. Whatever it took.” The day that Planned Parenthood of Augusta closed its doors, Edl said she was exhilarated. But when she learned that a bar planned to open in its former location, she was horrified. “Don’t desecrate the blood of those babies by establishing a bar and a dance floor on it,” Edl begged the Augusta commissioners. “It is no different than establishing a dance floor or a bar in the gas chambers of Nazi Germany. I just want to ask you gentlemen and lady, all of us will some day stand before the judgment throne of Jesus Christ and give account of what we do. Consider what he will say to you about this decision you are making. This building can be used for the good of humanity.” She suggested that local churches band together and attempt to purchase the former Planned Parenthood location. “If our local churches would just work together, we could have a counseling center for post-abortion women whose lives are being destroyed because of their regret,” she said. “A healing place. We could have a small memorial there where a woman could come and give a name to her baby and find closure. We could use it for so many good things. So please give your liquor license to another building, but not the old Planned Parenthood.” Mayor Pro Tem Mary Davis thanked Edl for her passionate remarks, but she explained that the Augusta Commission must treat every alcohol applicant fairly by following the city’s established ordinances. 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
“The commission up here, we have to hear applications for liquor licenses in new buildings and those kinds of zoning issues weekly and we base them on the guidelines that we have and the regulations that we have,” Davis said. “We have to follow the laws of what we’ve set up as a county. We appreciate so much of your emotion and I feel the same as far as what has happened in that building, but we can’t prevent someone from buying that building and then opening up according to and following all of the regulations, rules and laws that we have.” While Davis said she understood Edl’s desire for local churches to purchase the former Planned Parenthood building, she pointed out that there hadn’t been any action taken regarding that proposal. “I don’t know if there was ever an effort from the church to purchase that building before, but what we are being brought to us today is a different owner,” Davis said. “And they are following the guidelines that have been approved by our planning and zoning and our sheriff ’s office, so we have to follow our own rules and regulations.” However, Edl wasn’t the only person objecting to the alcohol license. More than a dozen people from Curtis Baptist Church and the local community attended the recent meetings regarding The Scene’s alcohol license. They insisted that The Scene would only hurt downtown Augusta by opening in the former Planned Parenthood location. “I have a question for the Augusta commissioners,” said Swanson of the Augusta Care Pregnancy Center, who also has been a member of Curtis Baptist Church for 44 years. “What is the type of city that we — the taxpayers and citizens — want in Augusta? I would say, as most church pastors would say, that we want a healthy city for young people and families. Our young men and women are the future leaders of the community, but our example sends a message of how they should conduct their lives. Alcohol and drugs have been found to be a destructive force in families and children.” She insisted that downtown Augusta doesn’t need another alcohol license approved near Curtis Baptist Church. “I’ve worked in this field for 33 years and watched it. Alcoholism leads to family violence, to child abuse, sexual and physical abuse,” Swanson said. “If you ask any social worker, that’s what they will tell you. These events in a child’s life often follow the family for generations. I believe, too, that Augusta’s main roots that hurt our community are addictions and abuse. We should want better for our city.”
Swanson also scolded the commission for not making the distance requirements even greater than 600 feet for a bar’s location to a school. “That is very sad for the children that go to Curtis Baptist School,” she said. “We have to decide, do we respect our houses of worship or not? I think that sends a message to the Augusta people.” There needs to be more to downtown Augusta than just bars, Swanson said. “I know it is all about tourism,” she said. “I hear that all the time: tourism and money. But there is a point we have to want a healthy city. Not a broken city.” She also offered the commission a quote from The Bible. “Proverbs 20-21 says, ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise,’” she said. Augusta Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle thanked Swanson for her comments, but insisted that the city can’t arbitrarily pick and choose who can have an alcohol license and who cannot if the applicant meets all the necessary requirements. “You asked the commissioners what we expect of the city of Augusta,” Guilfoyle said to Swanson. “We want to see it grow. We want to see it prosper. We try to be consistent in all of our decisions and votes on this floor. We ask the people who come before us to be consistent as well. The reason why I am saying that is, fortunately, there is no longer an abortion clinic right there on Broad Street, but if we are going to be consistent, if you are going to shoot down one (alcohol application), shoot them all down.” Guilfoyle pointed out that the objectors to The Scene’s alcohol license watched as three other liquor licenses were approved by the commission and they didn’t say a word. “One of those liquor licenses is four blocks down from where this building is, but not
“There are some things in life that are far more important than making money. And the sacredness and sanctity of life is one of those.” — Gary Garner,
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a word was spoken,” Guilfoyle said to the audience. “Where was y’all at for the other three agenda items?” Being fair and consistent matters when you are leading a city, Guilfoyle said. “So, what do we want? We want to see Augusta grow together,” Guilfoyle said. “But there are going to be decisions we make on this floor that don’t appease some but appease others. We just have to be consistent.” However, Gary Garner, a pro-life supporter and resident of south Augusta, told the commission that his main concern was the location of this requested alcohol license, rather than the granting of The Scene’s license in general. “I came upon 1289 Broad Street in 1985 with Planned Parenthood being in the process of killing a couple of thousand babies a year,” Garner said. “I haven’t ever been able to leave the place along with hundreds and even thousands of people coming and standing in front of this very evil place. I’ve been there probably 2,000 times over the last 30 years. That’s equivalent to about 3,000 hours. If we will kill our babies, there is nothing that we won’t do in life. Killing babies is the absolute worst.” For him, the death of those babies is what 1289 Broad Street will always signifies, Garner said. “You probably don’t know this, but Augusta, Georgia is a killing field in the state of Georgia,” Garner said. “Not only have there been 65,000 babies been killed at 1289 Broad Street in the last 38 years, but another 20,000 at Preferred Health on the westside of town, which we are still standing against.” The Augusta Commission needs to acknowledge what happened for more than 35 years at 1289 Broad Street, he said. “There are some things in life that are far more important than making money,” he said. “And the sacredness and sanctity of life is one of those... If we turn this death house into an entertainment center, we write it off like the babies have no memory at all. If we could not give the babies life, we could at least give them a memory. They deserve that.” The only reasonable use for that building is a memorial for the lives lost inside of it, he said. “It is not about these people looking to put this particular business in that building,” Garner said pointing to The Scene’s owners. “It is about anybody choosing to put a commercial business into that particular building. That building is demonized and has been for all these years.” Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams, who is also the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, said he understood the objectors’ strong feelings about the former Planned Parenthood location. However, he explained that if the commission denied the license, it would most likely end up costing the city thousands and thousands of dollars in legal fees fighting the owners in court. 16MARCH2017
“This applicant meets all of the guidelines that we have put in place. Even though we may not agree with it, I think we are almost forced to go ahead and approve this application because if we don’t, we end up setting ourselves up for a larger arena in a court of law somewhere.” — Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams And, in the end, the bar would still be able to open, he said. “I understand what the congregation and the people are saying,” Williams said. “But we have got to look at it in two fashions: First of all, the law is set up such as it is. Be it right or wrong. And this applicant meets all of the guidelines that we have put in place. Even though we may not agree with it, I think we are almost forced to go ahead and approve this application because if we don’t, we end up setting ourselves up for a larger arena in a court of law somewhere.” Specifically, Williams recalled the city’s legal fight against X-Mart, the adult video store on Gordon Highway.
The city spent more than $130,000 in legal fees trying to keep the adult video store from opening in Augusta. After eight years of battling X-Mart in court, the Augusta Commission finally agreed to pay $550,000 to Augusta Video in order to settle the lawsuit. “I understand better than most what the objectors are saying, but I am reminded of, not in this current chamber, but the other chamber when folks filled it up because an adult bookstore wanted to come to Augusta and open up on Gordon Highway,” Williams said. “We had the chamber completely filled up with people against the bookstore. The commission at that time did not support it. But it cost this city an astronomical amount of money because we had to follow the law. Not just this county’s laws, but state law.” As the Augusta Commission unanimously approved The Scene’s alcohol license on March 7, Williams told the audience that the commissioners really didn’t have a choice. “We are bound by law. We take an oath,” Williams said. “I understand your situation. I do sympathize, but I have got to follow the law to make sure that, not just your church, but other areas won’t have to pay through this government for not following that law.” Voting against a bar’s alcohol license just because the building was previously a Planned Parenthood location won’t accomplish anything, he said. “If it didn’t meet the guidelines or if it wasn’t in order, then I don’t think anybody up here would even think about supporting it,” Williams said. “But, the facts are, it meets the guidelines.”
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ELIJAH CLARK STATE PARK in Lincolnton boldly goes where no one has gone before when they host a Star Trek Weekend Thursday-Saturday, March 23-25. Held in honor of the original series’ 50th anniversary, a series that has spawned more TV series and movies than one can count, the days at this celebration will be filled with archery contests, themed mini golf events and TV series marathons (Enterprise, Next Generation and Deep Space Nine). At night, there will be movies. Friday will have a Khan theme, with movies featuring both Ricardo Montalban and Benedict Cumberbatch as the famed villain, while Saturday will feature Star Trek IV and a viewers’ choice. Each night the Friends of Elijah Clark will offer movie concessions. Friday night an astronomer from Augusta University will be in attendance, and Saturday will also feature a costume contest for both individuals and groups. And in honor of it all, cabins at the park will be 30 percent off. So dammit, man (and woman), set a course for Lincolnton now! STAR TREK WEEKEND Elijah Clark State Park, Lincolnton Thursday-Saturday, March 23-25 706-359-3458 gastateparks.org/elijahclark
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whAT’s Up
Calendar: 18 | Music Listings: 24 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.
GeT GReeN! Yep, it’s that time of year again. And while there’s lots going on in Augusta, North Augusta and Aiken (see our music and events calendar on page 24), the Augusta Common is the place to be. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at 2 p.m. on the streets of downtown and, afterwards, the party moves to the Common where, this year, Friends with Benefits has teamed up with the Irish-American Heritage Society and the City of Augusta to expand the family friendly festival that we’ve been known for for years. Sure there will still be plenty of stuff for kids and families to do, and the Irish Dancers will still perform at 4 p.m. But, beginning at 5 p.m., there will be a great lineup of live music that will include Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold, the Scarlet Begonias at 6 p.m., Black Dawg at 7:30 p.m. and Gimme Hendrix at 9 p.m. And just in case you plan on drinking your weight in green beer, you might want to invest in VIP tickets for this one. They include private restrooms and food from Southbound Smokehouse. You’ll thank us for the suggestion on Saturday. sT. pATRick’s DAY FesTivAl Augusta Common Friday, March 17 4-10 p.m. Free; VIP tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of fwbpro.com
This week
ThURsDAY
Well, hopefully those who attend Night at the Museum at the Augusta Museum of History won’t be chased through its halls by a dinosaur skeleton. History will come to life, however, in this event that has two sessions, one at 6 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. The rotunda will be turned into a cabaret nightclub with music, character vignettes and more. $30, classic cabaret ticket; $100, VIP and backstage pass.
FRiDAY
A free two-day event at Augusta University, the Writers Weekend at Summerville contains everything a writers need to know; craft lectures, readings, and book signings with Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Julia Elliott, Hannah Palmer, Karin Gillespie, and Jim Minick are all part of the schedule. So whether you’re a novice or an old pro, this is where you need to be. For a complete schedule, visit augwritersweekend.com.
sATURDAY
The first home game of the GreenJackets’ 2017 season is April 13, but this Saturday you can go out to the ballpark for a Shamrock 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run at 9 a.m., followed by Buzzfest from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. that includes vendors, a yard sale, live music, reptile exhibit, Touch a Truck, inflatables, discounts on merchandise and early bird Augusta GreenJackets tickets.
sUNDAY
One of the best parts about the annual Social Canvas is its community canvas that everyone has a hand in creating. Also on hand from noon to 4 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art, however, will be music by Grand Vaips, Jianna Justice, DJ Aron, as well as art-making stations and painting demonstrations by local artists.
For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 18. 16MARCH2017
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EDUCATION Thu March 16
9am - 11am Computer Help for Absolute Beginners Wallace Branch Library Call to schedule an appointment. Call 706722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.
10am - 7pm Open House Southern Wesleyan University, North Augusta A drop-in event in which participants can learn about the programs offered, which are geared toward working adults. Those who attend will have their application fees waived. Call 803426-7981 or visit swu.edu/northaugusta.
11:30am Small Business Ops: Your Future Plan
“Sleeping Beauty” Etherredge Center, Aiken Thursday, March 16 7:30 p.m. $40, general; $15, students at the box office with ID. etherredge.usca.edu
ARTS Fri March 17
Noon Art at Lunch: St. Patrick’s Day in Augusta Morris Museum of Art Led by collector Bill Kirby. $12, members; $16, non-members. Catered lunch included. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Sat March 18
10am - 1pm Alcohol Ink Aiken Center for the Arts $50; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
10am - 11:30am Kumihimo Bracelet 175 N. Louisville Street, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class. $17, including materials; price includes two classes, the next one held at the same time on Saturday, April 1. Pre-registration required. Visit harlemartscouncil.org.
10am - 1pm Palette Knife Sunflowers Aiken Center for the Arts $50; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
10am - 1pm Photos to Paintings Aiken Center for the Arts Featuring an equestrian-themed landscape. 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
$60; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
Noon - 2pm Paint a Spring Bird House 175 N. Louisville Street, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class. $24, including materials. Pre-registration required. Visit harlemartscouncil.org.
1pm Off the Block
Mon March 20
10am - noon Oil Painting 175 N. Louisville St., Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class. $20 per class; pre-registration required. Visit harlemartscouncil.org.
Thu March 23
5pm Camera (Geek) Night
Tire City Potters A class for those ages 10 and up in which participants will create a linoleum block from images they bring with them. The blocks will be used to make prints and then a clay wall-hanging tile. $65; pre-registration required. Call 706-294-3871.
Artus Co-Op A night of connections, information, swap shop and learning for camera geeks and photographers. Visit facebook.com/pages/ Artus-Co-op/532417963629102.
2pm - 5pm Alcohol Ink
7:30pm “Sleeping Beauty”
Aiken Center for the Arts $50; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
Sun March 19
Noon - 4pm A Social Canvas Festival Morris Museum of Art An event for all ages that includes artmaking stations, a giant canvas visitors will help paint, painting demonstrations by local artists and live music from Grand Vapids of Athens. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
DANCE Thu March 16
Etherredge Center, Aiken This Russian National Ballet performance is part of USC Aiken’s Cultural Series of events. $40, general; $15, students at the box office with ID. Visit etherredge.usca.edu.
Sat March 18
4pm - 9pm TAG Step Competition HH Brigham Community Center gymnasium The theme of this 15th annual event is Celebrating What Makes America Great: The Cultural Melting Pot. Door prizes will also be given away. $10 admission. Call 706-284-8252.
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce A Third Thursday Business Builder lunch meeting sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and State Bank & Trust. Lunch is provided. Free, chamber members; $15, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.
6pm Dean’s Lecture Series Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom An Augusta University College of Business event that will feature the University of Alabama’s Dr. Tondra Loder-Jackson, director of the Center for Urban Education, who will discuss the role of teachers during the Civil Rights movement. Visit augusta.edu.
6:30pm Estate Planning and Elder Care Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
7pm Wills, Estates and Probate Aiken Public Library A free legal clinic. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Sat March 18
9am - noon Career Fair Augusta Marriott Convention Center A Richmond County School System event for those looking for jobs including teachers, guidance counselors, speech therapists, school psychologists, nurses, secretaries, school nutrition assistants, bus drivers, paraprofessionals and custodians. Call 706826-1000 or visit rcboe.org.
10am - 12:30pm Grant Workshop Headquarters Branch Library Presented by JLJ Resources, this session will help participants find grants for their organizations, to start their own business or for college, as well as teach them the basics of grant writing. Free, but $30 for materials. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-2547 or email jljresources@aol.com.
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Petersburg Boat Captain
Leadership Columbia County
Augusta Museum of History Part of the Voices of the Past series of character monologues. Free with museum admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Columbia County Chamber of Commerce A 10-month program for business and area leaders in which class members participate in day-long sessions covering topics ranging from law enforcement and healthcare to the history of the county and education. Applications, available on the website, are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Visit columbiacountychamber.com/ leadershipcolumbiacounty.
3pm Beyond ¡Hola!: A Free Basic Conversational Class Headquarters Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-267-9053 or email speakngrow@gmail.com.
Professional Development Courses
Sun March 19
3pm Blogging and Digital Marketing Columbia County Library Part 2 on the three-part series “Seven Steps to Creating and Online Business That Works.” Pre-registration required. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Mon March 20
3:30pm Intermediate Spanish Headquarters Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
5:30pm Beginner Spanish Headquarters Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue March 21
10:30am Social Media for Beginners Appleby Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
5:30pm Photo Editing and Printing Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Wed March 22
11:30am Environment Matters Lunch and Learn Columbia County Library Led by Margarete Alligood and Tripp Williams, this meeting’s subject is composting. Participants should bring their own lunches. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Thu March 23
9am - 11am Computer Help for Absolute Beginners Wallace Branch Library Call to schedule an appointment. Call 706722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.
3pm Gadget Help with Alex Columbia County Library First come, first served. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Ongoing 16MARCH2017
Jessye Norman School of the Arts The school offers classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other software programs. Call or visit the website to see a schedule of spring and summer classes. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
Free Tax Assistance Headquarters Branch Library Available Wednesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through April 15. This service is for taxpayers with low- to moderate-income and those 60 and older. Those interested should bring a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns and a voided check. No appointment necessary. Call 706821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.
Free Tax Assistance Maxwell Branch Branch Library Available Thursdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., through April 15. This service is for taxpayers with low- to moderate-income and those 60 and older. Those interested should bring a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns and a voided check. No appointment necessary. Call 706793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
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.
Guided Tours 1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
North Augusta Driving Tour Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 30-45-minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based
tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Tours Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Guided tours, approximately 45 minutes long, are offered Thursday-Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Group tours are available by advanced reservation. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; kids K-12, $3; under 5 years, free. Call 706-724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.
Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta Augusta Visitors Center Tours aboard the Lady Libby available at the Augusta Visitors Center with 24-hour advanced reservations. Tickets include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-724-4067 or visit visitaugusta.org.
ELSEWHERE Thu March 16
7pm - 10pm Chamber Music on Main Columbia Museum of Art A chamber concert in the museum’s reception hall that begins with happy hour at 6 p.m. $28, members; $35, non-members; $5, students. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.
EXHIBITIONS Ongoing
Black History Month Exhibit Headquarters Branch Library In honor of Black History Month, The Georgia Heritage Room will exhibit a collection of rare and antique books on loan from local historian and writer Elvin Thompson. Some of the books included are an 1852 first edition two-volume set of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe, an 1855 first edition of “My Bondage and My Freedom” by Frederick Douglass, an 1880 second edition of “A Fool’s Errand” by Albion W. Tourgee and many other works. The exhibit will run through March. Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.
Outliers: The Art of Printmaking Westobou Gallery A satellite exhibition, in conjunction with the Southern Graphics Council International’s 2017 Conference, in celebration of printmaking featuring artwork from eight local, regional and national printmakers. It will be on display through April 9. Call 706755-2878 or visit westoboufestival.com.
Rhythm and Movement: Paintings by James Michalopoulos Morris Museum of Art An exhibit of more than 30 large-scale paintings of the historic architecture of New Orleans that will show through May 14. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Exhibits Augusta Museum of History AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
Ongoing
KIDS-TEENS
A Doctors Hospital event throughout the month of March, during which participants can pick up a free screening kit at several locations and return it to the hospital’s lab. Kits are available at the hospital’s main entrance, WJBF, Warren Family Life Center, Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life Center, Warren Grovetown and Tabernacle Baptist Church West. Visit doctors-hospital.net.
9am Baby Bunch
Colorectal Cancer Screening
HOBBIES Thu March 16
6:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club
Augusta Market at the River Opening Day 8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street Saturday, March 18 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. theaugustamarket.com Includes the following: “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That Heals”; “Into the Interior: A History of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots”. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
visit doctors-hospital.net.
Mon March 20
1pm - 3pm Look Good Feel Better University’s Breast Health Center An American Cancer Society program that aims to help female cancer patients combat the appearance-related side-effects of chemo and radiation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.
11am Egg Story Time
11am, 1pm and 3pm Museum Escape: Red Scare Augusta Museum of History A mystery game in an escape room will be available for up to 8 people per session. Sessions last about 45 minutes. For ages 18 and up, or 12 and up with parental supervision. $15, members; $20, nonmembers; $25, at the door. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Mon March 20
6pm - 8pm Civil War Roundtable Meeting
HEALTH
6:30pm Refit
Wed March 22
Thu March 16 9am Pet Therapy
Georgia Cancer Center Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
Fri March 17
10am Chair Yoga Georgia Cancer Center Open to anyone being treated at the center. Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
Sun March 19
3pm - 5pm The Daddy Class Doctors Hospital An infant care class for fathers only. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
5pm Music Therapy
Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.
7:30pm Beginner’s Yoga That Place Coffee Call 706-339-7011 or visit thatplacecoffee.com.
Wed March 22
6:30pm - 9:30pm Breastfeeding Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Thu March 23
7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR University Hospital
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library An event that includes snacks, crafts and games. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib. org.
Sat March 18
Georgia Cancer Center Sessions include music-assisted relaxation, drumming to the beat and group. Call 706721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
5:45pm Free Movie Tuesdays
4:30pm Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events Dreadful Party
Sat March 18
Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2600 for weekly selections. Visit arcpls.org.
Tue March 21
Imagination Station A guided playtime for infants and caregivers. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-564-4621.
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 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
Goodwill’s The Snelling Center An Evening with Ed Bearss, National Park Service chief historian emeritus and nationally recognized battlefield guide. Meetings are $15, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.
FLIX
Fri March 17
5:30pm - 7pm Urban Farming in Small Spaces theClubhou.se Part of the Grow Your Own series of workshops sponsored by theClubhou. se and Augusta Locally Grown, this one featuring Candace Zukas of Bottle Tree Farm with tricks and organic practices for city homesteading. Suggested donation for each workshop is $5. Pre-registration required. Call 706-288-7895 or visit augustalocallygrown.org.
Ongoing
Basic Genealogy Tutorials Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room
9am - 4pm Safe Sitter Doctors Hospital A class for those ages 11-13. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctorshospital.net. Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
11am - 1pm Family Lego Day Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
11:15am Art Exploration Kroc Center A class in which those ages 5-8 will work in a variety of media. $25. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
8pm All About Frogs Reed Creek Park An indoor/outdoor program for those ages 5 and up, along with their parents. Free, members; $2 per child, nonmembers. Preregistration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email kbyne@columbiacountyga.gov.
Sun March 19
2:30pm “Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat” Headquarters Branch Library Pre-registration is recommended for children and their families. Call 706-8212623 or visit arcpls.org.
Mon March 20
10:30am Jr. Lego Club Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 2-4. Legos provided. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
5:30pm Teen Movie Night Headquarters Branch Library Featuring a showing of “Godzilla” in celebration of the release of “Kong: Skull Island.” Call 706-434-2036 or visit arcpls.org. 16MARCH2017
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7pm Teen Trivia Night North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Tue March 21
10am Big Kids Story Time Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 3-6 that, in March, celebrate Dr. Seuss. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
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 of 6 or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Third Tuesday Tales with Ms. Kathy Imagination Station An event that includes stories, songs, counting and dancing. Free for members; included with $10 admission for up to 3 kids for nonmembers. Email imagine.augusta@ gmail.com or visit imagineaugusta.org.
10:30am Young Children’s Story Time Diamond Lakes Branch Library Songs, finger plays and stories for children ages 0-3. Pre-registration required for groups of 6 or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
4pm Storytime in the Gardens Hopelands Gardens Each family in attendance will receive a free book. Blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks are welcome. Call 803-642-7631.
Wed March 22 10am Story Time
Wallace Branch Library Pre-registration required for groups of 3 or more. Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.
10am Story Time for Tots Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 0-3 that, in March, celebrate Dr. Seuss. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time 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 months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Preschool Story Time Appleby Branch Library For children ages 3-5. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
501 3(c) non-profit, teen program organized within Richmond County Recreation and Parks formed to help reduce teenage pregnancy, high school dropouts, drug sales, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, and gang-related crimes. It is open to new members from March 20-April 20, and offers departments including dance, step, drama, poetry, chorus, recreation/travel, social/ cultural, mission, scholarship and yearly conferences. Meetings are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Brigham Community Center gym. Call 706-284-8252.
Leadership Columbia County Junior Columbia County Chamber of Commerce A program for rising high school sophomores and juniors in Columbia County who want to take a more active role in their community. Applications, available on the website, are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. Visit columbiacountychamber. com/youthleadershipcolumbiacounty.
The Shepard Project Metropolitan Community Church of Our
10:30am Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern With Amy Schaffman from the Augusta History Museum. Juice and cookies will be provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-8261940 or email superawesomestorytime@ booktavern.com.
Thu March 23
4:30pm Family Movie Night Columbia County Library An event for those ages 3 and up and their families. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Ongoing
TAG Membership Drive Teens in Action with Goals (TAG), Inc. is a
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 803-617-8352 or email shepardprojectaugusta@gmail.com.
Homeschool PE Kroc Center For kids ages 5-12 and meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Members, free; nonmembers, $2 per visit. Activity follows the Richmond County school calendar. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
Toddler Time Kroc Center A program for parents and children up to age 5 that includes story time, crafts and hands-on activities. Meets Fridays at 10 a.m. $1, members; $3, non-members. Call 706364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/
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An Augusta Amusements event featuring Brian Owens. $42. Call 706-726-0366 or visit augustaamusements.com.
Sat March 18
7:30pm Mozart Requiem First Baptist Church of Augusta Part of Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Symphony Series. $20.37-$43.52. Call 706826-4705 or visit soaugusta.org.
8pm Celtic Woman: The Destiny Tour Bell Auditorium $70-$92. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Sun March 19
3pm Cellist Sophie Shao and Pianist Milana Strezeva St. John’s United Methodist Church Presented by Saint John Church and Concerts with a Cause. Free, but an offering will be taken for iCare4, Inc. Visit stjohnaugusta.org.
Tue March 21
Noon Tuesday’s Music Live Saint Paul’s Church Featuring a free concert by The Gough Duo. Lunch afterwards is $12 a person and requires reservation. Call 706-722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.
Off the Block Tire City Potters Saturday, March 18 1 p.m. A class for those ages 10 and up. $65; pre-registration required. 706-294-3871 kroc-center/.
Kroc Tots Kroc Center A program for parents and children up to age 5 that includes work on physical, social and emotional development, as well as cognitive skills and language development. Meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. during the school year. $2, members; $5, non-members. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
LITERARY Fri March 17 - Sat March 18 Writers Weekend at Summerville
Jaguar Student Activities Center Featuring craft lectures, readings, and book signings with Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Julia Elliott, Hannah Palmer, Karin Gillespie, and Jim Minick. All events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule, visit augwritersweekend.com. 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Wed March 22
6:30pm Book Club Kroc Center Open to anyone ages 25 and older interested in a fun, dynamic discussion. Books are selected by members and cover a variety of topics. Free. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Thu March 23
7pm Graphic Novel Discussion The Book Tavern This meeting the group, open to older teens and up, will discuss “Vision, Vol. 1: Little Worse Than a Man” by Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta. Call 706-8261940 or email david@booktavern.com.
MUSIC Thu March 16
7:30pm What’s Going On: The Marvin Gaye Experience Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center
7pm Spring Concert Etherredge Center, Aiken An Aiken Concert Band performance. Advance tickets: $7-$12.50; day of, $9-$15. Call 803-6413305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.
SENIORS Thu March 16
1pm Got 30 Minutes? Kroc Center Conducted by the Area Agency on Aging, this workshop provides an overview of services available to caregivers, the aging, and those with disabilities. Call 706-9220171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Ongoing
Free Tax Prep Kroc Center An AARP event that is held each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through April 18. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu March 16
6pm or 7:30pm Night at the Museum Augusta Museum of History History will come to life for participants in this event, in which the rotunda will be turned into a cabaret nightclub with music, character vignettes and more. $30, classic cabaret ticket; $100, VIP and backstage pass. Call 706-722-8454 or visit
augustamuseum.org.
Fri March 17
4pm - 10pm St. Patrick’s Day Festival Augusta Common Presented by Friends with Benefits, the Irish-American Heritage Society and the City of Augusta, this family friendly community event will feature Irish Dancers at 4 p.m., Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold at 5 p.m., Scarlet Begonias at 6 p.m., Black Dawg at 7:30 p.m. and Gimme Hendrix at 9 p.m. Free; VIP tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of (if available). VIP includes preferred stage view, private restrooms, drink tickets and food by Southbound Smokehouse. Visit fwbpro.com.
Sat March 18
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.
8am - 2pm Spring Fling and Yard Sale McBean Park Yard sale beings at 8 a.m., and free youth activities begin at 10 a.m. Call 706-560-1814.
8am - 2pm Spring MarvinGanza Marvin United Methodist Church An indoor yard sale for crafters and other vendors that will include a plant swap and sell and more. Those interested in selling can rent a 10-foot square space for $25. Call 706-863- 0510.
10am - 2pm BuzzFest Lake Olmstead Stadium An event that includes vendors, a yard sale, live music, reptile exhibit, Touch a Truck, inflatables, discounts on merchandise and early bird Augusta GreenJackets ticket sales. Visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
2pm-4pm Tea at 2 Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History A CSRA League of Women Voters event celebrating International Women’s Day. Also open to men, the event will feature Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah, District 126, who will briefly talk about her experiences as a woman in politics. A free tour of the museum is also included. Visit facebook. com/CSRALeagueofWomenVoters/.
4pm - 9pm Augusta Table Tennis Classic The Legends Club A fundraiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank in which amateur players are encouraged to dress in costume. $75. Call 706-736-1199 or visit goldenharvest.org.
7pm “Mission to Mars” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 80316MARCH2017
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641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
8pm “Blown Away: Wild World of Weather” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
Mon March 20
4pm Member Town Hall
A free race that kicks off the 4th Annual Buzzfest. Call 706-922-9860 or visit fleetfeetaugusta.com.
9am Leprechaun’s Levee 5K Fifth Street Marina Part of the Savannah River Levee 5K RunWalk Series, proceeds from which will benefit the Augusta Warrior Project. $20. Visit active.com.
1pm Geocaching and Orienteering
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Featuring a Masters Week Red Carpet Showcase and more. Free, members; $25, non-members. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.
Mistletoe State Park A beginner friendly event for all ages. $5, plus $5 parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
Tue March 21
2pm Aiken Trained Horse of the Year
11:30am Women in Business Luncheon The Legends Club An Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event featuring a presentation on the RPM (Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing) program, a partnership between the Richmond County School System and Textron Specialized Vehicles. $30, members; $40, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Thu March 16
10am - noon Thoroughbred Racing 101 Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Led by Barry Doss, a horse owner and trainer. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 803-642-7631, 803-643-2121, email halloffame@cityofaikensc.gov or visit aikenracinghalloffame.com/Thoroughbred_ Racing_101.html.
Fri March 17
8am - 10am Breakfast at the Gallops Aiken Training Track Participants will observe training horses, hear from trainers and more in this event that supports the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. $20, advance; $25, gate; free, those under age 6. Visit aikentrainingtrack.com.
6pm - 9pm 4 Leaf Clover 5K and 10K Downtown Aiken A race benefiting the Aiken Department of Public Safety Police Benevolent Fund. $30$40. Call 443-742-5453.
7pm The Harlem Globetrotters James Brown Arena $26.50-$94.50. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Sat March 18
9am Buzzfest Shamrock 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run Augusta GreenJackets Stadium 16MARCH2017
healthy lifestyles, establish leadership roles, develop employee relationships, enhance existing corporate fitness programs, promote friendly competition, provide company exposure to the community, improve personal skills and boost employee morale. Registration is open through April 7. Call 803642-7648 or email cmiller@cityofaikensc.gov.
Kroc Taekwondo Kroc Center A class for all ages that meets Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. $75; pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
Fencing Classes
Sun March 19
Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame The celebration and ceremony is free and open to the public. Call 803-642-7631 or visit aikenracinghalloffame.com.
Tue March 21
Spring Horse Trials Stable View Farm, Aiken Call 484-356-3173 or visit stableviewfarm.com.
6:30pm - 8pm Sierra Club Meeting Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A Savannah River Group Sierra Club event that will include a program from Christian Hunt, from Defenders of Wildlife, who will talk about red wolves. Free and open to the public. Email msmcb@outlook.com.
7pm - 9pm Evening Canoe Mistletoe State Park Pre-registration required. $10 plus $5 parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
Augusta Fencers Club Classes for children as young as six, as well as teens and adults, meet five nights a week. A new, 10-week session of introductory classes will begin Monday, April 17, and Thursday, April 20, for youth. Teens ages 10-13 will meet Mondays at 5 p.m., youth ages 6-9 will meet on Thursdays at 5 p.m., and adults down to 14 years of age will meet Mondays at 7 p.m. The course includes all competitive equipment and is $180. Pre-registration required. Call 706722-8878 or visit augustafencersclub.com.
Augusta Sports Leagues This organization offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, and more for coed and men’s leagues. For more information, visit augustasportsleagues.com.
Guided Tours
706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.
7pm Prostate Cancer Support Group AU’s Cancer Clinic Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
Wed March 22
3pm Amputee Support Group AOPI Orthotics and Prosthetics Pre-registration required. Call 706-733-8878.
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.
Write to Heal Creative Writing Children’s Hospital of Georgia 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.
THEATER Thu March 16 - Sat March 18 7pm “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare”
Spring Horse Trial
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Call to schedule custom tours of the park for organizations, kids groups or private parties. Tours included hiking, bicycle or golf cart tours and more. Call 706-828-2109 or email info@phinizycenter.org.
Stable View Farm, Aiken Call 484-356-3173 or visit stableviewfarm.com.
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.
SUPPORT
Thu March 23
Wed March 22
Thu March 23 - Sat March 25 Star Trek Weekend
Elijah Clark State Park, Lincolnton Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek with other Trekkies. Watch marathons of Original Series, Enterprise, Next Generation and Deep Space Nine on park cable, plus movies at Forward 10 (our group shelter). Enjoy a costume contest, a Captain Archer archery contest, mini-golf, cabin discounts and more. $5 parking. Call 706-359-3458 or visit gastateparks.org/elijahclark.
Ongoing
City Cup Corporate Challenge City of Aiken Offered by the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, the City Cup Corporate Challenge provides area businesses the opportunity to promote
Thu March 16
6pm Bariatric Surgery Support Group University Hospital Call 706-774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.
Mon March 20
6:15pm GYN Cancer Support Group
7:30pm “The Effect” AU’s Maxwell Theatre A presentation of Theatre AU directed by Doug Joiner. $10, general; $7, alumni, seniors, military, students, faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.
Daksha Chudgar Lydia House Call 706-721-5557 or visit augusta.edu.
Thu March 23 - Fri March 24
Tue March 21
Davidson Fine Arts Sessions are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, as well as 3:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday. $5. Visit davidson.rcboe.org.
10:20am 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. 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
Student-Directed One-Act Play Festival
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 23
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Shamrocks ‘n Sirens Party w/ Cody Webb Wild Wing - Deleveled The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
Patrick Davis & His Midnight Choir, Lauren Jenkins The Legends Club Friday, March 17 Doors, 7:30 p.m.; show, 8:30 p.m. $25, advance; $35, door patrickdavismusic.com
What’s Tonight?
Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bell Auditorium - Festival of Laughs w/ Mike Epps, Sommore, Bruce Bruce Coyotes - DJ Dance Party James Brown Arena - Harlem Globetrotters Oliviana - Latin Social Sky City - St. Patrick’s Day Dance Party
Saturday, March 18 Live Music
Country Club - Holman Autry Band Coyotes - Steve Chappell Humanitree House - Astro Muse: Simply Pisces Edition w/ Arthur Chapman, Art Dealer Music, PHAZE 360 Band Sally’s - Claire Storm, Spikey Van Dykey Shannon’s - Driver Sky City - The Bonaventures, George Croft Southbound Smokehouse - King Size Tin Lizzy’s - Lundy Wild Wing - Cover Story The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight? Thursday, March 16 Live Music
Jabez S. Hardin PAC - What’s Going On: The Marvin Gaye Experience James Brown Arena - Casting Crowns Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Shep & Jeff Mellow Mushroom (Augusta) - Adam Harris Thompson Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - Matt Acosta Sky City - The High Divers, Motel Radio Wild Wing - Bethany & Friends The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House
What’s Tonight?
Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Old School Thursday w/ DJ Groove Coyotes - Karaoke with Bam Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia The Loft - Karaoke Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Soul Bar - DJ JB Fresh That Place Coffee - MAD Open Mic
Friday, March 17 Live Music
Shamrocks ‘n Sirens Party w/ Cody Webb Truck Stop at Jackson Squre, North Augusta Friday, March 17 6-10 p.m. $10 eventbrite.com 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Augusta Common - St. Patrick’s Day Festival w/ Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold, Scarlet Begonias, Black Dawg, Gimme Hendrix Cotton Patch - Live Jazz Country Club - McKenna Hydrick Fox’s Lair - Irish Music with Dr. John Fisher (beginning at 4 p.m.) The Highlander - Tripp Powell & Co. Joe’s Underground - J.C. and the Beards, Keith Gregory The Legends Club - Patrick Davis, Lauren Jenkins Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Jazz w/ Doc Easton Shannon’s - Atomic Road Truck Stop at Jackson Square (North Augusta) -
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bell Auditorium - Celtic Woman Fox’s Lair - Karaoke Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke Soul Bar - DJ Dance Party That Place Coffee - Cushions & Caffeine Afternoon Open Mic
Sunday, March 19 Live Music
Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Backyard Tavern - Petty Cache, John Stoney Cannon, Will McCranie, Bethany and the Southside Boys, No Sir, McKenna Hydrick, Phillip Lee Jr. Iron Heights - AngelMaker, Falsifier, Extortionist and Filth Iron Horse Grill (Beech Island) - Vicky Grady Band Morris Museum of Art - Social Canvas w/ Grand Vaips, Jianna Justice, DJ Aron Wild Wing - Brandon Reeves The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
Monday, March 20 Live Music
Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia
Tuesday, March 21 Live Music
Fox’s Lair - Irish Music with Dr. John Fisher Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
What’s Tonight? Bar West - Trivia
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Blue Sky Bar & Kitchen - Butt Naked Trivia The Cotton Patch - Trivia Limelite Cafe - Bottom’s Up Trivia Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Trivia Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Twisted Burrito - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper
Muy Biien, Nihilist Cheerleader
Wednesday, March 22 Live Music
- Augusta Common April 6
Country Club - Rock for the Cops w/ Chris Lane Hammond’s Ferry Larder - Phillip Lee The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Soul Bar - Perfect Picture
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes The Loft - Karaoke 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 Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey
Upcoming
- Soul Bar March 30 Rock Fore! Dough w/ Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Bethany and the Southside Boys
- Evans Towne Center Park April 4 The Major Rager w/ The Flaming Lips, People of the Sun (by Moon Taxi), The Eric Krasno Band, Stop Light Observations The Major Rager AFter Pary w/ Funk You, Schema
- Sky City April 6 Home Free
- Imperial Theatre April 13 Steep Canyon Rangers
- Bell Auditorium April 27 Alice Cooper
- Bell Auditorium April 30 The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass
- Evans Towne Center Park May 27-28 Hank Williams Jr.
- James Brown Arena June 16
Elsewhere
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
Regina Spektor
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta March 16 Conor Oberst
- Cox Capitol Theatre, Macon March 19 The Avett Brothers
Subutech, Sunwell
- Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah March 23-24
- Soul Bar March 23
Dinosaur Jr.
Cracker, The Shaun Piazza Band
- Georgia Theatre, Athens March 24
- Sky City March 24
Kiefer Sutherland
Half Moon, Twen
- Terminal West, Atlanta May 17
Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+
- Soul Bar March 27 Meet sexy new friends
FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Brian and Amber Newman with Wendy and David Heath at Craft & Vine.
Christa Arrington, Donna Byers and Trina Howard at Craft & Vine.
Michael Postich and Azilde Worley with Wendy and Sam Postich at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
Kim Mitchell, Shellie Madaus and Lorraine Tillerat at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
Shawn and Katy Ledford with Molly and Cliff McCoy at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
Beth Grovenstein, Trish Kilpatrick and Melissa Cearley at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
Wade and Liz Putman with Ashley and Greg Poteet at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
Jennifer and Charles Dunstan with Jessica and John Engler at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
Kenny and Misty Morrison with JJ and Bob Morrison at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Bell Auditorium.
26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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1
IT’S ELEMENTARY By Timothy Polin/Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Big hits 5 Something repeatedly hit with a thumb 13 Flat bread 18 Zeitgeist 20 Recurring theme in Philip K. Dick novels 21 Cousin of a mandrill 22 [Circled letters]-filled contraption 24 Cry for more 25 Affirm one’s humanity? 26 Tangible 27 Swell 29 Capote, informally 30 World landmark built with [circled letters] 35 Being repaired, as a car 38 Spots 39 It’s hard to bear 41 Halfhearted, as support 42 Can’t wait to find out, in a way 45 [Circled letters]-based drugs 51 Check out 52 Unvarnished 53 Great confusion 54 Sea serpent of old cartoons 55 Citrus hybrid 56 Bomb developed in the 1950s 58 College party epicenter, often 59 Homeland of Spartacus 60 [Circled letters]-advertised establishment 63 “What did I tell you?” 64 Berried conifer 65 Existentialist Kierkegaard 66 Language heard along the Mekong 67 Banana-liqueur cocktail 69 Poorly 72 Letter on a dreidel 73 Picture displayed on a [circled letters] surface 78 Fails to 80 Kind of developer 81 Conservative portfolio asset, for short 82 Convinced 83 Worthless 84 Now hear this! 86 Obsolescent players 87 Put a stop to? 88 [Circled letter]-consuming activity 91 “That’s great!”
92 Strain to avoid? 93 Stinky 94 Underlying cosmic principle 95 Ones getting all the breaks 99 Sports implement often made from [circled letters] 105 Smokers should knock it off 106 Soldiers’ assignments 108 Betray surprise 109 Be behind 110 Evergreen State airport 113 [Circled letter]-fueled device 118 One given a citation 119 Not so awkward 120 Hair 121 Certain navel 122 Au courant 123 “What fun!”
DOWN 1 North American flycatcher 2 “S.N.L.” alum Cheri 3 Unloading zone 4 Happy hour habitué 5 Jack ____ 6 Guerrilla leader in “For Whom the Bell Tolls” 7 Constellation near Scorpius 8 Low-____ 9 8 x 10, e.g.: Abbr. 10 Fool 11 Garlicky spread 12 Wouldn’t shut up 13 “Geez!” 14 Epitome of simplicity 15 Condition contributed to by a lack of [circled letters] 16 Rider of the horse Tornado 17 Outdo 19 Turns into confetti 21 Seaman’s chapel 23 Ingredients in some London pies 28 Top story 31 Things bouncers are supposed to catch 32 Sylvan 33 Denouement 34 “A.S.A.P.!” 36 Beowulf or Gilgamesh 37 Jewelry-store gadget 40 Watch, as a criminals’ hiding spot 42 Do a wine steward’s job
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43 Waffle brand 44 She, in Salerno 45 Incense 46 ____ twins of 1980s-’90s TV 47 State confidently 48 Mire 49 Minute ____ 50 Dispatched, as a dragon 52 Foreign capital whose name sounds like a water passage to San Francisco 57 He married Daisy Mae in 1952 59 Homes on the range 61 Lad 62 Ride hard 63 Who wrote, “I exist, that is all, and I find it nauseating” 67 Branded footwear with open backs 68 “Everything’s fine” 69 Think piece? 70 Capital of Togo 71 Fabled [circled letters]-hiding trickster 73 Quatre halved 74 Exhibits one of the seven deadly sins 75 Modern acronym for “Seize the day!” 76 Trudge 77 Eliciting nervous laughter, say 79 Market share? 80 Poverty, e.g. 84 Issue for a noble family? 85 Tiny amount 89 W.W. II moniker 90 KPMG hiree 91 Certain platonic friend 94 Shock, in a way 95 Yogurt-based Indian drink 96 Employ against 97 Brand with classic “But wait, there’s more … !” infomercials 98 Leave at a loss 100 Everglades wader 101 Ballet-school supporter 102 Muff 103 Came to 104 To the point 107 Tartan wearer 111 Numerical prefix 112 Big heart? 114 British can 115 Itinerary abbr. 116 “Now I’ve got it!” 117 Image on a Wisconsin state quarter
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V28|NO11
THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS King Kong rules the box office... again. RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
KONG: SKULL ISLAND
$61,025,472
$61,025,472
1
-
2
LOGAN
$38,112,425
$152,919,158
2
1
3
GET OUT
$20,743,440
$110,725,285
3
2
4
THE SHACK
$10,007,551
$32,226,242
2
3
5
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
$7,614,412
$158,818,072
5
4
In Theaters March 17
MUSICAL HORROR “Beauty and the Beast,” rated PG, starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, “The Belko Experiment,” rated R, starring Adria Arjona, Michael Rooker, Abraham Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci. Anyone who is going to be upset that the live-action version is in any way different than Disney’s animated classic best stay far, far away. We’ve already heard lots about the whole LeFou is gay controversy, but we’re surprised people aren’t talking about the amped-up feminism. In the cartoon, Belle was just odd and bookish. From what we hear, Emma Watson’s Belle is almost subversive and dangerous to the other inhabitants of the town, maybe almost as much as the Beast is. Should be interesting. 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Benrubi. Americans, 80 in all, are locked in a high-rise in Bogota, Columbia. Why? It’s apparently a last man standing proposition, at least according to the disembodied voice they hear telling them to participate in the game or be killed.
16MARCH2017