Metro Spirit - 11.03.16 by Metro Spirit

Table of Contents November 3, 2016

Whine Line 4 Jenny Is Wright 6 Kris Fisher 8 Insider 10 Feature 14 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword The Eight Austin Rhodes

20 22 30 32 34 36 38

14 EDIT

CREATIVE

Amy Christian

Joshua Bailey

Joe White

amy@themetrospirit.com

joshua@themetrospirit.com

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

Stacey Eidson

COVER DESIGN: Kruhu

Arts Editor/Production Director

Lead Designer

Staff Writer

stacey@themetrospirit.com

Molly Swift Staff Writer

molly@themetrospirit.com

Contributors Jenny Wright, Greg Baker, Austin Rhodes, Josh Ruffin, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson, Tyler Strong

SALES Jim Christian Account Executive

jim@themetrospirit.com 706-414-4059

BUSINESS Publisher

Johnny Beckworth circulation manager

johnny@themetrospirit.com

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.ÂŠ 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

Jenny Is Wright: 6 | Kris Fisher: 8

The Whine Line Righteous “Angry feminist” person and their comment, how about the two ladies who just hurt kids but get off scotch free right here in our city? Will someone ask the so-called FBI how much Trump promised to pay them to throw a monkey wrench into this election? I get knee crawling drunk every night and sit around in my whitey tighties reading The Whine Line.

During elections, putting out signs for candidates is a form of free speech, which our ancestors fought and died for Americans to have. No one should try to take it away from any of us. When one side sneaks out under cover of darkness and steals the other side’s signs, they reveal themselves to be petty criminals. They are so desperate to win that they do not care if they behave fairly or not. That’s the reason signs for Hillary Clinton and Brenda Jordan are being ripped out of the ground in our area. It is unpatriotic and wrong. As one of our most famous founding fathers said, “I may disagree with everything you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!” That’s what the American way of life means.

Okay all you highly educated and literate humanists, Unitarians, and whatnot, I see in the October 27 Whineline that one whiner recognizes the obviousnesses that (lateterm) abortion is murder and that gun control only protects the bad guys. And (s)he can’t even spell. So are you really so smart after all? I mean, after all, as T. Jefferson wrote, some things are just plain self-evident, creator-wise. Good Morning Rednecks! My friend said that he will be glad if Trump builds that wall. I told him prepare for the wall by going to rehab. I reminded him that the wall will stop drugs from coming in. Suddenly he got quiet. I want to thank both the Republican and Democratic Parties for proving my point, that they really were napping when they should have been scouring the nation for a better candidate. So our choices were either an alleged crooked Clinton or a crazy Trump. May God please bless America...Please!!! I myself are starting on my bomb shelter. Are men really that clueless? “If her bra and panties match, the sex wasn’t your idea,” my boyfriend read aloud. “What does that mean?” he asked. If you do not trust the media in this election, and few of us do, listen to the candidates themselves speak, without listening to others’ comments or interpretations. It may be entertaining to hear criticisms of their opponents, but what we need to know are their policies and solutions to problems. Listen to them speak for themselves and then vote for the one who makes the most sense to you, without any other thoughts from anyone. They are both flawed like all humans, so set that aside. Just listen to what they say yourself - and vote based on that. This Presidential election cycle has been very depressing. The raciest, bigoted, hate filled talk has prevented real issues that affect most Americans from being truly debated. But what is most disturbing is how many Americans share in the hate and vile bigotry that has now become mainstream. God help us all. Y’all shut up acting like you’re on some moral high ground when you’re being manipulated by politicians because you insist on keeping yourselves ignorant. The only “abortions” performed after 24 weeks are due to the health of the mother and the death or pending death of the baby. And there are only a couple of doctors in the country who do them. You are shaming desperate women who have either lost a wanted baby or are about to lose their lives - and you are doing it for political gain. That makes you a raging a-hole. Go pray about THAT. Newt Gingrich says people are too fascinated with sex and Trump. Wasn’t he the speaker of the house who lead the impeachment of Bill Clinton over a sex scandal while he himself was cheating on his own wife? Isn’t the Trump campaign trying to make Bill Clinton’s sex scandal an issue in this campaign?

Jeopardy Question: He pays no property taxes, “fees” or revenue enhancers and receive a place at the trough, free gas, and a salary. (ANSWER: What is a Richmond County Commissioner?)

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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15 in 5 BECAUSE I LOVE A LIST. Especially a random list. 1. Cowgirl Sparkly Witch Zombie Harry Potter Kitty took a break this year. It’s a shame, because she was going to add a unicorn horn. She trick or treated as Glam Kitty. Sweet and simple. 2. The Boy insisted on gore. He was Zipperface again. 3. Snapchat filter and emoji costumes were all over the place. If my grandmother was still alive, it would’ve been fun trying to explain them to her. 4. What’s your favorite Halloween candy? I learned something last night. People either love Almond Joy or think you’re stupid for liking Almond Joy. There’s no middle ground. Also? Bit-O-Honey. I like a Bit-O-Honey. That really upsets some folks. 5. I do wish they’d combine Mounds and Almond Joy. A dark chocolate Mounds would be delicious. 6. Another crappy GeorgiaFlorida game is in the books. And it was crappy. Stay patient, Georgia fans. It takes time. We’ll be back. 7. I’m up to 74,678 unread emails on my phone. It’s exciting. It’s also fun to anger people by showing them the notifications. Like with Bit-O-Honey, some of you feel really strongly about the fact that I should delete emails. It’s not gonna happen. 8. Did you know that teenagers are making their own braces? Paper clips, rubber bands, and super glue. There’s a You Tube how-to video with over one million views. It sounds really stupid to me. Cheaper, yes, but stupid.

9. Did you also know there are middle men, or brokers, that handle cremations for people? You call them, and they “help” you find a crematory in your area. It’s a sort of a strange thing, but if done well, can be extremely helpful during what is usually a hard time. 10. There may be others, but never, ever, ever use Heritage Cremation Provider. Never. My brother was totally scammed, and our family suffered for it. I know there are a lot of bad people out there, but taking advantage of someone after their loved one dies is a special kind of jerkiness. I have guilt if I don’t put the shopping cart back where it belongs. I can’t imagine how these a-holes sleep at night. 11. I’ve learned that not everyone is good at handling death. Some people know exactly what to say. Some people know exactly what not to say. Others just avoid the topic altogether. I’m not mad at that. It’s just an observation. 12. Grief is a lonely process. 13. It’s hard to believe it’s been three weeks since my mom passed away. The days have flown by. 14. My baby brother is getting married this weekend. My mom tried so hard to live until his wedding. It’ll be bittersweet. 15. To everyone who has called, emailed, sent cards, cooked meals and generally picked up my slack, know that you are appreciated. Thank you notes are coming slowly.

JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations

on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably ﬁnd her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.

6 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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It Must Have Been The Ninth

LI V E M U SI C | F R I D A Y N I G H T S

26 51 Peri m e t e r Park way Au gu st a | 7 0 6 . 8 5 5 . 8 1 0 0

THEY SAY there’s a sucker born every minute. I always wondered who these “suckers” were, until recently. As it turns out, you guessed it, it’s me. Case in point: I just paid $223 for my neighbor’s dead pet. Suckerrrrrr! I got the ol’ Lloyd Christmas treatment. Except, this was no parakeet and at least it still had a head. It was a cute little tabby cat that I assume belonged to a neighbor. Last Sunday, as I’m finishing off my second cup of coffee, eagerly awaiting the Falcons game, my dogs started frantically scratching at the back door. As I open the door to let them in, I hear our chickens all in a tizzy. Yes, we have chickens and when the hens get upset, it’s actually pretty comical. It’s exactly like it’s depicted on the old Looney Tunes cartoons: a bunch of ol’ fat birds waddling around squawking like they’re saying (in chicken language), “Oh, I just can’t believe this is happening! Just what’ll we do? Can you see this? Oh my goodness! Something needs to be done! Squawk squawk squawk!” Anyway, chickens are in a tizzy so I go to check everything out. Then I see this cute little cat laying in the coop with a couple of spots of blood on her fur. We scoop her up and lay her down on the patio to see what’s up. We find two puncture wounds, one in her belly and one in her neck. Then we notice her paw is broken. I assume she got into it with our dogs. My dad is a wise man. Some would say a wise guy, and they’d be right. But, a wise man as well. I really should listen to him more often. He said we should take the cat to a shelter and they’d take care of all the wounds and look after the cat. I, being the sucker I am, thought, “Well, what if our neighbor comes forth… or maybe, just maybe, we could keep her.” She was the sweetest little cat and my kids fell instantly in love. Even my wife, who is allergic and loathes cats, seemed to think this one wasn’t all that bad. So, I took her to the vet to get patched up, putting down a hefty deposit to get them started. Hours later, I get a call that the puncture wounds were caused by BBs and one was lodged in her GI tract. The cat didn’t make it. Then I get more bad news: The X-ray, exam, fees, etc., totaled $223, which would be charged to my card using the information that I left with them. It’s now the most I’ve ever spent on a new pet and it’s already dead. Which brings me to my next point: Stop letting your cats roam around freely! I’ve written about this before, mainly because I was sick of seeing paw prints on the hood and roof of my beloved Mustang (God rest her soul). However, it’s also because things like this can happen. Now someone is without their family pet because some a-hole with a BB gun felt like shooting a cat. Who knows what the reason was. Maybe the cat was eating the wrong food. Maybe it was walking on someone else’s car. Or maybe some kid was just tired of shooting soda cans. Whatever the reason, someone is without their pet because of it. And because I don’t know whose cat it was and can’t notify them, they probably never will know. It’s been a little over a year since we lost our family dog because he got hit by a car. At the time, everyone in the family was very upset that someone could just leave poor Grizwold lying there after hitting him. I, on the other hand, was glad. Had the driver picked him up and disposed of the body, we’d still be wondering to this day what happened to him. At least we have that closure. This cat means just as much to someone else’s family. I guess it could have been a stray. But maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was one of 10 cats that some little old lady owned. Or maybe it was some kid’s first pet. Either way, they’ll never know what happened to it. Hell, whoever shot it probably doesn’t even know. I mean, it’s just a BB gun, right? How much damage can it do? It probably didn’t even break the skin. Yes, it did break the skin and it took a life. Kids, be careful where you’re aiming your Red Rider.

KRIS FISHER,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. 3NOVEMBER2016

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NEWS

Movin’ on Up: 14

Hey Kids, Sheriff Whittle Doesn’t Play Games OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, a couple of schools in Columbia County have suffered from anonymous calls regarding bomb threats. Just last Friday, a bomb threat was reported at Greenbrier High School and deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff ’s Office had to inspect the school after students were evacuated. On Halloween, the Columbia County Sheriff ’s Office was forced to investigate another bomb threat at Evans Middle School. Deputies and ﬁre personnel arrived on the scene to search the school. Fortunately, in both cases, law enforcement searched the schools and found nothing suspicious. Students and faculty were allowed to return to their classrooms and try to pick up where they left off. But, needless to say, not only are these fake bomb threats a major inconvenience to the schools and law enforcement, but such false bomb threats are illegal. This week, Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle wanted students to know that bomb threats are no joke. They aren’t a funny prank. And they aren’t harmless ways to get out of tests or escape from classroom work. Whittle wanted both students and parents to know his department takes such illegal action very seriously. On Oct. 31, a 13-year-old student at Evans Middle School was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats following that morning’s bomb threat at the school. The seventh-grader is now facing a felony charge. When the Columbia County Sheriff ’s Office posted information about the arrest of the 13-year-old on Facebook this week, it deﬁnitely got some reactions. “Really? Everyone just take a minute to think about things you did when you were 13,” one man posted. “Things that you may or may not have gotten caught for. A felony? For a crime that, while not truly victimless, did zero harm to any other person or property. Now I’m not defending the kid, he needs his tail whooped, a little guidance, and a good year of community service. Let’s ruin his next whole summer, not the rest of his life.” In response, one woman posted, “Two words, zero tolerance.” One man pointed out that being charged with a felony and being convicted of a felony were two totally different things. “They are going to make an example out of him,” another person posted. Several mothers of students posted that these frequent bomb threats are far from funny for the staff, students and parents. “If we don’t start punishing these kids, it will continue. Harsh punishment is needed at this point,” one woman wrote. “We have to stop this craziness and kids fearing for their life during school hours. I hope all these kids that think it is cool to draw attention to themselves see 10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

this. He is getting his attention...” Another woman said this 13-year-old student wasted taxpayers’ time and money by calling in a fake bomb threat. “The kid is 13, old enough to know what would happen but still stupid enough to think they wouldn’t get caught,” she wrote. “Creating a panic and invoking fear, misusing 911 system and others are really not humorous. He should be charged with a felony.” A former teacher said she couldn’t agree more. “It may be somewhat harsh but it’s not victimless,” she wrote. “Ask the 2,000 kids at Greenbrier High School plus 150 staff who sit out in the football stadium for three hours EVERYTIME one is made. I taught one year in Richmond county and we had at least two a week.” But some people still believed the 13-year-old was being severely punished with a felony charge. “A punishment needs to ﬁt the crime. He didn’t set a bomb, he played a very dangerous and not funny prank in which nobody got hurt,” one man wrote. “That’s like saying zero tolerance for speeding, which can be more deadly than a bomb threat, getting caught and getting a felony that ruins your life. The punishment doesn’t ﬁt the crime.” Whatever opinion the public has about bomb threats, the fact is making such threats is a very serious crime with heavy criminal penalties.

Laws obviously differ from state to state, but, generally speaking, people calling in fake bomb threats should expect to be charged with a felony. Not too long ago in Statesboro, a 12-year-old student was taken into custody for making several bomb threats that forced four schools to temporarily shutdown. And while these students are juveniles, Georgia has recently relaxed some of its laws regarding juvenile offenders. In 2013, the media was allowed in the courtroom of a Clayton County case involving a 14-year-old high school student who made three bomb threats against his school, according to Clayton News-Daily. Even though some Columbia County citizens felt a felony charge was extreme, others said it was up to the parents to teach their children to take law enforcement seriously. Otherwise, the students will have to face the consequences. “Parents need to be parents again,” one woman posted. “Teachers can’t do it all.”

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Who Handled Hurricane Matthew Better? Georgia or S.C? SEVERAL WEEKS after Hurricane Matthew barreled up the East Coast, the public is beginning to take a good look at the performances of the governors in each state. And, let’s just say, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is looking very good, while Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s performance left a bit to be desired. According to a recent story in The Post and Courier in Charleston, Haley’s steadfast warnings earned her serious praise throughout the Palmetto State. “Observers have hailed Haley’s early decision to evacuate residents along the South Carolina coast and for repeatedly keeping the public updated as the situation developed, usually twice a day,” wrote The Post and Courier. “The storm is the third time in as many years that Haley has made decisions from the state’s command center in West Columbia during a crisis. She was credited for deftly overseeing ice storms in 2014 and record ﬂooding last year.” Critics praised Haley as doing a “great job executing the disaster plan and listening to her advisors while sending a clear and consistent message of voicing the dangers of the hurricane.” Three days before Matthew struck, Haley announced staggered evacuations for coastal counties while calling for the reversal of the eastbound lanes on Interstate 26 to avoid clogging the highway with residents leaving the Charleston area, the newspaper reported. The governor urged residents to travel at least 100 miles inland to be safe from the storm. Of the estimated 1.1 million people asked to evacuate, about one-third left their homes, the paper reported. While Hurricane Matthew did not have near the devastating impact on the East Coast that many feared, the South Carolina coast still suffered severe damage from ﬂooding. Bob McAlister, who served as chief of staff for former S.C. Gov. Carroll Campbell when Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989, told The Post and Courier that Haley’s early calls for evacuations were extremely wise. “I dare say, with their pro-action on this and the way she’s handled it, lives have indeed been saved,” he said. Some say her efforts and clear leadership have put her in a strong position to possibly run for national office in 2020. Over here in Georgia, the reviews of the governor have been quite different. This week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a story detailing serious concerns about the state’s emergency response team. “Hundreds of documents obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an Open Records Act request show a frenzy of activity as state officials prepared to move inmates, ready road-clearing equipment and evacuate hundreds of thousands of people from the Category 2 storm,” the newspaper reported. “Staffers were besieged with last-minute advice from other emergency experts... Unsubstantiated rumors — including an erroneous report of eight dead homeless people — mixed in with the official reports.” 12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

The newspaper did not paint a pretty picture. “Shortly after the storm raked Georgia, leaving four dead and tens of millions of dollars in damage in its wake, there was apparent turmoil among the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s top staff,” the paper reported. “Clint Perkins, GEMA’s state operations center director, emailed the staff his thanks days after the storm passed in what appeared to be a farewell note... And Jim Butterworth, tapped by Gov. Nathan Deal about two years ago to head the agency, sent word shortly after the storm that he was leaving for a private-sector job.” There seemed to be serious problems within the state’s EMA just prior to the storm. “The documents provide a glimpse into the state’s response to the deadly storm, among the ﬁercest to hit Georgia in decades. And it was the most pointed test yet of Deal’s new emergency strategy, honed after the state’s embarrassing ﬂub of the 2014 ice storm that paralyzed metro Atlanta,” the newspaper wrote. Deal admitted there were a few concerns with Georgia’s response, even though he deemed the state’s actions as “exceptional.” “That’s not to say we didn’t have problems,” Deal told the newspaper, noting the four deaths from falling trees. “But we tried to give as much warning to encourage people to evacuate the most prone areas. Overall, we had great cooperation from the residents of those areas.” Prior to the hurricane, Deal had ordered six southeast counties to be evacuated. Once the storm had passed, it still took time for residents to be allowed to return to their homes.

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“Deal, who visited Brunswick for a press conference after the storm passed, faced hostility from some residents who tried to return home but were turned away by state troopers,” the newspaper reported. “Deal blamed the ‘confusion’ on a failure of communication between emergency responders and transportation officials who had not ﬁnished their inspection of bridges and roads possibly damaged by the storm.” Whether the public believes Haley did a better job warning the public as soon as possible or Deal was more sensible in taking a more conservative approach to the storm, it is just lucky that both the Georgia and South Carolina coasts were spared from complete devastation from Hurricane Matthew. After all, who really care about politics when people’s lives are at stake, right?

3NOVEMBER2016

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WHEN AUGUSTA MAYOR HARDIE DAVIS celebrated the announcement of not just one new hotel, but two new hotels in the downtown area last week, he could barely contain his enthusiasm. “This is a positive start to our city growing and truly moving forward,” Davis stated. “Two announced hotels in one week is huge for our city. We are looking at approximately $30 to $60 million in investments. I would say that’s a good day.” The two new hotels are planned for different areas of downtown Augusta. A proposed five-story Hyatt House hotel with a 140-space parking deck is scheduled to be built on the upper end Broad Street at the current site of the former Capitol City Bank & Trust building by a local investment group headed by John Engler of DTJR, LLC. The Hyatt House hotel, which is expected to offer at least 100 rooms, will be located right next to the Frog Hollow Tavern on the 1200 block of Broad Street. Owner and chef Sean Wight of Frog Hollow said he wholeheartedly welcomes the new hotel to the downtown area. “I think the hotel will bring more people to Broad Street and it will help elevate the area,” Wight said. “It is going to be an upper-scale Hyatt, so we are really looking forward to more people being down here. The more the merrier.” The other new hotel announced this week in the downtown area will be constructed along Reynolds and Ninth streets, directly across from the city-owned Augusta Convention Center and parking garage. Augusta Riverfront LLC — a company owned by William S. Morris III, the publisher of The Augusta Chronicle — plans to build the new 125-room hotel at the site of the former city jail along Reynolds Street. “We are partners with the city. We have been partners with the city since 1989 and it’s been very good for the city and for us, so this is a continuation of that,” said Paul Simon, president of Augusta Riverfront LLC, explaining that the company owns Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center and currently manages both the nearby city parking garage and Augusta Convention Center for the city. “Right now, we manage the parking deck and we manage the convention center and that has gone extremely well. We are bringing in a lot of people and providing a lot of economic benefits to the city. In fact, the Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau has estimated that the convention center has had an economic impact of more than $16 million just this year.” While Simon said he could not yet identify the brand of hotel currently in the works for the old city jail site on Reynolds Street, he expects the company will break ground on the new hotel by the first quarter of next year.

“To have $40 million to $50 million in new private investment is deﬁnitely something we have not seen in a while.” — Margaret Woodard

The addition of two new hotels coming to downtown Augusta has been described as a “game changer” By Stacey Eidson

“We are working on a franchise now and until we get it worked out, we can’t use the name,” Simon said. “But I hired the architect and we are going to meet this week and we will start the process of drawing up the plans. That will probably take three or four months, so we plan to start construction in the first quarter of next year. Right now, we are currently taking the old jail down and clearing the property.” Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Margaret Woodard said the addition of these two new hotels will have a remarkable impact on downtown Augusta. “I think they are game changers,” Woodard said. “To have $40 million to $50 million in new private investment is definitely something we have not seen in a while.” Specifically, the Hyatt House on Broad Street is expected follow the franchise’s “upscale extended-stay brand” that offers mid- to upper-income transient and interim guests more unique living spaces and spacious accommodations. Such an atmosphere will be perfect for those visiting Augusta University and the medical college, Woodard said. “I think people will now have an opportunity to stay in the urban core versus, say, 3NOVEMBER2016

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Washington Road,” Woodard said. “There will be another choice, which will be great for us.” Not only will the five-story hotel bring more people to the upper end of Broad Street, but Woodard said she was thrilled that Hyatt House plans to include its own 140-space parking deck and a yet-to-be-named “retail component.” “Not only is this hotel going to greatly improve Broad Street, but we believe it will also improve Ellis Street,” Woodard said. “We think that will be a major plus as well.” Sitting in his office on the third floor of the Augusta Riverfront Center on Tenth Street, Simon said he was delighted to see the developers of the Hyatt House announce their plans for a downtown hotel within hours of Augusta Riverfront LLC’s announcement of its new hotel on Reynolds Street. “I didn’t know when they were planning on announcing their project,” Simon said, chuckling. “I knew they were working on it. But I didn’t know they were going to announce it the same week. But, for us, the more rooms Augusta has, the better.” It is all about knowing your client and offering what best fits their needs when traveling, Simon said. “If you are in the hotel business, you want to fill up the rooms. That’s the whole idea, right?” Simon asked. “Our hotel is not full every night, so anybody who builds a hotel like we are over here by the river or like they are on Broad Street, you are taking some risk. But you are looking to the future. You are looking for growth. You are looking for more visitors, so we think the two hotels will compliment each other. I think it is a good thing.” For example, Simon pointed out that, while both of the new hotels are classified as “limited-service” hotels, Augusta Riverfront LLC isn’t focusing on extended stays. “In the hotel business, you have what is known as a full-service hotel, which is what the Marriott is, or a limited-service hotel, which is what we are going to build and that’s what they are building,” Simon said. “To build a full-service hotel, you have to have things like ballrooms, bars and a restaurant. All of that has to be part of it. But, this new hotel will offer other choices.” A variety of choices in the downtown area can only encourage more visitors to 3NOVEMBER2016

“I think the hotel will bring more people to Broad Street and it will help elevate the area. It is going to be an upper-scale Hyatt, so we are really looking forward to more people being down here. The more the merrier.” — Sean Wight Augusta, Simon said. “If you want to come and stay at this new hotel on Reynolds, you’ll be offered (a complimentary) breakfast. If you come and stay at the Marriott, you won’t. It all depends on what you want, so this offers you another kind of option,” he said. “And then, of course, I think the hotel on Broad Street is going to be more of an extended stay, but we are not really doing that.” After watching the growing success of the Augusta Convention Center over the past several years, Simon said Augusta Riverfront LLC felt it was time to build another hotel in hopes of attracting larger conventions to the Garden City and further enhancing the downtown area. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 15

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“I didn’t know when they were planning on announcing their project. I knew they were working on it. But I didn’t know they were going to announce it the same week. But, for us, the more rooms Augusta has, the better.” — Paul Simon Just last year, Simon went before the Augusta Commission proposing that the city use Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax monies to extend the Augusta Common from the Savannah River to Ellis Street and perhaps purchase the Kress Building owned by local businesswoman Bonnie Ruben. While the extension of the Augusta Common wasn’t included in the city’s SPLOST Phase 7 list of projects last year, Simon said he never gave up on the idea of building a 125-room hotel at the former site of the Augusta Police Department and city jail building along Reynolds Street. “The former jail site is the best location because of its convenience to the convention center,” Simon said. “That is the ideal spot for the new hotel. Had we not done it, somebody else would have probably done it. In fact, another company looked at it.” But when the other company’s plans changed, Augusta Riverfront LLC decided it was time to move on the new hotel project. “The more hotel rooms you’ve got near the site, the bigger the conventions,” Simon said. “We think two things: One is, it will enable us to have bigger conventions. But, two, we believe we are going to need additional rooms very soon in the downtown area. It’s a matter of whether you build it now or later. We’re probably a little ahead of the curve, but I think it will catch up. The proof of that is the other hotel that’s opening up on upper Broad Street.” When the Augusta Convention Center had its grand opening in February 2013, Simon admits there were 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

some people who were very skeptical about the project. The convention center, which is managed by Augusta Riverfront LLC, features 38,000 square feet of exhibit space and 49,000 square feet of adjoining meeting space. The city’s 15-year management agreement with Augusta Riverfront LLC authorized the private company to receive $84,000 a year as a management fee and $48,000 a year for catering. “It took us about eight years to end up with what we’ve got over there now,” Simon said of the tedious negotiations with the city over the convention center and parking deck. “And it’s been a success.” In its first year, the city lost approximately $535,000 in the convention center, but it made a profit on the two parking decks of almost $130,000. Therefore, the city ending up losing about $400,000 in its first year, which was actually much better than first estimated, Simon told the Metro Spirit last year. “We had told the city that it was going to lose probably $900,000 that first year,” Simon said. “So we did much better than we thought.” The city also received an economic benefit of more than $10 million in the convention center’s first year and an estimated economic impact of $11 million in 2014, he said. This year, that number has increased to $16 million, Simon said. After seeing those numbers, Simon said Augusta Riverfront LLC began seriously considering the new hotel.

“I think people will now have an opportunity to stay in the urban core versus, say, Washington Road.” — Margaret Woodard In order to be able to construct the hotel at the former city jail location, Simon said it was crucial that Augusta Riverfront LLC secured adequate parking spaces for its future hotel guests. “You can’t build a hotel unless you have parking,” Simon said. “So what I did was, I came up with this method of us being able to lease spaces in the city’s parking deck, which helps the city. What we will do is we will lease 100 spaces on the second level. They will be marked. They will be ours. They will be paid for, whether we use them or not.” According to the agreement that the Augusta 3NOVEMBER2016

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Reynolds and renting out the necessary 100 spaces in the parking garage in order for Augusta Riverfront LLC to construct the new hotel. “I was real pleased that we’ve got a commission down there now that gave us a 10-0 vote. Everybody voted for it,” Simon said, smiling. “That’s good because it shows their interest in the economic development of the city and it shows their interest in what we proposed for downtown Augusta.” Simon is the first to admit that Augusta Riverfront LLC and the Augusta Convention Center did not always have such unanimous support from commissioners or the public over the years. “You have a lot of naysayers when you build something like that, but we felt like it would really help the city,” Simon said. “We made a lot of difference in downtown, I think. And I believe this new project will help make other exciting things happen downtown, too. I believe Augusta has a real bright future. We are definitely headed in the right direction.”

“Our hotel is not full every night, so anybody who builds a hotel like we are over here by the river or like they are on Broad Street, you are taking some risk. But you are looking to the future. You are looking for growth.” — Paul Simon Commission unanimously supported last week, the hotel will pay the city the monthly rate of $65 for each of the 100 space, or $78,000 per year. “We pay the rate that the city charges the public,” Simon said. “The rate that we established some time ago is, if you park by the hour, it is $1.50. If you park by the day, it is $7. If you park by the month, it is $65. So we will pay $65 a month for the 100 spaces whether we use them or not. So that is $78,000 a year that we’ll pay to the county for at least the next four 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

years.” Along with this new agreement, the Augusta Commission also approved spending a maximum of $1.15 million for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Reynolds Street from the parking garage to the convention center. “We were trying to get the bridge across Reynolds back when we first put the project together,” Simon said. “As a matter of fact, we saved the money on the project to do it, and the commissioners had previously approved to do it, but they never officially approved the contract to do build it. But the money is there. It is set aside for this purpose. So it’s not any extra funds for the city.” Simon insists that the pedestrian bridge is needed for the public’s safety, as well as the safety of the patrons of the convention center. “That is a very dangerous crossing out there,” he said. “When we are full and the convention center is busy and people are going back and forth across the street, it is a very serious situation.” A pedestrian bridge also allows for easier access to the convention center year round, no matter what the weather conditions, Simon said. “For our guests coming to the convention center, you park over there in parking garage and you need to be protected from the weather with your papers and whatever you are bringing to the convention,” he said. “I just think it is an added benefit to our business.” Simon is so confident about the need for a pedestrian bridge to the parking deck that Augusta Riverfront LLC has agreed to pay for a second pedestrian bridge over Ninth Street that will connect the parking garage to the new hotel. “We are paying for that one,” Simon said. “Nobody is giving us anything. We are building that one.” When Simon went before the commission last week, he said he was extremely proud of the fact that all 10 commissioners unanimously agreed to building the pedestrian bridge over

“The former jail site is the best location because of its convenience to the convention center. That is the ideal spot for the new hotel. Had we not done it, somebody else would have probably done it.” — Paul Simon

whAT’s up

Calendar: 22 | Music Listings: 30 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.

pARk iT! Do you know what’s available at the parks of the Augusta Canal? You may think you do, but the activities included in the Find Your Park Festival this Saturday may surprise you. A celebration of 100 years of the National Park Service, 20 years for the Augusta Canal as a National Heritage Area and the grand opening of the new Mill Village trailhead, the Find Your Park Festival includes all sorts of activities. The headquarters is at the new Mill Village Trailhead behind the Kroc Center, a center that is getting in on the fun by making its playground available to kids and its facilities available for trailside exhibits. For the big kids, the day will start with a 5K and 10K, and will also include sports demonstrations, waterside yoga and Zumba, birdwatching walks, guided bike rides, raffles and more. Don’t miss it!

FinD youR pARk FesTivAl Mill Village Trailhead, 101 Eve Street Saturday, November 5 9 a.m.-3 p.m. augustacanal.com/festival

This week

now!

Tired of the same old, lame old holiday party? Start dropping hints with the boss now that she should host a holiday happy hour at Craft & Vine. All she has to do is email Megan at megan@froghollowgroup. com and your office can have this upscale, Prohibition-themed restaurant all to yourselves for a couple of hours. Sounds a hell of a lot better than the awkward dinner of tasteless food that you’re used to, right?

ThuRsDAy

Remember your dear departed loved ones at 7 p.m. tonight on the lawn of Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Sponsored by Trinity Hospice, this luminary lighting ceremony will include a short musical service and is open to the public.

FRiDAy

When you head downtown for First Friday, be sure to walk by the Doris Building, where the Augusta Handmade Fair will be going on from 5-9 p.m. They’ll have local crafters and artisans onhand selling everything from baked goods to health and beauty products, jewelry to leather goods. Perfect for a little holiday shopping.

sATuRDAy

You won’t want to miss the Woofstock Doxie Derby at Citizens Park in Aiken today from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. After all, there’s nothing funnier than Dachshunds running on those tiny little legs. There’ll be a lot more going on than just races, but if you can’t make it to Aiken, be sure to take your pet to the Bernie Ward Center in Augusta from noon-3 p.m., where they’ll be offering low-cost rabies, parvo and distemper shots, as well as microchipping.

For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 22.

GOLD

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P A T R O N

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PROCEEDS BENEFIT:

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Oysters on Telfair Ware’s Folley, Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Thursday, November 3 7 p.m. This annual event features an open bar, raw and steamed oysters, a Cajun feast, raffles, a silent art auction and live music. $75; pre-registration required. oysters2015.tixclix.com

ARTS

EDUCATION

Sat Nov 5

Thu Nov 3

10am - 4:30pm Artist Workshop: Native American Flutes Morris Museum of Art Led by South Carolina storyteller Hawk Hurst. $65, members; $75, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Mon Nov 7

10am - noon Oil Painting 175 North Louisville Street, Harlem A three-session Harlem Arts Council class that continues November 14 and 28. $20 per class. Call 706-556-6656, 706-513-2634 or email blalocka@hotmail.com. 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

10am - noon Computer Lab Thursdays Wallace Branch Library Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

Sat Nov 5

10am Clipping and Clicking for Savings Maxwell Branch Library Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

10am - noon Open House Helms College Participants learn more about Helms College’s health services programs, meet financial aid advisors, have refreshments and take a tour. Call 706-651-9707 or visit helms.edu.

Mon Nov 7

3:30pm - 5pm Intermediate Spanish Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Nov 8

10am - noon Foster Parent Orientation Necco Augusta A free weekly session. Pre-registration suggested. Call 706-210-3435 or visit necco.org.

10:30am Online Shopping Guide Appleby Branch Library An exploration of the pros and cons of online shopping. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

11am Homeschool Hub Aiken Public Library An information session for homeschooling parents that will include services, tips and more. Participants are invited to bring lunch and hang out with other homeschooling families in the park after the program. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1141, or visit abbe-lib.org.

2pm Microsoft Publisher for Beginners Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Wed Nov 9

11:30am - 1:30pm Brown Bag History Series Lecture Augusta Museum of History Featuring The Hispanic Community’s 27OCTOBER2016

Cultural and Political Impact in the CSRA, led by Ricardo Bravo. Participants should bring their own lunch and the museum will provide beverages. A Q&A session follows the lecture. Free, members; $3, nonmembers. Call 706-722- 8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Noon Brown Bag Lunch ‘N Learn TheClubhou.se An event featuring consultants and other experts who will provide information to budding entrepreneurs. Visit theclubhou.se.

5:30pm - 7pm Community Forum Diamond Lakes Regional Park Hosted by Augusta Animal Services, who will discuss ordinance changes taking effect January 1, 2017, and other programs, and Augusta Housing and Community Development, who will talk about, among other things, small business loans and nonprofit capital. Visit augustaga.gov.

Thu Nov 10

10am - noon Computer Lab Thursdays Wallace Branch Library Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

James Brown Family Historical Tour Augusta Museum of History Available each Saturday at 11 a.m. and lasting approximately two hours, this bus tour includes Brown’s elementary school, his childhood home, his statue and more. $15 fee, includes admission to the museum, which houses the largest collection of James Brown memorabilia. Reservations 24 hours in advance required. Call 803-6402090 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.

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 Nov 3

5pm - 8pm First Thursday on Main Columbia Museum of Art and Boyd Plaza During the event, upstairs galleries will be open from 5-8 p.m., a performance by The Moon Moths will begin at 6 p.m., and a showing of “Sherlock Holmes” will begin at 7 p.m. All activities, including museum admission, are free. Call 803-799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.

Ongoing

“Toulouse-Lautrec Works on Paper Featuring the Robbie Barnett and Kathy Olson Collection” Columbia Museum of Art An exhibition of eight works on paper from 19th-century artist Henri de ToulouseLautrec, as well as lithographs from lender Dr. Anna Griswold and the CMA collection. On display through December 4. Call 803799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.

EXHIBITIONS Thu Nov 10

5pm - 7pm Mascaro Art Group Exhibit Opening Reception and Book Signing Sacred Heart Cultural Center Members of the group, including Yong Ae Alford, Mary Ann Brock, Sharon Fausnight, Linda Hardy, Miriam Katz, Linda Lavigne, Bonnie Lowery and Terry Smith, will display their work through December 30. During the reception, Robert A. Mullins, author of “12 Monkeys & a Green Jacket,” and Dr. David Tribby, author of “Along the Way,” will sign copies of their books. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.

6pm - 7:30pm The Macro & Micro of Life Artists Reception Hire Grounds Cafe A photography exhibit that will be on display in the cafe in the month of November. Call 706-650-5760 or visit goodwillworks.org.

Ongoing

The Bomb Plant: Cold War History of the Savannah River Site Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room A collection of Cold War artifacts on display through the end of November. Call 706-8261511 or visit arcpls.org.

Unseen Patterns: Jowita Wyszomirska

Westobou Gallery A large-scale, site-specific installation stretching throughout the Westobou Gallery that reflects the effects of climate change and is based on aerial maps of the Savannah River and satellite imagery of weather patterns of the Chesapeake Bay. It will be on display through November 18. Call 706-7552878 or visit westoboufestival.com.

FLIX Fri Nov 4

Noon “The Candidate” Morris Museum of Art Part of the Films on Friday series that includes a discussion afterwards. Participants are invited to bring lunch. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Transformative Processes: The Sculptural Work of Matt Tool

Tue Nov 8

AU’s Mary S. Byrd Gallery A Westobou Festival exhibition that shows through November 4. Visit westoboufestival.com.

Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2615 for weekly selections.

Augusta Photo Festival and Gail Wheeler/Mike Adams Exhibits Arts & Heritage Center, North Augusta Both exhibitions show through November 4. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.

Exhibits Augusta Museum of History Includes the following: “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That Heals”; “Into the Interior: A History of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots”. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

5:30pm Free Movie Tuesdays

Thu Nov 10

11am Movie for Special Needs Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

Southern City Film Festival Aiken A festival going on November 4-6, featuring films from 26 countries, and a Homegrown category just for residents of the CSRA. For ticket prices and a schedule of events, visit southerncity.org/festival/.

HEALTH Thu Nov 3

5:30pm - 8pm Cribs for Kids Safe Kids Office

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Evensong Service Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Sunday, November 6 5:30 p.m. Featuring the choir of Saint Paul’s in a service that is almost entirely sung and has no sermon. This service will feature the premiere of the Preces and Responses by Heard Robertson, an amateur composer who was a Head Boy in the St. Paul’s Church Canterbury Choir during his youth. Childcare will be available and a reception will follow in Tyler Hall. Free and open to the public. 706-724-2485 saintpauls.org

This class will teach caregivers how to provide a safe sleep environment by showing what dangers to watch out for. Families who demonstrate a financial need will receive a portable crib, fitted sheet, sleep sac and a pacifier for a fee of $10 per registered child. Call 706-721-7606 or visit grhealth.org/safekids.

Mon Nov 7

Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.

1:30pm - 3:30pm Look Good Feel Better

6:30pm Refit

7pm - 9:30pm Childbirth Preparation

Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

University Hospital A four-session class that continues on Mondays through November 28. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Fri Nov 4

Tue Nov 8

7pm Center for Women Tour

Child Safety Seat Inspections Safe Kids Office Appointment required. Call 706-721-7606 or visit grhealth.org.

6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Class continues Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

7:45am Childbirth Tour AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augustahealth.org.

Wed Nov 9

Child Safety Seat Inspections Columbia County Sheriff’s Substation Appointment required. Call 706-541-3970 or visit grhealth.org.

10am - noon Free Blood Pressure/ Blood Sugar Checks

Augusta University Cancer Center An American Cancer Society program that aims to help women in cancer treatment combat the appearance-related side effects of chemo and radiation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-0466 or visit augustahealth.org.

Thu Nov 10

5:45pm - 8pm Car Seat Class Safe Kids Office Pre-registration required. $10; car or booster seat provided to families who meet financial guidelines. Call 706-721-7606 or visit augustahealth.org.

7pm - 9:30pm Baby 101 Doctors Hospital An infant care and development class. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

7pm - 9:30pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

HOBBIES Thu Nov 3

5:30pm Surviving the Holidays with Essential Oils Maxwell Branch Library Gayla Keesee, Ph.D., will discuss how essential oils can help with stress, immunity support and emotional support. Preregistration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Nov 8

10am Genealogy 101 Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room Participants will learn how to start a family history project, as well as discuss resources and strategies. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

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A class for children ages 0-4 in which participants will learn how to chant, sing, play instruments and move to the music. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Nov 8

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. Call 706772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Casino Night Aquinas High School Saturday, November 5 6:30 p.m. Tickets include $20,000 in fun money to play Blackjack, Texas Hold Em’, Craps and Roulette, as well as heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. $45. squareup.com/store/ aquinas-high-school.

10am - 11:30am Puddle Ducks: Kids & Caregivers Club Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Stories and hands-on fun. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1424 or email info@phinizycenter.org.

10:30am Big Kids Story Time Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 3-5. Preregistration recommended. Call 706-8212623 or visit arcpls.org.

Wed Nov 9

10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library For those ages 3-5. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

10:05am Toddler Story Time

Wed Nov 9

Noon Georgia-Carolina Toastmasters Fat Man’s Mill Cafe Those interested are invited to learn speech and leadership skills in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Call 706-627-2134.

2pm The Genealogy of Your House: Legacy Family Tree Webinar Headquarters Branch Library A free webinar about researching your house’s history led by house historian and Legacy Family Free presenter Marian Pierre-Louis. Pre-registration required. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

Basic Genealogy Tutorials

create an artwork raven. Free, members; $4 per participants, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-828-3867 or visit themorris.org.

Fri Nov 4

12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play Time Jessye Norman School of the Arts A class for preschoolers in which participants will explore their world through reading, singing, musical instruments and movement. $15 per class. Call 706-828-7768, email programs@jessyenormanschool.org or visit jessyenormanschool/community-artprogramming/.

4pm TAG Meeting

Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

Headquarters Branch Library A teen event in which participants will help plan upcoming programs. Call 706-4342036 or visit arcpls.org.

KIDS-TEENS

Sat Nov 5

Thu Nov 3

11am Footloose Story Time

Morris Museum of Art Part of the Mommy and Me series for children and parents in which participants will hear a story inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” see the exhibit The Raven: Etchings by Larry Vienneau and

11am, noon, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm Mini Maker Faire: Make Workspace

10am Rambunctious Ravens

Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

Barnes & Noble Participants will, in a one-hour session, experience the latest in virtual reality,

augmented reality, 3D printing, peninvent technology, robotics, coding and programming with demonstrations from Bloxels, sphero SPRK, Air Hogs Connect, VEX Robotics, XYZprinting and more. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

Sun Nov 6

11am, noon, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm Mini Maker Faire: Make Workspace Barnes & Noble Participants will, in a one-hour session, experience the latest in virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing, peninvent technology, robotics, coding and programming with demonstrations from Bloxels, sphero SPRK, Air Hogs Connect, VEX Robotics, XYZprinting and more. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

2pm Native American Tales and Traditions Morris Museum of Art Part of the Artrageous! Family Sunday series in which participants will hear stories and traditions inspired by Native American culture from educator Hawk Hurst and paint their own spirit animal. Free. Call 706-7247501 or visit themorris.org.

Mon Nov 7

10:30am Music & Me Headquarters Branch Library

Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

10:30am Preschool Story Time Appleby Branch Library For children ages 3 and older. Call 706-7366244 or visit arcpls.org.

10:30am Story Time for Tots Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 0-3. Preregistration recommended. Call 706-8212623 or visit arcpls.org.

4:30pm Alley Cats Strikehouse Bowl, Aiken Part of the Aiken Recreation Department’s Buddy Sports program for those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, this class is for those of all bowling abilities. $12 a month; pre-registration required. Call 803426-1284 or visit therecingcrew.com.

Ongoing

Junior Model UN Registration Augusta University Middle school students who are interested in assuming the perspective of a diplomat

from a United Nations Member State and representing their position can register for the day-long simulation at Augusta University. Early registration ends October 15; January 16 is registration deadline; February 15 is the late registration deadline. Email Dr. Craig Albert at calbert@augusta.edu or visit augusta.edu/ pamplin/pols/juniormodelun.php.

Symphony Youth Competition Open to CSRA students ages 10-18 who play strings, woodwinds, brass and piano, applications, $50 application fee, short bio, photo and audio submissions are due Friday, December 2. Winners receive cash prizes and have an opportunity to perform with Symphony Orchestra Augusta at the Pops! Under the Stars concert on May 13, 2017. For more information, email Katherine@soaugusta.org.

LITERARY Thu Nov 3

2:30pm Afterthoughts Talking Book Club Headquarters Branch Library A Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS) event that meets the first Thursday of each month. Call 706-821-2625 to find out the name of the current month’s selection. Visit arcpls.org.

4pm An Evening with Rick Mulkey AU’s Jaguar Student Activities Center Mulkey is a poet who is author of five collections, and this event will feature a craft lecture at 4 p.m., followed by a reading and reception. Free and open to the public. Call 706-729-2508 or visit augusta.edu.

Sat Nov 5

10am - 5:30pm Big Book Sale Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

10am - 3pm Book Sale Headquarters Branch Library Held in the lobby, the Friends Book Shop will be open as well. From 2-3 p.m., books will be $5 per bag full. Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

2pm Meet the Author The Book Tavern Featuring Charmain Brackett, author of “Murder En Pointe.” Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.

MUSIC Thu Nov 3

7:30pm VoicePlay A Capella Group AECOM Theater, Aiken An Aiken Performing Arts Group presentation. $40. Visit apagonline.org.

Fri Nov 4

7:30pm VoicePlay A Capella Group AECOM Theater, Aiken An Aiken Performing Arts Group

presentation. $40. Visit apagonline.org.

Sat Nov 5

11am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing

five 3-ounce samples of featured wines. Call 762-333-0259 or visit wholefoodsmarket.com.

5pm - 8pm Wine Tasting

Eighth Street Plaza Live music from local jazz artists and performing arts groups during the Augusta Market. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.

Wine World A drop-in First Friday event. $5; $3 rebate upon purchase of a bottle of one of the featured wines. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.

Tue Nov 8

5:30pm - 7:30pm Members Night Out: Home for the Holidays in Augusta

noon Tuesday’s Music Live Saint Paul’s Church Features a free concert at noon by the Cecilia Ensemble. Lunch afterwards is $12 a person and requires reservation. Call 706722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.

Thu Nov 10

7:30pm Hooray for Hollywood Bell Auditorium Part of Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Pops! at the Bell series. $10.19-$40.74. Call 706-826-4705 or visit soaugusta.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Nov 3

5pm - 8pm First Thursday Shops of Midtown, Kings Way at Central Ave. This event features discounts in the shops, hors d’oeuvres and more. The Augusta Training Shop is the featured nonprofit, Karin Gillespie will be the featured author and Doug Larson is the featured artist. Call 706-733-1788.

7pm A Night of Remembrance Trinity Hospital of Augusta lawn Sponsored by Trinity Hospice, this is a luminary lighting ceremony to remember loved ones that includes a short musical service. Call 706-729-6222 to dedicate a free luminary in memory of a loved one.

7pm Oysters on Telfair Ware’s Folley, Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art This annual event features an open bar, raw and steamed oysters, a Cajun feast, raffles, a silent art auction and live music. $75; pre-registration required. Visit oysters2015.tixclix.com.

Fri Nov 4

5pm - 9pm Augusta Handmade Fair The Doris Building An event in which local crafters and creators will sell their products. Visit facebook.com/events/153704191740525/.

5pm - 9pm First Friday Downtown Augusta A family friendly arts event that includes musicians, dancers, artists and other vendors. Visit artistsrowaugusta.com.

5pm - 8pm Wine Not It’s Friday Whole Foods A $5 wine tasting in which participants get

Augusta Museum of History A quarterly First Friday event that will a lecture at 6 or 6:45 p.m., hands-on activities for the family and more. Participants can use

the free trolley, that stops by the museum every 15 minutes, to attend other First Friday events as well. Free, members; Non-member adults, $7, and children, $4. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Sat Nov 5

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.

9am - 2pm Craft Bazaar Lynndale Inc. The bazaar will include personalized

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10am - 5pm Holiday Open House

Surviving the Holidays with Essential Oils Maxwell Branch Library Thursday, November 3 5:30 p.m. Gayla Keesee, Ph.D., will discuss how essential oils can help with stress, immunity support and emotional support. Preregistration required. 706-793-2020 arcpls.org

Sacred Heart Cultural Center Gift Shop An event that, in addition to shopping, features a bake sale, cooking demonstrations, a complimentary Buona Caffe coffee bar, book signings from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and more. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.

11:30am - 1pm Legislative Luncheon Sacred Heart Cultural Center A Greater Augusta Arts Council event that will feature speaks Ga. State Rep. Brian Prince, AU Art Department Chair Scott Thorp and Sports & Leisure International Convention Principal John Kaatz, who will talk about upcoming plans for public art in Augusta. $20. To RSVP, visit augustaarts. com/legislative-luncheon.html.

6pm Holiday Shopping Preview Party Aiken Center for the Arts Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.

6pm - 8pm Taste of the Harvest Golden Harvest’s Aiken Warehouse Food samples from local restaurants, caterers and specialty food shops, as well as live music and an inside look at what Golden Harvest Food Bank does. Ticket information available soon. Visit goldenharvest.org.

Ongoing

The Maize at Steed’s Dairy

children’s books, crafts, note cards, local history books, handmade bows, scrapbooking supplies and more. Vendor/ craft tables are now available for $20 or $25. Email rose-mary@knology.net.

9am - 11am James Brown Turkey Giveaway Registration Dyess Park Those interested should bring a state-issued ID and a current utility bill or a current signed lease for proof of residence. The giveaway will take place Monday, November 21, at Dyess Park at 8 a.m. Call 803-640-2090 or email info@gamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.

10am - 2pm First Saturday Sale When Help Can’t Wait The Classy Closet Boutique will offer women’s designer label clothing and accessories at bargain prices, along with some men’s clothing and home decor items. All proceeds beneﬁt the nursing home program of When Help Can’t Wait. Call 706650-9467 or visit whenhelpcantwait.com.

10am - 3pm Holiday Bazaar Harlem United Methodist Church An event that will feature crafts both traditional and modern, a grandma’s attic section, silent auctions, a bake sale, and 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

breakfast and lunch. Call 706-556-6885 or visit harlemgaumc.org.

10am - 5pm Hounds Around Towne Evans Towne Center Park Visit evanstownecenterpark.com.

10:30am - 3:30pm Woofstock Citizens Park, Aiken A beneﬁt for the Aiken County Animal Shelter that includes dog races and contests, raffles, silent auctions, exhibitors, food, live music, adoptable pets and more. Visit fotasaiken.org.

7pm “In My Backyard” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.

8pm “Engineering the International Space Station” 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.

Noon - 3pm Low-Cost Vaccination and Microchipping Clinic

Sun Nov 6

Bernie Ward Center An event in which families with pets can get rabies vaccinations for $5, parvo/distemper vaccinations for $10 and microchipping for $15. Call 706-790-6836 or visit augustaga.gov.

Track Kitchen, Aiken A pack walk with Dogwood Stables trainer Brad Stauffer, who also trains dogs at the Palmetto Dog Club, who will lead a meandering walk at the Aiken Training Track and talk about the history of the area. The event should last 30-45 minutes. Call 803-270-0072.

6:30pm - 10pm Casino Night Aquinas High School Tickets include $20,000 in fun money to play Blackjack, Texas Hold Em’, Craps and Roulette, as well as heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. $45. Visit squareup.com/ store/aquinas-high-school.

9:30am Downtown Dog Walk

10am - 5pm Hounds Around Towne Evans Towne Center Park Visit evanstownecenterpark.com.

Thu Nov 10

Steed’s Dairy, Grovetown A real working dairy farm that has activities that include a corn maize, a petting zoo, a jumping pillow and giant tube slide, rubber duckie races, a preschool play area, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, cow milking demonstrations and more. Open through November 13. $11; $8, seniors, military and groups; free, ages 2 and under. Visit steedsdairy.com.

Columbia County Fair Columbia County Fairgrounds An annual event featuring carnival rides and games, food, shows, a demolition derby and more. Open through November 13. Visit columbiacountyfair.net.

SPIRITUAL Thu Nov 3

7pm Lifting the Veil on Islam Islamic Society of Augusta Part of a monthly program to enlighten newcomers about Islam, this one on the subject of the Muslim Family. This series, held the ﬁrst Thursday of each month, is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Visit openhouse.isaugusta.com.

Sun Nov 6

5:30pm Evensong Service Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Featuring the choir of Saint Paul’s in a service that is almost entirely sung and has no 27OCTOBER2016

sermon. This service will feature the premiere of the Preces and Responses by Heard Robertson, an amateur composer who was a Head Boy in the St. Paul’s Church Canterbury Choir during his youth. Childcare will be available and a reception will follow in Tyler Hall. Free and open to the public. Call 706724-2485 or visit saintpauls.org.

the Best Fall Colors?

SPORTS-OUTDOORS

Red Wing Rollerway The Soul City Sirens are looking for skaters, referees, non-skating officials and volunteers. Skaters should bring mouthguard and appropriate workout clothes. Visit soulcitysirens.com.

Sat Nov 5

9am - 3pm Find Your Park Festival Mill Village Trailhead, 101 Eve Street A celebration of 100 years of the National Park Service, 20 years for the Augusta Canal as a National Heritage Area and the grand opening of the new Mill Village trail that includes a day of runs, walks, rides, sport demonstrations, music, food exhibits, prizes and more. For a full schedule of events, visit augustacanal.com/festival.

9:30am - 11:30am Swamp Saturday Hike Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A free, guided, 2.5-mile hike. This month’s event features the Walk Your Pet Hike, in which pets can participate. Dogs should be on a leash and participants should bring pet waste disposal bags with them. Preregistration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

9:30am HEMA Longsword Basics Augusta Fencers Club The Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) group offers a weekly class in European sword techniques in which instructors will walk participants through basic terms, footwork and strikes. Great for those 10 and older, and the first visit is free. $25, monthly dues, and minors should be accompanied by a parent to their first meeting. Call 602-432-7211 or email brad@loyalorderofthesword.com.

10:30am - 12:30pm HEMA Long Sword and Rapier Instruction and Sparring Augusta Fencers Club The Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) group offers training on Italian rapier and German longsword techniques and is open to all ages, although minors need to be accompanied by a parent to their first meeting. $25, monthly dues, with the first visit free. Call 602-432-7211 or email brad@loyalorderofthesword.com.

1pm - 3pm Doggie Day Hike Mistletoe State Park Dogs must be on leashes. $5 parking. Call 706541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

6:30pm Race for the Fallen Glow Run Augusta Common A night race to benefit the Police Benevolent Foundation. 5K and 1-mile options are available. $40-$45. Visit active.com to register.

Sun Nov 6

3pm Trail Talk: What Trees Give Us

Lock Keeper’s Cottage, Savannah Rapids Park Led by Sid Mullis, coordinator of the UGA Extension Service. Free. Call 706-823- 0440, ext. 2, or visit augustacanal.com.

Mon Nov 7

6:30pm Roller Derby Recruitment Night

Wed Nov 9

Noon Under the Stars Dressage Stableview Farms, Aiken A USEF/USDF Recognized Level Two Championship Qualifier Dressage show. Call 803-648-1222 or visit stableviewfarm.com.

SUPPORT Mon Nov 7

6:30pm Pink Pistols Meeting A group for women in their 20s and 30s dealing with breast cancer. Call for location. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.

Tue Nov 8

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. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.

7pm Alzheimer’s Support Group Alzheimer’s Association Chapter Building Call 706-731-9060.

Wed Nov 9

6pm Mental Health Support Group Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A group for teens and up that follows the methods of Recovery International. Call 630605-6913 or visit recoveryinternational.org.

Thu Nov 10

12:30pm Breast Cancer Support Group AU Cancer Center Call 706-721-1560 or visit augusta.edu.

Ongoing

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weighin beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting

beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-868-0539 or visit tops.org.

First Friday improv comedy by Schrodinger’s Cat. $5. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.

Celebrate Recovery Journey Community Church This Christ-centered recovery program meets every Monday night at 7 p.m. The meetings last two hours and childcare is provided. Pre-registration suggested. Visit cr@journeycommunity.net.

Write to Heal Children’s Hospital of Georgia family resource library For patients, family members and caregivers, this program meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Preregistration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.

Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.

THEATER

Sat Nov 5

3pm “Creation” Kroc Center A production of Enopion Theatre company. $16, adults; $12, seniors, children and groups of 10 or more. Call 706-771-7777 or visit enopion.com.

7pm “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” 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.

7pm An Evening of Theatre Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center A Westminster Schools fine arts department event that features Annie Jr. and Stepping Out! $15, adults; $10, students; $5, children 10 and under. Visit wsa.net.

Fri Nov 4

8pm “Peter Pan”

Kroc Center A production of Enopion Theatre company. $16, adults; $12, seniors, children and groups of 10 or more. Call 706-771-7777 or visit enopion.com.

Thu Nov 10

7pm “Creation”

8pm “Peter Pan” Imperial Theatre A Greater Augusta Youth Theatre production. $15-$37. Call 706-722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.

8pm xTreme Theatre Games Le Chat Noir First Friday improv comedy by Schrodinger’s Cat. $10, advance; $12, door (if available). Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.

10pm Sloppy Seconds Le Chat Noir

Imperial Theatre A Greater Augusta Youth Theatre production. $15-$37. Call 706-722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.

7:30pm “Smokefall” AU’s Maxwell Theatre A Theatre AU production. $10, general; $7, AU alum, seniors, military. Call 706-6674100 or visit augusta.edu.

VOLUNTEER Ongoing

Animal Fosters Needed Hands to Paws Animal Rescue and SOS Saving Our Strays of Burke County are working together to rescue abandoned stray dogs and puppies in the CSRA where there are no animal welfare services. The groups will sponsor each animal that is placed in foster care by providing vetting and food and there is no financial obligation to the foster. Time commitment can be between 2 to 9 months, as well as emergency fosters. The amount of time is up to the foster, and any length of time would be appreciated. For more information, contact Kathy at 706-4810657 or handstopawsrescue@gmail.com.

Senior Companions Needed Senior Citizens Council The council is seeking those ages 55 and older who can serve 20 hours a week with a special needs adult. Benefits include stipend, travel reimbursement and annual physical. For more information, call 706-868-0120.

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Bob Mould Georgia Theatre, Athens Thursday, November 10 Terminal West, Atlanta Friday, November 11 Doors, 7 p.m. $20-$25 You’ve got two chances to see the Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman. Don’t waste them. georgiatheatre.com terminalwestatl.com

Thursday, November 3 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Authentic Blues w/ Billy McKnight Joe’s Underground - Tokyo Rosenthal Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Live Music on the Patio Stillwater Taproom - The Shadow Pines Tin Lizzy’s - Spencer Rush Wild Wing - Sabo & Dave The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House

What’s Tonight?

araoke w/ April Bar West - Open Mic Night w/ Jonathon Flowers Carolina Ale House - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper (9 p.m.) Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Old School Thursday w/ DJ Groove Coyotes - Karaoke with Bam Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia The Loft - Karaoke MAD Studios - Open Mic, Spoken Word Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper (7 p.m.) Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Poker for Fun; Thursday Night Football; Paint Nite

Friday, November 4 Live Music

Bar West - Live Music Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues

30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Country Club - 8 Second Ride Coyotes - Pitboss Eli’s American - Friday Night Live w/ Donna Jo Evans Towne Center Park - Big & Rich w/ Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister Fox’s Lair - Chris Hardy Humanitree House - Othello’s Dilight Shannon’s - Preston and Weston Southbound Smokehouse - Daniel Hutchens, Eric Carter The Stables at Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) Celtic Pub Night w/ Gavin Winship Whole Foods - Music @ the Turn Wild Wing - Interstate Exiles The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

Sky City - First Friday Noche Latina w/ DJ RM & Art Show by Heather Rene Dunaway Soul Bar - First Friday DJ Mix Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke

Saturday, November 5 Live Music

Andrew’s - Decadence, Burnsom Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues Country Club - Rick Monroe Coyotes - Pitboss Eighth Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River Shannon’s - Shinebox Wild Wing - Adam Harris Thompson The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - DJ Fugi Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Fox’s Lair - Karaoke Helga’s Pub & Grille - Bluegrass Brunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.); Trivia, nights

The Highlander - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Ladies Night, Singles Night Fox’s Lair - Karaoke Private I Sports and Entertainment Complex - A Night of Light Open Mic and Poetry Event w/ The Floetress DeZire, Javonne Jones, AY the Poet, La Neequa Truesdall, DJ Walk

Big & Rich Evans Towne Center Park Friday, Nov. 4 5 p.m. $25, lawn; $110, VIP gamedayladya.com

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Sky City - ‘80s Night Somewhere in Augusta - NCAA Football Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke

Sunday, November 6 Live Music

Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Brunch w/ Mike Frost and Lauren Meccia Wild Wing - Brandon Reeves The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - F&B Industry Day; NFL Football; Paint Nite

Monday, November 7 Live Music

Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Poker Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - World Tavern Poker; Monday Night Football Wild Wing - Trivia Wing Place (Aiken) - Trivia

Tuesday, November 8 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Irish Music with Dr. Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic

Soul Bar - Alex and the XOs The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck

Upcoming

What’s Tonight?

- Bell Auditorium November 10

Bar West - Trivia The Cotton Patch - Trivia Limelite Cafe - Bottom’s Up Trivia Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Trivia Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Big Prize Trivia Twisted Burrito - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper

Wednesday, November 9 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Beats Downunder Open Mic Hosted by Happy Bones The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Mike and Walter Soul Bar - John the Revelator, Liz Brasher Wild Wing - Robbie & Rushton

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes The Loft - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper The Playground - Krazy Karaoke w/ Big Troy Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Sky City - Conspiracy w/ DJ Knightmare Somewhere in Augusta - The Comedy Zone Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey

I Love the ‘90s Tour w/ Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Kid N Play, Rob Base, Tone Loc, Color Me Badd Surfer Blood, Koko Beware

- Sky City November 10 The Travelin’ McCourys

- Imperial Theatre November 11 Guitar Pull w/ Cole Swindell, The Band Perry, Kelsea Ballerini, Trace Adkins, Kane Brown, Chris Janson

- James Brown Arena November 15 Fantasia

- Bell Auditorium November 18 Culture Club

- Bell Auditorium November 23 The Comedy Get Down w/ Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D. L. Hughley, George Lopez, Charlie Murphy

- James Brown Arena December 10

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

Vince Gill

- Bell Auditorium February 17

Elsewhere Portugal The Man

Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000

- Georgia Theatre, Athens November 3 Cowboy Junkies

- Georgia Theatre, Athens November 4

Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+

Galactic, Fruition

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta November 4 Stevie Nicks, The Pretenders

- Philips Arena, Atlanta November 6 Dweezil Zappa

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta November 7 Fitz and the Tantrums, Barns Courtney

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 7

Meet sexy new friends

FREE TRIAL

706-434-0112

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Bobby and Sandi Meybohm with Eim and Rick Evans at the Augusta Exchange Club’s Georgia-Carolina State Fair.

Mary and Hugh Hamilton with Ogden Tabb at the Augusta Exchange Club’s Georgia-Carolina State Fair.

BJ Lester, Krista Weigle, Jane Howington and Clyde Lester at the Augusta Exchange Club’s Georgia-Carolina State Fair.

Doug and Brook Widmann with Samantha and Drew Widmann at the Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir concert at the Legends Club.

Lauren Jenkins, Aimee Hall and Patrick Davis at the Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir concert at the Legends Club.

Robert and Becky Martin with Melissa and Ray Mundy at the Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir concert at the Legends Club.

Gabrielle Connor, Carson Conner and Evan Conner at the Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir concert at the Legends Club.

Lillian McCollum, Him Hofilena and Angie Turner at the Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir concert at the Legends Club.

Molly Rhodes, Frank Hines and Christy Dove at the Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir cSoncert at the Legends Club.

32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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OVER/UNDER By Ellen Leuschner and Jeff Chen/Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Take on 6 Some subjects in Scheherazade’s stories 11 Humbled 17 Playful leap 18 Mother-of-pearl source 20 Words preceding “We stand on guard for thee” 21 “Skyfall” singer 22 Over the 27-Across 24 In low spirits 26 Guarantee that one will 27 Rise 28 Sighed line 29 Rev 30 Obsessed with fantasy roleplaying games, say 32 “What have we here?!” 34 Under the 29-Across 38 Certain swinger, informally 42 Spanish bear 43 Castor ____ (“Popeye” guy) 44 Balance-sheet abbr. 45 Friday, on old TV: Abbr. 47 Olympics venue between London and Tokyo 48 Many a Jazz fan 50 Preserver of bugs 52 Caffè ____ 54 “Thinking …” 57 Over the 62-Across 59 Prestigious mil. award 60 International observance in 20Down, informally 62 Dreidel, e.g. 63 Cataract 64 Parisian sibling 65 Exerted 67 Put on the back burner 70 Verizon subsidiary 72 Old line in Russia 73 ____ Victory (tourist attraction in Portsmouth, England) 76 Under the 67-Across 79 Single-masted pleasure craft 82 Keeps up 83 Neck and neck 85 Luminous 86 Abbr. in many Québec city names 87 Potus No. 34 88 Conditionals 89 Melodramatic response

91 Reagan has one named for him 92 Competitor of Sapporo and Kirin 94 Over the 104-Across 100 Commercial prefix with Pen 102 With 109-Down, cochlea’s place 103 [snort] 104 Sky light 105 Sculpture medium for Calder 108 Print tint 110 University of Washington logo 112 Under the 105-Across 116 John Paul’s successor 118 Increasing in pitch 119 “Me Talk Pretty One Day” humorist 120 One who can pick his work? 121 Impersonate 122 Places for studs 123 ____ dish

39 Thin as ____ 40 Front and back, at a golf course 41 Silly billy 46 Bull session 49 “Thinking …” 50 Gerrymanders, say 51 Big Apple paper, for short 52 Situated 53 Badly 55 Informal acknowledgment of responsibility 56 Portland-to-Spokane dir. 58 “That was dumb of me” 61 “____ Flux” (Charlize Theron film) 64 Debugger 66 Man’s name that’s the reverse of 117-Down 67 Woodworking fasteners 68 Clueless 69 Food preservative abbr. DOWN 71 Letters ending a business name 1 Signature Obama legislation, for 72 Buy-one-get-one-free deal short 73 Selfish sort 2 Gosh-darn 74 Villainous 3 Floor-length formalwear 75 Target customer of Yelp 4 House member from the Bay Area 76 Mount of Greek myth beginning in 1987 77 R.E.M.’s “The ____ Love” 5 Quite the hike 78 Kind of branch 6 Be plentiful 80 Sweets 7 Louis Armstrong vocal feature 81 Lynn in the Pro Football Hall of 8 High point of a European vacation? Fame 9 N.Y.C. div. 84 Application datum: Abbr. 10 Cry annoyingly 89 Fashions 11 Cause for a blessing 90 “Um … fancy meeting you here” 12 Political columnist Matt 93 [Look what I got away with!] 13 Debate moderator’s day job, 95 Small swigs typically 96 Huffs 14 H. H. Munro’s pen name 97 Coat for a dentist 15 Leon ____, Henry James biographer 98 What “i.e.” means 16 Twain’s “celebrated jumping frog” 99 Charlotte ____, V.I. 18 Crabgrass, e.g. 101 British ____ 19 Mushroom variety 105 Female W.W. II enlistee 20 Start of the fourth qtr. 106 Stick ____ 23 Early British actress Nell 107 Some P.O. plans 25 Like quiche 109 See 102-Across 28 In conflict 110 Antidote 30 Title fictional character who 111 Bank-clock info “sprang from his Platonic conception 113 Clean-energy grp. of himself” 114 Ringing words? 31 Clothier Bauer 115 Catch 33 Fired bullets, informally 117 Man’s name that’s the reverse of 35 ____ too happy 66-Down 36 Blinker 37 Abbr. on a company’s sign

22 24

50 55

87 94

100 105

106

101

107

108

112

66 73 79

102 109

118

114

91 99

103

104 111

115

116

119

121

110

113

85 89

39 47

82 86

38 46

11 20

117

120 122

123

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWERS A C T S

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THE EIGHT

BOX TOPS It seems Tyler Perry can do no wrong, at least at the box office. RANK TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK

BOO! A MADEA HALLOWEEN

$17,220,312

$52,564,655

INFERNO

$14,860,425

JACK REACHER

$9,640,747

$39,769,924

THE ACCOUNTANT

$8,481,052

$61,263,224

OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL

$7,110,185

$24,678,810

In Theaters November 4

ACTION ACTION FAMILY “Doctor Strange,” rated PG-13, starring Benedict “Hacksaw Ridge,” rated R, starring Andrew Garfield, “Trolls,” rated PG, starring Anna Kendrick, Justin Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams. This latest entry in the Marvel Universe should be a bit trippier than the others: A doctor finding healing (and powers) through “the mystic arts”? Yep, it’s only right that oddball actor Benedict Cumberbatch is playing Dr. Strange. As for the whitewashing controversy surrounding Tilda Swinton’s The Ancient One? Come on, people: everybody knows that Swinton isn’t human, much less one race or gender.

36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Rachel Griffiths. Based on the true story of Army medic Desmond Doss, who served in World War II despite never picking up a gun. Instead, he chose to save lives (the agreed-upon count is at 75, but witnesses said it was probably more) and was, therefore, awarded the Medal of Honor even though he was also labeled a conscientious objector. Those who’ve seen it already say this Mel Gibson-directed film has plenty of religious imagery, which should come as no surprise to anyone who knows Gibson and this story.

Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel. Seriously: How long have producers been promoting this movie? Seems like it should have been in theaters and made it to DVD/On Demand by now.

3NOVEMBER2016

Let Conservatives Fix Obamacare. It Worked for Gas Prices! It Was just a few years ago when America’s gasoline prices were through the roof, with little hope for the trend to reverse in the foreseeable future. In the summer of 2008, gas prices reached the highest mark in our country’s history, with prices averaging at $4.11 a gallon. That was one of many reasons that voters opted to reject that reigning political power (the GOP) in the November elections. As gasoline prices tumbled over the next few years, the Democrats used that fact as a selling point for the re-election of the Dem incumbents, ironic for many reasons, primarily because the liberal politicians seemed to be universally opposed to the technology most directly responsible for the unprecedented sustained reduction: FRACKING. But the oil industry and virtually every Republican in elected office championed the new technology, and the results have been universally positive. Yes, there are environmental concerns, but they are minor when compared to the benefits of the process and further research into the process has made it safer through the years. The resulting glut in gasoline supplies have not only kept this country free from the pricing extortion that OPEC and the Middle East Oil cartel have been inflicting on us directly, but also served notice to the rest of the world that they too can be free of the “foreign oil blackmail” seen for the last 45 years. Aggressive scientific innovation and a politically conservative “get’r done” attitude may also be what helps the GOP deliver this country from the doldrums of Obamacare. It is time to throw political correctness aside and get to the nitty gritty of why Obamacare was doomed from the beginning. When human beings are guaranteed something, anything without regard to their own behavior, work ethic or attitude, it is almost a cosmic certainty that a sizable segment of the population is going to abuse the freebie and take advantage of the system. As a result, quality is diminished for everyone. We need a serious conversation about the expense that irresponsible behavior by the individual will cost us all in healthcare/welfare bills down the road. By the way, that is not a conversation most “live and let live” liberals want to have. Donald Trump has announced (finally) some common sense ideas that will come closer to making affordable healthcare available for all working Americans and, yes, look after those who cannot afford to take care of themselves. His listed initiatives, straight from his own website are as follows: 1.Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to. 2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up. 3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it. 4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate. 5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure. 6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments 38 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources. 7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers. These initiatives do not represent the total solution, and it is painfully obvious that pre-existing conditions are not even mentioned. Understand, a true insurance plan can never allow a preexisting condition to be introduced into coverage because it then ceases being a risk to cover that person, and instead becomes a loss leader. In other words, coverage of such an existing ailment is flat out welfare, no other word for it. These cases are common, and do in fact require a governmental solution. Here’s to hoping we can work on that together, because clearly the overwhelming irresponsible and hideously expensive Obamacare experiment has failed to deliver a sensible and fair solution. We can and must do better than what the GOP refused to give us years ago, and President Obama and his team forced on us in 2010 with Obamacare. austIN RHODEs

A long-time radio talk show host who can be heard weekdays on WGAC from 3-6 p.m. The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.