Metro Spirit - 03.30.17 by Metro Spirit

"Try as they might, few places really deserve the modifier 'charming'. Washington, with its grand antebellum and elegant Victorian homes, truly qualifies

SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE

D iscov er Historic Washington, Georgia

ad by Tourism Director John H. Singleton, III

less than an hour west of Augusta...take 1-20 exit 172

With more antebellum homes per capita than any other city in the United States, Historic Washington-Wilkes is one of the South’s best kept secrets. Beautifully preserved, our three House Museums, share the tales of this small city with a big history, one filled with prominent families, and legendary feats dating back to the 1770's. Today the Historic Town Square boasts shops with unique gifts and antique treasures. Our many restaurants offer friendly service and great southern fare. The Jewel of Downtown, the Fitzpatrick Hotel (1898), is a favorite for weekend travelers, retreats and weddings. Historic Washington-Wilkes is a town where history not only exists but continues to be made every day. Whether you stop by for a day, weekend, or lifetime, come make your own history here!

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 22B West Square; Washington, Ga 30673 706-678-5111 WashingtonWilkes.org HistoricWashingtonWilkes

S pr i ng Festi val & T o u r o f Ho m es Take a trip through time on our annual Spring Festival and Tour of Homes in Washington, Georgia. We'll be showcasing seven unique homes and gardens. New this year is a Spring Art Festival with music on the Town Square. Stroll around our newly renovated historic Square and enjoy the unique vendors, quaint shops, restaurants and music. Courtesy cars take you to all the attractions as well as the three Museums, a private antique car collection and the Mary Willis Library where you will discover magnificent Stained Glass Windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

May 13 4:30 - 8:30 Food, Prizes and Fun for the Family Music by TOMMY LANDRUM'S CRUIZIN' TO THE OLDIES Hot Rods, Trucks, Tractors, Antique & Classic Cars Invited

Table of Contents March 30, 2017

Whine Line 8 Insider 10 Feature 14 Major Rager One a Day Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword

EDIT

CREATIVE

Amy Christian

Joshua Bailey

Joe White

amy@themetrospirit.com

joshua@themetrospirit.com

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

Arts Editor/Production Director

Lead Designer

Stacey Eidson stacey@themetrospirit.com

Molly Swift Staff Writer

molly@themetrospirit.com

Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson, Tyler Strong

BUSINESS Publisher

Johnny Beckworth

Staff Writer

SALES

circulation manager

jdbeckworth@gmail.com

Joe White Publisher

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

Rachael Foss Account Executive

rachael@themetrospirit.com 706-910-3461

20 22 24 32 34 36

COVER DESIGN: Kruhu

Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.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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The Whine Line This is all old news and very boring. Good Bye. The 2018 Columbia County Election shall bring record voting numbers which will make Columbia County great again. GO PAM! Who here believes that professors engage in a form of fascism that is an attack on white males? Poor pitiful white heterosexual rich males.... So oppressed in real history that I almost wish I was one of them. I love my husband. I suspect that he may be a white male (bc who really knows) but come on y’all. Do you hear just how stupid this sounds? I am not blind. Our whole entire presidential cabinet is of this particular variety. Maybe a sprinkle here and there. But come on, over 50% of the population is FEMALE and we all know deep down in our hearts that this has nothing to do with intelligence even if the traitors try to play to your egos with this claim. So is this really fair representation? Same ol’ same ol’. For all of you out there with your poor pitiful me bs--its just ridiculous. I have no more pity in my heart. The snowflake has disappeared. You won’t know what opposition is until you feel it for yourself. I can’t help but laugh when millionaires say “life’s not fair.” Oh man, that’s funny, that’s righteous, that’s too much. To Richmond County Commission and Roads and Bridges: Wrightsboro Road From the mall to downtown is a joke. Rough is not the word. I have seen dirt roads better than this. Where are you spending the gasoline tax money you get to fix roads? Quit your fussing with each other and get our main roads fixed. Put the money where it is supposed to be! Trump talked smack about many many people: Hillary, Rosie, Merkle, Obama, FBI people, CIA people, media, China, Mexico, North Korea, football players, and the list goes on. But one person he refuses to talk bad about is America’s sworn enemy, Vladimir Putin. Hey Augusta State: are you all ever going to patch up the potholes in your employee parking lot on 15th Street across from the VA?

Residents of Columbia County, in your water bill was a newsletter from Ron Cross :( In it was a message that Columbia County just received a check for 71 Million 100 thousand dollars. Not the first mention of road widening. I live in Grovetown, Horizon Parkway with a new Kroger, gas station, a Macdonald’s and apartments and motel and a new building and work to build even more. We have got to vote Ron Cross out. Wrightsboro Road thru Grovetown is a bumper to bumper race track in the mornings and around 4:30 on with new houses and more land for sale. Read the article and see where they want to spend the money. It is NOT on our ROADS. When will it be a priority? Everything religious comes under scrutiny or protests from groups. But sex and violence are accepted without problem. I need to finally release the vitriol that has been oozing from my very soul over this. Women who think that other women should be forced to have babies because they themselves have reproductive challenges. A message to these women... making the world into an episode of your own personal struggles shows your ignorance and your selfishness. I couldn’t come closer to hatred than what I feel for you in these uncertain times of reproductive freedom. You betray the ones who would support you the most in exchange for a personal green prison encircled by a white picket fence. You are weak minded, just as dependent as the baby you so fervently desire. In the process of “pitching a fit for the perfect dolly”, you will manage to cause suffering to countless other, mostly poor, women who don’t have the options that you have. Okay, the new lights on Calhoun Expressway are nice, but why are most of them still on during the day? Seems like a big waste of our tax money. It is really hard to believe that the same man who designed the beautiful squares of Savannah designed the layout of Augusta. Savannah is stately and has an Old World charm where great thought went in to the placement of prominent landmarks. Augusta, however, is a mess. Just a hodgepodge of of a town with a bland grid street design devoid of urban squares and other places of civic prominence. I guess you the time Oglethorpe made it this far up the river he just said, “Oh just eff it!”

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.

8 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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No Shuckin’ Good For Anyone The ArT oF The oySTer ThiS pAST SATurdAy was widely promoted as a fun-filled night of awesome roasted oysters, live music and arts held at the Columbia County Amphitheater next to the public library. Event organizers were giddy with excitement over this inaugural event that offered guests a dozen roasted oysters and “all-you-can-eat low country boil” for $25 per person at the gate or $20 in advance. Kids tickets were $5 each and included entrance into what the county called the “Kid Zone,” which would offer “monitored child care, hot dogs, chips drinks and a special visit from fairytale princesses.” What more can you ask for in Columbia County, right? Organizers even came up with a cute little promo, saying, “Can’t shuckin’ wait to see you there!” Not that’s really living on the edge for Columbia County. But, unfortunately, the Art of the Oyster didn’t live up to the hype. In fact, it was a disorganized disaster that left guests hungry, tired, full of complaints and wanting their money back. “From the start, this was a very poor execution,” one man wrote on the Art of the Oyster’s Facebook page. “Tickets purchased in advanced couldn’t be scanned in a timely manner so they just looked at them and let you go. This was after waiting in line for quite some time. Then went to the next line for food, waited an hour for oysters then they ran out of low country boil. All you can eat, needed to be changed to all you can wait.” Most people attending the event said the main problem was there was only one food tent available with four servers trying to handle both the low country boil and serving oysters. “You had over 200 people there,” one man wrote. “Simple math would have told you that four people serving 200 would mean 50 people each. Each person will take about three to four minutes each. 3 X 50 is 150 minutes or 2.5 hours to serve everyone. That’s if the food was available at the correct rate which it was not. If this is the first event, it doesn’t set a great example of what the rest of the season will bring.” But the complaints didn’t stop there. “This kinda sucked! We got there at 5:30 and stood in line the entire time for food!” one person wrote. “No all you can eat anything! You were lucky to get the oysters that you paid for.” Many attendees with small children were even more outraged. “My 4-year-old wanted to go play so bad and wanted me to go with her but we couldn’t because we were in line,” a woman posted. “She cried because the princesses left and she didn’t get to talk to them. Three hours in line for 12 oysters and 12 pieces of shrimp was not worth it in my opinion. I couldn’t feed her once again because I was in line. By the time we got the oysters it was over. The kids food was gone and everyone was packing up.” 10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Some parents were appalled that the Kid Zone was described as “monitored child care.” “The kid’s zone was a joke,” one woman posted. “The ‘adults’ had no control and kids were coming and going as they pleased. I did not feel comfortable leaving my children there unsupervised. We essentially paid $20 a person to visit the park we go to free all of the time. I hope Columbia County can get it together if they want these events to be a success.” Another attendee totally agreed.

“Same experience - toddlers running in and out of kids zone with no oversight,” they posted. “Hours in line for them to have run out of low country boil with no apologies. Should not have been billed as an arts show.” Those who did not purchase their $20 tickets in advance were really out of luck. “We got there early, waited in line, and eventually were told we could not buy the $25 tickets to eat,” one person posted. “But, we were offered $15 tickets that would allow us to enter and watch people eat.” Wow. A whopping $15 to watch other people eat oysters while toddlers were freely running in and out of the Kid Zone. Clearly, that would be money well spent, right? Apparently, many of the problems stemmed from both the low country boil and the oysters being offered under the same tent. “The wait time for the food was ridiculous,” one woman posted. “There should have been multiple tents for food. It’s never a good idea to have just one tent. Plus, you need to separate the low country boil from the oysters. I heard some people talking in line that they just wanted the low country boil but had to wait due to others waiting on oysters. The low country boil was delicious but the oysters were wayyyy over steamed. They were like little pieces of rubber and one I couldn’t even pry out of the shell. Plus, the advertising said we

would receive a dozen oysters, but we were told by the server that we were only getting six to start. If we wanted our other 6, I guess we would have to stand in line for an hour again??” Some people attending the event simply gave up and went to have dinner somewhere else. “Absolutely disappointed,” one woman wrote. “We stood in line for over an hour and didn’t even move 5 feet. We ended up going and asking for our money back to go enjoy company and food elsewhere. Can’t believe how poorly planned this event was.” So what was Columbia County’s response? They were definitely apologetic, but to the point that it seemed a little desperate. “First of all, THANK YOU for coming out to our event,” an employee of the county’s community events department posted. “We can’t say enough about how important it is to us that you and so many others decided to spend your Saturday afternoon at our park. Second, we are sincerely sorry for the issues you mentioned in your post. Please believe me when I say that we will fix those problems in the future and that this event taught us a lot. Please give our future events a try- we always do our best to fix issues and to not let history repeat itself. If you would like to discuss this further, please reach out to us at 706.868.3484 and we’d be happy to chat with you.” Well, when some upset citizens reached out to “chat” with the county, the phone lines were tied up with others giving county employees a piece of their mind. Clearly, there were a lot of people upset by the handling of this event. So where does this leave the county? Well, some of the more independent-minded commissioners have for years said the county should not be in the event business. Sure, it’s great to organize a fun day for families to get out and enjoy the parks they paid for, but are Columbia County tax dollars really best spent on oyster roasts? Especially if the event is so poorly organized? The problem comes when professional, independent organizers try to put on similar events in Columbia County, but the public doesn’t realize it’s not a county organized affair. The average consumer doesn’t really pay attention to who is behind these festivals. They just pay attention to the location of the event. Therefore, debacles such as the Art of the Oyster makes private, independent organizers’ jobs that much more challenging in Columbia County. The Art of the Oyster this weekend was an embarrassment for Columbia County, but it was also a major headache for anyone wanting to host an event on county grounds. Because the public doesn’t understand who is behind each event. Therefore, everyone is painted by the same brush. That’s no shuckin’ good for anyone. 30MARCH2017

3/20/17

4:03 PM

2017

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Coach Frank Martin Makes south Carolina Proud To say that South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin has achieved the seemingly impossible this year by leading the Gamecocks to its first Final Four in school history is an understatement. South Carolina fans have enjoyed complete and total bliss for more than a week as they’ve watched the Gamecocks’ stunning upset and knock out of Duke, a complete pounding of Baylor and an impressive win over No. 4 Florida to head to its first ever Final Four on Saturday, April 1. Ironically, it’s April Fool’s Day. But Coach Martin is no fool. In fact, he has shown such determination and love for his team, Gamecock fans, the college and the entire state of South Carolina that, for many people in the Palmetto State, he has already proven that he is a national champion. Is he an outstanding basketball coach? Absolutely. There is no doubt about that. However, he is also a very confident and intelligent leader that is helping to make South Carolina look very good in the national spotlight. For instance, after South Carolina’s incredible defeat of No. 2 seed Duke on March 19, that win should have been all that was on reporters’ minds during his postgame news conference. The Gamecocks had just upset Duke, one of the winningest schools in college basketball history, led by Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who also happens to be the winningest coach in college basketball history. It’s safe to say it was a pretty big win for Martin and the Gamecocks. But like many national events held in the South, there was controversy outside the game and the stadium that had also caught the nation’s eye. Prior to the game, a small group of protesters flew a large Confederate flag on top of a parking garage next to the Greenville, S.C., arena that was hosting the NCAA Tournament games last weekend. Of course, the huge Confederate flag was reportedly raised from the back of a pickup truck where fans entering the arena could clearly see it. It didn’t take long for Greenville police to ask the truck and its giant flag to move away from the edge of the parking garage. Apparently, the police said it was a public safety concern because the high winds could cause the flag to tip over, according to the Associated Press. The appearance of a Confederate flag at the NCAA Tournament games in Greenville was definitely unfortunate because the NCAA had recently lifted its ban against holding championship games in the Palmetto State less than two years ago. Back in 2002, the NCAA pulled events from that state because of the Confederate flag was flying on the Statehouse grounds. Following the massacre of nine African-American members of a Charleston church by murderer Dylann Roof, who had frequently been pictured with the

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Confederate flag, South Carolina lawmakers agreed to remove the flag from the Statehouse grounds in 2015. Finally, South Carolina was once again being viewed as a progressive state. In fact, Greenville was selected as the site for the tournament only after the NCAA decided to remove the games from Greensboro, N.C., due to the HB2 bill, which limits protections offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. It seemed like South Carolina was making some headway, but then the nation watched as a handful of protestors decided it was a good idea to display a huge Confederate flag prior to the games in Greenville. Needless to say, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt wasn’t happy. “The NCAA is proud and excited to host championships in the state of South Carolina once again,” Gavitt said in a statement released by the NCAA. “We are committed to assuring that our events are safe and accessible to all. No symbols that compromise that commitment will be permitted to be displayed on venue property that the tournament controls.” So when it came time for South Carolina Coach Frank Martin to celebrate and talk about his team’s stunning upset of Duke to the national press last weekend, he was also asked about the Confederate flag seen flying outside the arena prior to the game. Now, many coaches across the country would have probably lost their cool and barked an answer like, “I’m here to talk about basketball, not politics.” Or they would’ve tried to dance around such a racially

charged topic like the Confederate flag. Instead, Martin spoke his mind. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s America,” Martin told the national media. “You think we all agree on everything? Our state is united. Our state believes in peace and harmony. That’s why this event is being held in our state right now. Our state is progressive. Our state has incredible people that are about moving forward. But it’s America. We have freedoms. People have freedoms to do whatever they want to do with themselves and their property. It is what it is.” But he didn’t stop there. “There are things out there that I don’t like. But I can’t force people to do what I want them to do,” Martin said. “All I know is this unbelievable university and state has taken in a son of Cuban immigrants that’s married to a Jamaican woman, has mixed kids, and they’ve treated me like I’m one of their own from day one.” All of a sudden, Martin turned what could have been a terribly ugly moment for South Carolina to a major highlight of the evening. A highlight that was really equivalent to the Gamecocks’ win over Duke. “I wouldn’t want to coach in any other state or with any other group of people, for any other bosses than the ones I’ve got,” Martin said. “Our alums, our community is a beautiful, beautiful place. It’s a united state.” Bravo, Coach Martin. You have done the Palmetto State extremely proud — both on and off the court. The best of luck to you and the Gamecocks in the Final Four this weekend. 30MARCH2017

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setting the record straight Barry smith, the former director of Columbia County’s Community and leisure services Division, opens up about why he abruptly resigned

For almost two years, Barry Smith, the former director of the Community and Leisure Services Division in Columbia County, has remained completely silent about the reasons behind his abrupt resignation in July 2015. After serving in the position for more than 12 years, Smith stunned the county when he submitted a resignation letter on July 27, 2015, that was one sentence long. “Effective July 27, 2015, I hereby submit my resignation as Director of Community & Leisure Services with Columbia County, GA to pursue other professional opportunities,” the resignation letter to County Administrator Scott Johnson stated. That was it. According to Johnson, Smith returned to work after a threeday vacation and simply resigned, effective immediately. That was the end of the story, as far as Johnson was concerned. “Barry had not been disciplined prior to his resignation,”

14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Johnson said in a statement provided to the Metro Spirit in 2015. “Columbia County’s practice usually does not discuss details of employee resignations. It is entirely up to the employee to disclose his or her reason for resignation.” It took almost two years, but Smith is ready to explain what caused him to walk away from a job he loved since 2003. “I am here to set the record straight,” Smith said after the Metro Spirit recently requested an interview with him. “I’m a very private person. I don’t like being in the news. I’ve always kept my head down and I’ve tried to do my best for the county. But it’s time the public knew the truth. And you can take this to bank. This is what happened.” Smith said he decided to finally speak publicly about the circumstances surrounding his resignation after the Metro Spirit published portions of an exit interview written by Butch Holley, the former community events manager for Columbia County. Holley resigned from that position on March 21, 2016, after approximately eight months on the job. According to Holley’s exit interview, he was offered his position by Smith on July 6, 2015, but a few days later he received a phone call from Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross. “On July 20, I received a phone call from Commission Chairman Ron Cross, asking for me to meet with him to discuss the position later that day,” Holley wrote. “At our meeting, Mr. Cross told me that he was happy that I was taking the position, but that I needed to understand the situation that I was coming into.” According to Holley, Cross told him that Smith didn’t want him in the position. “Mr. Cross told me that he and County Administrator Scott Johnson overruled Barry and that I had the job,” Holley wrote. “They then told Barry that he wasn’t allowed to fill the open positions in the department, but that Barry had done so anyway.” Holley wrote that Cross told him that Smith had hired three community events specialists in the department without the approval of Cross or Johnson. “Mr. Cross and Mr. Johnson then told me that I could fire any of the employees once they came to work for me at any time without any reason at all,” Holley stated. “They also told me that they weren’t sure how long Barry would remain an employee with the county, but that they wanted to ‘groom’ me to take over his position.” A week later, it is Holley’s first day on the job. “Barry Smith welcomed me to the office and then resigned

“Ron Cross said, ‘Well, I told you not to hire them,’” Smith said. “And I said, ‘Chairman Cross, you have never told me not to hire those people.’” when he met with Scott Johnson,” Holley wrote. “Scott soon called me to his office to let me know what was going on.” When Smith read Holley’s comments in the Metro Spirit a few weeks ago, he realized it was time to break his silence about the circumstances surrounding his resignation. “First off, the claim that I filled those three positions without authorization is absolutely untrue,” Smith said. “They were all approved by County Administrator Scott Johnson.” About two months prior to Holley starting as the community events manager, Smith said there were four vacancies in the community events department. Columbia County’s longtime community events manager, Stacie Adkins, had accepted a new job as CEO of the Augusta Sports Council, Smith said. Around the same time, the three community events specialists working under Adkins were also offered new positions outside the government. “There was no conspiracy that I had for all these people leaving,” Smith said. “All of those jobs became open due to these great employees getting better opportunities and being offered better wages. These were talented people that I hired that did a wonderful job with events, so they were in high demand. But it was like a domino effect. All of the positions came open predominately in May and then a few in June. That was between six to eight 30MARCH2017

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“I remember Scott was standing next to (his executive assistant) Janeabeth Wells after the Connect meeting and he said, ‘Hire who you want to. I don’t micromanage,’” Smith said. weeks before Butch Holley came on board.” As the division director of Community and Leisure Services, it was his responsibility to oversee the Community Events Department, Smith said. “In order to fill a job, you have to follow a process,” Smith said. “The first process is a human resources job requisition. That is a form that I fill out, Scott Johnson approves it and he sends it to HR.” Smith said he filled out the proper forms on all four open positions: the community events manager job, as well as the three community events specialist positions. “In all four of those cases, Scott Johnson approved them and that triggered HR to advertise the positions,” Smith said, adding that not only did he request to advertise the positions in the local paper, but they were also advertised in the Charlotte and Atlanta newspapers. “HR cannot proceed without Scott Johnson’s authorization. In addition, there is a monthly meeting called management leadership team and HR discusses all of the county’s openings. HR also sends an email to all county employees and commissioners regarding any job openings in the county. Those openings are also posted on the county’s website. So everybody was cognizant of these jobs being open.” In order to properly review applicants, Smith said he has always established an interview panel. “I am very particular about who I hire,” Smith said. “I hire good people. I hire qualified people and degreed individuals with skill sets that match the job. And I always have a panel when interviewing applicants because I like to get other people’s opinions. For example, on this panel, I had someone from HR, plus the head of recreation and one of the events specialists. So, we were interviewing people during this six- to eightweek period. We were interviewing for the manager and we were also simultaneously interviewing for the events specialists.” Once a candidate was selected for the events specialist position, Smith said he submitted the form to human resources and they proceeded with pre-employment screening, drug tests and background checks. “HR proceeded with pre-employment screening on all three of the events specialists,” Smith said, adding that all three applicants were given the all-clear. “Then, I sent them a formal letter offering these three people the jobs. This all happened over a six- to eight-week period and Scott Johnson knows that he authorized them.” As for the community events manager position, Smith said the county had received applications from qualified individuals from all across the country, as far away as Hawaii. “These were sharp individuals,” Smith said. “There were also people from Augusta who had strong corporate connections. There were young ladies and young men who had master’s degrees in public relations and a proven track record of success in corporate donations. But that process came to a screeching halt in late June.” Out of the blue, Smith said he received an odd request from the county administrator. “In late June, Scott Johnson called me up and said, ‘I want you to interview Butch Holley,’” Smith said. “I told Scott, ‘I recall Butch Holley’s application and looking at his resume. He had involvement with the Kroc Center, but I don’t think he has any event experience whatsoever.’” But that didn’t seem to matter to Johnson, Smith said. “Scott Johnson told me, ‘No. I don’t think he does either, but let’s interview him,’” Smith said. “I asked, ‘Well, what do you mean?’ And Scott said, ‘Ron Cross 30MARCH2017

wants him interviewed.’” As a result of Johnson’s call, Smith said he did exactly what his boss asked him to do. However, Smith pointed out that there were many more qualified applicants for the job, including a community events specialist who had been employed with Columbia County for several years. This individual had a master’s degree and had previously worked on major local events such as the Westobou Festival and Arts in the Heart for the Greater Augusta Arts Council. “She was an excellent employee and she had decided to apply for the manager’s job,” Smith said. “I told her that I thought she should certainly apply, but I also told her there were other candidates who were very strong, too. And I said, ‘This Butch Holley has all of sudden come into the picture and I don’t know what the deal is with that.’ Because, quite frankly, his resume did not reflect a skill set match for success.” Smith said he simply felt that Holley did not have the experience necessary to become the community events manager. “But then I got a call from Scott and he said, ‘You know your interview panel? Just forget about that. We are not going to use that interview panel anymore,’” Smith said,

He planned to be out of the office the rest of the week, but that evening Smith said he received a call from Johnson. “All he said was, ‘Be in my office first thing in the morning,’” Smith said, referring to Johnson. “He didn’t even say who he was. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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“I went into Scott’s office and he said, ‘Barry, I told you not to fill those jobs,’” Smith said. “I said, ‘No. You didn’t. You told me to hire who I wanted to and that you don’t micromanage.’” referring to the interview panel he previously established that included members of human resources and the recreation department. “I asked, ‘So who’s on the new panel?’ And Scott said, ‘Commissioner Trey Allen, Chairman Ron Cross, me and you.’ So, little by little, I saw this all shaping up.” But rather than argue with his boss, Smith said he agreed to establishing the new panel and attended the interview with Holley the following day. “I said, ‘OK.’ because I am a team player,” Smith said. “On that particular day, there were two interviews. One with the current employee I had who was the events specialist and Butch Holley.” The two interviews were like night and day, Smith said. “The events specialist was so organized in that interview. She did a great job,” Smith said. “It was clear who was the best choice between the two. But once the interviews were over, they told me, ‘Barry, call Butch Holley. He has got the job.’” Just like that, Smith’s opinion about which employee to hire in his division was overruled by Johnson and commissioners Ron Cross and Trey Allen. “I told them, ‘Will do,’” Smith said, shaking his head. “Again, I’m a team player. I follow instructions. So, yes, I extended an offer to Butch Holley, but I was told to. The vote was 3-1 and they wanted me to hire Butch, which is fine. But I never even knew Butch. I didn’t do any background checks on him because they said, ‘Hire him.’ I didn’t do any reference checks on him because I already knew it was a done deal.” The events specialist that Smith encouraged to apply for the manager’s position soon left the county and accepted a job in the private sector, Smith said. Just a few days before Holley was going to begin his new job, Smith said he got a call on July 21, 2015, that Ron Cross wanted to see him in his office. “So I went there and Ron Cross immediately asked me, ‘Did you fill all of these positions?’” Smith said. Now, Smith was the division director over a number of departments including animal services, libraries, parks and recreation, the board of elections, community events, rental facilities and venues, the UGA Extension Services and the Columbia County Regional Visitor Center, so he was confused by the question. “I asked Ron Cross, ‘Which jobs are you referencing?’” Smith said. Cross said he was asking about the three community events specialist positions. “I said, ‘Yes. I hired them.’ This has been going on for six to eight weeks,” Smith said. “If Butch had walked into the department with no employees there, that would not have been good for the county or for Butch. But Ron Cross said, ‘Well, how do you know that Butch is going to like the people you hired?’” Smith said that question from Cross was extremely insulting. “Ron Cross was putting Butch’s opinion on a higher pedestal than mine, a division director,” Smith said. “It was like a kick in the shins. He was questioning my knowledge of identifying qualified people versus somebody who had never even worked for Columbia County. I knew the skill sets required for those positions. And, let me assure you, the people I hired were a tremendous help to Butch.” Since Cross seemed so concerned about Smith hiring the three events specialists, Smith specifically asked Cross if he had someone in mind for the positions. But Cross seemed more upset by the fact that the employees were hired without any input from Holley. “Ron Cross said, ‘Well, I told you not to hire them,’” Smith said. “And I said, ‘Chairman 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Cross, you have never told me not to hire those people.’” However, Smith said Cross continued to disagree with him. “Ron Cross said, ‘Well, this isn’t good. Scott told you not to hire them, didn’t he?’ And I said, ‘No. Scott has never, ever told me not to hire them,’” Smith said. In fact, Smith insisted that Johnson told him after a Connect Columbia County meeting that he could go ahead and hire whichever community events specialist he wanted. “I remember Scott was standing next to (his executive assistant) Janeabeth Wells after the Connect meeting and he said, ‘Hire who you want to. I don’t micromanage,’” Smith said. Despite Smith’s explanation to Cross, the commission chairman was clearly annoyed that the positions had been filled. “Ron Cross said, ‘Well, this is not going to be good,’” Smith said. “Once the meeting was over, I walked out totally confused. Somebody was clearly not communicating with somebody else.” At the end of the day on July 21, 2105, Smith said he headed home to begin a preapproved three-day vacation in Blowing Rock, N.C. He planned to be out of the office the rest of the week, but that evening Smith said he received a call from Johnson. “All he said was, ‘Be in my office first thing in the morning,’” Smith said, referring to Johnson. “He didn’t even say who he was. I told him, ‘Scott, I’m headed to the mountains. I’m on vacation Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You approved it.” Smith told Johnson that he wouldn’t be back at work until that Monday, July 27. “Scott said, ‘Be in my office first thing Monday morning,’” Smith said. “I said, ‘All right. What is this concerning?’ And Scott said, ‘About you filling all of those jobs.’” After his long weekend in the mountains, Smith said he reported to Johnson’s office for their scheduled Monday morning meeting. “I went into Scott’s office and he said, ‘Barry, I told you not to fill those jobs,’” Smith said. “I said, ‘No. You didn’t. You told me to hire who I wanted to and that you don’t micromanage.’” According to Smith, Johnson again insisted that he told Smith not to hire the three events specialists. 30MARCH2017

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“Scott said, ‘I told you not to hire those people.’ And I said, ‘Scott, I’m not going to argue with you. I quit,’” Smith said. “At that moment, I knew that I could not have an effective working relationship with Scott Johnson anymore. I couldn’t even look him in the face anymore. If you don’t tell me the truth, it’s over. I tell the truth.” “By this time, I had a belly full of it,” Smith said. “I said, ‘Scott, I am not going to argue with you. You did not ever tell me not to ﬁll those positions. You approved it. This has been going on for weeks and weeks and weeks. You were cognizant of it.’” But Johnson did not stop. “Scott said, ‘I told you not to hire those people.’ And I said, ‘Scott, I’m not going to argue with you. I quit,’” Smith said. “At that moment, I knew that I could not have an effective working relationship with Scott Johnson anymore. I couldn’t even look him in the face anymore. If you don’t tell me the truth, it’s over. I tell the truth.” Smith said Johnson was stunned. “But I told him, ‘I quit under these circumstances: I want seven months pay,’” Smith said. At ﬁrst, Johnson told Smith that was impossible. “He said, ‘We can’t give you seven months pay. All of the division directors are under contract. You are quitting. We didn’t cancel your contract. You are quitting,’” Smith said. “And I said, ‘I want seven months pay. I know that you didn’t cancel my contract. I know I’m saying that I quit, but that is what I want.’” With that, Smith said he left Johnson’s office and headed home. About 30 minutes after their meeting, Smith said 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Johnson called and agreed to provide him with the seven months severance package and his remaining paid time off (PTO). “The reason I quit was because Scott Johnson was not truthful to me. That was it,” Smith said. “I didn’t quit because Butch Holley was hired. That had nothing to do with it. It had nothing to do with Butch. It had all to do with somebody not telling the truth, and that somebody was Scott Johnson.” When Johnson was continuing to demand that Smith was never authorized to hire the three events specialists, Smith said he simply had enough. “I just thought to myself, ‘This will never work ever in the future. This will be a dysfunctional relationship between me and the county administrator because he doesn’t tell the truth. The work effectiveness between me and the county administrator is gone,’” Smith said. “That is exactly what I thought to myself.” Ever since walking out of Johnson’s office on July 27, 2015, Smith has not spoken with the media. It wasn’t until he read about Butch Holley’s exit interview regarding the alleged private meeting that Holley had with Ron Cross on July 20, 2015, that Smith decided it was time to agree to speak with the Metro Spirit. In that exit interview, Holley claimed that Cross told him that he could fire any of three community events specialists hired by Smith “without any reason at all.” Holley also claimed that Cross told him that they wanted to “groom” him to take over Smith’s position as division director. “If Butch Holley was really being hand-picked and groomed to take over my job, that was never, ever discussed with me,” Smith said. “If you want me to groom him and do a little dance around Butch, let me know that is what you want and I’ll do it. Wind me up like a little toy rabbit and I’ll do the dance because I’m a team player. But that was never talked about to me. They left me in the dark about it all.” After more than 20 years working in city governments throughout Georgia, Smith said very little surprises him, but both the actions of Johnson and Cross caught him off guard. “When I saw Butch’s statement about Ron Cross telling him that the county was grooming him for my job, that was all news to me,” Smith said. “Now, am I stupid? No. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. That might have possibly been true that they were grooming Butch for my job, but they ended up firing him. And, with all due respect to Butch, the county shouldn’t yank people around like that. They shouldn’t take employees’ livelihood and their professions so lightly. So, therefore, I guess the moral of that story is they didn’t have good judgment.” While Holley officially resigned on March 21, 2016, and was not actually fired, he acknowledged in his exit letter that Johnson requested him to resign. Holley stated in his exit interview that he felt he had no other choice. “Knowing the circumstances and history of the former director, I decided to tenure my resignation,” Holley stated. Smith insisted that the county should have never put

Holley in such a difficult position. “If they had done a little more homework on the capabilities of Mr. Holley and a background check on his past employment and resume, this could have all been avoided,” Smith said. “But they didn’t use good judgment.” The Metro Spirit reached out to both Johnson and Cross regarding Smith’s account of his resignation, but neither the county administrator or the commission chairman wanted to comment on the matter. “Columbia County has a long standing practice of not discussing personnel matters publicly,” Cross wrote in a prepared statement, adding that he didn’t agree with the events as presented by Smith, but that he would have “no further comment at this time.” But Smith insisted that he simply wanted to tell the truth regarding his resignation. “I have never thrown anybody under the bus as long as I’ve been in government,” Smith said. “I take responsibility for my actions and I have a very good track record. I also take the blame for people under me. I am a leader. You can ask anybody who has ever worked for me. When they ﬂounder, I pick them up, give them the tools to get them back on track and I’ll take the blame. I’ll do it because that’s a leader. And to be a good leader, you have to have faithful followers.” When Johnson kept insisting that he had not authorized the hiring of the three events specialists, Smith said he had no other choice but to quit. “Scott Johnson knew. He knew. He knew. He knew. But why he says he didn’t know, I think it has to do with Ron Cross,” Smith said. “But, at that point, I could not be a follower of Scott Johnson anymore. Therefore, I didn’t need to work there.” It has been more than 20 months since Smith walked away from his position in Columbia County and he says he doesn’t regret it for a minute. He is currently enjoying retirement with his wife, Smith said. “There is life beyond Columbia County,” Smith said laughing. “But I believe my record speaks for itself. I was a loyal and very faithful employee. I have been that way with everybody I’ve ever worked for. Over the years, I’ve worked for the City of Augusta, I was a director for Augusta-Richmond County, a director in Savannah’s government and a director in Columbia County. Have I ever seen a government run quite like Columbia County? No. Absolutely not.” Clearly, Columbia County has a very “hands-on” commission chair, Smith said. “I have never seen this much involvement by a leader before. Is that good or bad? You have to weigh it all out,” Smith said. “But I don’t regret at all working for Columbia County. It was a great experience for me. But I’m very happy to be away from Columbia County because it is not an open book.” Throughout his career, Smith said he could always handle demanding bosses and even stressful situations, but he simply couldn’t stomach someone lying to his face. “I don’t like people who don’t tell the truth. It goes against everything inside of me,” Smith said. “All jobs have uncomfortable times. But this was so uncomfortable that I knew it couldn’t go on. It was over.” 30MARCH2017

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From the Beginning

moon taxi returns to play another masters Week event moon taxi is returning to Masters Week in Augusta, but, this year, they won’t appear as themselves. Instead, they’ll play as People of the Sun. “Moon Taxi will not be performing any of our own songs,” keyboardist Wes Bailey said. “In fact we are playing as an alter ego band called People of the Sun, which is an all Rage Against the Machine cover set. Moon Taxi fans may be a little disappointed if they are expecting to hear any of our own songs.” Moon Taxi has been a fixture at events organized by local promoter George Claussen and his company, Friends With Benefits. They played Birdies and Bogies, Claussen’s first Masters Week events, in 2012 and 2013, and played the first Major Rager in 2014. Claussen is excited to have the band back, and doesn’t think fans will be disappointed at all not to hear their favorite Moon Taxi tunes. “This year was very strenuous as far as getting everything together, but the lineup, I’m so obsessed with it because it hits a little bit of everything,” Claussen said. “You can go even if you don’t like the Flaming Lips, because you can still see Moon Taxi, who will be playing a Rage Against the Machine set. And whodoesn’t like Rage Against the Machine?” The band members have appeared as People of the Sun on multiple occasions, including pulling off a double performance as both People of the Sun and Moon Taxi during the 2014 Hangout Festival in Alabama. That performance highlighted the band members’ ability to put on a great show, no matter what. The Nashville, Tennessee-based band has performed together as Moon Taxi since 2006, boasting an ever-growing catalogue of indie-progressive rock and alt-pop and had just released an album when Claussen called them up about playing Birdies and Bogies. “We had just released our album, ‘Cabaret,’ and were about to play Bonnaroo for the first time,” Bailey said. “This was an exciting time for us and we were making a lot of new fans along the way. George has been a great asset for us in the Augusta area and we’re thankful for our friendship with him.” It was only natural then for Claussen to ask the band to be a part of Augusta’s first Major Rager in 2014. The show was a big success, despite some teething problems. “Overall it turned out fine but, yes, there were major sound issues and delays that naturally come with your first time throwing a big festival,” Bailey recalled. “Once all the kinks were sorted out, it was a great experience and we were honored to be a part of the maiden voyage.” The band has developed a massive fan base in part due to their crowd-friendly, genrebusting music, as well as significant commercial placement for global brands like BMW, MLB and HBO Sports. Moon Taxi has also performed on The Late Show with David Letterman and Conan, and at multiple festivals, including Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. The last five years have yielded two more albums and a packed touring schedule, but that hasn’t stopped the band from getting into the studio. A new album is expected to be released later this year. Bailey previously described the release of a new album as a chance to share a new experience with others. “When we release a new album, we enter a new chapter in our story; an experience

By Molly Swift

we share with our fans,” he said. Yet, despite its growth, Bailey insists the band has coped well with its success. “For the most part everything is the same except my weight.” This year’s Major Rager is shaping up to be one of the most extravagant musical events of the year. Joining People of the Sun are acclaimed singer-songwriter (and producer) Eric Krasno and alt-rock band Stop Light Observations. And though the headlining act – the Flaming Lips – has many people buzzing, including the other acts, the members of Moon Taxi planning on enjoying the tournament, too. “Of course I am looking forward to performing before one of my favorite bands, the Flaming Lips,” Bailey said. “But, also, I am hoping to catch a little bit of the tournament earlier in the day. The Masters is my favorite weekend all year and I am an avid fan of golf. And yes, I hope we will continue to play this event for many years to come.”

The Major rager w/ The FlaMing lips, people oF The sun, eric Krasno Band, sTop lighT oBservaTions Augusta Common Thursday, April 6 5 p.m. $35, general admission; $105, VIP; $100, Fore! Pack; $15, Sky City after party with Funk You, Schema fwbpro.com

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ONE A DAY

So you’re in town for the Masters and you’ve been at the course all day. The question is: what are you going to do tonight? If the Metro Spirit had to choose one a day, here’s what we’d recommend.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

It’s your first night in town and, after all the traveling, you just want a nice place to relax, a place where you can have a few drinks, eat some great food and just get your bearings. If that sounds like heaven to you, then we can’t think of a better place to recommend than Craft & Vine. A sister to Chef Sean Wight’s upscale Frog Hollow Tavern and burger joint Farmhaus (all three on the same downtown block), Craft & Vine is one of the best bars around if you want upscale craft cocktails. And sitting at the bar watching your bartender create concoctions like the Fireside (Dewars, Carpano Antica, Averna, Smoked Rosemary) is half the fun. Wines by the glass are plentiful due to their “tap” system that keeps open bottles drinkable longer, and they also offer fun items like punch service for four or more people and Chambongs (you’ll just have to ask). Craft & Vine, however, isn’t just a place to drink. It’s also many an Augustan’s favorite place to eat as well. Their charcuterie and cheese boards are a perfect snack to eat at the bar, and their weekly variations on deviled eggs are always inventive and delicious. Their wood-fired pizzas, though, are our favorites and we always enjoy seeing what their seasonal offering is. Right now it’s the Asparagus. Topped with ricotta cheese, local asparagus, local farm eggs, parmesan, mozzarella and red pepper flakes, the egg and ricotta dissolve into the perfect base for the thin, crunchy crust, pleasantly darkened from the oven. And don’t forget to save room for desserts; the truffles and pot de crème change periodically and are always the perfect end to a great meal.

You may not be aware of this, but Augusta is now home to not just one, but two breweries. Riverwatch Brewery opened in 2016, and Savannah River Brewing Company opened just a month or so ago. The good news for Masters guests is that both breweries have special tour hours for the week. Why would you want to take a tour of a brewery, you may be asking yourself? Well, because a brewery tour isn’t just a tour. You also get a commemorative glass… and beer! Because of some antiquated Georgia laws (that are, thank goodness, about to change), patrons can’t simply visit Riverwatch or Savannah River and buy their products to take with them. Instead, you pay for a tour and get free samples that add up to 36 ounces. At both places, that’s six half pours or three full pours. And both breweries have a variety of styles, so there’s a little something for everyone. Savannah River has ﬁve main styles: a pilsner, an IPA, a Belgian wit, a brown ale and an amber ale. At Riverwatch, you can count on a blonde, an English-style pale ale, an IPA and a brown ale, but mother-daughter brewing team Brey and Anne Sloan are always coming up with variations to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, you just missed the Queen Maeve, a seasonal Irish red they brew in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and they may have some Hippies Use the Side Door, a lavender honey pale ale they brew in the spring. Their Nearest Point of Relief (NPR) is a wheat bear with lime zest that is especially popular during the summer. Each brewery encourages their guest to hang out, bring their friends (and dogs) and stay as long as they like, so you could easily while away an entire afternoon and evening drinking beer, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and chatting with the brewers. It’s an experience unlike anything else you’ll ﬁnd in Augusta.

Craft & Vine 1204B Broad Street, downtown Open 5 p.m. daily, with happy hours from 5-6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight (Sunday-Tuesday) or 1 a.m. (Wednesday-Saturday). Kitchen closes one hour prior to bar closing. 706-496-8442 craftandvine.com

Riverwatch Brewery 1176 4th Street, downtown Open Monday-Saturday 2-9 p.m. $15 706-421-7177 riverwatchbrewery.com

22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Savannah River Brewing Company 813 5th Street, downtown Open Monday-Thursday, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-9 p.m. savannahriverbrew.com

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TUESDAY

Today is probably your last day to take it easy. Wednesday is, of course, the Par 3 Contest and the city wide party that follows (see Wednesday’s entry below). Then, after that the Masters begins in earnest. So we suggest you take this Tuesday to indulge in some much-needed downtime by visiting our nearby neighbor, North Augusta, and checking out all she has to offer. First on your list of things to do should be a visit to Wine World. Just across the 13th Street Bridge, Wine World has an amazing selection of wines, several daily selections for you to taste (along with some excellent cheeses) and a couple of walls filled with beer. We could spend hours in this small space, looking at labels and chatting with their friendly and knowledgeable staff. A stroll along the North Augusta Greeneway is next on your list. The Greeneway, used by almost everyone in the area — from long-distance runners and cyclists to families and dog walkers — is an idyllic paved path that winds through many of the city’s neighborhood and along the Savannah River. It’s especially beautiful when accessed by way of the Hammond’s Ferry neighborhood, which is behind the government center (take the light that’s right there at Wine World). You should be able to find plenty of parking along the streets. After you wander for a while, admiring the beauty of the water, head back into the Hammond’s Ferry neighborhood, where you’ll find three incredible options for dinner. Manuel’s Bread Café is a French bistro right in the center of the action with a wonderful patio. Hammond’s Ferry Larder is a store, bar and restaurant a little up the road. Both are owned by Chef Manuel Verney-Carron, who also owns Blue Clay Farm nearby that supplies much of his produce. DiVino Ristorante Italiano is a relative newcomer, which sits across the street from Manuel’s. Serving Italian fare from the Tuscan region, it has a beautiful and serene setting and offers everything from pasta dishes to fantastic steaks. Fortified from your relaxing afternoon and evening, you’ll be well prepared for the craziness the rest of the week will bring. Wine World 133 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta 803-279-9522 wineworldsc.com

Hammond’s Ferry Larder 89 Crystal Lake Drive, North Augusta 803-341-9273 hﬂarder.com

Manuel’s Bread Café 505 Railroad Avenue, North Augusta 803-380-1323 manuelsbreadcafe.com

DiVino Ristorante Italiano 465 Railroad Avenue, North Augusta 803-426-8675 divinonorthaugusta.com

WEDNESDAY

Right before he heads to Brooklyn, N.Y., to induct Tupac Shakur into to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday, April 7, rapper Snoop Dogg will visit Augusta on Masters Week. Yep, that’s right: marijuana aﬁcionado, Martha Stewart BFF and the man who raised the ire of many a Republican because of his recent “Lavendar” video (Google it if you want to see a clown who looks suspiciously like our 45th president meet his demise), is set to appear at the Country Club on Washington Road Wednesday, April 5. Details are scarce and ticket information has yet to be released. Is he performing or appearing? Who knows. We hope he’s performing, because we can’t think of a more perfect end to the city wide party that is Par 3 Wednesday that hearing “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot” live. Well, if we could get Snoop to line dance that would really be perfect. Snoop Dogg The Country Club Wednesday, April 5 Doors, 7 p.m. 706-364-1862 augustacountry.com

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Washington-Wilkes Tour of Homes and Spring Festival First Baptist Church, Washington Saturday, April 1 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $30. wwtourofhomes.com

ARTS Sat April 1

10am - 2pm Paint Your Pet Kroc Center Participants ages 15 and older should bring a photograph of their pet with them to class. $35. Pre-registration required. Call 706-3645762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

EDUCATION Thu March 30

9am - 11am Computer Help for Absolute Beginners

An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.

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

Thu April 6

11:30am - 1:30pm Open Job Lab

Wallace Branch Library Call to schedule an appointment. Call 706722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

Diamond Lakes Branch Library Participants can complete job applications, resumes or conduct job searches with staff available for one-on-one help if needed. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

3pm VA Beneﬁts for Long-Term Care

5:30pm Basic Conversational Spanish

Burroughs Elijah Attorneys Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-3764 or visit burroughselijah.com.

Sun April 2

2:30pm Build a Blog Following with Tara Wood Columbia County Library Part of the Local Author Group Therapy series. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Mon April 3

3:30pm Intermediate Spanish Headquarters Branch Library 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

understanding of issues facing the region, improve the communications network among leaders and participate in civic activities. Application deadline is Friday, March 31, at 5 p.m. Call 706-821-1308 or email kate.harski@ augustametrochamber.com.

Leadership Columbia County Columbia County Chamber of Commerce A 10-month program for business and area leaders in which class members participate in day-long sessions covering topics ranging from law enforcement and healthcare to the history of the county and education. Applications, available on the website, are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Visit columbiacountychamber.com/ leadershipcolumbiacounty.

Weeks Center, Aiken A class for those ages 18 and up. April’s classes meet each Thursday at 5:45 p.m. and the topic will be traveling 1. $30, residents; $38, non-residents. Call 803-6427631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.

Professional Development Courses

Ongoing

Free Tax Assistance

Leadership Augusta Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Applications are available for Leadership Augusta Class of 2018, a 10-month program in which participants have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, foster

Jessye Norman School of the Arts The school offers classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other software programs. Call or visit the website to see a schedule of spring and summer classes. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org. Headquarters Branch Library Available Wednesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through April 15. This service is for taxpayers with low- to moderate-income and those 60 and older. Those interested

should bring a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns and a voided check. No appointment necessary. Call 706821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

Free Tax Assistance Maxwell Branch Branch Library Available Thursdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., through April 15. This service is for taxpayers with low- to moderate-income and those 60 and older. Those interested should bring a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns and a voided check. No appointment necessary. Call 706793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

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

Guided Tours 1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, 30MARCH2017

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$2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

The exhibit will run through March. Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

North Augusta Driving Tour

Outliers: The Art of Printmaking

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.

Westobou Gallery A satellite exhibition, in conjunction with the Southern Graphics Council International’s 2017 Conference, in celebration of printmaking featuring artwork from eight local, regional and national printmakers. It will be on display through April 9. Call 706755-2878 or visit westoboufestival.com.

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 Sat April 1

10am - 5pm Washington-Wilkes Tour of Homes and Spring Festival First Baptist Church Tour includes many historical landmarks, a complimentary tour shuttle service all day, an artist market on the square, lunch at the Washington Woman’s Club from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ($12) and more. $30. Visit wwtourofhomes.com.

EXHIBITIONS Thu March 30

6pm - 8pm Gallery Opening Reception Aiken Center for the Arts Featuring The Julie Adams Group in the main gallery; Sally Donovan in the AAG Gallery and Mead Hall in the Brooks Gallery. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.

Ongoing

Black History Month Exhibit Headquarters Branch Library In honor of Black History Month, The Georgia Heritage Room will exhibit a collection of rare and antique books on loan from local historian and writer Elvin Thompson. Some of the books included are an 1852 ﬁrst edition two-volume set of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe, an 1855 ﬁrst edition of “My Bondage and My Freedom” by Frederick Douglass, an 1880 second edition of “A Fool’s Errand” by Albion W. Tourgee and many other works. 30MARCH2017

ESPECIALLY FOR MASTERS PATRONS Looking for things to do once you leave the hallowed gates? The Metro Spirit has color-coded our calendar just for you.

Rhythm and Movement: Paintings by James Michalopoulos Morris Museum of Art An exhibit of more than 30 large-scale paintings of the historic architecture of New Orleans that will show through May 14. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Exhibits Augusta Museum of History 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.

FLIX Thu March 30

6:30pm “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Fri March 31

5:45pm Free Movie Tuesdays

West. Visit doctors-hospital.net.

Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2600 for weekly selections. Visit arcpls.org.

Meditation Sessions

6:30pm “Assassin’s Creed” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Wed April 5

10:30am and 4pm “Moana”

Sat April 1

Thu April 6

Kroc Center A class for those ages 14 year and older in which no previous experience is necessary and all supplies are provided. $40, members; $45, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

10:30am and 4pm “Trolls” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

6:30pm “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

Kroc Center A free movie showing. Concessions will be available for purchase. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.

North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

HEALTH

Sat April 1

10am Chair Yoga

Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Mon April 3

4pm “Lady and the Tramp” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

6:30pm “A Monster Calls” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Tue April 4

4pm “The Cat Returns” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

HOBBIES

North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

6:45pm Family Movie Night

3pm “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

The Yoga Center, North Augusta Led by members of the Southeastern Buddhist Community the ﬁrst and second Wednesday of each month. Sessions are free and open to the public. Visit sebuddhist.org.

Fri March 31

Georgia Cancer Center Open to anyone being treated at the center. Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.

Mon April 3

7:30pm Beginner’s Yoga That Place Coffee Call 706-339-7011 or visit thatplacecoffee.com.

Ongoing

Colorectal Cancer Screening A Doctors Hospital event throughout the month of March, during which participants can pick up a free screening kit at several locations and return it to the hospital’s lab. Kits are available at the hospital’s main entrance, WJBF, Warren Family Life Center, Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life Center, Warren Grovetown and Tabernacle Baptist Church

10am - 1pm Eastern European Egg Decorating

Mon April 3

6:30pm Doodle Hour Columbia County Library Coloring for grown ups. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Wed April 5

Noon Doodle Hour Columbia County Library Coloring for grown ups. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

5:30pm - 7pm Simple Cheese Making theClubhou.se Part of the Grow Your Own series of workshops sponsored by theClubhou.se and Augusta Locally Grown, this one featuring Chef LaRahna Hughes of Sugarbear’s Catering, who will teach participants how to make mozzarella. Suggested donation for each workshop is $5. Pre-registration required. Call 706-288-7895 or visit augustalocallygrown.org. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Mon April 3

9am - 3pm Camp Kroc Kroc Center A camp for those ages 5-12 in which participants will enjoy swimming, arts & crafts, group games, sports, Bible lessons and more. Before- and after-care available. Members: $25 a day or $125 a week. Nonmembers: $30 a day or $150 a week. Preregistration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

10:30am Jr. Lego Club Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 2-4. Legos provided. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue April 4

10am Big Kids Story Time Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 3-6 that, in March, celebrate Dr. Seuss. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Build a Blog Following with Tara Wood Columbia County Library Sunday, April 2 2:30 p.m. Our most famous blogger, thanks to the story of her daughter Norah’s friendship with Mr. Dan, which made national news, will speak at this event, part of the Local Author Group Therapy series. 706-863-1946 gchrl.org

Thu April 6

1pm - 3pm Cool Coloring for Grownups Aiken Public Library Pre-registration required. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbelib.org.

6:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club The Book Tavern A club open to all ages and skill levels that meets the ﬁrst and third Thursdays of each month. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chess sets. Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.

Ongoing

Basic Genealogy Tutorials Headquarters Branch Library Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

10am Preschool Story Time Diamond Lakes Branch Library A program for those ages 3-5 that includes stories, songs, games, short movies and crafts. Pre-registration required for groups of 6 or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

1pm - 3pm Kids Paint at the Park

4:30pm Lego Club

Youth Pavilion, Fort Gordon Participants will make a work of art from their footprints. $20 fee includes supplies, snacks and an Easter egg hunt. Preregistration required. Call 706-791-8878 or 706-791-4300.

North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library For those in grades K-5. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

4pm Storytime in the Gardens

KIDS-TEENS Fri March 31

Sat April 1

10am - 2pm Easter Egg Hunt and Family Day Wildwood Park, Appling More than 7,000 candy and prize-ﬁlled eggs will be hidden for children ages 2-13. The event will also include bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, a cake walk, games, snacks, pictures with the Easter Bunny and lunch. Free, but $3 for parking. Register for the egg hunt the morning of or by calling. Call 706-541-0586.

11am Beauty and the Beast Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

Hopelands Gardens Each family in attendance will receive a free book. Blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks are welcome. Call 803-642-7631.

Wed April 5

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registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

10am Story Time for Tots Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 0-3 that, in March, celebrate Dr. Seuss. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

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

10:30am Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern Juice and cookies will be provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.

Thu April 6

10am - 3:30pm Junior Rangers: Canoe and Hike Mistletoe State Park An event for kids that will include a guided hike to learn about the plants and animals living in the park and a canoe ride along the shoreline of Clarks Hill Lake. Preregistration required. $20; $5, parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org.

website, are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. Visit columbiacountychamber. com/youthleadershipcolumbiacounty.

The Shepard Project Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A teen hangout and safe space for LGBTQ+ teens, ages 14-17, and allies that meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. The group is also looking for chaperones ages 25 and older and youth mentors 18-24 years old, who must pass a background check. Call 803-617-8352 or email shepardprojectaugusta@gmail.com.

LITERARY Thu March 30

10am - noon Morning Book Club Maxwell Branch Library This month’s selection is “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org.

Wed April 5

6pm Page Turners Book Club Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

MUSIC Thu March 30

7pm Deconstructing The Beatles’ “Revolver” Imperial Theatre $10. Call 706-722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.

7:30pm Jump Jive and Wail

2pm Arts & Crafts Buffet

AECOM Theater, Aiken An Aiken Performing Arts Group event featuring The Jive Aces. $40. Visit apagonline.org.

Columbia County Library Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Fri March 31

Ongoing

TAG Membership Drive Teens in Action with Goals (TAG), Inc. is a 501 3(c) non-profit, teen program organized within Richmond County Recreation and Parks formed to help reduce teenage pregnancy, high school dropouts, drug sales, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, and gang-related crimes. It is open to new members from March 20-April 20, and offers departments including dance, step, drama, poetry, chorus, recreation/travel, social/ cultural, mission, scholarship and yearly conferences. Meetings are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Brigham Community Center gym. Call 706-284-8252.

7:30pm Jump Jive and Wail AECOM Theater, Aiken An Aiken Performing Arts Group event featuring The Jive Aces. $40. Visit apagonline.org.

Mon April 3

6:30pm - 8pm Hopelands Summer Concert Series Hopelands Gardens, Aiken Attendees can bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and well-behaved pets on leashes, but no alcohol. Free. Call 803-642-7631 or visit facebook.com/experienceaiken. The rain-out hotline is 803-643-4661.

SENIORS

Leadership Columbia County Junior

Thu March 30

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce A program for rising high school sophomores and juniors in Columbia County who want to take a more active role in their community. Applications, available on the

Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

30MARCH2017

11am Classic Movie for Seniors

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Honorees include Jeff Knox, Bev Dolan and Laura Coble. The event also includes food samples from local restaurants. $5. Visit augustaga.gov.

Tue April 4

11am Teddy Bear Picnic Columbia County Library Children should bring their favorite plush toys, a bag lunch and a blanket for a picnic. Call 706-8631946 or visit gchrl.org.

5pm - 8pm Horses and Courses Art Walk

Horses and Courses Art Walk Downtown Aiken Tuesday, April 4 5-8 p.m. 803-642-7631

Ongoing

hd983.com.

Kroc Center An AARP event that is held each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through April 18. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.

7pm The Price Is Right Live

SPECIAL EVENTS

8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River

Free Tax Prep

Thu March 30

6pm Keepers of the Dream Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History A Women’s History Month Tribute featuring an evening of creative dialogue with Toni Quest, Uta Schmidt and Rhian Swain. Refreshments will be served and there will also be a book signing and paintings display. Free and open to the public. Call 706-7243576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.

Fri March 31

10am - noon Green Ain’t Mean Richmond County Department of Public Health Teaching Gardens An event in which participants will plant leafy greens and having a tasting. Volunteers need to pre-register. Call 706228-7895 or visit augustalocallygrown.org.

6:30pm - 8pm Pet Pictures with the Easter Bunny Tractor Supply, North Augusta A Team StinkyKiss Shelter Rescue Project event in which the ﬁrst 40 dogs get a goodie bag. $15. Visit teamstinkykiss.com.

7pm - 11pm First Friday Golf Party Augusta Common An HD 98.3, family friendly event that will include food, drinks and more. Free. Visit 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Bell Auditorium $41-$52. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.

Sat April 1

8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com.

9am - 9pm Angels for Angie Benefit Backyard Tavern A benefit biker poker run with proceeds benefiting Angie’s ongoing medical and financial needs. There will also be a raffle, T-shirts, food trucks at the tavern selling food and live music after the ride by the Robbie Ducey Band and Georgia Shades Band with special guests. For more information, call 706-469-4266 or email kat3458@gmail.com.

10am - noon Children’s Old-Fashioned Egg Hunt Rose Hill Estate A fundraiser for the Aiken Public Library that also includes games, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more. Free, but donations to the Aiken County Public Library will be accepted. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

10am - 2pm Family Fun Day Augusta Common A Financial Literacy Month kick-off event hosted by the Housing & Community Development department, who will share information on their ﬁnancial literacy

programs. This event will also include exhibits, vendors, inﬂatables, face painting, doors prizes and more. Free. Call 706-821-1797.

10am - 1pm Work Day

Downtown Aiken An event that includes an art walk along the sidewalks and Alley where visual artists will display paintings, sculptures and jewelry. There will be performing artists, as well as artwork on display for viewing and purchasing inside and outside many downtown restaurants and businesses. Call 803-642-7631.

Wed April 5

5pm - 9pm Partee on the Green Augusta Common A community dance party with vendors. $3, general; $30, VIP. Call 762-233-5299.

Thu April 6

10am Veterans Affairs

Living History Park, North Augusta Volunteers should bring gloves and rakes. Lunch will be provided. Call 803-279-7560 or visit colonialtimes.us.

Columbia County Library Representatives from the Augusta Vet Center and the Charlie Norwood Medical Center will be on hand to meet with veterans. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

3pm Arts in the Heart Performer Application Info Session

5pm - 8pm First Thursday

That Place Coffee A Q&A session for local performers. Visit artsintheheartofaugusta.com.

Shops of Midtown, Kings Way at Central Avenue This event features discounts in the shops, hors d’oeuvres and more. Call 706-733-1788.

4pm - 6pm Adult Egg Hunt and Library Fundraiser

SPIRITUAL

Rose Hill Estate A fundraiser for the Aiken Public Library that also includes games, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a cash bar. $20, advance; $25, day of. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

10:15am 139th Anniversary Celebration

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 “More Than Meets the Eye” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.

Mon April 3

5pm - 10pm Mayor’s Masters Reception

Sun April 2

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church The guest speaker will be Rev. Robert E. Donaldson. Call 706-619-2600.

SPORTS-OUTDOORS Fri March 31

9am Off the Beaten Path Ride Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse A monthly mixed-surface ride in which cross/gravel bikes are recommended. Preregistration required. Call 706-724-2453 or visit andyjordans.com.

Sat April 1

8am Amazing Grace 5K Langley Pond Park Same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. $25. Visit active.com.

Augusta Common 30MARCH2017

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8:30am 3M Augusta Invitational Forest Hills Golf Club This two-day event concludes Sunday, April 2. Free to the public and an awards ceremony and trophy presentation will take place Sunday following play. Visit augustajags.com/ sports/mgolf/.

9:30am - 11:30am Swamp Saturday Hike Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A free, guided, 2.5-mile hike. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

10am - noon Hike and Craft Mistletoe State Park A naturalist-led hike of about one hour, followed by a craft time. $2, craft; $5, parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

Sun April 2

2pm Augusta Furies Women’s Rugby Club vs. the Savannah Shamrocks Larry Bray memorial Pitch, 100 Wood Street Visit augustafuries.org.

Tue April 4

7pm - 9pm Evening Canoe Mistletoe State Park Pre-registration required. $10 plus $5 parking. Call 706-5410321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

Wed April 5

3pm Under the Stars Jumper Night Stable View Farm Call 803-648-1222 or visit stableviewfarm.com.

5pm Buzztastic Batting Practice Lake Olmstead Stadium Augusta GreenJackets hosts batting practice and concession stands will be open. Visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Ongoing

City Cup Corporate Challenge City of Aiken Offered by the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, the City Cup Corporate Challenge provides area businesses the opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles, establish leadership roles, develop employee relationships, enhance existing corporate fitness programs, promote friendly competition, provide company exposure to the community, improve personal skills and boost employee morale. Registration is open through April 7. Call 803-6427648 or email cmiller@cityofaikensc.gov.

Fencing Classes Augusta Fencers Club Classes for children as young as six, as well as teens and adults, meet five nights a week. A new, 10-week session of introductory classes will begin Monday, April 17, and Thursday, April 20, for youth. Teens ages 10-13 will meet Mondays at 5 p.m., youth ages 6-9 will meet on Thursdays at 5 p.m., and adults down to 14 years of age will meet Mondays at 7 30MARCH2017

p.m. The course includes all competitive equipment and is $180. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-8878 or visit augustafencersclub.com.

Celebrate Recovery

SUPPORT

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.

Mon April 3

Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group

6:30pm Cancer Share University Hospital For those with any type of cancer. Call 706-774-5946 or visit universityhealth.org.

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.

7pm Parents Healing Together University Hospital A support group for parents, families and friends who have lost infants through miscarriage, death, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth. Call 706-774-5811.

Tue April 4

10:20am Moms Connection Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor. All new moms and their babies are welcome and an international board certified lactation consultant/educator/ perinatal nurse will answer questions and offer resources. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.

5:30pm Weight Loss Support Group AU Professional Building 1 Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2609 or visit augustahealth.org/weightloss.

Wed April 5

5:30pm Girl Talk Support Group Doctors Hospital A support group for those who have pelvic health issues. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Thu April 6

10am Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Kroc Center For those dealing with Alzheimer’s and/or caregivers. Preregistration required. Call 706-860-5233.

Noon Active-Duty Parent Support Group Fort Gordon’s Family Outreach Center Call 706-792-5220 or visit fortgordon.com.

Ongoing

Recovery International Mental Health Support Group Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A weekly group that meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. Based on the work of Abraham Low, MD, RI offers its members a low cost method to regain and maintain their mental health by using mental health through will training. People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other symptoms. Email marykahb@yahoo.com.

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

Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/meetings.pdf.

Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.

THEATER Thu March 30

9:30am, 10:45 and 12:15pm “Jack and the Beanstalk” AU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre School shows of this Storyland Theatre production. $5 per student. Visit storylandtheatre.org.

7:30pm “The Fourposter” Etherredge Center, Aiken $15, adult; $12, seniors; $8, students with ID. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.

Fri March 31

9:30am, 10:45 and 12:15pm “Jack and the Beanstalk” AU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre School shows of this Storyland Theatre production. $5 per student. Visit storylandtheatre.org.

7:30pm “The Fourposter” Etherredge Center, Aiken $15, adult; $12, seniors; $8, students with ID. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.

Sat April 1

3pm “Jack and the Beanstalk” Maxwell Theatre This Family Matinee, a production of Storyland Theatre, is $6. Active duty military and their families are admitted free with ID. The box office opens at 2:15 p.m. and those attending are invited to stay afterwards to meet the cast. Visit storylandtheatre.org.

7:30pm “The Fourposter” Etherredge Center, Aiken $15, adult; $12, seniors; $8, students with ID. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.

Sun April 2

2pm “The Fourposter” Etherredge Center, Aiken $15, adult; $12, seniors; $8, students with ID. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 29

SKY CITY 1157 Broad Street Downtown Augusta / skycityaugusta.com

FLAMING LIPS BOOM BOX EXPERIMENT

TUE APR 4

ZAIREEKA

WED APR 5

Wednesday Night Conspiracy

THU APR 6

Flaming Lips Official After Party

Bring Your CD Boom Box / 8pm - Free!!!

HIP HOP NIGHT Featuring DJ KNIGHTMARE / 10pm - $10

FUNK YOU

With Special Guest SCHEMA / 10pm - $15

FRI Funky Live Dance Party APR SOUL COLLECTIVE 7 Featuring CALEB TOKARSKA / 10pm - $5 SAT APR 8 THU APR 13

“Put On Your Red Shoes & Dance The Blues”

80’s NIGHT Featuring DJ COCO / 8pm - Free!!!

JoJo’s Slim Wednesday featuring

JOJO HERMANN of WIDESPREAD PANIC Doors 8pm - Music 9pm / $15-$20

4-20 / MAGGIE KOERNER 4-21 / THE STEPPIN’ STONES 4-29 / SIMO 5-9 / LUCERO 5-19 / LITTLE TYBEE

“Best Live Music Venue In Town” skycityaugusta.com soulbar.com

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Local favorites Lady Antebellum headline the Rock Fore! Dough at the Evans Towne Center Park Tuesday, April 4. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the show, which also features Darius Rucker, Kip Moore and Bethany and the Southside Boys. $30, advance; $40, day of show. Visit rockforedough.com.

Thursday, March 30 Live Music

AECOM Theater (Aiken) - Jump Jive and Wail w/ the Jive Aces Fox’s Lair - Bethany Davis’ Birthday Party Down-town Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Sonny’s Groove Mellow Mushroom (Augusta) - Phillip Lee Jr. and Michael Baideme Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - Brandon Reeves Soul Bar - Muy Biien, Nihilist Cheerleader Wild Wing - AcostA The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House

What’s Tonight?

Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Old School Thursday w/ DJ Groove Coyotes - Karaoke with Bam Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia Knight’s Lounge - Karaoke The Loft - Karaoke Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Pizza Joint (Evans) - Late Night Social w/ DJ Paco Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane That Place Coffee - MAD Open Mic

Friday, March 31 Live Music

AECOM Theater (Aiken) - Jump Jive and Wail w/ the Jive Aces The Back Porch (North Augusta) - Jay Floyd Cotton Patch - Live Jazz Country Club - Lynn Avenue Coyotes - The Joe Olds Band Fox’s Lair - The Mike Frost and Lauren Meccia Duo The Highlander - Dave Mercer

32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Ginuwine will visit the James Brown arena on Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m. as part of the R&B Spring Jam. Other acts on the ticket include Maze, Frankie Beverly, Dru Hill and Kelly Price. $52.50-$99. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.

Iron Heights - Greyhaven, Naomi, Favela, Desecrated James Brown Arena - R&B Spring Jam w/ Maze, Frankie Beverly, Ginuwine, Dru Hill, Kelly Price Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Delta Cane, The Clydes Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Jazz w/ Doc Easton Shannon’s - Preston and Weston Sky City - LeGoose, Tunde, Digigost Stillwater Taproom - Black Iron Gathering Surrey Tavern - Rock Vault Wild Wing - The Unmentionables The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Reggae Night w/ Chillakaya

What’s Tonight?

Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Dead Rat Comedy w/ Jenn Snyder Le Chat Noir - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Oliviana - International Social w/ DJ Serrano Soul Bar - Disco Hell

Saturday, April 1 Live Music

Country Club - Daniel Johnson Coyotes - Broadcast 90 Fox’s Lair - Tim Roy and Ana Figiel Iron Heights - Carousel Kings, Abandoned by Bears, Bad Case of Big Mouth The Loft - Little Lesley and the Bloodshots, the Psycho DeVilles Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Wit’s End Shannon’s - Shannon’s Anniversary Party w/ Mike and Walter Sky City - Ben Price & Friends Stillwater Taproom - Donald Merckle and the Blacksmiths Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) - Phillip Lee Jr. and Michael Baideme Wild Wing - Villanova The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke Soul Bar - DJ Dance Party That Place Coffee - Cushions & Caffeine Afternoon Open Mic

Sunday, April 2 Live Music

Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Tin Lizzy’s - Adam Harris Thompson Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) - Jacob Beltz and Michael Baideme Wild Wing - Outside Stage: Prettier Than Matt; Inside Stage: Famous Last Words The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson

Monday, April 3 Live Music

Chevy’s - Russ Schneider, Jeff Barnes Country Club - Ray Fulcher and Cody Webb Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) - Hopelands Summer Concert Series w/ Bethany & the Southside Boys Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words Southbound Smokehouse - Black Dawg Tin Lizzy’s - Kenny George Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) - Will McCranie and Michael Baideme Wild Wing - Outside Stage: Tim Cardiere Band; Inside Stage: The New High

30MARCH2017

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia

Tuesday, April 4 Live Music

Country Club - Velcro Pygmies Evans Towne Center Park - Rock Fore! Dough w/ Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Bethany and the Southside Boys Fox’s Lair - Irish Music with Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic Polo Tavern (Aiken) - New Holland Road Tin Lizzy’s - Brandon Reeves Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) - Jacob Beltz and Michael Baideme Wild Wing - Outside Stage: Rick Monroe; Inside Stage: Big Scene The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck

What’s Tonight?

Bar West - Trivia Capri Lounge - Trivia The Cotton Patch - Trivia Limelite Cafe - Bottom’s Up Trivia Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Trivia Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Sky City - The Flaming Lips Zaireeka Boom Box Experiment Twisted Burrito - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper

Wednesday, April 5 Live Music

The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Mike and Walter Stillwater Taproom - Will McCranie Trio Surrey Tavern - Roshambeaux Tin Lizzy’s - Jon Rooks Whiskey Bar (Kitchen) - The Clydes Wild Wing - Outside Stage: Black Lion Reggae; Inside Stage: Broadcast 90

Steep Canyon Rangers

- Bell Auditorium April 27 Alice Cooper

- Bell Auditorium April 30 The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass

- Evans Towne Center Park May 27-28 Hank Williams Jr.

- James Brown Arena June 16

Elsewhere Los Lobos

- City Winery, Atlanta March 30 Radiohead

- Philips Arena, Atlanta April 1 Jason Isbell

- Civic Center, Savannah April 1 Micky Dolenz

- City Winery, Atlanta April 2 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

- City Winery, Atlanta April 3

ANNUAL CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE Unitarian Universalist Church 3501 Walton Way Extension (Next door to Fire Station)

Saturday, April 1 8 am - 12 Noon (Items priced to sell) -Rain or Shine-

What’s Tonight?

Augusta Common - ParTee on the Green w/ DJ Dance Party The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Capri Lounge - Game Night Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes The Loft - Karaoke Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Sky City - Conspiracy w/ DJ Knightmare Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey

Upcoming The Major Rager w/ The Flaming Lips, People of the Sun (by Moon Taxi), The Eric Krasno Band, Stop Light Observations

- Augusta Common April 6 The Major Rager After Party w/ Funk You, Schema

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

- Sky City April 6 Ippie Music

- Bird Dog Grille April 7 Colter Wall, John Clay, Phillip Lee Jr.

- Metro Pub & Coffeehouse April 12

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

Home Free

- Imperial Theatre April 13 Rod Melancon

- Southbound Smokehouse April 15

Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+

Meet sexy new friends

FREE TRIAL

706-434-0112

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Lori Terry, Donna Hallman and Lisa Shull at the Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta.

Joshua Smith, Ariel Hawes, Suzanne Cabral and Tony Smith at the Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta.

Cathy Reinhart, artist Randy Lambeth and Kibble McKettrick at the Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta.

The Irish Family of the Year: Conner, Alane, Ralph and Maurey Bowles at the IAHS St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Augusta.

The Grand Marshal and his Aides: Worth Andrews, Danny Fitzqerald, Mike Rucker and Tim Wright at the IAHS St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Augusta.

Dan Eicher, Irish Lady of the Year Carol Eicher and Carol Mauldin at the IAHS St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Augusta.

Kathy Rufo, Vivian Rice, Julie Gazda and Chris Rucker at the Augusta Museum of History’s Night at the Museum.

Lyla, Stacy and Lycia Hibert at the IAHS St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Augusta.

Dawn Howard, Lisa Lesak, Deborah Davis and Mary Quinby at the Augusta Museum of History’s Night at the Museum.

34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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111-ACROSS! By Grant Thackray/Edited by Will Shortz 93 U.S. broadcaster overseas ACROSS 94 ____ row 1 Poor-weather driving aid 95 The end: Fr. 7 Pale-faced 96 “Dies ____” 11 Texting format, for short 100 To whom the title “45-Down” was 14 Indonesian island referring the whole time 18 Possible weapon in a bar fight 103 Big name in headphones 19 Resting place for a polar bear 104 Hindu god of destruction 20 “I totally crushed that!” 105 Trims 22 It’s actually made of 55-Down 106 Kids’ character who says, “A day 24 Companion of Jason without a friend is like a pot without a 25 Wood that makes up the foundation of single drop of honey left inside” much of Venice 107 Annual meal 26 Clomped (on) 108 Learned inside and out 27 Basil who designed England’s 111 Warning for solvers of this puzzle Coventry Cathedral 114 Source of one’s sense of balance 28 Level 115 Many resting places 29 “____ All That” (1999 rom-com) 116 Plant that’s the source of a caffeine30 Who 93-Down was all along free tea 35 Product of Boston or Chicago 117 One way to sit by 36 Part of a KFC order 118 Squeeze (out) 37 Enthusiastic assent in Madrid 119 Figure in statistics 38 Cambodia’s Lon ____ 120 Altercation 39 What flows in une rivière 40 The “E” of Q.E.D. DOWN 42 Boat with a very fine net 1 “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper 44 “Phooey!” 2 Tomboy 45 It turns out to be 99-Down 3 Subjects of some food-package 49 Beefcake’s pride warnings 50 Fresh 4 Cake finisher 51 House call? 5 Extra in “The Sound of Music” 52 Up to this point 6 Make it clear how things are going to 53 Bad luck, old-style go 56 Joke, slangily 7 Natural dos 57 Metal band around a pencil eraser 8 See 66-Across 61 Peeping aid 9 Ground breaker 63 Fashion 10 Itch 66 It really is an 8-Down 11 See 83-Across 69 Has pegged, say 70 Disappointment for someone looking 12 Muddles 13 Accept, as a package for a parking spot 14 “The Devil and Daniel Webster” author 72 Record-holder for the most times 15 Nabokov novel hosting the Academy Awards 16 Lucy of “Charlie’s Angels” 74 Limit 17 TV “Cousin” 75 Studio sign 18 Jrs. take them 76 Ga. neighbor 21 Good person to ask for directions 79 Indonesia’s ____ Islands 23 Actor Kinnear 80 Nothing, in Latin 27 Not covering much 82 Having a spare tire, maybe 29 Picket, e.g. 83 What 11-Down does, shockingly 30 Pre-euro money 88 Computer-controlled players, in 31 Govt. cultural org. until 1999 gaming lingo 32 Big cheese 90 Relating to the sun 33 Suffix with Jacob 91 Tolkien’s trilogy, for short 34 Throw on the floor? 92 Cut

36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

37 Sound in the stacks 41 “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” protagonist 42 Lead-in to foam 43 Oh follower 44 “Tiny Bubbles” singer 45 See 100-Across 46 Hill of R&B 47 Inquired about 48 Jamie of “M*A*S*H” 49 Falls for 54 Brightest star in Aquila 55 See 22-Across 57 Swamp 58 Kind of port 59 Regulus’s constellation 60 Draw back 62 Slapstick prop 64 Puccini pieces 65 Stolen item in “Alice in Wonderland” 67 Moving aid 68 State quarters? 71 Rest 73 Penguin and others 77 Lead-in to Jon or Wayne 78 Exclusive groups 80 Nothing but ____ 81 Player of Nelson Mandela in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” 84 Interest for a limnologist 85 Some core classes: Abbr. 86 Treehouse builder, maybe 87 Unattended 88 Exclusion 89 Big name in kitchen utensils 90 Center of a roast 93 See 30-Across 95 Jester 97 Cause a wedgie 98 Opposed 99 See 45-Across 101 Bucko 102 Major John ____, Benedict Arnold’s co-conspirator 103 Western capital 106 Koi’s habitat 107 Baghdad’s ____ City 108 Early millennium year 109 Not to mention 110 Show with a “cold open,” for short 111 Excel command 112 For 113 Remote button

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