Metro Spirit - 04.13.17 by Metro Spirit

Table of Contents April 13, 2017

Whine Line 4 Jenny is Wright 6 Kris Fisher 7 Insider 8 Feature 10 Metro Week Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword The Eight

14 15 16 22 24 26 28

Pg. 10 EDIT

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Amy Christian

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Joe White

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Stacey Eidson Molly Swift Staff Writer

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

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BUSINESS

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Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.ÂŠ 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.

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OPINION

Jenny is Wright: 6 | Kris Fisher: 7

The Whine Line

Okay, The Masters is over now. Can we please get the city to come and pick up all the limbs and debris from the recent storms? Driving around town I see a lot of places with big piles of tree limbs and storm-related debris just waiting for the industrious and dedicated city employees to come take away...

made themselves look but it is really just a shame. Hopefully soon and I mean real soon all three will be relieved of their “positions” and we can be proud of our government leaders again. This Augustan want to thank the City of North Augusta for taking on the Greenjackets’ stadium. All they want is a few more dollars from you, and a few more then too.

Stupid stupid equals dumb. These whines are to long...no one reads them. After the syrian bombings, I fully expect revenge attacks on the american people. Just to let the establishment in Washington know, the world is changed dramatically, and the multitude of enemies does not fear death. It will take a single rocket on the homeland, to fast forward america in its self destructive downward spiral. We all remember the crowds trampling, fighting, killing, each other for video games, and big screen tv’s on black friday. Imagine what they will do for food, milk and water. Just paid hard earned money to see Lady A @Lady A but the VIP tent for Ron Cross is ridiculous. Why should Richmond County taxpayers vote to approve a new round of SPLOST so the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority can build a new, bigger arena? If they don’t want our input on where best to build it let the authority find a way to finance it without our sales tax money. What do they do with the millions of dollars in hotel-motel taxes they get every year? Thank you Augusta National Golf Club for your continued contributions to our town and for #MAGA - Making America Golf Again. “Everything religious comes under scrutiny or protests from groups. But sex and violence are accepted without problem.” -- everything stupid comes from religious extremists who believe sex is a dirty problem to be solved. And who doesn’t feel the need to protest when it’s considered “religious freedom” to discriminate against people who don’t believe like YOU? What comes around goes around.

The whine about Paine College, from the issue of April 6 is woefully ill-informed. For instance, Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, GA, is not an obscure institution. No, it is a very distinguished, very long-established Presbyterian Seminary, alma mater of Peter Marshall, among other famous graduates. He was already famous when appointed as Chaplain of the Senate right after WWII. At least three pastors from large churches, well-known and well-respected in Augusta, have advanced degrees from there. Several of the scholars on the faculty, past and present, are renowned worldwide. Also, an examination by SACS is not a matter to be dismissed lightly. All the institutions, including various schools and colleges, I have witnessed going through accreditation or re-accreditation with SACS found the process demanded extremely careful work. Locally, that includes EDS, one of the ﬁnest schools in the state. When an institution is undergoing a SACS review, the administrators and teachers spend many long hours to demonstrate their procedures and competence, as well as document their credentials and produce all the other required paperwork. It is a serious examination and often results in having to upgrade or re-do the achievements in one or more areas within the standards. It is not easy. Institutions are put on probation and some do fail. So, Paine College will have to take care of its shortcomings, but it does not deserve to be attacked in this way, particularly by someone who cannot be bothered to do a simple Google search to be sure their comparisons, and comments in general, are worthy of attention and respect. We may not like all the facts we know, but that does not make them less than factual. Despite the way our public discourse has abandoned dedication to telling the truth, and no matter what the intention may be, it is not fair or honorable to spout out opinions without regard to actual facts.

Those who are dissing Snoop Dog, I can think of worse people right here that haven’t fixed anything and are taxing without representation. Mr. Sias needs to stop bullying people who do not see eye to eye with him at his community center. He runs that center like a dictator. It seems to me that he developed the center for his own gratification not for the community. I had hoped he would be an asset on the commission but instead he has become tyrant. Standing up for Women’s rights, ladies be careful out there. Whenever I mention to anyone what great improvements that should and can be made to the city of Augusta, I am always met with, “well Augusta has no money”. Is that true? What does it do with all the money it gets from hosting the Masters? I know it goes back to improve the area right around the Golf Course but what about the rest of the profits? What about the rest of the city that is left in the dark that needs improvement? What? Did he just say Trump appointed Gorbachev To be a Supreme Court judge? From stories in the Metro Spirit and from stories on other local media formats some of us who live in Columbia County who are not connected have learned that three so called leaders in our government aren’t lily white. Cross, Sleeper and Johnson seem to have dug themselves into a hole that makes them easy targets for ridicule. I want to say it’s funny how they have

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.

3/20/17

4:03 PM

2017

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15 in 5 Jenny is Wright Because I love a lIst. especIally a random lIst. 1. Even if you don’t care a lick about golf, you should watch the Honorary Starter part of that tournament here. Watch the replay from this year. Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus honor their friend, the legendary Arnold Palmer, and it’ll make a grown man cry. 2. Why do so many of you dislike the tournament so much? Is it because you’ve never been? I don’t ask that in an ugly way. I’m curious. Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle for one week, but our city is better because of the improvements, landscape-wise. The hospitality industry does pretty well during that week, and it’s actually easy to avoid traffic. 3. Why does Wal-Mart only ever have one check-out open? No really. There are 37 some odd check-out lanes, and one has a cashier. 4. Okay, fine. They have self checkout now. When we were there the other day, only two of the 10 checkout lanes were open. What gives? They don’t even need employees for that. 5. I let the lady behind me go ahead and check out first. I didn’t have but 20 items or so, but she had two Honey Buns and some pink carnations and I wasn’t in a hurry. 6. To the lady who came behind us next, yes I AM nice enough to let people with only a few items skip ahead of me. I did notice you only had a box of Tampax, but I’d already let Honey Bun lady go, and I couldn’t keep that up all day. 7. Assume positive intentions, people. You never know what happened right before you walked up to aisle 17 at Wal-Mart. 8. Happy Easter and Pesach Sameach to all you fine folks who celebrate and observe. 9. The Easter Bunny doesn’t come to our house. Never has, even when The Kids were tiny. It’s always been Easter Mama, because that makes more sense than a bunny. 10. Easter Mama quit buying candy for the baskets because she found herself throwing it all away to make room for Halloween candy later in the year. 11. Speaking of Easter candy, do y’all like Peeps? I’ve found that Peeps make some people really angry. I like them. Sue me. 12. Speaking of making people angry, I’m up to 86,529 emails. I lost several thousand when I got a new phone. The folks at the Apple store were baffled by my disappointment. 13. Gmail started alerting me about a lack of storage space. Don’t they realize I have a goal here? I’m happy to relinquish the storage space as soon as the 100k mark is achieved. 14. People care about this more than you’d expect. I like it. Sue me. 15. Even if you don’t care a lick about golf, you should watch Sergio win that tournament here. He is a true hero, and a fine example of class and sportsmanship. He’s been playing for that green jacket since 1999, when he was an amateur. Work hard. Don’t give up. It’ll pay off. Sergio Garcia’s payoff was $1.98 million.

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

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Five Minutes ’Til wapner

Kris Fisher

I was enjoyIng a pastime from my youth last weekend. I was relaxing on the couch on a beautiful spring day, watching the third round of the Masters. It’s a memory that I cherish from my own childhood. I shared it with my parents, and now I was sharing it with my own kids. Well, kid. No. 3 was spending spring break with her friend and No. 4 was doing what 8-year-old boys like to do. No, not THAT! He was upstairs playing Minecraft. So, there we were: the wife and I with No. 2 enjoying our city’s biggest event when my son says, “I HATE Sergio Garcia.” So I asked “Why? What did he do to you?” He said “He’s so rude to his fans!” I’ll save you the rest of the back and forth, but what it boils down to is that he’s heard this somewhere and formed his opinion based on something someone else said. I saw this as a teaching moment. Well, after my wife and I enjoyed a good bit of sarcastic, over-the-top hating of Sergio every single time he was on the screen, of course: “Jeez! Just look at him smiling and waving at his fans! What a jerk that guy is!” I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal. People know me. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. So I, too, know what it feels like to be pre-judged by strangers. Sometimes the judgment comes from a small something that someone may have heard. Sometimes it’s based on something someone thinks they know. But it’s hardly ever based on fact. In my questioning of my son, he never brought up the questionable comments Sergio made towards Tiger Woods, which I would have understood a little more than just the general hatred of the guy. Even so, those comments were years ago. Still unacceptable comments, but still years ago. Sergio has since apologized for them. Maybe he’s sincere, maybe he’s not. Maybe he said it in the heat of a moment that he wishes he could take back. Or maybe he repeats those words every day of his life while reciting an old voodoo chant, vowing to destroy Tiger. I don’t know. Until we do know, there’s not really any reason to project anger at a screen to a guy we’ve never met. So this was my lesson to my son: Know your facts before you judge someone. “You heard something about someone from someone else” is no reason to pass judgment. Now, if you’re watching a bunch of players running around wearing orange and blue with an alligator logo on it, then you can hate all you want. There’s really no better reason to hate a person than that. He’s 15, so the jury is still out on whether he got the message. Actually, the jury is still out to whether he was even listening to me ramble. Personally, I’ll leave the burden of passing judgment to those to which it belongs: God, Allah, Jehovah, Krishna, L. Ron Hubbard and Judy.

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KRIS FISHER is the midday host and program director for HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple. He is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, as well as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. djkfish.com.

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NewS

On Tap in Augusta: 10

Shake-Up in Columbia County... Again So, the word on the street this week is Gary Bennett, Columbia County’s stormwater utility manager, has resigned after being placed on administrative leave last week. Why exactly was there another abrupt resignation in Columbia County’s local government? This resignation appears to be a result of a fellow employee’s complaint against Bennett. The Insider won’t get into specifics about the allegations, but let’s just say that it involved a female employee who didn’t appreciate some comments allegedly made to her by Bennett. The rumor is that County Administrator Scott Johnson was well aware of the allegations against Bennett and let them slide for some time. It has been a bad year for Columbia County so far. The criticism of Johnson’s leadership style continues to mount ever since former EMA Director Pam Tucker resigned from her position and accused Johnson of creating a “hostile work environment” that included “verbal attacks” on her. In her letter of resignation, Tucker aimed at Johnson with both barrels. “During the last few years, I have endured a hostile work environment by the administrator, who has an on-going deliberate campaign to force me out of my job,” Tucker wrote in her Jan. 31 letter of resignation, referring to County Administrator Scott Johnson. “Time and time again, I have tried to be strong and keep focused on my job since that is my passion and has been for a large part of my life. The latest of many verbal attacks on me is more than I can suffer.” By Feb. 3, Tucker walked away from a job that she has loved for the past 18 years. “As a professional, hard-working employee who truly cares about the citizens of Columbia County, I deserve much better than to be berated repeatedly by the administrator,” Tucker wrote. “I have had my job responsibilities slowly stripped away — one by one — because the administrator has been dishonest with the commissioners in regard to my leadership. I don’t know what his ultimate plan was, but I do know that my leadership has greatly benefited our community and the commissioners in countless ways. The administrator’s continuous harsh treatment of me has left me demoralized, frustrated, and dispirited.” For the past two months, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been apparently conducting an “internal investigation” into Tucker’s complaints against Johnson. In fact, the Board of Columbia County Commissioners decided it needed the sheriff’s Internal Affairs Division to serve as a neutral, third party to conduct the investigation. “They are speaking with all the parties involved,” Public Relations Manager Cassidy Harris issued in a press release. “The investigation will address the allegations of a hostile work environment as stated from Ms. Pamela Tucker in her resignation letter along with allegation made in (EMA Deputy Director) Rusty Welsh’s resignation.” Before Welsh resigned in January, he also claimed to have experienced “intolerable working conditions.” But Welsh’s complaints weren’t against Johnson. They were against Tucker. So the big question in Columbia County these days is, will the sheriff’s office provide the public a report regarding its investigation into the complaints by both Tucker and Welsh? The rumor is that more than 150 people have been interviewed regarding the internal investigation by sheriff’s office. That’s a lot of people with a lot of stuff to say. One person who was interviewed by internal affairs told The Insider that the questions by the sheriff’s office centered mainly around Johnson’s management and leadership style. Everyone in Columbia County is anxious to find out what, if anything, the sheriff’s office decides regarding the accusations of a hostile work environment. And, of course, the gossip across the county increased that much more after Tucker announced she plans to run for Columbia County commission chair in 2018 — a seat currently held by Chairman Ron Cross. Unfortunately, Tucker is reluctant to publicly campaign for her seat until the sheriff’s office finishes its investigation. While that might be a very noble move, Tucker should consider going full steam 8 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

ahead with her campaign and not wait around until there is a conclusion to the investigation. The sheriff’s office is under no deadline, so the investigation may take a few more weeks or several more months. Who really knows? Of course, with department managers resigning left and right under Johnson’s leadership, perhaps the county administrator is simply digging himself into an even deeper hole. But, regardless of what the sheriff’s office discovers, it will be up to the Columbia County commissioners to decide whether or not any action should be taken against Johnson. Right now, most people are confident that Johnson has 100 percent support from Chairman Ron Cross. But what about the other commissioners? Will they stand by Johnson until the end, too? Things are clearly getting very uncomfortable for some local leaders. So, stay tuned folks for the continuing saga of “As the World Turns... in Columbia County.” 13APRIL2017

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tim shelnut’s Master Embarrassment Why is it for the past several years, that right around Masters Week the public suddenly hears again about the troubles of local businessman Tim Shelnut? Is someone intentionally try to embarrass Shelnut on a national stage or is it just bad luck on his part? A few days before Masters Week again this year, The Augusta Chronicle reported that an arrest warrant for contempt of court had been filed against Shelnut. The contempt of court is regarding Shelnut’s back alimony he owes his former wife following their divorce in 2010. Earlier this year, the Chronicle reported that Shelnut was ordered to pay his ex-wife, Virginia “Sam” Pannill, approximately $375,087 or report to jail for contempt. Once again, Shelnut has filed a petition for bankruptcy. This same scenario occurred a few years ago in 2014 when Shelnut was arrested on charges of contempt of court because he failed to pay almost $200,000 in alimony. Shelnut spent two months in jail before reaching a settlement with his ex-wife. And here we go again. The Charles B. Webster Detention Center is a far cry from his once lavish, multimillion-dollar home. Almost 20 years ago, Shelnut was flying high. Once a high school dropout, he became known as one of the richest men in the Augusta area. Shelnut often boasted that he had been involved in the “financial-services industry” for more than 30 years. In the late 1980s and 1990s, he spent 14 years as president and owner of Washington Annuity Sales, building the firm into one of the country’s fastest-growing major providers of 403(b) annuities, with assets totaling $6 billion. He sold the company to the Northern Life Insurance Company of Seattle in 1996. Shelnut then became the chairman and owner of Four Seasons Securities of Augusta, a national marketing firm specializing in retirement planning and taxsheltered annuities. In addition, he was president and CEO of Shelnut Properties, Ltd., a private real estate firm based in Augusta. Shelnut had everyone in town talking. He was the recipient of the 1998 National Philanthropist of the Year Award after becoming the first donor to contribute $1 million to University Hospital in support of its juvenile diabetes program. But he also dabbled a lot in Georgia politics. Stories about his lavish political parties at his home and his personal helicopter were legendary. Shelnut could do no wrong in Georgia because, after all, money talks. In 2000, Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes appointed him to the Board of Regents, an 18-member governing body for the University System of Georgia. The board basically manages the state’s university system, which is comprised of 34 public colleges and universities, more than 250,000 students and approximately 36,000 faculty and staff. Upon his appointment to the Board of Regents in 2000, Shelnut resigned as a member of the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s board of directors, where he supposedly “worked on issues involving public education financing.” A short five years later, Shelnut was elected chair of the Board of Regents. Things were going great for Shelnut until about 2008, when the State Ethics Commission issued a $40,000 fine against him because he violated state ethics laws. It was the largest civil penalty the State Ethics Commission has ever assessed an individual, The Augusta Chronicle reported. The penalty was a result of Shelnut acknowledging that he made “campaign donations in excess of state limits and giving $24,000 to others to make donations in his name from the mid-1990s to 2004,” the newspaper reported. Shelnut’s world quickly began to crack. That same year, he filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing $9.18 million in assets and $6.49 million in liabilities, the Chronicle reported in 2008. 13APRIL2017

Apparently, it was an extremely complicated bankruptcy that initially began in June 2008, but continued for more than five years until it was finally settled in 2013. And now Shelnut has filed a second petition for bankruptcy just this year. It might be time for Shelnut to sell all his assets, settle his bills and ride off into the sunset. Otherwise, he may find himself with a permanent place in jail.

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By Stacey Eidson

a new law will allow breweries across the state to sell their beer directly to customers beginning september 1 When visitors Walk through the doors of the River Watch Brewery in Augusta to sample the beers on tap, owner Brey Sloan said many guests are confused when they are offered a tour of the brewery instead of a pint. “It is embarrassing and they look at you like you have horns on your head,” Sloan said, laughing. “Under the current Georgia law, we are selling guests an educational tour package with a souvenir glass, so it is kind of a confusing system the way it is right now.” Customers who purchase a tour of the brewery are provided “free” samples of the locally brewed beer. The cost is $15 per tour for each person or $13 for those with a military ID. The tours run once an hour at the brewery, Sloan said. Georgia lawmakers adopted the current tour system for breweries back in 2015. “It is kind of an odd thing to explain to people,” Sloan said. “Especially if they don’t live here in Georgia.” But, come September, all of the confusion will come to an end thanks to the Georgia Legislature’s approval of Senate Bill 85 during this year’s session. Republican Sen. Rick Jeffares of McDonough, who also happens to be the chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, introduced the bill this year which will allow Georgia breweries to sell up to 3,000 10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

barrels of the beer they manufacture to consumers visiting the breweries each year. Once the bill goes into effect on Sept. 1, consumers will finally be able to enjoy beer by the glass and take up to one case to go each day without purchasing the “tour package” that is currently required. For many breweries around the state, this new law will be a game changer, Sloan said. “The biggest benefit is that it’s immediately going to increase the amount of revenue that I see as a small business owner,” Sloan said. “That means, more equipment that I’ll be able to buy which translates into perhaps making one of my part-time employees a full-time employee.” The new law will also provide beer lovers more options when visiting breweries across the state, she said. “We will be able to just have customers come in and if they want to get a beer flight to sample the beers, they can finally do that,” Sloan said. “Or if they want to buy a specific pint of beer, they can buy that. So, it will definitely be an improvement in that regard. And it is going to make it a little easier for me as well because, if I don’t have to do tours all the time, then I can have staff running things and I don’t have to be there all the time.” For the past several months, Nancy Palmer, the executive

“Under the current Georgia law, we are selling guests an educational tour package with a souvenir glass, so it is kind of a confusing system the way it is right now.” — Brey Sloan 13APRIL2017

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“A brewery being able to sell beer to consumers when they walk in the door, it is kind of a big deal.” — Nancy Palmer

“I was asked by some folks who were not in this state what on earth I was thinking of when I wanted to start a brewery in Georgia because the business climate was not good for breweries here.”

“One of the challenges that Georgia has is that we rank 48th in breweries per capita, but something like 17th in total craft beer production,” Palmer recently told Beer Guys Radio. “So we are making a lot of craft beers but we are doing it with relatively few breweries and there is a big segment of the market that we are missing, which are small breweries.” This new law allows the “little guy” to retain more of a profit, she said. “This legislation will make it a lot easier to open. It will lower the barriers of entry and it will make breweries that are smaller, profitable faster,” Palmer said. “And I think it will be a real boom, particularly for small towns in Georgia to be able to attract breweries. This is going to have a real positive effect on smaller breweries in the state and I think we will see a lot of smaller breweries open.” Last summer, business leaders from craft breweries and their wholesale partners met to discuss common sense updates to benefit the beer industry in Georgia, Palmer said. “The business leaders of the GBWA (Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association) have been crucial in this process,” Palmer said. This new law has officially ended a decades-old stand-off between beer brewers and the beer wholesalers, she said. “I applaud the industries for coming together and agreeing to an innovative solution,” Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said during this session. “The shared interest of supporting our emerging small business and creating more opportunities for Georgians is clearly reflected in this legislation.” According to the most recent data from the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, while Georgia ranks 48th in breweries per capita, it also ranks 41st in economic impact per capita. However, the industry is steadily growing, Palmer said.

— Brey Sloan director of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, has been traveling across the state, speaking to everyone from Georgia lawmakers to Beer Guys Radio, trying to promote the bill and educate consumers about its importance. “A brewery being able to sell beer to consumers when they walk in the door, it is kind of a big deal,” Palmer said. “What it is going to allow for is a total annual sales in the brewery of up to 3,000 barrels a year, which is equivalent to about 6,000 regular size kegs. And a brewery is going to be able to do onsite sales without any per person, per a day cap. And they will be able to sell up to a case of beer per person per day to go. All of that beer onsite and offsite gets lumped into that 3,000-barrel cap per year.” This new law will provide breweries across the state much more freedom to provide customers options, she said. “There won’t be a requirement for an educational tour or the kind of roundabout transactions that currently exists,” Palmer said. “Also, breweries will fall under regular food laws, so a brewery could have a food service component if they wanted one.” Ultimately, this new law will benefit smaller breweries trying to get off the ground and bring in new business, Palmer said. 13APRIL2017

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“In the end, we liked the idea of taking this warehouse that was pretty rundown and revitalizing it so it would be a showpiece for Augusta.” — Steve Ellison In 2016, Georgia added 11 new breweries and brewpubs, continuing a consistent trend of growth. In Augusta alone, two new breweries have opened their doors over the past year: River Watch Brewery located at 1176 4th St. and Savannah River Brewing Company at 813 5th St. For Sloan, opening the River Watch Brewery was a huge ﬁrst step for the Garden City. River Watch Brewery is the city’s first locally owned and operated packaging brewery since the demise of the Augusta Brewing Company. In fact, one of the messages promoted at River Watch Brewery is 12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

“About Damn Time.” “The last brewery in Augusta, Georgia went down during prohibition and never came back,” River Watch Brewery’s website states. “That’s a mighty long time for the citizens of The Garden City to not have their own brew. Well, the wait is over. River Watch is here.” But opening a new brewery in Augusta didn’t come without risk, Sloan admitted. “I was asked by some folks who were not in this state what on earth I was thinking of when I wanted to start a brewery in Georgia because the business climate was not good for breweries here,” Sloan said, chuckling. “The laws regarding breweries were so confusing here in Georgia that I think I’m not the only one who would have been deterred by the business impediment that we had when we opened, or we still kind of have until Sept. 1 when the new law goes into effect. I think there are a lot of people who want to get into this industry and this new law will really help them.” After all, there is a great deal of upfront costs incurred by new breweries before the first keg is even produced, Sloan said. Sloan, a retired Army Colonel who studied brewing technology at the World Brewing Academy at Siebel Institute in Chicago and Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany, said it took a tremendous amount of work and financial investment to transform an old warehouse on the farmers market into a small production brewery. From installing a heavy duty floor in the brew house and cellar to purchasing an array of equipment such as a boiler and steam lines to heat the brew house and installing a chiller and glycol lines to keep the fermenters at the proper temperature, it was an expensive endeavor, Sloan said. “So, once this bill is signed and passed and comes into effect, it is going to be a lot more appealing to people to come to Georgia and start this sort of a business,” Sloan said. “It is an extremely popular business that is going to help the state’s tourism, improve economic

“One of the challenges that Georgia has is that we rank 48th in breweries per capita, but something like 17th in total craft beer production. So we are making a lot of craft beers but we are doing it with relatively few breweries and there is a big segment of the market that we are missing, which are small breweries.” — Nancy Palmer development and create more jobs. So, this new law has a whole bunch of positive impacts, not just for me as an individual business owner, but for the entire industry in this state.” When Savannah River Brewing Company’s President and Co-Founder Steve Ellison recently opened the second brewery in Augusta with a starting lineup that includes ﬁve different styles of beer, it was also a major investment. He purchased seven brand new, shiny steel 13APRIL2017

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“I think we are going to be seeing more people coming from farther away because it makes more sense to make a long trip to come to two breweries than it is for just one.” — Brey Sloan

fermenters and companion equipment that were carefully delivered from British Columbia, California and North Carolina to the Savannah River Brewing Company, which is located at the former General Wholesale Company along Fifth Street. “We love this location. We looked all around Augusta and there were a couple of facilities that were a little newer, but they weren’t in this area,” Ellison told the Metro Spirit last year. “In the end, we liked the idea of taking this warehouse that was pretty rundown and revitalizing it so it would be a showpiece for Augusta.” From the very beginning, Ellison said the company’s plan was to distribute both kegs and bottles through the area’s largest distributor of craft beers, A.B. Beverage Company. “I have to say, I was shocked that Augusta didn’t have a brewery already,” Ellison said. “We had been to Augusta off and on for different reasons before and my daughter is in medical school here now. Her husband has lived here for a long time and we would come and visit. Well, when I go to a different town, I always ask, ‘What is your local beer?’ And people here in Augusta would say, ‘Well, we don’t have a local brewery.’” Ellison said he was floored by that response. “I was like, ‘What? Augusta is a pretty big town. How can it not have a brewery?’” he said. “I live over near the Atlanta area and breweries are popping up all over. We go to Charleston a lot and there are breweries everywhere. So I was like, ‘We need to put brewery in Augusta.’ That’s how we got started.” Other native Augustans are also getting attention for their involvement in breweries across the state. Just last year, Atlanta Magazine did a feature story on Taylor Lamm, an Augusta native who is the owner and 13APRIL2017

head brewer at the Oconee Brewing Company, a craft beer operation in downtown Greensboro, Ga. His vision was to create a craft beer oasis in an old mill building in Greensboro near the shores of Lake Oconee, located between Athens and Macon and about 75 miles from Atlanta. The brewery, which is almost four years in the making, is already turning heads across the state. “Nationwide, there’s been this craft beer movement in the last five or ten years,” Lamm recently told the Lake Oconee News. “But the southeast has lagged behind the nation. There are some southern states like North Carolina that have really boomed with craft breweries but it’s almost like the state of Georgia is playing catch-up.” For example, North Carolina, which loosened its laws regarding breweries over the past 10 years, has become a craft beer powerhouse, according to Atlanta Magazine. In fact, Asheville, N.C. proudly promotes itself as “Beer City, U.S.A.” Three of the country’s major craft brewers—Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues and New Belgium—have opened breweries in North Carolina, home to 10,000 craft beer jobs. Lamm said he believed it’s finally time for smaller breweries to thrive in Georgia. “We’re an hour from Atlanta, we’re an hour from Augusta, within 30 to 40 minutes of Athens, Macon and Milledgeville. Greensboro gets a lot of traffic anyway with Lake Oconee and this revitalization effort of downtown Greensboro and everything that’s happening up on Main Street, we saw it as a great opportunity to be part of this growth in the downtown area,” Lamm told the Lake Oconee News.

When some brewers suggested to Lamm that he consider moving his operations to a more beer-friendly state, he just laughed. As a graduate of the University of Georgia and native Augustan, Lamm told Atlanta Magazine he wasn’t leaving. “We know what we we’re getting into,” Lamm told Atlanta Magazine. “I’ve been asked, ‘Are you thinking about moving to another state?’ That’s not the case. Georgia is home.” Sloan feels the same way about Augusta and she is extremely thankful that so many people in the community have embraced River Watch Brewery. “You know, we are a little hard to find being out in an industrial area and just being brand new, so it is kind of hard to get known. But that is changing,” Sloan said. “We finally kind of found a marketing strategy that seems to be working and so our numbers are really picking up.” Also, with the addition of Savannah River Brewing Company, Sloan said Augusta is beginning to build a solid reputation among beer lovers. “I think we are going to be seeing more people coming from farther away because it makes more sense to make a long trip to come to two breweries than it is for just one,” Sloan said. “So, as far as our tourism perspective goes, we are seeing people who go to Savannah River Brewing Company first and then come over to see us and I’m sure they are seeing the same thing as well. It’s really good for all of us.” As far as more breweries moving into the Augusta area, Sloan believes the more the merrier. “Now with this new law going into effect in September, it will open the door to more breweries,” Sloan said. “It’s about time. Georgia is the last state to change its law. Mississippi’s new law is going to go into effect on the first of July, so they beat us by two months, but we are actually all really excited about this change.” It will mean an entirely new experience for guests visiting the brewery, Sloan said. “Of course, now we are going to have to make some changes to the way we are operating as well. So that will be something that will keep us busy over the summer,” Sloan said, laughing. “But we look forward to making that change.”

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RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT go unreported far more than any other crime. April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month aims to bring these often hidden crimes into the light. “Sexual assault is an act of violence that is intended to control or humiliate. As the most underreported of all crimes, it is more widespread than most people recognize,” said Anne Ealick Henry, director of Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services in Augusta. “Rape and sexual violence are often labeled crimes of silence because of low reporting rates and social discomfort with their public discussion. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an important time for the community to be educated and informed of these horrible crimes of violence committed every day in the Augusta region against children, women, and men.” The organization Henry heads has partnered with Augusta University and Fort Gordon to present many activities throughout the month, included many happening this week. Make plans to attend the events listed below. Or you can go to Buffalo Wild Wings on Monday, April 17, from 11 a.m.-close or to the Bee’s Knees on Tuesday, April 18, from 5-10 p.m. A portion of these restaurants’ sales during those times will be donated to Rape Crises and Sexual Assault Services. LET’S TALK: SAFE DIALOGUE ABOUT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND HOW IT IMPACTS EVERYONE JSAC Coffeehouse, Summerville Campus Thursday, April 13, 6pm

TAKE BACK THE DAY 5K Augusta University Amphitheater Saturday, April 15, 7:30am Runners: $25, advance; $30, day of race; $20, active-duty military. Walkers: $5, students; $10, individuals; $15, families. Visit active.com to register.

THE CLOTHESLINE PROJECT AND WHAT WAS SHE WEARING? DISPLAY UNVEILINGS AU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre Lawn Monday, April 17, 9am

“HUNTING GROUND” FILM SHOWING AU’s Douglas Barnard Amphitheater Wednesday, April 19, 7:30pm

21ST ANNUAL TAKE BACK THE NIGHT RALLY AU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre front lawn Thursday, April 20, 6pm This event begins with community information and special activities, as well as the exhibits The Clothesline Project and What Was She Wearing?, both of which are on display April 17-21. The rally, featuring speakers and testimonials from sexual assault survivors, and candlelight campus march begins at 7 p.m. For more information about any of these events, call 706724-5200 or visit rapecrisisaugusta.org. 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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What’S up

Calendar: 16 | Music Listings: 22 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.

tiMe For a Quickie? Let’S Face it: the last few weeks have, for many, been filled with stress. Now that Augusta has returned to normal, though, we can’t think of a better way to recover than to sit back, relax and have a quickie at Le Chat Noir. Quickies, of course, is the juried short play festival the black-box theater hosts each year, a showcase for original works by local writers and staged by local directors and actors. Each play is only 10 to 15 minutes long which, according to Quickies organizer (as well as writer, director and actor) Jezibell Anat, “forces the writers to get the story moving quickly and keep dramatic action tight.” The short form also allows the audience to see a broad range of works. Nine works are included in this year’s festival, which means that even if you don’t like one play, all you have to do is wait a few minutes for the next to start. However, with works with titles like “Don’t Call Me Cupid,” “Grade A Socks,” “Joseph Receives Unsettling News” and “Walmart at Christmas,” we can’t imagine that you’ll unsatisfied with these quickies. QuickieS Short originaL pLay FeStivaL Le Chat Noir Friday-Saturday, April 14-15 Thursday-Saturday, April 20-22 8 p.m. $20. 706-722-3322 lcnaugusta.com/store/quickies-short-play-festival

Friday

The Augusta Canal kicks off the spring edition of their Moonlight Music Tours tonight with The Henrys. Held at 6:30 p.m. each Friday in April and then at 7 p.m. Fridays in May and June, these hour-and-a-half cruises on the Petersburg boat include everything to make your Friday nights special: live music, refreshments (ahem!) that you can bring with you and nice breezes from and great views of the water. The slate of upcoming performers includes everyone from Stink Bamboo to Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold, so reserve your spot now! 13APRIL2017

Saturday

Augusta University’s Cinema Series teams up with its Lyceum Series to celebrate Japanese culture today with Eiga Fest. Held at the school’s Maxwell Theatre, the event starts at noon with flower displays, origami demonstrations and traditional refreshments, then continues with four Japanese films with English subtitles. Included is “Moriyamachu Driving School” at 9 p.m., the U.S. premiere of the film. Best of all? The entire event is free!

Monday

The Civil War Roundtable of Augusta is a group of history buffs who meet each month at Goodwill’s The Snelling Center. This month they have a special guest in legendary University of Georgia head football coach Vince Dooley. Dooley also happens to be a board member of the Civil War Trust and has written a book about the war called “Leading From the Front.” You don’t have to be a member to attend; meetings are $15 and include dinner. Membership, however, is a very affordable $25 for individuals and $40 for couples.

tueSday

The Veggie Park Farmers Market begins its new season in a new home. The market, which opens today and is held each Tuesday through the end of October from 4:30-7 p.m. will now be held behind the Kroc Center instead of in front of it, at the lovely new Mill Village Trailhead of the Augusta Canal at 109 Eve Street. Not only will shoppers find some of the best produce from local farmers around, each market also features educational programs like cooking demos and activities for kids. And, as always, the market doubles EPT and SNAP benefits.

For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 16. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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It’s the Saturday before Easter and you know what that means: It’s time to hunt for Easter eggs! There are many egg hunts planned for April 15, including ones at Evans Towne Center Park, Lake Olmstead Park, May Park and Mistletoe State Park. And many of these events feature live music, prizes, inﬂatables, visits with the Easter Bunny and more. See the Kids-Teens section of the calendar on page 18 for more information.

ARTS Sat April 15

9am - 11am Nature Photography Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Led by Ed Belinski, this class will begin in the education building classroom and continue outside. Participants should bring any digital photography equipment they have and wear comfortable clothing and shoes. $6, members; $12, nonmembers. Preregistration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

10am - 1pm Photos to Paintings: Hopelands Bridge and Pond Aiken Center for the Arts $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.

Noon - 2pm Knitting Class

nominations is May 12 and the awards will be presented at the council’s membership meeting on June 22. For more information, visit augustaarts.com/annual-arts-awards.

temperature, and cleaning and sanitation. $125 registration includes book to keep and computer based-exam. Call 706-854-4744 or visit helmscontinuingeducation.com.

DANCE

11:30am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm A Petersburg Boat Captain

Sat April 15

1pm and 7pm Alice in Wonderland Etherredge Center, Aiken A production of the Aiken Civic Ballet. $20. Visit aikenballet.org.

EDUCATION Thu April 13

9am - 11am Computer Help for Absolute Beginners Wallace Branch Library Call to schedule an appointment. Call 706722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

Augusta Museum of History Part of the Voices of the Past series of character monologues. Free with museum admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

3pm Beyond ¡Hola!: A Free Basic Conversational Class Headquarters Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-267-9053 or email speakngrow@gmail.com.

Mon April 17

3:30pm Intermediate Spanish

175 North Louisville Street, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class. $35, including yarn; $5 for knitting needles. Pre-registration required. Visit harlemartscouncil.org.

10:30am Your PINES Account Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

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

Ongoing

Sat April 15

5:30pm Beginner Spanish

2017 Arts Awards Nominations Greater Augusta Arts Council The council is seeking nominations for its 2017 Arts Awards in the following categories: Volunteer, Arts Professional, Individual Artist, Media and Sponsor. The deadline for 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

9am - 3pm ServSafe Manager Certification Helms College A one-day course that teaches basic food safety, personal hygiene, crosscontamination and allergens, time and

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

Tue April 18

10:30am Tech Tuesday Computer Class Appleby Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

5:30pm Microsoft Word Columbia County Library A computer basics class that will cover keyboard usage, fonts, text size, copy/paste and printing. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Wed April 19

10am Computer Boot Camp Columbia County Library This class will cover the basics of the internet. Pre-registration required. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

6pm Spanish Conversation Group Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.

Thu April 20

9am - 11am Computer Help for Absolute Beginners Wallace Branch Library Call to schedule an appointment. Call 706722-6275 or visit arcpls.org. 13APRIL2017

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11:30am Workplace Safety Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce A Third Thursday Business Builder lunch meeting sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Doctors Hospital. Lunch is provided. Free, chamber members; $15, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.

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.

5:30pm Microsoft PowerPoint

James Brown Family Historical Tour

Columbia County Library A computer basics class in which students will create a presentation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

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.

7pm Advanced Sign Language University Hospital An 8-week class that continues through June 8. $45, tuition, plus $45, text. Preregistration required. Call 706-738-2095 or visit universityhealth.org.

7pm - 8:30pm Family Law Issues Aiken Public Library A free legal clinic. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Ongoing

Leadership Columbia County

EXHIBITIONS Thu April 13

6pm - 7:30pm Meet the Artist Hire Grounds Cafe Featuring MK Rufo and Emily Moore, whose work will be on display in April. Call 706863-3669 or visit goodwillworks.org/cafe.

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.

Ongoing

Business Woman of the Year Nominations

Thu April 13

HEALTH

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

Thu April 13

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce The chamber is accepting nominations until April 14. The award will be presented on June 7. Visit columbiacountychamber.com/ executiveluncheonseries.

Professional Development Courses Jessye Norman School of the Arts The school offers classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other software programs. Call or visit the website to see a schedule of spring and summer classes. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.

Free Tax Assistance Headquarters Branch Library Available Wednesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through April 15. This service is for taxpayers with low- to moderate-income and those 60 and older. Those interested should bring a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns and a voided check. No appointment necessary. Call 706821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

Free Tax Assistance 13APRIL2017

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.

FLIX 11am Movie for Special Needs

Sat April 15

Noon - 11pm Eiga Fest: A Celebration of Japanese Cinema and Culture AU’s Maxwell Theatre Presented by the Cinema Series and the Lyceum Series, this event begins at noon with an Ikebana flower display, origami demonstrations, and complimentary tea and snacks. Films, in Japanese with English subtitles, include “The Wind Rises” at 1 p.m., “Mifune: The Last Samurai” at 3:30 p.m., “After the Storm” at 7 p.m. and the U.S. premiere of “Moriyamachu Driving School” at 9 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.

Tue April 18

5:45pm Free Movie Tuesdays Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2600 for weekly selections. Visit arcpls.org.

Wed April 19

7:30pm “Hunting Ground” AU’s Douglas Barnard Amphitheater Part of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month events that also include the Take Back the Day 5K on April 15 and the Take Back the Night Rally on April 20. Call 706-724-5200 or visit rapecrisisaugusta.org.

7pm - 9:30pm Baby 101

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

Wed April 19

5pm Breastfeeding Class University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

6:30pm - 9pm Childbirth Education

Doctors Hospital An infant care and development class. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

AU Medical Center A four-week class meeting Wednesdays through May 10. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augusta.edu.

7pm - 8:30pm Women’s Center Tour

Thu April 20

University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Mon April 17

1pm - 3pm Look Good Feel Better

7pm Babies, Bumps and Bruises Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net

HOBBIES

University’s Breast Health Center An American Cancer Society program that aims to help female cancer patients combat the appearance-related side-effects of chemo and radiation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.

Thu April 13

6:30pm Refit

Mon April 17

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

6pm - 8pm All Grown Up Plum Pudding, Aiken Part of the kitchen store’s schedule of spring cooking classes, participants will enjoy a full meal from the recipes. $65; preregistration required. Call 803-644-4600.

6pm - 8pm Civil War Roundtable Goodwill’s The Snelling Center AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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in a variety of media. $25. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

General Nature Photography Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Saturday, April 15 9-11 a.m. $6, members; $12, nonmembers. Preregistration required. 706-828-2109 phinizycenter.org

Mon April 17

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.

7pm Teen Trivia Night North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Tue April 18

10am Big Kids Story Time Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 3-6. Preregistration recommended. Call 706-8212623 or visit arcpls.org.

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

10:30am Young Children’s Story Time Vince Dooley, board member of the Civil War Trust, will present on his new Civil War book, “Leading from the Front.” Meetings are $15, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.

6:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club

Wed April 19

KIDS-TEENS

Adamson Library, 1109 Broad Street A free event in which participants will learn about the geological information found in courthouse records and take a guided tour of the Richmond County courthouse. Call 706-854-8685 or visit augustagensociety.org.

10am April Showers

9am Courthouse Tour and Research

5:30pm - 7pm Gardening with Kids theClubhou.se Part of the Grow Your Own series of workshops sponsored by theClubhou.se and Augusta Locally Grown, this one featuring Kim Hines of Augusta Locally Grown and Margaret Strickland from Westobou Montessori School. Suggested donation for each workshop is $5. Pre-registration required. Call 706-288-7895 or visit augustalocallygrown.org.

Thu April 20

6pm - 8pm Strive Guys Burger Night Plum Pudding, Aiken Part of the kitchen store’s schedule of spring cooking classes, participants will enjoy a full meal from the recipes. $65; preregistration required. Call 803-644-4600. 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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.

Thu April 13

Morris Museum of Art Part of the Mommy and Me series for children and parents in which participants will view works in the still-life gallery and then paint their own ﬂowerpot. Free, members; $4 per participants, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-3867 or visit themorris.org.

4pm Lego Club Aiken Public Library For those ages 5-11. Legos provided. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Sat April 15

10am - noon Anime and the Graphic Novel Kroc Center A class for those ages 8-15. No previous experience necessary and all supplies are included. $35, members; $40, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

10am - 1pm Easter Egg Scramble

Evans Towne Center Park Featuring Easter egg hunts, prizes, music and more. $2 per child. Visit evanstownecenterpark.com.

Diamond Lakes Branch Library A program for those ages 0-3 that includes songs, ﬁnger plays and readings. Preregistration required for groups of 6 or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

10am - 1pm Baskets, Bunnies and Eggs

4pm Storytime in the Gardens

Mistletoe State Park For those ages 3-10, who will create their own Easter basket, go on an egg scavenger hunt and more. $5, plus $5 parking. Call 706-5410321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

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

10:30am - 1:30pm Easter Egg Hunt

Headquarters Branch Library Featuring a showing of “DisneyNature’s Earth” in preparation for Earth Day. Call 706-434-2036 or visit arcpls.org.

Lake Olmstead Park Free. Call 706-738-9191.

11am - 1pm Easter Egg Hunt May Park An event that includes live music, inﬂatables, thousands of eggs and the Easter Bunny. Free. Call 706-724-0505 or visit augustaga.gov.

11am Family Lego Day Diamond Lakes Branch Library A themed program for all ages. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

11am Too Many Carrots Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

11:15am Art Exploration Kroc Center A class in which those ages 5-8 will work

5:30pm Teen Movie Night

Wed April 19

10am Children’s Story Time Friedman Branch Library Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Story Time Wallace Branch Library Pre-registration required for groups. Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Story Time for Tots Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 0-3. Preregistration recommended. Call 706-82113APRIL2017

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2623 or visit arcpls.org.

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

10:05am Toddler Story Time Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

10:30am Preschool Story Time

A discussion of poetry with a focus on race, followed by a Poetic Open Mic segment. Visit csrapoetrymatters.wordpress.com.

Tue April 18

1pm Got 30 Minutes?

MUSIC Thu April 13

6pm Adult Guitar Club

Fri April 14

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.

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 April 13

6:30pm “1984” Book Discussion The Book Tavern Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.

Sat April 15

6:30pm - 8:30pm Poetry Matters Project Open Mic with Poets The Book Tavern 13APRIL2017

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/.

SENIORS

10:30am Super Awesome Story Time

Diamond Lakes Branch Library No electronic devices allowed. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

AU’s Maxwell Theatre $5. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.

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

Columbia County Library A club for experienced guitar players. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

5pm Unplug and Play for Teens

Ongoing

2pm Friends of the Library Meeting

Appleby Branch Library For children ages 3-5. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org. The Book Tavern Juice and cookies will be provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.

7:30pm Augusta University Jazz Ensemble Concert

Thu April 20

Kroc Center Conducted by the Area Agency on Aging, this workshop provides an overview of services available to caregivers, the aging, and those with disabilities. Call 706-9220171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

Free Tax Prep

SPECIAL EVENTS Thu April 13

6pm Gown Girls Giveaway The House of the Bride A benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that will include champagne, hors

10am - 4pm World Voice Day AU’s Maxwell Theatre Presented by the Augusta University Opera Institute. Free and open to the public. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.

6:30pm Moonlight Music Cruise Augusta Canal Discovery Center Featuring The Henrys, this event features live music aboard a 1 1/2-hour Petersburg boat tour. Participants are invited to bring aboard snacks and beverages. $25; $23, seniors, military and students. Preregistration required. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.

7pm Chamber Music Classics Concert AU’s Maxwell Theatre A Columbia County Orchestra event featuring Border Brass, the CCO woodwind ensemble, the CCO piano trio and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Free, but donations accepted. Visit columbiacco.org.

Sat April 15

8am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing Eighth Street Plaza Live music from local jazz artists and performing arts groups during the Augusta Market. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.

Sun April 16

2pm The Henrys Morris Museum of Art Part of the Music at the Morris series. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Mon April 17

6:30pm Hopelands Summer Concert Series Hopelands Gardens, Aiken Featuring the Southern Thunder Cloggers. 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.

Tue April 18 AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Walkers: $5, students; $10, individuals; $15, families. Visit active.com to register. Call 706-724-5200 or visit rapecrisisaugusta.org.

8am Tax Levy 5K Fifth Street Marina Part of the Savannah River Levee 5K Run/ Walk Series, proceeds from which will beneﬁt the Augusta Warrior Project. $20. Visit active.com.

8:30am Hike Bartram Trail A Sierra Club-sponsored 9-mile moderate hike. Participants will meet at Wildwood Park and carpool to Petersburg campground, and should bring water and lunch. Pre-registration required. Email sonnyandcathyblack@gmail.com.

Gardening with Kids theClubhou.se Wednesday, April 19 5:30-7 p.m. Suggested donation for each workshop is $5. Pre-registration required. 706-288-7895 augustalocallygrown.org d’oeuvres, giveaways and raffles. Raffle tickets are $10. Call 706-736-6500 or email info@houseofthebride.com.

6pm Let’s Talk: Safe Dialogue About Sexual Misconduct and How It Impacts Everyone JSAC Coffeehouse, Summerville Campus Part of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month schedule of events. Free and open to the public. Visit augusta.edu.

Sat April 15

8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River 8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com.

8am - 3pm Flea Market and Yard Sale 5th Street Marina Vendors welcome to reserve space by calling 706-869-5404.

9am Walt Williams Appreciation Breakfast Richmond on Greene A Richmond County Democratic Committee event honoring locally elected Democratic officials. Guest speaker is former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia Ed Tarver. $25. Call 706-722-8111.

12:30pm Taste a Veg Burger Farmhaus Burger, downtown Part of the CSRA Vegetarian Society’s veggie burger competition. Visit meetup.com/csravs/.

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 17

9am The Clothesline Project and What Was She Wearing? Display Unveilings AU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre Lawn Part of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month events that also include the Take Back the Day 5K on April 15 and the Take Back the Night Rally on April 20. Call 706-724-5200 or visit rapecrisisaugusta.org.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park For all levels of kids and adults. Participants should bring yoga mat and water. Call 706828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org. Prophet Muhammad. This series, held the ﬁrst Thursday of each month, is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Email outreach@isaugusta.com or visit openhouse.isaugusta.com.

Wed April 19

10:30am - 6:30pm BBQ Fundraiser Marvin United Methodist Church A Marvin UMC Youth Group event that will raise money for mission and community outreach. Plates of barbecued chicken, two sides and cornbread are $8. Call 706-863-0510.

SPORTS-OUTDOORS Thu April 13

Tue April 18

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Columbia Fireﬂies

The Legends Club An Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event featuring guest speaker Angela Swarts, owner of Spherion. $30, members; $40, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.

Fri April 14

11:30am Women in Business Luncheon

4:30pm - 7pm Veggie Park Farmers Market Mill Village Trailhead, 109 Eve Street This weekly event in the park behind the Kroc Center features all local farmers and doubles EBT/SNAP beneﬁts. Visit augustalocallygrown.org/veggie-parkfarmers-market/.

SPIRITUAL

7pm “In My Backyard”

Thu April 13

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.

Islamic Society of Augusta Part of a monthly program to engage the public in dialog about different issues in Islam. This session is called Introducing the

20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

9am 4-H Family Yoga in the Park

7pm - 8:30pm Lifting the Veil on Islam

Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Columbia Fireﬂies Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Sat April 15

Spring Fever USEF/USDF Recognized Dressage Show Stable View Farm, Aiken Call 484-356-3173 or visit stableviewfarm.com.

7:30am Take Back the Day 5K Augusta University Amphitheater A beneﬁt for Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services on an all-downhill course that begins with registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by kick-off at 8:30 a.m. and the race at 8:45 a.m. Runners: $25, advance; $30, day of race; $20, active-duty military.

9am Bike Ride Phinizy Swamp A Sierra Club event in which participants will ride about 7 miles. Fat tire bikes are recommended, and helmets are required. Email t.nelken@att.net.

9am - 1pm Canal Clean-Up and Cook Out Augusta Canal Volunteers will help clean up the trails and then have a cook out at the Mill Village Trailhead. To volunteer, email jshurtleff@ augustacanal.com.

9am Women’s Ride Day Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse Road and mountain bike options available to female cyclists of all abilities. These are no-drop rides and there will be post-ride refreshments. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-2453 or visit andyjordans.com.

6:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Columbia Fireﬂies Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Sun April 16

Spring Fever USEF/USDF Recognized Dressage Show Stable View Farm, Aiken Call 484-356-3173 or visit stableviewfarm.com.

2:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Columbia Fireﬂies Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Mon April 17

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Charleston RiverDogs 13APRIL2017

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Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Tue April 18

6:30pm Sierra Club Monthly Meeting Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A Savannah River Group Sierra Club event that will include a program from Richard Dillenbeck, trip coordinator and guide of a German mountain experience in 2016. Free and open to the public. Email msmcb@outlook.com.

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Charleston RiverDogs Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Wed April 19

10:35am Augusta GreenJackets vs. Charleston RiverDogs Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

Ongoing

National Park Week Augusta Canal Discovery Center The center will be celebrating National Park Week with free admission April 1516 and April 22-23. Boat tour tickets not included. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.

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.

13APRIL2017

Teens ages 10-13 will meet Mondays at 5 p.m., youth ages 6-9 will meet on Thursdays at 5 p.m., and adults down to 14 years of age will meet Mondays at 7 p.m. The course includes all competitive equipment and is $180. Pre-registration required. Call 706722-8878 or visit augustafencersclub.com.

SUPPORT Thu April 13

6pm Cancer Survivor Support Group Augusta Oncology Associates Call 706-651-4567.

Fri April 14

11am ALS Support Lunch and Learn AU’s ALS Clinic This support group gives individuals an opportunity to share their personal experiences and learn more about strategies for preserving the independence and quality of life for ALS patients and their loved ones. Lunch is provided. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2681 or visit augusta.edu.

706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.

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.

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

Mon April 17

Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group

Daksha Chudgar Lydia House Call 706-721-5557 or visit augusta.edu.

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.

6:15pm CSRA GYN Cancer Support Group

Tue April 18

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

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

THEATER

showcase of original works that are between 10-15 minutes long. $20. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com/store/quickiesshort-play-festival.

Sat April 15

2pm - 4pm “James and the Giant Peach” Auditions North Augusta High School auditorium A North Augusta Cultural Arts Council production that will show June 23-25. Call 803-507-4316.

8pm Quickies Original Play Festival Le Chat Noir Nine plays are featured in this juried showcase of original works that are between 10-15 minutes long. $20. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com/store/quickiesshort-play-festival.

Sun April 16

2pm - 4pm “James and the Giant Peach” Auditions North Augusta High School auditorium A North Augusta Cultural Arts Council production that will show June 23-25. Call 803-507-4316.

Thu April 20

Fri April 14

8pm Quickies Original Play Festival Le Chat Noir Nine plays are featured in this juried

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Lizard Divas Wild Wing - Prettier Than Matt The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson

Monday, April 17 Live Music

Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) - Hopelands Summer Concert Series Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words

What’s Tonight?

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

JoJo’s Slim Wednesday w/ JoJo Hermann from Widespread Panic Sky City Thursday, April 13 Doors, 8 p.m.; music, 9 p.m. $15, advance; $20, day of show skycityaugusta.com Thursday, April 13 Live Music

Imperial Theatre - Home Free Iron Heights - Beshiba, Naomi, Desecrated Mellow Mushroom (Augusta) - Phillip Lee Jr. and Michael Baideme Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - John Kolbeck Duo Sky City - JoJo’s Slim Wednesday w/ JoJo Hermann from Widespread Panic Wild Wing - Kenny George Band 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 Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Knight’s Lounge - Karaoke The Loft - Karaoke Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane That Place Coffee - MAD Open Mic

What’s Tonight?

Stillwater Taproom - Runaway Jug Band Wild Wing - Moby Dick The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

Saturday, April 15 Live Music

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Soul Bar - Soul Bar Sound Lab

8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River Country Club - Kasey Tyndall Hippodrome Complex (Beech Island) - High Flyer Festival w/ Sister Hazel, The Motet Sally’s - Hannah Thomas, Drea Suarez Shannon’s - Perfect Picture Southbound Smokehouse - Rod Melancon

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

Sunday, April 16 Live Music

Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge

Tuesday, April 18 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Irish Music with Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - The Underhill Family Orchestra Soul Bar - Angwish 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 Mellow Mushroom (Augusta) - Trivia Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Twisted Burrito - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper

Wednesday, April 19 Live Music

The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Soul Bar - Live Jazz w/ Perfect Picture Wild Wing - Jeff Lucero Duo

Friday, April 14 Live Music

Augusta Canal - Moonlight Music Cruise w/ The Henrys Cotton Patch - Live Jazz Country Club - Daniel Lee Coyotes - Robin Dixon & Midnight Moon The Highlander - Ed Phillips Blues Joe’s Underground - The Hollow Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Keith Gregory Shannon’s - Atomic Road Sky City - Village Sticks, Sunwell, Birdperson Stillwater Taproom - Megan Jean and the KFB Surrey Tavern - Gin Jockeys Wild Wing - Center Lane The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Rod Melancon Southbound Smokehouse Saturday, April 15 9 p.m. 706-733-5464 southboundsmokehouse.com 13APRIL2017

What’s Tonight?

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 Maggie Koerner, Abel Beltz Lee, Shaun Piazza

- Sky City April 20 The Steppin Stones, Hound of Goshen

- Sky City April 21 Steep Canyon Rangers

- Bell Auditorium April 27 Simo, the Phillip Lee Band

- Sky City April 29 Alice Cooper

- Bell Auditorium April 30 Lucero, the Phillip Lee Band

- Sky City May 9 The Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass

- Evans Towne Center Park May 27-28 Tedeschi Trucks Band

- Bell Auditorium June 13 Hank Williams Jr.

- James Brown Arena June 16

Elsewhere Red Hot Chili Peppers

- Philips Arena, Atlanta April 14 Big Sean

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta April 18 Andrew McMahon, Atlas Genius, Night Riots

- Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta April 19

Billy Joel

- SunTrust Park, Atlanta April 28 Hank Williams Jr.

- World Congress Center, Atlanta April 29 Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee

- Center Stage, Atlanta April 29 Neil Diamond

- Philips Arena, Atlanta April 30 Coheed and Cambria

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta May 2 The New Pornographers

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta May 2 The BoDeans

- City Winery, Atlanta May 2 Silversun Pickups

- Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta May 2 Def Leppard, Poison, Tesla

- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta May 3 Soundgarden

- Fox Theatre, Atlanta May 3 Spoon

- Georgia Theatre, Athens May 3 Future, Migos, Tory Lanez, Kodak Black

- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta May 5 Shaky Beats Music Festival w/ The Chainsmokers, Kaskade, Griz and More

- Centenniel Olympic Park, Atlanta May 5-7 Booker T. Jones

- City Winery, Atlanta May 6 Midnight Oil

- Center Stage, Atlanta May 6 St. Paul and the Broken Bones

- Lucas Theatre, Savannah May 6 Lil Wayne

- Roxy Theatre, Atlanta May 8 Bush

- Roxy Theatre, Atlanta May 10 Kiefer Sutherland

- Terminal West, Atlanta May 17

Hannibal Buress

- The Masquerade, Atlanta April 19 Jump Little Children

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta April 20 Sutton Foster

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta April 21-22 Sweetwater 420 Fest w/ Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio Band, Talib Kweli, Slightly Stoopid, Ween, Lettuce, Stop Light Observations, Funk You and More

- Centenniel Olympic Park, Atlanta April 21-13 Amplify Decatur Music Festival w/ Lucinda Williams

- The Old Courthouse Square, Decatur April 22 Tim McGraw, Faith Hill

- Philips Arena, Atlanta April 22 Daniel Tosh

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

- Class Center, Athens April 23 Southern Culture on the Skids

- Cox Capitol Theatre, Macon April 23 Ben Fold w/ the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta April 24 Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

- Georgia Theatre, Athens April 25 Bob Mould

Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000 Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+

- Terminal West, Atlanta April 26 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Joe Walsh

- Philips Arena, Atlanta April 27 Billy Crystal

- Fox Theatre, Atlanta April 27

Meet sexy new friends

FREE TRIAL

706-434-0112

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Sean and Jennifer Rahner with Anna Reeves and Leonard Zimmerman at the showing of “Happy: A Small Film With a Big Smile” at The Hive.

Lynsie and April Morris with Mary Capers at the showing of “Happy: A Small Film With a Big Smile” at The Hive.

Chad and Jana Jordan with Jennifer and Chris Brown at Drive Chip and Putt at the Augusta National Golf Course.

Trish Bryant, Honoree Jeff Knox, Clint Bryant and Catherine Knox at the Augusta Mayor’s Masters Reception at the James Brown Arena.

John Patrick, Lisa Bryant, Honoree Laura Coble and Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. at the Augusta Mayor’s Masters Reception at the James Brown Arena.

Michael and Celeste Kessler with Jose Lugo and Barbara Crenshaw at Drive Chip and Putt at the Augusta National Golf Course.

Randall Eason with Kendall and Andrew Neidlinger at Drive Chip and Putt at the Augusta National Golf Course.

Madeline Roach, Beka Childs, Alanna McArdle and Sarah Fain at Drive Chip and Putt at the Augusta National Golf Course.

Jennifer Anne Hurst, Freda Keck and Jennifer O’Brian at the Snoop Dogg Show at the Country Club.

Tracy and Jessica Weber with Witney and Matt Quattlebaum at Rock for Dough at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater.

Lowell and Sheila Bartlett with Karen Barnes at Rock for Dough at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater.

Courtney Shaw, Becky Moore, Melissa Drew and Lauren Ledbetter at Rock for Dough at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater.

24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Ryan and Holly Mahoney with Jessica and Brett Harris at Rock for Dough at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater.

Carly May, Kayley Smith, Lauren Prather and Amber Bailey at Rock for Dough at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater.

Austin Canady, Macy Mae Patterson, Nick Iseman and Kellyn Wise at Rock for Dough at the Lady Antebellum Amphitheater.

Lauren Hardaway, Brooke Wandless, Maddy Reiten and Valerie Wellman at Southbound Smokehouse.

Hank Wharton, Hannah Richardson, Sylvia Lee and George Claussen at Southbound Smokehouse.

John Hadden, Rachel Marks, Destiny Brinson and Dayton Smith at the Major Ranger at the Augusta Common.

Natalie Paine, Lisa Taylor and Mark Janousek at the Major Ranger at the Augusta Common.

Zach and Kayla Obst with Taylor and Joe Uher at the Major Ranger at the Augusta Common.

Caroline Beckum, Lindsey Corley and Chloe Donahue at the Major Ranger at the Augusta Common.

13APRIL2017

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INITIAL DESCRIPTION By Jerry Miccolis/Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Ascribes, with “up” 7 Title film character played by Tyler Perry 12 Hails 19 Showy gymnastics maneuver 20 Togalike Roman cloak 22 In an attentive manner 23 SWAN 26 Crunchy green vegetable 27 Profitable 28 Sportscaster Johnson 29 Show up 31 Wet blanket? 33 They contain libidos 34 MARS 43 Largest city of Yemen 44 French region now part of the Grand Est 45 Ally (with) 46 Hershey product similar to a Heath bar 47 Part of a domain name 49 Gists 51 Foreboding atmosphere 55 ATLAS 60 Fixed fee 63 Spa sound 64 “Once in Love With ____” 65 Objectivist Rand 66 Fat-substitute brand 67 Pride-parade letters 69 Self-referential 71 Fifth-century pope dubbed “the Great” 73 An evergreen 74 Martinique, par exemple 75 Exist 76 Musical instruments that lie flat 78 TRIO 84 Jose ____ (tequila brand) 85 ____ the Explorer 86 Chapel Hill sch. 87 It’s a long story 91 Squealed 93 Really bothers 96 Drew useful material from 97 OKAY 101 Fiery end? 103 ____ es Salaam 104 Of a heart chamber

26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

105 Direct 108 Stop, in sailor’s lingo 112 Shudder of emotion 117 WASP 120 Opening letters? 121 One of the Wahlbergs 122 One way to pay 123 Introversion 124 Idol worshiper 125 Yoga poses DOWN 1 Musical Mama 2 Cut 3 Something delivered by a diva 4 Droopy 5 Capital of Uganda 6 Nearly out? 7 Gullet 8 Second first lady 9 Foolish oldsters 10 K thru 12 11 King who spoke at Kennedy’s inaugural ball 12 Lugs 13 Samuel Adams, e.g. 14 Rich supply 15 Natl. Guard counterpart 16 Small, as Beanie Babies 17 1961 title role for Charlton Heston 18 A comic called Wanda 21 Burglar frightener 24 ____ Nui (Easter Island) 25 Mooers’ mouthfuls 30 Muse of lyric poetry 32 Flight of fancy 34 Publisher’s pile: Abbr. 35 ____ Park, Ill. 36 Commercial lead-in to Caps 37 “____ Boom-De-Ay” 38 Certain house … or house dressing 39 Land next to Peru: Abbr. 40 Obligation 41 Drop a line, say 42 Raise 47 Banned insecticide 48 Desdemona’s husband, in opera 50 Candidate’s goal 52 Bobby of the Black Panthers 53 Stephenie who wrote the “Twilight” series

54 Periodic table figs. 56 Actor Holm 57 Where cultures thrive? 58 Horse bit 59 Wonder Woman is one 60 City, but not county, leader? 61 Yale of Yale University 62 La ____ (notre planète) 68 Neuter 69 Med. scan 70 Poetic time 71 Stop: Abbr. 72 That life evolves, to Darwin 74 Pressed 75 Apothegm 77 Global sports org. 79 German for “first” 80 Cole Porter’s “Well, Did You ____?” 81 Actress Anderson 82 They may match presidential administrations 83 Train 88 Nonspecific amount 89 Mild exclamation 90 Supplemental work for actors 92 Golden ____ (General Mills cereal) 94 Winter Olympics activity 95 Willa Cather’s “My ____” 96 Bad-mouths 97 Writer who coined the term “banana republic” (1904) 98 Drab songbird 99 Airport amenity 100 Realm chronicled by C. S. Lewis 101 ____ expected (predictably) 102 1991 Wimbledon champ Michael 106 Ghostbuster Spengler 107 ____ Préval, two-time president of Haiti 109 Say further 110 Brandy grade, briefly 111 Volcano at the meeting point of the African and Eurasian plates 113 Pet-protection agcy. 114 White House spokesman Spicer 115 Greek peak 116 Some degrees 118 Bad start? 119 Col.’s superior

12 21

47 55

49 57

62 67

97 101

71 76

106

107

117

95 99

108

109

110

111

113

114

115

116

100

112 119

121

123

87 96

104

118

120

86 93

103

105

102

85 91

64 69 75

33 41

26 29

122 124

125

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWERS W O W S

A S H E S

S T I C K

A L E S

S E M I

K O A N

A B P A B R R P A P A W

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P E T E Y

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R E D C A D I L L A C S P E D

T A N K S N O O P A N T H E E E L A M R L O E A B A D B R E I A L L E T T E L L C O P Y L I E S P A D E E R S E O P L E L U O C A N K E A N U A C L O C P O M H I N S S

U P T Y E R S A T A M E M I E A D L N D E C A R A S T G E S R U E R I E A T T Z S O R C K W O E I N A T N

L O H A N

O D O R

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P T S A E E R S A J A R K I E A V

L E W I S E D O Y U S T A M G A E N D A R R I U N D R Y E D

C H O W D E R S

H A S H G R E E N U S P D B I R K I E G

A G R A

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A I L E Y

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D A U T H E S

13APRIL2017

THE EIGHT

BOX TOPS “Boss Baby” for the second week in a row? Make better choices, people. RANK TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK

THE BOSS BABY

$26,363,488

$89,436,806

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

$23,652,605

$430,946,639

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE

$13,210,449

GOING IN STYLE

$11,932,330

GHOST IN THE SHELL

$7,306,413

$31,529,863

In Theaters April 14

ACTION “The Fate of the Furious,” rated PG-13, starring Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron,

FAMILY “Spark: A Space Tail,” rated PG, starring Jessica Biel, Susan Sarandon, Patrick

Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Helen Mirren, Luke Evans, Scott Eastwood. This, the eighth movie in the franchise, has a lot of pretty, famous people (we love you Dwayne Johnson!) and a lot of pretty, fast cars. That’s about all there is to these things, right?

Stewart, Hilary Swank. Space monkeys (and foxes and pigs, oh my!), a Kraken and… Patrick Stewart? Well, okay. Can’t be any worse than “The Boss Baby,” can it?

THE FORT GORDON DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS

“It has heart, wit and a surprisingly zany passion that must carry all before it...it would certainly be a crime for anyone interested in the theatre not to see this play.”

– NY Post

“From time to time a play comes along that restores one’s faith in our theatre…”

– NY Magazine

May 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 Dinner 7:00 p.m. • Show 8:00 p.m. The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at thirty and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her.

TICKETS

Civilians: $53 | Seniors (65 & over), Retirees, DA Civilians, Active-Duty E7 & above: $50 Active-Duty E6 & below, Students with ID: $40 | Show only: $30

Mixed Garden Salad with Ranch/Italian/Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette • Risotto Tortellini with Vodka Blush Sauce • String Bean Medley • Steamed Seasonal Vegetable Mix Herb Roasted Chicken • Carved Top Round with Red Wine Demi • Dessert

For reservations, please call 706-793-8552 (SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE)