Metro Spirit - 03.17.16

Table of Contents

EDIT

March 17, 2016

Amy Christian

Arts Editor/Production Director

amy@themetrospirit.com

Whine Line Ruffin It Augusta Tek Jenny is Wright Kris Fisher

Stacey Eidson Staff Writer

stacey@themetrospirit.com

Molly Swift Staff Writer

molly@themetrospirit.com

CREATIVE

Insider 14 Durty Gurl 18

Joshua Bailey Lead Designer

joshua@themetrospirit.com

What’s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword The Eight Austin Rhodes

COVER DESIGN: KRUHU

SALES Gayle Bryan

Senior Account Executive

gayle@themetrospirit.com 706-373-4846

Jim Christian Account Executive

jim@themetrospirit.com 706-414-4059

4 6 8 10 12

THE STEALTH ELECTION

27 32 38 40 42 44 46

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Bonnie Sloane Account Executive

bonnie@themetrospirit.com 770-401-9357

BUSINESS Joe White Publisher

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

THIS WEEK

Johnny Beckworth circulation manager

johnny@themetrospirit.com Contributors Jenny Wright, Greg Baker, Austin Rhodes, Josh Ruffin, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson 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.© 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

I wish everyone could understand that their life will be just fine regardless of who Freddie Mercury was attracted to. Or that the person standing next to you, regardless of skin color or nationality, is actually quite similar to you.

A plan would allow the state to have total authority over the failing schools and it could remove principals, teachers, completely change the curriculum and take control of the schools’ budgets. And a poorly worded referendum on the ballot in November will decide its fate.

Pg. 12 Pg. 14

Going to the polls this May won’t be as easy as simply selecting one or two candidates in a few local races. In many cases, voters will be choosing from dozens of candidates in many races.

And that’s just the primary.

Those who attend Wine Country at the James Brown Arena this Saturday evening will be so spoiled by the time they leave that they may never be able to go to another wine tasting again.

Pg. 20

Pg. 27

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OPINION

The Whine Line

You don’t like it, I don’t like it. Yet one can’t retreat far from believing the probable. What Augusta National wants is probably for the best.

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I don’t know about you but I don’t want a president who answers any question with the words ‘I’m a businessman’...is America for sale and nobody told me?

There’s a park on Cobbbam Road not far from Pollards Corner where two Police Officers have a romantic rendezvous every weekend. I assume that’s what’s happening because the cars are parked in the way back for hours.

500 cars are heading southward on Lewiston Road between Columbia Road and I-20 at an average speed of 2 MPH. If a grocery store opens and increases traffic by 20 percent, will the average vehicle speed be more or less than a juvenile snail? On the bright side, there is a grocery store - because you will likely be starving by the time you arrive.

Ruffin’ It Augusta Tek Jenny is Wright Kris Fisher

It’s time to do something about the traffic in Grovetown. 20 minutes to get from El Kiosco to Walmart? That’s just getting a little crazy...

Holy wow. Did you see that fat, slick anti-Kinder Morgan magazine Morris created and inserted in The Chronicle? That thing must have cost a fortune to produce. Maybe that explains all the recent layoffs: fire employees, use their pay to protect Billy’s hunting plantation.

Dr. Wayne Frazier running is for the Richmond County School Board. If elected the board will have a male convicted drunk driver and a female liar with advanced degrees.

Pawn Stars figure jailed in Vegas on weapon, drug charges.

So reads the headline about the recent arrest of Pawn Stars Austin Lee Russell - a.k.a. “Chumlee”. C’mon, you didn’t expect the headline to read “Chumlee from Pawn Stars Cures Cancer”... did you?

The respondent to The Metro Spirit March 3 “Southern Civil War pride” speaks as a true loser. Perhaps he /she should accept that

the freedom the Confederacy desired was the right to continue slavery. There were other less significant issues but the ultimate TREASON was for the right to make the decision to continue slavery without interferance from the Federal Government. The economy and lifestyle of the grand South was built on the blood, sweat and backs of slaves. And to this day, the losers still try to justify the treason and slavery by depicting slave owners as benevolent keepers. You, Southern boy, are the misinformed and a loser.

I like Clooney! That said, our own country is flooded with home grown refugees fighting everyday for food and survival.

If you’ve given up on America, by all means Go! Live where your concerns are. You are no hero to us. You are just another rich foreign diplomat. Do you really think you are helping anyone bringing more sickness to an overcrowded crippled nation ? One that will soon lack the leadership and desire to heal and unite.

Humanitarians? Put your money where your house is!

Meet the Petri dish that is Trump!

The greedy The disillusioned The politically uneducated The closet bigots The bullies

To the person who whined because a grocery store greets its customers with “have a blessed day”- Wow! Thanks for pointing out such monstrous activity to an unsuspecting public! I suppose if they smile at you, it is really propaganda to lure you into their belief. Is there no stopping these fiends?!?

Seriously, though, if you have nothing worse to whine about, your life is truly blessed.

The fallacy of this formula is that it was meant to be smoke and mirrors. Instead it was crystal clear: shock awe and confuse the voters until no one viable is left who can beat the Democratic candidate. Bernie, Hillary, who cares! They need any old democratic body in the chair to wear the sandwich sign that says ‘Hello, I’m the President!’ It just can’t be a Republican though because who then can they criticize and blame when they mess up at the Republican held Congressional Level?

WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Have something you want to get off your chest?

Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit.com. The Metro Spirit reserves the right to edit submitted whines for content, but we will otherwise print them pretty much exactly as you type them… spelling errors and all.

4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Why I’m Not (Too) Worried. Yet. READING POLITICAL NEWS at this point in the election cycle is kind of like watching a maniac argue with his own shadow about which ice cream flavor is the sexiest.

POLITICO is especially guilty of this. It seems like, depending on which day of the week it is, the majority of their homepage is lit up by either think pieces about how Trump’s campaign is doomed, how Trump will surge to the nomination, how Bernie Sanders has no path to the nomination or how Hillary Clinton’s campaign is falling apart.

You’d get a more satisfying answer asking Kanye West which Kanye West is the best Kanye West in all of Kanye West.

The thing is, it’s all kind of true: Trump, even with a loss to Kasich in Ohio, is likely going to surge to the nomination, despite what will surely be a gloriously bats**t contested convention. His campaign is indeed a complete mess, headed up by psychopaths and bullies, bolstered this far by disaffected white people who have officially switched their party registration to the Out of F***s to Give Party. Bernie Sanders, even with one or two more surprise victories, has almost no path to the nomination, and the Democrats are not going to contest. Hillary Clinton, though she’ll certainly regroup and recover when it comes time for the general election, is starting to slip into the same panicked automaton version of herself that cost her against Obama in 2008.

So there’s a lot of factors at play, a lot of unknowns and the media — reporters, talking heads, pollsters, organizers, bloggers, people who do whatever the hell it is I’m doing right now — are grasping at straws trying to deal with it. And it’s exactly this kind of anarchic rewriting of our rules and assumptions that allowed Donald Trump to get as far as he has. Liberals who assume the worst are wringing their hands dry over a possible Trump nomination because of the way he’s almost completely run the field during the primaries.

But guys… calm down. Here’s why: 1. Trump’s Dominance in the Field Doesn’t Translate to General Election Dominance Look at who Trump has been up against: a series of establishment Republicans that represent everything the GOP constituency has become disaffected with; a softspoken, possibly insane brain surgeon; a Tea Party darling and something of an establishment outsider that no one can bring themselves to trust because he looks like a rat made out of boogers stuffed into a human suit. THIS IS NOT A MURDERERS’ ROW.

No one was prepared for Trump’s tactics, either. The old rules of engagement were thrown out once he started calling for fascist tactics like rounding up Muslims, bullying reporters and inciting violence at his rallies. The GOP establishment underestimated the number of voters who had been waiting for a candidate like this, someone who encouraged their baser instincts and assured them that it was correct. It is, bizarrely yet understandably, cathartic.

Still, every poll taken since the beginning of the cycle has shown Trump losing by comfortable margins to Clinton or Sanders, and those margins haven’t moved much in either direction. And his tactics are not going to have the same effect in the general. They don’t appeal to swing or moderate voters, and in fact horrify most people. On top of that, Clinton and Sanders have had months to watch, study and prepare. Whatever else you may think of either of them, they are no fools.

What’s funny is that many real conservatives are handling the possibility of a Trump nomination with more logic and grace than most liberals. While already the Whole Foods Brigade is looking into moving to Canada — a la George W in 2000 and 2004 — many conservatives are openly stating that they just won’t vote for Trump, some even saying that they’ll vote for the Democratic nominee, because I think we can all agree that that we don’t want a racist Oompa Loompa with any kind of political power.

JOSH RUFFIN is a long way from home, having moved from

Augusta to Middleton, Wisconsin, with his wife, Michelle. He is a self-described beer guru, so most of his Twitter posts are about what he’s drinking. While drinking, he enjoys writing poetry and watching MMA fights… or writing poetry about MMA fights.

2. Clinton and Sanders Are Perfect Rhetorical Targets, and That Is Bad… for Trump I don’t need to rehash most of this, but it’s common knowledge at this point that Trump has built a large part of his campaign on bullying, misogyny, racism and fascism.

He has made sexually inappropriate comments towards Fox News correspondent Megyn Kelly; his supporters have initiated violence against peaceful protesters, which he has encouraged; his rallies marginalize and corral reporters, often keeping them from seeing such incidents play out; in one recent scandal, Trump’s campaign manager actually manhandled a female reporter who was trying to ask him a question.

This ain’t gonna fly in the general. Hillary, a woman, and Bernie, a socialist Jew, are just begging to be denigrated by Trump, his campaign, his constituents or all three. There will be ugly, ugly rhetoric directed at them for this reason and for reasons outlined above, it will doom him in the polls.

3. The Republican Party is Split, Possibly for Good Establishment GOP figures have already gone on record as saying that, in the event of a Trump nomination, it’s very likely that an entirely new party will take shape, one that distances itself from the sort of socially regressive platforms and xenophobic rhetoric that the party has come to court in recent years. That means people like Cruz, Rubio, Kasich, McCain, Romney and others are going to have a very difficult decision to make come 2017.

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bmears@georgiabankandtrust.com

NMLS# 473675

6 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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17MARCH2016 3/9/15 1:48 PM

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V27|NO11

When Disaster Strikes

ST. PAT'S IN FIVE POINTS MARCH 19 REMIX: THEMES & VARIATIONS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN ART

GETAWAY

COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART FEBRUARY 5- MAY 3

QUARRY CRUSHER RUN–COLUMBIA APRIL 16

ARE YOU PREPARED? No, I’m not talking about the upcoming zombie apocalypse or a [insert candidate’s name here] presidency. While these are important considerations, let’s keep the conversation technical.

Let’s talk about your data.

First question, do you have any critical data? If I were to say that all of the information on your computer was going to be irrevocably erased in one hour, does a streak of pain shoot through your body?

Does the mental image of a photo album or Quicken file instantly appear in your head? If so, this is a sign you might have a problem.

As with most things, the first step to recovery is simply realizing the problem. But what do you do next? Several different approaches, and a multitude of software, exist to back up data. As you explore options to protect your data, a couple of items become clear.

First, data backup is not fire-and-forget. If you are expecting to install a software package and never follow up, please just go ahead and throw your hard drive in a shredder. It’ll save you time.

Secondly, good disaster recovery plans don’t happen by accident.

Developing a DR plan requires several, intentional steps. Identifying data locations, understanding application impacts, creating a strategy to minimize downtime — all these items must be addressed.

Bottom line... if you don’t think about recovery ahead of time, don’t whine about losing your kid’s baby pictures after you get hit by crypto.

The number of different backup systems on the market is almost innumerable.

Many of them are okay; some of them are quite bad. If your job depends on knowing acronyms such as RTO and RPO, your best action is to enlist the help of an experienced IT team. You’ve got a few great choices in town. Obviously, we’d love to help you at CMA, but (borrowing from the old Charter slogan), if you can’t get help from us, please get help somewhere!

If you’re more concerned about your home computer, architecture can play a big role. If you’re on a Mac, Time Machine is probably the solution of choice. Time Machine will automatically back up to an external drive, and the software provides a reasonable interface to restore files back to the system. Just remember to keep the hard drive to Grandma’s or some other location different from where you keep your computer.

If you are using a PC, the cloud is your friend. Several reputable cloud backup solutions exist that store backup copies of your file in the cloud. I would suggest Carbonite. These systems are automated and easy to use. The major downside to the consumer cloud services is restore. If you have to restore directly from the cloud, it may take a while.

Finally, don’t forget to periodically test your backup. Nothing is more frustrating than opening your backup only to discover that it’s corrupted, unrecoverable or otherwise hosed. Again, think of those baby pictures. Isn’t it worth a check every few months to make sure you’re not left with only memories?

TEKNIQUE — Robocopy is an extremely powerful tool for transferring and backing up files in the Windows environment. If you often run into situations that require a mass transfer of files, I’ve posted some ways to use Robocopy to make your life easier.

Read about it at blog.cmaaugusta.com. @gregory_a_baker GREGORY BAKER PH.D.

is vice president of CMA Technology and, yes, is actually a rocket scientist who used his doctorate in aerospace engineering at Lockheed Martin.

In addition to working at CMA, he also serves the community, sitting on several boards in the area.

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Tips for the Manners Impaired CAN WE TALK ABOUT MANNERS FOR A MINUTE? I’m not gonna mention the teenage driver who honked at me and made a “you idiot” gesture at me the other day.

I wanted to get out and calmly tell him I had to cross all lanes of traffic quickly to make a U-Turn, but I didn’t. I won’t complain about kids who don’t say please and thank you without prompting.

We don’t need to go on and on about children still living under an adult’s roof. We need to talk about adults, and let’s focus on the rude ones.

The problem here is the rude ones probably won’t read this. If they do, it’s likely they’ll not realize we’re talking to them. I’ve got a minute to try, If someone lets you out in traffic, it’s polite to wave. There’s not much effort involved in offering a wave, or even a nod of acknowledgement. Likewise, how about letting people out in traffic, too? If traffic is reduced to a crawl as it is, letting one car out ahead of you isn’t going to impact your day greatly. You know it’s true, and with all the road construction going on in Augusta, it’ll take a village to get anyone anywhere on time.

If the grocery store checker person is ringing up your groceries, get off the dadgum phone. Unless you are the POTUS, it’s probably not that urgent. If you’re the POTUS, you probably have several folks who can handle it for you, too. If you’re not the POTUS, I’d guess it can wait. If it can’t wait, maybe you shouldn’t be in line at the grocery store.

If you’re in the grocery store, it’s perfectly acceptable to be a little zoned out while making purchase decisions. It happens to the best of us. I’m a little less tolerant of blatant disregard for passersby in the aisles.

If you’re on Facebook, Twitter or any other place on the internet, you don’t have to tell everyone else how wrong and dumb they are. To quote Michael Rock of Live Life Happy, “Many people don’t know this, but it’s possible to read something you don’t agree with on the internet and simply move on with your life.” I couldn’t have said it better myself and, thanks to Michael, I didn’t have to.

If you’re going through a doorway, it won’t hurt to glance behind you, real quick-like, to see if anyone is there. I know, I know. You’re in such a hurry that waiting one extra second means you’ll be late to buy that shirt, but doesn’t it suck to have a door slam in your face? The person following you in to the store thinks so, too.

If you eat out, tip your server. Nine out of 10 times, whatever problems you have aren’t the fault of the server. When problems do arise, kindly ask your server what’s going on. Kindly. If you keep things cordial you greatly increase your chances of having the problem solved. When the problem’s solved, tip your server. It pays to tip well. Trust me. If you can’t afford to tip well, you should probably avoid restaurants with table service. Tipping is a part of the cost of eating out. It’s a privilege. Treating your server like crap is not.

If you work in public, be nice to the public. Not many people love to go to work.

Everyone loves nice people. If you go in public, be nice to the public. Everyone’s in such a hurry and often courtesy and manners are the first things to go. Say “thank you” when someone helps you. Help someone when they need it. Look people in the eyes and, hey, let’s smile a little. Can’t we all just get along? Please?

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.

10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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Tell Me How You Really Feel A COUPLE NIGHTS AGO, I’m at an event. People are mingling, having a great time, music is playing. In fact, specifically, it was a song by Queen. I was having a conversation with an older gentleman about music. I love these conversations because I am a fan of music and of the connection that people find in music. I really am fascinated with the reasons people have for liking this band or that song, the story from a fond memory that link them to this particular song or band. It’s also a great way to introduce yourself to new, or maybe, new to you music.

Anyway, this guy and me are having one of these awesome conversations and he tells me how much he loves this band and how amazed he was with Freddy Mercury’s voice. I nod in agreement. He goes on to say, “I hated that he was gay, but that sumbitch sure could sing!” I think, yeah, he sure cou… wait, what? What was that bit you said back there? Before the sting of what he said had faded away, he wandered off to enjoy the rest of his evening.

This sort of scenario actually happens to me more than I like to admit. It happens enough that I feel awkward that it happens so much. It’s not just homophobic comments, it’s racial comments as well. Some people just offer them up as if it’s normal, almost as if they’re saying something as common as, “Gee, gas prices sure are high.”

Is there something about the way I look that makes these people think that I’m on that level?

It seems like it would be something you check with people about first: “Hey, are you racist, too? Okay, good…” and then enter your choice of hateful comment. But, no, there’s no vetting process. No warning, either. Just, BAM! Here’s a highly racist/homophobic comment. I can only compare it to what I imagine people must feel when encountered with an unwelcome advance: “Oh, you must think… oh, no, I’m sorry. I’m not interested like that.”

I often wonder: does this happen to other people as much as it happens to me? I almost don’t want to know, because it happens a lot. I don’t want to know that it happens that much. But it does to me: a racist joke here, a homophobic comment there. Sometimes from people that I know well, sometimes from strangers: “Hi, nice to meet you! I unreasonably hate this portion of our society and I assume you do to.” Seems a little forward, if you ask me.

Listen, I try to be open-minded. I know there’s people with all sorts of different opinions and upbringings. Some people, that’s just all they know. Some people came to this mind frame because of something that happened to them. I’m not here to judge. I just don’t enjoy it in my bubble.

Now, I’m not one of these people who think that we are able to cure our society of racism and bigotry. Your opinions are your right. Who am I to tell you how to think or feel? The only thing I ask is that you don’t bring it around me like it’s normal. Or at least, warn me first. It’s not that I get offended easily. Quite the contrary, actually. It’s just that I don’t want people thinking I’m racist and/or homophobic, too.

Sure, I guess I could use my role in this community to try to persuade these people to open their mind a bit. I do encourage people to do so. I wish everyone could understand that their life will be just fine regardless of who Freddie Mercury was attracted to. Or that the person standing next to you, regardless of skin color or nationality, is actually quite similar to you.

They have hopes and aspirations, dreams, goals, a family that they love, friends, perhaps a pet or two, maybe like the same movies and can even stink up a bathroom just like you!

But, I’m real. I know that most people don’t change their minds. Hey, I get it… come to think of it, no I don’t. But as I said before, I’m not here to judge. I got enough on my plate. Just don’t wave your hate flag on my cloud and I promise not to be all harmonious and co-existenty on yours.

KRIS FISHER,Kris Fisher is the midday host and program director for HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple.

He is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, as well as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. djkfish.com.

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14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Should the State Take Control of Failing Schools?

NOTHING makes local educators more nervous than the thought of state officials taking over struggling schools across the Peach State.

But that is exactly what a proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution would allow if the “Opportunity School District” referendum passes this November.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal proposed last year that the state create an Opportunity School District based on similar initiatives in states such as Louisiana and Tennessee.

These districts would authorize the state to temporarily step in to assist chronically failing public schools.

“While Georgia boasts many schools that achieve academic excellence every year, we still have too many schools where students have little hope of attaining the skills they need to succeed in the workforce or in higher education,” Deal stated when announcing the proposal last year. “We have a moral duty to do everything we can to help these children. Failing schools keep the cycle of poverty spinning from one generation to the next. Education provides the only chance for breaking that cycle.”

In the governor’s proposal, persistently failing schools are defined as those scoring below 60 on the Georgia Department of Education’s accountability measure, the College and Career Performance Index, for three consecutive years.

The OSD would take in no more than 20 schools per year, meaning it would govern no more than 100 at any given time.

Schools would stay in the district for no less than five years but no more than 10 years, and would then return to local control.

The OSD legislation requires a constitutional amendment, for which there must be a two-thirds majority in both chambers. The General Assembly passed the constitutional amendment resolution and the implementing legislation during the 2015 legislative session.

But it now requires a majority approval by Georgia voters in the November general election and Deal seems determined to get the referendum passed.

“When we talk about helping failing schools, we’re talking about rescuing children,” he stated in a press release. “I stand firm on the principle that every child can learn, and I stand equally firm in the belief that the status quo isn’t working.”

The only problem is that the wording of the November referendum is pretty misleading because it will include the phrase that the new legislation is “to help your child be a better student.”

Well, that all depends.

The plan would actually allow the state to have total authority over the failing schools in the special district and it could remove principals, teachers, completely change the curriculum and take control of the schools’ budgets.

That’s a lot of power from the state without any real local input.

That could be a good thing or it could be a real disaster.

And guess who will probably be some of the first guinea pigs for this proposed district if the referendum passes?

Several schools in Richmond County.

Currently, Augusta-Richmond County has almost 20 schools in the failing category regarding scores on the state Department of Education’s College and Career Performance Index.

In order to help educate the public prior to the November election, the Richmond County Democratic Party is placing a non-binding question on the May 24 ballot regarding Deal’s proposal.

Instead of asking voters if they want the referendum “to help your child be a better student,” this ballot question will more specifically address what is being proposed by the governor.

It will read: “Shall the constitution of Georgia be amended to allow an appointee of the governor to bypass the elected state school superintendent in order to take over local school operations, buildings and control of all federal, state and local funding if a school

has low scores on standardized tests or for any other reason a future legislative act may allow?”

The Richmond County Democratic Party is hoping if voters read this non-binding ballot question in May, they will be better prepared to understand the actual vote on the proposed referendum in November.

While having the state completely seize failing schools in Georgia sounds scary, there does need to be a serious county wide discussion on how to improve Richmond County public schools.

On the one hand, there are two of the best high schools in the entire state right here in heart of Augusta-Richmond County.

Of course, they are both public magnet schools and the application process is highly competitive for future students, but it’s still incredible.

Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School is currently ranked No. 2 in Georgia and No. 74 nationally by U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools Rankings.

Its reputation is outstanding.

With a ratio of 17 students to every one teacher, U.S. News & World Report found that 100 percent of the student body at Davidson received proficient English test scores that far exceeded the state’s average. It also found that 93 percent of the students’ scores showed a proficiency in math.

Likewise, while A.R. Johnson Magnet School has slipped a few slots in the past few years, it is still proudly ranked No. 35 in the state and No. 1,103 in the country according to U.S. News & World Report.

With a ratio of 15 students to every teacher, U.S. News & World Report also found that 100 percent of A.R. Johnson’s student body also received proficient English test scores and 75 percent were proficient in math.

Those schools make Richmond County quite proud.

But then there is the other side of the coin.

In comparison, U.S. News & World Report found that only 68 percent of the student body at Butler High School received proficient English test scores and 20 percent were proficient in math.

At Glenn Hills High School, only 66 percent of students were proficient in English and 16 percent were proficient in math.

At Josey High School, only 65 percent of students were proficient in English and 21 percent were proficient in math.

Those are unsettling statistics.

If Richmond County doesn’t do something soon to turn those numbers around, the state will surely step in and take control.

17MARCH2016

Summer and Fall Registration Begins March 14th!

Classes Start May 16th and Fill Quickly!

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR GenCyber Summer Camp!

For the 2nd year in a row, Augusta University has been awarded a grant from GenCyber to host GenCyber 2016 Camps.

Please visit augusta.edu/academy/cyberacademy/

REGISTER NOW!

GenCyber Residential Camp 30 high school students (rising juniors and seniors)

June 26 – July 1st GenCyber Day Camp 30 high school students (rising juniors and seniors)

July 10th – 15th

The almost $110,000 grant will allow 60 rising junior & senior high school students to attend the camp for free. Registration is open, and students can submit their application until March 27.

For those students that are interested in the Health Sciences Summer Academy, Augusta University is offering this option but the program will function separately from the GenCyber Camp and is tuition-based.

Please visit augusta.edu/academy/healthsciences/

V27|NO11

Is Augusta National Preparing to Buy More Property?

As locAl drivers are just now beginning to get used to traveling up and down the new Berckmans Road as they maneuver through west Augusta, many longtime residents can’t help but slow down and really look at all the changes surrounding the Augusta National Golf Club.

Entire neighborhoods are gone. Many hospitality houses are history. And no one is ever going to make any money parking cars in their front yards during Masters Week again.

Living next to the Augusta National isn’t what it used to be.

While many motorists this week were sitting in long lines of traffic and inching their way down Washington Road, some quickly noticed that Augusta National is already tearing up the asphalt along the old Berckmans Road.

Change is definitely coming, but some long-time resident are now wondering: What does Augusta National have up its sleeve next?

The gossip around town is that Augusta National may be itching to purchase more property along Washington Road, including parcels such as the Publix shopping center, Walgreens, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant and Wendy’s.

Some people are even speculating that Augusta National’s interest in land could stretch as far down Washington Road as the Washington Square Shopping Center, which includes the stores Stein Mart, 2nd & Charles, Carrabba’s and Hooters.

Why would Augusta National be interested in that much property?

Well, with the addition of the new Berckmans Road, Augusta National is beginning to create an extremely upscale “theme-park” atmosphere surrounding the golf club.

And, no, the Insider is not referring to goofy mascots or souvenir shops on every corner.

This is more of a completely self-contained and highly refined experience for Masters Week.

Some will argue that Masters Week has pretty much always been an exclusive sporting event (at least for the past two decades), so what’s the difference?

The difference is, once the gates to Augusta National close at the end of day, Masters patrons from all over the world now head out to eat at local restaurants, stay at local hotels or return to the elegant homes they have rented for a week in Augusta.

But what if those amenities were provided onsite for guests?

Luxury accommodations and the best in fine dining without having to even leave Augusta National’s property. A totally private, insular experience.

Impossible?

Remember, nothing is impossible when it comes to Augusta National.

This is the same private golf cub that purchased more than 50 lots from 1999 to 2006 for approximately $23 million.

16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Golf World magazine called the purchase of the properties one of the most “unprecedented buying sprees of neighboring commercial and residential properties” it had ever seen.

This is the same private golf club that pledged to lend the city of Augusta the necessary money, interest free, to advance the first phase of the Berckmans Road’s $16 million project in order to get it moving ahead of the state’s schedule.

Basically, the Augusta National bypassed Georgia DOT using its own money to get what it needed done in less than half the time.

Let’s face it: no one does that.

So, for Augusta National, nothing is impossible.

But here is the thing: Why are people speculating that Augusta National wants to buy more property along Washington Road to better insulate itself?

Well, people are watching what property Augusta National has already purchased over the past few years.

Most recently, the Augusta National, under the name Berckman Residential Properties, purchased the Jiffy Lube property at 2730 Washington Road in October for $1.05 million.

You may have noticed that Jiffy Lube is constructing a new location just down the road in the former Firestone Auto Care building on Washington Road.

The Augusta National also owns the building that currently houses National Hills Tire and Service at

2718 Washington Road and the former TGIF location at 2800 Washington Road right next to the new Berckmans Road.

In addition, the golf course owns the two lots next to Walgreens on Washington Road.

For the larger lot that used to be home to the Augusta Comedy House Theatre at 2740 Washington Road, the Augusta National paid $3.5 million back 2001.

The owner of that parcel definitely got the last laugh.

The Augusta National also bought the smaller lot next to it at a price of $506,000 in 2004.

And then there is the matter of the property listed as 2830 Washington Road, which is basically 30 acres of land behind the Washington Square Shopping Center that the Augusta National paid $946,000 to purchase.

Piece by piece, Augusta National is expanding its empire along Washington Road.

For what reason? No one outside those gates really knows.

But change is definitely coming.

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Racy Name, Great Mixes

By Amy Christian

When three local businessmen decided to buy Durty Gurl, a “cocktail condiments” company, they inherited the slightly racy name.

Now, one year later, that name and its pinup girl logo art are what help Durty Gurl stand out from the crowd.

Well, that and the delicious taste and unique characteristics of their two Bloody Mary mixes (horseradish and spicy), olive juice and Margarita mix.

Available in area liquor stores, Durty Gurl is a company known for a different kind of Bloody Mary mix.

“Doing all these blind taste tests we realized the public was asking for a couple things and one of them was a fuller body,” said Durty Gurl Co-Owner David Hopkins. “I’d never really realized it until somebody made mention of it but it’s true: I’m a big fan of Bloody Marys and I’ve enjoyed them for years but one complaint or hang-up we hear is that by the time you add your spirits and whatever else you prefer to add to your Bloody Marys, they’re just too thin. So we offer a fuller body Bloody Mary mix that holds its consistency throughout the duration of the drink.”

The second thing customers asked for was a smoother consistency… for an interesting reason.

“The other thing we did — and this was mainly from the female demographic — was that they were hesitant to drink 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Bloody Marys on certain occasions because they didn’t want to get pepper flakes in their teeth,” he explained. “So we ground all of that up.”

Because of that, when customers pour the Bloody Mary mix into the glass (Hopkins likes to mix the horseradish mix with the spicy one), they should be prepared for it took look a little different.

“If you pour the mix just by itself, which I do at these tastings, it will be a little thicker than a lot of competitors on the shelf, but that’s by design,” he said. “Now, when you add your spirits to it, it won’t be something that you’ll really even notice. Ours doesn’t separate because of that thickness. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback because of that characteristic of the mix.”

Hopkins and his former Maryland Fried Chicken partner Trey Enfinger were looking for another business opportunity when the owner of Rec Tec Grills, who David had known for years and who Trey currently works for, mentioned a company in California. The company, which had the horseradish Bloody Mary mix and an olive juice among its 30 or so product offerings, was owned by a man who was a commercial contractor.

“When the economy went down he was a victim of that, as a lot of people were, and just sat on this,” Hopkins said.

“Unfortunately for him, he didn’t have the capital to fund the

growth, so he lost all his distribution.”

The three Augusta men ended up buying Durty Gurl in April of 2015, keeping the horseradish Bloody Mary mix and the olive juice, perfecting the spicy mix that was in development and creating their own margarita mix.

They redesigned the labels to so that they’re more eyecatching, featuring a classy pinup girl image that hearkens back to the era of classic cocktails like Bloody Marys and dirty martinis, perfect for the company’s olive juice.

The olive juice has been a surprise to Hopkins.

“I completely underestimated the potential of that olive juice and it has opened a lot of doors for us because of the quality of it. People who like a dirty martini or like it in their Bloody Marys just rave about it,” he said. “Down in Savannah that was one thing that the bars and restaurants were constantly telling me: No. 1, they weren’t getting a good quality olive juice when it was just the juice from a bottle of olives and then, No. 2, they were draining the juice and the olives were drying out.”

The quality comes from the aging process, he said.

“Ours is aged 10 months and very few people do that because of supply and demand. They have basically figured out that you can introduce all these additives — lye being one of them, the same chemical in hand soap — to shorten it 17MARCH2016

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down to a four-week process,” he said. “We don’t do that. Ours is farmed the old, traditional, Italian way and it ages for 10 months.

If you pour ours next to some of our competitors, you’ll see that it’s very pure and clean.”

The Margarita mix is the one product that the Augusta owners of Durty Gurl came up with entirely on their own. And while it seems a more conventional product than the other three, it does fill what Hopkins saw as a gap in the market.

“What we went for there was just a nice balance,” he said. “My experience with Margarita mixes is they’re way too sweet or way too sour, so we feel ours is just a good, smooth mix.”

Once the three finalized their products and completed the transition, it was time to get the word out. Durty Gurl happened to luck out in this department.

“We got lucky in that an acquaintance who owns a business down the road was going on a trip and I asked him to try it on his trip before we rolled it out. We were still at the point in the game where we could have tweaked it if need be,” Hopkins said. “He came back from that golf trip and said, ‘Do you mind me sharing your name and number with General Wholesale?’ Well, by Monday before the close of business I had a call from General Wholesale and we signed a deal with them to be our distributors.”

Hopkins can’t say enough about General Wholesale and their sales force, who have gotten Durty Gurl products in markets statewide with the exception of Atlanta.

“Fingers crossed, we’ll be rolling out in Atlanta in the spring, which isn’t far away,” he said.

The company’s owners aren’t relying solely on outside salespeople, though. Hopkins in particular has been traveling the state and working his contacts in Augusta.

The hard work is paying off. In addition to most liquor stores in Augusta, Durty Gurl products are now in Sage Valley, S.C., Jones Creek, the King and Prince in Saint Simons and TPC Sawgrass.

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“That was a nice feather in our cap to earn their business,” he said. “We’re just constantly pounding the pavement to get in front of people. We are very aggressive in trying to grow that brand awareness and introduce it to as many customers as possible.”

But, for Hopkins at least, it’s not your typical pounding the pavement and talking business. He’s constantly offering tastings and meeting with restaurant and bar owners. All, including himself, are passionate about what they do.

“I’m having a blast with it. It doesn’t feel like work,” Hopkins laughed. “Right now I’m traveling a lot and, obviously, it would be nice for that to slow down at some point in time, but the markets I’m going to? You don’t have to ask me twice to go to Saint Simons or Savannah and even Atlanta. It’s fun getting on the road and promoting it. I’m thoroughly enjoying what I’m doing.”

Durty Gurl is still relatively new, so Hopkins said there are no plans to add to their product line up. But they’re always looking for new opportunities.

“Whatever we’re offering we want to make sure we’re doing it right and putting our best food forward, and with these four items we have accomplished that,” he said. “I’ve had some people ask about a Daiquiri mix or a Pina Colada mix. There’s a lot of things that would be an easy transition for us in the future, but I think, for right now, we’re pretty comfortable with what we are offering and we’re probably going to hang tight for right now. As we do get into other markets and get a little more exposure with our product line, if it makes sense to introduce a new item we absolutely would entertain it at that point in time.”

In the meantime, Hopkins suggest settling in with a Bloody Mary, Margarita or dirty martini. With a Durty Gurl cocktail condiment, of course.

For more information, call 855-780-2005 or visit durtygurl.net.

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By Metro Spirit Staff

Local voters in Richmond and Columbia counties have a lot to consider before heading to the polls this May ”Bad officials are elected By good citizens who do not vote.”

— AMericAn writer GeorGe JeAn nAthAn GoinG to the poLLs this May won’t be as easy as simply selecting one or two candidates in a few local races.

In many cases, voters will be choosing from dozens of candidates competing in races for the Augusta Commission, the Richmond County Board of Education, the Georgia House, U.S. Congress, State Court judgeships, the Georgia Senate, Superior Court judgeships and Richmond County Marshal.

And that’s just the primary.

Come November, citizens will have a chance to cast their votes in the general election for candidates running for Richmond County sheriff all the way up to politicians vying for the White House.

This year’s election could drastically change the current political landscape, so it’s time for local voters to begin doing their homework on each race.

In Richmond County alone, there are five Augusta Commission seats that will be decided on May 24, including Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Those seats are currently held by commissioners Bill Fennoy, Mary Davis, Bill Lockett, Sean Frantom and Marion Williams. However, Lockett will not be allowed to run for another term in the District 5 seat because he is term-limited.

While incumbents Mary Davis in District 3 and Sean Frantom in District 7 are running unopposed and will automatically be re-elected to their seats, others on the commission aren’t so lucky.

They’ll have to earn their seats on the commission once again.

In District 1, Commissioner Bill Fennoy is facing competition from two challengers: community activist Denice Traina and political newcomer Michael Thurman.

Some Augustans might recall that Traina has run for the District 1 seat before and lost. Let’s just say Traina is definitely a candidate that is hard to forget.

While she has served on both the Richmond County Planning Commission and the Transit Advisory Panel, she is probably best known as the highly enthusiastic “certified beekeeper” who has been a resident of the Harrisburg neighborhood for more than 20 years.

Although Thurman is new to politics, he’s a local

businessman from Augusta who has invested throughout the city.

He is the president of McGillicuddy Rental Properties in Augusta and currently owns more than 100 properties in central Augusta and the Summerville area.

In fact, one look at the company’s website will clearly show the wide variety of rental properties that Thurman manages, including the beautifully renovated Victorian home on Hickman Street once known as Johnnyville.

It also sounds like Thurman is going into the race with his eyes wide open.

“I have been called crazy, brave, and honorable, all on the same night,” Thurman posted on his Facebook page after announcing he intended to run for the District 1 commission seat.

Over in District 5, there are two candidates running to replace Lockett: Andrew Jefferson and Kelby Walker.

Andrew Jefferson is a former Richmond County school board member who recently retired from Augusta Technical College after more than 30 years in education.

Jefferson, who was the director of continuing education at Augusta Tech, had worked at the college since 1991.

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Kelby Walker is a local businessman who operates Sweets on Broad at 956 Broad Street.

His campaign flyers state, “It takes a village... and a man who cares!”

If elected, Walker insists that he will concentrate on strengthening the economy in Augusta-Richmond County.

“Columbia County is growing leaps and bound and we’re over here in Augusta arguing about pet fees and basketball goals in cul-de-sac,” Walker recently posed on his campaign’s Facebook page. “(Meanwhile) they’re investing $65 million dollars into a Plaza that will serve as the new city center for Evans and will be located on Evans Town Center Blvd. The new development will include retail and office space, residential living and a cultural art center.”

Those are developments that should be happening in Richmond County, Walker said.

“Stores like Talbots, men’s stores, specialty shops, Apple Store etc. Sounds like they’re building up like Atlantic Station,” he wrote.

“Augusta we better get on the good foot before it’s too late. This old establishment politics is out dated. Creating wealth, empowerment, and getting our young adults involved in the process should be our goals.”

But the commission seat that is probably attracting the most attention is the District 9 race.

The highly outspoken and controversial incumbent, Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams, will be facing opposition this May. Ronnie Battle, who served almost 25 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring to the Augusta area in 1998, has decided to run in District 9.

While Williams is extremely unpopular among many voters throughout AugustaRichmond County, he won’t be easy to unseat.

For a politician who has been called everything from a loose cannon to a “maniacal micro-manager,” Williams eagerly embraces the negative attention.

There is not a week that goes by that Augustans don’t hear some kind of news coming from Williams.

“Criticism is no problem,” Williams once joked. “I welcome it because that means I don’t

have to spend as much money advertising.”

Ever since he was first elected to the Augusta Commission back in 1999, Williams’ main mission has been to stir things up in the Marble Palace. “I promised the people when I ran for office that I would do one thing: I would make some noise,” Williams told the Metro Spirit. “I said that I would let voters know what was going on.”

But as soon as he began to question some of the Augusta Commission’s actions, Williams said he was heavily criticized.

“People would tell me that I need to behave myself, that I ought to do better, that I’m just causing trouble,” Williams said. “But if it’s right, it’s right. If it’s wrong, it’s wrong.”

That is one quote in which voters have heard Williams say so many times that he should make campaign T-shirts bearing that slogan.

But many of Williams‘ critics wonder if he even knows the difference between right and wrong anymore.

Some voters are definitely looking for a change in District 9.

Battle, who is originally from the Atlanta area, is hoping to bring fresh, new ideas to the Augusta Commission.

As a long-time resident of Hephzibah, Battle has been politically active over the years, including working on Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s election in 2012.

However, when Battle announced his campaign for District 9, it surprised many people in Augusta that one of the aspects of his life featured in an article in The Augusta Chronicle addressed his religious beliefs.

“Battle formed a prayer group this fall at which speaking in tongues, rather than one’s ‘native language,’ is required,” stated a Jan. 8 article in the Chronicle. “He also posts videos of demons being cast out and links to the site demonfreetoday.com.”

While such religious practices are not exactly mainstream beliefs, some Augustans wondered why such information was listed in a news story.

For Battle, he may be facing an uphill battle in the District 9 race.

“I have been called crazy, brave, and honorable, all on the same night.”

— Michael Thurman

17MARCH2016

Schooling Augusta Along with the Augusta Commission races, there are a number positions on the Richmond County Board of Education up for grabs.

One race attracting a lot of attention is the campaign for the District 4 seat on the school board.

Former Richmond County principal Wayne Frazier has decided to challenge long-time Board trustee Barbara Pulliam.

Many Augustans will remember that the highly outspoken Frazier submitted his resignation after being demoted from a principal to a classroom teacher in 2014.

The rumor was that Frazier was demoted after clashing with former Richmond County Superintendent Frank Roberson and several board members.

Since that time, Frazier has served as the full-time president of Southern Barber College.

But now, apparently, he wants to become a Richmond County Board member.

So, why are so many people interested in this race?

Well, Frazier was never your average principal.

At 6-foot-5, this retired U.S. Army first sergeant with 23 years of military service, was a no-nonsense principal.

When he was a principal at Glenn Hills High School and Bungalow Road Alternative School, students were not allowed to walk

the halls with their shirts untucked and their pants hanging down below their underwear.

Frazier wouldn’t tolerate it.

But when some of the students brought with them a long history of fighting, drug possession or even prior jail time for criminal offenses, Frazier gave everyone a fair shake because he understood what many of those kids were going through.

His own background began in a povertystricken home in Shreveport, La. It was a history that Frazier never shied away from.

“I grew up in a house of 11 children with alcoholic parents,” Frazier once told the Metro Spirit. “My brother shot my dad. You know, violence in the house; drugs in the house.”

When he was a young man, Frazier’s teachers quickly realized that he was having issues at home.

“They knew I wasn’t prepared to learn, but they gave me the things that I needed that helped me be prepared because they knew I wouldn’t get it at my house,” Frazier said. “I slept on a mattress on the floor until I was 17.

The first time I slept on a bed by myself I was in the United States Army. I thought I had hit the jackpot.”

Frazier was always willing to share those kinds of stories with his students and he was also known as a principal with great compassion.

In fact, one of this towering man’s favorite AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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“Columbia County is growing leaps and bound and we’re over here in Augusta arguing about pet fees and basketball goals in cul-de-sac.”

— Kelby Walker

tunes was Barney’s theme song, “I love you.”

Frazier could often be heard singing, “I love you. You love me,” as he walked the halls before class.

During his time as principal at Glenn Hills High School, Frazier was hailed by many parents as being the leader who vastly improved the school by increasing the graduation rate to 78.2 percent in 2010.

But near the end of the 2009-2010 school year, Frazier made headlines after he was charged with DUI and failure to maintain lane only days before Glenn Hills’ graduation.

While the charges were later reduced to reckless driving, the arrest tarnished his image. A few days after his arrest, Glenn Hills High School was also criticized for its yearbook which depicted some of the senior class members as criminals in a section called “The Jail Report.”

Only weeks later, the high school also discovered its former bookkeeper had taken approximately $14,400 in student activity funds.

Frazier, who also happens to be the husband of state Rep. Gloria Frazier, never fully recovered from those controversies.

But now all eyes are on him as he challenges retired educator and long-time school board member Barbara Pulliam.

Augustans will be watching.

Another familiar face competing for a spot on the Richmond County Board of Education is “career candidate” and frequent guest column writer in The Augusta Chronicle, Brian Green.

22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

As a former U.S. Marine and youth counselor, Green has run for a number of political seats since the mid-1990s including the Augusta Commission and a race mayor, but he has never been elected to office.

Once again, Green has thrown his hat into the ring against a seasoned politician, District 1 Board Member Marion Barnes.

Chances are Green will find himself on the short end of the stick once again.

Meanwhile, District 5 board member Patsy Scott is facing a challenger in candidate Douglas Jackson and District 10 incumbent and Board President Helen Minchew is opposed by Realtor Tony Whiteside in May.

political group known as the “Southside Mafia.”

For those who might be new to Augusta, it’s funny to have both McIntyre and Walker competing in the same race.

After all, there is a long legacy of mixed feelings between former Sen. Charles Walker and the late Mayor Ed McIntyre.

Being a fourth generation Georgian and a native Augustan, McIntyre was known throughout the community as a powerful political player.

He was the first black candidate elected to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners back in 1970.

Ten years later, McIntyre became the city’s first black mayor in 1981.

McIntyre was often described as a visionary, a statesman and a builder of bridges with the ultimate goal of economically strengthening the city.

Of course, by December of 1983, McIntyre’s legacy hit a brick wall. He was arrested by the FBI and charged with conspiring and attempting to extort money from a local real estate developer.

By spring of 1984, McIntyre was forced to resign as mayor and ended up serving about 14 months in prison.

But before people start pointing fingers, Kellie McIntyre is the daughter-in-law of Ed McIntyre. She’s not even blood related.

Her service to the community as solicitor general should stand on its own.

Then, there is Monique Walker, daughter of former state Sen. Charles Walker.

Most Augustans won’t soon forget that summer day back in 2005 when the once highly powerful state senator was found guilty of 127 felony counts of conspiracy, mail fraud and filing false tax returns.

Walker was eventually sentenced to a decade in federal prison and ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and $698,000 in restitution.

The man who many thought would one day become the first black governor of the state of Georgia was all of a sudden sent to the Federal Correctional Institution in Estill, S.C., to face 10 years in a medium-security prison.

Many people will ask, what does that have to do with Monique Walker and her race for State Court judge?

When the federal government went after the former Sen. Walker, it didn’t spare his daughter.

Initially, Monique Walker also was indicted with him on several criminal counts in 2005.

Fortunately for Monique Walker, all of the charges against her were dismissed after she pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of filing a false tax return and was forced to serve probation.

But because she has decided to run for

Judging the best candidate In the race for the State Court judgeship being vacated by Judge John Flythe so that he can run for the Superior Court bench, there are some highly political candidates running including Kellie McIntyre, Monique Walker and Robert “Bo” Hunter III. Kellie McIntyre, who is the current Richmond County State Court solicitor general, is the daughter-in-law of former Augusta Mayor Ed McIntyre.

Monique Walker, who is the current chief operating officer and general counsel for Global Personnel Solutions, is the daughter of former state Sen. Charles Walker.

And local attorney Robert “Bo” Hunter III, who served as the former solicitor general of Richmond County State Court for almost 10 years starting back in 1988, is also known for his former ties with the once very powerful 17MARCH2016

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“I promised the people when I ran for office that I would do one thing: I would make some noise.

I said that I would let voters know what was going on.”

— Marion Williams

State Court judge, some people are already bringing up her past.

It will be interesting to see how this race for judgeship plays out.

Earlier this year, Augusta Superior Court Judge Carlisle Overstreet surprised local voters by announcing that he didn’t plan to seek re-election this May. Overstreet succeeded William Fleming as chief judge back in 2008 and has served honorably ever since.

Richmond County State Court Judge John Flythe and local attorney Evita Paschall will be competing for the Superior Court judgeship seat.

Flythe, who graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1999 and was an assistant district attorney in the Augusta Judicial Circuit from 1999 to 2001 under former District Attorney Danny Craig, is heavily favored in this race.

Flythe was first tapped as the Associate Court Judge in Grovetown in 2008 and has served as a Richmond County State Court judge since 2010.

He was appointed as a State Court Judge by former Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2010 after former Judge Gayle Hamrick stepped down to accept a senior judge status that same year.

“Born and raised in Augusta, Judge Flythe learned at an early age the importance of integrity, hard work, and fairness,” his campaign’s Facebook page states. “Like his father and grandfather, Flythe was called into 17MARCH2016

the legal field.”

After working for the District Attorney’s office, Flythe opened up his own practice where he focused on resolving complex domestic disputes for families in this region.

As a sitting judge, he has become known for his commitment to service and extensive knowledge of the law.

“Over the last five years, Judge Flythe has earned unmatched experience by handling a wide array of criminal and civil cases,” his campaign’s Facebook page states. “From high dollar civil matters to traffic tickets, theft, and family violence, Flythe is tough on crime, empathic when dealing with difficult family matters, and willing to listen before taking swift action. After 50 jury trails, Judge Flythe has the knowledge, experience, and judicial temperament we can trust.”

But one of the biggest surprises to come out of this year’s political races was the announcement that local attorney Chris Nicholson is going to run for the Superior Court judgeship currently held by Judge Carl Brown.

While Chris Nicholson has more than 40 years of experience practicing law in Augusta and has handled hundreds of civil and criminal cases in his career — including more than 20 appeals to the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Court of Appeals of Georgia — his reputation has taken some serious hits over the past few months.

Specifically, Richmond County Superior Court Judge Daniel Craig had to recess

a hearing in his courtroom pending Chris Nicholson’s admission to an inpatient “facility” to undergo evaluation, The Augusta Chronicle reported in December.

One day later, Superior Court Judge Wade Padgett, who was assigned to preside over a contempt-of-court case against attorney Chris Nicholson, ordered Nicholson to an “involuntary commitment” to a state mental hospital, according to the Chronicle.

This wasn’t the first time Chris Nicholson had trouble in court.

Back in August 2011, Nicholson was also cited for contempt after he walked out on a client in the middle of his trial, the Chronicle reported. Judge David Watkins ultimately decided to waive any jail time after Nicholson apologized in court and made a $500 charitable donation.

And now Chris Nicholson wants to be a Superior Court judge?

It’s a bizarre scenario.

But it appears as if Nicholson is hoping his “hometown” reputation will earn him the judgeship.

His campaign’s website is filled with descriptions of his local connections, including the fact that he was born at University Hospital and grew up on Reynolds Street where the Augusta Convention Center sits today.

“In 1951 his family moved into Slusky home at the corner of Walton Way and Monte Santo,” the website states. “At the age of five, he attended Ms. Clark’s Kindergarten

school which was located on William Street across from William Robinson School. After Kindergarten he went to William Robinson School from the 1st through the 7th grade and then attended Langford High School.

In 10th grade, he attended the Academy of Richmond County until graduation in 1965.”

Well, you can’t get much more local than naming your kindergarten teacher, eh?

But apparently even Chris Nicholson was a little worried about his chances in the May election because last week he just happened to drop by the WGAC radio station, requesting to discuss his campaign on air with radio host Austin Rhodes.

“Well that was interesting,” Rhodes wrote on his Facebook page last week. “Local attorney Chris Nicholson showed up unannounced.

As a legally qualified candidate for Superior Court Judge, and someone who we were discussing quite frankly yesterday, I was hard pressed to find a reason to keep him off the air. He was entitled to say his peace, and he did. He says he is mentally fit and capable of running his law practice and running for Judge. He said he believes he is being singled out for standing up to the ‘powers that be,’ and he wanted the world to know that was why he was running.”

That will definitely be a wild race.

Over in local law enforcement, long-time Richmond County Marshal Steve Smith will face challenger Ramone Lamkin, who is currently the head of the Traffic Safety Division of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Lamkin is also said to have close ties to Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree.

As for Roundtree, he isn’t currently facing any competition as a Democrat in May, but former Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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“He says he is mentally fit and capable of running his law practice and running for Judge.”

— Austin Rhodes

Brian McDuffie is running for sheriff as a Republican.

McDuffie, who will face Roundtree in the November general election, is a former Richmond County sheriff’s deputy who was fired by Roundtree more than two years ago after he was accused of assaulting a 15-yearold boy in the side of the head with a flashlight during an arrest.

Folks, you can’t make this stuff up.

The State and Beyond When it comes to the state of Georgia, there are also a lot of political changes ahead.

The state Senate District 24 seat currently held by Sen. Bill Jackson, who recently announced he is retiring, has a list of candidates vying for that position including former state Rep. Lee Anderson; former chairwoman of the Columbia County Republican Party, Pat Goodwin; President of Sherman & Hemstreet Real Estate Company, Joe Edge; former District 3 candidate on Columbia County Commission, Greg Grzybowski; Realtor Peter Gibbons; and Democratic candidate Brenda Jordan.

Talk about a cast of characters.

Voters couldn’t go anywhere this week without hearing jokes about poor Lee Anderson, the return of his tractor and his incredibly thick Southern accent.

It was as if everyone was suddenly channeling Realtor Gwen Fulcher Young.

Most people will remember back in 2012 when Fulcher Young, the wife of former Augusta Mayor Bob Young, boldly campaigned for Congressman John Barrow, a Democrat.

Republicans were shocked that the wife of Bob Young, who was appointed by thenPresident George W. Bush as the Atlanta Regional Director for HUD’s Region IV, would have the gall to support Barrow over Republican candidate Lee Anderson.

But Fulcher Young let her feelings be known — loud and clear.

“Sending Lee Anderson to Washington would be like sending Honey Boo Boo up there,” Fulcher Young reportedly said, referring to the former reality TV star known 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

for her Southern sass. “It just seems to me that he represents the ignorance that people used to think of when they think of Southerners.”

Well, Fulcher Young was never known to bite her tongue.

Then, of course there is candidate Joe Edge, who found himself entangled in gossip and rumors surrounding last year’s House District 122 race.

A supporter for Joe Mullins, the local entertainment promoter and former candidate for the House District 122 seat, filed a formal complaint against his thenopponent Mack Taylor.

Columbia County resident Otis Williams made an official complaint with the state Ethics Commission claiming that Taylor filed a false campaign disclosure.

Basically, the Mullins camp was accusing Taylor and his campaign of helping to coordinate the hiring of a private investigator to look into Mullins’ residency status.

What happened was questions had been raised during the campaign as to whether Mullins even met Georgia’s residency standards to qualify to run for the House District 122 seat previously held by state Rep. Ben Harbin.

The Columbia County News-Times reported that Mullins might have held valid driver’s licenses in the past two years in three different states: Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.

Mullins tried to brush off the accusations that he did not meet the state’s residency standards to run by saying he maintained a primary address in Columbia County.

However, this was the same man who argued with the West Lake Country Club that he qualified for “non-resident status” because he lived in Florida.

Of course, Taylor completely denied any wrongdoings.

But that’s where Joe Edge came into the picture.

Edge came forward last year and insisted that he paid for the private investigator to look into Mullins’ background.

And now Edge wants to run for the Senate District 24 seat?

Politics is a weird business.

Over in the House District 123 seat, which is currently held by retiring Rep. Barbara Sims, local attorney Wright McLeod, physician Mark Newton and nurse Lori Greenhill all qualified to run in that race.

Of course, McLeod is the candidate who was recently booked on a charge of false imprisonment after a former employee of the Augusta Warrior Project, Janice Jamison, claimed he and Amy Palowitch, the director of staff and operations at AWP, refused to allow her to leave the office on Dec. 28 until they searched her purse and backpack.

The only reason that McLeod, who serves as a volunteer board member for the Augusta Warrior Project, was at the AWP office that day was that the staff had requested he assist in the termination of Jamison.

“I have been asked to assist in the terminating of employees before and have done so,” McLeod recently told the Metro

Spirit. “I was asked to assist in the terminating of this employee and did so. I always have a witness and, all I can say is, this employee was terminated for cause.”

It is a bizarre accusation by Jamison that McLeod is hoping won’t hurt his chances at the polls.

In the House District 124 race, state Rep. Wayne Howard is being challenged for his seat by Gregory Hill, who was once the sonin-law of former state Sen. Charles Walker.

Hill is the former husband of Monique Walker, who is running for the State Court judgeship.

Again, these are strange competitors in this House race.

Wayne Howard is the son of the late state Rep. Henry Howard, who served as a legislator for more than 15 years until his sudden death in 2005.

Both Henry Howard and Charles Walker served side by side in the local legislative delegation for many years in Atlanta.

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“Sending Lee Anderson to Washington would be like sending Honey Boo Boo up there.”

— Gwen Fulcher Young

An odd coincidence? We’ll see what will happens.

Over in the Senate District 23 race, Republican incumbent Sen. Jesse Stone is being challenged by Sylvania, Ga., resident Stephen Hammond.

And, then of course, there is the race for the House District 125 seat.

State Rep. Ernie Smith has opposition from retired postal employee and community activist Sheila Clark Nelson.

But Nelson isn’t Smith’s biggest concern.

The state’s ethics commission, formally known as the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, recently found probable cause that Smith had violated various state laws in his handling of campaign cash.

How many possible violations? Exactly 88, according to a recent article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The ethics commission’s staff recommended that Smith’s alleged violations be referred to the state Attorney General’s Office. That means a criminal investigation of Smith’s actions may soon be in his future.

So, what exactly is Smith being accused of?

“A commission investigation found Smith committed 88 violations of campaign finance laws,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. “Among them: Smith allegedly failed to disclose property he owned on personal financial disclosure reports and failed to report $7,503 in campaign contributions and $25,297 in campaign expenditures since December 2010.”

Commission attorney Robert Lane also told the newspaper that more than $19,250 of the unreported expenditures were checks made out to “cash.”

To make matters worse, Lane said that Smith has provided no receipts showing how the money was spent.

The ethics commission’s staff is basically accusing Smith of using that money for personal uses instead of for his campaign.

Of course, Smith absolutely denies any wrongdoings.

“At no time has there ever been a 17MARCH2016

misappropriation of campaign funds,” Smith reportedly told the ethics commission. “I’ve never spent one nickel for my personal use.”

Let’s hope not because if Smith did use any of that money for personal uses, it could result in prison time.

While the ethics commission voted 3-1 to find “probable cause of violations,” it gave Smith until April to produce sufficient receipts before referring the matter to the Attorney General’s Office, according to the Atlanta paper.

Whether Smith faces criminal charges or

not, such accusations don’t bode well for his re-election campaign.

Finally, there is the race for 12th Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Rick Allen.

Allen will face his former rival, Republican challenger and Augusta businessman Eugene Yu, this May. Democratic candidates Tricia Carpenter McCracken and retired educator Joyce Nolin are also running for Allen’s seat.

While a victory over Allen seems like a long shot for any of his challengers, Yu says he is particularly passionate about making a difference in Washington D.C. “These career politicians are like bad salesmen,” Yu told the Metro Spirit during his 2014 campaign. “They are smooth talking, selling a bad product to folks.”

This Korean-born Republican candidate with deep roots in Augusta is trying to hammer Allen hard on his record.

“Congressman Rick Allen promised that he would not support John Boehner to continue as Speaker of the House. Rick broke that promise and voted for Boehner, and the voters of the 12th District called him on it, literally,” Yu posted to his campaign’s Facebook page. “We called, emailed, sent letters, everything and it seems that he got the message.”

Yu claimed Allen is not keeping his promises to Republicans.

“Are you starting to see the pattern with Rick Allen?” Yu asked. “He casts conservative votes when it doesn’t count, like the voice vote against Boehner and the (doomed from the start) House Bill to repeal Obamacare, but when it really counts he votes for Boehner and he votes to fund Obamacare.”

Yu pledged he would stand up for conservatives in Georgia.

“Rick Allen votes the other way when it counts to appease the Washington Establishment.

It’s politicians with no principles like Rick (the RINO) Allen who go along to get along in Washington, that make it seem like nothing ever changes for the better no matter who we vote for,” Yu wrote. “I promise you that I am a different kind of politician.”

So, folks, that’s your overview of the major races this election season in both Richmond and Columbia counties.

What’s the best advice?

Keep your eyes on the campaigns and good luck making a decision at the polls.

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March 27, 2016 North Ball Room Seatings: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Walk-ins welcome but reservations strongly encouraged by March 25 Reservations Adults: $22 Kids 5-11: $11 Kids 4 & Under: Free Walk-ins Adults: $24 Kids 5-11: $13 Kids 4 & Under: Free Action Station Omelets Made to Order Shrimp and Grits Station Cutting Board Selections Herb Crusted Baron of Beef Dr Pepper Glazed Ham Hot Aggrandizements Crust-less Spinach and Artichoke Quiche French Toast Bread Pudding with Blueberry Coulis Applewood Smoked Bacon Pork and Sage Sausage Patties Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy Chicken Confit with Duxelles Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce Skillet Spuds with Caramelized Onions Paella Macaroni and Cheese Freshly Steamed Seasonal Vegetables Cold Buffet Selections Fresh Field Greens with Toppings and Dressings Poached Peel and Eat Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce Exotic Fruit Display Domestic and Imported Cheese Board Assortment of Desserts

19th Street, Building 18402 (706) 791-6780 | (706) 791-2205 (706) 791-3928

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WHAT’S UP

More Than a Taste Calendar Music Listings

MORE THAN A TASTE

If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.

17MARCH2016

By Amy Christian

THOSE WHO ATTEND Wine Country at the James Brown Arena this Saturday evening will be so spoiled by the time they leave that they may never be able to go to another wine tasting again.

That’s because the three ladies in charge of the event — Katie Cason and Alli Focke from Spectra Venue Management and Rachel Salveter from Beasley Broadcasting — have made sure they’ve included a little something for everyone and that no one will walk away from Wine Country empty handed.

The fact that they have 15 restaurants bringing samples and 32 different wines for people to try is just the tip of the iceberg.

Wine Country began after the three noticed the success of Beer Fest, which will come back for its third year this August and move from the Bell Auditorium to the arena to better accommodate the crowds.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

Get the entire family, even the The Columbia County Choral March is Brain Injury Art-making stations, pets, involved in downtown’s Society’s latest concert, Awareness Month and this gallery scavenger hunts, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, American Americana, walk raises money for the giant canvas that everyone which begins with a parade at features guest conductor Dr. support group that meets will help cover, painting 2 p.m. and continues until late Linda Banister leading the once a month. Last year the demonstrations by local in the evening with events group through all kinds of event raised $8,500 and artists and live local music. at the Common that will American choral selections, sent 12 people to summer This free event in and include live entertainment, a from early folk songs and camps for adult survivors around the Morris Museum children’s play area, food and spirituals to more recent of brain injuries. Don’t you of Art sounds like the more. Merchandise will be pieces. Don’t miss it! want to help them do better perfect way to spend a available if you don’t own a this year?

Sunday afternoon. hat as great as this one.

For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 30.

If you love eating out (and who doesn’t?) make a point to do that Tuesday, when downtown restaurants will donate a portion of all checks to the Miller Theatre’s fundraising campaign. Let’s see, you can hit Fat Man’s for lunch and have your choice of The Bee’s Knees, Hive Grower Bar, Farmhaus, Sole and Mellow Mushroom for dinner.

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“Beer Fest has been so successful,” Cason said. “There’s such a market for craft beer but, honestly, who doesn’t love wine?”

The team wanted wine drinkers to have a similar event, but they also wanted it to be much more than a tasting.

“We wanted wine and we wanted food and we all knew that from the get go,” Salveter explained. “Then it became a question of how we were going to attract a broader audience.

We didn’t want it to be a ladies event, which is what a wine tasting typically is, so we decided to put some fun stuff in to attract men as well.”

That’s when the idea of adding a country concert came up. And old-school country artist Craig Morgan seemed like a natural fit.

It turns out, the three were right about Morgan; he’s a better fit than they initially thought.

“He kind of stole the show at Guitar Pull.

I keep saying that but it really is true. There was so much positive feedback about him,” Salveter said. “When we starting looking for an artist for this, we wanted someone who would play for our charity, the Leukemia and 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Lymphoma Society, and he was 100 percent onboard. As it turns out, he’s sort of a wine connoisseur himself, so I think we’re going to make sure he gets to try a lot of the stuff that’s there. And if we can get him down on the floor early to mingle with people, we will definitely try and do that.”

Morgan’s acoustic set will begin at 7 p.m. after the other Wine Country activities have concluded so he won’t just be playing background music.

“From 4-7 p.m. the wine and the food are the talent and, at 7 p.m., Craig Morgan is the talent,” explained Focke. “However, we will have two local guys playing during the food and wine part of the event. Pat Cooper and Matt Chase are from Augusta but they now live in Nashville. They won’t be on stage; they’ll be down on the floor mingling with everyone.”

Music isn’t the only extra that Wine Country patrons will get either. As they began to plan, the three realized that people would want something to do other than eat and drink during the three hours they’re in the arena.

As a result, they have many activities already nailed down as well as in the works.

They’re hoping, for instance, that Van Gogh and Vino will bring a giant canvas that everyone can help paint. Massage Envy will give chair massages (paired with a wine, of course) and there will be a silent auction, as well as door prizes given away at the end of the night.

Ranco will transform part of the arena into a lounge area where people can relax, and there will be vendors that have nothing to do with food or wine there as well. For instance, a clothing vendor will be on hand, along with First Choice Home Builders. That vendor is setting up a model living room where they will serve iced tea and lemonade.

There may be other activities included in Wine Country, but the wines and bites will be the focal points of the event. All the restaurants are bringing bites (or slices, as is the case for the Pizza Joint and Boll Weevil) that will be paired with a different wine.

Some of the dishes include boiled peanut hummus from Finch & Fifth, meatballs

and bruschetta from Oliviana, chips with queso and salsa and fish tacos from Tin Lizzy’s, pulled pork and barbecue sauce from Southbound Smokehouse, miniature cupcakes from Small Cakes, seafood bisque from Calvert’s and donuts from Krispy Kreme.

Other vendors include Whole Foods, High Country Olive Oil, Twisted Burrito, Bird Dog Grille, Fuse and Spectra Food Services.

Durty Gurl, a cocktail condiments company, will be making cocktails, as will Craft & Vine.

So how will Wine Country work? When guests walk in, they’ll receive a passport from Queensborough Bank and a six-bottle wine carrier/swag bag from Whole Foods. The passports will tell participants what each of the booths are offering in the way of food and drink and, as they visit, they’ll get a sticker or a stamp from each.

The passports will contain tasting notes on each wine, as well as room for each person to include their own notes.

“I just think some of the language is colorful and funny and I think a couple of glasses of wine in, people are going to think it’s as funny 17MARCH2016

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as I do,” Salveter said of the wine tasting notes she included.

“But it’s also there so people can have it when they get home.

It’s difficult to remember what exactly you’ve tasted as you get around to that many, but it’ll be right there in print.”

Participants will also receive a glass and in that glass might just be something special.

“Windsor is going to be onsite, and we’ll be putting a cubic zirconia into every single glass as everyone enters the building,” Salveter said. “Some of those will be actual diamonds and they’ll check them onsite. If you have a diamond in your glass, you get to have it set and keep it.”

Inside each person’s passport will be a sheet of paper that could also lead to another big prize.

“Smart Safes will be bringing three of these really large safes and, in each of the safes, we’ll put all 32 bottles of wine that we’re including in the event,” Salveter explained. “So when you enter and get your passport, it’ll have a little insert for filling out information for the door prizes and, on that insert, it’ll have a Smart Safe code. Whoever’s Smart Safe code opens one of the safes will take home all 32 bottles of wine, so we’re filling someone’s cellar.”

Once participants have made their way through all the vendors, they’ll be able to drop their inserts back off with Queensborough to be entered into door prize drawings.

There, they’ll also be able to participate in Toast Wine and Beverage’s Wine Wobble, a cake walk of sorts.

“It’s sort of a cross between musical chairs and… who knows?” Salveter laughed. “But the idea is just to lay down some numbers or letters or something on the floor and have people move around until someone says stop, and the person standing on whatever number or letter they happen to call will win a bottle of wine. And they are at the very end of the booths, so by the time you get there you will be wobbling.”

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Tickets are on sale now and, considering all you get, are a bargain.

“They’re $50 a ticket and I think at first it hit me that it’s a little expensive,” Salveter said. “But then you start breaking down what you get. I mean, we have 15 of these great restaurants and they’re all bringing food. And we’ve got 32 wines, which means that you’ll have almost a bottle if you try them all. And a concert. I went out for a girls night last weekend and stopped by a few places and I spent a lot more than 50 bucks.”

Designated drivers can buy $25 tickets at the door, which will include food and the concert. Uber representatives will also be at the event offering free rides to first-time users.

And, like Beer Fest, Wine Country organizers are eager for this to become an annual event.

“I hope so,” Focke said. “We can grow it and get more restaurants involved, and I think it’s something the community could really get behind. Augusta can support a food and wine festival. We have great restaurants, great businesses, and this is kind of our first step.”

Wine Country James Brown Arena Saturday, March 19 Event, 4-7 p.m.; concert, 7 p.m. $50; $25, designated driver ticket (includes food and concert) 877-4AUGTIX georgialinatix.com

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“The Little Prince,” a 1943 novella, is one of the best-selling books ever published.

Written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, its story of a stranded pilot and a young prince who falls to Earth from an asteroid is a children’s book that grows more and more profound with each reading.

It sounds daunting to stage this masterpiece as a play, but that’s exactly what Theatre AUG is doing March 17-20 in a production that features 10 university students, as well as two from Davidson Fine Arts. All will parachute onto the stage dressed as aviators to begin the show, which will be worth the price of admission alone.

Adapted by AU communicators professor Melanie Kitchens O’Meara, this is a whimsical production that will captivate those of all ages.

“THE LITTLE PRINCE”

Augusta University’s Maxwell Theatre March 17-19, 7:30 p.m.

March 20, 3 p.m. $10, general; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children, AU faculty and staff; free, AU students with JagCard 706-667-4100 augusta.universitytickets.com 17MARCH2016

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Hip Hop Bunny Drop Kroc Center Saturday, March 19 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

706-922-1533 salvationarmyaugusta.org

Attic Treasures, Harlem A two-session class for adults that continues Monday, March 21, from 1-2 p.m.

Hypertufa is a unique, plant friendly medium created out of a blend of Portland cement, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite and water. $30; pre-registration required. Call 706-2317199 or email harlemartscouncil@gmail.com.

County’s class of 2017 are being accepted through April 21. The 10-month program has day-long class sessions that will cover various topics such as law enforcement, healthcare, education and workforce, economic development and history of the county. For more information, call 706-651-0018 or visit columbiacountychamber.com.

Sun Mar 20

James Brown Family Historical Tour

Noon - 4pm Art Rocks! A Social Canvas Festival Morris Museum of Art An event for all ages that includes artmaking stations, a gallery scavenger hunt, a giant canvas visitors will help paint, painting demonstrations by local artists and live local music. Free. Call 706-7247501 or visit themorris.org.

Wed Mar 23

3:30pm Cell Phone Photography: The Next Step Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

EDUCATION Thu Mar 17

10:30am A Day at the Races: Thoughts on Betting the Horses Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame A presentation led by retired horseman Barry Doss. Call 803-642-7650 or visit aikenracinghalloffame.com.

6pm Surviving Market Swings Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-8631946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.

Mon Mar 21

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

5:30pm Tax Help

ARTS Fri Mar 18

6pm - 8pm Spring Artists’ Market and Festival Opening Reception Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Guests will receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases that evening. Works will remain on view and available for purchase until Thursday, March 24. Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org

Sat Mar 19

10am - 2pm Spring Landscape: Acrylics Kroc Center

A class for those ages 15 and up. No previous experience necessary and all supplies are included. $40; pre-registration required. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

11am - 2pm Spring Artists Market Festival Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art A family friendly, free festival that includes face painting, hands-on art activities, art demonstrations and gallery browsing. Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org.

1pm - 2:30pm Hypertufa Planters 101

Euchee Creek Branch Library No pre-registration necessary. Call 706-5560594 or visit gchrl.org.

Tue Mar 22

2pm - 4pm Email Basics Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

Leadership Columbia County Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Applications for Leadership Columbia

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

ELSEWHERE Sat Mar 19

5pm - 8pm Beyond Sight... Perception Artist Reception LithaMoonGallery, Greensboro Photographs by Jim Dunaway will show March 18-April 23. The reception is free, family friendly and open to the public. Visit lithamoon.com.

Ongoing

Clara et Obscura: Dramatic Effects Photography LithaMoonGallery, Greensboro This juried photography competition, which shows May 6-June 3, is seeking submissions from those 18 and older by April 16. All techniques, including digital, are permitted, and a grand prize of $500 will be awarded. Entry fee is $35 for six images. Email submission@lithamoon.com.

EXHIBITIONS Ongoing Exhibits

Aiken Center for the Arts Exhibits include Malaika Favorite, Sarah Hott, Dwight Rose, Saundra Smith and Lenny Wooden in the main galleries; Aiken Performing Arts Academy, Lloyd Kennedy Charter School, Arts Center Adult/Youth Students in the Brooks Gallery; and Bill LeMay in the Aiken Artist Guild Gallery. The exhibits show through March 12. Call 803641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.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

If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.

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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.

Sat Mar 19

FLIX

4:45pm What Do You Do with Tofu Cooking Demo

Thu Mar 17

6pm “Waiting for Butterflies” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library The Aiken Connection Film Series continues with Carla Cloud, lead actress in the movie, who will talk about the film shot totally in Aiken. The film screening follows. Call 803279- 5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Fri Mar 18

4pm “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Sat Mar 19

3pm “Peanuts” Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Tue Mar 22

6:30pm “The End of the Affair” Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

7pm “Discovering Dave” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library The Aiken Connection Film Series continues with George Wingard, who will talk about the discovery that revealed the work of Dave the Potter. The film screening follows.

Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

HEALTH Thu Mar 17

6pm Breastfeeding Babies R Us Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Mon Mar 21

1pm - 3pm Look Good Feel Better University’s Breast Health Center An American Cancer Society program that aims to help female cancer patients combat the appearance-related side-effects of chemo and radiation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.

Wed Mar 23

9:45am - noon Car Seat Class Safe Kids Office Pre-registration required. $10; car or booster seat provided to families who meet financial guidelines. Call 706-721-7606 or visit augustahealth.org.

HOBBIES 17MARCH2016

Noon Saturday Chess Club Euchee Creek Branch Library An all ages program. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.

Earth Fare A CSRA Vegetarian Society event. Visit meetup.com/csravs/.

Mon Mar 21

5pm Coupon Class Diamond Lakes Branch Library Led by Alicson Roberts. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

6pm - 8pm Civil War Roundtable Goodwill’s The Snelling Center Featured speaker is William C. “Jack” Davis, professor of history at Virginia Tech and director of programs at the school’s Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. His presentation is The Confederate Kardashian: Loreta Janeta Velasquez: Rebel Soldier, Media Celebrity and Con Artist. Meetings are $12, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.

Wed Mar 23

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

6pm Sous Vide Steak Dinner Plum Pudding, Aiken A chef’s table-style class in which participants are encouraged to ask questions and will enjoy a full meal from the recipes provided. $65; preregistration required. Call 888-940-7586 or visit plumpuddingkitchen.com.

KIDS-TEENS Thu Mar 17

12:30pm Ribbon Eggs Craft Euchee Creek Branch Library Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.

5:30pm Beginning Piano with Emily Kroc Center A four-session class for those ages 6-13 that continues Thursdays through April 14. $50. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

Fri Mar 18

9:30am Kroc Tots Kroc Center A weekly event for those ages 18 months-5 years and their parents that includes stories, projects and playtime. $1, members;

$2, nonmembers. Call 706-922-1533 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

beforehand. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

10am - noon Learning Adventures: Dulcimers

Sat Mar 19

Mistletoe State Park Participants will see and play the instruments, as well as make their own to take home. $10 plus $5 parking; preregistration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

Mistletoe State Park Participants ages 3-10 will create their own Easter baskets, go on a scavenger hunt and visit with rabbits from the 4-H Bunny Club. $2 plus $5 parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

10am - noon Play 2 Learn North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library A drop-in activity for young children. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

11am Sensory Class Columbia County Library An interactive story, game, song and activity time for children and caregivers of all ages and abilities. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

3pm St. Patrick’s Day Party North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Participants will learn history about the holiday and play games. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

6pm - 8pm Family Movie Night Kroc Center Refreshments available for $1. Free and open to the community, although members can reserve space up to a week

10am - 1pm Baskets, Bunnies and Eggs

10am - 1pm Hip Hop Bunny Drop Kroc Center An event that includes Easter games, crafts, egg hunts and a visit with the Easter Bunny. Call 706-922-1533 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

11am When Spring Comes Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

Mon Mar 21

10am Monday at the Museum: Irish Immigration in Augusta Augusta Museum of History This program for preschool-aged children will include a shamrock jewelry craft. $2, members; $4, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

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4pm Makerspace Columbia County Library Teens will have the opportunity to work on their own projects under staff guidance while using library equipment including CAD software, development software, a 3D scanner, a 3D printer, soldering equipment, and general electronics tools. Call 706-8681946 or visit gchrl.org.

Spring Artists Market and Festival Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art March 18-24 706-722-5495 ghia.org

Tue Mar 22

10:30am Toddler Tuesday Kroc Center Parents are invited to bring their toddlers for 30 minutes of playtime and a story, followed by an hour in the pool splash pad area. Parent must remain with their child throughout the program. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-922-1533 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

4pm Storytime in the Gardens Hopelands Gardens Local senior adults will read to participants and each family in attendance will receive a free book. Blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks are welcome. Call 803-642-7631.

Wed Mar 23

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

4:30pm - 6pm Alley Cats

Youth Leadership Columbia County

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

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Applications for Youth Leadership Columbia County’s class of 2017 are being accepted through March 31. Participants must be sophomores or juniors in Columbia County high schools or residents of Columbia County. For more information, call 706-6510018 or visit columbiacountychamber.com.

Ongoing

Youth Advisory Board Members

2016 GenCyber Camp Augusta University This free camp for rising juniors and seniors in high school is accepting applications through March 27 for the 60 spots they have available. The camp starts in June, and campers will participate in hands-on activities building, using code to defend and attack programmable robots and more.

For more information or an application, visit augusta.edu/academy/cyberacademy/.

2016 Health Sciences Summer Academy Augusta University A camp for rising high school juniors and seniors in which participants experience what it’s like to work in the healthcare field.

A residential program, including a dorm stay, is June 19-24 and a day program is July 10-15. Application deadline is March 27.

Visit augusta.edu/academy/healthsciences/ programoverview.php.

34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

The city of Aiken needs board members in grades 7-12 to help develop youth programs.

The board meets once a month at the SmithHazel Recreation Center. Call 803-642-7634.

LITERARY Thu Mar 17

11:30am Brown Bag Book Discussion Columbia County Library Featuring a discussion of “The Day the World Came to Town” by Jim DeFede. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

4pm Harlem Book Club Harlem Branch Library Featuring a discussion of “Prodigal Summer” by Barbara Kingsolver. Call 706556-9795 or visit gchrl.org.

Sat Mar 19

11am - 3pm Book Sale Headquarters Branch Library

This Friends of the Augusta Library Big Book Sale will feature hundreds of books, most priced at $1. Books are $5 a bag from 2-3 p.m.

Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

Mon Mar 21

6:30pm Monday Night Book Discussion Columbia County Library The March selection is “A God in Ruins” by Kate Atkinson. Call 706-868-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Wed Mar 23

6:30pm - 8pm Book Club Kroc Center Open to anyone ages 25 and older interested in a fun, dynamic discussion.

Books are selected by members and cover a variety of topics. Free. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.

MUSIC Thu Mar 17

7:30pm USC Aiken Chamber Ensemble Concert Etherredge Center, Aiken Free. Call 803-641-3305 or visit usca.edu.

726-0366 or visit augustaamusements.com.

7:30pm American Americana First Baptist Church of Evans A Columbia County Choral Society concert featuring an assortment of choral selections by American composers, including early American and folk songs and spirituals, along with pieces by popular living choral composers. $15. Visit columbiacountychoralsociety.org.

7:30pm Caladh Nua Etherredge Center, Aiken A traditional Irish folk music concert. $40; $15, students. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.

Sat Mar 19

11am - 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.

7:30pm Stabat Mater and Requiem

7:30pm Henry Gross

Sacred Heart Cultural Center An Augusta Choral Society presentation. $25, adults; $10, students under 25 and military. Call 706-826-4713 or visit augustachoralsociety.org.

Jabez S. Hardin PAC An Augusta Amusements event. $43. Call 706-

Tue Mar 22

Fri Mar 18

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Noon Tuesday’s Music Live

6pm - 10pm Oyster Roast

Saint Paul’s Church Features the Laura Cameron Concert with Calvin Taylor. Lunch afterwards requires advance reservations. Call 706-722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.

Fermata Club, Aiken A fundraiser to help pay for yearly mammogram screenings for women who can’t afford it. The event includes oysters, a low-country boil, silent auction, live music and more. $40. Visit aikenregional.com.

Wed Mar 23

7:30pm Apollo Night at the Maxwell

7pm - 9pm Wines of Rhone and Provence

Maxwell Theatre Hosted by Sleepy Eyes, this event includes performances by D. River, Chashawna Wesby, Dance 2 Inspire and more. $5, students; $8, general public. Call 706-6319451 or visit augusta.edu.

7pm - 10pm Yuchikiokee Festival

SENIORS Thu Mar 17

10:30am Seniors Golden Games Appleby Branch Library Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org.

1pm Got 30 Minutes?

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

SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Mar 17

11am Adult Time-Out Euchee Creek Branch Library Participants will learn about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit gchrl.org.

2pm - 9pm St. Patrick’s Day Downtown and the Augusta Common A parade through downtown will kick off events at the Common, which will include live entertainment, a children’s play area, food, merchandise and more. Call 706-8211754 or visit augustaga.gov.

5pm - 8pm Third Thursday Tasting Wine World A drop-in event that features a wine or beer tasting. $5; $3 rebate upon purchase of a featured bottle. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.

Wine World, North Augusta Led by Jean-Pierre Chambas, founder of Aleph Wines. $20; pre-registration required.

Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.

Evans Towne Center Park A concert featuring Wycliffe Gordon and His International All-Stars. Gates open at 6 p.m. $15, general admission; $80, VIP tickets.

Tickets include admission to Saturday’s day-long festival. Visit etix.com.

Sat Mar 19

7am - noon BuzzFest Parking Lot Party Lake Olmstead Stadium An event that includes vendors, a yard sale, live music, reptile exhibit, Touch a Truck, National Anthem tryouts, inflatables, discounts on merchandise and early bird Augusta GreenJackets ticket sales. Visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.

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.

11am - 1pm Community Easter Egg Hunt May Park For children ages 12 and under, this event includes 10,000 eggs, children’s activities, a visit from the Easter Bunny, prizes and more.

Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.

outdated gear to run your operation efficiently. At CMA Technology, we can

4pm - 8pm Wine Country

Fri Mar 18

6pm - 11pm Roast on the River

Whole Foods A $5 wine tasting in which participants get five 3-ounce samples of featured wines. Call 762-333-0259 or visit wholefoodsmarket.com.

17MARCH2016

You don’t need a room full of oversized,

Evans Towne Center Park A day-long music, art, dance and heritage festival with a closing concert at 5 p.m. featuring Eric Lee Beddingfield. $5; $40, VIP. Visit etix.com.

Evans Towne Center Park Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ with Delta Cane. Free. Gates open at 6 p.m. $80, VIP tickets. Visit etix.com.

5pm - 8pm Wine Not It’s Friday

without adding more stuff.

11am - 8pm Yuchikiokee Festival

James Brown Arena A wine and food pairing event featuring 30 wines, food from some of the CSRA’s best restaurants and an acoustic performance

by Craig Morgan at 7 p.m. $50. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.

7pm Yuchikiokee Festival

Speed up your operations

328 Riverfront Drive, Augusta This Savannah Riverkeeper event includes an oyster roast and lowcountry boil, as well as beer, live music and a silent auction. $35; $50, couples. Visit savannahriverkeeper.org.

consolidate and save you valuable time and space.

Contact us for Cloud Computing, Telephone Systems, Disaster Recovery and Network Management.

(706) 860-1997

| cmaaugusta.com

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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witnessing begins at 5:30 p.m. each day. Call 706-724-1720 or visit greateryoungzion.org.

SPORTS-OUTDOORS Fri Mar 18

8am - 10am Breakfast at the Gallops Aiken Training Track Participants will observe training horses, hear from trainers and more in this event that supports the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. $20, advance; $25, gate; free, those under age 6.

Visit aikentrainingtrack.com.

6pm 4 Leaf Clover 5K Downtown Aiken A benefit for the ADPS Police Benevolent Fund that, after the race, will include a medals ceremony, raffle drawings and live local music. $30. Visit active.com.

Sat Mar 19

9am - noon Master Gardener Work Day Pendleton King Park Participants do not have to be Masters Gardeners to help. All skill levels welcome and participants should bring whatever garden tools they have. Call 706-564-7462 or visit pendletonkingpark.com.

9am - noon Swamp Spring Cleaning

Augusta Market at the River 8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street Saturdays, March 19-November 26 8 a.m.-2 p.m. theaugustamarket.com

6:30pm Family Chocolate Festival Reed Creek Park Participants can take a walk on the luminary lit boardwalk, sample chocolate and more. $5; free, children 4 and under. Preregistration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email kbyne@columbiacountyga.gov.

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

7pm Batman vs. Superman Trivia Barnes & Noble For teens and adults, who can win prizes and giveaways. Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

8pm “Blown Away: Wild World of Weather” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken 36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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.

Tue Mar 22

Dinner for the Miller Downtown restaurants will donate a portion of all checks to the Miller fundraising campaign. Fat Man’s Mill Cafe will donate during lunch and the following restaurants will donate during dinner service: The Bee’s Knees, Hive Growler Bar, Farmhaus Burgers, Sole Augusta and Mellow Mushroom. Visit soaugusta.org or millerllc.org.

SPIRITUAL Tue Mar 22 - Thu Mar 24 7pm Spring Revival

Greater Young Zion Baptist Church Featuring guest speaker Rev. Q.E. Hammonds, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church Birmingham, Alabama. Street

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Volunteers will help clean up the trails and boardwalks and can stick around for a hot dog lunch. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

3pm - 4:30pm Canal Trail Talk: Climbing the Tower King Mill Parking Lot Participants will climb the bell tower during this tour guided by Augusta Canal Heritage Area staff. Call 706-823-0440 or visit augustacanal.com.

Ongoing

Fencing Classes Augusta Fencers Club Classes for children as young as six, as well as teens and adults, meet five nights a week. Call 706-722-8878.

Augusta Sports Leagues This organization offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, and more for coed and men’s leagues. For more information, visit augustasportsleagues.com.

Guided Tours Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Call to schedule custom tours of the park for organizations, kids groups or private parties. Tours included hiking, bicycle or golf cart tours and more. Call 706-828-2109 or email info@phinizycenter.org.

Daily Canal Tours

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park For those ages 8 and up, participants should wear long socks and bring water. Waders provided. Free, members; $2, nonmembers.

Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

Augusta Canal Winter Season hours, through March, include Heritage Boat Tours at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. The Civil War boat tour is daily at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.75 for adults and $11.75 for seniors, military and students. All tickets include admission to the Canal Discovery Center, which costs $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, military and students without a boat tour.

Pre-registration encouraged. Call 706-8230440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.

9:30am - noon Swamp Bike Saturday

SUPPORT

9:30am - 11:30am Stream Explorers

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A guided bike ride through approximately seven miles of wetland trials. Helmets and pre-registration required. Free, members; $2, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1426 or visit phinizycenter.org.

10am - noon 7th Annual Brain Injury Awareness Walk Columbia County Amphitheater A fundraiser for the Augusta Brain Injury Support Group, which meets the second Thursday of each month at NeuroRestorative Georgia. $20, registration; $10, brain injury survivors. Registration includes a T-shirt and lunch, and musical entertainment will be provided. Call 706-840-9676 or email patty. goolsby@neurorestorative.com.

Sun Mar 20

Thu Mar 17

6pm Bariatric Surgery Support Group University Hospital Call 706-774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.

Mon Mar 21

6:15pm CSRA GYN Cancer Support Daksha Chudgar Lydia House Call 706-721-5557 or visit grhealth.org.

Tue Mar 22

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 beginning at 10:20 a.m. All new moms and their babies are welcome and an international board certified lactation 17MARCH2016

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consultant/educator/perinatal nurse will answer questions and offer resources. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.

6pm - 9pm CSRA Parkinson Support St. John Towers dining room Mark Barlow of Home Instead Senior Care will present “The 40-70 Rule: An Action Plan for Successfully Aging.” Free and open to the public. Call 706-364-1662.

Ongoing

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

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-868-0539 or visit tops.org.

THEATER Thu Mar 17

7pm “The Drowsy Chaperone”

17MARCH2016

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $48, civilians; $45, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $35, activeduty E6 and below, students; $28, show only.

Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.

7:30pm “The Little Prince” Maxwell Theatre A production of Augusta University’s Department of Communication and Theatre AUG. $20, public; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children, AU faculty and staff; free, AU students. Call 706-6674100 or visit augusta.universitytickets.com.

Fri Mar 18

7pm “The Drowsy Chaperone” Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $48, civilians; $45, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $35, active-duty E6 and below, students; $28, show only. Call 706-7938552 or visit fortgordon.com.

7pm “The Seven Deadly Pirates” The Ballroom Dance Center A show in which audience attire is dressy and costumes are encouraged. Light

refreshments served after the 7:30 p.m. show. $25, adults; $22, military with ID; $18, 18 and under. Call 706-854-8888 or email info@augustaballroomdance.com.

7:30pm “The Little Prince” Maxwell Theatre A production of Augusta University’s Department of Communication and Theatre AUG. $20, public; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children, AU faculty and staff; free, AU students. Call 706-6674100 or visit augusta.universitytickets.com.

Sat Mar 19

7pm “The Drowsy Chaperone” Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $48, civilians; $45, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $35, active-duty E6 and below, students; $28, show only. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.

7pm “The Seven Deadly Pirates” The Ballroom Dance Center A show in which audience attire is dressy and costumes are encouraged. Light refreshments served after the 7:30 p.m. show. $25, adults; $22, military with ID; $18,

18 and under. Call 706-854-8888 or email info@augustaballroomdance.com.

7:30pm “The Little Prince” Maxwell Theatre A production of Augusta University’s Department of Communication and Theatre AUG. $20, public; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children, AU faculty and staff; free, AU students. Call 706-6674100 or visit augusta.universitytickets.com.

Sun Mar 20

3pm “The Little Prince” Maxwell Theatre A production of Augusta University’s Department of Communication and Theatre AUG. $20, public; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children, AU faculty and staff; free, AU students. Call 706-6674100 or visit augusta.universitytickets.com.

Wed Mar 23

10am “The Princess and the Pea” Maxwell Theatre A Porkchop Productions show. $2. Call 706737-1625 or visit augusta.edu.

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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3 p.m.); Trivia, nights Joe’s Underground - Ladies Night, Singles Night Soul Bar - DJ Solo Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke w/ Denny van Valkenburgh

Wrenn w/ Stink Bamboo Sky City Saturday, March 19 Doors, 8 p.m.; music, 9 p.m. $5 skycityaugusta.com

Sunday, March 20 Live Music

Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Brunch w/ Mike Frost and Lauren Meccia Wild Wing - Sabo & Dave The Willcox (Aiken) - Jon Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane

Monday, March 21 Live Music

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

What’s Tonight?

Joe’s Underground - Poker Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - World Tavern Poker Wild Wing - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper

Tuesday, March 22 Live Music

Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck

What’s Tonight?

Bar West - Trivia The Cotton Patch - Trivia Limelite Cafe - Bottom’s Up Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Big Prize Trivia; Poker for Fun Twisted Burrito - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper

Wednesday, March 23 Live Music Thursday, March 17 Live Music

Evans Towne Center Park - Yuchikiokee Festival Concert w/ Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ and Delta Cane Joe’s Underground - My Maiden Name Red Pepper (Aiken) -Anybody’s Guess Sky City - Funk You’s St. Patrick’s Day Party w/ Groove Fetish Wild Wing - Brandon Reeves The Willcox (Aiken) - Jazz

What’s Tonight?

Andrew’s Place - Karaoke with April Powell Bar West - Open Mic Night w/ Jonathon Flowers Carolina Ale House - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper (9 p.m.)

Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Old School Thursday w/ DJ Groove Fox’s Lair - Trivia, Soup and Suds Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia The Loft - Karaoke MAD Studios - Open Mic, Spoken Word Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper (7 p.m.)

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Poker for Fun

38 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

That Place - Open Mic Spoken Word, Poetry, Prose and Singer/Songwriters

Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke w/ Denny van Valkenburgh

Friday, March 18 Live Music

Saturday, March 19 Live Music

The Backyard Tavern - Chasing Savannah Cork & Bull (Aiken) - Deuces Wild Band Cotton Patch - A Step Up Country Club - Pat Cooper Evans Towne Center Park - Yuchikiokee Festival Concert w/ Wycliffe Gordon and Hist International All Stars Iron Heights - Our Present Sufferings, Occido, Resist Capture, Invoking the Abstract The Loft - The Bastard Suns Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Robin Dixon and the Midnight Moon Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Gavin Reily Shannon’s - Atomic Road Somewhere in Augusta - All Bets R Off Whole Foods - @ the Turn w/ Live Music Wild Wing - Adam Harris Thompson

What’s Tonight?

Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Sky City - Match Day Party Soul Bar - Pop Life DJ Mix

Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues Country Club - Lewis Brice Coyotes - Matt Rogers Evans Towne Center Park - Yuchikiokee Festival Concert w/ Eric Lee Beddingfield Fox’s Lair - Livingroom Legends Imperial Theatre - Travis Tritt Iron Heights - Curses, Gruzer and Kill the Host James Brown Arena - Wine Country w/ Craig Morgan Shannon’s - Shinebox Sky City - Wrenn, Stink Bamboo Somewhere in Augusta - Jason White Stillwater Taproom - Delta Cane That Place - Cusions and Caffeine w/ Live Music (2-4 p.m.)

Wild Wing - Tim Cadiere & the Washboard Road The Willcox (Aiken) - Jon Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Helga’s Pub & Grille - Bluegrass Brunch (11 a.m.-

The Highlander - Open Mic Night Maxwell Theatre - Apollo Night at the Maxwell Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Wild Wing - Lundy

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes The Loft - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper The Playground - Krazy Karaoke w/ Big Troy Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Sky City - Wednesday Night Conspiracy w/ DJ Knightmare Somewhere in Augusta - The Comedy Zone w/ Darren DS Sanders and Doug Almeida Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey Three Dollar Lounge - World Poker Tournament

Upcoming Silvertown

- Stillwater Taproom March 24

17MARCH2016

V27|NO11 Chad Mac and Bubba Sparxxx

Amy Grant, Nicole Nordeman, Ellie Holcomb

Third Eye Blind

- Coyotes March 25

- USCA Convocation Center April 30

- Georgia Theatre, Athens March 25-26

Scarface

Roadkill Ghost Choir, Deept State, Thayer Sarrano

Dwight Yoakam

- Sky City March 25 Will McCranie

- Sky City April 30

- Stillwater Taproom March 25

ZZ Top

Silvertown, Livingroom Legends

- Bell Auditorium May 4

- Sky City March 26

Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Tank

Dire Wolf

- Bell Auditorium May 8

- Stillwater Taproom March 26

Merle Haggard, Jason Isbell

Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band, The Shadow Pines

- Sky City March 31 The Sweet Lilies

- Stillwater Taproom March 31 New Madrid

- Sky City April 1 The Major Rager w/ Umphrey’s McGee, the Revivalists, Earphunk

- Augusta Common April 7 The Major Rager After Party w/ Tauk

- Sky City April 7 Runaway Gin, BYOG

- Sky City April 8 Widespread Panic

- James Brown Arena April 19 The Werks, CBDB

- Sky City April 19 The Oh Hellos, The Collection

- Sky City April 22 Rascal Flatts, Jana Kramer

- James Brown Arena April 23 10-Year Anniversary Party w/ Locash

- The Country Club April 29

17MARCH2016

- Bell Auditorium May 17 Papa Joe’s Banjo B Que w/ Willie Nelson and Family, Old Crow Medicine Show, Steep Canyon Rangers, Blitzen Trapper, Mountain Faith, Sarah Jaroz, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Susto, Ben Miller, Have Gun Will Travel, Guthrie Brown & the Family Tree, Little Roy & Lizzie Show, Great Peacock, Josh Roberts & the Hinges, Motel Radio, Packway Handle Band, Laney Jones & the Spirits, BooHoo Ramblers, Georgia-Lina Boys, the Mason Jars, Muddy Johnson, Delta Cane

- Evans Towne Center Park May 27-28 Alabama, The Charlie Daniels Band

- James Brown Arena June 3

Elsewhere Joan Baez

- Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah March 31 America

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta April 1 G Love & Special Sauce

- Variety Plahouse, Atlanta April 1 Paula Poundstone

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta April 2 Mike Epps

- Philips Arena, Atlanta April 2 Belinda Carlisle, Gabe Lopez

- Center Stage, Atlanta April 2 Ry Cooder, Sharon White, Ricky Skaggs - Center Stage, Atlanta April 3 Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

- Lucas Theatre for the Arts, Savannah April 4 Fool’s Paradise w/ Lettuce, Griz, Chris Robinson’s Soul Revue, Vulfpeck, The Nth Power, Goldfish

- St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine, Fla., April 1-2

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

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta March 17

Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+

Vance Joy

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta March 19 Joe Satriani

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta March 23 Yacht Rock Revue

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta March 25

Meet sexy new friends

FREE TRIAL

706-434-0112

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 39

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Helen Johnson, Child Enrichment Executive Director Dan Hillman and Angela Dumbrowski at Cooking for Kids’ Oyster Roast & Toast at Daniel Field.

Amy and Rich Iannacone with Juanita Ellefson and Kaylee Gough at Craft & Vine.

Andrea Massey, Jennifer Cerrillo and Candace Worley at Cooking for Kids’ Oyster Roast & Toast at Daniel Field.

Jose and Donna Rios with Jonathan and Courtney Rios at Cooking for Kids’ Oyster Roast & Toast at Daniel Field.

Cesella Lopez, Rachel Mallard, Kristy Evans and Lauren Ringel Rios at Cooking for Kids’ Oyster Roast & Toast at Daniel Field.

Brian and Stephanie Konitzer with Amanda Andrews and Jack Cheatam at the Indian Queen.

Jeff and Barbara Hawkins with Paige Johnson at Southbound Smokehouse.

Ben and Elizabeth Carrell with Emily and Robert Bowell at Southbound Smokehouse.

Donna Patterson, artist Cole Smith and Diane Tomlin at Art in the Borough at Schweitzer Art Glass Studio.

40 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

17MARCH2016

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IN CHARACTER

By David J. Kahn / Edited by Will Shortz

1

Note: The answers to 23-, 31-, 45-, 62-, 69-, 90-, 103- and 115-Across are themselves clues to the names spelled by their circled letters.

ACROSS 1 Spokesperson in TV insurance ads 4 Candidate’s concern 9 Snap 13 “Not ____!”

18 Manhattan developer?

19 Big name in travel guides 20 Track runner 21 “Et tu” follower 22 Sharing word 23 See blurb 26 It may detect a break, for short 27 Hit 2011 animated film 28 Stay here 29 Source of iron 30 An eternity 31 See blurb 35 Crashes badly 37 Czech reformer Jan 38 Press (for) 39 Cut off 40 Request after a breakdown 43 Some cleaners 45 See blurb 50 Billionaire sorts 52 ____ Peninsula 53 Borah Peak locale 54 Part of a foot 55 Music appreciation 57 Lead-in to care or dare 58 Nike ____ Max 61 Dedicated works 62 See blurb 67 How to play solitaire 68 Some conversation interruptions 69 See blurb 79 Italian fine?

80 Big head 81 Figure in “The Garden of Earthly Delights” 82 Hal, to Henry IV 83 Titania or Oberon, in space 84 Former NBC drama 86 National alternative 88 Getting ready, with “up” 90 See blurb 95 Jazz (up) 96 Place for plaques 97 Dos 98 Bro or sis 100 Mound great

101 Ham 103 See blurb 109 Squeakers 111 Best Foreign Language Film of 2014 112 Fiver 113 Always, to Shakespeare 114 One carrying a toon?

115 See blurb 120 Har-____ (tennis court surface) 121 Part of a legend 122 Hunted for morays 123 Sides of sectors 124 Atypical 125 Lascivious sort 126 Some speedsters, for short 127 Photographer Adams 128 Seedy type?

44 Metal marble 46 Duchamp’s movement 47 Sci-fi race 48 It may come in sheets 49 Flaps 50 Fourth parts in series of eight 51 It’s a wrap 56 Reached, numerically 58 Dumas swordsman 59 Arctic weather phenomenon 60 “I Wanna Be Sedated” rockers 63 ____ Jemison, first African-American woman in space 64 Tag end?

65 Didn’t move 66 Some newcomers’ study, in brief 69 With 16-Down, what “stet” means 70 Real-time messaging system 71 ____ piccata DOWN 72 Move, informally 1 Rude thing 73 Three-time to drop All-Star Longoria for the Tampa 2 First lady before Michelle Bay Rays 3 Senate’s president pro tempore after 74 It’s good for the long haul Patrick Leahy 75 Lottery winner’s cry 4 Movie co. behind “Boyhood” and 76 Mel Blanc, notably “Transamerica” 77 Daughter of Nereus 5 He played Bond seven times 78 Director Lee 6 Allows in 79 Sucked dry 7 Not follow orders or guidelines 85 City on the 8 Time Brazos River remembered 86 Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder: Abbr.

9 Phony persona 87 Greek summit 10 Stumblebum 89 Pit-____ 11 One of two New Testament books 91 Penalty for poor service, maybe 12 Like some old schoolhouses 92 Colors 1960s-style 13 “Scandal” airer 93 Many ski lodges 14 Food for 94 Like Lhasa apsos Oliver Twist 99 Lhasa apso 15 Major Italian highway and others 16 See 69-Down 102 Like polenta 17 Modernists, informally 103 Some electrical plugs 20 Kind of column 104 First string?

24 Giorgio’s god 105 Inc. cover subj.

25 Like comebacks?

106 “Journey to ____,” recurring 32 Brunch pie segment on “Sesame Street” 33 Food-safety org.

107 Unhip 34 Commander’s place 108 Lose, in a way 36 Years at the Colosseum 109 Tousle 39 Christopher ____, tippler in “The 110 ____ Empire Taming of 116 Pay-view connection the Shrew” 117 Keyboard abbr.

41 Earthy color 118 Packers’ org.?

42 “____ asking?”

119 Up to, briefly 43 Singer Anthony

2

3

4

18

19

22

23

26

5

6

7

8

9

32

50

51

47

48

69

70

58

64

72

76

77

78

107

108

66

75

92

87

93

94

103 111

104

89 95

99

105

100 106

112

116

83 88

98

102

115

42

61

82

86 91

110

60

74

97 101

109

73

81

85

96

41

68

80

90

59

65

71

84

40

53 57

67

79

17

49

52 56

63

16

36

39 46

15

30

35

45

55

14

25

38 44

62

13

29

34

37

54

12

21

28

33

43

11

24 27

31

10

20

113

117

114

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

D A B S

A P A R T

E Q U I P

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWERS C U Z C O

S O N A R

P I A N O

A L L O C M A A T D E

F R E E T H R O W

M O A N

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

A G E S

P L A I D

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

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

B A I O Z L E D P T R O O T A D L E M A O L S A S T E F S O S E A S

A I D E D

U N C L E G O T E V E N

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

I N A S L U M P

B E Y E N O S

M O U S E

P R E S S

Y O U I N

P L E D

V27|NO11

THE EIGHT

BOX TOPS The zoo animals run wild at the box office again.

RANK

TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS

TOTAL GROSS

WEEK #

LAST WEEK

1

ZOOTOPIA

$51,339,887

$143,955,013

2

1

2

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE

$24,702,752

$24,702,752

1

-

3

DEADPOOL

$10,942,304

$328,219,729

5

3

4

LONDON HAS FALLEN

$10,836,078

$39,018,130

2

2

5

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT

$4,665,013

$14,636,916

2

4

In Theaters March 18

ACTION

“The Divergent Series: Allegiant,” rated PG-13, starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Zoe Kravitz, Naomi Watts, Ansel Elgort, Jeff Daniels. The third of four in writer Veronica Roth’s series of young adult novels, Allegient finds our heroes Tris and Four venturing beyond the walls that surround Chicago, the only home they’ve ever known. What lies on the other side? That’s the question.

44 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

DRAMA

“Miracles From Heaven,” rated PG, starring Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, Queen Latifah. Based on a true story, this religious film follows the Beam family, who has a 10 year old daughter with an incurable disease. A freak accident seems to cure her, leaving the family and doctors to wonder how.

17MARCH2016

V27|NO11

Open Primaries Are Insane If the 2016 prImary season has brought us one lesson, it is that for the sake of the integrity of the American political system, the major political parties must close their primary elections.

I have no idea how Donald Trump is going to finish out his run for the Republican presidential nomination, but if he wins, he can thank large numbers of new and crossover voters for the honor. Just as we saw Senator Barack Obama do in 2008 for the Democrats, Trump has energized the primary turnout, and the numbers indicate he is winning with voters that are not your usual GOP standard-bearers.

A little insight this week from the Financial Times (ft.com) on the Trump phenomenon in Ohio. ”In Ohio’s heavily Democratic Mahoning County, election board officials said in several precincts they had seen more Republican ballots cast than there were registered Republicans in the area, forcing them to send out additional Republican ballots to 60 of the county’s 212 precincts.

“Twice as many Republicans are voting in this primary than we’d normally expect — and about half of them are unaffiliated voters or Democrats,” said Mark Munroe, chairman of the Mahoning County’s Board of Elections. “I think the lion’s share of what we’re seeing is a pro-Trump thing… I call it the ballot box revolution.”

As a lifelong Republican voter I am pleased to see these types of anecdotes emerging, but at the same time I have serious doubts about the integrity of the process.

The mystery remains: Is Trump really that popular with voters who are either conservative or who are opting out of what the liberals are selling this time around, or is this some fantastic goof playing out around the country, a la 2008’s “Operation Chaos?”

For those of you in Rio Linda, this Washington Post clip dated 5-8-2008 should bring you up to speed on what happened under the direction of Rush Limbaugh, and his surprisingly effective, yet eventually fruitless, attempt to sabotage the Democratic primary contest between then Senator Hillary Clinton and the aforementioned Senator Obama:

Georgia and South Carolina are among the more than 20 states which hold what are known as open presidential primaries. In such a contest, any registered voter can request, and receive, a ballot for either party primary they wish.

We saw the confusion and chaos this can cause firsthand in 2012, right here in Augusta.

There were several controversial local races that were pretty much decided in the primaries because of Richmond County’s concentration of Democrat voters and Columbia County’s concentration of Republican voters. When Scott Peebles, a well-known conservative, challenged Richard Roundtree in the Democratic primary for Richmond County sheriff, untold numbers of faithful Republican voters crossed over to vote for him. That ended up costing valuable votes in the 12th district congressional Republican primary that saw Lee Anderson narrowly emerge as the ill-fated nominee that would eventually lose to incumbent Democrat John Barrow. Many believe if the GOP faithful had stayed and voted in their own primary, Rick Allen would have defeated Anderson and eventually defeated Barrow. He did just that in 2014.

So things can get convoluted and screwy when voters disregard their genuine political convictions to cross party lines at the last moment.

One can only imagine where today’s delegate count would stand, for either frontrunners Trump or Clinton, in their respective parties, had only the “party faithful” been allowed to vote. Even though on the surface it appears to limit participation, I firmly believe that unless the open primary states change their policies and require a one-year waiting period before switching parties (first-time voters would be exempt), we are in for a lot more Trumps and a lot more troubles.

aUstIn rhoDes

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

The impact of Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos” emerged as an intriguing point of debate, particularly in Indiana, where registered voters could participate in either party’s primary, and where Clinton won by a mere 14,000 votes. As he had before several recent primaries, Limbaugh encouraged listeners to vote for Clinton to “bloody up Obama politically” and prolong the Democratic fight.

Limbaugh crowed about the success of his ploy all day Tuesday, featuring on-air testimonials from voters in Indiana and North Carolina who recounted their illicit pleasure in casting a vote for Clinton. “Some of the people show up and they ask for a Democrat ballot, and the poll worker says, ‘Why, what are you going to do?’ He says, ‘Operation Chaos,’ and they just laugh,” Limbaugh said Tuesday.

But Limbaugh called off the operation yesterday, saying he wants Obama to be the party’s pick, because “I now believe he would be the weakest of the Democrat nominees.”

Yeah, that worked out well.

Which brings us back to 2016. Many pundits are astonished that Trump continues to dominate the GOP delegate count, even though his victories by plurality seem to be getting smaller in number. Given the unique nature of this orange-tinted human oddity, known primarily as an American pop culture icon before his ascension in the political realm, there are prevailing theories that Trump’s hardcore supporters are merely in the midst of playing the most elaborate practical joke in history.

Quite a dangerous joke, given what is at stake, but it would be quite the knee slapper if they pulled it off.

If there is to be any assurance that a similar subversive plot does not unfold in coming years, for any of our major parties, it is vital we move to a system where only genuine party members and supporters are allowed to participate in the nomination process.

There are 28 states that stage closed presidential contests. In these states voters are locked into voting for one party or another, for at least a year at a time. This is where we get the terms “registered Democrats” and “registered Republicans.”

46 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

17MARCH2016