Table of Contents August 11, 2016
Whine Line Jenny is Wright Ruffin It Kris Fisher Augusta Tek
4 6 7 8 9
Insider 10 Feature 14
XX14 EDIT
CREATIVE
Amy Christian
Joshua Bailey
Joe White
amy@themetrospirit.com
joshua@themetrospirit.com
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Stacey Eidson
COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
Arts Editor/Production Director
Lead Designer
Staff Writer
stacey@themetrospirit.com
Molly Swift Staff Writer
molly@themetrospirit.com
Contributors Jenny Wright, Greg Baker, Austin Rhodes, Josh Ruffin, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson
SALES Jim Christian Account Executive
jim@themetrospirit.com 706-414-4059
Paige Wilhelm Account Executive
paige@themetrospirit.com 706-833-1904
What’s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword The Eight Austin Rhodes
21 22 30 32 34 36 38
BUSINESS Publisher
Johnny Beckworth circulation manager
johnny@themetrospirit.com
Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.Š 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.
Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? Call or email Joe at 706.373.3636 joe@themetrospirit.com
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OPINION
The Whine Line
The old Georgia Golf Hall of Fame site on Reynolds Street is a “money pit” into which Augusta’s leaders have squandered millions upon millions of our hard-earned local and state tax dollars and no one has gone to jail, including the former board of directors. Now, 25 years later, we’re still hearing that same old song and dance, “Just give us a few more million and we can make that area of Reynolds Street great again and bring more business to the downtown area.” Deed the land to North Augusta and Jones & Company will show you how to make it turn a buck.
Those of you hating on Karaoke must have not been to Grovetown to hear Butch sing. He is the best.
A Purple Heart is a symbol of pride and sacrifice. Not a token to joke about Mr Trump. Texas and North Carolina voter ID laws were not only struck down by federal courts but also declared to be “passed with racially discriminatory intent” without any evidence of actual voter fraud. These laws designed to limit democratic leaning voter blocks were enacted but the same republican hypocrites that disgracefully wear American flag pins and carry copies of the U.S. constitution. Hillary Clinton supporters believe Donald Trump is insane. Donald Trump supporters believe Caitlin (Bruce) Jenner is sane. Clint Eastwood believes voters under 30 are female genitals. It appears America is ripe for a female president. This is a first... NO WHINES
Jenny is Wright Ruffin It Kris Fisher Augusta Tek
I’m tired of these churches trying to influence our government. No representation without taxation. If they don’t pay taxes then shut up!!!
It is time for us in the GOP to choose our country over our party.
Hey gold ford ranger at Bobby Jones to Mike Padgett, Do you realize you were using your truck as a weapon? You purposely placed the person behind you in a life threatened position. They were close , deal with it, it happens all the time, but you became the aggressor! Gold Ford Ranger causing road hazard that police should be watching. And remember, many other drivers may react with justification in defense of you aggression!
Why does every single person associated with rap music always say: “Ya know what I’m sayin’?” (I saw a guy spit that out three times during that FOX show where the guy jumped and landed without a parachute last Saturday). Now, do you know what I’m saying?
Poor ex-con Robin Williams. He reminds me of some old, mangy yellow dog that everyone wants to kick off the front porch. He was a good Democrat; at least, that’s the way he voted most of the time.
The opinions of the American people are wrong. Not because we are dumb, but because everything is kept secret, and we get highly sencored news. People still believe stuff they see on the news.
Ryan and the others in Congress have been effective in keeping Obama in line. Probably can tame Hillary too. Can they keep trump from pushing the button or doing bat poop crazy damage?? Doesn’t appear so. Build your bunker & stock up on beans, batteries & trump (brand) water. It is completely stupid to make a comment like “they didn’t deserve to die that way” in reference to the children who died in a hot car. Just how did they deserve to die? And why in the world make reference to them deserving to die? What kind of perspective does this mother and society have in regard to life and death? Maybe she deserves to die for being with a man who was capable of leavin his children in a hot car when he went inside to drink.. Of course many say he deserves to die for his actions. Maybe his parents deserve to die for raising a scumbag. Yes, these comments are just as stupid as her comment and the news media for printing it.
Wow go see War Dogs! It’s the story about Bush and Chaney!!
It cannot be a coincidence that the first “road work ahead” sign only appears after the last chance to exit and avoid the mile long creeping parking lot. Great article about the history and possible future of the Golf Hall of Fame site, but I am afraid you are beating a dead horse. Just like with Regency Mall, I don’t think we will see anything done with that space in our lifetimes. The response from Augusta University officials was quite telling: that they have no long term plans for the property. But where is all of the private investment on The Riverfront? Nearly everything that has been built there over the past 30
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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.
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years, including Billy’s hotel complex, has involved massive taxpayer subsidies. And I don’t think that will change until we address the elephant in the room: That 12 foot tall mound of dirt that keeps Augusta from having a true Riverfront like Savannah and other cities. Until portions of the levee can be removed or lowered downtown, I am afraid all Augusta will have is a glorified sidewalk along the river and empty spaces as reminders of big plans that never happened. So Richmond County waits until the first day of school to begin the year long project on the Old Waynesboro rd bridge that sits beside Cross Creek High and Goshen Elementary. The project will shut lanes down to 1. So when’s the job opening being posted for the idiot that made this decision , my dogs smarter than that.
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AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 5
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College Rules BECAUSE YOU WON’T LEARN EVERYTHING IN THE LECTURE HALL. Twenty-one years ago, I was packing for college. I don’t care that you now know how old I am. Don’t do math? I’m 39. Age is but a number, anyway. Twenty-one years ago, I knew so much more that I know now. With each passing year, I’m happy to admit that I am, in fact, clueless. Academic advisors in Athens were plentiful, but no one ever told me this stuff. Maybe I just didn’t hear you. Ramen noodles are a complete meal. So are instant mashed potatoes. Kraft mac and cheese can definitely be made without milk. If you have milk, you can live for weeks on cereal alone. The $6 cab fare is always worth it. If the school bus system has a family housing (for example) bus that goes downtown, you can take that, too. It’s free. Be aware of the schedules. They don’t run all night. The free T-shirt they give you for signing up for a credit card isn’t really free. It comes with a hefty 17 percent monthly interest rate. It doesn’t matter that the cute card has your college mascot on it. It will still get you in trouble. Stick with cash. Living on a budget is possible. Low checking account balances enhance creative thinking skills. It’s also possible to work, go to class and still have a life. Even if you’re going home for the holidays, get a Christmas tree. A potted plant can be decorated on limited funds. Moving every year isn’t that uncommon. It doesn’t ever get easier. Getting the security deposit back is totally worth the effort. If you’re lucky, you’ll make forever friends. High school friends will always matter, but late-night porch talks after $1 beer night are the ties that bind. Even the best of friends don’t make perfect roommates. I’m incredibly messy. I tried to at least do the dishes. I kept my bedroom door closed most of the time. Sharing clothes with your roommates is expected. Taking clothes without asking and wearing them to a smoky bar isn’t. You will get caught, and the rest of the apartment will talk about you. Fights between roommates can be settled with a box of wine. Just because she goes out with you doesn’t mean she wants to spend the night. The first guy you date probably won’t become your husband. I knew three people who got dogs in college and actually took care of them. As a general rule, wait until graduation. Your parents only recently got rid of you. They probably don’t want your dog. Joining a sorority or fraternity isn’t mandatory or necessary, even in The South. Promising to cook fried chicken for your boyfriend is a lofty goal. It isn’t as easy as it looks on TV, and unless the oil is the perfect temperature, the chicken will still be bloody when you go to eat it. Unless you practice first, stick to the basics. He’ll be impressed. Sign up for 8 a.m. classes as a last resort only. Trust me. Attendance policies are no joke. Skipping class on the first sunny day in the spring is not only acceptable, it’s required. Every year, take at least two classes not required by your major. You might be surprised. Your parents don’t have to know about the cash refund for returning your textbooks. Consider it a bonus. Buy milk. Have fun, but don’t get sent home. Remember the dog? They don’t want you back, either. Mom and Dad have been looking forward to this for years. They’ll cry when you leave. They’re sad and proud. They’ll celebrate your absence. During holiday breaks, they’ll tell everyone you’re coming home. They might seem crazy. The day your first child is born, it will all make sense. I don’t have regrets. Okay, I kind of wish my friend hadn’t prank called my high school boyfriend — did you know you can go to jail for that? Otherwise, I’d do it all again. My only complaint is that I can’t. Enjoy it while it lasts, kids. The rest of your life is an 8 a.m. class. Attendance mandatory.
JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations
on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably find her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.
6 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Stop. Listen.
I’M WRITING THIS from the lobby bar of a hotel in Amsterdam, a bottle deep in Sauvignon Blanc. I’m trying to make sense of my first three days here -- what I’ve seen, what I’ve done and how it relates to what is going on back home. The disconnect is real; I’m seven hours ahead of most of the people I know, love and generally interact with. I’m in a foreign country that seems, at times, not quite so foreign. Language, I think, is to blame. I mean: walking around the streets of Amsterdam, Haarlem, Bodegraven and any number of outlying suburb-ish areas of this city, I hear a miasma of languages, all of which, individually, I can parse out. In this hotel alone I’ve heard Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French, German and English. I recognize the cadence, the tone, the interactions between couples, friends, parents and children, as the usually nondescript interactions that fill so much of our days. A scold, a reprimand, a term of endearment, a joke known only to these two people. I see the Human Dance, I recognize it, and it comforts me. It comforts me, but it’s still strange. I made a go at learning a bit of Dutch before we left the country last week, and very little of it took. I think, at this point, I know “child” and “good morning,” which can only get one so far. Fortunately, Amsterdam is enough of a cosmopolitan city that everyone I have to interact with speaks a reasonable amount of English. I order beer and food in English, I ask for directions in English, I read city maps provided by the travel board in English. I think in English. And yet I exist among a multitude, a Babel-worthy primal scream. I think that we, in America, face a similar problem on scales both grander and less
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significant. English, at least the dictionary definition of it, is the language that most of us speak to communicate with each other, with the breadth of our own tiny world. It is the language of our business, our education, our public and private lives. We fill out loan applications in English, write poetry in English. And yet, we speak different languages. I’m talking about the different languages of culture, of politics, of partisanship. I’m talking about, statistically, every other person you see during the course of a day. I’m talking about life. As a friend of mine put it, tonight our country is 48 percent one on side, 48 percent on the other side, with the small remainder in the middle. Probably most of you reading this come down on one side. I do. We come down on it hard. And this partisanship is reinforced by the echo chamber in which we willingly lock ourselves day after day. The interactions, the relationships that truly matter, take place within a glorified safe zone, a common ground of rhetoric, while the other 48 percent, not to mention the four percent remainder, remain comfortably at arm’s length. We learn nothing because we seek nothing except the sound of our own voice, even if someone else is speaking. We remain static because we choose not to evolve. This is a plea, a beleaguered, buzzed and supremely irritated plea, to listen. To stop for one moment and listen. To yourself, to your own heart, to the incessant hum of the world that gives not a second thought to you because it will still be here long after you are gone. It had nothing to lose. You do. Stop. Listen. 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.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 7
Where Would You Be If…. I once wrote about life being a big “Choose Your Own Adventure Book.” Occasionally, I’ll think about where my life would be had I chose the “other” adventure. Actually, I could be in BDUs. I was recently reminded that my life was almost drastically different. I was reminded of this in a conversation about ROTC programs in college. Back in the late ‘90s, during my first attempt at college, I came extremely close to joining the Army. Augusta State University (Augusta University three names ago) had an ROTC program that would cover your tuition if you joined. Upon completion of the program, you would enter the Army as a second lieutenant. I strongly considered it, but ultimately decided against it. The reasons I claimed were that I didn’t want to shave and I didn’t want to take out my piercings. Priorities, right? The real reason, honestly, is that I don’t have the cajones to do what those brave men and women in our United States military do. I can admit that. When it comes to my personal fight or flight response, I’m more of a flight kind of guy. I try to pretend I’m fight, but I think I’m old enough now that I can admit it. And most people that truly know me probably have known for years. I also almost got into news broadcasting. My first media job was with WRDW/ News Channel 12. I really got into it for a while, enjoying the high of being the first local news outlet to break a story. Running cameras for two Augusta news icons, Richard Rogers and Laurie Ott, made me want to be the one behind that desk reading the headlines. But, let’s face it, I’d still be waiting to replace Richard and my hairline isn’t the best for broadcast news. These are just a couple of the life paths that could have led me somewhere else. Those two I don’t necessarily regret. I’m sure I’d have made the most of either opportunity. Then there are the life choices that I regret: The part-time, foot-in-the-door to a major market radio station job in New Orleans that I turned down, the programming job in Macon that I definitely should have taken, and a very influential and legendary Atlanta rock radio programmer that I never called back. All decisions that I’d totally take back given the chance, and there are probably a thousand more. Even though I am adept at bad decisions, I feel like I’ve managed to do okay. As my kids start a new school year, filled with opportunity and hope, I encourage them to learn from my decisions, both good and bad. They all three have their life goals all planned. No. 2 talks about his future in the NFL as if the contract is already signed. No.3 wants to be a veterinarian, mostly so she can cuddle all the fluffy kitties and puppies. And No.4 wants to be on the radio like daddy. They’re all still so young, so I know they’ll have their own life-changing decisions to make that may or may not lead them down the road they’ve planned to travel. I envy them, my kids and yours. It’s an exciting thought, their story is yet to be written. The word is their oyster. Their life is a blank canvas… yada yada yada. Wherever their life takes them, I always encourage them to enjoy every part of it, even the missteps along the way. Life is a journey and we are blessed to be able to feel the emotions that come along with it. Most of the time life leads us wherever it wants, no matter what our plans may be. The best we can KrIS FISHer,Kris Fisher is the do is enjoy the ride. midday host and program director for HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple. Or, as my friend Sandie, He is a husband, father of three and The Augusta Golf Girl, lover of all things adventurous, as well says: “Own IT. Live IT.” as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. djkfish.com. Hoo-rah!
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The Best and Brightest EACH YEAR, the Georgia Tech Alumni Network of Augusta conducts a sendoff event for the class of rising freshmen from the local area. These individuals are among the best and brightest students in Augusta. This year, I had the honor of hosting this event, and it was a pleasure to welcome these outstanding ladies and gentlemen into my home. The statistics regarding the Georgia Tech Class of 2020 are staggering. The average SAT score is 1445, and 97 percent of these students have already taken AP calculus or higher. The competition to join this group was fierce. Of the record high 30,500-plus applications received, only 25 percent were offered admission. These students span a diverse background, coming from 89 different Georgia counties, 43 different states and 63 different countries. And for those who consider such things, 41 percent of the students in the incoming class are female. You are correct to believe that this is not your father’s tech school. We had the pleasure of speaking with musicians and athletes. All the students were incredibly well-spoken, and they were very enthusiastic about facing the challenges of Georgia Tech. Of course, they have no idea as to what they are actually getting themselves into, but that really doesn’t matter. If the students at the Augusta send-off are typical, then this class is more than ready to handle anything that Tech will throw at them. As a matter of fact, one of the other alumni in attendance mentioned that he was very happy that he wasn’t at Tech now. First of all, he wasn’t sure he could get in. Secondly, he was pretty certain that he would be perpetually stuck at the bottom end of the curve. Now, this isn’t to say that these students won’t have challenges. As new members of the Yellow Jacket community, they must learn to overcome certain stereotypes.
Music Makes You Smarter! ild h c r u o We Off Let y er r i e P rivate L h essons join t . d an b l o o h c s ! P L E H N WE CA
Your School Band Headquarters!
For example… My 12-year-old daughters attended the event. My wife and I gave them a choice, and they were excited to be part of a grown-up party. (Although I think one of them just wanted the cake.) After the event was over, I asked one of my daughters how she liked meeting the students. “It was Okay. Actually, it was kind of boring.” Of course, I’m confused. “Boring? What do you mean? I thought it was a good party.” “Yes, Dad, it was. Everyone was nice. But one time I walked up to a group, and, Dad, they were talking about math. At a party! They were talking about math at a party! Who does that???” Oh, my young padawan, you have so much to learn. The people that talk about math at parties are the architects of tomorrow. They turn the question “What If?” into the question “What now?” These individuals will invent new medicines, harness new sources of energy and bring artificial intelligence into our lives. They will transform our culture through technology. And their journey begins at Georgia Tech in a few short days. To all of you dreamers, congratulations, and good luck!
GREGORY BAKER PH.D.
@gregory_a_baker
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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The Arena of Possibilities
Insider
10 14
NEWS
Another Historic Loss for Augusta FOR YEARS, Historic Augusta has been desperately trying to save the Goodale house, built in 1799, along Sand Bar Ferry Road. But this past week, all of their efforts were instantly turned into rubble as the Alabama owner, who purchased the property for a mere $20,000 about seven years ago, tore down the twostory brick Federal style home. It’s a sad end to a home that was said to be one of the oldest structures in Georgia to survive in a relatively unaltered condition. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places exactly 40 years ago, according to Historic Augusta’s Endangered Properties list. The tract of land surrounding the former house has been known as “Goodale” since the establishment of the 500-acre plantation in 1740 by Thomas Goodale, who operated the Sand Bar Ferry across the Savannah River, according to Historic Augusta. The plantation was sold in 1799 to Christopher Fitzsimmons from Charleston, S.C., who apparently built the house. Many long-time Augustans remember the Goodale Inn Restaurant that was open during the 1970s and 1980s, but since that time the building frequently sat vacant. In recent years, locals saw the writing on the wall that the Goodale house was likely doomed following the collapse of the structure’s western wall. Now, Augusta says goodbye to another piece of its own history. So, who cares, right? Augustans should care deeply because this is becoming an all-too common pattern here in the Garden City. Just a few years ago, Historic Augusta announced that the Richmond County Board of Education had demolished the historic Cauley-Wheeler Memorial Building on the Lucy C. Laney High School campus. The Cauley-Wheeler Memorial Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and the building was a significant piece of the school’s history. Built in 1924, the Cauley-Wheeler building was once a part of the Haines Normal and Industrial School. “The building is the last remaining structure from the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute, a school charted by Lucy Craft Laney in 1886 to educate black children,” according to the Lucy Craft Laney High School Alumni Association’s website. “Most of the school’s buildings were razed when it closed in 1949 to make way for Laney High, but the Cauley-Wheeler building remained, reminding all of the educator’s legacy and history.” People were shocked that the Board of Education did not try to preserve the building in honor of Lucy Craft Laney, Georgia’s most famous female black educator. Back in 1883, Laney founded the Haines Normal and Industrial School for the education of black students. By 1912, the Haines Institute employed 34 teachers, enrolled 900 students and offered a fifth year of college preparatory high school. Some of Haines graduates made their way to Howard, Fisk, Yale and other prestigious universities. After learning that the Cauley-Wheeler building had been destroyed, representatives of Historic Augusta were left in total disbelief. Historic Augusta stated the destruction of the CauleyWheeler Memorial Building was the first demolition of a building
in Richmond County that had been individually designated on the National Register of Historic Places. “The current expansion of Laney High by the Richmond County Board of Education did not incorporate the historic site into its plan, in spite of its historic designation,” Historic Augusta stated. “Erected in 1924 as a kindergarten, the building was the last permanent structure built under the management of Miss Lucy Craft Laney, leader of the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute.” In 1949, the Haines Athletic Association leased the campus for 999 years to the Richmond County Board of Education. “The sad thing about the loss is that the Board of Education could have incorporated the historic building into its expansion plans if there had been the will to do so,” stated Erick Montgomery, executive director of Historic Augusta, Inc. “It would have been an important centerpiece for the education of students at Laney, giving them a tangible connection to their school’s historical significance.” In an almost laughable suggestion, the Board of Education offered to erect a “replica of the original building” nearby for use by the Haines Alumni Association as a meeting facility. Of course a replica won’t be eligible for listing in the National Register, as buildings generally must meet a 50-year minimum age requirement. That suggestion reminded Augustans of the undignified fate that befell the home of novelist Frank Yerby, which languished on Eighth Street before it was donated and moved to Paine College, where it deteriorated to the point it had to be dismantled and unceremoniously rebuilt. Though Paine called the major renovations a “stunning success,” historians vehemently disagree. It’s no longer the Yerby House. It’s a brand new house without any historic significance because Paine College allowed Yerby’s original house to sit there and rot away. And who can forget last year’s demolition of the old Davidson building on Telfair Street? The Board of Education allowed the beloved historic structure to sit vacant for almost 20 years and the building ultimately suffered severe water damage and vandalism. This city’s history is vanishing before our eyes, folks. Maybe Augusta’s new theme song should be, “Another One Bites the Dust.” 11AUGUST2016
TOWNSHIP AUDITORIUM
TRUSTUS THEATRE
JILL SCOTT AUGUST 27
ANATOMY OF A HUG AUGUST 19 – 27
CORNER OF MAIN AND HAMPTON
SHAGGIN’ ON MAIN SEPTEMBER 10 SC PRIDE FESTIVAL
COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
JORDIN SPARKS SEPTEMBER 3
MAROON 5 SEPTEMBER 10
1500 BLOCK OF MAIN STREET
COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
SODA CITY MARKET SATURDAYS 9AM - 1PM
CARRIE UNDERWOOD SEPTEMBER 24
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Does Sentinel Have No Shame? SO AUGUSTANS LEARNED last week that Sentinel Offender Services — the private probation company that has been hit by more than a dozen lawsuits filed in both Richmond and Columbia counties — is now trying to throw Richmond County officials under the bus and blame them for the private company’s shady dealings. Basically, attorneys for the private probation company are now pointing fingers at the Richmond County State Court judges, county officials and the sheriff in an attempt to deflect major damage from these mounting lawsuits against Sentinel. Well, the Insider learned this week that Sentinel’s shame doesn’t stop there. The Hull Barrett local firm recently filed several motions to withdraw from the cases in Richmond County Superior Court involving Sentinel for a very good reason. Why? Well, they apparently haven’t been paid by Sentinel. That is truly mind-boggling because this is the same company that the state’s Department of Community Supervision reported had earned more than $1.6 million in super-vision fees in a single quarter just this year. “Sentinel also collected from probationers $97,983 in electronic monitoring fees and $111,935 in drug and alcohol screens,” according to a May article in The Augusta Chronicle. That financial quarter made Sentinel the state’s top earning firm among Georgia’s pri-vate probation companies. And now Sentinel has failed to pay the local lawyers who faithfully represented the private company in court?
12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
What type of company has that kind of nerve? The same company that has no problem throwing a poor, indigent person behind bars because they can’t pay the outrageous electronic monitoring fees or the cost of alcohol screenings. The same company that is simply using warrants and the jail system as a means of collecting fees. The same company that has been accused of paying their employees with a bonus system that gives them an economic incentive to issue more warrants in order to ensure the fees are collected. The same company that just wants probationers to “show them the money.” Apparently, the American Bar Association has just about had enough of these private, for-profit probation companies like Sentinel. Just this week, the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates passed and strongly condemned the use of for-profit, privatized probation companies funded by the offenders themselves, according to a recent article in the ABA Journal. And who was on hand at the annual meeting in California to support the resolution? Augusta attorney Jack Long, who has been fighting Sentinel and private probation for years now. Long told the group that “low-income people can be trapped in a cycle of debt by pri-vate-probation companies that have an incentive to keep them on probation as long as possible. They’re almost always funded by the offenders themselves and the monthly fees go to the private company, not toward the person’s fines or court fees.” For-profit, private probation is a corrupt system, Long said. “When the person on probation runs out of money and is unable to pay, the company can petition to jail them in lieu of payment. Thus, it is possible, even in 21st century America, to be jailed for poverty,” Long told the group. The resolution that was approved “urges state, local, territorial and tribal legislatures to abolish ‘offender funded’ systems of probation supervised by private, for-profit compa-nies,” the ABA Journal reported. Just this year, Richmond County officials finally wised up and began to listen to the widespread concerns about Sentinel and ultimately decided to establish a public probation department here in Augusta. While the county realized it would be an expensive endeavor to properly establish public probation, officials knew it needed to be done. What helped guide them towards making that extremely important decision? The lawsuits filed by local attorney Jack Long and his law firm representing folks who have been unfairly treated by Sentinel over the years. Now that Long has opened the eyes of Richmond County officials and much of Geor-gia about how these private probation companies operate, it looks like he may have his sights set on saving the rest of the country from companies like Sentinel. If Long is successful, he could ultimately put those for-profit, private probation companies out of business. It won’t be an easy task, but if anyone can do it, it’ll be Jack Long.
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building a case for a new $110 million James brown arena in downtown augusta On a regular basis, customers eating lunch at Fat Man’s Mill Cafe on Greene Street will walk up to its owner, Brad Usry, and share with him their review of the latest event at the James Brown Arena. Whether it was a Widespread Panic concert, an exhibition game by the Harlem Globetrotters or a live show by Rascal Flatts, his customers will typically tell Usry that they really enjoyed their night out in downtown Augusta. However, they will also frequently give Usry, the vice chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, a little piece of advice: Augusta needs a new arena. “Someone came through the restaurant just the other day and said, ‘The show was great, but you really need to get that new arena built. That current building sure is old!’” said Usry, chuckling in his restaurant’s office. “And you know what I said? I told him, ‘You’re right.’” Probably more than anyone else in Augusta, Usry said he is fully aware of the fact that it is time for Augusta to 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
build a new state-of-the-art arena. “To be honest with you, I was a part of the very first event in the existing arena,” Usry said, smiling. “I played basketball at Augusta College and we played the first basketball game there, which also happened to be the first event in that arena.” That fact alone proves the the James Brown Arena has been around for some time, Usry joked. “I’m 57 years old. That arena needs to go,” Usry said, laughing. “I played there when I was around 17 years old, so it’s time.” About 40 years ago, the James Brown Arena started out as part of a bigger vision to invigorate Augusta’s faltering downtown district. Back in 1973, the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority first asked Chinese-born architect I.M. Pei’s New York firm to perform the design work and site selection for a new civic center. While Pei is often referred to as the master of modern architecture, the Augusta-Richmond County Civic
By Stacey Eidson
Center — now known as the James Brown Arena — has never really been considered a work of art. But the more than 35-year-old arena has served the community well, hosting a variety of legendary artists over the years including KISS, Elton John, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Def Leppard and Alabama. However, the fact of the matter is, the James Brown Arena is suffering from “multiple physical deficiencies,” especially compared to modern arenas around the country, according to a 2014 feasibility and economic impact study performed by AECOM, a Los Angelesbased consultant firm. As a result of its findings, AECOM recommended that the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority consider building a new 10,000-seat arena at a cost ranging between $90 million to $110 million. Along with the 10,000 regular seats, the proposal for the new arena would include premium seating with 14 luxury suites, 10 loge boxes and 500 club seats. A brand new facility with the option to purchase 11AUGUST2016
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premium seating could completely transform a night out in Augusta, Usry said. “In new arenas around the country, the lighting inside the facility, the concourse and the premium seating are unbelievable. It is beautiful,” Usry said. “I recently went to the Philips Arena in Atlanta to see Garth Brooks and I had no clue what to expect. I knew I had some decent seats because I got them at the club level, but when I got there they had about 15 full restaurants there. And you can actually be sitting there at restaurant, watching the show. I mean, how cool is that? You can be sitting there at a padded, high top chair, enjoying a drink, having something to eat and just relaxing and enjoying the show.” Now, obviously, the coliseum authority is not looking to build a Philips Arena in Augusta. However, Usry believes concert goers in the CSRA want, deserve and will support a state-of-the-art arena in downtown Augusta. “When you go to a new arena like that, it is an experience,” Usry said. “You are not just going to a concert. You are going to an experience. And, in this day and time, you should be going to an experience.” In AECOM’s feasibility study, the consultant listed several regional markets that Augusta is trying to compete against including arenas in Gwinnett County, Ga., North Charleston, S.C., Greenville, S.C., 11AUGUST2016
and Jacksonville, Fla. While those markets are considered larger than the CSRA, AECOM’s study stated that Augusta is “well-located” for touring events, which promoters would find appealing. But the truth of the matter is, Augusta has a current arena that is “obsolete,” Usry said. “With the James Brown Arena, I can’t even name all the ways it is obsolete,” Usry said. “The new arenas today are just so welcoming and they have grand concourses. Our concourses are so tiny, there is no natural light and the lack of ladies restrooms is just unbearable. Also, there is no premium seating like luxury boxes, which is tremendous revenue stream for an arena. We get zero dollars from premium boxes.” As an owner of a local restaurant, Usry said he is also embarrassed by the lack of food options inside the James Brown Arena. “The concession choices, which are right up my alley, are terrible. I mean, all you can have is popcorn and hotdogs and maybe pizza,” Usry said. “We should have an arena for this community that we could almost have a full-blown meal.” Even the seating itself inside the arena is incredibly outdated, Usry said. “The seating is like going back to the 1970s,” he said. “The seats now are much more comfortable in the new arenas and
Chris Bird AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Brad Usry
“I’m 57 years old. That arena needs to go. I played there when I was around 17 years old, so it’s time.”
seats would be used,” Usry said. “There would be no seats that would be blocked out.” The proposed new arena would also include 20,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space and 2,000 square feet of office space, according to the 2014 study. Such meeting spaces could be an excellent revenue generator for the arena, Usry said. “The revenue being lost from not having decent meeting spaces is unbelievable,” he said. “You’ll hear people say, ‘Well, we got the TEE center for meeting space.’ Well, we do, but there are also other meetings and other events that you need small spaces. But all of our meeting spaces in the current arena are in the basement and they leak. We just spent $5 million in renovations not too long ago and a ton of it went to just try and control the water throughout the building.” In fact, the administrative offices inside the arena had to be stripped down and the carpets ripped up because the arena recently experiencing flooding downstairs. “What a lot of people don’t realize is the arena was built on a lake,” Usry said. “There is a pump in the basement of the arena that runs 24/7, exactly 365 days a year and it has done that since that building was constructed.” “It was a natural springs down there,” Usry said, chuckling. “So we had a water problem in the arena before it even opened.” But Usry insists that Chris Bird, the general manager of the Augusta Entertainment Complex, and his staff are doing an outstanding job working with the current conditions of the arena. However, they can only deal with so much. “The money that we are spending to keep that building operational is amazing,” Usry said. “And sometimes we can’t even wait until the next monthly meeting. Chris (Bird) will send out an email to say, ‘I have to spend $10,000 to get this fixed to keep the building
While Bird said he cannot discuss the locations that the committee is currently reviewing, he assures the public that the coliseum authority is committed to keeping the arena in the downtown area open.’ We have to say yes. We even had to make some OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) improvements to the arena recently just to meet the minimum standards for OSHA for our workers to make sure nobody gets hurt. So, those things aren’t out there front and center, but they mean a lot.” While the physical structure of the James Brown Arena is definitely showing its age, the AugustaRichmond County Coliseum Authority and Spectra — the Comcast-owned company that manages the arena and Bell Auditorium — still have a lot to brag about
— Brad Usry they are much wider.” Augusta deserves a comfortable arena that can seat up to 10,000 people in order to attract larger shows, Usry added. “With the James Brown Arena, if you maximize it now, and you have no stage and you just put every seat in there it has 7,800 seats,” Usry said. “But, when you put a stage in, you get down to like 5,800 seats. So people assume we have an 8,000-seat arena, but we don’t really.” That’s why a new arena with approximately 10,000 useable seats would have such a huge impact on this region, Usry said. “When we are talking about building an arena with around 9,000 to 10,000 seats, it doesn’t look like a big increase from what we have, but it really is because if you put a stage in the new arena, all of those 10,000 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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“I think we are seeing some shows not come back to the arena. Like the circus and shows like Carrie Underwood are too heavy that we can’t hold their productions. They can’t come back. And those are some good revenue generating shows when you can get 20,000 people in to see the circus or 7,000 people for a sold out concert.” — Chris Bird 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
regarding its finances. “Spectra is doing a tremendous job and we need to give them a lot of credit,” Usry said. “Not only with the quality of the shows, and the number or volume of shows, but also the diversity of the shows. I mean, this weekend, we had Boston play on Sunday night and we had Maxwell on Saturday night. Those are two completely different dynamics that were awesome shows, so that is beautiful.” And ticket sales are clearly reflecting the community’s support of the shows offered by Spectra, Usry said. “Our revenue is actually up,” Usry said, reviewing the budget numbers for this fiscal year that ended just last month. “We actually made $804,672 in the black this year versus $668,034 in fiscal year 2015.” Those numbers just don’t happen by accident, Usry said. It takes a strong team in place to have two strong fiscal years in a row, he said. “We have a great team in place with Spectra, for sure,” Usry said. “And the community has embraced the arena and shown its support by buying tickets. But, the reality is, we are past time to get a new arena and I think the community, as a whole, supports it. We just have to be smart in financing it, so it is not a burden on the tax base. We need to have some serious conversations about how we pay for it. But a new arena is something that all of Augusta would be proud of.” After reviewing this fiscal year’s numbers, Chris Bird, the general manager of the Augusta Entertainment Complex, said he was extremely pleased with the progress that has been made over the past several years. “Last year was our best year ever in terms of the net operating income, but we just finished this fiscal year, because we are from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, and we actually beat last year’s numbers. So it’s going well,” Bird said, sitting in his office located in the basement of the James Brown arena. “And this
“We need to keep the doors open here, but we also need to hire a consultant, architect, a Realtor and deal with land acquisition, so all of these things play into this $6 million pot.” — Chris Bird year, I think we had 25 more events than last year. We did a total of 129 shows. So, last year was a great year. It was our best year, but this year was even better.” Of course, while Bird is reviewing these impressive numbers, he is sitting in an office that has been completely stripped of its carpet and wallpaper along the bottom of the walls and is filled with aging furniture. Let’s just say, it’s not the kind of office you would proudly display to a national concert promoter. But Bird said he had no other choice than to pull up the rug and strip the wallpaper because the rain leaked down through the drainage system and began soaking the carpet in the offices to the point it was smelling like mildew. “We kind of have to get MacGyverlike and Band-Aid things because you don’t want to put millions and millions of dollars into the James Brown Arena given the hope that the city, the community, the university and everyone will come together to do a new arena in the next five years or so,” Bird said. “In this case, you could put carpet down and it might cost $10,000. But I think staining the concrete a wood color is going to cost us 11AUGUST2016
“I think the figure was somewhere around $20 million that we would have to put into the current arena. And we are not talking about any major renovations.” — Cedric Johnson
Cedric Johnson less than $2,000. So we can get creative, keep it safe, keep the doors open and still make it look aesthetically good enough.” However, Bird looked over at the dark, floral print couch in his office and chuckled. “Of course, I don’t think I’m going to show off that couch anytime soon, but we can manage,” he said, laughing. “It’s been a great year and the quality of events has risen. I think that is because promoters and people on a national scale are seeing that these kinds of markets, the secondary or these tertiary markets as we call them — not the Altantas or the Charlottes, but cities our size — if you are doing it right and the relationships are right, artists of just as good a caliber can be successful in these smaller markets.” However, the truth of the matter is that the size of James Brown Arena is holding Augusta back from more popular shows, Bird said. “I think we are seeing some shows not come back to the arena. Like the circus and shows like Carrie Underwood are too heavy that we can’t hold their productions. They can’t come back,” Bird said. “And those are some good revenue generating shows when you can get 20,000 people in to see the circus or 7,000 people for a sold out concert.” As a result of losing such shows and the aging conditions at the James Brown 11AUGUST2016
Arena, Bird said the coliseum authority has moved forward in forming an ad hoc committee to review potential sites for a new arena. While Bird said he cannot discuss the locations that the committee is currently reviewing, he assures the public that the coliseum authority is committed to keeping the arena in the downtown area. “It is going to stay downtown,” Bird said, adding that he believes the coliseum authority will soon look to hire the necessary professionals to develop a plan in order to design, build and pay for a new arena. “The public deserves to see more. We put this project out there during the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) meetings, but our next step really is to get professionals involved.” The coliseum authority had originally asked for $15 million from the SPLOST 7 revenue, but the Augusta Commission authorized only $6 million in the package that was approved by voters. Some of that funding will be required to maintain the current facility, but the coliseum authority is looking to also use part of the $6 million to help move forward on building a new arena, Bird said. “We need to keep the doors open here, but we also need to hire a consultant, architect, a Realtor and deal with land
acquisition, so all of these things play into this $6 million pot,” Bird said. “The big questions right now are: Where will we build it? How is it going to get paid for? And what is that going to bring that we don’t currently have? I think the next step, as an authority, is to bring on a consultant and an architect in order to come up with a plan to move forward.” Cedric Johnson, chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, said he is extremely proud of the financial improvements that have been achieved over the past few years at the arena and the Bell Auditorium. “The steps that we’ve made over the last two or three years have basically shown that the arena could financially do a whole lot better than it was doing in the past,” Johnson said. “People had to see that we were serious about running it as a business and trying to be profitable. Most arenas are not profitable, but, in the past, we were losing a whole lot more money than we should have been.” The second required step was to bring in more diverse acts to attract a wider audience, Johnson said. “Spectra has done an excellent job of bringing in great acts,” Johnson said. “Also, one of the things that has been said was people in Augusta wouldn’t pay the higher dollars for concerts. That has been proven not to be true. We have had some $100 shows that have been sold out. So the people of Augusta and the CSRA have shown that they want to have good entertainment and they are willing to pay for good entertainment.” Now that Spectra and the coliseum authority have proved those myths to be incorrect, Johnson believes it is time to seriously talk about a new arena. “To try to keep it up and going, we are going to have to put millions and millions of dollars in the current arena over the next 10 years,” Johnson said. “I think the figure was somewhere around $20 million that we would have to put into the current arena. And we are not talking about any major renovations. Everything is old and everything is wearing out. That would just keep the doors open.” Johnson insists that Augusta deserves better. “We believe the people in the CSRA deserve a first-class entertainment complex and that’s what we want to do,” he said. “We have shown that we can bring in entertainment and we have shown that people will come and will pay for it, but now we want to give them a venue that is first-class so that we can bring some better acts and some different shows so we can improve the quality of life, in terms of entertainment, in this region.” Later this year, Johnson said he hopes that the authority will be able to really begin “vetting its case to the community” on the importance of building a new arena. “You are looking at an arena that is more than 30 years old. We have to face that fact,” Johnson said. “Everything these days is more modernized and we are just not there.” But Augusta can draw much better shows to the region, if the community gets behind building a state-of-the-art facility, Usry said. “There are two really crucial aspects to this: We have got to put it in the right location and we can’t cut any corners,” Usry said. “If we say, ‘We can only spend this much money, but we need to spend this much,’ it won’t work. We need to stick to our guns and build what needs to be built. Otherwise, we will regret it forever.”
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What’s Up
Calendar Music Listings
It’s going to be difficult to top the James Brown Family Birthday Bash, held last May 3 at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta. The James Brown Band is going to give it a shot, though, with a show in Charleston, S.C., on September 14 that will feature loads of special guests (though, sadly, no Sharon Jones, unless she decides to make a surprise appearance). Friends With Benefits, who also put on the birthday bash, has partnered with Brightsound Entertainment for this show, in which bassist George Porter Jr., founding member of New Orleans Funk pioneers The Meters, will join 13 members of The James Brown Band, including Fred Wesley of The JBs. Also from New Orleans, 2016 Grammy Award winner Ivan Neville of Dumpstaphunk will lend his expertise on the keys. Don’t think any of the organizers or performers are foolish enough to think that any one person can fill The Godfather’s dancing shoes, though. While Brown had enough energy and showmanship for several performers, several performers is what it will take to honor him. Those frontmen and -women will include vocalist Brent Carter of Tower of Power & Average White Band, Elise Testone of American Idol fame and multi-instrumentalist Chris Rob of Nasty Delicious. Local talents Quiana Parler and Mike Quinn will round out the billing. Tickets are on sale now, but are going fast, so get them while you can. The James Brown Band with Special Guests Charleston Music Hall Wednesday, September 14 7 p.m. $39-$49 fwbpro.com
this Week
thUrsday If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.
Friday
satUrday
If your kids love attention, Local artist Erica Pastecki’s How many bagels can you scarf work deals with body issues and down in five minutes? If you’ve then maybe they belong on the stage. Find out by taking them gender roles. Sounds serious, always wanted to know the to Aiken Community Playhouse but she’s anything but. Meet answer to that question, then for a Youth Wing workshop, this fun and talented woman at now’s the perfect excuse to find held the second Saturday of Goodwill’s Hire Grounds Cafe out. Enter the Noshfest Bagel each month. Those in grades from 6-7:30 p.m. tonight. She’ll Eating Contest by midnight 4-7 meet from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 tell you all about her work, which tonight, then show up at Temple p.m. and those in grades 8-12 will be on display in the cafe in Kol Emeth in Marietta on meet from 1-3:30 p.m., and the month of August. September 4 at 2 p.m. for the participants will learn basic contest. You could win $500. theatre stage skills in a fun Visit noshfest.com if you have environment. what it takes.
tUesday The Fox’s Lair may have changed hands, but that’s about all that’s different at this long-time neighborhood bar. It’s charming interior and expert bartender may have you visiting in the evening, but you’ll want to stop by during happy hour Tuesdays-Fridays from 5-7 p.m. Tonight, stick around for live music from John Fisher and the Lads starting at 7 p.m.
For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 22. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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winner receives $500. Participants must be 18 or older and submit a $20 entry fee by midnight August 12. Visit noshfest.com.
Nocturnal Thursdays: Beneficial Bats Reed Creek Park Thursday, August 11 7 p.m. A program for those ages 5 and up. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. 706-210-4027 phobbs@columbiacountyga.gov
EXHIBITIONS Thu Aug 11
6pm - 8pm Gallery Opening Reception Aiken Center for the Arts Featuring the following exhibits: South Carolina Watermedia Society Traveling Exhibition, ACA Summer Art Camp and James Knudsen. Works will show through September 3. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
6pm - 7:30pm Meet the Artist: Erica Pastecki Hire Grounds Cafe Pastecki’s work deals with body issues and gender roles, and will be on display in the cafe in the month of August. Call 706-6505760 or visit goodwillworks.org.
ARTS Fri Aug 12
6:30pm - 9pm Acrylic Painting: Sunset Beach Tippy Cakes Bakery and Gift Shop, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class. $30. Call 706556-6656, 706-513-2634 or email blalocka@ hotmail.com.
Mon Aug 15
1pm - 3pm Painting in Oils Tippy Cakes Bakery and Gift Shop, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class that is $20 per session. Call 706-556-6656, 706-513-2634 or email blalocka@hotmail.com.
EDUCATION Thu Aug 11
10am - noon Computer Help Lab Thursdays Wallace Branch Library Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Getting to Know Your PINES Account Diamond Lakes Branch Library Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Mon Aug 15
3:30pm - 5pm Intermediate Spanish Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 16
10am - noon Foster Parent Orientation Necco Augusta A free weekly session. Pre-registration suggested. Call 706-210-3435 or visit necco.org. 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
11:30am Women in Business Luncheon The Legends Club An Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event which will feature attorney Sarah Floyd Blake speaking about considering risks and protecting assets for the future. $30, chamber members; $40, non-members. Visit augustametrochamber.com.
Thu Aug 18
10am - noon Computer Help Lab Thursdays Wallace Branch Library Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.
11:30am - 1pm Third Thursday Business Builder Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Presentation will be “Establishing a Security Strategy and Decreasing Your Company’s Risk: Security Awareness Training That Works” with speaker Delano Collins. Free, chamber members; $15, nonmembers. Visit augustametrochamber.com.
Ongoing
James Brown Family Historical Tour Augusta Museum of History Available each Saturday at 11 a.m. and lasting approximately two hours, this bus tour includes Brown’s elementary school, his childhood home, his statue and more. $15 fee, includes admission to the museum, which houses the largest collection of James Brown memorabilia. Reservations 24 hours in advance required. Call 803-6402090 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.
Guided Tours 1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only Monday-
Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
North Augusta Driving Tour Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 30-45-minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Tours Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Guided tours, approximately 45 minutes long, are offered Thursday-Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Group tours are available by advanced reservation. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; kids K-12, $3; under 5 years, free. Call 706-724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.
Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta Augusta Visitors Center Tours aboard the Lady Libby available at the Augusta Visitors Center with 24-hour advanced reservations. Tickets include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-724-4067 or visit visitaugusta.org.
ELSEWHERE
6pm - 8pm The World of Rolland Golden Exhibition Opening Morris Museum of Art Bradley Sumrall, curator of the collection, and Andrew Hayes, exhibition contributor, will discuss the artist’s life and work. A reception will follow. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Ongoing
Dollar Dog Days Augusta Museum of History Admission during the month of August is $1 per person. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Miru: Hope Full Soul Westobou Gallery A collection of new artwork by Staci Swider. A book signing will take place September 2 for Swider’s new book “Acrylic Expressions: Painting Authentic Themes and Creating Your Visual Vocabulary.” The exhibition will show Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 1-September 2. Call 706-755-2878 or visit westoboufestival.com.
Out of Africa Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta A show featuring more than 80 pieces of African art from the locally owned corporate collection of Tibi Winston Ltd. Will show through August 19 in the main gallery. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Fri Aug 12
Exhibits
Temple Kol Emeth, Marietta The contest will be held on Sunday, September 4, at 2 p.m. and contestants will have five minutes to eat as many bagels as possible. The
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
Noshfest Southeastern Bagel Eating Contest Entry Deadline
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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.
FLIX Thu Aug 11
11am Thursday Movie Madness Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Sat Aug 13
Noon Saturday Family Matinee Diamond Lakes Branch Library The library will show a G- or PG-rated movie. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
6:30pm Refit Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 16
6pm - 7:30pm Physician Education Savannah Rapids Pavilion Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Abell will talk about trends and treatment strategies for shoulder pain, arthritis and rotator cuff dysfunction. Light refreshments served. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-7770 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm - 9pm The Daddy Class
2:30pm Family Fun Movies
Doctors Hospital An infant care class for fathers only. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Appleby Branch Library Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Aug 17
Ongoing
Call for Entries Cause + Effect Georgia Progressive Film Competition The festival will accept, through October 2, short films with a focus on social, political, environment or economic issues facing Georgia or a community in Georgia. Open to all Georgia filmmakers. No entry fees. Semifinalist films will screen at Cine in Athens in November. Visit causeandeffectfilm.org.
HEALTH Thu Aug 11
5:45pm - 8pm Car Seat Class Safe Kids Office Pre-registration required. $10; car or booster seat provided to families who meet financial guidelines. Call 706-721-7606 or visit augustahealth.org.
6:30pm - 9pm Your Amazing Baby Augusta University Medical Center Pre-registration is required for this baby care class. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augusta.edu.
7pm - 9:30pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Mon Aug 15
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. 11AUGUST2016
6:30pm - 8pm Infant CPR: AHA Friends and Family AugustaHealth Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2273 or visit augustahealth.org.
Thu Aug 18
6pm Breastfeeding Class Babies R Us Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
6:30pm - 9:30pm Breastfeeding Class Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
HOBBIES Mon Aug 15
6pm - 8pm Civil War Roundtable Goodwill’s The Snelling Center Tom Robertson, Augusta author and historian, presents a program based on his new book, “Resisting Sherman: A Confederate Surgeon’s Journal and the Civil War in the Carolinas.” Meetings are $12, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.
Wed Aug 17
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.
Thu Aug 18
10:30am Adult Coloring Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
1pm - 3pm Cool Coloring for Grownups Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
KIDS-TEENS Thu Aug 11
Tue Aug 16
7pm Nocturnal Thursdays: Beneficial Bats
Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room Participants will learn how to start a family history project, as well as discuss resources and strategies. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
Reed Creek Park A program for those ages 5 and up and their accompanying adult. Participants will also take an astronomy class. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. Call 706-210-4027 or visit phobbs@columbiacountyga.gov.
10am Genealogy 101
7pm Augusta Rose Society Meeting First Baptist Church’s Adult Building Free. Call 803-215-0157 or visit theaugustarosesociety.org.
Sat Aug 13
Pre-registration required. Call 706-396-1424 or visit phinizycenter.org.
11am Milk Goes to School Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
11:30am Youth Wing Workshops Aiken Community Playhouse Those in grades 4-7 meet from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and those in grades 8-12 meet from 1-3:30 p.m. Classes are designed to teach basic theatre stage skills, such as stage movement, finding your character, improvisation and script analysis in a fun environment. Call 803648-1438 or visit aikenplayhouse.us.
2pm Lego Club Headquarters Branch Library Legos provided. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
Mon Aug 15
10am Monday at the Museum: Summer Fun Augusta Museum of History This is program for preschool-aged children will include an exploration of historic vacations. $2, members; $4, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
9:30am - 11am Children’s Hike with Story Time
10:30am Music & Me
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
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Book Signing Augusta Museum of History Saturday, August 13 1-3 p.m. Featuring Handsome Ranson Jackson Jr., whose biography about his days as a baseball player, “Accidental Big Leaguer,” was recently published and is co-authored with Gaylon H. White. 706-722-8454 augustamuseum.org A class for children ages 0-4 in which participants will learn how to chant, sing, play instruments and move to the music. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
10:05am Toddler Craft Time
Tue Aug 16
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time
Imagination Station An event that includes stories, songs, counting and dancing. Free for members; included with $10 admission for up to 3 kids for nonmembers. Email imagine.augusta@ gmail.com or visit imagineaugusta.org.
10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story Time with Illustrator Sarah Pacetti
10:30am Ms. Kathy’s Story Time
Wed Aug 17
10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library For those ages 3-5. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org. 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org. Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
The Book Tavern Featuring a story and crafts. Cookies and juice provided. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
4:30pm - 6pm Alley Cats Strikehouse Bowl, Aiken Part of the Aiken Recreation Department’s Buddy Sports program for those with 11AUGUST2016
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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.
5pm Teens @ Your Library Diamond Lakes Branch Library An event for those ages 12-17 that will include movies, crafts and/or board games. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Aug 18
8pm Nocturnal Thursdays: Full Moon Meander Reed Creek Park A program for those ages 5 and up and their accompanying adult. Participants will also take an astronomy class. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. Call 706-210-4027 or visit phobbs@columbiacountyga.gov.
Ongoing
Loud Crowd A supervised after-school program for those ages 4-12, is Monday Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the following community centers: Warren Road, Blythe, Garrett, Diamond Lakes and McBean. The program follows the Richmond County school calendar. $85, monthly; $25,
weekly; $10, drop-in. Visit augustaga.gov.
Moms Club of Augusta A nonprofit group that has weekly playgroups and other activities for stayat-home moms. For more information, visit momsclubaugusta.org.
Moms Club of Grovetown A group that accepts any mom who stays at home with her children regardless of parenting style, religion or ethnicity. The group meets for a variety of activities and dues are $20 a year. Visit momsclubofgrovetown.weebly.com.
The city of Aiken needs board members in grades 7-12 to help develop youth programs. The board meets once a month at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center. Call 803642-7634.
After-School Program Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, Aiken A program for those ages 5-13 that includes homework help, games, snacks and more. It meets Monday-Friday from 2-5 p.m. and follows the Aiken County Public School calendar. Call 803-648-3197.
Toddler Time
A group for women with children who are age 35 years or older. Call 706-394-1293 or email hoopnhollar2@yahoo.com.
Weeks Center A weekly program for those ages 5 and under, accompanied by a parent. It meets Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Call 803-642-7631.
Homeschool PE Time
LITERARY
Mothers of Advanced Maternal Age
The Kroc Center For kids ages 5-12 and meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. Members, free; nonmembers, $2 per visit. Activity follows the Richmond County school calendar. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
Youth Advisory Board Members Needed
Sat Aug 13
11am - 1pm The 2016 Novel Writers Series Headquarters Branch Library A five-session lunch and learn series that began in June. August’s session will deal with themes and conflict, and participants should bring a lunch. Free. Call 706-8212600 or visit augustaliteraryfestival.org.
1pm - 3pm Book Signing Augusta Museum of History Featuring Handsome Ranson Jackson Jr., whose biography about his days as a baseball player, “Accidental Big Leaguer,” was recently published and is co-authored with Gaylon H. White. Copies of the book will be available to purchase. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
1pm Book Signing Friedman Branch Library Featuring Kortisha Baker, author of the children’s book “A Simple Rose.” Call 706736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
Ongoing Book Sale
Appleby Branch Library A month-long book sale in the library’s story hour room. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
MUSIC Sat Aug 13
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
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PAL Blue Night 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run Citizens Park, Aiken Friday, August 12 7 p.m. A race that will benefit The Aiken Department of Public Safety Police Athletic League (PAL), which was organized to provide athletic and recreational activities to children who might not be able to afford them. $15-$30. bluenightrun.com
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a.m.-noon. Call 803-642-7634.
7pm Summer Concert Series
Silversneakers
8th Street River Stage Free. Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.
H.O. Weeks Center Silversneakers Classic Classes offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m., while Silversneakers Yoga is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. at the Weeks Center in Aiken. $27, members; $52, nonmembers. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Sun Aug 14
7:30pm Candlelight Jazz Augusta Common Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for this live jazz concert. $6. Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.
Mon Aug 15
7pm Hopelands Summer Concert Series Hopelands Gardens, Aiken Featuring Lo Down Brown. Attendees can bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and wellbehaved pets on leashes, but no alcohol. Free. Call 803-642-7631 or visit facebook. com/experienceaiken. The rain-out hotline is 803-643-4661.
SENIORS Tue Aug 16
10:30am Senior Tech Help Appleby Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Aug 18
10:30am Seniors Golden Games Appleby Branch Library Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org.
Ongoing
Games for Seniors H.O. Weeks Center Include Mahjong each Thursday from 1-4 p.m., Bridge each Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bingo each Tuesday 9-10 a.m., Pinochle each Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Canasta on Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and board games on Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. Call 803642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Senior Basketball H.O. Weeks Center Leagues for those ages 50 and up. Practice is held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Aug 11
5pm - 7:30pm Farmers Market in the Alley Downtown Aiken This weekly event includes fresh goods, food vendors, artisans, flowers and live music. Call 803-293-2214.
Senior Citizens Club
Fri Aug 12
Smith-Hazel Recreation Center Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10
Medical Associates Plus
10am - 2pm Summer Produce Market 11AUGUST2016
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A market selling fresh, locally grown and organic fruits and vegetables that will also feature a kids fun zone. WIC and Snap EBT accepted. Call 877-205-5006 or email info@ mapbt.com.
Sat Aug 13
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.
10am - 2pm Dog Wash SPCA Albrecht Center, Aiken The public is invited to bring their dogs to the center for baths, ear cleanings and nail trims. Prices depend on the size of the dog and all proceeds benefit the center and its homeless pets. Call 803-648-6863 or visit letlovelive.org.
10am - 2pm Summer Health Block Party Medical Associates Plus This event, sponsored by WellCare, will include a health fair, back to school drive, food and children’s activities. Free and open to the public. Call 706-922-0261 or visit mapbt.com.
8pm “Two Small Pieces of Glass” 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.
9pm “Digistar Virtual Journey” 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.
Tue Aug 16
4:30pm - 7pm Veggie Truck Farmers Market AL Williams Park This weekly event, held through the end of October in the park across from the Kroc Center, features all local farmers and doubles EBT. Visit growharrisburg.org.
Thu Aug 18
8am - 3pm Relationships 360 Kroc Center A one-day empowerment workshop for women who struggle with business or life relationships. Sponsored by the Savannah River Chapter of Federally Employed Women, it will include tools, vendors and exhibitors. $85 fee includes lunch. Call 706228-4406 or email few. srhapter@gmail.com. 11AUGUST2016
Gatorfest Augusta Augusta Riverfront Marina Saturday, August 13 7:30 p.m. An open water swim with 1.2-mile and 3.4-mile options. $50. gatorfestaugusta.org 5pm - 7:30pm Farmers Market in the Alley
SPORTS-OUTDOORS
Downtown Aiken This weekly event includes fresh goods, food vendors, artisans, flowers and live music. Call 803-293-2214.
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Lexington Legends
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.
Ongoing
MVP Community Awards Nominations Walton Options for Independent Living is now accepting nominations for the Most Valuable Partner Community Awards. Categories include Inclusive Employment, Community Government, Public Accommodations and Communications, Outstanding Service Organization and Outstanding Individual Advocate. Public nominations will be accepted through August 12 and winners will announced at a ceremony at the Legends Club on November 3. Online forms are available at waltonoptions.org/mvpawards.
Thu Aug 11
Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Fri Aug 12
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Lexington Legends Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
7pm PAL Blue Night 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run Citizens Park, Aiken The Aiken Department of Public Safety Police Athletic League (PAL) was organized to provide athletic and recreational activities to children who may not be afforded the opportunity to participate in standard athletic programs. This 5K Run/ Walk will raise money for the ongoing operation of the PAL program. The fun run will begin at 7 p.m., and the 5K at 7:30 p. m. Following the race, there will be a celebration in the park with door prizes. $15$30. Visit bluenightrun.com.
Sat Aug 13
7:30am Gatorfest Augusta Augusta Riverfront Marina An open water swim with 1.2-mile and 3.4mile options. $50. Visitgatorfestaugusta.org.
10am - 6pm Augusta Outdoor Expo James Brown Arena Featuring guest speaker Dave Turin from “Gold Rush,” hundreds of vendors, door prizes, giveaways and more. $10, adults; free, those 15 and under. Visit augustaoutdoorexpo.com.
6:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Lexington Legends Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Sun Aug 14
5:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Lexington Legends Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Tue Aug 16
10am - noon Aiken Adaptive Golf Clinic The First Tee of Aiken A free event for both beginner and longAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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time golfers ages 15 and older who have faced life-changing or acute illnesses or injuries. Visit waltonfoundation.net.
sarcaugusta.com.
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Charleston Riverdogs
Club practices 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Julian Smith Casino for players 18 and up. Email augusta.furies@ gmail.com or visit augustafuries.org.
Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
The Augusta Furies Women’s Rugby Football Club
Augusta Disc Golf Association Leagues
Wed Aug 17
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Charleston Riverdogs Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Thu Aug 18
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Charleston Riverdogs
Meet Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta and Mondays at 6 p.m. at Lake Olmstead. Entry fee for each, $5; ace pool, $1. Call 803-215-8181 (North Augusta), 706-833-4263 (Lake Olmstead) or visit augustadiscgolf.com.
SUPPORT Thu Aug 11
12:30pm Breast Cancer Support Group
Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
AU Cancer Center Call 706-721-1560 or visit augusta.edu.
Ongoing
11am ALS Support Lunch and Learn
Fencing Classes Augusta Fencers Club Classes for children as young as six, as well as teens and adults, meet five nights a week. The next round of introductory classes will begin on Monday, September 26, with those ages 6-9 meeting at 5 p.m., those 10-13 meeting at 6 p.m. and those 14 and older meeting at 7 p.m. The 10-week class is $180, with all competitive equipment provided. Call 706-722-8878 or visit augustafencersclub.com.
Augusta Sports Leagues This organization offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, and more for coed and men’s leagues. For more information, visit augustasportsleagues.com.
Guided Tours 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.
Zumba Classes Patriots Park Held Sundays at 3:30 p.m. and Monday at 8:30 a.m. in the Bobby Waters Gymnasium. Taught by Alex Stampher. First class is free; $5 for each after that. Call 831-521-6439 or visit alexandrastampher.zumba.com.
South Atlantic Recreation Club Offers kickball, flag football and bowling leagues. For more information, visit
Fri Aug 12
Augusta University Medical Office Building room 4306 This support group gives individuals an opportunity to share their personal experiences and learn more about strategies for preserving the independence and quality of life for ALS patients and their loved ones. Lunch is provided. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2681 or visit augusta. org/classes.
Sun Aug 14
11am Meditation Moments Ronald McDonald House An open support group for those in crisis or experiencing loss. Call 706-721-2929 or visit augusta.edu.
Mon Aug 15
6:15pm CSRA GYN Cancer Support Daksha Chudgar Lydia House Call 706-721-5557 or visit grhealth.org.
Tue Aug 16
10:20am Moms Connection Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor. All new moms and their babies are welcome and an international board certified lactation consultant/educator/perinatal nurse will answer questions and offer resources. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.
Wed Aug 17
11:30am Blood Cancer/BMT Support AU Cancer Center For patients, family, friends and caregivers. 11AUGUST2016
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Call 706-721-1634 or visit auhealth.org.
6pm Mental Health Support Group Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A group for teens and up that follows the methods of Recovery International. Call 630605-6913 or visit recoveryinternational.org.
A breastfeeding support group. For more information on meeting dates, times and locations, visit them on Facebook under La Leche League of Augusta or at lllaugusta. wordpress.com.
Blood Cancer/BMT Support Group
Thu Aug 18
6pm Bariatric Surgery Support Group
GRU Cancer Center Meets the third Wednesday of each month. Call 706-721-1634 or visit grhealth.org
University Hospital Call 706-774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.
Celebrate Recovery
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.
La Leche League
Journey Community Church This Christ-centered recovery program meets every Monday night at 7 p.m. The meetings last two hours and childcare is provided. Pre-registration suggested. Visit cr@journeycommunity.net.
Diabetes Youth Support Group Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
Overeaters Anonymous Meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, and at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 706-863-9534 or email oa.augusta.recovery@gmail.com.
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/meetings.pdf.
Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.
Beyond the Bars A support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call 706-855-8636.
Families Who Have Lost a Baby Support Group For more information, call 706-721-8299 or visit grhealth.org.
VOLUNTEER Sat Aug 13
10:30am New Volunteer Orientation The Lydia Project
There are many ways to donate time to the Lydia Project, which helps girls and women fighting cancer. Call 706-736-5467 or visit thelydiaproject.org.
Ongoing
Senior Companions Needed Senior Citizens Council The council is seeking those ages 55 and older who can serve 20 hours a week with a special needs adult. Benefits include stipend, travel reimbursement and annual physical. For more information, call 706-868-0120.
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Loretta Lynn, Mountain Faith Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville Saturday, August 13 8 p.m. Part of the Concerts in the Garden series that will also feature food trucks on site from 5:30-9 p.m. $54.50 atlantabg.org Thursday, August 11 Live Music
Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Live Music on the Patio Red Pepper (Aiken) - Mike Frost Stillwater Taproom - Andrew Hibbard Wild Wing - Acosta The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House
What’s Tonight?
Andrew’s - Karaoke w/ April Bar West - Open Mic Night w/ Jonathon Flowers Carolina Ale House - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper (9 p.m.) Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Old School Thursday w/ DJ Groove Coyotes - Karaoke with Bam Fox’s Lair - Trivia, Soup and Suds Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Trivia Knight’s Lounge - Karaoke w/ Cheryl Bryant 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
Friday, August 12 Live Music
Andrew’s - Southern Regression Back Yard Tavern - Mark Jones Bar West - Live Music Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues Country Club - David Kroll Eli’s American - Friday Night Live w/ Donna Jo Fox’s Lair - Split Rail Fence The Highlander - Hound of Goshen, BullMoose The Imperial Theatre - Ed Turner and Number 9 Joe’s Underground- Me Bad Eye, Jaycie and the
30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Beards, Billy McKnight Red Pepper (Aiken) - Anybody’s Guess Shannon’s - High Velocity Somewhere in Augusta - Brandon Reeves Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Keith Gregory Stillwater Taproom - The Welfare Liners Whole Foods - Music @ the Turn Wild Wing - Black Cat Sunshine The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Knight’s Lounge - Hip Hop Meets Reggae w/ DJ Adrian, DJ Spudd Soul Bar - Soul Bar Sound Lab Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke
Saturday, August 13 Live Music
Andrew’s - Shinebox Back Yard Tavern - John Stoney Cannon, Trust in Traitors Bird Dog Grille - Joey Banks Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues Country Club - Ben Bradford Coyotes - Atomic Road Eighth Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River Eighth Street River Stage - Summer Concert Series Fox’s Lair - Roger Enevoldsen The Imperial Theatre - Ed Turner and Number 9 Shannon’s - Pit Boss Sky City - Kelen Heller, Shotgun Opera, Burnsom Somewhere in Augusta - Old Man Crazy Wild Wing - Matt Brantley Band The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
Bell Auditorium - Jokers Wild Comedy Tour w/ Corey Holcomb, Gary Owen, Adele Givens, Nick Lewis Chevy’s - DJ Nicky B Helga’s Pub & Grille - Bluegrass Brunch (11 a.m.3 p.m.); Trivia, nights The Highlander - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Ladies Night, Singles Night Knights Lounge - Red Light Special Erotic Poetry Show Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke
Sunday, August 14 Live Music
Aiken Speakeasy and Eats (Aiken) - Live Jazz Augusta Common - Candlelight Jazz Concert Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Brunch w/ Mike Frost and Lauren Meccia
Wild Wing - Acosta The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane
Monday, August 15 Live Music
Hopelands Gardens (Aiken) - Hopelands Summer Concert Series w/ Lo Down Brown 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
Fuzz Jackson Soul Bar Thursday, August 18 9:30 p.m. Make plans now because it’ll be a packed house for this hometown favorite. Free soulbar.com
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - DJ Fugi 11AUGUST2016
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Wild Wing - Trivia Wing Place (Aiken) - Trivia
Tuesday, August 16 Live Music
Fox’s Lair - John Fisher and the Lads Happy Hour Show 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 Trivia Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Trivia Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Somewhere in Augusta - Big Prize Trivia Twisted Burrito - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper
Wednesday, August 17 Live Music
The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Soul Bar - Vanessa Silberman, Chelsea Logue Wild Wing - Live Music
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Chevy’s - Karaoke Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes Knight’s Lounge - Game Night The Loft - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke
11AUGUST2016
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/ Eric Dasilva and Roger Keiss Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz Surrey Tavern - Trivia w/ Christian and Mickey
Upcoming Fuzz Jackson
- Soul Bar August 18 The Least Likelys, Quinn Cicala, the Norwegian Backpackers, Tourneforte
- Sky City August 19 Caleb Warren and the Gents
- Stillwater Taproom August 19 The Whigs
- Sky City August 25 Donald Merckle and the Blacksmiths
- Stillwater Taproom August 26 Peelander-Z, Lost Boy, Shehehe
- Sky City August 27 Kings & Queens of Hip Hop w/ DMX, Bone ThugsN-Harmony
- James Brown Arena September 2 Speakeasy Night
- Stillwater Taproom September 3 Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
- Imperial Theatre September 9 Praising Arizona
- Stillwater Taproom September 9
Riff Raff Kings Reunion Show
- Sky City September 17 TI, Mario, Red Cafe
- Bell Auditorium September 24 Esperanza Spalding, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
- Bell Auditorium September 29 I Love the ‘90s Tour w/ Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Kid N Play, Rob Base, Tone Loc, Color Me Badd
- Bell Auditorium October 6 Yonder Mountain String Band, Fruition
- Jessye Norman Amphitheatre October 6 Blues Traveler, the Marcus King Band, Cranford Hollow
- Evans Towne Center Park October 14 Mountain Faith
- Imperial Theatre October 14 ZZ Top
- Bell Auditorium October 26 Moon Taxi, Big Something
- Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, North Augusta October 28 Gin Blossoms, Tonic
- Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, North Augusta October 29
Elsewhere Def Leppard, REO Speedwagon, Tesla
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More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta August 12 Gipsy Kings
- Chastain Park, Atlanta August 12 Loretta Lynn, Mountain Faith
- Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Gainesville August 13
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Payton Galloway, Skyler Burgess and Alexa Courson at Helga’s Pub & Grill.
Mary Firmin, Ruth Hymel and Terri Schneider at The Hive Growler Bar & Restaurant.
April Henry, Brad Hins and Lindsay Wagner at Whiskey Bar (Kitchen).
Brian and Ginny Leonard with Mary and Chris Leonard at Whiskey Bar (Kitchen).
Singer/sonwriters Ray Fulcher and Pat Cooper with Sutton Metz (center) at the Country Club.
Raelynn Smith, Olivia Boston, Laura Heard and Lezi Lyttle at Mellow Mushroom.
Sydney Whaley, Kendall Whaley, Jordan Scott and Rachel Whaley at Sole.
Amber Barkeloo, Kiera Nelson and Lauren Gilbert at the Country Club.
Aston Shuler, Miranda Alexander, Meagan Tremmell and Michael Tindall at the Country Club.
32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
11AUGUST2016
MAKE THAT A DOUBLE By Ruth Bloomfield Margolin/Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 What an urgent message may be in 8 Person in handcuffs, for short 12 The Fonz, for one 19 Dish site, maybe 20 Leaf 21 Stuffed, in Mexican cuisine 22 Flip-flop 24 Puts on 25 Times for many Tours tours 26 Holds up 27 Juniors 29 Mentalist Geller 30 ____ Tamid (synagogue lamp) 31 Question asked at the cash register 35 Match 37 Drink with mint or lemon 39 Ed of “Up” 40 See 46-Across 42 Persistent 44 It may require a password 46 With 40-Across, visitor on highschool career day 47 Spot for a shopping list 51 Collect 53 Some email attachments 56 Travis who sang “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” 59 Occasion to learn a secret handshake 63 Opposite of fast 64 Man of morals 66 Blackening 67 Tangle of hair 68 Spot for vaccinations, for short? 69 Chest organs 71 Q neighbors 72 Knock unconscious 74 Q neighbor 75 Apartment-ad abbr. 76 Playful 78 Q preceder, in song 79 Passing note? 80 Fib 83 Romance writers’ awards 84 ____ buco 86 “Amazing Grace” verse ender 87 Bush campaigns? 89 Ho-hum response 91 Pet cause, in brief 94 French city known for its porcelain 98 Laugh uproariously
101 Powerhouse in women’s b-ball 105 “… or I quit!,” e.g. 106 Trophies for Tiger Woods and LeBron James 107 Way to get to know a father in law? 110 Home of the N.C.A.A.’s Cyclones 111 King of Portugal 112 Regarding 113 Actor Bremner of “Black Hawk Down” 114 One side of the Bosporus strait 115 Lead-up to mating 118 Stay cool … or a hint to this puzzle’s theme 123 It might land you in a trap 124 Singer with an eponymous 1956 #1 album 125 Persona non grata 126 Melodic passages 127 Fossey who was “in the mist” 128 Ones who say, “We’ll be right back” DOWN 1 What gets As in chemistry? 2 Hardly electronic wizardry 3 One who’s outstanding? 4 Ozone destroyers, for short 5 Phys-ed dept. 6 Carbonated drink 7 Reproduction unit 8 Cause of Romeo’s death 9 “Xanadu” group, for short 10 ____ Tin Tin 11 Group surrounding a star 12 Curling-stone stone 13 Makes the calls 14 Keebler baker 15 Carbonated drink 16 Landlord’s request 17 Something with two sides? 18 More promising 20 Activity-tracking devices 23 Carbonated drink 28 Newswoman Soledad 31 End of geologic time? 32 “The Evil Dead” director 33 “<<” button: Abbr. 34 Wash’n ____ (towelette brand) 35 Flight-board abbr. 36 Oscar-winning Hanks role 38 Beat it 41 What a star may denote
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43 Doesn’t accept, say 45 Throat problem 48 Hummus holders 49 Cause of inflation? 50 Lawyer who defended Leopold and Loeb 52 Relating to heraldry 54 Tissue surrounding a muscle 55 What’s at risk 56 Something hard to get off your chest? 57 Places to get clean 58 Climber in a children’s rhyme 60 N.Y.U.’s ____ School of the Arts 61 Senses 62 Terminal info, for short 65 It’s a stitch 70 Striking down 72 Baby whale 73 Arrow on a screen 76 Private transportation? 77 Shepherd’s place 81 Anne Rice antihero 82 “It was you,” à la Verdi 85 Like Cheerios 88 Paintball cry 90 “I wish I ____ [sic] homeward bound”: Paul Simon 92 Signal 93 Horizontal: Abbr. 95 Kimono-clad hostesses 96 Like Monday crosswords 97 English royal family 98 Hats for artistes 99 Early online forum 100 Overturns 102 The first to go on a strike, usually 103 Dummies 104 Duma dissent 108 Took a hit 109 Hoity-toity sort 112 Patron god of ancient Thebes 114 Record label for Cream and Sonny & Cher 116 Federal management org. 117 Tuna type 119 Giant Manning 120 Señora Perón 121 Statehouse resident, informally 122 Archaic verb ending
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P O N D S
R A T I O
D O D O
U R D U
S R O A N G O
110 114
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S L O P S
95 105
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A B Y S S
83 88
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PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWERS H A D O N
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R E D T A D P E T E T S H M E T E L A R M C L E T O R T T S Z O S S A H C K E N A B N N A
P R E S A L E
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S O B R R O U S N C H H E T S A N M A O T A C N H
O P E R A A T F U E L L O D
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90
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100
115
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43 47
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B I T A R T C O E Y A N S E R S T O D O M I N T E A N A T N G A A U R A L T T N G A O R A N D E R S E N T R C F O U R P O R E A M S E D E
G R O K
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S U E T E L H D E M E T O R A A B B E T R H R A M Y T A I E T B A A U C I G H
G E E S E S I N E S S O P H
R E T
V27|NO32
THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS Suicide Squad’s bad apples blow away the competition. RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
SUICIDE SQUAD
$133,682,248
$133,682,248
1
-
2
JASON BOURNE
$22,405,125
$103,111,145
2
1
3
BAD MOMS
$14,004,006
$50,850,836
2
3
4
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
$11,500,590
$319,519,370
5
4
5
STAR TREK BEYOND
$10,036,030
$127,737,394
3
2
In Theaters August 12
COMEDY
“Sausage Party,” rated R, starring Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Franco, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, David Krumholtz, Edward Norton, Salma Hayek. In case you couldn’t tell by the name of the movie, its poster and the actors involved, this is not an animated movie for kids. Per the MPAA, this movie, about a sausage striving “to discover the truth about his existence,” has strong crude sexual content, pervasive language and drug use. Sounds fun! 36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
COMEDY
“Florence Foster Jenkins,” rated PG-13, starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg. This true story is about an heiress who only wants to sing… despite having a terrible voice. And, no, it’s not about Paris Hilton. Streep, of course, will be fabulous in this role, and we’re glad to see Grant playing a part that takes advantage of his smarmy, charming personality.
FAMILY
“Pete’s Dragon,” rated PG, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley. Orphan Pete and his best friend Elliot the dragon come to the big screen in this adaptation of the much-loved children’s book.
11AUGUST2016