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Table of Contents November 17, 2016

Whine Line 6 Jenny Is Wright 8 Kris Fisher 10 Insider 12 Feature 16 Metroweek Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings NYT Crossword The Eight Austin Rhodes EDIT

CREATIVE

Amy Christian

Joshua Bailey

Joe White

amy@themetrospirit.com

joshua@themetrospirit.com

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

Stacey Eidson

COVER DESIGN: Kruhu

Arts Editor/Production Director

Lead Designer

Staff Writer

stacey@themetrospirit.com

Molly Swift Staff Writer

molly@themetrospirit.com

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

SALES Joe White Publisher

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

22 24 26 36 38 40 42 44

BUSINESS Publisher

Johnny Beckworth circulation manager

johnny@themetrospirit.com

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

Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? Call or email Joe at 706.373.3636 joe@themetrospirit.com

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OPINION

Jenny Is Wright: 8 | Kris Fisher: 10

The Whine Line Can someone in Augusta provide a list of property taxes paid by the Augusta Commissioners? I’d like to see this in the Metro Spirit. Santa I know I’m early and it’s a long shot but can you please fix the following two lane roads because our elected officials can’t : Mike Padgett, Columbia, William Few, and Lewiston Roads. It will make everyone a lot happier

All kinds of history was made. We have a new leader of the world. Vladimir Putin! Obviously the dems have still not learned from their disasterious 2016 presidential campaign. The farther they go left the more they become irrelavent. This is a whine for the redneck in the dirty ballcap who sat in front of us during the showing of Dr. Strange at Riverwatch Cinemas this past Friday night. You kept passing gas throughout the entire movie and even laughed about it. Well it was not funny to us because we had to leave before the movie was over because the smell was so ranc. If you have gastrointestinal problems that severe maybe you should just stay at home and watch Netflix or at least excuse yourself to the restroom. Why does spencers at the mall get to sell adult products in the reach of toddlers. I had a problem with the adult bookstore but don’t care what kids can get a hold of in the mall unsupervised that’s crazy. I thought it was against the law for people under 18 to get in those places Columbia County high school football? Surely you jest. They aren’t man enough to play football. The racists are the ones that voted for Obama because he is HALF Black. The racist is Hillary Clinton who pandered to the blacks for votes because they are black. The sexist and racist is Hillay Clinton who played the race card and sex card. Trump or any of his promoters did not say vote for me, I am a white male, but hillary are her band stood and said vote for me because I am a women. She did not deserve to win.

four months ago and the “planking craze” from about a year or two ago. What will the electron-junkie, I can’t live without my cellphone crowd think of next? Can’t wait. Trumpocalypse now! George Washington died because his physicians bleed him to death using leeches. The Augusta Commission is doing the same thing to the taxpayers in Richmond County, only they are sucking out our tax money in order to run a jobs-to-the-unqualified program and a wealth redistribution scheme. So Jed Clampett and his two male spawns, Uday and Qusay, come to the White House, and it is now possible to go online and view nude pictures, if you are so inclined, of the first lady. Can you say death of a nation? The majority of John Q. Public could not have understood what was being proposed as for as a need to give poor & underprivileged kids a better education. The defeat of charter school expansions in Georgia & elsewhere in America is a crippling blow to the hopes of poor & underprivileged families for a

Let’s buy us a home on a slab in Columbia County. We have arrived! better education for their children who really wants to learn by being on a path toward educational & career success. A better education initiative sold out for a continued buddy type system of favoritism for those who really understood what it meant as being within a probability of losing their jobs due to subpar performances such as current teachers, school administrators, etc... It should have been formatted in laymen terms to give a better understanding to the general public who unknowingly voted against it in order for them to have had a better understanding in why it was and still is much needed. Trump may bring more jobs, but; without adequate education to perform them equals out to the very same thing prior to & during the Obama Administration which is no hope for poor & underprivileged families to succeed as being not able to rise out of this current dysfunctional educational quagmire.

By now I’m sure you’re all familiar with the latest waste of time known as the “mannequin challenge.” This follows the “PokemanGo craze” from about

WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit.com. The Metro Spirit reserves the right to edit submitted whines for content, but we will otherwise print them pretty much exactly as you type them… spelling errors and all. 6 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

17NOVEMBER2016

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Two Left Feet

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America’s Got Talent Season 9 Finalist

THANK YOU. ALL OF YOU. I’m still trying to get my footing, a month after my mom’s passing. Speaking of footing, at my brother’s wedding last weekend, I fell. I was on my first glass of wine, so that wasn’t it. My dress was a little long, which probably didn’t help things. I tripped, on the concrete, breaking my wine glass, spilling the wine and scraping my elbow. No one’s ever called me Grace. I guess it was somewhat funny to anyone who saw me fall, but I’m hoping no one saw me fall. The wedding was lovely. My brother, Noel, and his fiancé, Ashley, are cute and in love. They throw a great party, and they have even better friends. Our family enjoyed time together, though there was a noticeable hole. During what was supposed to be the Mother/Son dance, I filled in for Mom. Noel didn’t want to eliminate it altogether, and it’s a sweet memory we’ll share. We laughed and reminisced a bit, but we also talked about how awkward it is to dance in front of a captive audience. Before the song ended, I told him to look around the room and take in the moment. All of those people there for Ashley and him. It was nice, until we realized everyone was crying and we quickly turned around and went back to swaying and shuffling our feet, middle school style. I’m sorry for taking a minute. Everyone keeps telling me it’s okay. I’ve never been through something I simply couldn’t get over. I’m pretty tough, and I don’t hang on to things very often. If I have a bad day, I assume the next will be better. This is different. Take your time, they say. What does that mean? Some days, if it was up to me, I’d crawl back into bed and sleep for hours. AM That’s impossible. I’ve heard people talk about losing a parent, calling it lifealtering, always referring to a before and after. “It’s like having a part of your foundation taken out from under you.” That’s exactly it. When my mom was first diagnosed, I talked about the blank space that’d appear in my mental family tree image after she died. “She’ll still be your mom,” the friend said, clearly not getting it. I shouldn’t expect her to understand the hole left behind. No one really can, unless they really do. To everyone who called, emailed and texted, thank you. If you cooked a meal for us, thank you. Helped with The Kids? Thank you. I hope they didn’t argue too much. She talks a lot, too. We had a house filled with beautiful flowers. Thank you. Did I miss an appointment? Show up late? Thank you for understanding, or at least pretending you did. My house is a wreck. Thank you for not caring. The memorial donations to the Augusta Players are beyond generous. Thank you. To everyone who listened, hugged and cried with me, thank you. Right now, I feel like I have two left feet. I’ll figure out the new normal. Until then, thank y’all. All of y’all. 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.

8 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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I RECENTLY CAUGHT MYSELF BEING but I stand behind him. I hope he’s the OFFENDED. It caught me off guard, best damn president we’ve ever had. This because I’m usually one of those people election has made social media virtually saying, “Oh, jeez, get over it!” as I’m unbearable. My friends on both the right watching the news or scrolling through and the left have been going H.A.M. since Facebook. But, it happened to me. Trump won. For my friends on the left: He A friend of mine, posted something on won. She lost. It’s over. It’s like when you Facebook that I took offense to. Yes, I became get dumped then your ex starts dating the very thing that I make fun of: the easily some skank, or dating the guy with the offended. This friend cool car and a hot isn’t a friend like a tub. Coming around “we hang out all the and going “but why time” kind of friend, can’t you just love but a “they’re always me?!” isn’t going to super cool to me and change anything. me to them” kind of As a matter of friend. So, common fact, it usually sense would tell me makes it worse. that the post wasn’t For my friends on directed toward the right: Yes, people me, but some weird, are protesting, thin-skinned version it’s one of those of myself intervened. constitutional rights The post said that you defend so something about much and, let’s be dads being able to honest: some of do whatever they you were posting want, whenever they pictures of your want. I didn’t get arsenal at home angry when I read it, saying, “This is me if but had some weird feeling of, “Well, I need Hillary wins.” How much different is that? And to say something to defend myself and all no, no one is leaving the country, just as no the other dads whose lives are completely one did after promising to if Obama won. For consumed with their kids’ activities.” these reasons, I am taking a Facebook hiatus. So, I posted some smart-assed response, It won’t be easy. I’ll miss staring blankly into hit “Send” then immediately felt dirty. Is my phone, scrolling through nonsense while this how people feel when they’re offended the world goes on around me. I’ll miss memes all the time? Now, this isn’t to imply that about cats, Joe Biden and the world’s most nothing is offensive. There are definitely interesting man. things that cross the line: singling out an I think, most of all, I’ll miss the updates entire race because of one person’s poor from my ﬁtness-loving friends. Reading decisions, derogatory comments about about their meal planning and how they one’s family (nobody talks bad about take advantage of their free time by biking, Momma!) or the limited number of lanes hiking and exercising while I’m eating that on roads in Grovetown. All are perfectly fourth slice of pizza. Maybe now I’ll do a bit of good reasons to get bent outta shape. But, that myself. Ah, who are we kidding? I’m just y’know, if someone makes a joke about switching to Instagram! something going on in their own life, as my friend did, then maybe we should let that slide. Speaking of letting things go… The election is done. No amount of protesting or complaining is going to change the outcome. It’s not like Trump is going to see a protester’s “He ain’t MY president” sign and go “Never mind, I concede the election. Hillary can have it,” and there’s not going to KRIS FISHER,Kris Fisher is the be a second shot at voting. midday host and program director for He’s your president, he’s HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple. my president, he’s OUR He is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, as well president, just as Obama as activities most people would have has been for the past eight outgrown years ago. djkﬁsh.com. years. I didn’t vote for him, 17NOVEMBER2016

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NEWS

The Bigger Picture: 16

Who will replace Judge David Roper? MORE THAN A DOZEN LOCAL ATTORNEYS are lining up and hoping Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and the Judicial Nominating Commission will select their name to fill the judicial seat being vacated by retiring Superior Court Judge J. David Roper. Folks around the Augusta area will definitely recognize several of these local lawyers, but only one attorney will become the next local Superior Court judge. The attorney who seems to have a particularly good chance at the job is Ashley Wright, the current district attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit. After all, she has been the district attorney since 2008 and prior to that was the assistant district attorney from 1996 to 2008. And her professional resume speaks volumes. Wright has prosecuted some of the most highprofile felony cases in this area, including the death penalty case of serial killer and rapist Reinaldo Rivera. Over the years, she also successfully prosecuted complicated cases including the State vs. Michael Moore, a double homicide for purposes of gang initiation; the State vs. Willie Palmer, a re-trial of defendant claiming mental retardation; the State vs. Richard Breedlove, a double homicide involving a hired assassin; and the State vs. Rebecca Sears and Christopher Bowers, the mother and son who planned and killed a neighbor. Wright has also been cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District and a member of a joint federalstate Gang Task Force. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that she has also been a member of the Judicial Nominating Committee, itself, which is appointed by Gov. Deal to assist in the selection of state-wide judicial candidates. So, if the Augusta area is lucky, it will soon see the swearing in of Superior Court Judge Ashley Wright. However, there are several other impressive attorneys who have also submitted their names to the Judicial Nominating Commission hoping to eventually be selected by the governor, including former Augusta Commissioner and City Attorney Steve Shepard, former Richmond County State Court Solicitor P.J. Campanaro, former Assistant District Attorney Kristina Goodwin Connell, former Richmond County State Court Solicitor Charles Evans, Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Green Rhodes, former Juvenile Court Judge Pamela James Doumar, Solicitor for Richmond County Magistrate Court Evita Paschall and local attorneys Benjamin Jackson, Stephen Hagler and John Donsbach. There are also two attorneys and prominent politicians seeking the Superior Court judicial seat: Georgia Sen. Jesse Stone and State Rep. Barry Fleming. Whenever you throw politics into the mix, judicial appointments can get very interesting. Of course, as far as political seniority, Fleming has the edge over Stone. Fleming was elected to the Georgia Statehouse back in 2003, while Stone didn’t take state office until 2010. 12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Fleming, a life-long resident of Harlem, is deﬁnitely considered more of a powerhouse in Atlanta compared to Stone, but both politicians have served the CSRA and the Republican party very well.

Needless to say, Stone doesn’t play a minor role in Atlanta, either. So, who will the governor ultimately select to fill Roper’s judicial seat? Only time will tell, but many locals are placing their bets on Wright. As for Roper, who turned 70 years old this year, his last day on the job will be Feb. 5. Roper, who graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law, was elected to the bench back in 2006. Most local attorneys say that Roper has served the area well in his capacity, but he has not been without controversy. Just this summer, Roper made national headlines when he turned down a transgender man’s request to have his name changed from “Rebeccah Elizabeth” to “Rowan Elijah.” According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Roper claimed the request for a name change was “misleading and potentially dangerous for a person to shift from a female name to a male name and vice versa.” Attorneys for Rowan Feldhaus eventually filed a brief with the Georgia Court of Appeals claiming that Roper had overstepped his authority and violated Feldhaus’ constitutional rights by refusing to let him go by the middle name of “Elijah.” Feldhaus, 24 of Grovetown, was born female but identifies as male, the newspaper reported. He is also a sergeant with the Army Reserve and a student at Augusta University. The case made not only national, but international headlines and garnered Roper some major press from all around the world. Many political activists were upset with Roper’s actions, while several religious organizations praised his ruling. It was attention that Roper probably would have rather avoided, so retirement might be looking very good these days.

Superior Court Judge J. David Roper

But some fear if Fleming is appointed judge, Columbia County’s political pull will be weakened without his voice in Atlanta. On the other hand, Stone, who was born in Augusta but raised in Waynesboro, also holds deep roots in Georgia. One of Stone’s most popular lines is, “I’m not a politician. I’m a citizen legislator.” Stone was also elected mayor of Waynesboro in 2003. But since 2010, he has served as senator of District 23 and currently chairs the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. In addition, he serves on the education, appropriations, banking and ethics committees. 17NOVEMBER2016

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Get Out of Jail Free. Well, almost.

MORE THAN 3,500 PEOPLE with active bench warrants in Augusta could have a lot more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving if they take advantage of an offer from the Richmond County Sheriff ’s Office and the newly formed Augusta Probation Office. This past week, Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree announced that his office is offering a unique opportunity to about 3,500 individuals who have active bench warrants, some dating back more than two decades, to pay off their ﬁnes at a reduced rate. On Wednesday, November 16, and Thursday, November 17, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Henry Brigham Community Center on 2463 Golden Camp Road, the sheriff ’s office will waive the $35 bench warrant fee while the Richmond County courts have agreed to reduce ﬁnes by 40 percent if they are paid in full. These are active, outstanding state court traffic bench warrants and probation bench warrants, according to the sheriff ’s office. For thousands of people in Augusta, this program will allow an individual to clear his or her name, receive proof that their warrant has been properly addressed and paid, and avoid being thrown in jail if they happen to be pulled over by a sheriff ’s deputy. 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

“The ‘Fresh Start Initiative’ is a program aimed at helping persons who currently have an active outstanding State Court traffic bench warrant or probation arrest warrant on file with the sheriff ’s office to clear that warrant without fear of arrest at a substantially reduced cost,” the sheriff ’s office stated this past week. “The sheriff ’s office has identified over 3,500 warrants, some dating back to the 1990s, where the defendant can merely pay a fine and complete some court documents to be free and clear of any other obligations including arrest.” But anyone interested in this initiative must act this week or suffer the regular consequences of being picked up on an outstanding warrant. “This program will only last for two days consisting of 24 hours of amnesty,” the sheriff’s office stated. “At the end of this initiative any persons picked up on the active warrants will be arrested and processed through the normal judicial procedures.” So, are you curious about who might be on the list? Could you be on the list? To review the names on the list, visit augustaga.gov/ DocumentCenter/View/8137 or, for questions, contact the sheriff ’s office at 706-821-1039.

But before you head down to pay your ﬁne, you should also understand all that it entails. “This program is designed to allow individuals to completely clear their outstanding arrest warrants as well as the pending legal case which prompted the warrant, therefore participants must be aware of and willing to abide by the following legal notice: By entering a plea of guilty or no contest, you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving your right to an attorney, to a trial, and any legal defense to the charge against you; and, you are admitting you committed the offense with which you have been charged,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Additionally, you understand that the charge to which you are pleading may appear on your drivers’ record or may affect your license status.” So, just know that fact before you agree to pay off the warrant. But, all in all, the sheriff ’s office and the Augusta Probation Office, along with the mayor’s office and state court judges, should be applauded for this initiative. Do you think this would have ever occurred if the the private probation company, Sentinel Offender Services, was still in Richmond County? Not likely. 17NOVEMBER2016

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Will augusta’s downtown improvement Project Plans Become reality? by Stacey Eidson City leaders and loCal Citizens got their first look this week at conceptual drawings for several possible downtown improvement plans that could change the face of Broad Street, Sixth Street, 13th Street and James Brown Boulevard. The plans, which were created by the Atlanta landscape architect firm Cooper Carry, have dual proposals for each street that included everything from possibly getting rid of the sunken parking wells on Broad Street to creating an “iconic gateway” into the city on 13th Street. After reviewing the proposals, several Augusta commissioners said they were excited about Cooper Carry’s suggestions, but also cautioned that there still needs to be a lot of consideration given to these plans that could drastically alter downtown Augusta. “My first impression is that I am looking forward to seeing 17NOVEMBER2016

where this takes us,” Augusta Commissioner Ben Hasan said after meeting with representatives from Cooper Carry earlier this week. “I think it brings us into the 21st century and I liked the fact that it had two options there for each street, from 13th Street to Broad Street to Sixth Street to James Brown Boulevard.” Back in 2012, Richmond County voters approved a 10-year, one-cent sales tax under the Transportation Investment Act to fund regional and local transportation improvements. One of the projects identified in the program was the Augusta Downtown Improvement Project Concept Plan that includes several vehicular and pedestrian corridors through downtown Augusta. Cooper Carry was hired by commissioners last year to develop the streetscape conceptual plans for each of the seven corridors identified in the project, which extends more than 12 miles throughout the Augusta area.

In conjunction with the corridor plans, Cooper Carry also developed a master plan for the Augusta River District that “builds from the success of the historic Riverwalk,” according to Gary Warner, the director of planning and landscape architecture for Cooper Carry. The Augusta River District extends the existing Riverwalk for several blocks east and west along the Savannah River and transitions activity centers and land uses south into the downtown core. Extension of the Augusta Common, downtown’s central park, north to the river and south another block provides a larger public space that will be able to accommodate additional and larger events downtown, he said. While Augusta Commissioner Sean Frantom said he hadn’t gotten a chance to fully review Cooper Carry’s proposal for downtown, he was encouraged by what he had seen early in AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

METROSPIRIT 17

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“My first impression is that I am looking forward to seeing where this takes us. I think it brings us into the 21st century.” — Ben Hasan

the week. “I know the part in the proposal about taking out the parking bays on Broad Street, which I totally agree with,” Frantom said. “It seems like it is designed around pedestrians and not cars, so that’s really good. I mean, we have the second widest street in the country with Broad Street, so it needs to be pedestrian friendly.” While getting rid of the sunken parking wells on Broad Street probably got the most attention from the public this week, some city leaders weren’t sure if that was the right approach to improve downtown parking. “The parking wells are there now. It would be really costly to fill them back in and make them street level again,” said Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams. “I think we need to do something different because every street has got that.” Both Williams and Hasan were surprised that Cooper Carry’s plans did not discuss the possibility of parking meters in the downtown area. “I am for putting up parking meters because, if you don’t, you can’t regulate the parking. People stay there all day long,” Williams said. “Every progressive city around the CSRA and the state of Georgia have where you have to pay to park. I’m thinking we have to do the same thing because the retail stores aren’t going to come downtown without parking.” Hasan said he thought the city should either install parking meters or seriously consider building another parking deck in downtown Augusta on or near Broad Street. “I think if what we are trying to do is going to take root, another parking deck is going to really need to come into play along with potentially parking meters,” Hasan said. “But neither one of those were in the plans.” Even though parking is essential to the future growth of the downtown area, Williams insisted the enhancement of the James Brown Plaza is equally as important. “I am very interested in the James Brown Plaza aspect of the proposal,” Williams said. “That has to be done right because it is going to impact our economic development. That is not just a street enhancement. A nicely done tribute to James Brown could attract thousands and thousands of people to Augusta, but only if we do it right.” Williams, who is chairman of the city’s economic development subcommittee, said he spent a lot of time over the past year discussing with Cooper Carry the importance of 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

properly honoring the Godfather of Soul. To this day, Williams said it still bothers him that the lifesize statue of James Brown on the 800 block of Broad Street wasn’t given more attention when it was developed back in 2005. Just last year, Cooper Carry began studying the James Brown Plaza to provide the city with both long-term and short-term solutions to enhance the area. “The James Brown Plaza is in the middle of Broad Street with parking on both sides, so there are some challenges with that,” Warner said told the commission last year. “The plaza is not very accessible. If you are not really aware the James Brown Plaza is there, you may not even know that there is a statue. You could easily walk down Broad Street and totally miss it.” Warner was also concerned about the location of the plaza in the middle of Broad Street. “It is also a very confined space,” Warner said. “When you walk in the plaza, you feel that confinement.” In order to properly address these issues and honor James Brown, Warner said Augusta needs to come up with a plan. “How do we really celebrate this man? How do we celebrate the town that this man is from? The two go hand in hand,” Warner said. “So, is there a way to become more interactive? Is there a way to display more information? Once you are out there on the plaza, there is very little story told. You really don’t know the grand story that is James Brown. You don’t know the grand story of James Brown and the city of Augusta. There is a relationship there that really needs to be celebrated.” The Garden City needs to have a plaza that tells visitors that James Brown’s roots were in Augusta and that he loved this community, Warner said. However, this week’s conceptual drawings that were presented to the public do not fully address the future of the James Brown Plaza. “When I met with Cooper Carry, I was looking for the impact of what they were going to do with James Brown, the statue and the plaza,” Hasan said. “The plan one of the James Brown Plaza has it moving closer to James Brown Boulevard. I’m just really interested in seeing more about that concept.” Last year, Therese Huffman, founder of Signature Design in Atlanta, presented the commission with several sketches of proposed upgrades to the James Brown Plaza that included

everything from informational plaques around the statue to a “soul stage,” with flashing lights, digital music and dance elements. “It could be a real stage,” Huffman said, adding that Augusta could create a park much like Marietta Square in Atlanta. “It is very active there. People get up and dance.” Huffman said the stage could include digital elements where visitors would not only have an opportunity to listen to Brown’s music, but they could also watch videos with him dancing. “There are movies he made that show people how to dance, like how to do the funky chicken,” Huffman said of Brown. “It would be kind of fun for people to role-play. We could create a music and dance station.” But in order for the public to truly enjoy the James Brown statue, both Huffman and Warner agreed that the current plaza is too small. “Ultimately, I think he needs to be moved,” Warner said. “Let’s say, if you were going to have a celebration on the 10year anniversary of his death, and you were to have a small concert with 100 people, where do you have that? It would be great to have it near the vicinity of the statue, but that is part of the challenge.” In order to have any kind of celebration around the statue, the city would have to temporarily close Broad Street. “Ultimately, I would want to be able to send my kids out there to run up to the James Brown statue,” Warner said. “But we can’t do that now because it is surrounded by four lanes of traffic.” But Williams insisted that that he felt the current James Brown statue should not be moved. Instead, he felt that the city should purchase several more statues of the Godfather of Soul. “I don’t think we ought to consider moving that statue,” Williams said. “We ought to consider having others. Let’s do several more statues. He is so much bigger than one statue.” Williams said the city should consider putting a different statue of James Brown on every corner of the Augusta Common. The last thing Augusta should do is build one statue for James Brown and walk away, Williams said. “We did do the statue, but we left it,” Williams said. “When people come here, there is no music. There is nothing to do 17NOVEMBER2016

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but just look at that one statue. When James Brown was on stage, he was performing. We have to keep him performing.” After reviewing some of Cooper Carry’s proposals, Williams said he was encouraged by the plans and hoped that the citizens would understand the importance of the Downtown Improvement Project. “I hope we can make some of this happen. We need it,” Williams said. “But I don’t know. We move very, very slowly sometimes, but we have a lot of things in the works.” For example, the Augusta Planning and Development Department recently updated the downtown redevelopment plan, he said. In 2008, downtown Augusta was designated an Urban Redevelopment Area and Tax Allocation District (TAD), which 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

is Georgia’s version of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Basically, the designation allows local government to capture tax revenues within a specific area and use those funds for improvement projects within that area. Numerous sites have already been redeveloped through the program including the Municipal Building, the old downtown public library and the former chamber building at 600 Broad Street. Along with the city’s downtown redevelopment plan, Williams pointed out there were also several other studies out there such as Augusta Tomorrow’s Westobou Vision and Master plan for a Sustainable Future; The Augusta Sustainable Development Agenda developed in 2010; Walkability and Age — Friendly Streets: Opportunities to

Transform Augusta’s Built Environment; the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) Long Range Transportation Plan: Transportation Vision 2040; and Augusta Housing & Community Development Department’s Plan for the Revitalization of Laney Walker/Bethlehem Neighborhoods. “There is a lot going on,” Williams said. “I really hope to get some of this done.” But along with improving the downtown area, Williams also thought Augusta needs to continue to work to maintain its existing assets and concentrate on cleaning up all of Augusta. Frantom agreed that more attention needs to be given to properly cleaning and maintaining the downtown streets. “I support any form of design that makes our city better,” Frantom said. “We also have to work on cleaning it up and we

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have got to work on maybe utilizing other areas like Ellis Street for parking.” Just a few months ago, Frantom asked his fellow commissioners to consider implementing a “gateway enhancement plan” throughout Richmond County. “Each day, we have over 225,000 people that come to Richmond County on many of the different arteries coming into downtown from west Augusta and south Augusta. When you come into Richmond County, you can tell a difference,” Frantom said during an engineering services committee meeting in August, pointing out that Augusta’s main thoroughfares

“We need a plan to look good for not just two weeks out of the year. We need a plan to hold people accountable. We need a plan that focuses on cutting the grass, edging the grass, litter pickup and street sweeping. I want to start turning the corner for Augusta-Richmond County to look more like the Garden City.” — Sean Frantom frequently suffer from overgrown medians. “We need a plan to look good for not just two weeks out of the year. We need a plan to hold people accountable. We need a plan that focuses on cutting the grass, edging the grass, litter pickup and street sweeping. I want to start turning the corner for Augusta-Richmond County to look more like the Garden City.” Just last week, Sean Wight, the owner of Frog Hollow Tavern, Farmhaus Burger and Craft &

22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Vine in downtown Augusta, voiced his frustrations over the city’s lack of properly maintaining its sidewalks, medians and streets. “It is the Garden City and it looks like a dump in the summer,” Wight said as he walked from Broad to Ellis Street. “I have to spray my own properties for weed control. I spray the medians out in front of Frog Hollow and Farmhaus. I take care of the property out front because the city doesn’t.” Frantom told his colleagues earlier this year that the city needs to get serious about maintaining the public right-of-ways. “The first impression is a lasting impression and the first thing that you see when you come into Richmond County are these high weeds and things not being maintained on the main arteries of this community,” Frantom said. “And it is all over Richmond County.” Augusta Engineering Director Abie Ladson said the city does have a “game plan” to handle overgrown thoroughfares and right-of-ways throughout Richmond County that will be funded through the new stormwater fees. Augusta Commissioner Bill Lockett admitted he actually hates answering the phone during the summer months because he knows the calls are generally about overgrown lots and poorly maintained roadways. “For almost seven years, I have always returned my calls and I try to do it the same day that I receive it,” Lockett said in August. “But I’ve gotten to the point now that I don’t want to answer the telephone because I know somebody is calling to complain about grass and trash. They cannot understand what’s taking so long to clean their streets up and I don’t blame them for not understanding it because they are paying taxes.” Augusta Commissioner Bill Fennoy agreed that weeds, overgrown lots and abandoned buildings are some of the top concerns facing Richmond County. “A few months ago, I had the opportunity to go to my hometown of Spartanburg, S.C., to celebrate my 50th class reunion,” Fennoy said. “I rode all through Spartanburg and I didn’t see any dilapidated houses. I didn’t see any overgrown lots. And in my district, as well as District 2, I think we have more dilapidated houses in District 1 and District 2 than we have in the entire state of Georgia. That might be an over exaggeration, but it is not too far off base.” Neglected properties throughout the county are hurting Augusta’s image, Fennoy said. “We have so many properties that have been abandoned and houses that have been torn down and there has been no redevelopment,” Fennoy said. “We have some real serious problems there.” During the discussion, Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis said there needs to be a concerted effort to address such problems facing Richmond County. “But so often in this local government what happens is that we do things, but not in a coordinated fashion,” he said. “The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing and we ultimately end up just kind of all doing stuff, but it is not in a coordinated fashion.” In order to really see all of Augusta-Richmond County grow and thrive, Williams said the city needs to work together and bring all of the ideas to the table. “I’m excited for the future,” Williams said, “but we all need to be on the same page.” For more information about the plans for Downtown Improvement Projects, visit augustaga.gov/2301/Downtown-Improvement-Project.

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A catastrophic and heartbreaking event spurred the local cycling community to create Wheel Movement of the CSRA, a bicycle advocacy organization that focuses on safety and education. But the 2011 death of Dr. Matthew Burke, whose bike was hit by a car during a group ride in October of 2010, has resulted in some great things done in his memory. Since its inception, Wheel Movement has hosted the first ever two-state Georgia-Lina Bike Summit; created a cycling safety public service announcement video that has run on local networks; co-sponsored cycling safety billboards with statewide organization Georgia Bikes; conducted confident city cycling classes and kids bicycle rodeos; sponsored League of American Bicyclists “League Certified Instructor (LCI)” classes; and has made numerous presentations to local civic clubs. And each year the organization hosts a Ride of Celebration. This year’s sixth annual ride is this Saturday, November 19, and begins at 8 a.m. with sign in and registration. At 9 a.m., the rides begin, with 10- , 26and 34-mile options available. A kids bike safety clinic will begin at 9:30 a.m. and, at 11 a.m., a breakfast catered by Sunrise Grill and an annual meeting will conclude the morning’s festivities. The public is invited and registration includes the event, a Wheel Movement membership and breakfast. 6th AnnuAl Ride of CelebRAtion And AnnuAl Meeting

Julian Smith BBQ Pit Saturday, November 19 8 a.m.-noon $12, students; $20, individual; $30, family; $100, organization wheelmovementscra.org

24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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whAT’s up

Calendar: 28 | Music Listings: 36 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.

Flying high DiD you know that the largest nonprofit parrot rescue in America is located right here in the CSRA? Well, it is and Feathered Friends Forever in Harlem wants you to come on over and pay them a visit this Saturday. During this 17th annual open house, visitors can get a first-hand look at the more than 1,400 tropical and endangered birds the sanctuary takes care of. They can also partake in some country style home cooking and take part in a silent auction. Admission is free and donations to this worthy cause will be gladly accepted. So fly on over and check it out. open house Feathered Friends Forever, Harlem Saturday, November 19 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 706-556-2424 featheredfriendsforever.org

This week

ThuRsDAy

A lot of us don’t know anything more about Doctor Strange than that Benedict Cumberbatch plays him in the movie, and the Ancient One was an Asian man instead of Tilda Swinton. If you want to learn more, show up at the Book Tavern tonight at 7 p.m., when their graphic novel discussion will focus on “Doctor Strange: The Way of the Weird” by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo.

sATuRDAy

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas we’ll all be waddling around, full of the treats and goodies the holidays bring. Start your holiday season off on a more productive and healthy foot by running in the Turkey Trot 5K, 10K and Family Fun Run this morning. A benefit for the Salvation Army that begins at the Kroc Center, there will be plenty of fun to be had before and after you pound the pavement. Visit itsyourrace.com to register.

sATuRDAy

In desperate need of something new to wow your guests during this year’s holiday party. Anna and David Sheets know the feeling,which is why they’re hosting Anna’s appetizers at Wine World tonight at 7 p.m. For $25, participants will enjoy five courses of two appetizers and a paired wine, plus get discounts on the featured wines and leave with some great ideas. Red lentil soup shooters, anyone?

weDnesDAy

Public speaking: people are more afraid of it than they are of death. But it can be a useful tool in your path to success and, today at 5 p.m., Prescilla Gary will tell you how to turn that fear into victory. It’s all part of the Success Starts with You workshop series at Medical Associates Plus, and you can register for this seminar by calling 706-922-1862 or emailing info@mapbt.com.

For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 28.

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Thanksgiving Eve Service St. Paul’s Church Wednesday, November 23 7 p.m. The St. Paul’s and Canterbury Choirs will both sing and blessed loaves of bread will be given to everyone present. 706-724-2485 saintpauls.org

ARTS

EDUCATION

Fri Nov 18

Thu Nov 17

Morris Museum of Art Led by Ellen Simak, chief curator emeritus of the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tenn. $10, members; $15, non-members. Catered lunch included. Preregistration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Wallace Branch Library Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

Noon Art at Lunch: Exploring the Land

10am - noon Computer Help Lab

Sat Nov 19

11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm The Other Tubmans

Sat Nov 19

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

Aiken Center for the Arts $50; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.

Mon Nov 21

10am - 1pm Photos to Paintings: Harvest Still Life

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

10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm Alcohol Ink Workshop

Aiken Center for the Arts $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org. 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

3:30pm - 5pm Intermediate Spanish

Tue Nov 22

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

Wed Nov 23

5pm Success Starts With You Workshop Series Medical Associates Plus A series for young and mature adults led by Prescilla Gary. This month’s topic is public speaking. Pre-registration required. Call 706-922-1862 or email info@mapbt.com.

Thu Nov 24

The deadline for turning in an application is January 6, 2017, and there will be open houses held through December 15. For more information, visit rcboe.org/magnet.

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.

10am - noon Computer Help Lab

Guided Tours

Wallace Branch Library Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Ongoing

Magnet School/Program Applications Applications for Richmond County magnet schools and programs are now available.

17NOVEMBER2016

North Augusta Driving Tour Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 30-45-minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.

Tours Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Guided tours, approximately 45 minutes long, are offered Thursday-Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Group tours are available by advanced reservation. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; kids K-12, $3; under 5 years, free. Call 706-724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.

Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta Augusta Visitors Center Tours aboard the Lady Libby available at the Augusta Visitors Center with 24-hour advanced reservations. Tickets include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-724-4067 or visit visitaugusta.org.

ELSEWHERE Thu Nov 17

7pm - 8:30pm Ball in the House Burke Office Park Auditorium Part of the Waynesboro-Burke Concert Series. $15, adults in advance; $20, door; $5, children. Call 706-437-0070 or visit burkeconcert.org.

Fri Nov 18

7pm - 10pm CMA Jazz on Main Columbia Museum of Art Happy hour begins at 7 p.m. and the concert, featuring the Noel Freidline Quartet, begins at 7:30 p.m. $28, members; $35, non-members; $5, students. Call 803799-2810 or visit columbiamuseum.org.

Ongoing

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

EXHIBITIONS Sun Nov 20

2pm - 4pm Rec’ing Crew Art Exhibition Opening Reception Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta The Rec’ing Crew offers leisure and recreational opportunities to individuals with disabilities and this exhibition of their

members’ works will be on display through December 16. The reception is free and open to the public. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.

Ongoing Rhythms

Jessye Norman School of the Arts An exhibit by artist Troy Campbell whose work is inspired by music. It will be on display each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon-3 p.m. through December 31 in the Ann & Ellis Gallery. Visit jessyenormanschool.org/ann-and-ellisjohnson-gallery-of-art/.

The Bomb Plant: Cold War History of the Savannah River Site Headquarters Branch Library A collection of Cold War artifacts and photographs will be on display through the end of November. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

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

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

FLIX Sat Nov 19

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

5:30pm “Alice Through the Looking Glass” Reed Creek Park A family event in which participants are invited to bring blankets, chairs and snacks. $2 per person. Call 706-210-4027 or email phobbs@columbiacountyga.gov.

Sun Nov 20

2pm Children’s Movie Screening Headquarters Branch Library Pre-registration recommended. Call 706821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Nov 22

5:30pm Free Movie Tuesdays Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2615 for weekly selections.

HEALTH Thu Nov 17

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.

7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR Class University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Fri Nov 18

6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Class continues Saturday, November 19, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Mon Nov 21

1pm - 3pm Look Good Feel Better University’s Breast Health Center An American Cancer Society program that

aims to help female cancer patients combat the appearance-related side-effects of chemo and radiation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.

6:30pm Refit Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Nov 22

7pm - 9:30pm Ready and Able Doctors Hospital A five-session Lamaze class that continues Tuesdays through December 20. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Wed Nov 23

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

Ongoing

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

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Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History November 17-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, November 20 and 27, 1-5 p.m. 706-722-8454 augustamuseum.org

HOBBIES Thu Nov 17

1pm - 3pm Cool Coloring for Grownups Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Fri Nov 18

9am - 5pm Augusta Coin Club 2016 Fall Show Columbia County Exhibition Center This event features gold, silver, currency, tokens, medals, exonumia, jewelry, collectibles and supplies. Free admission and parking. Visit augustacoinclub.org.

Sat Nov 19

9am - 5pm Augusta Coin Club 2016 Fall Show Columbia County Exhibition Center This event features gold, silver, currency, tokens, medals, exonumia, jewelry, collectibles and supplies, plus a raffle drawing at 4 p.m. Free admission and parking. Visit augustacoinclub.org. 30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

10am - noon Japanese Weave Bracelet Class 175 North Louisville Street, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class that continues on Saturday, November 26. $15 for both classes; pre-registration required. Call 706-556-6656, 706-513-2634 or email blalocka@hotmail.com.

11am - 1pm International Game Day Diamond Lakes Branch Library An all-ages event that will include a number of different board games. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

2pm Cooking with Essential Oils Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

Mon Nov 21

6pm Civil War Roundtable Meeting Goodwill’s The Snelling Center Dr. Turkiya L. Lowe, chief of Southeast Region Cultural Resources, Research and Science Branch of the National Park Service, will present on the NPS initiative to increase awareness of the Reconstruction Era. Meetings are $12, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.

Tue Nov 22

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

11am Crochet for Beginners Diamond Lakes Branch Library An event for teens and up in which participants will make a scarf or hat. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Wed Nov 23

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

atmosphere. Call 706-627-2134.

Ongoing

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

KIDS-TEENS Thu Nov 17

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

6pm Game Night Headquarters Branch Library A teen event that will include Wii, board and card games. Call 706-434-2036 or visit arcpls.org.

Fri Nov 18

12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play Time Jessye Norman School of the Arts 17NOVEMBER2016

A class for preschoolers in which participants will explore their world through reading, singing, musical instruments and movement. $10 per class. Call 706-828-7768, email programs@jessyenormanschool.org or visit jessyenormanschool.org/community-artprogramming/.

5pm - 7:30pm and 8pm - 10:30pmThe Polar Express Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum An event in which participants are invited to wear PJs and bring their pillows and blankets for a showing of The Polar Express that will include popcorn and hot chocolate. $5; pre-registration required. Call 803-6441907 or visit visitaikensc.com.

7pm - 8:30pm Teen Nerf Wars Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Sat Nov 19

10am - 11am Swamp Trek Phinizy Swamp Nature Park An outdoor program for two ages groups — grades 3rd-5th and 6th-8th — that will start with a hike and also include hands-on activities. $8, members; $10, non-members. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

Mon Nov 21

9:30am - 2pm Pioneer and Indian Lifestyles Mistletoe State Park A program for those ages 6 and up in which participants will make pioneer crafts, cook a campfire lunch and participate in other activities. $25; pre-registration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

10am Monday at the Museum: First Nations Augusta Museum of History This program for preschool-aged children will include information about the Sequoya alphabet and participants will make dream catchers. $2, members; $4, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

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

10:30am Music & Me

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

Headquarters Branch Library 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 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

11am Thanksgiving Story Time

Tue Nov 22

10:30am Family Story Time

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

1pm Lego Day Friedman Branch Library Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.

1:30pm Migration, Hibernation and Winter Adaptations Reed Creek Park For ages 5 and up. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. Call 706-210-4027 or email phobbs@columbiacountyga.gov.

2pm Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern A special Super Awesome Story Time that will feature children’s book author Marie Agerton, author of “Chef-a-rella,” followed by a book signing and food craft at New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.

5pm - 7:30pm and 8pm - 10:30pm The Polar Express Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum An event in which participants are invited to wear PJs and bring their pillows and blankets for a showing of The Polar Express that will include popcorn and hot chocolate. $5; pre-registration required. Call 803-6441907 or visit visitaikensc.com.

10am Holiday Craft Diamond Lakes Branch Library For those ages 3-5, this event will include a Thanksgiving craft and a short movie. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Preschool Story Time Diamond Lakes Branch Library A program for those ages 3-5 that includes stories, songs, games, short movies and crafts. Pre-registration required. Call 706772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

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

Wed Nov 23

10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library

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Holiday Tour of Homes and Ambassadors Soiree River Island November 18-20 An Augusta Ballet event. $20-$50 706-251-0555 augustaballet.org For those ages 3-5. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

4:30pm Lego Club

10:05am Toddler Story Time

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

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

10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time

Ongoing

Junior Model UN Registration

Appleby Branch Library For children ages 3 and older. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

Augusta University Middle school students who are interested in assuming the perspective of a diplomat from a United Nations Member State and representing their position can register for the day-long simulation at Augusta University. January 16 is registration deadline; February 15 is the late registration deadline. Email Dr. Craig Albert at calbert@augusta.edu or visit augusta.edu/pamplin/pols/juniormodelun.php.

10:30am Story Time for Tots

Symphony Youth Competition

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

10:30am Preschool Story Time

Headquarters Branch Library Stories and songs for those ages 0-3. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

4:30pm - 6pm Alley Cats Strikehouse Bowl, Aiken Part of the Aiken Recreation Department’s Buddy Sports program for those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, this class is for those of all bowling abilities. $12 a month; pre-registration required. Call 803-426-1284 or visit therecingcrew.com. 32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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

LITERARY Thu Nov 17

10am - noon Morning Book Club

Maxwell Branch Library This month’s selection is “The Stranger” by Albert Camus. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org.

7pm - 9pm Graphic Novel Discussion The Book Tavern The group meets the fourth Thursday of each month and discusses a book picked at the previous meeting. This meeting the group will discuss “Doctor Strange: The Way of the Weird” by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo. Call 706-8261940 or email david@booktavern.com.

Fri Nov 18

10am - 5pm Friends Foundation Fall Book Sale North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Sat Nov 19

10am - 4:30pm National Novel Writing Month Write In Headquarters Branch Library Participants in NaNoWriMo can talk with other writers as well as participate in word sprints, meltdowns, plotting and more. Visit nanowrimo.org/regions/usa-georgia-augusta.

10:30am - 12:30pm Friends Foundation Fall Book Sale North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library 17NOVEMBER2016

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

MUSIC Thu Nov 17

7pm The John G. Schaeffer Memorial Organ Concert Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church A Reid Arts presentation featuring organist Douglas Buchanan. Free. Call 706-733- 2275, ext. 315, or visit reidchurchaugusta.org.

7:30pm Augusta University Orchestra Concert AU’s Maxwell Theatre $5, general; free, AU students, faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.

6:30pm Dvorak and the Historic Cello of Pablo Casais Etherredge Center, Aiken An Aiken Symphony presentation featuring Amit Peled on cello. Maestro Donald Portnoy will present Illuminations, a preconcert talk, at 6:30 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. concert. $30-$45. Call 803-641-3305 or visit aikensymphonyorchestra.com/tickets.

7:30pm AU Wind Ensemble Concert Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre $5, general; free, student, faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.

SENIORS Thu Nov 17

Fri Nov 18

7:30pm Beethoven’s Pastoral

10am Age Friendly Augusta Computer Class

First Baptist Church of Augusta Part of Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s Symphony Series. $20.37-$43.52. Call 706826-4705 or visit soaugusta.org.

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

11am Classic Movies for Seniors

7:30pm Sons of Serendip AU’s Maxwell Theatre Part of the 2016-17 Lyceum Series. $18, general; $12, AU alum and military; $7, children, students, AU faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.

Diamond Lakes Branch Library Participants are invited to bring their own snacks. Call for movie title. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.

Tue Nov 22

11am - 1pm Senior Adult Thanksgiving Luncheon

Sat Nov 19

Julian Smith Casino Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.

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

SPECIAL EVENTS

11am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing

2:30pm Guitar Lessons 175 North Louisville Street, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class for those with beginner to intermediate guitar experience. $30. Call 706-556-6656, 706-513-2634 or email blalocka@hotmail.com.

7:30pm Pianist Michiko Otaki AU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre The concert is part of the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society concert series. $25, general; $5, students with ID; free, AU students, faculty and staff with ID. Call 706667-4100 or visit hjcms.org.

Sun Nov 20

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

Tue Nov 22

Noon Tuesday’s Music Live Saint Paul’s Church Features a free concert at noon by pianist Martin Soderberg. Lunch afterwards is $12 a person and requires reservation. Call 706722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com. 17NOVEMBER2016

Thu Nov 17

10am - 5pm Gift Shop Holiday Open House Sacred Heart Cultural Center An annual event that includes shopping for holiday decorating accessories, home and gift items, as well as a bake sale. In addition, Havird Usry of Fat Man’s Mill Cafe will lead a cooking demonstration at 1 p.m., Pat and John Curry of Buona Caffe will host a coffee bar at 12:30 p.m. and Sid Mullis will sign copies of his book, “Sid Sez: Grow It in Augusta,” from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call 706826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.

10am - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds benefiting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

11am - 6pm Craft Fair Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church An event that feature items for sale from more than 30 craft vendors. Call 706-7388822 or visit trinityonthehill.net.

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Space Station” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec. usca.edu.

Sun Nov 20

1pm - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds beneﬁting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

1pm - 5pm Holiday Tour of Homes 2016 River Island An Augusta Ballet event that will feature four homes in River Island. $20, advance; $25 day of. Call 706-251-0555 or visit augustaballet.org.

Gift Shop Holiday Open House Sacred Heart Cultural Center Thursday, November 17 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 706-826-4700 sacredheartaugusta.org 4pm - 10pm World Prematurity Awareness Day Fundraiser Tin Lizzy’s A Kiwanis-hosted March of Dimes fundraiser in which those wearing purple and eating at Tin Lizzy’s will have 20 percent of their tab donated to the March of Dimes. Visit marchofdimes.org.

5pm - 8pm Holiday Bazaar Greenbrier High School cafeteria An event that includes items for sale from more than 40 vendors, a silent auction and performances by the Greenbrier middle and elementary school choruses, as well as food, face painting and more. Call 706-650-6040.

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.

Fri Nov 18

10am - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds beneﬁting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

5pm - 8pm Wine Not It’s Friday 34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Mon Nov 21

8:30am - 11am James Brown Turkey Giveaway Whole Foods A $5 wine tasting in which participants get ﬁve 3-ounce samples of featured wines. Call 762-333-0259 or visit wholefoodsmarket. com.

7pm - 10pm Ambassadors Soiree River Island An Augusta Ballet event for Ambassador members that will kick of the Holiday Tour of Homes weekend. The event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and live music. Admission is by Ambassador membership of $50. Call 706-251-0555 or visit augustaballet.org.

Sat Nov 19

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 - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds beneﬁting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

four homes in River Island. $20, advance; $25 day of. Call 706-251-0555 or visit augustaballet.org.

11am - 5pm Open House Feathered Friends Forever, Harlem An event that will include tours of the rescue and refuge, as well as food and more. Call 706-556-2424.

7pm Anna’s Appetizers Wine World A holiday wines and appetizers tasting that will include ﬁve courses of two appetizers and a paired wine. Attendees will receive special prices on the featured wines. $25; pre-paid reservations required. Call 803279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.

7pm “In My Backyard” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec. usca.edu.

7:30pm Urban Expressionism

11am - 5pm Holiday Tour of Homes 2016

Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center A Blue Bistro Creative exploration of black culture that will include live theater, spoken word poetry, photography, music and performance art. $25. Visit eventbrite. com/e/urban- expressionism-tickets28004848255?utm_term=eventurl_text.

River Island An Augusta Ballet event that will feature

8pm “Engineering the International

Dyess Park Call 706-724-0504 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.

10am - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds beneﬁting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Tue Nov 22

10am - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds beneﬁting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

Wed Nov 23

10am - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds beneﬁting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. 17NOVEMBER2016

Thu Nov 24

11am Blessing of the Hounds Hitchcock Woods Memorial Gate, Aiken The opening of the drag hunting season. Attendees can park downtown and walk to Memorial Gate (allow 30 minutes). Call 803642-0528 or 803-643-3724.

11am - 1pm One Table Downtown Aiken A free Thanksgiving feast open to the entire community. Participants can bring a dish to share or just come as they are. Visit onetable.info.

SPIRITUAL Wed Nov 23

7pm Thanksgiving Eve Service St. Paul’s Church The St. Paul’s and Canterbury Choirs will both sing and blessed loaves of bread will be given to everyone present. Call 706-7242485 or visit saintpauls.org.

SPORTS-OUTDOORS Sat Nov 19

8am 6th Annual Ride of Celebration/ Annual Meeting Julian Smith BBQ Pit A Wheel Movement of the CSRA event that includes 10- , 26- and 34-mile bike rides beginning at 9 a.m., a kids bike safety clinic at 9:30 a.m. and breakfast and an annual meeting at 11 a.m. $12, students; $20, individual; $30, family; $100, organization. Visit wheelmovementscra.org.

8:30am Turkey Trot 5K, 10K and Family Fun Run Kroc Center A benefit for the Salvation Army, with

the races starting between 9:25-10 a.m. $35, early; $40, late; $45, race day. Visit itsyourrace.com.

9am 4-H Family Yoga in the Park Phinizy Swamp Nature Park For all levels of kids and adults. Participants should bring yoga mat and water. Call 706828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.

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

10am Paddle the Savannah River The Boathouse, Riverfront Drive An SRG Sierra Club event in which life jackets and whistles are required. Participants should also bring water and a snack lunch. Email larrkomp@gmail.com.

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

and employees. Call 706-721-2929.

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

Tue Nov 22

10:20am Moms Connection

8pm “Small Engine Repair”

6pm - 9pm CSRA Parkinson Group

7pm “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress”

St. John Towers dining room A celebration of the success of the 17th annual fundraising walk with live music by Suzuki Strings of Augusta. Free and open to the public. Call 706-364-1662.

7pm Prostate Cancer Support Group Cancer Clinic Meets in Room AN 1305. Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.

Wed Nov 23

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.

THEATER Thu Nov 17

7pm “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress”

Thu Nov 17

University Hospital Call 706-774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.

7:30pm - 9pm “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” Auditions

6pm Bariatric Surgery Support Group

Mon Nov 21

Noon Holistic Grief Support Group Ronald McDonald House For caregivers, family members, students

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $53, civilians; $50, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $40, activeduty E6 and below, students; $30, show only. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.

Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.

SUPPORT

Same Dress”

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.

Fri Nov 18

7pm “Five Women Wearing the

Le Chat Noir A Le Chat Noir production. $25. Call 706722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.

Sat Nov 19

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Dinner begins at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. $53, civilians; $50, seniors, retirees, DA civilians, active-duty E7 and above; $40, active-duty E6 and below, students; $30, show only. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.

8pm “Small Engine Repair” Le Chat Noir A Le Chat Noir production. $25. Call 706722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.

VOLUNTEER Ongoing

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

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The Highlander - Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Ladies Night, Singles Night Sky City - DJ Casey Memorial Butter Ball Somewhere in Augusta - NCAA Football Soul Bar - DJ Dance Party Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke

Sunday, November 20 Live Music

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

What’s Tonight?

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

Monday, November 21 Live Music

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

What’s Tonight?

Fantasia Bell Auditorium Friday, November 18 8 p.m. $39-50-$59.50 877-4AUGTIX georgialiatix.com Thursday, November 17 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Beats Downunder Open Mic Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Live Music on the Patio Stillwater Taproom - Kenny George Tin Lizzy’s - Kelly Cheats Wild Wing - Brandon Reeves The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House

What’s Tonight?

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

Friday, November 18 Live Music

AU’s Maxwell Theatre - Sons of Serendip Bar West - Live Music Bell Auditorium - Fantasia Bird Dog Grille - Donna Jo Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues Country Club - Ty Bates Coyotes - Joe Olds Band

36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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

Tuesday, November 22 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Irish Music with Dr. Fisher and the

Eli’s American - Friday Night Live Fox’s Lair - Carey Murdock Shannon’s - Atomic Road The Stables at Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) Gavin Reily Stillwater Taproom - The Train Wrecks Tin Lizzy’s - Lundy Whole Foods - Music @ the Turn Wild Wing - Tokyo Joe The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

Soul Bar - Pop Life Vera Cruz Mexican Restaurant - Karaoke

Saturday, November 19 Live Music

Cotton Patch - Live Jazz & Blues Country Club - Holman Autry Band Coyotes - Joe Olds Band Eighth Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River Fox’s Lair - Gerry Petrin, Mr. Jukebox Shannon’s - The Unmentionables Stillwater Taproom - Michael Baideme and Phillip Lee Jr. Wild Wing - Center Lane The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

What’s Tonight?

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

Sons of Serendip AU’s Maxwell Theatre Friday, November 18 7:30 p.m. The America’s Got Talent ﬁnalist will perform as part of the university’s Lyceum Series. $18 706-667-4100 augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre 17NOVEMBER2016

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Undefeated Army 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, November 23 Live Music Fox’s Lair - Riley Williams The Highlander - Open Mic Night Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Wild Wing - DM Radio

What’s Tonight?

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

Upcoming

Blackberry Smoke

Sibling String Thanksgiving Day Bash

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 25

- Wild Wing November 24

Futurebirds

The Clydes

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta November 25

- Stillwater Taproom November 25

Edwin McCain

Velcro Pygmies

- City Winery, Atlanta November 26

- The Country Club November 25

Steve Vai

Rocking the Stocking and Smiley Fest

- Cox Capitol Theatre, Macon November 28

- Sky City December 3

Howard Jones

The Comedy Get Down w/ Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D. L. Hughley, George Lopez, Charlie Murphy

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta December 1 Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

- James Brown Arena December 10

Brian Setzer Orchestra

Dredneck Family Reunion w/ Jemani, 420 Outback, Happy Bones, OP4

- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta December 3

- Sky City December 23 Vince Gill

- Bell Auditorium February 17

- Atlanta Coliseum, Duluth December 2

Seu Jorge: A Tribute to David Bowie

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta December 7 Kanye West

- Philips Arena, Atlanta December 8

Elsewhere

Yacht Rock Revue

David Crosby

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta December 9

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta November 18

2 Chainz, Jeezy, The Dream

The Doobie Brothers

- Philips Arena, Atlanta December 10

- Civic Center, Columbus November 18 St. Paul and the Broken Bones

Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Nick Swardson

- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 18

- Fox Theatre, Atlanta December 13

Rickey Smiley

The Jesus and Mary Chain

- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta November 18

- Masquerade, Atlanta December 14 Shawn Colvin

Drive By Truckers

- City Winery, Atlanta December 15

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 19

Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, the Chainsmokers

The 1975

- Philips Arena, Atlanta December 16

- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 22

Shooter Jennings

Maxwell, Mary J. Blige

- Philips Arena, Atlanta November 25

- City Winery, Atlanta December 16

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706-434-0112

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Jenifer Delaney, Jewel Sherrill and Lolo Chalker at the Big and Rich concert at Evans Towne Center Park.

Claire Knox, Savannah Omer, Macie Russell and Madison White at the Big and Rich concert at Evans Towne Center Park.

Chasity Parker, Maggie Haney and Tabytha James at the Rick Monroe concert at the Country Club.

Kimber and Steven Hardy with Bill Hardy at the Columbia County Fair.

Michael Sconyers, Beth Coody, Kristina Christensen and Anthony Neal at the Columbia County Fair.

Alexandra Spurlock, Geoff Reck and Gwen Schuckert at the Rick Monroe concert at the Country Club.

Dale and Donna Gibbs with Karen and Ken Thompson at the Columbia County Fair.

Aaron Chamblee, Tianna Gouveia and Justin Watson at World of Beer.

April Powell, Paula Griffin, Chrissy Moe and Sheri Mendrick at Andrew’s Bar and Grill.

38 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

17NOVEMBER2016

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IT’S ALL AN ELISION By Joe DiPietro/Edited by Will Shortz 36 Best Picture between “Rocky” and 85 Broadcast ACROSS “The Deer Hunter” 86 Hall of Fame quarterback Dan 1 Point of greatest despair 37 Always putting up my entry fees? 88 Trendy jeans feature 6 Terms of service 39 1960s TV show whose star weighed 90 Extract used in brewing 13 Laid out for printing 650 pounds 91 Foreign: Prefix 20 Unchallenged 41 With 60-Across, player of Tony 92 Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and that’s 21 Lift Soprano’s son probably it? 22 Sure things 42 Engine sound 96 See 78-Across 23 “Do your taxidermy on the patio 45 Pressure, so to speak 97 Memo abbr. instead!”? 49 Fraternity and sorority leaders, 98 Cab stopper? 25 “You can’t make me” usually: Abbr. 99 Up against it 26 Of the highest quality 50 Follow closely 101 Genesis of an idea 27 Republican, on an election map 52 Rough choice? 103 Amaze 28 “Da Coach” 54 “Mad About You” co-star 104 Deadly nerve gas 30 Place to get stuck 55 Begin to tongue-lash 106 Artist who awards a biennial Grant 31 “Double” or “triple” feat 57 February 14th figure for Peace 32 Discipline for paper tigers? 59 Divorced 107 Real sport 34 Newcastle Brown and others 61 London lavs 111 Adjust, as a currency 35 Thrown 64 Bit of jewelry 113 Slogan for wine geeks? 38 Harley, in slang 65 Opposite of outflux 116 Field of vision 40 A foot on the ground in Phoenix? 66 Ram 117 Nipple rings 43 It’s just for openers 68 Hard to pin down 118 Set free 44 “Venus in Fur” playwright David 69 Giant among Giants 119 “Noble” thing 46 “Today” rival, for short 74 Punk rocker Vicious 120 Mack of early slapstick 47 Get on one’s high horse? 76 Gravy thickener 121 ____ Muggs, girl in “Archie” 48 Kind of replication 77 They might need guards 49 Miasma DOWN 78 Drops to the ground? 51 “____, captain!” 1 Harper’s Weekly cartoonist Thomas 80 Herman who wrote “This Is My 53 Some Campbell’s offerings 2 Kind of clef God” 56 Skinflints 3 Prettify 82 Home of Walmart 58 It makes tracks 4 Blow up 84 New-employee requirement, maybe 60 See 41-Down 5 Do more repairs on 87 Formal wingdings 62 “____ it go” 6 “The Princess Bride” theme 89 What an overstuffed suitcase might 63 Ones who have it coming to them? 7 Put groceries away do 64 “Silence is the ____ that nourishes 8 It blows things up, in brief 91 Unknown quantity wisdom”: Bacon 9 Some wedding figures 92 Bogeyman 65 Classical pianist Levit 10 Small semicircular grooves on a 93 Informal words of thanks 66 Composer Bartók column 94 Athlete’s wear, informally 67 Reaction of dismay 11 Port. is part of it 95 Soup dumpling 68 Comfort food causing oral 12 Left in a hurry 100 John Kennedy ____, author of “A discomfort? 13 Radioactive form of hydrogen Confederacy of Dunces” 70 Selfish sort 14 Pennsylvania city 102 Game with mallets played on a 71 Harpies 15 “SOS, ” e.g. hard-surfaced court 72 Where many connections are made 16 Middle-earth inhabitant 104 Criticize, in British slang 73 Huge quantities 17 Mystery ingredient in SweeTarts? 105 Vibe 74 Surgical tube 18 Comes later 108 Maze solution 75 Common New England street name 19 Insect that folds its wings 109 Pennsylvania city 76 Lyft offering 24 Nearly throws a perfect game 110 Walk while dizzy 77 Groove-making needles against, maybe 112 War hero 78 With 96-Across, bit of Chinese 29 Uses WhatsApp, say 114 High dudgeon cuisine 33 Snap 115 Giant image over Gotham 79 Many, after “a” 34 River to the Ligurian Sea 81 “Not interested” 35 Communication devices for 83 Like some tales or details commuters, once

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THE EIGHT

BOX TOPS “Doctor Strange” continues to captivate audiences. RANK TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK

DOCTOR STRANGE

$42,970,065

$152,952,234

TROLLS

$34,979,577

$93,943,892

ARRIVAL

$24,074,047

ALMOST CHRISTMAS

$15,134,235

HACKSAW RIDGE

$10,630,873

$32,120,194

In Theaters November 18

FANTASY COMEDY “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them,” rated “The Edge of Seventeen,” rated R, starring Hailee

DRAMA “Bleed for This,” rated R, starring Miles Teller,

PG-13, starring Eddie Redmayne, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Johnny Depp, Gemma Chan, Katherine Waterston. Based on J.K. Rowling’s companion book to the Harry Potter series, this long-awaited movie introduces fans to the wizarding community in America. It’s set 70 years before Harry, Ron and Herione take the stage, but Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) seems like he’d fit right in with the gang. For anyone who has been in mourning since the last Potter movie left the big screen in 2011, this is a must see.

Christine Evangelista, Katey Sagal, Aaron Eckhart. This movie is based on the true story of world champion boxer Vinny Pazienza, a cocky bastard who, while at the top of his game, was almost killed in a car crash. His spine broken, Pazienza stubbornly insists on training to fight again and makes one of the most unexpected comebacks in sports history.

42 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Steinfeld, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson. High school sucks, as awkward teen Nadine finds out when her best friend starts sleeping with her all-star older brother and leaves her for a better spot in the high school pecking order. She can’t turn to her mother, so the only person she can confide in is teacher Mr. Burner (Woody Harrelson), who doesn’t really want the job as her confidante. At all. He makes this painfully, hilariously clear over and over to no avail in what looks like the best kind of coming of age movie: the kind you can watch again and again.

17NOVEMBER2016

“It’s the Night Before Christmas” presented by the Augusta West Dance Guild

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD SHOW TIMES: 11:00am and 3:30pm TICKETS: $12 Augusta University Maxwell Performing Arts Theater

For More info call 706-860-0998 www.augustawestdance.com

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46 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

17NOVEMBER2016