Metro Spirit - 08.10.17

Table of Contents August 10, 2017

Whine Line 4 Jenny is Wright 6 Insider 8 Feature 12 Cuisine Scene What’s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings The Eight Austin Rhodes

EDIT

CREATIVE

Amy Christian

Joshua Bailey

Joe White

amy@themetrospirit.com

joshua@themetrospirit.com

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

Arts Editor/Production Director

Lead Designer

Stacey Eidson stacey@themetrospirit.com

BUSINESS Publisher

Johnny Beckworth

Staff Writer

SALES

circulation manager

jdbeckworth@gmail.com

Joe White Publisher

joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636

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

Rachael Foss Account Executive

rachael@themetrospirit.com 706-910-3461

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COVER DESIGN: KRUHU

Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum.

The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.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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It’s sad that everyone trips over themselves today to take their petty beef(s) to Twitter, Facebook, or other social media (it’s really ANTI-social media, but that’s a story for another day...). Back in the day we used to handle business behind the woodshed.

Contemporary keyboard warrior punks are so pathetic they couldn’t whip cream with an outboard motor.

So, have we just let Mike Sleeper off the hook?

Where’s the “clearing up” that he was going to do?

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.

Just think we’re only 23 days away from hearing GA fans whine & bellyache again...fire Kirby, bring back Dooley, fire Bobo (wait he’s gone), is Herschel still eligible....wahhhhh!

Furys Ferry [Evans-to-Lock = Riverwatch section] is turning into a race course. Please do something.

With apology to Mark Twain: Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were Austin Rhodes. But then I repeat myself

Who do the Augusta Commission and Richmond County School Board think they’re kidding? You can’t blow smoke in the eyes of property owners with tax “rollbacks” in tenths of a mill. Why don’t you try something unique, like reducing spending to balance your budgets? That’s what we beleaguer taxpayers have to do.

How eco-NOT-friendly painting rocks is.

When property owners get a notice to clean up or repair they have 30 days to take action or risk fines or charges for the County clean up personal property. When the county gets notice through the 311 sytem to clean up fallen tree limbs, after 2 months the County still takes no action and then additional overgrowth of the limbs with more request for cleanup and the County still does not act. If I clean this right of way for the County due to County inaction, can I charge the County for my work? I know the answer and I am disgusted by the system!

Did anyone else put an ad out for uninvited guest to drop by their residence on a regular basis? Neither did I!

Reading about the judge trying to disrupt the probation process. The average salary of a judge in this area is $145,000 - yet they all seem to enjoy million-dollar homes. Georgia ranks first in the nation for judicial corruption. Hmm... But I’m sure there’s no connection.

I have an old computer that I use occasionally.

The machine uses a Window operating system and I made the Irreversable mistake of allowing it to update and install Windows 10. I now live in a state of constant hell EVERYTIME I turn this P.O.S. On ....

Constantly updating restarting and wasting time .is it just me or is this part of some evil plan to frustrate, irritate and the computer illiterate?

microchipping humans is mentioned in the bible as the mark of the beast, also theres an episode of night gallery with rod serling and a lot of novels. this isn’t good. it means our freedoms are being taken away which already started with the internet being forced on us. lets keep our constitution freedoms intact for everyone.

Have you heard about trump news on Facebook?

Now we know where to go to get the real fake news. or is it the fake real news? See trump news is working great already! More confusion attributed to the person holding the office of president.

$100 million a month. Southern Company is making a fortune at the expense of Georgia taxpayers. Now Southern claims Plant Vogtle, slated to cost $14 billion, will cost us $25 billion or more IF completed.

And YOU will not get back so much as a penny of your tax money given and being given to Southern Company if Vogtle is abandoned .

Haven’t we had enough of the LaVar Ball show? I have. The first time I saw LeVar and his “schtick,” I was already tired of him. ESPN and FOX Sports (two of his biggest enablers) continually complain about him on all their sports shows, yet they continue to plaster his mug all over their channels. It’s hypocrisy at it’s finest. Here’s an idea - just never put his mug on television again and he’ll just fade away....how ‘bout that?

Hey, La Leche Leaguers: Get out of my face about my baby and my boobs. Not everyone is ABLE to breastfeed. So shove your agenda in someone else’s face, you judgmental shrews.

Wonder why Clark Hill Lake is currently still six feet down below full pool? Could it be because of the total incompetence and mismanagement of water flow into and out of the dam by our infamous US Corps of Engineers!!! Unforgivable and truly outrageous.

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mama worry Jenny is wright I took my youngest to mIddle school thIs week.

Let me take that back. She went to middle school this week. For the first time since our children started school (or Mother’s Day Out), I didn’t take one or both to school on the first day. That’s not a complaint. It’s just something I realized in the last days of summer.

My memory failed me. I lied. The Boy rode the bus on the first day of kindergarten.

When he got home that day, he said it was too hot. From that day forward, we were carpool people. After all, in Augusta we start school in August. The most efficient air conditioning won’t cool a bus of sweaty kids. Sweaty buses always make me think of the kid, at the end of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” that offers sweaty gummy bears to the frazzled principal. Gross.

The Girl was excited and nervous to start school. Unlike her brother, she had plenty of questions.

“What do we do with our bookbags when we get to school?”

There aren’t hooks with a cartoon frog and your name in neat teacher handwriting waiting in your homeroom like there are in kindergarten. When I told her she’d carry it with her, just like in the high school movies, all day, she gasped and let out a little cheer.

“Where will I sit for lunch? With my class?”

No, baby. You’ll walk in to lunch all alone and hope you find someone you know to sit with. Until I hear you’ve had success, I’ll be over here Mama Worrying.

Mama Worrying is very different from Helicopter Parenting, FYI. I suppose it may vary from mom to mom, but, for me, it’s just a little butterfly type wonder/ worry I get from time to time. I won’t act on it, though. It’s not the kind of worry you have when your kids ride around the block on their bikes for the first time or when you leave them home alone.

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I say I won’t act on it. I might’ve lied again. I might’ve asked a couple of teachers to spy on her. I didn’t want her to know. I was really curious about how her day was, so I asked them to tell me if they say her. They did. She was happy. Apparently she was smiling and hugging people all day. It’s not all that surprising if you know her.

Until the first day, she hadn’t talked to anyone with the same lunch period, so bear with me. I had Mama Worry.

The other questions she had were easily answered, either by me, the school summer info packet or her older brother. She’ll figure the rest of it out, whether the Mama Worry continues or not. Her supply list was mostly complete, and we’ll get the rest. We packed the perfect lunch. She knew her schedule, and she perfected the art of locker opening. According to her, she had the perfect outfit.

It was “exactly” how she pictured herself looking on the first day of sixth grade.

That’s all good and well, little girl. I’m happy you’re happy. It’s not how I pictured you on the first day of sixth grade, though. You’re far too young, and it’s time to come home. I’ll totally save you a seat at lunch.

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

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S ORE

Judging by our laid-back attitude and good old-fashioned kindness, you may find it hard to believe that we have a competitive streak. Well, we have several. You can see it in action every Saturday at Williams Brice, as well as during the other events that choose Columbia SC for our state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant downtown. Visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com

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Sheriff Roundtree Makes His Case for Deputy Raises When GeorGia Gov. nathan Deal recently unveiled a 20 percent pay hike for state law enforcement officers, many Augusta commissioners knew what was coming: A request for salary increases for Richmond County deputies.

It’s not that the commissioners don’t want to give the deputies raises.

Almost all of the commissioners support such a move, but many don’t want to face the reality that an increase in law enforcement salaries will require a tax increase.

That’s something their constituents don’t want to hear.

But this week, Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree went before the Augusta Commission to make the case that, despite what it might mean for them politically, commissioners need to stand behind their deputies and increase their salaries.

“I’m asking for your consideration today, your discussion and eventually your courage to further invest in the future of your primary law enforcement agency,” Roundtree told the commissioners on Aug. 8. “You will note that I used the word courage and I did so intentionally because history has shown me that many times when this body has attempted to do for one agency that some have felt that you had to do for all. And while I respect and support every department in this government and wish that such a thing was possible today, our financial reality says that it is not at this time.”

Roundtree said the sheriff’s office is facing a “critical need” to provide salaries that will not only recruit new officers, but retain them because they face a very difficult job each and every day.

And, according to Roundtree, his department is getting the job done.

“There is always a difference between the perception of crime and actual crime,” Roundtree said, showing the commission the most recent crime statistics in Richmond County. “The reality of the fact is that since 2012, since we’ve taken office, your violent crime rate has dropped 36 percent in Richmond County. Your property crime has dropped 43 percent in Richmond County. These are real numbers as of 10 days ago.”

Those are statistics that the entire county “need to be proud of,” Roundtree said, adding that the public shouldn’t believe the rumors that Richmond County is not safe.

“Since 2012, crime has gone down in Richmond County,” Roundtree said. “That’s a fact.”

As a result of those improvements, Roundtree said his deputies deserve to be compensated because, right now, they are the lowest paid law enforcement officers in this region.

In a comparison of all six local law enforcement agencies, including the regional counties and North Augusta and Aiken Public Safety, Roundtree said Richmond County deputies handle five times the number of calls with 372,000 calls compared to the next largest sheriff’s office which is Columbia County.

But when it comes to compensation, Richmond County comes in dead last.

“You can see that Richmond County ranks last even though we have six times the call volume of the nearest sheriff’s office,” Roundtree said. “I think your sheriff’s officers need to be compensated for the job in which they’ve done and continued to do each day.”

Now, despite what some Augusta commissioners were fearing, Roundtree said he wasn’t expecting the county to provide his deputies with a 20 percent raise like the governor.

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“I know that in our financial climate, the county in which we live in and the state in which we live in that it would impossible for me to come and ask you for a 20 percent increase.

I am not even going to entertain that,” Roundtree said. “I know we are not there and we can’t achieve that right now.”

However, Roundtree had two proposals for commissioners. The first proposal would be a 10 percent increase, across the board, which would cost the county approximately $2.8 million.

“That would raise your starting salary up to $40,000, which we are still below North Augusta, but North Augusta does fire and police,” Roundtree said.

Meanwhile, Columbia County duties just got an additional raise in July and they are scheduled to get another one come Jan. 1, Roundtree said.

While the sheriff said he would be happy with the 10 percent, across-the-board raise, Roundtree would rather develop a salary plan that would provide incentives.

His second plan would give every deputy an 8 percent pay increase, that would bring the starting salary up to $39,559.

Once the deputy stayed on with the department an additional two years, his or her salary would be increased to $42,600. That plan would only cost the county $2.74 million to implement.

An annual salary of $42,600 would be considered a “good salary” for law enforcement in this region, Roundtree said.

And that could allow for Richmond County to retain more deputies and build an even stronger department, he said.

Because, despite what some people believe, many deputies want to stay with Richmond County, he said.

“We make a difference. We save lives in Richmond County,” Roundtree said. “My deputies deliver babies, they jump into the canal, the jump into the river, this is what your deputies have done and continue to do on a daily basis. That is our sale’s pitch. We make a difference.”

Several of the commissioners said the sheriff made a very good argument for the increases, but other commissioners such as Wayne Guilfoyle were very concerned about where the money for such raises would could from.

“If I was to do a tax increase, which is really not in myself to do one, but I would do one for the sheriff’s department,” Guilfoyle said.

However, he also felt the county should look at other employees who have been patiently waiting for a salary study to be completed in order to possibly receive an increase.

“But I am not opposed to getting you your money, sir,” Guilfoyle told the sheriff.

Guilfoyle then turned to City Administrator Janice Allen Jackson and asked her the question of the day.

“How can we satisfy the request of the sheriff’s department?” he asked.

Jackson didn’t hesitate to provide the commissioner with an honest answer.

“I’m not sure how you do it without a tax increase, sir,” she said.

Many commissioners didn’t like the sound of that.

The time has come for the Augusta Commission to start making some tough decisions.

Stay tuned. This year’s budget debate will be a doozy.

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Did Judge Watkins and the Commission Clear the Air? After more thAn An hour behind closed doors in a legal meeting with Chief State Court Judge David Watkins and State Court Judge William Jennings, Augusta commissioners offered the former Chief Probation Officer Marie Boulton a new job.

Boulton will become the new deputy warden at the Richmond County Correctional Institution with an annual salary of $79,500.

This new addition to RCCI comes as a result of Watkins’ sudden actions a few days ago to shake up the Richmond County Probation Office that was just created by the city last year.

Apparently, before Watkins even officially became the chief state court judge, he called a meeting with Boulton and asked her to resign.

According to several Augusta commissioners, Boulton appeared to have been doing an excellent job as the chief probation officer, but Watkins still wanted her to step down.

That same week, Watkins also asked State Court Administrator Jan Hardy, who’s worked in the court for 38 years, to resign.

Both Hardy and Boulton refused Watkins’ request.

As a result of Watkins’ request for her to resign, Boulton wisely retained local attorney Jack Long as her legal counsel. (Hence the quick settlement offer of a new job from the city. Let’s face it, commissioners get a little nervous when Jack Long is around. It’s typically much easier and definitely cheaper to settle with him than to battle Long in court.)

But eyebrows were raised about Watkins’ actions because the rumor was that the judge wanted to replace Boulton and Hardy with two former Sentinel Offender Services employees.

Sentinel Offender Services was the private probation company that was hit by more than a dozen lawsuits filed in both Richmond and Columbia counties over the past few years.

For many Augusta commissioners, they wanted to get as far away from former Sentinel employees as possible.

However, speculation was that Watkins wasn’t going to have that. Instead, he wanted former Sentinel employee Niya Barnes to replace Hardy, and Crystal Page, who previously ran the Sentinel office in Augusta, to replace Boulton.

It will be interesting to see who lands in those slots now that Boulton has a new job at RCCI. But more concerning is the way in which this entire change in the in-house probation office came about.

Watkins made these moves without even discussing the changes with commissioners.

As a result, it highly irritated several of the city leaders and the mayor.

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All commissioners wanted was a little cooperation and communication from Watkins.

Instead, they were left in the dark.

“It would be nice if Judge Watkins would actually reach out (to us),” Augusta Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said last week. “I have not heard anything bad about the lady that we hired to run our probation office. There was nothing from Judge Slaby that indicated anything was wrong.”

Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis agreed that the issue was not handled well and he was clearly frustrated with the chaos surrounding the in-house probation office.

“We try to be friends with the judiciary and we will continue to do that, but we have to have partners in the process,” Davis said. “Right now, that is not necessarily what is happening.”

While the public doesn’t know what really went on behind the closed-door legal meeting, the judges and commission need to be more open about the future of the Richmond County Probation Office.

After all, the city has spent a lot of time and energy trying to get an in-house probation office up and running.

The last thing Richmond County needs is to go backwards.

Do we have to once again remind the commission about the complaints against Sentinel?

City leaders were constantly hearing concerns from constituents that Sentinel had been ruthless in its attempts to collect excessive past probation fees.

The lawsuits against Sentinel showed the company was overcharging probationers and, in some instances, using incarceration to coerce payment from probationers.

Let’s not go back there, Richmond County.

The judges need to help strengthen the probation office, not tear it down.

10AUGUST2017

Judge Watkins Above Reproach To The ediToR: While I am busy packing to make a transition to a new call to Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, I must pause to speak up for my dear friend, Judge David Watkins. I cannot remain silent while accusations are being made against his character for the recent employee changes under his oversight as chief judge.

I am proud to say Judge Watkins is a member in good standing of First Presbyterian Church where I have served as senior pastor for 12 years. Though he has not been a member for my whole tenure, we have been friends for the last decade. We are not casual acquaintances; we have become enduring friends. We would trust each other with our lives. David Watkins’ acceptance of me, love for my family and willingness to trust me for the content of my character and not the color of my skin has convinced me of the gospel even more profoundly.

Judge Watkins is a Marine (not was, as I was once corrected for saying), a gentleman of exquisite character, a deeply committed Christian, a sacrificial communitarian and a defender of the disenfranchised.

While I could multiply stories illustrating what a rare man he is, I will share only one that says it all. The husband of Mrs. Watkins’ lifelong friend was dying of kidney disease. Mrs. Watkins was a match so she volunteered to donate her kidney.

Out of concern for his wife’s health and the pain she would endure, Judge Watkins would not hear of it. Instead, though he was not an exact match, he was able to give his own kidney through an experimental program at a research hospital. The entire hospital staff recognized the unique selflessness of his sacrifice.

This man is above reproach. I do not personally know those bringing accusations against Judge Watkins, but only those whose character have been proven as faithful as his should be heeded.

Sincerely, George Robertson, senior pastor First Presbyterian Church of Augusta

Clarification

In last week’s Insider, called “Have A Say About Public Art in Augusta,” The Insider should have stated that the only Art Cart installation that is currently funded is the first prototype, which is still in the process of being placed. EZ-GO sponsored this first cart in its entirety.

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WGAC radio Talk Show host Austin rhodes was snookered by award-winning British comedian and actor, Sacha Baron Cohen The mere menTion of the name Sacha Baron Cohen will immediately bring a smirk to most people’s faces.

After all, the British comedian and actor is known for playing incredible pranks on a variety of unsuspecting people all across the globe.

Famous individuals who have fallen victim to Cohen’s gags include everyone from politicians such as former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and conservative political commentator Pat Buchanan to well-respected national journalists such as former ABC news anchor Sam Donaldson and the late “60 Minutes” commentator Andy Rooney.

No one is immune to his stunts.

Whether viewers are watching one of his mock documentaries such as the 2006 film, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” or a segment from his former HBO television series, “Da Ali G Show,” there is no doubt about it, Cohen is the king of the con.

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By Stacey Eidson

In fact, over the years, Cohen has managed to make entire towns look foolish.

A scene in the movie, “Borat,” where Cohen is invited to a rodeo in Salem, Va., back in 2005 to sing the national anthem, perfectly illustrates the point.

When Cohen arrived posing as an awkward Kazakh TV journalist named Borat, he immediately caught both the rodeo’s producer, Bobby Rowe, and the entire audience at Salem Civic Center off guard.

Before launching into the national anthem, Borat — speaking as a representative of Kazakhstan in broken English — announced to the crowd, “We support your war of terror!”

The crowd responded in thunderous applause.

But Borat then declared that he wished, “George W. Bush will drink the blood of every man, woman and child in Iraq!”

Suddenly, the cheers and applause began to quickly taper away.

As the crowd began looking around at one another in complete confusion, Borat began 10AUGUST2017

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“I had no clue. When I found out, all I could think of was, ‘Holy crap.’ I mean, I’m a big fan of ‘Borat’ and I enjoy his other movies and shows, too. So when I learned I had sat in this studio with Sacha Baron Cohen for 90 minutes, I was like, ‘How in the world did I not see it?’”

— Austin Rhodes singing, “O Kazakhstan,” a fictional national anthem sung to the tune of the U.S. national anthem with lyrics that claimed “all other countries are run by little girls.”

Needless to say, that was the final straw for the Salem audience.

By the time Borat was finished singing, his little stunt almost caused a riot that night at the rodeo.

“I’ve been snookered before,” the rodeo’s producer, Bobby Rowe, reportedly said, “but not to that degree.”

The truth is, Cohen is just that good.

He is a master put-on artist who thrives on the element of surprise and is known for injecting himself into real-life situations for his films and television segments, no matter how absurd or off the wall.

Cohen is also a political satirist who, while playing roles such as an ill-informed reporter, preys on the unsuspecting and uses those precious opportunities to test people’s patience and good humor with absurd, often highly offensive questions.

The result is often a hilarious masterpiece.

But the key to Cohen’s success is for him to carry out the hoax without anyone being the wiser.

No one must recognize him. No one can realize it is Cohen in disguise.

And Cohen works extremely hard to set the scene, pull off the prank and quickly cover his tracks.

He takes on a full-body immersion of the characters he’s playing, so that he can travel incognito throughout the world from New York City to Augusta, Ga. That’s right, folks.

Just last week, Cohen, the award-winning British actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer and star of such films like “Borat,” “Brüno,” “Madagascar,” “The Dictator” and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” came to Augusta for a live, on-air debate with WGAC Radio Talk Show Host Austin Rhodes.

However, Rhodes and the entire WGAC staff had no idea Cohen was even in the studio.

It was the perfect prank pulled off by Cohen.

“I had no clue,” Rhodes said, laughing. “When I found out, all I could think of was, ‘Holy crap.’ I mean, I’m a big fan of ‘Borat’ and I enjoy his other movies and shows, too. So when I learned I had sat in this studio with Sacha Baron Cohen for 90 minutes, I was like, ‘How in the world did I not see it?’”

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But, a few weeks prior to the scheduled interview, Rhodes had been approached by a reputable publicist to participate in a documentary involving a “renowned author and lecturer” named Dr. Nira Cain, who was supposedly a left-wing college professor from Portland, Ore. When Cohen arrived in Augusta, he was wearing a wig with a professionally done makeup job to pull off his role as Dr. Nira Cain, Rhodes said.

Right off the bat, Rhodes joked that Cain looked as if he was “straight out of central casting.”

“I mean, I pride myself on being savvy about Hollywood and stuff, and I was like, ‘How in the world did this guy sit three feet away from me and I not pick up on it,’ especially after I heard his voice again after the interview. I was like, ‘Holy cow. That’s him. That is really him.’”

— Austin Rhodes AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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“You could easily argue, they are not the only terrorist organization. Sadly my brother joined a terrorist organization: the U.S. Army.”

— Sacha Baron Cohen as Dr. Nira Cain

“Are you Fred Armisen in disguise?” Rhodes jokingly said, referring to the co-creator and co-star of the comedy series, “Portlandia.”

Cohen, in his role as Cain, didn’t really respond.

“He acted like he didn’t even know who Fred Armisen was,” Rhodes said, chuckling.

“In fact, he stared at me like I had hit him in the head with a baseball bat. I couldn’t tell whether I had insulted him or whether he just didn’t know who Fred Armisen was, because that’s how much of a left-wing hippie he was pretending to be.”

Looking back at the interview, Rhodes is still in complete disbelief that Cohen was able to fool him so well.

“I mean, I pride myself on being savvy about Hollywood and stuff, and I was like, ‘How in the world did this guy sit three feet away from me and I not pick up on it,’ especially after I heard his voice again after the interview,” Rhodes said. “I was like, ‘Holy cow. That’s him.

That is really him.’”

And quite an interview it was for the listeners of The Austin Rhodes Show.

First, it is important to set the scene.

Prior to the interview, neither Rhodes or his producer, Bill Botham, even knew who was arriving to participate in the documentary.

“The publicist didn’t want to give us a name,” Rhodes said. “At first, the reason was that they didn’t want us to prejudge him by the content of his work. But then they said there were actually several liberals that were traveling around the country with him and they didn’t know which one was going to be available on that day to come visit with us.

So we had no idea what the name was until he literally walked in the door.”

Rhodes was quickly handed a list of quotes that were supposedly from some books that Cain had written.

“I instantly Googled him while he was getting mic’d up,” Rhodes said. “They had a very thin website set up that if you just looked at it quickly, it looked legitimate. I looked at it strongly after the interview and you could tell it was put together kind of last-minute, but there were even books with links to them on Amazon that you could buy, but when you hit the button it always said, ‘File not found.’”

Rhodes didn’t get to meet Cain until they were live, on the air.

“When he walked in the studio, I was literally on the air, so I was meeting him for the first time at that moment,” Rhodes said. “And it was an amazing amount of makeup that was done very well because I am extremely familiar with Sacha Baron Cohen’s work and I have 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

seen ‘Borat’ thousands of times and here I was sitting three feet away from him and the makeup was so good that I had no idea.”

When fans of Cohen hear the interview, many people have asked Rhodes how he didn’t recognize Cohen’s distinct voice.

“Sure. Had I really listened to his voice, specifically listening for the Sacha Baron Cohen’s accent, I would have known it immediately,” Rhodes said. “But that just wasn’t anywhere in my realm of possibility to even think about.”

As the interview began, it seemed normal enough, Rhodes said.

Cohen, posing as Cain, explained to the audience that he believed since the 2016 presidential election that “there has been a divide in the United States,” and he didn’t think the country was “united anymore.”

Cain went on to discuss his appreciation for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and his desire to reconnect middle America with the Democratic Party.

But as the interview continued, Cain began to make some pretty bizarre and offensive comments.

“The majority of gun deaths in this country are done by white supremacists.”

— Sacha Baron Cohen as Dr. Nira Cain During a discussion of terrorism and police brutality, Cain said gang members in this country shouldn’t be treated “like animals.”

“You could easily argue, they are not the only terrorist organization,” Cain said. “Sadly my brother joined a terrorist organization: the U.S. Army.”

Stunned by the comment, Austin asked, “How in the world do you classify the United States Army as a terrorist organization?”

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Cain also surprised Rhodes by stating that Jesus Christ was an “important cultural icon” similar to musician Bob Marley and former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, who was a close advisor of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Those were definitely some controversial statements, but many longtime fans of Cohen would say the character of Cain really started to show his true colors when he told Rhodes that the United States should create a “Burka Day” to be more “welcoming to Muslims.”

“If, for example, there was a national Burka Day where everybody, men and women, wore burkas,” Cain said. “I suffer from critiques and humiliations as a result of my large breasts. I’ve worn a burka before and I feel suddenly free. There is a freeing nature to that... That would be a sign to Muslims that we are welcoming.”

Surprisingly, Rhodes let the “large breasts” comment completely slide by and did not remark on it during the interview.

“I didn’t bite on that,” Rhodes joked.

“That was a missed opportunity for both us. I should have encouraged him to show me.”

During his final segment with Rhodes, Cain cranked it up a notch and touched on several controversial issues such as Native Americans in this country, the Confederate flag and the history of slavery in the South.

Cain told Rhodes that the English pilgrims to this country committed “genocide against the indigenous people.”

Cain also insisted on describing Native Americans as “First People.”

“Native American obviously is very triggering and an offensive term,” Cain said.

Rhodes said, since he was part “Indian,” that he was proud to call himself Native American.

“You are from India?” Cain asked. “Where in India are you from? Calcutta?”

Rhodes once against said he was “Native American.”

“Native American is offensive,” Cain said.

“Say ‘First People.’”

“Native America is offensive?” Rhodes asked.

“Yes,” Cain replied.

“Well, as someone who has got that blood in me, I disagree with that,” Rhodes said. “But that’s fine.” However, Cain wasn’t going to let that go.

“Well, you are wrong,” Cain said to Rhodes. “You are incorrect.”

“Well, no. It’s actually my perspective,” Rhodes replied.

But Cain quickly shot back, “Your perspective is incorrect.”

Now, knowing that Cain was actually Cohen makes this exchange pretty humorous because Cain continued to insist that Rhodes use the term “First People.”

Rhodes responded with a joke, that some might find offensive.

16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

“I believe the casino I was standing in a few months ago had Native American nomenclature all over the place and the term Native American was used by them,” Rhodes said. “And by the way, when I walked up to one and said, ‘Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you?’ They laughed. So, you know.” While Rhodes chuckled at his own joke on air, Cain did not.

“I don’t even understand,” Cain said. “Was that humor?”

Rhodes repeated once again, “Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you?

Hi, how are you?”

Cain still did not laugh.

“That sounds offensive,” Cain replied. “I don’t even understand it.”

After several minutes, Cain returned to the subject of Muslims in America.

“The overwhelming majority of Muslims here are completely peaceful,” Cain said. “It is a peace-loving religion.”

Rhodes seemed surprised, “Are you talking about Muslims?”

Cain said he was indeed.

“That is just not true,” Rhodes said.

“That is true,” Cain retorted. “What percentage of gun deaths in the United States are perpetrated by Muslims? It is .02 percent.”

Rhodes said that percentage was probably that low because Muslims make up only 1 percent of the country’s population.

“The majority of gun deaths in this country are done by white supremacists,” Cain said.

Suddenly, Rhodes wasn’t going to let that comment go unchecked.

“Pardon me?” Rhodes said.

“White supremacists kill far more people than Muslim terrorists,” Cain said. “And the problem is, in a state like Georgia, you have the Confederate flag...”

Rhodes again interrupted Cain to ask, “Where is the Confederate flag?”

“Stone Mountain,” Cain quickly replied.

“Well, I mean, that is a Confederate war memorial and it is historic and it is a spot that folks go to learn about the Civil War,” Rhodes said. “Why wouldn’t there be a flag like that there?”

“Why not just have a pair of Daisy Dukes flying as seen on the show, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ which I believe is the southern version of ‘Roots.’”

— Sacha Baron Cohen as Dr. Nira Cain Once again, Cain decided to crank it up a notch.

“Because you don’t go to Auschwitz and see a swastika up,” Cain said.

But Rhodes argued that Stone Mountain was no Auschwitz.

“You would go to the German Museum of Political History or whatever its equivalent would be and there would be Nazi symbols there,” Rhodes said.

There is a big difference between Nazi symbols in a German museum and the Confederate flag on Stone Mountain, Cain insisted.

“But it would not be flying high,” he said of a swastika flag in Germany. “I went to Stone Mountain and there was a big Confederate flag. There are ways to improve on that. You should not be flying the Confederate flag in Georgia.”

Instead, Cain suggested that the South amend the Confederate flag.

“There are ways to celebrate Southern pride,” Cain said. “I mean, why not have, I mean this will sound ludicrous, but why not have a 10AUGUST2017

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“Why not amend or replace the Confederate flag with an image of Paula Deen on a spit with an apple in her mouth being roasted like a pig. Why not? And underneath her are the words, ‘Never Again.’”

— Sacha Baron Cohen as Dr. Nira Cain pair of Daisy Dukes flying on a pole?”

Once again, Cohen was showing his true self a little bit in his character of Cain.

“Have you been to Stone Mountain?” Rhodes jokingly asked. “There are plenty of Daisy Dukes flying around.”

Cain wanted to push the idea of the Daisy Dukes a bit further.

“Why not just have a pair of Daisy Dukes flying as seen on the show, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ which I believe is the southern version of ‘Roots,’” Cain said.

Rhodes couldn’t help but burst out into laughter with that comment.

“Why is that amusing?” Cain asked, adding that the South needed to come up with a flag that’s not offensive.

“I just don’t think that flag is offensive in the way that you believe that it is,” Rhodes said, referring to the Confederate flag. “Not all people of color are that offended by it.”

Cain said he found that very hard to believe.

“The vast majority of people of color are completely offended by the Confederate flag,” he said. “That is a fact.”

Near the end of their 90-minute discussion, Rhodes attempted to explain his feelings about the Confederate flag.

“I will defend the Confederate flag in that it is a symbol of southern heritage and the refusal of the southern people to take orders from outsiders who basically wanted to have their cake and eat it to,” Rhodes said, referring to the North.

As a result of their discussion, Cain offered another solution.

“I know this is maybe a little subtle but I know the people of Georgia will appreciate the subtext here,” Cain said. “Why not amend or replace the Confederate flag with an image of Paula Deen on a spit with an apple in her mouth being roasted like a pig. Why not? And underneath her are the words, ‘Never Again.’”

Rhodes just laughed and defended the region’s love of southern cooking.

But Cain wasn’t going to give up.

“Just do something that is life-affirming,” Cain said. “Why not have a flag that is full of the image of the most life-affirming thing in the world: the vagina? That’s where we all came from.”

Rhodes once again burst into laughter.

“I want to see you fly that flag and watch the parade that forms right behind you,” Rhodes said, chuckling.

“Well, my wife would provide the image,” Cain responded.

And with that, the “vagina” flag suggestion was the last comment that Cohen, playing the character of Cain, said to Rhodes, both on and off the air.

“He was complaining the entire time that his stomach hurt,” Rhodes said after the interview was over. “And he kept leaving to run to the bathroom during the commercial breaks. He would run out the door and, looking at security footage later on, we could see that he was running into the bathroom with a makeup guy and a makeup case and they were probably touching him up.”

Just after the 6 p.m. commercial break, Cain ran out the door.

“He said, ‘Oh, I feel awful,’ and he runs out and he doesn’t come back,” Rhodes said.

“That is when the producer guy stood at the door and said, ‘He has really taken ill. He has gone into the van and he is lying down. And so we are going to go ahead and call it a day.

Thank you very much.’ And I said, ‘OK. Well, I’m sorry. I hope he feels better.’”

While both Rhodes and Botham thought the abrupt departure was odd, they didn’t really dwell on it.

However, Rhodes had noticed some aspects of the interview that were unusual.

“Toward the end of the interview, I kind of got the idea that something wasn’t on the up 10AUGUST2017

and up. And I mentioned it to Bill. I said, ‘Check these cameras out.’ These were like topend, sophisticated cameras. They were way more sophisticated than any of our television stations would have,” Rhodes said. “Usually, these days, when they come to do an interview like this, it is one camera. If it is a really sophisticated shoot there will be two. This shoot had three cameras, plus two sound people, plus more technical people that I did not see that were outside. So they brought a big crew with them.”

The crew also kept both Rhodes and Botham occupied during the commercial breaks.

“They would fidget with my mic or make an adjustment that they needed me in the studio for, so I couldn’t walk around and see the rest of what was going on outside,” Rhodes said. “They also didn’t want me to have any conversation with Cohen at all, so he would run to the bathroom during every commercial break.”

If it hadn’t been for a savvy local listener, Rhodes said he may not have even discovered that Cohen had paid him a visit.

“Actually, a member of our audience was invited to participate in the ‘Borat’ movie, secretly,” Rhodes said. “In the movie, when Borat was having dinner with those fundamentalist Christians, this guy— who’s a listener — was there as a guest at the dinner.

This guy was at that party and he was from Augusta.”

After the show, the listener contacted Rhodes and told him that he heard them mention the name Todd Schulman.

“He sent me a note and said, ‘I heard you mention the name Todd Schulman, the producer that was working with him. I know that name. You need to look him up,’” Rhodes said. “And when we looked him up, boom, there it was. Todd was a major league collaborator with Sacha Baron Cohen.”

Rhodes said he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“And when I showed Bill Botham the picture, he immediately said, ‘That’s the guy. That’s the guy who spent the entire interview in the studio with me,’” Rhodes said. “Todd was in the studio with him while Sacha Baron Cohen was in the studio with me.”

To this day, Rhodes says he is still in shock over the entire encounter with Cohen.

“I think it’s funny that the biggest brush that Augusta has had so far with real Hollywood was something that was kept completely under wraps,” Rhodes said. “This has the potential of being the biggest project that has ever been done here in the Augusta area. I can’t think of one bigger. Sacha Baron Cohen doesn’t make little movies. So this is a huge deal.”

The one big question that still remains is why Cohen selected Augusta and The Austin Rhodes Show to potentially be featured in a new movie.

“That is a good question,” Rhodes said, adding that all of the possible local connections with people who have worked with Cohen or the producer in the past have not panned out.

“I don’t know why he picked me. Who knows?”

But Rhodes is thrilled that he might have the opportunity to be featured on the big screen.

However, when the footage of the interview is in the hands of Cohen, Rhodes admits that he doesn’t really know what to expect.

“You are always nervous because you have no earthly idea how somebody is going to edit you,” Rhodes said. “And as Bill Botham said, ‘Hollywood does not have a track record of coming to the South and making us look good.’ So that’s a little bit worrisome.

Also, they were rolling on us the entire time, even when we weren’t on the air. But I don’t believe I said anything out of the ordinary. But again, who knows?”

The truth is, Cohen is in complete control of the content, Rhodes said.

“We signed releases, but they came in right while we were going on the air during a commercial break while we were getting mic’d up, and we signed them without even looking at them,” Rhodes said, chuckling. “So I don’t expect any money out of it. I just hope they don’t make us look too bad with the edit. God only knows.”

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Hand in Hand To Roux’s Catering’s Robert Williams, food and music are a lot alike To RobeRT Williams, being in the restaurant business is a lot like being in the music industry.

“A song is very much like a recipe, and a band is like your kitchen staff — your drummer may be your sauté guy — it’s like a line,” he explained. “A group of musicians is like the connection you make working a line with a group of guys and gals. When you make that recipe, you’re trying to duplicate that song. When you’re doing that plate, you’re hoping you’re pulling that song off the same way every time. To me, a lot of those things are very similar.”

It’s not surprising for the owner of Roux’s Catering and The Foundry to make that analogy. Next to food, music is one of the passions of his life. It’s a passion he shares with a few other big names in the downtown food scene, who often travel together on what they call “summer tours.”

This past summer they spend their collective vacations in Chicago seeing a series of shows. The year before, they watched Widespread Panic perform multiple nights at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

And while music is the reason they and their families make these trips, food is never far from anyone’s mind.

“Sean (Wight, owner of Frog Hollow Tavern, Craft & Vine and Farmhaus) and I, when we travel, we will have a food plan really before we plan anything else,” Williams laughed. “We will know two months in advance, ‘Okay, this is where we’re having dinner, this is where we’re having lunch, we’ll do this for breakfast.’ My wife and I are the same way, whether we’re traveling together or with a group of friends. Natalie and I will explore the different things we want to do and it gets to be afternoon and it’s like, ‘Let’s just go someplace and have a drink and a couple of snacks.’ Instead of going to a theme park, we may go belly up to a bar and have a couple of glasses of wine and some small plates. That’s how we kill time.”

Call it continuing education. Call it recon. Whatever it is, Williams always comes back with a ton of ideas and pictures, many of which make it into journals full of ideas he keeps at home.

“That’s as important to me (when traveling for shows): seeing new things, trying new things, eating foods in other parts of the country and, somehow, finding ideas that we can bring back and use in our own businesses,” he said. “My head is so full of all these things that we’ve seen traveling on summer tours, as we call them.”

The challenge, he says, is finding what works for a catering company. A restaurateur would have an easier time taking an idea that he found in another market — whether it be for presentation or a dish with new ingredients, adapting it and placing it on his menu, where 30 people may order it in one night. Williams, on the other hand, has to think about what would happen if a catering client ordered 500 of this new dish, or even 1,000.

“As much as I think about food all the time, and eat food, and try food in different places, it’s trying to find what makes sense for our market,” he said. “The biggest challenge for me, coming from restaurants, is, ‘Could I do a thousand of these? Is it feasible?’ You may get lots of great ideas, but you have to look at it in away that you’re not setting yourself up for failure if somebody orders them.”

That means certain fan favorites will always be available for order on a Roux’s menu, dishes like chicken sticks, quesadillas, and inventively presented versions of childhood favorites like banana pudding and pecan pie. And though catering clients often want to order these tried and true dishes, Williams says he is encouraged by how forward-thinking many of his clients have become. And many are the younger clients, like a more spontaneous bride who has thoroughly researched social media before coming to him and often communicates solely through technology.

It’s the “millennial effect,” and Williams says he sees it everywhere, from the increase in foot traffic downtown to the need for many of his clients to know what exactly is going into the dishes they’re ordering to their desire to have an event in someplace that doesn’t have the impersonal feel of a ballroom in a hotel or conference center.

It’s one reason Williams is so pleased with the public’s response to The Foundry at Rae’s Creek, his new event venue on Boy Scout Road. Open a little more than 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

By Amy Christian

a year and a half, The Foundry is a mix of industrial and farmhouse looks. Guests open the door to what looks like a clubhouse, which then opens into a large event space. In the back is a covered patio with an outdoor fireplace, which is becoming more and more popular with brides.

“The covered patio is a huge asset. It’s one of the things we were adamant about with that design. We wanted an outdoor space but we wanted it to be covered because our weather here is so unpredictable,” he said. “It’s a beautiful setting.

Even in the spring or fall, having the fire going on the back patio makes it such a nice, inviting space to sit, whether it’s raining or not raining. And even in the winter, we have those big heaters so it’s still comfortable.”

Williams and his wife live near The Foundry, so he knew firsthand of the need for an event venue in that part of town. Still, his heart remains in downtown, where Roux’s has been headquartered at the Marbury Center for 18 years.

“At the time it really was a pretty big leap of faith for us, although it was a little bit more interesting then,” he admitted. “Coco (Rubio) was doing what he was doing at the Soul Bar and Mike (Schepis) was doing his thing down at Pizza Joint. Pizza Joint was still in its original location, so, when we moved into the Marbury Center, there was really nothing here except for Sunshine Bakery. Barry (Blackston) was doing his thing with Nacho Mama’s, so there were a few things bringing people downtown, but nothing like it is now.”

Williams has seen downtown come a long way and is optimistic that it will continue to grow with the construction of two new hotels. He has plenty of ideas for helping that growth along, from more parking to making concessions and restrooms more accessible at the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre when events like Friends With Benefits’ recent Gov’t Mule and Galactic shows were being held there. He even wants the James Brown Arena replaced with something more modern at the same 10AUGUST2017

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location, something that includes a James Brown Museum on site.

Williams, however, would settle for people just appreciating what their town has to offer.

“I am so not a part of this Disgusta crowd. It annoys the fool out of me,” he said, shaking his head. “When you think of the way we’re moving with all the cyber and NSA stuff, all the growth we’ve had, and the continued growth of the university, some of the acts that have come to town, the great restaurants we have, Augusta is becoming somewhat of a destination place. It may not be a place you go for a week, but I think it’s a hell of a good place to come for a weekend and eat at some good quality restaurants.

There is a lot that Augusta offers now.

I’ve always been proud to say I’m from Augusta but I’m even more proud now because I think we are moving in the right direction.”

And just like Augusta, Williams says he getting to the point where he’s ready for a little growth of his own in the form of his own restaurant.

“I think about it all the time, and I think I’m closer now to doing it than I have been in 20 years,” he said. “I’ve finally gotten to the point where I think I’m ready for that next adventure when it comes to the restaurant side of things. I haven’t completely jumped in whole hog yet, but I’m closer mentally than I have ever been. It is something I miss. First and foremost, I’m a line cook.

I’m not a fancy chef, I’m a line cook and that’s where I’m most comfortable: on a line with a group of guys and gals on Friday night just getting our ass handed to us. That’s what I found great pleasure in. I miss it to this day.”

One of the reasons he feels that now (or soon) may be a good time for opening a restaurant is that he sees

10AUGUST2017

many diners moving away from chains and toward locally owned neighborhood joints. Which is great, except that the sameness and consistency of chain restaurants can’t often be duplicated by locally owned restaurants.

“And this kind of goes back to my analogy of a band,” he said. “You could go see Widespread Panic every night for a month.

No two shows are going to be exactly the same. They’re going to miss a note here and there, one version of this song is going to be better than another version of the song they play later on in the tour, but, all in all, it’s still a good experience. I’m not going to stop because something was off. Every restaurant I’ve been to in town, at one time or another, has had an off night.

It just happens. It’s the way life is. It’s hard to be perfect all the time.”

For more information about Roux’s Catering, the Marbury Center and The Foundry at Rae’s Creek, visit rouxscatering.com or thefoundryaugusta.com.

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METROSPIRIT 19

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What’S up

Calendar: 22 | Music Listings: 32 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com.

FirSt in Line! the Sun iS FinaLLy Setting on the law that requires breweries in Georgia to sell tours of their facilities with “free” tastings, rather than just sell people beer.

That’s right, on September 1, you’ll be able to go to one of Augusta’s two local breweries and just buy a beer.

That may sound like a small thing, but it’s been a long time (and a lot of lobbying) in the making and Riverwatch Brewery is ready to celebrate. So they’ve teamed up with Goodwill of Middle Georgia & the CSRA to raffle off their first pint pour on September 1.

Those who buy a $10 raffle ticket won’t just get a chance to win the first pour, however. They’ll also receive a table dinner for eight at Edgar’s Grille, which is worth about $500, two tickets to Goodwill’s 2018 reNew & Brew event, and $5 off the last Riverwatch Brewery tour on Augusta 31, which also happens to be the day of the drawing.

Tickets are available at Riverwatch Brewery or Edgar’s Grille, so don’t miss this opportunity to win big, make history and support Goodwill’s job training and career development services.

For more information about the First Pint Pour Raffle, visit goodwillworks.org/firstpint.

Friday, aug 11

Saturday, aug 12

Monday, aug 14

thurSday, aug 17

To raise money, the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce decided to do something completely different: Host a lip sync battle and karaoke dance party tonight from 7 - 11pm at the North Augusta Community Center. Groups of two can enter the battle for $100, but, if you don’t have that much courage, regular tickets are still available for $25. To see a bunch of North Augusta business people singing and dancing up a storm is either brilliant or terrifying. We just hope they’re serving alcohol.

Ever wondered how to cook a whole pig?

Ever wanted to go to a pig picking without having to do all that work yourself? Well, Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills, Lanier’s Fresh Meat Market and Waylon’s Wicked Good Q are teaming up to offer a class and pig picking today at noon at Fireside. It’ll be delicious and messy and worth every penny of the $5 ticket, especially when all the proceeds go to Heritage Academy.

Rather than just go outside on August 21, look up at the sky and hope you see something (without blinding yourself), wouldn’t it be nice to actually know what you’re doing? Head to the Aiken Public Library today at 2:30 p.m. and you’ll be fully prepared for the upcoming eclipse. Neil Miller, professor of physics at USC Aiken, will share the history of eclipses and how to safely view the upcoming event.

He probably shouldn’t have to tell you not to stare directly into the sun, but he probably will anyway.

Did you know there’s an Oldways African Heritage Diet Pyramid that stresses reliance on vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains and seafood as a way to better health? You can learn all about it at a three-series class that begins tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Icebox Urban Farms and is led by Chefs LaDonna Doleman and LaRahna Hughes. The series will end with an all-day cooking retreat on a Saturday in September. Spots are limited and pre-registration is required. Visit augustaloallygrown.org.

For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 22.

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2pm Becoming a Genealogy Detective

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival Badges for Arts in the Heart, held September 7-10 at the Augusta Common and on Broad Street, are on sale now. Badges, good for the entire weekend, are $7 in advance and $12 at the gate. artsintheheartofaugusta.com

Headquarters Branch Library A Legacy Family Tree webinar. Call 706-8212615 or visit arcpls.org.

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

Thu Aug 17

11:30am Technology Investment: Seven Things You Must Do to Make Your Company a Productivity Rockstar Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce A Third Thursday Business Builder lunch meeting sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and featuring presenter Kevin Wade, president/CEO of IntelliSystems. Lunch is provided. Free, chamber members; $15, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.

5:30pm Microsoft Excel Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

7pm General Pershing Builds an Army

ARTS Thu Aug 10

10:30am - 12:30pm Pottery 175 N. Louisville St., Harlem A four-session Harlem Arts Council class that continues Thursdays through August 31. $80; pre-registration required. Call 706394-4682 or visit harlemartscouncil.org.

Sat Aug 12

10am - 2pm Pastel Horse Workshop Aiken Center for the Arts No previous experience necessary and all supplies are included. Participants should bring a lunch or snack. $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.

10:30am - noon Weaving 175 N. Louisville St., Harlem A two-session Harlem Arts Council class that continues Saturday, August 19. $20; pre-registration required. Call 706-556-1984 or visit harlemartscouncil.org.

Mon Aug 14

10am - noon Oil Painting 175 N. Louisville St., Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class. $20 per class; pre-registration required. Call 706-5566656 or visit harlemartscouncil.org.

EDUCATION Thu Aug 10

10:30am Get to Know Your PINES Account 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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

12:30pm - 4:30pm SRS Tour Aiken County Applied Research Center Includes a safety briefing, tour of the Savannah River Ecology Lab and general driving tour of the site. Free and open to those 18 or older who are U.S. citizens and have two forms of ID. Call 803-952-8994 or visit srs.gov/general/tour/public.htm.

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

7pm Beginning Sign Language University Hospital An eight-week class that meets weekly through November 3. $45, text; $50, tuition.

Pre-registration required. Call 706-738-2095 or visit universityhealth.org.

7pm The North Augusta Homefront and the GI Bill in WWI North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library A presentation by Don Rhodes. Call 803279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Sat Aug 12

9am Financial Education Kroc Center An EmpowerU class from Fifth Third Bank

that includes information on budgeting, saving for a house, building your credit and more. Held the second Saturday of each month. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.

North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library A presentation by Dane Coffman. Call 803279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Ongoing

Professional Development Courses

Sun Aug 13

3:30pm Learning from Self-Made Wealthy Columbia County Library A financial awareness class. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.

Tue Aug 15

11:30am Women in Business Luncheon Legends Club An Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event that will begin with networking at 11:30 a.m. and will continue with the luncheon and “To Be a Caregiver: The Journey of Elder Care,” a talk by Megan Rhea of the Area Agency on Aging. $30, members; $40, non-members. Call 706-8211300 or visit augustametrochamber.com.

7pm African American Soldiers in WWI North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library A presentation by Janet Hudson. Call 803279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Wed Aug 16

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

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

Guided Tours 1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

10am Computer Boot Camp: Part II

North Augusta Driving Tour

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

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 10AUGUST2017

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

Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

1pm “A Dog’s Purpose” Aiken Public Library Part of the Dog Days of Summer movie series.

Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Fri Aug 11

2pm Movie Time Maxwell Branch Library Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

Sat Aug 12

11am Movie Time Maxwell Branch Library A rated G or PG kid-friendly movie will show.

Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Aug 15

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

Visit arcpls.org.

Tue Aug 15

HEALTH

Columbia Museum of Art An historic preservation presentation

by Lauren Dillion, executive designer of Master of Plaster Finishing Systems. Visit columbiamuseum.org.

7pm - 8:30pm Happiest Baby on the Block

6pm Master of Plaster

FLIX Thu Aug 10

11am Movie for Special Needs Diamond Lakes Branch Library

Thu Aug 10

Doctors Hospital An infant care and sleep class for new parents. Pre-registration required. Call 706651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

7pm - 8:30pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Fri Aug 11

Sat Aug 12

University Hospital Class continues Saturday, August 12, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

A weekend childbirth education class that continues Sunday, August 13, from 1-5 p.m.

Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth 9am - 4:30pm Short and Sweet Education Class Doctors Hospital

Wine Tasting Vineyard Wine Market, Evans Fri Aug 11 and Sat Aug 12 5-7 p.m.

706-922-9463 vine11.com

10:30am Childbirth Tour AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augustahealth.org.

Mon Aug 14

4pm Breast Self-Exam Class University’s Breast Health Center Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.

6:30pm Refit Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Aug 15

2pm Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Class University Hospital A class that offers information, diagnostic exams, lab work, a personal plan and more.

Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org.

4:30pm - 6pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

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11am Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

2pm Lego Club Headquarters Branch Library Legos provided. Pre-registration recommended.

Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Mon Aug 14

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.

Create with Me: Beach Critters Morris Museum of Art Thu Aug 10 10:30am Part of the Mommy and Me series for children and parents in which participants will view the painting “Afternoon at the Beach, Chesapeake Bay,” by Gladys Nelson Smith, and make their own sea creature. Free, members; $4 per participants, non-members. Preregistration required.

706-828-3867 themorris.org

5pm Family Board Game Night Friedman Branch Library Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Aug 15

10am Big Kid Story Time Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 3-6. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Wed Aug 16 Wed Aug 16

10:30am - 1pm Wellness Checks Headquarters Branch Library Free blood pressure checks, blood sugar screenings and information provided by Christ Community Health Services. Call 706-821-2600 or visit arcpls.org.

5pm Breastfeeding Class

Sat Aug 12

Noon The Whole Pig: A Pig Picking Cooking Class Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills A class offered by Fireside, Lanier’s Fresh Meat Market and Waylon’s Wicked Good Q. Tickets, $5, needed to attend. Proceeds go to Heritage Academy. Call 706-722-3939 or visit firesideoutdoorkitchens.com.

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

Mon Aug 14

6pm - 7:30pm Infant CPR: AHA Friends and Family

Columbia County Library A group for those of all abilities. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

AUHealth Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.

3pm Genealogy Club

Wed Aug 16

1pm Adult Color Explosion

AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.

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

Thu Aug 17

Thu Aug 17

6:45 Childbirth Tour

7pm - 8:30pm Babies, Bumps and Bruises Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

HOBBIES Thu Aug 10

10:30am Crafting for Adults Friedman Branch Library All material provided. Pre-registration required.

Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.

24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

5:30pm - 7:30pm Oldways African Heritage and Health Cooking Class Series Icebox Urban Farm A series of three Thursday night classes that ends with an all-day cooking retreat on a Saturday in September. Led by Chefs LaDonna Doleman and LaRahna Hughes. Pre-registration required. Visit augustaloallygrown.org.

6:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club The Book Tavern

A club open to all ages and skill levels.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own chess sets. Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.

KIDS-TEENS Thu Aug 10

10:30am Create with Me: Beach Critters Morris Museum of Art Part of the Mommy and Me series for children and parents in which participants will view the painting “Afternoon at the Beach, Chesapeake Bay,” by Gladys Nelson Smith, and make their own sea creature.

Free, members; $4 per participants, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-3867 or visit themorris.org.

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

10am Story Time for Tots Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 0-3. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

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

10am Worldly Wednesday Story Time

6pm - 8pm Art Appreciation

Wallace Branch Library For those ages 2 and up. Pre-registration required for groups. Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

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

10:05am Toddler Craft Time

Sat Aug 12

9:30am - 11am Children’s Hike with Story Time Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Pre-registration required. Call 706-396-1424 or visit phinizycenter.org.

10am - 2pm Back to School Splash Bash Smith Hazel Pool, Aiken An event in which admission to the pool is $1 and school supplies are free. The first 30 children will receive a free book bag. Those under 13 must be accompanied by a parent.

Call 803-293-7851.

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.

10:30am Preschool Story Time Appleby Branch Library Songs, finger plays and stories for those ages 18 months to 3 years. Pre-registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

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

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706.724.8840 AugustaPowderCoating.com

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

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11am - 12:30pm Homeschool Hub Book Club North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Homeschoolers of all ages are invited to read a fiction or non-fiction book about space and then share it with the group.

An activity will follow, and participants are invited to bring a lunch. Call 803-279-5767, ext. 1541, or visit abbe-lib.org.

1:30pm Kids Summer Yoga Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.

5pm - 6:30pm Unplug and Play for Teens Diamond Lakes Branch Library No electronic devices allowed. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Thu Aug 17

5pm TAG Teen Advisory Group Aiken Public Library Help plan teen programs, choose new materials and earn volunteer hours. Open to ages 13-18. Call Jennifer at 803-642-2020, ext. 1141, for more information.

Ongoing

Fabulous Friday Homeschool Jessye Norman School of the Arts Two eight-week sessions are available for homeschool children ages 6 through teens.

Each Friday begins with fitness at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and then art classes from noon-2 p.m. Participants are organized into two groups according to age. The first session is Augusta 18-October 6; the second is October 13-December 8. $100, each session; pre-registration required. Call 706828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.

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

LITERARY Thu Aug 10

6:30pm It’s the End of the World As We Know It Book Club The Book Tavern “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury will be discussed. Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.

Sat Aug 12

1pm - 3pm Book Signing Augusta Museum of History Featuring “In Their Own Words: Augusta and Aiken Area Veterans Remember World 26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

War II.” Books will be for sale for $25. Visit thearchs.org.

6:30pm Poetry Matters Open Mic The Book Tavern The subject of this discussion and open mic will be race. Email poetrymattersproject@ gmail.com or visit csrapoetrymatters. wordpress.com.

Ongoing

Month-Long Book Sale Appleby Branch Library Held in the story hour room through August 31. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

Let’s Talk About It: The Play’s the Thing Aiken Public Library A book club in which participants will read three plays, watch their film adaptations and then discuss the difference. The series meets Tuesdays, September 19-December 5. Preregistration is required. Call 803-642-2020, ext.

1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.

MUSIC

northaugustachamber.org.

Sat Aug 12

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.

8pm and 9pm “Dark Shadows” 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.

Thu Aug 10

Sun Aug 13

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

Springfield Baptist Church Featuring guest speaker Pastor Karlton Howard. Visit sbcaugusta.org.

Sat Aug 12

Mon Aug 14

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.

Aiken Public Library Neil Miller, professor of physics at USC Aiken, will share the history of eclipses and how to safely view the August 21 eclipse. This presentation involves going outside to discuss where and how to best view the eclipse. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

6pm Adult Guitar Club

8am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing

4pm Southern Perfume Aiken Public Library A concert by Cathy Benedetto to celebrate adult summer reading 2017. Call 803-6422020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

SENIORS Thu Aug 17

1pm Got 30 Minutes?

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

SPECIAL EVENTS Fri Aug 11

7pm - 11pm Lip Sync Battle and Karaoke Dance Party North Augusta Community Center A fundraiser for the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. Groups of two can enter the lip sync battle for $100. Tickets to the event are $20, advance; $25, online and at the door. Call 803-279-2323 or visit

3pm 230th Anniversary

2:30pm Eclipse Program

Tue Aug 15

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

Wed Aug 16

4:30pm Walk with Wallace Wallace Branch Library An all-ages program in which residents of the Laney-Walker neighborhood are invited to bring pictures and mementos to share.

Call 706-722-6275 or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

First Pint Pour Raffle Riverwatch Brewery A fundraiser for Goodwill’s job training and career development services in which $10

raffle tickets will be sold for the following prizes: The first pint poured at Riverwatch Brewery after a new law that allows breweries to sell directly to consumers goes into effect, a table dinner for eight at Edgar’s Grille (a $500 value); and two tickets to Goodwill’s 2018 reNew & Brew event. The raffle tickets will also get the person buying $5 off a Riverwatch tour on August 31, the last day of tours and the day of the drawing. Raffle tickets available at Riverwatch Brewery and Edgar’s Grill. Visit goodwillworks.org/firstpint.

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival Badges for Arts in the Heart, held September 7-10 at the Augusta Common and on Broad Street, are on sale now.

Badges, good for the entire weekend, are $7 in advance and $12 at the gate. Visit artsintheheartofaugusta.com.

SPIRITUAL Sat Aug 12

4pm - 5:30pm Can We Talk About?

Jessye Norman School of the Arts A four-week series of roundtable discussions, this week talking about the nobility of man. Organized by Baha’is from Augusta and Columbia County, this discussion is free and open to the public.

Visitfacebook.com/pg/augusta.bahais.

SPORTS-OUTDOORS Sat Aug 12

9am - 1pm Clean Up Augusta Trash and tire cleanups will be held across the community, including at the following: Lock and Dam Park, Pendleton King Park, Brigham Center, Jamestown Community Center, Butler Creek, Eisenhower Park and Diamond Lakes Community Center.

Trash bags, gloves and lunch are provided.

To sign up, call 706-826-8991 or visit savannahriverkeeper.org/cleanups.

9:30am - noon Swamp Bike Saturday Phinizy Swamp Nature Park A guided bike ride through approximately seven miles of wetland trials. Helmets and pre-registration required. Free, members; $2, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1426 or visit phinizycenter.org.

Tue Aug 15

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs.

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

Wed Aug 16

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs.

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

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sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.

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

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

THEATER Thu Aug 10

7pm “Don’t Dress for Dinner” 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.

Fri Aug 11

230th Anniversary Springfield Baptist Church Sun Aug 13 3pm Featuring guest speaker Pastor Karlton Howard. sbcaugusta.org

Thu Aug 17

7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs.

Columbia Fireflies

loved ones. Lunch is provided. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-721-2681 or visit augusta.edu.

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

Mon Aug 14

Ongoing

University’s Breast Health Center Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.

Fencing Classes Augusta Fencers Club Registration is now open for Introduction to Foil Fencing, a 10-week set of courses for ages 6 and older that begins the week of September 11. Those ages 6-9 will meet Thursdays beginning September 14 at 5 p.m.; Ages 10-13 will meet Mondays at 5 p.m. beginning September 11; and those ages 14 and older will meet Mondays at 7 p.m. beginning September 11. $180; all competitive equipment provided. Call 706722-8878 or visit augustafencersclub.com.

SUPPORT Thu Aug 10

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

Fri Aug 11

6pm Pink Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group

Tue Aug 15

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.

Thu Aug 17

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

Ongoing

11am ALS Support Lunch and Learn

Recovery International Mental Health Support Group

AU’s ALS Clinic This support group gives individuals an opportunity to share their personal experiences and learn more about strategies for preserving the independence and quality of life for ALS patients and their

Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A weekly group that meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. Based on the work of Abraham Low, MD, RI offers its members a low cost method to regain and maintain their mental health by using mental health through will

28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

7pm “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

training. People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other symptoms.

Email marykahb@yahoo.com.

La Leche League 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.

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

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 706863-9534 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

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.

7:30pm “Outside Mullingar” Aiken Community Playhouse $20, adults; $17, seniors and active military; $12, students; $7, children. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

Sat Aug 12

7pm “Don’t Dress for Dinner” 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.

7:30pm “Outside Mullingar” Aiken Community Playhouse $20, adults; $17, seniors and active military; $12, students; $7, children. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

Sun Aug 13

3pm “Outside Mullingar” Aiken Community Playhouse $20, adults; $17, seniors and active military; $12, students; $7, children. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

Wed Aug 16 7pm Auditions

Masters City Radio Theater Company 10AUGUST2017

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The theater company has nine male roles, seven female roles, a host and an announcer available for an upcoming production. Preregistration recommended. Visit mcrtc.org.

Ongoing

“Eli’s Bethlehem Inn” Auditions Enopion Theatre Company Appointments for auditions for the company’s annual Christmas dinner show are now being scheduled and will begin August 28. The website lists monologues, rehearsals and show times for those considering auditioning. Call 706-771-7777 or visit enopion.com.

65th Anniversary Time Capsule Aiken Community Playhouse The theatre group is seeking donations to seal in a time capsule to honor its 65 anniversary. The time capsule will be opened in 2052 when the ACP marks its 100th anniversary. The deadline for donations is August 25.

Email wolt1545@gmail.com or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

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That Place Coffee - Open Mic w/ J. Martin-Moses

Friday, August 11 Live Music

Bell Auditorium - Keith Sweat, Jon B Cotton Patch - Live Jazz Country Club- Josh Phillips Coyotes - Jake Dodds Fox’s Lair - Allen and Kim Smith The Highlander - Trust in Traitors, Wreaking Havoc, Primo Noctic Imperial Theatre - Ed Turner and Number 9 Joe’s Underground - The Nyne2Fivers Metro Pub & Coffeehouse - Downtown Mixup The Red Pepper (Aiken) - Anybody’s Guess Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Keith Gregory Shannon’s - The Unmentionables Sky City - Stereotype, Chainsaw Masscara Southbound Smokehouse- Mason Jars Stillwater Taproom - Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project Wild Wing - Bethany & Friends The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

Corey Smith Bell Auditorium Sat Aug 12 8pm $24-$29 877-4AUGTIX georgialinatix.com

What’s Tonight?

Soul Bar - Soul Bar Sound Lab

Saturday, August 12 Live Music

8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Backyard Tavern - Mark Jones Bell Auditorium - Corey Smith Cotton Patch - Live Jazz Country Club- Cody Webb Fox’s Lair - Celia Gary Imperial Theatre - Ed Turner and Number 9 Shannon’s - Hello Betty Band Sky City - Funk You, Soul Mechanic Southbound Smokehouse- Half-Seas Over Stillwater Taproom - Lee Landers Wild Wing - Moby Dick The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Ippie Music

What’s Tonight?

Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke Humanitree House- Karaoke Joe’s Underground - Party with the Soul City Sirens Sally’s - Oliver Clothesoff, Stephanee Paulina Chanel

Sunday, August 13 Live Music

Augusta Common - Candlelight Jazz Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Iron Horse- Vicky Grady Wild Wing - Mike Reid Duo The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

Renshaw Davies Soul Bar Mon Aug 14 Doors, 8 p.m.; show, 10 p.m. soulbar.com

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson

Thursday, August 10 Live Music

The Alley (Aiken) - Amp the Alley w/ Alec Krok Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Mellow Mushroom (Augusta) - Chris Ndeti & Mark Janousek Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - Shep & Jeff The Red Pepper (Aiken) - Mike Frost Band Sky City - Bethany Davis’ Fam Jam w/ Special Guests

32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

Soul Bar - Stoni Taylor, Victor Charlie Wild Wing - Alchemy The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House

What’s Tonight?

Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane

Monday, August 14 Live Music

The Highlander - Acoustic Mondays Iron Heights- I Set My Friends on Fire, Arsonists Get All the Girls, West Cliffs, Circuit of Suns Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words Soul Bar - Renshaw Davies

What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night

Tuesday, August 15 Live Music

Country Club- Hot August Nights Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Iron Heights- As Animals Eat My Insides, Nothing to Offer Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck

What’s Tonight?

The Highlander - Game Night World of Beer - Karaoke

Wednesday, August 16 Live Music

The Highlander - ABBA Baby Daddy; Open Mic Shannon’s - Shameless Dave Soul Bar - Jazz Night w/ Mike Tanksley Wild Wing - Dave Love

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Capri Lounge - Game Night Chevy’s - DJ Richie Rich Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Sky City - Conspiracy w/ DJ Knightmare Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz World of Beer - Trivia

Upcoming Clair Storm Cabaret Show

- Sally’s August 18 Ed Turner and Number 9

- Imperial Theatre August 19 JJ Grey & Mofro

- Country Club August 24 Brian Regan

- Bell Auditorium August 25 Bobby Bones

- Imperial Theatre August 26 Clair Storm Cabaret Show

- Sally’s August 26 An Evening with the Vicky Grady Band

- Metro Pub & Coffeehouse August 31 Riverwalk Revival w/ Ben Folds

- Jessye Norman Amphitheater September 1 Ricky Scaggs and Kentucky Thunder

- Imperial Theatre September 8 Diggin’ It Music Festival w/ I Am Spartacus, Brooke McBride, Trust in Traitors

- Columbia County Amphitheater September 9 Clint Black

- Evans Towne Center Park September 14 Mary J. Blige

- James Brown Arena September 16 Tank

- Sky City September 19 Michelle Malone & Drag the River, Silvertown

- Sky City September 29 An Evening with Chris Robinson Brotherhood

- Sky City October 3 Kevin Hart

- Bell Auditorium October 7-8 10AUGUST2017

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- Bell Auditorium October 21 Kansas

- Bell Auditorium October 25

Elsewhere Mary Chapin Carpenter, Luncinda Williams

- Chastain Park, Atlanta August 10 John Mayer

- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta August 10 The Major Rager w/ Umphrey’s McGee, Moon Taxi

- Symphony Park, Charlotte, NC August 10 Isley Brothers, Keith Sweat, Kid N Play, Evelyn Champagne King

- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta August 12 Matchbox Twenty, Counting Crows

- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta August 13 Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey

- Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth August 13 Tig Notaro

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta August 13 Donald Fagen

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta August 16 Lyle Lovett

- Symphony Hall, Atlanta August 19 Earth, Wind and Fire, Nile Rodgers

- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta August 19 Deep Purple, Alice Cooper

- Chastain Park, Atlanta August 21 Social Distortion

- The Tabernacle, Atlanta August 23 Ed Sheeran

- Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth August 25-26 Patti LaBelle

- Wolf Creek Amphitheater, Atlanta August 26 Dionne Warwick

- Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre, Peachtree City August 26

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.

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

Meet sexy

10AUGUST2017 new friends

FREE TRIAL

706-434-0112

AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Nick Cason, Todd Peters, Kyle Hicks and Kyndall Cooper at the Gov’t Mule and Galactic concert at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater.

Lauren Baker, Halie McKinley and Hank Wharton at the Gov’t Mule and Galactic concert at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater.

Jonathan Marshall, Cori Eicher and Oliver Maloney at the Gov’t Mule and Galactic concert at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater.

Brittany Sterling, Danielle Shuler and Jessica Butler at the Country Club.

Kasey Humson, Alexis Ahsley, Canaan Smith and Megan Bodine at the Country Club.

Rich Williamson, Dani Candy and Stephen Mobley at the Country Club.

Brittany Phillips, Erica Auffrey and Lindsay Phillips at the Country Club.

Natalie Wynn, Calysta Medley, Kellie Pitts and Mary Charlotte Leichc at the Country Club.

Amber Miller, Adam Wojik and Hannah Williams at the Pizza Joint downtown.

34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

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THE EIGHT

BOX TOPS RANK TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK

1

THE DARK TOWER

$19,153,698

$19,153,698

1

-

2

DUNKIRK

$17,135,246

$133,090,984

3

1

3

THE EMOJI MOVIE

$12,005,409

$49,107,113

2

2

4

GIRLS TRIP

$11,401,495

$85,426,515

3

3

5

KIDNAP

$10,016,323

$10,016,323

1

-

In Theaters August 11

HORROR

“Annabelle: Creation,” rated R, starring Miranda Otto, Stephanie Sigman, Lulu Wilson, Talitha Bateman, Anthony LaPaglia. This, the second in the “Annabelle” series, is “the next chapter in ‘The Conjuring’ Universe.” Seriously? Sure, Marvel gets to have a universe because there are, like, a gagillion superheroes in their stable.

But a mediocre horror franchise? No. But, for those of you interested, we’ll just say that a nun with several girls from a closed orphanage should have never accepted housing from a grieving dollmaker and his wife, along with his creepy creation. That’s just a recipe for disaster.

36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989

DRAMA

“The Glass Castle,” rated PG-13, starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts. If you loved last year’s “Captain Fantastic” (and if you haven’t seen it, find it and watch now), then you’re likely to enjoy “The Glass Castle,” the story of the successful and wealthy adult child of a starving artist mother and an alcoholic father. Jeannette, it appears, must make peace with her family, but is reluctant to reenter their lives. We’re betting on a teary ending to this one.

FAMILY

“The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature,” rated PG, starring Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl, Maya Rudolph, Jackie Chan, Bobby Moynihan, Jeff Dunham, Gabriel Iglesias. All the cute little animals who live in the city park find out the mayor is about to bulldoze their homes to make way for an amusement park. A plan is soon underway to outwit the dumb humans. We think they’re going to win.

10AUGUST2017

Chris Huffman V.P. ABR, CSP President’s Club Office 706-869-6989 Cell 706-495-6657

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