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Table of Contents August 17 2017
Whine Line 4 Jenny is Wright 6 Kris Fisher 8 Insider 10 Feature 14 Cuisine Scene Arts Metro Week What’s Up Calendar Nightlife Sightings The Eight
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
20 22 24 25 26 32 34 36
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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There’s a reason why realtors tell newcomers that it’s best to buy a home in Columbia County. It’s called the Augusta Commission. Who, by the way, is about to slap property owners with ANOTHER tax increase. Augusta Animal Service should patrol the streets of James drive and Turkey Trail drive in South Augusta and see all the emaciated pit bull dogs people have chained in their yards. This breed of dog need to be outlawed because there are too many of them showing up in shelters because their owners don’t take care of them and breed these dangerous dogs for fighting or sell the puppies.
Will you stupid car club idiots stop racing each other on our highways? It’s not cool that you are putting other motorist at risk with your illegal and careless driving. Do you ever wonder why the public has such a negative perception of y’all? You are out there reinforcing it every day
So, we waste money to tear down a historic building downtown, AKA the old jail, to build a hotel. The building is gone but it seems there has been no progress on the hotel. Hyatt House’s location has hit the ground running, while we all sit back and watch the corner of 9th and Reynolds look like a scene from The Walking Dead. Maybe, just maybe, now since the Chronicle has been sold the “owner” will use part of his $120 MILLION profit to actually start building a “hotel”. With that being said, has anyone watched the news lately? North or South Korea, I can’t recall which one, is PISSED!!! IT’S GOIGNG DOWN....LIKE THE JAIL!!!
We have the right to not like people for any reason we choose!!!!! All the protests and brainwashing to attempt to force us to love each other will never work. Force me and I will rebel.
I wonder if that Walton Way strip that drove away the restaurants is trying to empty out to hope to sell to others who want property to build more eateries? But what a rotten way to do business!
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.
If Hillary Clinton becomes a Methodist pastor we’re all going to hell in a hand basket...watch the offering plate closely. Can the drivers in the CSRA please stop blocking the intersections. Especially at Wrightsboro Rd. at the Augusta Mall. This is very irritating when driver’s have the green light and cannot proceed forward because you are impatient. During our current spat with North Korea, it’s difficult to determine which is the biggest idiot - the little fat boy in charge of North Korea, or the old fat man in charge of the United States. It looks like the protesters of the march started the aggression in Charlottesville,, Va. But all of the attention is on the group trying to march peacefully and calling them out as haters. The marchers have a right to demonstrate even if the “Good People” object! The condition escalated out of control but look close to see the true haters and trouble makers. The haters outnumbered the marchers and the pack mentality gives cowards courage. The next war will not be against North Korea. The next war will be americans against americans.
Actually this president is doing something we all benefit from. He plays golf all the time. We benefit from that, because as long as he’s on the course, he is not making desicions. Columbia County residents may be wealthier than us folks in Richmond County--but that doesn’t mean you are smarter and more well mannered. I was in the CC Library today and was nearly trampled by some kids who apparently had no adult supervision and were quite rude and obnoxious. ‘Why’ was I not surprised that Ron Cross voted ‘in favor’ of the 297-home new development ‘Kettle Creek’ on Wrightsboro Road. Don’t you remember a few months ago [in the CC water bill insert’] where you wrote that you and the Commission have realized that we finally need to have more carefully planned development. Stuffing another neighborhood of 297 homes on the already congested Wrightsboro Road is NOT ‘smart planning’ nor a ‘safe vision’ for the future of Columbia County. Thank you to the three commissioners [Richardson / Morris / Allen] who said ‘No’ to this. While we wait six months to see the developer reapply.... maybe Ron can come up with a strategic plan on how to first widen the Wrightsboro corridor to accommodate future growth rather than the backwards way of approving the neighborhood and then saying again... ‘We know we have traffic problems in Columbia County’. 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
17AUGUST2017
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tuesdays with amy Jenny is Wright I’ve told y’all about my people. I’ve probably told you too much. For the most part, you know me pretty well. You might have too much information about my kids, and I’ve written some pretty darn sappy things about The Man. I’ve talked about my mom and my dad, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned my wonderful in-laws from time to time. Six and a half years ago, when I first started doing this little weekly gig, I had zero clue. Some of you might say that’s still the case, but we can deal with that another day (or never). Joe White convinced me to get going and just write, saying “Who cares what people think?” If you know him, that won’t surprise you. If you’re reading, you know I gave up on that a long time ago. We had a plan. I’d submit a column every week, with the deadline being Thursday. That gave the staff plenty of time to get organized, because print day is Tuesday. Great plan, right? I’d stress about that deadline, sweating if I was running late on Thursdays. One week, an understanding soul said, “You really can have until Friday, if that helps.” That might’ve been her biggest mistake. From that point forward, Friday was my new deadline. Insert eyeroll emoji. Friday turned into Saturday, which didn’t last long. Sunday wasn’t ever an option. Monday was the it day for probably a year. It was an easy way to start my week. Until it wasn’t. One day, the same soul said, “I mean, we don’t go to the printer until Tuesday, so relax. Just get it to me by, say, 3pm tomorrow, and we will be all good.” Welcome Tuesday deadline. That’s also the day the paper goes to the printer. Yep, I might be a jerk. She swears I’m not. She also always tells me my columns are good, even when I know they’re not. If I’m traveling or dealing with whatever life hands out, she offers to put an old column in, just to give me a break. Because of weekly deadlines, she’s known most everything about me, often before others do.
There have been days she’s had to remind me. “You do know it’s Tuesday, right,” she says. Once or twice, or maybe a few more times than that, I actually have not known it’s Tuesday. That probably seems crazy, in today’s digital age, but I’m willing to admit I might be crazy. She’d likely agree. She’d never tell me though. Even when I do know it’s Tuesday, I often don’t have a clue about what I’ll be writing that day. What can I say? I work better under pressure. She pretends to understand. What y’all don’t know, is how much she’s done for The Metro Spirit. What she’s done for the paper, she’s done for Augusta. She’s done all that, and more, for me. I haven’t talked about her much, but she’s one of my people. She’s moving on, though, as people do, and she will be dearly missed. Here’s to the best editor a girl could have. Your talent, patience and kindness have not gone unnoticed. We still need to do lunch. I’m here, if you ever need someone to remind you when it’s Tuesday. I’ll miss my Tuesdays with Amy. Love and best of luck with your new endeavor. Cheers! 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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it’s a doggy dogg World Kris fisher Some friendS of ourS went out of town for an extended weekend last weekend. They were going to board their dog and, knowing how much they love their pet, we offered to take the dog for the weekend. I remember the level of anxiety I had while boarding my fur baby in the past and knew that it’d be a huge relief for our friends if they knew their dog was in loving hands. Besides, I love being able to help, when I can. We were happy to do it. Day 1: My friends took off on their journey before I got home from work, so they left me a key to pick up their lil’ guy on my way home, which I forgot to do. This isn’t going good already! After a long and grueling 10 extra minutes, where I’m sure the dog was sitting there looking at his Timex and wondering just where the hell I was, I arrived to pick him up. I don’t like going in people’s houses when they’re not there. I always have some weird scenario in my head like there’s going to be a wiring short or something similar at the precise time that I set foot in the house and the place will burn to the ground and the absent homeowner will think I caused it. Alas, I was able to get in and out quickly without any devastating damage to the house. I get home with the guest dog, and our family dogs lose their flipping minds. It’s not often that my dogs get a playmate, so they were very excited to have another dog in the house. You’d have thought I let a squirrel loose. They were all over the place, running, knocking over pictures, up the stairs, down the stairs, running laps through the dining room, kitchen, living room, then again. But, when I got them outside, the play area shrunk. As soon as we were outdoors, all that action took place right up under my feet. We have a very large backyard. They wanted nothing to do with it. They wanted to play wherever I was standing or sitting all weekend. No worries. I was just glad everyone was getting along. That night, much to my surprise, the dogs all slept snug in their own respective beds … until we fell asleep. I woke up with all three dogs sleeping in our bed. Around Day 2, I notice that the guest dog apparently has separation anxiety. Dude kept his eye on me constantly. Anywhere I walked, anything I did, he was right there. Even when he was sound asleep, he’d wake up as soon as I moved. He had to have been sleeping with one eye open. It was a little intrusive. I mean, a guy’s gotta have some privacy, y’know. There was an awkward moment, after I got out of the shower. I was getting dressed when I noticed that the guest dog was in the room. As I quickly covered myself, a panic fell over me. My friend’s dog just saw me naked! I immediately felt like a horrible person: “Oh, my! What will my friends think of me!? I didn’t mean to let their dog see me!” As I looked into the dog’s eyes, I could tell what he was thinking: “Hey, ya got anything to eat around here?” After all, it’s a dog. He didn’t care. That’s how the weekend went. I stressed a little too much over all kinds of little things: “Are we feeding him at his usual times? Are we feeding him enough? Does he like the food? Where do we let him sleep? Does he prefer inside or outside? What’s he thinking about right now?” It’s all a bit much. I tend to overanalyze things sometimes. After the weekend was over, my friends came to get their dog and told me they had a great weekend. They clipped the leash on their dog’s collar, said “thank you” and were on their way. It was at this moment I realized that caring for the dog was much like caring for someone’s kids: As long as they’re fed, kept alive and generally out of danger, you’ve pretty much got it covered. KRIS FISHER is the midday host and program director for HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple. He is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, as well as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. djkfish.com.
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is eugene Yu Planning another Political run? When some local residents woke up on Saturday morning and checked out the top stories on The New York Times’ website, many were surprised to see a familiar face. Leading off one of the Times top stories was former Republican candidate in the 12th Congressional District race, Eugene Yu. The Korean-born Republican with deep roots in Augusta ran and lost against Congressman Rick Allen in both the 2014 and 2016 races. But this time, Yu wasn’t being interviewed by The New York Times because of a political race. Instead, he was being asked about President Donald Trump’s “fire and fury” comment last week regarding North Korea. “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States,” Trump said from his golf club in New Jersey. “They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen... he has been very threatening beyond a normal state. They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before.” As a result of Trump’s remarks, The New York Times interviewed people from around the country about whether they were concerned about a future conflict with North Korea. Yu told the times that he fully supported Trump’s statement against North Korea and its president, Kim Jong-un. In fact, he said he was “thrilled” with Trump’s comments and couldn’t have said it better himself. Yu insisted that it was the only kind of language a dictatorship understands. “All of these North Korean experts in Washington — if they are so expert on the North Korean issue, we would have never been dealing with this today,” Yu told the Times reporter at Augusta’s Golden Corral restaurant. “We should have been dealing with this 10 years ago. They’re still saying, ‘We’ve got to have six-party talks, we’ve got to give this, we’ve got to have that.’ We’ve had enough.” When some residents saw Yu photographed and quoted in the Times, they immediately thought that he was planning another run against Allen. After all, in 2016, Yu described Allen on several occasions as a “RINO,” or a Republican In Name Only. “In my opinion, he might as well resign from the Republican Party and go to the Democratic Party,” Yu told the Metro Spirit. “But people aren’t paying attention, so they just don’t know.” Yu has campaigned in the past with the slogan, “A vote for Yu is a vote for you.” He has told voters that he sincerely believes that he can make a difference in Washington, D.C. by listening to the concerns of his constituents, not lobbyists or career politicians. “These career politicians are like bad salesmen,” Yu told the Metro Spirit during his campaign. “They are smooth talking, selling a bad product to folks.” So does Yu’s latest appearance in The New York Times mean that he contemplating another run? Not necessarily. Let’s not jump to conclusions. After all, guess who else was featured in the Times’ article?
None other than WGAC Radio Talk Show Host Austin Rhodes. Rhodes told the Times that President Trump had limited oratorical skills, and compared him to the rock singer Meat Loaf: “No matter what he sings, whether he tries to sing a Meat Loaf hit or opera, he’s going to be Meat Loaf.” But in this case, Rhodes said, perhaps Trumpian bluster was exactly what was needed in response to North Korea as well as a number of troubled Middle Eastern countries. “You need to be ridiculously blunt,” Rhodes reportedly said. “Maybe this is the guy for the times, because Obama was not.” And guess who else was in the story? Congressman Rick Allen. The Times reporter also attended a meeting of the Columbia County Republican Women group which was held in the back of a local Chinese restaurant that featured Allen as a speaker. The reporter was surprised to discover that, in an opening prayer, a woman asked God to help make America great again. Allen reportedly spoke to the crowd, assuring the members at the meeting that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, knew “exactly what to do” in this situation. “So you can sleep well,” he reportedly told the group. Only in Augusta, folks.
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Turnover continues in columbia county Once again, there is a new community events manager in Columbia County. About two weeks ago, Columbia County filed a separation notice stating that Lisa McCollum, the former community events manager for Columbia County’s Community & Leisure Services Division, had been “terminated.” Rumors have been flying regarding the reasons behind the termination, but there has been no official word given from Columbia County officials. Apparently, that department is officially jinxed. McCollum had only been in the position a little over a year. Prior to McCollum coming on board, Butch Holley was the former community events manager, but he resigned in March 2016 after holding the position for only about eight months. Before that, in July 2015, Barry Smith, Columbia County’s director of Community and Leisure Services, suddenly submitted his resignation after more than a decade on the job. So what happened this time with McCollum and her tenure with Columbia County? Well, following this recent termination of McCollum, John Luton, the current director of Community and Leisure Services, asked the county’s finance manager in an email to send him a “list of how credit card approvals are currently set up for my entire division, in light of recent issues.” He stated that he would like to review the list and “consider some changes.” Luton’s email was sent to the finance manager on the same McCollum’s separation notice was released. Take from that what you will. Also, during his employment as the community events manager, Holley claimed he was having problems with one particular staff member in the department. Can you guess who that individual was? Hmmmmm... Holley claimed that he was “verbally attacked” by a certain individual in the department and he began questioning some of her actions regarding the department’s financial entries. As a result of the verbal attacks, Holley claimed in his 2016 exit interview that he suggested to Assistant County Administrator Glenn Kennedy that this particular employee be terminated. “Glenn decided otherwise and suggested that we give it more time,” Holley stated. Holley said he continued to try to work with this particular employee, but he was still having issues with her and was getting no assistance from the county administrator.
12 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Once Luton came on board, Holley said he turned to him for help. “From February through March, I was able to work with the new Division Director, John Luton,” Holley wrote. “Working in the same office, John was able to see the work of the department, as we well as witness the frictional interactions with me and (the other employee.)” On several occasions, Holley said he asked Luton to call a meeting between him and this other employee so they could find “common ground.” “John told me that he would do so March 21,” Holley stated in 2016. “On the morning of the 21st, John met with me privately after meeting with (County Administrator) Scott Johnson and Glenn Kennedy. John told me that they thought it would be best if I asked to resign. He never provided a reason why and was very upset when letting me know that he was told to do so.” Holley stated that he felt he had no other choice. “Knowing the circumstances and history of the former Director (Barry Smith), I decided to tenure my resignation,” Holley stated. And that was that. Now, McCollum has also experienced a very abrupt departure from Columbia County. That department has had very little time for the dust to settle. After all, McCollum was recently featured in Columbia County Magazine’s “People You Should Know” section and now she is already gone. At the time of the interview, McCollum said she was very happy and excited to be working for Columbia County. “I’m so proud to be a part of a strong county government that shares the same value in growth, expansion and cultivating a culture of pride in the members of the community and their employees,” she told the magazine. “I’m privileged to work with an incredible team each and every day and thankful for leaders that support and encourage our efforts.” When asked what was the “best thing she ever learned,” McCollum said the importance of making a good first impression. “You have 30 seconds to make a first impression,” she said. “Always look your best, do your best, be your best. You never know whose life you may touch along the way.” Finally, what was her “secret aspiration?” “To manage the community events department of Columbia County and raise the bar to expand our reach on
the different types of events we bring to our venues,” she said. “I want to continue to cultivate the relationships of our business partners and development authority to market our county nationwide.” Well, another one bites the dust. Best wishes to the county’s newest community events manager.
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The augusta Chronicle: “The South’s oldest Newspaper” is Being Sold to New york-based GateHouse media William S. “Billy” morriS iii will soon no longer be the owner of The Augusta Chronicle. For many in Augusta, that news is still impossible to believe. While it’s true that Morris Communications has also agreed to sell 10 of its other daily and non-daily newspapers such as The Florida Times-Union, The St. Augustine Record, The Savannah Morning News and The Athens Banner-Herald to the New York-based GateHouse Media, the announcement last week that Morris is expected to finalize the sale of the Chronicle on Oct. 2 was a shocking revelation for local readers. After all, the Morris family has owned the Chronicle since 1945, when William S. Morris Jr. and North Carolina financier Herman Moore purchased a controlling interest in the Chronicle Publishing Co. A decade later, William S. Morris Jr. bought out Moore’s share of the company. It is a tremendous local success story considering William S. Morris Jr. joined the paper as a 26-year-old bookkeeper in 1929, according to the Chronicle’s archives. By 1937, William S. Morris Jr. was already named publisher and company president. He later acquired the Chronicle’s afternoon competition, the Augusta Herald in 1955. It wasn’t until 1966 that Billy Morris took control of Southeastern Newspaper Corp. and was named publisher of the Chronicle and Herald. But for more than 50 years, Billy Morris has been the man behind The Augusta Chronicle. That’s why last week’s announcement of the newspaper’s pending sale to GateHouse Media was so shocking for the Augusta community. It was also obviously a difficult decision for Billy Morris. “Since 1929, the Morris family has had a great love and passion for journalism and the local communities that they serve,” Billy Morris, chairman of Morris Communications and publisher of the Chronicle, stated in a press release. “However, every newspaper company in America is battling trends and redirected advertising dollars, so it is necessary for newspapers to be part of a large newspaper group to build and maintain the necessary resources to compete.” The sale of 11 of Morris Communications’ daily and non-daily newspaper holdings, its Texasbased commercial printing operation and other related publications to GateHouse Media is part of the company’s “strategic restructuring to focus its business on lifestyle and niche publications, broadband operations, property development and new business,” the press release stated. “We are deeply grateful for the many friendships and business relationships we have enjoyed for these many years,” Billy Morris stated, “and look forward to the impact the next generation will make.” Morris Communications did announce that Billy Morris is expected to remain on as publisher of The Augusta Chronicle and will oversee editorial-page policy for the three Morris newspapers in Georgia. But many wonder how long that arrangement will last under the newspaper’s new ownership by GateHouse Media. The other big question that remains is, how will The Augusta Chronicle change? The Augusta Chronicle is known as “The South’s Oldest Newspaper,” but it is also one of the oldest in the nation. In fact, The Augusta Chronicle is older than The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Washington Post. 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
By Stacey Eidson
The Augusta Chronicle is said to be the third oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States, after the New Hampshire Gazette which began in 1756 and the Hartford Courant which was started in 1764. While it began as a weekly newspaper called the Augusta Gazette by owner Greenberg Hughes on Aug. 30, 1785, he left Augusta the following year. The newspaper’s second owner and publisher, John Smith of Germany, officially changed the name to The Augusta Chronicle and Gazette of the State by 1789. Smith’s plan was to develop the newspaper into a public forum that he hoped would promote “free and ample discussion of political topics,” according to the Chronicle’s archives. In fact, Smith added on the newspaper’s masthead a quote from the Georgia Constitution: “Freedom of the Press, and Trial by Jury, to remain inviolate forever.” From the very beginning, the newspaper was a clear symbol of the enormous progress being made in the Augusta area. By May 1791, The Augusta Chronicle was reporting on several significant developments in the region including a visit by Gen. George Washington, then the president of the United States, according to the book, “Memorial History of Augusta, Georgia” by Charles C. Jones Jr. After being greeted by Georgia Gov. Edward Telfair along with several local dignitaries, Washington praised Augusta and its grand reception. “I receive your congratulations on my arrival in Augusta with great pleasure,” Washington stated, according to the May 21, 1791, article in the Chronicle. “I desire to assure you that it will afford me the most sensible satisfaction to learn the progression of your prosperity. My best wishes for your happiness, collectively and individually, are sincerely offered.” By 1831, a new owner, A. H. Pemberton, reportedly shortened the newspaper’s name to The Augusta Chronicle and began using the newspaper to voice opposition to the growing abolitionist movement across the country. In fact, he advocated for secession and initially was against the establishment of the railroad to Augusta because he was concerned it would negatively impact the city’s river trade. By 1840, the newspaper was again sold to two brothers, William and James Jones, who supported states’ rights and slavery in the South. Under their leadership, the newspaper began to gain more content because the brothers saw the potential of the newly invented telegraph machine for acquiring news content. Around 1849, the Chronicle began receiving telegraphic dispatches in the paper, according to the book, “Memorial History of Augusta, Georgia” by Charles Jones Jr. “The issue of Jan. 1, 1849, has a dispatch which is said to have left New York on ten o’clock on Friday night, and to have been received in Augusta on Saturday afternoon,” Charles Jones wrote. “It appears in the paper on Monday morning, or some 60 hours after; but slow work as this appears now, it was a wonderful improvement then.” By 1850, the Jones brothers began the first Sunday edition of the Chronicle and soon boosted the circulation to 5,500 readers, which was reportedly the largest in Georgia at the time. Once the Civil War began, the Jones brothers were instrumental in the formation of the Press Association of the Confederacy, a consortium of 15 southern daily newspapers founded in Augusta in 1862, according to research by the Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press. 17AUGUST2017
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“Every newspaper company in America is battling trends and redirected advertising dollars, so it is necessary for newspapers to be part of a large newspaper group to build and maintain the necessary resources to compete.” — Billy Morris
The Jones brothers soon sold the newspaper, and Nathan Morse eventually became the editor and owner of the Chronicle. “Morse, a Connecticut native, was a controversial choice for the time,” the University of Georgia Press reported. “Although initially an advocate of the Southern cause, he became increasingly critical of Confederate president Jefferson Davis as the war continued, and he ultimately used the paper to urge an end to hostilities.” However, by 1866, Morse sold the Chronicle to new owners, H. P. Moore and former Confederate General Ambrose Wright. By the time the Chronicle’s centennial edition was published in 1885, it was honored as “the pioneer in the journalistic field” of Augusta. “A newspaper one hundred years old!” the centennial edition proclaimed. “A gazette that for three generations has, in its each recurring issue, set out the current history of the day, and been read in each succeeding epoch by grandsire, by father, and by son. A contemporaneous annalist of the times, keeping pace with decades and lusters until a century is complete. Such is now The Augusta Chronicle.” The special edition of the paper proclaimed that the Chronicle had survived along with the city of Augusta through ravages of yellow fever, the battles of the Civil War and the struggle to rebuild the South.
“Southern journalism fairly starved. But the difficulties of that period daunted our predecessors not,” The Augusta Chronicle wrote in 1885. “If printers could not be found, they were made; if new type could not be had, the veterans of the past were furbished up and set to work again; if your fine, white, double extra, improved printing paper had become a mere historical reminiscence, there was enough of that dingy, home-made, cartilaginous, saffronhued product, known as Confederate paper, to take the impress of the type. Amid the war, as through the pestilence, the Chronicle came out promptly at the appointed day.” Following the Civil War and the end of slavery, Charles Jones wrote that several new editors and owners of the Chronicle began to promote the values of “humanity, morality, and good government.” “Mr. H. Gregg Wright was an exceedingly attractive and forcible writer, and systematically devoted his great abilities to discountenancing dueling and lynch law,” Jones wrote. “He steadily iterated and reiterated the great truth that no people can truly prosper who do not cherish an abiding faith in and reverence for the majesty of the law.” By 1880, a new publisher and owner from Ireland, Patrick Walsh, “fought for black civil rights and campaigned against lynchings, both unpopular stances for the era,” the Chronicle stated. In the early 1900s, the newspaper began being used by then editor and publisher, Thomas Loyless, to promote Augusta as a commercial center. “In 1911, Loyless became the majority owner of the Chronicle as part of a group of investors that also featured baseball legend Ty Cobb,” the Chronicle wrote. “Three years later, Loyless moved the newspaper into the city’s first skyscraper, The Chronicle Building. Now called the Marion Building, it stood a whopping 10 stories, and was heralded as ‘fireproof.’ But two years later, the great fire of 1916 gutted the structure. The Chronicle left the building and never returned.” From 1919 until 1937, Thomas Hamilton was the publisher and became known for the column, “Ambitions for Augusta,” that detailed his visions for the city. “Hamilton wrote of Augusta’s need for a $20 million power dam, dredging of the Savannah River, an airfield, a city planning commission, resort hotels, a new black grammar school and
“We had a stormy relationship, but we both were always wanting to put out the best paper we could. And I should point out, I never worked for another newspaper. I enjoyed my job.” — Clyde Wells 17AUGUST2017
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a University of Augusta,” the Chronicle reported. “Much of his vision became reality before his death in 1937, including construction and enlargement of the levee, completion of the $2 million New Savannah Lock and Dam, and the planning stages of Clarks Hill Dam.” Which brings us back to when William S. Morris Jr., Billy Morris’ father, was named publisher and company president in 1937. The Morris family has owned the newspaper ever since. When William S. Morris Jr. took over, the politics of the newspaper began to once again change. “Under his leadership, the paper broke with its longstanding support of the Democratic Party by endorsing segregationist Strom Thurmond, a State’s Rights Democrat, over Harry S. Truman in the 1948 U.S. presidential election,” according to the University of Georgia Press. By 1956, Billy Morris, who began delivering newspapers from horseback in Augusta as a boy, officially joined the company only a few days before his 22nd birthday, according to the Morris Media Network. He became publisher of the Augusta newspaper and president of the corporation 10 years later. Ever since that time, Billy Morris, now 82, has been the face of The Augusta Chronicle. Even though his son, Will Morris, became president of Morris Communications in 1996 and is the third generation of the Morris family to hold that position in the media business, Billy Morris is still chairman of the company. Under Billy Morris’ leadership, the company diversified into magazine and book publishing, outdoor advertising and commercial printing services, in addition to acquiring more than a dozen newspapers. Over the years, Billy Morris has also taken great pride in the opinion page of the Chronicle, which has clearly maintained a politically conservative editorial voice. Back in its heyday, the editorial page attracted the most attention by showcasing the awardwinning artwork of longtime editorial cartoonist Clyde Wells alongside columns written by the highly controversial editorial writer Phil Kent. Beginning in 1971, Wells drew politically conservative cartoons for The Augusta Chronicle for 27 years, unabashedly going after everyone from county commissioners to local sheriffs to the president of the United States. “Back then, we had a five-person county commission full of characters,” Wells said, chuckling. “I had an easy job because they were constantly involved in political fights and it was just one crisis after another. And there were extremely bitter political races.” When Wells worked for Billy Morris, there was no doubt at all who was in charge of the
editorial page, he said. “As everybody knows, the Chronicle is known as a staunch conservative newspaper, so now that GateHouse has purchased the paper, it’ll be interesting to see if they truly maintain that,” Wells said. “They are saying that Billy (Morris) is going to oversee the editorial page, but I think that might be an interim thing because I don’t believe Billy hovers over the editorial page like he used to. He used to control it. I mean, Billy ran that page.” For the more than 25 years he worked at the Chronicle, Wells admits he and Morris had quite a few heated arguments about the content of his editorial cartoons. “I am conservative, but I was not as far right as Billy and not nearly as far right as Phil Kent,” Wells said, smiling. “So Billy and I argued sometimes, but we did a lot of arguing behind his door because Billy had one rule: you could say anything you wanted to, but it just didn’t leave the building.” Above and beyond anything else, Wells said the two men had great respect for one another and the work that they did. “We had a stormy relationship, but we both were always wanting to put out the best paper we could,” Wells said, adding that Morris once told him he was “the heart” of the Chronicle. “And I should point out, I never worked for another newspaper. I enjoyed my job.” Billy Morris also understood that Wells knew his facts when it came to political issues facing Augusta, the state and the nation, Wells said. “He told me once after a heated argument, ‘You win nine out of 10 of these debates, you know that don’t you?’” Wells said, laughing. “And I replied, ‘I just overwhelm you with the facts.’” When Kent became the editorial editor for the Chronicle in the late 1970s, he definitely shook things up. For more than two decades, Kent waged blistering editorial battles against many local and state politicians. “After writing scathing commentary about then-Columbia County Sheriff Tom Whitfield, Kent was falsely arrested and, on a separate occasion, assaulted by the sheriff’s son,” the Chronicle reported in 2001, after Kent announced he was leaving the newspaper. “Kent’s career at the Chronicle has been as influential to some as it was controversial to others. A diehard conservative, he is known nationally for his views, which were described as candid and straightforward by conservatives, radical by liberals and even racist by some black leaders.” While Kent always denied being racist, some local leaders questioned that claim, particularly former Georgia Sen. Majority Leader Charles Walker. In fact, the Chronicle pointed out in 2001 that Walker labeled Kent as “the problem with Augusta.” When Kent left the Chronicle in 2001, Billy Morris praised the editorial columnist for his work over the years. “For more than a quarter of a century, Phil Kent has been the conscience of the community. His constant vigilance of local politics at times has struck fear into the heart of politicians,” Billy Morris reportedly stated. “He made them accountable for their acts like no one on the
“The Augusta Chronicle was threatened by me. I had started my own newspaper — the Augusta Focus — to counter the one-sided politics of the Chronicle and its sister paper the Augusta Herald. The Focus was a small weekly. If the other papers were buying ink by the barrel, I was buying it by the teaspoon. Still, they felt threatened.” — Former Sen. Charles Walker 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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local scene has in recent years.” However, many leaders in Augusta’s black community have frequently voiced their concerns over some of the Chronicle’s conservative coverage. Even after Kent left the paper, Walker continued to point out what he believed to be unjust political coverage by the Chronicle. Walker, who was found guilty of 127 felony counts of conspiracy, mail fraud and filing false tax returns and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2005, voiced his displeasure with the Chronicle in his book, “From Peanuts to Power: The Road to Wealth, Success and Happiness.” Specifically, Walker wrote that the media, including the Chronicle, was one of the main reasons he went to prison. “The Augusta Chronicle was threatened by me,” Walker wrote. “I had started my own newspaper — the Augusta Focus — to counter the one-sided politics of the Chronicle and its sister paper the Augusta Herald. The Focus was a small weekly. If the other papers were buying ink by the barrel, I was buying it by the teaspoon. Still, they felt threatened.” Walker said the Chronicle was threatened because of his political messages. “I would put the spotlight on black issues, covering stories of interest to the black community and publishing relevant commentaries,” Walker wrote. “And although my paper was small, other papers would pick up on my stories. The Augusta Focus became very influential.” Walker claimed the Chronicle didn’t like that fact. As far as racial tensions in Augusta over the years, Wells acknowledged it was sometimes difficult to address some racial issues in the newspaper, but he insists that, as the longtime editorial cartoonist for the Chronicle, he always treated everyone the same. “If you did something wrong, I didn’t care if you were black or white, I called you out on it,” Wells said. “But, looking back at the 1970s and 80s, that was a very tumultuous time.” Through the years, Billy Morris and the Chronicle have also driven the discussion of several local projects in the Augusta area. Everything from the 25-year-old partnership between the city and Augusta Riverfront LLC, a company owned by Billy Morris, which developed the original $43 million Augusta Riverfront Center along the Savannah River to the development of Augusta Convention Center on Reynolds Street in 2013. Paul Simon, president of Augusta Riverfront LLC and a longtime employee of Billy Morris, has long sung the praises of his boss. As Augusta natives, Simon said he and Billy Morris have always only wanted to do what was best for Augusta-Richmond County.
“I was born and raised here in Augusta. My career was built here in Augusta,” Simon told the Metro Spirit in 2015. “Billy Morris was also born here. We love Augusta and we want the best for Augusta. We want to see Augusta to continue to grow.” Simon said all of the projects that Billy Morris has proposed over the years have been to improve the Augusta area. “Billy Morris is criticized a lot, but the company and Billy Morris have given more to this community than anybody else,” Simon said in 2015, adding that he has personally chaired campaigns for Augusta State University, Historic Augusta, the former Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee of Augusta and the former National Science Center that raised millions of dollars for those projects and entities. “We bought the former mall (along the Riverwalk) for $2.2 million, raised about $5 million and got the state to give $10 million for the exhibits in Fort Discovery. The company, Billy Morris, gave that property to the National Science Center. But he doesn’t get credit for that and it’s too bad.” But the truth is, if the city and the community don’t support such projects, they can’t last, Simon said. “The National Science Center was a wonderful thing for kids,” Simon said. “The Georgia Golf and Gardens was beautiful. But we lost all of it. And it’s a shame because if you go anywhere in Europe, there are gardens all over the place. And here we are the Garden City and now those gardens are gone.” Several years ago, the company also encouraged the city to possibly build a new civic center at the former Regency Mall location in south Augusta, Simon said. “The company even bought the hockey team,” Simon said, chuckling. “We weren’t interested in hockey. Good gracious. I didn’t know anything about it. But we bought the hockey team, ran it and lost money, all because we hoped that a new civic center would work. But we couldn’t get the traction we needed to make it happen.” For decades, supporters of Billy Morris believe Augusta has only benefited from the generosity of Morris’ companies and the long legacy of The Augusta Chronicle. “The company and Billy Morris have really given back to the community,” Simon said. “However, they don’t get the credit.” Many longtime readers of the Chronicle are extremely anxious to see how the newspaper may change under the leadership of GateHouse Media. “It will be interesting to see what this GateHouse does with paper,” Wells said, pointing over at a hard copy of the Chronicle sitting on his coffee table. “I still read it every day. I just hope that the newspaper doesn’t lose its local edge. I mean, Billy was born and raised here. He definitely knows Augusta. The Chronicle needs that local edge.”
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Branching Out the usrys may have a new project in the works, but Fat Man’s will always be their bread and butter the naMe Fat Man’s Mill Café has, for the past 60 years, become synonymous with hearty, stickto-your-ribs Southern cooking. It’s ironic, then, that its current owners, Brad and Havird Usry, don’t indulge in this kind of eating on a day-to-day basis. “I’ve obviously been involved with Fat Man’s for my entire life so, yes, I’ll enjoy a piece of fried chicken and some mac and cheese every now and then, but that would be my Friday meal,” Havird Usry said, laughing. “Monday through Thursday, though, I eat very little animal proteins and eat a lot of plant-based meals.” It will come as little surprise, then, that the Usrys’ new restaurant concept at 1006 and 1008 Broad Street, which they hope will open in March of 2018, will reflect that lifestyle. Renovations haven’t begun in earnest and they’re keeping the name under wraps, but Havird did explain that the concept is unlike anything downtown Augusta has yet to see. “There are some similar concepts, but I think our spin’s pretty unique,” he explained. “We will have some sandwiches and wraps and a few things that, if people want to eat a really hearty meal, they can. We’re going to do some different types of smoothies and juices that will be pretty cool.” Havird’s favorite aspect of the new restaurant, however, is how it will support other local businesses while they are supporting the restaurant. “I’ve been involved with Augusta Locally Grown and East Georgia Produce, who’s just south of Waynesboro, and literally every ingredient we’re getting for this place is right here,” he said. “You can drive within the day and pick everything up. The furthest thing would be Beaufort, South Carolina, for shrimp, so it’s pretty cool, and I think we’re supporting the people around us with the food.” The new concept will feature counter service during both the day and evening, a full bar, a 50seat back deck, and a market 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
by Amy Christian where customers can buy items like small-batch vinaigrettes, locally made jams and preserves, and even ingredients like hydroponic lettuce. It will also feature lots of salads, Havird’s meal of choice, mostly raw ingredients, no mayonnaisebased dressing, and very little use of natural gas, grease and other restaurants’ cooking methods, which can have a negative impact on the environment. “I’m going to be back there cooking with a convection oven and that’s it,” he said. “Restaurants tend to leave a heavy, heavy footprint on our environment, so we’ll be operating all off of electricity. No natural gas, no grease, no frying. I feel that, as far as sustainability and leaving a footprint, there’s a dirty part of restaurants that people don’t see because it stays in the kitchen.” The Usrys’ focus may be turning to their new venture, but loyal Fat Man’s customers shouldn’t worry about their old favorite. The Augusta institution is still going strong at Enterprise Mill, where they’re not only packed almost daily, but the togo catering and events planning for weddings and parties is doing a booming business. Here, Havird sees potential for growth and positive changes as well. The Usrys recently leased an Enterprise Mill loft which faces the courtyard, which can serve as a prep area for brides and their wedding parties. It even has salon chairs and mirrors. Newly married couples can also stay in the loft after the ceremony and reception before heading off on their honeymoons. “I feel like we’ve also improved things and, to be honest, there’s a lot of venues around town who’ve kind of stepped their game up, so, to be competitive with the venues we have in Augusta, we have to add those amenities and really cater to people,” he explained. “I think that’s kind of what we bring here is the full package: you come here, you can get ready here, you can have your rehearsal dinner 17AUGUST2017
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here, you can have your wedding ceremony, your wedding reception. It’s all in one place, one office to book everything out of, so there’s no hop, skip and jumping to get everything taken care of.” And with Augusta’s mild weather of the past few years, the outdoor areas like the gazebo and the covered patio with the working fireplace are being used more and more during what’s considered catering’s “off seasons.” “What is January and February these days? It’s just another March, if we have another winter like we had last year. It’s super mild, and anybody can sit out in the gazebo for half an hour for a wedding ceremony. It’s beautiful,” he said. “The other covered space outdoors has a working fireplace, so even with holiday parties, people have the fireplace cranked up and bar out there.” The only things Fat Man’s Mill Café and Catering don’t offer are photography and wedding cakes and, according to Havird, even the latter doesn’t make much of a difference these days. More and more couples, he explained, are moving away from traditional bride’s and groom’s cakes and toward popular items like dessert and candy bars. He’s even booked s’mores bars. That flexibility is what customers love and it’s why the catering business is already booked up through the weekends in November and December for holiday parties, and is almost booked up through the next summer for weddings. And that flexibility extends to Fat Man’s to-go catering for weekday lunches. “That’s kind of our bread and butter as Fat Man’s, and the restaurant is really catering to the offices around town,” he said. “There’s nothing too small that we don’t take, and we really take care of our customers. I think that’s what puts us over the top of your corporate places that are now here in town. And customers know they can contact us two hours out and we’ll still make sure they have food there for lunch.” Even while keeping the Fat Man’s train rolling along, the new restaurant is never far from Havird’s mind. In fact, make a visit to Fat Man’s and you’ll often see the “speshul” on the chalkboard is actually something he has in mind for the new place. “I’m testing signature creations and recipes here. Right now we have one that has organic produce from East Georgia Produce in a salad that we’re running,” he said,
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referring to the Southern Summer Salad, which is topped with a sweet tea vinaigrette. “Though we’re six or seven months out from opening the doors of a new restaurant, we are testing the recipes, and it’s kind of nice to have a venue like Fat Man’s that’s open to testing those things and getting feedback from customers. So far so good.” And though he doesn’t indulge often, Havird knows what his Fat Man’s customers really want. “The meat and three is by far the most of what we sell,” he admitted. “People still come here and get a hefty lunch. Especially on a day like today, Friday, the ticket rack will be lined up. I think we’ve improved, even on the meat and three side. There’s always room for improvement to add love to those recipes. It’s called soul food because you have to add a little heart to it and love and soul to make sure things taste good for the folks coming through the door.” For more information about Fat Man’s Mill Café and Catering, call 706-733-1740 or visit fatmans.com.
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THE GOD THAT BECAME A MENACE The documentary “Elephants in the Coffee” will be screened at Augusta’s Black Cat Picture Show this Sunday, Aug. 20 WHEN PHOTOGRAPHER D.K. Bhaskar and professor Tom Grant traveled to India about five years ago with students from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga., their plan was to study the fascinating culture of the mahouts, or elephant keepers. But when they arrived in southern India, Bhaskar said they quickly discovered an extremely complex and deadly conflict between humans and elephants within the country’s coffee plantations. “We went to India as part of the CLIC Abroad Foundation to spend time with the mahouts in the area, but when we got there, we found these captive elephants in cages,” Bhaskar said. “They were being brought there and forced into these huge cages because the elephants were viciously attacking people in the coffee plantations.” The attacks were becoming so dangerous that fewer people in the region were interested in continuing the tradition of the mahout culture, Bhaskar said. A mahout is an elephant rider that typically starts out as a young boy in the family profession, he explained. “It is a profession that can only be learned in the community,” he said. “There is no classroom where you can teach someone to be a mahout.” As the CLIC Abroad team began its trip to southern India, Grant, who is also an award-winning journalist and a former editor of Metro Spirit, said Bhaskar had told the students that there were about 10 captive elephants being held in this particular camp when he visited about two years prior to their trip. “When we got there, what we saw was, instead of 10 captive elephants, there were nearly 35 captive elephants in this camp,” Grant said. “And there were four large cages in the camp where they had elephants who were being forced into submission by a mahout. So we began to wonder what was going on.” While traveling around the region and talking to people involved in the coffee plantations, Grant said the team got a call that another camp for captive elephants was being established. “They were bringing them to another camp that didn’t exist until that moment,” Grant said. “So we quickly drove a couple
of hours to get to this new camp. When we got there, they were building these huge cages in this very isolated area and they brought in two freshly captive elephants, who were wild just hours before, to the camp. These elephants were now drugged and tied to trucks and they were forcing them into these cages. In fact, they were building these huge cages up around them right before our eyes.” It truly demonstrated the enormous conflict that exists in India between humans and elephants, Grant said. “We had no idea there was a conflict in the coffee plantations in that area of India,” he said. “That area is where about half of the wild elephants, approximately 15,000 of them, live and, over the years, they have been attracted to these coffee plantations. Because they are attracted to the plantations, they have these conflicts.”
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By Stacey Eidson
As a result of that experience, Bhaskar and Grant decided to develop a documentary called “Elephants in the Coffee” to inform the world of this growing problem in India. The following year, Grant and Bhaskar returned to India to continue to study and film the issues surrounding the conflict. During their visit, they spoke to several people in the region who had lost relatives to these elephant attacks. “Elephants are wild animals and they are dangerous,” Grant said, “especially when they come in contact with humans.” Unfortunately, because of the increase in elephant attacks, people’s attitudes about the animals are changing in India, he said. Grant and Bhaskar are hoping their documentary, which will be screened this Sunday, Aug. 20, at Augusta’s Third Annual Black Cat Picture Show at Le Chat Noir, will help educate the world about this extremely complex conflict. “About 30 years ago, the elephant was a god in India,” Grant said. “Now, they are commonly referred to as a menace. This change in attitude is understandable when elephants are killing people and destroying farmers’ crops. But it is a difficult problem that needs a solution.” “ELEPHANTS IN THE COFFEE” Third Annual Black Cat Picture Show Le Chat Noir Sunday, Aug. 20 1 p.m. $16, single-day pass; $40, festival pass For more information on the documentary, “Elephants in the Coffee,” and how to help support the CLIC Abroad program, visit elephantsinthecoffee.com. For more information on the Black Cat Picture Show, which is this Friday-Sunday, August 18-20, at Le Chat Noir, visit blackcatpictureshow.com.
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IN CASE you’ve been living under a rock, there will be a total eclipse of the sun on Monday, August 21, and those of us in the Savannah River Region will have pretty damn good seats for the phenomenon. And if you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ll know that it will get almost as dark as that between 2 and 3 p.m. in Georgia and South Carolina during the eclipse, when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking out part or even all of the sun during that time. The last time the U.S. saw one was in 1979, so this is a big deal and it’s no wonder places all around the area are celebrating. You can’t just look up in the sky and see it, however. Well, you could, but, by all accounts, you’d do great damage to your eyesight. So before you head out on Monday to one of the places celebrating, you might want to go by Augusta University this evening to find out what to do and what you’ll see. Oh, and don’t forget to visit Land of Thee (landofthee.com) for your “I Got Mooned by the Sun” shirt. THU AUG 17 Solar Eclipse Community Symposium AU’s Maxwell Theatre 5:30pm - 7:30pm A series of three short presentations about the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, August 21: how to view it safely, the science behind it and solar eclipses in history. Solar telescopes will be set up to view the sun and sunspots from 5:30-6:30 to be followed by presentations in the theatre. 706-737-1541 calendar.augusta.edu MON AUG 21 Total Eclipse of the Pines Gravatt Camp and Conference Center, Aiken 10am - 5pm Co-hosted by the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, admission to this event includes swimming, canoeing, hiking, educational activities, Savannah River Ecology Lab Show and Tell and much more. There will also be ziplines and pony rides for $5, as well as food to purchase. $10 per car; $25, 15-passenger van; $40, bus. 803-648-1817 office@campgravatt.org Eclipse Paddle Mistletoe State Park 1pm - 3pm Participants should bring eclipse glasses for this naturalist-led paddle around Clarks Hill Lake for those 6 and older. $10; $5, parking. Pre-registration required. 706-541-0321 gastateparks.org/mistletoe Eclipse Party Daniel Field 1pm - 4pm Participants can bring their eclipse glasses, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch for this event on the grounds. T-shirts, $16.20, will be available. augustaaviation.com Eclipse Viewing Aiken State Park 1pm - 2pm Eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at the park office, and participants are invited to bring seating, blankets and a picnic. $2, adults; $1.25, S.C. seniors; free, children 15 and younger. 803-649-2857 aikensp@scprt.com EclipseWatch 2017 Headquarters Branch Library 1:30pm - 2:30pm An event for all ages, but those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will receive solar eclipse glasses and refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration required. 706-821-2634 bit.ly/eclipsewatch2017 Solar Eclipse Party North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library 2pm - 4:30pm The library will provide viewing glasses and participants will paint galaxy rocks. 803-279-5767 abbe-lib.org 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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WHAT’S UP
Calendar: 26 | 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.
END OF AN ERA AREA BASEBALL FANS won’t want to miss a bittersweet game going on tonight at Lake Olmstead Stadium — it’s the very last Thirsty Thursday that the Augusta GreenJackets will play there. They are set to move to their new location in North Augusta next year. The GreenJackets have been based out of Lake Olmstead Stadium since 1995, milb.com reports. The stadium was built for baseball games just before that time, and it has become a center for other entertainment besides ball games, including concerts and Masters Week events. The GreenJackets’ new home in North Augusta is expected to be operating in time for the 2018 season, according to ballparkdigest.com, though some areas might still be under construction at that time. As it is Thirsty Thursday, beers will be on sale for $1 at tonight’s 7:05pm game against the Columbia Fireflies. Tickets range from $8$12, and $7 general admission is available to people who are wearing a college football jersey or who show a college ID. A food drive benefiting Golden Harvest Food Bank will enter anyone bringing canned foods into a drawing for giveaways. It should be a nostalgic night for the team and anyone in the stands. AUGUSTA GREENJACKETS VS. COLUMBIA FIREFLIES (LAST THIRSTY THURSDAY AT THE OLD STADIUM) Lake Olmstead Stadium Thu Aug 17 7:05pm $8-$12. 706-922-9467 greenjacketsbaseball.com
FRIDAY, AUG 18
SATURDAY, AUG 19
SUNDAY, AUG 20
TUESDAY, AUG 22
Like to golf and help the community? The Greater Columbia County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will let you do just that. The Greeks on the Green Golf Social, from 5-10pm tonight, raises money for scholarships, mentorship and community service programs for area kids. Held at First Tee of Augusta, the cost is $50 a person. Tee times for four-person teams are at 6 and 7:30pm. Golfers and non-golfers alike also are welcome to participate in putting and driving clinics, music, food, games and more. Visit gccacdeltas.org.
It’s a day for running at Fort Gordon. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to run longer, faster and better, attend a seminar explaining the Pose Method from 10am - 2pm at Fort Gordon’s Nelson Fitness Center. Visit fortgordon.com/pose-runningclinic-0817. Then, you can show off what you’ve learned tonight at 8:30pm at the Glow Run 5K, happening at Fort Gordon’s Barton Field. Participants are encouraged to wear glow gear and blacklight clothing for the race, followed by music and more. Visit fortgordonrunseries.com. Pre-registration is required for both events.
Love and marriage, love and marriage… The My Unreal Wedding Expo is a destination for anyone involved in planning a wedding and wants to see what’s trending. The expo takes place from 1-4pm today at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown and features 50 vendors, a craft sale, samples, a chance to win prizes and more. Tickets are $8 and may be designated to a bride and groom to win prizes (they must be present to win). Visit myunrealwedding.ticketleap.com/expo.
Whether you have Irish roots or not, you don’t want to miss an evening of music with Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army. The increasingly popular night of Irish music on Tuesdays at The Fox’s Lair has been going on consistently for 13 years — only a few weeks per year does the bar go without Fisher’s talents. You might want to show up a bit early for this rousing time, which runs from 7-9pm tonight and virtually every Tuesday.
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For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 26.
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Pre-registration required. Call 706-8631946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.
6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.
Ongoing
Professional Development Courses Jessye Norman School of the Arts The school offers classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other software programs. Call or visit the website to see a schedule of spring and summer classes. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
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.
Augusta Beerfest James Brown Arena Sat Aug 19 3pm - 6pm $30, advance; $40, door. VIP: $70, advance; $80, door. 877-428-4849 georgialinatix.com
Guided Tours
ARTS Fri Aug 18
Noon Art at Lunch: Michael Stone Morris Museum of Art The author of “The Iguana Tree” will discuss his sequel, “Border Child.” $12, members; $16, non-members. Catered lunch included. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Sat Aug 19
10am Acrylics Made Easy: Flamingo Aiken Center for the Arts $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
10am - 1pm Photos to Paintings: Marsh Wind Aiken Center for the Arts $60; pre-registration required. Call 803-6419094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
Mon Aug 21
10am 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 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 26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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.
visit arcpls.org.
5:30pm Beginner Spanish Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Preregistration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
7pm General Pershing Builds an Army North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library A presentation by Dane Coffman. Call 803279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Fri Aug 18
4pm Estate Planning and Elder Care Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Appleby Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
12:30pm - 4:30pm SRS Tour
Tours
Tue Aug 22
10:30am Our Website: A Helpful Guide
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.
Sun Aug 20
2pm - 4pm Microsoft Word for Beginners
Columbia County Library A financial awareness class. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.
Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Mon Aug 21
11:30am Environment Matters Lunch and Learn
Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Preregistration required. Call 706-736-6758 or
Columbia County Library Led by Margarete Alligood, this meeting’s subject is eco-gardening and lawn care tips. Participants should bring their own lunches.
3:30pm Ways to Save Money
3:30pm Intermediate Spanish
North Augusta Driving Tour Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 30-45-minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
5:30pm Microsoft Excel Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Wed Aug 23
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.
FLIX Fri Aug 18
2pm Movie Time for Adults Maxwell Branch Library 17AUGUST2017
Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
6pm - 11:30pm Black Cat Picture Show Le Chat Noir An international film festival including long films, shorts, documentaries and more. It continues through Sunday, August 20. $16, Friday (including reception); $16, Saturday or Sunday; $40, all-festival pass (includes a ballot to vote for the viewer’s choice award). Call 706-722-3322 or visit blackcatpictureshow.com.
7:30pm Movies on the Common Augusta Common Also featuring pre-movie activities. Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk. Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.
Sat Aug 19
11am Movie Time for Kids Maxwell Branch Library A rated G or PG kid-friendly movie will show. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
Noon - 11:30pm Black Cat Picture Show Le Chat Noir An international film festival including long films, shorts, documentaries and more. There is a break in screenings between 6-8 p.m. It continues through Sunday, August 20. $16, Saturday or Sunday; $40, allfestival pass (includes a ballot to vote for the viewer’s choice award). Call 706-7223322 or visit blackcatpictureshow.com.
3pm “Street Cat Named Bob” Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Sun Aug 20
11am - 3pm Black Cat Picture Show Le Chat Noir An international film festival including long films, shorts, documentaries and more. $16; $40, all-festival pass (includes a ballot to vote for the viewer’s choice award). Call 706-7223322 or visitblackcatpictureshow.com.
Fri Aug 18
10am Chair Yoga Georgia Cancer Center Open to anyone being treated at the center. Call 706-721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
Mon Aug 21
1pm - 3pm Look Good Feel Better University’s Breast Health Center An American Cancer Society program that aims to help female cancer patients combat the appearance-related side-effects of chemo and radiation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.
1pm Music Therapy Georgia Cancer Center Sessions include music-assisted relaxation, drumming to the beat and group. Call 706721-0472 or visit augusta.edu.
6pm Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Class University’s Heart & Vascular Institute 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.
6:30pm Refit Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 22
4:30pm - 6pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Wed Aug 23
5pm Breastfeeding Class University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Thu Aug 24
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.
7pm Shire of Border Vale Keep Meeting
6:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club
Tue Aug 22
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.
Sat Aug 19
10am - noon Couponing Friedman Branch Library Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
Tue Aug 22
6pm - 8pm Georgia Food Oasis Community Meeting
Headquarters Branch Library Call 706-821-2600 for weekly selections. Visit arcpls.org.
Masters Table Soup Kitchen A meeting for those interested in improving healthy, fresh food access. “A Place at the Table” will screen. Call 678-702-0400 or visit georgiaorganics.org/georgia-food-oasis.
10am - 12:30pm Salads & Sides
7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR Class
Mon Aug 21
5:45pm Free Movie Tuesdays
Thu Aug 24
6:30pm “The Zookeeper’s Wife” Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
HEALTH
University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Thu Aug 17
HOBBIES
Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
5:30pm Oldways African Heritage and Health Cooking Class Series
7pm Babies, Bumps and Bruises
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Thu Aug 17
Icebox Urban Farm A series of three Thursday night classes
Helms College Part of the Saturday Chef series. $75; preregistration required. Call 706-651-9707 or visit helmscontinuingeducation.com.
6pm - 8pm Civil War Roundtable Goodwill’s The Snelling Center Brian Jordan, assistant professor of history at Sam Houston State University, presents on his book, “Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War.” Meetings are $15, including dinner. Membership is $25 per year, individual; $40, couple. Call 706-736-2909 or visit civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com.
Fire Station Meeting Room, 2627 Parkway Dr. This monthly meeting of the local educational group of the Society for Creative Anachronism is open to the public. Visit sca.org.
5:45pm and 7:30pm Sushi Rolling Class Sole Augusta $15.99; pre-registration required. Email soleaugusta@gmail.com.
Ongoing
Basic Genealogy Tutorials Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
KIDS-TEENS Thu 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.
Fri Aug 18
10am - noon Play and Grow Aiken Public Library A drop in program for those ages 0-5 that includes puzzles, toys, puppets and more. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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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.
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 August 18-October 6; the second is October 13-December 8. $100, each session; pre-registration required. Call 706828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
India Day Maxwell Theatre Sat Aug 19 6pm - 9:30pm An Indo-American Cultural Association event that includes cuisine on the portico at 6 p.m. and a performance at 7:30 p.m. Open to the public. $2, performance tickets. 706-667-4100 augusta.edu
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 10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play Jessye Norman School of the Arts Participants will read, sing, play musical instruments and explore movement designed to help them develop both literary and cognitive skills. Parents or caregivers participate in the class through age 3. Preschool and kindergarten children may attend with, or without, a parent or caregiver. $10; pre-registration required. Call 706-8287768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
Sat Aug 19
10am - 2pm Ballet Master Classes Jessye Norman School of the Arts Led by Conrad Belknap, former member of the Kirov Ballet, who will instruct those ages 9-12 from 10-11:30 a.m. and those ages 13 and older from noon-2 p.m. $10. Call 706828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
11am - 1pm Family Lego Day Diamond Lakes Branch Library A themed program for all ages. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
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Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
1pm - 4pm Aiken Youth Orchestra Auditions and Registration Aiken Center for the Arts Registration for returning members and placement auditions for new members will be held. Call to schedule an audition. Call 803641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
Mon Aug 21
10am Lucy Craft Laney’s Medical Exhibit Augusta Museum of History Part of the Mondays at the Museum series for those ages 2-6 and an accompanying adult in which participants will view the exhibit then create their own stethoscope. $2, members; $4, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-722-8454 or email aschaffman@augustamuseum.org.
10:30am Jr. Lego Club Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 2-4. Legos provided. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
11am Morris Museum of Art Columbia County Library An art program for those ages 2-6 featuring special guests from the Morris Museum of Art. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Tue Aug 22
10am Big Kid Story Time Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 3-6. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
4pm Teen Guitar Club Columbia County Library For those ages 11-18. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Wed Aug 23
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.
10:30am Preschool Craft Time Appleby Branch Library For children ages 3 and older. Preregistration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Preschool Story Time Appleby Branch Library
Sat Aug 19
1pm - 3pm Author Signing The Book Tavern Featuring Trey Nevard, author of “I Use the Words.” Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
Wed Aug 23
6:30pm - 8pm Book Club Kroc Center Open to anyone ages 25 and older interested in a fun, dynamic discussion. Books are selected by members and cover a variety of topics. Free. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Thu Aug 24
7pm - 9pm Graphic Novel Discussion The Book Tavern A group open to older teens and up. Call 706826-1940 or email david@booktavern.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. Pre-registration is required. Call 803-64217AUGUST2017
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2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
MUSIC Fri Aug 18
An Augusta Broadway Singers event featuring Heidi Gray. Dinner, 6 p.m.; concert, 7 p.m. $45, adults; $20, ages 5-12. Reservations required. Call 706-855-8100.
6pm - 9pm Hope, Happiness, Harmony
6pm - 10pm Party in the Park
DoubleTree Hotel An Augusta Broadway Singers event featuring Heidi Gray, the 12-year-old who just returned to Augusta from her international tour debut as Annie in “Annie: The Musical.” Dinner, 6 p.m.; concert, 7 p.m. $45, adults; $20, ages 5-12. Reservations required. Call 706-855-8100.
Evans Towne Center Park A free acoustic concert featuring Ray Fulcher, Tyler Reeve, Cole Taylor, Trea Landon, Faren Rachels and Wyatt Durrette. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit evanstownecenterpark.com.
Sun Aug 20
Sat Aug 19
Morris Museum of Art Part of the Music at the Morris series. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
8am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing Eighth Street Plaza Live music from local jazz artists and performing arts groups during the Augusta Market. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.
2:30pm Guitar Lessons 175 North Louisville Street, Harlem A Harlem Arts Council class for those with beginner to intermediate guitar experience. $30. Call 706-556-3756 or visit harlemartscouncil.org.
6pm - 9pm Hope, Happiness, Harmony DoubleTree Hotel
17AUGUST2017
2pm Rob Foster Jazz Quartet
Mon Aug 21
Voice Auditions Paine College The Augusta Chorale is auditioning all parts, especially tenors and basses, for their upcoming 35th season. Auditions are by appointment. To make an appointment, call Artistic Director Dr. Anderson at 706-8300991 or 706-836-9426.
SENIORS Thu Aug 17
1pm Got 30 Minutes? Kroc Center
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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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 18
5pm - 7pm Growler Gardening theClubhou.se Volunteers will weed and mulch, then enjoy some locally brewed beer. Participants should bring a growler or two of beer to share. Visit theclubhou.se.
5:30pm - 7:30pm Solar Eclipse Community Symposium AU’s Maxwell Theatre A series of three short presentations about the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, August 21: how to view it safely, the science behind it and solar eclipses in history. Solar telescopes will be set up to view the sun and sunspots from 5:30-6:30 to be followed by presentations in the theatre. Call 706737-1541 or visit calendar.augusta.edu.
Sat Aug 19
8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River 8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com.
craft sale, samples, a chance to win prizes and more. $8. Visit myunrealwedding. ticketleap.com/expo.
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 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
Mon Aug 21
10am - 5pm Total Eclipse of the Pines Gravatt Camp and Conference Center, Aiken Co-hosted by the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, admission to this event includes swimming, canoeing, hiking, educational activities, Savannah River Ecology Lab Show and Tell and much more. There will also be ziplines and pony rides for $5, as well as food to purchase. $10 per char; $25, 15-passenger van; $40, bus. Call 803648-1817 or email office@campgravatt.org.
1pm - 4pm Eclipse Party Daniel Field Participants can bring their eclipse glasses, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch for this event on the grounds. T-shirts, $16.20, will be available. Visit augustaaviation.com.
1pm - 2pm Eclipse Viewing
Street and Trail Motorsports Pre-registration required. Visit jdpaughmemorial.org.
Aiken State Park Eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at the park office, and participants are invited to bring seating, blankets and a picnic. $2, adults; $1.25, S.C. seniors; free, children 15 and younger. Call 803-649-2857 or email aikensp@scprt.com.
3pm - 6pm Augusta Beerfest
1:30pm - 2:30pm EclipseWatch 2017
9am - 11am Deputy J.D. Paugh Memorial Top-Shot Poker Run
James Brown Arena Ticketholders can taste a variety of specialty brews from Georgia and the southeast, and tickets include a souvenir tasting cup. $30, advance; $40, door. VIP: $70, advance; $80, door. Call 877-428-4849 or visit georgialinatix.com.
6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm “Dark Shadows”
Headquarters Branch Library An event for all ages, but those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will receive solar eclipse glasses and refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2634 or visit bit.ly/eclipsewatch2017.
2pm - 4:30pm Solar Eclipse Party
Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $1-$5.50. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library The library will provide viewing glasses and participants will paint galaxy rocks. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
6pm - 9:30pm India Day
4:30pm - 7pm Veggie Park Farmers Market
Maxwell Theatre An Indo-American Cultural Association event that includes cuisine on the portico at 6 p.m. and a performance at 7:30 p.m. Open to the public. $2, performance tickets. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.
Sun Aug 20
Tue Aug 22
Mill Village Trailhead, 109 Eve Street This weekly event in the park behind the Kroc Center features all local farmers and doubles EBT/SNAP benefits. Visit augustalocallygrown.org/veggie-parkfarmers-market/.
1pm - 4pm My Unreal Wedding Expo
Ongoing
Columbia County Exhibition Center An interactive expo featuring 50 vendors, a
Riverwatch Brewery
30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
First Pint Pour Raffle
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.
Celestial Observation House Tours Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site A guided tour, held Thursday, August 17, through Monday, August 21, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, that will explore celestial events like comets and eclipses during the 19th century. $7.50, adults; $5, S.C. seniors and ages 6-16; free, 5 and under. Visit southcarolinaparks.com.
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 19
4pm Can We Talk About? Jessye Norman School of the Arts A four-week series of roundtable discussions, this week talking about the planet. Organized by Baha’is from Augusta and Columbia County, this discussion is free and open to the public. Visit facebook.com/ pg/augusta.bahais.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Thu Aug 17
7:05pm Augusta GreenJackets vs. Columbia Fireflies Lake Olmstead Stadium $8-$12. Call 706-922-9467 or visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Fri Aug 18
5pm - 10pm Greeks on the Green Golf Social The First Tee of Augusta Hosted by the Greater Columbia County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, this event includes tee times at 6 and 7:30 p.m. for four-person teams to play six holes, putting and driving clinics, music, food, games, a cigar lounge, prizes for the best golf attire and more. $50 per person. Visit gccacdeltas.org.
Sat Aug 19
9am 4-H Family Yoga in the Park
For all levels of kids and adults. Participants should bring yoga mat and water. Call 706828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.
9am - 11:30am Women’s Ride Day Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse Road and mountain bike options available to female cyclists of all abilities. These are no-drop rides and there will be post-ride refreshments. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-2453 or visit andyjordans.com.
10am - noon National Honey Bee Day Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Activities will include honey tasting from local beekeepers, a honey based bakeoff, face painting, games and crafts, educational classes, live music from the Wynns and more. Call 706-828-2109 or visit phinizycenter.org.
10am - 2pm Pose Run Clinic Fort Gordon’s Nelson Fitness Center A seminar explaining the Pose Method, which aims to help people run longer, faster and better. Open to the public and pre-registration is required. Email john.a.grapham68.naf@mail.mil or visit fortgordon.com/pose-running-clinic-0817.
8:30pm Glow Run 5K Fort Gordon’s Barton Field Participants are invited to wear glow gear and blacklight clothing for this race, which will be followed by music and more. Pre-registration required. Visit fortgordonrunseries.com.
Mon Aug 21
1pm - 3pm Eclipse Paddle Mistletoe State Park Participants should bring eclipse glasses for this naturalist-led paddle around Clarks Hill Lake for those 6 and older. $10; $5, parking. Pre-registration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
Ongoing
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 17
6pm Bariatric Surgery Support Group University Hospital Call 706-774-8931 or visit universityhealth.org.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park 17AUGUST2017
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Mon Aug 21
6:15pm CSRA GYN Cancer Support Group Daksha Chudgar Lydia House Call 706-721-5557 or visit augusta.edu.
Tue Aug 22
10:20am Moms Connection Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor. 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.
6pm - 9pm CSRA Parkinson Support Group St. John Towers dining room Free and open to the public. Call 706-364-1662.
Ongoing
Recovery International Mental Health Support Group Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A weekly group that meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. Based on the work of Abraham Low, MD, RI offers its members a low cost method to regain and maintain their mental health by using mental health through will training. People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other symptoms. Email marykahb@yahoo.com.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta
Write to Heal Children’s Hospital of Georgia For patients, family members and caregivers, this program meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Preregistration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.
Diabetes Youth Support Group Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
Overeaters Anonymous Meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, and at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 706-863-9534 or email oa.augusta.recovery@gmail.com.
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/meetings.pdf.
Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.
THEATER Fri Aug 18 - Sat Aug 19
7:30pm - 8:30pm “Outside Mullingar”
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weighin beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.
Aiken Community Playhouse $20, adults; $17, seniors and active military; $12, students; $7, children. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
“Eli’s Bethlehem Inn” Auditions
Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-868-0539 or visit tops.org.
La Leche League 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. 17AUGUST2017
Ongoing
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.
FORGET YOUR TROUBLES
by Amy Christian
LES REAGAN, the founding director of The Augusta Broadway Singers (TAB), had no trouble deciding what the theme of the group’s upcoming show would be: “Hope… Happiness… Harmony…” is what he trusts audiences will feel when they leave the show. “I decided I wanted a feel-good concert, just due to so much garbage going on in the world, so much heartache, so much hurt, so much worry and all,” he said. “I just wanted a few minutes, maybe an hour or an hour and a half of ‘Ahhhhhhh.’ We need that, just to take ourselves away. So in planning this program I looked at music that I thought would do that, would take us on this little journey of feeling good.” This will be TAB’s third dinner show at the DoubleTree Hotel, where Reagan serves as general manager, since its inception in 2013. In 2014, they presented a holiday-themed event and went on to stage “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a musical that incorporated girl-group songs of the 1950s and ‘60s. This time around the group, which only performs musical numbers that are currently in or have been in Broadway and off-Broadway shows, will feature well-known songs such as “Joyful, Joyful” from “Sister Act,” “All Good Gifts” from “Godspell,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from “Guys and Dolls.” Perhaps the most famous feel-good song of the program, though, will be performed by 12-year-old Heidi Gray, who will join TAB on stage Friday and Saturday night to sing “Tomorrow” from “Annie.” “With this concert, we are featuring Heidi Gray, who is from North Augusta and has done a lot of theatre work around town with many of us,” Reagan said. “And she, of course, is most noted for landing the role of Annie in the Broadway national tour of ‘Annie.’ She has just returned a few months ago from touring the U.S. and Asia on a national tour. She’s doing a couple of numbers with us.” “Tomorrow” is a song that no musical theatre lover gets tired of hearing, and Reagan says that sentiment goes for Gray as well. “I asked her, ‘Are you tired of it yet?’ and she said, ‘Oh no, no, no, no,’” he said. “Because most of us, by the time we get to a show, we’re like, ‘Ugh, can we move on to another show?’ She does such a phenomenal job with it.” In addition to making the audience forget their troubles for a while, Reagan said he and the members of TAB chose most of the songs because of their connection to them. Many of the members of the group are local theatre performers who have sung these numbers in productions from years past. “For instance, the song ‘Happiness’ from ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown;’ that’s one of the songs we sing. Well, we’ve got several people who have done the show, from all different ages from several years ago. We have three Lucys from different times that are in it,” Reagan explained. “My wife and my daughter are singing in this, and we were all involved in ‘Godspell’ at different times. We met two other people who are in the group through doing ‘Godspell’ here locally years ago.” Audiences will learn of these local connections when TAB introduces each song. “It’s just one of those, ‘Welcome to our house, here’s who we are,’” he said. “And let’s have a moment of fun, and a moment of good, and maybe a moment of tears because there’s some beautiful stuff in the show.” HOPE… HAPPINESS… HARMONY… DoubleTree Hotel Fri-Sat, August 18-19 Dinner, 6 p.m.; show, 7 p.m. $45, adults; $20, ages 5-12 (reservations required) 706-855-8100
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Saturday, August 19 Live Music
Party in the Park Evans Towne Center Park Sat Aug 19 6pm - 10pm A free acoustic concert featuring Ray Fulcher (pictured), Tyler Reeve, Cole Taylor, Trea Landon, Faren Rachels and Wyatt Durrette. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7:30 p.m. evanstownecenterpark.com
8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Backyard Tavern - Mama Says Country Club- CJ Solar Coyotes - J Kyle Reynolds Evans Towne Center Park - Party in the Park w/ Ray Fulcher, Tayler Reeve, Cole Taylor, Trea Landon, Faren Rachels, Wyatt Durrette Fox’s Lair - Public Mind Imperial Theatre - Ed Turner and Number 9 Highfields Event Center (Aiken) - Aiken Music Fest Series w/ 40 Going North, the Bucket List Band, Dead 27s Playoffs (Aiken) - Wit’s End Shannon’s - Preston and Weston Sky City - Cousin Dan, Sad Fish Southbound Smokehouse- Big Sky Revival Stillwater Taproom - Kenny George Band, Prettier Than Matt, Finnegan Bell Surrey Tavern - The Barrons Tin Lizzy’s - Clay Page Wild Wing - Tim Cardiere & the Washboard Road Band The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Keith Gregory
What’s Tonight?
The Alley (Aiken) - Amp the Alley w/ Mike Frost Band Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Iron Heights - Northbound Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - Ruskin & Cam Sky City - Bethany Davis’ Fam Jam w/ Special Guests Wild Wing - Jeff Lucero Duo 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 That Place Coffee - Open Mic w/ J. Martin-Moses
32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Friday, August 18 Live Music
Country Club- Brandon Ray Coyotes - Augusta’s Most Wanted Fox’s Lair - Old Man Crazy The Highlander - Sir Edward Phillips and Psychedelic Blue The Loft - The Barons Rose Hill Estate (Aiken) - Gavin Reily Shannon’s - Atomic Road Southbound Smokehouse- Bethany Davis Stillwater Taproom - The Runaway Jug Band Wild Wing - Broadcast 90 The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Cricket Ridge Bluegrass
What’s Tonight?
Sally’s - Claire Storm Cabaret Show Soul Bar - Pop Life
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 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
Sunday, August 20 Live Music
- Columbia County Amphitheater September 9
What’s Tonight?
Thursday, August 17 Live Music
What’s Tonight?
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke
Augusta Common - Candlelight Jazz Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Southbound Smokehouse - Phillip Lee Wild Wing - Prettier Than Matt The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
Kenny George Band (pictured), Prettier Than Matt, Finnegan Bell Stillwater Taproom Sat Aug 19 Music, 9:30pm $5 706-826-9857 facebook.com/stillwatertaproomaugusta/
Wild Wing - Whiskey Run Duo
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
Diggin’ It Music Festival w/ I Am Spartacus, Brooke McBride, Trust in Traitors 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
Monday, August 21 Live Music
- Bell Auditorium October 7-8 Chris Janson
The Highlander - Acoustic Mondays Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
- Bell Auditorium October 21
What’s Tonight?
Elsewhere
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night
Tuesday, August 22 Live Music
Country Club- Hot August Nights Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic Soul Bar - Oath to Order, Kill the Host The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
What’s Tonight?
The Highlander - Game Night Shannon’s - Brindel Blue Band World of Beer - Karaoke
Wednesday, August 23 Live Music
The Playground- Moon Burns, Resisting the Current Soul Bar - Jazz Night w/ Perfect Picture
Kansas
- Bell Auditorium October 25 The Fixx
- City Winery, Atlanta August 17 Jeezy
- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta August 19 Lyle Lovett
- Symphony Hall, Atlanta August 19 Earth, Wind and Fire, Nile Rodgers
- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta August 19 Shawn Mullins
- The Foundry, Athens 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 17AUGUST2017
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- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta August 26 Dionne Warwick
- Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre, Peachtree City August 26 Goo Goo Dolls, Phillip Phillips
- Chastain Park, Atlanta September 4 Steve Earle & the Dukes
- Georgia Theatre, Athens September 5 The Afghan Whigs
- Terminal West, Atlanta September 7 Landy Antebellum, Brett Young, Kelsea Ballerini
- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta September 8 TLC, Snap!, Naughty by Nature, Montell Jordan, Color Me Badd
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
- Infinite Energy Center, Atlanta September 9 Modest Mouse
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta September 10 Toto, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo
- Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre, Peachtree City September 10 The Cranberries
Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta September 13
Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+
B-52s w/ the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony Hall, Atlanta September 14-15 Music Midtown w/ Bruno Mars, Mumford & Sons, Wiz Khalifa, Weezer, Haim, Collective Soul, the Strumbellas, Oh Wonder
- Piedmont Park, Atlanta September 16-17 Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade
- Infinite Energy Center, Atlanta September 21
17AUGUST2017
Meet sexy new friends
FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Heather McGee, Mario Enriquez and Alexandria Enriquez at the Symbols & Allegories: Works by Jay Jacobs Exhibit Opening at the Westobou Gallery.
Mark Verbeck, Kristi Jilson and Jay Jacobs at the Symbols & Allegories: Works by Jay Jacobs Exhibit Opening at the Westobou Gallery.
Cheryl Goldsleger, Aimee Serafin, Anslie Thorp and Shannon Morris at the Symbols & Allegories: Works by Jay Jacobs Exhibit Opening at the Westobou Gallery.
Cristina Renteria, Melissa Butler, Allyson Mellott and Sarah Howard at the Country Club.
Christina Renteria,Parmalee lead singer Matt Thomas, Felicia Guzman and Brittany Sterling at the Country Club.
Amber Meyer, Raleigh Hornung and Ivy Smith at the Country Club.
James and Lynn Marshall with Kim Carges and Dan Pereira at Craft & Vine.
Sonja Parker, Sharmela Johnson and Sabrina Tutt at Craft & Vine.
Lars Ridderbjelk, Maisy Elellinger, Dieter Macgruder and Jonathan Chestnut at the Firehouse.
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THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
ANNABELLE: CREATION
$35,006,404
$35,006,404
1
-
2
DUNKIRK
$10,884,117
$153,191,668
4
2
3
THE NUT JOB 2
$8,342,311
$8,342,311
1
-
4
THE DARK TOWER
$7,820,154
$34,250,918
2
1
5
GIRLS TRIP
$6,466,475
$97,139,980
4
4
In Theaters August 18
COMEDY “Logan Lucky,” rated PG-13, starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver,
ACTION “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” rated R, starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel
Daniel Craig, Katie Holmes, Seth MacFarlane, Hilary Swank. The director of “Ocean’s 11,” “Oceans 12,” “Oceans 13” and “Magic Mike” brings this Southern-fried heist film set during a North Carolina NASCAR race. The idea of seeing Brit Daniel Craig go from playing James Bond to portraying an American redneck criminal is enough for us to want to check this one out.
L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Salma Hayek. An unlikely pair played by Reynolds as Michael Bryce and Jackson as Darius Kincaid team up in this comedy to work on defeating a European dictator played by Oldman. The catch is, Bryce is a special protection agent who had been targeted dozens of times by Kincaid, a hitman. The two will have to overcome their antagonistic past so Kincaid can testify to take down the dictator.
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THEY’RE BACK!
2635 Washington Road Augusta, Georgia 30904 Mon - Sat 9am - 9pm 1.706.738.7777 www.windsorfinejewelers.com