All things considered, it’s been a pretty interesting political sea son, and things aren’t done quite yet. The evening of December sixth will determine if Raphael Warnock retains his Senate seat, or if all hell will break loose with a former Georgia running back taking the helm.
I see that particular Senate race as part of a bigger discussion, though, in regards to the failures of both political parties. That has been amplified with renewed talks about a pending railroad strike, and essen tially, all railroad workers want is
paid sick leave.
Similar to student loan debt, or healthcare, this should be a slam dunk for Democrats. The reason why it’s a “challenge” is because the two-party system, as currently constructed, doesn’t serve labor or working-class people. It only serves corporations.
The corporate duopoly’s commit ment to shareholders and profits are not good for society as a whole. As long as student loan debt has been on hold, our government should cancel it entirely. And in the midst of a nearly three-year battle with
COVID-19, our country needs a sig nificant shift toward better (and free) healthcare.
There’s no good reason why we can’t afford it. I see how much this country spends on the military and policing. For five years in a row, the Pentagon failed its military audit, and it’s worth mentioning that the DOD has an annual budget of $800 billion. And don’t get me started on how much money we’re sending over to the Ukraine.
We need a new way of politics in this country, because the status quo isn’t working. The next time you
come across a politician, whether locally or further out, ask them if they have a plan for homelessness, or healthcare or education. If they don’t, ask them and ask yourself – whose interests are they really serving?
Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail. com.
Augusta Mini Theatre has received a $300,000 grant from Chestnut Family Foundation. The sustainability grant will be distributed over two years and sup ports Augusta Mini Theatre’s develop ment, fundraising and program expan sion. The Chestnut Family Foundation was established by MailChimp co-found er and CEO Ben Chestnut and his wife, Teresa, and focuses on Georgia organizations that improve the lives of children.
“We are grateful to Chestnut Foundation for believing in our mis sion to impact youth who are frequent ly overlooked and under-resourced through their participation in the arts,” says Tyrone J. Butler, Founder/ Executive Director at Augusta Mini Theatre. “It’s been a joy to get to know Ben and Teresa and feel they really see us and appreciate the work we do
with area youth.”
Augusta Mini Theatre was founded October 8, 1975, by Tyrone Butler and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers qual ity afterschool instruction in drama, modern dance, visual arts and music. Through studying and performing the arts, students also learn valuable life skills like perseverance, self-esteem, communication, self-control, coopera tion, responsibility and respect for self and others. Additionally, twice each year, Augusta Mini Theatre stages fullscale drama productions that cover historical and cultural topics or social issues. Mini Theatre staff mentor stu dents and act as strong role models for youth who sometimes do not have abundant positive role models in their communities.
The Augusta Mini Theatre is open to any CSRA student in 1st – 12th grade. We offer classes in drama, modern
dance, visual arts and music. The Mini Theatre produces two major drama productions each year which are open to the public and is now home to the 1970 Augusta Riot Exhibit. The organization’s mission is to enrich the educational and ethical devel opment of local youth by fostering critical thinking, social consciousness and personal development through affordable fine arts instruction, per
formances and workshops.
Due to economic hardship in the wake of the pandemic, all tuition for classes is waived during the 2022-23 school year. For more information about our classes or to enroll, visit https://augustaminitheatre.org, fol low us on social media, or call 706722-0598. Augusta Mini Theatre is located at 2548 Deans Bridge Road in Augusta, GA.
Georgia voters set a single-day early turnout record Monday, (Nov. 28) as 301,500 people stormed to the polls on the first day they were open in most counties ahead of the U.S. Senate runoff.
Interest in the senate runoff elec tion between Democrat Raphael Warnoff and G.O.P. candidate Hershel Walker was so high that the Monday turnout eclipsed the previous high of 253,000 early voters on the Friday before Election Day in 2016.
In Augusta, church organizations and local community groups encour aged citizens to vote in this election. Among them, The Greater Augusta’s Interfaith Coalition (GAIC) has been working hard to make sure every registered voter exercises the right to
vote – especially young voters.
Rev. Christopher Johnson, GAIC Executive Director, said, “We strive for 100% voter participation, and we are removing the obstacles by providing free transportation to the polls. We are particularly interested in cul tivating young voters, those between the ages of 18 and 39. They are our future, and we are encouraging them to make it a habit to make time to go to the polls.”
The group is mobilizing young voters by providing freebies at several locations this weekend.
Stars and Strikes, 3p-6p Red Wing Skating, 6p-9p and Saturday, December 3: Augusta Mall, 1p-5p Skateland, 6p-9p
Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency would like to extend an invitation to the Greater Augusta Food Access Stakeholders meeting on Saturday, December 10, 2022. This is the first of several community meetings to identify resources, build collabo rations, and develop solutions to pressing issues of food inse curity in the Greater Augusta region.
This initiative is calling on ALL friends of Agriculture to attend such as:
Farmers, food banks, farmers markets, public/private schools, real estate developers, chambers of commerce, coun ty extensions, banking, legal, ministries, elected officials, City/County department heads, etc...
Greater Augusta Food Access Stakeholders
December 10, 2022 11:00am
(Location and parking details TBA)
Topics of discussion: Urban Agriculture, Education, Transportation, Market Innovations, Community Engagement, Cooperative Agreements
Host: karengordon, Growing Augusta Facilitator: Shawn Edwards, Executive Director, Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority
The link to register can be found by visiting https://www.growingaugusta. co/classes (choose “December 2022 Community Meeting”).
This event is a continuation of the series of meetings held in 2022 in Augusta, Valdosta and Atlanta for The Senate Improving Access to Healthy Foods and Ending Food Deserts Study Committee which
was headed by Augusta area Senator Harold Jones. The Committee was tasked to study the existence of food deserts across the state and craft a legislative response to this ongoing challenge.
We understand that ‘tis the season for travel and end-of-year busyness, but please send a member of your staff and/or leadership team if unable to attend.
UPW: We see by the public reporting that those that rely on Augusta Transit are increasingly from the older demographic. Some have expressed the need for service on Sunday. Will Sunday service be available in 2023 or following years?
DR. OLIVER PAGE: There are many population groups that depend on transit service in Augusta-Richmond County. The largest group is comprised of riders from low-income households with no vehicle. The majority of riders in this group are of working age 18 thru 64 years. Seniors 65 years and older make up 10% of our total ridership.
Past surveys of riders have con
cluded that there is a demand and need for Sunday service. However, Sunday service will result in addi tional operational costs to Augusta Transit. A significant proportion of Augusta Transit’s operational costs are financed from the City of Augusta General Fund. For Sunday operations to start, Augusta, Georgia Commission approval will be required. The Augusta, Georgia Commission will decide whether the benefits of Sunday service outweigh the additional costs of providing this service.
Augusta Transit is a department of the City of Augusta, and transit operational decisions that require additional funding requests of the General Fund such a bus purchase,
new transit services, applications for Federal funding, etc., must be considered and approved by the Augusta, Georgia Commission. Augusta Transit can only recommend the introduction of Sunday service in 2023 or beyond, as to whether this becomes a reality, the final decision rests with the Augusta, Georgia Commission.
UPW: The Gordon Highway Transfer Point with new Lexan panels looks great. Why is it important for these transfer points to exist and will we see more bus shelters in the coming months?
PAGE: The glass panels at the
Gordon Highway Transfer Point were replaced with Lexan to reduce vandalism, eliminate the danger of broken glass, and give passengers a dry and safe place to wait. Lexan is an unbreakable and durable mate rial that many transit agencies use at bus shelters. Transfer points exist to permit riders move from one bus route to another. The network design of Augusta Transit’s routes requires at least one (1) transfer to travel across town as there are no crosstown routes. For example, to travel from Turpin Hill to the Augusta Mall requires riding two (2) buses with a downtown transfer at the Broad Street Transfer Facility.
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Augusta Transit is currently upgrading its 618 bus stops and transfer facility and this will see new bus stop signs, bus shelters, benches, trash cans and a ticket vending machine. This process will take several months and is depen dent on availability of bus stop ame nities, materials, and contract labor. New bus stop signs have been completed along route #5 Green Line/ Washington Rd and are currently being installed on route #3 Gold Line/East Augusta. The speed to replace old bus shelters with new ones will take into account the num ber of passengers using that stop.
UPW: Augusta Transit has received $1.4 million in federal Covid funds this year. Is that enough for Augusta Transit to make improved service across the board for the system’s riders?
PAGE: The $1.4 million awarded to Augusta Transit in 2021 was a grant from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) of the Georgia Department of Transportation. TAP funds can be used for projects sup porting alternatives to the use of motor vehicles such as sidewalk enhancements, bus stop amenities, bicycle paths, etc.
Augusta Transit received funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2021. These funds were used to purchase six (6) buses and support operational costs. The six (6) buses purchased will be delivered in the second quarter 2023.
UPW: How many riders does Augusta Transit service on a weekly basis?
PAGE: Between 1 January and 30 September 2022 Augusta Transit carried 304,696 passengers. During that period there were 228 oper ational days which approximates 1,336 riders per operational day or 8,018 riders per week (Monday thru Saturday).
UPW: What are your top (3) routes for this year?
PAGE: Augusta Transit’s top three (3) busiest routes by passenger num bers for the period January 1 thru
September 30, 2022, were:
#7 Pink Line/Augusta Mall 57,541
#5 Green Line/Washington Rd 53,206
#6 Brown Line/Gordon Highway 50,945
UPW: Have you had an opportunity to study the results of your recent Transit Survey?
PAGE: Our recent transit survey is still open (visit www.augustaga. gov/transitsurvey). We are seeking information from two groups: peo ple who use Augusta Transit services and those who do not. The majority of responses so far are from people who do not ride transit. A survey of actual bus riders will take place soon and this will be conducted on the bus itself.
Early results from the 500+ respondents who do not ride Augusta Transit buses reveal that:
• 95% or more drive themselves to get around
• 95% or more have a drivers’ license
• The majority have direct access to the internet via Smart phone, tab let, or desktop computer
• If they choose to ride transit prefer to pay for fares by credit/debit card or via a mobile app
• Would like transit routes to Tobacco Rd and/or Augusta Regional Airport
• Earn high incomes, in fact the majority survey takers earn in excess of $50,000 per year
UPW: We noticed mention of a bus shortage in Augusta on your social media page. What can you tell us about that problem and how is it being addressed?
PAGE: Several of our fixed route buses (big buses) are out of service on a daily basis. Two main rea sons for this situation are: 1) vehi cle age where some of our buses have exceeded their recommended replacement age (the manufacturer of these buses ceased business operations more than 10 years ago) and older buses tend to break down more often, and 2) buses in the pro cess of being repaired are awaiting parts which are in short supply or delayed by the national supply chain slowdown.
We have 15 buses to serve nine (9)
fixed routes; however, in November 2022 there were days where nine (9) buses were out of service leaving six (6) buses to serve the nine (9) routes. In this situation, we have had to prioritize big buses to ser vice our busiest routes, namely: #6 Brown Line/Gordon Hwy, #5 Green Line/Washington Rd and #7 Pink Line/Augusta Mall. Our least busy routes for example #2 Gray Line/ West Parkway and #1 Blue Line/ Walton Way ADA paratransit or rural vans (even a Ford Explorer) have been used if available.
Augusta Transit strives to address this unacceptable operational state of affairs through increasing our fixed route fleet size. Three (3) used buses have been secured and arrive in Augusta by mid-December 2023; three (3) buses on loan arrive during the same timeframe; six (6) brand new buses are scheduled to arrive in April/May 2023; and six (6) electric buses will join the fleet in 2024.
Furthermore, to minimize passenger inconvenience from inconsistent bus operations, RATP Dev USA Inc., (contracted to operate bus services on behalf of Augusta Transit) sourc es parts statewide and nationally, networks with other transit agencies with similar bus fleets to share and learn operational insights; employs skilled mechanics and, will improve internal communications to short en the time in getting operational information out to passengers on our routes.
UPW: Your department makes an effort to keep the public involved and engaged – even by making it easier to get to the polls. Why is it important to maintain that community posture?
PAGE: Voting is a civic right, how ever, there are many residents in Augusta Richmond County that are disenfranchised of their voting rights because they do not have access to personal transportation or cannot afford to pay for a ride either by taxi, Uber/Lyft, or friend. Increasing awareness of the availability of tran sit and the cost to ride provides needed opportunities to get to the polls, jobs, grocery store or simply to get around. Recent interactions with the public at community events
has revealed there are many people who do not know about Augusta Transit and the services it provides. Augusta Transit will maintain this important community posture to ensure that all residents and visitors have the choice to access the bene fits of this asset, transit, in Augusta Richmond County.
UPW: What is RATP Dev and what is its role in Augusta bus transportation and when did it assume administrative control of the system?
PAGE: Augusta Transit is a depart ment of City of Augusta. Augusta Transit’s mission is to ‘give our customers access to all regions of Augusta-Richmond County area by providing quality, dependable, safe, accessible, and affordable transpor tation, thereby enhancing the mobil ity of the general public as well as the transportation disadvantaged.’ In the early 2010s as a method to improve the efficiency of the transit department along with cost savings to the General Fund, the operations of Augusta Transit were outsourced to a third-party contractor.
Currently, Augusta Transit con tracts RATP Dev USA Inc., (RATP Dev) through Augusta Transit Management (ATM) to operate and maintain its transit services. RATP Dev with a North American HQ in Fort Worth TX is an international multimodal transportation provid er operating, managing, and main taining transportation services. A current workforce of 88 staff, five (5) are City of Augusta employees with the balance (bus drivers, main tenance workers, laborers, dispatch, and administrative staff) managed by Augusta Transit Management a company of RATP Dev. Many cityrun transit services in Georgia and the US are outsourced to third party contractors.
UPW: Explain the ARTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. How can readers learn more about it?
PAGE: The ARTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is a 9-month project of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) Metropolitan Planning Organization
Augusta Mini Theatre, along with its drama and dance students, will celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with restaging “The Man, The Message, The Music” (A Tribute to the Godfather of Soul) from January 13, 2023 to February 19, 2023.
“The Man, The Message, The Music”, written, directed and choreographed by, two time published playwright, Tyrone J. Butler, pays tribute to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and James Brown.
A play in two acts, this production reinforces the local and interna tional impact left by James Brown, while teaching lessons in history, self-reliance, and the human spirit, as did Dr. King. The first act shares information that illuminates the being of James Brown. The second act features songs by the Godfather of Soul interpreted by a series of dancers.
Augusta Mini Theatre students in the play are Christian Dunnum, Monae Burns, Symphanie Tubman, Kenari Dixon, Karter Willis, and Kennedy Robinson.
There will be a special performance at Bettis Academy on February 25 at 2pm. The address is 78 Nicholson Road, Trenton, SC 29847. For tickets, call 706.832.9462 or 803.226.4247
The play is recommended for all ages and sponsored by Wright One Paint and Body Shop and Augusta Regional Airport.
For more information about “The Man, The Message, The Music,” con tact Shantelle Wheeler and Reishal Cummings at 706-722-0598 or visit our site at www.augustaminithe atre.org. General Admission is Adults $15.00 and Students $10.00 and youth groups of 10 or more $8.00 per youth. Chaperones the same. Senior Citizen tickets are available at $10.00.
Donations, ticket and other inqui ries should be made at: 2548 Deans Bridge Rd, Augusta, GA 30906 or call 706-722-0598, email tyronejbut ler67@yahoo.com or visit our site at www.augustaminitheatre.org. We also accept major credit cards, Cashapp ($AugustaMini Theatre) or PayPal (@AugustaMiniTheatre).
(MPO) based in the Planning & Development Department of the City of Augusta. This project will produce a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan, including infrastructure and program recom mendations to improve the walking and bicycling environment in the Augusta Metropolitan area. Readers can learn more about the proj ect and provide input by visiting artsbikepedplan.altago.site. During the project input from the public (online or community meetings) is always welcome especially from pedestrians and those who prefer not use motor vehicle for all their
trip needs.
UPW: What is MyAT app and how they can our readers get it?
PAGE: The MyAT app has always been available for download from the Google Play Store or Apple Store. The app user must enable location on their device for the MyAT app to give real time arrival, bus location and trip planning information. Unfortunately, the MyAT app does not facilitate the purchase of tickets or bus pass es. The app allows anyone to plan a trip to and from any point
in Augusta Richmond County and will show you available bus routes, transfers required and estimated departure and arrival times. If your origin or destina tion is not near a bus route it will estimate the walking time to get to and from the nearest bus stop. Using Google Maps for bus route and trip planning information is an alternative to the MyAT app. However, if there is a bus sched ule change or route diversion at short notice there may be a delay in presenting this information on Google Maps when compared to the MyAT app.
Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets. Rum cake is one of my favorites to make during the holiday season. This easy version uses a cake mix and does not take long to make. It’s delicious sliced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Cake:
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup dark rum
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
Glaze:
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup rum
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan.
2. Make cake: Sprinkle walnuts over the bottom of the prepared pan; set aside.
3. Mix together cake mix, eggs, dark rum, water, oil, and vanilla pud ding mix in a large bowl until well combined. Pour batter over walnuts in the pan.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool, then invert cake onto a serving plate. Gently prick holes into the top and sides of cake with a toothpick or skew er.
5. Make glaze: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir sugar and water into melted butter; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Remove glaze from heat; stir in rum.
6. Drizzle warm glaze over top and sides of cake.
If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or learn about events by Latrell, please visit my website and send an email via the contact form.
Website: www.southernjazzandsweets.com
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Miller Theater | Brian J. Marks Hall
Doors Open 6:30 p.m. | Concert 7:30 p.m. | Black Tie
An evening of emotional fire, elegance and Latin American music, food, and dance awaits you at the Augusta Symphony! Join our biggest party and sole fundraiser of the year as the sun burns low in the Cuban sky, setting the stage for one glamorous evening of Havana Nights!
www.augustasymphony.com/gala
The Jessye Norman School of the Arts will be co-hosting the second annual 8th Street Holiday Artisan Market to showcase local artists, makers, performers, and restaurants and give vendors a chance to connect with their community and create opportunities for local economic growth.
This event is sponsored by AARP Georgia and co-hosted with neighbor hood businesses including: Humanitree House, Aficionados of Augusta, Le Chat Noir, the Downtown Development Authority, and Beulah’s antiques. The market will take place December 10th, from 12:00 PM to 9:00PM.
In addition to over 40 vendors, Augusta Animal Services will be host ing an adoption event on site, and Alma Presents will provide music by Nefertiti, Tara Scheyer and Erin Dennis, Ariana Williams, DJ Matto, DJ Emeigh, AE the Cool, DJ Ro, and DJ Coco!
The Vendor application will be open on thejnsa.org until December 2. Selected vendors will be announced via website an social media on December 3rd. There is a $25 dollar vendor fee for selected vendors to join the event.
To apply to be a vendor, to get event details, or volunteer, please visit thejnsa.org. For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact Gary Dennis, jnsaexecdir@jnsarts.org.
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum is accepting works of art for jur ied consideration for an upcoming “New & Emerging Artists” exhibition to be held Feb. 6 - March 24, 2023.
The application is open to all art ists 18 years and older who reside in the CSRA and are looking to showcase recent artwork. Artists may submit up to 2 works of art in any medium (painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, digital, etc.) Two-dimensional works can not be larger than 24”x36” in size and must be matted/framed and ready to hang. Three dimensional (sculptures) are limited to a size that can be displayed on a table top.
All submissions will be reviewed by a jury panel and artists notified of acceptance. There are no applica tion fees, but the museum will take a 20% commission on any sales to help cover costs of exhibit promo tions.
Applications are open and will close on January 13, 2023. All accept ed artwork must be dropped off to the Museum by February 1st.
To submit artwork please visit www.LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com for the PDF application and sub mission instructions. The Laney Museum is located at 1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA 30901. For questions please call 706-724-3576.
Celebrate the holiday season with a tour of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson, a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy the house decorated for the holi days with evergreens and festive decorations! December tours of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson will incorporate details about what Christmas was like in 1860s before, during, and after the Civil War.
Special Candlelight Tours will take place on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. The last tour will commence at 6:30 pm. Enjoy festive
refreshments with the lights turned down low, the candles flickering, and live music filling the house with holiday cheer from long ago. Candlelight Tour admission is $15 for adults; $12 for senior and mili tary; and $10 for students K-12. For more information, visit our website at www.wilsonboyhoodhome.org or call 706. 724.0436.
Guided daytime tours throughout the month of December are offered Wednesdays - Saturdays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The Wilson House is a great place to bring out of town guests! Invite a friend to join you for a day of downtown shopping, touring, and lunch.
by T.K. Brown Jr.
What does the church mean to you? Is it a beautiful, eloquent structure with stained-glass col ored windows and perched steeples? In a physical sense,it is just that. Spiritually, however; it means much more than you probably know.
Who is the church? The church is not a building. It is internal, and not external. People are the church; and they should repre sent Jesus Christ. “All the believ ers were together and had every thing in common.” (Acts 2:44).
We are to bring honor and glory to God through serving, worshiping, and obeying Him.
Our lives should reflect kindness, compassion, sincerity, love, and show a sense of dignity amongst ourselves and to others.
You must know and understand your purpose in Christ. It is dangerous to merely exist.
We cannot live,and not be responsible to a higher calling. The church structurally, is an inanimate object. It has no heart, nor does it have a soul.
So you see: We Are The Church! God has a purpose for you. Don’t let reality interfere with that. Represent Christ wholehearted ly, and not those things of the world.
Stay away from yourselves.
