UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW

Ken Makin remembers

Nathaniel Irvin Sr.

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016 VOL. 6 NO. 1

City Lens / JOSEY HOMING

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Major Cobb ProtectorIn-Chief

Augusta school board weighs protest ban

Photo by Ken Makin

UrbanProWeekly -OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin THE LEGEND OF NATHANIEL IRVIN

Neither financial depression nor racist oppression could bog him down When people have a profound impact on your life, you remember the little things about them. And so it goes with the late, great Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Irvin, Sr. I remember his laugh – such a joyous cackle. It revealed a slight, yet charming underbite that made up a beautiful, distinctive smile. Rev. Irvin was a smaller gentleman, but he had the spirit of a giant. Plus, he had a surprisingly good jab. He playfully punched me one time in the arm one time and caught me off guard. Now that I have a full understanding of his upbringing, that hidden strength makes so much sense to me. Rev. Irvin was born in severe poverty at the start of the Great Depression in 1929. His early life and ascent into early adulthood can be described as adverse and with literal heartache. Doctors said he wouldn’t live past his late 20s, and the rheumatic fever he contracted as a child threatened to keep him out of the military. Fast forward to Rev. Irvin’s celebration of life. He received the accolades worth of a military man – a man who excelled in spiritual and sociological warfare. No, Rev. Irvin didn’t serve in any tours of duty. Yet when he faced racism on the bus as a 17-year-old, he had a pistol pointed to his face. He, along with his son, Nathaniel II, found themselves on one of the most daunting front lines in history – the battleground known as integration. Rev. Irvin was an accomplished activist, educator and spiritual leader. Yet even with all of those titles, he seemed

ev. Irvin was driven by a desire to R serve. As pastor, teacher, principal, civil rights and community leader, counselor and friend, he made no distinctions among the needs of people. Throughout his 54 years of pastoring (Greater Mt. Canaan Bapt. Church 1959-1980, Augusta, GA; Old Storm Branch Bapt. Church 1980-2013, he proudly proclaimed the Grace of Jesus Christ, the power of forgiveness, and the need to love one another. He was a beloved teacher and school administrator, a historian, and an outspoken civil rights leader in the CSRA and beyond. He proudly served this nation as a member of the U.S. Army (19501952). He earned the BA and MS degrees from South Carolina State College, and did further study at the University of Kentucky. For his lifetime of religious and community service, and his supThe Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Irvin, Sr. port of education, he was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Irvin, Sr.passed Letters from Morris Collegei n 1999). away, Saturday, October 1, 2016. to be best as a family man. When his children and grandchildren spoke at his celebration of life, their faces (and their strong genes) told personal stories of achievement, affirmation and adoration. The Irvin clan is a talented lot, complete with educations, administrators and musicians.

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One of those kinsmen is Roman GianArthur, who along with his fellow grandchild Nat III, performs with the music troupe Wondaland, which houses the likes of national recording artists Janelle Monae and Jidenna. Roman spoke of his grandfather’s generosity and joyfulness, and how

he thought his grandfather was an “ATM machine” because of how much he gave to people in the community. I, too, received an investment from the Bank of Irvin. He liked to see me take pictures at community events. Those pictures made their way to newspaper photo collages. I don’t know which was brighter, my camera flash or Rev. Irvin’s smile. He would talk about the importance of that ministry – how something as simple as seeing one’s picture in the paper could galvanize the community. He spoke of it as “vision.” To quote Roman and Jidenna’s smash hit, Rev. Irvin was a “Classic Man.” He understood the power and the mutualistic relationship between deity and community. Through grace, his life went from boggeddown beginnings in his native Boggy Branch, to a triumphant finish as the pastor emeritus at Old Storm Branch. He will be sorely missed. I take solace in two things – the fact that Rev. Irvin is resting peacefully, and the ideal that legends never truly die.

Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference,” a media conglomerate that incorporates podcasting/radio, social media and commentary. The podcast is available atsoundcloud.com/makinadifference. Updates on the show are available at facebook.com/makinadifferenceshow. Ken can be reached by email atmakinadifferenceshow@ gmail.com or via Twitter @differencemakin.

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EDUCATION

COMMENTARY

A MATTER OF PROTEST: A handful of residents participated in a silent protest during and after a Richmond County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. Residents took offense with District 7 School Board member Frank Dolan’s comments regarding students’ protest of the national anthem. Pictured from left are Ebony Harvey, Joey Traina, Matthew Williams and Brittney Ayers. Photo by Ken Makin By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA The protests launched by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful refusal to stand during the playing of the national anthem has reached the Broad Street offices of the Richmond County Board of Education. In its October 11th meeting last Tuesday, school board member Frank Dolan got the ball rolling with a recommendation that any athletes, cheerleaders or band members who fail to stand for the national anthem should be suspended from the team. The fact that he was not laughed out of the chamber, but was rather encouraged by other board members is disappointing. The board’s discussion did not go unnoticed by local activists who launched an impromptu protest of their own in and outside of the school board’s meeting rooms. The problem with Dolan’s zero tolerance for lawful, peaceful protest is that it is a thinly disguised ideological posture dressed up in the language of respect for the nation’s “civil religion.” And while school superintendent Angela Pringle urged the board members not to rush to judgment warning against possible lawsuits, the real danger is not legal, nor is it constitutional. It’s common sense. You can’t force people to stand up when they would

rather remain seated. Remember Rosa Parks. She remained seated, went to jail and sparked a revolution. Hundreds of students across the south went to jail along with her. If the students are prepared to suffer for their beliefs, they should be applauded, not threatened. There’s a strange power in refusing to stand. For while you are seated, you are in a passive mode — non threatening. Why are grown folks so afraid of that kind of passivity? If those who attend the games want to express their patriotism by standing for the national anthem, or by standing on their heads — that’s fine. That’s their right. Those who choose not to ‘wear that hat’ should be left alone. Who says that patriotic expression can only wear one style of hat? Protest is in the nation’s DNA, but we suspect that the school board members are aware of that. What the proponents of student punishment are really objecting to is the cause of the protest. Somehow they feel that their inner essence is being violated. Further they feel that the outward expressions of their essence — the tokens of patriotism — are under fire. Americanism and American Exceptionalism, the worship of the flag, the national anthem, along with Bald Eagle and the Dollar Bill are the symbols of an imaginary national archetype. They are the sounds and symbols that tinkle rather than roar.

They are hollow admonitions — skeletons with no meat on their bones. The ghosts of Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, Wounded Knee, and, yes Hiroshima tug at the cloak of the ghost of Uncle Sam. Who were the real Americans? George Custer or Sitting Bull? Richard Nixon or Cesar Chavez? Martin Luther King Jr. or George Wallace? No, the problem is not the protest. The problem is that for some reason there is a fear that lack of respect for the symbols of American chauvanism will accelerate the country and the county’s headlong slide into the abyss. But that’s so much nonsense. If you codify the punishment for the expression of certain ideas, you are inviting further dissension. Somewhere, someone is going to challenge the rule and if they are not treated fairly, the school system will face real protests and not just from the students. Leave the kids alone. They’ll express themselves and then move on to something more interesting. Before a student is punished for not prostrating before some panel’s idea of what is noble, it would be better and more equitable to the scrap the whole national anthem exercise altogether or, at least, make it optional. To no one’s surprise, the protest ban proponents are not without their cheerleaders. Here’s a clip from the daily newspaper’s editorial about the issue:

School Board Member Frank Dolan wants to keep student athletes from peaceful protest. Photo by Ken Makin “We understand the concern. But we think the school board should show a fraction of the courage our men and women who have risked their lives to defend this nation have displayed.” Then they follow that with, “there must be discipline. There must be cohesion and comraderie.” What are they talking about? Is this a high school or a military academy. So strange is the power of refusing to stand up.

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

Richmond School Board weighs anthem-protest ban

BUSINESS

UrbanProWeekly -OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

Gold Cross designated Emergency Medical Dispatch Accredited Center of Excellence Gold Cross EMS has been approved as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence on 9/22/2016 by the Board of Accreditation of the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). Therefore, Gold Cross EMS earned the distinguished honor of becoming the 222nd Emergency Medical Dispatch Accredited Center in the world and only the 6th in the state of Georgia out of hundreds of dispatch centers. The IAED is a non-profit standard-setting organization promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services worldwide. Comprised of four allied Academies for medical, fire, police and emergency communication nurse system dispatching, the IAED supports first responder related research, unified protocol application, legislation for emergency call center regulation, and strengthening the emergency dispatch community through education, certification, and accreditation. An Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) is the highest distinction in 9-1-1 emergency communication services. “To be the only Emergency Medical Dispatch Center in the eastern part of the state is a very significant achievement that we are very proud of. Our team has spent an enormous amount of time and resources to establish the best trailing program in the state,” stated CEO Vince Brogdon. Gold Cross EMS achieved accreditation for demonstrating compliance to the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) and the associated “20 Points

of Excellence.” The “20 Points of Excellence,” encompass international practice standards of excellence for Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). This level of operational effectiveness addresses system oversight, quality improvements programs, and individual certification of all emergency call-takers. Accreditation is a voluntary accomplishment that demonstrates an unprecedented dedication to public safety from not only each individual within the communications center, but also the administration. Gold Cross EMS Director of Communications Major Christa Duckworth was instrumental in getting this achievement. “I am so proud of the hard work of the communication officers here. Every one of my Communication Officers went through EMD School and all obtained their EMD Certification. To be only the 6th accredited center in Georgia is very exciting,” stated Duckworth. CEO Vince Brogdon also said, “This is very important for the community as well. Having an accredited dispatch center ensures consistency for every medical call placed with 911. You never have to worry about getting differing information from one dispatcher to the next. They are all highly trained and follow the same strict EMD protocols.” Gold Cross EMS achieved their CASS Accreditation earlier in the year as well. This accreditation for the Dispatch Center further exemplifies Gold Cross EMS dedication to quality care.

School must stop ‘unethical’ threats over school absences

UPW Urban Pro Weekly

2746 Willis Foreman Road Hephzibah, GA 30815

DOCUMENTARYFILM SHOWING & DISCUSSION

Discovering Dave: Spirit Captured in Clay

Aiken Technical College to host new guest lecture series

The D ynamic AIKEN Dialogues series is a Aiken Technical joint effort between College will kick-off the College’s Office its new guest lecof Recruitment and ture series, Dynamic Student Experience Dialogues, on Oct. and academic lead26 with a screenership to engage ing of Discovering students outside of Dave: Spirit Captured the classroom, said in Clay and discusMelissa Johnson, sion with the film’s director of the Office co-producer George of Recruitment and Wingard. The event Student Experience. will begin at 12:45 “Understanding that p.m. in the amphithelearning takes place all ater (700 building). around us, providing Discovering Dave: Pottery by David Drake a well-rounded educaSpirit Captured in tional experience is a Clay is a documentary that details the life of David Drake, priority in higher education,” she said. an enslaved potter in Edgefield, S.C. “This series was developed to offer during the 1800s. The award-win- an opportunity to showcase subject ning film has been shown through- experts and thought leaders in our area, making students aware of the out the United States. Wingard is the program coor- resources in their own backyards.” Future lectures will be held in dinator for the Savannah River Archaeological Research Program, November, February and March on a division of the South Carolina topics such as STEM-related careers, Institute of Archaeology and health disparities and women’s histoAnthropology. In addition to ry, respectively. “The goal is to highlight topics researching 18th and 19th century pottery from the Central that are of academic relevance to our Savannah River Area, his interests students, that also increase cultural also include the historic towns that awareness,” said Johnson. Refreshments will be provided startwere located in the area that is now the Savannah River Site, and the ing at 12:30 p.m. All events in the series are free and open to the public. Graniteville mill village.

Command leadership needed in the White House

LETTERS

The Academy of Richmond County (ARC) High School is using the Georgia compulsory attendance law to bully and threaten 16-year-old students and their parents. Specifically, ARC mails certified letters to the student’s home informing the parents of unexcused absences. However, Georgia law states mandatory attendance is required for children between their sixth and sixteenth birthday. The letters warn of truancy, criminal misdemeanor, fines, and imprisonment. Moreover, it states the parent will receive a summons to appear in Juvenile Court. Naturally, the parent and child are deceived into believing they are subject to the mandatory attendance law. However, a

EDUCATION

concerned parent wrote the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) to inquire about this practice. A reply from a specialist at the GADOE stated, “Mandatory attendance is required for children between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays”, which indicates 16 year old students are not subject to the law. Also, the reply suggested the parent should consult an attorney if they believed they were unnecessarily targeted under the compulsory attendance law. It appears the unethical practice at ARC may have exposed the Richmond County school system to legal action by the parents who have received the threatening letters. Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

In the midst of the ongoing presidential campaign, command leadership experience is desperately needed in the White House. That is one attribute that none of the candidates seem to have. From a military perspective, command means to order or demand with authority; to govern or control. A commander implements, delegates, and executes a course of action. It also means being decisive, regardless of whether an objective is met or not. Our current Commander-in-Chief,President Obama has shown to be too passive on some foreign policy matters. This country not only lacks leadership, but hungers for command leadership. We need someone with a stern military mindset. Better yet, someone who has actually served in a combat situation or crisis, with the skills of strategic planning, rapid deployment, destroying the enemy, and upholding a much stronger foreign policy. What military leader would have negotiated with terrorists

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CEO / Sales FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com

for the release of an American soldier as President Obama did some years ago? That is poor judgement, and would have been handled much differently, had there been better command and control. Speaking from military experience, one never negotiates anything with terrorists. That incident shows how reactionary weak leadership can be, whereas military leadership is more proactive; swift, decisive, and strongly mission driven in getting matters resolved quickly. No contingencies or dilemmas are second-guessed or compromised. History has shown us that generals Colin Powell, Barry McCaffrey, Norman Schwarzkorpf, and William Westmoreland exemplified outstanding command leadership. Even our 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, served as Commander-in-Chief. Wanted: Command Leadership Experience Lead or get out way! Thurman K. Brown

Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist

COMMUNITY Q&A

MAJOR KENDRIC COBB

• Gold Cross EMS

Major Keldric Cobb poses near a brand-new ambulance at Gold Cross EMS headquarters. Cobb is the Director of Richmond County 911 operations. (10/17/16 Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs

t l g a . r t r e

n n , -

SAVING LIVES • A CRITICAL CAREER MOVE

s UPW: Did you grow up in the rCSRA? l Yes, I grew up in Waynesboro, Georgia and attended Burke County -High School. e . UPW: We learned that you at first aspired to work in the funeral industry and trained to be a mortician. What caused you to pivot and concentrate on keeping people alive? I went into the U.S. Navy. At the time, I wanted to go to school to become a mortician & licensed embalmer. I figured that the military could be my way to go to school, travel and earn a salary all at once. During my schooling, I saw too many loved ones die from preventable causes. I realized that I needed to change my education plan to better enable me to serve the community.

all Richmond County 911 crews. I han- County, and I was Assistant Director for dle any issues that involve Richmond Jefferson County for Gold Cross. County 911. UPW: Why do you feel that it is UPW: How long have you been so important for the community in your current position and what to have unfettered access to your other positions have you held at office? Gold Cross? I feel it is important for the comI have been Director of Richmond munity to have open access to my County Operations since May 2016. Prior office because we work for them! We to that, I was Assistant Training Officer are here to serve them and if there for Gold Cross EMS, I was a shift field are any issues with our service, I Captain on 505-B shift for Richmond want to correct the problem in real

time! UPW: How involved was your office in the recent flood of evacuees that visited Augusta during Hurricane Matthew? We sent seven ambulances on Thursday (Oct. 13) to south Georgia to help move patients to safety. We also sent a paramedic unit with the Strike Team to the coast for three days. We also had staff at the shelters helping our doctor 515 check and treat patients.

UPW: Many people only think of Gold Cross as an ambulance service. What are some of the other services that Gold Cross provides? Here at Gold Cross we offer our own EMS Academy for basic and advanced EMS training. We are very involved in the community through our participation in health fairs that serve to educate the public. We do school and daycare show-and-tells; we offer 24-hour Emergency Gold Cross On-Call-Monitoring for the elderly; we have our own emergency advance life support bike team; and we have been approved as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence. Only six other ambulance services in the state (out of hundreds) that designation UPW: What are your primary responsibilities as Director of Richmond County Operations for Gold Cross? I oversee day-to-day operations for Major Keldric Cobb (R) talks to an EMS dispatcher at Gold Cross EMS headquarters. Cobb is the Director of Richmond County. I am in charge of Richmond County 911 operations. (10/17/16 Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

c a n e d e e f d , e d

UrbanProWeekly -OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

JOSEY HOMECOMING WEEKEND

A “Sonic Boom” drum major marches at the T.W. Josey homecoming game. The Eagles defeated the Harlem Bulldogs 12-7 in the final score. (Oct. 15, 2016 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Harlem defensive lineman Shaun Tate takes his position at the line of scrimmage as he waits for the snap during a homecoming conference game at the Josey Eagles’ stadium. The Eagles defeated the Bulldogs 12-7 in the final score. (Oct. 15, 2016 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

T.W. Josey quarterback Dakale Fluellen looks for his receiver as he throws the ball during a homecoming game against Harlem. The Eagles defeated the Bulldogs 12-7 in the final score. (Oct. 15, 2016 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

7 UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

(Above) Destini Hills has a big smile after being crowned “Miss Homecoming” during half-time at the T.W. Josey homecoming game. The Eagles took on region opponent Harlem, defeating the Bulldogs 12-7 in the final score. (Oct. 15, 2016 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal (Above left) The “Sonic Boom” marches during a homecoming conference game against Harlem at the Eagle’s stadium. Oct. 15, 2016 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

(At left) T.W. Josey cheerleaders perform during a homecoming conference game against Harlem at the Eagle’s stadium. Oct. 15, 2016 Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs/

SPORTS HS VOLLEY BALL

UrbanProWeekly -OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

Westsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victoria Williams (#22) celebrates with her teammates after the Lady Patriots crushed A.R. Johnson 3-0 in the 1st Round Area 2-AA Tournament, held at the Westside gym. The Lady Patriots are currently in the Elite 8 (state quarterfinals), after their 1st round state AA playoffs win over Chattooga on Tuesday, with a final score of 3-2. (Oct.12, 2016 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

COMMUNITY

HAPPENINGS

9 UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

Arts Council to host Legislative Luncheon On November 10, the Greater Augusta Arts Council will host a Legislative Luncheon. Local and state legislators and leaders of Augusta’s vibrant arts community will participate in discussions on economic development, upcoming plans for the future and public art. This event provides a great opportunity to gain understanding of the importance of arts in Augusta, as well as a chance for attendees to

acknowledge Augusta’s local legislators. Tickets are $20, GAAC members receive a $5 discount. This year’s speakers at the Legislative Luncheon will speak on the importance and future of public art in Augusta. The speakers include State Rep. Brian Prince, Scott Thorp, Chair, Augusta University Department of Art, and John Kaatz, Principal, Conventions, Sports & Leisure International

Runs Missionary hosts Annual Family & Friends Runs Missionary Baptist Church, 717 Williston Rd., Beech Island, SC will host the Annual Family & Friends Weekend from Saturday Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 23. On Saturday there will be a cookout from 11am - 5pm. The Shepeard Blood Center Blood Drive will be from 10 am - 3 pm which includes a drawing for a prize gift. Gospel Entertainment begins at 12 noon.

Children’s activities are from 12 pm - 3 pm. The Flea Market will be from 8 am - 3 pm. Spaces will be available for $5.00 per table space. Participants must bring their own table and chairs. On Sunday, there will be the regular service at 8 am. Pastor Stevie Berry will deliver the sermon. For more information, contact Sara Davis (803)652-8993 or Dea. Al Young at (706) 877-5484 for information.

Save Mother Trinity Exhibit: Through October 29 Augusta is home to some of our nation’s oldest African-American religious congregations. Included foremost among these historic institutions is Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, whose founding in 1840 predates their formal denomination by thirty years. The site of the original church survives under threat of demolition. Chicks that Click Photography Club has captured both the exterior

and interior beauty of the church’s setting in the Third Level of the Augusta Canal National Heritage area in a collection of photographs to deeply expand community awareness of this influential treasure. Although the newer constructed facility is embedded in the Glenn Hills neighborhood, the former building remains as an anchor of the Little Dublin section of Laney-Walker Historic District.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, 2016, for the following: 1. Integrated Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC)/Storm Water Pollution Prevention (SWPP) Plan RFP#2016-019

Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Cecilia Perkins in the Business Office at perkice@ boe.richmond.k12.ga.us or 706-826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org, or at Richmond County School System, Central Office 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, GA 30901. The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY By: Dr. Angela D. Pringle, Secretary

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UrbanProWeekly -OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

Chuck Berrry turns 90 announces new record release At 87, rock n’ roll legend Chuck Berry wows the crowd with his 200th show on the stage in the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill in University City on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. Berry performed for more than 90 minutes. Photo by Laurie Skrivan lskrivan@post-dispatch.com By Kevin C. Johnson St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis St. Louis’ own rock ’n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry turned 90 on Tuesday, but he’s the one who will be giving fans a gift. Berry will release his first new studio album since 1979’s “Rock It.” Simply titled “Chuck,” the album will be available in 2017 through Dualtone Records. The exact release date hasn’t been determined. The album will consist mostly of originals. A final track listing will be released at a later date. “This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy,” said Berry in a statement, referring to his wife of 68 years, Themetta Berry. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can

hang up my shoes!” Charles Berry Jr., Berry’s son and guitarist, says the songs “cover the spectrum from hard-driving rockers to soulful, thought-provoking time capsules of a life’s work.” Recorded in various studios around St. Louis, the album features the legend with his longtime band, dubbed the Blueberry Hill Band, with Berry Jr., Ingrid Berry (harmonica), Jimmy Marsala (bass), Robert Lohr (piano) and Keith Robinson (drums). Chuck Berry was the album’s sole producer. Spokesman Joe Edwards, Berry’s longtime friend and consultant who has been close to the project, said “Chuck” will show the world that Berry remains a talented singer and musician. “It’s a really nice gift to the fans,” he says.

Edwards says the songs on the album are mesmerizing. “He has the rock songs to get you hooked and those great Chuck Berry lyrics. He was the first great poet laureate of rock ’n’ roll. When people hear these songs, they’re going to be fascinated.” In a statement, Dualtone president Paul Roper said he’s honored to be a part of the new record and of the broader legacy of Chuck Berry. “This body of work stands with the best of his career and will further cement Chuck as one of the greatest icons of rock ’n’ roll,” he said. Dualtone, of Nashville, Tenn., also has the Lumineers, Delta Spirit, Langhorne Slim, Robert Earl Keen, Shakey Graves and Guy Clark on its roster. “Chuck” has been a long time in the making, to say the least. It has been

nearly 40 years since “Rock It,” but Berry isn’t washed up, said Marsala, the bassist. “He still has a lot to say.” Marsala said work on “Chuck” began as far back as when the 1979 album was finished. “He was constantly working on stuff all the time, on airplanes, writing lyrics down, always coming up with new ideas — ‘Let’s try this, let’s try that,’” he said. “It took time to pull all the songs together,” Edwards said. “He has been enjoying performing so much.” Marsala suggests the album also took as long as it did because Berry wanted to make sure he was releasing an album that lived up to everyone’s expectations. He is, after all, the pioneer who gave us rock staples such as “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Johnnie B. Goode,” “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Rock & Roll Music.”

Jessye Norman School Annual Benefit Concert to include Student Art auction The Jessye Norman School of the Arts will hold its annual benefit concert on October 30, 2016, 4 PM at the First Baptist Church. Critically acclaimed performers will be Laquita Mitchell, soprano from New York and Nicholas Phan, tenor, who co-founded the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (CAIC). Also featured will be dance and choir students from the Jessye Norman School of the Arts (JNSA). Featured students include Eboni Watts, Samantha Phillips, De’Anya Bell, and Kelis Bryant. Eboni Watts is 14 years old, in 9th Grade at Davidson Fine Arts (DFA) and has studied for 4 years at JNSA. Samantha Phillips is 16 years old, in 11th Grade at DFA and is in her 6th year at JNSA. De’Anya Bell is 14 years old, in 9th Grade at DFA, and has been studying for 4 years at JNSA. Kelis Bryant is 15 years old and in 9th Grade at DFA. She’s been at JNSA for 2 years. An auction of select student paintings and photos will be available before the show and during intermission. Students will keep 100% of their sale price.

Nicholas Phan’s most recent solo album, A Painted Tale, was named one of the Best Classical Albums of 2015 by the Chicago Tribune and he was named one of NPR’s “Favorite New Artists of 2011.” Laquita Mitchell dazzles audiences around the world with her leading performances with Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, and Opéra Comique in Paris, among many others. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for students under 25 with a valid student ID. Purchase tickets at Jay’s Music Center at 2702 Washington Road, call 706-877-0411 or buy them online at www.jessyenormanschool. org. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts serves a critical role in Augusta’s community. With the never ending cycle of education and specifically arts cutbacks in programs, it becomes even more vital that our community pull together and provide the support necessary to sustain and build supplemental arts

programs for our children. JNSA has grown from 30 to 100 plus students because Augustans realize how critical the arts are to the long term viability of our community and to the enhanced educational opportunities of our youth, who will someday be the leaders and members of this

community. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts continues to expand the number of students it can serve and expand on the programs it can offer. Contributions, attendance at events and donations make this possible.

Creative Impressions to host third Concert & Confections Silent Dessert Auction Creative Impressions will host its third Concert & Confections event as the opener for its 20th season at Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life Center on October 21 at 7 pm. At Concert & Confections one can expect to enjoy an amazing performance by Creative Impressions and participate in a silent dessert auction. Tickets may be

purchased in advance for $8 from Creative-Impressions. org. Tickets may also be purchased for $10 at the door. All proceeds benefit the youth of Barefoot Productions, Inc./Creative Impressions. For more information visit http://www.creative-impressions.org or check them out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

11 11 UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016

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UrbanProWeekly -OCTOBER 20 - 31, 2016