UPW - Urban Pro Weekly

by Ken Makin

A gentle reminder that “All Politics Are Local”

Trust me, I understand. You’ve already been to the polls twice in the last month. Long before election day in November, you were worn down by endless political ads, whether on the radio, the computer or just trying to watch TV. You are tired. We are tired.

That doesn’t change a key political perspective – “all politics are local.” What that means, quite simply, is that the day-to-day politics which occur in your own backyard, and the local

politicians who represent us are the most important and the most accessible.

I’m not saying that to trivialize Raphael Warnock’s successful re-election bid. Certainly, he was the far superior choice to Herschel Walker. I’m simply thinking about the importance of making sure we fill the seat of the late Rep. Wayne Howard with pride and “people power.”

That means the residents of House District 129 must step up one more

time and vote this Tuesday, December 20. Maybe it goes to a runoff again, maybe it doesn’t. I’m just looking at the early voting numbers and I realize that voter fatigue is definitely a factor.

My hope is that people will understand by Tuesday that this just might be the most important election of this political cycle. That’s not an overstatement – our house representatives are liaisons in many ways regarding what happens on the commission, on the

New School of Health Sciences at Summerville set to open

BACK STORY: THE FOLLOWING APPEARED IN GEORGIA TREND MAGAZINE IN EARLY 2022

In mid-January, leaders from Augusta Technical College (ATC) and Augusta-based University Health Care System signed a letter of intent on a partnership that will transform Augusta Tech’s booming health science program. The move is meant to further increase the pipeline of local skilled healthcare workers — graduating a minimum of 200 nurses a year within five years of inception — by tapping into the resources of University Health

Care System and developing an ATC Health Science Campus on the University Hospital Summerville Campus.

“It’s 400,000-square-feet and everything is in it — cafeteria, beds, imaging sciences, surgical techs and suites —everything is fully functional,” says Jermaine Whirl, president of Augusta Tech. “There is no other technical college in the Southeastern U.S. operating a health sciences school in an actual hospital. It’s unheard of. And we’re moving all 23 of our allied health and nursing programs into that space.”

Not only is University Health

Care providing all the necessary renovations and upfits required to adapt the space for educational use, but the healthcare system is also offering scholarships and financial assistance to nursing students and providing clinical faculty to support ATC allied health science and nursing instructors. Support from University Healthcare will allow Augusta Tech to further expand the popular allied health and

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school board and throughout the CSRA. We owe it to ourselves and each other to assess the candidates and make the right choice next week.

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.

nursing programs Whirl says.

“We have 450 active healthcare students with about 650 on a waitlist because of a lack of space,” he says. “The building we’re in now was built in 1991 when we had six programs; now we have 23. We’ve completely outgrown it. But this is also important because [the new building] won’t cost the state any money. They don’t have to build anything. It’s a game-changer.”

James R. Davis (left), chief executive officer of University Health Care System and Jermaine Whirl (right), president of ATC.

Notifications went out this week announcing the ribbon cutting of Augusta Technical College and the Piedmont (University) Health Care System’s innovative partnership on Jan. 5, 2023

2022 DECEMBER 20, HOUSE DISTRICT 129 ELECTION

Four vie for vacant House District 129

Many Augustans may be unaware that there is, yet, another special election in a few days.

On December 20, residents of District 129 (formerly 126) will be asked to return to the polls to cast their ballots for either Scott Cambers, Davis Green, Karlton L. Howard or Brad Owen to occupy the State House seat left vacant with the death of Henry Wayne Howard in October.

The candidates are all Democrats. Early voting began a few days ago and turnout, thus far, is as low as can be expected.

Why another election; why now ?

Former Georgia House District 129 Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard died in October. Howard had served as state representative of Districts 121 and 124 since 2007, with 124 becoming 129 in a new redistricting map earlier this year.

Representative Henry “Wayne” Howard passed away, leaving a vacancy in Richmond County for Georgia House District 129. This is a Special Primary Election to select a new state Representative to finish out his term.

This was formerly House District 124, but after redistricting during the 2022 Legislative Session it is now House District (HD) 129. If none of the candidates in this Special Election on December 20th, 2022 get 50% + 1 of the votes, there will be a runoff on January 17th, 2023.

Any eligible voter in Georgia’s House District 129, which encompasses part of Richmond county, is eligible to vote in this election.

Johnson swearing-in ceremony set for Dec. 20

Jasmine Sims will become Mayor -Elect Garnett Johnson’s Chief of Staff and Brennan Meagher will serve as his Communications and Community Liaison when the new administration begins on January 1, 2023.

Sims is the Augusta Metro Chamber’s Associate Vice President for Workforce Solutions. One of the projects she managed in this capacity was the chamber’s Talent2Work job market platform. She also has 20 years of experience in the Richmond County School System in various capacities.

“The constituents of AugustaRichmond County deserve the very best in support from its leadership,” Sims said. “This happens with the investment of time and being open

and honest about our challenges. I look forward to leading Mayor-elect Johnson’s administration and helping secure the continuum of greatness in the city of Augusta.”

Meagher was the program director for Augusta Locally Grown. She also helped start the Laney Walker Farmers Market and was a senior communications and media coordinator for Augusta University.

“I’m a fourth generation Augustan and truly love this city,” Meagher said. “I look forward to sharing its story and serving the community alongside the mayor, the AugustaRichmond County commissioners, and their teams.”

Johnson said he is excited to have both of them on his team and

believes they will help in moving forward positively for the greater good of Augusta.

The mayor-elect is set to be sworn in at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20 in the second-floor auditorium of

the Augusta Municipal Building on Telfair Street. However, he will not officially hold the office until Jan. 1, at which point he will succeed Hardie Davis and become Augusta’s 85th mayor.

Early voting is open to fill the State House Seat left vacant by the death of Henry Wayne Howard. Photo by Vincent Hobbs.

L-R: Jasmine Sims, Garnett Johnson and Brennan Meagher

Black History Comic Books Series shines light on a different brand of super hero

na A’Shaela Abdon, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general art from Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, also used her skills on the project to make it come alive.

The creators developed fictional characters to interact with the non-fiction characters to tell the history of the subjects.

BY KEVIN FAIGLE

AUGUSTA

Education comes in all forms, including through traditional textbooks, lectures or even videos. The College of Education and Human Development at Augusta University has found yet another avenue to reach students: comic books.

Professors have collaborated with local artists and historians to create the Golden Blocks Legends comic

book series to teach students of all ages about the history of Augusta and showcase some of the city’s most influential people.

Kim Barker, PhD, assistant professor in the COEHD, went on a walking tour at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and was “blown away” by what she learned about the Golden Blocks, an area in downtown Augusta that was once was the heart of the city’s Black business community during the time of segregation.

One of her first conversations afterward was with Juan Walker, PhD, associate professor at AU, and the idea of the Golden Blocks comic books came to light.

“We’re both fans of comics,” said Barker. “As a literacy professor, I really know the power of multi-genre text comic books. With multi-genre, you’ve got pictures and text features and the language of comic books presents a large vocabulary. The kids don’t know these stories; we have to tell the story of these people, the legends of the Golden Blocks.”

Local historian Corey Rogers aided Barker and Walker in providing the background information on the subjects for the series.

Lucy Craft Laney is the subject of the first Golden Blocks comic book.

Artist Art Abdon, whose work is featured all over the city of Augusta, contributed the illustrations for the comic book. Augusta University alum -

The first comic book is on Lucy Craft Laney. Walker said in their minds, Laney was the seed who helped sprout many successful people in various fields.

“There are others that did come before her, and we talked about ways to explore that as well, but for us, being educators, she was very progressive during her time and was not just a great role model for Augusta, but a great role model for anyone. We felt like she was the perfect person to start with,” said Walker.

He added his students are planning on taking the Golden Blocks walking

The first comic book is on Lucy Craft Laney. Laney was the seed who helped sprout many successful people in various fields, the creators of the series said. Artwork is courtesy of Art Abdon.

Drs. Kim Barker, Juan Walker and Betsy VanDeusen are all faculty in the Department of Teaching and Leading in the College of Education and Human Development at Augusta University.

Artist Art Abdon provided the illustrations for the first book on Lucy Craft Laney.

GOLDEN BLOCKS COMICS

tour so they can have a better understanding of the history behind the people in the comic book series. They will then pilot the first comic on Lucy Craft Laney in Augusta area schools.

The faculty said this project has become an interdisciplinary teaching method.

“Dr. Walker teaches social studies methods, so he’s teaching his students how to bring in local primary sources that are age appropriate and engaging. I’m doing the same with my students teaching them how to use a comic to teach literacy,” Barker added.

Making this project even more dynamic, project organizers plan to get students from Pamplin’s communication program involved and have every comic feature an interactive resource within it, possibly an oral history interview. Pamplin’s animation program is also going to create short videos for the series.

The first comic is due in January, with the second one featuring professor and coach John Tutt due in April. The next edition, to be released in August, will feature Thomas Walker Josey, one of Augusta’s first African American physicians. If funding is available, organizers would like to continue the project with a number of subjects already selected.

To make the first three comic books possible, project organizers received funding through a Research Scholarship and Creativity Activity Program grant from Augusta University as well as a Teaching with Primary Sources grant funded through the Library of Congress.

Project organizers are looking for additional support to further the Golden Blocks Legends series. Email Barker or Walker for more information.

Augusta Symphony releases first recording of orchestral works

AUGUSTA

The Augusta Symphony announces the release of its first-ever recording project, featuring the orchestral works of composer Miguel del Aguila. Music Director Dirk Meyer conducted the orchestra in these live recordings at the Miller Theater, the home of the Augusta Symphony. The recording, titled “Miguel del Aguila. Orchestral Works”, consists of five pieces, four of which have never been recorded before, and includes one world premiere commissioned by the Augusta Symphony. Recordings occurred between 2020 and 2021.

The works include:

1. The Giant Guitar

2. Salon Buenos Aires (world premier recording)

3. Violin Concerto (world premier recording) - featuring world renown violinist Guillermo Figueroa as soloist

4. Tensando (commissioned and premiered by the Augusta Symphony, world premier recording)

5. The Fall of Cuzco (world premier recording)

Composer Miguel del Aguila is a threetime Grammy nominated American com-

poser born in Uruguay. His music, which enjoys over 200 performances yearly, has been hailed as “brilliant and witty” (New York Times), “sonically dazzling” (LATimes) and “expressive and dramatic” (American Record Guide). In over 130 works that combine drama, driving rhythms and nostalgic nods to his South American roots, he has established himself among the most distinctive and highly regarded composers of his generation. He is 2021 composer in residence with Danish Chamber Players/ Ensemble Storstrøm, and was honored with 3 Latin Grammy nominations, Kennedy Center Friedheim Award, New Music USA/ Music Alive, Magnum Opus Award, Lancaster Symph. Composer of the Year, and Copland Foundation among others. His music has international appeal and presence with performances by over 100 orchestras, thousands of ensembles, and 51 CD recordings.

Funding for this project was provided by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Lovelace, and Mike and Tracy Stolarski of Premier Shockwave. All works are published by Peermusic III, Ltd. (BMI), and released by Albany Records. The recording is available for purchase through the usual channels and can be streamed on all major online streaming services.

Tiffany Denise Hobbs

JOHN WESLEY GILBERT

first Black Archeologist taught at Paine College

Latrell’s Blueberry French Toast Casserole

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.

Blueberries are delicious all year long! Especially at a brunch during the holidays. They taste good and they are a superfood! Blueberries contain 24% of the vitamin C that you need for the day. They also contain minerals such as iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K.

This berry is good fresh or cooked in desserts. Here is my recipe for Blueberry French Toast Casserole. There are several steps to making this dish…be sure to have plenty of time. This recipe can be made the night before you are ready to serve it. It is simply divine!

LATRELL’S HOLIDAY BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Ingredients

12 slices cut into 1-inch cubes

2 (8 ounce) packages cream

cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 cup fresh blueberries

12 eggs, beaten

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup maple syrup

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Place sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender. Drain water, peel sweet potatoes, and mash in a bowl. This will be about

Blueberry Sauce Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1tsp vanilla

1/4tsp ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon butter

3 ½ cups when they are mashed.

Using a mixer, beat the on low for 30 seconds. Stop. Clean the fibers from the beater. Repeat in 30 second increments until all long fibers have been removed.

Mix butter and eggs together in a bowl until smooth; stir into mashed

sweet potatoes. Mix milk, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, nutmeg, into sweet potato mixture; pour into the 2 pie shells.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a pie comes out clean, about 45 minutes more. Cool pies completely before cutting. Enjoy!

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

Laney Museum of Black History Call for Art for CSRA Artists

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum is accepting works of art for juried consideration for an upcoming “New & Emerging Artists” exhibition to be held Feb. 6 - March 24, 2023.

The application is open to all artists 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 cannot 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 application 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 accepted artwork must be dropped off to the Museum by February 1st.

To submit artwork please visit www.

LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com for the PDF application and submission instructions. The Laney Museum is located at 1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA 30901. For questions please call 706-724-3576.

HAVANA NIGHTS

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

Spoken Woods will entertain you

All ages outdoor poetry and music experience

Spoken Woods is an all-ages outdoor poetry and music open mic experience hosted by Walter Santiago (producer) and David Harden (owner) of Back to Nature Garden Center Augusta.

Every first Thursday of the month guests are welcome as patrons or to sign up and showcase their works. There are plants, other consignment items, and tables for vendors to join and sell their products. Light refreshments are available for purchase and well-behaved pets are also invited.

Thursday, January 5th at 7:00 PM Spoken Woods is producing a program Augusta has not seen before in two ways. First, inviting vendors to activate in the performance area to sell and showcase their products or art at an affordable cost while usually free, and Second, a curated lineup of performances with spoken word artist BRIC and musical trio VOX & BASS during the public open mic. The cherry on top, we’ve invited the cuisine of FUSE restaurant to cater the event for all who wish to join.

Vendors: Tables are provided and $5 for each. You can sign up

directly on the site here If you would like to sponsor this event in its production you may contact: David Harden 706.833.5073 | Walter Santiago 762.320.0138

Back to Nature is an ambient multi-purpose event space in historic Augusta near Summerville. It is a certified establishment of the Augusta nightlife and agricultural community (BTNGC). It works with local growers to provide healthy plants suited for the region to sustain in the nursery.

Back to Nature Augusta functions as three separate or one versatile multi-purpose indoor and outdoor powered space offering rentals for general recreation and events like camping, weddings, and other botanical experiences.

Hours of operation | Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM

Parking | The garden center is between Morningside Baptist Church and Family Dollar off Kissingbower Rd. Turn in next to the church where the sign is. Parking is FREE.

Back to Nature Garden Center Augusta | 1815 Kissingbower Rd Augusta, GA 30904

Richmond County Board of Education achieves 2022 GSBA Exemplary Board Status

The Richmond County Board of Education (RCBOE) has achieved the status of the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2022 Exemplary School Board recognition.

“Earning the Exemplary Board recognition from the GSBA is a demonstration our commitment to effectiveness and governance to ensure a culture of success for all Richmond County School System students and the entire community. I am proud to have served as the president of this board for the past two years and for the work we have done to improve the educational offerings to our students,” says Charlie Hannah, Board of Education President.

The recognition was awarded today during the GSBA Annual Conference in Atlanta.

The GSBA Board recognition program is a three-tiered program. For more information on the program, visit the GSBA website for awards and recognition or to view the criteria for all tiers of the program.

The Board of Education has received the Exemplary Board status since 2019.

MEETINGS

The following public meetings for the Richmond County Board of Education will be held at 864 Broad Street, Board Room Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia 30901: Saturday, January 7, 2023

- Richmond County Board of Education Reorganization Meeting – 10:00 a.m.

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

PROJECT NUM. B-21-022-2058

Bond Issue Program A. Brian Merry Elementary School

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID

Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received by The Richmond County Board of Education for the Renovations to A. Brian Merry Elementary School project until 3:00p.m. local time, January 25, 2023. This will be a public bid opening, read aloud in the Richmond County Board of Education Conference Room located at 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Ga. 30901. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held January 5, 2023 at 11:00am local time at the project site, 415 Boy Scout Road, Augusta, Ga. 30909.

Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Hwy, Augusta, Georgia 30906, Tel: (706)737-7189

Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: Studio 3 Design Group, P.C. Attn: Dee Beaird @ dbeaird@s3dg.com or 706-667-9784. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $400.00 per set should be filed promptly with the Architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids.

Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening.

Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

To promote local participation, a database of Sub-contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database.

Bids shall be submitted :

Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw

County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

PROJECT NUMBER:

B-21-029-0409.2

Bond Issue Program JENKINS WHITE ELEM. ROOF REPLACEMENT

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID

Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the Roof Replacement, Jenkins White Elementary School Project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m. local time, January 10, 2023, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 3:00 p.m., December 15, 2022 local time at the school, 800 15TH Avenue, Augusta, Georgia 30901. School phone: 706-737-7266.

Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Hwy, Augusta, Georgia 30906, Tel: (706)737-7189

Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: Hughes, Beattie, O’Neal, Law & Associates; 1201 Broad St., Ste. 2A; Augusta, SC 30901 . Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $ N/A per set should be filed promptly with the Architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bid.

Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening.

Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

In accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, and the General Wage Determination’s available from the DOL for Richmond County (www.wdol.gov), the Contractor will be required to comply with the wage and labor requirements and to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedule of wage rates established by the United States Department of Labor. The highest rate between the two (Federal and State) for each job classification shall be considered the prevailing wage.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

To promote local participation, a database of Sub-contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1297 for location to review and obtain this database.

Bids shall be submitted and addressed to:

Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw

County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office

864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901

c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA

Come join the Fourth Annual Making Spirits Bright Downtown Decorations Crawl

The Downtown Development Authority of Augusta (DDA) and Augusta & Co. are pleased to announce the 2022 “Making Spirits Bright Downtown Decorations Crawl.”

The DDA and Augusta & Co. encourage locals and visitors alike to bring their friends and family downtown to experience the lights and special decorations at more than 30 storefronts while taking the opportunity to dine and shop. Augusta & Co. has created a “Making Spirits Bright Downtown Decorations Crawl” map with location listings, which is found at https://www.visitaugusta.com/spiritsbright.

Those enjoying the 2022 “Making Spirits Bright Downtown Decorations Crawl” may do so from the comfort of their vehicles or by walking safely along the sidewalks. After viewing the entries, they may vote online via the above URL for their favorite. The “People’s Choice” award winner will be selected from this popular vote and announced by Jan. 4, 2023.

Participating businesses were eligible to win in five judged categories. A panel of locals voted on Dec. 2 for the “Most Whimsical,” “Most Original Use of Lights,” “Funniest”, and “Best Theme.”

The winners of these awards will be announced via social media on Friday, Dec. 9.

Follow the 2022 “Making Spirits Bright Downtown Decorations Crawl” social media promotions on Augusta & Co. and Augusta DDA social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.