UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

Tommy Smith will be keynote speaker at Augusta City Classic Banquet

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

VOL. 7 NO. 1

BATTLE FOR JB ARENA HEATS UP

Southside S K E SE INCLUSION photo essay

Augusta Chronicle publisher has pushed for a new sports arena at Regency Mall in the past

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

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Tommy Smith to be keynote speaker at Augusta City Classic Banquet

Andrew Mac Bowman and Robert Grant named H.O.F. inductees AUGUSTA The Windsor Jewelers/ Taylor BMW Augusta City Classic Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 at the Augusta Marriott and Convention Center. The speaker with Dr. Tommie Smith, 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist.

The 2017 Augusta City Classic Hall of Fame Inductees. They are Dr. Andrew Mac Bowman and Coach Robert “Poppa” Grant.

The Augusta City Classic

Hall of Fame Game will be Saturday, November 4th, 2017 - festivities will begin 8am and the Hall of Fame Classic Game will start at 2pm at Laney Stadium.

Dr. Bowman was a multisport star athlete and honor graduate of Thomson High School and Virginia Military Institute. (he is inducted into both Thomson Hall of Fame and VMI Hall of Fame) He entered the Medical College of Georgia with an interest in pediatrics, but a cardiology rotation in San Francisco during his junior

UPW Urban Pro Weekly Hephzibah, GA 30815

year helped him realize the benefits and importance of the fight against cardiac disease. He founded his private practice, Augusta Heart Associates, in 1993, and in 2011, Dr. Bowman was instrumental in bringing together Augusta’s three largest and most competitive private cardiology practices to form University Cardiology Associates.

He is known worldwide for his work in cardiology.

Grant dedicated nearly 40 years to athletics. He played basketball at Martha

Schofield High School before enrolling at Claflin in 1954 where he played basketball there for four years.

As a senior, Grant served a co-captain and was named the most athletic and best all-around player. During his career, he served as the basketball head coach for Schofield boys’ team and at Aiken High School. Grant also was an assistant coach at USC Aiken. Robert Grant was inducted by Claflin University as one of 10 outstanding individuals to its Athletic Hall of Fame.

URBAN PRO WEEKLY Publisher URBAN PRO WEEKLY MEDIA 706-306-4647 urbanpromedia@yahoo.com

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

Dr. Tommie Smith (c), 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist.

Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist

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Downtown J.B. Arena supporters target Davis . . . but for South Augusta, it’s all about inclusion

By Frederick Benjamin Sr UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA The battle over the site for the new James Brown Arena has developed along predictable lines. Those who support razing the current stadium and then rebuilding it on or near its present location object to the manner in which the proposal (to build the new stadium in South Augusta) was presented and voted on. In short, they felt they were blindsided.

As a result, they have aimed their barbs mainly at Mayor Hardie Davis who deftly (some would say “under-

handedly”) controlled the information flow about possible deals and then “orchestrated” the vote.

Those who support the decision to build the new arena at the site of the former Regency Mall have a few reservations about how the deal was “rolled out”, but they fully support the decision to build the new stadium somewhere in South Augusta.

For a growing number of South Augusta residents, the furor over how Davis handled things is secondary to the desire to be included in the growth that the county is experiencing.

The keyword is inclusion.

Include South Augusta.

Frankly, much of the criticism launched by the downtown supporters don’t have much impact South of Gordon Highway (SOGO).

The absurd notion that building a $120 million complex will not spur growth in South Augusta is laughable.

Where else on earth would a multi-million dollar investment have no apprecialbe impact on its surrounding businesses and homes?

That argument makes little sense.

Putting the project in South Augusta Continued on page 5

Mayor Hardie Davis

Billy Morris touted Regency Mall site for new arena when it benefited him

By Frederick Benjamin Sr UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA Augusta Chronicle publisher, William S. Morris III, as part of the Augusta Entertainment Corp. once supported building a sports arena in South Augusta at the very same Regency Mall location that has been vilified by the Augusta Chronicle’s William S.Morris III Frank Lawrence current crop of editorial writers, “The ultimate goal: raise $2.4 business writers and columnists.

An article by Rob Mueller that million to launch the development appeared in the Augusta Chronicle, of a new arena at Regency Mall by on Nov. 26, 2003, discusses Morris’s forming a group of local investors support for a scheme by Augusta businessman and sports entrepre- interested in ensuring the longneur, the late Frank Lawrence, to term viability of minor-pro hockey build a new sports arena at the in Augusta.”

Regency Mall location.

Calling it a “project of a lifetime”, Lawrence, owner of the, now defunct, Augusta Lynx, was hoping to emulate the success enjoyed by the Greenville Grrowl, a semi-pro hockey team, in their new arena. The article discussed the investment team behind the move in the wake of a luncheon to attract “high rollers.”

Here’s an excerpt: “Above all, the picture of off-ice success enjoyed by the ECHL’s Greenville Grrrowl since their inception in 1998 would be mirrored here in Augusta.

“That’s where Lawrence’s group enters the mix, a power troika bent on building a winner on the ice and, most of all, a sparkling, new arena

for Augusta.

“Tuesday afternoon, at a luncheon for some of Augusta’s most prominent business people, Lawrence and his group took a giant step forward toward making that dream a reality. “‘This is a community project, and I am so excited about the possibilities,’ Lawrence said. ‘I can’t say that I’ve ever been this excited before. The future of our hockey team has never been brighter, and the plan for a new arena has never been this close to happening.’

“As part of Augusta Entertainment Corp. — the Lynx ownership group that includes Augusta Chronicle publisher William S. Morris III and sports Continued on page 5

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

THE CITY COMMENTARY

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

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OUR VIEW

Sanctioned protests are not protests after all Let’s get one thing clear — protests are designed to make someone somewhere, anxious, uncomfortable, inconvenienced, embarrassed or outof-sorts in one way or another.

Also, if you are told that you cannot protest or that your protest must be reviewed and sanctioned in order to proceed, we’re not really dealing with real protest.

NFL players are discovering that they have no constitutional right to protest in a way that does not risk their economic security. One does not ask for the “right” to protest, just as

civil rights protesters never asked the white power structure for their blessings to engage in civil disobedience.

The whole point of protest is to create an atmosphere of confrontation.

Absent confrontation, there is merely an “expression of displeasure,” not real protest.

If NFL players are seriously upset about something that’s happening in the country, they had better engage in something other than protest.

When Martin Luther King threatened to bring hundreds of thousands of poor people to

Washington, D.C. to camp out in the capitol, he wasn’t asking for permission. And if he was threatened with jail or physical harm, he merely said, “bring it on.”

If the NFL players are serious, they need to find a way to “express their displeasure” in ways that they feel are as nonthreatening to the boss as possible. They can forget about real protest, because real protest implies real committment.

NFL players find themselves in the position that athletes and entertainers found themselves in during the

civil rights era. Those socially conscious citizens who were wealthy as well, supported the movement by raising funds.

That’s what the NFL players need to do, if they want to do something that is safe and won’t upset those that provide their meal tickets. Leave protesting to those who have made the commitment to social justice.

Real protesters say, take your rules, your regulations, your unjust policies and “shove it.”

And — we don’t need your stinking permission.

As long as Trump is a representative of the U.S. nation, that nation, and its flag, can’t expect to be respected by other nations or its own people First things first — the president of the United States is a national and international disgrace and embarrassment. While some may wish to debate that perception, it doesn’t diminish the fact that he has done

more to divide Americans than any other sitting politician in modern history — that includes Nixon.

If symbols count, how can Trump be the symbol of the U.S.? If he represents the flag, the flag does not

deserve respect. If he represents the military, the military does not deserve respect. If he represents American ideals and values, then American ideals and values don’t deserve any respect.

But millions of Americans, happily, understand that Donald Trump is an aberration and is not the symbol of anything other than that of a mindless, megalomaniac sociopath who has a lot of money.

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5 UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017 The proposal to build a new James Brown Arena on the site of the old Regency Mall in South Augusta has ignited a firestorm of support and criticism. Back in 2003, some of the most invested businessmen of the city thought that a new arena at the site would be the “project of a lifetime.”

Photo by Vincent Hobbs Cooper has leveled most of her crit- commission to support the “right” one downtown).

Robert “Flash” Gordon, a former icism toward Davis. In a recent col- deal in South Augusta (whether it would be a model for strategic director of the James Brown Arena, umn she attempted to peel off Davis’s is at the Regency Mall site or not), investment and a boon for Davis and a south Augusta business owner progressive supporters by suggest- and the voters and property owners politically. downplayed the “logistical” challenge ing that he was being controlled by in South Augusta have no fear that Southside Republicans. the addition of a $120 million dolSouth Augusta property owner of maintaining two facilities.

Southsiders are amused at such lar investment would be harmful to Tanya Barnhill says she hasn’t decid“I don’t see that as a problem,” insinuations and, whether true or their property values. ed which way to come down on the Gordon said.

Also, if the city misses the opportuissue.

Barnhill continued, “I wish they not, are not much bothered by it.

“I’m torn. Being from South would do something with Regency While Davis was a bit aggressive nity to invest in South Augusta now, coming out of the gate his first year when will it ever — in five years, in Augusta I would love to see some- Mall, but still I’m undecided.” thing there,” Barnhill said, but she She didn’t dismiss the political in office, he has been kept in check 10 years.

Why not put a major development wondered how the staff would deal implications, “And then there’s the by a commission who has ceded more and more power to the city in South Augusta now and then with the logistics of dealing with two Hardie factor,” she said. locations (one in South Augusta and Augusta Chronicle columnist Sylvia administrator rather than the mayor. build an economic development plan In short, no one is very concerned around it? about Republican dirty tricks in Downtown will be fine thanks to the investments made by the federal Entertainment,” said Pete May, a Richmond County.

Just as Trump supporters want to and state governments. member of the Augusta Entertainment The city has a choice, it can bow to franchise and arena development steering committee and a vice pres- make a righteous NFL “protest” about mogul Carl Scheer — Lawrence host- ident for Morris Communications. the flag and the national anthem, the dictates that serve the status quo ed Tuesday’s get-together of around “With that investment, you would pro downtown supporters (not all and focus solely on an entertainment 60 of Augusta’s movers and shakers own a part of the Lynx and the rights of them, but the most important seg- complex or it can use the entertainwhom the triumvirate earmarked as to develop and manage a new arena. ment) want to make this issue about ment complex to anchor training and community advancement projects on potential players in their project of a To help get the arena project up and Hardie Davis.

Let’s get this straight. This is not a 75-acre “suburban” campus. lifetime. running. It’s a pretty exciting conabout Hardie Davis.

Davis has been chided for his The primary goal: Sell off 2,400 cept.”

Sure, Davis could have rolled this “visionary” concept, but a more shares of the Lynx ownership group - Augusta Entertainment Corp. - at It’s important to note that down- whole thing out better. Many will appropriate term would be “strate$1,000 a pop. town Augusta in 2003 was nowhere admit that, perhaps even Davis him- gic”.

The difference is that the economThe ultimate goal: raise $2.4 mil- near the vibrant investment mag- self, but the fact is — moving the lion to launch the development of a net that it is today. It does not take new James Brown Arena to South ic development of the downtown J.B. new arena at Regency Mall by forming much to speculate that this particu- Augusta provides an energy and spir- site is merely impacting that small a group of local investors interested lar investment group obviously saw it that far outweighs the “economic” parcel whereas the South Augusta in ensuring the long-term viability of South Augusta’s Regency Mall as an benefit of having, yet another attrac- complex would radiate throughout the South Augusta neighborhoods in minor-pro hockey in Augusta. ideal location for a brand new sports tion downtown.

The votes are there on the Coliseum the form of training, social cohesion “What you would own as an arena.

Authority, the will is there on the and inclusion. investor is an interest in Augusta My, how the tune has changed?

DAVIS from page 3

MORRIS from page 3

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

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SportsVIEW

Cross country runners start the girls race at the All County Cross Country Meet held at Diamond Lakes Park. (October 3, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Westside cross country runners plot strategy. (October 3, 2017 Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Butler H.S. Cross country runners lead the pack. (October 11, 2017 Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

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PAINE COLLEGE HEAD WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL COACH KISHA LUCETTE (center) advises the team during a volleyball game against Claflin University at the HEAL Complex.

The Panthers defeated the Lions 3-2 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Eastern Division match.

(October 3, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/ Sports Journal

PAINE COLLEGE FRESHMAN LANICA PHILLIPS guards the net during a volleyball game against Claflin University at the HEAL Complex. (October 3, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

PAINE COLLEGE FRESHMAN SHAVONNE BOGGS (L) celebrates after a point is scored during a volleyball game against Claflin University at the HEAL Complex. (October 3, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

SportsVIEW

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin A TALE OF TWO AMERICAS

America’s history is a testament to racial and economic imbalance “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities If that doesn’t sound like America right now.

Politically, there are two Americas.

Financially, there are two Americas.

We are divided and segregated on virtually every level.

No matter how many people throw around the word “unity,” no matter how many folks want to say “all lives matter,” it’s clear that in America (and across the world), all lives DO NOT matter.

Now, some people will say that things are worse now because of the “media.” No, the media is only choosing to make money off of the elephant in the room — racism.

Don’t get me wrong, mass media

can aggravate a situation and can co-opt a situation like no other entity. Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee during the course of the NFL last season was a nonviolent protest against police brutality and the treatment of veterans.

Mass media turned it into a conversation about the anthem and “respecting the flag.”

In the midst of misunderstanding, we see true hypocrisy. I will offer a recent conversation I had with someone about the NFL and Donald Trump: “I can’t stand (Carolina Panthers quarterback) Cam Newton. He’s a punk. He doesn’t know how to treat women.”

Me: “Would you say the same thing about the President (Donald Trump)?”

“Oh, I love my President. I voted for him.”

Me: “What do you think about how Trump treats women?”

“Oh, Trump knows how to put women in their place.”

I’m not excusing Cam Newton’s comments by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I would challenge Cam as a Black man to be more

aware of his commentary. I also think it’s extremely unfair to hold an athlete to a higher standard than the President of the United States.

Thing is, that’s the American standard. And true to its name, the American standard is in the toilet.

The American standard has been, and will always be, a standard where whiteness and white supremacy are “excellence” and anything else is secondary. This is why, all throughout the South, we see monuments and dedications to men who lost the Civil War. The Confederacy, in and of itself, is an anti-American idea. Good luck trying to explain that to certain “historians.”

As much as I could rant about America’s racism, her income inequality is what really drives this evil machine. It’s the fact that Blacks and other people of color have been locked out of the “American dream” for generations because they have been denied economic opportunity.

Prosperity Now recently presented some research entitled “The Road To Zero Wealth.” The name is alarming enough, but there is a chart entitled “Median Wealth by Education Level and Race” that is

particularly distressing. The chart even shows how far we have fallen behind not only whites, but Latinos.

According to the report, Black people with less than a high school diploma have an average of $5 in wealth, compared to $15,000 for whites.

Surely, Black folk with four-year degrees have it better, right? Sure.

Their median wealth is $37,600.

How does that compare to whites?

It is still woefully short, as whites with four-year degrees have a median wealth of $181,220.

It was the best of times (for white people). It was the worst of times (for Black people). As long as this country is committed to white supremacy and the treatment of Black people as second-class citizens, there will always be a tale of two Americas.

Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference.” The MAD podcast is available at soundcloud.com/ makinadifference. He can be reached via email at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com or via text at (803) 270-2331. Past and present columns can be viewed at VersesAndTiles.com.

LETTERS

Racism is part of USAF cadet culture In response to racial slurs directed at five black cadets, The United States Air Force Academy’s Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, said, “If you can’t treat someone from another gender, whether that’s a man or woman, with dignity and respect, then you need to get out. If you demean someone in any way, then you need to get out.

And if you can’t treat someone from another race or a different color skin with dignity and respect, then you need to get out.”

He added, “The power of diversity at the Academy should serve as another unifier…once they arrive here and get immersed in Air Force culture, it must be absolutely clear how we look out for and respect one another.”

Poppycock! The culture is why the racist cadets felt embolden to disrespect five black cadets. The racists of today are the offspring of racists from yesterday. Just as the racists who damaged my Air Force

career were the offspring of racists.

I am an African-American and retired Air Force Master Sergeant.

The jealous racists began their assault in 1990 after I was selected for MSgt in 10 years by making one of the test highest scores ever recorded, earning Superintendent level in 11 years and publishing an article in the Air Force Times titled, “Disoriented Management.”

I learned racists do more than cast slurs, they also block promotions.

A congressional inquiry discover my records were flagged, ensuring I would not be promoted which meant untold thousands of dollar lost in active duty pay and retirement pension.

Since the buck stops at the top, Gen. Silveria’s “Get Out” comments also apply to the leaders in Washington, DC. Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

SPEAK OUT LOUD with France

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Today, life is at its norm when we are continuously waking up to the news of deaths, tragedies, and political propaganda nationally and internationally.

Recently, the country, as a whole, took a major blow with the recent hurricanes, Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria of which we had no control.

Nevertheless, on a positive note, it was — and is — good to see our people come together and aid those who were impacted despite the slow response from the president.

Everyday, I find myself either praying for another family, witnessing another disaster via social media, or grieving over another innocent life. For example, Kenneka Jenkins a 19 year old Chicago native who was found dead in a walk-in freezer early September. Although the nation was taking on some of the worst natural disasters in history, Ms. Jenkins’ death took social media by a storm itself in its’ own unusual way.

Fast forward to the first week of October at

a country music festival in Las Vegas where the United States experienced the deadliest shooting in history. Stephen Paddock, 64, fired hundreds of rounds for a full 10 minutes from his hotel suite resulting in 59 deaths and nearly 530 injuries, according to NBCNEWS. Many of the tragedies are happening right here within our city. Every other week it seems we are losing a child, a brother, sister, mother or father.

Too many lives are being taken. We have to teach, set the example, and engage with our youth — especially our young men and make them understand that violence is not the answer. It’s not the answer to anger, rage, depression, or anything for that matter.

As a community, unity is the first step.

How? Our adults must set the example and show accountability by being more involved with our youth as a community.

Next, we must get our young adult men to become more active with our teenage men and to

develop opportunities for positive leadership and mentorship.

The same type of efforts need to be made for our young women as well.

Here in Augusta we have a nonprofit organization, WHEO (We Have Each Other). The CEO is Terrel Williams, his secretary is Kayla Calderone and Ge Holla is the treasurer.

WHEO’s mission is “To help the community of single parents rebuild and continue education, while maintaining productive lives.” WHEO will be holding a STOP The Violence event on Friday December 15th from 6 - 9 pm. Find information on any social media platform @WeHaveEachOther.

The location will be announced at a later date.

WHEO is one of many opportunities for us to come together, educate our youth and start to produce the positivity that we want in our community.

It starts with you, be the positive!

­­ — France Hudspeth

That sneaky NFL anthem rule change and the upcoming legal challenges

By Anne Branigin The Root The NFL is still the NFL, which is to say it’s still as crooked an enterprise as they come. Nearly two weeks after several NFL owners locked arms with their players during the national anthem in shows of “solidarity,” the league changed its obscure rule about standing during the national anthem.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarified the league’s stance with a memo released to NFL executives and owners recently that says, “We believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem.”

But can the NFL do this? The league is a private employer, so the answer seems obvious: First Amendment pro-

tections do not apply in the private sphere. But there are some important legal complications to consider.

We’ve outlined a few of them below.

Is the NFL really a private employer?

Your constitutional right to free speech does not prevent your employer from punishing you. Jemele Hill’s example makes this clear, as do myriad other instances. But the funny thing is, the NFL may not be a truly private entity.

As a recent Forbes article pointed out, NFL teams receive a good amount of public funding for stadiums. In fact, one federal lawsuit from 1978, Ludtke v. Kuhn, found that a Major League Baseball rule banning female reporters from entering the Yankees’ clubhouse was a state matter, since the city was involved in the team’s stadium lease. It’s

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not unfathomable that some NFL teams might be considered, in Forbes’ words, “public actors.”

What does the NFL collective bargaining agreement say?

Previously, NFL players’ right to freedom of speech was protected by the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Before the rule change, the understanding was that a player may be punished for “conduct detrimental to the integrity of, or public confidence in, the game of professional football,” according to Article 46 of the CBA. Players could easily argue that their demonstrations—meant to draw attention to racial inequality and injustice— did nothing to erode the integrity or public confidence in the game. Rather, players could argue that by exercising

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a protected constitutional right, they were modeling core American values, as Sports Illustrated recently pointed out.

Does Trump’s influence count?

Here’s one instance when we might want to thank the president for opening his fat, dotard mouth (if it weren’t his fat, dotard mouth that wrought this in the first place).

As Forbes points out, Trump’s repeated calls to NFL owners to fire players who demonstrate during the anthem could be looked at as government pressure. And why not? He’s the country’s highest elected official. The entire purpose of the First Amendment is to protect citizens from government intrusion or regulation of protected rights. That Trump so explicitly called on owners to punish protesting players could, well, come into play.

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UrbanProWeekly • OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

Stop The Violence event seeks to promote positivity

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2017

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COMMUNITY

HAPPENINGS

Star Wars Reads Strikes Back The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System (ARCPLS) is excited to host its fifth annual Star Wars Reads Day (SWRD) extravaganza on Saturday, October 14, 2017, from 11 am to 3 pm at the Headquarters Library (823 Telfair St., Augusta). This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

Highlights include book giveaways for the first 300 children and youth attendees, Star Wars-themed story time, arts and crafts, dramatic read-

ings by Jessye Norman School for the Arts students, Star Wars music played by the Richmond County Orchestra Program, trivia contests, and an artists’ alley and silent auction.

This year’s SWRD will continue the tradition of featuring a celebrity reader. This year’s special guest is actor Nalini Krishan, who played Barriss Offee in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Star Wars fans will also have the chance to participate in an autograph signing and listen to Ms.

Krishan discuss her work in a live interview.

SWRD Community Event Manager Corey Rogers explains that “Star Wars resonates with people all over the world, and the film owes a lot to our literary heritage. We are thankful that Lucasfilm decided to throw its considerable weight behind literacy promotion by creating in 2012. We hope that our event will encourage people to read more and to read often.”

ARCPLS Outreach Services Manager

Erin Prentiss concurs. “Reading is a thrill when you’re reading about your passions. Being a good reader starts with being motivated to read, and Star Wars Reads Day is the perfect opportunity for reluctant readers to experience how enjoyable reading can be when you’re reading about something you love—in this case, the pop culture phenomenon of Star Wars.”

To see this year’s SWRD schedule of events and promotional video, visit http://bit.ly/swrdaugusta17.

6th Annual Women Empowerment Conference set for Nov. 14 The CSRA Business League, Inc., 6th Annual Women Empowerment Conference will take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the Richmond on Greene. Doors will open at 4:30 pm, the sessions will begin at 5:00 pm and everyone is welcomed.

The session will present various empowering and motivating speakers, as well as the opportunity to serve as a vendor. The price for you to setup

a table is $25.00, please contact us at 706 722 - 0994 or by email at shaunacassandrawalton@ business-league.org to place your name on the vendor list. Spaces are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. A light meal will be served.

Register at https://w w w.eventbrite. com/e/6th-annual-women-empowerment-conference-sponsored-by-ab-beverage-of-augusta-tickets-38779154495 to add your name to the event

roster no later than 11:00 am on Tuesday, 14 November 2017. You may also call at 706 722 - 0994 or email Ms. Shauna Walton at shaunacass a nd r a w a lt on@bu si ne s s - le a g ue.o r g<m a i l to:shaunacassandrawalton@business-league.org> 6th Annual Women Empowerment Conference sponsored by AB Beverage of Augusta, the WalMart Foundation and Frails & Wilson Attorneys at Law.

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 8, 2017, for the following: 1. Banking Services RFP#17-790 2. Langford Middle School Window BlindsRFP#2017-023 3. Student Activity Fund Accounting Software RFP#17-792 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/bids, 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

ANNUAL QUILT EXHIBITION RECEPTION October 29, 2017, 3 pm - 5 pm Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History The Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild from Atlanta, Georgia has brought twenty exquisitely stitched quilts for a spectacular Annual Quilting exhibition. There will be a reception for the Quilt Exhibition held on Sunday, October 29, from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm at the Museum.

The Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild of Atlanta, GA is a diverse group of African-American quilters from all over the metropolitan area. The crafters of this guild have gained popularity both regionally and nationally.

Refreshments will be served and members of the Brown Sugar Stitchers will be in attendance. Please join us as quilt lovers explore the artistry and history of quilting.

4 SEASONS CHAMBER JAZZ

October 20, 2017; January 19, April 20, 2018; 7:30pm Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta Description: 4 Seasons Chamber Jazz is a four-event concert series, with each concert featuring two performances, ranging from Latin jazz to vocal standards to Dixieland. It’s a musical celebration of art in nature.

Season four features Dr. Mitch Butler, the American Jazz Combo, Gray Mayfield, and Niki Haris.

Info: www.uuaugusta.org (706) 733-7939

JESSYE NORMAN SCHOOL ANNUAL BENEFIT CONCERT

BRAVA, JESSYE! A Musical Tribute by Russell Joel Brown & Damien Sneed The Jessye Norman School of the Arts will hold its annual benefit concert on October 22, 2017, 4 PM at the Imperial Theatre.

The concert will feature Russell Joel Brown, who has returned home from touring with The Lion King, and Damien Sneed, Artistin-Residence at Nyack’s Christian College in New York City. To purchase tickets contact the Imperial Theater Box Office at (706) 722-8341 or buy them online at www.jessyenormanschool.org.

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Bond Issue Program

B-12-013-4064 Wheeless Road Elementary School

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the Wheeless Road Elementary School, Project # B-12-013-4064 by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 2:00 P.M. local time, Thursday, November 9, 2017 at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A NON-MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference will be held Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm_ local time in the Board Room at the Richmond County Board of Education, 864 Broad Street, Suite 201, Augusta, GA 30901.

Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 1781 15th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: Virgo Gambill Architects, 2531 Center West Parkway, Suite 200, Augusta, GA 30909. 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. 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.

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

BID LIST: The Richmond County Board of Education maintains a bid list for many categories that are let for bid each year. If your company wishes to remain on our bid list, we must receive a response either through a bid or by a no bid response. If we do not receive a response, your company’s name will be removed from our bid list. Please call the bid office at 706-826-1298 if you fail to receive a post card.

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 and addressed to: Dr. Angela Pringle County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 c/o: Mr. C. Gene Spires

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