February 2014

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NWGA S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2014

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features

16 on bluefin sushi & grill goes a "restaurant adventure" 22

for the record books

heritage first bank bucks a TARP handout in favor of a more self-sustainable approach

26 how pollard greens earned the right to tear the

Brewhouse to its foundation each and every Tuesday night

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greg shropshire of the 100 Black Men of Rome tells us how to better bridge the divide

feb2014

opinions

20 j. the bryant steele sifts through mad-science economic

theories now surfacing in postRecession America kent howard asserts why there's no choice but to keep loving those who run from it fastest

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40oldholly lynch explores the ages"buddy system", and finds new

application for it in the 21st century

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7

I

once had a friend who got himself kicked out of the old Village Theaters for sneaking into the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding, starring Julia Roberts. And in the mind of a teenaged boy, going to a “chick flick” by choice is fodder enough for your chums to razz you, but getting kicked out of one? That kind of action can warrant an all-out suspension of your man card.

Of course, there is more to the story. First, the fact that my anonymous friend committed this heinous crime of gender-based taste misappropriation to win the affections of a young lady. But in order to keep the jokes coming at a torrid pace, these kinds of circumstantial details are easy to overlook.

That was 17 years ago, and while channel surfing at home over the holiday break, I happened to pass My Best Friend’s Wedding on the guide.

It was the first time I’d seen the title since high school. Immediately, I picked up my phone to

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF + PRODUCTION MANAGER + MAG ART & DESIGN Neal Howard

Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER+ HEAD OF ADVERTISING

Publishers'

Note

crack a joke at my old pal, then, lacking anything better to do on my day off, I proceeded to watch the movie in its entirety.

My God, I thought to myself about 30 minutes in, becoming very afraid, I’m actually enjoying this.

The truth is we all have our “guilty pleasure” movies and TV shows, and after allowing myself to invest in My BFW, I started sifting through my mind for my own most shameful examples. A few dances with Days of Our Lives took the top slot. My sister and I used to split television time in the summers, you see, during those years she served as my babysitter, and I spent my mornings watching Nickelodeon and PBS classics such as Pinwheel, The Bloodhound Gang and Sesame Street. But in the afternoons, it was NBC soap time.

I protested at first, sure, but then I kept watching. And before long, I knew that Bo and Hope (who was also Princess Gina) would never be together because Stefano Dimera had Hope’s memory altered so she wouldn’t remember they were ever married in the first place. Throw Neal in the fact that she had come back from the dead to begin Howard with, and at that juncture, Bo had already remarried…

CREATIVE PARTNER+ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF+V3 Now, just imagine where the plot can go when you MAG HEAD DESIGNER involve the other 40 Days characters. (Man card: officially revoked.)

The only thing that saves me is that I’m man enough to admit it. I love Greece, Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman, too, and it doesn’t matter that I’ve seen Indiana Jones enough times to eclipse all three.

So, to my old, unnamed buddy, I suppose instead of popping off another joke, I’ll just say that Julia Roberts indeed delivered a solid performance in My BFW, and I’m sorry you got kicked out of the Village before having the chance to enjoy it. You’re all man in my eyes, no matter what you like.

Ian Griffin, V3 Managing Partner 8

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WRITERS J. Bryant Steele, Luke Chaffin, Oliver Robbins, Holly Lynch, Kent Howard, Neal Howard, Ian Griffin, Matt Davis PHOTOGRAPHY Derek Bell, MFA 706.936.0407 CHIEF OF ADVERTISING + OFFICE MANAGER + SALES DIRECTOR Ian Griffin AD SALES + CLIENT RELATIONS Shadae Yancey-Warren, Chris Forino AD DESIGN + MARKETING CONCEPTS Ellie Borromeo, Laura Briggs PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT One West Fourth Avenue Rome, Ga. 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 Email>v3publications @gmail.com

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“For my hEart, I choosE rEdmond.”

Barry

Heart Attack Survivor

“The paramedic ripped my shirt off to get those paddles on me and they said I was blue. And he said, ‘this is one we are not going to bring back’.”

Barry had a major cardiac event while driving down the highway at 50 miles an hour.

Due to the heroic efforts of others, his life was saved. The EMS used cardiac defibrillation to shock his heart several times before transferring him to nearby Redmond Regional.

Redmond physicians lowered Barry’s body temperature using a procedure called hypothermia to stop damage to his body and then treated his heart. New life-saving procedures are giving patients like Barry a second chance.

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• Photos by S oto •

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BLUEFIN

SUSHI&GRILL

co-owners Eddie Yap and Ping Xia were just a couple of longtime fishing buddies on a "restaurant adventure" in one of Rome's toughest markets to splash. Now their names are synonomous with indie-cuisine success

G

reat food is only part of what makes a dining experience memorable. It is often said that having a successful restaurant requires attention to the small details, which can take a meal to the next level. Fortunately, there is a shining example of this concept right here in Rome. Eddie Yap and Ping Xia, owners of BlueFin Sushi and Grill (727 Turner McCall Blvd., Rome) have set a standard for Asian cuisine matched by few in the region.

Interestingly, the restaurant venture they share started with a rod in their hands, a line in the water, and a love in their hearts.

16

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Yap hails from Malaysia, and lucky for us, he discovered his knack for restaurant operations right here in the States. “I started dishwashing for a little restaurant in Chinatown, New York City when I was 18 years old,” he recalls. “Then I opened my first restaurant 22 years ago in New York. It was a Chinese and burger restaurant. We served a lot of wings, as well.” Yap learned quickly that opening and maintaining a profitable eatery was not an easy task. “That didn’t last long. I had to close after nine months because I did not know how to run it.”

After working multiple jobs to regain his financial footing, he opened his first two successful Chinese restaurants in Massachusetts.

Yap loves to cook, and he loves to offer peo-

ple an enjoyable experience when taking in a meal at his establishment. But he found a love that was much stronger. He met his wife, Serene, and when she decided to move, he wisely followed. “I met my wife in Massachusetts, and she graduated from Georgia, so I had to move away. I left the restaurants in Massachusetts, and let my brother and sister run them,” he says. When he arrived in Georgia, he picked up right where he left off and opened three restaurants before BlueFin, all of which are still operational today.

Adding his better half to the equation would pave the way for a “restaurant adventure,” as they call it, which Yap and his partner Ping would develop while enjoying their favorite pastime. Ping, who loved to fish, was invited

HOOK. LINE. SINKER. TEXT OLIVER ROBBINS PHOTOS DEREK BELL

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out for a deep-sea excursion by Yap’s wife.

She knew how much Yap enjoyed casting a line and reeling in a fresh catch, and Ping, her good friend, shared the same passion. “We are longtime friends,” Ping says of Yap. “The first time we met was in 1998. I will never forget it. It was Thanksgiving and we went to Biloxi, Miss. to go deep-sea fishing.” Two very different backgrounds were about to come together, forming a profoundly unique approach to running a restaurant.

Ping had a very different path in mind when he left Beijing, China. His goal was to attend the University of Illinois and obtain a law degree, but he soon discovered his love for the restaurant business when he moved to Atlanta. “I moved down here because I had friends here, and I had a job at my family’s restaurant,” Ping explains.

While out to sea, trying to snag the biggest fish of the day, Ping informed Yap that he had found his calling at his family’s restaurant. Yap, having already begun plans to build his fourth restaurant in Georgia from the ground up, offered Ping the chance to try and create a dining experience focused on providing the most forward-thinking Asian cuisine in Northwest Georgia.

When Yap arrived in Georgia, he quickly picked up on hibachi and Thai styles of cooking in his restaurants.

Sai, one gentleman who taught Yap the ropes, was instrumental in teaching him the art of sushi preparation. Yap says he honored Sai by naming his first three

PINGXIA.

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restaurants “Okinawa”, after the home of his friend and mentor. Sai has since passed away, but Yap continues to bring his valuable lessons to the tables of BlueFin. “My first restaurant in Marietta was kind of slow. I had to cook, wait the tables, and wash the dishes. When I would wait the tables, I found out I was a people person,” Yap says, when asked about moving into more of an owner’s role in his restaurants. “But first, I loved to cook.”

EDDIEYAP Yap’s expertise in creating quality dishes for his customers, along with a strong emphasis on customer service, was Ping’s idea of a winning combination. “He told me some major factors that contribute to the success of the restaurant business,” says Ping. “First is quality food and great service. Without these, you can’t have success in a restaurant business. It has been five years, so he was right. The support of the people in Rome proves this, and we could not be successful without their support.”

Another factor both Ping and Yap have incorporated into their business model is keeping their staff excited about working for them. “I told the staff that I am not your boss, I am your coworker, and our customers are our bosses,” says Yap. He points out that the majority of the staff members have been with the business since the doors opened five years ago. “Someone once said that a happy staff makes happy customers. Now I believe that is true.

Some restaurants treat their staffs like they are not human, like they are just cheap labor. Here, we train them and we are patient with them.”

Ping also explains the ways that he and Yap, as owners, try to foster a healthy work environment. “I tell them even though you have your tables and your own transactions, we are a team. We all help each other, including us as the owners.”

it’s too small. Or, if you have to question if the fish is fresh, then do not serve it.”

Ping says that he tries to be mindful of pricing, as well. “We try to keep the quality high and the prices affordable for our customers. It is sometimes difficult for us, but we will make less money to make sure our customers are happy.”

Yap and Ping also travel the world together.

They visitTo different that are similar you,restaurants it’s about making to their genre, and have found few that are as right choice. dedicatedthe (or able) to provide the high quality they demand at BlueFin. “I traveled Beijing To us,toit’s person with Yap and we could not find good sushi,” Mothering your mother? We can says Ping. “Beijing is a very big city, and we looked and looked, but we could not find one help you be a daugther Mothering again. your mother? We can restaurant that could compare with us.” Five help you be a daugther again. years into their joint “restaurant adventure,” Whether you are looking for someone to help an aging the two friends and partners continue to strive Whether you are looking for someone to To you, it’s about making the right choice. help an aging parent a few hours a week, for greatness, and the pride they have in their parent a few hours aorweek, or need more comprehensive To us, it’s personal. need more comprehensive assistance, work has only strengthened their bond. They Home Instead help. assistance, Home Instead cancanhelp. still take regular fishing trips together, and lis• Meal Preparation • Incidental Transportation tening to them talk about their biggest catch • Light Housekeeping • Bathing Assistance Services Include: • Medication Reminders • Personal Care Assistance sheds light on why they are so successful as • Shopping & Errands • Dressing Assistance business partners.

• Meal Preparation • Incidental Transportation Call for a free, Yap then makes an observation we can all Assistance appointment • Light Housekeeping no-obligation • Bathing appreciate. “America is the greatest coun• Medication Reminders 706.290.1367 • Personal Care Assistance try in the world. I have traveled all over the hiscga.com world. In other countries, I see two or three Shopping & Errands Dressing Assistance • • boats fishing. Here, in the summertime, I see Each Home Instead Senior Care franchise office is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Home Instead, Inc. boats everywhere, and people are Ping wants customers to ask for a "PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD BOATS IN enjoying themselves. People can’t manager if they should ever have is- OTHER COUNTRIES, AND PEOPLE CAN'T afford boats in other countries, and sues or concerns. That way, custompeople can’t afford to get good sushi ers are indeed speaking to someone AFFORD TO GET GOOD SUSHI EVERY every day in other countries. That’s DAY IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THAT'S heavily invested in the business, and what makes this country so great.” not a manager hired by a corporate WHAT MAKES THIS COUNTRY SO GREAT." Amen, Mr. Yap. Amen. VVV chain. As for Yap, he claims to treat everyone who enters his restaurant as if he or the Manhattan Roll’s development. “It was she were a guest in his own home. He places created by a chef in Manhattan. The sauces great importance on calling BlueFin patrons on the bottom of the plate look like a melting by name, and also asks his staff to focus on pot to symbolize the city of New York. It is a individual ordering habits, such as their favormelting pot.” ite entrées or drinks. The BlueFin team works Both owners also encourage their chefs to hard, metaphorically speaking, to roll out the experiment in the kitchen and at the sushi bar. red carpet for each and every guest.

In this regard, BlueFin is unlike any other resThen, of course, there is the food. Works of taurant Yap owns. The chefs here are given art arrive at each table, and jaws literally drop free reign to craft daily chef’s specials, where around the dining room as people eagerly try they come up with new food combinations ofto find out ‘what that table over there is havfered only at the Rome location. ing.’ Sushi rolls and sashimi arrangements are Yap’s distinctive, Asian fusion of flavors exquisitely displayed on plates adorned with works in lock-step with fresh seafood delivcolorful sauces and garnishes. Some dishes ered daily to BlueFin’s door. “If the seafood foster feelings of regret, once the chopsticks is not fresh, we send it back,” says Ping. They begin slowly deconstructing the beauty of only use vendors who pick up seafood from the presentation, but those feelings soon fade the airport daily, to ensure that each delivery with the first bite. is on the plate before the day’s end. They also “Our best-selling dish is the Manhattan pay close attention to the consistency of their Roll,” Ping notes. meals. Yap explains, “I tell my chefs, if you Yap follows by outlining a brief history of have to question if a portion is too small, then

Call for a free, no-obligation appointm

706.290.1367

Each Home Instead Senior Care ® franchise office is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Home Instead, Inc.

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19

Cents& Sensibility w i t h J. B r y a n t S t e e l e

S

hould older workers quit their jobs so that younger, unemployed people can find jobs? It sounds ridiculous, but the theorem—promulgated by the young and unemployed, naturally— reemerges every now and then, as it has lately, even though the unemployment rate is gradually falling. (New stadiums for the Braves and Falcons, however, are expected to create 15,000 jobs.)

It would be one thing if this theorem had arisen during the recent Great Recession, but even your great-grandparents weren’t alive when it was originally touted, according to economists. They like to point out that the economy held up as women began entering the workforce without displacing male workers.

Still today, the key to job creation for all is expanding the economy through innovation, 20

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new technologies, new ideas and entrepreneurship.

Older workers offer experience, a quality that can’t be duplicated by a junior citizen.

They serve as mentors and coaches. In some professions, such as academia or the sciences, their reputations attract research grants, which will create new jobs. And there are plenty of people, particularly low- to midlevel employees in government, who are miserable and counting the days until they can retire with full benefits. So the number of older workers may not be as great as some try to have you believe.

People usually work past “retirement age” because they love what they do. Would you have a preacher stop preaching, a writer stop writing, a painter stop painting? It’s the same for the less-romanticized professions. Work may be someone’s greatest joy in life, other than family. People may be into hobbies or travel to balance their lives, but without the work, there is no balance.

I know a couple between whom the wife, recently retired, was despondent—if not downright depressed—that her husband wouldn’t retire also. She had no plans in mind, no travel or volunteer work. She just wanted him around. He finally retired in his early seventies, sat in a recliner, watched TV, ate Ritz crackers, and was generally underfoot.

He managed to stay happy in retirement.

His wife managed to stay despondent.

Old and intheWay? ". . . The labor movement is trying to reinvigorate what was never a strong region for unions. In its sights is the Volkswagen manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, and with the burgeoning auto industry in the South, that would be a coup for the labor movement."

T

BizBits

he Georgia General Assembly is in session, its first since passing a loophole-laden law limiting what lobbyists can spend on lawmakers, and the legislature could retire sooner than usual due to an earlier date scheduled for the primaries. The lawmakers want to get out and start campaigning and raising cash; every House and Senate lawmaker is up for reelection this year.

Still, there’s a bucketful of issues to cover, primarily passing a budget. Never easy.

Gov. Nathan Deal has made it a prior-

for one thing: Zero tolerance often equals zero sense.

Take the case of a Cobb County highschool student. A school security guard spotted a knife on the front seat of the student’s locked car. Except that it wasn’t a knife in the usual sense. It was one of those blades some people carry to cut themselves out of their seat belt in an emergency. A potential weapon, yes, but meant for use as an emergency tool.

Again, the car was locked, but the student was suspended anyway. Maybe he’ll get to carry a gun when he goes to college.

In national news, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has adopted a strategy to try and quell the Tea Party and its backers, believing their kind is at odds with the larger number of reasonable Republicans who understand that some degree of compromise is essential to running a government.

Looking south of the Mason-Dixon, the labor movement is trying to reinvigorate what was never a strong region for unions.

In its sights is the Volkswagen manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, and with the burgeoning auto industry in the South, that would be a coup for the labor movement.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from television broadcast networks regarding a startup company that takes free signals from the airwaves and sends them over the Internet to paying subscribers. The broadcasters originally sued for copyright infringement. Much of their revenue could be lost.

The startup company, Aereo Inc., claims

"The lawmakers want to get out and start campaigning and raising cash. . ." ity to add funding, thereby increasing resources and staff, to help protect children in foster care, after numerous incidents of abuse in 2013.

Another bill likely to pass is one expanding the places where gun owners with permits can carry weapons. That might include college campuses in the state’s university and technical college system. Not surprisingly, the Board of Regents and higher-education officials oppose the idea, and a poll by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that a majority of Georgians do not favor broadening gun rights.

Let me say this about that: A few years back, the General Assembly approved a zero-tolerance policy about knives on public school campuses. So far, so good. Except

it is only doing what any TV owner with an antenna can do. Subscribers generally get more than 20 local, over-the-air stations, plus the Bloomberg TV financial channel.

The service starts at $8 a month.

More than 1,000 Americans die each day as a result of smoking-related illnesses.

The tobacco companies have bowed to the federal government, and will begin publishing statements and ads that, in essence, say the companies lied.

Never one to leave money on the table, the NFL is planning to expand NBC’s Thursday Night Football and involve a number of TV outlets. If you include highschool football, the only days/nights of the week that aren’t saturated with the game will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

In Florida, a police officer shot and killed a movie patron after telling him to quiet down, at which time the victim, seated in front of him, “retaliated” by throwing his popcorn at the cop. Rightfully, he is now being charged with second-degree murder. His defense plans to use Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, the same tactic that won acquittal for George Zimmerman in the slaying of Travon Martin.

Whatever your opinion in that case, this was popcorn.

Finally, this: Expect a baby boom come September. The frigid Arctic blast we had in January caused problems and great discomfort for many, but a frigid spell usually brings a side effect: newborns nine months later. Seems there’s nothing much else to do when the weather outside is frightful.

VVV J. Bryant Steele is an award-winning business journalist based in Rome, Ga.

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WHY ROME'S

HERITAGE FIRST BANK SNUBBED A

HAND FROM UNCLE SAM IN FAVOR OF A SELF-TAILORED SAVE

how to pitch your own tarp

TEXT IAN GRIFFIN PHOTOS DEREK BELL 22

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I

f cinematic portrayals of bankers are an accurate reflection of society’s perception of them, it appears that many see the profession as inherently greedy, calloused, even downright predatory. From Mary Poppins’ older, stiffer version to the Harry Potter series’ goblin version, over the years, an air of fear has been placed in the public’s collective subconscious when it comes to who these people are, exactly, and what it is they do.

But while these radical adaptations of the folks who serve within America’s vastreaching financial industry may help further ingrain that intimidation factor into the minds of entrepreneurs seeking startup capital, investors looking to invest, or even those simply looking to open up a basic checking account, on the contrary, anyone who has had the experience of walking into one of Heritage First Bank’s three Rome-area locations would probably be quick to separate fact from fiction.

Bearing the slogan, Local Bank, Local Decisions™, Heritage First originally opened its doors on Dec. 16, 2002, and has enjoyed steady growth from that day forward. And with a wealth of knowledge regarding the trends taking shape in the Northwest Georgia economy, as well as a keen focus on ensuring above-standard client services, even the burst bubble of the Great Recession couldn’t

GREG WILKES CEO, DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD

manage to drag this small but resilient banking entity down from its pedestal.

At the time Heritage opened just over 11 years ago, construction-based lending and real estate development were each nearing fever pitch. The boom sustained itself from the beginning of 2003 through 2007 at such a torrid pace that the system simply couldn’t sustain itself. Soon, the bubble burst, and the American economic era we now know as the Great Recession woefully commenced.

Banks from small, local outfits (à la Heritage First) to the giants of Wall Street were left to pick up the pieces, eventually either forced to fold up shop or forge ahead on the RYAN EARNEST remaining scraps.

PRESIDENT, CCO “It would be safe to say that BANK DIRECTOR we started on the front end of the boom,” recalls Ryan Earnest, president, chief credit officer and director at Heritage First. “The boom then became the bust, and… if we knew then what we know now, there never would have been a boom in the first place. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, and there is no changing what happened. But what makes me proud looking back is how we handled ourselves going forward.”

In 2008, a national fear took hold of the American for those who managed the funds correctly. populace, and as a result of that fear, The board at Heritage First Bank chose to the confidence in our financial instigo a different direction, however, electing not tutions that was so strong only a year to file its application for TARP. Instead, its prior was all but lost entirely. Banks decision-makers decided to seek out inveswere toppling rapidly, and continued tors who could amass the capital needed to to fail at record levels through 2010. not only weather the storm, but to come out Those who did manage to survive did stronger on the other side. so only by executing a strategic, inEnter the formerly retired Greg Wilkes: a dividualized plan to get to the other man well known for his wealth of experience side of the crisis. in the banking industry, including 17 years In October of ’08, the federal here in Rome. After leaving the Rome margovernment stepped in and began ket in 1995, Wilkes had moved to Florida, requiring all “eligible” banks to apwhere he continued to prosper until his ofply for TARP (Troubled Asset Reficial retirement in 2004. Then, after moving lief Program) funding, in an effort back to Georgia in 2005, Wilkes found himto promote market stability, improve self itching to get back in the business. Luckthe strength of financial institutions ily, in 2009, the winds of good fortune would on the whole, and enhance market provide him that opportunity via Heritage liquidity. Though criticized for reFirst Bank, where he still serves as CEO for quiring eligible institutions to apply, TARP, promoted as a voluntary program, ultimately proved successful CONTINUED ON PG. 43 >>

"Hindsight is 20/20, of course, and there is no changing what happened. But what makes me proud looking back is how we handled ourselves going forward."

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eatyour textoliverrobbins photosderekbell

greens

(Left to right) Pianist Lee Shealy , drummer Jedd Lovel, saxophonist John Pollard, bassist Bill Locklear, and guitarist Randy Honea

If you haven't yet been to a Tuesday-night Brewhouse set with local jazz quintet

pollardgreens, it's time to let five master musicians sax you up

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O

n Tuesday nights in downtown Rome, five gentlemen stroll into the Brewhouse Music and Grill (325 Broad Street, Rome) and set up their instruments. They all then make their way around the room, mingling with patrons, sharing laughs and warm embraces. At 6:30 p.m. sharp, they assemble at the front of the bar. The backdrop is a large window, framing the twinkling trees and classic storefronts that line Broad Street. With a cool snap of the fingers, John Pollard sets the tempo for the first groove.

There is no introduction. There is no talking. Pollard Greens unites in song, making it instantly apparent there is no need to say a word.

John Pollard, sax player and the person responsible for assembling this talented group of jazz musicians, was exposed to the genre at an early age. “I was raised by jazz—you know, the old music,” he says. “My parents

"It's kind of like a quilt: I put together a bunch of pieces to form one style, like a language."

didn’t even listen to the Stones. I grew up listening to the Buddy Rich Band, Maynard Ferguson, and Tijuana Brass. I listened to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.” His early fondness for this style of music, first made popular in the early 1900s, would eventually lead Pollard to join his middle school band. It was then that his musical journey began.

While playing under Gene Inglis in the Rome High School Jazz Band, Pollard soon developed his abstract playing style by way of his teacher’s unconventional methods. “Inglis would go make a tape of the music we were playing and tell me to make it sound like the recording. That’s how I learned more than anything else I did,” says Pollard.

After taking lessons from experienced teachers, including John Davis at Berry College and Raleigh Dailey at the University of Kentucky, the budding talent became wellversed in music theory. Still, Pollard would always listen to the great jazz musicians of the past, ultimately returning to the process he used to manifest his now sultry sax swagger. “I realized that if you listen a lot and try to sound like what you are listening to, you will develop your own style. It’s kind of like a quilt: I put together a bunch of pieces to form one style, like a language.”

Apparently, there was something special about Pollard’s era in the Rome High Jazz Band, because the drummer

for Pollard Greens was a member, as well.

Jedd Lovel, a 2004 graduate of Rome High and 2006 graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music, provides the rhythmic backbone for the group. Lovel is also a firmly established musician in the Greater Rome area, having played in local bands for most of his life.

He remembers Pollard’s call asking him to join the band as if it were yesterday. “John and I had talked about getting a jazz group together for a while,” Lovel explains. “John said he had a pianist. That was cool, but we

needed a bass player. We found out about Bill (Locklear) and we all met at Musik Works.”

Lovel is also credited with naming the band. “I was trying to come up with names for the band one day with a friend. We came up with Cornbread Jedd and Pollard Greens.

We decided to drop the Cornbread Jedd and just stick with Pollard Greens.”

Pollard’s longtime friendship with Lovel made the drummer’s decision to join the band a snap, but finding the keys and bass

"He told me, 'Son, I know more tunes than you will ever know,' and that's how I came to play with Bill." required a little more finesse. As it turns out, Pollard’s father is also a musician, and at roughly five years of age, Pollard recalls meeting Lee Shealy at the Music Room on Saturday mornings while his father played every horn on the wall of brass. Shealy, interestingly enough, did not find his calling in front of the ebony and ivory until he entered Berry College on a music scholarship for trombone. “The stupidest thing I ever did was drop piano when I got to high school. I picked the piano back up at Berry because we were required to take classical piano there,” Shealy explains. “I went into the first class and they told me I was going to cause some problems in there,” he laughs, “so they stuck me in private lessons.

That was good because it got me back into piano.”

When Pollard started to put his feelers out in the arena of freelancing Rome musicians, Shealy was the only keys player capable of fitting bill. Pollard’s early memories of his father and Shealy playing jazz together in the family den let him know that Shealy was the right man for the job. The bass player was, however, a real diamond in the rough.

Bill Locklear took some digging to find, and Pollard knew exactly where to start his excavation. “Wayne Walker (longtime employee of the Music Room) told me Bill Locklear was the only bass player around,” says Pollard. “I got in touch with him and asked him if he knew any tunes. He told me, ʻSon, I know more tunes than you will ever know,’ ” Pollard laughs, “and that’s how I came to play with Bill.”

Bill Locklear has also seen his share of notes and staffs. Much like Shealy, Locklear started learning the craft through his trombone experience. Originally from Trion, Ga., he attended Jacksonville State University where he happened upon a new way to express himself musically. Locklear recalls, “I got over there, and in one of the practice vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

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rooms there was a string bass. Like a lot of other folks, I picked it up and thumped around on it. This guy came wandering through one day while I was in there thumping around, and he was the guitar player for a folk group. He asked me if I would like to go play sometime and I said sure, why not.” His career experience, like all the musicians in Pollard Greens, is a mile long. Locklear has been on the road with Frankie Avalon and Bob Hope, just to name a couple.

The foursome certainly had the talent required to perform music with such a high degree of difficulty, and after a few private gigs, they were ready to find a permanent home. They decided to start their search on Broad Street, and one business owner happily put Pollard Greens on his calendar of

weekly entertainment. Jay Shell, owner of the Brewhouse and a local entertainment specialist, had the perfect place. He felt that the small, cozy bar in the back of his former business, 333 on Broad, would be perfect for a jazz night. “I have known Lee Shealy for a long time, and I heard Pollard Greens play at private events. Lee, Jedd, and I met and talked about doing a jazz night, because no one else in Rome was doing it,” Shell says.

“If you are going to be a music venue, it is important to offer music from every genre, and there are not many places in the world you can go and listen to this type of talent at 6:30 on a Tuesday night for free. It’s been successful for three years now, and I think that’s a pretty cool thing.”

"I called Lee on the phone and asked him what was going on.

Lee told me to come sit in with John's band."

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Now that Shell has condensed his downtown businesses into one, all-inclusive haven for music lovers, Pollard Greens has moved their weekly gig to the Brewhouse and haven’t missed a beat. They still keep their Tuesday-night time slot, and the crowd keeps rolling in to hear a sound not often played in Greater Rome bars and restaurants. And now that the staging area is bigger, Pollard has continued to grow his vision for the band by adding Randy Honea on guitar. Honea, a classical guitar player from Rome, moved to Atlanta in 1980 and played at many of the city’s jazz clubs. He has also toured with some of the greats, such as Grammy Award-winning artist Yonrico Scott.

When he returned to Rome, Honea called a member of Pollard Greens to find out what was going on with music in his hometown.

“I called Lee on the phone and asked him what was going on. Lee asked me to come downtown and sit in with John’s band.” Ho-

Continued on pg. 44 >>

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Touching theLine w i t h Kent Howard

OK to tell me a few things in a frank manner, man to man. What he said after I will never forget.

One, he said, you are crazy for wanting to become a teacher. Low pay, low morale, each generation more disrespectful than the last. In his mind, it was a career death wish.

(Twelve years later, some days I wonder if he wasn’t right.)

Two, he told me, if you do decide to do this, always remember: If you hear teachers talking about other teachers when they aren’t around, those same teachers are talking about you when you aren’t around.

(Twelve years later, I have heard enough nasty, vindictive gossip about coworkers to last 12 lifetimes.)

Third, he concluded—and the piece of advice that resonates most loudly off all— you will need to learn to absorb disappointment on a regular basis without allowing it to rob you of purpose. (One-hundred percent true, Dad. Thanks for prepping me.)

Recently, I read about several of my former students who found themselves in legal trouble for allegedly committing serious crimes in the Greater Rome area. Each time I see a kid’s name I recognize in the news, I prepare myself for the worst. A nauseating feeling consumes me and I can’t bear to read any further, for fear of what I might learn about the innocent-looking kids I once knew—or thought I knew. Unfortunately, I have had to read about students (both former and current) dying tragically in accidents caused by recklessness, committing suicide, committing crimes against people

Love 'Em Anyway

I

n 2006, a Martina McBride song entitled “Anyway” hit the country-radio airwaves. One of its more poignant lyrics sang, “You can love someone with all your heart for all the right reasons / And in a moment they can choose to walk away / Love ’em anyway.”

I remember the phone call to my parents like it was yesterday. With a potent concoction of prayer and spousal support, I had decided that teaching would be my life’s calling. I quickly picked up the phone to dial them, both career educators, and break the good news. My dad answered, and after a quick greeting/prelude, I told him that I was following in his and mom’s footsteps.

All I could envision at that moment was 32

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"People are often unreasonable— including you and I. Just because our children don't make us proud in every situation doesn't mean they are across-the-board failures." my dad beaming with joy on the other end of the line. Like father, like son. A family devoted to serving our great state’s young people on the platform of public education.

Expecting nothing less than a big, warm Congrats, son!, the phone call instead fell silent. Politely, Dad asked if I was sure about my decision, then asked if it were

or property, filing bankruptcy. Other sad examples see drugs, alcohol, violence, poor financial decisions and, ultimately, disappointment ruling the day. Many people don’t realize the emotional pain a profession like teaching/coaching inflicts. Time and time again, you sacrifice your own family time, spend countless hours investing in the lives of other people’s children, constantly stick your neck out for students and athletes who need your help; only to witness them in trouble with the law, quitting your team, blaming you for their lack of success because teachers are society’s new favorite targets, both literally and figuratively. We are easy scapegoats within a system broken from the top down.

Many of you have experienced this level of disappointment in the case of a family member, friend, or loved one for whom you care deeply. The same people you work so hard to help seem to be the ones who stomp on your heart the most frequently, and with the most force.

For example, you have a child who has been taught right from wrong, has seen the value of hard work through your example, and was held accountable for their mistakes throughout their childhood. Yet, as

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they grew into an adult, they refused to accept responsibility for their actions and bad choices. They continued to make the same poor choices, but always seemed to place the fault on you or someone else. They never could keep a job because they can’t work for anyone in an authoritative position, and they always help themselves before others when the opportunity arises. You have reached your breaking point. After all, you provided them with a foundation built on solid moral rock, not sand. What do you do now?

I am not a psychiatric expert or a counselor, granted, but I believe I have this one figured out. It is simple, effective, piercing (but not scalding), painful (but not unwarranted), difficult (but not impossible): You love ’em anyway.

Yep, that’s right. You just love ’em anyway.

People are often unreasonable—including you and I. Just because our children don’t make us proud in every situation doesn’t mean they are across-the-board failures.

People are often illogical, too—as are you and I. People are self-centered—just like you and I. It’s the human way. We all

think we are more important than we are in the grand scheme of life.

Sometimes the truth hurts. The bottom line is that in a world full of disappointment, the only thing you can control is the love you pour into others. Stop entertaining the fallacy that it’s possible to snuff disappointment from your life. Bad news is inevitable. Let it go and learn to just love.

We were all created by it, as well as for it.

When there is nothing left to hold on to, just love ’em anyway.

Love is the only thing left on this Earth that we can all recognize identically. All languages, people, and cultures understand and embrace its boundless nature as the penultimate coping strategy for emotional pain and disappointment. In the end, if you want to overcome, it is the only option. It was your only option from the start. VVV

Rome High and Shorter University grad Kent Howard is an 11-year nwga educator, basketball coach and inspirational speaker. to book him for speaking engagements, please call 706.767.3226. or email bookkenthoward@gmail.com

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INTERVIEW MATT DAVIS

PHOTOS DEREK BELL

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MD What is the overall concept behind the 100 Black Men of America?

GS The 100 was started in 1964 by former mayor David Dinkins, great baseball legend Jackie Robinson—most people don’t know that—and a couple of others.

There was some police brutality going on in New York, so they came together, and the legend goes that there were 100 of them who wanted to start an organization to address the police brutality and inequality in their community, calling themselves “the 100.” Then, in the late ’60s, early ’70s with the whole black-power struggle, they changed it to “100 Black Men.” In 1984, one of the first presidents, Dr. William Hayling, moved to a couple of different states. And every time he went to California

thegOOD SHEPHERD 100 BLACK MEN OF ROME'S

GREG SHROPSHIRE

TALKS "RAISING THE BAR," ROUTING RACISM FROM GEN-Y's FUTURE, AND HOW TO ASSEMBLE a STATE-FINALIST ROBOTICS TEAM FROM SCRATCH >>> or New Jersey, he started another chapter. So, in 1984, about six chapters came together and said let’s start a national charter, and that’s how the 100 Black Men of America was born 20 years after they started.

At the heart of it, we are a mentoring organization. We do a lot besides mentoring, but at the core of it is mentoring and giving back to our community. Black men of all types of professions coming together, bringing our resources together, so that we can address problems in our community. It was kind of that mindset that we’re not going to wait for

handouts, we’re not going to wait for other people to fix our problems. If we come together and combine our resources, we can address most of the problems in our community.

Let’s talk about Rome, specifically, because there is a milestone that you guys are reaching this year. How long have the 100 Black Men been in Rome?

In April, we’ll be celebrating our twentieth year. The Rome chapter was officially chartered in 1994, so this a huge milestone for the

organization. And I thank you for this opportunity because one of the things we’re looking at, as we look back over our 20 years, is that we have really been a workhorse organization and not a show-horse organization— in the sense that we don’t tell our story very well, we just do our job well. We do a great job of providing services, but we really don’t talk to the public or corporate world about what we really do.

So, as we’re looking back, that’s really one of the things we want to focus on is telling our story. Because for 20 years we’ve been providing services to this community that have been really life-transformative for some people. In fact, most people don’t know that over this 20-year period, between our local scholarship and our national scholarship, we have given over $100,000 in scholarship money. Most people don’t know that.

Just last year, out of 531 teams in the state of Georgia competing in Lego robotics, we had two teams that finished fourth and eleventh. Most people don’t know that.

We provide a lot of great services to the kids and to the community, but we don’t brag about it. We just kind of go about doing our job.

Let's talk about those key services. What are they, specifically?

Every chapter—there are 116 internationally, three in London—has what we call “Four for vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

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the Future,” and that’s based on mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic development. Now, some of the 116 have other initiatives, but these are the four most common areas that we share and address through those four initiatives.

Here, one of our biggest initiatives is mentoring. We have the Foundation Camp (a twoweek camp for boys 10 to 14 years old, held each summer at Georgia Highlands College), we have chem and robotics, our health and wellness initiative for men. We have signature programs that we have been doing for years, and that’s our way of serving our community.

Finding what works and, sometimes, what doesn’t work—so that you can find what does work.

We’re very proud of our programs. For instance, Foundation Camp, in conjunction with Georgia Highlands, is going on its ninth year. We’re up to servicing about 120 students a year, where we started out with just 25.

February is, obviously, Black History Month, and I want to get your perspective on that a little bit. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, urging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” What makes Black History Month so important to our country and, in particular, our area?

Well, Matt, I actually graduated from Morehouse with an undergraduate degree in African-American studies, and I’m under the impression that the true way of measuring progress sometimes is by the things we no longer need.

Black History Month…arose from a need to make sure we recognized and celebrated the contributions of African-Americans.

Now, I think it’s still important to this day because I don’t think we truly do a great job of recognizing all of our communities. We really are a very multicultural society now, and I don’t think we do a great job of celebrating all that we bring to the table.

And so, while I think Black History Month is necessary, it’s one of those bittersweet things for me. Because truly, when you think about it, there’s no such thing as “black history,” it’s just history. But unfortunately, in our textbooks, in our mass media, and in most of our marketing, everyone doesn’t have a fair share of that limelight. There are a lot of unsung heroes and a lot of stories go untold, so by that measure we have to have Black History Month.

But I would really love to see a time when my children and grandchildren can open up a textbook and learn about your culture and my culture simultaneously. Until we get to that 36

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point, we have to have programs like Black History Month.

We have come a long way in this country in terms of race relations, but there are still a lot of issues of there. What do you think are the biggest race-relations issues we, as a nation, face today?

Ignorance. I really believe that through our ignorance, most of which has been taught to us, we still really don’t know each other. We may know each other at work, we may know each

other in passing…but we really don’t know each other.

So, while we’ve come a long way in terms of access, there’s still a huge gap when you start looking at economics. African-Americans own less now, percentage-wise, than the number of businesses they owned before desegregation. Just look here in Rome: You used to have hospitals, hotels, newspapers, a radio station. Before desegregation, AfricanAmericans owned all of those types of businesses because they could not shop at the

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". . . I'm instilled witH THIS SENSE THAT I ALWAYS OWE A DEBT. BECAUSE I COULD NEVER DO ENOUGH TO REPAY WHAT WAS GIVEN JUST FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SIT HERE WITH YOU AS EQUALS . . . THAT WAS PAID FOR BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE I'LL NEVER KNOW." other stores. With desegregation and new access to the “other,” we really lost a huge part of our community, which was the economic [quotient]. We really didn’t understand that by giving up economics, we gave up something much greater than we gained with access.

There’s a huge gap still in education. I mean, we cannot deny when we look at the graduation rates, for instance, of AfricanAmerican males, that it’s dismal. When we look at the incarceration rates for AfricanAmerican males, it’s just so disheartening to see how many African-Americans are being locked up, and for much longer for the same

crimes as their counterparts.

We know that there are problems, but I think it’s because we’re so disconnected that we really don’t understand each other. If something happens to your wife and she’s sick, well, as a man, I should be able to understand that same [situation] if I have a wife. But we’re so disconnected that we’re not properly able to empathize with one another …

You’ve been involved with 100 Black Men for 11 years. What is the [top] reason you stay with it?

For me, it started really with my mother in-

stilling in us a sense of community responsibility, a sense that we are so fortunate. When I look at what I don’t have in my life, I’m still better off than so many before me, so I’m instilled with this sense that I always owe a debt. Because I could never do enough to repay what was given just for me to be able to sit here with you here as equals. I can never earn that. That was paid for by millions of people I’ll never know. So, the 100 is a vehicle to help pay back that debt.

Through the 100, I’m able to connect with people and do things that are much bigger than myself…to pay back that debt—or to pay it forward, if you want to say it that way—for the generations to come. The things we’re doing now, we do them with the hope and belief that it’ll make some difference for the generations to come.

What would you say you’re the most of proud of, in terms of what you’ve accomplished as a member of the 100 Black Men of Rome?

Honestly, it’s not one of those situations where there’s just one. Because in my tenure with the 100, I have seen us accomplish things I really didn’t think we could do. When we first started talking about Foundation Camp with Georgia Highlands, it was one week for 25 vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

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kids. Eight years later, having 120 kids is a We know how powerful it is, we know how munity that…can give our children opportuhuge accomplishment when you think about transformative it is. Now we have to work nities. the money that has to be raised. It’s all paid harder to make sure not only that the program … Think about it: You have a young stufor with volunteer dollars and donations, so is maintained, but that the standard keeps godent from a very economically challenged that’s a huge accomplishment. ing up. home, and to just be able to job-shadow When you look at our chem and robotics [For example, you have what they call repeople in prominent positions, you know, that team that we started about four years ago, in gionals, superregionals, then you have state, experience may be transformative for that stuthe robotics lab we have about seven trophies. and last year our goal was just to make it past dent … We really want to build collaborative Now, here we have white, Latino and Asian regionals. For two years, we never could just efforts that allow our students access. kids on the robotics team, but primarily here get past the region, and I remember talking to Doing the TV show Community Watch, I in Rome, it’s African-Americans. And you’re coach Williams and I said, man, if we could have learned that there’s a lot of stuff going at Georgia Tech competing against students just make it to superregionals.] Well, we went on in Rome. And I hate to say it, Matt, but I from some of the top schools in the state, and on to the superregionals and then went on to believe it in my heart: While Rome has equal you’re looking at your kids saying, See, right state, and so now, this year coming in it’s like, access to go into any restaurant I want, there’s now they realize and they believe that they OK, you have an expectation. We’re not just still a huge gap in true equality and access in can compete with anybody. a team, we’re a very competitive, award-winour beautiful community.

Last year, we were at a session with Darning team. Therefore, the bar has risen and we We’re looking to build better bridges so that lington—because Darlington also has a romust meet that bar. our kids, the kids we’re working with, have botics team—and most of the students there When you take robotics, it is an expensive greater access, so that they can just sit down that day were international. So here you had program to maintain. And while I love that and get to meet people in different places, so students from Rome, public-school children, burden, success brings another side with it, that they can begin to build quality networks. working with Darlington international stuand you now have to get back in there and Because for so many of our students, the netdents. But what brought them togethworks that they do have? They’re terrier? Robotics. And I was thinking, how ".We're looking to build better ble. We need to build relationships with wonderful is it that, while competing the greater community that allow them bridges so that our kids. . . in this robotics realm, they don’t reto replace some of those people in that have greater access. . .so alize [the value of] the interactions network, so that they can get outside of they’re having? What other opportuthat they can begin to build their [negative environment]. nity would they have to interact with Tragically, a couple of years ago, quality networks. Because international students from Darlington a young mentee of ours died. He had for so many of our students, been part of our mentoring program right here in Rome? the networks that they do and had stopped coming. A couple of Being that conduit for students has to be one of the greatest joys I’ve years later, he was killed. That young have? They're terrible." had. When we open up a doorway or man once told me he’d never been out pathway so that more people from different double down to make sure you have a quality of Rome, Ga. And you think, in the modern cultures can interact honestly with each othprogram each and every year. day, we have kids who have never been out er, that’s what I really enjoy the most. Being A lot of times when I’m looking at our roof Rome, Ga.?! something of a liaison, making those connecbotics team, I’m thinking in my mind, OK Also a couple years ago, I was mentoring tions so that people can come together for the now, what do we need to be doing? While I’m two young kids and we were walking down first time. watching them doing what they do, I’m thinkBroad Street. We went to Schroeder’s to get We were talking earlier about when we ing from a 100 perspective, OK, do we need a sandwich, then to Kaleidosno to play board partnered with the Tea Party and NAACP to be talking to somebody? Do we need to be games. One of the young men looked at when they had their election forum several recruiting coaches? Do we need to be talking me and said, “I didn’t know we could walk years ago. While some people may disagree to parents? What do we need to be doing to downtown like this.” This was just a couple on the politics, the truth of the matter was that ensure that we have a competitive opportunity of years ago. it provided a platform for people of different for our students?

My expression was just like yours. I was ideologies to talk who would otherwise problike, What are you talking about?! But if you ably never have sat down and talked…

How can the Greater Rome community go downtown at any given time, you won’t help the 100 Black Men of Rome? see a lot of African-Americans. It’s not that Going back to the robotics program: DeI have to say, for the most part, given what we they can’t go, but clearly there’s a reason why scribe what it’s like when you see a young have shared with the community (in terms of we’re not there. person who probably never thought of beself-promotional info), we’ve had a good reI think what the community can do in ing a part of something like that, then the sponse. But it’s nowhere near where it could working with the 100 is to help create an entransformation you see when it makes an be, and I think the 100 has to do a better job vironment that says not only are you allowed, impact on them and who they become as of telling our story so that the community can but you are welcome. If we can do that, it’s a they move forward? see what we’re doing and contribute. lot. VVV To be honest with you, Matt, for me it’s someAs a nonprofit organization, most people thing of a burden. Now, let me put that into think right off the bat: money. But we really FOR MORE ON HOW YOU CAN context: When you realize what you have want partnership. See, it’s one thing if you HELP FURTHER THE CAUSE OF THE contributed to and how great it is, I am then give me a donation today, but, as we know, 100 BLACK MEN OF ROME, CALL overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility you could be in a position where the doors 706.266.3435 or visit shropshire that I must make sure this goes on. When the you’re able to open are of far greater value and friends on the web at 100 has a successful robotics program, now than what you may give for a donation. So, we are indebted to maintain that program. we’re looking for partnerships with the com100blackmenofrome.org 38

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Auctions on February 8th and March 8th

For reserved seating, RSVP to: gregg@rt-llc.com or Call (404)-981-3911 vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

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A

couple of years ago, on a scary December evening, a friend of mine suffered some damage to her home when a tornado ripped through Rome.

The storm happened a couple of days before Christmas and, ironically, she and I were together doing some last-minute Christmas shopping at the mall when she got the call from her neighbor. We agreed that once the storm warning had passed, we would drive to her house together to see what had happened. Weaving our way through some strange roads with tree limbs and wires lying all around, somehow it was less scary because we were together.

Once in the neighborhood, we could see the emergency vehicles near her home. Thankfully, her house was still standing. She had no power, some damage to exterior walls and the roof, and debris all over the yard, but in the grand scheme of things, the damage to her home wasn’t the worst in the area.

Nevertheless, it was a frightening ordeal.

She and I both still wonder about the fortuitousness of our having been together at that moment, since I’m one of her emergency contacts. No need to call me, though. We were already side by side. She stayed in my guest room until her power was restored, and her daughter arrived soon after.

This story is an example of why the buddy system works. I was happy to help however I could, and not only because she’s my friend, but because I’m her person.

Friendship isn’t always about the good times, fun nights out, or the small favors that help each other out. Friendship is primarily about coming through in the clutch, in the worst of times. In the South, we’re really good at cooking casseroles and chauffeuring children in times of need. But the buddy system, as I’m proposing it, is one major step further—i.e. being your friend’s “person.”

Being a person, in this context, is being the name a friend lists in theirs “in case of

pens. And if you are both dealing with the crisis of a tornado-ravaged house, a backup emergency person might be nice to help make calls to other key family members, et cetera. Or, God forbid, if something happens to your spouse during the emergency, the backup is ready to step in.

A male friend of mine, who is not married, lives far from his son, mother and sister. His girlfriend has possession of his “important phone numbers” list, and I have a copy also. I’m the backup. Every year, around his birthday, he updates the list and sends me a draft. I print it out and leave it in a file labeled with his name. It’s there if I need it, and I hope and pray I never do.

All of this may sound morbid. I apologize, as that’s not my intention. In this season of love, I’m inclined to think that one of the most selfless acts of love we can make is to prepare ourselves and our families for times of crisis.

The first step, and the simplest, is to compile a basic list of family or friends who need to know if something happens to us, or those who would be useful to contact in the case of an emergency.

Recently, I was traveling with another friend by car. Before we left, I asked her for her emergency contact information so I could share it with my spouse. I think I surprised her by asking, but my Girl Scout training won’t allow me to go into a situation unprepared. I figured since we were in the same car and hotel, it might be wise for my husband to have her emergency contact.

"I suggest making a backup plan because there is a higher probability that you will be with your spouse when something bad happens . . . God forbid, if something happens to your spouse during the emergency, the backup is ready to step in."

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emergency” box on important forms. (Ross listed Rachel. Christina listed Meredith.)

If you’re married, you probably assume (rightfully) that your spouse is your person.

That’s a pretty good plan, but I would like to suggest two things: 1) a backup plan, and 2) to make sure your spouse and your backup person both have the same information.

I suggest making a backup plan because there is a higher probability that you will be with your spouse when something bad hap-

Trends& Traditions w i t h Ho l l y Ly n c h In the case of an accident, he could call my friend’s person. Or, if he couldn’t reach me, he would have my traveling companion’s contact info.

It made me realize that the buddy system should be a universally accepted practice amongst adults. Stick together.

Hold hands. Check in with each other. I’m nearly 40 years old and still have to call either my husband or my parents, sometimes both, when I’m traveling. It’s nice to know

"In the South, we're really good at cooking casseroles and chauffeuring children in times of need. But the buddy system, as I'm proposing it, is one major step further—i.e. being your friend's "person"

ATrueBestie Has Your Back someone is worrying about me.

The list is simple. It should include your closest family members; your boss; your children’s schools; your minister or other spiritual leader; your landlord, if you rent (someone might need access to your home); your insurance companies and agents (medical, homeowner/renter, auto); your doctor; and your veterinarian, if you have pets.

Then add all the appropriate phone numbers. That’s it: a simple list given to two very special buddies. Include a Valentine’s

Day card, if you like.

Your person and your backup should probably have a key to your home, along with a copy of the list. I also keep a list of my person’s phone numbers in my wallet, and my backup person’s numbers, too. We all rely on our smartphones, but there are times that the phone battery drains (power outages, et cetera) or the phone has disappeared. I know from experience that during a car accident the phone can become a projectile and may not be functional.

In this busy, busy world, take a few minutes this month to consider who to call in case of emergency. And then ask someone you trust and care about to be your person.

Whose hand do you hold to be sure?

Reach out to those who live alone or far away from loved ones. Make sure they know that there’s someone they can count on in times of crisis. Because that’s what friends are really for.

For more tips and checklists to help better prepare for an emergency, please visit ready.gov. VVV

Holly Lynch is the owner of and head planner for The Season Special Events Planning at 250 Broad Street in Rome vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

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bank at a critical time. There was clearly a strong sense of purpose and commitment to the Rome community that the bank and its holding company. He also provided the motivation to do so,” Wilkes serves as a director on both boards. says. His brief but transformative tenure in “My goal when we sold the bank in Florithe years since has also overseen the develda was to get back to Georgia,” Wilkes says. opment and opening of a new branch in West “We wanted to be closer to our children and Rome, the termination of the regulatory order grandchildren. But, to be honest, I became put forth during the recent recession, and the bored after we finished the building project launch of HFB’s electronic banking service on our new home in north Cobb County, and (perhaps best exhibited by its easy-to-use I began to consider going back to work. Right mobile banking app). around that time, some very good friends and “Last year was a special year for all of us here at Heritage First Bank,” says Earnest. “We were proud to be the first to market IS A MYTH, EARNEST SUGGESTS... with our mobile banking app, as far as community banks are concerned. We former associates from Rome called me and understood that providing the modern conasked me if I would like to get back into busiveniences national banks provide was someness. I didn’t hesitate to say yes. My wife was thing that had to happen to keep our current delighted because I was driving her crazy.” customers happy, and to build our clientele Wilkes was instrumental in helping to ormoving forward. Technology has a way of ganize a group of investors who would purleveling the playing field, and we now have chase control of Heritage First and recapitalonline banking and mobile banking services ize the bank in mid 2009, after which he laid that are on par with any of the big banks.” out a clear-cut strategy for success that, in Another perk of doing business on the 2013, helped them reap record profits. “This sunny side of the Great Recession: the availgroup demonstrated a lot of courage to step ability of funds to lend. Thanks to the liqin and provide the capital to strengthen the

FROM PG. 23, "HOW TO PITCH..."

THE BLANKET PERCEPTION OF THE "BIG, BAD BANKER"

uidation of bank-owned real estate, among several other market factors, Heritage First is in a great position to fund local business dreams both large and small. And with a goal to further facilitate Rome-Floyd’s return to prosperity, they are always on the lookout for new projects in which to invest. If you have a solid business plan, Earnest and Wilkes encourage you to swing by and see if they can lend you a hand.

The blanket perception of the “big, bad banker” is a myth, Earnest suggests, adding, “When you go into business for yourself, even if you are a sole proprietor, you still have one partner, and that is your bank. We serve as a silent partner to so many businesses here, and while individual conditions exist that don’t allow us to say yes to everyone, we want everyone that approaches us for a loan to succeed, and we want to do everything in our power to help point them in the right direction. We look at these opportunities as an investment in our community, and in order for us to prosper, the community must prosper.” VVV

FOR MORE ON HERITAGE FIRST BANK, visit heritage firstbank.com

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ace Silver’s “Sister Sadie”, the images of whitewall tires and fancy up-do’s ring vividly. John hopes to be able to transport people into the smoky nightclubs of old America, and show them why he fell in love with jazz as a young boy.

Discussing Greens’ performance style, Pollard says, “When we close our eyes during a song, we are trying hard. This music is not easy to play. I don’t want to take anything away from any other band, but we are one of the hardest working bands in Rome.” He talks about improvisation being the most unique component that holds the music together as

From pg. 30 , "Eat Your Greens" nea didn’t bring his guitar to the first meeting, but when he did finally plug in and play, Pollard knew he had to be a part of the group.

“After I played with the band a few times, John said that he wanted to make me full time. It’s been really cool.”

And just like that, four became five.

Pollard Greens now hopes to offer its audience a glimpse into a time period when people would dress up for dinner and hit the town.

When they play popular standards, such as Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” or Hor-

they, quite literally, feel their way through a piece. No one song they play is quite the same from one rendition to the next, as the members depend on cues during the performance for direction. Audiences can be thrilled to know they’ll get a fresh version of each number, each and every time Pollard Greens plays it.

Pollard also hopes to continue to grow the band and broaden the musical projects they choose to take on in the future. “We hope to be able to add a vocalist and another horn soon,” he says. He also wants to remove the misguided perception that jazz music is only enjoyed by older crowds. All around the dining room, patrons from 60 to 16 tap their feet and smile at one another across the table. The ladies lean in close to their men; the men pull their ladies in tight for a peck on the cheek.

Loving stares last a little longer, a glass of wine tastes a little better, and five men roll out one of the most elegant performances found on Broad Street. VVV To book a Pollard Greens gig or find out more about the band and their live schedule, contact John Pollard on the web at facebook. com, search "Pollard Greens"

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