December Issue B 2010

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | DECEMBER 15 2010 |VOL 3 ISSUE 12 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

GREAT GIFTS Last Minute Holiday Shopping Guide + MUSIC The Gathering ACTION Striving for Peace in Old Towne + RESOLUTION Just Do Something

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4 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

vergestaff

publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha contributors Chris Selmek, Alison Richter, PM Rogers, John Cannon, Dino Lull, Ben Casella, Skyler Andrews, Charlotte Okie, Elizabeth Benson, Abby Spasser, Holly Birdsong, Katie McGuire, Jennifer Maslyn, Mariah Gardner

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GENERAL POLICIES: Contents copyrighted 2010 by verge. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Editorial content of verge is the opinion of each contributing writer and is not necessarily the opinion of verge, its staff or its advertisers.

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1102 Bar & Grill 8th Street Tobacco Andy Jordans Bar On Broad Blue Horse Bistro Casella Eye Center Congregation Beth Shalom Curiosity Shop Edge Salon and Spa Elduets Treasures Fort Gordon Halo Salon and Spa Manuel’s Bread Cafe Modish New Moon Cafe Peach Mac Re-Fresh Rock Bottom Music Rooster’s Beak Sanford, Bruker & Banks T.G.I.Friday’s The Book Tavern The Loft Windsor Jewelers

Mistletoe for you!

WHAT’S INSIDE

SMATTERINGS

yeah, we made this

The Christmas Story

I married my wife eight days after Christmas. It was a whirlwind of an adventure, especially in the midst of the busiest week of the year! Lara and I come from very different family backgrounds, with different traditions, which we have, over time, melded into our own style of celebrating Christmas.

I brought my family’s traditional Wigilia – a Christmas Eve Polish dinner.

Lara’s grandmother liked to linger over presents - unwrapping each gift one at a time. However, one particular tradition in Lara’s family that struck me (and has stuck with us through the years as we embraced both families’ strong holiday traditions) is the reading of the Christmas story. Before the presents are touched or dinner devoured, Lara’s grandfather settles everyone around the Christmas tree and reads, in deep, eloquent tones, those verses from Matthew and Luke that tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. To remind us truly, what the Christmas season is about, aside from other family traditions.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature

7 Saying Goodbye to Garden City Organics 11 Front Porch: Reverend Chris Waters 13 The Gathering Looks for Unity Owner Kate Lee follows dream job to the Smithsonian

Thankful Baptist pastor strives for peace in Old Towne

Concert features the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

15 Trivial Pursuits 17 The Annual Downtown Gift Guide

Trivia nights raise the caliber of conversation at area bars

Four pages filled with last minute, locally found gifts

27 12 Bands of Christmas 33 A New Year’s Resolution

The annual concert returns to the Imperial on December 18th

Jeremy Carr says “Just Do Something”

music | theatre | art | film 10 14 24 25 26

Dance: Augusta Ballet Dance Camp Art: International Artists Movement Film: The Film Reel Music: John Berry The Profiler: G. City Rockers, Sibling String, Brandon Bower, John Kolbeck

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And … he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:1-21 ESV) And so the tradition continues to this day, our remembrance of what the Christmas season is about and what it is not about. I look forward to reading those same passages, Lord willing, to my grandchildren and, if I am blessed enough as Lara’s grandfather, to my great-grandchildren.

So, as you gather around with family and friends this Christmas season, the greatest gift ever has already been given to us and it didn’t come from a box store or online. It didn’t come with fancy ribbon and bows or shiny wrapping paper. I didn’t save fifty bucks online for it and it surely is not returnable for a full refund. A lot of thought was put in to this gift and it was personalized just for you. The greatest gift to all mankind: our Lord and Savior.

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas to you and your family. Have a safe and happy holiday and a wonderful New Year!

The Plocha Crew

ON THE COVER MARY AND THE CHILD JESUS by PETER ZELEI Hungarian photographer, graphic artist and web designer Peter Zelei combines his original pencil drawings with digital effects to create dramatic artwork, visually retelling the Christmas Story. Using his wife, Gabi Kiss, as his muse, Peter simultaneously captures the love of a mother for her infant and the holiness of the Christ Child. VERGELIVE.COM

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Urban Progress New Business for Downtown Get This: Great Hostess Gifts All Around Town Chow Bella: Knuckle Sandwiches Fresh Food Bites On The Flipside Ask Dr. Karp Sound Bites: Lokal Music Musings Winter Window Wonderland

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.”

- OREN ARNOLD

“You can’t get a cup of tea [coffee, in our case] big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” - C.S. LEWIS

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discover downtown

GARDEN CITY ORGANICS CLOSES

Owner Kate Lee Takes Position with the Smithsonian When Oasis Gardens opened in September 2008, it seemed like an interesting place to buy plants and gardening accessories. Two years later, Garden City Organics has evolved into the premier place in Augusta to get involved in Community Supported Agriculture, learn about the advantages of the locovore movement, and buy creative gifts for those who love gardening.

But by December 23rd, owner Kate Lee will be closing up shop and taking a part of downtown Augusta’s uniqueness with her.

“Business has been good, but it’s been very emotional to start saying goodbye to all the great friends I’ve made since I’ve been in town,” said Lee. “It’s going to be tough leaving them all, but this is an opportunity I’ve been waiting for a long time and it’s time I move on.”

Lee will depart Augusta to assume a paid internship at the Smithsonian Greenhouse in Washington D.C. with a chance at a full-time job tending the plants housed there. She’ll be staying with family in the Arlington area of D.C. for as long as it takes to find a new place.

“It’s going to be a different dynamic,” said Lee. “I’m excited about the urban stimulation, but the sense of family I get here in Augusta is going to take a while to build, and I don’t think it’ll ever feel quite the way it did here.”

In addition to serving 50 to 100 customers every week, Lee also served on the Downtown Augusta Alliance (DA2) Board and participated in many promotions of the downtown community.

KATE LEE

“There are many ways that Kate leaving is a loss to us, not only because of her cheerful personality but because of the way she used her business to create a sense of community downtown,” said David Hutchison, DA2

president. “She was always one of those friendly faces you could count on and we will miss her, but at the same time we’re happy that she’s moving on to bigger things and we’re rooting for her to get that full-time job.”

Garden City Organics was a specialty store with many products that were unique to the area and hard to find.

“I have a lot of products you can’t find anywhere else,” said Lee. “I really was a very specialty store and there’s nowhere else closer than Atlanta or Colombia you could go to get some of these items.”

In particular, the shop was the focus point for many people involved in Community Supported Agriculture, which brings produce and other farm-fresh food products to local consumers. To remain involved, Lee recommends visiting AUGUSTA.LOCALLYGROWN. NET.

Though Lee’s leaving will be a loss to the entire community, it has been her dream to be a green house grower for many years now, since before she attended the University of Georgia and found a business opportunity here in Augusta. She will be missed by the entire downtown community.

“Being a member of the DA2 has been priceless,” said Lee. “The downtown community is a real family and I have felt very supported by everyone around here and it’s going to be very hard for me to leave.”

Garden City Organics, located at 1034 Broad Street, will be open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until December 23rd or earlier, depending on how long it takes to sell the last of her inventory. Customers can call ahead at 706.364.0169. article and photo by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

URBAN PROGRESS

DDA’s 2010 Projects Extend into 2011 with Focus on Growth When Mayor Copenhaver threw the switch to light the tree in the Augusta Common on Dectember 4th, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) began to enjoy a brief respite after months of planning the 2010 Christmas Light Up Spectacular, among a myriad of other successful projects serving the downtown community - allowing them time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year.

This year, the DDA has invested significant time and money to improve Augusta’s downtown, including assisting with the financing of the Hyatt Place Hotel and J.B. White Building, pushing the parking management plan through the downtown commission and promoting the Broad Street lighting project funded by the city among other things.

“It’s going to be fun and rewarding next year to see some of these projects underway,” said Margaret Woodard, DDA executive director. “We’re hoping to see a ribbon cutting on the Hyatt Place Hotel near The Common as well as advancement on a lot of the projects we’ve been working on so far this year.”

Other projects the DDA has been involved in include the CADI (Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative) Project, which keeps the downtown area clean and friendly, and the James Brown Blvd.

Streetscape Project which aims to make that road a major gateway to the city.

At the end of Eighth Street near the Riverwalk, a partially completed stage should be finished by the end of the year, according to Woodard, which will then be available for Saturday concerts and other uses.

“One thing we’ve tried to be involved in is good mixed-use projects that will get people living downtown, so once they’re here the retail will follow,” said Woodard. “We’re seeing a real trend of a solid number of new restaurants and bars opening in the downtown area, which helps to keep our local economy strong and support the people who live and work here.”

To support this effort, the Georgia Cities Foundation recently released a new loan program, the Green Communities Fund, which provides low interest financing to businesses or property owners for energy efficient and sustainable improvements to their downtown commercial properties. Three loans have already been applied for in Augusta, including the Azalea Inn on Greene St., which was approved for $130,000.

“The revolving and green loans funded by the Georgia Cities Foundation have been a great way of facilitating the money that’s already come into projects from private donors,” said Woodard.

“These funds have become very attractive because of their low interest rates and because it’s been hard to find financing through conventional bank loans in the current economy.”

So far, Augusta has bucked national trends by offering low unemployment and affordable housing, and it is the DDA’s goal to ensure that the downtown area remains hospitable throughout 2011 and beyond.

“Some of the things we’re working on now will carry over into 2011 and continue to progress,” said Woodard, “but we’re happy to see results and improvements that show we’re doing a good job.”

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

WORK ON THE 8TH STREET STAGE HAS BEGUN

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 7

1,000’s

of GREAT Gift Ideas for Christmas UNDER $20!

Find something SPECIAL for that hard to find person.

Great Stocking Stuffer ideas!

8 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

NEW BUSINESS

TakeOurMoney.com Offers Web Couponing TakeOurMoney.com began as a living-room conversation between three friends. Combining the sales experience of Ben Hancock, the technical expertise of Andrew Duke and the business sense of Tommy Wafford, the three suddenly realized they had all the tools necessary to start a business.

An earlier phase of the project, completed in 2008 with the assistance of an Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Augusta, focused on Telfair Street. In the future as other funds become available the project could expand to include tours of Broad and Reynolds Streets.

According to Wafford, the business plan is simple: pool the online advertising resources of the business community and offer patrons a compelling reason to visit one distinct website.

The result could drastically reduce the cost of doing business in today’s economy.

Wafford’s solution involves selling advertising space on their website for $99. By collecting a small fee from each company, TakeOurMoney. com can then spend far more on advertising their own website as well as offer cash incentives for visitors.

“We drive our own site traffic by taking a large percentage of what they give us and turning it into cash prizes for visitors,” said Wafford.

“Last month alone we gave out more than $10,000 in prizes and generated more than 1.2 million clicks, which is better than Facebook did the first month they launched.”

Right now, the site applies only to businesses in the Augusta and Aiken areas, but the creators see a much greater demand for this type of

GREENE STREET WALKING TOURS NOW ONLINE | Historic Augusta, Inc. has completed a series of digital walking tour brochures providing historical and architectural information about buildings and monuments located in the 400 to 1300 blocks of Greene Street in downtown Augusta. The brochures can be viewed and printed from Historic Augusta’s website by visiting HISTORICAUGUSTA.ORG/TOURS. The information is fascinating – fun for locals and tourists alike.

Funded through a Federal Preserve America Grant, the project allows full access to the digital brochures, which were envisioned as on-line brochures for tourists contemplating a visit to the city.

The on-line brochures can be viewed and printed from a home or office computer and local attractions and businesses will be able to utilize them as a service to their customers. Local residents can also use them as an aide to help entertain their out-of-town guests or to learn more about the history of the community.

“It literally just kind of flashed into our minds,” said Wafford, now president of the company with offices being renovated at 1036 Broad Street. “We were sitting around thinking about what would be good ideas to help the entire area, and how we could all contribute, when we saw that this was a real possibility and we could do this.”

“Every business that starts up today is immediately faced by three significant problems,” said Wafford. “The first is do they tell people they exist in order to attract their business. The second is how do they afford to do that. Third, how do they do that without getting lost in the sea of other businesses competing for attention. We provide solutions for these questions for a minimum of money and effort.”

ALL AROUND TOWN

For more information, contact Historic Augusta, Inc. at 706.724.0436 | HISTORICAUGUSTA.ORG

GIVE MORE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON | One of the best ways we can show our gratitude for the blessings we receive each year is giving back to others less fortunate. A plentitude of opportunities still exist - check these out:

service once the trend catches on.

“I think the need for this is nationwide because of the economy,” said Wafford. “While the price of goods and services may fluctuate, the cost of advertising doesn’t get any easier to bear even in a good economy, and the price of doing business never seems to change. That’s one thing we think we can help with.”

“We only win if the community wins, and we do some really interesting things from an internal standpoint to help make our community better,” he continued. “For example, ten percent of everything we earn, right off the top, goes into local charities that can then help the people who really need it.”

Take Our Money is also looking to hire new sales representatives in the next month, in addition to the six-person force already on the market, providing jobs as well as opportunities for small businesses and giving to charity. For more information, call 706.257.5637 or e-mail sales@takeourmoney.com.

TOYS FOR TOTS: The Marines’ Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in our community. Find a drop-off location at: AUGUSTA-GA.TOYSFORTOTS.ORG JAMES BROWN TOY GIVEAWAY: A long-running holiday tradition, the James Brown Toy Giveaway has grown each year and depends on the donations of new, unwrapped toys. The 2006 Toy Giveaway was James Brown’s last public appearance. This year’s Toy Giveaway will be held December 20, 2010 at the James Brown Arena. The Walmart on Deans Bridge Road hosts a collection day on December 18th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations can be made anytime at First Bank of Georgia.

SALVATION ARMY Recycle those coats you or your kids have outgrown by donating them to the Salvation Army. The gift of warmth is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Blankets are also a big need, especially as our winter days get colder.

Last year, they gave away 2,700 coats to those in need. Drop off coats and blankets at the Salvation Army at 1382 Greene Street.

GOLDEN HARVEST FOOD BANK Provide meals for hungry families through the Golden Harvest Food Bank. Though the food bank accepts canned goods through its many food drives, did you know that a cash contribution of $1.00 will distribute $7 worth of food? Make your donations online at GOLDENHARVEST.ORG.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

GET THIS: PERFECT HOSTESS GIFTS

Show Your Appreciation for Good Ol’ Southern Hospitality

Tea for Two or More

Charleston Tea Plantation grows and produces these elegant teas in lovely little tins. We liked the premium black tea and the peach version ($8.75).

Arts & Heritage Center 100 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta

A Little Local Spread

Limbertwig Apple Butter and Mayhaw Jelly are made from locally grown produce by Vince Lamb of Artisan Foods. (10oz jar, $5.99) Sunrise Grill 404 E Martintown Rd # 4

Mixes for Quick Fixes

Gullah Gourmet whips up these delightful quick meal mixes: Cream Da Crab Soup, Shrip’n Grit, and Flippity Flap Jacks ($6.99 to $8.99).

Kit ‘n Caboodles 510 Edgefield Road, North Augusta

Go Nuts Over These Treats

Cinnamon and Spice Pecans by Wade Plantation ($6.49 to $11.29) and Roasted Pecan Syrup ($8.99) Anything Goes Gifts 423 West Avenue, North Augusta

discovered by SUSAN HUTCHISON photos ELIZABETH BENSON

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 9

DANCE: AUGUSTA BALLET

Mixing Dance and Fitness for Kids

The Augusta Ballet’s Dance Camp is a longstanding tradition, but incorporating a fitness element into the program is the work of the Ballet’s executive director, Jennifer Franks, who sees the correlation between the two and also hopes to make a difference in bringing health and movement to school-age children. This month’s Anyone Can Dance camp was designed with those goals in mind, as well as developing a program that makes it possible for all children to put their best foot forward, so to speak, and join in.

“This camp highlights fitness via dance, getting children and families excited about movement every day,” says Franks. “It is imperative that lost movement be reinstated back to youth culture.

Sedentary habits among youth is a cultural dilemma best solved with a cultural solution; our Children’s Outreach seeks long-term solutions where science meets art. With both national and local partners in the coming years, we believe our efforts will be successful. Our ultimate goal is to take fitness via dance to area schools where arts and physical education programs have been cut.”

Anyone Can Dance is inspired by MCG’s The Smart Study, in which the Ballet plays an interesting role. The Study, funded by the National Institute of Health looks at obesity and academic performance. “Children who meet the physical and medical requirements are chosen and engage in fitness and good nutrition at MCG,” Franks says. “We host a special control group in which fitness via dance is examined. We see that kids want to exercise if they are inspired to do so. We also see that test scores go up when kids are involved in the arts and when they’re fit. The Ballet as well as lead researcher Dr. Katherine L. Davis would like to see the program taken to schools as a cultural remedy, not just a study.”

While pairing the Ballet with a NIH study may seem unusual, Franks says it’s not uncommon.

“Fitness is a natural consequence of dance, and the arts and sciences have been married for centuries,” she says. “Anyone Can Dance represents that meeting. The relationship between art and science especially makes sense in Augusta, where the first ballet performances and medical school arose around the same time.”

Anyone Can Dance is a three-day program in which children participate in all styles of dance, from ballet to hip-hop. It opens with a showing of the 2007 Pixar film Ratatouille, which Franks says is akin to the camp theme with its own “anyone can cook” message. Each day students will learn different forms of dance and partake in a healthy meal. There will also be a closing performance by campers, which parents are encouraged to attend. After the dance finale, Chef Manuel VerneyCarron of Manuel’s Bread Cafe will host a ratatouille cooking demonstration, sending each family home with special gifts.

Anyone Can Dance is for children ages 6 to 12 and is sponsored by partner organizations such as the nationally-recognized Cooking Matters (formerly Operation Frontline, a division of Share Our Strength) and local partners such as Boys and Girls Club of Augusta. It is held December 20th through the 22nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jessye Norman School of The Arts. Parents can obtain more information by calling the Augusta Ballet at 706.261.0555 or visiting AUGUSTABALLET.ORG, where they can also register their children online.

by ALISON RICHTER

10 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

FRONT PORCH: REVEREND CHRIS WATERS

Thankful Baptist Strives for Love, Unity and Peace in Olde Town 38 people have been murdered in Augusta so far this year. Number 36 and 37 died in Olde Town on Thanksgiving morning. The two girls’ bodies were found off of Laney Walker Boulevard, and the killer’s vehicle was found at Second Street and Telfair – a neighborhood homicide. Just around the corner from those murders, the people at Thankful Baptist Church are saying that 38 murders is too many. They are saying that if there was more neighborhood love, there would be no such thing as a neighborhood crime.

“This is the first time I’ve been in a place with so much violence for its size,” says Rev. Chris Waters, pastor of Thankful Baptist. The church was founded in 1840; it knows its community very well. Rev. Waters, who came to Thankful Baptist in 2009, has the benefit of fresh eyes and a bold vision. He’s walked the streets of Olde Town, building rapport with people, and he is leading the church to claim responsibility for its small corner of Augusta. Soon, there will be a visual reminder of this: banners planted all along Third Street will plead, “Choose love, choose unity, choose peace, and stop the violence.”

Thankful is putting its money (and brains and feet) where its mouth is. The church recently conducted a feasibility study of the neighborhood to find out what type of ministry is needed there over the next five to ten years. According to Waters, it found that “helping disadvantaged families” is Thankful’s calling, specifically through education. The church began planning a multi-purpose community outreach center, sponsored by Thankful, to help catalyze efforts to preach the Gospel of Christ through loving relationships and high-quality resources, and a programmatic push involving tutoring and mentorships.

Walking up to the Olde Town Community Outreach Center, the open brick front of the building embraces the parking lot and draws in visitors. Completed in January 2010, it cost $960,000 to build, 80% of which was donated by members. The other 20% was made up of grants and a small loan which the church members are paying off. This financial commitment shows that Thankful Baptist is full of people who love their neighborhood and want to make this part of Augusta better.

“It’s the Nehemiah Principle. We can

change the whole city of Augusta that way.”

- REVEREND CHRIS WATERS

“Mrs. Connor gave us a lot of her kitchen supplies,” said Thankful Baptist deacon John Gilchrist casually to Rev. Waters on a recent Friday, rummaging through a drawer in the outreach center’s full commercial kitchen. Warm oak cabinetry and large stainless steel equipment give the room an air of efficiency and usefulness.

Mrs. Connor was in good company. Most of the equipment in the kitchen was donated by members. Similarly, the classrooms, counseling office, computer lab, and other rooms were bid on by different families in the church for $2,500 to $5,000 each, so each door bears a placard that is a testament to the devotion of the church body.

The center is already being used regularly by the church and by community members. In early December, the local kindergarten students will present a Christmas program on the center’s ample stage for the senior citizens’ group that meets there and, on the fifth Sunday of every month, the church serves a free breakfast to anyone who needs it.

Beginning in January, the Olde Town Community Outreach Center will become the site of the two educational programs that

bring the original feasibility study to a culmination. The first, the After School Tutorial Program, brings in a group of teachers from West Cobb Elementary School in Atlanta to tutor up to 75 middle school and high school students in math, reading and science. The second project based out of the outreach center is a mentoring program for young women in the neighborhood as they grow to “value their bodies and plan for their future.”

Thankful’s Women in Christ group is partnering with members of First Presbyterian down the street specifically to plan the mentoring program.

When asked what the most important factor is in helping disadvantaged families break the cycle of poverty, Rev. Waters answers without hesitation, “Love.” He cites the loving influence of his family and his church in helping him become successful despite the challenge of growing up in a single-parent household with four siblings. “Their love caused me to love myself and make right decisions,” he says. Love is the reason Waters says Gospeloriented churches are so important. “We offer the unconditional, sacrificial love of God.” Rev. Waters is blunt about the need for churches to work together to help spread God’s love and solve Augusta’s problems.

The partnership with First Presbyterian Church to create a girls’ mentoring program came about because it was clear that the programs FPC had in its neighborhood would be better received

by African-American neighbors if a predominantly AfricanAmerican church were behind them too. “We had the same goals; we were intending to do the same things” says Waters. “We

aim for collaboration, not duplication.”

Standing on the stoop of my sister’s house on Telfair Street on October 26, 2010, I saw this kind of shared labor in the Stop the Violence prayer meeting and march. Organized by Thankful Baptist, the gathering called together church members, community members, grassroots organizations, government agencies and leaders – including Mayor Copenhaver and Richmond County Commissioner Matt Aitken – to pray and to proclaim against the violence that has become all too common in Olde Town. I saw people of all kinds walking together and talking to people who came out on their porches to see what was going on, marching forward. I started to weep. The battle cry, “Stop the Violence!” is not a campaign slogan or an idle dictate; it’s a statement of a very sure hope that God will transform this community.

“After a period of time without love, hate takes over a person’s consciousness, and hate fuels their actions,” Rev. Waters explained to me. Love must be built, and hate repelled. The Biblical story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem despite his inadequacy is really a story about every family rebuilding the small piece of wall next their house. In the end, the city was restored to full strength without taxing any individual in any one neighborhood because every person took responsibility for their part. “It’s the Nehemiah Principle,” says Rev. Waters. “We can change the whole city of Augusta that way.” article and photo by CHARLOTTE OKIE

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 11

12 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

LIVE MUSIC: THE GATHERING with NORTH METRO TSO

Curtis Baptist Reaches to Unify Community Through Music

As part of their downtown outreach program, Curtis Baptist Church has created The Gathering, an annual event meant to unify the community. This year’s concert features North Metro TSO, an accomplished group of musicians performing Christmas music by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Mike Ashburn, drummer and musical director for North Metro TSO, spoke to verge about the upcoming show.

VERGE: How did your group become involved with Curtis Baptist Church and The Gathering?

ASHBURN: Two of Curtis’ staff members have been members of our church, North Metro Baptist in Lawrenceville: Mark Sterling, the Senior Pastor, was a member here while he was on staff at the Georgia Baptist Convention, and Associate Pastor Bill Marlette was not only a long-time member, but is also our Senior Pastor’s brother-in-law. Last year, they invited their Minister of Music, Johnny Carr, to come to our TSO service.

That probably planted the seed.

VERGE: Is this your first event for Curtis Baptist, or have you performed in Augusta before?

ASHBURN: This is actually our first time presenting this program outside of our church! The seeds of this program were planted five years ago, when we played one Trans-Siberian Orchestra arrangement during our annual Christmas Pageant.

The next year, we did two arrangements, and our people really went crazy over them. So the next year, Keith McBroom, our Minister of Music, gave us a 30-minute slot to go crazy, and that was when we realized that we were on to something pretty special. Two years ago, we had around 1,800 people in attendance, and last year we were right at 2,000 people.

VERGE: Tell us about the band members.

ASHBURN: Our group consists of Ben Appling, Jim Bennett and Matt Johnson on guitars, Vicki and Barry Allen on keyboards, Bobby Ammons on bass, and John Brewton on live percussion.

I am the drummer and musical director, and we also will be bringing a narrator, six vocalists, a cellist, a flautist, a production manager and three technical directors. Every person involved, with the exception of one singer and one technical director, is associated with North Metro Baptist Church. One singer is an ordained minister whom I’ve known for 20 years from my rock and roll days, and one technical director is an associate of our sound technician. All of the band members are part of our church orchestra, and we all play every Sunday morning and evening service each week; the singers are in our choir, and the technical directors are with us each Sunday as well.

VERGE: How often does the group perform?

ASHBURN: For the past three Christmases, we have done only one program each December. We are thrilled to have the chance to do it again for the people at Curtis!

VERGE: Why the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s music?

ASHBURN: That would totally be me to blame! I am proudly a child of the ’80s, and grew up on bands and the “musicians’ musicians” of that era. I saw TSO’s guitarist and musical director, Al Pitrelli, back in the early ’90s playing with Alice Cooper (I was there to see his drummer). I was so impressed with this guy’s talent that I followed his career through a few bands of the ’90s. One night at our church, while waiting to play for a Christmas program, my guitarist pointed to a kid holding a CD and said, “Al Pitrelli plays guitar on that CD.” I picked it up, and lo and behold, it was the first CD from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Eve and Other Stories. I received it as a Christmas gift that year, and the rest is history.

TSO probably would never describe their music as such, but it’s basically classically influenced ’80’s metal. They have the guitar tones of Van Halen and Whitesnake, but have the classic sounds of traditional Christmas music, as far as their three Christmas CDs go. I grew up in church, so to hear these songs that I grew up with played with the sounds and intensity of the music of my youth — it was the perfect combination!

VERGE: The arrangements are so complex. What went into

“It’s basically classically influenced ’80’s metal. [TSO has] the guitar tones of Van Halen and Whitesnake, but the classic sounds of traditional Christmas music.”

- MIKE ASHBURN, NORTH METRO TSO

selecting repertoire, rehearsing the songs and putting together the show itself? Are you 100 percent true to the original arrangements or is there room for experimentation?

ASHBURN: First and foremost, I wanted to stay true to telling the Christmas story — the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

I started with their arrangements that had something to do with the telling of Christ’s birth. I’ve tried my best to keep it in proper chronological order within the program, and my wife, Cheri, who is one of our vocalists, wrote an original narration to thread the story of Christ throughout the program. We do one or two arrangements just because they are fun for us to play, but for the most part our program is telling people the true meaning of Christmas.

the two band members who sing a small part in a couple of tunes. For a taste of what to expect, it would probably be easiest to check us out on YouTube. Just search North Metro TSO and there are five or six videos there. It’s a fun production that will appeal to young and old and every age in between.

by ALISON RICHTER

Plan to Go

I make no bones about what we do as far as replicating TSO’s music: We are basically a TSO cover band, with our own original narration. Therefore, as musical director, I am a stickler for being as authentic to their recordings as possible. I’ll even go as far as to say that we play them more true to the recordings than the real TSO does. I’m not saying we play it better than they do, just that we play it more like the original recordings!

VERGE: What can you tell readers about the upcoming event?

How long is the performance? Will it consist entirely of Christmas music? Is there a meet-and-greet afterward?

ASHBURN: I know that Curtis Baptist Church has done an incredible job promoting this event to their community, and that their hope is to share the true meaning of Christmas with them in a little different way, which is our hope as well. We will play about an hour and 20 minutes of music, with 90 percent of it being Christmas music. We don’t have an official meet-andgreet scheduled, but we will stay around as long as people want to hang out with us! We’re even coming with the hopes that so many people show up for the 8 p.m. program that we have to do another one immediately afterward. (see PLAN TO GO) VERGE: For the gearheads, tell us about instrumentation, techniques and what they can expect to see and hear onstage.

ASHBURN: We’ve got three guitarists who all trade-off lead and rhythm parts. All three are also featured doing one of TSO’s more intimate pieces — ones that TSO doesn’t even play live. Two keyboards, bass guitar, drums, live cello and flute for “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12-24,” live percussion — another difference from the real TSO, six vocalists — eight if you include

WHO theGATHERING: featuring the music of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra WHERE Curtis Baptist Church Auditorium WHEN Friday, December 17 at 8 pm with a free reception following SECOND SHOW ADDED at 10 pm. Due to overwhelming response, a second show will occur at 10 pm. For those who may have to wait for the later show - complimentary pizza, coffee and more will be provided.

TICKETS Free with a canned food donation for The Curtis Food Pantry (tickets are required due to limited seating) GET TIX Rock Bottom Music or Curtis Baptist

MORE | CURTISBC.ORG or 706.722.7348 or THE GATHERING on FACEBOOK

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 13

ARTS: CONNECTIONS

IAM Seeks Answers Through Art

MARK MEEHAN (LEFT) DISCUSSES HOW TO BRING IAM TO AUGUSTA

Mark Meehan, a finance man, had a creative awakening which he attributes to his daughters and interaction with an artist named Makoto Fujimura.

“I found that there was more to me, that creativity is a human thing,” he explained.

Meehan is now president of the International Arts Movement (IAM) board and traveled from his home in Columbia, SC, on December 10th to meet with Augusta artists and art-lovers. He shared what IAM is and then fielded questions about how the artist community in Augusta can grow in strength, breadth, and unity.

“Art is what will bring us together.

Art will heal us.”

- Makoto Fujimura, IAM FOUNDER

“The world is not as it ought to be,” cry the opening lines from the International Arts Movement website. Standing in the rubble after the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, lower Manhattan resident and artist Fujimura said, “Art is what will bring us together. Art will heal us.” That year, he founded the International Arts Movement, a global 501(c)(3) organization that’s rooted in regional communities of artists and creative catalysts who are wrestling with the “deep questions of art, faith, and humanity in order to inspire the creative community to engage the culture that is and create the world that ‘ought to be.’”

In Augusta, one “creative catalyst” is Kevin Figgins. In his living room on December 10th, people sipped their beers and nibbled Christmas cookies while hungrily discussing ways for artists in Augusta to help each other “generate good, true, and beautiful cultural artifacts.” Kevin is not an artist, but he works at a church populated by creative people.

“There is a lot of potential in Augusta for art to do well; it’ll just take people to organize this community,” Figgins said. He wants to “love art and artists” by creating a forum for them to have exchanges about real issues on their minds.

Mark Meeham and his wife Leticia visited Augusta as part of an effort to maintain the “movement” in IAM. Though headquartered in Manhattan, “we want to be as ‘not New York’ as possible,” said Mark.

This means that IAM is now located in six countries and 17 U.S. cities. Futhermore, local groups following the IAM model can mold their local chapter to fit their communities’ culture and needs. Some cities may need more in the way of group discussions and shows, while others may want to connect via the IAM Cinema Series. Others take a trip for the annual Encounter conference, which is three days of lectures, exhibits, concerts, and discussion about art among the wider artist community.

This year it’s being held in New York City in March.

So far, Book Tavern owner David Hutchison and his wife, Gabi, are talking about hosting a Readers Guild in 2011, which connects readers around the world over a new book each month.

Discussion questions are provided by IAM and spontaneous conversation surrounding the book is encouraged, and a designated blogger from each group will keep the larger Readers Guild community alive to the individual groups’ conversations.

Otherwise, those who participated in the brainstorming session at the Figgins’ house seemed to come away with an itch to see the same rich interaction among “rehumanizing” artists in Augusta that they’d encountered that night. There was talk of conducting a survey to find out what Augusta needs in this area, of starting slowly to communicate with each other and seeing how artists respond.

Mark and the IAM website are appropriately vague about how artists can encourage each other within their communities.

“Art is too big a topic to be defined by any one group,” he says. In the same way, engagement in art and culture is a big job and it must be tailored to the people and places involved.

Within the larger artist community and in smaller, regional ones, say Mark and Leticia, artists must keep listening to each other and embrace the tensions that come with creating.

INTERNATIONALARTSMOVEMENT.ORG

by CHARLOTTE OKIE photo ELIZABETH BENSON

14 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

NIGHTLIFE: TRIVIAL PURSUITS

Stretch Your Brain While Out on The Town with These Trivia Nights “As a whole, we’re a people obsessed with mental challenge.

Many of us actually feel smarter when we can prove we’ve mastered a body of knowledge. Whether these little quizzes bring back fond memories of grade school, or just boost our ego, we can’t get enough of them.”

- SHERYL, PROFESSED TRIVIA JUNKIE BUTT NAKED TRIVIA (ABOVE) and MIKE THOMAS of TRIVIA TIME (BELOW)

Roughly 40 years ago, a trivia craze swept the nation. Today, trivia is still going strong in every major city in the country, taxing the minds of people who are full of useless knowledge and want to put it on display for prizes and cash rewards.

Trivia contests often occur in bars and restaurants, bringing together people from all walks of life. The idea is simple: over the years, people naturally gather knowledge about various subjects (for example, pop culture or rivers in Africa). A trivia game allows people, either as individuals or on a team, to open their brain full of crammed info and release it – all in order to win. But that’s where the similarities end. One game of trivia is as different from another as day is from night.

Two well-known trivia contests in Augusta include Mike Thomas’ Trivia Time at The Place on Broad and Butt Naked Trivia at Firehouse Bar.

FIREHOUSE BAR: BUTT NAKED TRIVIA |

David Flicek and Pete Stitt began Butt Naked Trivia a few years ago, gathering a large following at the Highlander Pub in North Augusta on Thursdays. They recently spread to the Firehouse Bar (1145 Broad Street), becoming the “unofficial official” trivia night of Augusta’s roller derby team the Soul City Sirens. As with many games of trivia, there are a set number of questions, ranging all across the board of general topics. However, Flicek and Stitt’s topics cater to this bar crowd: recent categories included “S-words,” “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword,” and “People, Places, and Things Pete Hates.”

During the hour and a half game, Butt Naked Trivia contestants are awarded points, which are used in a “Final Jeopardy” style challenge to end the evening’s game. The winner gets a bar tab at the Firehouse for the night. Contestants who do not follow the rules, or turn in their answers late, are punished in a variety of interesting ways, typically involving dancing, imbibing nasty concoctions of alcoholic beverages and public derision. This is definitely a good-time trivia crowd.

THE PLACE ON BROAD: TRIVIA TIME WITH MIKE THOMAS | For a completely different

atmosphere, local radio personality Mike Thomas hosts Trivia Time at The Place on

Broad (located steps away from Firehouse Bar at 1135 Broad Street). The longest-running game in town and, perhaps, the only to offer nightly cash rewards; Trivia Time has a 14 year history, attesting to its success and popularity.

Thomas offers more traditional categories, ranging from music and movies to sports and literature – and crowd favorite, science.

The gathered crowd screams “Science!” as a testament to 80’s New Wave rocker Thomas Dolby. As with other trivia games, points are accrued throughout the game and in the end there is a five-part final question that often evens up the odds. There are also specialty games, begun about eight years ago, that draw in people who might not normally go to trivia games. Started when Thomas was “looking for something different,” the specialty games took off after the first game at Hot Foods by Calvin.

Some specialty games in the past included “Twilight,” “Cash Cab,” “TV Theme Songs,” “Star Wars,” and “Family Guy” – during which a certain verge writer cleaned up and left with $75 in hand.

In March of 1996, Thomas and a friend started playing Trivial Pursuit, but after many nights, memorized all the cards. To create an additional challenge, Thomas started Trivia Time, the only trivia game in town at that time other than trivia at the King George Pub downtown.

Abiding by a gentleman’s agreement, Thomas kept his games confined to Aiken on the nights the King George’s Matt Stovall held his games in Augusta; both men doing their best not to step on the other’s toes. Trivia Time began

drawing in roughly 50 to 70 people each game.

Within a month, other restaurants called and, soon, Mike was doing five games a week. He has kept the pace steady ever since.

“They’re gonna hate me,” Mike Thomas says with a laugh about other trivia games.

“It’s something different every night,” Mike Thomas says, and “it’s a helluva lot of fun. I look forward to keeping it going.”

A person would be hard pressed to not find a

trivia game any day of the week, but one game can be completely opposite of another game.

There are basic rules, sure, but after that, trivia is a unique animal wherever it’s found.

Whether you want to get rowdy at Butt Naked Trivia or eat good food and test your wits in a tried-and-true fashion with Trivia Time, there is a game out there for person’s interest.

TRIVIATIME.NET or look for Butt Naked Trivia on Facebook

by DINO LULL photos CLARK FOX

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 15

16 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

The Annual Dowtown Gift Guide Keeping our Christmas shopping local is top priority. This year, Katie McGuire and Ashley Plocha scoured downtown Augusta’s shops, boutiques and galleries - picking out gifts for everyone on our list (and theirs).

We’re trying to put our money where our mouth is: limiting our gift giving expeditions to independently owned businesses and putting money right back into our local economy. On the following pages, we share with you a sample of the cool things our intrepid duo found! So, grab your eco-friendly shopping totes, a good pair of walking shoes and head downtown for a Christmas shopping experience you can’t find anywhere else!

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for dad , the (self-titled) grillmaster No man is complete without his grill, at least according to my dad. This skillet is the perfect addition to his vast array of cooking implements, and the pecan oil is a healthier alternative to olive, peanut or corn oil (a great choice for anyone with high cholesterol!).

Both are from FIRESIDE OUTDOOR KITCHENS AND GRILLS. 1242 Broad Street • Pecan Oil $9.95, BBQ Skillet $24.95

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for my boss, the self medicator (oh hush , we all do it!)

What bearded man wouldn’t love a beer with a bearded man on its label. That’s right.

And since one beer often isn’t enough, I’m throwing in these holiday brews from 8th Street Tobacco, for added flavor.

230 Eighth Street • prices range from $1.49 to $6.39 per bottle

4 for uncle felix and his collection of all things greta garbo This man is obsessed! I contemplated finding a vintage poster or special edition DVD to add to his collection, but wanted something more unique. This hat immediately reminded me of Garbo’s role as Anna Karenina. I also picked up a few other items for myself – VINTAGE OOOLLEE has some irresistible vintage pieces!

1121 Broad Street • $60

for my aunt with the kitchen covered in chickens A downtown design firm is partly responsible for this amazing campaign to change the state bird of Georgia from the brown thrasher to the Cornish Chicken. I’m certain that Aunt Angie, a chicken fanatic herself, would love to wear this shirt from WIERHOUSE while preparing her favorite chicken meals.

1124 Broad Street • $24

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 17

Making Our List and Checking It Twice

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for rosemary, who escorts her chihuahuas around town in a baby stroller

This little guy will look adorable crawling around her potted plants! Hopefully, the bright beaded gecko from ELDUETS TREASURES OF THE WORLD will remind her of our Florida’s summer sunny days, winter sunny days and all the sunny days in between.

1127 Broad Street • $18

Even I’ll admit this is probably the cutest way to meet a dog, and I know she’ll appreciate this hand-crafted purple dog clock from Art on Broad.

1028 Broad Street • under $10

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for my grandmother and her schefflera tree

for my friend , who shall go unnamed , that cannot leave a stray dog behind

Scented candles often just don’t do the trick. When it comes to that faint “holy cow, how many dogs do you have!?” odor that accompanies such a humanitarian lifestyle, one must accommodate wisely. This hand carved incense coffin and a box of Super Hit scented sticks from REBEL LION DEN should provide the subtle hint she needs.

910 Broad Street • incense coffin $7, incense sticks $2.50

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for my modern literature professor What could be a more perfect gift for the woman who wrote her thesis on banned books? She’ll love this chunky statement piece – the banned book bracelet from THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GIFT SHOP. Maybe I’ll slip a note reminding her that while Alice in Wonderland, To Kill a Mockingbird and Howl are all fantastic books, they aren’t going to be on our exam!

823 Telfair Street • $20

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for my roommates, jeannette and tabor Whenever I play guitar, these girls love dancing around and creating makeshift drums out of whatever’s nearby. Now, we can take our impromptu jamboree to the streets (and maybe make enough to pay for our late-night coffees). Tabor will love the eco-efficient nature of the washboard from ROCK BOTTOM MUSIC, an added bonus.

Watch out, Pitchfork, here we come!

758 Broad Street • Washboard $24.99, Tambourine $14.99

18 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

11 for sarah , who loves all things recycled This handmade clutch comes from Shoppe 31:30, downtown’s boutique-style thrift store. Made from recycled vintage neckties, Sarah will be happy that I managed to find something cute, sensible AND locally made from reused materials!

1126 Broad Street • $20

for alexander, my bookw

It’s a terror to visit Alex’s tiny apartment – yo the innumerable stacks of books he’s got cove bronze dogs at LOFTY IDEAS and thought th scholar decor. Perhaps this will be just the hi bookshelves he’s had sitting around for eons!

Twenty One Perfect Last Minute Gifts for rosalie , my tomboy niece

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It’s tough finding something for the girl who asked Santa for worms and dirt. My adorable 6-year-old niece will love these creative, hands-on gifts from the Morris Museum of Art (hopefully it’ll please my brother and his wife, too!). I also can’t wait to break out the keychain kit and prove that sewing’s not all about making dolls and embroidering flowers.

One Tenth Street • each under $20

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for marcus, the aspiring journalist This is the perfect way to bring back that vintage style while still saying “I mean business,” a perfect compliment to Marcus’s personality. He’ll look quite dapper when conducting interviews for his local paper in this bowtie from RHODES VARIETY SHOP. 902 Broad Street • $6

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worm cousin

ou’re lucky if you can make it past ering his floor. I saw these lovely hey’d fit perfectly with his hipsterint he needs to build those Ikea ! 305 8th Street

for myself, because I’m not quite sure santa got my list If it came down to it, I would probably choose books over food. I’ve been eyeing these new Penguin classics from THE BOOK TAVERN for a while now, but no one has picked up on the hint that I would like to adorn my shelves with their creative covers. It wouldn’t hurt to pick up a few of my favorites since they are priced at just a fraction of what a new hardcover costs.

1026 Broad Street • $20 each

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for the guy who can challenge anyone on beatles trivia His collection of vinyl may contain low numbered white albums but isn’t complete until the Beatle’s Abbey Road is shelved next to New York City’s Soulful Road. I picked out a handful of notable vinyls at Pyramid music. This one may make a great gag gift, but fortunately they have the real Abbey Road too!

824 Broad Street • vinyl records start at $1 and go up from there

for my great-aunt sue , the consummate collector Ever since I was tiny, my great-aunt’s collection of perfume bottles spread across her boudoir has amazed me. These Egyptian glass bottles from FLOWERS XPRESS are accented with 24k gold filigree and have the perfect vintage twist. They’ll be a great addition to her collection!

1046 Broad Street • $14 to $16

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 19

20 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

Holiday Gifts to Get and Give

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for my boyfriend , the espresso aficionado It’s rare to find handmade mugs that don’t have a feminine flair, but Shishir Chokshi at Tire City Potters has solved that problem for me. My boyfriend’s been lusting after these bad boys since we wrote about them last year! These mugs will match that sleek espresso machine his parents are getting him (shh! it’s a secret).

210B Tenth Street • $40 to $50

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for tena marie , with her art degree Here’s the thing about artists, they will never turn away art supplies. ARTISTIC PERCEPTIONS is more than just a gallery, it’s one of the few (if not the only) place downtown where you can buy artist supplies. I stocked up on the basics knowing that she will surely need them.

551 Broad Street • $7 to $14

for my cousin , who thinks playing 8 hours of fifa soccer on playstation 3 is a workout

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for my friend Ethan , who actually spends his free time throwing knives!

Knife throwing may seem like a really far-fetched hobby until you walk in on one of your best friends doing it in his living room. I think he’ll love the leather case these three Jack the Ripper stainless steel throwing knifes come in from BRIGANS LAND OF ENCHANTMENTS. And if his semi-violent interests seems to quiet down, at least he’ll have an efficient way to open his mail.

912 Broad Street • $15.95

Let’s take him back to the good ol’ days when soccer balls were real, sideline cheering came from our mothers, and a little something called sweat was evidence that you actually did something good for your body. If pushing him out the door doesn’t work, at least these gloves from Johannsen’s Sporting Goods will protect his remote control.

1116 Broad Street • $25.95

for insult grandmaster adam

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Even though he’s only five-years-old, Adam really has a talent for coming up with creative cutdowns (like pickle nose and butter face). My ultimate revenge tactic is a comeback of kindness.

One of the best places to buy creative gifts for kids is the Augusta Canal Gift Shop. The old fashioned tops and wooden snake are entertaining, the Magic Tree is brilliant, and the T-shirt changes from black and white to color in the sun! These gifts are probably best shared between us both.

1450 Greene Street, Suite 400 • $2 to $14

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 21

22 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

CHOW BELLA: KNUCKLE SANDWICHES New Downtown Sandwich Shop Feeds Late Night Cravings fresh food bites

A Slim Spin on That Christmas Favorite Eggnog If you’re anything like me, you start to get the taste of eggnog in your mouth about the time the turkey gets put away on Thanksgiving night. It’s true, I love me some eggnog. It’s a sweet soothing reminder of Christmas as a child. Perhaps it’s the eggnog’s fault that my wife continues to swear up and down that I’ll never grow up. I love it homemade, from a carton, with liquor, and without liquor. As long as it pleases my holiday sensitivities, it’s all good.

Unfortunately, eggnog is far from the best thing you can shove into your body in large quantities. But it doesn’t HAVE to be so bad. What if you could get your eggnog on and still respect yourself the next morning? You like that?

Try this recipe on for size. It’s healthy enough that you can even add some spirits if you’d like just as long as you don’t drink a cows worth.

Healthy Holiday Eggnog 2 cups skim milk 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3-1/2 teaspoons Equal for Recipes

or 12 packets Equal sweetener

or 1/2 cup Equal Spoonful 2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups skim milk, chilled 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1. Mix milk, cornstarch, and Equal in a saucepan.

2. Heat over medium high heat, bringing to a slow boil, making sure to stir constantly. Slow boil for 1 minute.

3. Beat eggs in a bowl and blend half your milk mixture into the eggs.

4. Slowly add the egg/milk mixture to the remaining milk mixture in the saucepan.

5. Cook over low heat 1 to 2 minutes until mixture starts to get thick, stirring the whole time.

6. Remove from the heat and mix in vanilla and cinnamon.

7. Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

8. Sprinkle with nutmeg when served.

9. For extra non-alcoholic flavor, add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of rum or brandy extract.

So don’t feel like you have to miss out on getting your eggnog fix this Christmas. It might just be a great flavor cover for those sugar-free sugar cookies that Aunt Martha’s been promising to make this year!

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON John believes that anyone can learn to eat healthier - in small steps - taking one bite at a time.

Eat with others, I like to say. There are so many places downtown that I deem worthy of sharing with others – friends, acquaintances, co workers, or whomever you care to spend time with. I could rattle off a list that goes on for quite some time, but I realize it would take a much longer column to expound on those. I want to talk about a new place. Anytime I hear of a new eatery opening up downtown, I get giddy. Not just excited, seriously giddy. I love food, and good food at that, and am always welcoming new options downtown. There are so many niches needing to be filled in the downtown area; cultural, diner, late night delights.

Fortunately, the latter has been nicely filled by Knuckle Sandwiches, an unassuming sandwich shop that just serves good food. What more can you ask for? Knuckle Sandwiches is the brainchild of Josh Williamson, owner of Firehouse and Josh Detchemendy, formerly of White Elephant.

Detchemendy has had experience as a chef in fine establishments in Spain, Portugal, and France; Knuckles seems to be a welcome change. He wants the restaurant to be collection of food he’s made for friends and family over the years.

They offer a simple menu (which I fully appreciate -- some menus can just be overwhelming!) which consists of burgers, sandwiches, wings, and fries. Being a Cheesesteak lover, my choice was obvious. I love a good sandwich, and this was a good sandwich! The steak was sliced and flavored perfectly, giving me a lovely warm feeling inside. I chose cheddar as my cheese, which proved to be a pleasing marriage. The fries that accompanied the sandwich were just as tasty! My favorite part about the sandwich, however, was the bread surrounding the steak and cheese goodness. It was crisped to a delicious, yummy perfection! My experience was good enough to have me back again that week for the Thai Chili wings; some of the best wings I’ve had in Augusta. I’m already planning my future meals – I have my eye on the Bacon Cheddar Burger and the hipster-friendly PBR-B-Que (meat braised for 13 hours in Augusta townies’ drink of choice).

What’s greatest about Knuckle Sandwiches is that they’re open really late! It’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after bar crawling or catching a show downtown. They have a great ambience, the decor in keeping with their name. Local artists Aaron Crawford and Jay Jacobs are currently showcased, and Detchemendy has hopes for more local art. Two a.m. on a Friday night and Knuckles is packed with happy customers chowing down and laughing it up. It’s a great place to see old

faces and meet new ones. I’ve only been twice and bumped in to people I know and love, and I expect more of the same!

I feel like it would be terribly cliché of me to give this fantastic new restaurant “two knuckles up,” so I’ll sum it up with this: good food, good company.

Knuckle Sandwiches is located at 1149 Broad Street, next door to Firehouse Bar. The Sandwich Shop is open for lunch, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and late night fare is offered Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday beginning at 9 p.m. until the bars close. For more information: 706.434,8860. article and photos by ELIZABETH BENSON

attempting to make a knuckle: THAI CHILI WINGS

The closest we could come to emulating Josh’s melt-in-your-mouth sweet & spicy wings

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons peanut oil 1 tablespoon soy sauce, divided 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce

1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/4 pound chicken wings 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. sriracha (a hot chili sauce)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a bowl whisk together peanut oil, rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.

Place chicken wings in marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place marinated chicken wings on top, cook 20 – 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and skin has darkened. Turning once.

3. In another bowl whisk together sweet Thai chili sauce, 1 teaspoon of sriracha and remaining teaspoon of soy sauce. Taste and add more sriracha if desired 4. Transfer hot wings to the bowl and toss to coat.

5. Serve with plenty of napkins!

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 23

THE FILM REEL

TRON: Legacy, Yogi Bear The holiday box office traditionally gives viewers the gift of the most highly-anticipated films of the year. December 17th brings viewers a tech-savvy 3D sci-fi adventure with TRON: LEGACY, the sequel to 1982’s computer and arcade game-inspired TRON. Writer-director Steven Lisberger’s original TRON pushed the boundaries of early 80’s computer technology to create a video game adventure with Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) playing Kevin Flynn, a highly skilled programmer trapped inside a dangerous computer game. Disney’s sequel to the film takes place some 20 years after the original story and introduces us to Flynn’s TRON: LEGACY son Sam (Garrett Hedlund), who was orphaned when his father mysteriously disappeared.

Bruce Boxleitner returns to his role as Alan Bradley/TRON and alerts Sam that he received a communication from Flynn’s abandoned office. When Sam investigates, he is brought into a virtual world where he is finally reunited with his father, but must also take part in the game. Olivia Wilde (TV’s House) also stars. Bridges reprises his role from the original film, nearly 30 years after its release, and faces a villain that appears as a younger, but decidedly antagonistic version of himself.

Disney entrusted newbie director Joseph Kosinski with this project.

HOW DO YOU KNOW is a romantic comedy from writer-director James L. Brooks (As Good as it

Gets, The Simpsons). Reese Witherspoon plays a former athlete who finds herself in a love triangle with a couple of real winners: a shallow baseball player (Owen Wilson) and an unemployed businessman struggling with legal troubles (Paul Rudd). Jack Nicholson rounds out the cast.

On the heels of successful live action and CGI mash-ups like Alvin and the Chipmunks, another furry cartoon favorite is getting some time on the big-screen. YOGI BEAR greets a new generation of viewers in 3D. Dan Aykroyd voices the picnic basket-loving bear while pop star and actor Justin Timberlake (The Social Network) lends his voice to Yogi’s little sidekick, Boo-Boo. December 22nd brings another chapter of 2000’s mega-hit in-law comedy Meet the Parents. Ben Stiller starred as male nurse Greg Focker and faced off against his on-screen fatherin-law, Robert DeNiro, in that film and its sequel, Meet the JT PLAYS BOO-BOO IN YOGI BEAR Fockers (2004). In LITTLE FOCKERS, Stiller and DeNiro reprise their roles along with actors Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand and Owen Wilson. This chapter of their lives finds Stiller and Polo’s characters with two young children.

Per the franchise’s usual routine, awkward family situations attempt to provoke on-screen hilarity.

Jack Black targets younger audiences as the title character in writer Jonathan Swift’s familiar centuriesold story, GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. Black plays a painfully average guy who gets shipwrecked in the Bermuda Triangle and is held captive by a race of miniature people, the Lilliputians. They end up befriending Black, who is a giant in their eyes, and he helps defend them against their rivals. Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet and Jason Segel also star in this 3D adventure.

BRIDGES & STEINFELD IN TRUE GRIT

The Coen brothers have written, produced and directed some of the most stirring cinematic endeavors in recent memory, including Fargo and No Country for Old Men. Now they’re taking on an iconic Western by remaking 1969’s TRUE GRIT, the film that earned John Wayne his only Oscar for Best Actor. Jeff Bridges assumes The Duke’s role as the eye-patch-wearing drunken law man, Rooster Cogburn. A young girl (newcomer Hailee Steinfeld) recruits Cogburn and a Texas Ranger, played by Matt Damon, to hunt down the man who murdered her father.

Josh Brolin plays the murderous outlaw whom they hope to bring back to town dead or alive.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams almost earned an NC-17 rating (which was successfully contested and overturned for an R rating) for explicit sex scenes and violence in writer-director Derek Cianfrance’s BLUE VALENTINE. The romantic drama opens December 31.

Limited release films you may be seeing more of in January include Colin Firth in THE KING’S SPEECH, Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart in RABBIT HOLE, Kevin Spacey in CASINO JACK, Javier Bardem in BIUTIFUL, and Stephen Dorff with young Elle Fanning in writer-director Sofia Coppola’s SOMEWHERE. Another limited release features Gwyneth Paltrow’s much buzzed-about singing and acting performance as a troubled, aging country music star alongside TRON: Legacy star Garrett Hedlund and singer Tim McGraw in COUNTRY STRONG. The fallen country star genre fared well in last year’s awards race, earning Jeff Bridges the Best Actor Oscar for Crazy Heart.

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

24 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

LIVE MUSIC: JOHN BERRY CHRISTMAS TOUR

Heartfelt Emotion, Humility and Beauty Imbue Berry’s Music Throughout the 1990’s and into the beginning of this decade, John Berry was a mainstay on country radio, charting a string of hit singles accentuated by his unmistakable voice. Berry’s range, and his ability to wrap emotion around every lyric, immediately distinguished him from other artists, but when the industry began shifting, he — like many of his colleagues — found himself on the sidelines with the option to either call it a day or start from scratch independently.

“...singers with attitudes — oh, please, give me a break. You’re not curing cancer; you’re just singing songs.”

Thankfully, he chose the latter, launching his own label and making music according to his own rules. It has served him well, as he has consistently recorded new albums and continued touring them. He is again closing the year with his annual Christmas tour, a tradition he began in 1995.

On the road to yet another gig, John Berry spoke to verge about country radio now and then, making records, and his continued appreciation for his fans.

VERGE: Let’s start by getting caught up on what you’re doing.

BERRY: I’ve got a new record called Made In America. It’s a collection of songs that I wrote years ago that no one heard, and some old songs, the Americana kind, like “City of New Orleans,” “Heart of Gold,” “Celebrate Me Home,” “Pancho and Lefty” — songs that I have always loved to sing. At soundcheck, I would always sing “City of New Orleans,” and now I open the show with it. I produced the album with Mike Steele, my bass player, and we recorded it at a friend’s studio north of Athens, in Maysville, Georgia. Not everything is done in Nashville, regardless of what they may think.

VERGE: That last sentence says a lot, considering that you were once a staple on country radio.

BERRY: I don’t think country radio has any insight into anything I’m doing. I’m too old for them, and everything else, and that’s fine. When I was a youngster, the guys who came before me on the radio said, “They’re not playing my records anymore,” and I thought, Well, make room for new guys. I’m one of those old guys now and I can’t complain. I had a good run. A lot of guys are playing VFW’s and would love to have the run I had. So I make my own records, do my own thing, and the only thing that matters is can I provide for my family by doing something I still love to do.

VERGE: This is album number what for you? At least 20? When you look at that remarkable body of work, who was that young man and who is he now?

BERRY: This is album number 24. I recorded six albums independently before I signed a deal, then I signed with Capitol, Lyric Street, Ark 21 and now I’m on my own. That kid had no idea what he was doing and he refused to take “no” for an answer. He became a guy who is not real sure about what he’s doing, and I still don’t take “no” for an answer, so not much has changed.

VERGE: You’re fortunate that your audience has grown with you. That’s not a given for any artist.

BERRY: They know how much I love them, how much I love to sing for them, and that they make it possible for me to do what I love to do. Without them enjoying it, what would be the point?

I might as well sit on my porch and play. They are the reason why I do this.

VERGE: Not only has country music changed, but so has the entire industry, from recording to selling records. Can you imagine being a new artist and trying to launch a career today?

BERRY: It certainly can be done, but the typical record deal should be under federal investigation. The 360 deals are insane.

Who would knowingly sign this? Record labels take advantage of people who don’t know what they’re doing and don’t understand that they’re giving everything away. It is just wrong.

VERGE: You began your career independently and you have come full circle in a sense, with your own label and taking creative control.

BERRY: I wish I’d had a longer run with Capitol Records. Jimmy Bowen signed me, and he had to retire because of health issues.

Being with them longer would have helped set me up better for what I do now, but it’s all good. I’m on the backside of it. I’ve got another record to cut in January, a Contemporary Christian album, which will be my 25th album, and that will do it for me.

I don’t know that “retiring” is the word for it; we’ll wait to see how it goes.

VERGE: You are coming to Augusta as part of your Christmas tour. What does the show include?

BERRY: The Christmas tour is a lot of fun. Even though Christmas music has not really changed, and it’s a lot of the same songs, it’s a chance to present them in a way that I can do them.

We love sharing this music in a way that is fun and beautiful and has real meaning. I think it helps people let the commercialism go and remember what the holidays are all about. We divide the show into two parts. The first part is the hits and songs from the new album that people enjoy hearing, and that’s 50 minutes.

There’s an intermission, and another hour and ten minutes of Christmas music, so it’s a total of two and a half hours.

VERGE: As musical trends come and go, surely the singersongwriter will always survive.

BERRY: Thank goodness for the Internet and people being able to make their own records and do their own thing, because certainly the market will thrive and create these musical acts.

Some are true to what they do, surface without reason other than talent, and move people. If you move people, they want to see you and hear your records. The nature of the business community is to jump on top of that and make a successful franchise of it. They find talented singer-songwriters who can put on a good show, and they nurture them and make the most of them. They will also take someone with an OK voice who is good-looking and 19-years-old, find them songs and make it happen. I don’t know if they will last as long, but that is not the business model goal. The model is to run it for as long as you can and then get somebody else. That’s show business.

VERGE: You also do a lot of charity work.

BERRY: I do different things. They call and ask me to sing at events, and if me being part of something will help, I usually do it. Your life should not be all about you. People who think

that what they do is so important, like singers with attitudes — oh please, give me a break. You’re not curing cancer; you’re just singing songs. When I lived on a farm in northwest Athens, there was a man named Horace Reed — he passed away recently after living his whole life there; he was plowing his field and had a heart attack and died. He used to come by and talk to me, and he thought what I did was really neat and he loved my music. He had three chicken houses that were the most important thing to him because they provided a living for him so that he could take care of his family. That puts things in perspective. How can you get an attitude about being a singer when you know a man who thinks that his chicken houses are more important than you are?

by ALISON RICHTER

Plan to Go

WHAT John Berry Christmas Tour 2010 WHERE The Imperial Theatre WHEN Tuesday, December 21 at 7:30 pm TICKETS $20 to $27 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM MORE | JOHNBERRY.COM

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 25

THE PROFILER: 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS

Reveiwing the Final Four 12 Bands of Christmas Acts 12 Bands of Christmas is back in full form this year - with a new 12-track CD on the way and the concert scheduled for December 18th at the Imperial Theatre (see the article to the right). To countdown the annual concert, we profiled the bands from this year’s line-up in each issue of verge over the past few months. Go to VERGELIVE.COM if you missed the profiles on My Instant Lunch and L.i.E. (September 29th), Will McCranie and NoStar (November 3rd), 48 Volt and Tara Scheyer and the Mudpuppy Band (November 17th), and The Crowns and The Unmentionables (December 3rd). For more information on 12 Bands: 12BANDS.ORG. The profiler is DINO LULL

John Kolbeck FORMED MEMBERS RELEASES WHAT IS IT 12 BANDS ONLINE

G. City Rockers

FORMED MEMBERS

RELEASES

WHAT IS IT 12 BANDS ONLINE

2005 John “Stoney” Cannon (vocals/guitar) Chris Libby (vocals/bass) Johnny Hohlwein (vocals/drums) Edmond “Lurch” Kida (vocals/guitar) Kings, Queens, and Vagabonds (‘05) Haven/Say (2006) Rock “Rock N Roll Christmas” GCITYROCKERS.COM

G. City Rockers play straight forward rock ‘n’ roll. No real frills or gimmicks, GCR channels the bluesy rock of early Rolling Stones. In a world full of complicated music genres and over-the-top experimentalism, getting back to basics can be a breath of fresh air.

In 2005, G. City Rockers released an album of cover songs soon after forming. They released it again in 2006, this time adding a few originals before taking off on an East coast tour.

Since then, G. City Rockers have contributed songs to the 12 Bands of Christmas albums as well as the Lexie’s Legacy CDs. With an eye on the future, G. City Rockers hope to record a live album.

“We play garage rock,” John ‘Stoney’ Cannon explains about the bands early rock ‘n’ roll influenced sound. “It’s a mixed bag of influences,” he says, listing G. City Rockers’ favorite styles as ‘70’s three-chord guitar rock, early ‘70’s English glam, New York CBGB’s Punk, ‘80’s hair bands, and even some newer music, generally brought in by the band’s newest member, Chris Libby. Basically, the G. City Rockers play “straight up rock ‘n’ roll,” as Cannon summarizes the group’s sound.

“We’re music fanatics who like to play and we’re pop culture junkies,” Cannon says. “We’re never too soft and never too heavy.”

Recently, Cannon, who was involved in the inception of 12 Bands and even came up with the concert name, was asked to take a more active role in the performance, helping to organize the event.

G. City Rockers will be covering George Thorogood’s “Rock N Roll Christmas,” which the band learned to play via YouTube videos of an old MTV concert. Past bassist Joe Cowart can be heard playing on the track that was recorded prior to the joining of Chris Libby.

At Birth John Kolbeck Replace the Memory (2010) Alternative / Singer-Songwriter Santa Claus wants Some Lovin”

WANDERLANDMUSIC.COM

Ten years ago, when the legendary local band People Who Must was winding down, John Kolbeck was ready to take on some new projects. Though People Who Must continued to play through 2002, Kolbeck began to take on new projects, including his own solo work and the international band Black Swan Lane.

“I was always in bands since high school,” Kolbeck says, “I’ve been on all kinds of albums with different bands.”

In 2007, Kolbeck finally combined his love for a variety of musical genres into one project. Country, rock, acoustic, and, even, horns came together on one record. “I put everything on there,” Kolbeck says, “different genres, different styles.”

Kolbeck’s second album, Replace the Memory, released this fall, has a more cohesive sound, sticking closer to rock and alternative.

The new album opens with “Come and Gone my Dear,” a rocking country-flavored alternative rock hit that shows

Kolbeck’s roots in early-‘90’s rock yet with an updated altcountry pervasiveness. Some of the tracks on the new album hold more of a singer-songwriter feel, such as “Anyone” while “Less and You Want More” rocks harder than some of the others. There is a definite overall personal feel to the album with that country-folk/alt-rock/singer-songwriter feel, but the versatility of the tracks brings to light the different sides of John Kolbeck’s soul.

Kolbeck’s acoustic rock sounds can be heard from Aiken to Augusta, playing in stops such as Joe’s Underground, the Cotton Patch, and Somewhere in Augusta.

Brandon Bower FORMED MEMBERS WHAT IS IT 12 BANDS ONLINE

At Birth Brandon Bower Blues Rock “The Christmas Song” myspace.com/brandonbowermusic

Brandon Bower is one of Augusta’s most well known bluesrock musicians with a whole lot of soul and a bit of jam band funk all thrown in together. Bower’s adult-alternative sound is laid back, perhaps a bit moody and sexy in the same affect a Marvin Gaye record can have.

But don’t let Bower fool you; he’s got a strong message behind those tunes too, as he lives a life with God not too far from his thoughts.

He also plays with his worship group on Sundays at church.

Bower has been playing music as a solo artist for nearly ten years now, his backup band offering a little extra to his already hard hitting music.

“My biggest inspirations are Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Garth Brooks,” Brandon Bower says, explaining the eclectic sound of his own style of music, which is often infused with a beat heavy sound. “I like funk, Motown, and soul,” Bower continues, “I’m very versatile.”

Playing anywhere from bars, churches, restaurants, and private functions; Brandon Bower played his last show in Augusta at Wild Wing Café. Since then, he has moved to Virginia where he has friends and a studio in order to focus on his music.

“I’ve been writing music and recording,” Brandon Bower says, hoping to do more of that in the future. “My relationship with God and family is important to me,” Bower finishes.

His sound comes from the guts, Bower says. Bower gives it all he’s got, singing hard and playing hard. “I play with my heart and soul,” Bower says, “and people are attracted to it.”

26 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

Sibling Strings

FORMED MEMBERS

WHAT IS IT 12 BANDS

2009 Jacob Beltz (vocals/guitar) Michael Baideme (guitar) Henry Wynn (fiddle) Dave Mercer (drums) Deveron Roof (bass) Acoustic Rock “What Child Is This?”

Two years ago Whosehouse played 12 Bands, but soon after Jacob Beltz struck out on his own as the only member still in Augusta, landing him at Joe’s Underground’s “Whiskey Wednesdays.”

Beltz put together a new band called Sibling String, with Beltz on guitar, Michael Baideme on lead guitar, the infamous Henry Wynn III on fiddle, Dave Mercer, of Shotgun Opera fame, on drums; and Deveron Roof on upright bass.

Sibling String began writing originals and soon became the Wednesday night house band for Joe’s.

“We have a good time and get to practice together,” Beltz laughs, all the while entertaining fans.

Earlier this year, Sibling String went into the studio with Pat Blanchard and recorded “What Child Is This?”

“We put a real swing feel to it with a lot of strings, harmonies, and acoustic guitar,” Beltz describes.

Currently in college, Beltz doesn’t find a lot of time to get into the studio with those original tunes he wants to lay down on tape.

For now, fans of Sibling String will have to settle for the real deal every Wednesday or, for a grander sound, at the Imperial Theatre for 12 Bands. “I love the sound of the Imperial,” Beltz says, “The whole vibe – making the music sound better and showing off for each other. 12 Bands is like a family.”

LIVE MUSIC: 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS

Augusta’s Favorite Night of Rock & Roll plus Holiday Music Returns

The 12 Bands of Christmas concert is back. After a 2009 hiatus, the annual holiday concert will once again be held at the Imperial Theatre on Broad Street on the night of Saturday, December 18th.

Plan to Go

Put together by some of the biggest names in local Augusta music including Joe Stevenson from People Who Must and Radar Radio and Lokal Loudness magnate Stoney Cannon, as well as a superb cast of workers and volunteers, 12 Bands of Christmas has grown into one of the Garden City’s major musical events each year. Beginning in 2002, the 12 Bands of Christmas has become a staple of the Augusta concert scene, displaying the talents of the most popular local musical acts.

But there is more to the 12 Bands of Christmas concert than simply getting together some of the best music in town.

The proceeds earned will go to help treat victims of pediatric cancer, which holds a personal place in the hearts of many of the bands, including the Crowns who have felt the touch of the disease in their own family.

This year the musicians performing include indie rock band My Instant Lunch, progressive metal group L.I.E., singer-songwriter Will McCranie, blues rocker Carey Murdock and his band NoStar, Jacob Beltz’s new band Sibling String, country rockers 48 Volt, the family-oriented Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppy Band, southern gospel quartet The Crowns, rockers John Kolbeck and Brandon Bower, cover band The Unmentionables, and, finally, Augusta’s own the G. City Rockers.

This is quite a distinct group of Augusta musicians. There are the slower, more melodic sounds of the singer-songwriter genre, the traditional sounds of old school rock and gospel, more straight forward country and family-oriented songs, and even a bit of heavy metal – creating a CD and a concert with a little something for every taste.

Though the music may vary, the 12 Bands concert is a mainstay of Augusta’s holiday music scene. Since its inception the 12 Bands idea has spread to other cities; in Augusta, it is still an annual concert that supports a good cause and brings in record numbers of fans.

“We’re really grateful to all the bands for donating their time,” Joe Stevenson says, but most of all, he is proud to provide great music for an even greater cause. In the end, that is what 12 Bands of Christmas is all about. by DINO LULL

WHAT 12 Bands of Christmas WHERE The Imperial Theatre WHEN Saturday, 12/18 | 6 pm to 10 pm WHEN All Ages TICKETS $10 (kids under 5 free) WHY YOU SHOULD GO Not only is this the

48 VOLT

pinnacle local band concert of the year, but the proceeds from the concert and CD sales go to research and treatment of pediatric cancer.

THE CD $12 each (seperate from concert tix)

MORE | 12BANDS.ORG

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 27

28 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

ON THE FLIP SIDE: Patrick Blanchard & ruskin yeargaiN The names Patrick Blanchard and Ruskin Yeargain keep popping up in our pages. They possess numerous years of combined musical experience, with artists such as Inside Blue, Impulse Ride, the Big Mighty, and Shawn Mullins. As studio engineers/producers Blanchard and Yeargain have recorded or worked with past bands such as Gearbox, Silver Dash Music, Impulse Ride, the Big Mighty and more recently 48Volt and NoStar. Since the beginning, Yeargain has turned the knobs for just about every 12 Bands of Christmas recording until Blanchard signed up this year to help out.

PATRICK BLANCHARD

RUSKIN YEARGAIN

PATRICK BLANCHARD BAND/SHAWN MULLINS

IMPULSE RIDE

For the past several years Ruskin Yeargain has been the driving force behind getting artists recorded for the annual 12 Bands of Christmas CD. Until this year Yeargain has been the contact with each 12 Bands artist and has overseen each step of the process from contacting each band, making sure all paperwork is finalized, and of course, each act is put down on tape. But his connection to the Augusta music community goes back many years before the creation of 12 Bands of Christmas.

Recording for the perennial Augusta favorite 12 Bands of Christmas album is, needless to say, an arduous feat. From meeting with the 12 groups for hours upon hours to record, to mixing and engineering the sound to enhance that rocking Christmas spirit we all know and love, 12 Bands is something that the producers must regard with tenacity and dedication.

With all of this in mind, who better to collaborate with on this year’s come-back of The 12 Bands of Christmas, than the ever-tenacious, Augustan-tothe-bone, Patrick Blanchard!

Yeargain co-founded long-running band Impulse Ride in the late eighties quickly building a local following.

It wasn’t long before the groups infectious pop tunes were attracting a regional following eventually leading to a recording deal with an indie label that yielded a pair of popular releases. A talented graphic artist in addition to being an incredible song writer, Yeargain has had a hand in all aspect of the Impulse Ride machine since the start. Talents he continues to put to use while balancing family life and music.

Pat started playing clubs, coffeehouses and listening rooms well before most people can drive, and, in over 15 years, he’s toured with, learned from and befriended the likes of Keith Jenkins (of the James Brown Band), the chart topping Shawn Mullins, and James Brown, the man himself. This has all happened while managing to start a family, work full-time as a landscape architect, and still show off that southern charm with a wink and a smile. Pat has been affiliated with the 12 Bands recording for a number of years now, and it seems as though he wants to be able to sink his well-cut teeth deeper into the flesh of the project.

Verge was able to ask Mr. Yeargain a few questions about himself as well as fellow 12 Bands of Christmas engineer Patrick Blanchard.

STONEY: What made you decide you wanted to

Verge was able to ask Mr. Blanchard some questions regarding his plans and his place alongside Ruskin Yeargain, for this year’s highly anticipated record.

record other artists?

RUSKIN: I remember wanting to do it after Impulse

Ride’s first trip into the studio. It was cool to see how songs evolve from concept to concrete.

JACOB: What made you decide you wanted to record other artists?

STONEY: What do you feel you contribute most as

PATRICK: I love being a part of the creative process.

an engineer/producer?

It is a real gas to collaborate with other artists.

RUSKIN: I have a good sense for hooks and flow.

I can usually figure out what’s the best way to strengthen a hook and make a song flow so it doesn’t seem disjointed.

JACOB: What do you feel you contribute most as an

engineer/producer?

PATRICK: Experience ... I have played guitar and bass on a bunch of records over the years. It allows me to look at a musical situation objectively due to the different types of projects I have been a part of.

STONEY: What do you feel sets you apart from other

area engineer/producers?

RUSKIN: I can’t say what sets me apart from other producers, but I can say that I usually have a good rapport with artists I’m recording. I try to make the artist feel comfortable in the studio, which can seem daunting at times. Also, I can usually manage a session so that it moves along at a good pace.

JACOB: What do you feel sets you apart from other

area engineer/producers?

PATRICK: That is a hard question to answer because all engineers and producers have their own audible identity.

JACOB: How do you feel that style of engineering/

STONEY: How do you feel that style of engineering/ producing differs from Pat’s?

PATRICK: He is a little bit more polished and pop

RUSKIN: I’m not that familiar with Pat’s style of

producing differs from Ruskin’s?

producing because I haven’t really sat it on any of his sessions. But, knowing Pat like I do, I would imagine that one of his strengths is his rapport with people. Pat’s a genuinely friendly guy who is very accommodating to his guests. I’ve heard some of his rough mixes and he’s put together some good stuff with some good ideas.

oriented which is great for the projects he does. I tend to leave a little butter on the biscuit and let the grease drip off of it. I am looking for a vibe and a feel that may not be perfect but has emotional substance for the listener.

It is important to me to catch a moment more than a performance.

get more Patrick Blanchard

get more Ruskin Yeargain

listen online MYSPACE.COM/ PATRICKBLANCHARD

listen online MYSPACE.COM/

by JACOB LYNDON BELTZ and JOHN ‘STONEY’ CANON photos JOHN CANNON

IMPULSERIDE

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30 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

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ASK DR. KARP Helping Santa Be Healthier Virginia on Peach Orchard Road asks:

“Does Santa make New Year’s Resolutions?”

Yes, Virginia, Santa makes New Year’s Resolution and, if he needs any suggestions, I’m loaded with them.

Hey, Santa, you need to lose weight. Remember when you lost a few pounds in the 80’s? Now, didn’t you feel better having a “lighter” life?

Your clothes fit better, you didn’t get out-ofbreath going up and down those chimneys and you even stopped the sleep apnea business, which used to scare Mrs. Claus no end. Why’d you gain the weight back, fella? Simple! Santa, you went on those fad diets instead of making permanent lifestyle changes. Remember all those meal plans – the low-fat diets, the high fat diets, the low carb diets, the high protein diets, etc? Where’d they get you? Nowhere, that’s where. Anyone can lose weight for a few months, or even a year. The key is to keep that weight off, like FOREVER (which, for you is a heck of a long time)! Forget those infomercial diets. First, change your mindset. Then, change your daily physical activity. I don’t want to get too personal, Santa, but Mrs. Claus tells me that you’re considering colonic cleansing for next year’s resolution. Please! Have pity on Mrs. Claus. That North Pole cottage is way too small for that stuff.

Santa, ditch the smoking. Those rings circling your head are leading you to emphysema and COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In fact, I think you already have a barrel chest. Get with the program. Maybe all that smoking and ring stuff was “cutsie” in the 1600’s, but it just doesn’t cut the mustard today.

Besides, aren’t you supposed to be a role model for kids? Chew sugarless gum, instead, and get your teeth whitened. A couple of hundred years of smoking have wrecked havoc on them … like, GROSS! Big guy, you need to resolve to MOVE, MOVE,

MOVE. Working your tushie off one-day-ayear simply is not good enough. What about the other 364 days, huh? You’re worse than a weekend warrior. You’re a one-day-a-year Christmas warrior! True, your activity options are somewhat limited at the North Pole. Have you ever considered an indoor pool, or a treadmill, or even an exercise bike? Also, take those snow shoes out of the closet and take Rudolph for a walk every day You’ll both smile more, off-season.

Santa, Santa, Santa, your fruit and veggie intake, quite frankly, sucks. I know it’s hard to get fruits and veggies at the North Pole (and fruitcake doesn’t count), but, hey, you knew that. Have you ever thought about ordering fruits and veggies off the internet and having them delivered? It’s more expensive than buying them in a store, but, really, have you looked around? Where’s your nearest store?

Probably Nome or Fairbanks, Alaska. If you have to travel 2,000 miles to go shopping every week, the internet becomes a very attractive economic alternative. You can also try subscribing to one of those Fruit-OfThe-Month deals. Yes, yes, you will be totally inundated with fruit, but you do have a couple of thousand elves to help you eat all that stuff.

Santa, maybe next year, you should think about hydroponic or salmon farming. Buy one of those prefab steel buildings. If they can build indoor ski resorts in Dubai, you can certainly do some indoor hydroponic farming at “The Pole.” Besides, farming is a good stress-buster and getting you out of that cottage a few hours a day will do a world of good for Mrs. Claus.

Another good resolution for 2011, Santa: you need to take your cholesterol and blood pressure medication everyday, not just when you remember. Get one of those reminder pill boxes if you must. Cholesterol and blood pressure are two things that will go right back up, the minute you stop taking your meds. And, have you gotten your blood sugar measured lately? You look pre-diabetic to me. Talk about an abdominal fat distribution pattern!

Well, Virginia, let’s hope that Matt Plocha delivers a few copies of verge to the North Pole.

You’ll know he made it there, if this year, when you listen for Santa on “The Night Before Christmas,” you hear him exclaim, as he drives out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and remember, EAT LIGHT!” P.S. This column is Dr. Karp’s attempt at providing some measure of nutrition information in a season of dietary excesses.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Cheerful Kwanza, Belated Dewali Day, Peaceful Al-Hijra and Akemashite, Omedeto Gozaimasu!

by DR. WARREN KARP Ask Dr. Karp focuses on food, diet and nutrition. Dr. Warren Karp is Professor Emeritus at The Medical College of Georgia. If you have a question you would like answered in this column, email him at DrKarp@vergelive.com.

32 December 15, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com

SOUND BITES

Lokal Music Musings Let the countdown begin, kiddies! Pretty soon, Santa will be popping down chimneys with all kinds of cool rock & roll gear to help us get ready to rock out Father Time’s swan song and Baby New Year’s lullabye. With only days left to pick up that gift for that someone cool and/or special, how about considering trying out some homegrown businesses for gift buying and considering giving the gift of Augusta music?

While the weather in December is getting mighty chilly, it doesn’t seem to be affecting the hot area releases coming out. Just imagine the look on that special someone’s face when they tear off the wrapping paper to find a new CD by Carey Murdock and NoStar! Or what about the latest by John Kolbeck? And you thought that 12 Bands of Christmas Vol. 7 was the only hip happenin’ music release fresh off the presses! Heck, if you feel froggy, no one ever said it was uncool to give out your gifts early!

Speaking of early gifts, Augusta is now on the map for more than just James Brown, the Masters, Daisy Dukes, and Tommy Lee’s bare butt! One daring Augusta music venue owner who I won’t mention (ahem, Nick Laws) was so kind as to post a “unique” video of some late-blooming musical rookies performing (I use that term loosely) their own take on Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” and, within hours, the musical debacle went insanely viral!

With notice from some of the hottest sites on the web and even television, hits and plays were amassed. Even National Public Radio was talking about it. Now, it appears, that a follow-up video is on the way. Bands, take heed ... if you wish to reach the masses, butcher a sacred classic rock song in a way that no one ever would have predicted and, voila, instant stardom! But, hey, even misled musical rookies need love. So, give the gift of music education this year. Just sayin.’ NPR.ORG/BLOGS/ALLSONGS Before I grab the old Danelectro and get ready for a rock and roll Christmas, I’d like to give a heartfelt shout-out to all my peeps in cell block 7 ... I mean in the CSRA (dang old Elvis movies!). Have yourself the happiest of Christmases, be safe, but a bit on the edge.

Shout your holiday spirit out as loud as your rock and roll, hugs your friends, and when it’s all over, hit me up in 2011. Later!

To get an earful of what’s happening in Augusta music, listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen at CONFEDERATIONOFLOUDNESS.COM. Til next time … Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud.

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON To keep up with what’s going down in Augusta music, check out Stoney’s long-running website LOKALLOUDNESS.COM.

Look out for the next issue of VERGE

hitting the newstands on

JANUARY 5

It’s the Annual Inkling Edition With almost 150 submissions for this year’s annual literary issue, The Inkling takes over the January 5th edition of verge. Full of short stories, poetry, personal essays and original art, The Inkling invites you to grab a hot drink, curl up in a big, comfortable chair and chase the winter blues away by immersing yourself in the world of reading.

PRINTED MATTER

A Resolution To Keep JUST DO SOMETHING | Life is a journey traveled one step at a time. As we approach the beginning of a new year, we find ourselves once again walking through a season of resolutions; assessing our lives and seeking to make improvements, at least in thought if not in action. Common resolutions address the issues of health and diet, financial stewardship, interpersonal relationships, and career goals. The problem, however, is that those resolutions often remain conceptual – a thought or good intention that fails to be put into action. The lack of fruition discourages the seemingly resolute, but stems from indecision.

Approaching the New Year with new hopes and new goals, we must learn to make decisions, not mere resolutions.

Pastor and author Kevin DeYoung offers help on wise decisionmaking in Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will OR How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc. Though the title is nearly longer than the book itself, DeYoung succinctly and honestly offers “a liberating approach” to decision making. His aim is to counsel readers “to settle down, make choices, and do the hard work of seeing those choices through.”

Indecisiveness is a paralyzing symptom of fear. Delayed decisionmaking manifests within the larger arena of life: marriage, career, and education. It also affects the day-to-day living that makes up the grander schemes of life. The fear of failure or fear of making a bad decision is often to blame, but the root of the problem is motivation. Indecisiveness and fear creates a prison limiting the freedom to thrive in daily life.

Asserting that we are “directionally challenged,” DeYoung notes the “over-spiritualization” of decision-making; as if our sole purpose is to weave through a confusing maze of discerning divine plans.

Instead of fretting over the future, we are to trust the God who holds the future. The motivations of our decisions come into play.

Some decisions are not good vs. bad, but both good. Rather than be paralyze by fear or indecision, we are to boldly and wisely decide and then act. This is not reckless living, but wise-living in faith. Far too often, we neglect the “tools of the trade” that have been given

to us. Rather than randomly manipulating the tools of the trade, we are to walk in the wisdom of faith and wise counsel.

DeYoung gives the steps: search the Scriptures, get wise counsel, pray, make a decision. Making a decision is a great display of faith, and if it turns out to be not the best decision, we trust God and learn. We trust God’s providence in our decisions as we confidently decide and act with well-informed motivations. After all, “wisdom is a way of life.”

In preparation for the New Year, make decisions, not resolutions. Decide with wisdom, act with confidence, and live in freedom. May your motivations free you from the prison of fear of failure, and guide you out of the maze of indecision. Life is a journey traveled one step at a time. Walk tall, stumble if you must, but enjoy every step.

by JEREMY CARR

Jeremy Carr is lead pastor at The Well Community Church.

He is also an accomplished musician and will be onstage with the Riff Raff Kings at their December 27th Reunion. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung, Moody Publishers, $10.99.

FESTIVUS OF BANDS

Riff Raff Kings Renunion Concert Added Nine nights plus 32 bands makes Sky City’s Festivus of Bands one of the largest holiday events in Augusta. Festivus kicked off on December 8th with an “Old School Meets New School” theme. The music will continue through December 23rd, wrapping up with Dead Confederate.

Wednesday, December 15th, Festivus brings in Matthew Acosta and Dr. Bread. Then, over the next two nights, the line-up is loaded with local favorites: Tommy OD and the Survivors, Happy Bones, Science Friction, Eat Lightning, Livingroom Legends and Stinkfoot.

Saturday, December 18th, brings out the big guns with Drivin N Cryin ($10 to $15). Since the mid-80’s, the Atlanta-based band and lead singer Kevin Kinney have stayed true to their Southern rock roots. The grand finale, on December 23rd, features Dead Confederate performing a cover of the entire Neil Young album Tonight’s the Night twice: at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. ($10).

Taking its name from the classic comedy show Seinfeld, Festivus of Bands began in 2009 spanning four days and 20 bands. This year, Rubio expanded the event, grouping together bands that complement each other so that each night of Festivus has a particular sound.

“I wanted to include as many bands as possible, getting fans and bands together,” Coco Rubio, promoter and owner of Sky City, said.

THE RIFF RAFF KINGS: Matt Morrison, John Carter, Jeremy Carr, Michael Lamond, J.J. Bower (L to R)

If you’ve still got a craving for some local music after Christmas, there will be a spectacular reunion show at Sky City of the Riff Raff Kings on December 27th. “This is our first Festivus miracle,” Rubio laughed, the holiday spirit alive in his voice.

Most shows start at 9 p.m. and cover is $5 or free with an unwrapped new toy for the James Brown Foundation Christmas toy giveaway. SKYCITYAUGUSTA.COM

by DINO LULL

vergelive.com | community driven news | December 15, 2010 33

WINDOW WONDERS

Downtown Shines Bright for Season Downtown Augusta’s windows are brightly shining for the holidays. For the past three years, the Downtown Augusta Alliance has hosted the annual Winter Window Wonderland Contest – encouraging downtown businesses to spread holiday cheer by decorating their windows for the season. Windows are judged based on creativity, holiday spirit, ingenuity and how the window display relates to the business inside. With those criteria in mind, the judges chose the following window displays the best of the 2010 Winter Window Wonderland Contest.

TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY SPIRIT | Gallery on the Row at 1016 Broad Street (below) combines the beauty of nature and art into a stunning display.

ORIGINAL USE OF LIGHTS | Flowers Xpress at 1054 Broad Street uses holiday lights of all colors and varieties to shout out to passersby – it’s Christmas time!

MOST WHIMSICAL WINDOW | New Moon Café at 1002 Broad Street captures the feel of a wintery moonlit night.

MOST ORIGINAL WINDOW | The Book Tavern at 1026 Broad Street (above) brings an urban city approach to window décor – including a whirlwind of written words escaping from an old fireplace.

CORPORATE BEST OF SHOW | The Lamar Building (753 Broad Street) once again effuses holiday spirit with lavishly decorated wreaths and elegant trees.

BEST IN SHOW | Vintage Ooollee at 1121 Broad Street (left) embodies the Hometown Holiday spirit with a vintage aluminum Christmas tree rotating in the window and windows draped with hanging greens and red bows.

Most of the downtown windows will remain decorated through New Year’s Eve. photos by CLARK FOX

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