verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA
FREE | NOVEMBER 17 2010 |VOL 3 ISSUE 10 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS
VOLUNTEER 34 Ways to Turn Your Passion to Action + MUSIC LA GUNS + SAM BUSH PEOPLE Mayor Deke Copenhaver + GET THIS Be Thankful & Show Your Gratitude
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4 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
vergestaff
yeah, we made this
SMATTERINGS
publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha pipeline Claire Riche contributors Chris Selmek, Alison Richter, PM Rogers, John Cannon, Dino Lull, Ben Casella, Skyler Andrews, Charlotte Okie, Elizabeth Benson, Abby Spasser, Holly Birdsong, Brandi Freeman, Jennifer Maslyn, Mariah Gardner
Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated by many Americans expressing thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends. This is a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. We should all consider taking time to slow down a little and observe that for which we are thankful. One way to be thankful may be the blessing of your freedom that this country has provided. We at verge have many reasons to be thankful this year: for our church, our family, our business partners and supporters, our community and for you, our readers.
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vergepolicies the boring part
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. DISTRIBUTION: verge is published monthly and is aviailbe free of charge at distribution locations throughout the CSRA. RECYCLE: verge is printed on 50% recycled stock.
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8th Street Tobacco Aficionados Anything Goes Gifts Bar on Broad Casella Eye Center Congregation Beth Shalom Curiosity Shop Curtis Baptist Church Edge Salon and Spa Elduets Treasures Fort Gordon HD Lounge Health Central Lofty Ideas Manuel’s Bread Cafe Modish New Moon Cafe Oddfellows Re-Fresh Rock Bottom Music Roosters Beak Sanford, Bruker & Banks Soy Noodle House Stella Salon and Spa Stillwater Taproom Sunbelt Nissan T.G.I. Friday’s Tire City Potters The Book Tavern Vintage Ooollee Windsor Jewelers Zimmerman Gallery
It’s Time to Say Thank You
With our sincerest wishes, my family says “Thank you!” In this issue of verge, we go a little deeper in to the world of giving, volunteering and community. We’ve got five pages highlighting extraordinary opportunities for you to get involved with our community to help create a positive change. Our editor has looked at many local and global organizations for you to consider, whether that is serving with your time, your resources or a combination of both. We encourage you to explore your heart and our community and become more involved with where you feel you may have a positive impact. There is a considerable amount of opportunity for us to all become more involved. The larger question that remains is: are we willing to answer the call? Are we truly thankful for what we DO have and willing to give a little of our time or money or just a little more of ourselves? When I contemplate giving back, I tend to think back upon our country’s forefathers and about the sacrifices, the struggles, the selfless giving they made for us. It is difficult to fathom the depth of that sacrifice they made on our behalf. I think of the men and women that have served this country in our Armed Forces branches to protect our inalienable rights and freedoms. They protected and continue to protect us from harm and help to secure our beliefs so that we actually CAN be thankful. Again “Thank You!” Moving forward, as a way of giving back a little, we have come up with a new “twist” to verge. On page 4 you will see an ad with the title “WIN STUFF.” The concept is simple and fun, fairly easy and yet another reason our local community is great. We hope you have fun with one of our newest additions! We also landed the exclusive print interview with L.A. Guns front man Phil Lewis that you can find on page 25. You can meet the multi-platinum recording artist in person at an all-ages “Meet and Greet” at Rock Bottom Music on November 19th. See ROCKBOTTOMMUSIC.COM for more details. That’s just a couple of days away – but, you still time to have the band members sign your copy of verge! Thank You, Jonathan Karow! So, as we prepare ourselves for the annual “dunking of the turkey” (fried, of course), nine hundred pounds of mashed potatoes, gallons of gravy in a life size boat, and a bountiful amount of other harvested goodness, I personally want to say “Thank You” for supporting our community driven, locally owned and operated newspaper: verge. We hope to see you out and about in our community possibly working off that abundance of Thanksgiving! Now pass the gravy – please and thank you! See you Downtown! - Matt
ON THE COVER PUT YOUR PASSION IN ACTION by CLARK FOX
Thanksgiving is just a few days away and what better way to show our gratitude than to begin giving back to our community. The following pages offer a multitude of ways to get involved in a wide variety of hands-on gratitude sharing. When our photographer Clark Fox was given the assignment to shoot the UNITY dance troop (see the full story about UNITY on page 15), he had no idea that one hour and 1400 photos later, he would capture the essence of this particular issue of verge. It’s your turn - now, come join us. VERGELIVE.COM
WHAT’S INSIDE
you won’t want to miss a page
the main feature
7 Get This: Express Your Gratitude 9 An Intimate Conversation 11 Hands Across Augusta Try a simple gift when saying thank you
Getting into the heart of the matter with Mayor Deke
Five pages and 34 ways you can get involved in doing good
11 Pennies for Peace 15 UNITY in Dance
The Jillella twins raise money for students in remote areas
Devon Drumgoole uses dance to reach inner-city youth
23 These Boys are IT! 25 L.A. Guns Glam It Up
Teen boy quintet pops their way to stardom
Over 20 years of big hair, wild living and arena rock
music | theatre | art | film 16 17 20 26 29
Art: The Wet Paint Party Festival: Westobou makes changes Music: Sam Bush at Southern Soul & Song Music: NoStar CD Release Party The Profiler: Tara Scheyer & 48 Volt
experience more 07 09 15 19 19 21 22 27 27 28 29 30
Urban Progress All Around Town The Pipeline of Upcoming Events Chow Bella Fresh Food Bites Explore More in November The Film Reel In Progress: The Emporium The RiverHawks in Action Ask Dr. Karp Sound Bites: Lokal Music Musings On Base
vergequotes
here’s what inspires us
“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN
“One more day to serve. One more hour to love. One more minute to praise. For this day, I am grateful. If I awaken to the morning sun, I am grateful.” - SISTER MARY LOU KOWNACKI
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URBAN PROGRESS
Broad Street Lighting Project Ready to Begin
ALL AROUND TOWN FALLING WHISTLES COMES TO AUGUSTA | DEC. 4: The Falling Whistles
The Department of Traffic and Engineering is set to begin a substantial upgrade of the streetlights and traffic signals along Broad Street in early December.
campaign launched with a simple response — make their weapon your voice and be a whistle blower for peace in Congo. “Many of us have heard the stories of childsoldiers,” Falling Whistles founder Sean Carasso said. “Stories such as A Long Way Gone have granted us glimpses into their tortured lives. I had heard, known, cared. I had even reacted and raged. But when these boys told me of the whistleblowers, the horror grew feet and walked within me. Captured by Nkunda’s rebel army, some boys, not big enough to hold a gun, were given merely a whistle and put on the front lines of battle.”
The area from 5th to 13th Street will receive 131 new overhead lights, including 91 pedestrian lights on both sides of the road and in the center median between 10th and 13th Street, as well as 12 area lights for parking bays. “There’s been a big push from the downtown community to enhance the lighting,” said Steve Cassell, assistant director of Traffic Engineering. “It’s got a lot of momentum and I think a lot of people are going to be happy to see it though.”
Carasso’s first-hand experience in the Congo demanded a response. He created Falling Whistles and now he’s on a 28-city national tour, which comes to Augusta on Saturday, December 4th. The tour aims to share the story of Falling Whistles and the realities of the war in the Congo, spreading the story to new audiences and building communities of whistleblowers across the country — empowered and working toward peace.
Improving traffic signals is also an important part of the plan because, in addition to increasing public safety and area beautification, this project is also about performing longoverdue maintenance. “There is some very old infrastructure that’s out there now,” said Cassell. “The existing signals are at least 40 years old, the conduits are degrading, plus a lot of the bases are rusted. If the system went down right now we wouldn’t be able to handle it simply, we would probably have to dig and it would be a major fix. As it stands, I have absolutely no way of monitoring the wiring we have running underneath the street.” While originally planned for September, the project was originally delayed because of the contractor’s plan to save construction costs. This also gave time for federal stimulus money to come in and become the primary means of funding the 2.7 million dollar project, as opposed to the original Special-Purpose LocalOption Sales Tax (SPLOST). The project is estimated to take approximately nine months and be finished by the end of the summer, during which Cassell anticipates some small traffic congestion. There are plans to stagger the maintenance so that it disrupts only one block at a time while leaving the sidewalks clear to walk on.
During the event, Yves, a Congolese man, will share his personal story (via video) and Carasso will host a talk and discussion about Falling Whistles, the war and the road to peace. A road which Carasso believes begins here: the voice of a growing coalition for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hear the story and buy the whistle – all proceeds go to rehabilitate and advocate for war-affected children. Falling Whistles at Le Chat Noir on Saturday, December 4 at 11 a.m. | FALLINGWHISTLES.COM
a directional board, so construction that tears up the road should be minimal,” he said. “There shouldn’t be much trenching if any, but we do recognize that it is a downtown area that gets a lot of traffic and will try to keep the inconvenience to a minimum while we seek to improve our city infrastructure.” According to Cassell, the new lights will be nice to look at and will likely improve the quality of life for residents and visitors who are on Broad Street after dark. “The fixtures are going to fit the historic nature and character of the downtown area,” he said. “St. Sebastian is what it will all look like eventually, so if you want to know what the new lights are going to look like, you need to drive by there. It’ll give Broad Street a nice, clean feel, and then we can expand and do the rest of the downtown.” by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK
“Most of the work is going to be done through
IT’S A HOLLY JOLLY SATURDAY | NOV. 27 Tired of the commercialization of Christmas? Then head on downtown with the family on Saturday, November 28th for an afternoon of hands-on holiday fun. Pick up your Santa’s Checklist at the Book Tavern (1026 Broad Street), which will list all the afternoon’s fun. There will be ornaments to make, stories to read, letters to write and gingerbread to ice. Need more info? Call 706.826.1940 or laraplocha@gmail.com.
GET THIS: EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE
Full Body Thank You
Highland Aromatics with Love from Scotland: lidded woven basket includes body butter, soap, bath fizz The Curiosity Shop 202 Richland Ave W, Aiken | $22.63
A Pleasing Aroma
Agraria Petite Essence room diffuser - try the lime & orange blossoms for a clean, refreshing scent 3 Monkeys Fine Gifts 133 Laurens St NW, Aiken | $52
“Gratitude is not only the
Better than Flowers
This grouping of vases in various shapes and sizes are perfect for arranging flowers. Re-Fresh 137 Laurens St SW, Aiken | $32
A Daily Reminder
A simple thank you - be sure to also offer to put the towels to use after Thanksgiving Dinner. Tea Garden Gifts 131 Laurens St SW, Aiken | $18
discovered by SUSAN HUTCHISON photos ELIZABETH BENSON
Four Simple Long-Lasting Ways to Say Thank You
greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
- CICERO
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FRONT PORCH: MAYOR DEKE COPENHAVER
The Mayor’s Heart Beats Strong for Augusta
EDITOR’S NOTE: Before the November 2nd election, reporter Christopher Selmek sat down with Mayor Deke Copenhaver – not to ask him about his re-election campaign or his platform, but to suss out his heart. A few days later, Augusta voters resoundingly said “We like Deke!” by voting him back into the mayoral seat for a second full four-year term with 64% of the vote. Congratulations, Mayor.
About a year ago, Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver’s Facebook profile hit 5,000 friends, which serves as just one of many indicator’s that he is one of the most popular mayors in Augusta history and necessitating the creation of a “fan page” which would allow him to invite new people into his network. At the same time, this leaves him with about 1200 friend requests he’s not able to respond to, which he is hoping Facebook will one day correct. “When you’re trying to be transparent and open with the people you serve, it helps to keep the lines of communication open with as many people as possible,” said Copenhaver. “Those people who can’t be my friend are still able to join my fan page, and I keep the content the same on both pages. But I still wish Facebook would change their rules.” The fact that Augusta’s plainspoken mayor updates his own profile, which he does from home because public employees are not allowed to use Facebook at work, is just one of many ways Copenhaver stays tied to his community. Other events he has participated in, like Fort Gordon’s Augusta in Army Boots program, University Hospital’s CSRA in Scrubs program, and the Ironman Triathlon, are all just more ways of getting involved. “I like to be participating in things going on throughout the community,” he said. “It amazes me that there are still people who say there’s nothing to do in Augusta. To them I say that they should be sitting where I am sitting. There’s such an amazing number of groups to be involved in and things to do in this city, I wish I could do more to get out and be around other people.”
“I realized that if someone didn’t stand up to make a difference, things are just going to keep going the way they are.” “I love sports and always have,” he said. “My dad taught me how to compete quietly but with tenacity. I didn’t like people talking badly about my hometown, and I realized that if someone didn’t stand up to make a difference, things are just going to keep going the way they are.” Copenhaver has worked to change city politics, a word he doesn’t even like. Instead, he says one of the things he’s most proud of as mayor is his efforts to build leadership from the ground up in the community. “One person can make a difference,” said
when it comes time for one of them to be mayor one day.” Through small positive changes and by setting an example for people to follow, Copenhaver has his sights set on a bright future. Nothing asserts his commitment to not playing politics as usual like his request this fall that contributors to his campaign donate instead to charity, where that money can be used to effect immediate change. “I really think we need to shift the paradigm away from sending a bunch of mailers that
“Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything.” - GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (ON THE MAYOR’S FACEBOOK PROFILE)
“When I first ran for mayor, I decided that I never wanted to become insular,” he continued. “I still go to the YMCA every morning, and I still go to Lowe’s on the weekends, and I’m not going to change who I am as a private citizen because of my job.”
Copenhaver, “but when one person begins to work as part of a team of people who really care about what they’re doing, who are willing to work together on a local level to get things done, those people can really begin building things and accomplish a lot.”
Copenhaver first decided to run for mayor in 2004 when he was selected as one of 40 people from around the state to participate in Leadership Georgia, a training program for public servants that allows them to tour different cities and examine the role of government in people’s lives. According to Copenhaver, the group’s graduation in November coincided with the indictment of the third elected official from Augusta, at a time when the city’s politics were very divisive. Everywhere he went, people approached him and asked him to explain why Augusta had so many problems. His natural competiveness, he said, is what first inspired him to change the town’s image.
One example of this has been the Laney Walker Neighborhood Development Initiative, a $37 million dollar project designed to turn a blighted inner city neighborhood into a vibrant community, according to Copenhaver. But for his biggest accomplishments, he expects not to see tangible results while he is still in office. “Another thing I’ve done that I’m awfully proud of is taking every opportunity to talk to children in classrooms and let them know about the great things their government can do for them,” he said. “When I was in school I didn’t even know who the mayor was, but these kids today do, and I want them to have every bit of confidence and faith in their government
just go in the trash anyway,” he said, “or using people’s hard earned money to fund negative advertisements that children have to watch. When you consider that millions of dollars, if not billions nationally, are pumped into elections and political campaigns where half of those people are going to lose, I think that money could be better spent serving your community and helping people who really need it, especially in the current economy.” Copenhaver realizes he is taking a risk with the pronouncement, that by raising much less money than his competitors he may not put his name out there for people to see. Win or lose in November, Copenhaver will be proud to have been recognized for his accomplishments and will go back to his family feeling he has made a difference.
a target on his back, and my wife has had to go through all the attacks with me and see me when I’m not at my best. At the end of the day, I am extremely fortunate to have had such a supportive family.” Asked what he would like to do when he finishes being mayor, Copenhaver first chuckles and then says, “grow my hair long, grow a beard and write the tell-all book”, then adds “I really am serious about the book. All my life, I’ve loved writing and known that you write best about what you know. Some of the stories I’ve heard since I’ve been mayor really seem to be worth telling.” Whatever his future holds, Copenhaver is fairly certain it will not be in politics. “I don’t know how to untangle the knots at the state and federal level,” he said, “but I’d like to do something that continues to help the people of this community, maybe involving non-profit work. I spent five years out at the grassroots level, but when your job allows you to see that people are excited about their community, it’s an inspiring and wonderful thing to see.” A sign on the mayor’s desk reminds everyone who visits his office to cross off the “apostrophe-t” in the phrase “it can’t be done.” Copenhavor’s can-do attitude has already made an impact where it is needed most, and with luck will carry the city into the future. “A day doesn’t go by when someone doesn’t thank me for what I do,” said Copenhaver. “Now how many other jobs do people have where they can say that?”
“It’s hard on your family, to be honest, because it’s often portrayed that I’m Mr. Positive 24/7,” he said. “But a public figure always has by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK photo HOLLY BIRDSONG
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#1 HANDS ACROSS AUGUSTA: Passion in Action Over the next few pages, join hands with us and discover a multitude of ways you can put your hands in action. No matter where you live, what your age or talent, there is always a way to give back to your community. Donating time to your local neighborhood or city is a wonderfully green way to better the lives of everyone around you. Step one: take a look at yourself. What do you enjoy doing? What are your passions? Step two: match those passions with a cause. Step three: take action and get involved. It’s time to put your passion to action.
HANDS ACROSS AUGUSTA
“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is
sending a love letter to the world.” - MOTHER THERESA
#3 CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS SHOPPE3130.ORG
#4 HORDE HOTEL SHAMPOO
ITSSPOOKYTOBEHUNGRY.ORG
#5 BE AN ART DOCENT THEMORRIS.COM
#6 GIVE YOUR HEART
DONATEALIFEGEORGIA.ORG
#7 DIG A WELL
CHARITYWATER.ORG
#8 JOIN IN COMMUNITY PRAYER AUGUSTAGA.GOV
#9 BLOW A WHISTLE FOR PEACE
JASON AND MICHAEL JILLELLA
#2 DONATE YOUR LOOSE CHANGE:
Pennies for Peace
Twin brothers, Jason and Michael Jillella, found a common cause and started a phenomenon at their high school last year. It is nearly impossible to make it through a day at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School without noticing signs and announcements about the twins’ alliterated do-good cause: Pennies for Peace. What do donators’ coins (and bills, the fundraisers aren’t picky) go toward? “The primary goal of Pennies for Peace is to help make sure that children, including girls, receive a peaceful education in the remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said Jason. The organization was started by Greg Mottelson in
the early 1990’s and the twins found out about it The war in the Congo was declared officially over, but after reading Mottelson’s book, Three Cups of Tea. the battle still wages as rebels continue to mount attacks. Millions of people have died. Millions of boys have died – “We thought it would be an excellent idea many abducted from their homes and forced to fight for a for Davidson to participate in this worldwide cause they don’t understand. And those boys that are too organization,” Jason continued. “This allows our little to carry a gun were forced to march at the front lines school to actively shape its image as a high standing of the army – blowing their whistles to scare the enemy school while giving back to the community and and taking the first round of bullets – falling and those in need.” making a temporary barricade of children. It gets more heartbreaking as the story in the Congo The twins have been rather successful too; they’ve raised unfolds. Read their story and get involved around $3,000 and the drive is only in its second year. at FALLINGWHISTLES.COM
Michael said, “The entire Davidson body, students and staff, have been very cooperative, supportive, and enthusiastic about the club and its mission. Having such a great sponsor, [teacher]
Nancy Sladky, and peers who have the will and determination to help, has allowed this club to really flourish as it has in the school and in the community.” They believe that many of the students truly enjoy making a positive impact “even if it is halfway across the world.” Their support is not limited to their school. “Our parents have been extremely supportive,” Jason makes sure to say. The Jillellas’ father has donated many funds and their mother has baked and baked for their (very successful) bake sales at the school and at functions in the greater CSRA community. How can the Augusta community get involved? While many of the citizens are already apprised to the twins’ work, they continue to hold bake sales at many First Fridays and even met with the CSRA Peace Alliance last year. This year, they plan on going to more businesses, organizations, and schools to spread their message and expand their audience. “I’ve definitely learned that when you plan to organize something of this magnitude, you need a great deal of leadership and understanding to effectively accomplish your goals. I now realize that the will to help others never really goes away, no matter what sort of help it is you’re offering,” Michael said. The Jillellas are seniors and plan on graduating high school come spring. They are considering starting the club at the colleges they attend, and definitely cementing the organization’s spot in the community. PENNIESFORPEACE.ORG by ABBY SPASSER photo HOLLY BIRDSONG
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#10 TREAT THE HOMELESS WITH DIGNITY
When you encounter a homeless person, respond with kindness. Make eye contact and give the same respect as you would to any other person. Be pro-active, carry restaurant certificates. $5 at a local coffee shop can buy a good meal. | CHARITYGUIDE.ORG
HANDS ACROSS AUGUSTA
#11 BEFRIEND THE ELDERLY:
When Help Can’t Wait
“They are the forgotten.” This is how Donna Bowles describes the people she cares for as Executive Director of When Help Can’t Wait, a non-profit that provides for nursing home residents. She’s right. In a society that has use for people only as long as they are productive citizens, nursing homes too often become the attic of human existence: we put people there and forget about them. They get dusty. When Help Can’t Wait was founded four years ago by Helen McVickers when she discovered that internal funding wasn’t available to provide certain basic needs to nursing home residents. Her organization, which is funded entirely by donations and run by volunteers, now gives outside support to 21 nursing home facilities in the CSRA, and the services include traveling clothing boutiques for men and women, hand spas, donations of TVs and radios for residents’ entertainment, welcome baskets for new residents, volunteer chaplain and friendly visitors programs, and help planning activities for residents. Recently, When Help Can’t Wait partnered with Jefferson Energy Cooperative to install skylights in the Alzheimers unit of a local nursing home. According to Bowles, most nursing homes are non-profit or privately funded organizations that don’t have extra money to help residents. The residents themselves often receive $40-50 a month out of their Social Security money to pay for anything they may need. When Help Can’t Wait exists to fill in the gaps, making a difference in the lives of forgotten people. Donations of money or goods, especially men’s clothing and electronics, are needed. Whatever items are not given to residents are put into the organization’s major fundraiser, an annual yard sale. If you shop at Bi-Lo, you may also use your purchases to support When Help Can’t Wait. Volunteers to assist with When Help Can’t Wait programs are also needed. 706.855.0715 or WHENHELPCANTWAIT.COM | by CHARLOTTE OKIE
The Master’s Table Soup Kitchen, located at 702 Fenwick St. across from the Civic Center, serves lunch every day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for anybody in the community who needs a free meal. The kitchen is always in need of volunteers to help serve, wash dishes and package the food that comes in from drives and donations across the country. The Fenwick St. location needs at least 40 volunteers to serve the approximately 300 guests who flow through the dining room every day, though four additional locations also use volunteers to pack and sort incoming donations; volunteers are also needed to man special events such as the “It’s Spooky to be Hungry” drive in October.
#13 ADOPT A CHILD
#14 PROVIDE A HOME:
United Methodist Children’s Home
#12 DISH UP SOME SOUP: The Master’s Table
If the fabric of our city is its families, then the United Methodist Children’s’ Home is in the knitting and mending business. Augusta’s 190,000 people have an advocate in an organization that, according to its website, has stood the test of time as it seeks to “provide redemptive, healing services that bring meaningful change to the lives of children and families.”
“We serve them trays [of food] and clean up after them and just try to be very respectful,” said Beth Huggins, the volunteer coordinator for Church of the Good Shepherd. “Sometimes homeless people start to feel invisible, like they don’t matter, but they really do. We want to make sure to look them in the eye, call them ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ and let them know that they matter to us.”
“If just one family in one out of every four churches would adopt, there would be no more orphans in America.” – KAY WARREN PURPOSEDRIVEN.COM
The United Methodist Children’s Home is a faith-based organization with an overarching goal of bringing the “wholeness of God’s love to persons through Christ.” The staff and volunteers promote the integrity of the family unit in existing families as well as the future families of the teens and young adults who receive help in living healthy, independent lives. UMCH has been active in Atlanta since 1871, when it opened at first to care for Civil War orphans. As time has passed and the needs of Georgia families have changed, the organization has changed as well. Now it operates five offices around middle to northwest Georgia, including the location in Augusta. The UMCH’s Augusta office reaches residents in 11 surrounding counties. Its programs in this region include family counseling and education, parenting classes, and financial aid for the emergency needs of families. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and an appointment is required. If you would like to help, UMCH requests your prayers and your donations. Call 706.722.8669 or UMCHILDRENSHOME.ORG by CHARLOTTE OKIE
Volunteering with the Master’s Table can be an excellent way to satisfy community service requirements for traffic offenders or public housing residents. It’s also a popular service opportunity for church groups, and children as young as eight can volunteer with an adult’s permission. As Master’s Table volunteer coordinator Tammy Jackson notes. “It can be a real learning experience for anyone of any age.”
“The name ‘Soup Kitchen’ sometimes gives people a preconceived notion that it’s bad to be here, but the truth is that anybody might need help at any time,” said Jackson. “I always want parents to understand that everyone is invited to come and eat with us, and the vast majority of the guests are very grateful. If there’s ever a problem, we ask them to come find a staff member, and we’ll deal with any safety issues for our volunteers.” For more information about how to get involved with the Master’s Table, call 706.736.1199 and ask for Tammy Jackson. GOLDENHARVEST.ORG | article and photos by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK
#15 SAVE A LIFE: Shepeard Community Blood Center The simplest reason for donating blood is also the best: your simple act of donating blood can save a life. From tiny infants in neonatal intensive care units, to elderly individuals needing that vital surgery for one last chance at life, blood donations go on to help all sorts of people from all different ethnic backgrounds, ages and walks of life. It truly is “the gift that keeps on giving.”
Donating blood is not only good for our local community blood supply; it’s good for your health as well. A few years ago, a study found that giving blood every six months led to fewer heart attacks and strokes in test participants ages 43 to 61. So, give blood to someone who needs it and do your own body good at the same time. Better yet, when you donate blood at Shepeard Community Blood Center, your blood is a lifesaver to someone in our community – your donation stays right here. Contact 706. 737.4551 or visit SHEPEARDBLOOD.ORG.
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#16 STAMP OUT HUNGER
One in six American families go to bed hungry. Together, we can stamp out hunger in the CSRA. This season, stock up when grocery stores offer “buy one, get one free” on canned and boxed goods and double your food drive donations! Remember, hungry children need food year round, not just at Thanksgiving. | GOLDENHARVEST.ORG
HANDS ACROSS AUGUSTA
#18 DANCE TO A DIFFERENT TUNE:
#17 COOK A MEAL:
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-fromhome for the families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment at our local hospitals. As in most homes, food is a primary need at the House. Most of the families have spent a long day at the Children’s Medical Center caring for their child. They’re far from home, they’re tired, they’re worried, and they’re hungry. Here’s where we come in – where our southern hospitality has a chance to shine and make a difference. Now, I grew up right across the border in Aiken, SC, and I remember whenever anyone in our church was ill, the congregation used to shower that person with casseroles, pies, banana pudding, you name it. The food was good, but what was even better was the connection. Chicken pot pie came to mean compassion. The comforting, nourishing impact of a homemade meal can’t be measured. Meals for Ronald McDonald House are needed on a regular basis for about 25 people. So, pull out Grandma’s recipe book and start planning. We may not be able to solve the problems that bring these families to Augusta, but we can feed them a good meal – and remind them that they are not alone. Contact Paige Smith, the House Resident Manager, to get on the schedule: paige@rmhcaugusta.com or 706.724.5901. For more ways to get involved at Ronald McDonald House, visit RMHCAUGUSTA.COM. | by EDITOR
Understanding Not Ignoring Today’s Youth (U.N.I.T.Y)
It started innocently enough five years ago: a group of girls outside of Sunset Homes, dancing together in the middle of the road on a Sunday afternoon. Devon Drumgoole, co-owner of Velocity Studio on Broad Street, was on her way home from church with her son when she saw them. Something told her to stop and ask if she could help. “They were between the ages of 5 and 18, all in school, and here was something they could do together,” she says. And that’s how U.N.I.T.Y. was born — with one woman, a dance instructor, going door to door in one of Augusta’s most underprivileged neighborhoods, telling parents that she wanted to mentor their children. Understanding Not Ignoring Today’s Youth has grown from 25 girls to 65 students who participate in the music and dance instruction program. Classes are held at Velocity Studio and in the Augusta Common across the street. Students are held to strict rules of conduct and academics: respect for teachers and parents, upholding a good grade point average, punctuality, teamwork, proper language and attitude. These basic tenets of responsibility might not sound challenging to someone on the outside. But for these youngsters (primarily female), who come from broken homes, dysfunctional living conditions under the constant threat of drugs and crime, U.N.I.T.Y. is often the only system and outlet they have to express themselves, escape their surroundings and be held to any level of accountability. Drumgoole and her instructors are sometimes the only role models and caring adults in their lives. Drumgoole’s sister, Ave Maria, who owns and operates Velocity with her, says she’s not surprised by her sibling’s endeavors. Requests to come to a student’s school to assist with a problem, late-night distressed calls, “Auntie” Devon — it was all to be expected, says Ave Maria. The women grew up watching their own mother run 24-hour daycare services for12 years. “Kids and personal things; that’s what she was about,” says Drumgoole. “She was always there to give with no boundaries. I learned that from her, and I believe this is her legacy.”
#19 GIVE A HUG
U.N.I.T.Y. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization and they need your help. Students wear uniforms in order to represent their dance team during public performances and to be on equal ground. Drumgoole and her instructors provide transportation to and from dance classes. They need sponsors, financial donations and musical equipment. For what you spend on one evening out, you can stay home, make a donation, help pay for a child’s shirt or shoes, and know that you’re keeping them off the street and giving them a chance for a future. To help or learn more about U.N.I.T.Y., contact Devon Drumgoole at 706.504.4524. You can also visit Velocity Studio at 830 Broad Street to pick up an information packet. | by ALISON RICHTER photos by CLARK FOX
Augusta is full of children who have at least one parent deployed overseas. Operation Give A Hug provides special dolls for military kids to hug until they can hug Heritage Academy their deployed parent for real. Each doll Research has shown that children need four to six involved, provides a place for a photo of the caring adults in their life to fully develop emotionally and parent. Join the cause:
#20 BE A ROLE MODEL:
socially. One of the challenges today is that children receive too much peer socialization and not enough contact with mature adults. Mentoring programs provide children stable relationships with caring adults, giving a child increased self-confidence and selfesteem, leading to better academic achievement and more hope for the future.
OPERATIONGIVEAHUG.ORG
Devoted to providing a quality academic and spiritual education to children of inner-city and low income families, Heritage Academy provides such a mentoring program, in which adult volunteers are paired one-on-one with students, taking their own skills and interests and impressing them upon children’s lives. Linda Tucciarone, the school’s director, paraphrases Deuteronomy 6:7 in describing the basic idea behind the school’s mentor program: “Teach your children as you walk along the way.” Rather than a vague “counseling” approach, mentoring is centered on a shared one-on-one activity. Mentoring – the imparting of a positive influence toward the development of a child’s knowledge and character – subtly flourishes in the dynamic that grows between the adult and the student as they work together to build a robot or learn the strategies of chess. The effectiveness of the school’s approach is seen by its fruits: last year, Heritage had its first graduating class of 12 students, who went on to schools such as Aquinas, Davidson, and Westminster. Consider being a mentor at Heritage Academy. Visit their website under the “How You Can Help” section to find out more. HERITAGEACADEMYAUGUSTA.ORG | by SKYLER ANDREWS
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 15
#21 CHOOSE CANVAS BAGS
You would accumulate 1,000 fewer bags this year if you simply used a reusable bag when shopping. Paper and plastic bags are an environmental killer—they biodegrade slowly or not at all, deplete energy and natural resources, endanger wildlife, and poison our soil and waterways. So, from now on, when a store clerk asks “Paper or plastic?” proudly answer, “Canvas.”
#22 EMBRACE LITERACY: The
Friends of the Augusta Library
The love of books is often passed down through the generations. Children learn to read on their parents’ laps. And, often, that love begins at the local library. Tricia Hughes, mother and downtown Augusta advocate, is one such person.
#23 BUY LOCAL ART:
The Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Wet Paint Party
Those in and around the City of Augusta with a soft spot for the arts – and there are, thankfully, plenty of you – have an opportunity to support the Greater Augusta Arts Council and have fun discovering Augusta’s flourishing creative scene in the process.
“I am volunteering for Friends of the Augusta Library to honor my mother, a voracious reader who made certain my brother and I were readers too. While a high school student, my mother was first given any new library book. The Greater Augusta Arts Council She read quickly and had read everything else in the collection,” Tricia is sponsoring and hosting what said. “As children, we headed to the library regularly and frequented promises to be a pleasantly curious the bookmobile too. I remember the awe I felt when she told me the event: the Wet Paint Party on rules – I could choose anything I wanted – Saturday, December 4th, between unlike instructions received in the toy aisle at Join the students of Lakeside High School’s 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Sky City Woolworth’s!” National Honor Society and give the gift of
#24 GIVE A BOOK BUNDLE
(1157 Broad Street). Local artists
Libraries also played a significant role in the home school education of Tricia’s son. During library visits, Tricia would choose a book from each category of the Dewey Decimal System. At home, she would spread the books on the table and then watch which book he picked first for her to read with him. In this way, Tricia learned her son’s interests and tailored his curriculum accordingly.
reading to an underprivileged child. The (such as Leonard Zimmerman) Society is raising funds to purchase will be exhibiting and selling “bundles of books.” Charles LaMarsh, their pieces in an auction whose Bundles of Books founder, gave over proceeds will go to supporting the 150 bundles (of three new books) Arts Council. to needy kids last Christmas. LHSPANTHERS.COM The event’s name indicates its nature –
Tricia came to rely upon the East Central Georgia Regional Library (ECGRL) system which consists of 15 libraries encompassing five counties and serves about 300,000 people a year. The heart (and crown jewel) of this system is the Headquarters or Main Library, which moved into its new facilities on Telfair Street this past summer. The Friends of the Augusta Library play an integral role in the library’s daily operations, from a Friends’ book store nestled in the lobby of the Main Library, advocate for better government funding, create fundraising events to provide direct financial
“Being a volunteer involves you in an institution which epitomizes America: everyone has the same access to its materials and programs,” Gary Swint, director of the ECGRL, said. “The Friends help to provide funding for programs and books which government funding does not cover, and to provide extra workers to make the programs a success. They act as the public voice of the library, making sure that funding agencies are aware of the importance of the library in continuing education, from the cradle to the nursing home.” Friends of the Library work to fill the gaps for needs not covered by government funds, such as periodicals and furniture. The Friends accept donations of gently used books which find their way to the shelves for circulation or to the Friends’ Shop (located inside the Augusta Main Library) for resale. The shop also offers autographed books for sale by local authors, comfy throws depicting historic scenes of Augusta, as well as porcelain plates, artwork and jewelry.
CHRISTCOMMUNITYAUGUSTA.ORG
Concrete jungles are a soulless fancy restaurants, boutiques or glittering heat of sidewalks and in a strategically planted tree. O in the dead of July how importa vironment.
Trees for Augusta is a local no February of this year, but has al scenery. Take a look down Jone a few green additions? Yep, tha city planting that dates back to water to a dying seed that Augu ago. Crape Myrtles and Chines as a result.
This isn’t a ragtag bunch or gree amorphous “Save the Rainfores professionals cum philanthropi the civic-green version of a SW the barren cityscape with a tacti and get down to business.
To complement the Wet Paint Party, Vintage Ooollee and Modish Salon and Spa are hosting a Vintage Fashion and Hair Show. Featuring over 50 models, the fashion show will showcase styles from the 1940’s to the 80’s.
support, and provide library volunteers. The Friends are volunteers – people who believe in the central role libraries play in advocating learning to all citizens through books.
#26 HEAL THE SICK
#28 PLANT A TREE
attendees will witness the creative process as artists will create new works on-site. The results will be priced and auctioned off, so perhaps the muse might inspire bidders and painters alike. The party will be catered by various local restaurants, and will have a DJ setting a musical milieu, as fitting for the arts, artists, and art lovers. Each artist will set a price for his or her work that will serve as the starting bid in the auction, the net profits go to support the Arts Council (for a example, if a painting priced at $80 dollars ultimately sells for $90, $10 goes to the Council).
“He learned early the love and value of reading and the library helped provide the ultimate individual educational plan,” Tricia explained.
Tricia continues her mother’s legacy for the love of reading and her lifelong devotion to leaving a place better than she found it by making certain that an extensive variety of books, reading material and research aids are available to all for the betterment of the entire community. You can join Tricia on her quest to ensure that our local libraries continue by joining the Friends of the Library: An individual membership is $20. Family membership is $40. Special bonus discounts accompany membership in the Friends. For information call 706.821.2600. ECGRL.PUBLIC.LIB.GA.US
HANDS ACRO
Entrance to the Wet Paint Party for artist or attendee requires membership in the Arts Council. Not a member? Become one at the door – memberships start at $25 and include a myriad of year-long benefits. One membership option is to join the Contemporaries, a group of art aficionados between the ages of 21 and 40. Membership is $65 for individuals and $100 for couples, and includes free admittance to events like the Wet Paint Party. By joining the Arts Council, members provide a collective voice for arts advocacy, increased events showcasing Augusta’s artistic scene and further promote arts education.
There are still spaces open for artists who would like to paint on site or would like to display their works for auction. If one would like to jump into Augusta’s art scene by showing the world their talents, or just see what Augusta has to offer (or both), the Wet Paint Party boasts a chance to contribute Nationally, about 4 million pet dogs and cats to the motley beautification of are put to sleep each year due to overpopulation. the Garden City. Provide a loving home for one of the area’s many
#25 MAKE A FURRY FRIEND
homeless dogs and cats. Happy Tails Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter, can help you find a good pet that fits with your lifestyle and household. Or, you can foster an animal in transition - an integral role for the ongoing work at the rescue center. All animals are responsibly sterilized and vaccinated. CSRAHAPPYTAILS.COm
16 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
For more information, contact Grace Bowles at 706.826.4702 or visit AUGUSTAARTS.COM | by SKYLER ANDREWS
#31 LEARN CPR:
Bryan ure in d (3) Bo know h ing a ne size in this type
It’s not a me ects are simply to complete the ac projects will likely involve want to know more about this g resources, check out their websi ting ready to blossom and nee firmly planted. TREESFORAUG
#34 NOW SIGN U
Now is the time to take action in to serve and those that need go liaison between various non-pro involved to network with other
Angela Hillesland, the public rel ongoing needs, specific ways to organizations list items and serv
Getting connected is easy – simp few minutes to flip through the needs YOU. Now do it. Call Ang
ARCAUG.ORG
#32 TH
#27 READ EVERY MONDAY MATTERS
Every Monday Matters takes the 52 Mondays in a year and matches them up with 52 down-to-earth ways to make a difference. It’s a perfect way to have a positive impact, get others involved, and make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Order a copy from your local bookstore and don’t just read it. Live it.
OSS AUGUSTA
E: Trees for Augusta
s wasteland, no matter how many r cultural centers rise up from the asphalt. There is salvation, however, Or ten. Ask any downtown denizen ant trees are to their immediate en-
on-profit that just incorporated in lready made an impact on the local es Street near 11th Street … notice at’s them. Resurrecting an original the 1980’s, Trees for Augusta added usta/Richmond County started years se Pistache trees are flourishing now
en thumbs assembling in a chaotic, st” activist mob. These are business ists and tree specialists; essentially WAT. They plan ahead, descend on ical plan for beautifying the town
#29 PROMOTE YOUR HOMETOWN: You’d never guess that the first Westobou Festival was three years ago. The energy on the Augusta Common and throughout the city for 10 days created a sense of establishment, like an arts festival belongs here. And it does. It’s proven itself every year. The Augusta Arts Council lists more than 50 arts organizations in its CSRA directory. The Westobou Festival aims to gather these organizations and their artists into a cohesive annual event that pops with creative energy and pushes the envelope for cultural programming in the CSRA.
Haltermann, a relatively public figdowntown Augusta, is on this 501(c) oard of Directors. “I love trees and I how much they play a part in makeighborhood livable; most cities our the Southeast have a non-profit of e and it’s time we did too.”
embers-only club either. Some projy too big and require contract labor ctual digging and planting. Future e more manageable saplings. If you group and how you can donate your ite. They’ve got a lot of projects geted everyone’s help getting the roots GUSTA.ORG | by CLARK FOX
Already, the Westobou Festival has created a space for increasingly innovative work by area artists and arts groups. In 2008, for instance, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra brought the Cirque de la Symphonie to the city, and in 2009, the ASO produced Video Games Live, a very outside-the-box piece that could not have been done without Westobou funding. This year’s Andy Warhol/Dean & Britta exhibit, organized by Coco Rubio and Matthew Buzzell, similarly combined innovation, familiarity, and visual and aural arts. This is exactly the kind of work Westobou Executive Director Kathi Dimmock expects from arts groups as Westobou moves forward. “We’re fine-tuning the festival now,” she says, citing the addition of Artistic Coordinator Molly McDowell as a consultant to arts groups who are applying for Westobou money, as well as the new branding that now defines Westobou. Hiring Ms. McDowell and updating Westobou’s image have a similar goal: to push the festival to the “next level” by encouraging the CSRA’s arts groups to be bolder with what they give Augusta, and by promoting a simplified, more
impactful presence online and in festival literature (source: Kelly Jasper, The Augusta Chronicle). Named for the Indians who lived in the region surrounding the Westobou River (now the Savannah), the festival was founded in 2005 by the Trustees of the Academy of Richmond County on behalf of the Porter Fleming Foundation after a bequest from the estate of Shirley Fleming, a longtime supporter of the arts in the CSRA. Within five years of its founding, the festival will be funding itself, though the Foundation will likely continue to be involved in some way. A 2007 Americans for the Arts study shows that there is a direct correlation between the health of the arts and the health of the economy in a community. The non-profit arts industries in the U.S. generate $166.2 billion in economic activity per year, and 5.7 million full-time jobs. (source: CREATEHERE.ORG) The Westobou Festival is on the front end of this economic activity in the CSRA. It’s a clearinghouse for arts groups, a focal point for the day-in, day-out innovative activity that makes Augusta a good place to live. Use your money and time: attend the festival, volunteer to help, discuss it, and join in the communitywide conversation on cultural programming in our city. Most of all, support your neighbors. Artists are all among us. Want to get involved? The Westobou Festival cannot exist without volunteers to make the event happen. You can also join the Westobou Festival Visionary Circle of Friends, a group of individuals who give monetary and ideological support to the festival. Corporate and media sponsorships are always needed as well. For more information, contact Kathi Dimmock, Executive Director, Westobou Festival, at 706-755-2878 or kathi@westoboufestival.com. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM | by CHARLOTTE OKIE photo REDWOLF
UP AND DO SOMETHING: VolunteerAugusta.Com
n your community – and there’s no better place to start than with Volunteer Augusta, a powerful nexus between people in this city seeking oods and services. A grassroots project by the team at the Jim Hudson Lexus dealership, Volunteer Augusta was set up in 2000 to act as a ofit groups and volunteers. It also serves as a means to raise awareness of the diverse opportunities to serve and as a way for those already groups, businesses, and media outlets.
lations manager for Jim Hudson Lexus, tirelessly maintains the Volunteer Augusta website, an extensive database of volunteer organizations, serve and a calendar of upcoming volunteer opportunities. The site contains over 50 organizations. There’s also a “wish list” where several vices they need – for instance, Safe Homes needs cleaning products, and children’s toys, while Happy Tails Rescue could use cat crates.
ply go to the website and sign up to be kept abreast of new programs and opportunities. When needs arise, you’ll be the first to know. Take a site and see what is needed now – you might just find the right fit for you. Whatever your passion is, there is an organization out there that gela Hillesland at 706.650.9999, check out Volunteer Augusta on Facebook. VOLUNTEERAUGUSTA.COM | by SKYLER ANDREWS
HANK A HERO:
ANYSOLDIER.COM
#30 ATTEND A CONCERT
For seven years, St. John’s Methodist Church has been bringing in exceptional musicians for Concerts with a Cause. During each free concert, a love offering is gathered — not for the musicians — but for a local charity. On 11/21, Joseph Jennings, former music director of the Grammy-winning a cappella men’s group, Chanticleer and the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, will conduct a men’s chorus for a Thanksgiving concert at 3 p.m. Donations will be given to The Master’s Table. For a full schedule:
#33 WRITE A NOTE OF GRATITUDE
STJOHNAUGUSTA.ORG
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 17
18 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
CHOW BELLA: FAT MAN’S MILL CAFE New Digs Brings Back the Southern Warmth of the Cafe fresh food bites
Turn Leftover Turkey into a Healthy Tradition It’s no secret that Thanksgiving is a food holiday. Sure it’s a chance to give thanks for all of life’s little blessings and within those blessings can be found the delicious family food traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. Of course, each generation tosses in a few new twists but, in the end, the traditions continue to get passed down. These traditions are why, on every Thanksgiving, I believe we should toss the healthy rule book out the window and enjoy a glorious sleep-inducing starchfest of comforting goodness. Man, I can almost taste the memories! But, remember, there is the good news that despite all that wicked carb-filled goodness, there is usually plenty of turkey left over. If you choose to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey in the traditional ovencooked way (as opposed to the deep-fat-fryer version), you’ll be left with tons of great meat to turn into after Thanksgiving meals. One of my favorites? Barbeque! Yes, I said it! But, once again, it’s after Thanksgiving so, for me, regular healthy day-to-day rules once again apply. But don’t fret, here’s a recipe I think you’ll dig.
Gobble Gobble Hey! Smart BBQ Turkey Leftover Thanksgiving turkey (pulled, shredded, or chopped) Whole wheat or white wheat hamburger buns Low-Sugar BBQ Sauce Low-Sugar BBQ Sauce 1 to 3 teaspoons of Liquid Smoke 1 small onion minced 1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste 1 can (12 oz) diet cola (Splenda-sweetened) 1/4 cup low carb (sugar-free) catsup (or tablespoon of vinegar & sweetener to taste) 3 tablespoons dry mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
It feels like fall in Augusta, finally! I thought it would never come. Although, with the chill in the air, comes the chill in the bones that brings with it the sting of cold season. I am already sick, and as I write this I am wearing my favorite flannel and drinking some Vitamin C tea to ward off the “geebees,” because I already caught the “heebees.” Although, I gladly trade a week of sickness for the chance to wear layers, scarves, and boots. You will hear me say it about a million times; fall is my favorite season. It rained all day today (which I am still happy with), so I took a chilly drive over to the newly relocated Fat Man’s Cafe at Enterprise Mill. I met a bundled up friend for a late lunch. The first thing I notice is how much better this space is than their last location. It feels cozy and spacious, and the decor is vastly improved over the kitschy murals of the past; no offense to those who liked it. Simply put, much better. The Cafe was decorated sweetly for fall, with pumpkins and an old accordion that drew my eye. I fully intended on getting something warm to offset the cold and rain outside, but a wrap caught my eye, mostly because of my love affair with feta cheese. I decided on the Joey’s Wrap with potato salad as a side and a shared portion of banana pudding. The wrap was huge and required two hands and a knife; which is a good thing in my book. I really enjoyed the chicken, mixed with banana peppers and feta. It was tender and nicely seasoned; the tortilla would have been delicious on its own. The potato salad tasted like what it should taste like - your southern grandmother’s own. I failed to mention the banana pudding that we actually decided to eat before the meal, because who cares about social eating rules. I love banana pudding and always jump at the chance to have some. Fat Man’s version has that airy goodness that banana pudding is supposed to have. All in all, my jaunt to Fat Man’s Cafe was a good experience. Combined with the new surroundings, I think they have found hip new home for this seasoned cafe that will be pleasing to Augustans. I think most people can agree we are glad Fat Man’s has stood the test of time; it is a piece of Augusta we don’t want to do without. Fat Man’s Mill Cafe is located in the Enterprise Mill Courtyard at 1450 Greene Street, Suite 600. The Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information: 706.733.1740 or FATMANS.COM article and photos by ELIZABETH BENSON
from Nandina’s: A FALL HARVEST TABLE Set a bountiful table full of rustic colors and textures. Mix in great-grandmother’s heirlooms and this table setting delights the eye with simple lines and whimsical peacocks.
In a two-quart pan, cook onion for about 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat using a very small amount of water. Add fresh garlic during the last minute. Add remaining ingredients, except Liquid Smoke, plus a 1/2 cup of water. Stir well and let simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. (If you are using the vinegar/sweetener instead of catsup, a liquid sweetener works best but even making a Splenda/ water mix will work) Take turkey and Liquid Smoke and stir into sauce. Let simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Taste and try adjusting to your preference by adding salt, Tabasco, or more sweetener. All that’s left to do now is toss some of your Smart BBQ Turkey on a whole wheat or white wheat hamburger bun and dig in! Try a couple of bread & butter pickles (they make “No Sugar Added” versions) and for those REALLY watching the carbs ... skip the bun and try solo or over a bed of lettuce. So go ahead, be thankful it’s almost Thanksgiving ... or that it’s almost AFTER Thanksgiving! by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON John believes that anyone can learn to eat healthier - in small steps - taking one bite at a time.
MAIN INGREDIENTS: 1 | Porcelain Olive Tray with Copper Base: $20 3 | Burnished Blonde Clarinet Shaped Vase: $115
2 | Linen Tea Towels with Embroidered Ferns: $16 each 4 | Decorative Snowy Peacock with Feathers: $70
FIND IT: Nandina Home & Design | 158 Laurens St. SW, Aiken | 803.649.0616 | nandinahome.com
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 19
LIVE MUSIC: SAM BUSH
The Master of New Grass Finds True Joy in The Music Most often associated with bluegrass, Sam Bush has done much to expand the genre, blending everything from jazz to reggae into his music. Circles Around Me, his seventh solo album, was released in October 2009, a month after he was awarded the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist award. Bush and his band are no strangers to Augusta, having performed here several times. Prior to their upcoming concert, he spoke to verge about the enjoyable challenges of his craft, the changing landscape of the industry, and the topic that remains foremost on most musicians’ minds: the Beatles.
“Maybe because I have such a joyful way of making a living, it keeps me young.” - SAM BUSH
VERGE: There’s a quote in your bio: “In my brain I’m still 17, but I look in the mirror and I’m 57.” BUSH: It’s 58 now! I think music keeps me young. It’s a reward. I travel for a living, I spend a couple of hours onstage and that’s the reward. Maybe because I have such a joyful way of making a living, it keeps me young. I get to connect with people of all ages. The greatest thing is when you have a younger audience to keep it fresh and exciting. I remember the excitement in my early 20s of going to shows. I still have that. I enjoy what I do. VERGE: You now have the artistic luxury of doing whatever you want. What got you there? BUSH: I think it’s always been there. Way back when I first got out of high school and started New Grass Revival, we played it the way we felt it. I was fortunate to have great musical friends and a situation to step into where I could stretch myself. I still do. The two years I played music for the Augusta Ballet were among the most incredible, challenging things I’ve done. The way we play, we’re free to improvise, but when you play music for the ballet, if you play one bar for too long, you mess up the dancers. It was the most disciplined thing ever. I’ve really been fortunate to be in great situations with generous people. But getting back to the original question, yes, the reason I have the freedom to do what I want is because I worked at it for 40 years, stuck with it, and found what’s true and means something to me. That’s what I have to go by. If anyone had told me to make a radio-friendly record — because they do that — well, not when you grow up playing mandolin and fiddle! VERGE: Are you able to stand outside of this and see how much you have accomplished and how many musicians you inspire? BUSH: It’s been said from time to time, but I don’t look at it in that way because I’m still trying to improve as a player, singer, bandleader and someone who talks into a mic. I understand the influence on younger people, but I’m only one of many who have. I play with other musicians in different ensembles and hopefully we can continue to be influences. I’m still influenced by my heroes, and I think that music would not be joyful if I didn’t improve. If anything, the last five years or longer, I’ve been going through the joy of rediscovering co-writing with friends. Before we come to Augusta, I’m going to Germany with Bill Evans, who’s an incredible sax player who worked with Miles Davis. It’s going to be very challenging for me to try and do this. VERGE: Have you been affected by downloading? BUSH: Yes. Stealing is of concern, of course. And there simply aren’t as many places to buy CDs anymore, and it affects every genre. On the other hand, you get to take advantage of people experiencing your music, but they’re not taking advantage the way they were a year ago. Sure, things have changed, and you have to use technology. I still love listening to records, so what directly affects me is that there aren’t many places to buy. I like going to the stores and looking at the jackets and covers. I miss being able to go to a place like Tower, which was a major chain, but they carried a lot of great records. I’m not wishing for the “good old days,” because there are some good things today: it’s good to be able to go to YouTube and see performances by Bill Monroe. The information that’s available is great, and as long as we’re able to still make music, that’s important. I sit in a sense of wonderment sometimes and ask myself if the songs that are popular now for the young audience will mean as much to them
years from now as it means to me when I hear the Beatles, who were so great and still sound so good. What will we listen to 40 years from now, and will it mean something? Last Christmas I got the Beatles’ CD collection, and it’s just amazing to listen to in sequence and hear the growth of that group in such a short time.
Plan to Go
VERGE: As a result of available recording technology, have musicians become too focused on perfection rather than letting the music flow spontaneously? BUSH: Not for me, because we sit in a room and play together — and so did the Beatles. When you think about technology, the Beatles were stretching the boundaries at the time when they were syncing two four-track tape recorders together to make Sgt. Pepper, using Mellotrons, early synths, and the way they miked instruments, and with George Martin’s incredible ears as a producer, they were possibly pushing the envelope more than we do now searching for new sounds. 40 years later it is hard to turn over new stones, even though it is done. Sun Records recording Elvis was cutting-edge technology. I love to hear Lester Flatt sing flat. It wouldn’t sound right if they had corrected every note. I still think great musical performance is about the performance, not about perfection. We all strive for perfection, but I’ll choose performance over being in tune anytime.
20 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
by ALISON RICHTER
WHO Southern Soul and Song presents Sam Bush WHERE The Imperial Theatre WHEN Friday, November 19 at 7:30 pm TICKETS $12.50 to $35 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM MORE | SAMBUSH.COM
18 NOV
Explore More|Food|Music|Dance|Fun
21 NOV
Cooking with Chef Virginia Willis
Thursday November 18 | Sacred Heart | 10 am to 5 pm | Free French and Southern cuisine unite under the capable hands of Chef Virginia Willis, author of the cookbook Bon Appetit, Y’all. Willis will be front and center to share her cooking techniques and special recipes during Sacred Heart’s annual open house on November 18th. Purchase of “Bon Appetit, Y’all” includes a ticket to Willis’ cooking demonstration at 1 p.m. (or tickets to the demo are $10 each). The Sacred Heart Gift Store will be chock full of holiday decorating and gift items. Refreshments and free gift wrapping will also be available. Need more goodies? The Guild will be selling home-baked goods. Come back to Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. for the annual Children’s Chorale Just Desserts Concert. Tickets are $10 each. SACREDHEARTAUGUSTA.ORG
26 NOV
Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy
Sunday, November 21 | Morris Museum | 2 to 4 pm | $5 Join the Morris Museum and Dance Augusta for a magical afternoon with the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Prince, and Clara from the Nutcracker ballet. Feast on cookies, create your own tiara or crown, and get your photo taken with these splendid characters in the Morris’s first-floor auditorium. THEMORRIS.ORG
23 NOV
The Nutcracker by Dance Augusta
Thanksgiving Weekend | Imperial Theatre | $17 to $40 Don your best party dress – it’s time for the annual holiday tradition of Dance Augusta’s Nutcracker. The magical tale of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, defeats the very scary seven-headed Mouse King, and wanders through the Land of Sweets. The entire family will enjoy this classic holiday tale. Friday, 11/26 at 7 p.m., Saturday 11/27 and Sunday 11/28 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM
27 NOV
Ice Racing
Saturday, November 27 James Brown Arena | 7:30 pm $10 to $25 Hold on to your seats – you haven’t seen anything quite like ATV Ice Racing. With no holds barred, where anything goes, this competition pits motorcycles and ATVs against each other – racing indoors on ice. Whoever said that racing is not a contact sport obviously has never seen an ice unlimited outlaw quad race! (For newbies, an outlaw quad is a souped-up ATV). The machines and the colorful characters who ride them must be seen to be believed. Over 20 races will be contested at each championship round. This may truly be the “Greatest Spectacle on Ice.” JAMESBROWNARENA.COM
The D’Amore Duo
Tuesday, November 23 | St. Paul’s Church | Noon | Free The D’Amore Duo brings together the outstanding young virtuosos American Guitarist William Feasley and Russian Oboist Vladimir Lande. In performances marked by the distinct coloring of their contrasting instruments and musical heritage, they create with a musical vitality that sparkles with insight and originality. The D’Amore Duo’s repertoire encompasses a variety of styles and influences spanning more than 300 years of original music for plucked string and double reed. William Feasley’s imaginative new arrangements of classics ranging from Telemann and Bach to Vaughan Williams and Scott Joplin are further complemented by exciting new music written expressly for the duo’s own unique talents. Winners of the 1990 Baltimore Chamber Music Awards and the 1993 Montpelier Recitalist Competition, The D’Amore Duo is quickly gaining recognition as a popular component of many chamber music series, and their workshops, master classes, and children’s programs are renowned. Reservations for the catered lunch after the performance ($10): 706.722.3463 or TUESDAYSMUSICLIVE.COM
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 21
THE FILM REEL
The Deathly Hallows I To 3D or not to 3D? That is the question Warner Bros. faced with a tight deadline for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I. Ultimately, the studio decided not to keep audiences waiting for the “beginning of the end” of the saga featuring pop culture’s favorite teenage wizard. Even without revenue from inflated 3D ticket prices, the 2D (and IMAX) November 19th release is still expected to be November’s undisputed box office champion. Fans of J.K. Rowling’s novels already know how this one ends, since the final book in the Harry Potter series was released in 2007. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) must travel great distances to find Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes, which are magical objects containing pieces of the villain’s soul – all necessary to defeat the Wizarding World’s most sinister figure once and for all. Several accomplished British actors are featured in the Potter films, including Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter.
RALPH FIENNES AS THE INIMITABLE LORD VOLDEMORT
David Yates directed the magically-gifted teens in this installment of their tale. Yates also directed the series’ previous two films, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Prior to his tenure, the Potter films offered one film each to directors Mike Newell and Alfonso Cuaron, and two to Chris Columbus. Harry Potter hit the big screen in 2001 and nearly a decade later moviegoers still haven’t seen the last of him, even though the books focus on just seven years of Harry’s life. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is slated for release in July 2011 and distributors claim it will be offered in 3D. Deathly Hallows is the franchise’s only book to be split into two feature films. Only one film will face Harry Potter head-on and it features Russell Crowe, who hasn’t had much luck as a box office draw in recent years. Crowe stars in THE NEXT THREE DAYS, a film from writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, In the Valley of Elah). The story was adapted from a 2008 French thriller by writer-director Fred Cavaye, Pour Elle (Anything for Her), and finds Crowe’s character trying to spring his wrongly imprisoned wife (Elizabeth Banks) from jail after she attempts suicide while in custody. Liam Neeson also stars.
LIAM NEESON IN THE NEXT THREE DAYS
Thanksgiving openers greet audiences on Wednesday, November 24th. A new movie joins the genre of female-driven musicals (like Chicago, Dreamgirls and last year’s opener Nine) targeted at audiences during the holidays. BURLESQUE features veteran singer and acting newbie Christina Aguilera as a wannabe star who waitresses at a club run by an aging performer, played by Cher (Oscar-winner for Moonstruck). Aguilera’s character gets her chance to shine onstage in the neo-burlesque club, but faces personal and professional conundrums in her rise to stardom. Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell and Julianne Hough (Dancing with the Stars) round out the cast of this film from writer-director Steven Antin.
GYLLENHAAL AND HATHAWAY IN LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS
Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal steam up the big-screen with racy rendezvous in LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS. Gyllenhaal plays a charismatic ladies man and pharmaceutical rep who introduces Viagra to the market. He becomes involved with Hathaway’s free-spirited artist and lust eventually turns into love for the pair. This film comes from writer-director Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai, Defiance) and was adapted from the book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy.
Other Thanksgiving openers include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Tooth Fairy, Get Smart) as a vengeance-seeking ex-con in the R-rated action flick FASTER, while singer-actress Mandy Moore lends her voice to Rapunzel in Disney’s 3D CGI-animated modernized fairy tale, TANGLED. by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU
22 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
LIVE MUSIC: THE IT BOYS!
Catchy Tunes + Emo Hair + Youthful Energy Make These Boys IT
“I think
I’m a genius and anything I write is great [laughs], but that doesn’t mean the
rest of the world is
going to feel like that!” - TOMMY COOPS
Just over a year ago, vocalist Matt Cutshall was looking for musicians with whom he could start a band. The emphasis would be on catchy songs, strong on hooks and melodies. A native of Portland, Oregon, who had relocated to Los Angeles, Cutshall called home and enticed his longtime friends and former bandmates Judah and Duck Leary to join him on guitar and drums, respectively. With the addition of Los Angeles musicians Tommy Coops on bass and Jeff Oster on guitar, It Boys! was formed. In a matter of months they were selling out The Roxy in L.A. and racking up hundreds of thousands of plays on their Myspace page, MYSPACE.COM/ITBOYS.
study songwriters and bands, not bass players per se. I look to be an amazing writer rather than an amazing bass player. This is actually my first serious band that has gone on tour. I’ve been hired on for other projects before, and I’ve been writing and recording forever. I wrote for Jeffree and I played guitar for him for a year, and toured Europe with him, but this is the first time with a band that I helped create.
It Boys! are on the road promoting their new EP, The Dream. Tommy Coops spoke to verge about what’s ahead for the band and the importance of playing for all-ages crowds.
VERGE: What is the role of the bass in It Boys!?
VERGE: When did you realize that things were taking off?
VERGE: How did you get on the Jeffree Star tour?
COOPS: When the “Miss Hollywood” video came out, in two weeks it had 50,000 views and we thought, “People like this.” Our first show at The Roxy sold out immediately. We live in L.A. and we had friends at the show, but mostly there were kids we had never met. Our tour has taken us to places we’ve never been as a band, and kids tell us that they love the music. It’s growing every day, the shows are getting bigger, and touring with Jeffree Star is picking up a country-wide fan base. Our biggest tool is Twitter; that’s what got us on E! News, which led to more views and more features. The Internet is the biggest tool we’ve had.
COOPS: We did a tour with Rookie Of The Year and then Runner Runner and We The Kings, then back to Los Angeles for three weeks before starting the tour with Jeffree and Dev. We are mutual friends in Hollywood and we’ve done the Warped Tour scene. He liked our music, and we did “Just Dance,” the Lady Gaga cover, with him. He asked us to do this nationwide tour and we are excited. Dev, from the Cataracs, is really blowing up, so this is going to be a successful tour.
VERGE: How does your songwriting process work?
COOPS: We play mostly all-ages shows. We’ve played 18 and over and we were super bummed because there were kids outside who couldn’t get in. It doesn’t make sense for us to play a venue that’s 18 and up. For the most part, our booking agent does not put us in 21-and-over clubs. A few people there like us, but most of our fans are younger and we feel bad when they can’t get into a show.
COOPS: It usually starts with one of us, usually Matt or me, with the general idea. I have a studio at home and we’ll create a guitar line, loop it, put together the skeleton of the song and everybody adds their parts. We collaborate with outside writers, which is my favorite way to write. Getting an outside perspective … I think I’m a genius and anything I write is great [laughs], but that doesn’t mean the rest of the world is going to feel like that! So an honest outside opinion is a great thing. It helps you grow. The only way to learn is to be around people who know what they’re doing. VERGE: The teen magazines have given you a lot of positive press. Is that also a credibility risk? COOPS: That has crossed our minds, but the music we write and the world we want to live in — younger kids are our market. The 18- to 20-year-olds at the shows are awesome, but kids support the band. Kids who are 11 to 16, that’s the demographic we reach, and those kids understand and care about what bands have to say. My age, the 21-year-olds, they download something, listen to it for a week and then throw it out. The younger kids don’t outgrow you for years.
VERGE: Are you playing a lot of all-ages venues or are most of the clubs 18 and up?
VERGE: When did you start playing bass?
COOPS: Duck and I handle a lot of the backbone of the songs live, but in the studio I took a very big part in writing and playing keyboards. A lot of our stuff is keyboard-driven and there’s a lot of that on the record. The bass and drums in this band are about keeping the beat. Everyone follows us to keep the groove, keep it steady and keep the time and the tempo of the song. VERGE: How long have you been using a Fender bass and Orange amp? What do you like about that particular combination? COOPS: We all use that combination. That’s the amp that many of us wanted to play our entire lives, and Fender is the biggest company ever. Both companies endorse us and do a lot of stuff with us. I would never play anything but that combo. I have two American P basses, an Orange 4x10 cab, a Fender 250 head, and the other guys are using Tele’s with Orange 2x12’s. It’s the best combo for pop music. The tones are crunchy and as clean as possible, and the mid-tone between the two is the brightest, nicest tone that I have ever heard. by ALISON RICHTER
Plan to Go
COOPS: I’ve been dabbling with guitar and bass for a while. I played keyboards before. When we parted ways with our bass player, we wanted to stay a five-piece, so I picked up the bass super seriously eight months ago out of necessity, and I love it. VERGE: Who are your influences? COOPS: It’s a wide spectrum. I have a pop-punk background and so does Jeff. Matt is into Top 40 and R&B, Duck and Judah are into heavier, hardcore music. Together, we add all those elements and it’s poppy and dancey with attitude from our different backgrounds. I’m listening to Katy Perry right now, if you want to narrow it down. I don’t have a bass mentor. I listen to songwriters. I love Elton John, Bon Jovi and Poison. I
WHO It Boys! + Jeffree Star + Dev WHERE Sector7G WHEN Tuesday, November 23 at 7:30 pm TICKETS $12 ADV KAPIRO.COM MORE | MYSPACE.COM/ITBOYS
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 23
24 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
LIVE MUSIC: L.A. GUNS
Cocked, Loaded, and Aiming for Augusta
“It’s all about sex, drugs and rock & roll and that hasn’t changed.” If you were a teenager during the classic MTV era of the 1980’s, you would have been hardpressed to remain unexposed to “hair metal.” And, if your list of weekly priorities included making sure the VCR was set to tape MTV’s Head Bangers Ball, you were obviously a fan.Toss in picking up magazines like Circus and checking out the few local hair bands and you have the whole Augusta hair metal experience in a nutshell.
and I never went back.
But for those true die-hard CSRA hair metal fans who never gave up hope, the wait is about to pay off. On November 19th, Jonathan Karow and Rock Bottom Music kick off the “Arena Rock Series” and this first show features one of the 80’s most rockin’ and sleazy bands, L.A. Guns.
PHIL: Come to a show and check us out. We always deliver the goods. We always connect with our crowd whether it’s a small one in a club or a larger arena crowd. People mistakenly categorize us as a one-hit band and that’s not true. Our songs have stood the test of time.
For those of you trying to clear out the cobwebs from one too many loud parties back in the day, L.A. Guns was that hard-hitting Los Angeles band who broke out with their debut self-titled album and the killer tune “Sex Action” before completely taking over MTV with sophomore release Cocked & Loaded which featured hit “The Ballad of Jayne.” By the time the 90’s rolled around, the band found themselves with three gold album awards, one platinum album award, and a pair of gold video awards. Over 20 years later, after releasing a ton of albums with different lineups, L.A. Guns remains for some a lost gem of a wild time since gone. 2010 finds the world with two different sets of L.A. Guns – the harder more modern sounding Guns led by original guitarist Tracii Guns and the Guns that will hit Augusta (and the one that many say sound most like the original L.A. Guns) featuring original vocalist Phil Lewis, long-time drummer Steve Riley, bassist Kenny Kweens, and guitarist Stacey Blades. Phil Lewis chatted with our own Stoney Cannon about the old days, the new days, and all the days in between. STONEY: So, Phil, you looking forward to coming to Augusta, Georgia? PHIL: You never know with these things; it’s an adventure. One night can be a big arena opening for a huge band – Scorpions, Vince Neil, whoever – or by ourselves in some funny little club in Augusta, Georgia. But we put on the same show. It makes no difference to us. VERGE: What would you say is the biggest difference between back when you were first
kicking things off and now? PHIL: The excitement and adrenaline can never be matched. When you’re a new, fresh band from the scene, it’s like being shot out of a cannon and there’s nothing to describe that. It’s every musician’s dream to hit the jackpot – to get a record deal, and the record to come out and do well. In terms of our attitude, I think it’s a bit better now because we’re better musicians; that’s for sure. Back then, we really didn’t know what we were doing, just throwing it against the wall to see what stuck. STONEY: Speaking of the younger generation, do you follow any of the bands lately who have been playing more old school rock and roll? PHIL: Veins of Jenna are awesome, great band. Towers of London – they’re kind of like the L.A. Guns – and Hanoi Rocks. Both of those bands are also excellent. STONEY: Now, Veins of Jenna moved from Europe and eventually hooked up with an American singer but you left Europe on your own and ended up in L.A. with a band of American musicians. How difficult was that just to pack up and go to a whole other country on your own? PHIL: I’ll be honest, the band requested that I come out for an audition so it wasn’t like I just showed up at the airport wondering what I was going to do! But even so, after I got the gig [with L.A. Guns], it was a huge change for me. I literally just came with a couple hundred bucks and a hair dryer. It was great but, on the other hand, my whole life, my whole English life, I had given it up. People in England must have though I died. I just disappeared one day
STONEY: Let’s talk about L.A. Guns now. You’re not only keeping the spirit of the band alive but building on it as well. What is L.A. Guns about now?
STONEY: With all those great songs, how do you guys decide what tunes to play? PHIL: We do have a lot of music out there. It’s very difficult for us to play all the songs that everyone wants to hear. The essential songs – “Sex Action,” “Never Enough,” “The Ballad of Jayne,” “Electric Gypsy” – these are what we call the nuggets and they’re in every show. And then we have the second division of songs, like maybe “Long Time Dead” or “Over the Edge,” that we can sort of rotate in the set. Then we have the third division which is like stuff from Tales and Waking the Dead. I get the impression that people like it and we always pick something strong. STONEY: Did you think back in the 80’s that 20 plus years later you’d still be kicking it and playing with your peers from back then?
PHIL: To be honest with you, I didn’t expect to still be around at all, let alone out rocking, considering the way we lived back then. It’s great and it’s a testament to the music. When people come out to an L.A. Guns show, it’s for a good time. We’re not gonna get political, we have no social agenda. It’s all about sex, drugs, and rock & roll and that hasn’t changed over the twenty years. STONEY: What do you consider a highlight on this current tour? PHIL: I’m really pleased that Bret Michaels, Vince Neil, The Scorpions and Cinderella have all considered us a worthy act to go out and play before them. To have the opportunity to play to these legendary artists’ crowds is what sticks out the most. It’s been a great summer – great shows, great pictures, great fun – it’s good to be in L.A. Guns. Break out the old rock tees and big hair when L.A. Guns hits the stage. For old school hair metal fans, this is just the beginning for the Arena Rock Series. Adler’s Appetite, featuring original Guns and Roses drummer Steven Adler hits Sky City on January 21st and on February 26th, Bango Tango brings the rock! So until then, devil horns up in the air, folks! by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON
Plan to Go WHAT L.A. Guns + Midnight Moon + Jemani WHERE Coyotes Nightclub WHEN Friday, 11/19 at 8 pm | 21+ TICKETS $15 ADV AT ROCK BOTTOM MUSIC WHAT L.A. Guns Meet & Greet WHERE Rock Bottom Music | 758 Broad St. WHEN Friday, 11/19 at 5 pm | All Ages TICKETS FREE MORE | LAGUNS.NET
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 25
CD RELEASE: NOSTAR Baby Don’t Look Down
NoStar CD Release Party
Thursday, December 2 | Sky City | 8 pm | $12 (includes CD) It wasn’t all that long ago that local band NoStar released their amazing eponymous debut album full of supercharged blues energy. Now, Carey Murdock, lead singer and guitarist of the band, has a new slice of his infectious blues rock ready for fans to consume in the form of Baby, Don’t Look Down. Full of life and original in a way that many bands couldn’t even come close to touching, NoStar brings all the original roots of rock to their music and turns them into something brimming with life. In many ways, NoStar is the love child of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits, with a little Chris Cornell from Soundgarden thrown in for good measure.
Baby, Don’t Look Down is sultry,
southern fried blues interpreted
through one of the finest musicians this town has ever known. Produced by Augusta’s own Patrick Blanchard, the eleven song strong Baby, Don’t Look Down will be available at the CD release party on Thursday, December 2nd, at Sky City at 8 p.m. For twelve bucks, NoStar’s fans will get in to see the band and receive a copy of the new
album. That’s an awesome bargain. Last year’s NoStar CD-release party was sold out and this year promises to be the same. The new album contains some of Murdock’s most musically inspired songs to date including the slow-tempo, yet emotionally moving, opening track “Gambler,” and displays some great guitar work on “Don’t Look Down.” The release moves into more up-tempo country-rock with “Baby My Heart,” “Silvergirl,” “These Things will Drag you Down,” and “Young Love.” Then, there’s an incredible track – “Nobody Like My Girl” – that has some spectacular horn work. The closing track “Augusta” obviously stirs something deep within anyone who has spent considerable time in this town and grown to love all the intricacies of southern city life. NoStar predominately features Murdock singing, playing guitar, and playing the harmonica on the album. Pat Blanchard chimes in with guitar and drums, while “Sparky” Sleister plays saxophone on Baby, Don’t Look Down. With their second album, NoStar really outdoes itself this time around with a well crafted and truly beautiful piece of blues rock. Baby, Don’t Look Down is sultry, southern fried blues interpreted through one of the finest musicians this town has ever known, everything coming together as a truly unique, innovative masterpiece. Anyone who doesn’t have this in their record collection will be missing something vital in their lives. NOSTARBAND.COM.
by DINO LULL
26 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
IN PROGRESS: EMPORIUM SPORTS: THE RIVERHAWKS Parking & Security Solutions (VIII) A Look at Hockey in Action
right: RIVERHAWKS FORWARD NEIL GRAHAM, a Calgary native, disregards a defending Ice Bears blocker and slaps the puck to the Knoxville goal. below: AN ICE BEAR FORWARD TAKES A TUMBLE with a Hawk falling dangerously close to his opponents blades.
Visitors passing in front of the Emporium historical rehabilitation project on Broad Street have been faced with a wooden fence, but once the wall comes down sightseers may be interested in seeing what all that work has been creating. “Right now they would see a big open room with a new floor, painted walls and modern environmental control but that’s about it,” said owner Natalie McLeod. “We’re not planning on dividing it up in case some business wants the entire retail space, but we easily could if we need to. We’re trying to stay as versatile as possible when it comes to pleasing renters.” The store front, which should be in place within the next few weeks, is the largest unfinished item. Already, Christian Millwork has reproduced transom windows to match old photographs of the building that would meet historical demands, with the exception that these new windows are also insulated. Even once the front is complete it will likely remain concealed by the wooden fence for safety reasons until construction is complete at the end of the year. “I just had a conversation with the general contractor this morning where I said to him ‘Mark, I need a very realistic estimate of when we will be able to complete this,’” said McLeod. “He said it would certainly be Dec. 31st, because that’s what we’ve been aiming for this whole time.” Spectators looking for progress might do better to look at the building’s rear, where they would find not only a walk-in entrance, bike ramp and lobby, but a garage opening leading to the 10-space in-house parking lot. Because 10 spaces won’t necessarily accommodate the building’s nine apartments, McLeod has also purchased the lots behind the building for residential overflow parking. An automatic gate there will respond to an electro-magnetic device called a ‘fob,’ which McLeod hails as a tremendous convenience
for residents and workers. The beauty of the fob is that each one can be individually programmed to allow access only to certain areas,” she said. “Retailers renting out the commercial space might be able to get to their work areas, but not go up into the resident’s areas, while the people living in the building can come in through any door.” “Everyone’s fob will open the parking gate, but the people living on the third story will have the only fob that allows the elevator to go up to that level,” she added. Two elevators are almost ready to be inspected, after which they will be available to transport people from the roof to the basement, where each apartment has a locked cage for additional storage. An additional convenience will allow renters to let guests in the back door without leaving the comfort of their apartment through use of a screen that displays the person ringing the doorbell. This is still being added to the front three apartments which are most complete, but will eventually be a part of every apartment. Following the installation of the front windows, McLeod believes the rest is merely finishing details. She also feels an immense sense of gratitude to all employees of Capers and Associates who worked on the Emporium. “Everybody has been amazed that the construction company has been willing to get the job done in the limited timeframe we had available,” she said. “They rushed and pushed as hard as they could and it’s been going wonderfully. It looks like we’re going to come out on top.” Follow the progress of renovations to The Emporium at 1106 Broad Street from vacant, derelict property to a vibrant residential/ commercial gem. Missed an episode? Check out back issues at VERGELIVE.COM. article & photos by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK
left: REFEREES ATTEMPT TO BREAK UP a skirmish between the Hawks’ forwards and the Ice Bears defense. The James Brown arena rink is smaller than NHL standards leading to hockey that often resembles close quarters combat and very little room to maneuver. Players often rely on brute strength and occasional violence to outflank their opponents. right: THE KNOXVILLE ICE BEARS LOOK ON as the Riverhawks reform their defense during an unsuccessful rush on the Hawk goal. Hawks’ Goaltender Jon Olthuis stopped 38 shots during the course of this match.
THE AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS FORWARD LINE bears down on an unprepared Knoxville Ice Bears defense. Despite the Hawks 3-2 loss for their 30th of October home game, the local boys put up one good fight.
WANT MORE ICE HOCKEY? AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM | photo essay by CLARK FOX.
vergelive.com | community driven news | November 17, 2010 27
ASK DR. KARP A Healthy Thanksgiving? Virginia B. of Martinez asks:
“Can Thanksgiving dinner be BOTH delicious and healthy – REALLY?” When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, there are many ways of changing your family’s traditional Thanksgiving dinner to make it a bit healthier, without sacrificing taste. This is not an “all-ornothing” approach; even small changes can make a big difference in the amount of fat and calories you eat. Let me give you an example: one of the things that gets raves at our family’s Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey gravy we serve. In fact, it is usually one of the items that gets the most “oohs” and “aahs.” Well, here is our secret. We simply buy a jar of FAT-FREE turkey gravy from the supermarket. Then (and this is the important step), we take it out of the jar and put it in a microwaveable gravy boat BEFORE people arrive for dinner (we also make sure that the empty jar is hidden way down in the garbage, so nobody spots it!). Now, when the turkey is done, we simply add a few teaspoons of the turkey drippings in the pan to the storebought fat-free dressing in the microwaveable gravy boat and stir, stir, stir. Make sure there are a few clumps of brown stuff from the pan in the “gravy.” This makes it look very authentic. We put the gravy boat in a microwave and heat it up and proudly serve it. People say it is the “best” turkey gravy they have ever eaten and it looks so authentic, too! What does this accomplish? You have cut the fat, saturated fat, and calories tremendously in the dish, with NO sacrifice in taste. I guess our secret is out now! A second idea is to “tweak” that sweet potato casserole just a bit and make it taste better and look more appetizing, too. Instead of making that gooey, high calorie, high fat, high brown sugar, high butter version that is usually present at every Thanksgiving dinner I have ever been invited to … do this, instead. A few days before Thanksgiving, peel your sweet potatoes and cut into bit-size cubes. Put them into a microwaveable dish with a little water and microwave, covered, until cooked (you can tell by sticking a fork into the sweet potato cubes, making sure they are soft). Now, take out a casserole dish (one that you can top-brown in) and arrange the sweet potato pieces in the dish. Next, spray the entire dish with butter spray and then sprinkle a little (not a lot) of brown sugar over it. Take some light maple syrup and add a few streaks here and there to the dish. Next, chop some walnuts and sprinkle a few over the casserole dish. Take out your cinnamon and sprinkle it on and then take a few miniature marshmallows and sprinkle a few over the top. When you are done and you look at the dish, you should see MOSTLY sweet potatoes and just a few marshmallows here and there, a few nuts here and there, some cinnamon, and a little brown sugar here and there. Put into the fridge until Thanksgiving. Then, on the BIG DAY, while the turkey is cooling for a few minutes, simply pop the dish into an oven and top brown until the tops of the marshmallows are browned and look like a TV commercial and the dish is heated through and through. You will end up with a spectacular sweet potato dish which is not a pig-out of butter, sugar, calories, salt … and which is healthier and very delicious (don’t tell anyone about the healthier part, they might not eat it!) This, and some other recipes, can be found on my “Ask Dr. Karp” verge website at: SITES.GOOGLE. COM/SITE/DRKARPVERGE. Look for the download titled, “Thanksgiving Recipes.doc” – another recipe in this file is one for a very easy homemade cranberry sauce that is fantastic and will get your guests talking. Check it out.
Now, why should you change your “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner? Because, it starts your family and you on the road to food change and, sometimes, that is the hardest part … starting. Also, if being overweight, having high blood pressure, having diabetes or cardiovascular disease have become “traditional” in your family, then maybe it is time to serve new, healthier “traditional” foods and pass these recipes onto your children and friends! Think about it and have a happy, delicious, AND healthy Thanksgiving. 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.
28 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
THE PROFILER
SOUND BITES
Tara Scheyer and 48Volt
Lokal Music Musings
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. To countdown the annual concert, we’ll be profiling two of the bands from this year’s line-up each issue. For more information on 12 Bands: 12BANDS.ORG. The profiler is DINO LULL
As I was sitting here thinking “Stoney (yeah, I call myself by name sometimes) you should probably do a little “pre-Thanksgiving” health maintenance before a day of full-on comfort food;” it dawned on me just how many musical delicacies we have coming up to be thankful for. I’m sure somewhere there’s a turkey or two in the bunch, but for the most part November keeps rocking on! Jonathan Karow and all his musical freaks at Rock Bottom Music kick off the ARENA ROCK SERIES this month as Karow brings long-time Cali-Glam rockers L.A. GUNS to town for a rocking concert at Coyote’s on November 19th. If that’s any indication of what the series is about then fans of good 80’s rock have a ton to get excited about. ADLER’S APPETITE (featuring former Guns n Roses drummer Steven Adler) will rock the next show in the series. If requests are being taken I’d like to toss in my votes for Pretty Boy Floyd, Faster Pussycat, Enuff Z’ Nuff (sounds like a concert lineup I experienced once), and of course, anything featuring Gilby Clarke. Check out ROCKBOTTOMMUSIC.COM for upcoming info. Now I don’t know about you guys but, after a big Thanksgiving meal, a few football games, and a nap – all I want to do is pry my butt off the couch and head out for a rock and roll show and you know what? Rock and roll on Thanksgiving is an Augusta holiday tradition so of course it’s no surprise to find at least one killer show happening on turkey night. Yep, DEAD CONFEDERATE returns home again for yet another show at Sky City and in the process pull SHAUN PIAZZA and his band out of exile for a rare on-stage appearance. Augustans should be thankful that despite a hectic international touring schedule those Dead Confed boys still somehow managed to hit Augusta several times this past year. That’s about (hmm, lemme count) several times more than Piazza and company. Go to SKYCITYAUGUSTA.COM for more info.
Well after a bit of stressful last-minute wrangling it would appear that Augusta jamsters GRANNY’S JIN have secured a date for their CD release/farewell show before their bassist heads to Afghanistan on December 5th, and talk about cutting it close! Granny’s Gin will be rocking it one final time at the Playground on December 4th with COCOA DYLAN as they release FABLES OF WOMEN, WOLVES, AND FROGS. Not sure what the title means but you can check the guys out online at MYSPACE.COM/GRANNYSGIN. Well, have a happy Thanksgiving, you Turkeys, and do me a favor: if you get out on BLACK FRIDAY, try cranking a lil’ Augusta music as you battle for a parking space at one of them big stores. This just might inspire you to take a part of your Friday and try a few HOMEGROWN BUSINESSES. Just like our music – let’s keep our shopping LOKAL too. 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.
Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppy Band MEMBERS RELEASES WHAT IS IT 12 BANDS ONLINE
Tara Scheyer (guitar/vocals) Kevin Scheyer (drums) Ruskin Yeargain (bass) Jeremy Carr (guitar) Felix Scheyer (harmonica) Hi-Fi Felix Volumes 1 & 2 Kids/Family Rock “Snowday” FETCHDOGTREATS.COM
“Kids music that adults can stand to listen to” is how Tara Scheyer describes the music she plays with the Mud Puppy Band. Tara explains that she likes the idea of her child listening to music and getting into it, something many parents can understand. But, also like many parents, Tara doesn’t want to sit through another minute of Barney. “There’s got to be something better than this,” she says. Tara was involved in the music scene for many years, whether it was in the famed country music scene in Nashville or the college music scene, or even the bands she was in after moving here to Augusta in 1994. Then Tara had a baby and everything changed. Since then, Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppy Band are known around the CSRA as the only truly family friendly band that involves kids a lot in their music. “We’re living this,” Scheyer goes on to say, explaining how their music isn’t just for children but for the entire family, though kids are a part of the group, including the band’s harmonica player, Tara’s son Felix. “The kids sing back every word,” Tara says about the fans when they play. But it’s just as fun “watching the parents watching the kids.” For the upcoming 12 Bands of Christmas CD, Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppy Band contributed “Snowday.” During the performance, the band will have kids up there singing and dancing along to the music. The group has also been a big part of the 12 Bands every year, enjoying the community feeling that goes along with their own personal mission of playing fun music that everyone can enjoy. “People get it,” Tara finishes up. “They respect it.”
48 Volt FORMED MEMBERS RELEASES WHAT IS IT 12 BANDS ONLINE
2007 Brian Panowich (vocals, guitar) Chris Livingston (guitar) David Kernaghan (bass) Eric Talbott (drums) EP (2008) live album (2010) singles available through iTunes Country-Rock “Fake Snow” MYSPACE.COM/48VOLT
48Volt blends together rock and country that brings to mind Poison/Bon Jovi power ballads mixed with traditional country music. In many ways, 48Volt is probably one of the most original bands in the Augusta area. With songs like “Five Years” and “The Astrologist” that are traditional country but others such as “Elvis Earp” with its slower, moody feel; 48Volt straddles the thin line between country music and early-90’s rock. “It’s a pretty unique sound,” singer Brian Panowich explains. “Thick heavy rock and twangy Americana” are just two sides of the coin. “I’m into Outlaw Country,” Panowich says, his musical roots learned from his father. The songs are often hook-laden and catchy. In the past, this blend of country and rock helped 48Volt get on gigs with Drivin & Cryin, Hootie & the Blowfish, and the Zach Brown Band. But 48Volt isn’t into doing music for exposure or to get rich. “We’re pushing 40,” Brian Panowich says. “We write songs to hang out together,” he goes on. “This band wasn’t supposed to play out but the songs got too good to keep to ourselves.” In many ways, this simple sentence sums up the inspiration behind 48Volt, a band that writes music for itself but chooses to share those tunes with the rest of us. This is the second time 48Volt will be on the 12 Bands line-up. Originally, 48Volt planned to record a cover of Elvis’ “Blue Christmas.” But, when the group went into the studio with Pat Blanchard, they tried out an original tune – with lyrics about missing Christmas while hiding from the feds in Mexico. “Blue Christmas” was shelved, and the new song “Fake Snow” made it on the 12 Bands album.
On The Horizon: A Night of Beauty Fashion Show Saturday, December 4 | The Well (1285 B Broad) 7 pm | $6 ADV $7 DOOR
Shoppe 3130 and Stella A Salon and Spa present a fashion show honoring natural beauty at its best. Expect to see women in all stages of life - modeling clothing and hairstyles All the proceeds will benefit the ongoing charitable work of Shoppe 3130. Behind the storefront of Shoppe 3130 (1126 Broad Street), there is a greater work at hand - a mission which seeks to empower women in poverty to change their lives, stop the cycle of poverty, and pave the road for entry into the professional workforce. SHOPPE3130.ORG
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ON BASE: AT THE FORT
Dinner Theatre with Dear Santa With the holidays right around the corner, everyone is getting ready and Fort Gordon is no different. The base prepares for several different holiday themed events throughout November and into early December.
DEAR SANTA by FORT GORDON DINNER THEATRE November 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 and December 3 and 4 Dear Santa, a hilarious play by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, is performed by the Fort Gordon Dinner Theater on November 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20. All the characters from the North Pole and the toy workshop will be there including the elves and Santa Claus. It is a magical tale about the traditional Christmas icons we have grown to love, as well as a few others, such as the Chief of Staff, the housekeeper with a secret, the sleigh salesman, and the workshop foreman. There are a few adventures along the way, of course. But, in the middle of all this, where is the Christmas spirit? Perhaps a letter from a child can show everyone what they have forgotten. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre puts on several stellar performances each year. Past shows include Guys and Dolls, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest, . Like with many of Fort Gordon’s open-to-the-public events, the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre’s production of Dear Santa brings people together in the community, not just in support of Fort Gordon activities, but to have a great time, too. The Fort Gordon Dinner Theater is great for the whole family. For reservations call 706.793.8552. There will also be showings on December 3th and 4th. Prices begin at $25 for the show only and $39 for the whole package. Soldiers get a special price. The Dinner Theatre is located on 3rd Avenue in Building 32100 on base.
MORALE CALL | November 18 November’s Morale Call occurs on Thursday, the 18th, with music by DJ Tony Howard, finger food and door prizes. This chance to show respect for the troops will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tony Howard also does karaoke at Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant at the Courtyard from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday night. The Courtyard is located at Building 36708 on Brainard Avenue.
SPORTS REGISTRATION | Through November 17th U.S. Army Child, Youth, and School Services continues registration for basketball and dance teams through November 17th. Registrants must be CYSS eligible to apply at Parent Central Services in Building 28320. Active duty, retired, Department of Defense civilians, and contractor’s children are applicable to register.
WIN MONEY AT BINGO | Year Round The Bingo Palace at 15500 located at the corner of Lane Avenue and 15th Street. The Bingo Palace is open Tuesday through Saturday and is a smoke free facility. There is a snack bar available but no one under 16 is allowed. Fort Gordon dress code is enforced. Many days, the jackpot is up to $2,500. Try it on Saturday, November 6th, when the jackpot will be $11,999.
Make sure to check out what Fort Gordon is doing each month. There is quite a bit more going on behind those gates than training for soldiers: experience a whole community ready to embrace all of Augusta and open the doors for tons of family fun. For more details, call 706.701.6780 or visit FORTGORDON.COM. by DINO LULL
30 November 17, 2010 | community driven news| vergelive.com
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