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STUFF TO READ
Letter from the Editor
Happy New Year!
Comedian JAMES ETCHISON
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PAWS Humane Society
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A New Year’s Resolution That Sticks
UPSTREAM
11th & Bay
6 8 12 16
We Talked Food Trucks
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Cocktail Club
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Lunchbox museum R+J THEORY Bringing True Southern Hospitality WITH ANGIE ORTIZ
nd what a year it’s been. Since A I returned to Columbus ten years ago, the growth and positive
change has felt exponential. Even in the past two years since we started this magazine, we have seen an explosion in art, music, food—you name it. If it’s good, Columbus has it. Or is getting it soon. On January 27, we are going to celebrate this progress with our first annual LocaL Awards. Readers have voted, and we will present awards to people, businesses and charities who make our community a richer and more vibrant home. Thank you to everyone who voted. Can’t wait to see you at the show. Last year, I tried a New Year’s resolution. I failed miserably. I wanted to cut out meat for a month, a decision thwarted the next time I saw decent ribeyes. This year, I want to try a different resolution. I’m inspired by some recent stories we’ve run. First, following the Ken Friedlander story, I want to never say a negative word about anyone. It occurs to me that no one knows what anyone is going through in this world, so there’s no good reason to pass even the most passing judgment. Instead, let’s recalibrate all of our comments to positive ones. I can’t believe they would say that? Maybe. But maybe they’ve had a rough day. So let’s try: “I wonder how rough their day has been that they would be in such a negative headspace?” I do want to cut down on eating meat. But we don’t have to be extreme. Let’s try a vegetarian meal a week, or three, instead of going whole hog, so to speak. Incremental change is the most lasting change. I can do veggie pasta a couple of nights a week. Can’t you? I mean, we still get pasta. Whatever our goals, let’s keep them manageable. Let’s keep them realistic. No one changes the world by broad strokes. We change the world by minor changes here and there. Whatever your small, positive changes, celebrate them. Let yourself be successful. Thank you for reading
DO YOU LIKE PUZZLES? We do.That’s why we hooked up with Escape This Live Columbus (Midtown) and created a puzzle for you in the magazine. Since it’s our first puzzle, we’ve made it even easier for you. Just find the Escape This Live advertisement and match the colors on the ad to the keys we’ve placed throughout the magazine. For example: match the red dot (from the ad) to the key with a red “O” and (hint allert) that’s your first letter in the code. Match the second color with the corresponding key, and keep matching letters until you get the rest of the code. That’s it. Once you finish the code, call the crew at Escape This Live and give them the code you solved. You’ll automatically get twenty percent off your next experience at Escape This Live Columbus. Can you escape? LocaL
706 250 7777
t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m f acebook .com/t helocalcolumbusga
What We Are All About. The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues will feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.
PUBLISHER
Monica Jones publisher@thelocalcolumbus.com ads@thelocalcolumbus.com
Tom Ingram Editor
EDITOR
Tom Ingram editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Mat Cornett
CONTRIBUTORS & CREDITS
Bobbie Yeo Joe Miller Richard Edwards April Norris Sam Sachs
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C o m e d i a n
JAMES ETCHISON By April Norris
So on a lighter note, I asked about his resolutions for the Year 2019: 1. “Be more realistic, which is an important quality to have as the future President of Mars.” 2. “Cut back on my drinking so I can remember the names of my friends instead of saying weird stuff like ‘ahoy there fancy pants!’ all night.” 3. “I’m going to get a bumper sticker that says ‘I heart trickle-down economics’ and that way when I accidently cut people off in traffic they’ll get mad at trickle-down economics and America gets smarter.” One resolution for James should be to win the next “Battle For O-Town” January 25th located at The Bottling Plant Event Center in Downtown Opelika, as he competes in the finale for a $500 prize.
If you want to book him, it’s easiest to message him on Facebook, but you can also catch him at NO SHAME Theater Friday nights at the Springer; doors open at 10 p.m. with a $5 cover.u
James Etchison & Alex Merritt
“James Etchison this and James Etchison that”
is all I heard from the patrons of NO SHAME Theater at the Springer Opera House about who should be featured in The Local as part of Columbus’ talent pool. After watching his five minutes on stage at NO SHAME we all agreed: this guy is hilarious. James once wrote an Amazon review about Hulk Hands that was so funny that it was made into movie titled “Hulk Hands” by Chandler Chavez on Vimeo.com. His perfectly timed bits allow the audience to get over the belly laughs before the next joke. Peers such as Alli Kaman (host of NO SHAME Theater and October’s cover for The Local) believe that he deserves the recognition for his craft, and he is gaining momentum for a career in comedy every time he’s on stage. Tough room? He doesn’t care and appreciates the reflection time with grace. His prompts appeared to be a small piece of paper with a list of words as he prepared to face such a room. When asked what makes him laugh he responded, “The stupidest things possible. I have always been a big fan of The Simpsons, and I have been doing impressions since I was a kid.” James is 30 years old, has two children, and has been married for 12 years. “We started young,” he said of his supportive wife about his creative outlet, which is stand-up. By day he is a web developer for TSYS. “There is so much talent in Columbus right now,” he said, “but we need more venues.” He’s from Smiths Station, studied at Auburn University and performs at open mics, such as Fat Daddy’s in Auburn. Check out his Twitter for jokes: twitter.com/jamesetchison.” James comes from a big family. Both his parents, Kathy and Dexter, have a military background, and his father is a pastor. He is the second child in a line of six (four boys and two girls). “Everyone is funny in my family,” he said. “My son (seven) is a non-stop gamer, and he is the funniest.” That being said, he is the only member of his family that feels the need to be on stage. Comedians are synonymous with suffering from depression; with such a happy family portrait does that affect his comedy? He confessed he was no exception to the depression that can come from being “alone with your thoughts.” He went on to say, “Sometimes when people ask me if I am depressed I say, ‘Yeah, what do you do?’” chuckling at the commonality in all people. “Before college I wasn’t very popular. I was called Casper and it kinda stuck…there was a mustard stain on my shirt even without a mustard stain on my shirt.” Even his delivery about the pangs of bullying made me laugh. LocaL
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PAWS Humane Soci ety A New Year’s Resolution That
Sticks
not crazy about New Year’s Resolutions, mostly because I’m not so great at Ito ’mfollowing through with them. I don’t know about you, but my resolutions tend be pretty self-centered, growing out of a desire to improve my quality of life.
In any given year this has involved yoga, diet, exercise, meditation, reading, or whatever else I decide is missing from my already too full calendar when January rolls around each year. The lack of follow through could be because the commitment I make is only to me, so it is easy to chuck it about the time that the first obstacle presents itself. It occurs to me that a focus on self may not provide sufficient motivation so I’ve been pondering a strategy for making my resolution stick this year. When I make a commitment to someone else I feel more compelled to follow through. A sincere desire to help others may be the best motivation of all, especially when it helps me too. That’s why my resolution this year is to participate in a Paws Humane Society program called Dogs’ Day Out. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. After you complete a short application you can select one of our available dogs. The rest is up to you. You can take him home to snuggle on the couch and watch Netflix; or take him to the Chattahoochee River Walk, Callaway Gardens, Roosevelt State Park, or wherever you like, as long as you have him back an hour before we close for the day. You get your dog fix and a Paws dog gets a much needed break from the routine of the shelter. Even better, our dogs get seen by the public which can help them get adopted faster. Maddie’s Fund, a national animal welfare organization, believes in this program so much that we have been chosen to participate in a study to measure the impact of Dog’s Day Out on the stress levels experienced by our dogs. We will be expanding our Dog’s Day Out program to include more dogs and we hope we can find partners in the community to make a day happen for each of them. A dog undergoing treatment for heartworm would love the opportunity to snuggle on your couch on a rainy day to watch a movie, or sit on a park bench on the River Walk. A high-energy dog would be thrilled with a hike in the woods. In the process you will learn things about your dog that can help us match him with the perfect home. Check us out at www.pawshumane.org to find out more about Dog’s Day Out as well as our many volunteer opportunities. H. Jackson Brown Jr., the author of Life’s Little Instruction Book, said, “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”u
Adoption Hours: Mon-Fri•10am-6pm, Sat•10am-5pm, Sun•12pm-5pm 4900 Milgen Road Columbus, GA 31907 • www.pawshumane.org office@pawshumane.org (706) 565-0035 • Vet Clinic phone number (706) 987-8380 LocaL
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TR U TH A ND RECONCILIATION IN F ILM, PART 2
Our Stories Live Here 65 years of the Mildred L. Terry Public Library In 1947, Columbus’ African American residents asked city officials a straightforward question: When will a public library be available to us? Five years later, the Fourth Avenue Library opened as the first dedicated library open to people of color in the Chattahoochee Valley. Centrally located near the Liberty business district, Fifth Avenue School, and the Booker T. Washington public housing complex, the building became a community center for Columbus’ African American population, led for nearly 30 years by beloved head librarian Mildred Terry. This exhibition examines the history of this iconic gathering place from the library’s origins and early successes, through the dramatic integration of the Columbus public library system in the ‘60s and the threat of the Mildred L. Terry Public Library’s closure, to its many public programs and continuing influence today. Interviews collected by StoryCorps and the library during its Mildred Terry Memory Project in 2015 will be an integral part of the exhibition, as well as books, photographs, documents, and artifacts from the library’s archives.Through Feb. 10, Yarborough Gallery, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road Linn Meyers: Gazing Has Its Limits Based in Washington, D.C., linn meyers has been recognized internationally for her monumental images and contributions to the field of drawing. Following in the footsteps of institutions like the Hammer Museum, The Phillips Collection, and the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, The Columbus Museum has commissioned the artist to create a site-specific wall drawing tailored to the architecture of the main floor’s colonnade. meyers selected this particular space because of how the sun travels across it throughout the day and over the course of the year. Visitors to the Museum will be able to see meyers at work on the north Galleria wall from January 4–13, 2018. The overall project also encompasses a related five-panel drawing, as well as The Columbus Museum’s Jay Defeo collage, Summer Image, 1982—a rarely seen work on paper from the permanent collection. Through Jan. 2019, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road Eddie Dominguez: Garden of Eden This exhibition, which includes several new sculptures never before on public view, debuts Eddie Dominguez and his oeuvre to the Chattahoochee Valley. The youngest of eight children, Eddie Dominguez grew up in Tucumcari, New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Amarillo on historic Route 66. He came to national prominence in the mid-1980s for clay pieces like Anton’s Flowers II, hybrid works comprised of highly stylized dishes that also stack into sculptural forms. These accolades have led major institutions, like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC; the Museum of Arts & Design, New York; and the Arizona State University Art Museum Ceramics Research Center, Tempe, to collect his work. Through Jan. 20, Galleria Cases, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road Student Solo Exhibition: Joy Flowers at City Hall The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art in collaboration with the City of Smiths Station presents curated fine art exhibitions of Student Artists within our community. through Jan. 23, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Smiths Station City Hall, 2336 Lee Road 430, Smiths Station, Al. Official Mildred L. Terry Mural Unveiling with Najee Dorsey Stop by for The Official Unveiling of the Mildred L. Terry Library Mural from 11:30am-1pm at 640 Veterans Parkway. Also enjoy a reception and afterparty from 1-6pm at The Black Art In America gallery located at 1506 Unit #115, 6th Avenue, Columbus. Jan. 5, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbu
Ge r man y’s Oc c up a ti o n o f Fra nc e i n WWII
ppression begets perfection. At least that’s the case with “A Man Escaped” — O perfection in cinematic form. Its premise is simple: a member of the resistance against the German occupation of France in World War II is caught, and he does
everything in his power to escape. Director Robert Bresson doesn’t waste a single frame of film in telling the story, and he’s particularly adept with the use of sound. As the camera focuses on the main character in his tiny cell, we hear the guards making the rounds and fellow inmates in their cells, all of which heighten the tension and drive the story. The suspense is mesmerizing, and the feeling the film delivers at the end is transcendent.
German occupation of France in WWII is excellent fodder for great filmmaking, and many of the best examples are available on Kanopy. The most recent of these is “Diplomacy,” a political thriller about a diplomat’s efforts to persuade a loyal German general to disobey Hitler’s command to destroy Paris. Explosives are rigged to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and all the other treasures of the City of Light, and the general is determined to set them all off. Of course, we all know how it ends, but still, it’s riveting. French films about this period history don’t always cast the French in heroic roles. Some tell the story of French complicity with the Nazis. For me, the most touching of these is “Au Revoir Les Enfants,” which is set in a foster home run out of a church. Among the boys living there are a couple of Jews the priests are hiding, and as the film follows their stories, it feels at times like a coming of age story, as the boys navigate life among dozens of other homeless boys. But the heightened dangers for them are in plain sight: busloads of people with gold stars sewn to their coats drive by the orphanage every day, en route to Germany and the concentration camps, and in time we learn that among the other boys in the orphanage are some who would expose Jewish boys just to get ahead. It’s a similar story in “Lacombe Lucien,” which focuses entirely on one such opportunist, a young man who seizes on the German occupation as a means to amass petty power in his little community, destroying the lives of dozens of others in the process. The films about this period that I find to be the most fascinating are those that show people trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy amid all the war and terror surrounding them. In Francois Truffaut’s “The Last Metro,” Catherine Deneuve plays the wife of the director of a French theater who is Jewish and must hide in the theater’s basement. She carries out the day to day operations of the theater — which is still putting on plays — while attending to her husband’s needs, and keeping him hidden. The scenario makes for delicious cinematic tension, but it’s also incredible to see people working on theater productions in the middle of a war. The sound of bombs are constantly going off in the distance and it’s almost impossible to get the basic necessities of life, such as bread and milk, let alone luxuries. And yet, the show must go on.u
Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com
Joe Miller teaches at CSU and tweets mini movie reviews in Spanish @byjoemiller
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NO SHAME THEATRE At 10:30 every Friday night, the Springer plays host to NO SHAME THEATRE. NO SHAME THEATRE is an uncensored evening of original performance that allows anyone to explore their creative potential. Signup begins at 10 p.m., and the first 15 to sign up get a five-minute time slot to perform their original material. Admission is $5, including for performers. Every Friday, Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus, (706) 324-5714 Crown & Comedy at The Loft Every Thursday, 7 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Movie Night: The Incredibles 2 Join Big Brothers Big Sisters for a outdoor movie night with smores and popcorn. Bring your chairs and blankets to sit by the fire pit. All adults must accompany their child to this event. Jan. 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Chattahoochee Valley, 1350 15th Avenue, Columbus Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Haven’t you had those days when absolutely everything goes wrong? Isn’t it the terrible, horrible, very bad, no good worst kind of day? Last night, Alexander went to bed with gum in his mouth and now there’s gum in his hair. There’s no prize in his cereal, and there’s kissing on TV. Yuck! It’s enough to make any kid want to move to Australia. Jan. 24, 25 & 26, 10 a.m.; Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 27, 2 p.m.; Department of Theatre at Columbus State University, 6 West 10th Street Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is one of Tennessee Williams best know plays. It is the story of a Southern family in crisis, and their interactions over the course of one evening’s gathering at the family estate in Mississippi. throughout the course of the play, it becomes clear that the Pollitt family has long constructed a web of deceit for itself that does not easily untangle. Jan. 24, 25, 26 & 31, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 27, 2:30 p.m.; Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus The Little Engine That Could I think I can! I think I can! I think I can! Based on the timeless children’s book, this production will cheer on our favorite little train to keep trying, even when a challenge is tough. This show is geared towards children 5 years old and younger and will help kids learn the value of hard work and optimism. Jan. 26, 10 a.m.; Jan. 26 & 27, 2 p.m.; Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus Rosie Revere, Engineer Ms. Greer’s classroom includes three inquisitive, out-of-the-box thinkers. Rosie Revere has big dreams. Iggy Peck has a relentless passion for architecture, and Ada Twist’s curiosity can drive her teacher crazy. A fun new Theatreworks USA musical based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer, Iggy Peck, Architect and Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, which spotlights the STEM curriculum, focusing on science, technology, engineering and math. Jan. 27, 2:30 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus Ballet Hispanico America’s premier Latino dance organization for more than 48 years, Ballet Hispanico brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures and the shared human experience through dance. today, Ballet Hispanico is led by acclaimed choreographer and educator Eduardo Vilaro. Mr. Viilaro has infused the organization’s legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s changing cultural landscape and the contemporary Latino culture. As a powerful voice for diversity, Ballet Hispanico leads in bringing arts to marginalized communities and nurturing future Latino leaders by giving access to those voices found throughout Latin America and the Spanish diaspora. Feb. 2, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
To p 5 B an ds 1. The Wild Reeds 2. Tank and the Bangas 3. Rayland Baxter 4. Judah & The Lion 5. Edward David Anderson
1. Meats 2. Nurse 3. Lens
4. Moss 5. Rice
To p 5 M i s heard S ong Lyri c s 1. Money for nothing and chips for free 2. We built this city on sausage rolls 3. See that girl, watch her scream, kickin the dancing queen 4. Sweet dreams are made of cheese 5. Kick your car all over the place
Top 5 Rap S nac ks 1. Ferry Wap/Honey Jalapeño Chips 2. Lil Yachty/Hot Cheese Fries 3. Migos/White Cheddar with A Dab of Ranch Popcorn 4. Trina/Honeydew Cheese Puffs 5. Fabulous/New York Deli Cheddar
Top 5 things the universe has taught me 1. Wrestling is real 2. Nothing more disgusting than a serious musician 3. Polar bears are left handed 4. It takes 38 3/4 chickens to kill an elephant 5. Catsup leaves a bottle at a rate of 25 miles per year Va n B r a d f o r d S t r i c k l a n d Event Producer E n t e r ta i n m e n t C o o r d i n at o r f o r P h e n i x C i t y Pa r k s a n d R e c r e at i o n & C o l u m b u s n at i v e
Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com
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Top 5 Words that almost rhyme with peas
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olumbus is one of those places where you’re likely to find C something quirky or special without
even trying. Whether it’s a family owned bookshop on Broadway or a coffee shop built in an old bank, you’ll find unique spots to explore. Perhaps one of the most unique spots in Columbus is the Lunchnbox Museum at 3218 Hamilton Road. The entrance is nestled inside a small juncture between three buildings, with the front of the shop proudly declared with a scrap iron statue of a Tyrannosaurus Rex gracing the roof and the words “The River Market Antiques” just below. Statues of a bygone time in the United States grace the front windows, standing resolute, as if guarding the historic delights inside. The first step in is an experience, taking you forward in distance and backwards in time, with porcelain figures, an old school rotary phone, collections of metal and jeweled pins in wood and glass cases, and all sorts of art and collectibles from decades past scattered throughout a large and welcoming space. A kindly gentleman in buttoned shirt and dark slacks sits at a table
Allen Woodall
near the entryway, Allen Woodall, the owner of the Lunchbox Museum. The magic of the shop is the same magic that helped Woodall to build the museum in the first place, after beginning his collection in 1984. According to Woodall, he’d first been interested in collecting metal LocaL
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them their own little piece of history to take home. Now, Woodall even has people approaching him to donate or sell their own rare finds, which he attributes to “the museum’s popularity.” Working at the museum still with his family and friends, Woodall remains an enthusiastic and generous man, excited to share his collections with others and work with them on getting the items they fall in love with, just like he did with his own finds.u
lunchboxes when he had been “at a flea market. A vendor had lunchboxes of the Green Hornet and Dick Tracy,” and seeing the items had “struck a chord.” Feeling the nostalgia, Woodall bought both boxes, then found himself interested in getting more, then started looking for where he could find them. Woodall had
“read about a man in Woodbridge with over 300 boxes in the Atlanta Journal,” went for a visit and ended up buying all of them. This is what started his official collection, following the initial two he found at the market. In 1989, a “big collector” named Bob Car, a doctor, in St. Louis passed away, leaving over 600 lunchboxes up for sale. Seeing an opportunity, Woodall called his wife to ask about buying them. Diane Car, his widow, agreed to meet and so Woodall “flew to St. Louis on a cold December day.” Woodall also knew he wasn’t the only one looking to purchase her husband’s collection, with other buyers from “New York and California” in talks with Car as well. Woodall promised something more than simple money for the boxes. Meeting Car, Woodall had an idea. Earlier, Woodall had met a man named Sean Brickell,
another avid collector of rare lunchboxes at a swap meet in Oldbridge, Tenn. The two men were of a like mind thinking that “this should be in a book to show the history and preserve the culture” of the old metal lunchboxes. Keeping that in mind, Woodall promised Car that “If you sell them to me, I will write a book and dedicate it to Bob and the family.” True to his word, Woodall was able to convince Car to sell him her husband’s collection and in 1992, “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Metal Lunch Boxes” published. Soon after, the Lunchbox Museum opened, displaying Woodall’s large collection of rare boxes, production plates and other rarities from the 1930s onward. More than just a museum, Woodall also sells duplicates of the lunchboxes, allowing visitors to pick up lunchboxes they may have had as children and giving LocaL
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Open Mic Hosted by Matt Kirkley @ The Loft Do you play an acoustic instrument and/or sing? Come out and showcase your talent. All musicians wishing to play must sign-up in advance. Sign-ups are at 7:00 at The Loft. Every Wednesday, 8 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Open Jam Session With The Tim O’brien Project Every Tuesday, 8 - 11 p.m., The Outskirts Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Warren Thornton, jazz saxophone every Friday, 7 p.m., Blu Crabs, 19 12th Street, Columbus The Dirty Rain Revelers @ Bare Roots Farmacy Jan 5, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Bare Roots Farmacy, 105 12th Street, Columbus Skylar Saufley & the 99th Degree @ 219 Food and Spirits Jan. 5, 8:30 p.m., 219 Food and Spirits, 5167 Georgia Highway 219, Fortson, Ga. Jazz & Jokes feat. Kountry Wayne & The Satin Soul Band Presented by Byrdman Entertainment. Tickets are $30 at the door and $25 in advance. Reserved tables of four are $125; tables of 10 are $350. Jan. 5, 8 p.m. - midnight (CST), The Bottling Plant Event Center, 614 North Railroad Avenue, Opelika, Al. GP38 @ The Outskirts Jan. 5, 9 p.m., The Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Money Shot @ Wild Wing Cafe Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus Russell James @ The Hangout Jan. 11, 8 p.m., The Hangout, 6060 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Dixie Red @ SOHO Jan. 11, 10:30 p.m., SOHO Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus Kane Brown and Granger Smith @ Civic Center Jan. 12, 7 - 10 p.m., Columbus Civic Center, 400 4th Street MarDe Brooks and Dallas Dorsey @ Dock’s Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., Dock’s, 9883 Lee Road 379, Valley, Al. Louise Warren @ Iron Bank Coffee Jan. 12, 8 - 10 p.m., Iron Bank Coffee Company, 6 West 11th Street, Columbus Skylar Saufley & the 99th Degree @ Eight & Rail Jan. 12, 9:30 p.m. (CST), Eighth & Rail, 807 South Railroad Avenue, Opelika, Al. Groove Monkey @ Dock’s Jan. 18, 7 p.m., Dock’s, 9883 Lee Road 379, Valley, Al. Harlem Globetrotters Jan. 18, 7 p.m., Columbus Civic Center, 400 4th Street GP38 @ Wild Wing Cafe Jan. 18, 9 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus Kenny Brawner: Ray Charles on My Mind This concert/theatre work brings the music and the story of the great Ray Charles to vivid life! Portraying Ray, master pianist/vocalist Kenny Brawner leads his 12-piece orchestra and three sultry vocalists (a la the Raelettes) performing this American legend’s most popular hits: “What’d I Say?,” “I Got a Woman,” “Mess Around,” “Georgia On My Mind,” a blazing hot duet on “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and many more! The music is interwoven with monologues depicting how gospel, blues, jazz and country influenced Ray’s style, while also reflecting on American social history, his epic battle with drugs, and his triumphant return home to Georgia Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus LocaL
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Double Barrel @ Wild Wings Cafe Jan. 19, 8:30 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus RoshambeauX @ The Loft Jan. 19, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Money Shot @ Wild Wing Cafe (Opelika) Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m. (CST), Wild Wing Cafe, 3040 Capps Way, Opelika, Al. Marbin @ The Loft Jan. 25, The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Las Guitarras Are four guitars better than one? I’ll say! Rodrigo’s tuneful concerto is flanked by the greatest music for strings ever written and Tchaikovsky’s moving and profound “Pathetique” symphony. Jan. 26, 7:30 - 9 p.m., Columbus Symphony Orchestra, 900 Broadway Gregg Erwin @ Wild Wing Cafe Jan. 26, 9 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus Alabama Avenue @ Eighth & Rail Jan. 26, 8:30 p.m., Eighth & Rail, 807 South Railroad Avenue, Opelika, Al. Creek Johnson @ The Hangout Jan. 31, 9 p.m., The Hangout, 6060 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Nitty Gritty Dirt Band @ RiverCenter Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus Ryan Trotti @ The Buck Wild Saloon Feb. 2, 9:30 p.m., The Buck Wild Saloon, 17695 US Highway 280 E, Smiths Station, Al. Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com
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R + J T H E O RY By Tom Ingram
B e n j i m a n D a l l a s R e d d i n g ’s A d a p t a t i o n O f S h a k e s p e a r e ’s C l a s s i c S i g n a l s T h e E m e r g e n c e O f A N e w, D e l i c i o u s l y Tr a n s g r e s s i v e T h e a t e r L i f e I n C o l u m b u s
Photograph by Joe Lisi Artwork Provided by Ethan Harper
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July of 2018, Benjiman Dallas Redding was living in Columbus. He was between projects. He Inrecalls, “my creative bones were aching.” Originally from Harris County, Ben’s theatre career began in middle school. He credits his theatre
teacher and “second mother,” Merrill Cheyne, with recognizing his passion for theatre. His first role, under her guidance, was as the Steward in “Into the Woods, Jr.” By age 15, he was attending Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Mass. At Elon University in North Carolina, he majored in musical theatre. After college, Ben lived for several years in New York City. But this past July, he was back in Columbus, with eyes alert for potential projects. One evening, hanging out with friends Jacy Jenkins and Cora King, they hit on the idea of doing something at the Riverwalk amphitheater, the wonderfully secluded and unfortunately underused venue just south of the Coca Cola Space Science Center in Columbus. In Ben’s creative imagination, the venue came first. He also knew he needed a royalty-free play, as he knew money would be tight. He began dreaming up possible Shakespeare adaptations. Ben’s way of telling the story is so energetic that you can lose sight of the ambition, the scope. Sure, he has half a dozen regional credits, plus off-Broadway experience, and even spent time on a national tour of “West Side Story,” playing Riff. But to conceive, write, produce, raise money, direct—bootstrap from concept to close-of-show an entire production—was something Ben had never attempted. Rather than being intimidated, Ben remembers he was “so excited about deciding everything.” He decided to adapt “Romeo and Juliet,” calling his update “R+J: Theory.” The Columbus area is home, and Ben was determined to do a show “for Columbus.” Or, as he clarified with his easy laugh, “what I think Columbus needs, which is my theory. I could be wrong.” For all his easy-going laughter and genuine good cheer, Ben has some serious insight into the idea of Columbus as an art town. Between the museums, artists and education infrastructure, we certainly, as a community, have incredible potential. And we are, in many ways, well-recognized for our artistic standing. But Ben identifies areas where we can improve, specifically sighting that Columbus is “missing a subset of theatre that makes a town a theatre town.” Ben speaks eloquently and convincingly about the need for many layers of art, including things that “might ruffle some feathers.” Ben recognizes that art in Columbus often overlooks the 18 to 35, lower income demographic. He is correct when he points out that “we have a lot that conforms to the heteronormative community,” and is interested in “how we can provide opportunities for people to feel accepted.” No single show can address all of these issues of course, but if a single show can help advance the conversation, “R+J: Theory” was an excellent voice in the larger discourse. The community response to his plans, Ben recalls, was phenomenal. He was eager to thank the Historic District Preservation Society for their support, and Uptown Columbus for helping him find the right people. As for the many independent donors who funded the project, they raised $15,000, which Ben takes as hard evidence of the community’s demand and eagerness for more art. Ben had something to say, and the community was ready to listen. And here’s the real magic. Ben stressed the importance of creating something open to interpretation, something that “encourages imagination.” What Ben had to say wasn’t some PowerPoint slideshow with a few take-aways, writer ‘em down in your notebook. No, what Ben had to say encouraged his audience to engage in a conversation. “R+J: Theory” presents Shakespeare’s classic love story through dance, music. It is a celebration of light and life, a show in which spectacle and human intimacy co-mingle. People crowded the amphitheater. Over the show’s 50 minutes, 47 of which were set to music, the audience seemed always on the verge of merging with the stage and players. As Ben says, flashing his bright smile, “theatre doesn’t have to happen in a seat.” At show’s end, music playing, the audience erupted. They danced. They exulted. Not just Ben, as Ben will remind you, but everyone involved—from behind-the-scenes technicians to the local talent on stage— had roiled the audience into ecstasy, and the show ended with an impromptu dance party. Disrupting expectation with “R+J: Theory” took a village. But it also required a person with vision and energy to rally that village. Ben did it. “I plan 100% to use the amphitheater again,” he says, and he also intends to re-stage “R+J: Theory” in the future. We hope he does. But we are also incandescent with expectation over whatever other new and visionary projects Ben will help conjure in our community. Keep an eye out.u IMAGES PROVIDED by Joseph Berger 12
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Photograph by Joe Lisi
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3000 Macon Road
Pet Partners Therapy Presentation
Learn about Pet Partners Pet Therapy program and how you can get involved with your Pet. Volunteer with your pet and bring joy to patients at our local hospitals, bring a welcoming distraction to our nursing home residents, college students in their week of finals. How about your pet assisting a child with reading difficulties? All of that and more does a certified Pet therapy team do. Jan. 12, St. Francis Butler Pavilion, 2300 Manchester Expressway, Columbus
Living My Best Life Open House and Motivational Mixer Wednesday Night Trivia at Outskirts Every Wednesday, 7 - 9 p.m., The Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Family Sign Language
This is an introduction and opportunity to learn and practice basic signs and sentences. The goal of the class is to become comfortable with American Sign Language and explore a new way to make friends. Every Wednesday, 4 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Silent Chat
Practice American Sign Language in a casual environment. All skill levels welcome. The goal is signing only; no voices, please. Every Monday, 4 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Get Hooked: Crochet Club
Adults of all ages and levels are welcome to this lively, welcoming, non-judgmental group of makers. Jan. 12 & 26, 4 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Nightmare on Elm Auction
An auction like none other. Selling rare, true crime memorabilia, horror movie related items, vinyl and more. Collection includes pieces by John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Ramirez, Nicholas Claux, Charles Manson and more. Jan. 12, 7 - 11 p.m., GoodBuy Auction Co., 2202 Elm Drive, Columbus
Saturday Morning Walking Tour
Adults - $10; Children ages 8 to12 - $5; Ages 7 and under free. Reservation required to launch tour. One-hour stroll along the brick-laden stretch of Broadway and its robust Uptown district. Hear the stories that helped transform Columbus from the wild western frontier settlement of Georgia to the “Jewel of The Chattahoochee.” See the many repurprosed buildings that the community preserved. Every Saturday, 9 a.m., Vicinity Tours, 1006 Broadway, Columbus
Language Café
Come in and practice your Spanish or get help with Spanish language homework! Jan. 14 & 28, 4 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Vision Board Party
MLK Processional Walk with Indivisible Columbus
This event will encourage youth to understand goals, set goals and brainstorm on plans to reach them while having lots of fun. Refreshments and all supplies will be provided. Jan. 5, noon - 2 p.m., South Columbus Public Library, 2034 South Lumpkin Road
The Commission will host an event demonstrating through speakers, talent and presentations that “The Dream Lives” in Columbus, Georgia. At the sounding of the Noon siren, organizations, teams and individuals will walk in a Unity Processional from a designated staging area to the Liberty Theatre Cultural Center for “The Dream Lives” festivities. Groups and individuals are encouraged to creatively identify their group or otherwise express how “The Dream Lives”, or should live in Columbus. Jan. 19, 11 a.m., The Liberty Theatre Cultural Center, 821 8th Avenue
How to Write and Publish a Book
Ever wanted to write a book? This one-day seminar shows you how to write and publish a book. Upon completion, you will have the knowledge you need to manifest your ida from a thought in your head to a physical book in your hand. Your books will be available on Amazon, Kindle, in Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, etc. Don’t sit on your vision another day. Take some time to learn how to make your dream a reality, create a new stream of income, or develop a whole new career and lifestyle. Jan. 5, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road
LGBT Uptown Block Party
To help beat the cold, join the community for this free event. Enjoy the show, music and dancing. Music by DJ Phoebus. Jan. 19, 9:30 p.m., The Cantina Grill, Bar & Lounge, 1030 Broadway, Columbus
Hip Hop Dance Off
2019 Project Homeless Connect
Presented by Tadow Entertainment. Open to teen and adult dancers, with cash prices for first, second and third place finishers. $10 at the door; dancers participate for free. Categories include solo, duo and group (3-5 members max). Jan. 5, 3 - 5 p.m., The Perfect Place, 5344 Kolb Avenue, Columbus
Wedding Extravaganza
If a wedding is in your near future, Wedding Extravaganza is the place for you to be. With loads of vendors at The Columbus Trade and Convention Center, you’ll find everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams. See a spectacular fashion show and aisle upon aisle of exhibits by the area’s leading wedding professionals. From Entertainment to Fashions, Receptions to Honeymoons, you’ll find it at the Wedding Extravaganza. Many exhibitors will be offering demonstrations, samples and money-saving show specials. Plus, you will have the chance to WIN Great Gifts and Prizes. And best of all--our show is only $7. Jan. 6, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m., Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue
ASL: Family Sign Language
This is an introduction and opportunity to learn and practice basic signs and sentences. The goal is to become comfortable with American Sign Language and explore new ways to make friends. every Wednesday, 4 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Spring Open House
During this time together, you can experience sample classes, meet some of our incredible instructors, discuss our professional certificates, and have all your questions answered. Bring your kids for an Activ8 mini-camp activity. Jan. 10, 5 - 7 p.m., Columbus State University, Continuing & Professional Education, 4225 University Avenue
Service Industry Night
$5 unlimited bowling and shoes for all service industry staff. Unwind after a long week or prepare for a long weekend with food and drink specials. every Thursday, 10 p.m., Bowlero, 1636 Bradley Park Drive, Columbus
Author Appearance: Amor Towles
The acclaimed author of “A Gentleman in Moscow” comes to Columbus. Admission is free, and books will be available for purchase. Jan. 11, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Columbus Public Library, LocaL
The Columbus, Georgia chapter of the Curvy Alliance invites YOU to join us for some fun at our annual National Open House. This year, we will focus on “Living our BEST lives” in 2019. We will have a panel of speakers who have some phenomenal stories to share, we will make vision boards to get you geared up for the new year, and you can find out how YOU can join our chapter. We are looking for spokesmodels (FOCA) and general members. We look forward to seeing your face in the place. Requested (not mandatory) dress code: Denim and Bling. To find out more about the org, visit www.curvyalliance.com Jan. 12, 11 a.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road
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New Horizons would like to invite you and your organization to our annual Project Homeless Connect. In the Columbus area, there are many adults and children that live in places not meant for human habitation, shelters, unstable housing, etc. on any given night. In partnership with Open Door Community House and the UWCV Home 4 Good, New Horizons Behavioral Health is hosting “Project Homeless Connect 2019”, an opportunity for individuals experiencing homelessness to engage directly with service providers to find housing, employment, healthcare, benefits, veterans’ services, and more. Jan. 25, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Open Door Community House, 2405 2nd Avenue, Columbus
Girl Power Program
This event is catered to school-aged girls and will discuss self-esteem, leadership, body image and life choices. Come out to unleash your power! Jan. 26, 1 - 3 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
January Youth Open Mic: Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam
This event is open to area youth (13—19 years of age). Local young artists are invited to take part in this open mic . Whether you’re a poet, singer, comedian, or rapper, we welcome all talent! Sign-up for the open mic starts at 2:30 PM. Come out and be blown away by the amazing youth in this community! Jan. 26, 3 - 5 p.m., Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway, Columbus
Unsung Heroes: The Queens’ Edition
Come join the Kandake of The People’s Party for Independence as we enlighten, acknowledge, and honor the revolutionary contributions of our unsung, ancestral and present day heroines. Jan. 27, 3 - 4:30 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road
Indivisible General Organizing Meeting
We’re going back to our roots and will be holding monthly, group planning meetings. If you’d like to be more involved in Indivisible Columbus, Georgia, please mark your calendar and be thinking about what talents you can bring to your Indivisible family. If you prefer to just be an informed and active participant in our calls to action, but don’t want to play a role in the group at an organizational level, that’s okay, too! We hope everyone who plans to stay active in our group will attend. The time may change a bit prior to February, but the date will not. Feb. 3, 2 - 4 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road
Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com
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Bringing True Southern Hospitality
Back To Columbus By Tom Ingram
In the fall of 2014, two weeks before Michael and Heather were set to open their new restaurant, 11th and Bay, Michael left the calm and solitude of Bay Avenue and walked east, looking for something to eat. It was Friday night. Broadway, the main artery of Uptown Columbus, was teeming with life. The Friday night concert series filled the air with music. Hundreds of people thronged the street. Michael felt overwhelmed by the difference between quiet Bay Avenue and raucous Broadway. “I thought I was going to have a panic attack,” Michael recalls. “I thought being off Broadway was the biggest mistake of my life.” Gratefully, Michael’s early apprehension has proved unfounded. Since opening, 11th and Bay has established itself as a favorite dining destination, not only in Uptown, but for the entire Columbus area. Heather credits some of their success to the atmosphere along the river. On warm nights, patrons might find children playing at the Woodruff Park playground and couples walking along the river, which itself is now alive with rafters braving its exciting runs. Even in winter, Bay Avenue— with the Corn Center for the Visual Arts and the Bo Barlett Center on the next block south—is an attraction unto itself, and 11th and Bay the culinary gem in this restful corner of Uptown. Of course, Michael and Heather did not have to come to Uptown at all. They could have set their southern dining establishment in any corner of Columbus. The couple credits Buddy Nelms and Tom Jones. “When they opened The Loft, they proved you could be successful [in Uptown],” Michael said. Since The Loft opened twentyfive years ago, the Uptown restaurant scene has exploded. Michael and Heather welcome the growth. “I don’t see anyone down here as competition,” Michael said. For them, the growing scene makes the pie bigger. The more quality restaurants in Uptown, the greater a destination LocaL
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for dining. As more restaurants succeed, each restaurant succeeds more. This is a humble message, and it’s true to character. But, 11th and Bay’s success is more than anything a product of Michael and Heather’s commitment to quality and service, and a willingness to innovate. When I met with Heather and Michael, they served Blue Heron Blend coffee, roasted for the restaurant by Jud Richardson of Fountain City Coffee. “We like to work with as many local people as possible,” Michael explained. And for every patron who visits 11th and Bay, there it is, at the top of the menu, a long list of local and regional suppliers, most from Georgia. Two years ago, Michael and Heather initiated some ambitious changes in their restaurant. They consulted with Chris Hastings, owner and executive chef of Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham and the 2012 winner of the James Beard “Best Chef in the South” award. Michael and Heather refer to him as the “restaurant whisperer.” Chris introduced them to many farmers, and helped them introduce many other changes as well. Heather calls her interests in cooking “a cathartic thing,” something she learned over many years of home practice and study. Chris, Michael said, is her biggest cheerleader, adding, “you manage for the day, focus on creativity.” So if a farmer has something available only for a day or two, Michael and Heather get it fresh and add a new item to the menu. The layout of the restaurant changed, too. Instead of bulky four tops, Michael and Heather fill the main floor with two tops, which can comfortably accommodate couples or be drawn together for larger parties. They also began taking reservations, which has made the kitchen more efficient. With an efficient reservation system, a warm and welcoming bar, and tables set aside for walk-in customers, Michael said, “we’re no longer in the business of making people wait.” At 11th and Bay, there’s service as soon as you walk in the door. This attention to detail is also felt in the atmosphere. John Hill, a local artist who now lives in California, is responsible for the fitting scenes of southern life adorning the walls and the farmhouse-chic frames that hold them. One detail, subtle, often noticed by children, is the floor. The original beam floors have small gaps; in the basement, John installed lights with a cobalt blue tint, which suffuse the dining room above. The light is a detail you might not consciously notice, but one that also JANUAR Y 2019
adds to the relaxed meld of tradition and modernity found at 11th and Bay. Detail is everything, and it is most important in the food. Michael raves about wife Heather’s dishes, and he isn’t the only one. When they decided to cut the Soul Burger from the menu, Michael and Heather brought it back almost immediately after a near uprising from patrons. If you’ve never had the pleasure of trying one yourself, the straightforward menu description is enough to make your mouth water. Chuck short rib, fried collards, gouda mac, grilled green tomato, 11B steak sauce and white truffle fries. But don’t forget the most important detail: limited availability! These burgers go fast. Heather is fearless when dreaming up new flavor combinations. On a recent visit, I tried the southern caprese. A southern spin on the classic Italian salad, this one comes with grilled, not fried, green tomatoes and house-made fried pimento cheese. Heather has further flipped the script on this classic starter by adding crème fraîche and sriracha, plus a side of made-in-house basil peach jam. Michael described the flavor combination as an explosion, and he’s right. If I could prepare this at home, I would never again make another traditional caprese. I can see myself enjoy this with a friend over a couple of cocktails on any early evening. Michael and Heather source most seafood from the American Gulf Coast. The trout, however, is from the streams of North Carolina and served with Logan Tunrpike grits, collards, bacon, corn, vermouth buerre blanc and tomato chutney. I could go on about everything listed on the current menu, but as we’ve seen, Heather’s menus reflect not only the freshest ingredients but also her artist’s urge toward new ideas. Still, you can always count on the Soul Burger. And did I mention the shrimp and grits? They come with Logan Turnpike speckled grits, house-cured pork belly, almost rum ponzu, and citrus ginger gremolata. Time to make reservations. Speaking of enjoying an appetizer and cocktails, the bar at 11th and Bay is a special place to be. Of bar manager David Wheale, Michael says he is “relentless on quality and innovation.” David curates an excellent and extensive bourbon selection (recently including Bib & Tucker, Belle Meade Small Batch and I.W. Harper 15 year). David is also a serious student of his craft, not only keeping abreast of latest trends, but also staying ahead of them. The entire restaurant, it seems, is always, in Heather’s words, “in learning mode.” While corporate restaurants find a niche and burrow down, Michael and Heather are unafraid to try something new--whatever will best serve their guests. For them, Columbus is home, and in every detail they strive to “bring true southern hospitality back to Columbus restaurants.” For five years, Michael and Heather have enjoyed success serving their excellent dishes to the community. They look forward to many more years of being part of Columbus’ growth and culture. I, for one, will certainly keep up with all of their delicious doings.u
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Wednesday Evening Group Run Run with your friends every Wednesday night @ 6:00pm at Big Dog in Uptown! All paces, ages, dogs, and strollers welcome. Hang out at Iron Bank afterwards and enjoy $2 drafts! Every Wednesday, 6 p.m., Big Dog Fleet Feet, 1200 Broadway, Columbus Yoga for ALL: Donation-based Class River Flow Yoga and Wellness is proud to present: Yoga for ALL Starting September 1st, every Saturday at 11am, at River Flow Yoga and Wellness. This is a drop-in class designed for ALL. No matter your yoga experience, your background, your history, whether you are a current RFY member, old member, or have never even stepped into our doors. All walks of life are encouraged to join. Class is one hour and designed for all levels. This is a pay as you can class, but a suggested $5 CASH ONLY donation is appreciated (not required). Please wear comfortable, breathable clothing that you can easily move in. We have yoga mats available for your use. Every Saturday, 11 a.m., River Flow Yoga and Wellness, 6801 River Road #403, Columbus Kids’ Night Friday Tournaments @ Archery Connection Ages 5 through 18 are welcome to participate in an archery tournament at this indoor range and compete for gift certificates to Archery Connection. Entry fee is $10. Every Friday, 7 p.m., Archery Connection, 3022 Lakewood Drive, Phenix City Sunday Morning Pancake Group Run Need motivation to get that Saturday run out of the way early? Meet up with members of the Big Dog crew at BDRC-Uptown Columbus. There’s no fee. We meet at BDRC before 6:00 AM. The run will begin at 6:00 sharp, follow a route of the group’s choosing, and end back at the store by 6:50 AM. Feel free to extend your run. There will also be pancakes. Every Sunday, 6 a.m., Big Dog Fleet Feet, 1200 Broadway, Columbus Ladies Night at Treadstone Climbing Gym Every Wednesday night, ladies enjoy climbing from 6 p.m. until close for only $10. every Wednesday, 6 p.m. til close, Treadstone Climbing Gym, 4209 Milgen Road, Columbus 13th Annual Red Nose Half Marathon The 13.1 mile certified course starts and finishes at 11th and Broadway. No registration fee; race is free. Jan. 5, 8 a.m., Big Dog Fleet Feet, 1200 Broadway 2019 Nutrition Panel Have you ever heard, “You are what you eat?” or “You can’t out exercise bad eating habits?” Have you ever wondered why what you eat is counts more towards your fitness journey versus exercise? Are you interested in learning more? Questions about living a plant based lifestyle? Are you curious about the benefits? We have invited speakers to provide you with the tools to get off of the New Years Resolution Wagon and get on the path to a lifestyle change. Jan. 5, 9 - 10 a.m., RAM Fitness Studio, 3743 Macon Road, Columbus Amazing Mammal Discovery Drop by and investigate local mammal pelts and skulls. Test your mammal IQ and see what you know about our furred neighbors. Event will be held at the Trading Post in the campground. Event is free, just a $5.00 parking pass is needed. Jan. 5, 1 - 3 p.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 Georgia Highway 190, Pine Mountain, Ga. New Year, New You Bootcamp Jan. 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Body Evolution Gym and Hot Box Barbell Club, 4209 Milgen Road, Columbus Columbus Community Health Workshop On behalf of the Georgia Healthy Cities Project, West Central Health District of the Georgia Public Health Department and Mercy Medical, you are cordially invited to join us for this event to learn, share and collaborate about Columbus’ community health. Jan. 9, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cunningham Center, 3100 Gentian Boulevard, Columbus LocaL
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CrossFit 101: Fundamentals New to the box? Been here a while? Wondering what CrossFit is but it’s a whole lot of gibberish to you? We will break down lifts, gymnastics skills, and monostructural movements. We encourage you to make this class one of your go-toos. Free for members, and free in January for non-members. Jan. 10, 6:30 - 8 p.m., CrossFit CSG, 710 Front Avenue, Columbus Maps and Compasses for Families Join our rangers and learn basic orienteering skills at three guided discovery stations. Meet at the Lake Franklin Event Center at the Large Group Camp near the Horse Stables. Dress for the out of doors. Cost $4.00 per person ages 4 & up. Pre-register & pre-pay at the park office. Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 Georgia Highway 190, Pine Mountain, Ga. Astronomy Night at the CCSSC Come out and join us for the first Astronomy Night of 2019 at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center! Dr. Rosa Williams will start off with a presentation about what to expect, and we will have our fleet of mobile telescopes on hand with students to help guide you through the wonders of our universe! Event is free. Jan. 12, 6 - 9 p.m., Columbus State University’s Coca-Cola Space Science Center, 701 Front Avenue Coexist Yoga Coexist Yoga is a Sunday morning yoga fellowship open to all walks of life. This donation based weekly class will feature a revolving roster of certified yoga instructors. You might think of it as an alternative to church if you like. Or simply a refreshing Sunday morning practice to set the tone for the week. Whatever your take, we invite you to come share your practice with us! Jan. 13, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Art of Yoga, 627 2nd Avenue, #6, Columbus Audubon Society Lecture Series Oxbow Meadows ELC and the Columbus Audubon Society hosts a monthly guest lecture series featuring natural resource professionals, educators, photographers, authors, and noted naturalists. The Lecture Series is held in the Oxbow Meadow’s auditorium on the third Thursday of the month (September to May) at 7 pm. The talks typically last an hour and a half, with light refreshments provided. This free program is open to anyone. Jan. 17, 7 - 9 p.m., Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center at Columbus State University, 3535 South Lumpkin Road, Butterfly Keeper for a Day Ever wonder what goes on behind the curtain? Well, wonder no more! Come and be a Butterfly Keeper for a day! Learn how to care for butterflies, what they need to be healthy and happy, and help our keepers with the day-to-day operation at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. You’ll learn how to identify tropical butterflies and help release newly-emerged butterflies into our Conservatory. You’ll get to participate in the unpacking of a new shipment of butterflies and learn all about where they come from. Participants will also help feed the butterflies by preparing and setting out fruit baskets. And you’ll see what kinds of plants are important for the butterflies and why; and how we maintain a conservatory filled with tropical plants. Jan. 18, 10 a.m., Callaway Gardens, 17800 US Highway 27, Pine Mountain, Ga. Martin Luther King Day Hike Enjoy a celebratory venture, 5.0 moderate miles along the Pine Mountain Trail. Meet at the Rocky Point Parking Lot along Highway 190. Hike to the WJSP Tower Parking Lot. Transportation provided to get back to vehicle. Geared towards ages 10 & up. Bring water and a snack and dress for the weather. Event is free, only a $5 park pass is needed. Jan. 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 Georgia Highway 190, Pine Mountain, Ga. Mantra Meditation Chanting is a powerful tool to bring the desired results or just bring calmness inside. I have heard so many stories of positive results after group chanting sessions and experienced it myself! So join us in this wonderful fellowship. We will chant mantra ‘Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu’. This mantra means, “May the entire universe ever be filled with peace, joy, love and light.” Word sheets will be provided. Feb. 2, noon - 1 p.m., Art of Yoga, 627 2nd Avenue, #6, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com
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Midland Lodge Country Breakfast
Enjoy an all you can eat breakfast. $5. Jan. 5, 7 - 11 a.m., Midland Lodge #144, 8701 Garrett Road, Midland, Ga.
Taco Tuesday Boozeday
Come by for tacos and some of the area’s best craft beers. Stay for live music. Jan. 7, 5 - 8 p.m., Chattahoochee Brewing, 505 13th Street, Phhenix City
Taco Tuesday at Circa
Crown and Comedy at The Loft
Every Thursday, 7 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Surfing & Suds
Every Wednesday, 7 - 9 p.m., Whether your a local or just in town visiting come on out Wednesday and join us for some high water surfing at good wave and brews later over at Chattahoochee Brewing. Small meal will be provided for your enjoyment at no cost courtesy of Whitewater Express. Every Wednesday, 5 p.m., Chattahoochee Outdoor Academy, 502 13th Street, Phenix City
Phenix City Food Truck Park
Regular food truck options include: Spices Mobile, Wing Boss, The Original Po-Boy City, LLC, Tuesdays Taco Truck, The Icey Girl & Co., Famous Nate’s Food Truck, and more. *Please contact Shaun Culligan if you are interested in participating as a food truck vendor: sculligan@phenixcityal.us. Every Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Troy University on the Chattahoochee, 1510 Whitewater Avenue, Phenix City
Enjoy $2.50 tacos, made to order with fresh ingredients. Many flavors available, including the Cabo street and Baja jalapeño tacos. Wash them down with signature cocktails or margaritas. every Tuesday, 5 - 10 p.m., Circa Kitchen Cocktails & Lounge, 11 West 9th Street, Columbus
Whiskey Wednesdays
$3 off all whiskeys, $3 off all flatbreads. Enjoy bourbons, Irish whiskeys, Scotch, rye and craft whiskeys. every Wednesday, 5 p.m., Circa Kitchen Cocktails & Lounge, 11 West 9th Street, Columbus
Wine, Wheels and Yoga for Women
Ladies, come by for $3 wine tastings and a little yoga, not necessarily in that order. This is a great way to kick off the new year and get to know other women cyclists and fitness fans (leave your bikes at home). Jan. 9, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus
If you were looking for a night to relax with a cocktail after a hard days work, look no further than CIRCA Craft Cocktails. Dijon Patterson will be here to help you kick back with an array of light acoustics to set the mood. Discounts on food and drink till midnight. Every Thursday, 8 p.m., CIRCA Craft Cocktails, 900 Front Avenue, Columbus
Beer Dinner with Beacon Brewing and Printer’s Ale Join us for a beer dinner at Mare Sol restaurant featuring beers from Beacon Brewing Co. and Printer’s Ale Manufacturing Co. Four beers (two from each company) will be paired with food items that complement their flavors. Jan. 11, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Mare Sol, 124 Main Street, LaGrange, Ga. 2019 Dr. MLK Jr. Unity Awards Breakfast
Love books? Love snacks? Then you’ll want to join us each month as we read a selected title and gather to discuss it, as well as make a treat. Dec. 6, 6 - 7:15 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus
Exchange Club Luncheon with Steve Scott
SIN Night
Chat and Chew Book Club
Seductive Saturdays
Doors open at 9 p.m., vodka open bar from 10 to 11 p.m., cocktails and martini specials. Ladies enter free until 11 p.m. Event exclusively for the sexy, mature and sophisticated (ages 25 and up). every Saturday, 9 p.m., Circa Kitchen, Cocktails & Lounge, 11 West 9th Street, Columbus
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The Columbus Alphas invite you The 33nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award Breakfast hosted the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Iota Lambda Chapter presented by the Delta Iota Lambda Education Foundation. Jan. 21, 7 - 8:30 a.m., Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue
Please join us as we welcome guest speaker, Steve Scott. He will be talking about exciting initiatives in the arts and culture going on in Columbus, mostly started by individuals. Jan. 31, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Luke Ministry Center, 301 11th Street, Columbus
Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com
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We Talked Food Trucks WITH
ANGIE ORTIZ,
& FOUND
SHE’S WOKE AS TRUCK By April Norris
is, “food trucks are everywhere in other cities. But there is an appeal to community members here, such as Reynolds Bickerstaff, who support wholeheartedly that Columbus embrace the idea as an incentive for other food trucks to open.” Food truck festivals bring in people from out of town, and those who wish to operate a food truck need to realize that the cost and red tape is comparable to what it costs to open a restaurant in a brick-and-mortar. However, the benefits include low overhead, flexible hours, not being stuck in one location. For Angie, not being bound to a building promises a quality of life a brick-andmortar can’t match. Angie’s message is simple: restaurants should not feel threatened by the presence of more food trucks, because areas such as the downtown locations are not their market. Currently Tuesdays Taco Truck has its regulars who either follow them or request that they come to them. Places that you may have spotted their taco truck are: SOHO (courtesy of David and Vicki Carson) and State Farm at Windsor Village (courtesy of Kevin Buffington). “We have regulars that include police officers, firefighters and others that may be limited to a 30-minute lunch break (industrial parks, Corporate Ridge, AFLAC, and
’ve known Angie Ortiz for quite some I time. Just when I thought she couldn’t get any cooler, she
opened up a food truck, Tuesdays Taco Truck. With partner Jeff White, a military servant for 21 years as a tanker (thanks for your service, Jeff!), they bring more to Columbus’s delicious cuisine, inspired by his time in Southern California, to tap into the food truck market. While our sister city, (Phenix City, Al.) already has a food truck park, Columbus still seems resistant to the idea, largely because some people just don’t know how to take it. One of the things Angie first pointed out to us
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the Macon Road area),” says Angie about the set-up. For those that want to open a food truck, but have no idea where to begin, Angie says, “The first mistake people make is thinking that the business license is the first step. There is so much more that needs to be completed before acquiring a license to operate. I did a chalk outline in the truck with the specifications of what I wanted and dropped it off to Cobb and Sons while Jeff and I worked on the commercial kitchen. We began the paperwork with the Health Department in March of this year, but weren’t up and running until July.” Because of Angie’s beliefs and business savvy, she has become something of a consultant in the food truck world “All of the paperwork is warranted to ensure quality food,” she says, and recommends a solid business plan in order to build trust for a bigger food truck community to grow. So why does she welcome the competition? “City council needs to see this as an innovative way of revitalizing Columbus,” Angie says. “We always need forward thinking. For instance, we could be serving the employees from the government center because right now they are without a working kitchen.”
If you’ve ever wondered about your food truck taco, Angie reassures us “In some ways we are cleaner than most restaurants because nothing is held for shelf life. We cook on the truck, hand-slice our beef and chicken and make our own pico-de-gallo, daily.” Just stay on the lookout for them as their schedule is updated every Sunday. Rules for success in opening a food truck include: Location—“We determine the success of the business and can set up wherever we want and the goal is to make people happy. Also, places appreciate the convenience of everything being done—no mess is left behind after an event.”
Licensed in both Georgia and Alabama, Tuesday’s Taco Truck’s goal is to represent Columbus when at food truck festivals. They also cater for private parties (typically 3 hours on location and will travel up to a 40-mile radius). Find them the first Tuesday of every month at the Chattahoochee Brewing Co. 5-8 pm. I’ve tried everything on the menu including the Elotes (corn on the cob), and it nearly made me cry tears of joy. For private parties—call Angie 706-289-4151 or Jeff 909-801-1791 or email them: info@tuesdaystacotruck. com. You can also follow on Instagram @tuesdaystacotruck; Facebook @tuesdaystacotruck; Twitter @ tuestacotruck and their website: www.tuesdaystacotruck.comu
Food trucks must pass inspections, just like any other restaurant, and it’s important to note that some trucks do not bother with permits or the red tape and will cook out of unregulated kitchens (gross), so look for the inspection sticker with a posted health score. They must have a hub for preparing and storing food outside of the truck. They must have permission from property owners seven days prior to set up in a location, and have restroom accessibility. “We can’t vend in the city’s ‘right of way’ - basically a (you can’t park here situation) is probably the most frustrating part of the endeavor. “
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F R E NC H 7 5 1 ½ oz Hayman’s London Dry gin ½ oz Stirrings simple syrup ½ oz fresh lemon juice Francois Montand Brut sparkling wine
Schnapps in time for the
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f you have been following my column, (and I know that you have), you have noticed that we have covered most of the popular spirits and featured cocktail recipes with each one. This month I want to get back to basics. What exactly, by definition, is a cocktail? From where did the term originate? There are several sources that claim to be the first printed reference to the alcoholic concoction called a cocktail. All of these references date to the early 1800s. The first printed recipe for a “cocktail” appeared in 1831. It called for “brandy, gin, or rum in a mix of a third of the spirit to two-thirds water; add bitters, and enrich with sugar and nutmeg...” By current definition, a cocktail must contain at least three flavors: an alcohol, a sugar, and a bitter or citrus element. A “martini” is a mixed alcoholic beverage that contains vermouth, meaning the popular concoctions marketed as martinis--those flavored apple-tinis and other fruit flavored mixers that are traditionally served in a martini glass--aren’t a true martini. A “highball” is a mixed alcoholic beverage that contains only alcohol and a mixer (gin and tonic, vodka and orange juice, scotch and soda). There are several different historically accepted roots for the term “cocktail”. One reference derives it from the French word “coquetel,” an egg cup that was used for serving drinks. Other sources mention either stirring or garnishing with a rooster feather, a “cock tail,” Here are some classic cocktails to try at home:
To an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add gin, simple syrup and lemon juice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass. Top with sparkling wine and serve. Mixologists traditionally make this cocktail with gin, but in New Orleans the spirit of choice is cognac.
A M E R I C A NO 1 ½ oz Campari 1 ½ oz Vya sweet vermout 3 oz chilled club soda 1 orange wheel and 1 lemon twist, for garnish
This cocktail was a favorite of American expats during Prohibition. To make, fill a chilled rocks glass with ice. Add Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda and stir well. Garnish with orange wheel and lemon twist. by Richard Edwards Marketing Manager At Uptown Wine And Spirits, 1208 Broadway, & A Freelance Mixologist
OLD FA SH I ON E D
1 sugar cube 2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon 2 to 3 dashes Fee Brothers Old Fashioned bitters Woodford Reserve bourbon cherries
Place sugar cube in bottom of glass. Douse with bitters and add a few drops of water. Add whiskey and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add several large ice cubes and stir to chill. Garnish with orange slice and cherries.
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