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STUFF TO READ
Letter from the Publisher
friend reached out to me recently wanting me to call up A the folks over at The Joint magazine to get their name and picture removed from the dreaded “list.” Unfortunately for
PAWS Humane Society
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Restaurant Week Returns
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Betting On Myself
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Car Boutique
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Stranded Whales & Snoring Slumber For Food, Fun ~ And A Good Cause JERRY FARBER’S Journey To – And From – Columbus
Beyond Tint ~ Enjoy a Cooler Ride for the Summer
At Tuesdays Street Tacos & Burritos
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Film Festival Returns to Columbus through Nature Now
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AROUND TOWN Muse Kitchen & Bath Gallery
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1234 Events On Broadway
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Every Day is Taco Tuesday
With a Passion for the Environment
An Experience That Feels Truly Like Home
A Place To Capture the Energy of Columbus
The New Kinfolx Corner
A Beloved Tradition Gets a Modern Makeover
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them, I have absolutely zero pull with the publication. In fact, we have our own version of the Joint, and it’s in retaliation to what they publish. Allow me to explain. If you’re not familiar with the Joint, (not the Joint Chiropractic, they’re great) it’s a small publication that locals typically find at gas stations and can purchase for a buck. On the cover and inside you’ll find the mug shots of anyone who has been arrested lately, for whatever reason, ranging from minor traffic violations to robberies. Yes, just like everywhere else, we have some crime in the city. However, whether the person featured winds up actually being found guilty or not, they have already been smeared in the public eye. So, we decided here at the LocaL to use the power of our pages to offer those who otherwise are good people with small misfortunes the chance to tell their story through a piece we call The Joint Redemption. Now, we’ve only had a few of these over the years, for whatever reason, folks might be timid or shy to tell their story, or simply do not know this is available to them. It is. If you (or someone you know) has been featured in the Joint, please feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to help you tell your side of the story. All you have to do is let us know and allow us to give you the space your story deserves. Just email us at editor@thelocalcolumbus.com In the meantime, make sure to read about the places and people that make our city great. Like my friend Jerry Farber, who’s 83 years young this year and walking in September to raise awareness and money for the homeless. Sherricka Day is back with us to shine a light on the revitalization of Kinfolks Corner (found on the Black Heritage Trail). You can also read about striving entrepreneurs like Jeff and Angie White, with their new brick and mortar Tuesdays Street Tacos and Burritos, Ryan Collins (the tint daddy) and his shop the Car Boutique, Christi Richardson and her hard working family at Muse Kitchen and Bath, and Cesar Bautista reopening a very popular event center on Broadway with fresh new energy. Plus very special upcoming events with Restaurant Week July 26th-Aug 1st and an in-person Film Festival brought to us by Nature Now Aug 19th-21st. It’s all inside and more. Thanks for reading, Monica Jones
t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m f acebook .com/t helocalcolumbusga issuu.com/t helocalcolumbus
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 editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Mat Cornett
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Scott Berson
ADVERTISING | PR
U p co m i n g Fe at u re
The Art of Chris Johnson
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706 250 7777
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Monica Jones ads@thelocalcolumbus.com
CONTRIBUTORS & CREDITS
Scott Berson Sundi Rose Natalie Downey Erick Richman Tricia Montgomery
COVER PORTRAIT BY Dr. Garry Pound | @garrypoundstudio JUNE-JULY 2021
Humane Society Stranded Whales & Snoring Slumber By Tricia Montgomery, CEO Paws Humane Society
ou have just dozed off into that deep slumber, Y you dream of beautiful beaches, white sand, sunshine and brilliant blue water, when suddenly
you’re awakened by the sound of a stranded whale. Hang on, how can that be possible, you are still in bed. So what is that sound? Your dog is snoring. Does your dog treat you to a symphony of snoring every night? Although snoring is often harmless, in some cases, it can also be a sign of health problems. Understanding the reasons your dog may be projecting more noise than a foghorn can help you decide if it’s time to speak to your veterinarian. Snoring occurs when tissues in your dog’s nose, mouth, or throat vibrate as air passes through them. The sound effects are more likely to happen if your pet’s airway narrows due to inflammation, an obstruction, congestion, or other issues. Similar to their owners, dogs can have health problems causing them to snore. Upper Respiratory Infection: Just like humans, we are more likely to snore if we have a cold or upper respiratory infection. Nasal congestion clogs your sinuses, making it more difficult for air to flow freely through your nose. Your dog may develop congestion and begin snoring because of a cold or illness. Obesity: Your dog does not just gain weight around its midsection. Weight gain can also cause excess tissues to form in your pet’s neck or throat. These tissues restrict airflow, making it more likely that your dog will snore. Allergies: Allergies could be to blame for your pet’s snoring. Allergens inflame the nasal passages, causing swelling that limits airflow. Sleep Position: Do you notice that your dog only snores when sleeping on its back? That sleeping position may cause the tongue to fall back against the throat, partially blocking the airway. Abscessed Tooth: The bacterial infection that causes a tooth abscess may be responsible for inflammation and swelling in nearby tissues. Hypothyroidism: Snoring could be a sign that your dog doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. LocaL
Other signs of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can include dull coat, flaky skin, and lack of energy, cold intolerance, reduced appetite, weight gain, shedding, and skin and ear infections. Breed Characteristics: Dogs with short noses, like boxers, pugs, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, and Shih-Tzus are more likely to snore, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Obstructions: Anything that prevents the free flow of the air, whether it’s a growth somewhere in your pet’s airway or an object stuck in its nose, can trigger snoring. So what can be done? Stopping or reducing snoring can often be as simple as gently nudging your dog to roll over or helping your pet lose a little weight. Exercise and a balanced nutrition program can help your pet shed those extra pounds. If a cold or upper respiratory infection is the cause, snoring is likely to stop once your pet starts to feel better. If there is no obvious reason for your pet’s snoring or snoring started suddenly, your veterinarian can help you determine the cause. Removing an abscessed tooth and treating the infection with antibiotics should relieve tooth-related snoring, while prescription medication will improve your pet’s health and reduce snoring caused by hypothyroidism. If it is determined allergies are responsible, making a few changes to your pet’s environment can be helpful. Wiping your pet with a moist cloth after trips outside can reduce exposure to allergens, as can washing floors and bedding often. Air-conditioners and air filters will eliminate allergens in your pet’s environment, while a humidifier will keep your pet’s nasal passages moist. Your veterinarian may
also recommend medicated shampoos or prescribe allergy medications. Snoring isn’t always a sign of a health problem, but if your dog is keeping you up at night, consult your Veterinarian so you both can get a restful night’s sleep. Sources: Zoetis, American Veterinary Medical Association, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.u
Humane Society 4900 Milgen Road Columbus pawshumane.org office@pawshumane.org (706) 565-0035 Vet Clinic (706) 987-8380 4
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during the year. It’s really a make or break for a lot of people,” Bishop said. “People miss sitting in a restaurant and getting served. It’s a big week for restaurants in general and it’s important for people to get back out and supporting the local restaurants.” One of the ways that support is being enhanced is through the addition of a fundraising campaign that will donate money to the Giving Kitchen, a charity that provides support to restaurant industry workers who face sudden challenges. Giving Kitchen had one of the busiest years ever in 2020, Bishop said, and they were able to offer people across the state of Georgia grants and assistance to get by. Over the last year, Giving Kitchen has had a heavy focus on educating and supporting mental health awareness in the foodservice industry. “There are lots of mental health issues in the service industry, and Giving Kitchen has worked really hard over the last couple years to not only provide assistance to people affected by those things, but also provide free training to staff, managers, and owners, so they can handle tough situations,” Bishop said. Giving Kitchen has been a force in Columbus for years, and the organization says it is proud to be here and for Food, Fun & a Good Cause helping keep the local food scene healthy and thriving. By Scott Berson “Giving Kitchen is proud to be able to serve the or almost half a decade, Columbus residents have Columbus, Georgia area’s food service workers,” said had one thing we knew we could look forward to Jen Hidinger-Kendrick Co-Founder, Marketing and every year: Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week turns the Communications Director at The Giving Kitchen. focus on our city’s amazing food scene, which is getting “Over the last year our industry has been hit hard, and more impressive and diverse each day. The pandemic we know they are still climbing out of some of the threw a wrench into that in a lot of ways. Restaurants hardest times imaginable. The Giving Kitchen is here have struggled, and some even closed. Plans were put to help food service workers in times of crisis. Whether on hold, or abandoned completely. Workers dangled on it’s a mental or physical health crisis, we are the safety the tightrope. net this industry has always needed. We can’t thank U.S. But now Restaurant Week is here, like the return of Foods and Restaurant Week enough by making Giving a good friend, and it’s looking better than ever, while Kitchen the beneficiary yet again of this exciting week supporting the hardworking folks in the industry at the in Columbus. Partners like them allow us to offer the same time. This year’s Restaurant Week will take place from resources needed and to reach the people that need us July 26 - August 1. most. If you are a food “We’re going service worker in the into our fifth year area who is in need of of Restaurant Week, assistance, know that and here again we The Giving Kitchen is are ready to celebrate here to help.” our culinary scene,” In addition to said Katie Bishop, cothe week benefitting founder of Yalla Public Giving Kitchen, Relations, which Restaurant Week organizes the event. will kick-off with “We have 25 to 30 a FREE party for restaurants. We even Restaurant Industry have some across the workers. Participating Valley, so not just in Restaurants will have Columbus.” a chance to partake in Here’s how it works: an educational cooking Each local restaurant course hosted by U.S. will submit a three-course menu with a price of either Foods, then experience a party with food and booze to $15, $30 or $40. All you need to do is head onto the celebrate the start of Restaurant Week. This event will restaurant week website, where all the participating be held on Sunday, July 25th. For more information, restaurants and their menus are located, and check to visit the Yalla PR Facebook page. make sure the restaurant does not require reservations. To learn more about Restaurant Week, or to donate If you are walking into the restaurant versus reserving, to the Giving Kitchen, check out the Restaurant Week be sure to ask for the restaurant week menu. It’s a great website at www.yallapr.com/restaurantweek. “We way to experience the many, many incredible dining encourage people to go out and eat, and take care of the opportunities around town in a curated, affordable way. people who take care of us so often,” Bishop said. u “Typically it’s one of the busiest weeks for restaurants
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getting close to my soul. Not just something that I did that was funny.” After the show, Jerry received two invitations: to stay late for drinks and laughs and to perform there again. He takes the stage at Aces on 80 again on June 25th at 8:00 p.m. to serve as master of ceremonies and opening act for his friend, fellow comedian Darryl Rhodes; he will return again for an encore of his own show on July 10th. “They just let me be,” he laughs. “That’s a great relief because I know I’m not hip and I don’t have to act like I am.” Looking forward to September as he reflects on what he learned from the show, he says that sharing such authentic laughter with people who seemed so intimidating at first glance “was almost related to the walk in a way.” “It was a smaller situation, but how gratifying it was to be relevant,” he says. “It touched my heart. I needed that.” “By the way,” he adds in that quick-talk drawl of his, “the food is very good.” By Erick Richman
JOURNEY TO – & FROM – COLUMBUS
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erry Farber walks with a striking, determined pace that seems almost at odds with the weight of his 83 years. In September, the storied comedian plans to carry that weight - on foot - for over 331 miles, walking from Atlanta to Savannah in just about four weeks. “Or eight,” he says with just a hint of humor. “There’s no deadline to end this thing.”
A Career of Gigs Jerry walks fast, but he’s even quicker when he talks: schmoozing up wedding guests on the porch of the Rothschild-Pound House Inn, 201 7th Street, with the unbridled self-deprecation of a man who first climbed on stage in 1951. Seventy years ago, Jerry – in an Arthurian moment of fate - snatched the microphone from some hack comic who’d been hired for his bar mitzvah. At his mother’s insistence, he started telling jokes. He was hooked immediately.
“Of all the drugs that people could do,” he says, “I would recommend comedy. It’s contagious to get strangers to laugh together, at you or with you.” Even 40 years out from being carded for liquor, he’s still that same child on the inside. “When I perform, it’s heartfelt. I’m not actually a bad man character. It’s naïve, it’s from a 12-year-old who looks older.” The Atlanta paragon – a pianist and comedian who has been charming and disarming audiences in the region for decades – still revels in defying expectation LocaL
and simple definition. “I think I’m one of the luckiest, weird looking old guys because I’m still relevant to some people doing what I’ve done since I’m twenty-one. That’s very special.” How does it feel to be still going, still growing, and still booking gigs in 2021? “It’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened,” he says. “I feel like a child stealing the third cookie. I’m getting away with a lot.” Vaccinated and Back at It Having ridden out the pandemic safely, he is back to pickpocketing laughs out of even the roughest hearts. His first gig of the year was at the Aces on 80 Bar and Grill in Ladonia, Alabama. He was nervous. “These people are hardcore. Military, tough guys, tattoos,” he says. “I thought I was going to bore them.” The club’s last five or six comedians were all duds. Jerry was their last bet; if he bombed, the owner didn’t plan to try again.
Arriving home that night, Jerry found an extra fortyfive dollars in his underpants: tips from adoring women, tucked in during his “totally absurd” on-stage striptease à la the 1997 film The Full Monty. Having kept his eyes closed during the dance, he hadn’t noticed. “I haven’t had that extra laugh in a long time,” he says. “They’re just well-lived people, and they were 6
Coming to Columbus Though it’s been thirty-five years since he gave up the “junkie” lifestyle of sports betting that made his life a “wreck,” he calls the planned walk “the gamble of my lifetime,” saying that he’s finally “betting on myself, with support from many, many friends.” “Which,” he adds with a smirking pause, “I have.” Many of those friends are back in Atlanta, but he’s
found new ones – as well as new inspiration - in the Fountain City. “I may have stumbled into it, but I hit a reasonable lottery when I came here.” Crowded and priced out of his long-time Midtown Atlanta neighborhood, making the 100-mile move south to the city of Columbus made sense - not to retire, but to continue working in “a pleasanter surrounding, without traffic jams and lots of commotion.” “Columbus does that for me,” he says, “even with all of its chaos.” As columnist Bo Hiers wrote in his May 9, 2021 profile of Jerry for SaportaReport, local business owner and Jerry-friend Buddy Nelms had encouraged Jerry to bring his “gentle, liberal, Jewish self ” down to Columbus, saying to “expect a few skirmishes,” but assuring Jerry that “generally everything will be fine.” The statement was prescient. “I didn’t even hit that guy who told me ‘Hitler didn’t finish the job,’” Jerry says, recalling the night he was JUNE-JULY 2021
accosted by a drunk man at a Columbus bar in early 2021. “I took the high road, because you have to.” Even when faced with hate, he still calls for caring. “I really think we’re all we have. If we don’t get into people, understand, try to be understanding, then we’re done.” A Familiar Cause Jerry served on the board of the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter in Atlanta for a quarter-century. Seeing people who were so alone “staggered” him, he says with a rattle in his voice. “Like, really, socked me in the jaw.” He realized that, despite (or even due to) his many
for his walk. A friend told him, “Jerry, you’re 83. Get real. You’re not sleeping on the ground.” Jerry finally agreed to sleep in a van owned by a young musician friend, with the occasional cheap hotel for a shower. One of many young people inspired and compelled by Jerry’s surprising vitality, the musician will drive the van while Jerry walks. Already having walked hundreds of miles in preparation, the funnyman will have accumulated thousands more under his toes by September. Still, those first steps from Atlanta will be heavy. Though friends, press, and his son plan to be there, in many ways he wants to – and will - be alone for the journey. “I need alone time,” he says. “I bother myself, and other people bother me just as much or more.” The adage ‘comedy is tragedy given time’ implies that every joke is built on truth; his family and longtime friends have all already taken their final steps. “I’ve been to more funerals than anybody I know, even at my age. Most of them are family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents. They all hurt.” He says it’s important to feel and acknowledge that pain, but also to continue on with living. “The person gone doesn’t feel your pain.”
trials and failings, he had inside himself a “capacity to do more than tell jokes in a club.” “What it was about was me being informed by the homeless,” he says with heavy retrospection, “not me really helping them.” It’s easy to “sit back and criticize,” he says, but “when people lose everything, all that’s left is connecting with humans.” Deciding to Walk Jerry credits the musical artist Mike Posner with inspiring him to keep moving. Posner, finding at 31-years-old that fame and wealth had left him feeling empty and without meaning, set out to walk 2,851 miles across the country. In a 2019 interview with Time magazine, Posner said he hoped “to share this concept of becoming somebody you’re actually proud of.” “All that money he made as a star wasn’t satisfactory to him,” Jerry says. “He said the words, ‘I need to be uncomfortable.’ Same here. I related to it.” Jerry called his 21-year-old son Joshua to ask if he knew of Posner, only to learn that Joshua was already a fan. Motivated by his experiences with those in need, Jerry determined to raise enough money for two thousand care bags – “underwear, socks, toothpaste, toothbrush, something to eat, and a list of phone numbers” to distribute to those living on the street. Still, he’s frank that the walk is, ultimately, about him, for him. “I’m doing this for me. I want to get off my fucking ass and do something relevant. That’s the essence of what this is about.” Carrying Forward the Past “I’ve always been a little bit neurotic,” he says, “but aware that there are always more people that need a helping hand. I’ve been given many helping hands.” For example, he initially planned to sleep in a tent LocaL
Betting on Himself He plans to begin his walk on September 26, winding his way through small towns and “forgotten places’’ on his way to the coast. Jerry welcomes donations to help those facing homelessness through his GoFundMe page, which can be found through Google under the name Jerry Farber’s Walk On Hope. Updates on the walk will be posted on the Jerry Farber’s Walk On Hope Facebook page. Some of his younger friends plan to join him; a few others are doubtful he can finish the walk, but offer to donate anyway. Calling out “that arrogance of not knowing what you speak,” he clearly takes a thrill in wearing down “these walls that people place with their own opinions.” “Naysayers are just pouring gasoline on my already ongoing fire,” he says. “Walking out there with the gnats, the mosquitos, maybe a rodent here and there… I’m looking forward to it.” A gambler even after 35 years with no bookie, Jerry still likes to play the odds. “Hold the donation,” he says to the doubters. “And if I finish, will you double it?”u 7
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by Sundi Rose
Beyond Tint ~ Enjoy A Cooler Ride For The Summer
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he Car Boutique is the latest addition to the car accessories business here in Columbus, offering services that will keep you coming back time and again. Owner Ryan Collins, loves cars so much he has spent most of his life in the industry; 15 years, in fact with the last seven devoted mostly to learning everything he can about tint. After spending just a few minutes with Ryan I could tell he really knows his stuff and he’s about to change the tint game in Columbus, in a big way. At the Car Boutique Ryan works with vehicles of all shapes and sizes that are immaculately made-toorder and you’ll be able to recognize Ryan’s signature style by the attention to detail and the care he takes in getting everything just right. Nothing leaves Ryan’s shop that isn’t up to the highest standards, and he will gladly take as long as needed to insure every job is done just they way you like. Coming to us from the high mountains of Denver, Colorado, Ryan started out learning his craft here in Columbus, under some of the most successful businesses in town. Most recently working with Carnoisseur Detail Studio (3885 Miller Rd) after spending a few years at Chico’s (429 Veterans Pkwy). Before he ever learned how to tint, he worked at Toyota for many years, acquiring all the myriad skills it takes to offer the car accessories and services Car Boutique does now. He quickly learned that he would rather be his own boss, and opened up his shop on 54th Street in 2019, where he works most days from early in the morning to late in the evening. Now at his own place on 54th Street at 148A Challenger Court. Ryan has honed his skills to produce the kind of quality services his customers have come to expect. Including hand scraping the old tint using a razor blade, with a technique Ryan created himself. It may not seem like getting your windows tinted could be that big of a deal, however, Ceramic LocaL
Tinting is big news for those of us who have to be in a car during the summer months. This is no ordinary tint, folks. This product not only darkens your windows (if you want it to) it also literally blocks the heat and will keep your car significantly cooler, even in direct sun. Ryan sells machine-cut tint with unsurpassed quality and offers a lifetime, no-fault warranty for all his services and labor. This means, after one trip to Ryan, you can sit in your car after a long day of work and not have your breath sucked right out of you from the heat. No more frying eggs on the dashboard or third-degree burns from the seat belt. The headline may be the tint, but that is far from the only thing Ryan and the Car Boutique have to offer. You’ll find a wide variety of car accessories from brands such as WeatherTech and powder coating from Autobahn. He really takes a special pride in getting things just right, and it’s no surprise that he’s a project guy as well as a car guy. There is a converted school bus sitting at his shop right now, for which Ryan did the custom metalwork and air ride suspension. It’s really something and it’s a significantly cooler place with the signature ceramic tint in place. Later on our tour, Ryan showed me a 1951 Ford F1 pickup that he’s been working on that would be
a contender for the “coolest thing I’ve ever seen” award. He’s definitely a hustler. Ryan loves a challenge and he really tries to keep all the work in-house, which accounts for all the long hours he puts in. This also means his turnaround is unbeatable. Most of the tint jobs are same-day service, and you can really tell how much he loves the work he does. This might explain all the raves he gets on Yelp - some of the highest in his industry, in fact. As you can imagine, summer is his busiest time, and it will start to pick up soon, especially as the temps start to climb and it becomes increasingly uncomfortable to be in your car. But no matter how hectic the business gets, at his heart, he still just loves cars. He hosts a monthly car meet-up on the third Friday of every month where other car people can come and just appreciate the work. He holds the meet-up at his shop which is right behind Players Billiards on 54th. You can find him on Facebook @TintGuy and on Instagram@CarBoutiqueGa. If you want to keep things analogue, you can just call him right up at 706-570-0242 u 8
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just art on a plate.” Realizing Columbus was behind in the street taco game, Jeff and Angie decided to bring a little SoCal to our community. Sure, Columbus has plenty of Mexican
EVERY DAY IS TACO TUESDAY
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By Natalie Downey
or three years now, Tuesdays Taco Truck has been serving up street tacos all around town. After hearing happy customers ask them over and over again to open a restaurant, owners Jeff and Angie White decided to do just that. “We were so busy on the truck and could only do so much,” Angie said. On April 26, Tuesdays Street Tacos and Burritos opened its first brick and mortar restaurant, an extension of the food truck in a space that allows for more possibilities. While the food and vibes are relatively the same, the restaurant has taken the food truck’s streamlined menu and expanded on it. Authenticity is a big deal in ethnic cuisine,
and Jeff and Angie White know what they’re doing when it comes to street tacos. “We’re the closest thing to authentic that you’ll find in this area, and we try to stay true to that,” Angie said. Hailing from Southern California where street tacos and food trucks abound, Jeff White retired from the military and settled with his family in Columbus. His wife Angie has been working in the food industry for most of her working years, with over 20 years of experience in the kitchen. Her passion for cooking inspired the idea behind the food truck, restaurant, and menu. “I legitimately just really like food,” Angie said. “I love ingredients, toppings, and colors...it’s really
restaurants, but a taco and a street taco are not created equal, and Jeff and Angie have made sure to point out the distinction. “At the end of the day, we’re a taco shop specializing in street tacos, not a Mexican restaurant,” Angie explained. For those who may be wondering, the main difference between a street taco and taco is
taco truck, plus more. Freshness, flavor, and authenticity are the focus. Everything is made fresh, from the pico to the meat that is marinated in-house on a vertical spit with a marinade made from scratch by Angie. As Tuesdays settles in to their new space, they have some exciting things in store for the community. With the recent addition of alcohol to their drink menu, Tuesdays now sells both Mexican and domestic beer and wine. In addition, they’ll be serving a Mexican alcoholic drink called a Michelada, also known as “red beer,” which is essentially a bloody Mary made with beer. Looking forward, Angie hopes to eventually begin serving a weekend brunch, with a menu she has created and is excited about, when Tuesdays is fully staffed. Like many businesses around town, staffing has been a struggle this year. Most of all, Angie looks forward to continuing to expose the community to authentic SoCal street cuisine. “Our food has always been the highlight of what we’re doing,” Angie said. For an authentic, fresh street taco any day of the week (well, Tuesday through Saturday), visit Tuesdays Street Tacos and Burritos newly opened restaurant at 3001 Williams Road, Columbus, GA from 11 am - 8 pm. u
hinted at in its name. “A street taco is made to be eaten on the street, on the go,” said Angie. “It’s a different experience than what is typically served around here.” Street tacos are traditionally made with corn tortillas, are a bit smaller than regular tacos, and are made with the intention of being a handheld meal eaten while walking or moving around. Typically filled with meat and toppings, Tuesdays offers a variety of street taco options including steak, all white meat chicken, roasted pork, and shrimp. Vegan and vegetarian tacos can
also be found on the menu, a rare treat in the local area. With a vibe that has been cultivated to be true to Southern California, Tuesdays Street Tacos and Burritos serves all of the favorites from the LocaL
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FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO COLUMBUS With A Passion For The Environment
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olumbus is growing into a hotspot By Scott Berson for culture, art and film. That’s no secret. But it’s also a place with a strong and growing awareness for nature and the environment. We depend on our mighty and beautiful Chattahoochee River and the marvels of our river valley home. From August 19th to the 21st, the Nature Now Cultural Arts Festival, featuring films from Wild and Scenic on Tour, will bring those two passions together for an amazing weekend of live music, art, filmmaking and fun. Plus, this time, the only screen you’ll need is the one on the main stage; because this festival will be live and in-person. “This is not just an event. It’s an experience. That is a big difference, to me. That is what separates this event from others,” said Paige Swift, director of Nature Now, a new local nonprofit dedicated to inspiring appreciation and understanding of the natural environment through arts, culture and film. “Art, in any form, moves people, and film is a powerful tool. Participants at the festival weekend can expect to see exceptional films & documentaries in nearly 20 different genres, including adventure, conservation, sustainability, wildlife, water, animation, and more.Films run anywhere from one minute to a full-length feature,” Swift said. “We host filmmakers and special guests for audience Q&A at film screenings and panel discussions. There are talks and break-out sessions in locations throughout downtown, and art and photography exhibitions. Pluslive music at all the receptions and parties! Our guests are talented established and emerging filmmakers, artists, musicians, environmental experts, and community leaders who enhance the connective experience for our enthusiastic, engaged audience.” The event is an evolution of the Wild and Scenic Film Festival of recent years, which Swift helped run as part of Trees Columbus. She said the event had grown so large that it made sense to create a new organization dedicated to bringing environmentally focused films to the Valley, LocaL
which resulted in Nature Now. “It’s really about education, networking, and building relationships in our community between nonprofits and environmental organizations. Our priorities are education and engagement, getting audiences engaged in current events and relevant environmental issues, and hopefully inspiring them to make a difference in small ways, big ways, whatever they can do, and learn things they didnt know before,” she said. It helps to have amazing partners like Yalla, and an amazing city to host events in. This year, Nature Now is partnering with Columbus State University to host the event at the Riverside Theatre, right by Woodruff Park, the Banks Food Hall, and Broadway just a block away. It’s part of why more and more artists are attracted to the city, and to events like the festival. “I came to screen my film ‘Rodents of Unusual Size’ at the festival in 2018,” said documentary filmmaker Jeff Springer. “Wow, what a surprise! The city had a delightful old industrial flare, was extremely walkable, had great food, a stunning film theater, fantastic hotel, but most of all... everything overlooked this beautiful raging river. I tell everyone I know what a special place it is.” There will be events, discussions and exhibitions scattered throughout the day, and the films will be shown in “blocks” based on subject, so you can pick and choose the types you want to see. “ Most blocks have filmmakers, Q&A panels, or other special guests interspersed during a session to discuss a particular film or topic. Each film in a block can range in ‘run time’ from 2 minutes to feature-length,” Swift said. “Film blocks typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours, including interactive discussion breaks to engage the audience.” Attendees can buy an all access pass to see everything, or specific tickets for what they want to see. There really will be something for everyone, Swift said. “It’s everything from mountain biking, to adrenaline junkie slackliners. It’s everything from outdoor adventure, to content that covers veterans’ issues, to people with special needs and disabilities being involved in the outdoors. There’s really something for everyone,” she said. “We have cute animated films that kids and adults enjoy. We have films that explore different cultures around the world. People always ask, ‘Are the films always this good?’ The answer is yes. That’s because these films have been juried two times before they enter into this library. They are official selections for a reason: the value, the quality is top notch.” For more information, including to see updated live music lineups and schedules, visit watchnaturenow.org or check them out on Facebook at @naturenow.org.u 11
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Y’allywood Madness Golf Tournament
Includes breakfast and lunch, contest entries, one raffle ticket, and a welcome bag. Teams Compete for prizes. Pre-tournament contest tracked weekly online and broadcast on social media. Tournament Entry: Team - $400 Individual - $120. For questions email shelby@habitatphenixcity.org, or call (334) 291-5220. June 25, 9AM Shotgun Start, 2800 Lakewood Dr. Phenix City
Foodie Fridays Mid-Week Game Nights
Free board gaming. Come and go as you wish. Will teach games as needed. Every Wednesday 6 - 9 p.m., Burger King - 3520 Macon Road, Columbus
Kick Back and Laugh Comedy Show
Enjoy comedy from comedians from all over the United States. If you are an inspiring comedian, there is also a spot for you on this stage. Kickback & Laugh with us. Free Admission. Doors open at 7, show at 8. COVID restrictions enforced. Every Wednesday, Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, Columbus
Board Games Saturdays
Free board gaming. Come and go as you wish. Will teach games as needed. Every Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Newk’s Eatery - (Columbus Park Crossing), 5555 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus
Market Days on Broadway
Uptown Columbus’ Market Days on Broadway takes place year-round. The Market features many local and organic farmers selling produce, along with soap vendors, home goods, jewelry vendors, and baked goods. Our friends from local shelters and animal rescue groups can be found in the median of Broadway. For questions, call the Uptown office at 706.596.0111. Every Saturday morning, 9am - Noon, Broadway, Columbus
Sit on 6th
Every Saturday head on over to ReDesign Time & Vintageville with the Spankin’ Spoon Food Truck. Enjoy great furniture finds and tasty treats. Every Saturday, noon - 8 p.m., Sit on 6th, 1301 6th Avenue, Columbus
Sketching Under the Skylight
Free Admission and open to the public but feel free to make a donation if you enjoy these events. Due to COVID-19, the class is limited to 15 participants and properly worn masks (over nose and face) and physical distancing is required. Please call the Center at (706) 507-8432 for reservations. Leave your voices at the door and catch the creative spirit. The second Thursday of each month. The Bo Bartlett Center, Columbus
Motor and Mouths Monthly Meet Up
A family friendly monthly meeting of car guys/girls to run their motor mouths about their vehicles. Held the 2nd Sunday of month from 8-11am. Windsor village parking lot, Carnoisseur Detail side, Columbus
Harley Davidson Bike Night
Regardless of what you ride. Come and enjoy the fun and camaraderie. It’s a Harley Davidson style Rock Show with the (not so) World Famous Money Shot Rock N Roll Band performing live. Plus, food, vendors, and family friendly. Friday, June 18, 6 p.m., Harley Davidson, 3230 Williams Road, Columbus Juneteenth Celebration Join us for a Juneteenth Parade as we March in solidarity to commemorate the legacy of black people in America. The main event at Columbus Civic Center will be from 10-2pm for the Culture Summit. An exhibition of black arts, fashion, culture and creativity. Enjoy the after party at 4.0 Fitness. Ending the night with a fireworks show at 9pm. Feel free to bring your own tents, lawn chairs, grills, refreshments, etc., Saturday, June 19, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Starting in the Liberty District, Columbus
Enjoy tons of local flavor with an evening filled with art, music, food & fun. Admission is free. Friday, June 25, July 30, Aug 27, 7 p.m. Heritage Art Center, Columbus
Darryl Rhodes Performs at Aces on 80
Join local funnyman Jerry Farber as he welcomes his friend and fellow comedian Darryl Rhodes to the stage at Aces on 80. Plenty of laughs, great food and cold beers. Friday, June 25, 8 p.m., Aces on 80, Hwy 80, Ladonia
Zion BluesFest
Taking place on the grounds of the Historic 1848 Zion Church. This amazing festival will have plenty of Food Trucks, Vendors and Live Music. It’s a full day of the Blues featuring Local Artists. Tickets just $15, $10 for groups of 3 or more. Tickets available on getlocaltix.com. Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Zion Episcopal Church, Jackson Avenue, Talbotton
Afro Hippy Daze
It’s a celebration of excellence and subcultures of the many diasporas of the black experience. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best picnic attire, heavy pastels, or however they feel fit to express themselves. Food and libations, upbeat indie hip hop and alternative soul vibes, as well as guest musical performances and art. Saturday, June 26, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Springer Opera House Courtyard on 2nd Avenue, Columbus
W.I.L.D. SUPer Retreat
Join W.I.LD. and SUP Y ’all’s Charlotte Gallagher for a weekend of camping, paddleboarding, yoga, campfire meditation, and hiking at Blanton Creek Campground - on the banks of beautiful Lake Harding. This trip includes dinner Saturday night, breakfast Sunday morning, SUP boards and instruction. Basic camping equipment can be borrowed from W.I.L.D. if needed. Bring your own yoga mat and personal items (a full packing list will be emailed prior to the trip). Tickets: www.wildoutdoorlearning.org/events. Saturday, June 26, 2 p.m., – Sunday, June 27 11 a.m., Blanton Creek Campground Nutwood Winery’s Music in the Vineyard Join us on the grounds of Nutwood Winery. Featuring The Vegabonds. Stroll through the grounds and enjoy shopping at our Crafts Vendors, grab something to eat from one of the Food Trucks and don’t miss out on trying our famous Wine Slushies. Serving beer & wine along with non-alcoholic options. Sunday, June 27th, 2 – 7 p.m., Nutwood Winery, 1339 Upper Big Springs Road, Lagrange July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party Fireworks, Food, Family, & Fun! It’s an all-out, all-American, weekend-long celebration.Enjoy outdoor adventures, beach access, delicious food and drink specials, fireworks displays, or just take it all in and relax on the shore of Robin Lake. End each evening with a bang and experience our spectacular Annual Fireworks Extravaganza and make it a weekend to remember. July 2, 9 a.m. – July 4, 11 p.m., Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain
Community Yard Sale
Saturday, June 19, noon - 4 p.m., Offbeat, 2202 Elm Drive, Columbus
Juneteenth Festival
The Columbus Consolidated Government, Columbus Parks and Rec and Foxy 105 invite you to join us as we celebrate Juneteenth with Music, Food and Fun. This event is free and open to the public. For vendor information call 706-576-3565. Saturday, June 19, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Shirley B Winston Recreation Center, Columbus
Summer Soulstice Yoga with Alee
Enjoy a magical summer evening celebrating the Summer Solstice and Father’s Day with Riverflow. An all levels flow class taught by Alee Link, designed to honor the “sun standing still”. Taking place in the lawn of the beautiful Bibb Mill Center overlooking the Chattahoochee River. Stay afterwards for food and camaraderie, a portion of proceeds will go to the Chattahoochee River Conservancy, who does incredible work to keep our mighty river clean and accessible. Sunday, June 20, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., The Bibb Mill, 3715 1st Avenue, Columbus
Full Moon Bike Ride
Come ride during the full moon with us. It’s free. Thursday, June 24, 8 p.m., Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus LocaL
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Beyond Go Figure II Exhibition
Created to showcase and honor the many Board Members and Friends of the Bo Bartlett Center that are artists. This exhibition features works created by them as well as pieces produced by our local talent. Last year was truly a celebration, and the Center is thrilled that we are having Beyond Go Figure Il 2021. Friday, July 2, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Bo Bartlett Center, Columbus
Chattahoochee Challenge Kids Fun Run
Our third annual kids fun run offers youth ages 3-13 the opportunity to feel the excitement of the weekend’s competition while enjoying the outdoors and promoting healthy living. Distances include 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, and 1 mile out and back courses on the Columbus Riverwalk. Each athlete will receive a finishers medal and bib number. Tickets www.tricolumbusga.com. Friday, July 9, 7 – 8 p.m., Event by TriColumbusGA, Woodruff Park, Columbus
Amanda Jane Performs
Come enjoy a chill night out listening to the sounds Amanda plays. Friday, July, 9, 9 p.m., Stage at River Falls, 505 13th Street, Phenix City
West Point Lake Dragon Boat Race
Join us for our fifth annual West Point Lake Dragon Boat Race. All proceeds to benefit Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter. For more information, team registration & sponsorship opportunities, www. wpldragonboatrace.com. Saturday, July 10, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pyne Road Park, Westpoint
Jerry Farber Comedy Show @ Aces on 80
The funny man returns with an encore show. Come for the laughs, stay for the food. Cold beers too. Saturday, July 10, 8 p.m., Aces on 80, Hwy 80, Ladonia
Uncorked Paint Party With Jessica Kennedy
Join us for an “Uncorked” evening out at the NIM painting with local artist Jessica Kennedy. No creative or artistic skills needed to participate in the fun. Thursday, July 15, 6 - 8 p.m.,The National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus
See The Story at Second Story
An art show done by multiple artists to showcase and sell their art. Event by S.Andrew Photography, Chinthika Brandstetter & more. Saturday, July 17, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Second Story, 1000 Broadway, Columbus
Restaurant Week
Experience the many, many incredible dining opportunities around town in a curated, affordable way. Restaurant Week turns the focus on our city’s amazing food scene, which is getting more impressive and diverse each day. Visit the Yalla PR Facebook page for updated info. This year’s Restaurant Week will take place from July 26 - August 1, Columbus
The 2021 Chattahoochee Celebration
We are celebrating our amazing river and all that it does for us by raising money for the River Conservancy. Come out and enjoy beautiful art, by some of the areas most amazing. There will be Rain Barrels painted by local artists including Butch Anthony, Julianna Wells & Jessica Kennedy among others to be auctioned off. Plus art contest for the kids. For more information contact: natalie@chattriver.org. Thursday, July 29, 11a - 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., 1234 Broadway Events, Columbus
Nature Now Cultural Arts Festival
Featuring films from Wild and Scenic on Tour. A weekend of live music, art, filmmaking and fun.Except this time, the only screen you’ll need is the one on the main stage; because this festival will be live and in-person. For more information, including to see updated live music lineups and schedules, visit watchnaturenow.org or Facebook at @naturenow.org. August 19 - 21. Riverside Theatre, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com LocaL
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products, you need to understand the install,” she explained. She worked on her husband’s construction crew for 6 months, learning how to do just about any job related to bathroom and kitchen remodeling. She put her knowledge to use when Muse was being built, installing some of the tile in the store. The gallery is a wonder. From colors to texture, to structure, the space gives clients everything they
By Natalie Downey
Offers An Experience That Truly Feels Like Home “Bring Us Your Dream & We Will Be Your Muse” After Christi Richardson earned her degree in education, she expected to begin teaching.
need to choose the right products for their home. Floor to ceiling tiles display an array of patterns, while sections of the store showcase various design styles from traditional to industrial. “I wanted to create an environment that is inspiring to people,” Christi said. Hence, the name, was selected to pay homage to her parents who are also her partners in the business. In addition to giving customers a physical example of products, Christi strove to cultivate a space that would be enjoyable to visit. “Remodeling and building can be so overwhelming,” Christi said. “There are so many options.” In large home improvement stores, one doesn’t have the opportunity to sit back, relax, and consider the options in a comfortable and unrushed setting with one-on-one attention. At Muse, the customer finds all of this, and more. Christi is not a designer, but she does have an eye for it. “I’ve always loved colors and design,” she said. “I love putting all of the products together
Christi & Mother Claudia, Owners of Muse
Instead, she was inspired by her husband with a surprising question: “Do you want to take a risk?” Not usually one to take risks, Christi did decided to take the plunge this time, and three years later, she’s glad she did. As a builder in Columbus for over 20 years, the idea behind the business was his in part. Understanding that a lot goes into designing a kitchen and bathroom, they had the idea of a one-stop shop, a showroom where clients could see and touch products in a home-like setting. From tile, to lighting, to cabinets and everything in between, Muse Kitchen and Bath Gallery was built from the ground up to be a showroom and retail store in one. Before beginning the process of opening the gallery, Christi took on the task of learning the construction trade. “If you’re going to sell the LocaL
like pieces in a puzzle.” Even though she doesn’t work with clients as a designer, she is always happy to help customers find just what they’re looking for. “I help guide selections because it’s a huge investment. I want the client to have no regrets when the job is done.” In the case of an indecisive client, Christi says she has an almost foolproof way of steering 14
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them in the right direction - she simply listens to their reactions as they walk around the store. “Design is more about how it makes you feel, because what I think is beautiful and what you think is beautiful are going to be two different things. And I’m not living in your home.” For that reason, Christi makes it her goal to get a feel for what makes her customers happy. Adding a technological element to design planning, Muse has a feature called 320 Design capability - a program which allows Christi to draw a client’s kitchen on a screen and perform a virtual walk-through. This gives
house a home. But more than that, she makes it a point to operate her business with a genuine respect for all whom she works with, from builders to competitors. Refusing to beat quotes, she doesn’t try to steal clients from other businesses. She trusts that everything will work out in the end, and there will be enough business to go around. “You have to have integrity and honor,” she said. For a client who is spending a lot of time and money on a remodel, being able to trust the business owner walking you through the process can make a world of difference. Christi Richarson has put her heart into Muse Kitchen and Bath Gallery, and it shows. A visit to the gallery is a must for anyone who wants to get truly inspired for their next home remodel. You can visit the gallery Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8451 Fortson Road. For a virtual tour just go to their website MuseKitchenAndBath.com u
clients a realistic view of what their finished product will look like, and enables them to play around with ideas. While Muse is a breathtaking gallery created with complete attention to detail, what stands out most about this business is its owner. Christi knows the trade inside and out, from the actual labor that goes into remodeling, to the specific details and finishing touches that make a
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By Scott Berson
it was his wife who said, ‘Hey, show him the PopUptown Space.’ Originally it was with the mindset of expanding Bodega. When I went to see the space, I realized how good of a job Jason and his wife and Jacy have been doing in there,” he said. He decided to take the project on, and also decided to give it a new feel, now rebranded as 1234 Events on Broadway - an “evolution” into something new while respecting the work that had gone into the business before. The space is an all-stop shop for any type of event. “We’re making it simple, so people looking to book an
All Photos Provided By Jacy Jenkins, Electric City Life
A Place To Capture the Energy of Columbus
a splash of vibrant color on one of the hippest Iin,t’sblocks on Broadway. An invitation to come inside, join come together, be a part of something. It’s a place for
business and a place for art, food, weddings, or a simple brainstorming session. It’s 1234 Events on Broadway. The space, located at, well, 1234 Broadway, is an event venue that lights up the heart of downtown. And it’s more than that - it’s a space where all the energy and creativity that flows through the city can gather. With a stunning interior and sun-streaming windows looking out to the vibrancy of Broadway, the event center can be rented for hours, days or months. Perfectly built to adapt to whatever it needs to be. Cesar Bautista, owner of the beloved Bodega 1205 restaurant on 12th Street, took over the space this year after its original incarnation as “Pop UpTown,” cofounded by local entrepreneurs Jason Gamache and Jacy Jenkins, took a hit because of the pandemic. Bautista, always ready for whatever opportunities come down the line, decided to jump in. The idea originally came to him after he spoke to Gamache about how he was wrestling with the best way to host events in his restaurant. “We did a Bohemian night, a flamenco night, at Bodega, and it was great, so great, we realized we needed more space. I started to talk to (Gamache) about it and LocaL
event can rent the space for hours, for days, for weeks, for whatever the necessity of the customer. We have tables and chairs of different options. If people need dishes, we partner with other local companies that will provide service to our customers, but we also have that inventory if they need it. If people want catering, we can do that as well,” Bautista said. The location is a huge plus, especially with all the new hotels either open already or about to open. Golf carts can even shuttle people from hotels directly to the event space. “What we’re bringing is that small space for the city. We have the Civic Center and the Trade Center, and those spaces are wonderful, and also really big, here we have something that complements that,” Bautista said. The space can be used for anything, and that’s the point. Students from CSU can use it for art projects or performances, and business leaders can use it to plan the next quarter. Restaurants can host a special event, or it can be a classroom for dancing or singing lessons. Bautista envisions people from Atlanta, Jacksonville and all over
the South eventually coming to Columbus and using the space for business events too - it is open to anyone who wants to get involved in the story of the city. “We want to make it available to anyone that wants to be a part of Columbus, that wants to experience it. We want to make it accessible. We don’t want for people to say either ‘Nah, they’re too expensive’ or ‘They’re too cheap.’ We want to let people know it’s
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available. It’s a business, and we want people to be able to experience it for themselves and to have the opportunity,” Bautista said. Part of that desire comes from a passion, which is inseparable from the business. From Bodega, to 1234 Broadway, to his military service, passion has always been the critical ingredient for the entrepreneur. A lot of what he does, he says, “is take this passion and use it when the opportunity comes to make the city better”. “I’m telling you, it’s an honor, and a responsibility. I don’t plan to do things, I’m just ready for them, and when they happen, I’m ready to do things at the level that is expected. I take a chance. I’m more than honored to be a part of this momentum that Columbus is getting,” he said. “I feel the whole community backs us up when we have a new project. I’ve just been blessed that I landed in a place where the people that started this - the rebuilding
of downtown - were on track, so it’s easier for us to move forward. There’s a momentum you cannot stop, and either you become a part of it or you’re just a spectator. If I don’t have passion for it, I don’t want it. I want to perform all the time.” That support from the community, and the feeling that he’s a part of the momentum, pushes him to do his best, for his customers, for his business, for his family and for the community. “It makes me feel humble,” he said. “But it also makes me feel committed.” For more information on 1234 Events on Broadway, including rental quotes, call 706-366-0554 or send an email to 1234eventsonbroadway@gmail.com. To check out the space virtually, they have a Facebook as well as their website, 1234event.com.u
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Image Credit, Sherricka Day
The New Kinfolx Corner
A Beloved Tradition Gets A Modern Makeover By Sundi Rose
he lore of Kinfolks Corner is built right into the T fabric of the history of Columbus. Many of us drive past it every day, and almost every single one
of our parents or grandparents has a story about it. The actual building is at the intersection of 10th and Front and has deep roots for the African American community in Columbus. What started as a place for slave auctions turned into a general store where people of all generations could gather and tell their stories, share their troubles, and prop each other up when they needed it. According to the Columbus Black History Museum, Black people would travel from as far away as Hurtsboro to pass through and do business at Kinfolks Corner. Sometimes taking a train or coming in on farm equipment, people would use this as a meet-up point for family gatherings and it was known to be lively, welcoming and full of an exciting energy that made everyone feel at home. The brick and mortar building serves mostly as a historical marker these days, and it’s meant only to be appreciated from the outside. It is part of the Columbus Black Heritage tour and has an official marker that reads, in part: “From the 1840s, this building stood among others of its type at this historic downtown intersection. Known traditionally as “Kinfolks’ Corner,” the area was the meeting place for generations of citizens from Columbus and neighboring Alabama counties.” It also famously
Image From The Columbus Black History Museum Archives
made its way into the novel, Member of the Wedding, by Columbus native, Carson McCullers. While the building and all it held in the past has become extremely important to our shared spirit, it has recently received a more modern makeover. Sherricka Day has revived the spirit of Kinfolk’s Corner and created a digital space on social media, Kinfolx Corner. This latest incarnation serves as a safe place to share LocaL
stories, tell truths, and foster support for the Black community in Columbus. Although there may not be an actual corner to hang out on anymore, you can visit the Facebook page to leave a comment, a memory, or even read about some of the notable moments that happened in and around this famous meeting spot. The mission statement of the reboot reads, “Kinfolx Co. tells the story of the African American experience in Columbus, Ga. It’s the modern spinoff of Kinfolks Corner, the physical space where black people got together back in the day. The goal is to connect our past history with the present.” Day brought that sentiment back to life because “those were the days when people were generally interested in each other and their wellbeing” and she hopes the virtual platform will “introduce followers to people known and unknown in our community. It teaches about places and events that made an impact on our lives today. And it shares the lives of people present in our community.” Employing technology to keep the past alive is a clever way to keep younger generations and those not from Columbus originally plugged in. This endeavor is more important now than ever before because of how fractured and divided our country has become. The idea of creating a place on the internet for love and support may seem futile
it the most. Day said, “We have to stop hiding from the past or hiding it from others. I want to leave a legacy of truth and transparency. Some stories are painful. Some are not. But they all are influential in the shaping of Columbus. And they should all be told” The response to the new Kinfolx Corner’s social media presence has been outstanding. With likes and shares climbing every day, it has become a source people use to connect, but also to learn and to teach. Day remarks about the sort of feedback she gets and says it’s mostly positive, ranging from gratitude for sharing the content, to nostalgia, to answering a call to action. Kinfolx Corner is well on its way to becoming just as important to this generation as it was to the previous one. If you haven’t yet, head over to Kinfolx Corner’s Facebook and give it a like. While you’re there, take a moment to browse the pictures, read the comments, and listen to the impact it is having, even in the short time it’s been reenvisioned. u
photo by Tony Pettis
Image Credit, Sherricka Day
given the current state of social media, but Day believes the new Kinfolx Corner can really make a difference. The virtual Kinfolx Corner recently posted the stories of Jessie Slayton and Will Miles, two Black men who were murdered by an angry white mob in the middle of town, in broad daylight. The short post marks the anniversary of their death, serving as a reminder that in order to be better, we have to know better. Also on the new Kinfolx Corner, you might find profiles of remarkable community leaders, old black and white photos, announcements, encouraging words, and a lot of comments about how much Kinfolks Corner, and now Kinfolx Corner, means to people. It has quickly become a place to connect people, but it also feels like a family reunion. When I asked Day about what she wants the legacy of the revived Kinfolx Corner to be, her answer was all about coming together. She said, “Kin is about family, whether family is a blood relative or a close friend. It’s about community. Our community is divided down the middle because of race, social status, and economics. Kinfolx Co. is a means of connecting us, sharing stories so that we can understand one another. Again, it’s about learning and appreciating one another.” Honoring what came before is about understanding how to be better going forward, and the legacy of Kinfolx Corner will be one of inspiration and encouragement for those who need 18
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