The LocaL, May 2018

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STUFF TO READ Who the HELL is Jerry Farber?

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ILGES HOUSE

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Julianne David

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AN ITALIAN ROMANCE One Artist’s Journey

MARKET DAYS UPSTREAM

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FIVE Top 5s

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Uptown Float May McDaniel

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COCKTAIL CLUB

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Online Film Festival Alan Bean

Living Long & Living Well

from the Editor I can’t stop thinking about it. May McDaniel is 70 years old and is stranded, all alone, on Mount Katahdin. She has no food. She has no water, and there is no potable water to be found on the 5,000 foot descent back to the nearest outpost of civilization, a Ranger station.

But May McDaniel did make it back. By sheer determination she reached that Ranger station, in what is only one, however harrowing, adventure in her colorful life. And May is still as vigorous as ever.

May’s story is remarkable as it is inspiring. But not all inspiration need derive from such rare stories.

Often the quotidian strikes as resonant a chord.

Last week a friend and I visited Butch Anthony’s Museum of Wonder. Regular readers know my fondness for St. EOM’s Pasaquan, and so can imagine how eager I was to visit Anthony’s outside art outpost in Seale, Al.. It’s certainly worth the short drive from Columbus.

As my friend and I marveled at the enormous and bizarrely stocked curio cabinets (shipping containers fitted with windows) another car pulled up, a mother with three girls in tow. We smiled and said hello, and I asked if they’d visited the Museum before.

“Yes, every day, almost,” the mother told me. Every day after school, the youngest asks to visit the Museum.

I was astonished. I was inspired, in that moment, on several levels. First I was inspired by the Museum itself, as I am always in awe when a person commits so completely to anything bizarre—and a traveling preacher’s diorama of Hell from the 1930s is certainly bizarre. I was also inspired by the mother; as a parent, I have soft spot for the simple generosities parents offer their children, those tinder little moments we who are lucky enough to have them remember always.

But more than anything, I was inspired by the young girl who was so enamored with the Museum.

She looked to be six, maybe seven. I wondered what she liked best about the Museum, but in the brief exchange, I didn’t think to ask. My friend and I took a few photos; she recoiled from the snakes; we wondered about the huge metal orbs behind the Museum, wondering if they were wrecking balls or buoys (they are buoys).

I kept thinking about that little girl in the back seat of her mother’s car. I wondered what sort of impression the Museum might make on her. I wondered what sort of inspiration someone so young might take from a place so perfectly strange.

Inspiration is everywhere in this world, when we look at things with the right kind of eyes. People tell remarkable stories, build remarkable things, develop remarkable interests. I do not always bring the right kind of eyes to situations, and when I forget to look more closely, I always kick myself afterwards. When I do remember to pay attention, I come away a little more energized to return to my own work.

I hope you find in this magazine things that inspire.

Goodness knows we try to offer inspiration. I find a lot of inspiration in our community, and I hope you do, too.

But if you look around and find inspiration lacking, please remember: you can be inspiring, too, even in small, subtle ways. Go visit a thing, tell someone your story. Get out and involved. We depend on each other for inspiration, so however you offer yourself, please do.

Thank you for reading, Tom Ingram Editor

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t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m f acebo o k . co m/ t hel o cal co l u mbu s g a

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

pu bl i s her @t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m ads @t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m

editor

Tom Ingram edi t o r @t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m

layout & design Mat Cornett

CONTRIBUTORS AND CREDITS

Bobbie Yeo Joe Miller Christina Paz Richard Edwards Matt Szabo Adelaide Merritt April Norris Alan Bean May 2018

W h o t h e HELL i s

J E R R Y FA R B E R ?

PAWS H U MA N E

Barks & Blues

By April Norris

“Yo u h a ve t o c o m e t o d i n n e r t o m e e t t his gu y Jer r y Farber, ”

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et ready to mark your calendars because the third annual Paws Humane Society Barks & Blues Festival is happening on Saturday, May 19. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the event, we are moving the concert venue to Woodruff Park this year so music lovers and their dogs can “get down” to the tunes of some of the most sought out bands in Columbus.

The 2018 Barks & Blues Festival will be a slightly more “grown up” event with nonstop music from 4 – 11 pm. A friend of Paws Humane Society from the beginning, the Neal Lucas Trio will open the festival this year. This well-loved Columbus staple is known for their mix of jazz, blues and southern rock.

Next on the line-up will be GP38. This four-piece band from Muscle Shoals, Alabama delivers high-energy performances of “real country music along with all your southern and classic rock favorites.

Up next will be Mark Sasser and Soul Kitchen performing their mouthwatering brand of heavy blues rock. A crowd favorite last year, we are thrilled that Mark is not only coming back to perform but is also part of the planning committee for 2018. Thank you, Mark!

I can’t wait to see Damn Skippy, if only because I love the name. They are described as a “full on party rock cover band with influences from Van Halen to Guns and Roses, Metallica and Hank Williams, Jr.” By the time Damn Skippy comes on you will be all warmed up and ready to let loose, that is if you haven’t gotten there already.

The iconic Tom Petty left this planet in October, but he is not forgotten thanks to tribute band, the Breakdowns. Their “all Tom Petty all the time” set will close the night for a reason. We know this year’s line-up is going to make you want to come back next year.

Your favorite food trucks will be on hand to satisfy your appetite for supper and refreshments, and of course you can’t have a blues party without plenty of beer. The event continues to be family friendly with a kid zone, microchipping for your dog and pet adoptions.

Start planning now to wow our celebrity judges during the Pet Costume Contest at 6:30 that evening, where prizes will be given for Owner/Pet Lookalike, Best Dressed, Most Creative, and Best in Show.

If you love music and you love animals then this is the place to be on May 19. Best of all admission to the 2018 Barks & Blues Festival is FREE! That is thanks to our amazing sponsors, especially the Stelzenmuller Rescues.

Bobbi Yeo lives in Opelika, AL. She is the CEO of PAWS Humane in Columbus, GA, an animal shelter and veterinary clinic offering low-cost spay/neuter and other services to the public.

Email her at byeo@pawshumane.org with your comments and story ideas.

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

a friend says to me. We meet at a local favorite because I was told that he is a comedy veteran of 50 years, had fallen in love with Columbus, and I had never heard of him. How does that happen? I watch, read and listen to all things comedy, so I was certain I would at least recognize him from his career. After a quick Google search, I still didn’t know him. Upon arrival it was clear why my friend needed for others to soak up Jerry’s wisdom. In one evening I learned that he was 77 with the mind of a 40-year-old (or younger), was doing a set at No Shame Theater, and he could charm me into doing five minutes of standup. Last month I was fortunate enough to attend Jerry’s 80th birthday party at The Loft’s comedy night, where he did an hour set, proving to us all that he can still work a room.

I watched him walk around, give people his full attention when he met them, and leave on a high note or one-liner with a “great to see ya again” or “nice to meet ya.” Twenty minutes into his set, those same people were in the show. The soldier he’d met just before taking stage was now being asked if he remembered picking up those hookers with him “that one time.” He honors his audience with jokes at their expense without hurting any feelings. His jokes land with a jab, but Jerry quickly throws a blanket of laughter around the crowd to make them feel better about what he considered a very troubled world, one more in need of laughter now than ever.

He told me that most people don’t pay to feel uncomfortable, so he tries to bring a spirit of service to his audience—and by audience, I mean anyone he’s talking to.

Jerry is always on.

“Most comedians’ art comes from an insecurity, a need to make strangers happy,” Jerry said. He does admit, however, that the art of comedy is also about selfexpression, and when done with love can be healing to everyone in the room. And with Jerry, this art seems to have no shelf life.

Jerry is a classically trained pianist and began his performing career playing piano in bars. “Piano bars used to be much more popular than they are today,” he said. He found that as people would drink they would become belligerent, so he started filling the space with jokes. This gift of defense led to a long career as a stand-up comedian. He moved to Columbus from Atlanta because the city had exhausted him for many reasons, and much to his delight, he found more work at a pace that will allow him to tell jokes past the century mark. If you’re lucky you can sit around the piano at Mabella’s on certain Saturday nights while he entertains you with the perfect melody, stops to tell some half-true story finished with an unexpected punchline.

Jerry Farber is proof that you can work your entire life and continue to hone your craft, provided you keep your mind active. Jerry is also very spiritual. He studied the Old Testament, the Talmud and has a regular practice of Buddhist meditation. All of this makes him more hilarious as he walks through The Loft surrounded by five beautiful women while young men do a double take. Two young men at the bar, who were distracted from a game on TV by Jerry’s entourage, gave the classic “who the hell is this guy?” look. Jerry leaned into the ear of one of the young men and said, “Stay asleep, boys, because I am wide awake.” u

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May 2018

ILGES HOUSE

A N ITA L IA N ROMA NC E D ATING TO THE EARLI E ST DAYS O F CO LUMBUS

By Adelaide Merritt

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hat old saying “If walls could talk” would certainly mean some interesting stories.

While some of the older buildings and houses in Columbus date back to the antebellum period, many have been demolished in the many intervening years. One of the few buildings to have seen Columbus through its first development as a major river-side mill town, through the Civil War and into the present era is the Ilges House, located on Second Avenue.

The Ilges House, built by James A. Chapman around 1850, is an example of the Greek Revival style that dominated the US from 1820 until about 1850, and was modeled after the Grecian temples of the 5th century BC. Drawing on this influence, Chapman included six Corinthian columns and stucco on the front of the house.

With four rooms on the ground floor and four rooms on the second floor, the house was added on to when native-Pennsylvanian Abraham Ilges bought the house in 1877. It was also further embellished with frescoes of cupids and angels, tile on the floor of the entryway, which introduced the romance of Italy to the Deep South.

A particularly interesting part of the history was that the house once served as a school. Before Abraham Ilges purchased the house for his new bride, Mr. William Henry Woods lived in the house where his mother-inlaw, Mrs. McIntosh established a small school sometime between 1872 and 1877. Mrs. McIntosh, born Caroline Matilda Jewett was the sister-inlaw of George Parker Swift, Sr. By the time the house passed into the hands of Dina Woodruff, Abraham’s greatgranddaughter, it had already been brought into somewhat modern day by the addition of two bathrooms, added in the 1930s and still holding with the décor of that time period. Dina then further renovated it by pulling up the flooring to expose beautiful original hardwood flooring, taking down decades of wallpapering the upstairs bedroom and uncovering rustic

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pink-painted walls, while covering yellow walls with a deep gray paint.

Perhaps the most noticeable change was the white paint covering the terracotta color that covered the façade. An interesting piece of knowledge pertains to the house’s reddish claylike color. Samples were tested to determine the color, only to find out it wasn’t just a paint color at all. Red Georgia clay was use to achieve the beautiful terracotta color. However the life-size dollhouse replica of the house was originally painted white, inspiring the current color.

This incredibly driven man had played a part in making Columbus a thriving mill town through his work in spinning, jute bagging and cotton gins. Because every great man has to start somewhere, Abraham left his Pennsylvania home at the age of 13 and came to Columbus and began working with his brother in the grocery business.

His family name is now interwoven with biggest family names in Columbus, and will be a major name well into the future.

Lined up in the downstairs nursery, adjacent to the master bedroom, were the cribs of Abraham’s six babies.

The house saw the weddings of some of those children and the greatest joys and sorrows of life were witnessed by those walls. u

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May 2018

Julianne David

On e A r tist’s Jo ur n ey Fr o m I n s t agr am To Co lumbus ’ New es t F i n e Ar t G a l l e r y

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ulianne David works out of her dinning room.

The space is intended to be a dinning room, anyway, but is given over entirely to canvas and paint. Not that David has much time to work.

“I squeeze in [art] during nap times, after bed, before they wake,” she says of finding time for art while raising three sons. “They like to help me paint.”

Painting was not her first path, or even her second.

She started college at Auburn, but transferred to Savannah College of Art and Design in her junior year, where she majored in fashion and minored in photography. After an internship with Jenny Hilfiger, she found herself working for her more prominent brother, Tommy Hilfiger. After a year with the powerhouse fashion brand, Julianne became engaged.

“Being in the heart of the fashion industry was amazing,” she admitted, but the hours are long and demanding. She wanted a creative outlet she could better balance with family; however amazing, the fashion world was not one to which she could commit.

Moving to her husband’s hometown of Columbus, Julianne first began making stationary. Soon she was drawing on her fashion experience, painting female figures. Four years ago, she posted one of her figures on Instagram (you can find her @ juliannedavidart). The figure sold immediately. She kept selling.

Her first show was at her parent’s home in Fairhope, Al, a small city across the bay from Mobile. She was surprised by the turnout, and six months later had a second show at her own home in Columbus, another motivating experience. Ted Johnson, of Leigh & Paige Fine Art Gallery (1309 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus), like her first customer, found Julianne on Instagram. Julianne says she was surprised when Ted asked her to show work in the gallery, and she welcomed the additional outlet, the extra motivation to “keep doing what I love to do.”

Julianne’s work tends toward three forms.

The female figure, her first form and still an energetically pursued subject, is most prominent, and is explored in a wide range of palettes and poses. She also works in abstracts, which she started out of love, and enjoys the challenge of organizing color in subtle ways to direct the viewer’s gaze. Her faces series are free flowing portraits of postwar icons—Judy Garland and Albert Einstein are recent subjects—and capture these wellknown figures in her signature style.

The Art of Julianne David opened at Leigh & Paige on April 20, with a bustling turnout. The show runs through May 16.

By Tom Ingram

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May 2018

Circle level members ($500+). RSVP by May 8. May 15, 6 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Summer Camp Open House Meet The Columbus Museums camp instructors for the 2018 camp season.

You will have a chance to talk to instructors, find out about projects that campers will undertake each week, and see examples of what they will create. Once you’ve decided which camp is right for you, museum staff will be on hand to guide you through the registration process.

Camps are available for preschool through rising 7th graders. May 19, 10 a.m. - noon, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Access for the Arts This engaging program develops art exploration for individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s and their care partners. Each month participants will have the choice to explore stories and objects in the Museum or get hands-on art making experience led by a Museum team member. This program is free but space is limited. To join, please call David Marlowe at the Alzheimer’s Association, (800) 272-3900. May 21, 10 – 11 a.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com

Orphic: CSU Senior Art Exhibition Featuring artists John Styron, Jose Rosario, Jessica Kennedy and J. Allen Vanderford, Jr.. Work will be on display in the Ilges Gallery. May 5, 6 p.m., Corn Center for the Visual Arts, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus American Women in History Please join the National Infantry Museum Kids program to explore the role women have played through the history of the United States. $10 per youth student. May 5, 10 a.m. - noon, National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus Silhouettes by Clay Rice Clay Rice is an award-winning artist and children’s book author. This rare art form is a Rice family tradition spanning three generations.

Join the tradition and have your child’s silhouette done. Call the Kiddie Shoppe to schedule an appointment (706) 327-0334. May 5, 10 a.m.

- 2 p.m., Kiddie Shoppe, 15 West 11th Street, Columbus Beginner's Fused Glass Class In this class for adult beginners, you will learn the basics of cutting, cold-working and fusing glass. Each participant will make their own fused glass suncatcher. The class is fun, easy and for all levels of experience. Call the studio to register, (443) 605-5127. $25 per person. May 5, 2 – 4 p.m., Poetry in Glass Studio, 1601 12th Street, Suite 5, Columbus Look @ Lunchtime This collaborative viewing experience is centered around works of art from the Museum’s permanent collection. Jonathan Frederick Walz, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Curator of American Art, will facilitate Look! discussions every Tuesday. Each month a new object will be explored. May 8, 12:15 – 12:30 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Crafting Power Hour: Marbling Marvels Get your craft on with The Columbus Museum’s Crafting Power Hours.

Each Power Hour will allow you to get hands-on with a variety of materials and create a finished work of art to take home. All materials are provided, all participants will be able to take their creations home. Space is limited and registration required. May 10, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Mother's Day Ink Swirled Terrarium Work together with mom or dad to create a one-of-a-kind gift for Mother’s Day. Participants will paint their own terrarium using a special ink and will pick out a plant to put inside once the terrarium dries. While your terrarium is drying, you and your family will go on a special Mother’s Day-themed scavenger hunt, and participants will receive a prize upon completion. This program is designed for ages 6 and up. May 12, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus Trench Art White Glove Reception for Patron & Circle Members Join The Columbus Museum for an exciting hands-on experience with artifacts in “From Sword to Plowshares,” an exhibition that offers a glimpse into the dazzling world of trench art, objects made by soldiers and prisoners of war using material associated with armed conflict. Closely interact with an array of artifacts such as decorated artillery shell cases executed in trenches, elaborately embellished artillery shell lamps, cigarette lighters and ashtrays exhibiting extraordinary craftsmanship. Don’t miss this opportunity to get an upclose look at unique objects utilized during World War I. Rebecca Bush, Curator of History and Exhibitions Manager, will lead the group in this one-time opportunity. This event is free and open to Patron and LocaL

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May 2018

By Tom Ingram

Market Days , ar e her e again ever y Saturday, 160 local vendors converge on Broadway to sell homegrown & handmade wares of ever y kind

A bright, cool morning finds tents and tables going up all along Broadway, from 9th to 13th Street. The crowd soon follows, overflowing the sidewalks with browsers, couples with children in tow, people with dogs.

The crowd ambles among the myriad vendor booths, selecting fresh produce, accent pieces for home and garden, and tasting the wide variety of snacks for sale. Market Days are here again, and Saturday mornings are alive with commerce, community and fun.

What began nearly 10 years ago with eight reluctant vendors has grown into a four block-long span of 160 local vendors selling everything under the sun.

“The vastness of the product offerings at Market Days is fantastic,” says Becca Zajac, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Uptown Columbus, which hosts the weekly event.

“I would put it as one of the best in the southeast.”

Running north from the 900 to 1200 block

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of Broadway in Uptown Columbus, Market Days is a rain-or-shine market, where customers can find local produce, eggs and meat, crafts of all kinds, the up-cycled and recycled, all from community creatives. Even in unfavorable weather, the dedicated vendors are there, every Saturday morning, to provide their eager customers with an impressive range of products.

“We believe the best markets have homegrown and home produced [products],” Becca says, “and we have made sure this year’s vendors reflect that.”

Market Days reflects the creative prowess in the Columbus area, and has grown into an incubator of new businesses. Becca says the Market is the perfect place to test a new idea.

Becoming a vendor costs only $150—for the entire year, which “makes it approachable for people looking to try an idea.” Many vendors have built their booth from a side gig into a full career. With regular attendance into the

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thousands—the Market, though it spans four blocks, does get crowded—there is room for “multiple people to succeed,” Becca says, even with similar products.

To learn more about Market Days and for information on how to become a vendor, contact Becca at becca@uptowncolumbusga.com.

We caught up with four Market Days vendors, to talk about their experiences and what they love most about the market.

Plant Magic Medicine Shop

Olivia Hight opened her first booth, Golden Milk Columbus, last year at Market Days, and the response was immediate. Her first product was a turmeric paste made with black pepper, Himalayan pink salt, cinnamon and ghee; Olivia recommends the paste be mixed with almond milk for a healthy concoction purported to have many health benefits, including use as an anti-inflammatory, immune system booster, liver detoxifier, and metabolism regulator.

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Following the success of her first year, Olivia changed the name of her business to Plant Magic Medicine Shop.

The name change marked a move to include even more natural, healthy products. Olivia

more than 5,000 high school thespians to town.

For Laura at Rita’s Retro, selling vintage wares at Market Days is a year-round career.

Find her on Facebook @ritasretro.

Bent by Courtney

even makes her own ghee, a clarified butter originating from India and long used for culinary, medical and religious purposes. You can find her at Market Days, and also through her online shop, plantmagicmedicineshop.bigcartel.com.

Olivia’s booth draws throngs of regular customers, and has also inspired new vendors.

Her good friend, Kara Brakefield, was so impressed with Olivia’s success that she started her own business, Chattahoochee Wax Co., which you can also find among the many Market Days booths.

Courtney Johnson began making jewelry while in college, as an outlet for her creative energy. Her business grew through sales at local boutiques, and in 2012, at her mother’s suggestion, she brought her jewelry—some pieces are bold, others understated, but all eclectic and genuinely unique—to Market Days. The move has been a great success.

Courtney says coming to Market Days has helped with sales, and also helps the community get to know who she is. One of the great joys of Market Days is the personal connections that develop between vendor and customer. This is one of those rare retail spaces in which experience is as much a pleasure as the products sold. Courtney

earth as it is of the community, and Market Days puts them face to face with their customers each Saturday. For all the hard work, this duo is having fun, and love getting to know their customers.

You can find more information about their story and their offerings at littlebitfarmgeorgia.com. u

Rita’s Retro

Laura Walker is a long-time Market Days shopper. She worked for the United Way, but says she “wanted to make a business I could do anywhere.”

She began by selling vintage items online, and soon realized she needed to directly reach a younger hipper audience. Naming her vintage booth for her mother, she sells records, clothing and accessories, including ties, hats and purses.

Now in her third year at Market Days, Laura loves the diversity of Market Days’ shoppers— the students, soldiers and families, the people who live downtown. She also appreciates the way Market Days has put her in touch with people she might not otherwise come to know.

“I meet people who are transient,” she says. “I get to know them.”

She encourages new vendors. “First thing about Market Days,” she says, “is you can sell every weekend.”

Per Market Days rules, vendors must commit to regular attendance, to keep the Market consistent for shoppers.

This is good for vendors and customers alike. We asked about the way seasons impact her business; Market Days is now a year-round event, and we wanted to know how business waxes and wanes. Laura surprised us by admitting her best weekend is in February, when the Georgia Thespian Conference comes to Columbus, which brings LocaL

enjoys the personal connection. “I get to see the response,” she says of meeting customers face to face. The personal connection also helps her get a better feel for what people like, helping her to create ever more interesting jewelry.

In addition to sales through her website, bentbycourtney.com, making jewelry is a fulltime gig for Courtney. For prospective vendors, she advises not to undervalue their work. Don’t be afraid to ask what you’re worth; if your products are quality, people will respond.

Little Bit Farms

Duo Ian Steel and Mary-Martin White purchased Little Bit Farms, located in West Point, three years ago, and share their labor of love with the Columbus community every Saturday at Market Days. Their mission is three-fold: to share with the community, showcase the beauty of the earth, and educate

people about sustainable eating.

Neither have an agriculture background. Ian took an urban farming course while living in Oregon, and when he met Marty Martin in Utah, they started a garden together. As both were unhappy with their day jobs, they decided to take their gardening experience and see how much it could grow. Deciding on the Columbus area, where Mary Martin is from, they’ve never looked back.

Farming is hard work, especially in the late spring and early summer, but Ian and MartyMartin are up and working at 7 a.m., even as Ian pulls double duty as a Harris County volunteer firefighter. What they cultivate is as much of the 9

May 2018

By Joe Miller

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 and Comedy at The Loft

Every Thursday, 7 – 8:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus

Casting Call For Adult Actors, Male & Female

Participants will recite or read a monologue for an audition. Please call (706) 505-1411 for more information. May 1 through 10, call for times, Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus

Last of the Red Hot Lovers

A delirious comedy starring popular Hollywood and Broadway Guest Artist Brian Reddy. Barney Cashman is an awkward, overweight, middleaged married man who decides to have a fling before modern life passes him by. He arranges three seductions—Elaine, a frenetic bundle of nerves; Bobbi, a kooky actress; and Jeanette, a depressed housewife.

As a red hot lover, Barney is a complete, bumbling failure. But in a tender, moving conclusion, Barney rediscovers the enduring fulfillment of true love—with his wife. May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12 at 7:30 p.m. and May 6 at 2:30 p.m., The Springer Opera House, 103 East 10th Street, Columbus

INDIE Artist Showcase & Open Mic

Every Wednesday, this showcase and open mic features the best in upand-coming singers, musicians, poets and comedians. May 9, 16, 23, & 30, 8 – 11 p.m., CIRCA Craft Cocktails, 900 Front Avenue, Columbus

The Rainbow Fish

The Rainbow Fish will captivate even the youngest child with his silver scales and heart of gold in this award-winning book about the beautiful fish who learned to share his most prized possession. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings Marcus Pfister’s classic children’s book to life with their enchanting puppetry. May 11, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Mr. & Miss Columbus Georgia Pride Pageant

Meet 2017 Miss Columbus Pride, Artivins Ravion, as she passes the torch to the next winner and champion of LGBT Columbus. This drag competition is free to attend. June 1, 8 – 11 p.m., Broadway, Columbus

13th Annual Spring Production: Superstition

Company C, Academy of Dance proudly celebrates their 13th Annual Spring Dance Production. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Ages 3 and under will not need a ticket. June 2, 5 – 8 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com

Spring & Summer Coming of Age Films

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he differences between LATE SPRING (K) and EARLY SUMMER (FS) are subtle. The films were released back to back in 1949 and 1951, and they both star Setsuko Hara as a woman in her late 20s named Noriko who’s unmarried and still living at home. Both were directed by the Japanese auteur Yasujiro Ozu, whose singular style of filmmaking has been among the most influential in the history of cinema. His camera work is elegantly simple—no dolly shots, no zooms, rarely a pan from side to side. He sets up each shot from the vantage point one might have if they were sitting cross-legged on the floor, watching the characters come and go. And Ozu often lets the camera linger on a scene, to draw the beauty in the common, the gentle billow of clothes on a line, steam rising from a tea kettle, and his signature image, a train cutting across a landscape.

His stories are elegant, too—deceptively simple. LATE SPRING and EARLY SUMMER are both coming of age stories. In LATE SPRING, Noriko’s family urges her to find a man and get married. She doesn’t want to; she’s perfectly happy with taking care of her father. But in time she acquiesces, leaving her father all alone. In EARLY SUMMER, Noriko is more open to the idea of getting married, but she surprises her family by choosing a man of modest means from the country. At first glance, the plots seem thin, but they carry complexities of tensions beneath the smiling politeness of mid-twentieth-century Japanese manners that reveal a full range of human emotion.

AMERICAN HONEY (A), on the other hand, is a late spring/early summer coming of age story in 21st-century America. Made by British director Andrea Arnold, whose style is the exact opposite of Ozu’s, it’s alive with shaky handheld shots, the camera always up in the characters’ faces. It’s the only way to properly tell the tale of Star, a girl in her late teens who escapes Oklahoma and a molesting stepfather by joining a van full of scruffy, dope-smoking ne’er-dowells who travel the US, selling magazines door to door, fueled by cheap booze, energy drinks and fullthrottle sex drive. Marriage is nowhere on Star’s horizon, nor does there seem to be much of a future among her new wandering tribe. But still we see her build, from one reckless adventure to the next, a semblance of a moral code that she can carry into adulthood.

And when it’s spring and summer in Japan and America, of course, it’s fall and winter in South America—the season and setting for LUCIA PUENZO’S XXY. (NF) It’s about an intersex teen named Alex whose family has moved from Argentina to the coast of Uruguay, where they hope to find a more accepting culture. Alex has recently stopped taking medicine that has kept the male side of puberty at bay, which has allowed her to pass as a girl. The plot thickens as Alex’s hormone realign themselves, and as their parents fight over possible sex-assignment surgery, Alex wanders the village, finds a boy, and, as they say, comes of age.

K =K a n op y, F S =Fi l m S t r u c k , A = A m a z o n , N F= N e t f l i x Joe Miller is an Associate Professor of English at Columbus State and a certified film freak.

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Open Mic Night with Katie Martin Sign-up goes out at 6 p.m. and performers will start at 7 p.m. Katie Martin is an Atlanta-based musician; you can discover her work at katiemartinmusic.com. May 24, 7 – 10 p.m., Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway, Columbus Friday Night Concert Series with Slippery When Wet May 25, 7 – 10 p.m., Uptown Columbus Mike Lowry Band @ The Loft May 26, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Garrett Pittman / Tyler Findlater @ Outskirts May 26, 9 p.m., Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

Selwyn Birchwood @ The Loft May 5, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus Odd Alice @ Legends May 5, 9:30 p.m., Legends, 5762 Milgen Road, Columbus

Blessing a Curse / Altered Perceptions Ginger / Strawberry @ The Estate May 27, 7 p.m., The Estate, 1231 Midway Drive, Columbus

GP38 @ The Outskirts May 5, 9 p.m., Ouskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

Mugshot / Low Roads / Shame Spiral @ The Estate May 31, 7 p.m., The Estate, 1231 Midway Drive, Columbus

Almost Kings @ Outlaws May 5, 9 p.m. - midnight, Outlaws Saloon, 6499 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

2FingerJester / Sister Sandoz @ Soho June 2, 10 p.m., Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus

John Bonamassa @ RiverCenter for the Performing Arts May 6, 8 – 11 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Kaleb King @ The Outskirts June 2, The Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com

No Convictions / Soul Abused / Paid Vacation at The Estate May 7, 7 p.m., The Estate, 1231 Midway Drive, Columbus CSU Choral Festival May 7, 3 – 9:30 p.m., Legacy Hall, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway Migos @ Columbus Civic Center May 11, 8 p.m., Columbus Civic Center, 400 4th Street Kaleb King @ Soho May 11, 10:30 p.m. - 2 a.m., Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus Dixie Red @ The Tavern May 11, 9 p.m., The Tavern, 6298 Veterans Parkway, Columbus The Maension @ Soho May 12, 7 p.m., Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus Odd Alice @ The Tavern May 12, 8:30 p.m., The Tavern, 6298 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

Free Comic Book Day 2018 The 16th annual celebration of the joy of reading comic books. In cooperation with Columbus Comics, a free comic book will be offered to everyone who attends. Columbus Comics will also have their annual sale, and all attendees get an additional free comic for every $5 they spend. May 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Columbus Comics, 6440 W. Hamilton Park Drive, Columbus

Nite Flight @ The Outskirts May 12, 9 p.m., The Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5736 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Alex Wilkerson @ Iron Bank May 12, 8 – 10 p.m., Iron Bank Coffee Company, 6 West 11th Street, Columbus Voices Of The Valley Spring Auditions Know someone ages 9 through 16 who wants to sing? Auditions for next season are now open. May 16 & 17, 3:30 – 8 p.m. in room 1714 in the Schwob School of Music. For audition requirements, visit voicesofthevalleychorus.org. To schedule an audition, email Olivia McWaters at voicesofthevalleychoir@gmail.com. May 16 & 17, Schwob School of Music, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Revenge of the 5th: a Star Wars Cinco de Mayo Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Star Wars style. Enjoy Latin and Star Wars themed food, drinks and crafts followed at 3 p.m. by a showing of “The Last Jedi.” All materials provided and all ages are welcome to join the fun. For more details, call the North Columbus Public Library at (706) 748-2855. May 5, 2 – 5 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus

Friday Night Concert Series w/ The Jain Hand Band, playing music of the Allman Brother May 18, 7 – 10 p.m., Uptown Columbus

10th Anniversary Dance Concert Join Prodigy Dance Center for their 10th Anniversary Spring Dance Concert. Don’t miss this exciting afternoon of dance. Tickets are available at the RiverCenter box office. May 5, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

GP38 @ Wild Wing Cafe May 19, 9 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus Dixie Red @ The Outskirts May 19, 9 p.m., The Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill, 5726 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

From Ex-Offender to Entrepreneur: Be Your Own Boss For some ex-offenders, entrepreneurship offers new opportunities for a successful reentry. This two-hour event will feature speakers who will inform attendees about grant and small business loan opportunities available to ex-offenders, give information relating to how to start a business, obtain a business license and marketing. There will also be a panel of successful entrepreneurs who were once incarcerated

Magnetic Musos @ Woodruff Park May 19, 7 p.m., Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus Garrett Pittman / Brittany Avery @ Wild Wing Cafe May 22 & 29, 5 – 8 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus LocaL

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and are now successful area business owners. Seating is limited to 40 people. The event is free and refreshments will be served. Business casual dress is encouraged, and attendees are advised to bring pen and paper with which to take notes. May 5, 2 – 4 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Cotton Pickin' Fair Join Gay, Georgia for the Spring edition of the Cotton Pickin’ Fair. Gates are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For the comfort of all guests, please do not bring pets. Parking is free on a first come, first parked basis. Come early on Saturday to avoid the traffic, or visit Sunday which tends to be less crowded. Our vendors have wonderful items of all kinds. Adults enter for $10, seniors and active duty military $9, children under 12 for $5. May 5 & 6, 18830 Highway 85, Gay, Ga. Indivisible Talk: Planned Parenthood CEO Staci Fox Staci Fox, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast, will be speaking on the services their institution provides and answer questions regarding those services. May 6, 3 – 4:30 p.m., 8827 Heiferhorn Way, Columbus Teen Takeover: Chat & Craft Book Club If you love to read and love crafts, this is the book club for you. Each month we will read a selected title and meet up to discuss it, as well as make a craft that ties into the book’s theme. May 9, June 6, 4 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus Cocktail Gardening Take your cocktail game from average to outstanding by using fresh herbs. Learn the basics of growing herbs and how to mix them into a variety of drinks for a bright, fresh kick. Participants will enjoy making and sampling an assortment of freshly made, herb-enhanced cocktails along with garden-inspired appetizers provided by Bare Roots Farmacy. Pre-registration required. $20 per person. May 11, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Columbus Botanical Gardens, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus Big Brothers, Big Sisters Informational & Recruitment Event Please join Big Brothers Big Sisters for this informational and recruitment session. This is the perfect time to find an answer to your questions and to enroll your child. May 12, 10 a.m. - noon, South Columbus Public Library, 2034 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus 6th Annual Mother & Son Dance This year we’re trying to figure out who is “The Fresh Prince of Columbus and his Queen.” Enjoy a night of dancing, bonding and creating lifelong memories. May 12, 6 – 9 p.m., Columbus Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus Read & Play Storytime Adult caregivers and children are invited to join us in the Children’s Area as we have fun listening to stories, singing songs, and repeating rhymes. An interactive craft and playtime will immediately follow the program. May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., South Columbus Public Library, 2034 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus Chess at the Columbus Public Library Whether you’re a grandmaster or just want to learn to play, come join the library every other Tuesday. May 15, 29, June 5, 5:30 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus Noise & Toys: STEAM Play Hour Miki will be in the children’s department before and after story time to help your child select a musical instrument to play or a STEAM kit to explore, all of which can be checked out. Recommended for ages 0 through 5 years. May 15, 22, 29, June 5, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus Teen Takeover: Themed Canvas Art Join the library each month to create one-of-a-kind canvas art. Each month focuses on a different work of art. All materials provided. For ages 12-18. May 17, 31, 6 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus LocaL

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Barks and Blues Festival Free admission for PAWS Humane Society’s third annual celebration of music and pets.

This is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser and always fun for the whole family. The festival will feature live music from five local bands, a pet costume contest with celebrity judges, food trucks, adult beverages, raffles, arts and crafts vendors, kids zone, pet microchip discounts and pet adoption specials. Pets are welcomed but must be on a leash. Suggested entry donation is $5. May 19, 4 – 11 p.m., Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus FanFest 2018 Chattahoochee Valley Libraries is kicking off their Summer Reading Challenge with FanFest, a multifandom mini con for all ages, featuring cosplay, crafts, fandom-related activities and more. Local food vendors and area artisans will be on site. May 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus 2018 Black Business Awards The Columbus Times newspaper will recognize black business and focus on black business empowerment at the 2018 Black Business of the Year awards and banquet. Derrick “Lil D” Greene, Senior Vice President of Programming at iHeart Media, will be the celebrity host. Admission is $30. Contact The Columbus Times at (706) 405-6517 for more information and tickets. May 20, 7 – 10 p.m., The Liberty Theatre Cultural Center, 821 8th Avenue, Columbus Rex's Journey Book Promotion: Family Night Dr. Pass-Turner will read “Rex’s Journey: Helping Children Understand and Cope with Emotions” Children will have the opportunity to practice fun and healthy coping skills.

Books will be available for sale. May 22, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Columbus Airport, Monthly Commission Meeting Monthly Commission meeting held every 4th Wednesday on the second floor in the Layfield Conference Room, open to the public. May 23, 9:30 a.m., Columbus Airport, 3250 Britt David Road, Columbus NIM Kids Memorial Day Mini Camp Kids ages five through 11 will enjoy hands-on fun, guided tours, fun facts and refreshments during the Memorial Day mini-camp at the National Infantry Museum. $10 per camper. Lunch is not included. May 28, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus Memorial Day at the National Infantry Museum Join the NIM for a day of activities, including a kids mini camp, paver dedication ceremony, flag retirement ceremony conducted by local Boy Scouts, self-guided tours and more. Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated.

The Fife and Drum restaurant will be open for lunch. Giant Screen Theatre will show documentaries through the afternoon at regular ticket prices. May 28, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus Easy Company Graduation Easy Company trainees will graduate from OSUT on the parade field behind the National Infantry Museum. Signs and Company cadre will be posted near the NIM to guide you to the correct location. Please arrive early to ensure you find a parking spot and have a good seat. Families and friends are encouraged to attend. Pictures will be available for purchase after the event. June 1, 9 – 10 a.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus 5th Annual Columbus LGBT Pride Festival 201 The theme of this year’s Pride is powerful—hate will not win. Flags and t-shirts available. Enjoy performers, vendors and speakers. DJ Tammy Lamb will also perform. For more information, please call (706) 580-6239. June 2, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Broadway, Columbus Summer is Here Market Vendors will setup inside the restaurant, on the sidewalk and in the parking lot. Come for a fun day of socializing and shopping, and of course delicious food from The Hungry Hillbilly. June 3, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Hungry Hillbilly, 2901 University Avenue, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com

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A l a n B e a n i s d e f i n i t e ly n o t t h e o w n e r o f T h e Tav e r n . H e c e r ta i n ly d o e s n o t p l ay i n H e l l o n A i r B a n d. H e a l s o h a s a b l o o d v e n d e t ta a g a i n s t M at C o r n e t t, w h i c h h e i s d e t e r m i n e d t o s at i s f y by r u n n i n g M at o v e r w i t h a m o p e d.

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T op Fi v e R e s ta u r an ts

To p F i v e Favo r i te M o peds

Top Five Places to hang out

1. The Tavern 2. Oyster Bay 3. Cafe La Rue 4. The Loft 5. Anything by Mark Jones

1. Honda Ruckus 2. VIP 3. Yamaha Zoomer 4. Camco 5. Anything built at Elliott’s mopeds

1. The Tavern - with Mat 2. The Tavern Basement - with Mat 3. The Tavern Patios - with Mat 4. The Tavern bathrooms 5. The Tavern parking lot - with Mat

T op Fi v e Favor i t e b an d s

Top Five non-alcoholic drinks

1. Spinal Tap 2. Andrew WK 3. Journey 4. Europe 5. Hell on Air Band

1. Sweet tea 2. Plain ol’ ass water 3. Ginger ale 4. Perrier 5. Anything Mat makes in the Basement at The Tavern

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deepened. I could feel my muscles, head to toe, unknot and slacken. Soon I felt as if I were in the most comfortable dream, a kind of aware sleep in which everything in the mind and body reaches a rare equilibrium otherwise impossible in our chaotic day-to-day.

Before I knew it, the music began to play again. My hour was over.

Emerging from the tank, I was a little unsure of how I felt. I showered again, to get the salt off, and though still not sure how to feel, I knew I felt good. What kind of good? Was I relaxed? Was I energized? Strangely, I felt as if I were simultaneously both.

Dressed and back in the lobby, Kristin smiled at me. She asked, “how was it?”

I still wasn’t sure how to put it into words. “I feel good,” I said.

My plan had been to cross the street for a cup of coffee after the spa. I no longer wanted any coffee. I felt refreshed in a way I had not felt in as long as I can remember. I’m a single parent and a busy writer, and for the rest of the day—which was a long one—I moved from meeting to writing assignment to meeting with the sense that I was still floating. Something in me had re-set, the world was a little brighter, and I can’t wait to visit Uptown Float again. u

I floated for an hour and I liked it

MY SURPRISINGLY RELAXING AND INVIGORATING EXPERIENCE IN A SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANK

By Tom Ingram I was nervous.

I’m not typically claustrophobic. I get antsy toward the end of transAtlantic flights, but other wise do well in enclosed spaces. A sensory deprivation tank, though, is very different from a crowded airplane.

You’re alone, in total darkness. The water temperature is set so that within a few minutes, you no longer feel it against your skin. Suspended and in repose for an hour, you are left to yourself. I was nervous, but, hey, this is my job.

Walking into Up-town Float, Columbus’ sensory deprivation spa located at 15 11th Street in Up-town, I was immediately soothed by the environment. The reception room is accented every where in soothing blues and teals, a nod to the warm waters inside the tanks. The music is likewise calming, a subtle, flowing accompaniment to the quiet environment. Kristin Wolfen-barger, owner and operator at Uptown Float, met me in reception and led me to my room.

After a quick shower, with the music low and mellow, I opened the door to the tank. The water was suffused in blue light and from the ceiling tiny LEDs looked like distant stars. I stepped into the water, laid back and turned off the lights.

I was in total darkness. The music stopped. One thousand pounds of Epson salt is dissolved into each tank, making it impossible to not float.

After a few minutes, I realized I was still work-ing to hold my head above water. I allowed myself to relax my spine, to settle completely into the water. Within minutes, I lost feeling of the water itself.

There in the darkness, floating in ten inches of salt-infused water in an 8-by-4 foot tub, I was cut off from all sensory input. This was the moment I had feared. I was nervous about being closed off, disconnected from the outside world. I was nervous about being alone with nothing but my own thoughts. And then something strange happened.

I lost track of time. My body, without the chaos of external input, felt as if it were suspended in a warm void. I noticed my breathing, the way it slowed and LocaL

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May Mc D a n i e l

Living Long And Living Well In An Endlessly Fascinating World

By Tom Ingram The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the AT, is 2,200 miles of varied terrain, ranging from rolling mountains in north Georgia to a section so rocky it’s called Rocksylvannia to the trail’s northern terminus on Mount Katahdin, which soars more than 5,000 feet above sea level. Thousands of people take to the AT every year, most hiking small sections. A more adventurous few, arriving in peak physical condition after extensive training, attempt a thru-hike, from Georgia to Maine, or vice versa, determined to complete the AT in its entirety in a single season. An AT Thru hike is most often a young person’s adventure, and it is never for the faint of heart.

Upon turning 70, May McDaniel of Columbus, decided she was going to thru hike the AT. “I’ve done everything to excess,” says May, “just not for very long.”

May’s father died relatively young, at 46, from a stroke. On her mother’s side, however, the women tend to be long-lived. One aunt May remembers fondly lived to be 106. May credits her longevity with her twice-daily six-block walks to town, the way she busied herself in the large yard surrounding her home, and her commitment to exercise. May took the lesson to heart.

“You may live a long time by accident,” she says, “but you don’t live well by accident. It’s conscious.”

Thru hiking the AT is a daunting challenge for anyone, in any condition, at any age. May was prepared for it. Her entire life she has paid careful attention to her health. For May, setting the habits that LocaL

set us up for good health are not about will power. “I hack my way into good habits,” she says.

May’s focus is on creating the circumstances that make it difficult not to adopt the habit. She insists that she is not a morning person.

To compensate, each night she lays out her gym clothes so that she eliminates finding the right gear from her list of potential excuses for skipping her morning trip to the gym.

For the AT, May prepared herself. She took day hiking trips in Pine Mountain, both with friends and alone. She planned to hike the AT alone, so she knew she must prepare for the isolation. To do this, she hiked the full Pine Mountain Trail, 23 miles, alone, in two days.

“A lot of people are not conscious that they’re not conscious,” May says of fear. To face fears, May believes you must first admit them, encounter them head on, and then you can move forward. The isolation of two days alone was a challenge, but a challenge once faced she knew she could navigate for the longer, more grueling trek ahead.

Ahead of her departure, May spent six days each week in the gym and logged 200 miles on the Pine Mountain Trail.

“Getting old is a privilege,” May says, “a privilege denied to many.” Rather than see the aging process as negative because of the associated challenges, May sees aging as positive by virtue of its many opportunities.

Starting out in north Georgia, May hiked with many different people along the way. That’s the way the AT works; you meet people, hike together for a day or a week, and then go your separate ways. The occasional 18

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isolation, already faced down in Pine Mountain, was no longer a problem for May as she made her way along the AT, until she reached Mt. Katahdin.

She left the base camp at 6 a.m. to begin the 5,000 foot ascent.

She remembers the impossibly steep grade, the difficulty of surmounting boulders. The climb and descent should take about 6 hours; May summited Katahdin at 3 p.m.

On the descent—for there is no place to stay on the top of the mountain—the temperature dropped to 45 degrees, with winds between 35 and 40 miles per hour. No packs are allowed on the mountain, thus no tent, and by this time May was out of water. There is no available water on the trail’s descent. As she scrabbled down boulders, getting nervous about the deteriorating weather conditions and her lack of water, May slipped. She struck her head on a rock, slicing her scalp from crown to forehead.

“First thing I thought was: don’t pass out, don’t pass out.”

With no Rangers on the mountain and no one coming down the mountain behind her, May was in genuinely dangerous territory. Her life was at risk, and passing out could very well have meant never waking up.

May got up and said, “one more step, one more step.”

This mantra, this quiet insistence to herself to take one more step forward, brought her to the base camp. She called out.

No one was there. “One more step, one more step,” May continued, all the way to the Ranger’s station.

She was lucky to be alive. She drank three liters of water on the spot, she was so dehydrated.

She had been slipping into hypothermia and hadn’t even noticed the cut on her arm, a cut so bad that the Ranger had to pour water on it, to loosen the blood, so that May could remove her jacket.

In all, May hiked some 1,400 miles of the AT, which is farther than this Eagle Scout at age 29 and in perfect health can imagine traversing. Over her 1,400 mile adventure, May met wonderful friends, one her favorites being a school teacher who trekked with her through the Grayson Highlands in Virginia. May also became acutely aware of the weight of things, and upon return removed much of what she calls the “detritus of my life, whether in my head or on my back.”

“We all carry things that should go,” May reflects, “things that should have been left behind long ago.”

For May, the world is an endlessly LocaL

fascinating place. She has safaried and hunted big game in Africa, and she was there when IBM unveiled the first desktop computer. Today, she develops applications for smart phones.

May is most passionate about helping other people, and she is always available to “talk about living long and living well.” She founded a nonprofit, Destination 100, Inc., and her book about her adventure is titled “Destination 100.” You can follow her Destination 100 Facebook page and find her website, Destination100.com. She is available to talk to groups and for consultation. You can email her at may@destination100.com.

For an adventurer with May’s curiosity and tenacity, we only wonder where her next adventure will take her. u

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eye-catching container. A planter can add pizzaz to your landscape, on your deck and your patio. May 12, 9:30 – 11:30 p.m., Callaway Gardens, 17800 US Highway 27, Pine Mountain, Ga. Pine Mountain Trail Wildflower Hike Bring your camera for a walk through diverse habitats beginning at the WJSP tower near Warm Springs. Return transportation provided from Rocky Point Parking Lot. Bring lunch and water. Geared toward ages 10 and up. Five moderate miles. Event is free. May 12, 10 a.m. 2:30 p.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain, Ga.

Launch Fitness Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. and every Saturday at 9 a.m.. $8 per class. Launch Trampoline Park, 7607 Veterans Parkway, Columbus

WILD About Basic First Aid This clinic will cover a variety of situations that you may encounter while out in the backcountry, including cuts, sprains and animal bites.

Feel free to bring your dinner. May 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Outside World Columbus, 1025 Broadway

Saturday 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 for this no-fee morning run every Saturday morning. Run begins at 6 a.m. sharp, follows a route chosen by the group, and concludes at Big Dog Fleet Feet at 6:50 a.m.. And yes, there will be pancakes. Every Saturday, 6 – 6:50 a.m., Big Dog Fleet Feet, 1200 Broadway, Columbus

Fly Fishing 101 Join Whitewater Express every Thursday for this FREE fly fishing course. Learn about the different variety of rods, gear that’s needed, flys, and how to cast. Guides will be on hand but please call ahead to reserve your spot. (706) 321-4720. May 17, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Whitewater Express, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus

Uncommon Athlete Free Saturday Workout Curious about Uncommon Athlete? Join a FREE Saturday workout to see for yourself. May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Uncommon Athlete, 1205 1st Avenue, Columbus

National Club Softball Association World Series The NCSA is the only inter-collegiate club softball league in the United States and provide college student-athletes with the opportunity to play competitive, organized college softball. Teams from around the country will compete for the World Series title. May 18 – 20, Columbus South Commons Softball Stadium, Victory Drive

Indivisible Columbus Tours White Oak Pastures Please join Indivisible Columbus as they learn more about sustainable and humane farming. This will be a walking tour, so please wear comfortable clothing. You may also want to bring a cooler to bring home White Oak Pastures products. May 5, 10:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., White Oak Pastures, Church Street, Bluffton, Ga.

Cain Classic Strongman Contest Entry fee is $50. Must be USS member; new memberships will be available for purchase at weigh-in for $20. Entry deadline is May 5. Late entrants pay $20 fee and are not guaranteed a t-shirt. May 19, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Body Evolution Gym and Hot Box Barbell Club, 4209 Milgen Road, Columbus

Fit Kids Camp First Friday of each month. $25 drop in, $240 for all 12 sessions and $189 for a sibling add on. Scholarships available. May 5, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Body Evolution Gym and Hot Box Barbell Club, 4209 Milgen Road, Columbus

Whitewater Kayaking Wednesday Have you ever wanted to learn how to whitewater kayak? Join ACA instructors for a basic introduction to this great sport. You will learn about different kayaks, safety gear, and basic paddling maneuvering.

All gear and boats will be provided for FREE, but please reserve your spot by calling (706) 321-4720. May 23 & 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Whitewater Express, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus

River Savvy Kids, Free Life Jackets for Kids Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Registration is on-site the day of the event. After completing five safety stations, each child will be fitted for a free life jacket, while supplies and sizes last.

The event is pirate themed and will be fun for kids and adults. May 6, 1 – 3 p.m., 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus

Full Flower Moonlight Paddle Join Outside World for their most popular kayak trip. Only 9 slots available, so sign up soon! Bring water, towel and headlamp if you have one. After a quick lesson on how to kayak, the group will be led on a 3 mile paddle, after which the group will enjoy a swim, all as the moon rises above the horizon. May 26, 9 – 11:30 p.m., Lake Oliver Marina, 5501 River Road, Columbus

King of the Rock Duathlon Competitors can compete solo or duo in a two mile run, 10 mile bike, followed by another two mile run. Solo is $55, team is $35 per member.

Ages 10 and up. May 6, 8 a.m. - noon, Flat Rock Park, 6106 Warm Springs Road, Columbus Free Meditation Instruction Quiet your mind and be less reflexive to emotions. Free and open to the public. All levels of practice and curiosity are welcome. Come learn how to meditate or deepen your existing practice by joining others. Offered by Urban Dharma and Art of Yoga. Meditation instruction will be provided, followed by chanting, and then a period for meditation practice. There is an open door policy, so visitors may come and go as needed. Meditation cushions are available, but please bring your own if you have them. May 6, June 3, 1 p.m., Art of Yoga, 627 2nd Avenue, #6, Columbus

Donut Mile Join Crossfit CSG for National Donut Day and the inaugural Donut Mile.

This run will have athletes eating a donut every 400 meters over a 1 mile course. All proceeds go to TriColumbusGa Community Foundation, which purchases equipment for PE programs in Georgia elementary schools. $25 with t-shirt, $10 without t-shirt. June 2, 8 – 9 a.m., CrossFit CSG, 1234 Broadway, Columbus 2018 UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) brings the first round of the Mountain Bike World Cup to Columbus. This international competition brings the world’s best to compete in Uptown. June 3, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Uptown Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com

Guided Garden Walk Enjoy a morning stroll through the vibrant display gardens at the Columbus Botanical Garden. Perfect for the novice gardener, this is a chance to learn about the colorful, warm-season perennials used to highlight the gardens. Cost is $5 per participant. May 9, 11 a.m. - noon, Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus USA Softball 14U National Qualifier May 11, 8 a.m. - noon, South Commons Softball Stadium, Victory Drive, Columbus Container Gardening Get ready for the summer season with a newly planted container garden.

You’ll learn about design, planting styles and the best plants for an LocaL

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ITALIAN SPRITZ PUNCH

16 oz Galliano 1 750 ml bottle Aperol 3 750 ml bottle chilled Zardetto Brut Prosecco Ice, preferably one large block 2 oranges & 2 lemons, sliced, & 1 pint of raspberries, for garnish

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Summer Sipping

s I sit at my laptop and begin to write this article, it is still early April and the weather is seesawing daily between the 40s and 80s. Hopefully by the time you are reading this the weather will have settled down a bit, and warmer weather will be here to stay, at least for a while.

As we transition from winter to spring, cocktails change from the dark cocktails of winter to a light, refreshing cooler suitable for outdoor poolside sipping, garden parties, or backyard bar-b-ques. The one thing these events have in common is the potential to go on for hours. With that duration in mind, try something on the lighter side, suitable for enjoying all afternoon.

For a trip down Memory Lane, try a Frozen Orange Julius (this one has a little more kick than the mall slushy), a great brunch sipper might be a Pamplemousse (pamplemousse is French for grapefruit). For a large event that needs a signature cocktail to simplify bar set up, try an Italian Spritz Punch. For an easy to compile fizzy sipper, the Americano might just be the ticket.

In a punch bowl, combine the Galliano and Aperol and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours. Gently stir in prosecco. Add ice and garnish with fruit. Suitable for an indoor or outdoor event. Try to get a block of ice rather than cubed; it will keep punch chilled but won’t melt quickly.

AMERICANO

1 ½ oz Campari 1 ½ oz Dolin sweet vermouth 3 oz chilled club soda 1 oz orange wheel & one lemon twist, for garnish

Fill a chilled rocks glass with ice. Add Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda and stir well. Garnish with orange wheel and lemon twist. Fun fact: The Americano is the first cocktail ordered by James Bond in Ian Fleming’s short story “From a View to a Kill,” in his short story series “Casino Royale.”

b y R i c h a r d E dw a r d s ,

R i c h a r d Ed wa r d s, S p i r i t s M a n a g e r, Uptown Wine & Spirits

Mushroom and is open to the public. Attendees are responsible for their own food and drink.

This meeting’s book is “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. May 8, 6 – 8 p.m., Mellow Mushroom, 6100 Veteran’s Parkway, Columbus Mother's Day Tea Bare Ware Pottery Studio Mom and child will paint a teacup and saucer each while enjoying petit fours and tea. $30 plus tax for one mom and one child, $15 for each additional child. RSVP required. May 12, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Bare Ware Pottery Studio, 3921 Woodruff Road, Columbus Mother's Day Tea @ The National Civil War Naval Museum The National Civil War Naval Museum invites ladies to join for a proper 19th century Victorian tea, with china cups, scones, clotted cream and a light lunch. As part of the event, Executive Director Holly Wait will offer the program, “I Take Pen In Hand...” exploring handwritten letters to and from mothers during the Victorian era. Tickets must be purchase by May 9. May 12, 1 – 3 p.m., National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus 5th Anniversary Spring Recital Celebrate Beethoven’s Shadow Piano Studio’s 5th anniversary and support the students as they perform pieces they have work on all year.

May 12, 6 – 7 p.m., Beethoven’s Shadow Piano Studio, 303 Double Churches Road, Columbus Bulldogs After Business Hours Join fellow UGA Alumni and friends for this quarter’s Bulldogs After Business Hours. May 15, 6 – 8 p.m., Up at Smoke, 1047 Broadway, Columbus Want to see your event listed here?

Email events@thelocalcolumbus.com

FROZEN ORANGE JULIUS 1 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 6oz frozen orange juice 1/3 cup sugar 1 ½ c. ice 4 ounces Wheatley vodka Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until slushy. Serve immediately.

PAMPLEMOUSSE 1 oz Bombay Dry Gin ½ oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice ½ oz ounce fresh lemon juice 1 large basil leaf, for garnish Add all ingredients to ice filled cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with basil leaf.

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Columbus Craft Beer Bash #2 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the second annual Craft Beer Bash with Chattahoochee HarleyDavidson. Tickets are $35 on the day of the event. More than 100 beers from 28 Georgia craft breweries. May 5, noon – 5 p.m., Chattahoochee Harley-Davidson, 3230 Williams Road, Columbus Books & Brews Book Club Hosted by the Mildred L. Terry Public Library, part of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries system. May 5, 2 – 4 p.m., Iron Bank Coffee Company, 6 West 11th Street, Columbus SUDS = StartUp Drinks for Entrepreneurs Social drinking club with a start up problem. We are a group of creative minds who come together to socialize and develop entrepreneurship networks. We have fun, build relationships and change the world, one drink at a time. May 8, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Wicked Hen, 1350 13st Street, Columbus Cocktails & Characters This library staff-led book club meets at Mellow 22

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