04 06 07
METRONEWS FEATURE CROSSWORD
08 14 16
EVENTS CALENDAR JENNY IS WRIGHT ART45
18 28 29
SLAB MATT’S MUSIC SIGHTINGS
30 33 35
THE8 WHINE LINE
36 38
Contributors ributors James Jamees Allen|Greg Baker|Rob Baker er|Rob Brezsny|Sam am Eifling |Matt Lane Lane|Austin ne|Austin Rhodes|Jo Rhodes|Josh Josh Ruffin|Andy Sto Stokes|Matt tokes|Matt Stone|Je Stone|Jenny Jenny Wright
INSIDER RUFFIN’ IT AUSTIN RHODES
Metro Spirit piritt is a free nnewspaper published publisheed weekly on Thursday, Thursd sday, 52 weeks a yea year. ar. Editorial coverage ge includes local issues issu sues and news, arts, s, entertainment, peo people, eople, places and apppear views from ac cross the political and an social spectrum.. The views do not necessarily n represen ent the views of thee ppublisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.Š events. In our paper appear across represent Publisher: Joe White. e. Legal: Phillip Scotttt Hibbard. Reproduc ction or use without ut permission is proh hibited. One copy per peer person, please. 15 House, LLC. Owner/Pu Owner/Publisher: Reproduction prohibited.
CONTENTS
COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
EricJohnson|news editor eric@themetrospirit.com
GabrielVega|lead designer gabe@themetrospirit.com
BrendaCarter|senior account executive brenda@themetrospirit.com
AmyChristian|arts editor/production director amy@themetrospirit.com
JoeWhite|publisher joe@themetrospirit.com
AmberKuhn|sales manager amber@themetrospirit.com
JohnnyBeckworth|circulation manager ager johnny@themetrospirit.com
MichaelJohnson|sightings ‡ ValerieEmerick|writer ‡ AmyPerkins|editorial intern ‡ LauraPerry|volunteer
WHINELINE Poor Austin, once again has to share the title “Biggest embarrassment to the city� with Marion. this is for the two cowards who wimped out on getting your nipples pierced. before you lie to Augusta and the surrounding areas in order to gain money you should think about the people you are upsetting. Can’t
signs! Come on GA republicans - the past good old days. da The loosen your Bible Belt notches! excuses are many but if you can’t win against a black man The GOP, it’s candidates, and when unemployment is 8% with ideas are divine inspiration from the economy in poor shape... God. At least that’s what some Mr. Sprouse, whatever happened To quote our wonderful you may want to rethink your to the proceeds of the $305M President when dealing with the people think and why they get so message and I don’t mean you worth of bonds issued by the monster storm; “The election will upset at losing an election. But were too moderate. using God to justify intolerances Augusta-Richmond County take care of itself�. And it did. no longer works. The election Development Authority in 2002 Now, how about you Rommey/ (continued on page 38) was about all people living in the to induce P&G to keep its Ryan folks pull up the signs in U.S. and the future place of this Augusta detergent plant open? your yards. And you Obama country in the ever changing folks do the same - oh, never mind, never saw an any of those world. The GOP is living in get your nipples pierced then shave your whole body...you promised us something get creative dont punk out
i’m selling my entire bruce springsteen collection, then donating the money to the republican party.
Pain Doesn’t Have to Slow You Down Walton Medical Associates specializes in acute and chronic pain management and restoration of maximum function. Let our pain experts help you get back up to speed with our "New x-ray free� ultrasound guided (Sonosite) procedures!* NoX BDDFQUJOH OeX QBUJFOUT referrals. Conveniently located inside Walton Rehabilitation Hospital. Curb-side parking!
Ability
*Provided by Branan Foundation and Wells Fargo Foundation
1355 Independence DrivF t Augusta, Georgia 30901 t Toll Free 1-866-4-WALT0/ t XXX Xrh.org
18 8 12
Augusta’s Probation Problem: Critics allege private probation companies are expensive, abusive and dehumanizing. A couple of Augusta attorneys are trying to prove they’re unconstitutional as well. Final TEE: Agreement gives final green light to convention center Granting Sibley: Canal Authority looks to continue mill cleanup effort
Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? 706.496.2535 or 706.373.3636
Independence
Recovery
IN
V23|NO45
INSIDER@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM Insider is an anonymous, opinion-based examination of the hidden details of Augusta politics and personalities.
SIDER
Slow news day? Throw some sex offenders at `em. Fear mongering? Noooooo, not us! But the daily’s website has a particular obsession with posting lists of sex offenders over and over and over again. Which is a good thing, right? Seems like everyone would want to know who the sexual deviants are among us. But what one content manager may consider news, others consider filler. After all, the elections are basically over, the black helicopters have landed for the time being with the passing of the TEE Center management agreement and the A has officially been saved. So why not take a peek at the Burke County sex offenders. We got ‘em right here! Look, there is no way to make this clumsy point other than to say, finding a list of sex offenders is not rocket science. For those who want to know, it’s only a few clicks to the GBI’s website, where you can see them all. Or augustaga.gov. They’re there, too. There are actually any number of easily accessible places on the internet where you can find this information, none of which would take more than about four seconds. Why then does it seem like the daily throws these faces in our faces daily? So, not to be outdone by whoever the crack copy and paster is over there, we’ve done our own research, and here it is for all to see: our search of the database shows an alarming amount of facial hair among sex offenders. In Richmond County, 158 sex offenders have goatees, 68 sport mustaches, 31 beards and 72 are clean-shaven. What is really surprising is the fact that Columbia County sex offenders are almost tied between mustache and goatee (21 to 22). Overall, we analyzed Richmond, Columbia, Burke and McDuffie counties. Thanks to Richmond County, goatees are the clear winner at 40 percent, followed by 26 percent mustache, 25 percent clean-shaven and 9 percent beards. Hopefully, this will give you a little peace of mind and the knowledge you need to keep you safe.
4
METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
Need Some Help With Those Bags? Seems like Roosevelt Bradley, the new guy brought in to run the transit department, packed some baggage with him. The former head of Miami-Dade was booted off the job for a variety of management-related problems. In a letter to Miami Mayor Carlos Alvarez, County Manager George Burgess said that complaints regarding the transit system had not noticeably reduced during Bradley’s tenure, nor had the compliments increased. “Simply stated, the time for change had come and the time for hoping for management improvement past,” Burgess wrote. Augusta is certainly a new opportunity, but of course it’s not like our transit system isn’t starting out with its own set of problems. It would be too bad if they were compounded by yet another poor decision.
Just Don’t Call Them TVs Perhaps anticipating an uptick in travel kick started by the impending arrival of all those conventioneers headed to the TEE Center, Augusta Regional Airport has announced a partnership with Departure Media, one of the nation’s top airport advertising firms. Eight new large screen monitors have been installed throughout the terminal. According to Airport Director Gary LeTellier, the new monitors will “provide great opportunities for local companies to help connect with our passengers to show what our community has to offer.” Plus, they will be a great way to pass the time while passengers wait for lost bags, late flights and another carrier.
Thanksgiving Brunch November 22, 2012
CHILLED DISPLAYS
Smoked Salmon with Capers, Tomatoes and Cream Cheese Chilled Peel and Eat Shrimp with Lemon and Cocktail Sauce Oysters on the Half Shell Sushi Grade Yellowtail w/Wasabi and Pickled Ginger Cajun Seafood Salad, Tossed Salad, and Marinated Cucumber and Tomato Salad, Southern Ambrosia Salad Roma Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella with Balsamic Vinaigrette Domestic and International Cheeses with Fresh Fruit Garnish Baked Brie with Cinnamon Apples
BREAKFAST
Chef Attended Belgian Waffle Station Omelets Made to Order Country Sausage Links and Applewood Smoked Bacon Buttered Garlic, Cheddar Cheese Grits Fresh Assortment of Muffins and Danish
CARVING STATION Oven Roasted Turkey Cajun Deep Fried Turkey
FROM THE SILVER CHAFERS
THUMBS
up
Yay! Elmo’s not a pedophile!
Virginia Baked Ham Pan Seared Salmon with Mango and Peach Salsa Sweet Potato Soufflé Cornbread Dressing Macaroni & Cheese Garlic Mashed Potatoes Served from 11:00 am until 3:00pm Southern Style Green Beans Adults -$28.95 Squash Casserole Senior Citizens -$25.95
DESSERTS
down
Children 5 to12 -$14.95
Bourbon Pecan Pie Reservations Strongly Recommended Red Velvet Cake Double Chocolate Cake New York Cheese Cake with Strawberry Sauce Pumpkin Cheesecake Black Forest Cake Sweet Potato Pie
Boo! No New Year’s Eve Oppossum Drop in Brasstown, N.C. Thanks for nothing, PETA!
706.855.8100 | 2651 Perimeter Parkay | Augusta 15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT
5
V23|NO45
Election 2012 Four Takeaways I don’t have time to be cute, and neither do you. Let’s get to it. 1. The Media Was Wrong. I love that conservatives of all stripes flail away at the “liberal media” golem like it’s a Batman pillow and they’re a 10-year-old boy. To Republicans, the liberal media means and includes anyone that doesn’t cow-tow to their self-immolatingly tunnel-visioned world view. Only the liberal media would have the gall to ask what comprises legitimate rape, what exactly separates a taker from a maker, why the obscenely wealthy should be asked to shoulder a smidge more financial load when blue-collar Americans have to work two or three jobs just to pay the rent or put Hamburger Helper on the table. This rant, by the way, is brought to you by General Mills. It’s BS, and here’s why: the so-called liberal media operate with precisely the same goal in mind as every other media outlet. Namely, to generate revenue. That means cable ratings, book sales, web traffic, etc., which means as much money dumped into the coffers of Rachel Maddow and Martin Bashir as S.E. Cupp and Sean Hannity. That’s why each side spent so much time and energy constructing a narrative — efforts stemming, granted, from varying motivations — that framed this as a close race. Make no mistake, when Romney came out strong in the Denver debate, the reactions of network executives at both Fox News and MSNBC fell somewhere between sighs of relief and salivation. A blowout is no fun; a back-and-forth is money. At the risk of pushing the metaphor, consider which fight is more memorable: Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik, or any of the Arturo Gatti/Mickey Ward bloodbaths. Legends, indeed, are forged in the heat of meteoric rise. They are hardened, however, in hell. This one wasn’t even close. It never was. Despite the narrative, the umpteen cable news segments speculating masturbatorily on the possibility of a 269-269 electoral split, Obama absolutely and conclusively laid waste not only to Mitt Romney, but to the Republican party as a whole. Which brings us to… 2. The United States Has Turned a Corner And it is a left turn. I know, I know: Obama still lost among the glaring white demographic, and in fact only won the popular vote by a few hundred thousand, but still. Results are results, and you can’t argue with what on paper and in reality is a nearly
6
METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
130-vote-margin electoral ass-whooping. The country as a whole heard what the Republican party and its mouthpieces had to say — that women should have little to no say regarding what happens with their own bodies, that the impoverished are, without exception, lazy, entitled, handout-collectors, and that universal healthcare is somehow the final Atlantean crashing of some grand Socialist tide — and voted emphatically against it. Obama won. Gay marriage was legalized in every state that had it up for referendum. Marijuana use was legalized or decriminalized in several states. Of all Senate seats up for grabs, there was only one Republican gain. Many more seats were snagged by Democrats, including those of (it gives me great pleasure to say) former-nominees, and current pieces of human refuse/rape apologists Richard Mourdock and Todd Akin. The country is listening, both to facts and to its own heart, and that’s what frightens Republicans the most. Gone are the days when you can shout “Communist!” and “Secular!” from the rooftops, and bank on citizen ignorance. It’s why they fought tooth and nail to try and repeal Obamacare before this election — once people begin to see how widely and positively it impacts their lives, only a small, very predictable minority of the voting public will be left to skirmish against it, why the majority of voting Catholics sided with their own consciences, and not with gay-bashing bishops. And briefly, on that note, Christian leaders should be rejoicing, if they know the first thing about their own faith: Americans have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a nation focused on assisting the poor and the infirm, regarding everyone as equal and assuaging the suffering of all. And when we show kindness and mercy for the least of men, remember who else we show it to. 3. Republicans Have Learned Nothing Most of them, anyway (more on that in a second). And I’m not talking about the knee-jerk vomitorium that Twitter became in the hours after the results were in; talk of “the death of freedom,” “spiritual suicide” and “SECEDE!” among the general public is, by this point, so much white noise. I’m talking mostly about conservative pundits. Why am I talking about them? Because they are the ones primarily responsible for the direction and tone of the conservative zeitgeist and dialogue. In the days following the election, Ann Coulter asserted that we now have “more takers than makers” in this country.
Bill O’Reilly took to implicitly reaffirming Romney’s “47 percent” comments by saying that the majority of Americans “want stuff.” And recently on Fox News, syndicated conservative columnist Cal Thomas depicted Obama voters as “moochers” who “sleep till noon.” I won’t waste time debunking those claims. It speaks, however, to the absolute refusal of conservatives to see the writing on the wall that their narrative has not changed one iota. 4. Civil War Is Coming… But not the kind you think, and not the kind that people who stockpile mountains of fertilizer in a barn want. If nothing else, this election has stricken a clean divide in the Republican party: the establishment conservatives, like John Boehner, who have expressed a willingness — simpering and fraught with double-speak though it may be — to work with the president, and the wingnut base, characterized at the top level by people like Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachmann and fans of rape. This, more than anything else, is what poses a longterm problem for conservatives in general. The party is going to divide, perhaps later than sooner, but the time is past when they simply corral their nuttier elements and try to seem halfway sane. The competing postelection narratives among varying factions of the party doesn’t just imply that, it screams it to the heavens. The party is marginalizing itself, and there’s nothing they can do about it. Appropriate, I suppose, that Halloween only recently wrapped up, as it underscores the GOP’s unwillingness to evolve (ba-zing). If they had only watched as many horror films as I have, they’d know that splitting up is never a good idea.
JOSHRUFFIN, a Metro Spirit alum, is a published
journalist and poet who just received his MFA from Georgia College & State University. He was once the most un-intimidating bouncer at Soul Bar.
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
AUSTINRHODES
The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT
7
V23|NO45
ERICJOHNSON
Final TEE
Agreement gives final green light to convention center
On Thursday, November 8, the Augusta Commission finally voted to approve the management agreement for the Trade, Exhibit and Event (TEE) Center, the 38,000-squarefoot convention center located adjacent to As if following a script, the next day was the first day when hard hats were no longer required to tour the building, and Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who has been one of the project’s most vocal supporters, was visibly pleased that the politics of the building was once again outpacing its construction. “I’ve got a lot of blood, sweat and tears in this place,” he joked. With so much strife leading up to the approval of the final management agreement, including last-minute squabbles over catering agreements, the kitchen and several other details, it sometimes seemed as though the real difficulty was not designing the building or even building it, but in getting the politicians to figure out how to use it. Late last month, the convention center’s first client, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, pulled out because the commission and the management company could not agree on terms. On Friday, however, with the hard hats off and the building’s signature natural light streaming in, 8
METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
TEE CENTER KITCHEN Copenhaver’s optimism no longer needed to be guarded. “Seven years of fighting,” he said. “The initial funding was approved the first time I ran. This makes it all worth it.” Although the agreement was approved, many in the community are still skeptical of the building. Copenhaver, however, seemed to feel opinions will change through time and exposure. “As soon as we fill this place up and we let the people in, they’re going to wonder what the arguing was all about,” he said. “Besides, we have the chance to revisit the funding every year, so it’s not like there aren’t any checks and balances built in.” The process, he said, reminded him of his days in real estate development, particularly a project he was a part of in Beaufort, S.C.
“We were doing a little neighborhood, and we had a great design for the houses, but we weren’t selling anything because we were trying to sell based on the plans,” he said. “So we built a couple of houses and it took off. So I think when this place has been filled and people have the experience, it will be a lot easier to embrace it.” While some around town have talked about an exclusive grand opening, Copenhaver said he didn’t feel that would be appropriate, considering the struggle and what the building means to the city. “Somebody was thinking about a VIP thing, but I’m like — no, let’s open the doors to the public and let them come on in,” he said. “It’s their building.” Now that the political dust is settling, Copenhaver said he thinks it will become clear what an important civic step the building represents. 15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
Saturday | November 17 6:30-9:30 p.m. Gordon’s Conference & Catering North Ball Room | North Wing 19th Street, Fort Gordon, GA
TEE CENTER GROUND BREAKING
“We’re giving birth to the new Augusta,” he said, looking across Reynolds Street to the complementary parking deck, which survived its own political turmoil. “We’re shifting into becoming a mid-sized city.” Given the size of the new space, Copenhaver said it will help those outside Augusta look at the city with fresh eyes. “It puts us head and shoulders above other cities,” he said. “The Georgia Municipal Association and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia — they always go to Savannah because Savannah has the facilities. But now we can make a play for those events.” Though the Chiefs of Police pulled out, 12 additional bookings have been reserved, including a Mary Kay Career Conference in March and the Augusta Tattoo Festival, each with an estimated 2,000 delegates. And next year’s ESi Ironman 70.3 will utilize the facility, bringing 3,500 people and an estimated financial impact of $4 million.ww 15NOVEMBER2012
Presented by AAFES and the Directorate of Family and MWR Featuring an Extensive Selection of Wines Food to complement the wine tasting, live music and door prizes Ticket Prices: Active-Duty/Spouses | $20 Advance | $25 Day Of DoD/Retirees/Civilians | $25 Advance | $30 Day Of Designated Drivers | $20 Buy your tickets at MWR Marketing, Gordon’s Conference & Catering, PX, PXtra and Class VI 706-791-6780/2205 www.fortgordon.com &LYLOLDQV :HOFRPH 0XVW EH RU ROGHU
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT
9
V23|NO45
ERICJOHNSON
Granting Sibley
Canal Authority looks to continue mill cleanup effort
The Augusta Canal Authority is moving forward with the cleanup of Sibley Mill, applying for a brownfields grant offered by the Environmental Protection Agency. About 20 people attended a public meeting at the nearby Kroc Center to discuss the grant, which is one of three types of grants offered by the EPA. The original submission date for the Canal Authority’s proposal was Monday, November 19, but the EPA decided to extend the deadline to December 3 because of the effects of Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent
10 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
“What this will do is start some of the soil remediation that we have discovered during all the environmental testing,” he said. Earlier assessment phases have found soil contamination on the property. “Most all of it is a byproduct of the textile operation,” Sherrouse said. “The one that’s not is lead. Lead is not a byproduct of textile, so the only explanation for that is that it was the Confederate States Powderworks.” Before the mill was built, the location produced most of the gunpowder used by the south in the Civil War. “Somebody asked if there was a responsible party for the contamination, and I joked the other night that in that particular case, the only recourse we have against the responsible party is to find the gold bullion the Confederacy buried out there somewhere,” he joked. Given the current economic uncertainty, some at the meeting questioned whether or not the requested funding will even be available, and while Sherrouse said he couldn’t make any promises, the program has proved to be a popular one, even through economic downturns. “It’s probably one of the better programs, in that it takes vacant or underutilized properties all over the United States and cleans them up and puts them in productive use that helps the local economy and puts people to work,” he said. “So it’s a job creation program to some degree, and those have fared well in previous years during severe budget times.” Though Sherrouse is talking cleanup, he’s far from unloading the property, which the Canal Authority purchased in 2010. “Our whole plan all along has been to get it developerready,” he said. “We’re basically mothballing the project storms that have hammered the northeast. while we clean it up. Hopefully, the economy will turn Though he felt he was ready to submit the proposal before the deadline extension, Executive Director Dayton around by the time we finish that and then we’ll solicit a developer to redevelop the whole thing.” Sherrouse said he’d gladly take advantage of the extra He said he expects the building will become a mix of time. primarily residential with some office and retail. In other “You’re never really satisfied with them and you’ll words, the opposite of Enterprise Mill. continue to tweak them, but we don’t plan on waiting “With all the effort that’s going on in Harrisburg right until the third to submit it,” he said. “We don’t have now and with the Kroc Center across the canal and a firm date yet, but we will use the additional time to the number of different organizations trying to improve strengthen areas that might have deficiencies.” The maximum amount awarded per grant is $200,000, the housing stock and overall living conditions within the Harrisburg neighborhood, I think this project could with a 20 percent required match. Sherrouse said they potentially play an important part of that renewal,” he typically overmatch in order to take advantage of the said. extra rating points when the proposals are evaluated.
15NOVEMBER2012
The
Augusta Opera
presents its annual
Holiday Concert: “Home for the Holidays” Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church 2261 Walton Way—Augusta, Georgia with Melissa Larkin, soprano Diane Haslam, mezzo-soprano Jamison Walker, tenor Isaac Holmes, baritone The Augusta Opera Chorus, Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra Richard Earl Cook, conductor
Tickets: $45 adults $25 seniors, students and active-duty military Check or credit card Call 706/364-9114 or order online: www.theaugustaopera.com Group Discounts available—call for details
The Augusta Opera Association PO Box 240 Augusta, GA 30903 706.364.9114 theaugustaopera@gmail.com
/<., ,5+ 6- @,(9
/,(;05. (09 *65+0;06505.
:(3, Up to $1200 in Rebates Instant rebate. No waiting on your money. Best financing anywhere. Beats ANY credit union or bank. 25 months same as cash or 5.99% for 56 months. All major credit cards accepted. Rheem™ heating and air conditioning products rated #1 by consumer reports. 10 year warranty on all parts.
RATES BEST BY CONSUMER REPORTS FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED BY GARY AND ALEXANDRIA HILL SINCE 1994
706.868.6111
A D V A N C E D A I R T E C H N O L O G Y . N E T
V23|NO45
ERICJOHNSON
Augusta’s Probation Problem Critics allege private probation companies are expensive, abusive and dehumanizing. A couple of Augusta attorneys are trying to prove they’re unconstitutional as well. Hills McGee is a disabled veteran suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder whose only source of income is $245 a month. He does not own a car. He does not own a house. He lives in a shanty off Gordon Highway. McGee commits the crime of being plain drunk. He does his community service, but doesn’t have the money to pay the fine, so the judge converts his fine to community service, which he completes. But he doesn’t pay the $186 in probation fees due Sentinel Offender Services, the private probation company used by Richmond County for misdemeanor probation, so Sentinel goes before the judge, gets a warrant for McGee’s arrest, and three or four months later, McGee is picked up. He’s told he’s entitled to a public defender, but there’s a $50 application fee. That fee can be waived, but according to Lyndsey Hix, who was employed by the public defender’s office, he’s basically run through the system “like an animal.” She testified the entire revocation hearing took 30 seconds. Besides that, he’s got significant challenges, including not being able to read without his glasses. He doesn’t have his glasses, so he pleads no contest before the judge, who says he can either pay the $186 or go to jail for 60 days. Still lacking the money, the judge locks him up. At this point, attorneys Jack Long and John Bell get involved. Long files a writ of habeas corpus, a legal action that allows McGee to be brought before a judge to determine whether or not he’s being illegally detained. The case goes before Judge Michael Annis, who orders McGee immediately released, finding fundamental problems with his incarceration. Long was impressed by Annis’ understanding of the case. “The court… concludes that the continued confinement of the Petitioner (McGee) in the Richmond County jail is unlawful,” he wrote in McGee’s release. “No person should be in jail for the sole reason that he or she is indigent. The Petitioner did not have the ability to pay the $186 in fees due Sentinel and there could therefore not be a willful violation of that requirement.” Though there are complex issues involved, for Long, it comes down to something very simple. “I think it’s wrong to lock someone up because they’re poor,” he says. “You can not put people in jail because they’re poor, nor can you use jail as a means of collecting debt. That’s pretty axiomatic in our society.” Sentinel is a for-profit company that charges probationers fees for handling probation service for the court, and Long maintains it’s bad policy to privatize part of the judicial system that can have a person locked up. “Suppose we did this for deputy sheriffs,” he says. “Suppose we said, ‘We’re not going to pay the road patrol people any more salaries, but we will give you 20 percent of the take on every ticket you write.’ If I came 12 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
up with that concept, the public would be in an uproar. Plus, it would be unconstitutional.” Long says the state has had various incentive systems that have been struck down, including a turnkey system where the jails got paid every time they turned the key, and one where judges were paid a fee for issuing a search warrant. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional, saying the judicial branch of the government could not be paid an incentive fee to have people arrested. “So John and I have taken the position before the 11th Circuit court that having a private company that’s being paid a fee by the judicial system is the same thing,” Long says. “They’re using the warrant and the jail system as the means of collecting that fee.” In other words, if Master Card can’t lock you up for not paying your bill — and they can’t — why should Sentinel be able to do it? “Your freedom, your ability to say, ‘I am going to go home and watch a ballgame tonight and drink a beer or whatever’ — it’s hard to put a price on that freedom,” Long says. “That’s one thing in America. We’re supposed to be the land of the free, but unfortunately, when we have private industry that can lock you up, it’s not very free.” Though not all probation is privately run, since 2000, Georgia law gives local jurisdictions the option to either contract with a private company to handle misdemeanor probations or run the probation service themselves. Felonies, on the other hand, are assigned to state probation officers, who are part of the State Department of Corrections. According to Long, these state probation officers are very professional and work hard to keep probationers out of jail and on the straight and narrow,
something that benefits the probationer, society and the taxpayers, since housing inmates is an expensive proposition funded by taxpayers. “You’re a good probation officer if you have somebody for a nonviolent crime, keep him on probation, he does whatever the probation is and he pays the fine and doesn’t go into the prison system,” he says. “The Superior Court judge and the state probation officer are trying to save the taxpayers money and at the same time make sure people aren’t running amok.” Private probation, however, is a different story. “They have two masters,” Long says. “They’re supposed to be officers of the court, yet they are employees of a profit-making company, and that profitmaking company is interested in selling as many services as possible.” Sentinel markets many services, including forms of electronic monitoring, which are offender-funded, meaning that in addition to the fines established by the court, offenders can find themselves stuck in a vortex of fees that prevents them from ever moving forward. Often, Sentinel will request that probation runs consecutive rather than concurrent, Long says, which means that Sentinel has 24 months of fees it can collect rather than 12. Those fees can be a substantial burden to people already struggling through a difficult situation. “If I represent someone in a misdemeanor, I’ll say, ‘Look — go borrow from a loan shark, a payday lender or anybody you can. Pay those bastards off, get your community service done immediately or you’re going to have to pay them $41 a month,’” Long says. Not understanding the system and not having the money to immediately pay off the fines means not all probationers are affected in the same way. “I can buy my way out of the system,” Long says, 15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
“where that guy — once he’s in the system, he never gets out. Most people don’t understand the system and they’re thrown in and the next thing they know, they’re on 24-month probation, which is fine until someone loses a job and they can’t pay the money and they are locked up for not paying the fine. Then the Sheriff’s Office gets
“In the long run, I think it would save the county money [to go back to county probation], because you wouldn’t be tacking the fee on for the private probation charges,” he says. “They might owe $50 in fines and $150 in fees, but there’s no way for us to know how much is fine and how much is fee.”
focus solely on money — and they wanted all our officers to be sworn officers.” Allen’s office has 15 officers, all of whom have arrest powers. “That gives us a lot more leeway to go out and do home checks and field visits, whereas private probation
to incur a $50 a day cost for locking him up.” According to Richmond County’s chief jailer, Major Gene Johnson, the cost is closer to $48, but whatever the cost, when Sentinel has a probation revoked, it’s the taxpayers who pay the bills. “It puts a burden on the jail as far as when they owe some money,” Johnson says. “If they haven’t paid the startup fee for the ankle monitor or something like that, then they sit awhile before they go to court, and that’s a burden on the taxpayers of Richmond County, because you’re talking about $48 a day to house each one of those inmates.” There is no distinction between whether that $48 is going to house a murderer or someone who didn’t pay a fine or someone, like Hills McGee, who didn’t pay his fees. Bell maintains that most of those jailed for probation violations are minor offenders who are soon going to be back out on the street again, anyway. And because every inmate is entitled to healthcare, critics of private probation say loading the jail with minor offenders is like spinning a dangerous roulette wheel. Though Johnson did not have the current statistics available when he spoke with the Metro Spirit, when he testified at McGee’s habeas corpus hearing on January 27, 2010, 132 of the 992 inmates had been revoked on probation. “Last year we paid $4.2 million for a medical contractor to come in here, and anything over the cap on that, we have to pay,” Johnson says. “This year, we’re close to $5 million.” According to Sheriff Ronnie Strength, roughly a third of his budget is earmarked for jail operations. “It runs $16 or $17 million a year,” he says. Johnson, who’s put in 47 years with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, 31 at the jail, remembers what it was like before private probation.
It’s a question of practicality, he says. “I’m not a bleeding heart, but I try to look after the taxpayers’ money and look after how to stay within our budget the best I can,” he says.
didn’t have that because they weren’t sworn,” he says. Of the two basic probation models, compliance and rehabilitation, Allen considers his approach to be blended. “First of all, we demand compliance with your probation,” he says. “Second, we’ll try to get you any help possible if you want that help. But I don’t have a bunch of social workers working for me. We don’t have the time to sit here and be a full rehabilitation model.” He admits that compliance deals with money, but insists it’s not about money. “Governments fine folks when they put them on probation, and the probationers are expected to pay their fines unless there’s a reason why they can’t,” he says.
15NOVEMBER2012
After years of using private probation companies, Athens-Clarke County judges decided they didn’t have enough accountability, and in 2007 they took it to the mayor and the commission and they voted to bring it back in-house. “There were two major things that Athens-Clarke County wanted,” says Dale Allen, chief probation officer of Athens-Clarke County. “They wanted accountability — which would include financial accountability but not
LIST OF RICHMOND COUNTY PROBATIONERS AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 13
V23|NO45
“I’ve been in probation about 10 years, and I’ve never seen a single one of these judges sitting on the bench say, ‘We’ll put you in jail just for money.’ That’s just not going to happen.” Allen conducts a financial assessment to make sure those who claim they can’t pay actually can’t, then starts working on a plan to get them through their probation. “I can waive supervision fees,” he says. “The judges do not care about my supervision fees. My supervision fees are nice and they help the government operate, but if you’re truly indigent and having financial problems, it’s the first one that can go easily. That’s where I think you’ve got a huge difference between private and government. Private can’t do that because that’s their profit.” He says that while private probation has weaknesses, it’s not necessarily shady by nature. “It really comes down to their work ethic and their corporate philosophy,” he says. “Are you going to arrest people for money and force them to pay the money, which I don’t think is ethical whichever way you go, government or private, or are you just trying to enforce all the conditions?” If a probationer is paying everything on time and doing what he’s supposed to be doing, things run smoothly no matter who is running the program. But if a probationer misses a few payments, things have the potential to spiral out of control and avoid oversight. “If you’re behind three or four months on supervision fees and three or four months on fine payments and you come in with $400 in cash, where’s that money going?” he asks. “I’m fully transparent and all my books and cases are open, but private probation, unless it’s in the contract they’ve made with the government — their books aren’t open for review.” At any one time Allen has around 3,000 cases, and he says he’s paid for himself the last four years. “Last year’s budget was $840,000, and we brought in about $850,000,” he says. “And we came in about $10,000 under budget, so we were about $20,000 to the good. And that’s still with running it with a heart and with ethics.” Though the Spirit has been in contact with several people, including Sentinel employees who eventually proved unwilling to talk, the story of W.T. stands out. When W.T. met with the Metro Spirit he was finishing up the final 20 hours of community service for a second DUI offense. He also owed $4,000 in fines. “My probation officer lets me do reporting by mail,” he says. “I’ve got a form that basically says my name, my social security number, how many hours of community service I completed and how much I paid this month.”
14 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
SENTINEL OFFICE
He faxes the form to Sentinel, and that serves as his report. “That fax I send is a $45 piece of paper,” he says, referring to the fee he’s paying to Sentinel. “She never physically sees me.” He says he feels that his freedom is something that can be snatched away at any time. “My minimum payment a month is $185,” he says. “Let’s say I only bring her $100. That’s $85 light. She could revoke me.” He tells the story of a guy who said he served 240 hours worth of community service when Sentinel lost the report establishing his hours, which meant the guy had to start over from zero. Besides being defeating and an inconvenience, starting over also meant the guy had to continue paying Sentinel the monthly probation fee. While such a story is anecdotal, Long says that any conversation involving Sentinel involves similar horror
stories. “Unfortunately, when it comes to Sentinel, you might knock out 20 percent, but 80 percent of them are valid.” Though W.T. mostly reports to his probation officer via fax, he’s no stranger to the drab Sentinel office near the law enforcement center on Walton Way. “You’re treated like scum,” he says. “You sign in and wait for a minimum of an hour. A minimum. If your appointment is at 3, you will see the lady between 4 and 4:30. She screams your name out and you go back there, you sit at her desk, she asks you about five questions and you answer them. You wait an hour and a half to be seen for three minutes.” Like many probationers, W.T. works off his community service at a Richmond County recreational facility. He chose the facility because he’s known the manager for years, and though that works to his benefit — W.T. claims he works only one hour for every three his friend logs — he realizes that the relationship still leaves him at risk.
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
NON STOP DIRECT FLIGHTS TO
WASHINGTON, D.C. NOW FLYING! Express
FlyAGS.com Desperate, vulnerable people plus low-paid, largely unsupervised employees equals a recipe for abuse. “I’ve heard stories of girls giving up the booty to get out of hours,” he says. “I’ve heard of money. I’ve heard any range. It’s crazy.” In March, a Sentinel assistant branch manager in Lawrenceville was charged with accepting money from probationers and not applying it to the money owed and to falsifying work times. “You’ve got to remember, this guy is just like a probation officer,” he says. “My financial livelihood and my freedom is based on an $11 an hour probation officer and a $22,000 a year salaried employee at the Rec Department. Those two people have my balls in their hands.” Spend any time around the Sentinel office and you’ll hear stories of oversight and abuse and outright mistakes, though perhaps none as egregious as the story of Kathleen Hucks, who was jailed this Labor Day weekend for violating the terms of a probation that ended four years earlier. Hucks was held at the Columbia County jail until her husband could pay Sentinel $157, which wasn’t until September 20. Long is also trying this case, and questions whether Sentinel even has the authority to operate in Columbia County. In a letter dated November 8, County Clerk Erin Hall replied to Long’s request for a contract between Sentinel and the Board of Commissioners with a letter stating that she could not find where any such agreement had been approved by the Columbia County Commission. According to Georgia Code, a private probation contract must be approved by the judge and the county commission. “If they don’t have a contract, they have no basis for collecting a dime or acting as a probation officer,” Long says. For Long, who says he’s investigating a desk full of allegations against Sentinel, it comes down to the desire for accountability expressed by the judges in Athens-Clarke County. “The people who make decisions to lock you up need to be accountable to a governmental agency,” he says. “The people who pick up our trash — if they want to outsource that, that’s fine. But there’s a big distinction. The man picking up my trash can not put my ass in jail.”
15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 15
V23|NO45
FRANKLY SPEAKING
By Brendan Emmett Quigley / Edited by Will Shortz Comic Dave Ramjets, e.g. Populous area Country music channel Paper size: Abbr. Some foam toys Area close to home Put on the job again Large fern Toothed 58-Down 29-Across “Star Trek” villains Not present at Flaming Overseeing of a Bayonne bakery? Issue for Michelle Obama R in a car Go-ahead Showed, as a seat Org. for big shots? Family nickname That, to Tomás Tucson school, briefly Eye surgeon’s instrument Was concerned (with) Cretin QB legend nicknamed “the Golden Arm” 82 French-speaking country where illegal activity runs rampant? 84 Elastic Down 87 It’s more than a pinch: Abbr. 1 QB Donovan 90 Interview seg. 2 Net guard 91 What a photocopier light may 3 Prizefighter in a Parisian novel? indicate 4 The Rams, on sports tickers 93 “American Idol” winner Allen 5 Expert at brewing oolong in 94 Relief for plantar fasciitis Orléans? 95 Against 6 Q.E.D. part 96 Outside of walking distance, say 7 Mysterious Scottish figure, 97 Actor Morales informally 98 See 91-Across 8 Many an “iCarly” fan 99 Millinery item100 Operating 9 Hasty flight system between Puma and 10 Weakness Panther 11 Layers of clouds 101 Most distant point 12 On TV, say 13 “Got a Hold ___” (1984 top 10 hit) 102 Rode hard 105 Nickel-and-___ 14 “Lux” composer Brian 108 E.P.A. issuances: Abbr. 15 Lost time? 109 Kind of brick 16 Two-dimensional 111 The language Gàidhlig 17 “De-e-eluxe!” 114 Shoe width 18 Entourages 115 ___-Seal (leather protector) 26 Indiana Jones venue 117 ___ Palmas, Spain 28 ___ fixe 86 Cosa ___ 88 Nevada county 89 Spy, at times 91 With 98-Down, “Mad Money” host 92 First capital of Alaska 94 Online feline in Lyon? 100 Who said “I owe the public nothing” 103 Dead ringers? 104 ___ Inn 106 Home of Gannon Univ. 107 Short-tailed weasel 108 Crib side part 110 First college frat to charter a chapter in all 50 states 112 Environmental portmanteau 113 Nine to five, generally, in Grenoble? 116 Certain work of subway art 118 Word with salad or roll 119 Mauna ___ Observatory 120 Surround with shrubbery 121 Rocks for Jocks, most likely 122 Eleanor Roosevelt ___ Roosevelt 123 Take a wrong turn 124 “What’s it gonna be?” 125 What to wear 126 Healy who created the Three Stooges
30 34 36 37 39 41 42 44 46 47 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 58 60 61 64 68 70 72 75 77 81
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
19
20
21
23
24
25
27
28
33
29
30
34
35
38
48 58
74 80
83
84 89
94
95
96
69
53
61
54
101
102
62
76
72
77
78 82
86
87
88
92
99
93
100 105
109
110 115
106 111
112
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
K I W I I R A N L A T H E E S P R A C A P T A D A B U R G S A K E M M A G S K E L N I N O B R E A C A S T H S A F E O N E B A T T L P I C O S C H W
56
66 71
104
114
52
91
108
113
51
70
85
103
55
42
81
98
18
32
41
75
97
17
37
60
90
107
16
65
68
73
15
45
59
79
14
22
50
64
67
13
31
49
63
12
26
44
47
57
11
40
43 46
10
36
39
PREVIOUSPUZZLEANSWERS
Across 1 One to take a complaint to: Abbr. 4 It can get the blood flowing 9 Like calves at a rodeo 16 Crush, e.g. 19 Some soft words 20 Lost deliberately 21 Wave receiver 22 Card game with stakes 23 Subject of three Oliver Stone films, informally 24 Fixed-term agreement 25 Marseille mothers who are not goddesses? 27 Half-court game? 29 Sailing 31 Barber’s challenge 32 Hawaiian coffees 33 Back-to-school purchase 35 Sense 37 Hot ___ 38 “Easy” 40 Working on one’s biceps and triceps in Toulon? 43 On the up and up 44 Soldier under Braxton Bragg, for short 45 Female suffix 46 Org. with badges 48 Country whose name means “he that strives with God” 50 [That’s awful!] 52 Quality that produces taste 57 Stinging insect 59 Cowardly end in Cannes? 62 Innocent one 63 Issue (from) 64 Tiara component 65 It may contain traces of lead 66 Tony winner Schreiber 67 Less refined 69 Like an infant’s fingers, typically 71 Matisse masterpiece 73 Actress Bosworth 74 Pathetic group 76 The limbo, once 78 Turkey’s third-largest city 79 John Maynard Keynes’s alma mater 80 Bordeaux bear cub? 82 Indians’ shoes 83 “Phooey!” 85 Fiji competitor
A T O P L E D A E L A D Y L N Y J P E T S O A V A I N B L I I M A S L A R W A D E S E R A E C R U T I T H E B E T A L A P O T T H E C H E R O K A Z O N G W R W O R D A R O U E E E S C Y N E T H A A S S O W
P I A G E T I T E R A T E I R I T I S
A R D S A W T H E M E S B H E O D S T A N M I L C E A K N D E A U R S E B T H E E O L S N T H E O Y U S T
L O O
P A R T Y B U S
D A A B E R A U S P I O Z N E E F F R L E U D
I S C E P O L L O S I E O N C C O T T I T T H A N E E T H M O L L E M E S S R T A P R O T B U L O M O W Y O R N E R D I L M E L I E E L M D L I
S O R E S T E E N S F L A K Y F O X
IT’S NOT FOR THEM, IT’S FOR YOU
Elliott Sons Funeral Homes ELLIOTTFUNERALHOME.COM
16 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012
Fort Gordon
Wine Fest 2012
They had us at “an extensive selection of wines,” but the Fort Gordon Wine Fest 2012, presented by AAFES and the Directorate of Family and MWR, this Saturday features much, much more. Namely food, live music and door prizes. So at less that 30 bucks a (cork) pop, what’s stopping you from buying a ticket? Fort Gordon Wine Fest 2012 Gordon’s Conference and Catering’s North Ballroom Saturday, November 17 6:30-9:30 p.m. Advance tickets: $20, active-duty and spouses; $25, DoD, retirees and civilians Day-of tickets: $25, active-duty and spouses; $30, DoD, retirees and civilians Designated driver tickets: $20 706-791-6780 fortgordon.com
R.U.N.E ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
V23|NO45
With nearly 30 years experience in the Army and Army reserves and 15 years as a diplomat in some very dangerous places, during which time she won a State Department award for heroism for helping evacuate thousands from Sierra Leone during their civil war, Col. Ann Wright is no coward. She is, however, the highestranking State Department official to resign in protest of the Iraq war and, since that time, has become a leader in the peace movement. She’ll visit the area on Monday, November 19, when she delivers the talk From Army Officer to Peace Activist at 1 p.m. at USC-Aiken’s Humanities & Social Sciences Room 116. She’ll also speak at the Headquarters Branch Library in Augusta at 6:30 p.m. that same day. Visit csrapeace.org.
ENTERTAIN
ME
Arts
Linoleum Printmaking/Holiday Cards Class, led by Mary How, is Thursday, November 15, at 5 p.m. at Gravatt Camp and Conference Center in Aiken. Participants should bring an image they would like to use for the card. $35 fee includes materials and light supper. Pre-registration required. Call 803648-1817 or visit bishopgravatt.org. The Enduring Influence of Classical Cultures, a free lecture by ASU faculty member Karen Klacsmann, is Friday, November 16, at 1 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Artist Workshop for Adults: Jay’s Flying Fish Cutouts is Saturday, November 17, from 1-5 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. Participants will create work inspired by the artwork of Jay Jacobs. $20, members; $30, non-members. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Day of Art, hosted by the North Augusta Artists Guild, is each Tuesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Arts and Heritage Center and includes a group of artists painting in the center who will answer questions or allow visitors to join in. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Exhibitions
Paintings by Art Gomez show at Casa Blanca Cafe through the end of the month. A reception will be held Thursday, November 15, from 5:30-7 p.m. Call 706-504-3431 or visit casablancatime.com. Reflections on Water in American Painting shows at the Morris Museum of Art. The exhibition opening is Thursday, November 15, at 6 p.m. in which art collector Arthur Phelan discusses works included in the exhibition. A reception follow. Free, members; $5, non-members. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. “The Five,” Ester Melton and T’is the Season exhibitions show at the Aiken Center for the Arts from November 14-December 28, and Barbara Yon will show her work in the Aiken Artist Guild Gallery in November. An opening reception for all shows will be Thursday, November 15, from 6-8 p.m. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org. 20 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Lillie Morris, Lucy Weigle and Judy Avrett Exhibition shows at Sacred Heart Cultural Center through December 28. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. The PEACE (Poetic Expression and Creative Enlightenment) Show, a community gathering of area artists organized by billy s and including art from Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman, Jay Jacobs, Jason Craig and many others, shows at Gaartdensity Gallery downtown through Friday, December 7. Visit facebook.com/gaartdensitygallery.
Maxwell Theatre. $5. Call 706-667-4100 or visit aug.edu. John Rutter’s Requiem, performed by USC-Aiken’s Concert Choir, is Thursday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Aiken. $20. Call 803-641-3306 or email joels@usca.edu. Steep Canyon Rangers, a Southern Soul & Song Concert Series event, is Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Imperial Theatre. $13-$37. Call 706-722-8341 or visit theimperialtheatre.com.
Jetsam, works by Jay Jacobs, shows at the Morris Museum of Art. Call 706724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Conservatory Jazz Band Concert is Saturday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. at ASU’s Maxwell Theatre. Free. Call 706-731-7971 or visit aug.edu.
Annual Doll Exhibition shows through December 31 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Free with museum admission. Call 706-7243576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.
John Rutter’s Mass of the Children, part of the Concerts with a Cause series, is Sunday, November 18, at 3 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church. Featured performers include the L.N. Gregg Memorial Benefit Concert Choir from Dalton, the Augusta Children’s Chorale, Lisa Gregg, soprano, and Ted Long, baritone. Proceeds benefit the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries. Call 706-724-9641 or visit stjohnaugusta.org.
Annual Quilt Exhibition shows through December 31 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7243576 or visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com. Portraits of Southern Artists by Jerry Siegel shows through December 2 at the Morris Museum of Art. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. Tying the Knot, a display of wedding dresses and accessories from the late 1800s to the 1960s, now shows at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Music
Event Horizons in concert, part of the Midday Music & Lunch series, is Thursday, November 15, at First Presbyterian Church in Aiken, with the free concert beginning at noon and the luncheon beginning at 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration required for lunch. Call 803-648-2662. Conservatory Middle School Wind Symphony Concert is Thursday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. at ASU’s Maxwell Theatre. Free. Call 706-7317971 or visit aug.edu. ASU Orchestra Concert is Thursday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. at ASU’s
Greater Augusta Youth Orchestra Concer t is Monday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. at ASU’s Maxwell Theatre. Free. Call 706-731-7971 or visit aug.edu. Tuesday’s Music Live, featuring violinist Emil Altschuler, is Tuesday, November 20, at noon at St. Paul’s Church on the Riverwalk. Concert is free; lunch, by pre-paid reservation, is $10 after the concert in the River Room. Call 706-722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com. ASU Wind Ensemble Concert is Tuesday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Maxwell Theatre. $5. Call 706-667-4100 or visit aug.edu.
Literary
Maxwell Morning Book Club discusses Betty White’s “If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t)” Thursday, November 15, at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. Brown Bag Book Discussion, featuring “Stealing Mona Lisa” by Carson 15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
Morton, is Thursday, November 15, at 11:30 a.m. at the Columbia County Library. Call 706-863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Book Club discusses “Plum Pudding Murder” by Joanne Fluke on Thursday, November 15, at 4 p.m. at the Harlem Branch Library. Call 706-556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org. Friends of the Augusta Library Book Sale is Saturday, November 17, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Call 706-736-6244 or visit ecgrl.org. Ruth Watson, author of “Blackberry Days of Summer, visits the Headquarters Branch Library Saturday, November 17, from 2-4 p.m. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Monday Night Book Discussion, featuring “Turn of the Mind” by Alice LaPlante, is Monday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Call 706863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Nook tutorials at Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall are each Saturday beginning at noon, followed by a Nookcolor tutorial at 12:30 p.m. Free. Call 706-7370012 or visit bn.com.
Dance
Tango Night is every Thursday, 7-9:30 p.m., at Casa Blanca Cafe, 936 Broad Street. Call 706-504-3431 or visit casablancatime.com. Friday Dance, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Elks, 205 Elkdon Court in Martinez, is each Friday night in November from 8-11 p.m., with light snacks served from 7-8 and the dance, starting at 8 p.m., featuring DJ Joe Tutt playing shag, slow music and music to line dance to. $8. The third Friday is the Elks Dance, $35 per couple, which includes a full meal served from 7-8 p.m. and music by the Fun Time Band until 11 p.m. Call 706-860-3232. Christian Singles Dance, a smoke-, alcohol- and drug-free event for those ages 40 and over, is each Saturday night at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Dance lessons start at 7 p.m., and the dance begins at 8 p.m. No partners needed. $8, members; $10, guests. Visit christiandances.org. Belly Dance Class is every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Euchee Creek Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-556-0594 or visit ecgrl.org. Augusta International Folk Dance Club meets Tuesday nights from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Augusta Ballet Studio on 2941 Walton Way. No partners needed. First visit free. Call 706-399-2477.
Theater
“Harvey,” a production of the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, shows November 16-17, 30 and December 1, with dinner at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. $30-$38. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com. “La Cage aux Folles” auditions, a production of the Augusta Players, are Saturday, November 17, at 1 p.m. at Crossbridge Baptist Church. For more information, visit augustaplayers.org. “The Little Mermaid,” a University Theatre Playground Playhouse production, shows Monday, November 19, at 7 p.m. at USC-Aiken’s Etherredge Center. $7, adults and students; $4, children. Call 803-641-3305 or visit usca.edu. Quickies, Le Chat Noir Theatre’s short play festival, is seeking original scripts by local authors. Writers must reside within the CSRA and scripts should be shorts of 5-15 pages and one-acts of 15-30 pages. Writers may submit up to three scripts. Submission deadline is December 31 for the festival, which will be held in April. Email scripts and a cover sheet with contact information to info@lcnaugusta.com. 15NOVEMBER2012
Flix
“Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving Stories” shows at 2 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library on Saturday, November 17. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. “Brave” shows at 2 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library on Saturday, November 17. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Bridge Over the River Kwai,” part of the Monday Veterans Movie Marathon showing in November, show Monday, November 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. “Melancholia” shows Monday, November 19, at 7 p.m. at 170 University Hall as part of the ASU Film Series. $3. Call 706-667-4100 or visit aug.edu. “Puss in Boots” shows at 2 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library on Tuesday, November 20. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. School’s Out Movie Matinee, title to be announced, is Tuesday, November 20, at 2:30 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Participants are invited to bring their own snacks. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Thanksgiving Holiday Movies show Wednesday, November 21, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and from 4-6 p.m. at North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Special Events
Holiday Open House, featuring a bake sale, book signings, complimentary coffee bar, a cooking demonstration at 1 p.m. and more, is Thursday, November 15, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. $5. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org. Thanksgiving Dinner, hosted by Macedonia East Baptist Church, is Thursday, November 15, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at May Park Community Center. Call 706-2314937 or visit macedoniaeast.com.
Call us today at 706.667.9009
Annual International Festival is Thursday, November 15, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at ASU’s D. Douglas Barnard Jr. Amphitheatre and includes music, dancing, a fashion show and more. Call 706-737-1411 or visit aug.edu. Third Thursday In-Shop Wine Tasting is Thursday, November 15, from 5-8 p.m. at Wine World in North Augusta. $5, with a $3 rebate upon the purchase of one of the night’s featured wines. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com. Holiday Market, a Junior League of Augusta event, is Friday, November 16, from noon-6 p.m.; Saturday, November 17, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, November 18, from noon-5 p.m. at the Legends Club on Washington Road and features more than 40 boutiques and specialty gift vendors. $7 admission is good for the entire weekend. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and noon-2 p.m. on Sunday is Photos with Santa; $15 includes a photo session with Santa, picture CDs, activities and a treat. Call 706-736-0033 or visit jlaugusta.org. Trinity Hospital of Augusta’s 60th Anniversary Party is Friday, November 16, at 6 p.m. on the front lawn. The event features live music and drinks, and RSVP is required. Email 60years@trinityofaugusta.com. Ladies Night Out at the Holiday Market, a Junior League of Augusta event, is Friday, November 16, from 7-10 p.m. at the Legends Club on Washington Road and includes live music, hors d’oeuvres, beverages and shopping. $30, advance; $35, door. Call 706-7360033 or visit jlaugusta.org. Holiday Wines and Appetizers, a Tasters Guild event, is Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the North
THINK. NOT A BIG BOX... NOT EVEN CLOSE
Are you so frustrated with your computer you’ve considered tossing it out the window? Is it so slow you can barely use it? Are you having trouble getting to your favorite web page... or facebood? Are you even tempted to teake it to one of those Big Box Stores for service? Think again!
NOTABIGBOX.COM
Do you really want the place that sells you envelopes or flat screen TVs working on your computer? Bring it to ComputerOne today... and our real computer guys will make it all better at a price you can afford. We’re the opposite of a Big Box Store. We’re the little store in Fairway Square and although we have our own of computer experts, we dont really call them geeks (at least to their faces). They’re just competent, skilled computer technicians with the know-how to clean up your computer at a reasonable price and get you back on the internet fast. And although we’re not keeping score, given the fact we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, it is very likely we’ve sold and repaired more computers than any other company in Augusta... and we have thousands of satisfied customers to prove it.
Professional Virus & Spyware Removal Services $69.95 About Us | Services | Virus and Spyware Removal | Custom Built Computers | Point of Sale Systems | Driving Directions | Contact Us Copyright 2011 ComputerOne Technology, Inc., All Rights Reserved - Website developed, hosted and maintained by Southfire, Inc. 2825 Washington Rd., Fairway Square Shopping Center, Augusta, GA 30909 - 706.667.9009 AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 21
V23|NO45
It may not be Hogwarts’ great hall, but get a taste of the world J.K. Rowling created during the Second Annual Harry Potter Potluck Thanksgiving, for those ages 6-11, on Thursday, November 15, at 5 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Participants are invited to dress up as their favorite characters and bring a dish from the Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. Pre-registration required. Call 706-447-7657 or visit ecgrl.org. Augusta Community Center. $20, members; $25, non-members. Pre-paid registration required. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.
by Col. Wright will take place Monday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library in Augusta. Visit csrapeace.org.
the River. The tour, which lasts until 5 p.m., includes live painting, children’s reading hours, demonstrations and discounts. Visit artistsrowaugusta.com.
appointment at either the Safe Kids Office or MartinezColumbia Fire Rescue. Call 706-721-7606 or visit georgiahealth.org/safekids.
Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the North Augusta Junior Women’s League and benefiting needy children through local elementary schools, is Saturday, November 17, from 9-11 a.m. at Lion’s Field and also includes games, crafts, jump houses, food and raffles. $5. Tickets are available at Parks Pharmacy and Communigraphics or by emailing najuniorwomensleague@gmail.com.
Thanksgiving Eve Service, featuring traditional Thanksgiving hymns sung by the St. Paul’s Choir, is Wednesday, November 21, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church. Blessed loaves of homemade bread will be given to attendees. Call 706-724-2485 or visit saintpauls.org.
The Augusta Market at the River is every Saturday through November 17 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the 8th Street Bulkhead and features produce, arts and crafts and more for sale, as well as live music and entertainment. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.
Joint Efforts, presented by Trinity Hospital of Augusta, meets every Thursday from 11-11:45 a.m. at Augusta Bone and Joint, and features a free seminar about knee and hip pain, treatments, medication, food and exercise. Call 706-481-7604 or visit trinityofaugusta. com.
The Blessing of the Hounds, an annual event to open the hunt season in Hitchcock Woods, is Thursday, November 22, at 11 a.m. Participants should park at the Aiken County Historical Museum and enter the woods from South Boundary. Family, but not pets, are welcome. Call 803-643-DRAG.
Health
Infant CPR Anytime Learning Program will be held Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the first floor information desk (west entrance) of Georgia Health Sciences University. Visit georgiahealth.edu.
Christmas Crafts and Caroling, an indoor craft show with live entertainment, is Saturday, November 17, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Free admission. Call 706-312-7192 or visit columbiacountyga.gov. Fort Gordon Wine Fest 2012, presented by AAFES and the Directorate of Family and MWR, is Saturday, November 17, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Gordon’s Conference and Catering’s North Ballroom. The event features wines, food, live music and door prizes. Advance tickets: $20, active-duty and spouses; $25, DoD, retirees and civilians. Day-of tickets: $25, activeduty and spouses; $30, DoD, retirees and civilians. Designated driver tickets: $20. Call 706-791-6780 or visit fortgordon.com.
One Table, a free Thanksgiving feast with live music by local church groups, is Thursday, November 22, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in The Alley behind Aiken City Hall. Visit onetable.org. The Holiday Gingerbread Village will be in the rotunda of the Augusta Museum of History November 15-25. The historic-themed gingerbread structures will be available for purchase by silent auction, with the proceeds going to the museum. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Infant CPR Class is Thursday, November 15, from 7-8:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org. Breastfeeding Class is Thursday, November 15, from 7-9 p.m. at Babies R. Us. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson Disease Aquatics Class meets every Monday and Friday at noon at the Wilson Family Y. Free for members; $3 for nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call Claudia Collins at 706-922-9664 or visit thefamilyy.org.
Weekend Childbirth Education Class is Friday, November 16, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 17, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Orientation is every Monday at 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 2 p.m. at University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute (Classroom 3). Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org.
Annual Diabetes Expo, sponsored by University Hospital and featuring exhibits, classes, screenings and more, is Saturday, November 17, from noon-5 p.m. at Warren Baptist Church. Free. Visit universityhealth.org.
Adapted Wii Special Populations available by appointment at the Wilson Family Y, and feature individual ½-hour classes for physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. $10, members; $20, non-members. Call Claudia Collins at 706-922-9662 or visit thefamilyy.org.
Tailgating with Virginia Willis, a professional chef, author, Southern Living contributing editor and Evans native, is Sunday, November 18, at 2 p.m. at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion and includes a cooking demonstration, recipe sampling and book signing. Free, but tickets required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit eventbrite.com.
The Augusta Ghost Trolley offers tours every Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. departing from the Augusta Museum of History. The 90-minute tour includes the Old Medical College, the Haunted Pillar and St. Paul’s Cemetery. $22, adults; $12, children ages 5-12. Pre-registration required. Call 706-8145333 or visit augustaghosttrolley.com.
From Army Officer to Peace Activist, an Aiken Peace presentation by Col. Ann Wright, is Monday, November 19, at 1 p.m. at USC-Aiken’s Humanities & Social Sciences Room 116. Wright, a veteran of the US Army and Army, was the highest-ranking State Department official to resign in protest of the Iraq war. Free and open to the public. An additional evening presentation
Weekly Wine Tastings at Vineyard Wine Market in Evans are each Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and each Saturday from 1-6 p.m. Call 706-922-9463 or visit vine11.com.
Showing and Glowing, a two-session class for those in their second trimesters of pregnancy, is Tuesday, November 20 and 27, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Apres Market walking tour of downtown art galleries meets Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the Augusta Market at
Child Safety Seat Inspections and Car Seat Classes, sponsored by Safe Kids East Central, are offered by
22 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Total Joint Replacement Class is Tuesday, November 20, from 1-3 p.m. at University Hospital. Visit universityhealth.org.
Support
Weight Loss Support Group meets Thursday, November 15, from 6-7 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Call 706-6514343 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Young Women with Breast Cancer Support Group meets Friday, November 16, at 12:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
Prostate Cancer Support Group meets Tuesday, November 20, from 6-7:30 p.m. at GHSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cancer Center. Call 706-721-0550 or visit georgiahealth.org. Prostate Cancer Support Group meets Tuesday, November 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Augusta Technical College. Call 706-868-8758 or visit universityhealth.org.
DREAM BOLDLY.
Blood Cancer/BMT Support Group meets Wednesday, November 21, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at GHSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cancer Center. Call 706-721-9134 or visit georgiahealth.org.
Comprehensive ďŹ nancial planning Investment strategies Retirement planning and rollovers Education funding solutions Life, home and auto insurance
Plan confidently.ÂŽ )Y`HU - ;\ZJOLU (ZZVJPH[L (K]PZVY
3015 Allen Drive, Evans, GA 30809
VMĂ&#x201E;JL TVIPSL
^^^ Ă&#x201E;YZ[JVTTHUK JVT
Trauma Support Group meets Wednesday, November 21, from noon-1 p.m. at GHSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Center. Call 706-721-4633 or visit georgiahealth.org. Spine Education and Support Group meets Wednesday, November 21, from 1-2:30 p.m. at University Hospital. Call 706-774-2760 or visit universityhealth.org. Beyond the Bars is a support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. For more information about meetings, call Gerry Nail at 706-855-8636. Diabetes Youth Support Group meets quarterly. For more information, call 706-868-3241 or visit universityhealth.org. Cardiac Support Group meets three times a year. For more information on meetings, as well as for pre-registration, call 706-774-5864 or visit universityhealth.org. Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support meets for group counseling. For more information, call 706-7245200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Â? -PYZ[ *VTTHUK -PUHUJPHS :LY]PJLZ WHYLU[ VM -PYZ[ *VTTHUK -PUHUJPHS 7SHUUPUN 0UJ 4LTILY :07* -059( -PYZ[ *VTTHUK 0UZ\YHUJL :LY]PJLZ 0UJ HUK -PYZ[ *VTTHUK )HUR -PUHUJPHS WSHUUPUN ZLY]PJLZ HUK PU]LZ[TLU[ WYVK\J[Z PUJS\KPUN ZLJ\YP[PLZ HYL VMMLYLK I` -PYZ[ *VTTHUK -PUHUJPHS 7SHUUPUN 0UJ 0UZ\YHUJL WYVK\J[Z HUK ZLY]PJLZ HYL VMMLYLK I` -PYZ[ *VTTHUK 0UZ\YHUJL :LY]PJLZ 0UJ )HURPUN WYVK\J[Z HUK ZLY]PJLZ HYL VMMLYLK I` -PYZ[ *VTTHUK )HUR 0U JLY[HPU Z[H[LZ HZ YLX\PYLK I` SH^ -PYZ[ *VTTHUK 0UZ\YHUJL :LY]PJLZ 0UJ KVLZ I\ZPULZZ HZ H ZLWHYH[L KVTLZ[PJ JVYWVYH[PVU :LJ\YP[PLZ WYVK\J[Z HYL UV[ -+0* PUZ\YLK OH]L UV IHUR N\HYHU[LL HUK TH` SVZL ]HS\L ( MPUHUJPHS WSHU I` P[ZLSM JHUUV[ HZZ\YL [OH[ YL[PYLTLU[ VY V[OLY MPUHUJPHS NVHSZ ^PSS IL TL[
Narcotics Anonymous meets Fridays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Visit na.org. AA meets every Sunday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at Aiken Regional Medical Centersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Aurora Pavilion, and includes an open discussion. Call 800-322-8322 or visit aikenregional.com. Burn Support Group meets every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Doctors Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lori Rogers Nursing Library, JMS Building. All burn survivors, and their families and friends are welcome. Call Tim Dorn at 706-651-6660 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Moms Connection, a free support group for new mothers and their babies, meets Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. at Georgia Health Sciences Building 1010C. Call 706-721-9351 or visit georgiahealth.org.
Education
Resumes with Word Templates, a two-session course, is Thursday-Friday, November 15-16, at 10 a.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. ASU/GHSU Consolidation Forums, featuring GHSU President Ricardo Azziz and ASU Interim President Shirley Kenny, are Friday, November 16, at noon in the GHSU Auditoria Center and at 3 p.m. in the ASU Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. Visit asughsu.org. Free Financial Planning Forum for parents and caregivers of people with special needs, hosted by Easter Seals East Georgia, is Saturday, November 17, at 9:30 a.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Preregistration suggested. Call 706-667-9695. A Petersburg Boat Pilot, a Voice of the Past series event, is Saturday, November 17, at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Free with museum admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. Resume Typing Computer Class is Sunday, November 18, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit 24 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
ecgrl.org. Barriers to Employment, a JobSeeker Workshop, is Tuesday, November 20, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Aiken Public Library. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org. Sierra Club meeting, featuring a Powerpoint journey through Yosemite and Joshua Tree National Parks, is Tuesday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. a the Unitarian Universalist Church meeting room. Email gordonjudith@att.net. The Joy of Signing meets every first and third Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. GED Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Tutoring for all ages, offered by ASUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Literacy Center, is available by appointment Mondays-Thursday, from 4-8 p.m., at the center at 1401 Magnolia Drive. Appointments required. Call 706-737-1625 or visit aug.edu. Computer classes are offered every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. ESL classes are offered every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Headquarters Branch Library (Third Floor Writing Lab). Pre-registration required. Call Charles Garrick at 803-279-3363 or visit ecgrl.org. Intermediate Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 2:30-4 p.m. at Friedman Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spanish Language Class is each Monday from 4-5 p.m. at Friedman Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org.
Benefit
Breaking the Cycle of Confinement Fundraiser, which will include a two-mile walk, community speakers, music, food and more, is Saturday, November 17, at noon at May Park Community Center. Breaking the Cycle of Confinement aims to rehabilitate juveniles and adults through financial planning, educational programs, family support, counseling and more. Email breakingthecycleofconfinement@gmail.com. Feelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Groovy, a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;60s and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s themed benefit for Aquinas High, is Saturday, November 17, at 6 p.m. at the school and features food, drinks, silent and live auctions and more. Proceeds will provide tuition assistance and classroom supplies. $50. Visit aquinashigh.org. James Brown Family Foundation Toy Giveaway Registration is each Saturday through December 1, from 9-11 a.m. at the James Brown Arena. Parents must have valid state ID, as well as birth certifications and proof of Social Security Number for each child ages 1-12. Visit augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. Operation Christmas Child, a shoe-box gift filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene supplies that will be delivered to needy children overseas, is accepting donations during collection week, November 12-19. Collection locations include Aiken First Baptist, Bel Ridge Baptist in North Augusta, Edgefield Baptist Association, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Bamberg and Winfield Heights Baptist Church in Williston. For more information, call 803-649-5802 or visit smaritanspurse.org/occ. Karma Yoga is offered at Just Breathe Studio, downtown Aiken, each Friday at 10 a.m. and is free if participants bring a donation of a personal item, which will be given to the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons. Call 803-648-8048 or visit justbreathestudio.com.
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
Sports-Outdoors
The Augusta RiverHawks vs. the Pensacola Ice Flyers is Thursday, November 15, and Friday, November 16, at 7:35 p.m. at the James Brown Arena. $10-$21. Call 706-993-2645 or visit augustariverhawks.com. St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. Augusta is Saturday, November 17, beginning with registration at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m. at GreenJackets Stadium. Visit givethankswalk.org. Randy’s Run 5K Run/Walk, held in honor of Dr. Randy Baker and proceeds from which go to respiratory therapy student scholarships and education, is Saturday, November 17, at 9 a.m. at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. $25. Call 706-721-3553 or visit active.com. Walking Tour of Downtown Historic Augusta, led by Historic Augusta’s Erik Montgomery, begins at the Headquarters Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 17. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Free Water Safety Class is Saturday, November 17, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. Great Santa Chase 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run is Saturday, November 17, at 5 p.m. at Lights of the South in Grovetown. $25 registration fee includes race, T-shirt and hayride. Visit lightsofthesouth.com. Battle on the Border, an invitational roller derby bout hosted by the Soul City Sirens, is Sunday, November 18, at Red Wing Rollerway, with doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the bout beginning at 6 p.m. $10, advance; $15, door; free, children under 12. Visit soulcitysirens.com. Soul City Sirens Membership Recruitment Night is Monday, November 19, at 7 p.m. at Red Wing Rollerway. Open to women of all ages who want to skate, and men who would like to referee and volunteer. Free. Email training@soulcitysirens.com. ASU Women’s Basketball Team takes on Claflin at 5:30 p.m. at the Christenberry Field House on Tuesday, November 20. Call 706-731-7925 or visit aug.edu. ASU Men’s Basketball Team takes on Bowie State Tuesday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Christenberry Field House. Call 706-731-7925 or visit aug.edu. Fall Fest at Graystone Ranch Wildlife Education Center and Nature Park is going on through November 30, on Fridays and from 10 a.m.-midnight and Sundays from noon-midnight. the event includes a hayride and fireworks over the lake, hiking, fishing, boat rides, exotic animal tours, petting zoos, a pumpkin patch, a hay maze, photos with the scarecrow, zip lines and more. $10. Visit graystoneranch.com. Kroc Trotters Running Group, for those ages 16 and older, meets each Tuesday and Thursday at the Kroc Center to run the trails of the Augusta Canal. Free, members; $15, non-members. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. The Augusta Rugby Club holds weekly practice sessions at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Larry Bray Memorial Pitch, 100 Wood Street in Augusta, adjacent to the Augusta GreenJackets’ stadium at Lake Olmstead. Experienced rugby players and newbies ages 18 and up are welcome, and those interested should bring a pair of cleats (cross trainers will work) a mouthguard, gym shorts and a T-shirt. Visit augustarugby.org or Facebook under the Augusta Rugby Club heading. BlazeSports Swim Team, for all ages of physically challenged swimmers who want to train for competition, meets at the Wilson Family Y. $35 a month, members; $50 a month, non-members. Pre15NOVEMBER2012
registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org. Zumba Sentao and Zumba classes meet every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Recreation Center on Jefferson Davis Highway in Graniteville, S.C. $6 per class, with coupons available. Call 706-627-1767. Wheelchair Tennis is each Monday at 6 p.m., weather permitting, at the Club at Rae’s Creek. Free and open to the public. Call 706-826-5809 or visit alsalley@ wrh.org. Augusta Canal Boat Tours lasting one hour are offered Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. All tours include admission to the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center. Call 706-823-0440 or visit augustacanal.com. The Augusta Fencers Club is open five nights a week from 5:30-9 p.m. and most Saturday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. Visitors always welcome. Call 706-722-8878. Thursday Night Chain Reaction Ride begins at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Patriots Park in Grovetown. For intermediate to fast-paced cyclists, who average 25-32 miles. Participants should bring their own water and helmet. Call 706-855-2024 or visit chainreactionbicycles.net. Riverview Disc Golf League meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at Riverview Park in North Augusta. $5 entry fee and $1 ace pool. Call 803-215-8181 or visit augustadiscgolf.com. Road Bike Ride meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse downtown for an approximately 25-mile ride at a moderate to fast pace. Front and rear lights, as well as a helmet, are required. Call 706-724-6777 or visit andyjordans.com. Guided Trail Rides at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are available Saturdays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon; and Wednesday-Friday at 11 a.m. with reservations 24 hours in advance. All trail rides are on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to the trail ride starting for sign in procedures. $23-$30. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Zumba with Sohailla is every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Ballroom Dance Center in Evans. Call 706-4216168 or visit zumbawithsohailla.blogspot.com. Saturday Historic Trolley Tours are Saturdays from 1:30-3:15 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Reservations required 24 hours in advance. $12. Call 706-724-4067 or visit augustamuseum.org. Lakeside Rideouts at Hilltop Riding Stables at Fort Gordon are each Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The ride, which begins at 2 p.m., is a two-hour guided ride to Wilkerson Lake. $45-$50. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com. Weekly Group Runs include the Monday Metro Run meeting at Metro Coffeehouse at 6 p.m.; Monday Intervals meeting at the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7 p.m.; the Tuesday Nacho Mama’s Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Blanchard Woods Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday Stay in Shape Group Run at 6 p.m.; Wednesday’s Post Office Hill Training Run at 7 p.m.; Thursday’s Homer Hustle at 6 p.m.; and Saturday’s Stay in Shape Run at 8 a.m. For more information, visit augustastriders.com. Hott Shott Disc Golf is each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Killer B Disc Golf, 863 Broad Street, and features games and prizes for all ages and skill levels. $2. Call 706-814-7514 or visit killerbdiscgolf.blogspot.com/p/ hott-shott. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 25
V23|NO45
Kids-Teens
Gobble Gobble Craft Workshop for those ages 3-5 is Thursday, November 15, at 11 a.m. at the Appleby Branch Library. Participants should bring glue, crayons or markers and pre-registration is required. Call 706-7366244 or visit ecgrl.org. Second Annual Harry Potter Potluck Thanksgiving, for those ages 6-11, is Thursday, November 15, at 5 p.m. at the Columbia County Library. Participants are invited to dress up as their favorite characters and bring a dish from the Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. Pre-registration required. Call 706-447-7657 or visit ecgrl.org. Big Brother/Big Sister, a infant care class for siblings, is Thursday, November 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital. Free, but preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net. Family Game Night is Friday, November 16, from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library and includes board games, pizza and sodas. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org. Catch the Sun, a program for those ages 5 and up in which participants will make an autumn leaf suncatcher, is Saturday, November 17, from 10-11 a.m. at Reed Creek Park. Free, members; $2 per child, non-members. Preregistration required. Call 706-210-4027 or visit reedcreekpark.com. Gingerbread Workshop, led by Jennifer Mooney of Pineland Bakery in Waynesboro, is Saturday, November 17, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History and includes all supplies, light refreshments and holiday music. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. $20. Pre-registration required. Call 478589-7645 or email imaginephoto@yahoo.com. Superhero Party for boys and girls of all ages is Saturday, November 17, from 3-5 p.m. at Lavishly Posh Boutique in Grovetown and includes refreshments, activities and more. Participants should dress in superhero costumes. $12; $10, military and sibling discount. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-7979 or visit lavishlyposh.com. Parents Night Out at the Family Y of Aiken County, for children ages 2-12, is Saturday, November 17, from 5:30-9 p.m. $12, members; $20, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.
Artist Workshop for Youth: Jayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flying Fish Cutouts is Sunday, November 18, from 1-5 p.m. at the Morris Museum of Art. Participants will create work Fun-Time Fridays, for those ages 2-5, is each Friday at 10:45-11:30 inspired by the artwork of Jay Jacobs. $20, members; $30, non-members. a.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org. augustaga.gov. Sunday Scrabble is Sunday, November 18, from 2-5 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org.
Little Friends Gym, a parent and child class for those ages 6 months-4 years, is each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov.
Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Out in the Library, a YA@AL program for those ages 11-17, is Monday, November 19, at 1 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library and Mudpuppies, an arts and crafts program for ages 2-5, is each Thursday at includes a viewing of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snow White and the Huntsmanâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Avengers.â&#x20AC;? 10:45 a.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org/teens. visit augustaga.gov. Wii Triathlon for Teens, a program for those ages 12-17, is Monday, November 19, at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.
Loud Crowd, a supervised after-school program for those ages 4-12, is Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Warren Road Community Center. Call 706-860-2833 or visit augustaga.gov.
Wii Triathlon for Kids, a program for those ages 8-11, is Tuesday, November Study Hall for teens meets Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. at the Headquarters 20, at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Pre-registration Branch Library. Call 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org/teens. required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org. Steedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dairy is open through November 18. Hours are Fridays, 5-10 p.m.; Healthy Eating During the Holidays, a YA@AL program for those ages 11Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-6 p.m. Activities at the working 17, is Tuesday, November 20, at 4 p.m. at the Headquarters Branch Library dairy farm include a petting zoo, a jumping pillow, a giant tube slide, rubber and includes a discussion by a local chef as well as recipe sampling. Call duckie races, a preschool play area, a Maize, hayrides, pumpkin patch and 706-821-2600 or visit ecgrl.org/teens. more. $12 per person; those 2 and under free. Visit steedsdairy.com. School Day Out, for students in grades K-5, is Wednesday, November 21, and is available during school hours at the Family Ys in Aiken, North Augusta and the Wilson Branch. Pre-registration required. Visit thefamilyy.org.
Fall Fest at Graystone Ranch Wildlife Education Center and Nature Park is going on through November 30, on Fridays and from 10 a.m.-midnight and Sundays from noon-midnight. the event includes a haunted hayride and fireworks over the lake through November 3, hiking, fishing, boat rides, exotic animal tours, petting zoos, a pumpkin patch, a hay maze, photos with the scarecrow, zip lines and more. $10. Visit graystoneranch.com.
Black Friday Parents Night Out is Thursday, November 22, from 10 p.m.-8 a.m. at Evans Martial Arts & Evans Fight Shop. For ages 3 and up, the event includes G-rated movies, music, arts and crafts, games, puzzles, rest Kroc Tots Activity Hours, for those 5 and under, meets every Friday from areas and snacks. $50. Pre-registration required. Visit evansfightshop.com. 9-10 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Free, members; $1, non-members. Call 706364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. In My Backyard shows at 7 p.m. and More Than Meets the Eye shows at 8 p.m. each Saturday in November at USC-Aikenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DuPont Planetarium. Homeschool PE Time, for those elementary school aged, meets MondayWeather permitting, the observatory housing the Bechtel telescope will be Friday, from 9-11 a.m. at the Kroc Center. Free, members; call for nonopen for viewing after each show. $4.50, adults; $3.50, seniors; $2.50, member prices. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org. students grades 4K-12; $1, USC-A faculty, staff and students. Call 803641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium. Preschool Story Time (ages 2 and under) is every Wednesday at Headquarters Branch Library at 10 a.m. KinderCare Story Time (ages 3-6)
Come in for a tour TODAY!
Â&#x2021; %HDXWLIXO UHWLUHPHQW FRPPXQLW\ ORFDWHG LQ DQ DIIOXHQW VXEXUE RI $XJXVWD LQ &ROXPELD &RXQW\ Â&#x2021; DVVLVWHG OLYLQJ DSDUWPHQW VXLWHV WKH SHUIHFW VL]H WR OHW WKH VWDII DQG UHVLGHQWV JHW WR NQRZ RQH DQRWKHU OLNH IDPLO\ Â&#x2021; 3URPRWHV D VSLULW RI IDPLO\ DQG VWULYH WR SURYLGH D KLJK TXDOLW\ RI OLIH ZLWKLQ WKHLU TXDLQW FRPPXQLW\ WKURXJK D GHGLFDWHG WHDP DQG VWDII Â&#x2021; &RQYHQLHQWO\ ORFDWHG QHDU PDMRU PHGLFDO IDFLOLWLHV VKRSSLQJ DQG GLQLQJ
&DOO .HOOLH 3XJK DW WR VFKHGXOH \RXU SHUVRQDO WRXU WRGD\ 353 N. Belair Rd | Evans M O R N I N G S I D E O F E V A N S . C O M 26 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Group registration required. Call 706-8212600 or visit ecgrl.org.
Friday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.
Story Time is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Diamond Lakes Branch Library. Groups of six or more must pre-register. Call 706-772-2432 or visit ecgrl.org.
Silversneakers I is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m., while Silversneakers Yogastretch is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. at the Weeks Center in Aiken. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Story Time is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Friedman Branch Library. Groups of six or more must pre-register. Call 706-736-6758 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Wallace Branch Library. Preregistration required. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time at the Columbia County Library is each Tuesday at 10:15 and 11 a.m. for those under 2; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10:15 a.m. for 2-year-olds; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. for preschoolers; and Wednesdays for families with kids of all ages. Call 706863-1946 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time at the Euchee Creek Branch Library, for all ages, is each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and each Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Call 706-5560594 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Harlem Branch Library. Call 706-556-9795 or visit ecgrl.org. Ceramics Class, for ages 14 and up, meets Mondays at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. in the Weeks Ceramics Center. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Toddler Time, free play for children ages 5 and under, is each Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the H.O. Weeks Center in Aiken. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Wacky Wednesday Story Time is each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department of Barnes and Noble in the Augusta Mall. Call 706737-0012 or visit bn.com. Story Time is every Wednesday at Appleby Branch Library from 10:0510:20 a.m. for toddlers 18 months-35 months, and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for preschoolers ages 3 and up. Parent must stay with child. Call 706-7366244 or visit ecgrl.org. Story Time is every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for Pre-K, and either 11 or 11:30 a.m. for preschoolers at Aiken County Public Library. Call 803-6422023 or visit abbe-lib.org. Story Time is every Wednesday from 10:30-11 a.m. for toddlers and 11:15-11:45 a.m. for preschoolers at North Augusta Branch Library. Call 803-279-5767 or abbe-lib.org.
Seniors
Senior Adult Thanksgiving Luncheon is Tuesday, November 20, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Julian Smith Casino. Call 706-821-1754. Dancinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with the Young at Heart, an event geared toward those ages 50 and older although anyone is welcome, is each Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Aiken DAV. In addition to dancing to Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sounds, there will also be prize drawings, snack and drinks. $6. Call 803-292-3680.
Ceramics Class is offered at 9 a.m. on Mondays or Wednesdays and 6 p.m. on Mondays or Tuesdays at the Weeks Center. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Fit 4 Ever is offered at the Weeks Center in Aiken on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov. Yoga I and II are offered at the Weeks Center in Aiken on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:45-9:45 a.m. and on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov.
Sunday activities at the Kroc Center include an adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m., youth Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., and a worship service at 11 a.m. Free. Call 706-364-5762 or visit krocaugusta.org.
Volunteers
Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services is seeking volunteer advocates for Richmond, Burke, Jefferson and McDuffie counties. Advocates answer crisis calls and respond to hospitals in their area within 30 minutes. Call 706774-2746 or email volunteerrcsas@uh.org. MACH Academy is looking for volunteers to provide tutoring, academic support and mentoring services during fall after-school sessions held Monday-Thursday from 3:30-6 p.m. Call 706-796-5046, email mparks37@comcast.net or visit machacademy.com.
Elsewhere
Third Thursday in Barnwell, S.C., on the Circle is Thursday, November 15, from 5-7 p.m. and includes shopping, live music, entertainment and activities for the family. Free. Call 803-259-3266 or visit cityofbarnwell.com.
Hobbies
Holiday Lantern Workshop, a class for those 18 and up led by master potter Liz Ringus, is Thursday, November 15, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Little Red Barn Gallery in Barnwell, S.C. All materials and tools, along with light refreshments, provided. $35. Pre-registration required. Call 803-5417900 or visit pawprintpottery.biz.
The Augusta Rose Society meets Tuesday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Augusta. Guest speakers will be Ryan and Wendy Tilley. Visit theaugustarosesociety.org.
Contra Dance at Columbia, S.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arsenal Hill Park Building, featuring live music from BonneTerre, is Saturday, November 17, and begins with at Beyond Beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop from 6:15-7 p.m., followed by a new dancerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop from 7-7:30 p.m., and the dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. $8, general admission; $5, with student ID. Call 803-760-5881 or visit contracola.org.
CSRA Writers meets Monday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Georgia Military College on Davis Road. Writers needing a support group are invited to attend and bring 10 copies of a manuscript to be critiqued. Call 706-8367315.
Beech Island Historical Society Meeting is Tuesday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Beech Island History & Visitors Center. Guest speaker is Billy Barkley. Open to the public. Call 803-827-0184. Belly Dancing Classes are held Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Branch Library. Call 706-722-6275 or visit ecgrl.org.
Spiritual
Bible Teaching Seminar, featuring Hannah dedicating Samuel, is Saturday, November 17, from 1-2 p.m. at the Friedman Branch Library. Participants should bring their Bibles. Visit donaldsao.com.
Thursday Nights at the High, a special event at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, offers half price tickets from 4-8 p.m. each Thursday. A guided tour is offered at 6:30 p.m. Call 404-733-4200 or visit high.org.
If you would like to see your organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events listed in our calendar, please email Amy Christian at amy@themetrospirit.com. The deadline for each Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue is the previous Friday at noon.
DECLASSIFIED Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services
Seeking Volunteer Advocates Seeking volunteers for Richmond, Burke, Jefferson, and McDuffie counties. Advocates answer crisis calls and respond to hospitals in their area within 30 minutes. Please contact 706.774.2746 or email volunteerrcsas@uh.org for more information.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
All Yard Work 35 Years Experience
COMMISSION ONLY.
Mow, Trim, Fertilize, Tree Work, Hauling, etc.
$600-$1000 A WEEK
Great References and Prices.
WILL TRAIN.
Call for a free quote today!
IF INTERESTED:
Andrew Jones 706.833.3060
706.877.0114
Silver Sneakers, a senior exercise class, meets each Wednesday and
&DOO 8V RU *R 2QOLQH IRU <RXU FREE (VWLPDWH SEE WHAT FISH HAS TO OFFER: Âť ([SHUW :LQGRZ &OHDQLQJ ,QFOXGLQJ 6LOOV 6FUHHQV Âť *XWWHUV &KDQGHOLHUV 6N\OLJKWV 0LUURUV 0RUH Âť 8QLIRUPHG %RQGHG ,QVXUHG 3URIHVVLRQDO &OHDQHUV Âť &RPPHUFLDO 5HVLGHQWLDO 6HUYLFH Âť 6DWLVIDFWLRQ *XDUDQWHHG
(706) 305-3900
Ă&#x20AC;VKZLQGRZFOHDQLQJ FRP
UPSCALE EVANS SPA seeking a nail tech. Booth renters only. Very competitive rent; perfect location; elegant, professional atmosphere.
KRIS FISHER '- (YHQW +RVW 2YHU \HDUV RI '-LQJ UDGLR H[SHULHQFH 5HIHUHQFHV DYDLODEOH
:HGGLQJV Â&#x2021; %LUWKGD\V Â&#x2021; 3DUWLHV Â&#x2021; $QQLYHUVDULHV Â&#x2021; (WF
$Q\ *HQUH RI 0XVLF 706.399.4209 | kfish@rocketmail.com
DJKFISH.COM ALL DECLASSIFIED ADS ARE CASH IN ADVANCE (CREDIT CARD PAYMENT REQUIRED) AND ARE $40 PER WEEK. VISIT METROSPIRIT.COM TO PLACE YOUR AD IN MINUTES.
706.294.2776 1.5â&#x20AC;? X 1.9â&#x20AC;? (ACTUAL SIZE) $40 PER WEEK
Locally Owned & Operated 15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 27
V23|NO45
The Perks of Being a Stage Mom The Boy gets his first, and probably not last, acting role
I got to be a stage mom last weekend. It was awesome. A couple of months ago, The Boy and The Girl learned of the Augusta Junior Players’ upcoming Aladdin Junior show. Both wanted to audition. They hadn’t ever done anything like this before, but what the hell. There’s a first time for everything. We had a little pep talk. I wasn’t trying to crush their confidences but hoped they didn’t expect to snag the roles of Jasmine and Aladdin on their first go at it. They understood that we might not end up with any parts, but just the experience of trying out would be fun (yeah right, right?). When we arrived at the audition, my once confident daughter clung to my hand. The Boy marched right in. Once The Girl found a friend, she went in, too. A few days later, I got a text from a friend congratulating The Boy on his role in the musical. What??? I hadn’t heard, but wow! I checked the website, and it was true. The Boy earned the all-important role of Guard No. 5. When I told The Kids, The Girl was understandably disappointed. I told her that she might not have gotten a role on the stage, but she got the next best thing. “Won’t it be fun to tell everyone that your brother is in the show?” She nodded excitedly. Manipulative parenting points for Mama. The Boy probably helped his chances when he stood up and sung by himself during the audition. It showed confidence and willingness to try something new. He confided that he didn’t really know that many words to the song, but he did try. When he finally admitted that he didn’t know any words, I had to laugh. He knew “A. Whole. New. World.” He hummed the rest. Whatever works, kiddo. Fast-forward about seven weeks. We had nearly nightly rehearsals, sometimes ending with a late bedtime for The Boy. Somewhere along the way, he landed an additional role, and it was his best role. He was crowned Prince Dahdu Rahn Rahn, also known as Prince No. 2. He tried woo Princess Jasmine, as she was to marry a prince, and only a prince, the very next day. The director asked if he could dance. He replied, “I only know a couple of dances.” I’m not sure what those dances are, but the one he did wearing a turban and wielding a plastic sword did the trick.
Production week, while exhausting, was a thrill. The set was in place, and it was time for full dress rehearsal. With the guidance and discipline of some very talented adults, these kids had come a long way. There was harmony! And acting! The scenes were blocked! The costumes fit and makeup was applied! Photos courtesy Marian Lambert-Yu The cast was running through a scene, a rather dramatic scene, when a shadowy figure dashed behind the main characters. The director interrupted the actors, yelling, “Was that The Boy? Boy! Was that you?” I prayed it wasn’t. Oh, but it was. He’d exited stage right instead of stage left. The venue we used didn’t have a true backstage area — just left and right. Because he went the wrong way, the props he needed for the next scene were on the other side of the stage. After a puny “yes” came from stage right, the director made him promise not to do that again, no matter what. Well, guess what? He did it again. I’m pretty sure he thought that if he didn’t look at the crowd, no one could see him. The show did go on, and it was a great show. The Boy remembered all of his moves and didn’t run across the stage another time. He got distracted once when he spotted his (girl)friend Macie in the crowd. That’s not what I meant when I told him to picture the crowd nekkid if he got nervous. I think he’s been bitten by the bug. I’m learning that the acting bug bites hard. I’m okay with it, though. It was a great experience, and I’d love for him to try out again. I cried happy tears during both nearly sold-out shows. Talking to him, as he came down from the post-show high, I told him I was proud of him. It was the coolest thing he’d ever done, mostly because he did it on his own, and I made sure to tell him. We only knew a couple of people going in, but he made new friends. After our little chat, he started to walk away but turned and came back to me. Putting his hands on both of my shoulders he said, “By the way, Mama, thanks for letting me do Aladdin. I love you.” Being a stage mom sure does have its perks.
JENNYWRIGHT lives in Summerville with her husband, who she calls The Man, and two kids, who she affectionately calls The Boy and The Girl. She enjoys taking photos, cooking and playing tennis.
28 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
VALERIEEMERICK
Bearing Fruit
Organizers hope preview show will generate interest for a spring festival Lisa Holtzclaw-Martin, CEO of the Augusta Stock Music Festival, has a vision and a goal to unite the Augusta community through music and to help revitalize downtown. Ultimately, she would like to see a three-day Augusta music festival to showcase local talent, consisting of all genres of music from the ’60s to the present, to converge in the downtown area with proceeds from that festival going to benefit the Golden Harvest Food Bank, as well as providing funds for a $1,000 music scholarship for a student in need. The projected festival would take place in April 2013, and there are preview shows scheduled before then to help generate interest. “This is the first year that this is being done,” explains Flo McCorkle, who is a part of the ad and sponsorship committee for the Augusta Stock Music Festival. “Hopefully it’s going to bring the community together and generate interest in the downtown Augusta area for tourism other than once a year. Music has always been a part of Augusta… there’s so much local talent here and from here.” This weekend, there will be a special Fall Preview Show at Sky City featuring music by the South Atlantic, Tony Williams & The Blues Express, George Croft & The Vellotones and Mama Says. “Coco Rubio has donated his venue… it’s going to be a blues night and will feature four blues bands, and proceeds will go to the Golden Harvest Food Bank,” says McCorkle. “It’s $10 at the door, and five if you bring a canned good. This is our first kick-off in preparation for the event in April. We are planning another one to take place in February, probably at a different venue.” Everyone working on the festival is doing so on a volunteer basis. “We’re all working pro bono,” says McCorkle, “everybody is volunteering for this first one, including the bands. Of course, musicians are wonderful people… artists of any kind are wonderful people and always want to help out the community. Their hearts are just that way.” So where did Holtzclaw-Martin get the idea for such an ambitious festival? “Basically, from spending my whole life in Augusta, Georgia,” she explains. “I just woke up one day and thought, ‘Why don’t we take what we have here in Augusta, with all this talent we have, and support our local musicians and artists and all the downtown venues as well?’” If the festival happens as planned, it is Holtzclaw-Martin’s vision to have all of downtown, the Common and all the downtown venues full of local music and visual arts. The festival would take place in the spring and would focus mainly on Augusta’s rich musical heritage. Augusta Stock Music Festival Fall Preview Show Sky City Saturday, November 17 Doors, 8 p.m.; music, 9 p.m. $10; $5, with canned good skycityaugusta.com
15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 29
V23|NO45
30 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 31
V23|NO45
FEATURED
November 15 15Thursday, Live Music
Coyoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Dave Firmin, Rhes Reeves & the Coyote Band French Market Grille West - Doc Easton Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Underground - Chris Hardy MAD Studios - Open Mic Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Marilyn Adcock Mellow Mushroom (Downtown, Evans) - Live and Local Rose Hill Estate - Preston Weston & Sandra Sky City - Cousin Dan Somewhere in Augusta - Chris & Chris The Willcox - Classic Jazz Wild Wing - Tiki Barflys
Jeff Mangum, formerly of Neutral Milk Hotel, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tour very much. Aside from his recent appearance at Occupy Wall Street, sightings have been spotty at best. So do yourself a favor and get tickets now to his Monday, January 28, 2013, show at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. If there are any left, that is. They went on sale last Monday, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait. Visit skycityaugusta.com.
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Casa Blanca - Thursday Tango Club Argos - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lair - Trivia, Soup and Suds Helgaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia The Loft - Karaoke Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Evans) - Karaoke The Playground - Open Mic with Brandy Shannonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke Somewhere in Augusta - Country Line Villa Europa - Karaoke
November 16 16Friday, Live Music
100 Laurens - Brent Lundy Carolina Ale House - Jim Perkins Cotton Patch - Steven Bryant Country Club - Jared Ashley Coyoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Dave Firmin, Rhes Reeves & the Coyote Band Doubletree - Classic Jazz The First Round - Kill the Host, Gut Locker Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lair - Chris Ndeti French Market Grille West - Doc Easton The Highlander - Chris Hardy Imperial Theatre - Steep Canyon Rangers, Shannon Whitworth Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Underground - TX Clergy Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - South Atlantic PI Bar & Grill - Jazz Duo Polo Tavern - McKinley Band Sky City - Acosta Somewhere in Augusta - The Hollerers Stillwater Tap Room - The Copper Thieves Wild Wing - DB Bryant The Willcox - John Vaughn
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Cork and Bull Pub - Karaoke Eagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest - Free Salsa Lessons; Latin Dance Party Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Iron Horse Bar & Grill - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Three Jâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Karaoke Ms. Carolynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke Palmetto Tavern - DJ Tim
The Playground - DJ Rebeckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hideaway - Open Mic Roadrunner Cafe - Karaoke with Steve Chappel Soul Bar - Pop Life
November 17 17Saturday, Live Music
100 Laurens - Celia Gary 1102 - Seth Winters The Acoustic Coffeehouse - Open Acoustic Jam Session with Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold Cotton Patch - Riley Williams and Shane Davis Country Club - Phil Vaught Coyoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Dave Firmin, Rhes Reeves & the Coyote Band Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lair - Live Music Hozeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar - Shamless Dave Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Underground - Jerod Gay MAD Studios - Sam Forrest, Barefoot Booyah, James McNair Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - David Heath Perfect Picture P.I. Bar and Grill - Not Gaddy Jazz with Pam Bowman Polo Tavern - Jim Fisher Band Rub It In Lounge - The Jeremy Graham Band Sky City - Augusta Stock Music Fest Pre-Show w/ South Atlantic, Tony Williams and the Blues Express, George Croft and the Vellotones, Mama Says Wild Wing - Tokyo Joe
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Club Argos - Variety Show Fishbowl Lounge - Karaoke Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lair - Karaoke with Beth Helgaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Loft - DJ Richie Rich Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Clearwater) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke Ms. Carolynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke
Robbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Saturday Night Dance Party Soul Bar - DJ Cielo
November 18 18Sunday, Live Music
5 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Clock Bistro - Buzz and Candice (brunch) Cotton Patch - Keith Gregory (brunch) Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Playback The Band w/ Tutu Dyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Vine Patridge Inn - Sunday Evening Jazz w/ the Not Gaddy Jazz Trio The Willcox - Jazz Jam Session w/ Preston & Weston Wild Wing - John Kolbeck
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke, Salsa Shannonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke with Peggy Gardner
November 19 19Monday, Live Music Coyoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - The Farm Shannonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Open Mic Night
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Applebeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Evans) - Trivia Club Argos - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Trivia with Mike Thomas Somewhere In Augusta - Poker Tournaments Wild Wing - Trivia
November 20 20Tuesday, Live Music
Coyoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Lee Brice First Round - Open Mic Night Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lair - Dr. John Fisher The Highlander - Open Mic Night Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Underground - Happy Bones Sky City - Straight Line Stitch, Defiler, Dead by
Wednesday, Necessary Evil The Willcox - Piano Jazz Wild Wing - Erik Smallwood
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Club Argos - Karaoke Fishbowl Lounge - Dart League Lauraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke Mellow Mushroom (Downtown and Evans) - Trivia The Playground - Truly Twisted Trivia Polo Tavern - Karaoke Shannonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Karaoke with Mike Johnson Somewhere In Augusta - Big Prize Trivia
November 21 21Wednesday, Live Music
Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Underground - Kathleen Turner Overdrive Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Live Music Wild Wing - Patterson & Nate
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tonight?
Club Argos - Santoniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Satin Dolls Cocktails Lounge - Augustaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talent Cotton Patch - Trivia and Tunes Hotel Aiken - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Lauraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Backyard Tavern - Karaoke The Loft - Karaoke Malibu Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - DJ Mike Swift Midtown Lounge - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Downtown) - Karaoke Mi Rancho (Washington Road) - Karaoke The Playground - Krazy Karaoke with Big Troy Polo Tavern - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Somewhere in Augusta - Comedy Zone w/ Ricky Reyes and John Charles Surrey Tavern - Trivia with Christian and Mickey
CZkZg Vc dkZgi^bZ X]Vg\Z#
706-855-0068
Augusta.MrRooter.com Locally owned and independently operated franchise A^XZchZY Â&#x2122; 7dcYZY Â&#x2122; >chjgZY 32 METROSPIRITAUGUSTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AN EXPERT
HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PROFESSIONAL
Â&#x2122; 8dbeaZiZ eajbW^c\ gZeV^gh
Â&#x2122; ;Vhi hZgk^XZ ')$,
Â&#x2122; 8ad\\ZY YgV^ch$HZlZg XaZVc^c\
Â&#x2122; I]ZgZĂ&#x2030;h V gZVhdc i]Zn XVaa jh Bg#ÂŽ
Â&#x2122; ;VjXZih$9^hedhVah
Â&#x2122; @cdl i]Z eg^XZ WZ[dgZ lZ hiVgi
Â&#x2122; Id^aZih$LViZg ]ZViZgh
Â&#x2122; ;^mZY g^\]i i]Z [^ghi i^bZ
Â&#x2122; =nYgdhXgjWW^c\
Â&#x2122; 8aZVc hZgk^XZ egd[Zhh^dcVah
Â&#x2122; AZV` adXVi^c\
Â&#x2122; HX]ZYjaZY Veed^cibZci i^bZh
Â&#x2122; IgZcX]aZhh hZlZg lViZg a^cZ gZeaVXZbZci
Â&#x2122; Ldg`bVch]^e eVgih \jVgVciZZ
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
Show Etiquette?
The differences between seeing Ben Gibbard and seeing a rock show
Since I am an amazing person and probably the sweetest guy ever (Why is everyone already laughing?), for my two-year anniversary with my girlfriend, I took her to see her favorite musician and, honestly, the one guy she would hands down leave me for: Ben Gibbard. Well, at least the one on the top of the list. Ben is best known as the lead singer of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. Put it this way, if you wear tight pants, a scarf, striped v-neck shirt and black-rimmed glasses, Ben is probably one of your top five musicians; and that goes for if you’re a girl or guy. Ben is currently out on tour in support of his latest solo album, “Former Lives,” which hit stores on October 15. Unlike previous solo efforts from Ben, he’s not going to be under the title of “All Time Quarterback!” but just sticking with “Ben Gibbard.” I guess after putting in years of work, touring all over the world and making his name a name, he went with what’s most popular. For me, a Ben Gibbard show was a new experience. I had never been to a show in a theater where you just stood there and watched someone play an acoustic guitar or a piano. Mainly, I wasn’t used to the etiquette for a show like this. For example: there are only two times in the show when you are supposed to cheer or clap, this being at the very beginning and very ending of each song. I was informed that by being quiet I was “respecting the artist,” which I totally called BS. I think you’re supposed to cheer the whole time. Let’s have fun, let’s go crazy; nope, not at this show. One of the best parts is that the crowds at this type of show are super nice. From my prior experience, if you bump into someone by accident at a rock show, even though it’s an accident, you might get punched in the face. When I bumped into someone at a Ben Gibbard show, they actually apologized to me and asked if I was okay. If you stand in front of someone at a rock show you will be thrown out of the way, sometimes pushed to the ground. At a Ben Gibbard show, if you stand in front of someone, you will be tapped on the shoulder and asked nicely, “Excuse me sir, it seems that you are obstructing our view from the performer. If it wouldn’t be of any trouble, would you please move over to allow my girlfriend to enjoy the experience known as Ben Gibbard? If not, I completely understand and I apologize for interrupting.” I can say that Ben Gibbard is an awesome performer and his voice sounds even better live. Pick up the album, it’s good. And definitely check out the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, a great intimate venue. Turkey for you, turkey for me. I cannot believe that next week is Thanksgiving. It’s always cool to see the locals come back into Augusta and fill up their old hangouts. When I used to come back to Augusta, we always went to Surrey Tavern. Thanksgiving week at Surrey Tavern has kind of turned into a tradition, and this Thanksgiving is no different. Monday and Tuesday you get one of Augusta’s favorites, Funk You. Wednesday you have Stewart and Winfield. Thursday it’s The Big Mighty. Friday you have The Mike Frost Jazz Band, and to finish off your turkey week on Saturday night, enjoy Machine Funk — The Ultimate Tribute to Widespread Panic. Another great lineup. If you are looking for more metal in Augusta, don’t miss out on the Hatewear Tour at Sky City on Tuesday, November 20. The tour features Straight Line Stitch, Defiler and Dead By Wednesday. I promise you that Straight Line Stitch will blow you away. If you are heading out tonight, Thursday, November 15, get in the Thanksgiving spirit with Americana Artworks Customer Appreciation Party at Sky City. Cousin Dan and Promethium are performing and Sky City is accepting canned food items for the Golden Harvest Food Bank. What shows are coming to Augusta? Who do you want to see? Has Elmo ever touched you? Email me, matt@themetrospirit.com.
MATTSTONE can be heard weekdays from 2-6 p.m. on 95 Rock. 15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 33
V23|NO45
Fit to Be Gold Challenge Update Shedding the weight and saying goodbye
Unlike other weigh ins, which have had plenty of sharing and contestant interaction, the second weigh in for the current Fit to Be Gold contest was a nononsense affair — basically a weigh in, a boot camp and an inspiring pep talk from a departing contestant. Though five of the remaining competitors failed to show, those who did came prepared to work out and seemed genuinely motivated. As a group, they’ve lost 280 pounds, with several competitors in experiencing double-digit weight loss. Ultimately, however, victory is not measured in pounds, it’s measured in the percent of weight loss, which put Grady Lee in first place, with a 14.3 percent weight loss. Lee is the husband of the previous competition’s champion, Chelsie Lee. Though second-place competitor Earl Taylor lost the same amount of weight as Lee (34.4 pounds), he only experienced a 9.91 percent weight loss. Taylor actually started the night in third place, but moved up a spot with the announcement that second-place contestant Annette Drowlette (pictured above center) was leaving for Afghanistan and would therefore have to drop out of the competition. Ranked second at the last weigh in, she had lost 23 pounds. “I’m really bummed that I won’t be able to finish the competition, but this doesn’t give you guys an excuse to slack off because I’ve dropped out,” she told competitors before the boot camp. “Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t get discouraged.” Drowlette, who will be teaching metal detecting in Afghanistan, planned to leave on Saturday, but felt it was important to say goodbye to her fellow competitors. She complimented her trainer and said that he eating plan was working well. Most importantly, however, she talked about the fact that she would be taking her newfound dedication with her overseas, saying she was anxious to hit the gym in Afghanistan. “Trust me,” she said. “It’s worth it. As much as you put into this, you’ve gotten more out of it. I’ve dropped two sizes in clothes and feel so much better.” Though she will be unable to officially compete in the Fit to Be Gold contest, plans were made for her to do a weigh in on December 17, the day of the next and final weigh in. The contestants, who were filmed working out as part of a commercial, are competing for a $1,000 first prize.
34 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012
V23|NO45
SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Rhonda Hall, Mike Myers, Mary Key Stephens and Nikita Lebedynsky at Bonefish Grill.
Taylor Benson, Angela Spangler and Ragna Brockman at Metro Coffeehouse & Pub.
Curtis Celtrick and Diana Mansfield with Melissa and Coby Duckett at Somewhere in Augusta.
SIGHTINGS
Ashley Gunzenhauser, Alyssa Schneider and Joel Druvenga at Stillwater Tap Room.
Taylor Reichold, Augusta’s long jump Olympian George Kitchens and Helen Smith at the Columbia County Fair.
SIGHTINGS
Angel Rocker, Jennifer Prescott and Samantha Williams at Whiskey Bar (Kitchen).
Brian and Amber Newman with Jim Milhouse and Shelly Cave at the Columbia County Fair.
Becky Duvall, Shelby Sangster and Kaylee Pirtle at the Columbia County Fair.
Michael Johnson
mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Justine Beaman, Katie Ramp and Lindsey Sikes at the Indian Queen.
- Kenny, Owner of Aces and Eights Tattoo & Piercing
15NOVEMBER2012
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 35
THE
EIGHT
V23|NO45
BOX TOPS
Lesson? Don’t mess with James Bond. RANK
TITLE
WEEKEND GROSS
TOTAL GROSS
WEEK #
LAST WEEK
1
SKYFALL
$88,364,714
$90,564,714
1
-
2
WRECK-IT RALPH
$33,012,796
$93,647,405
2
1
3
FLIGHT
$14,785,097
$47,455,396
2
2
4
ARGO
$6,617,229
$85,583,187
5
3
5
TAKEN 2
$4,012,829
$131,300,000
6
5
“Skyfall”
SAMEIFLING
It’s hard work being a spy; fortunately for us, it’s also very entertaining in “Skyfall” Daniel Craig was born in 1968, six years after the first James Bond movie was released and 44 years before the release of the 23rd Bond flick, “Skyfall.” That comes high in this discussion of “Skyfall” because much of the film is predicated on how old Bond is — it’s a hard life of late nights, fistfights, martinis, bedding beautiful women only days or hours before they’re killed, getting shot in the torso, and on and on, and Craig spends much of the film looking weathered, haunted. His blue irises pop all the more dramatically with scarlet capillaries flowering around them. Never one to smile easily, this Bond is your “Dark Knight” 007, a hero so burdened by the mantle that he appears not only mortal but perhaps ready to welcome whatever fate may find him. To borrow a line from Auric Goldfinger: Mr. Bond, we expect you to die. The trouble, though, is that a world capable of killing James Bond is one that probably also needs him. That fact is underscored early in “Skyfall” when a hacker manages to detonate a hefty slab of MI6 headquarters in London — a shot aimed not at M (played again by a stone-cold Judi Dench) but right past her, a warning. The mastermind has a list of NATO deep-cover operatives that he’s bent on exposing, and M must send an unsteady Bond into the field to bring him down, perhaps too soon after 007 has taken a spot of friendly fire from a fellow field agent, Eve (Naomie Harris). Virtually nothing goes right for the guy, up to and including his finding the source of the hacks and attacks, a deliciously wicked Javier Bardem who delivers murderous crazy as no one else can. Bond flicks have always been as much style as substance, and in Sam Mendes’ first bite at the franchise (and only his sixth directorial credit since 1999’s “American Beauty”) he shades an evocative Bond-worthy universe of menacing Macau casinos and Chinese skyscrapers and Turkish traintop fisticuffs and Scottish Highlands vistas. But he also soaks it in shadows. You’ll lose track of the times you see a backlit Bond, skulking or fighting in silhouette. The soundtrack, beginning with Adele’s stunning theme song and continuing through Thomas Newman’s varied, evocative score, matches any achievement yet in a series of films known for their music. The obligatory femme fatale, played by Bérénice Marlohe, could be neither any more femme nor any more fatale. Even
36 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
where the script does modernize MI6, it does so with aplomb. The new Q, a geekchic Ben Whislaw, surprises Bond by equipping him with a pistol and a radio, and joking about the lack of an exploding pen. After generating more sequels and more revenue than any non-Potter franchise in cinema history, the Bond brand can withstand these evolutions. In grit and tone, “Skyfall,” like “Quantum of Solace” and “Casino Royale” before it, reflects the success of the “Bourne Identity” movies as much as the previous Bond installments. It’s gawdawful hard work being a spy, and the post-Cold War fracturing of power and threat has only complicated matters for the intelligence agencies of American and British cinema. The scales have been falling from the West’s eyes for some time now; an anti-hero government agent seems more in line with what we know our agencies to be capable of. “Skyfall” reflects that sense of moment while also touching on something timeless. As a movie, “Skyfall” is quite good; as a Bond movie, it’s superb. Haggard and battered though Craig’s Bond may be, his continued longevity is assured when this is the state of his stories.
15NOVEMBER2012
NOVEMBER 16
V23|NO45
DRAMA
“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” rated PG-13, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner. This isn’t over yet? While we wait for the twihard fever to subside, let’s take a minute to put this in perspective. The craziness over this series’ final installment may annoy us for a few weeks, but Bella and Edward’s vampire baby? She has to live with the name Renesmee forever. She’s a vampire, people, so that really means forever. If there’s any justice in the world, they’ll make “The Twilight Saga: Staking My Parents for Giving Me This Stupid Name.” “Anna Karenina,” rated R, starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law. Don’t get whiplash from going from the lowest of the lowbrow literature adaptations (see above) to one of the highest. This Leo Tolstoy classic gets the big-screen treatment from director Joe Wright, who guided sourpuss Keira Knightley to above-usual performances in “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement.” “Silver Linings Playbook,” rated R, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro. Opening Wednesday, December 21, this David O. Russell (“The Fighter”) dramedy about a man trying to make a comeback from a stint in a mental institution and the damaged woman he meets after moving back in with his parents looks interesting. If only we still didn’t think of Lawrence as the teenaged Katniss from “The Hunger Games” and thus get a little creeped out at the thought of her romance with Cooper.
S P O N S O R
T H E
METRO SPIRIT’S amber@themetrospirit.com PET PAGE! NEW HOURS and SERVICES Monday – Friday 8am-4pm Saturday 8am- 12pm Flea Products, Heartworm Prevention, and Microchips
CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT!
6100 Columbia Road| Grovetown, GA 30813 706-541-2911 dogwoodparkclinic@yahoo.com | www.columbiacountyhumanesociety.org Who we are: Dogwood Park is a high quality, low cost spay-neuter clinic owned by the Columbia County Humane Society. Our mission is to aid in the fight to end the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats. Thousands of unwanted animals are euthanized in our local shelters each year; spay-neuter is the only proactive way to reduce the number of homeless animals who will die. The clinic was opened in 2009 to provide spay and neuter services to the CSRA and to educate the public on the benefits of spay-neuter programs. To date, we have performed thousands of surgeries! Our Veterinarian: Dogwood Park welcomes Gregory A. Cranford, D.V.M. as its onsite Veterinarian and Director of Veterinary Services. A graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia, Dr. Cranford brings more than 24 years of experience in medically caring for animals and has performed more than 50,000 surgeries in his career. Dr. Cranford is now working full-time at Dogwood Park overseeing all medical procedures. As Pet Food Drive starting now going through the such, he has a highly trained, end of the year, with many drop off points: Animal experienced, and licensed staff of House, Boots, Bridles and Britches, Pet Safari, veterinary technicians who assist with Grovetown Seed and Feed, Paw Perfect Grooming all anesthesia and surgeries.
Upcoming Events
WERECOMMEND “Donnie Darko”
The is a heartwarming movie about a boy and his bunny. Except the boy, Jake Gyllenhaal, may be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and the bunny is actually a man in a rabbit suit who tells Donnie to do things like flood his school and burn down a motivational speaker’s house. Made in 2001, it’s one of Gyllenhaal’s first movies as an adult and the number of other famous faces starring in it is astounding. Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze Noah Wyle, sister Maggie and even Seth Rogan, 10 years or so before he became an overnight sensation, all show up for this very strange trip that begins and ends with a jet engine crashing into the Darko family home. You’ll have to pay close attention to this one and it may take a few viewings, but “Donnie Darko” is a pleasantly weird way to while away a couple of hours. Just don’t expect to look at bunnies the same way ever again.
15NOVEMBER2012
How we’re different: Dogwood Park pricing is “ALL INCLUSIVE.” The surgery prices on our list include antibiotics, heart/respiratory monitoring, rabies shot, pain medicine and a free nail trim! We strive to be as safe as possible with our patients, utilizing heated pads on surgery tables, and surgical health measures such as monitoring oxygen saturation and blood pressure during surgery. All of our surgeries receive post-op pain relief medication appropriate for the procedure. We’re here for your pet: Dogwood Park is excited to provide low cost services for your cat and/or dog. Our services include spay/neuter, vaccinations, diagnostics, microchips, and general/physical wellness exams. We know the love that a pet brings to our lives, and want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to not only have a companion pet, but provide it with the quality care it deserves!
Salon, Martinez Animal Hospital, National Hills Animal Hospital, Vineyard Wine Market Through December 30 Sponsored by the Pawprints Foundation and Long Dog Rescue, those who wish to donate can also call to schedule a pick up. 706-863-2067 pawprintsfoundation.org ¬ Third Annual Dog Gone Cold 5k Run/Walk Julian Smith BBQ Pit Saturday, January 19, 2013 Sponsored by Hopeful Hounds, Inc. and The American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue, organizers are currently looking for sponsors as well as participants for this fun fundraiser. Pre-registration required. 706-294-6200 hopefulhounds.org
Ongoing Adoption Events PETCO 4209 Washington Road, Evans Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays, 1-4 p.m. PetSmart 225 Robert C. Daniel Parkway, Augusta Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tractor Supply 596 Bobby Jones Expressway, next to Sam’s Club Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 37
WHINE
LINE While sitting in my downtown office Friday morning, I happened to see Deke Copenhaver and Austin Rhodes standing and talking, on the sidewalk on Reynolds St., for over a half hour. What in the hell do those guys plot-plan-discuss for 30 minutes?
So, Obama got 332 electoral votes (if Florida’s 29 votes go his way) to Romney’s 206. On Monday, November 5th, Newt Gingrich was on television predicting a Romney win with “300 plus” electoral votes (Newt wouldn’t be toting the “company line”, would he?). Has anybody seen the Newtster since then? Did he slink under a rock? Did he crawl into a cave? Is he A.W.O.L. or M.I.A. by chance? Is he on the side of a milk carton? Maybe law enforcement should put out an A.P.B. on that imbecilic moron of a buffoon...on second thought - cancel that! To the guy who wrote in about all the religious women on Match.com-- I don’t date online anymore because of all the married men who tried to pick me up online. Without fail, in their religious description it always says, “Christian”. But hey-- you know, maybe you and I should get coffee sometime... I thought minority and majority were mathematical terms. White people in Augusta definitely make up the minority of the population, but we somehow don’t get minority privileges - i.e. Affirmative Action. If you’re white it sure is hard to find a job. Sorry, the truth hurts.
38 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Anyone out there also addicted to BigFish games? Love those FOGS,HOGS,IHOS and mini games. In my older age, my mental health will rock, but my physical health will roll! This week we lost a great man in Madison Woo. He was the first Asian American elected to the commission. And he worked hard to set up the parks and activities for children. He was a leader in the Chinese community as well, serving as president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. He was also a good businessman with his restaurants and insurance business. Goodbye, Madison! to the person whining about the people with the disability tags, ‘’reckless’’ is not spelled with a w. if it was, it would mean these people had not had a wreck, so i guess that would make them pretty good drivers, actually...maybe you should brave all the bad drivers and drive yourself to a library. That racist race-baiter, Austin Rhodes, may be right when he says “in these parts” achievers tend to vote republicans and non-achievers tend to vote for democrats. But according to a Fox News Poll, Obama beat Romney among college educated voters nationwide. What Austin leaves unmentioned is that “in these parts,” white southerners would probably also vote in favor of a return to Jim Crow laws, if they were on the ballot. Just within the last decade, Alabama voters struck
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM
V23|NO45
Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit. com. If you do so by noon on Friday, you might just see it in the next Thursday’s issue. Oh, and whines may be edited for content but will pretty much be printed exactly as you type them.
down a constitutional amendment that would have eliminated Jim Crow language from that state’s constitution. So the owners of a local establishment long known for shady business dealings and crappy employee treatment have now announced their intentions to cut their entire (black) kitchen staff down to under 30 hours a week in 2014 to avoid getting them insurance. Way to go, Obamacare. As usual, the scum find a loophole while the legitimate business owners pay the price. Can y’all fix your downtown map? You’ve had New Moon at their old location for the longest time, even after they moved. Do them a favor, put them on the map at the current location. Maybe even start on the new place at 1204 Broad that will be opening soon. Thx. Now that the Republican strategy to suppress the Democratic vote in many swing states has failed miserably, RhodesKill thinks the wealthy deserve more than one vote. Wealth does not equate with success - unless you are an 18th century Republican - but rather for so many of the wealthy it is the government largesse that has made the ‘successful’ wealthy, yes, entitlement programs for the rich, a tax code that coddles and showers gifts of gold and silver on the ‘job creators.’ I just wonder how many of these Job Creator Gods from Mount Olympus, wealthy and successful simultaneously, are simply the equivalent of a Reginald Van Snideley type who does
nothing more than pass his days on his yacht, or perhaps jet over to Thailand for a discreet rendevous with a 6-year-old boy, living off daddy’s trust fund with nary a thought given to ever working or actually justifying their existence. Here I am stuck in 5 o’clock traffic leaving downtown on Washington rd.. My car is creeping forward toward I-20 when something on the left caught my eye , just above Wendy’s I swear that I saw an ALIEN .... After this election I guess anything possible! augusta’s music scene sucks. no support for local bands,3 string screaming chimps, unfriendly music stores,cliques,scant amount of events,a**hole club leasers, basically,if augusta doesnt support live music,dont advertise for it! dig up lawrence welk or hire that jonny hensley and the hot dogs so you can watch tales from the cript doin the shag. excuse me,i think i just threw up. Thank goodness Obama and a lot of good people won! So long Mr. Rich Horse Romney. Good riddance of No Rape Akin. Now to see if we can get Finnoy in for District 1.
15NOVEMBER2012