Metro Spirit - 01.25.18

Augusta’s Independent Voice Since 1989 • Metrospirit.com

January 25, 2018

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Table of Contents Augusta’s Independent Voice Since 1989 • Metrospirit.com

January 25, 2018 | V29 • N04

Bringing home new perspectives

Page 24

Jenny is Wright Kris Fisher Whine Line Feature Sports Music Metro Week What’s Up Calendar Nightlife The Eight Sightings Austin Rhodes

5 7 10 12 20 24 26 27 28 34 36 37 38

Eugene Yu is Running for Congress... Again!

by The Insider

You’ve got to fight to be a fighter Page 20

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So, the past summer, The Insider hinted that voters may once again see the name Eugene Yu on a ballot come 2018.

After all, when Yu was featured in one of top weekend stories in The New York Times in August regarding his views on President Donald Trump’s “fire and fury” comments about North Korea, that typically doesn’t happen by accident.

Yu, a former Republican candidate in the 12th Congressional District race, was clearly still working to get his name out there in public eye.

And you can’t get much more publicity than being feature in The New York Times.

Yu told The Times back in August that he fully supported Trump’s statement against North Korea and its president, Kim Jong Un. In fact, he said he was “thrilled” with Trump’s comments and couldn’t have said it better himself.

Yu insisted that it was the only kind of language a dictatorship understands.

“All of these North Korean experts in Washington — if they are so expert on the North Korean issue, we would have never been dealing with this today,” Yu told The Times reporter at Augusta’s Golden Corral restaurant. “We should have been dealing with this 10 years ago. They’re still saying, ‘We’ve got to have six-party talks, we’ve got to give this, we’ve got to have that.’ We’ve had enough.”

When some residents saw Yu photographed and quoted in The Times, they immediately thought that he was planning another run against incumbent Congressman Rick Allen.

After all, in 2016, Yu described Allen on several occasions as a “RINO,” or a Republican In Name Only.

However, people weren’t sure if Yu was up to another campaign.

After all, the Korean-born Republican with deep roots in Augusta ran and lost against Allen in both the 2014 and 2016 races.

Well, folks, it appears Yu is ready to take on Allen at least one more time.

Voters should welcome this run because at least Yu is willing to go head-to-head with Allen on some tough issues. > Continued on the next page METROSPIRIT 3

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The Insider

Eugene Yu is Running for Congress...

Again!

by The Insider > Continued from the previous page

“These career politicians are like bad salesmen,” Yu told the Metro Spirit during his last campaign. “They are smooth talking, selling a bad product to folks.”

Despite Allen’s conservative record, Yu still questions the congressman’s loyalty to the Republican Party.

“In my opinion, he might as well resign from the Republican Party and go to the Democratic Party,” Yu said during the campaign. “People aren’t paying attention, so they just don’t know.”

But Yu isn’t the only one challenging Allen.

Statesboro attorney Francys Johnson and Statesboro businessman Trent NeSmith, both Democrats, will also challenge the congressman for his seat.

An Independent candidate, Mary West, has also added her name to Nov. 6 ballot.

However, Yu so far is the only Republican candidate Allen would face on the May 22 Republican primary ballot.

With the past campaign slogan, “A vote for Yu is a vote for you,” this Republican candidate loves taking his message to the streets and telling voters that he wants to head to Washington, D.C., to listen to the concerns of his constituents, and not lobbyists or career politicians.

Yu, who immigrated to Augusta from South Korea more than 45 years ago, also served this country as a military police officer in the U.S. Army.

“When I came to America as a teenager with my parents, I started working at the local factory. A company called Mid-South Container Corporation,” Yu said. “I was working the midnight shift at the assembly line, making $2 an hour when I was a 10th-grader in high school. I worked there all night. The next morning, I would go home, take a shower, eat breakfast and go to school.”

During the weekend, Yu said he served as a volunteer firefighter in suburban Augusta.

“And then, part-time, I was the bag boy and stock boy at the local Winn-Dixie grocery store,” Yu said. “So I worked all the time during high school.”

After graduating from Butler High School in 1974, Yu became a Richmond County firefighter while attending then-Augusta College. From there, Yu served in the U.S. Army for three years and was honorably discharged.

“Then I joined the Richmond County Sheriff ’s Department as a deputy sheriff,” Yu said. “I worked up there until 1984.”

He was then hired by a company called Southeastern Equipment Company.

“Southeastern Equipment Company buys and sells military surplus equipment,” Yu said.

By 1994, Yu and his wife, Jonie, founded their own business called Continental Military Services Inc., which supplies military grade armaments to “our allies in the continuing fight to combat global terrorism,” Yu said.

“All that time, I never ever thought about becoming involved in politics,” Yu said. “But just like any other American, I saw the way our nation was going. I said, ‘Wait a minute, before it gets too late, I want to serve the public again.’”

If elected to office, Yu insists he will fight to defend the U.S. Constitution and protect citizen’s Second Amendment Right to bear arms.

“I think our freedom is being attacked,” Yu said. “That is a freedom that the government should not try to take away from the people.”

Georgia’s 12th District covers much of the east central parts of the state. It includes Appling, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Coffee, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Laurens, Montgomery, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, and Wheeler counties.

Portions of Columbia and Effingham counties are also part of the district.

Whenever Yu challenges Allen in a campaign, things always get interesting.

Stay tuned.

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Jenny is Wright It Got Me, Too!

by Jenny Wright I have the u. Send backup! I hope to be feeling well enough to write a column next week.

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JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably ďŹ nd her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.

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Kris Fisher Faking It

by Kris Fisher

Well, it’s here. The moment we’ve been preparing for and looking forward to for weeks: The Fake It to Make It lipsync competition is this Friday night, in the brand-new-old Miller Theater. Which, if you haven’t had the opportunity to see yet, is completely beautiful.

KRIS FISHER is the midday host and program director for HD98.3 Last year, I sat at the judges’ and an Augusta radio staple. He table.

It was so much fun that is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, when Jennifer Frantom asked as well as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. me to be a contestant this year, djkfish.com.

I jumped at the chance. In just its third year, Fake It to Make It has already become one of the biggest fundraising events of the year, raising well over $100,000 for SafeHomes of Augusta this year alone.

Jennifer and her team should be very proud of what they have put together. I can’t imagine all the headaches and long hours that go into wrangling this cast of contestants.

That is, unless all the others actually hit the deadlines and get their stuff together on time. In which case, Jennifer may be regretting asking me to be a contestant. What can I say? My procrastination game is unparalleled.

Procrastination be damned, my team is ready! Chad Bennett, Fenway and Kim on HD are backing me up, so I have the best team in the contest, hands down! We have a bunch of fun props ready to go. I was going to list them all here, but was advised against it, as it would take away our “wow” factor. My advisory team: my wife. Thanks, dear. … OK, I’ll say this: We’re gonna light up the Miller, I’ll tell ya that!

My team is determined to get that championship belt.

So much so that we practiced non-stop for the past two weeks. We even garnered a small crowd at the Columbia County Amphitheater that seemed to enjoy our set — even after I put on the cheerleader outfit! I fully expected some of Columbia County’s finest to show up.

But then, there’s the reason we do it. Sure, there may

25JANUARY

be some dark part of me that enjoys prancing around in dresses for strangers’ amusement. But you’ll never get me to admit it. Being in the media, we’re often asked to help raise funds for different causes. Like most radio and television personalities, I do my best to help when I can. But there are a few causes that are very important to me. SafeHomes and domestic violence is one of them. I have some people who are very close to me that have been through some ugly situations. Some have been through it in the past, but some are going through it now. The thought of someone being stuck in an abusive situation really bothers me — especially if kids are involved. It’s often difficult for someone to not only get out of the situation but often to even concede that they are going through it. As difficult as it is for the abused to take the steps necessary to get away from the situation, if kids are involved, they are completely at the mercy of the parents: the abusive one and the one who can’t or doesn’t, for whatever reason, leave the situation.

I was fortunate enough to have 2 sets of parents who never took it that far. But I’ve heard many arguments through my bedroom wall. I’ll never forget the way that made me feel. And I can only imagine how I’d have felt if it got violent.

This fundraiser, along with others (like the Jingle Jam on the first Saturday of every December) have blessed Augusta with a fantastic facility for anyone going through an abusive or violent situation at home: women or men and their children. If you are going through something abusive, whether it’s physically, mentally or emotionally, please reach out to SafeHomes. It can be the toughest thing you do. But SafeHomes gives you the resources to overcome. It will change your life which, sometimes, is the scariest part. But it’s good to know you have a great team to help you through it. They’re a phone call away: 706-736-2499.

Editor’s note: Visit millertheateraugusta.com/event/fake-it-tomake-it for more information and for tickets to Fake It to Make It. The fundraising event starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26.

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Thank

you for

voting us “Metro’s Best Credit Union ”

srpfcu.org

got a

phone?

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Here’s another question to put on the May 22 primary ballots; Does Augusta NEED another arena?

If Mel Gibson’s character from “Conspiracy Theory” covered local politics, it would look a lot like that word salad that passed for this week’s Insider column. #TooManyBlindItems OMG! My Rolex and Esalade just filed for a legal separation

WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM

Have something you want to get off your chest?

Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit.com. The Metro Spirit reserves the right to edit submitted whines for content, but we will otherwise print them pretty much exactly as you type them… spelling errors and all.

I’m beginning to think meteorologists are Democrats. They never tell the truth and are always wrong. Sign me up for that college course. The final consists of licking your finger and seeing which way the wind blows.

Will all of you Democrats who support DACA please post your address next week so I can come lay on your couch, eat your food, and drink your beer while you are at work. I am expecting a very limited number of replies since I said those who “work”, but I only need one. I will bring the rest of my family once I get settled in and maybe later, I can get my 4th cousin a nice free room. If I don’t see any offers next week in the Whine Line, your hypocrisy has been exposed and you need to sit down and be quiet.

If the city of Augusta is to move forward and make progress in the right direction, then it definitely needs new leadership. ‘The Hardie Boys’ and their so-call leadership are only hindering progress and moving it backwards. I suggest someone like George Claussen IV to be the next Mayor of Augusta. He seems to have the vision, passion, motivation, ability and Women of Bumble...you’re NOT 37...and you are ambition to make ‘AUGUSTA GREAT AGAIN!’ not fooling anyone.

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To the person who posted the following: “Praise the LORD that we, here in Georgia, have a Senator in Lindsey Graham...”. Glad you like him, he is from South Carolina not Georgia.

Sorry, Georgia can’t take credit for the intelligence of Lindsey Graham. He’s from S.C. To the whiner that is that is thankful that Georgia has Lindsey Graham for a senator: If you do not know who the Georgia senators are, I hope that you are not registered to vote.

Fox News is funny. Really their “news” should be winning all sorts of awards for comic fiction. It’s like watching a group of prostitutes on a street corner vying for a trick when trump pulls up in his limo.

Jim jones/Scott Johnson is alive. Have a drink of the grape with them. $250,000 per guest per plate at Mar A Lago. Every trump voter an afford that. What they were eating anyway? Must be those missing children from the pictures at Walmart. If I had the money, I wouldnt go to that Government shutdown party, because the guests speak Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. I would have to hangout in the kitchen with the Americans, and the Mexicans who havent been deported yet.

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The need to consolidate For those who weren’t around 20 years ago, here’s a quick lesson about the consolidation of Augusta-Richmond County.

In the early 1990s, the former government of the city of Augusta was in complete financial turmoil.

In fact, at one point, the city was said to only have approximately $100,000 in cash to cover more than $1 million in bills.

By the summer of 1995, the Augusta City Council faced a budget deficit of $7 million and was forced to lay off a total of 87 employees.

The city was in complete shock.

Augusta’s city comptroller at the time, Aurelia Epperson, abruptly resigned after revealing that then-Augusta Mayor Charles DeVaney had been aware of the city’s financial woes for almost a year.

“By the time consolidation came about, everyone knew that the city was writing bad checks. It was no secret. You had to be somewhere in Alaska or Hawaii not to have known.

Checks were bouncing all over the place.”

— former state Sen. Don Cheeks once told the Metro Spirit

Since the consolidation of Augusta-Richmond County more than 20 years ago, the city is still searching for a mayor who can lead the city into the future

Does the mayor matter?

by Metro Spirit Staff

For more than two decades, those who have served as the mayor of Augusta have been ineffective.

While that may sound harsh, it’s true.

The mayor hasn’t been anything more than the face and mouthpiece of Augusta-Richmond County.

Whether you are talking about the past leadership of Larry Sconyers, Bob Young, Deke Copenhaver or the current mayor, Hardie Davis, they have all started out with great promise and enthusiasm, just to leave office filled with frustration and disappointment.

Many of the past mayors insist the position needs more power or authority over the Augusta Commission to get anything done.

They have demanded the mayor should be given either veto power or a vote on the commission in order to have a bargaining tool with Augusta commissioners.

But here’s the catch: In order to get any of that accomplished, the mayor must wield great political influence to convince 12 METROSPIRIT !5'534! 3 ).$%0%.$%.4 6/)#% 3).#%

either the local legislative delegation, voters or the Augusta Commission to change the city’s charter.

In more than 20 years, no one has ever come close to showing that kind of political power.

So Augusta has been stuck with mayors whining that their hands are tied.

And what good is that for a city our size?

As of right now, Augusta voters will head to the polls on May 22 and find only one name, incumbent Hardie Davis, on the ballot running for mayor.

Only one person, in this entire city, wants to serve as mayor of Augusta.

That speaks volumes.

So, here are the questions Augustans should be asking themselves: How did we get here? And what can we do to change our future?

It’s time to learn from our past and step into the future.

DeVaney, the popular, longtime mayor of Augusta, suddenly found himself slapped with a “no confidence” vote from the City Council.

The city of Augusta desperately needed stability in order to avoid bankruptcy.

“By the time consolidation came about, everyone knew that the city was writing bad checks,” former state Sen. Don Cheeks once told the Metro Spirit. “It was no secret. You had to be somewhere in Alaska or Hawaii not to have known.

Checks were bouncing all over the place.”

Once the truth about the city’s finances came to light, state leaders had to move quickly to convince voters across the county to consolidate the two governments to save the city.

In order to get Richmond County voters to support the merger, local leaders told those living in south Augusta that consolidation would allow the county an opportunity to tie into the city’s 24-inch water line and basically tap into the city’s infrastructure.

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While the city’s future looked dismal without consolidation, not everyone in the city was convinced it was the right thing to do.

Many of Augusta’s black leaders were against merging the two governments because they feared it would dilute their political strength within the community.

After much debate, then-state Sen. Charles Walker insisted that the consolidation bill was “race-neutral” and that it would promote economic development throughout the county.

Finally, on June 20, 1995, approximately 67 percent of voters approved the merger of Augusta-Richmond County.

By the end of the year, the new government was in place with Larry Sconyers, owner of Sconyers Bar-BQue, as the consolidated government’s first mayor.

And so it began.

Sconyers as mayor It didn’t take long for Sconyers to realize that consolidation was going to be an uphill battle and merging the city and county wasn’t as easy as one simple vote.

From day one, Sconyers said he was concerned about the manner in which the new government was being formed.

“The things that were important to the voters that we promised them, like a smaller government, kind of got pushed to the back burner, and it shouldn’t have,” Sconyers once told the Metro Spirit. “Consolidation turned out not to be about the people, but the politicians.”

While Sconyers had past political experience — he first ran for county office in 1991 after his commissioner, Jesse Carroll, passed away — he quickly learned it was tough being the consolidated government’s first mayor.

Twice a month, he would sit quietly at the head of the Augusta Commission’s regular meetings and listen to 10 commissioners debate a motion until people’s ears began to bleed.

Critics of Sconyers were quick to point out that the mayor was even occasionally caught sleeping during these marathon meetings.

Commission meetings would literally go on for hours and hours because, under this new government, there were no longer the political coalitions of the past.

It took much longer to get anything accomplished.

“For a period of time, Augusta was controlled by one

“When I first got to be a commissioner, the county commission hated the City Council, and the city hated the county. Why? I don’t know. But they made me feel like I needed a passport to get into the city of Augusta. I said, ‘Something is wrong here. I work with these folks.

They are just like us. We aren’t that different.’”

— then-Augusta Mayor Larry Sconyers said in 1998 25JANUARY

Former Mayor Larry Sconyers or the other groups in town,” Sconyers told the Metro Spirit in 1998. “They used to call themselves the silk stocking crowd (who lived on the Hill) or the Southside Mafia. At one time, they even had the independents and the Cracker Party.”

Sconyers explained that when he was a young boy, people expected the government to be run by such political groups, but as the years went by, government changed.

By the time consolidation came about, Sconyers said there weren’t consistent coalitions between commissioners anymore.

Almost every meeting was a battle, and a lot of times it was still seen as a city versus county issue.

“When I first got to be a commissioner, the county commission hated the City Council, and the city hated the county,” Sconyers said in 1998. “Why? I don’t know.

But they made me feel like I needed a passport to get into the city of Augusta. I said, ‘Something is wrong here. I work with these folks. They are just like us. We aren’t that different.’”

But Sconyers said there was some of the same negative attitudes against those living in south Augusta.

“I heard a guy say one day, ‘When you cross Gordon Highway, you have to turn your hat around backwards because you are in redneck territory,’” Sconyers said.

“You know, I live in the southside of the county, and I don’t consider myself a redneck. Maybe some people do, but I don’t know.”

By the summer of 1998, Augusta suffered a major drought and Sconyers’ leadership came under fire.

That summer, a couple of the city’s turbines malfunctioned at the pumping station, a water line broke, and parts of the county suffered from serious sewage problems.

The public was furious.

After the water crisis was over, the utilities department, along with planning and zoning, developed a plan for

the city’s future water and sewage system, but Sconyers’ administration was never able to fully recover.

County voters agreed to consolidation to help with their infrastructure and the new government had failed them.

By November 1998, Sconyers was facing opposition from three mayoral candidates: former Augusta Mayor Ed McIntyre, then-Augusta Commissioner Moses Todd and former WJBF news anchor Bob Young.

On election night, Sconyers began the evening in a jubilant mood, full of confidence and hope.

But those hopes were soon dashed when voters gave him the biggest no-confidence vote in recent memory.

With just over 16 percent of the vote, Sconyers was shown the door.

It was Young and McIntyre who were headed to the runoff.

Sconyers’ poor showing at the polls was especially painful for him considering McIntyre, who served two years as mayor of Augusta, was convicted in 1984 of extortion and was forced to serve several months in federal prison.

But the voters had spoken.

The first mayor of the consolidated government was voted out of office.

Young takes over as mayor After a tough election cycle, Bob Young, the former Channel 6 evening news anchor, defeated McIntyre in the runoff and became Augusta’s next mayor.

Having worked as a local journalist for more than 25 years, Young insisted he was ready for the job and estimated that he had attended more commission and council meetings in Augusta than any of elected commissioners at the time.

One thing Young did bring to the table was a commitment to be full-time mayor.

That’s a promise he kept.

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“I think there is plenty of power in the mayor’s office right now. We just need someone in there that will use it. Many of the the things that I want to get done can be accomplished without a vote.

Anybody who says the mayor is powerless, and all that has happened over the last three years is the result of the mayor not having any power, is fooling himself.”

— then-Augusta Mayor Bob Young said in 1998 While Sconyers was rarely in the mayor’s office on a day that there wasn’t a commission meeting scheduled, Young took over that chair and made his presence known.

And in the beginning, Young told voters that he didn’t believe the city charter needed to be changed to give the mayor any additional authority.

“I think there is plenty of power in the mayor’s office right now,” Young said in 1998. “We just need someone in there that will use it. Many of the the things that I want to get done can be accomplished without a vote. Anybody who says the mayor is powerless, and all that has happened over the last three years is the result of the mayor not having any power, is fooling himself.”

But Young was a little naive going into office. He pointed out that the consolidation bill stated that the mayor “will sign all written contracts entered into by the commissioncouncil on behalf of Richmond County and the city of Augusta.”

“What if he doesn’t sign one?” Young asked, claiming that would equate to veto power.

“Nothing is passed until the mayor signs it. That sounds like tremendous leverage right there.”

Well, Young was wrong.

Then-County Attorney Jim Wall said if the mayor ever refused to sign a contract, the Augusta Commission and the individual or body involved in the contract could seek a writ of mandamus from the court, which would force the mayor to sign the document.

Early into his term, Young also made the mistake of frequently trying to separate himself from the public’s increasingly negative view of the Augusta Commission.

That didn’t sit well with commissioners, many of whom supported either McIntyre or Sconyers for mayor over Young.

The new mayor wasn’t making many friends on the commission and then, all of a sudden, the city of Augusta was hit by a major political bombshell.

A Richmond County Grand Jury released a report in 1999 blasting many of the city’s policies and procedures, calling for a “citizens alert” regarding the government.

The report accused commissioners of being at the center of many of the county’s problems.

“The special grand jury is concerned that our government is on a path to destruction, and that action must be taken to avoid certain disaster,” the report stated.

While many commissioners initially hesitated to comment on the series of reports from the grand jury, Young didn’t bite his tongue.

“The special grand jury is in a unique position because it can compel testimony and subpoena evidence to examine issues very closely,” Young told the Metro Spirit after the report was released. “They have at their fingertips information maybe even those of us in government don’t have. So, to me, these people are speaking with a lot of credibility, and we ought to pay attention to what they say. For anyone to say that what the grand jury is doing is not relevant and that they ought to be disbanded, it shows that they just don’t know what they are talking about.”

However, some Augusta commissioners felt the the grand jury and its reports were doing more harm than good.

Specifically, the grand jury report accused commissioners of trying to micromanage the government.

The report stated there was a “pattern of abuse of power each time a commissioner has stepped over what should have been an obvious boundary.”

Young also found himself commenting on the racial implications of the report.

The report stated, “The grand jury has discovered many instances where race was the tool used, not to entitle the disenfranchised, but to empower a faction ... Race is even used to further personal agendas.”

The report went on to illustrate some examples of “the race card” being used in county government.

“I don’t have a problem with what the grand jury said and the way that they said it,” Young told the Metro Spirit in 2000. “What concerns me is that this group of citizens has been maliciously maligned and attacked by people, who for whatever reason don’t support public inquiry into the affairs of this government.”

“And what’s even more disturbing to me is that they would accuse the nine AfricanAmericans on the grand jury of engaging in prejudicial conduct and characterize them in a way that is not respectful of the service they are rendering,” he added. “To call those African-Americans who are serving on the grand jury racists is beyond my comprehension.”

The controversy surrounding the grand jury and its findings put the entire government in a tailspin for several years. And the craziest aspect of the entire report was that nothing really came out of all of it.

Mud was slung, eyebrows were raised, but nothing was really accomplished.

Despite the grand jury fallout and receiving major criticism from some of his colleagues, Young managed to get re-elected to a second term in 2002.

However, by 2005, Young decided to leave his role as mayor behind in order to serve as a Housing and Urban Development regional director in the George W. Bush administration.

Young had worked hard for Bush during his campaign and was heavily rewarded with the $125,000-a-year position.

So, in 2005, Young quickly took that gig and never looked back at the mayor’s seat.

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Say hey, Willie When Young announced he was leaving office, it was up to the Augusta Commission to appoint an interim mayor to serve until an election could be held later that year.

In June 2005, the commission with a divided vote of 6-2-2, selected longtime Augusta Commissioner Willie Mays to serve as interim mayor.

Mays was visibly moved by his appointment to the interim mayor’s position and reflected back on the night he was first elected to the Augusta City Council in 1979.

“I found the picture the other day, big afro and all, when I got my start,” Mays said in 2005. “It’s been a long road. I’ve seen this city grow in so many ways for the positive. I realize we have the potential to do anything in this community that we set our minds to do.”

Mays said he felt the presence of his late mother and former city councilwoman Carrie Mays in the chambers that night.

“Both of us got our start in this chamber,” Mays said. “I think she would be real proud that I would accept the challenge to move forward at this time as interim mayor and just kind of see what happens from here.”

The thing about Mays was he served

25JANUARY

the city with his entire heart, but he frequently irritated the hell out of colleagues.

Fellow commissioners were forced to become accustomed to Mays’ casual pace and meandering speeches during the commission meetings.

It was not uncommon for Mays to deliver a 40-minute monologue after the commission had already been in session for more than five hours.

It was just the Mays’ way.

When Mays first took city office at 28 years old, he developed a bad reputation among his fellow councilmen, many of whom described him as militant.

It wasn’t until former Augusta Mayor Lewis “Pop” Newman explained to him that politics aren’t always what they seem that Mays began to understand the art of compromise.

“He told me, ‘Ya know Willie, sometimes folks don’t fight you for what they say they are mad at you about.

Sometimes you have to look deeper,’” Mays told the Metro Spirit in 2005. “You learn a lot from watching people in office.

There have been five mayors that I have worked under, and they all have handled things very differently.”

Newman was a master at putting the necessary votes together to support his

Former Interim Mayor Willie Mays

“Each mayor taught me a valuable lesson. Basically, as mayor, you need to be able to define and sell the city’s good points and be tough enough to absorb criticism.”

— then-interim Augusta Mayor Willie Mays said in 2005

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wishes, Mays said, adding, “I think his real power was the power of persuasion.”

Former Mayor Ed McIntyre, who passed away in 2004, was a natural leader that knew the importance of public perception, Mays said.

“He used to tell me, never make an important announcement in a large venue,” Mays said, laughing.

“He’d say, ‘You always want a small place because the media will report that it’s a packed house.’ He insisted that a small room with 100 people is a lot better than a large room, that seats 1,000, with 250 people.”

Former Mayor Charles DeVaney was a charmer, while Larry Sconyers relied on truth and honesty, Mays said.

“You always knew where Larry stood. Now, Bob Young’s style was somewhat different,” Mays said, abruptly ending that comment with a smile.

“Each mayor taught me a valuable lesson,” Mays said.

“Basically, as mayor, you need to be able to define and sell the city’s good points and be tough enough to absorb criticism.”

But in the case of Mays, voters didn’t give him a chance to serve a full term as mayor of Augusta.

While Mays managed to beat mayoral candidates Helen Blocker-Adams and former Augusta Commissioner Tommy Boyles in the November race, he faced newcomer Deke Copenhaver in a December runoff and lost.

A newcomer to office had beaten a veteran politician.

It was shocking.

And, yet, throughout the entire election, Copenhaver seemed totally at ease.

“Surprisingly, I feel very calm,” Copenhaver told the Metro Spirit on election night in 2005. “I know there are a lot of people here watching the returns come in, but I’d rather be sitting out on the porch and looking up at the stars, kind of at peace because in my mind the votes have been cast and the outcome is already set.”

Copenhaver said one of the main reasons he decided to run for mayor was to encourage more newcomers to enter into the political ring.

“I really believe we need people of my generation to step up to the plate,” he said. “You’ve seen a couple of young candidates in this year’s commission race. And I think in the next round of elections, you’ll see a lot more young folks. That was truly one of my main priorities coming into this race — to inspire more people to run for office.”

Longtime Augusta politicians were impressed with Copenhaver.

“He’s the sleeper of the season, all right,” Augusta Commissioner Barbara Sims told the Metro Spirit at Copenhaver’s victory party. “He’s the sleeper that woke up Augusta.”

Copenhaver’s turn at bat From the very beginning, Copenhaver pledged to reach out to all citizens, including Willie Mays and his supporters, in order to move Augusta forward and unite a deeply divided community.

“Augusta did not get into the situation that it is in overnight,” Copenhaver said. “It’s taken a while, and we will not change it overnight, but we will start tomorrow.

And to all of the people that did not support me, you’ve still got a friend in the mayor’s office.”

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Former Mayor Deke Copenhaver Unfortunately for Copenhaver, he didn’t seem to have any idea of the level of contempt a handful of Augusta commissioners already had for him before he even moved into his office.

He was walking into very tense racial relations on the Augusta Commission.

At the time, Mayor Pro Tem Marion Williams was trying to build a coalition with some of the newly elected black commissioners such as J.R. Hatney and Calvin Holland Sr., as well as existing Augusta commissioners such as Richard Colclough and Betty Beard.

Williams was working to have at least a solid team of five commissioners in his corner.

But as all local politicos know, it takes six votes to make things happen down at the Marble Palace, and that’s where Williams’ power was wavering.

In fact, the once dynamic duo of Marion Williams and Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek was quickly dying.

Cheek had realized that his past support of Williams brought him nothing but misery. When Cheek needed Williams’ political support, Williams frequently left his one white political ally on the commission high and dry.

With the election of Copenhaver to the mayor’s seat, Williams could no longer rely on interim Mayor Willie Mays to break a 5-5 tie on the commission.

So, Williams was already quite upset with Copenhaver and his role as mayor before he even took office.

Augusta had two coalitions, each consisting of five commissioners, divided by race.

Copenhaver’s ability to get anything done was almost dead from the very beginning.

But the situation got much worse when Cheek announced plans to change the structure of the local government just in time for Copenhaver to take office.

“They are going to cause me to start cussing,” Williams told the Metro Spirit in 2005. “They’re dogs. No better than dogs.”

In Cheek’s proposal, he wanted to give the mayor veto power, provide the city administrator with the ability to hire and fire department heads, and change the current six-vote rule for passing motions to a simple-majority system.

“I campaigned on reforming the government. However, this proposal began before I was ever elected, from what I understand.

But I’m supporting reform, particularly if you put it on a referendum to ask the people.”

— then-Augusta Mayor-Elect Deke Copenhaver said in 2005 Cheek said that these changes were long overdue and would make the local government run more efficiently.

In a sense, this was Cheek throwing down the gauntlet.

Williams said it appeared as if his colleagues were attempting a “coup” in the final days of 2005, prior to Copenhaver being sworn into office.

Even though Copenhaver insisted he knew nothing about Cheek’s proposal, Williams still went on the attack. “(Copenhaver) said he was not a part of it,” Williams said in 2005. “I asked him, ‘Mr. Mayor, if you were sincere about bringing this community together, then you ought to be the front leader in changing this. You 25JANUARY

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ought to be the front leader in telling people this is not right or not fair.”

Copenhaver told the Metro Spirit that he wasn’t behind Cheek’s proposal, but that he did support reforming the government.

“I campaigned on reforming the government,” Copenhaver said in 2005. “However, this proposal began before I was ever elected from what I understand.

But I’m supporting reform, particularly if you put it on a referendum to ask the people.”

Copenhaver said that was the key to making this government work.

“I think the people in this community ought to be asked what they think those changes ought to be,” he said.

While Copenhaver said he was committed to bringing the community together, his own commissioners were ready to slit each others’ throats.

During the final meeting in December, things got even worse.

It became reckoning day for Teresa Smith, the thendirector of the city’s engineering division.

The first black, female director of the public works department was fired in a controversial 6-3 vote.

Critics of Smith said she had turned the public works’ engineering division into an “unprofessional and unmanageable department.”

But Williams insisted that his colleagues were driving the city straight toward a lawsuit.

“And I’ll testify for Mrs. Smith, too. In a Cincinnati second,” Williams said in 2005. “Because it’s wrong. I think it is low down and dirty for us to sit here and act like we don’t know what is going on. We just want to go back to the good ol’ boy system that we had 40 years ago.”

After the vote, several members of the audience who supported the director of engineering were outraged that Augusta Commissioner Bobby Hankerson, a black commissioner, voted for the firing along with the five white commissioners.

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“I’ve never been a typical politician. To be able to constantly interact with the citizens I serve has been a huge blessing. If I had to be around the politics all the time, I couldn’t take it.”

— former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver “You’re a thorn in our side,” one man yelled.

Another man called Hankerson, “a black Judas.”

Hankerson sat calmly in his chair as several of the citizens stood by one of the exits, blatantly staring down the commissioner.

Within minutes, city marshals raced out to the municipal building’s parking lot to keep an eye on Hankerson’s car and offered to escort the commissioner out of the building.

It was a terrible meeting that set the stage for Copenhaver’s being sworn into office at the end of the year.

And none of it had anything to do with Copenhaver, but he was walking into a pit of vipers.

Following the firing of Smith, the black commissioners made sure that Cheek’s proposal to reform the government went down in flames “I will bring it back next year,” Cheek said in 2005.

“And I’m sure the race-mongers will be out spreading their fear and panic among the population again. And, by the same token, as long as they win, other cities will continue to pass us by.”

It was a no-win situation for the new mayor.

And within minutes of Copenhaver’s first commission meeting in 2006, indecision was abundant.

Six commissioners could not even agree on who should become Augusta’s next mayor pro tem.

The votes were split along racial lines with the majority of black commissioners supporting Williams and the white commissioners voting for Cheek.

Both votes would have resulted in a 5-5 tie had Williams not elected to abstain on the two nominations, effectively blocking Copenhaver from breaking a tie.

It was a nightmare for Copenhaver because he was sitting in a racial powder keg waiting to explode.

Unfortunately, those were the battles that Copenhaver faced on a regular basis throughout his administration that kept him from completely moving the city forward.

And because Copenhaver was always trying to work with everyone and not ruffle too many feathers, people saw “The Boy King” as more of a Boy Scout while in office.

“I’ve never been a typical politician,” Copenhaver said following the end of his second term as mayor. “To be able to constantly interact with the citizens I serve has been a huge blessing. If I had to be around the politics all the time, I couldn’t take it.”

However, after nine years as mayor, Copenhaver insisted he had a “good working relationship” with all of the commissioners.

“For the most part, it has not been adversarial,” Copenhaver said, adding that, however, it wasn’t always an easy relationship. “Part of my frustration is that after nine years of trying to lead by example, the politics within the commission remains very similar to when I took office.”

Hardie Davis at the helm In May 2014, former state Sen. Hardie Davis was elected as mayor of Augusta with a whopping 75 percent of the votes.

On paper, Davis seemed like the complete package.

He had served as both a state representative and state senator prior to running for Augusta’s top seat.

He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech and served as senior pastor of Abundant Life Worship Center on Brown Road in south Augusta.

Davis appeared to be just the person to get this city and the government rolling at full steam.

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Mayor Hardie Davis But before Davis even took his seat in the mayor’s office in 2015, he was already making waves.

While attending his first Augusta Commission’s retreat in 2014, the mayor-elect surprised both staff and commissioners with some extremely pointed questions regarding the budget.

Basically, when Finance Director Donna Williams presented the 2015 budget proposal that included a suggested 2-mill property tax increase, it got everyone’s attention.

“I call on citizens from across this city to join in this conversation to urge the General Assembly to amend the city of Augusta’s charter so that it works for all of our citizens, and provides a system of checks and balances. To provide a government where the role of mayor is not ceremonial… where the mayor provides direction and leadership.”

— Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis said in 2015 But when Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle suggested that commissioners needed to consider possibly charging nonprofit organizations fees for the basic city services, Davis immediately took issues with him.

He turned directly to Guilfoyle and asked, “What church do you go to?”

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Guilfoyle seemed slightly confused by the question, but he didn’t hesitate to answer.

Then, Davis continued to press him.

“Have you talked to your pastor about this?” Davis asked.

Again, Guilfoyle didn’t back down from his position.

“No, but I will,” Guilfoyle said. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

It was odd for the mayor-elect, who hadn’t even been sworn in yet, to stir up some tension over a mere suggestion by commissioner.

It should have been a warning sign to everyone, but it wasn’t until the mayor took office and held a surprise news conference in February 2015 that Augustans began to wake up.

Davis decided to hold a news conference calling for state legislators to change the city’s 1995 consolidation bill to give the mayor significantly more authority.

“In our current structure of government, there is no system of checks and balances,” Davis said in 2015, adding that the role of mayor has been reduced to managing meetings where 10 commissioners make all the decisions. “There is no ability to hold anyone accountable for the decisions that are made on a dayto-day basis because our government was not designed that way.”

Davis insisted there was no long-term vision to guide the city.

“Department heads and entry-level employees report to 10 different individuals, yet most citizens believe that the mayor is responsible for providing direction, providing vision and providing leadership for the entire city,” Davis said. “Our government has failed to function effectively for 20 years because we have been set up this

way.”

The mayor, who had been in office less than two months, proclaimed it was time for a change.

“When decisions are made, whether good or bad, the mayor cannot veto or change those decisions,” Davis said in 2015. “In fact, the mayor doesn’t even contribute significantly to the process of making decisions that impact our city and our citizens. That’s not the type of government the U.S. Constitution provides.”

In order to correct Augusta’s problems, Davis suggested citizens turn to the state legislature.

“I call on citizens from across this city to join in this conversation to urge the General Assembly to amend the city of Augusta’s charter so that it works for all of our citizens, and provides a system of checks and balances,” Davis said. “To provide a government where the role of mayor is not ceremonial… where the mayor provides direction and leadership.”

As soon as the press conference was over, commissioners could hardly believe what had just happened.

Mainly because not one commissioner was invited to the press conference.

It just so happened that Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams had heard through media outlets that the mayor was making an announcement and he decided to attend.

“I went down there, but I didn’t stand with him,” Williams said. “I stayed way back with the cameras because he’s a nut.”

Augustans might not always agree with Williams, but he hit the nail on the head with that remark.

If Davis was serious about requesting so much power, he should have informed all 10 commissioners that he was going to make such a brazen announcement.

“If he is that crazy without power, what would he do if he had all that power?” Williams asked. “He hadn’t been in office 60 days yet. I mean, he hadn’t made his 60-day mark, and this man is already doing the same thing that Bob Young tried and Deke (Copenhaver) tried for a while. I guess some people are thinking that they can get him that support just because he is a black mayor, but that ain’t going to work with me.”

People throughout Augusta were truly stunned by the mayor’s actions.

“This man is off the chain,” Williams said. “And I’m through with him now. Whatever he would have gotten out of me, he can’t get nothing out of me now. He just made some enemies.”

Augusta Commissioner Ben Hasan said he was thoroughly “disappointed” by the manner in which the mayor handled the entire situation.

“The truth is, he is not trying to build a relationship with us,” Hasan said of Davis. “Not at all.”

There was only one word Hasan could come up with that properly described his feelings about Davis’ actions.

“Heartbreaking,” Hasan said, shaking his head. “It’s truly heartbreaking.”

After the mayor’s first major misstep with the surprise press conference, Davis seemed to cool things down for a little while.

That was until he recently started this whole debate over the future site of the proposed $120 million arena at the former Regency Mall location.

In late August, Davis attempted to achieve the 25JANUARY

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“There is a conversation going on in our community that has, in fact, become divisive. There is a conversation in our community that, again, is very painful. I did not know that I would be 48 years old and on the verge of being martyred in my own city.”

— Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis said in November ultimate political coup by surprising both the chairman and vice chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority with a backroom deal he had secretly brokered.

The mayor managed to convince the majority of the coliseum authority members to select the abandoned former Regency Mall site on Gordon Highway as the preferred location for the new James Brown Arena.

This, despite the fact that the coliseum authority had spent more than a year reviewing locations around the city and had even announced that they were dedicated to keeping the new arena downtown.

The fact that the authority had paid seasoned consultants $142,000 to develop an arena plan regarding the proposed sites that didn’t support the Regency Mall location didn’t matter to the mayor.

But it mattered to a lot of people in this community.

Once again, Davis’ secretive actions on a major issue facing this city backfired in his face.

Then, the mayor made matters worse by claiming he was being “martyred” in his own city over his support of the Regency Mall location.

“There is a conversation going on in our community that has, in fact, become divisive,” the mayor said in November. “There is a conversation in our community that, again, is very painful. I did not know that I would be 48 years old and on the verge of being martyred in my own city.”

25JANUARY

The mayor went on to imply that anyone who did not support the Regency Mall proposal was not being “inclusive” of all residents of Richmond County.

“It does not have to be an us versus them. It does not have to be west Augusta versus south Augusta,” Davis said. “And even if you don’t like my slogan, ‘One Augusta,’ at the end of the day, we are all Augustans.”

It’s not the slogan that bothers many Augustans.

It’s Davis’ lack of leadership and communication with the entire community that troubles a lot of people.

That’s the problem.

The truth is, the mayor of Augusta plays an extremely important role in this city.

As the rest of this community continues to grow and thrive, it is truly heartbreaking to see Augusta politics and the government stuck in same rut.

Isn’t it time for a new direction? Isn’t it time for a change?

The May 22 election isn’t that far away.

Time is ticking for a true leader to step forward.

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Sports “I got into fights in school. … I got into a fight one time, really bad; it wasn’t at school, it was outside of school.

I almost got into a lot of trouble, and my dad was like, ‘Do you want to fight? You’re over here fighting everyone.

Do you just want to fight, is that what you want to do?’ And I was just like, ‘YES. I’ve been trying to tell you, that’s what I want to do!’ And I literally had a fight like next month.”

— Cade Dement, headed to amateur MMA Nationals

Nathan Key, right

Two local athletes headed to amateur MMA Nationals

You’ve got to fight to be a fighter

by Amanda Main | amanda@themetrospirit.com

Some of us have high intentions of getting up and working out in the morning… we set our alarms to go off early and everything. But then the snooze button beckons, and we let an extra 30 minutes or hour of sleep win us over before getting up to go about our day. We start the process all over again the next morning — or, maybe, we give up altogether and reset our alarms to go off later and let go of even considering regularly working out.

One surefire way to get up your motivation to get out there and start your day with exercise is to listen to mixed martial arts fighters talk about their workout routines.

Cade Dement, 20, and Nathan Key, 28, are two such fighters. Their primary coach also is Cade’s father, Stevie Dement, who co-owns Dement Brothers Fighting Systems, with classes based in Evans Fitness Club. Stevie, who is now retired but still teaching, has an extensive background in USA boxing, Golden Gloves, professional kickboxing, and has a second-degree black belt with more 20 METROSPIRIT !5'534! 3 ).$%0%.$%.4 6/)#% 3).#%

than 100 fights behind him.

He’s been coaching Cade and Nathan (both at the amateur level) in preparation for the USA Mixed Martial Arts Kick International Federation (UMMAF) Nationals, coming up Feb. 1-3 at the Isle of Capri Casino in Booneville, Mo. The winners of the competition will earn their spots on the official U.S. team for international competition.

Cade Dement Cade has fighting in her blood, with not only her father but her grandfather and great uncles being boxers back in their day. The family has many Golden Gloves championships among them, along with a trip to the 1972 Olympics.

If you talk to her parents, it wasn’t always a sure thing that Cade would go the route of getting in the ring or in the cage. But as a kid, she took up fighting on her own

time — in less socially acceptable ways.

“I was bad when I was a kid!” she exclaimed. “I mean, I wasn’t bad, but yeah, I got into fights in school, and I got into trouble, and my dad did not like that at all. And that was the main reason why — like I got into a fight one time, really bad; it wasn’t at school, it was outside of school.

I almost got into a lot of trouble, and my dad was like, ‘Do you want to fight? You’re over here fighting everyone. Do you just want to fight, is that what you want to do?’ And I was just like, ‘YES. I’ve been trying to tell you, that’s what I want to do!’ And I literally had a fight like next month.”

She had grown up seeing her father fight professionally and loved every aspect of it. She was 18 when she had her first fight, and her record stands at 3-3. She was picked to be one of eight women in her weight bracket to go to the Nationals in Missouri.

“So I’ll fight one time on (Feb. 1), and if I win, I’ll fight on (Feb. 2). And if I win that, I’ll fight on (Feb. 3). And if I win that, then I’ll be the USA National champion and I’ll be on the USA fight team, and then I’ll go and fight for worlds. But if I lose on the 25JANUARY

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“I love the scenery (of fighting); I love the adrenaline rush. I love — it just seems so normal to me, whenever I’m in there. I feel at home. I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. And I just love being able to perform and show everybody how hard I’ve worked.”

— Cade Dement, headed to amateur MMA Nationals

Cade Dement, left

first, then I can’t fight the next two days.”

Cade is hoping to go pro with her fighting — and winning in the amateur Nationals would certainly bring her the attention to do so. But she is going to school at Augusta Tech in the meantime, with becoming a dental assistant as a back-up plan. However, her heart is in fighting.

“Ohhh… it makes my heart drop just thinking about it! I love the scenery (of fighting); I love the adrenaline rush,” she said. “I love — it just seems so normal to me, whenever I’m in there. I feel at home. I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. And I just love being able to perform and show everybody how hard I’ve worked.

“You go through all this pain; you have to sit in the sauna for hours to make weight. You have to starve yourself. You have to force yourself to drink gallons, sometimes two gallons of water a day. You train like four to six hours a day.

You run every morning. You’ve got to diet. Hands-down, I’m not biased, it is the hardest sport known ever to really be successful. And to just finally be able to get in the cage and do what I love, what I worked so hard for, it just means everything to me. It’s just awesome.”

Along with MMA — which is her favorite because “it’s the closest thing to a street fight” — Cade is into boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. She will have her first boxing match in Louisiana in February.

Now that she has an outlet for her high energy, she hasn’t gotten into a fight outside the ring since before she started. Preparing to fight takes up much of her time — and it even cuts into her social life.

“I don’t even do anything, really,” she said. “I just sleep and train. Eat, sometimes. I can’t even eat half the time, because I’ve got to make weight.

“I started fighting at a young age, and fighting isn’t something you can just every now and then be like, ‘Oh, I think I’m just gonna go hang out with my friends tonight and stay out all night.’ ... Through the past couple of years, I’ve had to definitely step back and realize that some of these people aren’t my friends, and I just have to focus on what I want to do for the rest of my life.

And if fighting means more to me than going out with my friends, then that’s what I need to focus on. And it does, so I need to step away from the party part of it and the going out with my friends, and everyone thinking it’s cool that I want to fight, ‘Let’s go out!’ It doesn’t work that way. I’ve got to go home and go to sleep because I’ve got to wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning and go run for 3 miles and go train, and go to school, and stuff like that.”

One of the best parts of Cade becoming a fighter is how it’s improved her relationship with her dad. At first, a lot of her motivation to fight came from wanting to have something that he thought was cool about her. But as she’s gone on, it’s become much more for her.

“We used to not be that close anyway, because we’re so much alike, we just butted heads all the time, and there was nothing that we really had in common. But I wanted his attention so bad. … (But now), I’m not trying to 25JANUARY

prove anything to anybody, and it makes it mean that much more to me. And it makes our relationship that much better, because he knows that it’s for me.

He knows that it’s not for him anymore. And he and I just have been able to really build off that and build off our love for the sport, and we’re closer now than we’ve ever been. But our relationship regardless is awesome. We’re very much alike; we love having fun together and cutting up, and then we also share the love for the sport, so that’s awesome, too. We’re both hard-headed, though.”

Nathan Key While Cade is just a couple of years into her fighting career, Nathan (who also is Cade’s MMA coach) has been fighting since he was 15. He got into it because, as a self-described “tall, skinny kid,” he wanted to get faster, more coordinated and physically fit.

Nathan’s going into the Nationals this coming week with having not been in a fight in 2 1/2 years. But his body took a beating for 10 years prior to that, so he was more than ready for the break and let his body heal. He says he now feels great. Before his break, Nathan was one of the top amateur kickboxers in the world — he had about 60 kickboxing fights, with only four losses.

“In each of those, three of those were world championship losses, and one of those I lost to a guy in Russia,” he said. “So it’s Norway, Poland, and two Russians. … So those have all been at the world stage kind of stuff.”

His record in MMA is 7 wins and one loss. He described his favorite fighting styles: “Primarily, I enjoy striking the most, which is punching and kicking.

Knees, elbows, stuff like that. Which would kind of be classified as kickboxing.

Lately I’ve been really intrigued with the mixed martial arts aspect of it, which is everything. Like, I can take you down, I can punch you on the ground, or I can try to put you in a jiu-jitsu submission, grappling submission. Or I can just wrestle with you and pin you up against the wall, punch you. Or if I’m on the bottom, I can just stand up and start striking again. So you can do

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a little bit of anything. I prefer to be standing up on my feet where I’m in a position where I could run away if I need to. Striking’s my favorite, but mixed martial arts is kind of fun, too, because it’s hectic; you’re just scrambling around.”

Nathan said he’s known of Stevie since he first started getting in the ring. “(Stevie’s) been around since way before I began, but he’s a pro boxer, and he turned into kickboxing I guess a couple of years before I started,” Nathan said. “But when I started, he was already like a pro. Pro boxer, pro kickboxer, he’s been fighting since he was 5. … So he’s always been around, and then when he got the deal at Evans Fitness Club, I started working out with him there.”

He described his relationship with Stevie as being a good one that has grown over the years.

“It’s kind of a weird brother-son relationship thing, because he’s kind of like a brother to me,” Nathan said. “But also, I came in when I was younger, so I still view him as more of a role model figure. But now that I’m older, I kind of view him more as a brother. … Now we can see eye to eye on some things, but when I was 15, 16 years old, I had no idea about life. Now that I’m a little bit older, we can go and hang out more.”

“I prefer to be standing up on my feet where I’m in a position where I could run away if I need to. Striking’s my favorite, but mixed martial arts is kind of fun, too, because it’s hectic; you’re just scrambling around.”

— Nathan Key, headed to amateur MMA Nationals One of the things Nathan has done as he’s gotten older and wiser is not spend so much energy on promoting himself. He said many people don’t even know that he’s fighting in the upcoming tournament.

“I guess one thing that people would be surprised about is, I’m doing it for myself. One hundred percent for myself. I’m not trying to be popular.

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Nathan Key, center I’m not trying to do it for any kind of, whatever, whatever.

Now, I will say, when I go over there and if I compete how I think I will, if I perform my best and win that belt, you best believe I’m gonna carry it around with me,” Nathan said, laughing. “And then I’ll take pictures of it and put it up with the people who’ve supported me. So it’s kind of more of a retroactive thing. It’s not like, “Hey, this is what I’m gonna do.” It’s more, if I do well, I’ll say, ‘Hey, this is what I just did. And people will be like, ‘Oh hey, why didn’t you tell me?’ I’ll be like, ‘Where have you been? …

You have to kind of keep in touch.’”

After a couple of years of letting his body heal and doing next to nothing as far as exercise goes, Nathan is looking forward to the MMA Nationals. After cutting ties with the kickboxing organization he was with, he was considered retired. But the USA MMA Federation came to him and encouraged him to fight in their tournament. He’s been training for it for several months. He said if he wins this tournament, he’ll have a very good shot at going into the professional level without having to start at the bottom.

But, Nathan said, if he doesn’t win at these Nationals, he’s going to retire for good and not try again to go pro.

“I’m very curious to see how, A, Cade does, and, B, how I do in this competition. Because I wanted to do this just to see where I’m at, to test myself. Am I at that level of amateur? Can I do it? Am I too old? … But if this doesn’t go well, I’ll retire right now,” he said. “I’m technically retired right now, so until I go fight, I’m still retired.”

If he does retire for good, though, he’ll still be coaching and staying in shape for competition with the team of

“I’m very curious to see how, A, Cade does, and, B, how I do in this competition. Because I wanted to do this just to see where I’m at, to test myself. Am I at that level of amateur?

Can I do it? Am I too old? … But if this doesn’t go well, I’ll retire right now. I’m technically retired right now, so until I go fight, I’m still retired.”

— Nathan Key, headed to amateur MMA Nationals fighters in Augusta that get together to work out and train with each other each week. Nathan said the fighter scene in Augusta is a highly cooperative one.

“Everybody knows everybody in Augusta,” Nathan said. “No matter what sport you do, everybody knows everybody. But now that people my age are growing up, we all know each other and we grew up training with our own schools, but now we’re starting to cross-train a lot. And nobody’s mad about it. It’s not like, ‘Oh, you’re stealing people.’ Nope. If you want to compete, let’s all work together, let’s get the best people together and build each other. … I’ll go to another school, and Stevie’s really cool about this; he’s like, ‘Go train with those people. …

Get all the training you can.’ So (the fighting scene) has opened up a lot.”

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Music

Band with Georgia roots stopping in Augusta two nights

Bringing home new perspectives

by Amanda Main | amanda@themetrospirit.com

Like many musicians, the frontman for the band Feeding Fingers doesn’t want to be boxed in by genre — and it’s a concept that can tend to make people in the U.S. feel uncomfortable about seeing a band.

Composer Justin Curfman, who does vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer and more, has a bit of a unique perspective on that. He grew up in Paulding County (a little northwest of Atlanta) but has lived in Europe since 2010, having moved there when he was around the age of 29. He currently lives in Italy — and he said his band’s music seems to be more well-received in that part of the world, simply because, he said, Europeans don’t seem to spend as much effort pinpointing a band.

“I hate to sound like an asshole, making generalizations, but I think the difference is, in America, there tends to be more of a focus on specific genre marketing, if that makes any sense,” Curfman said recently while rehearsing in Atlanta for his upcoming tour in the South. “A lot of people here (in the U.S.) need things to be very rigidly defined, and so the problem that we’ve had over here is, we’ve always been lumped in with being like a goth band or something like that, and people come to see a band that they have been marketed toward as a goth band.

“And then they go see us, and they don’t like it, because they find out, ‘Oh, this band is not what we would consider a goth band; they play jazz, they play world music, they play indie rock, all this other stuff, and it was not what we were looking for.’ So it sort of alienates people; whereas, in Europe, there’s generally a little bit more openness toward like broad definitions of music. Like, you can just say, ‘Oh, it’s a rock band.’ And then people will go see it and say, ‘Oh, it’s a rock band that happens to play several different genres of music, that’s cool.’”

He isn’t knocking Americans, though — he’s just pointing out some differences in the cultures. For example, he had something very positive to say on what he misses about life in the United States.

“I miss the generosity of people; like, people in America are some of the most generous people I’ve ever met, and they’re also more open and a lot more friendly than most people,” Curfman said. “In my opinion, in my experience, Americans, generally speaking, are the friendliest, most generous, kindest people, in the world, to me.”

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As he reminisced about his time growing up in the United States, Curfman said his childhood in Georgia was filled with outdoors adventures.

“We had very limited resources, my family. We were not wealthy by any means,” he said. “We never really had much in the way of material stuff; it was just my father and my grandmother and myself and my sister. And I grew up pretty much finding ways to entertain myself, and I think that’s why I became a musician. Lots of time alone, playing music, drawing, that kind of thing. But one thing that was great about growing up here was being able to spend a lot of time outside, like I was very much an outdoorsy kind of kid. Like I’d build treehouses, make fires, go camping, all that kind of stuff. And I think living in Georgia in general, that was one of the nice things about growing up here for me, was having a little bit more time being able to be outside and enjoy being a kid. I don’t see kids doing that much anymore here, but that’s the way it was when I was younger.”

Curfman’s theory on why Europeans seem to be less worried about genre is because they tend to have more leisure time than people in the United States do.

“People here (in the U.S.) don’t get as much vacation time, and they have to work so much,” Curfman said. “Like 40 to 60 hours a week. So when they go out and do something, I think they want to know what they’re getting into before they commit to it. … Whereas, I think in Europe, generally, they have a lot more vacation time and free time, so if they go see something that they don’t care for, they don’t feel so disappointed. It’s like, ‘Oh, we’ll just go out again tomorrow and see something else.’ And of course I’m not a sociologist, but that’s sort of like my experience, sort of like what I’ve kind of seen.”

If you were going to box the band in, though, Feeding Fingers says the band “began as an experimental post-punk trio and has evolved into an inter-disciplinary and international music project. … Nearly impossible to classify, Feeding Fingers adeptly merge dark-wave, indie rock, avant-garde, electro, jazz, world music and more,” according to their bio on Facebook.

Their sound has been compared to post-punk acts The Cure (Curfman’s voice especially can sound like Robert Smith’s at times), Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus and Joy Division… and more recently, Radiohead.

As it’s evolved since its founding in 2006, Feeding Fingers has become different 25JANUARY

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from a traditional rock band — Curfman works on the albums himself, writing and recording everything, and then when he goes on tour, he trains his band members to play the songs with him. Curfman’s current two band members are Bradley Claborn, who plays bass, and Christopher Fall, who plays drums and percussion. They both live in Georgia.

“The only album that I’ve had original members actually play on was my first two albums,” Curfman said. “I had some drum tracks and bass tracks from my former band members, but everything after that is me, and then I have other musicians that perform on some recordings. Like this new album, for example, I have a saxophonist from Germany that plays on that, and I have an Italian violinist playing on it.”

As the songwriter, Curfman draws inspiration from many different sources, including traveling, art, literature, and — recently — from hanging out with animals. He said most of his lyrics tend to be abstract.

“I don’t know that I ever consciously choose a subject to write about,” he said. “I wish that I could; it’d be a lot easier, I think. But I think most of my lyrics are more like I guess painterly…

I mean, there’s stuff that I wrote 10 years ago that I go and read now that actually make sense to me, but at the time, they were a lot more abstract.

So I don’t know, maybe if you ask me that question 10 years from now, I can tell you.”

People who go to his band’s live shows can expect something that’s pretty different from his recorded

25JANUARY

material. He tries to make his live shows “more human,” with everything rewritten and performed specifically for a trio instead of just for himself, as it is on the albums.

He said the two upcoming dates in Augusta will be his first time playing in the city.

“I’m very excited about going to Augusta,” he said. “I think it’s a very beautiful town, like it’s nice and relaxing, and I’m really happy to go see some new people.

That’s my biggest thing; it’s nice to see some new faces.”

Toward the end of the conversation with him, the talk inevitably turned to golf: Metro Spirit: I think that’s all the questions I had, but if I have anything else come up, I’ll email you.

Curfman: You don’t want to talk about golf ?

Metro Spirit: God, no. … But we could, if you want to!

Curfman: Well, that’s of course always the first thing that comes up when anyone hears “Augusta.”

Metro Spirit: Yeah. I think more James Brown, when I’m talking to music people.

Curfman: Well, when you talk to music people, for sure. I’d better learn some dance moves, then. Gotta get some slippery shoes.

Metro Spirit: Oh, yeah. But golf — golf ’s … there. … Um, did you want to talk about golf ?

Curfman: Uhh … I’m a pretty good miniature golf guy. That’s about it.

Metro Spirit: Yeah, that’s about all I can do, too. Well, you’ll have to check out our Putt-Putt.

Curfman: I’m sure you have the best Putt-Putt in the world!

Feeding Fingers (touring in support of the new album “Do Owe Harm”) The Fox’s Lair (8 - 11:30 p.m. Feb 2, $5 cover) Le Chat Noir: Atmosphere Club (9 p.m. Feb 3, $5 cover) feedingfingers.net feedingfingers.bandcamp.com

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Your local library is more than just a place to borrow books for free. Libraries in the area offer all sorts of free classes, gatherings, creative outlets and financial help. The AugustaRichmond County Public Library System has its monthly event calendar at arcpls.org, the Columbia County Library at gchrl.org, and the Aiken Bamberg Barnwell Edgefield Regional Library system at abbe-lib.org. Here are just some of the things going on at area libraries this week: Sunday, Jan 28 3:30pm Children, Grandchildren, and Your Money Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 30 10:30am Pronunciator Tech Class Appleby Branch Library This class aims to help you achieve your goal of learning another language. Pre-registration required. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

5:30pm - 7:15pm Gaming Club for Teens Headquarters Branch Library For teens who play games like “Yu Gi Oh,” “Magic: The Gathering,” “Pokemon” and more. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 2pm Arts & Crafts Buffet Columbia County Library Experiment with crafting materials and art supplies. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Thursday, Feb. 1 9am - 1pm AARP Tax Aide Program Headquarters Branch Library Volunteers with the AARP Tax Aide program will prepare tax returns at no charge during these walk-in tax clinics. This program is geared toward taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Take a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns, and a voided check/accounting/routing number for direct deposit. Continues every Thursday, Wednesday and Friday through April 13. Call 706-8261511 or visit arcpls.org.

1pm - 3pm Coloring for Grownups Aiken Public Library Pre-registration required. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.

4pm - 5pm World Read Aloud Day Aiken Public Library Drop in during this hour to hear stories from staff and volunteers. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

5pm Harry Potter Book Night Headquarters Branch Library This night celebrating all things Harry Potter includes fun activities, crafts and snacks for children and young adults. Call 706-821-2623 or 706-434-2036, or visit arcpls.org.

5pm Introduction to Drums Maxwell Branch Library Maxwell Library’s Kendrell Germany will give a drum demonstration and answer basic drumming questions. The target audience is teens, but all ages are welcome. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.

5:30pm Fiber Arts Craft and Chat Columbia County Library Open to those of all abilities who crochet, knit, loom and cross stitch. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

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WHAT’S UP

Calendar: 28 | Music Listings: 34 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amanda Main at amanda@themetrospirit.com.

LIGHTS OUT, FUN ON If you’re a fan of “America’s Got Talent,” you might remember when Lightwire Theater made it to the semi-finals several years ago.

The creative and talented group also won Tru TV’s “Fake Off.” This team brings together theater and technology to tell their stories in almost total darkness.

Lightwire Theater is bringing “Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey” featuring Marvin the Mouse for two showings at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 27.

According to Lightwire Theater, “Marvin the mouse wants to be popular. Constantly bullied and picked on by the ‘cool’ rats, he is labeled as a loser and a geek. As respite from the continuous badgering, Marvin retreats into his science books and a world of fantasy.” Marvin ends up going on an adventure via his homemade rocket to the moon, where he “meets a strange cast of misfit creatures, learns of infinite peril and views awesome beauty.”

Lightwire Theater says the show is all about celebrating differences.

The group’s electroluminescent characters are built with recyclable materials including aluminum rods, skate board wheels, plumbing supplies and more, according to lightwiretheater.com.

The common household materials help the dancers move smoothly through their performances.

“Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey” Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 $29.50, adults; $16.50, children. Visit augustaamusements.com or call 706-726-0366.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27

MONDAY, JAN. 29

THURSDAY, FEB. 1

ONGOING

Have you been thinking about getting into yoga but are unsure whether it’s for you? The Yoga Center in North Augusta is having its free open house from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, with several free miniclasses. Classes include Pilates, gentle yoga, restorative yoga, yoga workout, compassionate flow and more. Call 803613-0684 or visit theyogacenter.net.

Super-cheap bowling! Gordon Lanes Bowling Center at Fort Gordon opens its alley to the public for $1.50 bowling on Mondays and Wednesdays. Games are $1.50, and so are shoe rentals. The Gordon Lanes Dollar Fifty Days hours run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Call 706-791-3446 or visit fortgordon.com/events.

Children are invited to the Morris Museum of Art for “Create with Me: The Four Seasons!” at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

They will view the exhibition “Alan Shuptrine: Appalachian Watercolors of the Serpentine Chain,” then create a mixedmedia work depicting the four seasons. It’s free for members and parents, and $4 for nonmembers. Pre-register by calling 706724-7501, or visit themorris.org.

The North Augusta Activity Center is offering Winter Dance Classes every Wednesday through the end of February.

You can go and learn ballroom dancing, line dancing, shag and more. Classes meet from 7 to 8 p.m. The Activity Center points out that New England Journal of Medicine lists dance as an activity that helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s. For more information, call 803-441-4311.

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For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 28.

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visit arcpls.org.

5:30pm Microsoft PowerPoint

Columbia County Library Learn PowerPoint basics and create presentation. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.

Wed Jan 31

6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation Group

Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748 or visit arcpls.org.

Thu Feb 1

11:30am - 1:30pm Open Job Lab

Diamond Lakes Branch Library Participants can complete job applications, resumes or conduct job searches with staff available for one-on-one help if needed.

Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.

Hilltop Lesson Dates Hilltop Riding Stable, Fort Gordon 9am - 4pm Thu Jan 25 (and beyond) Private and semi-private horse riding lessons are available for all ages and abilities. Continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, Wednesday, Jan. 31, Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com/events. Check events calendar for future dates.

ARTS

Fri Jan 26

6:30pm - 8:30pm Acrylic Painting Class

DANCE

Sat Jan 27

10am - noon Dance Workshop

Harlem Arts Council Acrylic painting with Angelika Bondar. $30. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Minimum three students required. Call 706-394-4682.

Harlem Arts Council This class for kids ages 4-10 is led by Ashley Driggers. $15. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Call 762-383-9743.

Sat Jan 27

Winter Dance Classes

10am - 1pm Paint & Create

Caye Chapel, Kroc Center Join a local artist for step-by-step instruction of a specially themed painting each month.

No previous experience required; all supplies provided. For ages 12 and up. $35.

Call 706-364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

Ongoing

North Augusta Activity Center Dances taught include ballroom, line, shag and more. Classes meet from 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday through the end of February. For more information, call 803441-4311.

Ongoing

James Brown Family Historical Tour

Friendship

Aiken Public Library This elementary course in conversational Italian language and culture is suitable for teens and adults. Partners in Friendship membership optional. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

3:30pm - 5pm Intermediate Spanish Class

Friedman Branch Library An adult class for those who already know some Spanish, led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana.

Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366758 or visit elcervantino.org or arcpls.org.

5:30pm Beginner Spanish Class

Wed Jan 31

Fri Jan 26

Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana.

Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366758 or visit arcpls.org.

Aiken Public Library A class for adults and teens that meets Wednesdays through March 28. Preregistration and purchase of your own materials required. Call 803-642-2020, ext.

1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.

Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.

Tue Jan 30

7pm - 10pm Dr. Sketchy’s AntiArt School

Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-8631946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.

2pm - 5pm Acrylic and Oil Painting Sessions

Le Chat Noir This burlesque live drawing event featuring contests, performances, prizes and more. $10, advance; $12 at the door. Call 706722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.

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EDUCATION 3:30pm - 5pm Spanish for Beginners

Sun Jan 28

3:30pm Children, Grandchildren, and Your Money

Mon Jan 29

3pm - 4:30pm Partners in

10:30am - noon English as a Second Language

Columbia County Library All levels welcome. Email boassma@gmail. com or call 706-863-1946.

10:30am Pronunciator Tech Class

Appleby Branch Library This class aims to help you achieve your goal of learning another language. Preregistration required. Call 706-736-6244 or

Augusta Museum of History Available each Saturday at 11 a.m. and lasting approximately two hours, this bus tour includes Brown’s elementary school, his childhood home, his statue and more. $15 fee, includes admission to the museum, which houses the largest collection of James Brown memorabilia. Reservations 24 hours in advance required. Call 803-640-2090 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.

Guided Tours

1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m.

Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

North Augusta Driving Tour

Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 30-45-minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.

Tours

Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Guided tours, approximately 45 minutes long, are offered Thursday-Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Group tours are available by advanced reservation. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; kids K-12, $3; under 5 years, free. Call 706-724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.

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Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta

Augusta Visitors Center Tours aboard the Lady Libby available at the Augusta Visitors Center with 24-hour advanced reservations. Tickets include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-724-4067 or visit visitaugusta.org.

EXHIBITIONS Ongoing

Augusta Museum of History

Includes the following: “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf ”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That Heals”; “Into the Interior: A History of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots.” Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.

SEEDS Exhibition

Westobou Gallery An exhibition of works in a variety of mediums from local and regional artists, all available for $300 or less. The exhibition will show through Feb. 2. Call 706-7552878 or visit westobou.org.

Dr. Linda Hardy

Sacred Heart Cultural Center Featuring works by Dr. Linda Hardy, this exhibition will be on display through Feb. 23. Call 706-826-4700 or email kimsacredheart@knology.net.

Walk With Queens

4P Studios Walk With Queens is a women-owned, laser-engraved skateboard deck art company based out of Columbia, S.C. They make limited edition laser engraved skateboard decks designed by women, depicting strong historical women figures.

4P Studios will be displaying these creations during the month of January. Email info@4pstudiosart.com or call 706-2676724.

The Winter Exhibit

Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta Exhibit of art by Robert Lyon and Alicia Cully in Main Gallery; history exhibit “Palmetto Park and Pond” in Balcony Gallery. Exhibitions will be on display through March 4.

Tactic III and Tom Hubbard: Uncharted

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Tactic III is in the main gallery, and Tom Hubbard Transience Series is in the Creel-Harison Community Gallery. These exhibits will be on display through Feb. 23.

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Call 706-722-5495 or visit ghia.org.

Exhibitions

Order of St. Helena Episcopal Works including 2D, 3D and mixed media by 18 members of the North Augusta Artists Guild will be on view and for sale through April 13. Visit osh.org or naartistsguild.org.

FLIX

Thu Jan 25

6pm “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Free, but tickets available through Eventbrite. Visit eventbrite.com/e/theimmortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks-moviescreening-tickets-41601771017 or gchrl. org, or call 706-863-1946.

6:30pm “Meghan Leavey”

Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Fri Jan 26

6:30pm Free Family Movie Night

Kroc Center Showing at 6:30 p.m. on the last Friday of most months, this event is free for members and nonmembers. Limited seating is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Refreshments available for purchase. Call 706-364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

Tue Jan 30

5:30pm - 8pm Tuesday Night Movie Series

Headquarters Branch Library Eclectic variety of films. Visit arcpls.org or call 706-821-2600.

Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.

are free and open to the public. Visit sebuddhist.org.

Mon Jan 29

Unity of Augusta sanctuary Licensed Professional Counselor Cynthia Gray leads this non-religious, breathawareness meditation at 9 a.m. the first Sunday of every month. Find more details at meetup.com, or email cynthiagray@ outlook.com.

6:30pm Refit

Headquarters Branch Library A free cardio dance class. Call 706-8212600 or visit arcpls.org.

Wed Jan 31

10am - 1pm Breastfeeding Class Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-6512229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Thu Feb 1

6pm Breastfeeding Class

University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.

7pm Center for Women Tour

Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-6512229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

Ongoing

Meditation Sessions

The Yoga Center, North Augusta Led by members of the Southeastern Buddhist Community the first and second Wednesday of each month. Sessions

Augusta Meditation Meetup

HOBBIES Thu Jan 25

6:30pm - 8:30pm JavaScript Meetup

theClubhou.se Learn “vanilla” JavaScript basics by building 30 things — newbies and veterans welcome at the meeting. View the coding challenge at javascript30.com.

Pizza and soft drinks will be served at the meeting. Reserve a spot at meetup.com/ HackAugusta/events/245918780 or call 706-723-5782.

Mon Jan 29

All day Puzzle of the Week

Appleby Branch Library Join the library each week for a new puzzle to solve. Turn in your completed puzzle and be entered to win a prize at the end of each month. Call 706-736-6244 or visit

Westobou gets $5,000 from Allstate reps’ hard work

HEALTH

Thu Jan 25

7pm - 9:30pm Baby 101

Doctors Hospital An infant care and development class. Preregistration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.

7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR Class University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-7742825 or visit universityhealth.org.

Sat Jan 27

1pm - 4pm Yoga Center Open House

The Yoga Center, North Augusta This free, annual open house features mini-classes at the studio, including Pilates, gentle yoga, restorative yoga, yin yoga and more. Call 803-613-0684 or visit theyogacenter.net.

6:30pm Refit Weekend Workout

Five local Allstate agency owners, financial specialists and licensed sales professionals from the Augusta area recently came together to secure a $5,000 Allstate Foundation Helping Hands grant to support Westobou’s work to build community and inspire cultural change through engaging, creative and thoughtprovoking artistic experiences.

The agency owners and financial specialists earned $1,000 each for Westobou by cleaning and painting the nonprofit’s local facility. Allstate representatives also volunteered at their Springboard Festival, a free event for the community.

Volunteers worked in concessions and set up games for adults and children.

Westobou will use the $5,000 grant to further its work.

“Giving back is core to who we are, which is why we’re proud to volunteer and raise funds to improve the lives of people across Augusta,” said Bob Holden, Allstate field senior vice president.

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children may attend with, or without, a parent or caregiver. $10; pre-registration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.

Sat Jan 27

10:30am Family Lego Time

Appleby Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366244 or visit arcpls.org.

11am “Fancy Nancy: Oodles of Kittens” Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

1:30pm Keystone Species: How Wolves Changed Yellowstone

Reed Creek Park A program for kids ages 8 and up, who must be accompanied by an adult. Free, members; $2 per child, nonmembers. Preregistration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email kbyne@columbiacountyga.gov.

Mon Jan 29

10am - 10:30am Extra Story Time

Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required four groups of four or more for this event taking place the last Monday of each month. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.

Dulcimer Jam Mistletoe State Park All day Fri Jan 26 to Sun Jan 28 Sponsored by local mountain dulcimer club The Garden City Strummers, this event is open to stringed instrument players that enjoy playing traditional mountain music. Runs daily through Sunday, Jan. 28. The public is invited to attend and listen on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5, parking. Call 706-860-3437. arcpls.org.

Thu Feb 1

1pm - 3pm Coloring for Grownups

Aiken Public Library Pre-registration required. Call 803-6422020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.

5:30pm Fiber Arts Craft and Chat

Columbia County Library Open to those of all abilities who crochet, knit, loom and cross stitch. Call 706-8631946 or visit gchrl.org.

6:30pm - 8:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club Meeting

The Book Tavern A club open to all ages and skill levels that meets the first and third Thursdays of each month. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chess sets. Call 706-8261940 or visit booktavern.com.

Ongoing

Basic Genealogy Tutorials

Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia 30 METROSPIRIT !5'534! 3 ).$%0%.$%.4 6/)#% 3).#%

Heritage Room Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

Researching Your Irish, ScotsIrish Ancestors Seminar

Headquarters Branch Library This event coming 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

March 3 exists to help people with an Irish or Scots-Irish background research their family history. The deadline to register is Feb. 23. $45 per person for Augusta Genealogical Society members; $50 for nonmembers. Lunch and refreshment breaks are included. Call 706-722-4073, visit augustagensociety.org or email augustagensociety@comcast.net.

KIDS-TEENS Thu Jan 25

4pm Makerspace

Columbia County Library Teens will have the opportunity to work on their own projects under staff guidance while using library equipment. Call 706868-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Fri Jan 26

10:30am Jr. Lego Club

Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 2-4. Legos provided. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

10am - 12:30pm Story Time Fridays

Aiken Public Library Stories, songs and interactive activities.

Story time for babies (0-23 months) begins at 10:15 a.m., toddlers (2-3 years) at 11 a.m. and preschoolers (4-5 years) at 11:45 a.m.

Participants and caregivers are encouraged to participate. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib. org.

10:30am - noon Story Times

North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Story time for those ages 0-2 begins at 10:30 a.m., and story time for those ages 3-6 begins at 11:15 a.m. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.

12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play

Jessye Norman School of the Arts Participants will read, sing, play musical instruments and explore movement designed to help them develop both literary and cognitive skills. Parents or caregivers participate in the class through age 3. Preschool and kindergarten

11am Morris Museum of Art Program

Columbia County Library For kids ages 2-6. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.

Tue Jan 30

10am Big Kid Story Time

Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 3-6. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

5:30pm - 7:15pm Gaming Club for Teens

Headquarters Branch Library For teens who play games like “Yu Gi Oh,” “Magic: The Gathering,” “Pokemon” and more. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

Wed Jan 31

10am Music and Movement

Headquarters Branch Library Music, songs, dance and rhymes for children. Groups of six or more require registration. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

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10am Story Time

Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Story Time for Tots

Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 0-3. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.

10:05am Toddler Story Time

Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

10:30am Preschool Story Time

Appleby Branch Library Songs, finger plays and stories for those ages 18 months to 3 years. Pre-registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

The Shepard Project

Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A teen hangout and safe space for LGBTQ+ teens, ages 14-17, and allies that meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. The group is also looking for chaperones ages 25 and older and youth mentors 18-24 years old, who must pass a background check. Call 803-617-8352 or email shepardprojectaugusta@gmail.com.

Homeschool PE

Kroc Center For kids ages 5-12 and meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Members, free; nonmembers, $2 per visit. Activity follows the Richmond County school calendar.

Call 706-364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

Kroc Tots

The Book Tavern Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.

Kroc Center A program for parents and children up to age 5 that includes work on physical, social and emotional development, as well as cognitive skills and language development.

Meets most Tuesdays at 10 a.m. during the school year. $2, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

2pm Arts & Crafts Buffet

Teen Scavenger Hunt

10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story Time

Columbia County Library Experiment with crafting materials and art supplies. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl. org.

Thu Feb 1

10:30am Create with Me: The Four Seasons!

Morris Museum of Art Participants will view the exhibition “Alan Shuptrine: Appalachian Watercolors of the Serpentine Chain,” then create a mixed-media work depicting the four seasons. Free, members and parents; $4 per participant, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

1pm - 3pm Homeschool Adventure

Mistletoe State Park For homeschool students ages 5 and up. $5 per child, plus $5 parking. Pre-registration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

5pm Introduction to Drums

Maxwell Branch Library Maxwell Library’s Kendrell Germany will give a drum demonstration and answer basic drumming questions. The target audience is teens, but all ages are welcome.

25JANUARY

Aiken Public Library Follow clues and win a prize anytime from Jan. 1-31. Turn completed clue sheet in at the Circulation Desk for a small prize. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

LITERARY Thu Jan 25

10am - noon Morning Book Club Maxwell Branch Library “Wise Blood” by Flannery O’Connor will be discussed. Call 706-793-2020 or visit maxwellbookclub.wordpress.com or arcpls. org.

7pm - 10pm Graphic Novel Discussion

The Book Tavern A group open to older teens and up. Call 706-826-1940 or email david@booktavern. com.

Fri Jan 26

Noon Art at Lunch

Morris Museum of Art Dr. Margaret O. Green will discuss her book of photographs taken in the mountains of North Carolina, “Lift Your Eyes to the Hills: A Visual Journey into the Majesty of God’s Creation,” followed by a book signing. $12, members; $16, non-

members. Catered lunch included. Preregistration was required by Jan. 24. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

Sat Jan 27

2pm Author Signing

Barnes & Noble Featuring Jane Jenkins, author of “Rhinestones on My Flip-Flops: Choosing Extravagant Joy in the Midst of Everyday Mess-Ups.” Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.

3pm - 5pm Book Signing

Aiken Public Library Featuring author Hollis Lance Liebman, with his new book “Complete Physique.”

Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

Thu Feb 1

4pm - 5pm World Read Aloud Day

Aiken Public Library Drop in during this hour to hear stories from staff and volunteers. Call 803-6422020 or visit abbe-lib.org.

5pm Harry Potter Book Night

Headquarters Branch Library This night celebrating all things Harry Potter includes fun activities, crafts and snacks for children and young adults. Call 706-821-2623 or 706-434-2036, or visit arcpls.org.

Ongoing

Winter Reading Program

Appleby Branch Library Running from Jan. 1 to March 31, get a log at the front desk and record your winter reading (five books or five hours). Turn in your complete reading log for a chance to win a reading prize — there’s one for kids, teens and adults. Participants can complete the program once per month. Call 706736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.

Winter Reading Challenge

Aiken Public Library Pick up a reading challenge starting Dec. 27 and return it by March 31 to win a small prize and be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Books-A-Million gift card. Open to adults only. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.

Kroc Book Club

Kroc Center This diverse group of people who love to read and talk about literature meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 706-364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

MUSIC

Thu Jan 25

7:30pm The Texas Tenors Miller Theater

$35-$101. Visit millertheateraugusta.com or call 800-514-3849.

7:30pm Winter Nocturne: Pianist Petronel Malan Etherredge Center, Aiken $20. Visit etherredge.usca.edu or call 803641-3305.

Fri Jan 26

All day Dulcimer Jam

Mistletoe State Park Sponsored by local mountain dulcimer club The Garden City Strummers, this event is open to stringed instrument players that enjoy playing traditional mountain music.

Runs daily through Sunday, Jan. 28. The public is invited to attend and listen on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5, parking. Call 706-860-3437.

Sat Jan 27

7:30pm - 10pm Soiree: Jazz + Wine

Jessye Norman School of the Arts Featuring classic live jazz and wines selected by the host. $7, advance; $10, day of show. Call 762-233-5299 or visit jazzsoiree.com.

Sun Jan 28

4pm Andrew Tyson (Pianist)

Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center $24. Visit soaugusta.org or call 706-8264705.

6:30pm Soiree Sunday Augusta

Humanitree House A Garden City Jazz event that will feature live music, dance, performance art, film, spoken word and more. Call 762-233-5299 or visit jazzsoiree.com.

Thu Feb 1

7:30pm Shana Tucker, SingerSongwriter & Cellist

AECOM Center for the Performing Arts, Aiken $40. Another performance at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 2. Visit apagonline.org or call 803-643-4774.

8pm - 10pm Thompson Square

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre $18, advance; $23, VIP advance. $23, day of show; $28, VIP day of show. Call 706793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com/event/ thompson-square.

SENIORS Thu Feb 1

9am - 1pm AARP Tax Aide Program

Headquarters Branch Library Volunteers with the AARP Tax Aide program will prepare tax returns at no charge during these walk-in tax clinics.

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Christ Central. The Community Service group will be accepting cash or checks for Christ Central. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., with a business meeting at 10:15 a.m. and then lunch at 11:30 a.m. $15; pre-registration required by noon Feb. 1.

Email newcomers29803@gmail.com, visit aikennewcomers.com or call 803-649-2827 or 803-262-5652.

Columbia County Democratic Party Meeting

Columbia County Government Center Auditorium, Building A The Columbia County Democratic Party invites the public to its monthly meetings, held on the first Monday of every month (unless it’s a holiday). Social time takes place before the meetings at 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers on Feb. 5 are Stacey Abrams, a Democrat running for Georgia governor, and John Noel, a Democrat running for Public Service Commissioner. For more information, contact columbiacntydems@aol.com. Visit facebook.com/columbiacntydemocrats for updated information, or call 706-414-5558.

TRAXXAS Monster Truck Destruction Tour James Brown Arena 7:30pm Fri Jan 26 and Sat Jan 27 $10-$28. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com. with low and moderate income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Take a picture ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax returns, and a voided check/accounting/routing number for direct deposit. Continues every Thursday, Wednesday and Friday through April 13.

Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.

James Brown Arena $10-$28. Continues at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

North Augusta’s Living History Park Featuring living history demonstrations.

Call 803-279-7560 or visit colonialtimes.us.

Fri Jan 26

7pm Fake It To Make It

Miller Theater This lip-syncing contest features eight contestants who are working toward a fundraising goal of $10,000 for SafeHomes’ Domestic Violence Center.

Contestants include Kris Fisher, HD 98.3; Craig Young, Comcast Spotlight; Joe Edge, Sherman and Hemstreet; Sean Mooney, Showpony; Steve Cassell, Columbia County; Steve Chapman, Georgia Power; and Will Lanier, Doctors Hospital. $15$50. Visit millertheateraugusta.com or call 800-514-3849.

7pm Jewels of the Old World Tasting Seminar

Wine World, North Augusta This event will feature nine wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres. $25, general; $18, members. Pre-paid reservation required.

Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc. com.

7:30pm TRAXXAS Monster Truck Destruction Tour 32 METROSPIRIT !5'534! 3 ).$%0%.$%.4 6/)#% 3).#%

Sat Jan 27

10:30am - 4pm Last Saturday at the Park

3:30pm and 7:30pm Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey

Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center This Lightwire Theater production presents a cosmic adventure about celebrating differences. $29.50, adults; $16.50, children. Visit augustaamusements. com or call 706-726-0366.

6pm “Magic Tree House: Space Mission” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2$6.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec. usca.edu.

7pm - 8pm “Dark Shadows”

Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. A second showing at 8 p.m. Jan. 27. $2-$6.50.

Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.

SPIRITUAL Wed Jan 31

7pm Recovery Rocks Tour

Thu Feb 1

6pm Lecture: “Off the Shelf: Modern & Contemporary Artists’ Books”

Morris Museum of Art Featuring Rena Holsington. Free. Call 706724-7501 or visit themorris.org.

6:30pm - 9pm Cocktails and Collectors Preview Party

Aiken Center for the Arts A preview party for Aiken Antique Show. The 2018 show and sale is Feb. 2-4. $50, members; $60, nonmembers.

Includes admission to the weekend’s show and sale. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.

7:30pm Skatetacular: Dreams On Ice

Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Ice skaters take the audience through worldwide holiday traditions. $37.50 for adults 15 and up; $19.50 for kids 14 and under. Visit augustaamusements.com or call 706-726-0366.

Ongoing

Aiken Newcomers’ Club Luncheon

Newberry Hall, Aiken Meeting at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13, the speaker will be Judy Floyd from Christ Central, presenting information about local programs that are available in Aiken

Oasis Church, Hephzibah Modern worship/Christian rock band We Are Vessel, from Waycross, Georgia, will play for their third annual Recovery Rocks tour sponsored by Compassion International. This free concert includes a love offering; special VIP tickets are available. Visit solidrockradio.org.

Ongoing

Food, Faith & Fitness

Kroc Center A faith-based fitness class that meets each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

Golden Agers

Kroc Center A seniors group that meets every Monday at 9:30 a.m. for Bible study, crafts, exercise, educational workshops and more. Call 706364-5762 or visit augustakroc.org.

SPORTS-OUTDOORS Thu Jan 25

9am - 4pm Hilltop Lesson Dates

Hilltop Riding Stable, Fort Gordon Private and semi-private horse riding lessons are available for all ages and abilities. Continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, Wednesday, Jan. 31, Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2. Call 706-791-4864 or visit fortgordon.com/events.

Sat Jan 27

9am - 1pm Resolution Run 5K Run/Walk 25JANUARY

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Savannah Rapids Park A race to benefit the Christ Church Health Clinic. $25. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/GA/Augusta/ ResolutionRunWalk5KforCCHC.

held Monday nights, and new players can sign up as a team or individuals can join existing teams. Sign up at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Loft. Call 706-414-7525.

10am Freeze Your Buns Canal Bicycle Ride

Augusta Canal A Sierra Club event in which participants will ride, take a break to eat downtown and return for a total of about 16 miles. Meet at the lower level of the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Email larrkomp@gmail.com to sign up.

Evans Towne Center Park Hosted by Fleet Feet Sports, this is intended for anyone looking for a 2- to 5-mile run with a group. It happens at 6 p.m. every first, second, third and fourth Thursday of the month. Wear lights and reflective gear when appropriate for better visibility. Email training@fleetfeetaugusta.com or visit facebook.com/events/218818291994876.

Mon Jan 29

Hoop Session

10am - 10pm Gordon Lanes Dollar Fifty Days

Gordon Lanes Bowling Center, Fort Gordon Bowl Mondays and Wednesdays during select times for $1.50, and get shoe rentals for $1.50. Call 706-791-3446 or visit fortgordon.com/events.

Tue Jan 30

All day USEA “Winter” Horse Trials

Stable View Farms, Aiken This equestrian event is free for spectators.

Continues Wednesday, Jan. 31. Call 484356-3173 or visit stableviewfarm.com.

Wed Jan 31

10am - 5pm Gordon Lanes Dollar Fifty Days

Gordon Lanes Bowling Center, Fort Gordon Bowl Mondays and Wednesdays during select times for $1.50, and get shoe rentals for $1.50. Continues 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 31. Call 706-791-3446 or visit fortgordon.com/events.

Thu Feb 1

6:30pm - 7:30pm Full Moon Hike Mistletoe State Park The trail is moderate and a little over a mile long. $5, parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.

Ongoing

Augusta Sports Leagues

This organization offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, dodgeball and more for coed and men’s leagues. For more information, visit augustasportsleagues.com or call 706-3090280.

SRDA Dart League Sign-up

The Loft All skill levels are welcome to join the league’s 10-week spring season in singles, doubles and team formats. Matches are 25JANUARY

Free Fun Run Thursdays

Game Train, Grovetown This gym is open to play basketball starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for $3 per person. Kids 5 and under can play for free. Concessions available for purchase.

Call 706-755-0549, email realgametrain@ gmail.com, or visit facebook.com/ events/178772572715451.

SUPPORT Ongoing

Recovery International Mental Health Support Group

Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A weekly group that meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. Based on the work of Abraham Low, MD, RI offers its members a low cost method to regain and maintain their mental health by using mental health through will training. People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other symptoms. Email marykahb@yahoo. com.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Kroc Center Meeting the first Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., this support group helps those dealing with Alzheimer’s or someone who is a caregiver of an individual who is affected by Alzheimer’s.

Call 706-922-8338

Georgia Carolina Toastmasters

Group empowers people to become more effective communicators and leaders. Meets weekly from noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays at Fat Man’s Cafe. Email jmcneill22@att.net or call 706-798-5515.

Grief Share Program

Aldersgate United Methodist Church This program is for people who have had a loved one pass away and need to share with others in the difficult journey. There is a $20 registration fee, with free child care and scholarships available. The group will meet Sunday evenings from Jan. 7 to April 1. Email showmanjj@comcast.net or call 706-830-8741.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weigh-in beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-868-0539 or visit www.TOPS.org.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-481-0529 or visit tops.org.

Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.

Beyond the Bars

A support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call 706-855-8636.

THEATER Sat Jan 27

3pm “The Frog Prince”

AU’s Maxwell Theatre $7, general; free for active-duty military and their families. Visit augusta.edu/ maxwelltheatre, email storylandtheatre@ gmail.com, or call 706-736-3455.

La Leche League

Ongoing

Celebrate Recovery

Aiken Community Playhouse Showing at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27. $20, adults; $17, seniors and active military; $12, students; $7, children. Call 803-6481438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse. com.

A breastfeeding support group. For more information on meeting dates, times and locations, visit them on Facebook under La Leche League of Augusta or at lllaugusta. wordpress.com.

Journey Community Church This Christ-centered recovery program meets every Monday night at 7 p.m. The meetings last two hours and childcare is provided. Pre-registration suggested. Visit cr@journeycommunity.net.

Write to Heal Creative Writing Program

Children’s Hospital of Georgia family resource library For patients, family members and caregivers, this program meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Preregistration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.

Diabetes Youth Support Group

Meets quarterly. Call for more information.

Call 706-868-3241.

Overeaters Anonymous

Meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, and at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 706-863-9534 or email oa.augusta.recovery@gmail.com.

Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group

Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/ documents/Meetings/meetings.pdf.

Narcotics Anonymous

“The Rainmaker”

VOLUNTEER Tue Jan 30

5:30pm - 7pm Miller Theater Volunteer Interest Meeting

Miller Theater The Miller Theater is seeking volunteers for the 2018 season. Find out more at this orientation meeting. Call 706-840-4732.

Joe White Publisher joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636 Amanda Main Arts Editor/Production Director amanda@themetrospirit.com Stacey Eidson Staff Writer stacey@themetrospirit.com Joshua Bailey Lead Designer joshua@themetrospirit.com Johnny Beckworth Circulation Manager jdbeckworth@gmail.com COVER DESIGN: KRUHU Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson Tooner Chris Murray Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum.

The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.© 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard.

Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.

Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit?

Call or email Joe at 706.373.3636 joe@themetrospirit.com METROSPIRIT 33

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Saturday, January 27 Live Music

Perpetual Groove w/ The Orange Constant Sky City 10pm Fri Jan 26 $15; 21+. Visit skycityaugusta.com.

Upcoming

What’s Tonight?

Hard Fabric and The Ghost Moths, Brandon Hadden

Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia, then karaoke The Highlander - Karaoke Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center - Lightwire Theater: “Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey”

Sunday, January 28 Live Music

Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Humanitree House - Soiree Sunday: JazzCasual Southbound Smokehouse - Phillip Lee Jr. Wild Wing - Kenny George Band The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson

Monday, January 29 What’s Tonight?

Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night

Thursday, January 25 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Brandy Douglas Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Mellow Music Miller Theater - The Texas Tenors The Red Pepper (Aiken) - Mike Frost Band The Scene Nightclub - Fuego w/ Deejays Serrano Wild Wing - Funkyjunk Duo The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House

What’s Tonight?

Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Joe’s Underground - Spoken Word w/ J. Martin-Moses Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane

Friday, January 26 Live Music

Country Club - Billy Creason

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Coyotes - Jake Dodds Fox’s Lair - Nick and the Nightcrawlers The Highlander - A Future Now Past, The Good Fortunes The Loft - Joint Operation Miller Theater - Fake It to Make It The Red Pepper (Aiken) - Anybody’s Guess Shannon’s - Hello Betty Band The Stables Restaurant (Aiken) - Jazz with Jimmy Easton Sky City - Perpetual Groove, The Orange Constant Stillwater Taproom - Fireside Collective Wild Wing - Outshyne The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Tom Reed

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Helga’s Pub & Grille - Karaoke James Brown Arena - TRAXXAS Monster Truck Tour Sally’s - Sally’s Dance Party w/ DJ Moses

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The Backyard Tavern - Jason White w/ Randy Johnikin Country Club - Phillip Lee Coyotes - Jake Dodds Fox’s Lair - Rian Adkinson Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - No Sir Sky City - Tribute a celebration of The Allman Brothers Band Shannon’s - Shinebox Southbound Smokehouse - Roamin’ Jasmine Wild Wing - Bad Cash The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Nick and the Nightcrawlers

What’s Tonight?

Kenny George Band Wild Wing Cafe 10pm Sun Jan 28 Free. Visit facebook.com/wildwingcafeaugusta or call 706-364-9453.

World of Beer - Trivia

Tuesday, January 30 Live Music

Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic Soul Bar - TWEN, REELS, SIRSY The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck

What’s Tonight?

The Highlander - Game Night Mellow Mushroom (Aiken) - Trivia The Playground - Knockout Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane World of Beer - Karaoke

Wednesday, January 31 Live Music Shannon’s - Hello Betty Band Soul Bar - Zigtebra Wild Wing - ACOSTA

What’s Tonight?

The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Capri Lounge - Game Night Chevy’s - DJ Richie Rich Country Club - Magic Mike XXL Review Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz

Zolopht

- The Loft February 1 Dreams on Ice

- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center February 1 Shana Tucker

- AECOM Center for the Performing Arts February 1 & 2 Cocktail Hour: The Show

- Imperial Theatre February 2 CBDB, Steady Flow

- Sky City February 2 - The Highlander February 2 Perfect Picture

- Shannon’s February 2 Waka Flocka

- Country Club February 2 Silvertown

- Stillwater Taproom February 2 Feeding Fingers

- Fox’s Lair February 2 - Le Chat Noir February 3 Unmentionables

- Shannon’s February 3 Bethany and the Southside Boys

- Stillwater Taproom February 3 8 Second Ride

- Country Club February 3 An Evening of Irish Traditional Music with Tommy & Saundra O’Sullivan

- Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art February 3 Audio Lab

- Fox’s Lair February 3 Cody Jinks

- Miller Theater February 7 POPS! Under the Streetlamp

- Bell Auditorium February 8 Sam Bush

- Imperial Theatre February 9 Black Market Trust

- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center February 9 McLovins

- Sky City February 10 Tony Howard’s Motown Review

- Imperial Theatre February 10 D.L. Hughley Family and Friends Tour

- Miller Theater February 10 Kelsea Ballerini w/ Walker Hayes

- Bell Auditorium February 10 Miki Howard and Friends

- Miller Theater February 14 Diana Krall

- Miller Theater February 16 Jon Langston

- Country Club February 16 Kelen Heller, Zero Day

- Sky City February 16 Brantley Gilbert

- James Brown Arena February 16 Southern Fried Chicks Cage-Free Comedy Tour

- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center February 17 Ronnie Milsap

- Miller Theater February 17 Blackberry Smoke 25JANUARY

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- Bell Auditorium February 22 Ed Turner and Number 9 w/ Symphony Orchestra Augusta

- Miller Theater March 2 and 3 Sister Hazel

- Country Club March 9 ETCP Springfest

- Evans Towne Center Park March 10 Daughtry

- Bell Auditorium March 13

HALF HOUR FREE

Major Rager w/ George Clinton & Parlimaent-Funkadelic, The James Brown Band

- Augusta Common April 6 “Weird Al” Yankovic w/ Emo Philips

- Miller Theater April 14

Elsewhere

- Hell at the Masquerade, Atlanta January 25 & 26 Don McLean

- City Winery, Atlanta January 27 Aimee Mann

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta February 1 Tokio Hotel

- Heaven at the Masquerade, Atlanta February 2 Lana Del Rey, Kali Uchis

- Philips Arena, Atlanta February 5 Matisyahu

- Georgia Theatre, Athens February 8 Kid Rock

- Infinite Energy Center, Atlanta February 9 Blues Traveler, Los Colognes

- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta February 9

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706-434-0108 More Numbers: 1-800-926-6000 Livelinks.com 18+ FREE TRIAL

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THE EIGHT

BOX TOPS RANK TITLES

WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK

1

JUMANJI 2

$19,505,170

$316,450,318

5

1

2

12 STRONG

$15,815,025

$15,815,025

1

-

3

DEN OF THIEVES

$15,206,108

$15,206,108

1

-

4

THE POST

$11,716,960

$44,758,362

5

2

5

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

$10,644,824

$113,125,431

5

4

In Theaters January 26

SCI-FI “Maze Runner: The Death Cure,” rated PG-13, starring Rosa Salazar,

Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Dylan O’Brien. Haven’t had enough of young-adult dystopian trilogies yet? Well, the last in the “Maze Runner” series is coming out! In this movie, based on the book of the same name, the characters have to enter a new, deadlier labyrinth to find a cure for a deadly disease called The Flare. Frankly, we have trouble getting into dystopian fiction these days, but if you’ve seen the first two, you’ve just got to know how it ends. Right?

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WESTERN “Hostiles,” rated R, starring Christian Bale, Scott Shepherd, Rosamund

Pike and Ava Cooper. We don’t see Westerns much anymore… this one deals with an Army captain (mustachioed Christian Bale) who reluctantly helps a Cheyenne chief and his family get to safety. This fictional story taking place in the late 1800s likely won’t help you escape current reality, though — dailynews.com reported that director Scott Cooper “wanted it to feel very relevant and current … because when I was working on the screenplay, the racial and cultural divide in America was wide.”

25JANUARY

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SIGHTINGS

Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com

Sam Turbovsky, Corbin Wilmoth and Matt Turbovsky at Wild Wing Cafe

Susan Lanier, Emily Greene and Marla McCranie at the TACTIC III exhibit at Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art

Ashley Howell, Lauren Sill and Joaquin Esquivel at the TACTIC III exhibit at Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art

Frieda Dean, Virginia Scotchie and Eric Miller at the TACTIC III exhibit at Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art

Carrie Brooks, Kim Bragg and Devon Bieling at Craft & Vine

Brian Bui, Stephanie Hall and Kirby Williams at Craft & Vine

Jackson and Jita Ellis with Terese and Bill Platte at Craft & Vine

Stephanie Bryant, Gracie Bryant and John Bryant at Mellow Mushroom downtown

Nick Miller, Sydney Akens, Samantha Rich and Brian Pulvermacher at Mellow Mushroom downtown

25JANUARY

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Austin Rhodes Conservatives… Get With It!

by Austin Rhodes

While conservatives have had plenty to celebrate with this week’s victory over the curmudgeons who make up the Democrat leadership in Washington, they really need to step up their game and show the world how much better life can be under the rule of law and logic!

Unlike so many problems that require bipartisan haggling and negotiating, the GOP has two wonderful opportunities to step up and make fundamental AUSTIN RHODES A long-time radio talk show host who can be changes that no one short of Bernie Sanders would heard weekdays on WGAC from have the audacity to protest, and the Dems would 3-6 p.m. The views expressed are the opinions of Austin have no ability (with their current numbers) to Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the challenge or argue. publisher.

First and foremost, remove military and public safety personnel from the Federal payroll blackmail list! The GOP should announce that the recent budget stalemate, and the insulting possibility of a delay in pay to the men and women who protect our country and personal welfare, was an outrageous wake-up call, and that as long as they are the controlling party, the salaries of those heroes will never be affected by partisan bickering. The national parks, NASA and the IRS can all close up tight until Hell freezes over during future budget fights, but military and public safety personnel will never be affected.

Republican leaders currently have the numbers in the Senate, the House, and of course the White House to enact such a policy, and they can remind the public that losing control of any of that puts the salaries of American heroes at risk. This move needs to be made immediately.

Second, all these ridiculous Federal court lawsuits that involve presidential executive orders need to be expedited to the Supreme Court as soon as they are filed. We have seen countless examples of “judge shopping” when offended snowflakes from coast to coast get butthurt as President Trump uses his constitutionally designated powers to conduct executive business.

These aggrieved Lefties don’t walk, they run to liberal Federal judges, usually sitting somewhere west of the Mississippi (and to the left of common sense), to file their whiney complaints.

In virtually all the major cases we have seen filed against the president, the appeals on both sides are already written before the lower courts rule.

It is a huge waste of man hours and creates colossal delays. Virtually all of the cases that don’t get dropped because of time constraints are continually appealed until they make it to the Supreme Court.

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It is ridiculous to waste all the time and money on lower court battles which all will be appealed to the top by the losers. I say that when the president’s executive orders and authority are challenged, no less than the Supreme Court should be directly engaged in the matter, thus an immediate (or as close to immediate as the high court gets) ruling can be offered. If half the country didn’t hate the current president so much, I am sure they would agree with this plan. As much as I opposed many of the policies of President Obama (particularly Obamacare), I said all along that lower court battles over his authority and the Constitutionality of his favored legislation should have gone straight to the Supremes. I was right then, and I am right now.

These changes should be enacted immediately and could be accomplished with the stroke of Chief Justice John Robert’s pen.

So here we have two solid “red meat” declarations that the conservatives in control in Washington could enact tonight if they so desired. These changes are legal, constitutional and would be of great comfort to Americans interested in supporting our troops and the rule of law. Such a move also would cast current leadership in a much better light than they have created for themselves in recent months.

While we all understand the complexity and intentional inflexibility of so much of our Federally mandated “due process,” both legislatively and judicially, none of what I am suggesting runs contrary to the common sense and conservative principles so many of us embrace.

Get this done and watch the liberals scream — not in disagreement I would wager, but because they weren’t smart enough to come up with these ideas first. Actually, scratch that. The Dems would scream in disagreement; it is what they do with virtually all ideas that promote common sense over emotion and the rule of law over what might hurt their feelings.

25JANUARY

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