the 'Ville - January 2011

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Page 2

January 2011

staff

Change we can believe in?

Volume 1 Issue 6 Follow us on Facebook (the ‘Ville) and Twitter (theVille_ga)

Happy New Year! We’ve all heard that a million times alrady haven’t we? What will 2011 bring? Will the economy finally turn around? Will we see gas prices go down? And when will we see the last installment of Twillight???

Seriously though, we all have high hopes for Milledgeville this year. We have certainly been put through the ringer as of late so some good news and positive direction would be welcomed.

There are some really good things going on to promote Milledgeville and we can thank our Chamber of Commerce/Partners for Progress for many of those. There is also Digital Bridges’ implentation of the Shop Local drive and website. We here at the ‘Ville will continue to promote all things happening here and hope to get even better over time.

So there are a lot of forces at play

here locally who want to see this town succeed. The message we all are shouting is in essence the same.

Keep it local! Shop here, play here, spend here, eat here. We all know how easy it is to buy online or drive to Macon but honestly we can’t complain too much about things not happening here if we aren’t investing in it ourselves.

My resolution this year is to spend more of my money here in Milledgeville.

Ghandhi said for us to “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

I agree. If you want it different make it different.

staff question of the month If you were a superhero, what superpower would you like to have and why?

Publisher Keith Barlow 478.453.1441 Editor Natalie Davis 478.453.1462 Circulation Director Michael Evans 478.453.1401 Advertising Director Erin Simmons 478.453.1437 Advertising Representatives Melissa Hinton 478.453.1434 Miriam Lord 478.453.1432

NATALIE If I were a superhero, my superpower would be the power of super-human productivity. I’m a procrastinator, so I could really use it.

BROOKS I wouldn't be a superhero. I'd be a Jedi because Light Sabers and the Force are the only real super powers.

DERRICK I would want the ability to walk through walls. Sometimes doors are in weird places.

Chai Giles 478.453.1435 Creative Manager Brooks Hinton 478.453.1422 Contributing Writers Sarah Beth Ariemma

SAMANTHA I’d choose teleportation as my superpower so I could save money on gas.

SARAH BETH If I was a superhero, I’d want the power of persuasion to be my superpower so I could look at someone and put my energy toward whatever I wanted and get it done without the person ever knowing it.

LAUREN If I was a superhero I would like to have teleportation as my superpower. To have the power to teleport myself anywhere would be awesome because I would never be late for school or appointments.

I would be able to go anywhere in seconds and not have to worry about spending time or money to get there.

Write: P.O. Box 520 Milledgeville, GA 31061 Call: 478.453.1462 Fax: 478.453.1450 Email: theville31061@gmail.com

Lauren Davidson Jimmy Holder Samantha Severin Jon Joiner Daniel McDonald

Tom Toney

January 2011

Page 3

We Offer Luxurious, Affordable Student Living Within Walking Distance to Campus

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College Station Apartments feature: • Variety of Floor Plans • Private Bathrooms • Tiled Flooring in Kitchen & Bath • Laminate Hardwood Floors • Ceiling Fans Rent Includes: $10 – Water $30 – Power Cable We are also pet friendly

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Call – 478-453-2525 Fax – 478-452-0319 Email – collegestation501@yahoo.com Website – www.georgiacollegestation.com

Page 4

January 2011

Arts, Entertainment and Culture in the ‘Ville

what’s inside

First Friday Milledgeville will play host to a monthly downtown nod to its rich arts and cultural attributes.

The Stumblin’ Toads Pulling from influences such as the Rolling Stones, The Faces, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, The Stumblin’ Toads know how to show their audience a great time.

Q&A We speak with Carlee Schulte, the interim director of Milledgeville Mainstreet and the Downtown Development Authority.

Turning Up the Heat Our resident foodie faces fajitas – for the first time.

Mixing Mediums Sara Wood, senior art major at Georgia College, shares her world of art.

Also check out.....

Local Beer Review ........................................8 Jimmy Holder shares his love for good beer and gives us his recommendation for good beer in the city.

Dining Guide..................................................8 This is not your average dining guide. We sorted them by cuisine so you can easily find Chinese or Mexican and also get a quick glance at the prices to expect.

Opinions .......................................................13 We ask the people of Milledgeville what they think about the plans to change the HOPE scholarship program.

Fashion..........................................................17 Ever see someone walking in the city and wonder “Where did they get that and how much is it?” Well we stopped one local person and asked!

Grab a FREE copy of the ’Ville Brick Buffington’s Pig in a Pit Puebla’s Mexican Restaurant 42nd Floor Jittery Joe’s Barberitos Metropolis Café Ryal’s Bakery Charmed The Red Door Midasweet Visitors Bureau Chamber of Commerce Courthouse GMC New Academic Building GMC Library GCSU Student Center GCSU Library La Fete Pair-O-Dice Starbucks Stage One Haircutters Twin Lakes Beverage Haus Bluz Tatooz Lieu’s Peking Maggie Lane Pickle Barrel PJ’s Steakhouse IHOP Goodie Gallery The Union-Recorder Jet Food Store Linda’s Beauty Shop Frances Beauty Shop Holiday Inn Express Days Inn Comfort Suites Fairfield Inn Royal Blood and Tatoo Shear Design Digital Bridges French Vill’Edge Folks Art Gallery Kuroshima Blackbird Coffee Aubri Lanes Yellow Box in front of the courthouse and Post Office Amici’s The Bellamy Roc’s Texaco Express Fitness Plus Cowboy Bills Hop-in next to Lowe’s Hallmark Twin Lakes Library Precise Clothing The Velvet Elvis

If you want to distribute the ‘Ville at your business, please call us at 478-453-1400

January 2011

Page 5

arts & culture

First Friday kicks off next month

‘Wonder of the World’ comes to Black Box Theatre

By SAMANTHA SEVERIN

By NATALIE DAVIS It’s been a long time coming, but First Fridays are finally making their way to Milledgeville.

Beginning next month, Friday, Feb. 4, the city will play host to a monthly downtown nod to its rich arts and cultural attributes, courtesy of a collaborative venture spearheaded by the City of Milledgeville, Milledgeville Mainstreet and Arts in the ‘Ville, a grassroots effort to promote the local arts scene.

“Arts in the Ville is a grassroots movement that started a little more than a year and a half ago and has gone through several renovations,” said Renée J. Fontenot, publicity contact for Arts in the ‘Ville.

Fontenot said the re-vamped and re-branded effort to bring First Fridays to Milledgeville launched when local arts enthusiasts were approached by Milledgeville City Manager Barry Jarrett about putting together an event to celebrate the re-opening of Wayne Street and the completion of Phase II of Streetscape.

“This will be an ongoing monthly thing year-round. It’s just one more thing in our community to highlight and really remind us of how rich our culture is,” she said.

Each month’s event will feature a different theme, with the inaugural HeARTS in the ‘Ville, which pays homage to Valentine’s Day. Downtown merchants are encouraged to stay open until 8 p.m. or later at each month’s event. Participating merchants will post a flyer in their window to show their support and participation in First Fridays.

With no budget and no formal structure, the First Friday effort is being headed up by Fontenot,

local photographer Danielle Fields, and Alan and Linda McGee. Fontenot said the overall goal for the monthly event is to provide a family-friendly means to celebrate and promote the local arts scene by providing a venue for area artists from all mediums, playing up Georgia College’s liberal arts ties and the locally-based connections to arts and culture.

Oftentimes, she said, the richness of the local arts scene is overlooked.

“This is yet another thing that makes our community a desire for people to come here — beyond business and the immediate tangibles, it’s a closer look at the unforeseen,” she said.

The local downtown district frequently dries up on the weekends when students head out of town, said Fontenot, and First Fridays are an effort to keep foot traffic in the local arts hub.

“This is a way to draw our local people downtown and also in the future surrounding counties,” she said. “We have many reasons why people should come to Milledgeville, but this will be another.”

Merchants wanting to participate are encouraged to contact Carlee Schulte, interim director of Mainstreet, mainstreetdesk@milledgevillega.u s for guidelines and more information. For ideas on how to participate and for publicity, contact Dr. Renée J. Fontenot, renee.fontenot@gcsu.edu. Artists looking to be listed for merchants looking for a pairing, please contact Danielle Fields, owner of Fields Photography and Framing danielle@fieldsphotographyandframing.com.

Erin Williams, a senior at Georgia College, is directing David Lindsay Abaire’s play, “Wonder of the World” for her senior capstone project.

The play will be performed later this month at the Campus Black Box Theatre in downtown Milledgeville.

Williams chose to direct “Wonder of the World” because she thought directing a comedy would be a good challenge, since the last few plays she’s directed have been more serious.

David Lindsay-Abaire is her favorite playwright, and it came down to “Wonder of the World” and “Rabbit Hole.” After reading both plays over and over, she realized that “Wonder of the World” uses an abacus as a random prop in a scene, and in her Intro to Design class, she had to research how to make an abacus as a prop.

The last scene of the play focuses on reading signs in your life, and she took the abacus as a sign of coming full circle.

“It also uses my favorite word, ‘conundrum,’” said the director.

The play stars GC students Sasha Schafler, Lauren Adel, Jordan Hale, Chris Venable, Benton Cranford, Heather Snyder and Gabrielle Byndloss.

“Wonder of the World” is about a woman, Cass, who leaves

her husband because he was keeping a secret from her. She decides to flee to Niagara Falls to pursue her “bucket list.” In the process, she befriends an alcoholic on the verge of suicide, meets an elderly couple trying to make ends meet by doing odd jobs, falls for the captain of a boat, and finally reaches her lifelong dream of meeting a clown. “It’s a really poignant play. It’s comedy laced in poignancy.”

Currently, Williams is in the middle of applying to grad school to study directing. She’s also looking into internships.

“Really, I’m open to anything.

I’d just like to be directing somewhere.”

Directing has always interested her, but it wasn’t until she took Directing I with Dr. Amy Pinney that she realized that it was something she wanted to do.

The show opens Monday, Jan. 24, for invited guests and it opens to the public Jan. 25-27 in the Campus Black Box Theatre in downtown Milledgeville.

Tickets are available online at www.gcsutickets.com. Ticket prices range from $5 for students and $13 for general admission.

Williams urges students to order their tickets online ahead of time.

Page 6

January 2011

local band profile

By LAUREN DAVIDSON It all started with a little bit of alcohol and a curious toad.

Ryan Garrett, guitarist for The Stumblin’ Toads, reminisces about how the band got its name and says, “One night at a party we were all hanging out outside, and a toad hopped up to us. I wondered if I could get it drunk, so I poured a beer on its head. It stumbled away and we all started laughing. The toad became an alcoholic and kept coming back for more.”

This Milledgeville-based five-piece rock n’ roll outfit debuted in summer 2008. Pulling from influences such as the Rolling Stones, The Faces, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, The Stumblin’ Toads know how to show their audience a great time with their equally outstanding musical talent and exceptional stage presence.

“We love the feeling of getting on stage and making a whole room of people dance and everyone is connected by the music,” Justin Garrett, the band’s drummer and Ryan’s twin brother, said.

Before the band started up, the Garrett brothers and bassist Robbie Hernandez spent a good bit of their time jamming together for fun. The idea of starting a band came up, and after searching for a singer, the three decided to add Tyler Clark, vocals/harmonica/saxophone, to the mix. Not long after, in January 2009, they added Lee McDade, who serves as the band’s keyboardist.

The group has played a number of shows in Milledgeville at venues such as Amici, Asian

Bistro and Velvet Elvis, and more recently, they have expanded their presence in Georgia and started to perform shows in Athens, Macon and even Atlanta.

At a typical show they may play covers such as “Midnight Rambler” by the Rolling Stones, “Stay With Me” by The Faces, “No Speak, No Slave” by The Black Crowes, and “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin, however, they also perform some of their own songs such as “Fools Gold” and “Give it a Break.”

Ryan said generally he and Clark collaborate on writing the band’s lyrics while getting musical input from the rest of the group.

“I will usually make up a guitar riff and bring it to Tyler and we will write lyrics to it.

Sometimes he will have some lyrics that I make up music to. Then we bring the raw format to the band and craft it into a song,” Ryan said.

The band is currently recording their first EP now. Ryan says band doesn’t have a record label but wouldn’t be against signing with one in the future.

“We plan on playing music together ‘till we die. We might sign with a record label if we get a good deal otherwise we will continue to manage ourselves,” Ryan said.

Come and check out the Stumblin’ Toads locally at their next performance at Amici on Feb. 17. To access music and dates for upcoming shows visit www.myspace.com/thestumblintoads. The band can also be found on Facebook.

WHO: The Stumblin’ Toads GENRE: Rock n’ Roll LINEUP: Tyler Clark (vocals, harmonica, sax), Ryan Garrett (guitar), Robbie Hernandez (bass), Justin Garrett (drums) and Lee McDade (keys) RECENT RELEASE: Workin’ on it

January 2011

Page 7

Q&A - Carlee Schulte When Carlee Schulte came on board with Milledgeville Mainstreet and the Downtown Development Authority just six months ago, she probably didn’t know she’d become the agency’s interim director by the start of the new year.

Schulte took the acting helm of the agency charged with promoting downtown development and fostering interest and growth in the downtown community following the departure of former director Belinda Washlesky late last year. Now, from her office adjacent to City Hall, she not only has a front row seat to all the goings in downtown Milledgeville, she’s charged with helping to maintain it all and overseeing it as it flourishes.

While still new to this 9 to 5 gig, Schulte is no stranger to the local community. The Atlanta native is a graduate of Georgia College, and she’s been living here since 2002. In her day to day role at Mainstreet, she works on the agency’s biggest projects aimed at promoting downtown such as the Milledgeville Marketplace, the Distinguished Young Women scholarship program (formerly known as Junior Miss), procuring new businesses and renting out downtown spaces, and of course, the annual Deep Roots music festival, Milledgeville’s biggest arts and entertainment attract.

As the city sets to begin on the third phase of the Streetscape project, and Mainstreet helps launch what is hoped to be one of its biggest ventures to date, First Friday, Schulte recently spoke with The ‘Ville about the transition to interim director and what locals can expect from Mainstreet and the Downtown Development Authority in the coming months.

THE ‘VILLE: For those who may not be aware, what is Arts in the Ville and how did this effort finally come together?

CS: It’s a group of local artists that are working together to try and promote the arts in Milledgeville to give local artists an outlet.

THE ‘VILLE: What do you and other organizers hope people take away from the First Friday events?

CS: Just a coming together of downtown and everyone experiencing the different mediums that Milledgeville can provide — from performing arts to visual arts — there are no exclusions for First Fridays. The March First Friday will be a celebration of downtown Milledgeville [and the completion of Phase II of the Streetscape revitalization project along Wayne Street]. That one will be more scheduled, with more scheduled events.

THE ‘VILLE: From a Mainstreet/downtown perspective, what’s your assessment of the Streetscape project based on what downtown merchants have relayed to you?

CS: The city is going forward with Phase III, so that’s exciting. Pretty much everyone is glad that [Phase II] is over and completed. It’s definitely an improvement of the sidewalks.

Everyone really loves the planters.

THE ‘VILLE: Now that we are into 2011, as interim director, where do you see Milledgeville Mainstreet going from here?

What additional efforts would you like to see

The Icy Winds of Change in Georgia’s New Deal

by Daniel McDonald

Mainstreet make, and what is on the horizon for downtown Milledgeville?

CS: We’re gearing up for another season of the Milledgeville Marketplace (farmer’s market). Junior Miss is coming up also (registration is later this month). First Friday is really our newest, biggest event. And, looking further into the year, Deep Roots is coming up in the fall.

THE ‘VILLE: What do you want to be the overall goal of the Milledgeville Mainstreet program? How far off is Mainstreet in achieving that goal?

CS: The goal is to promote downtown and help revitalize the downtown district.

Mainstreet uses a four-point approach — organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring.

THE ‘VILLE: Since this is an arts and culture publication, what do you think of the future of the arts in Milledgeville from First Fridays and beyond?

CS: I think it’s got a great future. We’ve got several galleries downtown, and there’s a huge art community. First Friday is just one aspect to increasing exposure to the arts in Milledgeville.

THE ‘VILLE: What’s your favorite movie?

CS: The first thing that comes to mind is “The Usual Suspects” and then the “Incredibles.”

THE ‘VILLE: What type of music do you listen to?

CS: Really everything. I go through phases.

Right now, I’m in a country phase.

THE ‘VILLE: What’s your favorite book?

CS: “Good Night Moon” — the book I read to my son. “Eat, Pray, Love” (by Elizabeth Gilbert) is the last book I’ve been able to read and enjoy.

THE ‘VILLE: Any additional thoughts or comments?

CS: I think that through all the changes Mainstreet’s gone through, I’m really looking forward and am excited about what’s next. I love working here. I’m very happy here.

— Compiled by Natalie Davis

By the time Gov. Nathan Deal committed to using his inaugural and State of the State addresses to share his vision of personal responsibility and limited government, there was no time left to tailor his rhetoric to the frozen reality that would stop the state capital dead in its tracks.

Speaking to two joint sessions of the 151st General Assembly during a three-day period in which many Georgians were either snowed in or struggling to dig themselves out, Deal outlined a conservative ideology that measures Wisdom, Justice and Moderation against job creation, the cost of HOPE scholarships and the Post Panamax ships that must offload their products in the Port of Savannah.

These are wise conversation starters at a time when state government has cut 15 percent of its pre-recession spending and the biggest obstacle forecast for this legislative session is making due without almost $1 billion federal stimulus dollars that are propping up this year’s spending plan. But Gov. Deal should be careful not to let the prevailing political winds and the challenges of this term in office undermine the greater goal of seeing Georgia become the best place to live, learn and work.

The state’s new chief executive officer will face all the problems that plagued the latter half of the Perdue administration, but he also will have an opportunity to oversee the largest tax-reform initiative since the state’s tax code was written in the 1930s.

You might have missed the 97-

page report of the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians when it dropped with a THUD about 48 hours before the first snowflakes began blanketing the Georgian landscape, but there is a good chance that its plan of lowering the personal and corporate income tax and transitioning Georgia to a more robust sales tax will create a maelstrom of politicians who yearn for funding mechanisms that tax consumption and those who claim the changes are a regressive tax increase on families and individuals.

The Council’s report should be read by anyone concerned about the financial stability of the state, but with a charge of recommending “a new [tax] structure that would be as growth-friendly and as job-friendly as we could make it” and no obligation to consider the larger local and property tax systems and their effect on individuals — as Georgia tax reform study groups have been inclined to do in the past — the findings risk the perception of being little more than a one-trick pony that is responsible for performing the entire circus.

Gov. Deal risks running afoul of the same perception problem as he continues to roll out an administration focused on the core responsibilities of government with few criteria to measure success beyond job creation and total capital investment. Because even as the members of the Tax Reform Council realized that corporations consider a community’s quality-of-life as well as a state’s income tax when planning to relocate their business, the Deal administration — as well as the General Assembly — need to realize that the state’s ability to deliver core services despite six inches of snow might make businesses more comfortable about moving to Georgia too.

— Daniel McDonald is a former city and county government reporter for The Union-Recorder.

Regular updates, and the electronic edition of this column, can be found at onecapitalremoved.com.

Page 8

January 2011

dining in the ‘ville

Good beer only please Jimmy Holder, Good Beer Afficionado

BLD: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner BAR: Alcohol served

AMERICAN/BARS/PUBS Appleblee’s 106 Roberson Mill Rd. Sports bar, classic American dining, hot wings.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 453-8355.

Buffington’s 120 W. Hancock St. Sandwiches, salads, hot wings and dining specials in a tavern-like setting.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

Weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m to 1:30 a.m.; also open Sundays.

(478) 414-1975.

Chili’s 2596 N. Columbia St. Bar and grill, hot wings.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 452-1900.

Duke’s Dawghouse 162 Sinclair Marina Rd. Sandwiches and burgers.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 453-8440 119 Chops 119 S. Wayne St. Sports pub and nightly specials.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 387-4550.

Happy New Year! As a Milledgeville’s beer Advocate, I am often asked what beer do I drink when I’m not trying new beers.

The answer comes simply, Newcastle Brown Ale. Those who fear dark beers should give this one a try. I find Newcastle to be the easiest beer to drink.

That’s right, the easiest. I find it so easy to drink my friends and I call it, No Hassle. First, the pour is a dark brownamber color and its head is shallow, but thick with an off-white color. The smell is almost fruity with hints of toasted hops.

But the taste is where Newcastle truly wins my palate. It is very low in carbonation, so the swallow is easy. Almost too easy. The taste is caramel like. It is sweet, but not too much. I do not like sweet beers. Once swallowed, Newcastle leaves this wonderful wet aftertaste, some refer to it as sliced apples, I swear it is grapes.

Either way it’s perfect. Newcastle is all about drinkability. It tastes great and it’s easy to drink. I know a lot of nonbeer drinkers who enjoy Newcastle, but that is not to say it doesn’t satisfy the aficionados. The alcohol content is not too low and not too high at 4.7%. This allows it to be a great social beer. Great taste and great finish is why Newcastle is No Hassle.

Pickle Barrel 1880 N. Columbia St. Café and sports pub.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

Sunday-Tuesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Wednesday-Saturday 11 am - 11 pm Ruby Tuesday 2440 N. Columbia St. Classic American dining.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 452-5050.

Velvet Elvis Supper Club 113 West Hancock St. Seafood, burgers, wings and more.

LD • BAR • $.

Monday-Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

(478) 453-8226.

ASIAN Asian Bistro & Grill 124 W. Hancock St. Traditional Asian cuisine, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai.

LD • BAR • $-$$$. MondayThursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed 3:30 to 5 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Bar hours Wednesday-Saturday 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

(478) 452-2886.

$: Entrees under $10 $$: $10-$20 $$$: Above $20

China Garden 1948 N. Columbia St. Wings and Chinese.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 454-3449.

China Wings 3 1071 S. Wayne St. Wings and Chinese.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 453-3655.

Great Wall 1304 N. Columbia St. Chinese.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 452-5200.

Kai Thai 2600 N. Columbia St. Thai.

LD • BAR • $-$$$.

(478) 454-1237.

Kuroshima Japanese dining.

LD • BAR • $-$$$.

(478) 451-0245.

Paradise Country BBQ 111 Old Montgomery Highway, at the corner of Highway 441 N. and Log Cabin Rd. Pork, ribs, chicken.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 452-8008.

Pig in a Pit Barbecue 116 W. Hancock St. Pork, chicken, ribs.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 414-1744.

Soul Master Barbecue & Lounge 451 N. Glynn St. American barbecue.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 453-2790.

BUFFETS/CAFES Country Buffet 1465 SE Jefferson St. Southern buffet dining.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 453-0434.

Lieu’s Peking Chinese.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 804-0083.

Grits 132 Hardwick St. Home-cooked Southern dining.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 453-2520.

Little Tokyo Steakhouse Japanese, sushi.

LD • BAR • $-$$$.

(478) 452-8886.

Golden Corral 1913 N. Columbia St. Buffet-style American dining.

BLD • $-$$.

(478) 414-1344.

Super China Buffet-style Chinese.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 451-2888.

Judy’s Country Kitchen 1720 N. Columbia St. Buffet-style dining.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 414-1436.

BAKERIES

Octagon Café Milledgeville Mall Sandwiches and salads.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 452-0588.

The Goodie Gallery 812 N. Columbia St. Sandwiches, breads, salads, pastries and desserts.

BL • $-$$.

(478) 452-8080.

Ryals 135 S. Wayne St. Pastries and fresh-baked goods.

BL • $-$$.

(478) 452-0321.

BARBECUE Old Clinton BBQ 2645 N. Columbia St. Ribs, pulled pork, country sides.

Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 454-0080.

Shrimp Boat 911 S. Elbert St. Serving Chicken & Seafood for more than 40 years.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 452-0559.

COFFEE HOUSES Blackbird Coffee 114 W. Hancock St. Coffee, teas, pastries, desserts and sandwiches.

BLD • $-$$.

(478) 454-2473.

Jittery Joe’s 135 W. Hancock St. Coffee, teas, pastries, desserts and sandwiches.

BLD • $-$$.

(478) 452-7918.

January 2011

Page 9

dining in the ‘Ville Starbucks 2400 N. Columbia St. Coffee, teas pastries, desserts and sandwiches.

BLD • $-$$.

(478) 454-4040.

CONTEMPORARY Aubri Lane’s 114 S. Wayne St. Steaks, seafood, contemporary Southern dining. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. dinner; closed Sundays and Mondays.

LD • BAR • $$-$$$.

(478) 454-4181.

El Tequila 1830 N. Columbia St. Fine Mexican dining.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 414-1344.

Margaritas Mexican Grill 2400 N. Columbia St. Central Mexico cuisine.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 453-9547.

Puebla’s Mexican Restaurant 112 W. Hancock St. Mexican cuisine.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 452-1173.

Sylvia’s 2600 N. Columbia St. Pasta and seafood, Mediterraneaninspired. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.

Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

LD • BAR • $$-$$$.

(478) 452-4444.

SEAFOOD/FISH

PIZZA/ITALIAN

Bone Island Grill 208 Crooked Creek Marina Dr. Key West-style, Caribbean-inspired Southern seafood and steaks. Lunch Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dinner Wednesday-Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 4 to 12:30 a.m. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

LD • BAR • $$-$$$.

(706) 485-9693.

Amici Italian Café 101 W. Hancock St. Pizza, pasta and casual Italian dining.

Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to midnight.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 452-5003.

The Brick 136 W. Hancock St. Brick oven pizza, pasta, salads and hot wings. Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 452-0089.

Deano’s Pizza 128 N. Wayne St. Brick oven pizza, pasta, salads and hot wings. Tuesday-Thursday 11 am to 9 pm; Fridays & Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 414-1155.

Mellow Mushroom 2588 N. Columbia St. Gourmet pizza and sandwiches.

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays noon to 9 p.m.

LD • BAR • $$-$$$.

(478) 457-0144.

Bo Jo’s Café 3021 N. Columbia St. Seafood and steaks by the lake.

D • BAR • $$-$$$.

(478) 453-3234.

Choby’s at Little River 3065 N. Columbia St. Fish and seafood by the lake.

D • BAR • $$-$$$.

(478) 453-9744.

P.J.’s Steak House 3050 Highway 441 N. Steak and chicken by the lake.

LD • BAR • $$-$$$.

(478) 453-0060.

SPECIALTY Mida Sweet 201 S. Wayne St. Asian-inspired cuisine, specialty coffees, gelatos and ice cream.

LD • $-$$.

(478) 453-8634.

MEXICAN Barberito’s 146 S. Hancock St. Fast food, Southwestern-style burritos, salads, fajitas and tacos.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 451-4717.

El Amigo 2465 N. Columbia St. Fine Mexican dining.

LD • BAR • $-$$.

(478) 453-0027.

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WINGS AJ’s Hot Wings 2601 N. Columbia St., Suite 4 Hot wings, fish and burgers.

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January 2011

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January 2011

Page 11

dining

Tacos, burritos and enchiladas are among the many entrees that I can’t get enough of when it comes to Mexican cuisine.

I’ve several rave reviews from customers of El Tequila Grill, so I knew I had to go and try it out for myself.

Earlier this week I dined at the restaurant and decided to taste their steak fajitas, after hearing great things about this dish. The waitress, who was very nice, agreed that it was a good recommendation and also added that the Super Taco Salad, priced at $8.99, and the House Special, priced at $11.75, were two dishes among customers’ favorites. Their steak fajita meal is priced at $12.95 and is well worth it because the portions of food were enough to fill me up and send me home with leftovers. They offer fajitas for two priced at $22.99.

After ordering my meal I sat and enjoyed their chips and

Mondays: Crazy Taco Night 99 cent hard shell beef tacos 99 cent draft beer- Bud Light and Miller Light

salsa. Two types of salsa were brought out for me to enjoy, a traditionally flavored variety, which had spicy kick to it, and a smoky flavored salsa, which I have never had at any other Mexican restaurant. Both of the salsas were delicious and I recommend every customer give them both a try.

It wasn’t long at all before I could hear the waitress walking toward me holding a sizzling skillet filled with slices of steak cooked on a bed of onions and bell peppers along with a side plate of three fresh and hot tortillas, guacamole (my favorite), sour cream, pico de gallo, refried beans and Mexican rice.

I was hungry so I went right for the Mexican rice and refried beans while the fajita filling cooled off. The rice and beans were absolutely amazing and served just at the right temperature. Weirdly enough I have never tried any type of

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fajitas, so this was a first time tasting for me. I garnished mine with all of the condiments brought out with the meal, wrapped it all up in a warm tortilla, took one bite, and was in heaven! The steak was juicy and tender and the onions and bell peppers were cooked to perfection.

My overall experience at El Tequila Grill was exceptional.

My meal was amazing, the staff was very kind and might I say the restaurant was decorated beautifully. The prices were also very reasonable for the portions of food that they bring out to you.

On the front of the menu there is a statement that reads “Warning: We may be habit forming,” and I must say they’re not joking. Bottom line is they serve the best authentic Mexican food I have eaten since I moved to Milledgeville and I will be visiting them again very soon.

El Tequila Grill 1830 North Columbia St. Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 414-1702

Page 12

January 2011

Music

Christopher Averitt “Brothers” The Black Keys

Books Formed in 2001, blues-rock ensemble The Black Keys released “Brother” in May 2010 featuring a 15-track listing — their sixth album. It sold 73,000 copies in its first week of release, making it the band’s highest charting album to date. The album has been nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Jessica Diamond

“I was really impressed with how they maintained their sound while expanding on it and adding more depth to it.”

“Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pall”

by Christopher Moore

Notable tracks: “Howlin for You” (feat. Prins Thomas Diskomiks)"

Dong Yeon “Once” Soundtrack Released in 2006, “Once” is an Irish musical that follows the lives of two struggling musicians. The soundtrack features music by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. According to a review in The New York Times, "[Hansard's] songs, full of ringing open chords and vague lyrics, are earnest and self-dramatizing."

In this 2002 novel, absurdist author Christopher Moore attempts to fill in the lost years of Jesus’s life.

Tom Dibblee “All the Kings Men”

by Robert Penn Warren

Notable tracks: “Falling from the Sky”

This novel was adapted to film twice and has won several awards of high recognition, including being named the 36th Greatest Novel of the 20th Century by Modern Library.

“Everyone should read it.”

Bailey Warr “The Fool” Warpaint Released just recently, in October of last year, “The Fool” is Warpaint’s debut full-length album. The L.A.-based quartet has been described as “psychedelic rock” and “art rock.”

Notable tracks: “Undertow”

The man (woman really) on the street randomly asks local residents what they are reading and listening to right now.

- Compiled by Samantha Severin

Sean Corbett “City of Thieves”

by David Benioff In this coming-of-age historical fiction, Benioff tells the tale of two young adults in Leningrad during the Nazi siege in WWII.

Hit us up on our facebook page and let us know what you’re listening to right now!

January 2011

Page 13

Style Salon

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What do you think about plans to change the HOPE scholarship program?

Megan Purcell “I’d probably have to drop out of college. I was thinking about going to a private school next year, and HOPE was the only way I’d be able to pay for it. If they are going to cut the budget somewhere, higher education should be the last place money is taken from.”

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“I might not be able to come back to school. I’d have to get a full-time job and take out student loans. So many people depend on HOPE to go to school. It is what makes Georgia schools so widely attended.”

1881 North Columbia St. MIlledgeville, Ga. Next to Roc’s Corkshoppe

478-453-8306

Walk-ins Welcome Kyle Rainy “It would suck for the people who have HOPE. The lottery brings in enough money to send us all to school. The government can’t cut funding because so many people would be unable to go to college without it.”

1821 North Columbia St. Milledgeville

Kenny Hillstrom “I don’t think HOPE should be taken away. This is what makes Georgia schools so great. Other students will be going out of state to cheaper schools, making Georgia lose revenue that we need so much.”

(In the Sears Shopping Center)

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Robby Buffington “Taking HOPE away would hurt Georgia schools. I never would have come to Georgia if the HOPE scholarship hadn’t been around. Georgia doesn’t need to leave us HOPE-less.”

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Page 14

January 2011

So how was everyone’s New Years Eve?

New Twist on the Green Hornet

Jon Joiner Music Extraordinaire I heard that everywhere downtown was packed and throwing down Millyvegasstyle. It just goes to show you how fun this town can be.

Following New Year’s we had one of the biggest ice storms to hit this area in years.

It was nice to see that Amici, The Brick and others found a way to open their doors to all that could brave the weather. Once the ice melted, Milledgeville didn’t waste any time getting the entertainment going.

There was Elastic Skyline at Asian Bistro, Jacob & The Good People at The Brick and Saturday, Amici had Domino Effect.

All great bands to get the year started off on the right foot.

January will be gone before we know it but February is right around the corner, and downtown Milledgeville is going to have it’s first ever First Friday! Launching Friday, Feb. 4, the City of Milledgeville, Milledgeville Mainstreet and local arts volunteer collaborative, Arts in the ‘Ville, will present First Friday Milledgeville-style, a monthly nod to the local community’s connection to the arts. This will be an opportunity for families and college students alike to enjoy music and arts in our community. Expect to see painting, drawing, ceramics, music, theater, photography, literature, culinary and so much more. I want to give a special thanks to the Milledgeville City Council for approving this event. They are doing some great work to keep this community prospering in the face of dire economic times.

The February Theme will be “HeARTS in the Ville” paying homage to Valentine’s Day. And in the same vein, make sure you check out The Max Noah Singers Valentines Day Rendezvous at First Presbyterian Church Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

On a personal note, I will be playing with Stokeswood at Amici Thursday, Jan. 27. We’re fresh off an east coast tour including Montreal, New York and Miami.

We’re ready to play a high-energy show for the great fans in Milledgeville on the stage where it all started.

Be ready for an old fashion butt whoopin’ where you get your hat caught and your shoes tooken. Check out the calendar in the back of this publication to keep up on all of the performances around town.

— Jon Joiner, co-owner of Amici, is a local musician, music lover, and member of the band Stokeswood.

"The Green Hornet" made his debut on January 31, 1936 on WXYZ Detroit, the creation of the station's George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, who also created the Lone Ranger.

The series, which ran until 1952 on the Mutual and NBC Blue networks, followed the adventures of Brit Reid, a bored playboy whose life is changed when he inherits his father's crusading newspaper, The Daily Sentinel. He saves the life of Kato, a Japanese man with incredible technical and martialarts skills, who becomes Brit's closest ally -- and transforms Brit's car into the supercharged Black Beauty, which gives them an edge as they search for evidence to expose the city's underworld in the newspaper. When Brit and Kato witness a brutal mob hit, Brit invents his secret identity -- taking his name from his powerful car's defective horn. A skilled fighter and expert marksman, "The Green Hornet" uses two special, non-lethal guns to subdue criminals: one fires a potent knockout gas while the other produces the "Hornet's Sting" -- an electric shock.

The movie "The Green Hornet" stars Seth Rogen of "Knocked Up" fame as Britt Reid (Seth Rogen), son and heir to Los Angeles' largest newspaper fortune, who is a rich, spoiled playboy who has been happy to maintain a directionless existence. When his father James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) dies, Britt meets an impressive and resourceful company employee, Kato (Jay Chou). They realize that they have the resources to do something worthwhile with their lives and finally step out of James Reid's shadow. Kato builds the ultimate weapon, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car with every weapon imaginable and Britt decides that in order to be heroes, they will pose as villains. With the help of Britt’s new secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), they learn that the chief criminal in the city is named Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). He has united all the gangs under his power, and he quickly sees that the Green Hornet is a direct threat to the prosperous criminal underworld he controls.

Michel Gondry of "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind" fame directed. It is being released in 3D - converted 3D, ala Clash Of The Titans - and is expected to be a movie box office bomb of epic proportions.

STARRING: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Edward James Olmos, David Harbour, Tom Wilkinson DIRECTOR: Michel Gondry STUDIO: Columbia Pictures RATING: PG-13 (For cartoon violence, adult situations, language) -wildaboutmovies.com

dumb crooks Get a load of this report from an article in The Idaho Statesman newspaper: “Boise police say they nabbed a woman Sunday who they believed has caused thousands of dollars in damage to library books and other items by pouring liquids, including corn syrup and ketchup, into a drop box at the Ada Community Library on Victory Road. Police say the vandalism has occurred on more than 10 occasions since May of last year.

receiving a letter from Sal’s vet indicating that he was not actually a human being.

Sal is currently scheduled to report to court on March 23rd.

From CBS news Minnesota affiliate WCCO: Joy L. Cassidy, 74, was charged with misdemeanor injury to property and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon. Boise police staked out the library parking lot on Sunday, passing by the area regularly. They saw a car matching the description of a suspicious vehicle that seemed to be in the area every time vandalism has occurred, said Boise Police spokesman Chuck McClure. They pulled the vehicle over and talked with the driver, later identified as Cassidy. They determined that she had dropped an open jar of mayonnaise in the library drop box moments before, McClure said. When police took Cassidy into custody, they found a loaded handgun under the driver's seat of her car.

She did not have a concealed weapons permit, so she was also charged with misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.” As if there could possibly be a logical reason for this one, police have not yet determined a motive in the case.

Sal Esposito may be all about fulfilling his obligations as a U.S. citizen, but you certainly won’t hear him say it, unless you speak feline that is.

According to a recent article posted on the Huffington Post site, Massachusetts couple Anna and Guy Esposito received a jury duty summons for their feline friend this month, who they had listed as a household resident on the 2010 Census.

“Sal is a member of the family so I listed him on the last Census form under pets but there has clearly been a mix-up,” Anna told local TV station WHDH. “I read the whole thing and I said, ‘Oh my God, how could he go, he’s a cat?’”

“Even after being alerted to this intrusive offense, the Big Govt. machine in Boston turned a deaf ear to the couple’s complaints, rejecting their request for a disqualification. This happened even after being informed that Sal was “unable to speak and understand English,” and

A female shoplifting suspect hid a stolen mink coat in her underwear while she was in jail for three days.

Stephanie Moreland was arrested New Year’s Eve by Bloomington Police after the Alaskan Fur Company reported a short mink coat was stolen by a woman who had been in the store and acting suspiciously.

One of the sales associates, Simona Storchak, confronted Moreland when she saw a $6500 coat was missing. She said Moreland denied having the coat and took off. Storchak wrote down the license plate on the woman’s car and called police.

When Bloomington officers located the car a short time later, they found a hanger from the store, but no coat. They searched her for weapons and booked her into their jail for the weekend on theft charges.

Three days later, a detective interviewed Moreland who admitted she stole the coat but claim she had already sold it.

When the investigator informed Moreland he would be sending her to the Hennepin County Jail downtown, he was shocked when she lifted up her dress and pulled out the mink coat from her underwear.

“She had modified her underwear. She actually cut the rear of the underwear out so that from the back it appeared she was not wearing underwear and then stuffed it down the front,” said Bloomington Police Commander Mark Stehlik.

Stehlik said the suspect, who is 46 years old, weighs about 270 pounds, which helped make it easier for her to conceal the short jacket.

December - February 2010

Page 15

performance arts

By TOM TONEY Get ready for a trip to New Orleans and a gala Mardi Gras celebration as the Milledgeville Players present “The Dead Man’s Chest,” a murder mystery dinner (MMD).

It’s taking place Friday and Saturday evenings, Feb. 18 and 19 at the Milledgeville Country Club.

If you have never been to a murder mystery dinner presented by the M’ville Players, be ready to take part in the adventure. A MMD is not like a basic play where you sit back and watch. You are an active participant!

You will be charged with solving the crimes that take place. Heck, there's a good chance that YOU may actually become a victim as the evening progresses.

This year's dramatic dinner outing takes place at a Mardi Gras party being held in the City that Care Forgot. There will be crooked Louisiana politicians

(hard to imagine!), pirates, Cajun conjurers, Creole crooners and other assorted nefarious New Orleans scoundrels.

The M’ville Country Club will be decorated to make you think you’ve just stepped onto Bourbon Street carrying a Pat O’Brien Hurricane. The buffet dinner will feature cuisine fit for a Ragin’ Cajun. And with a dessert of bread pudding and bourbon sauce (with an ice cream chaser), you’ll think you’re floating in Big Easy heaven.

We always like it when folks come dressed for the occasion, and since this adventure involves a Mardi Gras party, think beads, masks and whatever other apparel you would associate with a party of Carnival proportions!

Coming in costume is not required, but it does tend to make things a whole lot more fun! And, we have

found over the years, it really helps attendees get into the proceedings and just let themselves go.

Besides, maybe YOU will go home with the coveted “Best Costume” award. Or, depending on your sleuthing abilities, or lack thereof, you may be the proud recipient of the “Best Detective Award” or its slightly dysfunctional twin, the “Most Bumbling Detective Award.”

These awards are much cherished by attendees and often find their way onto office walls, fireplace mantles, or birdcage bottoms.

Tickets must be ordered in advance and can be done so by logging on to the Milledgeville Players website at www.milledgevilleplayers.org. For $25 per attendee you get dinner, dessert, murders, catfights, overzealous Louisiana politicians, swashbuckling buccaneers, overacting actors, silly psychics and much more. What a bargain!

The website will even allow you to inform the Players about your preferred seating arrangements. Whether you plan to come solo or as part of an arduous aggregation, you can leave a message when purchasing your tickets.

If working the internet for ticket purchases is not your cup of grog, you can also give a call to the M’ville Players Mardi Gras party line at (478) 314-4054. Leave a message and our lovely Creole who hails from the French Quarter of Wisconsin will return your call.

In the past, MMDs presented by the M’ville Players have swept folks away to such exotic fun spots as an Italian winery, the Hawaiian islands, a Valentine rendezvous, and a reunion of students from SLUT (Southern Ladies University of Traditions). Don’t miss out on this fanciful and MURDEROUS trip to the Crescent City.

So order those tickets now and frequently. You’ll have fun, fun, fun until daddy takes the absinthe away!

Page 16

January 2011

poetry

Art as an Agent for Change

By SAMANTHA SEVERIN

When The ‘Ville first spoke to Paul Ayo, director of Art as an Agent for Change, the organization was running strong with monthly poetry nights at Blackbird Coffee and working with kids in the community. Since then, the group has continued building capacity as an organization to fulfill its mission and meet the needs of the community.

After returning from a seven-city statewide poetry tour titled “Be the Change,” which took place over the course of five days in October, Ayo went right back into kicking it into high gear with AAC. The group has been working on five programs, some new and some old.

The first is the Poetic Notions Poetry Festival, which happens once a year and features local and out-of-town poets. This year, Poetic Notions will take place April 9 at a yet-to-be-determined venue. Shutdown Magazine, AAC’s premiere poetry and news publication, will be released at the Feb. 4 Black History Month Program “You Better Think.”

Another project, AAC in the Classroom, gets members of AAC to visit classrooms of local high schools and middle schools and teach the class for a day using live poetry and poetry workshops. The goal of AAC in the Classroom is to make students aware of the community’s needs and get them more interested in their literary traditions.

Ayo said that AAC in the Classroom has produced “profound results. Kids that were in boxes, kids who never spoke out loud, came out of their shell during the poetry workshops. The teachers noticed that the kids were better able to express themselves when they’re in an environment that encourages expression. Teachers can learn about their students through watching the workshops, thus they can better serve them.”

Another program in the works is the AAC internship program.

This program trains college and community artists to be active in their communities by working with AAC. It gives Georgia College students a connection with the community.

“Our interns are better able to navigate the professional world by having experience with AAC. The internship connects their talents with practical strategies and allows them to use their talent to make a living,” said Ayo. One of AAC’s latest programs is a Media Engineering and Mentorship Program. The mentorship trains at-risk youth to work in filmmaking, sound engineering, scriptwriting and acting. The mentorship provides the opportunity for people that don’t have a Bobcat Card or a camera to get involved in media editing. This program is expected to launch in January 2012.

“I noticed that a lot of youth are interested in the things that entertain them. Instead of having them sit there and watch, why not have them engaged? It empowers the youth to be in control when they can control the media they consume,” said Ayo. For people interested in joining Art as an Agent for Change, check AAC’s official Facebook fanpage to find out when the meetings are.

January 2011

Page 17

fashion

My Style: Donna Ray mixes classics with a trendy flare

By SARAH BETH ARIEMMA Donna Ray, an employee of Magnolia State Bank, is a fashion-forward businesswoman ready to take on any customer, or any sale. Her style is classic and trendy, without being too over the top.

“I try to keep it simple. Simple is more.

I think that girls who wear too much overdo it,” Ray said.

When it comes to her favorite stores, Belk has her heart.

“You can find some really great deals at Belk, and their clothes are cute and great for any occasion.”

Ray’s black and white scooped neck coat was a gift. The pattern is bold without being to flashy — a must for any young woman looking to be fashionable at work or play.

“My blue sweater is from Belk. I got it for about $14.99. I like it because I can dress it up or dress it down.”

“My pants are from Belk as well. I got them for $30, which is a great price for dress pants,” she said.

The color is a perfect cream that can be worn even with white tops, making it a versatile part of any wardrobe.

Ray’s jewelry choice is full of sentimental and simple pieces that perfectly complement her working-girl style.

“The diamond earrings and necklace were gifts from my grandparents. My ring is from Premier Jewelry and was $40. It has my favorite stone in it and it is big, without being too much.”

No fashionista is complete without a scarf this winter. Ray’s scarf is a homemade masterpiece created by her stepmother, and the Winter White color is ideal for those chilly days and more muted winter colors.

“A fashion faux pas for me that I just think looks so tacky during the winter is when girls will go to extremes to show some skin. They will wear short shorts with boots, and it looks tasteless. Leggings are leggings. They should be worn with shirts that are long enough. A short shirt and leggings for pants isn’t flattering on anyone,” Ray said.

When it comes to the easiest and cutest ensemble, Ray has the perfect mix that flatters every body type.

“When I throw on my jeans and boots with a really cute top, I’m good to go. You can’t go wrong with cute jeans and boots over them.”

Get the look for less!

Like Donna Ray’s clothes? We went out to find similar items from stores around Milledgeville to help you get her look for less.

Rose Colored Viscose Scarf

Ambition Ruffle Coat

$15 and up Precise Clothing Co.

$43.99 – Belk

Vintage Onyx Silver Fashion Ring

Be Bop Fashion Khakis $10 Precise Clothing Co.

$29.99 – Belk

Page 18

January 2011

By SAMANTHA SEVERIN Sara Wood, senior art major at Georgia College, was born making art.

She decided to pursue art as her major because of the encouragement of her parents and grandfather. She doesn’t have a favorite medium, because she believes that the medium reflects the specific project. Her focuses right now are printmaking and painting, but she dabbles in performance art, drawing and many others.

Wood spent from March to April last year in Cape Town, South Africa. She wanted to do a mural at Simelela, a health care center for the victims of sexual violence in the township Khayelitsha, South Africa. Wood was connected to the program through another GCSU student who was interning at Simelela.

The room that Wood painted was a near-empty room where children waited to speak to someone after experiencing sexually violence. The idea came to Wood all at once, she says.

“The mural depicts a little girl sliding on a rainbow, as if to tell the children, ‘Dream big. There’s always something good out of everything.’ Essentially, I just wanted to put color in that room. It meant a lot to me, and it was nice to see the expression on the people’s faces when they saw it. Seeing happiness come from something I made is the best

Photo by Samantha Severin

feeling ever. It’s nice to do something that you feel has brought happiness to somebody.”

For part of her time spent there, she worked on developing a brochure geared towards illiterate children. The brochure was written entirely in symbols so that a child could read it and understand it.

“The biggest challenge was realizing how to communicate with someone

who [I couldn’t speak with because of the language barrier]. I really had to think of ways to communicate to someone with symbols and visual images. We spoke different languages.”

The experience was eye-opening for Wood.

“I want to use art as a way of saying things that you can’t always say with words.”

This semester, Wood is working on a

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piece that is going to address the “scale of gender that ranges in all men and women from hyper-feminine to hypermasculine.”

Eventually, she plans to teach and use art as another way of explaining things.

“I feel that one of the most important things right now is to find a way to motivate education. Art allows people to experience information in a different way.”

January 2011

Page 19

A&E Calendar WEEKLY Bluegrass Jams PJ’s Steakhouse 3050 Highway 441 N. 7 to 9 p.m.

Every Tuesday (478) 453-0060 Trivia Night Mellow Mushroom 2588 N. Columbia St. 8 p.m.

Every Tuesday (478) 457-0144 Trivia Night Amici Italian Café 101 W. Hancock St. 10:30 p.m.

Every Monday Trivia Night Buffington’s 120 W. Hancock St. 8:30 p.m.

Every Wednesday Trivia Night Pickle Barrel Café 1892 N. Columbia St. (478) 452-1960 Every Thursday Jazz Night Amici Italian Café 101 W. Hancock St. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Every Tuesday Hookah Metropolis Café 138 N. Wayne St. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Every Thursday (478) 452-0247 Live Music Asian Bistro & Grill 124 W. Hancock St. 11 p.m.

Every Thursday Live Music Mellow Mushroom 2588 N. Columbia St. 8 p.m.

Every Thursday (478) 457-0144

Live Entertainment The Brick 136 W. Hancock St. Mark the Magic Man 6 p.m.

Every Friday (478) 452-0089

EVENTS

JANUARY January 5-February 3 Arts Georgia Artists with Disabilities traveling exhibition Marlor Arts Center Gallery hours 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday through Friday January 18, 21 Arts Succession re-enactment Old Capitol Building, Legislative Chamber Georgia’s Old Capital Museum 7 p.m. $5 admission, free to Georgia’s Old Capital Museum members (478) 453-1803 http://www.oldcapitalmuseum.org January 21 Arts Illusionist Jason Bishop Russell Auditorium, Georgia College Allied Arts and the Georgia College Arts Unlimited Committee 8 p.m. $12 adults, $10 students and senior citizens (478) 452-3950 January 25-27 Theater “Wonder of the World” By David Lindsay-Abaire Directed by Erin Williams Campus Black Box Theatre, Hancock Street 8 p.m. $13 general admission, $9 seniors/GC staff, non-GC students, $5 GC students (478) 445-8290

FEBRUARY February 4 Arts First Friday Downtown Milledgeville February 6 Lecture/Books Bruce Gentry, editor of the Flannery O'Connor Review, and Bill Reeves, with the University of Georgia Printing Department, will talk about O'Connor-related publications, including the Review.

3 to 5 p.m.

Andalusia Main House February 7 Film Community Movie “Eat, Pray, Love” (Rated PG-13) 6 p.m.

Mary Vinson Memorial Library February 12 Live Music Valentine's Day Rendezvous Max Noah Singers Jennifer Flory, director First Presbyterian Church - 7:30 p.m.

Donations Requested

February 23-27 Live Music “1940s Radio Hour” by Walton Jones Directed by Amy Pinney. Music directed by Wendy Mullen Russell Auditorium 8 p.m., 2 p.m. Feb. 27 $13 general admission, $9 seniors/GC staff, non-GC students, $5 students February 27 Lecture/Books Andalusia lecture series Clyde Tipton, musical composer and former Professor at Georgia College, will talk about the musical setting he wrote for the Mass in honor of O'Connor, which was performed at the 1994 symposium, "The Habit of Art." 3 to 5 p.m.

Andalusia Main House February 28 Film Community Movie “Shrek Forever After” (Rated PG) 6 p.m Mary Vinson Memorial Library ONGOING

February 13 Lecture/Books Andalusia lecture series Katie Simon, assistant professor of English at Georgia College, will illustrate how O'Connor's work is being explored and interpreted by students and fans through Internet media sites, such as YouTube.

3 to 5 p.m.

Andalusia Main House February 20 Lecture/Books Andalusia lecture series Lain Shakespeare, executive director at the Wren's Nest, will talk about the ongoing restoration efforts and exciting programming occurring at the Atlanta home of Joel Chandler Harris.

3 to 5 p.m.

Andalusia Main House February 22 Live Music Guest Artist Recital Diospyros Woodwind Quintet 7:30 p.m.

Max Noah Recital Hall

Through February 19 Art Exhibit Civil War-era clothing exhibit Old Governor’s Mansion 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday Through May 10 Art Exhibit 2010-2011 President’s Hall Student Exhibition GCSU Department of Art 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Parks Hall, 3rd floor (478) 445-4572 E-mail your events to: ndavis@unionrecorder.com Please include time, date, location, including address, cost and a contact phone number.

Want to write for ‘the Ville?

Email: ndavis@unionrecorder.com

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January 2011