Urban Pro Weekly

U W rban Pro NEWS • COMMENTARY

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The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER VOL.3 NO.21

ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 6 - 12, 2014

The Place At Martinez

Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Priority Care Ambulance

Melissa Oden The Place At Deans Bridge

Her Business Is Caring

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

2 UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 6 - 12, 2014

Frank Yerby’s kin will present writers’ awards at Literary Fest

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The Augusta Literary Festival celebrates Black History Month by honoring Augusta’s own, Frank Yerby, with the Yerby Award for Fiction. The award ceremony will be held on Friday, February 28th at the Main Library branch of the Augusta Public Library. Yerby’s nephew, Gerald Yerby will be presenting awards to the top three finalists. This is the grand climax of the authors’ reception from 6-8 PM. In addition, there will be food, drinks, live jazz by guitarist Robert Reid, and a special poem commemorating Frank Yerby by Augusta’s Poet Laureate Anthony Carter. These activities will be a great literary appetizer for the main course, the Augusta Literary Festival. The festival runs from 9-5PM on Saturday, March 1st, 2014.

www.fastforwardacademy.com/KTBS

The Place . . . is the place to be!

Your choice for comprehensive long or short term nursing care and rehabilitation services. Open for admissions 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

The Place At Deans Bridge

Nursing and Rehabilitation

The Place At Martinez 409 Pleasant Home Rd. Augusta, GA 30907 706-863-6030

3235 Deans Bridge Rd. Augusta, GA 30906 706-798-1430

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to provide excellent quality of care and services to our residents, families and community.

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UrbanProWeekly LLC Mailing Address: 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, Georgia 30906

Publisher Ben Hasan 706-394-9411 Managing Editor Frederick Benjamin Sr. 706-306-4647

Sales & Marketing Phone: 706-394-9411 Photography and Social Media Courtesy of Vincent Hobbs

email: Ben Hasan bzhasan54@yahoo.com Frederick Benjamin Sr. editor@urbanproweekly.com Vincent Hobbs coolveestudio@gmail.com

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ENTREPRENEUR MELISSA ODEN OWNS THE PLACE - NURSING FACILITY AND PRIORITY CARE AMBULANCE SERVICE. SHE SITS DOWN WITH URBAN PRO WEEKLY FOR A Q&A ABOUT HER BUSINESS VENTURES. Photos and interview by Vincent Hobbs

The Place

At DEANS BRIDGE / At MARTINEZ

and Priority Care Ambulance Service URBAN PRO WEEKLY: What is your business background and education?

MELISSA ODEN: I received my Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Middle Tennessee State University. I am also a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, as well as a Licensed Nursing Home Preceptor. I have been in the healthcare field for over twenty years, but I am an entrepreneur at heart. As a freshman in college, I managed a multi-physician practice and started my first business venture with my husband in janitorial services. From those humble beginnings, we have had many successful and challenging business ventures and we are thankful and grateful that the majority of those have been successful.

UPW: What sparked your interest in the nursing home business?

ODEN: Prior to my purchase of the four skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) here in Georgia, my last healthcare business venture

was the acquisition of a couple of hospitals in Tennessee. A few physicians and healthcare executives, along with myself, purchased our first hospital together. One of those executives was the President/ CEO of a publicly-traded company that owned and operated skilled nursing facilities across the country.

One day while my husband was shooting basketball in the local gym, that same gentleman approached him and said he would like to meet with me. After a weekend of back and forth negotiations, we were able to come to a win-win agreement. One of the stipulations of that agreement was that in three years I would either be promoted to Regional Vice President or I would purchase my own nursing homes.

Well, the rest is history. I actually ended up working there for five years, which allowed me additional time to learn the ins and outs of the skilled nursing business. Currently, I still own three of the four skilled nursing facilities that were initially purchased.

Melissa Oden consults with an employee at The Place At Martinez.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs UPW: Assisted-living facilities and nursing homes are a crucial component for families in need of elder care. Which factors distinguish nursing care at “The Place” from other competing facilities?

ODEN: The Place is not your ordinary nursing facility, when it comes to meeting individual’s needs for shortterm or long-term residential living.

The Place is a senior community with a homelike atmosphere, where we greet each resident, family member, or visitor with a warm smile. We have a group of extraordinary team members who provide marvelous care to our residents and families. We are dedicated to serving our residents with dignity and respect. The Place is committed

to our mission statement of providing excellent quality of care and service to our residents, families, and communities. Most importantly, by embodying our mission statement, both of The Place facilities have received zero deficiency surveys with the state of Georgia, which is an achievement that is rarely accomplished.

UPW: What is the size of your facilities and what is the ratio of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants to clients?

ODEN: The Place Nursing and Rehabilitation has two facilities – one at Deans Bridge Road and one in Continued on next page

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Priority Care Ambulance Service EMTs remove a stretcher from an ambulance. Priority Care provides emergent and non-emergent services to the city of Augusta and surrounding/extended counties of the area. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

ODEN from page 3 Martinez. Each location is a 100-bed licensed skilled nursing facility. We staff our facilities with both licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants to meet or even exceed the needs of our residents. Ratios of staff to clients will vary, depending on the occupancy level of residents and their acuity levels.

resident’s hobby and personal-interest needs.

Additionally, the activities help the residents to use oral, visual, and tactile skills while enjoying the company of others. Our residents enjoy playing bingo! We also provide monthly and special activities such as: Western Day, Sweetheart UPW: Are there recreational Pageants, Fall Festival, and talent activities for clients, and if shows. Residents also attend ball games, go fishing, and enjoy monthly live musical groups. There are wine and cheese socials, Wii games, movies and popcorn and many more activities. knowledge and theories of nursing, as well as the talents of our nursing staff to promote physical and emotional growth. Most importantly, we are a resident-family centered environment that encourages our families to be actively involved in the plan of care of their loved ones.

UPW: What are some of the other on-site services offered to clients?

ODEN: The Place offers a superb therapy department that specializes in physical, occupational and speech therapies. We also have an onsite barber and beauty salon, a podiatrist, ophthalmology services, and dental care.

Oden speaks with staff at The Place At Deans Bridge. Photo by Vincent Hobbs UPW: Do you incorporate a “holis- so, what are some of the more tic” approach to nursing healthcare popular activities? care or more of a clinical, hospital-type approach?

ODEN: The Place has a wonderful activity department, which ODEN: The Place utilizes an inter- develops and implements activities disciplinary team approach of care programs to meet the social, psyfor each resident and we also operate chosocial, and therapeutic needs of with the principal of holistic nursing the residents. Our activity departto heal and nurture our residents to ment is responsible for planning optimal health. By operating in the recreational, educational, cultural holistic nursing approach, we use the art and craft programs to meet the

UPW: Medicare and Medicaid are essential benefits for clients requiring nursing care. Are your facilities certified for these benefits?

ODEN: The Place Nursing and Rehabilitation facilities are certified to accept Medicare and Medicaid insurance benefits. In addition, we also accept most Medicare replacement policies, long-term care benefits and private payments.

UPW: Are you currently accepting new clients?

ODEN: Yes, we are currently accepting new residents.

UPW: Your family is the majority owner of Priority Care, an ambulance service, and Jimmy Oden manages the day-to-day operations. Please tell us about this EMS service and the coverage area.

ODEN: Priority Care Ambulance Service headquarters is based in Wrens and we have two additional sub-stations in Augusta. Priority Care provides emergent and non-emergent services to the city of Augusta and surrounding/ extended counties of the area.

Contrary to most beliefs, not all ambulance transports call for emergency lights and sirens. More than half of our patients require ambulance transportation on a non-emergency basis for medically necessary, pre-scheduled transfers between hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

In fact, we are called from a variety of entities, such as nursing homes, dialysis centers, hospitals, government agencies and private individuals at home to provide transportation. Our experienced team of certified paramedics, EMTs and other support staff set the standards for exceptional medical transportation, while focusing on patient care and safety. Priority Care has a fleet of trucks that are “Basic Life Support” and “Advanced Life Support” ready.

Priority Care can be reached at (706) 547-0840 or (706) 364-1358 - 24 hoursa-day/7 days a week.

THE PLACE AT DEANS BRIDGE 3225 Deans Bridge Road Augusta, GA 30906 706-798-1430 THE PLACE AT MARTINEZ 409 Pleasant Home Road Augusta, GA 30907 706-863-6030

The City

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Azelia Goldenberg Stokes, a parent with students at both Josey and Murphey, speaks to Richmond County Board of Education members during a public hearing on school closings and mergers. The event, held at T.W. Josey High School, attracted a capacity crowd of concerned parents and students who could be affected by the proposal. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Schools closings reflect national trend

by Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA Richmond County School Board officials have been getting an earful at the first round of public hearings addressing the ‘right-sizing’ (closing and/or merging) of several Augusta schools.

So far, the consensus seems to be, “Why pick on our school?”

The two hearings held this week at T.W. Josey High School and Craig Houghton Elementary School informed the public of proposals to merge Josey with Murphy Middle School and close Collins Elementary School. Next week, the hearings will discuss proposals to merge Butler High School with Sego Middle School and to merge Garret and National

Hills Elementary Schools.

Chief among those who expressed opposition were safety concerns and the impact that the closures will have on neighborhood cohesiveness and historical considerations.

The recommendations for the school modifications stem from studies done by education consultants.

Bill Montgomery of Montgomery Educational Consultants was on hand to explain the various scenarios.

Simply put, some schools have experienced drastic declines in enrollment. The recommendations, if implemented, could save the cashstrapped school system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to the school system “Rightsizing will allow enhanced academic programs to be offered at

the receiving schools and allow the System to more effectively operate schools.”

What’s happening in Richmond County is just a tiny part of a national trend. In the city of Chicago, parents and community activists have been fighting to stall the closing of over 50 schools. Some groups have even held rallies in the nation’s capital to call attention to the spate of closures.

On the national stage, civil rights activists argue that school closings are disproportionately hurting poor, minority communities.

Some community activists blame the Obama administration for letting it happen. The stated goal of the administration’s education agenda is to shut down failing schools and promote the expansion of publicly fund-

ed, privately run charter schools.

According to the Richmond County Schools System, “The only official action taken by the Board of Education to date was a vote to hold the public meetings in order to receive input from the public. After input is received, school officials will provide updated information to the Board of Education. Thereafter, Board members will determine what action to take.

If, the Board determines to adopt or modify any or all of the rightsizing recommendations, two additional public hearings will be held to present the proposed finalized plans.

At those two additional hearings, the Board of Education shall request formal, written comments or appropriate discussion during the public hearings.

Meet local authors, publishers at The Literary Café The Literary Café is an open venue for local authors to share their books with the public. On Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at The Family Life Center of Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1223 Laney – Walker Boulevard.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet over 15 authors.

The public is invited to come and enjoy coffee and beignets as they browse through books of a variety of

genres. Books will be available for purchase. There will also be a book publishing company on site.

Dr. Faye Hargrove, author of Better Choices, will be on site to deliver two demonstrations on how to let go of resentment, hurt, guilt, self-doubt, etc. (12:30 pm and 1:30 pm). This event is free to the public.

Some of the featured authors are: Stephanie Perry Moore – YA novels, Payton Skky series, Alec London

series and others.

Michele Clark Jenkins – Sisters In Faith Products; Bible & She Speaks Kandyce Mack – The Tooth Tickler Faye Hargrove – Better Choices Mary Roberts – Bent But Not Broken Down and Definitely Not Over Tacadra B. Rountree – Writings From Down Through The Years

Clara Littles Lytch – The Ins and Outs of Bariatric Surgery Get Success Publishing, Inc. This event is being hosted by the Augusta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For further information contact: Kim Gaines (706) 231-4722 or Sonya Weaver (706) 627-2297

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Black History Month Calendar GRU LYCEUM Series: URBAN BUSH WOMEN Friday, Feb. 15 Maria bauman, Rhea Patterson, Nia Eubanks in “Girlfriends,” photo by Nel Shelby

SATURDAY, FEB. 20 @ 2:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 @6 pm Author Milton Washington will Alternative Education Center and P.T.A. Salutes Black History speak about his memoir “Slickyboy: Month, 970 Baker St, Augusta. Enjoy The Black Dust of South Korea” in the JSAC Ballroom, starting at 2:30 food, fun and prizes p.m.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 @ NOON SATURDAY, FEB. 22 @ 11 a.m.

Screening of Hodges Usry’s The library will feature a Black “The Steering Committee” at GRU History Month program on Lucy Children’s Hospital of Georgia, conLaney.

Speaker Dr. Kent Anderson ference room BT-1809. The documentary will begin at noon, followed by a Leslie will talk about her almost completed biography on Miss Laney and question and answer session. will note “little known facts about Miss Laney’s life and legacy.”

Downtown public library at 823 Telfair St., room B, 1st floor.

MONDAY, FEB. 24 from 4-5 p.m.

The GRU Department of English and Foreign Languages and FLAIR will host a panel titled “Images and Memories of Africa” at GRU Summerville campus in Allgood Hall, room E-251. It will be presented in English by Dr. Liana Babayan, GRU Assistant Professor of French, and Dr. Eronini Egbujor, Paine College Associate Professor of French/GRU Adjunct Instructor of French. For more information, contact Jana Sandarg at jsandarg@gru.edu.

TUESDAY, FEB. 25 @ 6 p.m.

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar “The Mis-Education of Greek Life: Why We Step” will be held at the JSAC Ballroom from 6-7 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 @ NOON

Urban Bush Women, special lecSATURDAY, FEB. 27 @ 2:30 p.m. ture at University Hall, room 170, GRU Reese Library will present a beginning at noon. Speaker will be Black History Month program featurJawole Willa Jo Zollar, founding ing Lucy Craft Laney. Speaker will artistic director, about 30 years of be Dr. Kent Anderson Leslie. It will Urban Bush Women. be held at UH157 room in University Hall.

FRIDAY, FEB. 15 @ 7:30 - 9 pm

Lyceum Series: Urban Bush Women SATURDAY, MARCH 8 at the Maxwell Theatre, Summerville Paine College Cemetery Tours at Campus Cedar Grove, 120 Watkins St. Walk through the historic cemetery and SATURDAY, FEB.16 from 3 - 6 p.m. see and hear costumed speakers talk The GRU Black Student Union about the many famous heroes, sherGospel Extravaganza, Maxwell oes and other remarkable inhabitants.

Performing Arts Theatre.

Hours TBA.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 SATURDAY, MARCH 22 from 3 - 6 Buffalo Soldiers Day at Summerville p.m.- Mar. 22 Sat. – Laney Museum campus. See and hear re-enactors Black History Quiz Bowl. Hours TBA and find out information on those brave historic soldiers. More details THROUGHOUT THE MONTH TBA. GRU Reese Library at 2500 Walton

Way will host a 1960s yearbook disWEDNESDAY, FEB. 19 @ 5 p.m. play featuring historic photos and artiLaney Museum Historian Awards cles of Black students on Summerville Program, 5 p.m., at the museum at campus. The exhibit will run through 1116 Phillips St. February.

Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle Film Screenings

FILM: FREEDOM RIDERS Date: February 20, 2014 Time: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

From May until November in 1961, 400 plus black and white Americans risked their lives and withstood beatings riding interstate transportation together through the Deep South. This was their non-violent activism for desegregation. Why they inspired so much hope and fear. What happened to them?

Location: Georgia Regents University, Summerville Campus, University Hall Facilitator: Clint Bryant, Athletic Director, Georgia Regents University Humanities Scholar: Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell, Georgia Regents University Historian and Director of the Center for Georgia Studies This is the first of four documentaries with riveting new footage illustrating the history of civil rights in America hosted by the Augusta Museum of History. The screenings are free and will be accompanied by discussion forums.

Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities that uses the power of documentary films to encourage community discussion of America’s civil rights history. NEH has partnered with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to develop programmatic and support materials for the sites.

The Augusta Museum of History is one of 473 institutions across the country awarded a set of four films chronicling the history of the civil rights movement. The powerful documentaries, The Abolitionists, Slavery by Another Name, Freedom Riders, and The Loving Story, include dramatic scenes of incidents in the 150-year effort to achieve equal rights for all. Freedom Riders received an Emmy in 2012, and The Loving Story and The Abolitionists have been nominated for Emmys in 2013.

African-American Doll Exhibition Honoring Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark were Child Psychologists who were instrumental in the fight for racial equality. Through a series of landmark “Doll Tests,” in the 1940s, the married couple provided scientific evidence of the negative impact of racial segregation in the minds of young black children.

The beautiful collection of dolls is a visual reminder that authenticates the beauty of African American children in our society.

As Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark

demonstrated, toys reflect how children see themselves and others in the context of good and bad. We hope that thousands of children will view the exhibition and realize that black children are beautiful, kind, brilliant, friendly, and talented.

Third Floor of the AugustaRichmond County Library, Telfair St., Augusta, GA Library hours: Mon. - Thurs.

9am-9pm, Fri. - Sat. 9am-5:30pm, and Sun. 2pm-5:30pm

U W

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HOOPS

Richmond County Varsity Basketball • 2013 -2014 Season Jan. 24 (Fri.)

ARC @ Cross Creek Hephzibah @ Butler Glenn Hills @ Burke Co. Westside @ Harlem Screven Co @ Laney

Jan. 25 (Sat.)

Jan. 28 (Tue.)

Feb. 4 (Tue.)

Jan. 31 (Fri.)

Feb. 7 (Fri.)

Cross Creek @ Butler ARC @ Glenn Hills Burke Co. @ Hephzibah

Josey @ Laney Greenbrier @ Westside Glenn Hills @ Athens Christian Academy

Westside @ Laney Cross Creek @ Glenn Hills Butler @ Burke Co. Hephzibah@ ARC

Feb. 1 (Sat.)

Hephzibah @Westside Dublin @ Josey

Hephzibah @ Cross Creek Burke Co. @ ARC Butler @ Glenn Hills

Glenn Hills @ Butler Westside @ Thomson Josey @ Aquinas

Feb. 8 (Sat.)

Dublin @ Laney East Laurens @ Josey

www.augustatech.edu

VOTE

Harold V. Jones II State Senate District 22 Working Together to Move Augusta Forward

Hardie

DAVIS for Mayor

NE Augusta

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HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Josey girl’s basketball coach Jawan Bailey instructs the team during a timeout. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Josey falls after early lead The Lady Eagles of Josey High School, despite an early lead, fell to the Lady Fighting Irish of Dublin H.S. by a final score of 57-60 in a conference game at Josey.

T.W. Josey High School cheerleaders pep up the crowd during a girl’s basketball game against Dublin High School at the Josey gym.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Josey’s Debbie Simmons attempts to score a basket in a conference game against Dublin High School at the Josey gym. Simmons scored 24 points, 2 assists and 6 rebounds during the game. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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State Senate District 22

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[Although some local tree services must believe it does according to their estimates!]

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IRS or State Tax Problems?

Don’t be taken by some of the companies you see on TV. Many will take upfront fees before they even know the extent of your tax problems. And, more often than not, they will do very little to resolve your case.

Make the smart choice with Tax Wize Financial for all of your income tax needs.

(706) 305-1412 “Admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service”

At Tax Wize Financial, as a part of our initial free consultation, we will conduct an in depth analysis of your account with the IRS or State agency to determine the extent of your tax problems. After we have determined what courses of action should be taken to resolve your problems we will outline the services for you and provide you with an estimated cost for those services.

OuR SeRVIceS IncluDe: • Preparation and filing of federal current and past years tax returns, including all necessary states.

• negotiating the release of wage garnishments, levies, liens and other intrusive IRS actions.

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First Friday Events • Friday, February 7 Sponsored by the Greater Augusta Arts Council 5 PM TO 9 PM • PYRAMID MUSIC’S VINYL PARTY including sales on vinyl LP’s, 45s and 12s.

There will be a live jukebox hosted by DJ Bizzo. Doors open at 5PM and this event is free to the public. 5PM-9PM. 822 Broad Street.

• BIG DAY CAKES BAKERY IS HOSTING A CAKE TASTING with delicious sandwiches, cookies, cupcakes and more. Stop in to say hello to the owner. 5-6PM. 120 9th Street.

• Artists’ Local 1155 is hosting Georgia Regents University student APRIL HENRY’S NEWEST ART EXHIBIT, “THE CAT’S MEOW.” This exhibit is based on Henry’s experiences while living with her sister and a stray cat that they adopted. The exhibit viewing is free to view and open to the public. 7PM-Midnight.

1155 Broad St. • SKY CITY HOSTS THE FIRST FRIDAY ‘80’S NIGHT with a new art show hanging in the front of the bar. This event’s admission is free and open to those 21 years old and older.

8PM. 1157 Broad St. • GALLERY ON THE ROW WILL HOST, “VIOLINS, VALENTINES AND VAN GOGH” this month, featuring a new piece from each of the gallery partners inspired by the work of Vincent Van Gogh. There will also be a string quartet of current and former students of Georgia Regents University who will perform at the gallery. 5-9PM. 1016 Broad St. • ODDFELLOWS GALLERY IS HOSTING A SHOW OF ROBIN SCHWEITZER’S eclectic work, including handmade dream catchers, as Schweitzer bids Augusta farewell. 5-9PM. 1036 Broad Street.

• SCHRODINGER’S CAT WILL PRESENT

“XTREME THEATRE GAMES” at Le Chat Noir. Tickets are $10. 304 8th Street.

These events are presented by loyal arts community members who venture out of their way to make First Friday the eclectic event that it is each month, and for that we say “thank you.”

Join the Arts Council staff for dinner at February’s featured restaurant, Soy Noodle House, for dinner during First Friday!

Set up for First Friday vendors will begin at 5PM and all vendors are required to be set up by 6:30PM in order to receive their vendor pass and be included in

the First Friday. This became new policy in August 2013.

First Friday is a family friendly event that is free and open to the public. For information on this event, as well as other events, visit www.augustaarts.com or contact Jamie Lowe by phone at 706-8264702, extension 3.

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In recognition of Women’s History Month, Cher’s Sister’s Only Club (Sisters Only Club) will host the 8th annual Shero Awards luncheon, Saturday March 29th, 2pm-4pm, at the Legends Club.

This annual luncheon seeks to honor the outstanding accomplishments and selfless acts of women from throughout the CSRA. “A Shero is a woman who recognizes a need and uses her time, talents and resources to do something about it,” said the club’s president, WKSP 96.3 Kiss FM radio talent Cher Best. “I am beyond excited that our guest speaker is Reverend Charles Goodman of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is an amazing speaker and he really gets the impact of women in our world and community,” Best said.

The event theme is based on a popular song by R&B singer Alicia Keys, “A Woman’s Worth.” The MC’s for the event will be Barclay Bishop and Jay Jefferies of NBC 26 Today. The 2014 Shero Awards is sponsored in part by Nicholson Revell LLP Attorneys At Law, O’Neal Murphy Allstate Insurance Agency and 96.3 Kiss FM. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2014 Shero Awards and are available online at www.963kissfm.com or www.sistersonlyclub.com or www. power107.net or at the Clear Channel offices (2743 Perimeter Parkway, Bl 100, suite 300, Augusta Ga. 30909.

Women from across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) will be honored in the following categories: Arts, Business, Community Service, Faith & Spirituality, Health & Social Services, Law & Government, NBC Woman to Watch Award, President’s Awards, The Quincy Murphy Woman of Vision Award and the Woman of the Year.

Wet Paint Party Feb 8 The Greater Augusta Arts Council’s WET PAINT PARTY AND SALE, Augusta’s most colorful art party will be on February 8, from 7 - 10 pm.

Sixty local artists will sell their original art in a Venetian Carnevale-style market staged in the Julian Smith Casino (2200 Broad Street). With this event, the Arts Council seeks not only to help promote artists, but to actually put money in their pockets. Last year, over $8000 went straight back to the artists through the silent art auction. The unique feature of this auction is that each artist will receive his/her entire asking price for the sale of their work, with any additional money garnered going to the Arts Council as a donation. Some artists who will be present are: Carrie Brooks, Panny Force, Juliet King, Rich Menger, Lillie Morris, Laura Neff, Syd Padgett, Robin Raymond, Peter Stitt, Rhian Swain, Baruti Tucker and Joe White.

Additionally, two collaborative pieces will be painted live on site at the event by six artists! In addition to all this visual art, there will be an over the top, runway-style vintage fashion and hair show by Vintage Ooollee and Modish Salon & Spa. There is no cover charge for the WET PAINT PARTY AND SALE. The event is free for members of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, and non-members may join at the door. Affordable memberships are available starting at only $30.

For information on joining, visit www. augustaarts.com or contact Sallie West by phone at 706.826.4702, extension 2.

13 UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 6 - 12, 2014

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INVITATION TO BID Sealed proposals from contractors will be received for the Renovations and Additions to Warren Road Elementary School Project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m. local time, on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 3:45 p.m. local time in the cafeteria at Warren Road Elementary School, 311 Warren Road, Augusta, Georgia 30907.

Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 1781 15th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

Bidding documents may be obtained at the office of the architect: Cheatham, Fletcher Scott Architects, 420½ Eighth Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, (706) 724-2664.

Applications for documents together with a refundable deposit of $250.00 (payable to the architect) per set should be filed promptly with the architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within ten (10) days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within ten (10) days after date of opening bid.

Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty-five (35) days after time has been called on the date of opening.

Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

The Richmond County Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

BID LIST: The Richmond County Board of Education maintains a bid list for many categories that are let for bid each year. Contact Amy Bauman in the Business Office (706) 826-1298 or at baumaam@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us if you need additional information concerning the bid list.

To promote local participation, a database of sub-contractors, suppliers, and vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database Bids shall be submitted and addressed to:

Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Superintendent Richmond County School System 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 Attention: Mr. C. Gene Spires, Controller

Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

2323 Barton Chapel Road • Augusta,GA 30906 706.790.8185 / 706.922.8186 (fax) Visit Us @ www.broadwaybaptistaug.org • Join us on facebook Dr. C. William Joyner, Jr. Senior Pastor

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Russell bolts from mayor’s race

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. Apparently, the old saying that political candidates should always ‘run scared’ applies to potential candidates as well. The recent retreat from electoral candidates by former Augusta city administrator Fred Russell suggests that something so ‘spooked’ the normally unflappable Russell to such an extent that he would do a ‘180’ and short-circuit his mayoral run.

Prior to Mr. Russell’s ‘leaking’ that he was running for office, the upcoming mayor’s race was pretty much a beauty contest between well-known politicians and would-be politicians.

State senator Hardie Davis, Augusta commissioner Alvin Mason and Helen Blocker-Adams were the most high-profile candidates.

Charles Cummings, an Augusta businessman was also in the mix, but he is untested politically. Commissioner Joe Jackson and former commissioner Andy Cheek were the lone white candidates in the mayoral discussion.

No one in that field had emerged as a clear front-runner.

To date, the possibility of a Russell candidacy was the most interesting

development besides the actual date of the election itself (this year it is May 20).

Many many whites may have felt that Russell was a credible “white hope,” others cringed at the notion that he would become CEO of the Garden City. As word got out that Russell had made successful overtures (successful in the sense that he was not rejected out of hand) in the black community, many whites began to see Russell as a viable candidate.

Commissioner Jackson deferred to a Russell candidacy and even endorsed the former administrator despite having voted to fire him a few weeks prior.

Given the surreptitious nature of the Russell campaign ‘roll-out,’ his surprise announcement on the Fattz and Cher Morning Show that he had decided not to run ‘for the good of Augusta,’ raised some serious eyebrows in some and outright shock in other quarters of the black community.

As well, it is hard to imagine that there was not a collective sigh of relief among the declared candidates.

Many political observers gave Russell a better than 50-50 chance to make

Embattled former city administrator Fred Russell is facing allegations that he may have unlawfully destroyed government computer records. the runoff election in the crowded mayoral field. With Russell gone, the remaining candidates’ chances of making a runoff election are greatly enhanced.

Speculation that Russell’s reversal of fortune is linked to his role in the disappearance of data on his office computer has reached fever pitch.

According to a WRDW-TV reporter

who confronted Russell about the missing computer files, he (Russell) admitted that he deleted the files because “he wanted to.”

That has sparked calls for Russell to produce the files or face unpleasant consequences. Local municipalities are required by state law to keep copies of sensitive government files for an extended period of time.

Honor those who fought and died for the right to vote

By Romell Cooks I recently attended the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Award Breakfast. The event was great. The speakers were inspirational. Of all the things that were said about Martin’s hope for the future and Martin’s dream — what struck me as critical to the Augusta community was the keynote speakers impassioned plea for African Americans to remember the price our brothers and sisters paid for us to have the right vote. The way we remember the price that was paid is to never forget the images of those attacked and bitten by dogs; the ones jailed and brutally beaten and those who paid with their lives.

The way to remember is to vote, vote, vote. This year it is imperative that we remember to vote and when to vote, especially in the local elections. Augusta primary elections were customarily held in July and General

Elections in November.

On January 21, 2014, the governor signed into law HB310, changing the dates of the state general primary and the date to elect Augusta’s mayor, commissioners, and state court judges to May 20. The voters must be informed and then reminded of this date change. Information on the change has to be part of every candidate’s message when they address the voters.

An MSNBC headline addressing the

voting date changes said: “Georgia dusts off Jim Crow tactic: Changing election date.” An NAACP spokesperson said: It’s a maneuver to suppress our voting participation. If you register to vote and turnout to vote, the date of the election will not have the negative impact that some may have intended.

Who is elected to the House of Representatives in Indiana or who is elected mayor of Las Vegas has little or no relevance to the Augusta communi-

ty. We have to focus on the local elections. Those are the ones that affect your life on a daily basis.

Augusta is a city with a majority of Black voters. Make that majority work for you. Put in place the political power that understands local needs and represents your interests. Nullify the impact of the date change, vote on May 20.

Following is a table that gives you key election dates:

2014 Key Election Events Election

Voter Registration Deadline

Election Date

Augusta Local Election

April 21, 2014

May 20, 2014

Federal Primary Election

April 21 2014

May 20, 2014

Federal Primary Runoff Date

April 21, 2014

July 22, 2014

General Election

October 6, 2014

November 4, 2014

Source: Georgia Secretary of State

Candidates for 2014 Elections • Update Augusta Mayor

State Senate District 22

Helen Blocker Adams Elmyria Chivers Charles Cummings Corey Johnson Hardie Davis Harold Jones Alvin Mason Fred Russell *

Augusta Commission District 2

Augusta Commission District 4

Augusta Commission District 6

Dennis Williams

Rev. Melvin Ivey Sammie Sias Willie C. Peoples

Ben Hasan

* Candidates likely to run but have not yet officially announced

Richmond County School Board Dist. 2 Monique Braswell Rev. Dr. Franklyn V. Beckles Jr.

17

BY KRISTIE ROBIN JOHNSON

The angry black man/woman myth Over the next four weeks, I want to present, tackle, overturn, and challenge some of the prevailing stereotypes, misconceptions, and simply wrong-headed notions that American society has created about the Black American Experience. Some of these ideas will be provocative, even controversial. That’s the intention. What better time than Black History Month to expose twisted narratives and spark fresh, progressive conversations about who we are and where we are headed as a people? Happy reading!

Y

ou have to have been living under a rock if you do not know who Richard Sherman is and why he has become a household name in the past two weeks.

After delivering the game winning play that propelled the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl, an understandably exuberant Sherman loudly proclaimed his athletic superiority to his opponent in a postgame interview. He did not use any expletives. He did not physically harm anyone or anything. He was just a man basking in his glory and rightfully so.

This moment went viral and became the most talked about event in the following news cycle.

Sherman was called everything from a gorilla to a thug. He was even subjected to the criticism of some

Super Bowl Champ Richard Sherman should never have to apologize for being great, knowing it, and saying so.

African-Americans who believed he “Kristie, you scare white people” had overreacted. because of my outspoken nature and As expected, hundreds of peo- willingness to say what everyone is ple came to his defense (includ- thinking. I reflected on her critique ing Sherman himself ) touting his and tried to soften my approach two-parent upbringing and his until I had a revelation. It occurred Stanford degree. As outrageous as to me that my being honest and some of the comments in response assertive is nothing to fear. If a perto his so-called rant were, they are son feels insecure or fearful, that is not what disappointed me the most. their personal problem.

What disappointed me the most Furthermore, I should not have to was the idea that a black man in explain that I am college educated America still needs defending when and that I live in a nice neighborhe speaks his truth. hood to legitimize my truth. In A close friend once told me essence, that is no different than

having to present “freedom papers” to prove your liberty in the antebellum south. If we are no longer slaves, why do we feel so compelled to bow down to the fears of the mainstream? What difference does Sherman’s background make if, in the end, he is simply stating his truth? If Sherman had been from a broken home and was an ex-gang member and drug dealer and somehow found himself in same exact position that he did two Sundays ago, he’d still be one of the best corners in the game today. Nothing about what he said would be less true.

We perpetuate the fears of others when we swiftly begin to list accolades as a response to criticism. As long as we feel the need to justify our truths to appease outsiders, we will never be equal. What’s worse, is that when we use these defenses, it creates a distance between those “acceptable” African-American overachievers and the rest of the race, written off as thugs, baby mamas and the like.

By the time this goes to print, Richard Sherman will either be a Super Bowl champion or last week’s news. Either way, he nor any other black American from any walk of life should ever have to apologize for being great, knowing it, and saying so.

Building a model community through trust

Ben ELECT

Hasan

Commission District 6 Always moving our community into the future

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 6 - 12, 2014

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

UrbanProWeekly • FEBRUARY 6 - 12, 2014

18

IN PASSING Third World lead singer Bunny Rugs dies at 65 The lead singer of the iconic reggae band, Third World, William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke is dead.

Clarke, who would have turned 66 this Thursday, February 6, passed away last night in a hospital in Orlando, Florida.

He had been diagnosed with cancer and had been battling the disease in intensive care. It is reported that because of health problems, he missed some of the shows in Bunny Rugs, lead singer for the iconic Third World regThird World’s 40th anniversary tour in 2013. gae band, died on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. He was 65.

Clarke, who has helped to shape try, with several tributes on the history of reggae, has spent Ricky. the past 31 years with Third World. His death, which comes at Facebook last night. the start of Reggae month has Junior Taylor, a former tour His musical career began at age 15.

For years he was a member of the renowned sent shock waves through- manager of the group, said Inner Circle band and the duo, Bunny and out the entertainment indus- Bunny Rugs’ death was the

Pop/jazz drummer Ricky Lawson dies at age 59

Yellowjackets co-founder also worked with Wonder, Jackson, Clapton and others

By Jeff Tamarkin Drummer Ricky Lawson, best known for his work with such pop and R&B stars as Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Whitney Houston, died Dec. 23 at a Long Beach, Calif., hospital following a brain aneurysm. He was 59.

Lawson’s jazz credentials were also formidable. He backed George Benson, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, George Duke and the Yellowjackets, a band he co-founded.

He won a Grammy in 1986 in the R&B instrumental category with that group for the song “And You Know That,” which he co-wrote. Lawson appeared on four albums with the Yellowjackets.

Born in Detroit in 1954, Lawson began playing drums at age 16 and played in his high school’s jazz band. Upon turning professional, he quickly became an in-demand studio session player. One of the first major artists to hire Lawson was Stevie Wonder and he eventually played behind such top artists as Jackson, Houston (on her smash hit “I Will Always Love You”), Collins, Clapton, Bette Midler, Lionel Richie, Steely Dan and many others.

He also recorded four albums as a leader.

end of a voice that was very distinctive. “A voice that throughout the 1970s and 80s, made an impact globally for reggae music.

“It’s not the most pleasant way to start reggae month,” he noted adding that Rugs was a very jovial and caring person and the consummate professional.

The outpouring of love was evident on the page of the Third World giant with comments from his fans.

FACEBOOK TRIBUTES: “So sad to hear the news... been a fan since only a baby. Tears flowing freely for you Bunny, my love and thoughts are with you and your family as you now fly so free.

Thank you for the gift of your beautiful music.” - Emprezz Kaygirl “You have always been in my heart and soul, may your memory live forever, thank you for blessing us all with your wisdom.

Rest IN Peace, brother,” - Terri Larsen “I’m very saddened by this news... thank you for how you touched my life through music. Sympathy and prayers to family and friends.” - Noreen Schwanke

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