There’s a pile of rubble near the intersection of Gordon Highway and Walton Way that can’t help but get your attention. It’s an eyesore that I’ve spoken about previously, and very few people seem to care because of the side of town where it rests.
I drove past it with my usual disdain the other day when something just beyond the rock pile grabbed my attention – a sliver of the slide from May Park, bright red and tubular.
It gave me an idea – maybe the city should turn that rock pile into a
space for children to play.
Augusta has invested enough in the school-to-prison pipeline, with its overzealous investment into policing and the concessions and cuts that the city (and state) continue to make in education. It’s way past time for the city to redirect some funding into a project that will inspire hope and excitement into the future of this city.
I remember when the National Science Center teased CSRA kids such as myself with the arrival of Fort Discovery in the late 1990s. I can’t tell you how many times I
walked past the giant sphere in front of the building on the Riverwalk side – the one that moved through a modest pool of water. Fort Discovery was just that, though – a tease, and in a span of just over a decade, the kid-friendly hub was gone.
I’m not asking for the city to revive an ambitious project of Fort Discovery’s magnitude. I’m asking for the city to give this side of town a recreational revitalization that hasn’t been seen in decades. While both May Park and Dyess Park are in talks for various renovations, there’s a unique opportunity for the city to
turn an area known for its nightmarish fortress to become a house of dreams for Augusta’s youth. If you’re a city official reading this, send me an email. I would love to talk to you about what we can do to uplift our community.
Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail. com.
The Salvation Army of Augusta is thrilled to announce a significant achievement in its ongoing mission to combat homelessness in our community. In partnership with other local agencies, The Salvation Army of Augusta has assisted a total of 123 individuals in finding stable housing or reuniting them with their families, including 20 families and 39 children.
What makes this milestone even more remarkable is the fact that, in this fiscal year alone, The Salvation Army of Augusta has helped more individuals transition from homelessness to housing than in the past two years combined. The Salvation Army of Augusta has been building an effective network of partner agencies and discovering solutions to address the complex challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.
“With the increased cost of housing and utilities, taking an individual from homeless to stable housing is an expensive process that requires the non-profit community to work
together to find solutions”, said Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander of The Salvation Army of Augusta. “Without our donors supporting the Red Kettle campaign and donating throughout the year, we could not have achieved this amazing number.”
Mayor Raymer praised the staff at The Salvation Army Center of Hope, saying they, “work every day to build a plan for each person they see to get them into permanent housing. Every case is different, and I couldn’t be prouder of our case workers for achieving this milestone, but unfortunately, the need continues to grow and there is more work ahead of us.”
Securing housing is just one crucial piece of the puzzle in our fight to eradicate homelessness. Homeless prevention programs, providing clothing, meals and shelter are all part of the mission of The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army of Augusta relies on the generosity and support of the Augusta community to provide these emergency services.
Monetary and physical donations, as well as volunteer engagement, are essential for the organization to continue its mission and the progress made thus far.
To donate, volunteer, or learn
The Salvation Army of Augusta is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Kendrick Paint and Body to further expand its ongoing School Supplies Drive throughout July. This collaborative effort aims to collect essential school supplies to empower families served at the Center of Hope prepare their children for the upcoming school year.
With the support of Kendrick Paint and Body, the School Supplies Drive will now offer an addition -
al drop-off location, conveniently located at 1333 Broad Street. In addition to dropping off donations at the Center of Hope, the Kroc Center, or any of The Salvation Army’s Family Stores throughout the CSRA, community members can now also contribute to this cause at Kendrick Paint and Body’s facility.
The School Supplies Drive will run throughout July, culminating in a special distribution event at the Center
of Hope, where families will receive the donated supplies at our monthly Community to Connection event. The Salvation Army of Augusta and Kendrick Paint and Body invite individuals, businesses, and organizations across the CSRA to participate in this cause and help equip local students for a successful academic year.
For more information, please contact Janelys Villalta at janelys.villalta@ uss.salvationarmy.org or (706)-421-3047.
more about our mission, visit SalvationArmyAugusta.org or contact Janelys Villalta, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at 706421-3047 or janelys.villalta@uss.salvationarmy.org.
Those outside the law profession may not have heard of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. But NACUA, and its over 5,000 members covering 1,600 institutions, plays an important role nationwide in advising universities. It’s an organization that provides practice and scholarly resources that cover most aspects of higher education.
Recently, Anthony Hightower, the senior associate general counsel for Augusta University, was elected to the NACUA board of directors. Hightower will serve a three-year term on the board and was elected by his peers nationwide.
“We have a very strong board membership. We’ve done a few dynamic things on long-term impact.”
“Any time anybody recommends you for something of that nature, it does make you feel good,” said Hightower.
He’s been a part of NACUA for quite some time, having served on a number of committees and continuing to grow, learn and appreciate what the organization does.
“We have a very strong board membership. We’ve done a few dynamic things on long-term
impact,” added Hightower.
He said NACUA is active by recommending policies that various institutions undertake.
NACUA also pays close attention to all the rulings in the court system that could impact institutions. Since they are made up of lawyers, it’s an always changing landscape, and being up to speed on everything that goes on nationwide is of the utmost importance.
“I think Title IX is still a matter to which we pay close attention. There
JUNE 29, 2023
Augusta, Georgia’s Engineering and Environmental Services has launched a website to help residents track the infrastructure projects happening in Downtown Augusta. The website is Augusta Downtown Projects, also known as Augusta DTP, and can be found at augustadtp.com. Residents can also sign up for notifications to receive project updates.
The Augusta Commission has accepted a $53,550 BOOST grant from the Georgia Department of Education to support the Richmond County Juvenile Court’s Thrive rogram. The funding will allow the program to strategically focus on reducing learning loss and building opportunities out of school time for youth who reside in economically disadvantaged communities with higher concentrations of black and brown students.
Community Foundation for the CSRA’s President and CEO Shell Knox Berry has been reappointed to serve on the Augusta Economic Development Authority.
have been significant changes in policy and implementation. Also, there’s been a decline in enrollment in higher education. While this may seem to be more of a fiscal matter, the issue could have a trickle effect on various legal matters, as well. Fortunately, Augusta University has bucked the national trend and seen an increase in student enrollment,” Hightower said.
“Student well-being is a major issue that has legal implications. I serve on AU’s CARE Team and know firsthand the importance of mitigating risks by providing resources and support to prevent students from harming themselves and others,” Hightower said.
Hightower earned his undergraduate degree from Clark Atlanta University, a law degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from Harvard University Kennedy School. He’s been at Augusta University for 17 years. He started with the Medical College of Georgia and experienced the merger of Augusta State University and MCG. He’s seen a lot of changes happen over the years at AU.
He grew up in College Park, Georgia, and, after law school, worked in private practice and served on his local city council. He also did adjunct teaching at Clark Atlanta University and was elected and served in the Georgia House of Representatives. He later worked in the U.S. Department
of Education Office for Civil Rights.
“I worked in that role as an attorney, a senior attorney and supervisory attorney in Dallas and Washington, D.C. So the education piece has been sort of a fabric of what I’ve done in one way or another,” said Hightower.
He landed a job in the University of Wisconsin system, where he headed up the offices of equity, access and diversity, which again led to dealing with a number of issues, ranging from employee and student concerns to equity issues and more.
But Hightower wanted to get back closer to home, and the timing couldn’t have been better.
“I started looking for opportunities, and my background in public education, federal government and other experiences made me a great fit for the role at MCG.”
Working at Augusta University, Hightower said employees need to be fairly versatile to deal with a lot of different things. From contracts to issues related to employment, student affairs, student privacy and research, it involves a wide path of subject matters, which he enjoys.
“I think it’s great because working on such varied issues gives me an appreciation of what’s going on throughout the institution. I don’t think there is a component that I haven’t really dealt with in my career here.”
MOMS DEMAND
Thursday, July 20
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cumberland AME Church Fellowship Hall
111 Kershaw St SE, Aiken, SC 29802
Entrance to Hall on the corner of Union & Richland Ave
www.aikencountydemocrats.org
As a resident of Aiken, South Carolina, over 42 years, Ms. Wesby’s passion for helping children and families is a daily mission as she is often called upon to provide godly guidance and advice. Ms. Wesby has actively served others through several capacities to include her 501-(c)3 nonprofit Education Matters Nonprofit Corporation, where she operated an after school reading center for several years, and produced and hosted radio and television broadcasts entitled “Education Matters” to include local ASTV and CBS affiliate WRDW News Channel 12.
As founder and owner of The Greatest Gift, an all-occasion gift business, Wesby and her staff were honored as the 2006 Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, becoming the first African American business to receive this recognition. The Greatest Gift operated for over 10 years, where she hired and mentored nearly 20 young adults.
Ms. Wesby also served on numerous boards and advisory councils within the local community and state, to include the Aiken County Board of Education, the John de la Howe School, Aiken Regional Medical Centers, the USC Aiken Inclusion Advisory Council, the USC Aiken Partnership Board, and the Aiken County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, which she currently chairs.
Ms. Wesby and her husband, Donald, of nearly 25 years, were given a vision from God to start a huge unification effort for Blacks entitled Umoja Village, which has been actively mobilizing since June 2020 after the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and others. The Umoja Village Resource Center opened in December 2021 while the organization implemented major initiatives to improve lives for the underrepresented, underserved, and marginalized people within Aiken County.
Ms. Wesby was employed by Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC) for 15 years where she served in several public relations and communications assignments. While there, she served as coordinator of the Mini Grants Program, and the internship and School-to-Work programs. She also worked as executive assistant to two WSRC presidents from 1999-2003, becoming the first African American in the site’s 50-year history to work in the president’s office in a professional capacity. From 2008-2022, she served as a subcontractor at SRS where she has managed the SRS Employee Association Store.
Ms. Wesby graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism, 1992. Her husband, Donald Wesby is the creator of Don’s Seasoning Delight, all-purpose seasoning/marinade sold in major grocery stores and via Internet.
UPW: You have accomplished so much in your life. Say a word about your parents and the support community that you experienced as a child and reflect on the importance of those factors for today’s families.
DONNA WESBY: Thank you for the kind words. However, I give all glory to God for saving my soul and for allowing me to be born into a family who introduced me to God before I even knew myself. Just about every day, I thank God for my mother, Betty Rucker, and my extended family who have loved, supported, and encouraged me throughout my life. Much of the characteristics I possess are carbon copies of my mother who is a class act to this day. For a period of time, my mother was a single parent. She raised my sister, Tfifany, and I to respect her and ourselves. Our grandparents, Booker T. and Rebecca Cathcart, kept us in church where the entire family sang Gospel music. My mom, aunts, and uncles always encouraged me to do well in school and to always be considerate of others, which is where my desire to serve others was nurtured. My work with and compassion for children and families stems from the understanding that not everyone grew up in a Godfearing and loving home as I did. So, if I can give them what has been given to me, maybe they will grasp that their lives have meaning and purpose.
UPW: You graduated from USC Columbia with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1992 and your most recent stint with broadcasting was with WAAW where you were general manager and program director up until a few days ago when the station changed ownership. Your
career spans disciplines and careerpaths far different from broadcast journalism. Comment on the timing and nature and importance of your broadcast career thus far.
WESBY: The steps of a righteous man (woman) are ordered by the Lord. So, all of my adult life has been seeking God’s direction to ensure that I remain in His will. Consequently, I believe that my college pursuits and all of my career moves were ordained by God to prepare me for exactly what I do in each season of my life. My college experience at USC-Columbia was phenomenal in that it gave me a broad understanding of many topics, and I learned so much about myself and the kind of person I wanted to become. I have no regrets, because every career decision allowed me to grow and to help others grow to realize the greatness within. The Word of God says to everything there is a season. Therefore, when a new chapter begins and then it ends, I am thankful for the journey and all that I’ve learned along the way. I don’t question God and His timing, because I truly believe that all things have worked for my God and for His glory.
UPW: Your stint with the Westinghouse Savannah River Company, where you were elevated to the top administrative team, had to have been an eye-opening experience -- one rarely experienced by African-American women. Comment on how your experience at WSRC impacted your decision to become a force for healing in the community. What skills, capacities or resources did you gain from the experience?
DONNA: Serving as the first Black
God has given us everything we need to succeed. Faith without works is dead. An idea without implementation is merely a dream.Photo by Vincent Hobbs
professional to work in the WSRC President’s Office was nothing short of incredible. When the president informed me that he wanted to offer me the position as his executive assistant, I’ll never forget the reason he shared. He said that everyone else who interviewed felt that attaining that position would mean they would have reached the pinnacle. He told me he felt they would become complacent and not have the drive he saw in me. He said of all the ladies who interviewed, I was the only candidate who saw the position as a stepping stone to go higher in the company, which is exactly what I did after serving under his leadership and the next president to follow. He said he was not looking for a secretary; he was looking for a leader ... and that’s what he saw in me.
That position was one of the best assignments of my career, because of my exposure to corporate leadership and the mindset of leadership at that level. I was given autonomy to develop my creativity, professionalism, and resourcefulness to get things done, which is what he appreciated. I had the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to take initiative without him having to tell me every move to make.
Some would have used that experience to become arrogant and prideful. But, glory to God, I used the opportunity to lift up others, to break down barriers and stereotypes, and to develop a huge network of resources back then that benefits the community today.
UPW: What is Umoja Village? Was it the product of an extended campaign strategy or was it something that you were inspired to do “out of the blue?”
DONNA: Even during our dating phase, the conversations between my husband, Don, and I were talks of how we could help our community -- specifically what could we do to become more united, effective, and efficient with all of our resources. So, probably 15 or more years ago, those discussions resulted in my husband coming up with the village concept that would look at every facet
of our lives to then bring about a solid infrastructure for implementation. At that time, God never showed us how to implement the concept -- that is until George Floyd was murdered. God spoke to me and said it would be my job to pull Blacks and African Americans together to work on a collective comprehensive plan for addressing bias, inequity, and systemic racism. Because I’ve built an extensive network of contacts, I was able to assemble about 85 Black CSRA elected officials and community leaders to develop this plan. The session was held on June 19, 2020, which happened to be Juneteenth. I named the group Umoja Village from the Swahili word “Umoja,” which means unity. That effort began the inception of Umoja Village.
UPW: Your husband, Don Wesby, is a force in his own right. How do the two of you divide the labor associated with such a wide-ranging network of activities sponsored by Umoja Village?
When Don and I got married, God showed me that He would use our union in mighty ways for His glory. With every major undertaking, Don and I work together and support each other. We believe our relationship is a testament that marriage is a beautiful institution and that it can work well. Whether it’s traveling to handle Don’s Seasoning Delight business, managing the radio station, running two nonprofits, or managing anything else God assigns us to do, we work it all together. As founders of Umoja Village, daily we have strategic conversations about the direction of the organization and its progress. Don is also on the board and is an exceptional visionary. I am the CEO and also a strong visionary. However, it is my responsibility to implement vision. So, we try to strike a balance to make sure that he doesn’t micromanage just because he has 24-hour access to me. LOL!
UPW: As a 501(c)3 organization, Umoja Village has been producing amazing results, but none
is more impressive than obtaining and staffing a headquarters building. Tell us how that all came about.
DONNA: In order for the community to accept Umoja Village as a serious organization with a defined mission, having an office where the public could interface with Umoja Village leadership and for us to execute our mission as it relates to meeting with clients, I knew we needed to have dedicated facility space. We were compelled to lease space from a Black or African American entrepreneur in an effort to demonstrate how to support our own Black businesses. Staffing for the center was realized after we reached donations that could support hiring staff. We are open with regular hours 12 hours per week and also available by appointments. As our donations increase, we will increase regular business hours. Umoja Village’s desired annual budget is $1.2 million to fully fund our mission. We are currently operating at a little less than 10% of the desired budget.
UPW: There is an unmistakable entrepreneurial strain that is running throughout the Wesby household. Explain the role of business ownership in your family’s journey.
DONNA: Don and I believe in the concept of creating generational wealth opportunities -- not just for us but also for the Black and African American population. The attainment of blessings is not for us to horde but to share. We teach our children to own, operate, develop, and create, if at all possible, so that a financial head start can better posture our future generations for success. God has given us everything we need to succeed. Faith without works is dead. An idea without implementation is merely a dream.
UPW: What are some of the major events Umoja Village is working toward for the remainder of 2023?
DONNA: We will be the co-sponsor of the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce’s Networking Event, Thursday, July 27, 6 p.m., at the Center For African American History, Art & Culture. Our first “Umoja Village Unity Weekend” will feature:
1. SHOUTFEST: Saturday, Oct. 21st, 11AM-5PM, Beverly D. Clyburn Generations Park, 700 Mack Henry Holland Drive in Aiken, SC. It’s the largest, free outdoor Gospel festival in the CSRA to include all day Gospel performances; food, merchandise, service, and informational vendors; and a major Kidszone.
2. SHORT FILM VIEWING/ POST-SCREENING DISCUSSION: “Descended From The Promised Land: The Legacy of Black Wall Street,” Sunday, Oct. 22nd, 2:30 p.m., USC Aiken Etherredge Center, 340 Scholar Loop, Aiken, SC.
3. UMOJA VILLAGE UNITY GOLF TOURNAMENT: Monday, Oct. 23rd, 9:30 a.m. shotgun start, Houndslake Country Club, 901 Houndslake Drive, Aiken, SC.
UPW: Your website is fast becoming a regional bulletin board. What is the procedure for posting events on the site?
DONNA : Especially with the ending of WAAW Shout 94.7 FM and the empowerment broadcasts, I believe the Umoja Village Community Calendar will become a major resource in our community. Go to www.umojavillage.com/ community-calendar. At the top are instructions for adding any event or meeting, including the ability to upload flyers. We encourage the churches, businesses, sororities, fraternities, agencies, nonprofits, etc., to use the calendar as a pre-planning tool so that we are not planning events on top of one another. Because we reinforce unity, we encourage those groups to search for partnership or collaboration opportunities if they see an event already posted that they’ve also considered.
As an update to the mailing date for 2023 Property Notices of Assessments for Richmond County real estate owners, the Richmond County Tax Assessor’s Office is scheduled to send those notices on July 7, 2023, with the appeal deadline of August 21, 2023. The document will include the
prior year’s value, the 2023 value, the value of any exemptions, and reasons for any change in the property assessment. Also included on the notice is an estimate of tax based on the prior year’s tax rates, known as the millage rate. Standard appeal forms are available in the Richmond County Tax
• 2023 Property Tax Relief Grant FAQs: https://www.augustaga. gov/DocumentCenter/View/17070/What-is-HTRG?bidId=
• Augusta, Georgia’s 2023 Property Valuations Q&A: https:// augustarichmondtaxassessor.com/wp-content/uploads/ sites/30/2023/06/2023-Valuations-QA_Augusta-Richmond-BOA-1.pdf
Assessor’s Office, and property owners will also have the option to appeal online through the Office’s website.
For additional information on the 2023 Property Valuations, view a list of resources at www.augustaga.gov, or call 706-8212310,
• Richmond County Tax Assessor’s Office: https://augustarichmondtaxassessor.com/
• Richmond County Tax Commissioner’s Office: https://www. arctax.com/
Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets. My goal is to teach you about food, finance, anything about the home, gardening, and healthy living.
As we get into the summer grilling season, there are several things that we need to remember…have fun, use good food safety techniques, and try new recipes!
Being conscious of how food is prepared is important because bacteria present in raw meat and its juices can contaminate safely cooked food. In order to prevent foodborne illness, don’t use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked meat. Be sure to use a thermometer to test the temperature and cook your food to a safe minimum temperature. According to the USDA, below are safe cooking temperatures for meat and poultry.
Whole Poultry 165 °F
Poultry Breasts 165 °F
Ground Poultry 165 °F
Hamburgers, Beef 160 °F
Beef, Veal, Lamb
Medium Rare: 145° F and allow to rest for at least 3 minutes
Medium: 160 ° F
Pork 160°F
Always refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours and refrigerate within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F.
LATRELL’S EASY BBQ SAUCE
INGREDIENTS
1 ¼ cups tomato ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup Tbsp yellow mustard
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Add more sugar or seasonings to taste if desired, then remove from heat. Cool, store in the refrigerator,
and use within two weeks.
If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or would like to learn about events by Latrell, please visit my website and send an email via the contact form.
Website:www.southernjazzandsweets.com
MENIA CHESTER received a Leader Award from at the American Association of Family and Consumer Science’s 114th Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland in June 2023. The Leader Award was introduced as a part of the Association’s 75th Anniversary observance in 1984 when it
was established to identify and honor family and consumer sciences professionals who have made significant contributions to the field through their involvement with Menia Chester
AAFCS.
Family and Consumer Sciences formerly Home Economics, is the comprehensive body of skills, research, and knowledge that helps people make informed decisions about their wellbeing, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. The field represents many areas,
including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition, wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues. Chester was recognized for some of her national and regional work in the area of food deserts, farming, nutrition, farmer’s markets and leadership development.
Café 209 - DeShawn’s Seafood - Humanitree House - Maryland’s Fried Chicken
Augusta Black Restaurant Week* (ABRW) celebrates African-American-owned restaurants/eateries and the roles they play in socioeconomic progress in the South. New to the 2023 ABRW experience are prix fixe options from each partner and collabs with personal/executive chefs, and a feature exclusive to South Augusta – Food Truck Family Friday. Like the cuisine, each experience is unique. arestaurantweek.com
+1 (762) 233-5299
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Alexander’s Great BBQ
Arie’s Artisan Cheesecake
Belly’s Kitchen
Big Mama’s Soul Food
Big T’s Seafood
Brunch House of Augusta
Cafe on Eighth
Catz Kitchen
Chef’s House
Cliffism Sports & Spirits
Cork & Flame
Dennis Barbecue
Fielding Bros BBQ
Glamm Deli
Jackie M’s & Son
Jamaica Way
K’s Buffalo Wings
Kitchen Kings + Natta’s Sweet Treats
Nutritious Alternatives
Palmetto Seafood Bar & Grill
Pinckney’s Home Cooking
Shake City
Sisters Irresistible Sweets
Soca Vegan Kitchen
Timbuktu Café
Toaste of Augusta
Whipped Creamery
WSS1 (Wings, Subs, Salads)
Compiled by Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency
3 T’s Farm (Lincolnton GA)
Iteago Felton
Addersons Fresh Produce (Keysville GA)
Sam & Loretta Adderson
Belle Terrace Community Garden (Augusta GA)
Chimere Joy Brown
Black Farm Street (Augusta GA, Bamberg SC)
Lashawndra Robinson
Browns Place Farm (Grovetown GA)
W. B. & Lynn Brown
Cherry Gardens (Hephzibah GA)
William & Sara Cherry
Ebony Tree Council (Augusta GA)
Fred & Anna Griffin
FOOD TRUCKS/TRAILERS
Black Lotus Cuisine
Fish N Bami
Flavor of Philly
Hot Spot Fish & Grits
J & K Blue Box
Lil Truck Big Flavor – Geechie Gurl
Legend’s BBQ and Katie’s Sweet Creations
Lil Mama’s Sweets and Treats
Prime Time Food Truck
Som’n Good Sweets & Eats
8595 Restaurant (Thomas Jacobs, Dairius
Mealing)
Bounce Back Salads (Alexandria Parker)
Charcuterie To Go (Temeshia Luke)
Desserts by Latrell (Menia Chester)
DW Catering (DW Willis)
Hattie Bee’s Catering (Maria Fickling & Courtney Marie Finnis)
The J. Renae Experience Catering (Jennifer Ousley)
Red Nose Catering (Jay Rudolph)
Sin’s Kitchen Slayer (Sincere Donaldson)
Tasha’s Fruity Lemonade (Latasha Jones)
The Stop Food Truck (Carolyn Henry)
Courtesy of the South Augusta Farmers Market, where we connect and build community through food. Join us every 1st Saturday at the corner of Windsor Spring and Tobacco Roads. http://southaugustamarket.com/ • +1 (762) 233-5299
Farmer-Musician (Augusta GA)
Kigwana Cherry
Gloria Manor Organics (Blythe GA)
JR & Natasha Roberson
Goodness Gracious Grocer (Augusta GA)
Cassandra Loftlin
Grubbs Garden (Waynesboro GA)
Anthony Grubbs
Hudson Memorial CME Church Community Garden (Augusta GA)
Brendolyn Boseman
Journey Sherwood Community Garden (Augusta GA)
Keith Walton
Purpose Center Community Garden (Augusta GA)
Lashawndra Robinson – Black Farm Street
Someday Mushrooms (Augusta GA)
Cameron Day
Spice of Life Nursery (Hephzibah GA)
Andrea Townsend
Starlit Roots (Keysville GA)
Tianna Neal
Studio Farmer (Augusta GA)
Dan Scott
Wallace’s Farms (Hephzibah/Grovetown GA)
Davon & Brandi Wallace
Wright Way Organic Farms (Waynesboro GA)
Natasha Reid
WHEN: JULY 20TH FROM 6PM TO 8PM WHERE: THE MILLER THEATRE
708 BROAD ST, AUGUSTA, GA 30901
Sample Augusta aims to engage Augusta’s music community through leadership, education, and programming.
The focus of the panel will be to assess Music academia in the region. How do we successfully prepare youth and stu -
The Richmond County School System (RCSS) was awarded $73,041 in Opportunity Grants from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to support mathematics and advanced learning in schools. The grants will support teachers in their plans to help students strengthen their understanding of mathematics and advanced courses.
“We are excited for our schools that have been selected to receive the Opportunity Grants,” said Kinesha Ponder, the director of teaching and learning at RCSS. “These grants will provide our teachers with additional instructional tools and materials to implement learning experiences that prepare students to think critically and enhance their reasoning skills.”
RCSS received funding in two categories. The Advanced Placement (AP) Teacher Mentoring grant offers $2,500 to the district to create mentoring programs for new or novice AP teachers, while the mathematics grant supplies $4,000 per school to buy mathematics materials to support instruction.
“These grants are important as our students and teachers begin implanting Georgia’s new K-12 Mathematics Standards,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, Associate Superintendent of Academic Services. “I am thankful to the school leaders who sought these Opportunity Grants for their schools.”
The mathematics grant arrives in time to ease schools into the first year of implementing the new math standards, initially adopted in 2021. In addition, AP teachers will use the funds in the 2023-24 school year to incorporate new strategies to prepare students for advanced courses and enhance their performance in AP exams.
dents for careers in Media and Entertainment within the Augusta River Region?
There will be an Industry Mixer before the panel where Sample Augusta will relay new data and information to the public to elaborate on developments
of Sample Augusta’s Weekly Music Guide.
The panel will be moderated by Sample Augusta’s Walter Santiago & Rachel Goodman and feature the following speakers:
Dr. Robert Foster is the Professor of Music at Augusta University and a distinguished national Jazz ensemblist. Locally Dr. Foster curates and plays at the Maxwell Performing Arts Center while also being featured in acts like The Brownstown Gritty, Goin’ South, The Soultown
Horns, and a plethora of other acts.
Ryan Abel is on the Board for The Augusta Players and is a renowned staple for the southeastern music industry, known best for their touring group Goin’ South and his career with Ed Turner. Abel has produced an ovational benefit concert series with The Miller Theater, supporting youth in the arts.
This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed in partnership with GetUp Productions. SampleAugusta.com/Roundtable
RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSAL NUM.: B-21-026-4050
Bond Issue Program
PROJECT NAME: Blythe Elementary School HVAC Replacement
Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the B-21-026-4050 – Blythe Elementary School HVAC Replacement project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 PM local time, August 3, 2023. This will be a public bid opening, read aloud in the Richmond County Board of Education Conference Room located at 864 Broad Street, Augusta, Ga. 30901. No extension of the bidding period will be made.
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held July 18, 2023 @ 10:00 AM local time in the Media Center Conference Room, Blythe Elementary School HVAC Replacement, 290 Church Street, Blythe, GA 30805.
Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Hwy., Augusta, Georgia 30906.
Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: 2KM Architects, Inc., 529 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $100.00 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 conditi on within 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 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 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. Per sonal 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 Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.
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. Kenneth Bradshaw
County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office
864 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901
c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA
KARA WALKER used a wide variety of creative tools to expose the psychological injury caused by the horrible legacy of slavery. Her famous silhouette paintings about slavery and abuse shocked the world. Her work leads viewers to a better understanding of the past. With her art, she successfully pushed forward conversations about racism in visual culture. She was awarded a MacArthur fellowship at the age of 28, one of the youngest ever.
AUGUSTA SAVAGE was an American sculptor in the early 20th Century. A central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, she worked with writers, musicians and other artists to showcase the African American culture. She was an important teacher who was a huge influence to the careers of later generations of artists who would become world-famous.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council is pleased to present the Breaking the Barriers Art Exhibit Reception at the Municipal Building, located at 535 Telfair Street on July 14, 2023 from 11:00AM until 1:00PM. Light refreshments will be served with a short panel discussion by local women artists.
Breaking the Barriers is a collection of portrait paintings that pay tribute to famous women artists by Augusta-based artist Rhian Swain. The free reception will feature local artists who will speak about their journeys as women artists. Speakers include Lillie Morris, Staci Swider, Stephanie Willingham, and Rhian Swain.
Ask most people to name some famous artists and many can probably name Van Gogh, Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, perhaps Banksy; and one or two might even mention Frida Kahlo or Georgia O’Keeffe. When adults and children are queried about “famous” artists, women artists do not typically come to mind. Yet women have been groundbreaking artists, as talented and impactful as their male counterparts.
Breaking the Barriers is a traveling exhibit that includes 13 portraits of female visual artists who have made an impact on the arts throughout history, as well as locally. The series of paintings shine a light on some of the women who have had remarkable achievements in the visual arts. Louise Bourgeois is recognized as one of the most
Born in Japan in 1929, YAYOI KUSAMA came to the United States in 1957 and found herself at the epicenter of the New York avant-garde. She met and inspired important artists including Andy Warhol and her art was a part of an exciting pop art and minimalism development. She was one of the first artists to experiment with performance and action art. After achieving fame through groundbreaking exhibitions, she returned home and is now one of Japan’s most prominent contemporary artists.
important artists of the 20th Century and is best known for her enormous spider sculptures and installations. Sculptor Augusta Savage was one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Berthe Morisot, a French Impressionist, who was the only woman invited to show in the very first Impressionist exhibition in 1874. Iconic 94-year-old Dot Queen Yayoi Kusama continues to astound the world with her Pop art. Those are just a few of the many portraits to be seen at the exhibition.
Rhian Swain received an NEA grant from the Greater Augusta Arts Council to help fund the creation of the painting series. Rhian Swain has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Atlanta College of Art. She is a painter, photographer, designer, illustrator, writer, and former talk show host. She has participated in many local exhibits, including shows in the Community Gallery of Augusta, at the 4P Studio’s Gallery at 600 Broad St., at Le Chat Noir, The City Gallery at Augusta Richmond County Municipal Building, Private View, Annual WetPaint Party and Art Sale, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, Augusta Cotton Exchange, D’Timms, and the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Rhian is also owner of RedWolf Advertising, an Augusta-based agency that was established in 1997. She serves on numerous arts-related committees and is currently serving as President of the Greater Augusta Arts Council Board of Directors.
Reception July 14 11 am - 1 pm
Guests speakers include artists Lilli Morris, Staci Swider, Stephanie Willingham (HAM), and Rhian Swain
