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OLIVIA GAINES BE A BETTER TRAVEL WRITER

OPINION IMMIGRATION POLICY TOO HEARTLESS? COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY MEET PHOTOS

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021 • VOL. 10 NO. 5

FIESTA LATINA Music and dance performances took place throughout the day during Fiesta Latina de la Familia, held at the Augusta Common.

Centro Cristiano Oasis de Bendicion, a local church, sponsored the free event. (October 9, 2021 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vince Hobbs

For Writers Only

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

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How to be an interesting and efficient travel writer

BY OLIVIA GAINES Travel stories should be simple, crisp and to the point with clarity of thought. Witty and vividly written accounts with an author’s personal experiences, anecdotes and quotations can be especially interesting. One can experience travel through words only. Practical and accurate information in grammatically correct language makes reading a pleasure. We give some tips on writing accounts of travel below.

Travel stories should be simple, crisp and to the point with clarity of thought. Witty and vividly written accounts with an author’s personal experiences, anecdotes and quotations can be especially interesting. One can experience travel through words only. Practical and accurate information in grammatically correct language makes reading a pleasure. In what follows, I give some tips on writing accounts of travel.

Think like a Reader Before starting an article, put yourself in the reader’s boots. Ask what he/she wants. Who are the targeted readers of the particular publication, what are their travel aspirations, what information will be useful to them and how they enjoy the written articles? Once you are clear about that, then commence the work.

The Big Picture Now you have to get across the main point to the reader. Identify the central theme of your article, whether it is the location, people or activity oriented place. Work your impressions and facts around this ‘big picture’. Now structure your article around, sieve non-essentials, include important aspects and build the story sensibly.

Be Personal To make the story interesting, convey your personal experiences and point of view. That place must have

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been visited or written about countless times before. Write of your own personal approach, personal adventure that thrilled you, some new aspect of the place that inspired you, some new useful discovery of the place. This makes for an interesting insight into the writing.

Be Funny Travel to unfamiliar locale is often rich in comedy and comical events. Incorporate these funny incidents, mishaps or any such feeling into the article. Don’t be afraid to make your readers laugh. Have a light, lively tone in your article.

Be surprising Be an open-minded traveler yourself. Try unusual activities, meeting new people, tasting exotic cuisines and getting involved with native activities in a new place.

This will give you a different perspective of the place. Surprise your reader with this out of the ordinary, personally experienced information.

Quote Let the people express their thoughts, ideas and feelings about the place, work or activity. Quote extensively in their words. Quote real life stories and experiences for that personal touch to your article.

Be balanced Have a balanced approach. Blend your personal observations, descrip-

PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co +1 (706) 751-2537 SALES & MARKETING http://www.growingaugusta.co/upw +1 (762) 233-5299

tions and commentary with practical and useful information to the readers to make it a good travel piece.

Two-third colorful description to one-third facts is a reasonable guideline to start with.

Travel writing is not only lucrative but lot of fun too. Keep your eyes open for interesting story line.

Research well; write a well-constructed, focused, well-crafted and unique article on travel.

CONTRIBUTORS K.L. Gordon Olivia Gaines Menia L. Chester Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

COMMUNITY LEADSHIP

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The grant will provide short term training and certifications.

AUGUSTA The Augusta Technical College Foundation is pleased to announce that Bank of America has approved a $100,000 investment in a new workforce development initiative at Augusta Technical College: Focused, Accelerated Skills Training, or FAST. FAST is designed to provide short term training and certifications programs at the college.

The Bank of America investment will fund three programs: 1) Manufacturing Fundamentals Bootcamp, 2) Forklift and OSHA Training, and 3) Medical Scribe skills.

Coordinated by Augusta Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Department, the new program will partner with employers and WorkSource Georgia to provide placement opportunities after students complete a program of study in either Manufacturing or Medical Scribe, two industries that need workers due to high demand.

The investment by Bank of America will be used to hire a Manufacturing Instructor who will also market and recruit new students facing underemployment or unemployment because they lack basic skills that employers

demand. The cost of the tuition will be underwritten by the funding from this grant. Participants will receive basic skills training in areas like forklift training, OSHA safety training, work ethics and classroom instruction giving them an opportunity to work in entry level manufacturing companies and setting them up for long term success.

“Augusta Technical College has built a successful program for technical training and job placement that will better equip members of our community in performing jobs that are not only in high-demand, but are also critical to growing the Augusta economy,” said Ora Parish, President, Bank of America Augusta / Aiken.

“Our partnership furthers our commitment to supporting solutions that advance racial and ethnic equality and create economic opportunity in our community.”

The Medical Scribe program is an online self-study being introduced to the Augusta market that will provide self-paced training which will result in a certification as a Medical Scribe.

Tuition for this program will also be underwritten by the grant.

“Bank of America is one of the stron-

This investment in Augusta Technical College is a part of Bank of America’s $1.25 billion dollar investment into communities of color. gest partners we have at Augusta Tech. Their investment in our college is also an investment in our community and future workforce,” stated Beverly Peltier, Director of Institutional Advancement and The Augusta Technical College Foundation. “By funding FAST Skills Training, they are enabling underserved and underemployed individuals to be a part of our community’s economic recovery in a quick and efficient manner. We are keenly focused on helping Augusta and

its surrounding communities grow their workforce and this grant opens the door for that to happen.”

This investment in Augusta Technical College is a part of Bank of America’s $1.25 billion dollar investment into communities of color to help drive economic mobility in the communities they serve. Bank of America’s commitment will deepen and extend ongoing initiatives that help workers acquire the skills they’ll need to fully participate in the new economy.

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

Augusta Technical College Partners with Bank of America on new workforce development initiative

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

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Fiesta Latina de la Familia Music and dance performances took place throughout the day during Fiesta Latina de la Familia, held at the Augusta Common. Centro Cristiano Oasis de Bendicion, a local church, sponsored the free event.

(October 9, 2021 - Augusta, GA) Photos by Vince Hobbs

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Photos by Vince Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

A Day of Music Dance & Fun

SPORTSVIEW

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Track athletes from Richmond County high schools compete in the the All-County Cross Country Meet, held at Diamond Lakes Park. (October 13, 2021 Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs

All-County Cross Country Meet Diamond Lakes Park Oct. 13 Felix Scheyer, a senior student from ARC, takes the lead to win the boys cross country race. Track athletes from Richmond County high schools competed in the the All-County Cross Country Meet, held at Diamond Lakes Park. (October 13, 2021 - Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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SPORTSVIEW

Richmond County high schools compete in the the All-County Cross Country Meet. Photos by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

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Latrell’s Shepherd’s Pie Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef, owner of Desserts by Latrell a musician and an agricultural enthusiast.

We have cooler weather and this means I get to share one of my favorite recipes with you. Shepherd’s Pie! My first time having it was my freshman year at Florida A&M University. We had it for lunch every weekend in the cafeteria and I loved it because it was so filling!

Here is my take on this flavorful dish that’s full of veggies, ground beef or ground turkey and of course…mashed potatoes!

LATRELL’S SHEPHERD’S PIE Mashed Potatoes—Step 1 3lbs of peeled and quartered red potatoes 4 tbsp butter ½ cup half and half (2% milk can be substituted) Salt and pepper to taste Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook 15 minutes or until tender; drain thoroughly. Pour into a mixing bowl.

Add half and half and butter to the hot potatoes. Mix using a using a potato masher or electric beater until creamy adding more half and half if needed.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Meat Mixture—Step 2 1 cup frozen corn, green peas and carrots--mixed 1 small onion diced 1 tsp minced garlic ¼ tsp dried thyme ¼ tsp dried oregano 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey 2 ½ tsp tomato paste 2 ½ tablespoons flour 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce ½ cup chicken broth 2 tsp olive oil Sauté onions, carrots and peas until almost tender about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, pepper and ground meat, then cook until browned.

Sprinkle the meat with the flour, stir and cook for one minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and thyme. Stir to combine.

Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 7-8 minutes or until the sauce slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

SHEPHERD’S PIE Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked Add the corn to the meat mixture and spread evenly into an 11 by 7-inch glass baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes making sure to create a seal around the edges. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or just until the potatoes begin to brown.

Remove from oven and serve immediately with a green salad and yeast rolls.

Enjoy!

If you have questions or would like to see other recipes, please visit my website or social media sites: Facebook and Instagram-Desserts by Latrell dessertbylatrell@gmail.com

City of Augusta to host citywide Covid-19 vaccine clinics in October-December

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Oct. 14 Bernie Ward Community Center.

1941 Lumpkin Road from 4-6pm Oct. 28 at the Augusta Aquatic Center, 3157 Damascus Road from 4-6pm Oct. 30 at the James Brown Arena 601 7th Street from 10am-2pm Nov. 4 at the Warren Road Community Center 300 Warren Road from 4-6pm Nov. 6 at Henry Brigham Community Center 2463 Golden Camp Road from 9-11:30am Nov. 6 Robert Howard Community Center 103 Diamond Lakes Way from 11am-2pm Nov. 20 at the Augusta Mall, 3450 Wrightsboro Road from 10am-2pm Dec. 2 at Jamestown Community Center & Park 3647 Karleen Road from 11am-2pm Dec. 4 at Carrie J. Mays Family Life Center 1014 11th Avenue Richmond from noon-4pm

County residents who become fully vaccinated at any of these events qualify to receive the City of Augusta’s $100 incentive. Media interested in covering this topic should contact Danielle Harris at dharris@augustaga. gov or call 706-564-3460.

#gardencityjazz june 27 : july 25 code: UPW text UPW to (706) 528-6855

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In an effort to increase the number of individuals to receive the Covid19 vaccine, the City of Augusta will host several mobile Covid-19 vaccine clinics throughout October, November, and December.

View the complete schedule below:

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UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

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As I write these thoughts for your consideration, I seriously wonder if people like me, through inaction, are contributing to America’s practice of refusing “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to immigrants seeking life in the USA. I ask myself the following questions. Am I not like pre-Civil War white Americans who knew Slavery was wrong, but failed to actively protest against it? 100 years from now, will history judge my inaction as compliance with policies that deny entry to immigrants seeking entry into this country?

I ask God to make me determined to create a modern-day America that lives up to the words of our Statue

of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...”

America has always had potential for greatness. In fact, our Constitution declares, “We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.”

Long ago, other nations recognized the great society that our Constitution declared. France went so far as to build the Statue of Liberty to commemorate the perseverance of freedom and democracy in the United

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States and to honor the work of the late president Abraham Lincoln. (https://www.nps.gov/stli/learn/ historyculture/the-french-connection.htm ) In 1885, the statue of liberty arrived in America as a gift from France. Written on the statue is, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

America truly is a nation with many riches. One of the most prized is the ability to become successful according to one’s talents and motivation. Blacks, and other minorities, however, have yet to fully reap the success of our abilities. As our nation continues toward the day when all citizens are truly equal, let us, as multi-generational Americans, not forget those seeking entry and newly-arrived people who seek the same Liberties and freedom that we have. Yes, let America remain a beacon of hope to the World that those words of our Statue of Liberty proclaim — Clarence Thomas, Hephzibah

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OPINION: Should the USA’s immigration policy be more welcoming to refugees?

UrbanProWeekly - OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2021

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Black Restaurant Week June 13 - 19, 2022