July 2008 by verge

downtown augusta

Urban Dwellers Can Go Green reduce your eco footprint one step at a time

The Pirate Blues and Gypsy Cabaret hellblinki sextet returns home for cd release

Keeping Augustaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vision 20/20 dr. casella welcomes son to family practice

free

july 2008

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Dr. Tom Casella Welcomes Growth Three generations of Casellas keep downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision straight

Urban Dwellers Can Go Green Simple ways to reduce your eco-footprint, even as city dwellers

Pirate Blues and Gypsy Cabaret Hellblinki Sextet returns home for Sky City CD Release Concert

gallery: Stephen Lawson soundcheck: Cinematic Sunrise onstage: Halo Fashion Show offstage: The Inventions of da Vinci

Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots Reunion concert benefits Press On: The Patrick Chance Fund

hands across downtown: GAP Ministry Bridging the gap between church and community

experience more 5

smatterings

5 7

enter to win free stuff quick clips

discover downtown

downtown news

he saw / she saw

front porch / Cathy Marberry

good chow / lunch on the run

pipeline: get plugged in

25 29 30

movies at main downtown scene be a tourist in your own downtown

printed matter / shirley jackson

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past times / Y.W.C.A. gymnasium business 101 / ADA exposition augusta music 101

front cover credit: volume one issue five

downtown as i see it #5 two knots (somewhere near broad) original photograph by Andy Donnan

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smatterings / notes from the publisher publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha pipeline editors Claire Riche & Jason Barron grammarian Gabi Hutchison web guy Andy Donnan graphics guy Ryan Davis Editorial content of verge is the opinion of each contributing writer and is not necessarily the opinion of verge, its staff or its advertisers. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

verge is printed on 50% recycled stock. It may be recycled further, please do your part.

Two hundred and thirty two years ago, we started on our path of independence from the kingdom of Britain. Not that the Brits didn’t have a lot to offer (part of me descends from England), we just felt we needed to do it our own way for a while, as a country.

written by Richard Henry Lee two days prior on the second of July (another great day which ushered in the birth of my eldest sixteen years ago) and the final Declaration was reworked in general session of the Continental Congress at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Today, Independence Day is commonly celebrated with fireworks, a parade or two, barbecues (my favorite), and baseball games. Back in 1777 in Bristol, Rhode Island, on the morning of July 4th, a thirteen-gun salute was fired, followed by an official dinner for the Continental Congress. This was followed by speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews and yep, you guessed it, fireworks. Then as night fell, thirteen more guns saluted freedom for the first time, ringing in the night as a reminder of the sacrifices made to make this great land of ours free. I am not saying go out and emulate that celebration, but as you can see, things have been pretty much the same for over two hundred thirty years. Celebration wise, that is.

Upon finishing revisions of Thomas Jefferson’s draft statement on July 4th, it was approved and sent to a printer, signed “The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America”. You can see the original at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C. At the signing, Benjamin Franklin is quoted as having replied to a comment by John Hancock that they must all hang together: “Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately;” a play on words indicating that failure to stay united would lead to being tried and executed, individually, for treason. Think about what that means to you, your family, your friends and your community and your personal commitment to each.

As a country we have changed and grown quite a bit through the years.

I challenge you to also think about and thank these pioneers. People like you that are making a difference in downtown Augusta: Jonathan, Ooollee, Matt, Barry, Carless, Sarah, Juanita, Deanna, George, Glen, Cassandra, Jeff, Steve, Thomas, Dee, Jenny, Harold, Brad, Doug, Krys, Richard, Doug, Travis, Kenny, Bobby, Michael, Andy, Fred, Mirenda, David, Chris, Sae,

When you are celebrating your freedom and independence this year, whether that is with friends, family or by yourself, take a minute or two or three to reflect on that day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was enacted by our forefathers. History shows that the initial resolution was

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They are independent business owners, citizens, friends, family and leaders in our community that help bring verge together each month. Like our forefathers, their independence shines through their commitment, their businesses and their dedication. They demonstrate a true display of grass roots, freedom and independence. All are very committed to creating a great place to live, work and play. For you. Koinania. With these people, verge exists. Community exists. To them, I give great thanks. You are all very much deserving of a huge round of applause or ‘fireworks” for your effort. But most of all, your dedication to your community should serve as a beacon for others to follow.

See you downtown! Matt

publisher’s side note: Congratulations, Sandra and Jonathan!

free stuff / sample downtown register to win free cool stuff from downtown merchants ❏ enter to win a case of Herr’s chips enter to win a case of downtown’s favorite chips: Herr’s potato chips from Eighth Street Tobacco (value: $25)

❏ enter to win a nacho mama’s burrito Nacho Mamas offers “Pick A Burrito” – your choice of the Mahi Mahi, Baja, Copan, Bomb, Sundance and more. A perfect lunch date. (value: up to $9)

❏ enter to win a rock t-shirt Rock Bottom Music keeps you rocking and rolling with your choice of rock t-shirt. (value: up to $30)

mail 1124 Broad Street Augusta GA 30901 submit your ideas editor@vergelive.com

LouAnn, Tony, Robert, Chris A., David, Jeremy, Melody, Ericka, Alan, Pat, Gabi, Andy, Ryan, Elizabeth, Edward, Chris, Jim, Nick, Shri, Brooke, Andrew, Katie, Drew, Brian, Tony, Kris, Paul, Perry, Wendell, Adrian, Angela, Patty, Claire, Jason, Ashley, Emily, Doug, Wylie, Carl, Jack, Rebbekah, Andy, Brian, Bryan, Jessica, Margaret, John, Wes, Haley, Shane, Susan. These are the people of verge.

name: address:

email: phone: enter to win – three ways – registration ends july 23, 2008 via email: editor@vergelive.com • via mail or in person: 1124 broad street 30901

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quick clips pedicabs may hit downtown streets soon Instead of searching for a parking space downtown, you may be able to park and ride – big city style – later this month. Ben Riche of Vintage 965 plans to offer a pedicab taxi service as soon as the city writes the ordinance allowing it. His mission is “to provide customers with safe, friendly, comfortable service, resulting in a memorable experience and enhancing the unique atmosphere of downtown Augusta.” For the uninitiated, pedicabs are similar to the Oriental rickshaw, just more modern and safer. Both work on pedal power. Augusta Pedicab will also be available for tours, weddings, and other special events. Details: augustapedicab@gmail.com

public input on more master planning requested

public library softens façade of new library After several community leaders objected to the stark modern design of the new library building, the Library Board agreed to more compromises. The majority of the original black granite entryway will be replaced with white limestone and will be detailed with recesses and a capital. Smaller changes include more detailing in several areas, additional windows, and recesses in the brick work. The new library facility will be built on Ninth Street stretching between Greene Street and Telfair.

new folks coming, oh my! Like Little Georgie in Rabbit Hill, we eagerly watch the signs of new businesses moving downtown. PVC and The Loft should open in July. Casa Blanca and the White Azalea are slated for August openings. Gluestick’s recording studio is almost complete. A new scooter store is in the works. Residential growth continues as Antique Emporium begins an adaptive restoration – check out the new designs in their storefront window. More rumors abound – and we’re not sure what’s fact and what’s wishful thinking – a hand crafted jeweler, Caribbean restaurant, a children’s clothing store, a small bodega-style grocer and upscale Italian eatery. As Father Rabbit says, “Such signs are extremely auspicious for our lovely little piece of [Augusta].”

Augusta Tomorrow invites public input on the development of the 2008 Urban Core Master Plan, “A Shared Vision.” ICON Architecture, Inc. aims to create a unified regional plan that crosses the bridge and encompasses North Augusta as well. Share your ideas, specific projects, concerns and more by emailing: asharedvision@ augustatomorrow.com. For more details on the Master Plan process, go to www.augustatomorrow.com.

A big thank you to Paul and his web/ design team for keeping us informed and giving us plenty of reasons to love downtown

wounded warriors receive VIP treatment During the recent Thunder Over Augusta, downtown businesses joined together to give our Wounded Warriors the VIP treatment by donating refreshments throughout the day and

downtownaugusta.com says goodbye to weekly newsletter For almost ten years, downtownaugusta.com has sent out an excellent weekly reminder with information on the great things you can do in downtown Augusta. When Paul King started the website and newsletter, he was a lone voice promoting downtown. Now, they’re passing the torch. The final issue will be on June 30th, and verge plans to pick up where they’re leaving off. You can sign up for more information at vergelive.com.

“goodie bags” full of free stuff. For your generosity, we thank you: 1102 , Beamie’s on the River , blue magnolia , Blue Sky Kitchen , City Club , Cotton Patch , CSRA Advertising Specialties , Elduets Treasures of the World , Le Chat Noir , Luigi’s Restaurant , Metro A Coffehouse , Nacho Mama’s , New Moon Café , Tap Tap.

have a signed waiver before removal. Prompt removal of graffiti can be a strong deterrent for future vandalism. For details, contact 706.722.8000.

take care of those pearly whites while out of town You are traveling with the family on a long deserved vacation. You bite into something and crunch… you feel a piece of your tooth has just snapped off. What do you do? For a few dollars you can make your own “Dental Emergency Travel Kit” that will come to your aid. “It’s basically as simple as taking a walk down the aisle of any pharmacy and picking out a few essential items,” says Dr. Juanita Adkins. “The items that I recommend should take care of over 90% of the most common dental emergencies that you would experience!” To receive a list of the items for the “Dental Emergency Travel Kit,” call 706.724.0544 or stop by Downtown Dental at 1162 Broad Street.

cadi numbers increasing by the ton The sidewalks, streets and gutters of downtown continue to improve as CADI completed their first ninety days of clean and safe streets. The Clean Team has removed 25,840 pounds of trash (that’s 12 tons of litter) and completed a graffiti inventory. CADI can assist property owners with graffiti removal but must

got news? editor@vergelive.com

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discover downtown

shop

dine

Elduet’s Treasures of the World 1127 Broad Street If you’ve run out of gift ideas and have no clue where to even begin, a recommended start is at Elduet’s Treasures of the World. With more than fifty countries represented, Elduet’s is worth a visit. Shop owners Robert and Karen Steudle dub the theme of their store “international gifts.” Their shelves are packed with African masks, nesting dolls, papyrus drawings, and culturally diverse tea sets, Samurai Katana (original and replicated), animal skin drums, and dozens of styles of jewelry. Drop by Monday to Thursday from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm or Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5:30 pm and experience the treasures for yourself.

play

live

1102 Bar & Grill

Sky City

Americana Tattoo

1102 Broad Street

1157 Broad Street

1160 Broad Street

Mix together Americana fare, great drinks, and a live music stage and you have 1102 Bar & Grill. It’s a great place to go for lunch or an early dinner if you want a low key atmosphere with good food. In the evening the energy picks up and the room is suddenly alive with the aura of night-life. Patrons can enjoy high-quality drinks with good music and satisfying conversations. The three owners and managers, Ryan, Sae, and David, can usually be found mingling with the crowd of happy bargoers. They always open at 11 am, but closing hours vary with the size of the crowd. Typical closing hours are midnight, Monday to Wednesday and 2 am Thursday to Sunday.

Filling the void that the Mission and Blue Horse left, Sky City celebrates its grand opening this month. The eventbased venue has a full bar, live stage, and plenty of room for dancing, and the eye-catching new Sky City sign lights up the night. Co-owners Coco Rubio and Eric Kinlaw (both actively involved in downtown) plan to ratchet up the caliber of live music, with acts such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Dubconsious, while continuing to support the local music scene. The best way to find out what’s next on Sky City’s agenda is to visit their website www.skycityaugusta.com. Check out this newest addition to the downtown club life.

Augusta’s tattoo and piercing industry is thriving, and if you step inside Americana Tattoo, you’ll know why. With six highly experienced and recommended artists, including owner Jesse Lee Vaughn, there is no limit to the imagination and complexity of your design. The shop itself is completely covered in designs drawn by the artists. All of the artists are good natured but very serious about what they do; they strive for perfection in their work. All tattoos have a $50 minimum for use of the equipment and ink, but prices are fair and reasonable for the high-quality work. For details visit the store or www.myspace.com/ americanaartworks. photos and stories by Andrew Mullis

two young interns work for a difference downtown Lance Cheely Thomson High School ‘03 UGA Senior • Landscape Architecture This summer I have been working on a few different projects; a “Doing Business Guide,” for example, that will serve as a one stop directory for businesses starting up or relocating to the downtown area. Included is contact information and descriptions of the processes involved in opening and operating a downtown business. Another project in the works is a greenway plan for the railroad corridor near the Morris Museum of Art. Streetscape improvements and a guide book of streetscape standards are a few other projects that I am excited about. long term career plan: I want to work in Sustainable Urban Design/Planning and community development planning. when not in the office: Playing music, mountain biking and snowboarding why downtown Augusta: DDA is one of the major players in the continued revitalization of downtown Augusta, something I really want to be a part of. biggest improvement downtown: I think the public perception of downtown has improved greatly. Downtown seems to be a more popular destination for people outside the immediate area.

Wright Montgomery Davidson Fine Arts ‘06 UGA Junior • Landscape Architecture I am producing a short business recruitment video for the downtown area based on the concept that Augusta has five important characteristics: existing business and infrastructure, educational facilities, attractions, accessibility, and a healthy rate of growth and investment. The video will largely be composed of “downtown scenes.” This footage, which will be produced entirely on a volunteer basis, will also include interviews of downtown leaders who express a positive outlook and promote downtown as an area for investors to redevelop and accommodate new businesses. long term: work for an architectural firm, living in downtown Augusta. when not in the office: Frisbee, bike riding, politics, photography why downtown Augusta: I’ve always been passionate about Downtown Augusta. It’s a great opportunity to gain a full understanding for all the hard work. biggest improvement downtown: There is a very positive community effort toward the urban revitalization of downtown. Along Broad Street, more of the buildings are filled with unique businesses that are very appealing to consumers.

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he saw / she saw travis and jessica / mondays downtown On a recent Monday, we decided to spend an entire day in downtown Augusta doing our favorite things – eating, playing and cheering on the Bulldogs. he saw: We started the day with lunch at the SportsCenter on the 500 block of Broad. Giant cheeseburgers and delicious cold beer are the staples here. The burger did not disappoint. Big and juicy patties of ground beef goodness melted in my mouth. The fries were good as well and our waitress was overly friendly. I had to pass on the beer because, for our next stop, I was going to need all of my faculties intact. she saw: The burgers at the Sports Center were great. We also had a blast playing billiards while our selections on the juke box rocked our socks off. he saw: Our next stop took us to one of my favorite parts of downtown, the Savannah River. We met up with some friends for an afternoon of boating and knee boarding. I can’t believe that more people don’t make use of the river. I can leave my house in North Augusta and be on the water in six minutes! After nailing four or five “Roast Beef Nose Grinds with Back Flip Twisties,” I decided that knee boarding is a younger person’s sport. I’m over it. she saw: On a sunny day, nothing is better than cruising the rivers with cold units and friends. After Travis’ attempt at knee boarding, we retired to the sandbar where we made treaties with the “bush people.” Actually, we were just chilling, relaxing and trying to act cool. he saw: After landing all those flips and whatnot, it only made sense (to a rapidly growing boy like myself) that it was time to eat again. We all went to Cotton Patch for dinner and drinks. We sat outside in the courtyard and listened to Keith Gregory for a while. Good food. Good drinks. Good company. she saw: We drank purple hooters and a basket of “jaglies” (a Jagermeister concoction) along with a tasty buffalo sandwich to fill our bellies just right. he saw: Our night cap found us at Metro Coffe house. I’m really fond of this café / bar that has become a Broad Street fixture. It’s one of those places where everyone seems to know each other. It has truly evolved into “Augusta’s Livingroom.”

she saw: Upon entering Metro, the first thing I noticed were the new flat screen TVs. But the bowling game was glowing and talking directly to me. After cheering the Dawgs on to victory in Game 1 of the College World Series, we decided to call it a night.check out all the different shops downtown has to offer. I only wish more of the stores would stay open later on week nights. Travis Petrea is co-owner of Metro Coffeehouse (which explains why he’s so fond of the place) and sits on the Downtown Augusta Alliance Board. When not downtown with Travis, Jessica Thompson works at MCG as a Patient Care Tech. photo by Eliza-

beth Benson

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front porch / cathy on the row Surrounded by lovely works of art, situated on Broad Street between tenth and eleventh, and co-owned by a variety of artists, Gallery on the Row is a spectacle of creativity in the heart of downtown Augusta. Twice a week in a little unadorned room in the back of the gallery, Cathy Marberry offers a place of creation away from the public eye, and in so doing, teaches people to find joy in the expression of their own artistic desires. An accomplished artist using acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints, Cathy Marberry chooses to spend her life sharing her gift with eager students in the area. Having grown up in Carmel by the Sea – an artist community in California – she created her own community of passionate painters in the back of the Gallery on the Row. Her travels have taken her across the country, from owning a gallery in Denver, Colorado years ago to co-owning Gallery on the Row in Augusta today. From her early days in California, Cathy felt “art was the only option I wanted to pursue.” She recalls “sitting in the quiet air just watching the artists at work, taking notes, and absorbing the atmosphere” as a child; such enthusiasm for the craft has led her to become a dedicated teacher to many. In Augusta’s own Gallery on the Row, she teaches classes in the afternoons every Wednesday and Thursday. “The classes are supposed to run from one to four in the afternoon,” she says, “but often students show up in the early morning and it becomes an all day affair.” Smiling, she says her classes are “like art days in the city.” In her little room with her passion for painting, Cathy teaches a diverse group of zealous students in search of satisfaction through expression in the midst of “the hectic nature of the world today.” From housewives to medical executives, her students “come for release through art,” and she walks them through the craft in a step-by-step manner. “I often listen while they talk for ideas for the class, which allows me to plan projects in advance that will interest the class.” From seascapes of the east and west coast to floral designs with a touch of bayou scenery and waterfalls in between, the class tackles the beauty of nature with the guidance of Cathy’s spirit. Through the differences in color, style, and subject, the class learns to seek the vision within all around them. Despite the enthusiasm she shows, Cathy Marberry points to the lives of her students when discussing the spirit of the class. “I have some students that have been with me for eight or nine years,” she says with a touch of genuine gratification. “Recently, I had one student email me while on a trip to Paris, France to make sure I was holding her spot in the class.” Such dedication can be found throughout the makeup of her classes, and as a result, Cathy exudes a fervent concern for each of her students as if they were her own little family. “I just love my students,” she says. “They put in so much effort and bring such energy to the classes that I feel truly lucky to be where I am.” One of her students picked up painting about eight years ago after spending a lifetime raising children and grandchildren. “This lady is so wonderful,” Cathy says; “she sits in the front right beside my easel and paints up a storm.” This student is known for requesting two canvases for each class in order to capture all she paints, and often arrives at the gallery thanks to the accompaniment of her niece or daughter. “She just puts this class at the front of her life, and watching her dive into the material is beyond gratifying for me as a teacher.” Mentioning another student, Mrs. Marberry is visibly moved. “It was six years ago when her doctor advised her to try something artistic to help with the arthritis in her hands,” she says recalling the meeting. “She wanted to know if her wheelchair would be a problem and she was worried because she didn’t know much about painting, and I remember telling her we would learn together one baby step at a time.” Six years of baby steps later, this student has found a way to create beauty from her pain. “We figured out how to adapt her fingers to painting by taping them, and we came up with a system where she covers the broad strokes and then the class helps with any of the smaller details her hands won’t let her reach,” she says with a smile. The class comes together “willing to do anything to help her be able to paint to her heart’s content.” Mrs. Marberry takes me on a tour of the gallery highlighting the procession undertaken to get the student into the gallery for class. “I’ll have a cell

phone ready and when a parking spot opens out front I’ll call her,” she says. “One of us will stand in the space until she gets it, and then fellow classmates take out her art supplies while we put together the chair so she can slide out of the car into it.” Come hell or high curbs, through rain, sleet or cursing motorists along Broad Street, the members of the class prepare the way for their companion to join them. “Then she’ll use the strength in her arms and pull herself over the curb in the chair and together we all go to class.” Such strength and desire characterize the classes at Gallery on the Row, and Cathy herself. Recently, Mrs. Marberry became the first volunteer to teach art to children at the Medical College of Georgia as part of an ongoing program to provide art to children in need. This fall she will spend time with masters of the arts near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, learning all she can as part of a program put together by the Helen Kathleen Black Foundation. With what she learns as an apprentice to the masters, she will return to her class to spread the knowledge and passion of the best to her own students. With a sincere excitement for teaching and a true adoration of her students, Cathy Marberry inspires creativity, crafts a community of devoted expression, and spreads a love for art everywhere she goes.

by J. Edward Sumerau

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eyes from the past stepping into the future / casella eye center

Calling patients by their first names, chatting with workmen taking down a sign outside the office, and openly discussing the neighborhood around him, the photos lining the waiting room aren’t the only signs pointing to a time gone by in the office of Casella Eye Center. Located on Broad Street between Seventh and Eighth, the Casella name has weathered the years in the heart of the city. With the addition of a third generation to the family practice, it seems poised to be a staple for the next phase in downtown Augusta as well.

With that in mind, he points out that the center of the city is still the center of commerce in the area, and further notes, “downtown is like a tiny microcosm of the country in a way, with an abundance of diversity.” Speaking of his love for the area, Casella says, “I think we are witnessing a gradual, diverse renaissance right now that is ripe with possibilities.”

“I enjoy downtown,” Dr. Thomas Casella says sitting in one of the examination rooms; “I like to take a walk through the area and enjoy the people and activity.” Having been in business himself since 1978, Dr. Casella offers an intricate view of the city in its latest transition phase.

With possibilities in mind, he turns to the subject of his own son. After a year in residency at the State University of New York in Manhattan, Ben Casella will be joining the practice this year, and in so doing, continuing the family’s place within the city. “Ben brings expertise in ocular disease as well as technical understanding in areas like refractive surgery, which will help us continue to serve people on both sides of the river.”

Historically speaking, Augusta is Casella’s family center. Victor Casella’s family emigrated here from Italy in 1910, and after returning from service in World War II, Victor opened Casella Eye Center in 1948. With his son joining the practice at the end of the seventies, and his grandson stepping into the office this year, the family has witnessed the changing faces of Augusta throughout the last century.

“We have maintained a progressive attitude about our practice, and as a result, I feel like we are well suited for the future with Ben bringing his own open mind into the fray.” The practice covers sixty years of service to the downtown community, including coverage of local citizens, individuals throughout Augusta, and even into the Valley in South Carolina. “We have attempted to be an open door for those in need of our service.”

“We used to be in the Lamar building, but in 1985 I bought this place and we’ve been here ever since,” Thomas says of the location. “This whole quarter of a block housed family businesses throughout the forties, fifties and early sixties.” Those family businesses included the long gone Snappy Hamburgers and Casella Sandwich Shop, as well as Casella Jewelers, which has since moved to Columbia County. “We are the only one that remains from those days, and I’m looking forward to the next thirty years,” he says with a smile.

While his father retired from the practice in 1990, the sign holding his name has remained. That sign will now change to welcome the newest Casella to the downtown community, and with the application for a façade grant from the Historical Society in the works, the future looks bright for the Casella practice.

Growing up in this area, Dr. Casella remembers a different downtown that may be on its way back. “My father opened this shop when they were building the Savannah River Site, and I came into the practice when the malls were built so we saw changes in the type of environment we worked firsthand.” Casella remembers enjoying downtown even as a child. “We would take the bus lines downtown to watch the movies, go to the department stores, and just hang out before we were old enough to drive.” Smiling, he says “I think we were the last generation to have the movie houses operating in this area, but with the plans for hotels, condos, and the T-center in the works, I feel like downtown is coming back slowly but surely.”

“I think downtown Augusta is heading in a wonderful direction, and I can’t wait to see how things progress in the coming years,” he says as we exit the examination room. “I can only hope that the community I love will continue to flourish with the influx of population and the renovation of the area in the years to come.” Smiling as he speaks with the workmen outside, Dr. Casella seems more than ready to enjoy the show as downtown continues its latest transition. by J. Edward Sumerau • photos by Elizabeth Benson

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urban heroes / city dwellers can be green too For many of us, the expression, “Reducing one’s carbon foot print,” has become annoying. It grates the brain like the perpetuation of the word “dude” being used as noun, adjective, and verb. Every news venue from here to the outer islands of Hawaii is talking about becoming eco-friendly.

therun.com). There are also many ways to re-purpose things. Think of that old grammar school trick of turning egg cartons into finger paint holders. What could you repurpose? Get creative. When it comes to the environment, even the little things can make a big difference.

If you’re one of downtown Augusta’s residents or business owners, all of the fuss just might make you frown. You put down your plastic non-landfill friendly spork and ask, “But what can I do living in an urban area?” The answers may surprise you.

For both proprietor and city dweller, there are many energy incentives or credits available on larger appliance items; air conditioners, dishwashers, auto-thermostat and refrigerators, for example. Check with state, city, and local utilities before you buy. To improve the eco-friendly quality of your home or apartment even more, check the bathrooms and other faucets for leaks. To stop waste, tighten all faucet and check for low-flow toilets. If needed, replacing them can even be a tax write-off. Another alternative is to put a sealable plastic bag containing a weight in your toilet tank. This will allow your toilet to flush with less water.

One smart and easy step is to think before you purchase; read labels. Look for the triangle of arrows that tell you a bottle or can may be recycled. If you don’t see that the package is eco-friendly, ask if there’s a similar alternative that can be recycled. Another easy way to get into the green scene is to know that many cleaning products now come in eco-friendly formats. Although typically higher in cost, the outcome makes the purchase well worth it. A line by Clorox called Greenworks is remarkably inexpensive, however, and the ingredients amazingly pure. You’ll enjoy good, clean, wonderful (real) scents and reduce your (as well as Earth’s) chemical exposure. For many businesses, every day supply purchases are tax deductible; this should make using eco-friendly choices less painful. Next time you set out to make a purchase for your store, consider bags, soy ink logo pens, and light bulbs that are better for the environment. Those funny looking twisted light bulbs everyone is talking about cost up to five times as much as Edison light bulbs, but they also each last for upwards of half a decade without needing to be replaced and use approximately 80 times less power to brighten your world. In the long run, the investment saves you money and is great for the environment. One important thing to note is the difference in their radiance; make sure to read up on the conversion. For example, in the DBGW (Days Before Global Warming), a bulb that read 75 Watt Incandescent would now be found in an eco-conscious 18 Watt Fluorescent. A miscalculation could end up in the accidental lighting up your home like a scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. If you own a food related business, you can switch to eco-friendly take out containers. They are made of corn oil or potato and breakdown in landfills. It now costs pennies more to switch. There are landfill-friendly bags as well. Just Google until you find a source or ask your current distributor. This can also be used as a business expense tax deduction. As consumers, there is plenty you can do to help as well. Look and ask for these changes from local businesses. To go even further, get yourself a snazzy reusable portable beverage mug to take your java or sodas on the go. Or carry a collapsible bag to reuse for groceries (cute ones can be found at www.bagson-

If you’re planning to paint, choose low “VOC” paints. The letters stand for a set of scientific multi-syllable words that, put simply, mean the paint is friendly to the environment. Plus it gives off practically no odor. That “new paint smell” from higher “VOC” paints is the chemical fumes evaporating into the atmosphere. The product will run a pinch more per gallon, but your lungs and your visitor’s lungs will thank you. Trash recycling may sound daunting to the harried Urban dweller, so here are a few sobering facts on what your efforts can do with just paper: each ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water. And recycling a single aluminum can power a television for three hours. If you wish to be a part of downtown Augusta’s recycling program, contact Martha King, the Augusta Cares Coordinator, at 706.821.2300 and request special bins. Acceptable materials include paper, cardboard, newspaper, plastic, aluminum, steel, tin and other metals. They do not currently recycle glass. Going green is easy when you know where to begin. The best thing to take away from this is that we can all help. Remember, one times a million “ones” is a million. Small choices can make a huge impact when multiplied by all of us. by Emily Blunt • photos by Morgan Lane and Kais Tolmats Emily Blunt is the creator of Blunt Review, Hollywood star interviewer and freelance writer. Blunt Review accentuates the positive and includes her own little “Emilyisms,” which are now an underground sensation with readers.

learn more: check out these eco-resources

50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save the Earth

by Gary Hirschberg / Hyperion Books. A true force for change, Gary Hirschberg has been at the forefront of working for environmental and social transformation for 30 years. From his days as an educator and activist to his current position as President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s largest organic yogurt company, he has inspired thousands of people to recognize their ability to make the world a better place. In Stirring it Up, Hirschberg calls on individuals to realize their power to affect change in the marketplace – “the power of one” – while proving that environmental commitment makes for a healthier planet and a healthier bottom line.

by John, Sophie and Jesse Javna / Hyperion Books The 5 million copy bestseller that sparked a green revolution in the 1990’s is back with a new message: The best way to save the Earth is to pick just one issue you care about...and make a sustained, committed effort to work on it. This book shows you how! The book is just the first step, though. The corresponding web site, 50SimpleThings. com, is a portal to environmental activism—a continuously updated collection of advice, information, news, and resources, plus a blog and forum. It’s designed for beginners as well as deeply committed activists. both books available for order at The Book Tavern: 706.826.1940

Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World

verge / july / 17

top ten uses for used grounds

save your feet and gas

choose a cruiser for downtown travels Your feet are begging for some relief. They’re tired of pounding the sidewalks and streets of downtown Augusta. Then your back adds, “Hey, don’t forget about me. I’d like some relief too!” It sure would be nice to simply cruise from one place to another with a little less effort. What’s the remedy? It’s one of the noblest inventions that dates back to a more simple time. It’s you gliding along, coasting down the street, taking in the sights and sounds of downtown. So what is this great machine that gets you around with the greatest of ease? The bicycle. Bicycles and bicycle technology has come a long way. There are bikes for every type of riding imaginable. Commuter bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, BMX bikes, tri bikes, and the list goes on. But sometimes the latest technology is not necessary. A bike for downtown is different. It’s got to be simple and it’s got to be comfortable. Something you can just jump on and ride off. No 30-speed gear systems, no special shoes needed, no fancy clothes with high-tech fabrics to be worn, nothing to think about. Enter, the cruiser bike and the fixie!

even coffee grounds can be recycled 10. Deodorizer. Dry coffee grounds out on a cookie sheet and then put them in a bowl in your refrigerator or freezer, or rub them on your hands to get rid of food prep smells. 9. Plant food. Plants, such as rosebushes, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreen and camellias, that prefer acidic soils will appreciate the leftovers from your morning cup. Also, grounds can add nutrients to your compost bin. 8. Insect repellant. Sprinkle old grounds around places you don’t want ants, or on the ant piles themselves. The little buggers will move on or stay away. Used grounds are also said to repel snails and slugs. 7. Dye. By steeping grounds in hot water, you can make brown dye for fabric, paper and even Easter eggs. 6. Furniture scratch cover-up. Steep grounds and apply a bit of the liquid to furniture scratches with a Q-tip. 5. Cleaning product. As they’re slightly abrasive, grounds can be used as a scouring agent for greasy and grimy stain-resistant objects. 4. Kitty repellent. To keep kitty from using the garden as her personal powder room, sprinkle grounds mixed with orange peels around your plants. 3. Flea dip. Follow up Fido’s shampoo with a coffee ground rub down, working them down to his skin. Not only are the fleas supposed to vamoose, but puppy’s hair will feel soft too. 2. Dust inhibitor. Before you clean out the fireplace, toss wet coffee grounds over the ashes to keep the ash dust under control. 1. Cellulite reducer. Mix 1/4 cup warm, used coffee grounds and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. While standing over an old towel or newspaper, apply the mixture to your “problem areas”, next, wrap the areas with shrink wrap and leave on for several minutes. Unwind the wrap, brush loose grounds off your skin and then shower with warm water. For best results, it is recommended to repeat this procedure twice a week. A little weird to be sure, but as high priced cellulite creams include coffee in the ingredients, it just might work.

courtesy of 50 Simple ways to Save the Earth

Part of the reason cruiser bikes are so much fun is they roll like a Cadillac with Barry White coming through the speakers. Yeah, they’re that smooth, with big fat tires, couch-like seating, wide swept back handlebars, and velvet like grips. But the ride quality is just the tip of the iceberg; these things have looks that kill! Sexy lines, dripping wet paint jobs, and awesome graphics with show-car detail. They come in more than 31 flavors and there’s something for everyone. From bikes that reflect the culture of Amsterdam to bikes that belong on a 50’s movie set. Some of these bikes look like art on wheels. No matter your style or personality, there’s a cruiser for you. But maybe you want something a little sleeker. Something that slices through town like a samurai sword. Something that handles like an F1 racer. Look no further than the fixie. Think of a road bike that has been chopped down to one direct drive gear, or fixed gear, and maybe a brake. Fixed gear road bikes are something that have been very popular in the bike messenger culture of New York and San Francisco for years, but the phenomenon has now spread all over the globe. Their beauty is in their simplicity. It’s hard to deny the clean lines and stripped down look of a fixie. If you want something that is big on style and performs like a street racer, a fixed gear is for you! While a lot of technology is available in the world of bicycles, there is a time and place for all of it. One of my favorite acronyms is K.I.S.S, and “keep it simple stupid” is the perfect phrase for a downtown bike. If you’ve been thinking about sitting down to get around, the cruiser bikes and fixies are two categories to check out, which you’ll be able to do downtown at First Friday this August! Look for the Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse tent in front of blue magnolia at 1124 Broad Street. by Drew Jordan

We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. [Aldo Leopold]

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verge / july / 19

hellblinki sextet / gypsy pirate blues psycho cabaret cd release • july 12 • sky city I first met the Hellblinki Sextet outside on a dark August evening… While I’m sure the group would love for me to continue with some dark, macabre tale of punk pirates and carnival freaks, I must admit it was a small, late evening gig at Arts in the Heart. And while the atmosphere leaned towards family fun and harmless homemade crafts, front-man Andrew Benjamin and his southern “psycho-cabaret” band took me to a completely different place. Mr. Benjamin, his face powdered chalk white, his lips painted black, and his ebony hair crowned with a top hat, smiled like a ringleader as he orchestrated a beautiful symphony of dark accounts. Benjamin started the band in Durham, North Carolina. He bought an 8-track recording device and began gathering his friends for “Sunday bacchanals,” during which the group performed and taped tracks filled with miscellaneous instruments and sound. “[The style] probably has a little bit to do with growing up. My folks were really into opera. I grew up seeing a lot of theatre, especially musical theatre - that’s where the theatrical elements come from. And I grew up with punk rock, and music from all over the spectrum. You can glimpse that in what we do: we put it all in a big pot, and add plenty of seasoning,” Benjamin says. He returned to his native home of Augusta to finish recording and produce the Hellblinki Sextet’s first full length CD “A Self-Titled Debut.” The band has come a long way since their house party recordings and small appearances at venues and festivals. The sextet is currently a three piece set, consisting of Andrew Benjamin (vocals, guitar, bass percussion), Valerie Meiss (vocals, accordion, piano, percussion), and Brad Lunsford (bass guitar, accordion). They collaborated with several other musicians, however, to create the group’s third full length album, Oratory. Benjamin remarks,

“I actually put something up on CraigsList.com, because I wanted a tuba for this one song.” A tubist from Toronto, Canada, replied and sent a recording via the Internet. Hellblinki also used this method to recruit Henry Wynn, an Augustan violinist who has performed with the sextet on several occasions. Oratory leads you through a peculiar and fantastic invention of bluesy folk, guerilla opera and, what Benjamin calls, “punk rock cinematics.” While listening to Oratory, I find myself transfixed in juxtaposition. Am I really sitting here at my laptop listening to an mp3? Or am I situated on some back highway road, watching a fire dim and being lulled by a gypsy band while someone fiddles with a radio that pours out the drawl of southern talk radio? The “talk” I refer is found specifically in the interludes of the album. What the group calls “found sound” plays while instruments continue on, creating a steady, never-ending flow of music. This braid of music and sound forms an odd calypso that digs deep into the untilled soil of your forgotten dreams and nightmares. As one fan said, Hellblinki spawned fully grown from the forehead of Shiva and represents the whole of the universe, laid out backwards in coffee stains on the passenger-side front floor mat of an olive green ‘68 Plymouth Fury. Expect your Hellblinki experience to play like a Tim Burton film, filled with dark lyrics and mysterious melodies which both chill and warm your soul. The Hellblinki Sextet returns to its Augusta roots this month to celebrate the release of Oratory on July 12 at Sky City. Show begins at 10:30 pm. check out their website at www.hellblinki.com or download Oratory – anailable on iTunes. by Ashley Plocha

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gallery

soundcheck

Stephen Lawson: Time Scene Gertrude Herbert • thru August 1

Cinematic Sunrise July 9 • Sector 7G

It is apparent that the advent of the digital camera has brought new light to the realm of photography. Essentially, everyone can become a photographer, just as the Augusta Photography Festival encouraged. Although I personally believe digital photography has just as many cons as pros, it’s hard not to appreciate the fact that more people are now exposed to and experimenting with art.

One thousand miles in three days: Detroit to Louisville to Augusta. Then this band of best friends swings down to join the Vans Warped Tour, playing seven shows in seven cities in seven days. They vow to have a good time the entire way.

Despite the surge of the digital world, it should be noted that film photography hasn’t lost its luster. Many photographers refuse to dive into a world filled with megapixels and automatic adjustments, preferring the natural process of exposing and developing film. Some might consider working with film to be more time consuming, more complex, and less pre-deterministic, but others would argue that this is what is so appealing about film. The idea of manipulating a negative or the process of exposing film is as intriguing as learning how to transform layers of oil paint into a masterpiece. The work of Stephen Lawson, who is currently holding an exhibit at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, captures the essence of painting with a lens.Lawson utilizes radically altered cameras, which have been constructed using simple power tools, handwork and patience, to capture landscapes and their structural elements. His background in sculpture influences the process and composition of his photography. He also breaks the stereotype that photos are just quick snapshots by shooting one image throughout the course of days, months or even years. He says, “Images could be thought of as a formal and concentrated gaze, as a glance or as the eye sees before the mind shapes this to a visual memory, often as a still.” His work incorporates three major styles of art, sculpture, photography, and painting, to present a quality of art that is both captivating and surreal. ”The work is presented in a poetic mode that has one stand briefly outside the flow of time, hopefully causing us to reflect on our time in the world, individually, culturally, and as a species.” by Katie McGuire

Cinematic Sunrise is strictly about having a good time and making music that is innocent and fun to play. “Basically, the whole idea, everything about Cinematic Sunrise, is just happy and fun. And there’s nothing more fun than coloring,”explains vocalist Craig Owens about the decision to include a coloring book with their aptly titled debut EP A Coloring Storybook and Long Playing Record. Fronted by Craig Owens (lead vocals) and Bradley Bell (keys), Cinematic Sunrise spun off as a side project from their other band - the harder, more angsty Chiodos. The “happy” project is rounded out by Bryan Beeler (guitar), Marcus VanKirk (bass) and Dave Shapiro (drums). “To me, it’s just good-time music,” says Bell. “A soundtrack to a party… it’s music for a wide audience, so I really hope a lot of people can appreciate it and understand what we’re doing.” The original songs range from the pretty You Told Me You Loved Me to the more driving Pulling a Piano From a Pond, laced with catchy melodies and hooks that will likely remain in your head for days at a time. The group is even more fun live – the guys are just out for a good time. They’re the kind of guys you want to hang out with after the show. And their music is addictive. As one fan said, “They won’t be leaving my iPod anytime soon.” Cinematic Sunrise is a band with a lot of potential. The current tour and quirky EP are the perfect launching pads for the band. Cinematic Sunrise has the potential to surpass chiodos in terms of the success. It’s top 40 ready, and if you miss out on seeing them now, you’ll be kicking yourself when you hear about it from everyone else. Check out Cinematic Sunrise at www.cinsun.com and see them live at Sector 7G on Wednesday, July 9. The music starts at 7 pm; tickets are $10 each. by Wylie Graver

verge / july / 21

onstage

offstage

Halo Hair and Fashion Show 2008 1102 Bar and Grill • July 12 What happens when modern hair and vintage threads collide? Halo Salon and Spa introduces its Hair and Fashion Show of 2008 this month. Sarah Boyett, owner of Halo, organized the event with the help of downtown retail businesses. “We’re trying to do something more ‘big city’ in Augusta,” she says. The show will exhibit emerging trends in hair design and color. Boyett and her fabulous team of stylists are all well experienced with hair and make-up. Halo’s staff frequently attends shows and expos in hotspots such as NYC and Beverly Hills which highlight the trendiest styles and techniques. Don’t expect top designer names of 2008 to appear at this show. Instead, watch as models strut the catwalk in vintage clothes supplied from downtown retailers. Vintage 965 and Vintage Ooollee are providing the threads for the show, as well as other vintage retailers coming soon to downtown. “It’s bringing vintage fashion and downtown business together,” Boyett says. Another exciting feature of the show will be the music. Two members of the new LA band I Will Never Be the Same are flying from California to Augusta to DJ and play their original tunes for the show. Josh Atchley, known to LA as the DJ nynex, is the sole performer on the band’s debut album. For his live performances, he teams up with three other musicians to recreate the bold alt-electronica sound he produces in his studio. Halo’s Hair and Fashion Show of 2008 is Saturday, July 12 at 1102 Bar and Grill. Doors open at 7:15 pm; the show begins at 8:15 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and $25 for VIP (VIP section includes private tables, complimentary champagne and chocolates; seating limited). For details contact Sarah Boyett at Halo Salon & Spa at 706.828.4856 by Ashley Plocha • photo by Alex Ardeen

The Inventions of Leonardo da VinciBroad Street Fort Discovery • Opens July 19 For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. The dense, handwritten pages of Leonardo da Vinci’s journals are filled with designs for machines of all kinds, from the functional to the fantastic. It has been said that an artist dreams in pictures and a poet dreams in words. Leonardo da Vinci dreamed in machines. On July 19, Fort Discovery brings those dreams to reality, with sixteen models of Leonardo’s inventions. The Inventions of Leonardo da Vinci is an interpretive exhibition of models built from his drawings that invite visitors to explore the master’s concepts. The exhibition includes 16 models of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, including a flying machine, parachute, anemometer, military tank, and printing press. At special computer stations, visitors can virtually leaf through portions of da Vinci’s extraordinary journal, Codice Atlantico, devoted to mechanics, engineering, architecture, physics, and other disciplines. More than 50 3D models are duplicated in the virtual journal and most have interactive capabilities in which one can see how these machines work. da Vinci’s Workshop, a virtual tour, brings to life the rooms where Leonardo planned and produced his inventions and works of art. In addition, multiple showings of the program The Spirit of Discovery: Follow it Through are hosted by da Vinci himself, the spirit of creativity and discovery is encouraged within all of us. To complete the interactive experience, a hands-on station will feature models of gears, pulleys, and airplanes, as well as small items guests may construct themselves like miniature catapults and parachutes. Explore the fascinating world and genius mind of Leonardo da Vinci at Fort Discovery, One Seventh Street, from June 19 to October 11. Tickets are $6 to $8. For details: nscdiscovery.org or 706.821.0200 compiled by Wylie Graves

Bringing in these books would earn you $52.00 in credit towards other used books. Come trade with us.

1026 Broad Street 706.826.1940 • booktavern.com Su 12 - 4 • M - W 10 - 6 • Th - S 10 - 8

22 / july / verge

verge / july / 23

quick lunches on the run silla café twenty five minutes Talk about a quick lunch. It was exceptionally busy the day we went to Silla. The line was almost to the door and I was starving! But we didn’t give up and go elsewhere. Instead, we stood fast, and my stomach continues to thank me. We were through the line, sitting down eating, and done in just 25 minutes. That’s fast. While they offer burgers and sandwiches, my wife and I both ordered from the Asian side of the menu. The pork was spicy enough with serious flavor but not overpowering. All in all, a real win. 855 Broad Street • 706.722.1800

nacho mamas twenty seven minutes Everybody loves a giant burrito, and even when the line is long, you’re sure to get out within a half hour at lunchtime. With an expansive menu of all things burrito, taco and a delicious seizure salad, you won’t sacrifice quality for this quick lunch. The portions are huge, so bring your appetite, and keep an ear out to hear your name shouted when your food is ready. 976 Broad Street • 706.724.0501

broad street burgers twenty minutes If you’ve never been passed 15th on Broad Street then you probably don’t know about the best burger in Augusta. Just seconds from downtown and a few minutes wait and you’ll have heavenly flavor filling your mouth. Great fries and super low prices make this joint a near weekly stop for us. 1805 Broad Street • 706.736.4464.

river dogs express eight minutes for one Kids love hotdogs. Adults love brats. And River Dogs Express is sure to cure those hunger pains in as little time as possible. I tried everything on the menu (even the vegetarian dog) in less than 20 minutes. I’m partial to the brat myself, so I’d recommend starting there. Make sure to get it with all the fixins you want (I’m just a ketchup man myself). It may have been a lot to eat, but I did it for you. Maybe now it’s time I break out those old running shoes. James Brown Plaza • 706.394.9271 by Jack Casey • photos by Katie McGuire

good chow metro a coffeehouse and pub / downtown’s living room Whether it’s ten in the morning and you want a beer, or two in the morning and you’re looking for a latte; there’s only one place in downtown Augusta that you can find both: Metro A Coffeehouse and Pub. It’s a place brimming with cultural diversity, where day and night you can find metal-kids sipping cappuccinos and senior citizens enjoying cocktails; students lost in books and tea; construction workers grabbing that “end of the day beer.” This is a one of a kind establishment and a true testament to the cultural melting pot that is downtown. It’s the only place downtown that doesn’t stick to the traditional coffeehouse or bar room hours, being open from ten in the morning until 3 am and 2 am on Saturdays. According to Kenny Morrison, one of the founders, “originally it was more of a coffeehouse, but within the first three months it flipped. It’s really got its own feel to it, with the wood floors, furniture, and bar. It’s very relaxed. We’re, in a way, downtown’s living-room.” The phrase “downtown’s living-room” made me pause for a second. With its Irish and western pub theme, mixed with the smooth jazz sounds that frequently echo out to the street, this place is known by many in the area as an easy spot to kick your feet up on the couch and converse with friends. I asked Kenny about any funny stories he had about the place; he told me (after a few minutes of laughing between his coworkers), “Yeah, the brick wall. We were working on the place and someone got really angry and hit the wall. Well, the plaster cracked away to expose that brick wall behind it. So, we took one look at the brick and said, ‘Why not?’ Now everyone gives us compliments on how cool the brick wall behind the bar looks.” Metro A Coffeehouse and Pub is located on the corner of 11th and Broad St. in downtown Augusta. They’re open Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. until 3 a.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Stop by and ask for a beer, or a cocktail, or a latte, or a coffee (with free unlimited refills), or a “Jedi” if you’re feeling bold. You’ll probably find me by the pool table, trying really hard to study… or something like that. Metro A Coffeehouse and Pub 1054 Broad Street • 706.722.6468 by Carl D. Elder • photo by Katie McGuire

24 / july / verge

johnny hensley and the red hots / a rock and roll reunion This month the Imperial Theatre will play host to the latest reunion tour of one of Augusta’s most beloved rock and roll bands, Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots. For those of you who have never heard of them, don’t be embarrassed. First formed in 1958, The Red Hots were simply a group of teenagers looking to do something different. The CSRA had no rock bands at the time. There were no Hellblinkis or Will McCranies in 1958; at least not in Augusta. Now, Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots are playing their 50th anniversar y reunion for Press On: the Patrick R. Chance Fund for Neuroblastoma Research. Augustans may remember the last three “Red Hots” reunions; they sold out in 1994, 1995, and 1998. This time, the boys are coming back to the stage with a few new faces, like Patrick Blanchard, for the sake of charity. The downtown community is planning a “Red Hot Weekend” in celebration of the show. There will be classic cars from the 1950’s and 1960’s on Broad Street, and the show itself will include Augusta favorites Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold. I sat down with Mr. Hensley and discussed the history of the Red Hots and music in Augusta from his perspective. The Red Hots, after forming in 1958, spent several years playing small clubs, television “dance party” spots, and traveling to Savannah on Saturday nights to

reunion concert benefits seeds of hope press on: the patrick r. chance fund for neuroblastoma research Cancer is the number one disease killer of American children. More children die from cancer than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma, and AIDS combined. Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor in children and is extremely difficult to diagnose. Its progression is often rapid and very painful. Although neuroblastoma accounts for only 8% of all childhood cancers, it is responsible for over 15% of the deaths.

Patrick Chance was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Over the last two years, he has endured surgery, a stem cell transplant, countless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and monoclonal antibody therapy. Patrick is five years old. His parents formed Press On: The Patrick R. Chance Fund last year to raise funds for clinical research relating to neuroblastoma, particularly the development of new, targeted therapies and improvements to make current therapies less toxic.

Unfortunately, pediatric cancer is severely under-funded and neuroblastoma receives very little of the general funding. Patrick’s family have often summoned the will to “press on” (Philippians 3:12-16) during difficult times. It is through the “seeds of hope,” the generosity of many, that they will be able to provide grants to scientists and physicians who are working diligently to truly provide hope for the families of children diagnosed with neuroblastoma. For more information, contact Kris Gordon at 706.863.7405 or krisanddon@comcast.net.

play on Tybee Island. We had an interesting discussion about the times he met Otis Redding and Roy Orbison. “I remember this one time we were playing at this club, and just so happens, Roy Orbison showed up… well, without realizing he was there, we end up doing one of his songs… I’m not going to tell ya what he thought about that one!” He told me about the time the band recorded in Nashville at RCA, in the same room Elvis recorded many of his early hits. “Yeah, we were so stoked once we actually realized we were recording here, at the same spot were these legends had recorded. Now that studio is a museum. We got in just before they closed it down.” We continued to talk about the evolution of rock and roll with the emergence of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and multiple genres today. “We tried to stay true to what we did… but we did cover these new bands. The Rolling Stones, if you strip it all away, that’s my favorite band. They kick ass! Mick Jagger, he’s my age. They make a great show and bring people to life. I tr y to always do the same. We get in people’s face!” he said with a passionate laugh. Considering Augusta, he discussed the early days of live music in Augusta. Special memories included the live dance shows on WRDW that his band played on many occasions. “You know, we did that dance party on local television a few years ago; people are still coming up to me saying ‘Hey, I know you!’ and you know, they weren’t even alive back when we were playing. Turns out, I never watched the television broadcast of that [dance party]. They were still showing it on reruns, I didn’t even realize it.” Mr. Hensley never thought that he would wind up back at the Imperial even though that’s one of the first venues his band played. Speaking of the historic building, he said, “Hell, I never thought I’d make it to 65! It is a great opportunity, though, to be back were we started after all these years.” The audience can expect a great show. There is a live broadcast planned that will cover the entire performance. CD’s, videotapes, and t-shirts will be available for purchase. A special video will be played to honor the former members of the band. Tickets are $20 to $25, and can be purchased at the Imperial Theatre box office or online at imperialtheatre. com. All proceeds will go to the Patrick R. Chance fund. by Carl Elder • photos courtesy of Johnny Hensley

verge / july / 25

ovies at

friday july 4

n ai

july Augusta HQ Library 902 Greene Street 6:30 pm • mondays • free

June 7:

Control 2007 • R 122 minutes based on the autography Touching From a Distance by Deborah Curtis

A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.

outdoor events First Friday: Freedom Friday Downtown • 5 to 10 pm • free Downtown comes to life as galleries, studios, and shops stay open late and the street is filled with vendors and live entertainment. Stretching from 5th to 12th St., this family friendly event boasts over 22 live music venues, complemented by numerous locally owned restaurants. Kids Zone – activities for kids. Live music and entertainment at 10th Street, includes The Mood Swings, Nothing Fancy & Friends Dancers, DV8 Tribal Belly Fusion, Pyroteque and much more!

special events River Blast Augusta Riverwalk/Augusta Commons • 2 to 9:30 pm • free Activities include an arts/craft bazaar, a variety of musical entertainment, dance & activities for the entire family to enjoy. There will be a patriotic concert at the Amphitheater and a spectacular fireworks display with Cannon Firing in the evening. Grand Opening of Sky City Sky City • 5 pm to 3 am • $5 Featuring 80’s Night – Come out and welcome this awesome new venue to Downtown Augusta. 12th Annual Star Spangled Concert St Paul’s Episcopal Church • 8 pm • $10 to $50

June 14:

The Other Boleyn Girl

2008 • PG-13 115 minutes

based on the novel by Philippa Gregory

A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family’s blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII.

June 21:

Charlie Bartlett 2007 • R 97 minutes

This light-hearted comedy stars Anton Yelchin as a rich kid who becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body of his new high school and Robert Downy Jr. as the principal who tries to thwart him.

Persepolis 2007 • PG-13 95 minutes based on the comic strip memoir by Marjane Satrapi

In striking black and white animation, Marjane Satrapi captures her own poignant coming-of-age story as a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl during the Islamic Revolution.

thursday july 10

Paul Arrowood

Coffee Cupping New Moon Café • 7:30 pm • free New Moon on Broad St. will be doing a comparative coffee cupping on First Friday. The cupping will be led by the coffee roasters from MoonBeam Coffees and will teach the basics of professional cupping, as well as a cupping of our charity of the Month Coffee. Seating is limited. Details: 803.644.0637 From Ty to Cobb: A Century of Baseball in Augusta Augusta Museum of History • 10 am to 5 pm • $2-$4 Reopening Day. From Ty to Cal, this exhibit traces the history of professional baseball in Augusta over the past century, during which the city of Augusta has hosted over a dozen baseball teams, many of which have brought championship titles to The Garden City. From the 1885 Augusta Browns, the first organized team in Augusta, to the present-day GreenJackets, Augusta has had a long-standing tradition of great minor league teams.

live music Brown Sugar Cotton Patch • 9 pm • $2 • R&B Arrowood Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock John Barret and Friends 1102 • 10 pm • $5 • Metal Shotgun Opera The Playground • 10 pm • $3 • Metal

special events Saturday Market on the River 8th & Reynolds • 8 am to 1 pm • free Meet the Augusta Colts Football Team. A unique open air market experience in the heart of Augusta. Rain or shine.

live music Versa Emerge • Our Last Night • Out Finest Year • Before Stars Fall Sector 7G • 7 pm • $7 • pop punk Chuck Holt The Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic

art events

Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

sunday july 6 art events Artrageous Sunday Trompe l’Oeil Morris Museum of Art • 2 to 4 pm • free Study Jeffrey Kronsnoble’s paintings, then create an original trompe l’oeil.

outdoor events Christian Sands: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6 Bring your own picnic and seating! Details: www.gardencityjazz.com Keith Gregory & John Kolbeck Cotton Patch • 8 pm to midnight • free

monday july 7 film events Movies at Main Greene St Library • 6:30 pm • free Control, 2007, rated R, directed by Anton Corbijn

live music Dewey Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

saturday july 5 June 28:

pipeline / 7.4 - 7.12

tuesday july 8

live music Walking the Cadaver • Rose Funeral • Catalepsy • Left to Vanish • Without Remorse Sector 7G • 7 pm • $8 • metal Dr. John Fisher The Fox’s Lair • 7 pm • free • irish Ruskin Yeargin Joe’s Underground • 10pm • $2 • acoustic

Toddler Time: Col. Poole’s Pig Adventure Morris Museum of Art • 10 to 11 am • $4 Learn about the painting Col. Poole’s Pig Hill of Fame and design your own “pig-on-a-stick” to take home and put in your garden. Children 5 and younger. Register: 706.828.3867. Opening Reception for Charles Johnson Greene St Library • 2 pm • free Sacred Heart • 5:30 to 7:30 pm • free All proceeds from art sales benefit the artist and the ongoing preservation of Sacred Heart. Details: 706.826.4700

live music Paul Arrowood Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $3 • acousti Will McCranie Live in Concert Sky City • 9 pm • $3 with John Krueger, Jacob Beltz, Billy S and Carey Murdock

friday july 11 art event Toddler Time Col. Poole’s Pig Adventure Morris Museum of Art • 11:15 am to 12:15 pm • $4 Learn about the painting Col. Poole’s Pig Hill of Fame and design your own “pig-on-a-stick” to take home and put in your garden. Children 5 and younger. Register: 706.828.3867. Art at Lunch: Erick Montgomery Morris Museum of Art • noon • $10 to $13 Erick Montgomery, director of Historic Augusta, reveals the architectural history of our city. Catering by Cutie Pies Gourmet Café. Register by July 9: 706.724.7501

live music

wednesday july 9 art events Lunch and Learn: Art History Series Morris Museum of Art • noon • varies Approaches to Art: Interpreting Art through Cultural and Historical Context. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch. Members free, non-members regular museum admission.

special events Brown Bag History Series Lecture: Augusta’s Confederate Monument Augusta Museum of History • 11:30 am • $3 Tom Sutherland presents the story behind one of Augusta’s most distinctive monuments. The Brown Bag History Series is an educational lecture series provided monthly by the Augusta Museum of History. Participants should bring a lunch and the Museum provides beverages and dessert.

senior event Senior Luncheon Lucy Craft Laney Museum • 1:30 pm • $7 On the second Wednesday of each month, area seniors and working professionals are invited to enjoy lectures on a variety of topics while dining on food from our city’s finest restaurants. As one of our oldest traditions at the museum, the senior luncheons are an interactive occasion. RSVP: 706.724.3576. Cinematic Sunrise • The Arrival • Forever in a Day • Tito’s Gone to Miami Sector 7G • 7 pm • $10 • punk

Virginia Daredevils Stillwater Tap Room • 10 pm • $4 • bluegrass By the Sins Fell Angels • Cains • Because of This Sector 7G • 7 pm • $7 • meta Mason Jars 1102 • 10pm • $5 • funk Ruskin Yeargin The Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic David Heath Project Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • acoustic

saturday july 12 art events Adult Master Artist Workshop Morris Museum of Art • 10 am to 4:30 pm • $65 to $85 Artist Jeffrey Kronsnoble leads a one-day acrylic painting workshop focusing on abstraction. Includes all materials. Register: 706.828.3865

special event HALO: hair and fashion show 1102 • 8 pm • $10 to $15 see page 21 for complete details Music on the Plaza 8th Street Plaza • 7 to 10 pm • $5 Enjoy the best local and regional entertainers in the beautiful setting of the 8th St. Plaza. This series of concerts will showcase a wide variety of music and musical talent. Details: 706.821.1754

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pipeline / 7.13 - 7.22 outdoor event Alabaster Radio: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6 Bring your own picnic and seating! Details: www.gardencityjazz.com

live music

hands on history: pottery thursday july 30 • augusta museum of history Looking for a creative activity for your children this summer? The Augusta Museum of History recently kicked off a new children’s programming series, Hands on History. July’s session focuses on the Museum’s collection of pottery, including face jugs and work by Dave the Potter. After the gallery session, children can create their own clay masterpiece using the coil or pinch pot technique. Limited space is available: register at 706.722.8454. The two hour session begins at 10:30 am. $6 for adults and $4 for children with all supplies included.

A Different Breed of Killer • The Classic Struggle • Broadcast the Nightmare • Aratic • Attila Sector 7G • 7pm • $8 • metal

monday july 14 kids event Morris Art Break: Session 2 Gallery Detective: ages 6 to 9 Morris Museum of Art • 10 am to 12:30 pm • $80 to $100/wk In this week long event, children will investigate the different kinds of art found at the museum, and create a variety of art projects based on the discoveries. All materials and snacks included. Register by July 7: 706.828.3865

film event Movies at Main Greene St. Library • 6:30 pm • free The Other Boleyn Girl (2008, Rated PG-13, Directed by Justin Chadwick)

live music Joe Stevenson Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

tuesday july 15 live music Dave Firmin Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

wednesday july 16

saturday july 19

outdoor event

special events John Hensley & The Red Hots 50th Rock N’ Roll Reunion Concert Imperial Theatre • 8 pm • $25 Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots reunite for a special concert to celebrate their 50th Rock N’ Roll Reunion, with Patrick Blanchard and Eryn Eubanks & The Family Fold. Benefitting Seeds of Hope for The Patrick R. Chance Fund for Neuroblastoma Research. For tickets: imperialtheatre.com

SherryWine: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6 Bring your own picnic and seating! Details: www.gardencityjazz.com

sports event Augusta Southern National Boat Races Augusta Riverfront Marina • 8 am to 6 pm • $14 to $50 The World’s Richest Drag Boat Race. Come enjoy a weekend of thunder on the river. Details and tickets: augustasouthernnationals.org.

live music

outdoor events Saturday Market on the River 8th & Reynolds • 8 am to 1 pm • free Today features gospel music at Augusta’s unique open air market experience. Rain or Shine.

Our Final Chapter • And Then Came Terror • In the Wake of Dischord • Kasady Sector 7G • 7 pm • $7 • meta

monday july 21

sports events Augusta Southern National Boat Races Augusta Riverfront Marina • 8 am to 6 pm • $14 to $50 The World’s Richest Drag Boat Race. Come enjoy a weekend of thunder on the river. Details and tickets: augustasouthernnationals.org.

live music Cary Ann Hearst & The Gun Street Girls Sky City • 10 pm • $5 • indie with special guest Gringo Star

kids event Morris Art Break: Session 2 Gallery Detective – ages 10-13 Morris Museum of Art • 10 am to 12:30 pm • $80 to $100/wk In this week long event, children will investigate the different kinds of art found at the museum, and create a variety of art projects based on their discoveries. All materials and snacks included. Monday July 21st thru July 25th. Register by July 7: 706.828.3865.

special event

Alice in Chains & Pantera Tribute Band 1102 • 10 pm • $5 • metal Blue Funk with Bayou Bleu & Old School DJ Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $5 • funk

Movies at Main Greene St. Library • 6:30 pm • free Charlie Bartlett (2007, Rated R, Directed by Jon Poll)

live music

sunday july 20 art event Music at the Morris Morris Museum of Art • 2pm • free Cool off on this July afternoon with the Kari Gaffney Trio’s smoldering renditions of the classic American Songbook.Details: www. gardencityjazz.com

Life Ruiner • From Graves of Valor • With Dead Hand Rising • The World We Knew • The Breathing Process Sector 7G • 7 pm • $8 • metal Keith Gregory Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

live music

details: augustamuseum.org

Disciple • The Joseph Christie Band • Eleventh Hour • The Lively Stones 1102 • 7 pm • $5 • Christian rock

outdoor event Saturday Market on the River 8th & Reynolds • 8 am to 1 pm • free Meet the GreenJackets at today’s Saturday Market – a unique open air market experience. Rain or shine.

live music

thursday july 17 live music John Krueger Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $3 • acoustic Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $3 • acoustic.

The Hellblinki Sextet Sky City • 10 pm • $5 • cabaret CD Release Party

friday july 18 sports event

Dirty South Revolutionaries • Destroyed Tradition • Sick Sick Sick Sector 7G • 8 pm • $5 • punk Signal The Playground • 10 pm • $3 • metal Jeff Liberty The Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic

Augusta Southern National Boat Races Augusta Riverfront Marina • 8 am to 6 pm • $14 to $50 The World’s Richest Drag Boat Race. Come enjoy a weekend of thunder on the river. Details and tickets: augustasouthernnationals.org.

live music Corduroy Road Stillwater Tap Room • 10 pm • $4 • folk The Skuds Sector 7G • 8 pm • $3 • punk

sunday july 13 art event Gallery Talk & Reception Morris Museum of Art • 2 pm • free Jeffrey Kronsnoble discusses his work during an interview with the museum’s Creative Outreach Committee.

Roger Enevoldsen The Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic Stone Dogs Joe’s Underground • 10pm • $4 • rock

go speed racer: augusta southern nationals july 18 thru 20 • on the savannah river The Savannah River will boil as the 23rd Annual Augusta Southern Drag Boat races brings fun and excitement for the entire family. Over 100 racing teams will compete as they try to beat the record of 252.94 mph. Come see the fastest and loudest boat racing action in the country as competitors race down the liquid quarter mile, while supporting the Augusta Chapter of the Georgia Special Olympics! Friday night, the Augusta Common features the annual “Ring of Fire” with free admission (starts at 7 pm). Entry gate for the races is at the Augusta Arena. Tickets range in price from $18 to $50. details: augustasouthernnationals.org

verge / july / 27

pipeline / 7.23 - 8.1

tuesday july 22 live music John Kolbeck Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

wednesday july 30 special event

wednesday july 23

Hands On History: Pottery Augusta Museum of History • 10:30 am to 12 pm • $4 to $6 After viewing the Museum’s collection of pottery, participants can try creating their own clay masterpiece using the coil or pinch pot technique! All supplies included. Register: 706.722.8454 (ages 6 and up). Limited space is available.

art event Lunch & Learn Art History Series Morris Museum of Art • noon Approaches to Art: The Effect of Personality Types on Interpreting Art. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch.

thursday july 24 live music Jacob Beltz Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $3 • acoustic

friday july 25 live music Corey Smith Live in Concert Imperial Theatre • 8 pm • $20 to $23 Corey Smith returns to the Imperial Theatre for this special summer concert. Corey is obviously connecting with his audience, but it’s not marketing savvy that sells, it’s the music, and that’s where he truly shines. The Georgia native melds country, rock and blues into a sound that is all his own. That distinctive musical flair combined with Smith’s pensive, well-crafted lyrics and soulful Southern voice has earned him an enthusiastic legion of fans. Tickets: imperialtheatre.com Christabel and the Jons Stillwater Tap Room • 10 pm • $4 • bluegrass TFS Rave Sector 7G • 8 pm • $5 • dance Chairleg The Playground • 10 pm • $3 • hardcore

live music

live at 1102: disciple

Suicide Silence • With Blood Come Cleansing • Aralic • Because of This • Hollowness Sector 7G • 7 pm • $12 • metal

july 16 • 8 pm Winner or the 2008 Dove Rock Album of the Year, Disciple headlines an evening of Christian rock presented by C4A Promotions. Their sophomore album, Scars Remain, received rave reviews for its melodic blend of screamo metal to delicate soft rock. Joining the stage: The Joseph Christie Band, and Eleventh Hour. All this for only five bucks. details:disciplerocks.com

saturday july 26 kids event Stupendous! Family Saturday: Pirate Goodie and the Magic Chest Morris Museum of Art • 10 am to 12:30 pm • free Come along with Pirate Goodie Twoshoes and his parrot Pete on an amazing undersea adventure during a magical interactive animated performance. Afterwards create swash-buckling art in the activity room.

special event Music on the Plaza 8th Street Plaza • 7 to 10 pm • $5 Enjoy the best local and regional entertainers in the beautiful setting of the 8th St. Plaza. This series of concerts will showcase a wide variety of music and musical talent. Details: 706.821.1754. Scrap’n & Stamp’n Workshop Green St. Library • 10 am to 12 pm • free Learn how easy it is to tell your story through photos, journaling and memorabilia.

outdoor event Saturday Market on the River 8th & Reynolds • 8 am to 1pm • free Today’s market features special hands on exhibits by Fort Discovery. Rain or Shine

sunday july 27 outdoor event Courtland Saxon: Candlelight Jazz Eighth Street Bulkhead • 8:00 pm • $6 Bring your own picnic and seating! Details: www.gardencityjazz.com

live music Nervous Breakdown • Sick Sick Sick Sector 7G • 8 pm • $4 • punk

film event Movies at Main Greene St. Library • 6:30 pm • free Persepolis (2007, Rated PG, Directed by Parranaud & Satrapi)

live music Endwell • The Ghost Inside • Stray from the Path • Broadcast the Nightmare • Pursuit of Angels Sector 7G • 8 pm • $8 • metal John Kolbeck Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

Edison Project Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

friday august 1 outdoor events First Friday: Dog Days of Summer Downtown • 5 to 10 pm • free Downtown comes to life as galleries, studios and shops stay open late and the street is filled with vendors and live entertainment. Stretching from 5th to 12th St., this family friendly event boasts over 22 live music venues, complemented by numerous locally owned restaurants. Kids Zone – activities for kids. Live Music and Entertainment at 10th Street. Summer Blast Concert & Car Show Augusta Common • 6 to 10 pm • free This month’s event is to keep the summer rolling on, featuring both national and local talent, artisans, merchandise of all kinds, and the hottest cars and motorcycles from across the southeast. Details: 706.821.1754. special event Coffee Cupping New Moon Café 7:30 pm • free New Moon on Broad St. will be doing a comparative coffee cupping on First Friday. The cupping will be led by the coffee roasters form MoonBeam Coffees and will teach the basics of professional cupping, as well as a cupping of our charity of the Month Coffee. Seating is limited. Details: 803.644.0637

art events Art at Lunch: Bryan LeBoeuf Morris Museum of Art • noon • $10 to $13 Bryan LeBoeuf discusses his exhibition Realist Paintings by Bryan LeBoeuf. Catering by French Market Grille. Register by July 30: 706.724.7501

live music The Band with No Name The Playground • 10 pm • $3 • metal Jeff Liberty Band Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

every week

tuesday july 29 live music The Wonder Years • The Awkward Romance Sector 7G • 8 pm • $7 • punk

live music Thom Carlton The Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic

Jamie Jones Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $3 • country

monday july 28

Jeff Liberty Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $2 • acoustic

Dr. John Fisher Fox’s Lair • 9 pm • free • irish

wednesdays Open Mic Night 209 Music Lounge • 8 pm • free Open Mic Night Fox’s Lair • free Wednesday Night Dance Party Sky City • 10 pm • $2

thursday july 31

Billy & Chris & The Blues The Fox’s Lair • 8 pm • free • acoustic Impulse Ride Joe’s Underground • 10 pm • $4 • rock

Jazz Jam Sessions w/ Jazz Collective Metro Coffee House • 9 pm • free

sundays Jim Perkins Augustinos • 8 pm • free • acoustic Candlelight Jazz 8th Street Bulkhead • 8 to 9:30 pm • $6 Join us each Sunday along the banks of the Savannah River for an enchanted evening of jazz featuring regional and local jazz artists. Details: gardencityjazz.com.

tuesdays

thursdays Rhyme and Dine 209 Music Lounge • 7 to 9:30 pm • free • spoken word

fridays Friday Night Mix 209 Music Lounge • 9 pm • $5 • DJ

saturday Saturday Market on The River 8th & Reynolds • 8 am to 1pm • free In the heart of Augusta, a unique open air market experience. Every week, rain or shine. Jazz Collective Metro Coffee House • 9 pm • $2

ongoing exhibitions The Inventions of Leonardo daVinci Fort Discovery • July 19 thru October 11 Leonardo’s scientific and technical drawings have captured the imagination for centuries. This exhibition focuses on 16 drawings, through reproductions of Leonardo’s drawings on graphic panels and realizing the idea in model form. Originally developed by the IBM Corporation, this interpretive exhibition encourages visitors to explore concepts through hands-on experiences with working models. Free with paid admission to Fort Discovery. William Anderson: Lest We Forget Lucy Craft Laney Museum • Now thru June 30 Mixed media exhibition includes a 50 year retrospective of William Anderson’s black & white photography. Steve Lawson: Time Scene Gertrude Herbert • June 19 to August 1 Steve Lawson’s images created using “radically altered” cameras, incrementally recorded scenes through time, showing changes in subject, light and weather. The Godfather of Soul: Mr. James Brown Augusta Museum of History • Now thru May 2011 The first major exhibit devoted to the life of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. The exhibit celebrates his life through three studies – the man, the music, and his great legacy. A. Aubrey Bodine: Baltimore Pictorialist Morris Museum of Art • Now thru July 13 This exhibition includes a representative sampling of the work of master pictorialist photographer A. Aubrey Bodine. Bodine was a longtime staff member at the Baltimore Sun, for which he created photo-essays on subjects ranging from studies of his hometown, Baltimore, Maryland, to the oystermen and skipjack fishermen of the Chesapeake Bay. Notes on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries: Jeffery Knonsnoble Morris Museum of Art • Now thru August 10 This exhibition includes more than forty works of art, dating from the late 1960s to the present, by renowned painter and teacher Jeffrey Kronsnoble. From landscapes to meticulously rendered figure paintings, Kronsnoble’s work is characterized by fluent draftsmanship and a deep appreciation of art history. His paintings often incorporate portions of historically important works of art while reflecting the influence of photography and the most modern of 20th century art forms, collage. Realist Paintings by Bryan LeBoeuf Morris Museum of Art • July 26 thru September 28 The artist’s first solo museum exhibition introduces the work of Louisiana native Bryan LeBoeuf through ten of his large-scale paintings. Highlighted by the artist’s mastery of beautifully painted surfaces, careful composition, and baroque lighting effects, his paintings are quite contemporary in their psychological and social implications, with many of them suggesting open-ended relationships between the figures depicte d, as they interact with the moody environments he creates

28 / july / verge

verge / july / 29

pvc / bringing hip back to downtown Somebody once described to me that downtown Augusta is a city that breathes; composed of a series of inhales and exhales of improvements and setbacks. This metaphor popped back into my mind when I sat down with Adrienne Thomas to chat with her about her new store, Paper Vinyl Cloth. Adrienne reminisced about what downtown Augusta was like a decade ago, “When I was in high school, you could go to Infernal Racket, Retro, Raygun, and the Hourglass. All of these places were open then and there was enough stuff to get me down here but none of that is here now.” The stores she references were locally owned record, clothing, and vintage shops that attracted a young trendy crowd to Broad Street. Though we can’t be sure why all these businesses didn’t survive then, we can be certain that there is a growing demand to have them back now. Adrienne Thomas, along with her long-time friend and experienced business partner, John Burroughs, is opening up a catch-all shop on 8th street called Paper Vinyl Cloth. The name is simple, and it represents what they will be carrying: a collection of books, clothing, vinyl and various hand-made goods from local artisans. The concept of the store is similar to that of a thrift store, without having to spend countless hours digging through piles of clothes to find that perfect 1979 YES Tour T-Shirt. When it comes to music, Thomas appreciates the convenience of MP3 players, but it’s hard to beat the quality and appeal of vinyl. She says it’s like “holding on to something that shouldn’t have died in the first place.” The owners have employed the help of Harry Grimes, previous owner of the aforementioned record shop, Infernal Racket, to help sort through a large collection of records to sell. A huge benefit to having a store like this in Augusta is that it’s an easy way to find unique items for a low cost. It also may be considered the purest form of recycling. Most of the items the store will carry are used, or made from already-used materials. “There is a huge rush to go out and buy new versions of things that are already eco-efficient,” comments Thomas, “and getting something that is already made is lessening the need for overproduction.” The internet has been a huge avenue for local artisans to sell their handmade items, but Thomas wants to provide a space for these crafters to sell their work at home too. For more details about the store, email papervinylcloth@gmail.com. story and photos by Katie McGuire

turf war / rock band or rock circus? If you stroll into the Firehouse and hear what sounds like Kurt Cobain narrating a chainsaw-fight between John Wayne and Iggy Pop, do not be alarmed.You are probably just hearing John Robinson’s voice. Robinson, the front man for Augusta’s own Turf War, writes songs that might make you want to drink too much and brandish a switch-blade at a truck stop you can’t remember how you got to. You shouldn’t do that, though, because you might end up as the subject of the next Turf War song. Or, you might just end up in jail. According to Robinson, he has been playing music with Turf War since January of 2008. Prior to this, he was the lead singer of the Augusta band “Whalerus” and before that, he played with Athens rockers “Bring Back the Feedback,” a band whose initials have been permanently scrawled onto his upper arm in what John refers to as “a really awesome tattoo.” It’s not a really awesome tattoo. In fact, it’s a really terrible tattoo; a spontaneous decision fueled by the chaos of the moment and a boatload of booze. Although this chaotic, spontaneous, unabashedly drunken formula makes for an awful tattoo, it sure makes for a hell of a band. Going to a Turf War show is like going to a Southern family reunion. You know when entering the door that it will be either amazing or it will end with a dramatic fist fight. This volatility, however, is not a hindrance to the band, but instead seems to merely be a part of their charm. Turf War just wants to play rock music, and sometimes that means guitars have to explode or the singer has to wake up, mid-song, propped against his amplifier.

Exemplary song writing serves as the driving force behind Turf War. Each member’s part is as integral to the sound as the next. Robinson’s gritty voice and provocative lyrics are complimented perfectly by an unrelenting rhythm section and dangerously contagious guitar parts, and although John once told me that he “…could not listen to pretty music,” Turf War’s songs do have a definite melodic quality to them. The songs seem to draw heavily from early punk rock, though they do not strictly adhere to one specific genre. It is evident that the members have a wealth of musical knowledge and know what good music is, old and new. Because of their eclectic taste, Turf War is able to bring an easily accessible sound without compromising their rockin’ roots. John says the band is intent on writing more songs and lining up shows with “good out of town bands.” He says they also want to play more out of town shows focusing on the South East as an achievable objective. For now, the band is recording as often as possible utilizing the production skills of their own bass player, Jeremiah Johnson. The recordings seem to be fairly honest recreations of their live sound, which means that if you do end up making that drunken trip to the truck stop, at least you can take Turf War along with you on the stereo. Turf War is John Robinson on guitar and lead vocals, Jeremiah Johnson on bass, Brian McGrath on drums, and Brandon Moss on guitar. Though the band has gone through some line-up changes, Robinson says that they now have “the perfect line-up.” Go see them next time they play. They will either rock or punch your face off. by Jamie McGaw • photos by Katie McGuire

30 / july / verge

be a tourist in your own hometown The Augusta Museum of History I’ve always had a fantasy to time travel. Of all the places to visit or all the ways I could use such an ability to manipulate history, I’ve wanted nothing more than to just come back and visit Augusta. I’ve spent a lifetime in this town and am curious to see how others have lived here before. Unfortunately, no one has yet to master this ability, so I’m left to look into the past through an alternative means: visiting our local history museum. Though it’s already a few years old, the new Augusta Museum of History is much larger with more exhibits than its previous location off Telfair. It offers free parking, easy access from Broad Street, and cheap admission. It also has a small visitor’s center in the lobby, which is full of brochures and someone available to help answer your questions about the town. On the other end of the lobby is a small gift shop. I gratefully end any trip to a museum with a visit to their gift shop, always taking home a handful of reasons to have my friends come back for another outing. The first floor exhibit is fairly open, with a reconstructed, 56-foot Petersburg Boat in the middle of the room. This set up allows the visitor to anticipate what is to come throughout the tour. Oglethorpe chose this area for Georgia’s second colony because of its convenient location, referring to it as “the key of all Indian country.” Now, a couple of centuries later, we still boast about Augusta being just a few hours from everything. I should probably pause for a moment and admit to you readers that I didn’t have high expectations for this visit. I had just returned from a two week trip to Los Angeles where I experienced all the wonders of visiting a city that makes my own hometown seem small and dated. In anticipation of going to a history museum, I thought about what it was like to visit the Natural History Museum in New York. I worried that Augusta’s History Museum would be a disappointment. I must confess, however, that I really enjoyed the experience and found that the museum does an excellent job of guiding you through 12,000 years of Augusta history. It’s full of old wartime relics, recreated scenes of times before, and short glimpses into a time of this town that I wish I could have been a part of. The transportation corridor—complete with a 1900 Farm Wagon, a 1917 Steam Locomotive, a reconstructed 1930s Gas Station, and a 1952 Dodge Power Wagon—was probably the most exciting part of the tour. Alternating exhibits encompass the second floor of the building. At the time of my visit, the museum showed Stories and Legends: Remembering the Augusta National. I breezed through this area, seeing as how it offered about as much enlightenment of the Master’s as the decorated walls of Zaxby’s. The other major exhibit is about James Brown. I have a unique fondness for this man, so I spent the majority of my time perusing the area. The Museum has on display several of his stage outfits along with other relics about the Godfather of Soul. Probably the most interesting display contained common items Mr. Brown used, including a bottle of Maalox. I’m not sure how relevant indigestion is to the history of Soul, but it sure is entertaining. So here I conclude my adventure down memory lane. And though it’s a trip of memories that I never experienced firsthand, I did at times feel like I could sense what it would be like to live in Augusta throughout any decade of its rich existence. by Katie McGuire

verge / july / 31

printed matter / shirley jackson I first met Ms. Jackson when my sister handed me a copy of Life Among the Savages. Okay, that’s not exactly true. I actually read a short story in high school, The Lottery, which doesn’t actually count as a meeting because I really didn’t know there was more than one story… So it wasn’t until I was browsing my sister’s books desperate for a good read that I found out there was more to Ms. Jackson than I had thought. So I’m sorry Ms. Jackson. I am for real. Never meant to…. Though I can’t claim to have read all of Shirley’s works (several are now out of print for the time being), the ones I have read are never disappointing. Some of you may have seen one of Hollywood’s several attempts to make The Haunting of Hill House into a film. Don’t let them discourage you. The book is one of the best gothic tales of a phantasmagoric home.

ricat is left to suffer the reproach and gossip of the townspeople when she makes her weekly trips to town to purchase food and other necessaries.

Constance’s agoraphobia and Merricat’s eccentric belief in sympathetic magic might qualify them as crazy, but insanity is not limited to the insane. What begins as stares and whispers and the cruel taunts of children escalates into a madhouse that transforms the entire town’s existence. Beyond the Merricat, said Connie, would you like a cup of tea? spectacle is Oh no, said Merricat, you’ll poison me. the voice of Merricat, said Connie, would you like to go to sleep? Merricat, whose Down in the boneyard ten feet deep!

The story opens with Dr. Montague attempting to create an experiment which will reveal the supernatural scientifically. He picks Hill House for its reputation and invites several persons whom he feels will evoke spectral reactions to come stay with him in the house for the summer. Only two of his invitations are accepted, two very different women, Theodora and Eleanor. The owners of Hill House require a family member to be present, so Luke Sanderson joins the motley crew. As the story unfolds, the visitations and apparitions increase until it becomes clear the house has established a special relationship with one of the four. The Haunting of Hill House is the only real supernatural story Jackson wrote. Though she was reputed to be a witch (which made good publicity for her macabre novels and stories), more truthfully she was an alchemist. Combining a sense of the everyday with a morbidity quietly lying beneath, she crafted something better than the Philosopher’s Stone. All her stories are filled with a quality of magic few writers achieve.

Her characters are recognizable from everyday life (or at least every day in the 1950’s): The grocer, the oil man, the lady who runs the local café, the nosey neighbor, the girl down the street who may have murdered her entire family. These themes run most plainly in her memoirs, Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons. Her stories of her own family are replete with a sense of droll humor and quick wit, yet filled with ordinariness that borders on madness. And it is this insanity that Ms. Jackson capitalizes upon and creates a story both compelling and amusing. The main thing about Shirley Jackson is she recognized that mundane and evil were not far apart. While there is a great deal of shock over a Pol Pot or Ted Bundy, it is the small evils under which we are certain to suffer. The hard, cold look from someone as you walk past them and the lingering whisper of gossips are sickening and horrific. When you are reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle, it is not the spectacular murders which disgust you, but the revolting behavior of ordinary people. One night, Mary Katherine (Merricat) Blackwood went to bed without dinner and was spared the poison which killed all her family except her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian. Constance, who made supper that night, is accused of murder but acquitted; Uncle Julian survives, but is debilitated. Constance no longer leaves the house, and with Uncle Julian incapable, Mer-

beautifully constructed first person narrative could be considered Shirley Jackson’s finest achievement. It is difficult to explain what makes one sentence more beautiful than another, though they may contain roughly the same idea. The one lacks the voice and tonal quality we find pleasing while the other captures it. Rest assured, each sentence in this novel will enchant you. The only real downside to Shirley Jackson is she ain’t a southerner. Nevertheless, I feel like I can claim her as our own. She understands the seedy undercurrents of small town life and compellingly communicates those realities in a manner reminiscent of Flannery O’Connor. In fact, Jonathan Lethem, writing for Salon, says, “Her best stories can make you think of a collaboration between James Thurber and a secular Flannery O’Connor.” So if you can’t take my word for it, take his, and treat yourself to one of the masters of modern fiction. Next month: A writer who mostly writes about writers tells the tale of cultures clashing and the medical mayhem that ensues… David Hutchison is the proprietor of the Book Tavern, located at 1026 Broad Street. David is best known for his unique ability to match the perfect book to a customer’s personality and being a veritable walking encyclopedia of literary works

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past times / old Y.W.C.A. gymnasium and natatorium The old Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.) gymnasium and natatorium located at the rear of 924 Greene Street was designed by architect Willis Irvin and built by T.O. Brown in 1918. It was built to complement the Y.W.C.A. residence facility and organizational headquarters, which moved into an 1850s Italianate style home at the front of the lot following Augusta’s great fire in 1916. The athletic building contained what was probably the oldest indoor swimming pool in the state of Georgia on the first floor and a gymnasium on the second floor. In addition to gymnastics classes, folk dancing classes and other exercise programs, in the early years various women’s groups used the gymnasium as a meeting place, including the War Works Council, Patriotic League Council, the Philomathic Club, the Business Women’s Club and the Equal Suffrage group. Over the years, the building continued to be used by residents and members of the Y as well as groups like Social Dancing and Cotillion, started by Mrs. Henri Price, for which the building was later renamed. The Dolphin Club, a synchronized swimming team of regional acclaim, was held in the pool, as were Red Cross swimming classes. The Augusta Boxing Club was one of the last tenants.

1918 The athletic building of the Y.W.C.A. officially opened

1994 The entire Y.W.C.A. facility, including the athletic building,

with a public reception on December 8. The festivities included swimming and diving demonstrations, folk and athletic dance performances and a concert by the Camp Hancock Ordinance Band.

1992 The Y.W.C.A. facility on Greene Street closed in the

residence and cafeteria, was sold to St. Stephen’s Ministries of Augusta, Inc. St. Stephen’s was able to raise the funds to rehabilitate the Italianate style house at the front of the lot together with the cafeteria building, but was unable to secure the funding necessary to rehabilitate the gymnasium and natatorium.

summer of this year, consolidating functions at the organization’s Wheeler Road facility.

2006 Historic Augusta, Inc. listed the gymnasium and natatorium on its inaugural Endangered Properties List released in September. The purpose of including it on the list was to raise public awareness of the plight of the building in hopes of bringing about a solution for its preservation.

2007 The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded a small Preservation Services Grant to Historic Augusta in order to hire a qualified architect to perform a conditions assessment and feasibility study of the gymnasium and natatorium. The aim of the assessment was to produce a document that could be used to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the building or to be used as a marketing aid to raise funds for its rehabilitation and to find a new user. Historic Augusta also assisted St. Stephen’s in obtaining liability insurance for the building.

Today

After years of disuse, exposure to the elements took its toll before the conditions assessment and feasibility study could be finished. Following a roof collapse on May 21, the Augusta Richmond County Department of License and Inspection recommended that St. Stephen’s Ministries have the building demolished. The caved in roof put enormous pressure on the unstable exterior walls creating a potential safety hazard for nearby residents and passersby. The building is currently being demolished and may be entirely gone by the time this article goes to press. Julia Jackson is the Programs and Marketing Director for Historic Augusta, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve historically or architecturally significant structures and sites in Augusta and Richmond County, Georgia. photos courtesy of Historic Augusta, Inc.

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independence days / enable the disabled Augusta’s ADA 18th Anniversary Celebration and Expo July 25 • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Julian Smith Casino This month marks the 18th anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1990, Congress passed the national law to protect the rights of disabled citizens. If you have a disabled friend or relative then you are probably more sensitive to their daily plights. Sadly, others can be oblivious to the efforts the disabled must make to simply get food or clothing. In their defense, it is not something people naturally stop to think about. This month, stop for a moment and imagine the sensations many of your neighbors face daily: remember the hassle you experienced if you have ever spent a few weeks nursing a broken limb; or recall a terrible ear or eye infection that caused temporary hearing loss or blindness. These examples are substantially less dramatic than permanent disabilities but may make empathy easier to fathom. Even in a historic area like downtown Augusta, there are many things that can be done while keeping the area’s historical integrity. The Americans with Disabilities website offers a model. They show a real small town that has made accessibility adjustments without changing their ambience. The example can be found at www.ada. gov/smtown.htm. Could you add Braille enhanced menus or product descriptions? Or a photo book of items you sell if you have a second floor that can not be made accessible? Downtown business owners can learn about how to become ADA compliant and help make the lives of the disabled better at the “Celebration of Liberties” information expo on July 25 at the Julian Smith Casino from 10 am to 4 pm. Another resource for helping to create a barrier-free community is The Southeast ADA Center. The Southeast ADA Center offers dozens of contacts for nearly any access plan you may think of, and they can instantly guide you to material resources. They can be reached at www.sedbtac.org. Local merchants or property owners can help tremendously in the effort to make Augusta ADA compliant, and in many cases adaptation of the property or business comes with a tax break. Regular taxes offer business deductions. In the ADA’s case, the government offers additional incentives for the cost assumed for becoming more accessible. For complete guidelines visit www.ada.gov/taxpack.htm. Simply put, compliance is the law, and the Federal government may “reward” you for making architectural adjustments that allow access. Think of the small things, like rest room grab bars and ramps that would open your doors to all citizens. Or go big and ask for help with door widening or installing an elevator. Remember the credits have nothing to do with regular business expense deductions. Speaking with an accountant will help guide businesses and property owners into a financially successful compliance plan. There are no credits for adapting new construction, and all new construction is required to meet ADA Act standards; doors, ramps, grab bars, etc. Help to enable the disabled by making a stand to provide access. Go to a local commission meeting and demand our sidewalks, crosswalks and curbs be brought up to compliance. The result will be a win-win situation for merchants and disabled patrons. With two VA facilities in our city limits, downtown Augusta can take pride in showing thanks to the disabled and implementing a new look during this “Independence Day” month. by Emily Blunt

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hands across augusta / GAP ministries bridging the gap by building relationships Wednesday mornings find Beverly Dasher and several women from Curtis Baptist attempting to bridge the gap between church and community. Beverly’s eyes were first opened to this gap when she chaperoned her son’s summer mission trip to Chicago in 2001, where they led bible clubs and youth activities in inner-city neighborhoods. Beverly says that she became burdened as she realized the same needs they were seeing in urban Chicago also existed in downtown Augusta. So she began praying, “How can I meet these needs?” One Tuesday morning that fall, on 9/11, one of Beverly’s friends was ordering lunch at a local Subway while offering to pray with someone in line for the events unfolding on television. When a Subway worker, Dolores, overheard and requested prayer for her son’s cancer diagnosis, Beverly’s history with breast cancer became an instant connection that sparked their friendship. As Beverly reached out to Dolores, she saw God answering her prayers for a way to meet needs in downtown Augusta. This friendship grew, and from it came the idea of starting life skills classes that would equip Dolores and her friends to counter the challenges of poverty and single motherhood. The first GAP classes that began as a trial-and-error pilot program in 2002 with Dolores and her friends later evolved into 120 women enrolled in Wednesday morning classes from September through May 2008. What are these classes like? Beverly laughs when she thinks back to some original ideas for meeting needs of low-income women, such as a class on comparison shopping or coupon cutting. “GAP classes have changed dramatically in the past few years. What we thought was needed was different than what was really needed.” Although lesson plans have changed for the better, and women are dividing into smaller groups for instruction as their class size grows, there are four main areas that the GAP ministry

continues to address: spiritual development, family management, home management, and personal development. While GAP classes grow, so does the work of Beverly and her friends. GAP class attendees also bring their pre-school children and grandchildren on Wednesday mornings, as childcare volunteers aim to “show an interest in and love for her child and you have won a mother’s respect as well as her heart.” Kids of GAP class members showed remarkable attendance at last month’s vacation bible school, thanks in large part to a GAP fundraising effort that resulted in the recent purchase of a bus from e-bay. The GAP women worked toward a vehicle that would accommodate their growing transportation needs as they continue to invite friends and neighbors to GAP classes and events. Other GAP efforts include a clothes closet for class members, GED and computer classes, and holiday projects such as the delivery of meals and Christmas gifts to neighbors of GAP class attendees. Future projects may be geared toward helping women and children who are staying at the Salvation Army less than a block away from Curtis. Beverly’s passion to bridge the gap between church and community began with a friendship, and has essentially grown into a full-time job. While most GAP class leaders are stay-at-home mothers who volunteer during the day, Beverly says that working women have approached her to ask if they can help out at night. Beverly invites others to join her in meeting needs in downtown Augusta, one relationship at a time.” by Melody Carr • photos by Elizabeth Benson and Curtis Baptist

get involved with GAP ministries The GAP Ministry exists to bridge the gap between the church and the community by building relationships with women from low-income communities and teaching them practical life skills. Volunteers are needed to • care for the children of workers and participants • donate • help

items, provide refreshments for weekly classes

transport ladies to and from class

• become

a prayer partner for one of the active participants

Contact Beverly Dasher at (706) 722-7348 for more information on how you can get involved.

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augusta music history 101 The Fireworks Fly in July! July in the South is much like anywhere else in America. Cookouts, fireworks, fun and, in many cases, great music. It’s only fitting as rock and roll is as American as hot dogs and baseball. Ever since the fifties, when Rocket 88 hit the airwaves followed soon after by the now famous One O’ Clock, Two O’ Clock, Three o” Clock, Rock, rock and roll has made an enormous impact on American culture. Just as Augusta has had her fair share of Fourth of July celebrations, she has also had many July rock and roll moments. July 20, 1979

July 15, 1944 R&B singer Millie Jackson, the daughter of a sharecropper, is born in Thomson. It is said that a dare to enter a 1964 Harlem Nightclub talent contest kick-started her career in music. Following a string of recordings for MGM Records, Jackson began a long relationship with Spring Records, leading to her first charting single, 1971’s A Child of God (It’s Hard to Believe). A year later, Jackson received her first top ten single, Ask Me What You Want.

A WBBQ radio program featuring legendary Augusta disc jockeys Buddy Carr, Charlie Fox, and Dickie Shannon is recorded to be featured on the Mercury/Phonogram distributed as Ultimate Radio Bootleg, Special Southeast Edition. The recording features a Q in My Car jingle and was mixed and mastered in Memphis at WHBQ by Rusty Black.

July 24, 1987 Following the highly successful 20th Anniversary Tour in 1986, sixties made-for-TV pop group The Monkees hit the road (minus Michael Nesmith) and visited Augusta on this day with opening act Weird Al Yankovic. With new single Heart and Soul and exposure on Nickelodeon’s “Kids Rock,” The Monkees played for a wide age group, and even ventured outside of the Richmond County Civic Center to speak with fans.

July 28, 1954 Former Dixie Grit and Dixie Dregs guitarist Steve Morse is born in Hamilton, Ohio. Morse performed with his brother Dave in The Plague before moving to Augusta and enrolling at Richmond Academy, where he would meet bassist Andy West and form Dixie Grit with Dave Morse on drums. West and Morse would duet as the Dixie Dregs until Morse’s expulsion from school for refusing to cut his hair in the 10th grade. Shortly after, Morse, and later West, enrolled in the University of Miami School of Music.

July 30, 1956

July 19, 1989 After authorities find $40,000 in cash and checks in his minimum security cell, James Brown is transferred to a medium security cell at the Stevenson Correctional Institute while serving a six year sentence after several run-ins with the law.

On this day Decca Records offered Brenda Lee her first recording contract. Lee began recording rockabilly songs at the age of 11, including BIGELOW 6-200, Little Jonah and the song Dynamite, which along with her short stature led to her nickname “Little Miss Dynamite.”

John “Stoney” Cannon is the creator of Augusta music resource Lokal Loudness and has been covering area music since 1992. For more information visit www.lokalloudness.com

Alexis All-Star Picks: Impulse Ride - Residue Released by long-running Augusta pop-rock band Impulse Ride in 2001 on indie label J-Bird Records, Residue would be the band’s fifth, and final to date, release (sixth if you consider that previous release Corn Dog Money was released on the band’s own Borderline Label before being re-released by J-Bird). Featuring founding members Ruskin Yeargain and Bill Irwin, Residue would include lone album single Funny. To check out tracks from Residue or for show dates, go to www.myspace.com/impulseride

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5 not to miss

more things

riverblast: on the riverwalk

augusta’s favorite fourth of july tradition with patriotic music, canon firing and spectacular fireworks

meet the greenjackets: eighth street plaza

ballplayers from the greenjackets team descend on saturday market on the river for photo ops and ball signings

corey smith: imperial theatre

with a fan base to rival the bulldogs, this georgia native melds country, rock and blues with a distinctive musical flair

leonardo davinci: fort discovery

catch opening day of the captivating and interactive exhibit “the inventions of leonardo davinci”

christabel and the jons: stillwater tap room returning to augusta by popular demand, this Appalachian bluegrass band blends familiar standards with vintage-sounding orginals

artscene / anne delorge Relocated to Augusta from New Orleans in the wake of Katrina, Anne deLorge brings the rhythm of jazz: the music and musician in abstract form. “I try to capture the feelings the music conveys to me through representational images, abstracted images and /or strictly through the elements of design and color...using those elements as notes and rhythms. The interaction and tensions between the various compositional elements is what I love about jazz music and painting.”

deLorge’s acrylics and giclée prints can been seen at Art on Broad, 1028 Broad Street.