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Tiny Home Village

Buzz

Ivey Homes is partnering with Bridge Builder Communities, a nonprofit that supports 18- to 25-year-olds who are aging out of the foster care system, to construction Tiny Home Village.Ivey Homes is partnering with Bridge Builder Communities, a nonprofit that supports 18- to 25-year-olds who are aging out of the foster care system, to construction Tiny Home Village.

The campus, located on Merry Street in downtown Augusta, will include 25 tiny homes, shared community spaces and comprehensive life skill development programs to encourage independence and long-term success.

Each tiny home will be furnished with the items needed to start a new home, including a new bed with linens; pots, pans and kitchen utensils; a table and chairs; and bathroom supplies. Upon graduating from the community, the resident will take all the items originally found in the home with them to begin their post-graduation, independent life.

Other community partners in the project include Bill Beazley Homes, RW Allen Construction and McMillan Padzen Smith Architecture.

Spring Fair

LIFE + STYLE

Columbia County Spring Fair returns this year April 18-27The Columbia County Spring Fair returns this year April 18-27 with fan favorites as well as new attractions. Entertainment includes midway rides and games, a demolition derby, magician, petting zoo, Fireguy Show and other special entertainment.

Admission is $7 in advance or $10 at the gate. Parking is free, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Unlimited ride passes are $18. After 7 p.m. ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent.

For more information and details on admission and ride specials, visit columbiacountyfair.net.

Clarity of Cal by Vulfpeck

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Clarity of Cal by VulfpeckLike wafts of fresh-cut grass on the wings of spring, Vulfpeck’s Clarity of Cal arrives with a refreshing gust of groove, shaking off the last bits of seasonal pollen.

This album is a sonic bouquet — a vibrant mix of funk, soul and playful energy that blossoms with each passing note. Recorded live during their California shows in September 2024, this isn’t just an album; it’s an invitation to step outside, stretch toward the sun and boogie down with rhythmic revival.

With their signature blend of effortless tightness and laid-back charm, Vulfpeck crafts a soundscape that feels like spring itself — bursting with color, buzzing with life and just unpredictable enough to keep things interesting. Tracks like “Big Dipper” invite you to sink into the groove, while “New Beastly” revives a classic with fresh energy, its basslines rippling like the first waves on the lake.

The velvety vocals, ever-buoyant basslines and crisp interplay of the band create an atmosphere where every song feels like the perfect soundtrack to a sunlit adventure. Whether you’re cruising with the top down, swaying on a back porch or cracking open a window or refreshing beverage to usher in the spring vibes, Clarity of Cal delivers a warmth that lingers. Break out the flip-flops, turn up the volume and let its rhythm of renewal take over.

– Chris Rucker

Walking with Greatness: My Caddie Life on the Tour with Tiger, Fuzzy, Fred, and More by Cayce Kerr

Literary Loop

Walking with Greatness: My Caddie Life on the Tour with Tiger, Fuzzy, Fred, and More by Cayce KerrMaryland-raised Cayce Kerr began his caddying career at the storied Congressional Country Club in 1986 and within a year had managed to work his way onto the PGA Tour, rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the world of golf.

Armed with quick wit and deep golf knowledge, he quickly established himself in the top echelon of his profession and never looked back, partnering with more than two dozen major champions and even working 30 Masters tournaments in a row from 1987 until 2016.

In Walking with Greatness, Kerr reveals what really goes on inside and outside the ropes at the highest levels of golf.

With a cast of characters including Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Fuzzy Zoeller and Tiger Woods, this true insider’s memoir pulls no punches in portraying life on the PGA Tour.

Spanning indelible triumphs, improbable mishaps and no shortage of hijinks, Kerr’s adventures and observations will leave golf fans illuminated, entertained and often literally laughing out loud.

Think Pink

Georgia
MACON GEORGIA INTRNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Photography by Larry Najera

Celebrate spring in full bloom at this award-winning festival in middle Georgia.
Anyone would be tickled pink to hold a world record, especially when they can celebrate it with 300,000 of their best buds year after year.

Just ask the folks who are ready for the 43rd annual Macon, Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival.

“We have the Congressional Record for having the most cherry blossom trees in the world,” says Hannah Theus, the festival’s director of marketing. “There are more cherry blossom trees in Macon than there are in Washington, D.C.”

Macon, Georgia International Cherry Blossom FestivalFamily Fun

In fact, Macon is home to more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees, and, depending on how cold the winter has been and when temperatures begin warming up, the trees typically bloom the last week of March. If there hasn’t been a lot of rain, the blossoms last roughly two weeks.

“Cherry trees are like peach trees,” says Theus. “They love the cold weather.”

This year, she says, the trees are predicted to peak on March 23. Coincidentally, this also is the birthday of the late William A. Fickling Sr., a Macon Realtor who discovered the town’s first Yoshino cherry tree in his backyard in 1949.

Festival-goes not only will feast their eyes on beautiful blossoms, however.

“When you come to Macon, you will see a lot of pink,” Theus says. “We call ourselves ‘The Pinkest Party on Earth.’”

The festival also is one of the Top 20 Events in the South, Top 50 Events in the United States and Top 100 Events in North America. Founded in 1982 around the principles of “love, beauty and international friendship,” it has grown from a three-day 30-event affair to a month-long celebration featuring more than 100 activities for all ages.

“We have family friendly events,” says Theus. “We emphasize safety and original programming. We’re always looking for ways to grow. Spring is such a wonderful time of year.”

Highlights include the Wiener Dog Race, Musical Chairs, Bed Race, Cherry Blossom Parade, Food Truck Frenzy and Cherry Market.

The Wiener Dog Race features 50 dachshunds, clad in pink outfits as they dash to the finish line. Afterward, visitors can watch the Ultimate Air Dog Dock Diving Competition or Musical Chairs, which is played by local dignitaries wearing inflatable animal costumes.

Spirited rivalries have developed for the Bed Race where teams build their own four-wheeled beds to vie for trophies and bragging rights.

While Food Truck Frenzy features vendors from across the country, local vendors set up shop at the Cherry Market. The Cherry Blossom Parade features floats, marching bands and more.

During the week, festival-goers gather at Third Street Park to listen to music and enjoy free ice cream and Coca-Cola products.

In addition to the festival’s signature events, there are about 100 additional activities ranging from floral shows to gaming competitions.

“About 80% of our events are free,” says Theus.

Midway rides, concerts and food in Carolyn Crayton Park, which is named in honor of the festival founder, span the event’s full 10 days. Admission is $10, but children under 10 are admitted for free. Hours vary, and a clear bag policy is enforced.

The festival’s 300,000 visitors come from across the country and from around the world, particularly Japan. About 200,000 of them attend the planned events, and the remaining visitors drive along the Cherry Blossom Trail.

Located in north Macon, which has the community’s greatest concentration of cherry trees, the 18-mile trail begins downtown at the Visitor’s Center. Visitors also pass many historic buildings in Macon, which has 12 historic districts and more than 6,500 structures on the National Register of Historic Places, along the trail.

“The purpose of the festival is to bring people together from all walks of life to enjoy food, fellowship and the beauty of the trees,” Theus says.

Growing in Numbers

The event, which has won countless awards from the International Festivals & Events Association, also honors the people who made the festival possible including its founder Carolyn Crayton and Fickling.

When he first discovered the tree, Fickling was unaware that it was a Yoshino – a rarity in the South. He began inquiring around town as to its species, but no one – not even his gardener – knew.

During a business trip to Washington, D.C., in 1952, however, Fickling spotted a tree that looked exactly like the one in his backyard. In a subsequent trip, he compared a cutting from his tree to those around the Tidal Basin. They were a perfect match, and he learned to propagate the Yoshinos to share them with his adopted hometown.

As the years passed, the cherry trees quickly grew in number. They attracted the attention of long-time residents and newcomers alike such as Crayton, who moved to Macon in the early ’70s. She envisioned drenching the town in the pink blossoms, and she asked Fickling if he would donate trees to plant in her neighborhood. He agreed to donate the trees if she would organize the planting.

When Crayton served as the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission executive director, she proposed launching a Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Yoshinos’ numbers keep growing as the Fickling Family Foundation donates thousands of cherry trees to Macon-Bibb residents each year.

To plan a visit, people can download the Cherry Blossom Festival app. They also can see a schedule of events and watch the trees bloom on a BloomCam at cherryblossom.com.

By Morgan Davis

All Means, No End by Birdtalker

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BirdtalBIRDTALKER the band’s newest release, All Means, No EndFrom the hills of Nashville, Birdtalker swirls out a beautiful sonic breeze to usher in springtime. Listening to the band’s newest release, All Means, No End, is like stumbling into a hidden garden party on a perfect spring Sunday. The sound feels both intimate and expansive, and the lyrics invite listeners to embrace the idea that there’s meaning in both the quiet moments and the messy ones.

The opener, “Falling Forward,” feels a little chaotic, but undeniably alive. “Dogs & Rocks” barrels in with the energy of an off-leash pup racing through a field of tall grass — scrappy, playful and a reminder that spring isn’t just about picture-perfect blooms but also about wild abandon.

When “Roll Down” comes around, you can almost feel the sunlight warming up the patio or your favorite outdoor spot. It’s the kind of track that pairs perfectly with a stroll, where the harmonies wind and whip with wide-open fresh air.

This is an album that reflects familiar feelings of home and good times to come — warm, hopeful and unafraid of a little Southern chaos. It invites you to embrace the mess of life, roll with the sunshine and soak up every moment.

– Chris Rucker

Isola by Allegra Goodman

Literary Loop

Isola, by Allegra GoodmanInspired by the real life of a 16-century heroine, Isola, by Allegra Goodman, is a gripping saga of survival and faith, named one of Time’s Most Anticipated Books of 2025.

Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian — a cruel and volatile man — spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France.

Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends her guardian’s servant and the two develop an intense attraction. But when their relationship is discovered, they are brutally punished and abandoned on a small island with no hope for rescue.

Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.

Made in the Shade

People

Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate employees decided to brainstorm about ways to help the communityA generous giveaway is helping to restore the area’s tree canopy after Hurricane Helene.

It’s amazing what can happen when people put their heads together to do something for the greater good.

As the recovery process has dragged on since Hurricane Helene struck in September, Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate employees decided to brainstorm about ways to help the community bounce back from the devastation of the storm. They came up with the idea to give away two trees per family in an initiative called “Rooting for Augusta: Restoring Augusta’s Tree Canopy.”

“Our two partners, Troy Jordan and Dennis Trotter, really value the community and giving back to the community,” says Riley Morris, marketing associate. The company partnered with GoBuyPlants and Four Seasons Landscaping Inc. for the giveaway.

Initially planned as a two-hour event that was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 11, all of the trees – 700 in total – were distributed in an hour and 15 minutes.

People started showing up for the drive-through event in front of the Family Y track on Wheeler Road at 7:15 a.m., Riley says, but they didn’t start giving out trees until 9 a.m. as scheduled.

They loaded trees into truck beds, back seats of cars or trunks.

“People came in everything from trailers to Honda Accords,” says Morris. “It didn’t matter what kind of vehicle they had. We made it work.”

The giveaway included native tree species such as magnolias, cedars, red and white oaks, sycamores and elms.

“Our employees went car-to-car and took everyone’s tree order,” says Morris. “The magnolia and cedar trees went really fast. The red oaks and white oaks went right after them. Even though two trees won’t replace the 20 trees that people might have lost, you have to start somewhere.”

The giveaway not only was designed to help restore Augusta’s tree canopy. The event also was a community-driven effort to replant, revitalize and regrow the landscape for future generations.

“Everyone lost a lot in the storm. Some people lost their homes or cars,” Morris says. “There was so much devastation, and everyone was looking for some glimmer of hope. We all want to see the CSRA restored to what it once was.”

The real estate company also is considering holding another tree giveaway in the future.

“I think it turned out better than we ever could have imagined,” says Morris. “We’ve had great feedback, but we would like to hear from the community to see if this is something they would like for us to do again.”

Ohio Players by The Black Keys

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The Black Keys are back, and they’ve brought more swagger than a vintage leather jacket at a Midwest thrift store.

With Ohio Players, their latest release, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney remind us why they’re the kings of gritty blues-rock while tossing in enough surprises to keep things interesting.

Think of this album as a musical casserole: hearty, comforting and with a few unexpected ingredients to spice things up. It’s the kind of record that sounds like it’s been playing on a jukebox in a roadside diner for decades, waiting for you to stumble upon it.

From the first note of “This Is Nowhere,” the album’s opening track, you’re dropped straight into the smoky dive bars and backroads of Ohio.

Auerbach’s guitar snarls like a junkyard dog, while Carney’s drumming stomps through the track like it’s wearing steel-toed boots. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to roll down your windows and drive nowhere in particular, preferably on a road with lots of potholes for added authenticity.

Tracks like “Don’t Let Me Go” and “Beautiful People” mix their signature grit with gospel-tinged backing vocals and a vibe that’s equal parts Sunday morning redemption and Saturday night chaos.

Ohio Players is a record for the dreamers, the drifters and anyone who’s ever found solace in a dusty vinyl or a crackling radio signal from the middle of nowhere.

The Keys have delivered a collection that’s equal parts nostalgia and innovation — a love letter to the music that shaped them. It’s proof they’re still capable of bringing the heat —which we could all use right now.

– Chris Rucker

House Love by Patric Richardson

Literary Loop

House Love by Patric RichardsonDiscover the joy (yes, joy) of cleaning with this cheery guide to tidying up and turning your house into a home.

Patric Richardson is known as “The Laundry Evangelist,” but his love for household chores extends far beyond the laundry room. His newest book, House Love, is his sunny guide to freshening up every inch of the house — from the entryway to the attic, the backyard to the bedroom.

In it, Richardson shares his best design inspiration, DIY projects and cleaning tips so you can fall in love with your home all over again — or for the very first time.

His book also grants you permission to shake things up. Keep bath salts in a cookie jar? Sure. Display a surprising mishmash of pillows? You bet. Discover your personal design style? He helps you do that, too.

Plus, the cleaning genius shares lots of expert advice like which three cleaning tools are worth splurging on and how you can create a powerful and antibacterial cleaning spray with lemon and thyme.

Complete with playlists, recipes and step-by-step instructions for cleaning every type of room, House Love brightens up life’s most common chores. You’ll learn new ways to transform your home with Patric’s stories and humor guiding you every step of the way.

Oh Smokey by Clem Snide

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Oh Smokey is Barzelay’s signature brand of melodic and melancholy geniusStepping into a new year with a bow tied on 2024 — a year of incredible highs and literal whirlwind lows — music is the tried and true companion that ushers in hope with fuel to re-energize and revitalize.

And with perfect timing, Oh Smokey, the latest record from veteran alt-folk singer-songwriter Eef Barzelay, aka Clem Snide, has hit the shelves to be the ultimate sonic bobsled into the New Year.

Oh Smokey is Barzelay’s signature brand of melodic and melancholy genius, but this isn’t just a sad-boy strum fest. It’s a deeply human exploration of life’s messiest corners, where God, death, heartbreak and hope all bump shoulders and share a drink. If this album were a person, it’d be the guy at the party in the corner with the best stories — slightly tragic, endlessly fascinating and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny.

The album opens with “Free,” a rollicking acoustic thrum that announces its intentions with the command: “Call all the sunbeams.” This is no gloomy dirge. It’s a rallying cry, a reminder that even when you’re knee-deep in existential mud, there’s always light to chase. Swaths of electric guitar and a backup chorus seemingly plucked straight from Leonard Cohen’s imagination make this track soar.

The rest of the album balances tenderness with wit. Sure, Barzelay describes these as a dip into the emotional hot tub, but that’s only half the story.

Beneath the groove is a sly, mischievous hopefulness — a reminder that while life may be messy, uncertain and occasionally heartbreaking, there’s always room for sunbeams to break through the clouds.

So, here’s to 2025 — slow paces, tender hearts and the hope that lies just beyond.

– Chris Rucker

Happy Holidays by Billy Idol

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Happy Holidays by Billy IdolPicture this: it’s Christmas Eve. Snow is hopefully (but not likely) falling softly outside, lights are twinkling on the tree, cinnamon and chocolate waft through the air and suddenly, harking from the HI-FI speakers, you hear a familiar gravelly voice that shakes the tinsel, rattles the ornaments and rolls a parade of jingle-janglin’ good times into the mix.

That’s right — Happy Holidays, Billy Idol’s 15-track Christmas basharole is here, bursting with festive flavor to add a dash of rebel Yule spice to your holiday soundtrack.

Don’t let Billy’s brand of swagger fool you; he clearly knows how to balance naughty and nice.

From the opening riffs of “Jingle Bell Rock,” Billy slaps on a red leather jacket, revs up the reindeer and tears straight into a festive fireball of tunes so good it’ll convince Santa to ditch his sleigh for a Harley and Rudolph for a Les Paul.

His rendition of “Winter Wonderland” drops a punky-honky-tonky twist onto the fire, while the vintage chops of “Let It Snow” has holiday dive-bar party vibes.

With a magical high-hat of old-fashioned fun, “Frosty the Snowman” taps onto the set with a version so cool you’ll melt, and his warm and cozy rendition of “Silent Night” is a pure crooning classic.

For those used to holiday sonic stockings filled with Mariah Carey’s high notes and Nat King Cole’s roasted chestnuts, Happy Holidays is no lump of coal. It’s got attitude, charm and enough pick-up to provide a festive free ride over the hills and through the woods with something in the trunk for everyone.

– Chris Rucker

Teacher of the Year

People

Tabitha Purvis of Euchee Creek Elementary School has been named the 2025 Columbia County School District Teacher of the Year.

Tabitha Purvis of Euchee Creek Elementary School has been named the 2025 Columbia County School District Teacher of the Year.

Purvis currently teaches fifth grade math and science. As part of her winnings, she will receive a free one-year lease for a new BMW 228 Coupe Sedan, courtesy of Taylor BMW. The car also comes with complimentary insurance on behalf of Acrisure Insurance and a $1,000 gas gift card from Affordable Auto Insurance.

Pictured, from left: Dr. Steven Flynt, superintendent; Tabitha Purvis and Katy Yeargain, principal of Euchee Creek Elementary School.

Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy by Tieghan Gerard

Literary Loop

New York Times bestselling author Tieghan Gerard has been busier than ever. In her fourth cookbook, Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy, she returns with a collection of more than 120 soul-warming recipes that use simple ingredients and are easy to get on the table — dishes short on time yet big on flavor.

This collection leans into the comfort food she’s known for, but with an eye toward getting it ready in a hurry. With many recipes doable in one pot or pan, most in under 45 minutes, and a more-is-more focus on flavor (but not ingredients), you’ll be feasting fast.

Start your day with Maple Bacon Pancakes, snack on Cheesy Roasted Shallot Bread, and make Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Bang Bang Sauce your family’s new favorite. Enjoy delicious twists like Sheet Pan Mac & Cheese with all the Crispy Edges, and finish it all off with something sweet, like a Dark Chocolate Pistachio Cake with Cream Cheese Icing.

Relying on basic ingredients and Gerard’s signature knack for making sauces and dressings, these dishes will make your meals feel like a warm hug. If you’ve ever needed a belly full of comfort and a plate bursting with fresh, unexpected flavors — and wanted it all right now — Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy will hit the spot.

Gratitude by Earth, Wind & Fire

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Love, hope, provision, benevolence and the strength of community have been on the hearts of many as we navigate a new normal and the undoing of our landscapes and livelihoods after Hurricane Helene. Humanity, at its purest and most vulnerable state, was tested and strengthened overnight with a continuous outpouring of unconditional love.

With these thoughts, we reopen the vault of 1975 for Earth, Wind & Fire’s double album of heart, soul and light, appropriately named Gratitude.

At its core, this 16-track album honors life’s many layers. Whether it’s the celebratory highs or the quieter, more introspective moments, each track is a reminder to pause and give thanks.

A powerful live rendition of their smash hit “Shining Star,” is a radiant, uplifting groove that sets the tone for the entire album. Other gems include “Sing a Song,” an anthem of resilience, positivity and perspective, and “Can’t Hide Love,” a perfect metaphor for gratitude itself. Just like love, the need to give thanks can’t be hidden; it’s a natural response to life’s abundance.

Almost 50 years after its release, Gratitude remains a timeless testament to the group’s genius and its ability to create music that resonates across generations. But more than that, it’s a reminder of the power of thankfulness.

Every track is lit with cornucopia-packed energy and emotion, inviting us to reflect on what we have, celebrate the joys of the present and approach life with an open heart. So, whether you’re listening to it for the first time or rediscovering it after many years, let Gratitude fill your heart with appreciation for the blessings in your life, both big and small.

– Chris Rucker