V3 MAG-JULY 2009-No Bleeds

NW GEORGIA’S PREMIER FEATURE READER / JULY 2009

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MAGA Z I N E

CHATTERIDOL

Former American Idol contestant and 2006

Miss Georgia winner, LISA WILSON,

reveals why there’s more to this Rome-

bred beauty than meets the eye

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+++COLUMNS40 CENTS & SENSIBILITY Nathan Roberts gives local retirees some much needed peace of mind, courtesy of ArborHaven Investments

42 THE ROOD REVIEWCritic Matt Rood serves up some colorful commentary on the latest Stiller sequel, christens Neeson the new king

14 BUSINESS BUZZ Downtown Rome’s newest hotspot, The Nest, offers patrons reasonably priced coffee with a side of free goodwill

19 NWGA SCRAPBOOK A historically mindful stroll around Sapelo Island reveals one of the Georgia Coast’s most sacred treasures

26 SPECIAL FEATURE The 100 Black Men of Rome look to keep prostate cancer from striking more African-American males in Rome-Floyd

COVER STORY

You may recognize local knockout Lisa Wilson’s likeness from season three of American Idol or any number of nationally renowned publications. What you may not recognize, however, is the down-to-Earth Southern belle hiding within such a primly wrapped package. Interview by Anna Armas. Photos by Sabrina Wilson.

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44 WOMEN IN MINDDr. Leigh Barrell discusses how to go about self-diagnosing depression before seeking proper treatment

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EDITOR’S NOTE—July 26, 2009—Earlier this afternoon, less than 24 hours after the tragic passing of the world’s greatest pop star, I was brushing past V3 ad guys Ian Griffin and Jeff Miller on the way into our Fourth Avenue offices. “Tell him,” I heard Griffin say to Miller, just as I began to bound the stairs. “Tell him the breaking news.” There was no particular sort of inflection in his tone, and so, with the usual earnest one carries during the course of a regular old workday, I paused for a moment to hear Jeff out.

“Story just broke on CNN,” said Miller, serious as can be. “They’ve already determined the cause of death in the Michael Jackson thing.”

Damn, I thought, that was fast, in too great a hurry to realize such a verdict was logistically impossible. “Yeah? So, what’s the deal?”

“Food poisoning,” he said.“Food poisoning, huh?… Really?” Though shocking, the revelation seemed plausible enough

given a life fraught with far stranger headlines.“Yep,” Miller said, pausing in reverence, head slung low. “Sad story.”“Wow,” I marveled in disbelief. “Weird…”“I know, man, I know,” said Miller in consolation. Then, “Said he’d been just sitting around the

house, eating 12-year-old nuts all day.”“WHAT?!!” For the love of God, frickin’ nuts?! “Craziness…” Stunned, I turned to go about my business.As is typical of our head sales rep—a true pro, mind you—ol’ boy carried the punchline straight-

faced as a pallbearer ’til I reached the top of the stairwell, at which time the joke finally hit me and the three of us joined in sharing a good chuckle at Jackson’s expense. (And if you don’t get it in the next minute or two, you’re likely too sweet the type to want to. Trust me.)

Of course, there are many more zingers where this one came from, and, granted, the vast majority of them are funny as all hell. But how quickly we forget, folks, that before the ghoulish disfiguration born of countless plastic surgeries, before the Deutschland baby dangling, before the giraffe rides and “Jesus juice” revealed in a 2003 documentary forever cast him as a pariah in the eyes of the American public, Michael Joseph Jackson (1958-2009) made every last one of us all feel like moving—be it to the rhythm or toward becoming better human beings. Matter of fact, as to the music, if you can throw on any up-tempo track from his classic 1979 Off The Wall LP and not, at the very least, experience an involuntary tapping of the toe, I respectfully suggest you resume nibbling your saltines while whistling along with the latest John Tesh album. You’re too lilywhite to be saved.

As to the humanitarian quotient, I believe we owe it to M.J.’s memory to set aside our personal biases long enough to honor a life so clearly dedicated to the elevation of mankind—e.g., influential hit recordings such as “We Are The World”, “Earth Song”, “Man In The Mirror”; the tireless efforts of his Heal the World Foundation; untold millions in donations to as many as 39 subsequent charities; and the list goes on. Because, after all, though fierce speculation ignited by his own marked peculiarity will no doubt continue to overshadow his impressive attaché of achievements, to my knowledge Jackson was never convicted on any count of child molestation in a United States court of law. And last I checked, being strange, in and of itself, is not a crime.

Another interesting point to touch on in the King of Pop’s tragic story traces back to the national news media, particularly the 24-hour cable blowhards, whose dumbfounding absence of long-term memory and self-reflection never cease to astound. But rather than beat a dead mule with direct analysis, let’s try illustrating this phenomenon by way of an allegory:

Say you’re the parent of a bright, tenderhearted child with an exceptional talent for playing basketball. For the first few years of his development, you watch mouth agape as the boy displays boundless potential, and having realized the heights he may well reach, you become his biggest champion. You lavish him with praise, tell every parent in the gym on game night that, by God, just you all watch, one day your little athlete is going to be the greatest hoops star the sport has ever known. Based on age and skill alone, they wholeheartedly agree.

Some years later, however, just as he begins to peak, you notice the boy is becoming a bit chubby—not a career-killing attribute for an aspiring athlete, per se, but not necessarily a plus. Yet, rather than coaching the child on healthy eating habits in light of his slow metabolism, rather than remaining his biggest supporter by way of nurture, by making sure he goes for a good run every day and what have you, instead you begin feeding him cupcakes for breakfast, fudge sundaes for lunch, fried chicken every night for dinner. To make a long story short, you neglect every conceivable course of action that may help prevent a slight propensity for trouble from spiraling into an all out disaster.

Lo and behold, a year later you tip-toe into your little tiger’s room to wake him for school and, playfully ripping back the bed sheets, are horrified to discover that he now weighs 315 pounds. “Holy crow, son!” you scream. “You look like a super-sized Pilates ball with a head sewn on! How in the name of Jehovah did you get so obscenely huge?!”

“Well, I don’t rightfully know,” the ever gentle boy muses in spite of your scorn, too naïve to point the finger at the real culprit. “But you still love me, don’t you, Momma?” (continued on pg. 10)


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF + PRODUCTION MANAGER +

ART&DESIGN neal howard

STAFF WRITERSanna armas, will seifert, reagen lowrey, matt rood, brian gilton,

cody eirman, tricia steele, brian foster

PHOTOGRAPHYsabrina wilson, neal howard

ADDITIONAL A&Djeremy hulsey, collin vaughn,

anthony barba

CHIEF OF ADVERTISING + OFFICE SALES DIRECTOR

ian griffin

CHIEF SALES REPRESENTATIVEjeff miller

ORIGINAL AD DESIGNanthony barba, ian griffin

LEAD MANAGEMENT + BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

anthony barba

PUBLISHERv3 publications, llc

CONTACTone west fourth avenue, rome, ga 30161/ phone: 706.235.0748 email: [email protected]

v3mag.com

NW GEORGIA’S PREMIER FEATURE READER / JULY 2009

$4.00

MAGA Z I N E

CHATTERIDOL

Former American Idolcontestant and 2006

Miss Georgia winner,LISA WILSON,

reveals why there’smore to this Rome-

bred beauty than meets the eye

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“Oh… Of course, baby, of course,” you placate the child, all the while scanning him head to toe, nitpicking every conceivable flaw. “Momma loves her little hall-of-famer rain or shine, come hell or high water. You know you’ll always be her special little man no matter what, the best to ever play the game…” Then, just when the boy is comfortable enough to feel confident in his own skin, you snatch the rug out from under him once more. “…But honey, seriously, have you been administering yourself a milkshake I.V. before bed or something? For heaven’s sake, the Donner Party could’ve survived off one of those thighs for a year and still carried home a doggie bag! But don’t get me wrong now, baby, you’re still a champion in Momma’s eyes…”

Seems to me, when the message is essentially, You’re fat. You’re GREAT! You’re fat. You’re good. You’re FAT! You’re so-so. You’re FAT!!. You’re slipping. You’re FAAAAAAT!!! You’re done, it isn’t hard to imagine this sort of hypercritical back and forth may incite some emotional damage for an already thin-skinned young man. Only, in Michael’s case, as you may already have surmised: Mommy = Media; Tubby = Kooky.

At any rate, way to go Wolf Blitzer. You helped kill the guy who made Thriller.

Sorry for the lack of cohesion here, guys, but my mind is simply racing this time around. I, for one, loved Michael Jackson not only for his incomparable talent in the recording studio, but also for what I honestly—and to this very day—believe was a genuine benevolence of spirit and purity of heart that is entirely absent from today’s battery of big-time celebs. Sure, the crimes for which he was accused are deplorable, but given the absence of confirmed guilt I think it’s a crying shame, really, the way in which a career boasting 750 million albums sold and billions of lives touched can be so flippantly negated with the simple, unsubstantiated drop of a dime to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Love him or loathe him, the fact remains that despite his undeniable weirdness, Jackson was the bestselling artist of all time, as well as the most accessible pop icon the world has ever known, for a reason. And it sure as “sha’mon” wasn’t for something as superficial as a square jaw or chiseled pecs. Go on, do the man a solid and remove the more recent, more freakish images of him from your mind’s eye; take a look at a photo of him as a young boy, any shot snapped some years before unprecedented fame and the free press helped destroy his fragile psyche. You can’t deny there’s a special light in those eyes. One that deserves better from us in memoriam; one that flickered out far too sadly, far too soon.

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NOTYOURAVERAGE

JOE With a mind towards “giving back,” downtown Rome’s newest hotspot for hot refreshment,,THENEST, offers patrons reasonably priced coffee and live weekend entertainment. The goodwill, however, is entirely on the house. MIRANDAMcGILL

You’ve seen the signs throughout downtown Rome, reminding you to “shop local.” So, to that end, why not start small? And I do mean small. No grande, venti, doppio, or solo sized names to decode inside Broad Street’s newest coffee shop, The Nest, just great coffee ordered in plain English. But while the act of ordering here may not prove über trendy, the atmosphere certainly is. With its exposed brick walls, sleek leather sofas and glossy hardwoods, walking into The Nest for the first time feels as though one has been transported from Rome to New York City. Yet, as soon as you’re greeted by the friendly volunteer staff, you’ll instantly be snapped back to reality via a

double shot of Southern hospitality. Yes, you read that correctly: The Nest is,

in fact, run by a group of volunteers, and donates all its profits to local charities—even the cash in the tip jar, which goes not to your barista, but directly to bettering your community. Hence, with every sip of that delicious frappuccino, you are giving back to Rome-Floyd County.

Speaking of coffee, even the beans brewed herein are grown and sold by a viable non-profit, Land of a Thousand Hills, which aids Rwandan villages ravaged in the African nation’s ongoing genocide. The Nest opened its doors on April 1 of this year, a mere five weeks after the initial

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vini vidi vici / v3 magazine 1�

idea was hatched, with no true business plan and a meager $15,000 investment. It was concocted by Pastor Josh Roberts of Connect Rome Church (CRC), along with a handful of dedicated and hard-working volunteers. CRC, which leases the property for its children’s ministry program, was seeking a way to utilize the space Monday through Saturday, in a manner that would lend a Samaritan hand to the people of

Rome. In turn, all Nest profits are split between Mountain Top Experiences, Inc., a South Rome charity that provides food and school supplies to local kids; Let Us Help You With That, a homeless ministry program assisting in basic needs such as shelter and food; and the H2O Project, an organization created by Berry College graduates who, in addition to helping dig wells and find clean water in Africa, also comprise a film crew currently trying to document the dismal public water conditions in Uganda.

It’s plain to see that The Nest is an entirely different type of business venture. “It’s not about the money,” says manager Quincy Maples matter-of-factly. “No one will ever give you the evil eye if you stay multiple hours without purchasing so much as a scone. In fact, they are more likely to offer you a magazine and a glass of ice water, or even an extension cord for your computer to accompany the free Wi-Fi.”

Well put, especially considering The Nest is decorated in a style that would make even the cast of Friends feel at home. Seating styles range from the oh-so-inviting plush bench in vibrant turquoise to the leather sofas clustered around the four, 50-inch flatscreen TVs, as well as spots capable of accommodating you and your laptop for a productive workday. The interior is fit for hosting crowds over 40 strong, while the eclectic back patio, strung with festive lighting and a delightful garden area, seats another 25. In fact, very little of the large coffee shop space is actually dedicated to selling its flagship product. Rather, the goal is to bring the community together. Perhaps this is why, in addition to the abundant

seating and televisions, you will find an assortment of classic board games from Monopoly to Taboo, not to mention racks of magazines and newspapers.

But be forewarned: With such a wide variety of entertainment options, you may find yourself wanting to stay here all day, wanting far more than coffee.

Stumble into the nest on a Friday night and you’ll probably double-take to make sure you’re in the right place, for Friday evenings have a different ambiance than that which you may encounter on a Monday morning. For one, these weekend nights offer live acoustic music

courtesy of local musicians, with styles ranging from Rock to Christian Pop. (Just remember, prospective performers seeking an audition: The Nest pays in coffee, not cash.)

So, the next time you find yourself jonesing for some quality java, be sure to check out The Nest at 334 Broad Street, and don’t forget to grab a complementary mint on your way out. The unique, quasi-nonprofit is open Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight. For additional info, visit TheNestCoffeeShop.com, where potential new patrons can locate the upcoming Friday night music schedule. Groups large and small are always welcome, and those interested in renting the space for private functions are invited to contact Quincy Maples at 706.528.4688. VVV

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Not unlike many of Georgia’s Atlantic Coast getaways, Sapelo Island, situated halfway between Savannah

and the Florida state line, is a coastal gem rich in both pristine landscapes and fascinating history. The island, currently under the protection of the state and private

landowners, has experienced a succession of Native American, Spanish, English, French and African-

American inhabitants, all living out the incredible story of the New World inside an area of just 16,000 acres;

comprising a microcosm of both the environmental and cultural history of early America. Images of warring

and trading, farming and construction, racial and class struggles—all are pertinent to the history of not just Sapelo,

but the state’s barrier islands as a whole.But Sapelo, like Cumberland Island to the south, has, for the most

part (but for no lack of struggle), learned to live in harmony with the onslaught of human progress. There are no Holiday Inn Expresses, no colorful surf shops to entice visitors, but there is an offering of diverse

landscapes, both man-made and natural. There is a balance of what man has wrought, both bad and good, and of what Mother Nature likely

intended. In its history, the island has seen agricultural and construction enterprises give way to ecological research centers and wilderness

preserves. It has born witness to both the abolition of slavery and the preservation of a centuries-old African-American culture.

And though Sapelo has weathered exceptional change far better than many of its neighboring brethren, its story is still being written. For starters, its environmental and cultural future are in limbo; severe

budgets cuts for Georgia’s state parks, nearby development along the intercoastal waterways, and a disappearing historic community are

neither working in Sapelo’s favor. (continued on pg. 20)

savingphotos courtesy

of the georgia conservancy+mark strozier+amanda pippin


Evidence of Native American settlements on Sapelo Island date back more than 4,000 years.The north end is home to a large, pre-historic ceremonial mound in the form of a large shell ring, and, in addition to many other archeological sites on the island, this is one of the state’s most treasured remnants of inhabitants past. The late 16th and early 17th centuries saw Spanish explorers and settlers establishing residency on the island. There was, many attest, a Jesuit mission stationed here during this period as well, but hard evidence to this effect has yet to be discovered.

A number of Native American uprisings prompted Spaniards to abandon Sapelo in the late 1600s, leaving behind artifacts that are still being unearthed to this day. The Creek Indians maintained possession of the island throughout the first half of the 18th century, graciously granting British colonists along the Georgia coast hunting rights on this and a number of other islands under their rule. In 1758, a treaty was signed ceding Sapelo to the British crown, and the next 50 years would see private ownership of the island pass through various hands—before, during, and after the American Revolution.

Throughout this period of the island’s history, and even decades prior, slaves were brought in from surrounding areas, the West Indies and west Africa to cultivate the low-country landscape. In the 1790s, Sapelo was even owned by five Frenchmen seeking asylum from their home country’s Revolution, then roaring across the Atlantic. These raucous years, full of family betrayals, love affairs and murderous drama among noble French families who called the Georgia coast their home, was the stuff of Stendhal and Flaubert novels. And beginning in 1802, for the next 160 years Sapelo Island would find itself in the possession of various other private landowners, the most influential among them being Thomas Spalding, Howard Coffin and Richard “R.J.” Reynolds, Jr.

Thomas A. Spalding’s real estate interests in Sapelo began in 1802, when, at the age of 28, he purchased 4,000 acres on the island’s south end. By the time of his death in 1851, he had acquired all but 650 acres of Sapelo. Spalding, a St. Simon’s Island native of Scottish lineage, amassed great profits from the outpost during his stint there, utilizing hundreds of slaves in the cultivation of Sea Island cotton, rice and sugar

cane. He would also pursue profits from timber harvesting, the shipbuilding and building construction industries (both on and off of the island) being his biggest clients.

Spalding too was responsible for the erecting of a large home on the Sapelo’s aforementioned south end, where his family would reside for many years prior to his passing. As he was beginning to establish his

planter’s empire hereabouts, as well as his other coastal Georgia holdings, he busied himself in politics by serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Georgia House and Senate, and in the state Constitutional Convention. But, after only brief spells in these positions, he returned to regional politics and his blossoming plantation.

Fifteen years after Spalding’s death in 1851, the “Mansion of the South End”, a.k.a. “The Big House”, lay in ruins. Both weathered and vandalized by Union soldiers at the end of the Civil War, it would remain in this state for decades. A number of Sapelo’s slaves, many previously owned by Spalding but later sold to other plantation owners, had fled inland during the final years of the Civil War under orders of the Confederate Army. With newfound freedom at the war’s closing, many of these former slaves returned to Sapelo on the heels of General Sherman’s troops, and to the only home they had ever known. Under Sherman’s “Field Order No. 15”, the African-American inhabitants of the island were given ownership of the land they had once toiled, and though repealed by Andrew Johnson shortly afterward, a number of black residents were sold parcels of solid real estate when plantation owners could no longer turn a profit. These new landowners were the direct ancestors of many of the black men and women living on the island to this day, in an area known affectionately as Hog Hammock.

In 1912, Howard Coffin, owner of Hudson Motorcar Company in Detroit, purchased the majority of Sapelo Island except for the African-American communities in Hog Hammock, Shell Hammock and Raccoon Bluff. Coffin had large cotton and cattle ventures, and along with a shrimp and oyster cannery that employed many of the island’s residents, he was responsible for much of

the construction that is still present on its famous south end today. The south end house (The Reynolds Mansion) was rebuilt atop the ruins of Thomas Spalding’s old home, boasted presidents Herbert Hoover and Calvin Coolidge as guests, and gave Charles Lindberg shelter when he flew to the island for a brief visit. The mansion still remains in use today, primarily as the main lodge for overnight parties staying on the island. Coffin’s dairy farm complex is now home to the University of Georgia Marine Institute, and his restored sugar mill, Long Tabby, originally built during Spalding’s time on the Sapelo, houses the island’s Department of Natural Resources offices.

Though he milked the land for agricultural and economical purposes, Howard Coffin appreciated much of the natural beauty the heavily used island still had to offer. Changes to the landscape were extensive under Coffin, but it was during his time, under his ownership of the island, that much of the true wilderness on Sapelo began to reemerge.

R.J. Reynolds Jr., son and heir to the tobacco empire bearing the same name, purchased the island from Howard Coffin in 1933. Reynolds, though somewhat eccentric, was not stingy with his great wealth, setting up a boys’ camp on Sapelo for disadvantaged youths and giving generously to other causes. The buildings on the island were further restored and added to Reynolds’ ownership rights on Sapelo.

With regard to enterprise on the island, Reynolds was very much interested in the research and experimentation component of agriculture. It was this interest that led to the creation of the Sapelo Island Research Foundation in 1949, and eventually to his funding and housing of the UGA Marine Research Institute in 1953. R.J.’s widow, Anne Marie, sold their remaining property on Sapelo to the state of Georgia

in 1973, a move that led to the establishment of the R.J. Reynolds Wildlife Management Area and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Under the guidance of the State Parks Division of the Department of Natural Resources and UGA, Sapelo Island has become an incredible place to visit and to study. Private donors and nonprofit organizations, including the Georgia Conservancy and The Friends of Sapelo, have been instrumental in educating both lawmakers and the greater public as to the ecological, architectural and cultural importance of Sapelo Island. While these organizations continue to fight for the conservation and preservation of all that makes Sapelo stand out among the nation’s strip mall and mini-golf saturated beach communities, economic and environmental forces continue to place pressure on the island, both culturally and ecologically. Dwindling funds available to the DNR for staff maintenance and for the upkeep of the state park’s resources severely threaten Sapelo and the other 38 state parks and 15 historic sites.

Georgia state parks, which welcome over 11 million visitors each year, are in the midst of a 39 percent reduction in state appropriations and have a 24 percent projected loss in revenue over the next year. All of this adds up to the elimination of services and operations at a number of Georgia’s parks and historic sites, and perhaps the closing or sale of some of Georgia’s most precious public lands. The state is terminating 12 percent of the positions at DNR and increasing furloughs among its employees, leaving many parks understaffed and ill equipped to perform the regular maintenance, monitoring, supervising and research that is conducted across the parks system on a daily basis. Sapelo has yet to be severely effected

in this round of cut-backs and service reductions, but it is not far down on the list. Many of the diverse areas on Sapelo that are protected, preserved, and studied by the state are at great risk.

Along with his colleagues, Rome native Bryan Schroeder, membership coordinator for the Georgia Conservancy, is working to educate the public on what we have as Georgians and what we stand to lose. “Citizens across [Georgia] need to recognize and value the absolutely amazing places the state park system protects. As a state, we have made an investment in our state park system—to hold and care for some of our most vitally important historical and natural sites.”

For nearly 30 years, the majority of Sapelo Island has been under the protection of the state of Georgia and managed by the DNR. Georgia DNR helps to oversee three major entities on the island: the historic Reynolds Mansion, the R.J. Reynolds Wildlife Management Area, and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve. The University of Georgia operates the Marine Institute on the south end of the island. In the center of the island lies Hog Hammock, a unique African-American community comprised of private landowners, many of whom are the direct descendents of the island’s slave population dating back over 300 years.

The Reynolds Mansion, former home of the Coffin and Reynolds families during their long residences on the island, is now the main lodge for the state park on Sapelo. The mansion is truly a sight to be seen, and is a testament to the days of ambitious and palatial construction by some of America’s wealthiest industrialists. Perhaps the finest of coastal Georgia’s 19th and early 20th-century homes, the 14 bedroom Reynolds Mansion retains many of the same

architectural characteristics of the original estate erected on its foundation by Thomas Spalding in the early 1800s. Swimming pools (though not in use), a bowling alley, and a circus-themed cinema and music room have all been preserved. Yet, the most impressive aspect of the mansion is the level of access given to its visitors. If reserved in advance with the DNR, large groups visiting the island have the option of staying in the mansion for multiple nights, having it all to themselves. Skilled local chefs prepare all meals, and a tour of the facility and surrounding sights are provided by the island’s highly knowledgeable resources manager.

Under this arrangement, it isn’t hard to imagine that you are in your own luxurious estate on your own lush island. But, alas, it is all preserved and managed by the state parks

system and will cost visitors a mere fraction of the amount a similar trip would run elsewhere. Though a similar environment, both manmade and natural, is not likely to exist in tandem.

The largest and most diverse segment of protected land on Sapelo Island falls under the jurisdiction of the Reynolds Wildlife Management Area (RWMA). The RWMA is home to much of the old growth and new growth forest on the island. Scattered across this area and the nature preserve surrounding Reynolds Mansion are giant live oak, adorned with Spanish moss and resurrection fern. Magnolia, palm, bay, sugar gum and longleaf pine trees populate much of the land, giving refuge and shelter to hundreds of bird


species, including wild turkey, red-tail hawk, various heron and egret.

One of the main objectives in the establishment of the RWMA is the conservation of game (deer and wild turkey) through managed hunts open to the public, as well as that of non-game species. Beaches within this management area are also protected. To the east, on Sapelo’s Cabretta Beach, an awe-inspiring and truly unique landscape can be found. Natural erosion and sand deposits, combined with a very low tide, can produce beaches that are, at some points, hundreds of yards wide from dune to ocean. Scurrying along the vast sand flats and standing pools are ghost and hermit crabs in search of shelter. Along the edges of the rapidly mounting dunes, one can find traces of loggerhead turtle nests, many protected and studied by the various scientific groups given access to Sapelo. Cranes and gulls roost in surrounding foliage, and humans appear to be the rarest species on the beach.

The Sapelo Island NERR, which is both state and federally funded, researches and monitors the coastal environment of Sapelo, especially the estuarine and marshland areas found to the west of the island. Some of the reserve’s more important work includes water quality monitoring, to insure that scientists and policymakers have the “valuable long-term data” necessary when making important decisions regarding the health of the region. The Sapelo NERR also performs invasive species research, which goes hand in hand with helping to protect many of the area’s native species. This is primarily for the purposes of conservation, but also to the

benefit of both recreational and economic interests.

Will Berson of the Georgia Conservancy’s Coastal Office works to protect the state’s coastal environment by way of policy analysis and debate, as well as community education and partnerships, and sees the role of the Sapelo NERR as vital to the region. “Sapelo is a particularly important laboratory to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) because it is one of the closest

ecosystems that we have to a ‘baseline’ system (i.e., a natural system unaffected by human activities). This is particularly important in our efforts to understand salt marsh and

estuarine ecology.” But Sapelo, as a laboratory, is also at risk. “The major ecological threat to Sapelo probably comes from without, not from within. Development in McIntosh County on the mainland side threatens to degrade water quality and to destroy wildlife habitat that is an integral part of the estuarine systems that surround and sustain the natural systems, as well as the people that have lived for generations in harmony with them. This also has the potential

to diminish the value of the area to Sapelo Island NERR as a baseline example, even as it provides a depressing glimpse into how this process grinds along, inexorably diminishing

“I am here to represent Sapelo Island, a little hammock on the Georgia Coast. It’s dying form of life that we have here. In some ways I relish the new way while at the same time I feel such a heavy loss for the vanishing of the old ways… Nothing is left, but then again we who remain is still here. We still drink, love, hate and remember we are still living for our ancestors.” —from I am Sapelo, by Cornelia Bailey


bio-diversity and ecological integrity.”

Perhaps the greatest treasure of Sapelo has been the centuries-long self-preservation of the African-American Gullah-Geechee community at Hog Hammock. Many of the Gullah-Geechee residents met here can claim they are direct descendents of the hundreds of slaves that lived on the island generations ago, and it is believed that a percentage of the ancestors had avoided, or, perhaps outright refused, to work as sharecroppers for the progeny of Spalding and other white landowners following emancipation. The African-American communities that henceforth developed alongside Hog Hammock on the island were, for the most part, completely self-sufficient for decades to come, with residents living off planted crops, livestock and fish. Years of relative isolation on Sapelo has given way to a pristinely preserved culture that, today, has manifested both an intimate relationship to the landscape and unrivaled understanding of Sapelo—one that could only be the derivative of centuries of life spent on the island.

The term “Gullah-Geechee” refers to the English-Creole dialect developed by the coastal slaves on the Atlantic coast during centuries of bondage. Gullah-Geechee incorporates many words from West African languages, and often employs their unique grammar and sentence structure. Gullah-Geechee, as a spoken and written dialect, still exists amongst the island’s older residents, and its arts and culture have been preserved through the works of resident historian and author, Cornelia Bailey, and sweetgrass weaver, Allen Greene. A lasting community on the island is under threat, however, and has been so for years. The lack of job opportunities and formal education on Sapelo has led many of Hog Hammock’s residents to migrate to the

mainland, and only a few dozen Hog Hammock households remain. Two churches on Sapelo have held much of the community together with infrequent gatherings and festivals aimed at uniting residents scattered about.

Bryan Schroeder acknowledges another threat to community at Hog Hammock: the state of Georgia’s inability to protect much of this historical land from outside real estate interests. “Generally speaking, one of the biggest problems that the conservation movement in Georgia faces is the lack of a statewide funding resource for conservation,” he explains. “As we speak, there is a meeting in the Georgia Conservancy office with representatives from the state’s most influential conservation groups about how to solve this problem. We are one of the few states that lacks this vital mechanism for permanently conserving land. On Sapelo, specifically, the community on the island is a cultural treasure with one of the few remaining communities of people that represent the Geechee ancestry.”

A state land trust could perhaps provide Georgia a mechanism with which to fund the purchase of land in Hog Hammock when property is up for sale, and, in turn, preserve the area and allow residents to remain put. If not, land will be slowly—and understandably—sold off to the highest bidders, when hundreds of thousands of dollars are being offered residents. “Without a mechanism for conservation funding, it’s next to impossible for the state to be responsive to this opportunity to permanently protect another piece of Sapelo and preserve the cultural integrity of the Hog Hammock community,” says Schroeder.

Aside from the disintegration of a historically rich community, the growth of resort style properties in Hog Hammock could slowly place further political pressure on the state to develop Sapelo—i.e., roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Thus, Hog

Hammock’s time may be running out.

As citizens of Georgia, what we have in Sapelo Island is very unique. It is as rich and diverse a coastal ecosystem and ecology as can be found in North America. Alligators, water fowl, and hundreds of threatened and endangered species inhabit this fragile balance. There is an amazing architectural and archeological history here that is continually preserved via Sapelo’s designation as a state park and research reserve. A strong and determined community has existed through Sapelo’s sometimes harsh environment for centuries, holding onto and celebrating the vestiges of a rich culture. All of this is available for Georgians to visit and to learn from; to walk through the grand libraries and sitting rooms of a luxurious mansion; to stroll down secluded beaches and forest

trails; to converse with people about times and places different from our own. A place not to be found anywhere else, and one not to be taken for granted. VVV

For more information on the cultural history of Sapelo: God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man, by Cornelia Bailey; Sapelo’s People: A Long Walk to Freedom, by William S. McFeely

For more information about visiting and supporting Sapelo and other Georgia treasures: gastateparks.org/info; sapelonerr.org; friendsofugami.com; georiaconservancy.org


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Prostate cancer is killing Northwest Georgia’s African-American men at an alarming rate. Good thing one dedicated Rome-Floyd organization is here to aid in the fight.

The Rome chapter of 100 Black Men is offering men the chance to not only educate themselves...but also to discover [prostate cancer] in its early stages, before all hope of survival is lost.


An estimated 27,000 men will die of prostate cancer in the United States this year. Roughly one in six men will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime, making prostate cancer the second most common form of cancer affecting Americans. Year in and year out, these are staggering and sobering figures for a nation bombarded by the destructiveness of cancer.

But one organization in Rome has taken it upon themselves to see that the

area’s citizens can effectively protect themselves from the devastating blow that prostate cancer and other diseases may have on their lives, as well as the lives of their loved ones. The Rome chapter of 100 Black Men is offering men the chance to not only educate themselves on the warning signs produced by this fatal disease, but also to discover it in its early stages, before all hope of survival is lost.

100 Black Men of Rome chapter president, Gregory Shropshire, believes the group’s work is paying off. “Years ago, it was brought to our attention that African-American men were suffering from a higher rate of prostate cancer than

other demographics—and it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. So, eight years ago, we started the Health Initiative for Men health

fair with prostate screening as the primary focus. Every year, at least two men have been diagnosed, after follow up treatment, with prostate cancer.”

Though a disease common in men across all racial lines, prostate cancer strikes African-American men at a rate 60 percent higher than any other ethnic group in the U.S. This is not biologically induced, however. Reports from the American Cancer Society and other leading health organizations suggest “the predominant reason that African-American men had historically worse outcomes [surviving prostate cancer] is because of inadequate screening and lack of equal treatment.” Early and often prostate screenings dramatically increase the chances of survival for men diagnosed with the disease. If properly treated in its early stages, the survival rate for patients facing prostate cancer increases dramatically, and mirrors that of other races and ethnicities. To survive prostate cancer, early screening is a must for all men, assuring that proper treatment is received.

On Aug. 22 of this year, the 100 Black Men of Rome, in collaboration with the Harbin Clinic, will be hosting their 8th Annual Health Initiative

for Men (HIM) health fair at the Floyd County Health Department. The HIM fair is completely free of charge for those in attendance. According


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Your journey never ends at Horizon Bay.* From international travel clubs to treks to local sightseeing

spots, our resident travelers always look forward to sharing their wealth of travel stories—and planning new adventures together. Jim and Carol plan trips around the country and host show-and-tell dinners to share pictures and their passion for traveling.

How will you spend your evenings?

With planned social and cultural events, you’ll have a great opportunity to explore the next chapter in your life. And with scheduled transportation, delicious dining services, and weekly housekeeping, it will be easier for you to dothe things that mean the most to you.

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Your story continues here... “Every day is an adventure.”

“It’s great to see you have had some influence on a young man or young woman, and to be able to let them know that if you still need some help, if you still need a hand, we will be there for them.”


to Shropshire, last year’s health fair drew approximately 500 people.

In addition to prostate screenings, there will be close to 20 other types of screenings that will be offered at the health department on the day HIM, including cholesterol and diabetes exams. HIM welcomes all men, not just African-Americans to attend the health fair next month, as the screenings can save the lives of anyone who has not received frequent health exams in years past.

For years now, 100 Black Men of Rome has been actively involved in educating local citizens on the health issues effecting not only African Americans, but the entire community. Aside from prostate cancer awareness, the organization has taken a stake in involving area youths in HIV/AIDS education. Utilizing a generous grant from Act Against AIDS, an HIV/AIDS awareness organization, 100

Black Men recently hosted a workshop attended by nearly 50 teenagers and young adults with the aim of better educating young people on the deadly disease that claims millions worldwide each year. It is working with children and teenagers that Shropshire feels is the cornerstone of 100 Black Men’s role in the community, and that educating and mentoring today will lead to better citizens tomorrow. “For [the 100 Black Men of ] Rome, our signature mentoring program is the Young 100. In this we have approximately 20 young men that we are working with, some since they were in the 7th grade. This year we should have our first two students graduate who have been a part of the Young 100 since 7th grade. All year long, we work with these young men by exposing them to various activities and exposing them to different life philosophies… We do not just focus on education, we focus on the whole child—

being spiritual, being a good citizen. So, when they leave our program or when they grow older, they are [better people, not just better students].”

Shropshire and 100 Black Men take great pride in the work that they do, and seeing young students with whom they have worked succeed. “It’s great to see that you have had some influence on a young man or young woman, and to be able to let them know that if you still need some help, if you still need a hand, we will be there for them. Mentoring is not an instant success type of relationship, it’s one that takes a while.”

In its 15 years of hard work and dedication to Rome and its surrounding communities, the local chapter of 100 Black Men has been dedicated to not only education itself, but in expanding the educational opportunities for young men and women. The group hosts a free, two-week summer foundation camp at Georgia Highlands College that exposes 75 area students to the teachings of some of Rome’s most respected college professors. This not only gives students the chance to stay on top of learning during the typically mind-numbing months of summer, but also allows them to see what may be in store for them after high school. In understanding the value a college education has in developing future success, Shropshire and company have also taken advantage of their

considerable professional connections to organize a summer program in which area students visit many of the notable colleges and universities across the Southeast. They have also helped local students further their educations via over $75,000 in scholarships.

Since its founding some 15 years ago, 100 Black Men of Rome continues to be a vital service organization to our community. The HIM has been successful in enticing and educating the public, potentially saving the lives of thousands in the process, and its commitment to this charge will again be on display in August. In improving the lives of area youngsters, the mentoring and educational services 100 Black Men currently provides has established a firm foundation for positive growth in area students of all financial and ethnic backgrounds, many of whom lack positive male role models in their lives. “If we can help a child, we will help a child. If we can help an adult, we will help an adult,” Shropshire says with great purpose. An ambitious but worthy goal for the 100 Black Men of Rome, and one at which that they have proven incredibly successful. VVV

For more on the 100 Black Men of America and 100 Black Men of Rome, please visit 100blackmen of rome.org


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Catching up with 29-year-old Lisa Wilson, one of Rome’s most widely recognized aspiring entertainers, is much like sitting down with an old friend whose infectious laugh and ambitious energy remind you why you became friends to begin with.Time and obstacles have not diminished the artist in Wilson. She calls herself a “jack of all trades,” and although she is quick to point out that she is good at a number of things, but not great at one thing, Wilson is great at pursuing her talents, however. In 2003, she auditioned for American Idol and made her indelible mark on season three. Northwest Georgia proudly cheered as she made her way through the auditions and on to Hollywood. The fresh-faced up-and-comer’s departure from the show was a catalyst for her branding, and the beginning of a long list of achievements to come in the arts and entertainment world.

A year after Idol, Wilson recorded her first studio album, and has since kept touch with major record labels. In 2006, she won the Miss Georgia USA title, then followed with a solid run representing her home state in the 2006 Miss USA Pageant, where she placed second runner-up to the infamous winner from Kentucky, Tara Conner. For someone who doesn’t see herself as “ever being big on pageants,” she certainly made her mark on that stage, as well.

In the interim, Wilson has been featured in several television commercials and has modeled for noteworthy publications including People, New You, US Weekly, Pageantry, Atlanta Brides and Supermodels Unlimited. As you can see, her commercial agent from Atlanta Models and Talent has kept her quite busy, and Lisa herself has channeled the same energy into maintaining her rising star, seeking a degree at the Portfolio Center and tending the man of her dreams. (Interview on pg. 35)


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[V3:] Were you born and raised in Rome?[LW:] Yes, I grew up in Rome and lived there up until three years ago, [then] headed to Atlanta where I live now. I went to Armuchee High School with a very small class. Rome holds every memory of my development, and it basically helped to shape me into who I am. I have a wonderful family there. The people [here] were awesome and supportive, [and] even though they didn’t know me, they believed in me as their local girl, which meant a lot.

How would you describe yourself?Me, in a nutshell: I am an overachiever, and I always want something more. That’s been the reason why I’ve chased so many goals, and have ultimately found a lot of success in a lot of arenas. Now I’m at a point where I’m trying to come back and hone my skills in certain areas, and I’m studying graphic design for a career—so that I can have a day job [Laughs] that will supplement all of my other extra curricular activities.

What would you say to a high school or college student in Rome who has the desire to

pursue things like singing, acting, modeling or painting, but is afraid to leave their small town or afraid to pursue these dreams? My path was a little bit different from what a regular person would do. I didn’t really know how to get out, so I chose to

travel. I stayed on the road with a modeling agency for about five years, starting at the age of 21. I ended up trying to find my way by meeting different people and seeing what the world was like outside of what I was accustomed to.

Rome has a way of keeping you there, [which could] keep you from exploring all your creative ventures. I would suggest to anyone to go and pursue whatever they have to pursue, anywhere they have to pursue it, and just drop all their fears and set them aside. People who are artistic and theatrical, they need to just keep going. There is no reason to give up on something that you believe you can achieve. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life.

Where is your path leading you now?I am moving into a career in the arts, even though I always told myself I couldn’t make money in the arts. I did all these odds-and-ends jobs trying to make money and I was trying to make the ‘big time.’ Now I really understand the art that I’m doing, going to school for graphic design. I can make a really solid living with this because I can work in

advertising, corporate branding, anything.

I knew I had to work in the arts because that was the only thing that brought me satisfaction, just to be able to create. Also, it’s a job that fits the way I want to live, because I want to be able to travel and

make my own hours. It gives me the ability to still…do those things that I love on the side, like the acting, modeling and music.

So, from your perspective: Even if someone feels like he or she may not set out and become the next huge celebrity, they can still aspire to make their dreams come true, make some come true, and also find a way to make a living through his or her creative outlets?Exactly. And that is 99 percent of us. Ninety-nine percent of the people who are in the arts are like that. We all have to have a day job or something that supplements it, whether it is [graphic design] or waiting tables, which I did for 12 years. But when you try to make that balance and you’re constantly reaching out for your goals and dreams, it’s all worth it every time you get a reward or land that commercial or something.

What’s this I hear about you being in a Bacardi European Commercial with George Clooney?That was so cool. [Laughs] George Clooney is like my size! I’m 5’7”, he may be 5’8”

or something, but definitely not as tall as you would think. He looks like a giant on TV but he is short. But he is wonderful.

It was in Atlanta at the Georgian Terrace Hotel. And last summer I shot a Kraft commercial [see Wilson’s website, www_________com], which

was a lot of fun too.

In a world full of titles and labels, what would you say is your main title? That is a tough question because I wear a lot of hats. I would probably just call myself “an entertainer” because

there are so many aspects of what I do. I’m a commercial actor, I’m a singer-songwriter, and I’m a pageant coach. I just interviewed with MTV yesterday to be on their “Made” show. They want girls who want to be made into a pageant queen, and I may be the coach on the show. We would start filming soon.

I like the concept of that show...Yeah, it’s really cool because you get the opportunity to give back. I’ve always said that since there are so many people who have invested their time and energy into my development that, if I’m ever given the opportunity, I want to be able to give that to another person.

As a former contestant, do you still watch American Idol?No. I don’t watch any TV, unless it’s the news.

How would you describe your Idol experience?It was a rollercoaster. It was chaotic and exhausting, but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would not trade for anything. Every day was something new, with no sleep, and having to deal with the people around you. We would be given a “homework” assignment to learn a new song, and [had to] be prepared to sing it at 8 a.m. But the assignment wouldn’t be given until 1 a.m.

What if you were already asleep at 1 a.m.?[Laughs] Oh, you’re not asleep at 1 a.m. They were herding us around like cattle....trying to break you. Their goal was to break everybody there, and those that didn’t crack under the pressure were the ones who made it through. Somehow, I didn’t crack.

Some remember you as...I was the “hot tub girl.” Oh, gosh! That was probably the worst part of “American Idol” for me, and it was not what it

“I’ve always said that since there are so many people who have invested their time and enery into my development that, if I’m ever given the

opportunity, I want to be able to give that to another person.”


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“[American Idol’s] goal was to break everybody there, and those that didn’t crack under the pressure were the ones that made it through. Somehow, I didn’t crack.”

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“As I’m getting out, the camera crew comes in... I don’t even know Allen’s last name. I never spoke to him another time other

than in that hot tub.”

was made out to be. About five other contestants and I needed to breathe, so we went to the hot tub. As I’m getting out, the camera crew comes in. It just so happened that Allen (the other contestant in the clip) and I were sitting next to each

other. I don’t even know Allen’s last name. I never spoke to him another time other than in that hot tub.

How did you feel when you were cut from the show?I made it to the last round, after the final 32. I felt completely relieved, because I had been working so hard at that point that I didn’t have anything else to give. I was so exhausted and blew my voice out the day prior to the final night. So I was very scratchy and pitchy. That part was really sad for me, but the leaving part was a relief because I was almost at my breaking point. But I do like all the judges. They were all very nice. It all lasted for about six months. “American Idol” opened up a lot of doors for me.

Are you still working on your music?Not really. I kind of am... I still get voice lessons for practice, and I’m learning to play guitar and piano.

Do you still want to devote any of your focus to the music industry?I’m on the fence—only because I’ve been around the music business for awhile, and I kind of got to the point where I was over the games and [able to] read between the lines of what

everyone said to me. It’s literally a snake pit. But I keep in touch with the…good contacts I have made. They encourage me to keep going, I just haven’t got that one hit song yet… I don’t know if it’s because I fear what could happen with the potential

life of a real recording artist with a major record label, or if I just don’t really want it anymore. I’m leaving it alone for now, and whatever happens, happens...

I’m just at a different place in my life. I think that moving into a marriage is making me think about how I can nurture what is in front of me. My priority right now, more than anything, is making sure that my relationship with my future husband grows as it should.

So, planning your wedding is another one of your current projects?Yes, we’re having a beach wedding in the Florida Keys. I met the man of my dreams shortly after I moved here, and he has radically changed my life in all the most wonderful ways. I am so grateful for that. Just having him in my life, having his energy [Giggles like a schoolgirl] and his drive, balances me out. He keeps me from reaching out and doing things that are out of my comfort zone. I found someone who is really proud of me whenever I do all these crazy-cool things that I’m doing.

What is your ultimate goal, then?To retire happy and [live] on the beach at 35. VVV


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As a result, there has also been a paradigm shift taking place when it comes to retirement planning. The combination of longer life spans and the decline of traditional pensions requires those nearing retirement to take a closer look at how their financial and lifestyle choices can—and do—influence their future retirement securities.

The “four pillars of U.S. retirement” concept has its origins in the traditional “three-legged stool” of retirement security: Social Security, employment-based plans and personal savings. The fourth pillar of the framework, retirement choices, focuses on the significance of lifestyle and financial choices as the

nature of retirement in America has changed. According to a white paper release by Prudential Financial in 2007, entitled “The Fourth Pillar: Retirement Choices”, there is a direct connection between financial resources and lifestyle goals in retirement. Lifestyle choices both influence and are influenced by financial preparedness for retirement. For many

people, the traditional three pillars will not sustain 20 or more years of retirement living at the retiree’s desired lifestyle level. As a result, retirees will need to address important lifestyle choices such as: · At what age should I retire? · Should I work during retirement? · Where should I live and how extravagantly? · How will I provide for dependents? · How will I spend my leisure time? On the financial side, there are a number of income-generating strategies to consider, such as maximizing Social Security, continuing to work either full-time or part-time, or converting accumulated assets into a stream of guaranteed income with annuities. Retirees should also consider:

· Income protection and wealth transfer through products such as life insurance, long-term care insurance, and longevity insurance.· Supplements to income generated by Social Security and employment-based plans, including variable annuities and income-generating investment strategies.

Americans today are living longer, which means retirement can span 20, 30, or more years for some people. This also means retirement assets will need to last a lot longer than traditionally thought.

an article provided by prudential financial for use by nathanroberts, financial consultant, and a registered representative of invest financial corporation

CENTS&SENSIBILITY

Living Longer, Living Well: How longer life spans can impact your retirement planning strategy

Securities, advisory services and insurance products are offered through INVEST Financial Corporation (INVEST), member FINRA, SIPC, a registered investment adviser and affiliated insurance agencies. INVEST is not affiliated with ArborHaven Investments.

This material was prepared to support the promotion and marketing of variable annuities available through Prudential. Prudential, its affiliates, its distributors and their respective representative do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Any tax statements contained herein were not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties. Please consult your own independent advisor as to any tax, accounting or legal statements made herein.

(Investments are offered through INVEST Financial Corporation, a registered broker dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). INVEST Financial Corporation and ArborHaven Investments, located at 309 Broad St, Rome, GA 30161, are not affiliated with Prudential Financial). Valerie McFry is not associated with INVEST Financial Corporation or Prudential Financial. “Moving Forward With Your Retirement” is not endorsed by the Social Security Administration.

Investors should consider the contract and underlying portfolios’ investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and tax consequences carefully before investing. This and other important information are contained in the prospectuses, which can be obtained from your financial professional. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Variable annuities are appropriate for long-term investing and designed for retirement purposes. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s unit values, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Withdrawals or surrenders may be subject to surrender charges. Withdrawals and distributions of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and, if made prior to age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty. Withdrawals for tax purposes are deemed to gains out first. Withdrawals can reduce the living benefit, death benefit and account value.

Annuity contracts contain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits and terms for keeping them in force. Your licensed financial professional can provide you with costs and complete details. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Guarantees do not apply to the underlying investment options.

Variable annuities are issued by Pruco Life Insurance Company (in New York, by Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey), Newark, N.J., or by Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Shelton, CT. All are distributed by Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc. Shelton, CT. All are Prudential Financial companies and each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Wachovia Corporation is the majority owner and Prudential Financial, indirectly through its subsidiaries, is a minority owner of Wachovia Securities, LLC. Prudential Annuities is a business unit of Prudential Financial.

Prudential, Prudential Financial, the Rock logo, and the Rock Prudential logo are registered service marks of the Prudential Insurance Company of America and its affiliates. Visit us on the web at WWW.ARBORHAVEN.COM/EVENTS.

For aging Baby Boomers and the generations following them, lifestyle and financial choices are taking on greater significance given the changing nature of retirement in America. As life expectancy figures continue to rise, it’s important to make as many informed choices as you can now to help ensure a financially secure future. In order to assist local residents in making informed choices, ArborHaven Investments is hosting a seminar this month to address some of the issues facing today’s retirees. Please join us for the event advertised on pg. 43, and take the time to learn how to positively go about impacting your retirement. VVV

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Moving Forward With Your RetirementJuly 14, 2009, 5:30-7 p.m.

The Forum, Rome, Ga.

Presentations and guests will include:

“Social Security Retirement:

What You Need To Know”Valerie McFry, Technical ExpertSocial Security Administration

“Rebuilding Your Retirement”

Brian Stannard, Regional V.P.Prudential Annuities

Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will

be provided. Please call 706.291.6946 or email us at [email protected] to

reserve your space, as seating will be limited.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Babycake StudiosNatural Light Photography

Portraits • Senior Portraits • Weddings • EventsRome, GA • (706) 766-8468

Babycake StudiosNatural Light Photography

Portraits • Senior Portraits • Weddings • EventsRome, GA • (706) 766-8468

Since the first installment of the series, Daley has hit it big selling infomercial items like the “Glow-in-the-Dark Flashlight” and some giant dog bone. But while he was away building a retail empire, snobby museum curator (played by completely useless The Office creator, Ricky Gervais) has authorized replacing all the statues and attractions with updated holograms. In turn, most of the exhibits are moved to the archives of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, including the sacred tablet of Ahkmenrak, which animates all exhibits (for some unexplained reason). The evil Pharoah Kahmunrah (scene-stealer Hank Azaria) nabs the tablet and attempts to eliminate all of the older exhibits to gain control of the museum (for some other unexplained reason). Meanwhile, the entire Smithsonian comes to life, though only to Stiller (for yet another unexplained reason),

and chaos ensues. Throw in Amelia Earhart (the beautiful Amy Adams in smoking hot pants) as the love interest (for

no real reason), and the hilarity soars.

With a plot second only to Bill Cosby’s Leonard Part 6 on the ridiculous Richter scale, Museum 2 is filled with some very funny people being very unfunny. Robin Williams returns as Teddy Roosevelt; Judd Apatow favorite Bill Hader shows up randomly as the indecisive General Custer; Owen Wilson plays a tiny

cowboy named Jebediah; while the legendary Christopher Guest is absolutely terrible as Ivan the Terrible. In short, it’s Azaria that really carries the film, but his character is a second-rate imitation of Michael Palin’s Julius Ceasar in Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

I really don’t mind ragging this movie because it’ll probably rake in $100 trillion before all is said and done. Furthermore, I’ll admit that I never watched the first one and don’t care to. You may ask how that qualifies

me to make a judgment call. To that, I answer: go watch some American Idol reruns and continue contributing nothing to society. But seriously, I’m just trying to

help you out, so don’t go see this movie unless you still refer to yourself by your own nickname.

Not having, knowing, or really identifying with children, I imagine they would love this one. There are cool special effects, a really big dinosaur, and planes and stuff that I would have loved when I was still too young to know what Jesus had to do with Christmas. But

Director Shawn Levy’s Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian sees the return of Ben Stiller as Larry Daley, a once famous night watchman for the American Museum of Natural History.

With a plot second only to...Cosby’s Leonard Part 6 on the ridiculous Richter scale, Museum 2 is chock full of some very funny people being very unfunny.

withMATTROOD

THEROODREVIEW

Honey, They Punked the Kids: Stiller’s blockbuster follow-up scores big once more at the box office, bombs in the creativity department

rood’s top rental

“Taken” to School

Do you like violence? Despise the illegal sex trade? Like watching mortal men cheat death with superhero-like abilities? Take a little revenge with your afternoon tea? Well, if you answered yes to three out of the four questions above, then

all the monkeys in the world can’t save one of the stupidest premises that I never was quite able to squeeze out of this giant deuce. The only scene that is noteworthy—the childish, “Don’t touch me” fight between Stiller and the forever funny Jonah Hill—has no real merit as to the film’s context, but it got me through. Even the big climax is a rip-off of Ghostbusters 2, which is a movie known primarily because Bobby Brown opens a car door. If you’re Ben Stiller, an insane person, or under the age of seven, you have every right to love Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Otherwise, get a job. VVV

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you, my friend, will certainly enjoy director Pierre Morrel’s Taken. (If not, a new Miley Cyrus movie just came out.) Because this isn’t your everyday John McClain, Die Hard action hero, it’s the one-in-a-million-can’t-get-hurt John McClain from Die Hard IV—only he’s a spy with far more hair and stands 18 feet tall.

Taken is not a high quality film. Don’t expect to walk out learning something about yourself, understanding your feelings or any of that mess; the plot is completely predictable; the characters completely one-dimensional; even the title describes exactly what you’re about to see. But there is something redeeming in watching a father’s vengeance, especially when his daughter is hot. I don’t have any children myself—despite my parents’ insistence I get started—but if something bad happened to one of my future seeds, then I would definitely want to seek

total annihilation through brute force. And so does retired spy Bryan Mils (Liam Neeson), a once powerful player in the world of international espionage who has left the profession to become closer to his neglected daughter, Kim (played by beautiful Lost regular Maggie Grace). Competing for emotional dependence with spiteful ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) and extremely wealthy “husband-in-law” Stuart (Xander Berkeley), Mils picks up odd jobs that revolve mostly around his CIA-esque abilities, such as protecting ridiculously named pop star, Sheerah (Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising’s Holly Valance). But when Kim disappears on a partying trip to Paris, Mils fall back into his old life and things get really, really violent.

I can’t say much more

without spoiling what little surprise there is in the film, but the black market sex trade and a car battery are involved along

with stellar acting on the part of Neeson. Mils doesn’t have the discipline of Qui-Gon Jinn or the mysteriousness of Peyton Westlake, but this is one of the old screen veteran from across the pond’s best and most brutal roles—an extremely deadly bad man who can’t be stopped. In one of the greatest moments in movie history, Mils explains to his distraught daughter via cell

phone that she is about to be kidnapped, and what she can do to help him get her back. It’s an unbelievable scene, and one that

gets better with each viewing. As a critic, I would have

preferred a less predictable plot and more villains with real purpose (I mean, a rich, obese Albanian on a yacht and some French cop named Jean Claude? Seriously?) But it does feel good to see the righteous man strike down with “great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy” his daughter. With

that in mind, the beast in me loved it. And Taken one that any dad will enjoy—except those with daughters named Amanda (the horribly ill-fated Katie Cassidy). Forget Bourne or Bond, Mils should reign as the new blockbuster spy with a much un-cooler last name. In fact, buy it and file it right next to anything with Die Hard in the title. VVV

...Taken is one that any dad will enjoy... Forget Bourne and Bond, Mils should reign as the new blockbuster spy with a much un-cooler last name.


The official radio stations of the

Join J.B. Smith as he delivers each ballgame from the stadium to your radio!

Most people have felt sad or depressed at times. Feeling depressed can be a normal reaction to loss, stress, or an injured self-esteem. However,

when feelings of intense sadness, such as feeling helpless, hopeless and worthless, last for weeks and keep you from functioning normally, your depression may be something more than sadness. It may be clinical depression, a treatable condition.

Depression is diagnosed when a person has five out of the following nine symptoms at the same time: a depressed mood during the majority of the day, particularly in the morning; fatigue or loss of energy almost everyday; feelings of worth-lessness or guilt almost everyday; impaired concentration and/or indecisiveness; insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping); markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly everyday; recurring thoughts of death or suicide; a sense of restlessness or being slowed down; and significant weight loss or gain. For a diagnosis of major or clinical depression, key signs such as depressed mood or loss of interest should be present most of the day, and nearly every day, for at least two weeks. The depressive symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment.

There are different types of depression, including major depression, chronic depression, bipolar depression, seasonal depression, psychotic depression and postpartum depression. Other types include secondary depression, which develops after medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, stroke, Parkinson’s, AIDS, or psychiatric disorder such as schizo-phrenia, panic disorder or bulimia. There is also masked de-pression that is hidden behind physical complaints for which no organic cause can be found.

Because certain chemicals found in the brain known as neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, influence both mood and pain, it is not uncom-mon for depressed individuals to have physical symptoms. These can include joint pain, back pain, gastrointestinal prob-lems, sleep disturbances and appetite changes. Many people go from doctor to doctor seeking medical treatment for their symptoms when, in fact, they are clinically depressed.

Treatment for depression is commonly treated with medica-tion. Researchers agree that there is a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters in people with depression. Antidepres-sant medications work by increasing the availability of either serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, or by changing the sensitivity of the receptors. Another treatment, psychothera-py, helps a person develop appropriate and workable coping strategies. These strategies help deal with everyday stressors and increase medication adherence.

Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Warning signs in-clude thoughts of death or suicide, thoughts or talk of harm-ing oneself or causing harm to others, and aggressive behav-iors or impulsiveness. Previous suicide attempts increase the risk for future suicide attempts and the completion of suicide. All mention of suicide or violence must be taken seriously. If you or someone you know intend to commit suicide or claim to have a plan to commit suicide, go to the emergency room for immediate attention. VVV

BiographyOriginally from Atlanta, Dr. Leigh Barrell did her undergrad-uate work at Berry College, medical school at Medical College of Georgia with a residency at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta. Dr. Barrell is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has practiced in Rome since 1998. She opened Rome Women’s Health Center in October 2007 and resides in Rome with her husband Kevin and 7 year old daughter, Katie.

taking depression seriously


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