The Lady Jaguars’ golfteam will be playing at locationsboth new and old andfacing some familiar foes inthe upcoming season.

The team is scheduled toplay in four tournaments duringthe fall season, beginningwith the Dale McNamara Invitationalin Tulsa, Okla., onSept. 17.
“We haven’t played inTulsa’s event, which lookslike a good field,” AugustaState coach Kory Thompsonsaid. “It should be a goodchance to see where we willbe stacking up this season.”

Thompson made it clearthat getting ready for a golfseason isn’t the same as preparingfor a baseball or basketballseason. Golf teamsface off against various squadsdepending on the tournamentfield, so the competition is alwayschanging.

Senior Marit Bjerke expressedexcitement over thisyear’s slate of events. She saidit is one that sets the team upfor success, though the LadyJags do have two tournamentsback-to-back with one day of classes before they hit theroad again.

Another senior, NatalieWille, said she was enthusiasticabout the new locales onthe team’s schedule.

“I’m excited; it’s going tobe a lot of new courses that Ihaven’t played before,” Willesaid. “New challenges are alwaysgood.

The members of the teamhave been practicing duringthe offseason, both individuallyand as a team, to prepare forthe season, Thompson said.The coach said a few playerscompeted in tournaments backin their hometowns duringthe summer to stay ready forwhatever this season’s schedulemay hold.

During the spring semester,the Lady Jags will participatein five more tournaments.Highlighting this portion ofthe schedule will be the team’shome event, the InsperityLady Jaguar Intercollegiate atForest Hills Golf Club March15-17.

Thompson said there willbe a deep field of teams atthis season’s Intercollegiate.Vanderbilt, Texas, Kentuckyand Purdue, all of which participatedin the 2012 tournament,will be returning to Augusta,Ga., next spring.

“That (tournament) is goingbe one of the better onesfor us,” Thompson said. “(It isalso) more exciting seeing asit is on our home (course).”

The team will also be revisitingsome other coursesthis season. Wille said she isexcited about returning to Sorrento,Fla., for the UCF Challenge.The Lady Jags finishedin ninth place in that event thisFebruary. Wille has playedin the tournament in each ofher seasons at Augusta Stateand said she feels comfortablethere. She finished secondamong the Lady Jags inSorrento last season and saidshe is hoping to have anotherstrong showing there again in2013.

The Lady Jaguars, whoearned a spot in the NCAARegionals in the spring andreturn six players from lastyear’s roster appear ready totackle the task of a challengingarray of venues, Thompsonsaid.

A gatheringof floats and boatson the Savannah Riverprovided locals with aninexpensive but adventurous vacationfrom their daily lives.

Cole Watkins, who graduatedfrom Augusta State University witha degree in business last spring, saidhe enjoys spending most of his timeon the river. He runs his own businesscalled Watkins Tours. The product ofa successful business class project,Watkins Tours offers kayaking trips on the river

Watkins said he used skills heknew well to turn a profit. It was laterthat the idea behind Floatilla cameinto the picture.

“I was just hanging out with mybuddies at the pool one day,” Watkinssaid. “We were goofing off with aninflatable couch. I said, ‘We should try floating this thing down the river.’That’s how it all started.”

At the beginning, the Floatillawas just a way for Watkins to get hisfriendstogether. Theyenjoyed beingoutdoors andout on the river,Watkins said,so he and hisfriends decidedto spend the day floating down the river,and to his surprise it, was a great hit.all started.

In the summer of 2010, Watkinsmade a Facebook event page to helpget others involved. Thus the firstFloatilla was born. Since then, the Floatilla has happened at least twicea year and seven times total over a periodof two years. Watkins was ableto hold three events this year with attendanceas high as 74 people.

“I love going out there, neverknowing who is going to show up,”said Morgan Fordham, a transfer studentat AugustaState. “It’s crazy how many new peopleyou can meet. After spending fivehours together, you walk away withso many new friends.”

At thispast Flotilla, Watkins saidhe decided to take it a step furtherand help the community. He askedthe participants to donate money tothe Ronald McDonald House becauseFloatilla is a free event. He then personallydelivered the proceeds.

Watkins said he plans to raisemoney for an organization again, buthe is unsure if he will pick the samefoundation each time.

“I thought it was a great way toask people to give back to the community,”said Jill Reeves, a senior earlychildhood major at Augusta State.“Especially since so many peopleusually attend, I love it.”

The only requirements for thisevent are bringing a float of any sortand having a good time, Watkins said,although many floaters pack coolers with snacks, something cold to drinkand sunscreen. They launched theboats and floats at the Strom ThurmondDam and floated down theriver to the Fury’s Ferry Ramp. Ittakes a total of five to six hours.

“We’ve had a little bit of everythingfloating down the river: inflatablecouches, blow up mattresses,kiddie pools and your general floats,”Watkins said. “Some go as far asmaking rafts to float down the rivercomplete with Astroturf. Though nomatter what you float on, I do suggest having a life jacket just to be safe.”

To Fordham, time flies by becausethey are so busy listening to music, eating, drinking and jumpingoff rocks into the water. With so manydifferent people and personalities, noone is worrying about time, she said.

It’s always nice to see a new bar open in Augusta, Ga.

A couple weeks ago, a new watering hole called the Indian Queen opened on the corner of Wrightsboro Road and Monte Sano Avenue in the building that used to house the Gun Cabinet.

It’s refreshing to see a new bar with a different vibe opening in Augusta. Many of the city’s bars have the same artistic, grunge-type feel to them, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It fits the community, although it is an enjoyable change of pace to have a different type of venue. Other types of people who are not into the grunge scene can go to the Indian Queen to have a few drinks.

The exterior of the building is very plain, nothing flashy or ostentatious. The building is made of dark wood that creates a relaxed environment. When you walk in the front door, the relaxed atmosphere continues. Everything is made of light hardwood, from the ceiling to the floors, mimicking the experience of a vacation in a log cabin. The windows are covered in wrought-iron bars, but it doesn’t make you feel unsafe; it adds a touch of character to the place and blends in nicely with the scheme of things. There is a small sitting area with nice leather couches if you want to sit.

Unlike most bars, Indian Queen does not have that dark and dank feeling upon entering. It is a well-lit bar, and there is no lingering smoke smell, which is always nice, because smoking is not allowed inside. There is a nice porch outside and a sitting area for patrons and their friends to go if they would like to smoke.

It is a very upscale, laid-back place to go relax. The music is not too loud like in other bars. While I was there, they were playing music along of the lines of Michael Bublè or Robbie Williams – soothing music, though I’m sure that will change as the crowds change. They also have two televisions behind the bar for sports. The bartenders are even nice enough to turn the music down and the game up if you ask them.

The service was great. The bartenders were very attentive, not only to me but other customers as well and always made sure their drinks were to their taste. They were very good at making small talk and making you feel comfortable. Other bartenders even approached us to ask how our drinks were and if everything was OK.

I would definitely recommend going and grabbing a few drinks at the Indian Queen, and it’s close to campus for you to go after a rough day of classes to take a load off. It’s the place to go if you are tired of seeing the same bar scene.

Pitching makes up a large part of a softball team’s defense, and the Lady Jaguars’ staff has made the team one of the toughest in the nation this season.

Augusta State University’s softball squad, which moved into the top 25 of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll on March 21, is in the thick of the Peach Belt Conference championship race, and its pitchers have played an instrumental role in the team’s success.

The Lady Jags have four pitchers on their staff this season. They are seniors Emily Headrick and Heather Hughes, junior Laura Brown and freshman Heather Sexton.

Though each of Augusta State’s pitchers have helped the Lady Jags reach lofty heights, none of them consider themselves the center of the team. They each said they work hard as a team to push each other and help each other reach their full potential.

“We communicate with each other,” said Headrick, who transferred to Augusta State from Armstrong Atlantic State University before the 2011 season and leads the Lady Jags with 13 wins. “If we have problems with something, and can’t figure it out we ask the others how we can fix it, or how we can improve.  We tell each other if there is an area that needs work.”

This type of support from teammates helps the Lady Jags’ pitchers handle adversity, Hughes said.

“Sometimes it can be a lot of pressure at times, especially if it’s the seventh inning, bases loaded and no outs.” Hughes said. “You just have to be mentally strong and push through it.”

Another reason for the success of the team’s pitching staff, Hughes said, is the fact that every hurler on the roster offers a different look for opposing batters.

“We each have different pitching styles,” she said. “Emily throws a bunch of different pitches; she throws a bunch of high pitches that gets the batters swinging, and Heather throws a lot of drop balls, and I throw off speed.”

Melissa Mullins, the head coach of the Lady Jags, said this variation among her pitchers gives the Augusta State defense an edge. Having an array of styles on the mound makes the team less predictable, she said.

“I feel very confident in (our pitchers), Mullins said. “I feel like they have been very consistent so far throughout the first half of the season. We have the experience of the two seniors and the freshman (Sexton) who has come right in and has done a good job stepping in, mainly as a closer.  You never know what her roles may be in the future, but right now (it is) as a closer.”

Though a lot of the game depends on the pitching, the pitchers are not the only part of the team, and the coach said she makes sure they know this.

“I think one of the things we have really instilled in them is to trust their catcher and their defense, and they have been doing a good job with that; they trust the calls that are being made based on the scouting reports that they have,” Mullins said. “We are setting them up to be successful, which sets our team up to be successful.”

Catcher Renae Kimbell said the Lady Jags’ talented collection of arms makes her job easier.

“We have a pretty solid pitching staff,” Kimbell said. “All four of our pitchers are different in their own way, which helps me out with the calling because then I know I have four different options when they come in.  All around our pitching staff is well-rounded and easy to work with.”

The Lady Jags’ pitchers know that softball sport is a group effort, and they openly show that, Mullins said.

“They really see themselves as a whole staff,” Mullins said. “They back each other, and they are encouraging. They are the biggest cheerleaders.”

Creating child-friendly events to promote family involvement among the homosexual community has been a point of emphasis during planning for June’s Augusta Pride week.

“It really celebrates everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,” said Augusta Pride public relations coordinator Chris Bannoochie. “So, straight people are as welcome as gay people or transgendered people.”

Those who go to the event don’t necessarily have a problem with the event as a whole or what it is supporting, and not only gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender attend, said Lynsi Morris, an Augusta Pride supporter. There are some heterosexuals who attend the event in support of their friends and family members. Some also celebrate the event together as a family and make a day of the festivities.

A growing concern with Augusta Pride viewing itself a family event is the appropriateness for children. Community members have expressed feelings that the activities and people who attend may be inappropriate for children. In past events, there have been cross-dressers, extended public displays of affection, in addition to minimal clothing worn by supporters such as backless chaps and thong underwear.

“It’s a good festival to go to if you’re open-minded about things, and embrace different cultures,” said Jessica Rogers, a junior nursing major. “Just like any other festival there is a time and point at the event where kids no longer need to be there.  This does not make it a bad event.”

Others feel there is no problem with bringing children.  Morris said it’s a good opportunity for youth to learn about different things, and it helps to introduce your child to the variety of people and lifestyles in the world.

“You can bring your kids,” said Sheena Gavlinski, 25, Augusta,Ga. “Though there are people walking around in their underwear , I feel like Pride wouldn’t be Pride if there weren’t people doing that, and you have to be willing to explain this to your kids.”

The event is intended for a broad spectrum of people, of all different ages and sexual orientation Bannoochie said.

“It’s making more people aware of what’s going on around them, as well as bringing in larger revenue,” Morris said.  “It shows that we are not out to harm other people.”

Augusta Pride has many different attractions aimed at the younger audience. There are booths with different dress-up items such as wigs and other toys. This gives the children a chance to get involved with other children and different families.

“The younger you start bringing your kids out into this environment, the better understanding they will have about the situation, as opposed to keeping them sheltered from it,” Morris said. “This could stop them from forming negative options about these sorts of events.”

Perri Gullet, 23, Waynesboro, Ga., said those who attend the event have to be aware of what they are really supporting and becoming involved with.

“Yes, you may be at a family sanctioned event, but there may be things that go on there you do not see fit for your children’s eyes,” he said. “This is something that should be taken into consideration beforehand, and people should also be aware there will be kids in attendance.”

Gullett said in comparison, the Augusta Pride event is calm compared to other cities’ events.

“Those (other cities) are much more flamboyant, and the outfits are much racier,” he said.  “Augusta’s even seems to be very low key in comparison to others out there. The community has done a great job in keeping everyone involved and reaching out into the community.”

This year will be Augusta Pride’s third year celebrating. Those planning said they hope even more people will come out to support this event and get the community more involved.

Recently I have realized my generation is all about Facebook and Twitter. In some ways I would say it’s an addiction. It is how we manage to get most of our information on a daily basis.

What better way to keep up with people and constantly stay involved with others’ lives?  Everyone loves to post online every move they make and who they are with at every moment.  The best part is you don’t even have to ask, they tell you on their own.

My problem isn’t with Facebook, because I like to use it just as much as any other person. My problem is with the people who use Facebook in the most inappropriate manner: strictly to snoop and cause problems in others’ lives. Then there are those who use it to spread false information, which is what bothers me the most.

Recently people on Facebook have really just disgusted me with how disrespectful and rude they can be. There are just some things that do not need to be posted on the Internet or if it is, it needs to be done in a tasteful manner.

For example: When someone passes away and you don’t know the full story, there is no need for you to get online and post false information, much less posting statuses stating who died. Once you put it out there you can’t take back what you have said.

Thousands of people are able to see this.  Including the family in mourning, and you are out there posting wrong information about the late family member, because you didn’t take the time you find out the facts before posting up a Facebook storm.

Facebook was made to keep people in touch and keep you informed on family and friends who you may not get to talk to on a regular basis.  It is not a place for you to spread false information and facts, especially when you are dealing with such a serious topic.

I know you want to feel like you were the first to get the information out there, but it doesn’t matter if you’re the first when you’re giving out wrong information.  Instead, just wait or don’t mention it at all, because spreading wrong information does not help the situation.  It just makes things worse.

I just think there are some things that should not be put on Facebook, because it is not appropriate.

You may think you are looking like a concerned person in the community and letting friends and family know you are thinking about them, but there are other ways to do this. Though if your only option is Facebook, just check first to make sure the facts you are giving out are correct, and you are not posting things incorrectly.

You never know how much words you post can hurt someone.

It may seem small, but given the situation, it can have much more of an impact then you think.

Sometimes I think people take their authority and the power of their position too far.

I’m not one to question someone’s authority, or tell them how to do their job, or run their establishment. They obviously have that job or business for a reason.  Though sometimes I think they let their position go to their heads.

Recently I have been going out a lot downtown and going to the different bars in the area and seeing all the different establishments downtown.  Lately I have been noticing the way that some of the doormen and owners have been treating their customers and I find it quite appalling.  Sometimes I wonder what happened to customer service.

For example when a bar owner decides a customer has had enough to drink.  He has all rights to refuse them service and kick them out of the bar if need be, under the circumstances that the customer is getting out of hand and causing problems within the bar.

Though I don’t see where the owner has the right to kick the customer out and in the process of kicking the customer out proceeds to call him names.

This causes the customer to get rowdy.  Then the owner wants to say how he can call his bouncers to handle him if he doesn’t leave, and how he can take control of the situation.  If that isn’t enough he threatens to call the cops over a situation that was clearly his own fault.

There would have been no issues if he would have never called the customer names. It seems like he is just exercising his power and showing off.

I have also seen instances where a door man singles girls out when they try to enter the bar. I have seen this on numerous occasions. Like when the doorman wants to make a sexual comment or try to pick up the girls who come into their bar.

After several failed attempts and finally being shot down the doorman then decides to tell the girl that they are no longer allowed in their bar.

I just don’t understand where being a doorman gives you permission to sexually harass a female.  Or single her out for the type of clothing she decides to wear when it is not revealing enough. They are not coming out to be given a hard time; they only want their ID’s checked and to be let inside.

I’m sure many people reading this are thinking, ‘well these people are drunk it shouldn’t matter. That’s not always the case some people just like to go out to bars and enjoy a casual drink  without being treated like they are at the bottom of the food chain just because they don’t own the bar or check ID’s.’

That doesn’t make you any better than anyone else. You should still have the decency to treat a person with respect and common courtesy or find another job.

A bar is a place for people to go out and have a good time. No one wants to have to worry about being harassed just to get into the establishment.

Impressing your significant other can sometimes pose a challenge, but you can always make a romantic dessert to follow up an amazing dinner you prepared.  You may not be an expert  pastry chef, but this recipe can make any beginner professional.  It’s also filled with a few aphrodisiacs like almonds, chocolate and caramel.  

Who knows? Maybe it will help the rest of your evening.

An outside hitter has been taking the volleyball team by storm since her freshman year.

In high school, Mandy Irizarry lettered three years in volleyball. She was named MVP and led with kills during both her junior and senior year. She was also selected Second Team All-Conference as a junior and then again later as a senior.

Irizarry started her Augusta State University career very strong. She started by being ranked second on the team with 185 kills. This year, she is returning to the Lady Jaguars as a junior. Statistically, she said she has not set any personal goals except to play her best. She is striving to be better each match.

Irizarry is not only setting the bar high for herself, but she said she would also like to see the team as a whole improve, which she knows takes effort from her as well as the rest of the team.

“I would like to win the Peach Belt Conference this year, which we will be hosting here in November, and it happens to be on my birthday,” Irizarry said.

She said she is very focused and dedicated to her team and getting better. She attends practice regularly and works to keep in shape during the offseason. She knows that other things go along with making a good team besides discipline, like having a good time.

“I think she does very good when people are down,” Amanda Youell, assistant coach, said. “She knows how to bring them back into having fun and laughing.”

With Irizarry being a junior, she is one of the older members on the team this season, which comes with responsibility, because this year’s team is very young, having six freshmen.

“I think she is more of a leader by keeping them together as a team, not so much vocal but more of a role player on the court, which is what being an outside hitter requires,” Youell said.

The Lady Jaguars hold an overall record of 12-12 and a conference record of 4-4. Irizarry is second on the team in kills per set at 2.35.

In the first conference match of the season, she recorded 13 kills and a .250 hitting percentage. She said she is staying focused on what is important, and knows that there are still areas she can improve. She works on these things by asking questions, and understanding where or what she is doing wrong and how she can improve.

“We still feel Mandy has a lot of potential and that she needs to step up and fill the bill,” Sharon Bonaventure, head coach, said. “There is so much more potential that is still untapped.”

As the season winds down, Irizarry said it will be great to see where all of her hard work, dedication and positive attitude will take her. She said she knows what is important and what she has to achieve, as well as what kind of attitude it will take for her to get there.

“As long as you’re having fun, you do what you like and like what you do, it doesn’t matter,” Irizarry said.

With the last basketball season’s outstanding performances still racing through people’s minds, it is no surprise that people are wondering just how far the team will go this season.

In order for fans in the community to ask questions and communicate with the team, an event was organized at Raising Cane’s on Washington Road. It was a great opportunity for the Augusta State University basketball team to draw in more support, as well as encourage others to attend games this season.

This gave the teams the opportunity to meet fans who have been supporting them from the beginning of their careers.

In meeting the players face-to-face, it gives the fans more of a connection when attending games and was one of the main goals of the event.

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, along with the Augusta State mascot, “Al E. Cat,” were there to talk to, take pictures with and sign many autographs

The restaurant held fans of all ages. The kids were all smiles while getting their autographs and pictures with the players. I

When talking to Daniel Browning, one of the players, about the event and what he thought of it, he said it was “good promotional event to get players closer to their fans.”

Excitement seemed to be in the air as the players walked around, talking and taking pictures with fans.

Brandon Jones, senior manager of the men’s team, said that one of the teams’ best qualities was “our support from our fans,” even though it wasn’t just the fans who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The players and coaches seemed to be just as excited about talking to the fans, signing autographs and taking pictures. “Al E. Cat” was also full of energy and excitement, ready to take pictures with whomever was willing.

Dip Metress, head men’s basketball coach, said his expectation for the upcoming season is to “play harder than the other team, and never leave the game wishing we had done something differently.”

After the event was over, people left with new memories and more enthusiasm about attending this season’s basketball games, as well as full stomachs from all the food, wishing the Augusta State team good luck this season.