25 replies to this topic

[PJA]

I attended First Friday last night and it was bigger and better than the last one I attended about 8 months ago.  There were different vendors and restaurants selling food, different bands performing in different areas of Broad Street with crowds gathered around each of them, and a car show.  There were also people doing magic tricks, caricatures, picture taking and just lots of other things to do.  I don't recall seeing half of that stuff the last time.  And of course there were the clubs. People were piling into all of the clubs.  I didn't even go in because most of them were so crowded.

Edited by PJA, 08 April 2006 - 05:21 AM.

[PJA]

There are a series of Bass fisherman tournaments coming to Columbia County in a couple of months.  This may not sound exciting but they bring revenue to the area and one of the events will be televised on ESPN.

[PJA]

Here is an article that shows the impact the Masters had on this past First Friday.

The Article

[Pillsbury]

First Friday is being ended.  Well sort of.   The authority in charge of governing the event is dropping off and in a sense, "letting it free." This may actually turn out to be a good thing and maybe the event, which will now be run strictly by downtown merchants, can gravitate back to what it was intended to be, an arts festival to showcase our beautiful downtown.  Anyway, here is the article:   First Friday

[Pillsbury]

This is actually a pretty good follow-up story from the Chronicle on First Friday.  It details how there are really two First Fridays and how the crowd changes after about 11 o'clock.  Anyway, it's a good article and really reminds of what happened to Buckhead:   First Friday Article

[jungletobacco]

It seems that first friday is back for now. Did anyone go to the last one? Tell me how it was.
first friday

[Pillsbury]

Didn't know where to put this, put here goes:  Is there a reason why our Christmas lights have totally sucked for the last three or four years?  Are we that poor as a city?  What happened to all the other lights they used to use?  Did they burn out?   Or am I being petty?

[PJA]

Pillsbury, on Dec 7 2006, 10:06 AM, said:

Didn't know where to put this, put here goes:  Is there a reason why our Christmas lights have totally sucked for the last three or four years?  Are we that poor as a city?  What happened to all the other lights they used to use?  Did they burn out?   Or am I being petty?

LOL.  Maybe it's just that we're getting older so they don't seem as grand as they once did.

[PJA]

Here's a nice article about the Saturday Market.  Yesterday's market had a holiday theme and drew many patrons despited the cold weather.

[suburban george3]

OK, I'm coming to the Augusta area next weekend (3/29-4/2) for reasons other than golf!      Any good suggestions for local eating joints, events, eclectic shoppes, etc.???

[Pillsbury]

You're coming for reasons other than golf?  What on earth??? Oooh, I love this part:

1.      Go eat at the French Market in Surrey Center.  Great place to people watch and the crowd won't be that bad because most of the patrons will not have arrived yet----but you may see some professional golfers and some execs from CBS.  
2.      Nice little eclectic shops can be found down on Broad Street and up on the Hill on Monte Sano Avenue (there also some cool shops down Central Avenue, but their coffee sucks!!!)
3.     Go to Partridge Inn and have a cocktail.  Not sure if it'll be crowded, but it's a great spot located right at the Summerville Ridge and you can see all of the city.  
4.     Go to the Soul Bar if you want to hang out.  It's a bar dedicated to James Brown---the crowd is diverse, but respectful, and there is virtually no snobbery or cliquiness (word???) there, which is unheard of in Augusta.

Downtown has really great restaurants.  There is Tap Tap (which I've heard is good), La Maison (which has gone laid back from what I understand), the Bees Knees (the original tapas bar), Blue Sky Kitchen (mmmmm), Nacho Mama's (one of the original restaurants to open on Broad), and, I guess, the Pizza Joint (I say that with reservation because they're inconsistent in my opinion, and in all reality, Mellow Mushroom at 10th and Broad is better).    Also, good coffee can be found at Metro and Blue Moon.  Blue Moon has a bigger selection, but Metro will give you a shot of Bailey's and let you take it with you in a to-go cup.  

Remember, if you really want to act like a local, wear a blazer, khakis, and loafers, walk and drive everywhere with a drink in your hand, and then act upset if you meet someone who isn't from California, New York, or Europe.

I shall write more.   What might your interests be George?   Interesting sidenote, I'll actually be in your neck of the woods next week, helping my cousin move back from Chapel Hill!!!

Edited by Pillsbury, 23 March 2007 - 07:46 AM.

[suburban george3]

Pillsbury, so much of your reply centers on coffee.... you're not a java addict r u?  

I'm actually going to be in the area for a group event at a local hotel.  I will be arriving a day early thanks to my work schedule putting me in the area a day early!  (I luv it when I've asked off and the day before I go work sends me right to where my fun and frivolities are to start!)

As far as what I like to do, people watch, mingle with the locals, shop (antiquing especially), find interesting things to photograph (as UP has re-ignited the photo bug in me), and at night P-A-R-T-A-Y!!! (um, and that's already handled)

[socaguy]

Definately get to Riverwalk while Downtown browsing around on Broad street.  There are a few good places to eat down there like Boll Weevil, Beamies and King George.  Lots of clubs DT on Broad street and in that area.  Be sure to take Pillsburys advice and get to Surrey Center for the French Market Grille.  There is a club in the same center called Vue I think...never been there though.  The gay clubs (Argos and Spectrum) are on Walton Way just down from The Partridge Inn....If thats what your looking for?  Seems like alot of us forumers on here are but if not I think many straight people go to these clubs too.  Antiquing used to be on the higher end of Broad street but not sure if those turned into Art galleries or not.  Where is Augustas antique row now anyway?
Also try to find Park avenue...it should be fantastic this time of year with the blooming Azaleas down the median and the Brick streets.  Also Central avenue and the whole Summerville neighborhood.  Old Towne is nice for some older Victorian houses but dont wander too far down or you'll wind up in the projects!
Have fun!

[Pillsbury]

Broad Street and Monte Sano Avenue are the kings antique shops around here.  I'd follow Socaguy's advice on the club scene, only I might add the Modjeska---seems to be a smart club with a diverse crowd (Not really into the club scene).   Also, King George closed, but in its place opened Red Hughes Irish Pub--Bill Gates ate there a few weeks ago when he was in town (yeah, we were hanging out   ).

Also, if you want to walk around go to Summerville aka The Hill.   Very pretty area and lots to see.  Some of the prettiest churches ever.  Walk up McDowell Street and you'll be dead-center of the Pillsbury's stomping grounds (yes, I'm referring to myself in the 3rd person).   For fun, go to Augusta Country Club on Milledge Road and ask to buy Masters badges.  It gets them every single time!!!  

I'm addicted to coffee---especially expensive coffee.  It's horrible.  

Old Towne is nice, but don't go below 3rd Street.

For added fun, go to Columbia County and count the Saabs and BMWs.  Also count the Tahoes with W stickers (it's like counting the stars my friend).   For even more fun, go to the southside and count the rebel flag stickers and cars riding on 26 inch rims (sometimes you're lucky enough to find a car sporting a combination of both!!!)  If you really want to get down with the local scene, go get a lawn chair, sit in Daniel Village parking lot, and tell people you're waiting for Tiger's plane to arrive.  Yes, people really do that.    

If you need directions, let me know.

Edited by Pillsbury, 24 March 2007 - 07:54 PM.

[socaguy]

Pillsbury...Mcdowell was my stomping grounds growing up, then my family moved to the burbs (West Augusta...puke).

[Pillsbury]

What a great area to grow up in though.  My kids will grow up there one day.    I grew up in Goshen, hehe.  

Hey George, go to St. Paul's while you're on the Riverwalk.  Open most days from 9-5, you can just walk in and look around.   A lot of our history is there (the parish is only 20 years younger than Augusta!!).  If you go on Sunday, they give you Starbucks coffee.   A lot of cool stuff on the inside.

[suburban george3]

Pillsbury, on Mar 24 2007, 09:52 PM, said:

For added fun, go to Columbia County and count the Saabs and BMWs.  Also count the Tahoes with W stickers (it's like counting the stars my friend).   For even more fun, go to the southside and count the rebel flag stickers and cars riding on 26 inch rims (sometimes you're lucky enough to find a car sporting a combination of both!!!)

First, do you have something against BMW's????    

And on the topic of the 26 inch rims, this has got to be the STOOPEDIST thing I've seen.  It's like, "OK, I've got $7K to spend on a car.  Let's buy a $500 old American sedan, put a cheap paint job on it, make it look like an SUV with the rims, and spend the rest on stereo/video equipment."  (I will digress, some of these folks spend MUCH more money than that and do a quality job, even though it still doesn't make sense.)  Do these people not realize that one good smack and they'll be lucky to get $1K out of the insurance company?????  I DON'T get it...

Oh, and thanks for all the suggestions!!!!!  

[Pillsbury]

suburban george3, on Mar 25 2007, 08:14 AM, said:

First, do you have something against BMW's????    

Only that I can't afford one!!!

I hear you on the rims.  Most people who have them can't pay the 7K to put rims on their cars, so they pay in installments.   This is great for rim shops that usually get their rims back because the person couldn't pay them off.   Rims never really decrease in value, so it's a like a neverending pot of gold for them.!!

[PJA]

Pillsbury is right..definitely check out Modjeska...i was just there thursday night and it was great

[suburban george3]

Pillsbury, on Mar 24 2007, 09:52 PM, said:

Broad Street and Monte Sano Avenue are the kings antique shops around here.  I'd follow Socaguy's advice on the club scene, only I might add the Modjeska---seems to be a smart club with a diverse crowd (Not really into the club scene).   Also, King George closed, but in its place opened Red Hughes Irish Pub--Bill Gates ate there a few weeks ago when he was in town (yeah, we were hanging out   ).

For added fun, go to Columbia County and count the Saabs and BMWs.

Well, I'll have to go to Columbia County and let myself get "counted" as well.  LOL.  I definitely will check out Modjeska, and I already know I'll be hitting Argos and Spectrum.  I definitely want to get around and take some pictures of the area.  I hope the weather co-operates for good photography!

BTW, Pillsbury can you give me Bill's phone number.  I want to talk to him about some potential fixes for his latest software.