MARCH 2013 ISSUE • THE CSRA’S ONLY BUSINESS MONTHLY PUBLICATION

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By now you’ve seen the “Orange Cube” building from one big box

eye wear company. Surely you’ve seen another superstore’s commercials with national actors out of Central Casting. Or another companies’ slick Buy One Get One pair deals. A local eye care superstore has survived the wave for 10 years now.

1 Hour Optical, the one-stop spot for comprehensive eye exams, custom eyeglass fittings, contact lens evaluation and low vision services, celebrates

their ten-year anniversary this March, having withstood the test of time and an economic climate that isn’t always favorable to private practices.

“We consider ourselves a hybrid practice, because we give our patients the care and attention of a private practice but we also take walk-ins, which adds to their convenience in being able to schedule their appointments,” said Dr. Andrea Capps, who is the ChromaGen specialist and owns 1 Hour Optical along with Dr. Keisha Williford, low-vision specialist. “We have the selection, variety and convenience of a corporate setting, but we are a private practice. We can do everything short of eye surgery right here in our offices.”

When Dr. Gary Crook started 1 Hour Optical ten years ago, it was based

around the need for both community

involvement and patient care. In 2011 he retired, allowing two of his shareholding optometrists to purchase the practice, yet instilling in them the same values he had used to launch his company.

“Dr. Crook had a very successful private practice in Atlanta, but when I worked with him it was at a commercial chain and he came to me with the idea of combining what he had learned at both practices,” said Mary Johnson, Executive Director. “We continue to support both Chambers of Commerce, are active members in the Lions Club and there are a slew of other charities we support throughout the year including Christ Community Health.”

The differing experiences of the practice’s two current owners also contribute to their outstanding legacy as a hybrid practice. Williford began

her career as an eye doctor at a private practice in her hometown of Brunswick but moved to Augusta in 2006 and

Article by christopher selmek

THINKING OUTSIDE THE “BIG BOX”continued on page 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:sectioN AMain Business News

sectioN BEmployment & Education

sectioN cSouth Carolina Business

sectioN DHospitality & Leisure

Free! take one

1 Hour Optical Is Planning Celebrations and Contests As Part Of Their 10th Anniversary Year.

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I know better than any entrepreneur

there is. In the immortal words of Regis Philbin, “I’m Only One Man.”

As I await the birth of our child in late September, I have to learn to work smarter, not harder. What does that really mean? To create more balance in my life at nearly age 50—it comes down to choosing my “battles” or tasks. It is all about creating jobs and leveraging the talents of others to help you achieve your dreams.

In this issue alone, our “Buzz Bit” stories show there is not much net gain in jobs for the community. While Hagler will create 40 new jobs with expansion efforts, KFC shutting down stores locally affects 75 employees.

While Leslie’s Pools expands and Big Daddy’s restaurant opens--- Al’s in North Augusta closes.

These jobs are so critical to EVERY layer of an organization from the top CEO\Entrepreneur to the entry level person scraping by to help feed the family. I’ll be re-organizing my company and life to try and create more jobs and work smarter in the coming year. How about you?

Neil GordoN is President of Buzz on Biz, LLC and produces a daily tv segment on News 12 This Morning, a daily radio show on WRDW 1630 AM, and two hyper-local, niche publications, “Buzz on Biz” and “Verge”. To learn more, visit www.buzzon.biz or email neil@buzzon.biz

Neil GorDoN | President, Buzz on Biz LLCIT IS ALL ABOUT JOBS!

BUZZ ON BIZ • INDUSTRY EXPERTS • WATERCOOLER STORIES • BUSINESS ADVICE • TRENDS

The Buzz on Biz mission: to act as an inspirational tool for those in the workplace and those who are entrepreneurs and to provide useful, practical information to help

increase companies’ bottom lines.

To submit editorial content or to order a 12 month subscription mailed to your home or office for $12, mail a check to the address on the bottom of the page

Neil R. Gordon: President/Editor/Sales (706) 261-9981Buddy Miller: Sales (706) 261-9981

E35 Media: Design and LayoutMelissa Gordon: SofiaColton.com: Photography

Stacie McGahee: Copy EditorChasiti Kirkland: Buzz Bits Editor

Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and their respective institutions. Neither the Buzz on Biz LLC, or its agents or its employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information,

which is presented for informational purposes only.

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3740 Executive Center Drive #300 Martinez, GA 30907

MARCH 2013

found 1 Hour Optical to be very different from her previous experience. Capps worked for a retail business place in the mall for eight years before transferring her skill set to 1 Hour Optical.

“I think one of the things that makes us stand out is that people don’t just come in here and pick out glasses,” said Capps. “We really sit down with them and educate them and figure out how they use their eyes during the day. I consider it more of a custom fit, because everybody’s eyes are different.”

“A lot of it is just our staff,” said Johnson. “We have a really good staff that cares just as much about our patients as the doctors do. We have

an attitude toward patient care and service that we want to make sure they are well taken care of and understand that we take pride in our work.”In the ten years since it began, 1 Hour Optical has gone from employing one doctor to three full-time doctors and one part time doctor, plus a well-trained professional staff. Their primary location, at 217 Bobby Jones Expressway, sees an average of 20-30 patients every day, many of whom are repeat visitors. Business has been so good that in 2006 they opened a satellite location at 2115 Windsor Spring Road that sees an average of 10-20 patients a day, and both owners see bright possibilities for the future.“We try to stay competitive so that our

pricing stays low, but I have to say our quality is a cut above,” said Williford. “We’re very particular about the product we offer. We want to make sure it’s a quality product and not going to break on the way home. We do our own research, because we don’t want to offer anything if we can’t stand behind it.”Other improvements to the business have included recent technological innovations including the Optikam, a high-tech measuring device that makes the process of ordering custom lenses quick and easy. 1 Hour Optical is also the exclusive vendor for ChromaGen, a life-changing aid for patients with visual

reading difficulties and dyslexia, as well as an optical corrective solution for color blindness.To celebrate their ten-year anniversary, 1 Hour Optical will have random drawings every month this year for gift certificates and other prizes, details for which are available on their Facebook page. For more information, visit www.1houroptical.com.

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THINKING OUTSIDE THE “BIG BOX”coNtiNUeD From pAGe 1

MARCH 2013

From left to right: Dr. Andrea Capps, Co-Owner; Dr. Keisha Williford, Co-Owner; Mary A. Johnson, Executive Director; Danielle P. Chadwick, Patient Care Coordinator

1 Hour Optical pledges to have the largest selection of frames in the CSRA and offers the latest products in both eyeglasses and contact lenses.

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This article is reprinted from our special attorney section in the Summer of 2011

So the old FRAM oil filter

commercial goes. But many people have the attitude, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

I learned the value of preventative maintenance in the Navy. I see the same issues with my Augusta business clients all the time Clients frequently ask me to review agreements--contract, leases, franchise agreements, etc.--that they have already signed. When I ask why they did not let me review it before they signed, they say, “I thought it would be all right,” or “I didn’t want to spend the money.”

The request for a review usually comes for a reason. Things have not gone as they expected and now they want me to determine their legal rights under the contract. I am happy to do the review, but here is my point--once you have signed the paper, your options are fixed and limited, if you don’t like how the deal is going you have to look to the options available in the contract or under the law.

Frequently the client is dealing with a once in a lifetime issue such as starting a business with a friend. An experienced business attorney has seen many similar deals and can

provide valuable insight and guidance if called in at the beginning of the process.

Getting out of a deal with which you are unhappy can be a costly undertaking, not just in legal fees but also in your time and energy spent dealing with the issues. Litigation about a business deal can easily cost each side thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Not to mention the damage to your business caused by uncertainty and lack of focus.

On the other hand, well drafted documents on the front end may cost a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of the transaction. The cost to do it right up front verses fixing it later is akin to the cost of replacing an oil filter compared to the cost of replacing an engine. So, “Pay me now or pay me later.”.

J. edward (ed) eNoch This is a sponsored Law Talk article. His practice focuses on business, employment, and real estate law. He is a 1992 Magna Cum Laude law school grad from Washington and Lee School of Law. He’s served in many leadership roles for SHRM, Rotary, the Family Y and the United Way. Reach him at (706) 738.4141 or jenoch@enochlaw.com

PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATERJ.eDWArD eNoch, J.D. | Business Attorney

The announcement two weeks ago that Hagler Systems

was moving back to Augusta is welcome news. It means that unemployed residents will have a chance to compete for 40 or more jobs in the near future.

The company, which manufactures pumping systems for the mining and dredging industries, moved from Augusta to South Carolina in 2002. It now plans to occupy space on Sand Bar Ferry Road near Interstate 520.

Company president Bob Hagler said Augusta’s costs to manufacture and conduct business made it easy to relocate here, and that’s one reason for moving back into the area. “That’s how our small group of 117 people can compete worldwide with billion-dollar companies,” he said.

Phase 1 of the company’s move involves expansion, adding an additional 40,000 square feet to the rundown building the company purchased in 2012. Since then, about $1 million in repairs have been made. Construction could begin

in the next three months. Since last year, they’ve hired about 36 new employees and need room to grow. As many as 40 more jobs could be filled this year, Hagler said. Those include everything from professional engineering to management, welding and manufacturing.

The second phase of construction, estimated to cost at least $4 million, is designated for 31,000 square feet of new office and a warehouse. Work could begin as early as August, Hagler said.

The company plans to be fully vested in Augusta within the next two years. Its latest order is a $10 million 450-ton dredge for Canada’s Suncor Energy Co., the first to be built in the new facility. The machinery reclaims mud that is generated after oil and sand are separated in the oil-mining process and turns it back into dirt.

MOrE JOBS COMING TO AUGUSTA

MARCH 2013

Lord Millet, a former

judge on the High Court of England, referred to a fiduciary as “someone who has undertaken to act on behalf of another in a particular matter in circumstances

which give rise to a relationship of trust and confidence.” A fiduciary in an employer-sponsored retirement plan includes anyone who exercises discretionary authority or control over the management or administration of the plan, or is compensated for investment advisement regarding plan assets. Because these assets are generally held in trust for the benefit of plan participants, the responsibility to properly manage and administer the plan ultimately rests with the fiduciaries.

Costly litigation can arise when business officers, directors and executives do not fully understand the serious obligations of serving as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ERISA clearly outlines the specific duties and standards of conduct for fiduciaries. These include:

• Acting in the sole interest of plan participants and their beneficiaries for the purpose of providing future benefits;

• Prudently administering their responsibilities;

• Following the terms of the plan document/maintaining compliance with ERISA;

• Diversifying plan investments/

monitoring plan performance; and • Evaluating the reasonableness

of plan expenses.ERISA Section 409 stipulates

that any “person who is a fiduciary with respect to the plan who breaches any of the responsibilities, obligations or duties … shall be personally liable to make good to such plan any losses to the plan resulting from each such breach…” The fiduciary may also be personally responsible for paying any civil penalties or excise taxes imposed on an employer by a Court of Law.

Despite these concerns, a properly designed, qualified plan offers tremendous benefits. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce or even eliminate fiduciary liability. If you have a plan or are considering your options, I would encourage you to consult with a certified plan specialist. They are trained to assist plan sponsors with regulatory compliance and can help formulate a prudent path forward.

Mike williaMs This is a sponsored article. One of the best ways to maximize tax savings is thru a qualified retirement plan. If you are interested in setting up a new plan or want us to review your current plan, please contact mikew@qpdaweb.com.Mike Williams has 16 years of experience as a pension plan practitioner. He has been certified as an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) by the Internal Revenue Service and is President of Qualified Plan Design & Administration, Inc. For more information please visit Open401kplan.com.

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Mike WilliaMs | Certified Retirement Plan Agent

rETIrEMENT pLAN fIDUCIArIES AND wHAT ArE THEIr rESpONSIBILITIES?

A change has been made

at the Federal level regarding information discussed in a previous article that I want to make note of. On January 24, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that

employers will not be required to notify their current and future employees with a written notice regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by March 1, 2013. The DOL expects that the compliance date will be in the late summer or fall of 2013. This time frame will coordinate better with open enrollment dates for group plans. Any future announcements regarding the new date will be shared in this column.

In the last issue of Buzz on Biz, we talked about Public Health Insurance

Exchanges and the timelines and regulations surrounding them. An alternative to the Public Exchanges are Private Health Insurance Exchanges. In my own words, it is simply an “online store” that individuals or employees can access to buy their benefits. Many of the Private Exchanges are operated by insurance companies, benefit brokers or technology vendors. They provide benefits administration support, end-to-end transactional services and decision support for the user. A Private Exchange will often times include options to purchase lines of coverage in addition to a health plan. Life Insurance, Short and/or Long Term Disability, Dental, Vision and Pet Insurance are just an example of what is available.

PRIVATE ExCHANGE MODELS• Group Market Private Exchange –

sells “group” insurance to employees of employers.

• “Individual in Group Clothing”-sells individual market health plans to employees of an employer through an HRA.

• Individual Market Private Exchange – sells health insurance to individuals and families in the individual health insurance market.

This discussion will focus mainly on the Group Insurance market.

A Private Exchange is typically offered by an employer as a defined contribution model, whereby the employer funds a flat dollar amount each month to all of their benefits eligible employees. Each employee will have different coverage needs, so with the funding they receive an employee can buy a personalized, comprehensive package to protect themselves and their family. Any premiums over and above their defined contribution amount will be paid for by the employee through payroll deduction.

For 2014 and 2015, the Public Exchanges will decide if they will offer the plans to groups of less than 100 employees or less than 50 employees. In 2016, all employers with 100 or less must be able to purchase benefits through the Public Exchanges.

Note that beginning in 2014, employers with more than 50 workers may be subject to a penalty under ACA if they do not provide health coverage to their employees, or if the health coverage they offer is not affordable or does not provide minimum value - more on that aspect of reform in upcoming issues.

Private Exchanges are open for business now and currently making a name for themselves. With the rising cost of health insurance, many companies are looking at this option as way to save money as well as continue to offer employees coverage at an affordable price. Many Private Exchanges offer plans from several insurance carriers with choices of low deductibles, high deductibles, and many other cost sharing provisions, some with little or no out-of-pocket expenses after the deductible is met. The cost differential between the low-end and high-end plans can reach up to 60%. By offering an array of plans, consumerism is promoted, employee satisfaction levels rise, and people tend to take more ownership in their plans when they have the opportunity to select it themselves as opposed to being handed a plan by their employer. According to the National Association of Health Underwriters, all of these have proven to reduce health care spending.

The regs have directives leading to financial subsidies being available for the Public Exchanges. The jury is still out on whether subsidies will be available for those choosing to buy benefits from a Private Exchange.

Those of us in the health insurance business are continually digesting and interpreting PPACA regulations. Healthcare Reform has greatly impacted our segment of the insurance world. As we move forward to 2014 when the exchanges begin, we will continue to learn more, keep our clients abreast of regulations that affect them and share that information in this publication. Stay tuned.

russell T. head is a Partner and Chief Visionary Architect with Group & Benefits Consultants, Inc., Augusta’s largest, privately held employee benefits consulting firm. He can be reached at 706-733-3459 or rthead@gandbc.com. Visit Group & Benefits Consultants at www.groupandbenefits.com.

by rUssell t. heAD | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT CONSULTANT

HEALTH CArE rEfOrM AND yOUr BUSINESS

MARCH 2013

Thanks to the passage of

the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), many tax provisions that expired in 2011 were retroactively

extended (or made permanent) that are of benefit to taxpayers filing 2012 returns this year.

ATRA extended, through 2017 and retroactive to 2012, two popular and widely used education-related tax benefits that expired in 2011: the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses and the deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers. Both are an above-the-line deduction, which means that they can be taken before calculating adjusted gross income (AGI).

Non-business energy credits expired in 2011, but were extended (retroactive to 2012) through 2013 by ATRA. For 2012, this credit generally equals 10 percent of what a homeowner spends on eligible energy-saving improvements, up to a maximum tax credit of $500. The cost of certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water

heaters and stoves that burn biomass all qualify, along with labor costs for installing these items. In addition, the cost of energy-efficient windows and skylights, energy-efficient doors, qualifying insulation and certain roofs also qualify for the credit.

ATRA extended, through 2013 (and retroactive to 2012), a tax provision that expired in 2011 that allows taxpayers to deduct mortgage insurance premiums as qualified residence interest. As such, taxpayers can deduct, as qualified residence interest, mortgage insurance premiums paid or accrued before Jan. 1, 2014, subject to a phase-out based on the taxpayer’s AGI.

The AMT “patch” was made permanent by ATRA; however, exemption amounts for 2012 and beyond are higher than in years’ past and are now indexed to inflation. For tax-year 2012, the alternative minimum tax exemption amounts increase to the following levels:

$78,750 for a married couple filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, up from $74,450 in 2011.

$39,375 for a married person filing separately, up from $37,225 in 2011.

$50,600 for singles and heads of household, up from $48,450 in 2011.

Parity for transportation fringe

benefits provided by employers for the benefit of their employees expired at the end of 2011; however, ATRA reinstated this parity retroactive to 2012. As such, the monthly limit for qualified parking is $240 and the benefit for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle or a transit pass is $245 for tax year 2012.

Retroactive to 2012, ATRA extended (through 2013) the tax provision that allows taxpayers who itemize deductions the option to deduct state

and local general sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes.

If you have questions about these or other tax changes, please call us. We’d be happy to assist you.

hall, hall, & associaTes P.c This is a sponsored Employment article. Hall and Hall Associates P.C. is a full-service public accounting firm established in 1979. They have a staff of experienced professionals that stand ready to meet all of your accounting, tax and general business needs. For a complimentary consultation call 706-855-7733 or visit hallassociatescpa.com.

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Christine Hall, CPa | Hall, Hall, & Associates P.C SIX TAX CHANGES THAT BENEfIT TAXpAyErS fOr 2012

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MARCH 2013

The picture you never

have in your head when you go into business is that, beyond paying the rent, amortizing the fixtures, replacing inventory and

providing a living for yourself and your employees, you’re seen as a source of money, making you a target for every entity around you that needs some. Most offer a necessary skill, item or worthy cause in exchange, but too many are shams, and this outing is a kind of scam-detection boot camp designed to mentally prepare you for

their inevitable appearance. In no particular order:

- Legitimate Police and Firefighter Benevolent Associations have, in recent years, had to publicly announce they do not solicit by phone due to an outrageous level of fraud perpetrated on businesses and individuals through call center, boiler room solicitation. There should be a special wing of prisons for people like this. But their activity raises a much larger point: they, and most charity-based scams, make a living by preying on the very social conscience your parents and church made certain you arrived at adulthood with. Stamp this on your forehead:

the moment you feel your heartstrings being tugged or your sense of good will manipulated to a course of action beneficial to the caller, end the conversation right there by telling them you do not deal in these matters by phone. In short, you need to develop a tough skin where you never imagined you’d have to.

- The Yellow Pages Scams: In one of marketing’s legendary, infamous moments, someone long ago at AT&T allowed rights to the Yellow Pages name and “fingers walking” logo to lapse and fall into public domain, unleashing decades of fraud and deceptive representation. When someone calls your business assuring you they’re only verifying your information, they’re actually strongly implying an already existing relationship and at some point they’ll lead you to a phone response that can be interpreted as your willingness to be included in and charged for their service. Hang up the phone. The alternate, phoneless version of this is the piece of mail that arrives looking like an invoice. Apparently enough businesses blindly pay these to keep the scam going indefinitely.

And speaking of keeping scams alive, am I the only one who wants to drive all the way to Michigan (or wherever) at his own expense to give the little old lady, who said “Yes!” to the burglar alarm phone recording, a good talking to? Wouldn’t that make

a great TV reality show? Bamboozle by phone some poor soul somewhere into signing off on a new roof (or similar) and then swoop down on them with a camera crew demanding, “How could you get sucked into a thing like this?” And, “Has it occurred to you that by agreeing to this you’ve added 10 years to America’s being blanketed with these calls?”

Space doesn’t allow enumeration of every clever scam loose in the business world today, and if you get the basic theme here, it shouldn’t be necessary anyway. Designate your least gullible staff member to be the official handler of all calls not directly related to your business, and make certain everyone knows that all such calls are to be handed on to him or her. Then instruct that individual to check with you (the boss) when the pitch is so complicated or dazzling that confusion is its main feature. At the slightest sense of doubt, insist on meeting the caller in person.

Next: Your Media Rep: A Delicate Relationship

doN MacNeil is a traditional media expert, having spent more than 30 years on-air and behind the scenes in Media and Marketing. If you have any comments or questions, email Don at windsorway@ comcast.net

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DoN mAcNeil | Crown Point Communications at Windsor Jewelers

yOUr THINGS-TO-wATCH-OUT-fOr CHECKLIST

MARCH 2013

8

I’ve spoken about the importance of

keeping your website content updated on a monthly (minimum) basis. I have also talked about the need to update your website’s design every

3-4 years. If your website was built years ago it most likely looks dated. An outdated website design reflects poorly on your business and sends potential customers looking elsewhere for your goods and services. Suppose you don’t have a website or are looking to get a quote for a re-design. What are some steps you can take to ensure you get a quality website at a great price?

If you already have a website, take a close look at your website’s traffic. How many visitors are coming to your site each month? How many different pages did they look at during their visit? How long were they on your site? How did they get there? How many viewed from a mobile device? Did they type your website address directly or search for you in Google, Yahoo! or another search engine? What were the most popular pages on your website? Having a clear understanding of your current website traffic will help you make better redesign decisions.

Before I buy a car, I research different makes and models and come up with a list of “nice to haves,” “gotta haves” and “could take it or leave its.” When redesigning, or building a new website, look at as many websites as possible to give you ideas of what you like and dislike. Write these down and share them with your potential designer. Include such things as animation, e-commerce capabilities, layouts, and page count. Have an idea of the top 3 “calls to action” or goals for your website. Be thinking of functionality (video and photo galleries, staff bio pages, calendars, online submission forms and the like) that will take a designer time to build into your website.

The more a website designer understands about your project the easier it will be able to quote you a price and get you closer to bringing your message to life. Do you have your own images and artwork or will you need them created them for you? Do you need a blog? Will your website compliment your social media strategies?

Make a detailed list and share them with your potential designer. Do they have any additional ideas or thoughts? Ask them to share their portfolio with you. Consider their client referrals and testimonials. Do they have a proven track record? Consider the breadth of

the designer’s services - can they also provide you with custom software and mobile apps down the road? Can your designer help you promote your website through online advertising solutions and search engine best practices?

The more specific you can be with your request, the easier it will be for your designer to give you an accurate and competitive price quote. Building a new website or updating an existing website can be a lot of fun - be sure to pick a designer you connect with and one who will provide you with legendary customer service.

Jeff asseliN Jeff is Director of Sales & Marketing for Powerserve, a web development company that focuses on Websites, Custom Business Software, Search Engine Optimization, Graphic Design and Social Media Marketing. Let Jeff put his more than 16 years of advertising and marketing experience to work for you helping grow your business. Click (www.powerserve.net), Email (jeff.asselin@powerserve.net), Visit (961 Broad St, Augusta) or Call (c: 706-691-7189, o: 706-826-1506, Ext 122). This is a sponsored article.

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MARCH 2013

The city of Augusta’s

attempts at privatizing city services has been a mixed bag of successes and failures. Few people

complain about the city’s outsourced garbage collection service, but the recent problems with the Augusta Municipal Golf Course has dominated the headlines. There are some Commissioners that believe that the government should have total control over certain city services and others that feel any savings to the taxpayers should be utilized even if it means giving up that control.

The Patch golf course is a great example of that friction that exists in government. The entire operation was set up for a giant failure, and fail it did. Since 1926, the city has operated the Municipal Golf Course and for most of its lifespan has been a wonderful and cost effective outlet for lovers of the game. However, things change. The game of golf has changed over the years and Augusta went from a small community with an annual tournament to what it is today: the prestigious home to the Masters. Unfortunately, the Patch golf course no longer reflects prestige.

Over time, the Patch became obsolete. The course has been in decline for decades and rather than address the problems, the city basically looked the other way. Finally, it became clear that the course had been mismanaged to the point of no return. The answer to some was to farm out the operation to people who were specialized in running commercial golf courses.

The first person to step up to the plate was Brian Hendry of Aberdeen, Scotland. At first, it looked like a match made in Heaven. Hendry had the know-how and the track record and he came to town making a ton of promises. The problem was, Hendry’s business model turned out to be completely wrong. He relied on two things: that the city would continue to

provide money for infrastructure repairs and that the proceeds made from Master’s week would help fund the operation for the rest of the year.

Hendry spends plenty of time in Augusta, so he should have known the Augusta Commission is about as fickle as a 14 year-old girl trying to pick out a dress for the school dance. Just because the Commission promises something one week doesn’t mean they will not change their mind the next week, and that is exactly what happened. Hendry promised a complete renovation of the clubhouse, but he was depending on the government to pony up part of the funding and that rug was pulled right out from under his feet.

Hendry also promised that membership rates would remain affordable in the midst of the upgrade to the course. This was a hideous gamble based on the idea that premium customers would purchase packages during the one week of the year that Augusta becomes an international city. Hendry and his company did not take into account that most of the visitors that flock here Masters week come here to watch the game and not to play it.

The Commission was forced to bow out of the contract when The Patch of Augusta, LLC was unable to pay rent for several months. Commissioners who are constantly against any privatization pointed with glee and basically said, “Look we told you so!” What they did not recognize was that the Commission was just as much to blame as the private company. Any operation without a clear cut goal is destined to be a failure.

As the Commission scrambled to fix the situation, they ultimately made it worse by being indecisive. At this point, no reputable company wants to bid for the job. The result is the city holding on to a decrepit piece of property that no one uses and the only options are to invest millions of dollars in it or shut it down. As of this writing, the course is closed and will likely never reopen.

There are some examples of privatization that have worked, and worked well. The garbage service contract has been so efficient that the

city may eventually move to contract out once a week pick-up with no loss in the total amount brought to the landfill.

The city transportation contract has also been a success. According to City Administrator Fred Russell, there have been no complaints from the public about the contracted bus service. Fares remain low and the vehicles run on time. Some Commissioners continue to complain about the private company and their alleged treatment of employees, but customers appear to be very happy with the service.

The trend across the nation is for local governments to farm out services to private companies whenever

feasible. In doing so, an army of bureaucrats is replaced by an army of bean counters. As long as the service is maintained to an acceptable level, the taxpayers come out on top. However, things do not always work out. It is too bad that our lesson learned was costly and what was once a source of pride is now becoming a weed-choked dump.

scott hUDsoN is a free lance reporter for WGAC News and a local paralegal. For comments or story ideas email scott@wgac.com

9

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MARCH 2013

Article by scott hUDsoNTHE pITfALLS Of prIvATIzATION

10

Many entrepreneurs

build a successful business through vision, excellent management skills, and sheer hard work. But most do

not have a thorough understanding of the complexities that are present in the deal structuring and business selling process.

To prepare you, here are some of the pitfalls you might run into when trying to sell your own business:

1) FAilUre to mAiNtAiN coNFiDeNtiAlitY. Letting the cat out of the bag early can be dangerous. If employees know that you’re selling, they may quit. Competitors can use this information against you. Vendors may discontinue favorable terms. All buyers should have to sign confidentiality agreements to even meet with you.

2) FAilUre to coNtiNUe to rUN YoUr BUsiNess. It is important to maintain your business at peak operating capacity. If you try to sell your business yourself, you’ll be inundated with buyers, many of them tire-kickers. The time you waste with these buyers could impact your profits and market value. If sales and profits are down at the close, the buyer will ask for a significant discount.

3) FAilUre to Use proper NeGotiAtiNG techNiqUes. Poor negotiating techniques can be costly to you in terms of selling price and terms, even preventing the deal from closing. You can’t be the bad guy, but an intermediary can. Third party input from attorneys, CPAs, bankers or relatives can waylay a sale, too. If you’re not a skilled negotiator, you need one.

4) FAilUre to secUre qUAliFieD BUYers. Knowing how to qualify a buyer is critical. A broker can help you pre-qualify each buyer to avoid a negotiation that is doomed to fail. This saves you time and money.

5) FAilUre to move the DeAl AloNG. A good deal will go bad if it takes too long to close. You must run your business, your lawyer and accountant have other clients to serve, but a business broker can be there on a daily basis to get you to the end zone.

6) FAilUre to plAce the proper vAlUe oN YoUr BUsiNess. A business has value to a buyer because of its anticipated earnings from its established resources and a demonstrated successful track record. Proper evaluation is crucial, enhancing the chances of selling. You need to establish a price that won’t scare off potential buyers and at the same time will maximize your eventual return. It’s a proven fact that an intermediary can sell your business for more!

Tune in for Part 2 next month!

kiM roMaNer This is a sponsored article. Kim is President of Transworld Business Advisors of Augusta, a business brokerage that helps people buy and sell businesses, and also enter into the franchise world. With over 65 locations in the U.S. and abroad, Transworld has sold many thousands of businesses. If you’d like to talk to Kim about selling or valuing your business, buying a franchise or turning your existing business into a franchise operation, please call 706-383-2994, or email her at kromaner@tworld.com.

12 fATAL MISTAKES yOU CAN MAKE wHEN SELLING yOUr BUSINESS: pArT I

kim romANer | Business Broker

MARCH 2013

11

Well…in my opinion…

it DEPENDS! You certainly need some good luck along the way for your business to be successful.

fate and luck play a big role in business, almost as much as working hard and slowly building financial security!

fEEL LUCKy - It’s all about the attitude. Feelings influence actions, for the better or for the worse. You should push for a

positive working environment that strives for new ideas and innovation. Try using GrEEN for luck (or money) in your excel spreadsheets or pens!! You will be surprised at how this can influence your thoughts!

BAD LUCK wILL HAppEN. Cross train your team so that Bad Luck doesn’t bring your company DOWN. Keep track of your company’s daily processes for each employee in binders (you could even use GrEEN binders ☺) Also, most companies back up their servers, but you also need to back up your PC’s on thumb drives, external hard drives or CD’s.

fOCUS - It’s easy for you to get in a daily routine and forget about what is really important. You should constantly create positive reiterations of your company, personal, and employee goals and make sure that your employees are on board in order to MAKE them happen. Display signs daily or weekly with your goals…in GrEEN.

pLAN & COMMUNICATE – Meet OFTEN with your entire team, or in small groups, to accomplish all of the above. Use visual aids, like marker boards or easel pads for jotting down ideas and plans (make sure some of your markers are GrEEN). To encourage input, you could reward your groups with little prizes, like colored post-its (GrEEN ones!?!), nicer pens, or even a more comfortable chair!!

Hard work and perseverance are critical and are actually more likely to lead to a “lucky break,” as opposed to waiting for it to come on its own. Don’t RELY on Fate or Luck…just PREPARE for it!

Be in the GrEEN this year instead of the RED!

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In a recent survey conducted by a

major ergonomics firm, 89% of employees said they’ve felt muscle tension or fatigue at the end of their workday.

Unfortunately, many companies address these ergonomic issues by simply buying ergonomic chairs – and nothing more. But ignoring the negative impact of bad ergonomics can lead to the erosion of company profits, decreased employee productivity and increased complaints to OSHA.

By making positive ergonomic changes to your work environment as

a whole, you can:-Improve the safety and health of workers-Reduce your company’s healthcare costs-Minimize productivity and quality issues-Avoid regulatory concerns

hoW to JUstiFY the costs oF chANGe

It’s not uncommon for employers to wonder if integrating ergonomic products into their workplace is worth

the investment. If that’s a concern of yours, I recommend you use a cost-justification technique such as the Benefits/Cost ratio.

This method – where the financial value of the benefits is divided by the costs of the changes – allows you to compare the cost of ergonomic-related injuries to the cost of implementing the ergonomic solution. The technique assumes implementing an ergonomic solution will eliminate future ergonomic-related injuries. Generally, any time the ratio is 1.0 or greater, the implementation is recommended.

the UpsiDe to

implemeNtAtioN Overall, research shows investing

in good ergonomics will boost your bottom line, though, individual returns will vary. In one case, a large clothing manufacturer redesigned several aspects of their workspaces and lost-time incidents were reduced by 70% and stayed low subsequently.

In another case, at a window fashions company, workstations were reevaluated and redesigned after the company received 30 to 40 complaints and 10 to 15 compensable claims. The adjustments they made in response

were so successful there were no compensable claims during the following year.

the vAlUe oF ForethoUGht Not surprisingly, lower design and

construction costs can be obtained when equipment and facilities are correctly designed from the start. The cost of correcting ergonomic design up-front is about 10% of what it would cost to do it later.

Of course, if employees aren’t properly trained how to use their ergonomic furniture, ergonomic features will not be utilized. It’s critical to develop a total ergonomics

program that includes training for the employees. Otherwise, the financial and health benefits won’t be fully realized.

Frank MUlHerin This is a sponsored article. Frank has been the General Manager of Weinberger’s Business Interiors since it opened in 2008. He has 32 years of experience in the office furniture industry. Frank was associated with Ivan Allen Co. for 28 years. Frank’s team has received numerous industry awards. Frank has been extremely active in his community, having held leadership positions in numerous civic and charitable organizations. Reach him at 706-922-1371 or fmulherin@weinbergersfurniture.net

12

CAN INvESTING IN ErGONOMIC fUrNITUrE KEEp EMpLOyEES AND prOfITS HEALTHy?

FrANk mUlheriN | Office Design Expert

MARCH 2013

131713

EMpLOyMENT & EDUCATIONsectioN B

One of my favorite HGTV shows

is “Love It or List It.” The two conceptual questions are:

1. What changes could be made to your home by a

professional designer, based upon your pre-determined budget, that would cause you to “love” your current home and stay?

2. What home could a realtor show you that would meet your requirements

and be in your price range that would cause you to “list” your current home and buy the new house?

CaSe in PoinT: These two concepts made me think about so many of my clients who are struggling with “loving or listing” their current job. If a job opportunity does not arise quickly after previewing and interviewing, what can one do to “love” the current job? Here are 6 steps you can take to turn your current job into one you want to keep…

1. create a blueprint. Take time to

list out on paper what changes would make you happier at work – use your plan to take action steps to propel you forward. Focusing on what you want is an energy booster and often results in exactly what you asked for.

2. Deconstruct existing thinking. What current thoughts and feelings about your work are contributing to bad feelings about your job and leading you to inaction? What new thought could you use to replace the old thought that would lead you to a different way of feeling about your job which would

result in positive action? Only you can control your thoughts.

3. Sharpen your saw. Stephen Covey taught this principle. Perfect your craft, be excellent at what you do currently at work and be proud. It could lead to recognition or a promotion.

4. Build new infrastructure. Expand your relationships at work. Take at least one person to lunch a week – preferably off campus.

yOUr CArEEr: LOvE IT Or LIST IT!kAtie Weiser | CCE-BOARD CERtiFiED COACH

continued on page 18

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There are perhaps as many answers

to this question as there are individuals who claim to be consultants. This can be daunting to a leader or an organization considering hiring consultative expertise. They’re probably asking themselves, “What can a consultant do that I can’t do for

myself? How do I go about selecting a consultant? What can I really expect in terms of results?”

Contrary to the occasional bad rap, many consultants are worth their weight in gold, and the organizations they support acknowledge that they could not have made it without them. Regardless of business or technical discipline, consultants generally help organizations do the following four things:

EXpLOrATION AND OrGANIzATIONAL LEArNING

• Help leaders of organizations examine and understand themselves and their organizations more thoroughly, through surveys, group encounters/team development, client focus groups, interviews, psychometric instruments, personality assessments, and other interventions.

• Teach organizations to learn from

their successes and failures. Identify and train members of the

organization to perform every facet of the consultative role, so that the organization becomes self-sustaining .

CHALLENGE OrGANIzATIONAL pArADIGMS AND SHArING

• Help organizations create an environment suitable for mutual sharing, through open and honest disclosure and managed feedback

• Challenge the organizations to examine their decisions, as well as the fundamental bases for those decisions, in an effort to understand the culture that supports the organization’s behaviors and decision processes.

• Foster cultural intelligence through encouraged expressiveness, celebrated diversity, inspired engagement, and rewarded accountability.

• Lead organizations in a strategic planning process that clarifies their business direction and develops actions (restructuring, resource development, and reward systems) needed to achieve that direction.

prODUCTION AND SUSTAINABILITyHelp organizations identify process

inefficiencies, redundancies, process gaps, and structural frameworks that negatively affect productivity and business performance.

• Isolate characteristics of model performance that can be replicated through effective management of talent: selection, hiring, development/coaching, placement, succession planning,

leadership development, and team optimization.

• Improve business performance and sustainability, effective resource allocation and change management.

EvALUATE AND ACT• Establish measures and

methodologies for determining goals, status against those goals, and corrective action required.

• Assist organizations in uncovering, evaluating, refining, and fulfilling their mission, vision, and values

• Hold the virtual mirror before the organization so it can see how it resolves problems, manages conflict and agreement, recovers from setbacks, rewards and punishes victory and defeat, and manages complex change.

• Act as an agent of change to enhance

the organization’s readiness for change.Reprinted with permission from

Profiles international material. Profiles international provides testing for talent Focus Consulting clients.

BreNT & kellY Mallek This is a sponsored article from their company, Talent Focus Consulting. Brent has over 20 years of Human Resources experience as a proven leader, coach, and teacher. His practical yet strategic approach to human capital issues provides great value to the businesses with which he works. Kelly’s successful track record spans 25 years working in sales, customer service, and business operations. Her practical approach puts others at ease while assisting others in driving their business results. Visit their website at www.talentfocusconsulting.com or call 706.945.1592 for a free consultation.

We are born with only

two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. All other fears we learn along the way: like the fear of failure,

the fear of rejection and even the fear of success. Our greatest enemy in life is fear because fear keeps us from doing many of those things we would like to do that would make our life more complete and more enjoyable.

World-class achievers have just as many fears as those who live miserable, unfulfilled lives because of fear – they have just learned to master their fears instead of allowing their fears to master them. In fact, because they play on a much larger stage, they have to confront the fear of things much larger than the masses will ever confront.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable! Get excited when your feel uncomfortable and anxious! It means that your brain has recognized you are outside of your comfort zone. It means you’re in the process of growing!

Do the thing you fear and fear will disappear.

Worry and belief are two sides of the same coin. It all depends on which side you choose to focus on. You can change your focus from the negative to the positive. When you worry, you are picturing an undesirable outcome to occur in the future. You use no effort or willpower. The image seems to manifest effortlessly and readily. You keep dwelling on the end result, the possibilities that might happen, even if you don’t want them to occur. You keep playing with the idea that this outcome MIGHT happen.

Your nervous system cannot tell the difference between real worry and failure and imagined worry and failure.

Luckily, you can flip the coin to the other side. Change the undesirable end result to what you do want to occur. Imagine this end result just as vividly as you did the previous end result, the less desirable one. Imagine it over and over, repeating it just as many times as you did with the previous image.

View high-achieving actions if you want to be a high achiever! When you start to have negative visualization, immediately stop it, and turn it into a positive picture. The proper response to feelings and thoughts of worry is to totally ignore them! Don’t listen to them. Instead, turn your thoughts

towards what do you want. Soon you will begin to generate positive emotions that easily and naturally accompany this new, improved image. You will begin to feel enthusiasm, cheerfulness, joy, excitement, and happiness. They will automatically be generated. Call up and evoke feelings of success.

In the final analysis, fear is present in everyone’s life. It only creates a problem when it causes inaction and paralysis. Fear is never a reason for quitting. Quitting due to fear is merely an excuse. It’s okay to be afraid, in fact it’s normal. Whenever you begin to feel fear, remind yourself of your desire to achieve your goals. Remember your why. Desire is the perfect antidote for

fear and despair. Conquer fear and you truly have gained one of the real “keys to the kingdom.”

ken keHr this is a sponsored article. Ken focuses on helping busy executives improve personal and team productivity while they build a world-class sales/marketing mindset. He is adept at helping clients prioritize requirements, develop action plans and then implement those action plans to get the desired and necessary results. to learn more about powerful, proven, guaranteed and nationally recognized executive, business and sales coaching services, contact Ken at 706.724.7245 or email K.Kehr@theGrowthCoach.com.

14

ken keHr | Management Consultant CONQUEr yOUr fEAr AND yOUr BUSINESS wILL STILL BE HErE

BRENT & KELLY MALLEK | talent Focus Consulting wHAT DO CONSULTANTS DO rEALLy?

MARCH 2013

15

Successful people typically are very good communicators. They use their

communications skills to help people. The secrets: winners have great listening and observation skills! This helps them discover challenges people face, and helps to figure out ways to improve them.

this Article (pArt 4 oF this series) discusses the importance of listening to and observing people and situations, and how it produces better communications and more success.

the First 3 Articles of this series included 1) basic reasons why communication skills are so important, 2) the value of goal setting and planning important communications, and 3) how the specific parties and topics of discussion impact how to communicate more successfully.

pAY AtteNtioN AND Do YoUr homeWork First! Just like any other endeavor, being prepared and knowing what you’re “up against” are several keys to successful results. For example, when fixing a car, listen to its sounds to help figure out what is and isn’t working properly. And observe its component parts; how the tires are wearing will indicate other conditions, such as wheel alignment.

PrePare: Listen and observe what the other party’s current situation is, as well as their goals, challenges and desires. These things are vital in analyzing the steps necessary to get from where they are today, to what they want

to achieve. By accurately listening and observing, you may actually know more about what the other party needs to do than they do!

iF the GoAls Are reAlistic, something that makes sense, decide what help you could provide. And try to figure out whether they actually will want your help.

LiSTen To oTherS: For very important situations, it’s best to get feedback from others. Rehearse your potential presentation or discussion with one or more people. Choose people you trust will give you honest, valuable feedback. Then, based on the feedback, adjust your presentation accordingly.

When CommuniCaTionS Begin: Listen for and observe various cues (what the other party says, their body language, etc.) when you communicate. Be prepared for various scenarios: What will you do or say if the other party does not understand, disagrees with, or gets upset with what you have said?

keep YoUr AUDieNce tUNeD in: Whether you are communicating with just one other person, or a large number of people, pay close attention to their reactions and ask for feedback. Make sure you frequently check they are following what you are saying because if you lose them, and don’t realize it, it will be harder to get back on track.

emoTionS reaLLY CounT: Depending on the feedback and reactions you observe, whether very

obvious or subtle, you may need to shift gears and adjust your message, or how you are expressing yourself. Perhaps you should stop your discussion and ask a question, such as “What do you think of what I’ve said so far?” or “Any questions?” Or, if you think those questions might backfire, maybe suggest you take a brief break and restart the meeting in 10 or 15 minutes. During the break, if there were several people in the meeting, try to reach out to someone you know who will give you some feedback or suggestions.

in SummarY: Pay close attention to the other party(ies). Listen and observe them before, during, and after important communications have taken place. This

will greatly increase your chances for mutual success.

reAD BAckissUes AND siGN Up For Free PerSonaLizeD heLP: Just go to BuzzOn.biz/business-coaching, and follow the instructions. Or simply call Larry at 571-331-6102.

larrY rUdwick This is a sponsored Business-Talk article. A lot more about this can be found on the www.BusinessTune-Ups.com website. To do an Executive Assessment requires a Word Document entitled Ten Questions That Can Improve Your Life. I would be happy to email one to you; you may request it from me at Rudwick@cox.net or calling 571-331-6102.

lArrY rUDWick | Founder, “Larry the tune Up Guy”, Business Coaching Expert IMprOvING COMMUNICATION SKILLS-pArT 4 (GReAT LISTenInG And OBSeRvATIOn SkILLS ARe vITAL)

MARCH 2013

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Security is a top concern

with the cloud. Consider that 27% of respondents to an InformationWeek Cloud Security and Risk Survey say they have no

plans to use public cloud services. Of those respondents, 48% say their primary reason for not doing so is due to security concerns such as leaks of customer and proprietary data. What about those who have adopted, plan to adopt, or are considering cloud services? They’re worried, too. Security concerns easily beat other significant concerns, including cloud performance, vendor lock-in, and the ability to recover data if a customer ends the service or a provider goes out of business.

When companies adopt cloud computing services, the top response was lower capital costs. So despite security concerns, companies are moving to the cloud for business reasons. In an ideal world, companies would carefully inspect any public cloud provider they intend to use. But that doesn’t seem to be the case in the real world. In comparing a cloud provider’s security controls with their own in-house security, 20% say the provider has superior controls, and another 20% say the provider’s controls are on par with their own. However, 31% say they have no idea, because they

haven’t examined the controls in depth (they’re going on blind faith).

Companies considering a cloud service should take advantage of the material that most providers make available to potential customers. The most common is the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements 16, a set of auditing standards that replaced the well-known SAS 70. In an SSAE 16 report, a provider describes its security and technology controls, a third-party auditor reviews them, and the provider’s management attests that the controls are in place. This is valuable information for a potential customer to help assess a provider. The SSAE 16 doesn’t lay out an ideal security environment for a cloud provider; it only describes the controls the provider chooses to live by. This means each provider’s SSAE 16 will likely contain different system descriptions. SSAE 16 looks at five Trust Services Principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of personal information that the service organization collects, uses, retains, discloses, and disposes. The cloud service provider determines which and how many of the five principles are reported. So your review of a provider’s SSAE 16 documentation should account for what the provider might be leaving out.

The Cloud Security Alliance is a relatively new organization focused exclusively on security. The CSA has created a set of best practices for cloud

providers in areas such as encryption and application security. It also has created the Security, Trust & Assurance Registry or STAR, a free, public registry that documents the security controls provided by various cloud computing products. So far, only a handful of providers have registered with the CSA, but they include big names like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Terremark. STAR is open to all cloud providers, letting them submit self-assessment reports that document compliance with CSA best practices. Cloud providers can provide answers to more than 140 questions about their security controls.

A technical audit verifies a provider’s security controls using tools such as vulnerability assessments and reviews of logs and other records. A technical audit is perhaps the best option for assessing a provider’s controls, but most providers won’t give you the kind of access required for a comprehensive technical audit, partly for security reasons and partly because it disrupts their operations. However, they may conduct their own technical audit or hire a third party to do so, and then share the results with customers.

Customers often conduct vulnerability scans or penetration tests against a provider or potential provider. The value in a vulnerability scan or penetration test depends on the cloud provider, the type of cloud service you’re consuming, and the type of scan you’re conducting. A traditional vulnerability scan targets low-level infrastructure and operating

systems. It looks for software holes in the OS that can be exploited by malicious software, as well as for insecure configurations.

A penetration test is a more aggressive mechanism for evaluating security controls. For example, rather than just detecting a vulnerability, a penetration test may also exploit it to gain access to a system. A penetration test will likely use multiple routes to gain access to systems and resources by manipulating a provider’s firewall rules, employing password-cracking software, and using social engineering to trick a provider’s employees into downloading a software package or revealing sensitive information that can be used to gain access.

It all sounds pretty complicated, but these tools in the hands of a trusted IT professional can give your company the edge if you eventually consider the cloud for management of part, or all, of your company data systems.

Kevin Wade was selected as the 2012 Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce “Entrepreneur of the Year”.

keViN wade is the CEO and “techspert” for Intellisystems, a small business I.T department for area companies. He works with them to prevent network failure, data loss, or backup disasters and provides technology advice to keep clients and the community informed. Intellisystems is located in the Alley in Aiken, in Columbia at the Atrium on Stoneridge Drive, and in downtown Augusta. For more info, email kevinw@intellisystems.com

16

keviN WADe | CEO of intelliSystems, tek talkSECUrITy IS THE TOp CONCErN IN THE CLOUD

MARCH 2013

17

BaNk oF amERica sUppoRts aUgUsta tEch FoUNdatioNBank of America’s Charitable Foundation continues to support students

at Augusta Technical College. Recently, the Augusta Tech Foundation received a $3,000 donation from the bank for its Lending Library, which loans textbooks to students who might be ineligible for traditional financial aid and can’t afford to buy them.

Pictured from left to right in attendance at the Evans location for the check presentation were: Chad Cunningham, Georgia Area Executive; Amy Read, Evans Banking Center Personal Banker; Terry Elam, President of Augusta Technical College; Michael Williams, Consumer Market Manager for Augusta and Athens, GA; Ora Parish, Market President for Augusta, GA and Aiken, SC; Beverly Peltier, Foundation Director of Augusta Technical College; Paula Bennett, Mortgage Loan Officer for Augusta, GA; Jason Sowinski, Evans Banking Center Manager; Marina Garabedyan, Evans Banking Center Sr. Personal Banker; Bradley Key - Evans Banking Center Financial Solutions Advisor; Anjali Besley – Southeast Region Executive; and Tyson Bannister, Evans Banking Center Small Business Banker.

Through the end of February 2013, every new student that enrolls in one of Southern Wesleyan University’s adult evening or online programs will receive a $500 scholarship.

Learn more at swu.edu.

swu.edu/northaugusta | 803.426.7981

For first time college students,

the process of applying for financial aid can be confusing.

How do you apply for federal financial

aid? What information do you need to apply? What are the different types of aid? Below are some tips and guidelines for successfully completing the financial aid application process.

• It’s important to understand the types of financial aid available before completing an application. All forms of financial aid can be split into two basic categories: money that you will have to pay back and money that you won’t have to pay back. Federal and private loans fall under the first category, while scholarships, grants, and federal work study awards fall under the latter. As a student you want to maximize the money you don’t have to pay back, or ‘free money,’ and minimize any loans. This will allow you to graduate with the least amount of debt after earning your degree.

• Students under the age of 24 are required to include their parents’ income information when applying for federal financial aid, so be sure to have copies of your parents’ W2’s and other tax documents handy when you apply.

• To apply for federal aid, students need to complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The application can be found online at http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa. The FAFSA is available beginning in early January each year, and students are required to reapply annually. The FAFSA is used to calculate your EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, which colleges will use to determine the amount of aid you are awarded.

• Additional financial aid may be available through your college or university and through non-profit or private organizations in your community. There are many online search tools, such as www.fastweb.com and www.bigfuture.com, which can help you locate these additional forms of aid. Your high school guidance counselor is also a great resource for locating scholarship and grant opportunities in your community.

Georgia Military College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which means that all credit earned at the institution is transferable to other accredited schools. Eligibility for participation in the joint enrollment program is based on students’ high school GPA and SAT or ACT scores.

haileY riBeiro is the Admissions Manager/Recruiter at Georgia Military College and manages the joint enrollment program. For questions about this program and Georgia Military College, please call 706.993.1123 or visit our website at www.gmcaugusta.com.

AppLyING fOr fINANCIAL AIDhAileY riBeiro | Georgia Military College Admissions Manager

MARCH 2013

18

Book tavERN RElocatEsThe locally owned bookstore on

Broad Street, known for hosting unique community events and promoting area authors, is moving just in time for the Masters. Their new digs, which will be move-in ready by early March, will occupy the former Casablanca Café inside the J.B. White Department Store Building across from the New Moon. No worries for those who can’t wait for the next good read. It’s not moving far, just one block down the street, and the move

won’t mean a long wait. Not bad for a one-man operation that originally started as a humble stall inside a flea market before moving to downtown Augusta.

To the owner, the move means more space for books, room for lounge chairs and tables, and a fresh place for new ideas. Stop by the current location at 1026 Broad Street for a deeply discounted moving sale. Or call (706) 826-1940. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

hoppY FEEt makEs kids happYIf you’re looking for fun, head

over to Hoppy Feet, Grovetown’s newest play center for kids. You’ll find an assortment of indoor and outdoor inflatables, dunking tanks water slides and more that can be rented for parties and other kid-friendly occasions.

Whether you call them bouncey houses, jumpers, moonwalks, or even “inflatable jumpy things,” kids call them fun. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about your

child’s safety. Hoppy Feet is fully licensed and insured. Check them out; they’re located off Columbia Road in the Ivy Falls Shopping Center behind Dollar General. Their specialty is private parties, but public jump times also are available.

Hours are Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. But you may want to call first. Hours are subject to change when there’s a private party happening. Reach Hoppy Feet at (706) 755-2619

MARCH 2013

Volunteer for company events and special community projects. You will be surprised at the different perspectives there are on life at work and you may make some life-long friends and build your network.

5. Keep hammering. Even when it seems like the job dissatisfaction will never end; make the decision to invest more of yourself than you anticipated so you can check off the items on your “job happiness” list as done.

6. home sweet home. Take time to think about all the wonderful things about your job. We often focus on the 3% of what we don’t like about our jobs. What about the 97% that is working for us?

Moral of the story: See if you can fall in love with your job all over again before you “list it.”

kaTie weiser this is a sponsored article. Katie has five different accredidations as a certified coach. She retired from Deloitte Consulting and Deloitte Services after 40 years and oversaw the counseling of 500 firm professionals who were downsized from their positions. She provided them with resume writing services, networking, and interview advice. She is available to conduct several different workshops or speeches for a variety of companies, groups, or associations focused on change, leadership, goals, effective communication and more. Coach Katie also coaches individuals to make a transition into the next phase of your career or life. Sign up for a 30 minute, complimentary strategy session by emailing katie@atieweisercoaching.com or by calling 706.550.4161

yOUr CArEErContinued from Page 13

www.columbiacco.org

19FEBRUARY 2013 17DECEMBER 2012 21OCTOBER 2012 23JUNE 2012

SOUTH CArOLINA BUSINESSsectioN D

www. .

At the Aiken Training Track, the thoroughbreds have been

running all year to prepare for the races. The event will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Aiken Trials is the first leg of the Aiken Triple Crown, the three-weekend-long celebration of horse sports that includes The Aiken Trials, The Aiken Steeplechase and the USC Aiken Pacers and Polo match. This year will mark the 71st running of the Trials and will introduce some welcome changes.

The Aiken Trials now has a brand new website with tickets available online. The site allows customers to reserve a spot and purchase gate admission tickets. For those looking to focus on tailgating rather than getting a good view of the races, there are general admission parking spaces available online as well. Other technology at the Trials this year includes a text message club that event goers can subscribe to in order to get event updates and race results in real time.

This Aiken tradition is a family friendly event suitable for any age. The Aiken Trials draws upwards of 10,000 spectators who enjoy a day of outdoor fun that includes extravagant tailgating spreads, assorted vendors, good-natured side betting, and fun contests such as a hat contest and the best tailgate contest. A Mariachi band will travel throughout the tailgates to play songs on request. Food vendors will also be available for those who do not bring a full lunch spread and shops will be set

up for those looking to get some shopping done in between races.

Six races complete the program including five races with the younger Thoroughbreds, running a ¼ mile to 4 ½ furlongs, and one race for older horses that have already won. The jockeys are local exercise riders who have an afternoon in the spotlight after paying their dues exercising horses each morning throughout the year.

TECHNOLOGy HIGHLIGHTS 1ST LEG Of TrIpLE CrOwNAdvertorial by reBeccA viGNé

coNtiNUeD oN pAGe 22

This is the 71st Year Of The Aiken Trials. photo by Brent Cline Photography

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20

aikEN BUsiNEssEs gEaRiNg Up FoR FitNEss challENgE Aiken’s City Cup Corporate

Fitness Challenge is just around the corner, and area businesses are encouraged to get down and dirty for the upcoming games.

Now in its fifth year, the event is meant to be adult play days, similar to old-school field days for kids. Organized by the City of Aiken, the Fitness Challenge promotes exercise and teamwork through friendly competitions held during the late afternoons of May 14 through May 16 at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center.

Last year, UPS won the cup, ending URS Safety Management Solutions’ three-year winning streak. Games include old standards like horseshoes, tug of war, the three-legged races, sack races and more. Corn hole and ladder ball, typically associated with college football tailgates, have been added to the list this year. There’s also a 2-mile run, table tennis, volleyball, disc golf, racquetball and shuffleboard.

Registration forms and entry fees of $150 per company will be accepted until April 14. For more information or to request a registration packet, call (803) 642-7631.

Big al’s REstaURaNt closEs aFtER 30 YEaRs ANorth Augusta restaurant

that has been a favorite of local politicians and dignitaries for decades has closed its doors.

Al’s Family Restaurant on Atomic Road served its last customers on Sunday, Feb. 17. The only announcement of the sudden closure was a simple post on the restaurant’s Facebook page that read, “To our dear friends, it has been a very heartbreaking and extremely tough day for us. We have made the decision to close. We thank

everyone who supported our business.”

Later, owner Butch Bone said to the Augusta Chronicle that a two-year downturn in the economy has forced him to cut his staff from 28 employees to just nine.

He’ll continue to operate his catering business out of Sportman’s Barbecue on Martintown Road in Clarks Hill, S.C.

Vinyl Graphics & SignsVinyl Graphics & SignsDirect MailDirect MailCommercial PrintingCommercial Printing

502 EDGEFIELD ROAD • NORTH AUGUSTA, SC 29841Open Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Family Owned and Operated Since 1964 fax -- 803.278.4831 • email -- Info@QPGraphics.com

MARCH 2013

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness MonthCancer of the colon and rectum is the second cause of cancer deaths in the United States,* and the risk increases with age. Fortunately, if detected early, colon cancer is often curable.

That’s why we’re providing FREE colorectal cancer screening kits during the month of March. Call 803-641-5974 to have a kit mailed to you, or stop by our Health Information Center at the Aiken Mall or the Aiken Family Y.

The American Cancer Society recommends a colonoscopy every ten years for men and women age 50 and older. Talk to your doctor about which screening is right for you.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Aiken Regional Medical Centers but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

302 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801

Aiken MAll:Thursday, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Aiken FAMily y:Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

R E A L . Personal. H E A L T H C A R E .

22

71 yEArS AND rUNNING

MARCH 2013

The Aiken Chamber Means Business 803.641.1111|www.aikenchamber.net

Shop Aiken Gifts|Services|Dining

coNtiNUeD From pAGe 19

The Aiken Training Track has produced 39 national champions, hundreds of stakes race winners, and champions of five Kentucky Derbies, five consecutive Belmont Stakes winners from 1982 through 1986 and several Preakness champions. Aiken Trials Treasurer, Nikki Bargeloh, encourages the public to come out to the event. “We might have another champion this

year from the Aiken Training Track, so it is a wonderful opportunity to see a young thoroughbred working to reach that level. The event is a wonderful time for everyone who comes out,” Bargeloh adds.

Tickets for the event are $10 for parking and $10 for individuals in advance. Tickets for the VIP Tent are $70 per person and include the best vantage point near the finish

line, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and a great atmosphere. Gates for the Trials open at 10 a.m., a carriage parade will kick off the races at 1 p.m., and the first race will begin at 2 p.m. Sponsors of this year’s event include AllStar Tents and Events, Vista Bank, Boots, Bridles and Britches, Atlantic Broadband, WFxG FOx54, and Meybohm Realtors.

To join the Aiken Trials Text Club, text Trials to 95454. The club allows members to be updated on Aiken Trials news first. Tickets to the Aiken Trials are available at www.

aikentrials.com. The site allows event goers to choose their spot near the rail. Tickets are also available at the Aiken Training Track office, AllStar Tents and Events, Aiken Saddlery, H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, Floyd and Green Jewelers, Boots, Bridles and Britches in Aiken and Grovetown. The Aiken Trials are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AikenTrials, keeping fans up to date with event information.

By Rebecca Vigné photos by Kyle Shell Photography

• 4216 Washington Rd Evans, GA 706.855.1616• 220 East Gate Dr Aiken, SC 803.226.0034

NOW OPEN and delivering to Hephzibah & Blythe2015 Windsor Spring Rd Augusta, GA 706.922.1611

The Aiken Training Track Has Produced 5 Kentucky Derby Champs. photos by Brent Cline Photography

29JAN. 10 –FEB. 6, 2013 25NOVEMBER 2012 25JULY 2012 27JUNE 2012

LEISUrE AND HOSpITALITysectioN e

www. .

The recently opened Edgar’s Grille

(www.edgarsgrille.com) features New American cuisine, but what exactly is that? The New American food being served in

America’s top restaurants is frequently a blend of the varied cuisines brought to America by immigrants from around the world. The chefs at Edgar’s Grille find inspiration in the cuisines of Italy, France, Germany and Greece, but also in the South/low country. The combination of these different

influences, available fresh ingredients, and the individual creativity of each chef, allows for the limitless possibilities in flavor, composition and presentation that is called “New American Cuisine.”

What can you expect at Edgar’s Grille? You can start with tapas (little plates) such as bruschetta, fried rabbit tenders, lamb chops, sweet potato chips and fried green tomatoes.

For a lighter meal, brick oven pizzas in all varieties, as well as fresh soups and salads are available.

If you want to relax in the lounge area with a beverage and appetizers, there are many options, including:

duck confit, beef carpaccio, buttermilk fried calamari, lump crab cake, and smoked mussels. The bar at Edgar’s Grille will feature specialty cocktails such as: cucumber/ginger martini, the strawberry/rhubarb pie, Edgar’s manhattan, the icepick, French 76, Edgar’s bloody mary, and the fusion martini.

Are you ready for the main course? Edgar’s Grille features many options from low-country staples such as shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, cornmeal crusted flounder, and fried chicken, to perennial favorites such as ricotta gnocchi, grilled pork chops with

apple-bacon marmalade, bourbon-glazed salmon, and grilled Angus beef.

If your sweet tooth gets the best of you, dig into one of the decadent desserts: chocolate pave with drunken cherries, sweet pepper foam, and coffee crunch; hickory hill buttermilk panna cotta with preserved apricots and a lace cookie; sorghum fig cake with vanilla ice cream and balsamic syrup; or red velvet soufflé with sweet-&-sour whipped cream.

In addition to an extensive wine and spirits list, specialty beers by the

EDGAr’S GrILLE prESENTS EXCEpTIONAL AMBIANCE AND EXTrAOrDINAry CUISINE: NEw AMErICAN

continued on page 24

Advertorial by susan everitt

photos by Kyle Shell Photography

bottle are available, including: Delirium Tremens, Duvel, Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot, Victory Prima Pils, Schneider Weisse Aventinus, Dogfish Head 90 min IPA, Ommegang Abbey Ale, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, Unibroue la Fin du Monde, Unibroue Éphémère, Weeping Willow Wit, and Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider.

Edgar’s Grille features a contemporary high casual dining atmosphere, including a unique private chef’s table for ten patrons and a comfortable outside patio venue that

can be reserved for private parties. Under the direction of Chef David

Ross, Department Chair of Helms College, Edgar’s Grille will also provide an experiential learning/internship component for Helms College culinary students once they have mastered a significant portion of their culinary training.

Make reservations and learn more about Edgar’s Grille at www.edgarsgrille.com. Come hungry and leave fulfilled. All proceeds benefit Goodwill’s life-changing mission.

24

EDGArS GrILLcoNtiNUeD From pAGe 23

Signage Is Up Throughout Goodwill’s Campus On Washington Road. photos by Kyle Shell Photography

Big daddY’s REadY to do Big BUsiNEss iN aUgUsta

Looking for a new place to eat wings, burgers and fries or grab

a beer? If so, you’re new favorite hangout may be Big Daddy’s Bar and Grill, which officially opened the day before Valentine’s. It’s located on Jimmy Dyess Parkway in the former Amici’s Café.

The atmosphere is family-friendly,

with plenty of finger foods on the

menu, but Big Daddy’s also serves steaks and other entrées that go head-to head with branded competitors in taste and price. Word has it that the restaurant serves a mean barbeque pizza to die for, topped with fresh pulled pork, sautéed onions, mushrooms, peppers and parmesan cheese. Stop by Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. or call (706) 62-DADDY (32339).

MARCH 2013

25

The Boar’s Head Public House, an authentic British pub located

at 1135 Broad Street, opened at the beginning of January and has been pulling in a large regular crowd eager for their traditional British food and wide assortment of beer and alcohol.

“Pub is short for public house, and it is a house for everyone to come to for conversation and good times,” said Musa Andrews, who owns the pub along with her son, Chris. “A pub is a place anybody is welcome at any time of the day for eating or socializing, for all ages and types of meetings.”

“I have a lot of experience sitting on bar stools, and I thought I could make use of that to make a place where everybody could enjoy themselves,” said Chris. “We make homemade sausages and all our sauces from scratch, including the ranch, the tartar, the blue cheese and Caesar dressing. Everything that’s served in here comes from my recipes, and I’m the head chef, so I’ve put a lot of thought into making the pub look authentic through the food, the beer and the decorations.”

One of the chief selling points of

Boar’s Head is their wide-selection of beers available on tap, which are served in 20-ounce, Imperial pints, rather than 16-ounce American pints. Their selection includes Guinness, of course, as well as some beers that aren’t available anywhere else in Augusta and some, like Wells Bombadeer, which you would be unlikely to find outside England.

The menu includes traditional items like Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and Chris’s special recipe of Steak and Guinness Pie. Their Pub Burger is another favorite which features a half-pound burger topped with an assortment of cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

While Musa and Chris Andrews are both American, both have visited London several times and are proud of their British heritage. The boar’s head on their own family crest is one way of keeping that heritage alive and sharing it with everyone who visits their pub.

The Boar’s Head is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The kitchen is open until 9 p.m. Monday through

Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They also have happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday, which includes $2 off bottled craft beer, $2 domestic bottles, two for one well drinks and

wines. For more information or to make reservations, call 706-723-5177.

By chRistopheR selmek

BrITISH pUB IN AUGUSTABy christopher selmek

MARCH 2013

Photo Caption: The Boar’s Head Pub features British Food and beers on tap from their establishment on Broad Street in Augusta

kFc closEs FiNal REstaURaNts iN aUgUsta

Increased labor and food costs have forced the closings of three

Augusta KFC locations in the last several weeks.

The restaurants at 215 Furys

Ferry Road in Mar tinez and 4088 Jimmie Dyess Park way off Interstate 20 closed Feb. 10, and owner Billy Win gate will shut his final restaurant at 898 Horizon South Parkway in Grovetown shortly.

About 75 employees will lose

their jobs. Several companies have expressed interest in the properties, said Wingate, who opened his first

Kentucky Fried in 1988 in Barnwell, S.C.

His string of KFC closings began in May when the family-operated franchise company closed its Washington Road restaurant near the Evans Wal-Mart in May after only three years in business. Patrons complained that the building was too difficult to access. Wingate purchased the property thinking that a traffic light would be installed in front of Chimney Hill and Country Place subdivisions nearby, but when that never happened.

And in late 2010, Wingate sold his former Columbia Road KFC to the owners of a Zaxby’s franchise.

lEsliE’s pools EXpaNds to colUmBia coUNtY

Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supply company is going to open a

new location next to the Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Washington Road in Evans—across from Fairway Ford.

They look to be just days away from opening as they are trying to tap into the many neighborhood associations for their business as well as individual homeowners in Riverwood, Windmill, Bartram Trail, etc.

The interior signage and shelving is up inside the store—as well as window photos—next will be the exterior sign.

They offer chemicals, equipment, parts, accessories, filters, pumps, and more.

They currently have a location in Fairway Square on Washington Road in Augusta.

26

The “bossman” gave me a $25 gift certificate to Straw Hat Pizza and

I decided to go with an old college friend. Amber Forbes and I used to tutor at the ASU Writing Center, and two years later I am still writing while Amber is a hard-core ballet dancer and editor of the Corner Club Press, an on-line literary magazine last published in December 2012.

Amber describes herself as a pizza snob. She prefers Italian-style pizzas without too much cheese or toppings, but her favorite place recently closed and Amber is too much of a snob to settle for a New York or Chicago-style pizza. Straw Hat specializes in California-style pizza, which is something neither of us had ever heard of before.

“In California-style pizza the crust is more flaky and layered than other kinds,” said Shailen Patel, the manager of Straw Hat Pizza, the first of its kind on the east coast. “We fold the dough six times and unroll it six times, which is what give it its unique texture. It has half the weight of other types of crust, so it’s healthier too. Ninety percent of people who have had it and know what a California pizza is say that they prefer it, but the only real difference is the crust.”

Straw Hat has many unique styles including Indian Vegetarian and Tandori Chicken, but because we’re both carnivores Amber decided to get a personal-size Meat-E-Or with pepperoni, sausage and ham, among other things, while I got a personal-

size sausage pizza.We got the pizzas, drinks, six

Groovy Twists and six chicken wings - an impressive amount of food for $25. We placed our order and took seats at one of Straw Hat’s comfortable booths while we waited for our order to come out.

The Groovy Twists may be the best bread sticks I’ve ever had, since they include some sort of bruschetta twisted right in the middle. Amber loved the chicken wings, and although I’m not normally a big wing fan, the sweet chili sauce was enough to turn me into one just for today.

“Like I said, I’m a pizza snob,” she said. “The chicken was really good, and overall I like the place. It’s definitely better than a chain pizza restaurant. It’s California Pizza so I don’t want to compare it to Italian or Chicago-style pizza, but this is more than okay.”

California-style may be underrated only because not enough people have tried it, but to me there’s something about the texture of the crust that allows you to appreciate each ingredient even more. The seats are comfortable and the staff is friendly, and if that’s how Californians like their pizza, then I wouldn’t be surprised if more California-style establishments start popping up on this side of the country.

by chrisToPher selMek

STrAw HAT pIzzA: frOM CALIfOrNIA TO AUGUSTA

BY chris selmek

MARCH 2013

The Evans Towne Farmer’s Market is a new venue for local farmers,

growers, value-added food producers and handcraft artisans to deliver fresh, farm-to-customer goods on the grounds of the Columbia County Public Library every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., beginning March 7.

This producer-only market offers only local food or craft items grown or made within 100 miles of the CSRA, in accordance with the standards of Augusta Locally Grown, and also hopes to promote community education to emphasize the correlation between food choices and the impact they have on individual health, the local economy, culture and the environment.

“As of January, we had 11 farmers lined up, six handcrafters, and two prepared foods vendors, but I fully expect our numbers to go up to 30 plus by March” said Kim Hines, director of Augusta Locally Grown. “Augusta Locally Grown is committed to the idea that a community is healthiest when it feeds itself. Rather than relying on highly-processed, corn-based boxed foods or veggies shipped from overseas, we are dedicated to supporting our neighboring farmers and growers.”

While Hines noted that Augusta

Locally Grown already hosts a year-round, internet-based farmers market at http://augusta.locallygrown.net/, she hopes that this first Evans Towne Farmer’s Market will help them to serve Columbia County with an Eating Healthy Foods booth set up by the Augusta District Dieticians Association and other forms of coaching.

On the third Thursday in March, Hines plans to introduce a Grow Your Own Festival, contingent with the Farmer’s Market, which will allow visitors to buy vegetable plant seedlings and learn how to start their own gardens.

For more information visit www.augustalocallygrown.org or www.evanstownefarmersmarket.com.

by chrisToPher selMek

fArMEr’S MArKET OpENS IN MArCH

BY chris selmek

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27

eD reiD | Owner, team Fit

There are many words

associated with health that my clients use to describe themselves and their present lifestyle.

Although some are easily understood, there is one often misunderstood, the word “calorie.” It has received a bad reputation due to misuse and incorrect labeling. Some of my clients initially think it is a measure of food content, simply stating, “It makes me fat if I eat too many.” Let’s try to shed some light on this subject.

Basically, a calorie is a unit of energy. That’s right, energy. It is used to fuel our bodies. Every task from breathing to the beating of your heart is accomplished with the help of calories. Just like an automobile needs fuel, so does your body. The key to a healthy lifestyle is utilizing the right amount of calories.

The best way to determine the amount of calories needed is to consult a Dietitian or your Physician. Another way would be to do a little research and get a better understanding of the concept. In general, you need a minimum amount of calories to perform daily activities. This number is dependent upon your age, weight, gender, and body composition. The more active you are, the more calories you require. The key to a healthy

lifestyle is not taking in more calories than you need. If you constantly exceed your required amount, you will eventually gain weight. It takes approximately 3500 calories to gain 1 pound of fat. If you need 1800 calories a day to maintain your present weight and you consume 2300 instead, over the course of one week you will gain 1 pound. It takes awhile for just plain overeating and drinking to cause weight gain. If you filter in the lack of exercise and other unhealthy choices, the results could be disastrous.

Calories are not bad when consumed and expelled in the correct quantities. If you have body fat that you would like to lose, please do so in a controlled manner of healthy eating and exercise. Stay focused on your goals. Slow and steady improvement is still progress towards your ultimate goal – a healthy lifestyle.

ed reid This is a sponsored Fitness article. Ed is a Certified Personal Trainer and leading fitness expert in the CSRA. He is Retired US Navy with over 15 years experience in the health and wellness industry. Ed owns Team Fit Personal Training located at 4460 Columbia Road, Suite 10. For more information, call Ed at 706.877.0556 or e-mail him: getfit@teamfitaugusta.com.

SHEDDING pOUNDS AND SHEDDING LIGHT ON CALOrIES

When your ball is up against

a tree, instead of hitting the shot left handed or taking an unplayable penalty, here is an easier option for advancing

your ball. When hitting this trouble shot, make sure to take a higher lofted club such as an eight iron or a pitching wedge to get the ball up in the air. Take your grip in only your right hand and stand backwards to the target, with the ball next to your right foot. Place your left hand at your side or in your pocket and try to create a straight angle from your

right arm all the way to the club head. Next, pretend the club has become a hammer; hinge the club straight up and back down into the ball, much like if you hammering a nail! You will be amazed at how easily the ball will rocket up in the air and back in the fairway. I promise, after trying this shot you will never attempt a left handed shot again!

drew BelT This is a sponsored Golf article. Drew is an Assistant Golf Professional at West Lake County Club. A PGA of America Class A Member, Drew has been teaching golf to all levels of players for over 10 years. For comments or story ideas email drewbelt@westlakecountryclub.com

MATCH yOUr wrIST pOSITION TO yOUr GrIp

DreW Belt | Assistant Golf Professional at West Lake County Club

MARCH 2013

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