Everything is freshly made, including the barbecue sauce. The ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, brisket… all specially made with the utmost care is quickly becoming a staple in Augusta. Not your typical southern styled barbecue, C.W.’s brings a little something different to the CSRA. Founded in August 2008, the Memphis style barbecue that C.W.’s prepares includes a Tennessee dry rub, a light honey glaze on the ribs, and some of the best Brunswick stew you’ll ever taste. Which brings me to my next point. The taste. Oh my goodness the taste. I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of barbecue. And I’ve NEVER tasted barbecue this good. Forget the Metro’s Best, forget Augusta’s Best. I’m proclaiming C.W.’s, hands down, THE best Barbecue. Period. It melts in your mouth, no tough, fatty portions. All premium barbecue. You feel like you’re at home. Bo and Todd have an open kitchen, so you can see where the magic happens. They provide a dining area as well as full catering services. One of their more recent clients were none other than the Augusta National culinary staff. If that doesn’t tell you level of flavor that awaits you, then you haven’t been paying attention. I actually encourage you to stop what you’re doing right now. Go get in your car, and go to C.W.’s To-Go-B-Cue, have an amazing experience, then come back and finish reading with a nice full belly!

My third stop brought me to a very exciting location. The Augusta Public Library, located at 902 Greene Street, Augusta, GA. The old library on Greene Street is a staple in the Downtown area. The Augusta Library played host to the first collection of books that arrived to the area in 1750 (not at it’s current location). The current building is roughly 30,000 sq ft and received 600,000 patrons in 2007 alone. The size of their present location just cannot facilitate the needs of the area for much longer. Good thing that construction is well underway on the new library. And what a fascinating facility it is! I had the privledge of touring both buildings with Millie Klosinski & Gary Swint. So much information was shared it’s hard to compile it down to a short post. Here’s a rundown of some of the features coming:

• Square footage increase from 30,000 sq ft to 90,000 sq ft.
• The children’s section is increasing fro 1,000 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft.
• A 300 person meeting room and three small meeting rooms for groups of six to eight.
• Wireless Internet access and 75 public access computers with room for growth.
• A Literacy Center.
• A special Research Facility and The Georgia Room, a climate controlled room that will house and protect special collections of local history and genealogy.
• A Talking Book Center for the blind.
• An Outreach center, delivering books to patrons who are unable to visit the library

The library was awarded funds from the ’04 and ’05 SPLOST but are still in need of funding to realize the full potential of the facility. If you would like to know more about how to contribute, please contact Millie Klosinski at 706-821-2612. Tell her Augusta’s Choice sent you, and get ready for an amazing library… but you don’t have to take my word for it (a gift card for 10% off a massage from The Balanced Body to the first person who can name this reference. Post it on our Facebook wall!)

The last stop for the day, actually occurred in the evening. I was invited out to Rock Bottom Music, located at 758 Broad Street, Augusta, GA is, in my opinion, the CSRA’s Rock n Roll Mecca. This is where you want to go for music, instruments, clinics, and the way of the ROCK! Forgive me for my ranting that I’m about to do, but if Tenacious D, Jimi Hendrix, Zeppelin, and Empire Records all decided to throw themselves together in downtown Augusta, you’d hit Rock Bottom (see what I just did there?). Jonathan Karow, owner of Rock Bottom Music definitely has a passion for spreading good music, and the love of playing and LIVING the art. What you’ll find here is nothing corporate. This is about the music. About the classics. About creating another generation of musicians that has music running through their veins. One of the ways that Rock Bottom helps to spread the fever is through instructional clinics that bring in talented artists to give demonstrations and mini concerts, all while teaching a thing or two.

Last night, world renowned guitarist Greg Koch was at Rock Bottom Music to perform, teach, and discuss Fender’s new line of guitars. It’s an intimate setting. Standing room for attendees to catch a glimpse at Greg as he speaks about touring with Fender, and they were also treated to some great music. Greg took the stage and instantly went into song. An amazing guitarist for sure. I had a chance to speak with him before the show and he informed me how he really digs Augusta. He had a chance to walk around downtown for a bit, hung out with the James Brown statue, but also enjoyed the atmosphere that downtown brings. Greg also made note that he would like to come back possibly for a full show with his band. Jon, please make that happen as Greg is a great entertainer! But don’t wait until the next event that Rock Bottom hosts, there’s plenty of reasons to go downtown and stop in. A range of instruments, equipment, band shirts, and more are available at the Rock Bottom Music store. Go pick up some Carter Beauford signature drumsticks and tell them Augusta’s Choice sent you!

This week brought about some great contacts, and we are glad to share that with all of you. Please use our Tour’s to build your database and personal address book of businesses that you may want to visit. There are so many great things here in the CSRA that more people need to know about. If you would like a visit by Augusta’s Choice to your business, Contact Us HERE. If you are interested in sponsoring one of our Tour’s, email us at tours@augustaschoice.com . And remember, everyone has a choice. And if you’re passionate about your business, Augusta’s Choice may choose you!

~Kenny Adams

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