New Year's Eve in Bucharest

Tonight we are going to the Butterfly Villa hostel, where we lived for six weeks when we first arrived in town. We still have friends there--Steve from the UK and Lucan from Canada. Not to mention the four girls who not only work there but obviously considered the Butterfly Villa their second home.

An Interesting Encounter

He said he is 25. I thought he was probably telling the truth, unless he had lost track of his age at some point. He looked weathered. He didn't look desperate. He looked cunning.

Family, hearse arrive at Brown home

BEECH ISLAND -- The James Brown family procession has arrived at Mr. Brown's 62-acre property in rural Aiken County.

"Homegoing" service ends

The Rev. Larry Fryer has given the benediction at James Brown's "homegoing celebration" this afternoon, as the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson deliver parting words.

Paine College presents honorary doctorate

Crowd applauds for "Dr. James Brown"

Brown children speak

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The three adult Brown children spoke publicly for the first time following their father's death on Christmas Day.

Michael Jackson makes remarks at Brown funeral

Michael Jackson spoke at James Brown's "homegoing celebration" after being invited by the Rev. Al Sharpton. The following is an excerpted quote from his brief remarks:

Continued playlist

More soul songs and James Brown hits were performed this afternoon at Mr. Brown's "homegoing celebration."

Tomi Rae Hynie Brown performs

Tomi Rae Hynie Brown is now performing "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at the "homegoing celebration" for James Brown.

Michael Jackson enters arena as Soul Generals take stage

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- James Brown's most recent band, the Soul Generals, have taken the stage at Mr. Brown's "homegoing celebration" as Michael Jackson entered the arena.

Derrick Monk performs

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Derrick Monk is performing "God Has Smiled on Me," with an improvisation from James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)" at Mr. Brown's "homegoing celebration."

Temptations singer performs

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Ali Woodson of The Temptations is singing "Walk Around Heaven" at James Brown's "homegoing celebration" this afternoon.

Order of Service from the James Brown Funeral

The James Brown Homecoming Celebration

Video tribute begins with last Augusta performance

Video of James Brown's last performance in Augusta is being aired in a video tribute to kick off his "homegoing celebration."

Live audio from James Brown Arena

We are now streaming live audio from James Brown Arena. Unfortunately, Internet bandwidth restrictions imposed this morning by arena management are preventing us from bringing you video of the service.

Service begins

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- With a request to turn off all cell phones and beepers, a hush has fallen over the James Brown Arena as fans, dignitaries, celebrities and mourners view family members passing by Mr. Brown's coffin.

Service to begin

With a request to turn off all cell phones and beepers, a hush has fallen over the James Brown Arena as fans, dignitaries, celebrities and mourners await for the arrival of James Brown's family.

Arena doors shut

OUTSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The doors to the James Brown Arena were shut at 12:23 p.m., and no more viewers were allowed inside the arena.

Family motorcade leaves for arena

C.A. REID SR. MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME -- James Brown's kin departed the funeral home on Laney-Walker Boulevard Extension at 12:30 p.m. to travel to the 1 p.m. "homegoing celebration" at James Brown Arena.

Sharpton, Jackson arrive; local TV begins live coverage

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The Rev. Al Sharpton, James Brown's long-time friend, has arrived at the civic center, along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson for Mr. Brown's "homegoing service."

"Cape man," impersonator bring cheers

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- The crowd went berserk when Danny Ray, the man who had the responsibility for James Brown's cape through the years, made a walk around the arena named after Soul Brother No. 1 this morning.

Seating for 1 p.m. service is full

OUTSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Seating for the 1 p.m. "homegoing celebration" for James Brown is now full as of 11:45 a.m., but mourners can still view his body until 12:30 p.m.

Mourners temporarily shut out

At 11:34 a.m., officials temporarily halted the lines of people coming into the arena for James Brown's funeral service while they assess the number of people inside the civic center.

Brown to be buried at Beech Island

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- James Brown will be buried on his property in Beech Island, S.C., officials said this morning.

Traffic, parking going smoothly downtown

Despite the thousands of mourners converging on the James Brown Arena, traffic appeared to be no busier than a usual Saturday in downtown Augusta, according to Richmond County sheriff's Deputy Rachel Hardin, who was stationed on Broad Street to monitor the memorial statue across from Augusta Commons.

Comedian pays respects to Godfather

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- At least one celebrity has filed through the doors of the James Brown Arena this morning for the Godfather of Soul's "homegoing celebration."

Fans continue to stream into arena

IN LINE ON SEVENTH STREET -- Vincent Lombardi edged closer to the front door of the James Brown Arena, after driving up to Augusta the day before from Coconut Grove, Fla.

Attendees describe "celebration"

OUTSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Dressed in a cream-white linen suit and black silk shirt, Jasper Green was one of among thousands waiting Saturday outside the James Brown Arena for a chance to glimpse the venue's namesake.

Vendors selling funeral T-shirts

James Brown funeral T-shirts were being sold to the line of mourners outside the James Brown Arena at $10 a piece.

Line trickling through arena to view body

The growing line of mourners of all ages – but mostly baby boomers– slowly moved past the gold casket in the James Brown Arena. The line stretched from the floor of the arena around the corner of Seventh and Telfair streets and was holding steady in the 800 block of Telfair Street.

Parking update: lots full

The Seventh Street parking lot across the street from James Brown Arena has filled up for this morning's public memorial for James Brown, and other spaces are quickly being taken.

Viewing starts; concessions to be sold

INSIDE JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Viewing has begun for the body of James Brown -- dressed in a black suit with rhinestones and a red shirt.

Seating for funeral begins as rain falls

AT JAMES BROWN ARENA -- Officials are now letting people wishing to attend the "homegoing celebration" for James Brown inside the civic center named after him as the weather turned damp.

If you come downtown: things you need to know

If you're coming to the public viewing and/or funeral service for James Brown today, there are some important things you need to know, including parking information, logistics on getting inside the James Brown Arena and weather.

Line forms for Brown funeral

SEVENTH STREET -- A line of fans and mourners has already formed along Seventh Street near James Brown Arena in advance of today's public viewing and funeral for the Godfather of Soul.

Which James Brown album is your favorite?

Is it one of his celebrated classics, or a little-known gem?

Live coverage of Saturday's service

The Chronicle will have live Web coverage of James Brown's funeral in Augusta, via updates on this blog and streaming video on AugustaChronicle.com.

The Edge of the World

There's the sense here that, if you step just the right way, you will fall off the edge of the world. There's a certain excitement in that, although I don't think the Romanians would agree.

I Feel Good!

Living in the hometown of someone who is world-wide famous can be interesting and a little sad.

The Year Santa Had Morning Sickness

I know I go on about how great it is to have all these boys so close in age (and of course it is), but there are moments when it can be tricky.

Wine: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

I don't drink a lot of white wines because they tend to be sweet or crisp and I prefer heavy, garnet-colored affairs that grab you by the ears and let you know who's boss. So to speak.

It's Time to Soak the Peas!

It's time to soak the peas and ring in the New Year.

The Assignment: Eat all day long.

Kick in the Throat Awards, the Entertainment Edition

Celebrities. They make us laugh, they make us cry and the make us say "what the f---!" Even the rich and famous do stupid stuff and those are the ones that earn Throatie Awards.

Food. Wine.

You have to be careful when ordering wine at these places, though, because they will ask you if you want water, which is a good idea to have when you're drinking. But if you don't stop them, they'll mix the two and make you a spritzer.

James Brown - Its a Man's World

James Brown - Its a Man's World performed in Belgium.

James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub!

Eddie Murphy on SNL in 'James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub'

Vintage television clip of JB dancing to 'I Got You'

Wait, is he moonwalking?

Remembering James Brown

On Monday, Augusta and the world lost a legend. James Brown died Christmas morning in Atlanta at the age of 73. Mr. Brown's personal and legal issues were well known but he also leaves behind a legacy of charity work and good will.

Vampires in Bucharest?

The eyes were black, deep and otherworldly. He seemed comfortable there, in that place. And I imagined all sorts of lives for him in that second.

Post a message to the 67th Signal Battalion

Share your support for the men and women of the 67th Signal Battalion, who deployed in October for a year-long tour in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Waist Not

I'm really sad to say this but, here goes: your presence is no longer required.

Mihai Eminescu, national poet of Romania

Here he is, folks. The man himself. Doesn't he have that forlorn lover look about him? It's a writer's disease, I'm afraid, and I think dead poets are particularly susceptible. And yes, those are very Romanian features. It's nothing at all for a couple of parents to just dash off a beautiful child or two.

Rantings on Size

And while I am certain he probably knew what to do with a pen and paper (and a few other things by the looks of him), the thought of reading epic poetry in a language I only know how to buy vegetables in, makes me break out into a bit of a cold sweat.

Car dealers are funny

Car dealers are always #1 in something?

The Black Carriage

People here seem to think it is their God-given right to play instruments. I had already seen a parade of sorts on one nearby street, and wasn't sure the same group hadn't hopped a train and followed me.

Romanian Music

They have an annoyingly catchy song called "French Kiss," which is playing happily in my head right now.

Provident and Resourceful

"What would you do," I asked the boys, "if you saw mommy kissing Santa Claus."

Not Exactly Ruined

There were two doorways into the courtyard--one that was obviously for carriages, as I assume no one in Medieval Europe had automobiles,

Gather the Animals Two by Two

Water also began to run down the wall behind the refrigerator, down the bedroom light, leaving bubbled-up paint in its wake, out of the bathroom light, out of the bedroom light, out of most of the electrical sockets and in a long line on the ceiling over the bed.

My Take On Advent

It’s been a while since we’ve had a tiny one around here, and we’re all very excited. So many people have asked a) if we’re hoping for a girl and b) if the boys want a brother or a sister.

Getting My Bum Kicked At 20 Questions

The Shrinking Bubble

Going to the grocery store can be quite an exciting game, as you try to maneuver over slippery floors (why are all the floors in Bucharest Slippery When Dry??) while there is someone behind you trying to make you go faster by keeping their buggy an inch from your butt.

You can't spell holidays without Rube Goldberg

Generally the guys at Mythbusters are pretty lame, but every now and then they do something pretty cool...

The Water Guy Cometh

Yes, an honest-to-goodness person comes and knocks on your door. You give them money, they go away, and your lights, water, gas and what have you stays on.

What I Found in My Strawberry Jam

Thing is, tourists and expats will tell you in a heartbeat what is wrong with Romania (roads that are just one big series of potholes, sidewalks that are one big series of potholes, corruption, inefficiency, lack of service, lack of redundancies). Romanians won't wait that long to tell you.

Foggy, Foggy Bucharest

The other night I found myself on a fog-laden street lined with wintery trees, across from lot where, I am told, a factory once sat.

It's time to deliver a few kicks to the throat

The Kick Them in the Throat Awards, a.k.a. "The Throaties", are given to people that need some sense knocked into them. However these people are so far gone that they need more than a smack upside the head. They need to be kicked right in their throat. Because when you can't breathe, you have time to
reevaluate your life.

The Weasel's Augusta Autobahn

A recent story in The Augusta Chronicle explained how the government is about to spend millions of dollars to build a few bridges and improve roads in downtown Augusta. This, the traffic engineers say, will ease some roadway congestion.

What Augusta really needs is an Autobahn.

Waffley Goodness

As I sat there, the center of a Man Sandwich, I thought back to those early days of long conversation and elbow room. And I felt nostalgia, but not melancholy.

Children of the Night

Today, probably because of the fog and the smog, twilight fell at 3:30. I know, I know, that means it wasn't actual twilight. But still. It was going dark.

All He Wanths For Chrithmath...

Time now on Lynx's side

The Augusta Lynx are ripe to go on a run.

There is a God

There is a God

Be Careful What You Wish For

I realize that I am going to be cursing frozen breath and snowflakes before it's over. I realize that there is probably going to be a blizzard this year for my benefit, and my benefit alone.

Monsters in the Park

We didn't know they were there, but we should have. We've seen them quite a bit. But tonight, it was late. It was dark. And they were silent.

Harry Potter turning our children towards witch craft?

A Georgia woman tries to get Harry Potter pulled from school libraries because it's driving children towards witch craft.

Roper defeats Williams

J. David Roper has defeated Bill Williams in the race to replace Judge William M. Fleming Jr.

Cain defeats Hasan

With a more than 1,000-vote lead, Venus Cain has defeated incumbent A.K. Hasan in the District 9 Richmond County Board of Education race.

Buccafusco defeats Muns

Regina N. Buccafusco will become the next chairperson of the Columbia County Board of Education.

Roper heads to victory

J. David Roper has what appears to be an insurmountable lead over Bill Williams in the race to replace Judge William M. Fleming Jr.

Roper leads over Willliams

J. David Roper is leading over Bill Williams in the judicial race to replace Judge William M. Fleming Jr. by more than double the number of votes.

The Big Dig

One day I walked outside to find the three oldest all crammed into their latest dig. They looked to be conjoined at the waist. Arms flailed with excitement.

Roper, Cain lead in Richmond

J. David Roper is maintaining his lead over Bill Williams in the judicial race in Richmond County, as six more precincts have reported in.

Roper, Buccafusco lead in Columbia

The first Columbia County precincts have reported, with J. David Roper leading over Bill Williams in the judicial race.

Roper, Hasan lead in Richmond

J. David Roper is maintaining his lead over Bill Williams in the judicial race, as seven more precincts have reported in Richmond County.

First Richmond County results are in

The first results from Richmond County are trickling in. J. David Roper leads Bill Williams 810 votes to 445 with seven of 75 precincts reporting.

First Burke County results in

The first voting tallies of the evening are in from Burke County, where paper absentee ballots have been counted.

Polls closed

The polls have now closed. Stay tuned with us for the latest results from the judicial race to replace Judge William M. Fleming Jr., the District 9 Richmond County Board of Education race and the Columbia County school board chairperson race.

Judicial race voting strength: a look back

Before the final results of the runoff between J. David Roper and Bill Williams are tallied tonight, let's take a look at how the candidates fared in the general election on Nov. 7.

Buccafusco shops and obsesses

With little more than an hour left before the polls close, Columbia County school board candidate Regina Buccafusco said she's "anxious" about the results.

The sign fairy strikes again

The sign fairy is at it again--snatching political campaign signs from Augusta's roadways.

They sure know how to party

Political candidates have chosen where they will hail victory or self-medicate their sorrows tonight.

Muns works on election day

Lee Muns, a candidate for Columbia County school board chairman in today's runoff election, at work.

Roper one day, Williams the next

After all the campaign commercials have run, the mud has been flung and all of the hands have been shaken and squeezed to the point of bruising, there's nothing much left but to wave from the street corners.

Voting on target at Augusta Aquatics Center

Voting meeting predictions at the Augusta Aquatics Center

School Board District 9 candidates make final push

The two Richmond County Super District 9 candidates scrambled today for every last vote coming down the stretch.

Voting slow in Richmond County

Voting remains steady at Stevens Creek Elementary

As of 12:10 p.m., voting remained steady at the Stevens Creek Elementary precinct in Columbia County.

Life Outside of Bucharest?

It's like some sci-fi experiment involving some serious space-time continuum compression.

Voting at Westmont Elementary and Bel Air Elementary

Voting light at Westmont Elementary, steadier at Bel Air Elementary

'Pretty good' turnout at Asbury United Methodist Church

As of 9:30 a.m. 61 people have voted at Asbury United Methodist Church (Precincts 101 and 204). According to poll manager Ruby Lamar that’s three percent of the 1,715 registered to vote at that location.

Turnout light at south Augusta precinct

At Burns Memorial United Methodist Church on Lumpkin Road, voter turnout was lighter than expected early Tuesday, poll workers said, but they said they expected more voters to show as the weather warmed up in the afternoon.

Steady turnout at First Baptist

Voters show up early at First Baptist polling place.

Turnout steady at west Augusta precinct

Turnout steady at west Augusta precinct

Slow and steady on a frosty election morn

All quiet on the western front

Thanks for tuning in

The Chronicle will be covering Tuesday's runoff elections here.

Cow Boy

The height of this season included Charlie seriously wanting a cow to come live with us, and the constant presence of Carlito Cow, Charlie's imaginary friend.

Race baiting the N word

Booker T. Washington is rolling in his grave.

Latest news from Will it Blend

If it wasn't so funny, I wouldn't bring it back...

Titan Park

You walk on a path through a scruffy little field filled with little trees, making your way down to the lake, which is bordered by a cobbled path. The water reaches up to the lip of the curb. Golden and red leaves float on the still surface and in the distance, fifty or so mallard ducks drift.

My Neighborhood

It has a certain texture, a flavor reminiscent of a Dickens novel mixed with 1950s New York.