v3 magazine april 2009

NW GEORGIA’S PREMIER FEATURE READER / APRIL 2009

$4.00

MAGA Z I N E

2009 Atlanta SteeplechaseV3 Magazine’s Back again and hosting another great tent party!

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Interior Design • Shuttle/Bus driver will make trips to and from the race all day • Tent remains exclusive to V3 guests and your safety will be insured, by 3 uniformed security guards • Grand Prize Giveawys

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� vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

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D E R M A T O L O G Y


+++COLUMNS40 THE ROOD REVIEW With The Wrestler, Rourke and Aronofsky all but pile-drive their box office competitors

42 BETWEEN THE LINES Ian Griffin explains why Michael Phelps’ marijuana “mistake” should make the kid even more impressive

44 WOMEN IN MINDTrouble conceiving? Dr. Leigh Barrell tells us why it’s rarely a lost cause with help from today’s infertility treatments

12 HOLIDAY 411 Why Barnsley Garden Resort’s Easter weekend festivities have NWGA families positively “egg”-static

18 HEARTWARMER Before it came to redefine an arcane state of being, the Free Health Clinic of Rome was a mere selfless gesture

26 NWGA SCRAPBOOK Discover how a failed 1863 Union Army attack left steadfast Romans feeding their arch enemies

COVER STORY

Horseracing, cocktails, ridiculous hats and rowdy, Southern-fried fun. For attendees of the 2009 Atlanta Steeplechase at Kingston Downs, seems the word “recession” should be outright stricken from the vernacular. Cover/contents art by Jeremy Hulsey.

A P R I L 2 0 0 9 /D E P A R T M E N T S + F E AT U R E S

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Ian Griffin, Director of Advertising/Owner

Ian Griffin

I’d like to take the readers of V3 on a little trip down memory lane this month. Time is a curious creature, and while sometimes it feels like we’ve been putting this magazine out for a lifetime, it seems like just yesterday I attended my first tent party at the Atlanta Steeplechase.It was the winter of 2006 when Neal Howard, Anthony Barba and myself were scrambling frantically to launch the magazine. In those days, the V3 Magazine corporate headquarters were housed in a spare office courtesy of Piero Barba, Anthony’s father. The warehouse–as we often called it–consisted of two desks, a few refurbished PCs and three opinionated partners who probably wore out their welcome long before relocating to One West Fourth Avenue in 2007. (Thanks again for putting up with us Piero!)

It was in that tiny, frozen, meat-locker we called an office (it was a FREE meat-locker to be fair) that the plan for the magazine unfurled. It was also there where I first heard of the Atlanta Steeplechase. We were trying to figure out a marketing approach for informing our target demographic about the magazine’s debut when Anthony suggested attending what sounded like an over-hyped horse race. I listened intently but with skepticism as he explained that it was the most unique event in Northwest Georgia. He went on to coin a phrase I’ve used with “first time chasers” each year since, when he said, “Just go once, and you’ll never miss it again!”

I was sold. Armed with pens, koozies, stickers and our glossy black & white media kits, we arrived at Kingston Downs ready to rub elbows with the Who’s Who of this great southern region. It took less than an hour for my wife and sister in-law to hand out the goodies, and the rest of the day was spent enjoying the festivities with all those in attendance.

That day I left sunburned and smiling, feeling much more integrated into Roman society. We put out our first issue a month later. It appropriately dawned a beautiful cover shot of that year’s race touched up by friend and early creative advisor to V3 Magazine, Robert Weed of Edgehill Advertising. You only have

one debut. And three years later, I think we can all look back and agree, we did it right! In the two years to follow, we endeavored and were fortunate enough to entertain guests at our own tent parties on the turn (Casino Royale, 2007, North of New Orleans, 2008). The first of the two represented a great measuring stick for how far the magazine had come in that first year. Our second Steeplechase shindig was a complete re-affirmation. The strategic plan we were working so hard to implement was alive and well.


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF + PRODUCTION MANAGER

neal howard

STAFF WRITERSanna armas, will seifert, reagen

lowrey, matt rood, brian gilton, carolyn grindrod, cody eirman, tricia steele

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS + EDITORS

leigh barrelltricia steele

PHOTOGRAPHYsabrina wilson

ADDITIONAL A&Djeremy hulsey, collin vaughn,

anthony barba

CHIEF OF ADVERTISING + OFFICE SALES DIRECTOR

ian griffin

CHIEF SALES REPRESENTATIVEjeff miller

ORIGINAL AD DESIGNanthony barba, ian griffin

LEAD MANAGEMENT + BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

anthony barba

PUBLISHERv3 publications, llc

CONTACTone west fourth avenue, rome, ga 30161/ phone: 706.235.0748 email: [email protected]

v3mag.com

NW GEORGIA’S PREMIER FEATURE READER / APRIL 2009

$4.00

MAGA Z I N E

MAGA Z I N E

As we plan for V3’s third annual Steeplechase bash, Fistful of Dollars: A Stimulus Party, I’ve been able to uncover the root of V3’s connection to this event. When I reflect back to the beginning of all this and let my mind drift to that sunny April afternoon in 2006, when V3 was still a pipe dream, I know that everything is rooted in the rolling hills of Kingston Downs, where we planted our first seeds.

So, whether or not you will be attending our party or any of the other distinguished tent parties on April 25th, I implore all of you to drop in and say hello. Just look for our flag and the boys of V3 Magazine with foolishly large grins, kickin’ it on the third turn. And for those of you who’ve not yet experienced the Atlanta Steeplechase…

“Just go once, and you’ll never miss it again!”

vini vidi vici / v3 magazine �

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eggeaster

For many, Easter is regarded as the most important religious holiday in the Christian calendar year, as well as one that embodies the celebration of spring and new beginnings. Along with honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is also a traditional mainstay for kids, filled with colorful pastel eggs, fluffy bunnies, loads of chocolate goodies, and…. Wait, what? A fairy godmother?!

That’s right, folks, at Kingston, Ga.’s beautiful Barnsley Gardens Resort, it seems one very special individual has been helping to successfully execute the outfit’s grandiose Easter weekend festivities for the past 12 years, and, yes, she is known to staff and regulars as none other than “Fairy Godmother”. Her job: to oversee the picture perfect, magical holiday weekend for all families in attendance. Her mission: to bring out the carefree kid in us all, and, of course, to make sure the star bunny shows up on schedule.

HOLIDAY 411

eggegg

HOLIDAY 411

1� vini vidi vici / v3 magazine

on Friday, April 10, when the resort’s fun-filled “Welcome to the Barn” festivities begin by offering kids the chance to pet a horse and meet a cowboy.

Then, that very same day, in the outdoor pavilion known as the Beer Garden, Bartow County’s finest golfing and family getaway destination will also hold its annual plant sale to usher in the spring gardening season. All plants for sale are what green-thumbs call “heirloom plants”, which, according to Barnsley marketing director Sharon Ordoño, means they are raised from seedlings fathered solely on Barnsley Garden grounds. “It’s really a neat concept,” says

Ordoño. “You know that you are getting quality plant life that is familiar and will do well in this region.” She adds that all families who may be interested are welcome to come out and enjoy the fine blooms and greenery.

But while all this sounds like fun enough, on Saturday the 11th, roundabout 1 p.m., things really begin to ramp up. “Saturday afternoon is really a highlight of the weekend,” the one-and-only Fairy Godmother explains with a girlish giggle. “We start the afternoon off [by] meeting in the chapel, as the children get to come and spend time with me. We have the greatest time, as the girls get to

decorate their Easter bonnets with sunflowers…and the boys get to decorate cowboy hats. I [can hardly] wait to see who has the most beautiful or elaborate bonnet to wear this Easter Sunday.”

After bonnet-making, around 3 p.m., the excitement will escalate as the event’s enigmatic ringleader helps patron tots master the ageless art of egg coloring. “You know, egg coloring is an old tradition that [many] parents have decided to cut out of Easter, as it is oftentimes messy,” says Fairy Godmother. “But here at Barnsley, we welcome youngsters to get a bit messy as we throw down plastic and

newspapers for real, traditional Easter egg dying.”

According to Godmother, all eggs used will be hardboiled to perfection for dying, courtesy of Barnsley’s own chefs. The kids then have the pleasure of dipping, coloring, and adding their own signature decorating styles to these yoke-filled orbs of holiday fun. “Oh, do they have fun!” Godmother says with a hearty laugh. “They love it so much. Plus, we use them for the big buffet for the next day, and the kids get so excited to see they have contributed to the decorations.”

But if you’re worried about sitting idle, parents, don’t be silly. While the young ones are busy decorating, Barnsley has a number of events lined up for the big kids to have their kicks, too. In fact, at 2 p.m. Saturday, on the resort’s Jim Fazio-designed golf course (a.k.a. “The General”), organizers will host

“We have the greatest time... I [can hardly] wait to see who has the most beautiful or elaborate bonnet to wear this Easter.” —Fairy Godmother

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HOLIDAY 411

the weekend’s ever-popular annual putting contest. Here, guests are invited to gather as golf pros officiate a contest to see who has the best line on what many critics hail “the fastest greens in the Southeast.”

Meanwhile, there will be garden tours and family-oriented scavenger hunts held throughout the afternoon, and from 5 to 7 p.m., back at the Beer Garden, adults can take a load off and enjoy live music from Scott Thompson.

As for Easter Sunday, around sunrise guests are invited to attend a traditional 7 a.m. church service at the Town Hall. Following the service, visitors will be encouraged to relax and soak in the sun as the afternoon’s premier events (i.e., the Easter buffet and egg hunt) are being prepared. According to Ordoño, each year, nearly 800 hungry attendees flood the buffet area to sign up for one of four scheduled seating times, the first of which commences at 11:30 a.m. After receiving their plates, diners are directed to one of two lovely site options, the 1800s-era Rice House or the 5,000-square foot Pavilion, to enjoy their lunches. Roast spring lamb, Virginia baked ham, gourmet fresh salad—you

name it and Barnley’s chefs are, in all likelihood, two steps ahead. “What’s

so neat...is that there are actually two buffets: one for the adults and one for the children,” Godmother

explains. “And [the kids’ menu has] items like spaghetti, chicken fingers, mac and cheese…stuff kids really like to eat.”

After filling up, children of all ages will be invited to the great lawn outside gorgeous Barnsley Manor at 1 p.m. (3 p.m. for the second hunt), whereupon they will finally be allowed to get up close and personal with the Easter Bunny. By the time they arrive, he and Fairy Godmother will have already hidden—perhaps, “laid”—as many as 5,000 eggs in every turfed nook and cranny available, and from there forward, participants will forage in search of eggs packed with trinkets, toys, candy and what have you. “Everyone is a winner,” assures Fairy Godmother. “We have special areas designated for even the tiny ones, so that everyone can enjoy the hunt… It is truly a special day out with the kids, and a perfect day for family portraits.”

Each family that participates in the buffet or are paid, overnight guests will then receive raffle tickets, and after the big egg hunt, a prize ceremony will be held at Town Hall to reveal the day’s surprise

winners. “The Easter Bunny usually draws the tickets,” Fairy Godmother laughs, “and there are all kinds of fun things for families to [win], including one-night stays at the resort, rounds

of golf, gift baskets and more. There are also fun prizes for the kids.”

But, as Ordoño makes sure to remind everyone, tickets for the buffet and two egg hunts are limited, so it is best to reserve your seats as soon as possible lest you miss the boat. “We usually sell out every year,” Ordoño says, adding, “But spending your Easter Sunday

“Everyone is a winner...Like in fairytales, I makesure everyone gets theirhappily ever after.”

—Fairy Godmother

here at Barnsley Gardens Resort is the type of day that family traditions are built upon. We hope that you will join us for a memorable day of family and fun.”

Now that we have the full scoop, there’s just one nagging question left to ponder: Who, exactly, is this Fairy Godmother person?

Well, it appears that

answer will remain a secret, as our mystery woman at the center of the quandry insists on reserving her right to remain nameless (and under the protection of Barnsley brass). “I’m the person who makes everything happen,” she replies with a sheepish smile. “Like in fairytales, I make sure everyone gets their happily ever after.” VVV


careSamaritan

text by tricia steele photos by sabrina wilson

HEARTWARMER

careSamaritan

It is a funny thing to call someone “indigent”.While contemporary ideas of what it is to be classified as such include hunger, homelessness and/or extreme poverty, the archaic use of the word is far broader, and describes anyone suffering from a deficiency in what is required. Counteracting these conditions, then, comes only in the understanding of what may be required for an individual, a family, or a

community to rise above the term. The inclusion of healthcare in an American citizen’s rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is a modern notion, or, perhaps more accurately, a modern response to a modern system whose price tag is too high for many employers, workers and families to access. Combine that with a souring economy and cutbacks in labor-intensive industries, and you have a prime example of today’s “indigent” man or woman—the previously insured, the working poor, the retiree facing a decline in dividends, the man, woman, or child with pre-existing conditions. These factors comprise the perfect recipe for a burgeoning free health clinic, filled each week with faces of all colors and ages, and feet strapped with work boots.

vini vidi vici / v3 magazine 1�


HEARTWARMER

in•di•gent [in-di-juh nt] –adjective 1. lacking food, clothing, and

other necessities of life because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished.

2. Archaic. a. deficient in what is requisite. b. destitute (usually fol. by of).

IN GEORGIA, A STUDY...FOUND THAT ONLY AROUND 50 PERCENT OF EMPLOYERS OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE...AND THAT 80 PERCENT of the state population currently has health insurance. but that “doesn’t mean folks can afford their co-pays,” insists Barbara earle.

When Rome’s Free Health Clinic started in the backroom of a Salvation Army,the typical patient fit the expectation: likely homeless, probably undernourished, relying on multiple social programs to survive. Yet, founded by a concerned group of locals at First United Methodist Church following the massive response to its free lunch ministry, the collection of volunteer nurses and doctors continued to roll the needed supplies out of a closet twice per month, attend to 10 or 12 patients, then roll the supplies back in.

It wasn’t until the big boys in town—Floyd Medical Center, Redmond Regional Hospital, Harbin Clinic—started fishing for ways to reduce their emergency room costs that the ministry would become official and begin its expansion of services, space and clientele. And today, it seems an understandable partnership. As premiums escalate, insurance benefits

decline, and jobs are lost, treatment for chronic conditions becomes increasingly negligible, oftentimes resulting in all-out emergencies.

These high-cost treatments are absorbed by the medical facility when patients are incapable of payment. Thus, it has begun to make more sense for large healthcare providers (such as the aforementioned three based in Rome) to get behind the community-based groups who provide basic care, as well as encouraging long-term and preventative medicine.

After nearly $70,000 in

investments from these regional players, in addition to the donation of operating space via the Floyd County Board of Health, the newly established

Free Health Clinic of Rome (FHC) was born on July 1, 2007. And they surely didn’t waste any time, officially opening a few days later on the first Monday following the move.

“It didn’t take people long to know where we were and what we were about,” says FHC executive director Barbara Earle. In fact, they increased from twice a month services to weekly hours without missing a beat, and just one year later increased hours to six nights per month to allow returning patients an additional two nights to receive

medical attention. And though FHC can

now accommodate seeing more than 20 patients at a time, they are booking new patient appointments as far through the 2009 calendar as mid May, and

demand is only increasing. The new generation “indigent

patient” tells the story that Northwest Georgia’s numbers are no different than the staggering statistics found nationwide. A recent report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a Princeton, N.J.-based organization that seeks

“to improve the health care and health or all Americans”, found that nearly 9 million more people living in the U.S. are uninsured than the statistics showed a decade ago, with 6 million additional uninsured working people. This is attributed, at least in part,

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to the fact that average costs paid by an employee for his or her individual health insurance premium have risen nearly

eight times faster than the rate of average U.S. incomes. In Georgia, a study by Cover The Uninsured Organization found that only around 50 percent of employers offer health insurance to employees, and that 80 percent of the state population currently has health insurance. But that “doesn’t mean folks can afford their co-pays,” insists Barbara Earle. Hence, the growing need for places like the FHC of Rome.

Essentially, the backbone of the clinic is a dedicated group of volunteer doctors and nurses. About 20 under each professional title rotate shifts weekly (and monthly), typically reporting for clinic duty following a full day’s work with their primary employer. Patients begin lining up outside the clinic’s door around 4:45 p.m. on clinic nights, begin intake with nurses at 5, and at approximately 6 p.m. the doctors arrive ready to treat until 9 or 9:30. A dispensary contains generic

prescriptions for our most common allergies, illnesses, and chronic conditions, and a nurse usually talks with the

patient about diet, exercise and other ways to support treatment. Redmond Regional and Floyd Medical alternate months for processing lab tests.

Lest anyone think that the clinic simply transfers its financial burden from private to public institutions, it should be noted that all funding for staff, medicines and administrative needs comes from hospitals, private

donation, and churches. As a religiously based organization, it receives no government funding. Doctors often share sample prescriptions from their offices and pharmaceutical companies will provide any medications that do not have a generic free of charge to the patient who applies for assistance along with the clinic’s help. Furthermore, no pain-killing or psychotic medicines are dispensed from the clinic, as that would not be “good patient care” (in the eyes of the FHC Board of Directors) given the lack of continuity in treatment for any particular patient.

However, the clinic does benefit from the Georgia “Good Samaritan Act” passed during the 2006 legislative session, which offers sovereign immunity to all individuals who file with the Georgia Volunteer Healthcare Program. This allows doctors, dentists and nurses to practice without in lieu of additional malpractice


HEARTWARMER

jokes and goofing around in the hall and looking to lighten the mood. Another, an elderly woman who daily suffers from intense arthritis pain, “just can’t leave without giving a hug to the one who met with her,” says Lynn Finn. Finn has been a nurse/volunteer since the clinic started, and she regularly comes in during the day to fill out paperwork or return phone calls.

“Our patients are so grateful,” Earle

adds. The executive director speaks with equivocal passion as she gives her V3 guests a grand tour of the cramped, 800 square-foot medical outpost. “They wait patiently for services in a small hall and know that we can only offer basic care, but they are so thankful.” Aside from the two small exam rooms, nearly every space here serves a dual purpose. Dispensary/storage area, receptionist/storage/intake room, director’s office/private consultation area, hallway/waiting room…

“We’ve come a long way from the curtain dividers at the salvation army...” earle prides... “we do what we can with the resources we have... it’s not a hard sell when you talk about basic

human needs.”

The three nurses on duty share an “over-the-bed” table in the middle of the clinic’s lone

hallway as the station from which coordination of all 40 or 50 patients this evening is managed. Yet, in the end, it is a fairly well-oiled machine.

“We’ve come a long way from the curtain dividers at the Salvation Army. I’m glad to say that we now offer much greater patient privacy,” Earle prides, also noting the FHC staff’s drive to preserve “the dignity of

the patient.” Although they can offer no specialty care, Earle insists, “We do what we can with the resources we have…” All the while, one can hear the echo of

John Wesley’s great call to his Methodist brethren, and can see that while, from an economic

standpoint, this clinic is a fine way to save money, at its heart, it is much more a Samaritan mission.

“Everyone gets healthcare,” Earle says when asked about fundraising. “It’s not a hard sell when you talk about basic human needs.”

However, the numbers that may justify FHC’s expense on an institutional level have yet to come in. The University

of Georgia is currently undertaking research regarding emergency room costs for hospitals before and after the funding of a community healthcare center such as this, and the Rome area hospitals have joined this study to find out “if it’s helping like expected,” says Earle. Initial data and figures are projected to arrive later this year.

In the meantime, the Free Health Clinic of Rome welcomes their second staffer in April, a part-time physician’s assistant who will be able to oversee prescriptions and treat patients during daytime hours. The patients who frequent this “mission” locale continue to ail, continue to

strive for better overall health, and continue to depend on the time and resources of those who have seen fit to respond to their needs. VVV

insurance, and offers protection against potential lawsuits that create a costly umbrella under which many free or income-based clinics may fall out of operation altogether.

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respiratory or digestive conditions that require regular treatment and monitoring to prevent hospitalization. And in the last year, specifically, the patient is more often than not a laborer in his or her late 40s to 60s who cannot obtain insurance or whose condition would be categorized under a pre-existing clause. They are used to managing their own healthcare, but are in dire need of monitoring and prescriptions.

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APRIL 1863 WAS CALM AND QUIET IN ROME, AT LEAST COMPARED TO MUCH OF THE SOUTH THAT SPRING.Of course, the telltale signs of war were certainly present, as was the case throughout the nation. Many local men and boys had left to join the fight, and Rome was bustling with wartime commerce. The blood-stained and bullet-riddled battlefields, however, had yet to seep red into the region.

April was the midpoint of America’s four-year Civil War, a conflict that would claim the lives of more than 600,000 soldiers, citizens and slaves. At the time, Virginia, Tennessee and Mississippi were being ravaged by warfare. General Joseph Hooker was marching his Army of the Potomac through northern Virginia to face General Robert E. Lee’s troops in battle at Chancellorsville, culminating in one of the bloodiest days in American military history. West on the Mississippi, Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William Sherman continued leading their men in a long campaign for Vicksburg, the Confederacy’s last stronghold on the ever so crucial river.

Meanwhile, 200 miles northwest of Rome, in Nashville, Tenn., the Union leaders who had occupied the city for over a year were laying ambitious plans for a strike deep into the heart of the South. Earlier in the month, Federal Colonel Abel D. Streight, a glory-seeking Indianapolis publisher and West Point grad, and Major General William S. Rosecrans, commander of the Army of the Cumberland, had begun hatching a scheme modeled largely after a pair of successful Confederate cavalry campaigns. The plan, later coined “The Lightning Mule Brigade”,

called for Colonel Streight’s 2,000-man force and hundreds of mules to penetrate northern Alabama and swiftly navigate their way into northwest Georgia, raiding towns and Confederate outposts along the way. The officers’ hope was that mules, as opposed to horses, would be better suited to traversing the rugged hills of north ,Bama and could survive on less food, allowing the troops to make headway at a faster clip. The ragtag Lightning Mule Brigade’s ultimate mission: the destruction of Rome and the Western and Atlantic Railroad line just east of the city.

Rome was no minor blip on the Union’s radar. The city was home to the Noble Foundry, an important manufacturer of Confederate cannons. Owned and operated by James Noble, an Englishman by way of Reading, Penn., the foundry, located on the banks of the Etowah River in downtown Rome, had also been an important manufacturer of steam engines. After Georgia’s secession from the Union, the Noble Foundry seized upon the opportunity to begin producing greatly needed cannons and other munitions for the Rebel forces. Rome’s location proved vital in the shipment of these arms, as well. Only a few miles east of the town lay Kingston, a major depot along one of the most important commercial arteries in the South, the Western and Atlantic Railroad. The Western and Atlantic ran from Atlanta to Chattanooga, where it merged with other railways in the Southern network. The

goods and soldiers shipped north along this route were invaluable to the Confederate frontlines steeped in battle throughout Tennessee and Virginia. If Colonel Streight and his Union troops could make a successful run at Rome and destroy

sections of the Western and Atlantic, then the North could sever a main supply line of the Confederacy, promising much easier battles for their comrades to the north.

The brilliance of Streight and Rosecrans’ design lay in its stealth, coupled with the deceptive appearance of seemingly obvious motives. Implementing this plan, however, proved incredibly arduous. Moving out of Nashville on April 10, first aboard ships on the Cumberland River, later by foot, Streight marched west and south towards the Tennessee River, commandeering supplies and some unbroken colts along the way. At the Tennessee, his troops were shipped further south, where they were to rendezvous in extreme northeast Mississippi with the 7,500 men under General Grenville Dodge’s command. If observed by Confederate scouts, Streight’s men would appear to be augmenting Dodge’s forces as they prepared for engagements with nearby Rebels. This disguise would, hopefully, help Streight’s small brigade sneak out unnoticed a few days later. Unfortunately, Streight’s wild horses, mules and untrained riders proved themselves to be a poor combination for the brigade early in the expedition, slowing its progress and forcing Dodge to wait for the Colonel and pitch his troops in battle against opposition forces. In the end, Streight stayed with Dodge for 10 days, much longer than originally planned. This would prove to be a major blow to the Union’s hopes of sacking Rome. (continued on pg. 28)


SCRAPBOOK

STREIGHTTHROUGHTHE HEART

Near the midpoint of America’s four-year Civil War, a strike

force of Union Army soldiers led by Colonel Abel D. Streight

attempted to seige Rome and destroy an important link in the

Confederate supply line. Little did they know, the small town

with a big target had a lot more grit than they’d bargained for.

by Brian Foster

SCRAPBOOK

successful in secretly dislodging themselves from Dodge’s main contingent of forces. They quickly moved southeast in hopes of completing the mission. Though unnoticed for miles, the Union brigade was in an area teeming with Confederate forces en route to face General Dodge. If he had left only a couple of days sooner, Streight may very well have romped unopposed across the mountainous countryside of northern Alabama. But thus far, one variable had caused two major setbacks to Streight’s expedition. This unfortunate ailment was transmitted via the animals the brigade had brought with them. The colts and mules had slowed the men’s progress in reaching General Dodge and his men, forcing Streight to stay and fight alongside Dodge’s infantry as his own troops were bombarded by bands of Confederates. Also, the mules—very astute, intelligent animals—were able to escape their confines rather easily one night in Dodge’s camp. They had been spooked by nearby gunfire.

“Daylight revealed to me,” Streight would later comment, “that nearly four hundred of our best animals were gone. All that day and part of the next were spent scouring the country…but only two hundred were recovered…detaining us for nearly two days at Eastport [Miss.].”

One band of Rebel troops in the area at the time of Streight’s Tuscambia departure was led by none other than Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest, a man rightfully infamous for his past and future exploits of the battlefield, had already made a name for himself during the war as one of the best and brightest cavalry officers the South had produced. Turns out, Forrest’s troops had been nearby Streight ever since the Lightning Mule Brigade exited Nashville on April 10, yet was completely unaware of Streight’s existence. On the very day Streight boarded ship on the Cumberland, General Forrest and his troops had been successful in skirmishes, even in a Confederate loss by way of Franklin. And over two weeks later, as Streight was leaving Tuscumbia behind, Forrest and his horsemen rode into battle, reinforcing the Confederate soldiers then being overpowered by Dodge’s men.

During the daylong fight outside Tuscumbia, a local resident informed Forrest that he had witnessed a Union

cavalry brigade moving east. Forrest, aware

that he was potentially being flanked by Streight’s men, continued to fight a grisly battle opposite Union forces until Dodge and his men retreated across river. Dodge apparently believed his warriors had fought plenty long enough to give Streight’s “secret” brigade time to distance

themselves from engaging Rebels. General Forrest, quite possibly realizing the true motive behind the mystery mule brigade’s departure, prepared his men for flight. Leaving three of his five regiments behind, Forrest set out with the other two to chase down Streight. What followed was a cunning game of cat and mouse, played out across the entire east to west width of the Alabama landscape. Meanwhile, the citizens in Rome had not a clue what was happening next door.

Colonel Streight and his Lightning Mule Brigade rode swift and confident for three days, unaware that General Forrest (and his own 2,000 men), were in hot pursuit. By 2 a.m. on April 30, Forrest’s men had stopped to rest. They were only four miles from Streight, who was then at the base of Sand Mountain at Day’s Gap. From Streight’s later report, he claims that at Sand Mountain he was “in the midst of

devoted Union people. Many of...Captain Smith’s men (Alabamians) were recruited near this place and many were the happy greetings between them and their friends and relations. I could learn nothing of the enemy in the country, with the exception of small squads of scouting parties who were hunting conscripts.” He seemed, for good reason, to have little preoccupation with the approaching danger.

By sunrise, Forrest was attacking at the Federal forces’ rear. Though surprised, Streight was able to react quickly and

with ample volley to fight off the advancing troops for much of the day. As Forrest’s column of troops narrowed while traveling up Day’s Gap, Streight’s Confederate brigade successfully executed flanking guerilla attacks upon Union forces, tallying numerous casualties. After the Rebels “fled in confusion,” Streight later stated that he was able to confiscate “two pieces of artillery, two caisons [sp], and about forty prisoners.”

Forrest was not deterred. He ordered continued attacks by his men, whose numbers had now fallen to approximately 900. They had suffered many casualties, and several detachments had been sent north to cut off Streight in case he retreated to Tennessee. General Forrest reportedly told his men that those guns must be retaken, even “if every man dies in the attempt, and if they did not succeed they would never need their horses again.”

The skirmishes continued for miles upon miles as both Union and Confederate cavalries moved east toward Blountsville, Gadsden and the Georgia line. R.Y. Jones, a lieutenant in one of Forrest’s regiments, later recalled that “Streight made a stand at every creek or stream on the way, and burnt all the bridges. The battery was ordered up on most of these occasions, and after giving them a few rounds of shell or shrapnel…the cavalry would charge

ON APRIL 26, COLONEL STREIGHT AND HIS NOW 1,500 MEN (THE OTHER 500 WERE DEEMED UNFIT FOR THE JOURNEY) LEFT TUSCAMBIA, ALA.,



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COLONEL ABEL STREIGHT KNEW THE GEOGRAPHY OF ROME. IF HE COULD JUST REACH THE CITY,

CONFEDERATE GENERAL NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST

GADSDENITE HERO JOHN WISDOM

and carry the position, and so it would go to the next creek.” In a matter of only 30 hours, Streight’s men had made a fighting journey of over 40 miles from Day’s Gap to the small town of Blountsville. They fought in a moving defensive position without grave loss, but in their haste had left behind something of value for the Confederate soldiers: the two cannons.

By 9 a.m. on May 1, after only two hours rest and still steeped in combat, Streight and his raiders made their boldest move yet in alluding the Rebels. At Black Creek, a tributary of the Coosa River on the outskirts of Gadsden, Streight successfully passed his troops across the wide, crooked, high-banked creek and set the bridge ablaze. Then, seemingly, he felt they were in the clear for an unmolested ride into Rome.

At that point, the first of two Gadsdenites that day to reveal themselves as Rome’s saviors made her surprise appearance. Emma Sansom, the 16-year-old sister of six Confederate soldiers, was performing her daily chores when Streight’s column rode through her family’s property and asked for water. Emma and her sister obliged, filling buckets for the tired Union troops, then began making conversation. They soon passed, crossing the bridge in view of Emma and her family, then burned it into the creek.

Very little time would pass before Forrest and the Rebel cavalry approached the Sansom homestead. They too asked Emma for the same provisions, just as their Yankee counterparts had mere minutes before. But now on the wrong side of a burning bridge, the Union raiders seemed days away.

Understanding that Emma and her mother knew the creek better than he and his men, Forrest asked Emma where any safe crossing for his troops may lie. “I told him,” Emma later recalled, “that I knew of a trail about two hundred yards above the bridge on our farm, where our cows used to cross…and that if he would have my saddle put on a horse, I would show him the way.”

As Emma tells it, Forrest responded, “There is no time to saddle a horse. Get up here behind me.”

Emma successfully directed the General and his men to the crossing, then returned home to safety as

Federal scouts fired upon the wading, disadvantaged Confederates. Word reached Streight that Forrest had

somehow forded Black Creek and was reconvening on its east bank as Union troops sped east along the Coosa bound for Rome. Forrest’s chief lieutenant, Colonel Gilbert Hathaway, was killed by sniper fire 12 miles east of Gadsden, and his men, distraught and exhausted, were beginning to lose steam.

Meanwhile, Rome’s second Gadsdenite hero to appear that first of May, often called “The Paul Revere of the South”, was already in the midst of his historic ride. John Wisdom, a rural mail carrier, had left Gadsden in an all-out sprint to Rome upon first hearing of the Federal troops’ march. Another Gadsden man remembers seeing Wisdom as he left town: “It was then three-thirty in the afternoon,” he says. “Mr. Wisdom, still in his buggy, grabbed up the reins, urged his horse forward, and set out with the most important message he would ever carry.” During his 65-mile trip to warn Romans of the approaching invasion, it is believed that

Wisdom wore out six horses. Whatever the truth may be, nine hours later, the noble postman barreled into town.

cross and burn the bridge overlying the Oostanaula River before Forrest and his men could overtake him, he just might successfully escape capture until his objective was complete. Thus, he decided to dispatch 200 of his fastest, most able riders to sprint ahead to Rome and secure the targeted bridge.

However, Streight soon ran into another series of misfortunes. Not only were his men falling asleep in their saddles, many were soon being captured by the Rebels to their rear. When Streight’s brigade reached the Chattooga River just north of Cedar Bluff, Ala., and close to the town of Gaylesville, they were expecting to find a Union-guarded ferry boat that had helped in the 200 soldiers’ crossing en route to Rome. To

their dismay, what they found were deserted shores. The ferry had been left unmanned and, consequently, was stolen by local residents. In turn, Streight was forced to march miles north in order to reach the closest bridge that could shepherd his men across. The Union troops performed a second “cross and burn” operation, but the ferry boat mishap had cost them precious hours and precious lives in the process.

Rome was then only a half-day away as they pulled into the Lawrence plantation, just six miles from the Georgia line, for a much needed breather.

The Romans were now in a frenzy of activity, having learned of the hostile raiders looming just miles to their west, and had begun constructing barricades at all roads leading into town. Bridges overlying


SCRAPBOOK

EVEN THE ENEMY SOLDIERS WERE SAID TO HAVE BEEN SHOWN ROMAN-BRAND HOSPITALITY, AS THE CITIZENS, IT WAS LATER NOTED, “WERE QUITE WILLING TO FEED THE YANKEES WHEN THEY HAD NO GUNS.


the Coosa, Etowah and Oostanaula were fortified, and preparations were made to burn them if need be. Cannons via the foundry were mounted on their caissons and marched up the city’s surrounding hills. As Streight’s forward unit of 200 rode to the edge of town, not all such preparations were lost on them. Riders were sent to deliver word to Streight that Rome would not fall so easily. Within hours, Rome’s proudest and most proactive had fortified their little town to the point of instilling Union reluctance.

When Streight learned of the news, he had no choice but to surrender. Forrest’s collective ranks, now only 600 strong, had begun to flank Streight’s men to north; some moving in from the east. Even if the Yankees could stave off another Rebel attack, which they had done successfully numerous times before, they still had no chance of taking Rome. And though actually outnumbering Forrest’s troops two-to-one, Streight and his commanding officer feared their forces well outnumbered. With the mission at Rome already lost, he and Forrest began the rather gentlemanly dialogue of surrender.

On May 3, General Forrest and his 600 Confederate forces marched into Rome with over 1,400 exhausted Union prisoners in tow. Forrest was greeted with a hero’s welcome. Floral wreaths were thrust upon

him, and local ladies tossed him locks of their hair. “A wholesale cooking of hams and shoulders” soon commenced. Even the enemy soldiers were said to have been shown Roman-brand hospitality, as the citizens, it was later noted, “were quite willing to feed the Yankees when they had no guns.”

Neither legion of forces stayed in Rome for very long. Streight and his men were transported north (along the same stretch of the Western and Atlantic they had conspired to destroy) to a P.O.W. camp in Virginia. Forrest was recalled to Alabama, after General Dodge’s troops levied empty threats to push more infantry columns east toward Georgia. Five days later, Nathan Bedford Forrest was promoted to Major General, and Streight was already planning what was to be a miraculous escape from his confines in Virginia.

Rome was fortunate to have been spared that fateful spring. A year later, however, the town wouldn’t be so providential, and in May 1864 the heartbeat of Floyd County fell victim to General Sherman’s legendary Atlanta Campaign. It would be occupied by Union troops for months. Luckily, the

city was never destroyed, and the fact that Rome had come through the 1863 melee unscathed was a testament to the heroism of both Emma Sansom and John Wisdom, as well as the brilliance and determination of General Forrest’s command. Though the numerous mishaps of mules and men in the “Lightning Mule Brigade” didn’t hurt, either. VVV

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COVER STORY

Occasion: the 2009 Atlanta Steeplechase, long regarded as the state’s premier countryside social. Only this time around, organizers have pushed back the date of the highly anticipated tent party and horseracing extravaganza in an effort to attract record crowds.

Marketing and sales director India Watson says, “Steeplechase is a one-of-a-kind event for the Georgia community. It is the celebration of a tradition that started in Ireland in the 1700s and has been running in the U.S. for the last 150 years.

“We Georgians love our traditions,” Watson adds, “and Steeplechase is the perfect venue for bringing those traditions to life with great food, fabulous clothes, wining and dining with friends and family, and just enjoying the beautiful countryside. It contributes a great deal to our beneficiaries, both in publicity and with the monies we are able to donate to them.”

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the event’s top beneficiaries, and this year’s proceeds will go toward

building a much needed new veterinary hospital, as well as supporting other education programs at the university. Starlight Children’s Foundation of Georgia, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of the Georgia’s ill and seriously injured children, will also receive a helping hand. “The sponsors that we have on board see the value in our event for many reasons,” Watson explains. “They show their partnership with Atlanta and its surrounding communities, and they truly want to give to our beneficiaries. It’s also a great way for them to entertain their clients and employees…

“We have so many fun things to do for the whole family. It’s the perfect place to socialize and spend time ‘disconnected’ from the daily stresses of life.”

And attendees will certainly “disconnect” once the festivities—horse races, tailgating, drinks and more—commence. Add to this the Southern glam and grandeur of outlandish derby hats, live music and exquisite catering, and the stresses of life and economy will quickly become an afterthought (at least for the day).

“We are considered a grade-one race and have all the best horses in the country coming to Georgia,” says Watson, making

CALLING ALL SOUTHERN BELLES AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN TOKINGSTON DOWNS. reference to the Iron Gate

Capital Hurdle, State Mutual Insurance Company Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle, Macy’s Sport of Queens Maiden Hurdle, the W Downtown Georgia Cup, the Sport of Kings Hurdle, and the RBC Management Turf Race. “Meanwhile, our infield will be rocking with the Disc Dogs, Kidz Korral, a petting zoo, sky divers, the Bear Creek Hounds parade, the hat contest and, new [to us] this year…a Macy’s fashion show on Sponsor Hill.”

In many respects, clearly the pomp and circumstance that make Atlanta Steeplechase such a charming Southern


COVER STORY

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shindig is a byproduct of the fact that, come rain or recession, it has always been (and will continue to be) an annual presence in Northwest Georgia. “[Though] the country has seen some major economic changes, visitors will not see any difference…because of our wonderful sponsors stepping up to the plate and making sure this remains the best lawn party in Georgia.”

Steeplechase’s board, staff and volunteers have also stepped it up to make the 44th incarnation of the event extra special. “We have two full-time staff members: myself and executive director Jean Bird. It truly takes a full year to plan and execute this massive event. We have a wonderful board and crew of volunteers that do their parts expertly, and I would also like to thank all of our sponsors. Like cogs in a wheel, we [each] do our part and create this magical event.”

To boot, the crew has also come up with a new signature cocktail for 2009: the Maker’s Peach Julep. Watson elaborates, “Maker’s Mark has come on board as our Gold Sponsor and we are thrilled to introduce this fun cocktail for all of our guests 21-and-over. We hope people will bring these [drinks] with them as a part of their tailgating and catering packages, too.

The recipe is three parts peach tea; one part Maker’s Mark bourbon; top with a lemon-lime soda; garnish with a sprig of mint and lemon slice; fill a double old-fashioned glass with ice; add it all; and stir.”

As for the businesses that invest in Atlanta Steeplechase by hosting tent parties, deputy director of media relations for the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Regina Wheeler, for one, chalks it up to a combination of business and pleasure. This year’s CVB tent theme is “You Oughta be in Pictures”, and the décor is set to feature stunning images of Bartow’s biggest attractions, including the Booth Western Art Museum, Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, brand new Tellus Museum, and the ever-lovely Barnsley Gardens Resort.

“From an economic standpoint, having the opportunity to showcase our community to 25,000 Steeplechase guests each spring is certainly [one of our favorite parts],” says Wheeler. “The Steeplechase is always the epitome of ‘Southern hospitality’, and the refined tailgating that takes place is truly something to be celebrated. Personally, my favorite part is rushing to the fence to hear the thundering

hooves…as [the horses] vie for the finish line.

Wheeler adds, “[But] while revenue is certainly down, business must go on. The CVB can still do many things, we just can’t do them

in the same way as the past. We have had to be more creative with our budget, targeting all areas that could successfully and seamlessly be cut.”

And as most Atlanta Steeplechase attendees and tent-holders would likely agree, so too does Watson: “I think that the ‘thrill of the chase’ is exciting for everyone.” VVV

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THEROODREVIEW

Rourke Nails “Wrasslin’ ”: With The Wrestler, director Darren Aronofsky all but DDTs public preconception of the sport and its heroes

I love the WCW, the down and dirty Junkyard Dog at Barron Stadium, a.k.a. “ass-whoopin’ wrasslin’ ”. My childhood walls were adorned with K-Mart posters of Jake the Snake and hand-drawn traces of The Ultimate Warrior’s mask that I proudly composed in lieu of graduating fifth grade. I grew up certain that I would look, act, and live like distant relative “Ravishing” Rick Rude, mustache and Jheri Curl included. If you live in North Georgia and don’t know what high school Arn Anderson played football for, then you should be as ashamed of yourself as your parents.

So, I had certain expectations before watching The Wrestler, primarily from past wrestling films like Vision Quest and Hogan’s God-awful No Holds Barred. But instead of instant rage and unpracticed one-liners, I found deep character portraits and regretful relationships that are easy for any man to identify. Most sad films are neglected to our easily unsympathetic gender, except a few war movies and that one about Jackie Gleason dying. But watching The Wrestler caused dormant eye muscles to tighten, and salty liquid sprang forth like a (insert dirty joke here). I was weeping, weeping like a 38-year-old women watching Purple Rain.

Darren Aronofsky proved his risqué directing abilities in such earlier films as Pi and Requiem for a Dream, but it’s his casting ability and determination to bring in the talented Mickey Rourke, among other great leads, that polished the film. Rourke stars as Randy Robinson, a beaten up has-been on the wrestling scene that once claimed

national attention, but now only fills up small local venues. Nicknamed “The Ram”, Robinson struts a worn out, scarred body with an abused heart that can’t maintain the physical abuse that keeps him famous. Becoming virtually forgotten, he realizes his dysfunctional family issues and depends on a horrible side job at a grocery store. Soon he must decide between simply surviving or bringing back that splendid fame in the one last match that will fortify his legend.

As serious and interesting as that all sounds, it’s Rourke who carries what otherwise would’ve been a second rate Rocky. The Wrestler will sustain the comeback seen previously in Robert Rodriquez’s Sin City, as he has an uncanny ability to easily turn a large and powerful persona into a broken down mess within the same dialogue. There is nothing more pathetic in existing cinema than the scene where Ram asks the young neighbor to play him in an extremely outdated Nintendo game, which stars of course Randy “The Ram” Robinson.

The beautiful Marisa Tomei costars as Cassidy, adding a hardcore slant to the stripper with a heart of gold, and Evan Rachel Wood (King of California, Thirteen) offers a few moments of humanity as deprived daughter Stephanie, playing well off of Rourke’s dominant talent. Also impressive were the multitude of unknown wrestlers that never hacked at the film’s realism with poor acting, and actually help to make The Wrestler one of the most immersive sports films ever made by an American director. But this is no happy,

warm-fuzzy-spot-in-your-heart-afterwards type of movie. The Wrestler is bleak and tough, and without a doubt has become one on my top 20 favorite films. But just like Savannah Smiles, I will never ever watch this movie again. VVV

i was raised to love “real” wrestling, not the bogus xfl-era “sports entertainment” package that has lost any semblance of enduring characters or the ability to keep them from ruining an already terrible hollywood blockbuster.

ROOD REVIEW

If you are uncomfortable with gay people in any way, you’re going to know it in the first five minutes of Milk. Director Gus Van Sant (known for controversial classics such as Drugstore Cowboy and Elephant) tells the story of forgotten hero Harvey Milk, whose political courage inspired an army of followers to become the country’s top advocates for homosexual rights. Unashamed of the mainstream’s misunderstanding of the lifestyle, Van Sant portrays Milk’s relationships as common and sweet, never graphic or obscene. Every touch is done with genuine care, and helps to create a feeling of legitimacy propelled by the wonderful talent within the main cast.

Once again, Penn precisely embodies his subject by having every movement and gesture appear instinctive. His portrayal is dead-on to the real Harvey, and with a respectful charisma, the Academy Award-winner carries him throughout the film.

By focusing on the dominant political proponent of gay rights and not bothering with what some viewers may or may not deem acceptable, Milk stands as an impressive equal to previous activist classics such as Spike Lee’s Malcolm X and Richard Attenborough’s Ghandi. This is a great movie, and one that should be watched and understood by anyone that considers themselves ‘free and equal’. VVV

ROOD’STOPRENTAL

Milk: It Does a Country Good

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From Beijing to Bong Hits:Why Michael Phelps’ half-baked decision-making should have us all thinking, “Duuuuuude... How’d you, like, totally kill it in the Olympics?”

The rest of us end up as regular old fans, watching on TV or achieving glory in local adult leagues.

Except for me, of course. I, my friends, no longer have to bask in such mediocrity. Because, thanks to a certain world-famous swimmer, I have now found the “performance-enhancing drug” that will vault me to fame and fortune on the court/field of play. Who needs HGH or any of these other weird steroids when I can win gold medals using THC (the active substance in Mary Jane)?

But before any of you jump off the deep end and take a single word I wrote in that introduction literally, you should know that I am aware that the only event smoking pot could help me win may be a Twinkie eating contest. And just to clarify, I have no intention of entering such a contest, but do believe that if Congress is going to waste its time with the steroid scandal in professional

baseball, they should strongly consider investigating competitive eaters for THC abuse.

Enough with the sarcasm. Let’s get to the point. (And for those of you who haven’t been living under a rock the past four months, I apologize in advance for the recap.) Back when 2009 was brand spanking

new, Michael Phelps admitted to “behavior which was regrettable and demonstrating bad judgment” after a British tabloid published pictures of the record-breaking swimmer smoking marijuana at a party in South Carolina. Since that time,

Phelps has lost endorsements, credibility and many of his adoring fans as the media has dragged his name through the mud.

Though Phelps is far from struggling in the financial department, he lost millions in shattered deals with Subway Restaurants and Kellogg’s-brand cereals after they dropped his

name from their ad campaigns. When Phelps addresses this mistake, you can tell that he understands and accepts what happened and wants to put it behind him as soon as possible, and it appears the only way he can do that is by proving

until a few weeks ago, the childhood dreams i had of being a professional athlete were but a distant memory. most young guys dream of becoming sports legends while recreating the classic, game-winning three-point shot on the hoops in their driveways, but it’s only those with the talent and dedication that eventually achieve this feat.

...to be blunt, i believe the man has paid for his crime. from the money snatched from underneath him to his three-month suspension from the u.s. swim team, the time has come to let bygones be bygones.

himself once more in the pool. Now, I recognize the damage

he has done to his status as a role model to children, and I agree with the companies who ended their business relationships with him in order to maintain a wholesome image. I also identify with the parents who, in an effort to instill a drug-free lifestyle message in their children, used Phelps as an example of the dangers of drugs. And, to be blunt, I believe the man has paid for his crime. From the money snatched from underneath him to his three-month suspension from the U.S. Swim Team, the time has come to let bygones be bygones.

(On a side note, according to

Vanno, a company that tracks brand reputation, Kellogg’s reputation was significantly damaged after dropping Michael Phelps.)

Everyone knows the guy has spent enough time in the water to grow a set of gills, and

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B/W THE LINES

that all of that training paid off when he captivated millions by way of winning eight gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Most of us, myself included, have no idea what it would be like to spend your entire existence striving to be the best in the world at, well, anything. I’m sure once you hit a milestone like that, there has to be a pretty wide range of emotions involved, and unfortunately for Mr. Phelps, the attention he received, combined with more downtime than he had spent in God knows how many years, led to a mistake that he may never live down.

I’m sure this didn’t come from the International Olympic Committee, but at one point, there were rumors of Phelps potentially losing his medals for his actions. We all know he wasn’t high at the Olympics, due in part to their extensive drug testing and the fact that Phelps was toting a towel by the pool instead of a Doritos bag.

But, to be honest, it wouldn’t have even bothered me if he had been smoking pot during the Olympics. Matter of fact, it would have only made his run more impressive.

Why? Well, most of the stoners I’ve known in my day have a hard enough time peeling themselves off the couch, much less executing a perfect backstroke, and in the end, I believe the media and Phelps’ fans should allow time be the judge of his character. Trust me, if a person is rotten, chances are they’re rotten to the core, and if that is the case with swimming’s golden boy, it will surface over time. But I, for one, would be willing to bet that his goof was a product of circumstance. After all, people make mistakes, and though most of us are raised to practice forgiveness—something people seem to preach more than they practice these days—celebrities catch the worst of our tendency to rush to

judgment because we hold them in such high regard. When they make a mistake, we just “can’t believe they did that!”

There are still a lot of questions surrounding Phelps’ return to the pool. He has

confirmed that he will compete again, but the burning question is whether or not he will compete in the 2012 Summer Games in London. If you were lucky enough to watch his Beijing run, it’s obvious the kid is driven, and it’s not a stretch to think that a competitive nature mixed with the turmoil surrounding his character could (and should) result in a very impressive Phelps three years from now.

That being said, it looks as if I can finally put my aspirations of dominating pro sports to rest. I’m just a fan/enthusiast with the opportunity to pour my thoughts on the page, and am quite happy having the

opportunity. But if you guys see me out on the town sporting a Phelps-like washboard stomach in the next few months, I assure you, you’re either dreaming and should pinch yourselves or I’ve been using performance-enhancing drugs. But should the IFOCE (The International Federation of Competitive Eating) ever ban the use of THC, look for an asterisk by Joey Chestnut’s name in the record books. Seriously. VVV

we all know he wasn’t high at the olympics, due...to their extensive drug testing and the fact that phelps was toting a towel by the pool instead of a doritos bag.

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More than 6 million people of childbearing age in the U.S. experience infertility each year, and only 1 million seek treatment. Infertility is defined as a couple’s inability

to become pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse. An infertile person has a reduced ability to have a child. It usually doesn’t mean a person is sterile or physically unable to ever have a child.

Fertility problems often bring about feelings of guilt or inadequacy. A normally fertile couple has only about a 25 percent chance of con-ceiving each month. Up to 15 percent of all couples are infertile, but only one to two percent are sterile. Half of couples who seek help can bear a child, either on their own or with medical assistance.

Men and women are equally likely to experience a fertility problem. In approximately one of five infertile couples, both partners have contributing problems, and in about 15 percent of these partner-ships, no cause is ever found. This is called “unexplained infertility”.

In men, the most common reasons for infertility trace back to sperm disorders. These problems include low sperm count (too few or no sperm in the semen); low sperm motility (sperm that don’t move as well as they should), which effects their ability to reach and penetrate the egg; malformation of the sperm; and blocked sperm ducts.

A temporary drop in sperm production can happen when the testicles are injured. An extended period of time in a hot tub or underwear that holds the testicles too close to the body can increase testicular temperatures, resulting in impaired sperm production. Also, in a condition called varicocele, veins around the vas deferens become dilated, raising the temperature inside the scrotum. Excess alcohol intake and smoking can reduce sperm count, as well, and men over 40 are more likely to have decreased fertility.

The primary reason for infertility in women is the lack of ovulation. The leading cause of anovulation is a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Another reason for female infertility is the inability of the fallopian tubes to carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus, usually due to scar tissue from prior infection, surgery or endometriosis. In rare cases fibroid growths, endometriosis, tumors, cervical problems, or irregular development of the uterus can keep the egg from implanting.

Age is a major factor of female infertility. For women, the chance of having a baby decreases by three to five percent each year after the age of 30. Chances decline exponentially after the age of 40. Being overweight or underweight can also play a role.

Evaluation for infertility entails a complete medical history review, physical exam, and blood tests to check hormone levels and thyroid function. A semen analysis is done to evaluate the number and qual-ity of the sperm. Physical blockage of the fallopian tubes or uterine abnormalities can be evaluated by a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), and a special X-ray is performed while injecting dye into the uterus.

A diagnostic laparoscopy (scope is inserted through an incision in the abdomen) can look for blockages of the fallopian tubes, and the tubes can be repaired. Endometriosis, adhesions or ovarian cysts can also be removed. A diagnostic hysteroscopy (scope is inserted into the uterus) can look for an abnormality of the uterine cavity and fibroids, polyps, adhesions, and uterine septums can be removed.

If anovulation is the problem, there are several ovulation induc-tion drugs. These include Clomid or gonadotropins. Metformin is a medication used to treat PCOS. Intrauterine insemination is an office procedure in which semen is collected, rinsed in a special solution, then placed into the uterus at the time of ovulation.

When there is a physical blockage of the tubes or other treatments have failed, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be administered. IVF is a procedure in which eggs are fertilized in a culture dish and placed in the uterus. If a woman is over 40 or her ovaries do not function normally, egg donation is an option.

Evidence suggests that couples should see their doctor for a pre-conception visit prior to attempting to become pregnant. This is especially important for couples with medical issues or women with menstrual abnormalities. At this visit, potential problems can be identified and treatment initiated that should improve the couple’s chances of achieving pregnancy. VVV

BiographyOriginally from Atlanta, Dr. Leigh Barrell did her undergraduate work at Berry College, medical school at Medical College of Georgia with a residency at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta. Dr. Barrell is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has prac-ticed in Rome since 1998. She opened Rome Women’s Health Center in October 2007 and resides in Rome with her husband Kevin and 7 year old daughter, Katie.

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