Austin Statham, 18, has a knack for impeccable timing. Twice within the past few years, the Fairburn resident has come to the rescue of those in need. In 2011, for instance, Statham was driving and witnessed an accident happening right in front of his eyes. “I was driving at the intersection of Oakley Industrial and Highway 74,” he said. “The man who got hit was coming across on the other side. We had a green light and I was trying to turn left, so I was yielding to him.” What happened next was a cause for quick thinking and acting. “As he was coming across, someone ran a red light and hit him,” Statham said. “He spun off into the median.” Statham parked his car and walked over to the car, to discover the driver was unconscious. He called the ambulance and waited until medics arrived at the scene. A year before then, Statham was on a Carnival cruise to Belize, Honduras and the Cayman Islands and talked down a teen boy who was threatening to jump from the ship to his death. His grandmother, Jean Statham, said these acts are a testament to his character. “He just does things that are right and doesn’t think they’re spectacular,” she said. “When I look at people his age, I am impressed with his low profile.” Today, care and compassion for others translates into a longtime love of music. Statham gives guitar lessons to approximately eight students per week, after simply putting a sign in his yard for guitar lessons. “I started my own [guitar] lessons in fourth grade and just took those and tried my hardest,” he said. “I then branched off on my own and started teaching myself. I started playing at church when I was 13.” Statham also plays in a band he started called Steadfast, a Christian band that plays up-tempo rock. He advised high school students to “be of service to those around you” and remain grounded. “Focus more on you and what’s in front of you,” he said. “Your future is more important than ‘he said, she said.’” In the near future, Statham hopes to attend Georgia Military College.

The second Surf Fest is set for Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at O’Neal Plaza in downtown Douglasville. The Cultural Arts Council will host the event, which is schedule to feature 10 bands in 10 hours. This free daylong event is set to feature food, a beer garden, activities for children and plenty of music. A festival kickoff event, “Tiki Taki,” is planned for Friday, June 21, from 6 until 9 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce on Church Street, with performances by two bands, tropical drinks and luau treats. Tickets are $15, $12 for CAC or chamber members. Information: visit www.artsdouglas.com.