All posts by charty

Final Projects

Best of Athens, Georgia

Wrapped around the corner of East Clayton Street and spilling off the sidewalks onto the street, the line for a typical concert at the Georgia Theatre in downtown Athens is nothing short of impressive. Fans come from all over to come see live music at this celebrated venue, and many arrive early with intentions to enjoy a cocktail on the roof at the Georgia Theatre Rooftop Bar. This is what one can expect in Athens, Georgia throughout the entire year.

Located in the northern region of Georgia, Athens is home to almost 120,000 residents with over 30,000 University of Georgia students. It is a town filled with individuality, home to all types of people from places throughout the country and the world. People often come to Athens to attend UGA, but that is not always the case; many come to Athens for school and never leave, choose to raise their families here and make this city their permanent home. Athens is home to an insanely noteworthy live music scene, a downtown with dozens of bars, pubs, and local breweries, amazing restaurants, and boutiques. This town has so much to offer, and the people of Athens are quick to admit how much they love it here. Whether or not they initially came here to attend school, take a job, many people who call Athens home hope to never leave.

Downtown Athens is like unlike any city in Georgia and proves to be one of the most famed college towns in America found at number 14 out of 20 on Business Insider’s list. With countless bars and restaurants that are literally open all hours of the day, it’s hard to find yourself looking for something to do. After creating an anonymous Google survey that yielded responses from 100 people on what their favorite bars and restaurants are in Athens, the answers were clear. Ten choices were provided and the people taking the survey were told to select their top 5 favorites. Of the 100 people interviewed through the survey 70 percent of people think that Last Resort is included in the top 5, 79 percent believe that 5 bar is top 5 Pauley’s was selected by 72 percent, and Trappeze, Taqueria Tsunami were close behind as well. The Grill and Clocked were mentioned also but lower on the list.

Athens is well known for its abundance of watering holes. Whether it’s the local pub, grungy bar with live music, or more of a dancing scene there are countless options. From the survey, City Bar, Silver Dollar, and Double Barrel were quickly the front-runners. Over 80 percent of the participants picked City Bar as one of the top bars in Athens. After interviewing a downtown Athens bar professional it is safe to say that these places aren’t out seeking more business. The crowds are insane on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights per Landon Ragley, an employee of City Bar from Charlotte, North Carolina. Although he does enjoy his job and says that he makes “good money”, the crowds are always a hassle and one of the most difficult aspects of the job. He has worked at City Bar for about a year and noted that the line often spills down the street onto the next block at peak times.

“Any given Thursday through Saturday you can find my friends and I in City Bar or Silver Dollar downtown, especially during football season,” said Virginia Cole, a 21-year-old University of Georgia Student I interviewed downtown. “We love the Athens downtown scene, and I think that’s one of the most fun parts about being a student here. There is never nothing to do, and you can always find someone to come downtown to eat or drink any day of the week.”

Music lovers all over the country know Athens for its live music scene. Bands from R.E.M, The B-52’s, Widespread Panic, Colt Ford, and so many others got their start and kick started their fame in Athens, Georgia. Georgia Theatre often has big names come and perform for Athens, but it is not the only place to find good live music. Through the survey, although Georgia Theatre was by far the leader for places to see live music, Livewire, Hedges, and 40 Watt Club also were noted as places of interest.

“We always go to Georgia Theatre when certain bands come and play, like Cherub or Moon Taxi,” said Ana Harbin, a 20-year-old UGA student. “Those are two of the most popular bands that usually come every year. When they come to Athens I would say probably 80 percent of our friends buy tickets and we all go. Some of the best memories I have so far in college are from Georgia Theatre concerts.”

Ana Harbin does not stand alone in these beliefs, over 80 percent of the responders to the survey said that the Georgia Theatre was their favorite place in Athens to see live music. As one of the city’s top attractions, there is rarely a show that doesn’t sell out.

Athens, Georgia, is a town unlike any other, and if you are lucky enough to call this place home one day make sure you take advantage of all this amazing city has to offer. If you ever get the chance to stop by Athens and check it out, do it! This city has something to offer everyone no matter what your interests or passions are and how you like to spend your time, find yourself on East Clayton Street in line for the next Georgia Theatre concert and a drink at the rooftop bar.

“I can’t imagine myself at any other school or in any other college atmosphere. Athens truly is the best college town in America,” Virginia Cole was quick to mention that she has fallen in love with Athens and truly enjoys going to school here.

Visit this link to see a Storify I made highlighting some of Athens greatest meals and where you can find them! This Storify features dishes from the above mentioned restaurants, 5 bar, Trappeze, Transmet, Ted’s Most Best, Pauley’s Original Crepe Bar, Clocked Diner and Taqueria Tsunami.

MOTS, News

Athens Residents Discuss Opinions on Trump’s Planned Legislations

A few weeks into Donald Trump’s presidency, residents of Athens, Georgia, are more politically engaged and outspoken than ever, according to an informal poll conducted by JOUR 3190. These voiced opinions became known through an informal interview of University of Georgia students about their thoughts about Trump’s planned legislations, executive orders, and how they feel he has held his campaign promises.

Twelve people were interviewed at the Arch in downtown Athens; eight students, two servers, a retail worker, and a retired businessman.

Of the 12 people interviewed about Trump’s planned legislations, the majority has large issues and strongly disagrees with Trump’s views, current legislations, and his future plans. The interviewees were asked about their thoughts regarding whether or not Trump has held true to his promises made throughout his campaign, the immigrant ban, the Dakota and Keystone pipelines, the wall that is planned to be built between the US and Mexico, and finally, what their thoughts are on the demonstrations acted out post-election.

The initial question asked of all 12 participants, who were all of legal voting age, was whether or not they had voted in this past year’s election. Eleven of the 12 participants had voted in the election.

“I think that was maybe one of the worst moves president’s made in the history of the United States,” stated Aakash Malhotra, 19, when asked about his opinion on Trump’s proposed immigrant ban. As a UGA student from Alpharetta, Malhotra believes that Trumps ban is rash and will not serve this nation’s problems long term. He says it is foolish and makes America look “stupid”.

Malhotra was not the only one interviewed that shared this opinion.

Will Leftridge, 23, supports Trump and his planned legislations.

Will Leftridge, a 23-year-old UGA student was quick to point out that he “loves Trump.” Leftridge said that he believes that Trump’s plans are educated, organized, and will benefit our country in the long run. Of all 12 people interviewed Leftridge was the only interviewee who strongly supported Trump and every single one of his planned legislations.

“From a procedural standpoint it was very haphazard and had a lot of ill effects, never mind the fact that it’s just totally not necessary in term or preventing terrorism and things like that…It’s a complete political obfuscation,” said Gus Elliot a 26 year old graduate student at UGA pictured below, discussing his opinion on the immigrant ban.

Gus Elliot, 26, believes that Trump’s immigrant ban is “haphazard.”

Kelsey Reeves, 19-year-old from Savannah, was quick to point out that we are all here because of immigration and this country was founded on immigration when asked about the immigrant ban. “We were founded on everyone coming over here, so why stop that now?” said Reeves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backgrounder, News

The Classic Center: A local staple for over a century

Since 1912, a city building at 300 N. Thomas Street has been an important part of life in Athens-Clarke County. That said, over the past century, the building’s purpose and structure have evolved.

At the time of its construction, what is now called the Classic Center was known as Fire Hall Number 1. It also served as the city’s main station and central meeting place.

Jumping forward a few decades, plans were made in 1987 to start discussing renovation and expansion of the building, although construction didn’t begin until 1994. The plans included some large additions, including a 28,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 2,000- seat theater, and an 18,000 square foot ballroom.

The expansion was pricey. “The $ 3.2 million project to build two large ballrooms in the Foundry Street Warehouse, spruce up the theater and replace the building’s sprinkler system has to be done in time for a big convention in two months.” WHAT IS THE SOURCE FOR THIS? The full expansion did not come to a close until 2013.

Today the facility serves as a conference center, theater, sporting event venue and so much more. According to its online calendar, it serves as a locale for Athens Wine Weekend, 3rd Annual Pickled Peach Pickleball Tournament, Athens Home & Garden Show, and All-State Chorus, Ophelia Santos, Wine Styles Guru, and Chateau Elan and the Wine Revolution by Simone Bergese just to name a few of the events scheduled for this upcoming month.

The venue operators are accustomed to regularly selling out concerts, conferences and shows. According to LexisNexis NAME THE ORIGINAL SOURCE the Classic Center’s net sales were $692,082 for 2016.

Athens- Clarke County greatly benefits from this place located right in the heart of downtown.  According to visitathensga.com, the Classic Center “brings together state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled customer service in a convention venue that features new and modern spaces perfectly paired with restored historic structures.”

 

http://twitter.com/search?f=images&vertical=default&q=the%20classic%20center%20athens&src=typd

 

Uncategorized

Twitter Trending Topic

I am from Eatonton, GA, and incredibly small town located just an hour south of Athens. I live on Lake Oconee, which is a pretty popular location for people to buy second homes and vacation spots. Unsurprisingly the biggest thing I found on Twitter regarding my hometown was real estate. Most of the most recent tweets were all listings of lake houses and properties in the area. The feed was comprised of many “Just listed!” lake houses and potential properties.

Exercises

Apartment Fire Post

Inverted Pyramid Writing Exercise

Athens-Clarke County Fire Department responded to a fire in the Windfair apartment complex located on the east side on Athens Thursday night. According to the fire department report almost half of the building’s units were completely destroyed from the fire, but no injuries were reported at the site.

About 25 renters will be displaced from their homes coupled with losing most of their belongings in Thursday nights fire.

“We do not suspect foul play,” according to Athens-Clarke County Fire Department Capt. Mary Smith, although she does state that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. “Flames were bursting through the roof and residents were gathered outside on the side walk,” Smith also noted.

Renter, Thomas Jones, shared that he has rented from Windfair for three years, but does not have renters insurance. “I lost everything. I am not sure what I will do next”, says Jones.

Fortunately Jones was able to escape safely and injury free along with his two cats, Gingersnap and George.

Exercises, Uncategorized

How to Have the Perfect Book Collection

The secret to the perfect book collection is adequate bookshelf space, secret hiding places, and accountability of those who borrow your books, according to Mae Eldahshoury, who receives many books as presents for every major holiday and throughout her childhood constantly “hid them in various safe spaces around the house” so family members and friends would not disrupt the quality and newness of her special books.

“Non damp areas are key”, says Mae, while she also makes a note of how important it is to make sure to never rip your books pages and keep them in order.

Lastly, Mae says that she has many that wish to borrow from her amazing book collection, but says, “you must always make a note of who borrows your books and stay accountable in order to avoid misplacing them.”

Contributors

Maggie Holland

Maggie Holland, twenty one, is a third year Environmental Journalism major at UGA. She is passionate about environmental change, as she pursues not only a degree in journalism but also working towards sociology minor and sustainability certificate. Recently being awardee a CURO research grant Maggie plans to study environmental degradation and human rights abuses while continuing to explore and learn about her passion for the environment and investigative journalism.

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Follow her adventures on Twitter @magpie842