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MARCH 4, 2009 · VOL. 23 · NO. 9 · FREE

In Memory of Randy Bewley p.16

Sgt. Willie Smith p.9 · ATHICA p.11 · Blitzen Trapper p.18 · Greg Ginn p.19 · Ben Kweller p.22

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pub notes Word On The Street Now comes word that our friends up the hill at the BannerHerald are launching a new downtown magazine called Jake. Even after the recent staff layoffs at that newspaper and news of the financial difficulties of its parent company, the Augusta-based Morris Communications, they’re still kicking. The Banner-Herald is under pressure from the Morris chain to find new revenue streams. Hence, Jake, which is apparently going to be a low-circulation retooling of the much re-done Marquee, except this time in a hip new small-format size, with limited distribution downtown. For me, it’s déjà vu all over again. I’ve been competing with the Morris Corporation since the early days of The Athens Observer. In recent years, though, the Banner-Herald has mellowed from its old hardline conservative Republican stance, and, except for its recent endorsement of Sen. Saxby Chambliss, we’ve pretty much seen eye-to-eye politically. Now that they’re coming after us again, we just have to acknowledge what we’ve been lulled into forgetting: as Tessio sent word to Michael Corleone in The Godfather, “It’s just business.” And indeed, no matter how much we like and respect our colleagues across the way, it is just business. Flagpole has a great group of longtime advertisers, and our competitors must try to take them away from us. That’s just business, and it doesn’t matter who’s the big out-of-town daily chain and who’s the locally owned weekly: those ads are out there for the taking. Except they aren’t. Athens is “It’s just business.” feeling the downturn in business now, and advertisers are cutting back. Every business dependent on advertising is feeling the pinch. The Morris Corporation’s demand for more revenue translates into the attempt to take money out of Flagpole’s pocket. Since our pockets aren’t that deep to begin with, that increases the pressure Flagpole’s already feeling from the economy. And so it goes. And of course the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication recently bought itself a commercial television station, throwing the power of state government behind sucking even more advertising dollars out of this market—not to mention the Red and Black and the Ohio-owned Cox Broadcasting’s stable of radio stations here, as well as the other stations and publications out there fighting for advertising. On top of all that, the Banner-Herald is also launching a new fashion magazine to be called Boulevard. So, it is business as usual, and Athens has always been a highly competitive journalism market. We all give lip service to the value of competition, even though large chain corporations are notorious for trying to snuff it out by killing off smaller, locally owned businesses. In spite of that, fair competition is good for any business. It makes you try harder and keeps you from resting on what you’ve already done instead of trying to make it better. So, I’m sure this new onslaught of competition—Jake, Boulevard, the Grady College TV station, whatever—will kick us to try even harder to make Flagpole indispensable to readers and advertisers alike. These new products will help us do faster what we already needed to do because of the bad economy: make Flagpole leaner and meaner and better able to compete—on the street and online. Like every other business in the country, we’re trying to figure out how to cut costs without cutting quality while facing increased competition. That’s what it means to be in business today; that’s what it has always meant. Flagpole will keep on doing what we’ve been doing in Athens for the last 21 years—except better, smarter, at lower cost—always trying to prove that the original is better than the copy. Pete McCommons editor@flagpole.com

This week at Flagpole.com  Homedrone: our new music blog  Art blog, too: meet The Exhibitionists  Ort reports on the strangest records he’s ever heard.  Live music reviews

THIS WEEK’S ISSUE: News & Features City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Athens News and Views

Any way you slice it, this will be a legislative session to remember when next we go to the polls.

Off the Downtown Beat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sgt. Willie Smith Retires from the Bike-Cop Squad

A conversation on the occasion of his leaving full-time duty after 37 years.

Arts & Events Grub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Soup Bowl Serenade

Just Pho and More now has more vegetarian dishes and live music.

Not Your Typical Oil Paintings . . . . . . . . . . 11 ATHICA Exhibit Examines Oil Addiction

“Running on Empty” greases the wheels on environmental commentary.

COVER DESIGN by Kelly Ruberto featuring a photograph of Randy Bewley by Mike White (see p.16)

Music Blitzen Trapper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 We’re an American Band

The son of a bluegrass musician draws modern inspiration across a century of Americana and rock.

The Real Greg Ginn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Black Flag Frontman Brings Two New Bands to Athens

It took 30 years of birthday wishes, but Jim McHugh finally gets his Black Flag birthday.

22 CITY DOPE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 CITY PAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CAPITOL IMPACT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ATHENS RISING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 WILLIE SMITH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 GRUB NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ATHICA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 MOVIE DOPE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 MOVIE PICK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 RECORD REVIEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

RANDY BEWLEY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 BLITZEN TRAPPER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 GREG GINN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 THE CALENDAR!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 BULLETIN BOARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ART AROUND TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 COMICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 REALITY CHECK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 EVERYDAY PEOPLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Pete McCommons ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner MANAGING EDITOR Christina Cotter ADVERTISING SALES Anita Aubrey, Melinda Edwards, Jessica Pritchard MUSIC EDITOR Michelle Gilzenrat CITY EDITOR Ben Emanuel CLASSIFIEDS, DISTRIBUTION & OFFICE MANAGER Paul Karjian AD DESIGNERS Ian Rickert, Kelly Ruberto CARTOONISTS James Allen, Cameron Bogue, Joe Havasy, Dan Kool, Missy Kulik, Jeremy Long, Clint McElroy, Josh Nickerson ADOPT ME Special Agent Cindy Jerrell CONTRIBUTORS Bryan Aiken, Hillary Brown, Tom Crawford, Christina Downs, David Eduardo, Lauren Fancher, Tony Floyd, Jeff Gore, Chris Hassiotis, John Huie, Gordon Lamb, Jim McHugh, John Seay, Drew Wheeler, Kevan Williams CIRCULATION Charles Greenleaf, Jimmy Courson, Mike Dempsey, Eric Mullins, Alex White WEB DESIGNER Ian Rickert ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Maggie Summers, Aisha Washington EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jennifer Bryant EDITORIAL INTERN Christina Downs MUSIC INTERN Bryan Aiken ADVERTISING INTERNS Kristin Ballard, Rebecca Elmquist

VOLUME 23 ISSUE NUMBER 9

Flagpole, Inc. publishes Flagpole Magazine weekly and distributes 17,000 copies free at over 275 locations around Athens, Georgia. Subscriptions cost $55 a year, $35 for six months. © 2009 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

CONTACT US: STREET ADDRESS: 112 S. Foundry St., Athens, GA 30601 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603 EDITORIAL: (706) 549-9523 ADVERTISING: (706) 549-0301 FAX: (706) 548-8981 ADVERTISING: ads@flagpole.com CALENDAR: calendar@flagpole.com COMICS: comics@flagpole.com EDITORIAL: editor@flagpole.com LETTERS: letters@flagpole.com MUSIC: music@flagpole.com WEB SITE: web@flagpole.com

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city dope Athens News and Views Roll Call: Just for the record, and before the story recedes too far into memory—though we might rather forget it ever happened— it’s worth noting the performance of Athens’ state legislators in regard to Senate Bill 31, the Georgia Power sweetheart deal that the state House approved last week, sending the bill to the governor’s desk. It was the bombshell of the legislative session, to use Capitol Impact columnist Tom Crawford’s term, and one can hope that all around the state it will be remembered when next we go to the polls. At any rate, Athens was one for five, with only state Rep. Doug McKillip having the good sense to vote against the bill. Senators Bill Cowsert and Ralph Hudgens voted for it, as did Rep. Keith Heard and Rep. Bob Smith, who deserves special recognition as chair of the House subcommittee on Regulatory and Utility Affairs, where the bad bill received kind treatment on its swift way to the House floor.

Somewhat Heavier Stuff: Commissioners were expected this week to take action on several significant items, from putting ads on The Bus to throwing more money at the problem of the overcrowded jail. There was also the overhaul of the downtown parking system, which involves modest hikes in fees and fines, among other measures, and hasn’t drawn a whole lot of opposition, which it shouldn’t. If parking officials and the Athens Downtown Development Authority have done the job right and accomplished what they set out to do, then the new set-up ought to make the whole system work better for everyone. More to the point, not only is the overhaul many years overdue (as pointed out in a letter at Flagpole.com by Tony Arnold of Jackson Street Books and the ADDA board—yes, he of the former civil disobedience campaign against paying parking tickets, now on the inside), it also comes at a crucial time when our local businesses downtown probably need all the help they can get. It doesn’t help anybody— businesses or customers—for downtown’s workers and residents to feed meters and lock up valuable parking spaces for hours on end; among other fixes, the new system will change that. If you’re parking, look for two-hour meters where you always wanted them, and get ready to pay 50 cents for an hour instead of just a quarter. Ticket fines will go up, too, but not outrageously or anything.

And, Duly Noted: Also worth a highlight in the story of the power bill was the opposition it attracted, late in the game, from some of the state’s more prominent conservative and libertarian bloggers. The libertarian angle is not surprising, but the opposition of run-ofthe-mill conservatives to a measure seen as being too kind to a very big business is noteworthy. There was a point not long before its passage when it looked as though if the bill were to fail, it would Weather Notes: be because of the “March will have heat coming from the wide swings in temright. Since it passed perature,” wrote Maybe it’s the white marble that has inspired the handily, though, State Climatologist political tussling? perhaps the state’s David Stooksbury in progressives need not a press release dated Friday, Feb. 27. “A late freeze or even a snow worry about the power of the conservative Georgia blogosphere? or an ice storm isn’t out of the question.” Well, he didn’t jinx it—by City Dope’s count, m Down at City Hall: The ACC Commission Sunday’s snowstorm was the first in town meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Mar. 3 had a in five years, and may have been the heavihandful of interesting items on its agenda, est in decades. Unfortunately, Stooksbury and by the time you’re reading this Flagpole had more important news to relate. To wit: decisions have probably been made on most “Spring will likely be drier than normal for or all of them. Not necessarily the most most of Georgia.” A couple of days earlier, important agenda item—but potentially the he’d reported that severe drought conditions most interesting for this meeting—was the have returned to most of the state, and that innocuously-titled Public Utilities Department our neck of the woods remains in “extreme“ Customer Service Center. That’s the planned drought conditions. Groundwater levels here in use for the old white-marble Athens First the Piedmont, he said, are “abnormally low,” Bank building downtown, which the city has and with little wintertime recharge, stream bought in the wake of the bank’s move to its flows around here are still setting record lows new highrise on Hancock Avenue. Several com- for this time of year. A year and a half after missioners, led mainly by District 9 Commish we were counting the days at the Bear Creek Kelly Girtz, have asked a seemingly simple Reservoir, the outlook still is not good. question: Can’t departments besides Public Utilities share the building? The answer is He’s at it Again: Surely this columnist isn't the not simple, partly because of the legal and only Athenian to have just received a lovely accounting setup of various government full-color, 11” x 8.5” four-page mailer from departments’ monies—but also because of Rep. Paul Broun. The only explanation for the the inevitable politics that always crops up in return of the Broun mailers is that the stimucertain matters between the elected commislus plan—as much as Broun might proclaim sioners and the professional government staff. to hate it—must have restored his franking City Dope doesn’t have a strong opinion about privileges. Right? what ends up happening in the building, but the little tug-of-war has been fun to watch. Ben Emanuel ben@flagpole.com

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

city pages Classic Center, Local Hotels See Business Slow Down

Athens Area Food Banks See Steadily Higher Demand otherwise. In the past, Ramos has stretched As it is most years, this February was a supplies across periods of high demand by time of somewhat reduced demand among needy families for the services offered by the supplementing the food bank’s stock with lowAthens Area Emergency Food Bank, according cost food bought at local groceries; now, in an effort at conservative management because to that organization’s director, Kim Ramos. of the uncertainty of the economic recession, That’s because many low-income families she’s relying more heavily receive their tax returns in February, and since most on the Athens-based Food “It’s been since the of them qualify for the Bank of Northeast Georgia beginning of 2008 that to boost supplies. Earned Income Credit, the That larger food bank, tax return check is a sigwe’ve just been busier which serves 14 counties nificant boost. But outside and busier and busier.” (mainly through other of that bright spot, Ramos has seen the impact of the nonprofit agencies) from its headquarters on Newton Bridge Road, has economic downturn upon low-income families also seen demand rise. ”With the Food Bank, firsthand—and for many months now—as the [in-house supply] can fluctuate kind of wildly need for food has spread. ”It’s been since the beginning of 2008 that week to week…“ says director John Becker. we’ve just been busier and busier and busier,“ ”What hasn’t been fluctuating—and what has Ramos says. While in past years her organizabeen increasing for a long time—has been the food need.“ His agency is currently distributtion has typically served about 40 families per ing a half-million pounds of food per month, week, that number is now hovering closer to as compared to 400,000 pounds per month in 50, and it hit a per-month peak of over 270 2007. ”It’s tough to keep up with, just with families last November. A family is eligible to use the emergency food bank only twice in a that level of need,“ Becker says. six-month period. When they do, they receive Ben Emanuel ben@flagpole.com a week’s worth of groceries, perishable and

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

Georgia Colleges Argue for State Money in Hard Times The question has floated in the air on to be a national higher ed leader, although campus for quite a while, and UGA President they’re not quite sure we’re there yet.” The Michael Adams finally made a definitive statepoll found that 65 percent of those surveyed ment on the matter as part of his “State of would be willing to pay a dollar per week the University” address early this year: tuition more in taxes if they were “certain that all the at Georgia is going to have to go up. As he money would be spent to enhance the quality pointed out then, UGA and the state’s other of education for students attending Georgia public colleges have lower tuitions than colleges and universities.” their peer schools, especially in the South. The hypothetical question of how voters Who knows? Perhaps Adams already knew the would respond to the poll now—with the results of a poll released a week later by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, or ARCHE. Or perhaps he could guess one of the ARCHE report’s findings: that just over half of the 600 Georgia voters polled said they’d support an increase in public college tuition in the state “to better support academic programs,” provided that some of the added revenue went toward increased financial aid for middleand low-income students. (For the record, 36 percent of respondents opposed a tuition increase.) But like Adams’ speech, the ARCHE poll results seemed aimed more at sending a message to state lawmakers, signaling the higher education community’s willingness to engage politically with questions about the state government’s funding priorities. Eighty percent of those surveyed said that in the process of cutting the state budget, lawmakers should try to minimize cuts to public colleges the way they have for K-12 public schools. Only 11 It makes Athens go, and it’s a big economic player statewide— but will UGA have to argue more loudly for state funding in the percent said college budgets should future? be cut the same as other state agencies’, but then again the poll was conducted in November and early December, state budget in even worse shape, UGA lookwhen the state budget picture looked someing at 10 percent cuts rather than 6 percent, what less bleak than it does now. and a recent Athens Banner-Herald headline Still, the poll results and accompanying indicating that layoffs may be required at press release were an attempt by ARCHE—a UGA next year—may be beside the point for consortium of 19 public and private colleges ARCHE and its member institutions, who can and universities in the state—to show politibe presumed to be seeing a long-term political cians that their constituents view funding battle in the offing. If they’re correct, then higher education as an investment in improvissues like raising tuition will be only minor ing the state rather than just an expense. fronts in a fight to preserve public funding at “Voters value great colleges and universities levels sufficient to continue the upward train Georgia, they want them to be even better, jectory of schools like UGA. Given the present and they’re willing to pay for increased quality fiscal climate, only time will tell. and access,” ARCHE President Michael Gerber said in the press release. “They want Georgia Ben Emanuel ben@flagpole.com

UGA Photographic Services

Athens continues to draw conventions for concessions from suppliers. A ticket to downtown and to the Classic Center— surcharge—suggested by the county auditor— averaging one a week—Classic Center director has “worked out quite well for us,” Cramer Paul Cramer tells Flagpole. But the convensays. Through a tax on local motel customers, tion center has laid off some people (mostly the Classic Center is partly subsidized by local part-timers) and re-evaluated its marketing government for the wider impact that its conin the wake of several cancellations. Still, ventions bring to the local economy. “Last year was our best year ever, and that ACC Commissioners would like to increase was largely because of the [new Hilton Garden that tax from 7 percent to 8 percent, but Inn] being there, and the expansion that we some local legislators have balked. Mike went through. And really, we’re probably one Waldrip, Vice-President for Operations at Motel of the most preferred convention sites for Enterprises and President of the Athens Area state-association business anywhere,” Cramer Hotel Association, says, “You would see motels says. (State associations are in Athens go out of busivocational or interest groups “Athens is very easy ness” if it passed. “Right now, ranging from firefighters to everybody’s operating on some to market.” beekeepers; many hold annual pretty tight margins,” he says. conventions.) “There’s an “I mean, there are hotels right association for everything you could possibly now that—without that—are in trouble.” think of,” he says. “There are more association Local occupancy rates are down perhaps 8 groups than there are corporate groups.” percent from last year, Waldrip says, partly “The truth is that there’s many companies because tax laws have encouraged additional that can’t meet at the big fancy places anymotels to be built. But industry predictions more, and so it sort of creates an opportunity are that the downturn will improve at year’s for us,” Cramer says. And “Athens is very easy end, he says. And Waldrip’s company, which to market,” he says, with its local restaurants owns the Holiday Inns and the Hilton Garden and shops, plus nightlife. “I mean, people Inn—is building too: a new hotel on Highway love Athens.” The city is also popular with 316 in Oconee County to serve the University student groups, he says, and he is promotSystem offices and other commercial develing a discount for Athens residents who bring opment there. “The University is by far the their group’s convention “home” to Athens. largest producer of room-nights” in Athens, But business is off around 11 percent from he says. “But the second largest would be the last year, requiring “proactive” measures. “I Classic Center.” took a 10 percent cut in pay. My staff took a 6 percent cut,” he says; and he has asked John Huie jphuie@athens.net

A Bad Week for Georgians There are times when it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed in the morning. Last week was such a time for Georgia’s citizens and the people they elect to make their political decisions. The most depressing development of the week was the announcement from the state Department of Labor that Georgia’s unemployment rate hit a whopping 8.6 percent. That’s the highest jobless rate since 1976, when the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics standardized unemployment rates among all the states. “We are officially sailing in uncharted economic waters,” Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond observed. Thurmond was looking to the federal government for help in cushioning the blows to Georgia’s unemployed workers. The economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama would mean the infusion of $220 million into Georgia’s unemployment trust fund, which would help keep it from running out of money and would pay jobless benefits for a lot of laid off workers. Gov. Sonny Perdue, however, was balking at that. Like several of his Republican cohorts among the nation’s governors, Perdue said he might refuse the unemployment money because it could, at some point two or three years from now, force him to raise taxes on business. If laid off workers can’t get unemployment benefits in the meantime, well, that’s just too bad. On the same day that the news broke of Georgia’s record unemployment level, the General Assembly added its own financial burden to the state’s citizens. House members voted for final passage of SB 31, legislation that will allow the Georgia Power Co. to start charging ratepayers early for the construction of nuclear power units at Plant Vogtle. Georgia Power will be able to start collecting $1.6 billion in project financing charges in 2011, at least six years before the nuclear plants are scheduled to be completed. The money will

be assessed by Georgia Power in the form of a surcharge on your monthly power bill. Let’s call this what it really is: the Legislature has granted Georgia Power the authority to collect what amounts to a $1.6 billion tax increase, one of the largest tax increases in the state’s history. It is questionable whether this would be advisable when the economy was good, but it really seems like a bad idea at a time when we’re facing the worst recession in 70 years and state unemployment has just hit an all-time high. One point we’ve heard over and over from conservatives is that taxes should be as low as possible so that citizens can make the best personal decisions about how they will spend their own money. The conservative Republicans running the Legislature, however, voted overwhelmingly to allow Georgia Power to take your money and use a large portion of it to guarantee profits for their shareholders. Whose interests are being served here? As the week came to a close, one other name was added to Georgia’s list of unemployed: DOT Commissioner Gena Evans was dumped by the members of the State Transportation Board, who voted to fire her from the job she has held for 17 months. Evans was the personal choice of Perdue to run the sprawling DOT. Perdue is now supporting the passage of legislation that will deemphasize the role of the State Transportation Board and replace it with a new State Transportation Authority largely run by the governor. If the General Assembly can pass that bill quickly enough, Evans may be able to return as the head of the new transportation agency. If so, she’ll be one of the few who came out of that bad week as a winner.

capitol impact

an Tav eric e

AT Athens

Savannah’s

Tom Crawford Tom Crawford is the editor of Capitol Impact’s Georgia Report, an Internet news service at www.gareport.com.

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

athens rising What’s Up in New Development

Normaltown’s Newest: Over on Prince Avenue, Athens Regional Medical Center is growing and growing, with a big three-story structure framed up across Talmadge Drive from the main structure, which has also grown. Two stories have been added to the existing South Tower, bringing it up to a full six stories. Another new wing will extend the hospital’s bulk further down Talmadge from Prince. Although interaction between surrounding neighborhoods and the hospital has always been tenuous, surely this isn’t an ideal solution. The amount of construction the hospital has undertaken could have transformed Prince Avenue, extending and complementing Normaltown’s urban streetscape. Currently, there is surface parking along Prince, and a new underground deck; might the office building that’s under construction have done better at the corner of Prince and Talmadge, with opportunities for retail on the first floor? Across the street, meanwhile, a gas station renovation for a new restaurant called Fuel is moving along nicely at the corner of Prince and Park Avenue.

over on River Road, and are somewhat imposing. Projects which may soon spring from the drawing boards include an addition to the Georgia Museum of Art, construction of the new Special Collections Library and possibly even an addition to the Butts-Mehre building. Meanwhile, Not Far Away: Milledge Avenue may soon get its own historic district and zoning overlay from the Athens-Clarke County government, a double layer of protection that ought to maintain the historic character of the corridor and provide some solutions for the issues that having so many Greek houses

New and Old: The Chase Street area has seen a fair bit of work lately, with the pseudo-renovation of the last section of the warehouse complex taking shape. (It’s been mostly new construction, but they’ve retained an original brick wall.) Initially, I was a bit skeptical about this project, but seeing some of the finishing touches makes me feel An expansion of the Chase Street warehouse complex, making a bit better about how it will relate use of an original brick wall, is nearly complete. to the existing character of the loft warehouses already renovated. Across Barber brings to the area, particularly in terms of Street, there’s a new collection of infill housparking. Let’s hope that the double layering of ing tucked behind some existing cottages. regulations doesn’t unduly stifle the area, and leaves a bit of wiggle room for an unforeseen The Big One Downtown: Hotel Indigo is future. Consider especially Baxter Street’s slow reaching its final height of five stories, transformation into a main-street sort of feel. anchoring the northern end of downtown. It seemed as though that end of town might A Treeless Plain: On Hawthorne Avenue at have been in for a renaissance of sorts, but Oglethorpe, the new CVS pharmacy is just with the new development just across the beginning to rise from the clay, although tracks at 945 College going broke, it may be it provoked quite a bit of controversy when a while before anything else new happens in people saw how many trees were taken down the neighborhood. Over on Thomas Street, on the site early this winter. I took a look at between Hancock and Dougherty, there’s a this project several months ago, exploring the renovation underway for a new seafood restau- possibility of these pharmacies taking over rant that looks like it will have an interesting the function of corner groceries. A more local outdoor patio. orientation, with less off-street and some onstreet parking, might have spared a few of the UGA Never Sleeps: On campus, look for two trees. Does every single store require upwards new parking decks to spring up soon (posof 50 parking spaces with the associated sibly as soon as this summer), one as part of stormwater management areas? Could a workthe East Campus Performing and Visual Arts able system for shared intown parking have Complex, and the other unfortunately located reduced the need for clearcutting this twoin the intramural fields complex. Tate II, the and-a-half acre piece of land? The good news, University Health Center addition and the at least, is that the ACC Commission is talking College of Pharmacy expansion are all nearabout revisiting the tree ordinance this year. ing completion, at least from the exterior Hopefully they’ll take a look at the issues standpoint. A lot of trees have been planted raised by this especially unfortunate example around the health center as part of the existon Hawthorne. ing patchwork of reforestation projects in the East Campus area. Kevan Williams Currently under construction, the first few of several new fraternity houses are now rising Reach Kevan Williams at athensrising@flagpole.com.

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

Michael Goethe

Even with a soured economy, there’s still plenty of dirt moving and construction happening around town. Many of the major projects are public ones, but there is also some significant private work going on.

Off the Downtown Beat Sgt. Willie Smith Retires from the Bike-Cop Squad A

familiar face among downtown Athens’ bike-mounted policemen, Sgt. Willie Smith is retiring from fulltime duty at the start of March. Flagpole caught up with Smith on a recent morning in his cramped office inside the downtown police substation to talk about his career on the force. For more of his stories of growing up in Oconee County, watching old Westerns as a kid and working the downtown beat, visit this article at Flagpole.com. Flagpole: Were you one of the first bike cops? Willie Smith: No, I started when it was just getting popular. FP: Were you born in Athens? WS: I was born in Wilkes County, but I’ve lived in Oconee County since age nine. There were seven of us, and five are still alive. I’ve got a brother that lives here in Athens; him and I see each other quite often. Michael Goethe

FP: Did you always know you wanted to be a police officer? WS: Yep. There was never a thought that it would ever come true because of my time of coming up. You just couldn’t. When we would play cowboys-and-Indians I would always want to be the sheriff. FP: How was it growing up in that time period? Did you come into Athens often? WS: No, no, I rarely came into town. My father was a sharecropper and most of my work and my time was [spent] doing farm work. You were out of school days doing farm work [and] it took you forever to catch up. Luckily I had teachers that cared about me because I showed an interest to obtain an education. I got a lot of support from them.

FP: Why are you retiring? WS: I just had a birthday—I turned 62. I been doing this for 37 years. Financially, I don’t think I would have any gain continuing to work… I’m thinking about getting a part-time job. FP: You’ve told me that you have an approach to police work that’s heavy on listening closely to anyone you’re dealing with. Would you say that’s unusual in the job? WS: I don’t want to say anything negative about other police officers—I can only speak about how I feel you need to deal with people. You can’t deal with people like, “I’m the boss, and that’s the way it is.” FP: How do you think the public perceives police officers? WS: I think the community now as a whole has less respect for police officers than they did in the day. You never heard of the police really being attacked by a Joe Blow citizen. They would challenge you, but you never heard of that. I think that some of that might have been the police officers causing their own problems. FP: How do you think people feel about bike cops? WS: Today, we’re not as active as we were two, three, four years ago, but I think the public accepts that, because you put forth some effort in moving about and not just sitting in a car all day. I think they accept that and enjoy seeing police

officers pedaling around, not just getting in a car and riding. Some people from other towns that don’t have it in their towns say, “Oh, I’ve never seen a police officer on a bike!” And little kids, they just love it. It’s something different. And like I said, they think you’re more accessible to the public. FP: What’s your opinion on the Bulldog hysteria that goes on around here? WS: I think, over the years, we’ve gained more control as far as what happens in the downtown area, as far as the crowd. I think, at one point, some of the people that constantly come to the games feel that they can come to Athens and basically do whatever they want. It was getting out of control. We had to start enforcing a lot of the ordinances like open containers and littering. I think of a lot of them threatened, “I’m not coming back to a football game,” but there are things that you have to do. Some football fans think a football game is a holiday and no laws should be enforced, which I don’t see it that way. A football game is a football game, and the law’s got to go on. FP: What have you liked most about working downtown? WS: Dealing with the people that I deal with, and the setting and the contact that I have with getting to know people. I’ve seen an improvement over the years down here, and when you’ve been given a job to do and you can see the improvement, you get more of a satisfaction. You can see when things are getting a little lopsided and bring it back in check. I can see the progress that has been made down here, and I’m not patting myself on the back, but I would like to say that I’ve been a part of it. FP: Do you ever follow up with the people who get arrested? WS: Unless you have constant contact with that person, you’re not going to be able to do that because… the manpower and the time is not going to allow you to do that. If you work in a certain area, it depends on how you feel about what you’re doing. You might stop in and say, “Is everything okay? How are things going?” I’ve seen people that I’ve dealt with, and they’ll tell me, “You used to run me home as a kid downtown.” Those people have grown up and have families now. That’s the only kind of follow-up that I see. And the students I’ve dealt with, and have gone to the university and have graduated, have gone on into their professional field. They’ll come back to a football game and some of them will look me up and say, “You gave me my first underage! Man, I should thank you.” That makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I made a difference in their life. This is probably the only area in ACC that you’re going to get that. Most situations on the outskirts or in the rural area, once you deal with that, you might see them on a law-enforcement status, but it’s not like they’ve gone away and come back to say, “Hey, this is my family,” introduce you to their kids… stuff like that. In 15 years, in the life of a student, they’ve graduated and started a family. Fifteen years can make a big difference in time. Christina Downs

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

grub notes Soup Bowl Serenade It’s Complicated: The only way I can think of to start this column is to tell you that, while the name of Just Pho and More (1063 Baxter St.) remains kind of a lie, and in fact may be more of a lie than ever, it’s now a lie in a different direction. Having received a tip that the menu had been dramatically expanded, including the addition of many a vegetarian item, I decided the time was ripe for a revisit or two, and, indeed, the balance has tipped dramatically toward the “and More.” The owners, who happily fuss over every table in the place, have booked local musicians for the occasional evening, recruited up some rotating art for the walls and tweaked the menu to incorporate a hefty selection of both bún (vermicelli noodle-based) and com (grilled meats and rice) dishes. What you opt for probably depends on the day. When it’s cold and rainy outside, the restaurant seems to do a brisker business than usual in its main offering, pho, the hearty yet delicately herby beef broth filled with noodles and meats (or, now, tofu). But the new platters are equally attractive, and specials on the chalkboard are particularly compelling and well-priced, not to mention usually available in either a bún or com iteration. Both beef ribs and BBQ (i.e., grilled) pork are redolent of lemongrass and, when paired with a molded dome of rice, a small bowl of fish sauce, and a fried egg that’s crispy and browned on the bottom but still runny-yolked on top (yum), are filling and tasty, with the meats pounded thin and the assemblage as a whole reminiscent of many a South or Central American protein+starch combination intended to fuel a day of hard agricultural work. The vegetarian cha giò (fried spring rolls) aren’t noticeably different from the version that contains pork and seafood, and the restaurant is scrupulous about its vegetarian offerings in general, to the point of offering a veggie version of fish sauce. When pressed, the owners agree that they should and want to have banh mi, the delicious sandwiches on baguette that Vietnamese cuisine is particularly known for, but they haven’t found time yet to add them to the menu. Here’s hoping they manage to find a few more hours in the day.

GREAT

LOCATIONS!

Naptime: The most compelling thing about Two-Story Coffeehouse (1680 S. Lumpkin St.) isn’t even its caffeinated beverages, although more about those in a minute. It’s the incredibly cozy atmosphere, especially in the upstairs, reserved for quiet work and meetings, where I saw one girl snoozing away happily in a soft chair in front of a window, as zonked out as though in her own home. Even the downstairs, which has tables cheek by jowl, manages to feel homey, perhaps because of the selection of books and board games or the friendliness of the staff, who are more than willing to supply you with as much information as you desire. Of course, the coffee is a focus, and one that’s clearly important to the owners, who offer both “coffee-on-the-fly” made with a French press and the slower but better manual pour-over, made with a device that looks like the top half of a Chemex, only ceramic, and with four cones for preparing individual cups. Two-Story brews 1000 Faces Coffee, and while it’s very tasty stuff, it’s not quite as good as the Chemex-brewed Counter Culture at Red Eye. Still, this other new coffee shop offers considerably more in the way of amenities, including sandwiches supplied each morning by the Krimson Kafé in Watkinsville (OK, but nothing to get hyped up about), soup, pastries and gelato made by a woman out of Albany, including a Campari and pear sorbetto that was light and with just a touch of bitterness. They also have a wide range of beverages, including Mexican hot chocolate, fresh fruit smoothies, iced coffee and seasonal specialties. Two-Story reserves meeting rooms upon request, takes credit cards and is open from 7 a.m. to midnight every day but Sunday. What Up? Fuel Tavern and Grill is rapidly renovating the old Discount Depot on Prince Avenue at Park. The restaurant will serve American fare (i.e., burgers) and, supposedly, deliver. Also on Prince, Ike and Jane is now open in the former Black Forest space. Taqueria La Parrilla has opened its second location, in Watkinsville, off High Shoals Road, while La Cazuela on the Atlanta Highway and Tu Metapan on Baxter have closed. Floyd’s Grill, in Watkinsville, has reopened, now with BBQ and more in addition to the previous selection of burgers and dogs. Choo Choo Japanese Korean Grill Express is opening a second location on Epps Bridge Parkway near Kohl’s. Hillary Brown

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

Not Your Typical Oil Paintings $NEAKER $ALE Skate Shop O F AT H E N S

ATHICA Exhibit Examines Oil Addiction

eak oil. Hypnotic highways. Beatific bike riders. Theories, nightmares and visions about transportation and energy coalesce in a local art exhibit devoted to our foolish petroleum dependence: “Running on Empty: The Fossil Fuel Addiction” is on view at the Athens Institute of Contemporary Art (ATHICA) through Mar. 22. Curated by local environmental writer, editor and musician Bart King, the exhibit offers a learning experience wrapped in an easy-to-digest package of art, video and industrial objects, including the featured photographs of New York-based German artist, Christoph Gielen, who takes a helicopter’s-eyeview of the Celtic knots formed by superhighways and the hidden geometries of suburban development.

to share with the local homeless shelter, but there is “a close overlap between members of SEEDS and our industrious, curious, creative art students. The students going on in art are very excited to have their work in ‘Running on Empty.’”

ivil libertarian, artist, journalist and editor John English experienced the genesis of his installation “Iraq on Empty: Gas Line in Baghdad” when he identified with a photograph in the newspaper of “hapless guys standing in line” for gas. “The irony of the situation was not lost on me—the second-largest oil-producing country in the world didn’t have a steady supply for its own citizens. What was that implication

long with work by artists imported from New York, Pennsylvania, Canada, Texas and Florida, a selection of locally grown work includes mosaics by Krysia Haag, a sculptural installation by the Athens Academy “SEEDS” Club (Students for Environmental and Educational Development Services) and a mixed media installation by John English.

aag has been showing mosaics of increasing complexity and charm in recent exhibits. Her work on display in “Running on Artist and journalist John English standing with his installation “Iraq on Empty.” Empty” presents positive for the rest of us? In this work I felt like I was alternatives to consumption doom and gloom. standing at the end of the line and anxious Haag says, “It was a great opportunity to mosaic ‘transportation solutions’ to the ‘incon- that I would be shut out of the limited supvenient truth’ of resource decline. My “Berliner ply. It’s an unsettling feeling because I have Bikes” mosaic (featured on a recent Flagpole not yet created other options for personal cover) was based on a photograph I took of transportation and public transportation is so cyclists using a multi-modal road in Berlin, inadequate in the U.S.” which contained clearly defined spaces for English appropriated (with permission) the bikes, pedestrians, buses, trams and cars.” Reuters photograph by Ceerwan Aziz, producHaag’s piece “Shinkansen Train by Mt. ing a large-scale print on vinyl that pixilates Fuji,” based on a picture found among thouthe original halftone newspaper image into sands on Google Images, depicts the iconic one with a spectrum of grays. The gas cans mountain overlooking a now-iconic high speed assembled around the base of the image sugtrain, a stand-in for all emergent technologies gest that we will all be lining up soon, so grab that might help dispel the haze that coma can and fall in. monly obscures the view of Fuji’s peak. ther works of note include Morgan Craig’s different peak preoccupies Maddie Dahl, photorealistic oil paintings of the abanGraham Ferguson, Cate Jackson, Kristin doned factory spaces of mid-century fosLawson and Elizabeth Naclerio of SEEDS sil-fuel-dependent industries and Isaac King’s in their thought-piece “Peak Oil.” Referencing clever, creepy and lyrical animated video of a M. King Hubbert’s oil production theory, the modern everyman who consumes energy and hanging installation employs bundles of black produces puffs of greenhouse gas. While the drum-like corks to depict a timeline and hisstyle of the drawing and the music is contogram of global oil production to help the temporary, the anthropomorphism recalls the viewer understand the likelihood that producgreat animal character cartoons of the 20th tion had already peaked between 1980 and century, with details such as power-puffing 1999. According to the exhibit catalog, “The bedroom slippers. However, the most unexstudents of the SEEDS Club are the youngest pected highlight of the show is the industrial artists to have ever exhibited at ATHICA.” objects that project the future alternatives. SEEDS advisor, artist and Athens Academy As much as “green” and “sustainable” are faculty member Lawrence Stueck said that the favorite advertising adjectives these days, how primary focus of the club is environmental, many of us have actually encountered a solar including growing food in the school garden panel or a wind turbine? The simple presence

of these functional, beautiful and talismanlike objects makes the technology seem much more accessible and believable: coming soon to our own houses and yards.

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THICA’s mission as an alternative arts space is different from that of a museum or commercial gallery. Rather than canonizing artists or picking the pockets of collectors, their goal is to bring the community together to talk about issues and share ideas through the shared experience of art. Many of ATHICA’s exhibits are driven by the point of view of a particular curator or artist. Bart King is a news editor, columnist and podcaster of SustainableBusiness.com, a website covering “global news and networking services to help green business grow.” ATHICA Director Lizzie Zucker Saltz explained their practice of selecting curators from outside the art world in order to promote inclusiveness and dialogue, saying, “I consider ATHICA to be like a curator incubator. Sometimes we seek them out, sometimes they come to us. In the case of Bart, we knew we wanted to show Gielen’s art, and I was way over my head on environmental issues, so Bart was perfect.”

sked about his curation process King said, “My primary focus was to choose art work that was aesthetically attractive. If it wasn’t something I could enjoy looking at for an extended period of time, it didn’t make the cut. At that point I began to look at what environmental/energy issues were addressed in these works. Ultimately, though, the show has a much broader reach than just climate change, and I’m happy with the diversity of topics addressed—from the war in Iraq and oil commodity prices to urban development, rising oceans and algae farming. It’s all in the mix.”

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he result is an exhibit in which the sometimes-perceived-to-be elitist exclusivity of contemporary art is up-ended. The visual images are aesthetically pleasing and accessible; it is the activist aspect of the show that requires additional context. The exhibit is strongly supported through the catalog and website, which employ the exhibited works as a point of departure to highlight issues surrounding the theme. Viewer comments on the integration of theme and art at the fun and well-attended opening event on Jan. 31 included words such as “didactic,” “biased,” “subversive” and “not-subversive-enough.” Such inconsistent reactions are evidence that ATHICA is fulfilling its mission, as described by Zucker Saltz, of “bringing people to a space where they can have discourse about issues; it’s fun, and it’s not a church, not proselytizing, but a place to share ideas.” Lauren Fancher

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

movie dope Some releases may not be showing locally this week. BOLT (PG) The sharply animated, directed and written flick is the closest Disney has gotten to achieving Pixarlike quality, possibly due to the presence of Pixar founder John Lasseter as executive producer and Cars writer Dan Fogelman. BRIDE WARS (PG) Lifelong best friends Liv and Emma (Hudson and Hathaway) have dreamed of June weddings at the Plaza since they were little girls. When their boyfriends propose, the duo begins preparations to make those dreams a reality. But when New York’s hottest wedding planner, Marion St. Claire (Candace Bergen), screws up and books the ceremonies on the same day, Liv and Emma’s friendship turns to bitter rivalry. Potential brides of every shape and size will gladly go to battle over these Wars. CHISHOLM ‘72 (NR) 2004. In Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed, director Shola Lynch chronicles the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first to run for America’s highest office. The Peabody Award-winner was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards and the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize. Showing as part of a double-bill with Finding Christa for the 2009 African American Film Festival. CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG) Winter movie blues got you down? More PG-rated chick lit to the rescue! Out-of-control fashionista Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) gets a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine, where she meets potential love interest in Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy). Muriel’s Wedding director P.J. Hogan helms this adaptation of

the Sophie Kinsella bestseller. With a whole slew of familiar faces, including Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Kristen Scott Thomas and Lynn Redgrave. CORALINE (PG) Coraline may just be next year’s Best Animated Feature Oscar. The filmed adaptation of the young adult novel by Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Stardust) virtually adds a third sense to the moviegoing experience. A visual, sonic marvel, Coraline, brought to life from real stuff (puppets and miniature trees and toy trains), has a tactile dimension. Every object, every surface has a texture of which CG can only dream. Wonderful new 3D technology reinforces the actual existence of the denizens of Coraline’s fantastical adventure. The 3D amps up the film’s more startling moments, but it’s nothing a youngster can’t handle and enjoy. ECHELON CONSPIRACY (PG-13) With its crap one-liners (delivered mainly by a more bored than in One Missed Call Edward Burns), preponderance of zooms, and phoned in performances, Echelon Conspiracy is a movie that doesn’t know its place, bypassing the direct-to-DVD route for an undeserved, assuredly merciful short theatrical run. For about thirty minutes, I was more intrigued by Echelon than Eagle Eye, the big budgeted hit it’s ripping off. American engineer Max Peterson (Shane West, who is like a Frankensteinian Topher Grace) is given a mysterious phone that offers him prescient financial advice. Soon, he’s running from—and then working with—the government to stop the NSA’s supercomputer from taking over the world (or some similar Wargames-esque, post-Cold War nonsense). Certain movies make me

go all MSTie-eyed. I can only dream about how much more entertaining this flick would’ve been with Joel/Mike and the Bots’ banter. The MST-able Echelon Conspiracy inspired me so much that I wrote the following haiku in honor of cagey MST3K vet and Sheen’s little bro, Joe Estevez. How could you Martin / You know I needed this role / Thanks for nothing, Joe FINDING CHRISTA (NR) 1991. Through interviews and artistic reenactments, director Camille Billops

Okay! I’ll vote for the Georgia Power bill! (A String of Pearls) documents her reunion with the daughter she gave up for adoption 20 years earlier. Billops and co-director James Hatch’s documentary tied with Errol Morris’ Stephen Hawking doc, A Brief History of Time, for the 1992 Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Showing as part of a doublebill with Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed for the 2009 African American Film Festival. FIRED UP (PG-13) Who exactly is the intended audience of Fired Up:

M OVIE L ISTING S

Theater schedules often change after our deadline. Please call ahead. ACC LIBRARY (706-613-3650) Taking Root (NR) 7:00 (Th. 3/5) Topper (NR) 2:00 (Th. 3/5)

BEECHWOOD (706-546-1011)

Due to production deadlines, Beechwood movie times are only accurate through March 5. Visit www.Flagpole.com for updated times. Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG) 4:05, 7:05, 9:40 Coraline 3-D (PG) 4:50, 7:10, 9:30 Echelon Conspiracy (PG-13) 4:30, 7:25, 9:50 Fired Up (PG-13) 5:10, 7:20, 9:30 Friday the 13th (R) 5:05, 7:40, 10:00 Gran Torino (R) 7:15 He’s Just Not That Into You (PG-13) 4:00, 7:00, 9:50 Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (G) 4:15, 6:15, 8:15, 10:15 Madea Goes to Jail (PG-13) 4:55, 7:30, 9:55 Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly (NR) 1:00 (Sa. 3/7) Slumdog Millionaire (R) 4:20, 7:05, 9:45 Taken (PG-13) 5:00, 7:10, 9:25 The Wrestler (R) 4:15, 9:50

CARMIKE 12 (706-354-0016)

Due to production deadlines, Carmike movie times are only accurate through March 5. Visit www.Flagpole.com for updated times. Confessions of a Shopaholic (PG) 1:15, 4:10, 7:00, 9:30 Coraline 3-D (PG) 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:00 Fired Up (PG-13) 1:25, 4:10, 7:10, 9:30 Friday the 13th (R) 1:55, 4:45, 7:15, 9:40 He’s Just Not That Into You (PG-13) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45 Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (G) 12:00, 1:00, 1:55, 3:00, 3:50, 5:00, 5:45, 7:00, 7:40, 9:00, 9:35 Madea Goes to Jail (PG-13) 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

the spirited fans of Bring It On, or the horny dudes who prefer their laughs dumb and their nubiles nude? I’m not sure either will be overjoyed with this tame, spottily funny mix of both. Two high school jocks, Shawn (Nicholas D’Agosto, Rocket Science) and Nick (31-year-old Eric Christian Olsen), skip football camp for cheerleader camp, in the hopes of getting more action. The plot and archetypes should be comfortably familiar to anyone who’s seen a post-Porky’s teen-sploitation flick. I’m

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG) 1:05, 7:00 Slumdog Millionaire (R) 1:20, 4:20, 7:00, 9:30 Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (PG-13) 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:30, 9:45 Taken (PG-13) 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40 The Velveteen Rabbit (G) 4:50, 9:10 Watchmen (R) 12:00, 3:30, 7:00, 10:25 (starts F. 3/6)

CINÉ (706-353-3343)

Milk (R) 4:15, 7:00, 9:45 (new times F. 3/6: 7:00, 9:45) (add’l time Sa. 3/7–Su. 3/8: 1:30) (no 9:45 show Su. 3/8) The Reader (R) 9:30 (ends Th. 3/5) Revolutionary Road (R) 4:30, 7:15 (new times F. 3/6: 4:15) Waltz with Bashir (R) 4:30, 7:15, 9:30 (add’l time Sa. 3/7–Su. 3/8: 2:00) (no 9:30 show Su. 3/8) (starts F. 3/6)

GEORGIA SQUARE 5 (706-548-3426)

Due to production deadlines, Georgia Square Five movie times are only accurate through March 5. Visit www. Flagpole.com for updated times. Bolt (PG) 5:20, 7:35 Bride Wars (PG) 5:25, 7:40, 10:00 Marley & Me (PG) 4:10, 7:10, 9:45 Seven Pounds (PG-13) 9:50 Twilight (PG-13) 4:15, 7:15, 9:55 Valkyrie (PG-13) 4:00, 7:00, 9:40

HWY 17 DRIVE-IN THEATERS (706-213-7693) Twilight (PG-13) 7:00 (F. 3/6–Su. 3/8)

TATE CENTER THEATER (706-542-6396)

Postman Blues (NR) 6:00 (W. 3/4) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) 8:00 (Th. 3/5)

UGA MAIN LIBRARY (706-542-1641)

Finding Christa (NR)/Chisholm ‘72 (NR) 6:00 (F. 3/6)

not quite fired up about Fired Up, but I got an acceptable amount of laughs out of its hour and a half. FRIDAY THE 13th (R) Friday the 13th, version 2009, kicks off with a quick expository sprint through the origins of monstrous Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears). Years later, a new batch of disposable teens arrives at Camp Crystal Lake looking for pot and finding Jason’s wrath. Friday the 13th is no holiday to be celebrated by all, but for the horror flock, it’s like Christmas in February. GRAN TORINO (R) A retired Ford employee and Korean War vet, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) still lives in the same Michigan neighborhood in which he and his now deceased wife, Dorothy, raised two ungrateful sons. But the old neighborhood has changed. Immigrants have invaded Walt’s shores. The film paints a poignant portrait of entrenched racial hatred overcome by human kindness and interaction. Walt’s transformation proves you can teach an old dog new tricks. Gran Torino proves Eastwood is already a master of them all. HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU (PG-13) Based on the self-help/ chicklit bestseller by Greg Behrendt (a “Sex and the City” story editor) and Liz Tucillo, He’s Just Not That Into You is too long, cinematographically desolate, and fashioned solely out of genderdefined traits and hang-ups. A bunch of Baltimoreans, representing every white, hetero demographic, navigate the stormy waters of love. JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) See Movie Pick. MADEA GOES TO JAIL (PG-13) The rewards of a Tyler Perry movie decrease with every formulaic play-to-film since his cinematic highwater mark, Why Did I Get Married? Diary of a Mad Black Women pretty much laid out his neverchanging Madea manifesto. Hook them with the hilariously broad hijinks of the mad matriarch (Tyler Perry in drag) before force-feeding faith-based plots best left to Billy Graham’s movie

ministry. In Madea Goes to Jail, Madea doesn’t actually go to jail until the film’s final 30 minutes. I’m beginning to fear Perry the filmmaker peaked well before his films’ popularity. MARLEY & ME (PG) Two newlyweds, John and Jennifer (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston), learn a lot about life, love and loss from their lovable, boisterous, uncontrollable Yellow Lab, Marley. Based on John Grogan’s autobiographical novel, Marley & Me boasts the purebred screenwriting pedigree of Oscar-nominee Scott Frank (Get Shorty, Out of Sight, The Lookout) and Don Roos (The Opposite of Sex, Happy Endings). With Haley Bennett (Music & Lyrics, College), “Grey’s Anatomy”’s Eric Dane, and Academy Award-winner Alan Arkin. METROPOLITAN OPERA: MADAMA BUTTERFLY (NR) Anthony Minghella’s production of the Puccini opera features Cristina Gallardo-Domas in the title role opposite Marcello Giordani. MILK (R) Thirty years have passed since pioneering gay rights activist Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) was assassinated by fellow San Francisco city supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin), and the exceptional new film chronicling the last eight years of Milk’s life, including its tragic end, begs the question: How far have we come? Milk waged a war on bigotry and homophobia, winning huge victories over Anita Bryant and the newborn political giant, the religious right. Milk’s defining political achievement, besides being the first openly gay, publicly elected official in the nation’s history, occurred when he spearheaded a campaign to defeat Proposition 6, a particularly insidious attempt to root out homosexuality in public schools. California said no to Proposition 6, acknowledging all Americans have basic civil rights, regardless of sexual orientation, yet thirty “enlightened” years later, America is being infected, state by state, by gay marriage bans. So progressive three decades ago, California even succumbed, passing Proposition 8 this past November. What happened, America? It’s an emotional wake up slap delivered with perfect performances and necessary style. Biopics typically bore me. The tidiness needed to tell a conventional narrative is the single characteristic missing from the lives of most subjects interesting enough to justify a biographical film. The two exceptions are biopics about unfamiliar figures whose historical legacy requires unveiling and those constructed less-than-conventionally by brave artists. Milk is both. An award winning film will always be an effective means to increase recognition and achieve validation in our nation of movie lovers. PAUL BLART: MALL COP (PG) Paul Blart: Mall Cop rings in the New Year with mild, unobjectionable humor. The beginning of the year usually suffers through flicks much less funny and much more painful than this. Paul Blart: Mall Cop is as likable and funny (more the former than the latter) as its star. POSTMAN BLUES (NR) 1997. A Yakuza comedy from award-winning filmmaker Hiroyuki Tanaka, AKA Sabu (he played the detective in Takashi Miike’s Ichi the Killer), Postman Blues, or Posutoman Burusu, follows Sawaki,

a postal worker bored with his life. Unlucky for him, everything changes once he delivers mail to an old school chum now working for the Yakuza. Soon the police are mistaking the postman for a crazed criminal. Part of the Japanese Film Festival at UGA supported by the Center for Asian Studies and the Japan Foundation. THE READER (R) Fifteen-year-old Michael Berg (a smart David Kross) has a graphically sexual, secret affair with the much older Hannah Schmitz (five-time Oscar nominee Kate Winslet). Hannah disappears, and Michael does not see her again until he is in law school and she is on trial for crimes committed when she was a guard at Auschwitz. Ralph Fiennes, the film’s other star, admirably swallows the grown Michael’s guilt with quiet intensity, a quality that describes the film itself. Between The Reader’s covers is an unfamiliar, compassionate look at someone responsible for one of the world’s darkest hours. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (R) Frank and April Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) feel destined for something better, more fulfilling than their hopeless, empty suburban existence. But two kids and a mortgage later, and these former idealists are at each other’s throats, their love burned away by the constant heat of angry disappointment. Those who hated American Beauty won’t warm to it; neither will the modern suburbanites Mendes vilifies by proxy. Nevertheless, mature filmgoers will revel in the craft and wince at the pain. SEVEN POUNDS (PG-13) Will Smith reteams with his Pursuit of Happyness director, Gabriele Muccino, for another sad, ultimately uplifting tearjerker. Smith stars as a suicidal man looking to change the lives of seven strangers after he finds love with an ill woman (Rosario Dawson). If everything goes according to plan, Smith could be looking at a third Best Actor nomination. With Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper, Michael Ealy and Connor Cruise, the 13-year-old adopted son of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R) If Charles Dickens had set any of his littlest-orphan-makes-good epics in the slums of Mumbai and on the uncomfortable future-chic stage of the Indian TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” Slumdog Millionaire, winner of the Golden Globe for Best Drama, would be a near perfect adaptation of that unwritten classic from one of literature’s most popular mack daddies. Given the circumstances, Oscar winners director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty) have merely adapted Indian author Vikas Swarup’s Q & A into an uncommon feel-good movie that accomplishes its uplifting objective without resorting to clingy clichés that leave the emotions sugar-sticky from their manipulative fumblings. STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI (PG-13) This early contender for worst movie of the year wouldn’t be vying for the title had it gone straight to DVD like a wellbehaved bad movie should. The only people it might remotely interest, fans of the Street Fighter videogames, would be better off staying at home playing Street Fighter IV. (Game fans will be happy to see Michael Clarke Duncan as the living, breathing embodiment of Balrog.) In Legend of Chun Li, Chun Li (tiny, unassuming Kristen Kreuk of “Smallville”) is hunting down Bison (Neal McDonough), the man responsible for kidnapping her father. The flick is dangerously unhip when it’s trying to be “cool.” If Chris Klein (Election, American Pie) intended to play his badass Interpol agent, Charlie Nash, so hilariously theatrical, he might have delivered the year’s most

ingenious performance. If he didn’t, it’s still the year’s worst and funniest. Klein’s scenes more than made up for the boring backstory devised for the pretty focus, Chun Li. Those scenes left me time to ponder whether or not Bison’s Irish heritage was why they cast McD or a necessary addition caused by McD’s presence. This new Street Fighter ranks right down there with the 1994 JCVD flick. TAKEN (PG-13) Recently retired “preventer,” Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), has given up his dangerous, globetrotting profession to be closer to his teenaged daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace, “Lost”). Shortly after turning 17 , Kim asks her dad for permission to travel to Paris for the summer. Well aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows of the City of Lights, Bryan reticently agrees. As soon as you can translate “I told you so” into French, Kim and her pal have been kidnapped by human traffickers from Albania. Bryan goes all commando on Paris, threatening to tear down the Eiffel Tower if he has to. You can easily imagine how this vengeful mission goes, but director Morel makes the trip feel fresh and new. It’s a quick, tough movie that your parents might even enjoy thanks to the toneddown, PG-13 violence. TAKING ROOT (NR) Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai tells the story of the Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate whose simple act of planting trees flowered into a national movement to safeguard the environment, human rights and democracy. The film, directed by Lisa Merton and Alan Dater, won several awards, including Hot Docs’ Audience Award, the Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award and the Full Frame Women in Leadership Award. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) 1990. I loved this movie when it came out. Leonardo,

Donatello (voiced by former ‘80s pinup Corey Feldman), Michaelangelo, and Raphael (my favorite) must battle the evil Shredder and the Foot Clan. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may not have been anywhere near as cool as the previous summer’s Batman, but what 11-year-old obsessed with the Ninja Turtles cared? The sequels sucked (especially Turtles in Time), but the first flick stands up pretty well for a movie about giant talking reptiles. TOPPER (NR) 1937. After dying in an automobile accident, the fun-loving Kerbys, Marion and George (Constance Bennett and the sublime Cary Grant), try to reform stuffy buddy Cosmo Topper (Academy Award nominee Roland Young), whose new ways cause strife with his wife. Steve Martin is currently attached to play Cosmo Topper in the newest incarnation of this seemingly undying franchise (two sequels, a 1950s TV show and a 1979 television remake), slated to be directed by Hairspray director and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Adam Shankman. TWILIGHT (PG-13) Fortunately, Twilight isn’t the unmitigated disaster I anticipated. Thanks to a writer and director who took the Romeo and Juliet courtship of a vampire and a human seriously, the film rises above giggleinducing dialogue, groan-inducing vampire super-speed and strength, and a simplistic makeup-and-snarl depiction of its central monsters. VALKYRIE (PG-13) Valkyrie is one of the year’s most pleasant surprises. This much maligned, high profile, potential disaster is actually a tightlywound historical thriller, a B-movie working above its pay grade due to A-list talent. Injured in North Africa and recovering in Berlin, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) is approached by a clandestine organization of soldiers and politicians looking

to rid sacred Germany of its greatest threat, Adolf Hitler. It is strange pulling for Nazis. Thankfully, Valkyrie’s conspirators are the good ones, and their scheme is a fascinating, largely untold story from this extremely overmined era. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT (G) Jane Seymour, Tom Skerritt and Ellen Burstyn lend their voices to this new animated adaptation of the classic children’s book by Margery Williams. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (R) Ari Folman’s animated documentary chronicles his attempts to remember his experiences during the Lebanon War. The acclaimed Israeli film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film and has appeared on many critics’ best-of-2008 lists. l WATCHMEN (R) 2009 debuts its first must-see event movie, 300 director Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the formerly deemed unfilmable graphic novel by Alan Moore (From Hell, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, V for Vendetta) and Dave Gibbons. In an alternate 1985, vigilante Rorshach (Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children) investigates the murder of an ex-superhero and uncovers a future-shattering conspiracy involving him and his former colleagues, The Watchmen. THE WRESTLER (R) Academy Award-nominee Mickey Rourke may be the best thing in The Wrestler, but he’s also the worst. His performance, the best of last year and one of the strongest in recent memory, is so brilliant that it eclipses the overall excellence of acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s fourth feature. The Wrestler leaves 2008’s squared circle with the championship belt held high in the air as blood streams down its face. No other film matched its virtuality, its seeming recreation of a real person. Drew Wheeler

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

movie pick 3 Bros. in 3D

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JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) Filmmakers have been experimenting with 3D since cinema’s early days. The ability to shoot and project threedimensional images dates back to at least 1915; the first 3D feature was 1922’s Power of Love. However, the process skyrocketed in popularity during the 1950s (Bwana Devil and House of Wax), when movie studios were looking for anything to get butts out from in front of their newfangled TVs and back in theater seats. (Other, less hardy gimmicks included Smell-o-vision and William Castle’s Percepto, which shocked audiences of 1959’s The Tingler.) The 1980s saw an uptick in 3D flicks as the third entry in franchises ranging from Friday the 13th to Jaws attempted to boost box office by increasing dimensions. The last couple of years have seen the rebirth of the 3D movie, a renaissance fostered by improved technology and, as before, financial necessity. Have 3D movies come to stay? Will we soon be watching every big screen offering through a pair of plastic glasses? Or is it just another cycle in this unkillable fad’s lifespan? As we hurtle towards the future and its promise of

3D movies, Coraline and Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, ended much more pleasantly. Jonas Brothers offered the smoothest three-dimensional experience yet, and lacked the slight blurry haze and colorlessness of My Bloody Valentine. I expect the rest of the year’s 3D offerings, including March’s Monsters vs. Aliens, to be more like the Bros. The switch to 3D may be trumpeted as Hollywood beneficently providing the viewers with more bang for their buck, but the gimmick’s resurgence really means more cash in the studios’ coffers. If a film is good, seeing it the old-fashioned way—without simulated depth—won’t ruin it. Still, it is kind of fun to cringe from that pickax slicing through the air or Kevin Jonas’ giant curly coif. Speaking of Disney’s less organic improvement on Hanson, the Jonas Brothers’ new 3D Experience is everything a tweenage fanatic would want and expect. Hatched in the same laboratory that grew Britney Spears, an early prototype whose programming kinks were fixed in the Miley Cyrus model, Kevin, Joe, and Nick achieve their primary objective to foster safe, non-sexual crushes through catchy pop

ever-increasing virtuality, the chances would seem to favor the former, but can anyone imagine watching anything other than horror flicks like My Bloody Valentine or concert “experiences” like Jonas Brothers? Still, I can’t picture myself watching another, newer Pride and Prejudice where the unrequited love of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett bursts from the screen. For the curious, I’ll briefly explain the 3D process as I understand it. Two lenses spaced two and a half inches apart (like a pair of human eyes) film the same image. The images are then superimposed on one another when projected. The glasses help the viewer decode the double image, sending one to the left eye and the other to the right. Our brains do the rest of the work, combining the images into one, spatially oriented picture. Ta da! Advances in filmmaking (and projecting) technology make 3D movies less headacheinducing than in the past. Gone are the red and blue glasses and their image tinting. Some extra-dimensional treks remain more arduous than others. January’s My Bloody Valentine was not only an ugly movie; it was hard to watch as well. My eyes were killing me like they were a crazed miner with a pickax and I a horny, scantily-clad teen. My last two

rock tunes that blur the lines of contemporary Christian, Disney Radio, and Top 40. The 3D Concert Experience begins with allusions to A Hard Day’s Night, one of the Bros.’ favorite films, and quickly douses those flames of hope. (Spiceworld did the Hard Day’s Night homage better. Seriously.) The non-narrative film’s central “plot” involves the boys’ preparations for the Madison Square Garden concert, footage from which dominates the film. The three brothers seem like nice, hard working kids who produce a rocking, high energy concert. The guys really work up a sweat performing hits like “Burnin’ Up” and…uh… other songs. If you’re not already a Jo Bro fan, the movie, 3D or not, won’t hold your interest for very long. The songs are catchy but instantly forgettable (save the aforementioned “Burnin’ Up;” I like that one). The behindthe-scenes footage is very staged and unrevealing. Likable and charming as they are, I can imagine being more entertained by a real Hard-Day’s-Night-style musical comedy starring the brothers than I was by the Jonases’ 3D Concert Experience. Considering the bank the movie will pull down in its first weekend expect more of the same 3D—concerts, horror and animation—in the years to come.

record reviews ALELA DIANE To Be Still Rough Trade Folk singer Alela Diane Menig has split most of her recent time between Portland and California, and that’s worth paying attention to because of how frequently a sense of place and geography informs her gorgeous songs. “Dry Grass & Shadows” hopes for a return to a lost, yet still attainable, countryside, and Alela Diane coos over light banjo and guitar. Her rich voice keens like that of Californian neo-folkie Mia Doi Todd, though it’s not quite as stylized as Todd’s. Unfussy violin slides through songs like “Take Us Back” and “White As Diamonds,” matched with the lyrics’ weary yearning—“I’ve a friend who lives out by the river’s mouth, he knows the fiddle’s cry is an old sound,” she sings. With Alela Diane’s thicktimbred voice, it’s tough to not think of American folk singers like Karen Dalton and Joni Mitchell. And like the songs of those forebears, Alela Diane’s are simple, but they hum with passion. “Age Old Blues,” another geographically illustrative number, conjures thoughts of the English folk revival of the ‘60s, where singers like Sandy Denny let their voices inhabit the rolling hills and slowly stirring dreams alike. That song’s a duet with singer Michael Hurley, whose plaintive creak offers lovely counterpoint to Alela Diane’s pastoral lilt. Her songs ache for pastoral settings and days past; they’re not just backwards-looking due to their nostalgia; they’re maybe all the more urgent because of it. Chris Hassiotis Alela Diane is playing at the 40 Watt Club on Wednesday, March 4.

THE ROSEWOOD THIEVES Rise & Shine Independent Release If some unfortunate schizophrenic episode were to ever plague me, I can only hope the voices in my head would sound like singer Erick Jordon. His breathy metallic tones join a familiar chorus of melodic singers such as John Lennon and Marc Bolan with the ability to rock or woo you with ethereal finesse. The track “Fair Lights Flashing” is particularly Lennonesque; its jaunty circus organ practically

singing a reprise to The Beatles’ “For the Benefit of Mr. Kite,” while Jordon describes a landscape of ferris wheels and parades, whereas the desperate snarl unleashed on “When My Plane Lands” reaches more into Plastic Ono Band territory. On the other side of the coin, The Rosewood Thieves borrow Dylan-like pacing as they swagger through “Junkyard Julie,” whose ending refrain blasts with all the gusto of T. Rex or maybe The Kinks. When Jordan starts calling out to the Lord in “Moon Song” and measuring time by the tolling of church bells in “Gone,” his cool solemnness would sound right at home on B.R.M.C.’s Howl. In fact, just as dueling B.R.M.C. vocalists Robert Levon Been and and Peter Hayes seem to share the same vocal chords at times, I believe Jordon’s subtle rasp would meld just as seamlessly were the three to ever collaborate. Rise & Shine is a divine listen, drawn with clean lines and anchored by classic soul. I am eagerly awaiting the group’s next record, a set of Solomon Burke covers which Burke himself has already praised, saying the group took his tunes to a level even higher than the Stones managed. How’s that for encouragement? Michelle Gilzenrat The Rosewood Thieves will play the Caledonia Thursday, Mar. 5.

HOWLIES Trippin’ With Howlies OverUnder Records Garage rock is an old and growing art, a dirty job that everyone’s trying to do. But Atlanta’s Howlies have found the variable to save a tired formula: make it cute, make it clean and make it kick ass. They’ve taken a typically dirty style and refined it though a filter of squeaky, tonal pop. They’re a lemon through a car wash, the Cramps in a tux, or the Black Lips if you could ever catch them and wash each other’s piss out of their hair. Nearly all of the Howlies cut their teeth in the now-defunct, experimental psych-pop outfit Moresight, whose albums were spread thin by heady movements and jarring genre-leaps. Trippin’ with Howlies, the band’s debut reboot, finds their typical technicality focused into hook-based retro-rock made genuine by the presence of legendary ‘60s acid-punk producer Kim Fowley. It’s an honest rock and roll album that seethes confidence, self-reference and testosterone. These guys pound whiskey, answer outstanding debts with threats of violence, and admittedly do not find other men, especially “chicks with dicks,” sexually attractive. It’s like putting a record needle to your bicep. And it’s that subtle, sincere humor that gives a new life to a familiar approach: it’s funny, but it’s not a joke. It’s sarcastic, but it’s not a parody. It’s derivative, sure, but it’s still a fresh spin on a style hackneyed by trend and overexposure. And its charming, genuine smile never seems to fade in the

album’s 45 minutes. In fact, the songs get better as the record spins. While Moresight was a look into the future, Howlies is a forwardthinking nod to the past. If you’ve got either heart or balls, this is music for you. And if you have both, well, light up the teaspoons and brace yourself for “nightmare fun in the house of pleasure.” Bryan Aiken Howlies will play Caledonia Lounge on Wednesday, Mar. 4.

OCEAN Pantheon of the Lesser Important With will power, barbarian rage and great fortitude in abundance, it becomes easier to conquer “Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance,” or so it was determined via observation last night on a couch sans joystick and exceedingly stoned. Ocean provided audio wallpaper in the dimly lit gamer’s den, and Pantheon of the Lesser—two songs clocking in at just under an hour, is pure plodding sludge drudgery at its finest. A character’s dialogue caption declares, “The oceanic urn is an aquamarine-studded golden urn last seen in the hands of pirates…” The foreign tongues of the ethereal lady choir 26 minutes into “The Beacon” paired well with the (lack of) action on screen, but ultimately the timid quest had no chance when the guttural howl of a dungeon-tortured woman was unleashed and drums trampled everything in their path with methodical ferocity. Saturnine video game enthusiasts take note: the shoegaze heavy metal minimalists from Maine deserve more punishing, 64-bit close quarters, slow motion battles between the most terrifying creatures of Middle Earth or some such freakishly imaginative place. David Eduardo

THE STARTER KITS Backsliding Baby Ghostmeat It was a particular thrill a few years back when songwriter Mikey Dwyer started recording his own songs after several years in other bands. His sound was shot through with an urgency that recalled no one as distinctly as it did Graham Parker. Now joined by bassist Jamie Coulter and drummer Dan Orchik, Dwyer’s songs still have the

same sense of desperation to them but are, ironically, tempered slightly. Dwyer remains at his best when plumbing the depths of 1950s, minor chord progression rock and roll (“Backsliding Baby,” “Finding The Ways”), but Backsliding Baby also showcases Dwyer in great form when driving straight ahead. There are a couple of not so great moments here, too. Specifically, the first 40 seconds of the first track, “I Don’t Stand A Chance.” A feedbackladen guitar is overdubbed with a melodic one but then an errant lead flies over the top, and it’s obvious he hears the melody in his head. It’s unclear, though, that the rest of the band understands what’s going on. Also, the country track “Ghosts” sticks out sorely from the rest of the record. Overall, Backsliding Baby is pretty solid. The tempering effect spoken of earlier seems to be a result of the recording process as there’s certainly no evidence of Dwyer’s songs having become less than. He takes a few risks here, but when he plays to his strengths his songs are great examples of thoroughly engrossing, emotionally charged work. Gordon Lamb The Starter Kits’ CD release show is Friday, Mar. 6 at Caledonia Lounge.

IRAN Dissolver Narnack This is an interesting piece of work. But first things first; the band’s name: supposedly not a reference to the Middle Eastern nation, but a nod to Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, in which the android-hunting protagonist Rick Deckard is married to a woman called Iran. In fact, this literary Iran serves as an effective symbol for the group and its operational disposition: both entities are somewhat compulsive but restricted utopianists; both inadvertently perpetuate their own melancholia as the slaves of their curiosities. Yet they are inspired by their woe. Dissolver reveals it through minor keys and distortion, which punctuate sardonic vocals, all with intriguing originality and cynicism. It’s complex and bold with smokey notes of feedback overlying a mild digital wastelandish bouquet, often succinct in execution. Throughout Dissolver vocalist/ multi-instrumentalist Aaron Aites’ distorted pop songs conjure images of thoughtful beings pushing back against a world distractedly throwing its weight around. And with help from TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone and Grand Mal’s Aaron Romanello throughout the disc, Iran succeeds in reminding its audience that participation and failure can in fact yield compelling fruit. This album will likely appeal to fans of NIN and The Killers, and if they also like Jonathan Richman and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, folks might fall in love for a while. Tony Floyd

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

Friends and Fans from Across the Globe Pay Tribute to Local Musician and Teacher Randy Bewley Robin Bewley, former wife and good friend of Randy, delivered these remarks at the conclusion of the “Resurrection Eucharist and Rite of Christian Burial” before a full congregation at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Feb. 28, 2009. There is no way to sum up a life or contain it in words, so I’d just like to share some memories of this remarkable and complex man for Blair and Adam, for Pylon and members of the other bands, his housemate Hannah, his many friends and for those who are gathered here to support us. I’ve been thinking a lot about the special language that develops between people who are together for a long time. The Bewleys certainly had our share of in-jokes, and could say a single word or phrase and evoke an entire story. He shared the same kind of relationship with the other Pylons—they truly formed a family over the years. That family had a tenacity and continuity that formed Randy and them. Vanessa, Michael and Curtis were a home he returned to again and again. From the beginning, the beautiful anarchy that was Pylon was amazing. We remember the first 40 Watt club in Curtis’—shall we say code-challenged—loft. The opening of the official 40 Watt Club, Curtis still working on the stage as people arrived, some kind of goofy sound-check. Paul had forgotten the detail of a bartender so Debralee and I drew draft beer. Over the years, they opened the 40 Watt, and opened the 40 Watt, and—wait— opened the 40 Watt in many locations. They traveled and slept, had adventures and made great music and went to weddings and funerals and fought and made up—all together. And it was good. The music was, after his sons, the thing he was proudest of. There was never anything fake about Randy Bewley. He could not play poker, for what he thought was always on his face. When it came time to make hard decisions, he would always come down on the side of what is right, not what is profitable or what someone else thought was best. He loved children and young people. If he was in a room that had children of any age who could walk, they would gather around him. When the boys were little and he was spending time at their school, he decided he wanted to be a teacher. So, with two small children and a part-time job, he went back to school in his late 30s. As a teacher, he was dismayed at how many kindergartners and first MAtthew Buzzell

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

graders had already learned “I can’t” about making art. So he would distract them from “I can’t” and walk them through a drawing with little sounds that distracted them, and before long, they could. He was always delighted to run into one of his kids as they grew up and he saw them out in the world. The young people of Emmanuel were dear to his heart. From badminton on the lawn all summer, to the infamous backpacking trip with PPP—the one where Marshall broke his nose—he was some cross between a dad and a cool uncle. He chaperoned an acolyte trip to the National Cathedral. But I think his best time with “my kids” was the trip out West with the Journey to Adulthood group. It was a landmark event for him. Last night, many people told me of Randy’s gentle and generous heart. It was important to him to help people move from a dark space in their life to one of greater light. Randy loved his mom, and protected her from anyone who would do her wrong or upset her. Movie night with her had become as important to him as the help he gave her with errands and her health. Now, my mom is a quiet person, and very respectful of Karen and I. But I know she was somewhat concerned about her daughter marrying some guy in a band. But that all changed the day Blair was born. Randy rode upstairs to the nursery with Blair and Nana and my mom were watching him through the nursery window, though he was unaware. He held Blair, and rocked him, put him down in the crib and unwrapped his swaddling, the baby burrito as we called it, and touched Blair’s hands and feet, then wrapped him up and held him again. He did this several times. After that, his stock with my mom was never down. As a sometimes too serious person, Randy’s great gift to me was laughter. He was SO quick! He had, shall we say, his own peculiar form of organization, using the word loosely. The family joke was that he could and would fill any horizontal space with stuff, and he wasn’t always good with dates and numbers and remembering. But when I took some situation or myself too seriously or worried too much, he could calm my melodrama. He would tell me he was going to do something, and when I asked him about it later he would say, “Well, I wanted to do it.” And if I went to a shrewish place, he would say instead, “I wish I’d done it.” The ability to make people laugh kept him out of a lot of trouble. As Blair and Adam’s daddy, Randy knew always where to go in himself to the play place, an uncanny ability he had to leave that which passes for adulthood behind and

be with the boys and their friends, inventing games, building skateboard ramps and tree houses, covering the doorway with paper on Christmas Eve so they could burst through it the next morning. And he gave them music and art, his passions. He was SO proud of the men you have become, and your loving hearts. Rest well, dear friend, and Godspeed.

Maureen McLaughlin Lifelong friend of Pylon Many people knew Randy Bewley as the reticent Pylon guitarist; the shy guy who let his music speak for him. In fact, Randy was a complex, multi-talented individual who lived by a righteous personal code. He was a loyal friend, an expressive artist and an unexpected joker; a lover of plastic Japanese robots and toy monkeys. To say that he was devoted to his sons, Blair and Adam, would be an

third time in 2004 after Randy approached Michael at a Lachowski art opening. It took Randy’s death on Feb. 25, 2009 to dissolve the life-long musical partnership that bound these four quirky, energetic friends together. With Randy’s passing also came the end of Pylon. Along with everyone else who knew them, I will be mourning these two sad losses for a long, long time.

Hugo Burnham Gang of Four A piece of my heart has always been in Athens. I can—and do—count some good, good friends there; no lesser the friendships for having long gaps in between visits over the years. Four particular friends came bursting back into my life when they asked me to write something nice for Gyrate Plus in 2007. I was Michael Lachowski

Eulogy for Randy Bewley There’s No Way to Sum Up a Life…

understatement. He also maintained a deep affection for Robin, the mother of his sons, even after they were divorced. At the time of his death, he was living with Hannah Jones, his best friend and fellow bandmember in Supercluster and Sound Houses. Randy was born in Bradenton Beach, FL on July 25, 1955. His father was an interior designer and moved the family between Florida and Washington, DC a number of times. It was not unusual to see the Bewley family home featured in newspapers or national magazines. While experiencing this richly innovative environment, the Bewleys settled in Sarasota, FL, where Randy graduated from high school. From there, he entered the University of Georgia art school and met his future Pylon band mates, Michael Lachowski, Curtis Crowe and Vanessa Briscoe Hay. Michael Lachowski remembers Randy as always being “the instigator” in Pylon. It was Randy who first had the idea of starting a band in 1978. Pylon broke up twice: first in 1983 and again in 1991. They reunited for a

honored… it was easy. These fabulous people who introduced me to the bourbon that I had been searching for in vain, that my fellow Englishmen swore never existed. When we first met… my first thought was “God, they’re tall!” And then I thankfully saw Curtis. But my, those boys with guitars swinging low in front of them… at around my head-height— so very, very good. We thought we had THE guitar-player in Gang of Four… the ONLY guitar-player; but Randy quickly put such thoughts to rest, and we loved him and them and their noises. They had That Essence Rare. He was Cool. It was all great Entertainment. Randy seemed relatively quiet, but only in terms of the competition. Late nights with us on the road, hiding in hotel closets squeezed together, laughing like mad buggers. We were very young. (And he was so, so, SO tall… dammit. And good looking, too! How is that fair?) And now we feel very old. That piece of my heart is now broken, and the rest of it is heavy. But I will hold up my old head and think fondly and lovingly of

Suzanne Allison

Randy today; my body in Massachusetts—but my heart with you all down there. And I will finish my last bottle of Rebel Yell, laughing and crying for you all as only a 5’ 7” Englishman can do. God Bless, Randy. My love and thoughts are with Randy’s family, and with my dear Pylon.

Bill Cody Athens, GA/Inside-Out, Producer When I got the news that Randy had passed away, I was stunned. It seems like just yesterday I was standing in the Echoplex, a club in Los Angeles, watching Pylon play. I was never there at Pylon’s early shows, but I can’t imagine they played any better than they did this night. To say the band was ON would be an understatement. They hadn’t played Los Angeles in a number of years. This was a really special treat. The crowd was incredibly young (I’d say the average age was 20 or 21) and they knew the words to almost every song. They kids danced, sang and sweated. When the show ended (and we did think it was over), the audience erupted. They demanded more. The kids wanted an encore and they weren’t going to stop cheering until they got one. Me—I had a big smile during the entire show, the kind of smile that overwhelms you and makes you glow. I said goodbye to my friends as I left the club and made a mental note that I would have to go see them again… right away. I wanted to stay longer and visit, but I had to go to work the next day. You know how it is. I figured I’d be seeing them all again very soon. We always think we are going to have enough time to do these things later. That was four months ago. To say I was saddened when I heard about Randy would be an understatement. It was the kind of news that you just don’t want to believe is true. We will miss Randy as a musician, no question. But, the most important thing about Randy Bewley is that he‘s a genuinely good

person. He’s the kind of person that makes the world a better and more decent place just because he’s in it. Randy made us all feel so good. And that is what I think we’ll miss most of all. Randy is and was a truly special man. He will be sorely missed.

Kay Stanton Supercluster bandmate and friend Randy Bewley, we love you. It’s been a very difficult week, but the Cookies spent practice remembering what a wonderful person and influential guitarist Randy was. Mostly known for his work as Pylon’s guitarist, Randy also played in Athens bands Sound Houses and Supercluster. He was also a fabulous artist and friend. I was lucky enough to play with him for almost two years in Supercluster. Not only was I honored to be in the presence of such an amazing an innovative guitarist, I got a chance to know Randy as a person. He made it easy to forget that he was an icon by being so down to earth and just an all around sweet person. Randy would crack this quirky little smile that just made you think he knew a little more about everything than you possibly could, and that he knew that, too, but that it was absolutely cool. I was always amazed at how good his ear was. His guitar tuning was atypical, but when Supercluster would start to jam, he’d jump in there with some amazing lick or texture that really made the whole thing gel. And for anyone who’s ever seen him on stage with Pylon, they know how great he was. I don’t know if he really thought about just how much he influenced musicians everywhere. He influenced people who probably don’t even realize they were influenced by him. It’s so easy not to notice, because in Athens, even giants are demure. There is so much more to say about this wonderful person, Randy Bewley, but all I can say now is you will be missed greatly. Many more of your letters and photos can be found at Flagpole.com. Send yours to music@flagpole.com.

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

voted ‘best burrito’ Creative Loafing and Insite Magazine

Blitzen Trapper

burritonight? We’re an American Band B

Trivia night at Willy’s!

litzen Trapper makes American music— America as bandleader Eric Earley experiences it. With the perspective of a traveling musician, Earley describes America as “metropolises with lots of space in between.” Pick a Blitzen Trapper record, and you’ll find punk angst and metal riffs spaced between more acoustic ditties and ballads that put the heart at ease. With electronic and R&B elements thrown in, Blitzen Trapper encompasses the diverse sound of 20th-century American music with a 21st-century sensibility.

Join us for great fun and prizes Every Wed beginning at 8pm

College Night

First Tuesday of the month Sept - May $4.00 burritos all day with college ID

www.willys.com 196 Alps Road Beechwood Promenade Mon – Sun, 11am - 10pm 706-548-1920

buy one get one 1/2 off expiration 3/31/09 • Willy’s Mexicana Grill

we cater to a crowd!

call 706-548-1920 to place order

One coupon per customer per visit per offer. Not valid if sold, transferred or duplicated. Not valid for catering orders. Cash value 1/100 of 1¢. Good only at Athens location. © 2009 Willy’s Mexicana Grill. Code: FP

But the music is inspired by something more than a troubadour’s view from the van window. A lifetime of music appreciation can be discerned in the Blitzen Trapper catalogue. Earley was raised outside of Salem, OR in an upbringing that was both rural and modest. His father, an amateur bluegrass musician, taught him how to play the banjo by the time he was six years old. Earley continues to pluck the banjo on the band’s 2008 release, Furr, where, for example, he uses it to enhance the disco-themed track, “Saturday Night.” The band even breaks into a minute of full-on backcountry bluegrass pickin’ in the middle of its more aggressive and experimental 2007 breakthrough album, Wild Mountain Nation. Earley became conscious of pop-leaning folk when, on road trips in the family VW bus, he heard the first album that changed his life (as he told the blog youaintnopicasso. com), an 8-track of John Denver’s Greatest Hits. Earley was inspired to move from banjo to guitar, playing along not only with John Denver records, but Bob Dylan and Doc Watson as well. As he grew up, his tastes expanded beyond the family-approved records and became increasingly eclectic. A classic-rock kid raised on ‘90s radio can be heard on a majority of Blitzen Trapper songs. There are hints of the music Earley listened to in his pre-high-school years, like M.C. Hammer, Kip Winger and Guns ‘N Roses, and the bands he emulated once in high school, such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

and R.E.M. Songs like the pleasantly easy going “Asleep for Days,” from his 2004 release, Field Rexx, combine those early elements with a taste of Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Sonic Youth—artists he currently lists as main influences. After high school, Earley left the Pacific Northwest for Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA. Covenant is a liberal arts college whose motto is, “In All Things Christ Preeminent.” Despite the distance from home, or maybe because of it, he was never able to get comfortable on the pristine Southern campus. Earley left Covenant after an uneasy freshman year. “I didn’t understand the people there and wanted to go back home,” he remembers. This sense of youthful rebellion commandeers the majority of the tracks on Wild Mountain Nation. At times bizarre, there’s a disjointed aggressiveness that resembles punk more than his other influences. In and out of school, he eventually graduated from Portland State on the Deans’ List. In 2000 he began playing with longtime friends Erik Menteer, Brian Adrian Koch, Michael VanPelt, Drew Laughery and fellow Covenant survivor Mark Marquis. A few years later, they officially became Blitzen Trapper. With an organic spirit, Earley’s object as a songwriter is to create “classic songs that are more than just of the moment.” He does this by cohesively bringing together different musical approaches typically categorized as being different genres, but which he sees as being one: “American music, vaguely Western, from the mountains.” For example, take “Fire & Fast Bullets” from Furr. It begins with a reverb-heavy guitar riff and lyrics that could be mistaken for a Geddy Lee proclamation: “There’s dragons and demons alive in the sky!” Driving drums alongside a cacophony of cymbal clashing emphasize the garage-rock elements. The absurd and apocalyptic vibe is assuaged with sweet harmonizing, and a melodic pop song emerges. It’s something completely new yet filled with familiar ingredients, resembling a vintage and psychedelic sound. “There’s no real process,” Earley responds when asked how the layers of genres are put together. He lays the groundwork for Blitzen Trapper songs in solitude, playing on a piano or guitar. “Usually [I] just whack away on a guitar with a four-track ‘til I hit on something I like. ” This non-process has produced four Blitzen Trapper albums that reflect Earley’s philosophy that all American music has familiar elements and can be mixed together to form enduring melodies. Michael J. Gerber

WHO: Blitzen Trapper, Alela Diane WHERE: 40 Watt Club WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 4 HOW MUCH: $10

The Real Greg Ginn Black Flag Frontman Brings Two New Bands to Athens

in a small town is ideal—we have our studio here, and it’s a quiet place to get a lot of work done.” Certainly, the local music of Texas has influenced him, as the twang-and-drang of the Corrugators attest; Ginn sees something integral in the scenes supporting the country and zydeco music around him that hits a familiar bell; it’s the closest thing he sees these days, in spirit and execution, to the early strains of hardcore. “Punk rock was developed by real people playing shows locally, without the notice of national radio or big print magazines… In Texas, around where we live, there’s a lot of great music that’s unknown outside of a particular region. You wouldn’t realize until you spent time in Louisiana how popular and unique that indigenous music is. I like that, rather than stuff just being dictated by national media; it’s important to still have local music that’s closely attached to a particular community.” I have to say that my snotnosed little wrathful inner 14-year-old—an increasingly trustworthy sage these days—was doing joyous somersaults when I heard I’d be sharing a stage with Greg Ginn the night after my 30th birthday. It seems highly appropriate that the first bona-fide guitar hero I had is gonna help me ring in that symbolic and dreadinducing decade. As I doubtlessly face The Big Questions of Life that night, whose better brain could I pick in this soulless epoch than the progenitor of the modern DIY ethic, a man whose enterprises sought to invalidate the corporate music establishment of his day, and whose playing, for me and an entire subculture’s worth of guitarists, annihilated all that came before it? Greg Ginn remains independent, uncompromising and true to the principles that have made him inspirational to a generation of musicians. To his credit, and our edification, Ginn also remains positive in an era when even esteemed record companies are failing: “From the point of view of independent labels, when we started SST and Black Flag, it used to be a really closed system. Just a few huge labels was it—there weren’t many small labels, particularly in rock. Now it’s pretty much all broken down, which is a really good thing. There are so many options for people to get their music out there…I’m just very grateful to play the music I want to play.” Jim McHugh

FAT DADDY’S Lexington Rd.

WHO: Jambang, Greg Ginn & the Taylor Texas Corrugators, Loadblower WHERE: Farm 255 WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 7 HOW MUCH: $5

LOWE’S

one sense, Greg Ginn has slowed his roll a bit since his fabled days powering hardcore frontiersmen Black Flag. “Louisiana is one of our favorite places,” he says. “We planned this tour around the Mardi Gras time in the rural areas around there.” That’s a different tack then his old band took; the prime motives behind Flag’s road itinerary seemed always to be the perpetual accretion of sheer mileage and the compulsion to spread its vital poison gospel to any corner of the world that would have it. Now, Ginn takes good time to appreciate the sights a bit: “Around this time down there,” he continues, “they have all these strange parades and fires on the water. It’s great.” That deference to cultural landscape in the realms of scheduling is where Ginn’s apparent methodological mellow streak stops, though. A definitive attribute of his old band’s essence still burns brightly within him, guiding the distinctly differing approaches of the two bands he’s bringing to town. “I’m not real big on the whole nostalgia thing, or playing oldschool this, that or the other,” he says. He’s still hellbent on the same notion of forward movement that forced Flag’s evolution from being THE defining proto-hardcore band to becoming purveyors of monolithic avant-metal driven by his wigged-out atonal guitar leads. Ginn’s dedication to progress alienated a large majority of the fans Black Flag earned as the preeminent hick-pollinators of any era and still bedevils him now: “I like to be involved in new sounds and new ideas, though it’s not the easiest way to market music in these times where there is so much nostalgia and so many reunions.” Ergo his two current touring outfits: Jambang and The Taylor Texas Corrugators. Narrow-minded adherents to the neanderthal pubescent yawp Ginn accidentally helped forge three decades ago should stay home with their iTunes. The former sounds like a tonally morefull-blooded Krautrock experiment, replete with driving monochord structures and his hypermelodic improvised guitarwork. The latter, named for his newly-adopted hometown, lies akin to the acidheaded country-sprawl of his old pals Meat Puppets, only with the country/rock ratio flipped and with an upright piano. Unsurprisingly, Ginn still upholds the legendary work ethic that pushed Flag into pioneering musical and attitudinal territory, and that made his label, SST Records, arguably the most influential and diverse independent U.S. label of the past 30 years. Ginn explains that his focused devotion to change led him to leave Los Angeles, a city to which he, his bands and SST will forever be inextricably linked, for tiny Taylor, a rural outpost of 13,000 located 30 miles outside Austin. “It was time for a change; I lived in California for most of my life,” he says. “Being

Gaines School Rd.

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

MONDAY, MARCH 9

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

COMING SOON

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

the calendar! WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Deadline for getting listed in the calendar is every FRIDAY at 5 p.m. for the issue that comes out the following Wednesday. Email calendar@flagpole.com.

Tuesday 3 EVENTS: Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People (UGA Student Learning Center—Room 171) Filmmakers Ross Spears and Jamie Ross introduce and screen the last two parts of their four-part series on Appalachia. 7–9:30 p.m. FREE! 706-542-8848 EVENTS: “GMOA on the Move” Kick-Off Party (Georgia Museum of Art) Celebrate the launch of “GMOA on the Move,” a series of museum exhibitions and programs featured at venues throughout Athens and the state. Festivities include food, drink and music. 7–9 p.m. FREE! 706-542-4662 PERFORMANCE: Whitest Kids U’Know (UGA Tate Center) Improv sketch comedy from NYC-based troupe. See p. 13. 8 p.m. FREE! (UGA students), $5 (non-students). www.uga.edu/union* KIDSTUFF: Book Discussion for Home-School Students (ACC Library) Come and discuss any of the 20 books nominated for the Georgia Children’s Book Awards. For home-school students in grades 4–8. 10:30 a.m. FREE! 706-6133650 KIDSTUFF: Storytime (ACC Library) For ages 18 months to 5 years. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 LECTURES & LIT.: “It’s a Pollinator’s Market: Honey Bee Decline and Why it Matters” (UGA Student Learning Center—Room 148) Keith Delaplane of the entomology department gives the talk. Sponsored by the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts. 4 p.m. FREE! 706-542-3966 LECTURES & LIT.: Laurie Stone and Aralee Strange (Flicker) An evening of readings from two awardwinning writers, Laurie Stone (longtime writer for the Village Voice) and Athens’ own Aralee Strange. Stone and Strange reflect on art, sex and encounters with wildlife. 7:30 p.m. FREE! 706-542-2846 GAMES: APA 8-Ball Tournament (Fat Daddy’s) Tuesdays. 7 p.m. 706353-0241 GAMES: Beginner’s Pool School (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Learn the basics, every Tuesday! 7 p.m. 706354-7829 GAMES: Cornhole League (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Every Tuesday! 7 p.m. 706-354-7829 GAMES: Drunken Bingo (283 Bar) Great prizes and fun all night long. 10 p.m. FREE! 706-208-1283 GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em (Alibi) Every Tuesday. 8 p.m. 706-549-1010

Wednesday 4 PERFORMANCE: Improv Athens (Ciné Barcafé) Improv from local cast members who have performed

with the Alliance Theatre, the Playground Theatre in Chicago and on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” 8 p.m. $5. www.athenscine.com KIDSTUFF: Storytime (ACC Library) For ages 18 months to 5 years. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 KIDSTUFF: Wildcard Wednesday for Teens (ACC Library) Up next: Make a pair of Steampunk-style goggles. Ages 11–18. Space is limited. 4 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3650. LECTURES & LIT.: 2009 Johnstone Lecture (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Staci Catron, Director of the Cherokee Garden Library at the Atlanta History Center, discusses the library, its holdings and its relevance to Southern gardening. Reservations required. 7:30 p.m. FREE! 706-5426138, www.uga.edu/botgarden LECTURES & LIT.: Carol Adams (UGA Student Learning Center— Room 102) Lecture and slideshow based on her classic ecofeminist book, The Sexual Politics of Meat. Her presentation will be followed by a book signing and vegan banquet in the North Tower of the SLC. Sponsored by Speak Out for Species, Women’s Studies Student Organization, Institute of African American Studies, the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program and the Institute of Women’s Studies. 4:30 p.m. FREE! www.uga.edu/sos LECTURES & LIT.: Bulldog Book Club (UGA Student Learning Center—Jittery Joe’s) Discussion of Sarah Vowell’s The Wordy Shipmates. UGA students, faculty, staff and local residents are welcome. 4 p.m. FREE! fteague@uga. edu LECTURES & LIT.: “Ecosystem Services in Decision-Making” (UGA Ecology Building) Renowned scientist Gretchen C. Daily, an environmental science professor at Stanford University, discusses her new vision of conservation for the 21st century. 11:15 a.m. FREE! www. ecology.uga.edu LECTURES & LIT.: “Social Determinants of Health and Equity: The Impacts of Racism on Health” (UGA Fanning Building—Training Room) Camara Phyllis Jones, a family physician and epidemiologist whose work focuses on the impacts of racism on the health of the nation, gives the talk. 2–3:30 p.m. FREE! 706583-8195 LECTURES & LIT.: “The Social World of Grassroots Volunteers” (Ramsey Student Center—Room 202) Dr. Diane Samdahl presents an ethnographic case study of a group of volunteers who stepped in when an animal sanctuary was closed down. 2:20– 3:30 p.m. FREE! gpowell@uga.edu GAMES: Athens Dart League (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Every Wednesday! 8 p.m. 706-354-7829

GAMES: Stan’s Famous Trivia Nite (Alibi) Get a team together and test your knowledge of the trivial. Every Wednesday. 8–10 p.m. FREE! 706-549-1010 GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em (Fat Daddy’s) Mondays, 6 & 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 & 10 p.m. 706353-0241 GAMES: Trivia (Willy’s Mexicana Grill) Play for prizes every Wednesday. 8–10 p.m. FREE! 706548-1920

Thursday 5 ART: Athens Art Association (Lyndon House Arts Center) Leah Mantini, named one of the top 20 realist artists by The Artist’s Magazine, shares techniques on portrait painting and figure drawing. Light refreshments. Non-members welcome. 7–9 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3623 PERFORMANCE: Dance Music of Ireland (UGA Chapel) Green Flag, a newly formed local Irish band, performs traditional dance music, while Holly Blanchard and Oonagh Lynch-Benson, the Athens instructor for the Drake School of Irish Dance, perform. 7 p.m. FREE! 706-7147261, carlrapp@bellsouth.net LECTURES & LIT.: “Apocalypse Meow: Free-Ranging Cats and the Destruction of American Wildlife” (UGA Forestry Building—Room 1-304) Dr. Nico Dauphine of the Zoological Society of London gives the talk. 4 p.m. FREE! www.forestry.uga.edu LECTURES & LIT.: “Immigration Raids: Social In/Justice” (UGA Aderhold—Room G23) Dr. Larry Nackerud examines the belief that the immigration raids conducted across the country by the Department of Homeland Security over the last two years represent a social injustice. 3:30–4:30 p.m. FREE! jpo@uga.edu LECTURES & LIT.: “Subtle and Spectacular: Dress and Textiles of the Kalabari of Nigeria” (UGA Chapel) Dr. Joanne Eicher, editor-in-chief of the Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, draws on her many years living in West Africa among the Kalabari to discuss the ways social changes are communicated through fabric. 10 a.m. FREE! 706-542-5314 MEETINGS: Athens Human Rights Festival (Red Rooster) Committee planning meeting. Any volunteers who want to help organize this year’s festival are welcome. 7 p.m. 770-725-2652, www.athenshumanrightsfest.org MEETINGS: Interest Meeting for Campus Community Gardens at UGA (UGA Ecology Building— Lobby) All interested in growing some food on campus are welcome to come show support and give input. 6–7:30 p.m. FREE!

T. Graham Brown performs at Alibi Saturday, Mar. 7. MEETINGS: New Mamas Group (Full Bloom Center) Meet other new moms and get non-judgmental support and reassurance. Babies welcome. 10 a.m. FREE! 706-353-3373, www.fullbloomparent.com MEETINGS: Oconee Rivers Audubon Society (Sandy Creek) Environmental activist JC Corcoran discusses the global climate impacts of a meat-based diet. Vegan refreshments after the program. 7 p.m. FREE! 706-613-9875 MEETINGS: Volunteer in Peru (UGA LACSI Building—290 S. Hull St.) Informational session on a summer volunteer program in Peru. Past participants will be on hand to answer questions. Open to anyone over the age of 18. 6 p.m. FREE! www.venperu.org GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Free every Thursday and Friday! 7 p.m. & 10 p.m. 706-354-7829

Friday 6 EVENTS: African American Film Festival (UGA Main Library— Auditorium B2) Festival continues with two screenings: Finding Christa, a documentary that traces a woman’s reunion with her mother 20 years after being given up for adoption, and Chisholm ‘72: Unbought and Unbossed, which chronicles the political life of Shirley Chisholm. 6–9 p.m. FREE! 706-542-5196, kkmfree@uga.edu ART: “Chase Street Portraits” Opening Reception (White Tiger Gourmet Food & Chocolates) Exhibit features portraits by students at Chase Street Elementary. 5–7 p.m. FREE! 706-353-6847 ART: “A Quilt for All Seasons” (Oconee County Civic Center) Quilt

show with more than 200 quilts crafted by the 100+ members of the Cotton Patch Quilters Guild. Techniques range from traditional patchwork and appliqué to innovative techniques using photos, embellishments and the creative use of color. Also featuring demos, a boutique and vendors. Mar. 6–7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mar. 8, 12–4 p.m. $6 (adults), $3 (children). 706-5491691, www.cpquilters.org ART: Reception (Circle Gallery, UGA College of Environmental Design) For “A Pleasant Territory: Grasslands in the Southeast,” an exhibit featuring paintings by Philip Juras. 5–8 p.m. FREE! 706-542-8292, www. philipjuras.com PERFORMANCE: Effie’s Club Follies (Georgia Theatre) This Athens “slapstrip comedic burlesque” ensemble asks you to “imagine a combination of the weirder side of SNL’s glory days, throw in a dash of good drag, a sprinkling of raunchy humor, and a pinch of Broadway… with the striptease as the luscious cherry on top.” It’s an Effing good time! 9 p.m. $10. www.georgiatheatre.com* THEATRE: To Kill a Mockingbird (Historic Elbert Theatre) The Elbert Theatre presents the stage version of Harper Lee’s classic novel. Mar. 6–7, 8 p.m. Mar. 8, 2 p.m. $10 (advance), $15 (door). 706-283-1049, tking@ cityofelberton.net OUTDOORS: Courteous Mass (Athens City Hall) A casual-pace bike ride around town. Meet outside City Hall. Bring a helmet and water. Meet at Max Canada afterwards to discuss the future of ACC’s alternative transportation efforts. 6 p.m. FREE! www.bikeathens.com KIDSTUFF: Afterhours @ The Library (ACC Library) Teen coffee house and open mic. Come sing,

dance, play an instrument or read poetry. Refreshments provided. Ages 11–18. 7–9 p.m. FREE! 706613-3650 LECTURES & LIT.: “Love and the Nation: White Women and/in the Remembrance of WWII” (UGA Student Learning Center— Room 348) Barbara Biesecker, professor of speech communication, gives the talk. 12:20–1:10 p.m. FREE! 706-542-2846 MEETINGS: Drinking Liberally (Little Kings Shuffle Club) Informal, inclusive and progressive social group that gives left-leaning individuals a chance to talk politics. First and third Friday of each month. 6:30 p.m. athens@drinkingliberally.org MEETINGS: Knitting Mamas (Full Bloom Center) Relax and knit with other moms. 2 p.m. FREE! 706-3533373, www.fullbloomparent.com GAMES: Game Night (Main Street Yarns) Play your favorite games the first & third Friday each month. To be included for dinner at 6:30, call before 5 p.m. (cost is $5). 7 p.m. FREE! 706-769-5531, www.mainstreetyarns.com GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Free every Thursday and Friday! 7 p.m. & 10 p.m. 706-354-7829

Saturday 7 EVENTS: Athens Home and Garden Show (The Classic Center) Featuring displays and seminars on the latest in home decor, landscaping, lighting, cabinetry, construction and more. Kids’ Corner features family activities. Presented by the Athens Area Home Builders Association. Mar. 7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mar. 8, 12–5 p.m. $5 (adults), $4 k continued on next page

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

THE CALENDAR! (seniors), $3 (ages 3–12), FREE! (ages 2 & under). 706-357-4444 ART: “A Quilt for All Seasons” (Oconee County Civic Center) Quilt show with more than 200 quilts crafted by the 100+ members of the Cotton Patch Quilters Guild. See Mar. 6 Art. Mar. 6–7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mar. 8, 12–4 p.m. $6 (adults), $3 (children). 706-549-1691, www. cpquilters.org THEATRE: To Kill a Mockingbird (Historic Elbert Theatre) The Elbert Theatre presents the stage version of Harper Lee’s classic novel. See Mar. 6 Theatre. Mar. 6–7, 8 p.m. Mar. 8, 2 p.m. $10 (advance), $15 (door). 706-283-1049, tking@cityofelberton.net KIDSTUFF: Exotic Birds and Reptiles (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Roy Hodge, from Exotic Paradise in Atlanta, educates and entertains with his menagerie of exotic forest animals, including parrots, lizards and anacondas. 10–11:30 a.m. $3. 706-542-1244 KIDSTUFF: “Find That Book!” (Oconee County Library) Learn how to find books by yourself at the library and how to put books on hold from other libraries. Grades 3–5. Parents welcome to attend. Space is limited; register at the circulation desk. 11 a.m. FREE! 706-769-3950 KIDSTUFF: Kite Day (Sandy Creek Park) Fly a kite in the wide open fields of the park. Bring your own or borrow one. Hot chocolate and cider provided. Pre-registration required. 2 p.m. $5. 706-613-3631 LECTURES & LIT.: Stop the Mama’s Boys (Mama’s Boy) Author Lulu Taylor discusses her novel about an uncomfortably close relationship between a mother and son. In the morning she’ll talk about issues related to the social phenomenon of “mama’s boys” and in the evening she’ll read excerpts from her book. 8–10 a.m. & 6–8 p.m. FREE! 706-548-6249, www.stopthemamasboys.com LECTURES & LIT.: Georgia Museum of Art Biennial Patrons’ Lecture (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) This year’s lecture is presented by Kevin Oonk, President of Fräbel Glass, and features the glass artistry of Hans-Godo Fräbel and the Fräbel Studio. Call to RSVP. 2 p.m. $25 (general admission), $10 (students). 706-542-0830 MEETINGS: Saturday Parent Group (Full Bloom Center) Meet other parents and talk about raising babies. 10 a.m. FREE! 706-3533373, www.fullbloomparent.com MEETINGS: Zen Discussion Group (Village Herb Shop) Weekly philoso-

Saturday, Mar. 7 continued from p. 21

phy/spirituality gathering in a nonsectarian, inclusive environment. 5 p.m. FREE! 706-254-6122 GAMES: APA Jr. Billiard Leagues (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Welcoming young billiard players aged 7-17 years old every Saturday! 11 a.m. 706-354-7829 GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Free every Saturday! 5 p.m. & 8 p.m. 706354-7829

Sunday 8 EVENTS: Athens Home and Garden Show (The Classic Center) Presented by the Athens Area Home Builders Association. See Mar. 7 Events. Mar. 7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mar. 8, 12–5 p.m. $5 (adults), $4 (seniors), $3 (ages 3–12), FREE! (ages 2 & under). 706-357-4444 EVENTS: Common Ground Community Supper (Common Ground) Supper and discussion of progressive politics and ideas. 7 p.m. www.commongroundathens.org EVENTS: Trot for Tots (Athens Regional Medical Center) Proceeds benefit local childcare program for homeless children. Tike Hike starts at 2 p.m.; 5K starts at 2:30 p.m. $20 (pre-registration), $25 (day of race). 706-769-6593, www.active.com ART: “A Quilt for All Seasons” (Oconee County Civic Center) Quilt show with more than 200 quilts crafted by the 100+ members of the Cotton Patch Quilters Guild. See Mar. 6 Art. Mar. 6–7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mar. 8, 12–4 p.m. $6 (adults), $3 (children). 706-549-1691, www. cpquilters.org THEATRE: To Kill a Mockingbird (Historic Elbert Theatre) The Elbert Theatre presents the stage version of Harper Lee’s classic novel. See Mar. 6 Theatre. Mar. 6–7, 8 p.m. Mar. 8, 2 p.m. $10 (advance), $15 (door). 706-283-1049, tking@cityofelberton.net* KIDSTUFF: Zoo Open Classroom (Memorial Park) Explore the Exhibit Hall and visit with salamanders, pond turtles, snakes and more. 1–4 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3616 GAMES: APA Pool Leagues (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Join anytime, any skill level! 1 p.m. 706-354-7829 GAMES: Full-Contact Trivia (Allen’s Bar & Grill) “The lord of all that is trivia,” Bobby Nettles, commutes from Duluth, GA to pick your brain. Sports-themed rules with diverse categories. 9 p.m. FREE! www. allensbarandgrill.com GAMES: Full-Contact Trivia (Amici Italian Café) Nettles starts out the

evening with a round of trivia here before heading over to Allen’s at 9 p.m. 6 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0000 GAMES: Legend of the Five Rings (Tyche’s Games) Samurai Edition Tournament. Promotional cards for all. 2 p.m. $1. 706-354-4500, www. tychesgames.com GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Free every Sunday! 2, 4, & 8 p.m. 706-3547829

Monday 9 KIDSTUFF: Bedtime Stories (ACC Library) Every Monday. 7 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 KIDSTUFF: Read to Rover (ACC Library) Beginning readers (grades 1-4) read aloud to an aid dog in training. Handlers always present. 3:30–4:30. FREE! 706-613-3650 GAMES: APA Billiards Leagues (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Join anytime, any skill level! 7 p.m. 706-354-7829 GAMES: General Trivia (Little Kings Shuffle Club) Get a team together and show off your extensive trivia knowledge every Monday! 8 p.m. www.myspace.com/littlekingsshuffleclub GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em (Fat Daddy’s) Every Monday and Wednesday. Mondays, 6 & 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 & 10 p.m. 706353-0241

Tuesday 10 EVENTS: Film Screening: Processed People (Earth Fare Café) Film features preeminent health experts discussing how fast medicine, fast food and fast lives have turned Americans into uninformed “processed people.” 7 p.m. FREE! 706-227-1717 OUTDOORS: Full Moon Canoe Ride (Sandy Creek Park) Paddle a canoe on Lake Chapman guided by the full moon. Participants may use one of the park’s canoes/kayaks or bring their own. Ages 12 & up. Must pre-register. Call for fee info. 9 p.m. 706-613-3631 KIDSTUFF: Movie Tuesday (Oconee County Library) Eat snacks and watch Journey to the Center of the Earth. Ages 11–18. 6–8 p.m. FREE! 706-769-3950 KIDSTUFF: Storytime (ACC Library) For ages 18 months to 5 years. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 LECTURES & LIT.: AfricanAmerican Authors Book Club (ACC Library—Small Conference Room) This month: Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks. Newcomers welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! 706-6133650

Thursday, March 5

Ben Kweller, The Watson Twins 40 Watt Club The former punkrock Texan returns to his roots both literally (trading in a New York City address for one in Austin) and artistically. Ben Kweller arrives home a husband, father and seasoned songwriter who undoubtedly still gets carded picking Ben Kweller up a sixer at the corner Stop-N-Go. Released in February, Changing Horses (ATO Records) showcases folk leanings and a Lone Star swagger Kweller only hinted at in past recorded efforts. So, has the genuinely charming, accidental hipster traded in his Chuck Taylors for cowboy boots? “No, no, I certainly haven’t. Gosh, I still wear Chucks all the time. They still coexist happily in my closet,” he reports with a chuckle. Now that closet is in a home with a driveway, so parking space and street cleaning anxieties have been laid to rest. “The quality of life has improved a million percent… I write songs outside again, instead of cramped up in my apartment,” shares Kweller while discussing the decision to raise his family in centralTexas hill-country and not the Big Apple. When Kweller says good night to the presumably (and hopefully) full house at the 40 Watt with a rousing crescendo, he’d be hard pressed to find a song in his catalog better suited for the last log on the fire than “Fight,” from Horses. The glorious fish-fry, tentrevival jam features a line men in Nashville might consider swapping a soul for: “I’m like my grandma, short, but I stand tall/ Playing every card that’s dealt to me/ You know, some days are aces/ Some days are faces/ And some days are twos and threes.” The chorus mentions the Lord (positively), so Flagpole began a probing spiritual inquiry. “All paths lead up the same mountain,” opines Kweller, “and as long as you’re a good person, good things will happen to you.” Right on. [David Eduardo]

GAMES: APA 8-Ball Tournament (Fat Daddy’s) Tuesdays. 7 p.m. 706353-0241 GAMES: Beginner’s Pool School (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Learn the basics, every Tuesday! 7 p.m. 706354-7829 GAMES: Cornhole League (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Every Tuesday! 7 p.m. 706-354-7829 GAMES: Drunken Bingo (283 Bar) Great prizes and fun all night long. 10 p.m. FREE! 706-208-1283 GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em (Alibi) Every Tuesday. 8 p.m. 706-549-1010

Wednesday 11 KIDSTUFF: Spanish Storytime (ACC Library) Led by UGA student volunteers from the Department of Language and Literacy Education. 5 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 KIDSTUFF: Storytime (ACC Library) For ages 18 months to 5 years. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. FREE! 706-613-3650

MEETINGS: Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia (Buffalo’s Southwest Café) The first meeting hosted by Mental Health America of Northeast GA. Tracy Tarbutton presents a report on the Treatment and Accountability Court. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Registration requested. 7 p.m. FREE! 706-5497888, office@fightthestigma.com GAMES: Athens Dart League (Lucky Dawg Billiards) Every Wednesday! 8 p.m. 706-354-7829 GAMES: Stan’s Famous Trivia Nite (Alibi) Every Wednesday. 8–10 p.m. FREE! 706-549-1010 GAMES: Texas Hold ‘Em (Fat Daddy’s) Every Monday and Wednesday. Mondays, 6 & 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 & 10 p.m. 706353-0241 GAMES: Trivia (Willy’s Mexicana Grill) Play for prizes every Wednesday. 8–10 p.m. FREE! 706548-1920 * Advance Tickets Available

SHOP YOUR

ATFFH! O

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

Down the Line PERFORMANCE: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 3/15 (UGA Hodgson Hall) Guest conductor Nicola Luisotti leads the Grammywinning ASO featuring pianist Horacio Gutiérrez. 3 p.m. $37–$42. www.uga.edu/pac* EVENTS: Empty Bowl Luncheon 3/18 (The Classic Center) Benefit hosted by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to raise awareness about hunger. Tickets include soup, a sandwich and a bowl handcrafted by the potters at Good Dirt. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. $15. www. foodbanknega.org, www.classiccenter.com* EVENTS: Robert Osborne Classic Film Festival (The Classic Center) Osborne and special guest Fred Willard host four days of classic films and post-screening discussions. Mar. 19–22. Festival pass: $60, $45 (students). www.robertos-

THINK LOCAL FIRST

ALL YEAR LONG!

ENCOURAGING (FLAGPOLE’S WAY OF DEPENDENT YOU TO BUY FROM IN ES) LOCAL BUSINESS

bornefilmfestival.com, www.classiccenter.com EVENTS: An Evening in the Garden 3/20 (State Botanical Garden) Wine tasting and art auction to benefit Athens Area Humane Society. 7 p.m. 706-353-2287, www. athenshumanesociety.org THEATRE: Macbeth (Morton Theatre) Presented by Rose of Athens Theatre. Mar. 27, 8 p.m. Mar. 28, 2 & 8 p.m. $15 (adults), $10 (ages 25 & under). 706-613-3771, www.roseofathens.org PERFORMANCE: Academy of Ancient Music 3/28 (UGA Hodgson Hall) Music director Richard Egarr leads the orchestra in a program of the six Brandenburg Concertos by J.S. Bach. 8 p.m. $34–$39. www.uga.edu/pac* EVENTS: Fluke Mini-Comics Festival 4/4 (Tasty World) Annual mini-comic festival organized by Athens-area comic artists, underground publishers and their enthusiasts. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. $5. www. flukeathens.com EVENTS: Folklife in Georgia Festival 4/4 (Downtown Danielsville) Festival celebrating the traditional music, dance and handiwork of rural Georgia. 1–9 p.m. FREE! 706-795-3223 * Advance Tickets Available

Live Music Tuesday 3 Caledonia Lounge 10 p.m. $5 (21+), $7 (18+). www.caledonialounge.com BEFORE THE SOLSTICE Heavy alt-rock trio whose weight lies on its social and political views. THE HUMMS Local acts plays what’s been described as “Happy Hippie Horror Rock.” Imagine the sunny side of ‘60s garage rock tainted lyrically by mischievousness and a quirky flirtation with evil. INNER CITY SURFERS CanadianAmericana quartet plays podunkpunk for partying. KILROY Vocalist/guitarists Mike Perkins and Keven Gilbert, bassist Shannon Rupp and drummer Brent Grimes play country-tinged rock that’s received comparisons ranging from Neil Young to Galaxie 500. Two new EPs on the way! Farm 255 10 p.m. FREE! www.farm255.com DAN NETTLES The guitarist in local jazz band Kenosha Kid. Fat Daddy’s 10 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 KARAOKE Every Tuesday, hosted by Lynn. Flicker Theatre & Bar 10 p.m. $5. www.myspace.com/ flickerbar FISH SCHTICKS Local riot grrrl act featuring Blake Tabb from Gemini Cricket. Georgia Theatre 10 p.m. $10. www.georgiatheatre.com BROCK BUTLER & VALUE REGRET POOP The frontman of the local group Perpetual Groove is joined onstage by his PG bandmates to back his solo material. Cuts from the band’s LiveLoveDie should also be expected. The Melting Point 7 p.m. $3. www.meltingpointathens. com THE CAN’T HARDLY PLAYBOYS Funky Louisiana trio of multi-instru-

mentalists offer a psych-jazz spin on the familiar jam band formula. Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net DAFFODIL Trio Daffodil—Derek Wiggs, Zack Kennedy and Max Talkovich—plays fuzzed-out, early’90s sounding heavy rock and roll. DUE PANIC Soulful alt-rock quartet from NC, like a rough draft of an American Radiohead or Muse. GREY MILK New to Athens, this edgy folk rock outfit recently relocated to the Classic City from New England.

2008/09 COMEDY SERIES

THE CLASSIC CENTER THEATRE PRESENTS

PAULA POUNDSTONE

Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 9:00 p.m. | Tickets $10 - $40

Appearing on stage with a stool, a microphone and a can of diet soda, Paula Poundstone is a keen observer of politics and society. Known for her razor-sharp wit and spontaneity, she’s famous for delivering smart comedy that leaves her audience in hysterics.

Wednesday 4 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. $10. www.40watt.com* BLITZEN TRAPPER This folky Portland sextet’s sophomore record Furr (Sub Pop) landed on almost every critic’s top list of 2008 records— including ours. Blitzen Trapper has focused its brand of Byrds/ Neil Young-inspired Americana to create heartfelt, clean melodies that occassionally buzz with delicate psychedelia. ALELA DIANE Celebrated West Coast folk singer who released her sophomore full-length, To Be Still, on Feb. 17. FUTUREBIRDS Local folk-rock collective with a tattered, raspy edge. Caledonia Lounge 10 p.m. $5 (21+), $7 (18+). www.caledonialounge.com ELECTA VILLAIN A high energy set featuring new material performed by the lineup of C.K. Koch, Justin Allmet and Jay Murphy. HOWLIES Buzz band from Atlanta, fromerly Moresight, devours ‘60s garage, ATL crunk and doo-wop on the new record produced by legendary ‘60s acid-punk maestro Kim Fowley. See record review on p. 15. KITE TO THE MOON Timi Conley (Aqualove, Fuzzy Sprouts, etc.) heads up outfit Kite to the Moon, handling vocals and guitar for the noisy pop cacophony. Expect a dizzying array of visual stimulation to accompany the set—from video projections to ladies in tiger suits and other quirky costuming. TODAY THE MOON, TOMORROW THE SUN Endearing electro-rock from Atlanta featuring sweet and strong female vocals.

THIS PRODUCTION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF:

BUY YOUR

TICKETS NOW! Call, click or stop by:

706.357.4444 | 800.864.4160 | www.ClassicCenter.com 300 N. Thomas St. | Downtown Athens, GA 30601

WUGA C the lassic

91.7

97.9fm

Fat Daddy’s 10 p.m.—1 a.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 OPEN MIC Every Wednesday. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8:30 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ flickerbar STONE IRVIN No info available. THE NOBLE THIEVES Local folkrock duo gets it done with just guitar, banjo, vocals and homemade instruments. PHOLKSINGER JOSH The sound of Pholksinger Josh is described as “gangsta folk,” incorporating a combination of folk, country, blues, hip-hop and spoken word. Georgia Theatre 9 p.m. $7. www.georgiatheatre.com THE CORDUROY ROAD Kentuckybred, locally based, foot-stomping duo playing non-traditional folk with a banjo and guitar. TRAMPLED BY TURTLES Minnesota bluegrass quartet. Go Bar 10 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ gobar LEFTMORE Proficient acoustic duo from Colorado like an irreverent, snarky Avett Brothers. k continued on next page

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

THE CALENDAR! THE PACHISI CHAMPION Acoustic indie rock from Colorado with a subtle, electronic flirtation. STEVEN TRIMMER Acoustic psychfolk from longtime Athenian and co-founder of the AUX festival. Harry Bissett’s Bayou Grill 6 p.m. 706-552-1193 NAPOLEAN SOLO The multitasking one-man rock band who handles it all. Little Kings Shuffle Club 10 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ littlekingsshuffleclub FLASH TO BANG TIME Local new wave trio finds a marriage between fun and somber. ROMANENKO Local band influenced by everything from folk standards and classic country to riot grrrl and ‘70s pop, Romanenko has been compared to everyone from Elliott Smith and Paul Simon to Liz Phair and Luscious Jackson. THE VINYL STRANGERS Timelessly charming classic-sounding pop rock reminiscent of early Beatles and Byrds. The Melting Point 8 p.m. $5. www.meltingpointathens. com SWINGIN’ HARPOON BLUES BAND This new, award-winning collaboration of veteran blues musicians will have the audience “moving, groovin’ and jammin’!” Rye Bar 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/ryebarathens EMMA JEAN Solo project from local folk songstress Emily Armond (Sea of Dogs). FAVORITE COUSIN New collaboration between Christopher Ingham of Christopher’s Liver and Elizabeth Hargrett of My Unborn Children. He plays the ukulele, she plays a tiny Casio keyboard and they both sing lots of delicate harmonies. Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net DR. SQUID Jangly, frenetic rock and roll, at its best when emphasizing its British Invasion sounds. MERCURY VEIL Formerly known as The Children of Desolation, local band Mercury Veil plays emotional alternative rock with crunchy guitar riffs, male/female vocals and an obvious affinity for bands like Tool and Smashing Pumpkins. Tasty Bar. 10:30 p.m. FREE! www. tastyworld.net DJ PHILIP RICH House music every Wednesday!

Thursday 5 40 Watt Club 8 p.m. $16. www.40watt.com* BEN KWELLER Popular singer-songwriter from Texas on tour to support his sixth LP, Changing Horses, which sees Kweller’s quirky, sweet tunes go from pop-rock to country. See Calendar Pick on p. 22. THE WATSON TWINS Identical L.A. twins Chandra and Leigh Watson offer an elegant brand of pop-folk and alt-country. The duo is widely known for its collaboration with Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis. Alibi 9 p.m.–1 a.m. FREE! 706-549-1010 “STAN’S ALMOST FAMOUS KARAOKE” Karaoke lady Lynn is your energetic host for the night. Every Thursday.

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Wednesday, Mar. 4 continued from p. 23

Caledonia Lounge 10 p.m. $5 (21+), $7 (18+). www.caledonialounge.com CRUMBLING ARCHES Theatrical, over-the-top melodic rock from Atlanta with a strong rhythm section and classic rock vocals. DEATH ON TWO WHEELS Blistering classic rock from Atlanta with fierce lead guitar, gravelly soulful vocals and catchy choruses. ROSEWOOD THIEVES Dark yet charming melodies sway under lustrous vocals. See record review on p. 15. Farm 255 10 p.m. FREE! www.farm255.com DARK DARK DARK A whirring audio-cyclone of colors and costumes and instruments and celebration. Or, a four-piece cabaret, featuring accordion, banjo, cello, upright bass and three-part vocal harmonies. HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF New Orleans folk act featuring looming banjo-blues and toy-instrument laments built for improvisation and guest appearances. SEA OF DOGS Emily Armond (exTitans of Filth/Dark Meat) has turned her solo project into a full band, joined by Kate Mitchell, Kelsey Brooks, Page Campbell, Maryn Vance and Meghan Morris. The talented ladies perform disarmingly honest, eclectic folk songs. Fat Daddy’s 8 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 NATHAN SHEPPARD The local acoustic guitarist-harmonicist is known for his emotive singing style and his modern reworkings of classic tunes, from Dylan and Neil Young to Van Morrison. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8:30 p.m. $5. www.myspace.com/ flickerbar RAND LINES TRIO Jazz standards and originals from this trio led by Rand Lines, who also played in nowdefunct pop group Freeze Tag. He’s backed by bassist Jason Cheek and drummer Dennis Baraw. Go Bar 10 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ gobar “DR. FRED’S KARAOKE” Hosted by karaoke fanatic John “Dr. Fred” Bowers, every Thursday. FISH SCHTICKS Local riot grrrl act featuring Blake Tabb from Gemini Cricket. STOLEN MINKS Trashy, lo-fi garage punk from Canada that’s fast, funny and feminine. TUNABUNNY Experimental local act featuring hazy and warped experimental psychedelia. Dual female guitarists/vocalists are backed by synthesized percussion and a wall of noise. Little Kings Shuffle Club 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/littlekingsshuffleclub THE BLOOM COUNTY BRAWL No information available. THE HEATHENS Y’all-ternative rock from seasoned local folk musicians: singer-songwriter Micahel Eudy (ex-One Big Eye), drummer Bob Fernandez (The Plague, ex-Star Room Boys), and bassist-vocalist Robert Kelleher (Dime Bag). The Melting Point 8 p.m. $13. www.meltingpointathens. com* TIM REYNOLDS AND TR3 Famed Dave Matthews collaborator and guitarist performs his solo, bluesrock material.

No Where Bar 10 p.m. 706-546-4742 MAMA’S LOVE Young, funky jam band from right here in Athens. The band’s slogan says it all: “bringin’ it back to the roots while goin’ beyond the bounds.” Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net DO IT TO JULIA Light folk rock from North Carolina with a bright, romantic croon, like a bridled Fall Out Boy. LOW END HONEY Local six-piece Southern rock band. Terrapin Beer Co. 5:30 p.m. www.terrapinbeer.com SOUL HOUND Californian collective plays rock informed by equal parts blues and whiskey.

Friday 6 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. $6. www.40watt.com* CORNMEAL Progressive bluegrass from Chicago featuring a high-energy mix of rock, blues, jazz and funk. DICTATORTOTS These longtime Athenian chaos cultivators stomp about and trash the night with their beery post-grunge grooves. Alibi 9 p.m. $5. 706-549-1010 OMEGA RISING The latest line-up of this local hard rock outfit features Greville Hardman, Edward Hardman, Drew Mize and Corey Riley. Omega Rising plays alternative-sounding rock informed by metal. PROJECT MAYHEM Atlanta aggrothrash with an affinity for violence. Allen’s Bar & Grill 9:30 p.m. FREE! www.allensbarandgrill. com THE BIG DADDYS Clarence Young (Rack of Spam, The Jesters) teams up with Bill Pappas, Kenny Head (The Georgia Satellites), Tim Pritchett and Chris Hillsman to turn out good-time Southern rock tunes. Caledonia Lounge 10 p.m. $5 (21+), $7 (18+). www.caledonialounge.com MANSFIELD No info available. THE STARTER KITS Multiinstrumentalist Mikey Dwyer fronts this band sounding a bit like a Southern Elvis Costello with a slight punk snarl. He’s joined by bassist Jamie Coulter (The Help) and drummer Chris Ellenburg (Tony Tidwell). Celebrating the release of Backsliding Baby tonight! See p. 15 for review. STILL, SMALL VOICE AND THE JOYFUL NOISE A revolving lineup of family and friends pounding out garage-rock spirituals. VULTURE WHALE Raw, thoughtful alt-country from Birmingham. See Calendar Pick on p. 26. Farm 255 10 p.m. FREE! www.farm255.com KEN WILL MORTON Engaging local songwriter performs tonight as part of a duo with Andrew Vickery on harmonies, dobro, mandolin and acoustic guitar. Fat Daddy’s 9 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 ELECTRIK EELZ Veteran Athens musicians Wade Hester, Chris Hampton and Matt Donaldson play party rock, pop, funk and blue-eyed soul classics with a lot of surprises thrown in. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8:30 p.m. $5. www.myspace.com/ flickerbar GEMINI CRICKET Local quartet Gemini Cricket plays adorably hand-

hewn bedroom pop that’s likably comfy and sprinkled with kazoo and accordion. HORSE PARTY Almost-epic Casio pop with a self-described “melodramatic” tendency. LITTLE FRANCIS Steven Grubbs plays songs backed by Jesse Thompson, Jordan Noel and Brian Connell, sounding like rowdy, anthemic folk music mixed with early’50s rock and roll. Georgia Theatre 9 p.m. $10. www.georgiatheatre.com DEAF JUDGES Consisting of three MCs and one DJ, the Deaf Judges focus on an energetic live show backed by beats that utilize elements of world music and old school funk and soul, and lyrics influenced by the modern underground as well as the classic New York style of hip-hop. SHITTY CANDY AND THE CIRCUS PEANUTS Local femme punk crew Shitty Candy “throws some bitch punk in your face.” The Circus Peanuts are the crew of backup dancers costumed in quirky burlesque-like attire. Go Bar 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/gobar SPORTS! Paint a heart on your cheek, lace up your dunks and get ready to get down! This formidable new DJ duo features local designers Kim Kirby and Winston Parker spinning a hyperactive set of sounds better

Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net THE GREAT BIG NO! Largely instrumental Alabama quartet plays spacey grooves with a tendency to jam. It’s Dispatch playing Squarepusher. THE INCREDIBLE SANDWICH Athens-based instrumental jam band with some tropical leanings. Recently signed with local label Mule Train Records. Tasty Bar. 10 p.m. www.tastyworld.net DJ KILLACUT Local deejay Killacut is the guy manning the wheels of steel for many of Athens’ hip-hop showcases, and his style focuses on oldschool spinning and beat matching while incorporating newer sounds. Terrapin Beer Co. 5:30 p.m. www.terrapinbeer.com HILLS ROLLING DIY psychedelic pop-rock from Atlanta singer-songwriter Trey McGriff. WUGA 91.7 FM 4 p.m. FREE! www.wuga.org “IT’S FRIDAY!” Jazzchronic and Half Dozen Brass Band will perform on the local radio station’s weekly program.

Saturday 7 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. $7 (21+), $9 (18+). www.40watt. com THE MUSIC TAPES Julian Koster revived his Music Tapes project last

the name is probably taken from the song “The Tourist.” Sound-wise, though, Idiot Slowdown has more in common with the alternative rock found on Pablo Honey. RADIOLUCENT Somewhere between bluesy Southern rock and the poppier side of alt-country. THIEVES AND PASTORS Local indie shoegaze akin to A. Armada. Farm 255 10 p.m. $5. www.farm255.com JAMBANG One of many projects helmed by Black Flag’s Greg Ginn, this is the audio/visual experience that offers a hybrid of electronic and organic instrumentation, filtered through the spirit of a jam band. See feature on p. 17. LOADBLOWER More psychedelic tangents to the Dark Meat family circle, featuring Jim McHugh, Andrew Reiger, Matty McDermott of NY psych band Nymph, and assorted Meat members. The band will improvise their way through “gnarly, guitar-centric heavymetal psychskree, formed in honor of visiting guitar-hero Greg Ginn.” THE TEXAS CORRUGATORS A slew of swingin’ twang and intentional country cliché, this is Greg Ginn’s instrumental honky-tonk/jazz offshoot. Fat Daddy’s 9 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 DAVID HERNDON Local Christian indie-folk artist and novelist released

Atlanta’s Death on Two Wheels will play the Caledonia Lounge on Thursday, Mar. 5.

Mercury Lounge 8 p.m. FREE! www.mercuryathens.com LOUIS ROMANOS TRIO Local jazz band lends to Mercury’s ongoing live jazz series.

Allen’s Bar & Grill 9:30 p.m. FREE! www.allensbarandgrill. com THE RATTLERS This four-piece Southern rock band continues to build an impressive local following as its sound has evolved from straight blues to edgier rock. Blazing guitar solos call to mind acts like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Bonamassa.

Rye Bar 10 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ ryebarathens FASCINATION An ‘80s dance party with DJ Gregory!

Caledonia Lounge 10 p.m. $5 (21+), $7 (18+). www.caledonialounge.com IDIOT SLOWDOWN The band names Radiohead as a key influence, so

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8:30 p.m. $5. www.myspace.com/ flickerbar SHAUNA GREESON Also currently a member of The Ones and Hola Halo, Greeson performs solo on acoustic guitar and piano. LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE Rufus Wainwright’s sister plays polite acoustic lullabies. Georgia Theatre 10 p.m. $5. www.georgiatheatre.com HOLMAN AUTRY BAND Fans of Southern rock icons like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers will love this rowdy rock and roll. Go Bar 10 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ gobar ANONYMI Gypsy hotstep DJs from the U.K. DEAF JUDGES Local hip-hop quartet jettisons their signature lyrical flow to DJ tonight’s dancefloor mayhem. MONKEYS ON LAPTOPS Members of the eccletic electronic collective, winners of Flagpole’s Best Electronic Act 2005-6, return to the Athens stage with MCs and special guests. ADAM OHM Live dubstep. MC PRODUCEMAN Local, foodthemed MC seeks to “educate whack MCs” with superhuman flows gained from “radioactive broccoli.”

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The Melting Point 8 p.m. $10 (adv), $15 (door). www. meltingpointathens.com* STEADY ROLLIN’ BOB MARGOLIN Celebrated guitarist-vocalist, and former Muddy Waters collaborator, champions the old-school Chicago blues style.

Alibi 9 p.m. $10. 706-549-1010 T. GRAHAM BROWN Classic country artist and corporate jinglesmith, also known as “His T-Ness.”

his debut EP Into Danger/Out of Rescue last year, with an eponymous book to accompany it.

Little Kings Shuffle Club 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/littlekingsshuffleclub CHRISTOPHER WITHOUT HIS LIVER Christopher Ingham (Christopher’s Liver, ex-Heroic Livers) performs solo. THE DOPPEL GANG This off-kilter semi-local group has a distant, dusky garage rock feel—like a cleaner Gun Club or dirtier Howlies. TENDABERRY After a welcome debut during PopFest in 2008, Tendaberry returns to Athens with its funky, soulful post-punk. Think Rick James sitting in with Gang of Four.

year at PopFest with a now legendary finale featuring a procession of kazoo-buzzing audience members parading out of the venue. The former Neutral Milk Hotel multiinstrumentalist offers an array of quirky experimentations anchored in psychedelic pop. NANA GRIZOL Punk band from here in town that plays songs about shooting stars, fancy cars and red guitars. Expect more new jams tonight! SCOTT E. SPILLANE EXP. New project featuring the titular former member of E6’s The Gerbils and Neutral Milk Hotel.

suited to jumpstart a Lamborghini than revive the nostalgic/ironic tunes of days not yet passed.

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MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

THE CALENDAR! TWIN POWERS Dan Geller (Kindercore Records, Ruby Isle, etc.) has an affinity for spinning danceable new wave and Britpop tunes, as well as contemporary electro-rock dance stuff. Little Kings Shuffle Club 10 p.m. FREE! www.myspace.com/ littlekingsshuffleclub CELERITY Punk-inspired hard rock. DUSTY LIGHTSWITCH Eccentric poetries, bright vocal harmonies and sporadic tap dancing will make all the kids dance. REEKS OF FAILURE Three-piece punk band that takes its cues from bands like Bad Religion, Jawbreaker, Minor Threat, The Descendants and Face to Face. The Melting Point 8 p.m. $5 (adv), $8 (door). www.meltingpointathens.com CLAYTON THOMAS LEVERETT AND FRIENDS One of this town’s finest country frontmen, Leverett has led both The Chasers and Lona. COUNTRY CLOVER Classic blues featuring Frank Mason. Tonight’s performance will be a tribute to Charlie Pride. DAVE MARR BAND The Star Room Boys frontman plays his solo honkytonk material. Rye Bar 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/ryebarathens SOULWELL Classic rock from Atlanta not unlike Van Halen or Jeff Buckley, but with a modern alt-rock approach. Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net IT’S ELEPHANT’S Big, soulful, blues vocals screech over edgy and erratic rock from this Atlanta group. MAGNOLIA SONS Formerly known as Tuesday’s Debut, Magnolia Sons play a hybrid of clean stadium rock, Americana and alt-country rock. MASS SOLO REVOLT Noisy, angular post-punk based here in town. Terrapin Beer Co. 5:30 p.m. www.terrapinbeer.com DIXIE MAFIA Local rock cover band.

Sunday 8 Farm 255 10 p.m. FREE! www.farm255.com ILL EASE Elizabeth Sharp’s onewoman band makes seductive, lo-fi indie grooves. MAXIMUM BUSY MUSCLE Local metal duo featuring Jay Roach on guitar and Mary Joyce on drums.

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Lucky Dawg Billiards 8 p.m. 706-354-7829 LUCKY DAWG KARAOKE Every Sunday!

Monday 9 283 Bar 9 p.m.–2 a.m. FREE! 706-208-1283 “HEAVY METAL MONDAY” With Joel aka “DevilNECK” behind the bar, and your favorite rockers on the sound system. Tonight you are in control! Bring your iPod with a 15 minute playlist of your favorite metal tunes for your chance to DJ a set! Fat Daddy’s 8 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 NATHAN SHEPPARD The local acoustic guitarist-harmonicist is known for his emotive singing style and his modern reworkings of classic tunes, from Dylan and Neil Young to Van Morrison. Go Bar 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/gobar GET SAD Semi-local sludge-rock outfit featuring Helen Rhinehart of Chrissakes. HOAKS No info available. The Melting Point 8-10 p.m. FREE! www.meltingpointathens.com THE HOOT Presented by the Athens Folk Music & Dance Society. This month: gypsy-inspired violin & guitar originals from Asheville duo The StereoFidelics, rock-a-billy girl Jenny Jumpstart, and some old time hootenanny music from The Jumpin’ Jesus Christers. Susan Staley opens and hosts the evening.

Tuesday 10 Caledonia Lounge 10 p.m. $5 (21+), $7 (18+). www.caledonialounge.com DUSTY LIGHTSWITCH Eccentric poetries, bright vocal harmonies and sporadic tap dancing will make all the kids dance. LAMINATED CAT Local psychedelic pop band fluent in the absurd and eccentric. ROMANENKO Local band influenced by everything from folk standards and classic country to riot grrrl and ‘70s pop, Romanenko has been compared to everyone from Elliott Smith and Paul Simon to Liz Phair and Luscious Jackson. SLOW CLAW Straightforward, non-pretentious, very listenable

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

rock from Ohio. Formed only a few months ago, the band recently released its debut, Grandfather Clocks. Farm 255 10 p.m. FREE! www.farm255.com CARL LINDBERG Jazz bassist Carl Lindberg (Grogus, Squat, Kenosha Kid, etc.) performs standards, originals and some surprising tunes from divergent styles. Fat Daddy’s 10 p.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 KARAOKE Every Tuesday, hosted by Lynn. The Melting Point 7 p.m. $3. www.meltingpointathens. com BUCK & NELSON This dynamic rootsy duo has been strumming “mountain music” since the mid1970s. They play acoustic guitars using both flatpick and fingerstyle techniques, often adding in mandolin, fiddle, banjos, harmonica and washboard. Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net SALT TO BITTERS North Carolina acoustic folk-punk, bubbling with aggression but never losing control. WESTERN CIV This Chapel Hill band offers wiry, post-punk guitars under dark, brooding melodies.

Wednesday 11 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. $8. www.40watt.com* SAM AMIDON Quirky multi-instrumentalist plays breezy folk in the style of Nick Drake or Nico. ANATHALLO Flittering, vocal-driven art-pop ensemble from Chicago that recently released its second fulllength, Canopy Glow. Fat Daddy’s 10 p.m.—1 a.m. FREE! 706-353-0241 OPEN MIC Every Wednesday. Harry Bissett’s Bayou Grill 6 p.m. FREE! 706-552-1193 KIP JONES Many of Jones’ tunes split between the reflective acoustic territory of Harvest-era Neil Young and the country-infused rock of ‘80s-era Steve Earle. The Melting Point 8 p.m. $5. www.meltingpointathens. com THE BIG DON BAND Real Southern rock featuring vocals with lots of soulful drawl backed by smooth, bluesy guitars. Lynyrd Skynyrd would approve. The new lineup features Big Don Spurlin (guitar), Brian

Friday, March 6

The Starter Kits, Vulture Whale Caledonia Lounge Like the Mud Shark and the Rock Lobster before it, Vulture Whale is quickly making a name for itself in rock’s rich taxonomy. The group hails from Birmingham, AL, and in early 2009 released its sophomore, self-titled Vulture Whale album on Skybucket Records. However, the band’s roots stretch farther back than its relative paucity of released material might suggest. In fact, the members of Vulture Whale have played together in one form or another for several years now, and their chemistry is immediately apparent on both their debut record and Vulture Whale. Vulture Whale is a focused affair in which clever, plain-spoken and honest lyrics sit atop catchy melodies underscored by thumpy arrangements. The album’s centerpiece is “Sugar,” a track reminiscent of Pavement and Modest Mouse, and which was recently featured on Spin.com. Lyrically, Vulture Whale is a gem. The group’s lyricist and singer, Wes McDonald, issues wry and casual observations that are somehow both workaday and philosophical. “You look good for a woman your age,” he sings on one number. “I’ve ‘bout tried everything but dying and being quiet,” he claims on another. Musically the band channels classic ‘70s-era rock and roll, early ‘90s Britpop and mildly progressive stoner rock, all with infectious personality and adolescent energy. As its name might suggest, Vulture Whale is a musical amalgamation. Equal parts Grendel and Pegasus, the Vulture Whale dwells deep in the mythical Ocean of Rock where the Rolling Stones regularly ditch their behind-the-beat swagger for up-tempo and melodious rock numbers. Vulture Whale is the Saturday night record you’ve been waiting for, from a band you should have been rocking out to long ago. [John Seay]

Daniel (bass), Jeff Hargens (drums) and Jason Crowe (keys). Tasty World 10 p.m. $5. www.tastyworld.net THE PLAGUE In the 1980s, this punk band formed as one of the first of its kind in Athens. Members went on to play in bands like Sump and ****Volcanic, but in 2005 revitalized their rough and energetic creation. SO IT GOES Socially conscious punk rock band that infuses elements of Spanish rock, folk and ska. Tasty Bar. 10:30 p.m. FREE! www. tastyworld.net DJ PHILIP RICH House music every Wednesday! * Advance Tickets Available

Down the Line 3/12 The Beggar’s Guild / Edison / Bain Mattox (40 Watt Club) 3/12 Holy Liars / Mississippi John Doude (Caledonia Lounge)

3/12 Lord Jeff / We Vs. The Shark (Tasty World) 3/12 Erik Johnson (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/12 Andy McKee (The Melting Point)* 3/13 Creepy / Wovenhand (40 Watt Club)* 3/13 Hammerstrat (Alibi) 3/13 A. Armada / Gift Horse / Twin Tigers (Caledonia Lounge) 3/13 Live Jazz (Mercury Lounge) 3/13 Dark Meat / Everthus the Deadbeats / Grampall Jookabox (Rye Bar) 3/13 Defaux (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/13 Tab Benoit (The Melting Point) 3/13 “It’s Friday!” (WUGA 91.7 FM) 3/14 Maserati / Pride Parade / Vincas (40 Watt Club) 3/14 Ransom (Alibi) 3/14 Rollin’ Home (Allen’s Bar & Grill) 3/14 Son 1 & the Insurgents / Suburban Soul (Caledonia Lounge) 3/14 Air Waves / Quiet Hooves (Farm 255)

3/14 Palmetto State Quartet (Live Oak Martial Arts) 3/14 DayFall / Hold Cell / Omega Rising (Tasty World) 3/14 Nutria (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/14 Jason Crabb / The Hoppers / Palmetto State Quartet (The Classic Center) 3/14 The Hushpuppies (The Melting Point)* 3/15 Gay Africa / Mi Ami (Farm 255) 3/15 Heidi Hensley / Sonia Leigh (The Melting Point) 3/16 Nathan Sheppard (Fat Daddy’s) 3/16 The Dig (Go Bar) 3/16 Holly Golightly and the Broke-Off / Lord Jeff (Tasty World) 3/17 UGA Law School Talent Revue (40 Watt Club) 3/17 Kinetic Stereokids / Resident Patient / Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru (Caledonia Lounge) 3/17 David Gregory (Harry Bissett’s Bayou Grill) 3/17 Joker (Tasty World) 3/17 Donner Party (The Globe)

3/17 Green Flag / Short Road Home (The Melting Point)* 3/18 Eddie and the Public Speakers / Quarterlife Crisis / Wacko Mazoe (Tasty World) 3/18 Birds and Wire / Sister Suvi / Takka Takka (Caledonia Lounge) 3/18 Jay Memory (Harry Bissett’s Bayou Grill) 3/18 Blues Crossing (The Melting Point) 3/19 Backyard Tire Fire / Bloodkin (40 Watt Club) 3/19 Lazer/Wülf / Pastor of Muppets (Caledonia Lounge) 3/19 STS9 (Georgia Theatre) 3/19 Jazzchronic (No Where Bar) 3/19 Fly Brothers (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/20 Relay For Life Dance Party (40 Watt Club) 3/20 Albatross (Alibi) 3/20 Normaltown Flyers (Allen’s Bar & Grill) 3/20 Dropsonics / The Empties (Caledonia Lounge) 3/20 Suex Effect (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/20 Prazak Quartet (UGA Hodgson Hall) 3/21 Behind the Sun / El Scorcho (40 Watt Club) 3/21 Big Don Band (Alibi) 3/21 Elijah (Allen’s Bar & Grill) 3/21 APOB / Bastard Suns / Karbomb / So It Goes (Caledonia Lounge) 3/21 Without Pearls (Just Pho and More) 3/21 BreastFest (Taylor Grady House) 3/24 Larkin Grimm / Vetiver (40 Watt Club) 3/24 Cinemechanica / Medications / Edie Sedgwick (Caledonia Lounge) 3/24 Prizzy Prizzy Please (Tasty World) 3/24 The Suggins Brothers (The Melting Point) 3/25 Gene Ween Band (40 Watt Club)* 3/25 Rockin’ Jake (The Melting Point) 3/26 Appomattox / Dead Confederate / The Interns / Summerbirds in the Cellar (40 Watt Club) 3/26 The HEAP Deluxe P-Funk Cover Show / Snarky Puppy (Georgia Theatre) 3/26 Cassim and Barbaria / Midnight Peacocks / Poncho Magic / The Humms (Tasty World) 3/26 Dave Howard (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/26 Punch Brothers (UGA Hodgson Hall) 3/27 Acrylics / Chairlift / Yacht! (40 Watt Club)* 3/27 Live Well (Alibi) 3/27 The Arcs / The Jack Burton / Vincas (Caledonia Lounge) 3/27 BoomBox (Georgia Theatre) 3/27 Feeding Fingers / Misfortune 500 (Go Bar) 3/27 Royal Blue and the Stone Grifters (Terrapin Beer Co.) 3/27 Val Emmich / Sons of William (The Melting Point) 3/27 “It’s Friday!” (WUGA 91.7 FM) 3/28 Ponderosa / Butch Walker (40 Watt Club)* 3/28 James Hunter (Alibi) 3/28 Elijah (Allen’s Bar & Grill) 3/28 Ghostland Observatory (Georgia Theatre)* 3/28 March Metal Madness Fest (Tasty World) 3/28 The Gourds (The Melting Point) 3/29 Ari Hest / Tim Brantley w/ David Koon (The Melting Point) 3/30 Hammer No More The Fingers (Tasty World) 3/31 Iera / Misfortune 500 / Missile Miss All (Caledonia Lounge) 3/31 Emmit-Nershi Band (Georgia Theatre) 3/31 Jerkagram / Talibam (Tasty World)

3/31 Kort McCumber & McCumberland Gap (The Melting Point) 4/1 Chrissakes / Matt & Kim (40 Watt Club)* 4/1 Slightly Stoopid (Georgia Theatre)* 4/2 Heathens (Terrapin Beer Co.) 4/3 Rehab (Georgia Theatre) 4/4 Dark Meat / The Sammies / The Whigs (40 Watt Club)* 4/4 Hills Rolling (Allen’s Bar & Grill) 4/4 Pigs on the Wing (Georgia Theatre)* 4/4 Ancient Harmony / The Incredible Sandwich (Tasty World) 4/4 Reeks of Failure (Terrapin Beer Co.) 4/9 Hills Rolling (Terrapin Beer Co.) 4/10 Lefty Williams (Terrapin Beer Co.) 4/11 All That March / Kill Lebaron / Lazer/Wülf (40 Watt Club) 4/11 Nautilus (Georgia Theatre) 4/11 Op Ex / Tropical Breeze Steel Band (Terrapin Beer Co.) 4/14 Benjy Davis Project (Georgia Theatre) 4/16 Super Lucky Cat (Terrapin Beer Co.) 4/17 North Mississippi All-Stars (Georgia Theatre) 4/18 Brantley Gilbert (Georgia Theatre) 4/18 Dan Tyminski Band (The Melting Point) 4/21 Chica Libre / Dengue Fever (40 Watt Club)* 4/22 Audrey Sessions / Fun / Manchester Orchestra / Winston Audio (40 Watt Club)* 4/23 New Mastersounds (Georgia Theatre) 4/24 Dubconscious / Fuzzy Sprouts (Georgia Theatre) 4/24 Normaltown Flyers (The Melting Point) 4/25 Deaf Judges / The Dumps / Lazer/Wülf / Lee Harvey Oswald (Tasty World) 4/25 Jimmy Herring Band (The Melting Point) 4/28 Steve Kimock (Georgia Theatre) 4/28 Spring Creek (The Melting Point) 4/29 Peelander-Z (Tasty World) 4/29 Robert Randolph (Georgia Theatre) 4/29 The Deacon Brandon Reeves (The Melting Point) 5/7 Little Green Chairs (No Where Bar) 5/9 The Walkmen (40 Watt Club)* 5/15 AthFest CD Release Party (Tasty World)

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* Advance Tickets Available

In the ATL 3/5 Britney Spears / The Pussycat Dolls (Philips Arena)* 3/9 The Pogues (The Tabernacle)* 3/13 These Arms Are Snakes (Drunken Unicorn) 3/14 Elton John / Billy Joel (Fox Theatre)* 3/17 Razorlight (The Loft)* 3/24 All Shall Perish / Winds of Plague (The Masquerade) 3/24 Glasvegas / Ida Maria (The Loft)* 3/25 Phosphorescent (Drunken Unicorn) 3/25 The Queers (Lenny’s Bar)* 4/9 Lady Gaga (Center Stage)* 4/15 Katy Perry (Center Stage)* 4/21 John Scofield (Variety Playhouse) 4/22 Lamb of God / Children of Bodom (The Tabernacle) 4/27 The Kills / The Horrors (Lenny’s Bar)* 5/1 The Black Kids (The Loft)* * Advance Tickets Available

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

bulletin board DO SOMETHING; GET INVOLVED! Deadline for getting listed in Bulletin Board and Art Around Town is every THURSDAY at 12 p.m. Email calendar@flagpole.com. Listings are printed based on available space, more listings are online.

ART Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa (Downtown Athens) Now accepting applications for upcoming artists’ market. Deadline is Apr. 5. Also seeking musicians and volunteers, especially crafters interested in manning demo stations. www. athensindiecraftstravaganzaa.com Call for Entries (ATHICA) Seeking submissions for upcoming “Emerges III” (June 20–July 19). Deadline is Apr. 30. See site for instructions. www.athica.org/callforentries.php Call for Submissions (Gallery RFD) Seeking submissions for two upcoming exhibitions: “Seeking Solitude: Isolation in Art” (Mar. 26 deadline) and “Staged: The Constructed Photograph” (Apr. 23 deadline). www.galleryrfd@gmail. com, www.galleryrfd.org Seeking Artists (Village Herb Shop) Seeking local artists to display their work. Email slides to villageherbshop@gmail.com.

AUDITIONS Classic City Sounds (Athens Creative Theatre) Seeks singer/ songwriters under the age of 21 to audition for an upcoming show hosted by a local recording artist. Submit CDs, website and photo to ACT, attention T.A. Powell, 293 Gran Ellen Drive. 706-714-6516

CLASSES “The Anatomy of a Novel” (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation) Writing workshop led by Terry Kay. Fundamental writing techniques—

including outlining, rhythm, character development and self-editing— will be emphasized. Space is limited; advance registration recommended. Mar. 21 & 22. $100. 706-769-4565, info@ocaf.com Art Classes (Ciné Barcafé) Now registering for six-week drawing and painting classes that meet Sunday afternoons starting Mar. 29. bhstrauch@yahoo.com, www. athenscine.com Athens Tai Chi (St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church) Offering traditional Yang style tai chi chuan. All levels welcome. Thursdays, 6 p.m. $10. 706-353-2749 AWC Classes (Athens Wellness Cooperative) Yoga, Pilates, tai chi and salsa classes for adults and older teens. Full schedule online. Also offering community acupuncture sessions Wednesdays–Fridays from 1–5 p.m. $14 drop-in, $60/6 classes, $108/12 classes. 706-3698855, www.wellnesscooperative.com Birding by Ear (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Course focuses on techniques to identify birds based on the songs they sing. Registration required. Mar. 14, 8-11 a.m. $23. 706-542-6156, www.uga.edu/ botgarden Business Classes (UGA Small Business Center) “Starting Your Own Business” (Mar. 5) and “Writing an Effective Business Plan” (Mar. 12). Register online. 6–9 p.m. $69. 706542-7436, www.georgiasbdc.org Clay Classes (Good Dirt) Now registering for spring clay classes. Schedule online. Also offering weekly “Try Clay” class every Friday from 7–9 p.m. “Family Try Clay” every Sunday from 2–4 p.m. $20/person. 706-355-3161, www.gooddirt.net Computer Classes (ACC Library) “Introduction to the Internet” (Mar. 5, 7–8:30 p.m.)

and “Advanced Internet and Safety Skills” (Mar. 12, 10–11:30 a.m.) In the Educational Technology Center. Call to register. FREE! 706-613-3650 Contra Dance (Memorial Park) Old-time contra dance presented by the Athens Folk Music & Dance Society with live music and calling. No experience necessary. FREE! lesson at 7:30 p.m. Mar. 21, 8–11 p.m. $7 (18+), FREE! (ages 17 & under). www.athensfolk.org Cooking Class (Maison Bleu) Call to register. Mar. 10, 6 p.m. $15, $20 (including wine). 706-769-6480, www.maison-bleu.com Cooking Class: Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day Foods (Earth Fare Café) Led by Chef Michael Perkins. Call to reserve a spot. Mar. 11, 6 p.m. FREE! 706-227-1717 Craft Classes (Native America Gallery) Offerings include “Intro to Beading,” “Intro to Wire Wrapping,” and “Create Your Own Dream Catcher.” $25–$35. 706-543-8425 Dance Club (Village Herb Shop) Learn a new dance from around the world each week. Thursdays, 7:15 p.m. Donations. 706-540-1689 Dog Agility Classes (Lucky Dog Agility—Winterville) Introductory Dog Agility class starts Mar. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Dog Sports Foundation class starts Mar. 16 at 5:30 p.m. luckydogagility@alltel.net, www. luckydogagility.com Full Bloom Center Classes (Full Bloom Center) Courses include Breastfeeding, Preparation for Birth, Mama-Baby Yoga and Prenatal Yoga. Full schedule online. $14/ drop-in, $60/6 classes. 706-3533373, www.fullbloomparent.com Gardening 101 (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Learn the basics of home gardening. Registration required. Mar. 16, 6–8 p.m. $12. 706542-6156, www.uga.edu/botgarden

No, he’s not winking at you—sadly he probably has inverted eyelashes that are bothering him. He’s a Sharpei mix 45 Beaverdam Rd. • 706-613-3540 (with Shepherd) and they are prone to I’m afraid he was Almost full-grown English this. Two Golden Retriever/Labrador pointer is such a jovial abandoned because he mix sisters are gorgeous, fluffy fella. He’s mostly white might need an operation little girls. Miss Not-As-Fluffy is with a reddish eye patch, to fix his eyelid, but he’s Oh-so-sweet a wonderfully goodthe humbler of the two and Miss ears and specks. Very little Retriever natured dog. Great Super-Fluffy is actually the sweet. mix pup is all looking, too. Can smaller, but she looks bigger alone in this big with all that fuzziness. These someone help? world. Friendly, girls LOVE people and are pretty springy little girl mellow for their age. looking for love.

ACC ANIMAL CONTROL

27771

From Jan. 19 to Jan. 25

27803

27802

27794

ACC ANIMAL ATHENS AREA HUMANE SOCIETY CONTROL 11 Total Cats Received

25 Dogs Received 25 Dogs Placed! Wow!

10 Cats Placed 0 Adoptable Cats Euthanized

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

27801 more available dogs can be seen online at

athenspets.net

Brittny Teree Smith’s photographs are on display at Pauley’s Original Crepe Bar. Getting Started with Genealogy (ACC Library) Monthly informal class to walk you through the basics of researching family history. Bring a pencil and paper. In Heritage Room. Mar. 19, 2–4:30 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 Grant Writing Workshop (Common Ground) Step-by-step course on how to write a proposal for funding. Register online. Mar. 17, 6–7:30 p.m. $20. www.commongroundathens.org Homebuyer Education Workshop (El Banco de la Oportunidad—995 Hawthorne Avenue) Athens Land Trust offers a two-day workshop to prepare prospective buyers for homeownership success. Space is limited, registration encouraged. Mar. 6, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE! 706-613-0122 Hoopdance Workshops (Canopy Studio) Learn basic hoopdance moves in a series of three workshops. Space is limited; signup to reserve spot. Mar. 8, 15 & 22,

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. $25/workshop, $60/all 3 sessions. 706-549-8501, www.canopystudio.com Mindfulness Meditation Group (Healing Arts Centre) Meditation instruction for beginners. First Monday of every month. 7:10– 8:40 p.m. FREE! 706-546-7238 Pilates Classes (Balance Pilates and Wellness Studio) Schedule and details online. Private lessons also available. 706-546-1061, www. balancepilatesathens.com Rolfing Structural Integration Demo (Athens YMCA) Learn about Rolfing Structural Integration, a system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education. Led by Certified Advanced Rolfers Neal Anderson and John Schewe. Mar. 5, 7 p.m. FREE! 706-224-8013 Scanning and Restoring Family Photos (ACC Library) Learn how to restore and preserve family photographs using your computer. Led by Jim Morgenthaler,

ART AROUND TOWN ATHICA “Running on Empty,” an examination of fossil fuel dependence. Exhibit includes photography, print, large-scale painting, mosaic and video. Curated by Bart King. Through Mar. 22. Ciné Barcafé “Family Trees,” an exhibition featuring Leonard Piha’s whimsical paintings and sculptures that reflect on his family’s Jewish heritage. Through Mar. 22. Circle Gallery (UGA College of Environmental Design) “A Pleasant Territory: Grasslands in the Southeast,” featuring paintings by Philip Juras. Mar. 2–27. Reception Mar. 6. City Salon + Spa “A Series of Jars,” an exhibition by Lauren Harrell. Through April. Flaunt Photography by Heather Fletcher, through March. Flicker Theatre & Bar Photographs from the Bonnaroo Music Festival by Austen Mikulka. Mar. 6–31. Just Pho and More “Resurrection,” a series of acrylic and watercolor paintings by Mary Padgelek. Through Mar. 15. Krimson Kafe Mosaic artwork by J. Elizabeth Wright. Through March. Lamar Dodd School of Art (Gallery 307) “At the Beginning: Early Paintings by Lamar Dodd,” featuring paintings from the collection of C.L. Morehead. Mar. 5–28. Reception Mar. 20. (Suite Gallery) Installations from Imi Hwangbo’s class “Sculpture and Spatial Context: Expanded Notions of Sculpture.” Through Mar. 6. (Art Education Gallery & 3rd Floor North Bar Corridor) Youth Art Month Exhibition featuring work by students in the Clarke County School District. Through Mar. 28. Reception Mar. 22.

a retired UGA media professor. Call to register. Mar. 21, 2 p.m. FREE! 706-613-3650 Tae Kwon Do & Jodo Classes (Live Oak Martial Arts) For kids and adults, beginner–advanced. Chase St. Warehouses, next to Canopy and ATHICA. Mondays–Thursdays, 3:30-8:30 p.m. 706-548-0077, www. liveoakmartialarts.com Website Workshop (Athens Technical College) Anne Jenkins, artist and owner of The Point of Art Gallery & Studio, leads a workshop on the basics of website creation and design. Presented by the Arts Development Council of Georgia. Registration form online. Mar. 14, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. $20. 706-5594841, www.adcg.org Yoga (Village Herb Shop) Drop-in yoga ($5–10 donation) meets Wednesdays (7:15 p.m.) and Thursdays (8:30 a.m.). 706-5401689 YWCO Classes (YWCO) Offerings include Bellydance, Triathlon

Lyndon House Arts Center 34th Annual Juried Exhibition, featuring work by area artists in a variety of media. Through May 9. Monroe Art Guild Annual Walton County student show. Through Apr. 30. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation To celebrate Youth Art Month, an exhibit featuring over 150 works of art from 12 Oconee County schools. Through Mar. 25. Pauley’s Original Crepe Bar “Streak,” featuring photographs by Brittny Teree Smith. State Botanical Garden of Georgia Landscapes by Hermann Kosak. Through Mar. 22. The Grit Wood-cut prints and paintings by Thayer Sarrano. Paintings done in salt and spray paint by Dana Jo Cooley. Through Mar. 8. UGA Aderhold Local artist and UGA faculty member Jamie Calkin helps the College of Education recognize its centennial year with “Celebration,” a rotating exhibit of original watercolors of the UGA campus and downtown Athens. Through Aug. 30. UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art Galleries (Gallery 301) “Garments Pleasing to God,” featuring Coptic textiles (ca. 300–700 C.E.). Curated by Dr. Asen Kirin. Through March 28. Various Locations View the 12 one-of-a-kind bowls that will be featured in this year’s Empty Bowl Silent Auction to benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. For the list of restaurants displaying the pieces, visit www.foodbanknega.org/events/emptybowl.php. Through Mar. 17. Washington Historical Museum (Washington) Premiere showing of Herb Bridges’ collection of hand-painted movie poster boards from the ‘30s and ‘40s. Through May. Wild Child Arts (Monroe) “Crosses/Rebirth,” featuring work by local artists. March through April.

Training, Teen Pilates, Gentle Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Schedule online. 706-354-7880, www.ywco.org

HELP OUT! ACT Volunteer Ushers (Various Locations) Athens Creative Theatre seeks volunteers to usher and sell concessions at its productions throughout the year. Training provided. 706-613-3628 American Red Cross (Red Cross Donor Center—3525 Atlanta Hwy.) This month donors will be entered for a chance to win two Delta Airlines domestic round-trip tickets. 706-546-0681, www.redcrossblood. org Donations Needed (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation) OCAF seeks new or used items for its annual Thrift Sale Fundraiser Mar. 13–14. Drop off items from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. Saturdays at Rocket Hall. Donations accepted through Mar. 12. 706-769-4565, info@ocaf.com Foster Homes Needed (Athens Area Humane Society) AAHS is looking for dependable foster homes for dogs and cats. Download an application at www.athenshumanesociety.org or contact the Foster Care Coordinator at foster@ athenshumanesociety.org or 706424-4900. Hands on Athens Seeks Volunteers (Various Locations) Volunteers needed to help repair and maintain historic homes this spring. Weekend registration at the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation at 489 Prince Ave, or sign-up online. Morning and afternoon shifts available. Apr. 3–5. 706-353-1801, www. achfonline.org/handsonathens Pet Soup Kitchen (Athens Area Humane Society) The Athens Area Humane Society’s pet soup kitchen that helps needy families feed their pets seeks volunteers. Volunteers needed to pick up donated food, organize for distribution and help promote the kitchen. Dog food donations can be dropped off at any AAHS location or the adoption center. denise@athenshumanesociety.org

KIDSTUFF Camp Amped (Nuçi’s Space) Nuçi’s Space now accepting applications for summer music camps open to middle and high school students ages 11 & up. Applications and scholarship info online. June 8–20 & July 6–8. 706-227-1515, www. nuci.org Creative Movement (Floorspace) Ongoing class for ages 3–5. Thursdays, 4 p.m. $40/4 classes. 706-850-5557, www.floorspaceathens.com Kids’ Art Camps (Good Dirt) Good dirt hosting a spring break art camp for kids ages 6 & up Mar. 9–13 ($55/day or $220 for full week). Also now registering for summer camps. Complete schedule info and registration at www.gooddirt.net. 706-355-3161 Kids’ Bead Class (Native America Gallery) Each beader will create a necklace, bracelet and/or simple earrings. Ages 6 & up. Mar. 14, 6–7 p.m. $25. 706-543-8425 Spring Break Acting Camp (Athens Little Playhouse) This year’s theme is “Creating Your Role.” Each day’s activities will include acting exercises, theatre games, skits, scene work and the use of costumes and props. Ages 5–14. Discount for siblings. Call to register. Mar. 9–16, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $130. 706-208-1036, www.athenslittleplayhouse.org

Yoga Sprouts (Full Bloom Center) Fun, playful yoga for kids ages 2–6 and their parents. Call to register. Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. $14/single class, $60/6 classes. 706-353-3373, www.fullbloomparent.com

SUPPORT Al-Anon Family Group (Young Harris United Methodist Church) 12-step program for families and friends of alcoholics. Use Franklin St. entrance. Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays, 12:10–1:10 p.m. www. al-anon.alateen.org Athens Transgender Advocacy Coalition (Email for Location) New group to serve the needs of local transgender people. ATAC strives to provide resources and confidential support while building the local community. All are welcome. transgenderathens@ gmail.com Domestic Violence Support Group (Call for location) Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and group at 6:30 p.m. Children are welcome for supper and childcare is provided during group. Call Project Safe hotline at 706-543-3331 for location. 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month in Clarke County. 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month in Madison County. 6–8 p.m. Emotional Abuse Support Group (Call for location) Childcare is provided. Call Project Safe’s hotline at 706-543-3331 for location. Wednesdays, 6:30–8 p.m. Emotions Anonymous (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) Informal and supportive 12step program open to anyone with a desire to become well emotionally. Sundays, 4–5 p.m. 706-227-2354, www.emotionsanonymous.org Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia (Various Locations) Weekly social group for those with mental illness and their family members. This month’s events include a movie and bingo. Tuesdays. 706-549-7888, www. fightthestigma.com Mental Health Support Group (St. Mary’s Hospital) Meets in the lobby conference room. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. 706-7835706, www.athensmentalhealth.org Overeaters Anonymous (Various Locations) 12-step meetings for compulsive eating disorders. All ages and sizes welcome. Mondays, 5:30 p.m. at Nuçi’s Space. Thursdays, 7 p.m. at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. at Princeton United Methodist Church. FREE! www.geocities.com/ athensoa

ON THE STREET FREE! Tax Assistance (Various Locations) Offered by AARP Tax Aide. For taxpayers with low to moderate income, with special attention to those 60+ years old. Mondays 1–5 p.m. at Oconee County Library. Tuesdays 1–4:30 p.m. at Oglethorpe County Library. Wednesdays– Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Kroger on Epps Bridge Rd. Thursdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Athens Council on Aging. 706-543-9511 FREE! Tax Preparation (Hancock Community Development Corporation—300 Henderson Ext.) HCDC will help clients e-file or prepare a paper copy to mail. Mondays, 4–7 p.m. Saturdays, 12–4 p.m. 706-546-1154 Volunteer in Peru Learn Spanish and stay with a host family. Open to anyone over the age of 18. www.venperu.org, information@ venperu.org f

Always amazing values on our amazing Macs. You won’t find a greater selection of all things Apple: Macs, MacBooks, iMacs, iPods, printers, software, games and so much more. Come see why we are Georgia’s Apple Specialist!

macs • ipods • software • service 1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy • 706-208-9990 • peachmac.com

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HOTTEST LADIES MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

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FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

reality check

h ealt f O al H ffici s Club gia O e s e or Th Fitn f Ge And rsity O tion e v a Uni soci The etic As Athl

Matters Of The Heart And Loins My question is this… This is a matter of what is right and/or wrong. I have a new roommate, and she was only living with me for a few months. Well, now is the time that she is about to move out. Here’s my deal!!! I am on a fixed rate as far as electric goes. I get a check or I have to pay at the end of my cycle, and right before my best friend moved in I was even. Well, now that she has moved in, I am up to $125 that I am going to have to pay. She leaves the heaters on and the lights on constantly. I am in a pinch… Should I ask her to pay for half of the bill? It turns out that I am moving, too, when she does, and I will have to pay the $125 at the end of the month when I move out. It is weird because she is my best friend and I certainly don’t want to make things weird between us! Help! I don’t see why she shouldn’t have to pay half the bill, nor do I see why this is a problem at all. Why would she think that she didn’t have to pay for utilities? Did you tell her that they were included? Electricity costs money. Everybody knows that. It has been cold for the past few months, and unless she thinks your place is heated by magic fairy dust, she should assume that there are bills involved. And if you ask me, paying around 60 bucks for three month’s worth is a bargain. That’s half what I pay in a month. Don’t make a big deal out of this. Just ask her for the money. If, on the other hand, you told her she wasn’t going to have to pay, then you’re probably going to have to suck it up. So, I’ve been with my girlfriend for five years. During that time we’ve had an amazing, wonderful relationship, except for a period of about eight months a year ago when we took a break from the relationship. It was mutual, and we got back together feeling more strongly about each other than ever. During those eight months, we both saw other people, and she ended up hooking up with an old flame—a guy who is in our group of friends and who I generally got along with pretty well. Until… When we decided to get back together he protested loudly. He told her I wasn’t good enough, I didn’t love her, I was a cheater and a slacker who would break her heart. It seriously put her on the back foot for a while. He even had the audacity to approach me and tell me to leave her alone. It was so immature and lame that I barely paid him attention at the time. Eventually, we did work out our issues and gave it another shot, but I’ve never really gotten over his part in it. My girlfriend never really seemed to think his behavior was abnormal and thought his butting in was “just being a good

friend.” After a while, dude stopped running off at the mouth and tried to act like nothing had ever happened, but since then I just don’t trust him. He’s always around her. He started going to the open mic night she goes to (he’d never shown an interest before), attends her family functions (which I can’t ever make because I’m working), and then, I found out last week that he just got a job at the same bar she works at! So, they’re going to be working together every single night into the wee hours of the morning. My girlfriend swears to me that she has no feelings for him other than friendship, and I do believe her—but she is obviously very affectionate towards him and they have a history. She’s made it clear that she will not cease contact with him. She has gone so far as to say that if I ever ask her to stop hanging out with him the relationship is over. I’ve told her I don’t trust his intentions, but she just laughs and tells me I’m insecure. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if he wasn’t ALWAYS around her—always in contact with her—and if they hadn’t just dated a year ago. She’s a great girl and I can see why he likes her, and I can see why she doesn’t want to nix the friendship. But, at the same time she knows that the guy gets on my nerves, she knows he has feelings for her and she knows that he is causing problems with our relationship, and yet she still won’t budge. I feel like she values his friendship more than our relationship. It’s made me so insecure and angry that I’ve considered just leaving her over it. Am I being ridiculous like she says? Unsure

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Con ! ional Nutrit al Planning e &M

2361 West Broad Street • Athens, Georgia • 706-369-3111 w w w. T h e O m n i C l u b . c o m

I won’t say that you are wrong, Unsure, but she isn’t entirely wrong either. If she really wanted to be with this guy, wouldn’t she just be with him? I mean, if he were so great, she wouldn’t have gotten back together with you, right? So, I trust that your relationship is strong and that her feelings for you are genuine. I do, however, have a problem with him attending her family functions. The open mic night, the work environment—those are things over which she doesn’t entirely have control. Also, they are arguably neutral ground. If, however, you are not able to attend family functions, and she is always showing up with this other guy, how does that make your relationship look? Does her family think that he’s her boyfriend? Or is he an old friend of the family? And why does she need an escort for Mother’s Day brunch or her sister’s graduation? That just doesn’t sit right with me, Unsure, and I don’t think it should sit right with you, either. Doesn’t she have a sister this guy can date? Jyl Inov Got a question for Jyl? Submit your anonymous inquiry via the Reality Check button at www.flagpole.com.

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

Real Estate Apartments for Rent $450/mo. Location, Location, Location! Taking reservations for Aug. move-in. 291 S. Finley Bluffs Apt.’s 1BR. 550 sq. ft. 2 blocks from UGA campus. (678) 6135600. Email bluffs.apts@yahoo. com. $525–$575/mo. Lg. 1–2BR apts. in historic Blvd/Normaltown duplex. Avail. now. Lg. porches, H2O & W/D incl. Lv. msg. (706) 353-9893 for call back & appt. $825/mo. 4BR/3BA. Close to c a m p u s . Av a i l . 4 / 1 / 0 9 . 2 7 3 Westchester Circle. Owner/Agent, call Mike (706) 207-7400. 1BR/1BA furnished apt. 8th flr., University Tower. Most central Downtown Athens apt. bldg! High standard, great view. Avail. 5/13–7/27, $700/mo. or negotiated lump sum. Year–long renewal optional. (706) 254-6456. 1 B R / 1 B A w / s t u d y. G a t e d community, pool, fitness center. Convenient to campus & Dwntn. $595/mo. (678) 414-3887. 1BR/1BA, W/D, DW. Located Dwntn Athens. Avail. 5/1–8/1 for summer sublease. As well as 8/2009–8/2010. Awesome location, free parking, must see! $800/mo. (706) 206-2914. 1BR/1BA. Next to UGA. Walk to campus & Dwntn. HWflrs., A/C, some utils. incl. Free parking for residents. Cats OK, no dogs. $475–$500/mo. Call (706) 3544261, 10am–2pm. Get a roommate & live w/ us!

2BR duplexes starting at $475/ mo. (706) 549-6070. 2BR/1BA Eastside on Cedar S h o a l s D r. A l l e l e c t r i c , remodeled, W/D hookup. $550/ mo. (706) 202-2466. 2BR/1BA renovated apts., perfect for grad students, safe & quiet, close to campus & Dwntn. 225 China St. 2 avail. now! Also preleasing for fall, $400–$550/ mo. Incl. water & trash, no dogs, laundry onsite. Chris (706) 2025156. 2BR/1BA. $495/mo. FP, DW, CHAC. Close to town & UGA. Dogs OK. (706) 749-9141. 2BR/2.5BA townhouse avail. 6/09 or 8/09. Near UGA & Dwntn. Historic Art/Mill district. Priv. porches. Gated cour tyd. On Greenway. Bamboo woods. Pets OK. $700/mo. (706) 714-7600, (706) 340-4282. 2BR/2BA condo on Baxter St. on UGA & City busline. New carpet, newly redecorated, W/D, patio, pool. $850/mo. Call Ann at (706) 401-1259. 3 or 5 bedroom townhome on Eastside. $320–$450/BR. All electric. Double porches, HWflrs., ceiling fans, DW, W/D, trash incl., & a new pool. Now leasing. (706) 543-1910. Go to www.landmarkathens.com. 3BR/2.5BA townhouse on Milledge. Unique flrplan, W/D, pool, sand volleyball, on busline. Great location, great value! Call Paul (678) 462-0824. 3BR/2BA located on the Westside. Rivers Edge condo complex. $695/mo. On busline, close to shopping. Kitchen appls, carpet, wood flrs & paint all within the last yr. (706) 5460182. 4BR/1.5BA. Walk to campus funky 2–stor y apt. in triplex. Great location. Historic n’hood. Pulaski near Prince. Remodeled tile, antique heartpine accents, W/D, CHAC. Avail. now! $750/ mo. (706) 215-4496.

Avail now! 2BR/1BA located in sm. 4–unit complex on S. Milledge. Very close to campus, on UGA/Athens busline. Quiet location. CHAC, W/D conn. $700/ mo. (706) 202-1999.

Preleasing special! Move in Feb. get first month free & 2nd mo. 1/2 off all 1BR & 2BR apts. 3BRs 1/2 off 1st mo.! Pet friendly, on busline. Call today (706) 5496254. Restrictions apply.

Avail. now. Sublease, optional longterm lease. 1BR/1BA spacious historic Normaltown duplex. Walk to Aqua Linda, Prince. Front porch, grassy backyd, pets OK. $650/mo. (706) 338-7492.

Studio 51 Condos!! 1BR luxury on-campus studios. No sec. dep.! Rent incl. water, gas, pest & trash. Built-ins, HWflrs., tile & laundry facility. City & UGA bus stop. Pets OK. $550/mo. kaceyprice@hotmail. com, (706) 540-2829.

Beautiful 2BR/2.5BA townhouse condo. Newly renovated, HWflrs, tile, granite, stainless apps, W/D conn. Quiet setting w/ riverwalk. Must see to appreciate! $900/mo. (706) 202-1999.

Very cool layout! 3BR/1.5BA apt. in quadraplex. 2 blocks from campus. 5 Pts. area. W/D, CHAC, nice patio. $1125/mo. Avail. 8/1. Pets OK. Call (706) 369-2908.

Brick duplex. 2BR/1BA w/ all extras, ver y clean. Just off Mitchell’s Bridge Rd. 2 mi. from Publix. $500/mo. Grad students & professionals welcome. (706) 254-0478. Cobbham historic district. 1BR apt. Heart pine flrs. + ceil. fans. CHAC, W/D, garage w/ auto opener. NS. No pets. Call (706) 340-1283.

Westside condos. 2BR/2BA, $600/mo. 3BR/2BA, $700/ mo. Converted clubhouse into a huge open flr. plan. 4BR/2.5BA, $1200/mo. Eastside quadraplex 2BR/2BA, $525/mo.2BR/1BA, $490/mo. Call M c Wa t e r s Realty, (706) 549-3222, (706) 353-2700.

Apartments for Sale

For Rent. 2BR/2BA apt. Windsor Place condo. Busline within 1 mi. of UGA. Lg. BRs, FP, W/D, & DW. Some pets allowed. Avail 8/1. 1 yr. lease. Sec. dep. req’d. $750/ mo. (706) 540-0857.

$105,000. 2BR/2BA Scarborough Place ground level condo for sale. FP, pool privileges. Appls incl., lawn maint., trash, water incl. in COA Dues. (706) 540-7501.

Free month’s rent. Stadium Village 2BR/1BA gated community, close to campus. Water, trash, lawn incl. Pool, gym. $575/mo. (706) 549-6070.

$119,000. 3BR/2.5BA Scarborough Place upstairs condo for sale. Appls Incl., FP, pool privileges. Lawn maint., trash, water incl. in COA Dues. (706) 540-7501.

Garage apts. in heart of 5 Pts. 1BR/1BA, 2BR/1BA. Lv. rm., & kitchen incl. No pets. HWflrs. $550/mo. Call (706) 548-4358.

Commercial Property

Gigantic 5BR/3BA condo. End of Lumpkin St. 2500 sq. ft. 2 lv. rms, huge laundry rm., din. rm., FP, big deck. DW, W/D, CHAC. Pets OK. $1550/mo. (706) 3692908. Hill St. 2BR/1BA. All electric apt. W/D, water, trash, lawn incl. $575/ mo. Call (706) 549-6070. Live next to your buddies! Huge duplex. 4BR/4BA on each side 1/2 mi. from campus. Plenty of parking. Front porch, back deck, W/D, DW, CHAC. Pets OK. Avail. 8/1. $1800/mo. per side. (706) 369-2908. Lumpkin Square Condo. 2BR/2.5BA, block from UGA & 5 Pts. W/D & DW. Avail. 8/1. Dep. req’d. $900/mo. (706) 540-0857.

200-400 sq. ft. studios/offices. Natural light, CVAC, BRs, common area w/ kit. $250-450/mo. Call (706) 338-0548. 4,500 sq. ft. office/shop. 1.5BA, 3 12 ft. overhead doors. 4K sq. ft. of outbuilding storage. 2+ ac. Fenced. Lexington, GA. $795/mo. (706) 549-9456. Athens Executive Suites. Offices avail. in historic Dwntn bldg. w/ on–site parking. All utils., Internet, & janitorial incl. Single or multiple offices avail. Call Stacy (706) 425-4048 or (706) 296-1863. Eastside offices for lease. 1060 Gaines School Rd. 1200 sq. ft., $1200/mo. 500 sq. ft. $625/mo., 150 sq. ft. $300/mo. (706) 5461615 or athenstownproperties.com.

Retail Suites for lease at Homewood Village. 1K–12,500 sq. ft. avail. For more info. Call Bryan Austin at (706) 353-1039 or visit www.sumnerproperties.net.

Houses for Rent $1075/mo., 3BR/2BA, lg. house, only 5 min. to campus. Popular Eastside, safe n’hood, exc. cond., no pets. 475 Crestwood Dr. Call Mike at (706) 207-7400 or email mikejoyner@charter.net. $1500/mo. 3BR/3BA. Very cool home, over 3K sq. ft. on 3.5 ac. Open flrplan, vaulted ceilings, skylights, game rm., sun rm., great master suite. Covered back patio w/ wet bar, 2–car garage, shed, fenced yd. Pets welcome! Located in highly desirable Cherokee Forest in N. Athens. 122 Featherwood Ct. For lease/sale $259K. Call Anne (706) 354-6620, or www.anneshouses.com. $350–$1950/mo. 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, 4BR, & 5BR. Prices reduced! Awesome walk & bike to campus & town! Pre–leasing for Fall! Many historical houses w/ lg. rms, high ceilings, big windows, HWflrs., old–world charm, modern amenities. Porches, & yds. Pet friendly. These go fast! Email for list: luckydawg96@yahoo.com. $400/mo. 1BR/1BA in a funky old house/triplex. CHAC, fenced yd. Pets welcome! Shared W/D. Off Hill St. at 323 the Plaza. Anne (706) 354-6620. $660/mo. 2BR/2BA. 115 E. Carver Dr. 1.5 mi. from UGA Arch. Fenced–in yd. HW & tile flrs., CHAC, W/D hookups, DW, garbage disposal. Pets welcome. (706) 614-8335. $750/mo. 3BR/1BA house on 2 ac. in Winterville. 5 mins from Athens. Very safe n’hood. Wooded lot. Pets OK. Call (706) 338-4669. $800/mo. 3BR/1BA charming brick home 1 block from Navy/New Med School at 350 Willow Run. HWflrs, beadboard ceiling, CHAC, total electric, storage shed. W/D incl., pets welcome! For lease/sale $129,500. Call Anne (706) 3546620 or www.anneshouses.com. $800–$900/mo. 2 beautiful homes on Eastside in Villas at Snapfinger. 3BR/2BA w/ pergo flrs., 2BR/2BA new carpet, CHAC, all electric, W/D hookups, nice yds., family oriented n’hood. Mins. to UGA, Dwntn, shopping, grocery. Call Kate (706) 850-0563. Email EastAthensRentals@gmail.com. $875/mo., blocks from town & campus, 3 huge BRs, 1.5BA, 12’ ceilings, HWflrs., tall windows, no traffic, big yd., pets. 127 Elizabeth St., Avail. 4/1. Agent/Owner. Call Mike at (706) 207-7400 or email mikejoyner@charter.net.

$900/mo. Nice house in country. 3BR/2BA. Safe n’hood. 15 min. to town. 186 Bridges Dr. Call Mike (706) 207-7400. $925/mo. 2BR/1BA in Blvd area. Avail. 6/1. HWflrs, lg. screened front porch. Huge BRs, bonus rm., W/D hookups, CHAC. Quiet end of street. Storage bldg. in back also avail. Pets OK. (612) 799-0516, lv msg. 1, 2, 3BR houses. Pre–leasing for fall. Close to UGA & Dwntn. Call (706) 255-0066. 1/2 mi. from Downtown. 1, 2, 3, 4BR houses & apts. located in the historic Blvd. n’hood. Please check out boulevard propertymanagement.com or call (706) 548-9797. 175 Sylvan Dr. 3BR/1BA home w/ great location near ARMC. $850/ mo. Newly painted BRs. Avail. now! Pls. call (706) 540-1810, (706) 433-2072, or email cbolen@ upchurchrealty.com. 1BR up to 4BR houses. Prel e a s i n g f o r n e x t s c h o o l y r. Close to UGA & Dwntn. Call (706) 714-4486 or email at hathawayrichard@hotmail.com. 1BR/1BA carriage house. Pre– leasing for 6/1. CHAC, W/D, oak flrs. Screened porch. $500/ mo. Email hathawayproperties@ gmail.com, call (706) 714-4486. 2 or 3BR. Huge outside storage building. Fenced yd. Pets OK. No pet fees! Quiet dead-end street. $695/mo. (706) 254-6260. 2BR/1.5BA East Athens Duplex for rent. Fresh paint, new carpet, W/D, DW, range, fridge, trash & yard service incl. Pets OK. Avail. now! $550/mo. Call Mike (877) 740-1514 toll free. 2BR/1BA Dwntn. CHAC, W/D. Pets welcome. Avail. now! $500/ mo. Call (706) 714-4603. 2BR/1BA Normaltown. W/D, HWflrs & tile. Carport, CHVAC. $650/mo. Drive by 260 Pound St. & call for appt. to see inside. (706) 549-7372. 2BR/1BA cool, old shared house! $800/mo. 0.5 mi. from Dwntn. All appls. 340 Ruth St. Apt. B. Avail. 8/1. (706) 713-0626. 2BR/1BA renovated mill house on 1st St. High ceilings, HWflrs, chef’s kit. w/ all appls. Big priv. yd., front porch, rear deck, storage buildling. $850/mo. (706) 202-9507. 2BR/1BA, pre-leasing. CHAC, W/D, DW, sec. sys., fenced. Pets OK. Close to Dwntn. & UGA. $325/BR. Email hathawayproperties@gmail.com, call (706) 714-4486. 2BR/1BA. 1/2 mi. to Arch. All appls., HWflrs, lg. wood deck overlooks priv. fenced yd. $700/ mo. (706) 202-9507. 2BR/2BA in-town house 1 mi. from Dwntn. Fenced backyd. HWflrs., tile, oil–rubbed bronze fixtures, stainless appls, groovy concrete countertops. $950/mo. Hollyremax@yahoo.com, (706) 255-4440.

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

2–3BR/2BA. 2 decks & front porch, country setting, high ceilings, HWflrs., lg. rms, Good dog is OK! Avail. now! $800/mo. (706) 2022733 or (706) 548-9797.

4 B R / 2 B A . B l v d . a re a . P r e – leasing for 6/1. Historic lg. home. High ceilings, wood flrs. $375/BR. Email hathawayproperties@gmail. com, call (706) 714-4486.

3BR/1.5BA, pre–leasing. 5 Pts., 1 block to UGA & Milledge Ave. Beautiful home. $1500/mo. $500/ BR. Includes utilities. Email hathawayproperties@gmail.com, call (706) 714-4486.

4BR/4BA brand new house Dwntn. Walk to the Arch! W/D incl. Now pre-leasing for Fall 09. Only $1900/mo. Call Aaron (706) 207-2957.

3BR/1.5BA. 288 4th St. Pre–leasing for 8/1/09. Fenced yd. DW, CHAC, big yd. W/D, FP, garbage disposal, HWflrs. Pecan trees. $800/mo. + $800/sec. (706) 254-2936. 3BR/1BA in ARMC. Beautiful HWflrs., lots of natural light, new W/D. Covered porch, fenced backyd., pet friendly. 6 mo. lease avail. $800/mo. Call (706) 5496070. 3BR/1BA in Blvd. district. Less than 0.5 mi. from Dwntn. & campus. $995/mo. CHAC, W/D hookup. Great house. Avail. now! Jeani at Valerio Properties (706) 546-6900. 3BR/1BA in quiet ARMC area. Lv. rm., din. rm., new appls. Fenced backyd. Pets OK. $850/mo. Avail. now! Call (404) 519-3983 or (706) 614-8319. 3BR/1BA. 1 mi. to Arch. Renovated mill house. Hancock historic district. Multi–family, pet friendly. Each rm. w/ priv. porch. All appls. incl. $1100/mo. (706) 202-9507. 3BR/1BA. Pets OK. $800/mo. 220 Habersham Dr. (706) 613-2317. 3BR/2.5BA houses. Brand new! $1200/mo. Avail. now! Near Prince Ave. Call Kelly (706) 254-3250. 3BR/2BA on Camelot Dr. $800/mo. Wooded lot in quiet n’hood. CHAC, all appls, FP, deck, ceil. fans. Pets OK w/dep. Trash incl. Avail Aug. Email bradleygaydos@gmail.com. 3BR/2BA w/ lg. fenced–in yd. $800/mo. All appls. Eastside, close to Dwntn. Sec. sys. optional. Avail. 3/1. 150 Binion Rd. (706) 713-0626. 3BR/2BA, pre–leasing. Chase St., on busline, lg. house, oak flrs., fenced. Close to Dwntn. & UGA. Pets OK. $1050/mo. $350/BR. Email hathawayproperties@gmail. com, call (706) 714-4486. 3BR/2BA, pre–leasing. 5 Pts., walk to bus. Lg. house, screened porch, lg. deck, fenced, sec. sys., garage, family rm. oak flrs. $1350/mo. $450/BR. Email hathawayproperties@gmail.com, call (706) 714-4486. 3BR/2BA pre–leasing. Close to Dwntn & UGA. HWflrs., W/D, DW, fenced. $300/BR. Email hathawayproperties@gmail.com, call (706) 714-4486. 3BR/3BA Eastside. Quiet n’hood. $1100/mo. All appls. 213 Springtree St. Avail. 8/1. (706) 713-0626. 3BR/3BA brand new houses in 5 Pts. & Dwntn. Walk to campus! W/D incl. Pre-leasing for Fall 09. $1500/mo. Call Aaron (706) 2072957.

4BR/4BA house. $900 special! W/D, sec. sys., 24 hr. maint. service, pets welcome, lawn & pest incl. (706) 552-3500. Go to www.hancockpropertiesinc. com. 4BR/4BA. 2K sq. ft.! $1800/mo. All appls. 144 Ruth St. Avail. 8/1. (706) 713-0626. Amazing 5BR/3BA. 1/2 mi. from campus. 2 lv. rms., 2 kitchens, big BRs, huge deck, plenty of parking. DW, W/D, CHAC. Pets OK. Avail. 8/1. $2200/mo. (706) 369-2908. Avail Aug. Eastside 3BR/1.5BA, lv. r m., dining area, sunr m., garage, lg. fenced yd. Ansley Dr. Lawncare provided. $1K/mo. (706) 338-6716. Avail Aug. Spacious 3BR/2BA, lg. kit., lv. rm. area, HWflrs., W/D, close to Dwntn. & campus. Cleveland Ave. Lawncare provided. $1200/mo. (706) 3386716. Avail. 8/1. 2BR duplex on quiet wooded lot. Eastside. CHAC. Free garbage p/u. Pets upon approval. (404) 314-1177. Avail. now & fall! 4BR/2BA p ro p e r t y i n 5 P t s n e x t t o memorial park. Very close to campus. $1100/mo. W/D, HVAC, DW. (706) 296-9546, (706) 2969547, on www.cityblock.biz. Awesome 1BR/1BA old shared house! $650/mo. Recently remodeled. Lg., 800 sq. ft., HWflrs., all appls. 340 Ruth St. Apt. A. Avail. 8/1. (706) 713-0626. Beautiful 2BR/2.5BA townhouse condo. Newly renovated, HWflrs, tile, granite, stainless appls, W/D conn. Quiet setting w/ riverwalk. Must see to appreciate! $825/mo. Call (706) 202-1999. Best rentals in Athens! 1–5BR houses, apts., condos. In the heart of UGA/Dwntn/5 Pts. Avail. Aug! Call (706) 369-2908 for more info. Brick ranch. 3BR/1.5BA. Nice shaded fenced in backyd. 1 car garage. Home in excellent condition! Call (706) 549-4050 or (706) 778-9295. Comer. Lg. 3BR/2BA renovated farm house. CHAC, 0.5 ac. $800/ mo. (706) 201-5123.

Dwntn Athens historic renovated. Occupancy Aug. 1st. Busline in front. 3 huge BRs/1 lg. BA. Lg. shower stall. 4 FPs, HWflrs. W/D. DW, stove, fridge, CHAC, din. rm., lv. rm. Long hallway. 1600 sq. ft. Front wrap–around porch. Back screen porch. No pets. $1125/mo. 225 N. Ave. (706) 296-9873. See bulldogrent.com. Parking spaces. Eastside. Brick ranch house. Avail. now. $800/mo. & $1K/ dep. 3BR/1.5BA. Fenced yd. Pet friendly. CHAV. (706) 206-5344, lv. msg. Excellent 4BR/3BA. 1/2 mi. to campus. Lots of character! Big rms. DW, W/D, CHAC. Pets OK. Avail. 8/1. $1775/mo. Call (706) 369-2908. Five Points. Fall pre– leasing. 1, 2, 3, & 4BR houses & apts. See at www.bondrealestate. org. Herber t Bond Realty & Investment. (706) 224-8002. For rent. Nice SWMH 2BR/1BA on 1 private ac. chain– link fenced yd. Only 15 min. from Dwntn Athens near Hull/Sandford. $450/mo. Pet friendly. (706) 2085221. G re a t 4 B R / 4 B A . C l o s e t o campus! Front porch, back deck, nice yd., DW, W/D, CHAC. Pets OK. Avail. 8/1. $1550/mo. (706) 369-2908. Griffeth St. Near Dwntn. New construction. 3BR/2BA house. Bamboo flrs, tile BA, priv. master porch, metal roof, new IKEA kitchen. W/D, fridge. Perfect for roommates or family. $1K/mo. Purchase also possible. Call David (706) 202-8424.

Northside 2BR/1BA, lg. lot, $600/mo. Hospital area, Fenced–in yd. Avail. June. $800/ mo. Eastside 3BR/2BA. Lg. yd., on dead–end street. $1100/mo. Cedar Creek 4BR/2BA $1100/ mo. Call McWaters Realty, (706) 549-3222, (706) 353-2700. Pre-leasing for Fall! Walk to campus! 2 & 3BRs from $625/ mo. W/D, DW, priv. deck, pets welcome. Mention this ad & pay no pet fee! (706) 548-2522, www. dovetailmanagement.com. Preleasing for Fall! Awesome 3BR/2BA Victorian. Close to campus. High ceilings, HWflrs., big yd., DW, W/D, CHAC. Pets OK. Avail. 8/1. $1325/mo. Call (706) 369-2908.

Houses for Sale $129,900. 2BR/2.5BA condo w/ all appls in quiet Eastside community. Pool & walking trails. Contact (706) 247-4811. $129,900. 3BR/2BA. CHAC, W / D , D W. F r o n t p o r c h . 4 blocks to Dwntn & UGA. Email hathawayproperties@gmail.com, call (706) 714-4486. $163,487. 3BR/2.5BA condo conveniently located on the Eastside. Priv. & less than 5 mi. to Dwntn. Athens. See it online at ReignSold.com or Call Reign at Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty. (706) 3724166, (706) 543-4000.

Heart of 5 Pts. 3BR/2BA. Lv. rm., din. rm., & kitchen. No pets. Unfur nished. $1450/mo. Call (706) 548-4358.

$94,900. Studio 40. 1BR/1BA. Tile & HWflrs., DW, courtyds, w/in walking distance to Ramsey Center! Call Reign at Coldwell Banker Upchurch R e a l t y. ( 7 0 6 ) 3 7 2 - 4 1 6 6 , (706) 543-4000.

Lynn Rock Apts. 1BR/1BA $490/mo. On Bloomfield St. off Baxter, Near campus. DW, water, trash incl. Mention this ad & receive $100 off your sec. dep.!! (706) 353-6868 or www. joinermanagement.com.

Artistic Renovation of 1BR/1BA cottage w/ artist’s studio. 14ft. ceilings, reclaimed metal, reclaimed flrs., artistic metalwork throughout $129,900. Sarah Ellis w/ CJ&L (706) 559-4520, (706) 338-6265.

O n e c a l l , t h a t ’s a l l ! 2BR/2BA 625B Whitehall, $675/ mo. 4BR/2BA, 322 Whitehall Rd., $750/mo. 3BR/2BA, 739 Beaverdam Rd. $850/mo. 3BR/2BA, 276 Oak Meadows $995/mo. 3BR/2BA, 125 Evergreen Terrace $995/mo. 3BR/2BA, 1060 Macon Hwy. $995/mo. 5BR/2BA, 2045 Robert Hardeman $995/mo. 6BR/2BA, 1065 Macon Hwy. $1695/mo. (706) 714-7000, (706) 546-7946. FlowersRentals@bellsouth. net. See virtual tours www. nancyflowers.com.

Own in Athens. Close to UGA. $106,900. 2BR/2.5BA. Call (706) 201-2121.

Land for Sale Texas land. Zero $ down! 20 ac. ranches, near El Paso. Beautiful mountain views, road access, surveyed. $15,900. $159/mo. Money back guarantee. Owner financing. (800) 843-7537, www. sunsetranches.com (AAN CAN).

Roommates 2BR/2.5BA new lg. duplex on Nor thside. CHAC, W/D, DW, cable & Internet, lg. backyd., priv. parking. $325/mo. + 1/2 cheap utils. Avail. now. Contact Judith at (706) 207-8755. A l l a re a s g o t o re n t m a t e s . com. Browse hundreds of listings w/ photos & maps. Find your roommate w/ a click of the mouse! Visit http://www. Rentmates.com (AAN CAN). B R w / s h a re d B A a v a i l . i n 3BR/2BA Eastside apt. to responsible, mature, quiet NS. $265/mo. + shared utils. $265 dep. Call Dieng (706) 207-3971. F needed, furnished, quiet, spacious, 2BR/2.5BA condo, Milledge. Next to Family Housing. W/D, free cable/ wireless, UGA/City Bus, $400/ mo. Avail. 1/01/09. (706) 4614351. F r o o m m a t e n e e d e d . P r i v. suite of rms. BR, BA, & den. Completely furnished. Incl. utils. $450/mo., $200/dep. Avail. now! Eastside Athens. Call (706) 3699083. M/F roommate wanted for 3BR/2BA house. 5–10 min. to Dwntn. W/D, DW, HVAC, lg. yd. $300/mo. + 1/3 utils. Avail. now! Call Chris (706) 254-0284. Roommate needed ASAP for house off Pulaski St. Screened porch, W/D. Only a 10 min. walk from Dwntn. Only $250/mo. Call (706) 548-9744 today! Roommate wanted for 3BR/1BA historic 5 Pts. home. Avail. now! HWflrs., W/D, DW, CHAC, new stove, huge yd., deck, great views & light. $366/mo., bills not incl. (512) 627-1142.

Roommate wanted to share house in Pulaski St. area. HWflrs, lg. kitchen. Lots of light! Lg. secluded lot. $400/mo. + 1/2 utils. Avail. now. Dogs welcome. (510) 532-6457. Still avail. Roommate needed for 3BR/1BA w/ 2 quirky musicians, off S. Lumpkin (Old Princeton). Sm. rm., but cheap. $195/mo. (706) 254-7397, jspencerrich05@ yahoo.com.

Rooms for Rent $580/mo. + 1/2 utils. Get-away in 1900 sq. ft. beautiful home w/ woods & fields. Commerce, GA. 2 private BR & BA for roommate. Great shared huge main, kitchen, & din. rm. Garage/attic storage. Dogs OK. (706) 372-9010. 1BR/1BA in quiet, idyllic farm house. 10–15 min. from campus. Nicely furnished. $300/mo. + 1/3 utils. Pets negotiable. HWflrs., sec. sys. Pls. call (706) 201-7450, lv. msg. Refs. preferable. Close to campus off Milledge. Lg. BR, priv. BA. $300/mo. + 1/2 utils. (706) 424-0670.

Sub-lease 1BR/1BA rm. for sublease. Clean house w/ priv. yd. 2 friendly M roommates, 5 Pts. location. $400/ mo. W/D, DW, CHAC. Call (404) 310-0876. 2BR/1BA apt. avail. now! Option to renew lease in July. $300/BR. HWflrs, high ceilings, onsite W/D, on UGA busline or walk to campus. Call (706) 254-5532.

Wanted to rent Flagpole Classifieds! $9/wk. for your merchandise, $13/wk. for your house, $15/wk. for your business! Go to www.flagpole.com or call (706) 549-0301. Deadlines every Monday at 11am. S i n g l e p ro f e s s i o n a l w o m a n looking for a sm. house or duplex immediately. Close to town. Peaceful environment. $800/mo. tops. (706) 247-2092 or email angiewanj@yahoo.com. ➤ continued on next page

Country Cottage. 1BR/1BA, 15 mins. to UGA & Dwntn. Appls incl. & W/D hookup. $450/mo. Call (706) 788-2988. Cozy country cabin. $650/mo. 2BR/2BA screened porch. 9 mi. from Athens. (706) 540-8461.

3BR/3BA. Huge house on Greenway! $1400/mo. All appls. 978 MLK Pkwy. Avail. 8/1. (706) 713-0626. 49 Gail Drive. Cute 3 or 4BR. HWflrs., CHAC, fenced yd. Pets OK. No pet fees! Always rents quickly! $795/mo. (706) 372-6813. 4BR/2BA house on Eastside for rent. HWflrs., carport, lg. yard. $1K/mo. www.infotube.net/152273. Call (706) 369-9679, cell (706) 207-0935, or call Pam (706) 5403809 lv. msg.

WELCH PLACE

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM

For Sale Computers A new computer now! Brand name. Bad or no credit, no problem! Smallest wkly payments avail. Call now. Call (800) 8162232 (AAN CAN). Get a new computer! Brand name laptops & desktops. Bad or no credit, no problem! Smallest weekly payments avail. It’s yours now! Call (800) 803-8819 (AAN CAN).

Furniture Better than Ebay! Sell your goods locally without the shipping fees! Place your ads in the Flagpole Classifieds. Awesome run–till–sold rate! 12 wks for only $36. Go to www.flagpole.com or call (706) 549-0301. E a t y o u r v e g g i e s , n o C ’s allowed, call Mom’s Garage for quality used furniture for the discriminating but frugal individual. Chase St. warehouses; Sat–Sun, 12pm–5pm or for other time or appt./directions call (706) 207-7855. Closed 1st wkend of month. Gently used fur niture. Sofas $150, sofa chairs $50, loveseats $100, coffee tables $20, end tables $15, entertainment centers $35, & chairs, bedside tables. Visit www.AthensGaFurniture. com or call (706) 548-1573. Tables, chairs, sofas, antiques, clothes, records & players, retro goods, & more! Cool, affordable f u r n i t u re e v e r y d a y. G o t o Agora! Your favorite everything store! 260 W. Clayton St., (706) 316-0130.

Miscellaneous Come to Betty for vintage quilted Chanel bags, just in for Spring! On the corner of Pulaski & Clayton, next to Agora. Open 1–4 daily. (706) 424-0566. Sell Your Car, Bike, Van, Truck, Bus, Motorcycle, Boat, Camper, Scooter, etc—$36—Run ‘til Sold (Merchandise Only, Up To 12 Weeks). Call 706-549-0301 to place your ad!

Yard Sales Church-wide yard sale Fri. & Sat. 3/6–3/7 from 8am–3pm. At 4691 Macon Hwy. (same as Route 441 South), in Bishop. 3 m i . s o u t h o f Wa t k i n s v i l l e . Electronics, tools, kitchen stuff, books, CD’s, records, DVD’s, furn., good quality clothes in all sizes, linens, lawnmowers, bikes, sports equip., kid stuff, lamps, old stuff, ar t, crafts, office supplies. Prices reduced on Sat.

Music Equipment Ask about our Run–till–Sold rate. Lowest classified ad rate in town! Call (706) 549-0301 or submit your ad through www.flagpole.com. Restrictions may apply. Drum set $300. Pearl Export 22x18 Bass, 12x9 & 13x10 toms 16x16 floor tom 51/2x14 wood snare. Zildjian cymbals. Also Pearl Eliminator double bass pedal $250. (706) 202-0291. Fender Twin silver tweed/black knobs. Per fect cond. $600. Bridgeport foot bellows organ. Works great! Gorgeous. $600. Fender Stage Lead II amp. Excellent cond. $200. Brian (706) 372-4897. We buy used gear! (770) 9319190. Music–Go–Round buys hundreds of cool used instruments/ equipment each wk. Open every day. Bring trades!

Instruction Athens School of Music. I n s t r u c t i o n i n G u i t a r, B a s s , Drums, Piano, Voice, Brass, Wo o d w i n d s , S t r i n g s , B a n j o , Mandolin, Fiddle, & more. From beginner to expert. Instrument repairs avail. (706) 543-5800. G u i t a r l e s s o n s taught by college guitar instructor. All styles. 16 yrs. exp. Students have won several guitar competitions. 1st lesson free. Composition/theory & bass lessons too. David Mitchell, ( 7 0 6 ) 5 4 6 - 7 0 8 2 o r w w w. mitchellmusicguitar.com. Do you want to make $$$ with your music related business? Are you advertising in Flagpole? Call 706-549-0301 for details.

L o v e G u i t a r H e ro ? Quit playing the game & learn the real thing. Teachers w/ decades of experience. 1–on–1 affordable, fun lessons. All styles & skill levels welcome. Music Exchange (706) 549-6199.

Musicians Wanted Bass guitarist wanted to fill spot in Rock & Roll trio. Dates already booked in Memphis, Columbia, Augusta, Atlanta. Call Carey (803) 292-8387.

Stringed Instruments repaired. Respectful restoration of vintage instruments a speciality. Member of Guild of American Luthiers. R. Anthony Ianuario. (706) 367-4788.

In today’s economy most people have credit card debt. Credit Card Rescue has the solution. Get out of debt in months, not years! Save thousands. Call (866) 910-5252 (AAN CAN).

W e d d i n g B a n d s . Q u a l i t y, professional bands. Weddings, parties. Rock, Jazz, etc. Call Classic City Entertainment. ( 7 0 6 ) 5 4 9 - 1 5 6 7 . w w w. classiccityentertainment.com. Featuring The Magictones— Athens’ premiere wedding & party band. www.themagictones. com.

FLAGPOLE BUSINESS/ SERVICE CLASSIFIED A D R AT E S : A d v e r t i s e y o u r business or service in the Flagpole Classifieds for $15/ wk or $45/mo. 15% Discount for ad runs exceeding 8 weeks. Call Paul at 706-5490301.

Blues bands needed to perform at a benefit 5/15 & 5/16 in Athens. Email ewhitlock@ hotmail.com or call (770) 6333513.

Services

The Placidyls need melodic bassist & dynamic drummer in vein of prepunk/garage rock. NY Dolls, Stooges, pre-1975 Alice Cooper. 1 day/wk., rare weekends, all expenses, sm. salary. Email jared@theplacidyls. com. (404) 625-7659.

Online Pharmacy. Buy Soma, Ultram, Fioricet, Prozac, Buspar. $71.99/90, $107/180 quantities. Price incl. prescription! Over 200 meds. $25 coupon meition offer: #71A31. (888) 661-4957. tripharmacy.net (AAN CAN).

Rehearsal Space Rehearsal space for rent. 24/7 security. Utils incl. 2 bands will fit. $275/mo. Call Neal (706) 2071386.

Services Classical Guitar, DJ Services. Enter tainment for weddings, parties & other various social occasions. Over 20 yrs. experience throughout the Southeast. Contact Neal (770) 560-6277. Fret Shop. Professional guitar repairs, setups, electronics, p re c i s i o n f re t w o r k . P re v i o u s clients incl. R.E.M., Widespread Panic, Vic Chesnutt, Bob Mould, STS9, Abbey Road Live!, Squat. (706) 549-1567. Guitar Repair, setups, electronics & fretwork by 20 yr. pro. Thousands of previous clients. Proceeds help benefit N u ç i ’s S p a c e . Contact Jeff, (404) 643-9772 or www. AthensGuitar.com for details. Looking for a fun, classy alternative to the typical wedding band? If you are looking for “YMCA” than S q u a t is not your band. If you want Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, & salsa, then visit www.squatme.com/ weddings. (706) 548-0457.

Health

Home and Garden Backyard Solutions. Make your neighbors jealous! Wa t e r f a l l s , p o n d s , f e n c e s , decks, gazebos, porches, & more! Call Robin for free estimate! (706) 340-4492. Garden tractor–till lawns installed (pulverized, amended, seeded, etc.). Suburban Tractor Service. (706) 769-8697. Tr y i n g t o g e t y o u r p e r s o n a l business off the ground? Advertise in the Flagpole Classifieds! Only $15 for 1 week & $45 for 4 weeks! Call 706-549-0301.

Massage Revolutionary Massage & Wellness special: $40 intro 60 min. massage. Call (706) 2 5 5 - 4 4 4 3 o r v i s i t w w w. revolutionarymassage.com for more info.

Misc. Services Cash for gold. We buy gold, silver, platinum. Get cash now. Highest payouts. Satisfaction guaranteed. (877) 548-1550 (AAN CAN). Use a logo, graphic or border in your classified ad with Classified Display Advertising!!! Call 706-5490301 for more information.

Jobs Full-time Cashier, Sushi Chef, & kitchen staff position avail. Apply at I n o k o E x p re s s , Wa t k i n s v i l l e location. (706) 769-7088. Sales Reps needed! Looking for confident, self motivated, well spoken people. Star ting o u t a t $ 8 / h r. + c o m m i s s i o n . Exp. nec. Call Kris (770) 5605653. Weak people need not apply! Sexy Suz Adult Emporium is looking for fun, energetic, professional people to fill FT & PT positions! Come by & Apply! (706) 850-6919. NEED A JOB? Full-Time and P a r t - T i m e o p p o r t u n i t i e s a re listed weekly in the Flagpole Classifieds.

Opportunities $600 wk. potential. Helping the gov’t. PT. No exp., no selling. Call (888) 213-5225 AD code L-5. Void in MD & SD. (AAN CAN). Data entry processors needed! Ear n $3500–$5K/wk. working from home. Guaranteed paychecks. No exp. nec. Positions avail. today! Register o n l i n e n o w a t h t t p : / / w w w. DataPositions.com (AAN CAN). E a r n $ 7 5 - $ 2 0 0 / h r. Tr a i n a s media make-up artist for ads, TV, film, fashion. 1 wk. class. Stable job in weak e c o n o m y. D e t a i l s a t h t t p : / / www.MediaMakeupArtists.com, (310) 364-0665 (AAN CAN). Earn extra income assembling CD cases from home. Call Our Live Operators Now! (800) 405-7619 ext. 150 http://www.easyworkgreatpay.com (AAN CAN). High School diploma! Fast, affordable & accredited. Free brochure. Call now! (800) 5326546. Ext. 97. Go to http:// www.continentalacademy.com (AAN CAN). Post Office hiring nationally. Avg. pay $20/hr., $57K/yr. incl. federal benefits & OT. Optional fee-based test prep materials. Not affiliated w/ the US Postal Service. (866) 616-7019 (AAN CAN).

FLAGPOLE.COM ∙ MARCH 4, 2009

Part-time Make FT money for PT work. We are currently looking for females age 18–40 for modeling work. Everything from super models to the girl n e x t d o o r. Yo u m u s t b e i n good shape & open minded. If interested, pls. call (678) 8962246. Mystery shoppers earn up t o $ 1 0 0 / d a y. U n d e r c o v e r shoppers needed to judge retail & dining establishments. No exp. req’d. (800) 743-8535.

Vehicles Autos 2006 Scion Xa. 4DR auto. 51K mi. Silver w/ black interior. All dealer maintenance. Single owner, garage kept. $10,000. Call (706) 540-2361. BMW Z3 Convertible. 2006 has approx. 87K mi. 5 spd. 2.3 litre. Great condition, runs awesome. Newer top & tires. Black & tan interior. $12,500 (706) 202-8424. Sell Your Car, Bike, Van, Truck, Bus, Motorcycle, Boat, Camper, Scooter, etc—$36—Run ‘til Sold (Merchandise Only, Up To 12 Weeks). Call 706-549-0301 to place your ad!

Notices Organizations Advertise your business in 111 alternative newspapers like this one. Over 6 million circulation every wk. for $1200. No adult ads. Call Rick at (202) 2898484 (AAN CAN).

Messages Leaving town? Don’t know how to get your weekly Flagpole fix? Subscribe! $35 for 6 months, $55 for a yr.! Call (706) 549-9523.

Personals Athens couple looking to adopt. If you are pregnant & considering adoption, pls. call us at (888) 524-5054 or visit our family at www.adoption. corbyn.net. Pregnant? Considering a d o p t i o n ? Ta l k w / c a r i n g agency specializing in matching birthmothers w/ families nationwide. Living expenses paid. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions (866) 413-6293 (AAN CAN). Lose your puppy? Need a date? Want to find that guy you saw at the bar last weekend? Place your ad here.

everyday people Jujuan Barnes: UGA Parking Deck Monitor If on a weekday afternoon you happen to be driving out of UGA’s South Campus parking garage, you’re likely to get a friendly goodbye from Jujuan Barnes, the second-shift parking monitor. A native of South Carolina, Ms. Barnes is one of those rare people who can find a reason to be happy in almost any situation. Flagpole: What’s the story behind your name? Jujuan Barnes: My mother was married 14 years before I was born, and during that time her best friend’s husband was in the Army in Spain… and his wife was pregnant. And he said, “If it’s a girl, let’s name her ‘Jujuan.’” It was a girl, and Mama said she liked it—she likes different names. People don’t have as hard of a time saying it as they used to… coming up through school they would call me all types of crazy names… I answered to anything that sounded anything like it. [laughs]

WED, MARCH 4th • 9pm

FRI, MARCH 6th • 9pm

FP: Besides tending to your “zoo,” what else to you enjoy doing?

SAT, MARCH 7th • 9pm

Michael Goethe

FP: Which pronunciation was the worst? JB: “Jew-john.” I had a teacher in school [who said it], and the class laughed so much; it tickled them so bad, and a lot of them would call me that all through the year… I always wondered what the first “Ju” stood for. Because it’s like “Juan” is “John” or “Johnny,” and it was almost like a prefix, and this guy [at UGA] said it was an old name that came from some little area in Spain… and he said it denoted gender.

FP: You mentioned you had animals. What kind and how many? JB: My boyfriend says I have a ”small zoo.“ I have two Cornish Rex cats, a poodle dog and two ferrets. And at this point I think I have 10 parrots… at one time I had 23. I had an African grey about a year ago—oh, God, I’ll start crying ‘cause I still haven’t gotten over it… I promise you, she is in my mind every day. She could say anything she wanted to… she would talk to me. She was so smart…. One day when I was taking out my poodle she said—and she made this up herself—“When you gonna take us for a walk?” …I have lost a lot of animals, and it about kills me every time, but this is different. This was literally like a person was gone. I had to take something, that’s how bad it was.

THU, MARCH 26th

FP: Does it ever get monotonous doing the same thing over and over again, you know, taking people’s parking tickets? JB: No… like in retail, I have been through the management end, and even then you still have a lot to deal with… at this time in my life, I just want to work and go home and not have to worry about it. It doesn’t get on my nerves because most of the time it’s not like I have to deal with serious stuff.

FRI, MARCH 27th

FP: And you enjoy people, right? JB: I do! I really do… I’m just interested in how people live, what they like and what they do. It just fascinates me just to see how other people are. FP: You’d probably like to do what I’m doing right now! JB: I know! I thought about that. I thought, “I’ll be interviewing him and asking him all the questions!” FP: Do you wish you could talk longer with some of the people that come through your booth? JB: Yeah! Oh, my gosh, yeah. There’s a girl that works at the garden behind Snelling… I think we got along so well because I love flowers, and in the summer, that’s when I’m outside, doing flowers, flowers, flowers, you know? So, every time she comes by now, especially in the summer, I’m like, ”Let me show what I did on my patio“—I had taken a picture with my phone—we could go on and on… but there’re people waiting, and I could get in trouble if [I didn’t move her along]. FP: How long have you been in Athens? JB: About 20 years now. I love Athens. I was married; I lived in Anderson, SC for 10 years. When I divorced, I came—I don’t have any children or anything, just animals—I came to Greensboro, GA… my parents were there. You know how you always go back home to get on your feet… when I finally did get up [to Athens] it was like I was home. FP: What do you love about Athens? JB: I like the diversity—all the different kinds of people… it’s like a small Atlanta. You’ve got the arts, and theater, and I love that… it fits me. You can be yourself.

SAT, MARCH 28th JB: I’ve always loved books… books of any kind. I like a lot of psychology books; I’m into that because I want to see how people’s minds work, why they do the things they do. FP: What were you reading when I came up to your booth the other day? JB: Oh, that. [laughs] That was not a book I picked out… If Tomorrow Comes, it’s an old book; my neighbor across the street said, “You’ve got to read this, you’ll just eat it up.” …I also used to dance—ballroom. That was the love of my life, I think. I’m not bragging, but I was good at it… it would give me that high. I think there’s something that everybody’s best at and I think that was it for me.

COMING SOON

FP: Are there any restaurants around here that you like? JB: Gyros. I love gyros… it’s funny you ask because the other day this girl asked me, ”What’s your favorite pizza place in Athens to eat?” And I laughed and I said I’m not the person to ask that because when I eat Papa John’s pizza, that does it for me. Jeff Gore

MARCH 4, 2009 · FLAGPOLE.COM