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DECEMBER 13, 2023 · VOL. 37 · NO. 49 · FREE

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

this week’s issue

contents

KENT HANNON

Oconee Youth Playhouse’s production of Elf the Musical continues this weekend Dec. 15–17 at the Oconee Youth Theater in Watkinsville.

For more holiday-themed events, see the Event Calendar on p. 14.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Street Scribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Gaza Protestors at Commission Meeting

Hey, Bonita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

First Step Camp Closes

Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

FOOD & DRINK: Good Growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Gifting a Gardener

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Holiday Hustle Club

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles PUBLISHER Pete McCommons

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Fabienne Mack, Jessica Pritchard Mangum

Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

CITY EDITOR Blake Aued ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith

Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene

Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

CLASSIFIEDS Jennifer Keene AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson Rebecca McCarthy, Ed Tant CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Gerald Burris, Charles Greenleaf EDITORIAL INTERNS Analiese Herrin, Xinge Lei

DAVID LEKACH

CONTRIBUTORS Bonita Applebum, Chris Dowd, Erin France, Gordon Lamb,

PHOTOGRAPHERS Mason Pearson, Jake Zerkel

COVER WRAPPING PAPER ART by Missy Kulik

STREET ADDRESS: 220 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603 EDITORIAL: 706-549-9523 · ADVERTISING: 706-549-0301 CLASSIFIED ADS: class@flagpole.com ADVERTISING: ads@flagpole.com CALENDAR: calendar@flagpole.com EDITORIAL: editorial@flagpole.com

LETTERS: letters@flagpole.com MUSIC: music@flagpole.com NEWS: news@flagpole.com ADVICE: advice@flagpole.com

Flagpole, Inc. publishes Flagpole Magazine weekly and distributes 8,500 copies free at over 275 locations around Athens, Georgia. Subscriptions cost $100 a year, $55 for six months. © 2023 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOLUME 37 ISSUE NUMBER 49

PLEASE VAX UP SO WE DON’T NEED TO

Association of Alternative Newsmedia

MASK UP AGAIN

online exclusive Members of Athens band The B-52s collaborated with chimpanzees at a Florida wildlife sanctuary on paintings that were sold to benefit the charity at an art fair during the Art Basil Miami Beach festival.

See “The B-52’s Collaborate With Chimps on Art to Benefit Sanctuary” at flagpole.com.

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706.395.6633 Home Base For Disruptive Beauty DE C E MB E R 13, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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news

city dope

Dawgs for Gaza

PROTESTORS FLOOD CITY HALL SEEKING CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION

By Blake Aued and Rebecca McCarthy news@flagpole.com

4

your back and food on your table. So to sit here and assume that we as a local government do not care about what’s going on, I see the same videos as you have.”

Like Davenport, Commissioner John Culpepper said he is not focused on international issues, but ones closer to home.

Commissioner Melissa Link questioned what good a local resolution would do, and urged activists to contact their congressman and senators.

SCREENCAP VIA YOUTUBE

Dozens of pro-Palestine activists, many of them UGA students, showed up at City Hall during an Athens-Clarke County Commission meeting to demand that the mayor and commission take a stand in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Speakers said that Palestinians, and Arabs and Muslims more broadly, do not feel safe in Athens. “I no longer feel that this is my city because when my country is under attack, my local government remains silent,” said a student who gave her name as Yara.

They also said that the UGA administration is suppressing their free speech, and that ACC police are standing by while they are harassed during demonstrations. “All we’re asking for is a resolution saying ‘no’ to genocide and ‘no’ to those who are censoring us for condemning it,” said one woman who identified herself as Cici.

Most of the speakers did not give their full names or addresses, in violation of the commission’s public input policy. A few also wore bandanas covering their faces. Some held Palestinian flags or wore the flag’s colors.

Some of the speakers condemned Mayor Kelly Girtz and nine commissioners—all except Jesse Houle—in harsh terms for not taking a stance on the war in Gaza in favor of Palestine. “On all levels it is our government and our representatives—you, all of you—who give their unwavering support to Israel and refuse to stop this genocide,” UGA student Trey Holloway said, pointing across the rail. Another speaker told the M&C that “you have blood on your hands.”

Some of the activists appeared to believe that the ACC government is sending $1.8 million in local tax dollars to Israel each year to buy arms, “spent exclusively on weapons of death and destruction,” as one put it. (That, needless to say, is untrue.)

Another said ACC is “allocating $1.8 million… to ending bloodlines.”

However, one speaker clarified that the $1.8 million figure is actually the share of ACC residents’ federal tax dollars that are going to Israel. Houle said that a calculator is circulating on social media allowing people to figure out how much in federal tax revenue from their community is spent on foreign aid to Israel.

Some commissioners responded with annoyance to the pro-Palestine group, which included members of Students for Justice in Palestine, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Students for Socialism and the UGA Young Democrats. Those commissioners took issue with the assumption that they are opposed to a ceasefire, and threats to unseat them in upcoming elections.

Both commissioners Patrick Davenport and Tiffany Taylor called their comments disrespectful. Commissioner Ovita Thornton chided them as well, but more gently.

“I stand in solidarity with Gaza and Palestine, and I call for an immediate ceasefire. But your disrespect tonight is unacceptable,” Taylor said. “Each one of you have privileged lives. Each one of you is going home with a roof over your head, clothes on

historic district. Neighbors said they are concerned that the complex will be rented out as a “party house.” Houle supported approval, while Davenport voted against both denial and approval.

• voted 7–2 to approve a subdivision and a sewer pump station off Newton Bridge Road after Thornton convinced the developer to include amenities like a walking path and crosswalk connecting it to Holland Park. Link and Commissioner Carol Myers voted no, citing concerns about the ongoing expense of maintaining the pump station and the sprawling car-centric nature of the development.

• voted unanimously to send a policy on charging nonprofits to lease county-owned facilities back to the Government Operations Committee again. Commissioners have been trying since 2021 to find a fair way to set rents for organizations like the

“I’m just in local government,” Link said.

“I don’t even like to call myself a politician.

I’m just trying to make my own little community a little bit better.”

But Houle contended that a resolution would carry more force than people speaking as individuals. “I can keep saying some stuff on Twitter, attending rallies like I did last Thursday, but that doesn’t mean nearly as much as this body making a formal statement,” they said.

Houle has been outspoken about Gaza on social media but denied that they organized the demonstrators. “I believe I heard an under-the-breath remark that I started this. I did not start this. I had nothing to do with it,” they said. “This is people in our community.”

Several of the public speakers took issue with a comment Commissioner Allison Wright apparently made during a break to the effect that the demonstrators were lucky they didn’t have jobs to be at in the morning. They pointed out that even those who are students cared enough to stay until midnight during finals. Wright apologized for the “light-hearted comment out in the hall. I did not mean disrespect to your whole group,” she said.

Only one person spoke in favor of Israel.

“You cannot ask Israel to cease fire,” said Pat Bates. “If the Gazans did not want retaliation, they should not have started it.” The next speaker called Bates’ comments “racist propaganda.”

In actual official business, the commission: • voted unanimously to approve Micah’s Creek, a Habitat for Humanity development of 63 small homes at Little Oak and Burney streets.

• voted 7–2 to deny permission for a breezeway and deck at a house in the Bloomfield

F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

Town & Gown Players and the Athens Neighborhood Health Center after noticing a racial disparity in charges for different groups. Currently all nonprofit rents are set at $1 while a new policy is under review. [BA]

Brooklyn Creek Sewer Project Underway Those big pipes on West Lake and Dudley Drive? And Milledge Circle and

Meadowview? No, they don’t have anything to do with stormwater.

They’re part of the first phase of a $23 million sewer project that Athens-Clarke County officials hope will be finished in the next six months. Then work will begin on the second phase. Phase one began in the fall of 2022.

“We have problems because most of the sewer lines in that area—really, about everywhere in the old city limits—are more than 50 years old,” said Hollis Terry, ACC director of public utilities. “It’s really amazing they’ve lasted that long without a major failure.”

Many of the replaced lines have been aerials, suspended in the air across Brooklyn Creek. The creek starts underground near Oglethorpe and Normal avenues and flows into the Middle Oconee River. It, in turn, joins with the North Oconee to form the Oconee River, a source of drinking water for downstream communities.

Workers with Garney Construction, which has the construction contract, have put the lines under the creek, Terry says. “It’s very complicated, right there by the stream. Our goal is to eliminate hazards and protect the environment.”

An interceptor is a collection line that receives sewage flow from a number of different pipes and carries the wastewater to the treatment plant. Inspectors found the Brooklyn Creek interceptor was too small for the current amount of wastewater flowing in the area.

With the population expected to continue rising, installing a much larger pipe will provide greater sewer capacity.

Phase one will end near Baxter Street.

Terry said the second phase, which will go all the way to Piedmont Athens Regional, will soon get underway. Officials will send out notices for pre-qualification to construction firms to bid on the contract. If things go smoothly, Terry expects the entire project to be completed 18–24 months later. The county has easements in hand for the whole project. [RM] f

news

feature

Last First Step

RESIDENTS LEAVE AS HOMELESS CAMP PREPARES TO CLOSE

By Chris Dowd news@flagpole.com

T

he First Step homeless community has provided a safe place to camp for 55 people at a time since March of last year, but it’s scheduled to close permanently at the end of the month. Most residents have already left the camp, some transitioning to hotel rooms funded by Athens-Clarke County through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Of those remaining, most will leave this week as the camp continues winding down.

First Step stopped accepting new residents on Sept. 30, and everyone at the camp was given a 60-day notice to vacate on or around Oct. 1.

charged for breaking camp rules and others have been able to find housing.

So many people have left due to normal ebb and flow that after the next 15 residents fill the remaining hotel slots, there will only be seven residents left who will be ejected from the camp without knowing where they will be sleeping that night.

Morris said that his team will keep in contact with the final seven residents over the next few months, and they’ll be first in line for a hotel spot if one comes available.

However, some of them don’t actually want a hotel room even as nighttime temperatures drop towards freezing.

“I’d rather stay here. I’m comfortable here,” said Geraldine Brewer, who has been staying at First Step for about a year. “I don’t want to stay in a hotel. I’ve got plenty of blankets. I’d rather go homeless than go where they want me to go. Just because you’re living nice, that don’t make you happy.”

the hefty security budget.

But ACC officials declined New Dawn’s offer in October to pursue the hotel voucher idea. That’s in part because ACC staff had concerns about reducing security at First Step and thought that, in any case, the proposal underestimated the funding they’d need.

The county government’s relationship with the outside group contracted to run the camp has been rocky from the start.

ACC staff say Athens Alliance Coalition has been responsible for fiscal reporting errors and hiring violations, and they made purchases that weren’t reimbursable, among other issues. Making matters worse, Charles Hardy, the founder and former executive director of Athens Alliance Coalition, has been accused of sexual harassment and criminal battery against former First Step employees and residents.

Hardy maintained his innocence, but he was found guilty in May of battery against a former resident who had returned to pick up her things. Athens Alliance Coalition replaced Hardy as executive director on May 11 at the urging of the ACC manager’s office.

However, Hardy refused to acknowledge the board’s action. He went so far as to file with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office to dissolve Athens Alliance Coalition without the consent of the board. The board

The next month, Commissioner Ovita Thornton wanted to change her vote and made a motion to reconsider. “I do not want time to go by and someone looks and sees that I voted for something that I really did not support,” Thornton said. “I feel as though we could have done a much better job at addressing the issue, but we have been kicking the ball down the road.”

Houle agreed, saying, “I do feel like we as a body could/should have done more… That voucher program does not provide enough vouchers for all the people at First Step. It does not have a plan for what to do with those folks once the vouchers run out in a few months.”

The second vote on the hotel voucher program was much closer than the first.

Thornton and Commissioner Dexter Fisher joined Link and Houle in voting no, making the final tally 6-4.

Statistics Show Some Success

Three commissioners spoke up in favor of continuing First Step, saying that the program had generally proven to be a success despite the major disruption caused In October, the ACC Commission

by Hardy and other significant issues at the extended a hotel voucher program started camp. by the nonprofit Advantage Behavioral Despite the large expense of the first Health Systems in 2020. This program has 22-month contract with First Step, the allowed a rotating group of 25 hotel voucher program is people experiencing homelesseven more expensive per ness to stay in hotels as they person served. Assuming work to improve their lives. full capacity, it took $23,619 The program was set to expire per person to keep First Step in December, but will now run open for a year, whereas the through April at the cost of hotel voucher program costs $277,288 from ARPA. $33,275 per person a year. If Some of the most vulnerthe new operator of the camp able First Step residents have managed to whittle down the already moved into hotel cost even somewhat, First rooms, and they’ll be joined Step’s relative savings would by another 15 people over the be even more apparent. next two weeks, according Furthermore, First Step to John Morris, the THRIVE was able to help its residents community programs team stabilize their lives so they leader for ABHS. Together could seek out jobs, houswith a few people from outing and other assistance. side of the First Step commuAccording to the commission’s nity, the hotel program will be agenda item, 16% of camp resfull after accepting these 15. idents (52 people) had moved Morris said he hopes that into permanent housing as many of the residents now of Aug. 31. Another 14% (43 moving into hotel rooms people) moved into temporary will be able to find housing housing, transitional housing before the end of April, and or a recovery program. Since The First Step homeless camp off Barber Street is clearing out, with most residents moving into hotel rooms for the time being. his team has been working in then, those numbers have collaboration with First Step increased. staff and the ACC Housing and Community Many First Step residents were also able could have fought the attempt, but instead Brewer was asked to leave First Step last Development Department to make that to improve their income while at First Step, chose a less confrontational path—they Tuesday, but she said she isn’t sure why happen. according to the ACC government’s ARPA allowed the organization to be dissolved this was necessary since the camp officially “In the past two months, it’s been all data hub. For example, some residents were and then reformed as New Dawn. closes on Dec. 31. hands on deck—a lot of collaboration, able to gain employment at the Pilgrim’s New Dawn does not yet have full nonincreased communication, and we’re havPride plant next door on Barber Street. profit status, however. That’s led to legal ing good results,” Morris said. “People are While the sanctioned encampment will concerns, which are the primary reason going and getting their behavioral health permanently close on Dec. 31, it’s possible why the local government has decided not The local government decided not to assessments and engaging in services with that First Step could reopen someday if the to continue the camp. ACC Manager Blaine continue First Step in part because of the Advantage. For some people, that is a huge ACC government has the appetite to try the Williams explained to commissioners at difficulty in finding a long-term funding step for them and opens the door for mulexperiment again. There is at least some their October meeting that staff “didn’t feel source as COVID relief funds are expended. tiple housing tracks for them. When we like the corporate entity had recovered from support for it on the commission, which is The group Athens Alliance Coalition have clients who aren’t holding up their shared by Morris from ABHS. the dissolution to a state where we felt we began First Step in March 2022 with $2.5 end, First Step is supporting and following “I still believe in the concept of a sanccould continue with them contractually.” million from the American Rescue Plan. up with them. That’s where I think a lot of The local government could have tried to tioned encampment,” Morris said. “I hope As the original 22-month contract was set these great outcomes are coming from.” that we as a community can figure out what find another camp operator, but after comto expire, the group—now known as New The difficult task has been made a little that might look like another day. There are missioners approved the hotel voucher proDawn—submitted a proposal to continue easier since October, when some First Step gram as the First Step transition plan, there still going to be people sleeping outside, so the camp at a greatly reduced cost. They residents started leaving the camp for varigiving them a place to sleep where they can was no reason to do so. Commissioners estimated they could run the camp with ous reasons. Some residents have gone into have their basic human needs met and supvoted 8-2 for the voucher program, with only $304,500 per year, a significant cost recovery programs, some have left Athens portive services, I think is a good resource commissioners Melissa Link and Jesse savings that comes mostly from slashing to reunite with family, some have been disfor a community to have.” f Houle voting no.

Where Will Residents Go?

BLAKE AUED

The End of an Experiment

DE C E MB E R 13, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

5

news

street scribe

advice

hey, bonita…

Christmas in Space

Enforcing Bedroom Boundaries

By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com

By Bonita Applebum advice@flagpole.com

There was no peace on Earth, but there “buddy movie” that was hailed for its spewas good will around the moon during the cial effects.

Christmas season of 1968. The year had Apollo 8 orbited the moon during the been marked by a bloody war in Vietnam Christmas season, and the astronauts while riots raged on the streets of America, aboard read verses from the biblical book and the nation was shocked by the assassiof Genesis during a TV broadcast from nations of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. their spacecraft as they soared over the and Sen. Robert Kennedy. As this country crater-strewn surface of the moon. Though simmered, American astronauts Frank the holiday and the verses were Christian Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders sailed in nature, the uplifting achievement of the serenely through space Apollo 8 mission was aboard their Apollo 8 applauded by millions How fortunate we are to of Earth’s citizens of spaceship on the first human voyage to the religion or no relihave a body [Earth] that every moon. gion at all. A photo that Borman, the comwill allow us to enjoy the sky astronaut Anders took mander of the historic a rising Earth in the and the trees and the water. of Apollo 8 mission, died blackness of space above at age 95 on Nov. 7. The the lunar landscape old astronaut’s two crewmates still survive. became a 20th century icon that inspired Lovell is 95, and Anders is 90. The three the environmental movement, causing men were young when they set off to the Anders to reflect that in going to the moon, moon during Christmas of 1968. They saw humanity had discovered Earth. sights never before seen by human eyes, Though Apollo 8 was not intended to like the far side of the moon, and they land on the moon, its flight to lunar orbit and its return to Earth was an unprecedented and memorable event that brought a needed boost to a beleaguered planet. The trip to the moon left impressions with the astronauts that resonate today. Anders said, “We’re living on a tiny little dust mote in left field of a rather insignificant galaxy, and basically this is it for humans. It strikes me that it’s a shame that we’re squabbling over oil and borders.”

Lovell recalled that his lunar journey showed him “how Astronaut Bill Anders took this famous photo of Earth from lunar orbit. insignificant we are, and how fortunate brought back photos of a faraway Earth that we are to have a body [Earth] that will allow Anders aptly called “a fragile Christmas tree us to enjoy the sky and the trees and the ball which we should handle with considerwater. It’s something that many people take able care.” for granted… but they don’t realize what The daring lunar mission 55 years ago they have—and I didn’t until I left it.” captured the imagination of the world.

Mission commander Borman was a seriWhen the first humans gazed up at the ous military man who viewed Earth from moon many millennia ago, they must have the moon with both wonder and worry. felt a sense of wonder and mystery that “Raging nationalistic interests, famines, later inspired lovers, poets, songwriters wars and pestilence don’t show up from and scientists through thousands of years that distance,” he said. “When you’re finally of time. French writer Jules Verne brought up on the moon looking back at Earth… the dream of a lunar journey to millions of you’re going to get a concept that maybe readers with his 1865 novel, From the Earth this is really one world, and why the hell to the Moon, and its 1869 sequel, Around can’t we learn to live together like decent the Moon. In the postwar 20th century, people?” long before the Apollo moon flights in real The flight of Apollo 8 was a Christmas life, the moon was a setting for science gift to Planet Earth after a year of global fiction stories by such writers as Arthur C. terror and tumult. It may have been Clarke, Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein. summed up best by a telegram sent to Moviegoers of 1950 saw Hollywood’s Borman by an unknown American: “To Technicolor treatment of a lunar landing in the crew of Apollo 8. Thank you. You saved the film Destination Moon, an outer space 1968.” f

Hey Bonita, Love your column. I’m a cis-het woman, happily married, but I have a hard time communicating with my husband about things he does sexually. Like, mostly things are good, and I’m satisfied, but he has a couple habits that I’ve called out many times, but he keeps doing them. I’ve tried telling him in the moment, waiting until after sex, then trying to explain calmly why that hurts or doesn’t feel good—I feel like I’ve made reasonable attempts to communicate without shaming him. But for whatever reason—absentmindedness?

Selfishness?—he keeps doing these things.

Everything else about our relationship and sex life is great, but I am

APOLLO 8 GAVE EARTHLINGS A NEW PERSPECTIVE

“

6

F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

ADVICE FOR ATHENS’ LOOSE AND LOVELORN

starting to get frustrated and resentful that he can’t change his behavior when I’m telling him very clearly (and kindly, I hope). I’m about to lose my patience, and I worry this will make our sex life and trust worse. What am I missing?

Many thanks, Frustrated and Chafed Hey Frustrated, It’s so tricky to address sexual incompatibilities with a partner in general, but especially with a spouse. There’s a lot of sunk cost at play here—you’ve been with someone for years and have even legally bound yourself to them, but you’re clearly not a match on this particular issue. You even asked what you’re missing, and sweetie, it’s absolutely nothing. This is in no way your fault, and there is nothing you need to do.

Sorry, but I do believe that your husband is making a choice to disregard or ignore your requests about your sex life.

I say this because I’ve been there before.

I dated a guy who was into something that I definitely wasn’t, and he regularly tried it on me almost every time we had sex.The first time I called him out in the moment and made it clear that this activity was not on the menu, but his behavior didn’t stop.

And then he finally did the worst thing he could have possibly done, which was to continue after I called him out on it during

our last time in bed together. I dumped him the next time we spoke, and I haven’t looked back since or felt one iota of regret.

Your husband is being selfish, and he likely thinks he can steamroll you on this issue for whatever reason, which is just astonishing to me. It is the year 2023, and most men fully understand that they cannot just do whatever they want to a woman’s body, and that no means no.

I think that you should advocate for yourself and your bodily autonomy in bed.

You deserve to enjoy sex and not be anxious that he’s going to pull a move that turns you off, like I was all those years ago. I think that you should sit

him down during a completely private and unsexy moment— don’t bring it up casually while watching TV, but set aside a time for this conversation, and let him know that you need to speak seriously with him about something that means a lot to you. Make it clear that you want these actions to cease, and remind him that you have spoken to him about this many times before. He may get defensive or try to gaslight you into thinking you’re overreacting, but you’re allowed to assert your right to pleasure and to feel comfortable being intimate with him. Tell him that this is impacting your ability to trust him in bed. I imagine that his pleasure in bed is a given, and yours should be, too. I’m not sure that he means you any harm, but misogyny is systemic, and very often people harm others without even realizing they’re doing so.

Do not be afraid to draw a hard line over this—if he won’t stop twisting your nipples, for example, then tell him that he’s no longer allowed to touch your breasts at all.

Sounds extreme, but no means no, and his transgressions have the potential to have a much more profound and negative impact on your mental health than it would for him to be denied sex for once. f Need advice? Email advice@flagpole.com, or use our anonymous online form at flagpole.com/get-­ advice.

food & drink

good growing

Gardening Gifts

Dog Spa

WHAT TO GET GREEN THUMBS FOR CHRISTMAS

By Erin France news@flagpole.com Though winter marches on, many gardeners are already perusing seed catalogs and planning spring plantings. Whether a novice or master gardener, it’s fun to support your pals with a Yuletide gift for their greenthumbed hobby. If you’re a gardener or giving a present to a gardener, here are some of my favorites to inspire your own gift-giving. You can find most of these items in the $10–40 price range, so they’re both practical and affordable.

BEST GARDEN CLIPPERS: Zenport Trimmer QZ

142 The best garden clippers I own are made to trim goat hooves. I accidentally bought an extra pair early in my goat ownership, and decided to put the unused clippers to work in the garden. If they can handle BERNARD SPRAGG

Daffodil bulbs can be wrapped in breathable paper.

tough hooves, I thought, they can probably handle woody stems. These clippers spring back open after a snip and can withstand plenty of rain, dirt and abuse. They don’t last forever, but you should be able to get a year or two of heavy use out of them. Other clippers tend to feel too light, too heavy or the spring seems to fall out almost immediately upon use. And if they can’t get wet, rolled around in the mud and stepped on, what’s even the point of calling it a garden tool?

BEST GARDENING BOOTS: Servus Rubber Boots

I’ve torn through a mountain of work boots in soggy conditions, and these are by far the most comfortable fit and longest lasting. With everyday wear, they will last about two years. Servus sells men’s and women’s sizes that run true, so it’s not a guessing game of what will fit. Got a lady size 10 foot? It’ll probably be most comfortable in a woman’s size 10 boot. Once holes start appearing, I chop the tops of the boots off and wear them as a sort of summer-time home-made Croc. These boots don’t come

... just listen

in pink or a fashionable print, but they keep my piggies drier longer than any cute boot I’ve worn.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH

NO PHONE PARTY

BEST BET FOR REAL PLANTS: Daffodil Bulbs

Want to skip from tools straight to something the gardener in your life can plant? Orchids and amaryllis look beautiful, but it’s hard to wrap them up and stuff them under the tree. You can do that with daffodil bulbs. Daffodils are the official flower of the Classic City, and January is a good time to plant them. Bulbs work well for friends with large yards or friends with a smaller, potted porch garden. There’s plenty of fancy, funky daffodils to have some fun finding the perfect fit for your giftee. The only caveat here is to wrap the bulbs in something breathable. Paper or cloth bags work well, but plastic Christmas wrap does not. Bulbs can rot without some air exchange.

BEST BOOK: Good Bug, Bad Bug by Jessica Walliser I read (and love) a lot of gardening books. This one, I pull off the shelf every winter when I start planning my beneficial insect garden. I use my garden journal entries to identify problematic pests and then pick the flowers and planting plans most likely to attract their insect predators. Some of the advice to attract beneficial insects is general: Establish a wide variety of perennials. Other advice is super-specific: I should transplant the lavender and thyme into the main garden to entice spider mite-chomping damselflies. Following this book’s advice, I’ve managed to attract parasitic wasps who, in turn, keep the hornworms from demolishing my summer tomato plants. Well worth it for gardeners who complain about pests, but want to avoid chemical-spray solutions.

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THE GIFT I WANT: Japanese Hoe Trowel

A friend working part-time on landscape design showed me her tool kit, and I wanted to steal this trowel out of it. The handle sits 90 degrees from the blade, making it possible to spread downward pressure throughout the whole hand. My current trowel (blade and handle in-line) tends to leave quarter-sized blisters on my palm after transplanting a row of bok choy. Maybe I add an extra trowel twist because of the clay soil I work with? Maybe my current trowel (or grip) isn’t ergonomic enough? Whatever the reason, I’m ready to try this tool and leave holes in the ground, not my hand. f

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1.11 - COMEDIAN TODD BARRY 2.4 - SAM BURCHFIELD 2.9 - WEDNESDAY 2.14-17 - HEATHENS HOMECOMING DRIVE - BY TRUCKERS DE C E MB E R 13, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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music

threats & promises

music

feature

Jamey Loftin’s New Album

The Holiday Hustle Club

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

By Jessica Smith music@flagpole.com

GO SEE ’EM: If you’ve not seen them for a while, you’re not alone. They haven’t seen you, either. Who? Well, that would be Neighbor Lady. All y’all catch up and hug it out Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Georgia Theatre. Also on the bill are Rose Hotel, Curt Castle and Spencer Thomas. Word on the street is that Thomas will celebrate the release of his first single since signing to Strolling Bones records, which will release a full-length album next year. For more

info see facebook.com/Neighborladymusic, curtcastle.com, rosehotelmusic.com and spencerthomassongs.com.

IT MIGHT GET LOUD: Just in time to challenge your chestnuts comes the triple-threat bill strong enough to clog your arteries. On Friday, Dec. 15, Shadebeast will present the mighty metal mavens Savagist along with increasingly dark and driven Vincas, as well as the hardcore thrash exclamations of Weaponized Flesh. You will sweat, and your ears will ring like the bells of Christmas day. Tickets are $12 at 40watt.com. No idea if there will be more at the door or not, but considering there’s a nearly three-and-ahalf dollar fee—don’t blame the Watt; processing costs money—when buying these online, you may as well take the chance and throw down your bucks in person. If you want to learn a whole bunch of songs so you can sing along while you’re there, please see savagist.bandcamp.com, vincas.bandcamp. com and weaponized flesh1.bandcamp.com.

LISTEN TO THE WARM: Fans of outsider electronic music here in town have come to expect the annual Winter Solstice show, which organizers Michael Pierce and DJ Other Voices, Other Rooms used to coordinate at the Go Bar (RIP). This year’s event happens at Flicker Theatre & Bar with the aforementioned DJ, as well as LeeAnn Peppers, Wet Garden (Michael Pierce and Shannon Perry) and G.A.G. (Joyce Le Guin). Other Voices, Other Rooms promises a set of “‘80s Synth Pop, Shoegaze, and Sister Sledge” both in between acts and to close out the whole show, so when you’re

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not wearing your thinking caps you can put on your boogie shoes. This all goes down Thursday, Dec. 15.

A FINE DEBUT: While longtime Athenians may know him better as one of the founders of Loco’s, Jamey Loftin is also quite a fine songwriter and musician. To wit, he’s just released his first full-length album of all original songs that he wrote and recorded.

This 11-song release is named Comes With The Dust. For ease of explanation, you could slot this easily onto your Americana-folk-country shelf, and you wouldn’t be incorrect, but you’d miss the full picture.

Loftin shines immediately out of the gate with the finger-picked “Sun,” and then each song after it is a treat. I generally don’t care too much about production values—a good song should be evident no matter how it was recorded—but I have to say I really like some of the bigroom 1980s-style production here. Other specific highlights on this are the reggae/rap “Fast,” which would have been much less effective in weaker hands, the Chris Isaakmeets-Mark Knopfler “Ben,” and the nearly Band-worthy “Travelin’ Angels.” When I first encountered this record I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did, so here’s to listening with open ears. Find this on Spotify and Apple Music.

THIS IS POTTER’S HOUSE: There’s a new onetwo knockout available from The Electric Nature. First up is Live In Troy, which was recorded in New York while Electric Nature head honcho Michael Potter was on a solo tour this year. Cleverly, he’d loaded up a full studio session that the trio version of this Athens-based group (Potter, Michael Pierce and Thom Strickland) had recorded back in May, and his live shows on this tour used a lot of that as a platform and jumping off point. Importantly, none of the players he performed with on this tour had ever heard this material. This live show in particular was a collaboration with Eric Hardiman (Rambutan, Burnt Hills, Tape Drift Records) and Zoots Houston (Negative Raxxx, Rider/Horse). Next up is Live In Athens which catalogs the dual guitar directions between Potter and Pierce and was recorded during their appearance at ATHICA’s Sonic Space earlier this month.

Potter’s musical vocabulary is quite large, and you never know exactly what he’ll grant an audience during a live show. That said, the Live In Troy recording is good but what longtime fans might expect in terms of noise, aggression, etc. The Live In Athens set is completely revelatory, though, and worth every second of its 33-minute running time.

Find each at nullzone.bandcamp.com f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

NEW TUNES FOR A FESTIVE SEASON

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esonating with warm, nostalgic charm, The Holiday Hustle Club channels the magic of old-school holiday songs to keep the season festive and merry. Led by songwriter, pianist and vocalist Bart King, the quartet includes Jeremy Raj on electric guitar, Chris Enghauser on bass and Louis Romanos on drums. Joined by guest singers, the Holiday Hustle Club will debut new tunes alongside secular classics.

King’s name may be familiar to the Athens community for a variety of reasons. After graduating with a journalism degree from the University of Georgia, Bart received a MFA in creative writing from Columbia University.

He found his niche as a writer specializing in environmental and sustainability issues, and launched his own business called New Growth Communications. He is the author of several children’s books—The Girl Who Kept Night In Her Closet, Juniper Gets Wet, Do Not Read This Book at Bedtime and Robot Soup—all of which were illustrated by local artist Bart King Jacob Wenzka. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also founded the Forest Heights Blueberry Festival and Community Blueberry Project to help bring people together.

Though King kickstarted his musical journey very young in life by singing in choirs and taking pianos lessons, music gradually moved to the back burner as he built his business, grew his family and pursued other creative projects. Still, he would make it a point to warm everyone up around the piano during private Christmastime parties.

“Even when I wasn’t playing much music the rest of the year, I always played a lot around the holidays,” says King. “My mother is a piano player, and my family always sang Christmas songs around the piano when I was growing up—and we still do. I get affected by the dark and cold during winter, but playing holiday music combats that and puts me in the spirit.”

Now, after roughly a decade of relatively little activity in the music scene, he’s hit his stride making holiday music, joining the likes of the Good Grief Trio and Athens Symphony Orchestra in providing popular annual traditions. Honoring the likes of Irving Berlin, Mel Tormé and other iconic artists of the Great American Songbook, the Holiday Hustle Club also spotlights talented local artists.

Invigorated by last year’s public performance under the previous moniker Stardust Holiday Lounge, King wrote three new original holiday tunes before his vacation was even over. The resulting EP, Snow Day!, was then recorded with Jesse Mangum at The Glow Recording Studio with Zack Milster of Night Palace contributing guitar.

The five-track EP was released on streaming platforms Dec. 8.

Led by Claire Campbell of Hope for Agoldensummer, the title track “Snow Day!” is a playful Vince Guaraldi-esque tune full of joyful anticipation towards taking a day off of school or work to enjoy the winter wonderland. Campbell is joined by an excited chorus of children including Lucille King, Miriam Silk, Charlie Wallace and Maypop Wren. Sung by Betsy Franck of Bloodkin, the blues song “Secret Santa” leans into the trope of naughty-but-nice innuendos for a more adult audience.

JUSTIN EVANS

PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

On “My Favorite Holiday Song,” King lyrically conveys how his love for holiday music is perhaps less about specific melodies and more about its ability to bring people together. He sings, “It’s the one about moments when dreams come true/ Where our hopes and fears all belong./ Joy and magic in the hard times too/ That’s what makes my holiday song.”

The EP is rounded out by two covers of popular tunes: a ballad rendition of Jolly Old St. Nicholas and an instrumental version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas that alternates between the original waltz time and an energized New Orleans-style beat.

“I really enjoy performing as a way of expressing myself and having shared experiences with other musicians and audiences,” says King. “To me, holiday music, like a cover band, is more about a shared love of the songs, rather than a focus on a particular musician or band. And that feels right for the kind of experiences I want to create for myself and others.”

The Holiday Hustle Club will perform two different shows this season. A family-friendly concert at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens will be held Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., and a second appearance will follow at Hendershot’s on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. The first show will star guest vocalists Kate Morrissey and Lisa Cesnik Ferguson, while the second show spotlights Campbell, Franck, Knowa Johnson, Tracy Brown, Nony1, Chloe Floyd and King’s daughter, Lucille. UUFA suggests a $10 donation for adults, while children are invited to attend for free. Tickets to Hendershot’s run $15. f

news

letters

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO P.O. BOX 1027, ATHENS, GA 30603 OR EMAIL US AT LETTERS@FLAGPOLE.COM Listen to Mayors on Guns More than 50 Georgia mayors sent a message to Gov. Brian Kemp and the General Assembly. The mayors asked the governor and General Assembly to put in place, “enhanced gun safety measures in Georgia.”

The mayors asked for: • continued enhancement of behavioral health supports and funding, • a level playing field for background checks that includes all purchases or transfers, • mechanisms that identify and prevent potential purchases by those who have been demonstrated to be at risk for illegal activity with guns, • a focus on the specific weapons that are demonstrated to create rapid destruction through high capacity or rapid fire action, and • requirements for safe storage of guns.

Why would Georgia’s mayors do something so extraordinary? $23.9 billion: Gun violence costs Georgia $23.9 billion each year.

1,800: Every year 1,800 people die by guns in Georgia.

190: One hundred and ninety Georgia teens and children die by guns every year.

No. 1: Gun violence is the leading cause of death among Georgia children and teens.

19: Georgia had 19 multiple-victim shootings in the first 10 months of 2023.

101: Gun-related murders shot up 101% over the last decade in Georgia.

Zero: The places in Georgia which are safe from the threat of injury and death from gun violence.

100%: Georgians who care deeply about the lives of men, women and children in Georgia.

Georgia’s mayors are speaking to us loudly and clearly. We must listen to them.

And we must act, just as they have done.

Bruce Menke Athens

How to Truly Celebrate Veteran’s Day Now that the fallen have all been remembered, now that the medals have all been pinned and the ribbons all hung, now that the wreaths have all been laid and the cheers and confetti followed all the parades,

Don't forget to recylcle this copy of flagpole.

now we can remember the holiday began as Armistice Day. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, an armistice brought the cessation of all the hostilities of World War I, the “war to end all wars.”

In 1926 Congress created Armistice Day to “…perpetuate peace… and mutual understanding between nations…”

That day was to celebrate, as one writer said so well, “a farewell to arms.” That kind of day, if we can remember, can happen again, even as we approach a new kind of eleventh hour.

Jim Baird Comer

Israel Must Eliminate Hamas Please take a moment to close your eyes and visualize yourself in these situations: What if you woke up and saw your grandmother’s bloodied body on her Facebook page, posted by her murderer? What would you do? Turn the other cheek? What would you do if someone broke into your home and murdered your loved ones?

Of course, you’d be devastated. Of course, you would not stand idly by. Of course, you’d be angry. Of course, you would want to eliminate the evil. That is precisely what Israel must do—eliminate the evil of Hamas. This is not a war of choice for them.

It is a war of obligation, of survival.

Hamas is a terrorist organization whose stated goal is to eliminate Israel off the face of the Earth. This is a war of self-defense.

This is a war of obligation to ensure the survival of the State of Israel.

This is not a war against Palestinians.

This is a war between Hamas and Israel.

Not all Palestinians are members of Hamas.

Hamas rains terror in Gaza as well as Israel.

There are many innocent Palestinians in Gaza who are victims of Hamas.

Hamas places weapon arsenals inside and under hospitals, churches and schools.

They use their own people as human shields.

Hamas has continued to send hundreds of rockets into Israel. They have plenty of fuel for their rockets, but not for their hospitals.

If Israelis did not have shelters, their death toll would be far higher. Why doesn’t Hamas let innocent Palestinians take shel-

ter in their tunnels? How can Israel possibly defend herself without causing harm to innocent victims when they are deliberately placed in harm’s way? What is Israel to do? Turn the other cheek and risk being annihilated?

The cruelty ingrained in Hamas members is beyond belief. There is documentation of someone who called his mother to brag that he had just murdered a Jew. Imagine calling your mother to gloat that you are a murderer. They cut babies out of their mothers’ wombs. They kidnapped innocent women and children. They slaughtered young people from all over the world gathering for a peace festival.

The last thing Hamas wants is peace.

They have a history of undermining peace negotiations. They launched their first wave of suicide bombing during the Oslo peace conference. In October, just as Saudi Arabia and Israel were negotiating peace, they attacked.

Israel and the Palestinians have the potential to come to a peaceful resolution once Hamas is eliminated. Neither side of the Israel-Palestinian problem is innocent.

Both sides share responsibility for the problem and hopefully will share responsibility for the solution. But this is not the time for peace negotiations. First Israel must ensure its right to survive.

Marilyn Gootman Athens

Athens Needs Affordable Housing The housing crisis in Athens Clarke County has been a common topic for debate. A recent report showed that about 64% of single-family homes in Athens are used as rental properties, and the vast majority of new developments are tailored to student living. Two-bedroom, two-bath apartments in downtown developments average over $3,000 per month, a price tag well out of reach for many local residents.

Prosperity Capital Partners, a Floridabased investment firm, made news in 2022 for displacing many low-income tenants in our community. After purchasing properties in three major multifamily neighborhoods, the company drastically raised rent and stopped accepting government housing vouchers. One year later, and local government has done little to help these displaced families.

I have been a resident of Athens for over 12 years. Just within the last two years, I have experienced a 30% rent hike. This drastic increase has squeezed my two-in-

come household. Lower-income families in our community are doubtless feeling the impact even harder.

The state’s ban on rent control laws unfortunately limits some of what local government can do to combat this, but other actions can still be taken. The commission should make greater efforts to expedite zoning law changes that could make subsidized communities like Micah’s Creek possible.

Micah’s Creek, and other communities like it, could offer secure affordable housing that is not at risk for buyouts similar to the Prosperity Capital Partners fiasco.

The commission’s temporary ban on short-term rental properties was a step in the right direction. Action needs to be taken to make this ban permanent.

Commission members agreed that short term rental properties significantly contribute to the housing affordability problem in Athens. These rentals are creating a housing scarcity, which encourages continually rising housing costs. These rentals are not occupied by residents who contribute to and care for larger community goals.

The nation at-large is facing a housing affordability problem, and Athens is feeling the effects especially hard. Local government has a responsibility to protect lower-income families from facing displacement and homelessness as a result of these inflated prices.

Brittany Patton Athens

We Have Zoning for a Reason I was intrigued to read the Comment by Michelle McQuien (Nov. 22) detailing how short term rentals help some Athens homeowner’s make ends meet.

I would ask McQuien how she and her husband would feel if someone purchased the home next door and decided to raise hogs to help make ends meet? How would McQuien feel if her next door neighbor suddenly opened a nightclub featuring live music Friday and Saturday nights? To help make ends meet, of course. I could go on, but I think you get my point.

We have a restrictive zoning code in place. Whether or not that zoning code benefits our community is a discussion for another day, but the code exists.

Making your ends meet should not be the duty of your neighbors. Well, maybe it should, but again, that’s a discussion for another day.

Rick Stanziale Athens

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Balsam Range The International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the Year play a mix of hits and holiday favorites.

“There is a reason that Balsam Range is at the top of the Bluegrass world — they have the talent and charisma required to move an entire audience.”—Cultural Voice of North Carolina

Dec THURS 7:30 pm

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Hodgson Concert Hall

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

live music calendar Tuesday 12

Wednesday 13 Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more.

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (sign-​ups). FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE OPEN MIC Emcees, poets, rappers and freestylers of all styles are invited to perform with the backing band playing the tempo of their choice.

Thursday 14 Flicker Theatre & Bar Primordial Void Presents. 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com DERT MCSPURT Athens rapper creating left-​field hip hop, for fans of Lil Ugly Mane.

SSAUCELORD Atlanta rapper known for his collaborations with producers such as methboiswag.

DJ PSYCHO MARCIE Primordial Void founder and composer Marcel Sletten spins alien club and ambient tracks.

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. SOLD OUT! www.hendershots athens.com THE GOOD GRIEF TRIO Greg Hankins (piano), Luca Lombardi (bass), Seth Hendershot (drums) and the Peanuts Choir interpret Vince Guaraldi’s timeless holiday classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The trio will be joined by horn players include Umcolisi Terrell, Justin Powell and Derrick James for Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a second set.

BEA PORGES Alternative singer-​ songwriter who blends indie-​pop, acoustic melodies and soft jazz.

THE MINKS Psychedelic rock band from Nashville delivering energetic and head-​banging grooves.

HOUSTON IN THE BLIND Experimental indie rock outfit from Los Angeles.

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. SOLD OUT! www.hendershots athens.com THE GOOD GRIEF TRIO Greg Hankins (piano), Luca Lombardi (bass), Seth Hendershot (drums) and the Peanuts Choir interpret

TRACY & JEFF Jazz, blues and new and old classics from the voice of Tracy Brown and the guitar and harmonica of Jeff Lustig. (12 p.m.)

MARY & THE HOT HOTTY-​HOTS Hot jazz and swing band offering music from the 1910s, ’20s and ’30s. (1:30 p.m.)

HIBBS FAMILY BAND Quartet of family members combining the textures and rhythms of bluegrass and folk music with alt-​rock melodic sensibilities and lyricism. (3:30 p.m.)

THE ORIGINAL SPLITZ BAND A mixed drink of the classic Motown

MIKE WHITE · DEADLYDESIGNS.COM

Flicker Theatre & Bar Attaboy Tapes Presents. 7 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flickertheatre andbar.com TREVOR MCKENZIE Old-​time and bluegrass musician from Boone, NC. KIRAN FERNANDES Multi-​instrumentalist and visual artist crafting psych folk with influences ranging from American primitive guitar to Saharan desert rock.

HOG-​EYED MAN Georgia stringband wizards playing pre-​bluegrass Appalachian music.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $45. www.georigatheatre.com THE MOUNTAIN GOATS Indie-​ alternative outfit founded in 1991

by John Darnielle that is currently touring behind a new album, Jenny from Thebes.

Hendershot’s No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com KENOSHA KID Instrumental adventure-​jazz group centered around the rollicking compositions of Dan Nettles and featuring Josh Allen, Seth Hendershot and various guests.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7 p.m. $12. pac.uga.edu GEORGIA CHILDREN’S CHORUS The program “A Spirit of Hope” includes songs for the holidays.

Lyndon House Arts Center Winter in the Gallery. 6 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse QUINTET ATHENS Professional wind quintet exploring the sounds of winter.

Madison-​Morgan Cultural Center 8 p.m. $100. www.mmcc-​arts.org ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Grammy Award-​winning orchestra presents a program of holiday and classical favorites, including a sing-​along of familiar holiday tunes.

Terrell, Justin Powell and Derrick James for Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a second set.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $45–85. pac.uga.edu ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The orchestra joins the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus to perform a portion of Handel’s Messiah.

Memorial Park 6:30 p.m. (lesson), 7 p.m. (dance). $10–12. www.athensfolk.org THE OLD FOLKERS The Athens Folk Music and Dance Society presents a contra dance with live music and a caller.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens TERRAPLANE BLUE Local blues-​ rock band featuring Doug Peters, John Straw and Dean Johnson.

Sunday 17

Savagist will perform at the 40 Watt Club on Friday, Dec. 15.

Southern Brewing Co. 6–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com KARAOKE NIGHT Every Thursday evening.

Friday 15 40 Watt Club Shadebeast Presents. 8 p.m. (doors). $12. www.40watt.com SAVAGIST Heavy metal gloom with a side of psychedelic, energetic thrash.

VINCAS Dark post-​punk with doomy, psychedelic flourishes.

WEAPONIZED FLESH Thrash metal with intense energy and elements of d-​beat punk and hardcore.

ATHICA Sonic Space. 7 p.m. (doors). Donations encouraged. www.athica.org OLIVER DOMINGO Independent from his project Organically Programmed, Domingo’s works consist of electronic easy listening, soundtrack cues, jazz, ambience and more.

MARCEL SLETTEN California-​born and Athens-​based electronic music producer, composer and artist whose sound varies from peaceful to intense.

AARON DYLAN KEARNS Crossing the early technical experimentation of musique concrète with the abrasive rock-​influenced rhythms of post-​punk, the Atlanta-​native offers an assortment of musical homages to 20th-​century philosophy in his brand of industrial rock.

Athentic Brewing Co. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com JACK MILLER AND JIM GREENE Strumming and singing some classics along with originals.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $12. www.flicker theatreandbar.com

Vince Guaraldi’s timeless holiday classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The trio will be joined by horn players include Umcolisi Terrell, Justin Powell and Derrick James for Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a second set.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens BLUES OLYMPICS Blues musicians perform together to raise money for The Carl Lindberg Memorial Scholarship for Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped.

PAUL ALLEN Appearing tonight as Elvis.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens 7 p.m. FREE! (kids), $10 suggested donation (adults). www.uuathensga. org THE HOLIDAY HUSTLE CLUB A jazz quartet led by songwriter and pianist Bart King performs secular classics by Irving Berlin and Mel Tormé as well as new holiday tunes from the EP Snow Day! VFW Post 2872 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/vfwpost2872 COUNTRY RIVER BAND Classic western and country band. Line dancing held during the breaks.

Saturday 16 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $20 (adv.), $25. www.40watt.com BLOODKIN Long-​running Athens group playing a bluesy style of roots-​rock with big guitars and sharply written lyrics.

Creature Comforts Brewery Creature’s Holiday Artists’ Market.

12–8 p.m. www.creaturecomforts beer.com

sound, part 1970s funk and disco flavor, a dash of the old-​school and contemporary R&B, and a guaranteed good time. (5 p.m.)

DJ MAHOGANY Popular local DJ spins freaky funk, sultry soul, righteous R&B and a whole lotta unexpected faves. (7 p.m.)

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $12 (adv.), $15. www. flickertheateandbar.com WIEUCA Experimental outfit that fuses indie rock, psychedelia and trip hop.

ZL!STER The Atlanta-​based rapper/ singer kicks off their Get Out of My Head Tour.

ANNIE LEETH Local producer and violinist loops drums, synths and strings.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $18. www.georgiatheatre. com NEIGHBOR LADY Twangy, melodic rock group led by local singer-​songwriter Emily Braden.

SPENCER THOMAS Upbeat, soft rock artist and member of Futurebirds whose sound is influenced by the likes of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

ROSE HOTEL “Bedroom-​rock” alter ego of Atlanta songwriter Jordan Reynolds.

CURT CASTLE Atlanta-​based electro-​indie-​rock project led by songwriter Ryan Engelberger (Reptar, Semicircle).

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. SOLD OUT! www.hendershots athens.com THE GOOD GRIEF TRIO Greg Hankins (piano), Luca Lombardi (bass), Seth Hendershot (drums) and the Peanuts Choir interpret Vince Guaraldi’s timeless holiday classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The trio will be joined by horn players include Umcolisi

The Classic Center 4 p.m. FREE! www.athensmaster chorale.org ATHENS MASTER CHORALE “A Christmas Sampler” includes seasonal songs by Handel, Bach, Forrest and Rutter.

The Classic Center 7 p.m. $40–47. www.classiccenter. com JOHN BERRY Grammy Award-​winning country star on his 27th annual Christmas tour.

First Christian Church of Athens 4 p.m. $10–20 requested donation. www.amethystbaroque.com AMETHYST BAROQUE ENSEMBLE The ensemble presents “An Advent Songfest,” a program that includes Advent music, Baroque repertoire and more recent hymn tunes.

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. SOLD OUT! www.hendershots athens.com THE GOOD GRIEF TRIO Greg Hankins (piano), Luca Lombardi (bass), Seth Hendershot (drums) and the Peanuts Choir interpret Vince Guaraldi’s timeless holiday classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The trio will be joined by horn players include Umcolisi Terrell, Justin Powell and Derrick James for Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a second set.

Rialto Club 5:30 p.m. (doors), 6:30 p.m. & 7:45 p.m. (two shows). $15-​20. bit.ly/ SegarJazzDec17 MACODA & HER BAND World class pianist, keyboardist and composer playing smooth jazz with her band.

THE SEGAR JAZZ AFFAIR WXAG radio DJ Dwain Segar curates a night of smooth jazz.

The World Famous A Very Cowboy Christmas. 5:30 p.m.

FREE! www.facebook.com/theworld famousathens ANDY AND MANDY’S HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS Pair of folk singers from Savannah.

DYLAN EARL Folk singer of melancholic, classic country ballads from Arkansas.

KIMBERLY MORGAN YORK Solid gold country musician from Athens.

A.M. RODRIGUEZ Local folk and Piedmont blues artist.

CALEB HUNNICUT Hartwell native creating fine country music.

Monday 18 Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). SOLD OUT! www.cityofwinterville.com/ marigold-​auditorium THE GOOD GRIEF TRIO Greg Hankins (piano), Luca Lombardi (bass), Seth Hendershot (drums) and the Peanuts Choir interpret Vince Guaraldi’s timeless holiday classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The trio will be joined by horn players include Umcolisi Terrell, Justin Powell and Derrick James for Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a second set.

Tuesday 19 Athentic Brewing Co. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com HOLIDAY MUSIC KARAOKE Sing holiday classics with friends.

Christmas sweaters encouraged.

Ciné 8 p.m. FREE! www.athenscine.com KARAOKE WITH THE KING Show off your pipes to the world. Every first, third and fifth Tuesday.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7 p.m. FREE! www.classiccityband.org CLASSIC CITY BAND Classic Christmas works by Mel Torme, Leroy Anderson and Vince Guraldi.

Wednesday 20 Athentic Brewing Co. 7–10 p.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT Choose from a catalog of over 51,000 songs ranging from pop, rock, musical theater and more.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more.

Porterhouse Grill 6–8:30 p.m. www.porterhousegrill athens.com JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens captained by drummer Mason Davis and featuring a rotating cast of familiar faces performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga.org UUFA CHALICE CHOIR “Honoring the Dark, Honoring the Light” is a winter solstice program that includes music, meditation and candle lighting.

The World Famous 10 p.m. www.facebook.com/theworld famousathens NUCLEAR TOURISM Skate punks playing surfy, garage-​infused songs.

DELTA 8 New hardcore punk supergroup with members of Beer Piss, Snuki, McQQeen and Rubber Udder.

SEX MEX San Antonio act that’s equal parts power pop and punk rock. f

DE C E MB E R 13, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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Tuesday 12

event calendar

FILM: Holiday Movie Night (El Paso Tacos & Tequila) Watch the holiday classic Elf with special appearances

by Santa and Mrs. Claus. 6 p.m.

FREE! www.instagram.com/elpaso athenss GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici Athens) Chalenge your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo KIDSTUFF: Gingerbread Workshop (Lay Park Community Center) Receive a pre-​baked gingerbread village, icing and candies to construct and design a unique creation.

Registration required. 12 & under.

6​​p.m. $10 (ACC resident), $15 (non-​resident). www.accgovga. myrec.com LECTURES & LIT: Monthly Book Swap (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse free books to take home or settle in to read in the front lounge.

Donating books is encouraged but not required. Second Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com

Wednesday 13 ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-​in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (Starland Lounge & Lanes) Join SALSAthens for Cuban salsa lessons that meet a variety of dance abilities, including beginners. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced), 7:30 p.m. (beginner/ intermediate). $10. SALSAthens Dancing@gmail.com COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions to help create improv magic. Every Wednesday, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com EVENTS: Whiskies of Japan (J’s Bottle Shop) Experience the rich and diverse flavors of whiskey from Japan by sampling. 7–9 p.m. $25.

www.eventbrite.com/cc/whiskies-​ of-​the-​world-​2578279 FILM: Three Star Cinema (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1999 Martial Law TV episode “Sammo Claus.” 7 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com GAMES: Music Bingo (Athentic Brewing Co.) Win prizes at this music bingo night with host Mari.

7–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Christmas Music Bingo (B&B Theatres) Enjoy Christmas music-​themed music bingo and win prizes. 7:30 p.m. FREE! www. facebook.com/bbathens12 KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: LEGO & Builder’s Club (Bogart Library) Drop in to use LEGOs and other building materials.

All ages. 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: Jolly Jamboree (Lay Park Community Center) Celebrate the holidays with crafts and activities. 12 & under. 6​​–7:30 p.m.

FREE! www.accgovga.myrec.com MEETINGS: Athens Reparations Action (Athentic Brewing Co.) Learn about Athens Reparations Action’s mission to promote recognition of the financial impact of urban renewal and other racist policies. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com OUTDOORS: ‘Normal’ Run (Athentic Brewing Co.) Join the Athens Road Runners for a 1–3 mile run that starts and ends at Athentic Brewing.

Every other Wednesday, 6 p.m.

FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com

Thursday 14 ART: End-​of-​Residency Artist Showcase (Graduate Athens) Sweet Dreams Society residency member Marisa Leilani Mustard’s exhibition “Through It All” will be on display with refreshments. Registration required. 5:30–7:30 p.m.

FREE! www.graduatehotels.com/ happenings-​us

ART: Artist Talk (Lyndon House Arts Center) Ato Ribeiro will discuss his recent work in the exhibition “Growing Together” followed by Quintet Athens in the galleries.

6 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/ lyndonhouse CLASSES: Lines and Wines (Tapped Athens Wine Market) Learn to use various calligraphy tools and methods while enjoying a selection of wines on tap. Registration required. Every second Thursday, 6–7:30 p.m. $25 (workshop only). www.kaartist.com COMEDY: FlyingSquid Open Improv Jam (work.shop) A weekly meet up open to everyone looking to practice improv comedy. 8​​–9:30 p.m. Donations encouraged. www. flyingsquidcomedy.com EVENTS: Diamond Hill Farm Stand (Athentic Brewing Co.) Vegetables and fresh flowers are available on hand and pre-​ordered. Every Thursday, 4–6 p.m. www.diamondhill farmathens.com EVENTS: Athens Holiday Market (Big City Bread Café) Browse the work of over 55 local and regional artists including paintings, pottery, textiles, birdhouses and more. Dec. 14–15, 5–9 p.m. www.facebook. com/athensholidaymarket EVENTS: Beloved Apothecary’s Sacred Space (Rabbit Hole Studios) This week’s gathering serving alcohol alternative beverages will highlight Kirtan with Gershone and Gina. 6 p.m. $20 suggested donation. www.instagram.com/ beloved_apothecary FILM: Club Ned Anime Society (ACC Library) Join club members to watch and discuss episodes of “Future Boy Conan,” “Crossing Time” and more. 6:30–8:30 p.m.

FREE! www.animefandom.org GAMES: Adult Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) A gaming session for players of all skill levels.

Ages 18 & up. 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart GAMES: Thursday Trivia (Johnny’s New York Style Pizza) Test your trivia knowledge with host Jon Head.

6:30 p.m. www.johnnyspizza.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Foundry) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens GAMES: Roman Empire Themed Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test

your Roman Empire trivia knowledge with host Erin. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com MEETINGS: KnitLits Knitting Group (Bogart Library) Knitters of all levels are invited to have fun, share craft ideas and knit to their hearts’ content. Thursdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart PERFORMANCE: Rak The Watt (40 Watt Club) Hosted by Mahsati from the Healing Arts Centre, this event showcases local belly dancers of different styles. 7 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $5. www.40watt. com SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: Mean Girls (The Classic Center) This Broadway musical production is based on the hit movie about high schooler Cady Heron navigating social life. 7:30 p.m. $25–87.25. www.classiccenter.com THEATER: Sorority House of the Dead (Town & Gown Players) Vampire sorority sisters meet human pledges in this goofy and gory homage to the horror movies that ruled the video stores of the 1980s.

Dec. 14–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 p.m. $20. www.townandgownplayers.org

Friday 15 COMEDY: Nonsense Cabaret (work. shop) A comedy show directed by Chase Brantley that features performances by 15 local clowns. 8​​–9 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy. com EVENTS: 9th Annual Toy Giveaway (Aaron Heard Community Center) Sign up to volunteer or as a family with a child in need to distribute or pick up toys for the holidays. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE! keylime577@ gmail.com EVENTS: Athens Holiday Market (Big City Bread Café) Browse the work of over 55 local and regional artists including paintings, pottery, textiles, birdhouses and more. Dec. 14–15, 5–9 p.m. www.facebook. com/athensholidaymarket EVENTS: Beloved Apothecary’s Sacred Space (Rabbit Hole Studios) This week’s gathering serving alcohol alternative beverages will highlight herbal talks with Victoria

Bradfield. Fridays, 6 p.m. $20 suggested donation. www.instagram. com/beloved_apothecary FILM: Movies By Moonlight (Sandy Creek Park) Double feature screening of Frosty and The Polar Express.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. 6 p.m.

FREE! www.accgov.com GAMES: Holiday Movies Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your holiday movie trivia knowledge with a costume and holiday sweater contest, themed cocktails and giveaways. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/sobrewco KIDSTUFF: Meet & Play (Bogart Library) Drop in for facilitated open play with age-​appropriate toys. Best for ages 6 & under. Every Friday, 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/bogart MEETINGS: Help I Yarned (Bogart Library) Learn new patterns and techniques for knitting and crochet.

1–2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery Free Dinner (Living Hope Church) Christ-​centered 12-​step program to help anyone with heart hurt, hang-​ up or habit. Free childcare, and bus route accessible. FREE! 5:30 p.m. (dinner), 6:30 p.m. (large group).

706-​207-​2396 THEATER: Elf the Musical (Oconee Youth Theater) This production based on the classic Will Ferrell movie features a cast of more than 70 from area schools. Dec. 15–16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 3 p.m. $15–20. www.oconeeyouthplayhouse.com THEATER: Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (On Stage Playhouse) On Stage Playhouse presents a mixed cast of children and adults in this holiday-​themed play.

Dec. 15–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m. $20. www.onstagewalton.org THEATER: Sorority House of the Dead (Town & Gown Players) Vampire sorority sisters meet human pledges in this goofy and gory homage to the horror movies that ruled the video stores of the 1980s.

Dec. 14–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 p.m. $20. www.townandgownplayers.org

Saturday 16 ART: Open Gallery (The Leathers Building) The exhibition “light + pressure” by Mark Magnarella and

Ben Sidney Rouse will be on view with art for sale. Suite 1600. 1–5 p.m. FREE! www.mmagna.com, www.rouseartwork.com EVENTS: Athens Farmers Market (Bishop Park) Markets offer locally grown groceries and handmade goods. Attendees can enjoy free live music and children’s activities.

AFM doubles SNAP dollars spent at the market. Every Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athensfarmers market.net EVENTS: Holiday Hoorah (Pittard Park) The Marigold Market will close out its season with handcrafted items, baked goods, local produce and more. 10 a.m.​​–2 p.m. www.marigoldmarketwinterville. com EVENTS: Abnormal Bazaar (Indie South) This market features vendors selling soaps, jewelry, vintage, vinyl and more. Third Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE! www.theindie south.com EVENTS: Holiday Market and Craft Fair (West Broad Farmers Market) The farmers market will feature its usual goods in addition to a lineup of local crafters and a gingerbread house contest. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.wbfm.locallygrown.net EVENTS: Paw-​fect Pals: Doggies and the Grinch (Rocksprings Community Center) Strike a pose with your furry friend alongside the Grinch for a fun photo opportunity.

Registration required. Ages 6 & up. 11:30 a.m.​​–1 p.m. $5 (resident), $7.50 (non-​resident). www. accgovga.myrec.com EVENTS: Holiday Artist Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) There will be more than 50 artists and makers with live music all day plus food trucks onsite. 12​​–10 p.m.

FREE! www.creaturecomfortsbeer. com EVENTS: Soulful Stones & Crystals Pop-​Up (Sisters of the Moon) Jewelry will be custom wire-​wrapped with your intention as inspiration.

2–6 p.m. www.shopsotm.com EVENTS: The Ladies Network Holiday Bar Crawl (Downtown Athens) Play games and beat challenges at each bar on the crawl. 4–6 p.m.

FREE! www.instagram.com/the ladies_network EVENTS: Ecstatic Dance (Work.

Shop) This ceremony of rejuvenation and inspiration is a substance-​free and inclusive musical

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

celebration. 6–8 p.m. $10–15 (children under 12 free). www. ecstaticdanceathen.wixsite.com/ xstaticdanceathensga EVENTS: Athens Folk Music and Dance Society Contra Dance (Memorial Park Administration Building) This community dance features caller Janet Shepherd and live music by The Old Folkers. No partner required. 6:30 p.m. (intro session), 7 p.m. (dance). $12 (adults), $10 (students w/ ID), 17 & under FREE! www.athensfolk.org KIDSTUFF: Breakfast with The Grinch (Rocksprings Community Center) Experience Whoville magic and Grinchmas surprises with a light meal. Registration required. 10​​ –11:30 a.m. $7 (resident), $10.50 (non-​resident). www.accgovga. myrec.com KIDSTUFF: Family Saturdays: Art Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) A drop-​in family-​oriented series of art projects that are inspired by current exhibitions. This week is bookmaking with handmade paper. 12​​–2 p.m. FREE! www.acc gov.com KIDSTUFF: Cookies with Santa (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Enjoy cookies, crafts, activities and a chat with Santa. Registration required.

Ages 3​​–12. $5 (resident), $7.50 (non-​resident). 2​​–3:45 p.m. www. accgovga.myrec.com KIDSTUFF: Visit with Santa (White Tiger Deluxe) Take a photo with Santa and enjoy the special holiday offerings. 2–4 p.m. FREE! www. whitetigerdeluxe.com OUTDOORS: Walk Into Wellness (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Relieve holiday stress with an hour walk suitable for all fitness levels.

All ages. Registration required. 10 a.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/myrec PERFORMANCE: INSPIRE 2023 Winter Showcase (Morton Theatre) Annual winter showcase featuring dancers of all ages performing to popular seasonal tunes.

11:30 a.m.​​–6:30 p.m. $15. www. mortontheatre.com THEATER: Elf the Musical (Oconee Youth Theater) This production based on the classic Will Ferrell movie features a cast of more than 70 from area schools. Dec. 15–16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 3 p.m. $15–20. www.oconeeyouthplayhouse.com THEATER: Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (On Stage Playhouse) On Stage Playhouse presents a mixed cast of children and adults in this holiday-​themed play.

Dec. 15–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m. $20. www.onstagewalton.org THEATER: Sorority House of the Dead (Town & Gown Players) Vampire sorority sisters meet human pledges in this goofy and gory homage to the horror movies that ruled the video stores of the 1980s.

Dec. 14–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 p.m. $20. www.townandgownplayers.org

Sunday 17 ART: Sunday Spotlight Tour (Georgia Museum of Art) This drop-​in public tour features highlights of the permanent collection. 3 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Athens YOGA Collective (Athentic Brewing Co.) Enjoy a yoga class on the patio. First and third Sundays, 12 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: Holiday Market (The Globe) Local vendors will have jewelry, plants, home decor, up-​cycled and vintage clothing, art prints and more. 1–6 p.m. Search Holiday Market at the Globe on Facebook EVENTS: Pups & Pints (Athentic Brewing Co.) The patio will be full

of adoptable dogs with a free pour for every adoption. Third Sundays, 3–6 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: Panel and Community Discussion (ACC Library) A panel of community members will discuss how the book The Miseducation of the Negro resonates today followed by open discussion. 3 p.m. FREE! athens-asalh.org GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens PERFORMANCE: The Exclusive Good News (Festival Hall) Southern Spice Dance Academy presents a fun holiday event. 5 p.m. FREE! www.southernspicedanceacademy. com SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: Sorority House of the Dead (Town & Gown Players) Vampire sorority sisters meet human pledges in this goofy and gory homage to the horror movies that ruled the video stores of the 1980s.

Dec. 14–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 p.m. $20. www.townandgownplayers.org THEATER: Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (On Stage Playhouse) On Stage Playhouse presents a mixed cast of children and adults in this holiday-​themed play.

Dec. 15–16, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m. $20. www.onstagewalton.org THEATER: Elf the Musical (Oconee Youth Theater) This production based on the classic Will Ferrell movie features a cast of more than 70 from area schools. Dec. 15–16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 3 p.m. $15–20. www.oconeeyouthplayhouse.com

Monday 18 EVENTS: Written Wishes Foundation (MaiKai Kava Lounge) Storytellers are invited to this open mic featuring poetry, spoken word, stories and songs. Third Mondays, 7 p.m. (sign-​ups). FREE! www. instagram.com/bulaatmaikai FILM: Bad Movie Night (Ciné) Jennifer uses an Ouija board to contact the spirit of a murdered businessman and becomes psychically linked to his killers in The Oracle.

8 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ BadMovieNight GAMES: Monday Trivia with Erin (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Erin. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Dooley’s Bar and Grill) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Trivia with Marissa (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Test your trivia knowledge with host Marissa.

8 p.m. www.flickertheatreandbar. com KIDSTUFF: Story Time with Santa (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna and the Jolly Old Elf himself for stories, Q&A, pictures and more.

Ages 3–7. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (Athentic Brewing Co.) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com MEETINGS: Meditation Monday (Sisters of the Moon) Join others for a collective tarot reading followed by a guided meditation, breath work, journal prompts and more. All ages. 7–​​8:30 p.m. FREE! www.shopsotm.com

Tuesday 19 FILM: Half Japanese: The Band That Would Be King (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1993 punk rock documentary hosted by Attaboy Tapes. 7 p.m. FREE! www. flickertheatreandbar.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici Athens) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens KIDSTUFF: Family Movie Night (Bogart Library) Dress in pajamas, bring blankets and settle in for sing-along holiday fun with hot chocolate and popcorn. All ages.

6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Mystery Book Club (Bogart Library) Join Dr. Penny Mills to discuss Carl Hiaasen’s novel Double Whammy. 5:30– 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org

Wednesday 20 ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-​in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (Starland Lounge & Lanes) Join SALSAthens for Cuban salsa lessons that meet a variety of dance abilities, including beginners. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced), 7:30 p.m. (beginner/ intermediate). $10. SALSAthens Dancing@gmail.com COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions to help create improv magic. Every Wednesday, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com COMEDY: Hendershot’s Comedy (Hendershot’s) Enjoy a lineup featuring comics from Athens and Atlanta as well as newcomers.

Hosted by Noell Appling. Every third Wednesday, 8 p.m. www. hendershotsathens.com EVENTS: Ugly Sweater Holiday Party (Rocksprings Community Center) Wear your ugliest sweater and enjoy a White Elephant gift exchange, holiday games, caroling and light refreshments. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. 1​​–2:30 p.m. $1 (resident), $2 (non-​resident). www.accgovga.myrec.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: LEGO & Builder’s Club (Bogart Library) Drop in to use LEGOs and other building materials.

All ages. 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart PERFORMANCE: UUFA Winter Solstice Service (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) “Honoring the Dark, Honoring the Light” in this service of music, meditation and candle lighting featuring the UUFA Chalice Choir. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga.org f

arts & culture

calendar picks

MUSIC | DEC. 13–19

Good Grief Trio

Multiple Locations • 7 p.m. • $5–20

The Good Grief Trio is a performance that can’t be seen often. Greg Hankins, Luca Lombardi and Seth Hendershot along with the Peanuts Choir interpret Vince Guaraldi’s timeless classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, with Hankins on piano, Lombardi on bass and Hendershot on drums.

With the help of world-class horn players Umcolisi Terrell on tenor saxophone, Justin Powell on trumpet and Derrick James on alto saxophone, the band also plays the music from Miles Davis’ beloved album Kind of Blue. As an Athens holiday staple, the event is the perfect way to celebrate the season. While the trio’s performances at the High Cotton Music Hall in Hartwell on Dec. 13, Hendershot’s on Dec. 14–17 and Marigold Auditorium on Dec. 18 have all sold out, there are still tickets available, as of press time, for the performance at the Ritz Theatre in Toccoa on Dec. 19. [AH] ART | THU, DEC. 14

Marisa Mustard

The Graduate Hotel • 5:30–7:30 p.m. • FREE!

Born and raised in Athens, Marisa Mustard has been making art for decades.

Much of the inspiration for her colorful

Marisa Mustard

artwork comes from how she was raised and the Classic City itself. The city of Athens is her canvas as she paints on objects such as mailboxes and walls around town. This makes her art an incredibly immersive experience and one that cannot be missed, literally. Her murals can be seen at establishments such as Collective Harvest, Rabbit Hole Studios, Nuçi’s Space, Paloma Park and more. Inspired by her father, Charlie Mustard of the Jittery Joe’s Roaster, she gained the courage to take her art career full-time when she was pregnant with her daughter. Tonight’s event will showcase Mustard’s artwork created during the Graduate Sweet Dreams Society, a nationwide artist-in-residence program that provides studio space and other resources to artists. Entitled “Through It All,” her interactive art show will convey her love for the cross-section of art and music through show posters, paintings completed during live concerts, and wood cutouts of musicians. [AH] ART | THU, DEC. 14

Winter in the Gallery

Lyndon House Arts Center • 6–8 p.m. • FREE!

The Lyndon House Arts Center is hosting Winter in the Gallery featuring an artist talk by Ato Ribeiro and a performance by

Quintet Athens. Ribeiro was born in Philadelphia in 1989 and spent the majority of his childhood and teenage years in Accra, Ghana. It was there that he developed his love for art and inspiration through West African culture. He found his passion in sculpting, installation, drawing and printmaking that amplifies West African influences. The artist received his BA at Morehouse College in 2012 and soon after attended Cranbrook Academy of Art, receiving an MFA from the school in 2017. His exhibition, “Growing Together,” includes wooden kente and quilt works that combine his West African heritage and African-American identity. Following his artist talk, Quintet Athens will play delightful winter-themed songs whilst viewers walk through the gallery and take in the exhibit.

[AH] THEATER | THU, DEC. 14

Mean Girls

Classic Center • 7:30 p.m. • $25-87.25

Since its Broadway debut, the musical Mean Girls has been a staple production emphasizing the drama of high school through the story of The Plastics, a group of populars who recruit the naive and once-homeschooled new girl, Cady Heron.

The theatrical production was created years after the film’s release by an award-winning creative team that includes book writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), and original director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). The story follows a young Heron as she enters the world of high school after living her life in Africa, being homeschooled by her research zoologist parents. She has to learn to navigate the animal-like world of high school in a “killed or be killed” environment. She is soon taken under the wing of some of the most popular girls on campus, headed by the vindictive Regina George. Through this experience, Cady must discover who she is and the type of person she wants to be. [AH] MUSIC | SUN, DEC. 17

Segar Jazz Affair with Madoca

Rialto Room • 6:30 p.m. & 7:45 p.m. • $15 (adv.), $20

DJ Segar will celebrate his 90th concert of the Segar Jazz Affair series with guest performer Madoca. This world-class pianist, keyboardist and composer puts on shows with style as she showcases her contemporary work mixed with soul and a hint of funk. The artist began studying at the age of seven and continued through college at Senzoku Music University in Kawasaki, Japan. She then received a scholarship to study at the Nemu Music, where she perfected her sound. Madoca began touring in 1993 with Japanese artists, then moved to Hong Kong the year after and began touring internationally with Chinese artists. In 2003, she moved to the U.S. and settled in Atlanta, where she has been performing for decades. Tonight’s event includes two separately ticketed sets at 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., and doors open at 5:30 p.m. [AH] f

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bulletin board Deadline for getting listed in Bulletin Board is every THURSDAY at 5 p.m. for the print issue that comes out the following Wednesday. Online listings are updated daily. Email calendar@flagpole.com.

Art ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The ACD is a platform to connect creatives with patrons.

Visual artists, musicians, actors, writers and other creatives are encouraged to create a free listing. athenscreatives@gmail.com, www. athenscreatives.directory CALL FOR ARTISTS (Lyndon House Arts Center) Applications are now open to fine arts and craft vendors who would like to participate in the Lyndon House Art Mart. Applications are free, but the vendor fee is $60 if accepted. Deadline Jan. 15.

Market held May 11. www.lyndon houseartsfoundation.com CALL FOR ARTISTS (Winterville, GA) The Winterville Marigold Festival is seeking marigold-­or Winterville-­themed art submissions to be the featured artwork of the 2024 festival. Artwork will be used on posters, T-­shirts and publications. Deadline Jan. 1, 5 p.m.

Submit up to three images. www. marigoldfestival.com/call-­for-­artists CALL FOR ENTRIES (Lyndon House Arts Center) This year’s 49th Juried Exhibition at the LHAC will be juried

by Jen Sudul Edwards, chief curator at The Mint Museum. The call for submissions will be live Jan. 4, 10 a.m.–Jan. 26, 5 p.m. A drop-­in clinic to receive help applying will be held Jan. 23, 12–3 p.m. The exhibition runs Mar. 12-­May 4. www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse JOKERJOKERTV CALL FOR ARTISTS (Online) JOKERJOKERtv is actively accepting proposals for collaboration from visual, musical

and video artists and curators living in Athens. Artists worldwide can also submit music videos, short films, skits and ideas to share with a weekly livestream audience. www. jokerjokertv.com/submit OPEN STUDIOS (Lyndon House Arts Center) Studio members have access to spaces for painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and woodworking.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $65/month. www. accgov.com/7350/Open-­Studio-­ Membership

Auditions THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES (The Cottage) Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Auditions held Dec. 14, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Performances held Feb. 15–17. www. northgeorgiacottage.org/the-­vagina-­ monologues

Classes BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of classes include “Forge a Firepoker” (Dec. 16), “Blacksmith Boot Camp: Santa’s Workshop” (Dec. 19-­22), “First Time at the Forge” (Jan. 6 or Feb. 17), “Railroad Spike Knife” (Jan. 13 or Mar. 9), “Basic Tong Making” (Jan. 20 or Mar. 30), “Two-­Day Railroad Spike Knife and Tomahawk” (Jan. 26–27 or Mar. 15–16), “Art of Chain Making” (Feb. 3), “Crash Course in Artistic Blacksmithing” (Feb. 9), “Forge a Spear”

art around town 1055 BARBER (1055 Barber St.) Stephen Humphreys presents “Ukraine: Photos from the Front Line,” a collection of wartime photographs taken during the last year. Through December.

ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1500) San Diego-based photographer J. Grant Brittain presents “80s Skate Photography,” a collection of iconic images. Open for Third Thursday Dec. 21, 6–9 p.m. and through December by appointment.

ATHENTIC BREWING CO. (108 Park Ave.) Valley Stipemaas creates blackand-white illustrations of animals and monsters. Through December.

ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) An exhibition spotlighting visual artists of the Elephant 6 Recording Co. includes works by Beth Sale, W. Cullen Hart, Lucy Calhoun, Andy Gonzales, Hannah Jones, Jill Carnes and Jeremy Kiran Fernandes. Through Dec. 25.

AURUM STUDIOS (125 E. Clayton St.) Greg Benson presents “Next Places,” a collection of oil paintings. Through January.

CLASSIC CENTER (300 N. Thomas St.) In Classic Gallery I, “Wild Thing” features animals, plants and people intermingling through the works of Margo Rosenbaum, Shelby Little, Carolyn Suzanne Schew and Amanda Burk.

• In Classic Gallery II, “LOVE.CRAFT Athens” features works by Melanie Jackson, Hannah Jo, Norman Austin Junior and Brittany Wortham.

FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Artwork by Caitlyn Riesinger. Through December.

GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “In Dialogue: Power Couple: Pierre and Louise Daura in Paris” features paintings by Louise, engravings

by Pierre and several objects that appear in their images. Through Feb. 11.

• “Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines” is a mid-career survey demonstrating the artist’s progression from drawing into digital works of art in augmented reality. Through May 19. • “Decade of Tradition: Highlights from the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection.” Through July 3, 2024.

GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) Zane Cochran presents “Aurora,” a sculptural interpretation of the aurora borealis using 3D geometric figures

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

(Feb. 24), “Forge a Tomahawk” (Mar. 2). Classes run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. www.greenhowhandmade. com/blacksmith-­classes INTRO TO CLOWNING AND IMPROV (work.shop) “Intro to Clowning” is a six-­week course that begins Jan. 7, 2–4 p.m. $150. “Intro to Improv” is a six-­week course that begins Jan. 16, 6–8 p.m. $150. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING (Nuçi’s Space) Nuçi’s hosts free monthly QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention sessions for anyone interested, not just mental health professionals.

Nuçi’s also offers free training for businesses and organizations. qpr@nuci.org, www.nuci.org/qpr SPANISH CLASSES (Multiple Locations) Casa de Amistad offers beginning and intermediate GED and ESL classes in-­person and online. An eight-­week course to learn Spanish meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m. $60. www.athensamistad.com TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES (Live Oak Martial Arts) Traditional and modern-­style Taekwondo, self-­defense, grappling and weapons classes are offered for all ages. Classes in Jodo, the art of the Japanese staff and sword, are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Visit the website for a full schedule. liveoak martialarts@gmail.com, www.live oakmartialarts.com YOGA AND MORE (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) Revolution is a multipurpose mind-­body wellness studio offering yoga and therapy with an emphasis on trauma-­informed prac-

“Maquettes” by Abraham Tesser is currently on view at the Lyndon House Arts Center through Feb. 8. tices. Check website for upcoming classes and programs. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com YOGA CLASSES (Let It Be Yoga Studio, Watkinsville) Classes are offered in Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, beginner, gentle and other styles.

Check online calendar for weekly offerings. www.letitbeyoga.org

Help Out AAAC VOLUNTEERS (Athens, GA) The Athens Area Arts Council is seeking volunteer board members and at large members to help the nonprofit in connecting the arts to the community through promotion, education and funding. Leadership positions are available. Expectations include monthly board meetings and a few hours each month. Email if interested. president@athensarts. org BLING YOUR PROM (ACC Library) Seeking donations of formalwear that will be given to local teens for prom. Items can include men and women’s formalwear, jewelry and accessories, shoes, unused cosmetics and hair products, service/ store coupons and paper shopping bags. Donations accepted until Feb. 29. ehood@athenslibrary.org

and lights.

LAST RESORT GRILL (174-184 W Clayton St.) Susan Pelham’s collages are inspired by Magic Realism, Surrealism, nursery rhymes and fables. Through Jan. 16.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) Collections from our Community presents Peggy Curran’s collection of Madame Alexander Dolls.

Through Jan. 13. • Ato Ribiero presents “Growing Together,” a solo exhibition of wooden assemblages referencing both Ghanian strip-woven kente cloth and Black quilting traditions of the American South. Artist talk Dec. 14, 6 pm. Through Jan. 13. • Curated by Keith Wilson, “The Image Moves: New Film and Video Work by Athens Artists” includes Drew Gebhardt, Katz Tepper, Jamie Bull, Selia Hooten, Vivian Liddell, CC Calloway, Shawn Campbell and AJ Aremu. Through Jan. 13. • “The 8th Collegiate Paper Art Triennial” includes works by 36 students from 11 different schools. Through Jan. 13. • Abraham Tesser presents “Maquettes,” a collection of smallscale works in wood used as drafts for larger pieces. Artist talk Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Through Mar. 1. • “Memory Worker: Kelly Taylor Mitchell” explores ancestra seeking through hand-sewn stitches and handmade paper. Through Mar. 12. • “Tell Me A Story: Jasmine Best” presents narrative works combining fabric, yarn and digital sewing to reflect on memories and Black female identity. Through Mar. 12.

MADISON-MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER (434 S. Main St., Madison) “The John Lewis Series: Paintings by Benny Andrews” is a collection of 17 works chronicling the early life of John Lewis before he became Congressman. • “The Andrews Family Legacy: Rooted in the Agriculture and Arts of Morgan County” is a new permanent exhibition honoring the artistic and literary contributions of members of the Andrews family.

MAGALLERY (125 W. Jefferson St., Madison) “MAG SQUARED” is an annual exhibition featuring small square-shaped original art by over 20 artists.

Through Dec. 23.

REPUBLIC SALON (312 E. Broad St.) Jacob Wenzka presents a collection of paintings and drawings of robots, futuristic floating cities, and various other sci-fi and fantasy inspired scenes.

SPACEBALL BAZAAR (130 N. Church St., Bogart) “Planes, Trains & Cryogenics: Modes of Transport” is a group exhibition of local artists.

SEEKING MENTORS (Athens, GA) The Athens Anti-­Discrimination Movement’s End School to Prison Pipeline Program seeks community members to support and mentor students who are experiencing bullying, have been suspended/ expelled, or need to complete court-­ordered service hours. www. aadmovement.org

Kidstuff ACCOUNTING 101: BE AUDIT YOU CAN BE (UGA Terry College of Business) Youth Programs at UGA and UGA’s J.M. Tull School of Accounting offer a two-­day workshop for ages 15–17. Feb. 24-­25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $20. www.georgia center.uga.edu/youth/spark ART CLASSES (Brella Studio) After school art classes are offered several times a week for ages 5–10. Subjects include watercolors (Tuesdays, 4 p.m.), “Just Add Paper” (Thursdays, 4 p.m.), and yarn and thread (Fridays, 4 p.m.). $20/drop-­in. “Preschool Art: Mess-­ Free Mondays” for ages 1–5 is held every Monday, 10 a.m. “Preschool Art: Read Make Play” for ages 2–6 is held every Thursday, 9:15 a.m. $50/drop-­in. Programs run through

Dec. 15. www.brellastudio.com CCCF SCHOLARSHIPS (Athens, GA) The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for performing arts and visual arts scholarships. Applications are open to 9th–12th grade high school students living in Northeast Georgia. Deadline Mar. 1. www. classiccenter.com/scholarships DAYS-­OFF-­SCHOOL PROGRAMS (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services offers a variety of themed camps for ages 6–12 when schools are not in session. “Team Christmas” runs Dec. 20–22 at Heard Park. “Jingle Bell Jamboree Day Off School Camp” runs Dec. 21-­22 at Rocksprings Community Center. “Sweet Beginnings” runs Jan. 2–5 at Lay Park. accgovga.myrec.com GROUPS AT REBLOSSOM (ReBlossom) New Parents, Infants and Crawlers Play Group is for babies ages 0-­12 months and their caregivers to discuss parenthood. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Afternoon Play Group is for children 1–4 years old and their caregivers to meet each other and build relationships.

Wednesdays, 3–5 p.m. All Ages Play Group is for children 1–5 years old and their caregivers to play inside and outdoors. Fridays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday Support and

STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) “Something to Declare/Algo para Declarar” represents nine Latin American countries through the works of Jorge Arcos, Yehimi Cambron, Marisa Cerban, Franklin Delgado, Pedro Fuertes, Catalina Gomez-Beuth, Dora Lopez, Morgan Lugo, Paula Reynaldi, Maria Sarmiento, Carlos Solis and Melvin Toledo. Through Jan. 6.

TINY ATH GALLERY (174 Cleveland Ave.) Elizabeth Collins Hanes presents “Freaks of Nature,” mixed media sculptures that incorporate collected treasures. Closing reception Dec. 21, 6–9 p.m.

UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “House Party” explores Athens’ house show history through photos and artifacts from The Green House on Milledge across from Taco Stand, The Landfill, Spillage, The Lounge, Saint Mary’s Church, The Ultramod Compound and others.

Through December. • “Exploring St. Catherines Island” lays out centuries of American history found in artifacts dating back to the 16th century, tracing the island’s history from the establishment of indigenous towns through Spanish and English colonialism. Through December. • “HBO at 50: The Rise of Prestige Television” highlights some of the groundbreaking programming created by and aired on HBO with items selected from the Peabody Awards Archive. Through May 2024. • “Legacy: Vince Dooley, 1932-2022” celebrates the life and career of the late UGA football head coach and athletic director through photographs and artifacts. Tours held before home games on Fridays at 3 p.m. Through spring 2024. • “Paving the Road to Progress: Georgia Interstate Highways” traverses the rocky path of the interstate system’s development through maps, reports, correspondence and legislation. Through Apr. 24.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF ATHENS (780 Timothy Rd.) Watkinsville artist Leslie Guo presents “Joyful Encounters,” a solo exhibition of watercolor paintings. Through Jan. 2.

WINTERVILLE CULTURAL CENTER (371 N. Church St., Winterville) The Athens Plein Air organization presents 50 works by 17 different artists.

Through Jan .19.

WINTERVILLE LIBRARY (115 Marigold Ln., Winterville) Winterville Arts Council members Judy Hammond and Sherre Watwood share new paintings. Through Jan. 7.

Ply Group is held for ages 1–4 and their families. Sundays, 1–3 p.m. www.reblossomathens.com LIBRARY STORYTIMES (ACC Library) Storytime for preschool aged children and their caregivers is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. www.athens library.org TREEHOUSE ACTIVITIES (Treehouse Kid & Craft) A variety of crafting and playtime activities are offered for various age groups.

Popular activities include Crafterday Saturdays, Storytime with Mr. Doodles and Craft Inc. Kid Business.

Visit the website for details and to register. www.treehousekidandcraft. com

Support Groups ATHENS COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (Athens, GA) Open to people of all ages with vision impairments, their families and friends. Topics include adaptive equipment, recreational and social opportunities, and advocacy. 706-­424-­2794, dlwahlers@ gmail.com LGBTQIA+ VIRTUAL ALPHABET FAMILY GATHERING (Online) This is a safe space for anyone on the LGBTQIA+/TGQNB spectrum.

Fourth Sunday of every month, 7–9 p.m. uuathensga.org/justice/ welcoming-­congregation MENTAL HEALTH PEER RECOVERY GROUP (Nuçi’s Space) Participants support each other through life’s challenges by sharing from their skills, experiences and proven coping mechanisms. Newcomers welcome. First Tuesday of the month, 4–6 p.m. pr@nuci.org, www.nuci.org NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP (Oconee Presbyterian Church) Peer-­led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Second Monday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m. FREE! joannehnamihallga@gmail.com NEW PARENTS AND INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP (BYL Family Resource Center) Come as you are for community, snacks and feeding advice from professionals.

Babies and children of all ages are welcome. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.byyourleave.org PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP (First Baptist Church) This group is to encourage, support and share information with fellow sojourners who manage the challenges of Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders. Second Friday of the month, 1 p.m. gpnoblet@ bellsouth.net PROJECT SAFE (Family Protection Center) Project Safe hosts a support group for survivors of domestic violence. Mondays, 6:30–8 p.m. www. project-­safe.org RECREATE JOY (Sunny Days Therapeutics) Nuçi’s Space hosts a recreational therapy support group.

Improve coping skills and self esteem while reducing depression and anxiety through adaptive yoga, games and leisure education. Six-­ week sessions. Wednesdays, 5–6 p.m. tinyurl.com/rnvuhesa RECOVERY DHARMA (Athens Addiction Recovery Center) This peer-­led support group offers a Buddhist-­inspired path to recovery from any addiction. Visit the website for details. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.athensrecoverydharma.org SUPPORT GROUPS (Integrity Counseling & Personal Development) ICPD offers several support groups. “LGBTQIA+ Young Adults Group” is offered for ages 18–30.

“Survivors of Suicide Loss Group”

is offered the first Wednesday of every month, 7–8 p.m. “Veterans, Dependents & Caregivers Benefits Resource & Claim Assistance Group” is offered the first Saturday of every month, 9–10 a.m. www. integrityofjefferson.com

FLOATATION THERAPY SESSIONS AVAILABLE

Relieves Stress & Anxiety Reduces Joint & Muscle Pain • Improves Sleep

Word on the Street ATHENS MLK JR. DAY PARADE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL (Hot Corner) Now accepting registration for vendors, parade participants and performers. Event held Jan. 15. knowalogic@gmail.com, www. aadmovement.org ATHENS ON ICE (Classic Center, 440 Foundry Pavilion) Public ice skating is currently available Feb. 19. Check website for schedule of skating sessions. $15. www.classic center.com BIKE REPAIR STATIONS (Multiple Locations) Over 15 free bike repair stations are located across Athens with tools, an air pump and a QR code for quick guides on basic bike repairs. Visit the website for participating locations. www.accgov. com/10584/Bike-­Repair-­Stations BRING ONE FOR THE CHIPPER CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING (Multiple Locations) Give your undecorated Christmas tree a second life as compost, mulch or fish habitat. Receive a free tree seedling in return. Drop off on Jan. 6, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Tree recycling is available past Jan. 6 at select locations or by setting your tree out with regularly scheduled leaf and limb pick up. Check website for a list of drop-­off locations. www. keepathensbeautiful.org RABBIT BOX THEMES (Athens, GA) Seeking storytellers to share true short stories on stage. Upcoming themes include “Food for Thought” on Jan. 23, “Duets” on Feb. 27, “Better Late Than Never” on Mar. 26, “The Story of Your Name” on Apr. 23 and “With This Ring” on May 28. Visit website to apply. www.rabbitbox.org/tell RABBIT HOLE EVENTS (Rabbit Hole Studios) Weekly events include Open Mic (Tuesdays, 7–11 p.m.), Acoustic Song Circle (Thursdays, 7–11 p.m.), Seventh Generation Native American Church services and community potlucks (Sundays, 11 a.m.), and Drumming and Song Circle (Sundays, 3–5 p.m.).

Wednesday Yoga (5 p.m.) is followed by Meditation and Integration (6 p.m.). Events are free or donation based. www.rabbitholestudios.org/ calendar VHS DIGITIZATION (Athens, GA) Brad Staples (of the Athens GA Live Music crew) is seeking previously recorded concerts and events on VHS, VHSC or DVDs to digitize and archive on his YouTube channel, vhsordie (@vhsordie3030). Original recordings will be returned, and credits and dates will be included in the online video description. Digitization services are free. Contact for details and to coordinate shipping. bradley.staples88@gmail.com WINTER ACTIVITIES (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services will offer a variety of arts, environmental science, recreation, sports and holiday events this winter for all ages. Now registering. www.accgov.com/ myrec WINTER WONDERLIGHTS (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) A half-­ mile fully accessible trail through the garden is currently decorated with twinkling lights and illuminated displays for the holidays. Select nights through Dec. 30. Disco Nights will be held Jan. 4–7. $15. botgarden.uga.edu f

600 Oglethorpe Ave. Suite 4 706-548-2188 www.alaferasalon.com

PAIN & WONDER

TATTOO

VOTED AN ATHENS’ FAVORITE TATTOO STUDIO

EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR EXCEPTIONAL PETS

2011–2020

285 W. Washington St.

Athens, GA 30601

(706) 208-9588 www.painandwonder.com

1150 Mitchell Bridge Rd. 706-546-7879 · www.hopeamc.com Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm

If you are in crisis due to domestic violence, F. Neal Pylant D.M.D., P.C. wants you to find help.

If your partner objects when you use the phone, limits your everyday contact with family and friends, and you restrict yourself to avoid angry, aggressive confrontations, you need to step back and take another look. How can you cope once you are involved with a controlling partner? Call Project Safe for help.

Our hotline is confidential, and counseling is free.

Get your life back. Get help.

706-543-3331

Hotline, 24 hours/day

Linea de crisis, las 24 horas del dia

DE C E MB E R 13, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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classifieds Buy It, Sell It, Rent It, Use It! Place an ad anytime, email class@flagpole.com

 Indicates images available at classifieds.flagpole.com

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YARD SALES Crafter's Indoor Sale.

2145 Winterville Rd. Every Fri-Sat, 10-4. Thru Dec. 23. Home decor, jewelry, crocheted items, handmade cards and more. Zelle/venmo only. 10% discount with work i.d.

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Now offering in-person and online instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings, banjo, mandolin and more.

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Instant cash is now being paid for good vinyl records & CDs in fine condition. Wuxtry Records at corner of Clayton & College Dwntn. 706-369-9428

Join a diverse, inclusive workplace and get paid to type! 16–40 hours, Mon–Fri. NEVER be called in for a shift you didn’t sign up for.

Must type 55+ wpm. Make your own schedule and work independently with no customer interaction.

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Get Flagpole delivered straight to your mailbox! Makes a great gift! Only $55 for six months or $100 for one year. Purchase online at www.flagpole.big cartel. com, call 706-549-0301 or email frontdesk@flagpole. com.

NOTICES

FULL-TIME

MESSAGES

Taste of India is now hiring (busser, host, to-go specialist, floater). Paid weekly, employee meals, flexible schedules, full-time or parttime. $15–20. APPLY IN PERSON.

office will be closed from Dec. 23rd – Jan. 2nd

Thai Spoon hiring servers / food runners with lunch availability. Contact thai spoonathens@gmail.com.

JOBS El Paso Tacos & Tequila Now Hiring for Servers and Bartenders. We offer flexible hours and scheduling for students. No experience is required as training is provided! Stop by in person to fill out an application! 255 W. Washington St.

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FLAGPOLE HAS NEW MERCH. Choose between a groovy rainbow design & a classic cassette design. Both are available as stickers! Stop by and get yours today or order online www. flagpole.bigcartel.com.

Need old newspapers for a project? We have plenty here at Flagpole! Call ahead and we’ll get them ready.

706-549-0301

Enjoy Slackpole, our 2 week issue covering events from Dec. 27th – Jan. 9th ADVERTISING DEADLINES FOR THIS ISSUE Display ads: Wed., Dec. 20th at noon Classified ads: Thurs., Dec. 21st at 2:00 p.m.

ADOPT ME!

Visit www.accgov.com/257/Available-Pets to view all the cats and dogs available at the shelter

$10 per week $14 per week $16 per week $40 per 12 weeks $5 per week

*Ad enhancement prices are viewable at flagpole.com **Run-‘Til-Sold rates are for MERCHANDISE ONLY ***Available for individual rate categories only

PLACE AN AD • Call our Classifieds Dept. 706-549-0301 • Email us at class@flagpole.com

• Deadline to place ads is 11:00 a.m. every Monday for the following Wednesday issue • All ads must be prepaid

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · DE C E MB E R 13, 2023

Nugget (54853364)

Nugget is a bit of a shy pup but she is very curious about meeting new people. She has the most expressive eyebrows and a beautiful shiny coat.

Adopt Nugget today!

Mistletoe (54870923)

Mistletoe is a dog on the go but she’ll sit still for a kiss or two. Her favorite thing to do is play fetch and would love a big yard to run in. Make her holiday bright and foster!

Esme (54884164)

This little one’s name means “love” and you can’t help but fall for her! Esme does all the puppy things you expect and will need training and a patient person to guide her.

These pets and many others are available for adoption at:

Athens-Clarke County Animal Services 125 Buddy Christian Way · 706-613-3540 Call for appointment

flagpole

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

6

5 4 2

1 8

8 1 9 1 6 8 7 2 1 4 9 7 5 7 5 4 9 3 7 4 2 8 1

CORD SIBILSKY GROUP

CORD O:706-510-5189

|

C:706-363-0803

|

CSG-GAP.COM

Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain Weekthe of 12/11/23 12/17/23 numbers 1- to 9.

The Weekly Crossword 1

2

3

4

5

14 17 20

6

7

8

by Margie E. Burke 9

10

15

12

13

31

32

33

60

61

62

16 19

18 21

Solution to Sudoku: 23 24

22

2 276 283 5 4 8 9 729 130 5 7 4 2 1 935 836 6 3 34 8 1 9 3 640 7 5 2 441 39 1 5 6 8 7 3 244 445 9 43 3 9 7 4 2 5 6 1 8 48 49 47 4 8 2 6 9 1 7 3 5 52 53 54 55 7 2 5 9 3 4 1 8 6 56 9 573 1 7 8 6 458 5 2 63 6 4 8 1 5 264 3 9 7

25

26

37

38

42 46 50

51

59 65

66

67

68

69

70

71

ACROSS 1 Bundle of hay 5 Post Office purchase 10 Surfer's concern 14 Multi-user OS 15 Video's counterpart 16 Valuable deposits 17 Reason for a repossession 19 Sandwich alternative 20 Sound a bell 21 Compensate 23 Go one better 25 Raven's haven 26 Smugly ingratiating 29 Teensy bit 31 Trajectory 34 Die down 35 Pirate captain of legend 37 Informal farewell 39 Contest submissions 41 Notwithstanding 43 Godly belief 44 Not as much 46 Dermal opening 47 PA time zone

11

Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate

48 Culminating point 50 Embalming ingredient 52 Whopping 54 Discussion group 56 Kind of agreement 59 Andean animal 63 Predicament 64 Profitable venture 66 Qatar's continent 67 Throw for a loop 68 Steering wheel option 69 Like some cheeks 70 Facial features 71 Breaks off DOWN 1 Barracks bed 2 Soon, to a bard 3 Place to wait 4 Erikson and Vespucci, e.g.

5 Put into words 6 Swollen 7 Tonsil neighbor 8 "Do you ____?"

9 Packing a punch

10 Dots on a map 11 Annoyance 12 Like many signers 13 Get a look at 18 Mineral salt 22 Diner offerings 24 Preschooler 26 Stockholm native 27 Flowing tresses 28 Direct opposite 30 Racetrack ratio 32 Nostalgic style 33 Fishing basket 36 Emerald ___ 38 Higher court 40 Likeness 42 "NFL Live" carrier 45 Uses, as energy 49 Scribe 51 Control spot 53 Retract, as words 55 "Skyfall" singer 56 Actor Epps 57 Cancún coin 58 Bygone bird 60 Like, with "to" 61 Pinochle play 62 Star anagram 65 Cry of triumph

Puzzle answers are available at www.flagpole.com/puzzles

DE C E MB E R 13, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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