FP240124

COLORBEARER OF ATHENS CANCELING THE WEATHER

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987

JANUARY 24, 2024 · VOL. 38 · NO. 3 · FREE

Cam and his Dam Jam Band Get into the Groove with The Paradise Experiment p. 14

ATOMIC AGE FILM SERIES

All films start at 7 p.m. and admission is free “Hiroshima, Mon Amour”

Thursday, February 1

“Children of Hiroshima”

Thursday, February 15

“Godzilla”

Thursday, February 29

Films are sponsored by the UGA Parents Leadership Council.

DO YOUR PART. PROTECT YOURSELF. PROTECT OTHERS.

675 College Ave. • 402 McKinley Dr • 706-546-5526 2

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

this week’s issue

contents

MARTIN GARCIA

Alternative indie band Lowertown out of Atlanta will be playing at the Georgia Theatre on Jan. 31 with some Athens favorites: Nihilist Cheerleader, Coma Therapy and Telemarket. For more info, visit georgiatheatre.com.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Pub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Short-Term Rental Regs

Street Scribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

One Chocolate Chip Cookie Per coupon

Hey, Bonita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Potential Medicaid Expansion

Cam and his Dam Jam Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Honeypuppy’s Nymphet Release

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

CALENDAR: Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Bit Brigade Returns

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 GREGORY FREDERICK

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Fabienne Mack, Jessica Pritchard Mangum CITY EDITOR Blake Aued ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene CLASSIFIEDS Jennifer Keene AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson CONTRIBUTORS Bonita Applebum, Greg Davis, Marilyn Gootman, Jaroslava Halper, Gordon Lamb, Bruce Menke, Stephen Miroy, Jill Nolin, Peggy Perkins, Ed Tant, Justin Vaughn CARTOONISTS Missy Kulik, David Mack, Klon Waldrip CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Charles Greenleaf, Joe Rowe EDITORIAL INTERNS Mary Beth Bryan, Xinge Lei PHOTOGRAPHERS Mason Pearson, Jake Zerkel SPECIAL AGENT Pete McCommons

Nihilus

— VOTE —

COVER PHOTOGRAPH of Cam and his Dam Jam Band by Garrett Cardoso (see story on p. 14) 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 $110 a year, $55 for six months. © 2024 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOLUME 38 ISSUE NUMBER 3

PLEASE VAX UP SO WE DON’T NEED TO

Association of Alternative Newsmedia

MASK UP AGAIN

V

online exclusive With Gregory Frederick behind the camera, Athens GA Live Music documents artists gracing stages across the Classic City. Don’t miss footage from the recent performances

by Jim White, Freeman Leverett, Parathion, Sacred Bull and more.

See “Athens GA Live Music Recap” at flagpole.com.

SEE THE BALLOT ON PAGE 4.

VOTE AT FAVORITES.FLAGPOLE.COM J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

3

VOTE AT FAVORITES.FLAGPOLE.COM Tell us your favorite in each of the category and we will let everyone know what Athens locals like most about our great town.

VOTING DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 9TH @ 11:59PM

FAVORITES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE MARCH 6TH ISSUE OF flagpole.

• Only one vote per person • Please vote in at least FIVE CATEGORIES to have your ballot counted * New Category

Restaurants: New (opened after March 2023) Italian American Asian Sushi Mexican/Latin American International BBQ Bakery Downhome/Southern Local Coffee House Local Pizza Local Burger Fries Burrito Taco Steak Seafood Wings Vegetarian Options Sandwich Dessert Bubble Tea Frozen Treat Breakfast Lunch Brunch Special Occasion Meal for a Deal (name of restaurant) Kid-friendly Local Restaurant Outdoor dining Take Out Catering* Chef Uniquely Athens Restaurant

Bars: Bartender Speciality Drinks Happy Hour

Beer Selection Wine Selection Local Brewery Outdoor Bar Space Place to Play Games Uniquely Athens Bar

Music: Recording Studio Performance Venue Intimate Music Venue

Retail: Sex Positive Business Place to Buy CBD/Hemp Products Place to Buy Gifts Place to Buy Homegoods Local Clothing Boutique : Feminine* Local Clothing Boutique : Masculine* Place to Buy Local Art & Handmade Goods Thrift /Vintage Store Place to Buy Wine Place to Buy Beer Uniquely Athens Store

Hair Salon Stylist Alternative Health Treatment (Chiropractic, Herbal, Acupuncture, Rolfing,etc)

Massage Therapist Tattoo Studio Screen Printer Spa Fitness Instructor Place to Get Fit Adult Classes: Movement Adult Classes: Creative Car Repair Shop Car Dealership Plumber Electrician HVAC Lawyer/Law Practice Bank Realtor

Stuff Around Town: Place to See Local Art Non-Profit Volunteer Experience* 2023 Event Community Involved Business

Pets and Kids: Vet Clinic Pet Groomer Pet Boarding/Sitting Service Place to Shop for Kids Kids’ Classes: Movement Kids’ Classes: Creative Summer Camp*

Services: Eco Friendly Services Eco Friendly Practices Hotel Photography Studio Florist

• Only one vote per person • Please vote in at least FIVE CATEGORIES to have your ballot counted

Voting deadline is Feb. 9th at 11:59 PM. The Favorites will be announced in the March 6th issue of flagpole.

favorites.fl fla agpole.com 4

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

news

city dope

by Moms for Liberty members at a recent Oconee County Library Board meeting where the board rejected requests to move five juvenile or young adult books dealing with LGBTQ themes into the adult section.

But it originated with the Oglethorpe County Republican Party, according to the library system’s executive director, Valerie

By Blake Aued and Xinge Lei news@flagpole.com Bell. The Oglethorpe GOP invited Bell to speak at a meeting about the library sysAthens-Clarke County commissioners tem’s procedure for reviewing books.

There are currently “several hundred” appear likely to approve limits on new The Athens Regional Library System has nonconforming STRs in single-family short-term rentals like Airbnbs next month. zones, Griffin said. ACC is hiring a thirdbranches in not only liberal Clarke County, The question is, will they extend those but surrounding Oconee, Oglethorpe, party vendor to comb through tax records regulations to existing short-term rentals Madison and Franklin counties, which and website listings to create a list. If (STRs) in single-family zones or grandfaskew conservative. Each county has its own approved, the county will also hire a new ther them in? library board, and so does the five-county employee to enforce the regulations.

The new rules have been winding their system as a whole. Challenged books are “Enforcement is going to be very hard,” way through the county commission’s currently reviewed by a librarian with ACC Attorney Judd Drake said. “Ultimately Government Operations Committee and a graduate degree, then a committee of the problem is when you go there, you’re the ACC Planning Commission for the past going to have to have probable cause and all librarians, then a committee of the county year and a half. They would require all new library board. The county’s full board this, so from a code enforcement perspecSTRs in single-family zones to be occupied makes the final decision. Challenges are tive, it’s going to be challenging.” by the homeowner, preventing out-of-town limited to five per quarter to avoid overSome STR critics still view the proposed investors from buying homes and turning loading staff. regulations as too weak. “…[T]hey look them into full-time Speakers said they feared that a citizens for all the world like “party houses,” as committee would have its own agenda. an open invitation It’s going after folks that for local and absentee Decisions about stocking and placing books many neighbors refer to them, yet still allow are best left to professional librarians, they investors to continue are the ones that are locals to make extra said. stockpiling properties money by renting out out-of-town and are driving up in RS [residential-single “They [Moms for Liberty] have absoan extra room, an lutely no right to decide what my children family] neighborhoods prices for everybody. accessory dwelling or read, or any other children, except of just as they’ve done the entire house for course their own,” Oconee County resident up to now,” River Oaks up to 30 days at a time. STR owners in sinLisa Mende said. Other speakers included resident Leon Galis wrote in an email to gle-family zones would also have to acquire Clarke County Board of Education member county planners. Galis proposed a potential a home business permit from the county Mark Evans and Winterville city council solution to the grandfathering conundrum like, for example, a home dog-grooming member Tina Mills. in a November Flagpole op-ed. business.

Bell said that when Oglethorpe County Hamby and commissioners Patrick “You could rent your entire property for Republicans brought up the idea of a citiDavenport and Carol Myers said they are a football weekend and get out of town, but zens committee, “I said I would look into in favor of the new regulations. While not it’s still first and foremost your primary res- objecting, Commissioner Dexter Fisher said it.” She told Flagpole that she is meeting idence,” Planning Director Brad Griffin told with staff about ways “to make [libraries] the commission should table them until a commissioners at their Jan. 16 agenda-seta welcoming environment for everybody consultant is hired, because the consultant ting session. without limiting might provide new In multifamily and commercial zones, access to materials.” information. Griffin They have absolutely no right That would not STRs would be treated much like bed-andand Manager Blaine breakfasts, which are legal uses in those mean labeling cerWilliams clarified to decide what my children areas. Complaints from residents in those tain books or movlater, though, that read, or any other children, except ing them into new areas are far fewer compared to those they should not who live in single-family neighborhoods. sections, she said, have used the word of course their own.

The latter have told the commission that but could involve “consultant,” because houses, particularly in Five Points near a list of resources the vendor will be Sanford Stadium, are being converted into for parents to review materials. Staff and gathering data and not making policy recfull-time STRs where a new set of visitors trustees would have to sign off on any polommendations. If the commission does every week—often a dozen or more in a icy change, Bell emphasized. hold the regulations at its Feb. 6 meeting, single house—create noise, trash and park- it will have to extend a moratorium on new Trustees also discussed new guidelines ing problems, with no one to hold accountfor banning library patrons. Although single-family STRs that expires at midnight able because the owner lives in another trustees and staff danced around the issue, that night. state. it clearly related to homeless individuals “It’s an ordinance that’s not going after who frequently gather at the Baxter Street the good ones that are doing it, but it’s branch. “The behaviors are the behaviors,” Dozens of Athens-area residents turned going after folks that are the ones that Bell said. “We’re not looking at any one out to an Athens Regional Library System are out-of-town and are driving up prices group of people.”

Board of Trustees meeting to speak out for everybody in town as far as housing One person who seemed to be mentally against removing childrens’ books from goes, but also creating quality-of-life issues ill was recently banned for urinating in shelves, although no removals were diswithin neighborhoods that other people public and other actions, Bell told Flagpole. cussed by the board. are having to deal with, and not knowing Library staff are “trauma-informed,” she The Oconee County chapter of Moms for said, and a social worker is stationed at the who to call to address the issues that are Liberty—a nationwide right-wing group popping up,” Commissioner Mike Hamby Baxter Street branch for support, but there initially formed to oppose mask mandates said. are certain things that staff and other Under the version approved by the GOC, in schools during the pandemic—has patrons should not have to deal with. existing STRs in single-family zones that do been pressuring local libraries to remove The Jan. 18 meeting took place in a books that center the LGBTQ community, not conform to the new regulations would conference room at the unfinished new although the group argues that its focus is be allowed to continue operating until library in Oconee County’s Wire Park on explicit depictions of sexuality in genthe owner sold the property, or they are development. The old Watkinsville location eral. No one from Moms for Liberty spoke not booked or advertised for a 12-month has closed in order to move materials over at the Jan. 18 board meeting, but about 15 period. The planning commission, however, to the new space, and the Wire Park library people spoke against removing or reclassiadded a sunset provision that would only is scheduled to open on Feb. 3, Bell said. It fying books in general. allow those existing STRs to continue operwill be a soft opening, she said, and a forSeveral speakers opposed a citizens ating for two years, despite the advice of mal ceremony will be held sometime this committee to review library books. Such county attorneys who said that such a prospring when the weather improves. [BA] ➤ continued on p. 7 a committee was apparently mentioned vision would likely be struck down in court.

Short-Term Rental Restrictions

COMMISSION MOVES TO CURB ‘PARTY HOUSES’ AND MORE LOCAL NEWS

... just listen TUESDAY, JANUARY 23RD

NO PHONE PARTY W/ KENOSHA KID

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24TH

COCKTAILS AND SILENT FILMS W/ THE TASTE BUDS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25TH

BIG BAND ATHENS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH

GMEA JAZZ JAM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH

ATHENS SHOWGIRL CABARET SENSATIONAL SATURDAYS

“

“

Residents Oppose Book Removal

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28TH

ATHENS MUSIC NOW W/ DAVID BARBE

CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW WEBSITE

HENDERSHOTSATHENS.COM AND ORDER UP SOME FRESHLY IN HOUSE ROASTED COFFEE! ATHENS’ INTIMATE LIVE MUSIC VENUE

237 prince ave. • 706.353.3050

Dog Spa

VOT E

F OR US ITE FAVOR R! E M O O GR

TIME FOR A DESHEDDING APPOINTMENT?

BOOK ONLINE OR BY PHONE! AKC Safety-Certified Salon 1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy • (706)-353-1065

barkdogspa.com

BUY IT SELL IT

RENT IT IN THE

FLAGPOLE CLASSIFIEDS

CALL 706-549-9523

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

5

EXPERIENCE MUSIC AT UGA

TICKETED PERFORMANCES $15-20; $3 with UGA student ID THURS 1/25 7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

WED 2/7

7:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL

Concerto Winners with UGA Symphony The soloists performing in this concert are selected after advancing through a rigorous competition process judged by faculty within the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

The five soloists include piano, clarinet, and violin in concert with the UGA Symphony. $20-adults, $3 - UGA student ID

Josh Bynum, trombone Hailed for his “inspiring energy, clear musical conviction, and warm lyrical tone” (International Trombone Association Journal).

With Anatoly Sheludyakov, piano. Featuring works by Stravinsky, Ravel, Hindemith, and living composer Marc Mellits. $15-adults, $3 - UGA student ID

CONNECTION SERIES: FREE CONCERTS, NO TICKETS NEEDED THURS 1/25 5 p.m.

EDGE HALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC BUILDING

FRI 1/26 6 p.m.

DANCZ CENTER SCHOOL OF MUSIC BUILDING

1/29-30

7:30 p.m.

EDGE HALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC BUILDING

PLACE YOUR AD BY CALLING 706-549-9523 or email class@flagpole.com

Guest Artist Sonya Baker, Soprano

“For Thee We Sing: The Historical Implications of Marian Anderson’s 1939 Easter Concert” explores the famous concert this Black singer gave in 1939 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Free performance.

Short Stories Vol. 1 Guest composers David Kirkland Garner and Greg Stuart present their original work “Short Stories, Vol. 1” in the Dancz Center for New Music. Free performance.

Beethoven Festival: 10 Violin Sonatas Over the course of four recitals, students of Levon Ambartsumian, violin, and Evgeny Rivkin, piano, will perform all ten Beethoven violin sonatas. 1/29: Sonatas 6, 7; 1/30: sonatas 9, 10. Free performances.

FOR TICKETS: Scan the QR code | music.uga.edu | 706-542-4400

UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road | School of Music Building, 250 River Road

Flagpole 1-24-A.indd 1

Vote

for Us for Favorite New Restaurant!

DAILY SPECIALS Sunday: $5 Mimosas Monday: $2.99 Margaritas 12oz House Flavored OTR Tuesday: 2x1 Mojitos & $12.99 Chicken Fajitas Wednesday: $2 Draft Beer Thursday: 2x1 All Day

Daily Happy Hour 3pm-7pm 2x1 12 oz House Flavored Margaritas

SUN–THURS 10:30AM–10PM • FRI & SAT 10:30AM–11PM

LUNCH MENU M-F • 10:30AM–3PM SAT & SUNDAY BRUNCH SPECIALS 255 W WASHINGTON ST. (706)850-0833

6

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

1/10/24 2:18 PM

Support Local Journalism! flagpole is fighting to continue bringing you the most up-to-date news. Help us keep our weekly print and online versions FREE by donating.

DONATE It’s as easy as your Spotify subscription!

Just set up a recurring donation through PayPal

or mail in a check.

F lagpole, P O Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603

continued from p. 5

Salvation Army Expands Shelter The Salvation Army of Athens can now renovate its shelter with a $550,000 allocation from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This funding was a part of a proposal that Athens-Clarke County commissioners passed, with some controversy, on Jan. 2.

Dexter Fisher, John Culpepper, Ovita Thornton and Allison Wright submitted this commission-defined option (CDO) with the goal of reducing unsheltered homelessness during this winter season. The CDO states that the funds will be used to improve the Salvation Army’s facilities and operational costs, allowing room for more shelter beds to be built. It also suggests a monitor pay increase from $9 to $15 and case worker pay increase from $17 to $20.

ACC received the Salvation Army’s grant proposal back in August 2023. The mayor and commission is requesting a proposed contract with the organization now that the award has been approved. The contract, to be submitted as soon as possible, should include a detailed budget, a plan for sustaining efforts after funding runs out and another plan for promoting diversity and inclusivity in its programs.

According to Capt. Sheldon Greenland of the Athens Corps, the award will provide 20 additional beds for the Salvation Army’s Center for Hope emergency shelter off Hawthorne Avenue. The year-round shelter currently has 74 beds including 32 mens’ beds, four beds for male veterans, 26 women’s beds and two family units with six beds each.

In addition, the allocated funds will go toward fixing plumbing and electrical issues, repairing and replacing restroom fixtures, upgrading washers and dryers to longer-lasting commercial units, upgrading kitchen equipment for meal service and increasing wages for staff. Hiring new staff will become more feasible as well.

“Running a shelter is not cheap, as it costs just under $40,000 per month to operate. With these improvements, we can continue to fulfill our important role

of monitoring and assisting all those who come to us for help,” Greenland said.

Greenland and his spouse, Capt. Nicole Greenland, who took over the Center of Hope in June 2022, believe the new improvements are an essential step in eradicating homelessness in Athens. Over the past year, 90 individuals have moved out of the shelter and into permanent housing, many with sustained success. This year, the Greenlands hope to surpass that figure while enabling all clients to reach their full potential. One way to do so is through the Pathway of Hope program, available to parents with at least one child under 18. With the aim of “moving families from crises and vulnerability to stability and eventually self-sufficiency,” the initiative provides families with a caseworker to develop a personalized action plan and to grow their strengths.

The recent onslaught of cold weather triggered the need for more reliable shelter.

In the case of freezing weather conditions, ACCGov has developed the following series of tiered operations to aid community members: • Tier 1: At temperatures of 35–40 degrees, service providers Bigger Vision and the Salvation Army will add 30 more beds, expanding overnight accommodations from 109 to 139.

• Tier 2: At single digit temperatures or in the event of capacity issues, shelter operations will commence at Athens First United Methodist Church downtown.

• Tier 3: Based on capacity, Twin Angels, churches, nonprofits and other community spaces will begin operating as shelters or provide other means of support including hotel vouchers.

• Tier 4: Activated based on a State of Emergency by the Georgia Governor, possible large-scale impacts to the community like power loss and ice and capacity of Tier 1–3 facilities, an ACC operated shelter that can sleep up to 75 people will be activated.

The Salvation Army of Athens Center for Hope is open seven days a week from 6 p.m.–8 a.m. It is located at 484 Hawthorne Ave. accessible by ACC Transit routes 5 and 7. Call 706-543-5350 or visit southernusa. salvationarmy.org/athens/provide-shelter for further assistance. [XL] f

news

pub notes

Let’s Go, Biden HERE’S HOW TO WIN IN 2024

By Pete McCommons pete@flagpole.com If Joe Biden is too old, then who is our candidate? It can’t be just another good Democrat; it’s got to be somebody who can win the election. If we’re going to jettison the best U.S. president since FDR, we may as well come up with somebody who can appeal broadly across the electorate; somebody, even, who can pull some Republican votes—a candidate who embodies some of the characteristics the Republicans admire.

For starters, we need somebody who, say, has made a fortune trading on the name of his father, somebody who has been indicted, who has been subpoenaed to tes-

But wait: You’re going to say that Hunter Biden is not qualified to be president, that he has no experience, other than using his name to chase shady foreign money. But we have living proof that a person can serve as president without any experience or any interest in acquiring it, except where it profits him. But we also have Joe Biden.

All we have to do is elect Hunter, pulling votes from all those Republicans and evangelicals who admire the qualities of a man like him, and install Joe Biden as his chief of staff—Joe Biden as president except in name only, Joe Biden who can concentrate WIKIPEDIA, COMPLIMENTS OF THE WHITE HOUSE

City Dope

The Bidens at the 2021 inauguration l-r Joe, Jill and their children Ashley and Hunter.

tify before Congress but who has thumbed his nose at them. But also somebody who has shown some guts, like standing up to a witch hunt and daring them to interrogate him in public, instead of behind closed doors, and somebody who’s sort of sexually kinky, and is a newcomer totally without government experience. Those are obviously the kinds of traits Republicans and evangelicals admire, so where can we find such a candidate at this late date?

I vote for Hunter Biden. Wait, wait, don’t tell me. I know it’s crazy, but just think about it. Hunter Biden has been indicted over his income taxes. He was also a dope addict like that Kennedy guy the Republicans would like to see as a third-party candidate. Otherwise, Hunter Biden is bullet-proof, golden, Teflon. The Republicans have investigated him for two years, and all they have found out is that he’s just like them: totally self-serving.

So, look: Joe may be too old, but he has that wealth of experience in all the intricacies of the U.S. government. He knows how it ticks. He knows who’s who. Same with the international affairs that have become so volatile that only somebody like Joe Biden could attempt to steer us in the right direction. Even though he can’t do it right all the time, that’s far better than steering us wrong every time.

Hunter Biden for President. Heck, think how much it will save in campaign materials. We can re-use all those Biden/Harris signs.

even more on running the country because he’ll have Hunter to do all those ceremonial things that eat up so much presidential time. Hunter Biden can be the consensus candidate: the right man at the right time, who commands the loyalty of Democrats and the admiration of Republicans and evangelicals. And in one fell swoop, the worries about Joe Biden’s age disappear.

In addition, his life expectancy skyrockets and nobody needs to worry if he speaks too slowly or stumbles occasionally.

But the most important thing is that we’ll have a Democratic candidate who is greatly admired and supported by Republicans and evangelicals because he embodies all the characteristics they admire: nepotism, tax evasion, corruption, shady foreign money, sexual impropriety, contempt for Congress, inexperience and ignorance of government—the perfect candidate to reach across the aisle and close the chasm that divides our country.

Hunter Biden for president is a winwin. Everybody wins, and the country is reunited. It’s an outcome almost too good to be true. What a relief finally to have a candidate everybody supports, to bring our country back together, making it even greater again, announcing to our own citizens and to the world that America is on a steady course, that we have a candidate who represents all of us, our best qualities and our worst, no matter how you define them.

And you know what? He’ll be running against an old guy. f

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

7

600 Oglethorpe Ave. Suite 4 INFRARED SAUNA $45 PER SESSION Health Benefits: Detoxification, Weight Loss, Heart Health, Anti-Aging, Immunity, Muscle Recovery

706-548-2188 www.alaferasalon.com

INDOOR A TROCK CLIMBING A HENS, G

VoteYourfor Indie South Favorite Everything Shop!

VOTE

US

FOR FAVORITE PLACE TO GET FIT

Est 2006

We’d love your vote in any of these categories: Favorite Store to Buy Gifts Favorite Store to Buy Home Goods Place to Buy Local Art & Handmade Goods Uniquely Athens Shop

Forever grateful for the support

of our Athens Community

www.theindiesouth.com

@theindiesouth

INTRO BOULDERING CLASSES YOUTH TEAMS LADIES NIGHT STUDENT DISCOUNTS ACTIVECLIMBING.COM (706)354-0038

665 BARBER ST. ATHENS,GA

If you youare areinincrisis crisisdue due domestic If to to domestic violence,Phil Graduate wants violence, Hughes Athens Honda wants you to tofind findhelp. help. you When you are struggling to meet the demands of a controlling and jealous partner it is hard to plan for the future. Project Safe has advocates available to help you sort through what options are available to you, and how you can stay safe while you explore options.

All services are free and confidential.

706-543-3331

Hotline, 24 hours/day

Linea de crisis, las 24 horas del dia

8

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

news

feature

Medicaid Expansion?

TALK FUELS BIPARTISAN BUZZ AT THE STATE CAPITOL

By Jill Nolin news@flagpole.com

T

Mountain Democrat who chairs the House minority caucus. “It may not be called Medicaid expansion because it’s not politically palatable to certain groups. We say a rose by any other name is still a rose.”

Rep. Michelle Au, a Johns Creek Democrat who is an anesthesiologist, said she was encouraged that talk of any kind of Medicaid expansion is now happening in Georgia. “Even having this conversation at all, and considering something in a serious way, is already way better than anything that we’ve seen for a decade,” Au said in an interview.

Au led a Democratic caucus-organized hearing on Medicaid expansion that filled a meeting room and had people standing in the hallways to hear health care experts, hospital representatives and others talk about the impact of Medicaid expansion on the state’s economy and the health of Georgians.

Au, who is a leading Democratic voice on health care issues in Georgia, has regularly held educational forums on Medicaid expansion. But this year’s event was different.

apolitical if you will, and do what’s right on behalf of the citizens of the state of Georgia, and frankly help the industry of health care within it.”

Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, which advocates for Medicaid expansion, had this message for those who attended the organization’s Health Care Unscrambled event held Jan. 11: “I’m not going to count our chickens before they hatch—we don’t have expansion yet—but it’s coming.”

he Gold Dome was aflutter during in his State of the State address Jan. 11 the first week of the legislative even as he touted other elements of his sigsession over whether Georgia nature health care plans, like a reinsurance Republicans might move to fully expand program that has helped lower premiums.

Medicaid this year.

Pathways has attracted national attenA high-ranking Republican leader eletion because it made Georgia the only state Kemp has proposed spending $1.7 vated the issue further when he uttered to have a work requirement as part of its million in this year’s budget to integrate the words “Medicaid expansion” during a Medicaid program, with the requirement Pathways into the state’s eligibility system prominent speech to Georgia’s business only applying to those who are newly for Medicaid and other public aid services, community. House Speaker Jon Burns said eligible. which is a move that is intended to increase House lawmakers “will continue to gather enrollment in the program and improve facts” about a “private option” for expandthe effectiveness of caseworkers who are ing Medicaid. processing applications, according to the In particular, several GOP lawmakers The low enrollment in Pathways has governor’s Office of Budget and Planning. have voiced interest in an Arkansas-style ratcheted up the pressure on Georgia The funding would also connect the state’s model, which purchases private insurance Republicans to change course. Georgia— system to Georgia Access as Georgia moves for individuals on the marketplace instead toward a state-based of adding more peoexchange for health ple to the state-run insurance under the Medicaid program.

Affordable Care Act. In a statement Jan. Pathways slightly 12, Republican Lt. Gov. expanded eligibility Burt Jones sounded for Medicaid coverage open to the concept. in Georgia, but also Jones has pressed for requires participants to changes to the state’s complete 80 hours each business regulations month of work, school for medical providers, or other qualifying and discussions about activity, and critics have Medicaid expansion are long warned that the happening alongside reporting requirements the debate over to what to show the hours were extent Georgia should completed would create remake its certificate of a paperwork burden. need rules.

The program was “I have never approved under the wavered on my position Trump administration that expanding access and then delayed by the to health care, especially Biden administration. in rural parts of the Georgia moved forward state, should be a priwith launching the ority for all Georgians,” program in July after Jones said. “The legislasuccessfully challenging tive process allows for the federal government different options to be in court. The program’s presented on a variety federally approved of issues. I look forward waiver expires in the to addressing this critifall of 2025. cal issue this upcoming Speaker Jon Burns (left) and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones have both signaled an openness to an Arkansas-style Medicaid expansion, which purchases private During a conversasession to help make insurance for individuals on the marketplace instead of adding more people to the state-run Medicaid program. tion about Medicaid access to quality health expansion at the Health care a reality, regardless which has one of the highest uninsured Care Unscrambled event, Sen. Ben Watson “There’s a feeling in the air: something of someone’s zip code.” rates in the country—is now one of 10 (R-Savannah) praised the state’s reinsurhas changed, and it’s like, we’re really This all represents what appears to be a states that have not expanded Medicaid ance program and urged health care advotalking about this. This might happen,” Au softening of the decade-long resistance in under the Affordable Care Act, with neighsaid. “And many of our holdout-state neigh- cates to help enroll people in Pathways. “The Georgia to Medicaid expansion, which is boring North Carolina recently expanding one that’s been a bit of a challenge, and I bors have recently changed—states that a central piece of former President Barack the health insurance program for the poor. would challenge you to help our patients to we have a lot in common with. So, it’s not Obama’s legacy. But one of the big ques“This isn’t just a policy oversight, it is get enrolled, is that 100% on down,” said unreasonable to go down this path to think tions of the session will be this: Does that a moral failing,” state Sen. Nabilah Islam Watson, who chairs the Senate Health and that there is a chance this could happen.” shift in thinking extend to the governor’s Parkes (D-Lawrenceville), said at a press Human Services Committee.

Scott Raynes was among the speakers mansion? conference last Thursday. “Hundreds of As Pathways is being rolled out, an army at Au’s meeting. Raynes is president and Georgia Pathways to Coverage, the thousands of our people are left without CEO of Brunswick-based Southeast Georgia of state workers is also in the process of governor’s partial expansion program, has checking the eligibility of all 2.8 million Health System and was a member of the enrolled about 2,300 people since launching adequate health care.”

But other Democrats and long-time people covered by Medicaid after the end of House committee that looked at ways to in July. About 345,000 are thought to be a pandemic-era federal rule that protected modernize the state’s certificate of need eligible for the Medicaid program, according health care advocates have expressed optimism over the recent chatter, even if the coverage during the public health crisis. regulations. to the state’s estimate. conversation is not centered on traditional Hundreds of thousands of Georgians are “Let’s not get hung up on the fact that Kemp’s spokesman, Garrison Douglas, Medicaid expansion. expected to lose coverage as part of what’s we are one of the last 10 or 11 to even said the governor “has championed and “I’m hearing the same thing that othknown as the unwinding. f explore this,” Raynes said. “Let’s take continues to support” Pathways and ers are hearing—that this is the year that advantage of the learnings of those states Georgia Access, which is a state-run This article originally appeared in the Georgia we’re going to have some sort of Medicaid before us and make a good decision. A good exchange set to launch later this year.

Recorder. expansion,” said Rep. Billy Mitchell, a Stone economic decision, a decision that is really The governor did not mention Pathways

A Rose by Any Other Name

Georgia Pathways

ROSS WILLIAMS / GEORGIA RECORDER

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

9

news

street scribe

advice

hey, bonita…

It Can Happen Here

Controlling What We Can

By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com

By Bonita Applebum advice@flagpole.com

In 1935, Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis published It Can’t Happen Here, his thought-provoking novel about an America under the iron heel of a fascist dictatorship. Today, millions of Americans fear that Lewis’ fiction of 1935 could become the fact of 2025 if Donald Trump is inaugurated for a second term in the White House. Lewis wrote in 1935 that America was “ripe for a dictatorship,” and his words of warning then are relevant now as this nation prepares for a 2024 election contest between Trump and Joe Biden.

I began this new year feeling thankful for my life—my friends, my family, my jobs, my wellness routines and my independence, even when I fumble those last two things as publicly as I did in my last column of 2023. Hey man, I’m not perfect, and I don’t always stick the landing, and I’d never blame any of you for allowing yourselves a moment of pure spiraling panic. The fact is that I cannot control anything about this city, like whether the team wins or whether a house goes on Airbnb or out into the rental market for a reasonable price. I can control what I do with myself and my money, only. But, wow, does it feel bratty to try and stomp away from it all. I try my best to cultivate gratitude and celebration for the end of each year—I mean, that’s the energy I’m trying to keep all year if I can, right? So I feel especially bummed that I couldn’t find that positivity within myself by the time my final deadline of 2023 was upon me.

THE LOOMING TRUMP DICTATORSHIP

TAPTHEFORWARDASSIST

many of the January 6 insurrectionists. His forgiveness could extend to extremist leaders convicted on federal charges.” Indeed, at his rallies Trump has recently referred to the Jan. 6 prisoners as “hostages” rather than the convicts that they are, and he has mentioned pardons for the insurrectionists if he regains the reins of power.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Senior reminds readers that “a would-be totalitarian wants a republic of the indifferent,” while in the same issue, journalist Mark Leibovich says, “Trump might be the ultimate con man, but his essential nature has never been a mystery. Yet he appears to be gliding to his third straight Republican nomination and is running strong in a likely rematch with an unpopular incumbent.”

That incumbent, Joe Biden, has finally started taking the gloves off in his campaign speeches, but it may be too late to forestall four more years of Trump’s trumpery. Speaking on the eve of the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 MAGA mob’s assault on Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Capitol Hill, President Biden said, “You can’t The Atlantic is a venerable magazine that be pro-insurrectionist and pro-American.” has been published since 1857, when James He warned that “Trump’s assault on democBuchanan was president. In its January/ racy isn’t just part of his past. It’s what he’s February issue The Atlantic devotes its pages promising for the future.” A few days later, to the theme “If Trump Wins.” The issue’s the president spoke at the Emanuel African 24 essays provide a chilling look at what will Methodist Episcopal Church in South very likely be in store for this nation during Carolina, where a young white supremacist a second Trump term when, to paraphrase gunned down Black worshipers in 2015. poet William Butler Yeats, a rough beast “Without light there’s no path from this slouches toward Washington to be reborn. darkness,” Biden told his audience at the In one of The Atlantic’s essays, writer historic church.

David Frum decries a “revenge presidency” The path is indeed dark, and despite from Donald redux. “If Trump wins the Biden’s address to the Charleston church presidency again,” writes Frum, “the whole crowd, many Americans who call themworld will become a theater for his politics selves Christians have become disciples of of revenge and reward. Ukraine will be the Trump cult. A recent video titled “God abandoned to Vladimir Putin; Saudi Arabia Made Trump” posted on Trump’s Truth will collect its dividends for its investments Social network paints the former president in the Trump family.” Frum adds that as some sort of new messiah. How quickly Benjamin Franklin’s famous admonition some self-anointed evangelicals forget the that this country is “a republic, if you can biblical admonition against “selling their keep it” was a warning that “ambitious, birthright for a mess of pottage.” ruthless characters would arise to try to Trump’s coziness with and admiration break the republic, and that weak, venal for authoritarian regimes around the characters might assist them.” world and his vow to his supporters to In her essay, Juliette Kayyem writes be “your retribution” is a dark portent of that extremists will be emboldened by a future fascism. Trump critic and former second Trump administration. “Both he GOP congresswoman Liz Cheney may have and his most disreputable supporters will been right when she warned last year that feel vindicated,” she warns. “The Republican Americans could be “sleepwalking into dicParty has already given Trump a pass for tatorship” of the kind that Sinclair Lewis exhorting a mob to break into the Capitol. cautioned about in 1935. It can happen In turn, Trump has promised to pardon here. f

10

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

ADVICE FOR ATHENS’ LOOSE AND LOVELORN

But again, we are all allowed a moment of despair. I became great at staring into the middle-distance over the course of the month, counting out my expenses in my head and letting myself cry while browsing rental listings. I was still very much in that headspace when I next saw my therapist, and they are forever one of my favorite people to sob in front of. I bawled and shared my fear with them, and I spoke my uncertainties almost in an attempt to exorcize them. Maybe they’d show themselves as irrational once I said them aloud, but most of my fears were indisputable facts that couldn’t go up in smoke just because I heard them in my own voice.

What was I expecting, for the ARPA Affordable Housing Committee to see/ hear my words and then come and stand on my front lawn like an ex that was still in love with me, begging me not to move to Denver? That’s never even been true of my actual exes. The fact is that I am no one. I

am a drop in a flood, and I say that without malice—there’s like 128,000 people in this town. In December I felt very alone in my fears, but now I know that I am far from the only person who loses sleep wondering where they’ll live in the fall. That’s why we have the Affordable Housing Committee, and for all of my frustration, I’m thankful they exist, even if I can’t quite understand the scale of their work and how long it will really take for us to eventually see the fruits of their labor.

Last month I spoke a bit about taking control of what I can change, but my therapist was able to bring that idea into much sharper focus for me in a way that felt cathartic and empowering. Basically, I made a 10-year plan for my life—not just for home ownership, but for my entire life.

I stopped laser-focusing on the one giant thing that will take the most work (buying a house in a town experiencing its own version of

rapid gentrification), and thought about what I want my life to look like on the whole.

I want to get an advanced degree in a new field that deeply interests me. (I guess you can count journalism amongst my exes now, too.) I want a professional certification so that I can demand more money for my labor, and when I’m ready to own a home, I must be prepared to make tough choices to make that happen. Maybe that’ll mean going out to eat less, or maybe it’ll mean going in search of greener, cheaper pastures elsewhere. I want to continue to write and make art, but I don’t want to suffer for it—I’m allowed to live comfortably, just like anyone else. 2024 will be my year to seek comfort in all of its forms, and to be productive in my despair. There’s always something we can control, even if it’s not the thing we want to control. f Need advice? Email advice@flagpole.com, or use our anonymous online form at flagpole.com/get-­ advice.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Brad Mehldau

Celebrating the music of Stevie Wonder.

“Claiming the language and beauty of ballet for Black dancers.”—The New York Times

“Brad Mehldau is arguably the greatest working jazz pianist.”—The New Yorker

Jan SAT 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

27

Feb SUN 7:00 pm

4

Fine Arts Theatre 255 Baldwin St

230 River Road, Athens

2:00

7:30

Tickets start at $25 with promo code PAC25. UGA students $10. Free parking.

Scan for info and tickets Buy tickets now: pac.uga.edu or (706) 542-4400 Elena Olivo

Theik Smith

Tickets start at $25 with promo code PAC25. UGA students $10. Free parking.

Buy tickets now: pac.uga.edu or (706) 542-4400 Scan for info and tickets

Hodgson Concert Hall

230 River Road, Athens

YOUR SECOND-FAVORITE REAL ESTATE TEAM

The Jarrett Martin Group jarrettmartingroup

Jarrett Martin, REALTOR® 229.869.5734

REALTOR® 706.201.7047

940 Prince Avenue Suite C | Athens, Georgia 30606 | 706.559.4520 | corcoranclassic.com ©2021 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

11

news

letters

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO P.O. BOX 1027, ATHENS, GA 30603 OR EMAIL US AT LETTERS@FLAGPOLE.COM Congress Should Support Ukraine By denying the urgently needed assistance to Ukraine, several Georgia members of Congress are placing at risk the very survival of Ukraine as an independent democratic state and endangering the security of all of Eastern Europe.

These congressmen need to stop playing games. Congress must approve the vital assistance essential to preventing the Russian victory over Ukraine and the resulting threat to the United States and NATO. Georgia congressmen have the immense potential to either protect our national interests and honor our commitment to defend democracy, or to irreparably sabotage those vital interests. Our congressmen must show they can and will faithfully discharge their duties to our country and to our state. Members of Congress from Georgia unwilling or unable to do so should return to private life so that Georgians committed to protecting our national security can take their places in Congress and provide the support essential to prevent the Russian suppression of democracy throughout Eastern Europe that was a nightmarish reality for nearly 50 years following the Second World War. Bruce Menke Athens

Protesters Misguided About Hamas I would like to address several issues in your news section from Dec. 10 regarding the Dawgs for Gaza report.

Pro-Palestinian protesters came to a recent Athens-Clarke Commission meeting with a slew of complaints and accusations.

Some of them claimed that they do not feel safe in Athens because ACC police stood by during demonstrations organized

by Students for Justice in Palestine and a couple of socialist parties. It is the case for police to stand by during protests and demonstrations to assure safety of participants and onlookers alike.

What they did not realize is that other people in the room felt unsafe because of the protesters’ unruly and provocative behavior, and by their accusations that the ACC government, and specifically the mayor, have blood on their hands because the ACC government did not issue a resolution condemning Israel for committing “genocide” and supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

Do these demonstrators realize that it was Hamas that violated the ceasefire, which was in place for some time; that attacked unsuspecting Israelis and butchered them in a particularly vile and barbaric way; that raped, tortured and killed many Israeli women; that dragged 240 people as hostages to Gaza? It was Hamas leadership that declared that many more similar attacks will follow, and that their goal is to erase Israel from the map. Israel is conducting a war it did not initiate or even expect, a war that threatens its very existence.

It is truly unfortunate that so many Gazans are suffering and dying—this is primarily because they are used as human

12

shields by their Hamas leadership, which is cowardly embedded in hospitals, schools, mosques and private dwellings. Hamas is a jihadist terrorist band harmful to everybody not only in the Middle East, but in the world. It aims to undermine freedom and human rights everywhere, just as it has done in Gaza. Palestinians have nothing to gain from supporting Hamas; they should join in struggle to get rid of it.

If the demonstrators do not realize or do not know that Hamas is a ruthless terrorist organization in the same class as ISIS and al Qaeda, they should go back to school and expand their reading. Their complaints about U.S. support of Israel do not mention U.S. support of Palestinians through direct aid to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, humanitarian aid to Gazans and through support of several UN organizations working in Gaza.

Jaroslava Halper Athens

Put Solar Panels on Clarke Middle The Community Oversight Committee for the Educational SPLOST has a quasi-advisory role in the construction of new schools in Clarke County. As a member of this committee, I perceive a lack of commitment to eliminate long-term energy costs through the use of sustainable sources of energy. The most current example is the building of Clarke Middle School.

CCSD used a number of reasons for why it is not appropriate to use solar power as the primary energy source for this new school. First, the reliance of solar power for commercial buildings is in the “beta stage” of development. Second, the proposal of placing solar panels on CMS was not raised earlier in the construction process. Third, solar equipment on the roof of a building the size of CMS would weigh “a million pounds” and thus demand much greater construction costs.

At the last COC meeting, a number of points were made by committee members.

First, solar power on commercial buildings is well established. The Richmond County School District in Augusta, for instance, is building its third school that is energy self-reliant. Second, CMS staff raised the issue of solar power reliance before building plans were even completed. Third, First Presbyterian Church of Athens is prepared to install solar panels to meet the bulk of its energy needs. It is doing so to gain financial savings. It is also doing so without making construction changes.

I would like to hear more community discussion on the topic of CCSD sustainability by those who are much more knowledgeable of engineering and construction than I am.

Greg Davis Former Clarke County school board member

Holy Liars Lost, Then Found After being missing for over 12 years I found my Holy Liars CD, Smoke, issued way back in 2008, and have listened to it half a dozen times in the backyard recalling happy memories of Tasty World and Caledonia

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

Lounge—and the road trips involved since it was a car CD. An internet search proved they’ve issued new songs after a decade’s hiatus titled Fury Of The Days. Hooray!

One reason I love the Athens music scene is because bands go through the starving artist phase and frequently produce their most heartfelt work in the beginning. But if Flagpole can convince Holy Liars, Lullwater, Hayshaker, Kick The Robot and Guadalcanal Diary to perform at AthFest next year, I’ll be down in a trice to enjoy another night at Holiday Inn or Gameday, and return to the Old Dominion with autographed merch. It’s a pity so many musicians never get the respect I think they deserve.

Stephen Miroy Stafford, VA

Pro-Palestine Hypocrisy Where were pro-Palestinian protesters when Assad tortured hundreds and killed thousands of Palestinians in Syria?

Where were they when Syria demolished Yarmouk and other Palestinian refugee camps?

Why were they silent in the face of the massacres, rapes and arson of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Moslems?

Why didn’t they march against the atrocities committed by Isis?

Why are they silent about this month’s atrocities and murders of hundreds of people in Darfur, Sudan?

Yet, hypocritically, they were quick to support Hamas, protesting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza while ignoring all the other world tragedies. Protesting on behalf of Hamas while ignoring the fact that Hamas used innocent Palestinians as human shields and has raped, mutilated, beheaded and burned alive innocent civilians.

Do the protesters really care about solving the Palestinians’ problems? Are they antisemitic? Or are they simply naïve, jumping on bandwagons without thinking, examining sources or asking questions, ignorant of history because it’s exciting and “the thing” to do? Or are they both?

Does Israel have problems? Yes. Do the Palestinians have problems? Yes. One of their mutual problems is bad leadership.

But the way to solve these problems is not to call for wiping Israel off the map. These problems cannot be solved by hate-filled, racist marches. Both sides must come to the table. New leadership on both sides is essential. Let us pray that out of this tragic war, a phoenix will arise.

Marilyn Gootman Athens

Bidenomics Help the Working Class Did anything good happen in 2023? As a matter of fact, yes!

Over the last three years, a tight labor market has undone an estimated 38% of wage inequality between poor and wealthy workers, and young workers without college degrees benefited the most. An increase in clean energy companies opening in Georgia is creating thousands of jobs, with unemployment hovering around 3.2%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Barrow County’s average weekly wage is $942.00. It was around $100 less under Trump.

Stocks soared in 2023, and those gains mean that everyone with savings and investments in the market is quite a bit

richer than they were at the beginning of the year. Holiday sales rose this year, and spending remained resilient. People vacationed and traveled at record levels.

The sheriff’s office received federal funding to purchase law enforcement technology to keep our community safe. Westside Middle, Holsenbeck Elementary and Apalachee High School received grants to give their students opportunities that prepare them for life and keep them engaged in school.

A grant funded by the American Rescue Plan was awarded to Learning Voyage Success Center of Winder to assist its providing child care services outside the traditional hours of Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

The price of insulin for Barrow County seniors dropped, and Medicare can now negotiate drug prices for some medications.

In addition, rural areas received funding to deal with climate change and aging infrastructure systems, and to expand highspeed internet.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a groundbreaking pill to treat postpartum depression, which affects up to one in five women. That agency also approved the first-ever gene editing treatment, offering a potential cure for sickle cell disease. Understanding dementia and how to prevent it made progress with the FDA giving full approval, for the first time, to a drug that modestly slows Alzheimer’s disease.

These good things that happened in 2023 for Barrow County and our state would not have occurred without the leadership of President Biden and Democrats working with Republicans to solve problems.

Peggy Perkins Winder

Clarifying the Wilderness Act I greatly appreciate Ron McNiff bringing awareness to the Wilderness Act (“Wilderness Idea,” Dec. 27). Still, his summary that the act “focuses on the absence of humans” could be easily misinterpreted.

The Wilderness Act was created to protect natural areas from permanent development and machinery use. For many of us, visiting these areas is the only way to fully appreciate the meaning of human existence, including our terrible and wonderful technological capacity.

True, Native Americans can no longer settle in Wilderness Areas, but most tribes are highly supportive of the act’s conceptual basis, and still use these areas for traditional rites and hunts because of their protected status. The conservation of farmland he discusses is a completely separate ecological and philosophical issue, though it, too, has legal and institutional support, such as land trusts.

Anyone who has hiked the Appalachian Trail through Georgia can easily contrast Wilderness Areas from less-protected tracks that are often strewn with litter and accosted with road noise. They can also see that Wilderness Areas are not characterized by the “absence of humans.”

On the contrary, we need far more wilderness to satisfy demand. Thankfully, we have a profound legal instrument in the Wilderness Act to support that expansion and protection.

Justin Vaughn Athens

feature

Honeypuppy

NYMPHET DELIVERS FUZZY, HYPNOTIC NOSTALGIA

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

D

rawing inspiration from pre-school nursery rhymes and ’90s alternative rock—bear with us—the often dreamy, sometimes distorted indie pop band Honeypuppy has released an EP, Nymphet, that relies on refreshing simplicity and unexpected melodies to convey nostalgic tunes.

Released Jan. 24 through band member Adam Wayton’s boutique label Indecent Artistry, the five-track EP includes two bonus track demos that work as a frame of reference for how the band got started under lead songwriter Josie Callahan. In the spring of 2020, Callahan recorded her first song, the “Nymphet” demo, completely by herself for a UGA music business class project. For Callahan’s final semester that fall, she moved in with Wayton (bass) and Will Wise (lead guitar). Both already in bands around Athens, Wayton and Wise were impressed by the second track Callahan was working on for a school project, the demo “Penny Press,” and helped her with the recording in the basement studio.

“I would say that’s kind of where the band really started,” says Callahan, who had never been in a band up to that point. “I feel very glad that I ended up meeting them, because I think that it would have taken me a lot longer to have gotten to the point of being able to play in a band with other people and actually play shows… Adam and Will were constantly writing music and playing music to where if they were gonna be like, ‘Hey, listen to this song I wrote,’ it just didn’t feel like a big deal. It just kind of felt like part of what they did every day. So I think that sort of took a little bit of pressure off.”

Callahan notes that she listens to a lot of ’90s music, particularly in the vein of The Breeders and Violent Femmes, and that’s worked its way into Honeypuppy’s sound. However, from the EP’s cover art to lyrics and the songwriting process, Callahan’s time spent as a preschool teacher has had a heavy hand in shaping the project. Some of the songs started with Callahan basing them off a nursery rhyme, pulling lines that had a familiarity about them for listeners rather than a blatant connection. This process started because she was having to go to work every day while still focusing on making music, so she began to use her work environment as fuel for songwriting.

“That environment, being around kids and all of the books and toys, it makes you remember a lot of things that you kind of forgot. And then you look at them in a new way,” says Callahan.

The bouncy song “Suck Up” includes the innocent line: “Pass me the tape and pass me the glue/ I’m gonna stick stick stick myself to you.” Callahan says she wrote that line while doing a craft with children at the school and thought it would be great for a song. The EP’s closing track, “Kerosine,” takes a darker turn to talk about serial killers and their adolescent idiosyncrasies, but it maintains a lighter sound with comedic undertones. Playfulness permeates Callahan’s songwriting.

Nymphet explores the gritty trials of girlhood and growing up, covering topics like unreciprocated crushes, imaginary scenarios and second-guessing yourself. As a songwriter, Callahan emphasizes the delivery of her words—a simplistic style that makes the subjects and themes relatable and nostalgic for any listener. Wayton, Wise and drummer Jack Colclough’s contributions add contrast to Callahan’s playfully sweet vocals with chaotic

ISAAC JOHNSON

music

breaks while also emphasizing what’s behind her words with quick intensity. The collaboration as a whole delivers something interesting that’s easily digestible while still having technical complexity.

“I think what I really like about the process is I can come in with a song, you know, lyrics, chord progression, and have the basic outline. Jack, Will and Adam will look at that and be like, let’s mess this up a little bit, and it’ll be stuff that I wouldn’t have thought to do,” says Callahan.

Honeypuppy’s EP release, which will have physical tapes for sale, will be celebrated with a show tonight at The World Famous with Sunset Honor Unit and Neat Freak. Then the band will celebrate the music video release for “Nymphet” on Feb. 9 at Ciné accompanied by Monsoon and Dog Person. f

WHO: Honeypuppy, Sunset Honor Unit, Neat Freak WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 24, 9 p.m.

WHERE: The World Famous HOW MUCH: $10

VOTE FOR PAIN AND WONDER AS YOUR FAVORITE TATTOO SHOP EST. 1995

QULOCK NIMMONS With 25+ years of experience, Qulock is proficient at all styles but really enjoys large scale pieces and the neo traditional style.

Especially if with pop culture references. IG: @qulock

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

13

feature

ALLIE BROWNING

music

Cam and his Dam Jam Band GET INTO THE GROOVE WITH THE PARADISE EXPERIMENT

By Jessica Smith music@flagpole.com

K

icking 2024 off on the right foot, Cam and his Dam Jam Band recently released a debut fulllength album entitled The Paradise Experiment on New Year’s Day. Traversing the sonic territories of funk, jazz, blues and psychedelic rock, the band’s energizing and accessible sound rises above clear categorization, tapping into a variety of techniques to get audiences moving and grooving.

“Our music is designed to help facilitate a really good time—to help make the listener just forget about the things that are weighing them down and get lost in a fun, genuine groove,” says the band’s guitarist and vocalist Cam Norton.

Cam and his Dam Jam Band grew slowly and organically over the course of several years. Music has always been in the blood of Norton, whose father was the lead guitarist of The Grapes, a jam and Southern rock band from Atlanta that actively toured throughout the ’90s. Norton and bassist Garrett Gray met during college through their fraternity and soon became housemates, started writing songs together and began playing out around Dahlonega as a bass and guitar duo.

When Norton was accepted into a graduate program at the University of Georgia, the two relocated to Athens.

While working as a teaching assistant for first-year chemistry students, Norton met saxophonist Brian Nichols, who later introduced him to drummer Max Seldes. The band played as a four-piece for a while, until Norton spotted Jacob Mallow performing on keyboard with Convict Julie one night and knew his soulful R&B style would add depth to the band.

In true jam band fashion, the band members leave the opportunity open for off-the-cuff improvisation and in-the-moment magic-making during practices as well as live performances. Norton describes the band’s songwriting process as a bit chaotic, but it’s a collaborative approach that results in members responding to each other in real time for an ever-evolving sound.

“An idea will form, usually from myself or Garrett, and then when it’s brought to the band, all bets are off,” he says.

“Ideas get thrown around and tried out, lyrics get morphed and changed, and everything is on the table. Eventually, a cohesive unit is created, and then the song is ‘done’—until we play it live, and suddenly a new idea happens in the middle of a jam, and the song will change from there. So I

guess it’s a creation, destruction and re-creation method. Very organic.”

Gliding between genres, The Paradise Experiment reflects the wide-ranging musical tastes and stylistic influences of its members. Melodies often circulate between which instrument is leading them, creating a full-bodied sound where each player shines. Whether it’s a funky, jazzy or heady tune, a consistent openness to jamming out coalesces the tracks together and creates a positive headspace for listeners.

Clocking in at just under 10 minutes—this is a jam band, after all—the opening track “Backpack of Stone” sets a laid-back, relaxed tone for the album with warm Wutlitzer organ, smooth saxophone melodies and bluesy vocals.

Starting out upbeat and happy-go-lucky, “My Potion / Three Hours Later” tonally shifts into a more somber and contemplative melody. This psychedelic thread is carried into the following track, “Jet Black Moon (Extended Version),” a melancholic tune that breaks open midway with wailing guitar and soaring vocals. The closing tracks “Carry Her Away” and “Afterparty” are funky, fun songs that end the album on a bright note.

“I would hope that each listener takes away something different from the record,” says Norton. “Everybody needs something different, so I hope everyone gets what they individually need from the music.”

The new eight-track album was recorded over four daylong sessions at Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta, followed by nearly a year of overdubbing, mixing and fine-tuning under the helm of head engineer Kevin Pergantis. “Kevin very quickly became to CDJB what George Martin was to the Beatles, and if it wasn’t for him, our record wouldn’t be half of what it is today,” says Norton.

Several guest musicians are featured throughout the album, most notably Owen Hite (The Regulars) on key-

REASONS TO ELATIONS OF ATHENS BEST SEX POSITIVE BUSINESS Across 3. Reasonably priced.

5. Promoting an open, accepting, and progressive attitude toward sex and sexuality.

Down 1. An environment in which a person can feel confident that they will not face discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm.

2. High-quality teaching and learning about a broad variety of topics related to sex and sexuality.

4. Assistance or advice given to customers during and after the sale of goods.

4100 Lexington Road - ShopStarship.com 14

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

board, piano and organ. Trumpeter Lalo Sanchez and trombonist Jameson Childers contribute bright layers of brass to “Somethin’ New,” “Gypsy Magic Woman” and “Afterparty.” Chase Washington (Josh Bennett Band) and Trey Miller add guitar and harmonica, respectively, to “Rob a Bank.” The album’s artwork was created by local graphic designer Allie Browning.

Cam and his Dam Jam Band will celebrate the release of The Paradise Experiment on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Georgia Theatre with Bea Porges and Wim Tapley & The Cannons.

“Truly, the main goal is to have as many people as possible enjoying the music and having the Dam Jam Band as part of their life,” says Norton. “All we want to do is share the music, share the grooves, share the love.” f

WHO: Bea Porges, Cam and his Dam Jam Band, Wim Tapley & The Cannons WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) WHERE: Georgia Theatre HOW MUCH: $18

arts & culture

calendar picks

ART | FRI, JAN. 26

Fabienne Lasserre Opening Reception

The Athenaeum • 6–8 p.m. • FREE!

New York-based artist Fabienne Lasserre is known for transforming industrial materials such as vinyl, plastic, steel and foam into abstract, brightly colored works that are halfway between painting and sculpture. Her latest exhibition, “Listeners,” which is supported by a $60,000 grant to The Athenaeum from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, features pieces hung from the ceiling that blur the line between motion and stillness. As the audience orbits them, their interaction brings slight movements and fleeting reflections of light to otherwise inert objects. Lasserre will discuss her process and the creation of “Listeners” at Lamar Dodd School of Art in Auditorium S150 the preceding day, Jan. 25, at 5:30 p.m.

[Mary Beth Bryan]

will give a free talk before the second performance in room 201 of the Fine Arts Building at 6:45 p.m. [MB] COMEDY | SAT, JAN. 27

Doug Benson

40 Watt Club • 3:30 p.m. (doors), 4:20 p.m. (show) • $22

Doug Benson has come a long way since beginning his standup career on a dare from a friend, now boasting a comedy repertoire that extends into many other areas of the entertainment industry. His material, often themed around his love for marijuana, has manifested into two Comedy Central shows, “The High Court” and “The Benson Interruption,” an off-broadway comedy show called “The Marijuana-Logues,” popular podcasts such as “Doug Loves Movies”

MUSIC | FRI, JAN. 26

Bit Brigade

Georgia Theatre • 7 p.m. (doors) • $20

Nostalgic for cult classic video games of the ’80s and ’90s, local band Bit Brigade brings these iconic soundtracks Doug Benson to the stage with its energetic live performances. Since its members dreamed up the concept of the band nearly 20 years ago, its discography has grown to include complex rock revamps of soundtracks ranging from “DuckTales” to “Metroid.” Bit Brigade’s Athens show will feature the music of “The Legend of Zelda” and “Castlevania,” as well as the band’s signature touch: Video game player Noah McCarthy will take the stage to up the intensity by speedrunning the games as the band performs. There will also be a performance by Lazer/Wulf, an experimental metal band from Atlanta that folds elements of jazz and math rock into its music. [MB] PERFORMANCE | SAT, JAN. 27

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Fine Arts Theatre • 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. • $10 (UGA students), $30–69

With a mission of empowerment for all through the arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem brings diverse performances that explore both classical and contemporary styles of dance on tours across the country and the world. The troupe’s Athens performances will include music from J.S. Bach, Duke Ellington and Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. In an interview with Dance Magazine, artistic director Robert Garland says the company is “a unique organization in terms of our whole trajectory, culturally, in our community and artistically. Twentyfive years ago, people didn’t understand that you could have an artistic vision and a social vision in the same space.” Garland

music

threats & promises

All the Time with Curt Castle PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com CLEAR THE RUNWAY: Pre-order season is open now for the upcoming album by Athens death metallers Jet Engine Dragons.

While the band definitely leans more toward the technical side of the genre, it still retains multiple hallmarks of the style.

Plus, it feels like the band has been around for forever, so any stylistic quandaries should be resolved by now. The new record is named Ronin and is slated to contain eight songs, and the band will celebrate with a release show Apr. 5 at Flicker. The album was recorded and mixed by chief composer, vocalist and guitarist Corey Flowers. Pre-orders of the compact disc are a very reasonable $10, but you also have the option to order just the digital download or a combo-pack with a CD and T-shirt.

Explore your options, and check out the first single “Cursed Gods Reborn” over at jetenginedragons.bandcamp.com.

Pre-orders for the cassette version are open now at primordialvoid.bandcamp.com, which is also exactly where you’ll find this digitally once it’s released. Rumors of a reunion show are also swirling, so let hope spring eternal.

NOW AND THEN: Way back, like, nearly eight weeks ago, Iodine Watt released the superb EP hope (BANDCAMP SPECIAL EDITION) just on the heels of the Liminal Spaces EP and just ahead of this month’s Arrows EP. Whereas hope is a deeply experimental ambient record, Arrows is clever, sprightly, catchy, highly rhythmic, embraces

THE MUSIC, THE MESSAGE:

and “Getting Doug with High,” and 10 comedy albums. He also has a plethora of other film and television credits, including roles in Super High Me and “You’re the Worst,” as well as voice acting in The Lego Batman Movie and “Bob’s Burgers.” In an interview with The A.V. Club, Benson says, “I started doing pot jokes, and I noticed that audiences invariably love pot jokes. Even people who don’t smoke pot think it’s a funny subject.” [MB] LECTURE | SUN, JAN. 28

Athens Music Now: David Barbe Hendershot’s • 6 p.m. • FREE!

Athens Music Now is a new grassroots initiative with the goal of strengthening the local music community by providing connections and resources to Athens artists, an especially important venture in the wake of venue closures and other limitations arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Athens Music Now Presents is the first step to offering this support via a lecture series that features professionals from the local music scene discussing current issues in the music business. The first speaker of the series is David Barbe, head of the University of Georgia Music Business Program, owner and engineer at Chase Park Transduction and musician in several bands, including Mercyland and Sugar. He will present on touring methods and money management.

[MB] f

The all-star cast behind Curt Castle does a Curt Castle fine job of backing him up in his latest single, “All The Time,” which is a heavily dreamy treatise on keepin’ on and putting one foot in front of the other. The band is composed of well-known heavy hitters Ben Hackett, Jack Blauvelt, McKenrick Bearden, Lee Gunselman and Chris Haymond.

Castle himself is better known as Ryan Engelberger, and the single was engineered by both him and Hackett at Chase Park Transduction, then mixed by Castle. The new single can be found at curtcastle. bandcamp.com, and you can find out more information at facebook.com/curtcastle and curtcastle.com.

BANNED ON THE RUN: Depending on who you are, you’ve either waited 40 years, 40 weeks or maybe even only 40 days for this news. And that news is that the self-titled compilation from Athens’ own Banned 37 is finally set to be released in its entirety on Feb. 14. All these tracks, both live and in-studio, were recorded in 1984. This newly compiled collection was mastered by Jason NeSmith, while the original tracks were recorded by legendary Athens producer John Keane. The band was composed of Kenneth Aguar, Newt Carter, Mark Craig, Eric Agner, Rob Neal and Robby McMahan.

For a time, Banned 37 was (among many) a toast of Athens and enjoyed a certain level of local success both live and on WUOG 90.5 FM. Significantly, the band existed in that rarified period before hyper-specific genre labels were slapped on everything.

The band deftly swung between Athensstyle jangle pop and the slightly heavier Amer-indie of the time. This release arrives courtesy of one of the hardest working labels in Athens, Primordial Void.

both techno and jazz, and is a breath of fresh air just perfect for January. Find this and all the others over at iodinewatt.bandcamp.com.

BOOKMARK THIS: Long-running, to say the least, Athens punk band Triangle Fire will return to DIY venue The Red Line (1958 Winterville Road) Tuesday, Feb. 13 to play its first local show in three years. This is home field territory for the group, too, as they also played the spot’s inaugural show back in 2021. During this time, Triangle Fire will be in the midst of a decent sized tour, too. Also on this bill, which is already kind of stacked and promises to get more stacked as the days tick down, are Atlanta’s Sanity Syndrome and Dallas, TX band Boof. For more information, please see facebook.com/TriangleFireBand and listen to everyone via trianglefire.bandcamp.com, booftheworld.bandcamp.com, and you can find Sanity Syndrome on Spotify.

NOW HIRING: Musicians resource center Nuçi’s Space is now hiring for a few choice positions. Specifically, these are development manager (to be filled by mid-year), finance and compliance manager (to be filled by mid-year), health and wellness Program manager (applications being taken starting at end of January) and musician services program manager (actively recruiting now). Now, obviously, each of these positions comes with its own set of requirements and challenges, but I’d encourage any of you who are interested to please explore the specific ones of interest to you and reach out. For more information, please see nuci.org/hiring. f

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

15

event calendar

Wednesday 24

ART: Artful Conversation: George Tooker (Georgia Museum of Art) Mallory Lind, associate curator of education, will lead a discussion on Tooker’s “Laundress.” 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. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced), 7:30 p.m. (beginner/intermediate). $10.

SALSAthensDancing@gmail.com COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions to help create improv magic. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com FILM: Club Ned Anime Society (ACC Library) Join club members to watch and discuss episodes of “Carole & Tuesday,” “Samurai Champloo” and more. 6:30–8:30 p.m. FREE! www.animefandom.org FILM: The 1619 Project (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) View episodes of the Hulu series “The 1619 Project,” and discuss issues it raises around the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans.

6:45 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga. org/1619uufa FILM: Three Star Cinema (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1977 Italian poliziottesco film Highway Racer. 7 p.m. FREE! www. flickertheatreandbar.com FILM: Silent Films and Cocktails (Hendershot’s) Settle in with a drink for a night of silent film showings. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist.

New players welcome. 12 p.m.

FREE! www.tychesgames.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 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, 6:30 p.m.

FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com

Thursday 25 ART: Visiting Artist Lecture (Lamar Dodd School of Art) New York-​based artist Fabienne Lasserre will discuss her art practice and the process of making her solo exhibition “Listeners.” 5:30 p.m. FREE! art.uga.edu ART: Opening Reception (The Valton Gallery) Outsider artist and painter Valton Murray’s collection of works featuring abstract botanicals, bright colors and surrealist landscapes will be on display. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.statethelabel.com

16

CLASSES: Boots & Brews Line Dancing (Athentic Brewing Co.) Learn the line dancing basics from hosts Becky and Patty. Fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com COMEDY: Bad Ath Babes Anniversary Show (Buvez) Athens’ first and only all-​woman stand-​up comedy show celebrates one year of laughs. 7:45 p.m. $10. www. instagram.com/badathbabes COMEDY: Open Improv Jam (work. shop) An improv comedy practice open to the community. 8​​–9:30 p.m. Donations encouraged. www. flyingsquidcomedy.com COMEDY: Comedy in the Cellar (Onward Reserve) Athens Comedy presents headlining comedian Tamar Rubin with Zac Hadlock.

Thursdays, 8:30–10:30 p.m. $7–12. www.facebook.com/athens comedy 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 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 KIDSTUFF: Chapter Chat (Bogart Library) This month’s chat will feature The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis with quizzes, trivia, snacks and more.

Ages 8–12. 4:30​​p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Visiting Author (UGA Main Library) Suchitra Vijayan is a writer, essayist, lawyer and photographer who wrote Midnight’s Borders and will speak about the voices of Indian political prisoners.

5 p.m. FREE! english.uga.edu LECTURES & LIT: Athens Science Café (Little Kings Shuffle Club) This month Dr. W. David Bradford will present on the evolution of cannabis policy. 7 p.m. FREE! www. athenssciencecafe.wordpress.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 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

Friday 26 ART: Morning Mindfulness (Georgia Museum of Art) Instructor-​led meditation, movement and mindfulness techniques in the galleries. Email to RSVP. 9:30 a.m. FREE! gmoa-​ tours@uga.edu ART: Opening Reception (The Athenaeum) Artist Fabienne Lasserre’s sculpture/painting hybrids will be on display in the exhibition “Listeners.” 6–8 p.m. FREE! art.uga.edu ART: Opening Reception (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) Paul Hartman’s exhibition “A Lightmonkey Show” features a collection

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

of photographs on display through March. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.uu athensga.org COMEDY: The 1992 Honda Civics (Work.Shop) The local improv group returns with its unique, high energy, long-​form show featuring musical standup by Julianne Merrit.

8 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquid comedy.com EVENTS: Beloved Apothecary’s Sacred Space This week’s gathering serving alcohol alternative beverages will highlight yoga with Chloe Lacasse. Fridays, 6 p.m. $20 suggested donation. www.instagram.com/beloved_apothecary GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong.

Tuesdays & Fridays, 1​​–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.com GAMES: Chess Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Join others for a weekly chess competition. Fridays, 6–10 p.m. FREE! www.winterville center.com GAMES: Friday Night Initiative (Online: Tyche’s Games) Learn how to play a RPG game with others on Discord. New players welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com 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 PERFORMANCE: Dance Theatre of Harlem (UGA Fine Arts Theatre) The multi-​ethnic ballet company tours nationally and internationally with a forward-​thinking repertoire.

Performances for Young People Series event. 10:30 a.m. SOLD OUT! pac.uga.edu SPORTS: Georgia Women’s Club Hockey Athens Invitational (The Classic Center) Cheer on the women’s hockey team as they take on Auburn, Alabama and South Carolina in this three-​day tournament. 3 p.m. $15/pass. www.classiccenter. com SPORTS: UGA Men’s Hockey vs. Auburn (The Classic Center) Cheer on the Ice Dawgs against the Auburn Tigers. 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT! www.classiccenter.com

Saturday 27 CLASSES: Learn Basic Miniature Painting (Tyche’s Games) Bring your primed miniatures and learn the basics of painting them. Supplies provided. 1 p.m. $5. www. tychesgames.com CLASSES: Community Dance Classes (DanceFX Athens) A variety of one-​hour dance classes will be held throughout the day open to the public. Registration recommended. 1–8:30 p.m. FREE! www. dancefx.org COMEDY: Doug Benson (40 Watt Club) The comedian is known for his popular podcasts, his films like Super High Me, and TV show appearances on “Trailer Park Boys,” “You’re the Worst” and more. 3:30 p.m. (doors). $22. www.40watt.com COMEDY: Comedy Night (Foxglove Plantbar) Hosted by Lanny Farmer, laugh with featured comedians Shelley Gruenberg, Ngozi, Evon Campbell and Jojo White. 8–9:30 p.m. $10. www. foxgloveplantbar. com

EVENTS: Sheriff John Q. Williams Campaign Launch Party (Winterville Cultural Center) Celebrate this re-​election campaign with barbecue plates, drinks, desserts, music and games. 12–2 p.m. FREE! www. johnqforsheriff.com EVENTS: 3rd Annual Step Resurgence (Oconee County Civic Center) Local elementary, middle and high school division step teams will compete with teams from around the nation. 12 p.m. (doors). $15 (adv.), $20. www.facebook.com/ leagueofstep EVENTS: Project Homebound Ambassadors (Southern Brewing Co.) Meet adoptable dogs that are part of the Project Homebound training program. 2–4 p.m. www. athenspets.net EVENTS: Changing the Picture for Athens Children Award Dinner (Athens Country Club) Celebrate and support the lives of Athens youth at this annual award dinner.

6–10 p.m. $100. www.fc-​cis.org/ ctp2024 GAMES: Day of Board Game Demonstrations (Tyche’s Games) Try new games and watch how they’re played. 12 p.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com GAMES: Board Games (Bogart Library) Enjoy a variety of board games and card games with friends.

2​​–4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart 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 creating miniature furniture out of popsicle sticks. 12​​–2 p.m.

FREE! www.accgov.com PERFORMANCE: Dance Theatre of Harlem (UGA Fine Arts Theatre) The multi-​ethnic ballet company tours nationally and internationally with a forward-​thinking repertoire.

2 p.m. & 7 p.m. $30–69. pac. uga.edu PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Sensational Saturdays (Hendershots) Enjoy the first drag show of 2024 and the kickoff of the 14th Season. Ages 18 & up. 9 p.m. $5. www.athensshowgirlcabaret. com SPORTS: Georgia Women’s Club Hockey Athens Invitational (The Classic Center) Cheer on the women’s hockey team as they take on Auburn, Alabama and South Carolina in this three-​day tournament. 3 p.m. $15/pass. www.classiccenter. com SPORTS: UGA Men’s Hockey vs. Auburn (The Classic Center) Cheer on the Ice Dawgs against the Auburn Tigers. 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT! www.classiccenter.com

Sunday 28 CLASSES: UGA Salsa Club (UGA Memorial Hall) Learn foundational movements of salsa with no partner or experience required. 3:30 p.m.

FREE! Experienced salsa dancers will learn a new style and more advanced techniques. 4 p.m. $5. www.ugasalsaclub.com/sunday-​ class CLASSES: Athens Lindy Night (The Studio Athens) Learn the original swing dance Lindy Hop. No experience or partner required. Beginner

lesson, 7–8 p.m. Social dancing, 8–10 p.m. $5–10. www.instagram. com/athensswingcentral EVENTS: Classic City Marathon (Downtown Athens) The marathon, half-​marathon and marathon relay will begin at the same time downtown and wrap up with post-​race festivities at the Classic Center.

7:30 a.m. SOLD OUT! www.classic citymarathon.com EVENTS: Repair Cafe (CHaRM) Bring broken household items and appliances and work with experienced fellow community members to try and fix them. 2–5 p.m. FREE! reuse@accgov.com, accgov.com/ repaircafe EVENTS: Wake-​n-​Bake Off (Terrapin Beer Co.) This cooking and baking competition requires Terrapin’s Wake–n–Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout as an ingredient. 4 p.m. $20. www.terrapinbeer.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens LECTURES & LIT: Athens Music Now (Hendershot’s) David Barbe will present on touring methods meant to make the most of a band’s most important resource, the dollar.

6 p.m. FREE! www.hendershots athens.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 SPORTS: Georgia Women’s Club Hockey Athens Invitational (The Classic Center) Cheer on the women’s hockey team as they take on Auburn, Alabama and South Carolina in this three-​day tournament. 3 p.m. $15/pass. www.classiccenter. com

Monday 29 COMEDY: Off the Clock Comedy (The Globe) Athens Comedy presents headlining comedian Shelley Gruenberg featuring Khaled Elchoufi and Patrick O’Malley. Sundays, 9–10:30 p.m. $5. www.facebook. com/athenscomedy GAMES: General Trivia with Erin (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Erin.

Mondays, 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 KIDSTUFF: Monday Funday (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for songs, fingerplays, storytelling and STEAM activities. Ages 3–7 years. Registration suggested. 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

Tuesday 30 CLASSES: Consciously CREATE 2024 (Foxglove Plantbar) In this workshop, uncover patterns from 2023, design your ideal 2024, celebrate what you’re proud of and

explore what you learned. 10 a.m. $47. www.stacyrayekellogg.com GAMES: Lunch and Learn New Games (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and try out some new games. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong.

Tuesdays & Fridays, 1​​–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici Athens) Test 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 MEETINGS: Veterans Coffee Hour (Winterville Cultural Center) Sit down with a veteran and have coffee and conversation. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.

FREE! www.wintervillecenter.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

Wednesday 31 ART: Curator Talk (Georgia Museum of Art) Asen Kirin, Parker Curator of Russian Art, will give a gallery talk about portraiture in the Martha Thompson Dinos Gallery. 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. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com FILM: The 1619 Project (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) View episodes of the Hulu series “The 1619 Project,” and discuss issues it raises around the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans.

6:45 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga. org/1619uufa FILM: Exquisite Desolation (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the film. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist.

New players welcome. 12 p.m.

FREE! www.tychesgames.com 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 MEETINGS: Film Athens (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Meet and network with others in the filmmaking community (actors, directors, etc.) during happy hour. 5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com f

live music calendar Tuesday 23

40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $10. www.40watt.com THE GRINGOS Covers and originals with a gravelly, powerful voice.

THREESIXTEEN College cover band.

ROOMMATE No info available.

Buvez 7 p.m. $5. www.facebook.com/buvez athens SONG-​O-​RAMA SEMI-​FINALS Bain Mattox hosts a competition in which 10 artists perform two songs each for a chance to win a $500 cash prize.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $12. www.flickertheatreandbar. com JEREMIAH CYMERMAN New York City-​based composer, multi-​instrumentalist and producer creating apocalyptic electroacoustic chamber music.

JOHN KIRAN FERNANDES Ambient/minimalist looped clarinet inspired by the looped-​reed work of Terry Riley & Ariel Kalma. Tonight’s show will include solo sets followed by an improvised duo performance.

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 School of Music Edge Hall. Jan. 23 & Jan. 29–30, 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL All 10 of Beethoven’s violin sonatas will be performed over the course of four evenings by students of violin professor Levon Ambartsumian and piano professor Evgeny Rivkin.

Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu MICHAEL HEALD AND TIMOTHY LOVELACE Pianist Lovelace joins UGA violin faculty Heald for a recital that includes “Sonatensatz in C minor” by Johannes Brahms, “Violin Sonata” by Doreen Carwithen and “Sonata in E-​flat major”

by Richard Strauss.

Wednesday 24 Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring pop, rock, indie and more.

The World Famous 9 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/the worldfamousathens HONEYPUPPY Local indie rock band self-​described as a “menace to society.” Album release show!

SUNSET HONOR UNIT Sentimental pop from Atlanta comprised of dueling songwriters Drew Kirby (Mothers, CDSM) and Jake Chisenhall (Delorean Gray).

NEAT FREAK New Athens band.

Thursday 25 40 Watt Club 8 p.m. (doors). $10 (adv.), $12. www.40watt.com PATIO A wild concoction of rock, blues and funk.

SCHMOOZE Athens alternative rock trio.

Flicker Theatre & Bar Benefit for Palestine. 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com COMMÜNE Local political/feminist punk band living in revolt.

Hendershot’s 8 p.m. $10. www.hendershotsathens. com BIG BAND ATHENS This 18-​ member community band performs selections spanning from big band music of the ’40s to dance tunes of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID). $20. music.uga.edu CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNERS WITH THE UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA This year’s winners are Michael Chapa, saxophone; Bailey Hume, clarinet; Min-​Chen Lee, piano; Sean Smith, violin; Aly Soriano, piano; and Xiaoqian Sun, piano.

Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 5 p.m. FREE! music.uga. edu SONYA BAKER Soprano singer presenting the lecture recital “For Thee We Sing: The Historical Implications of Marian Anderson’s 1939 Easter Concert.”

Nowhere Bar 8:30 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ nowherebarathens BLUES JAM Bring an instrument and join host Big C and The Moonshynes for an open blues jam. The house band includes Scott Nicholson, Derek Warren, Brent Davenport and Bo Hembree.

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

GMEA JAZZ JAM Georgia Music Educators Association and Georgia Jazz Educators host a jazz jam with performers from across the state.

No. 3 Railroad Street 7 p.m. www.3railroad.org THE BONES OF ST. MICHAEL New band of veteran musicians sharing members with the Hobohemians, Humdingers and others.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens THE OUTFIELD CLOVERS Atlanta rock band with indie and Midwest emo influences.

PINTO SUNSHINE Atlanta indie prog-​rock band.

MARS HILL Athens band blending rock, post-​punk, ska and reggae.

Rialto Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $35 (adv.), $40. bit.ly/3NmY0R1 SHAWN MULLINS Singer-​songwriter whose Grammy Award-​nomi-

TYTYLERTY Musician, author and poet.

ASHTXN Local hip-​hop artist Ashton Hood.

SAJAAD Rapper with a versatile style and positive energy that’s quick to engage his audience.

DJ SUBLIME Top 40, hip-​hop, rap and other songs for dancing.

Flicker Theatre & Bar Shadebeast Presents. 8 p.m. www. flickertheatreandbar.com BEAST MODE Blackened thrash metal outfit writing fast, intricate, heavy riffs.

MALEFIC Melodic, blackened death and thrash metal from Atlanta.

JAEGER Atlanta-​based act paying homage to European power metal.

The Foundry 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $20. bit.ly/ArcadianWildJan27 THE ARCADIAN WILD Genre-​ bending trio from Nashville drawing

PERVERT Brilliantly wrecked, inner core-​heavy rock.

BEER PISS Athens hardcore punk group.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens THE PRESCRIPTIONS Timeless rock and roll and hook-​driven power pop.

SPECKLED BIRD Catchy, jangly dream-​pop from Muscle Shoals, AL. ATTICUS RONESS Melodic power-​pop songwriter from Atlanta.

Sunday 28 Bolo Bolo Athens Attaboy Presents. 7 p.m. $10. www. instagram.com/bolo.bolo.ath POST MOVES Philadelphia composer, improviser and interdisciplinary artist Sam Wenc utilizes

Friday 26 Dancz Center for New Music 6 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu DAVID KIRKLAND GARNER AND GREG STUART University of South Carolina associate professors perform “Short Stories, Vol. 1.”

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com SWEAR JAR Local alternative rock band bringing ’90s grungy pastiches with a twinge of something modern at the edges.

HOTEL HUGO Charleston indie rock band with a penchant for nostalgia and a knack for crystal walls of sound.

PARKING GARAGE Local self-​proclaimed “salt rock” outfit, mixing dance, pop punk, emo and alternative with a hint of brass.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $20. www.georgiatheatre.com BIT BRIGADE Local supergroup plays the soundtrack to vintage video games while their gamer speedruns the game live on stage.

Tonight’s set includes The Legends of Zelda and Castlevania.

LAZER/WULF Avant-​metal trio blending prog, thrash and other heavy elements.

Hendershot’s 8:30 p.m. FREE! www.hendershots athens.com

The Arcadian Wild will perform at The Foundry on Saturday, Jan. 27. nated No. 1 hit, “Lullaby,” shot him to fame in 1998.

Saturday 27 @local. Coffeehouse & Study Lounge 9–11 p.m. FREE! www.localonchurch. com CLINT BUSSEY Rock and folk musician playing covers and originals.

Athentic Brewing Co. 4–6 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com BOOMERANG Playing tunes that keep coming back. Songs range from beach, country, rock and roll, easy listening and classics.

8–11:30 p.m. $10. www.athentic brewing.com SALSA NIGHT DJs spin salsa, bachata and merengue during a monthly event presented by SALSAthens and TIMBAthens. Different Latin dance styles will be taught.

Ciné The Vibe. 8 p.m. www.athenscine.com WIX PATTON Former-​UGA football player performing lit party raps.

WYATT PATTON Energetic UGA student whose genre spans from club anthems to introspective love songs.

on everything from country and classical to pop and choral music.

OH JEREMIAH Former Athenian, husband-​and-​wife singer-​songwriter duo now based in Nashville.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $18. www.georgiatheatre.com WIM TAPLEY & THE CANNONS Local alternative, folk-​pop songwriter and his band rooted in Americana and neo soul sounds.

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

CAM AND HIS DAM JAM BAND Groovy jam band with roots in jazz, bluegrass and psychedelic funk.

Album release show!

Morton Theatre 7 p.m. $15–30. bit.ly/icca24 ICCA 2024 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella hosts a tournament in which 10 groups from across the Southeast will compete for the title of quarterfinal champion and a chance to advance to the next round.

Normal Bar 9 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ normal.bar.7 SPLIT SILK Noisy and cathartic post-​hardcore led by Lucca Carver.

guitar, pedal steel guitar, vibraphone, electronics, field recordings and found objects into his work.

BLUDWINE Sonic project of Neil Haydon.

SWEETEARTHFLYING Improvisational, ambient works on guitar and modular instruments by Michael Pierce.

Monday 29 Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com SACRED BULL Athens post-​metal known for its heavy and dark combination of meditative melodies and deliberate cacophony.

EYE FLYS Philadelphia trio with an aggressive noise rock sound that dips into metal and hardcore territories.

REAL WOW Scattered and dissonant indie math rock from Athens.

Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. Jan. 23 & Jan. 29–30, 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL All 10 of Beethoven’s violin sonatas will be performed over the course of four evenings by students of violin

professor Levon Ambartsumian and piano professor Evgeny Rivkin.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $45–90. pac.uga.edu ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Under the direction of Vasily Petrenko, the orchestra will join UGA Presents’ Artist in Focus Isata Kanneh-​Mason for a performance of Clara Schumann’s dramatic piano concerto, Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides and Rimsky-​ Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Tuesday 30 40 Watt Club 8 p.m. $10 (adv.), $15. www.40watt. com BOILER ROOM Featuring DJ Henny, OTT, $ilva, Airmax, Faded Panda and Brando.

Buvez 7 p.m. $5. www.facebook.com/ buvezathens SONG-​O-​RAMA FINALS Bain Mattox hosts a competition in which five artists perform three songs each for a chance to win a $500 cash prize.

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.

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 School of Music Edge Hall. Jan. 23 & Jan. 29–30, 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL All 10 of Beethoven’s violin sonatas will be performed over the course of four evenings by students of violin professor Levon Ambartsumian and piano professor Evgeny Rivkin.

Wednesday 31 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $8 (adv.), 10. www.40watt.com THE DOWNSTAIRS Athens indie-​ rock quartet that is building a name for itself with high energy live performances.

NEAT FREAK New Athens band.

KARMA KAT Athens band melding jazz, indie and pop for an innovative sound.

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

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $20. www.georgiatheatre.com LOWERTOWN Atlanta-​based duo creating a lo-​fi indie blend of electronica and folk.

NIHILIST CHEERLEADER Raw riot grrrl-​inspired punk that’s a pitch-​ perfect blend of snotty and sunny, earnest and sardonic.

COMA THERAPY Muscular dark wave goth influenced by post-​punk and no wave.

TELEMARKET Driving, angular indie-​rock band from Athens. f

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

17

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 AAAC QUARTERLY GRANT (Athens, GA) The Athens Area Arts Council offers $500 grants to visual and performing artists in any medium to support specific projects that enrich the culture of Athens. Rolling deadlines are Mar. 15, June 15, Sept.

15 and Dec. 15. Apply online. www. athensarts.org/support CALL FOR ENTRIES (ATHICA) All new and returning 2024 members can exhibit an artwork of their choice in ATHICA’s annual Members’ Showcase. New members welcome. Deadline Feb. 11. Drop-​ off Feb. 12, 4–6 p.m. Exhibition runs Feb. 15–Mar. 17. www.athica. org/calls 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 exhibition runs Mar. 12-​May 4. Up to three works can be submitted.

Submission deadline Jan. 26, 5 p.m. $35/entry fee. www.accgov. com/lyndonhouse IN CASE (Lyndon House Arts Center) A new program, “IN CASE,” will invite an artist each winter to utilize the lobby case as an art installation environment by creating a site-​ specific work that responds to the case’s specific dimensions. Area artists can submit proposals online.

Proposals are reviewed following the deadlines of Apr. 20 and Sept.

20 at 11:59 p.m. www.accgov.com/ exhibits 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 VALEN-​TINY MARKET (tiny ATH gallery) Seeking artist vendors to participate in a Valentine’s Day-​ themed artist market. Pieces should be 5”x5” or smaller. Artists will share a six-​foot table. Email for vendor form. Market held Feb. 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $35/fee. tinyath gallery@gmail.com

Auditions OH, KAY! IN CONCERT (Memorial Park, Quinn Hall) The Athens Musical Theatre Orchestra Program brings together instrumentalists, singers and actors for a Prohibition story of bootleggers, society matrons and new love. Contact to schedule an audition. Auditions held Feb. 5–6, 6–9 p.m. Performances held Apr. 5–6 at the Morton Theatre. 706-​613-​3628, act@ accgov.com

Classes ACCA CLASSES (Athens Community Council on Aging Center for Active Learning) “Qigong for Vitality with Anna DiBella” includes gentle movements to help improve balance, coordination and the mind-​body connection. Mondays, 11 a.m.-​12 p.m. $20–25/five week series. “Feel Better Yoga with

art around town ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1500) Jason Thrasher’s exhibition of photographs, “Kashi Washi,” documents his return to a specific street corner in Benares, India 25 years after his first visit in 1998. Open by appointment.

ATHENAEUM (287 W. Broad St.) Brooklyn-based artist Fabienne Lasserre presents “Listeners,” an immersive and responsive installation consisting of a series of sculptures made of clear vinyl spray-painted with translucent gradients of color. Artist Talk at Lamar Dodd School of Art, S150, on Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m. Opening reception Jan. 26, 6–8 p.m. Through Mar. 16.

ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) “Onodera & Pearse: Contrasts & Correlations” combines the works of Masako Onodera and Mary Pearse, two artists who share backgrounds in craft while embracing sculptural applications of metal, paper, gravity and motion. Through Feb. 11.

ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “Skitterings: New Works

by Don Chambers” presents works on paper that rely on coincidence and chance while playing with mark-making, space, color and texture. Through Feb. 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 Mark

18

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

Elizabeth Alder, CYT” is a slow-​ going yoga class for all abilities.

Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 p.m. $20–25/ five week series. abarefoot@ accaging.org BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of classes include “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), “First Time at the Forge” (Feb. 17), “Forge a Spear” (Feb. 24), “Forge a Tomahawk” (Mar. 2, “Railroad Spike Knife” (Mar. 9) and “Basic Tong Making” (Mar. 30). Classes run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. www.green howhandmade.com/blacksmith-​ classes CLASSES (Winterville Cultural Center) “Upcycling Workshop” guides participants on how to repurpose clothes into new creations. Mondays, 6–8 p.m. $12/drop in. “Oil Painting” with Dortha Jacobson.

Jan. 24, 1–3 p.m. $10. “Chair Yoga” promotes deep breathing, mindfulness and inward listening.

Mondays beginning Jan. 29, 9:10– 10:10 a.m. $12/drop in, $120/12 classes. “Botanical Sketchbook” explores drawing techniques like shading, perspective and light.

Mondays beginning Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. $12/drop in, $120/12 classes. wintervillecampus@gmail. com, www.wintervillecenter.com FELDENKRAIS CLASSES (Sangha Yoga Studio) Gentle lessons for the brain and body. Thursdays, 2 p.m. $15–18. www.healingartscentre. net/sangha-​yoga-​studio PÉTANQUE CLUB OF ATHENS (5 Alumni Dr.) Learn to play Pétanque.

RSVP for a free Wednesday introduction. athenspetanqueclub@ gmail.com, www.athenspetanque club.wixsite.com/play

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.

Upcoming public trainings will be held Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m., Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m. and Mar. 28 at 9:30 a.m. 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 practices. Check website for upcoming classes and programs. www.revolutiontherapyand yoga.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 ADOPT AN ANIMAL (Bear Hollow Zoo) Different sponsorship levels are available to “adopt” a zoo resi-

Dalling. Through January.

FOYER (135 Park Ave.) New York City-based multidisciplinary artist Amelia Briggs shares a collection of oil paintings on paper that imagine interior landscapes. On view by appointment through Mar. 16.

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. • “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun” uses photography to examine the intergenerational trauma of nuclear disaster and the possibilities of healing and reconciliation. Artist Talk Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m. On view Jan. 27–July 14.

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

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) Abraham Tesser presents “Maquettes,” a collection of small-scale 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 ancestral seeking through handsewn 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.

• Collections from our Community presents Ikla McConnell’s collection of Pyrex casseroles and dishware. Collector Talk and Casserole Bakeoff Feb. 15, 6 p.m. Through Apr. 9.

OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville) Celebrating the release of Gail Karwoski’s new book, Skeleton in the Art Closet, “Novel Art Chapter Two” features artwork by over a dozen members

dent. Donations are used for exhibits, food and wildlife education.

706-​613-​3580 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

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 ATHENS FOREST KINDERGARTEN (Sandy Creek Park) Now enrolling children ages 3-​6. AFK is a cooperative preschool that aims to develop initiative, persistence, interdependence, and empathy. www.athens forestkindergarten.org 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 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 Play Group is held for ages 1–4 and their families. Sundays, 1–3 p.m. Brave Solo Mamas includes a dinner and support group for moms who are parenting without a second caregiver. Fourth Tuesday of the month, 6 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 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

of the Wonders of Watercolor group. Through Feb. 10.

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.

STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) “Peace in Our Time: Steffen Thomas Meisterwerke from the Lowrance Collection” shares works collected by Marjorie and Richard Lowrance over the span of 60 years. Through July 23.

TIF SIGFRIDS (393 N. Finley St.) Brooklyn-based artist Margaux Ogden presents “Tidal Locking,” a series of new paintings iterating upon each other.

Through Feb. 24.

UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “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 CLEMENTS GALLERY (780 Timothy Rd.) Paul Hartman presents “A Lightmonkey Show,” a collection of photographs. Through March.

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) Paintings by Melanie Sgrignoli. Through February.

“Peace in Our Time: Steffen Thomas Meisterwerke from the Lawrence Collection” is currently on view at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art through July 23. An opening reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 27 from 4–6 p.m.

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

Word on the Street ATHENS BUSINESS ROCKS (40 Watt Club) Nuçi’s Space invites local businesses to form cover bands and compete in a fundraising battle of the bands event. Awards are given to best fundraiser, crowd favorite and judges’ favorite. Registration closes Feb. 19. Event held May 4. $150/registration fee. www. nuci.org/abr 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 COMPOST TRIAL (Athens, GA) The ACC Solid Waste Department and

UGA New Materials Institute are seeking up to 400 local households to test their new Residential Compost Pilot Project that runs February to early May. Residents in the Normaltown and Boulevard neighborhoods are eligible to register. www. accgov.com/composttrial RABBIT BOX THEMES (Athens, GA) Seeking storytellers to share true short stories on stage. Upcoming themes include “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.), Wednesday Yoga (5 p.m.), Meditation and Integration (Wednesdays, 6 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.). Events are free or donation based. www.rabbitholestudios.org/ calendar STORMWATER CALENDARS (Athens, GA) The Stormwater Management Program produces educational wall calendars each winter to show off water and nature scenes from around town. Request a calendar while supplies last. www. accgov.com/stormwatercalendar 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 f

J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

19

classifieds Place an ad anytime, email class@flagpole.com or call 706-549-0301



BASIC RATES: Individual $10/week • Real Estate $14/week • Business $16/week • Online Only $5/week Indicates images available at classifieds.flagpole.com • Deadline to place ads is 11 a.m. every Monday for the following Wednesday issue

REAL ESTATE

MUSIC

JOBS

NOTICES

HOUSES FOR RENT

INSTRUCTION

FULL-TIME

MESSAGES

House, 3BR/2BA in Normaltown. Central heat/air.

Apartment, 2BR/1BA. Furnished. Washer/dryer. Wi-Fi. No smokers, pets. Calls only! 706-372-1505

Athens School of Music.

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

From beginner to expert, all styles. Visit www.athens schoolofmusic.com. 706543-5800

El Paso Tacos & Tequila Now Hiring for Hosts, 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.

All Georgians ages 6 months & up are eligible for COVID vaccines, and ages 5+ are eligible for boosters! Call 706-3400996 or visit www.public healthathens.com for more information.

MUSIC SERVICES

Nuçi’s Space is hiring for a full-time Musician Services Project Manager. For more information, please visit nuci.org/hiring. Join our team and apply today!

HOUSES FOR SALE Looking for a house or a home? Condo or land? Call Daniel Peiken. REALTOR 5Market Realty. Selling in and around Athens for over 20 years. 706-296-2941 Sell or rent your property in the Flagpole Classifieds!

Call 706-549-0301 or email class@flagpole.com.

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS Business Water Solutions offers the cleanest drinking water available through innovative bottle-less water coolers and ice machines.

Call 706-248-6761 or visit www.businesswatersolutions.com to set up a consultation.

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

SERVICES HOME AND GARDEN Woman-Run Gardening Services: Prep for spring!

We offer garden clean-up/ maintenance, invasive plant removal, raised beds, personalized native/edible gardens for home/business and more! Call/Text: 706395-5321.

PART-TIME 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.

Starts at $13 with automatic increases. www.ctscribes. com Find employees by advertising in the Flagpole!

ADOPT ME!

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

Trip (55064515)

Word on the street is that Trip is, well, a trip! Playful, energetic and graceful as well as affectionate and full of personality. This 2 year old cutie is truly a wonder to behold.

Frank (55022119)

Looking for a kitty that is sweet, affectionate and loves everyone he meets? Frank is your guy! He’s also friendly with dogs and is considered the ‘shelter favorite’.

Macy (55021679)

This young kitty is very mature for her age of 1 year! Macy is calm, gentle and affectionate as well as soft and petite. She loves to be held and is friendly with other cats.

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

20

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 24, 2024

COVID self-testing kiosk available in West Athens (3500 Atlanta Hwy. At the old Fire Station on the corner of Atlanta Hwy. & Mitchell Bridge Rd. near Aldi and Publix.) Pre-registration is required! Visit www. register.testandgo.com for more information.

Get Flagpole delivered to your mailbox!

Only $55 for six months or $100 for one year. Purchase online at www.flagpole.big cartel.com, call 706-5490301 or email frontdesk@ flagpole.com.

Happy Birthday to Scarlett!

May you always love the life you live and live the life you love! Love, mom

SUPPORT LOCAL

JOURNALISM flagpole is fighting to

continue bringing you the most up-to-date news. Help us keep our weekly print and online versions FREE by donating.

DONATE It’s as easy as your Spotify subscription!

Just set up a recurring donation through PayPal (https://flagpole.com/home/donations) or mail in a check.

F lagpole, P O Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603

SUDOKU

KITCHEN HOURS TUESDAY 5-10 PM WEDNESDAY 5-10 PM THURSDAY 5-10 PM FRIDAY 5-10 PM SATURDAY 11 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 11 AM - 9 PM BAR HOURS TUESDAY 5 PM - 12 AM WEDNESDAY 5 PM -12 AM THURSDAY 5 PM - 1 AM FRIDAY 5 PM - 2 AM SATURDAY 11 AM - 2 AM SUNDAY 11 AM - 12 AM

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Easy

1 5 6 2

3

1 3 7 8 8 9 7 3 6 4 2 8 4 2 9 5 1 4 5 4 3 2 Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN ATHENS @ 235 W WASHINGTON ST

HAPPY HOUR

Tuesday-Friday 5-7 / Saturday 4-6 / Sunday 4-8

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 the numbers 1 to 9.

Week of 1/22/24 - 1/28/24

The Weekly Crossword

PalomaPark.com

Visit our website to inquire for private events, catering and up-to-date on live Music

by Margie E. Burke

$6

$6 Pitchers: - Paloma on Draft - Margarita Keg - Draft Beer

SUNDAY FUNDAY .99¢ Smoke Fried Wings BUCKETS: $15 Domestic / $18 Craft / $20 Import Happy Hour 4-8 PM 20% Service Industry Discount

BRUNCH DRINKS 11 AM - 4 PM $10 Mimosa & Sangria Pitcher $4 Mimosa & Sangria Glass

TACOS & TEQUILA

TUESDAY

$3 Tacos à la carte Half-Off Margaritas $10 Cerveza-Rita

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY $12 House Wine Bottles $6 Well Martinis

DISCO THURSDAY $5 Red Bull Bombs

$6 Red Bull Mix & Match $8 Espresso Martinis Disco Lights & MUSIC at night

Weekday date-night discount (Tuesday-Thursday): when couples order 1 Starter, 2 Main Courses and dessert, get 20% off those items Solution to Sudoku:

Vote Paloma Park as your Flagpole Athens Favorite:

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

• TACOS • Wings • Happy Hour • Outdoor dining • • specialty drinks • Outdoor bar space • meal for a deal •

— VOTE —

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

SEE THE BALLOT ON PAGE 4.

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

VOTE AT FAVORITES.FLAGPOLE.COM J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

21

YELP REVIEWS FROM OUR PATIENTS

Vote Boulevard Animal Hospital for ites!

Favorite Vet Clinic in Athens Flagpole Favor

706-425-5099 i 298 Prince Ave. Across from The Bottleworks

www.downtownathensvets.com

Restaurant Section

VOTUES! FOR

VOTE FOR US FOR FLAGPOLE FAVORITE MEXICAN/ LATIN AMERICAN

LUMPKIN & CEDAR SHOALS 706 - 355- 7087

A

Nor

e

ma

We love you, Marti!

r t i s at m i d

om

At h

l

wn

ww

w.

ma

to

n

G s,

CUBAN SANDWICH • TOSTONES • QUESADILLAS • TACOS • BURRITOS

CUBAN SANDWICH • TOSTONES • QUESADILLAS • TACOS • BURRITOS •

LOMO S A LTA D O • W I N GS • E M PA N A DA S • S H A K E S • M A D U RO S •

y da

.c

VOTE FOR US FOR

FAVORITE LUNCH, SANDWICH, AND CATERING!

22

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 17, 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Please vote for Elations as The Best Sex Positive Business!

Love,

Find the words below and spice up your new year.

Scan the QR code, follow us on Instagram & comment on our January puzzle post for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

Lube Masturbator Rope Rose Sex chocolate Sex pillow Sound Strapon Vibrator Whip

@BedsideManners_Blog

Discover the products that turn you on, then take 10% off with code: FP2024 in-store or online!

4100 Lexington Road - ShopStarship.com J A NU A R Y 24, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

23