FP200715

COLORBEARER OF ATHENS UNDER THE INFLUENCE

JULY 15, 2020 · VOL. 34 · NO. 28 · FREE

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987

Summer Booze & Brews

What’s Up in the Breweries, the Bars and the Homefront p. 13–16

in Public Places

Face covers are required in public spaces and commercial establishments in Athens-Clarke County for most persons to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

• Medical grade masks are not required.

• Face covers may even be made from household items such as scarves, bandanas, or other suitable fabrics and would include face shields.

• The face cover must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer.

ACCGov is distributing some reusable cloth face covers through: • Athens-Clarke County Library • Athens Community Council on Aging • Athens Free Clinic mobile COVID-19 testing unit • Clarke County School District food distribution pods • East Athens & Lay Park Community Centers • Police Headquarters • Transit Multimodal Transportation Center and buses • Water Business Office

Face covers are not required: • • • • • • • 2

in personal vehicles; when a person is alone in enclosed spaces or only with other household members; during outdoor physical activity when the active person maintains a minimum of six feet from other people with whom they do not cohabitate; while eating, drinking, or smoking; when wearing a face cover causes or aggravates a health condition; when wearing a face cover would prevent receiving personal services, such as dental care; for children ages 10 and younger.

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Persons who are unable to safely wear a face covering due to age or an underlying health condition or who are unable to remove a face covering without the assistance of others are exempt from the ordinance.

accgov.com/coronavirus 706-613-3333

contents

this week’s issue

The Northeast Health District of the Department of Public Health added 154 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, July 10, a new record, and the seven-day rolling average increased to 93.9 cases, also a new record… Oconee County added 11 new cases, and Clarke County added 56. (Lee Becker at oconee countyobservations.org)

NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ACC and UGA Require Masks; Questions Surround School Openings NEWS: Cobbloviate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Can UGA Really Make Students Wear Masks?

ARTS & CULTURE: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Stir Crazy: The Quarantined Cocktail Hour ARTS & CULTURE: Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Pub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Booze Takeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Brewery Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Record Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

The Service Industry Supports Artists ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles EDITOR & PUBLISHER Pete McCommons PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Anita Aubrey, Jessica Pritchard Mangum CITY EDITOR Blake Aued ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith OFFICE MANAGER AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Zaria Gholston

Children in your community deserve kindness and love.

Become a foster parent today.

1-877-210-KIDS fostergeorgia.com

@WUGAFM WUGA.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

®

WUGA IS A BROADCAST SERVICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

CLASSIFIEDS Zaria Gholston AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson CARTOONISTS Lee Gatlin, Missy Kulik, Jeremy Long, David Mack PHOTOGRAPHER Whitley Carpenter CONTRIBUTORS David Bryant, James C. Cobb, Chris Dowd, Dan Jackson, Mokah Jasmine Johnson, Gordon Lamb, Dan Perkins, Amber Perry CIRCULATION Charles Greenleaf, Ernie LoBue, Mike Merva, Taylor Ross EDITORIAL INTERNS Lily Guthrie, Elijah Johnston, Amber Perry COVER ART by chalk artist Marvella Castaneda (see Art Notes on p. 16) 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 · FAX: 706-548-8981 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 7,000 copies free at over 275 locations around Athens, Georgia. Subscriptions cost $80 a year, $45 for six months. © 2020 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NUMBER 28

SUBLIMINAL ARE HAPPENING

Association of Alternative Newsmedia

MESSAGES

comments section “Proceeds from the single … will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.”

According to online tax records, the SPLC took in over $117 million in donations in 2019, (That’s $13,335 every hour of every day.), $122 million in 2018 and a record-breaking $133 million in 2017.

The company currently has cash assets in excess of half a billion dollars, 98% of which are designated as “unrestricted” in use. In short, the SPLC doesn’t need the money at the moment. Your local food bank, women’s shelter or free medical clinic could do so much more with your gift. Your local SPCA needs your donations far more than the SPLC. Give locally, where the need is greater and where you can see the results firsthand.

— Richard Keefe From Threats & Promises: Good Boys at flagpole.com

Residential • Office • Construction • Move In • Move Out

We are here for you!

Taking precautions to ensure everyone stays healthy and disinfecting high touch surfaces.

Adilene Valencia 706-424-9810 aecleanathens@gmail.com J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

3

news

city dope

Pretend It’s Halloween MASKS AT STORES, MASKS IN SCHOOLS, MASKS AT UGA, AND MORE NEWS

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com The Athens-Clarke County Commission unanimously approved an emergency ordinance requiring people to wear face coverings while inside public places, such as businesses.

“We’re in a critical situation,” said Commissioner Melissa Link. “There’s no room to hope that people will just do the right thing.”

In addition, the ordinance passed July 7 requires employees at grocery stores, pharmacies, other retail stores, salons and restaurants to wear face coverings while interacting with the public.

Religious establishments are exempt, although wearing face coverings in churches and other places of worship is “highly recommended.” People who can’t safely wear a mask due to age, an underlying health condition or an inability to remove the mask are also exempt, as are children under 11 years old. Face coverings are not required in cars, outdoors when a six-foot distance can be maintained, while alone or with other household members, while eating, drinking or smoking, or while receiving “personal services,” such as dental work.

While the ordinance says that “every effort shall be made to bring an individual into voluntary compliance,” it sets a fine of up to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 for further offenses. The fines are civil. not criminal, and the ordinance forbids police from arresting anyone who violates it. County officials are putting together plans to distribute masks to people who don’t have one, Manager Blaine Williams said.

“The intent of this ordinance is not to be punitive,” Commissioner Tim Denson said.

“The intent of this ordinance is to make sure that people are wearing masks, because we can’t ignore this anymore.”

But Link said that the commission may have to raise the fines if people aren’t complying. The fine in Savannah is $500. “I’d suggest we may have to revisit those fines come football season, when we have a lot of outsiders coming into our community,” she said. “I believe Savannah has a high fine because they are very much a tourist destination.”

Athens is the third city in Georgia to enact a face-mask requirement, following Savannah and East Point. Gov. Brian Kemp’s emergency orders during the COVID-19 pandemic encourage but don’t require mask-wearing, and prohibit local governments from enacting their own regulations. Kemp said during a stop in Brunswick recently that his legal team is looking into Savannah’s action. “The mayor [Van Johnson] and I agree on the policy,” Kemp said. “You should be wearing a mask, and that’s what I encourage people to do.”

Mayor Pro Tem Russell Edwards—presiding over the meeting in place of Mayor Kelly Girtz—and other commissioners criticized Kemp’s handling of the pandemic, saying that he was the last governor to order residents to shelter in place and the first to lift the order. ACC approved a shelter-in-place ordinance in mid-March, but

4

calling the decision a “game-changer.”

Because UGA is state property, ACC ordinances don’t apply there, although commissioners said they would have talked to UGA about voluntarily enforcing the ordinance if USG had not changed its mind.

Commissioners Mariah Parker and Patrick Davenport addressed those who view wearing a mask as unnecessary or a violation of their rights, saying that the health and lives of those who are most susceptible to COVID-19 are more important.

“These are real peoples’ lives that are affected,” said Parker, whose mother is immunosuppressed. “It may seem like it’s an inconvenience, but it’s such a small one to keep someone’s mother or brother or friend alive.”

Kemp later overruled it. Atlanta passed a mask mandate on July 9, and other cities may soon follow suit.

“I proudly proclaim often that we are probably the most responsible municipal government, unified government, on the East Coast,” Edwards said. He called the ordinance a “vital public safety measure to help protect our community from the scourge of coronavirus.”

ACC’s ordinance includes legal justificaThe commission also approved the tions for the local government’s ability to framework of a $5.8 million coronavirus mandate face coverings. “resiliency package” that will be distributed Wearing cloth face coverings slows the to local businesses and nonprofits over the spread of coronavirus—especially for people who are infected but asymptomatic—by next year.

The package includes $2.7 million to blocking airborne droplets that contain the feed the hungry, a $1 million revolving loan virus, according to the CDC. “These masks fund for small businesses, $900,000 for don’t necessarily protect you,” Denson said. indigent services, $525,000 for the Athens “They protect all your neighbors, all the Community Corps and $150,000 for public people around you in the Athens-Clarke health.

County community, Efforts to provide and that of course It may seem like it’s an help for struggling slows down all the inconvenience, but it’s such Athens residents people who are and businesses have going to our hospia small one to keep someone’s been complicated tals that have such mother or brother or friend alive. by the Georgia limited capacity.”

Constitution’s At the time, “gratuities clause,” which bars local governEdwards said Piedmont Athens Regional ments from giving away money directly. and St. Mary’s had a combined 35 COVIDThe state constitution also prohibits 19 patients, with nine in intensive care. governments from funding religious orgaAccording to the Georgia Emergency nizations, even charitable ones like the Management Agency’s July 9 COVID-19 report, just three of the 70 critical care beds Salvation Army.

Instead, ACC will work through existat hospitals in Region E, which includes ing secular nonprofits and government Clarke and surrounding counties, were agencies. For example, food relief funding available. could go to the Athens Community Council Confirmed COVID-19 cases have been on Aging, which runs Meals on Wheels, or spiking in Clarke County, with nearly 300 the Clarke County School District, which positive tests the week before the meetalready distributes meals to students over ing, bringing the total to 775 as of July 9.

Statewide, cases have more than doubled to the summer. Public health funding is likely over 100,000 since the commission passed a resolution urging people to wear masks on May 29, Denson said. Voluntary measures didn’t work—mask-wearing “has leveled off. It’s dropping,” Link said. “It feels almost like normal life.”

Unless capacity limits at bars are enforced, commissioners said they fear the pandemic will worsen once UGA classes resume. There’s also the threat that coronavirus “will return with a fury in conjunction with flu season,” Williams said.

“That’s where this virus is spreading,” Link said, referring to bars. “People are unmasked. They’re talking loudly. They’ve had a few drinks. They’re very close. They’re singing and laughing, and that’s precisely how the virus is spreading.

“And those folks, younger people, they may not be getting the symptoms, but they’re going home to see their parents and grandparents. Pretty soon they’re going to be sitting in classrooms with professors and walking around buildings with working-class folks in our community that are in very high-risk populations.”

Commissioners also praised the University System of Georgia for reversing course Monday and requiring masks when indoors on college campuses, with Denson

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Commission Approves Relief Funds

“

to go to the Athens Free Clinic, a University of Georgia-run mobile health clinic that’s been conducting COVID-19 tests in underserved communities.

The Athens Community Corps is a new program that will hire 10 people for 11 months to serve as neighborhood leaders, who will promote civic engagement, provide mentorship and work on beautification projects. Specific projects already identified include restoration along Martin Luther KIng Jr. Drive and at Dudley Park and Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery.

The commission also voted on how to spend $300,000 of the funds earmarked for the indigent. Funded organizations include ACTION Inc.’s Full Plate program; the Athens Area Diaper Bank; the Athens Area Homeless Shelter and Family Promise, which are putting up homeless families in hotel rooms; the ACCA, for food delivery; Casa de Amistad, for outreach to the Latinx community; the East Athens Development Corp., for grocery boxes and meals prepared

by Rashe’s Cuisine; and People Living in Recovery, to provide substance abuse and mental health assistance to the homeless.

Most of the funding hasn’t been allocated because commissioners said they want to retain flexibility to distribute funds wherever they see a need. “I’d like for us to be as nimble as we can,” Commissioner Mike Hamby said. “If something’s not working, let’s move on to something else, or if we find a need for something else, let’s try to be nimble in that regard.”

Black Lives Matter Resolution Passes A resolution in support of Black Lives Matter proved somewhat contentious—but not because any commissioners are opposed to the concept.

Commissioner Ovita Thornton introduced the resolution. “This issue has been so prominent, and I don’t think since George Floyd’s killing, we have made a statement collectively as a commission on where we stand,” she said.

Parker proposed an amendment to the resolution listing some of the planks on the official Black Lives Matter platform, such as divesting from police, mass incarceration

Who are these masked commissioners?

and deportation, and investing in affordable housing, living wages, transportation, education and health care. “If we’re going to proclaim that Black lives matter, it’s also very important that we show up for the movement in terms of policies they value,” Parker said.

But Thornton said she preferred to keep the resolution strictly local. “The history of Black people in Athens needs to be retold,” she said. The resolution focuses mainly on local events in Black history, such as sit-ins in the early 1960s, integration of public schools and police shooting Edward Wright, an unarmed young African-American man, in 1995. It also mentions local organizations ACC can work with on issues like health care and supporting minority-owned businesses.

The resolution was a late addition to the July 7 agenda, added the previous day as “title only”—meaning no text was available to the public—and only given to other commissioners the afternoon of the meeting.

Parker made a motion to table the resolution for 30 days. She was joined by Link and Denson, but the motion was voted down 4–3. The commission then unanimously adopted Thornton’s resolution as written.

The split highlighted again the rift between the commission’s left wing and its left-of-the-left wing. “[T]onight the commission rejected my motion to add the central plank of the #m4bl platform to their ‘black lives matter’ resolution,” Parker tweeted after the vote. “[T]he performative cooptation is endless with these people.”

USG Requires Masks on Campus The University System of Georgia reversed course last week and announced that it will now require all faculty, staff and students to wear a mask indoors, except when alone, and in situations where social distancing is not possible.

According to the announcement: “Effective July 15, 2020, University System of Georgia (USG) institutions will require all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible. Face covering use will be in addition to and is not a substitute for social distancing.

“Face coverings are not required in one’s own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room, or in campus

outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.

“Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

“Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.”

USG institutions like the University of Georgia were among just a few universities nationwide that did not include mandatory masks among their health regulations for resuming in-person classes this fall.

Students, faculty and staff have been pressuring USG to change its stance on masks.

Public health experts say masks can help reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

Gov. Brian Kemp traveled the state over the Fourth of July weekend urging Georgians to wear masks in public, but has repeatedly said requiring them is a step too far for him. But some cities, including Athens and Atlanta, are defying Kemp, who has forbidden local governments from enacting stronger protections related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions Remain on CCSD Reopening Plans The Clarke County School District may delay the start of classes next month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of July 7, interim superintendent Xernona Thomas said the district was still on track to restart in-person classes Aug. 3, but at the Board of Education’s July 9 meeting, Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins said that date might be pushed back to Aug. 17 or Sept. 8.

Either way, families will have the option of keeping students home for distance learning. Pre-K, elementary school and middle school parents can choose between sending their children to school Monday through Thursday or keeping them home for live and pre-recorded lessons. Fridays will be distance-learning days for everyone.

High school students will have three options: Distance learning, a hybrid model or enrollment in the Georgia Virtual School.

In the hybrid model, students will be divided into two groups, with one attending classes in person on Mondays and

Wednesdays and the other on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

About 6% of CCSD employees will be unable to return because they are high risk, according to Gaskins. While some teachers indicated on a survey that they don’t want to return to in-person teaching, they will have little choice. “Being well but ‘fearful’ or ‘not feeling safe’ is not a valid excuse to miss work,” Chief Human Resources Officer Lynn Duke wrote in a letter to staff.

Teachers will be assigned to distance learning based on student need, according to Gaskins.

Schools will reopen with enhanced safety protocols, including mandatory face coverings, social distancing and an emphasis on hygiene practices. Meals will be served in classrooms. Buildings and buses will be sanitized daily. Bell schedules will be modified to accommodate social distancing on buses.

Visitation inside schools will be limited.

But dozens of parents and teachers have raised detailed questions and concerns about the safety of returning to schools and the details of the reopening plan. School board members spent three hours reading 80 emails into the record. One letter signed by 110 teachers asked to delay the start of school until Sept. 8 and more input from staff.

“To summarize our concerns and suggestions, we want a safe physical environment stocked with all the appropriate supplies and equipment to keep ourselves and our students safe. We want to know that our bus drivers will be safe and that our students [will] be transported safely to their school communities. We want a clear, detailed on-site health plan so that our schools are prepared when physical and mental health needs arise. We want on-site instructional modifications so that we know that we can teach our students to the best of our abilities even in the midst of a crisis.

We want clear distance learning plans so that we know our students have their educational needs met while they are at home.

And we want to know staff will be provided with appropriate leave plans and opportunities to learn from home when possible because we want the appropriate precautions set in place that will still allow us the honor of serving the Athens community.”

The school board also voted unanimously to spend $1.3 million on Chromebooks and iPads for kindergarteners through second-graders. Members voted 7–2 to approve spending $493,000 on the “iLearn-

ing” assessment system widely panned by teachers, with John Knox and Antwon Stephens in opposition. Stephens was the only board member to vote against allocating $101,000 in federal CARES Act funds for coronavirus relief to Athens Christian School. That move also drew criticism from citizens, but the act mandates that public school districts act as a pass-through for private schools to receive funds.

An item related to former superintendent Demond Means—who remains on paid leave since the board voted to remove him in December—was taken off the agenda at the start of the meeting.

Judge Orders DA Election to Move Forward A federal judge has ordered Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to reinstate a Nov. 3 election for Western Circuit district attorney that Gov. Brian Kemp scuttled in May. Former state Rep. Deborah Gonzalez filed the lawsuit in May, after Kemp missed a deadline to appoint a replacement for former District Attorney Ken Mauldin, who resigned in February.

Under an obscure state law passed in 2018, when the governor appoints someone to fill a vacancy within six months of the election, that election is pushed back two years. Kemp accepted applications for the Western Circuit DA position but never appointed anyone. Because Kemp did not make an appointment at least six months before the election, under state law the election was pushed back to 2022, and Raffensperger’s office did not allow candidates to qualify to run in March.

But U.S. District Court Judge Mark Cohen ruled July 3 that the law doesn’t apply to district attorney races and violates both the Georgia Constitution and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing equal protection under the law. He granted a preliminary injunction instructing Raffensperger to oversee the election and ordering his office and Gonzalez’s team to agree on a plan to open up qualifying within two weeks.

In addition to Gonzalez, a media lawyer who served in the state House in 2018, longtime prosecutor Brian Patterson also plans to run. Patterson, formerly Mauldin’s chief assistant, is currently serving as acting DA. Both are Democrats. The Western Circuit includes Clarke and Oconee counties. f

J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

5

news

letters

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO P. O. BOX 1027, ATHENS, GA 30603 OR EMAIL US AT LETTERS@FLAGPOLE.COM

We Get It To select Clarke County School Board members and others in the community: When the state data revealed the schools were improving, you practically ignored it; the information didn’t fit your mission and belief system. Same thing occurred when the Cognia report came out. You and your followers continued to spew falsehoods, saying the superintendent caused the accreditation woes and that the schools were not improving. Cognia plainly states that schools were improving and that board members caused the district’s accreditation status to be downgraded, bringing negative news coverage on the district and community in local, state and national publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times. Is Cognia wrong? The accrediting agency says the schools were improving under Demond Means. Is that correct?

The 2019 state Milestones data say the students at Stroud Elementary School, located in one of the nation’s most impoverished census tracts, led the district in third grade reading. Unprecedented.

Third graders at Alps, a chronically low-performing school, registered a 100% increase in reading. Is that correct? Ten CCSD schools improved on the state 2019 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), with high-poverty, high-minority J.J. Harris leading the way with an unprecedented 16-point gain.

All of this meant nothing to you and your supporters, who have continued your single-focus, immoral campaign. Thus, our conclusion—y’all don’t give a damn about low-wealth black and brown children.

Think of how demoralizing your noise and lies must be to the students, educators and parents who worked hard to achieve the results. Again, we can see that you can only see as far as your agenda and/or hate.

It hurts, but it’s nothing new. We know it when we see it, because we have seen it so many, many times.

Now you are summoning your coalition of ultra-conservative racists, special interests and so-called “progressives” to pressure the firing of Means—hence: high tech lynching, led by white women with “Amy Cooper” tendencies.

The overwhelming vast majority of the black community supports Means. The district is 80% non-white, but you know what’s best for black and brown children.

You think the 20% should continue to lead the 80%. Some nerve. Some supremacy complex, like old apartheid South Africa.

Why now? UGA professors Patricia Yager, John Knox and Kara Dyckman, along with Greg Davis, want to do all they can before the new members come on board— new members whose children are black and brown. Are you worried they might want Means to continue improving outcomes for black and brown children? Perish the thought!!

You don’t want to hear it—the answer is Means, whom y’all hate, so much so, you’re willing to jeopardize accreditation, cost the district millions of dollars and damage children. God can’t like this.

Black people don’t accept your “superior-

6

ity complex” answers and attitudes. Means is a smart man; he put in place a strong plan with a strong team, which included Xernona Thomas.

We get it; we get it that you never will!

“Who you are” will not let you understand nor accept the truth. It’s antithetical to who you are inside. We get it.

White allies who have stood up for what’s right throughout this saga, we appreciate your heroic support. We know it’s not always easy to stand up against evil “group think” and an organized smear campaign, with modern-day nooses. At least we can look ourselves and little black and brown children in the eyes.

To Means critic Janet Frick, Yager, Knox, others and company: Black folks need allies and human respect. We don’t need overseers.

Fred O. Smith Sr. Athens

Hice Doesn’t Represent Athens Rep. Jody Hice of the right-wing Freedom Caucus represents part of Clarke County, in a wildly gerrymandered district.

But he does not represent the views of the majority of Athens citizens.

Hice is unknowledgeable about law or our constitution. A former small-town right-wing talk show host, he never held public office before his election.

Hice is so radically right-wing that he is even out of step with the ultra-conservative House GOP. Hice was passed over by the GOP House leadership to take over as the top GOP member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, although he had seniority.

Hice has stated there were no campaign meetings with the Russians. What about Don Jr.’s Trump Tower Russian operative meeting?

Hice applauded Attorney General Bob Barr for dismissing charges against disgraced Gen. Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to charges of lying to the FBI about his interactions with the Russians.

Over 2,000 former DOJ lawyers have asked Barr to resign over his clearly political actions in the case, undercutting the rule of law.

Hice tweeted on July 3, 2019: “It is impossible to have limited government in a secular society. The more we kick God out of the public square the more important government becomes in our life.”

He has stated that he wants “Roe v Wade” found unconstitutional. Hice, an NRA member, also voted against the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) which protects women against abusive husbands owning firearms.

Regarding women running for office, per Hice: “If the woman’s within the authority of her husband, I don’t see a problem.”

Hice states that “American gun manufacturers are being punished unfairly” by the ATF. His view is that gun violence is due to “kicking God out of the public square”, wanting all firearm restrictions lifted.

He has also repeatedly voted to kill the Affordable Care Act, providing 23 million Americans with insurance.

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Hice wants to abolish the law reuniting extended immigrant families. Under this provision, preference for legal immigration is given for the grandparents of a family which has legally immigrated here.

Although immigrants have a lower crime rate than other Americans, Hice’s web site is filled with rhetoric about immigrant “rapists, child molesters, and other sex offenders”, sounding much like Trump and Steven Miller.

He believes Islam “does not deserve First Amendment protection” (from his 2012 book). And that conversion therapy prevents “enslaving and entrapping potentially hundreds of thousands of individuals” in the LGBTQ lifestyle.

Hice has tweeted he wants to “expose the Democrat collusion delusion.” Hice totally ignores the mountain of evidence about Trump’s misuse of power, choosing instead to attack the process.

I’m hoping that someday gerrymandering will stop, and Athens voters will be able to select representatives who really represent their views.

Jack Bernard Peachtree City

Remembering Lemuel Penn Lest we forget, July 11 marked 56 years since the murder of Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn at the hands of the Athens chapter of the KKK. The Lemuel Penn Committee erected a historic marker at the Madison County site of his death, but we have always been aware that the crime originated in Athens, because local authorities in 1964 turned a blind eye to the domestic terrorism imposed by the Klan.

For those unaware of this history, Penn and two fellow retired officers were returning to Washington, D.C., where Penn was an educator, from their Army Reserve training at Ft. Benning. They left at night, hoping to attract no attention, because of widespread anti-civil rights violence in the South. With I-85 incomplete, the route they mapped led through Athens and along back-country roads north.

In Athens, they attracted attention. The KKK had been allowed to act as a vigilante patrol at night. Three black men in a car with D.C. license plates were noticed when they pulled over near the Arch to change drivers. They were followed out of Athens by a car holding three excited Klansmen.

Approximately 25 miles away, in a thick fog, on a lonely dark road, where the Broad River marks the line between Elbert and Madison counties, a hate crime was committed. The Klansmen sped up, pulled alongside the World War II veterans and fired shotguns into the front and back seats of the car. Penn was killed instantly. His friends pulled his body aside and got the car under control, thwarting the killers’ hope that it would plunge into the river. Charles Brown and John Howard survived, but Lemuel Penn was dead, a victim of violent, senseless racism.

President Lyndon Johnson was infuriated, and ordered FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to find the killers. The FBI swarmed over Madison and Clarke counties. The killers were identified, but at their trial a few weeks later in Danielsville, where they were defended by Athens attorney Jim Hudson, the all-white jury let them go free.

A month later, a grand jury in Athens successfully used the new Civil Rights Act of 1964 to indict them on charges of depriv-

ing Penn of his civil rights. It was the first such use of the new legislation and marked it as a powerful weapon in the fight for equal rights.

Take a minute to remember that the struggle for justice in this country is not new, but has deep roots, and we must continue to tend it.

Dena Chandler Carlton Chandler is a member of the Lemuel Penn Memorial Committee.

The Pandemic Isn’t Close to Over My self-quarantine began on Mar. 11, 2020. At first, I expected the quarantine to be over approximately three months later.

It wasn’t. In fact, without a vaccine, we’ll probably have to wear masks, socially distance, stay home and have Zoom visits with our friends and family for at least the next two years.

Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, optimistically predicted that a vaccine will be developed in 12–18 months. The all-time record for developing a new vaccine is four years.

Currently, there are at least 254 therapies and 95 vaccines being explored for COVID19, and yet less than 10% of drugs that undergo clinical trials are ever approved by the FDA. With academic research, pre-clinical investigations, clinical trials, building factories, manufacturing, approval process and distribution ahead of us, we may realistically expect to get a vaccine into the hands of the public by May 2036—16 years from now.

Most of us in self-quarantine are already experiencing pandemic fatigue and want to reclaim our freedom to come and go as we like. The economy can’t wait, we social beings can’t wait, and our mental health can’t wait to live our lives without the continuing fear of COVID infection. So no doubt we will gradually increase our personal level of risk to the point of no longer being aware of the life-or-death decisions we are making during this ongoing pandemic. If this happens, the infection rate will soar, along with ICU admissions and, of course, death rates.

Because of people like my son in Charleston, SC, who think the pandemic is a hoax and therefore take no steps to prevent infection (despite compromised lungs in his case), COVID is spreading at near-record levels. In South Carolina, for example, cases have increased from about 200 cases a day on June 1 to 800 cases a day by June 17.

Statistics for Georgia are harder to come by than almost every other state simply because official state and county infection and death rates are unreliable. In fact, Gov. Kemp’s office has deliberately manipulated the data to suggest much better outcomes than are verifiable.

According to CovidActNow’s analysis (covidactnow.org) of all 50 states, Georgia is listed as an “active or imminent outbreak” state. Clarke County is listed as a “medium risk” county. Oconee, Morgan, Oglethorpe and many other Georgia counties have “unknown” risks due to lack of data.

We all make our own decisions about how to live our lives during a global pandemic with no end in sight. Stay informed, start a hobby, read books, wear a mask, observe social distancing and stay healthy.

Toni Reed Athens

news

comment

Justice Delayed GEORGIA HATE CRIMES LAW IS LONG OVERDUE

By Mokah Jasmine Johnson news@flagpole.com

Experienced advocate for individuals in criminal, juvenile, and probate matters

Tomlinson-lawfirm.com

706-200-1777

JOSHUA L. JONES / FILE

I jumped into activism when a local bar used a racial slur as the name of a drink. The name disrespected and devalued my entire community with no consequences. This wasn’t a hate crime, but the effect is similar—to spread a message of supremacy and scare marginalized communities.

In January, I launched my campaign with a rally in support of a bipartisan, LGBTQ-inclusive hate crimes bill (HB 426) with a call to #UniteAgainstHate to draw attention to the fact that Georgia was one of just four U.S. states without a hate crimes law. On June 23, the Georgia Senate passed HB 426, and Gov. Brian Kemp signed it into law.

This victory was hard-won, but it shouldn’t have been. The law should have passed long ago, not just after the public, extrajudicial killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and so many more.

In 2019, HB 426 passed the Georgia State House, but not the Senate. The bill was sponsored by a Republican, and many Democrats and Republicans worked together to write and pass the legislation. I was alarmed to see that my elected official, state Rep. Houston Gaines, voted against the bill, breaking from his own party’s leadership. To me it is unconscionable that he would vote to increase protection for Confederate monuments (SB 77) but not to provide greater protection to his own constituents who are targeted because of their identities.

In February, I took several middle-school students from my community to meet with every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the bill was stalled. It was clear that certain members of the committee were content to let

the bill fail, forcing activists and legislators to start from scratch in the next cycle.

Then came the protests in response to the murders of George Floyd, Arbery, Brooks, Breonna Taylor and so many others. These tragedies brought more Georgians into the movement against hate. After weeks of constant protest, phone calls and lobbying led by the Georgia NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League, Maura’s Voice and business leaders, more legislators finally got on board.

I was glad to see my opponent, Gaines, reverse his position and vote for the hate crimes bill the second time around. I would like to believe his change of heart is

Mokah Jasmine Johnson

genuine but, on the same day, he also voted for HB 838, the “police bill of rights.” That bill affords police officers extra legal protections and privileges as a separate class of citizens. The new law would restrict the nature of interrogations when a police officer is under investigation, potentially delaying justice. Not only is this dangerous, but also

BUY IT SELL IT

it’s irrational. “Police officer” is an occupation, not an identity, and it’s insulting to people with marginalized identities for our representatives to draw this false equivalence.

I’ve spent my career calling for justice and equity. In the past few weeks alone, I led two Justice for Black Lives rallies that drew over 2,000 community members. The hard work of local activists—many of whom have been publicly demanding justice every day for weeks on end—is paying off. The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted on June 25 to relocate the Confederate monument downtown, despite the 2019 law Gaines voted for, which intentionally makes it difficult to achieve.

Gaines hasn’t joined any of the rallies in Athens, and he hasn’t communicated any intention to address the issues of systemic racism and police brutality. Instead, he publicly declared his refusal to listen to some propositions to address police accountability. This kind of reactionary, empty leadership is not only disappointing, it’s dangerous.

Without a pandemic to interrupt the legislative session, without Arbery’s murder, the hate crimes bill would have failed, in part because of Gaines. As a legislator, it’s rare to get a second chance. We need elected officials who will make the right decision the first time around. In my activism, I work deliberately with the community, elected officials and law enforcement to create a better system of public safety and transformative justice by dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, ending cash bail and increasing citizen-led police accountability.

HB 426 passed on the day of Brooks’ funeral. The movement that has swelled around him and other victims has been heartbreaking, beautiful and effective. But none of these souls signed up to be a martyr. Their families did not ask for their mourning to be broadcast publicly to force our leaders to step up and do their jobs. But when it comes to advocating for Black lives and safety for our communities, Gaines’ silence at the Capitol speaks volumes. f Johnson is the Democratic candidate for the House District 117 seat.

Gaines declined an opportunity to respond to this op-ed.

Athens’ One Stop Real Estate Shop Rentals, Buying/Selling a Home, Property Management, and Investment Real Estate - We are here to make Athens a home for everyone, throughout all phases of life.

RENT IT IN THE

FLAGPOLE CLASSIFIEDS

CALL 706-549-9523

706-549-7371 www.GoJoiner.com 1490 Prince Ave.

EASTSIDE

LIQUOR

1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. 706.353.1461 Next to Publix and Inoko Express J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

7

news

cobbloviate

are clearly not doing the right thing and have no intention of doing so until they are either compelled to or someone very close to them gets extremely sick, or God forbid, dies. FWIW, the O.B. wouldn’t place the odds of a change of heart at 100 percent, even then.

Although the cast of offenders in this category is not devoid of people in their 30s and beyond, there is not much doubt about the age range of those most directly culpable in the recent spike in infections here and in other college towns especially.

Local officials did this city and its permanent inhabitants a singular good turn way

Privilege Unmasked WILL STUDENTS COVER THEIR FACES ON CAMPUS AND OFF?

By James C. Cobb news@flagpole.com

•I 8

In any event, Kemp and Co.’s retreat on requiring students to mask up on campus is a hard-won but vitally important victory for the O.B.’s former colleagues on the UGA faculty, half of whom are over 50. It would be ironic indeed if this latest example of ongoing encroachment on what have traditionally been on-campus decisions by the governor and the USG has introduced an enduring element of activism into a faculty culture where it has been noticeably lacking heretofore.

Forget mere disingenuousness, this reeks of the kind of bald-faced dishonesty that comes second nature to the Guv’s currently estranged role model, the ol’ Tweety Bird himself. Though Kemp surely knows full well what needs to be done, he also senses that doing it would not go down well with his core constituency in the wayout-yonder counties. Hence, his recent “Wear-A-Mask” tour was a futile exercise in bipolarity, as he pled earnestly with Georgians around the state to mask up on the one hand, while assuring them on the other that, if they really didn’t like the idea, they need not worry that he would try to force them. Indeed, the closest Kemp has come to a coercive gesture in this direction came in his recent, rather hollow warning to the hardcore football crowd Will UGA regulations and ACC law finally make students wear masks? that putting on a season this fall will be a “tall task” unless they back off their wholesale commitment back in mid-March when, recognizing that to hard partying every night, sans masks or returning spring-breakers with no classes social distancing. to attend were simply looking to move The Guv’s uncharacteristically hightheir hellacious coastal rampage inland, minded rationale that “we shouldn’t need they moved quickly to shutter the bars a mask mandate for people to do the right before things got completely out of hand. thing” begs the question of why such a Gov. Kemp issued a statewide decree to mandate isn’t in order once it’s painfully that effect a few days later, although some obvious that a big chunk of those people of the ramifications of his consequencWHITLEY CARPENTER

Like most of you, the Ol’ Bloviator has not exactly been bombarded with good news here of late. That’s why he had to check his eyes and his sobriety—both earned a bare pass, by the way—upon seeing the announcement that the governor and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents had finally backed off their refusal to follow the example of public institutions in all contiguous states by requiring students to wear masks when in-person instruction begins this fall.

Ironically enough, the rationale for this willfully obtuse stance was that the Guv and USG were merely following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

This sudden attentiveness to CDC directives seems a bit out of character for Brian Kemp, to say the least. More than one in five coronavirus tests were still coming back positive as of April 20 when he announced that he would allow gyms, barbershops, tattoo parlors, bowling alleys and, ultimately, restaurants to reopen, this despite the CDC’s warning that such a move would be extremely risky until it was clear that “the incidence of infection is genuinely low.”

Apparently, he had also missed the memo several weeks earlier, when the same CDC experts cautioned that even asymptomatic victims of the virus could spread it to others. This rather critical piece of information, it seems, had come to his attention only on the eve of his grudging and long-overdue announcement that he was imposing the aforementioned restrictions in the first place.

In reality, of course, the real, albeit flimsy, basis for Kemp and Co.’s resistance to requiring students to wear masks lay not in what CDC guidelines actually said, but in what they did not. The CDC officially recommends wearing masks “in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”

Yet Kemp and Co. had seized on the absence of any explicit—as opposed to clearly implicit—recommendation that this practice be mandated whenever possible as a justification for their refusal to do just that.

es-be-damned haste to reopen them as of June 1 are readily apparent in tallies showing that more than half of all the confirmed cases in Georgia have been recorded since that date.

It really saddens the Ol’ Bloviator to say it, but few who have spent much time teaching college undergraduates in the last 20 years should be terribly surprised by the almost defiantly irresponsible, selfish, self-indulgent student behavior we have witnessed hereabouts, in recent weeks especially. The O.B. doesn’t think it will quite do, however, to point a finger at them without unloosing a solid blast of unshirted hell at the parents who not only countenance this kind of activity, but finance it as well.

So here’s the deal. You may see your kids and their friends as every bit as bullet-proof from the virus as they obviously see themselves, but reassuring yourself that what they’re doing is really OK—no harm, no foul, so long as they steer clear of their grandparents—just doesn’t cut it. On a daily basis, they are in close proximity with folks who are not fortunate enough to be in their advantageous demographic, either as to age or financial status. Be they a clerk, cashier, a custodian, a food-server or a salesperson, none of them have the luxury of self-quarantining to prevent exposure or have the bank balance to survive without their paychecks while they are out of work and struggling to recover from COVID-19. Even if their noses never drip or their heads never hurt, every young person who is infected is capable of spreading a terrifyingly contagious, potentially deadly, or at least permanently impairing disease. Now they are also required to mask up off campus, too. Many of you parents who profess to love Athens and the University of Georgia so much have been picking up the tab for behavior that stands to seriously jeopardize the well-being of both, now and in the future, as well. If Kemp can bring himself to make them wear masks while they’re on the campus, it’s hard to see why you can’t demand that they conduct themselves a little more responsibly when they’re not. f

312 E. BROAD ST. • 3RD FLOOR • 706.208.5222 • FRIGIDAIRE BUILDING • ENTRANCE ON JACKSON ST.• WWW.REPUBLICSALON.COM

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

I•

Summer of Sizzle

15% OptiMALE OFF Don’t Miss Our Complete Line of

*

Products Now:

Have you tested positive for COVID-19?

Researchers at the University of Georgia are conducting a study to understand immune responses to the virus that causes COVID-19.

You may be eligible to participate if you: - are between the ages of 18-70 years old - are not pregnant - weigh at least 110 lbs - have previously had a positive test for COVID-19 - have been COVID-19 symptom-free for at least four weeks Please note we are not doing any COVID-19 testing as part of this study.

! s r e t uar

q d a e re H

( *Offer not to be combined.)

u s a e l P t l u d ur A

Yo

Eligible subjects will be asked to visit the study location once and provide a blood sample of approximately 7 tablespoons.

Subjects will receive compensation of $25 for completing the study.

The study will be conducted at the Clinical and Translational Research Unit (CTRU) on the UGA Health Sciences Campus. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Jarrod Mousa.

The study team is adhering to the CDC’s recommended infection control procedures and social distancing practices (where possible) during this study. If you have questions or concerns about our safety protocol, please let us know.

FOR MORE INFO OR TO SIGN UP, PLEASE EMAIL: CTRU@UGA.EDU OR LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 706.713.2721 (Please expect delayed responses if leaving voicemails)

Adult Movies • Adult Toys Intimate Gifts • CBD Products Hookahs • Vapes • Lingerie • Lube Bondage Gear • Fetish • Detox Aroma Candles • Incense & SO MUCH MORE!

4100 Lexington Rd. Athens

Adjacent to Willowood Square • 706.552.1492

FREE SHIPPING @ ShopStarship.com J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

9

CURB YOUR APPETITE

Here are restaurants that are open and waiting for your order!

706-543-6592 • 11 A.M.– 8 P.M. EVERY DAY

(cedar shoals location closed mondays)

706-227-9979 lumpkin st.

706-355-7087 cedar shoals dr.

WHOLE CAKES AND BULK ITEMS WITH 48 HOURS NOTICE

- BEER AND WINE TO GO -

N

I

10:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK

OUTDOOR SEATING curbside pickup • delivery*

HEND Y Z RAVENTORY BLOWOUYT ’

S!

(*via bulldAWg delivery - 706-850-7999)

- CARRYOUT - DELIVERY (BULLDAWG FOODS) - CURBSIDE PICKUP (BY REQUEST) -

C

hendershot’s

Hot coffee, Cold Brew, Beers for Chad, Seltzer for Becky, Growlers for Beer and Nitro, Liquor to help you sleep, Bulk coffee to help you wake up, Bottles of Red and White, T-shirts, Trucker Caps, Hand Sanitizer to help you stay safe, our prices to reflect the times… INSANE!

NOW WITH BISCUITS (brought to you by The Plate Sale)!

237 prince ave. • 706.353.3050

House of Kabob

SUN–THURS NOON–5PM FRI & SAT NOON–6PM PRE-ORDER ONLINE: Coffee, Cold Brew, Brownies, Truffles, Milkshakes, and Gelato

CURBSIDE PICK-UP AVAILABLE condorchocolates.com

20OF% F E DIN

Email halfshep@gmail.com for current order guide for pick-up orders 706-850-2955 • 1238 Prince Ave

OUT D SEAT OOR ING O

NLY

-IN

PERSIAN CUISINE FREE APPETIZER OR DESSERT WITH ANY TAKE-OUT ORDER CURBSIDE PICK-UP OR DELIVERY WITH DOOR DASH, GRUBHUB, UBER EATS & COSMIC

HAPPY HOUR

MON-- FRI 5-- 7PM

$1 DRAFTS $4 WINE

1155 MITCHELL BRIDGE ROAD

706-850-1509

Lunch, Dinner & Weekend Brunch

Mon–Fri 7:30 am– 3:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am–1:00 pm Curb-side pick-up!

Breakfast - Lunch - Brunch

Online ordering, family meals, Boar’s Head meats and cheeses by the pound.

975 Hawthorne Ave • 706-206-9322 emskitchenathawthorne.com

10

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Offering Outdoor Dining and Contact free Pick-up for Lunch Wed-Fri 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Dinner Wed-Sat 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

Brunch Sat & Sun 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

706.354.7901 Corner of Chase and Boulevard

heirloomathens.com

WAYS TO GET YOUR JUICE: Come in the store to grab a juice Call in and we’ll deliver it curbside Call or email to set up a delivery Tues and Fri Delivery Daily via Uber Eats & Cosmic Delivery M-F 7am-7pm I Sat 9am-5pm I Sun 12pm-5pm

1428 Prince Ave AMY@JOURNEYJUICE.COM

706.850.0707 JOURNEYJUICE.COM

OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. – 8 P.M.

PULASKI HEIGHTS

ONLINE ORDERS ONLY ORDERS READY AT OUR FRONT DOOR

MAEPOLE.COM

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Drive-Through Take out & delivery through bulldawg food only. follow us on facebook & instagram for

Open Monday–Saturday 6 a.m.–2 p.m.

706.583.9600

745 Danielsville Road

Menu at www.teambandb.com

daily updates

The Leathers bldg. • 675 pulaski st, ste . 100

(off North Ave.)

PIZZA SANDWICHES

TUESDAY-SUNDAY ORDER ONLINE•LIMITED MENU DINE IN WITH COUNTER SERVICE AT BOTH LOCATIONS WITH LIMITED CAPACITY mamasboyathens.com

CALL US FOR TAKE-OUT!

MON-SAT 8AM–9PM

SUN 10AM–9PM

COUNTER SERVICE • ONLINE ORDER CURBSIDE BY REQUEST

DELIVERY VIA BULLDAWG OR DOORDASH FIVE POINTS • 706-613-2600

DELIVERY THROUGH BULLDAWG FOOD

SUN-THURS 11AM-8PM FRI & SAT 11AM-9PM BEER • WINE • DESSERTS

254 W. Washington St. 706.543.1523

tedsmostbest.com

SAFER TRAVELS accgov.com/transit

Masks now required on ACC Transit Buses

Transit fares return July 15th

Youth, senior citizens, people with disabilities, Athens-Clarke County employees, UGA students & staff continue to ride fare-free with ID.

Athens Banner Project

ELINOR SARAGOUSSI

Sponsored by Athens Downtown Development Authority & Athens Area Arts Council Flagpole-quarter-page-ad-7-10-20.indd 1

7/10/20 2:35 PM

J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

11

Visit OCONEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1060 Experiment Station Rd.

706.769.3983

for the BEST BIRTH CONTROL for your body and lifestyle... at LOW-OR NO COST! Condoms are always FREE

flagpole

needs your support! flagpole is fighting to continue bringing you the most up-todate news, but the financial ripple effect of this pandemic is unprecedented and we can’t continue without your support.

DONATE It’s as easy as your Netflix 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

Office space available at 220 Prince Ave. Flagpole has more space then we need in the 1907 two-story house that we rent across from The Grit and Hendershot’s!

Three spaces available on the second floor:

Large Office $800/month;

Facing Prince Ave., lots of windows, built-in bookcase and decorative fireplace.

Medium Office $600/month;

17ft x 14ft, decorative fireplace and storage closet.

Small Office $350/month;

Perfect for space for a single person to get some work done.

All spaces include parking for the renter and a guest, all utilities (except phone) including internet and use of shared conference room. Must have limited foot traffic. No reception available.

Please email ads@flagpole.com for more information or to set up an appointment.

12

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

PublicHealthIsForEverybody.com

news

pub notes

food & drink

feature

The Message in the Bottle

Stir Crazy

DRINKING IS NOT ALWAYS FUN AND GAMES

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

By Pete McCommons pete@flagpole.com

By David Bryant news@flagpole.com

I grew up in an old family home that still his cocktail hour. Once, early on, when I had the no-longer-used outbuildings on the asked him what he was drinking, he said, lot: woodshed, smokehouse, chicken coop, “Medicine,” and I suppose it was. pigpen, outhouse, cow lot. Those mute My mother’s Methodism was stronger. structures conjured the lives that had gone She would very occasionally accept a weak before us. They were fun to explore on idle drink, though she didn’t really need it, and summer afternoons and provided great she tolerated his. hiding places after dark for kick-the-can. Once, while investigating the chicken What was a whiskey bottle doing in coop, I found an old, halfa henhouse? full whiskey bottle. What was a whiskey bottle doing in a henhouse? I opened it and smelled the liquor, but at that stage of my life I had no interest in drinking it, so I left it where it was: a mystery bottled in an enigma.

Gradually, as family lore was revealed around the dinner table and afterward on the front porch, the picture focused. My banker grandfather died, the boll weevil arrived and the bank failed, impoverishing my widowed grandmother.

Then her sister died, too, so she moved next door into the house where her father, my great-grandfather Merritt, had been living with her sister’s family.

Joining her sister’s widower and his three children, my grandmother brought her own five, plus her husband’s father, That was all before whiskey was legal my great-grandfather McCommons, along in small towns, so my father, careful busiwith my great-aunt Julia, who never was nessman that he was, always stocked up on quite right. They were a big family, and they Canadian Club any time he was somewhere needed all those outbuildings for support. like Atlanta. So, of course he became the If you are keeping score, that’s five adults go-to guy when his less forward-looking and eight teenagers of various ages. friends decided they needed to borrow a The crux of this story is that Grandpa bottle.

McCommons, already widowed seriatim They would all be incredulous at the from two sisters, loved to drink and chase plethora of alcohol available to us in forms women. Grandpa Merritt was a staunch they could never have imagined: the Baptist businessman and a teetotaler (did scrumptious craft beers, the varieties of not drink). Neither did my grandmother wine—a drink they never knew, not even approve of alcohol. at communion—the whiskeys that deserve My father grew up in that household better than being tossed down at the sink. with the dueling authority figures; so did Through my father, I carry both my uncles and aunts—some of whom great-grandfathers within me, too. I am a were actually my double-first-cousins once former Methodist and a conscientious busiremoved, since their fathers married sisters. nessman whose livelihood has been deciI surmised that the bottle I found in mated as if it were hit by the boll weevil. I the chicken coop might have been secreted enjoy taking a drink. I enjoy women, and I there by Grandpa McCommons or by any of have the great good fortune of still being the cousins who gravitated toward his premarried to the last one I chased. dilections, rather than to the straight and The moral of this story is that drinking narrow path of Grandpa Merritt. can mirror life. What brings great pleasure My father assimilated both grandfathers. can also bring great pain. The Greeks—litHe became a hardworking, responsible busi- tle known where we lived, save through nessman, even a steward in the Methodist the Methodist preachers, our teacher Miss Church, and he would take a drink.

Mary Radford and the restaurateur, Charlie Now, you have to understand what takPoulos—emphasized, “Nothing in excess.” ing a drink meant then. My father would That is the trick in drinking as in life: to come home from a long day at the store, enjoy our pleasures in just the right amount and at the kitchen sink he would fill one of so that the thing that pleases us does not those little three-ounce fruit juice glasses become the thing that brings us and others with Canadian Club, drink it down, grimace, pain. Perhaps that is the message in the and chase it with a glass of water. That was bottle somebody left in the chicken coop. f

“

M

acbeth was so “of the moment” when he quoth that bit about tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeping in its petty pace from day to day. He must have been huffing micro-droplets to conjure such a crystal vision of social isolation in the pandemic. You can scroll through the Bryant calendar until the last syllable of recorded time without bumping over anything but a now-cancelled dental appointment and “turn clk bk 1 hr.” In this featureless social landscape, cocktail hour at our house is no longer an option—it’s an anchor. It’s an event you can count on. It’s conversation and refreshment as the sun drops below the trees. It’s an opportunity to see if we, as a couple, continue to share our deep understanding of what day of the week it is.

If we could have foreseen, like squirrels gathering nuts for winter, that our stockpile of cocktail ingredients would need to outlast global catastrophe, I wouldn’t be shaking an empty Angostura bottle over a forlorn Manhattan that will forever lack complexity. This dwindling of standard ingredients has forced a gradual parting from the canon of classic cocktails, but it has also brought the excitement of stepping into new terrain. I’m no longer an acolyte reverently following a near-monastic tradition; now, I feel like I’m stepping out of the sheltering forest into the open savanna, hunting and gathering with nothing but a sharp stick and reed basket. And, in fact, it’s outdoors where I’ve found the best flavors.

Garden herbs such as basil, tarragon, rosemary, fennel and mint can be muddled in the bottom of your mixing glass to lend an exotic note to any concoction. You’ll

have to play with proportions: Use mint and basil by the handful; easy with the rosemary and tarragon. Muddled cucumber and celery, too, add subtle flavor and even a little texture. But that’s just a start. Think of our present circumstances as license to loosen up. Do anything; get messy. Be Jackson Pollack, not Vermeer.

Besides muddling, another easy way to add character to a drink is by infusing simple syrup. Simple syrup is as easy as its name implies: Combine equal parts sugar and water, then boil until the sugar dissolves. But here’s the thing: You can add any herb or spice you fancy. After the sugar dissolves, let it steep for a couple of hours, then strain into a container. It can last up to a month in the fridge. My neighbors, Allan and Jen, have made delicious infusions using mimosa puffs and magnolia, honeysuckle and kudzu blossoms. Or try infusing some cardamom pods or star anise from the spice cabinet.

A teaspoon of infusion can even make a bland vodka tonic memorable.

Another fun way to generate a cocktail is to go ur: Take a cocktail you like and abstract its general principle. Many cocktails are built on the formula of two parts liquor, one part sour, and one part sweet. A classic example is the Margarita: two parts tequila, one part lime juice, one part triple sec (a sweet orange liqueur).

My wife, Cassie, recently succeeded with this formula by starting with gin, adding lime for sour, ginger liqueur for sweet, and, then, in a moment of inspiration, a dash of cardamom bitters. Wow! It’s like an evening of Asian fusion at Momofuku in a glass.

I have lately been playing with cranking up the contradictory flavors of hot and cold in the same drink. I start by muddling a good handful of mint and five or six fresh jalapeno rounds in the bottom of my shaker, then I build a drink on top of that. So far, my favorite has been with rum, lemon and honey. Shake, strain, serve straight up, garnished with a basil flower. Sure, it burns, but then you suck in and the mint cools your tongue.

Please note that these are the musings of an enthusiast, not a professional. For the duration of the pandemic, I’m operating on the assumption that one’s gustatory aesthetic is more elastic than cocktail books and the classic canon admit. But when the “all clear” horn finally sounds and a trip to the liquor store no longer requires risk/benefit analysis, I’m sure I’ll come crawling back to Sazeracs, Negronis and Manhattans. On that day, the Bryants will throw a huge-ass cocktail party in cramped, enclosed quarters where we can all enjoy the thing we never imagined we’d miss—each others’ sweet and sour breath. f

J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

13

food & drink

feature

Survival Mode SELLING DRINKS TO GO HELPS BARS AND RESTAURANTS STAY OPEN

By Dan Jackson news@flagpole.com

A

WHITLEY CARPENTER

thens-Clarke County and the state newly expanded terrace along with their of Georgia have loosened some of abbreviated wine list, which highlights Kate their laws governing alcohol licenses for Arnold wines in honor of their Boulevard restaurants and bars, giving those busineighbors. Heirloom has also created “cocknesses at least a fighting chance to survive tails for two” for those waiting for their the COVID-19 pandemic after sheltercurbside deliveries. ing-in-place brought them to a virtual Last Resort owners Jaamy Zarnegar and standstill.

Melissa Clegg have added a new twist to Restaurateurs developed creative ways carry-out by deconstructing dishes, includto safely lure customers out of their homes, ing ingredients separately and then procreating new menu and beverage options to tempt diners hungry for something more interesting than a frozen meal and a beer in front of a Netflix movie (or even worse, for some, their own cooking).

Even drink offerings were tweaked to respond to the crisis. Many restaurant owners began to trim their wine lists and offer only the most popular selections, dispensing with the need to inventory higher-priced specialty choices. Since many restaurants feature outdoor seating, bartenders began offering cocktails for al fresco drinking, especially for those waiting for their curbside carryout.

Restaurants are also offering wines at lower prices compared to on-premises drinking when purchased to go, recognizing that they are competing with liquor store pricing.

While all restaurateurs have Patrons can socially distance on Normal Bar’s back patio. acknowledged taking in far lower revenues since the beginning of the COVID crisis, some say that they are viding a printed card with instructions on breaking even and call that a win. All say how to assemble the dish, to come close to they are mostly glad to keep some of their duplicating the on-premises presentation. employees working and the doors open, and They have also adopted a new wine list with hope for better days to return. The beverage special off-premises pricing to complement program helps add to their bottom line. their dishes. For those who want to socially At Heirloom Café and Fresh Market, distance in an outdoor environment, the owners Travis Burch and Jessica Rothacker restaurant has converted its much-coveted are serving dinners on the restaurant’s parking spaces to a fenced-in courtyard

planted with large trees.

The National’s general manager, Erin Wilson, reports that in-house mixologists have been creatively adapting traditional cocktails to include lower-proof spirits, making them legal for carryout. The restaurant has been bottling and labeling the new craft cocktails, complementing the restaurant’s bespoke brand. Wilson says that “bar managers have taken familiar classics and reinvented them” for carry-out. “Our bartenders are doing a new take on the traditional Negroni,” she says. “Where we would normally use gin, we are using aperol,” a classic Italian bitter aperitif.

The popular raw bar Seabear, noted for its close quarters and spirited atmosphere, has adapted to social distancing on its generously sized and shaded terrace, much of which features a roof to protect patrons

from frequent late-afternoon downpours.

The bar program, led by co-owner Noah Brendel, once again features its Negroni slushy and other cocktails. Brendel has also created a wine club for regular customers, and has streamlined the list of suppliers to keep costs low. Since customers are dining outdoors in frequently hot temperatures, Brendel adds that the chefs have created

Dog Spa

refreshing treats like chilled Thai split pea soup. “COVID has forced us to change things up,” Brendel says. “It’s been a challenge, but a welcome one.”

Next door in the Bottleworks, Viva! co-owner Jessie Lindsey has cranked up the slushy machine salvaged from the downtown Taco Stand’s closure, and is serving up his handmade fruit juice and spirits slushies.

Expat co-owner and sommelier Krista Mason says the restaurant has adapted its front parking area as an outdoor dining terrace, which features a large chalkboard for the menu. The restaurant now offers a focused list of craft-made classic cocktails the restaurant is known for, such as the spritz, daiquiri and 50-50 Martini, which Mason says is more refreshing and lighter than the traditional gin-heavy favorite, and is truer to the cocktail’s 19th Century origins. The restaurant sold out of its wine inventory in the early days of COVID customers, and has since created a streamlined, retail-priced wine list for curbside delivery.

Bars are also adapting. Normal Bar and Automatic Pizza owner Bain Mattox reports good business selling pizzas and alcohol to their socially-distanced customers on the Normal Bar patio. “We’re lucky to be able to offer what we have with the space we have,” Mattox says, adding that customers are required to wear masks when they order beverages at the back door. Mattox says that Normal Bar has also streamlined its offering, and asks patrons to gather in smaller groups. “We all just have to get through this,” he says. “After this is all over, hopefully we will all still be here.”

Bars and restaurants may soon have another way to adapt. The state legislature passed a bill last month allowing delivery of alcohol, which at press time was awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature.

“During this COVID, a lot of people have been getting their groceries delivered, and they’re like, ‘Hey, if we’re not going out to get exposed, why not get our beer and wine delivered, too?” state Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) told the Georgia Recorder. f

CHECK OUR SOCIALS FOR NEWS AND UPDATED HOURS ATHENTICBREWING.COM 108 PARK AVE.

Better Service, Better Plumbing

WE ARE OPEN

Insured • Local • Free on-site Estimates

Voted an Athens Favorite! $30 Flagpole Special Discount*

TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!

*Call for details

706-769-7761

www.plumberproservice.com

14

CALL TODAY

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Voted Athens’ Favorite Pet Groomer

AKC Safety-Certified Salon

We Groom Dogs & Cats!

1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy · 706-353-1065

barkdogspa.com

food & drink

feature

Brewery Roundup ATHENS ENJOYS A PLETHORA OF PERFECT PICKS

By Chris Dowd news@flagpole.com

C

raft beer has taken the country (and Athens) by storm, gaining ground against the bland monotony of the corporate behemoths that had dominated the industry until very recently. In 2012, just two companies—Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors—controlled almost 90 percent of the domestic beer market. But by 2018, craft beer had doubled in market share from 12% to 24%, with thousands of microbreweries and brewpubs opening up across the country.

These beers are made in a wide variety of styles, often by very small local businesses that are somehow able to compete against the titans of industry and their multi-million dollar ad campaigns. Craft beer is a remarkable success story. It shows that a

including Amour de Ferme (6.3% alcohol by volume), a saison; Perfect Number (4.8% ABV), a coffee brown ale; Sunshine (5.9% ABV), a wheat beer, and also Sister (5.6% ABV), a pale ale.

Other offerings include a juicy IPA, dry Irish stout, pilsner and a double IPA for those who appreciate the hoppier side of microbrew.

Normaltown Brewing On the other side of the Boulevard neighborhood, you can find Normaltown Brewing, hidden in the same warehouse complex as the Cotton Press and Canopy.

Normaltown is a “nanobrewery,” producing

ABV), which you can get in hazelnut vanilla and toasted coconut varieties. A new strawberry lime kettle sour is also in the works and should be available as you read this.

Terrapin The brewery that started it all is currently open for curbside pickup. You can order beer before 2 p.m. for same-day pickup.

Terrapin is working on plans to reopen for in-person visits, but they have not yet set a date.

“Our production area is in close proximity to our tasting room, so we’re prioritizing safety over speed,” marketing manager Leah Keggi told Flagpole.

In addition to classics like Hopsecutioner, Terrapin has several new beers available. First, they’ve got Frenchy’s Blues (5% ABV), a Berliner Weisse brewed with blueberries in collaboration with former Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur. That’s available in six-packs. They’ve also got Black is Beautiful (7% ABV), a stout with notes of cocoa and coffee, available in crowlers.

Making it an even more tempting choice,

You can also get takeout. They’ve got sixpacks for sale, including Hobnail IPA, a citrusy American-style IPA (6.5% ABV); 7:00 AM, a light and balanced lager (4.2% ABV); I.P.hAzy, a hazy, New England-style IPA (6% ABV); and Red and Black, a Berliner Weisse aged on raspberries and blackberries (4.5% ABV). They’ve got growlers, too, so you can take anything on tap home with you.

Southern releases a new beer every Friday, making it even harder to choose which one to get next. Usually, it’s a variant on an existing brew, but this month they released a brand new one, United Pale Ale (4.7% ABV). It’s an easygoing, citrusy American pale that sounds perfect for a hot summer day.

Akademia

WHITLEY CARPENTER

Akademia, out on Atlanta Highway, is open seven days a week for dine-in—outside on the patio and inside in the dining room.

There’s even a large space you can rent for private events.

They’ve got a number of new beers you might want to check out, including Choose The Sword (4.8% ABV), which is a Berliner Weisse brewed with ginger and pears. Send Your Ninja (4.8% ABV) is another Berliner Weisse with Sudachi, a Japanese citrus.

Finally, they’ve got the intriguing new offering Mountains of Madness, which is a double IPA with Hallertau hops and an experimental hop that’s the product of Sabro hops and open pollination.

Akademia’s building is fairly large, so it’s easy to keep tables six feet or more apart. If you’d rather get your beer to go, they’ve got fourpacks of Mountains of Madness, Hoprodisiac (a hazy Imperial IPA, 8.2% ABV) and 2XIQ (a citrusy, New England-style double IPA, 7.8% ABV) for sale right now. You can also fill up a 32-ounce crowler with anything on tap, to enjoy later.

Creature Comforts

Terrapin—in the good old COVID-free days before distancing and masks.

commitment to quality and innovation can sometimes pay off.

In Athens, the revolution began with the founding of Terrapin in 2002, but shows no signs of slowing down in 2020. Two new microbreweries are opening up this year, giving local beer connoisseurs more choices than ever.

Athentic Athentic Brewing, located on Park Avenue in Normaltown, plans to open later this month for service at socially distanced tables that are frequently sanitized. But they’ve already started curbside pickup, with a limited number of bottles available each week. Depending on availability, you’ll be able to pick from a variety of brews,

very small, carefully-crafted batches. They aren’t currently bottling for distribution, but according to co-founder Scott Fortson, they might start as early as next year.

Right now, they’re open for in-person tasting on Fridays and Saturdays, and occasionally on weekdays as well. They also sell 32-ounce crowlers to go. If you don’t know, crowlers are large, machine-sealed aluminum cans that can keep beer fresher for longer when compared to a more traditional glass growler.

So what should you fill your crowler with this week? Fortson recommends Elder Masters (8.9% ABV), a West Coast double IPA that is his favorite, but he notes that Normaltown’s specialty are hazy, New England-style IPAs like Electric Mist (7.5% ABV). They might also have some of their coffee stout, Lazarus Ascending (8.4%

Terrapin will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from Black is Beautiful to the Georgia ACLU. Finally, Terrapin will release Peach Dreamsicle (7.89% ABV), a “peaches and cream” Imperial IPA, in cans this month.

Southern Brewing Southern Brewing is open Wednesday through Sunday, with outdoor seating only for now. They’ve got five acres, so you can spread out and get comfortable under the tents as you enjoy the huge number of different beers Southern has on tap (from 25–32 choices, depending on the day). But remember to bring a mask—they require them inside, while you’re making your selection.

Creature Comforts has reopened its taproom with limited seating outside on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll be served right at your table, but party size is limited to eight, and masks are required when not seated.

While there, you’ll get to pick from all your old favorites—like Classic City Lager, an easy-drinking lager (4.2% ABV); Tropicalia, a juicy IPA with passion fruit (6.6% ABV); and Athena, a light Berliner Weisse (4.5% ABV)—plus some new options. Automatic (5.5% ABV), a pale ale, is now offered year-round. They’ve also got the completely new Athena Painkiller (4.5% ABV), a tropical-inspired Berliner Weisse available on tap and in four-packs you can take home with you.

As always, Creature Comforts has a large selection of special offerings sold in bottles, which now includes Gaucho de la Playa (12.4% ABV), a limited-release imperial stout with coconut and dulce de leche. You can get it or any of their other beers at their drive-through, which is still open 1–6 p.m. six days a week (not including Saturday).

Enjoy—with safety and moderation, of course! f

J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

15

arts & culture

art notes

A Taste of Talent THE SERVICE INDUSTRY SUPPORTS ARTISTS IN A MULTITUDE OF WAYS

By Jessica Smith arts@flagpole.com In the pre-pandemic landscape—before Liddell at LRG Provisions, Peter Ferrari businesses had to severely modify their at Little Kings Shuffle Club, Dave Jenkins walk-in operations or temporarily close at Last Resort Grill, Anthony Wislar at altogether—a notable number of restauCreature Comforts, Taylor Shaw at Chuck’s rants, bars and coffee shops in Athens Fish, Broderick Flanigan at Food for the consistently reserved their walls to showcase rotating displays of works by local artists. Though there are several professional galleries in Athens and nearby counties, these spaces are fairly competitive in that they typically schedule exhibitions far in advance and prioritize visiting artists or timely themes into their programming.

The food and beverage industry therefore offers an essential service to artists and supporters: Artists receive high-traffic visibility from a broad audience, as well as a quicker turnaround time for moving new bodies of work from the studio to the wall. Because the businesses’ staffing and streams of revenue are already structured around the sales of food and beverages, catering, rentals and merchandise, they’re typically unconcerned with squeezing commissions out of art sales.

This helps remove barriers of entry and creates low-stakes opportuniMarvella Castaneda ties for both novice and full-time artists alike.

While some places like Flicker Theatre Soul, Nack at Journey Juice, Amanda Burk and Bar, The Grit and Hendershot’s at Half-Shepherd and Addison Adams and CoffeeBar have always been well-known Malcolm F. Alexander at Tlaloc. Spread destinations for frequent exhibitions, other across town, these intricate murals estabbusinesses have financially supported and lish a distinctive sense of place by weaving incorporated the talents of local artists into colorful details into the larger tapestry of their decor by commissioning permanent the community. wall murals. Currently, outdoor paintings El Barrio’s patio mural, depicting lush offer an appreciated and socially distanced red, yellow and purple roses blooming way to experience art, such as those painted between cacti, was painted by Marvel

by Eleanor Davis at home.made, Vivian Castaneda, who also illustrated this week’s

cover of Flagpole. Castaneda’s tool of choice is chalk, a medium she naturally gravitated towards while working as a server and bartender. After getting her start at The Pine, she began consistently creating detailed display boards for Terrapin Beer Co., and has since decorated the menus of everywhere from Five & Ten and Jittery Joe’s to Athens Bagel and Akademia.

“I definitely dove right into chalk because of my restaurant jobs; they always seem to have chalkboards,” says Castaneda.

“I’d usually always volunteer to write the specials. I found so much joy in lettering and organizing chalkboard content.”

Combining precise lettering with colorful flourishes to add personality, she strives to maintain a balance between information and illustration. In addition to her functional artwork that appears on menus and chalkboards, she also excels at lifelike portraits that build layers of color to establish depth and tone.

“Chalk has such a forgiving nature and is easy for on-the-go work,” says Castaneda.

“I feel like chalk is the original medium

for restaurant signage, and I love working with it to catch people’s eye or to spread an important message.”

Castaneda is one of five artists—the others including Jess Dunlap, Maximos Salzman, Klée Schell and Eli Saragoussi— whose proposals were selected for an upcoming public art project called the Athens Banner Project. Funded by the Athens Downtown Development Authority, in collaboration with the Athens Area Arts Council and members of the Athens Arts Alliance, the project was targeted towards artists who supplement their income by working in the service industry and had been financially impacted by closures during the pandemic. Each artist designed a unique, uplifting image, and these welcoming banners will be distributed to 130 downtown businesses to hang in windows this summer.

“Being in the service industry is like networking for my side hustle,” says Castaneda. “The hours are great, and scheduling is usually flexible for me to work in some chalk gigs. I’ve met many amazing clients through the service industry that I am so grateful for.”

Outside of offering wall space or flexible employment to artists, many businesses within the service industry frequently donate catering or offer sponsorships to support events that highlight the visual and performing arts.

Going above and beyond, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. leads an initiative to foster place-attachment by investing directly into the local creative economy through its Get Artistic campaign, which provides exhibitions, performances and arts-enrichment activities. Primarily using the sales of its Get Artistic beer—a pale ale inspired by the beverage of gallery openings, white wine—the initiative has distributed over $34,000 in grants since its launch in June 2018. The deadline for this year’s partners is July 17, and interested arts-based organizations and individuals can find more information on how to apply at getcurious.com/ get-artistic/grants. But hurry! f

SALON, INC.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SITE PLANNING & ENGINEERING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

16

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

2440 West Broad St., Suite 2 706-548-2188 www.alaferasalon.com

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

Auditions

ARTIST MARKET (Southern Brewing Company) Seeking vendors for an artist market held in conjunction with LoveShack: A Concert for Athens. July 18, 3–8 p.m. Contact dianne@sobrewco.com ARTS IN COMMUNITY AWARD: RESILIENCE (Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission awards grants of $2,000 each to public art projects, events and activities that promote creative placemaking in the community. Grants will be awarded based on the level of community enrichment through the arts, contribution to the local identity and quality of artistic merit. Artists, local organizations and groups can apply.

Deadline Aug. 7, 11:59 p.m. Fill out the online proposal. www.athens culturalaffairs.org/calls-for-artists GET ARTISTIC 2020 PROPOSALS (Creature Comforts Brewery) Get Artistic, Creature Comforts’ community impact program designed to foster place attachment by investing in the creative economy, is currently accepting proposals from individuals and nonprofits for the 2020 grant funding cycle. Deadline July 17. bit. ly/getartistic2020

FRUITCAKES (Elbert Theatre, Elberton) Encore Productions hosts auditions for the final show of its 2020 season. The director is looking to cast a mid-sized group of adult men, adult women and children ages 10–12. Be prepared to read excerpts from the script. Auditions on Aug. 31–Sept. 1, 6–8 p.m. Rehearsals will be held mid-September through mid-November. Performances held Nov. 6–8 & 13–15. 706-283-1049 THE ODD COUPLE (Elberton Arts Center, 17 W. Church St., Elberton) The Elbert Theatre Foundation hosts auditions for The Odd Couple on July 20–21, 6–8 p.m. Looking to cast a mid-sized group of adult men and women ages 25–50. Be prepared to read excerpts from the script. Performances held Oct. 2–4 and Oct. 9–11. 706-283-1049

Classes DEDICATED MINDFULNESS PRACTITIONERS (Online) Weekly Zoom meditations are offered every Saturday at 8 a.m. Email for details. jaseyjones@gmail.com

art around town AMICI (233 E. Clayton St.) Jennifer Wallens Terry is a medium, pet psychic and spiritual coach. Her abstract paintings focus on texture and color, while others feature celestial and symbolic imagery. Through July.

ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART (ATHICA) (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1200) “Project Social Story” includes films and photos submitted by teens exploring social distancing, distance learning and staying at home.

The no-contact exhibition can be viewed online at athica.org or in-person on screens outside the gallery. Through July 8.

CITY OF WATKINSVILLE (Downtown Watkinsville) “Public Art Watkinsville: A Pop-Up Sculpture Exhibit” consists of sculptures placed in prominent locations around downtown. Artists include Benjamin Lock, William Massey, Stan Mullins, Robert Clements, Harold Rittenberry and Joni YounkinsHerzog. • “Artscape Oconee: The Monuments of Artland” features a total of 20 paintings on panels installed around town. Artists include Claire Clements, Peter Loose, Andy Cherewick, Lisa Freeman, Manda McKay and others.

EARTH FARE (1689 S. Lumpkin St.) Artwork by Tom Hancock. Through August.

GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection” features over 60 objects spanning over 30 years of the famous stained-glass artist’s career. • “Master of Fine Arts Degree Candidates Exhibition” is an annual exit show for the graduating master of fine arts students at the Lamar Dodd School of Art. • “Rediscovering the Art of Victoria Hutson Huntley” contains approximately 30 lithographs and two paintings. • “Drama and Devotion in Baroque Rome” celebrates Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s influence. Through Aug. 23.

• “Altered Landscapes: Photography in the Anthropocene” includes images that demonstrate humanity’s impact on the natural world. Through Sept. 27.

• “Recognizing Artist Soldiers in the Permanent Collection” includes artists who served in conflicts from the Revolutionary War through World War II, as well as those who served in the 1950s. Though the museum is temporarily closed, many of the exhibitions, as well as the permanent collection, are currently available to view online at georgiamuseum.org. In celebration of International Museums Day, over 160 high-resolution works from the museum are available through Google Arts and Culture at artsandculture.google. com/partner/georgia-museum-of-art.

GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) “Supple Moments, Dark Corners” is a site-specific installation by Eli Saragoussi that is accompanied by a soundscape by Max Boyd called “Jungle Drone.” Saragoussi recently incorporated additional set pieces built for Ad•Verse festival.

LAMAR DODD SCHOOL OF ART (270 River Rd.) “Amiko Li: The Purpose of Disease” presents the Dodd MFA Fellow in photography’s explorations into

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE EVENINGS (Online) Discuss and practice how to change your relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions. Email mfhealy@bellsouth. net for the Zoom link. Second Friday of the month, 6–7 p.m. FREE! OLLI@UGA CLASSES (Online) OLLI offers 28 different classes through Zoom. Topics include photography, bats and coronavirus, how changing diets can impact vision and cognition, mindfulness and more. For ages 50 & up. Held daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Aug. 6. www.olli.uga.edu SPANISH CLASSES (Athens, GA) For adults, couples and children.

Learn from experts with years of professional experience. Contact for details. 706-372-4349, marinabilbao 75@gmail.com YAMUNA AND MORE (Elevate Athens, Online) Nia Holistic Fitness and Yamuna Body Rolling are held on an ongoing basis. $20/class. www.elevateathens.com

Events ATHENS FARMERS MARKET (Bishop Park) The market is open with safety precautions in place.

Wear a mask, pre-order when possible, keep your family home and use cashless payments. Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athensfarmers market.net JULY EVENTS (Southern Brewing Company) Cornhole ATL league every Wednesday, 6:30–9:45 p.m. Sunday Trivia with Solo Entertainment every Sunday at 5 p.m. LoveShack: A Concert for Athens on July 18 from 5–11 p.m.

Live music by Alex Culbreth on July 25 from 5–7 p.m. www.sobrewco. com LOVESHACK (Southern Brewing Co.) LoveShack: A Concert for Athens, GA includes live performances by Caroline Aiken, BlackNerdNinja, Kishi Bashi, Reverend Conner Tribble, Thayer Sarrano, Wieuca and more. DJ Osmose will spin Athens vinyl 5–7 p.m., followed by live acts and prerecorded songs. The event also includes an artist market, food trucks and live streams. Proceeds benefit AthFest Educates and Nuçi’s Space. July 18, 5 p.m. www.love shackathens.com LIVE WIRE SUMMER EVENTS (Live Wire Athens) Wedding Industry Happy Hour, every Wednesday from 5–6 p.m. Darts, every Wednesday from 5–10 p.m. Fresh Garden Jam with live jamming, every Thursday from 5–10 p.m. Love Music Live Stream offers bands streamed from the main stage, every Friday 5-10 p.m. www.livewireathens.com/ calendar

acupuncture, palm reading, psychogenics, herbal supplements, antibiotics and the regeneration of limbs. • “KITCHEN” is a new animation by New York-based artist and former Athenian Michael Siporin Levine, inspired by his quarantine experience. • In “Mors Scena,” photographer Rachel Cox documents the viewing rooms and visitation spaces of funeral homes, drawing attention to how we mourn and memorialize the dead in America. • Atlanta-based artist Michi Meko’s 2017 installation, “One Last Smile Before the Undertow,” is a suite of works addressing black life in America postObama. • “Silver_Page_Radio_Light” is a collaboration between Austinbased photographer Barry Stone and New York-based photographer Lucy Helton, who faxed each other an image each day for a portion of quarantine.

• In “Optical Illusion,” Zipporah Camille Thompson juxtapose organic and inorganic materials. Exhibitions are available online at art.uga.edu.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (293 Hoyt St.) The “45th Juried Exhibition” presents 199 works by 144 local artists. Through July. • “Online: Collections from our Community” presents a collection of shark teeth found by Myung Cogan. Visit accgov.com/lyndonhouse to view. • The Lyndon House is currently open to the public, with precautions in place. Daily installments of artwork and activities are also available on Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtags #45JuriedShowOnline and #ArtsCenterOnline.

MADISON-MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER (434 S. Main St., Madison) “Lambs to Lillies” is an online exhibition featuring impressionistic oil paintings by Cynthia Perryman. Through Sept. 11 at mmcc-arts.org.

OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville) The Annual Members’ Exhibition presents works by the gallery’s member artists. Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design professor Frank Hamrick’s handmade artist’s book, “It was there all along,” is presented as an online exhibition of wet plate collodion tintypes addressing water-related issues.

Both shows are available online at ocaf.com through Aug. 1.

TIF SIGFRIDS (119 N. Jackson St.) “Summer Group Show 1” features works

by Holly Coulis, Gracie DeVito, Peter Doig, Marten Elder, Ridley Howard, Becky Kolsrud, Mimi Lauter, Jasmine Little, Adrianne Rubenstein, Joe Sola and Lisa Williamson. Through July 20.

TINY ATH GALLERY (174 Cleveland Ave.) “I Am” is a collection of drawings, paintings and assemblage pieces highlighting the journey of artist Lisa Freeman. Through July 19 by appointment.

UGA OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY (1180 E. Broad St.) “The Earth Day (Art) Challenge” is a virtual exhibition of works commemorating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Visit sustainability.uga.edu/earthday-art-challenge-exhibit.

UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) Online exhibitions include “Steele Vintage Broadcast Microphone Collection,” “Foxfire on Display at UGA: 50 Years of Cultural Journalism Documenting Folk Life in the North Georgia Mountains, September–December 2016,” “Covered With Glory: Football at UGA, 1892–1917” and “Fighting Spirit: Wally Butts and UGA Football, 1939–1950.” Visit digilab.libs.uga.edu/scl/exhibits.

“Bubbles and Birds” by Julia Wynn Safer is currently on view in the Oconee Cultural Arts Center’s online Members Exhibition. Visit ocaf.com to see the full show.

NOWHERE BAR LIVE (Online) Nowhere Bar hosts streams of performances by Fishbug on July 15 at 9 p.m. and Royal Velvet on July 16 at 8 p.m. www.nowherebarlive.com THE CRY BABY LOUNGE PRESENTS (Online) Eli Saragoussi hosts bimonthly shows using YouTube Premeire. Pearl and the Oysters (Los Angeles), Br. Lydian (Athens) and Dream Chambers (Nashville) will play July 24 with donations benefiting the Shadow Support Network.

Find The Cry Baby Lounge on Facebook. elinor.saragoussi@gmail.com THE ENGLISH PATIENT (Pittard Park) The Winterville Library Book Club will discuss the book in the outdoor pavilion. July 30, 6 p.m.

FREE! dmurray@athenslibrary.org

Kidstuff ACTING CLASSES (Madison County Recreation Department) “Acting Basics for Kids” is a six-part course that covers pantomime, improvisation, scene study and public speaking. “Auditioning and Scene Study 101 for Kids” is a six-part series that places an emphasis on the art of auditioning for television, commercial and film roles. Both courses are for ages 8–14 and held Mondays, Aug. 24–Oct. 5 (skip Sept. 7), 5:30–6:30 p.m. (acting basics) and 6:45–7:45 p.m. (auditioning). $80/ course. Register online. www.madco rec.com GARDEN EARTH EXPLORERS (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Families can choose one of six 90-minute programs and enjoy their own private garden adventure with the garden’s education staff. Box lunches available. Themes include sensory garden, really remarkable rainforest, eco health, stream ecology, Georgia discovery quest and treasure hunt. $50/three participaints, $10 per additional person. botgarden.uga.edu/garden-earthexplorers-summer-expeditions SPLASH PAD (Multiple Locations) ACC pools and splash pads are open through Aug. 2. Pools are located at Bishop Park, East Athens Community Center, Lay Park, Memorial Park and Rocksprings Park. Splash pads are at Virginia Walker Park and Rocksprings Park.

FREE! www.athensclarkecounty.com/ splashpad

Support Groups AL-ANON 12 STEP (Multiple Locations) Recovery for people affected by someone else’s drinking.

Visit the website for a calendar of electronic meetings held throughout the week. www.ga-al-anon.org RECOVERY DHARMA (Recovery Dharma) This peer-led support group offers a Buddhist-inspired path to recovery from any addiction.

Visit the website for info about Zoom meetings. Thursdays, 7–8 p.m.

FREE! athensrecoverydharma.org

On The Street ACRONYM (Athens, GA) ACRONYM is a new website compiling COVID19 aid for Athens-based live music venues and artists. Check the website for updated listings on funding and financial opportunities, mental health guides, organizational support, community resources and more. Visit acroynym.rocks CORNHOLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION (Southern Brewing Company) Register for CornholeATL Athens’ seven-week cornhole league that begins in September. The fall league offers four different divisions of play to accomodate all levels. www.cornholeatl.com SAVE YOUR STORY (ACC Library Online) A digital preservation series focuses on saving video (July 23).

Classes are held at 6:30 p.m. www.athenslibrary.org/athens/ departments/heritage STORMWATER CALENDAR (Athens, GA) The ACC Stormwater staff is seeking photos of water and nature scenes from all around Athens to create a wall calendar for 2021. Submit photos by email with the name of the photographer and a description of where, when and why it was taken. Deadline Sept. 25. stormwater@accgov.com SUMMER READING PROGRAM (Athens Regional Library System) All ages can participate in this year’s summer program, which has the theme “Imagine Your Story.” Patrons can check out digital eBooks, audiobooks and magazines online, or place holds for curbside pickup weekdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Prizes will be given to readers. www.athens library.org TRASHERCISE (Athens, GA) Complete your own Trashercise workout by walking, jogging or running along, trails, roads and neighborhoods. Bring a bag, gloves or a grabber, and pick up any trash you see. Share photos through #trasherciseathens. Report your cleanup online, and Keep AthensClarke County Beautiful will send a prize. carlos.pinto@accgov.com, www.keepathensbeautiful.org, www. accgov.com/aahcleanupreport f

J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

17

cla cl assifi fie eds Buy It, Sell It, Rent It, Use It! Place an ad anytime, email class@flagpole.com

 Indicates images available at classifieds.flagpole.com

REAL ESTATE CONDOS FOR RENT Beautiful 2BR/2BA condo for rent. Upstairs features master suite w/ large bedroom, walk-in closet, full bath and access to two walk-in attic storage areas.

Downstairs has large living room and dining area, full bath and kitchen w/ appliances and granite countertops. Laundry area near rear entrance, W/D included. Exterior storage shed attached to unit. Private back patio and parking. Utilities not included. No pets or smoking, please. $1200/ mo. For more information contact 559-731-7851.

HOUSES FOR RENT Newly renovated 2BR/1BA in Historic Normaltown. $1400/month. Available mid-July or August. Please visit www.133LenoirAvenue.com for more details.

ROOMS FOR RENT Office space available at 220 Prince Ave. Flagpole has more space then we need in the 1907 two-story house that we rent across from The Grit! Three spaces available on the second floor: $800/month for large o ff i c e ; Facing Prince Ave., lots of windows, built-in bookcase and decorative fireplace. $600/ month for medium office; 17ft x 14ft, decorative fireplace and storage closet. $350/month for small office; Perfect for space for a single person to get some work done.

All spaces include parking for the renter and a guest, all utilities (except phone) including inter net and use of shared conference room. Must have limited foot traffic. No reception available. Please email ads@flagpole.com for more information or to set up an appointment.

flagpole classifieds Reach Over 30,000 Readers Every Week!

Business Services Real Estate Music For Sale

Employment Vehicles Messages Personals

Sweet, large 1BR apartment in older house in Normaltown! Great location/neighborhood. W/D, backyard, close to all that Normaltown offers.

Short-term or long-term, semi-furnished or unfurnished. $750/mo. or $200/ wk. Add $50 to each if utilities included desired. Text 706-424-1866 for more details.

Flagpole ♥s our readers!

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS



June Carter and Johnny Cash autographs from 1983, authentic in plastic sleeve.

PSA/DNA certified. $23,000. Please contact Steven Anglin at 706-3252422.

MUSIC EQUIPMENT Nuçi’s Space needs your old instruments & music gear, especially drum equipment! All donations are tax-deductible. 706227-1515 or come by Nuçi’s Space, 396 Oconee St.

BASIC RATES* Individual $10 per week Real Estate $14 per week Business $16 per week (RTS) Run-‘Til-Sold** $40 per 12 weeks Online Only*** $5 per week

INSTRUCTION Athens School of Music.

Instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings, banjo, mandolin, fiddle & more.

From beginner to expert.

Visit www.athensschoolof music.com, 706-543-5800.

SERVICES

Clocked is looking for experienced, professional, kitchen staff. Must have at least two years of fine dining, fast-casual culinary experience. Starting wages at $15/ hour with benefits. Needs to be fun, creative and dedicated to providing good comfort food and service to customers. Resumes only. hollandshield@gmail.com

PART-TIME

HOME AND GARDEN Plumber Pro Service & Drain. Upfront Pricing. Free Estimates. $30 Flagpole Discount. Call 706-7697761. Same Day Service Available. www.plumberproservice.com.

PETS PAWSitively Dawg Sitter: Helping with your individual needs during your vacation. Responsible and reasonable rates. Love for dawgs! Five Points/ Beechwood area. Please call: 706-461-6884.

JOBS FULL-TIME Find employees by advertising in Flagpole!

Seeking excellent typists (65+ WPM) to start immediately. Flexible schedules with 16 hours/per week minimum.

Office policies include mandatory cleanings, socially distant workstations and no unauthorized visitors. Pay starts at $9.25 with $1/hour or higher raises after training.

No previous transcription experience required. Apply at www.ctscribes.com Seeking vir tual assistant, preferably a literature graduate student interested inpublishing industry.

Applicant will research publishing houses and agencies and assist author in submission process. Part-time but looking for long-term working relationship. Excellent organizational skills a must. $15/hr. Contact Dr. Kuhl at josephkuhl@gmail.com.

ADOPT ME!

Visit athenspets.net to view all the cats and dogs available at the shelter

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

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

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

18

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Campbell (53201)

Campbell’s had it a bit rough, but that hasn’t dulled his shine a bit! His guy is friendly, loves treats and will do a fews tricks (if you have a treat or two.) If you need a warm and furry friend, Campbell’s waiting to be there for you!

Hennessey (53422)

This sweet girl is back at the shelter waiting for a loving home.

Hennessey does best in homes with older kids and teens, loves ear scratches and belly rubs and knows a few commands. Give this girl a chance, you won’t regret it!

Tsunami (53187)

Get ready for a storm...of LOVE! Tsunami is the perfect pal for car rides, knows plenty of tricks and loves treats, pets and people of all ages. Call the shelter and learn more about meeting this sweet girl!

These pets and many others are available for adoption at:

Athens-Clarke County Animal Control 125 Buddy Christian Way · 706-613-3540 Open every day except Wednesday 10am-4pm

NOTICES MESSAGES Flagpole subscriptions delivered straight to the mailbox! Perfect present for your buddy who moved out of town! $45 for 6 months or $80 for 1 year.

Call 706-549-0301.

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

3 9

8

1

2 7

9 7 3 6 4 1 3

9 1

6 4 2 5 1 9 3 8

8 3

6 2

7

1 3

Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain Week 7/13/201- to 7/19/20 theofnumbers 9.

The Weekly Crossword 1

2

3

4

5

6

14 18

20

21 24

4 1 39 2 44 3 6 9 53 5 58 7 64 8 32

68

71

8

by Margie E. Burke 9

10

15

17

28

7

3 8 5 7 4 1 54 2 9 6

9 6 7 8 5 255 1 3 4

13

16

22

25

7 2 4 145 949 3 8 6 5

12

30

26

8 6 2 5 1 5 3 9 337 344 940 141 3 8 6 6 546 4 2 9 250 7 8 1 3 4 8 7 6 565 3 4 6 9 597 1 265 5 664 8 7 9 1 3 2

23

27 31 35 42 47 51

36

37

38

62

63

43 48

52 57

60

61 67

69

70

72

73

Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate

ACROSS 1 Spoonful, say 53 Gilbert and 6 "Black Beauty" Sullivan work author Sewell 57 Terrarium plant 10 Cassette 58 Report holder contents 59 Beach Boys hit, 14 ____ and pains "Surfin' ___" 15 Crackpot 61 Cartoon ant 16 Smack hard 64 Anna's sister in 17 Poe specialty "Frozen" 19 Diner dish 65 Cologne's cousin 20 "An Affair to 68 Part of FYI Remember" 69 Campsite critter, co-star briefly 21 Electrified particle 70 Eucharist plate 22 Second point in 71 Pipe part tennis 72 Lab work 24 Kite part 73 Make changes to 26 Not of this world 28 Fuzzy fruit 31 Glimmer DOWN 32 Flip one's lid?

1 Item on a to-do 33 Knitter's need list 35 Petty argument 2 Tylenol target 39 Arcing shot 3 Barbecued 40 Gridiron gain treats 43 Start for step or 4 GMC model stop 5 NY time zone 44 Crafty site 6 Choir part 46 Freshwater fish 7 Who might be to 47 Coffee bar order blame 49 Part of AMA, 8 Swe. neighbor briefly 9 80's flick "Say 51 Washed-up star _____"

10 11 12 13 18 23 25 27 28 29 30 34 36 37 38 41 42 45 48 50 52 53 54 55 56 60 62 63 66 67

threats & promises

Dance Bii with WesdaRuler PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com A PARTY AIN’T A PARTY UNLESS THE RULER IS AROUND: Hot off the

burned rubber of the most scorching political track in recent Athens history, WesdaRuler just released a new mix named Dance Bii. The single-track mix slides around through Wes’ many moods, but mostly has him out front with his strong lyricism and his signature sing-song flow.

Stylistically, this dips deep into ‘70s R&B and proto-disco (I mean, hell, peep the cover art), but also has some of Slick Rick’s oddball-ness, Kendrick Lamar’s sense of structure and even sparse instances of DJ Screw-style slowdowns.

This is also a very personal record, much like his LP Ocean Drive, and lyric heads will take much appreciation of Wes’s attention to detail and unbridled openness. This runs at just about half an hour long, and there’s no reason I can imagine that would keep this from being on a near-constant loop for a good while. Check it out at wesdaruler.bandcamp. com. It’s also available on limited edition CD and cassette via HHBTM Records at hhbtm.band camp.com.

TRIPLE PLAY: Sensational

19

Solution to Sudoku: 29

11

music

Race giveaways Well-apprised Naples staple Kind of alcohol Missile housing Farm layer Revolting, to a kid Move convulsively Up to snuff Connive Coup target Personals, e.g.

Sovereign ruler Pot builder Many a Bieber fan Rothko's field "Anything ___?"

Rigging support First name on Mount Rushmore "I told you so!"

Way off Follows orders TV series starter Come next Lincoln and Ford Put in the mail Place for a roast Take a needle to Enemy Asp anagram

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

pop maestros Heffner have been on a slow tear all year long, evidenced most recently by the new single “All Alone Baby.”

It’s the third for the group this year. Whereas earlier singles—“You Don’t Even Know Him” and “Higher Education (Electronic Dance Music)”—traded on pub rock masculinity tem- WesdaRuler’s Dance Bii pered with fashionable melodicism, “All Alone Baby” pulls the throttle back into crafty reverb territory. First, it’s a much gentler tune than the other two, and the vocals are a lot more lethargic—specifically so and not merely slow. The buried guitars provide much of the power here. There are slight traces of a vapor wave aesthetic, so slight it can hardly be an apt descriptor, but mostly this is the sound of the band performing that crucial third-track on a mixtape action. They took it up two notches and now pulled it back a little. Find all three on Spotify or your favorite streaming service. Follow along at facebook.com/Heffnerband.

LAY YR MONEY DOWN: Austin, TX label Chicken Ranch Records (current home to Athens’ own Five-Eight) is now taking pre-orders for the upcoming two-song vinyl debut single by Pinky Doodle Poodle. The featured songs are

“Are You Ready”—which you can stream at the pre-order link—and “Go Ahead.” Featured guests on the first track include Athens folks Lucy Calhoun, Sienna Chandler (Monsoon) and Timi Conley. Please see facebook.com/ pinkydoodlepoodle for more information, and head over to store.chickenranchrecords.com to order.

GREEN GROW THE RUSHES: Every few months, like dependable

clockwork, Love My Truck releases a new batch of songs.

On Independence Day, the duo released the four-song set, Girth Of A Nation. It opens with the metaphorical hymn to perseverance “Gumby,” slides into the mixed-media heft of “Odd Shape,” heads into the buoyantly lowly celebration of friendship “Beer Smoke,” then closes with the clarity of “See It.” On this set, Love My Truck heads back into the heady use of empty space, which serves their dropdead gorgeous melodies very well. I mean, what’s left to say? Celebrate this all by yourself at lovemy truck.bandcamp.com.

STOP. POTTER TIME: I swear, y’all, the sun never sets on Michael Potter’s empire.

To wit, yet another album by his long-running solo and ensemble project The Electric Nature just came out. This time credited to Michael Potter and The Electric Nature, it’s titled Trance Music and is composed of four long tracks (Trance I-IV), but they’re arranged in the order of III, II, I, IV. These live recordings are described by Potter as “ambient primitive,” which is pretty much on the mark and nods heavily toward what I can only imagine is a trove of heroes for Potter running from Eno to Fahey. While “Trance III” develops the record’s tone with minor swells near the middle, the very next track, “Trance II,” brings a pretty big howl-nscrape in its midsection as well as some acoustic noodlin’.

“Trance I” follows in much the same fashion with similar construction. Closer, “Trance IV” begins with very audible audience chatter and the music builds in a lonely manner off in its own corner. By the end, though, the volume has increased, and the audience seemingly recedes. It’s the audio equivalent of a camera slowly moving in for a closeup.

This album is available via streaming and also as a cassette tape, and pre-orders are being accepted as we speak. To do either or both, please see gardenportal.bandcamp.com. f

record review We Versus the Shark: Goodbye Guitar (Independent) After over a decade, We Versus the Shark made a full-force comeback with their latest album, Goodbye Guitar, released on June 19. This record holds the kind of songs that provide the best live shows, so while I’m doing odd body movements within the confines of my bedroom to the musical thrashing, I’m envisioning how energetic the crowd would have to be. Goodbye Guitar is an intriguing listen, to say the least. Each track stands on its own, exhibiting great versatility and offering up no prediction for what follows. The album starts strong and ends even stronger with the last two songs that blend together. The fast ride to a slow melt makes “The Invincible Hand” a personal favorite, and after a seamless transition, the pace is picked up in “Crème Brûlée,” ending the album in a humorous celebratory affair about the dessert. Goodbye Guitar is a fun one packed with adrenaline, intensity and surprises.

[Amber Perry]

J U LY 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

19

NOW AVAILABLE! S H O P.T E R R A P I N B E E R . C O M