FP200729

COLORBEARER OF ATHENS THANKING YOU FOR TIPPING

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987

JULY 29, 2020 · VOL. 34 · NO. 30 · FREE

p. 10

Live Your Best Life: Be The Boss of Your Birth Control

Athens Banner Project

JESS DUNLAP

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.

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)

2

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

PublicHealthIsForEverybody.com

Sponsored by Athens Downtown Development Authority & Athens Area Arts Council

- at low or no cost condoms are FREE

OCONEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1060 Experiment Station Rd. 706.769.3983

this week’s issue

contents

VINCE HOWARD

Vince Howard recently photographed a neighborhood barred owl atop a pole on Oglethorpe Avenue.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Schools: Distance Learning and a Deal With Means

Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

College Towns Try to Recover

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ARTS & CULTURE: Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Banners Adorn Downtown Businesses

Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ARTS & CULTURE: Grub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ceylon Snack Hut is at the Market

Record Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Pandemic Pursuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles

Hey, Bonita! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Pete McCommons PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Anita Aubrey, Jessica Pritchard Mangum CITY EDITOR Blake Aued ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith

Children in your community deserve kindness and love.

Become a foster parent today.

1-877-210-KIDS fostergeorgia.com

BUY IT

RENT IT

IN THE FLAGPOLE

CLASSIFIEDS

SELL IT

our weekly rates are cheaper than other papers’ daily rates!

PLACE YOUR AD

BY CALLING

OFFICE MANAGER AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Zaria Gholston CLASSIFIEDS Zaria Gholston

706-549-9523

AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson CARTOONISTS Lee Gatlin, Missy Kulik, Jeremy Long, David Mack

or go online to Flagpole.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Whitley Carpenter CONTRIBUTORS Bonita Applebum, Hillary Brown, Elijah Johnston, Kathryn Kyker, Gordon Lamb, Dan Perkins, Richard Shoemaker, Ross Williams CIRCULATION Charles Greenleaf, Christopher Linter, Mike Merva EDITORIAL INTERNS Lily Guthrie, Elijah Johnston, Amber Perry COVER ART by Klée Schell (see Art Notes on p. 10)

comments section

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 30

PERSON WOMAN WE GOT THIS

Association of Alternative Newsmedia

MAN CAMERA TV

Thanks to Dr. Priest for his honest recounting of the ominous local reality and to The Finch for hosting him. Students coming in 3 weeks to UGA from the many urban and rural “hotter spots” in GA as well as U.S. and internationally will generate a colossal super-spreading event far beyond the campus into the entire ACC community and likely adjacent counties.

—Anne Summers From “Athens ER Doctor: COVID Pandemic Is ‘Big Trouble’” 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 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

3

news

city dope

The Demond Means Saga Is Over A $637,000 SETTLEMENT FOR THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT, AND MORE LOCAL NEWS

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com An eight-month negotiation ended Thursday, July 23 when the Clarke County Board of Education reached a separation agreement with controversial former superintendent Demond Means.

The vote was 5–4, with Greg Davis, Patricia Yager, Kara Dyckman, John Knox and Tawana Mattox in favor, and Antwon Stephens, Linda Davis, Charles Worthy and LaKeisha Gantt opposed. Linda Davis, Worthy and Gantt also voted against placing Means on leave in December, before Stephens joined the board.

Gantt read a statement saying: “Dr. Means and the board have worked diligently to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution that allows the school district and Dr. Means to move forward with meeting their shared objectives and goals of addressing and achieving educational equity for all students. Clarke County School District would like to thank Dr. Means for his leadership the past three years and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”

The settlement calls for Means to be paid $409,000 in wages he’s owed for the nearly two years remaining on his contract, and $136,500 in damages. His attorneys at the Atlanta law firm of Buckley Beal LLC will receive $92,000, for a total of $637,500.

As part of the settlement, Means waived his right to sue the district and agreed to withdraw an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint.

Means was hired away from a suburban Milwaukee school district in 2017 to address racial disparities in Clarke County schools, starting what would become a tumultuous two and a half years at the helm of CCSD. He almost immediately became embroiled in racial politics on the school board, starting in October, when some Black citizens objected to a new rule prohibiting Worthy from serving consecutive terms as board president.

Soon, an exodus of principals started, including longtime Chase Street Elementary leader Adam Kurtz, who oversaw the school’s turnaround to one of the best in the city. A year later, Means pushed out Kurtz’s successor. Her replacement

•I 4

didn’t make it through the 2019-2020 school year. Chase is now on its second interim principal and its fifth overall in three years. Popular Cedar Shoals principal Derrick Maxwell left in October of last year.

And Means bristled when critics noted that he hired a principal for Alps Road Elementary who was also from Milwaukee (she later withdrew). CCSD lost hundreds of teachers and saw principal turnover at almost every school during his tenure.

Demond Means

Some parents disliked how Means kept children with disruptive behavioral problems in ordinary classrooms, and others complained that he sidelined Local School Governance Teams. A former CCSD teacher publicly called him “autocratic.” Critics also opposed moves like shutting down a farmers market on school property, hiring contractors from his hometown and shuffling ESPLOST money to prioritize an administration office over school renovations.

Opponents of the school privatization movement viewed him warily. Means used public money to hire a coach to try to get

him into the Broad Academy, a leadership school for superintendents founded by a billionaire investor who poured tens of millions of dollars into charter-school campaigns. The African-American head of the Georgia Federation of Teachers accused Means of using racial tactics to divide the community with the goal of turning “failing” schools over to for-profit companies.

While the board approved almost every policy initiative he proposed, Means often feuded with several individual board members, going so far as to file a complaint with accreditation agency AdvancED (now Cognia) alleging that Greg Davis, Knox and Mattox tried to micromanage him. They denied the charge and accused Means of trying to intimidate them. As a result of the subsequent investigation, CCSD is currently on probation.

The last straw came during a November meeting when, while drafting a letter urging the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to dismiss an ethics complaint against Means, board members added a sentence saying they would hold the superintendent accountable.

“By virtue of that vote, you don’t want me as superintendent, and we need to have a discussion about how I leave,” Means said.

Later, he walked back the statement and said he wanted to stay, and to this day he still has a group of staunch supporters who’ve been demanding that the board bring him back. But a majority of board members felt the relationship was irreparable.

To Means’ supporters, he was the victim of a white supremacist attack on a strong Black leader who for the first time put the plight of Black children first. Former board president Jared Bybee wrote an op-ed for Flagpole saying Means’ critics never gave him a chance. Supporters point to an uptick in test scores at several majority Black schools in 2019 (although some schools saw test scores drop, and some had no change).

Thanks to the pandemic, Milestones testing was canceled last spring, so there is probably not enough data to judge if Means’ reforms were actually working.

Linda Davis said the board did “a great disservice to Means and marginalized children.” The staff he hired has allowed CCSD to keep moving forward in his absence, and the board should have supported him, she said.

Worthy brought up the conspiracy theory that C.J. Amason, executive director of the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education, orchestrated Means’ ouster— although it was Means himself who first suggested it was time for him to go. “I’m curious about some things, I’ve heard some things, but I don’t have any factual information,” Worthy said. “Hopefully, you all are doing the right thing, but I don’t feel good about this.”

The board’s youngest and newest member, Stephens, perhaps put it most succinctly: “I can’t believe a room full of adults got to this point.”

CCSD Will Start Online Clarke County public school students will be learning virtually when they start school on Sept. 8.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that we will begin the school year in a 100% online environment,” Interim Superintendent Xernona Thomas said in a news release. “This difficult decision was based on our recognition of the effects of COVID-19 and the commitment to the safety and wellness of our students and staff.”

The announcement comes less than a week after the school board voted to push back the first day of school from Aug. 3 to Sept. 8 to give teachers more time to prepare for distance learning. At the same meeting, administrators also further explained safety measures and raised the possibility that grades 8–12 might go online to give younger students more room to socially distance.

But now, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike—with a total of 1,449 cases as of July 26, up from 1,045 a week prior—all students will start the year online. Initially, CCSD had planned to give parents the option of online or in-person learning, or a hybrid model for older children.

The decision was based on “ever-changing” guidance from the CDC and Georgia departments of education and public health, according to CCSD officials. “What we learned is that, if we opened our schools, there would be a lot of interruptions in learning,” Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins said in an interview with Mayor

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 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

I•

Kelly Girtz at YouTube.com/accgov. “If a student came to school sick, if a teacher came to school sick, that would put a halt on instructions.” Gaskins also pointed to the lag time in getting test results back.

Both teachers and parents had to improvise when CCSD closed schools in March.

“As a parent, I was really just trying to make it through the week,” school board president LaKeisha Gantt, who has four children, told Girtz. “It took me about three weeks to forget what the days of the week were called,” said Girtz, the father of a rising second-grader. But this time, teachers will have six weeks to prepare virtual lessons.

There is no timetable for reopening schools—the situation will be evaluated weekly, Thomas said. “We recognize the best place for students to learn is in class, and the district is working to resume in-person instruction as soon as possible,” she said.

CCSD, ACC Work Together on Wi-Fi The decision to start the year virtually makes it even more imperative for all families in Athens to have internet access. The school board recently approved the purchase of digital devices for kindergarteners and first- and second-graders (other grades already have them), but there is no guarantee that the recipients will be able to go online.

The SPLOST package voters approved in November includes $6.5 million for broadband connectivity. But that project is four or five years away from completion, Travis Cooper, director of information technology for Athens-Clarke County, told the school board’s Government Operations Committee last week. So county and school district officials are looking for creative ways to meet the need. “As we look at what school is going to look like in the coming year, the need for internet has become a bit more timely,” said Lawrence Harris, executive director of community engagement and strategic partnerships for CCSD. Cooper said that right now ACC is focusing on boosting Wi-Fi at county facilities, starting with Lay Park and the Rocksprings

community center. “If folks want to go to Lay Park and sit in the parking lot and do their homework, they’ll have good coverage,” he said. Mayor Kelly Girtz said he would look at “comfortable” areas with pavilions and seating, such as Bishop Park.

“The more locations we have, the less people are congregating,” Harris said.

Ideally, people would stay in their vehicles for safety, he said, but as board member Tawana Mattox pointed out, not everyone has a car, nor do they live within walking distance of a park or a school—particularly families in rural areas like Danielsville Road. “Rural parts of the county are really feeling forgotten about a lot of times when it comes to investment,” said another board member, Antwon Stephens.

Schools also have Wi-Fi, but it varies how far the signal extends outside the school, said CCSD’s IT director, Taylor Duke. The district recently received eight mobile hotspots from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency that could be placed on buses parked in neighborhoods or church parking lots. Wi-Fi on buses “is very feasible financially and quick and easy to do… you can move the buses wherever they need to be where there’s the most need,” Duke said. Up to 150 devices can use a hotspot at one time.

Downtown Senior Condos Move Forward The Classic Center is close to finalizing plans for an 80-unit condominium building for seniors as part of a complicated strategy to help fund its new arena.

The convention center received only about half of the SPLOST funding—$34 million—that it requested last year, well shy of the $82 million price tag for the 6,000seat arena. So the Classic Center is using long-term leases for the senior building and a hotel on ACC property and future revenue from a new parking deck to fill the gap.

The condos will be located on East Broad Street near the railroad tracks, next to the Georgia Traditions building, and “will really diversity the folks living here,” Classic Center Executive Director Paul Cramer told the Athens Downtown Development Authority last week. The Classic Center

needs the ADDA to serve as a pass-through to lease the land to the developer, likely the Watkinsville-based Dolvin Foundation.

Future plans include a hotel on the sliver of land between the Classic Center and One Press Place, and a parking deck located east of the Multimodal Transportation Center. The arena will be built behind the Multimodal Center and the Foundry Street Warehouses. Also last week, the ACC Commission approved a deal to buy air rights over the railroad to connect the arena to the Classic Center and the rest of downtown.

The ADDA board also discussed potentially closing the short block of Newton Street between Prince Avenue and Meigs Street to vehicles in order to turn it into an outdoor dining area for nearby restaurants.

With people driving less and restaurants’ indoor seating capacity limited during the pandemic, many cities worldwide have been converting streets and parking lots into public gathering spaces. The ACC Commission recently approved such a change on College Square.

Jessica Greene, owner of The Grit, requested the change, and Taziki’s owner Whit Richardson also supports it, according to ADDA Director of Planning and Outreach David Lynn. When the proposal was first introduced in 2015, Bottleworks owner Parkside Partners opposed it over concerns about limiting access to the development’s parking lot, but Lynn noted that drivers could still access it via Meigs.

As a public space, the outdoor cafe area would be open to any restaurant, not just The Grit and Taziki’s, Mayor Kelly Girtz said.

Similarly, board member Drew Dekle asked Girtz if the county could ease open container laws so people could carry drinks from Flicker Theater and Bar to the courtyard next door. (Dekle owns both properties.) “It’s in the pipeline,” Girtz said. He added that he’s received similar requests, such as The National wanting to use a nearby parking lot for seating, which would require servers to carry drinks on the sidewalk.

In addition, the ADDA is creating a new gift card program for downtown businesses. The Downtown Athens Business Association already sells gift certificates, but Lynn said the advantages of debit cards are that they work with existing point-ofsale systems, and businesses get the money immediately instead of having to redeem certificates. “It promotes consumer confidence and helps get people back out,” he said.

The board also approved a drastically reduced 2021 budget—$419,000, as opposed to $706,000 for the fiscal year 2020. Much of the reduction is from parking revenue, which is expected to fall off due to the economic downtown and loss of parking on College Square. But it may not fall as much as anticipated. ADDA Director of Business Services Linda Ford said she budgeted $50,000 a month in parking revenue—the ADDA gets a 20% management fee—but that parking brought in $190,000 in June. “We designed [the budget] as conservative as possible,” she said. $75,000 is earmarked for downtown events like the Hot Corner, PRIDE and Latinx festivals, but those remain in doubt, depending on how long the pandemic lasts.

“I don’t mean to be cynical, but I don’t know how many, if any, of these events will move forward in FY21,” Lynn said. f

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

Tomlinson-lawfirm.com

706-200-1777

Dog Spa

“THE BEST GROOMING PLACE IN ATHENS, HANDS DOWN” - A SATISFIED CUSTOMER

Voted Athens’ Favorite Pet Groomer

AKC Safety-Certified Salon

We Groom Dogs & Cats!

1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy · 706-353-1065

barkdogspa.com

LOCAL NEWS ®

WUGA IS A BROADCAST SERVICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

@WUGAFM | WUGA.ORG

J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

5

news

feature

Can College Towns Recover?

RETURN OF STUDENTS COULD BRING A REPRIEVE FOR BUSINESSES

By Ross Williams news@flagpole.com

C

Owner Sanni Baumgartner closed in mid-March, just before colleges moved online, and she recently reopened for limited in-person business. Two things kept Community going, Baumgartner said: the rapid roll-out of an online store and the decision to create and sell fashionable face masks.

After reading about mask shortages at nearby Piedmont Athens Regional, Baumgartner started a fundraiser to keep her seamstresses working by making masks to donate. They now make masks for the public as well. “That’s really been our lifeline right now, the face masks, because it was something we’ve never done before,” Baumgartner said. “It’s really selling really well online, and now also in-store, and we got also a big order for UGA last month, when we made 2,000 for their maintenance workers that were the first people coming back to work at UGA.” UGA plans to reopen its campus for in-person instruction in the fall with new

ERIN WILSON

arrollton residents seeking fresh nies and events, all the spring parties and seafood or a Mai Tail are still coming parents’ weekend, so it’s not necessarily just out to Chef Tano Phommasith’s Little the student traffic, but it’s all the stuff that Hawaiian, but not in the numbers they were surrounds the students.” before the pandemic.

About 40% of Phommasith’s employees “We were averaging, before the panhave left. Little Hawaiian is taking extra demic, about roughly 2,200 customers a precautions to keep workers who don’t feel week, and closing on Sunday,” Phommasith well away from work, but that often means said as lunchtime customers in this college short staffs. town restaurant began to take their seats in “I would say the struggle for us is every an indoor dining room festooned with surf day somebody is calling out,” he said. boards and other island decor. “Now, we “They’re scared, and it might be legit, they are averaging about 60% of what we were don’t feel good. And it’s very sensitive right before the pandemic. Slowly, we are seeing a now. If somebody doesn’t feel 100%, they steady increase in sales and customer count. But I think we will never get back to where we were.”

As COVID-19 continues to keep many diners at home, Phommasith said he will have to cut expenses and learn to get by with fewer customers. “Besides, I think there’s a lot of uncertainty,” he said. “We can focus on ourselves and our community.”

The University of West Georgia is a big part of that community. The campus is home to over 11,000 students, faculty and staff centered in Carrollton, which has a population of about 27,000 people.

The University System of Georgia’s 26 institutions are preparing for in-person classes in the fall, with some schools offering increased options for online classes or planning to end the Takeout and socially distanced outdoor dining have not been enough for Pete Dale’s restaurants to fully recover. semester early and conduct final exams online. These protective measures in place, including a decisions will have a major impact on the worry, they get scared into thinking they mask mandate. local economies that rely on these usually might have the virus, so I understand. But Baumgartner said she is grateful makbustling campuses. it is tough on us as the owner and the maning face masks has allowed her to keep her Three of the state’s largest historiagement team to cope with that on a daily seamstresses’ sewing machines humming, cally Black schools—Morehouse College, basis.” but she’s looking forward to the day there’s Spelman College and Clark Atlanta Phommasith said he wants to hire more University—are planning to open virtually people, but nobody is applying. Dale, who is no market for them.

“I don’t want to rely on the face masks in the fall. Another major Atlanta private focusing on take-out, is facing the opposite university, Emory, will limit in-person problem: He’s not doing enough business to too much, because I think eventually, they might just not be needed anymore, hopeinstruction to first-year students and a bring workers back. fully, one day,” she said. “But at least it’s small number of other courses.

“We don’t have our full staff back, and giving us the opportunity at the moment When the University System of Georgia I’ll be honest, I don’t know that there’s a suspended in-person instruction in midscenario in the next year where we will need to keep this going while we’re figuring out what this all will look like in the future.”

March, business owners in college towns to have as many people on our staff as we Back in Carrollton, Perpetual Motion felt the pain, said Athens restaurateur did before March,” Dale said. “With all the Bikes is filled with bicycles, but they’re Peter Dale. Dale, who owns The National, different things that we did between lunch not for sale. They are nearly all in line Seabear, Maepole and Condor Chocolates, service, dinner service, catering, we had a for repairs. As people sheltering at home looked on as nearly 40,000 University of pretty big staff, and we have about half of sought new ways to exercise without going Georgia undergraduate and graduate stuthem working right now. I don’t know that to the gym, many turned to bicycles, sparkdents and 10,000 faculty and staff abruptly we will be 100% anytime soon.” ing a worldwide shortage. stopped dining out. Worse yet were the canMore people riding bikes means more celations of big events like graduation and tires and chains that need attention after orientation. sitting unused, so Perpetual Motion has “In the spring, we missed graduation, But as restaurants suffer, some other busibeen able to bring all four of its employwhich is our biggest week of the year,” Dale nesses in Georgia’s college towns are report- ees back to work after closing down for said. “There’s more than just one day, it’s a ing increased sales over last year, including three weeks. Still, Mikki Griffin, who runs whole week of activity while the different Perpetual Motion Bikes in Carrollton with schools and colleges have their own ceremo- Athens boutique Community.

Unexpected Opportunities

6

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

her husband Allen, would rather be putting customers onto new bikes.

“It’s caused a problem for any vendor, any distributor, any source; and everybody’s scrambling to catch up, so that’s really hurt, and maybe helped at the same time,” she said. “You have the enthusiasm for riding, over and above other things, maybe there are other sports that got curtailed, like going to the gym or whatever other thing that they were doing, and they were using bikes as a substitute,” she said. “But it also hurts where I don’t feel we can seed the new enthusiasm and maybe convert them into lifelong riders.”

A Fall Without Football?

The summer, which is often a slow season for businesses in college towns even in normal years, has given some college town businesses a little time to breathe, said Dale.

For now, all he can do is try to make sure customers feel comfortable enough to continue placing orders while keeping his ear to the ground for news from the university, and especially the football team.

“Athens is kind of in a unique position, and it has such a large university in a smaller town, and so we are really dependent on what happens at the university,” he said. “We’re anxious to see what happens in the wider world, but also how that impacts UGA. That definitely has an impact on what we do.

“What gives me a lot of nervousness is football,” he added. “It is certainly a big thing that brings people to town, and it seems like it’s going to happen, but we don’t know.”

Gov. Brian Kemp has attempted to use the prospect of a football-less fall to convince Georgians to wear face masks. “Wear a mask or socially distance yourself,” Kemp, an Athens native, said at a press briefing earlier this month. “We’re asking people to do this for four weeks, and let’s flatten the curve again. It will give the hope of us having a college football season.”

But what the season will look like for the Bulldogs and Georgia’s other college football squads is uncertain. The Southeastern Conference is still planning to play, but two other conferences, the Big Ten and Pacific 12, have both decided to move to a conference-only schedule. The SEC was not set to play against the Big 10, but had two games scheduled against members of the Pacific 12.

Some Georgia schools, including Morehouse College, have announced they will not be playing football in the fall.

In an interview on ESPN’s “The Dan Patrick Show,” last week, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said he wants games to go on, but what happens will depend on the virus’ spread and the decisions of other leagues.

Other options, including suspending games until spring, are still on the table. f This article originally appeared in the Georgia Recorder (georgiarecorder.com).

news

comment

Beat the Devil!

IT’S TIME FOR ALL GEORGIANS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE VIRUS

By Richard Shoemaker news@flagpole.com

CAROL SHOEMAKER

We Georgians are at an important juncture. other human cells to replicate again and Our state’s journey towards health and ecoagain and again, Barry writes. Interestingly, nomic survival in the face of the COVID-19 this type of virus appears to favor respipandemic is in peril. We’re on our heels, ratory cells for its replication. That gives backing up against an invisible and seemit, perhaps, its most potent death-dealing ingly indomitable opponent once again. practice amongst us humans, as it shuts “The devil came down to Georgia, lookin’ down our ability to breathe. Sadly, we’re for a soul to steal,” Charlie Daniels sang. now finding out that the coronavirus will Instead, the devil has stolen Georgia’s fight- target other parts of the body as well. ing spirit, especially our governor’s.

So, looking closely at our opponent’s In the very early days of the pandemic, playbook reveals many of its secrets, affordwe (the entire country and its leadership) ing us a better place to create a weapon believed we’d pass right over the viral outagainst it. But how do we meet our oppobreak because it would probably remain nent head-on, and with what weapons do in China. Later, we believed it wouldn’t we defeat it? We certainly want a vaccine to infringe on our shores; we’d bat it away halt its spread—now! Unfortunately, “now” because we believed we had many more is not an option. The closest to “now,” realresources and better technology than anyistically, is the beginning of next year. You one else. Finally, once it hit us once, we see, the goal of the federal government’s Georgians believed the serious virus threat own Operation Warp Speed project is to had passed over us as it moved on to other have 300 million doses ready by January states, and we experi2021, for the U.S. enced lower numbers alone. We have no of cases and deaths. guarantees this will Of course, in all of happen, however. It these ways we were could take an entire terribly mistaken. year to test, approve, As cases and deaths manufacture and spike all across our distribute. And we nation, as they danshare the planet with gerously intensify 7 billion others who’ll again in Georgia, need a vaccine to our backs are against produce actual worldthe wall. And this wide human herd is the “important immunity. juncture” I speak In the absence of of. Against the viral stopping the virus threat, we’ve failed at What’s so hard about wearing a mask? with the best defense, going over it, failed at we adopt our next going around it, failed at going under it. It’s best defense: We cut off COVID’s energy time we meet it head-on. And, it’s the best supply (our lungs) by wearing simple face way. And, by using the simple weapons we masks every time we’re outside our family already have at our disposal, we can stop it unit. We do this in order to block the virus’ in its tracks. main means of transportation, and we do Here’s why: the weaknesses of our it until we have it underfoot. Remember, opponent. Our opponent, of course, is the COVID-19 can’t move on its own. It has no coronavirus. hands, legs, wings, fins, flippers, jet packs, Unlike bacteria, the coronavirus, like etc. Crudely speaking, we humans provide it all viruses, is not a living thing. In genetic with free transport (our breathing, coughterms, it is simply “a piece of information,” ing and sneezing), free shelter (our bodies) a small series of genes that has only one and free food (our body’s cells). purpose: to replicate. In order to do this, Until recently, many, if not most, however, it must find a host cell for both Georgians have been reluctant, averse, the energy and the mechanism to reproembarrassed, too inconvenienced, too duce. (This is a key weakness that I’ll come uncomfortable or too defiant to don a back to.) According to John M. Barry, mask. Many citizens see the mask as a sign author of The Great Influenza, once inside of weakness or a badge of an opposing polita human lung cell, the “genes of the virus ical party. We haven’t seen the face mask for spill into the healthy human cell, then what it really is: a powerful weapon. It’s like capture the cell nucleus. At this point, viral having a full contingent of star NFL linegenes or code begin issuing orders,” like a men blocking for you. It’s like having “Star commanding general. The human cell obeys Trek”’s Captain Kirk raise the force field orders from the virus, changes its course, on the USS Enterprise spaceship to repel and starts manufacturing “viral proteins attacks. It’s a smart weapon, not a sign of a instead of its own. Within a few hours, coward hiding under the sheets for fear. these proteins are packaged with new cop“The devil came down to Georgia, lookin’ ies of the viral genes.” for a soul to steal.” Let’s take our fighting Each viral cell invader can replicate spirit back and run the coronavirus devil upwards of 100,000 times in one human out! Let’s wear those masks, Georgia! f lung cell, until this host lung cell literally falls apart. When this disintegration occurs, Richard Shoemaker is a former high school English teacher and instructional tech specialist with the tens of thousands of the virus cells go out Clarke County School District. into lung tissue to attach themselves to

KEEP OUR DEFENSE STRONG #GoTheDistance

WEAR A MASK FREE COVID-19 TESTING 706.340.0996 PublicHealthIsForEverybody.com

SALON, INC.

2440 WEST BROAD ST., SUITE 2 706-548-2188 WWW.ALAFERASALON.COM J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

7

CURB YOUR APPETITE Here are restaurants that are open and waiting for your order!

- CARRYOUT - DELIVERY (BULLDAWG FOODS) - CURBSIDE PICKUP (BY REQUEST) 706-543-6592 • 11 A.M.– 8 P.M. EVERY DAY WHOLE CAKES AND BULK ITEMS WITH 48 HOURS NOTICE

- BEER AND WINE TO GO -

CALL IN I N YOUR ORDER Pre-pay over the phone for contactless pick-up Enjoy your order on our patio or take it to go Delivery available via DoorDash, BullDawg, or Cosmic Delivery 393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029 www.bigcitybreadcafe.com

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

ONLINE ORDERING NOW AVAILABLE AT

HALFSHEPHERD.COM Regular Hours Tues – Sat 12pm-6pm Closed Saturday 7/27 – Thursday 7/30

706-850-2955 • 1238 Prince Ave

Lunch, Dinner & Weekend Brunch

OUTDOOR SEATING curbside pickup • delivery* (*via bulldAWg delivery - 706-850-7999)

10:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK

(cedar shoals location closed mondays)

706-227-9979 lumpkin st.

706-355-7087 cedar shoals dr.

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

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

Call ahead for pick-up

Delivery through Cosmic Delivery

PATIO OPEN (weather permitting) LIMITED INDOOR SEATING AVAILABLE

3:30pm-9pm M–F • 2PM–9PM SAT & SUN

706-548-3359

8

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

V N

I

PATIO OPEN!

END ZYORH A Y R ENT BLOWO Y’ UT

S!

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

20OF% F E DIN

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

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

MON-SAT 8AM–9PM

SUN 10AM–9PM

COUNTER SERVICE • ONLINE ORDER CURBSIDE BY REQUEST

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

PULASKI HEIGHTS PIZZA SANDWICHES

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

706.850.0707

AMY@JOURNEYJUICE.COM

JOURNEYJUICE.COM

CALL US FOR TAKE-OUT!

DELIVERY THROUGH BULLDAWG FOOD Take out & delivery through bulldawg food only. follow us on facebook & instagram for

daily updates

706.583.9600 The Leathers bldg. • 675 pulaski st, ste . 100

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

254 W. Washington St. 706.543.1523

tedsmostbest.com

OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. – 8 P.M. ONLINE ORDERS ONLY ORDERS READY AT OUR FRONT DOOR

MAEPOLE.COM

NE W HOURS!

Find us on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter www.rashecuisine.com • rashecuisine@gmail.com

5 8 5 Vi n e S t , S u i t e 3

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

TUESDAY-SUNDAY • 11AM-8PM

WHITETIGERGOURMET.COM

217 HIAWASSEE AVE • 706.353.6847

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.

J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

9

art notes

well as others, and how I can use my art to help people. I’ve been thinking about storytelling more, and slowing down in art.”

Saragoussi’s artistic endeavors also took front and center after her jobs at Buvez and Dynamite were put on hold by the pandemic. Now able to maintain a regular routine of dedicating a few hours in the stuBy Jessica Smith arts@flagpole.com dio each day, she’s been able to expand her practice by exploring new techniques and Uplifting and beautifying artwork will heightened anxiety surrounding the situamedia, like animation and video. decorate the windows of downtown storetion led them to reconsider their approach “When designing the artwork for the fronts beginning this week, as the Athens and pace at which they produce artwork.

Athens Banner Project, I wanted to create Banner Project distributes its designs to “At first, I felt excited to have so much something that gives the viewer a moment 120 different businesses. Inspired by the free time to dedicate to my art. I was of reprieve from our current reality—a public poster art of the Works Progress drawing, weaving and knitting with nearly portal into a bright, hopeful world,” says Administration in the 1930s and 1940s, the every spare minute. When things looked Saragoussi. “I am constantly in awe of the ABP aims to advocate for the cremomentum and strength of ative community and offer affirour Athens community and am mations of resiliency, unity and so excited to see the positive support for local culture. Funded changes that we are bringing to by the Athens Downtown the table—especially in these Development Authority, with dark, challenging times.” additional support from the Prior to the outbreak, Five & Athens Area Arts Council, Ten employee and chalk artist the project was shaped by the Castaneda was working toward Athens Arts Alliance, an informal the goal of becoming a full-time group of representatives from freelancer. Though several of 10 different local arts-based the projects she had lined up for organizations who met virtually the following five months fell each week while sheltering in through as businesses closed, place. The AAA selected five artshe was still able to use art as a ists—Marvella Castaneda, Jess healthy distraction and coping Dunlap, Eli Saragoussi, Maximos mechanism to relieve stress. Her Salzman and Klée Schell—whose design for the Athens Banner livelihoods had been impacted Project shares a quote from Frida by the pandemic’s shutdown of Kahlo—“At the end of the day, the service industry, and offered we can endure way more than we them $350 each in exchange for think”—and was adapted from original art banner designs. a separate illustration she made Gracing the cover of Flagpole a few weeks into the shutdown. this week, Schell’s illustration is Originally lettering the quote dedicated to their hardworking onto a huge wall to comfort and friends and coworkers in the serassure herself, she hopes now to vice industry who, while adjustshare this helpful message with ing to new business operations anyone who needs the reminder.

Maximos Salzman’s design for the Athens Banner Project under a tremendous level of colDunlap, an employee at lective stress, deserve the sensiHeirloom Café, similarly conveys tivity and support of the larger community. like they weren’t going to be getting any a motivational message: “We can do this.”

Currently studying printmaking and book better, I think the way I made art changed a Taking an opportunity to amplify the visiarts at UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, bit,” says Schell. “I’ve been doing a lot more bility of the Black Lives Matter movement, Schell works at Maepole and was temporeflecting on my work and my intentions her design features a Black fist gripping a rarily out of work for several weeks at the in the past few months. I’ve been thinking bouquet of flowers and leaves of Athens’ onset of the pandemic. The uncertainty and about how I want my art to serve myself as favorite unofficial tree, the ginkgo. Things

arts & culture

The Athens Banner Project

A NEW PUBLIC ART PROJECT TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN STOREFRONTS

may have temporarily slowed down around the restaurant, but Dunlap has stayed busy by raising money for Black-led organizations through donating sales of her prints.

Salzman, a manager at Jittery Joe’s, has used the past few months of unemployment to dedicate more of his time to artwork as a way of staying productive and engaging with others. In addition to drawing over two dozen portraits of friends who submitted photos through social media, he also helped to paint a few murals at St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church.

“I wanted to create an image that would remind us how we stayed connected during the quarantine. Initially, everyone took to Zoom meetings and Facetime. I thought this was an inspiring example of our efforts to not be secluded and our need for social connection,” says Salzman. “In the final image, I used features of religious compositions to cement the idea of this being a historical image that would bring us back to this moment in time. With all the hardships the pandemic has brought, there has been more sense of community as everyone has been affected by the same ailment to a degree.”

To help local businesses survive the next few months, Athens-Clarke County and the City of Winterville have formed a joint development authority that will be capable of distributing up to $1 million in loans.

Linda Ford, Director of Business Services at the ADDA, encourages everyone to shop intentionally by ordering online from local retailers, picking up take-out or dining on outdoor patios, and using social media to share updates.

“Considering that we are coping with a pandemic and an uncertain future for higher ed in the fall, downtown is showing signs of resiliency and doing better than most communities,” says Ford. “The hospitality industry has probably taken the biggest hit. There are obvious indicators of commerce even during this time. We are seeing lots of people downtown, wearing masks and social-distancing. Permanent business closings have been limited. Several new businesses have opened. Businesses have pivoted to new models, taking advantage of online platforms, social media and outdoor spaces.” f

Better Service, Better Plumbing Insured • Local • Free on-site Estimates

Voted an Athens Favorite! $30 Flagpole Special Discount* *Call for details

706-769-7761

www.plumberproservice.com

10

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Property Management Investment Properties Rentals Buying Selling

GoJoiner.com

706-549-7371

SITE PLANNING & ENGINEERING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

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 ARTIST-IN-ATHICA RESIDENCIES (Athens Institute for Contemporary Art: ATHICA) Residencies provide administrative support, exhibition and performance facilities, and a small stipend. Artists may work in any or multiple disciplines and traditions, including but not limited to visual, curatorial, musical, performing, written, experimental, cinematic, digital and theatrical arts.

Residents can work independently or collaborate with others. Visit website for quarterly deadlines. www.athica. org/call-for-entries 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 online proposal. info@athens culturalaffairs.org, www.athens culturalaffairs.org/calls-for-artists CALL FOR PUBLIC ART: DUDLEY PARK (Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission invites professional artists to submit proposals for consideration in the picnic shelter and restroom facility area

at the park. Proposals due Aug. 30. www.athensclarkecounty.com/9519

Auditions 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

Classes DEDICATED MINDFULNESS PRACTITIONERS (Online) Weekly Zoom meditations are offered every Saturday at 8 a.m. Email for details. jaseyjones@gmail.com DRAWING WITH HEATHER JOSHI (OCAF, Watkinsville) Classes cover outlining, contouring, hatching, crosshatching and scumbling techniques. Classes include video demos, slide shows and examples using Google Classroom. Aug. 3–31. $120–150. www.ocaf.com MINDFULNESS PRACTICE EVENINGS (Online) Discuss and practice how to change your relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions. Email mfhealy@bellsouth.

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.

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 Younkins-Herzog. • “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.) Tom Hancock creates abstract paintings that incorporate mixed media and found objects. 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.

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.

JITTERY JOE’S DOWNTOWN (297 E. Broad St.) Susan Pelham’s collages are influenced by Magic Realism, Surrealism, fables and folklore. Through August.

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

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 through Aug. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. 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, marinabilbao75@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 ZOOM YOGA (Online) Rev. Elizabeth Alder offers “Off the Floor Yoga” (chair and standing) on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. and “Easy on the Mat” yoga classes on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Ongoing classes are $5/class or $18/month. 706-612-8077, ommmever@yahoo.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,

Collages by Susan Pelham are currently on view at Jittery Joe’s Coffee downtown.

8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athensfarmers market.net JULY EVENTS (Southern Brewing Company) Cornhole ATL league is held every Wednesday from 6:30– 9:45 p.m. Sunday Trivia with Solo Entertainment is held every Sunday at 5 p.m. www.sobrewco.com LIVE WIRE SUMMER EVENTS (Live Wire Athens) Wedding Industry Happy Hour is held every Wednesday from 5–6 p.m. Games of darts are held every Wednesday from 5–10 p.m. Fresh Garden Jam with live jamming is held 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 RC COWBOY (Hendershot’s Coffee Bar) RC Cowboy performs on guitar.

Aug. 3, 9:30 p.m. www.hendershots coffee.com THE CRY BABY LOUNGE PRESENTS (Online) Eli Saragoussi hosts bimonthly shows using YouTube Premeire. Michael Potter, Esme Patterson (Denver) and Cicada Rhythm will play Aug. 7 at 7:30

into 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 juxtaposes organic and inorganic materials. Exhibitions are available online at art.uga.edu.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (293 Hoyt St.) On view in the Lounge Gallery, see a collection of paintings by Lee Coffey. Through Aug. 1. • “Collections from our Community” presents the peels of bananas that were eaten by Hue Henry and photographed as a still life by Carole Henry.

Through Sept. 1. • In the Lobby Case, view a collection of charming ceramic house sculptures by Frank Jackson. Through Sept. 1. • 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 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.

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.

p.m. with donations supporting Color of Change. Find The Cry Baby Lounge on Facebook. thecry babylounge@gmail.com, bit.ly/ TheCryBabyLounge 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 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 participants, $10 per additional person. botgarden.uga.edu/garden-earthexplorers-summer-expeditions WE ROCK ATHENS CAMP ONLINE (Online) Girls Rock Athens presents online classes in instruction, musicianship, self-empowerment and community care. For ages 9–17.

Classes include guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals, DJing, body image and media literacy, DIY crafts, poetry, activism, volunteerism and more.

Ongoing. Sliding scale tuition. girls rockcampathens@gmail.com, www. girlsrockathensga.org WE ROCK ATHENS YOUTH BOOK CLUB (Online) Participants will spend six weeks reading The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez, exploring music, creating zines and doing other activities. July 28–Sept. 1, 4 p.m. $20 (financial aid available). girlsrockcampathens@ gmail.com, ww.girlsrockathensga. org/signup

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 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) If you think you have a problem with alcohol, call the AA hotline or visit the website for a schedule of meetings in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee Counties. 706-389-4164, www. athensaa.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 meet-

ings. Thursdays, 7–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensrecoverydharma.org SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) (Email for Location) Athens Downtown SAA offers a message of hope to anyone who suffers from a compulsive sexual behavior. www.athensdowntownsaa.com

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 THE MARIGOLD MARKET (Online) The Marigold Market aims to make fresh food easily accessible to the Eastside Athens and Winterville communities. The market is open online every week from Friday through Wednesday, and orders can be picked up every Saturday. www. cityofwinterville.com/marigoldmarket SEEKING BANDS (Athens Regional Library System) Seeking musicians of every genre for a Facebook Live Music Series. Email your name, band name, contact information and a link to your music. Artists will be requested to send a video of three to four songs to release through Facebook. Songs must be radio appropriate. jmitchell@athens library.org 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 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 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

11

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 APARTMENTS FOR RENT 3BR/2BA apartment.

Remodeled, new flooring and paint on five acres.

Please call 941-962-4933 for more information.

Quiet 1BR /1BA apartment for rent in Waterbury Apartments. Across from UGA Vet Hospital and bus lines. Recently refurbished, W/D included and pets OK. Flexible move-in date (Aug. 1–Sept. 1). Deposit: $635/Rent: $750. For details, please call 706399-5591. For a virtual tour, please click here.

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.

Flagpole loves our readers.

ROOMS FOR RENT

SUB-LEASE

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: $800/ month for large office; 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.

Looking for someone to take up my lease from Oct. 2020–June 1, 2021. Bogart apartment in a quiet neighborhood near Atlanta Hwy. Easy access to post office, library, downtown Athens, etc. Includes living room, kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, small bathroom, easy parking and more. $675/ mo. Must have a credit score at 600 or above. Call or text Jen at 410-212-2657.

flagpole classifieds Reach Over 30,000 Readers Every Week!

Business Services Real Estate Music For Sale

Employment Vehicles Messages Personals

FOR SALE YARD SALES Fri. 7/31–Sat. 8/01, corner Hunt Road and Whitehead Road, 30606. Pyrex, Fire King, 1950s restaurant ware, milk glass vases, 1970s web chaises, shelves, etc. Masks on, cash only. Park on Hunt.

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.

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

Need some old newspapers for your garden?

We l l , t h e y ’ re f r e e a t the Flagpole office! Call ahead. Please leave current issues on stands. 706549-0301.

MISC. SERVICES Learning coach available for families choosing to do online learning in the fall.

Over 30 years experience working with children of all ages. References available. 706-870-5128. commercedance@yahoo.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.

TUTORS Middle school teacher for online or in-person tutor.

Master’s in Ed from UGA; 6 years classroom experience. Certified in math, social studies and English.

Grades 4–8. Call/text: 706461-2212

JOBS FULL-TIME ABC Package is hiring par t-time and full-time team members to assist customers on the sales floor, front end cashiers and merchandiser/stock associates. Must be 21.

Please apply at 2303 W. Broad St.

PART-TIME 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 t ual 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 s k i l l s a m u s t . $ 1 5 / h r.

Contact Dr. Kuhl at josephkuhl@gmail.com.

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.

ADOPT ME!

BASIC RATES*

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

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 *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

12

Darla (53696)

Darla is two years old, spayed and 45 pounds! There isn’t much more we know about her, but give the shelter a call to find out more about Darla. After you meet her, you might just leave with a new best friend!

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

Heidi (53709)

This girl is furever home ready!

Heidi’s last foster home says she is house broken, crate trained, affectionate, smart and got along with their other dog. So, if you and your pal are ready for another friend, look no further!

Thor (53459)

Thor is described as a gentle soul.

He enjoys the simple things like walking/running around outdoors, back scratches and giving kisses!

Thor can also sit on command and loves to please. Call today to learn more about this sweet guy!

These pets and many others are available for adoption at:

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

flagpole

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

8

5 6 3

1 4

1 8 7 7 4 5 8 4 3 4 4 1 7

6 9

5 3 9 6

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 the numbers 1 to 9.

Week of 7/27/20 - 8/2/20

The Weekly Crossword 1

2

3

4

5

14 17 20

8 26 4 2 33 7 37 3 42 6 47 5 1 54 9

6

7

8

by Margie E. Burke 9

10

15

12

13

31

32

16

18

19

Solution to Sudoku: 1 3 923 4 2 5 246 7 27 28 8 3 5 2 9 291 7 6 5 9 6 734 1 8 3 4 4 5 338 1 939 6 8 2 9 8 7 243 6 4 441 5 2 1 5 8 4 9 7 3 49 48 8 7 2 6 3 1 4 9 51 52 6 2 4 9 7 3 5 8 55 3 4 1 5 8 7 2 566 21

22 25 30 35

36 40

41 45

46

57

58

62

64

65

66

67

68

69

59

60

63

Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate

53 Place for pins 54 J.W. Marriott, for one 57 Accident 61 Horne solo 62 Fired bullet, e.g.

64 Diplomat's asset 65 Willow for basketmaking 66 Kind of code 67 "If all ___ fails…"

68 Letter before epsilon 69 Look suggestively DOWN 1 Little Joe's brother 2 Sandwich fish 3 Cereal grain 4 Flexible 5 Enjoyment 6 Dead letters?

7 Savvy about 8 Strong dislike 9 Part of SPF 10 Past one's prime 11 Unable to read

threats & promises

Shehehe’s Pet Songs PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com TIME OF THE SEASON: The long-awaited new album by garage punk rockers SheHeHe comes out this week, the 31st to be exact. The smokin’-to-the-touch collection of new tracks is named Pet Songs and cooks down a full 14 tracks in less than 32 minutes. It’s released courtesy of Richmond, VA label SAY-10 Records. I swear, this whole album is the much-needed breath of fresh air for this year that feels like it has absolutely zero fresh air. This album is a bit rougher hewn that the band’s 2017 album Endless Summer, and everyone who familiarized themselves with that record will hear the subtle differences. Most immediately noticeable are the vocals tinged with a newly minted raspiness at key moments. As a multi-vocal band, this development lends both depth and dynamism. My all-time favorite thing about SheHeHe, though, is the band’s absolutely uncanny knack for juicing fresh melodies out of, generally speaking, relatively traditional rock and roll structures. To wit, opening song “But I’m Tryin’ Hard” twists its already anthemic chorus into a declaration, “Down The Stairs” surprisingly successfully mixes slow-down and speed-up sections into a fully blended stomp, and the literal howl tucked inside “Your Hands” is a producer’s dream. Put the speakers in the window and treat your neighbor with this one. On July 31, head to shehehe.bandcamp.com, and then testify over at facebook. com/sheheheband.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND: I’ve written

50 53

61

ACROSS 1 Perched on 5 Smoking gun 10 Type of list 14 Twofold in nature 15 Hamilton or Hunt 16 Voice below soprano 17 Iodine, e.g.

19 Urban blight 20 Garam ____ (Indian spice mixture) 21 Upstage 23 Capone nemesis 25 Sacred song 26 Printer's layouts 30 Rat, for one 33 Do-over, in tennis 34 Tire feature 36 Blender setting 37 "By yesterday!"

39 Closing stanza 41 Finish a drive?

42 Famous 44 Dots on a map 46 Gymnast's goal 47 Apparition 49 Economic upturn 51 Mensa material

11

music

12 Knock for a loop 13 Pitcher's target 18 Unwelcome forecast 22 "That's enough!"

24 Wiped out 26 Thinks ahead 27 Fable writer 28 Data analyst's forte 29 Really enjoy 31 Now or _____ 32 "Bopper" lead-in 35 Wooden pin 38 Pass through 40 Privately 43 Retro phone feature 45 Like some booms 48 Camera stand 50 Chaste 52 Concise 54 Kind of crime 55 Not written 56 Muddy up 58 Bring on board 59 Helm position 60 Bartlett, for one 63 Fast flier

SheHeHe extensively in this space about Saint Syzygy, but just got tipped to drummer Alex Nicholson’s personal project named Jarbins. Stylistically, it’s a marked departure from the work we’ve heard him do before and travels smoothly along waves composed of acoustic guitar, mandolin or ukulele (can’t tell which), hand shakers, and his own emotive but non-cloying vocals. As it is, Jarbins is the nickname he’s given his dog and is part of a special language between the pair, which is something all dog companions will understand. Although these songs are not necessarily about all that, they do present a touching level of sincerity regarding special relationships and, as Nicholson told me, “beginning a new chapter…and digging into what life has to offer.” This is available on all major streaming platforms, but there

are seven tracks (all individually uploaded) on Bandcamp, whereas there are only five tracks on Spotify. So, take your pick as to where you want to hear this, but in the interest of supporting the underdogs—get it?—head to jarbins. bandcamp.com.

ONE MORE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK: Multi-genre American roots music duo Lillie and Tim Potts have performed as Clay Babies for several years, released their album Philomathea last September, and have a new single out now named “Denial Kills.” It’s a topical tune that emphasizes helping one’s fellow man and understanding that a person’s particular experience, or lack thereof, does not necessarily tell an entire story. It’s a zippy little pop-ish acoustic tune, and a decent introduction for the unfamiliar.

I’d take some time and a slow waltz through their album to get a true deep dive. Their styles are varied and bountiful. Depending on whom you believe, the band is either from Athens, just outside of Athens, from further up in North Georgia, etc. Man, I don’t know. I had to search for like, 15 minutes just to find out their last names. So you’re on your own with all that. Check ‘em out at claybabies.bandcamp.com and claybabies.com.

FIRST REPORT CARD: In the next chapter of “Are they technically from Athens but also, who cares right now because quarantine has no rules?” is Freshman.

The duo is made of Atlantan Ryan Wright and Athenian Tyler Wood. Apparently, Wright plays most of the instruments while Wood plays guitar and co-produces. Neat! In addition to having a completely unsearchable band name, the duo is currently celebrating its debut single, “With You.” The track builds from a minimal synth base, adds some Prince/ The Time-style flourishes and tops it off with lyrics about relaxing, hanging out, relationship building, etc. All told, it’s not “bad” per se, but it’s a little faceless, albeit probably written about someone who has a very distinguishable face.

And they’re probably really happy this exists, but I’m gonna need more from these dudes before I register for classes.

If you’d like to speak to a counselor, please see freshman2. bandcamp.com. f

record review Tedo Stone: Same Old Kid (Laser Brains/Super Canoe) In the first minute of his new album, Same Old Kid, Tedo Stone drops a fairly succinct mission statement for the next half hour: “I don’t wanna feel stuck / I don’t wanna get by / I just wanna feel wasted in your old car.” It’s the first of about 1,000 great hooks on the record, and it feels especially prescient right now; in a moment of isolation and musical slowdown, it’s exciting when new music can remind us of more social times, and Same Old Kid does just that. This is Tedo’s first record since 2018, and it comes chock full of singalongs, party ambience and an army of collaborators. With a pair of Drews (Beskin and Vandenberg) and Matt Martin behind the desk and an expert rhythm section behind him, the arrangements are tighter and leaner than ever before, allowing Tedo and co-writer Beskin’s effortless songwriting to pop. The songs alternate between full-throated grooves and tender, easy-going ballads; this is best seen on the album’s centerpiece of “The Message” and “Shoot the Messenger,” two variations on the same musical and lyrical theme that transform from a solemn drifter into a rollicking plea for honesty and love. If you’re feeling gloomy or nostalgic for brighter, easier days, this is the perfect record to remind you of sweaty shows and tender times. [Elijah Johnston]

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

J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

13

pandemic pursuits

food & drink

grub notes

Reading Buddhists

Ceylon Snack Hut Is a Delight

STAYING HOME CAN LEAD TO NEW COPING METHODS

PLUS, THE RETURN OF RASHE AND MORE LOCAL FOOD NEWS

By Kathryn Kyker news@flagpole.com

By Hillary Brown food@flagpole.com

I am not a Buddhist, but I do enjoy reading their books. For several years, I’ve kept various books on my bedside table authored

by Buddhists. My bedside table books are for slow reading, a few pages a night before bed. I want something relaxing. Pema Chodran, Jack Kornfield and Thich Nhat Hanh have all met this criterion.

I’ve been thinking about Buddhists during COVID-19, how this could be their time to shine. They advocate for pausing in the moment and accepting that we cannot control much in this world beyond our own response. I’m not sure I’ll ever stop struggling against those ideas, but I find these concepts help anchor me in an upside-down world that defies an immediate fix.

Buddhists may not have expected a pandemic, but an unpredicted event that results in turmoil and fear is expected, because ripples of change reach all human lives continually. Being here now doesn’t seem desirable when our now makes us want to hide under the covers, but hearing that the only absolute is that everything changes, might be comforting.

Months before the pandemic, I started reading Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Art of Living. For a book about living, it focuses a lot on death, as he points out that preoccupation with death keeps us from living fully in the moment. His soothing gentleness glides off the page. He uses clouds to illustrate the idea of “remanifestation.”

“A cloud can never die. A cloud can only become something else, like rain or snow or hail.” He speaks of the “deep ecology” of the ancient teachings, blurring the boundaries of beingness, connecting our bodies to the Earth.

He includes some meditations in this book, and my favorite is “Breathing With the Cosmos.” It’s a two-page guide for recognizing the universe in us and our place in it. I find it reassuring that so much exists and continues independently of my life.

On a recent rainy morning, I positioned my phone on the tall dresser, aimed at the wide glass door opened to the gathering of dogwood, oak and poplar trees; the raindrops splashing on the deck; the reflection of a lit candle in the glass. I hit record and read aloud the meditation. It’s a little over three minutes and very grainy, but now I can experience this meditation without having to read it each time, and the rain is the perfect background music.

Fortunately, you don’t have to make your own bad video. There are meditation apps. As strange as it may sound to need an app for that, they’re an easy and often free way to experiment with guided meditation, listen to soothing sounds or time your own

14

meditation.

Another option is to try a local meditation group via Zoom. Most open-group meditation is not affiliated with any belief system. Meditating is simply a way to quieten and focus the mind—skills that help us cope with stress. Zoom groups support practice to develop these skills.

Trying meditation by Zoom may be less intimidating than walking into a group. You don’t have to share your picture/video feed.

You don’t have to say anything, though a quick “hello” is welcome. When you contact the group facilitator to request the Zoom link, let them know if you’re new to meditation.

There are several free options currently in Athens via Zoom. Visit their websites or pages for more information or to receive a Zoom link.

• Daily sessions are provided by Five Points Yoga; their website is athensfivepointsyoga.com.

• Saturday morning sessions are offered

by The Dedicated Mindfulness Practitioners group; you can contact them through their Facebook page, dedicatedmindfulnesspractitioners.

• Rich Panico hosts a Thursday evening session, RichPanico. com.

• Every other Friday morning UGA Georgia Museum of Art hosts guided meditation, www.georgiamuseum.org • Mike Healy’s Mindful Living website, mindfuliving.org., provides information about mindfulness and meditation, classes and workshops, and has guided recordings. He offers a Zoom practice the second Friday evening of each month.

• The Athens Zen Group asks that people contact them to request access to their online meetings at zengroupathens@ gmail.com Despite experiencing the benefits, I’ve struggled to maintain a consistent meditation practice, but even a little helps.

Our current reality has given me both more opportunity and more motivation to meditate. When I feel anxious, I review my preparations for being sick: mask, bleach, Tylenol, thermometer, two weeks’ worth of food and toilet paper. Now I add to that list my comforting grainy video. If I get sick, or just need to feel part of the bigger picture, I can hit play. Although my voice lacks the serene acceptance of a Buddhist, the words comfort me: Breathing in, I see that everything is in transformation…Breathing out, I smile to my true nature… I am free from being, free from nonbeing.”

That helps me. What helps you? Tell Flagpole at editor@flagpole.com f Kathryn Kyker is a writer living in Athens.

F L A G P O L E . C O M | J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 2 0

Have I been exploring and eating in restauthis one, with big windows into the producrants and doing my usual thing? Hell no, I tion rooms, Choco Coffee, and an expanded haven’t, and I miss it dearly. Doing so right menu of foods and gifts, but the timeline now would be irresponsible and selfish. It’s is uncertain. Dale is also working on opennot that I don’t trust the people who work ing a second location of his Chase Street in restaurants. It’s that I don’t trust my fast-casual restaurant Maepole, this one in fellow diners, even outside. So, what is one Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood. to do?

The Cafe on Lumpkin, in Five Points, Well, here’s one thing that can be done is open, doing take-out of its large menu that will make both your belly and your with online ordering for breakfast, lunch, mouth happy, support a small business afternoon tea (high, low, royal and cream) and keep everyone pretty darn safe: Place and happy hour (it closes at 6 p.m.), which an order from Ceylon Snack Hut, a sweet includes beer, wine, sangria, tea sandwiches little Sri Lankan food preparation busiand a few snacks. ness that operates through the West Broad Farmers Market.

Online ordering through wbfm.locally grown.net opens up on Sunday afternoon and runs through Thursday.

Then on Saturday, between 11:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m., you drive over to the Athens Housing Authority at 300 N. Rocksprings St. and follow the signs for the one-way entrance.

Everyone is masked up, Kottu made by Ceylon Snack Hut you can pay before you even get there, and it Mama Jewel’s Kitchen on Baxter takes all of five minutes to get your food in Street appears to be permanently closed, as the drive-through. is Gyro Wrap downtown, which has a “for Sri Lankan food is a bit like Indian: lease” sign in the window. Downtown vegan lots of lentils, chutneys, onions, coconut sweets vendor Cinnaholic has also closed. milk and great spices. I ordered one of So has di’lishi, the frozen yogurt shop off everything: chicken buns (soft, Hawaiianthe Oconee Connector. roll-esque bread encasing a spiced chicken Eddie’s Calzones is moving into what filling, delicious either hot or cold); yellow was Zaxby’s at the corner of Clayton and rice with spicy chicken, darkly fried onions and dried fruit, plus a lovely, cool cucumber College downtown. George’s Lowcountry Table has begun construction on its Macon salad and some nice dal; savory rolls that Highway location, near Butt Hutt. are sort of like a battered eggroll but with a It took almost three years, but Rashe filling more like the classic samosa combo; Malcolm of Rashe’s Cuisine finally has the coconut roti (maybe a teeny bit thick but permit for her food truck. It’s not out on good flavor) with wonderful chickpeas in the road yet, but you can look forward to it a sauce creamy with coconut milk; potato in the future, as well as her brick-and-mortoffee (crisp, not chewy, and not really tar restaurant on Vine Street opening its my thing because it’s too sweet for me doors—perhaps in August, but she’s taking but totally fine if it’s yours); and last and it slowly and carefully. In the meantime, certainly not least, ulundu wade, savory she’s still doing catering, as well as smaller doughnuts made with black lentil flour meals to order. that come with a dipping sauce advertised Pay attention on Facebook, and you as coconut chutney that is mind-blowingly can find out about her produce bags ($20 complex and delicious, a combination of and including things like corn, blueberries, grated fresh coconut, mustard seeds, ginsquash, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches ger, chilis and curry leaves. and sweet potatoes) and cold prepackaged You don’t need to order as much as all meals ($7 each and veggie-forward, using that, but it’s fun to graze among all the the same ingredients that are in the bag). dishes and discover similarities and differPre-order by emailing farm2neighborhood@ ences, plus enjoy leftovers later. It almost gmail.com, prepay, then pick up either at made me remember a different world.

The National or her storefront at Triangle WHAT’S UP: Let’s pretend for now like the Plaza, depending on your preference and restaurant scene is going to get back to nor- availability. mal this fall (it ain’t). Condor Chocolates You can also order hot meals on Fridays was supposed to start renovating a space at by emailing rashecuisine@gmail.com.

160 E. Washington St. downtown, next to Options vary from week to week, but may the College Avenue parking deck. The idea, include jerk chicken or pork, oxtails, curry co-owner Peter Dale says, is to move chocpotato roti, curry chicken or goat, rice and olate-making from the Chase Park space to peas, green beans, and mac and cheese. f

TC JAYALATH

news

advice

hey, bonita…

The Goddess Has No Clothes ADVICE FOR ATHENS’ LOOSE AND LOVELORN

By Bonita Applebum advice@flagpole.com My inbox is apparently on quarantine that they put down their guns and joined a right now, as well, so let’s talk about Naked leftist militia.

Athena for a second. That is the name This centers the white experience. Their given to a person who showed up nude at actions caused the news to shift from scary the increasingly violent demonstrations in reports of people being disappeared by Portland on June 18, an act that garnered federal law enforcement to the power and praise nationwide. They struck yoga poses beauty of Naked Athena, the cops’ blue in nothing but a facemask and a beanie, and lights flickering off of her powdery skin as to the surprise of everyone except people of she emerges like a phoenix from a cloud color, police didn’t beat them or shoot them of tear gas. These warrantless arrests have dead in the street like Athens’ own Edward taken a backseat to a fantasy that also Wright. My social media feeds are currently perpetuates the sexist narrative of white overflowing with worship of this person’s female fragility and victimhood, that we actions, describing them as an apparition should exalt this person for putting the and a goddess, and these actions as supermost precious of naked bodies at risk. A line natural, magical, mysof white allies with tical and more. arms linked I fail to see the mysticism their I fail to see the together would have or magic of presenting mysticism or magic accomplished the of presenting a femsame, if not more. a feminine white body to law inine white body to There’s also enforcement. law enforcement. the whole “nudity I will concede that without consent” white women are considered precious and thing—that’s not appropriate no matter fragile to the point that they are treated as what the situation. If you want people to a group to be protected and exalted by the see you naked, you need their consent. We status quo, and I’m sure that a cop would could talk about nudity as protest, sure, but hesitate to crack a blond skull before my women of color (and women in India, spenappy one. This is the logic behind allyship cifically) have used nude protest in the past at demonstrations: Put the white people up and end up being described as crazy instead front, and cops will often hesitate to inflict of goddesses. It reminds me of the stereothe same violence that they do on bodies of type of the “hairy bra-burning feminist” color. For that, I am thankful to this naked of the civils rights era versus the beauty of person, and I Pussy Riot, who enamored the media with recognize their soft smiles and youthful breasts. the danger Does anyone even rememthey ber what they were faced protesting?

We all love a powerful image, but powerful images do not create change, and they threaten to drown out the actual point of these demonstrations. Right now, American citizens are practicing their right of free speech, and they are being arrested by unidentified law enforcement officers with who do not have jurisdiction. their I mean, where are the action. militias? These are the “jackBut I can’t put booted storm troopers” that the right their behavior above wing has been paranoid about since the that of every other white person being a days of The Turner Diaries, and the Pacific human shield at a demonstration.

Northwest is a hotbed of sovereign citizens You’ve probably noticed that I’m using and tax protesters. It’s remarkable that gender-neutral pronouns, and it’s because moms, dads with leaf blowers and a naked I have learned from mutual acquaintances leftist are willing to stand up to the “deep in PDX that this person is a nonbinary state” where self-identified “patriots” will white-passing person of color. I think we not. can respect their identity while also turnEither way, I do appreciate the thought ing a critical eye on the way most people behind Athena’s protest, but I don’t think decided to interpret those photos: A thin, that this particular bold act should take prelong-limbed woman did ballet poses and cedence over the fight on the ground. f upavistha konasana while butt-naked, Need advice? Email advice@flagpole.com, use the and this act was so bold and powerful that anonymous form at flagpole.com/getadvice, or find federal “secret police” were so awestruck Bonita on twitter: @flagpolebonita. by the energy flowing from her yoni space

“

Sexual Health & Wellness

Don’t Miss Your Summer of Sizzle Our Complete Line of

OptiMALE

®

Products Now:

15% OFF!

*

( *Offer not to be combined.)

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 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 | F L A G P O L E . C O M

15

READY. SET.

GO SAFELY. ATHENS, GA

Athens-Clarke County is committed to prioritizing your health and safety and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. To do so, we recognize that community-wide measures and guidelines must be established and followed. READY, SET, GO SAFELY is a collaborative community effort to promote and encourage protocol, sanitization measures, and safety guidelines so that we can safely go forward together.

To Ready, Set, Go Safely, we are encouraging all businesses to commit to these 6 guidelines:

Ready.

Set.

Establish and follow approved protocol.

Follow CDC standards for sanitizing and disinfecting.

Monitor and follow distancing and capacity guidelines.

Train employees on protocol to reduce the spread.

As you start to venture out, we ask that you commit to go safely:

Go Safely.

Wear cloth face coverings and maintain 6-feet of distance.

Welcome patrons who are following guidelines.

Limit close contact and maintain 6-feet of distance.

Avoid large gatherings.

Wear cloth face coverings in public.

Wash hands or use hand sanitizer.

Clean and disinfect personal items and surfaces.

Respect people and guidelines.

Athens is closely following the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the State of Georgia and the CDC. At present, we are beginning to reopen as a community and several of our businesses are safely welcoming visitors and patrons. However, many are still operating under reduced hours and restricted capacities, so we encourage you to ready and set before you go safely. We invite you to explore all that Athens has to offer as you seek safe things to do this summer!

ReadySetGoSafely.com