The Signal Neighborhood Guide Part IX

The signal at georgia State University

JAN. 17 - JAN. 24, 2017

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VOL. 84 | NO. 17

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS & DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL H.J McGinness at The Milltown Arms Tavern, a family-run bar in the center of Cabbagetown.

Inside panthers’ next steps

Neighborhood Guides

News | Page 5

georgiastatesignal.com

Read about the student and resident projects to come in 2017 around Turner Field.

RIA’S BLUEBIRD SOARS

View our other guides for Read about how this famous cafe Downtown Decatur, Inman Park nestled in Atlanta got its awardand Little Five online. winning name.

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 3

A&L | page 13 Opinions 7

Son of a politician See how junior guard Carter Cagle’s upbringing influenced his athletic aspirations.

Sports | page 15 Arts & Living 9

Sports 15

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NEWS

blotter

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Jan. 10

Let’s take this off-campus

A Georgia State student allegedly threatened/harassed another student off-campus. The case is still under active investigation.

Jan. 9

Not ballin’ anymore…

JAn. 11

A Georgia State student was allegedly the victim of theft exceeding $,1500 at the Sports Arena on the Atlanta campus. The case is still under active investigation.

Residents ONLY!

I’ll tell your mom

Reports of a non-Georgia State Disorderly Juvenile surfaced on the Decatur campus. The case is still under active investigation.

A trespassing warning was issued to a Georgia State student in the Piedmont North General Area on the Atlanta campus. The case is still under active investigation.

JAn. 12

Get connected with The Signal!

Parked like a dope

A non-Georgia State student was arrested for illegal parking and possession of marijuana in the Piedmont North General Area on the Atlanta campus.

Read our online content at georgiastatesignal.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK Contestants race to the finish line at the MLK Day 5k Drum Run at Piedmont Park on Martin Luther King Jr day.

PHOTO BY LAHAR SAMANTARAI | THE SIGNAL

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

THE BRAVES VS. TURNER FIELD NEIGHBORS AFCRA says Braves only paid 8 percent of parking revenue Staff Reporter

T

he Atlanta Braves’ lease came to a close on Dec. 3, 2016, issues will follow them to their new location at SunTrust Park in Cobb County. The Braves, who were supposed to pay half of the parking revenue, only paid 8 percent over the last six years resulting in a $400,000 parking dispute. But the baseball team is insisting there is a calculation error in their parking revenue.

The alleged agreement between The Braves and The Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA) stated that The Braves would hand over 50 percent of their parking revenue over a six year period. The money was intended to go to the Summerhill, Mechanicsville and Peoplestown (SMP) Community Fund Inc, according to AFCRA. Back in October 2016, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed spoke on the issue, saying he wanted to see the dispute resolved.

“This is a legitimate dispute. They ought to be able to work it out in a calm way. The amount of money at stake is not a massive amount of money to us,” Reed said, adding, however, that the money meant a lot “to the people of Summerhill”.

The Braves and AFRCA eventually came to an agreement on a $50,000 donation from the baseball team to settle the dispute.

THE EMAILS

According to an 11Alive article, documents shared between Keisha Lance Bottoms, Executive Director of AFCRA and Sabrina Jenkins, The Braves Director of Special Events, show that this issue was brought to AFCRA’s attention on Feb. 28.

Residents of Turner Field didn’t become aware of this issue until news media reported on it in September.

The Signal reached out to Bottoms, but her office did not respond by press time.

Sherise Brown, Turner Field community resident, said the dispute could have been avoided if there was a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to overlook what money would go to the neighboring communities and ensure they received the amount.

“We’ve been fighting for inclusiveness

and transparency for two years and it seems like there have been a lot of backstory deals in City Hall. We would have known about the $400,000 if there was a community benefits agreement because there would have been an oversight committee, but it took a news source to expose it,” Brown said.

According to the article, Bottoms and Jenkins communicated via email on Feb. 28, 2016 where Bottoms addressed the parking revenue calculations of the Special Events Memorandums, which outline

community never “The agreed with the

$50,000 donation.

When is someone going to ask us “what do you think?” We have been fighting for inclusiveness and transparency for two years, and it seems like there have been a lot of backdoor deals in City Hall.

“

EDEN GETACHEW

- SHERISE BROWN,

community resident

special events that take place at Turner Field when the Braves aren’t playing.

Bottoms summarized the expected revenue of 10 events from JanuaryFebruary 2016 and the revenue of two future events.

Following that, on March 16, Mike Plant, the President of Development for the Braves, sent an email to Bottoms to follow up on a meeting that was held in relation to the parking revenue dispute.

“Our staff has spent a substantial amount of hours compiling and reviewing this information which spans a period of 5 years,” Plant said. Of even greater frustration is your lack of understanding and recognition of the underlying agreements as evidenced by the position you are taking on many of these issues and

candidly is wasting valuable resources and time of our staff.”

The Signal reached out to a spokesperson of The Braves, but they declined to comment on the issue.

SETTLING THE DISPUTE

Bottoms proposed to Plant the possibility of the Braves making a legacy donation of some sort from its Foundation, a non-profit that supports community organizations within the Atlanta-metro area.

“Like me, I trust you would rather focus on what is ahead, than behind. This may be an amicable way for us to agree or disagree on the calculations, and settle on a resolution that will ultimately benefit children in the immediate community and beyond,” she said in her email.

Developments from the team’s donations include a Little League baseball field, practice space, batting cages, and other related facilities in Atlanta.

To compensate, Plant agreed to a $50,000 donation that would be paid in four installments of $12,500 over four years, to support a community little league field near Turner Field.

“We very much dispute your connection that the Atlanta Braves owe AFCRFA $400,000 and we are confident in our position on this issue. Nonetheless we too would prefer to resolve this matter amicably and are open to your suggestion of AFCRA and the Braves partnering together for a community little league baseball field,” Plant said.

Although Bottoms said the community expressed interest in having access to recreation space in the area surrounding Turner Field, some community members actually don’t feel this way.

“The community never agreed with the $50,000 donation. When is someone going to ask us ‘what do you think?’” said Brown.

ATL Housing Justice League leader Tim Franzen said they [the Braves] have benefited greatly from this development and the community has not.

“For them to be withholding this money is a crime. This would be easily resolved if the Braves just did the right thing and pay the parking revenue they already committed to do, and then it’s no longer a story,” said Franzen.

P

DID YOU KNOW? • Turner field was originally the Centennial Olympic Stadium in 1996 • Braves moved to Turner Field on March 29, 1997 • Turner Field requires 1$50 million for structural maintenance and an estimated $200 million for fan improvement renovations The projected cost of SunTrust Park stadium is $672 million • The Braves played their final game Oct. 2, 2016 at Turner Field

NEWS

4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

STate

Georgia’s high university fees

Funding cuts the reason behind public college tuition hike MICHELLE TABRIZI

USG REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES, FISCAL YEARS 2014-2015

Staff Reporter

A

REVENUE

2014

2015

fter a request by Georgia Senators in 2016, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts released an audit in December 2016 detailing what the cost drivers are for a public higher education in Georgia. The audit states that from 2006 to 2015, the cost to attend a Georgia public university jumped from $8,361 per year to an average of $14,791. However, according to the audit, state funding was on the decline while costs were rising.

“When the recession hit, tax revenues plummeted, so the state had less money to distribute to all its major areas of responsibility, such as health care, K-12 education, and higher education,” Ross Rubenstein, Georgia State Educational and Community Policy Professor, said.

“When state appropriations fall, tuition and fees have to rise to make up the difference.”

“Historically, state appropriations were set to fund 75 percent of instruction costs and tuition rates were set at levels to fund the remaining 25 percent of the cost of instruction,” Director of Performance Audit Division Leslie McGuire said.

Those levels, according to McGuire, were created using funding formulas calculating the cost based “largely on enrollment levels”.

State Appropriations

$1,880,492,086

$1,942,664,302

Tuition & Fees

$1,751,606,706

$1,865,059,386

$18,770,294

$21,757,958

$2,118,470,118

$2,167,795,426

$182,725,700

$209,425,200

$2,926,002

$4,991,663

Auxiliary Enterprises

$847,423,017

$885,065,041

Capital Grants & Gifts

$149,750,387

$385,621,578

$85,518,622

$94,857,927

$7,037,682,932

$7,577,238,451

Reasons for the hike

“Since 2003 the portion of costs funded by state appropriations has declined. Following the 2008, recession only 55 percent of instruction costs [were] being funded by state appropriations by 2011,” McGuire said.

According to McGuire, many factors go into rising costs, including changes in the HOPE scholarship, rising costs in dorms and other school fees. However, she said that even those factors aren’t the biggest cost drivers.

“Tuition rate increases and the implementation of the Special Institutional Fee established (in 2009) to offset reductions in state appropriationshave had the largest impact because they affect all students,” said McGuire.

While all students are affected by cost increases, the group being most affected are freshmen.

The audit states that the lowest average cost of housing and dining rates at the University System of Georgia’s (USG) institutions for 2016-17 was $8,302, and a lot of Georgia colleges require them from their first-year class.

“The bad news is that costs for students have risen since the recession,” said Rubenstein. “The good news is that students in Georgia still only pay a fraction of the full cost of a college education, particularly when you factor in financial aid programs such as HOPE Scholarships. A college education in Georgia is still a great investment.”

Optional fees on the rise

“For students residing on campus and purchasing meal plans, cost increases for these services are major cost drivers,” McGuire said.

“Nineteen of 29 USG institutions mandate that freshmen live on campus and 18 institutions mandate these students purchase meal plans.

Only four of these institutions extend on-campus housing to sophomore students.”

The audit showed that the average student is charged twice as much as they should be for meal

Reporters Wanted!

Federal Appropriation Grants & Contracts Sales & Services Rents & Royalties

Other

Total Revenue

OPERATING EXPENDITURES Personal Services

$4,416,495,701

$4,577,223,561

$71,378,144

$76,556,399

Scholarships

$318,139,424

313,019,514

Utilities

$183,570,984

$191,486,623

$1,702,974,606

$1,836,338,935

$445,565,188

$459,368,084

$7,138,124,047

$7,452,993,116

Travel

Supplies/Other Service Depreciation

Total Expenditures

SOURCE: USG ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS plans. The audit found that in Armstrong State University, a meal costs a student $15.97, but the typical student only consumes about $8.30 worth of food, 50 percent of what they are paying for.

The audit also showed that from 2006 to 2015, the cost of housing and meal plans have increased at more than double the rate of inflation, making these two factors some of the largest drivers in cost increases.

The University System of Georgia claims that they are really tightening the fee approval process to determine that any additional fee that is added is absolutely necessary.

“There will be guidelines put in place for how we look at these fees – particularly dining – so that all institutions work within those guidelines rather than leaving it to each institution,” according to an official USG statement.

The USG argues this is a fudamental change because prior to the decision made at the Board of Regents (BOR) meeting on Jan. 11th, only mandatory fees had to go through the Board to be approved, which included only fees every student was required to pay. Now, optional fees, such as those for dining and housing, will be put under the University System’s guidelines, as well.

In the meeting, the BOR also touched on the recent Georgia State – Georgia Perimeter College consolidation. The board said the idea behind

Minutes from the BOR meeting: According to a report given during the Georgia State consolidation meeting, some of the changes made since the consolidation included the elimination of 107 administrative and non-academic positions, the reduction of cabinet officers from 20 to 11, as well as a redirection of $6.58 million into academic programs. The report also stated that they plan over the next three months to hire 30 academic advisers and 48 staff in admissions, financial aid, and in Student Success and key studentfacing offices. the consolidation was to reduce the number of institutions, and therefore reduce the number of administration positions, in order to take those savings and re-invest them to better serve students.

For some universities, that might mean offering more academic programs. For Georgia State, the board said that the savings from consolidating were able to bring in additional counselors to help guide and support students on their degrees and on what courses to take. The University System estimates that so far, with all the consolidations, they’ve been able to save more than $24 million.

Find our application online at georgiastatesignal.com

Last Week Local

Atlanta’s U.S. Rep. John Lewis feuds with Donald Trump

According to 11alive, on Jan. 13 U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia’s fifth congressional district, which embodies much of the metro-Atlanta area, said in an interview that he considers Presidentelect Donald Trump to be “an illegitimate president.”

Following Lewis’s remarks, Trump took to Twitter to fire back, saying Lewis should focus more on his district “which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested).”

Residents of Lewis’s district quickly jumped to his defense of social media, calling Lewis an “American patriot” and criticizing Trump for insulting Lewis while not taking “a shot at Putin or Assad half as hard.”

National

Reports indicate Russians have “compromising” Trump intelligence

CNN reported that both President Barack Obama and President-Elect Donald Trump had been presented with a “two-page synopsis” detailing claims that Russian operatives have “compromising personal and financial information” about the President-Elect.

Kellyanne Conway, a senior advisor to Trump and his former campaign manager, dismissed the claims and Trump himself tweeted that the report was “fake news”.

Global

Iraqi military regains control of Mosul University from ISIL According to Al Jazeera, Iraqi forces have regained control over the campus of Mosul University from ISIL. The campus, which was used as an ISIL base, was originally seized by ISIL in 2014 when the terrorist organization took control of the city of Mosul. Al Jazeera reported that reclaiming the campus entailed a two day period of “intense clashes” which eventually climaxed on Jan. 14 when dozens of Iraqi forces carrying rocketpropelled grenade launchers smashed through campus walls with bulldozers to subdue the remaining ISIL resistance in the complex.

5

NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

The Ted is ours: What’s next?

City

CHRISTINA MAXOURIS, WESLEY DUNKIRK & MICHAEL CORNELL News Editor, Associate News Editor and Staff Reporter

A

THE STADIUM

s Georgia State’s gearing up to start the renovation process on the former Braves stadium, it released, along with Carter Development, images of what the surrounding space is expected to look like by the end of constructions and images reminiscent of a ‘futuristic’ Europe feel.

The first phase of the project, according to Carter President Scott Taylor, is a student housing complex of about 850 beds, followed by retail multi-family buildings. Projects that Taylor hopes to kick off by the end of the year.

Real estate partners Carter Development and Healy Weatherholtz Properties will line Hank Aaron Drive and Georgia Avenue with retail, residence buildings, along with transit stops, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Taylor said the company’s actively leasing retail space on Georgia avenue, targeting small and local businesses, as well as coffee houses, which will bring an “authentic feel and atmosphere.” The goal, he said, is to make it a very attractive place for families, as well as Georgia State students.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

PARKING

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

With the sale of Turner Field, the university acquired the Green Lot, and has shifted their attention to providing a safe and secure environment for students’ cars. Georgia State police gained full control over Turner Field security on Dec. 31, 2016.

Georgia State University Police Department (GSUPD) Chief of Police Joseph Spillane said that he will be making changes to Turner Field parking security by increasing officer visibility and interaction with the student body, installing cameras and having officers patrol the lots hourly.

“I would like to increase visibility by having officers wear more traffic vests and eliminate most of the car patrolling on campus and go to a more interactive campus where officers are talking to students and faculty while on bicycles and segways,” Spillane said.

Spillane said that besides security cameras, he will bring in open air golf carts for officers to drive around and patrol the lots.

According to the chief, this will help police “have a better idea of what’s going on in the lot rather than sitting in a patrol car with the windows up and not hearing glass breaks or screams.”

“The golf carts will be in the upper lots where the students park and the cameras will be watching the upper lots and other areas as well, in addition we do patrol the decks on campus, however, they are very controlled because they are paid,” he said.

THE NEIGHBORS Following the finalization of Georgia State’s purchase of Turner Field, the Turner Field Community Benefits Coalition (TFCBC) held an “emergency meeting” to discuss their plans to continue pursuing a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) even after the purchase was finalized. United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) has long been calling for Georgia State University President Mark Becker to sign a CBA, which would allow residents of Turner Field’s surrounding communities oversight of the development and have a say in the process on issues like affordable housing.

Marco Palma, USAS member, said the group will continue to fight for a CBA. Even though the sale is finalized, Palma said the university president can still sign and keep Turner neighbors in the loop.

“Changes can’t be made to the agreement Becker had with Carter Construction.

However, Becker can still sign the CBA and agree to work with the residents,” Palma said. “The [Housing Justice League] is on board with improving their community, they just want to be able to be part of the process, [and wants] Becker to promise that he will keep them in the loop and allow elected neighborhood representatives like Sherise Brown to be part of an oversight committee which would ensure that the residents’ opinions are taken into consideration.”

The meeting brought together multiple community groups from the areas surrounding Turner Field, many local politicians, including State Senator and Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort, and a number of residents from the areas surrounding the Braves’ former ballpark to continue their efforts of organized protests.

Patricio Cambias, a Georgia State student serving as a representative of USAS within the coalition, also expressed hope that a CBA is still attainable following the sale.

“From the beginning, we’ve been inspired by Columbia University students who achieved the very same goal in New York ten years ago,” Cambias said. “They were not stopped by the finalization of their university’s deal. They understood that retroactively a CBA was not only possible, but necessary, and that’s exactly what they accomplished.

So we see absolutely no reason to stop.”

According to Taylor, there’s plenty the real estate companies are doing to benefit the surrounding communities.

“We will be adding back elements of the original grid, reducing stormwater run-off, providing green space and the types of amenities that will serve the community, have a 10 percent workforce housing component,” are only some of the things he said will work to serve the greater community.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL With the purchasing of Turner Field by Georgia State parking at Turner Field, the stadium, and surrounding neighborhoods will all soon be affected.

Read the full story on TFCBC’s emergency meeting on georgiastatesignal.com

NEWS

6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

City

The Atlanta BeltLine’s new year’s resolutions Concerns remain, even as City Council backs ABI’s new affordable housing efforts SYRINA MERILAN Associate News Editor

T

he Atlanta BeltLine redevelopment project is whipping up new controversy as city residents and Beltline team members again quarrel once over the notion of affordable housing.

Atlanta BeltLine Inc. (ABI) brought David A. Jackson aboard as the new Deputy Executive Director of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP), in part to help move along the affordable housing guidelines.

“As the new deputy executive director for the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, I am excited to join the team whose mission is to Enable the Atlanta BeltLine project and to Engage and Empower the people who live, work and play around it,” said Jackson.

Jackson has proposed a new plan to be implemented later in 2017, which would allow millions of dollars of funding from ABI’s annual budget to be set aside for affordable housing.

“New funding raised from the latest BeltLine bond series and the annual ABI budget will dedicate over $18 million for affordable housing over the next three years,” Jackson said.

The Atlanta City Council has been backing up the initiative as they search for sufficient ways to “help fund, build, retain and preserve affordable housing units,” according to Jackson.

“Recent legislation by Atlanta City Council members are exploring similar policies such as requiring a percentage of affordable workforce housing units in residential developments that receive funding from City of Atlanta development authorities,” Jackson said.

Policies from the Council this year are focused on “establishing a housing trust fund to provide a consistent and predictable source of financing for affordable housing development deals” as well as “creating a mandatory inclusionary zoning ordinance that would require a set aside for affordable workforce housing in all new multifamily housing developments,” and “studying the creation of ‘Displacement Free Zones’ to prevent the displacement of low-income property and business owners due to the impact of gentrification,” according to Jackson.

In 2005, the ABI created the Enable Atlanta BeltLine Project, which planned to create 5,600 affordable workforce housing within a 25 year redevelopment program. According to ABI, 2,000 affordable workforce units have been created since then, with 250 more units in the works as of fall 2016.

But despite the BeltLine’s promises, in September 2016 Ryan Gravel and Nathaniel Smith, members on the ABP board of directors, resigned from the team, because of a lack in progress on the affordable housing front.

Gravel and Smith said in their letter of resignation that they felt as though the original goal for the Beltline was not fulfilling the vision that was once imagined by a collective effort of the

PHOTO BY HANNAH GRECO | THE SIGNAL

New apartments and townhomes along the Eastern Beltline trail are being questioned due to unaffordable housing pricing.

communities surrounding the Beltline. Instead, they felt that the redevelopment targeted people with more economic means.

“We know you agree that its advantages must accrue to everyone, especially those who are otherwise most vulnerable to the changes it brings,” Gravel said. “We fear, however, that without more urgent and deliberate attention to these communities, we’ll end up building the Atlanta Beltline without achieving its vision.”

Jackson attributed the rise in housing prices to the increase in demand for housing along the BeltLine, because of the new developments that are taking place.

“Not surprisingly, people desire to live in places that offer these high-quality amenities, leading to increased demand for housing in neighborhoods near the Atlanta BeltLine,” Jackson said.

“Highly sought after neighborhoods providing quality amenities usually experience upward price pressures, and Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods are no exception.”

The Housing Justice League supported Gravel and Smith in their resignation as they too said they believe that the affordable

housing effort has not been delegated appropriately.

“It is clear; the city of Atlanta has made little effort to hold the BeltLine developers accountable. The developers have built exclusively luxury housing, creating a period of unbridled wealth extraction from communities that have only recently begun strong economic development,” the League said in their letter of support. “The BeltLine’s unfolding makes us wonder, ‘What type of city we will be left with, if the Beltline continues to develop without accountability to communities it profits from?”

BeltLine resident and creator of the Facebook group Humans of the Atlanta BeltLine Jessie Fream voiced her discontent for the rising prices on housing and said that it separates the community.

“I thinks it’s disheartening that pricing has blown up everywhere. It doesn’t connect and unify Atlanta as well as it could. [There] are people of all ages. As a 20 or 30-year old you can’t afford to be out there,” Fream said. “One of the reasons why people like Atlanta is because it’s affordable compared to other cities. Affordable house along the beltline is needed and it’s a way to unify the BeltLine.”

University

Georgia State showcases many health and fitness class options

The university’s options to improve student health following Georgia’s low health ranking WESLEY DUNKIRK Associate News Editor

T

he United Health Foundation recently ranked Georgia as the 10th most unhealthy state in the United States, in addition to being ranked 31st in obesity and 36th in physical inactivity. Despite Georgia’s low health ranking, Georgia State remains one of the few institutions in the University System of Georgia (USG) which lacks any physical education course requirement for all students.

Andrea Jones, Georgia State’s Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing Communications, emphasized that Georgia State is not the only university in the USG that does not have a broad health requirement, there are seven in total out of eighteen USG universities.

According to Jones, “the decision to eliminate the physical education requirement happened in the 1990s” as Georgia State faced increasing enrollment during their switch from quarters to semester.

“To continue the P.E. requirement would have meant a significant expense, including hiring more faculty to teach P.E. classes, as well as to construct a new building — completely separate from the Student Recreation Center — to handle the capacity,” Jones said.

Jones also said that it is much more difficult for Georgia State to purchase land for additional facilities than it is for other universities that do boast the physical education requirement, such as the University of Georgia and Augusta University, pointing out that to acquire the needed land Georgia State “sometimes also has to pay for the demolition of existing buildings in addition to the cost of land.”

While many universities require physical education courses, the credits earned through a required physical education course does not count toward the 120 credit hours mandated by the state’s Board of Regents (BOR) to graduate.

“Eliminating the P.E. requirement meant that students wouldn’t have to spend tuition dollars on credit hours that did not get them closer to graduation, allowing students to conserve their financial aid,” Jones said.

Georgia State provides a number of optional programs which

promote positive student health, though, according to Dr. Jill Lee-Barber, the Senior Director of Psychological & Health Services.

“There are many opportunities each week for students to work out or participate in intramurals, team sports, Touch the Earth trips as well as to utilize free physical and mental health services, workshops on stress management, and more,” Lee-Barber said.

Lee-Barber said another way Georgia State attempts to promote positive student health is through the registered dietician of Panther Dining, Leslie Knapp. “[Knapp] is very innovative in making diverse nutritious meals and snacks available to students,” Lee-Barber said. “She offers cooking demonstrations as well as nutrition consultation right in the Dining Halls and Student Health Clinic.”

Lee-Barber also highlighted the health services offered by the Office of Student Health Promotion and the Counseling and Testing Center (CTC) including programs such as The Panther Step Challenge, the monthly Healthy State initiative, a Mind Body Clinic in the CTC, and the CTC’s online mental health tool WellTrack.

EDITORIAL X

Keep on lovin’ Georgia State

T

With dramatic transitions coming up, staying inclusive should be the move

joining the signal is only

here’s more than a handful of looming policies threatening to take effect after Jan. 20, but despite the drastic political changes that the Trump administration has promised, it is important to remember that some things shouldn’t change.

Values which President Barack Obama continuously supported throughout his terms in office, one of the most important being inclusivity, and straying away from one of the worst issues staring us in the face Islamophobia.

After the Paris attacks in Dec. 2015, Obama gave a speech in a mosque of the Islamic Society in Baltimore, stressing the importance of remembering American Muslims and how they’ve been an integral part of our society.

“This is a struggle between the peace-loving, overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world and a radical, tiny minority. And ultimately, I’m confident that the overwhelming majority will win that battle,” he said.

And in not-so similar words, our President-Elect responded with a proposal of a “ total and complete

shutdown of Muslims entering the United States”.

Notice how the proposal didn’t call for a shutdown of “ that radical, extremist, minority of Muslims”, but instead, “Muslims”.

Georgia State is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation, and it’s inevitable that horrific things will most likely one again take place within the next four years, but targeting a religion, or any kind of group of people, should never be our response. Obama has taught us to be inclusive, something that we’re proud to say our campus has been excelling in, and it’s important to stay that way despite the circumstances that arise within the next weeks, months, and years.

Support each other, and don’t fear standing up for what you believe in – when people’s rights are endangered, when they’re forced to be sent back to countries of war, violence, stand up for them when those in power do not.

It may be a great four years, or it may be a terrifying four years, the future coming into this administration is certainly uncertain. One thing to hold on to over the next years, is letting

one click away

go of stereotypes, not getting caught uneducated, and staying inclusive, and loving towards everyone.

It’s crazy to think that in 2017 we still have to have to keep bringing up the conversation about not being hateful, but unfortunately these are the times we live in.

It seems as though people feel emboldened and even encouraged by on-going racism, or hatefulness to make it more “OK”. It’s certainly easier, when your country’s leader promotes that kind of behaviour – after all, if not our president, who are we supposed to look up to?

But no matter who does it, being racist is not okay, marginalizing is not okay, and downgrading groups of people is certainly not okay. We’ve come so far, and it’s unfair to go back now. In 300 years, this country has made gigantic strides towards equality, fairness, and while we’re still not there yet, the past eight years have done us good. It’s a shame to forget now what our past president tried so hard to teach us.

Staff Applications closes Feb. 5

The Signal has rolling application deadlines during the fall and spring semester. All applications submitted on OrgSync after Feb. 5 will be on file for the following month.

Cherokee Ave SE

n w o t e g a b b Ca Ria’s Bluebird 421 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Hours: Everyday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Nearby Parking: Grady Memorial Parking Garage - 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr., SE Sweet Auburn Curb Market Parking Lot - 209 Edgewood Ave. 162 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive Parking Garage - 162 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr., SE

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Cabbage Pie 186 Carroll St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.

Friday 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Nearby Parking Midnight at Midtown Arms: Free Valet from 5:00 p.m. - 12 a.m., Monday through Friday Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 12 a.m Milltown Arms Tavern 180 Carroll St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Hours: Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Friday 11:30 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Saturday 12 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Sunday 12 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Nearby Parking MARTA King Memorial Station 377 Decatur Street NE Atlanta, GA 30312

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Sweet Cheats 692 B Kirkland Ave. SE, Suite B1, Atlanta, GA 30316 Hours: Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Nearby Parking Both street parking and lot parking are available near Sweet Cheats

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Kirkwood Ave SE Tye St SE

Carroll St SE

PHOTOS BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Gaskill St SE

Check out Cabbbage Town’s murals and local art then show us your findings by tagging us on Instagram @gsusignal!

Woodward Ave SE

‘ C A B B AG E P I E ’ A N D ‘ S W E E T C H E AT S ’ O F F E R G O O D I E S TO L O C A L S

ALEXANDRA GRAHAM Staff Reporter

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t may be no longer than a quarter of a mile, but Carroll Street bustles. It is the heart of the small neighborhood of Cabbagetown, a residential area on the other side of Krog Street Tunnel.

Cabbagetown is chock full of eateries and coffee spots that service locals and visitors alike, no matter what you crave. Visit on an empty stomach and check out college-friendly spots like Cabbage Pie and Sweet Cheats.

LIVE MUSIC AND CHEAP EATS AT “CABBAGE PIE” For those looking for a slice of pizza and a beer from a place residents love, Cabbage Pie might be your restaurant of choice.

“Cabbage Pie is an Italian pizzeria style restaurant,” Manager Charles Redwine said.

Cabbage Pie opened its doors last July after much anticipation, according to the Cabbagetown Neighbor, the neighborhood’s monthly newsletter. Following the closing of its predecessor Village Pizza, residents buzzed about the new spot for almost a year.

“We didn’t have a particular deadline or target day for opening…We wanted to get it right,” Owner Richard Baum said. “We wanted to be sensitive to the neighborhood about what they wanted and what they liked. We were really committed to creating a place

that felt like it was already part of the neighborhood.”

When the wait finally ended, the opening proved a rousing success for everyone and this lively joint has been serving pizza, sandwiches and drinks ever since.

It brings a touch of Italy, as well as classic recipes in its pizzas, eclectic appetizers and brunch menus.

Cabbage Pie is equipped with a porch-style seating area separate from the main indoor seating, which includes a full bar, mismatched furniture and long tables that suggest a community-oriented restaurant.

TVs play football and news, and the vibe is chill, warmed by red and yellow hanging lights that keep the space lit but subdued.

The menu is deceptively simple: apps, sandwiches, soups, salads and most importantly, pizza.

Co-owner Tim Lance creates many of the dishes, according to Baum.

“Tim is the brain and the creative mind behind the concept of the menu, a good deal of the recipes even,” Baum said.

Lance’s signature dish, a spicy seafood stew called “Stewnami,” won the 2014 Beltline Boil, according to Creative Loafing. It is available here and at Bantam Pub in Old Fourth Ward, which Lance also owns.

As a self-described pizzeria, the pizza menu is the most extensive. Standard cheese and pepperoni are available for cheap, but more adventurous recipes include such ingredients as jalapenos, bolognese sauce, calamari and macadamia nuts. The fourteen inch pies fall anywhere between $11 and $18, according to the online menu.

Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.

to 3 p.m. The menu offers a variety of recognizable items like the two egg plate and french toast, as well as more adventurous dishes, such as duck confit over waffles or blackened scallops and grits.

Redwine also described the non-food attractions of Cabbage Pie. For college students, he highlighted the affordability of the restaurant for food and drink.

“We have $2 draft beer and $10 for twelve wings,” Redwine said.

Baum mentioned the convenient location as well.

“We’re so close to Downtown, we’re so close to both [Georgia State and Georgia Tech] campuses, [and] we’re really still an undiscovered gem, I think.”

Redwine appreciates the community of Cabbagetown, noting the number of artists and musicians who inhabit the neighborhood. On Thursday nights, Cabbage Pie indulges the artistry of the area with a live music.

Recent performances have included South City Revival, the Ede Wright trio and the Jacob Deaton Trio, according to the Facebook event page. “[I wanted] an artistic outlet that sort of represented the neighborhood in terms of art and brought the music element into it with local artists, local performers and musicians… I really want to encourage musicians to come Thursday night and network,” Baum said.

This art-friendliness extends to the local paintings for sale on the walls. Baum explained he works with Cabbagetown artist Donna Howells to bring in new art to display and sell.

“We don’t take any commissions out of it. We want

PAGE DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION BY SALINNA PHON | THE SIGNAL PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL A serene vibe in Cabbage Pie as they prepare for their weekly live music performances.

CABBAGE PIE'S ITALIAN FLAVORS • Fried Calamari Steak, served with sweet chili sauce, $10 • Polpette Veal and Parmesan Meatballs, served with arugula greens and herbed pesto sauce, $9 • Siracusa Sandwich: prosciutto, salami, Capicola, provolone, sliced pepper mix on ciabatta, $8 • Risacca Pizza: spicy shrimp, calamari, sweet peppers, tomato pomodoro and pecorino cheese, $17 VALENTINE'S DAY THE SWEET WAY • Mixed Chocolate Covered Strawberries, $22 • Tin of “Hearts:”A dozen sugar cookies decorated with hearts. $25 • Valentine’s Cake for Two: A small cake for two, in the flavor of the day. $25 • “Glamorous & Gluten-Free” Gift Box: Contains six macarons, two crust-less cheesecakes, and two gluten-free brownies. $35 • Cabbagetown may be small, but it packs a big punch with its myriad food spots. Despite being total opposites, Cabbage Pie and Sweet Cheats add to the mosaic of choices, and create a lively mix of savory and sweet in this accessible neighborhood.

to keep art on the walls and create interest for people to come in and check it out,” Baum said.

Cabbage Pie continues to grow and expand, with Baum hoping they up their plant-based options and keep creating quality gluten-free pizza.

“We’re trying to be sensitive to whatever is changing out there in terms of what people are really looking for and still be a good value,” Baum said.

HANDMADE TREATS AT ‘SWEET CHEATS’ For dessert, stroll through the residential streets to Sweet Cheats. While Cabbage Pie sits on visitor friendly Carroll Street, this homey coffee and sweet spot is nestled a few blocks over on a relaxed corner that’s perfect for hanging out away from the crowds.

Surrounded by homes and located right across from Cabbagetown Park, Sweet Cheats’ exterior resembles just another home, but inside is a smorgasbord of handcrafted goodies.

The name comes from owner Shirley Hughes’ time training for figure competitions. To keep in peak physical condition, her diet excluded the sweets she craved. She used her cheat meals to indulge in desserts for the team and herself, and founded the business with her husband Robert Tubbs, based on the positive reactions from her friends and family, according to their website.

Her previous job as the owner of a PR, marketing and advertising recruiting company paved the way for a business to grow out of her popularity among friends.

“The demand was there, and I’ve always been an

entrepreneur in one degree or another,” Hughes said.

Now Hughes sells her creations to everyone from a small, bright coffee house. With wooden benches and tables in one spacious, well lit room, ‘Sweet Cheats’ keeps things decoratively simple, saving the pomp and flash for the colorful desserts on display.

The swirling text on the wall sums up her attitude: “If you’re going to cheat, it better be worth it!”

Racks upon racks of confections there are not; Sweet Cheats is interested in quality over quantity.

“We are a small-batch bakery specializing in single-serving desserts,” Hughes said.

Only one case of baked goods stands next to the counter, but inside is a varied collection of treats. The selection includes cupcakes, cookies and brownies.

The menu fluctuates depending on the week and season. A new flavor rotates in every week, and the weather dictates whether they are light and fruity or hearty and rich. Spring cupcakes include mango and papaya, while the chill of winter requires “comforting” flavors like mint and eggnog, as listed in the cupcake archive.

However, some favorites stay the same regardless of season.

“Chocolate Dream is our most popular cupcake,” Hughes said. “It’s a milk chocolate cake with chocolate chip cookie dough baked into the center. It has vanilla buttercream cream cheese icing and half a chocolate chip cookie on top.”

More uncommon recipes are offered as well, such as the Bourbon, Bacon and Caramel brownie and the Southern Seduction Cruffle, a carrot cake pop with

pineapple, coconut and cinnamon flavors.

Sweet Cheats is not all sugar, however. It is an allin-one shop, serving coffee and snacks too.

“We also have savory dishes like quiches and empanadas,” Hughes said. “We’re a great date night destination!”

Sweet Cheats is a few blocks away from Carroll Street, giving it a relaxed and welcoming vibe away from the hustle and bustle. For Hughes, Cabbagetown offers a “complete neighborhood feel.”

“It feels like our customers are our friends,” Hughes said.

But it is not just for locals. Georgia State students might enjoy the location— just a short Uber ride from Edgewood— and the pricing. Any kind of cupcake or brownie cost $4 each, while a cookie costs $1.50, according to their online menu. Hughes also stressed that it is a fun location, and that the store employs college students.

“I have one Georgia State student [working] here right now-- make that two, I just hired one a couple of days ago. The proximity is very close, and with the students’ schedules and the fact that we’re so close to campus, it’s just kind of obvious,” she said.

Currently the store is featuring Valentine’s Day desserts in all manner of heart shapes and pink hues, including a dozen “roses,” twelve cupcakes decorated with an edible rose design.

ARTS & LIVING

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

4.5

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Milltown Arms Tavern is a family-owned business in the middle of CabbageTown that provides a friendly, small-town vibe for its patrons.

CABBAGETOWN’S MILLTOWN ARMS TAVERN Treating everyone like part of the family SASHA GAY TRUSTY Staff Reporter

C

abbagetown’s abundant history has fostered a neighborhood that is glaringly multifaceted and communal.

In the heart of this is Milltown Arms Tavern, a family-owned bar and grill serving affordable, quality food and drinks.

Georgia State’s student and faculty body will find that the bar’s values align with those of the university. The restaurant underlines much regard to community and assorted culture, which makes Milltown the perfect spot for winding down during the weekends.

The bar’s easy-going atmosphere encapsulates the spirit of its local environment. In fact, the bar’s very name is a gesture of respect to the neighborhood’s industrial background, as the town was once home to the Cotton and Fulton Bag mills.

“As many know, before calling our neighborhood Cabbagetown, it was known as Mill Town, hence the name [of the tavern being] ‘Milltown’,” co-owner Barbara Harper said. “‘Arms’ reminds us of the old inns you’ll find throughout England and Ireland.”

Harper references the essence of those English inns as a guide for Milltown: “The Inns provide establishment with a good, interesting environment with reasonably priced comforting and filling menu fare.”

A RICH HISTORY

Milltown Arms swung open its doors in August of 2005 as the brainchild of four friends in the restaurant business. However, the tavern underwent some significant reorganization, mirroring key aspects of Cabbagetown’s history.

Three part-owners had departed their roles, leaving Chris McGinness in charge. But something special was already brewing in the background that would take the pub in a new direction.

“Fortunately, two of his family members had lost their jobs. Chris invited them to be a part of Milltown, and Milltown became a familyowned business,” Harper said. Now, the tavern is owned and operated by Chris, HJ McGinness and Harper.

Here again, the impregnable connection between town and company resurfaces. Kinship has become not only a facet of the tavern’s internal structure, it is also the natural approach to their relationship with customers. 180 Carroll Street appears to have been the destined location for Milltown Arms, and Harper agrees.

“Cabbagetown is a community of neighbors caring about each other. The diversity of the neighborhood makes Milltown the perfect setting,” Harper said.

Like the neighborhood itself, Milltown has a background rooted in the spirit of reinvention and collectivism. The tavern is a retreat where everyone is a valued member of its populace.

“Our mantra is ‘give people a reason to visit us at least once a day.’ It might be a meeting with friends, enjoying a couple of beers or a glass of wine,” Harper said.

THE VIBE AND MENU

Milltown touts a sense of familiarity and ease for its customers. Students can go casually dressed with friends and are guaranteed to have a great time, just as regular visitors do.

“The feeling is a place that is warm and cozy.

You walk in and your name is greeted. Yes, it is a kind of ‘Cheers’ type place,” Harper said, referring to the classic TV series.

Patrons of the brick-structured tavern

dine in a spacious bar area that features eight high top tables and wall art created by locals.

Every month, Milltown Arms connects with a different visual artist whose work goes on display throughout the facility.

“Our walls are filled with a monthly artist work. We work with emerging artists and have art openings or meet-the-artists’ once a month.

The artist brings their friends and family and share a complimentary glass of wine,” Harper said.

Televisions are mounted around the bar, which allows sports fans to cheer on their favorite teams all while enjoying a cold beer and filling bites. Milltown’s selection of brews aims to accommodate any palate offering international brands, like the classic Guinness, Belgium’s Hoegaarden and Smithwick’s, an Irish red-ale.

For those who prefer the flavors that Georgia has to offer, Sweetwater and Creature Comfort (Harper recommends “Tropicalia”) beers are on hand as well. As for food, the owner has a few staple recommendations too. Think customizable and specialty burgers, and out of this world bagels.

“You can build your hamburgers or have an original on an Emerald City bagel. Of course, our jumbo wings are the best wings on Carroll Street,” Harper said.

The delectable menu ranges from southern favorites such as fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese to a chipotle hummus plate and a pita taco sandwich. There is even a “From the Garden” section on the list with vegetarianfriendly dishes, including a salad comprised of a super food blend and vidalia onion dressing.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The aforementioned monthly artist collaboration is just one way Milltown gives back

Contact

Milltown Arms Tavern is open everyday. Visit them online at milltowntaverncabbagetown.com.

Features • • • •

Recently added outside patio Large bar area Jukebox TVs

Menu Items • • • •

Specialty Burgers Mushroom Fries Cabbagetown Rolls Jumbo Wings

to the community. Weekly events like trivia night and darts are a few fun tools used to bring people together with the tavern acting as the facilitator.

Maintaining this mood of inclusiveness, while actively providing a safe space for all to gather, is what distinguishes Milltown from the rest.

Harper said, “Milltown is noted to be a place to support community events.”

In addition, the restaurant partners with local organizations, where it provides various types of support.

“We [are] quite involved with the annual Chomp and Stomp, starting with the 5K Romp and Stomp at Milltown and being involved with the distribution of the liquor and beer for the event,” Harper said. “Throughout the year the community, freely, has many events [such] as fundraisers and birthday parties.”

It is this sheer dedication to Cabbagetown and its neighbors that keep people pouring into Milltown Arms. It is a place of solace and welcomeness, an integral goal for its owners.

“You can walk into Milltown at any time of the day and have a comfortable feeling,” Harper said.

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Old timey diner reigns supreme

PHOTO BY LAHAR SAMANTARAI | THE SIGNAL

Patrons of Ria’s Bluebird enjoy banana pancakes and bacon at the popular brunch destination.

Awards and Accolades Ria’s has been featured in the ATL Food Bucketlist by Thrillist, and the 50 State of Biscuits project featured Ria’s for their homemade biscuits.

They have been featured in Atlanta Magazine’s “Eat This,” featured on Spoon University

Pay them a visit!

421 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 404-521-3737 riasbluebird.com

STAFF

T

here are not many sights on Memorial Drive.

Besides the construction, the buildings of Downtown Atlanta and the view of the stadium may draw and keep attention for some time.

However, what truly is a spectacle is how packed an unassuming little building’s parking lot could be, and what they’re making inside.

Since its opening in 2000, Ria’s Bluebird has been providing the Cabbagetown neighborhood, walletfriendly and chef-quality food.

The inside is small, but very open with almost wall-to-wall body length windows, and features seats wrapping around the restaurant. There is artwork on the walls, and a bar for people needing to grab breakfast before work, not to mention a spacious patio with music of all genres blasting.

Ria Pell, the former owner of Ria’s Bluebird who passed away in 2013, was a staple of the Atlanta community. She owned both Ria’s and a restaurant called Sauce that closed in 2012. Also in 2012, she was featured on the popular Food Network show Chopped, and won, which Ria’s Bluebird into the spotlight, even more than it already had been. She also ran the now defunct LGBT event called MondoHomo, featuring art and music.

All this makes for the homey feel that Pell wanted.

There was a need to make sure that her restaurant had a focus on quality, but also on a sense of community, and she had done just that.

“Ria wanted to keep that breakfast and lunch, neighborhood feel. A place everyone can afford and come to, but with food that a chef has come up with,” Julie Pender, manager of the restaurant and friend of Ria’s, said. “She had worked in some higher end places, and also some lower end places, and she set out to create a restaurant that everyone can afford.”

Good food for everyone

PAGE DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION BY MINH HUYNH | THE SIGNAL

Ria’s features quite a few dishes under $10, including the pancakes, which in 2007 the New York Times called the best in the country. There are numerous vegan and vegetarian options including the Bionic Breakfast, a skillet potato bowl with two different types of peppers, mushrooms, a spicy sauce and an optional cheese addition.

“It’s quality food that a chef has come up with, not just another plop and serve type place,” Pender said.

Pender mentioned the Brisket Breakfast, a signature dish of Ria’s that has become an unmoving staple, with slow roasted brisket, a rich broth, two poached eggs and a baguette.

Ria’s does things by their own rulebook. Their menu is simple but stern, and the dishes are not comparable to other chain breakfast and lunch spots, because they stay true to the menu, but Pender assures that it is going to be good.

“We do it our way. You are going to want to have this experience if you come here. You aren’t going to get to make your own omelet or make it from scratch, but we do what we do well,” Pender said.

Ria’s features original fresh made dishes and specials that change frequently. It is a simple place, but it has developed a formula that historically has satisfied the community.

“Just being part of the historic community feels good, and [being able to] contribute to the overall health and wealth of the place that we’re in,” Pender said.

Although it has become somewhat of a tourist spot for list lookers and award trackers, it’s a place to go when wanting to see where the locals go, or if wanting to be a local after moving to Atlanta, this would be an excellent place to try.

“Our menu, anyone can figure out, it’s chef driven food, but it is not intimidating. Everything is made with a sense of care and quality, but not something you won’t know what it is,” Pender said.

A helping hand

Ria’s also helps their community in their work for fundraisers and raising money as well. In 2016, they had days in the year that they donated their proceeds to charity, in memory of Ria. They have also donated to the Erskine Fountain in Grant Park and the Youth Lost foundation, an organization that helps homeless LGBT youth.

There are no big chain mysteries to Ria’s, Pender believes that it is important to support businesses where you know to who and what the money is going to, and they make sure to give back when they can.

“Being accessible to people money-wise is a big draw, and then also you know you’re getting something with value behind it,” Pender said. Our employees are paid well, and treated with respect, and we contribute to schools, preschools and homeless shelters. I think it’s important to speak up when you have the position to speak up.”

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Campus & Downtown Events Wednesday

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The Crucible

‘Elf’ on stage

Watch the haunting tale of the Salem witch trials and this new interpretation of the radical hunt that took place in 1692.

Discounted tickets online go for $10.

The classic story is going live. If you loved the tale on screen, then this adaption will keep the love strong.

Christmas isn’t over yet folks!

Friday Cobb’s got Talent

Jan. 19

Saturday

Sunday

Penguin Party

NiseCon

The Georgia Aquarium is letting you have a party with some adorable penguins, which includes a Q&A with a penguin keeper and some nestbuilding activities for the kids!

Georgia State students are hosting an event for all anime and cosplay lover, with costume contests, gaming, parades, anime screenings and pizza.

Jan. 21

Jan. 20

Local comedians, dancers, singers and other talented people are joining together to shows off their unique gifts.

Come and cheer them on at Theatre in the Square in Marietta.

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Jan. 23

Rock3enthusiasts unite! Breaking 1 is coming 5 9 Benjamin to the Tabernacle, 3 and it’s a guarantee heads will be 5 4 Show7 starts banging. at 7 p.m.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

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Jan. 24 The Atlanta Jewish Film festival is back,7and it2all starts Jan. 24 and lasts until Feb. 1 15.

Come and explore Jewish culture, lifestyle and history.

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SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

BIG EXPECTATIONS

ON AND OFF THE COURT Lieutenant governor of Georgia’s son is confident he could make an impact for the Panthers

CAGLE ON THE

COURT “I mean, the thing about it is I can only control the things I can control. If I make an impact on the court, then so be it. If I make an impact off the court, then so be it.”

Cagle’s first threepointer of this season came against Georgia Southwestern on Dec. 10.

Cagle appeared in the NCAA tournament when the Panthers advanced to the third round to face Xavier during the 2014-15 season. He recorded his first assist during that game.

D’MITRI CHIN Staff Reporter

A

s a collegiate athlete, one is accustomed to receiving much attention throughout the duration of their college years, in large part to their athletic abilities. But what isn’t very common, though, is the likelihood of being a college athlete and your father is the lieutenant governor of Georgia.

Carter Cagle is the son of Casey Cagle, who just so happens to be the 11th lieutenant governor of Georgia.

No, his father isn’t a star athlete for a professional team, but when asked to describe how his childhood was with his father being heavily involved in the political world, Cagle expressed the fact that it was similar to the likes of a child who had a professional athlete as a parent.

“I’s got its downsides, but it’s got its advantages. It’s all about how I’m leveraging it,” Carter said. “At first, I had a difficult time, to be honest with you, because I didn’t want to say hey, yeah, I’m the lieutenant governor’s son. I didn’t want people to look at me like that.”

Household standard

Carter didn’t have the luxury of being able to spend infinite time with his father, so he explained that he had to have a certain mindset to deal with everything that came with his dad having such a huge role in Georgia’s government.

But perhaps the most difficult part of it all for Carter, though, was not being able to see his father as much as he would have liked.

“It was tough growing up because I didn’t see him as much,” Carter said. “But because he was doing what he was doing, you know, spending all that time away, being on the road and traveling, and campaigning and stuff, I was able to do what I’m doing now.”

When it came to the way his father disciplined him, Carter expressed the fact that he had it extremely tough. He may not have appreciated the fact his father was stern with him and his siblings while they were much younger, but Carter believes his father had a good reason for the way he raised them.

“He definitely kept us in check. He raised us probably the way he was raised,” Carter said. “I mean I’m sure being lieutenant governor has a little bit to do with it. I mean he believes in law and order, so when I messed up, I got popped. But I’m thankful for it now. When I look back, I’m thankful for it.”

Carter also praised his father for having qualities that are congenial, but there was one characteristic in particular that stood out to him the most. It’s the one aspect that possibly led to his dad attaining the title that he claims today.

“He’s a leader first and foremost. He cares about people individually, and he does care about changing the world,” Carter said.

Being that his dad was also an athlete in college, Cagle mentioned that his father encourages him to be the best basketball player that he can be – whether it be on or off the court. Not to mention, he always has a competitive spirit.

“This dude is 110 all the time,” Carter said. “He’s like the biggest competitor I’ve ever met.”

But for some odd reason, Carter seems to lack that same fire as his dad.

“I don’t know if the genes got a little weaker because I’m the youngest when they got passed down to me, but I’m not as competitive as him,” Carter said. “ So, when he sees me on the court, he’s like ‘Why are you not on the floor?’ And that’s just the type of person he is. He wants to try to bring the best out of me.”

To Carter’s defense, he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to be on the floor. This year, Carter has appeared in only three games for a total of six minutes. However, when he does touch the floor, he is a fan favorite, as many Panther fans can be heard chanting his name in anticipation of him making an infamous three.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Shooting Guard Carter Cagle made a total of 120 three-pointers during his junior and senior year of high school averaging 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, making 61 3-pointers.

SPORTS

16

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Q&A WITH SENIOR

Forward TIFFANY HOLSTON

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Panther forward Tiffany Holston runs a drill during practice.

CHRISTIAN CRITTEDEN Staff Reporter

S

enior forward Tiffany Holston transferred to Georgia State this fall, because of its academics, and because she had some eligibility left she would play basketball.

She came to just help as she put it, but she is doing way more than that. She leads the team in scoring and rebounding.

Holston, however, is more focused on her academics and she went on to explain that here.

When you decided to transfer to Georgia State, what were some of your expectations for school and for basketball?

Holston: My expectations for school was definitely to get my Masters degree, I knew it was something different it was undergrad so I knew I had to come in with a full head. As far as basketball, my main expectation was just to come and help, as an athlete, I’ve basically done everything I could do, but now I just want to help others.

How is school going for you so far, just the academic side of things?

Holston: Well I’ve always been an academics person, it’s not as easy as I want it to be, but it’s definitely something I can handle.

What are some of the challenges?

Holston: Right now with school, I would say the challenges are trying to travel and stay on top of things, and basically communicating with professors.

Can you talk about being a student-athlete because a lot of people don’t really realize how tough it actually is?

Holston: It’s definitely hard, but it’s doable you just have to have great time management. You have to be focused and basically do what you have to do, because if you can’t do it in the classroom you definitely can’t do it on the court.

You collected your 1,000th rebound this season, how did that feel?

Holston: It felt good actually, as a player I always think about rebounding and that’s my key thing before scoring.

So when I realized that I reached my 1,000th rebound I was excited, but I got to keep going, I gotta reach 2,000 or how many ever I can get.

You seem like the type of person that takes their craft seriously, what things do you work on on a daily basis to be so good?

Holston: My first thing I work on is staying strong because without being strong with your core and your legs you can’t get rebounds, you can’t push people out of the paint you can’t do anything. So my main thing is to stay strong, get in the weight room and work with [Assistant Strength Coach] Nate [Majnaric]. My second is basically just working around my area in the paint, if I don’t work around there, it won’t work.

My third thing is to play smart because if you have a great IQ in basketball everything else will come to you.

You do have a relatively young team, do you ever feel like the mom around here sometimes?

Holston: I definitely feel like the mom, sometimes the

grandma. I’m much older than the rest of the team, but I can say they do look up to me as much as a mom. I feel like a mom too sometimes on the court because I’m old, my knees get a little weak but for the most part, I enjoy teaching and showing wisdom to the girls.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Holston: I would have to say “Brown Sugar.”

Do you have a favorite song?

Holston: I’m more into classical jazz, so I don’t really have a favorite song.

Who is your favorite musician?

Holston: It’s hard, I can’t say because I’ll get in trouble. My family members are really big jazz fans. If I say one name then my dad will say, ‘hey, I thought you liked this person,’ so I can’t really say.

What is your favorite food?

Holston: I love chicken and broccoli, I love Chinese, I love Chinese.

Do you have a favorite book?

Holston: No, I don’t have a favorite book.

Do you have a favorite celebrity or athlete?

Holston: I would say Gabrielle Union, she’s my idol. My favorite athlete would definitely be Lebron James, I steal all my craft from him. I try to do exactly what he does. Not all the time, not the flopping and the crying, but I love Lebron.

Do you have a favorite TV show?

Holston: ESPN, I watch it all day, everyday.

17

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

I know it’s early, but…

Column

There are four glaring issues the women’s basketball team must address RASHAD MIILIGAN Sports Editor

T

ough may not be an adequate word to describe the circumstances of Georgia State’s women’s basketball team this season. Coming into the new year, the Panthers appeared to be poised become a Sun Belt contender. Last season’s standouts all returned with another year of experience and the team gained a top 100 national recruit in guard Jada Lewis.

However, the team is off to a 1-4 start in conference play and a 5-11 overall record on the year. There are still just under two months until the end of the regular season, but the team appears to be falling into the same pattern previous women’s basketball squads have fallen under.

“I think we started off pretty good at Georgia [Southern] beating them,” Head Coach Sharon BaldwinTener said of conference play after a practice on Jan. 10. “Then we come and play the preseason No. 1 team

in Troy and I think we played pretty well, especially in that first half. We were down five at halftime. I thought there were a lot of good things that happened in that game.”

Coach Baldwin-Tener isn’t panicking about the team’s rocky start, and for good reason, but the Panthers need to accomplish these four things if they want a shot at reaching the Sun Belt Tournament championship game in March.

4. Take care of ball

In the Panthers first two Sun Belt losses, the team had a combined 28 more turnovers than assists. In the win against Georgia Southern, Georgia State had more assists than turnovers. The Panthers have a record of 3-10 when committing more turnovers than assists while going 2-1 vice versa. Georgia State’s chances of winning increase 37 percent just by staying on the right side of the assist/turnover ratio.

3. Foul less

Georgia State has out fouled its

opponents by 21 in the first five games of conference play. Coach Baldwin-Tener said she believes that stat is a result of non-aggressive play on the offensive end and a lack of discipline on defense, despite recent defensive improvements.

“I do think that our defense has improved in the last couple of weeks tremendously and we don’t foul quite as much as we have, thank goodness,” Coach Baldwin-Tener said. “We just have to continue to get better, but it’s been a tough road trying to do that with a lot of injuries.”

2. Get healthy

Any team missing the starting point guard and reigning conference player of the year will face a setback of some sort.

“Madison [Newby] was our only point guard, actually,” sophomore forward K.K. Williams said. “We’ve got Jayln [Harrison] coming in, a freshman, playing our point guard now. She’s working hard and playing hard, but Madison was our main one.”

Senior forward Tiffany Holston and freshman center Shaq MillerMcCray also missed recent contests, because they had to attend funerals. The loss of Newby, to go along with the normal day-to-day season injuries, is preventing this team from getting into rhythm.

“This probably is my worst year of injuries, to tell you the truth,” Coach Baldwin-Tener said. “As far as practicing day in and day out. There’s some games where we’ve had three or four starters out from who I thought would’ve started at the beginning of the year.

Obviously, Madison’s gone for the year and she was a big piece of it. I think that Jaylyn and Jada [Lewis] have both stepped up. They’re competitors. They are freshmen, but they’re learning very quick and trying to make some things happen, but they’re different players from Madison. Madison got to the free throw line a lot, she was very aggressive. I think that was a piece of our game that we’re not doing.”

Wish Here

1. Finish at the basket

Georgia State is shooting 36.2 percent from the field in the first five games of conference play, which isn’t that bad actually, but the numbers of layups they miss every game is concerning.

“I do think we’ve missed a lot of easy shots right at the basket. Most of those have been post players, though,” Coach Baldwin-Tener said.

“We have had some guards driving in and not being able to finish, but I think we’ve got to either draw in the contact or we’ve got to finish. It’d be nice to have a couple and-one’s as well.”

Williams thinks a lack of reps outside of designated time may be the problem with the missed shots in the paint.

“I think we just need to get in the gym on our own,” Williams said.

“Get somebody to get in the gym with us. Hit us, contact. It’s mostly contact that we’re not finishing with, so we just have to work on finishing with contact. Playing through the foul.”

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SPORTS

18

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

Still hot after first spring season tournament Georgia State’s men’s tennis team continues to climb season rankings RASHAD MIILIGAN Sports Editor

T

he Panthers added two players for the spring season of the men’s tennis team.

Quentin Coulaud participated in French National Tournaments, posting a 39-19 record in French league and open tournaments in 2015-2016. Bailey Showers is a tennisrecruiting.net four-star athlete from Norcross, Georgia.

Consistently ranked as a top-five Georgia player, Showers won the 2015 Icy Hot Southern Designated.

Both players are young freshmen, so they’ll have the opportunity to grow in Georgia State’s system, which is returning all of its starters from last spring.

“Quentin comes to us with a lot of experience and success in French national tournaments. He has a great work ethic on and off the court, as well as high ambitions for his tennis career. We are very excited about his future here,” Head Coach Brett Ross said in a press release. “Bailey has been one of the top players in Georgia throughout his junior career. He’s a really fun player to watch with a unique game style. He

has a natural feel to the game and we’re looking forward to seeing him develop over the next four years.”

Last spring, the Panthers entered the Sun Belt conference tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, but Georgia State fell short to UT-Arlington 4-1 in the semifinal round. Beginning the 2017 spring season as the No. 63 squad in the country, the Panthers began their quest to redeem themselves at the Florida State Spring Tournament.

Springing in the new season undefeated

Georgia State showed its opponents Florida A&M (FAMU) and Troy why the team is nationally ranked on day one of the tournament in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Panthers defeated the Rattlers and the Trojans in straight sets, 9-0 combined in both matchups.

The freshman Coulaud experienced his first college win on day one, pairing up with senior star Felipe Jaworski in doubles to defeat the Rattlers’ opposition in straight sets, 6-0. Both of Coulaud’s singles matches on day one would go unfinished.

The Panthers were hot figuratively and literally headed into the

Men’s tennis players Abhin Sharma and Felipe Jaworski practice drills.

tournament’s championship match against No. 27 Florida State. Weekend temperatures unseasonably nearly reached 80 degrees in north Florida. When doubles play against the Seminoles began, it looked like Georgia State’s hot streak was finally cooling off, as Florida State got off to a 2-0 lead.

Junior Andrei Andrukhou defeated Jose Gracia 7-5, 6-3 to put the Panthers on the board. Then, senior

Zack Kennedy tied the match in a win over No. 59 Guy Iradukunda.

Junior Sebastian Acuna would follow Kennedy’s upset victory with a win of his own singles match, which gave Georgia State the lead.

Sophomore Jack MacFarlane then gave the Panthers their second biggest win in program history, which falls just behind defeating No. 23 Old Dominion in 2007.

“I thought we got better every

SIGNAL ARCHIVES match this weekend and we showed that we were strong at all spots in the lineup,” Coach Ross said of the season-opening tournament in a press release. “I think this shows the team what we are capable of and it should inspire us to work hard as we get ready for more big matches during the rest of the season.”

The Panthers are now preparing to face Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee on Jan. 22.

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

19

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017

SPORTS CALENDAR

SPORTS EDITOR’S NBA PREDICTIONS

*CONFERENCE GAME

RASHAD MILLIGAN | THE SIGNAL

OKC vs. Golden State MEN’S BASKETBALL Saturday, Jan. 21 GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Jeremy Hollowell Men’s Basketball The senior forward had 24 points and five rebounds in the overtime win against UL Monroe. The Panthers win ended the 18 home game winning streak for the Warhawks. Hollowell was one point away from his career high. He was a transfer from the University of Indiana and last season he led the Panthers in scoring averaging 14.8 points a game. Coming out of high school, Hollowell was ranked as the No. 42 player in the nation by ESPN in 2012.

at GSU Sports Arena 2:15 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 23

at Birmingham, Alabama 10 a.m.

Appalachian State*

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Thursday, Jan. 19 Appalachian State* at GSU Sports Arena 7 p.m.

Junk

Standings

MEN’S TENNIS Sunday, Jan. 22 Vanderbilt at Nashville, Tennessee 5 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Georgia Southern 4-0 | Overall: 11-6

Little Rock 5-0 | Overall: 11-6

2nd

Coastal Carolina 4-1 | Overall: 9-9

Troy 5-0 | Overall: 12-4

3rd

Arkansas State 3-2 | Overall: 12-6

Louisiana 4-1 | Overall: 10-4

4th

Louisiana 2-2 | Overall: 12-5

UTA 4-1 | Overall: 11-4

5th

UTA 2-2 | Overall: 9-7

Appalachian State 2-3 | Overall: 7-9

6th

Georgia State 2-2 | Overall: 9-7

Coastal Carolina 2-3 | Overall: 7-8

7th

Texas State 2-2 | Overall: 9-7

South Alabama 2-3 | Overall: 7-9

8th

Troy 2-2 | Overall: 10-8

Texas State 2-3 | Overall: 7-9

South Alabama 2-2 | Overall: 9-8

Arkansas State 1-4 | Overall: 3-14

South Alabama 2-2 | Overall: 9-8

Georgia Southern 1-4 | Overall: 5-11

Little Rock 2-3 | Overall: 11-7

Georgia State 1-4 | Overall: 5-11

9th 10th 11th

Timberwolves THE WEEKTimberwolves vs. Clippers

Bulls vs Hawks

Hawks

Warriors vs.

Rockets

Rockets

Hawks vs.

Clippers

Clippers

at GSU Sports Arena 7 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

1st

PANTHER OF

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Sunday, Jan. 22 Emory Crossplex

Coastal Carolina*

Golden State

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP Steelers vs.

Patriots

Steelers

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