ugazine Spring 2017
Vol. 48, Issue 3
Bigger Than Us page 16
Class Change page 32
Between Borders: a Refugee Simulation page 12 georgiaugazine.org 1
change
photo by Austin Steele
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contents Spring 2017
FEATURES 6
8 12 14 16
Welcoming New Businesses to Athens Teacher Turned Artist Between Borders: A Refugee Simulation Classic City Classics Bigger than Us
CAMPUS LENS 20
River Clean Up (Changing the Earth)
ENTERTAINMENT 26 28 32
Best Picture Reviews 39 Years of History: 40 Watt Class Change
FASHION 36
FOOD 42 44 46
Carpe Denim
Change the Way You See Cheesecake The Brunch Bill: Will it Make What Athens Does Best, Even Better? Collective Harvest georgiaugazine.org 3
ugazine editor-in-chief Lauren Leising design editor Jenny Rim photo editor Gabi Robins online editor Daniella Profita copy editors Camren Skelton fashion editors Jenny Rim contributing editors Marli Collier Emily Haney Carrie Mauldin
staff writers Talley Davidson Shelby Duffy Tessa Green Emily Haney Ellie Harding Lauren Leising Leila Mallouky Christina Matacotta Alex Meads Marlee Middlebrooks Gabi Robins
Emily Haney Krysten Hardee Sam Hertzig Lauren Leising Christina Matacotta Rachel Nipp Lauren Palgon Gabi Robins Eva Claire Schwartz ZoĂŤ Smith Jane Snyder Austin Steele
staff photographers Jenna Becker Kristen Bradshaw Hannah Brown Talley Davidson Jenn Finch Kelsey Green
fashion team Jenny Rim Devon Tucker Becca Ray Olivia Ballard
contact faculty adviser Leara Rhodes, ldrhodes@uga.edu advertising representative Patrick Stansbury, ps@pentagon-usa.com mailing address Box 271 Grady College - Athens, GA 30605 website www.georgiaugazine.org email ugazine@gmail.com UGAzine is published four times a year with sales from advertising revenue. For advertising information, please contact Patrick Stansbury, Pentagon Publishing, ps@pentagon-usa.com.
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on the cover PHOTO BY: GABI ROBINS MODEL: EMILY PATTON
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“BARTLETT HAS A RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT LET ME GET INVOLVED IN LOTS OF UNIQUE PROJECTS, LIKE WORKING AT AMAZING HISTORIC SITES.” — R YA N, CR E W S U PE R V I S OR /
OFFI CE S A FE TY R E P, HI R E D 2 0 1 0
Editor’s Note With spring comes change, and that is one thing I love about this season. The cold weather starts melting into sunny afternoons and flowers and new plants start springing up around campus. As we enter the last half of the semester, it’s good to look up from our studies and work and to see the world changing around us. From welcoming new businesses around town, to taking a closer look at how a classic establishment has grown, Athens is constantly changing and always expanding. In this issue, we hope to draw attention to some important shifts happening around town and the ways our students are working to affect change in our community. Change brings the opportunity to bond together and to address issues that are important to us. Our team hopes that this issue will inspire and encourage you to see the amazing potential we have to make change happen.
Are you more at home in the great outdoors than behind a desk? Are you ready to put that passion to work? For over 100 years, Bartlett Tree Experts has existed to help both trees—and people—grow. Join us, and we’ll give you unrivaled training and development in a promotefrom-within, safety-first environment that won’t hold you back from your dreams.
Opportunity grows on trees.
Apply now at bartlett.com/careers EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled
Why Walton? Employees 96% Job Satisfaction 95% Retention Rate 9 16:1 Student:Teacher Ratio Highly Competitive Teacher Pay Teacher Mentor Program & Professional Learning Opportunities
Instruction
Enrollment
14,084 students 15 Schools 9 Elementary 3 Middle
Lauren Leising Editor-in-Chief
3 High
WCSD continually exceeds the State on all EOG and EOC Georgia Milestone Assessments. 81.9% Graduation Rate (higher than the state's rate) Placement on College Board's 7th Annual AP Honor Roll Chromebooks for all students in grades 6-12
Location Centrally located 20 minutes from Athens and 40 minutes from Atlanta, Walton County offers a healthy balance of a simple, relaxed lifestyle and easy access to all the amenities offered by city living. www.walton.k12.ga.us | bit.ly/WhyWaltonVideo
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welcoming
new businesses
to athens by Leila Mallouky | photography by Lauren Palgon
The Indigo Child sells unique clothes and accessory items with good vibes. The Indigo Child is a new clothing and retail store in downtown Athens.
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A new year brings opportunities to step out of comfort zones and daily routines to try new indulgences and test out the new amusements Athens has to offer. Athens is a vibrant town with such unique people and places and it is growing every day. It can be easy to stick to the same restaurants and shops, but every now and then it’s nice to try out something new. Those late night sweet cravings became a little more tempting when Cinnaholic, a 100 percent vegan cinnamon roll chain, recently opened up in Athens right on Broad Street. You can choose any flavor or topping to create your very own roll, which can make it hard not to become a cinnaholic. With 20 different frosting flavors and over 20 different toppings, what more could there be? And if cinnamon rolls aren’t your thing, Cinnaholic also serves brownies, chocolate chip cookies and cookie dough all made from scratch. After getting a sweet treat, walk on over to East Clayton street to check out a new boutique called The Indigo Child. This high end boutique adds a new eclectic clothing style to the town of Athens. This store came about when Morgan Miller, a University of Alabama fashion merchandising graduate, moved to Athens and decided to open up a clothing store. “I enjoy shopping there because I can find more unique pieces that not many people will be wearing,” says Caitlin Martin, a sophomore fashion merchandising major from Eastman. Indigo Child is different than the other boutiques in Athens because it’s not trying to target the mass community, but instead trying to provide distinct pieces to give off a cool girl vibe for the average college girl trying to find herself in the new individualistic culture of fashion. You can find anything
from leather jackets and bell bottom pants to graphic tees and bodysuits to fit the several different styles the people of Athens have. In addition to new establishments downtown, UGA’s Food Services has finally given students what they have been asking for--a Starbucks on campus. The new Starbucks, located on the third level of the Tate Student Center, opened up right in the nick of time for finals last semester. “The best and worst thing about the Starbucks opening up is that I can use my Paw Points or Bulldog Bucks, which means they are about to run out real soon,” says Carly Grundmann, a sophomore finance major from Norcross. Many students are excited to now have their morning brew before class without having to walk downtown to get it. Whether it’s date night or just getting dinner with friends, Donna Chang’s, a new Asian restaurant in Five Points, is worth checking out. Donna Chang’s came about when Shae and Ryan Sims decided to come back to their hometown of Athens to open up a neighborhood restaurant and bar filled with delicious Chinese cuisine and your favorite beer, wine and cocktails. “I really enjoyed the trendy atmosphere and I loved how they put their own spin on traditional Asian dishes, while utilizing fresh ingredients,” says Jennifer Horne, a sophomore accounting major from Milton. Athens is a diverse town with many different businesses to offer that everyone should want to experience. Whether it be indulging in a cinnamon roll or trying out a new style, the new year ahead gives us an opportunity to experience the new and exciting places Athens has to spice up our daily lives.
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Teacher Turned Artist by Marlee Middlebrooks | photography by Jane Snyder
A local street artist with a doctorate in science education, Jamie Calkin, has taken what it means to not use your degree to a new level. It is not often that someone completes a Ph.D. and then chooses to pursue a different career, but Calkin says that he was not meant to be an educator. “The reality is [classroom teaching] is not for me,” Calkin says. “I feel good about believing that I am an artist and that this is the right job for me. This is what I’m meant to do.” Calkin completed his doctorate at The University of Georgia in 2005. During graduate school, he considered quitting to do art full time, but Calkin says he is very glad he finished. He worked parttime jobs until last year. Now, Calkin is a full-time working artist.
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“I feel good about believing that I am an artist and that this is the right job for me. This is what I’m meant to do.” Previously, Calkin taught for five years, and he credits those years as being essential to growing up and learning to be an adult. Despite them being valuable, Calkin says he does not miss the Sunday night feeling. “[The Sunday night feeling] is when you have the whole work week ahead of you, and you feel depressed. I had it as a teacher. I had it bad,” Calkin says. “The opposite [feeling] was on New Year’s EveI left my family trip to do work painting a wedding, and while I didn’t want to leave my family, I was so excited. It was part of my job, and it was what I wanted to do.” Calkin says that everyone needs to balance making a living with making a difference in the world. “Everybody has a different balance. There is always tension,” Calkin says. “The great thing for me is that I get to do both, and the tension for me is not slanted to one side or the other.” Calkin’s art began with pencil drawings of his dog for his wife. He took community art classes during graduate school, but the official start to his business was Athfest in 2001, where he sold pet portraits. His style has since evolved to mostly ink and watercolor paintings. “I remember doing my first home portrait in ink and watercolor, and it worked- that style and that subject matter,
and since then, that’s what I’ve focused on,” Calkin says. Calkin considers himself a plein air artist--an artist who paints outside on-site. In recent times, he has grown to also work in different spaces like his in-home studio, a small area filled with projects. The mostly gray space comes to life filled with Calkin’s colorful work. Calkin uses straight color to make his paintings bright, and he strategically uses certain colors next to one another, so the paintings are more energetic. The paintings are loose, but there are also thick black lines that set aspects apart. Calkin says he loves using black lines especially when black lines are not actually there. Robert Lowery, an Athens printer and Calkin’s printer for nearly 15 years, says Calkin’s work is playful which is obvious by the bright colors he uses. “What I like about Jamie’s work is the spontaneity of the line work. It has a real musical quality. It’s just one of those things that I really don’t think you can learn, and I don’t think he had to learn it,” Lowery says. “That’s what I like about his paintings perhaps the most.” Calkin typically highlights his work by painting with lemon yellow around the objects. He changes the scenes so that everything he wants to appear will and so the scenes are stronger and brighter.
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Reann Huber, a senior journalism major from Douglasville and Calkin’s manager, says that since working with Calkin, she has become more openminded, laid back and positive. “It didn’t take me long to get on board with everything he was doing,” Huber says. “I love how his art impacts him and everyone else who buys his art or talks about it. He’s so passionate about Athens, and he’s created such a great community here. His style is unique and happy and vibrant. It’s definitely given me a new perspective on how I see campus, and it’s made me feel more passionate about Athens.” Since he has been selling artwork, Calkin has lived Athens. He says that this has been a big part of his success, staying in one place and painting pictures of it. He sells many prints of UGA scenes including the Arch and Sanford Stadium and downtown Athens scenes like The Georgia Theatre. He also paints homes, churches and restaurants for commission. Additionally, Calkin is involved in event art by painting people’s weddings. As someone who has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Calkin says he has been painting people’s weddings since he had an art bag because he “didn’t want to just sit there.”
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f t m
h d o f I w E t b s
The reality is classroom teaching is not for me. I feel good about believing that I am an artist and that this is the right job for me. This is what I’m meant to do. The Sunday night feeling is when you “One of the tricks to doing [art] is figuring out how your brain works and what you’re good at,” Calkin says. Around campus, Calkin is most notably known for painting the watercolor mural in the Tate Student Center. “It’s been so exciting to be so wellknown by students and university folks. It used to be that I was known more with the townies, and the university was kind of a hit or miss. [The Tate mural] kind of changed things,” Calkin says. Interacting with students and professors has been an area of growth for Calkin. He says that as he continues pursuing art, he hopes to do better at what he is already doing, but he also hopes to keep growing. “I tried to do an angry painting one time, and it was not only not fun, but it didn’t work,” Calkin says. “I’m doing art to make pretty pictures. I’m a street artist that paints pictures of street scenes. Part of it is to make people happy- what my consumers want. Part of it is what I like to do and what I am drawn to- the happy, the vivid.”
have the whole work week ahead of you, and you fee depressed. I had it as a teacher. I had it bad. The opposite feeling was on New Year’s Eve- I left my family trip to do work painting a wedding, and whi I didn’t want to leave my family, I was so excited. was part of my job, and it was what I wanted to do. Everybody has a different balance. There is always tension. The great thing for me is that I get to do both, and the tension for me is not slanted to one side or the other. georgiaugazine.org 11
Between Borders: A Refugee Simulation photos & story by Shelby Duffy
On Jan. 24, University Union and RefUGA partnered together to host Between Borders: A Refugee Simulation. Over 120 students gathered on a Tuesday night in order to learn more about the important issue. Prabhjot Minhas, President of RefUGA, and Shivani Rangaswamy, Vice President of Events for RefUGA, explained, “University Union reached out to us to co-sponsor their yearly simulation event, and with everything that has been going on in the political atmosphere, we thought this would be a great opportunity to reach out to our UGA peers and promote awareness and dialogue on such an important and emotionally charged global crisis.” RefUGA also partnered with Jubilee Partners, a Christian service community in northeast Georgia that offers hospitality to newly arrived refugees in the United States. Josina Guess, a representative for Jubilee Partners, described the importance of this event. “Studies have shown that stories are more effective than numbers in triggering a compassionate response.
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We are at an unprecedented global crisis of 65 million people who have been forced from their homes as refugees or internally displaced people. It is hard to imagine suffering on that scale. For a participant to emerge from the simulation and say, ‘I was a pregnant 16 year old,’ or ‘I offered to join a rebel army to keep my family alive’ it allowed them in a very imperfect and short but visceral way to say that they walked in another person's shoes. Changes of heart can affect changes in policy and behavior. It is not enough to say, ‘Now I see people as people.’ The hope would be that events like this one will want people to make choices that will improve, not destroy, life in our global and local communities.” The simulation, which took place in Tate Grand Hall, featured multiple interactive scenes. Each person was given a character card, and they were instructed to find the people that would act as their family for the rest of the night. As soon as the simulation started, a silent room was suddenly full of sounds of bombs and
participants were instructed to pick only three items from a table before they were led out. Other scenes included students being questioned as they tried to cross the border, and in the final scene each family was given only a few minutes to decide on their family’s fate. Some of the options included sacrificing members of their family or staying at camp indefinitely. “It was a lot like playing roulette,” says Savannah McCoi, a junior journalism major from Acworth. “You had to make choices that would impact you and your family and you didn’t know if you would even survive.” Minhas and Rangaswamy added, “Our main takeaway for this event was to individualize and humanize the refugee experience. By having each participant take on the identity of a refugee and go through various hurdles and obstacles they may face, we really tried to create an environment in which students can get even a small glimpse into the daily hardships of the refugee experience. We wanted our participants to see refugees not as a foreign affairs issue or a burden, but as people with the same hopes, dreams and aspirations as us.” At the end of the simulation, the entire group was led into a room where they could all sit down and discuss their experience and the thoughts they had during the simulation. “People used words and phrases like: dehumanizing, scary, confusing… It was very moving, for example, to hear a young man say, ‘I was a seven year old girl and this is what happened to me...’ This kind of sharing is such a powerful exercise in
building understanding,” Guess said of the debriefing. One family described their choice to sacrifice the father, saying they were all happy when they found out that they safely made it across the border until they realized that they lost someone. “It’s easier to judge people on their decisions when you aren’t in that situation,” says Lillie Russell, a freshman international affairs and entertainment and media studies major from Woodstock. Russell also discussed her experiences with meeting refugees in Clarkston, and related the simulation to some of the stories that she was told. “Even being able to have this [limited] experience is very enlightening to what so many people are going through and the bravery that they must have,” says Russell. As Guess explains, refugees to the United States are currently among the most carefully vetted people in this country- undergoing lengthy security and health screenings. They come as survivors of intense persecution with the hope to work hard and begin a new life. In September, Jubilee Partners was among many organizations that was invited to a celebration of refugees at the White House. “I heard a Syrian Muslim woman at that event say, ‘If they hate us, we will love them more.’” “Love is stronger than fear,” Guess says. “The United States has a long history of being a nation of immigrants- some by force, some by choice. Bridges of understanding and compassion are more effective in the long run than walls.”
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classic city classics by Alex Meads | photography by Krysten Hardee
Against the backdrop of a new year, new political climate, new technological advances and many more dynamic aspects of the everyday Athenian’s life, there is something to be said for consistency. Our town’s nickname, “The Classic City,” is referenced so frequently and fondly not because the town has resisted change over the years, but because despite the natural flux of everyday life, there are many things in this historic town that simply do not warrant any alteration. These cherished aspects vary from person to person, but when woven together they transform into a colorful fabric of history and memories that is signature to the beloved town of Athens. Driving through Athens, it is hard to ignore the impressive and prestigious presence of the University of Georgia. The historic buildings stand as solid and monumental links to the significant history of both the school and our state. Founded 231 years ago in the year 1785 as the nation’s first state-chartered university, the University of Georgia has been a symbol of education and scholarship since before George Washington became president. Even so many years later, the history of this campus is not lost on the throngs of today’s
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youth studying on its timeless grounds, as the historical significance of the area is often students’ favorite part about the university. Maggie Miller, a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major, lists UGA’s North Campus as one of her favorite parts about Athens, a part that she hopes never changes. The symbolic UGA Arch acts as the gateway to North Campus, and on any given day one can find students studying beneath the sturdy trees or strolling past the historic Chapel to their next class. Miller says that North Campus is special because it “tells us the story of how UGA began,” and just one glimpse at its scenic grounds can confirm this statement. Anyone interested in learning more about North Campus’ timeless impact can participate in a self-guided tour available through UGA’s Visitor Center. North Campus is just one of many historical locations found on UGA’s large campus, but its apparent significance and classic feel makes it the favorite spot of many students at the university. While UGA is an essential piece of Athens’ culture, many people find the Athens food scene to be just as influential. The myriad of cuisine located on every corner in this town attracts many foodies looking to experience delicious and unique meals. Downtown Athens hosts many favorites such as the TripAdvisor-acclaimed Last Resort, but great restaurants can be found all throughout this vibrant town. Winda Khor, a sophomore management information systems major from The University of Georgia, cites Cali n’ Tito’s as a restaurant that she hopes will stand the test of time. Khor’s
favorite item on the menu at this Latin American spot is the “tacu tacu," which is an appetizing combination of rice and beans. On the other side of town, one can find MSIT professor Summer Abney’s favorite restaurant, Marti’s at Midday. When Abney frequents this Normaltown gem she orders “Marti’s Favorite,” which is a toasted sharp cheddar sandwich served with apple slices. Abney has been in the Athens area for 16 years, and she loves to visit this classic restaurant when she wants lunch in Classic City. There are endless options in this town for each meal of the day, and because the cuisine is so varied and the quality of food so sublime, the Athens food scene is a prominent and cherished aspect of the multifaceted town. Overall, despite the changes occurring on a daily basis in our beloved state of Georgia, for many people Athens will always be the home of timeless memories and traditions. Countless things contribute to the history and sentimentality of the town, and these things vary in importance from person to person, but any resident or visitor of Athens can confirm that this area possesses a certain classic charm that sets it apart from all others. Whether it be the significant history found on UGA’s campus, or the satisfying indulgence found in the town’s cuisine, there is and has always been something for everyone in this colorful and bustling town. For this reason, Athens claims a special place in the heart of many people, and remains a Classic City in a changing world.
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BIGGER THAN US photos & story by Talley Davidson
McKibbin & Belding
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w f t a b n t G “ e p w t
ork to make our campus what it is and the peopl who we all love,” says Gosch. Stocking these shelv for community members is no mundane task for these Panhellenic women but rather a privilege and honor that is continually advancing for the benefit of the University’s struggling members. “ no longer walk around campus with an attitude that’s worried about what I need to do today,” sa Garlock, a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. “It’s more of a sense of what can I do for someone else today. That is something so great that the pantry has given to me and others who have worked it.”From being unintentionally focused o themselves to finding the Student Pantry as an Without even realizing it, we come into our freshman year of college with the long lasting mindset that the next four years will be all about us— how can we make good grades, better our social lives and get the most memorable college experience. However, students like Melanie Garlock, Allie Gosch, Kelly McKibbin and Ashlyn Belding model the honorable transformation that comes with community service. Organizations such as Panhellenic Greek life and UGA Miracle have changed them for the better because of the astounding impact UGA’s community service organizations have had on their lives. On the bottom floor of the Tate Student Center rests the inviting sanctuary of UGA’s Panhellenic Student Food Pantry, open to all students and faculty members. “Everyone is welcome,” explains 2017 Student Pantry Director Melanie Garlock, a sophomore marketing major from Peachtree City. She explains that the food pantry is no place for campus members to simply find snacks but rather a place that provides wholesome meals for students and faculty with a UGA ID who are fighting hunger and
food security. The pantry works hard to make people not only feel as comfortable as possible by having a non-disclosure sign-in once you walk through the door, but it also works to provide students and faculty with healthy and sustaining meals to get them through the day. This is only improving as years pass. “Since my freshman year of working with the pantry, we’ve seen a change in the number of students we’ve served and the kind of food we’ve served,” says Allie Gosch, a junior human resource management and religion major from Marietta and the 2016 pantry director. “We got a fridge for the pantry and are incorporating fresh produce, which has opened up a lot of doors for what has been able to be provided given the fact that it can keep certain foods for longer.” In the pantry, not only is there a fridge stocked with freshly grown produce, but there are also walls aligned with shelves and storage bins full of utensils and dozens of dry goods. “We have seen the increase in faculty and staff who are aware of the pantry as well as staff who visit the pantry, which is cool because we get to be there for the people who
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Garlock & Gosch
work to make our campus what it is and the people who we all love,” says Gosch. Stocking these shelves for community members is no mundane task for these Panhellenic women but rather a privilege and honor that is continually advancing for the benefit of the University’s struggling members. “‘I no longer walk around campus with an attitude that’s worried about what I need to do today,” says Garlock, a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. “It’s more of a sense of what can I do for someone else today. That is something so great that the pantry has given to me and others who have worked it.” From being unintentionally focused on themselves to finding the Student Pantry as an outlet for outside involvement, these Panhellenic women not only show how they’ve helped forward the pantry, but also how the pantry has changed them. “Once you work a shift you can really see it. You can see that people really are hungry. It’s your classmates and faculty and the people who work for you and that really hits
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home. It makes you want to make a difference and continue to go help,” Garlock says. Community service at UGA has not only changed the perspectives of students, but some students have also brought pieces of their strife from home to help change the UGA community. For example, UGA Miracle Events Co-chair Kelly McKibbin, a junior public relations major from Avon, New Jersey, explains her personal journey with charity. “I joined miracle because my neighbor back home had childhood cancer. Miracle was a really great cause for me to connect with the childhood cancer I’ve seen at home to those who are also affected here at UGA, in Athens and Atlanta at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.” Miracle is one of the University’s largest charitable organizations that works to fundraise for families struggling under the financial burden cancer can bring. While Miracle is a large organization already, it’s only getting bigger. The organization has seen
w f t a b n t G “ e p w t
ork to make our campus what it is and the peopl who we all love,” says Gosch. Stocking these shelv for community members is no mundane task for these Panhellenic women but rather a privilege and honor that is continually advancing for the benefit of the University’s struggling members. “ no longer walk around campus with an attitude that’s worried about what I need to do today,” sa Garlock, a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. “It’s more of a sense of what can I do for someone else today. That is something so great that the pantry has given to me and others who have worked it.”From being unintentionally focused o themselves to finding the Student Pantry as an an exponential growth in the funds they work so hard to raise to support families running in circles around the disease. Ashlyn Belding, a senior public relations major from Glennville, explains that during her freshman year in 2012, Miracle raised around $500,000. “This year [20162017] we’ve exceeded $1 million and it has just been incredible. I know exactly where that growth comes from and that’s from people just falling more and more in love with Miracle,” she says. Each day these students watch their community around them benefit from their hard work, but they’ve also discovered how those actions have affected them as well. “I’ve even changed my major because of what I’ve found and fallen in love with with Miracle. It literally helped me find myself,” McKibbin says. “UGA Miracle has really become my family.” Thanks to their community service affiliations, these women have seen the bigger picture beyond themselves. “Community service has widened my horizons and shown me that there’s more that brings us
together than could ever bring us apart,” says Gosch. The realization that burdens such as hunger and disease weigh upon the shoulders of some of their peers has altered their perspectives on caring in a way that makes helping others so much more gratifying than bettering their own lives. Getting involved with the perpetually advancing community and the service being done around Athens can be a wake up call to what’s really important out in the world. Not only are these students involved in the quoted organizations above, but also ones such as Extra Special People, Athens PB&J’s, Whatever It Takes and several Panhellenic philanthropies. “There are so many things that are bigger than us out there,” says McKibbin. “If you sit back and don’t get involved then you’re missing out on friendships, opportunities, joy, tears and pretty much everything community service can bring unless you just jump in.”
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river clean up CHANGING THE EARTH photography by Hannah Brown, Jenn Finch, Lauren Leising, Eva Claire Schwartz & Austin Steele
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BEST PICTURE
REVIEWS by Tessa Green | photography by Kelsey Green
On February 26, the 89th Academy Awards Show premiered, giving awards to the best actor/actress, technical awards, and of course the long awaited award for best picture. Nine awards were nominated for best picture, so if you didn’t get time to watch them all, here is a brief overview of the films that were nominated. Arrival: This is a movie for syfy fans. Amy Adams stars as a woman named Louise Banks, who is recruited by the U.S. Army when 12 UFO's land on earth. They want her to decipher the aliens' language in order for them to communicate with them. This movie keeps you on your toes and has an ending you do not want to miss. Fences: Denzel Washington gives a powerful performance as a man named Troy. The plot follows Troy and his family as they survive 1950's Pittsburgh as an African American family. This movie won't leave a dry eye in the audience with its thought provoking ending. Hacksaw Ridge: This movie is made for Action and Western lovers. The film follows the lives of Toby Howard, played by Chris Pine, and Tanner Howard, played by Ben Foster. These two brothers go on a string of bank robberies in order to earn enough money to save their families ranch. However, this proves not to be an easy task as they are soon chased down by two ranchers, Hamilton and Parker.
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Hidden Figures: This film follows the lives of three African American women, Katherine Goble, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan and the struggles they face in their career at NASA. The film tells the true story, that not many have heard, of the important roles these women played in the successful space capsule launch. This is truly an inspiring film for women and men of every race. La La Land: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone once again display their amazing chemistry in this fan favorite film. This movie follows the love story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz pianist. As the two repeatedly bump into each other they eventually decide to pursue a relationship and inspire one another to complete their dreams. This movie’s ending is bittersweet and heartwarming at the same time. Lion: This emotional film tells the true story of an Indian boy named Saroo who accidentally gets on a train and loses his real family. It also shows his search for his biological family. This movie was another tearjerker. Manchester By the Sea: Tear-jerkers seem to be a common theme among the Oscar nominated films. This film follows a man named Lee who returns to his hometown Manchester when his brother dies. The film follows the relationship he builds with his brother's son named Patrick. Moonlight: This coming-of-age film follows the life of an African American boy named Chiron. The movie is split into four parts as Chiron ages from a young bullied child to a full grown man. This movie has many emotionally powerful scenes that really give the audience an outlook into this boy's life. It is a huge contender. The films listed above were all nominated for awards in other categories. Did your favorite film take home the award?
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39 YEARS
OF HISTORY:
40 WATT photos & story by Emily Haney
Music. It’s the heart of Athens. Pick any night of the week, and you are guaranteed to find multiple shows scattered across venues in the downtown area as well as on campus. The sound of a sweet guitar riff or a killer drum solo from a band rocking out on stage or on the streets bring together locals and students alike. Athens is the heart of the creative spirit. Venues such as the 40 Watt Club that has been open since 1978 only add to the rich history and creativity of the town. On the opposite side of the block from the Georgia Theatre, the 40 Watt Club sits with its curved sign out front announcing the shows for the upcoming week. Inside the venue is a disco ball surrounded by string lights that lead toward the stage along with an assortment of seats to the side and a collection of keepsakes scattered throughout. The sign outside and the sign behind the stage, which you can see occasionally, hold true to the 40 Watt’s roots. A single 40-watt lightbulb is present on each. The venue got its name from the bulb that hung in the first location of the club. “It was a reference to the fact that the room was originally dark and dingy,” says Jared Bailey, coowner of the 40 Watt.
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The loud chanting from the audience for an encore led to COIN coming back on to the stage for two more numbers. Chase Lawrence stands at the keyboard for moment before starting to play again.
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The 40 Watt sign holds true to how the venue originally got its name. A 40 watt bulb is pictured within the logo.
40 Watt has seen a lot of downtown Athens. The corner where it sits now is actually its sixth location. Originally, the club started on the third floor above The Grill and later moved to the second floor where the Starbucks is now. “They didn’t have permission from the owners of the buildings either time,” says Bailey, referring to Curtis Crowe and Paul Scales. Crowe started the 40 Watt, and Scales helped him move it to the area above the Starbucks. Scales had a key to the building, according to Bailey. From there, the music venue moved to where Caledonia Lounge is now, which was Bailey’s favorite place to work and first time he started working for the club. The original owners saw a lot of issues here. The upkeep was costly, so they took on an investor who would later push them out. However, 40 Watt had a lot of success at this location. Another big club in town, Tyrone’s, burnt down during this time. “All the bands didn’t have enough places to play, so they came to us to play a hole in the wall,” says Bailey. “That’s when we started making money, and the investor decided to move it again.” After three years of success across from DePalma’s, the owner took all the money and left, leaving everyone high and dry. 40 Watt closed until Bailey helped reopen it back in a previous location where the Caledonia Lounge is now. He was able to get the club up and
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running again in three weeks because everything was just as they had left it, and it stayed there for a long time until 1990. “It was a lot of fun. A lot of people want to be in music, to own a club,” says Bailey. “We were lucky.” Finally, the club moved to its current location and has been there for nearly 30 years. During all the moves, 40 Watt has also seen a lot of different artists. “We book the 40 Watt five days a week and have a lot of national acts come play four to five times a month,” says 40 Watt booking agent, Velena Vego. “I’ve booked 6000+ shows in the 25 years I’ve been booking here.” Some bands make a stop at the 40 Watt annually. The Drive By Truckers make a three day stop here, and Of Montreal plays twice a year. Those two acts got their starts playing in Athens. Other groups played at the 40 Watt before their big breaks as well as after. Vego has acts such as Nirvana, 21 Pilots, Beck and Snoop Dogg under her belt. Back when 40 Watt was in the present day Caledonia Lounge space, R.E.M. used to regularly walk through the venue’s doors. “We were right next to R.E.M’s rehearsal space,” says Bailey. “They’d come over, buy a beer, go rehearse and then come over and play that night.” Above the bar, two lines of frames sit on the wall. Inside each frame are autographed photos from bands who have played here. R.E.M. is among the signed
photos. According to Vego, the groups signed promo photos that they would use to promote their shows in the papers. There are also pictures and posters in the pool room, which is off to the left of the stage. Backstage, the walls are covered in autographs. Everyone who has ever played the venue has signed the wall at some point. “There are unknown bands next to famous ones. It’s pretty funny. Everything just overlaps,” says Vego. “That’s why we don’t paint over them. We don’t want to lose a part of our history.” That type of attitude is why a lot of smaller, local acts and even those from out of town come to play here. It creates an atmosphere for all types of musicians. COIN came to 40 Watt for the first time on Saturday, February 11 and was amazed by the response they received. “How did you people find us,” asked COIN lead singer Chase Lawrence, referring to the packed crowd singing their songs. The singer was taken aback. “We’ve spent four years skipping over Athens, Georgia, and that’ll never happen again.” 40 Watt gives a stage to anyone who’s wanting to be heard. In terms of the stylings of the 40 Watt, opinions differ. “Things change. It used to be a little smaller and funkier. It had a different vibe back then,” says Bailey. “It was a big deal when someone we heard of would come play. Everyone would come out. We still have a lot of cool people though.” Vego would disagree about the scene changing though. “It hasn’t really changed. Our demographic is still UGA college kids,” says Vego. “Sometimes older townies will come out, but students love and appreciate the music scene every time a new batch comes into town.” There’s nothing like an Athens, Georgia crowd, according to Vego. “That’s why world famous musicians still play here,” says Vego, “They love playing to college kids.” There is no one from the college indie rock world who hasn’t graced the stage of the 40 Watt. “I keep adding to my wishlist, bands who I hope to someday book here. It’s inspiring to see up and coming artists and to see that people want to support them and the music scene,” says Vego. “People don’t realize how much music is in their lives.” Music is in the lives of anyone who has ever stepped into one of the six 40 Watt locations. 39 years later and the 40 Watt is still making a name for itself in the Classic City.
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Class Change photos & story by Christina Matacotta
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Much like a Jacob Eason spiral to Terry Godwin, hope and promise are in the air at the University of Georgia. With the passing of the much anticipated national signing day — February 1, 2017 — Georgia fans can finally assess the entirety of the 2017 recruiting class, and, in effect, the future of Bulldog football. Thankfully, it is looking pretty bright. Ranked by ESPN as the third best recruiting class in the nation, the 2017 class, AKA “’Sicem ’17,” was second only to that of the University of Alabama and the Ohio State University. With four 5-star recruits — Isaiah Wilson, Deangelo Gibbs, Richard Lecounte and Robert Beal —, 13 ESPN top 100 recruits and a whopping 26 commits total, it is no wonder that the Bulldogs clinched the third spot. “We attacked a lot of areas of concern for us. I think it’s a good group… We were able to hit some areas, especially on the offensive line, the defensive secondary, that we had some guys leave that we needed to replace,” says Head Coach Kirby Smart of the 2017 class. Sicem ‘17 was the result of Coach Smart’s first full year of recruitment, and he expressed his excitement for the group at his post signing day press conference. “All in all, it was a good class,” he says. “I really am excited about the guys we’ve got coming.” Though no one, not even Coach Smart himself, knows what the future will bring for certain, it’s clear that the incoming group of commits will seriously impact Georgia’s football program.
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Here’s an outline of key takeaways from UGA’s 2017 recruiting class. Increasing size up front Last season, Georgia’s offensive line was ranked 17th nationally. This relative weakness did not pair well with offensive coordinator Jim Chaney’s power-run system. However, with the addition of six elite linemen averaging 6’5” and 337 pounds, the Bulldogs will have the power needed up front that will allow the offense to work. “Honestly, I’m just really excited for all of our O-line. They’re coming in averaged around 6’5”, 6’6” over 300 pounds, which will give us some meat up front,” says Tristan Otto, a sophomore finance major from Atlanta. “I think that we had a disappointing running season this year with two of the top backs in the nation, and I think that if we can get some of those big guys up front, especially if they can get some P-T (play time) early, that will be huge.” Strengthening the secondary The secondary was another group that fans hoped would be much improved by the incoming recruiting class. Once again, ‘Sicem ’17 did not disappoint. Richard Lecounte III, DeAngelo Gibbs, William Poole and Trey Bishop all bring a variety of talents to the secondary, which will hopefully strengthen the defense as a whole tremendously. “I’m really excited about Richard Lecounte and Deangelo Gibbs. Those two are really gonna help our secondary which I think a lot of people would point out as a weakness this year,” says Matt Claffe, a sophomore finance major from Baltimore, Md.
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M h o a 1 e t l t c o U W R
Much like a Jacob Eason spiral to Terry Godwin, hope and promise are in the air at the University of Georgia. With the passing of the much anticipated national signing day — February 1, 2017 — Georgia fans can finally assess the entirety of the 2017 recruiting class, and, in effe the future of Bulldog football. Thankfully, it is looking pretty bright. Ranked by ESPN as the third best recruiting class in the nation, the 2017 class, AKA “’Sicem ’17,” was second only to that of the University of Alabama and the Ohio State University. With four 5-star recruits — Isaiah Wilson, Deangelo Gibbs, Richard Lecounte and Robert Beal —, 13 ESPN top 100 recruits and a Establishing in-state precedent The state of Georgia has a long tradition of strong high school football programs and has produced a great number of highlevel prospects as a result. This year, the Bulldogs capitalized on the tremendous presence of Georgia talent, pulling in 18 in-state recruits—17 of whom rank among the top 26 recruits in the entire state, including five from the top 10. Many hope that UGA will continue to dominate the recruitment of in-state prospects, ensuring a strong future for the program. “The addition of all the in-state guys is really big, like keeping the best Georgia players in the state of Georgia,” says Claffe. “That’s gonna be really helpful for a successful future.” Georgia fans are extremely excited about the prowess of the football team’s 2017 recruiting class, and for good reason. Though national signing day has come and gone, it is clear that its historic repercussions will be felt by Bulldog fans for many seasons to come.
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photography by Devon Tucker styling by Olivia Ballard, Becca Ray & Devon Tucker hair & makeup by Jenny Rim
Denim. A staple in everyone’s closet. From your go-to jeans, to that rad denim jacket that seems to go with just about everything. Denim is a timeless piece that will never go out of style and will complete your outfit effortlessly. Whether it is flared jeans or a distressed jacket, trends from every decade can be seen in everyone’s clothing today.
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PRODUCT: Overalls, Tee & Choker - American Threads
Kristen Plummer - Major: Fashion Merchandising - Year: Junior - Hometown: Norcross, GA
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PRODUCT: Denim Jacket - Pitaya
Destiny Martin - Major: Criminal Justice & Psychology - Year: Sophomore - Hometown: Oxford, GA
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PRODUCT: Flared Jeans - Free People
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PRODUCT: Denim Dress - Free People Bomber Jacket - Pitaya
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Change the Way You See Cheesecake photos and story by Christina Matacotta
Spring is the season of change. The weather shifts from cold to warm, the colors shift from gray to green and the vibes shift from dull to exciting. So how can one incorporate the changing spirit of spring into their lives? A new and unconventional recipe, of course! This spring, challenge the conventional and embrace change by turning a classic recipe on its head. This recipe for a savory cheesecake does just that, and it is sure to impress as an appetizer for friends and family.
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Savory Cheesecake Recipe INGREDIENTS Crust: I cup bread crumbs ½ cup parmesan cheese 2 tablespoon butter, melted 1. 2. 3.
Preheat oven 325 degrees. Combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 10-inch spring form pan.
Filling: 2 lbs. cream cheese, softened 4 eggs ½ cup whipping cream 1 jar of real bacon bits 1 onion diced and sautéed in 2 tablespoons ½ lb. blue, crumbled ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 3 drops hot pepper sauce DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl thoroughly mix cream cheese, eggs and cream. 2. Stir in bacon, onion, blue cheese, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce. 3. Scrape into spring form pan and bake 45-60 minutes, until puffed and golden. 4. Turn oven off and allow cheesecake to sit in oven until cool. 5. Refrigerate overnight BEFORE removing pan. 6. Serve at room temperature, garnish with scallions with crackers. Note: This recipe must be made AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE SERVING.
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The Brunch Bill: Will it Make What Athens Does Best, Even Better? by Ellie Harding | photography by Jenna Becker
With the new law, students and other Athens locals can now enjoy mimosas and other alcoholic beverages at their favorite spots on Sundays.
What is that one coveted thing that you just can’t have on a Sunday morning? (Other than a Chick-fil-A biscuit, of course.) A cocktail--a nice, morning cocktail. However, due to a recent proposition in the Georgia General Assembly nicknamed the “Mimosa Mandate,” you could be sipping on that mimosa or bloody mary well before noon in the near future. With all the hidden food gems Athens has to offer, many will agree that Sunday brunch is one of the best meals in town at various restaurants. Between Mama’s Boy, Pauley’s, the Pine, Last Resort Grill, 5 & 10, South Kitchen + Bar…Ah, you will never run out of options. However, you may run into a tough decision!
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Currently, the state of Georgia allows the purchase of alcohol to be made only after 12:30 p.m. For some people that is just not early enough - as a morning cocktail can be the perfect complement to an early morning breakfast of chicken and waffles. It is with no surprise that a few of Athens most-loved brunch spots would also gladly welcome this new bill. Hillary Durr, from South Kitchen + Bar says, “We do run into quite a hiccup, with brunch being our busiest shift of the week, and ours being one of the best-priced in town. Especially with reservations, we run into a little problem, because everyone wants to drink on Sunday, so everyone makes their reservations after 12:30.” Durr adds that they are staying on top of it. “We have been calling our representatives once a week to let them know we would love for this bill to pass.” Likewise, 5 & 10, another well-liked Athens brunch destination, agrees that the brunch bill passing would be very helpful for business. A rep from the restaurant puts it simply: “Restrictions don’t help business, so if people can come in at 10:30 in the morning and drink, that would be helpful to us.” Scott Parrish, owner of The Pine--a restaurant and bar located in Five Points-- expressed his desire for the bill to pass, as well. “I am all in favor of the Brunch Bill passing. It would increase my revenue, increase tax dollars and really help the city as a whole.” As of now, the bill has been filed in the state Senate, with strong support from Renee Unterman, Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman, who does not drink herself, but believes this is a fairness issue, according to the Atlanta JournalConstitution. Privately owned restaurants cannot serve alcohol until after 12:30 p.m. while government-owned buildings face no restrictions on the matter. Morning cocktail enthusiasts can only hope that justice is served to the brunch world, and Athenians will wait in suspense to see if what Athens does best will be made even better.
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Collective Harvest photos & story by Lauren Leising
Juicy tomatoes, fresh squash and crisp lettuce. Each season comes with its own flavors and recipes that bring memories of family gatherings and summertime outings where eating was the main event. These seasonal tastes and dishes have a comfort to them that many exotic concoctions do not, due in part to the freshness of the ingredients and the use of local food. A unique, yet out-of-season squash soup will never match the flavor of a good, ripe tomato or a juicy strawberry in the summer. Athens is home to countless restaurants that utilize locally sourced produce to build their menus and offer the freshest ingredients. “You can’t have good restaurants without access to great food,” says Whitney Otawka, a chef at Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island and former chef at Farm 255 and The 5&10 in Athens. Establishments such as Heirloom Café and 5&10 rely on seasonal fruits and vegetables to build their menus and often adapt their recipes based on what is inseason and what is fresh each week. Rarely will one find the same item on a menu for more than a few weeks, making the dining experience new and exciting each time. “Our menu is directed by what the farmers around us are growing, says Richard Neal, chef for Hugh
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Acheson at The 5&10. “We still need to use everything our farmers are producing.” As the local food trend has gained momentum, farmers have found that keeping up with demand has become harder and harder. Throughout the country, farms have begun to make their business more sustainable and effective by forming collaborations with other farms to deliver collectively-grown food to restaurants and farmers markets. Farmers like Alex Rilko of Front Field Farm in Winterville, Georgia, have realized that “running from restaurant to restaurant on Saturday after the market” is too tiring and disorganized a method for selling produce. In an attempt to marry their efforts, Rilko and four other farms formed Collective Harvest, a collaboration of local family farms that provides sustainably grown vegetables and fruits to Athens area communities. “I thought it would be a good idea for us all to get together and basically pool our talents and try to be more productive,” Rilko says. His goal was to simplify the ordering process, both for chefs and for farmers. “When they order from one person, they order from all five farms instead of five different farms,” he says. By working together to fill orders, growers are able to contribute what they were able to produce instead of
worrying about filling each order themselves, making the process much more sustainable. “Now that we are working with Collective Harvest,” says Caitlyn Hardy, a farmer at Cedar Grove Farm, “it has been easier and more worthwhile to sell to local restaurants throughout Athens.” Thaddeus Barton, chef at The Farmhouse at Serenbe in Chatt Hills, Georgia, has seen how these collective farm groups are making farm-to-table cooking easier to incorporate into more kitchens. While working in Chicago, Barton bought from local providers in each restaurant he was a part of and learned to use only what was in-season. “That’s just how we bought, I didn’t really know any differently,” he says. During his time in Chicago, Barton worked for Home Grown Wisconsin, a group that sourced from twenty farms. “It’s something we have been trying to figure out how to do in our area,” he says. Upon moving to Georgia and working at The Farmhouse, Barton didn’t have a network and had to work to build connections. “It took me a year to develop many relationships with local farmers and just took me
going to their farms, calling and reaching out via e-mail and even Facebook.” Barton was able to form strong relationships with farmers in the area, including a Moore Farms and Friends, a group similar to Collective Harvest that collaborates with ten other farms to connect with restaurants and markets. More and more farms around the country are consolidating their efforts in order to keep pace with the demand for local produce in restaurants and booming popularity of community farmers’ markets. In lieu of spending hours moving from one eatery to the next, farmers who are a part of coalitions like these are able to save time and resources. As farmers begin to group together and pool their resources, individual farms will be able to branch out and try growing new crops and expand their markets. The farm-to-table trend is becoming a new, more attainable norm. “I incorporate it everywhere,” Barton says of local produce. “I refuse to put things on my menu that are not in season.”
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Choosing where you earn your MBA can have significant impact on your career path. At the Darla Moore School of Business, our priority is preparing you to become a Global Business Leader. If your goal is to have the tools to elevate your career and leadership potential by making effective business decisions anywhere in the world, here are three reasons to earn your MBA at the Moore School: Global – The Moore School is ranked #1 international MBA program in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. While other schools study international business, our students live it. Business – We integrate our coursework with real-world consulting projects to help you become “business ready” on a global scale. Leader – Our expanded leadership development curriculum prepares you with long-term leadership skills – to give you the agility you need to succeed in any marketplace dynamic. See our commitment to STEM graduates visit moore.sc.edu to learn more about our full-time MBA programs and our Global Leadership Fellows. We award fellowship dollars in recognition of your STEM-focused degree.
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