What do bulldogs & cars have in common?

Does this look like anything Athens related?

What about now?

Notice any similarities? If you're a bulldog fan, Nissan expects you to. The new Nissan cube's design was inspired by a bulldog in sunglasses.

Athens continues to set trends & design standards, even when the inspiration is in the form of a 50-pound mascot.

Take a Learning Vacation!

Sometimes daily life gets in the way of trying new things. We get into routines and chip away at our to-do list: take the dog to the vet, buy groceries, change the A/C filter. Meanwhile, the things on our "someday" lists never find their way onto our schedules--learn how to cook Mexican mole from scratch, try your hand at glass blowing, research your family history. Many people look forward to vacation as time to sit down and enjoy the luxury of doing absolutely nothing, but if you've always dreamed of learning how to play African drums, vacation might be the perfect time to start.

With your everyday duties suspended for a little while, travel affords great opportunities to pick up a new skill or explore a hobby you've never tried. I've brought home newfound skills in acrobatics, preparing trout almondine, and saddling a horse from vacations, and those trips have been some of the most memorable I've taken. These days, I have fantasies of being a skipper, sailing a boat over the open water. I'm going to give myself a little stay-cation treat and take a class in sailing at Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park here in Athens next month. In the lovely autumn weather, it's also a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and fall color. If you're heading to Athens this fall, there are plenty of opportunities to gain a new skill while you're here. To me, that's even better than a souvenier.

Set sail at Lake Chapman: Sailing workshops for adults are offered October 18 and November 21, and for youth October 17 and November 7. Check out the calendar for registration info.

Discover your family's story: "Getting Started With Genealogy" at the Athens Clarke County Library is happening October 15 from 6-8:30 p.m.--no registration required.

Go green: A weekend-long workshop on transforming your home into a "fun and practical part of a more ecological world," called "Sustainability: Bring It Home!" is happening at the State Botanical Garden (click on "adult programs") November 13-15.

Spinning wheels: Throw a bowl on the pottery wheel or shape a decorative jug at the weekly "Try Clay" open studio at Good Dirt.

Make like "Julie and Julia:" Virginia Willis, author of bestselling cookbooks including "Bon Appetit, Y'all" will lead a class in French cuisine cooking techniques on October 15 at the Rolling Pin.

Want to learn something specific? Challenge me--leave a comment and I'll search Athens for someone who can teach you.

Weekly Freebie: Chase Street Warehouse District & ATHICA

Explore some of Athens' independent art scene in the Warehouse District. Located on the Eastern edge of downtown, the district is home to many art galleries and dance studios. The area is great for free entertainment, including my favorite hobby- people watching!

Perhaps the area's greatest draw, & most famous venue, ATHICA: the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art exhibits a variety of thought-provoking & controversial pieces (the photo for this blog post is from an ATHICA exhibit).

Currently on display at ATHICA through November 8 is the Free Press in Free Fall exhibit. According to their Web site, the exhibit from 13 artists "asks how we- as citizens of the digital age- engage responsibly in a dialogue with our press."

Gallery hours are Thursday, 6-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. & by appointment. 

Admission is free.

Athens This Football Weekend

Athens comes alive this weekend with out of conference football and a host of other activities.

Friday September 25th:

• Hotel Indigo's Rialto Room is quickly becoming one of Athens premier music venues with this Friday's performance by four-time Grammy winner Chris Cross. VH1 recently named Cross' song "Sailing" the greatest soft-rock song of all time. Shows begin at both 8 and 10 p.m., tickets are $55.
• The Melting Point's "Lunch with the Dawgs'" series brings beloved quarterback David Greene back to Athens. Drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005, Greene is credited with guiding the Dawgs towards their Sugar Bowl victory in 2002. The lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. and costs $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
• The Classic Center hosts a homecoming concert for UGA alum Corey Smith this weekend. This popular Southern-rocker plays at 8p.m. at the Classic Center. Tickets are $25.
• Perpetual Groove, one of Athens' favorite acts, brings their high-energy light show to the 4o Watt for a two night engagement. The show begins at 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $15.50.

Saturday September 26th

• High off of their glorious win over SEC West Rival Arkansas, the Dawgs are more than ready to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. Kick off is at 7 p.m. at Sanford Stadium.

Sunday September 27th

• To get your fix of SEC match ups this weekend head to Ramsey to see Volleyball take on the LSU Tigers. Besides the athletic action enjoy appearances by the Red Coat Pep Band, UGA Cheerleaders, and UGA favorite Spike. The match begins at 1:30 p.m.
• The Athens County Heritage Foundation continues their Athens Heritage Walks series with their Piedmont Farming tour. Join host Smith Wilson and his wife Dianne for a visit to the past on their horse and mule farm on Morton Road. Smith keeps the history of farming in the Southern Piedmont prior to World War II alive through seminars and demonstrations. Tickets are $12 for ACHF members and $15 for non-members.

GO DAWGS!

Special Deal: The Georgian Southeastern Chophouse

One of the things I love about Athens is that you can constantly discover new restaurants or stores no matter how long you live in the Classic City. While walking around downtown Athens recently, I noticed The Georgian Southeastern Chophouse.

The restaurant offers lunch on Monday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & dinner Monday-Saturday from 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Sports fans will notice the menu features fun items such as SEC sandwiches (think the Ole Miss Running Rebel or the Roll Tide Tuna Melt), Ivy League Sandwiches, & Big 12 Burgers.

Additionally for the night owls & party animals, the restaurant features a full bar every night and a late night menu Thursday-Saturday from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. For just $3 you get a BBQ or Brisket sandwich, chips, & a pickle. I tried the BBQ sandwich after rave reviews from my roommate & it was well worth the $3. Though I should warn those with a mild tongue- it was a bit spicy.

For more information on their specials click here.

To view their full menu click here.

This Weekend's Best Bets

Live music, local theater, thought-provoking art: there are plenty of things to keep you occupied this weekend while the Dawgs are away.

Friday, September 18th:

• Football Friday Nights at Melting Point: This Friday Leon Russell (with special guest Bloodkin) feeds the city's live music craving before the Dawgs take on Arkansas. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 8:30.
• The Town & Gown Players present Company by Stephen Sondheim. The players open their Fall season with this Tony award winning musical comedy about the ups and downs of marriage. The show starts at 8p.m., tickets are $18 general admission and $15 for students and seniors. No worries if you can't make it this weekend, the show runs until October 4th.

Saturday, September 19th:

• Game day! Your number 20 Georgia Bulldogs face the S.E.C. West's Arkansas Razorbacks at 7:47 on ESPNU.
• Help a dog before you watch the Dawgs. The Greater Atlanta Volunteer Chapter of Canine Companions host their 7th annual Run for the Dogs at Sandy Creek Park. The organization raises and places assistance dogs with the disabled. The event includes a 5k and a 1-mile fun run (dogs welcome!). Registration begins at 8 a.m.
• The four-time national champion Georgia Equestrian team takes on Texas Christian at the UGA Equestrian Center in Bishop. Riding begins at 2 p.m. Admission is free and these ladies are talented!
• Athens Institute of Contemporary Art (Athica) opens their latest exhibit Free Press in Free Fall. The exhibit, featuring a variety of artists, explores the demise of the print news media. Free Fall includes a series of events from now until November 8th. Visit the Athica website for more details.

Sunday, September 20th:

• The Athens' Heritage Walks Series digs deeper into the history of downtown Athens. Hal Cofer, a second-generation Athenian, brings to life historic downtown as a commercial center and cultural hub. The tour begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for ACHF members at $15 for non-members.

Enjoy!

Weekly Freebie: The Student Scene

Looking around UGA's website today I came across their master calendar. Even though I am a UGA student there is so much that goes on daily on campus I am rarely aware of all the different activities. The calendar intrigued me, & looking through it I realized there are plenty of free and budget-friendly opportunities for students and non-students alike.

Need a cheap date idea? The University Union offers movies at the Tate Student Center Theater in the new Tate 2. Ticket prices are only $1 for students and $2 for non-students. Afraid a $1 movie= $1 worth of boring entertainment? Juno and Away We Go are playing this week.

Just in the mood to learn? There are different lectures and discussions held almost daily. And many of them include free food! Just looking at today's list there are lectures and discussions on the integration of UGA, how to facilitate classroom discussion, reflections on the releases of the American journalists from North Korea, and healthcare.

You can also catch fun events like "Evening in the Garden" which features display art by students & jazz music at the Trial Gardens at UGA. The event also features tours throughout the garden and light hor d'oeuvres.

We can all agree that there are many things outside of UGA that make Athens, GA a great place to live and visit. But reaping the (free!) benefits of the college certainly doesn't hurt.

Georgia Gameday

The first home football game is almost here! UGA will take on the University of South Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 12. Keep up with the Dawgs with these great events leading up to & throughout the game, and don't forget to visit the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau's website for gameday parking, last-minute hotel rooms in Athens, and other travel tips.

Friday

• Start your morning off right with Mark Richt & the Bulldog Breakfast Club at 8 a.m. Admission is $20 Alumni Assoication member & $5 student member. Register in advance here. The event is located in the Tate II Grand Hall.
• Have breakfast with Mark Richt & lunch with the dawgs at 11:30 at the Melting Point! This week's speaker is former UGA quarterback and current color voice of the Dogs, Eric Zeier. Tickets are $15 & include a buffet lunch.
  
• Finish up the day with some tailgate food! Come out to the Alumni Assocation's Tailgate Cookoff. The Dawg Bowl Tailgate Cook-off starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Wray-Nicholson House. Dishes can be entered in the appetizer, side, entree or dessert categories. The cost is $20 per food entry or $60 to enter a tailgate team. If you want to sample the dishes, that’ll cost $3.
  
• Football Friday Nights at the Melting Point- Sons of Sailors (Jimmy Buffet Tribute band) will be performing. Tickets are $10 in advance & $13 at the door.
  
• More Music! Catch Sister Hazel at The Classic Center, or be on hand for the grand opening of the new Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo-- David Smits is performing.

Saturday

• It's game day! Hotel Indigo Athens will serve as the football gameday broadcast location for the Georgia Bulldog Radio Network. Fans will now be closer to the action (shows were previously broadcast out of Atlanta). A brand new hour of pre-game entertainment, 'The Bulldog Gameday Show", will air live from Hotel Indigo Athens during the first hour of pre-game programming. The football post-game show will also air for an hour to an hour and a half after the game ends.
  
• Magic 102 will be broadcasting live from downtown Athens for 2 hours before kickoff.
  
• Show up on campus early & be loud at the Dawg Walk! Since there is no First Friday to pump up the dawgs this week they will need an extra large Dawg Walk, located in the Tate Center parking lot. The walk usually takes place two hours before the game, so it’ll be around 5 p.m. for the South Carolina game.
• Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks. The game starts at 7 p.m. but students are being urged to arrive early now that all student seating is on a first come basis.
  

GO DAWGS!

Not able to make it to Athens this weekend? Check back later next week for videos from the game!

Athens This Weekend

Enjoy the long weekend with the best of Athens!

Friday:

• Georgia Bulldawg volleyball is back! This weekend the Dawg's play host to the Volleyball Invitational at the Ramsey Student Center. Play begins at 4:30 on Friday afternoon with a Lady Dawgs' match versus the Duke University Blue Devils. Admission is free.
  
• Also in athletics, the #18-ranked women's soccer team will host the Nike Invitational September 4th-6th. The action starts at 7p.m. when UGA takes on Florida Atlantic. Clemson and Northeastern are also participating in the event. All games take place at the soccer stadium on Milledge Avenue, admission is free.


• For live music, the Georgia Theater is hosting Pretty lights and the Emancipator at Athens Arena at 9 p.m. this Friday. Tickets are $20.

Saturday:

• Georgia football season opener vs. Oklahoma State! The Dawgs take on the Cowboys at 3:30 on ABC. Watch the game with friends or at one of Athens' many fine establishments.


• For those non-football fans among us, Active Climbing (Athens' first indoor rock climbing facility) is hosting the First American Bouldering series. Adult registration begins at 5 p.m. at a cost of $20/ climber. A $100 cash prize is at stake.
  

Sunday:

• Athens Heritage Walk Series tours the Winterville Historic District. The tour begins at 2 p.m. and is $12 for Athens Heritage Foundation members and $15 for non-members.


• The Nike Soccer Invitational continues with UGA vs. Northeastern at 1:30pm.
  

Have an enjoyable and safe Labor Day weekend, however you choose to spend it! For even more weekend activities, visit the Athens' CVB website's event calendar.

Athens for Adults: A Parent's Guide to the Classic City

Fall is always bustling in Athens. Bulldawg football, along with the return of UGA students, draws an influx of visitors to the Classic City. Many visitors will be UGA parents eager to experience Athens with (or perhaps without) their kids. It is always great to share a beverage with Mom & Dad at a North Campus tailgate and cheer for the Dawgs side-by-side at Sanford. But what to do for a post-game activity? Or on those lazy Sunday-afters?

• If you are anything like my parents, you will appreciate Athens' rich history. The Athens Welcome Center offers guided bus and walking tours that provide a close-up look at the city's impressive history. From the world headquarters of R.E.M. to the Confederate relic that is the T.R.R. Cobb house; you will see that your son or daughter's adopted hometown is more than just a world-class university.


• Enjoy a meal at one of downtown's eclectic dining spots. Sample the unique flavor combinations at Last Resort on Clayton Street or the locally grown dishes at Farm 255. To learn more about Athens Cuisine visit the CVB's restaurant page.


• Everyone deserves a night on the town; and there is certainly no shortage of night-life in Athens. The Cine theater, an eccentric arthouse on Hancock street, features independent films representing a variety of cultures. On Monday and Tuesday nights Cine partners with The National, one of Athens' premiere restaurants. The two venues offer a $25 package of a prix-fix meal, tapas, and a movie ticket. Afterwards enjoy a refreshment or hit the dance floor at one of the dawgs' favorite hotspots.


• Terrapin brewery is an Athens staple. Recently named the nation's 7th top brewery,Terrapin provides a place to kick back and enjoy a frosty brew with friends and family(usually with an accompaniment of live music). The brewery is open from 5:30-7:30 Thursday through Saturday, with tours running every half an hour. Eight dollars will buy you a Terrapin pint glass and eight drink tickets, allowing you to sample each of their unique beers.

Don't be fooled by the "college-town" label, Athens has something to offer everyone.

Boogie Shoes

Very Disco, an Athens-based Daft Punk tribute band

There are few things that are more fun to me than going out dancing. Dancing is one of my favorite things to do in Athens, and I seek out dance halls when I'm traveling, too (I'm looking very forward to a 1980s music-video dance party, complete with a spring-loaded dance floor, in a couple of weeks when I visit Portland, Oregon). Of course, that means different things to different people. Some people like to dance with a partner, some people want frequent breaks from the action to chat with their friends. For me, I need anyone going out to dance with me to know that I take it very seriously: I don't appreciate interruptions and won't stop until the lights come up and the bartenders are shuffling people out the door.Lucky for me, I can get my fix several nights a week in Athens. I'm getting excited about a show Thursday night at the 40 Watt Club that promises to deliver the groove and I thought I'd put together a list of ways you can get your jam on, no matter your scene.

• This week, I highly recommend checking out Very Disco, an Athens-based Daft Punk tribute band. Very Disco is the partnership of Alfredo Lapuz Jr (better known as DJ Immuzikation) and Stanley Walker II, and does an incredible re-creation of the French synth-pop duo's stage shows using keyboards, Auto-tuned vocals, live remixing, psychedelic light displays and DJing to perform tunes from Daft Punk's dance-happy catalog. For more info, visit 40 Watt's Web site or Very Disco's Facebook page.


• Athens has a large number of DJs who get the party people moving, but you can find DJ Immuzikation and DJ Mahogany spinning most weeks. Immuzikation spins a consistent stream of indie dance music and blends from the likes of MGMT, the Ting-Tings, Daft Punk (of course) and little-known 80s gems. DJ Mahogany is a fanatical vinyl collector and usually has disco, old soul and funk on his turntable. Little Kings Shuffle Club and the Go Bar are likely spots to hear these guys. Check out the weekly Flagpole listings for shows.


• The newly-opened New Earth Music Hall has taken over a venue known for its dance parties. The club has a really big capacity (400-500) and promises high production value--mega soundsystem and elaborate lights. I stopped in on their opening night and found the strobe-lit floor packed with people enjoying some throbbing house beats. Their lineup of artists is filled with reggae and dub-inspired jam electronica (think what you might hear at Bonnaroo), indie and underground hip hop (Prefuse 73 is coming Sept. 19), and DJs well-schooled in techno, house and club beats.


• So you don't like to stay out until the wee hours? I feel you. Believe me, it's hard to balance late-night dance-capades with early mornings in the office. There's plenty of opportunities to get your feet moving before the moon rises. Monthly contra dances sponsored by the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society are held at Memorial Park administrative building, and they'll teach you everything you need to know about the square, circle (no triangles), folk and Celtic dances they do. They're a very social group, so it's a good time to meet people, too.


• Over at Buffalo's Southwest Cafe, they're starting a regular "Dance and Dine" event in their Big Back Room. On the lineup this month are swing, tango and country line dance lessons--and only a $5 cover. I used to swing dance, and $5 is a steal for lessons. Keep up with the happenings on their blog.

Am I missing out on a huge party somewhere? What's your favorite way to bust a move in Athens?

LA Times features the Georgia Theatre

In last Sunday's LA Times, The Georgia Theatre fire and rehabilitation efforts were covered in a Hometown U.S.A. feature.

The article, (click here to view) profiles owner Wilmot Greene as he begins to rebuild the music venue that once played host to R.E.M. and the B-52's.

Among the things mentioned in the article, what I found most compelling was the reporter's comment that donations and fundraising ideas poured in even before Greene had time to set up the necessary legal apparatus to accept them.

Athens is always noted for its' music scene, parties, and football. But beyond that it serves as host to citizens (and students) who truly care about the history and preservation of their home (or home away from home).

It is nice to see that sense of concern was noticed by the LA Times reporter.