We Are Athens: A Buy Local Initiative for Athens

As a native Athenian, I understand the importance of "buying local." With so many great local restaurants, shops and businesses in the area, it is hard to imagine anyone needing more than what the Athens community has to offer.

But it is not just about spending money. It is about helping local owners and employees, the people who genuinely care about this community. My father owns a local auto business in Athens (Kittle A-1 Auto & Truck,) and his commitment to serving the community parallels with other local businesses- they truly care about the well-being of Athens and want to provide superior services to meet every need of this community.

An uprising organization in the Athens area understands how vital it is to buy local, and it aims to increase awareness of this importance. We Are Athens, an Athens area buy local initiative, was formed by a group of local business owners, consumers and community supporters to "promote local business in the Athens area through education and promotion of the benefits of buying locally, local business advocacy, and the importance of preserving what makes the Athens area unique."

So what exactly defines, "local?"

• Private, Employee, Community or Cooperative Ownership
• At least 50 percent owned by area resident(s)
• Full decision-making function for the business lies with its owner(s)
• Limited number of locations, all within a single state or region

We Are Athens is working toward an official announcement to the community, which includes an upcoming launch event and Web site launch. Until then, be sure to check out the Buy Local Athens Facebook page.

Thanks to everyone who supports local businesses and do not forget to keep buying local!

New (School) Year's Resolutions

My children are settled into the new school year, and Athens is welcoming back the influx of UGA students for fall semester. Which has me thinking about new starts and new beginnings. This year, I want to resolve to get out more and take full advantage of all the amazing attractions, events, and opportunities that we have here in Athens, Georgia. How many of us take our local community's cultural resources for granted? Perhaps we have less of that "sense of urgency" for things that are in our own backyards. Here are a few of my New (School) Year's Resolutions.
1. Grab a group of friends and head to Terrapin Brewery for a tour, tasting, and live music. (I still can't believe all that is just 8 bucks.)

2. Get out early on a Saturday morning with my kids for one of the Georgia Museum of Art's Family Days. They always enjoy the activities so much, and it's FREE, so why we don't do this every month, I have no idea!!! Next one is on September 19, calendar marked!

3. Stick to a monthly date night with my hubby. We drool over Top Chef on TV every week, but we could be eating the real thing for just $25 with Athens' own top chef, Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten! What about dinner AND a movie at Cine and The National, still just $25 on Monday and Tuesday. Fall evenings would be awesome to spend on the patio at Farm 255 or The Melting Point!

4. Be more culturally aware. Go to an opening reception for an art exhibit. Try classical music.

What other things should I put on this list, and what's on YOUR list to do this year?