Exploring Athens, Post by Post!

Athens, GA is more than just a unique city. With so much to experience, it has something to offer to absolutely everyone. The historical beauty and excitement that sweeps throughout the streets, is just one of the many reasons people have fallen in love with the captivating Classic City.

My name is Teri Gardner, and as I am ending my fourth year at the University of Georgia, the whirlwind of internships, graduation, and finding future jobs has begun. However,  living in Athens, GA for the past three and a half years has been an experience of a lifetime. With an endless amount of options, I still have so much left to explore in this charming city. When I stumbled across an internship with the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau that focuses on Athens culture, events, and experiences, I knew that I had found the perfect opportunity.  By combining my Advertising and Communication Studies major with my passion for everything this city has to offer, I have found my niche!

I am excited to continue my exploration of Athens, GA, and hope to give you a unique insight of my experiences of everything that Athens, GA has to offer including the music scene, unique boutiques, delicious restaurants, and exciting events.

In addition to promoting Athens on www.VisitAthensGA.com, www.facebook.com/VisitAthensGA.com, and www.twitter.com/VisitAthensGA, I am also looking forward to hearing about your experiences and favorite places as well. What Athens treasures do you recommend I check out?

- Teri

Hello world!

Hi everyone!

I'm the new PR intern for the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau so I thought I'd introduce myself a bit so you know who's writing to you! My name is Kenimer Highsmith and I'm a senior Agriculture Communication major at UGA. My major has shown me a new world I'd never seen before and its encouraged me to continue to step out and explore new things, which is what I hope to do my last semester of college. So far, everything I know about Athens is great but there is so much that I don't know about and have never experienced. For the next couple of months I'll be going to some new places around town and enjoying all the culture and excitement this college town has to offer. I'm open to all suggestions along the way. If there's a cool restaurant, band, convention, or exhibit let me know and I'll try to check it out! Thanks for reading and loving Athens too!

I've Got the Spirit!

I can't say that I've figured out how to eliminate HECTIC from my holiday repertoire. I CAN definitely say that, after being out and about in Athens this week for various shopping and holiday lunch excursions, I've had an easy time embracing the good spirits of the season.

Had a lovely lunch with my wonderful co-workers at East-West Bistro. Renee was hostess with the mostest-- I enjoyed watching her bounce from table to table, and it seemed like she was on a first name basis with everyone. Such a small-town type of experience; am so glad Athens is holding on to that!

The oddest gift on my shopping list was a hiking stick, and I found just the one at Native America Gallery-- thanks so much to the wonderful elves there, who even offered to gift wrap the dang thing (though I told them it wouldn't be necessary-- I'm gonna just slap a bow on it, I think).

Our Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board holiday luncheon was hosted by the new Hotel Indigo, in the Rialto Room music club. We were all wowed by the attention to every detail in the construction and the decor. One of my table-mates was telling me about sitting right in front at the recent Edwin McCain concert. Best. Concert. Experience. Ever., she said. Almost 100 local hospitality folks were gathered, and as each briefly highlighted what they've got coming up, I couldn't wait to get out and see and do all these great events. I was also so thankful to be amidst so many amazing, creative, positive Athenians and know we have great things ahead of us in 2010.

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year, and hoping you'll take the opportunity to get out and about in Athens! Go ahead and plan your New Year's Eve in just a click or two.

Would love to hear YOUR favorite scenes or experiences of the season in Athens!

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?