Blog Topic: Upcoming in Athens

Grub Notes: Athens Farmers Markets Restart Next Weekend

By Hillary Brown | May 2, 2020 10:30am

The Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park has been taking orders for pick-up for a while, but on May 9 it’ll open back up to the public for in-person shopping. Does this seem like a terrible idea? There are some strict procedures for how it works, so don’t expect the same crush of people as usual.
1. You have to wash your hands, both before you enter and while you’re in there. Hand-washing stations have been installed.
2. One person per family. This is not a social outing. Don’t dilly-dally.
3. Pre-order if you can. Options are on AFM’s site.
4. Wear a mask. This is not optional. If you forget yours, you can buy one there.
5. Keep your distance from people, duh.
6. If you must pay in cash (and try not to), leave it on the table for the vendor to pick up.
7. High risk? Stay home.
The West Broad Farmers Market is also opening the same day, in a drive-thru format in the parking lot of the Athens Housing Authority at 300 S. Rocksprings St. AHA is also providing land for the community garden that was previously on Clarke County School District property. You can order ahead of time at wbfm.locallygrown.net, beginning at 5 p.m. each Sunday and continuing through 1 p.m. Thursday, then pick up your order on Saturday between 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., paying when you get there. Folks who live in the West Broad neighborhood can have their orders delivered.

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In the Loop: UGA Plans to Reopen This Fall

By Blake Aued | April 29, 2020 7:14pm

The University of Georgia plans to resume classes on campus this fall, President Jere Morehead said in a message today to students, faculty and staff.

"We are anticipating a resumption of in-person instruction for the Fall Semester beginning in August 2020 for all USG institutions," Morehead said. "However, I would emphasize that this situation remains a fluid one, as the USG monitors developments related to COVID-19 and receives counsel from state public health officials. Guidance could be subject to change, even after our plans are put in place. We will need to remain flexible and patient as we move forward."

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Culture Briefs: Submit Artwork to the UGA Earth Day Challenge, an Online Exhibition

By Jessica Smith | April 9, 2020 11:00am

In celebration of Earth Day's 50th anniversary, the UGA Office of Sustainability will present a virtual exhibition called the UGA Earth Day Challenge. Between climate change and COVID-19, it’s a critical time to contemplate how to collectively maintain our relationships to natural systems. Might as well make it beautiful!

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In the Loop: Campaigns Move Online in the Coronavirus Age

By Blake Aued | April 7, 2020 2:38pm

Mokah Jasmine Johnson.

Sheltering in place has pretty much shut down campaigning—who wants somebody showing up on their doorstep to hand them a germy pamphlet these days?—but as of right now there is still an election coming up on May 19.

The progressive group Athens for Everyone is hosting a series of debates via Zoom and streaming them on Facebook Live (facebook.com/AthensForEveryone). The first, on Wednesday, Apr. 8, will feature Commission District 6 incumbent Jerry NeSmith and challenger Jesse Houle. Friday, Apr. 10 will bring you District 4 Commissioner Allison Wright and challenger Michael Stapor. The following Wednesday, District 8 candidates Andrea Farnham and Carol Myers are up to bat (Kamau Hill had not confirmed at press time). On Apr. 22, check out District 10 incumbent Mike Hamby and challenger Knowa Johnson. All start at 5:30 p.m. except the District 4 debate, which will start at 5 p.m. They’ll be moderated by yours truly.

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In the Loop: Hospital and Medical Office on Prince Will Be Renovated

By Blake Aued | January 14, 2020 12:45pm

Piedmont Athens Regional and the medical office across the street will both look different soon.

Owner Richard L. Thompson of Atlanta-based StructSured is renovating the medical office at 1270 Prince Ave. The building will receive a new white facade that will blend in with the medical office under construction where the landmark bar Allen’s used to be, as well as interior improvements, Thompson said. “Hopefully it will enhance the area, make it more attractive to the eye,” he told Flagpole.

The building currently houses Piedmont QuickCare, Athens Women’s Clinic and several other practices. They are all staying, and an additional 1,900 square-foot suite will be available for lease once renovations are complete, according to Thompson.

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Grub Notes: Rashe's Cuisine Is Opening on Vine Street

By Hillary Brown | January 9, 2020 9:37am

Rashe Malcolm.

Hey, it's the first good news of 2020! Rashe Malcolm of Rashe's Cuisine is about to have a physical location once again. Malcolm has leased the space on Vine Street next to Broderick Flanigan's studio that was most recently Bajan Delight, and hopes to be open by February.

Malcolm owned a brick-and-mortar restaurant off Tallassee Road once upon a time, then went to catering only, then started building toward a shared commercial kitchen for small businesses (still in progress) and started a downtown market to let those vendors sell their wares.

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Culture Briefs: Athens Symphony Christmas Concert Tickets Available Nov. 25

By Gabe Vodicka | November 20, 2019 2:18pm

Photo Credit: Athens Symphony

Complimentary tickets to the Athens Symphony's two-day Christmas Concert series will be available for pickup at the Classic Center box office on Monday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m., the Classic Center announced today. The concerts will take place Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.

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In the Loop: Everything You Wanted to Know About SPLOST but Were Afraid to Ask

By Blake Aued | November 4, 2019 8:58am

With a vote on SPLOST 2020 coming up Tuesday, it's obvious that a lot of folks have questions—and misconceptions—about the sales tax and the projects it will fund. The community group Friends of ACC SPLOST 2020, headed by Shannon Wilder, who chaired the citizens committee that recommended projects, is here to provide some answers.

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In the Loop: Now's Your Chance to Comment on High-Speed Rail Through Athens

By Blake Aued | October 22, 2019 10:47am

A map of the three proposed routes. The "greenfield alternative" through Athens is in green.

The Federal Railroad Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation are currently taking public input on three proposed routes for high-speed rail between Atlanta and Charlotte, one of which would run through Athens.

The "greenfield corridor" through Athens offers the highest speeds—125 miles per hour for diesel or 220 mph for electric—as well as the highest potential ridership, carrying up to 6.3 million people in 2050.

Another route, along I-85, with the nearest stop in Commerce, would have similar speeds and ridership, but at a much higher cost of $13.3 billion to $16.4 billion, compared to $6.2 billion to $8.4 billion for the greenfield corridor.

The third alternative would run along the existing Silver Crescent track through Toccoa and Gainesville. It would be much cheaper at $2 billion to $2.3 billion to upgrade those tracks. But it would also top out at 79 mph for diesel and 110 mph for electric, and carry far fewer people, about 940,000 to 1.1 million in 2050.

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In the Loop: Firefly Trail Bridge Proposal Blends Old and New

By Blake Aued | September 17, 2019 2:12pm

Consultants hired by Athens-Clarke County to design a bridge over Trail Creek incorporating the famed "Murmur trestle" have submitted a final proposal that will go before the ACC Mayor and Commission next month.

Based on feedback from an ACC-appointed user group and the public, consulting firm Kimley Horn came up with a design that involves rebuilding the remaining portion of the wooden trestle, bolstered by more modern steel-and-concrete arches on either side.

The trestle was part of the first railroad into Athens, and was made famous in the early 1980s, when R.E.M. put it on the back cover of its debut album. Owner CSX started to demolish it in 2000, but R.E.M. fans around the world rallied, and the local government purchased what was left, with plans to turn the historic railroad into a walking and biking trail.

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