Beginning at nine this morning, I'll be posting an image an hour from my archives. Today's subject will be the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Here's a bonus image just for the readers of Athens World. I had walked from the river across the short path through the power lines right-of-way, reaching the fence along the road to the ENSAT Center. I spotted a bird perched on the opposite fence. Just as I squeezed the shutter release, the bird left in a hurry. No complaint from me.
2009-07-10
today over at athensview.com
Beginning at nine this morning, I'll be posting an image an hour from my archives. Today's subject will be the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Here's a bonus image just for the readers of Athens World. I had walked from the river across the short path through the power lines right-of-way, reaching the fence along the road to the ENSAT Center. I spotted a bird perched on the opposite fence. Just as I squeezed the shutter release, the bird left in a hurry. No complaint from me.
2009-07-09
today over at athensview.com
Beginning at 9 this morning on my athensview.com, I’ll be featuring images from my archives, one per hour. Today’s focus will be on our local skate park, located in SE Clarke Park on Lexington Road.
2009-07-08
Meet Patrick Ware
How many times have you slowed your gait just a bit as you walked by OK Coffee on College Avenue, stealing an admiring glimpse at the concise elegance of the architecture, or stopped and picked up a coffee for a buck from the bearded dude in the window? Drop by my athensview.com for a profile of the bearded dude.
today over at athensview.com
I'll be posting photographs of UGA campus scenes from my archives, one per hour. Drop by if you can.
2009-07-07
Nuci's Space property tax appeal heads to court this week | News | OnlineAthens.com
This is a cautionary action effecting many more charities and quasi-charities. I am a huge supporter of Nuci's Space so obviously I think that the A/CC Government is barking up the wrong tree. Interesting to learn about Quality Deer Management used to be in Watkinsville and I believe Congressman Paul Broun had something to do with them before getting elected.Nuçi's Space property tax appeal heads to court this week | News | OnlineAthens.com
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Athens Jazz Artist Profile: Karl Friday
Karl Friday (drums) handles the sticks for Sonny Got Blue, the Athens ensemble that sets up every Monday at Ciné as the house band for the regular weekly jam session. Sonny Got Blue also performs Thursday nights for the dinner crowd at Girasoles in Watkinsville. Karl’s been jazz drumming for almost a decade now, having picked it up as a mid-life do-what-you-love-to-do thing. When he’s not anchoring the rhythm section for Sonny Got Blue, Karl often is out of the country altogether. He’s a professor of history at UGA specializing in Japan’s samurai culture, and he visits Japan often to conduct research or to visit his in-laws. Karl has sat in on some sessions over in Japan, and he’s trying to develop the connections to play more over there. (Note: This profile also appears on the artists page of athensjazz411.com.)
2009-07-05
The Classic City Closed-Gate Blues
It's Sunday mornin' and I'm feelin' low.
I ain't got nowhere to go.
It's Sunday mornin' and I'm feelin' low.
I ain't got nowhere to go.
Gotta skate but the gates are closed.
The gates at Southeast Clarke are closed.
Guess it's gotta be this way.
Gotta save a buck, is what they say.
But closed on Sunday?
Closed till noon?
I got the Classic City closed-gate blues.
I got the Classic City closed-gate blues.
I ain't got nowhere to go.
It's Sunday mornin' and I'm feelin' low.
I ain't got nowhere to go.
Gotta skate but the gates are closed.
The gates at Southeast Clarke are closed.
Guess it's gotta be this way.
Gotta save a buck, is what they say.
But closed on Sunday?
Closed till noon?
I got the Classic City closed-gate blues.
I got the Classic City closed-gate blues.
2009-07-03
2009-07-02
Coming Up Over at Athensview
Beginning at 9 am on my athensview.com, I’ll be featuring some of the photos from my archives, one per hour. All of the images were made at Memorial Park.
2009-06-30
At the Melting Point
Is there a more inviting performance space in Athens than the Melting Point? Are there five guys in Athens with more jazz chops than the Athens Latin Jazz Quintet? And yet, we didn't stay last night beyond the first set.
When we put on our wristbands at the door, the odds already were stacked against our sticking around. One, I was down on myself for making a hash of Satin Doll at the keyboard at the Ciné jam. I managed to redeem myself a bit with Miles Davis's Tune Up, but only with the generous help of Melvin and Art and their saxes. Two, we had a couple of thirteen-year-olds in tow, and their appreciation of jazz is, shall we say, still developing. Three, we were still in the throes of PADS -- post-Athfest distress syndrome.
We grabbed a table stage right, not too close to the speakers, and the odds quickly increased that the evening would prove challenging. We ordered soft drinks -- two Diet Cokes and two Sprites. What the server brought had the coloration of Diet Cokes and Sprites, but neither the fizz nor the taste. Apparently, the fizz thing was on the fritz. It happens. But the replacement drinks were nothing to write home about, and Pat had the impression that the server had better things to do than to bring her a water to replace a "Diet Coke" that obviously had developed the tell-tale two-tone look of the abandoned soda.
We ordered. Pat picked the turkey wrap. Ian and I succumbed to the siren song of the Cuban pork sandwich. I don't remember what Chad chose. "After awhile," as we say down here in Georgia, the food came. The longish interval between the handing back of the menus and the arrival of the edibles was no big deal, at least for me. I wasn't starving. And maybe they plan it that way to allow you to enjoy the music a bit before you dine.
Anyway, the food came, and I reached for the right half of my Cuban pork sandwich, anticipating that glorious moment when the toasty warmth of tender meat and melted cheese would dock with my taste buds. But when my fingers closed around that sandwich half, well, room temperature is not toasty warmth. Later, during our debriefing, Pat said that her turkey wrap, which should have had a chilly freshness, also was room temperature. The lettuce was room temperature. The turkey was room temperature. On the plus side, we all devoured our fries and onion rings. They were special and yummy.
Technically, the quintet rocked. The rhythms were locked in the groove, Preston pulled some sweet solos from the bass, and Rand had a really inventive night at the keyboard. The full house gave it up for the guys enthusiastically. But there I sat, a bit disappointed. For one thing, my ears never really adjusted to the acoustics of the performance. The quintet seemed to be playing in a cave. I don't know whether it was the construction of the performance space or where we were sitting or the way the sound board was set or that my ears are still recovering from Athfest, but the keyboard and the vibes sounded tinny, and I didn't get nearly enough differentiation among instruments. Also, I think there might be a missing piece in the make-up of the group. I'd like to hear them as a sextet, adding a horn, or maybe as a quintet with a vocalist out front for some of the numbers.
When we put on our wristbands at the door, the odds already were stacked against our sticking around. One, I was down on myself for making a hash of Satin Doll at the keyboard at the Ciné jam. I managed to redeem myself a bit with Miles Davis's Tune Up, but only with the generous help of Melvin and Art and their saxes. Two, we had a couple of thirteen-year-olds in tow, and their appreciation of jazz is, shall we say, still developing. Three, we were still in the throes of PADS -- post-Athfest distress syndrome.
We grabbed a table stage right, not too close to the speakers, and the odds quickly increased that the evening would prove challenging. We ordered soft drinks -- two Diet Cokes and two Sprites. What the server brought had the coloration of Diet Cokes and Sprites, but neither the fizz nor the taste. Apparently, the fizz thing was on the fritz. It happens. But the replacement drinks were nothing to write home about, and Pat had the impression that the server had better things to do than to bring her a water to replace a "Diet Coke" that obviously had developed the tell-tale two-tone look of the abandoned soda.
We ordered. Pat picked the turkey wrap. Ian and I succumbed to the siren song of the Cuban pork sandwich. I don't remember what Chad chose. "After awhile," as we say down here in Georgia, the food came. The longish interval between the handing back of the menus and the arrival of the edibles was no big deal, at least for me. I wasn't starving. And maybe they plan it that way to allow you to enjoy the music a bit before you dine.
Anyway, the food came, and I reached for the right half of my Cuban pork sandwich, anticipating that glorious moment when the toasty warmth of tender meat and melted cheese would dock with my taste buds. But when my fingers closed around that sandwich half, well, room temperature is not toasty warmth. Later, during our debriefing, Pat said that her turkey wrap, which should have had a chilly freshness, also was room temperature. The lettuce was room temperature. The turkey was room temperature. On the plus side, we all devoured our fries and onion rings. They were special and yummy.
Technically, the quintet rocked. The rhythms were locked in the groove, Preston pulled some sweet solos from the bass, and Rand had a really inventive night at the keyboard. The full house gave it up for the guys enthusiastically. But there I sat, a bit disappointed. For one thing, my ears never really adjusted to the acoustics of the performance. The quintet seemed to be playing in a cave. I don't know whether it was the construction of the performance space or where we were sitting or the way the sound board was set or that my ears are still recovering from Athfest, but the keyboard and the vibes sounded tinny, and I didn't get nearly enough differentiation among instruments. Also, I think there might be a missing piece in the make-up of the group. I'd like to hear them as a sextet, adding a horn, or maybe as a quintet with a vocalist out front for some of the numbers.
2009-06-29
Art event coming up
Don't forget -- coming up tomorrow! Your chance to check out some cat themed art and even bid on stuff including this huge mixed media cat painting (from yours truly) as well as an ORIGINAL Pete the Cat item from James Dean.
What: Art reception and auction
When: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Cat themed art donated by local artists, including Robin Fay, James Dean, Cecile Moore, Josh Payne, Cathy Dailey and more! Pieces will be on display and for sale through the month of July.
Proceeds benefit the non-profit group Cat Zip Alliance.Earth Fare on Lumpkin St.
What: Art reception and auction
When: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Cat themed art donated by local artists, including Robin Fay, James Dean, Cecile Moore, Josh Payne, Cathy Dailey and more! Pieces will be on display and for sale through the month of July.
Proceeds benefit the non-profit group Cat Zip Alliance.Earth Fare on Lumpkin St.
The Gardens at UGA Tour
THE GARDENS AT UGA OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:00 am – 12:00 noon rain or shine
Donation of $5.00 is appreciated.
Directions: Detailed directions are located at http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu
The Trial Gardens at UGA are nationally known for trialing annuals and perennials for the Southeast, and developing new plants for the Horticulture Industry. For example, you can find the Athens Select plants and the new Southern Living line of plants in the Gardens at UGA. “If you really want to know what plants perform well in Georgia visit our Gardens in July and August to see which plants are thriving in our heat and humidity,” states Trial Garden founder Dr. Allan Armitage. Although this garden is open to the public year-round, this special open house on the morning of July 11th also offers:
-Guided tour by Dr. Allan Armitage
-Plant Sale
-Book Sale and Signing of Dr. Armitage’s books
-Rain Barrels for sale
-Area gardeners and UGA Horticulture Club members to offer advice
-NEW Art in the Garden!
Proceeds from donations and plant sales will be used to fund upkeep of these world-renowned gardens. This is a unique opportunity to learn about and buy plants that thrive in Georgia gardens.
Contact: Camille Evans
ugatrialgardens@gmail.com
(706)302-4351
Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:00 am – 12:00 noon rain or shine
Donation of $5.00 is appreciated.
Directions: Detailed directions are located at http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu
The Trial Gardens at UGA are nationally known for trialing annuals and perennials for the Southeast, and developing new plants for the Horticulture Industry. For example, you can find the Athens Select plants and the new Southern Living line of plants in the Gardens at UGA. “If you really want to know what plants perform well in Georgia visit our Gardens in July and August to see which plants are thriving in our heat and humidity,” states Trial Garden founder Dr. Allan Armitage. Although this garden is open to the public year-round, this special open house on the morning of July 11th also offers:
-Guided tour by Dr. Allan Armitage
-Plant Sale
-Book Sale and Signing of Dr. Armitage’s books
-Rain Barrels for sale
-Area gardeners and UGA Horticulture Club members to offer advice
-NEW Art in the Garden!
Proceeds from donations and plant sales will be used to fund upkeep of these world-renowned gardens. This is a unique opportunity to learn about and buy plants that thrive in Georgia gardens.
Contact: Camille Evans
ugatrialgardens@gmail.com
(706)302-4351
Jazz Monday
Farewell to Athfest for another year. Hello to another week of great local jazz. At six tonight over a Ciné, Sonny Got Blue sets up as the house band for the Monday jam session. Bring your ax and join the fun, or just grab some liquid refreshment at the Ciné bar and soak up some swingin’ sounds. I’m hopin’ to make it over this week.
My plan is to hang at Ciné for 30 minutes or so, then head directly to the Melting Point to hear the new band in town — the Athens Latin Jazz Quintet. Rand Lines will be on the keys. Nuff said. Ryan “Manito” Wendel (Grogus and One L) will be coaxing the rhythms from the congas. Dusty Brown (Grogus) will be on the lionel hampton. Preston (One L) Smith will go walkin’ with his bass. And Philip Mayer (Rand Lines Trio, Carl Lindberg Trio, Grogus) will bring his magic to the drum set. Tickets will be seven dollars at the door. That’s less than a burger, fries, and a drink at Five Guys. And these five guys are gonna cook.
Keep up with the local jazz scene at my athensjazz411.
My plan is to hang at Ciné for 30 minutes or so, then head directly to the Melting Point to hear the new band in town — the Athens Latin Jazz Quintet. Rand Lines will be on the keys. Nuff said. Ryan “Manito” Wendel (Grogus and One L) will be coaxing the rhythms from the congas. Dusty Brown (Grogus) will be on the lionel hampton. Preston (One L) Smith will go walkin’ with his bass. And Philip Mayer (Rand Lines Trio, Carl Lindberg Trio, Grogus) will bring his magic to the drum set. Tickets will be seven dollars at the door. That’s less than a burger, fries, and a drink at Five Guys. And these five guys are gonna cook.
Keep up with the local jazz scene at my athensjazz411.
Sunday Pix
Over at my athensview.com, I'll be serving up some of my images from a Sunday afternoon at Athfest. I'll feature a new image every quarter hour.
2009-06-28
AthFest 2009
There are very few things that really surprise me about the depth of the music scene in Athens. That being said, I am truly surprised by the incredible quality of the musical talent (with only a few exceptions) of the bands that played the main stage and the Morton Theatre Flagpole Awards. I consider myself to be a tough critic, but when I was blown away by Dead Confederate, I needed to reconsider the myriad of excuses I had used to remain deaf to the up-and-coming Athens bands.
You see, I was raised on old-school rock-n-roll radio. It seemed that Athens was more of a town for the college/indie music scene. While I mean no offense to the genre or talented artists from this sector, I will have to admit I was a bit of a rock snob.
I am not a rock snob anymore, most specifically because the spacey Pink Floydish riffs that fill your ears on dead Confederate tracks like "The News Underneath" and the Verve-like vocals of Hardy Norris's "All the Angels" gave me a new understanding of what rock in 2009 should sound like. Since I was so wrong to be that judgemental, I decided to write this blog and bare all my musical sins for the world to hear, lest you fall into the same bad habits of the rock snob. Seriously, though, I really want to talk about some great bands from Athens as they move fans to ear-piercing "woooos" and hard-core devotion.
A final note for today's blog regards the fine leadership I have witnessed in the Athens community since the tragic burning of the Georgia Theatre. The Morton Theatre generously took over the venues that had been originally planned to be staged at the Georgia Theatre during Athfest. Kudos to all who un-selfishly made this possible. I'll be writing more on the Morton Theatre later, but suffice it to say that it is a rich jewel of an era gone-by. Its recent total restoration was just in time for the 100th year it has been part of Athens' heritage.
Thanks for reading my first blog- I hope you return for many more to come!
You see, I was raised on old-school rock-n-roll radio. It seemed that Athens was more of a town for the college/indie music scene. While I mean no offense to the genre or talented artists from this sector, I will have to admit I was a bit of a rock snob.
I am not a rock snob anymore, most specifically because the spacey Pink Floydish riffs that fill your ears on dead Confederate tracks like "The News Underneath" and the Verve-like vocals of Hardy Norris's "All the Angels" gave me a new understanding of what rock in 2009 should sound like. Since I was so wrong to be that judgemental, I decided to write this blog and bare all my musical sins for the world to hear, lest you fall into the same bad habits of the rock snob. Seriously, though, I really want to talk about some great bands from Athens as they move fans to ear-piercing "woooos" and hard-core devotion.
A final note for today's blog regards the fine leadership I have witnessed in the Athens community since the tragic burning of the Georgia Theatre. The Morton Theatre generously took over the venues that had been originally planned to be staged at the Georgia Theatre during Athfest. Kudos to all who un-selfishly made this possible. I'll be writing more on the Morton Theatre later, but suffice it to say that it is a rich jewel of an era gone-by. Its recent total restoration was just in time for the 100th year it has been part of Athens' heritage.
Thanks for reading my first blog- I hope you return for many more to come!
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