2008-09-30
Gas tank logic
First of all, a lot of motorists are not "topping off" their tanks. The news has brought us stories of people running out of gas, motorists that ran out while in line at a gas station or while actually driving on the highway. Those people have empty tanks, not half tanks. Second, it has become unlikely to completely fill a tank since many gas stations have set purchase limits, but filling a tank is what people normally do when they buy gas. Third, "topping off" tanks is normal behavior for a lot of motorists who never allow their tanks to go below one-half or one-quarter full.
Now where this argument really fails logically is that in light of this gas shortage motorists should have been making adjustments to their routines and cutting back driving. I have canceled plans for two weekends now because of this shortage and thereby saved a whole tank of gas. I imagine that many other people have done the same. Of course, the panic buying argument comes from credible sources such as the AAA and oil distributors, and it could be supported factually if it could be shown that fuel consumption has increased as a result of the panic, but I have not yet read such a claim. If people have done the smart thing and cut down their driving, then any "topping off" behavior cannot be blamed for accelerating consumption because motorists would already be far behind on their usual consumption. Sure, if we really could force everyone to wait longer before refueling, the supplies would be helped for two or three days, but then everyone would return to the gas stations trying to get full tanks and not just half tanks, and the shortage problems would continue just like before.
Again, we saw an artificial shortage around September 12 caused by panic buying that interrupted the usual fuel distribution cycle. But over two weeks later after motorists have reduced their driving and used less gas, I don't think that "topping off" our gas tanks is exacerbating our problem, and I have read no factual support for this argument. We would have to show that motorists on average have not cut back on driving, a fact I would be surprised to find. Any early purchases by "hoarders" being reported anecdotally should have been more than offset by the reduction in driving we would expect.
2008-09-29
UGA VII's ESPN College GameDay Debut
For those who may have an interest, I have a number of "behind the scenes" photos from ESPN College Gameday posted over on Flickr, and a series of stories on "Eye on Sports Media".
2008-09-28
Local charity up for Animal Planet award -- needs your vote!
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Wow! We are thrilled to learn that Kelly Bettinger and Campus Cats were not only nominated by Marsha Richmond at the University of Georgia for Animal Planet's Cat Hero of the Year, but made it into the final 10! Here's an election you can feel good about, and voting starts this Monday....
2008-09-26
Could Athens run completely out of gas?
I hope these folks are bringing some extra food for their tailgates. If we really do run out of gas and people get stranded in Athens when the hotels are already booked, we'll have something that looks Woodstock for middle-aged frat guys.
See also "Gas shortage may crimp weekend fun" in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dodson is out
Touch a truck day...
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Come Out to the Park! Southeast Clarke Park hosts Touch a Truck Day, Saturday, October 4 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Each vehicle will have trained staff present to answer questions. Concessions will be available for purchase.
This free event features trucks of all types and is for all ages. For more information, please call (706) 613-3580 or visit www.accleisureservices.com/
2008-09-24
Gasoline shortage
2008-09-23
ESPN GameDay Set for Myers Quad on Saturday
"Museum" from University Theatre

To be performed beginning this week by University Theatre from the University of Georgia Department of Theatre and Film Studies, the play "Museum" by Tina Howe is a story of more than 40 characters in a museum on the last day of an exhibition of works from three contemporary artists. It combines social commentary, hilarity, and hijinks as artists, art lovers, art skeptics, students, and museum guards pass through the gallery. "Within 86 eighty-six minutes, 48 characters cross the stage and mercilessly poke fun at the human condition in general and snobbishness in particular," explains Kalina Bakalova, a doctoral student in the department. "If Mozart had been a TV producer, this is what a 'Candid Camera' segment on art might have looked like," wrote Michael Feingold in the Village Voice after seeing different productions of the play in 1978 and 2002.
University Theatre will present their production of "Museum" with over 19 performers. It follows the UGA Arts Festival which celebrated the new building for the Lamar Dodd School of Art, so this is great timing to explore the culture of visual arts.
The spiel:
"Museum" will open on Thursday, September 25 and run September 25-26, 30, and October 1-4 at 8:00 pm and September 28 and October 5 at 2:30 pm in the Cellar Theatre in the UGA Fine Arts Building on the corner of Lumpkin and Baldwin Streets.
Regular admission is $15; admission for students with I.D. is $12. Tickets may be purchased beginning Thursday, September 11 at the University Theatre box office located downstairs in the Fine Arts Bldg. at the corner of Lumpkin and Baldwin Sts. (hours: M-F, 12 – 5 pm) or at the theatre door beginning one hour prior to show time. Reservations may be made in advance by calling the University Theatre Box Office line at (706) 542-2838.
2008-09-22
UGA Ethnobotanical garden tour
2008-09-19
You Want A Piece of Michael Phelps?

(Click on image for larger size)
Money raised for this auction will go to the school and the current capital campaign to build the new school over on Epps Bridge Road.
So if you want a piece of Michael Phelps, head on over to St. Joe's and make a bid or two!
2008-09-18
Rabies shots, microchips & adoptions!
They also will have cats for adoption from the Gwinnett Co. Animal Control.
The clinic will be held in the parking lot behind the vet med building, accessible from East Campus Road. From East Campus Road, look for the sign for the Large Animal Teaching Hospital entrance & follow the signs posted for the clinic (the day of).
See you there!
More info & contact at their website http://www.vet.uga.edu/academic/life/Clubs/index.php
2008-09-16
Georgia public libraries license plate
Cobbled together from a listserv and elsewhere:
"As many of you know, we have been trying for the past four years to get a car tag for Georgia Public Libraries. We need 1,000 people to sign up for one before the Department of Motor Vehicles will produce the car tag. So far, we only have 64 people signed up and the deadline is
Although I couldn't find info at the Athens Regional Lib site about this program (which should benefit all public libraries including ours), I did find the Troup-Harris library page complete with a graphic.
To learn more about how this program will help Georgia public libraries visit:
http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/plates/plate.asp?ptitle=GC
Film Screenings - Free!
The films are: From Curandera to Chupacabra: The Stories of Rudolfo Anaya (26 minutes), and Curandero (27 mins.)
7:00 p.m., Thurs. September 18, 142 Student Learning Center.
More about the Libraries involvement in the Big Read and a schedule of events is located here:
http://www.libs.uga.edu/blog/?p=730
2008-09-12
Car show
All proceeds benefit the Madison County High and Middle School Wrestling Team.
2008-09-11
Does Raising Downtown Parking Prices Make Sense?
Would somebody please go to the ADDA and slap them upside the head? Sorry to be so blunt, but if people are willing to walk an extra block or two, they can always find a metered space during the day.
There is something the ADDA needs to acknowledge. There is no compelling reason to go downtown during the day to shop. Most people would rather go elsewhere, not because of parking problems, but because they would rather pay less for comparable products. And do so without having to pay to park.
There is also a hidden burden here as many metered spaces are taken by people working in downtown businesses for minimum wage or less. Increasing the cost to the employees of these businesses results in a hidden tax.
Now, a couple of things they propose do make sense, sort of. Making people pay at meters after 6:00 PM, maybe until 11:00 PM, would make it easier to find a parking space when they want to go out for dinner downtown. But then you have to pay someone to walk around and enforce the fines. This person will likely have to deal with drunk, belligerent bar patrons. That would be fun to experience.
It also makes sense is to increase the amount of the fines for violations. Right now, it is cheaper to get a ticket than to feed a meter all day. If the ADDA really wanted to make money, they should recommend that meter parking violations really cost on football game days. Parking at a meter and getting a ticket is the cheapest way to park on game day. So why not make the game day fines $50-$100, with a boot? That will really help turnover and make some bucks.
The bottom line is that is not lack of parking that keeps people away from downtown during the day. It is lack of a compelling reason to come downtown. Raising the cost of parking will just be a disincentive.
Anyone else care to chime in?
2008-09-10
North Georgia Folk Festival
Run for the dogs
You can save $5 by registering today or tomorrow.
www.athensrunforthedogs.org
2008-09-08
Athens UFO
Harley vs Hoover
2008-09-06
2008-09-05
Drinking Liberally - Athens
NATIONAL LIBERAL DRINKING CLUB OPENS ATHENS CHAPTER
September 5, 2008- Athens, GA – Could political change really be brewing up at the bar on your corner?
“Drinking Liberally” clubs are pouring across the country; creating welcoming social spaces around progressive politics and bringing together activists, newcomers and everyone in between. With a brand new chapter in Athens, Georgia, the club brings the energy of online social networks into the face-to-face world of old-style 19th century bar-room politicking.
“What better way to share your ideas than by sharing a pitcher?” asked Justin Krebs, one of the club's national founders and directors. “Politics shouldn't be reserved for rooms with fluorescent lighting – we need it in our everyday lives.” Inebriation isn't the end goal; engagement is. Organizers see these gatherings as an easy first step toward greater political involvement as Liberal Drinkers learn from each other, trade talking points and form bonds that become political fuel during this important election season. "A few months back I stumbled across the Drinking Liberally website, and I thought the local club concept was a great idea. I was surprised to see there was no Athens chapter, so I thought, why not start one?” explains Patrick Moore, co-founder of Drinking Liberally Athens. “My friends enjoy meeting at the bar and talking about politics anyway, and this could lead to real political networking and even opportunities for action.”
Drinking Liberally is building those bonds in many places where liberals really need a drink. “Too many people write off ‘red states,’ but our leaders in small towns, the South and traditionally conservative areas are some of our most active. They have to be,” explains National Organizer Katrina Baker. From one chapter formed in May of 2003 to 280 chapters by mid 2008, Drinking Liberally has given like-minded, left-leaners a much needed oasis...at the local watering hole, of course.
“Many progressives have found an online forum, but they are hungry – or thirsty – for a real community, for face-to-face interaction, local compatriots...and new friends. This gives them a safe step away from their computer,” says David Alpert, the national group's webmaster. Tom Bavis, co-founder of the new Athens chapter, agrees, “Despite Athens’ reputation for being a liberal town, the old cliché that you should never talk about politics in public is generally respected, so this group provides a unique avenue and a 'safe space' to discuss politics."
Drinking Liberally Athens meets the first and third Friday of every month at 6:30 pm at Little Kings Shuffle Club, 223 W. Hancock St., in downtown Athens. The next meeting is Friday, September 5th. If you’d like more information on Drinking Liberally Athens, visit www.DrinkingLiberally.org or e-mail athens@drinkingliberally.org.
Hope to see you there!
2008-09-04
Women and Girls in Georgia Conference
2008-09-03
Athens Volunteer Expo 2008
Gustav is a jerk!
Notice this car has an Oconee County tag but is a liberal car. It's a hybrid with an "equal marriage" sticker. It shows Athens pride with its "ATH" sticker, though Oconee natives will bristle at calling Oconee County "Athens" and remind you they are separate places (never mind the shared metro area or overlapping ZIP code). I guess the yellow ribbon is the only thing keeping the car from losing its Oconee County parking permit.
Oconee Connector, Oconee County, GA
Insectival -- an insect festival
Come out to the Garden [State Botanical Garden] on Saturday, September 13, 2008 for a morning of creepy crawly fun. This year marks our 3rd annual butterfly release. Insectival starts at 9:30 am and the butterfly release is at 11:00 am.
http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/