News & Views You Can Use
Apr 14, 2004
City Pages
News & Views You Can Use
Major Conference
General Breaks Silence
The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law (UGA law school's international law journal) is hosting a major conference, "From Autocracy to Democracy," on democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, Friday, April 16. The keynote address at 11 a.m. in the Chapel by former Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki should receive national and international media attention.
Shinseki was the general who predicted before the war that post-war security would require "hundreds of thousands" of peacekeepers, a prediction that was publicly rebuked by Secretaries Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz of the Pentagon. As it unfortunately turns out, Shinseki was right, but since then he has turned down interview requests from all the major print and broadcast media (60 Minutes, nightly news, etc.) and has instead chosen the UGA Chapel as the place to make his first public comments.
The conference schedule is as follows: 9:15 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Panel 1) - "Establishing the Rule of Law;" 11 a.m.–12 noon - keynote address; 12 noon–2 p.m. student luncheon (invitation only); 2 p.m.–3:15 p.m. (Panel 2) - "Building the Institutions of the Nation;" 3:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m. (Panel 3) - "The Development of a Market Democracy;" 5 p.m.–6 p.m. - reception for all participants and attendees in the Hirsch Hall Rotunda.
The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law will publish the conference proceedings in a forthcoming issue. The conference is free and open to the public.
For further information, visit the conference web site at www.law.uga.edu/~;gjicl/index.html.
Pete McCommons
Pete McCommons is Flagpole editor & publisher.
Soapbox Time
It's All Downhill Sunday
Athens Soap Box Racing's Spring Classic Event to benefit the Athens Area Humane Society is Sunday, April 18, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Park dam.
Racers compete in a variety of events on a half-mile course for fun, trophies and glory. The race is free for spectators, though Sandy Creek Park charges $2 admission to the park. There will be food and drink vendors, entertainment, arts and crafts, kids' activities and prize drawings before and during the race.
All cars have four wheels, steering, brakes and single seats, are less than 48" wide and weigh less than 176 pounds. All cars are limited to a $300 materials budget (most cost far less). No skateboards, lawnmowers, go karts, golf carts, etc., are allowed and no mechanics to aid speed (no catapults, pedals, dynamos, motors or jet engines!).
Even so, during the last race Peter Stankiewicz's car (built on a frame comprising an old stepladder) clocked at 34 mph. Most of the top few cars routinely exceed 30 mph during the course of the race.
This race marks the first appearance of the Pope Box Derby guys, who are airmen from the Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, NC. The Pope guys will be participating in a demonstration and may possibly get to race, depending on safety and competitive concerns.
This year's race involves a kind of husband-wife grudge match going on between my team (Team Space Ace, which is the much-vaunted kayak-on-wheels car - #2 in the last race!) and Team Harmony/ Bartenfeld Electric, which is the team of my husband, Christian Olmsted.
This is also the last race that we'll be doing in this format. Starting in the fall, we'll be breaking cars into classes to keep everything more competitive (some of the slowest cars lag the fastest by up to 5 seconds, which is absolute death on the course).
Sponsors are (Silver) Cycle World, Flagpole, Taco Bell; (Bronze) Bartenfeld Electric, Pete's Sports Racing, Photo Harmony; (Pit Crew) Southland Graphics, Washington Street Tavern. For more info, go to www.athenssoapboxracing.org.
Nicki Hendrix
Nicki Hendrix works in development at UGA, is one of several race organizers and is a former AAHS board member.
Disconnected
Life In The Suburbs
Clint Moore - an Oconee County resident - is a biker. Each work day he strives to come home alive as he commutes by bike to and from Athens. As a biologist as well as a bike rider, he points with alarm to the kind of growth Oconee County is experiencing. Moore calls it Americas "pod" way of life.
"In a real community, you'd have safe, interconnected walking or biking access to stores, parks, playgrounds, schools and libraries. Instead, our county's subdivisions are not so much communities as they are far-flung constellations of self-contained 'car terminals/ living pods.'" Moore says.
"People sleep and eat in their 'living pods.' They climb into a car - their 'transport pod' - and drive to their 'work pod.' Later, they drive to the 'shopping pod' for food. Finally, they return to their 'living pod,' tend their island of grass, go inside, and do it all again the next day."
Moore worries how much suburban dwellers drive their cars in order to connect these disparate parts of their lives. Those who cannot drive - the elderly, young, disabled - are stuck or must find someone to help them. That is, unless they live near public transportation. Moore also asks, "What is it about public transportation that there is not enough push for it, either from the grassroots level or from our local, state and national leaders?"
Recently, Kenneth T. Jackson discussed these same issues in his talk entitled, "The Road to Hell: Transportation, Sprawl and the Decline of America." His presentation was through the Ferdinand Phinizy Lectureship on March 26 in the Seney-Stovall Chapel. Jackson is the Jacques Barzun Professor of History and Social Sciences at Columbia University and the author of, Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States.
Jackson noted that our great dependence upon the automobile is largely an American phenomenon. Unfortunately, other countries like China are heading in the same direction - in spite of growing pollution problems - as they increasingly use cars for transportation. He asked, "What do we say as billions of Chinese start to drive cars and even ban bikes in Beijing? Do we tell them, "Don't drive cars?"
Jackson explained how Americans have come to accept that every day more than 100 people are killed in this country due to car-related accidents. Americans know how difficult it is to ride bikes, run or walk to many places safely in such a car-oriented culture. Meanwhile, obesity is threatening to become the number one health problem in this country. The trend is ominous in Georgia, and across this country, as we continue to become a land of mega-malls, superhighways and corporate office parks. We continually separate schools, homes, stores and places of work through our current methods of zoning. Jackson asks, "So why don't we all just spread out and destroy rural Georgia and have our own separate mountaintops?"
The solutions are not easy ones and require changing the mindset of many Americans. For example, we do have some public transportation, but it doesn't attract vast numbers of people. Jackson joked, "Think of a guy waiting at a bus stop who sees a cute girl go by. He feels like he's wearing an "I am a loser" sign since he's not driving a car."
It helps to have access to public transportation as well as the incentives to use it. Jackson emphasized how tax policies in Europe make it costly to drive and buy fuel and this discourages individual car use. However, in this country, our taxes pay for the roads. Since we all pay for those roads whether we use a car or not, we may as well drive.
Change must come: especially since we have become "hostage" to our dependence on foreign oil. Americans must look at what our growing dependence upon oil really costs. Jackson summed up the effects of our increasing car/ oil dependence and sprawling growth patterns: "We are caught in a giant machine that is eating away at our country. What kind of world do we want to pass on to our children?"
Liz Conroy
Liz Conroy is a local freelance writer.
Beer Here
A Report From Brew Fest
Saturday, April 3, 2004 I lunged my tardy way to the 9th Annual Classic City Brew Fest. I didn"t wander in until almost 4:30 p.m.; dagnabbit, late for work again. I decided long beforehand that I was only going to sample what I"d never tasted before and let the rest of it come as time and inclination allowed.
My rating system: 1 is Drinkable ("Acceptable but Unremarkable" is closer); 2 is Good Beer, but not worth a great effort or a long trip; 3 is Very Good to Excellent Beer, worth some effort and a sidetrip; and 4 is Nearly About World Class Beer that exemplifies a style or close to it, that is worth a considerable effort to obtain - its source is an enviable roadtrip destination.
One of the two new-to-us brewpubs attending was Aiken Brewing Co., which is located at 140 Laurens St., SE in historic downtown Aiken, South Carolina, half a block off U.S. 1. They were pouring three styles: Thoroughbred Red Ale - 2. I"d drink it again. This won Gold at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival. Maybe I missed something... I must have. It should have been more amazing. West Coast Pale Ale - 2+. Needs more hops, but nice and clean. Powder House Porter - 3+. A lovely Robust Porter - niiice and bitey/ chewy - well worth a trip to Aiken to sample. Fortunately, barbecue and thrift stores abound nearby, plus I can tune in to WBLR "¡El Coloso!" at 1430 AM.
Next I ended up at Southern Legends Brewing. Oddly enough, there"s nothing about them in the program. Their sole offering is Southern Legends Beer, which is a Standard American lager contract-brewed for them by Dogwood in Atlanta. I didn"t rate it in my notes, but it was considerably better than the majority of national brand offerings... just not quite as good as Yuengling. Maybe I"m spoiled. I"ll give it a 2 in retrospect: "It"ll drink," as my friend Rob Martin would chuckle.
Then I twisted my way to Olde Auburn Ale House, which you will find at 124 Tichenor Avenue in downtown Auburn, AL, if you go look. They were pouring four offerings: Irish Red - 2+. There is some there there. I wanted more, but it will do. Tiger Tale Ale - 1.5. I found a sourish note present. It didn"t render the beer undrinkable, though. I need to try it on site. Badly. Ordinarily this style shouldn"t have this taste. Maybe it was "going Belgian," as we call it. Plainsman IPA - 2. Needs more hops. Decent. Full Monty Stout - OUT. It became Empty Monty Stout, then. Ah, me - roadtrip time... more barbecue and thrift stores: Goodwill Industries of Tuskegee, WBIL AM/FM (We Believe In Love), here I gotta come directly. Village Alt - 2.5. This replaced the Stout. I wasn"t disappointed. Not an easy style to pull off: a German ale, no less. Yeah, I gotta go over there.
My next destination seemed wider than a mile away: Moon River Brewing Co., which holds forth at 21 W. Bay Street in lovely downtown Savannah. I had sampled some of their beers previously, but felt like starting over "cause I"ve never visited. I"m glad I did. They were serving six products: Savannah Fest Bier - 2+. This turned out to be a Märzen. Although it lacked "oomph," it was tasty. Wild Wacky Wit - 3+. This was very spicy and reminded me of Celis White (God Bless Pierre Celis!). But not quiiiite as good as Hoegaarden! Brewmaster Select - 3++. This brew turned out to be a Scottish-style Heavy Ale, with the fermentation truncated so it stopped at 5.9 percent. It made me hear bagpipes in my mind"s canyons. I"ll drive to Savannah for a flagon or two of this when Blanch, the overthirsty Cadillac, is in better health. Swamp Fox IPA - 2+. Again, it lacked hops... but it went down smooth. Moon Light - 2+. A light beer that won first place at the 2003 Georgia Craft Brew Challenge. I could drink this all day in moss-draped Savannah. The Captain"s Porter - 2. A London-style, less oomphful version than the Aiken one above... but still tasty.
Wherupon I threaded my needly way to Max Lager"s, which stares out at the world from 320 Peachtree Street N/E in downtown Atlanta (I"ve been there a few times.) A second location (which I have yet to visit) is at Mall Of Georgia in Buford. (I"d have to unroll a string ball to refind my car there, though.) They had four brews:
Max Reserve Lager - 2+. I was impressed: it has some substance.
Max Amber Ale - 2. One notch maltier and I"d have plussed it. It reminded me of Caesar"s Head Pale Ale, which used to come from Greenville, S. C. several years ago. They closed. Sniff. I miss "em.
Max Scotch Ale - 2+. Probably a 50/ - that refers to shillings of taxation per barrel, based on strength. Decent but not overpowering.
Max Imperial Mocha Oatmeal Stout - 3. This wasn"t anything like an imperial stout in strength, nor did it pretend to be. It was tasty and original. I need to saunter by one afternoon and have a repeat tasting.
Yakima Brewing next beckoned me. Since I had already had all but one of their flavors, I rated only the one new to me: Grant"s Mandarin HefeWeizen - 2.5. Man, this would be tasty with lemony baked chicken! Its originality earned it the extra half point.
Somehow I stumbled to the Phoenix Imports table. One brew pleaded for my attention. I gave in: Royal Oak Pale Ale - 3+. For many years, this quality English ale was brewed by Eldridge Pope in Dorchester, Dorset. Alas, Pope"s was taken over and closed, but the product was transferred to O"Hanlon"s in Devonshire. Where the Pope version was an easy 3.5, this lacks something... something minor, though. It might be chalked up to the difference in brewing water.
I then visited Terrapin Beer Co. Since I"ve had Terrapin Rye P. A. so often, I eschewed it (you practically DO have to es-chew it!) and instead went for: Terrapin Extreme Cream Ale - 2+.
There was inclination for one more stop. It took some hunting, but I managed to arrive at Five Seasons Brewing Co. before they ran out of what I"d never had. You can do likewise by visiting them at 5600 Roswell Road in between Buckhead and I-285: they"re waaay around back in the Prado North Shopping Center. Since I"ve been there several times, I was familiar with their other offerings, so I only tried two brews of the four they had. Jokker Witbier - 2+. I"d like to have this again. Not as spicy as Moon River"s Wild Wacky Wit above, but nice. Big Horn Bock - 2.5. One taste and I became instantly glad to live in Georgia, where spring"s coming could be so heralded. It hasn"t arrived in Montana yet, though. Right chewy.
Now, before y"all get on me about not trying everything, that wasn"t the idea. When I was done, I didn"t even go for seconds anywhere: I had had enough. But I would gladly have tasted Aiken"s Powder House Porter, Olde Auburn"s Village Alt, Moon River"s Wild Wacky Wit or Scottish-Style Heavy, and Max Lager"s Imperial Mocha Oatmeal Stout again. Gladly. And that"s just for starters.
Next year"s 10th. Annual Classic City Brew Fest will feature plenty of over-6 percent brews that could not be included this year. God willing, I"ll be there - again with Bell"s (t-shirt) on. I recommend advance reservations.
Next column, new adventure. Prosit!
William Orten Carlton
Special Correspondent For The Flagpole.
Animal Control
Last Week's Scorecard
Athens-Clarke County Animal Control responded to 67 calls.
7 complaints of animal cruelty
2 bite cases
3 complaints of barking dogs
4 ordinance violations
36 animals impounded
25 dogs
10 opossums
1 duck
22 dogs placed
2 adopted
11 reclaimed
9 turned over to other agencies
ACC Animal Control press release for the week of April 1 to April 7.
Ruggers Remember
Benefit Fights Depression
In the fall of 2002, the UGA men's and women's rugby team suffered a loss greater than any game or tournament when Anthony Arrichiello, fellow teammate and friend, took his own life by shooting himself in the head. "He had been having some personal problems, including a car accident and a DUI, and even though we knew he was depressed, none of us thought it was our place to say anything," said Kelly O'Neill, close friend of Anthony's and member of the women's rugby team.
Now, a year and a half since his death, O'Neill, along with the men's and women's rugby teams and Sigma Pi fraternity are speaking up and hosting the 1st Annual Anthony Arrichiello Suicide Prevention Benefit.
"We don't talk about what happened that much... but we want to let his family know that we haven't forgotten about Anthony... and do something pro-active about a negative situation," said O'Neill.
The benefit will take place at Last Call bar Tuesday, April 20 and features the band Tishamingo. All proceeds will be donated to The National Resource Center for Suicide Prevention and Aftercare, a charity that Arrichiello's family selected because it helped them after their crisis.
Along with the musical stylings of Tishamingo, Kelly's Jamaican Food will be hosting a free buffet from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show is 18 and up and there is no cover at the door. All the hosts ask is that guests buy a $5 raffle ticket before or at the beginning of the event for prizes valued as much as $50.
For more information contact Kelly O'Neill at kellyloneill@yahoo.com.
Sarah Epting
Sarah Epting is a student and a freelance writer.
General Breaks Silence
The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law (UGA law school's international law journal) is hosting a major conference, "From Autocracy to Democracy," on democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, Friday, April 16. The keynote address at 11 a.m. in the Chapel by former Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki should receive national and international media attention.
Shinseki was the general who predicted before the war that post-war security would require "hundreds of thousands" of peacekeepers, a prediction that was publicly rebuked by Secretaries Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz of the Pentagon. As it unfortunately turns out, Shinseki was right, but since then he has turned down interview requests from all the major print and broadcast media (60 Minutes, nightly news, etc.) and has instead chosen the UGA Chapel as the place to make his first public comments.
The conference schedule is as follows: 9:15 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Panel 1) - "Establishing the Rule of Law;" 11 a.m.–12 noon - keynote address; 12 noon–2 p.m. student luncheon (invitation only); 2 p.m.–3:15 p.m. (Panel 2) - "Building the Institutions of the Nation;" 3:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m. (Panel 3) - "The Development of a Market Democracy;" 5 p.m.–6 p.m. - reception for all participants and attendees in the Hirsch Hall Rotunda.
The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law will publish the conference proceedings in a forthcoming issue. The conference is free and open to the public.
For further information, visit the conference web site at www.law.uga.edu/~;gjicl/index.html.
Pete McCommons
Pete McCommons is Flagpole editor & publisher.
Soapbox Time
It's All Downhill Sunday
Athens Soap Box Racing's Spring Classic Event to benefit the Athens Area Humane Society is Sunday, April 18, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Park dam.
Racers compete in a variety of events on a half-mile course for fun, trophies and glory. The race is free for spectators, though Sandy Creek Park charges $2 admission to the park. There will be food and drink vendors, entertainment, arts and crafts, kids' activities and prize drawings before and during the race.
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All cars have four wheels, steering, brakes and single seats, are less than 48" wide and weigh less than 176 pounds. All cars are limited to a $300 materials budget (most cost far less). No skateboards, lawnmowers, go karts, golf carts, etc., are allowed and no mechanics to aid speed (no catapults, pedals, dynamos, motors or jet engines!).
Even so, during the last race Peter Stankiewicz's car (built on a frame comprising an old stepladder) clocked at 34 mph. Most of the top few cars routinely exceed 30 mph during the course of the race.
This race marks the first appearance of the Pope Box Derby guys, who are airmen from the Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, NC. The Pope guys will be participating in a demonstration and may possibly get to race, depending on safety and competitive concerns.
This year's race involves a kind of husband-wife grudge match going on between my team (Team Space Ace, which is the much-vaunted kayak-on-wheels car - #2 in the last race!) and Team Harmony/ Bartenfeld Electric, which is the team of my husband, Christian Olmsted.
This is also the last race that we'll be doing in this format. Starting in the fall, we'll be breaking cars into classes to keep everything more competitive (some of the slowest cars lag the fastest by up to 5 seconds, which is absolute death on the course).
Sponsors are (Silver) Cycle World, Flagpole, Taco Bell; (Bronze) Bartenfeld Electric, Pete's Sports Racing, Photo Harmony; (Pit Crew) Southland Graphics, Washington Street Tavern. For more info, go to www.athenssoapboxracing.org.
Nicki Hendrix
Nicki Hendrix works in development at UGA, is one of several race organizers and is a former AAHS board member.
Disconnected
Life In The Suburbs
Clint Moore - an Oconee County resident - is a biker. Each work day he strives to come home alive as he commutes by bike to and from Athens. As a biologist as well as a bike rider, he points with alarm to the kind of growth Oconee County is experiencing. Moore calls it Americas "pod" way of life.
"In a real community, you'd have safe, interconnected walking or biking access to stores, parks, playgrounds, schools and libraries. Instead, our county's subdivisions are not so much communities as they are far-flung constellations of self-contained 'car terminals/ living pods.'" Moore says.
"People sleep and eat in their 'living pods.' They climb into a car - their 'transport pod' - and drive to their 'work pod.' Later, they drive to the 'shopping pod' for food. Finally, they return to their 'living pod,' tend their island of grass, go inside, and do it all again the next day."
Moore worries how much suburban dwellers drive their cars in order to connect these disparate parts of their lives. Those who cannot drive - the elderly, young, disabled - are stuck or must find someone to help them. That is, unless they live near public transportation. Moore also asks, "What is it about public transportation that there is not enough push for it, either from the grassroots level or from our local, state and national leaders?"
Recently, Kenneth T. Jackson discussed these same issues in his talk entitled, "The Road to Hell: Transportation, Sprawl and the Decline of America." His presentation was through the Ferdinand Phinizy Lectureship on March 26 in the Seney-Stovall Chapel. Jackson is the Jacques Barzun Professor of History and Social Sciences at Columbia University and the author of, Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States.
Jackson noted that our great dependence upon the automobile is largely an American phenomenon. Unfortunately, other countries like China are heading in the same direction - in spite of growing pollution problems - as they increasingly use cars for transportation. He asked, "What do we say as billions of Chinese start to drive cars and even ban bikes in Beijing? Do we tell them, "Don't drive cars?"
Jackson explained how Americans have come to accept that every day more than 100 people are killed in this country due to car-related accidents. Americans know how difficult it is to ride bikes, run or walk to many places safely in such a car-oriented culture. Meanwhile, obesity is threatening to become the number one health problem in this country. The trend is ominous in Georgia, and across this country, as we continue to become a land of mega-malls, superhighways and corporate office parks. We continually separate schools, homes, stores and places of work through our current methods of zoning. Jackson asks, "So why don't we all just spread out and destroy rural Georgia and have our own separate mountaintops?"
The solutions are not easy ones and require changing the mindset of many Americans. For example, we do have some public transportation, but it doesn't attract vast numbers of people. Jackson joked, "Think of a guy waiting at a bus stop who sees a cute girl go by. He feels like he's wearing an "I am a loser" sign since he's not driving a car."
It helps to have access to public transportation as well as the incentives to use it. Jackson emphasized how tax policies in Europe make it costly to drive and buy fuel and this discourages individual car use. However, in this country, our taxes pay for the roads. Since we all pay for those roads whether we use a car or not, we may as well drive.
Change must come: especially since we have become "hostage" to our dependence on foreign oil. Americans must look at what our growing dependence upon oil really costs. Jackson summed up the effects of our increasing car/ oil dependence and sprawling growth patterns: "We are caught in a giant machine that is eating away at our country. What kind of world do we want to pass on to our children?"
Liz Conroy
Liz Conroy is a local freelance writer.
Beer Here
A Report From Brew Fest
Saturday, April 3, 2004 I lunged my tardy way to the 9th Annual Classic City Brew Fest. I didn"t wander in until almost 4:30 p.m.; dagnabbit, late for work again. I decided long beforehand that I was only going to sample what I"d never tasted before and let the rest of it come as time and inclination allowed.
My rating system: 1 is Drinkable ("Acceptable but Unremarkable" is closer); 2 is Good Beer, but not worth a great effort or a long trip; 3 is Very Good to Excellent Beer, worth some effort and a sidetrip; and 4 is Nearly About World Class Beer that exemplifies a style or close to it, that is worth a considerable effort to obtain - its source is an enviable roadtrip destination.
| |
One of the two new-to-us brewpubs attending was Aiken Brewing Co., which is located at 140 Laurens St., SE in historic downtown Aiken, South Carolina, half a block off U.S. 1. They were pouring three styles: Thoroughbred Red Ale - 2. I"d drink it again. This won Gold at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival. Maybe I missed something... I must have. It should have been more amazing. West Coast Pale Ale - 2+. Needs more hops, but nice and clean. Powder House Porter - 3+. A lovely Robust Porter - niiice and bitey/ chewy - well worth a trip to Aiken to sample. Fortunately, barbecue and thrift stores abound nearby, plus I can tune in to WBLR "¡El Coloso!" at 1430 AM.
Next I ended up at Southern Legends Brewing. Oddly enough, there"s nothing about them in the program. Their sole offering is Southern Legends Beer, which is a Standard American lager contract-brewed for them by Dogwood in Atlanta. I didn"t rate it in my notes, but it was considerably better than the majority of national brand offerings... just not quite as good as Yuengling. Maybe I"m spoiled. I"ll give it a 2 in retrospect: "It"ll drink," as my friend Rob Martin would chuckle.
Then I twisted my way to Olde Auburn Ale House, which you will find at 124 Tichenor Avenue in downtown Auburn, AL, if you go look. They were pouring four offerings: Irish Red - 2+. There is some there there. I wanted more, but it will do. Tiger Tale Ale - 1.5. I found a sourish note present. It didn"t render the beer undrinkable, though. I need to try it on site. Badly. Ordinarily this style shouldn"t have this taste. Maybe it was "going Belgian," as we call it. Plainsman IPA - 2. Needs more hops. Decent. Full Monty Stout - OUT. It became Empty Monty Stout, then. Ah, me - roadtrip time... more barbecue and thrift stores: Goodwill Industries of Tuskegee, WBIL AM/FM (We Believe In Love), here I gotta come directly. Village Alt - 2.5. This replaced the Stout. I wasn"t disappointed. Not an easy style to pull off: a German ale, no less. Yeah, I gotta go over there.
My next destination seemed wider than a mile away: Moon River Brewing Co., which holds forth at 21 W. Bay Street in lovely downtown Savannah. I had sampled some of their beers previously, but felt like starting over "cause I"ve never visited. I"m glad I did. They were serving six products: Savannah Fest Bier - 2+. This turned out to be a Märzen. Although it lacked "oomph," it was tasty. Wild Wacky Wit - 3+. This was very spicy and reminded me of Celis White (God Bless Pierre Celis!). But not quiiiite as good as Hoegaarden! Brewmaster Select - 3++. This brew turned out to be a Scottish-style Heavy Ale, with the fermentation truncated so it stopped at 5.9 percent. It made me hear bagpipes in my mind"s canyons. I"ll drive to Savannah for a flagon or two of this when Blanch, the overthirsty Cadillac, is in better health. Swamp Fox IPA - 2+. Again, it lacked hops... but it went down smooth. Moon Light - 2+. A light beer that won first place at the 2003 Georgia Craft Brew Challenge. I could drink this all day in moss-draped Savannah. The Captain"s Porter - 2. A London-style, less oomphful version than the Aiken one above... but still tasty.
Wherupon I threaded my needly way to Max Lager"s, which stares out at the world from 320 Peachtree Street N/E in downtown Atlanta (I"ve been there a few times.) A second location (which I have yet to visit) is at Mall Of Georgia in Buford. (I"d have to unroll a string ball to refind my car there, though.) They had four brews:
Max Reserve Lager - 2+. I was impressed: it has some substance.
Max Amber Ale - 2. One notch maltier and I"d have plussed it. It reminded me of Caesar"s Head Pale Ale, which used to come from Greenville, S. C. several years ago. They closed. Sniff. I miss "em.
Max Scotch Ale - 2+. Probably a 50/ - that refers to shillings of taxation per barrel, based on strength. Decent but not overpowering.
Max Imperial Mocha Oatmeal Stout - 3. This wasn"t anything like an imperial stout in strength, nor did it pretend to be. It was tasty and original. I need to saunter by one afternoon and have a repeat tasting.
Yakima Brewing next beckoned me. Since I had already had all but one of their flavors, I rated only the one new to me: Grant"s Mandarin HefeWeizen - 2.5. Man, this would be tasty with lemony baked chicken! Its originality earned it the extra half point.
Somehow I stumbled to the Phoenix Imports table. One brew pleaded for my attention. I gave in: Royal Oak Pale Ale - 3+. For many years, this quality English ale was brewed by Eldridge Pope in Dorchester, Dorset. Alas, Pope"s was taken over and closed, but the product was transferred to O"Hanlon"s in Devonshire. Where the Pope version was an easy 3.5, this lacks something... something minor, though. It might be chalked up to the difference in brewing water.
I then visited Terrapin Beer Co. Since I"ve had Terrapin Rye P. A. so often, I eschewed it (you practically DO have to es-chew it!) and instead went for: Terrapin Extreme Cream Ale - 2+.
There was inclination for one more stop. It took some hunting, but I managed to arrive at Five Seasons Brewing Co. before they ran out of what I"d never had. You can do likewise by visiting them at 5600 Roswell Road in between Buckhead and I-285: they"re waaay around back in the Prado North Shopping Center. Since I"ve been there several times, I was familiar with their other offerings, so I only tried two brews of the four they had. Jokker Witbier - 2+. I"d like to have this again. Not as spicy as Moon River"s Wild Wacky Wit above, but nice. Big Horn Bock - 2.5. One taste and I became instantly glad to live in Georgia, where spring"s coming could be so heralded. It hasn"t arrived in Montana yet, though. Right chewy.
Now, before y"all get on me about not trying everything, that wasn"t the idea. When I was done, I didn"t even go for seconds anywhere: I had had enough. But I would gladly have tasted Aiken"s Powder House Porter, Olde Auburn"s Village Alt, Moon River"s Wild Wacky Wit or Scottish-Style Heavy, and Max Lager"s Imperial Mocha Oatmeal Stout again. Gladly. And that"s just for starters.
Next year"s 10th. Annual Classic City Brew Fest will feature plenty of over-6 percent brews that could not be included this year. God willing, I"ll be there - again with Bell"s (t-shirt) on. I recommend advance reservations.
Next column, new adventure. Prosit!
William Orten Carlton
Special Correspondent For The Flagpole.
Animal Control
Last Week's Scorecard
Athens-Clarke County Animal Control responded to 67 calls.
7 complaints of animal cruelty
2 bite cases
3 complaints of barking dogs
4 ordinance violations
36 animals impounded
25 dogs
10 opossums
1 duck
22 dogs placed
2 adopted
11 reclaimed
9 turned over to other agencies
ACC Animal Control press release for the week of April 1 to April 7.
Ruggers Remember
Benefit Fights Depression
In the fall of 2002, the UGA men's and women's rugby team suffered a loss greater than any game or tournament when Anthony Arrichiello, fellow teammate and friend, took his own life by shooting himself in the head. "He had been having some personal problems, including a car accident and a DUI, and even though we knew he was depressed, none of us thought it was our place to say anything," said Kelly O'Neill, close friend of Anthony's and member of the women's rugby team.
Now, a year and a half since his death, O'Neill, along with the men's and women's rugby teams and Sigma Pi fraternity are speaking up and hosting the 1st Annual Anthony Arrichiello Suicide Prevention Benefit.
"We don't talk about what happened that much... but we want to let his family know that we haven't forgotten about Anthony... and do something pro-active about a negative situation," said O'Neill.
The benefit will take place at Last Call bar Tuesday, April 20 and features the band Tishamingo. All proceeds will be donated to The National Resource Center for Suicide Prevention and Aftercare, a charity that Arrichiello's family selected because it helped them after their crisis.
Along with the musical stylings of Tishamingo, Kelly's Jamaican Food will be hosting a free buffet from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show is 18 and up and there is no cover at the door. All the hosts ask is that guests buy a $5 raffle ticket before or at the beginning of the event for prizes valued as much as $50.
For more information contact Kelly O'Neill at kellyloneill@yahoo.com.
Sarah Epting
Sarah Epting is a student and a freelance writer.
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