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Re: Matt Stutzenberger’s letter ["The
Dead Scene,” July 15): Matt might have
shot himself in the foot when saying,
“Who says you’re supposed to learn in
college.” This implies to me that you’re
supposed to listen to music and drink keg
beer when you’re in the “party hardy’’
atmosphere of UGA.
Well, I can tell you this much about the
“feel-good” bands that used to frequent
the Athens downtown scene. Bands like
DMB, WSP, Neal Pattman, drivin ‘n' cryin’,
even R.E.M. and the B-52’s actually know
what music is all about. It’s not about
chugging beer ‘til you go deaf and start
shouting over the music you are there to
hear, in order to tell your companion the
details of your drunken experience the
night previous.
Local bands nowadays actually play
crunchy, hardcore “indie rock” to maybe
make you stop listening to the noodly
Lir Adult
'
P.O. BOX
extended solos and start listening to the
words. These guys are making fun of you
because you have (somewhere) lost the
ability to listen to and appreciate the
music. In its place you gained the ability
to drink stupid.
Ian Liebold
Athens
BIKE LANES IN
GERMANY
I am writing in response to several let
ters concerning biking the streets of
Athens in recent editions of your maga
zine. 1 have been riding Athens by bike for
one year and I could not say that I feel
safe in doing so.
As I am from Germany, I have had expe
riences in biking here and there. Almost
all German cities provide bike lanes — at
least on major biking routes in the area.
Although bike lanes and street are sepa-
by Greg Fienng
SING
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1000 Lakeside Drive
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ATHENS, ClI SOSOS
rated, cyclist and motorist meet at inter
sections and driveways. I have found
crossings to be very dangerous, as turning
car drivers are prone to overlook
approaching bikers. Car drivers tend to
not consider bikers or pedestrians to be
part of the street traffic. It is a common
and very sad fact that pedestrian cross
ings are not respected by most drivers.
This is illegal.
Sharing the road becomes dangerous
on streets like Lumpkin, which are far too
narrow if used in four lanes. Behavior in
traffic needs improvement on all sides,
which could best be achieved by educa
tion. Most German kids take a biker’s
license test in elementary school, and
respect for pedestrians and bikers on the
streets is a major issue for passing the dri
ver’s license examination. Secondly, exist
ing traffic laws need to be enforced to
make the streets safer and less frustrating.
In the short term, clearly marked bike
lanes will absolutely improve the situa
tion. At least bicyclists would not have to
inhale exhaust from the car in front while
waiting at the lights.
Olaf Haeussler
Athens
ON THE ROAD
The following is the first of what may be
a series of letters from two of our favorite
townies, who are wandering the highways
in search of the real America or something
like that. Enjoy. —ed.
Great Smoky Mountains Trading Post
Hwy 129 North near Asheville
“I like old stuff, you know, junk. If you
like that, why don’t you come back here
and take a look."
It w’as the middle of the night and we
had just intended to fill our gas guzzling
van, but with such a tempting offer, it was
impossible to iefuse.
Already we had ooohed and aaahed
over a taxiderrr.ied boar’s head, an array
of cigarette neons, and a posterboard cov
ered in Polaroids chronicling such local
legends as “Tom’s tom- 21.5 pounds” or
“Carl and Caleb King — nabbing the big
one.” But we wanted more.
We followed the proprietor, Jack
Parton, to the back. Showcased above an
array of camouflage, tackle, and the leg
end “not for sale” was a collection of vin
tage rods and reels. When asked about
the actual amount that would put the
tackle on the market, Jack proceeded to
enthrall us with tales of offers he had
turned down. With visions of irate men
clad in fishing vests dancing through my
head, I focused on a display counter
against the far wall. An array of old lures
fashioned from brightly colored glass
beckoned me — Betsy Johnson would
steal design ideas for the season were she
here!
On our way out the door, Kapn spotted
a notice posted above a picture of a shag
gy-haired local in a fishing boat. “Wayne’s
fishing service — you supply boat, bait,
tackle, lunch and drinks. One hundred
dollars a day, $150 if I have to stay
awake.” We couldn’t help but laugh at this
bastardization of the infamous bumper
sticker “Wanted: wife with fishing boat.
Send pictures of boat.”
“That’s just a joke, you know,” Jack
explained, drawing deeply on his ciga
rette. “We don’t know who put the sign
up.”
The outpost is one of those icons of
America's past that disappears with the
construction of each gas station or mini
mart op the highway. It may not have pin
ball or all-you-can-eat barbecue, but it
remains a testament to an era when virili
ty and sportsmanship reigned supreme in
the mountains. Stop by and visit if you get
a chance. If you’re lucky, Jack will show
you around. ‘Til next time, we’re
Kapn Krisp
DeeDee Galore
In a van
Sunday*
August 2nd
195 PRINCE AVE. 546-5609
NOON -6PM
CONTACT FLAGPOLE
Write to FLAGPOLE at LETTERS, P. 0. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603; or via the Internet at
mail@flagpole.com. Letters may be edited for style, clarity and space considerations.
B FLAGPOLE JULY 29, 1998