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CONTACT US AT 0.0. BOX 1027. ATHENS. CA SOSOS OK MAIL@FLACKOLE.COM LETTERS MAY BE EDITED FOR STYLE. CLARITY AND SKACE CONSIDERATIONS COOL OLD FOOL I was in my regular video store over the weekend with my two-year-old, hunting for some entertainment and trying 10 distract her from pulling all the boxes down—when the two pierced employees behind the counter (who avoided all eye-contact with me) began a conversation for my benefit. I was the only customer and they were iu^t loud enough to hear no matter where 1 went in the store. They were discussing details of their personal lives in a way that made me think I was meant to be impiessed that they had their own apartments now. 1 brought my movie up to the counter, the recent release of Breakfast of Champions. The girl disappeared, but the guy acknowl edged me with, “Oh, have you read the book?” with that snotty edge to voice that a teacher recognizes so well. I said yes. but it had been a while. This surprised him: “You have??" (A close-minded conformist suburbanite like you??) I have to admit I snickered to mvself when he confessed he hadn’t read it. Kids trying to act cool is nothing new, but this happens to me so often in Athens that 1 just had to complain about it this time. 1 understand my lack of “freak flags" and my child accessory make me loo!: like the demo graphic grown-up they think they will never become. I also understand the reason they are so defensive. This is the first time most of them have been in a place where they didn’t feel alienated: 1 remember how that felt. But there doesn’t seem to be any way to reassure them that 1 am no threat to them, even if I do drive an SUV. Oh well, maybe this is what middle age is going to be like. Miss Hickish Athens BIKE IT I am writing in response to many things written and spoken about alternative trans portation ideas, more specifically bike lanes and their use and viability. I want to com mend local politicians and officials for responding to the idea and developing some plans and goals. It seems that many have an opinion on this issue, but I want to clear the air from an actual cyclist standpoint as to how effective logistically the lanes arfc/can be. Using Baxter Street as the obvious example that so many speak about, 1 wonder how many of the folks who planned these bike lanes have ever actually ridden a bike on Baxter St.? It seems to me that to know how effective the bike lanes are, trying them out first-hand would be a prerequisite. 1 don’t mean effective in terms of how much use is referenced in some report they get; 1 mean effective from a cyclist position of actually riding in them. 1 have ridden these lanes on Baxter a few times, up and down both sides, and for the most part was not very pleased with the standard of use-ability. The best way to explain this to non-cyclist and cyclist alike is to co.npare the experience to driving a car. For a car traveling down Baxter, there are certain unsaid, understood expectations a driver has. Such things would include not having rocks in the road of the size that could alter the car’s path or flatten its tires, or not having large amounts of sediment, sticks and dirt gathered up that could physi cally slow the car, or cause it to wreck. This is exactly the situation that cyclists actually can face when riding down Baxter currently. My whole point is, it is not enough for offi cials and taxpayers, who mean well, to simply say here is a bike lane, we support the idea and now we want you to use it. There must be further responsibility to main tain these lanes, keep them safe, swept, clear of debris, and desirable to all types of cyclists. So often planning and development are done for all the right reasons and with earnest intentions; all the while the very ones who are to benefit most directly find themselves in the end feeling like they were never truly thought of to begin with. Philip A. Verrastrc Athens AWAROSFEST CONFUSION Couldn’t help but notice that Bluestring (awarded best band live at the AlhFest 2000 and nominated for Best Band overall for AthFest 1999) didn’t even receive any men tion in the promos this year. Nor were they included on “The CD." Nor are they ever invited to play at your outdoor events. After releasing their own first CD at the Georgia Theater in April, they have already sold out of their first run and are booked all over the Southeast through November. Also couldn’t help but hear the comments from another band receiving an award at this year’s award show: “Thanks, Flagpole, for telling everyone that we suck,” when they accepted their award. Why is it that Flagpole seems to be so biased in the selection of the local bands they promote? Could ii be that you only pro mote your friends, jealousy, etc.? Isn’t it time you listened to the “people's choice" awards that your own publication sponsors? Athens will not enjoy the gratitude of future success story bands like R.E.M. if you continue to be so insensitive. PMP Atlanta APOLOGY TO BILL I would like to issue an apology to Bill Mallonee for the rude interruptions of his incredible acoustic performance at this weekend’s AthFest 2000 by the self- absorbed, inconsiderate group of losers (with the green-haired “Flea” wannabe on bass) that played after he finished his set. According to the Flagpole event schedule, this band was, “Planet Jive." They, along with their road crew, began to set up and do a very amateurish sound check on the main stage by noodling with their bass, drums, keyboards and microphones, while Bill was baring his soul on the nearby acoustic stage, like he wasn’t even there. He noticed, but, being the professional, roadwise/weary vet eran, continued onward with only a subtle acknowledgment of the disruption. While I have seen and expect varying degrees of rudeness by concert attendees in the past, I have never witnessed such arrogant, unpro fessional behavior by feilow performers/ roadies. Bill Mallonee is by far Athens’ and one of America’s most talented musician/ singer/songwriters, and his music and mes sage rose up over the din of the ignorant. Oh, and guys, that rehashed, post disco, “white boys got the woo-woos,” groove funk ripoff is so 70s. Otherwise, AthFest 2000 was great, thanks, Jared & Co. WD. Hellhound Email Till HMIH W*Kk» by TOM TOMORROW you see, honcy, even someone with a SMALL EMPTY HEAD cam run For PR£5 IDENT IN miS GREAT COUNTRY* llVt OCT k K UM—THAT’S 1 1 that IS cowSCRvATrve* GOOO...X |»o guess... I OF COURSE., If YOU REALLY WANT YOUR DAUGHTER to understand THE political process, you'll Al so NEED BARBiE'S INDISPENSABLE FRiE*D CORPO RATE lobbyist ken: And BARBiE CAN HARDLY BE E*PEc T ED to Rum An effective campaign without the OPPOSITION RE SEARCH of political consultant skipped : OUR ROLLING DATA SNOWS THAT IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO GO NEGATIVE ON 6.1. JO£ BARBIE.' his excessive militarism doesn’t play well with soccer moms: AND IF' PRESIDENT BARBIE WINS THE ELECTION, SHE LL CERTAINLY need to CONSULT wit* *£R TER RIFIC NEW JRiEND, TALKING ALAN GREENSPAN-- WHOSE RANDOM, ENIGMATIC UTTERANCES W'LL PRO^E JUST AS enlightening AS those of HiS REAL life counterpart: —SO STORMY WEATHER MAY LEAD TO SMOOTH SAILING—UNLESS THE DOG 8AIS4 AT MIDNIGHT! BARBIE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND [that MAM' NO ONE DOES, SWEET- HE ART.. .NO ONE DOES. '^Athen$ I * * * S fc)Q/\ Center 263 'V. Clayton SL 546-4200 Basic Beginner Class Starting Dates Thursday, July 20 7:00 pm Friday, July 21 5:30 pm $60 for Six Weeks Please Pre- Register 546-4200 Ongoing Level 1 and Intermediate, Drop-in Classes also Available. I A COPY STORE I AND MORE ...- ► COLOR COPIES ► RESUMES ► FAX ► FLYERS ► NEWSlfTTERS ► BINDING ► OVERSIZE COPIES ► FULL-SERViCE COPIES ► SELF-SERVICE COPIES ► GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS ► VOLUME DISCOUNTS ► FREE PiCK-UP AND DELIVERY 4th Annual six-a-side adult soccer tournament Presented by: Athens YWCO, Coke, Flagpole, & Morris Sports Medicine Register Your Team Today ph.843/689-3440 fax.843/689-6967 www.bearfootsports.com □ FLAGPOLE JULY 5 i 2000 ■WP^VKR*WO 7-5-00 ...Ioworrow44well.com ... www.thlemodernwor1d.com