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Athens is always a pleasant surprise. Each
time I visit 1 try to do new things around
town, and Flagpole really helps. Even though
I can read it on the Internet, 1 still subscribe. I
love the cartoons (more, please) and the ads.
I was a little disappointed, however, that two
of the best shows 1 have seen in Athens to
date were not reviewed. Crooked Fingers was
rmazing. Did they really make some of their
instruments? Empire State had the place
jumping. Everyone seemed the ‘good’ kind of
happy. They were dancing around (yep,
really dancing). The next Friday night. 1 saw
Kitty Snyder and (the) Jennifer Nettles Band.
They have a great fan base with irost of the
audience singing (and dancing) along. By far
two of the best shows I have seen. 1 found
new places to eat, shop, listen, drink and
drive to (not at the same time), and still
found time to see my old favorites. I am very
thankful that there is a publication like yours
to help me get started.
MM
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TRESTLE HISTORY
What’s the big deal IF the trestles were
removed? Perhaps the biggest issue is the
cost of replacement. They are being removed
as part of a rails to trails conversion, how
ever it would make more sense to utilize the
existing structures and just maintain them.
The Trestle on the cover of Murmur is almost
a quarter mile long and over 4 stories tall at
its highest point. The government seems to
talk about liabilities involved with retrofitting
the existing structures. Many communities
all across America are taking advantage of
federal incentives to provide alternative
transportation solutions and among these is
the rails to trails program. They are using old
railroad right of ways and converting them
into trails for foot and bicycle traffic. Part of
the allure of the conversions is the fact that
they utilize the existing infrastructure
already available, and also the fact that many
rail lines are in out of the way places make
these projects appealing, for example the
trestle in question passes right thiough a
park and crosses a creek which feeds into
the Oconee river. It is also an historic struc
ture in the fact that is was built to bring rail
service into downtown Athens. Prior to this
the trains would stop across the river at
Carr’s Hill. The construction of these trestles
helped pave the way for the post Civil War
growth of the city of Athens, by providing
both freight and passenger service into
downtown leading to great economic grovth.
As a matter of fact, Hannah Baseball bats
were once manufactured in Athens and rode
out of town across this trestle to baseball dia
monds all across this nation. Many people
who visit the South think of railroad and
trains as part of our common heritage. The
structure is visually appealing in its rustic,
unique method of construction. What if 130
years ago some one said “What do we need
this stupid cannon for? It doesn’t work, and
we have much better cannon now anyway."
So they decided to melt down what has now
become one of Athens’ unique treasures, the
double barreled cannon. We must work now
to preserve our existing heritage for future
generations, or all we will leave them is a
parking lo» with a mail.
MysterPB
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SOUNDCHECK PRIMER
In response to George Montgomery’s
letter dated July 19, which was in response to
W.D. Hellhound’s letter dated July 5. which
was in response to Planet Jive s soundcheck
dated whenever the hell AthFest war which
was probably not in response to Bill
Mallonee’s acoustic performance, which was
not dated but very contemporary: Mr
Montgomery, although Mr. Hellhound’s letter
was sophomoric, it raises a valid point about
courtesy. If I may pose as the Miss Manners
of our lovely music scene: It is very rude to
soundcheck during another band’s perfor
mance Especially when the checking band is
full-on funk> electric and the otner soulfully
solo. I in no way question either band’s
talent, as they are both very good at what
they do. Nor am I questioning their personali
ties. My own dealings with Mr Mallonee and
said Green-Haired Individual have been very
pleasant and I would happily invite either to
be the godfather of any future children I may
have. And I am sure Planet Jive did not do
this intentionally. Other very rude things
bands do (without naming names of course!):
Leaving very starchy messes for the poor
bartenders to clean up after shows. Hyper
extending your welcome as an opener,
removing time from the already cramped last
slot. Taking down flyers to put up your own.
Lingering on stage, preventing the following
band to setup in a timely fashion. Engaging in
unnecessary sexual activities with your bass
player’s girlfriend. You know who you are, for
shame!
You don’t have to like everyone in Athens!
It’s hard to like anyone in Athens! But if there
is one thing we learned from “Star Trek," and
I know w r e have learned so much, it is that
peaceful coexistence and noninterference are
keys to happiness. Live long and prosper.
P.T. Wells
Email
ALBUM APPROVAL
Firstly, I would like to express some
appreciation for Flagpole’s reviewing records
that are worth hearing. Secondly, I just
wanted to drop a line to Brandon Butler
agreeing with his review of Sunny Day Real
Estate’s fourth album The Rising Tide
[Reviews. July 5). I have been a fan of them
for over six years now, and I was disap
pointed with their “return to the scene
album” a little over a year ago. I thought it
was too much of a departure from Diary and
LP2. Being a fan, it was an unpleasant sur
prise. Musically, How it Feels., was inter
esting because of the branching out and use
of Doors’-like organ work and sparing sym
phonic inclusions. The Rising Tide takes the
expanded musical spirit and integrates it a
million times better.
Some of the best parts of Diary are the
vocal explosions [oftentimes coming after
the soft part of the heavy-soft-heavy for
mula], but usually in harmony with another
band member. If SDRE uses what worked
with their first album and unifies it with
Enigk’s vision, their fifth album may be their
finest.
Dallas Bentley
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THIS MUIIN W*HL» by TOM TOMORROW
A FEW WEEKS BACK, THE NEW YORK TIMES DECLARED
'THE THIRD PARTY CANDIDACY OF RALPH NADER TO BE
"A SELF-INDULGENT EXERCISE THAT WILL distract
VOTERS FROM THE clear-cut CHOICE REPRESENTED
BY THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES' 1 —
--AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW THE ELITE CLASSES
SEEM TO THINK DEMOCRACY SHOULD FUNCTION--ON
THEIR TERMS, WITHOUT ANY ANNOYING INPUT FROM
THE UNWASHED RABBLE.
NOW, THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY
THREE RESPONSES TO THIS*. YOU
CAN EAGERLY EMBRACE THE
STATUS QUO...
...YOU CAN CHOOSE TO OPT OUT EN
TIRELY (MUCH TO THE DELIGHT
OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ELITE
CUSS£>)...
...OP...YOU CAN STAND UP AND
GODDAMN WELL BE COURTED —
BY VOTING FOR SOMEONE WHO AC
TUALLY REPRESENTS YoUR
BELIEFS...THOUGH WE UNDERSTAND
MANY OF YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE
WITH THAT CONCEPT...
i don't Hme either.' i'm voting
WANT TO ■ FOR THE CORPORATE-
THROW ■ FINANCED, IVY-EDUCATED
MY vote [I political SCION OF MY
AWAY.' I CHOICE—
ATHENS: Super Mcdo. Los Compadres-1380 Prince Ave. 706.543.6777
Council Travel- 480 Broad Street 706.543.9600
^ATLANTA j 2 ,9 °
4 TIMES A DAY
We are now inside
PLAZA FIESTA
4166 Buford Hwy. - Suite 1023B
1-877-725-5287
^AthenslOQA Center
Trabajondo para la paz en Athens * 263 W. Clayton St. * 546-4200
Se ofrece claves de Yoga ensenadas en espanol y dirigidas
a principantes de yoga. Esta clase tendra lugar los lunes
desde las 5:00 de la tarde hasta las 6:30 entre las fechas
7 de agosto y el 12 de septiembre.
Vale $60.00 para seis semanas.
Por favor, matriculese temprano con el instructor Martin
Ore 549-2796.
Aumente la claridad de su mente, su capacidad mentaly su
concentracion mienlras libera la tension fisica y mental
COUPOM
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© e
u s
'oi g
W H
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.5 S
Q 5
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£7
CHINA
y BOAT U j
RESTAURANT
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Buy One Dinner and Get One
HALF PRICE
(Coupon, Dint-ln Only)
600 Baxter Street • 548-7256
□ FLAGPOLE JULY 26, 2000
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