About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2011)
Athens Water Festival Blends Education, Conservation and Fun It's not often that you can take your kids to a festival and leave with extra credit for school. But that’s the idea behind the second annual Athens Water Festival, an event that brings together various Athens-Clarke County departments and nonprofits with one common goal: to educate on how to keep our water clean. Nearly two dozen local organizations will offer hands-on activities that teach about water conservation, cleanliness and use. Plus, many of the activities can be part of the third- and fourth-grade curriculum, so the ACC Water Conservation Office is teaming with teachers to offer students extra credit for participat ing. The event takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 10 at Sandy Creek Park. "Most of our activities meet the Georgia Performance Standards," said Laurie Loftin, Water Conservation Program specialist for the ACC Water Conservation Office. Her office, along with the county's stormwater depart ment and ACC Leisure Services, is coordinating the festival. "Third-graders study pollution, recycling and conservation," Loftin said; "in fourth grade, they have a big focus on the water cycle and states of matter. So, we're focusing on how water is affected by humans; how we should take care of our water—and we have another tent that is a fun mishmash of carnival games." Activities include the chance to pretend you're an oversized water droplet battling pollution molecules, an obstacle course through barriers of "pollution," a visit from a water fortune teller and an up-close look at the life forms that are found in rivers and streams. There will be a fly-fishing demonstra tion by Trout Unlimited, a demonstration by local Master Gardeners on making plant pots out of newspapers and even a recycled boat regatta at the park's beach. Loftin recommended kids bring their bath ing suits; the beach will be open for swim ming, though there will be no lifeguard. A few of the organizations aren't directly connected with waterways, but Loftin said their missions relate to pollution. The goal of Keep Athens-Clarke Beautiful, for example, is to keep pollution off the ground—which also means keeping it out of riv ers and streams. "We work toward a cleaner, more beautiful community by improving attitudes and behaviors regarding the environ ment," said Stacy Smith, program assistant at Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful. She said 18 percent of all litter ends up in water ways. "Many of our projects involve cleaning up waterways or litter that might end up in waterways," she said. Loftin said students who participate for extra school credit can get special wristbands that they can turn in to their teachers, and there are still plenty of games and activities to please everyone, she said. "When it's something fun and memorable, you're more likely to learn something," she said. "We just want them to come away with learning something about conserving water and water quality." Kristen Morales Nearly two dozen local organizations will offer hands-on activities. A RounjD tOujnj OW CHASE STKC6T There ISALUATGR TO UJG fR THAT US6DT0 HAvJE 5omE iR 6 ACC V Au/f SomE 6(?apTiT' Ow /T Ho&o Touue k ( HoB>o ) 1 / \ V ijrowe- r J V Av! t /*A/A 1 tv '* rw .»./ /•. ■■ • Sor^owe REce-iorcv tagged ouer it AMD |T rviADC fOB \JB R.Y 5>aD I PAMTASfZGD ABOUT UP there amojxvmgAdttce RESTpgATOM bj DAv/ID Cu AIWAT THiSTowO WEEDS IS WORE PuBUC Art. EueRyBody ukES wracs R»Ght UJUJLU WlowtfeWF IMIGE RS . ME T Broad River Outpost.com : r . Tr-> ■ Athens Parking 4 — a Camping 9 Champagne Brunch SATURDAY & SUNDAY * with Mimosas & '3 Blondv Mans nam-3pm Saturday • 12:30-311111 Sunday rrjrTTrarrr? ALWAYS $8 OOZEIV when available HAPPy HOUR Monday-Friday 4-7pm s 2 Domestics or Champagne • s 4 House Wine Every Monday $3 Martinis featuring 360 Vodka Even Wednesday6pm LIVE MlUSIC September: HANDS OF TINE September 14 KIP JONES Open 4pin Mon-Fri and uam Sat & Sun ^ By the loop Next to Tall Boy Beverage Co. v 2095 S. Milledge Ave. pnj j 706-548-3359 Southern Waterbeds * Futons Since 1975 • MATTRESSES PLATFORM BEDS • KIDS' LOFTS BUNKBEDS • WATERBEDS UGA Decor & More Open 6 Days 10-7 • 706.543.4323 Across from Georgia Square Mall southernwaterbeds.com offering: The Best From the lAJWcounlry TATTOO REMOVAL FAST, EFFECTIVE AMD REASONABLY PRICED STOP IN FOR A CONSULTATION AND LOSE THAT UNWANTED INK! 800 O^Mborp? fli/v. fltbvny 706-^9-0190 .706.795.3242 Slow Water WhiteWater FREE ! Gillies Athens now has SuperCool Feather Hair Extensions!!! INOKO Sushi' ELxprets OPEN LATE! Sun-Wed IMOpm Thurs-Sat 1 lam-lam Delivery by Bulldawg Food 706-850-7999 1 2301 College Station Rd. • Next to Kroger 706-546-5662 www.inokosushiexpress.com for the Bear Enclosure at Bear Hollow Zoo Friday, September 9 S:30-7:30pm at Terrapin Brewery 265 Newton Bridge Road $12 custom glass includes a tour of the brewery and sampling of Terrapin beer Bear Hollow Zoo is a facility of the ACC Leisure Services Department 706-613-3580 www.athensclarkecounty.com/bearhollow SEPTEMBER 7, 2011 • FLAGPOLE.COM 5
