The Scoop – Holiday 2020
Athens On Ice
In early November, ice skating returned to the Classic City at the 440 Foundry Pavilion. Bring the family to experience this holiday season in a safe, outdoor environment to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year! Space for each session is limited, so buy your tickets in advance to reserve your space in the rink. Masks must be worn at all times.
Tickets may be purchased at ClassicCenter.com.
Inspiration Hope
Inspired by the challenges we face in our world today, David Hale saw an opportunity to communicate a message of “Hope” to the Athens community. Hale’s newest mural, located next to the Epiphany/Rook & Pawn parking lot and across the street from Creature Comforts, celebrates next year marking 25 years of AthFest Music and Arts Festival.
“Hope” depicts 24 swallows carrying branches toward the 25th swallow marked “HOPE” and its golden nest. “What I learned [from painting the mural] was that it’s important to acknowledge that the swallows are a symbol of hope,” Hale said. “In that kind of narrative of the sailor at sea, what hope truly is is the sailor bringing his eyes up from the horizon and seeing that there’s a potential of a swallow being in the sky. The swallow itself is an acknowledgement that if we remain hopeful, we will receive hope.”
Jittery Joe's
If you’ve lived in Athens for any length of time you
know Jittery Joe’s as an integral part of the coffee community. With the original location opening in 1994, they’ve continued to spread throughout Georgia and the country, but Athens will always be home. As they’ve looked for ways to support and work with their hometown, Jittery Joe’s has collaborated with many of the musicians that make our town so special. “Music is part of who Jittery Joe’s is. And it has been since we opened next to the 40 Watt. It’s always been part of what we love about the community,” says Michael Ripps, one of the co-owners.
Ripps and business partner, Bob Googe, first started off working with the band Futurebirds seven or eight years ago. Since then they’ve continued to do limited release coffees in partnership with bands and musicians like Widespread Panic, Pylon, Kishi Bashi, and the vinyl company Kindercore.
Each collaboration offers the musician or group the opportunity to create their own blend based on what they like, what they think their fans will like, and what they feel is the best representation of themselves as a whole or a specific album - from light and bright to bold and dark. Each one has their own specific art, creating both a unique and collectible coffee tin or bag to go along with their unique coffee. “There’s a culture of music that’s still here. It’s part of the DNA of the city,” Ripps explains.
From classic bands of the 80’s to classical musicians or current pop groups, Jittery Joe’s is proud to partner with the music world in Athens to create some truly special coffee.
Find it on shelves at your local Jittery Joe’s and online at jitteryjoes.com.