Beer is just Beer….. Right?

by Sara Marrs, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Athens County Economic Development Council

I attended my first 2010 Ohio Brew Week event last night, Sparbock keg tapping at Jackie Os. The pub was full of brew-goers eager to taste the craft brews that will be offered all week at many of the drinking establishments in Athens. I was really excited to be among the group of people who were there tasting, scoring, and talking about the beers. As I listened to the folks at the tables around me, I realized that there is an entirely different jargon that I was previously unaware of when discussing beer and its flavors. It was really entertaining to hear statements like; this one is really hoppy, that one has a sweet nose but a bitter finish, perfect balance.
I have to say, I am a person who knows what she likes. I never really thought beyond that when drinking my beer. I was introduced to a different perspective last night. So, here is a little of what I learned;

*IPA – An ale brewed in England for British troops stationed in India in the 18th century. It was brewed very strong to survive a voyage that could take as long as six months. Highly hopped.

posted in: arts, athens, athens county, balance, beer, brew week, brewers, drinking, economic development, entertainment, entrepreneur, events, family, food, fun, music, people, quality of life, specialty foods, unique, uptown

July 13, 2010 | comments (1)

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Lunch & Learn

by Sara Marrs, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Athens County Economic Development Council

posted in: child care, events, networking, quality of life, training

February 10, 2010 | comments (0)

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Brew Stimulus

by Sara Marrs, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Athens County Economic Development Council

Summer is officially here. The pools are open, summer softball is well under way, and my girls are catching lightning bugs in the back yard. For many folks summer means the official vacation season is here. But this year, for many families, traveling somewhere far away is not an option. Economically. Recession.. nasty, nasty word! So, we make due with what we have, our more local options, and there are many. We have so much to offer right here in Athens county. Not to mention the money you spend here will go farther, help your neighbors businesses, impact our economy in a positive way.

My vacation this year is hereright here in Athens. Im so excited for Ohio Brew Week Festival, and the best part, it comes to me!! One of my favorite things to do is meet new people, engage in interesting conversations, share experiences. Ohio Brew Week brings an estimated 8,000 people into our little community throughout the week of carefully planned events and activities. All of our local businesses see overflow spending from OBW. Hotels are filled with Brew-goers who spend their money here in the Athens area as patrons in, restaurants, gift shops, carry-outs, and countless other businesses. There is a beautiful economic trickle down from all of this spending. This comes at a time when many of these businesses are experience less patronage because of the absence of the student population.

posted in: development, entertainment, events, family, food, fun, living in athens, uptown

June 26, 2009 | comments (0)

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Swimming the Capital Maze

by Todd Shelton, Director, Athens County Economic Development Council

If you are thinking about starting or expanding a business and wonder what type of various state and federal funding programs are available, then please join us for the Lunch and Learn Series organized by the Entrepreneurship Development Group (EDG).

The Athens County Economic Development Council is a proud partner of the Entrepreneurship Development Group (EDG) which works to promote entrepreneurship in the county and region. The Lunch and Learn Series is an educational and networking event that will be held monthly on the third Tuesday of each month from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Innovation Center in Room 103. We will arrange to have one or more presenters speak on a topic at each workshop. Co-hosting organizations include: Innovation Center, Tech Growth Ohio, Small Business Development Center, and Athens County Economic Development Council.

posted in: CEO, economic development, entrepreneur, events, incentives, networking

June 11, 2009 | comments (1)

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This way to the Gun Show

by Emily Prince, Program Specialist, ARTS/West

What is it that makes great theater? What is it that makes great art? Is it the process itself, or is it the way a piece makes you feel or think? Does a photograph change the way you look at the world? Does a song change the way you relate to your fellow man? I don’t know, I get lost in the questions and forget to seek for the answers. Perhaps that is the essence of philosophy and this is not my apologia. I don’t have any answers for you, only more questions.

Such as: Have you noticed how full the mall (Market on State) gets when they have the gun show? Me, too. I, however, have never been to a gun show. I am not opposed, just not interested. I would like to see those kinds of crowds at an ARTS/West event. Really, I would. I want everyone to find something valuable about what we do. Something they need; or a new way to define that indefinable “something” in all of our lives. This weekend, I spoke with some artists who have come up with some pretty interesting ideas about how to shake things up, independently of my “we have to think differently” prodding. Perhaps the planets are realigning… But it’s hard to ignore a community theater doing rock operas based on “Beyond Thunderdome.” Or a play based around a gun show, pot-lucks and WWE. The musical itself is not a new idea – but these are news ways to define it. “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” is happening on Broadway, and “Jerry Springer- The Opera” has also been making the rounds. The concept of a nontraditional musical has made it to Athens and I couldn’t possibly be more excited. Those are a lot of superlatives- maybe I should pay more attention to the plays I’m reading…

posted in: arts, athens county, events, music, unique

March 2, 2009 | comments (0)

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