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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Home Again, Home Again

by Kristin Chesser, Human Resource Manager, Career Connections, Inc.

I would not consider myself transient but over the past six or seven years, I have moved from Athens, to Marietta, to the west side of Columbus, and then to Canal Winchester. Originally, I was desperate to get out, see new things, meet new people and now, I am desperate to get back.

I lived through two of the worst floods Marietta has ever seen and lost a 1988 Toyota Corolla as the Muskingham and Ohio Rivers poured through that trusty old car’s doors.

posted in: athens, athens county, family, living in athens, moving, people, quality of life, unique

March 29, 2010 | comments (3)

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Sould Be Old to This, Yet, I’m New

by Kelee Riesbeck, Executive Director, Athens County Historical Society \& Museum

posted in: arts, athens, athens county, child care, entertainment, family, food, hiking, living in athens, people, specialty foods, sustainable

September 10, 2009 | 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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Spring, Athens, Saturday

by Michelle Greenfield, CEO, Third Sun Solar and Wind Power

I love Saturdays in Athens. Especially in the spring. Here’s an sample of Saturday with the Greenfield’s in Athens.

We wake up later than usual, knock around the house doing cleaning, gardening, or playing outside. Then me, my husband and my two pre-teen boys load into the car and head for town. If it’s soccer season, the adults will have a game and the boys will have practice. It’s all in the same general vicinity on East State. If our game is late and boys are done with soccer, they will trade their shin pads and cleats for knee pads and helmets and head down the bike path to the skatepark to skateboard until we are done. After our fresh air and exercise, we head over to the Farmers Market.

posted in: athens, family, food, hiking, living in Athens, outdoor recreation, people, quality of life

April 20, 2009 | comments (0)

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Raising free range kids

by Sarah Conley, Market Manager, Athens Farmers Market

Magnolia asked this morning if she could go outside and “visit with Riah” – our country hound dog, who was basking in the morning sunlight, presumably defrosting from the chilly night spent outdoors.
I was in the middle of changing Juniper’s diaper when the question was hollered from the living room, so I had no visual on my oldest daughter’s attire: sesame street t-shirt, boys boxer briefs (“just like daddy’s!”) and big purple rain boots.
I gave my usual reply, “put on your coat and some pants, and then you can go out”, but the sound of the front door slamming was all I heard.

From the front window, I saw my dear sweet daughter, clad in nothing but the aforementioned skivys, chasing a chicken around the yard. Riah, a bonified chicken killer, was close behind, but seemed more interested in playing with Maggi than catching the stray hen for a meal.

posted in: , athens county, family, living in athens, quality of life

February 23, 2009 | comments (3)

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I’ll Stay In Athens

by Emily Prince, Program Specialist, ARTS/West

When Elvis Presley returned to Graceland upon his return to the United States from his tour in Germany, he gave an interview. He said, “I’ll stay in Memphis.” I just returned from Memphis and had a lovely time- even the parking meters are “art” (http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/06/04/tidbits1.html) and just the same, I’ll stay in Athens.

Last week I stayed in a little more than usual- still recovering from the weather- but I did manage to make it out to the Town Meeting on Thursday night. About 200 other people and I! The Town Meeting was a solicitation for input on the City of Athens’ Comprehensive Plan. The next meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 6:30 PM. Make your voice heard! I will try to tone mine down a bit… I cannot help but be passionate about the arts and our town. The arts are a vital piece of our economic viability in Athens. Does this mean we need to attract a lot of tourists? Well, tourist money is nice- but it means we need to recognize the arts not as a luxury but as a necessary cog in our economic wheel.

posted in: , arts, economic development, family, music

February 11, 2009 | comments (1)

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