It All Began With A...

 Someone FINALLY fixed the inane requirement to reduce your speed on the Loop between the Hwy 78 exit at the mall and North Ave. As of March 17th, the speed limit on the entire span of Loop 10 is now 65 mph.

Heading out of Athens on Chase street, right before you go under the loop, there is a little Mexican restaurant on the right before you go under the bridge. Tlaloc El Mexicano. And, oh my gawd, it was easily the best Mexican food I've had in Athens. When you go make sure you order the pupusas, little pouches of cheese and jalapenos (you can also get them stuffed with pork). They are slap-yo-mama good (love you Mom ;). The service was phenomenal. The owner sat at my table, pointed out his favorites on the menu and helped me find something that perfectly suited my taste buds. A word of caution, it was A LOT of food. When I saw the plate, I planned on eating it over the course of two meals... but instead I ate the whole of it. The exquisite agony of overeating. El Mexicano is now on my list of regular haunts :) It seems like a great place for ladies night next week with my girlfriends-- vegetarian options AND margaritas?!?! YES :)

In case you are wondering Tlaloc is an Aztec rain god ("He who makes things sprout").

 Last night a date took me to UGA's Observatory for their open house. Unfortunately, those who decide things said it was too overcast (admittedly, it was...) to use telescope to gaze at all the fascinating things in the night sky. So instead they had a lecture on basics of astronomy and dark matter. I actually found it very intriguing. I walked away with a new curiosity regarding the way that maths and sciences are inter-connected. In chemistry right now I'm studying the elements and how they interact. The elements I am learning about are made by the stars (well the ones here on Earth WERE made by stars) and somewhere along the edge of the universe elements are being made right now. Gold, Oxygen,... Krypton. Astronomers have been studying the sky for thousands of years; they know some really interesting things. So anyways, I am looking forward to the open houses this coming fall. I want to see Jupiter with my own eyes :) And now I've added a telescope to the list of things I'll buy when I win the lottery. Btw, I am not able to ride away gracefully on my motorcycle when I know someone is watching (last night). I hope I don't fall over when Margie and I kick off for California. Maybe I will at least leave people with a laugh in their heart.

 Two of my favorite local bands have album release parties tonight (Friday): Cicada Rhythm (Caledonia Lounge) and Muuy Bien (The World Famous). You should check them out if you are looking for some fun. Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food has an event this Saturday (all day). Fester Hagood and others will be turning out some feel good music. I love Fester's work and Kelly's Jamaican Food, so I'm planning on stopping by after work... and before I head to NPRDucati. Apparently the tail light on my motorcycle only works sporadically... which is kinda dangerous when you only have one. Oh, and Twilight Criterium is next weekend, so prepared accordingly!

Me and a few of my loved ones :)

 Lastly, happy Easter everyone! I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones and try not to overindulge on chocolate and jelly beans... or other edibles... Easter is on April 20th this year ;)

~Amanda Terranova

More info:
Athens Banner Herald's article on new speed limit
Tlaloc El Mexicano address:
1225 N. Chase St,  Athens, Georgia 30601
UGA's Observatory- located on top of the physics building on UGA's main campus
220 Cedar St, Athens GA

St Paul and the Broken Bones

My first thought when these guys took the stage: "Who are these nerds?" It didn't take me long to change my opinion.

Saint Paul can sing... taking a line from my favorite Wood Brothers song. THE MAN CAN SING A HOUSE ON FIRE. Rumor has it that Paul, in his fabulous white shoes, used to be a preacher. And I believe it. You can hear the gospel in his voice and feel the spirit in the music.

My one complaint is that no one was dancing. Do people not dance anymore? WTF Athens? St Paul and the Broken Bones rocked the Theater. Libby and I were dancing our asses off on the second level and I look down to a sea of zombies on the main level. It made me a little sad, not gonna lie.

Im so glad I took the effort to come out for this band. I missed them the last time they were in town. I wont make that mistake again.

~Amanda Terranova

PS Is there a band coming to town I need to see? Tell me in the comments section below. 

Festival and Fun Run

Slingshot Festival  returns to Athens this weekend. The second year of the festival brings us music, comedy, art, and even a hackathon. A wristband ($20/$25) will get you admission to nearly every music venue in Athens (Little Kings, New Earth, Max Canada, 40 Watt, Caledonia, Green Room, and on.. and on) During the festival, Cine and Morton Theater will have art and tech exhibits, and comedians. Also of note, Creature Comforts, the much anticipated downtown brewery, finally opened to the public with a Slingshot event last night. 

GA Botanical Gardens is hosting a 5k to raise funds for the Small Dreams Foundation. The program raises awareness and encourages people towards sustainability and be aware of global and environmental consequences of actions.  And since this aligns with my personal beliefs, I thought I'd throw it at you. 

 Lastly, I want to share a family event. Saturday morning the UGA Percussion Ensemble is hosting an event for kids age 4 to 12. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Center, the "Club Concert" is designed to teach kids about making music. I'm going to make, er... ask my sister to take her kids ;)

Though this is a very busy weekend for me, I will carve out some time to visit Morton for a few speakers, Hendershotts for Cicada Rhythm. I really wanted to congratulate Adam and Katie at Creature Comforts, but I will have to do that another time. I may try to get off work on Saturday to enjoy the sunshine and blooming gardens at GA Bot Garden or take my nieces and nephews to the club concert.

Oh! Before I forget! If you dont have plans tonight-- St. Paul and the Broken Bones is playing tonight at the Theatre and I HIGHLY recommend you make an effort to see them.  

Enjoy your weekend and let me know in the comments below of upcoming events!

~Amanda Terranova

More information: 

Slingshot Festival calendar of events

Creature Comforts Event

GA Botanical Garden Events 

About the Small Dreams Foundation

UGA Percussion Club Concert Event

If you use google calendars, add my Athens Culture Calendar! 

The Melting Point

   Today I'm giving you the scoop on the Melting Point, one of my favorite music venues in Athens. I love all things OLD. This building itself was built in the 1850's as a blacksmith's foundry, and part of the original building remains today. The interior of this venue is quite stunning. The exposed brick and the layout makes the venue an intimate atmosphere for both entertainer and.... erm, entertained ;)

   I heard through the grapevine that new owners took over in January 2014. Luckily, they kept some of the staff. MP's sound guy often get compliments from band members. And I really like the regular bartenders (Ask for Fernando; he is everything a good bartender should be, and Debbie is awesome as well!).

   There is live music most every night at Melting Point, and often the cover is $5 or free. Of course, check their website for costs and showbills. Frequent bookings that I recommend:
         -Rabbitbox, storytelling for adults
         -The Hoot, Americana style music
         -Fester Haygood's Confessionals, a musical organizer who usually puts on a good show and not all are at MP.
         -Terrapin Tuesdays

   Browsing the (new) menu they serve salads, burgers, sandwiches and seafood. Also new, a build your own fry basket with lots of tasty options!  Honestly, I personally preferred their older menu style, which changed periodically, but offered more healthy options. In my opinion, the new owner's menu is a bit heavy on the fried food.

  Parking can be a bit of a hassle sometimes. MP shares parking with The Foundry Inn and Spa, and sometime the hotel guests use up all the available parking before shows start. On busy nights, MP staffs the parking lot, and he will tell you where you can find parking.

  Lastly, I want to highlight The Melting Point's patio. It's built between the private galleria and the main stage and bar. On summer nights when the air gets so heavy it stops circulating, the staff opens the huge doors dividing the stage and patio. Letting the music out into the world, and soft breezes into the stage area, it encourages frolicking and dancing :)  No matter what kind of music is being played, these are my favorite nights at Melting Point.

As always, please leave a comment if I left out anything or you want to share your experience with my readers!

~Amanda Terranova

Useful Links:
Melting Point Website
Melting Point Calendar
Directions