Athensthe sports and social scene beyond the hedges

Smokin!

Taste of Athens photos • 411 on UGA athletics • Peiken’s Music Picks • Spotlight on Chantel Dunham

Spotlight on David Lowery and Velena Vego • The Ticker • Jeff Dantzler • Hoop fan photos

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ance LeavyVCheri andInc.Cha Cha Cha Publishing,

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Special thanks to UGA Sports Communic

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Cheri Leavypublisher Feeling All-American about Athens

I am feeling All- American about Athens rightnow. With The University of Georgia baseball’s open-ing weekend at Foley Field and Athens-Clarke andOconee counties being selected as the location of anew Caterpillar construction equipment manufactur-ing facility there is a sense of pride in the commu-nity. The only thing more All- American thanbaseball and employment opportunities would beapple pie!

Jeff Dantzler was through the moon on Sundayeven after a Lady Dawgs loss to Florida because ofthe Diamond Dawgs three-game sweep on openingweekend against Presbyterian. I loved hearing hispassionate play-by-play a day later of the excitingSaturday finish with pinch hitter Brett DeLoach de-livering a two-out, two-run double for a 5-4 walk-offwin. Check out JD’s column on page 4.

Vance and I plan to scoot over to Foley Field onWednesday and watch them play Georgia State at 5p.m. We hated missing the opening weekend but theGeorgia coast was calling our name for the longweekend for President’s Day.

As we were leaving Athens, we got the newsabout Governor Deal announcing the new Caterpillar

facility project. Hundreds of industry jobs in thisdownturn make for such good news for the twocounties and state. To attract this manufacturingworld leader to the area is a tribute to the wonderfulcommunity and workforce here.

We know Athens’ quality of life was a huge draw.I know when folks ask me where I live and I sayAthens and St. Simons, the response is a huge grinaccompanied with the statement that those two com-munities are the best the state and possibly the southand the nation.

It’s true. Publishing Bulldawg Illustrated has al-lowed us to get to know the communities and peoplethat make our state so great. Over the last three yearsadding the Athens only spring editions has given usthe chance to really see how special Athens is and Ithink we knew it from our college days but what anamazing town it is for other generations too. I thinkthe pages of our issues spotlight the sports and so-cial scene. There are so many philanthropic eventsthat keep us all busy and we are striving to promotethem in advance and after include photos from theevents.

Check out the photos from Taste of Athens ben-

efiting Community Connection of Northeast Georgiaon the next page. Two of our interns, Janell andPierce, attended with friends and snapped photosand enjoyed the fare from all our favorite restaurantsthat supported the cause. I love how students be-come a part of the community while here. And thencome back as adults to keep enjoying their almamater’s classic city. Isn’t a college town great?

I suppose I am a little sappy this U.S. President’sDay. I am full of optimism and excitement about ourfuture. When we take a look closer to home, we seethings we are doing right. I might bake an apple pieand hope our nation gets on a successful path like weare locally. Cooperation is key. As Oconee CountyChairman Melvin Davis noted, the cooperative effortbetween the two counties and state enhances the eco-nomic development prospects and Caterpillar is justthe fresh start.

We are proud of our cover and the Gymdogs thisissue. Cassie Wright is taking some phenomenal pho-tos for us. Look online for her action photo galleries.We have two up of baseball and gymnastics. Head toStegeman for upcoming gym meets on March 2 and 11.

Athensthe sports and social scene beyond the hedges

3Bulldawg Illustrated Athens

Taste of

Athens

Laurie Comfort and Matt Comfort Kira Law, Alena James-Crabtree and Nadia Law Walter Randall and Michelle Mayer

Boyce Jaynes and Amber Jaynes John Rogers, Meggan Cooper, Casey Kirkman and Ashley Bagwell Stephanie Davies and Kathleen Mansfield

Sarah Hansford and Michael Jones Emily Piwonka and Bridget CardilloKelsey Fortune and Kaeti Lindsay Anna Bell King and Tara Rigdon

Ruth Loke and Doris Eawson Renee Arnold and Patsy Rankin Chris Leder and Barbara Eterno

Susan Cheshire and Judy Fogle Lucy Floyd and Jeff Floyd

Carla Haddenand Courtney

Coons

Lauren Dellaria and David Holtzer Kylie Droke and Camille Roberts Andres Bedoya and Simone Kennedy

This is the busiest time of year in collegiate athletics.At Georgia and at most major programs around the coun-try, a vast majority of teams are in the midst of competi-tion. For the Bulldogs – and again, all of the big boys –baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, men’sand women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’sand women’s golf, equestrian, softball, and track and fieldare all in competition.

You can’t win ‘em all, but the competition of trying tois what it’s all about.

Here’s a small dose of this past weekend from my van-tage point.

BaseballFrom little league to the major leagues, and all points

in between, most certainly at the highest level of the col-legiate game, opening day is a very special happening.Everybody is undefeated and filled with hope. And thesunshine of springtime is just around the corner.

There are high hopes for Georgia in 2012. The Bull-dogs are ranked as high as No. 11 nationally and expectedto contend in the rugged Southeastern Conference.

Behind a strong pitching performance from sopho-more southpaw Alex Wood, an outstanding bullpen ef-fort, stellar defense and balanced, talented, athletic lineup,Georgia downed Presbyterian College 6-1 on Friday, Feb-ruary 17.

As the voice of Georgia baseball and women’s basket-ball, this is an extremely busy time of year.

The following day, the Dogs trailed the Blue Hose 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth. With Levi Hyams and KyleFarmer aboard with two outs, Brett Deloach drilled a linedrive double to left field, plating the pair and delivering a

5-4 victory. In the booth to my left, University of GeorgiaPresident Dr. Michael Adams, one of the baseball pro-gram’s greatest supporters and biggest fans, was going nutslike everyone else at jammed packed Foley Field when“De-Lo” delivered. It was one of those late inning magicwins that all of Georgia’s great teams of the 2000s havehad. These are the types of triumphs that build confi-dence and belief. Even when you’re five and a half feetunder, you’re not dead yet.

Lady DogsGeorgia’s women’s team chartered a flight out of

Athens that afternoon, so when I had wrapped up thebaseball broadcast, I jumped in my little blue Acura andhit the road for Gainesville, Florida. Just three days ear-lier, on Thursday in Columbia, the Lady Dogs pulled outa thrilling 61-59 victory. Anne Marie Armstrong hit a pairof free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining and the Game-cocks missed a three at the buzzer.

So as I made the drive down, I was feeling great, call-ing a last second and bottom of the ninth victory in a threeday stretch. That Saturday night, the news then camedown that Jack Bauerle’s women’s swimming continuedtheir great season by winning the Southeastern Confer-ence championship for a third straight year.

Georgia’s gymnastics team that same day pulled out abig victory over Kentucky, as Jay Clark’s squad continuedtheir run as one of the country’s best teams in 2012.

SundayThat Sunday afternoon, things didn’t go the Lady

Dogs way. It’s tough on the road. Georgia didn’t cash inon some opportunities and the breaks didn’t go the LadyDogs way. Florida won 63-59.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs baseball team was crushingPresbyterian as five pitchers combined to four-hit the BlueHose in an 11-0 victory, completing the three-game seriesweep to open the campaign in style. My famous Bulldogbuddy Chris Welton, starting rover for the 1980 nationalchampions and father of standout centerfielder ConorWelton, was keeping me up to date inning by inningthrough the magic of text.

Georgia’s men’s tennis team at the same time came upshort against Southern Cal at the national indoor cham-pionships in the semifinals. Manny Diaz has assembledanother powerhouse team that absolutely has the goods tomake a run at the national title when the NCAA men’s andwomen’s championships return to Athens this May.

Back in Athens at the Stegeman Coliseum, Georgia’smen’s basketball team came up short against Vanderbilt.This was on the heels of a white-knuckling one-point lossat South Carolina after the Bulldogs had pulled out a pairof impressive victories the week prior against Arkansasand at Mississippi State.

This is a typical weekend in Georgia and all big timeathletics this time of year. You want to win in everything,but as a lover of the Bulldogs, it’s easy to take pride in thefact that so many of the schools programs are amongst theSEC’s and the nation’s best.

The longer you go through it – I always remembercoach Dooley saying “the highs are never as high as thelows are low” – the losing hurts worse than the winningfeels good. That’s why you have to savor the great times,which is what I texted to coach Bauerle that Saturdaynight.

Congratulations and enjoy.

Jeff DantzlerThe GURU A weekend of highs and heartbreak for UGA teams

THETICKER

Lady Bulldogs swimming team garners third straight SEC title

Georgia softball team opens 2012 season winning 8 of 9 contests

Both Georgia cross country teams named USTFCCCA All-Academic teams

Track’s Aaron Evans shatters school 800m record at Husky Classic

Gym Dogs’ Kat Ding has been named SEC Gymnast of the Week for her performance against Arkansas

Doubles tandem of Lilly Kimbell and Maho Kowase named to the All-Tournament team for the ITA National Indoor Championships

Track’s Tynia Gaither named the SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week after winning the 200-meter dash

Photos by Georgiadogs.com

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6 February 21, 2012

Gym Dogs

The third ranked Georgia Gymnastics team continue to improve and out-dothemselves every meet. The latest rendition of this came in the annual Pink Outmeet against Kentucky. They are now 5-2 overall with their two losses coming bya total of three-tenths of a point. Kat Ding is on a roll, winning her second all-around of the season against Kentucky. She scored a season high of 9.9 on thefloor exercise, as well as a 9.9 on bars. On Feb. 24, Ding and the rest of the GymDogs will travel down to Gainesville to take on the second ranked Gators in whatis going to be pivotal meet in both the SEC and national rankings. They haveplenty of momentum coming off the convincing win against Kentucky. AfterFlorida, they will be back in Athens for a home meet against UCLA on March 9.

Baseball

The Diamond Dogs are back in action and are off to a fantastic start to the 2012campaig after completing a three game sweep of Presbyterian. Backed by thestrong pitching of Taylor Hicks, Alex Wood and Michael Palazzone, they will takethe field again versus in-state foe Georgia State on Feb. 22. The Bulldogs thenhave another home series against Winthrop Feb. 24-26, before wrapping up thismonth with home contests against Savannah State and Western Carolina. LeviHyams and Brett DeLoach got off to hot starts at the plate in the opening series,leading the team with four RBIs. Head Coach David Perno used highly toutedfreshman Hunter Cole as the clean-up hitter, which should help him adjust tothe speed of the college game in plenty of time when SEC play cranks up nextmonth.

Men’s Basketball

The Men’s basketball team rattled off some good wins against Arkansas and Mis-sissippi State recently, but then took a big step backward with a loss to the cellardwellers of the SEC, South Carolina. Then on Sunday, they fell again to Vander-bilt. They will look to bounce back in the coming weeks but it’s going to be atough road to haul. An away game against LSU waits on Feb. 22. Then the gaunt-let really commences with contests against Florida on the 25th and Kentucky onMarch 1. Georgia will finish out the regular season with those pesky Gamecocksfrom South Carolina at home on March 3. The SEC tournament will begin onMarch 8, this time in New Orleans.

Women’s Basketball

After rattling off four wins in a row, the Lady Dogs dropped Sunday’s contest atFlorida, after beating the Gators less than a month ago in Athens. Still, CoachAndy Landers has a very strong team in Athens that is poised to make a run inthe SEC and NCAA tournament. But first, they have to finish off the regular sea-son with games at home against Ole Miss and LSU on February 23 and 26. Jas-mine James and Anne-Marie Armstrong will lead the Bulldogs into SECtournament play in Nashville on March 1 and then the NCAA Tournament onMarch 17.

Swimming and Diving

The Georgia Women’s Swimming and Diving teams have now won their thirdconsecutive SEC title behind the leadership of Coach Jack Bauerle. This nowranks as the school’s second longest conference champion streak. They were ableto win the meet in convincing fashioned with the next closest school fallingnearly 100 points short of the mark the Swim Dawgs posted. In the process,Wendy Trott set a new SEC time record in the 1,650 freestyle. The men had agreat meet finishing in third place. Martin Grodzki captured a third consecutiveSEC title of his own by finishing first again in the 1,650 freestyle. Both the menand women will now shift their focus to the annual Last Chance home event heldat the Gabrielsen Natatorium (Ramsey Center) on Feb. 25 and 26. The NCAA’sbegin on March 10.

By Travis Ragsdale

Photos by Cassie Wright

Travis Ragsdale’s 411 on University of Georgia athletics

7Bulldawg Illustrated Athens

Hoop DaWGSWin over

Arkansas

Lee Hiles and Taylor Brown Benjamin Watson, Ben Watson, Lee Hughes, and Jennings Hughes Jake Philpotts and Murphy Ferguson

Angie Barton and Jordan Shows Michael Atkinson and Audrey Thorn

Meredith Heppel,Julie Henthorn,Cary Hines and

Annie Trice

Alex Coules and Kelly Hady Wells Ellenberg and Alysa Walden Amanda Maalizadeh and Mariah Loop

Lady Dawgs Win oVer

Vandy

Ann Josey and Lauri Ann Brooks Katie Baba-Nielson and Eleanor Carter Ian Barrett and Travis Barrett Lily Callahan and Maggie Callahan Olivia Smith and Megan Smith

Taylor, Lolly and Tate Titshaw and Diane Bahnsen Danielle Miller, Audrey Thorn and Catherine GebhardtSasha Morgan, Tosca Morgan and Amber Morgan

Doris Ramsey and Gwen Griffin Myrna Smith, Penny Martin and Sophie Martin

Brad Willis,Abby Willis

and Liz Willis

8 February 21, 2012

www.georgiatheatre.com

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Daniel Peiken’s MusiC Picks

By Daniel Peiken

PEIKEn’S REAl Estate PICk

Perfect 4 bedrooms and2 baths. Located 1/2 a milefrom downtown and all theshops and venues. Locatedaround the block from UGAand the stadium and all thefun. Located across the streetfrom the Athens Greenwayand the Oconee River. Youwon't have to pay to park oncampus and you won't haveto drive home from a RockShow. $120,000 (www.up-churchrealty.com).

394 Oconee Street, Steeplechase Condos #23

If you saw any of my 'picks' from the last issue, thenyou know that February has been full of fantastic and localmusic. Since the Widespread Panic Shows I've seen Dan-gfly, the Burning Angels, Norma Rae, Shehehe, the Dictator-tots , the Knockouts, the Heap, Love Tractor, the Humms,Reiger-Spillane-Carter, Jeff Mangu and Abbey Road Live! .

Check out www.AthensRockShow.com to watch morethan 1200 of my videos and pictures of Athens bands.

Here is where I’d go if I could go out every night andsee every band that I wanted to see in Athens.

2/23 Adam Klein (Avid Bookshop)2/23 Cult of Riggonia / Hunter Morris / Woodfangs (FlickerTheatre & Bar)2/24 Gentlemen Jesse & His Men / The Darnell Boys / Vincas(Caledonia Lounge)2/24 Cicada Rhythm / Vestibules (Farm 255)2/24 Now You See Them / Ruby Kendrick / Yo Soybean(Flicker Theatre & Bar)2/24 Sam Bush (Georgia Theatre)2/24 Big C and the Velvet Delta (Hendershot's Coffee Bar)2/24 CCBB / The Humms / Koko Beware / The Rodney Kings /Timmy Tumble and the Tumblers (Little Kings Shuffle Club)2/24 Kite to the Moon / The Woodgrains (No Where Bar)2/24 The Chieftains (The Classic Center)2/24 Mike Cooley (The Melting Point) of the Drive-By Truckers2/25 Dirty South Gnar Fest!! Lowdive, Karbomb, BastardSuns, Taj Motel Trio, El Chupaskabra, Soul Radics, BlameSydney, Los Meesfits (Caledonia Lounge)2/25 Eddie and the Public Speakers (Farm 255)2/25 Charlie Garrett Band / Heather Luttrell (Hendershot'sCoffee Bar)2/25 The Highballs (The Melting Point)2/27 Tim Brantley / Carbon Leaf (The Melting Point)2/28 Meredith Sheldon / The Lemonheads (40 Watt Club) 2/29 Androcles and the Lion / Sleepy Eye Giant / The WinterSounds (Caledonia Lounge)2/29 Badfish (Georgia Theatre)2/29 Jake Mowrer Quartet (Porterhouse Grill)3/1 David Lowery & Johnny Hickman / Jonny Corndawg /Ponderosa (40 Watt Club)3/1 Moon Taxi (Georgia Theatre)3/2 Camper Van Beethoven / Matt Hudgins & His Shit-Hot CountryBand / Thomas Hardy Morris and The Outfit (40 Watt Club)3/2 Lera Lynn (Georgia Theatre)3/2 Grass Giraffes / Twin Tigers / White Violet (Caledonia Lounge)3/3 Cracker / Clint Maul / Shonna Tucker (40 Watt Club)3/6 Brock Butler / Consider the Source / Kung Fu / TheWerks (Georgia Theatre)3/7 Henry Rollins (40 Watt Club)3/7 Matt Hudgins / Vincas / White Laces / Diamond Center(Caledonia Lounge)3/8 Hot Cha Chas / Tater Zandra / Muuy Biien (Caledonia Lounge)3/9 Holman Autry Band (Georgia Theatre)3/15 Colin Hay (The Melting Point)3/28 Leo Kottke (The Melting Point)3/30 Thayer Sarrano CD Release Party with Bo Beddingfield(Wydelles) / Walker Howie (Dead Confederate) (Caledonia Lounge)3/30 N. Mississippi All-Stars (Georgia Theatre)

Come to Athens for the Bulldawgs and stay for the Rock’N’Roll.Chances are the person serving you sweet tea at lunch will be per-forming on a stage that night.

photos by AthensRockShow.com

Love Tractor

Shehehe

Abbey Road

9Bulldawg Illustrated Athens

Compiled by Ashley Hanna

What’s it like transitioning from musician to teacher?David: Remarkably similar. You dress up for each performance. You have to rehearse a little beforehand and you can tell when your lecture sucks.

Spotlight on David Lowery and Velena Vego

David Lowery and Velena Vego consider a stop for yogurt and a stroll through TJ Maxx the perfect date night. That’s probably not what you’d expect coming from two staples of the Athens music community, but it’s exactly what makes them so cool. Velena adds that the dates are part necessity, saying, “Where do you think David gets all those sweaters?” She’s got a point with that one. Velena is the booking agent for the 40 Watt club and David, front man of bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, recently added music business professor to his resume. I’ve been lucky enough to have him as a teacher and his class, as all my music business classes have been, was one of my favorites. Velena, who also manages both Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, and David chose a rather unique way to say “I do” this past Au-gust. They were married during a music business class, by none other than David Barbe, head of the program and music legend in his own right. Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers served as best man, while Barrie Buck, owner of the 40 Watt, was by Velena’s side as maid of honor. It was the perfect setting for the Athens all-star line up to help them tie the knot. Velena and David are the ultimate cool couple, but you won’t get any rock star attitude from them. They’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Velena has booked what have been some of my favorite shows and best memories from college and getting to study under David

If you want to catch the couple in action for yourself, David’s bands will be playing the 40 Watt March 1 – 3 and you can bet he’ll be rocking a great sweater.

Favorite Athens music memory?David: Headlining Athfest in 2010 was pretty cool. It felt like a hometown gig.

What are you listening to right now?Both: Futurebirds, Ponderosa, and Thayer Serrano. We like Reptar’s style.

Favorite restaurants in town?Both: Ted’s Most Best and The National

Favorite bars?Both: The Globe and The Manhattan

What makes Athens so special?Both: The music scene. There’s nothing like it anywhere.

Top 3 shows at the Watt?Velena: Nirvana, Snoop Dogg, Sufjan Stevens

Dream band to book?Velena: Morrissey

Favorite show you’ve played in Athens?David: Camper Van Beethoven in the middle of a snowstorm, 2005 or 2006?

What’s your perfect date night?Velena: Well, it’s not very rock and roll, but Menchie’s and a quick stroll through TJ Maxx. Where do you think David gets all those sweaters?

An evening of fashions to benefit Hope Haven

Proceeds to benefi tFor more information, call (706) 548-4361 or visit www.hopehaven.net.

Athens Country Club TIME:

6:00 pm - Social and Silent Auction • 7:30 pm - Fashion Show Starts!DETAILS:

Only $50.00!! • Sponsorship opportunities still available. Silent auction items welcomed.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

10 February 21, 2012

Wine & Design EventA Few Favorites of...

Nancy Dyleski and Freida Clarke

Laura Diller and Katie Moss Drew and Rabun Dekle

Cullen and Patrick O’Steen

Alison Abernathy and Aimee Gilbert

Compiled by Janell NIederriterSpotlight on Chantel DunhamFive Questions for the Ragin’ Cajun turned Bulldawg and University of Georgia’s Director of Development for Uni-versity Libraries. Chantel Dunham shows enthusiasm for her job and the love she has for the community of Ath-ens, all while revealing some of the unique, sometimes hidden, opportunities UGA has to offer the public.

What brought you to Athens and what do you think makes the Classic City unique?My husband Kirk was offered a job through the company he was working for in southern California. We met Martha

me for my job with the University. She and Stan are wonder-ful and amazing ambassadors for this engaging community.

fascinating people who were all so warm and generous. Our eighteen years here have been a most enriching experience because of the people.

What has been the most rewarding project you have worked on since moving here to UGA?Working for the university is a great experience. Our alumni love this institution and are so generous and warm and I have loved traveling this state and meeting so many UGA ambassadors! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Library and working with a dynamic and creative group of people that envisioned a library and museum of history for the 21st century. We have the best collection

and tour our galleries and discover this for themselves

these remarkable materials and topics.

Georgia Review?

represented the UGA Libraries for nearly eighteen years and have had the wonderful support of alumni and donors. Now I have a unique opportunity with the UGA Press

such a similar constituency. I have been impressed with the professional staffs and

Georgia Review are real sources of pride for the University.

culture. Kirk is a great dancer and we have booked some mileage on

incorporate as much as I can into life and have been blessed in that regard. I have an appreciation for wine and sometimes like to cook.