Visit Downtown Athens for great shopping and food!! Check out the Old San Juan Puerto Rico restaurant at 202 S. Jefferson Street. Enjoy anything off the extensive menu or sip on the Rum Punch in this friendly environment. It's open Tues-Thurs and Sun 11-7 and Fri-Sat 11am - midnight. Lunch specials everyday for only $4.99.

Diane Lehr, SOA Member and Trisha Black, SOA Project Director, enjoy a evening at Old San Juan.

Family Fun at the Athens Storytelling Festival

The 2nd Annual Athens Storytelling Festival was held downtown October 30 - November 1. This was my first storytelling experience and was enjoyed by my entire family. My daughter has been unable to sleep in her bed all night since hearing Lyn Ford's ghost stories on Halloween night. AND my son ran down the sidewalks yelling, "i am ready for my whoop-in'" after hearing Andy Irwin's recount of a favorite game he plays with his son.

Congrats to the Storytelling Festival for their success and for bringing the art of storytelling to Athens.

Make plans to attend in 2009.

Trisha

MEMBERS MEETING - OCTOBER 28

SOA would like to invite the public to "Catch the Spirit Under the Tent" Tuesday, October 28 at 5:30 pm. If you would like to know more about SOA, this is the time to attend. From 5:30-6 pm, some of the nationally acclaimed storytellers attending the annual Athens Storytelling Festival this weekend will be there to mingle and enjoy refreshments from downtown restaurants.

So brave the cold, bundle up and check us out!

Haunts Walks!

Click to enlarge the flyer and make plans to hear some scary ghost stories!  This is wonderful walk that is sure to thrill all who go!

College Inn Dedication--You're invited!

Join us in the dedication of the College Inn this Saturday September 13th 2008 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, in its new location on East Street and Hobbs. Live Music Featuring ‘Elvis’, Offering Quiznos, Blue Bell Ice Cream, RC Cola & Moon Pies. The Public is invited!

The recently relocated & renovated 1930's, Prairie Style Service Station and Café will serve the city in promoting Athens. The Service Station will be used as a museum with period memorabilia and will be staffed by volunteers dressed for the times. The Café Building was completed this summer and is now occupied by Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful (KALB).

The College Inn, previously located on Pryor and Clinton Sts, was a lively stop and a favorite hangout for servicemen returning from World War II and for those attending nearby Athens College.

More info @ www.athensplus.com/collegeinn.htm

SOA on WAFF 48

Yesterday, Trisha Black and Carole Foret were on WAFF 48 morning news with Georgi Bragg.  They were discussing the Spirit of Athens and all the great things going on downtown, including Art on the Square coming up this Saturday, September 6th.  Thank you, Georgi for having SOA on the show!

Project Director

Congratulations to Mrs. Trisha Black for being chosen Spirit of Athens Project Director.  She has already shown such leadership and enthusiasm, having only begun work a week ago!  Thank you, Trisha for accepting the position.  We know that you will be great for the city of Athens.  Look for Trisha around town meeting the merchants and looking for ways to enhance our great town.

Sister Grace at the Red Caboose

Click to enlarge this flyer and don't miss Sister Grace performing at the Red Caboose this Saturday Night in Elkmont!  

Listen to the Radio Commercial!

Tide & Tiger Showdown

Click on the flyer above to read all about the Tide & Tiger Showdown going on right now with the downtown merchants.  And don't miss the day's events on the 16th that will be the grand finale with all kinds of activities for all ages as well as the chance to win great prizes!  Don't miss Sanders Woodroof get dunked in the dunking booth.  Wish I could throw that one!

Right now, when you spend $5 at participating Spirit of Athens merchants downtown, your name is put in a pot for the drawing to win all sorts of prizes.  So mention it when you shop down town!  You just may be the winner of a flat screen TV!  Wouldn't that be nice to watch the Iron Bowl?  Shop down town and catch the Spirit of Athens!

Wine Tasting Tonight!

Don't miss the Wine Tasting tonight at Deisel & Lola's!  It goes from 5:30 - 7:30 and will include some light hors d'oeuvres of goat cheese samples.  A great kick off to a Friday night for only $10.  Meet me there!

Carole Foret

We are Looking!

For:

Spirit of Athens Project Director
Position information available at
Crawford’s Gifts on the Square.
Resume` deadline July 25th

Athens on the Square 1st Annual Car Show
The First Annual Athens on the Square Car Show was outstanding! There were 472 vehicles registered at the event. If the weather had been pretty, there would have been over 500 vehicles. For the first year that is outstanding. The Limestone County Parks and Recreation Committee are to be commended for this huge event that brought thousands to downtown Athens April 26^th. For more information visit www.carsonthesquare.com. Next year there should be 1,000 vehicles. Mark your calendar for April 2009!

Singing on the Square

It was a little chilly at the courthouse May16^th; however, about 100 residents enjoyed the live music provided by Huntsville’s Rocket City Chorus (right) and ‘Lil Heart & Soul (below). June 20^th singing will feature Rusty Bay and Barry Kay. Bring your lawn chairs and join us on the East side of the courthouse at 6:30 PM. Local restaurants will remain open late (normally to 8:00 PM) in order for you to have supper downtown. For more information call 256-232-5411. Visit www.tourathens.com for more information on upcoming events in Athens and Limestone County Alabama.

TONIGHT!

Concert & Street Party

Zachary Kale (Atlanta)
Sister Grace (Athens)
The Gnomes (Tuscaloosa)
DATE: TONIGHT
TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: East Side of Square, Downtown Athens
MORE: Bring Lawn Chair and friends for an awesome time!
Zack is releasing his CD "Only Chance" tonight--Sister Grace is opening.
Food, drink, music-- We want to see you there!

myspace.com/zacharykale
sistergracemusic.com

Tour de Pig is here!

It's here! Get signed up and ride in the Tour De Pig bike ride! What a beautiful weekend for the ride, pedaling all around our town and outskirts of town if you're really into biking. Don't miss this event. For more info, click here....

Dogwood Festival!

The dogwoods are ready for the festival! April 18th and 19th, come visit downtown Athens and feel the glory of spring! Everyone is celebrating! Live music, kids activities, sidewalk sales, the Tour de Pig bikeride--you just can't miss it!

To see a schedule of most events: Visit HERE....

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Spring is on its way and there are so many great Spirit of Athens-sponsored events coming up that you won't want to miss.  Save these dates and plan to participate in all the fun and excitement that Athens has to offer!

April 19th:

Spring Open House around the square.  Merchants will be opening their doors with awesome Springtime items!

Tour De Pig Bike Race/Ride:  Registration begins at 7am.  The first 100 registered riders will be guaranteed Tour De Pig t-shirts.  There will be mileage options of 26 and 64 mile long rides along with a 3-mile Historic downtown Athens ride suitable for the entire family.  The ride will be fully supported with aids stations set at about 12 miles apart.

Fees: $30 Online registration closes April 12, 2008 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

All proceeds go to benefit the Spirit of Athens.

April 16th

Downtown Sidewalk Sale -  Visit each merchant for great deals and bargains!