🗳️ Takeaways from the heated mayor debate (data centers)

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We’re having our Second Athens Scoop Dinner Club this month!

If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the perfect time to grab your seat at the table (before it books up).

We pair tables of 6 strangers together at a great local restaurant as a way to meet new people in the city specifically tailored to your vibe.

How it works:

You just show up.

NEXT DATE: Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 PM

If you've been craving conversations with substance (the kind that remind you why community matters) then this is for you. If you want to reserve your limited spot (or read about it more), just click below:

Any questions? Just hit reply. See you there.

Sitting pretty on Baxter Street, Cielito Lindo is the Athens expansion from the family behind Kique's Kitchen in Watkinsville. Every dish is made fresh and cooked to order, from birria tacos to sizzling fajitas and craft margaritas with fresh-squeezed juice. The colorful patio, neon florals, and lively weekend atmosphere make it a perfect spot for everything from a quick lunch with friends to a birthday celebration with the whole crew.

Read more here.

The Gist: All five Athens-Clarke County mayoral candidates squared off at a Feb. 20 forum hosted by Athens Classic, Inc. The sharpest divides came over housing policy and public safety, with Tim Denson defending his past proposal to redirect police funding toward social services. The other four candidates pledged full support for law enforcement.

Why It Matters: With the May election approaching, the race is shaping up as a real contest over Athens' growth and identity for the next decade.

Read more here.

The Gist: A few months ago, Daily Groceries was running on fumes, with bare shelves, no money for restocking, and customers drifting away. A new board brought in interim manager Chris Rowland, and volunteers (including musicians and artists) have been working unpaid to restock and revitalize the store. Sales are already up 20%.

Why It Matters: Daily is more than a grocery store. It's a 33-year-old Athens institution. They're celebrating their anniversary this Saturday, Feb. 28, at Normal Bar.

Read more here.

The Gist: At the Feb. 17 meeting, commissioners discussed permanently banning or severely restricting data centers in Athens-Clarke County. The current moratorium expires March 6, but commissioners signaled they'll likely extend it. Residents near existing and proposed sites testified about rising electric bills and water concerns.

Why It Matters: Data centers are one of the most debated development issues in Athens right now, and the outcome will shape how the county handles large-scale industrial uses for years to come.

Read more here.

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I appreciate any and all support! - Andrew

📚 Oconee County Library Winter Book Sale | Oconee County Library | Watkinsville | 02/26–03/01 | More Four days of books, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks at bargain prices. Sunday is $10/bag day.

🖌️ Paint Night at Terrapin | Terrapin Beer Co. | Athens | 02/27 | More A guided painting session with craft beer. Drop in, no experience needed. $20.

🎨 "18,443 Souls" Coffee Culture Installation | Lyndon House Arts Center | Athens | Opens 02/27 | More A new installation by Maria Nissan exploring the global journey of coffee through art.

🤠 The Boys from Oklahoma (Turnpike Troubadours + Cross Canadian Ragweed) | Akins Ford Arena | Athens | 02/27 | More Two Red Dirt country legends sharing one stage for a sold-out night of raw, rowdy Americana.

🤠 The Boys from Oklahoma — Night Two | Akins Ford Arena | Athens | 02/28 | More Shelby Stone opens the second sold-out night of boot-stomping Oklahoma Red Dirt.

🎸 The Constellations with Telephone Pole & Alien Funk Academy | 40 Watt Club | Athens | 03/01 | More Rock revival energy meets indie newcomers for a triple bill of guitar-driven grooves.

🎤 Clint Black | The Classic Center | Athens | 02/26 | More Grammy-winning 90s country royalty performs the songs that defined a generation.

🎵 Vincent Mason with Zach John King | Georgia Theatre | Athens | 02/27 | More Pop country storytelling paired with raw alt-rock intensity for a laid-back Thursday night.

🎷 The Bones of St. Michael | Athentic Brewing Co. | Athens | 02/28 | More Jazz Manouche in the Hot Club of France tradition. Swing-era magic with a cold local brew.

🎬 "Wake Up: The Movie" Premiere | Morton Theatre | Athens | 02/28 | More A local film screening at one of Athens' most beloved historic venues.

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