Today on Athens News Matters, a new book teaches southerners how to use Kudzu to our advantage, and Terrapin Beer ends production in Athens.
Athens-Clarke County’s plan to reduce roadway fatalities
Athens adopted Vision Zero in 2022 as part of a nationwide commitment to safer roadways. As part of that project, the Mayor and Commission voted to adopt a Safety Action Plan in April of this year. Even with those safeguards, Athens saw its ninth fatal crash of the year earlier this week.
WUGA’s Havivah Saltz sat down with Katie Goodrum, an urban planner and Vision Zero Administrator for Athens, to discuss how our local government plans to reduce fatal crashes and serious roadway injuries in the future.
You can find more information at accgov.com.
Weaving with invasive plants: Local craftsperson Delia Fian on her new book "Foraged Basketry"
If you drive along the highways of the South, you will see endless miles of vines covering everything. Kudzu is an invasive vine that many call "The Plant that Ate The South". It is abundant all across Georgia. Delia Fian is a local craftsperson and rewilder. In her new book," Foraged Basketry", she teaches complete beginners how to identify Kudzu and other invasive plants, how to harvest them, and how to weave the plants into practical and beautiful creations.
Delia Fian is an acclaimed craftsperson and rewilder. She is also director of School of the Greenwood, a local nonprofit that runs camps for children to help foster a reconnection to the earth. Delia splits her time between Athens and her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her book, "Foraged Basketry", is available now. She sat down with WUGA's Lara Dua-Swartz to talk about the book.
A longer version of this conversation can be found here.
Terrapin co-founder John Cochran reflects on the company’s beginnings
John Cochran and Brian "Spike" Buckowski started Terrapin Beer here in Athens almost 25 years ago. Now, the company plans to stop production at the Athens brewery before the end of the month. To mark the occasion, WUGA’s Havivah Saltz sat down with John for a look back at how Terrapin began, and how the company transformed the culture of craft beer in the Southeast.
Terrapin’s Athens taproom will remain open, and the brewery location will be used for shipping and storage. John, Spike, and others from the Terrapin team invite the public to join them for a final farewell to the brewery’s Athens production at Terrapin on Friday, September 25th, from 3 to 9 p.m.
