Category: The Blog

Save the date for Nonprofit Resource Connection

Heart

By Michael V. Hannigan

It may be a few months away, but I have a date for you to save: Saturday, Sept. 21.

That’s when the “Nonprofit Resource Connection” is scheduled. Now the name may not ring any bells because it has been changed, but this will actually be the second year for the event.

The idea is to bring the county’s nonprofit groups together in one place so that potential volunteers can visit with the different agencies and learn where they can plug in and help.

The event is scheduled for the Cain Center and organizers are working on the details, but it looks like this year Continue reading “Save the date for Nonprofit Resource Connection”

No drama in Athens for this year’s decorations request

nativity

(UPDATE: When I wrote this, I did not know Gov. Perry was going to sign the “Merry Christmas” bill today. While timely for this post, the bill is specifically aimed at school districts and is unlikely to have any impact on the county nativity scene.)

By Michael V. Hannigan

Sometimes, it is the thing that doesn’t happen that is the most interesting.

Commissioners’ Court this week approved an application from Keep Athens Beautiful and Light Up Athens to decorate the Courthouse Square for a variety of occasions between now and the end of the year. The request includes details about decorating for Christmas and also includes the annual nativity scene.

The application was OK’d as a matter of routine and with almost no discussion. It was pretty much a non-event.

The only reason it is worth mentioning is because of the group that was missing … the group that over the past two years has become a part of Christmas in Athens: The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

For those who need a refresher, the FFRF is the Wisconsin-based atheist organization that in 2011 demanded the county
Continue reading “No drama in Athens for this year’s decorations request”