"All-America City" application of Athens-Clarke County
Participation of Town & Gown Players
The National Civic League, if I have the name right, runs this competition for the title "All-America City." It's been going on for 50 years or so, and it's quite popular. What isn't clear is how to measure the benefits to a community that gains the title, though simply everybody thinks it is a wonderful idea.
The committee that put in an application for Athens-Clarke County asked for Town & Gown's help when the city got into the finals. It was necessary to give a 10-minute presentation to a jury (in Atlanta, June 24, 2005). The people thought of "building" a house with parts representing segments of the community.
Design considerations included extremely light weight, simplicity, and quick deployment on stage before the jury. I made a frame of 1x2 lumber, with pink styro insulation board for the wall panels. The left half was made up of three panels hinged together, and the right half similarly. The photo above shows the house before it was painted; by presentation time it had a couple of front windows cut out, and Amy had painted on side windows and a front door; the cast of the presentation added bunch of placards with the names of community organizations.
Well, long story short, Athens didn't win. I understand the house survives in a secret warehouse.
| Approved Ben Teague web site |
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"All-America City" program