The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/7/08 Section: Athenscape

Media Credit: PHYLICIA HOLLIS Athens is home to many landmarks. The new podtour gives listeners a chance to experience the streets without actually walking on them. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: LESLEY ONSTOTT At Dudley Park sits the Murmur Trestle. Featured on the back cover of R.E.M.'s 1983 album, it brought the railroad line into Athens. [Click to enlarge]

Weaver D's inspired the title of an R.E.M. album, and Georgia's first black female dentist had her office in what is now Morton Theatre.

So what?

For those who don't know Athens well, an online podtour can clue them in.

Available from iTunes or Athenswelcomecenter.com, the Downtown Athens Podtour gives viewers an overview of the history behind certain landmarks in downtown Athens.

The videos are hosted by local Athenians - such as Mayor Heidi Davison and former The Side Effects drummer Paul Butchart - who are involved in the particular site they showcase. Butchart leads a section on the 40 Watt Club.

"Pick up a Flagpole and pick a band, any band, and have a good time," said Butchart.

The tour, created by the Athens Welcome Center to encourage viewers to spend time downtown, includes events occurring at each tour stop.

Ethiel Garlington, director of the Athens Welcome Center, said many people visit Athens without the time to take a guided tour. The podtour makes the information usually given out in tours, portable for visitors in a hurry.

Garlington said there are plans to add more locations to the tour, covering more of downtown and interesting spots on campus.

"We just scratched the surface," she said.

The 10 stop tour includes the University's North Campus and can be traveled in any order. It allows users to "stroll the streets, peruse the shops, listen to the music and enjoy downtown," according to a news release.

The soundtrack features the University Wind Ensemble, R.E.M., Of Montreal and Pylon.

The tour was created with funds under the E-Challenge Grant from the Georgia Tourism Foundation. The grant was designed in 2007 to spark new projects around the state.

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