I'll say right now I'm biased. I've been in love with Ashford Manor ever since I saw the empty house more than a decade ago. I met Dave, Mario and Jim at an art opening across the street (back when Lowery Gallery was in downtown Watkinsville) and they were so excited about their new digs, they brought me over for a preview.

Ashford Manor is one of those places that feels homey the moment you see that terraced lawn and wonderful old house. But of course, Dave, Mario and Jim (who died in October last year, leaving a hole in all our hearts), with their incredible warmth make everyone welcome at Ashford Manor -- it's a hub of the community. And I'm sure I'm not alone in the belief that the thriving Town Center across the street can be attributed in no small part to the business the B&B has brought to town.

There are several reasons why I didn’t turn in a Cinema File column this week - I couldn’t bring myself to watch “Transformers 2”, the film I did end up seeing (“The Hangover”) made “Dude, Where’s My Car?” look like “Crimes Of The Heart”, I haven’t taken a week off in the three months I’ve been writing for the Banner-Herald – but those are really just excuses. The honest truth is that I haven’t been able to think about much else since meeting Linnea Quigley at a film festival last weekend in New York City. And though she may not be a name in your household, a true horror movie fan’s heart should have skipped a beat reading that last sentence. From the late ‘70s on through the present day, she has starred in over 100 movies, two of which (“Return Of The Living Dead” and “Night Of The Demons”) are in my personal top ten list of all time. I'll freely admit I had a poster of her in my school locker when I was in seventh grade, okay?

David Poythress is considered a long shot at best to win the Democratic primary for governor, so it makes sense that he wishes former Gov. Roy Barnes would just go away.

The puzzling thing to many Democrats, though, is why he insists that it should be Barnes, not him, who drops out.

Poythress sent out another e-mail today calling on Barnes to drop out of – or rather, since he hasn’t actually started campaigning, not enter – the race.

It's interesting in retrospect how much attitudes have changed toward Urban Meyer's offensive scheme since he was hired, what, five years ago?

Remember how many people thought said the spread wouldn't work because SEC defenses were too fast? Two Gator national titles later, you don't hear that criticism so often. I was never one who said it WOULDN'T work, but I'll admit thinking it might be too finesse-based. Which is why it's so infinitely valuable that he has a 240-pound bulldozer taking snaps. In fact, I wonder how much of Florida's offensive success running the spread has to do with scheme and how much it has to do with the Gators having two prototypes for their respective positions in said scheme. (Tebow at QB and Percy Harvin wherever me might line up on a given play).

A Greenpeace report on the sustainability of seafood at major grocery store chains landed in the ol’ in-box today.

In short, if you are worried about over-fishing, shop at Kroger. It ranked No. 9 out of 20, beating out 15th-ranked Publix among local chains.

I know a lot of Athenians swear by Trader Joe’s and will drive all the way to Atlanta to shop there, but don’t. The favorite of thrifty bobos ranked, surprisingly, dead last. No word on whether their three-dollar wine is Earth-friendly.

Although less affordable, third-ranked Whole Foods is a better option, unless you’re willing to drive to Maryland to shop at northeastern chain Wegmans.

Also, stay away from orange roughy, swordfish and Chilean sea bass.

As interesting as I find a 13-year-old committing to a college football program -- in this case, Tennessee star Eric Berry's 13-year-old brother, Evan, pledging to play for the Vols before playing his first high school game -- I find the correction on this story just as interesting.

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/jun/29/berrys-brother-13-picks-vols/

It's inside-baseball newspaper stuff, to an extent. They had to make clear that Tennessee hasn't officially offered the kid a scholarship (wink, wink) because that would be an NCAA violation. And we all know how far Lane Kiffin and his staff go out of their way to avoid those pesky little infractions.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4241523&name=feldman_...

The SEC held its annual summer basketball teleconference this afternoon. Working on some notes from that and just typed out what Georgia coach Mark Fox had to say. Nothing earth-shattering here, but I figured some folks might like to read it. And since I typed it out...

Opening comments:
This summer we’re just trying to focus on getting a little bit better. Certainly we have some improving to do. Our kids have had a nice response to our coaching staff and the direction we want to go, and they’re working hard and I think getting a little bit better each week.

On whether he’ll see Trey Thompkins play with the U.S. U19 team in New Zealand:

Rep. Paul Broun is still telling folks that the cap-and-trade legislation he dubbed the "Wacky Marxist bill" that passed the House Friday will cost families $3,100 each, even though that figure has been pretty thoroughly discredited.

A letter-writer debunked the cost in today’s ABH. So did blogger Johnathan McGinty.

Republicans are misinterpreting an MIT study to arrive at the $3,100 figure, one of the study’s authors, John Reilly, told McGinty.

“I am surprised (the $3,100 number) is still being used,” Reilly said. “It is somewhat peculiar that they cite our study as an authoritative source for this information yet do not accept clarifications by the authors as authoritative.”

So it seemed like yesterday was much cooler than Friday. But that might just be because we missed most of the outdoor stuff.

Dave and I met some friends at The Grit for brunch and then we headed over to Ciné for the R.E.M. RETROSPECTIVE and Athens, GA - Inside/Out. After the movies, we walked back to my car at the paper (leaving his down there since we had a prime parking space).We stopped by Wuxtry where Dave bought some CDs that the athensmusic.net tent didn't have. We then headed home for some music swapping and a nap.

When we got back downtown, we were walking from the Morton to Tasty World to Farm 255 to the 40 Watt to Flicker to Ciné. And I have two very painful blisters to show for it.

So here are some pictures from last night. I won't be going to any shows today because I have to work in the office. Hope your AthFest was as fun as mine.

What's Our Name

First of all, I know you guys enjoyed the live blog that Julie and I did of the Flagpole awards. And I did try to tweet for you guys, but the Internet on my stupid phone wasn't working.

Well AthFest started for Blake and I with a tad bit of drama. I went to will call at Morton Theatre like I was told to pick up my press pass and ran into Blake there. However, our passes were not there. The people there were a little less than helpful and told us to go to the “Welcome tent” at the police sub station. So we walked up there in the 400-degree heat only to find a woman selling sunglasses. So then we made out way to an AthFest volunteer who told us to try the info tent near the main stage. THERE we finally got our passes.

Blake had to get back to the office and I headed to the main stage to see The Empties