Watering worries

Water restrictions don’t seem to apply when it comes to University lawns

An old clich� tells us the grass is always greener on the other side. Apparently, the same goes for University property during this summer’s drought.

At least, that’s what it looked like Monday morning when, according to a story published in today’s Red & Black, students walking through central campus discovered sprinklers watering the well-manicured grass outside the Student Learning Center, in direct violation of the watering restrictions imposed by Athens-Clarke County on Aug. 11.

According to the ACC Web site, “[w]ater consumers shall be given written notice of a first violation. After having been given the firstnotice and upon a second violation, water consumers will have a surcharge of $400.00 added to their water bill.” The site goes on to read that further violations possibly could lead to not only additional charges, but also termination of water service.

Furthermore, the story reports that the University receives no special treatment from ACC when it comes to the watering ban. What goes for your front lawn goes for the SLC’s front lawn.

The message is clear: if flagrant acts of ban-flouting continue, the University will be without water. While this isn’t likely to happen, the principle remains the same.

We all bear the burden of scorching temperatures and drought conditions, and we all assume a responsibility to use water efficiently, particularly at an enormous, influential institution like the University. After all, this is a nation of laws, not of rogue watering ban violators. To report University watering ban violations, contact the ACC Community Protection Division at 706-613-3790.

Legendary spirit

Curtis Beall’s cheerleading career has us rethinking our own school spirit

As football season approaches, the time has come to show your undying love for all things Georgia football.

Like the rest of you, we rushed home from our morning classes Tuesday to request our ticket packages and we’ll be in the stands Sept. 1 when Oklahoma State comes to town.

After hearing the story of amazing 85-year-old �berfan Curtis Beall, though, we had to re-evaluate ourselves, not just as fans but as Georgia Bulldogs, and we’re suggesting you do the same.

Yes, we’re buying our tickets and rooting for the home team, but is this enough? If you’re afraid you might just be going through the motions, here are two lessons you can take away from the long and lively career of Mr. Beall, the University’s oldest male cheerleader:

 Beall wakes at 4 a.m. every morning and hits the lap pool for an hour-long swim. Staying fit will make you cheer louder and longer. We’re not guaranteeing you’ll be ready to bust out toe-touches or handsprings like Beall, but everyone’s gotta start somewhere.

 Last April, Beall published “Memoirs of a Marine Dawg: From the Rose Bowl to the Pacific Theatre,” and all of its proceeds go to a foundation dedicated to the University’s cheerleading squad. We can’t all write books about our decades as a University cheerleader, but next time you’re about to drop another $20 on Bulldog football paraphenalia, perhaps you should remember those lesser-known athletes who give it their all every gameday.