YMCA

BLURB

Variety Staffer

From giving after-school bus rides to Clarke County School District students on a weekly basis, to hosting multiple athletic and creative camps over the summer, the Athens-Clarke County Young Men’s Christian Association has offered its amenities and services to local youth and teenagers since its current facility was built in 1967.

Located at 915 Hawthorne Ave., the non-profit gym offers a variety of athletic, artistic and innovative programs for teens year-round, and is equipped with an outdoor and indoor pool, multiple-purpose athletic fields, basketball courts, a workout room and more.

“When kids get out of school, they come to the Y (and) they register for a program that they want to participate in," YMCA Youth and Family Director Gina Jackson said. "(For example), one of our programs that we have here for youth (is) teen fitness and gardening, where we have a garden here at the YMCA (and) our teens help us take care of the garden. We (also) have a soccer program that starts at age 5 and goes all the way up to age 14 which is so cool because we have kids that start (and) stay in our soccer program until they get to (be) young adults."

Jackson and her fellow directors and employees at the YMCA pride themselves in establishing a safe space for local youth, and understand the importance of accommodating their needs.

“Kids and high school students are in adult controlled environments all day. They go home: parents are in charge, they go to school: teachers are in charge,” Jackson said. “If you want to come to the Y and just sit and take a deep breath and not have to worry about an adult telling you this and that, we love doing that for kids. When you come to the Y, we want you to be a kid.”

Above: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Athens Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Youth and Family Program Director Gina Jackson stands in front of the YMCA sign on April 28. Jackson has worked at the YMCA for 19 years, and is proud of the variety of programs offered to local Athens youth at the gym. “There's so many programs that we offer,” Jackson said. “Swim lessons, dance, we have an art club, a steam program, track and field, cross country basketball, cheerleading, the list goes on.” Photo by Aza Khan

Quest for Athens' Best:

Above: BUBBLE CAFE: Bubble Cafe, located at 247 E. Broad St., is pictured above. Bubble Cafe provided a unique and flavorful bubble tea, landing it in first place with a score of 8.6. "The atmosphere in the restaurant is usually busy, yet welcoming, making it a good place to hang out," Variety Staffer Victoria Garland wrote. "It’s nicely decorated and the drinks are made swiftly." Photo by Temprince Battle

Right: TASTY TARO: Bubble Cafe's bubble tea is shown at the cafe's 247 E. Broad St. location. Bubble Cafe had a plethora of drinks and toppings to choose from, making the cafe perfect for those looking for a delicious drink customized for them. "A traditional snow drink, which is similar to a milkshake, has a mild flavor and a soft and creamy te ture," Variety Staffer Victoria Garland wrote. "The tapioca pearls that sit at the bottom are slightly chewy and sometimes slimy, which could be slightly offputting for customers." Photo by Temprince Battle, photo illustration by aya lement

Conveniently located downtown at 247 E. Broad St., Bubble Cafe has a wide range of drinks that provide unique and delicious tastes, leaving customers more than satisfied.

BY VICTORIA GARLAND Variety Staffer

Bubble Cafe has a drink for its customers no matter what flavor or mood they’re feeling. From milk tea and matcha to smoothies and herbal teas, there’s plenty of types of drinks to choose from. There’s also an array of flavors to further customize the beverages.

A traditional snow drink, which is similar to a milkshake, has a mild flavor and a soft and creamy texture. The tapioca pearls that sit at the bottom are slightly chewy and sometimes slimy, which could be slightly offputting for customers.

The drinks are a little pricey, as they start at around $6, though this is normal in comparison to most bubble tea places.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is usually busy, yet welcoming, making it a good place to hang out. It’s nicely decorated and the drinks are made swiftly. However, there isn’t always seating available due to its popularity.

For avid bubble tea drinkers or even those who haven’t tried bubble tea, Bubble Cafe is a delicious option.