Flagpole Magazine, often abbreviated to simply Flagpole, is an American alternative newsweekly that focuses on the cultural, liberal scene of Athens, Georgia, and its surrounding communities. It was founded by Jared Bailey and Dennis Greenia in 1987 and is currently edited and published by Pete McCommons. The publication covers local music, politics, news, features and news related to the town that is also the home of the University of Georgia. Although nationwide delivery to paid subscribers is available, it is distributed free of charge to over 275 locations throughout the Athens area, earning the bulk of its revenue through the sale of advertising space. Working at Flagpole led many to fulfilling careers as writers, curators, artists, teachers, editors, etc. Those that "graduated" from Flagpole found careers with the New York Times, LA Times, Reuters, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Augusta Chronicle, Athens Banner-Herald, public schools, New York University, as writers, editors, publishers, photographers, Web editors, videographers, curators, teachers and so forth. While Flagpole originally began in a tiny office with no air conditioningon the side of a bike shop it now resides in a 100-year-old house on Prince Avenue. In addition to its weekly issues, Flagpole, Inc. also publishes the annual Flagpole Guide to Athens, a listing of bars, restaurants, and entertainment options in Athens. Flagpole holds an annual Music Awards show and has crowned such bands as of Montreal, Elf Power, Vic Chesnutt, Widespread Panic, R.E.M., Olivia Tremor Control and many others. Flagpole once created Christmas CDs for several years in a row that featured many Athens local bands performing various holiday songs including one CD of spoken-word material. The Flagpole Christmas Album featured Drive-By Truckers performing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Migraine Boy was one of the comic strips within the magazine.
