Andrew Shearer

Out of 28 Athens-Clarke County restaurants inspected by Georgia health officials between Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, only 5 received a score of 100.

Though there's never a shortage of festivals, markets and other cultural happenings in the Classic City, we've chosen to spotlight these events for the weekend of Dec. 6-8.

New restaurant openings and older spots closing down have always been constants in the Athens culinary landscape, but when it comes to businesses that pre-date the industry's boom in the 1980s, a scant few remain today. And though Strickland's breakfast (opened in 1960) and Taco Stand's tacos (opened in 1977) will always face competitors, the city's first and oldest Chinese restaurant is second to none, and for good reason.

No, McDonald's didn't invent the breakfast burrito. Though the ever-popular early morning item has been part of the menu at the fast food mega chain since late 1980s, the roots of the hearty handheld can be traced to New Mexican cuisine.

Athens area health inspectors observed "mold like substance" and debris in bar gun nozzle and soda dispenser nozzles at a pizza restaurant.

Activities include Christmas in Paris masquerade party, Last Minute Holiday Market, The Nutcracker, Abnormal Bazaar art fair and Unsilent Night.

Owned and operated by Winterville residents Don and Jhing Pez, Chibugan Cafe is the only Filipino restaurant in the Athens area.

When the Banner-Herald visited Heather Russell's place of business, it was hot sauce day, and the air was full of spicy aromas that felt just as healthy to breathe in as they were tasty. A metal booster helped Russell stand at an ergonomically sound height as she stirred a mixture in a gigantic pot that definitely contained freshly cut habanero peppers. Russell apologized for the strong smell while making jokes about her height.

Activities include Kwanzaa Storytime & Celebration, public ice skating, Big Band Holiday Bash, Athens Showgirl Cabaret and Nosh food truck.

Without fail, end-of-the-year lists written by film critics are typically full of movies that aren't out yet, have only been released in "select cities" (Los Angeles and New York), or didn't play anywhere near Athens.