Chinami Goodie was born in Okinawa, Japan and raised all over, moving frequently with her military family. She graduated from University of Texas, lived in San Diego where she met her husband, and moved to Athens in 1998. She is a mentor with the Clarke County Mentor Program, an avid tennis player for USTA teams out of Bishop Park and Oconee Veterans Park, and a part of the parent boosters for Blueprints, a student publication at Cedar Shoals [which hosts the annual Battle of the High School Bands at the 40 Watt in January to raise money to send student journalists to the Southeast Interscholastic Press Association Conference]. She lives on the east side with her son Sachio, husband Adam and dogs Thisbe and Ophelia. Her daughter Sara attends University of Texas.
What is your favorite restaurant in Athens and what do you love there?
There are so many. We like Craft Public House because they have a good brunch, and I like Mama’s Boy and Cali N’ Titos on the East side.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Probably to Alaska to see the glaciers before they are gone.
Do you have a favorite movie, or do you remember the first movie you saw in a movie theatre?
My favorite movie is a little movie called My Brilliant Career, and it is actually an Australian movie. It is basically a feminist movie. Sam Neill is in it. It is about the Outback and a girl who wants to be a writer and her choices.
What advice do you often give to your kids?
Make good choices. Find something that makes you happy.
If you could see any band, play or performance come to Athens what or who would it be and where would you like to see them?
I would like to see a professional production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream from Shakespeare on Stage from New York, or something like that, at The Classic Center.
What is your favorite thing to do in Athens?
I think just being out with friends eating and drinking. Or, playing tennis at Bishop Park since my team is out of there, but I like to play at the ACC Tennis Center too. They have really nice facilities there.
What is your favorite season in Athens?
Fall because it is a change. I like change. Things get more quiet, and I like winter so I like preparing for winter. It is so pretty here, and gets cooler, just when you are tired of the summer heat.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That I did community theatre. My husband and I met doing Midsummer Night’s Dream in San Diego.
What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word “home”?
Family, friends and dogs.
