News4U October 2024

OCTOBER

TABLE of contents

House of Lecter

An interview with Phil Wolter, artist and designer of House of Lecter—The Catacombs.

2024 Fall Concert & Event Guide

All the biggest shows coming to the Tri-State!

2024 Fall Festival Munch Map

The West Side Nut Club’s Fall Festival Munchie Map is finally here

Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra

Opening Pops Concert

The EPO pays tribute to an award winning production

Halloween Festivities Guide

A festive guide for local Halloween inspired events and shopping.

Shine a Light on Down Syndrome

An interview with Kendra Nance, a local mother and advocate for Down Syndrome Awareness.

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Publisher and Operations Manager

Brian Buxton

Managing Editor & Writer

Amy Bradford amy@news4uevv.com

Account Representative and Graphic Designer Amy Bradford amy@news4uevv.com

Production Manager, Designer & Layout Artist Kelsey Halbig

Contributors

Amy Bradford, Paul Bragin, Danny Browning, Brian Buxton, Madam Faye, Johnny Fletcher, Jeremiah Galey, Paul Hollyfeld, Jim Johnson, Tom Leggett, Jabez Martinez, Cristina Mauk, Laurie Miller, Marisa Patwa, Joshua “Big Cat” Pietrowski, Lindsay Rasure, Lane Siesky, Lindsey Williams

News 4U is published monthly and is distributed throughout the tri-state. For information about advertising, subscriptions, distribution or guides & lists, call (812) 426-6398 or write us at 5411 State Route 261 Unit 903 Newburgh, IN 47629. News 4U is published by Bad Yorkie Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of the magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products, services or opinions within. Advertisers are responsible for content of their ads.

A QUICK NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

As I sit here typing, it's hard to ignore the blazing summer sun but I can already feel that fall is creeping in. I think it’s more of a “fall vibe” because as I write this we are in an actual drought. The heat might still be here, but there’s a hint of crisp autumn air just around the corner (that is me willing it to be so), and I’m getting excited for the change of seasons! (That was for you, Tommy.) And on that note, you will find plenty of autumnal content inside this issue….and plenty of change.

Fall is a fantastic time for new beginnings, and I’m excited to share it with you. This issue is a special one for me because it's my first time in the editor’s chair. I find myself, yet again, with a metaphorical microphone in my hand. As Tommy, your beloved editor, “slips quietly silently into the night” as he so eloquently explained his exit strategy to me, I can’t help but reflect on

how I ended up here. It’s a boring story, really. Basically, I just talked my way into it as I do most things. That said, there isn’t a job I am more suited for than one of Editor. I’m really looking forward to diving into this role and bringing you the same great content you’ve always enjoyed, with a few new twists and surprises along the way.

Here’s to a season of change and new adventures. Thanks for being part of this journey with me—I’m thrilled to have you along for the ride! -AB

THE CREATIVE SCARE…HOUSE OF LECTER-THE CATACOMBS

The tri-state's longest-running haunted house is back for more scary fun!

The House of Lecter and The Catacombs are a downtown Evansville Halloween tradition. And artist / designer Phil Wolter has been thinking about, planning and designing those haunted houses since 1980. He never takes a break – as soon as one Halloween season ends, he begins planning next year’s production.

In 1980 Wolter was a starving artist looking for work. At the time, he was employed as a rehab therapist at the Evansville State Hospital. Because of his artistic creativity, he was hired to hold a phantom theater fundraiser that would benefit the patient indigent fund. What started as a single year production went on for 14 years. Wolter even included some clients (patients) as his staff. The highly theatrical productions included props, design, lighting, and sound effects. Wolter holds an art degree from USI, which allowed him to create increasingly elaborate haunted attractions, that he traces back to a passion for the theater.

Over the years he has designed shows for the Evansville Civic Theatre, as well as several area high schools. He relishes in the costumes and lighting, makeup, blocking, and special effects. “Haunted houses are just another

form of theater,” he says. Wolter left the State Hospital in 1990, and after a phone call from Faye Gibson of the Old Courthouse Preservation Society, he opened Artwork Unlimited and leased the old Vanderburgh County jail in downtown Evansville. There he operated a haunted house for five years.

In 1995, he moved “13 steps across the street,” to what became known as the Old Courthouse Catacombs. That haunted house operated until 2024, when environmental upgrades moved the Catacombs to their new (temporary) location in the same building as the House of Lecter, at 325 Main Street. He had purchased this 126-year old (at the time) building in 2001, and from that time foreword he operated two haunted houses each year.

Each of Wolter’s haunted houses begins with an original story. He takes current news into account, and sprinkles in some fantasy, creativity, and a smart storyline. He has always focused on old-fashioned Halloween fun, and strives to present a scary, yet safe, fun and family-friendly experience. He has never produced a demonic scene, and always follows a very dedicated plan and purposeful theme. He views the entire production each year as organized chaos, that results in a

moving vignette.

In the late summer of every year, Wolter sends out a casting call for the “characters” he will need to put his production together and hires 80 to 90 employees. They range from 16-yearolds to senior adults who have acted in haunted houses for decades. This year, Wolter and staff will put on a show that incorporates the Old Courthouse Creatures with the House of Lecter body snatchers, at 325 Main StreetEvansville’s darkest corner.

Twice the creatures and twice the scare! You can pay at the door, or reserve your tickets online at www.oldcatacombs. com They are even purchasing a $1,000 life insurance policy for all attendees – in case you die!

2025 is the 25th anniversary of the House of Lecter, and the current plan is to premier the Catacombs of Doom back at the old courthouse property.

2024 FALL CONCERT & EVENT GUIDE

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND

VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 3

Even after nearly three decades, Yonder Mountain String Band continues to exist at the forefront of the progressive bluegrass scene as one of the undeniable innovators and pioneers of the modern jamgrass movement. Blending bluegrass with elements of rock, alternative and improvisational music, they bring a highenergy sound and light show to every performance, packing venues from coast to coast with loyal fans who live for the band.

38 SPECIAL

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / OCTOBER 4

Renowned for their dynamic live performances, 38 Special has had an enduring influence on decades of rock culture and gained the respect of their musical peers. With sales surpassing 20 million, the band is celebrated for timeless hits such as "Hold On Loosely," "Rockin’ Into the Night," "Caught Up in You," "Fantasy Girl," "If I’d Been the One," "Back Where You Belong" and many more.

KOE WETZEL

FORD CENTER / OCTOBER 5

Surrounded by flames, amps cranked all the way up and no f***s given, Koe Wetzel leaves a trail of sold-out venues, screaming fans and empty bottles in his wake wherever he goes. Hailing from northeast Texas, he has asserted himself as the ultimate country rock star, bulldozing the boundaries between Nashville songcraft, rowdy Texas spirit and rain-swept Seattle hard rock with hits like "Something to Talk About."

SICP 6: FALL BRAWL

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / OCTOBER 5

Brace yourself for a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts action featuring six adrenaline-pumping title fights and a special appearance by UFC Hall of Famer Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. Main events will include the likes of Zack Davis vs. Dustin Parrish (170lb bout) and Jordan Downey vs. Zakariya Camara (145lb bout), plus you'll be on the edge of your seat for five more big showdowns.

THE

FOUR HORSEMAN: METALLICA TRIBUTE VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 12

The only album-quality Metallica tribute band on the planet, The Four Horsemen deliver a note-for-note, perfect experience that's guaranteed to surpass even the wildest dreams of Metallica aficionados. The speed, the precision, the signature riffs and the look - The Four Horsemen are the real deal. They have the talent to deliver the sonic authenticity of the vintage thrash songs with highcaliber execution and serious passion.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / OCTOBER 13

Just in time for the Halloween season, it's the ultimate cult classic film. Join the original "Columbia," Nell Campbell, for a screening of the original unedited Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast and plenty of audience participation. Plus, enjoy a memorabilia display with artifacts and an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, and more. Come prepared to join in on all the fun!

HERE COME THE MUMMIES

VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 17

Known for an unrelenting live attack that's particularly impressive for a group of 5000-year-old "saucy specters," Here Come the Mummies bring the funk like nobody's business. Their incredibly tight grooves and tongue-in-cheek lyrics have made them a Bob & Tom Show favorite and garnered the band opening slots for legends like P-Funk, Al Green and Cheap Trick - even a performance at the Super Bowl Village.

MARSHALL CHARLOFF & THE PURPLE EXPERIENCE

VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 26

Marshall Charloff & The Purple xPeRIeNCE is the most celebrated tribute to Prince in the world. Charloff, like Prince, was discovered and signed by producer Pepe Willie. He's featured on 94 East albums with Prince, where he plays guitar and Prince is on vocals. A multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer in his own right, Charloff has written for, produced and recorded for legendary bands like the Commodores.

MARLON WAYANS

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / OCTOBER 26

Marlon Wayans’ films have grossed more than $1 billion in global box office and as a stand-up comedian, he's selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. His latest comedy special Good Grief hit #1 on the Amazon Prime streaming platform in its first week, following up the success of critically-acclaimed releases including Woke-ish, God Loves Me, You Know What It Is and Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners.

DAVID SEDARIS

VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 27

David Sedaris is one of America's pre-eminent humor writers. He's a master of satire and one of today's most observant writers. Beloved for his personal essays and short stories, Sedaris is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Barrel Fever, Holidays on Ice, Naked and many more. He has received numerous awards, including the Terry Southern Prize for Humor and Thurber Prize for American Humor.

1964: THE BEATLES TRIBUTE

VICTORY THEATRE / NOVEMBER 1

Since the early 80s, "1964"...The Tribute has been thrilling audiences around the globe by taking them on a journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live on forever. Over 20 years of researching and performing have made "1964" masters of their craft. They're hailed by critics and fans alike as THE most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute, dubbed the "Best Beatles tribute on Earth."

LAINEY WILSON

FORD CENTER / NOVEMBER 2

Country star Lainey Wilson has won four ACM Awards, two CMT Music Awards and three PCCA Awards, in addition to being honored as Billboard Women in Music's 2023 "Rulebreaker." Known for such charttopping hits as "Heart Like a Truck" and "Things a Man Oughta Know," she's emerged as one of country music's biggest stars over the last few years thanks to her unmistakable voice and witty lyrics.

TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / NOVEMBER 4

An uplifting comeback story like no other, "TINA: The Tina Turner Musical" is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits - including "River Deep Mountain High," "Nutbush City Limits," "Proud Mary" and "Private Dancer" - this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters.

NIGHT RANGER

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / NOVEMBER 9

Having sold over 17 million albums worldwide and boasting a radio audience that exceeds one billion, Night Ranger epitomizes and transcends the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. The bands many hits include "Sister Christian," "(You Can Still) Rock in America," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "When You Close Your Eyes." To date, Night Ranger has performed on more than 4000 stages.

JELLY ROLL

FORD CENTER / NOVEMBER 10

American rapper, singer and songwriter Jelly Roll - aka Jason Bradley DeFord - has taken the country music world by storm with hits including "Son of a Sinner" off 2021's Ballads of the Broken and "Need a Favor" from 2023's Whitsitt Chapel. The latter album earned the Tennessee native three CMT Awards. Currently, he's featured on the new Eminem album and continues to collaborate with music's biggest stars.

ELLE KING

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / NOVEMBER 17

The multi-platinum, award-winning recording artist Elle King has amassed nearly two billion streams worldwide, including over 275 million for her platinum-certified smash hit “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Miranda Lambert. King's debut album Love Stuff featured her breakthrough single “Ex’s & Oh’s,” which earned her two GRAMMY nominations. She'll be joined on the "Baby Daddy's Weekend" Tour by special guest The Band Loula.

TRACE ADKINS: MATTINGLY CHARITIES - A NIGHT OF SONGS & STORIES

VICTORY THEATRE / NOVEMBER 21

Multi-platinum country singer and actor Trace Adkins is teaming up with Mattingly Charities for a special event to benefit the underserved youth of Evansville. Enjoy a night of "Songs & Stories" featuring plenty of hits from Adkins, including "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing" and "Ladies Love Country Boys," plus a Q&A with the original "Hit Man," Evansville's own Don Mattingly.

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / NOVEMBER 21

Trampled by Turtles have released 10 full albums, with three reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard bluegrass chart. The band has been a fixture at several notable national festivals, including Coachella, Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Bumbershoot and Pickathon. They’ve continued to captivate audiences at major folk music festivals such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Newport Folk Festival, Floydfest, Pilgrimage and ROMP.

BEE GEES GOLD: THE TRIBUTE

OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA / NOVEMBER 22

Bee Gees Gold: The Tribute - led by John Acosta - is the ultimate salute to one of the greatest groups in music history, taking fans on a journey through the trio's greatest songs over the span of their spectacular career. Featuring a live band, the show thrillingly recreates the look and the sound of the Bee Gees, right down to the smallest details. Get ready to get down!

GINUWINE

VICTORY THEATRE / NOVEMBER 23

Known for such baby-making hits as "Pony," "Differences" and "In Those Jeans," platinum-selling R&B legend Ginuwine is set to make his Evansville debut next month, bringing his soulful vocals to the tri-state for the first time. With several top 5 albums to his credit, including 1999's 100% Ginuwine and 2003's The Life, he's still a considerable force in the music industry and always delivers an electric performance.

WEST SIDE NUT CLUB’S FALL FESTIVAL 2024

FRANKLIN STREET, EVANSVILLE OCTOBER 6, 2024

THE WEST SIDE NUT CLUB FALL FESTIVAL HAS, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, BEEN NAMED THE BEST FALL FESTIVAL IN THE NATION BY USA TODAY IN THEIR 2024 READER'S CHOICE AWARDS.

The 103rd West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is upon us, and we have the 2024 Munchie Map to help you find all your favorite foods and nonprofit booths! The Fall Fest is held the first full week of October and attracts over 200,000 people to Franklin Street to enjoy carnival rides and games, free live entertainment, over 130 food booths, amateur talent competitions and a large Parade on the final day. The event is one of the largest street festivals in the United States. It was awarded top prize for the Best Fall Festival in 2023 in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest.

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PRESENTS:

"RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL"

VICTORY THEATRE / OCTOBER 19 / 7 P.M.

OPENING POPS CONCERT OF THE 2024-2025 SEASON TO CELEBRATE

AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION

While every performance season that the EPO treats its many longtime fans to is considered special, the 2024-2025 engagement comes with a little added gravitas; after all, how many orchestras turn 90 in a given year? You that read that right - the Evansville Philharmonic is celebrating nine decades of dynamic concerts featuring a seemingly endless list of the area's best musicians over time. (In case you were wondering, it's referred to as the "granite" anniversary - which makes sense as the EPO has been nothing if not rock solid in its quest to provide the tri-state with top-notch entertainment.) As we've come to expect, conductor Roger Kalia has a series of aces up his sleeve for the 2024-2025 season which kicked off on September 21 with violinist and oft-described "musical wizard" Anne Akiko Meyers joining the EPO for mesmerizing interpretations of pieces by Schubert, Schoenberg and Tchaikovsky.

This month sees Kalia and his orchestra gearing up for the opening Pops concert of the new season, a muchanticipated performance set to pop off, so to speak, on October 19 at the Victory Theatre. And everyone is in for a real treat, indeed, as the EPO looks to bring an award-

winning musical to life on stage. Written by the acclaimed composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens - and based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow - "Ragtime," filled with pageantry, emotion and hope, is "set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York [as] three distinctly American tales are woven together..." The musical premiered to a standing ovation at New York's Ford Center for the Performing Arts on January 18, 1998 and continues to dazzle to this day.

For this very special production, the EPO will be joined by some truly talented performers taking on iconic roles, including

Samantha Prindle (Mother), Landon Sholar (Tateh), Lisa Clark (Sarah), Ethan Hoover (Younger Brother), Kaitlyn Sage (Evelyn Nesbit) and Emily Durchholz (Emma Goldman), among others. Also, the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus, a welcome addition to any Philharmonic concert, is on board, set to lift their angelic voices high and take the evening to another level. It all makes for a must-see event on October 19 so get your tickets soon!

For tickets and more info, visit evansvillephilharmonic.org or call 812-4255050. The Victory is located at 600 Main St. in downtown Evansville.

LOCAL HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES GUIDE

CRISTINA MAUK

When it comes to the changing seasons, Fall can be one of the most exciting. Maybe it’s because the Halloween decorations are starting to appear, or that it’s a sign of other beloved Holidays quickly approaching -you can certainly sense the excitement in the air.

If you’re searching for Fall activities to enjoy in the area this season, look no further! Here are some traditional events, as well as some you may not have heard of!

103RD NUT CLUB FALL FESTIVAL

In 2023, The Fall Festival was voted the #1 Best for best Fall Festival in the nation by USA Today. Of course, you will find your favorites in one of the 137+ food booths, including the pork parfait, chicken and dumplings, pork tenderloin, or even a brain sandwich! Not to mention all the rides and games ready to test your skill. The Fall Festival is held on West Franklin Street during the first full week in October!

See the 2024 Munchie Map in this issue, or visit the Nut Club website at www.nutclubfallfestival. com

HISTORIC NEWBURGH GHOST WALKS, GHOSTLY HAYRIDES AND HALLOWEEN ILLUMINATIONS

The Historic Ghost Walks, Hayrides, and Halloween Illuminations are a wonderful option for a spooky adventure. These events will take place October 10th - 18th.

Tickets are only available online at www. historicnewburgh.org

THE

HOUSE OF LECTER AND THE CATACOMBS

Looking for a double dare scarefest? Twice the creatures – Twice the scare! This year

the Catacombs have moved from the Old Courthouse to the House of Lecter, at 315 Main St, and will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm - 11pm, and other open nights from 7pm - 9pm.

Tickets are available at the door, or online at https://oldcatacombs.com/

CRESCENT CITY COLLECTIVE’S BOOTIQUE

If you’re looking for something new to enjoy this year, Crescent City Collective and Nirvana Mobile Bar are hosting their first ever Fall market: BOOTIQUE! This event takes place Saturday, September 21st at 12:00pm at the Crescent City Collective Salon (4118 Pollack Avenue). The market will feature Little Bubs + Co., Midwest Vintage, and 11 other booths. Food and sweet treats from Bibi’s, Saige’s Baking Creations and others will be available.

SHOPPING

DECORATIONS

No one can deny that shopping is essential for the holidays! Visit Spirit Halloween (217 N Green River Rd.) if you’re looking for lawn decorations or costumes for the family. Decor and almost anything else

you need to create a spooky experience can be found there. Also Check Out Hobby Lobby or Party City for party décor.

TREATS

Stephen Libs (6225 Vogel Rd.) has an exceptional variety of decadent treats for parties or gift baskets –including caramel apples!

PETS

Everyone loves to include their furry friends when celebrating, so get your 4-legged friend a costume at Give a Dog a Bone (5626 E Virginia St), or your neighborhood Pet Food Center (several locations in Evansville and Newburgh). Pet Food Center also has straw and pumpkins!

Support any of these local events and shops to make your Fall season a little more festive, there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s the festivities, or just the anticipation of apple cider next to warm bonfires, I think we can all agree that fall will be quite exciting this year!

SHINING A LIGHT ON DOWN SYNDROME

OCTOBER IS DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH-- A TIME TO CELEBRATE PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THEIR ABILITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Each October, communities across the country come together to celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. If you don’t know anyone with Down Syndrome, simply put: Down Syndrome is a common genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome. It can lead to various medical issues, including Celiac disease, heart abnormalities, early-onset Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and thyroid problems.

Here in Evansville, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a local mother and friend of mine, Kendra Nance, to talk about her experiences, her beautiful family, and the incredible impact that S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome has had not only on her but on countless other families across the Tri-State and beyond.

A FAMILY ROOTED IN COMMUNITY

Kendra Nance and her husband Brock were both

born and raised in Evansville, they have a deep appreciation for the support and of their hometown. “We’ve been married for eight years,” Kendra shares “We have two sons, Clark and Bryce. As a family, we love doing things together—whether it’s swimming, exploring museums and aquariums, or just participating in local events around town. Evansville has always been home.”

For the Nance family, one aspect of their life together stands out as a profound source of joy, challenge, and inspiration: their son Bryce, who was born with Down Syndrome. When Kendra and Brock welcomed Bryce into the world, they knew their lives would be forever changed.

“Bryce is the sweetest, funniest, most loving little boy,” Kendra beamed. I can vouch for Bryce. He is legitimately the cutest child I’ve ever seen--the kind of cute that makes your heart grow two sizes.

For Kendra, Bryce’s diagnosis of Down Syndrome was never something that would limit

him in her eyes. Instead, it was an opportunity for growth—for Bryce, for herself, and for her family. “We want people to know that individuals with disabilities, including Down Syndrome, are not defined by their diagnosis,” Kendra emphasizes. “They are so much more than that! If you take the time to get to know someone with Down Syndrome, you’ll see that they are loving, smart, funny, and unique individuals. They have hopes and dreams just like anyone else.”

This message of acceptance and understanding is at the heart of everything Kendra advocates for, and it’s one of the driving forces behind her involvement with S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome.

S.M.I.L.E. ON DOWN SYNDROME: EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome is a local organization that provides crucial resources and support for families and individuals affected by Down Syndrome. For Kendra, S.M.I.L.E. has been a lifeline—both in providing services and fostering a sense of community and inclusion for families like hers.

“S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome is so close to my heart,” says Kendra, “They offer so many supportive services, from life skills programs to fun activities that help families bond and learn together. The organization isn’t just about the individuals with Down Syndrome; it’s about lifting up the entire family.”

This organization creates a space where families can connect, build lasting friendships, and support each other. Kendra notes that S.M.I.L.E. plays an essential role in normalizing Down Syndrome and helping the community see the capabilities and potential of those with this condition.

“One of the things I love most about S.M.I.L.E. is that it doesn’t focus on limitations,” Kendra explains. “It focuses on opportunities.” It’s clear this local advocacy group gives children like Bryce a chance to thrive, to develop life skills, and most importantly, to have fun while doing it. And to me, and hopefully everyone shares this sentiment, all people deserve to have an active role in their community and feel accepted. S.M.I.L.E on Down Syndrome is doing important work.

THE S.M.I.L.E. MILE: CELEBRATING AND SUPPORTING THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY

Every year during National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome hosts its annual fundraising event, the S.M.I.L.E. Mile. This event brings the Evansville community together to celebrate individuals with Down Syndrome and raise vital funds to continue the organization’s mission of

inclusion.

“The S.M.I.L.E. Mile is such a special event for our family,” Kendra says. People come together to walk, run, and show their support for the Down Syndrome community.

The funds raised through the S.M.I.L.E. Mile go directly toward supporting the many programs and services that the organization provides. These include educational resources, life skills training, social events, and family support services. The goal is to ensure that every person with Down Syndrome in the community can lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. That journey starts with educating the community and creating partnerships.

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

As someone who has experienced firsthand the beauty and challenges of raising a child with Down Syndrome, Kendra is passionate about changing the way the world views people with disabilities.

“If there’s one thing I want people to know,” she says thoughtfully, “it’s that people with disabilities want the same thing as everyone else— acceptance and love. They aren’t defined by their diagnosis. They are individuals with unique talents, personalities, and dreams.”

Kendra stresses the importance of taking the time to truly get to know individuals with disabilities. “If you can look past the diagnosis and really see the person, you’ll discover a whole world of love and potential.”

She hopes that through her advocacy work and the support of organizations like S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome, more people will take the time to understand, accept, and appreciate individuals with Down Syndrome for who they are.

For Kendra and her family, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month is a time of reflection, celebration, and hope. It’s a time to honor the incredible individuals with Down Syndrome and the families who love and support them, and it’s a reminder that with love, acceptance, and community, anything is possible.

This October, as Evansville gathers for the 23’rd annual S.M.I.L.E. Mile, Kendra will be there with her family, celebrating Bryce. Make sure you clear your calendar on October 5, 2024. All ages are welcome: children, young adults with Down syndrome, family members, friends, politicians, healthcare professionals, business leaders, high school and college students, fraternities, sororities, corporate teams, anyone, all of you. The goal is to raise $100,000 or MORE that will fund S.M.I.L.E on Down Syndrome programs serving hundreds of families in the Tri-State.

Can’t make it to the S.M.I.L.E Mile? Head over to smileondownsyndrome.org and DONATE.

To register and more info, visit smileondownsyndrome.org or visit them on Facebook: @SmileEvansville.

EVANSVILLE of A TASTE

MONTHLY FOOD REVIEW WITH BRIAN BUXTON

Tucked in a small strip center on the far Northside of Evansville is a truly unique dining experience. Thai Orchids is another of our city’s hidden gems. It’s locally owned, and well known by loyal regulars for a large variety of authentic Thai curry dishes, excellent service and high-quality fresh ingredients.

Eric and Kansiree Cihal are the husband-and-wife team behind the concept, and they share a passion for providing a wonderful and unique dining experience. The menu has a nice selection of dishes without being overly lengthy or complicated. It is written in easy-to-understand descriptions of the Thai offerings, and prices are very reasonable for the ample portions.

If you aren’t familiar with Thai cuisine, there are 4 regions of Thailand, each with their own unique ingredients, characteristics, and cooking styles. Thai dishes are based on 5 flavor profiles - sweet, salty, spicy, sour & bitter. The most common proteins are chicken, lamb, shrimp, and beef. Rice is the prominent ingredient in most dishes, although thick noodles are also very common.

Thai cuisine utilizes herbs such as cloves, saffron, basil, coriander, mint, lemongrass, lemon leaves, chili and ginger - to add flavor

and to ensure the food is healthy and nourishing to the body. The dish presentations are also attractive and eye-catching, with bright colors from chilis, turmeric, beetroot, pineapple etc. The formal presentation of food is very important in Thai culturefood should look appealing and detailed.

Most dishes come in small bite sizes, a clever way to circumvent Buddhism discouraging cooking an animal whole. So, fish, beef, pork, and chicken are sliced, chopped, or cubed before cooking. Although

THAI ORCHIDS IS ANOTHER OF OUR CITY’S HIDDEN GEMS. IT’S LOCALLY OWNED, AND WELL KNOWN BY LOYAL REGULARS FOR A LARGE VARIETY OF AUTHENTIC THAI CURRY DISHES, EXCELLENT SERVICE AND HIGHQUALITY FRESH INGREDIENTS.

the Chinese introduced chopsticks to Thailand in the late 1800’s, most Thais prefer to use Western cutlery - generally a fork and large spoon. The spoon is held in the right hand and used in place of a knife (the bite sized items don’t require use of a knife), while the fork helps to move the food onto the spoon.

Some dishes you don’t want to miss are the Chicken Satay with vinegar sauce; Steamed Chive Dumplings; Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp; Massaman Red Curry with Beef, Drunken Noodle Pad Kee Mao; and my favorite menu item, the Spicy Crispy Basil Duck - this is one of the best duck dishes I’ve ever had. Well-seasoned and crispy with a slightly salty umami, and sweet flavor from the basil. On my next visit I will try the Red Curry Duck that is also on menu. For dessert, order the Banana Rolls - Sweet ripe banana bites rolled in spring rolls and deep fried, then drizzled with honey and served hot.

You can enjoy the Thai Orchids experience at 601 East Boonville-New Harmony Road, near Darmstadt Schnuck’s and the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairgrounds. Hours of operation are Tue–Sat from 11am-2pm, and 4-8pm. They are closed Sun & Mon. There is a small parking lot on site.

Now Go, Explore, and Eat, Evansville!

Find them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/thaiorchids

My food and dining page can be found at www.facebook.com/FFKSEvansville

ANYTHING ON WHEELS

WITH TOM LEGGETT

THE RISE OF CHINO TACO

In the busy world of food trucks where creativity and flavor come together, Peter Lu, the owner of Chino Taco, stands out with a story that is as inspiring as the dishes he serves. Since 2015, Chino Taco has been a vibrant addition to the local food scene. The yellow truck offers a unique fusion of Chinese-inspired flavors on wheels.

Peter Lu's journey to becoming a food truck owner began long before 2015. Growing up in Shandong China, he embarked on his culinary career at the young age of 16, honing his skills in the kitchens of star-rated hotels. He made a name for himself, earning a first-class culinary certificate. However, circumstances led him to leave his hometown and move to the United States, where he continued his culinary career at a Sichuan restaurant.

By 2015, the demands of a long commute and the desire to spend more time with his family prompted Peter to make a bold move. The food truck business offered the flexibility he needed, allowing him to pursue his passion for cooking while also being present for his loved ones. Thus, Chino Taco was born, blending Peter's Chinese heritage with the street food culture of America.

The name "Chino Taco" is more than just catchy; it reflects Peter’s roots. "Chino" hints at the Chinese influence in his cuisine, while "Taco" nods to the street food that’s become a staple in American food culture. It’s a name that invites people to experience something different.

Starting a food truck comes with its own set of challenges, and for Peter, the language barrier and the struggle to attract customers were significant hurdles. Yet, he was committed to providing excellent food and service. His dedication to treating customers like family, always greeting them with a smile, has been key to building a loyal following.

Social media, primarily Facebook, has been Peter's main tool for connecting with customers and keeping them informed about Chino Taco's location and menu updates. He recognizes the importance of communication in his business, ensuring that customer satisfaction remains his top priority.

Chino Taco’s menu, which sees small updates every year, reflects Peter’s ongoing commitment to innovation. While the entire menu is beloved by customers, admittedly the Crab Rangoon stands out as his biggest seller. This dish, alongside others, keeps customers coming back for more and Peter ensures that every bite meets his high standards.

Peter sources his ingredients locally whenever possible, working with suppliers like Gordon Food Service to maintain the freshness and quality of his dishes. His dedication to quality and his need to innovate are key factors in the success of Chino Taco.

One of the most memorable moments for Peter and his wife came during the early days of Chino Taco. With no customers in sight, they faced uncertainty and doubt. But their persistence paid off when they finally made $100 in a single day. It was a moment of triumph that brought tears to their eyes and solidified their resolve to succeed. Peter’s advice to anyone looking to start their own food truck is simple yet profound: Be honest and trustworthy, communicate effectively with customers, and never stop improving and innovating. These principles have guided him from the start and continue to be the foundation of Chino Taco’s success.

For Peter Lu, success isn’t just about financial gain. It’s about customer satisfaction, the joy of cooking, and the balance he’s found between work and family. Chino Taco is more than just a food truck; it’s a testament to Peter’s passion, resilience, and the support of a community that believes in him.

See you down the road!

Follow them on Facebook: Chino Taco

WHAT'S ON THE

grill

WITH JIM JOHNSON

SATURDAY FOOTBALL IS BACK! THIS CAN ONLY MEAN ONE THING: FALL IS IN THE AIR.

It’s not time to put away the grills and smokers yet, but it is time to think about some of our favorites for fall. I love chili, so let’s look at doing a fall classic. We can make chili different ways: White Chili, Chili without beans, Chili with beans, Green chili, Red chili, Spicy or Mild. I have many that I like, so I’m sure I have a favorite for you.

• Remember to make a large pot since you can freeze it in airtight containers up to 3 months.

• Remember you can also use ground chicken or turkey as a replacement for ground beef.

AWARD WINNING CHILI

• 5 strips of uncooked bacon (for anyone that knows me they know bacon is my secret weapon).

• 1 large yellow onion - diced

• 1 red pepper - diced

• 3 cloves of garlic - minced

• 1 pound of ground beef

• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp. chili powder

• Remember you can add or delete the pepper to suit your taste.

• 1 Tbsp. Ancho chili powder

• 1 1/2 Tsp. paprika

• 1 Tsp. cumin

• 1/8 Tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1/2 Tsp. salt

• 1/2 Tsp. black pepper

• 1 1/4 cup beef broth

• 15 ounce can of black beans or kidney beans —rinsed

• 14.5 ounce can of fire roasted diced tomatoes

• 7 ounce can of fire roasted green chiles

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Sour cream and shredded cheese for topping

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

• Place bacon, cut into pieces in large pot and cook over medium heat until done.

• Remove bacon and drain on paper towel

• Leaving oil in pot, add your onion and peppers, cook until soft.

• Approximately 5 minutes add garlic then beef and break apart as you cook,

• Next add brown sugar and all spices, stirring into meat.

• Next add all other ingredients including bacon.

• Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.

• Reduce the heat and simmer, leave uncovered and stir every 10 minutes.

*If you like these ideas or have any questions - or if you would like a specific recipe regarding food groupsjust reach out to News 4U and Jim will get it into next month's column.

Jim Johnson has won 78 Grand Championships on the BBQ circuit and is a founding member of the Kansas City BBQ Society (International Outreach Team). In addition, Jim has taught American-style BBQ in over 40 countries worldwide. He's also cooked at U.S. embassies and often feeds the troops at military bases. Just recently, Jim served 2500 BBQ plates for Minnesota Air National Guard and for the Scott Air Force Base. As if all that wasn't enough, he helps to feed numerous non-profits in the Evansville area.

Healthy Cooking with Lindsay Rasure

If simple is your kind of thing, then you’ll love this recipe! I found this recipe when I did my first Whole 30. The original recipe calls for pork in addition to the ground beef, but I typically cannot find a pork source that is clean. I tweaked the recipe and it still turned out wonderful. These meatballs will take you about 30 minutes from start to finish. I typically double it, and we eat on them for several days. Easy meal prep!

SIMPLE MEAT BALLS

CLEAN BITE life

INGREDIENTS:

• 2.5 LBS. 80/20 GROUND BEEF

• 4 CLOVES OF GARLIC MINCED

• 1 EGG

• 1 T. CHOPPED FRESH PARSLEY

DIRECTIONS:

• 1 T. DRIED OREGANO

• 1 T. SALT (REDMOND’S REAL SALT IS THE BEST!)

• 1 TSP. BLACK PEPPER

• ½ TSP. RED PEPPER FLAKES

1. PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 400 DEGREES AND LINE A RIMMED BAKING SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER.

2. COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS UNTIL WELL MIXED. SHAPE MIXTURE INTO EQUAL SIZED BALLS, ABOUT 2 TABLESPOONS EACH (I USED A COOKIE SCOOP FOR EASY PORTIONING). WHEN SHAPING BALLS, DO NOT PACK THEM TOO TIGHTLY OR THEY MAY BECOME TOUGH.

3. ARRANGE THE MEATBALLS ON THE BAKING SHEET AND BAKE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, OR UNTIL COOKED THROUGH.

4. SERVE RIGHT AWAY WITH YOUR FAVORITE PASTA VARIETY AND MARINARA SAUCE. WE LOVE TO USE RAO’S MARINARA SAUCE!

*Recipe adapted from: foxandbriar.com

FOR MORE RECIPES OR MEAL IDEAS YOU CAN FOLLOW LINDSAY RASURE ON INSTAGRAM: @

CLEANBITELIFE OR HER FACEBOOK GROUP: CLEAN BITE LIFE

Restaurant

411

KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE ON THE COMINGS & GOINGS OF AREA DINING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH BRIAN BUXTON

The restaurant business is a rough road, and success is far from guaranteed in a business with very narrow margins for profit. A study by Ohio State University found that 60% of new restaurants didn't make it past the first year, and 80% close within five years. It's not a venture for the weak.

Here's a list of local spots we've recently lost, others that have recently opened, and some to look forward to in the coming weeks.

RECENTLY CLOSED:

SEBREE BURRITO EXPRESS (SEBREE, KY)

HEADY’S PIZZA ON FIRST AVE (EVANSVILLE, IN)

MYRIAD BREWERY DOWNTOWN (EVANSVILLE, IN)

BOBACCINO’S CAFÉ OFF FIRST AVE. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

JENNINGS STREET PUBLIC HOUSE (NEWBURGH, IN)

THE GRANOLA JAR NEWBURGH (NEWBURGH, IN)

MECHANICSVILLE KITCHEN (OWENSBORO, KY)

RECENTLY OPENED:

MARIDA KURDISH TURKISH RESTAURANT (NEWBURGH, IN) 1 E WATER ST.

HELADOS ICE CREAM, SNACKS & ANTOJITOS (EVANSVILLE, IN) 779 S GREEN RIVER RD.

CALLAS TAVERN & RESTAURANT (OWENSBORO, KY) 420 FREDERICA ST.

PIZZA HUT GREEN RIVER RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN) 925 GREEN RIVER RD.

HELADOS ICE CREAM, SNACKS, ANTOJITOS (EVANSVILLE, IN) 779 SOUTH GREEN RIVER RD.

MEX-I-CAN (TACOHOLICS) (MORGANFIELD, KY) 1800 US HWY 60

PARLOR DONUTS (OWENSBORO, KY) 2876 HEARTLAND CROSSING BLVD.

CULVERS (NEWBURGH, IN) 8970 HIGH POINTE DR.

MARIDA KURDISH TURKISH RESTAURANT (NEWBURGH, IN) 1 EAST WATER ST.

HAVENS (NEWBURGH, IN) 300 W. JENNINGS ST.

RED SWING COFFEE (OWENSBORO, KY) 112 ALLEN ST.

FREEDOM BOWLS SUPERFOODS (EVANSVILLE, IN) 4209 US HWY 41 - IN LAWMAN TACTICAL

INDUSTRY BAR (EVANSVILLE, IN) 101 SE 1ST ST.

OPENING SOON:

S&J CARIBBEAN BAKERY & RESTAURANT ON WEINBACH (EVANSVILLE, IN)

PLAYA AZUL ON GREEN RIVER RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

HORNVILLE TAVERN ON BASELINE RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

BROTHERHOOD RESTAURANT DANSANT ON KY AVE. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

PIZZA HUT ON GREEN RIVER RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

HOKKAIDO SUSHI & RAMEN ON BURKHARDT RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

KFIRE KOREAN BBQ & HOT POT ON GREEN RIVER RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

SWAGAT INDIAN CAFÉ OFF GREEN RIVER RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

INDIAN RESTAURANT (IN FORMER THAI PAPAYA BUILDING) OFF BURKHARDT RD. (EVANSVILLE, IN)

JACOB'S PUB ON NORTH MAIN (EVANSVILLE, IN) PROTEINHOUSE (NEWBURGH, IN)

SAZON Y FUEGO (PANGEA CONCEPT) (NEWBURGH, IN)

BUTCHER AND BARREL STEAKHOUSE (HUNTINGBURG, IN)

NOODLE HOUSE (NEWBURGH, IN)

JERSEY MIKE'S (HENDERSON, KY)

ITALIAN RESTAURANT - NAME TBA (HENDERSON, KY)

INDUSTRY BAR IN DOWNTOWN EVANSVILLE (EVANSVILLE, IN)

BIG WHISKEY'S AMERICAN RESTAURANT (OWENSBORO, KY)

OCTOBER COUPONS!

2024 REGIONAL METAL EXPO

THROW THE HORNS: INAUGURAL ALL-AGES

EVENT PROMISES EAR-BLEEDING EVENING OF GUITAR SHREDDING AND MORE

One of the hardest hitting drummers around, Drew Gray has been a seminal member of the tri-state metal scene for years now, from his long-term gig in the now-defunct Stolen Remains to current band Impera who've released a killer EP and a handful of singles since 2022. In addition, Gray's the main man behind Razor Booking, a company focused on bringing the music to the people via big shows - and he's put together the biggest one yet for a special evening on October 5 at STAGEtwo in Evansville.

Get ready to throw the horns, because the inaugural 2024 Regional Metal Expo is going to blow minds - and ears - with an insane lineup of guitar-shredding bands. "We're trying to raise the bar, do something different," Gray explains. "We want to give local bands the opportunity to play with regional bands - bring everyone together." The plan going forward is to make the expo an annual event - so come out and show your support!

2024 REGIONAL METAL EXPO LINEUP:

VCTMS - a national touring act based out of Chicago

EXIT WOUNDS - a metal favorite out of Indianapolis

EXISTING IN EXILE - pure metal fury out of Nashville

NULL VALLEY - an Evansville original that's been gaining traction both regionally and nationally

IMPERA - a fixture in the tri-state metal scene since 2022

REMNANTS - another great Indy-based metal band

BLVCK LODGE - a heavy tri-state outfit featuring former Impera bass player Jeff House

MURDERACHI - a bad-ass young metal band based out of Henderson

Sponsors for the event include Owensboro's 97X, Tony Trip, Musician's Den and Harley-Davidson of Evansville. Sound provided by Jon Kern.

Tickets are $25 via eventbrite or $30 at the door. STAGEtwo is located at 321 N. Congress Ave. in Evansville.

STAGETWO / OCTOBER 5 / 4:30 P.M.

JUNE AFTER

EMO TRIO WITH A ROCK ATTITUDE SET TO DROP DEBUT EP, PREPS FOR RELEASE SHOW ON OCTOBER 19 IN DOWNTOWN EVANSVILLE

Some six months ago, News 4U caught up with two of the members of a new emo-based trio eager to finally see their long-gestating music project come to fruition. At a coffee shop on the west side of Evansville, vocalist/guitarist Marshall Powers and drummer Derek Strickland detailed how June Afteroft-described as "Bon Iver meets Radiohead" - morphed and evolved over the last few years, promising the eventual release of a debut EP in the fall. True to their word, the two musicians, along with bassist/keyboardist David Love, are now set to drop the self-titled 5-track collection on October 17 at midnight. And, spoiler alertit's amazing.

Of course, for those who checked out the three preview singles June After dropped over the summer like a musical trail of bread crumbs, this will come as no surprise; "Cherry

Lime," "Felt" and "Sun Goes Down" showed a band in full command of their powers right out of the gate. The former, which touches lyrically on "destructive nostalgia," perfectly exemplifies both the trio's firm grasp of melody and inclination to rock out, bringing the Bon Iver/Radiohead comparison to bear. The guys prefer to be a bit more scientific about it, by the way, going so far as to cite the specific eras of those highly influential bands that most impacted the June After sound. (For the record, that would be 22, A Million-era Bon Iver and OK Computer-era Radiohead. But that's getting into the weeds a bit too much.) Suffice it to say that Powers, Strickland and Love have clearly created their own thing as brilliantly heard on "Sun Goes Down" which strings together all the best elements of the trio into a four-minute masterpiece that bobs and weaves quite thrillingly, with layers of guitars, keys and vocal effects fitting together seamlessly thanks to producer Ryan Wasoba.

While the initial song ideas for the June After project came from Powers, over time those demos were reshaped and re-imagined when Strickland came on board - meaning this is truly a band effort. The presence of Powers, however, is at the heart of the EP. Vocally, he effortlessly alternates between a strong pop delivery and, yes, Justin Vernon-esque

falsetto that would make his hero proud. And the same essentially goes for his impressive guitar work which both jangles melodically and drives each track with Led Zeppelin-like muscle at times. Strickland, meanwhile, to keep the Zep analogy going, holds down the grooves Bonham-style, heavy handed yet loose, allowing the songs room to breathe. Love came to June After post-studio sessions, but has quickly made the trio whole, contributing bass and keys in a live setting.

Speaking of playing live, you can catch June After at Your Brother's Bookstore in downtown Evansville on October 19 for the trio's record release party. Don't miss out!

For more info, follow June After on Facebook. The debut EP will be available October 17 at midnight on major streaming platforms.

"THE GUYS PREFER TO BE A BIT MORE SCIENTIFIC ABOUT IT, BY THE WAY, GOING SO FAR AS TO CITE THE SPECIFIC ERAS OF THOSE HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL BANDS THAT MOST IMPACTED THE JUNE AFTER SOUND."

COVER ART: RYAN MCKAIN

GUNG HO!

USI FRESHMAN REVELS IN THE SOUND OF VIDEO GAME

ARCADES ON THE TWO-BIT BANDIT EP

The youth of Evansville continue to make their mark on the local music scene and the latest such example is USI freshman Gabriel Dennis, an 18-yearold multi-instrumentalist who records under the name Gung Ho! A graduate of North High School, he's currently aiming for a degree in Exercise Science with an eye on becoming a physiotherapist - a track that's related not just to his lifelong love of hockey and sports in general, but in particular to the fact that doctors predicted Dennis would never be able sit up by himself as a result of poor muscle tone at birth. "But I overcame it," he proudly

notes, adding that "to end up skating and achieving some of the things in sports that I have, it means so much to me - more than anyone truly knows."

Now Dennis is achieving big things in music, too, riding a wave of creativity over the last few months that's seen him produce and release no less than three EPs and a single. But he hasn't done it alone. For starters, Dennis owes a debt to his father, a real "rocker type" who played guitar and inspired both Gabriel and his older brother Cain to do the same. And Cain, it turns out, has been, well, instrumental in encouraging Dennis to get the Gung Ho! project (so named to signify the sheer excitement of creating) up and running. In fact, the siblings collaborated on "Noodles," one of the highlights off of The Same Page EP which dropped back on August 1. Echoing the raw indie vibe of the early 80's K Records sound fostered by Calvin Johnson, the moody yet melodic guitar-based track is miles away, however, from the synth-driven approach of Two-Bit Bandit, Dennis' latest EP that serves as an ode to his

love of video game arcades.

"Cain and I grew up with arcades as a staple - when the arcade inside Showplace East was still open, my brother and I were there all the time," Dennis says. "So [with Two-Bit Bandit] we decided to try and bring back the vibe of this past love that stuck with us." In addition to original synth instrumentals that, again, remind of the 80's, the 9-song EP also features bits of video game samples - "the sort of music you hear right when you walk into an arcade. It's a mix of sound bites of real arcade machines and us implementing our own sound effects." The overall feel is pleasantly kaleidoscopic, just as the brothers intended. Ultimately, it's a joyous musical celebration of a childhood passion.

Not one to rest these days, Dennis is already plotting a fall EP that will find him including vocals on record for the first time; or, as he describes it, "somewhere between spoken word and singing - I won't be belting out notes or anything." He's nervous yet appropriately gung ho(!) to give it a shot. Stay tuned!

For more info, follow Gabriel Dennis on Facebook. Two-Bit Bandit and other Gung Ho! EPs are available on major streaming platforms.

"NOW DENNIS IS ACHIEVING BIG THINGS IN MUSIC, TOO, RIDING A WAVE OF CREATIVITY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THAT'S SEEN HIM PRODUCE AND RELEASE NO LESS THAN THREE EPS AND A SINGLE."

“Humble beginnings” is a phrase used for describing someone who started with less while striving to be more, a place where one’s roots often find the most fertile ground is within the mind. While the broad implications of this phrase are of a journey completed and greatness achieved, I suspect Evansville’s own Dekar Justus (drummer, singer/songwriter, and producer) retained the “humble” from those beginnings. He refutes any claims of greatness despite being on tour with one of the hottest up-and-coming guitarists in the business, Grace Bowers. He would give you an “0aw shucks” expression, having deservedly heard it all many times before. But the wry smile and averted eyes you get after singing his praises says there is a well-earned confidence to balance that humility. While he may be a natural, the man loves to work and it shows. After all, you don’t land a spot on Jimmy Kimmel Live just by being good.

Dekar Justus puts in the work by hosting live all-original shows, performing cover jams and improv with Monty Skelton, producing his own original material, singing with a proficiency to

"THE HODGE PODGE BAND WAS WITHOUT A DRUMMER AND DEKAR WAS AN OBVIOUS CHOICE."

LINDSEY

on the scene

WITH LINDSEY WILLIAMS

Tri-state

recording artist and live performer reports on the

Evansville Drummer Dekar Justus on Jimmy Kimmel Live

match his groove skills, all while managing to hit the Nashville scene each week at a regular musician’s jam called the Flamingo Invite. It was there he met Josh Blaylock, the keyboard/ organ player for Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge. The Hodge Podge band was without a drummer and Dekar was an obvious choice. And they didn’t even know he could sing yet! Previous drummers Terrence Clark (Robert Cray), Brandon Combs (Leon Bridges) and Petar Janjic (Cory Wong) had other obligations and the new album was about to drop. The tour was scheduled and TV appearances were in the works. Crunch time!!

Justus joining Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge was a clear win for all. They all sat down and got to know one another once the tunes were well rehearsed. Dekar pulled up some video of his own material and they could hardly believe he also sang lead.

DJ: They were like, ‘Let’s add some songs with you singing lead!’ So, I’ll be doing some Buddy Miles like “Them Changes” and other stuff.

LJW: That will be rad! So, tell us what it was like going on Kimmel!!

DJ: It was way easier than we expected but it was a long day. It got more comfortable when the crowd came in. We weren’t in the same room as where they sit and have the talk show. We were on a different level where Billy Eilish had just been so were taking it all in. We did a

couple songs: “Tell Me Why U Do That” and the title track “Wine on Venus” from the new album. (Look for my review on that). We just jammed and had a really good time and then we were like, “That’s it? Dang, it’s over!!”

The Kimmel appearance is a tremendous credit on any musician’s résumé, but unbeknownst to me, this was one of many big deals for Dekar since going on tour with Bowers in April. Now an official member of the Hodge Podge, he has shared the bill with Robert Randolph, Elle King (Rob Schneider’s daughter), Slash, and Brothers Osbourne to name drop a bit! In the humble beginnings, Dekar was not allowed to play the drums in his church or watch secular movies. Today, he has performed for tens of thousands and got to tell Jeff Goldblum TO HIS FACE in Hollywood that Jurassic Park was the first movie he ever saw. I think they even let him play drums in church now.

Lindsey Williams

Thank you for any and all support you give to the Independent artists of the world!

COMEDY & CURIOSITIES

WITH DANNY BROWNING

October is here! Time to say goodbye to beach towels and sunburns and say hello to falling leaves and anxious pumpkin farmers excited to show us their gourds. We trade in summer clothes and ice cream for sweater weather and all the Halloween candy our teeth can take. This time of year has something for everyone with its crisp air and changing leaves. For me, it’s a time when we come together as a people and embrace the cultural phenomenon that is pumpkin spice! Whether it’s a pumpkin spice latte, oatmeal, candle, coffee, muffins, donuts, ice cream, lip balm, bath bombs, or—believe it or not— pumpkin spice salsa, we cheerfully let this deliciousness take over our lives in every imaginable way.

Hands down, my favorite is pumpkin beer. The inventor is clearly a drunken genius sent from the heavens. This person knows how to be part scientist, part chef, and probably part hermit. No matter the sacrifice, the creator found a union of flavors that is arguably the greatest of all time. They go together like other legendary pairings: peanut butter & jelly, Oreos & ice cream, Donnie & Marie, and Fall Festival fried food with ranch dressing. I'm always down for a cold one. Whether I'm in Newburgh enjoying a

CHECK

haunted lantern walk

or taking part in the Zombie 5K, there's nothing that gives me more of the autumn spirit than getting slightly intoxicated and belching up warm pumpkin breath.

You may think I'm a bit unhinged, like a pumpkin spice puppet controlled by a delicious addiction, and you're right. It started with a latte and quickly turned into waking up in the afternoon to visions of pumpkin spice clouds. Lost in a world of orange and cinnamon, I was a slave to the pumpkin dragon. I'm good now though.

Venue: Haven’s Bar, 300 W. Jennings St., Newburgh

2. Giggles for Good: A Stand-Up Comedy Fundraiser

Date: October 26

Time: Dinner begins at 6:00 PM, showtime approximately 7:00 PM

Anyways, Brian, the owner of this fine publication, asked me to write a column about local comedy shows during the month of October. Clearly, I shouldn't have been enjoying a pumpkin spiced beverage while doing so. Check out these live local comedy events and LAUGH!

1. Comedy Night with Laughing Dad

Entertainment

Date: October 12

Time : 8:00 PM

Venue: Venue 812, 1491 N Boeke Road, Evansville

3. Marlon Wayans

Date: October 26

Time: 7:00 PM

Venue: Aiken Theatre, 725 Locust Street, Evansville

4. David Sedaris

Date: October 27

Time: 7:00 PM

Venue: Victory Theatre, 600 Main Street, Evansville

SCREEN TIME

WITH MARISA PATWA

October film releases feature a dark musical comedy, a glimpse into the beginnings of an American comedic staple, and the sequel to a chilling horror flick.

JOKER: FOLIE A’ DEUX

Joker took the colorful comic book of Batman and twisted Gotham into a truly grimy and gritty world in 2019. Fans have been stark raving mad for a sequel ever since. Director Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix had to wait to quench your blood thirst though until they found the right story. Even more importantly, the right Harley Quinn. But who could fill Margot Robbie’s Suicide Squad stilettos? Cue Lady Gaga, who is the perfect crazy co-conspirator to Phoenix's failed comedian and criminal mischief-mind Arthur Fleck. The two meet while he’s doing time at Arkham State Hospital, with Gaga’s Quinn being a music therapist who falls madly in love with him. This clowned-up Bonnie and Clyde ensue on a journey of mutual musical madness. Catherine Keener, Brandon Gleeson, Harry Lawtey and Steve Coogan join in on the dark musical comedy fun while Zazie Beetz reprises her role as single mom Sophie. In part Deux, the Joker’s followers are hoping to liberate him from prison. But the real question is: Can the Joker be liberated from his own dark mind? IN THEATERS 10/4

SATURDAY NIGHT

Saturday Night captures the 90 minutes of comedy and chaos leading up to the Oct. 11th, 1975, premiere of what we know today as Saturday Night Live. It’s only fitting the movie is being released exactly 49 years after that magical night. The live sketch comedy show has been a true staple of the American television household since then, parodying politics and pop-culture to an intelligently satirical degree only the best of the best can create. With the amount of heavy weights who have been catapulted into stardom from the show, it’s clear why. There are decades of content to choose from, so it’s curious filmmakers chose to show us the time leading up to the first show, however genius. The ensemble cast features Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd and Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, while Gabriel LaBelle is swiping Spielberg for Lorne Michaels. We’re given an exclusive insight into how this insanely talented group of young writers and comedians came together to create something that would change the trajectory of American humor and levity. Even more poetic, we’re paying homage to not just creator Lorne Michaels, but the stars who were brave enough to step foot on that stage that first night, having no idea how the country was going to receive them. I wonder if they knew the show would still be so strong in 2024? IN THEATERS 10/11

SMILE 2

During my watch of the first Smile movie (2022), I was cowering in my black bat and ghost covered blanket on a family trip in Gatlinburg. To say the creepy cinema disrupted my sleep that night would be an understatement. There’s something so sinister about a smile so evil it could kill you. And that’s exactly what the monster in these films does. You watch someone smile, they kill themselves and then you end up doing the same to yourself. The first film showed us that no matter how hard you try to trick the devil, you’re still going to end up in a deadly destruction of self-harm. Naomi Scott is putting away her magic carpet ride and her Charlie’s Angel ninja moves in the sequel to play pop-star Skye Riley, who also becomes paralyzed with fear by the smile monster. This is the second time we’ve seen an Indian actress play a popstar haunted by evil in the last few months, with Saleka Shyamalan having a similar arc in August’s Trap. As a Desi girl myself, I love the cultural representation of Indians in horror. Unlike Trap though, the dark force haunting Riley is not flesh and bones, but a horrific demon. Can she defeat her smile monster or will the story end with a permanent frown? IN THEATERS 10/18

TRUE CRIME JUNKIE

WITH JOHNNY FLETCHER

COLIN & COLT GRAY: FATHER & SON CHARGED IN LATEST SCHOOL SHOOTING

Back in April of this year, an unprecedented U.S. case resulted in the convictions of Jennifer and James Crumbley, parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley - both of whom received prison terms for failing to prevent the deadly actions of their son. Whether the convictions would prove to be an outlier or the blueprint going forward was hotly debated at the time, but just six months later, a strikingly similar case is putting some weight behind the latter. On September 4, 2024, 14-year-old Colt Gray smuggled a semiautomatic assault rifle into Georgia's Apalachee High School, ultimately opening fire on his fellow students and two teachers, leaving four dead and nine others injured. Colt was quickly detained by authorities; however, prosecutors weren't quite satisfied, and within 48 hours of the shooting, father Colin Gray was also taken into custody, charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children in the second degree.

While some legal experts have cried foul over extending responsibility for school shootings to the parent or parents of the perpetrator, many Americans seem to be in favor of it, at least in cases involving clear negligence - and the inaction of Colin Gray is a perfect example. The 54-year-old father willfully ignored the warning signs displayed by his disturbed son (including previous threats to carry out a school shooting - in fact, Colin and Colt were interviewed

by local authorities in 2023 regarding this), not only dismissing mental health concerns but purchasing the eventual murder weapon for the struggling teenager. Not surprisingly, Colt's upbringing was reportedly tumultuous; the Gray family gradually splintered in his childhood, leading to much upheaval. He also endured bullying and had a difficult time fitting in at school. At the time of the shooting, Colt was living with his dad after his mother Marcee pleaded guilty last December to second-degree criminal damage of property and criminal trespass-family violence.

According to NBC News, she "also had warrants out for her arrest stemming from a November 2023 incident in which drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, were found in her car."

Yet, it was Marcee who tried to warn school officials on the day of the shooting after receiving a text from Colt that simply read, "I'm sorry, mom." 200 miles away on the morning of September 4, she sensed that her son was in serious trouble, calling in an emergency request to check on Colt. But while her motherly intuition proved correct, sadly, it was too late. Now we'll have to wait and see if Colt's father becomes the second example of a parent or parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. Based on early reporting, it doesn't look good for Colin, especially considering the precedent set by the Crumbley case.

"YET, IT WAS MARCEE WHO TRIED TO WARN SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON THE DAY OF THE SHOOTING AFTER RECEIVING A TEXT FROM COLT THAT SIMPLY READ, "I'M SORRY, MOM."

This treatment, whose name perfectly complements the eerie vibe of October, offers a whole lot more than just a spooky name—it’s a cutting-edge, skintransforming procedure that blends a mix of beauty science and magic. You know I’m not scared to try all the cool new beauty trends, so I visited Michelle at RX Aesthetics to try it out. I trust Michelle with these things because she 1.) educates me and 2.) is ethical and honest in her treatment recommendations. Here is what I learned, how it went, and my results…

THE BUZZ ON

WITH AMY BRADFORD

AS SPOOKY SEASON IS UPON US, WHAT BETTER WAY TO TREAT YOURSELF THAN WITH A "GLAMPIRE FACIAL"?

beauty

The Glampire Facial is essentially a revamped version of the Vampire Facial (made social media famous by Kim K) but with an added “glam” twist. It starts with microneedling, a process where tiny, controlled channels are created in the skin using micro-needles. It sounds intimidating, but with a topical numbing agent it is comfortable. This is the key to success for this treatment, as these channels allow for deep penetration of active ingredients, which is where the magic happens.

What sets the Glampire Facial apart from its spooky sibling is the infusion of a carefully curated blend of a Rx neuromodulator, NAD+, and Hyaluronic Acid. A microinfusion of these ingredients into the skin works to tackle a variety of skin concerns. The neuromodulator helps to relax scar tissue and minimize the

appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while NAD+ is known for its cellular regeneration properties, stimulating natural collagen production, and boosting overall skin rejuvenation.

Big words, but basically little, tiny holes are pricked into your skin and a mix of a ‘tox equivalent, NAD+, and Hyaluronic Acid are deposited into the holes to tighten your skin and stimulate collagen. While considered a ‘tox facial, it is NOT the same thing as having your face muscles frozen with a neuromodulator. This facial is literally skin deep.

I went in for my treatment with a mild sunburn, dull skin tone (stress and enough caffeine to kill a horse every day will do that), and some rosacea- as evident in my “before” photo. When I left the treatment, my face was tomato

red and felt slightly tender, but nothing unbearable. I looked crazy for about 24 hours and then the redness eased up. I’m about 5 days post-treatment in my

"THE GLAMPIRE FACIAL IS ESSENTIALLY A REVAMPED VERSION OF THE VAMPIRE FACIAL (MADE SOCIAL MEDIA FAMOUS BY KIM K) BUT WITH AN ADDED “GLAM” TWIST."

“After” photo and you can see a change in the hydration and redness. Over the next few days, the results only continued to improve. Fine lines were softened, my pores were less noticeable, and my complexion appeared more even and radiant.

If you’re looking for an amped up facial that delivers on all fronts—hydration, plumping, anti-aging, and skin clarity—the Glampire Facial might just be your new favorite treat. Plus, there’s no better time to embrace a little bit of spooky beauty!

To book an appointment or learn more about their services, visit rxaestheticsnewburgh.com or follow them on social media.

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PROFILES IN EVANSVILLE SPORTS

WITH JOSHUA "BIG CAT" PIETROWSKI

CENTRAL FOOTBALL

COACH- BRANDON ARTIS

It’s lunchtime on a Monday in midAugust. I am waiting outside of the Central High School Fieldhouse to meet with their now second year Head Coach, Brandon Artis. After a long Winter spent licking old wounds, a Spring spent making plans, and a Summer of hardnosed practice and development, it’s finally game week in Southern Indiana. The Central Bears will play host to the Mater Dei Wildcats in just four days’ time, kicking off the 2024 SIAC, and IHSAA football season.

Coach Artis lets me in through the front door and walks me back to his office. You can’t rush moments like this, interviews and interactions, but I knew that it was a busy week for his football program, so we got right to the questions. I wanted to get right down to the brass-tacks of it all, and opened by asking Brandon about his motivation for coming back home to Central High School where he played Wide Receiver and Defensive Back, taking on a project as large as turning a high school football program around, and doing it as one of the youngest coaches in SIAC history.

“Legacy”, he responds. “To me it was about legacy. I saw the way things were headed, and I saw that there was an opening for Head Coach. I thought about some of the people this program had lost recently. I thought about my father, and I thought about Coach Mike Owen. I felt I needed to try and come back. It felt like a, a… he pauses to find the right word… a responsibility.” The task at hand is a rather large one. When considering the various high school sports, extra-curricular activities like Drama and different clubs and other after school endeavors, running a whole football team seems like it would be the most challenging of jobs. There are more students involved, there are more coaches involved, and yes… there are more parents involved. To manage all

these personalities on a daily basis and then put together a successful game-plan for Friday night requires a combination of toughness, a stellar work-ethic, and a resilience that isn’t often found in the common man.

Coach Artis and I relate quite a bit. We’re both sports nuts and we both attended and foster a deep love for Central High School. But on a deeper level, we both lost our fathers in the same year, we both always end up just being put in charge of

whatever we’re getting into, we both carry on a family legacy, and almost personality, having earned it honestly from our dads. Artis’ family hails from East St. Louis. The Pietrowski clan comes by way of Detroit, Michigan, two cities that get a bad rap, but produce men and women who are a combination of the toughest, hardest working, and most resilient people in the Midwest. A good toolset to have when running a football team, it seems. Not only is the administrative side of coaching Central a daunting task, so are the expectations. It was difficult to ask, but I had to dig in on the Bears’ 2023 campaign, which garnered no wins. They say that in sports, and in life, a capital L typically stands for a Loss, but sometimes, it also stands for a Lesson. So, I asked the only question I could, “What did you take away from last season, going winless, what kind of impact did that have on you?”

“It humbled me. I’m used to winning. And to experience that, it taught me how it can be on the other side”, he said. He continued to harp on terms and concepts like responsibility, and growth, stating that the goal for Central this year is not a win total. He knows they need to win, and he believes those wins are coming… but he wants to see his players and coaches grow and develop this year, to take a step forward. He knows that no one on the North Side of Evansville is expecting a

State Championship this season, but he knows how much celebrating a win or two together on a crisp October night just off of First Avenue would mean to the Central faithful.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to really lock down how to define Coach Artis. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not enigmatic, he’s far too straight forward and relatable for all of that. Ultimately, he’s here to do his job. Ultimately, he’s here to serve as a benefit to every single kid that walks onto that practice field and straps on a helmet. He’s not concerned with the notoriety, or influence, or any of the perks that come with being put in charge of one of Evansville’s oldest high school football programs. He’s concerned with things like Growth. Responsibility. Accountability. Legacy.

Ultimately, he’s a proven young man who is now growing up rapidly, and even though he’s one of the youngest coaches in history to ever be given the keys to a whole SIAC football program, he’s more concerned with spending another day on this earth making his old man proud, even if he’s not standing there on the sidelines with him anymore, in physical form, at least.

Another season awaits. By the time of this article’s printing Coach Artis and the Central Bears will be well into their

campaign, and I don’t know if I can give you a spot-on prediction as far as what their win count will be, but I can tell you that turning any kind of sports program around takes time. It takes patience. It takes a grueling amount of work, and it takes the right person at the helm. In that, I think that Central High School has found its man.

On that afternoon I asked Coach Artist at least six pretty heavy questions to all of which he responded with confidence and conviction. But it’s his answer to that very first question, about his reason for coming back home and taking on the monolithic task of righting the ship at his alma mater that I’ve been stuck on for about a week now.

“This wasn’t a job, Big Cat. This was a calling.”

And I believe him.

TO ME IT WAS ABOUT LEGACY. I SAW THE WAY THINGS WERE HEADED, AND I SAW THAT THERE WAS AN OPENING FOR HEAD COACH. I THOUGHT ABOUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THIS PROGRAM HAD LOST RECENTLY. I THOUGHT ABOUT MY FATHER, AND I THOUGHT ABOUT COACH MIKE OWEN. I FELT I NEEDED TO TRY AND COME BACK. IT FELT LIKE A, A… HE PAUSES TO FIND THE RIGHT WORD… A RESPONSIBILITY.

People THE YOU SHOULD MEET

MIKE BURTON

Every side of town has their characters. From the social clubs and retail outlets that populate the East side to the taverns and restaurants of Franklin Street, Evansville is full of people that are quite frankly hard to forget. These community staples add life and personality to their respective neighborhoods, filling rooms and afternoons with stories, laughs, and all the good things that make this Cat thankful to call Evansville, Indiana home. But not every side of town has a poet laureate.

Michael S. Burton, or “Mike” as he prefers to be called, was born and raised on the West Side of this fine city. He attended Reitz High School, graduating in the early seventies and is what most of us around here would call a “lifer” in Evansville. He spends his free time in local taverns and restaurants, connecting and sharing life with the denizens of locals out West who share his affinity for a cold pint and conversation. He grew up working in restaurants around the city where he first discovered his love of talking to people and swapping stories. He also almost burnt down the old Country School restaurant. Twice.

Burton has now published five collections of poetry in hard-bound chap books featuring his work about local establishments and history, and most importantly, local people. His work is atypically vulnerable. There is no veneer on these pages, no shiny polish to make his perspectives and experiences seem

“perfect”. While Mike is no stranger to writing the occasional love poem, many of his pieces dive into his own very relatable struggles with mental health, loss, and personal discovery. These pieces are usually bookended by poems simultaneously expressing his inextinguishable optimism, there, in the midst of the more difficult elements that life may throw at us.

WITH JOSHUA "BIG CAT" PIETROWSKI

Michael often shares stories about a major breakdown he had when he was much younger, and this writer finds it appropriate to allow him to be the one to tell you that story (one day). But shortly after, he began processing his emotions and difficulties in a much healthier way… by writing. He took a shine to poetry, a now dying art-form in the landscape of American media, and began wearing out number two pencils, honing his craft over the past three decades.

I once asked him, over a longneck bottle, why he felt the need to be so vulnerable, to bare so much of his soul in his writing. He responded, “Big Cat, if I can tell the people how I feel, and they feel that way too and are afraid to tell

anyone, maybe I can help them. Maybe my poems can help them.” I’ve gotten to know Mike Burton very well over the past few years, and if that sentence doesn’t sum that man up I don’t know that one ever will.

When it comes to Mike Burton, I’ve got two pieces of advice. One, if you’re ever out at a local spot on the West Side and run into him, spend a few moments chatting him up. It will be more than worth it. And two, if you’re ever thinking about re-opening the old Country School restaurant, don’t hire him. Don’t let him go for the hat-trick.

Thanks for listening,

- Big Cat

VANDERBURGH HUMANE SOCIETY

EACH MONTH WE’LL BE CHECKING IN WITH THE VHS FOR THE LATEST GOOD NEWS AND TO HELP FIND FUREVER HOMES FOR SOME OF THEIR MORE UNIQUE AND OLDER RESIDENTS

DENNIS: Meet three-year-old Dennis, lovingly nicknamed “Dennis the Menace” around these parts due to his goofy, playful nature. Despite being shy in his kennel, Dennis is always up for a good time! He can be high energy on a leash but calms down once you get going. This happy-go-lucky guy LOVES other dogs and will passively play until both dogs are on the same page. Dennis has been at the VHS since April and is so ready for a home! His $200 adoption fee includes his neuter, registered microchip, and up-to-date vaccines.

HAMLET & MACBETH: To adopt, or not to adopt...is that even a question? Meet bonded brothers Hamlet and Macbeth! At six-yearsold, they’ve been together since day one and basically share a brain at this point. Both are super laid back, house-trained, good with other dogs, enjoy kids and would easily fit in with almost any home! Their adoption is a BOGO deal! Together, their $200 adoption will include their neuters, registered microchips and up to date vaccinations.

JOSIE & IVORY: Meet bonded sisters, Josie and Ivory! Just under two-years-old, these girls are sweet and petite! They have lived with kids and other animals, making them a great fit for most homes. You can meet and adopt this duo at River Kitty Cat Cafe in Downtown Evansville! Their $170 adoption fee (you get a discount when you adopt two!!) covers the cost of their spay, registered microchip and up-to-date vaccines. Apply online at riverkittycatcafe.org!

THINKING ABOUT ADOPTION? HERE'S HOW YOU CAN REACH US!

400 MILLNER INDUSTRIAL DRIVE

2 BLOCKS WEST OF GARVIN PARK IN EVANSVILLE

426-2563

ADOPTION HOURS TUES-SAT FROM NOON-6PM

Meet Arrow

ARE

on our lives. They us when we are sad. Humane Society has with care for over 40 guardian, their advocates, so they can gain overpopulation and find their to caring for dogs county residents with involved, including:

Programming

Outreach NEED poor condition. We on building repairs, to help more the community. to take bold steps in resources so we efficient non-profit services are an but our building is a and impact. Due to a self-reflection, we feel new shelter to carry

WE NEED YOU!

• Transfer an additional 309 animals from surrounding shelters that must euthanize for space.

It is time for us to engage the community in taking our next step to fulfill our mission. Your gift can help us expand our no-kill community. With the legacy gift as a catalyst, we have the opportunity to provide a resource that will serve animals and families for generations to come. Donations can be made in person, over the phone, or on our website.

• Have the capability of doing 750+ spay/neuter surgeries in house, reducing the need to outsource our vet care.

OUR EVENTS FOR OCTOBER:

October 8 Low Cost Vaccine Clinicregis tration starts at 8am

October 12

Our goal is to raise $1.25 million. Find out more here!

• Hold a minimum of 12 lowcost vaccine clinics annually, serving 660+ members of the community more efficiently

Tats for Tails (tattoo fundraiser at Lady Luck Tattoo and Body Piercing)

October 19 Miles for Mutts 5K run/walk @ 8am

October 27

Mutts at Myriad Boneyard Bash 12-3pm - trick or treating for dogs

Or visit us at 5722 Vann Road Newburgh, IN 47630

www.warrickhumanesociety.org warrickhs@gmail.com 812-858-1132

Or

www.warrickhumanesociety.org 812-858-1132

Our services are anasset to the community, but our building is a hindrance to our growth and impact. we feel it is time to build a brand new shelter to carry out our mission. BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!

EPARALLELS IN LIFE

WITH JEREMIAH GALEY

Hello, friends. My name is Jeremiah Galey. I’m a nearly two-decade veteran of the local food and hospitality industry. I own (along with my beautiful wife, Kimmy) and operate Bad Randy’s Hot Chicken & BBQ Lounge. This column is the mumblings and bumblings of introspection and parallels in life.

arly in my career, I worked at a historic restaurant in a tiny historic town close to where I grew up. Not historic like other small towns; we’re talking in all the high school U.S. History textbooks historic. The business owned much of the town: a restaurant built into an old woodworking shop, an events center attached to a double-winged hotel, separate front desk, front office building, a separate maintenance department, a lake complete with ducks and a swan and more than a few properties around town such as historic homes, some of which are still available to rent to this day.

My first industry job was washing dishes at the event center. We did countless weddings and conferences, meetings, and a giant brunch buffet open to the public every Sunday. We could do three hundred and fifty people at once for weddings, and many holiday brunches we’d clear eight hundred heads or more in the early days, circa 2005-2007. We were so busy, my first Thanksgiving brunch, my job for eight hours was to take stacks of dinner plates from the clean end of the dishwasher back out to the buffet. That day I dropped a stack of 20-30 of them onto the concrete and shattered every one.

I got promoted to prep hand and eventually to Banquet Chef. Management made that title up for me. I was already running the events center at the time, and that title didn’t mean anything to them, but it meant the world to me. One of the more difficult aspects of the job was the

Saturday to Sunday turnaround.

On Saturdays, weddings ended by midnight, per state law. So we’d be on hour eleven or twelve of our shifts and kind of waiting for people to do their midwestern goodbyes while the parents of the bride and groom started tearing decorations down. It was the kitchen staff’s job to “roll over” the room. We’d have to stack all the chairs to move them out of the way, move all the banquet and round tables around and then set the chairs back around them for brunch the next morning. Our usual routine was to finish the roll over by two in the morning, then go drink some beer or whiskey or boxed wine while we crushed a couple games of NFL 2K5, go to bed for a few hours, wake up at six in the morning and then go to work brunch. The industry was kind of a lawless wasteland back then. If you were too hungover, you went and threw up behind the dumpster before slamming a Gatorade and going back to work. Looking back, I’m not sure how we did it so often.

But this particular Saturday, we were hosting a large wedding. The bride was the sister of a local high school football phenom-turned star NFL quarterback, who was of course in attendance. We had a young fifteen-year-old kid working the chocolate fountain for the wedding (side note – chocolate fountains are an abomination), and his idol was this quarterback. We encouraged the kid to go ask Mr. QB for an autograph during a break from all the wedding jazz. He was visibly shaking as he feebly approached QB for an autograph.

QB’s response? Something along the lines of “I don’t do that.” The kid walked away, shoulders hunched and clearly devastated.

Later that night we decided to hit the town bar instead of our usual routine. Mr. QB was in there with all his buddies doing small town bar things, as one does. Last call came and we all left. I can’t recall why, but sometimes management would put us up in the hotel for the night if we had a particularly hard week and had to work early the next day. So I’m in my room trying to sleep and hear a ruckus outside around three or four in the morning. Mr. QB is near the lake, shirtless, on all fours and barking at the swan. I don’t know if you know swans, but they can be seriously aggressive. I closed the blinds while muttering “dumbass” and went to bed.

Now I’m not saying it was Mr. QB’s totally rude defiance of writing an autograph that would have made a young kid’s entire life or getting belligerent in the bar or stupidly challenging a swan while completely hammered, but dude’s stats went from great to pretty good to pretty garbage, pretty quick. Who’s to say why, exactly? But one thing is for sure: energy doesn’t lie, and neither do those twenty-six interceptions you threw that year. Moral of the story: don’t be a dick.

Have a question for me? Write to badrandyshot@gmail.com

ASK MADAM FAYE

MADAM FAYE IS A LOCAL PSYCHIC SHARING HER GIFT WITH THE TRI-STATE SINCE 1982.

Q: What is the process when you come across someone? Is it a calling, a feeling, a nudge in a certain direction?

A: It’s a feeling. As soon as I meet someone, I can sense their aura and their stress. It comes across very quickly as soon as I meet someone. If a person comes in for a reading I can focus in and see the color of their aura. So, when I meet them, I can sense them, and during a reading I can focus in on that feeling and get more details about what I felt.

Q: Do you ever have “off” days where you do not get a clear read, and if so, what do you think causes that?

A: It happens, but it’s because of the person I am reading. If someone is very closed off, the reading doesn’t come as easily. It can take a

few minutes to get them more relaxed, so they open up. A lot of times people tense up, maybe they don’t want to know, or they are nervous, but if we sit for a while and they relax, they become easier to read.

Q: What exactly are you reading?

Are you seeing a “likely” future or is it a firm future? Are you reading what is ahead if we stay on the course we are on—or is the reading set?

A: It isn’t necessarily set. It can change. I do readings for past, present, and future— sometimes people can be a little too stuck in their past and that can alter their best future because they are scared to move forward. Their past is still haunting them. I will do a reading on what is troubling the client that day, and what is troubling them from the past, and then I will give some advice on a new path or how to change it.

Q: What is something you want a new client to know before they come in for their reading?

A: I am an open-minded person and I try to

guide people along. It’s important that they feel comfortable. I want them to know it’s a good experience, very positive. Most people feel very happy when they leave here.

Q: Have you ever gotten a negative feeling of doom or danger from someone who wasn’t a client, someone you encountered at a store or in public? Did you mention it, or mind your own?

A: I have felt that, yes, but I mind my own business. It would be unethical to tap into their aura and give them bad news if they weren’t seeking answers—an invasion of privacy. They wouldn’t be open to hearing it.

Madam Faye offers psychic and palm readings at 5108 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN. Walk-ins are welcome, or call 812-474-1210 to schedule.

Ask an

Attorney WITH LANE SIESKY / SIESKY LAW FIRM, PC

Focusing on personal injury, civil litigation, whistleblower claims and workers' compensation law, Siesky Law Firm strives to provide excellent legal services while remaining client and community centered. The Evansville-based trio of top attorneys - including Lane Siesky, Daniel Gearhart and Douglas Briody - boasts years of invaluable experience inside and outside the courtroom. Highly-respected with an impeccable track record, the firm's aggressive representation of its clients continues to benefit the community in myriad ways.

Q: From your legal experience in injury law, what is the number one thing people should know and do to protect themselves?

A:The most important thing people can do to protect themselves is to have adequate car insurance coverage. Most people do not understand the different types of insurance available under a car insurance policy. Further, most people do not know what their insurance limits are.

A very common scenario is that we take in a new personal car collision case. We represent a victim that was seriously injured. The collision was clearly the fault of the other driver.

Often, an ambulance ride and hospital visit alone can result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Many of our clients then

require surgery, have ongoing medical expenses and are off work for months resulting in significant lost wages. Additional damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, scarring and sometimes the loss of ability to function as before the collision. Unfortunate for the injured victim but great case, right?

Not so fast. Unfortunately, the at-fault driver either had no insurance or very little insurance coverage (the State required minimum is $25,000.00 in liability coverage). Either way, the at-fault driver does not have adequate insurance coverage to cover all of the damages caused by the collision.

At this point, the only other recourse for the

Disclaimer: The above information provided by Siesky Law Firm, PC, is not legal advice and should not be taken as legal advice. Application of the law is highly fact sensitive and readers should consult with an attorney on legal matters.

injured party is to make a claim under the injured party’s own car insurance policy under either the uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. However, a lot of our clients do not have this type of coverage or the limits for the coverage are too low to provide much help.

So, the number one thing someone can do is to check with his/her insurance agent and see what types of coverage they have and what the limits are. For a few more dollars in premiums, one can secure more coverage and higher limits which will help to protect if they are hit by a driver that does not have enough liability coverage.

REAL ESTATE RADAR

WITH JASON BROWN / PINNACLE REALTY GROUP & PINNACLE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

S o, there are some "New Rules" in the real estate world. I could write an eloquently worded masterpiece on what these changes are, why they were made, and what effect they will have on everyone, but instead, I’m going to cut through the noise and get straight to the facts!

FOR BUYERS:

• Before you even step into a home with your REALTOR®, you will need to sign a contract that outlines their services and what the cost will be.

• No, aside from visiting an open house, there is NO WAY around this rule! All REALTORS® are required to follow it.

• No, this doesn’t automatically mean that the cost of buying a home has increased. The agreement will state how much your REALTOR® will charge, but it also notes that they can work with you, the other agent, and the seller to negotiate having some or all of this fee paid on your behalf.

• How much is this fee?

It’s negotiable.

• But what is standard?

There is no standard—100% of the fee is negotiable. If anyone tells you otherwise, you might want to ask someone else, because they’re wrong!

• So, does this mean a REALTOR® must accept less than what they ask for?

Nope! No one but the REALTOR® sets their value.

• What is the fee based on, then?

It can be a percentage of the purchase price, a flat fee, or even include an upfront retainer—or any combination of these.

FOR SELLERS:

• Does this mean I no longer have to pay the buyer’s agent commission?

Well… you never did! This part of the rule is NOT new. You have always been able to negotiate your commission agreement with your listing REALTOR®. As the seller, you never paid the buyer’s agent directly—you paid your REALTOR®, who then shared the commission with the buyer’s agent.

• So, if I decide to pay only my REALTOR® for their services and make the buyer pay their own agent, can I do that?

Sure, you can! But that doesn’t mean you should. There are valid arguments for and against offering to cover the

buyer’s agent fee. This is something you should discuss with your REALTOR® when planning to sell your home.

• I’ve decided not to offer payment to a buyer’s agent, but then I receive an offer asking me to pay some or all their agent’s fee… what’s going on?

Just like any other aspect of a real estate negotiation, this is also negotiable. It’s best not to get too caught up in "who pays what" and instead focus on the net proceeds you’ll walk away with after the sale.

• So, does this mean the commission isn’t going to be 7% anymore?

When was it ever? There has never been a “standard” commission rate, and it’s actually illegal for any industry to set a standard fee for services.

• Then why does everyone say it’s 6%-7% ?

That’s not factual—someone probably told you that, and you believed it. Always look at the listing services your REALTOR® provides, and work with them to agree on a fair fee for those services. Remember, competition also plays a role. For example, when Gas Station A sells unleaded at $3.09/gallon, and Station B sells it at $3.08/gallon, Station C at $3.10/gallon, and Station D drops to $3.00/gallon, others tend to adjust their prices to stay competitive.

IN SUMMARY:

This really isn’t the revolutionary change you might have been led to believe. Yes, buyers must now sign a contract to view properties, but commissions have always been negotiable. What this change does is bring more transparency to how REALTORS® are compensated for their services.

This isn’t a new marketplace trend launched by a couple of companies trying to gain market share, and it’s not a radical shift that will change the real estate industry. Homes are still worth what a buyer will pay, and what a seller will accept. REALTORS® representing sellers must continue proving their value, just as REALTORS® representing buyers must do the same.

On a final note, I’ve heard people say REALTORS® are overpaid or that they get massive checks for doing little more than putting up a sign or opening a few doors. If that’s true, then why was the median gross income for REALTORS® in 2023 only $55,800? And why do 87% of REALTORS® fail within the first five years? Maybe it’s not as easy as reality TV makes it out to be after all.

OCTOBER MUSIC REVIEWS

GRACE BOWERS AND THE HODGE PODGE

Wine on Venus

Independent Artist

It’s exceptionally rare that a studio album can capture a band’s live essence in such a way that you feel like you were there. Producer John Osborne masterfully mixed Josh Blaylock on keyboards, Brandon Combs on drums, Eric Fortaleza on bass, and Prince Parker on rhythm guitar, plus Esther Okai-Tetteh on lead vocals. He then bottled this rich, retro-energy into a powerful 70s elixir at the hands of Grace Bowers who, at just 17, shouldn't be allowed to even pop the top. As it turns out, she’s the magic ingredient at the distillery. The expression and tone coming from this phenom begs the question, “If she’s this good now, where on earth is she going?” Apparently, anywhere she wants. With Evansville’s own Dekar Justus on drums and vocals, Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge are touring this funky, soulful blues debut, Wine on Venus with the biggest names in the biz. I can’t wait to see this uncorked live!! 5 stars - Lindsey Williams

SABRINA CARPENTER Short

n’ Sweet Island Records

Sabrina Carpenter is transitioning from Girl Meets World to Girl Dominates World. Her sixth studio album is her first number one hit and it’s no wonder why. It’s a candy-coated dream of sweet treats, sampling various flavors from pop, rock, R&B and even some country. Her songs are cheeky, saucy, and flirtatious, but so too is her marketing. Her team has known just when to drop the right tracks at the right time, from “Feather” to “Espresso” to “Please, Please, Please,” -- the music video finally confirming rumors of her relationship with Irish actor Barry Keoghan. This is the kind of pop culture fodder we want to be fed. My personal favorite is “Don’t Smile,” taking a playful turn on the popular quip and reversing it with her ethereal voice, “Don't smile because it happened, baby /Cry because it's over / Oh, you're supposed to think about me / Every time you hold her.” Sabrina’s “Brat” summer culminated with releasing a juicy horror-romcom music video with Jenna Ortega for “Taste.” In the video, the two depict women who kill each other in increasingly dramatic ways in order to win over a man. It’s a playful and poisonous poetic nod to the film Death Becomes Her, with a funny and feminist ending. The release also coincides with the premiere of Ortega’s new movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice -- again, marketing geniuses. Produced by Jack Antonoff, Short n Sweet is a tour de four of modern GenZ pop-culture glam, but it’s also enticed this millennial mom to take her 7-year-old daughter to see Sabrina when she is in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 16th. Sabrina Carpenter may be short and she may be sweet, but this album will leave you full.

- Marisa Patwa

CHLÖE

Trouble in Paradise

Parkwood Entertainment & Columbia Records

Still fresh off her debut album In Pieces, Chlöe is back with her second solo expedition without sister Halle (although we do get a surprise guest appearance from The Little Mermaid herself on the 10th track, “Want Me.”) In her first album, Chlöe was still proving herself as a standalone, after years performing with Ariel. This time around, she’s lighter, more carefree and having fun, promoting these sophomore songs as a “summer fling.” And we’re still feeling flirty in fall. Recording most of the album in Saint Lucia was a clear influence for her, with Afropop, R&B, Amapiano and tropical tunes infusing each beat. Lead singles “FYS” and “Boy Bye,” are fun and sultry while “Strawberry Lemonade” and “Nice Girls Finish Last” both have an NSFW eardrum rating. Chlöe is writing, producing and recording with reckless abandon. It’s clear after one full album listen that she is the one causing trouble in paradise.

- Marisa Patwa

TONES AND I Beautifully Ordinary Bad Batch Records

Australian singer Tones and I may have had the world dancing with her global hit “Dance Monkey,” in 2019 but she’s stripping back the layers with her second studio album. “Dreaming” and “Nostalgia” transcend us to the childhood magic of our youth, the future infinite and expanding. Of course, it wouldn’t be Tones and I if there wasn’t a little encouragement to get jiggy with it. “Dance with Me,” is a sweet accompaniment to the single that made her a star. In “To be Loved,” she cuts incredibly deep, with: “And to the guy that hit me, I’m so sorry that I stayed / But I wanted to be loved, but to me that love was pain” and “I’m so sorry to myself, I could have loved you more and more / I just wanted to be loved, but I could only see my flaws.” She’s a genuine artist with no wild production or over cluttered studio soup. She is the sole writer on many of the songs and co-producer, showing that even though her views on YouTube are up towards the billions, she’s really all about the basics. Tones and I is aiming to be beautifully ordinary, but she’ll never stop being extraordinary. - Marisa Patwa

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

MICK KOLASSA

All Kinds of Blues Endless Blues Records

"Michissippi Mick" Kolassa is back with another eclectic mix of blues goodness. The revered musician opens his latest offering with “Thank You Memphis,” a song where Kolassa praises the Tennessee city that provided him with many opportunities. Eric Hughes contributes phenomenal harmonica playing. “Where Love Takes Me” sees Kolassa singing about being open to new experiences. Dexter Allen’s guitar and bass playing liven up the song. A Latin groove permeates “Did You Ever Wonder?” while Kolassa ponders life’s strange questions. “Too Old To Die Young” gives Kolassa a chance to pick up the guitar while he sings about the experiences of his life. A soulful groove comes through in “Happy Endings” while Kolassa laments his lack thereof.

“Amy Iodine” features Rick Steff on piano and Minimoog synthesizer as Kolassa sings about his AI-generated girlfriend who understands him. “You Bumped Me Again” features Joey Robinson on drums and keys as Kolassa complains about people getting in his way. Hughes returns on harmonica for “Does Your Mama Know?” as Kolassa asks why his lover feels the need to keep their relationship a secret.

“Eating My Soul” allows Kirk Smothers to shine on saxophone. Kolassa complains about his inability to perform on “I Can’t Sing No Blues Tonight” as he plays some white-hot guitar licks and Steff puts in a stellar piano performance. “Somebody Else’s Whiskey” sees Kolassa complain about someone trying to obtain his possessions. For more info, visit mimsmick.com.

- Paul Bragin

OCTOBER BEER REVIEWS

This month’s beers are available depending on supply & demand at all 10 Liquor Locker locations. Visit our website at www.Liquor-Locker.com.

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 4

This double IPA pours a hazy orange with a thick white head and has lots of citrus on the nose. On the palate it is a fullbodied ale, sweet and slightly heavy, with notes of orange citrus. It has a long finish with a bitterness that balances out the malt. Tasty, but a bit on the heavy side, so you might not be reaching for a second one, but at 8.5% that’s probably ok.

PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5

A thick white head crowns this pale ale and never totally evaporates. The nose contains a generous amount of hops. Likewise, a combination of pine and citrus fruit from the hops hits the tongue with the initial tasting and lingers in the extended finish. People who enjoy hoppy beers need to drink this. Pair it with a variety of foods such as a juicy hamburger or spicy dishes like Mexican or Asian cuisine.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5

I've always been a fan of 3 Floyds and Zombie Ice is pretty close to the brewery's classic Zombie Dust. It pours a hazy amber color and features rich, hoppy flavors, though it's easy to drink - despite the amped-up 8.5% ABV. As an added bonus, the artwork for the can is top-notch with a sinister vibe.

RHINEGEIST ACOUSTIC GLOW

PAUL HOLLYFELD - 3.5

Pours a clear orange hue with no head. It has lots of carbonation, with a citrus effervescence. There are notes of tart Granny Smith apple with a sour citrus on the finish. Finishes tart and lingers on the palate. If you are new to fruited sour craft beers, this Rhinegeist offering is a good place to start.

PAUL BRAGIN - 3.75

A decent white head tops this golden ale, but it disappears rather quickly. Sour fruit notes dominate the scent profile. Similarly, the sour fruit notes remain with the first sip of the beer and stay during the long finish. People who enjoy fruity beers need to drink this. Serve it during breakfast with your favorite fruit salad or use it as an ingredient in your favorite fruity desserts like fruit pie or pineapple upside-down cake.

JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3.5

I've never been a big fan of sour beers, but Acoustic Glow has just about won me over with its appealing combo of grapefruit and lime and mild sweetness. There's some tartness, as expected, but it's not overwhelming; in fact, it's pleasantly balanced out by a pinch of salt. Overall, this is a very refreshing beverage.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

3 FLOYDS ZOMBIE ICE