NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | TABLE OF CONTENTS
JUNE 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER STORY
8 KC'S MARINA POINTE The Tri-State's Favorite Summer Hangout Reopens
FEATURES
10 Making the Best of a Bad Situation Local Professionals Persevere in the Time of Covid-19 14 Brunch, Breakfast & Bloody Marys Where to Find Great Food & Drinks this Month
A QUICK NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 6 In Case You've been Living Under a Rock
COUPONS 17 Save Big!
CUISINE & DINING 16 In the Kitchen
ENTERTAINMENT 18 In Town & Around
24 Music: The Return of McFly 25 Film: Moonlight Films 26 Books: Baseball in Evansville 28 Screen Time 29 Podcast Corner
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
30 High School Senior Shout-Outs 32 VHS Animal Spotlight 33 VHS Adoption Spotlight 34 Tri-State Pet Pics 44 Mug Shots
OPINION
36 The Write Stuff 36 Tri-State Politics 37 Maybe I'm Just Getting Old
REVIEWS 38 Film & TV 40 Music 42 Beer
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 125 N Weinbach Ave, Ste 510 Evansville, IN 47711. News 4U is published by EMG Publishing. 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.
4 | JUNE 2020
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Established in 1991 by Publisher Brian Bennett Operations Manager Joshua Adams Managing Editor & Writer Thomas Ellis Account Representatives Jonathan Gluff
jonathan@evansvillemediagroup.com
TJ Tanoos
tj@evansvillemediagroup.com
Production Manager, Designer & Layout Artist Kelsey Halbig Bailey Rideout Contributors
Paul Bragin, Jonathan Gluff, Amanda Hancock, Jabez Martinez, Marisa Patwa
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|5
A QUICK NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
I
n case you've been living under a rock of late, life pretty much
free time at home - and hey, there's only so much cleaning to
came to a screeching halt in mid March and like so many tri-
be done and Netflix one can watch. Eventually, the need for
state businesses, News 4U was forced to take a time-out while
human interaction becomes paramount. And so, it's a relief
the pandemic did its thing - and frankly, continues to be a major
for all involved that our community is finally coming together
disruption. But we're back and better than ever. Well, we're
again, albeit six feet apart. Yes, social distancing is most
back, anyway. As I write this, many of our monthly advertisers,
likely here to stay, but that's a small sacrifice in return for the
particularly bars & restaurants, are just beginning to open their
livelihood of the economy. With all that said, it should come as
doors again and welcome patrons inside for the first time in
no surprise that June will be a slow month for events as it's still
many weeks. Sure, carry-out and curbside service was, barring a
a little too soon for big gatherings. But don't despair, we've got
few exceptions, readily available over the last two months - and,
the 411 on the re-opening of KC's Marina Pointe and a slice of
of course, grocery stores remained in operation throughout - but
life feature on how the pandemic has affected a wide range of
nothing can quite take the place of the in-person experience.
local professionals. Hopefully, you'll continue to pick up News
Especially after such an extended period of self-isolation. With
4U in the coming months and help us get back on our feet. We
so many jobs lost in the area as the coronavirus took hold, more
sincerely appreciate it!
and more people found themselves whiling away unexpected
6 | JUNE 2020
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|7
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | COVER STORY
KC'S MARINA POINTE The tri-state's favorite summer hangout reopens, books Buckcherry and Pop Evil to perform
Between the unseasonably cool temps throughout much of
"Crazy Bitch" and power ballads such as "Sorry," the California
April and early May and, of course, the ongoing pandemic that
band led by heavily-tattooed frontman Josh Todd has racked up
brought life in the tri-state to a standstill, the wait for the annual
a number of hits and top 10 albums over the course of 20+ years
grand opening of the area's most popular summer hangout
- not to mention solidified a reputation for full-on performances
seemed particularly long. But finally, KC's Marina Pointe got up
that translate to packed houses everywhere they go. So mark your
and running again on May 15 - with social distancing and the 50%
calendar for July 23 and be sure to get your tickets early for this
capacity limit in place per the state requirements. Still, patrons
guaranteed sell-out.
were eager to return to this beloved bar by the river, more than ready to party and spend some time out in the sun after being
Another much-anticipated show on the horizon that Brady has
cooped up for weeks. Isolation be damned, in other words.
confirmed (he's just waiting on the band to nail down a specific date) is hard rockers Pop Evil. Anyone who's listened to 103GBF
While we still have a couple weeks to go before bars can start
in the last 10 years should be more than familiar with songs like
offering entertainment again, Marina Pointe GM Chad Brady
"Trenches," "Footsteps," "Be Legendary," "Deal with the Devil"
is busy making sure there's going to be a rocking lineup of
and "Torn to Pieces." Currently working on a new album for
live music in downtown Evansville once the restrictions have
2020 - prefaced by two singles released to radio in April, "Work"
been lifted. And that's not hyperbole. Case in point, on July 23,
and "Let the Chaos Reign" - the five-man Michigan outfit always
Buckcherry will take the stage by the river to truly kick off the
delivers the goods on stage with a relentless energy that leaves
summer celebration. Known for party anthems like "Lit Up" and
fans breathless. More in tune with the lighter side of things? Not to worry because Marina Pointe will once again feature acoustic music on Sundays this summer from some of the area's most popular artists. And keep in mind that Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill - also owned by KC Chesser and overseen by Brady - is back open on Franklin Street. They will also offer local acoustic music when restrictions lift as well as bring in some big country and rock names in the coming months. Don't miss out on the fun! For more info, follow KC's Marina Pointe and Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill on Facebook. KC's Marina Pointe is located at 830 LST Dr. in downtown Evansville.
8 | JUNE 2020
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|9
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | FEATURE
MAKING THE
BEST OF A BAD SITUATION
AR EA PR OFES S I ON AL S PER S EVER E I N T H E T I M E OF C OVI D - 1 9 , S TAY T R I - S TAT E S T R ON G
Everyone's world has been turned upside down in some way or another by the pandemic that continues to take the lives of loved ones and devastate the economy. Hopefully, we've gotten over the worst of it and are finally on the (very) slow path to recovery - whatever form that takes. Who knows quite how it will all shake out, but the fact is that our community has come together like never before to combat the spread and stay tri-state strong. We checked in with area professionals to see how they've been coping in the time of Covid-19.
CHRIS PASSAGE
BOOKING AGENT & PROMOTIONS (ON HIATUS) @ LAMASCO BAR & GRILL Chris Passage has been a fixture at Lamasco Bar & Grill for ages - first as a dedicated patron before eventually charming his way into the position of booking bands, a duty that he's fulfilled with great passion. But after five years of bringing regional and national talent to the Lamasco stage, Passage was sidelined by the Covid-19 restrictions as bars and restaurants closed their doors - and are just now back at 50% capacity. Which means he's still out of a job at the moment, something he's taking in stride (well, there were a few tears early on). "If we can't do live music the way that we normally do because people are scared to come out, then having someone like me around is something of a luxury," Passage says diplomatically. "I would give my left foot to go back to work, but I know it's inconceivable at this point - I would be doing a disservice to a bar that I love to think that I should be getting paid right now."
CHRISTY LIVELY
OWNER @ CHRISTY LIVELY PHOTOGRAPHY With two decades of photography under her belt, Christy Lively is considered one of the tri-state's best in her field, particularly when it comes to capturing newborns at their cutest - a skill that's been aided by her background in early childhood development. The Newburgh studio (10733 Cricklewood Dr.) that she runs singlehandedly - all aspects of the business from taking pictures to editing to marketing - is always busy with activity as Lively sees a steady clientele most days of the week. Inevitably, these last two months have been tough, though, with the tri-state isolating amid concerns about spreading the Coronavirus. Close contact with clients at the studio became next to impossible. However, Lively stayed patient and weathered the storm - and got a lot of cleaning done in the interim. She's now getting back up to speed, albeit with caution and proper safety measures. Look her up if you're looking for a professional photographer. As Lively notes, "I'm really good at it."
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JUNE!
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | FEATURE
THE HONEY VINES
ACOUSTIC MUSIC DUO & OWNERS @ HONEY VINYL MUSIC STUDIO A beloved tri-state musical act for eight years running, the Honey Vines - comprising Melanie Bozsa and Andrea Wirth - are still riding high after being tapped to represent Evansville for the recent JetStream Music Festival that brought together talent from across the country for a livestreamed concert. It was a welcome bright spot for the acoustic duo who not only have been unable to perform at area venues during the lockdown but also saw a significant drop in revenue for private lessons at their Honey Vinyl Music Studio in Newburgh with only online tutorials available. "We could have opened up earlier in May based on our business and the guidelines but decided to just wait until June until we're able to meet face-to-face again because of families and kids coming and going." But ever the optimists, Bozsa and Wirth have stayed strong, keeping fans engaged with Facebook shows and spending quality time with Joni, their newly-adopted Golden Retriever Mix, an absolutely adorable rescue who is "the best addition to our family."
JOHN MILLS
OWNER @ DAMSEL BREW PUB It's been a truly challenging time to be a business owner, especially if that business is a bar or restaurant. And nobody knows that better than John Mills, the man at the helm of Damsel Brew Pub on Evansville's west side. Any other year, he'd be gearing up for an influx of patrons with warmer weather arriving, but instead, he's just trying to recover from the financial impact of being effectively closed for two months - a process made easier thanks to receiving a PPE loan from the government. Still, the road ahead is bumpy, but Mills has been through this sort of thing before. "I came out of the automotive industry, so I already had a feel...a sixth sense of things are going to crash," he explains. Mills used his downtime wisely, cleaning and preparing to reopen his doors on May 11, confident that he could adapt well to the "new normal." "We rarely use our upstairs so we can utilize that to keep the 50% restriction in place and we should have excellent service with our employees back."
TONY AIKEN LANGUAGE ARTS & VISUAL ARTS TEACHER @ BOSSE HIGH SCHOOL It's safe to say that Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the EVSC with students and teachers alike affected by the shutdown of schools. Now in his eighth year at Bosse High School, Tony Aiken can attest to the difficulties involved in teaching from afar as classes have moved online for the foreseeable future. "The only general prior experience with virtual [teaching] was a snow day here or there that we had to make up - but never so prolonged of a period," he says. "It's been a work in progress." Aiken, who teaches seniors, sees this predicament for his students as both a blessing and a curse. "I'd like to be there with them but at the same time, they are wanting to get it [their work] done and get it done correctly so they can move on and graduate," he notes. "Some of the younger kids have had a harder time with it." Regardless, Aiken feels lucky to have continued working through the pandemic but misses day-to-day contact with everyone at Bosse.
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ALLYSON WOODS
MANAGER @ PENNY LANE COFFEEHOUSE A downtown hotspot for coffee, breakfast, lunch and more, Penny Lane managed to stay afloat throughout the lockdown thanks to steady carry-out and delivery orders, but manager Allyson Woods still had a tough time trying to navigate all of the restrictions. "It was stressful figuring out what we needed to do on our end to keep customers safe and keep our workers safe," she explains. "We constantly cleaned, had to build a sneeze guard for the register and had to make sure there weren't more than 10 people in at once." Thankfully, longtime patrons of Penny Lane continued to show up which allowed Woods to justify scheduling normal hours for her staff. Of course, despite all of her best efforts, there has inevitably been a customer or two unhappy with the precautions taken, particularly the removal of outside seating - something that Woods and other restaurant managers have no control over. Such is life. Rest assured she's looking forward to July when most restrictions are set to lift.
LINDSEY WILLIAMS
SINGER-SONGWRITER & PERFORMER It literally took a pandemic to stop Lindsey Williams after 25 years of entertaining crowds at area bars and restaurants. The longtime Henderson resident known for his soulful vocals and range of material was left without a stage - and a monthly income, as a result - when the lockdown took effect but had "two huge strokes of good luck that kept me from crying myself to sleep." First, Williams was able to do some refinancing and debt consolidation, alleviating a lot of financial concerns. Second, he decided to bring the music to his fans on Facebook - a little pick-me-up for people stuck in isolation - by setting up a space in his house to livestream performances. The reaction and outpouring of support floored Williams. "All across the country and across the world, actually - the Philippines, Japan, Germany - everybody wanted to help," he marvels. "Now I kind of think this is where I should take my career - online. For me personally, I don't think live performance will ever be the same."
ZARA REEL
REGISTERED DIETICIAN IN LONG-TERM CARE To wed or not to wed, that was the question weighing on Zara Reel's mind as the lockdown approached back in March. The Evansville healthcare worker and her husband-to-be had long planned for an April ceremony but all signs were pointing to a shutdown of businesses, including wedding venues, of course. And even if they chose to proceed in some fashion, friends and family would be unable to attend due to Covid-19 concerns. "We made the decision to just postpone which was really heartbreaking but not as heartbreaking as the idea of putting our loved ones at risk," Reel says. "But we still wanted to get married on April 4 - that was really important to us." So the couple spoke with their priest who agreed to marry Zara and Adam under the watchful eye of exactly two witnesses - their moms. If all goes well, there will be a ceremony later this summer to properly celebrate this blessed union. "We've gone through fear, anger, sadness, acceptance now we're feeling hopeful for the upcoming reception." BRET & BRANDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
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Brunch BREAKFAST & Bloody Mary's 14 | JUNE 2020
DAMSEL BrewPub
Back with a new name and better than ever, family-friendly Damsel Brew Pub continues to serve up hand crafted beers and excellent grub to match, in-
AMY'S on Franklin
Upscale but casual, Amy's has quickly become
cluding classics like Fish & Chips and Drunken Chicken. But no matter what you choose from their tasty menu, it all goes down smoother with a Damsel Bloody Mary. 209 N. Wabash Ave. of Flags, Evansville, IN
a Franklin Street favorite thanks to a delicious and varied menu that features 39 items under
HORNET'S NEST
$15. It's a prime spot for both breakfast and brunch featuring eye-popping creations that are perfectly paired with the restaurant's signature Bloody Mary. You just have to smile!
An Evansville institution known far
and wide for its down home hospital-
1418 W Franklin St., Evansville, IN
ity and revered comfort food, Hornet's Nest is the place to be for brunch featuring just about everything you could ever want in every delectable combination. There's a reason why this north side treasure is consistently voted one of the area's best! 11845 Petersburg Rd., Evansville, IN
BOKEH LOUNGE
The Haynie's Corner Arts District in downtown Evansville continues to grow and Bokeh Lounge is at the forefront. The bar's nightlife is right up there with the best this city has to offer and their menu just keeps getting better with the addition of Saturday & Sunday breakfast. Rock out in the evening and come back for sustenance in the morning. 1007 Parrett St., Evansville, IN
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PENNY LANE Coffeehouse Downtown Evansville just wouldn't be the same without this hip, locallyowned neighborhood hangout that offers up some of the city's best coffee as well as a variety of fantastic breakfast and brunch options. Best of all, at Penny Lane you can build-your-own sammiches, choosing from an array of breads, meats, fillers and spreads.
600 SE 2nd St., Evansville, IN
Bar & Grill
WHITE SWAN CoffeeLab
Another Franklin Street favorite, White Swan Cof-
If you're looking for the perfect combination of great live music and delicious bar grub, look no further than Lamasco. This Franklin Street favorite opens up bright and early at 7 a.m. to serve the morning crowd with some of the best eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and more to get you primed and ready for evening performances from local and regional acts. 1331 W. Franklin St., Evansville, IN
fee Lab is a locally-owned specialty coffee shop
FRANKLIN STREET TAVERN
with a totally cool vibe inside that you won't find at Starbucks. Take a break from the grind and stop in for a morning rush of expertly-made java with a bagel, muffin or pastry on the side. No better way to start the day!
Previously voted the best college bar
2025 W. Franklin St., Evansville, IN
and best after work gathering spot, Franklin Street Tavern has a great party atmosphere with a cozy vibe that's just made for weekend fun. Hungry for a personal pizza, sandwich or zesty stromboli? They've got 'em - along with plenty of daily drink specials and a killer Bloody Mary that you've simply got to try. 2126 W. Franklin St., Evansville, IN
KC'S CORNER POCKET
If "KC" is at the beginning of an establishment's name, you know it's going to be worth the visit. This popular neighborhood bar on Evansville's north side is known as the home of the $4 breakfast, making it an ideal place to check in for a morning meal that's guaranteed to please and not break the bank in the process. Hey, why not stick around for karaoke?
1819 N. Fulton Ave., Evansville, IN
theROOFTOP
Food & Drinks
Still relatively new on the downtown Evansville scene, The Rooftop has proven to be a welcome addition with excellent food and drinks, live entertainment and, of course, a great view of the main strip. Their breakfast menu has all sorts of tasty options, from tried and true faves to breakfast burritos, pizzas and nachos. Or go ala carte for good measure. 112 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Evansville, IN
Brunch BREAKFAST & Bloody Mary's
LAMASCO
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| 15
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | CUISINE & DINING
IN THE KITCHEN
with Chef Amanda Hancock THE JUICY LUCY GRILLED BURGER
When I was young, I always laughed when I heard someone say, “Juicy Lucy.” It wasn't until I got older that I realized it was probably one of the most delicious burgers I had ever tasted. The Juicy Lucy is a hamburger with cheese in the middle of it usually served on a hearty bun such as toasted brioche. It can be specialized with a variety of cheeses and toppings and can even be made with different proteins such as beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. It's perfect for the grill since the cheese is contained on the inside which allows for you to get a great grill and not have to worry about flare-ups from cheese spilling over! It only takes about 20 minutes to prepare and it can be made for anywhere from 2-20 people. This recipe is for six burgers.
Find more recipes on
Chef Amanda Hancock's website: www.chefamandahancock.com And in her book:
The Best is Yet to Come
INGREDIENTS •
6 brioche buns (toasted)
•
2 pounds ground beef (or the protein of your choice)
•
2 Tbsp. burger seasoning (I use salt, pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce) all to taste
•
6-12 slices of your favorite cheese (American, pepper jack, Colby, sharp cheddar)
•
Toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles
•
Sauces: ketchup, mustard, mayo, hot sauce
INSTRUCTIONS 1.
Mix the spices into the meat, divide the beef into 6 even sections.
2.
Form each section into 2 thin patties, making sure the top patty is thinner than the bottom patty.
3.
Place 1-2 slices of cheese on the bottom patty and then place the thinner patty on top, making sure to pinch the sides firmly closed so you do not lose any cheese on the grill.
4.
Grill the burgers for about 5 minutes, or to your desired doneness. I usually sacrifice one to ensure the doneness. (I am always happy to eat that one!)
5.
Let the burgers rest for a minute or two. This is ESSENTIAL, otherwise the cheese will be so hot that it will come exploding out in a mouth-burning vat of cheese lava!
6.
Serve on a warm toasted bun with your favorite toppings.
(Almost forgot: The Juicy Lucy would be great filled with blue cheese with balsamic reduction and topped with fresh greens. )
Just make it taste good! 16 | JUNE 2020
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | COUPONS
JUNE COUPONS
Call for Advertising Information (812) 426-6398 • JUNE 2020
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | IN TOWN & AROUND
PRESENTED BY:
IN TOWN & AROUND TUESDAY, JUNE 2
-- Bar Bingo
6:30 PM
-- College Night / Karaoke &
-- The Office Trivia
DJ
8:00 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Themed
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
6:30 PM
Lyle's Sports Zone -- Karaoke
Trivia
7:00 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Themed
9:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
Trivia
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
-- Music Trivia
9:00 PM
-- Karaoke & DJ
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 6:00 PM Carson's Brewery -- Virtual
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Beer Bingo
7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic w/
6:30 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
6:00 PM
OTP
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia
-- Beer Pong
Carson's Brewery -- Virtual
7:00 PM
9:30 PM
Beer Bingo
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
-- Bar Bingo
2:30 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz
7:00 PM
-- Beer Pong
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
TBA
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
8:00 PM
7:00 PM
3:00 PM
-- Cornhole (w/ cash prizes -
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
TJ's Stockyard Inn -- Grand
register @ 6:30pm)
TBA
General Knowledge Trivia
Reopening w/ Tastes Like
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
9:00 PM
Chicken
-- Bar Bingo
KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
& DJ
7:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
Lyle's Sports Zone -- Karaoke
KC's Marina Pointe -- DJ Cliffy
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
-- Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ
9:00 PM
D
-- Beer Pong
8:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
-- Karaoke & DJ
-- Karaoke & DJ
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
9:00 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/
6:30 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
Sparky THURSDAY, JUNE 18
10:00 PM
MONDAY, JUNE 15
6:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar &
8:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar &
Grill -- Rick Monroe
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Grill -- College Night w/ Brad
6:00 PM
9:00 PM
Lemmons
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Carson's Brewery -- Virtual
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open
KC's Corner Pocket -- College
9:00 PM
Beer Bingo
Mic
Night / Karaoke & DJ
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music
7:00 PM
TBA
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Themed Trivia
6:30 PM Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
KC's Corner Pocket -- Karaoke
7:00 PM
6:00 PM
-- Texas Hold 'Em
& DJ
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/
18 | JUNE 2020
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Call for Advertising Information (812) 426-6398 • JUNE 2020
| 19
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | IN TOWN & AROUND
Sparky
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
9:30 PM
6:00 PM
KC's Marina Pointe -- Boy
Carson's Brewery -- Virtual
Band Night
Beer Bingo
10:00 PM
6:30 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar &
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Trivia
Grill -- Rick Monroe
7:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
-- Tastes Like Chicken
-- Cornhole (w/ cash prizes register @ 6:30pm)
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
2:30 PM
-- Bar Bingo
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz
8:00 PM
TBA
Lyle's Sports Zone -- Karaoke
7:00 PM
9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
-- Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ
-- Karaoke & DJ
8:00 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke 9:00 PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
6:00 PM Bud's Rockin' Country Bar &
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Grill -- College Night w/ Brad
8:00 PM
Lemmons
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
KC's Corner Pocket -- College
9:00 PM
Night / Karaoke & DJ
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open
7:00 PM
Mic
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -- Texas Hold 'Em
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
6:00 PM
-- Disney Trivia
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
8:00 PM
-- College Night / Karaoke &
Lyle's Sports Zone -- Karaoke
DJ
9:00 PM
6:30 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
Lamasco Bar & Grill --
-- Karaoke & DJ
Themed Trivia
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
9:00 PM
9:30 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Karaoke
Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic w/ OTP
20 | JUNE 2020
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| 21
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | IN TOWN & AROUND
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Moreno
7:00 PM
2:30 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz
-- Beer Pong
TBA
8:00 PM
7:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
TBA
-- Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ
9:00 PM
8:00 PM
KC's Corner Pocket --
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Karaoke & DJ
9:00 PM
KC's Marina Pointe -- Live DJ
Lamasco Bar & Grill --
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
Karaoke
-- Karaoke & DJ Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/
MONDAY, JUNE 29
Sparky
8:00 PM
10:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar &
9:00 PM
Grill -- Chris Moreno
Lamasco Bar & Grill -- Open Mic
SATURDAY, JUNE 27 9:00 PM
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music
6:00 PM
TBA
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
KC's Corner Pocket --
-- College Night / Karaoke
Karaoke & DJ
& DJ
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
6:30 PM
-- Karaoke & DJ
Lamasco Bar & Grill --
Leroy's Tavern -- Karaoke w/
Themed Trivia
Sparky
9:00 PM
9:30 PM
Lamasco Bar & Grill --
KC's Marina Pointe -- Cody
Karaoke
Webb 10:00 PM Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Chris Moreno SUNDAY, JUNE 28 2:00 PM KC's Marina Pointe -- Chris
22 | JUNE 2020
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | MUSIC
McFly after all these years, he's excited about the flexibility that a female singer brings to the band considering previous incarnations have all been male-dominated. But, in reality, all the members can sing - and they aim to take
THE RETURN OF
MCFLY
advantage of that. "We don't want to overdo the female vocals," Katterhenry explains. "We want to make sure that we have harmonies and duets like Tom Petty's "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" - or have Dennis or Kerry do some solo things to break it up a little bit."
L ON G-R UNNI NG 80' S C OVE R BA ND R EUN ITES WI T H RE VA MP E D LI NE U P, PL AN S F OR S U MME R S HOWS
Originally scheduled to debut at ShrinersFest at the end
Seems like forever since local bands have kicked out the
complete re-opening of our city goes to plan and life
jams at area venues, but with each passing day, we get that much closer to the return of live entertainment. And what makes this all the more exciting is the promise of a longtime favorite coming back into the fold after a four year absence. Last seen on stage at the 2016 Haubstadt Sommerfest, McFly - now featuring Alexandra Deeley (vocals), Dennis Lyerla (bass, vocals), Kerry Shelton (guitar, vocals), Clayton Daugherty (keys, vocals) and Steve Katterhenry (drums, vocals) - is back with a reconstituted lineup but still the same incredible energy and total obsession with the 80's that made them such a big draw at bars and festivals for over 10 years. And if all goes well,
of May (the festival was canceled due to Covid-19), McFly, like so many other local bands, is hoping that the July 4 gets back to "normal" - or as much as possible - so that live entertainment can once again reign supreme in our community. But at least Katterhenry and crew got a sort of dress rehearsal in back in late February at Backstage Bar & Grill courtesy of owner Kevin Zirkelbach. "He's such a cool guy - he let us come in and play since we hadn't done anything in several years and we had a new lineup," Katterhenry notes. By all accounts, McFly sounded great that night and now it's just a matter of getting the green light for the proposed summer shows at Chaser's and beyond. Let's all keep our fingers crossed and get ready to go back to the 80's on July 11!
we'll see these five immensely talented musicians rocking everyone's favorite tunes from the decade of excess at Chaser's Bar & Grill on July 11 with more shows to follow throughout the summer. Just to give you an idea of the level of skill at work in McFly, Katterhenry, an original member from 2006-09, currently drums in four bands that cover four different genres. In addition to providing the backbeat for songs by such marquis 80's artists as Prince, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, he also keeps time for the ever-present 3 o'Clock Charlie (90's rock), Midnight Curfew (light rock) and Mason-Dixon (Southern rock & blues). It sounds exhausting, but as Katterhenry notes with a laugh, "there are four weekends in a month, so why not?" Back with
For more info, follow McFly on Facebook.
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | FILM
MOONLIGHT FILMS S OU T H ER N IN D IANA P RODU C T I ON C OMPA NY R ELEA SES HO R R O R C OM E D Y ON L IN E, P RE P S S LA S HE R S E Q U E L F O R THE FA LL Last November - which seems like a lifetime ago now considering all that's been going on - we caught up with the team behind Moonlight Films, a prolific southern Indiana-based production company specializing in the horror genre. Founded by Ian Mair and James Stevenson in 2008, Moonlight has released nearly a movie a year, peaking with 2019's slasher throwback, Blood Cove, the culmination of much trial and error over the last decade - particularly in terms of special effects which are now being handled by the multi-talented Deron Morgan. His contributions have helped to take things to the next level and the results speak for themselves. "From a technical standpoint, we pushed ourselves more with Blood Cove to create the most polished thing we had done," Mair notes. "I feel like it was the best received of any movie that we've premiered at the Tivoli Theatre [in Spencer, IN]." Based on such good feedback, it only seemed logical to shoot a sequel; in fact, Mair envisioned Blood Cove as a series of films right from day one. "They say it's kind of a curse to plan ahead like that before the initial movie is done, but for the longest time I have wanted to do an ongoing narrative," he explains. "We had tried with A Whisper in the Dark to create a series from those films and although they were fun and have earned us a lot of revenue on YouTube, they weren't up to the quality that we wanted." Production on Blood Cove 2 began last October with all new characters - save for the return of The Skull, the depraved killer who terrorizes the town - created by Mair. "[Part 2] picks up on themes and a few little plot threads but really, it's its own movie, so it was easy to write that script - didn't feel like an afterthought." According to Morgan, the ongoing pandemic has complicated the completion of the film but the guys are hoping to premiere Blood Cove 2 just in time for Halloween in the fall. In the meantime, you can check out Moonlight's most recent release, a sequel to 2017's Graveyard Stories featuring genre icon George Stover and Ghost Hunters: International's Scott Tepperman, on the company's YouTube channel - which now boasts well over three million views. The self-described horror comedy - a nearly two-year project that represents a departure of sorts for the team - is made up of four short stories sure to both frighten and tickle you.
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | BOOKS
BASEBALL IN
history of baseball in Evansville - it goes back to the Civil War
EVANSVILLE A PAN ACE A FOR T HE PA NDE MI C : NEW B OOK D ETA I LI NG T HE HI S T ORY OF R IV ER CITY BA S E BA LL WI LL S AT I S FY Y OUR SPO RT S C RAVI NGS
and nobody's ever written about it," he says with sincere disbelief. "And it was so interesting to research it and so much fun." It was also rather challenging. But while the project took over three years to complete, including endless hours poring over archives at USI, Willard Library, Evansville Museum and Evansville Courier, the hardest part came when Wirthwein received a note back from his publisher to trim the manuscript by nearly 90,000 words. "What History Press made me do was make it readable and put it in
Of the many things that we've missed during the
a format where you can skip around if
Covid-19 outbreak, live sports is most certainly
you really want to," he says.
near the top of the list. Few activities bring people closer together; as fans, we dispense
Indeed, the stories that Wirthwein tells
with concerns about the political or religious
are engrossing and entirely educational
affiliations of our fellow man or woman and
as he meticulously documents the
unite as one to cheer on our preferred teams.
incredible evolution of baseball in the
And boy, we could all use a little less division
River City from 1865 up through the
right about now. Unfortunately, it's still too
introduction of the Triple-A
soon for big gatherings which means that most
Evansville Triplets in 1970.
organized sporting events are on the backburner, including
Along the way, we meet an
Major League Baseball. Wait, spring without homeruns
amazing cast of characters
and hotdogs? Seems un-American. But don't despair or
(including
curl up in a fetal position on the floor; instead, carve out an
personal favorite, 15-year-old
afternoon (who doesn't have free time these days?) and curl
ballplayer Wee Willie) and
up on the couch with a fantastic new book by the tri-state's
ragtag squads and discover
own Kevin Wirthwein whose childhood fascination with
how the sport persevered
the 1966-68 Evansville White Sox ultimately led to writing
locally through all manner
about our city's long - and often complicated - love affair
of manmade and natural
with baseball. It's the next best thing to sitting behind the
disasters.
dugout on a breezy, sunny day.
floods, depression, Vietnam,
Wirthwein's
"There's
wars,
Korea, WWI & WWII - and minor leagues in general start to Now a retired IT professional
crumble when TV arrives," he says. "But the most fascinating
living
thing was to learn about the negro teams of the 1920's and
in
Indianapolis,
Wirthwein drew on his early
30's - I'd never heard anything about them."
experiences as a journalist out of college to tackle his
Rest assured you will learn more about baseball and our city
first book some 40 years
in general over the course of 178 jam-packed pages than
later. "I started looking at
you ever imagined so be sure to pick up a copy of this well-
all this ridiculously crazy
timed sports book. Peanuts and cracker jack sold separately.
Baseball in Evansville is available at amazon.com and other major online outlets.
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | ENTERTAINMENT
with Marisa Patwa FROM THE BOX OFFICE TO YOUR LAPTOP: JUNE MOVIE RELEASES HEADED ONLINE, ON DEMAND
Summer showtimes might be a thing of the past - at least for 2020 - as an influx of films originally slated for the big screen are now dropping on demand. But moviegoers can still enjoy the wonder of high definition with a wide range of upcoming releases, including scarefest Becky, thriller Shirley and dark comedy The King of Staten Island. Becky, out June 5, is a witty horror film starring Lulu Wilson (The Haunting of Hill House, Sharp Objects) as a spirited teen reconnecting with her dad (played by Community’s Joel McHale) at their summerhouse. Comedy heavyweight Kevin James takes a turn from his normal belly-laugh roles with this dark portrayal of the ruthless ringleader of a group of prisoner escapees who break into their house thus interrupting the father and daughter bonding experience, or at least altering its course. In Shirley, Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale, Mad Men) channels real life horror novelist Shirley Jackson. The trailer reminds me of Darren Aronofsky’s mother!, a similarly avant garde film. Here, Moss plays an uptight Jackson who seemingly unwinds and unravels as the plot thickens - which focuses on a young couple being taken in by the grandiose, nervous wreck of an author and her cheating husband. The film seems calculated in its desire to make the viewer feel uncomfortable yet curious, and I, for one, am interested to see where it goes when Shirley arrives on June 5. For a lighter film to watch on a breezy summer day, be sure to check out The King of Staten Island, the perfect vehicle for SNL's Pete Davidson to kick off his career as a comedy movie star à la Adam Sandler. In Island, he takes the lead in a semi-autobiographical film, which portrays his experience as an adult still dealing with the aftermath of his firefighter dad dying in 9/11. The trailer is sweet and funny, with Marisa Tomei shining as Pete’s mom, an overworked ER nurse, who starts dating a firefighter that ruffles Pete’s feathers, but also gets him to deal with some issues and even consider becoming a firefighter himself. This heartwarming comedy is set to be released on June 12. So grab some popcorn and snacks from your local gas station, get cozy in your favorite sweats and turn on some great films meant for the big screen, but just as enjoyable on the smaller one at home.
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | ENTERTAINMENT
with Gavin Gaddis Welcome to the Podcast Corner, your source for some of the best and most inventive podcasts around. Each month I'm offering up four bite-sized reviews, so read on and then listen in! Want more podcast recommendations? You can find long-form reviews, musings on happenings in the podcasting world, and links to podcasts I produce at my website: thepodreport.com or follow me on Twitter @ThePodReport.
MY YEAR IN MENSA (COMPLETE)
A masterclass in succinct non-fiction storytelling, My Year in Mensa is a four-part series chronicling comedian Jamie Loftus’ buck-wild experience engaging with international smart-people-club Mensa after taking the entrance exam as a joke to write a snarky article. She expected a group of elitist snobs; what she found was an official Mensa Facebook group unmoderated to the point of shocking toxicity. A self-protecting, virtual small town where users do and say anything without consequence purely because they’ve met and are nice to each other in real life. MYiM is a fascinating look at a group of people unable or unwilling to assign online actions to real-world people. Available on most podcast apps
YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS (WEEKLY)
Full disclosure: I am nowhere near caught up on this show, but it’s been one heck of a fun backlog to burn through. You Must Remember This host Karina Longworth dedicates each episode to looking back at some of the most fascinating people and events in the golden age of Hollywood. With interviews and fascinating research, Longworth tries to pierce the veil of decades-old myths created by movie studio public relations departments to find the truth behind the larger-than-life stories of movie stars.
youmustrememberthispodcast.com
LESS IS MORGUE (BIWEEKLY)
A delightful and darkly hilarious audio drama, Less is Morgue is an audio fiction podcast pretending to be a podcast hosted by Riley and Evelyn. Thing is, Riley’s a ghoul who ate Evelyn’s body before her spirit could complete the necessary afterlife paperwork to move on, and now they’re stuck with Evelyn’s ghost. The show so far has been bitingly hilarious. Literally so, in some cases; Riley gets quite hungry and guests don’t always make it out of the studio in one piece. The sound design is solid, the guests are colorful characters, and the show’s actual Twitter feed fits into the canon perfectly, making following them for updates genuinely fun. lessismorgue.com
STUFF I’VE LISTENED TO (WEEKLY)
As a podcast critic I have a lot of shows to try out, but I have a bad habit of losing time listening to old favorites. Stuff I’ve Listened To is a podcast to get me listening to more podcasts, and I’m bringing you along for the ride! Each week I’ll cover new indie podcasts and noteworthy episodes of big industry staples alike as they come across my virtual desk. If you enjoy this column, SILT is a weekly dose of that without wordcount restrictions or reading required! Available on most podcast apps
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | COMMUNITY & FAMILY
2020
SENIOR ! s t u o t u Sho
High school graduation is one of the most exciting and rewarding times in a young person's life, full stop. As we can all agree, it's a true shame that area students are unable to celebrate and receive proper acknowledgement for their monumental efforts due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Nothing can change that, of course, but we here at News 4U would like to do our part in helping to put the spotlight on some very deserving high school seniors who have made the tristate very proud. The world is now at your fingertips - congratulations and best of luck to each and every one of you!
Jordan Brewer Congratulations Jordan! Good Luck at E.K.U. -Tamra McNerney
CHRISTINA WALTON
These four years have certainly flown by! I'm so proud of you!! Remember that I'll always love you...no matter what!! - MOM
Baylee Elaine Lynn F. J Reitz High School Class of 2020
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.�~Eleanor Roosevelt KATERINA WHITE
Castle High School-Class of 2020 Beautiful and Smart! We are so proud of you! - Love, Dad, Mom, Gabe, & Clara
We are so proud of you. Love Dad, Mom, Nate, & Zoey B!
AUTUMN RIDLEY
And so the adventure begins. I love you to the moon and back and beyond. - MOM
Congrats young man, from some of your biggest fans! Of all the things you've accomplished, we're looking forward to seeing what your next chapter has in store for you! We are so very proud of the man you're becoming! WE LOVE YOU MAN!! -Uncle Darren, Shelly, Liv, Kaiya, Lily, & Maisie
TAYLOR LYNN STOCKTON
"She believed she could so she did" Your Lamasco Family is so Proud of you! YOU DID IT! - We love you to the moon, Your Lamasco Family
Alexander Wayne Allen
You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Christopher Robin LAUREN ALEXANDRA CAULEY
Wherever you go, go with your whole heart. We are so proud of you Lou Lou! - We love you so much! - Love, Mama, Emily, Mamaw & Keith, Dad & Kim
HUNTER R. LUTZ
We are so proud of you! Good luck in the USMC bootcamp! It is time to make your childhood dream come true! We love you! Dad, Mom, and Sis
JORDYN ASHLEY WISE
Congratulations! So proud of you and all your accomplishments. The future is boundless - keep challenging yourself and growing. Love you tons! - Mommy, Craig, Cayden and Taylor
PEYTON RHULE
You entered the world during 9/11. You graduated during a pandemic. You can endure anything! - Mom, Dad, & Jordyn
We are so proud of the man you have become. We wish you the best in this next chapter of your life. We love you. - Mom, Dad, Dalton, your grandparents and your family at Gabe's
AMANDA COMPTON
We are so proud of you and the beautiful young woman you have grown into. You rock! - Mom, Dad, and the Rademillers
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | COMMUNITY & FAMILY
SUCCESS STORIES & FUTURE VANDERBURGH HUMANE SOCIETY
be we’ll he h t n ith t h mo Eac king in w latest chec for the nd to a VHS news ever d goo find fur e of m help for so ique n s u e ore idents. hom m their der res ol and
BAGHEERA: Bagheera is a male tuxedo cat. He is 10 years old. He’s not
super fond of other cats, but he likes HINAWA: This beautiful bunny is named
dogs!! He is very outgoing and loves
She, her “husbun,” and their babies were
During the COVID19 shutdown, he
to follow people around for attention.
Hinawa. She’s a female Harlequin rabbit.
charmed the VHS staff into letting
dumped in a box outside. Now, they have
him live in an employee office and
all been adopted except for her! Her
roam freely during the day. He loved
adoption fee is $50 because she’s spayed &
to just sprawl out in the hallway and
microchipped. You really can’t beat that!
get lovins’ from everyone walking by during the work day! Bagheera’s adoption fee is only $40 and he’s ready to go home today!
ROSIE: Rosie is a 9-year-old female Beagle
mix. She’s a wonderful girl who gets along fine w/ cats and is easy to walk on a leash! She is potty-trained as long as she’s taken out every few hours, BUT she is also trained on using a doggie door. Her favorite time of the day is mealtime. Her adoption fee is $130. Apply online at vhslifesaver.org/ adopt and her foster mom will set up a day & time for you to meet her!
400 Millner Industrial Drive | 2 blocks west of Garvin Park in Evansville 812-426-2563 | Adoption Hours: Tues-Sat 12-6pm | www.vhslifesaver.org
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | COMMUNITY & FAMILY
DUKE
VHS ADOPTION SPOTLIGHT
227 days is a long time to spend in an animal shelter, but for seven-year-old Duke, a Husky Lab Mix housed at the Vanderburgh Humane Society, the wait for his forever home was sure worth it. That's because this sweet old guy lucked into meeting Jared Majors-Manley and his girlfriend Marissa Hollar at the end of 2019. The Evansville couple had been talking about getting a dog for months but initially didn't have the space - at least not for the Ăźber-large dogs Jared was considering adopting. Marissa, on the other hand, pushed for choosing a more
manageable,
senior
furry
friend. "Older dogs deserve just as much love as puppies," she notes. And she must have been pretty convincing because right before Christmas Jared surprised her with Duke - who "literally checked all the boxes," making for the perfect gift. A guitarist for popular country band Tailgate Revival, Jared had some reservations about adopting a senior dog but all that melted away when he first laid eyes on Duke. "I'm super busy, so I was worried about having to do retraining but...it's funny, when I go to buy a new guitar I don't know what I'm going to get but when I see the one, I know it," he explains. "When I saw Duke it was like looking at the perfect dog." That's hardly an exaggeration. According to
the couple, Duke transitioned effortlessly to their home, already potty-trained and super well-behaved. "He sits, shakes, stays, rolls over and doesn't bark unless he thinks there's a real threat," Jared says. "Duke's friendly to all of our guests and sleeps in bed with us. Everybody loves coming over here just to hang with our dog." Simply put, the couple couldn't be more thrilled with the new addition to their household. "You don't know how much a dog is going to affect you until you get it and then you just think about your dog all the time," Jared says. "I don't know how many years I'll get with Duke, but I know that when he's gone I'm just gonna miss him like crazy." And so as not to miss any quality time together, Jared often takes Duke with him to work at Tommy's Express Car Wash in Newburgh where he's loved by staff and customers alike. No doubt about it, Duke may have waited 227 days, but he's one lucky dog. Jared and Marissa couldn't agree more. "It's kind of cool he gets to be in a local magazine after being at the VHS for so long - it's like everything worked out for the right reasons, we think."
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | OPINION
THE WRITE STUFF with Jonathan Gluff
A Case of Selective Outrage (or “#metoobutnotyou”) Alright, it’s time again to talk about America’s favorite sundowning creepy uncle, Joe Biden. But rather than just speculation about whether he legitimately is suffering from dementia or his habit of awkward-at-best displays of affection, I want to address the sexual assault allegations against him and ask where the media frenzy has been. To briefly sum it up for those unaware, Tara Reade (not the actress best known for bad movies and worse cosmetic surgery) worked as a staff assistant for Biden’s Senate office from late 1992 to August 1993. After multiple complaints about harassment from the Senator, she finally has alleged that he did indeed assault her as well. At this point, I should probably mention that I’m no fan of Joe’s. I’ve written before about how terrible of a candidate I see him as; does that make me more likely to believe her? Possibly. But since coming forward with these allegations, no fewer than four other women - including a former Nevada State Assemblywoman - have come forward with allegations against the former Vice President. I’d say that’s a pattern. “It’s a coordinated attack against Biden by Trump supporters!” some may
dismissively say. Unfortunately, there may be truth to that: The usual suspects (*cough* Fox News) have pounced on the subject, particularly the Human Smirk, Tucker Carlson. While I applaud him and his cohorts for finally pretending to care about assault survivors, the opportunism is pretty transparent. “Why didn’t she come forward sooner?” On the August 11th, 1993 episode of Larry King Live, a woman calling from the same city Reade’s mother lived in at the time told Larry about the problems her daughter encountered while working for a “prominent senator.” (The full episode is conveniently no longer available on CNN’s website…) Furthermore, one friend has said she was told about the assault in ‘93, another was told in ‘08, and even documents from her divorce show her husband believed she suffered from trauma as a result of the event (Biden is not specifically named). She tried the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund; the lawyers she spoke to either supported or feared Biden. Her friends and family knew, but help with going public was hard to find. With all this in mind, I ask: Where is the (justifiable) outrage we saw with Kavanaugh, Weinstein, and Trump? It seems many only “Believe all women” when the accused isn’t on their team.
With the current pandemic filling up the airwaves, former VP Joe
tri-state
politics
with Bryan Fox
Biden's march to the Democratic nomination has pretty much been lost in a sea of coronavirus headlines. Even a newly-surfaced sexual assault allegation has barely registered a blip on the radar - at the time of this writing, anyway. So, barring any major catastrophe - natural or manmade - it seems that Biden is on course to square off against President Trump and Dems everywhere, including in Evansville, should all be breathing a sigh of relief. A Bernie nomination for POTUS would have doomed the party for
BIDEN CLOSES IN ON THE NOMINATION - LOCAL DEMS SHOULD BE HAPPY 36 | JUNE 2020
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years to come. Let's face it, even people who lean left have a hard time understanding the Vermont senator's fuzzy math when it comes to paying for "Medicare for all" and "free college." An unpopular
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | OPINION
MAYBE I'M JUST GETTING OLD... with Johnny Fletcher
FLETCHER 5-O: THE AFTERMATH It's been awhile. Like so many of you out there in the tri-state, ol'
Ok, so I wasn't actually carried around the bowling alley; but when
J-Fletch was sidelined by the pandemic, going MIA for two months,
you get to be my age, you gotta add a little flavor to the mix.
unable to share the melodrama of my life with you. But like Frank
Especially when reality hits and you're no longer "going to be 50
Costanza declares in the 140th episode of Seinfeld, "I'm back,
soon" - it's here and it's the new normal. Just like those AARP notices
baby!" Which means I can finally tell you about the aftermath of my
that keep showing up in the mail now. There's something a little
50th birthday - a milestone that seemingly the entire city celebrated
disheartening about being invited to join the American Association
in early March. Well, that's a slight exaggeration, but I certainly did
of Retired Persons when I'm out there rolling a big number. I mean,
appreciate all the enthusiastic faxes.
I'm potentially just a few strikes away from joining the PBA Tour. Or at least the Senior PBA Tour. Not sure if there is such a thing, but if my
Now, without going into a lot of pointless detail, let me just note that
energy level ever rebounds and the coronavirus magically goes away,
my half-century mark par-tay ended with yours truly being hoisted up
I'll look into it.
on the shoulders of Arc Lanes employees and paraded about whilst my fellow bowlers wept with joy. Trust me, it's impossible not to shed
Until then, it's back to the grind - but with the added burden of being
a few tears when you witness a formerly spry, vigorous man - who's
officially old. I may have to consider changing the name of this column
now well past his prime - turn back the clock and roll four strikes in
at some point; there's no more "getting old," after all. But maybe I can
a row to finish his final game of the night with a 223. Hip hip hooray
pave the way for some of you age-challenged individuals out there by
and whatnot.
embracing this harrowing milestone and inspiring others to live life to the fullest. That sounds exhausting, though.
candidate at the top can, in many ways, prove disastrous. Take what
We reached out to Gail Riecken for her take on the Democratic
happened in Evansville during the 2007 municipal elections. Man-off-
primary. She's a former state representative and ran against
the-street David Nixon decided to run for mayor against Jonathan
incumbent mayor Lloyd Winnecke in 2015. She supports Biden
Weinzapfel, the popular Democratic incumbent. Weinzapfel won 85%
because he "will not be afraid to tell the truth when giving our country
of the vote and the Dems claimed eight out of nine city council seats.
needed information." She also believes that Biden will heal this country. Still, she thinks that Bernie's voice "has made a difference in
Or how about 2012? Republicans are just now realizing why Mitt
a positive way." She disagrees with Sanders on student loans and the
Romney was easily beaten by President Obama despite a mediocre
environment but believes he is real and sincere.
economy. Simply put, Romney was not a good candidate. And while Mike Pence won the governor's race that year, many were anticipating
Like Riecken, most local Dems fall under the "Anyone but Trump"
an easier path to victory. In an era of extreme divisiveness and,
banner, but they should be careful what they wish for as they
consequently, more straight ticket voting, down ballot races can easily
came very close to having to defend socialism in the right-leaning
be affected by a poor candidate at the top.
Vanderburgh County.
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | FILM & TV REVIEWS
FILM & TV REVIEWS CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM SSN 10 HBO
With the 10th season of his unscripted comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David once again makes it clear where all of Seinfeld’s funny came from. As always, the show mocks the more mundane aspects of everyday life. Larry’s latent misanthropy spurs him to open a “spite store” to, well, spite a rival, wear a MAGA hat to deter people from sitting near/engaging him in public, put the moves on his recently-deceased friend’s widow, and to sleep with his ex-wife (who is now dating Ted Danson), all replete with the trademark dry humor and social awkwardness he’s known for. Despite being 10 seasons in, Curb shows no signs it’ll be jumping the shark anytime soon. Jonathan Gluff
WHAT DID JACK DO? NETFLIX
David Lynch has amassed one of the most fervent cult followings of any director ever (myself included), and his short film What Did Jack Do? seems to acknowledge those fans. The 17-minute film centers mostly on Lynch himself as a detective interrogating a talking monkey named Jack about the murder of a chicken, and it’s as strange and surreal (even by his standards) as it sounds. Hints of his previous work abound: The “whodunnit?” of Twin Peaks, the fever dream ramblings of Blue Velvet, and a song as memorable as Eraserhead’s Lady in the Radiator. Lynch fans will be quoting “Toototabon!” for years to come; casual observers, however, will likely be left scratching their heads. - Jonathan Gluff
AFTER LIFE SSN 2 NETFLIX
Six more episodes of Ricky Gervais' black comedy-drama have arrived just in time to save you from certain quarantine-induced insanity. Hallelujah. Still receiving kudos for his much-celebrated Golden Globes celebrity smackdown back in January, the Office co-creator returns as Tony Johnson, a suicidal writer for a local newspaper who has dispensed with caring about most anyone or anything - apart from his dog - following the death of his beloved wife. Doesn't sound particularly funny on the face of it but Gervais is a master at finding humor and, most importantly, emotional catharsis in the darkest places. Not a fan of his? Not to worry, the side characters particularly Paul Kaye as Tony's psychiatrist and David Earl as "Brian" - pretty much steal the show and make every increasingly gut-wrenching episode worthwhile. - Johnny Fletcher
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | MUSIC REVIEWS
KEHLANI It Was Good Until It Wasn’t Atlantic Records Kehlani’s silky sweet vocals shine through on this amazing sophomore album. She’s got R&B candy shop vibes all over her, and as someone just a few months older, I am beyond impressed with the 25-year-old. Kehlani’s an incredible performer with great style and vocal flair. “Change Your Life” featuring Jhené Aiko is full of flavor while “Can You Blame Me” delivers just as much catchiness as it does cool. “Passionate” turns up the heat with a steamy music video shot at the singer’s home during the pandemic and “Water” is a love song with an astrological turn. On top of being unique, it hooks you in. My favorite: “Serial Lover” - another hit and the perfect song for any girl gang. It Was Good Until It Wasn't is simply good all the way through, making its case for one of the breakout albums of 2020. Kudos to Kehlani. - Marisa Patwa
DRAKE Dark Lane Demo Takes OVO Sound / Republic Records Apparently Drake can do no wrong, but you didn't need me to tell you that. This commercial mixtape, a compilation of songs that were released on SoundCloud or leaked on the internet, is a lead-up to a fresh album set to be released from the Canadian-born rapper - and all-around entrepreneur - this summer, but it still has an impressive 14 tracks. And it’s done well, with all of the songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100. Not to mention the TikTok song of a teenager’s dreams, “Tootsie Slide,” already inspiring so many viral dance challenges. “Desires” has a much welcome feature from Future, while “From Florida With Love” is a good banger for the car. And if you’re in your feels, “Time Flies” is the perfect song to put on. All the tracks are catchy and the addictive quality of Drake’s voice resonates throughout. My favorite: “Losses.” Drake’s lyrical genius is shown off in this easy breezy bop with lines like, “You put me on the road without a road map / I'm not tryna make no song, these are cold facts.” - Marisa Patwa
HALEY WILLIAMS Petals for Armor Atlantic Records Taking her shot as a solo act, Paramore’s lead singer, Haley Williams, comes up a bit short on Petals for Armor. Comprising two EPs - the first part was released in January - Williams’ debut never quite reaches the heights of her main musical project. “Simmer,” the first single off the album, reminds me of a grownup Lorde. It’s a hauntingly beautiful track, but it doesn’t show off Williams' amazing vocal range the way I love to listen to her. “Cinnamon” has a similarly eerie feel. It’s another chilling song with a soft, airy chorus that spooks you. “Dead Horse,” one of the featured tracks on part 2, is a more up-beat song, but still with a macabre tone and lyrics. No point in sugarcoating it, I'm disappointed with these songs and I can’t help but compare her vocals now to the hits she sang for Paramore - songs that I would listen to on repeat on my pink i-Pod mini in middle and high school. Those songs were addictive. Now, I’m left still craving more. - Marisa Patwa
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TAME IMPALA The Slow Rush Universal Music Australia For 10 years, Tame Impala have been leading the way in psychedelic rock. The band's first two albums, 2010’s Innerspeaker and 2012’s Lonerism, showcased frontman (and sole studio member) Kevin Parker’s remarkable ability to produce lush, psychrock for lonely stoners and college kids. With 2015’s Currents, however, Tame Impala took a dramatic shift toward pop music. Currents revealed Parker’s penchant for pop production, but the album still melded the styles of his older work throughout. Five years later, Tame Impala are one of the biggest festival bands in the world. Go figure, The Slow Rush is both the weakest and poppiest album by Parker to date. Fortunately, a weak Tame Impala album is leagues better than most music in existence. The Slow Rush sounds good and is rich with great production, but a lot of the heart found in Lonerism (their opus thus far) is simply not there. - Russ Finn
Blues with Bragin JIMMY JOHNSON Every Day of Your Life Delmark Not even old age can stop Jimmy Johnson. The 91-year-old Chicago bluesman is back with his first album in more than a decade. Every Day of Your Life opens with the title track which features a guitar riff from Johnson that sounds like a funky version of B.B. King. The lyrics remind the listener to cherish every moment of life. "I Need You So Bad" features solid piano from Roosevelt Purifoy. His piano solo in the middle of the song provides an excellent outlet for his talent. The reggae-inspired "My Ring" discusses a love that grew cold over time and laments its loss.
KING KRULE Man Alive! Matador Archy Marshall, the leader of London band King Krule, sounds absolutely unhinged throughout their third album Man Alive! The songs are almost formless amoebas of lunacy as the abstract and atonal combine to create a project that is truly like no other. From start to finish, Man Alive! sounds like a nightmarish acid trip. Each sleepy, jazzy track melts into the next. The songs slosh around and spill into each other while Marshall hollers and howls with his deep, gravelly voice. It’s almost hard to pinpoint specific songs when listening to the album, as it begs to be listened to as one chaotic piece of art. And art it is. Though I don’t find Man Alive! to be as perfect as King Krule’s last album (2017’s The OOZ), it's absolutely top-tier experimental music and deserving of your attention. - Russ Finn
VIAGRA BOYS Common Sense Year 0001 Stockholm, Sweden’s Viagra Boys are a perfect punk band. They know how to groove, they don’t take themselves too seriously, and they have an incredibly charismatic frontman. Watch the music videos to their older songs “Sports” or “Research Chemicals” and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Or, you could check out their new four song EP Common Sense, the followup to their very cool 2018 debut album Street Worms. Viagra boys don’t expand on their sound or stray too far into experimental territory. Instead, the band sticks with what they know and delivers four great songs about living in squalor and getting all the cocaine you can out of a bag. Common Sense is a great introduction into Viagra Boys, a goofy band we could all use while the world is collapsing around us. - Russ Finn
The funky bass from J.R. Fuller in "Rattlesnake" sets the tone well for the rest of the song, with Johnson's guitar providing a melancholy counterpoint. The classic "Somebody Loan Me a Dime" showcases Johnson’s guitar prowess in the middle of the song, as well as Brother John Kattke’s piano. "Down in the Valley" features great bass from Curt Bley and organ from Kattke as Johnson sings about love helping to temper life’s inconveniences. Great drumming from Pooky Styx on "Strange Things Happening" allows his talents to shine. For more info, visit jimmyjohnson.com. - Paul Bragin
THE JIMMYS Gotta Have It Intercept Music Led by award-winning keyboardist/singer/ songwriter Jimmy Voegeli, Wisconsin's The Jimmys return with their most accomplished album yet, expertly blending blues, soul, funk and R&B. Opening track "Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet" is a dance tune with great piano from Voegeli to match Perry Weber’s vocals. "Grim Reaper" discusses avoiding death, and Peterson Ross’ smooth saxophone in the middle of the song sounds like someone sneaking around in the night. Voegeli’s duet with Marcia Ball on "Write a Hit" features a great horn section in the background and piano solo from Voegeli. "She Gotta Have It" offers a fine guitar riff from Weber in the song and excellent background vocals from Ball and Melodye Perry. Al Falaschi’s baritone saxophone gives a nice introduction on "Hotel Stebbins," with the rest of the horn section giving a lot of intensity. “Drinkin’” sees Weber singing about his trouble with hard liquor. John Wartenweiler’s bass provides a good groove. Voegeli sings about the necessity of treating a woman right on "When You Got Love," with superb guitar work from Weber at the end of the song. "Always a Woman" features good Latin percussion from Tony Braunagel. The sad melody on "Words and Actions" matches Voegeli singing about hurtful speech and behavior. For more info, visit thejimmys.net. - Paul Bragin
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NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | BEER REVIEWS
JUNE 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. URBAN CHESTNUT STAN MUSIAL
PLATFORM HAZE JUDE
UPLAND WHEAT ALE
JONATHAN GLUFF - 4.5
JONATHAN GLUFF - 4
JONATHAN GLUFF - 4.5
PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5
PAUL BRAGIN - 4
PAUL BRAGIN - 4
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4.5
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4
Platform Beer’s cleverly-named Haze Jude is a strong entry in the burgeoning hazy IPA market. There’s a slight scent of pine on the nose with notes of grapefruit on the smooth finish. Some slightly darker undertones lurk in the middle, courtesy of what the can calls “tropical fruit” (tastes like passion fruit to me). Hazy IPAs are already less hoppy than a traditional IPA, and these warm flavors help to further blunt the already-low bitterness. Definitely a winner.
A thick white head sits on top of this cloudy IPA and never totally evaporates. The nose boasts significant hop scents, especially tropical fruit, pine and grapefruit. The fruit flavors remain with the initial tasting of the beer, followed by pine notes in the finish. People who enjoy IPAs will want to have this on hand during the summer. Pair it with fish tacos and mango salsa or a salmon salad for a lighter option.
This is an extremely cloudy, yellow beer with an ABV of 6%. I thought it would have a yeasty flavor but it doesn't. It's very sweet from the tropical fruits but it has the mix of the bitterness of the grapefruit. I think this is my favorite IPA due to the complexity of the beer.
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Fans of America’s pasttime may be bemoaning this year’s lack of baseball, but Urban Chestnut’s Stan Musial lager is here to help you drown your sorrows while paying homage to one of the game’s greats. Strong notes of oats slug the middle of the palate while a touch of grains grace the follow-through, which is clean and crisp as a line drive. If you’re a fan of the big league domestics, you’ll be right at home with this one.
A thick white head forms on this golden lager and stays for a long time. A mix of malt and hops familiar to lagers fills the nose. The malt and hops remain while drinking the beer. This is a great example of what an American lager should be. Stock up on this one for hot summer months to drink while watching Cardinals baseball games. Pair it with your favorite foods from the ballpark.
This beer is a clear amber color. It says it's a classic American lager which is right on. It has a crisp flavor and is similar to Budweiser in some respects but for me, it's a bit better. I like that it comes in a pint can. It has a nice malty flavor and is very easy to drink.
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Few breweries are as consistent as Indiana’s own Upland; I’m always glad to see them pop into our rotation. The flavor profile is noticeably darker than most wheat ales, largely due to the coriander adding significant warmth to the touch of sweetness added by the orange tinges. That’s not to say it’s heavy or hoppy by any means - it still maintains the characteristic lightness while adding some complexity to the proceedings. Possibly the most full-flavored wheat ale I’ve ever tried.
A thick white head rests on this beer when poured into a wheat beer glass. The scent contains a lot of wheat, with some malt sweetness also present. A burst of carbonation hits the tongue with the first sip of the beer, followed by spice from the coriander used during the brewing process. Pair it with grilled or sautéed shellfish served over a bed of creamy pasta like a generous helping of Fettuccine Alfredo.
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 5
This is a slightly hazy, golden-colored beer with good carbonation. I love the hint of orange and the ample coriander along with the fresh wheat flavor. It's similar to a Blue Moon - which I'm a fan of - but I like this one so much better.
NEWS4U JUNE 2020 | BEER REVIEWS
3 FLOYDS WIG SPLITTER The problem with most of these styles of beer is the beer itself usually isn’t great; luckily, that’s not the case here as the front end flavors of strong dark-roast coffee coexist nicely with the velvety chocolate taste of the beer afterward. Both are rich and full, yet easily distinguishable. Legitimately one of the most delicious and balanced brews I’ve come across.
JONATHAN GLUFF - 5
Another Indiana brewing powerhouse with amazing consistency, 3 Floyds’ Wigsplitter coffee stout maintains their steady track record.
PAUL BRAGIN - 3.5
A tan head grows on this oatmeal stout when poured into a traditional English pub glass. A combination of sweetness from lactose and coffee dominates the scent profile. The
sweetness and coffee stay with the tasting, and the coffee lingers longer in the finish. Drink it for breakfast, add a scoop of ice cream for a float, pair it with your favorite desserts featuring coffee and chocolate, or use it as an ingredient in the desserts.
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 5
This is truly an outstanding oatmeal stout - one of the best I've had in a while - from a brewery I would like to visit. It's got a deep dark black color and I can smell roasted coffee and vanilla. The flavor is pretty complex with coffee, chocolate, vanilla and malt. Again, outstanding.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
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