MURFREESBORO
Middle Tennessee’s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News
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Vol. 8, Issue 8 August 2013
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D L R O W E H T D N U O 'R D R THE STOP HEA ts off se o or sb ee fr ur M in nt oi kp Video from July 4 DUI chec re and civil rights debate national search-and-seizu
ONLINE AT: BOROPULSE.COM
SPORTS MTSU kicks off first C-USA season Aug. 29 page 25
MUSIC WannaBeatles release album of original work page 14
LaPALABRA Inside the historic Black Cat Tavern page 26
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CONTENTS EVENTS
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Literacy Day; Siegel High Band Pancake Breakfast
LIVING
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The Stop Heard 'Round the World DUI checkpoint video starts national search-and-seizure debate.
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Poppaclutch Bike Night Riders of all sorts of bikes converge on the third Thursday of each month at Coconut Bay Cafe.
DEAR READERS:
SOUNDS
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AUGUST CONCERTS Johnaroo Johnny Guitar's students perform at the Avenue on Aug. 17.
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Album Reviews The Secret Commonwealth, Chase Perryman and the People Familiar with the Situation
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Ignite Purple Light Nights Nightclub to raise awareness for domestic violence victims.
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A Ticket to Write The WannaBeatles exercise their right to write their own tunes, while still pledging allegiance to the Fab.
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FOOD
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Tomato Pie Recipe Here's an idea: bake up those fresh tomatoes in a pie. Coffee Talk Nuance celebrates the subtlties of the lightly-roasted bean.
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Cool Summer Treats Where to go for ice cream, frozen yogurt and shaved ice.
MOVIES
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Reviews Pacific Rim; Red 2
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Living Room Cinema Institutions
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Videogames Company of Heroes 2, Marvel Heroes
COVER STORY
THEATER
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Onstage in August Elvis Has Left the Building; Alice in Wonderland Jr.; MLT's annual awards ceremony
PET OF THE MONTH
If you're looking for an animal companion, PAWS has Oren the domestic shorthair cat, and lots of other pets in need of a home.
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SPORTS
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Prepare for Fantasy The Train recommends taking RBs with first two draft picks.
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Blue Raiders Kick Off Inaugural C-USA Season Public invited to fan day to meet the team on Sunday, Aug. 11.
OPINIONS
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La Palabra Inside the Black Cat Cave
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Phil Valentine It's a wonder Detroit made it this long.
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You're Not Going to Believe This Imagine if we believed in the good of humanity.
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Recover Rutherford Ready for change
ART Sensuous Steel Shows Artful Autos at the Frist Moxie's Pocket Gallery hosts work from Attic School.
CREW
PULSE
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Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo
Music Editor: Jessica Pace
Contributors: Marissa Albertson, Art Director: Sarah L. Mayo Gloria Christy, Nader Hobballah, Zach Maxfield, Robert Nelson, Cameron Parrish, Ad Rep: Don Clark Elizabeth Scott, Jay Spight, Frank Shepard, Copy Editors: Christy Simmons, Andrea Stockard, Justin Steve Morley, Kelda Sturgis Stokes, Norbert Thiemann, Phil Valentine
Sign up to receive our weekly digital newsletter at BoroPulse.com/Newsletter To carry The Pulse at your business, or submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com 116-E North Walnut St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (615) 796-6248
Copyright © 2013, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 116-E N. Walnut St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Murfreesboro Pulse is a free publication funded by our advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X
HELLO MURFREESBORO! HOW’S LIFE? If you ever feel like you don’t love your life, take a nap. I'm willing to bet that will solve most of your issues. If you’re well rested, focused and clear-headed, and still don’t like your life, I’m afraid there are deeper problems than lack of rest. But more often than not, whether you are 4 or 40, much of your frustration can probably be traced back to lack of sleep and energy. The feeling that you will never get caught up, or that you’ll never impress so and so, or that you're just drained, sore, and stuff ain't right may be gone once you wake up from a rest. If you are on deadline, and simply do not have time for a nap, take 10 minutes to reflect, focus and breathe. If you are on an even tighter deadline, and really have some serious goals that you are determined to make happen NOW, take 10 seconds. Even 10 seconds of silence can do wonders for focus and energy sometimes. Of course, eat right, get some sun, exercise, take in some art . . . listen to what your body is telling you. You may just need some water or juice, or protein, or sleep, or perhaps there’s tension in a particular muscle. Let it go, breathe it out. Confirm your goals are your own, and go get them! I feel we present to you another variety-packed edition of the Pulse. You will find a little ice cream talk, a little Constitution talk. A little bit of this and that. We got your movie release dates, we got your tomato pie recipe. We got a little black cat cave in Spanish, the WannaBeatles, and Woodstock Recovery. There are some pets up for adoption, plus fantasy football drafting tips, videogame reviews and 5K listings, album reviews and Art Deco autos. I like it all, and if I like it, well, you should too! Haha. Tell me about your interests. What groups are you involved in? What issues in local life do you feel are important? Who should we feature? Which local holein-the-wall is especially excellent? Live your life, be true to yourself. Pursue what you want. It’s sometimes ironic, but often true, that whenever an insult or criticism is hurled, it usually applies to the one giving it, more so than its intended target. If you’re the target, do calmly consider what is being said, but if you are living your life in an honest and genuine way, you have nothing to worry about. You won’t make everyone happy, so just forget about it! Support live music, support local agriculture, love your neighbor . . . I suppose that's about it. Over and out. Peace, Bracken Mayo Editor in Chief BOROPULSE.COM
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AUGUST 2013
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EVENTS compiled by ANDREA STOCKARD
Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com
THROUGH AUG. 2
AUG. 3
BOUNCEU OF MURFREESBORO’S “AMAZING ANIMAL CAMP”
UNITED WAY LITERACY DAY
BounceU of Murfreesboro (1222 Park Ave.) hosts “Amazing Animal Camp” July 29-Aug. 2 from 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Snowbird will be there on Friday (Aug. 2)! Early drop-off, half-day rates, sibling discounts, and extended care available. For more information, call (615) 893-8386, e-mail murfreesboro.tn@bounceu. com or visit bounceu.com/murfreesboro.
Join the community for a walk from Central Magnet School (701 E. Main St.) to the Civic Plaza (100 W. Vine St.) to promote the importance of literacy. After the walk, vendors will provide children’s activities and information on various literacy topics. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Central Magnet School and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. T-shirts available for walkers on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit uwrutherford.org.
AUG. 2 MAIN STREET’S FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE CONCERT SERIES
LASCASSAS BALL CLUB FUNDRAISER
SPOOKY STORIES IN THE MANSION “A Night of Spooky Stories in the Mansion” will take place in the parlors of Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) Aug. 3 from 6–8 p.m. with best-selling author Denise Daisy and an evening opening of “Whispers of the Past: A Museum’s Secrets Explored” exhibit. Admission is $5 per person for the reading with reservations required; guests should arrive no later than 6 p.m. for the reading. The exhibit is an excellent opportunity to walk through the past and see the evolution of fashions and home essentials from the families who lived, worked and entertained at Oaklands. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.
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Watch infantry and artillery demonstrations as a ranger tells the story of one of the bloodiest and most pivotal phases of the Battle of Stones River at Stones River Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.
AUG. 11 MTSU FAN DAY Alumni, fans and friends: Come out for fun for the whole family at Fan Day! Meet MTSU players, get posters, schedules and other freebies from 2–4 p.m. inside Murphy Center on the MTSU campus.
“DISCOVERING YOUR LEADERSHIP STRENGTHS” FOR RUTHERFORDCABLE MEMBERS
AUG. 2
AUG. 3
CONFEDERATE INFANTRY AND ARTILLERY PROGRAMS
AUG. 14
Come out and enjoy the Dirty Proper with Trembling Knees fronted by Tony “Plum” Howells at Main Street’s Friday Night Live Concert Series on Fri., Aug. 2, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Murfreesboro Public Square. Bring your lawn chair! Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.
The Lascassas-Milton Lions Club, the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department and the Lascassas Ball Club will hold a fundraiser Fri., Aug. 2, for new or repair to the old lights in the field at Lascassas Ball Park. This is the first Lascassas Summer Jam Fundraiser featuring music, inflatables, food and more. Doors open at 5 p.m. with music featuring The Van Lears beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, call (615) 669-7355 or visit the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page.
AUG. 3–4
AUG. 8, 15, 22, & 29 LADIES CRAFT CLASSES AT OAKLANDS HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM Craft classes for ladies ages 16 and up will be held Thursdays in August from 10 a.m.–Noon at Oaklands Historic House Museum (900 N. Maney Ave.). Each class will introduce a craft to beginners and allow those proficient to enjoy the gathering with other crafters. For cost and reservations, contact mb@oaklandsmuseum.org. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.
RutherfordCABLE and sponsor Deloitte will offer a special leadership event for RutherfordCABLE members Aug. 14 from 5:30–7 p.m. at MTSU’s Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building, Room 106. Dr. Deana Raffo, Ed. D, MTSU, will present “Discovering Your Leadership Strengths”, an interactive presentation on leadership and personality styles. RutherfordCABLE is a unique and diverse group of business- and civic-minded professionals of all ages, ethnicities and religions who are driven by the desire to help connect women and opportunity. For more information on the organization, visit RutherfordCABLE.org.
AUG. 16 MUSIC AT THE MILL
AUG. 10
The Springs, a multi-award winning country/ Southern-rock band, provide a fun and exciting show at Gregory Mill Park (390 Enon Springs Rd., Smyrna) Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy free music, food vendors and inflatables. Admission is free. For more information, call Smyrna Parks and Recreation at (615) 459-9773 or visit townofsmyrna.org.
TAILGATE PARTY AND CHILI COOK-OFF
AUG. 16
Hippie Hill hosts a chili cook-off on Sat., Aug. 10, beginning at 2 p.m. Everyone who attends will be given an official ballot, and will vote on their favorite creation. The competition is open to chili of all types, and organizers say “variety will help muddle people’s thoughts on who to vote for.” The event will also include live music by the Happy Goat Band and Who Shot Lizzy. For more information or to register, visit hippiehilltn.com or call (615) 796-3697. Hippie Hill is located at 8627 Burks Hollow Rd., Christiana.
CANNONSBURGH CONCERT SERIES Have fun at the Cannonsburgh Concert Series Aug. 16 at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 7–9 p.m. in the pavilion. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.
AUG. 17 & 31 HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN TOUR OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY Spend an hour walking through the cemetery
by lantern light at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) at 6:45 p.m. while hearing the stories of soldiers and civilians telling stories of the terrible cost of the Civil War. For more information, call (615) 893-9501.
AUG. 17 PIGSKIN PRE-GAME STOCKYARD PARTY Have fun at the official kickoff party of football benefiting the Alumni Legacy Scholarship at Floyd Stadium Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and aged 12 and under are admitted free. Ticket includes food provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, tours of the football stadium, door prizes and more. Meet MTSU players and talk with coaches. RSVP to the Office of Alumni Relations at (800) 5336878 or visit mtalumni.com.
AUG. 20 RIM ALUMNI: WELCOME RECEPTION FOR KEN PAULSON AND BEVERLY KEEL Join in the welcome for MTSU’s Ken Paulson as the new Dean of Mass Communications and Beverly Keel as the new chair of the Recording Industry department in Nashville’s BMI lobby at 6 p.m. For more information, RSVP to alumni@mtsu.edu.
AUG. 20, 27 & SEPT. 3 DEATH CAFÉ COMING TO MURFREESBORO Death Café allows participants to speak of death with the goal of helping people make the most of their “(finite) lives”. Death Café allows a safe and encouraging environment free from any ideology or conclusions about life, death or the afterlife. Possible topics include: feelings about death, the physiology of death, the philosophy of death and the spiritual aspects of death. The event, held over a three-week period, will be held at Unity of Murfreesboro (130 S. Cannon Ave.) from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The suggested love offering to cover expenses is $10 per session or $25 for all three sessions. Bring your own lunch; dessert and beverages will be provided. Register by contacting (615) 907-6033 or unitychurchoflife@gmail.com.
AUG. 21–31 75TH ANNUAL TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE NATIONAL CELEBRATION The Tennessee Walking Horse premier event showcases the breed’s World Grand Champion and some 20 World Champions at Celebration Show Grounds (1110 Evans St.). Admission charged. For more information, call (931) 684-5915 or visit twhnc.com.
AUG. 21 & 22 23RD ANNUAL MIDDLE TENNESSEE NURSERY TRADE SHOW More than 125 exhibitors with products and services await horticultural professionals at the MTSU (MTNA) Trade Show Aug. 21–22 at the Embassy Suites (1200 Conference Center Blvd). Conveniently located in the “Cradle of the Plant Kingdom,” this two-day event showcases booths filled with products, equipment and services available to help industry professionals make their businesses more profitable. This year’s trade show is geared toward landscapers, garden centers and other industry specialists with exhibitors from many different states. Advance registration is required by Aug. 15; lunch is included. Visit mtna.com to register. For more information, contact the Middle Tennessee Nursery Association at MTNA@blomand.net or (931) 507-7322.
AUG. 22 2013 UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF! United Way’s 2013 Campaign kick-off, in conjunction with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Middle Tennessee State University, offers an exciting morning at Jeff Hendrix Stadium Club, MTSU, Aug. 22 from 7:30–9 a.m. The 2013 campaign goal will be announced as well as the pacesetter campaigns that ran prior to the kick-off. For more information, call (615) 8937303 or visit uwrutherford.org/Home.aspx.
AUGUST 23 & 30 RUTHERFORD’S GOT TALENT Presented by The Rutherford County Government, Rutherford’s Got Talent hosts auditions at Central Magnet School (701 E. Main St.) from 5–9:30 p.m., Aug. 23 and 30. If you have an act that requires set-up (band instruments, gymnastic mats, etc.), you must
audition between 7:30–9:30 p.m. Deadline to register is Aug. 17. Registration Fee is $20 for an individual and $50 for a group. To register, visit uwrutherford.org and click “events.”
AUG. 24 SIEGEL HIGH SCHOOL BAND 11TH ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST The Siegel High School Band Boosters will be holding their 11th Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction on Sat., Aug. 24, from 8–10:30 a.m. in the Siegel High cafeteria (3300 Siegel Rd.). Proceeds will go towards the cost of equipment for the award-winning instrumentalists and color guard, as well as help with travel costs, music, and other expenses. Enjoy a great breakfast, find an auction item that you may want to bid on, and listen to some great music from the Siegel High marching band! If you are interested in making a donation, getting printed vouchers, being a sponsor or helping in other ways, contact (615) 2020185 or SiegelBandBoosters@gmail.com.
AUG. 24 & 25 MURFREESBORO NEW HOME AND REMODELING SHOW The New Home & Remodeling Show at Embassy Suites (1200 Conference Center Blvd.) Sat., Aug. 24, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., highlights the latest in construction trends and remodeling techniques for any home improvement project. Show attendees can meet industry experts one-on-one and compare exhibitors to find the right home expert. There will be professional demonstrations, classes to attend and access to the industry’s finest professionals to answer all remodeling & building questions! Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and free for children 12 and under. For more information, visit associationevent.com/NHRS/Murfreesboro.
AUG. 30–SEPT. 7 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING & EASTERN US CHAMPIONSHIPS Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association is the fastest growing equestrian sport in the Nation. Mounted contestants compete at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B West Thompson Ln.) in this timed, fast-action event using two .45 caliber single-action revolvers, each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (or “C.M.S.A.”) has a variety of levels of competition for everyone, ranging from novice levels to the seasoned professional. For more information, call (615) 494-8879 or visit cowboymountedshooting.com. BOROPULSE.COM
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LIVING DUI MURFREESBORO EO SETS CHECKPOINT VID ARCHOFF NATIONAL SE ATE. AND-SEIZURE DEB AYO
NM STORY BY BRACKE
D L R O W E H T D N U O R ' D R A E H P O T S THE O
n the evening of Independence Day, 2013, Murfreesboro motorist Chris Kalbaugh entered a DUI checkpoint on Rutherford Boulevard, set up and publicized by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Department, but not before turning on his camera. What he captured went viral immediately, gaining millions of views within the first two days of being posted to YouTube, and sparking a national debate on what exactly is a “reasonable search.” During the stop, Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Deputy A.J. Ross approached Kalbaugh’s window, which was cracked a few inches, and asked him to roll it down further. “This is fine,” Kalbaugh said. “I can hear you.” Taken aback, Ross replied “This is fine?” with surprise, and proceeded to ask the motorist how old he was. “Is that a required question?” Kalbaugh asked. Now visibly upset, Ross tells him it is, tries to open the car door and shouts at the driver to pull over and shut it down. The incident continued with a search of Kalbaugh’s person and throughout the car, with the key find being the camera, which was still recording. “Yes, the kid wanted this to happen, and egged it on, but, the cops knew what they were doing was wrong. Why else would he say ‘uh oh’ and turn the camera when he saw it. Police do not have the authority to search your car without consent or reasonable suspicion,” Todd Kennedy commented after viewing the video online. Officers said that a K9 had a “hit” on the car, signifying to them that something illegal 6 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
was in the vehicle, but Kalbaugh’s video shows the dog doesn’t bark at the car until he was brought over and signaled by an officer tapping on the window. “Intentionally giving the dog an alert signal is crooked,” Kennedy continued. The comments on the video kept arriving in the days following the incident, coming in from all over the nation: “The guy intentionally didn’t roll down his window all the way to show what the reaction would be. He was respectful saying ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’. . . . The point is that we aren’t innocent until proven guilty anymore. We’re guilty until proven innocent. Our rights are being taken away for a false sense of safety, and one day it’s going to be too late.” — Lindsey Clanton McCreery “While this officer was getting his kicks on harassing this kid, real crimes were being committed. Yank this jackass off the force and make him push a pencil.” — Becky Tatum “That cop did the exact same thing to me months ago.” — Ethan Christison “Sounds like one more way to become a police state! I think DUI checkpoints should be illegal.” — Jessica Brandon “This was a ‘sobriety’ checkpoint. This young man was not pulled over for something he did or did not do. I commend him for knowing his rights and having the courage to stand up for them. I am a law-abiding citizen. I respect, appreciate, and am thankful for law enforcement, but do believe in this ‘check’ they abused his and their rights. Clearly, this young man was not under the influence,” commented Carla Elam Maye. Others make the observation that checkpoints don’t even seem to yield very good results for catching DUI offenders in the first place. Officers have long staged these check-
points, supposedly only to verify the sobriety of drivers. But according to statistics on that specific checkpoint released by law enforcement, out of the 250 vehicles that passed through the checkpoint that July 4 evening, one DUI charge was filed; 32 other citations were issued, for child restraint, light law, driver’s license and various other violations. “Meanwhile, 45 drunk drivers knew about the checkpoint and took the roads around the checkpoint. They’re a joke,” said Rutherford County Libertarians Communications Director Axl E. David. The group seized upon the opportunity the video provided to enter into a variety of dialogues related to personal freedoms, and generally promote libertarian ideals. “It makes me sick to my stomach,” David said of the incident. His fellow libertarian, Timothy Meredith, says these checkpoints aren’t about preventing accidents as much as they are about collecting money and government power. “A very legal and substantially more effective route is ‘saturation patrols,’ basically identifying troublesome areas in town and patrolling them heavier during times prone to drinking (events, holidays, etc). The FBI actually used Tennessee as a case study, the fact is if you really want to save lives and stop drunk driving, DUI checkpoints are a horrible solution,” Meredith, the chairman of the Rutherford County Libertarians, said. “It is truly mind-boggling the people who see these statistics and still defend DUI checkpoints. Our own FBI agency tells us that these DUI checkpoints are worthless for preventing/catching drunk driving and people still defend them? Our money would have been better spent having six officers patrol areas known for having a problem with drunk driving, which the FBI again proved in its studies. ‘Please master, put the chains on!’” Many other drivers seem to agree.
“Can anyone honestly say that 0.4% is a successful tool at combating drunk drivers?” — Jesse Overbey “It appears to have been a revenue checkpoint, not a DUI checkpoint.” — Paul Hugenberg III “It’s about authority, control, and money. Even if the activity exacerbates the advertised objective, it reinforces who is in authority and control, and transfers money from you to them.” — Richard Hartman. “They might get more DUI if the place of the checkpoint wasn’t posted knowledge. People know to avoid the area.” — Anastasia Rigsby McLean. “It’s much easier to write a mass of citations if you just stop everybody and fish for violations. This isn’t about protecting or serving anyone, and it’s been this way for too long.” — Travis Baker Still some side with the cops, and tell others to respect authority. “I am getting so sick of seeing this video posted. That little smartass kid deserves to be locked up just for being such a disrespectful little ass. No respect for authority whatsoever.” -Forrest Dykes “They should of taken him out of his car and whipped his ass, probably would of done him some good.” — John Bayne It would seem, though, perusing the Internet comments on the subject, that those individuals are in the minority, and many making those points are government agents themselves. “The driver did absolutely nothing wrong. The police overstepped the boundaries of the law. End of story.” — Drew Lewis “Officers just use their authority to boss people around, they have this cocky attitude to people. Our officers are supposed to protect! This here is not protecting . . . Murfreesboro is really bad for this.” — Christina Milam Others point out that many officers are
AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS SAYS . . .
THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE posted a video taken from a Tennessee Highway Patrol dashcam showing Ross and Kalbaugh engaging in a discussion on the Constitution. According to Ross: “The Constitution says when you come through here, if I ask you questions, and you refuse to do what I’m asking you to do, guess what, you’re going to obey what I’m asking you to do. Listen to what I’m saying!” Um, no it doesn’t say that. To review, let’s go over just the first 10 Amendments of the United States Constitution, otherwise known as the Bill of Rights. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
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In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
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In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
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Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
decent people, truly trying to serve their community, and Ross’s actions in this video shouldn’t speak for every member of local law enforcement. “He wasn’t drunk or high. Just because you have a badge doesn’t mean that you can act all high and mighty and get away with it. Yes, some cops in Murfreesboro are very respectful and amazing at what they do, but there are way too many cops these days going too far to bring people into jail just so they can meet their quota at the end of the month. The cop in this case had absolutely no right to do what he did,” said Dean Hornsby. “We as Americans have rights in the Constitution, and I don’t care who you
are, but you deserve those rights. You are innocent until proven guilty. The cop had no right to search his car. He didn’t do anything except state his rights. All this kid was trying to do is show everyone how corrupt Rutherford County’s legal system is, and I think that makes him a hero,” said Horsby. “These cops are getting away with way too much.” Others say if the law wants to charge someone with a DUI, they may not need to look any further than Ross. “I’ve seen A.J. Ross get drunk and go get on his motorcycle and ride off multiple times,” said someone in the service industry in Murfreesboro. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
WHY WE MAY AS WELL JUST ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, AND THROW THE BILL OF RIGHTS OUT OF IT
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COMMENTARY BY BRACKEN MAYO
et’s not pretend that Mr. Kalbaugh is Rodney King, or a Jewish family in Nazi Germany, or a Kurd in Hussein’s Iraq, or . . . pick your individual throughout history who has really been brutalized by government agents. The “violation of his rights” he experienced was minor. There was no physical beating of the driver, not an extreme amount of damage done to his property (other than some scratches in the paint on the hood of the car from where the K9 jumped and clawed), but viewers across the country spoke out, saying Kalbaugh was “bullied,” “intimidated” and had his constitutional rights violated. And, just as sheriff’s deputies do not let all “minor” violations go, the freedom-loving people of American should not let this “minor” incident go. A week after the incident, Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold released a statement saying “Deputy A.J. Ross did not violate the civil rights of a driver . . . he did his job,” despite acknowledging that his department was flooded was calls, visits and complaints regarding the incident, the office shut down its Facebook page due to the bombardment of comments, with Arnold even receiving threats against him and his family. I hope that gave him a little indication that yes, something is wrong with that way of doing the business of serving and protecting. In the hundreds of thousands of comments floating around about the video, not many make the case that drinking and driving should be allowed. Most agree that is dangerous and stupid. But the logic that “my family member was killed by a drunk driver; let’s randomly search people’s cars” is flawed. And having 6 to 8 officers at a roadblock all night, stopping 250 people to make 1 DUI arrest (and purchasing advertising featuring a re-write of a Johnny Cash tune trying to intimidate people into respecting their “authoritah” [as Cartman would say]), is not a wise use of resources. People will be rude and disrespectful at times. (The officer and the driver were both kind of jerks, really. The driver, to make a entertaining video; Ross . . . well, because he likes to be in control and wield power, probably.) But going through his stuff had nothing to do with him being drunk or not. I think the Constitution is a great idea. I would love to live in a world where the Constitution is actually observed. The Bill of Rights is beautiful, one of the most special documents in the history of our nation, one of
the most special nations in the history of the world, as legend has it. But I am telling you now, with certainty and sadness, we do not live in that world. Instead of protection from excessive punishment, there’s indefinite detention, the Patriot Act, military tribunals, enhanced interrogation. Instead of due process, there’s a bunch of weird, complicated clauses buried in each year’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, granting more and more power to the executive branch. Did all of those in the Occupy movement have the right to peaceably assemble? There are no states’ rights anymore. The federal government thinks it’s sovereign to the states, and that the endless stream of policies and decrees coming out of Washington must be followed by everyone in the U.S. What’s up with the NSA having unrestricted access to everyone’s e-mails, texts, call records, search records?! There is usually freedom of religion, but some in Murfreesboro still try and block that. And there is definitely no right to bear arms. Do you think Ross would have observed Kalbaugh’s Second Amendment rights if he had a trunk full of pistols? I can hear the exchange now: Ross: “Why are you bearing so many arms?” Kalbaugh: “For purposes of starting a militia.” Ross: “Well, roll right on. Have a nice night.” Um, no. There is no Second Amendment freedom any more. Tell me where you have the right to bear arms. And what if the First Amendment were treated as the second is? You can have freedom of the press . . . as long as you undergo a background check, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 BOROPULSE.COM
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LIVING
BIKE NIGHT
Coconut Bay’s monthly celebration of cycles continues.
8 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
PHOTOS BY CHRISTY SIMMONS
T
he third Thursday of the month during the warmer portion of the year means its time to hop on the bike and ride, and go to a little summer party outside. The parking lot of Coconut Bay Cafe, near Stones River Mall, is packed with motorcycles and bike enthusiasts checking out and discussing one another's rides at the monthly Poppaclutch Motorcycle Club Bike Night. The participants in this event do not discriminate; American, Asian and European bikes can be seen in the same place, and whether you prefer a Hog or a crotch rocket, a souped-up racing bike or an old moped, it's all about having fun. The next bike night will be Thursday, Aug. 15, at Coconut Bay Cafe, 210 Stones River Mall Blvd. DJ vs. Drumz, or DJ Cliffy D and Jason
"Kidd Sonic" Peterson, plan to kick out the jams once again. "Cliffy D and Kidd Sonic are tearing it up. I am so happy to be part of this event!" attendee Jacob Perkins said at July's bike night. For more information on the gathering, like Poppaclutch Motorcycle Club, Coconut Bay Cafe and DJ vs. Drumz on Facebook.
STOP HEARD ROUND THE WORLD CONTINUED
But nearly a week after the video was made, the sheriff ’s office released a statement saying it did not plan to seek any disciplinary action against Ross. In a report after his investigation of the encounter, Lt. Nathan Pagel of the Office of Professional Responsibility stated, “I can find no evidence of violations of any state or federal law, rights violations or violations of the RCSO Standard Operating Procedure.” Business as usual, evidently. “He didn’t violate anybody’s rights,” Sheriff Arnold said. “He did his job.” Whether this will prove a wise career move on the young sheriff ’s part remains to be seen. “Mr. Arnold just said the officer did nothing wrong. So I guess that’s that. What’s the point of having a constitution?” Jared Dorothy said. The next election for Rutherford County Sher-
ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW CONTINUED
register your press, take a government test, pay a government fee and carry a government permit. So in the context of all that, yeah, what does it matter? Someone’s car got searched, unreasonably, or whatever. An officer yelled at a driver. “But we live in a different age. There’re terrorists and boogeymen out there! They want to overthrow the government and the American way of life,” say some. I won’t go so far as to side with them and say it needs to be overthrown, but I will say that the U.S. Federal Government does need to be disassembled until there is not much left other than the Bill of Rights, an adequate national defense system, our beautiful national parks and some reasonable environmental requirements to keep certain people from absolutely destroying the land for the rest of us. Everyone has their own interpretation of the Constitution, some more strict than others. I’d say, though, the video did document an unreasonable search. One of the best elements of the video is pointing out the twisted logic of the K9 search: law enforcement needs probable cause to execute a search; a trained K9’s signal counts as probable cause; officers can tell the K9 to hit wherever they want; therefore law enforcement can give itself probable cause any time it wants to. The video also pointed out the continuation of the unfortunate pattern of government officials just making it up as they go, and forgetting they work for the people, not the other way around. And as the whole country is watching and debating
iff will be held in August 2014 (and by the way, Arnold is facing an unrelated lawsuit filed the day before the DUI checkpoint video, in which a former sheriff ’s office employee claims he was fired “in retaliation for confirming to Sheriff Arnold that he was running for the political office of sheriff ” in the 2014 election). “I will definitely be basing my vote in the Rutherford County Sheriff election on what happens with this,” Johnny Questbrooks said of the checkpoint video. While this one particular video may or may not change any policies or personnel with the local sheriff ’s office, it has demonstrated that with the rise of YouTube, smart phones and affordable recorders, it is becoming easier and easier to share encounters with the world, and that one ordinary citizen can have incredible power to sway public opinion. “Always keep the camera rolling,” Kalbaugh said.
our local sheriff’s department, know this: our county commissioners have recently voted to raise property taxes primarily to hire 11 more Rutherford County Sheriff’s officers and give government employees raises. I wish it were a joke. Complaining and debating online may feel good and like you’re getting involved, but any change will not happen until people can unite and vote out the power-hungry, moneygrabbing, self-serving jokers at all levels of government, and vote in someone, anyone, who cares about freedom more than controlling other people. I do not want my property taxes going up so our corrupt sheriff’s department can have more henchmen. I’ve felt inspired for a long while. But Chris Kalbaugh’s video made a lot of other people pay attention, and that is encouraging. Really, Kalbaugh may have more in common with a superhero than a victim. It seems he’s standing up, as did Superman, for “Truth, justice and the American way.” He rattled the cage a little, he pursued controversy, but who can blame an aspiring filmmaker for that? So thanks to him, thanks to Bradley Manning and thanks to Edward Snowden for doing their part to swing the pendulum away from the military-industrial complex/police state that our beloved land of freedom is becoming, and taking a stand for liberty. Thanks also to everyone who puts themselves in all sorts of unpleasant situations to serve and protect. You are heroes too. Stand up for freedom, and live every moment like you are on camera. BOROPULSE.COM
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SOUNDS AUGUST CONCERTS
Send your show listings to listings@boropulse.com
THURS, 8/1 BUNGANUT PIG Granny Low JOZOARA Rik Gracia MAYDAY BREWERY Hey Chuck!
FRI, 8/2 BUNGANUT PIG Nathan Thomas Band FANATICS LaFever Band IGNITE LOUNGE DJ Gina Sutton PUBLIC SQUARE Dirty Proper, Trembling Knees THE BORO SCRMA Radio Benefit: Langoliers, Josephene, Wild Fron, Unkle Skunkle WILLIE’S WET SPOT Tempted
SAT, 8/3 BUNGANUT PIG Karl & the Undertones FANATICS Ivan LaFever GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Mesa Project MAIN STREET LIVE The Hillbilly Casino, Country Punks, The Pat Travers Band THE BORO New Wave Rebellion, Smacked By Smiley, Lilak Sunset WILLIE’S WET SPOT Zach Robbins & Rolling Thunder
MON, 8/5 THE BORO Warmachine, Rahji Gahler, Our Lady
TUES, 8/6 BUNGANUT PIG CJ Vaughn Trio
WED, 8/7 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night BUNGANUT PIG Julie Gribble Duo ROOSTER’S BBQ Writers Night with Mike Short & Lindsay Jurek WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & Lenny
THURS, 8/8 BUNGANUT PIG Martin Rodriguez Trio
JOZOARA Rik Gracia
FRI, 8/9 BUNGANUT PIG Reckless FANATICS John Salaway LIQUID SMOKE The Saul Zonana Experience MAIN STREET LIVE Thank You Scientist, The Tea Club, Ocean Architecture, Trigger Digit MAYDAY BREWERY The Harmaleighs THE BORO Ocean Architecture, Thank You Scientist WILLIE’S WET SPOT The Road Dogs
SAT, 8/10 BUNGANUT PIG Zone Status FANATICS Markey Blues Band FLY CULTURAL ARTS CENTER Cash Kings (Johnny Cash tribute) GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Money Wrench HIPPIE HILL Happy Goat Band, Who Shot Lizzy JOZOARA Slice Of American Pie MAIN STREET LIVE Mize & the Drive MAYDAY BREWERY Sam Pace & The Gilded Grit THE BORO Tuscarora WILLIE’S WET SPOT CJ Vaughn Trio
TUES, 8/13 BUNGANUT PIG Delyn Christian
WED, 8/14 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night BUNGANUT PIG Liberty Valance ROOSTER’S BBQ Writers Night with Mike Short & Lindsay Jurek THE BORO Uncle Don Clark, Jonny Gowow, Blue Matches, Lucid Dimension WILLIE’S WET SPOT
Shane & Lenny
THURS, 8/15 BUNGANUT PIG
View Concert Listings Online: 10 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
Scattered Pieces JOZOARA Rik Gracia THE BORO Tall Dark Stranger, Guiltless Cult, Holiness Movement, Freebase Masons
FRI, 8/16 BUNGANUT PIG Far Cry FANATICS Zone Status GREGORY MILL PARK The Springs MAYDAY BREWERY The Granny Whites THE BORO Ian C. Parker, The Swiftlets, Likes of Us, Dr. Gonzo, Iraconji WILLIE’S WET SPOT Noise Pollution
SAT, 8/17 BUNGANUT PIG Dennis the Menace FANATICS Jonathan Gower GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Phoenix Rising MAYDAY BREWERY Mize & the Drive THE AVENUE Johnaroo THE BORO Tod Nichols, LSD, Redstone, Plow’d, Intent City WILLIE’S WET SPOT Evil Twin
SUN, 8/18 THE BORO Will Leggett, Alias, Northfield, Static Revival
TUES, 8/20 BUNGANUT PIG CJ Vaughn Trio
WED, 8/21 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night BUNGANUT PIG Franklin & Farris ROOSTER’S BBQ Writers Night with Mike Short & Lindsay Jurek WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & Lenny
PUL SE PICK
FRI, 8/23 BUNGANUT PIG Gravel Road Gypsies MAYDAY BREWERY Lindsey Neff, Candace Brown FANATICS Junkbox
3 Brothers 114 N. Church St. 410-3096 Arts Center of Cannon County 1424 John Bragg Hwy., Woodbury 563-2787 Bunganut Pig 1602 W. Northfield Blvd. 893-7860
BOROSTOCK AUG, 14–18 @ THE BORO BAR & GRILL
Borostock kicks off at The Boro on Aug. 14 and will continue on through Sunday, Aug. 18, with lots of local favorites, but opening night will be one of the best with folk songwriter Uncle Don Clark, seasoned pianist Jonny Gowow, Nashville female-led indie punk band BLUE MATCHES and metal rockers Lucid Dimension. WILLIE’S WET SPOT Greez Monkeez
SAT, 8/24 BUNGANUT PIG Casual Exchange FANATICS Keg Belly GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Citizen Rejects MAYDAY BREWERY Thelma & the Sleaze, Red Wine Hangover, Blackfoot Gypsies, Static Revival WILLIE’S WET SPOT Gypsy Rose
TUES, 8/27 BUNGANUT PIG Martin Rodriguez
WED, 8/28 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night BUNGANUT PIG Franklin & Farris GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Mesa Project ROOSTER’S BBQ Writers Night with Mike Short & Lindsay Jurek WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & Lenny
THURS, 8/29 BUNGANUT PIG
Charleyhorse JOZOARA Rik Gracia
FRI, 8/30 BUNGANUT PIG The Boro Band FANATICS Paul FM MAYDAY BREWERY The Steam Boars THE BORO Agents of Athens WILLIE’S WET SPOT My July
SAT, 8/31 BUNGANUT PIG Backlit FANATICS Top Shelf GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Mesa Project MAYDAY BREWERY Uberphonics THE BORO Worried Minds WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shoot For Tuesday
WED, 9/4 3 BROTHERS
Ryan Coleman’s Writers’ Night
ROOSTER’S BBQ
Writers Night with Mike Short & Lindsay Jurek
Cajun Cove at Four Corners Marina 4027 LaVergne Couchville Pk. 641-6002 Fairways Golf & Grill 127 SE Broad St. 962-7853 Fanatics 1850 Old Fort Pkwy. 494-3995 Fly Cultural Arts Center 204 S. Main St., Shelbyville (931) 684-8359 Georgia's Sports Bar 577 S. Lowry St. , Smyrna 267-0295 Gregory Mill Park 390 Enon Springs Road, Smyrna, 459-9773 Hippie Hill 8627 Burks Hollow Rd. (615) 796-3697 Ignite 810 NW Broad St. 962-8352 JoZoara 536 N. Thompson Ln. 962-7175 Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822 Main St. Live 527 W. Main St. 439-6135 Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 479-9722
Rooster's Lonestar BBQ 223 W. Main St. 867-1836 The Avenue 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. 893-4207
THURS, 8/22 ARTS CENTER OF CANNON COUNTY Sixty Four Beatles Revue BUNGANUT PIG Box Of Angry Roosters JOZOARA Rik Gracia
IF YOU GO:
PUL SE PICK
DIRTY PROPER
AUG., 2 @ MURFREESBORO PUBLIC SQUARE
Providing the entertainment at August’s free First Friday concert on the Square are Trembling Knees along with Dirty Proper, the duo of Natalie Aulvin and Trey Call. Dirty Proper is fresh off the release of Just Feel Love, and a recent tour of the U.K. Playing 12 shows in 17 days in pubs and clubs from Swansea to London, exposing their music to a whole new audience. Bring the family for this evening of music and community.
The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 895-4800 The Pour House 2404 Halls Hill Pike 603-7978 Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090 Willie’s Wet Spot 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 355-0010
FROM THE LESSON ROOM TO THE AVENUE
Johnny Guitar’s students rock at fifth annual Johnaroo story by ELIZABETH SCOTT JOHNNY GUITAR’S FIFTH ANNUAL live music event featuring its students is coming up on Sat., Aug. 17. Johnnaroo will be held at Central Park in the Avenue from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Some new kids will be joining many returning performers from last year at the event. This year will feature four bands, all of whom have Chelsea Lawson been practicing for six or more weeks. Johnnaroo is the “highlight of the year,” said Joey Onkst Terri Fitzgerald, co-owner of Johnny Guitar’s. The students who participate in Johnnaroo work hard to learn their music from start to finish. No music stands are used during the show. The youngest participant this year is 7 years old; Aiden Eisinga will actually be coming back this year for a second time on drums. While previous Johnnaroo years have held themes, this year will also be unique in content. All lead or co-lead singers this year are female, which is something that has never happened before. “The girls are going to rule the bands this year,” Terri said. This year, thanks in part to sponsor BombShells Hair Studio, T-shirts are being made for the first time, and participants also get a CD recording and a DVD photo album of Johnnaroo 2013. Bob and Terri Fitzgerald do not make a lot of money from this event, they say, but it gets the kids comfortable playing music and playing in front of people. “I love doing this; it’s fantastic,” Terri said. Anyone interested in music lessons can contact Johnny Guitar’s at (615) 896-5151. The Avenue is located at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy., Murfreesboro.
BOROPULSE.COM
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ALBUM REVIEWS
by JESSICA PACE
THE SECRET COMMONWEALTH
CHASE PERRYMAN AND THE PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH THE SITUATION
Last Call
Vol. I
The Secret Commonwealth, longtime fixtures on the Murfreesboro music scene—particularly for their traditional St. Patty’s Day show at The Boro—have been playing music in some lineup or another since 1993. Now, the lineup consists of Troy Guinn, Rob Campbell, Uncle Don Clark and Franko Hashiguchi, and they just released Last Call, a 13-track LP. Produced to a polish at Stu-Stu-Studio and Paradox Productions by Seth Timbs, Brian Carter and Jeremy Dickens collectively, Last Call is a musical book of folk tales alive with poetry, love, tragedy, wartime and adventure, beginning with “Man Overboard,” a twittering Celtic ditty penned by Seth Timbs, followed by “The Lion’s Breath,” on which Guinn’s vocals spin out gold, glowing, pristine and resonant, like a more rustic Neil Diamond. It’s an old, dusty folk ballad. “Til Jamie Comes Hame” is a traditional narrative ballad for any fan of musical storytelling from “Geordie” to “Hurricane”; it’s percussive and swept through with Franko Hashiguchi’s whistle. “Dubhachas (I’ll Dream of Times Like This)” is flowery, sparkling, sugary and wistful; “Springtime Unknown” soars and Malin Timbs’ vocals are smoother than caramel in the ghost-story-like “In the Old Ruins.” “Field of Bannockburn” is a battle tale abuzz with bagpipes from Julian Gomez, sweeping with Rebecca Mogey’s fiddle and kicking with Rob Campbell’s looming snare. But “One Shot,” written and sung by Don Clark, is perfection, piercing through a thick Southern darkness with his banjo picking as he sings: Well this ol’ world is like a graveyard/And it hurts me in my heart/Hurts me in my heart/One shot, just one shot/I can set down my heavy load. Ditto for the Halloweenish fright tale “Scarecrow Walking”: Daddy’s coat and Uncle’s britches/An old owl’s nest and a bale of straw/Floppy hat, rope suspenders/A pumpkin’s face and a devil’s claw. The record finishes with “All These Years,” a bittersweet tune, more Southern folk than Celtic folk, with an uplifting farewell. Find more on TSC at tscband.com.
RATINGS: AVERAGE 12 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
A CLASSIC BELOW AVERAGE
Chase Perryman and the People Familiar With the Situation (who include bass player Nathan Donaldson, lead guitarist and organ player Daniel Shearon and drummer Cory Flippo) have a blues and classic-rock-infused new EP, Vol. I. The release, which dropped in June, is rife with Memphis-blues riffing that drips like a leaking culvert. “Killing Kind” opens the EP as a love song in Motown time with hammering piano by Nate Strasser and complementary backing harmonies. Cue another bleating riff on “How to Love You,” whose meandering melodia and unhurried tempo conjure a sultry heat not unlike the heavy, summer film plastered over Nashville bar hangers. “Pistol” betrays Southern-rock roots as Perryman insists You’re too much woman for me in something somewhere between an emphatic cry and a twangy snarl that suggests a mash-up of Bob Seger and Skynyrd. Then it’s back to barfly blues on “Why They Call Me” with another catchy, downcast guitar part wrapping around a dark, shadowy bass line. The record finishes with Perryman singing The world’s a bitter place/I know we’re all a selfish race/I know the ones we love, we hurt the most/Because they’re the ones we can’t replace on “Inertia Postponed,” though the album’s first half—which wouldn’t sound out of place in a Broadway bar—is most effective. And that’s a good thing. This is a good record, and maybe someday the guys will get the robotic jet skis they say they’re after. For more on the band, visit getfamiliarmusic.com.
We’re working hard to promote good music in Middle Tennessee. Bands: Send your albums and promotional materials to The Murfreesboro Pulse, 116-E North Walnut St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
OUTSTANDING AVOID AT ALL COSTS
DEAD
Ignite the Lights for Domestic Violence Victims
L
ove1 Events will present a community event on Friday, Aug. 2, to raise funds for the cause against domestic violence. Rutherford County’s newest upscale lounge, Ignite Murfreesboro (810 N.W. Broad St., Jackson Heights Shopping Center), is hosting a night of dance music, drink specials and raffle giveaways for a great cause. This charity event, sponsored by Walk In Closet boutique, Lotus Energy Drink and DJ GINA SUTTON, has also received support from local businesses Denim Divas, Revived Vinyl, Gold’s Gym, Eclips Barbershop & Salon, Brown Bag Studio, Icon Tattoo, Mary Kay, Nerium International, Graphic-FX and Wings & Things. A suggested donation of $10 at the door for Purple Light Nights will enter guests in these raffles. Additional tickets are available for $1 each. Guests are encouraged to wear purple to the event, and the venue will offer a free drink to those who participate (must be 21). Purple Light Nights events happen in communities all across America. Residents, businesses and agencies hang purple lights (purple being the color associated with the cause against domestic violence) in their windows, in their lobbies and on their
LOCAL MUSIC VIDEO downtown streets during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) as a way of showing support for those affected by domestic violence. Purple Light Nights Nashville is sponsored by Go Purple USA, a Tennessee-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize and encourage communities across America to come together to take a stand against domestic violence. Its objective in Middle Tennessee is to work with government agencies, police, local domestic violence shelters and advocacy groups, businesses, residents and churches throughout Middle Tennessee. Funds raised will help support the effort against domestic violence in our community. For more information about Go Purple USA and Purple Light Nights, visit gopurpleusa.org, call (615) 715-7834 or e-mail gina@love1events.com.
Scan Here
to view a video of Murfreesboro band Rajhi Gahler’s song “Toxic Mindset.” Be on the lookout for more videos from Hoy Poloy in the Pulse and on Boro Pulse.com. Bands, if you are in need of mobile recording and video services, find out what the Hoy Poloy can do for you. Find Hoy Poloy Productions on Facebook and Hoy Poloy noise on YouTube.
BOROPULSE.COM
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AUGUST 2013
* 13
SOUNDS
A Ticket to Write LOCAL BAND THE WANNABEATLES CREATE ALL-ORIGINAL NEW ALBUM story by STEVE MORLEY
14 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
(From left) Bryan Cumming, David Toledo, Dennis Scott and Nathan Burbank have put Beatles tunes on hold briefly to lay down a collection of their own songs.
The WannaBeatles performing at the Avenue in Murfreesboro
trained keyboardist and composer Nathan Burbank, who came along a bit later, ably covered left-hand bass on the keys, but actually began teaching himself to play bass guitar—a more dynamic and sonically superior alternative when the band tackles basic, four-piece Beatles arrangements. Though hardly a slouch himself, Toledo (a music instructor by day) raves about the collective potential he recognized early on in Scott and Cumming, who are both songwriters and experienced producers. “Dennis is a Grammy winner and Bryan is amazing with his gifts, so I started thinking, ‘Why are we spending all this time just re-creating the songs that we grew up with? What did The Beatles do? They created music! So that’s what we do,” he says in reference to the band’s own creative efforts, now made available on We’re Still Rockin’. “The new album,” says Scott, “bridges the gap between our continuing desire to play the Beatles music we love, and follow in their steps as songwriters and creators.” Adds Cumming, “Our mentors, as we call them, are loaded with these complexities— their music is their music, but it didn’t happen in a vacuum. It came out of their influences. And so we’re coming out of them and we’re happy to reveal these influences, and for us, The Beatles are just one influence.” (To hear samples from We’re Still Rockin’, go to thewannabeatles.com and click on the “merchandise” tab, or check out the video on the Pulse’s web version of this story.) “I don’t want to sound presumptuous,”
PHOTO BY LUCY HART
ANOTHER BONNAROO is well behind us here in Middle Tennessee. Many, though, would contend that this year’s event wasn’t just another Bonnaroo. Amid all the hipness, hoo-hah and bands-of-the-moment, the festival’s biggest news was the appearance of former Beatle Paul McCartney. Even now, a half-century since The Beatles began to shake the very foundations of popular music and culture, earthlings of all ages and creeds still pledge allegiance to the Fabs. Those who are musically inclined may wave the Beatle banner by purposely emulating aspects of their sound (and there are many ways to accomplish that, given the scope of the group’s innovations). Others have taken to the tribute trail, wielding everything from Vox amps, wigs and Liverpudlian accents in an attempt to quench a seemingly endless Beatle thirst. Nashville’s own The WannaBeatles, though, are treading upon the Abbey Road less taken among tribute bands. They have a fervent local following and are fast becoming established throughout the Southeast, based on their winning way with the repertoire of the Fab Four, but they’ve recently released an album of all-original songs, titled We’re Still Rockin’. It may seem an unusual move for a band built around cover tunes, but The WannaBeatles were a bit different even from the beginning. As an initially nameless band in 2007, entertaining diners at Mexicali Grill in Cool Springs (a location that inspired the comic pseudonyms Juan, Pablo, Jorge and . . . wait for it . . . Gringo), the quartet began to do more than simply serve refried Beatles. Dennis Scott, the band’s leader and resident funnyman, began adding song parodies, Ed Sullivan impersonations and schtick that engaged and delighted the crowd. Meanwhile, Scott’s bandmates brought their distinct skills and personalities to the stage. For instance, hyper-jovial guitarist Bryan Cumming could whip out a sax or trumpet when called for, and Cuban-born drummer David Toledo (besides playing the meanest version of the Fabs’ Latin-inspired “I Feel Fine” you’ll likely ever hear) had the vocal chops to sing soaring McCartney-penned melodies. Classically
begins keyboardist Burbank, “but what if John and Paul were still together, writing in a band? We can’t experience that, because they’re not. The WannaBeatles are a second chance for baby boomers to experience a band writing its own music in a collaborative way.” Not surprisingly, though, the boomer-aged band—just like its namesake—has admirers ranging across generations. As Cumming recalls it, it was a 5-year-old fan who really drove home the broad appeal of what he and his mates were doing. “A few years ago we had a little girl come up and dance with us, and Dennis said, ‘You can win a free T-shirt if you name the four Beatles.’” Scott picks up the thread: “And she thought about it for a second and then she said, ‘David, Dennis, Nathan and Bryan.’” Says Toledo, laughing, ‘The house came down!’” Despite the innocent charm of that moment, though, Cumming remembers it as being “a revelation, because it was so accidental and natural, but it made me realize, gosh, here
we are at this time in history and this 5-yearold girl will come listen to the Beatles’ songs and listen to our songs and it’s all the same thing to her! It’s all one piece of cloth woven with threads of music. What naturally came out of The Beatles,” he continues, “is what I hope naturally comes out of us, which is great music that connects with all generations.” The Beatles, affirms the grey-haired musician, “set the dream in motion that you can be a band, you can be creative, you can have a lot of fun doing this and you can create great songs. So, we’re continuing the dream.”
IF YOU GO: WHAT: The WannaBeatles WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. WHERE: Capitol Theater 110 W. Main St., Lebanon, TN PRICE: $20 ONLINE: thewannabeatles.com
BOROPULSE.COM
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AUGUST 2013
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FOOD
Tomato Cheddar Pie Recipe and Photos by CHRISTY SIMMONS
INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs of fresh tomatoes (heirlooms have the best flavor)
PLACE crust into pie plate and crimp edges.
3 cups of freshly grated sharp cheddar (I use a mixture of yellow and white)
BRUSH bottom and sides of crust with beaten egg.
4 oz softened cream cheese
LAYER tomatoes over cheese, overlapping slightly.
1/3
cup mayo
Salt and fresh ground pepper 1 egg, beaten Your favorite savory pie crust recipe or a refrigerated store bought crust
DIRECTIONS: CORE and slice tomatoes into ¼ inch slices. LAY tomatoes on a cookie sheet covered in a double layer of paper towels. SPRINKLE with salt and cover with
SPRINKLE crust with ½ cup of cheese.
SPREAD half of cream cheese mixture over tomatoes. Continue layering in this manner and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. BAKE in a 425-degree oven for 30–40 minutes. Tent with foil if crust gets too dark. REMOVE from oven and let rest for 1–2 hours or it will be too soupy to cut. Best served lukewarm. I serve this with a simple green salad. ADAPTED FROM BON APPETIT
The “Nuance” Edition column by JUSTIN STOKES
I
do not consider myself an expert on coffee. On the contrary, I consider myself very ignorant of the art of making coffee, and my desire to learn about one of my favorite beverages spawned this column. Having shared that, I also may be one of the only regular coffee columnists in the Middle Tennessee area, and I would very much like to do this properly. As someone who writes a column called “Coffee Talk,” I’m interested in other people’s thoughts on local coffee and the merchants who sell it. I’ve heard several accusations against local coffee shops being “Starbucks clones,” finding a repetition of similar flavors that others deem “variety.” You’ll hear some critics share sentiments such as “Real coffee doesn’t have a bunch of syrups” or “Flavored coffee is garbage.” I would consider this a tenet of “coffee purism.” For the record, I like all kinds of coffee. I’m not partial to one brand or blend. I’ll happily drink coffee with sugar, cream, honey, syrup or nothing at all. I don’t believe in limiting myself in terms of taste, and I don’t think consumers should have to either. With that in mind, I do feel that subtlety is something more people should look for in 16 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
LET stand for 30 minutes to drain the moisture out of the tomatoes. WHISK together the cream cheese, mayo, basil and salt and pepper to taste.
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Fresh, local tomatoes, like the ones above from Happy Harvest CSA, are a must for this recipe.
another double layer of paper towels.
their coffee. Sean Hand, owner of Nuance Coffee and Tea and the newest kid on the block, considers himself a “roaster of specialty grade coffees and purveyor of luxury loose-leaf teas.” The mission statement of Nuance is to “bring flavor back to a world of over-roasted coffee, with lighter roasting techniques, and educate coffee and tea lovers worldwide.” So, how does the coffee stack up? We sampled two blends from Mr. Hand; his Peru blend (Cajamarca region) and his Costa Rica blend (Central Valley). I gave both 4/5 Pulses, with both offering their own subtleties. The Peru offered a faint sharpness (almost a tangy quality), while the Costa Rica possessed its own bitter, nutty quality. Over the two, I preferred the Costa Rica blend. I look forward to additional products that Nuance Coffee and Tea will bring to Rutherford County, and I’m excited to see what the future brings for the business. I’ve already had the pleasure of sampling the coffee stout beer Nuance teamed up with Mayday to make, which is my favorite beer so far. Online ordering is available at nuancecoffeeandtea.com. You can also find them on Facebook.
COFFEE
TALK
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FOOD
The Marble Slab staff is happy to mix in some sprinkles (or brownies, nuts, candy, coconut, whatever you like) into your ice cream on its marble slab.
I
Cool Treats
ICE CREAM, FROZEN YOGURT, FairwaysSHAVED Golf & GrillICE offers pizzas, AND MORE burgers, wings and more, plus fun IN THE ‘BORO on its spectacular golfing simulator. story by BRACKEN MAYO | photos by CHRISTY SIMMONS
f you want to take someone special for a frozen treat before the summer is out, there are plenty of options in Murfreesboro. Your new favorite place may be just around the corner. Since the Avenue was built a few years back, that area has seen a number of frozen boutiques spring up. Locations of Maggie Moo’s and Sweet Cece’s keep the (Better Batter) ice cream and (Cheesecake Bliss) yogurt flowing at the Avenue, with Marble Slab, named for the marble slab behind the counter where ingredients are mixed into the ice cream, is a popular spot just down the street, with a nice aroma of waffle cones baking and lots of colors and choices. Of course, there are two locations to try some of the original 31 flavors from the classic Baskin-Robbins. While over near MTSU, Aspen Leaf is all WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT FOR A FROZEN TREAT IN THE ‘BORO? Marble Slab for coffee ice cream with hot fudge & Heath! — Donna Jean ‘Schaw’ Groff Baskin Robbins will always be my first love! — Rawda Assi Chocolate Frosty from Wendy’s to dip my fries in! — Krystal Leigh Whitehair Reeves Sain for milk shakes, Aspen Leaf for frozen yogurt and Marble Slab for ice cream. — Wizzard Curtis
The first Sweet CeCe's opened in Nashville in 2008 and has been spreading sweet treats ever since.
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Funky Munky Hawaiian Shaved Ice! The bright pink food truck! BEST shaved ice in town! — Amy Melton Rockett
about the fruit, with toppings such as kiwi and berries, plus a nice watermelon sorbet. And although the tone of the Pulse can be a little anti-corporate, and local-first, McDonald’s deserves some recognition as the winner of the “You Can Take Your Family Out for Ice Cream With the Change in Your Car Floor” award. McDonald’s now offers its soft-serve cone for 59 cents, or get it dipped in chocolate for 99 cents. Also, a few shaved ice trucks are out there keeping the streets of Murfreesboro chill and colorful. If all this is a little too much, take a little trip back to a simpler time at Reeves-Sain Drug Store’s old-fashioned milkshake and soda counter. Let the Pulse know what your favorite spot is, and remember to, every now and then, stop and have some ice cream. So many colors, so many flavors. What’s your choice?
Aspen Leaf, near the intersection of Tennessee Boulevard and Main Street, is loaded with fruit toppings, and has an excellent watermelon sorbet.
FROZEN TREAT ROUNDUP ASPEN LEAF 2136 Middle Tennessee Blvd. BASKIN-ROBBINS 2170 Old Fort Pkwy., 1723 Memoriamorial Blvd. CULVER’S 2411 Medical Center Pkwy., 2993 S. Rutherford Blvd. DAIRY QUEEN 510 Cason Lane, 1735 Memorial Blvd., 2910 S. Rutherford Blvd., 1804 Old Fort Pkwy. FUNKY MUNKY HAWAIIAN SHAVED ICE Varies, call (615) 2000-ICE for today’s location KARIN’S KUSTARD & HAMBURGERS 470 S. Lowry St., Smyrna KONA ICE Varies, call (615) 971-0092 for today’s location MAGGIE MOO’S 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. MARBLE SLAB 452 N. Thompson Lane McDONALD’S 106 SE Broad St., 2595 Old Fort Pkwy, 2180 Old Fort Pkwy., 1716 S. Rutherford Blvd., 2900 S Rutherford Blvd., 2485 S. Church St., 1706 Memorial Blvd., 3371 Memorial Blvd., 2674 New Salem Hwy.
(Left) Maggie Moo's. (Above) Catch the Kona Ice truck at an area ball game, school, event or chuch, (right) kids love the big colorful truck with the Flavorwave spouts.
SNO-BALL EXPRESS Old Fort Pkwy. in the Toys ’R’ Us parking lot SWEET CECE’S 2615 Medical Center Parkway REEVES-SAIN 1801 Memorial Blvd. SONIC DRIVE-IN 2630 S. Church St., 1311 NW Broad St., 1918 Memorial Blvd., 215 Cason Ln., 1650 Middle Tennessee Blvd., 1889 Almaville Rd, Smyrna.; 791 Nissan Dr. Smyrna.; 799 Team Dr., Smyrna; 5210 Murfreesboro Rd, La Vergne STEAK AND SHAKE 2091 Old Fort Pkwy. WENDY’S 1315 Memorial Blvd., 1845 Old Fort Pkwy., 1905 S. Church St.
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MOVIES
AUGUST RELEASES
REVIEWS
Playing this month:
RED 2 Starring: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lee Byung-hun, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren Directed by Dean Parisot
Rated PG-13
I’m a big fan of humility in movies. I feel it adds to the charm of the movie when you’re given an honest picture of what you’re getting into. It lets you have more fun with the film while in the theater. That was kind of the appeal of RED 2. The sequel to the 2010 Bruce Willis action vehicle sees Willis reprise his role as Frank Moses, the “retired, extremely dangerous” CIA agent who has now begun to enjoy domesticated life with his girlfriend, Sarah Ross (Parker). When his best friend, Marvin Boggs (Malkovich), resurfaces to tell Moses of a leaked document that associates them with Cold War-era secret project “Nightshade,” which may be one of the deadliest secrets of the last few decades, Moses and company are pulled back into the world of silent kills, doublecrossers and cover-ups that define black operations. This movie has a great cast, great action, and a pretty healthy amount of black humor
AUG. 1: 2 Guns
for a summer movie. But there are several elements that could have been smoothed over. This movie touts itself as being based on a comic book, “which from what I understand, the comic is nothing like the movie.” It has
PACIFIC RIM Starring Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day, Idris Elba Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Rated PG-13
The word “kaiju” has become synonymous with a genre of monster movies that never took off in theaters stateside but nevertheless developed a following greater than cult yet still fell short of the mainstream. Every child since the ’70s (maybe earlier) is familiar with the kaiju poster-monster Godzilla, and not because of the abominable 2000 reboot. Though Hollywood has its one great giant ape, the much-beloved Japanese genre in which humongous beasts topple skyscrapers has not yet been done justice by the U.S. studio industry. . . that is, until Pacific Rim. In 2020, 7 years into the Kaiju Wars, the world has banded together against a single enemy, creating (what else?) giant mecha (robots) called Jaegers to do battle against the monstrous creatures coming through a portal in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. In perfunctory sci-fi, save-the-world fashion, a
RATINGS:
A CLASSIC
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ragtag group of misfits are assembled, in this case by the excellent Idris Elba (The Wire) as Stacker Pentecost. Sons of Anarchy’s Charlie Hunnam ably carries the lead as Raleigh, an ace Jaeger pilot who lost his brother in battle. Rinko Kikuchi (The Brothers Bloom’s mostly
OUTSTANDING
these animated transitions, which, much like those in the Guy Richie film Revolver, don’t really fit the story that well. There are also one or two scenes in the film where you may find the music selection doesn’t really fit what the film could have been. My biggest problem with the film was with the last 20 minutes, which feel extremely rushed. Without giving anything away, the resolution of the film seemed to “settle.” Still, it’s a fun movie, and you should know exactly what you’re getting into. It surpasses the original at certain points, and ultimately, it’s worth a view.
AUG. 7: Percy Jackson
Sea of Monsters
— JUSTIN STOKES
mute Bang Bang) is another perfectly cast character, the strong and vulnerable Mako, Raleigh’s co-pilot (or vice versa). Charlie Day brings a toned-down version of his It’s Always Sunny . . . persona and some pitch-perfect levity as the Kaiju-obsessed Dr. Newton Geiszler. The rest of the cast is equally worth mentioning, all at the top of their game for what is essentially just a boilerplate summer blockcorn popbuster, albeit an awesome one where robots and monsters punch each other. But amidst all the punching, there is a beating heart beneath the movie’s clichéridden, explosiony veneer. Del Toro is one of the few directors today (J.J. Abrams and Joss Whedon included) who understands that for the action to be good, there must be something at stake, and the genesis of stakes is in story and character. (Also in keeping the cuts to a minimum so we can tell wtf is going on.) Guillermo del Toro may be the master at this; at making a fantasy world, no matter how ridiculous, feel real. Looking at his filmography, to say that Pacific Rim is his most ridiculous yet, is quite a thing. It’s also his most fun. — JAY SPIGHT
AVERAGE
BELOW AVERAGE
AUG. 9: Planes
AUG. 16: Kick-Ass 2
AUG. 23: You're Next
AVOID AT ALL COSTS
DEAD
LIVING ROOM CINEMA column by NORBERT THIEMANN
facebook.com/livingroomcinema
Institutions
M
ental institutions have long been an alluring backdrop for many film scripts. Here are two in which the characters actually desired to be placed within those asylum walls. These movies truly set the bar for the genre.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) is directed by Milos Forman, and stars Jack Nicholson. This iconic film rallies an ensemble cast of epic proportions. A prisoner wishing to skirt work detail opts for a stay at the mental institution. His rebellious spirit eventually leads him to champion the cause of his mental brethren. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is often referenced, and is an absolute must-see for everyone and their sisters.
Shock Corridor (1963) is directed by Samuel Fuller, and stars Peter Breck. A journalist seeking fast fame decides to infiltrate the asylum to reveal its conditions. Instead, the provocative place eventually takes hold of his psyche. This was shot at the height of Fuller’s surreal filmmaking, a period during which he was pushing all the boundaries. It cost him here at home for a time, careerwise, but he became a darling to the French, and then to film buffs of future generations. BOROPULSE.COM
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GAMES REVIEWS
BY NADER HOBBALLAH
COMPANY OF HEROES 2 Back in 2006, Company of Heroes smashed into the real-time strategy (RTS) scene with a slick presentation, wonderful physics and environmental effects, and great gameplay that made it an instant classic and one of the best RTS games ever made. After seven years of expansion, and a failed free-to-play attempt, the official sequel, Company of Heroes 2, has arrived with a bang. Where the original explored the all-too-familiar Western European angle of World War II, pitting the Americans against the Germans, COH2 goes for the far more oppressive and unforgiving Eastern front, pitting the Soviets against the Germans. It was the most destructive and violent front of World War II, and COH2 does a good job of reflecting that with great audiovisual presentation. The soundtrack is bombastic during battles, yet haunting and cold during the game’s quieter moments. The animations are wonderful, with individual units rubbing their hands together for warmth during the winter maps. The units themselves have a lot to talk about, and hearing their conversations, frustrations and jokes on and off the battlefield gives life to the world. The campaign follows the viewpoint of a Soviet soldier, who slowly becomes more and more distraught over the crimes he sees his fellow countrymen committing in the name of the motherland. The first thing I noticed was how closely the campaign follows the Russian campaign of the first Call of Duty, from starting off being bombarded at the docks in Stalingrad to finally reaching and taking the Reichstag in Berlin. The campaign does a good job of keeping you engaged from mission to mission, with varying tactics, environmental effects, and different objectives to achieve. Some of the missions offer surprisingly tense moments for an RTS, such as hunting down a creeping Tiger tank or assassinating
MARVEL HEROES Marvel Heroes is a free-to-play online roleplaying game set in the Marvel Universe that came out recently, and as a Marvel fan I decided to give it a shot. After selecting one of a limited set of Marvel characters as your starting hero, you are treated to a very well-done intro cinematic that sets the tone of the game. You get comfortable with the controls, learn the basics, and sit back and watch as your favorite supervillains break out of prison. The entire design has a classic Diablo II feel, which is not surprising, since one of the lead designers for that game worked on Marvel Heroes. Considering that Diablo II: Lord of Destruction is one of
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well-guarded officers with a limited number of units, so props for that. The writing and acting does come off heavy-handed at times, but it does manage to deliver a fairly well-done character story in a game about massing units and throwing them at the enemy, so more props for that. The wonderful cover system is back and is as good as ever, and the destructible environments are lovely to behold—many missions allow you to plot your own path by blowing up gates, walls and trees—so even more props for creativity. New to the mix is the weather system, involving snow and the blizzards. Certain missions will have you trying to navigate a blizzard while keeping your forces from freezing to death. Overall, I found the campaign satisfying, but there could have been a few more missions added to the campaign. In fact, I feel like the scope could have been larger to incorporate much more of the front, but considering the story the developers wanted to tell, I can understand. Thankfully, some of that emptiness is satisfied with the game’s “Theater of War” mode. Here, playing either as the Soviets or the Germans, you can engage in a series of early war scenarios in either co-op, solo or A.I. battles. From desperately trying to defend a rail station to capturing and holding victory
my favorite games of all time, I was looking forward to this game. Unfortunately, things went south very quickly after the prologue. Despite what were a couple of hours of decent entertainment, the first thing I noticed about Marvel Heroes was just how damned expensive it is. The characters, the costumes, pretty much everything has a price tag on it. I understand a game cannot be completely “free-to-play,” but some of these characters cost as much as an entirely new game. I love Spiderman. I wanted to play Spiderman in this game, but paying $20 for the web-slinger, are you kidding me? You cannot even try out these heroes beforehand. What if Spiderman actually turned out to be boring? I have seen footage of the Iron Man character, and it was mundane to say the least, and that guy costs $20 as well! Spiderman and Iron Man are among the most popular heroes, so they are among the most expensive, which tells you a lot about what Marvel and the designers intend Marvel Heroes to be: not some vehicle where quality will deliver profit, but a pure moneymaker based on a name brand.
points, there is a wide variety of missions to play. The mode is a fun addition, and a nice add-on, especially if you are not ready or have no desire to engage in the online multiplayer section. The multiplayer gives you three main options: auto-match vs. players to fight against real opponents, auto-match vs. A.I. to pit you and players against computer opponents, and custom games, where you can create your own match however you wish. All around, the multiplayer is fast, frantic and very demanding; I found myself losing more often than not. Fortunately, the game is very accessible, with a tutorial section titled “Tactics” where you can learn the basics of the game. To add to this accessibility is one of the most vast leveling and customization systems I have ever dealt with in an RTS. “Army Customization” allows you to select the commanders you can use on the battlefield, intelligence bulletins that give bonuses, and an army painter where you can change the color and pattern of your army. As long as you finish the match, win or lose, you gain experience that unlocks new commanders and bulletins. This definitely eases the sting of losing, and gives purpose to stay in matches until the end. I had a very good time with Company of Heroes 2. The “Theater of War” makes up for some of that scope I wanted. Add with a hectic but fun multiplayer and a massive leveling and customization system, the game is a must-buy for any fan of RTS or World War II games. To be fair, though, you can unlock most of these characters, and costumes, in game, but that involves having to grind through the biggest issue of Marvel Heroes, its design. I can handle having to be online to play the game, but what I cannot handle is the inexplicably boring gameplay that comes with having players enter what amounts to a free-for-all mosh pit, where there are dozens of players all vying to kill the random bad guys that pop up. “Thanks guys for taking away the challenge with help I did not ask for.” Additionally, seeing half a dozen of the same superheroes running around takes away the meaning of playing that hero yourself. “Oh look, there are three other Spidermen around me.” The boss fights are the most egregious example of this terrible design. I remember fighting Rhino and Venom while a hurricane of other players descended on them. There was no strategy, no tactics, no tension, just a straight up beatdown. However, some notable fights such as against the Green Goblin—in the prologue, of all places—were actually pretty good. The dungeon sections are better, though, since you can solo them or have a small group accompany you, which helps maintain some level of challenge. To call Marvel Heroes a Diablo game with a Marvel paint job would be doing a disservice to Diablo. Marvel Heroes has potential; I will not deny it that. However, that potential is squandered with a disastrous design more intent on siphoning your wallet rather than giving you fun. UPDATE: It has been brought to my attention that Spiderman is no longer $20, closer to $15 actually, and many prices have been lowered across the board recently according to marvelheroes.com.
THEATER
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
ONSTAGE IN AUGUST ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 10, 12–17, 19–24; 2 p.m. Aug. 11, 18 and 25 Murfreesboro Center for the Arts 110 W. College St. boroarts.org
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 17, 19–24, 26–31 2 p.m., Aug. 18 and 25 The Arts Center of Cannon County 1424 John Bragg Hwy. artscenterofcc.com
PET OF THE MONTH:
Oren
Single White Feline
MLT AWARDS SHOW Aug. 10 Murfreesboro Little Theatre 702 Ewing Blvd. mltarts.com
OREN IS THE NAME and I am a male orange and white domestic shorthair. I am about two years and six months old and I’ve been at PAWS since January 2013. I am so handsome and I'd really love to be adopted into a loving forever home. Since I have been here more than 30 days, you get a discount! Rutherford County PAWS is located at 285 John Rice Blvd. For more on pets up for adoption, call (615) 898-7740 or visit petharbor.com.
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The Train says plan on using your first two draft picks (in a non-PPR league) on running backs, like Darren Sproles, perhaps.
SPORTS PREPARE FOR FANTASY 2013
SPORTS TALK column by Z-TRAIN
titanman1984@ yahoo.com
T
he Train Daddy is back once again with the pain daddy, and ready to give you, the good people of Murfreesboro, sports in a unique way. Anyone who has read my article knows that I love sports and that football is my specialty. With the return of football just around the corner, it’s that time of the year when millions begin to prepare for fantasy football, a game almost as popular as the game it shadows. An estimated 30-35 million Americans play the game. As the dust settles from last season, it’s a fresh start. This article is dedicated to giving you insight on how the Train Daddy preps
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for a season of fantasy football. Heck, I said I would give you an article on fantasy football last issue. Well, let’s break it down. Before we get into this, let me give you people who don’t have a clue how fantasy football is played a quick explanation. The two most popular styles of the game are a basic, standard league and PPR (points per reception). I will explain the most common, a standard league: Typically there are 10 or 12 members in a league and a draft (live or online) where you select individual NFL players in a specific order; each member of the league has a set amount of roster spots and, as the spots are filled, they create a lineup using all these positions: QB, RB, WR, TE, a kicker and a defense. The season starts on NFL week 1, and each week you go head to head with another member of your league, and the winner is decided by total points scored. At the end of the season there is a playoff where, typically, the top four seeds face off, and ultimately one team stands alone as the winner! After doing some research on the game I was a little surprised at some of the numbers I found. The Fantasy Sports Trade Association research group did a study showing the race of an average fantasy player is 93
Ray Rice
percent white, 2.3 percent Latino, 1.6 percent black, and 1.1 percent Asian. The majority of these 30-35 million players were male (87 percent), the average age being around 33 years old. Let’s not let President Obama or today’s media get hold of these numbers; they might cry out racial profiling and put a civil rights suit on the game of fantasy football. OK, I won't get any further into it, but if you are as sick as I am with mainstream media and this never-ending topic, then you understand. Anyhow, now you should have a better understanding of who plays fantasy football. This year 6 million players are projected to be female, a stat that the NFL is salivating over. Anything to add clientele. The NFL embraces these fans, and why not?; reportedly, the fantasy player watches three more hours of foot-
Rashard Mendenhall will be carrying the rock down in Arizona this season.
ball a week than the average fan; it’s all about the Benjamins, baby! So why all the hype? Why do people play fantasy football? For me and my friends that answer is simple: We all love football, we love competition, it’s a way to stay current with old friends . . . and who doesn’t get a little excited when money is involved? For my league, 12 people play for a $50 buy-in. Money makes it exciting but the recognition of winning is priceless. Here is a little recognition for the top three from last season in the Mafia: the champion, Slobber Knocker, runner-up Big Bad Blaston and third place winner Ginja Ninjas. I also told my good friend Courtney, the lone female in the Mafia and the most dedicated Steelers fan I know, that I would give her a shout-out; she did finish in fourth last season, and is confident going into a new 2013 season. Even though any Steelers fan is a dirty towel swinger, dedication to a team represents a true fan, and as ignorant as Steeler fans, Raider fans, Jet fans or Raven fans can be, these kinds of loyal fans, well, they are what make the NFL great. Loyalty is a rare quality. Here are some potential fantasy names for your team. A great name is very important. Dirty Sanchez, Wanna See My TD’s, Romo Sexual, 4th and Dong, Romo Witten His Pants, Titsberg Feelers, Two Girls one Kaep. OK, so that’s my list of names, a good name is the start to a good season. A lot of people say it is 70 percent luck/30 percent skill. Well, they’re wrong; it’s more like 55 percent luck/45 percent skill. There is a reason
the same people in my league typically have success. First, I am assuming that you are football-knowledgeable, you know players, their teams and which position they play. That has to be second nature. So, prior to the draft, study not for endless hours, but get online, look at the overall Top 200 board, then look at all the Top 50 boards of each individual position. Learn them. The day before your real draft, do a couple of mock drafts online. They’re free. This help you not freak out during the real draft. Create scenarios prior to the real draft of who you would take with a top pick or what you would do if you drew the last pick. Strategy changes quickly at that point. My philosophy, which has always served me well, is this: In a standard league I always take the top two running backs with my first- and second-round picks. Quality running backs are gone quickly, and I always seem to find a solid quarterback around the fourth or fifth round. (This game plan would not, however, be the case in a PPR league.) One of my last tips for success is to be one of the most active members when it comes to waivers and adding or dropping players. The more transactions you make the better, as it keeps you on your toes. Sorry if this was one of my less exciting articles; I guess talking fantasy isn’t near as fun as playing it. Look for my article next month: everything NFL, and everything Tennessee Titans. Next month will be the opener to the 2013 season! Train’s out the station!
BLUE RAIDERS KICK OFF 2013 SEASON AT HOME
Practices Open to the Public Include: FRI., AUG. 2 2:50–5 p.m. SAT, AUG. 3: 3:20–5:45 p.m.
VS. C-USA FOE WESTERN CAROLINA
family can meet MTSU players and coaches, and get posters, schedules and other freebies from MTSU and Blue Raider sponsors. Autographs, inflatables, free hot dogs and drinks, and loads of fun will be on hand as IT’S FOOTBALL TIME IN MIDDLE Tenthe Blue Raider family gets ready for the nessee, and the MTSU Blue Raiders are set 2013 football season. Fans will also be able to begin the 2013 campaign. MTSU will join to purchase the 2013 Blackout shirts and Conference USA this season, and will kick other Blue Raider gear, game and season off the action on Thursday, Aug. 29, against tickets and get information on joining the Western Carolina in Murfreesboro. Blue Raider Athletic Association. The Blue Raiders finished the 2012 Then, on Saturday, Aug. 17, the MTSU season 8-4, and quarterback Logan Kilgore Office of Alumni Relations will host the annual is now a senior with a great deal of experience under his belt; he threw for over 2,000 Pigskin Pre-Game Stockyard Party in Floyd Stadium. This event will begin at 6:30 p.m. yards in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. and all proceeds benefit the Alumni Legacy MTSU and Head Coach Rick Stockstill Scholarship, awarded to invite the public to some of children or grandchildren of the team’s practices leading For tickets and more MTSU alumni. Tours of the up to the 2013 season. information on the Blue stadium and a meet-and-greet Additionally, on Sunday, Raiders, visit with coaches and players will Aug. 11, the Blue Raiders goblueraiders.com or present Fan Day from 2–4 follow the Blue Raiders on be part of attendees’ activities. To register or for more inforp.m. on the main floor of the Twitter @MTAthletics mation, visit mtalumni.com. Murphy Center. The whole for continued updates.
Last year's Pigskin Pre-game Stockyard Party Blue Raider QB Logan Kilgore
2013 MTSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
THURSDAY, AUG. 29
THURSDAY, OCT. 24
Western Carolina, 6:30 p.m.
Marshall, 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
SATURDAY, NOV. 2
@ North Carolina, 11:30 a.m.
@UAB, Noon
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14
SATURDAY, NOV. 9
Memphis, 6 p.m.
FIU, 3 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21
SATURDAY, NOV. 23
@ Florida Atlantic, 11 a.m.
@ Southern Miss, 2:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
SATURDAY, NOV. 30
@ BYU, 8 p.m.
UTEP
East Carolina, 11 a.m.
SATURDAY, OCT 12 @North Texas
SUN., AUG. 4 3:40–5:45 p.m. MON., AUG. 5 10:35 a.m.–2:35 p.m. TUES., AUG. 6 10:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. WED., AUG. 7 9–10:40 a.m. 7:45–9:10 p.m. THURS., AUG. 8 3:20–5:20 p.m. FRI., AUG. 9: 9–11:10 a.m.; 7:50–9:15 p.m. SAT., AUG. 10 6:20 p.m. (Scrimmage) TUES., AUG. 13 4–6:05 p.m. THURS., AUG. 15 4–6:30 p.m.
RUN STRONG
LOCAL ROAD RACES HELD EVERY SATURDAY THIS AUGUST LAST MONTH, at the S.A.V.E the Night 5K, held July 27 at Gateway Island Park, Eric James led the field with a 5k time of 18:17. Katie Ann Bass led the ladies completing the course in 20:44.
UPCOMING RACES THIS MONTH: Smyrna Parks 5K and 1 Mile Dash for Cash 5K Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 a.m.; mile at 8:30 a.m. Family Fun Run to follow Sharp Springs Recreation Area, Smyrna $20 Registration fee covers both 5K and mile Register at active.com Fenton Payne & Fred 5K Saturday, Aug. 10 5K at 7 a.m.; Kid’s Fun Run at 8 a.m. Starting at the MTSU Campus, Murfreesboro $35–5K; $25–Kid’s Fun Run Benefiting the Blue Raider
Athletic Association, Primary Care & Hope Clinic and Special Kids. fpfrun.com, or register at Fleet Feet Murfreesboro Titans Back to Football 5K Saturday, Aug. 10 5K at 7:30 a.m. Half mile fun run at 9 a.m.; $60—Includes a Titans home game ticket nflrunseries.com/titans Run Because You Love It! Saturday, Aug. 17 5K at 8 a.m. 1-mile Fun Run at 9 a.m. Stonewall Farms, Milton (615) 423-4573 or jwinters@mtsu.edu Howl at the Moon 5K Friday, Aug. 23, 8 p.m. Veteran’s Memorial Park, La Vergne; $25 Run a 5K under a full moon lavergnetn.gov or (615) 793-3224
Run for the Feast 5K Saturday, Aug. 24, 7 a.m. Saint Rose Catholic School, 1601 N. Tennessee Blvd. $40 – 5K; $15 – 1-Mile Kids Fun Run; Free pancake breakfast for all participants Try Boro Kids Triathlon Saturday, Aug. 24 Sports*Com, Murfreesboro Junior Division (7 to 10 years old): 100 yard swim, 2.4 mile bike, 0.5 mile run Senior Division (11 to 14 years old): 200 yard swim, 4.8 mile bike, 1 mile run, $25, tryborokidstri.org Bruce Gilley Run For Him 5K and 10K Run Saturday, Aug. 31, 7:30 a.m. Belle Aire Baptist Church, 1307 Rutherford Blvd. $30 – 5K; $35 – 10K Bennefitting the Bruce Gilley Memorial Foundation runforhim.org
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OPINIONS La PALABRA Una columna del idioma español por CAMERON PARRISH
Inside the Black Cat Tavern
Dentro la Taberna del Gato Negro
IN ENGLISH: IT’S AN OBSCURE LANDMARK, but one that harkens back to an era that is both dark and fascinating all at once. The Black Cat Tavern operated as a popular nightclub on the outskirts of Murfreesboro in the period during and after prohibition. It is best described as a cave to which a man-made entrance was added, creating an enclosed space. It consisted of three rooms which included a dance hall, a dining room and a kitchen in addition to the natural cave area with an underground stream. Situated alongside a major highway but hidden by dense foliage, it remains virtually invisible to the average passerby. Little can be confirmed regarding details of this establishment’s history, although enough rumors and second-hand stories exist to indicate it was a place that your mama would have probably told you not to go. That didn’t discourage those back in the ’20 from hanging out at the underground jazz joint that some have termed a “speakeasy.” It’s even believed that Jean Faircloth MacArthur, the 2nd wife of American general Douglas MacArthur, of WWII fame, partied here on occasion. Overwhelmed with curiosity to learn more about the Black Cat, we decided to take a small expedition to this underground hideaway and see for ourselves. Arriving at the location, we cautiously slipped through the bars that block the entrance. We then examined each room of the dank edifice with our flashlights, clearing away a jungle of cobwebs as we made our way through. I’ll be the first to confess that the Black Cat is a little spooky. It’s not a place that I recommend going for a night out. But the tavern wasn’t always such an eerie place. The walls were once covered in cedar planks, and heat was provided by a set of fireplaces which surely provided a warm ambiance during its heyday. It’s easy to imagine this place as a fun underground venue for nightlife. We’ve all got romantic ideas about this era that are given to us by pop culture. But in reality it was still a relatively dark period in American history. Poverty and disease were rampant. At the local hospital, women were often given scopolamine, tied to tables and left to hallucinate for days before giving birth. Sexy times, eh? The Black Cat Tavern was nothing fancy. It was basically just a hole in the ground where people went to get drunk. But still it represents a part of American cul26 * AUGUST 2013 * BOROPULSE.COM
Boulders have been pushed into the former main entrance to the Black Cat, but, like any proper undergounrd speakeasy, it had a back door.
ture. Even the darker elements of our past in my opinion should not be forgotten. The property is currently managed by the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department and is closed to the public. Safety and adequate funding are likely the reasons that Black Cat has remained a low priority for historic preservation. The collapsed floors and broken beer bottles left by previous visitors make it a hazardous hangout. Many fascinating monuments to American cultural history such as this are lost either through urban development or simply being allowed to deteriorate. Some remain hidden because they represent dark and uncomfortable periods in the past, while others are simply hazardous and inaccessible. With enough encouragement from others who are aware of its historical significance, I think a gradual restoration of the Black Cat site might be feasible. It’s certainly worth a call to city officials at the Murfreesboro Department of Parks and Recreation to express your support for the idea of preserving this old-time venue. What you do you think?
EN ESPANOL: Es un monumento obscuro, pero uno que evoca una época que es oscuro y fascinante tambien. La Taberna del Gato Negro funcionaba como un popular club nocturno en las afueras de Murfreesboro en el período durante y después de la época de prohibición de alcohol. Se describe como una cueva, al que
se construyó una entrada artificial a propósito de hacer un espacio cerrado. Consistía de tres áreas que incluyen un salón de baile, un comedor y una cocina, además de la zona de cueva natural con una corriente subterránea. Está situado junto a una carretera importante pero ocultos por el denso follaje, es prácticamente invisible para los transeúntes. Muy poco puede ser confirmado con respeto a detalles sobre la historia del establecimiento. Sin embargo hay bastante rumores y historias de segunda mano que indican que era un lugar que tu mamá probablemente habría dicho que no vaya. Esto no desalentó a aquellos en los años 20 de andar en el club del jazz subterránea que algunos han llamado una “speakeasy”. Algunos creen que quizás hasta que Jean Faircloth MacArthur, la 2da esposa del general Americano Douglas MacArthur (de la segunda guerra mundial ) se divertía aquí de vez en cuando. Abrumado con curiosidad para aprender más sobre el Gato Negro, decidimos tomar una pequeña expedición a este escondite subterráneo y ver por nosotros mismos. Al llegar a la ubicación entramos con cautela a través
de las barras que bloquean la entrada. Luego examinamos cada habitación del edificio húmedo con nuestras linternas, quitando una jungla de telarañas como hicimos nuestro camino. Seré el primero en confesar que el Gato Negro es un poco espeluznante. No es un lugar que recomiendo ir para salir de noche con amigos. Pero la taberna no fue siempre un lugar tan inquietante. Las paredes estaban cubiertas de una vez en planchas de cedro y calor fue proporcionada por un conjunto de chimeneas que seguramente proporcionan un ambiente cálido durante su apogeo. Es fácil imaginar este sitio como un divertido lugar subterráneo para la vida nocturna. Todos tenemos imagines románticas sobre esta época dado lo que vemos en la cultura popular. Pero en realidad era todavía un período relativamente oscuro en la historia estadounidense. La pobreza y la enfermedad eran rampantes. En el hospital local mujeres a menudo recibieron escopolamina, atada a las tablas y dejado a alucinar durante los días antes de dar a luz. Tiempos románticos ¿no crees? La taberna del Gato Negro no fue un lugar fino. Básicamente era sólo un agujero en el suelo donde la gente fue a emborracharse. Haber dicho eso todavía se representa una parte de la cultura americana. Incluso los elementos más oscuros de nuestro pasado en mi opinión no deben ser olvidados. Hoy en día la propiedad está administrado por el Murfreesboro Departamento de Parques y Recreación aunque está cerrado al público. Seguridad y financiación adecuada son probablemente las razones por las que Black Cat ha mantenido una baja prioridad para la preservación histórica. Los pisos se derrumbó y botellas de cerveza rotas hacen que sea un lugar peligroso. Muchos monumentos fascinantes a la historia cultural americana como esto, se pierden a través del desarrollo urbano o simplemente se permiten deteriorarse. Unos permanecen escondidos porque representan períodos oscuros e incómodos en el pasado y los otros son simplemente arriesgados e inaccesibles. Con suficiente estímulo de personas que son conscientes de su significado histórico, creo que una restauración gradual del Black Cat podría ser posible. Sin duda vale la pena una llamada a los funcionarios de la ciudad en el Departamento de parques y recreación de Murfreesboro para expresar su apoyo a la idea de preservar este local antaño. ¿Qué opinas tú?
It’s a Wonder Detroit Made It This Long
Y
ou wanna hear something hysterical? Ed Schultz and the rest of the talking heads over at BSNBC are blaming Republicans for the bankruptcy of Detroit. Here’s their rationale. Republicans outsourced jobs, cut public services and attacked the unions. Actually, Ed, it was the unions who caused the outsourcing with their unreasonable demands, which led to Detroit’s population dropping in half since 1950–which led to fewer taxpayers, thus less government services.
cially inflated union wages and it’s a wonder Detroit lasted this long without going broke. I was reading a newspaper report that said nearly $6 billion of Detroit’s $20 billion debt is due to health insurance obligations to retired city employees. The article lamented that Detroit may push those people off on the Obamacare exchanges. Now, understand that these ex-employees are eligible for Medicare at age 65. That means that $6 billion is for people who are retired but not yet at retirement age. Here’s a thought. Go back to work! That’s symptomatic of the problem. Too many sweetheart union deals were negotiated. The companies that made that mistake either closed down or moved but the city was stuck. At this point all bets should be off. I hate it for those folks who thought they could retire at 45 and live off the taxpayers, but the bulk of The problems plaguing Detroit are obvious. the taxpayers are gone. They killed the proverbial goose that laid the Which leads to the next point. It never golden egg. Let’s face it. Detroit automakers occurred to these liberals when they were made some stupid mistakes over the years. waging class warfare that once they ran the They scoffed at the Japanese and European rich people off, there would be no money left imports in the ’70s thinking they were invinto pay for city services. They may still have cible. Bad design coupled 700,000, residents, but with horribly built cars those who stayed behind VIEWS OF A led to a steep decline in are disproportionately poor American-made automoand disproportionately uncolumn by biles. The unions convinced employed. If Detroit is ever PHIL VALENTINE their membership that the going to come back they’re philvalentine.com car companies existed to going to have to eliminate provide them a job. In fact, they came to bethe city wage and corporate taxes. They’re lieve that it was their job, not the company’s. going to have to welcome rich folks back with In the meantime, the Democrat machine open arms instead of demonizing them. took over Detroit politics. The last Republican Now that Michigan is a right-to-work state, mayor was in the late ’50s. Since 1970 there’s there’s hope. The unions that ran industry been just one Republican on the city council. away in the first place need to be dissolved, For the last 50 years Detroit has been a oneand good old-fashioned capitalism needs to party town. Guess what? The party’s over. be reintroduced to Detroit. The moochers In typical fashion, the liberals who have and looters have run the city into the ground. run Detroit for the last half-century demonThe producers are what built it and they can ized the rich and exploited the poor. Inflated rebuild it, but in order for that to happen those wages and unreasonable pensions drove running the city have to stop listening to the industry south or completely out of the counlikes of Ed Schultz. Or all hope is lost. try. The city instituted a wage tax, on top of the state and federal income taxes, in 1962. Phil Valentine is an author and nationally Detroit also tacks on an extra corporate tax. syndicated radio talk show host with WestYou couldn’t ask for a less hospitable place for wood One. For more of his commentary and business. Couple the high taxes with artifiarticles, visit philvalentine.com.
CONSERVATIVE
Too many sweetheart union “ deals were negotiated . . . I hate it for those folks who thought they could retire at 45 and live off the taxpayers, but the bulk of the taxpayers are gone.
”
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OPINIONS
You’re Not Going to Believe This column by FRANK SHEPARD | frank@boropulse.com
IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE that believ- ever leaves the house intending to have a fender-bender. ing in oneself is a key to success. We’re all familiar with No one ever means to get addicted. No one ever knowingly the “Famous Failures,” right? You know, Thomas Edison, marries the wrong person. It’s clear that these mistakes Michael Jordan, Walt Disney, Eminem, The Beatles, Abe are not expressions of our true selves. Sometimes, our own Lincoln and Einstein, and all they had to overcome in brain chemical imbalance makes us do base things, buts order to achieve success? If they had stopped believing it’s not who we really are. Mistakes are things that we all in themselves, we wouldn’t know their names. Belief in would like to avoid. But they happen. Don’t waste time one’s faculties can be that push we need to look the chalshaming yourself or internalizing self-hatred. lenges in the eye and muster the courage to overcome Sometimes we turn our own disappointment into them. I believe we have everything we need to realize our anger toward the very people we just hurt! It can get ugly, best self. It’s not the easy path. which only brings more shame, which makes it even more Cynicism is a much easier way out, and there’s plenty difficult to concede. Through unflinching loyalty to our of evidence to reinforce a negative view of ourselves. But own goodness, we’re equipped to bounce back quickly, I think all that evidence exists because of the prevalence to forgive ourselves, to exercise moderation (next time), of a negative view of humanity. The evidence doesn’t neto mature, and actually benefit from the whole thing. It’s gate the truth that humanity is good, it actually confirms important we remain undaunted in our belief in ourselves, it as proof of what happens when we don’t believe in especially when our goodness is not immediately apparent ourselves. Negativity is a self-fulfilling prophecy. (i.e. have faith). Whoever said, “If your eye causes you to Think of the world as “good.” Not in contrast to “bad,” sin, cast it out,” lost faith in the human capacity to learn but as a stand-alone descriptor. Like the kettle is black, from mistakes. On the contrary, whoever said the followwe are good. Literally, it’s all good. This is what the ing believed in humanity: You are the light of the world. A ancient Hebrew scriptures illustrated: “God saw all that city on a hill cannot be hidden. People light a lamp and put he had made, and it was very good.” That same passage it on a stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house; tells another story reproaching the use of “good” as a they don’t put it under a bowl. In the same way, let your light comparison to evil. Whether you believe in God or not, shine before others, that they may see your good deeds. we all stand to gain by seeing “. . . stop looking for 2 DON’T APOLOGIZE ourselves as good. When we are (and creating) the 'whys' FOR BEING HUMAN occasionally less than good, it We didn’t ask to be here. We is an anomaly, an exception, a behind life’s events. didn’t ask for this conflicted betrayal of who we really are— Sometimes there are existence. We’re doing the best good. When we guard against obvious causes to the we can. We are tempted to seeing ourselves and the world effects, but when “should” on ourselves. But life through the knowledge of good there’s not, don’t is art—everything it is what it and evil, we strengthen our imcreate narratives is. It’s not subject to judgment. munity against the infections of that assign blame.” It is perfectly imperfect. There suspicion, fear and envy. We are is no ideal person that you “should” be. Perfect love empowered to accomplish our greatness. removes all fear of punishment. Step out from under all This is a game changer. Imagine a society that learned judgment. We’re not under anyone’s microscope. Our to see life through this lens and did so for a hundred journey is nobody’s business. This also makes us a much generations. Sadly, the opposite happened. I believe we’re better friend to others. We grow in grace for others at the reaping what we’ve sown. If everyone believed our default same rate we grow in grace for ourselves. moral condition was good, and I mean really believed it, it would change everything. It lays out before us an expecta3 DON’T LIE TO YOURSELF tion for goodness (not a “should” but a self-evident truth). Things are what they seem. Guard against creating narIt shifts our focus off fighting our fictitious badness (an ratives to cushion the harsh absurdity of reality. Tensions, endless waste of energy), to accomplishing our highest resistance, opposition, pain, even death, are all part of this good. Here are three tips for changing this old habit: hard life. Every day, we’re either going to live to see the 1 DITCH THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE next one, or we’re not. Get comfortable with that. Don’t It’s okay to acknowledge the inherent tension between shrink back from difficulty, challenges, poverty, sickness, good and evil, but eventually we learn that a higher good even death. And by all means, stop looking for (and creattranscends its apparent competition with evil. It is a mysing) the “whys” behind life’s events. Sometimes there are tery, but this good prevails even when it loses, but only if obvious causes to the effects, but when there’s not, don’t we have fixed our eyes on it. These are the moments when create narratives that assign blame or ascribe superstitious the Famous Failures were tempted to quit. By remaining meaning. As we mature, there is a diminishing need to tell fixed on the good, they made their experience align with ourselves stories that prop up our fragile joy. reality instead of the other way around. We can all see that In summary, when we see everything as good, and art, “free will” is not an accurate depiction of the human condi- we are more likely to engage life more authentically and tion. We are not entirely “free” to do everything we want. manifest who we really are. No parent ever sets out to yell at his/her children. No one Ready. Go.
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RECOVER RUTHERFORD
Ready for Change column by GLORIA CHRISTY
STEP 7: WE HUMBLY ASKED HIM TO REMOVE OUR SHORTCOMINGS It was 1983—30 years ago. I had wandered through the woods alongside a river bank. There under a scorching August sun with my head in my hands, I sat alone crouched and weeping. Somehow, the space between recognition and willingness to change filled me with fear. Like a powerful invisible force, my fear triggered a heightened sense that I must control the situation—do better and things will get better. I can fix this! Within six weeks, there had been an impregnable net of evil over our family sowing seeds of derision and destruction. My husband’s lifestyle had been reckless, yet up until now it was hidden from plain view from family and friends. For so long, my dreams and future had been linked to him. My tearful eyes were an expression of loss, grief and abandonment. With no place to hide, I was beginning to realize the irrevocable magnitude of my situation. There were unseen forces facilitating every thought and action. In my 10 years of marriage, I had pretended that they were not affecting me, but now they were too strong to ignore, and they were set to destroy my family’s existence. My invisible mask of well-being was torn away. I could not minimize or sustain the delusional dream any longer by simply pretending that things were normal. While a blazing August sun beat down on my head, I sobbed and sobbed helplessly until I felt faint and weak. With determined resolve, I thought, “I will just love him more. My love for him will conquer the evil that is destroying our love. I will do whatever it takes to save our little family!” Only now, 30 years later, I am able to acknowledge that my resolve was audacious and irrational, a symptom of my shortcomings—character defects that had sabotaged my life. In those days, my self-determination and self-sufficiency was my greatest enemy. Being trapped by my own self-will, how could I work on anyone else? Seeing the need for change and allowing the change to occur in my life was a transitional moment that led to healing. Accepting God’s help in this transitional moment allowed Him to begin to transform my mind and way of thinking. That’s the ultimate surrender! In 1983, I came to the point where I said, “I don’t want to live like this anymore.” I just wasn’t sure how to do it. The good news was I didn’t have to do it! If you find yourself there, you are ready for real change. In another August—1969, nestled in the
Catskills—the Woodstock Music & Arts Fair, the iconic event of the hippie counterculture, was an expression of a resolve for change from the America’s youth. It was a frightening time of chaos, a shaking of American’s sensibilities politically, culturally and socially. Against a turbulent background of a country going wild—the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, racial violence, the Cold War, and of course, the Vietnam War— emerged some of the most thought-driven music ever recorded and Woodstock. Promoters Michael Land, John Roberts, Joel Rosenman and Artie Kornfeld billed the Woodstock Music & Art Fair as a music festival, “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music.” It was held at Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills, near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, N.Y., 43 miles southwest of the town of Woodstock, from Aug. 15–17, 1969. During the sometimes rainy weekend, 32 acts performed outdoors in front of an estimated 400,000-plus concert-goers. Some of the most famous of the day performed at Woodstock, including Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in popular music history. Rolling Stone listed it as one of the 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll. “We were ready to rock out and we waited and waited and finally it was our turn . . . there were a half million people asleep. These people were out It was sort of like a painting of a Dante scene, out. just bodies from hell, all intertwined and asleep, covered with mud. And this is the moment I will never forget as long as I live: a quarter-mile away in the darkness, on the other edge of this bowl, there was some guy flicking his Bic, and in the night I hear, ‘Don’t worry about it John. We’re with you.’ I played the rest of the show for that guy.” — John Fogerty recalling Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 3:30 a.m. start time at Woodstock. Children of the 1960s, emboldened with self-determination, believed we could change the world with our mesmerizing, bewitching mantras in song. Just like the ghostly masses on a darkened hillside at Woodstock at 3:30 a.m., we find ourselves bewildered and exhausted, beset by our own shortcomings and inadequacies, unable to change anything ourselves. From heaven in the midst of the drenched and exhausted, a single Light encourages us and declares, “Do not fear! I am with you! Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Celebrate Recovery is that safe-place where people can remove the mask of denial and be open and honest. If you are interested in finally dealing with the pain of your past, there are people who will stand with you as the truth becomes a way of life. In Celebrate Recovery, where anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements, one can address life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups utilizing biblical truths. One can
find change in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the one and only Higher Power. There are now three Celebrate Recovery meetings in Murfreesboro, one every Monday at North Boulevard Church of Christ, 1112 Rutherford Blvd. at 7 p.m.; one every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Belle Aire Baptist Church, 1307 Rutherford Blvd.; and another every Thursday at 7 p.m. at New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 Thompson Lane. For more information about the ministry call Tom Christy at (615) 896-6288.
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ART ART DECO AUTOS AT THE FRIST
YOU NEED NOT REMIND ME that the Murfreesboro Pulse keeps tabs on the heart of the ’Boro. But does not the life blood that pulsates through this town, flow up the highway to Nashville, via the main artery—the 24? We are one Tennessean body with many members. I never notice billboards—ever—but one day as the ebb and flow of life took me along this main highway, my eyes alerted my brain of a wonderful sight, and the red, white and blue blood cells started vrooming their circuit at record speeds! What had caught the eyes’ attention was a splendid billboard displaying the curvaceous contours of a crimson automobile, circa 1930. It was an advert for Sensuous Steel Art Deco Automobiles, and a couple of stunning motorcycles that make the most pricey 2013 Harley look dowdy by comparison. All 16 are parked and shining brilliantly now at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, located at 919 Broadway in downtown Nashville. Tickets for this one are $10 for adults, $7 for students, with 18 and under free! The motors won’t be wheeled away until Sept. 15. I’m tellin’ you, if you want to see some serious steel that the likes of Fred Astaire, Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn used to drive, then, the Frist is the hub you need to tap on over to. Mounting such exquisite machines in the former Nashville central post office, built in 1933 and a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture, was a stroke of genius. The very cars that could have been parked in front 80 years ago are now inside. If you don’t go now, you’ll wish you had. Learn more about the exhibit at fristcenter.org.
"Sensuous Steel" features 20 vehicles from the 1930s and '40s from automakers who allowed elegance, art and luxury to trump economy and efficiency.
—ROBERT NELSON
IN THE POCKET GALLERY
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WORK BY STUDENTS OF THE ATTIC SCHOOL OF ART are on display this
month in the Pocket Gallery of Moxie Art Supply. Participating artists include Carol Berning, Mary Ann Carlton, Pam Mack, Patti Miller, Joyce Ann Okonek, Martha Osborne, Susan Truex and Tina Whitfield. Moxie is located at 316 N. Maple St.
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