Aug 2016 Murfreesboro Pulse

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL JOURNEYS TO THE WORLD OF AVATAR

AUG. 2016 | VOL. 11, ISSUE 8 | FREE

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Middle Tennessee’s Source for Art, Entertainment and Culture News

Tickets

COUNTY PROBATION SYSTEM STILL WAITING FOR REFORM

Bird Song Woodbury sanctuary studio filled with beautiful acoustic sounds, hosts benefit concert Aug. 6.

THIS MONTH

CHEEKWOOD PLAYHOUSES, THE ASCENT, R.O.A.R., POKÉMON, ART CRAWL 

Contents

Word from the Editor HELLO PULSE READERS:

MURFREESBORO PULSE | AUGUST 2016

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26 Win

Tickets

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Features

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Woodbury sanctuary studio hosts benefit concert Aug. 6.

The Hillbenders Tennessee interpret reggae group legendary performs at Tommy album TEMPT Aug. 18. in bluegrass fashion.

BIRD SONG

ROOTS OF A REBELLION

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BLUE WHO?

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27

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Local indoor climbing gym The Ascent kicks off bouldering season.

Cirque du Soleil brings high-flying show to Middle Tennessee.

hosts International Playhouses exhibit throughout August.

Even though PCC has left town, not much has changed for probationers.

CLIMB THAT WALL

WORLD OF AVATAR

In Every Issue

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MUSIC NOTES

Events THIS MONTH

Murph’s Fun Run; HOT 100 Bike Ride; Dubfest and more!

9

Sounds LOCAL CONCERTS

Jackillacs; Great Barrier Reefs; Ill Gates; Hoodoo Men and more!

ALBUM REVIEWS

LeAnder; Glade City Rounders

Justin Reed Show Borostock Julien Baker

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GARDENING

Still plenty of time to garden; the peach

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Fin Fusion serves up stellar sushi for a special night out.

THIS MONTH

Boro Art Crawl returns

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MOVIES

POKEMON: GO

LIVING ROOM CINEMA

Force for positive change?

Reviews Ghostbusters; Star Trek Beyond

Paced Poetry

News

Leave your mind.

MURFREESBORO TRIBUNE

Walmart coming to historic courthouse.

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Living

LIVE EXCEPTIONALLY . . . WELL!

’Boro business buzz

COMMENTARY

Support unique local restaurants

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AROUND TOWN

Art

Food

PLAY HOUSE NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM Cheekwood

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VIEWS OF A CONSERVATIVE

After DNC leaks, election is Trump’s to lose.

BUSINESS BUILDER

Speak to your target market.

Opinion THE STOCKARD REPORT

Lawsuit filed after MPD officer deceives fourth-grader; it’s clear who Republicans favor for local judge.

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Sports SPORTS TALK

Rio Olympics kick off this month.

VISIT US AT BOROPULSE.COM FOR MORE!

Publisher/ Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

Art Director: Sarah Mayo Copy Editor: Steve Morley

Advertising: Jeff Brown Don Clark Leslie Russell Yost

Contributors: Dylan Skye Aycock, Sam Clemens, John Connor Coulston, Jennifer Durrand, Bryce Harmon, Joseph Kathmann, Tony Lehew, Sara Lippert, Zach Maxfield, Mackenzie Meins, Robert Ritch, Justin Reed, Edwina Shannon, Chantell Kennedy-Shehan, Jay Spight, Justin Stokes, Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Norbert Thiemann, Phil Valentine

To carry the PULSE at your business, or submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (615) 796-6248

Copyright © 2016, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 10 N. Public Square, 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

Sign up to receive our weekly digital newsletter at BoroPulse.com/Newsletter

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PHOTO: YOUSSEF SHOUFAN COSTUMES/KYM BARRETT

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Once again, the Pulse delivers to you some of the best things about Murfreesboro, all wrapped in a neat little package, and available for you for free for your reading pleasure.

Keep on turning the pages and I bet you will learn something new about the town.

This month in the area there’s Borostock, the annual (free) independent rock festival at The Boro. There’s some reggae with Roots of a Rebellion, Jahimsa, Floralorix and Jah Judgement Soundsystem happening at TEMPT; a packed weekend of metal over at Autograph Rehearsal Studio; lots of live music, from bluegrass and Americana to doom and electronic; the Friday Night Live concert series continues on Aug. 5, the Boro Art Crawl the following weekend. There’s businesses opening and building occurring all the time, competitive indoor rock climbing, sushi, peaches, a fun run, a bike ride, Dubfest and pride fest.

Enter to win tickets to the upcoming Avatar-inspired Cirque du Soleil event coming up at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at boropulse.com/cirque. If you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil performance, check it out.

You will be impressed!

If you want to float down the Stones or the Duck, do some sunbathing, swim in the pool over at SportsCom, or have a pool party elsewhere, you better get on it, because soon the Band of Blue will send the sound of their drums into the air, the pigskin will kick off, and the cooler fall season will arrive.

Visit The Ascent sometime; climbing is a ton of fun and a serious strength-training exercise and mental discipline builder.

Big announcement from the Mayos regarding a new addition to the family: two little kittens have come to live with us.

Those sweet little furballs have just brought some joy and laughter to us all. At just a few months old they have already learned some complex wrestling maneuvers, pouncing, rolling and slamming one another. In their downtime those adorable beasts sit on my lap while I’m typing at times, occasionally trying to climb my leg with their claws out, deciding to walk across the keyboard while a document is open or perhaps even sneaking under the table while I am barefoot and stealthily jabbing a razor claw into the tender part of the foot.

Sweet little things.

Whomever the next president may be, let’s try to not let that individual obtain too much power.

I’m not sure this method of continuous media obsession over who will be president and every detail of the campaigning circus is healthy. Theoretically, the president shouldn't be able to mandate much of anything, without Congress, the courts and to some extent the majority of the American people going along for the ride.

However you may choose to worship or view God, I hope it involves respecting other’s life, liberty and property.

Even if you don’t directly help anyone in a significant way this month, perhaps try not to harm anyone and show those you encounter a basic level of respect, and let’s see how that works out.

Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 3

Events COMPILED BY

ANDREA STOCKARD

Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

AUG. 6 YOGA IN THE PARK Join The Avenue, Murfreesboro (2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) for free yoga in Central Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6. Bring a light-colored mat, towel and water. Another class will be Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Space is limited and an RSVP is required each month. To register for the yoga session, visit theavenuemurfreesboro.com/news-events or for more information visit facebook.com/avenuemurfreesboro.

AUG. 6 & 20 HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN TOUR OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY Spend an hour walking through the cemetery by lantern light at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 and Aug. 20, at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) while hearing the stories of soldiers and civilians that communicate the terrible cost of the Civil War. For more information or to register, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

AUG. 6 BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH Join the Murfreesboro City Schools at their annual Back-to-School Bash at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) with entertainment, games and giveaways while learning the history of the Village. Bring a picnic lunch, your camera and enjoy the day from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. All ages are welcome. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

AUG. 6 FUN FEST The 9th Annual Family Fun Fest, presented

by Living Truth Christian Center and ALERT CDC, will be held in downtown Smyrna from 4–8 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 6, with up to 1,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies. Enjoy music, free food, a kids zone, inflatables, teen zone, free haircuts, teacher gifts, educational booths, health screenings and giveaways.

For more information, call (615) 459-0591 or visit alertcdc.org.

AUG. 8–12 INTERNATIONAL COWORKING WEEK In observance of International Coworking Week, Cultivate Coworking, 107 W. Lytle St., will offer free coworking all week Aug. 8–12 for anyone who would like to come 4 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

out and try coworking for themselves and see how much more productive they may become by having a dedicated time and space for work. For more information, visit cultivatecoworking.com.

AUG. 9 HISTORIC BOTTOMS STUDY Those who enjoy downtown Murfreesboro are invited to a visioning workshop as part of the Historic Bottoms Planning Study from 5–8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.), Meeting Rooms A and B, to talk about a future land use plan, a development scenario, potential industrial, civic and cultural uses, possible infrastructure improvements, market recommendations and more. The study area includes Murfreesboro’s Civic Plaza, Cannonsburgh Village, the West Main Street area down to Discovery Center. For more information, call (615) 893-6441 or email danthony@ murfreesborotn.gov.

AUG. 9 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce presents Business After Hours at First Community Bank, First Community Mortgage and Ole South Properties (262 Robert Rose Dr.), from 5–7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Business After Hours is an informal, social networking event designed to connect business professionals from across Rutherford County. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

AUG. 9 WINE CLASS Let’s Make Wine, 109 E. Main St., will host a winemaking class on Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 7–8:30 p.m. Learn the four easy steps to crafting your own delicious wine in only four weeks. For more information, call (615) 427-5084 or visit letsmakewinetn.com.

AUG. 12 FREE SUMMER CONCERT Enjoy free music by Grizzly Goat, a creative group infusing a bluegrass flavor into rock ’n’ roll (in the vein of Mumford and Sons) at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) Friday, Aug. 12, from 6–8 p.m. For more information, find Outdoor Murfreesboro on Facebook.

AUG. 12 SMYRNA SUMMER

AUG. 5

Friday Night Live Concert C.J. Vaughan and Highway 58 will perform at the Murfreesboro Public Square on Friday, Aug. 5, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy food vendors and more. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.

CONCERT SERIES Come out to the Smyrna Event Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) for live music

by The Jason Lee McKinney Band at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, with food vendors and inflatables for kids. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 459-9773.

AUG. 13 & 27 HOT ROD CLUB The Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club meets at Central Magnet High School, 701 E. Main St., from 5–9 p.m. on Saturdays Aug. 13 and 27. The fun includes music, door prizes, food, games and more.

Find photos of past cruise-ins and club information at 4mhrc.net. For more information, call Dale at (615) 405-5271 or Sandra at (615) 556-0547.

AUG. 18 THE CONNECTION The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming will be held from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at Mayday Brewery, 521 Old Salem Rd. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, no-obligation event, where they can meet other small-business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. An open roundtable discussion will encourage participation from those in attendance, asking them to articulate their vision for their business and calling for examples of some of the business challenges and solutions they are experiencing. The series will continue the third Thursday of each month.

AUG. 19–20

Quilts in the Boro Show Witness a quilt exhibit and competition with cash prizes, free demonstrations with admission, vendors, and bedturnings of vintage and antique quilts daily, The Bees General Store and door prizes at Lane Agri-Park Community Center (315 John Rice Blvd.) from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20.

Admission is $5 with children ages 12 and under free (free parking). For more information, visit quiltingbees.org.

AUG. 19

at The Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) specifically seeking art made from natural materials or has content focusing on nature or animals. Families are invited to the Wilderness Station from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

For more information, contact rsinger@murfreesborotn.gov.

COFFEE WITH VETS Join Operation Adopt a Hero at Cultivate Coworking (107 W. Lytle St.) from 7:30–9 a.m. on the third Friday of each month for Coffee with the Veterans, an informal, social networking event designed to foster friendships between local veterans and their community. Enjoy coffee, pastries and the chance to meet and mingle with our service members and their families. For more information, call (615) 893-6565.

AUG. 25 BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce presents Business Before Hours on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 7:30–9 a.m. at the Jeff Hendrix Stadium Club in MTSU’s Floyd Stadium on Faulkinberry Drive on the MTSU campus. Join area business leaders each month at Business Before Hours. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

AUG. 20 FLAG FOOTBALL SIGNUPS AND SKILLS CLINIC Registration is ongoing for this season’s flag football league at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rutherford County. Signups will conclude Saturday, Aug. 20, at a skills clinic, held at 10 a.m. for ages 7–9 and at 11:30 a.m. for ages 10–12. Regular season play will begin on Saturday, Sept. 10, and run each Saturday through Oct. 29 with the playoffs the following week. All games and the skills camp will be held at the Murfreesboro club, 820 Jones Blvd. For more information, contact Kelly Davis at kelly.davis@bgcrc.net or (615) 893-5437.

AUG. 27

AUG. 27

MTSU Pigskin Pre-Game

MURFREESBORO PRIDE FESTIVAL

MTSU’s annual Pigskin Pre-Game kicks off the football season for alumni and friends of the university with a fundraiser for the Alumni Legacy Scholarship beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at The Grove at Williamson Place (3250 Wilkinson Pk.) Tickets are $35 for adults (children 12 and under are free) and includes food from the Tennessee Pork Producers Association and The Blue Porch, adult beverages and soft drinks, live entertainment and door prizes. RSVP by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24. For more information, call (615) 898-2922 or visit mtsualumni.com.

AUG. 20 HOT 100 BIKE RIDE The Heart of Tennessee Century (HOT 100) bike ride (not race!) will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, beginning at 7 a.m. at Lascassas Elementary School, 6300 Lascassas Pk. The challenging ride through Rutherford, Wilson and Cannon Counties in the Heart of Ten-

nessee will feature 102, 63, 33 and 15-mile routes, great riding for all levels of cyclists.

Rest stops will be well-stocked with water, sport drinks, bananas, grapes and PB&Js. Lascassas Baptist Church will provide a post-ride meal at Lascassas Elementary School. Riders must pre-register before Aug. 15 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. Visit active.com for more information.

AUG. 20 GOLF SHOOTOUT TO WIN FORD MUSTANG

AUG. 20

Murph’s Fun Run Run, walk or hop one mile around the Gateway Island (1785 W. College St.) and help out Murfreesboro City Schools at Murph’s Fun Run on Saturday, Aug. 20. Registration begins at 8 a.m., the race is at 9 a.m. and entry fee is one new school supply; items needed the most are glue sticks and 2-pocket 3-prong folders.

Everyone who completes the race will receive a medal. Register on site the day of the run. No pre-registration necessary.

For more information, call (615) 8955040 or visit murfreesborotn.gov/parks.

“Ace the Majors” will conclude Saturday, Aug. 20, at Bloomfield Links (1028 Golf Ln.) from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Golfers who qualified in previous events this year will participate in a shootout on Aug. 20 and a chance to attempt a hole in one and win a new Ford Mustang from Ford of Murfreesboro. For more information, contact (615) 896-2448 or twilkins@murfreesborotn.gov or mmccurry@murfreesborotn.gov.

AUG. 20 DEPOT DISTRICT BBQ FESTIVAL Enjoy BBQ vendors, live music and family fun at the Smyrna Train Depot (98 Front St.) from 6–9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. For more information, call (615) 459-9773, ext. 2622.

AUG. 20 10TH ANNUAL HANDBAG AUCTION Join the Women’s Council of Real-

tors at Stones River Country Club (1830 NW Broad St.) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, to benefit A Soldier’s Child Foundation. There will be a red-carpet scene and other activities. For more information, visit wcr.org or email leshaye2011@gmail.com for sponsorship details.

AUG. 20 WILD ARTS DAY Wild Arts Day is a free, all-ages event

AUG. 5

Gurkha Cigar Giveaway On Friday, Aug 5, from 4–8 p.m., The Humidor, 4 N. Pubic Square, in conjunction with Gurkha Cigar Company and RockStarz Entertainment, will celebrate one of the biggest cigar giveaways to ever take place in Murfreesboro.

“We have events like this throughout the year and Ken Mansfield of Gurkha Cigars didn’t want to be outdone by anyone else’s promotions, so we are doing one of the biggest giveaways ever.

Ken will be raffling off 52 cigars not once, but twice during the event,” said Mike Lamure, owner of The Humidor and Liquid Smoke.

“With the impending FDA regulation changes, set to take place later

The Boro Pride Festival will celebrate the LGBTQ community in Rutherford County and throughout Middle Tennessee at the Murfreesboro Square from 4–10 p.m. with a Boro Pride walk, vendors, information booths, music and refreshments.

Interested vendors and sponsors can contact murfreesboroprideevent@gmail.com. Murfreesboro Pride is a program of the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation and produced by the TEP Rutherford County Committee.

For more information, find a Murfreesboro Pride event page on Facebook.

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this summer, this may be the last giveaway of this nature. Raffle tickets come free with cigar purchases. The more cigars you buy, the more tickets you can get.”

Music for the event will be provided by DJ Tom T. Petty, owner of Rockstarz Entertainment Karaoke & DJ service.

Area Gurkha representative Ken Mansfield is celebrating his 52nd birthday with this event.

“That’s why I’m giving away 52 cigars in both grand prizes, one cigar for every year,” said Mansfield.

An interesting fact is that Gurkha sells the most exclusive cigar in the world, The Maharaja, selling for $40,000 for a box of 10.

Also onsite at the Aug. 5 event will be professional model and actress Drea Michaels cutting and lighting cigars, as well as the show bike “Hardtime.” So there you have it, fine cigars, craft beer, free food, cigar and swag giveaways, a show bike, music and a beautiful model to cut your cigar with a smile. Sounds like a day in heaven to me—see you there!

— TONY LEHEW BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 5

AUG. 27 JAZZ WITH THE VETERANS Operation: Adopt-a-Hero invites you to its fundraiser dinner from 7–11 p.m. at Jazzmatazz Lounge and Restaurant (1824 Old Fort Pkwy.) to assist in building a community of trust, support and camaraderie for all veterans and the community. Enjoy live music from ’40s-style band Sons of Judah alongside a meal featuring Bayou popcorn crawfish. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com. For more information, call (615) 631-7478.

AUG. 27

space; deadline is Aug. 24. Fee is $10 per 10×10 booth space. For more information, contact shodges@murfreesborotn.gov or (615) 890-0355.

AUG. 28 CLOTHES AND FOOD FOR FREE Join Oakland Park Seventh-day Adventist Church (711 N. Maney Ave.) from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. the 4th Sunday of every month for donated free food and clothes. For more information, call (615) 410-7552.

AUG. 28

GEOLOGY AT THE DISCOVERY CENTER

RABBI RAMI AT OPEN TABLE CHURCH

Participate in fun projects and learn about different aspects of geology as a part of Earth Experience: The Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History (816 Old Salem Rd.) from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Admission is $10 per child. For more information, call (615) 605-1417 or visit theearthexperience.org.

Join Open Table Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (1130 Haley Rd.) with guest speaker Rabbi Rami Shapiro with a 5:30 p.m. meetand-greet and 6 p.m. service on Sunday, Aug. 28. For more information, contact info@opentablechristianchurch.org or visit opentablechristianchurch.org

AUG. 27

SEPT. 10

COMMUNITY YARD SALE AT CANNONSBURGH VILLAGE

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL FEATURES DIVERSE CULTURES

Bring your unwanted items to sell or just shop with over 50 booths at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 7 a.m.– noon. Reservations required for booth

The ’Boro International Festival celebrates the rich diversity in Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday,

AUG. 28

Dubfest Wolfsburg Alliance VW Club of Middle Tennessee presents Dubfest 2016 on Sunday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 115 Floyd Mayfield Dr., La Vergne. This all-Volkswagen car show and swap meet will bring the Middle Tennessee Volkswagen community together. Various show classes and awards will honor VW Beatles from different time periods, best off-road, best paint, best engine and more.

For more information, find a Dubfest 2016 event page on Facebook.

Sept. 10. This multicultural celebration is seeking exhibitors, performers, models, vendors and volunteers. Enjoy singers, dancers, instrumentalists, martial arts and theater performers from around the world, local dance groups, musical artists, theatrical entertainers, live painters, authentic clothing, crafts, jewelry, international foods, authentic dishes and a fashion show. To sign up or for more information, visit cityschools .net/outreach/boro-international.

ONGOING COAT AND SHOE DRIVE The Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club launches its annual Coat and Shoe drive for the Murfreesboro Head Start Program (items will be distributed Oct. 1). Many people do not have warm coats, sweaters and shoes, so new or slightly used coats, sweaters and shoes may be dropped off at Southern Community Bank (1950 Old Fort Pkwy.), Bella Optical (836 N. Thompson Ln.) or MTR (2340 Southgate Blvd.)

They may also be brought to the Noon Lions Meeting the second or fourth Thursday at Logan’s Roadhouse (740 NW Broad St.). For more information, call (615) 8935005 or (615) 828-1645.

TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS RUTHERFORD COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET Join market vendors from more than 20 Middle Tennessee counties with a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants and more from 7 a.m.– noon each Tuesday and Friday at Lane 6 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.). For more information, call (615) 898-7710.

WEDNESDAYS GET TO KNOW THE BORO Join fellow Murfreesboro residents for great connections and conversations at “Get to Know the Boro” at Bank of America Building (120 East Main St., Suite 260). Prepare to do introductions, talk about your business and set up up one-onone conversations. Come with a positive attitude, meet some great people who are willing to help you, and make some connections that can help you grow your business. For more information, find a Get to Know the Boro page on Eventbrite.

SATURDAYS BICYCLE TOURS OF THE STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD Join a ranger for a 90-minute bicycle tour of the Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) at 9 a.m. each Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

SATURDAYS MAIN STREET SATURDAY MARKET Join vendors on the west, north and south sides of the historic Rutherford County Courthouse for local fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, and flowers from 8 a.m.–noon each Saturday. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 7

ENTERTAINMENT

DJ, BINGO, TRIVIA & KARAOKE NIGHTS  MONDAYS AHART’S PIZZA GARDEN Trivia, 6:30 p.m.

NOBODY’S Trivia, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

LEVEL III Trivia, 7–9 p.m.

PHAT BOYZ Karaoke, 7 p.m.

 TUESDAYS

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia, 8 p.m.

BOB’S BBQ Trivia, 6–8 p.m.

STATION GRILL Trivia, 7 p.m.

NACHOS Trivia, 7 p.m.

 THURSDAYS

OLD CHICAGO Trivia, 9 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Trivia, 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.

THE BORO Karaoke, 8:30–p.m.–12 a.m.

NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

TGI FRIDAY’S Trivia, 9 p.m.

SPORTS SEASONS Trivia, 7 p.m.

 WEDNESDAYS

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

 FRIDAYS

MELLOW MUSHROOM Trivia, 8 p.m.

HANDLEBARS DJ Mikey Mike, 6 p.m.

8 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

LEVEL III Trivia, 7 p.m.

LIQUID SMOKE DJ Night, 10 p.m.

HANDLEBARS DJ Mikey Mike, 8:30 p.m.

MT BOTTLE Karaoke, 9 p.m.–3 a.m.

PHAT BOYZ Karaoke, 8 p.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 SATURDAYS CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

LA SIESTA (CHURCH ST.) Karaoke, 6 p.m.

NACHOS Trivia, 7 p.m.

NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 SUNDAYS O’POSSUMS Trivia, 8 p.m.

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia, 8 p.m.



Send entertainment information to Listings@BoroPulse.com

Concerts AUGUST 2016

IF YOU GO: Autograph Rehearsal Studio 1400 W College St. 624-2954

Send show listings to Listings@BoroPulse.com View the monthly concert schedule online:

Barfield Crescent Park 697 Barfield Crescent Rd. 890-5333

BOROPULSE.COM/CONCERTS THURS, 8/4

NACHO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

DSD Jazz Quartet

The Great Barrier Reefs

Ivan LaFever

NOBODY’S

All-star jam with Stuart Montez

THE BLOCK

THE BORO

THE WHEEL

Kerry Duane Johnson Blues Jam

FRI, 8/5

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Karaoke with Hitman Walker

GREEN DRAGON

Uncle Don Clark

MAYDAY BREWERY

Al Deluca, LG of Thelma and the Sleaze

MURFREESBORO PUBLIC SQUARE

CJ Vaughn and Highway 58

SAT, 8/6

BIRD SONG STUDIO

John Duffer and The Flea Market Hustlers

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Graham Anthem Band

MAYDAY BREWERY

Haint Holler Hootenany

PHAT BOYZ

Randall and the Kranks

THURS, 8/11

NACHO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Ivan LaFever

THE WHEEL

Kerry Duane Johnson Blues Jam

FRI, 8/12

BARFIELD CRESCENT PARK, PAVILION #7

Grizzly Goat

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Zone Status

LIQUID SMOKE

Bird Song Studio 213 West High St., Woodbury 615-772-6432

MAYDAY BREWERY

PULSE

Disco Risqué Neufound Me, Vampire Bleach Bomb, Trigger Digit

PICK

ROCKIN’ 4 RESCUE

THE BORO

SATURDAY, 8/27 @ MAYDAY BREWERY

SAT, 8/13

Rockin’ 4 Rescue will be held at Mayday Brewery (521 Old Salem Rd.) beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. The event will support Operation Education Animal Rescue and include a silent auction and music by The Jackillacs, Red Wine Hangover, Scissormen and Thunder Frog. For more information, find Operation Education on Facebook.

Tree Tops

COCONUT BAY CAFE

DJ TruFx

Coconut Bay Café 210 Stones River Mall Blvd.

494-0504 Garage Bar 405 N Front St. 934-7464 Green Dragon 714 W. Main St. 801-7171

MAYDAY BREWERY

Tree Tops

PHAT BOYZ

Zippy’s Clutch

THE BORO

Bikini Car Wash, Hotstop

MON, 8/15 THE BORO

Vinyl Spin night hosted

by Kevin Milem

TUES, 8/16

WALL STREET

Jason D. Thompson

WED, 8/17

BIRD SONG STUDIO

Jonathan Brown

THURS, 8/18

Kerry Duane Johnson Blues Jam

FRI, 8/19

AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

Doomstress, Act of Impalement, Black Tar Prophet, Close the Hatch, Horava, The Moose, Bled to Submission, Stone Wicked Souls, Skeleton Farm

GARAGE BAR

Uncle Don Clark

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL

Scott Steele, Mitch Kamp

MEDIA RERUN

MAYDAY BREWERY

NACHO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

NOBODY’S

Dirty Streets, Visioner

Luke Amelang

Ragged Company

Ivan LaFever

TEMPT

Roots of a Rebellion, Floralorix, Jahimsa, Jah Judgement Soundsystem

THE ALLEY ON MAIN

TEMPT

THE BORO

Hoo Doo Men, All-star jam with Stuart Montez, Antler Hopkins

THE WHEEL

Party Thieves

Southern Ground

THE BORO

Intent City, Alamo Black, Ashes of Folley, Paige and the Texas Bargoyles

SAT, 8/20

AUTOGRAPH

DEWDROP JAMBOREE

REHEARSAL STUDIO

Place of Skulls, Battle Path, Seawitch, Order of the Owl, Flummox, Crawl Among the Serpents, Dead Hand, Howling Giant

BIRD SONG STUDIO

Jeff Black

MAYDAY BREWERY

West King String Band

MOOSE LODGE

Shar and the Classics

PHAT BOYZ

Evil Twin

TEMPT

Ill Gates

THE BORO

Droptopp, Safe Secrets, The Creeping Cruds, Spacegrass, Now the Never

WASHINGTON THEATRE AT PATTERSON PARK

Dewdrop Jamboree with Grasstime, Leonard Brothers Band, Edwin Florida, Josh Leonard, Bobby Howard, John Crabtree, Rhonda Tenpenny, LB Ferrell, Teresa Camp, Emma Rhea Tenpenny, Larry Martin, Melissa Wray, McKenzie Wallace

SUN, 8/21

AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

SAT., 8/20 @ PATTERSON PARK The Dewdrop Jamboree is back, and the live variety show series featuring lots of Middle Tennessee talent will kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Washington Theatre at Patterson Park. This month’s show includes the highoctane Leonard Brothers Band—brothers Randy, Mark, Gary and Ricky along with lead singer Thane Shearon—Southern-rock legends around these parts for decades, as well as some country from Rhonda Tenpenny, driving bluegrass from Grasstime, inspirationals from L.B. Ferrell and much more. Chip Walters, the voice of the Blue Raiders, will serve as master of ceremonies this installment. For more information, visit facebook.com/theoriginaldewdropjamboree.

PULSE

PICK

Shroud Eater, The Dead Deads, Waft Visioner, Now the Never, Wolf Among Sheep, Knuckle Dragger, Itinerant

THE BORO

The Accidental Trio, Narwhal Empire, Levi Massie, Goose Hollow

MON, 8/22 THE BORO

Vinyl Spin night hosted

by Kevin Milem

THURS, 8/25

Jazzmatazz 1824 Old Fort Pkwy.

624-6944

NACHO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Ivan LaFever

TEMPT

Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822

Upchurch the Redneck

THE BORO

Nashville Horror Club Movie Night

THE WHEEL

Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 479-9722

FRI, 8/26

Media Rerun 2820 S Rutherford Blvd.

907-0901

Kerry Duane Johnson Blues Jam

COCONUT BAY CAFE

My July Band

Nacho’s 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

907-2700

MAYDAY BREWERY

Delyn Christian

NOBODY’S

Zone Status

THE BORO

Nobody’s Grille & BBQ 2227 Old Fort Pkwy.

962-8019

SAT, 8/27

The Clydesdales, The Hollows

Randall & The Kranks

Patterson Park 521 Mercury Blvd.

893-7439

JAZZMATAZZ

Sons of Judah (Operation: Adopt a Hero fundraiser)

Phat Boyz 4425 Woodbury Pike 615-546-4526

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Tempt 211 W. Main St. 615-225-7757

GARAGE BAR

Behold the Slaughter, Gatekeeper, Abyss Walker, Heretics, Anapura, The Entity, Autumn Lies Buried, Of Serpents

MAYDAY BREWERY

The Alley 223 W. Main St. 203-3498

The Jackillacs, Red Wine Hangover, Scissormen, Thunder Frog

The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 895-4800

Junkbox

The Block 123 SE Broad St. 393-9935

PHAT BOYZ

THE ALLEY ON MAIN

Nikki Michelle and The Cosmic Collective

THE BORO

The Wheel 534 SE Broad St. 295-2862

MON, 8/29

Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090

Mize & the Drive, Dangerous Method

THE BORO

Vinyl Spin night hosted

by Kevin Milem

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 9

Sounds

AUG. 6 AT BIRD SONG:

Read more about local music at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Music Massie? They’re characters.

Bird Song Taylor-made sanctuary studio, right next door.

BY BRYCE HARMON

A

beautifully arranged evening atop a small hill just 15 minutes outside of Murfreesboro recently attracted a quaint congregation of around 30 folks. There, they witnessed a gently surrealistic concert composed of 24 picked strings, good timing, and the delicate planning of publicist and local folk-country singer/songwriter Robyn Taylor, as she provided the grit, the grace and the homey space for a few Murfreesboro songwriters at a converted public church-turned-private-sanctuary.

This incarnation of Wednesdays in Woodbury: Writers in the Round Robyn, featured Taylor, Billy Plant, John Salaway and Levi Massie. The acoustic-oriented atmosphere for the easygoing, folkie-at-heart musicians and their audience alike was well placed, too, right in the middle of Robyn Taylor’s own Bird Song Studio.

As owner, director, promoter and proprietor of Bird Song Studio since May of 2014, Taylor is a fine example of the dream-come-true, experience-driven American songstress. She has realized several major interests that, through hard work, culminated into Bird Song. That includes a love for the area, a drive for leading worship (be it church-rooted, as she’s done elsewhere in her past, or in her present multi-faceted musical career), a master’s degree in community planning, and the singing and songwriting that began in her childhood, leading to her Floridian country/bluegrass quartet, Monroe Station, and on to a budding solo career.

Simply put, she’s hosting pleasant times in her well-built and relaxed, personally tailored surroundings.

ROBYN TAYLOR: I was living in Nashville

and looking for something different... some place I could focus on my songwriting, and that church was available on Craigslist for rent. It was farther out of Nashville, but I [figured I] should at least go and check it out.

And I did, and just fell in love with it. It was so much more space than I was living out of in Nashville in a little studio apartment. I just kind of fell in love with Woodbury. Actually, the person who owns the church is Neil Applebaum, who runs the arts center in Cannon County. I thought he was really cool, too, and he kind of introduced me to the whole artist community out there.

That’s how you met John Salaway? He’s pretty prominent in that neck of the woods.

Yeah, that’s exactly how I met John. John came and played a show last fall. He opened for Gordon Kennedy, a Grammy-award-winning songwriter, and we had a full house for that.

John and I have been friends since then.

What led you to invite Billy Plant and Levi

(Laughs) I used to go to all the writers nights in Murfreesboro and I used to sing at the blues jam at The Boro. I met them through other songwriters [such as] The Accidental Trio folks, and all of them in the Murfreesboro scene.

Are you from Michigan or Florida? Your websites say you’re from all over the place.

I’m from Michigan originally. I lived in Florida for eight years before I moved to Nashville. I went to college in Ohio. I went to grad school in Eugene, Oregon, at the University of Oregon.

On which one of your many stops did Monroe Station come about?

That was in Florida . . . we just played around the Naples, Florida, area.

In your solo music, you sing about your life in a fairly straightforward poetry that emotes a homey and very genuine feel in your performances. When you moved to Nashville from Florida, did you bring that from Monroe Station, or was it the Music City that got you?

I wish I could’ve brought them with me . . .

I’ve just always wanted to be in Nashville for music and wanted to work on my songwriting. Get out and perform a little bit more— meet some more people. I really wanted to be immersed in music.

You’ve scheduled some pretty high-end names. Has being a publicist helped you with landing those acts for Bird Song?

Yeah, [being a publicist] gets you halfway there. Everybody that’s playing my place are all friends of mine, so that really helps. But, the publicity side of it is crucial, because I design the websites and do the press releases and the posters. All the social media. I do everything. I’ve been doing the publicity thing for five years. Since I moved to Nashville and started my own publicity company, I’ve been doing all that.

That’s how you landed Mary Gauthier coming up in September?

Technically, I’m her assistant, so I do lots of

Bird Song Studio will host a special benefit show for John Duffer on Saturday, Aug. 6.

Duffer will perform with The Flea Market Hustlers, and all proceeds from the event will benefit John Duffer.

Duffer started writing and performing his own songs at the age of 10 in Southside, Va. He was twice awarded a full scholarship to the University of Virginia’s Young Writers Workshop. He moved to Murfreesboro in 1996 and was lead singer and songwriter with the bands Splif and the Dirt Farm.

He continued to perform solo as an Americana singer/ songwriter and was awarded Gibson Showcase Songwriter of the Month three times.

Duffer now resides in Woodbury and runs Duffer’s Restorations & Creations, an antique restoration and custom handmade furniture business, and co-owns Round Pound Studio.

He was recently diagnosed with an ameloblastoma tumor in his jawbone. A 20hour surgery will be performed to remove his entire lower jawbone, with his fibula from his leg being removed as well and constructed into a prosthetic to replace the jaw.

Plastic surgery will be performed, and Duffer will then be induced into a coma for an undetermined amount of time. It is going to be a very long and painful recovery of a year to a year and a half. Surgeons have informed Duffer that afterwards he will more than likely never sing again.

So a few shows are being scheduled, allowing Duffer to perform and share his passion for music before he embarks on this tough journey. Aug. 6 will be Duffer’s final show in Tennessee.

For tickets, visit thebirdsongstudio.com.

Visit johnduffer.bandcamp.com to listen to Duffer’s music.

things for her, so that was my in for having her play at my place. She’s been great. She’s awesome.

What other appearances are you making around Murfreesboro?

I’m playing every Sunday at The Block—a brunch with bluegrass and country. We have people sit in. Joey Fletcher sat in for a couple of blues tunes and we’ve got other friends, like Robert Eskew and Delyn Christian. All kinds of people come and sit in with us.

Bird Song Studio is located at 213 W. High St. in Woodbury, Tenn. Upcoming performances include Jeff Black on Aug. 20, Mary Gauthier on Sept. 17, EmiSunshine Oct. 14, and Missy Raines & The New Hip on Oct. 15. The venue also hosts yoga on Mondays from 6:30–8 p.m. Bird Song also hosts weddings and even accommodates overnight guests through AirBNB. For more information and concert tickets, visit thebirdsongstudio.com.

MURFREESBORO PULSE: How did the idea of Bird Song Studio come to reality?

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Benefit Show for Musician John Duffer

Lowell “Banana” Levinger with Robyn Taylor

ALBUMS

LeANDER

GLADE CITY ROUNDERS

With three tracks and a runtime of just over 12 minutes, local trio LeAnder’s debut EP gives Christian and alternative rock fans a quick, radio-ready listen to finish off their summer. LeAnder consists of MTSU alums Scott Lamons (guitar, vocals), Logan Rhea (bass) and Andrew Hall (drums), who formerly booked shows at the now defunct Christian music venue Bonhoeffer’s. And like many artists who played the aforementioned venue, the group combines Christian values and themes into their songs, all while keeping the sound young, energetic and fresh.

The first track on Invictus serves as its high point, for a multitude of reasons. At first listen, “Steakhouse” doesn’t seem too deep. I first saw it alongside its accompanying music video (which features Darth Vader and kids dressed up as Batman and Luke Skywalker), and besides the catchy, off-putting refrain of There’s a party at the steakhouse, and you’re invited, I didn’t take away much. However, after a couple repeat listens, it clicked.

The bright, four-minute pop-rocker serves as a modern interpretation of Jesus’ prodigal son parable, in which a son foolishly blows his inheritance but is welcomed back to his family with a feast that includes a calf. That creative spin and the friendly, commercial-ready tone make it the standout of the EP. The other two cuts are solid tracks as well. While there’s not much to obsess over on “Oh Darling,” it’s got a solid hook. “Church of the Unloved” is a story-based song about people with tumultuous relationships with their parents.

Once again, it pairs a story and a catchy (albeit repetitive) hook with satisfying results; plus, its well-paced string section meshes well with the emotions conveyed.

The only drawback for the EP as a whole is that some lyrics get lost due to some insufficiently enunciated vocals here and there. Plus, if you’re not a fan of Christian rock or having religious themes in your music, this may come off as a very “safe” album, but that just comes down to your personal preference. Regardless, LeAnder members say they have a “God-given desire” to play music, and based on this first release, they’re following the right path.

Invictus is available on iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify and Soundcloud. — JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

Local old-time string band Glade City Rounders are fresh off a performance at the 39th annual Uncle Dave Macon Days festival, which is especially fitting considering the Rounders’ recently released sophomore album, Don’t Get Weary, is inspired by a Macon song of the same name. In fact, almost the whole album—24 short and sweet minutes—is comprised of reimagined covers that stem from bluegrass and jugband originals to old rural blues songs made popular by jam bands like the Grateful Dead. The album’s a mixed bag of five songs and three instrumentals, but it’s a fun ride complete with hoedown foot-stompers, invigorating arrangements and a couple kazoo solos thrown into the mix for good measure.

The Glade City Rounders, now a quartet with the addition of upright bassist Randy Hill since the band’s 2014 debut release, feature Richard McLain (vocals, banjo and kazoo), Josh Smith (vocals, guitar and jug) and William See (vocals, fiddles, kazoo and harmonica) picking and strumming with comfortable ease and the authenticity that comes with the knowledge of, and appreciation for, this particular style of music.

The album starts with “Georgia Crawl,” a bawdy, old-timey track originally recorded by Henry Williams and Eddie Anthony in the late ’20s. It’s followed by the rollicking instrumental “Old Joe,” which has been tackled by “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe and, more recently, the Avett Brothers, although the Glade City Rounders’ version is slower and less complex. Kazoo kicks off “Viola Lee Blues,” a song which appeared on the Grateful Dead’s 1967 self-titled album and has been performed by the likes of Phish, Ry Cooder and Murfreesboro’s own Jake Leg Stompers.

Don’t Get Weary, while short, is a solid ode to its influences. With excellent production and clarity, the Glade City Rounders exhibit impressive musicianship and have a charming way of making these old-timey songs their own.

— DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

Invictus

Don’t Get Weary

A CLASSIC OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS DEAD BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 11

Sounds

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Roots of a Rebellion on A Brother’s Instinct, Aug. 18 Show, Bonnaroo and more.

STORY BY JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

W

ith a new album and a string of tour dates lined up, Roots of Rebellion is cementing its status as the fastest rising reggae act in Tennessee. The six-piece Nashville group is currently riding a wave of momentum that’s included spots at festivals across the country, rave responses to their groovy sophomore full-length, A Brother’s Instinct and becoming the victors of the 2016 “Road to Bonnaroo” competition.

ROAR will be playing at the Reggae at Smooth Rapids festival in McMinnville on Aug. 6 and coming to the ’Boro for a show at TEMPT on Aug. 18. We corresponded with Roots vocalist/guitarist Austin Smith about how the band’s latest record came together, what it’s like playing Bonnaroo and what they’ve learned along the way.

MURFREESBORO PULSE: The band is fresh off its Bonnaroo debut. What was that experience like for you?

AUSTIN SMITH: A dream come true for us, because we earned the spot through Lightning 100’s “Road to Roo” battle of the bands and our “Roots Crew” family, friends and fans showed a ton of love and support by coming out and voting for us at multiple shows (five to be exact).

The time slot we got at Bonnaroo was 5 p.m. on Thursday, which meant we had the freshest of ears and hearts hearing our music. We were a lot of people’s first show of the weekend and some of those people’s first Bonnaroo ever. Quite an honor to set the vibe and tone for Bonnaroo’s magical weekend of peace, love, and music.

12 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

It was also one of the hottest weekends ever to be camping in a tent in a field, but we found ways to keep cool and stay hydrated. There were a lot of incredible bands at ’Roo but some of my favorite shows were Vulfpeck, Tame Impala, Pearl Jam, the Wood Brothers and Dead & Company.

What was the recording process like for A Brother’s Instinct?

For this record we wanted to work with a producer who could not only bring out the best in us but one who we really looked up to and appreciate the work they’ve done thus far. That man’s name is Craig Welsch and he is a legendary staple in the American rootsreggae scene as an engineer and producer, having worked with bands that heavily influence us such as John Brown’s Body, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, G-Love & Special Sauce, State Radio and Chadwick Stokes.

We drove to Boston to record with Craig at Rear Window Studios in January of this

year. We spent four days in Craig’s incredible space . . . fine-tuning the sounds and experimenting with different feels all the while enjoying the give and take of direction from Craig and actions by one or more of us.

It was a serious growing experience and a challenge that we were totally searching for.

We knocked out all core rhythm tracks (drums, bass, guitars, piano, organ) as well as all lead vocals in Boston, then we high-tailed it out of there on Thursday night to avoid Winter Storm Jonas that was heading towards the East Coast that night. We drove through clear skies most of the way home until we reached the snowpocalypse in Lexington, Kentucky, that covered much of the Southeast that weekend. Instead of the typical three hours home from Nashville we finally made it home after eight hours of driving 5 mph and passing hundreds of cars and trucks stranded in the ice and snow—well-below freezing temperatures.

We finished overdubbing harmony vocals, trumpet and some auxiliary percussion back in Franklin, Tennessee, at Castle Recording Studios thanks to our friend and engineer Jordan Reed.

Is there a song on the new album you’re particularly proud of?

I am most excited about the song I co-wrote with Dan Twiford of Floralorix called “Peace & Love” because I believe it embodies the music and message of Roots of a Rebellion very honestly and directly—to each his or her own path in these equally exciting and frightening times. May we each walk this individual path with good faith, honest work, and constant

ROAR Discography

Inner Light (2012) This seven-song EP was the band’s first official project and serves as a good entry point for the band’s accessible reggae sound. It’s filled with sunny, positive vibes that will give your next listening session an optimistic pick-me-up. Highlights include the fan favorite “Giving Tree” and the sonically pleasing guitar solo on “Peace of Mind.”

Summer Sampler (2013) This collection of odds, ends and alternate versions was a pay-what-you-want project released between proper works. But don’t just pass over this one, as it has some truly fun and memorable spots. Particularly, several live cuts recorded at Nashville’s Exit/In give you a feel for the band’s revered live show and an acoustic cover of Kings of Leon’s “California Waiting” gives you a different flavor than ROAR’s signature roots reggae style.

Heartifact (2014) Heartifact’s album art is a fitting reflection of the album’s content. The band’s first LP was “written from the heart, for the heart” and sees the group take a mature, serious set of songs and arrange them into a cohesive, hour-long project.

A Brother’s Instinct (2016)

ROAR ramps up the fun for the second album, which is a sleek half-hour set of eight tracks. The hooks are catchier here than on previous projects, with the lead single “Stronger” serving as the one of the band’s best, accessible songs. Other highlights include the brass-heavy “No Control” and the simple, melodic “Rebel Lion.”

For more information on Roots of a Rebellion, visit rootsofarebellion.com.

The band’s music can be found on Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and Soundcloud.

yearning for inner peace and universal love.

Where does the title of the new album come from?

“A Brother’s Instinct” literally comes from a lyric in one of our songs off of Heartifact called “Charleston.”

The reason this is the title is because each member of Roots is united by a brotherly love of music and its important role as medicine in all of our lives. We are simply following our gut which is telling ourselves that we need to be making music for as long as possible.



Roots of a Rebellion will perform Aug. 18 at TEMPT, located at 211 W. Main St. in Murfreesboro. Doors open at 9 p.m, and Floralorix, Jahimsa and Jah Judegement Soundsystem will serve as opening acts.

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* AUGUST 2016 * 13

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BLUE WHO?

The HillBenders’ bluegrass take on The Who’s classic Tommy is coming to McMinnville caverns.

STORY BY STEVE MORLEY

B

luegrass musicians, generally a respectful bunch, have never been known for smashing their instruments at the end of a show. Even The HillBenders don’t feel inclined toward such high-impact dramatics, though the rock-influenced quintet has taken a giant step outside bluegrass norms by reinterpreting a work originally created by classic-rock mainstay The Who. The Who, of course, was the band that brought us splintered guitars and self-destructing drum sets, but it was the same legendary British foursome that

14 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

delivered the first widely successful rock opera, Tommy, in 1969. Tommy, which tells an often disturbing story about a boy afflicted with trauma-induced deafness, muteness and blindness (followed by further family-inflicted trauma and a brief fling as a religious cult leader), was a gigantic success that signaled a new chapter for the moody British rockers.

Providing the band with its U.S. breakthrough, Tommy would be later retooled for the movie screen and the theater stage, sparking a major hit for Elton John along the way in “Pinball Wizard.” It’s safe to say no one was

expecting a bluegrass band to tackle the sprawling rock work four and a half decades after its initial release, but The HillBenders’ Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry hit shelves in June of 2015 to critical acclaim that included the endorsement of Who guitarist and primary Tommy composer Pete Townshend. The Missouri-based band will be performing the “opry” in its entirety for the Bluegrass Underground concert series, appearing at McMinnville’s Cumberland Caverns on Aug. 20. More than a year after releasing it, The HillBenders are still touring behind the album, which conveys the spirit and energy of The Who’s original while adding acoustic nuances less commonly heard in the rock sphere.

A bit of online digging and a close listen, though, reveals that Townshend’s diverse musical vocabulary does contain some rootsy American influences, though they’ve often been largely concealed by his aggressive, decibel-doused approach to the guitar. Townshend’s early exposure to banjo and mandolin, as well as to the work of country-rock trailblazer James Burton and finger-picking virtuoso Chet Atkins during his formative years, left Townshend with some strains of country music in his musical knapsack. As attentive listeners may perceive, The HillBenders’ acoustically performed Tommy calls attention to melodies that draw from the same deep musical well as

The Who’s country-tinged “Squeeze Box” and “Love Ain’t for Keeping,” a track from 1971’s Who’s Next that rides upon a folksy rhythm, topped with pedal-steel-like guitar licks. Even that album’s ageless rock anthem “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” upon closer listen, displays a surprisingly fiddle-tune-like melody and chord changes prior to its extended middle section, in which Keith Moon’s flurry of drum fills and Townshend’s twin attack of guitar aggression and trance-like synthesizer obscures the country connection.

Key to The HillBenders’ tasteful adaptation is the band’s deft balance of double-time tempos, rock aggression and faithfulness to the arrangements of the original Tommy, never trivializing it or forcing it into a bluegrass box. From the moment the majestic opening overture kicks into bass-slapping, banjorolling high gear, it’s clear that a natural intersection of styles, however unanticipated, is at play. In performance, the casual and sometimes humorous commentary from various band members helps the audience keep track of the peculiar story line, effectively lightening the mood without sacrificing a sliver of the original music’s integrity.

Mandolin player Nolan Lawrence’s muscular vocals not only evoke those of leatherlunged Who frontman Roger Daltrey, but wield a deeper, almost operatic beefiness.

Guitarist and co-lead vocalist Jim Rea’s lightertoned voice is an ideal complement, sounding at turns uncannily like Townshend. When the two trade off on the familiar lines How do you think he does it?/ I don’t know! on their rip-roaring remake of “Pinball Wizard,” the effect is vintage Who despite the exhilarating barn-dance vibe. As a unit, The HillBenders are uniformly terrific, though pompadoured Dobro player Chad Graves’ lightning licks and hyperkinetic moves make him the most visually compelling member. His onstage intensity bridges the considerable gap that otherwise exists between rock ’n’ roll’s overdriven physicality and the more reserved demeanor that typically accompanies bluegrass performances.

With its natural acoustic properties and the superb audio production used for capturing Bluegrass Underground’s shows on film, Cumberland Caverns’ subterranean Volcano Room will provide an extraordinary setting for this freshly retold tale of the deaf, dumb and blind boy of rock legend when The HillBenders slide down to the cave’s bottom on Aug. 20. Just maybe, even the bats will see the light.

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MUSIC NOTES

Wow! Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were signing off the show for the summer break and here we are again for the start of Season 10 of The Justin Reed Show. First off, let me say a big “thank you” to all the listeners that have made TJRS such a success thus far!

AUG. 4: AT 9 A.M., the great bluegrass group Kentucky Just Us will be coming by the studio to start the season off with great music! Composed of members John Paul Meador (16), Kacey Lane O’Neal (14), Jesse Clayton Meador (13), and Caleb Isaac O’Neal (6) plus mom, Shelane O’Neal, and dad, Terry O’Neal, Kentucky Just Us brings a great sound of family harmony that Bluegrass is known for. I had the privilege of watching them perform at the Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Fest in Granville, Tenn., and they were great! For more information, visit kentuckyjustus.com.

AUG. 11: Acclaimed author Thornton Cline will drop back by the show at 9 a.m.! Cline was on the show previously last September and was a big hit. He has written a series of children’s books dealing with different musical instruments and how they interact with the children. His newest non-fiction book is Not My Time to Go. Cline is also an accomplished songwriter, penning and publishing over 1,000 songs. He will stop by to talk about his new books and play for us. For more information, visit thorntoncline.com.

AUG. 18: AT 9 A.M., I will have the chance to visit with Howard and David Bellamy, better known to the world as the Bellamy Brothers. Performing professionally since their breakthrough hit, “Let Your Love Flow,” was released in 1976, the Bellamy Brothers have made a name for themselves in the U.S. and across the world. They have recently released a twodisc album containing 20 of their biggest hits and 20

PHOTO BY MICHAEL PATTON

JUSTIN REED SHOW IS BACK WITH BELLAMY BROTHERS, TIM ATWOOD AND MORE IN AUG.

LEVI MASSIE

BOROSTOCK RETURNS FOR 28TH YEAR, AUG. 18–21 BELLAMY BROTHERS

new songs in recognition of their four decades making music; the Bellamy Brothers have also teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Center and are working to raise money for them. For more information, visit bellamybrothers.com/sgk.

AUG. 25: World renownd pianist Tim Atwood will drop by the show at 9 a.m. Atwood is a veteran musician whom most people have heard—they just might not realize it. For 30-plus years, Tim played the piano on the Grand Ole Opry and backed every star that played on the show. He was named the Instrumentalist of the Year by the Academy of Western Artists and has just released a new album, That Old Time Religion, available now. Atwood will stop by to share some great stories and play live. For more information, visit timatwood.com.

Tune into The Justin Reed Show every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. (warm-up show at 6 a.m.) each Thursday morning on 88.3 FM, or at wmts.org. Visit thejustinreedshow.com for show archives and more.

Peace, Love, and Ernest Tubb. — JUSTIN REED

The BoroStock music festival is back for its 28th year, featuring four days filled with local rock music. As always, the festival will take place at The Boro Bar and Grill, located at 1211 Greenland Dr., and this year will feature Murfreesboro favorites such as Ashes of Folly, Spacegrass, Levi Massie and Stuart Montez, who will be leading an “all-star” jam session. The weekend of free music will kick off Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. with each night following suit.

For more information, visit the theborobar.com.

— JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

2016 BOROSTOCK SCHEDULE THURSDAY, AUG. 18 8 P.M. – Hoo Doo Men 9 P.M. – All-star Jam with Stuart Montez 11 P.M. – Antler Hopkins FRIDAY, AUG. 19 8 P.M. – Intent City 9 P.M. – Alamo Black 10 P.M. – Ashes of Folly 10:45 P.M. – Paige & the Texas Bargoyles

SATURDAY, AUG. 20 8 P.M. – DropTopp 9 P.M. – Safe Secrets 10 P.M. – The Creeping Cruds 11 P.M. – Spacegrass 12 A.M. – Now the Never

SUNDAY, AUG. 21 8 P.M. – The Accidental Trio 9:15 P.M. – Narwhal Empire 10:30 P.M. – Levi Massie 11:45 P.M. – Goose Hollow

JULIEN BAKER’S DEBUT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR 2016 AMERICAN MUSIC PRIZE Julien Baker’s critically acclaimed debut release, Sprained Ankle, is still receiving national praise, including a nod from The American Music Prize, an award that celebrates the year’s best debut album. While there are thousands of albums eligible for the prize, MTSU’s Baker, as well as BORNS’ Dopamine and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats’ self-titled release, have made the “longlist,” a list of the AMP’s favorite albums to date. However, a winner likely won’t be declared until early next year, as a panel of judges are busy listening to every debut album released since Aug. 1, 2015. Last year American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington was announced as the inaugural winner for his LP, The Epic.

— DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK 16 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 17

Food

Read more about local restaurants at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Food

Church Street sushi house Fin Fusion fuses colorful fruits and delicious flavors to create

Stellar Sushi STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRACKEN MAYO

A

sk where one can find the best sushi in Murfreesboro, and Fin Fusion almost always earns a spot in the conversation and, quite often, captures the honor of being the diner’s hands-down favorite sushi establishment in town.

While many of the other restaurants serving sushi in the area have a thorough selection of other items—from the hibachi, stir-fries, noodle dishes, curries and otherwise—the sushi is really the star at Fin Fusion.

Their extensive menu has all the basics: the yellowtail, crab, salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, tuna and avocado, but upon a close inspection some of the specialty rolls contain some strawberry, kiwi, nuts, calamari, octopus

and banana, among other ingredients.

The six-page sushi menu, even containing its own “Eel Library” section (though there are just four items under this heading containing eel), can be a little overwhelming for those new to the exquisite world of sushi, but one diner said his patient server was happy to answer questions and make recommendations for the indecisive.

I imagine most anything selected would taste pretty wonderful—just find a combination that suits your preference. The Fin Special with salmon, crab, shrimp, avocado, cucumber, asparagus, soybean paper and tuna on top sounded like a winning combination, and it was!

One teenager said he enjoyed the Ninja Or, if something new stands out, give it a Roll, with its crab, salmon, avocado and try. The Delicious roll sounded unique, and cream cheese inside, and broiled eel on top. the blend of strawberries and nuts with jalaHis mother said she liked the Fin Fusion peños, shrimp, cucumber, cream cheese, avoexperience very much, but like many diners, cado and more, was indeed quite delicious. emphasized it was not an everyday place–if Kelsey, one Yelper who has eaten at two people ordered three rolls apiece, the bill numerous sushi spots across Tennessee and can quickly rack up to $60 or $70. elsewhere, said she loved sushi, but none of So it’s not exactly a restaurant for a large those other establishments “hold a candle to appetite on a budget. If you have only one the sushi at Fin Fusion.” roll, you will want two more.

“If I had to pick a favorite (roll), I would Anyone flying down Church Street can definitely say the Firestorm,” she said of the easily miss Fin Fusion in the middle of the roll containing spicy tuna, cucumber and Crye-Leike Plaza with The French Twist smelt roe, deep fried and topped with diced Salon on one end and Indian Hill Dentistry octopus, scallops, shrimp, Japanese mayo, on the other, but once inside Fin Fusion, the and other sauces. “It was spicy, full of flavor, atmosphere is tranquil and welcoming, with and had a ton of ingredients that worked pera few paper lanterns hanging about, comfectly together to make for a roll that I could fortable, high-backed booths, and a well-lit eat over and over again.” sushi bar area where customers can watch For a less spicy roll, the sushi enthusiast the sushi artists in action. suggests the D4 (crab, salmon, tuna, red And for the special night out, Fin Fusion snapper, cream cheese and spicy sauce) or has built a great fan base of pleased customers. the Yum Yum (spicy crab and cucumber with “Most sushi restaurants use too much rice, diced crab on top), and said she also enjoyed but Fin always puts in the right amount of the shrimp and veggie tempura and the spicy rice, veggies and sashimi, and it’s not overly crab salad—“It had a nice kick but the cool drenched in sauce,” Krista writes on Yelp. cucumber helped mellow it out.”

She, and others have pointed out that while Callie said her favorite dish at Fin Fusion Fin Fusion does offer a small selection of is the Crazy Crab roll: “It’s served piping hot other entrees, chicken udon and such, “their after being flash-baked, and is filled with portions are way too small for the price.” crab, cream cheese and asparagus.”

Others have observed that waiting for Some rolls feature a wrapping of cucumcustom-made sushi ber, rather than rice. can take a while when Another customer the place is busy. And agreed that Fin Fusion a diner from California is the “best place in said “the menu is quite the ’Boro for sushi,” NAME: Fin Fusion extensive and a bore to and said the Carunch LOCATION: 2862 S. Church read . . . the list of rolls is roll, with crabstick, St., Murfreesboro honestly a bit absurd.” shrimp, cucumber, PHONE: (615) 494-3442 The consensus avocado, smelt roe and HOURS: Sun.: 5–9 p.m.; Mon., though among MurJapanese mayo, was Wed. and Thurs: 11:30 a.m.– freesboro that Fin “light and tasty.”

2:30 p.m. and 4:30–9:30 p.m.

Fusion serves some of Now, you do pay for Fri. and Sat.: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 the best sushi in the this quality, but to plenty p.m. and 4:30–10 p.m. area and is well worth of sushi fans, the ocCOST: Rainbow roll: $9.95; a few visits to explore casional splurge at Fin Cherry Blossom roll: $13.95; that long list of sushi Fusion is well worth it Delicious roll: $8.95; Big Mama roll: $8.95; Spider roll: $9.95 creations. when craving fine sushi.

THE DISH

ONLINE: Fin Fusion on Facebook

18 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

dining commentary

Support Unique Restaurants, Murfreesboro

BY JUSTIN STOKES I’VE BEEN HERE since fall 2006, and because of my love of dining out, I’ve seen more food options close than I care to remember.

But how many do I remember?

And how many restaurants have been here in the last 10 years that have since closed?

Sadness gave way to curiosity, and then a little bit of hope. Through those sad memories of all the great places that closed, I came to the finale of my thought process: tell Pulse readers what they’ve lost, so that they can realize what they have.

So, I put together this list. The list is certainly not exact or complete.

The goal of sharing which restaurants have closed between 2006 and 2016 won’t be met to exact parameters. This is a list based on the memories of other people who helped via social media, and though those memories are subject to faultiness, I did check this list against the long-running list kept by owner/

president of Toot’s Wade Hays.

I’m considering every business that sold something intended to be immediately consumed—from ice cream shops, coffee houses and bars to full-blown eateries—in an effort to show Rutherford County that we shouldn’t take these places for granted. There are some restaurants that I’m omitting (such as The Egg and I, since it was an acquisition. I consider that still being in business), and I’m not speaking to “why” the restaurants closed.

I want us to appreciate what we have, and become receptive of the new ideas that come our way. To do that, though, I propose that we take a look at what we’ve lost. Let’s take inventory of the items no longer on the shelf, and regardless of why they’re absent, let’s ask ourselves: Which of these businesses improved the area? And what were they doing that did so?

I like the area, but I get really brought down by what I read as ignorance and apathy of the consumers. And it seems that we’ve lost quite a bit in the way of both products being sold and economic players that employ our neighbors.

Remember, every business in the county is part of our identity. They show that we’re not just Nashville’s

little brother, but that we’re somewhere worth living in. And though you might not have liked some of these businesses, ask yourself this: What can we do to keep your favorite places around? What attitudes and practices can we adopt to make the city even better? How can we keep a bigger menu of options available? Did these businesses close just because they weren’t needed, or did we as a community somehow fail these people?

How can we make sure that new businesses—like The Gavel Grill & Speakeasy—stay around? How about something in the vein of an independent restaurant association that supports local businesses?

If there’s anything on this list that strikes you as why it shouldn’t, or should, be there, I want to know: “why?”

IN MEMORY OF THE DEPARTED:

Pan Asian Mezza Cuisine Calypso Cafe Don Pablo’s Red Rose Cafe 3 Brothers Craft Brewhouse Maple Street Grill JoZoara Coffee Shop Pawbowsky’s Dog House Puleo’s Grille Cool Beans

Bellacino’s Golden Eagle Mongolian Stirfry Bobby McKee’s Back to Cuba Cafe Aya Sushi Cedar Bucket Kirkenburts The Chicken Shack Roly Poly The Thirsty Turtle OK Jose The Grind Shorty’s Pizza Bus El Torero Blue Rooster Around The Way Dog Brew U Coach’s Grill Cafe 24 7 Ryan’s Steakhouse Wild Flours Pa Bunk’s Reveille Joe Casa Burrito Tomato, Tomato Long John Silver’s/ A&W Positiffitea’s Tiny Tea Factory Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar Taste of Tokyo Bunganut Pig Rice & Beans Cuban Cafe Poppy’s Frozen Custard Perk’d Coffeehouse Judo Moody’s Fiesta Acapulco

Uncle Bud’s of Murfreesboro Coco Mocha Cafe Blue Restaurant & Bar Backyard Burgers Corky’s Fuji’s Japanese Steakhouse Santa Fe Cattle Co. LaMars Dugger’s Food & Fun Taqaria la Playita Puerto Vallarta Chef Raymond’s All Souped Up Front Porch Cafe Ruby Tuesday’s The Clay Cup Blue Agave Woody’s BBQ Davy Crockett’s Roadhouse Mike’s Catfish Cuzco Latin Cuisine T.H. Thomas Aura Lounge Aspen Leaf Shoney’s (Broad Street) King Buffet Freshco Burrito Otter’s Chicken McDougal’s Dinner A’Fare Brain Freeze Quiznos Lenny’s Sub Shop Stones River Grill Caribbean Legacy

Living Climb that

Wall

Kids rock, everyone rocks at The Ascent, Murfreesboro’s indoor climbing facility.

BY BRACKEN MAYO

I

f you have seen one of the many blackand-green stickers around Murfreesboro promoting The Ascent, or have heard a friend enthusiastically talking about making it to the top of the climbing wall and have not yet experienced The Ascent for yourself, gym owner/operator Jeff Hess and his team want the community to know there’s a confidence-building, sweat-inducing challenge awaiting climbers of virtually any skill level.

The facility, tucked away on Park Avenue not far from Church Street and downtown Murfreesboro, shares a large building with CrossFit Murfreesboro and an indoor soccer field, and offers a chance to climb all year long.

Within a matter of minutes, even a newcomer to the sport of indoor climbing can obtain a rental pair of shoes and harness, be instructed on climbing safety and how to belay (securing a climber on the wall while on the ground, taking in excess rope as the climber ascends so if the climber falls, the rope, run from the belaying individual on the ground, through a pulley on the roof and then attached the the climber’s harness, is taut, ensuring the climber will not fall), and begin climbing the various high walls and multiple routes on the boulder. (Warning: climbing may be slightly addictive.)

Many climbers have visited The Ascent multiple times a week for years and have still not gotten bored with the place; there’s always a new route to master or a new problem to solve.

If you find yourself telling your kids to stop climbing, they may enjoy a trip to The Ascent.

There, yes, “climb on.”

20 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

Hess said he has witnessed many cases where climbing has played a huge role in transforming area kids from timid children into strong, confident young guys and girls with perseverance and determination.

“The difference in their confidence level is significant,” Hess said of some of The Ascent’s young climbers. “The more they fail, the more they want to get back out there and solve the problem.”

The Ascent hosts competitive leagues for middle- and high-school ages. If a certain school has enough participants to field its own team, there may be a school-specific team in the league, but even if only one kid from a school wants to join the competitive climbing action, they will be placed on a team.

Bouldering competitions run in the fall, which feature climbers navigating short routes on the boulder not wearing a harness.

In the spring, high wall climbing is the focus, and in these competitions, climbers do use a harness, and are either belayed by an individual on the ground, or more advanced climbers participate in lead climbing, where they clip their own rope into various points along the wall.

“We provide coaching with the leagues,” Hess said, adding every Rutherford County high school was represented last semester, and that he plans to reach out more to Wilson and Cannon County students.

Shannon Bauer’s daughter, Shelby (15), participates on the Rock Warriors, a team of area home-school students.

“She started climbing at the MTSU wall

when she was 5,” Bauer said.

Bauer said she has been impressed by how the climbers will encourage one another.

“We’ll compete against Central, but even if one of our kids is on the wall, they’ll still be cheering for them,” the proud mother said.

The league’s season tracks both individual and team scores; while many team sports emphasize winners and losers, many climbers simply try their best to overcome their previous limits.

“In order for me to do well, you don’t have to do badly,” Hess said of the sport.

Felisa Allen, and her sons, Josh, Andrew and Geoffrey, are part of another home-school family that has gotten hooked on climbing.

“When my boys started, everyone just took them under their wing and were so encouraging,” she said. “Yes, it challenges your physical body, but it challenges you mentally.”

Josh, the oldest of the Allen boys at 19, says competing in the high wall is his favorite aspect of climbing; when asked about the current problem he’s working on mastering at The Ascent, he points towards a particular route on the wall: “The orange track over there,” he said. “The size of the holds, the reach (are challenging) . . . it’s

rating something like a 5.13d (a very high degree of difficulty in the climbing grading system).”

Tonia Drake, another Rock Warriors mother, added that climbing “requires patience.

They don’t get frustrated and stop.”

If a climber has difficulty with a particular section of a boulder or wall route, and repeatedly works on overcoming it, the process builds strength, discipline and reinforces the idea that trying your best can lead to new heights.

“Age doesn’t really matter,” Drake continued; sometimes the younger, lighter climbers with smaller fingers can actually have an advantage on a route, while other times the taller climbers with greater reach have an advantage. But young or old, anyone can give climbing a shot.

“They know on Ninja Warrior the rock climbers fare better,” Drake says with a laugh.

For the more advanced youth climbers, The Ascent runs a USA Climbing team, which travels to other gyms to compete.

MTSU is now in on the competitive climbing fun and the MT Climbing Club will host its first invitational at The Ascent on Nov. 19.

For youngsters just getting started, The Ascent offers a five-level Kids Rock program.

“The beginning levels are primarily instructional, covering etiquette, safety, having fun, learning the basics,” Hess said. “But the upper three levels have two competitions every year.”

Spending some time at the indoor boulder and high wall then “opens a whole other door to outdoor climbing,” Allen said.

The Ascent does host some outings to King’s Bluff in Montgomery County and Foster Falls in Marion County.

Hess added that he is excited at the probability of competitive climbing being added to the 2020 Olympics.

The competitive bouldering season at The Ascent starts with a pre-season competition on Thursday, Aug. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. Coaches and Ascent staff will be on hand and available to answer questions from those interested in participating or learning more about climbing.

The Ascent is located at 831 Park Ave., Murfreesboro. For more information on The Ascent, and its competitive climbing programs for area youth, visit climbyour rock.com or call (615) 796-6545.

Pokémon GO: A Force for Positive Change?

BY MACKENZIE MEINS POKÉMON GO, currently ranked at the top of both iTunes and Google Play’s top free apps list, has not only become Murfreesboro’s newest craze, but it’s also created quite the shift in Murfreesboro’s normal social climate. Since its release, Pokémon enthusiasts of all ages have been flocking daily to Murfreesboro’s many pokéstop hotspots to get the best possible experience out of the game.

MTSU’s quad, which is usually devoid of humanity during the summer months, has recently bolstered a flow of human traffic more closely resembling its busier fall and spring semesters. Also, now it isn’t uncommon to see hundreds of people gathered at Murfreesboro’s Public Square on any given night, using lures at the various pokéstops located there in order to increase their chances of catching a rare Pokémon or two.

It’s brought together many people who may never have interacted with each other otherwise, and created an environment which encourages friendly (and occasionally competitive) interaction.

Rose Summers, a 27-year-old Nashville resident, summed this up when she said, “I like how everyone finds a sense of unity in it. [When] I went to MTSU . . . you never really saw people walking around the Quad talking to random strangers.”

The boost in social interaction isn’t the only positive reaction the game has brought about either. Many have pointed out the benefits the game has had on both

their physical and mental health.

People with social anxiety and depression said the game encouraged them to leave their homes in order to find Pokémon. Others posted about how they were noticeably losing weight.

“I’m a big Xbox guy, so as opposed to sitting at home playing on my Xbox [I decided] I could go outside and meet some new people, catch some Pokémon, and get some exercise in, and that would be good,” said Chris Barrett, another 27-year-old player.

Another specific example of positivity resulting from the game was in Muncie, Ind., where people have volunteered to walk dogs at the Muncie Animal Shelter while they walked around playing the game. Locally, there has been at least one organized meeting of players at the Greenway, where, while playing the game, people also cleared the area of garbage.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 21

Living

The Peach

BY CHANTELL KENNEDY-SHEHAN

Farmers’ Market Education Series

BY EDWINA SHANNON

Farmers Market Classes AUG. 2 Planning a Cutting Garden Carol Reese, Certified Master Gardener

AUG. 5 Homegrown Bouquets Carol Reese, Certified Master Gardener

AUG. 9

There is Still Time to Garden THIS YEAR I TOOK GREAT CARE and cost to plant a shade garden. I pulled out the remnant grass that had survived the increased tree canopy, added humus, added many plants, watered regularly, prayed often. It was a maintained area that I liked to walk in. I had a friend help me maintain it while I was on vacation and returned to see my astilbes were gone. I assumed they had been pulled as weeds. I was so sad. One had even bloomed and it was gone. Several weeks later, that one was back, regrowing from the root. The other had no root at all, so no regrowth there. So back to maintenance and watering and a daily inspection.

I had surrounded the astilbe with sticks to point out the intentional plant. Oh, no! A bleeding heart, both black snakeroot, a Japanese fern are all missing. Maybe the astilbes were not pulled as weeds after all.

Off I go to buy wire forms and chicken wire for protection on the remaining two bleeding hearts, the fern and the astilbe.

Before I can build wire canopies, I lay chicken wire and brush over the remaining plants.

The next morning, the remaining fern is gone. I am emotionally sad and financially mad. What did this? What type of critter can get through the wire and consume all of the plants: flowers, leaves, stems and roots alike?

Can I protect what remains? I suspect not and I am trying to keep my thoughts from filling with hate. It does not change the fact that some critter had a gourmet meal and I picked up the tab . . . just smile, rise and float above the ugly thoughts. . . .

It is not easy to be a gardener. There is much devotion, caring and organization needed. Setbacks like this make you question if you should choose another inter22 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

est. But with any activity that yields great rewards, there is also the possibility of great loss. I maintain the importance of these: patience, perseverance.

Cooking with Kids (registration required) Tiffany Schmidt, Extension Agent

AUG. 12 Preparation for Fall Lawn Care Mitchell Mote, Extension Agent

AUG. 16 Minimalist Organic Practices Mark Murphy, Certified Master Gardener

AUG. 19 Learn to Quilt Workshop The Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro

Time for Fall Vegetable Planting

We are fortunate that we live in an area where the growing season is ready to start up again. Trim back the beaten tomato plants by removing yellow or dead leaves and branches. There will be a resurgence. Plant the seeds for the fall vegetable crops. The seeds will need moisture to get them started. Broccoli, bush beans, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kolrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach, squash, turnip greens and turnip roots can all go in the ground in August. The UT extension has a great publication that you can download.

Search for Fall Vegetable Gardens, UT Extension (it is publication # SP291G).

Grass Masters Academy

Grass Masters Lawn Care Academy will be held again this year. It is taught on Aug. 15 through 17 from 6–9 p.m. by extension agent Mitchell Mote. Space is limited, so preregister

by Aug. 10 to guarantee that course materials will be available to you. You will learn about the different types of turf grasses that can and can’t be grown here. You will learn how to manage the lawn with options for establishing a new lawn, renovation tips for an existing lawn, weed control, fertilization, organic lawn care options and more. All sessions will be held in the Lane Agri-Park Office complex.

It is a free class. You can register by calling (615) 898-7710 or by emailing mmote1@utk .edu.

AUG. 23 Intensive Gardening Techniques Richard Lee, Certified Master Gardener

AUG. 26 Smart Plant Choices for Ponds and Water Gardens Cynthia Allen, Environmental Specialist, MTSU Stormwater Program

AUG. 30 Seasonal Eating, Part 2: Tomatoes Carla Bush, Extension Agent

SEPT. 2 Managing Pests and diseases in Honeybees George Martin, Martin’s Honeyhouse

SEPT. 6 2016 Tennessee Hemp Update Colleen Keahy, TN Hemp Industries Alliance Farmers’ Market Classes are free, open to the public and are held at the Community Center in the Lane Agri-Park on John R Rice Blvd. Classes start at 9 a.m. and last about one hour. Questions about the classes can be directed to (615) 8987710. If you are unable to attend, most classes are recorded and uploaded to the RC Farmers Market YouTube channel.

PEACHES. Known as the stone fruit, originally indigenous to China, the peach was brought to the Americas by the Spanish, but it was an English horticulturist named George Minifie who is reported to have brought the first peaches to the North American colonies in the 17th century. Americans did not widely cultivate peaches until the 19th century; people must have finally realized how delicious and versatile they are. The United States is now the third-largest producing country these days, behind China and Italy.

Peaches in the South have become synonymous with summer. They go hand in hand with the likes of sweet tea, farmers markets and barbecues. As a chef, peach season means grilled peach salads, peach pies and peaches in just about every dish you can imagine.

Recently for a special pop-up dinner, I did a dessert plate with peaches as the focus. Peach-raspberry sorbet, peach macarons (which we have at the shop, Simply Pure Sweets, from time to time, and are not to be confused with coconut macaroons) and roasted peaches with whipped goat cheese on buttermilk cornmeal brisee were all happily married on one plate. Talk about flavor!

All the peaches were from our Saturday farmers market and bursting with flavor; it could not have been more perfect for a balmy July evening.

Peaches come in several types and each tastes a bit different. Peaches can vary in skin color and flesh color. They range between deep red skins and yellow flesh to orangeish-white skin and creamy white flesh. They are classified as clingstone, semi-freestone and freestone.

Clingstone varieties tend to be softer and sweeter, most common for a quick snack.

Freestone varieties are more mildly sweet, firmer and less juicy; perfect for all your peach pies. Semi-freestone peaches are the best of both worlds, sweet and juicy.

My personal favorites are called Saturn peaches or “doughnut” peaches. They tend to be flatter, the flesh a bit sweeter and more fragrant, firmer in texture, less fuzzy and have a pit that pops right out.

They are for me the best for pies and other baked or cooked dishes. If you find some be sure to give them a try.

Here is a simple yet delicious recipe

you might want to try for a cool summer treat. 

PEACH-RASPBERRY SORBET Yields 6 servings

PHOTO COURTESY TASTY-YUMMIES.COM

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup water 6 tbsp. sugar Squeeze of lemon juice 6 to 7 medium ripe peaches, sliced 1 cup fresh raspberries

DIRECTIONS: In a small pot combine, water, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil to ensure all sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool slightly.

Combine sliced peaches and sugar water mixture in blender. Blend until mostly smooth. Refrigerate until well chilled.

If you have an ice cream maker, freeze following the maker’s directions, adding the raspberries just before the sorbet is done churning. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze until firm.

If you do not have an ice cream maker: Pour the blended contents into a glass dish and place in the freezer for 45 minutes to an hour, until the edges start to freeze up. Grab a fork and mix it all up. Return to the freezer for another hour and mix it up again. Fold in the raspberries and freeze another hour. Repeat one or two more times until the sorbet is almost completely frozen. The finished sorbet won’t be as smooth as when made in a machine, but it will taste just as good.

Chantell Kennedy-Shehan is the chef and owner of Simply Pure Sweets, was formally trained at Johnson & Wales University and is a lover of all things dessert. Known for her French macarons and dedication to giving customers the feeling of quality and love in all things she makes.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 23

O

pen your eyes and jump inside the vast and enthralling world of Pandora.

To the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s latest show, Toruk—The First Flight, it’s not just a performance, it’s an experience. The production, inspired by director James Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar, will bring the breathtaking world of Pandora to life with a four-night residency at Bridgestone Arena in August.

Using extraordinary visuals, puppetry and stagecraft paired with a cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil performers are introducing new characters from the world of Pandora, a planet-like moon in Avatar, to arenas across the nation. The show, which takes place 3,000 years before the events in the movie Avatar, features several Na’vi characters, a humanoid species with an illuminating blue skin tone.

We spoke with NCAA champion acrobat Stacey Magiera ahead of Toruk—The First Flight’s Nashville performances, set for Aug. 24–28.

Magiera, whose main role is the chief of the Anurai Clan, discussed how she landed a job with Cirque du Soleil, the training involved with an

PHOTO: ERRISSON LAWRENCE COSTUMES BY KYM BARRETT

Art

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL BRINGS NEW PRODUCTION TO NASHVILLE THIS AUGUST.

World of

AVATAR

So before Toruk officially opened last fall, what was the time span from when you began working on show to the soft opening?

We started working on the show in July 2015 and the soft opening of the show was just four months later in November. It’s actually quite short for a Cirque du Soleil show.

STORY BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

 WIN TICKETS AT BOROPULSE.COM/CIRQUE intense performance schedule and how Torukis different from other Cirque productions.

MURFREESBORO PULSE: Before we

get into Toruk—The First Flight, do you

mind telling me about your background and how several years of gymnastics led to a spot with Cirque du Soleil?

STACEY MAGIERA: I did gymnastics for around 15 years and then competed four years of division one college gymnastics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I then auditioned for a show called Cirque du la Mer in San Diego, California, where I started off with flying trapeze and Chinese pools. I really enjoyed it, so I decided to make a demo video to send to Cirque du Soleil.

You’ve been involved with a couple other Cirque du Soleil productions, is that right?

Yes, I’ve was in two other shows while in Las Vegas. The first show was called Viva Elvis at the Aria Resort & Casino and the second show was called KA at MGM Grand Las Vegas.

I read that in this particular production you portray three different characters in the world of Pandora. Could you tell me a little about the roles?

Yes, I’m the chief of the Anurai Clan, which is an older, more noble clan, and we do a balancing act during that part. I’m also a part of the Tipani clan, which is a warrior clan that comes from the forest, and we do a pole act during the scene. Finally, the third character is part of the Omaticaya Clan which is actually from the film Avatar. I do aerial rope in that particular act.

What kind of training is involved while traveling to different cities with a production of this magnitude?

Well, the creation of the show was quite intense. Now that the show has been open for

24 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

awhile and we’re out on the road, we have training for each act just about every day, which is a workout in itself. And, on top of that, we do workouts such as injury preventative exercises to keep our bodies healthy and further training to learn more advanced skills on the apparatuses.

Toruk is different from the typical Cirque show in that it’s narrated and very story-driven. What do you all hope the audience takes away from the experience with the altered format?

Most of all, I hope they are pulled into the world of Pandora. Our show is exactly that—a story told through narration, acrobatics, projections, life-sized puppets and more. It also takes you through different terrain like the forest, mountain and desert. With all of that, I hope they feel like they’re actually a part of the world.

The costumes are beautiful.

Oh yes, the costumes are amazing. There are so many intricate details that go into making the costumes. They’re really beautiful. And the same goes for the makeup. The makeup is very detailed, but we actually do our own makeup for each show.

Do you have any particular moments in the show you look forward to each night?

My favorite moment is definitely during the Anurai act, the one where I’m a chief.

By the time the show arrives in Nashville this August you all will have been on the road for several months. What has your experience been like working on Toruk?

It’s been so much fun traveling, and it really is a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to be a part of a touring show. I think it’s so much fun to go to so many different cities and experience what each one has to offer.

Toruk—The First Flight is intended for all ages, and, as Magiera points out, it’s not necessary to see the film before going to the show. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 25

Art

Artwork by Beth Boudreaux and Jimmy Simmons

GO SEE ART Boro Art Crawl returns Aug. 12

ON FRIDAY, AUG. 12, the Crawl will feature more than 40 artists in almost 30 different locations near downtown Murfreesboro from 6–9 p.m.

VNTG, located next to Simply Pure Sweets on Walnut Street, will feature the work of painter and mixed media artist Beth Boudreaux and stained glass artist Fiona Dowd. In June, Boudreaux donated a work of art to the Boro Art Crawl and auctioned it off as a fundraiser. This month she will be painting on site, and Dowd will be making stained glass pieces.

She is now the resident stained glass designer for VNTG, adding to the art of their reclaimed wood and repurposed antique furniture.

“Thanks to the Boro Art Crawl I am now making my living doing the art I love. I was matched with VNTG at the last crawl and I am now their resident stained glass designer,” Dowd said.

“They have given me the opportunity to add my art to their beautiful and creative furniture pieces.”

Tracy Yarbrough will be in the gallery at Center for the Arts. Yarbrough, who was an elementary school art teacher for 10 years, loves to experiment with bright colors in paint and mixed media. She said she loves to “ . . . put some fun and happiness into the world, one painting at a time.”

Murfreesboro poetry reading group the Delineators will be performing at the Green Dragon (last month they performed in the rotunda during the artist’s reception). They will be featuring the work of Jonathan Garner and Beth Moore.

Joining the Boro Art Crawl for the first time, Trendy Pieces and Bella’s will feature the works of Phyllis Kitzler and Kelsey Gammon.

Other participating businesses and organizations include: Top of the Block, Daffodilly Design, Mayday Brewery, L&L Contracting, Cultivate Coworking, 26 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

“Life is Good Today”

by Tracy Yarbrough

“Riptide” by Tracy Yarbrough

Liquid Smoke, Smoke and Mirrors, Funtiques, Let’s Make Wine, Sugaree’s, The Write Impression, Simply Pure Sweets, The Boutique at Studio C Photography, The Alley on Main, Quinn’s Mercantile, Murfreesboro Art League at Cannonsburgh Village, Oaklands Mansion, The Block, Center for the Arts, Moxie Art Supply, Two-Tone Gallery, Murfreesboro City Hall Rotunda, Earth Experience and Studio 903.

A map of all Crawl locations will be available online a few days before the event and at each participating location the night of the Crawl. This map will also note where refreshments and music will be available. For more information on the event, held every two months, visit boroartcrawl.com or facebook.com/boroartcrawl.

LEFT: COURTESY TENNESSEEPHOTOGRAPHS.COM; OTHER PHOTOS BY SARAH MAYO

Around the Globe

Cheekwood exhibits international playhouses throughout August.

CHEEKWOOD—THE ESTATE, botanical gardens and art gallery situated on more than 50 acres in the Belle Meade neighborhood of West Nashville—hosts an exhibit of International Playhouses this summer.

Built in the early 1930s, after the Cheek family made millions from selling its share of Maxwell House Coffee, Cheekwood has since been converted into a museum with an impressive gallery housing hundreds of paintings, as well as a botanical garden space where

visitors can enjoy and learn about various flora alongside pathways surrounding the mansion.

This year, Cheekwood, along with six architect and builder teams, has created a special project scattered throughout the front lawn of the estate, inspired by the Cheek family’s travels around the globe. These six playhouses, each representing a country, allow kids the chance to climb, swing and slide outside of the main mansion and its art gallery, silver and snuff bottle collection displays and historical

information, where climbing, swinging and sliding is generally discouraged.

Murfreesboro woodworker Dayton Brown built one of the playhouses, after another Murfreesboro individual, Rachel DeBacker, designed the plans for that India-themed structure.

“It was a really fun project,” Brown said.

“The goal was to draw as much detail from Indian architecture . . . those Moorish arches are common in India.”

The structure contains some windows with very ornate cutouts made from mediumdensity fiberboard, an exterior grade particle board, that Mike Sutter (“He’s just a genius with CAD,” Brown said) assisted with.

Inside, the playhouse features some swings for kids to use, and those are covered on these hot summer days by a collection of standardsized umbrellas, strung together as a roof.

“Parasol umbrellas are a feature that are fairly common in marketplaces in Asia; they add shade and color,” said Brown, a selfemployed woodworker who enjoys doing intricate detail work, home remodels and specialty furniture pieces.

Evidently, the young visitors to the Cheekwood exhibit enjoy playing in his Indiainspired structure.

“We’ve been through three ropes [for one of the swings] already,” Brown said, laughing.

Prior to the exhibit, architects submitted plans for suggested playhouse designs and organizers selected six teams, each of which

were awarded a $10,000 budget to construct a playhouse. Other countries recognized in the exhibit include Chile, Scotland, Japan and Spain (two of the playhouses draw inspiration from Spain). The International Playhouses interactive art and play exhibit will be on the Cheekwood lawn until Sept. 4.

— BRACKEN MAYO For more on Dayton Brown, find Dayton Wood Designs on Facebook; visit cheekwood.org for more on Cheekwood and future projects and exhibits.

 See more playhouses at BOROPULSE.COM

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 27

Reviews MOVIE

GHOSTBUSTERS DIRECTED BY

Paul Feig

STARRING

Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones RATED PG-13

It takes a man to admit he was wrong. When I saw the terrible marketing campaign for this film, it was hard not to go into Ghost-

STAR TREK BEYOND DIRECTED BY

Justin Lin STARRING

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana RATED PG-13

busters skeptical. But I will also say the vast majority of people who think this movie sucks are also people unwilling to admit that they were wrong. They are people who went into this film gunning for it, and so even the best film ever made wouldn’t be able to convince them otherwise. But I’m not one of those people. I was wrong.

Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters is a shockingly good reboot and one that’s well worth your time. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Far from it. But I still had a shockingly good time, and Ghostbusters is certainly a film that stands out in an overall weak summer season.

Let’s get the negatives out of the way. First off, (and most importantly) the main villain is very lackluster. Not only that, there was at least a little bit of an uncomfortable tie to real world events with this guy, played by Neil Casey. But these scenes are few and far between, and obviously I am in the minority on this since I haven’t seen anyone else talking about it. In addition, the four main characters (plus Chris Hemsworth) weren’t particularly fleshed out, and they didn’t have much of an arc to them despite their excellent chemistry. That said, did I care that they weren’t super-fleshed out? Heck no, because I was too busy laughing my ass off.

That’s the big plus of this film: if you’re willing to turn your brain off and just laugh at four extremely funny women going back and forth with each other, and constantly enjoy Chris Hemsworth being a buffoon, you’re gonna have a good time. All four of these women are hysterical and giving it their all under the direction of Paul Feig, a man whom I think is right there with Judd Apatow for funniest director in Hollywood right now not named Edgar Wright.

On top of that, there’s Kate McKinnon.

Oh boy, if this isn’t a breakout performance

for her, something is wrong, because this is one of the funniest performances I have seen in years.

Despite being essentially a one-note character, she absolutely killed every single scene she was in. I found myself watching what she was doing even when she wasn’t the centerpiece of a scene, and she had a sequence in the final action scenes that sent chills down my spine. This film is worth the price of admission for Kate McKinnon alone.

And that’s not to mention the chemistry of Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy (Edgar Wright, can you please do a film with these two and Simon Pegg/Nick Frost?).

Ultimately, while Ghostbusters is not perfect (there are a few problems with pacing I won’t elaborate on here), it is vastly more enjoyable than many people are saying it is.

And this is coming from a guy who enjoyed the first Ghostbusters, but then only mildly enjoyed the second. I would honestly watch this film over Ghostbusters 2 all day. I want to see where they take this franchise, so I hope it makes enough money to warrant a sequel.

(Wow. I haven’t felt that way about a reboot since 2009’s Star Trek.) Go check it out!

— JOSEPH KATHMANN

Star Trek Beyond is the third film in the rebooted franchise, the first in the series not directed by J. J. Abrams, and the first to be written by noted Trek fan and co-star Simon Pegg.

Abrams’ replacement is multiple Fast & Furious sequel director Justin Lin, and his eye for action combined with Pegg’s first non-comedy writing credit make for a breezy space fantasy action flick, if not the cerebral Trek of pre-Abrams fare.

Though some lament, “It’s not Star Trek!” this brand of space opera suits the series. Chris

Pine has, for three films now, embodied the brash bravado of the Prime Directive-defying space-Cartman that was Shatner’s Capt. Kirk.

Beyond, however, finds Kirk sullen, a year older than his father when he died in service to the Federation, questioning his life’s station having spent the past three years drifting along as captain of the Enterprise, presumably carrying out boring diplomatic missions like a grade-A chump. Purpose is swiftly restored when the Enterprise is charged with exploring an uncharted nebula and is attacked by an unknown enemy, leaving the crew and pieces of the Enterprise scattered and marooned on an undiscovered planet.

Their attackers, a swarm fleet led by the appropriately menacing Krall, want an artifact in Kirk’s possession to complete their sci-fi WMD and wreak havoc upon the Federation. It’s simplistic and straightforward stuff, but Pegg’s script and Lin’s direction make the crew’s regrouping and their efforts to sabotage Krall’s scheme brisk and exciting.

It’s no surprise that Scotty’s (Pegg) storyline is a standout. He is saved from indigenous raiders by the space ninja Jaylah (Sofia Boutella)

who is also stranded on the strange planet. Jaylah is determined to fix an old junker of a starship and enlists Scotty’s engineering expertise, and their entertaining exchanges set up what must be the cheekiest use of music in film since Guardians of the Galaxy. Equally enjoyable are Bones and Spock, who manage to land an escape pod, though not without injury. Together they make a delightfully curmudgeonly couple as they search for survivors and attempt to free Uhura, Sulu and others from Krall’s capture.

Krall’s initial attack on the Enterprise is an exhilarating and emotional exemplar of a spectacular action sequence, and it sets a high standard for films of this ilk. As a result, Beyond actually suffers slightly from the standard set by this early scene. Once Krall’s motivations are made clear, the stakes shift and Star Trek Beyond has the potential to outdo itself, but where the film would have benefited from a drama-building, character-driven second act, it fills this space with serviceable, though superfluous, action. Such is the lot of the big-budget summer blockbuster, but as they go, Star Trek Beyond goes above and . . .

— JAY SPIGHT

A CLASSIC 28 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

LIVING ROOM CINEMA column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

Paced Poetry In a world full of mainstream movies, poetry in cinema is a rare and beautiful thing. These three directors are true poets, and it should not be surprising that they all share a female perspective.

Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975) is directed by Chantal Ackerman. A single mother does everything she can to provide for her teenage son. Ackerman takes her time to allow for the details in Jeanne’s daily regimens. Not enough can be said about this fine piece of work.

Phantom Love (2007) is directed by Nina Menkes. A woman seems dissatisfied with her life and family.

Through repetitions and profound imagery, Menkes weaves a film to be experienced.

Phantom Love is filmed in high-contrast black and white, and her other choices are equally spot-on.

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) is directed by Lynne Ramsay. Kevin is at odds with his mother from an early age. Despite her maternal efforts, the frustrations keep mounting. The resulting film is a carefully constructed psychological profile concerning the dynamics between a troubled mother and her troubled son.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 29

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

BY BRACKEN MAYO

com while in the comfort of their own home.

Margaret Ward has brought the KID TO KID franchise to Murfreesboro. Now open adjacent to Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant on Mall Circle Boulevard, Kid to Kid buys and sells gently used children’s goods and maternity wear in an upscale environment, according to kidtokid.com.

 MEDIA RERUN owners Larry

and Gay Pinkerton announced they would be closing their store earlier this year. They have since exited the business, but have arranged a sale to long-time employee John Judkins. The store, located near Walmart on Rutherford Boulevard, continues to serve the people of Murfreesboro who are looking for a deal on used music, video games, movies and more, and those looking to sell and trade their used media.

GARDEN GREEK GRILL has opened for business on Rutherford Boulevard near the Mercury intersection. The restaurant, in partnership with the folks at Opah across town, serves gyro meat, rice, salad and baklava in the increasingly popular Mediterranean-themed fast-food style.

BUNGANUT PIG, which has been in opera-

tion under various owners in Murfreesboro for 18 years, abruptly closed its doors on July 18.

“We hope to find a new location and reopen in the near future,” Bunganut Pig owners Mark and Amy Goodson posted on a sign on the locked door of the business. “We would like to sincerely thank everyone that has supported us over the years.”

Reportedly, landlord Skeeter Beaulieu told the Goodsons that he did not want bars and restaurants in the Georgetown Park Shopping Center. Yet Deep South Growlers, Five Senses and The Curious Kitchen still operate in the shopping center.

“He didn’t ask for more money, he didn’t give us a chance to stay, he just told us to get out,” said a frustrated Mark Goodson, adding that just a month prior he had invested his own money into putting up a railing around the Pig’s patio space.

The Goodsons still have a Bunganut Pig location in Franklin.

“It wasn’t the location, the food, or the live music that made The Pig my regular place. It was the staff,” said Pig fan Tyler Richardson.

“It was always a pleasure to hang with so many great people, all in one location. Thank you guys for all the fun times and good memories.”

After accepting a position at Oaklands Mansion, Karen Whitaker decided to close

ENCORE BRIDAL AND FORMALWEAR

SLICK PIG, a Murfreesboro institution

on the Square, which offered new and nearlynew gowns and dresses.

“When I first thought about opening a business in the wedding industry my first choice was a wedding and event venue,” Whitaker said. “However, I didn’t have the resources or capital to do that. Opening the bridal and formal shop was my second choice and I loved every minute of it.”

“I had to make a decision about one or the other,” Whitaker said. “I realized that Encore was a stepping stone to my dream job at Oaklands. So I see it as one door closed so the other one could open.”

smokin’ meat on Main Street for 20 years now, has completed a remodeling and addition, adding new seating, additional parking and a new area specifically for to-go service so diners can grab some sandwiches or tater salad for lunch on the quick.

ENCHANTED PLANET, Murfreesboro’s one-stop hippie shop, is expanding next to its current location on Lytle Street, into the space formerly occupied by longtime neighbor shop Stonekeepers. STONEKEEPERS has settled into its new home on Robert Rose Drive, while Enchanted Planet will soon have even more space for its eclectic products.

HASTINGS, founded in 1972 and now with

126 stores, will be closing every one of its stores

by Oct. 31 after filing for bankruptcy in June.

Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon Brothers Retail Partners partnered to purchase Hastings and quickly announced plans to “oversee the liquidation of assets.” The store has been a Murfreesboro fixture for fans of movies, music, games, books and magazines. The investment group who acquired the business will be selling all inventory in an effort to cover most of Hasting reported $120 million debt.

Jennifer Focht has brought an AMAZING LASH STUDIO franchise to Murfreesboro, open now on Old Fort Parkway, situated between Target and Toys R Us. The business specializes in installing synthetic eyelash extensions. Customers can become Amazing Lash members, and come in for Lash refills when needed. Upload a photo of yourself at amazinglashstudio.com and use the eyelash simulator to get a glimpse of how amazing your lashes can be. Join Amazing Lash and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce for a grand opening event at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.

FRESKO FROZEN TREATS offers a chance to cool down this summer with paletas, milkshakes, mangonadas and sorbets—try a paleta dipped in chocolate if you like! Beyond the sweets treats, the shop offers tortas, Cuban sandwiches and other savory items as well.

SPROUTS FARMER’S MARKET, a grocery store chain specializing in natural foods, seasonal and organic produce and vitamins and supplements, will soon be open near the Murfreesboro airport. The store will also offer a juice bar, sushi, salads and an olive bar. Additional businesses coming to the shopping center include Uncle Maddio’s Pizza, Petsense, Pacific Dental Services, Newk’s Express Café, Avalon Nails and The Pottery Place.

30 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

Those wanting to purchase a firearm after consigning their kids’ clothes are in luck— GUNMART is coming directly next door. As of presstime, Gunmart is still working on their custom cabinets, but consumers can now purchase a Mossberg pump-action, ammunition or a Smith & Wesson handgun from gunmart-tn.

Callie Etchingham Leasure, who owns Auntie Anne’s Pretzels of Smyrna, has taken over the former Maple Street Grill building on the Square and has announced plans to open the GAVEL GRILL AND SPEAKEASY, “featuring a solid new American menu, including great steaks, chops, seafood and lots of regional specialties,” soon.

CHECKERS at the corner of Broad Street and Medical Center Parkway is hiring now for a reopening of the burger and fry drive-in.

After 33 years of business, ANTIQUES UNLIMITED OF MURFREESBORO closed

 ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD has

announced plans for a new store on Thompson Lane, near Slim Chickens. The Missouri-based chain offers custard with various mix-ins—like the Snowmonster Concrete with strawberries and chocolate chips— as well as shakes, floats and malts.

its doors on July 31. The building at 2303 S. Church Street, near the Cracker Barrel just off I-24, has been sold and its owners, Jim and Clata Atwood, are retiring. SIX1FIVE SPORTS TRAINING has acquired the property and will soon open a second location (its original location being in Mt. Juliet).

Six1Five will offer personal training services to athletes ranging from 7-year-olds just getting into sports up to professional athletes.

TOKYO GRILL near the Carmike Wyn-

nsong 16 theater on Cason Lane has closed, but coming soon to the space will be SA

BAI DEE, a new Thai and Laotian restaurant. The phrase “Sa Bai Dee” is a general greeting or farewell in Thai, loosely translated “happy good.”

VIBE NUTRITION has taken over the

space at 208 W. Main St., where Let’s Make Wine formerly occupied before moving over to the east side of Main Street. Vibe opens at 7 a.m. each weekday and mixes a variety of fruit- and protein-packed smoothies.

Meanwhile, Let’s Make Wine is over at 109 E. Main St. specializing in wine making supplies and information.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 31

News

BY SAM CLEMENS murfreesborotribune@gmail.com

Walmart to Open Supercenter in Rutherford County Historic Courthouse

32 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

WALMART ANNOUNCED PLANS LAST month to open a new Walmart Supercenter in the Rutherford County Historic Courthouse.

“We believe that Walmart will provide stability to the Public Square,” said Walmart Regional Manager John DeVries, “and an opportunity to bankrupt at least a half a dozen other mom and pop businesses in the surrounding area.”

The Murfreesboro City Council approved the proposed Walmart Supercenter at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday night.

“There’s a Walmart everywhere else in this town, so we figured why not put one on the Square,” said Murfreesboro Mayor Sugar Shane McHarland. “At this point, we pretty much just said f *** it— they can go where they want.”

Conservative estimates place the proposed store as the twenty-seventh Walmart in Rutherford County, which has spurred explosive growth in check cashing outlets, liquor stores and other luxury industries.

The Rutherford County Historic Courthouse was built in 1859 according to Wikipedia, which is about as far as this author can get right now after a few too many glasses of Chianti. But since when is it against the law to have a few drinks before work, you judgmental . . .

Initial plans indicate that the first floor will be home goods, the second floor will be food and groceries, and the third floor will remain closed to the public.

Walmart officials have been unable to locate anyone who has actually been to the third floor of the Historic Courthouse and, as a result, Walmart believes the third floor to be haunted.

For more information on Walmart’s continued expansion into the hearts and homes of Rutherford County, raise the issue at your family Thanksgiving dinner or challenge one of the people sitting on a bench on the Public Square to a measured debate about capitalism.

(Relax, it’s a joke . . . kind of.)

Sam Clemens is the founder and publisher of The Murfreesboro Tribune, "The Paper That Prints (Some) Facts." According to one unnamed source, the Tribune is “the best newspaper you’ll ever read.” Contact him at murfreesborotribune@gmail.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 33

News NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM SERIES BY BRYCE HARMON

When it comes to Rutherford County Criminal Justice System, PCC and the new County-Run probation...

STILL WAITING FOR CHANGE IT’S TRUE WHAT MURFREESBORO townies tell new-to-town MTSU students: “Once you’re in the system, you never get out.” In my 13-year experience in this town— 8 of which involved navigating the Rutherford County criminal justice system—that standard phrase went from unbeknownst critical advice to truth I’ve thought, now, as a townie.

I received a public intoxication charge on Eaton Street in 2007 and I’m still here paying Rutherford County through the court system.

Rutherford County contracted a privatelyowned probation department, Providence Community Corrections (PCC) in 2006, which took the reigns from Maximus Probation, to handle the influx of misdemeanor criminal cases running through the Rutherford County Criminal Circuit Courts. Up until June 13, 2016, when the new probation-free, direct-payment-to-the-county courthouse began, according to courthouse clerk Debbie Goodwin, one of the ladies that oversees the new payment plan arrangements, PCC was the only option judges of General Sessions Court offered as a payment plan for the people who couldn’t afford the average $400 court cost from a misdemeanor charge.

PCC collected over $23 million in court costs and fees for the county up to 2013, according to former Circuit Court Clerk Eloise Gaither and former Tennessee Director of PCC Sean Hollis; County Finance Director Lisa Nolen said over $2.5 million in excess fees were put into the county’s general fund just in the first two years of Rutherford County and PCC’s contract. Additionally, PCC collected its own profit from its mandatory, monthly service fees (as seen on every one of my PCC payment receipts); now, Rutherford County and PCC have themselves become defendants in a federal lawsuit filed in October 2015.

Alec Karakatsanis, a thirtysomething civil rights lawyer from a Washington D.C. nonprofit organization Equal Justice Under Law, spearheaded the lawsuit and represents several Rutherford County residents/ex-PCC probationers claiming Rutherford County and PCC worked together to run a racketeering scheme by “conspir[ing] to extract as much money as possible from misdemeanor 34 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

probationers,” as the lawsuit states, as well as jailing some on probation for not paying their fines and fees, in turn violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), or the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, as well as violating the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment (“nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”).

Debtors’ prisons have been federally illegal in the U.S. since 1833 and were reaffirmed as such when the U.S. Supreme Court deemed them unconstitutional in 1983. So, in federal court, Rutherford County, whose General Sessions Court System along with PCC, a company hired to handle some of its work, are both being charged as an organized crime syndicate that abused its combined power and violated the U.S. Constitution, according to Karakatsanis’ class action lawsuit.

The Rutherford County Commission voted to cancel the county’s contract with PCC in February this year and PCC left town as quickly as it contractually could, closing shop

by April 1, 2016, leaving a shell of a building at 309 W. Main St. for the Rutherford County Mayor’s office, along with most of the same folks working in the General Sessions Courts (clerks, judges, public defenders, district attorneys, private attorneys, deputies, assistants, interns and trainees) to fill with a creation of their own, the new county-run Rutherford County Department of Probation and Recovery Services (RCDPRS).

ON THE SAME SYSTEM

“We’re on the same system,” Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Harrell said on the afternoon of June 9, when asked about the progress of transitioning between PCC and RCDPRS. Harrell, elected to the county clerk position in 2014, took over the job of overseeing the money for RCDPRS when PCC left.

I asked her if there had been any meetings up to that point with the new county-run probation department to work out the kinks, and Harrell replied “No.” She said a new computer system, New Dawn, was already in place to help manage PCC when she took over the job of overseeing the money aspects, and they kept it.

The new county-run probation system also kept some former personnel, with several ex-PCC employees taking jobs with the new county-run probation department.

I have been and still am on probation with both PCC and RCDPRS for the same driving under the influence and violation of implied consent charges since early 2014, as well as violating the conditions of my probation, which has kept me in the system this long, and it is evident Harrell is telling the truth.

My first encounter with PCC for a 2007 public intoxication charge resulted in PCC taking an additional 14.6 percent of my court costs, as PCC charged $45 for the 30-day probationary period, $5 for “enhanced supervision fee,” which is the Polaroid PCC took and used for their records at the mandatory PCC probation orientation before the first report date, and a $1 Tennessee Probation Council fee. My total court costs were $349, which included the $50 fine for public intoxication; the additional $51 (or 14.6 percent of court costs) charged by PCC brought the total to $400—a sum that was taken from money I borrowed for the purpose of attending MTSU. PCC was the only other option besides jail, though.

In 2010 I went back to PCC for a criminal trespassing charge I picked up at Tiger Hill

(local folks know what Tiger Hill is. It’s beautiful). At $35-a-month probation supervision fees for 12 months of probation, as well as $5 for another Polaroid at the orientation, I was looking at a $420 addition to my $345 court costs, which included the $50 fine for the trespassing charge, which is 121% of the court costs added to the $345. Luckily, I had a job delivering pizzas and my tip money helped move me from supervised to unsupervised probation (this doesn’t require a monthly supervision fee) in seven months instead of 12, so PCC only added 71% ($245) of my court costs to the tab, which ended up being $595.35 instead of the $770.35 it could have been.

In 2013, I had to go back to PCC again for DUI and violation of implied consent charges, which together cost $1,521.70 just for those two charges’ court costs (DUI court costs were $1015.35 plus a mysterious $10 add-on from the clerk’s office on Feb. 13, 2014, combined with $496.35 for the Violation of Implied Consent charge), but with the calculated additional PCC fees at $45 a month for 12 months totaling $540, PCC added 35.8 percent of my court costs to my required total payment amount, which is not the highest percentage of the money I’ve spent on PCC, but the highest amount.

More money was involved, though.

Let’s go back to Melissa Harrell’s office on June 9.

After Harrell, court employee Anna Ingrum and I made our way back to Harrell’s office in the back of room 107 of the county courthouse, I asked what happens with the money they receive now, to which Harrell explained how it goes towards state and county taxes and county litigation (those taxes combined are usually around $100–120 of the court costs, according to my records) and as I kept asking if profits or any cut of it goes to anything else, she replied, “It goes into [Rutherford County’s] general fund.”

I tried to see if there were any legislation or discussions in any committee meetings pertaining to the transition from PCC to RCDPRS that reserved any of the now straight-to-county money into a side fund designated for helping those affected by the probation department, such as help for the homeless in our community, or any kind of treatment therapy for those who have been through the department more than once, but Harrell just shook her head and said, “No. It goes to the general fund.”

As I mentioned how convoluted and frustratingly damaging the probation process is to those going through it, a couple of the sheriff ’s deputies in charge of HARRELL security at the courthouse entered the room, positioned themselves up next to Harrell and in the doorway behind her as I finished my questions and statements. One of the officers, Officer Bray, reminded her, “You have another meeting,” and escorted me out of the building.

The transition from PCC has not changed the way they do business monetarily. As of July 29, 2016, 86.8% percent of the court costs I owe for the probation I’ve been on for the last three years, on top of an added $261 court costs I now owe Rutherford County for violating the terms of my probation, go right to the county. I had a $0 balance owed to the county leading up to my last court date pertaining to violating the conditions of probation on July 18, 2016, but that changed again. I’m mandated to report monthly with $261 left in court costs to pay out, plus a $45-amonth fee for 12 months of supervision fees. Just this time, it doesn’t go to PCC but into the county’s general fund.

After my July 18 court date, walking back to the apartment, I passed by the site where the new and improved future courthouse will be erected, and just sort of laughed to myself at it all.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

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Opinion Lawsuit Filed Against MPD After Officer Appears to Have Decieved a Fourth-Grader NOT SURPRISINGLY, a parent of a Hobgood Elementary School student filed a federal lawsuit July 29 against the Murfreesboro Police officer responsible for children being arrested at the school in April in connection with an off-campus fight.

The fourth-grade girl went through severe trauma, crying and throwing up as she was held in the school’s office before being taken to the Juvenile Detention Center that day.

School officials pulled her from the schoolbus line to take her inside the school to wait for police to haul her to juvenile detention.

No wonder she was upset. According to the lawsuit, the girl tried to do the right thing.

She can be heard saying “Stop Tay-tay, stop Tay-tay!” on video of the incident in which a little boy repeatedly hits an older boy as several other children encourage the fight.

Her attorney contends she wanted the fighting to stop so nobody would get hurt

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The

STOCKARD REPORT

BY SAM STOCKARD sstockard44@gmail.com

and told Officer Chrystal Templeton as much after the officer found out about the video and contacted the girl’s mother for help identifying children involved. Templeton, who is targeted in the lawsuit for violating the child’s constitutional and civil rights, even told the girl and her mother nobody was in trouble.

Yet, according to the lawsuit, she swore out a warrant for the girl’s arrest and even told the Hobgood principal not to call the kids’ parents before they were carted to jail. The principal called the girl’s mother anyway. But police refused to allow the woman to drive her daughter to the detention center.

What we have here is more than a failure

to communicate. This appears to be a case of deception and control, with the officer obtaining information from the girl, telling her she wouldn’t get in trouble and then having her arrested and hauled off to juvey.

If true, that’s despicable.

Then again, hardly anybody in Murfreesboro agreed with the way this was handled, including District Attorney General Jennings Jones. The whole thing led to a huge public outcry, and rightfully so. Having kids arrested for egging on a fight is questionable at best, and having kids in this situation handcuffed and arrested, some who cooperated, is just plain wrong. Some of the children involved are said to have been involved in a separate heinous crime. But that doesn’t mean the entire crowd should be arrested.

Three months later, we’re still waiting for a final internal report to be completed. It is fair to say MPD is taking its own sweet time. It’s also fair to wonder how nobody lost their job in a case in which a little girl was traumatized for absolutely no reason.

TIGHT GRIP ON POLITICS

Nobody can accuse the Rutherford County Republican Party of being short on long-term planning. The Rutherford County Republican Party made sure all of its members knew which “conservative” judicial candidates to vote for in the General Sessions IV race that wraps up Aug. 4, even though this was supposed to be a non-partisan race.

Just before early voting started July 15, the party sent out a long list of information about the nine judicial candidates, complete with their history of participation in primary voting, clearly to show who has voted Democrat and who has voted Republican.

In a clear rebuke of the party’s actions, candidate Larry Brandon, a longtime Democrat and former General Sessions judge, refused to send the party any information. But every other candidate sent out their bio and a few comments on why they ran for the post, including local attorney Lisa Eischeid.

While most of the other candidates had voted mainly in Republican primaries, Eischeid participated in Democratic primaries until voting Republican in the last three opportunities.

Considering she and Ben Bennett were the front-runners, this seemed a clear effort to pit them against each other and leave no doubt as to who was the Republican candidate.

Bennett had voted in the Republican primary four times from 2012 to 2016, which is an oddity of sorts considering he formerly worked for Sheriff Truman Jones, a Democrat. It’s fairly common knowledge that Jones’ guys supported him at the ballot box. But unless someone wiped the records clean, Bennett never voted in a primary until four years ago, Democratic or Republican.

Republican Party Chairman Donna Barrett made no bones about the reasons for sending out the informational sheet. This race was for independent candidates since it wasn’t put on the ballot in time for the county’s primary earlier this year, and the party wanted to make sure when the winner ran for re-election in six years—in a partisan race—everyone would know the true Republican.

In a letter to Republicans attached to the candidate information, Barrett wrote, “Even though this new judgeship in Rutherford County is currently a county judge, we don’t want one legislating from the bench or a liberal that may move up the ranks to higher courts.”

Liberal legislating from the bench is code for judicial activism such as ruling against school segregation (1954) and overturning state laws banning same-sex marriage (2015).

Asked if the party sent out the information because of the high court’s decision last year allowing gay marriage, Barrett would only say, “We want them strictly interpreting the Constitution, which is their job.”

Certainly, we want our nation’s highest court to make constitutionally sound decisions. But, remember, the driving force behind the U.S. Civil War was slavery and it was allowed by the Constitution, which gave states the right to allow rich folks to own people and not have their property rights abused.

Some people are still trying to fight the war for states’ rights, hoping beyond hope it will somehow be able to trump federal law.

What does all this have to do with General Sessions Part IV in Rutherford County? Not much, because that judge will be charged with making sure people held at the county jail get quick and fair justice, possibly allowing the jail population to decrease and cutting the amount of money spent keeping people locked up.

Heaven forbid this judge do stuff like reduce bonds or take another look at probation, letting people out of jail when they have no business being held there. But that’s another story.

Anyway, according to Barrett, because this was a non-partisan election, the party was prohibited from allowing any of the candidates to put up campaign materials at the East Main Street Republican headquarters.

Somehow, though, Bennett’s stuff ended up there. And apparently candidate Jeff Peach, the Smyrna town attorney, wanted to know if he could put his campaign material there as well. After all, fair is fair.

Barrett says when she found out Bennett’s campaign items were at HQ, she had them removed. Considering she had absolutely no idea, it must have been those dratted volunteers, unaware of the rules, who let the stuff in. Either way, the Republican Party made it clear whom they favored, leaving the other eight to scrap for votes.

DEPUTY DEBATE

It’s no secret our Rutherford County commissioners are pissed off at Sheriff Robert Arnold over his 14-count indictment from an illicit plan to profit from the sale of e-cigarettes to county jail inmates. They say it’s a matter of betrayal and broken trust.

Consequently, when he came to them requesting the addition of 19 deputies, including jailers, at a cost of more than $1.3 million, they didn’t want to give him the money. Seriously, who could trust someone whose deputies spent time overseeing the JailCigs operation here, passing out e-cigs and enforcing strict e-cig rules.

If deputies are so busy, how could they have time to hand out e-cigs? It’s a legitimate question.

As is typical for Arnold, he accused commissioners of putting the county’s safety and security at risk just to try to send him a message. But, really, who is playing politics here?

People gladly doled out more money every year since Arnold won the election so the sheriff ’s office could have more vehicles, more personnel and more equipment.

How does he repay folks? By helping launch a scheme to get rich off inmates (at least that’s what the indictment says). Incidentally, those inmates are put up, fed and medicated by taxpayers, seemingly so they could be healthy enough to suck up some e-cigs. Nothing like a little nicotine boost fueled by battery acid to start the morning.

County commissioners postponed approval of the deputy funding until after Aug. 2, the initial trial date for Arnold. But when the federal judge pushed it off until Feb. 7, at the request of defense attorneys, commissioners found themselves having to decide whether to go ahead and spend the money instead of waiting eight and a half months.

Even though they believe the sheriff ’s office needs the extra personnel, they don’t want Arnold hiring the people, concerned he will use his position to hire friends and family, some of whom have been complete embarrassments to the sheriff ’s office.

When the county’s top legislative body holds that opinion, it’s not good. It’s bad.

Sam Stockard can be reached at sstockard44@gmail.com.

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Opinion Live Exceptionally. . . Well!

BY JENNIFER DURAND

Get Lost!... and Leave Your Mind Behind “The greatest gift you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.” ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo DOES THE WHIRLWIND OF LIFE HAVE YOU telling yourself “stop the world, I want to get off ?”

It is easy to get caught in this mental vortex that can have us spinning in all directions.

Managing the details with more grace isn’t as difficult as you may think. Learn to GET LOST! This is a more advantageous action if you elect to do it, rather than having some life crisis (sickness, accident, injury, etc.) demand that you do it.

Unexpected life crises or emergencies prove that we can and will always tend to “what matters most” in each moment. Preventing a build-up of unnecessary stress and burden is what we want to achieve in order to avoid crisis or mental breakdown.

This time of year many take vacations. Vacations are thought of as breaks from reality. A chance to discover something new, relax, take a time out or be with people we care about. How would you like to have this feeling throughout the year, without waiting for the long anticipated “annual” vacation? Mini versions of vacationing are the perfect solution. You have vacations, stay-cations, daycations. Many companies have incorporated “mental day” perks when you just need to have a day to yourself ! Why? Because there is undeniable proof that “getting lost” from it all for even a short time allows the mind to clear, breath to come, body to loosen, life to flow again.

Preplanning is good to make sure you allow mental breaks to occur. Make note of a variety of things you’d like to do then select the time of year you want to do them. Then, create your calendar.

When you have something to look forward to you open up dialogue and enthusiasm outside of the mundane or typical. Here are some things to consider doing.

WEEKEND: • Visit a nearby city or town. Create an agenda of sights to see, restaurants to explore and evening entertainment.

• Go camping.

DAY-CATION: • Make your own tourist attraction map. Plot out

things you’ve never taken the time to do that are right in your own back yard.

• Create “theme” days like finding all outdoor activities, planning an art day, movie day, culture day, or wine tasting and touring of different vineyards day.

• Spend just 24 hours away from your own home—out of town or at a friend’s. A different environment for even a little bit gives fresh perspective.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien Not enough time for even a 24-hour get away?.

No problem. There are even quicker ways to “get lost.”

“Unexpected life crises or emergencies prove that we can and will always tend to “what matters most” in each moment.

Preventing a build-up of unnecessary stress and burden is what we want to achieve in order to avoid crisis or mental breakdown.”

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TIME-OUTS:

• Block out an hour for reading a book that interests you. Allow yourself to escape into the pages.

• Light some candles. Sit. Inhale stillness. Just be.

• Spend time in a room (or a different spot in a room) of your home where you don’t normally go.

• Set aside time for a “sound of silence” for 10 minutes every day.

Absolute silence. Shhhhh!

• Sit in a far corner of your yard and look at your home from this vantage point. Take in this scene.

• Get up for the sunrise. Watch it from somewhere in nature.

• Watch the sunset. All of it.

The main thing to remember is allow yourself to consistently get lost—for a minute or a day. Try this alone, please. When you do you get a closer glimpse of what’s really important to you. Your thinking becomes elevated and less opaque. This will help you stay on a path less cluttered and chaotic. You will look forward to “leaving your mind behind” as much as any vacation you take. And, you can have these mental time-outs much more often.

Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe; she is a certified QiGong and Breathe Empowerment instructor, a skin care and makeup specialist, an InterPlay leader and is licensed in massage therapy, body work and somatic integration. Let her help you find your personal “ahh . . .” factor by visiting nurturenook.com or by calling (615) 896-7110.

After Leaks From Democrats Emerge, the Presidency Is Trump’s to Lose

A

fter attending the Republican convention, I felt like going to the Democratic convention would be like spending four days at the DMV, so I came home instead. I had planned not to even watch the goings-on in Philly, but then manna dropped from heaven.

Wikileaks hacked into the DNC and provided enough talk show material for a month.

Here’s just a sample: Hillary supporters infiltrating the Bernie Sanders campaign, DNC members going to Morning Joe’s boss on BSNBC about programming content, a Politico writer getting his story vetted by the DNC before sending it to his editor, conspiring to plant a mole inside a Sanders event in Kentucky or West Virginia to ask him about his religion, oh, and my favorite, a DNC member killing horses for insurance money.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, says there are VIEWS OF A other hacked emails to come that have to do with the Clinton Foundation. He tells ITV the column by next release will “provide enough evidence” to PHIL VALENTINE philvalentine.com lock Hillary up.

This I have to see.

It was like a train wreck in Philly. Debbie what’s-her-name Schultz is forced to resign as the presiding chairman of the convention, and who do they get to replace her? Some woman named Fudge! After all the lying that’s gone on at the DNC, they now have Chairman Fudge! This is too good.

The BernMe folks should be livid. I can’t imagine supporting a machine that purposely set out to destroy my candidate. But Democrats have a history of rallying around each other when the weather gets tough. We’ll have to see if Hillary can hold the party together.

The Republicans put on a nearly flawless convention. Sure, there was the dust-up early in the week with the roll call vote that no one could really figure out was all about. Yeah, there was that Ted Cruz speech, but Ted Cruz did far more damage to himself than Trump.

In fact, I think that speech helped unify the party. Many Cruz people finally abandoned him for Trump.

CONSERVATIVE

“And, if Julian Assange is right, the Democrats may be HQ-ing their presidential campaign from jail.”

And the Trump kids? Even if you don’t care for Trump you have to give it to him as a father. Yes, I know Ivana and Marla had something to do with their upbringing, but still.

Compare and contrast these kids to other rich kids like, say, Paris Hilton or the Kardashians. Man! It’s like Camelot all over again. Admittedly, Trump’s no JFK, but these kids blow the Kennedy kids out of the water. That’s what will appeal to women voters. Not just the glamour, but the underlying sense that if Trump can produce that many exemplary kids, he can’t be all bad.

Meanwhile, back at the DNC. The theme of the week seems to be Black Lives Matter. The theme of the RNC was Blue Lives Matter. The RNC featured cops and military members. The DNC features the parents of thugs who try to steal a cop’s gun and get shot in the process. What a contrast.

The DNC is all about victims and thuggery. The RNC was all about safety and security.

It’s Trump’s to lose. The stars are aligning in a way that all he has to do is not get in his own way, which he’s prone to do.

And, if Julian Assange is right, the Democrats may be HQ-ing their presidential campaign from jail. I don’t think the American people are stupid enough to elect a criminal. If so, we deserve what we get.

Phil Valentine is an author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host with Westwood One. For more of his commentary and articles, visit philvalentine.com.

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Opinion SPEAK TO YOUR TARGET MARKET WHEN CREATING ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS BUSINESS BUILDER

BY ROBERT RITCH

W

e’re surrounded by advertising every place we look. From TV commercials and Google Adwords to local newspaper and radio spots, everyone is vying for your attention and the money in your wallet.

So, as a small business owner, how do you weed through the big corporate marketing campaigns and your competitors’ ads, flashy design and high budgets, and figure out what you should do for your own business?

Many clear, cost-effective ads and placement campaigns may not win any advertising awards, but at the end of the day, do you want an advertising trophy, or thousands of dollars in the bank?

Successful ads are successful because they pay for themselves with the sales traffic they generate. They bring in leads, promote products and services, and maintain awareness of your business. So, like all of the lead generation strategies you’ve been working on, effective advertising is rooted in a strong understanding of your target market and how to motivate them to do what you want them to do.

Successful advertising, no matter what its specific purpose is, always: – Provides a benefit, meets a need, or solves a problem – Targets an audience that wants or needs the benefit or solution – Offers a product that is closely tied to the benefit or solution – Clearly communicates the message (the benefit or solution) and is easy to understand – Pays for itself by generating a high volume of sales traffic Every business should have an overall strategy or purpose for their advertising over time. This will allow you to save money by making bulk ad purchases.

Align your advertising with your business growth or positioning goals, and map out a six month or year-long strategy. Do you want to position your business as the expert in the industry? Double your lead generation? Sell a specific product or service? Announce new products or services? Maintain awareness of your company?

Here are some forms of advertising that each have a separate purpose: INFORMATION ADVERTISING is a common form of advertising that features the company in question in a positive light. Be 40 * AUGUST 2016 * BOROPULSE.COM

There are always new customers to market to. The people who are actually looking to purchase your offering are a percentage of your target market that rotates regularly Seeing your advertisement regularly builds trust and credibility

careful not to misuse this form, as no reader is going to be interested in an ad that is too “me me me” focused. Always provide something of interest or benefit to your reader.

IMAGE ADVERTISING is a type of advertising that reinforces your brand name and image. It’s a less aggressive strategy that aims to keep your business at the top of customers’ minds, even if you have no specific message to communicate. It might include running frequent small ads with just your business logo and phone number or email address.

ADS THAT SELL convince a prospect to make a purchase before they’ve even identified themselves as prospects. These are more rare forms of advertisements, and harder to create.

LEAD GENERATION ads have a strong “call to action” and are focused on motivating readers to respond. You may want prospects to pick up the phone, bring in a coupon, enter their contact information in a contest, call for free information, visit your website or visit your place of business. At that point, they enter the formal sales process and you can work to convert them into loyal repeat customers.

Use the emotional motivators you’ve been focusing on to speak to your target audience, and focus on getting your readers to do something that identifies themselves as potential buyers.

Write copy for your ad that speaks to the emotional motivators of your target audience.

Use the writing and persuasion skills you’ve been learning in the past two columns, and apply the same principles to writing your ad copy. Start with a headline that catches the audience’s attention with emotional triggers, and then gives them a reason to keep reading and care about what you have to say.

In advertisements it’s especially useful to follow your headline with a subheadline that is equally interesting and engaging.

The remainder of your copy should focus on communicating the benefits or solutions that your product will provide, and deliver on any promises you made in your headline. Tell your prospects why they should take action, and what they’ll get when they do. Use the emotional trigger words to hit their “hot buttons” and keep them reading.

A final tip in writing ads for lead generation is about weeding out unqualified leads. Make sure you include enough information in your ad to deter unlikely customers from making contact with you. Be up front about price and you’ll avoid dozens of phone calls from people who can’t afford to purchase your offering.

1 Design your advertising strategy.

3Ask your customers to take action.

Using the information you gathered in your market research, determine the publications that your target market accesses most often.

Make contact with the sales representative at each media outlet you wish to use, or explore using. This person is a great resource for you to use to your advantage—ask questions about size, specs, file type, deadlines, proofs, changes, rates and other expectations. This person will also have demographic information on the publication’s readership, so gain access to that data and use it to inform your campaign.

Publications will often give you discounted rates when you buy in bulk, or commit to a certain budget over the year. While you are looking for a good advertising rate, remember that advertising is an investment that you make into the growth of your business. That money is used to “buy” customers, whose purchases become your return on investment.

Advertise regularly to see the highest return on investment. There are a number of reasons for this: People need to be reminded constantly of your business (even big household names like Coca-Cola advertise regularly)

2

Since the purpose of your ad is to generate qualified leads, your call to action has to be prominently featured so your readers know what to do and how to do it.

Ensure that your preferred primary contact information appears in a larger font size than the rest of your contact details, or is the only contact method listed. Tell them how to receive what you’ve promised—(Call (999) 555-9595 and ask for Ted. Visit newco.com and sign up to start receiving your bonus guide. Come to the store and ask for your membership card.).

4

Using these ad guidelines.

Remember that it is the strength of your message and the clarity of the layout that will determine how effective your ad will be.

Stick to a clean and simple design.

Layout should be kept simple and allow the message to come through clearly. Keep all type horizontal, and avoid getting too creative.

Headlines are essential to successful ads.

Create a powerful headline that draws in readers, and make it stand out from the rest of the ad.

White space gives your readers’ eyes a place to rest and will keep their attention on

your ad longer. If you cram too much copy or too many images into a small space, your readers will move on.

Type needs to be easy to read, but also stand out from neighboring newspaper copy. Stick to a maximum of two types of font, and avoid font sizes below 9 points. All caps and reversed type (white on black) should also usually be avoided.

Images need to be sharp and high-resolution in order to be reproduced in newspapers.

Take care that black and white images are not too dark, or too light, and choose photos that will clearly communicate your message.

Color can boost the response rate to your ad; use it if you can fit it into your budget.

5Make sure to be aware of and set

yourself apart from the competition.

Pay attention to what your competitors are doing so you are aware of what they are doing well, doing poorly, or not doing at all. With this awareness, you can make choices to set yourself apart, or improve on your own strategies.

Without copying their strategies, look at their messages, layout, placement choices and offers.

What can you do to give your ad an edge? Is there something they haven’t thought of?

Distinguish your business, but stay focused on your own purpose and messages.

6

Test and measure every ad.

It is helpful to think of advertising as an investment, rather than an expense. Ideally, those customers will offer you a favorable return on your investment by purchasing from you on a repeat basis.

The only way you will know if an ad is paying for itself is if you track and measure its results. You need to know where your customers are coming from and why they decided to take action.

You can use your lead tracking system to do this, and then assess the results at the end of a fixed time period. You can also put codes or “keys” on your ads to indicate where your customers came from. This includes actual codes on coupons that tell you which publication the ad was placed in and in which week, as well as different offers and bonuses.

Get into the habit of always asking yourself, “what am I trying to accomplish with this ad?”

Effective advertising doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or even cleverly designed. Like all aspects of lead generation, it really comes down to a strong understanding of your target audience, and knowing how to communicate with them.

Robert Ritch has helped small businesses increase profits by assisting them in identifying and reaching their target market.

Contact Robert at ceo@robertritch.com or at robertritch.com.

Tips for Entrepreneurs to Improve Their Sales

BY SARA LIPPERT MAYBE YOU’RE STARTING to wonder if you don’t have what it takes to be a good salesperson. The good news is that anyone can do it. Yes, some are natural at making sales. For others, it just takes time to learn and patience with yourself to improve.

THEY KEY IS TO TAKE IT SLOW As noted by Martin Zwilling in an article for Business Insider, “the single biggest mistake people make is that they try to close the sale too fast. They arrive at the end of their ‘pitch’ just as the customer is beginning to recognize they have a need!” To be effective, you have to slow down, get in your customer’s mind, and be personable.

KNOW WHEN TO STOP Don’t let people waste your time by leading you on. If they’re just nodding their head and smiling, they’re probably just trying to be polite and don’t know how to say no. Know how to spot a genuine customer. If they really are interested in what you are selling, they’ll ask you questions about the product or service you’re selling and inquire about pricing. Remember, the time you spend with someone leading you on is time lost you could have been spending with a potential customer.

CONSIDER THE CUSTOMER’S POINT OF VIEW Rather than focus on your sales process, think about customers’ buying process and where each specific customer currently is in that process. First they have to realize they need something. If they already know their need, then they’ll have done their research on the product or service to find out who has the best offer. If they haven’t even real-

ized their need yet, don’t try to immediately push them into a sale. Help them realize why they need what you have to offer. If they’ve done their research already and are just deciding where to buy from, don’t annoy them with the reason they need it.

Instead, tell them why they should choose you over others who offer a similar product or service. Just always keep their situation in mind.

TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS Telling a customer about the features you have to offer them isn’t enough to make a sale. They need to know how it benefits them. To get them to realize these benefits, you have to start out by asking them about their problems. If they can’t seem to think of any, offer some problems most people have. They’ll probably realize they struggle with those issues too and just never thought about it. Talking about their problems will also cause them to feel more invested in your solution and be more likely to take the bait when you strategically dangle your offer in front of them.

Next time you go to make a sale, remember to take it slow and put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Take time to understand their needs and situation, and you’ll find yourself making more sales than you ever expected yourself capable of.

Sara Lippert is part of the team at Titan Web Marketing Solutions, a Murfreesboro, Tenn. agency providing digital marketing solutions that work for your business. From website design to social media marketing, Titan Web Marketing Solutions is capable of doing it all. To learn more, visit titanwms.com.

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Sports

Clockwise from left: Kerri Walsh and April Ross; Serena Williams; Usain Bolt

SUMMER OLYMPICS TIME IN RIO—GO USA! THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK. Last issue we went with the patriotic theme as we celebrated Independence Day. Let’s stay on the patriotic theme with the 2016 Olympics. USA! USA! USA! The month of August brings us a strange combination of sports, from table tennis to my favorite, synchronized swimming.

It’s a beautiful sport—long, hairless legs, dancing to the music. Gorgeous women bobbing up in down in the water, yippee! And dammit, why do the Chinese dominate table tennis? I have never told my readers this, but my nickname originated 15 years ago playing table tennis. Forget Bernie Sanders’ idea of a revolution, we

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SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY ZACH “Z-TRAIN” MAXFIELD

titanman1984yahoo.com

need a Ping-Pong revolution here in America. China is too dominant, winning 24 of the last 28 gold medals in table tennis. Why is China so dominant? Because the Chinese are crazy! Literally, they line kids up at 6 months old, and sort the talent from the trash. They take kids out of school and away from their families, and send them to Chinese Ping-Pong boot camp! Only 1 out of 10,000 are successful and make it to the next stage, the rest are beheaded. The Chinese are serious about winning—you

would cringe if you knew the selection process for the woman’s gymnastic team, deadly serious about success. We have to stop China! Trump may be right, China is taking our jobs, beating us in trade and humiliating us at Ping-Pong.

So let’s get into the heart of this beast, all things 2016 Rio. The early Olympics were celebrated as a religious festival from 776 BC until 393 AD, sacrificing 100 oxen in the name of the Greek god Zeus. Original sports ranged from chariot racing to running with armor. My favorite would have been boxing with no rules. They claim the athletes wore small leather gloves with bits of metal entwined. Sometimes this ended with an opponent’s death. Ironically, the person killed was awarded the victory.

In 1894, a Frenchman proposed a revival of the ancient tradition, and the modern Olympics were born, lacking the death sports, of course.

Enough history talk! Let’s get modern with some Olympic facts and some American athletes to watch.

This 2016 Rio Summer Olympics will be the first ever hosted in a South American country. The opening ceremonies will be held in Rio’s Maracana Stadium—a stadium that holds around 78,000 seats, yet managed to squeeze in 173,000 fans during the 1950 World Cup. Organizers expect 10,500 athletes from 206 countries to take part in the 17-day event.

This year rugby sevens makes its debut in the Olympics, a 15-minute variation of the real game. Both American men and woman are projected medal contenders. I played rugby in high school and love the game. It’s brutal and crazy and confusing to watch, but awesome, and rugby sevens is like rugby on crack.

The mascot for the 2016 games is Vinicius, a yellow and blue creature resembling either a cat or monkey. It can fly and has the power to stretch its limbs and body. It sounds like this monkeybird creature would be a match for Iron Man. Brazil is hoping, through merchandise, this strange creature will help raise around $400 million. Tickets for the games range from around $40 to $3,000 with nearly 8 million tickets available.

Soccer and basketball are some of the most popular so far.

Some American Olympians you should keep an eye on: Michael Phelps, of course! The 31-year-old and all-time most-decorated Olympian ever is back for his final Olympics.

Standing at 22 total medals (18 of them gold), the bong-hitting Baltimore Bullet, the Flying Fish, is ready to add to his medal count.

Standing at 4-feet 8-inches, the 19-year-old gymnast Simone Biles may be the most dominant athlete on this Olympic team. The four-time U.S. champion and consecutive three-time world champion is a favorite and could very well become the first female athlete to win five gold medals. If Biles doesn’t win the all-around, it very well could be the biggest upset of the Olympics.

We all know Serena Williams.

Enough said. The best women’s tennis player in the history of ever is looking to add a fifth and sixth gold medal to her count. She is a favorite, and anything besides gold is upsetting in the eyes of a champion like Serena. What a duo, though, in doubles, being paired with sister

Venus. Ka-boom!

I love this story, and will very much be keeping an eye on Justin Gatlin vs.

Usain Bolt. Speed kills!

At 34, the oldest sprinter to make an American Olympic team, he has the best shot at knocking off the fastest man in the world, Mr. Bolt. Gatlin finished serving a four-year ban for doping. Gatlin knows his way around the track, winning gold in the 2004 Athens games in the 100-meter dash and bronze in the London 2012 Games’ 100-meters.

He recently finished second to Bolt in both the 100m and 200m in the 2015 World Championships.

Who doesn’t love beach volleyball?

Good grief! Those women have strength, beauty and a tight what!

Yep that’s right, those booties be too bootie-licious for me, as Beyoncé said. Kerri Walsh, nicknamed 6 Feet of Sunshine, will be without famed partner Misty May-Treanor, who recently retired. The 37-year-old is looking for her fourth straight gold, and all with a new partner, April Ross. I love beach bootie ball!

We all love USA basketball, even though basketball is the most lopsided event in the Olympics. It’s not even fair watching Team USA beat these other countries. The same can be said for Team USA woman’s soccer. Dominance is awesome, but it’s not pretty and it is boring. The men didn’t even qualify. Yep, that’s right, no soccer for Team USA and the men.

So that’s about it. I love America, I love the Olympics. As always, America will dominate the medal count.

America—a country full of overweight slobs who worship fast food; that’s why I salute all the dedicated Olympic athletes who overshadow that stigma by the way they represent the USA on a world stage.

That’s it, friends. Tune into the Olympics this month. Train’s out the station—Choo-choo!

BOROPULSE.COM

* AUGUST 2016 * 43