November 2017 Murfreesboro Pulse

NOVEMBER 2017 / VOL. 12, ISSUE 11 / FREE

Come and See

10/28: A Dark Day in the ’Boro

Movember Disco

Poetry in the Boro

Carpe Artista Fan Week

1st Shot Basketball

Acorn Festival

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

Blues Man

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF BILL STEBER

Contents

WORD FROM THE EDITOR

VISIT BOROPULSE.COM FOR MORE!

18 26

COVER STORY

IN EVERY ISSUE

FEATURES

4 Events

10 AROUND THE GLOBE

Boro International Festival returns to Cannonsburgh Village on Nov. 11.

17 AUGUST CHRISTOPHER

All or Nothing: The hardest working band you’ve probably never heard of.

18 A DARK DAY

22 1ST SHOT BASKETBALL

Murfreesboro program provides sport and life training for area youth.

30 CAPTURING THE BLUES

Photographer Bill Steber documents the music of the Mississippi Delta.

34 ID THEFT

Recent breaches suggest everyone is vulnerable.

Art Director: Sarah Mayo Copy Editor: Steve Morley Advertising: Don Clark Leslie Russell-Yost

Pumpkin Apple Bread

40

Opinion

Veterans Day Parade; Turkey Giveaway; and more!

27 Art

8 Sounds

Catch Me If You Can; Race

White Lives Matter rally promoter a noshow in the Boro.

POETRY

LIVE . . . WELL

LOCAL CONCERTS

Matthew West, MTSU Singers and more!

Documenting the Oct. 28 White Lives Matter rallies in Middle Tennessee.

Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

THIS MONTH

RECIPE

MUSIC NOTES

Acorn Fest, Come and See and more!

ALBUM REVIEWS

THEATER

Nov. 12 event features Bryanna Licciardi and Jeff Hardin

32 Movies REVIEWS

Bled to Submission, Kenny Mc

Happy Death Day; Blade Runner 2049

18 Living

LIVING ROOM CINEMA

GARDENING

Korean Dramas

Coldframes for winter and using pumpkins

34 News

24 Food

BUSINESS BUZZ

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Through the Grapevine

Taqueria Toluca, Murfreesboro Data, Kaleidoscope Vapor, The Newborn Nurse, Small Business Scavenger Hunt and more!

Contributors: Dylan Skye Aycock, Jessica Barroll, John Connor Coulston, Greg Crittenden, Jennifer Durand, Joseph Kathmann, Zach Maxfield, Elizabeth Scott Sawyer, Edwina Shannon, Chantell Kennedy-Shehan, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Norbert Thiemann, Semaj Thomas, Phil Valentine, Kory Wells, Meredith White, Michelle Willard

THE STOCKARD REPORT

Be ambitious with goals, not deadlines VIEWS OF A CONSERVATIVE

Corker and other establishment politicians out of touch.

44 Sports SPORTS TALK

Pole dancing, dodgeball among sports recently recognized.

BORO 2 SQUARE

Running group meets each Wednesday MTSU SPORTS

Football team hopes to salvage season; Basketball teams to open new season.

Copyright © 2017, 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 advertisers.

Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

To carry the PULSE at your business, or to submit letters, stories and photography: Bracken@BoroPulse.com 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 • 615-796-6248

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THE DAY AFTER THE GREAT RATIONAL POLITICAL DISCOURSE FESTIVAL OF 2017 a longtime Murfreesboro businessman gave me a call.

“The Pulse is the voice that can help businesses bounce back,” he says.

Out-of-town white nationalist and Antifa groups disrupt commerce as usual on the Square in a selfish display of promoting their own causes, mainstream media does everything it can to get a fight on video, and afterwards they all go back whence they came. Community leaders sent a strong message for local residents to avoid the Square area. And they did.

Sales for many businesses, not just on the Square but throughout Murfreesboro, were a fraction of what they should have been the week leading up to the highly anticipated Oct. 28 rally, which fizzled out with little incident after the group that applied for the permit never showed up (this a much preferred situation to the downtown merchants than the all-out war scene that some forces seemed to desire).

Some who operate businesses on the Square felt strongarmed into closing for the day—many actually boarding up windows the day before the rally. Other businesses in nearby areas remained open but noticed a drastic reduction in sales the whole week prior. This not only affected the businesses’ ability to pay rent and bills but also the personal finances of sales clerks, waitstaff and dishwashers who saw a reduction in hours.

Though other than the temporary disruption of commerce, everyone else got what they wanted, or at least one could spin it in such a way.

The League of the South and affiliated groups got the type of local, national and even international publicity that money can’t buy for their messages of White Lives Matter, deportation and stricter immigration policies. That publicity for their cause was handed to them before they even set foot in Murfreesboro.

What else did they have to gain by coming to Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro Loves, a group of hundreds of area residents who gathered the day of the rally in a counter-protest effort, claims a victory for love, tolerance and acceptance. Sentiments that “the Nazis are not welcome in our town” punctuated their message of love, tolerance and acceptance; love for all but the intolerant, tolerance of all but the unaccepting, and acceptance of all but the unloving.

The local government and law enforcement had an opportunity to demonstrate how quickly they can mobilize and militarize. As Mr. Stockard touches on in his column, Murfreesboro and Rutherford County law enforcement sometimes receives criticism over an over-aggressive attitude toward minor offenses, and he has pointed out on various occasions that the area is somewhat of a police state.

However, this may have served the town well during the big White Lives Matter rally that never really was. The establishment sent a clear message that if groups want to have a street war, it ain’t happening in Murfreesboro.

Many in the community expressed thanks that no one was hurt and that the apocalyptic picture painted prior to the occasion did not go down.

Now, there’s talk of making the application process to use public grounds in the community more difficult. Let’s hope this extreme PR stunt doesn’t keep the real people of Murfreesboro from being able to hold their (generally well-behaved and respectful) gatherings, fundraisers and demonstrations.

Peace, BRACKEN MAYO Publisher/Editor in Chief

Events

BY ANDREA STOCKARD

NOV. 3

NOV. 4

HOLIDAY SIP, SHOP & STROLL

COOKIN’ TO BUILD

The Downtown Murfreesboro Business Association (DMBA) encourages the community to shop locally at this year’s Sip, Shop and Stroll in historic downtown Murfreesboro, Friday, Nov. 3, from 6–9 p.m. Enjoy refreshments while shopping for the holiday season at retailers like Appletons Creative Framers, Bella’s Boutique, Let’s Make Wine, Moxie Art Supply and many more. For more information, visit facebook.com/sipshopstroll downtownmboro or instagram.com/sipshopstrolldowntownmboro.

Habitat for Humanity hosts the 10th Annual Cookin’ to Build kicks off around the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse on the Murfreesboro Public Square on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the local Habitat for Humanity. Area groups compete for the best soups, chili, stew and other similar warm goodies. Get a hand-painted soup bowl perfect for tasting everything while enjoying live entertainers. Admission is $20 for allyou-can-eat, and participants get to keep their pottery bowls, painted by painters at The Pottery Place. For more information, contact (615) 890-5877 x100 or shelby@ rchfh.org, or visit rchfh.org/cookin-to-build.

NOV. 4 ACORN FESTIVAL Get into the fall season at the second Acorn Festival at Oaklands Park (900 N. Maney Ave.) kicking off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. During the time of year when acorns fall from the large oak trees, enjoy local and national indie, rock, folk and Americana talent alongside food trucks and craft beer vendors. For more information, find an Acorn Festival 2017 video on YouTube, or purchase tickets at acornfestival.org.

NOV. 4 DEFENDING THE TRUTH Ravi Zacharias, J. Warner Wallace, Frank Turek, Stuart McAllister and others will appear at New Vision Baptist Church (1750 N. Thompson Ln.) Saturday, Nov 4., from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. for the 2017 Defending the Truth Conference. Powerful presentations from speakers equip attendees to effectively and respectfully defend their Christian faith. For more information, visit nrbtv.org/ dtc or the nrbnetwork Facebook page.

NOV. 5 NATURALE BEER FEST Earth Experience, the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, hosts the NaturAle beer fest on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 2–6 p.m. A souvenir glass and unlimited beer samples are included with tickets.

Proceeds benefit Earth Experience, the only natural history museum in Middle Tennessee and the only museum in Tennessee with real tyrannosaurus rex bones. Earth Experience is located at 816 Old Salem Rd. Find tickets for NaturAle on Eventbrite.

NOV. 6 MANIC MONDAY: MUSIC AND

NOV. 4 PUG FESTIVAL Pugs and their humans will converge at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) for the second annual Middle Tennessee Pug Festival on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Food and craft vendors will be in attendance. For more information, contact (615) 956-3801 or midtnpugfestival@gmail.com, or visit pugfestival.com.

MAMA’S HOME COOKIN’ Ignite Missions and Ministry, along with Give a Little Christmas, present Manic Monday the first Monday of every month at Wesley Foundation Campus (216 College Heights St.) from 6:30–9 p.m. as songwriters entertain and the Wesley Foundation serves home-cooked meals.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door, and proceeds benefit Ignite Missions and Ministry. For more information, visit the Facebook page at ignitemnm.

NOV. 9 DINNER WITH THE DOCTOR Join Dr. Paul Williams Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6:30–8 p.m., at Mimi’s Café (2625 Medical Center Pkwy.) for a casual environment and discussion about disease, health and solutions. Paul Williams, M.D., is a 1975 graduate of the West Virginia

SNACK AND LEARN BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers a free series of Snack and Learn sessions the second Thursday of every month at McFadden Community Center (211 Bridge Ave.) from 6–7 p.m. to help consumers understand Marketplace health insurance options, enrollment periods and the process in enrolling for insurance on healthcare.gov.

Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (423) 535-4358.

HISTORY BANQUET Join the Rutherford County Historical Society Banquet at Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) on Friday, Nov. 10, from 6–10 p.m., curated by James Manning. For reservations, contact benmargie@bellsouth.net.

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

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NOV. 9

NOV. 10

NOV. 4 Tennessee residents are encouraged to dispose of household hazardous waste at the Murfreesboro Public Works Facility (4765 Florence Rd.) on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m.–noon. Dispose of strippers, thinners, adhesives, driveway sealant, roofing tar and wallpaper remover, home lawn and garden products, pesticides, fertilizers, wood preservatives, pool chemicals and more.

For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Program, visit tn.gov.

University School of Medicine and has practiced Emergency Medicine for over 20 years. Dr. Williams has served as a physician for several athletic teams and events, including the United States International Roller Hockey Team and the 1996 Summer Olympics. He currently serves as Corporate Medical Director for NSA and his popular lectures have been seen around the U.S. Find tickets to Dinner with the Doctor on Eventbrite.

NOV. 10 PHOTO COURTESY WGNS RADIO

SATURDAYS IN NOVEMBER LOCAL HISTORY The Rutherford County Historical Society has opened the Ransom School (717 N. Academy St.) to the public on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.–noon. Stop by for coffee and conversation while learning about adventures experienced by those who lived in Murfreesboro in the past. Bring your treasured family photos and historical treasures to share. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org.

FOOD AND WATER FOR HURRICANE SURVIVORS Greenhouse Ministries (309 S. Spring St.) partners with Feed America First to collect non-perishable food and water for hurricane victims in Florida and Texas on Friday, Nov. 10, from 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, call (615) 494-0499.

Visit BOROPULSE.COM/EVENTS for more community events

ministry meet the 500-turkey goal. The Mobile Food Pantry is a great volunteer opportunity as well. To volunteer, contact julie.young@greenhousemin.org. For more information, contact 615-494-0499 or rachel.young@greenhousemin.org.

NOV. 11 RUN JONAH RUN 5K The third Annual “Run Jonah Run 5k” at Blackman High School (3958 Blaze Dr.) will raise funds for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and The Barst Grant to research pediatric pulmonary hypertension.

Jonah was a 10-year-old boy who loved life, and who was loved by many. His life was cut short in June 2015 due to complications of pulmonary hypertension, a progressive lung disease with no cure. A raffle drawing will be held before the race at 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, featuring prizes such as gift cards to FLOW Aquatic Wellness, Middle Tennessee Chiropractic and Sports Injury and Bulls Eye Gun and Pawn. The race follows at 7:30 a.m. Make sure to wear red, Jonah’s favorite color. For more information or to register, visit runjonahrun.net.

NOV. 11 BOUNCE BACK GOLF SCRAMBLE The Bounce Back Golf Scramble benefits Homes for Our Troops on Veteran’s Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, beginning at noon at Champion’s Run Golf Course (14262 Mt Pleasant Rd., Rockvale). The cost of the scramble is $100 per person and $400 per team. The four-man scramble begins with a shotgun start and provides dinner and beverages. Homes for Our Troops is a nonprofit organization that builds individualized homes for service members who have been severely injured in combat since Sept. 11, 2001. The scramble is hosted by MTSU’s Leisure Sport and Tourism Studies Program Planning class. To register, visit active.com. For more information, contact Marcus at 901-828-8007 or mle3t@ mtmail.mstu.edu, or Andrew at (615) 7850593 and awb3i@mtmail.mtsu.edu.

NOV. 18 VETERANS DAY PARADE

NOV. 11 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S The Alzheimer’s Association invites Rutherford County residents to join in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at MTSU’s Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium (1568 Greenland Dr.) on Saturday, Nov. 11, with registration at 8 a.m. and the ceremony from 9–11 a.m.

Complete a three-mile walk and learn about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies, enrollment, support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association. Join in a meaningful tribute ceremony to honor those affected by the disease. In Tennessee alone, there are more than 110,000 people living with the disease and 430,000 caregivers. All funds raised further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, contact 615-315-5880 or mlthomas@alz.org, or visit alz.org.

Fall Finale on Nov. 11 and 12 at The Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304 W. Thompson Ln.). For stall reservations, contact butlercoosa@charter.net or 615-397-6754.

For show entry, contact 502-551-7955 or lesfluhr@gmail.com. For more information, visit volrha.com.

NOV. 11 TURKEY TEE OFF

Join LulaPalooza for shopping and pampering for women of all ages Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Embassy Suites

by Hilton (1200 Conference Center Blvd., Mirabella Ballroom E). Browse 15 LulaRoe vendors along with a variety of 25 other direct sales vendors, craft vendors, free makeovers, gifts and prize drawings. Admission is $3 for adults; kids 12 and under are free. For more information, call 423-6501388 or visit touchtheskyevents.com.

Team up with the Child Advocacy Center at the 7th Annual Turkey Tee Off Saturday, Nov. 11, at Cedar Crest Golf Club (7972 Mona Rd.) at 8 a.m., with breakfast provided by Waffle House, before teeing off at 9 a.m. Put your putting skills to the test, and aim for a chance to win $10,000 in the hole-in-one contest. After the round, golfers can stick around for lunch, prizes and a silent auction stuffed with amazing items. Over the past 17 years, CAC has investigated and prosecuted over 13,500 child abuse cases, assisted 19,400 individuals and trained over 8,100 adults how to protect children from child sexual abuse.

For more information, call 615-867-9000 or visit cacrutherford.org

NOV. 11 AND 12

NOV. 12

VOLUNTEER RANCH HORSE SHOW

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

NOV. 11 LULAPALOOZA

Join the Volunteer Ranch Horse Association and Tennessee Equine Hospital for the

Restoration Fellowship Church (611 Butler Dr.) invites the public to a special Veterans Day remembrance Sunday, Nov.

12, from 10–11 a.m. For more information, call 629-201-9074.

NOV. 16 THE CONNECTION The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming will be held from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, 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.

NOV. 17 GREENHOUSE MINISTRIES TURKEY GIVEAWAY Join Greenhouse Ministries’s Annual Turkey Giveaway and Mobile Food Pantry Friday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m.–1 p.m., offering turkeys and a full grocery cart of food for over 400 low-income households in need. Drop off frozen turkeys any time Nov. 16 from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. and help the

The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) gears up for its Fourth Annual Veterans Day Parade at the Alvin C. York campus (3400 Lebanon Pk.) Saturday, Nov. 18, with a pre-parade concert at 10 a.m. and the parade kicking off at 11 a.m. to bring awareness to veterans who are unable to attend other community parades.

This year’s theme is “A Grateful Nation Salutes Gulf War Veterans.” The pre-parade concert features country singer-songwriter and former Army Sergeant Task Force Ranger Keni Thomas (kenithomas.com).

This event is free and open to the public.

Food, face painting and military apparel can be purchased. To participate in the parade or to volunteer, contact 615-2253786 or annette.allen@va.gov.

NOV. 18 X FASHION SHOW On Nov. 14, 2014, Tennessee lost a well known and caring individual by the name of Akeem Williams. Williams was a 20-year-old college student whose big heart impacted many lives. X, a fashion show event held Saturday, Nov. 18, will benefit the growth and well-being of delinquent juveniles and help fund scholarships to assist the next dreamer in accomplishing their life goals. Occasions Event Center, 2349 S. Church St., hosts the event from 5:30–11:30 p.m. Find tickets for X, the event on Eventbrite.

NOV. 18 ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN RELIEF Discover how acupuncture and Eastern medicine can take the place of drugs and surgery for pain relief at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) from 2–4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, with licensed acupuncturist Jerry Rankin, PhD, who has been treating pain convictions for 16 years. Dr. Rankin has been a provider for the Veteran’s Administration since 2008 and has provided relief for many veterans who were in severe pain and on heavy narcotics. He is the author of over 30 health-related articles and the book East Meets West. To register for the free event, find Acupuncture for Pain Relief on Eventbrite, or call 615-326-5647.

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NOV. 18 LEARN, GROW, CHANGE So many of us get stuck, stalled or off-course in life because we stop learning, growing and changing. We become encapsulated by our own paradigm, making it hard to see beyond it. A workshop will be hosted by Kevin R. McNulty on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m.– noon (610 W. College St., Suite 115) to help attendees think and see beyond their current world as they learn strategies to move them towards a more satisfying life. For more information, find Learn, Grow, Change . . .

Into the Life You Want on Eventbrite.

NOV. 18 LOVE YOUR KIDNEYS WALK Tennessee Kidney Foundation (TKF) hosts the inaugural Love Your Kidneys Walk at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital (1700 Medical Center Pkwy.) Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 a.m. to spread awareness of chronic kidney disease and raise funds for TKF programming in Rutherford County. The cost is $10 to participate.

All proceeds from the event help provide prevention and education programs about kidney disease and kidney donation as well as direct support for those already affected by it in Rutherford County. More than 10,000 people in Tennessee have end-stage renal disease, and the number affected grows by 10 percent annually.

More than 2,600 individuals are waiting for a kidney. For more information on the race, visit tennesseekidneyfoundation.org or call 615-383-3887.

Nov. 18, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Local vendors sell handcrafted items, boutique clothing and more. For more information, contact 615-556-5675 or walterhillpto@ yahoo.com.

NOV. 18 AND 19 STONES RIVER PONY CLUB SHOW The Stones River Pony Club welcomes the public to its SRPC Combined Test and Dressage Fall Show on Nov. 18 and 19 at Tennessee Livestock Center (1720 Greenland Dr.). For more information, visit stonesriverponyclub.org.

NOV. 18 FERRELL HOLLOW HORSE  AND CAT SANCTUARY OPEN HOUSE Support Ferrell Hollow Farm – Senior Horse and Cat Sanctuary (5323 Ferrell Hollow Rd., Readyville) in providing permanent retirement care to specialneeds senior horses (primarily of the draft breed) Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Take a tour and meet some of the senior draft horses, view the cat rooms and shop for unique items and artwork while enjoying food from The Lunch Lady Food

NOV. 18 AND 19 ART STUDIO TOUR Truck. For more information, call 615409-6071 or visit ferrellhollowfarm.org.

NOV. 18 WALTER HILL ELEMENTARY HOLIDAY MARKET Kick off the holiday season with a day of shopping and fun at Walter Hill Elementary School (6309 Lebanon Rd.) Saturday,

The 24th Annual Art Studio Tour invites the community to visit nine studios throughout the area and see the works of over 30 local artisans Nov. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. There is no admission, and this is a tremendous opportunity to purchase unique hand-created Christmas gifts. For a map of all locations, visit artstudiotour.org.

ENTERTAINMENT

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

LEVEL III Trivia, 7 p.m.

THE BORO Vinyl Spin with KM 9 p.m.

 TUESDAYS COCONUT BAY Live Trivia, 7:30 p.m.

NACHO’S Trivia, 7 p.m.

NOBODY'S Bingo, 7 p.m.

LA SIESTA (GREENLAND) Trivia, 7 p.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

LEVEL III Trivia, 7 p.m.

 FRIDAYS

MELLOW MUSHROOM Trivia, 8 p.m.

STATION GRILL Trivia, 7 p.m.

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LIQUID SMOKE DJ Night, 10 p.m.

MT BOTTLE Karaoke, 9 p.m.–3 a.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

THE BORO Game Night, 8 p.m.

 SATURDAYS

NOBODY’S Trivia, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia, 8 p.m.

 WEDNESDAYS

COCONUT BAY Karaoke, 8:00 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.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.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 7 p.m.

 SUNDAYS

GEORGIA’S SPORTS BAR Karaoke, 9 p.m.

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

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Trivia, 8 p.m.

OLD CHICAGO Trivia, 9 p.m.

TGI FRIDAY’S Trivia, 9 p.m.

 THURSDAYS BOB’S BBQ Trivia, 7 p.m.

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

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FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

at Cannonsburgh, 312 S. Front St. Each Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

NOV. 3: Big Boy Shrimp, The Beet Poet, Hot a Mighty; NOV. 10: Flying Pig, Smoke-em-low, Creative Culinary; NOV. 17: Fitz Willy’s, Chicken Shack, Holy Smoker

KONA ICE OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE Treat your taste buds to the most amazing flavored shaved ice.

Lemon Lime a-licious, Blue Raspberry, Wild Watermelon, Groovy Grape, Strawberry, Orange, Pina-Colada and many more flavors available.

Call 615-971-0092 for today’s location.

SMOKIN’ BUTTZ

Providing slow smoked BBQ to Middle Tennessee; Pulled Pork - Pulled Chicken Loaded Potatoes Contact us for your next festival, catering event, lunch, dinner, family cookout, wedding or office party. Facebook / Instagram / Twitter @smokinbuttz, smokinbuttzbbq.com

THE HOLY SMOKER

Ribs, Fish, Pulled Pork, Hot Dogs, Loaded Potato Chips Elder Jimmy L. Tyson, owner Find us on Facebook / 615-480-5818

For more on including your truck’s information in this section, contact (615) 631-5768 or leslie@boropulse.com.

NOV. 19 WRAP PARTY The One Team One Mission Wrap Party offers a chance to introduce friends to the It Works! business at True Victory Church (507 N. University St.) from 2–5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Top distributors focus on sharing the It Works! opportunities and how to get out of debt.

For more information, find Murfreesboro, TN OTOM Wrap Party! on Eveentbrite.

NOV. 23 TREE LIGHTING IN STONES RIVER MALL Join the Murfreesboro community in the lighting of the giant 25-foot Christmas tree at the Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Thursday, Nov. 23, from 7–9 p.m. Join Santa in front of Bink’s Outfitters for a magical evening of family fun with hot cocoa, cookies and giveaways along with complimentary carriage rides compliments of Stones River Mall.

For more information, call 615-8964486 or visit stonesrivermall.com.

NOV. 27 PAWS AND CLAUS Join in Paws and Claus with pet photos with Santa at the Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) Monday, Nov. 27, from 6–8 p.m.(dogs and cats only, and they must be on a leash). Bring a donation of pet food and receive a free print. For more information, call 615-896-4486 or visit stonesrivermall.com.

SATURDAYS DAVE RAMSEY FINANCIAL PEACE CLASS Church Pastor Cory Busby invites everyone to participate in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Video Course, presented by The Well Church at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) every Saturday through Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.–noon. For more information, visit thewellchurchonline.com or call 615-4063917. Dave Ramsey can be heard on WGNS from 1–4 p.m. daily.

THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER LIONS CLUB PECAN SALE The Murfreesboro Night Lions Club presents its annual pecan sale throughout November. All proceeds benefit the sight-impaired in the community offering glasses, surgeries, eye treatments and other sight programs. Twelve-ounce bags of pecans (halves or pieces) are $10, as are specialty pecans in colorful gift bags.

To order, contact 615-896-1007, 615598-5238 or magnoliatwo@att.net.

CONCERTS

IF YOU GO Autograph Rehearsal Studio 1400 W. College St. 615-686-6121

THURS, 11/2

WED, 11/8

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Carpe Artista 101 Front St., Smyrna 615-984-4038

THE BORO

Coconut Bay Café 210 Stones River Mall Blvd.

615-494-0504

High School Honors Orchestra

MURFREESBORO STRIKE AND SPARE

Everyone Leaves, Young and Heartless, Daisyhead, Ponder Music, Parks

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

JD Shelburne

THE BORO

All-Star Jam

FRI, 11/3 LONE WOLF SALOON

Vicki Reid Band

MTSU Clarinet Choir, MTSU Guitar Ensembles The Fustics, Spencer McKenna

BIG DADDY WEAVE

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

The Music of Dizzy Gillespie with Denis Solee and Roland Barber

THE BORO

Songwriter Night with Glenn Brown

FRI, 11/10

NOBODY’S

AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

Chris Michael Taylor Band

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Tony Ramey

THE BORO

Gentleman & Scholar

SAT, 11/4 LONE WOLF SALOON

Greez Monkeez

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Resurrection (Journey tribute), Desolation Angels (Bad Company tribute)

MAYDAY BREWERY

Hoodoo Men

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Charlie’s River

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Mark Lee Townsend

SUN, 11/5 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU String Studio

MON, 11/6 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

MTSU Schola Cantorum, Middle TN Choral Society

MTSU SAUNDERS FINE ARTS BUILDING, ROOM 101

Derrek Phillips Student Jazz Combo

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Morgan Pope; MTSU Steel Band

TUES, 11/7 THE BORO

Cosmic Jazz

Battle Path, Bled to Submission, Witchfane, Aedaegus

LONE WOLF SALOON

Escape

MAYDAY BREWERY

The Family Band

TUES, 11/14 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Singers

THE BORO

Cosmic Jazz

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Matt Lund

MTSU Salsa Band

NOBODY’S

Zone Status

THURS, 11/16

SAT, 11/11 LONE WOLF SALOON

Phoenix Rising

MTSU SAUNDERS FINE ARTS BUILDING, ROOM 101

Michael Jenner Jazz Combo Concert

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Andrew Smith; Emily Orris; MTSU Symphony Orchestra

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

Boomerang

THE BORO

Arunesh Nadgir; Nicholas Thomas

WORLD OUTREACH

Matthew West, Jordan Feliz

AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

A Light Divided, The Scars Heal in Time, Chariot The Moon, Conquer The Distance MTSU Jazz Ensemble I

The Duo de Rootz (Rob Pearcy and Josh Smith)

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Rebecca Murphy and Windell Little; Abigail Jenkins; MTSU Chamber Orchestra

THE BORO

Tinderbox Circus Sideshow

SUN, 11/19

All-Star Jam

LONE WOLF SALOON

Wax Dummies

Pamela K. Ward Band

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Emily Deerman; Kristen Large; MTSU Brass Chamber Ensembles

MON, 11/20 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Opera Theater

MAYDAY BREWER

TUES, 11/21

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

THE BORO

Emerald Butler

MON, 11/13

Bridges To Burn

MAYDAY BREWERY

THE BORO

MTSU Wind Ensemble

Slider, OMO, Trigger Digit, Bled to Submission, While You Were Asleep

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

LONE WOLF SALOON

PUCKETT’S GROCERY

AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

SUN, 11/12

The Dr. Orphyus Project, Sheep Shifter, Iraconji, The Most Amazing Century of Science

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

FRI, 11/17

Ashley & The X’s

8 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Dove Award-winning worship/rock act Big Daddy Weave performs Friday, Dec. 1 at New Vision Baptist Church in partnership with Murfreesboro’s Special Kids.

Ticket sales for the all-ages event benefit children with special needs receiving therapy and nursing care at Special Kids. Formed at the University of Mobile and now calling Nashville home, Big Daddy Weave frequently appears on the WOW Hits compilations, keeps a busy national touring schedule and remains one of the most played artists on Christian radio. For more on Special Kids and Big Daddy Weave, and for tickets, visit specialkidsconcert.org.

WED, 11/15

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

PICK

FRIDAY, 12/1 @ NEW VISION CHURCH

THURS, 11/9

MAYDAY BREWERY

Matthew McCloskey

PULSE

Summer Basil

NOBODY’S

Junkbox

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL

Sarah Joblin

SAT, 11/18 AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

Cosmic Jazz

WED, 11/22 MAYDAY BREWERY

Ryan Coleman, Delyn Christian

FRI, 11/24 NOBODY’S

Karaoke Dance Party

MON, 11/27 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

MTSU Schola Cantorum and the Middle TN C horal Society

TUES, 11/28 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Jazz Ensemble II

WED, 11/29 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Jakub Martin Chris Combest and Eunbyol Ko

THURS, 11/30 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Women’s Chorale

THE BORO

Radical Arts Comedy

FRI, 12/1 AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

Faust n’ the Family Bargain, Flummox, The Hollow Roots, Old Man Oblivion, Bellevant, Cerulia, Itinerant

First United Methodist Church 265 W. Thompson Ln. 615-893-1322 Georgia’s Sports Bar 555 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 615-267-0295 Green Dragon 714 W. Main St. 615-801-7171 Lone Wolf Saloon 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 629-255-8296 Main Street Music 527 W. Main St. 615-440-2425 Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 615-479-9722 Milano II 114 E. College St. 615-624-7390 MT Bottle 3940 Shelbyville Hwy. 615-962-9872 MTSU Wright Music Building 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 615-898-2469 Murfreesboro Strike & Spare 941 NW Broad St. 615-896-0945 Nacho’s 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

615-907-2700 New Vision Baptist Church 1750 N. Thompson Ln. 615-895-7167 Nobody’s Grille & BBQ 2227 Old Fort Pkwy.

615-962-8019 Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 114 N. Church St. 629-201-6916 St Paul’s Episcopal Church 116 N. Academy St. 615-893-3780

NEW VISION BAPTIST

The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 615-895-4800

SAT, 12/2

Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 615-867-9090

Big Daddy Weave

MAIN STREET MUSIC

ExoBox, Oblivion Myth, Black Sky Tribe, Stack

MAYDAY BREWERY

The Aquaducks

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Gordon Kennedy

World Outreach Church 1921 New Salem Rd. 615-896-4515 Trinity United Methodist Church 2303 Jones Blvd.

615-896-0413

 View the monthly concert schedule at BoroPulse.com/Concerts  Send show listings to Listings@BoroPulse.com

Sounds

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NOV. 11 DISCO PARTY BENEFITS MOVEMBER MOVEMENT

SHEL

ACORN FEST RETURNS TO OAKLANDS, NOV. 4

MUSIC NOTES

November is the month where many men bring awareness to men’s health issues by not shaving for the entire month. Organizations all over host events and fundraising efforts to help in bringing awareness to prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and other serious issues that men face. Join in on the Movember Movement in Murfreesboro at a Studio 54 Movember Disco Party at Mayday Brewery on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 1–10 p.m.

Come dressed to impress and get ready to dance to music from the featured live act The Aquaducks. Proceeds will benefit the Movember Foundation, one of the few charities tackling men’s health on a global scale. In just 13 years the organization has helped fund more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world, and its aim is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 percent. For more information on the Movember Foundation and how you can get involved or donate, visit us.movember.com; for more information on the festivities in Murfreesboro supporting the cause, find a Murfreesboro Movember page on Facebook. — MEREDITH G. WHITE

Cultural Arts Murfreesboro and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation will host the second annual Acorn Festival at Oaklands Park (located at the corner of North Highland Avenue and Roberts Street) on Saturday, Nov. 4. A wristband grants attendees access to the festival grounds beginning at 11:30 a.m., with live music kicking off at noon and concluding around 6 p.m.

The 2017 lineup boasts six local and national Americana and indie bands, including local favorite The Hardin Draw, as well as The Lonely Biscuits, Roanoke, Arts Fishing Club, The Touch and a headlining performance by SHEL, a Nashville-based band comprised of four sisters. The performance schedule is as follows: 12 p.m. – The Touch • 1 p.m. – The Hardin Draw 2 p.m. – Roanoke • 3 p.m. – Arts Fishing Club 4 p.m. – The Lonely Biscuits • 5 p.m. – SHEL Food trucks and craft beer vendors will be onsite. Find more information about Acorn Festival at acornfestival.org.

— DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

THE HARDIN DRAW

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* NOVEMBER 2017 * 9

Sounds

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Around the Globe

’Boro International Festival Returns to Cannonsburgh Village on Nov. 11

T

he ’Boro International Festival will celebrate traditional food, music and art from countries around the world at Cannonsburgh Village. This family-friendly event on Saturday, Nov. 11, offers free admission and activities for all ages, including cultural displays, games, vendors, performances and art that highlight the rich diversity of Murfreesboro from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Festivities will begin with a Children’s Parade of Flags showcasing over 20 countries and a community sing-along of “We Are the World.” An array of musicians from around the world will entertain throughout the festival. The Northfield Elementary World Drumming Ensemble will perform at 10:10 a.m. A fashion show will feature models dressed in their traditional garb.

“This is the second year that we are bringing ’Boro International to Murfreesboro. We are excited to showcase the differ10 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

ent cultures within the community,” stated Reeves-Rogers ESL Teacher Tena Bailey.

Cultural booths will offer an array of interactive exhibits and historical items unique to the cultures represented at the festival. Craft merchants and food vendors will provide an assortment of multicultural items for sale. Children will be able to play international games and create crafts in the children’s game area.

“We couldn’t do it without the help of MTSU and the Confucius Institute,” Bailey said. “This is a great example of how people from different backgrounds are coming together and working for good.”

Groups from China, Japan, Iraq, Thailand, Laos, Africa, India, Iran, Mexico, Jordan, Venezuela, South Korea and Mexico will be represented during the festival.

For more information on the festival, email tena.bailey@cityschools.net.

Performers representing various cultures will gather at Cannonsburgh for the ’Boro International Festival.

ALBUMS

BY JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

BLED TO SUBMISSION

KENNY MC

Metal act Bled to Submission has been kicking around the local scene for a bit, with 2017 being its breakout year. The band embarked on its first tour recently, played some higher-profile gigs and recorded and released its debut album, Only a Light Remains, via Wood and Stone Productions.

The band has seen multiple lineups with a varying number of members but recently slimmed down to a mean-and-lean four-piece consisting of Jody Lester (vocals/synth), Isaiah Rodriguez (guitar/noise), Harrison Hunt (bass/vocals) and Brian Laws (drums).

This seven-track debut is all about being sludgy, grimy and experimental. If you’re into grindcore, doom metal, sludge metal, stoner metal or anything close to those genres, the album is for you. There’s something for just about any kind of metalhead.

The opener, “Terror Eclipsed,” showcases this variety most potently. Some jarring white noise hisses as the song begins, and then a grim, heavy riff emerges from the aural fog. However, before you can get too comfortable, a flurry of screams and noise hits in tandem with a majorly upped tempo.

Things settle back down, but the stage is set for the type of ride that is Only a Light Remains.

Abrupt stylistic changes are at the forefront of the album, whether it’s a tempo change or break as mentioned above, or one of the several segues into harsh noise—notably on the transition from “Prisoner 8612” to “Lucidity.” These sections add a bit of a welcome palate-cleanser effect to what is otherwise a very pummeling and brutal listening experience.

With that being said, there’s not much to find here for the listener seeking typical melodies, intelligible lyrics and cohesiveness. In any case, that’s not really necessary for this album to succeed. Metal fans looking for a heavy gut-punch of sludge will dig the sonic variety at play here, but casual music fans may not be prepared to tackle this beast of a debut.

— JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

Murfreesboro-based producer Kenny Mc recently released his first project, Rise, on Soundcloud. The 10-track album features the producer experimenting with different electronic subgenres, but the bulk of the release recalls a late-2000s pop vibe around the time producers began incorporating EDM elements into Top 40 hits (think along the lines of Lady Gaga’s 2008 breakthrough single, “Just Dance,” or Cascada’s “Everytime We Touch”).

“FeedUp” is a solid earworm of an album opener that quickly reaches the infectious hook, “have it your way,” which you might find yourself singing along to after the first 30 seconds or so. An unnamed vocalist later channels Christina Aguilera on “Don’t You,” a song that is presumably about a relationship on the rocks with headstrong lyrics like: Wouldn’t know, didn’t care, couldn’t please There was nothing in you I could see They say the calm comes just after the storm Right now it’s raining on me Kenny Mc introduces a new vocalist on “BeFree,” a tropical house track that serves as a tranquil escape from the upbeat dance songs that dominate the first half of the project. At this point, the tracks begin to slow down and, as a result, sometimes struggle to hold attention. The beat on “InLove” comes off as repetitive and lackluster, while “We Rise” is a little scattered and rushed at points. The album does offer a strong point with the penultimate track, “Standing Room,” a relaxed house cut about giving your all to a person.

On Rise, it is evident that the producer is still in the experimental phase of his career, and it will likely take some time for Kenny Mc to craft his signature sound, just as all producers do over time. There are a couple tracks on here that are quickly forgettable, even after a few spins, but overall Rise is a release to be proud of.

Rise is available to stream on Soundcloud. Keep up with the artist’s other creative projects at Kenny Mc’s World on Facebook. — DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

Only a Light Remains

A CLASSIC OUTSTANDING

Rise

AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS DEAD

Sounds

AUTOGRAPH HOSTS LONG LIVE THE FLAME TOUR STOP ON NOV. 13

Read more about local music at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Music

MUSIC NOTES

GORDON KENNEDY

Hard rock bands A Light Divided and The Scars Heal in Time will bring their Long Live the Flame Tour to Murfreesboro on Monday, Nov. 13.

Local acts Chariot the Moon and Conquer the Distance join the show, held at Autograph Rehearsal Studio.

Hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, A Light Divided aims to make music that’s not “too soft for the hardcore crowd, or too heavy for mainstream radio.”

Sisters Kayla Smith (guitar, vocals) and Tayler Smith (drums), have led Houston-based The Scars Heal in Time on a busy touring schedule in 2017, in support of a new EP. The Nov. 13 show is all ages, and doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, find an event page on Facebook.

“COME & SEE” TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH’S MONTHLY WORSHIP CONCERT Trinity United Methodist Church in MurMARK TOWNSEND freesboro has introduced a new contemporary worship service on the first Saturday of every month called “Come & See.” This new series began in August with Nashville recording artist and fiddle player Bri Murphy, and in October the “Gathering Worship” group from Murfreesboro’s World Outreach Church was featured.

Come & See organizers plan to host Mark Townsend, KURT HEINECKE guitarist for Christian rock band dc Talk and artist Toby nity,” Salaway says about Come & See. The church aims to Mac, on Saturday, Nov. 4, followed by Gordon Kennedy, inspire people and to bring the whole community together songwriter and producer for artists such as Eric Clapton in worship and praise with uplifting music and messages and Garth Brooks, at the Dec. 2 service. for all walks of life.

February’s special guest will be Kurt Heinecke, who is These special events are free to attend. The church probest known for his work creating the music behind one of vides snacks and refreshments at 5 p.m. during a gathering the most beloved and popular Christian-themed kids video and fellowship time, with the hour-long service beginning series Veggie Tales. at 5:30 p.m. The Trinity United Methodist Church’s own In addition to the big-name artists who will perform and praise band, Open Hearts, will lead the opening music, speak, every month will have its own theme for the service which will be followed by the gospel message for that week itself. Some of these topics include “Love,” “Peace” and by the guest speaker.

“Forgiveness.” November’s service will focus on gratitude Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 2303 and thanksgiving.

Jones Blvd. The regular services include a blend of historic Nashville indie pop/rock artist John Salaway assists with and contemporary worship led by the church choir and the the producing and promotion of the series. Salaway, a Middle dress code is not formal; it is a “come as you are” church.

Tennessee-based recording artist, songwriter and multiEach Sunday, an Early-Bird Worship Service begins at 8:15 instrumentalist, has had several of his compositions appear on television and radio, and in addition to the work he is doing a.m., followed by a Catch Up and Connect Fellowship at 9 a.m., Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., with the main worship with Trinity United Methodist, he also writes for multiple Holservice taking place at 10:45 a.m. lywood film and television music libraries and collaborates For more information on the church and its Come & See with Grammy-winning producers and songwriters. series, visit trinityumcmurfreesboro.org or find Trinity UMC “This is a brand new, non-traditional church service that on Facebook. is meant to be uplifting and inspiring! Each month we have — MEREDITH G. WHITE a special guest who is doing inspiring things in the commu12 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

MARTRELL HARRIS RELEASES “I’LL GO,” PLANS ACHIEVEMENT PARTNERSHIP Martrell Harris, an MTSU graduate and a worship leader at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, has recently release a single titled “I’ll Go.” “This song is a call to anyone in the body of Christ who is being challenged to step out and do what God has called [them] to do,” Martrell says, adding that he hopes the song will provide encouragement to those feeling afraid, uncertain, frustrated or confused with where God is taking them, and inspiration to fulfill the Great Commission.

The single is leading up to a live recording session in Spring of 2018, a project in partnership with Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee, a group dedicated to providing young people with financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills. “I’ll Go” is available on iTunes, Google Play and Spotify.

MUSIC NOTES

BILLY CRAIN

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SMYRNA’S CARPE ARTISTA CELBRATES THE ARTS WITH FAN WEEK NOV. 6–11

Carpe Artista, a Smyrna-based nonprofit that promotes positive culture through artistic training and community engagement, kicks off its fundraising season with a week-long celebration of the arts.

Throughout the week of Nov. 6–11, those who visit Carpe Cafe (located at 115 Front St. in the heart of the Historic Smyrna Depot District) will find daily specials and live music, all leading up to a weekend of musical performances, a book release and an acting workshop on Nov. 10–11. On Friday, Nov. 10, actress Joyce Bulifant (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Match Game, Airplane) will discuss her new book, My Four Hollywood Husbands, and will be joined by actor/husband Roger Perry. Bulifant and Perry will host a two-hour acting workshop from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. the following morning at Carpe Artista (101 Front St.) At 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, professional guitarist and Smyrna native Billy Crain will perform at a record release party at Carpe Artista. Crain has shared stages with The BULIFANT / PERRY Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen, the Allman Brothers Band, ZZ Top and more throughout his career.

A VIP ticket includes admission to all events, as well as entry to “Dinner with the Stars” at Massimo’s LaTavola Ristorante Italiano in Smyrna leading up to Crain’s album release. Proceeds raised from the events will benefit the programming and work of Carpe Artista. Visit carpeartista.net to learn more about the organization and upcoming events. — DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

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AUGUST CHRISTOPHER

The hardest-working rock band you’ve probably never heard of.

STORY BY MEREDITH G. WHITE

N

ashville rock band August Christopher has made an in-depth documentary and put it all out on the table for everyone to see. This roller coaster of a film takes viewers behind the scenes of a band that has been trying to break through the music industry for over a decade. All or Nothing tells the story of Criss Cheatham, his persistence to make his passion for music his career, and all the hoops he and his revolving door of bandmates have gone through in the past 15 years.

August Christopher began in 1998 with original members Jay Lessert (drums), Steve “The Bone” Sheroan (guitar), Joel Edwards (bass) and Criss Cheatham (vocals, guitar).

“There was a time I considered August Christopher to be the next hottest band in America. To me, it was a rock ’n’ roll tragedy that they never got signed and never got that chance,” longtime radio DJ Jeff Morgan said in the opening of the documentary.

Throughout All or Nothing we see that glimmer of sheer talent when the band performs onstage. Cheatham’s high energy and wild antics, in addition to the music, reeled people in. Climbing up on the speakers, jumping, stage diving, freestyle rapping and making fun of audience members is what one could expect to see during an August Christopher set. The band members had developed

an on-the-fly set, silently communicating with each other to see what to play next.

The documentary takes you through the trials and tribulations of a small-town band trying to live the dream as a successful American rock act. In 2005 that dream was put on hold when guitarist Sheroan packed up his equipment in the middle of a set and left. The others soon followed, and Cheatham continued as an acoustic solo artist.

We watch him drum for duo country band Bomshel and attempt to rebuild August Christopher with new members before his life of drugs, alcohol and partying destroys

his marriage and his band. But Cheatham was not a man who easily threw in the towel, and we watch as he gets clean and yet again rebuilds August Christopher with new members. With Corey Boise on drums and Steve Price on bass, the trio set out to continue pursuing the dream.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about August Christopher is the list of accomplishments achieved without ever signing to a major record label—credited as the official last band to play at Nashville’s Starwood Amphitheater, opening and sharing stages with acts like Ludacris, Sugar

Ray, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Train, and raising money to shoot their own music videos.

After performing over 3,000 shows, opening for world renowned bands and recording four studio albums, August Christopher is still performing with Boise and Price on drums and bass, respectively, and occasionally playing gigs around the Middle Tennessee area. Cheatham also still performs as a solo artist for local events and benefits.

Watch All or Nothing on Amazon Prime, or visit augustchristopher.com for more on the band.

BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2017 * 17

Living

Though the League of the South did not show, people of various political persuasions gathered on the Murfreesboro Public Square on Oct. 28.

A Dark Day in Middle Tennessee

Murfreesboro photographer Scott Walker ventured to downtown Shelbyville and Murfreesboro on Saturday, Oct. 28, to document the White Lives Matter rallies, the supporters of that cause, the protestors accusing the white nationalists of hate speech, the very strong law enforcement presence and the various other participants and observers.

I witnessed so many things, most of which I found sad.

Some were using words from the Bible to hurt, anger or tear down others. I witnessed a rage, inconsistent with what Christianity is about.

I saw young men literally pick fights with older men because they disagreed with an opinion.

I saw a father who brought his son to the rally in Murfreesboro. The young boy, not knowing what was happening, was simply sitting on the ground playing with a toy as his father watched the crowd in anticipation of a fight.

I saw a young black woman who was not told she was entering the gates on the wrong side of the protest, later finding that she could not cross over once inside. Surrounded by angered white supremacists, she bravely snapped a photo on her phone. I said, “Be careful over here.” As I walked away she quietly said, “Don’t leave.”

I spoke to a white supremacist and asked why he came to Shelbyville today; he turned his head and said “no comment.”

To see more, visit smalltownbigworld.com

18 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

I witnessed those who suggested they were on the Murfreesboro Square to show love, holding signs that sounded sweet . . . only to hear them spew words of hate towards those standing on the opposite side of a fence.

Last month’s White Lives Matter rallies in Shelbyville kindled the continuing national discussions on race relations in the U.S.

Living Farmers Market Education Series

BY EDWINA SHANNON

The business side of me is adding up the cost of windows and the straw bales. I know that the costs of building the coldframe will exceed the cost of buying the food grown within. Yet, I find it deliciously satisfying to pick fresh vegetables.

Using the Halloween Pumpkin

Coldframes for Winter & Using Pumpkins

I

t’s that time of the year again when I do not want to give up gardening. For me, there is a peace about it; an organization, a calmness and a production that often lacks in the chaos of a hectic life.

The first frost is overdue as I write this so I know the growing season is indeed closing.

However, I still have leafy greens that could produce. So, this year I decided that it is time to get a coldframe together. A coldframe protects plants from the environment. It allows the sunlight in and has the ability to be vented.

I searched on Google for coldframes and was greatly surprised at the diverse results: YouTube videos, .edu pdf files, the almanac and rodales.com yielded the top results.

Certainly, a plethora of resources and ideas are easily available online. There is a resource from UT Extension called Hobby Greenhouses in TN (Pub PB1068). There are diagrams and directions for small greenhouses, hoop houses and coldframes. Greenhouses have controlled environment with a working HVAC system. Hoop houses depend on the sun for heat and vents to cool. They are usually tall enough to stand in.

Coldframes are even simpler. They are low to the ground and need to be vented. Many gardeners will get an early start on spring or extend the fall growing by the use of a coldframe. They are cheap to build and maintain, yet a good quality plant can be grown with little difficulty within its confines. They are ideal for starting seedlings in the spring, too.

In my opinion, the easiest coldframe to make is one made of straw. Buy enough bales that can give you a square or a rectangular shape. If you are like me, the size of your

20 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

cover on top will determine the size of your coldframe. The cover must be movable, so it can vent and not cook the growing plants on a warm day. You can upcycle an old window to be used as a cover. I bought an old window sash with 8 window panes. My thinking was that if the glass breaks, it’s cheaper and easier to replace the smaller panes.

The bales are the sides of the coldframe.

Three hay walls are 18 inches high. I used a hand saw to cut the remaining straw bale in half horizontally. This created the smallest hay wall at the height of nine inches. My thinking was in these warmer autumn days, the open space was definitely a vent. As the days get colder, I’ll stuff the other part of the bale above the existing nine inch wall and completely enclose the growing space within the bales. I will continue to monitor the sun/ shadow within the coldframe. All sides may need to be reduced in height so there is more direct sunlight on the plants.

Ideally, plants that are less than nine inches in height will grow best. They should be cool-season crops that do not have blooms that need to be fertilized by insects to produce. Root crops, lettuce, collards, turnip greens and spinach come immediately to my mind. As I am thinking about root crops, I am looking at a seldom-used children’s sand box. Hmmmm. Sand with some soil would make an ideal “box” for root vegetables. Since the box already has posts to support a wooden roof, I am thinking that using some scrap wood along the sides would give the height needed. I need another cover and more hay bales for insulation that I would probably put on the outside of the wood.

I love pumpkin. And judging from the pumpkin flavored drinks on the market, I am not the only one. Pumpkin is a very usable fruit.

One of the highlights of our young family was breaking the Halloween pumpkin open after the holiday and pulling out the seeds. They sit amid all the interior strings but are easy enough to separate. After being separated, the strings go to the compost. You put the seeds in a colander and wash thoroughly. Lay them out on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and dry them in a low oven for several hours. There are your delicious pumpkin seeds. The meat of the pumpkin can either be boiled or baked.

Question for Balance

I live in a state whose major industries are “of the earth.” I live in a state where many hunt or fish. I live in a state that has so many shades of green that it is an artist’s palette.

One of its native sons is leading an analysis

of proof of climate change. There are people here who value and appreciate the outdoors and a natural system in balance.

How is it that the shortsightedness of the immediate dollar for profit is more important than maintaining a beautiful, balanced world? Several times a day, I read the headlines or a few paragraphs dealing with dire situations that were created by human action. It’s sad. It’s depressing; sometimes, it’s overwhelming. I did not create the situation, nor do I profit from it. Yet as a member of the human race, I share responsibility for the situation. We all do. We could vote for people who share a concern for an earth in balance. We could be sure that our representatives understand a future that offers our children and grandchildren activities and beauty that all can enjoy. Are our lives and interests and those of our children less important than material profit? Is there any chance of preserving the possibility of growing nutritious food, minimizing the chemicals used on food production, maintaining the ability to fish and hunt? How about just a gentle walk in the woods, enjoying the natural cycle of the “wild things?” Can there be an effort? Does the effort matter? Is any decision maker really listening?

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Within the Penny Hoarder, I found a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte that was shared by a woman who could not find the drink in the town where she was staying. There is that old adage “Necessity is the mother of invention.” With that said, here is Betsy Officer’s shared recipe as printed: She shared two variations of the recipe with us: a latte made with espresso, and a café au lait made with standard drip-brewed coffee.

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup milk, ideally 2%, for the latte (For cafe au lait: ½ cup milk will give you a 2:1 coffee/milk ratio) 1 espresso shot for the latte (or 1 cup drip coffee) ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mixture 1 teaspoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Optional: cinnamon sticks and/or maple pumpkin butter as garnish

DIRECTIONS

POUR milk into saucepan on your stove. Add in pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Stir well. Heat the mixture on medium/hot heat, stirring occasionally.

BREW coffee or espresso.

(For cafe au lait, Officer recommends using a pumpkin spice blend such as Dunkin Donuts or Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice coffee.)

REMOVE milk from stovetop once it’s hot when it’s just about to boil and use a milk frother to froth it. The mixture should double in size and create a nice foam. If you don’t have a frother, use your blender.

COMBINE in a mug with espresso or coffee.

GARNISH with pumpkin pie spice.

If you’d like, add a cinnamon stick or drizzle with a bit of maple pumpkin butter.

Living

1st SHOT STORY BY MEREDITH G. WHITE

C

oach Andy Herzer founded the 1st Shot Basketball organization in 2003 as a local nonprofit program to work with underserved children in the Rutherford County community. Herzer and 1st Shot launched its first summer camp in coordination with the Boys & Girls Club of Rutherford County.

Today, 1st Shot continues to teach kids sports and life skills through camps and other programs, and assists in their personal growth and relationship with Christ.

“The dream was to create an organization that, using athletics as a vehicle, could work with at-risk youth on character-based initiatives in a Christian environment,” according to 1st Shot’s administrative director, David Ross.

1st Shot strives to provide opportunities to all levels of basketball players, of any age or gender, to excel in a safe environment while empowering their lives by positive reinforcement. The founders of the program know that sports can teach kids about many

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Basketball league provides sports and life training to youth. areas of life, such as how to approach difficult situations, how to have courage and how to work with others on a team. In addition to the fun activities, the program also offers tutoring and ACT prep available for those who need it.

The organization has partnered with the Murfreesboro City School System and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department on the 1st Shot Patterson Skills Academy.

These programs provide week-long camps during Fall and Spring breaks, in addition to three weeks in the summer. The camps include more than just basketball so they can have something that will interest everyone, with other options including tennis, football, health and wellness, music, dance, art, math and reading.

Just recently, 1st Shot held its Autumn at the Alley event to raise funds to support its Academic All-Stars program, tutoring Murfreesboro kids. Shawn and Christy Hackinson, owners of The Alley near the Square, host the event and “are great community

friends and have really helped 1st Shot in a big way,” Ross said.

Other 1st Shot fundraiser events take place in April, when there will be a Sneaker Ball at MTSU’s Student Union building and a Golf Scramble at Champions Run in Rockvale. The Sneaker Ball typically has a national speaker and is meant to celebrate the spirit behind 1st Shot Basketball and

its contribution to the community. Past speakers at the event have included sports journalist Don Yaeger, NFL defensive lineman Joe Ehrmann, head basketball coach of the Missouri Tigers (and former UT coach) Cuonzo Martin and former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Sam Wyche. This year’s guest speaker will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the 1st Shot Facebook page and website for that announcement.

The Winter basketball league will begin in January and is the most comprehensive training league in Rutherford County for kids of all ages. It focuses on fundamentals and good sportsmanship, and each session is built around a specific Christian principle.

1st Shot Basketball is always looking for volunteers for camps, clinics and events. For more information on how you can volunteer, sponsor or donate to the organization, check out 1stshotbasketball.net; the organization can also be found on Facebook.

Food

THE DISH

Read more about local restaurants at

BoroPulse.com/Category/Food

NAME

Through the Grapevine LOCATION

630 Broadmor Blvd., Suite 190 HOURS

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Dine-in: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

PHONE

615-890-7346

Through the Grapevine

Chicken Salad Sandwich: $7.99; Casserole Plate: $7.99; Spinach & Artichoke Dip: $5.29; Desserts (cupcakes, muffins, pie slice): $1.50 and up ONLINE

throughthegrape vine.net

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

Local eatery and catering service remains a Murfreesboro staple for over 20 years.

D

espite being one of the fastestgrowing cities in the U.S., Murfreesboro hasn’t let go of its charming qualities, one of which being the ability to discover a restaurant by word of mouth. When Through the Grapevine opened in 1996—a time when we could not pull out a smartphone and search for the nearest cafe—owner Barbara Lester knew the restaurant would be a success if customers helped spread the word and kept coming back for more.

Two decades later, Through the Grapevine remains a well-established eatery and catering business that specializes in sandwiches, soups, salads and homemade desserts. The restaurant, tucked between Memorial and Broad on Broadmor Street, is only open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.—2 p.m., so it is ideal for takeout or a lunch date.

When I inquired about the restaurant’s most popular menu items a couple years ago, I was told that I had to try the chicken salad (made with fresh grapes, chopped pecans and celery), which can be ordered as

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a sandwich, salad or as part of a trio with pimento cheese and tuna salad. Other than sandwich and salad offerings, Through the Grapevine is also known for its fruit tea and made-from-scratch casseroles and quiches, such as poppyseed chicken, chicken artichoke and spinach.

However, from personal experience (and disappointment), I recommend arriving at least an hour before the restaurant stops serving lunch if you plan to order a casserole or quiche plate. The daily specials go fast, but there is much to explore on the full menu. And whereas chain restaurants in the same vein generally charge about $10 for a half-sandwich and cup of soup or side salad, you can score a whole sandwich or casserole plate and a side for less than $8.

The last time I stopped at TTG for lunch, I tried the pimento cheese sandwich and a side salad with sesame Thai dressing. The salad, which usually tastes fresh and takes up half the plate, is topped with croutons, shredded mozzarella and tomatoes. The homemade pimento cheese oozes out the sides of the sourdough bread and is a

major step up from the kind you find in tubs at a grocery store. I plan to try one of the specialty salads on my next visit, either the “Grape Expectations” (juicy grapes, grilled chicken strips, tomato, mozzarella, pineapple, toasted almonds and croutons) or a club salad topped with smoked turkey and cheese.

The restaurant steers clear of fried foods, but you will find an ample selection of sides such as a frozen fruit salad, pasta salad or a garden salad. The food is light but filling

and there is usually room for dessert if desired. While I can’t speak for all the sweet treats, I didn’t regret trying slices of both chess and chocolate meringue pies. Depending on availability, Through the Grapevine also serves cupcakes, cakes and muffins.

Although Through the Grapevine is one of my go-to lunch spots, the business primarily operates as a catering service for both large and small gatherings, whether it be a wedding, birthday party or business meeting. In fact, next to the dining area is an onsite banquet facility that seats up to 60 guests. In addition to catering services, customers can stop by the restaurant before and after lunch hours to pick up small and large casseroles, though they ask for a 24-hour notice for the large casseroles that serve 10 to 12 people.

As much as I would love to see extended serving hours, Through the Grapevine clearly has a system that works. Each year we see at least one or two Murfreesboro staples shut down or relocate, but this is one place I hope remains for another two decades—if not longer.

RECIPE

BY CHANTELL KENNEDY-SHEHAN

T

here are few things I love as much as fall. Football season, multitudes of vibrant colors, cooler weather and, of course, the food. As a Thanksgiving baby I am partial to all things autumn in flavor. This simple bread brings together traditional fall flavors in a different way that I hope you will enjoy as much as I do. Try it with a smear of local apple butter, you’ll thank me later.

Pumpkin Apple Bread INGREDIENTS: 1 1⁄3 cup sugar 1⁄3 cup shortening 1 cup pumpkin puree 1⁄3 cup water 2 eggs ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. baking powder 1 cup apples, fresh or frozen, diced small Optional: Try it with pecans, walnuts or cranberries!

DIRECTIONS: CREAM sugar, shortening, and pumpkin puree in a bowl until well blended.

ADD water and eggs, mix until well combined.

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ADD all dry ingredients and mix until smooth.

MIX in diced apples.

DIVIDE into two small lightly greased loaf pans or into 12 lined or lightly greased muffin cups.

TOP with streusel if desired. Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Time will vary depending on pan used.

STREUSEL INGREDIENTS: ¼ cup butter ¼ cup brown sugar 1⁄3 cup flour pinch cinnamon pinch salt DIRECTIONS: CREAM all ingredients until well combined. Place in freezer to set butter and crumble over batter.

Art

 THEATER

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE MUSICAL AT CENTER FOR THE ARTS  Center for the Arts presents the Marc Shaiman and Terrence McNally musical Catch Me if You Can, based on the hit DreamWorks film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks; performances run Nov. 3–19.

Catch Me if You Can tells the incredible true story of teenager Frank Abagnale Jr., who runs away from home to escape his morally questionable parents.

First-time director at Center for the Arts, Corey Shadd, shares, “I love that this production is based on a true story. It’s a fun, adventurous story with upbeat ’60s music, but it really shows how the actions of parents can influence their children in a negative way.”

Frank Abagnale Jr., by the age of 21, had forged $2.5 million in checks and traveled the country posing as pilots, doctors and lawyers, with less than a high school education. But when Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes.

“This story also shows that age is not a limitation on achievement, and that there is always the opportunity to change your life,” Shadd says. “We don’t condone deception and fraud, or escaping from the FBI, but the confidence, resourcefulness and fearlessness of Frank Abagnale Jr. is commendable.”

The Center for the Arts will stage the production at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18; and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5, 12 and 19.

For tickets or more information, visit boroarts.org or call 615-904-ARTS.

 MLT PRESENTS LEGAL DRAMA RACE THIS NOVEMBER

PHOTO BY JOHN GASSLER

Shane Lowery and Ethan Jones

Murfreesboro Little Theatre presents David Mamet’s emotionally charged drama Race this November.

Having worked side by side for 20 years at a flourishing law office, criminal attorneys Henry Brown and Jack Lawson have developed a solid professional relationship, with Lawson relying heavily on Brown for his understanding of racial discrimination.

But when Charles Strickland, a wealthy businessman, approaches Lawson to defend him against charges of raping a black woman, tensions begin to develop as the case unfolds. Susan, a young black attorney new to the firm, is brought in to assist. As the three begin to study the evidence and deception is uncovered, it soon becomes clear that despite the strength of their relationship, Lawson and Brown cannot escape their own innate prejudices.

Directed by Dalton Reeves, Race stars Ethan H. Jones, Shane Lowery, Shawna Rayford and Wayman Price.

Race opens Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. Performances will follow at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, 16, 17 and 18, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 19.

MLT is located at 702 Ewing Blvd. To make reservations, visit mltarts.com or call 615-893-9825.

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* NOVEMBER 2017 * 27

 POETRY HERE’S A POEM from Licciardi’s new Skin Splitting collection, one that also appears in Caravel Literary Arts Journal:

Nov. 12 Poetry Event at MLT Features Bryanna Licciardi, Jeff Hardin,

W

hen I say the word “poetry” to certain people, they immediately cease all eye contact. I imagine they are having unpleasant flashbacks to high school English class and are afraid I’m going to ask them to recall the difference between alliteration and assonance, identify the meter of a line, or conjure some meaning out of a passage on the spot (the woman represents a sunset; the sunset, of course, represents death).

But at Poetry in the Boro, no literary analysis is required. This free monthly event consists of both featured readings and an open mic where writers share everything from spoken word to sonnets. It’s a great op-

BUCKET LIST

LICCIARDI

portunity to enjoy listening to contemporary poetry and possibly even share some of your own work in an encouraging environment.

The next Poetry in the Boro will be held Sunday, Nov. 12, at Murfreesboro Little Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and featured poets read at 7. About an hour of open mic follows a brief reception and book signing time. Featured readers this month are Columbia, Tennessee poet Jeff Hardin and Murfreesboro poet Bryanna Licciardi.

Jeff Hardin’s fifth poetry book, No Other

Kind of World, recently won the X.J. Kennedy Poetry Prize from Texas Review Press.

Among Tennessee’s most prolific poets, Hardin has published over 500 poems in journals and outlets such as Poetry Daily, Verse Daily and The Writer’s Almanac. An English professor at Columbia State Community College, he explores in his latest book our “need to witness miracles” and seek understanding in a troubled world.

Bryanna Licciardi is author of Skin Splitting, her debut collection recently published by the award-winning Finishing Line Press.

She is a doctoral student at MTSU, where she also works as an academic advisor. Often with dark humor, Licciardi embraces her obsessions and fears in poems that probe body image, odd footnotes of history and imagined dates with serial killers. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals, and her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Poetry can be enjoyed like music—you may not like every song you hear, but there’s something for everyone. Give it a try with us at Poetry in the Boro. Find more details at facebook.com/poetryintheboro.

— KORY WELLS

BY BRYANNA LICCIARDI I want to give something that hurts, just like Gandhi, or Buddha, or Mayor Bloomberg.

I want to pretend I’ve been lost in the woods. I want people to believe the bear attacks I survived and the trees that I felled. I want to order for the man waiting next to me in line at Starbucks, who is helplessly reading and rereading the menu, as if he’s never heard of mocha Frappuccinos or ancient grain flatbreads.

I want to move to Lake Charles, Louisiana, the kind of place where people take notice of new neighbors but are apprehensive to greet them. I want to clip your weight.

I want to take scissors to my anger, and watch you drift away.

I want to never drink again.

I want thirst to be a waste of my time.

I want to figure out if this apartment building has an office. I want to see if it contains happiness. I want my body to grow like a river, narrow, then wide, then endlessly.

BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2017 * 29

Art

Read more about local music at

boropulse.com/category/art

Clockwise from right: Bill Steber, self portrait; Jukin' at Thompson Grocery; B.B. King at Club Ebony

20 Years in Mississippi

Photography of Bill Steber documents the delta on the cusp of change STORY BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

D

ocumentary photographer and local musician Bill Steber first stepped onto the historically rich soil of the Mississippi Delta 25 years ago, an experience he credits as having changed the trajectory of his life.

Steber, a Tennessean staff photographer at the time, was on assignment to document the recently completed Natchez Trace Parkway when he got the notion to explore unfamiliar territory. When it was time to abandon the Trace and return to Nashville, Steber, joined by a colleague and native Mississippian, turned onto Highway 61 with a list of blues musicians and where to find them.

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| PHOTOS BY BILL STEBER

“I was thunderstruck driving through the Delta. . . . I thought, ‘I don’t know if I’ve lived here before, but this feels like a place that I need to be,’” he explains. “Just driving through the landscape while listening to the music in the context of the place it came from suddenly made deeper sense.”

Highway 61 eventually deposited Steber in Leland, Mississippi, a town located in the heart of the Delta and home to the late bluesman and folk artist James “Son” Thomas. Thomas, who was approaching his late 60s at the time, lived in a shotgun shack decorated throughout with clay skull sculptures, a signature style that recalled his days as a gravedigger.

“I walked in and the first thing I saw was

a woman in a full-size casket,” Steber explains. “The sculptured woman’s head was made out of styrofoam, and on a shelf right above the casket was a clay skull that he had made with aluminum foil eye sockets and real human teeth.”

Steber, fascinated with the world he had just stepped into, was greeted by Thomas’ son, Pat, who guided him to the back room to meet the musician. He describes his meeting with Thomas as a “singular transformative moment.” “[Thomas] had lit a cigarette but never took a draw . . . the entire length of the cigarette was one big arching ash,” he recalls.

“He then made his way to the front room with his guitar and played some music.”

Despite working 50-hour weeks at The Tennessean, Steber stockpiled vacation time and returned to the Delta whenever he had the opportunity to escape Middle Tennessee. When he arrived in Leland the following May, he discovered Thomas was in and out of the hospital battling health issues.

By June, Thomas had died.

“I had just met this person and wanted to spend so much time with him, and then he was gone,” Steber says. “So I thought, ‘What else is here that is disappearing on a daily basis?’”

For the next two decades, Steber would go on to document the blues culture, or more specifically what was left of the culture, before traditions began to vanish along

Clockwise from top left: Baptism; Son Thomas; 9 Foot Sacks; Mose Vinson; Bentonia Blues

with the people who kept the spirit of the Delta alive. Throughout the ’90s and early ’00s, Steber photographed church revivals and river baptisms, hoodoo practitioners and juke joints (including a performance by B.B. King at Club Ebony in 1994), as well as anything else that caught his eye along the old “blues highway.”

“I was desperately trying to find what was left of the blues culture and document it before it was gone, literally just before it was gone,” he says. “There were several people I met within months of them passing on, and more that I wasn’t even able to meet.”

Steber recalls the late Scott Dunbar, a bluesman in his mid-’90s when they met

in 1994, as one of the many musicians who died after just one visit. He traveled across the border into Louisiana and back to Woodville, Mississippi, before finally finding Dunbar, who shared with him a copy of the only LP he recorded, along with photographs and stories spanning decades.

“Less than two weeks later, I was in Clarksdale [Mississippi], at a place called the Stackhouse run by Jim O’Neal, founder of Rooster Blues record company,” Steber says. “I told him how excited I was to have found Dunbar . . . and he said, ‘No, we got a call this morning that he died’ . . . and just like that he was gone.”

Since beginning the project, Steber’s photographic work has been featured in

galleries as close as MTSU’s Baldwin Gallery and as far as Brussels, Belgium. To this day, he is sifting through photos, interviews and recordings in hopes that they will all be published someday.

In the meantime, Steber (or Hambone Willie Nevil as you might know him) can often be found with various musical instruments in place of a camera, performing in local outfits the Jake Leg Stompers and Hoodoo Men. The latter, an eclectic blues duo comprised of Steber and Sammy Baker, will release (WHEN?) its debut album, Goofer Dust, produced by Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All Stars and the Black Crowes. Mayday Brewery hosts a release show on Saturday, Nov. 4.

“I saw performing the music as an extension of what I was doing with the documentary work,” Steber says. “If I can tell a person’s story through my own music, I can still be an ambassador to the culture, but in a different format.”

“What’s important for me is that people seek out the original practitioners and the richness of the Mississippi blues culture,” he adds.

For a look at more of Steber’s photography and stories behind each photo, visit steberphoto.com. To keep up with his musical projects, visit The Jake Leg Stompers and the Hoodoo Men pages on Facebook.

BOROPULSE.COM

* NOVEMBER 2017 * 31

Movies

myself rooting for him by the end of the movie, and that doesn’t often happen.

I know the movie is playing me like a fiddle but I don’t care; it hit all the right notes at exactly the right time. And I did not see the final twist coming, believe it or not. It was a good twist. There are definitely some plot holes here, but who cares? You’re not here to analyze, you’re here to have fun!

There’s not a whole lot else going on with this movie. The set design, score and cinematography were all B-movie level, which is totally fine for this film. Most of the costumes were . . . whatever, but that pig mask

is creepy—what a great costume choice. The killer, overall, is pretty awesome: a faceless, voiceless terror, and it’s pretty darn creepy.

It’s hard to talk about a lot of the problems with this movie without throwing in spoilers, but there’s about 20 minutes of Happy Death Day that are just straight fluff right around the start of the third act. This is a problem when the film is only 96 minutes long. Let’s just say the film sets up a certain character arc, and it makes a big deal about said character arc just to go, “Nope! Just kidding!”

Also, this film’s rules are kind of confusing— as in there are no rules. Tree keeps reliving the same day over and over but each time she wakes up she’s a bit weaker for some reason, and then we never understand why she’s given the ability to relive this day in the first place. Because that’s not an important question or anything, right? Also, when the villain is revealed . . . it’s a good twist, but was that person really capable of some of the crazy deaths we saw? I say no, but who cares?

Ultimately, if you like horror or slasher films, Happy Death Day is well worth a watch. However, it falls apart the second you try to analyze it. So just go see it, have a good time, and leave it at that.

— JOSEPH KATHMANN

The question of what it means to be human underpins the tale of a replicant (Gosling) who hunts down obsolete, runaway replicants and finds evidence that two of them somehow reproduced.

With such a meticulously realized world and an intriguing story that works on many levels, it’s a shame the whole equals less than the parts. Though never boring, the 164-minute run time includes about 45 minutes worth of interesting but unneces-

sary scenes that would have been better used as bonus DVD material. A subplot, in which Gosling’s glowering blade runner “K” falls in love with a hologram version of Alexa, serves mainly as exposition, while also coming dangerously close to uncomfortable. Jared Leto’s antagonist feels superfluous as well.

As the eccentric CEO of the corporation that invented replicants, he provides a face to the evil that would have been more menacing had it remained mysterious. His replicant assistant, Luv (Sylvia Hoeks), is far more interesting anyway, and the true villain of the film. As well as the plot, the soundtrack could also use a heavy editing hand. Cocomposed by Hans Zimmer, the score could benefit from half as much bwAAAAOOw. Despite the overlong film’s shortcomings, director Denis Villeneuve’s minor misstep doesn’t diminish his talents. Blade Runner 2049 is an excellently crafted sequel worthy of its predecessor: a box-office bomb and a critical hit. Maybe in another 35 years it too will be a cult classic.

— JAY SPIGHT

HAPPY DEATH DAY DIRECTOR Christopher B. Landon STARRING Jessica Rothe, Israel

Broussard, Ruby Modine RATED PG-13

Whoa, where did this shockingly good horror/comedy come from? When I saw the trailer for Happy Death Day, I did not have very high expectations. It looked like one gimmick (the Groundhog Day trope of reliving a day over and over again) with a lot of jokes that appealed to frat bros, and that was about it. But wow, did this movie deliver! While yes, it is just a gimmick, and while yes, there are a lot of jokes that appealed to frat bros, there’s still a lot to like here. Look. It’s a stupid movie. I’m not gonna say otherwise. But it’s a stupid movie that I had an absolute blast watching.

The film is anchored by Jessica Rothe (making her feature debut as a lead) as Tree. (Tree? That’s the name we’re going

with for the main character? . . . though if your real name is Tree, I salute you) Rothe is excellent here in the lead role, as she might as well be a real-life sorority sister.

And her character is great. Tree is not your standard damsel in distress. She is definitely a power lead that can take anything sent her way. She isn’t even all that likable.

But you can’t help but love her and feel for her as she experiences all these traumatic events/deaths over and over again. Equally charming is another relative newcomer, Israel Broussard. He plays Carter, the guy Tree wakes up to every morning. I found

BLADE RUNNER 2049 DIRECTOR Denis Villeneuve STARRING Ryan Gosling,

Harrison Ford, Robin Wright RATED R

35 years ago, Harrison Ford and director Ridley Scott, hot off the heels of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Alien respectively, teamed up for the ambitious sci-fi noir Blade Runner.

Though initially considered a failure, stopping just short of recouping its budget at the box office, the film garnered minor critical praise and would later develop a cult following for its moody futurism and philosophical musings. Now, after years in development, the sequel has arrived.

Blade Runner 2049 does everything in its power to replicate what made the original

such a cult hit, and for the most part it succeeds. The hazy, rainy cityscape lit by innumerable neon advertisements is beautifully restored and feels like a natural progression rather than cheap imitation. Roger Deakins’ cinematography makes every shot a painting of a gloomy and gorgeous future, showing yet again why he’s one of the best. The story, too, keeps the thoughtful ponderings of both films’ source material, Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

A CLASSIC

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OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

LIVING ROOM CINEMA column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

Korean Dreams My hope for the Korean people (and everyone else) is that their devastating dramas are confined within the context of the art and films that they produce. More movies of this caliber are always gratefully welcomed.

 Mother (2009) is directed by Bong Joon-ho. A mother’s teenage son is seeking more independence, despite the obstacles caused by autism. She struggles with her protective feelings but does not hesitate to act when he is charged with murder.

Mother is a wonderful contemplation in the boundless loyalty of a parent.  The Isle (2000) is directed by Kim Ki-duk.

A lone woman cares for the floating lake cabins rented by holiday fishermen. Aside from her routine social interactions while dealing fish bait, she mostly lives her life in solitude. The story is deceptively paced and meditative, all the while luring you in until you have become totally hooked.  Moebius (2013) is also directed by Kim Ki-duk. A family in crisis is at great odds with one another. The intense drama relents to its black comedy alter-ego once the level of debauchery ramps up. Please put the kids to bed before you partake in the cringe-worthy enjoyment that is Moebius.

News Identity Theft in the Digital Age Equifax breach suggests that everyone is vulnerable. STORY BY JESSICA BARROLL

I

n light of the recent Equifax breach, in which more than 145 million individuals’ information was compromised from mid-May through July of 2017, many are concerned about what this will mean for our financial future. However, what many are not thinking about is facing criminal charges or our children being responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.

Yes, that’s right, as a result of identity theft many could find themselves facing criminal charges when they’ve never even committed a crime a day in their life, or a 1-yearold could be already buried in debt.

You might be wondering how that would even be possible. According to Kristina Albright, a market development ALBRIGHT specialist with Legal Shield who serves the Rutherford County and surrounding Nashville area, all it takes is a thief getting caught doing something illegal and using your identity when arrested.

Regarding the debt that children can find themselves in without ever having made a purchase, criminals would gain access to their information through medical or school records being sold on the dark web. A criminal, after stealing a child’s social security number, would use it to make a synthetic identity by merging the number with a different date of birth and other information, making a separate identity, and then using that to take out credit cards and home loans. In fact based on current statistics, children are five times more likely to have their identity stolen than an adult. And what makes this truly frightening is that parents are not checking for identity theft on their children, so it may not pop up until they apply for a loan.

“I saw a report on a child that is 11 years old and they were $150,000 in debt,” 34 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

Albright states. “And somebody said, ‘Well, they’re not responsible.’ But what you have to realize is that’s associated with their social security number. See, someone has to clean that up whether or not you owe the debt . . . it will affect any loans they might get in the future. People just don’t realize how vulnerable their children truly are.”

Surprisingly, the largest growing sector for identity theft is stolen medical records from doctors’ offices and hospitals. As of right now, medical identity theft accounts for about half of identity theft. Those records are the most valuable on the black market because they have so much information: legal names, date of births, social security numbers, blood type and previous addresses as well as current addresses. Legislation has been passed requiring these offices to implement cyber-security measures, but some laws do not go into effect for a few more years. The same can be said for the school systems, where there have been a lot of breaches in the last two years.

“There is always a lack of money in school systems to even buy band uniforms or for their sport programs, and to upgrade their [security] systems to where they need to be is a massive undertaking,” Albright said.

“They have no budget to do that, and yet how important should that be? It should be really important, but then you are looking at education versus protecting everybody’s identity.”

So, where is everyone’s stolen information going? It is being put on the dark web where it is either traded or sold. This is a black marketplace where information can be sold either separated into a thousand identities or 10,000 identities for a certain amount of money. It really all just depends on what type of information it is and what it’s being used for.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR With all of this going on it can leave a person overwhelmed and not sure of where to even begin in trying to counteract this new wave of criminal activity. The general advice being

put out there by the Federal Trade Commission, a.k.a. the FTC, is to check and see if you were one of the ones compromised by the Equifax breach, if you haven’t already, by visiting equifaxsecurity2017.com.

Women should also check under their maiden names as well as their married name.

In fact, you will need to check under any name you have ever used. To find out if your information was exposed, click on the “Am I Impacted?” tab and enter your last name and the last six digits of your social security number. Make sure that you are on a secure computer and an encrypted network connection when you enter your information. The site will tell you if you’ve been affected by this breach. Through this site, U.S. consumers can also enroll for a year free of credit monitoring, regardless if they’ve been exposed.

Recent statistics from the FTC show that it takes an individual an average of 200 hours to get their identity back once it’s been stolen and used. That’s five weeks of time wasted on fear and phone calls, which is why many employers are now offering identity theft protection as a benefit at their workplace. If your employer does not offer this service you may need to consider purchasing this type of product on your own. However, make sure that the company you use has licensed private investigators that resolve any issues in proving who you are and that the service does more than just monitor. In fact, some services monitor the dark web to see if your information pops up and then can resolve from there—something that the average person should probably not do since it puts a target on their back for criminals. Currently, ID Shield and other businesses are not considering the Equifax breach to be a pre-existing condition. So, as long you don’t know that your information has been used, you can still get coverage even if you are aware that it was compromised.

The FTC is also advising everyone to check their credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and to consider

placing a credit freeze or fraud alert on your files. Everyone should also be monitoring their existing credit card and bank accounts closely and file your taxes as soon as you get your necessary information, before a scammer can file on your behalf. You should also respond to letters from the IRS right away, but do not give out your information over the phone to someone claiming to be the IRS, as that is most likely a scam.

Risk consulting firm Kroll advises consumers not to do a credit freeze but to instead place a fraud alert on all accounts.

Albright also advises against the credit freeze, stating, “It’s very difficult if you decide you want to use your credit for something to get it back. It’s just inconvenient to have it on there; if you have a fraud alert that should be enough. The only time I don’t recommend a fraud alert is if you’re about to buy a house or are in the process of buying a house. It can hold up your closing if you have a fraud alert.”

BE PROACTIVE The two pieces of advice Albright gives others are “protect your social security number and be proactive by getting some monitoring and full restoration product in place for your family—make sure that you are asking questions, informed questions, about who will actually do your restoration for you.”

At this point it’s hard to know what all of the ramifications from this Equifax breach are going to be. According to a CNBC interview with Morgan Wright, U.S. State Department senior antiterrorism advisor, authorities are not sure how the Equifax breach will play out, since the culprits are still unknown. Depending on whether this was a state act or organized crime, the information stolen could be used in different ways. Either way, the information could be held for years before being used.

As far as what will be done for the individuals whose information was compromised, the one-year free monitoring from Equifax is all that is on the table at present.

And according to a CNBC article by Kevin McCoy in September, more than 70 class action lawsuits have been filed.

Class action lawsuits can be tricky and are known to take a long time to come to a determination because plaintiffs have to show causation, meaning that your identity being stolen was a direct result of the breach with Equifax and not for some other reason.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

AROUND TOWN ’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

Taqueria Toluca, Smoopy’s Bicycles, Murfreesboro Data, The Newborn Nurse, Fit Republic

For dessert, the Murfreesboro Planning Commission approved plans for ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD to open a Murfreesboro location. The Missouri-based company offers frozen treats in a variety of flavors.

Owner Brad Feuerbacher recently stated that the restaurant should be open by late spring or early summer on Memorial Boulevard near SportsCom. The commission also approved plans for a multi-tenant development on Medical Center Parkway that will include a Krispy Kreme.

BY MICHELLE WILLARD Murfreesboro’s already crowded restaurant scene has even less elbow room, owing to new openings in October.

BURGER REPUBLIC, a Nashvillebased concept specializing in gourmet burgers, American craft beers and hand-spun milkshakes, opened in October on Medical Center Parkway.

The 4,026-square-foot restaurant, located within the Fountains at Gateway complex, features 12 flat-screen TVs and a bar that showcases its wide array of craft beer offerings, which includes many high-gravity and specialty brews.

Burger Republic starts its burgers with 100% fresh certified Angus beef that is hand-formed into a patty and cooked to order on a flat-top grill to sear in the juicy flavor. Local and regional products play a key role in the lineup, such as Benton’s bacon and Charpier’s brioche buns.

Two new taquerias have opened on South Church Street. TAQUERIA TOLUCA has opened at 2021 S. Church in the old Burger King between Regal Inn and Uncle Sandy’s gas station. The building is also the former location of Sal’s Pizzeria. The taco shop offers authentic Mexican tacos with the choice of five different proteins.

It’s not always good news on the restaurant front. Two well-known national brands have shuttered in the past month.

With little warning, LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE on Broad Street closed—permanently, according to a flyer on the restaurant’s door. Inquiries sent to the company’s PR firm were not returned.

BURGER REPUBLIC

And OSCAR’S TACO SHOP has opened a new restaurant at 3138 S. Church St. The family-friendly restaurant offers fresh Southern California/Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

North Carolina-based COOK OUT has opened a second Murfreesboro restaurant on Memorial Boulevard, near what will soon be Climb Murfreesboro. The fastfood chain opened its first Murfreesboro location on South Rutherford Boulevard in 2013, where it serves up char-grilled burgers, chicken breasts, hot dogs and more than 40 varieties of milkshakes.

North Carolina-based COOK OUT has opened a second Murfreesboro restaurant

on Memorial Boulevard, near what will soon be Climb Murfreesboro. The fastfood chain opened its first Murfreesboro location on South Rutherford Boulevard in 2013, where it serves up char-grilled burgers, chicken breasts, hot dogs and more than 40 varieties of milkshakes.

BREAD AND BUTTER SANDWICH CO. is coming to Mercury Boulevard near the Waffle House. According to its Facebook page, the restaurant “is committed to creating inspired, chef-driven meals that are handcrafted and are to be enjoyed between two slices of bread. We pride ourselves on using the finest ingredients from local merchants and treasured recipes.” No opening date has been announced yet.

SMOOPY’S REDUCING HOURS SMOOPY’S VINTAGE BICYCLES announced on Facebook that the storefront’s hours will be changing after 10 years and will continue by appointment only.

“I’ve been offered a wonderful job opportunity that, for the sake of my family, I cannot pass up; therefore, I’ve decided to pursue this opportunity and see where it leads me,” Smoopy’s owner Andrew Logan stated.

He said Smoopy’s will stay at 2602 E. Main St. in Murfreesboro.

“We will also discontinue regular service and repair work, but will still offer all levels of our restoration services,” Logan said.

Call 615-410-3928 to set up an appointment for parts, accessories, consultation and restoration services.

“Thank you for all your business and friendship these past 10 years,” Logan said.

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JACK IN THE BOX on Memorial has also closed. A sign left on the restaurant’s door directed customers to the 2181 Old Fort Pkwy. location.

LET’S GO SHOPPING Health supplement store FIT REPUBLIC has opened at 202 N. Thompson Ln. Established in 2012, Fit Republic was founded to change health and fitness into a lifestyle.

Fit Republic offers free meal plans, free exercise plans and support on how to properly supplement a healthy lifestyle with its supplements, energy drinks and protein powders. Learn more at fitrepublicusa.com.

BIG LOTS held a grand opening for its newly renovated space in the old Kmart on Broad Street.

Crews have worked over the past six months transforming about 35,000 square feet of the nearly 100,000-square-foot store left vacant when Kmart closed in April 2016.

No word yet on what store might occupy the remaining space.

Another discount retailer, LIQUIDATION OUTLET, has reopened to do business in a new location. Owners of the outlet have constructed a new facility, located at 203 Southpointe Dr. in Murfreesboro.

Need shoes? MARTI AND LIZ opened a new store behind the Walgreens on the corner of Thompson Lane and Medical Center Parkway. If you can’t make it through the

magnetic energy disturbances.

Murfreesboro Data designed its building as a Tier 3 data center, with Tier 4 capabilities—either way, very secure, with very little down time—and as an N+2 facility, meaning that it boasts two backup sources of power: a battery room and “some of the largest diesel-powered generators known to man,” Hoscheit said.

Crews placed the piping, power, fiber and internet infrastructure all under concrete, and features also include static-dissipating carpet. “It’s very unusual to have carpet in a data center,” Hoscheit said.

For more information, visit murfreesborodata.com.

Rachel Ramsey recently opened THE NEWBORN NURSE, an in-home nursing service for new mothers.

Ramsey is a neonatal registered nurse with 12 years’ experience helping during the transition that takes place in the days and weeks after birth.

“We provide lactation support, newborn education, daytime and overnight care,” Ramsey said.

Her previous experience includes working at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and teaching in the nursing program at MTSU. For more information call 615-7857300 or visit thenewbornnurse.com traffic, check out styles from the comfort of your home at martiandlizboutique.com.

Popular Murfreesboro music store CONCERT MUSICAL SUPPLY has opened a second location in Stones River Mall near PanSun and Claire’s.

The West Main store is still open and full of instruments and classes.

CLOUD OVER MURFREESBORO Whether a business needs a single server or a private data room, organizations can now store their digital data right here in Murfreesboro after the recent opening of MURFREESBORO DATA CENTER. Jon Hoscheit and Scott Graby, after observing multiple corporate headquarters cropping up in Nashville and Franklin, asked themselves a question: why are they

not coming to Murfreesboro?

“Some of the limitations were lack of class-A office space, and the lack of data centers,” Hoscheit said regarding Murfreesboro. But the two businessmen aimed to change that.

Graby addressed the office space situation with his Fountains at the Gateway development, while the two partnered on Murfreesboro Data to address the local data storage limitation with a 208-rack capacity in eight independent, secure environments.

All are housed within a very secure but outwardly nondescript building with convenient access to the Medical Center Parkway corridor and downtown Murfreesboro.

“The exterior can withstand 60,000 pounds of pressure,” Hoscheit said, noting the building itself also acts as a Faraday cage, shielding the servers from electro-

HOME2 SUITES and TRU BY HILTON, the only dual-brand property in Murfreesboro, will hold a grand opening at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9. The hotels, located at 909 N. Thompson Ln., welcome pets, and also feature free breakfast, a fitness center, pool and pool tables.

NONPROFIT PROJECTS Sarah Gwinn from GREENHOUSE MINISTRIES has launched a new nonprofit, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUTURES. She plans for the entity to lead local efforts to provide comprehensive credit and housing-related education, outreach, advocacy, counseling and coaching through its flagship program, Help in Housing.

“We also want to develop affordable rental housing, houses for home ownership and provide greater access to home improvement services,” Gwinn said via the Help in Housing page on Facebook.

LOCALLY OWNED MURFREESBORO

will hold a fundraising drive through Dec. 31 for scholarships for aspiring young businesspeople from Rutherford County.

Each of the nonprofit’s members’ businesses will collect donations for the scholarships, which will be awarded to Rutherford County students in the MTSU College of Business.

For a listing of member businesses, visit locallyownedmurfreesboro.org.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM announced the avail-

JON HOSCHEIT, MURFREESBORO DATA CENTER

ability of thousands of movies, television shows, music albums, eBooks, audiobooks and comics, all available for mobile and online access through a new partnership with hoopla digital.

Library cardholders in Rutherford County, Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Eagleville locations can download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their mobile device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin

FOR COFFEE AND CAT-LOVERS Taura Byrd, founder of CATFEINE, has confirmed that JUST LOVE COFFEE ROASTERS will be the coffee partner for Murfreesboro’s upcoming cat cafe.

Byrd also launched a branding campaign, designed by Nashville graphic designer Collin Herk. The new logo features a text treatment and cat icon she has named Brewster “for obvious reasons,” Byrd said.

She has also partnered with Middle Tennessee Treasures (middletennesseetreasures.com) to provide the kitties that will be available for adoption.

Byrd said she is also working on a pop-up event at Cultivate Coworking and interested people should watch social media for more info.

Catfeine will have some cat cafe competition when it opens in 2018.

Keith and Kelly Palchat are working on CATNIPS: A CAT CAFE. Both projects are in their infancy— kitten stages, if you will. The Palchats are busy visiting other cat cafes and getting their plans finalized, according to the Catnips Cat Cafe page on Facebook. Area friends of felines can also sign up for updates about Catnips at catnipscatcafe.com. enjoying thousands of titles—from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers—available to borrow 24/7, for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers.

If you have a tip about a new business coming to town, an old one closing, complaints, compliments or any other Murfreesboro business news, contact Michelle @michwillard on Twitter or michelle.willard@gmail.com.

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* NOVEMBER 2017 * 37

BUSINESS NEWS

Murfreesboro’s Kaleidoscope Custom Vapor Lounge Begins Producing Homegrown Hemp Extract

BY MICHELLE WILLARD FOR MOST OF HER LIFE, Kaleidoscope Custom Vapor Lounge owner Stacey Hamilton has struggled with pain in her right foot.

“I’m a partial amputee,” Hamilton said, explaining a congenital defect on the outside edge of her right foot.

She used to take pain medication to control issues with the tendons cramping in her foot.

But then she found hemp oil. Also referred to as cannabidiol or CBD oil, the dietary supplement is a non-psychoactive aid for patients with epilepsy, anxiety or even chronic pain.

Hamilton has used the supplement for a little over a year and is amazed by the results.

“It would cramp because of nerve and vascular damage,” she explained. “Usually by the end of the day, I would limp. Now there are days when I don’t limp at all.”

Her success with the supplement inspired her to bring it to the masses through her vapor stores on South Church Street and Memorial Boulevard in Murfreesboro, which sells custom e-juice and other vaping products.

Kaleidoscope makes nicotine extract for use in vape pens, and Hamilton plans to start selling her own hemp oil extraction by December in-store and online. It will be offered in olive oil and chocolate mint flavors in sublingual oil, edibles, vape pens and pet treats.

She explained hemp oil is legal in the state because it is not made from marijuana.

“All marijuana is hemp but not all hemp is marijuana,” Hamilton clarifies.

Tennessee launched a pilot program in 2014 to study industrial hemp farming across the state. To grow industrial hemp, farmers can apply to take part in the research program.

“I like the fact that everything will be made in the U.S. and, when fully operational, everything will be made in Tennessee. Even the hemp will be grown here,” she said.

Tennessee legalized the sale and use of hemp oil in 2015. Since then, Hamilton has seen the potential in the supplement.

Hamilton has partnered with The Realm of Caring, a nonprofit that works with hos-

Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt Always Available for Consultations with Small Businesses BY ELIZABETH SCOTT SAWYER SMALL BUSINESSES are the heart of our community. Many Murfreesboro consumers regularly shop and visit these unique, independent places that have been around for years, and others that are just beginning.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center, located in the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce building, plays a part in the startup and success of many businesses in town. This grantfunded program, hosted by MTSU, is one of 15 such centers across the state that are available to assist current and hopeful business owners at no cost, teaching courses such as First Steps—Business Plan Construction.

In addition to business courses, the Center provides one-on-one consultations.

The TSBDC can help aspiring entrepreneurs explore business ideas or talk about existing businesses and the struggles the owners may be facing.

According to Chris Swoner, director of the Murfreesboro location, new TSBDC 38 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

clients will ideally come in before they open their business.

“We provide easy, free access that people in business don’t have and answer questions they don’t know to ask,” Swoner told the Pulse. “Come to us first—before you get into an entanglement.”

Advising services offered cover Research and Analysis, Marketing, Operations, Management, Financial, New Venture Creation and Training. When you sign up as a new client, you’re assigned a personal advisor who will be available to help you every step of the way.w The TSBDC is not here to tell business owners what to do with their companies, but they do want to provide guidance in unknown situations.

“We stop shy of telling you what to do,” Swoner said. “We want to create empowered business owners, not dependent business owners.”

Success or failure in a business is ultimately on the clients. The center teaches

STACEY HAMILTON

pitals, doctors and researchers to find better applications for cannabinoid therapies.

The ROC is led by parent professionals whose children have benefited from the use of hemp oil. It currently serves nearly 28,000 members.

Hamilton refers customers to The ROC for help with dosage and delivery method.

“This is an awesome tool,” she said, adding customers can also reference a recent study by Johns Hopkins University.

Hamilton also sees hemp and CBD products as a potential solution for the nation’s growing opioid crisis, in the fight against

alcoholism and addiction.

“I’ve seen how much it truly helps people,” Hamilton said.

Her overall goal is to help others find the relief that she has found in hemp oil, noting it also helps with her anxiety.

“It’s the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning,” Hamilton said.

and advises, helping with technical expertise or acting as a sounding board, Swoner said. “We do a lot, but we’re removed from the success or failure.”

One recent business success story is that of Missy Lay and her company, Wild Goose Chase, an event business that organizes personalized scavenger hunts.

“I went to the TSBDC to help start my business,” Lay said. “I’m also teaming up with them for a scavenger hunt for Small Business Saturday.”

Small Business Saturday, the day following Black Friday every November, is when communities rally to gather at Mom-andPop businesses to complete their Christmas shopping. This year, Wild Goose Chase is putting on a city-wide scavenger hunt in Murfreesboro for the occasion.

The event involves 60 local businesses.

Each one will feature a special sale for the day and have a task to complete or an item to find. Even virtual businesses can participate by sharing something on their website or social media pages.

The hashtag for the event is #borobucketlist because all these businesses could be on your Murfreesboro bucket list.

“This is a great opportunity to get

people in places they might not know exist,” Lay said.

Wild Goose Chase will promote the involved businesses and other scavenger hunt-related information on its Facebook page in the weeks leading up to the event.

The scavenger hunt will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, but participants are encouraged to get started no later than 2 p.m. in order to complete the hunt.

Participants will have three starting locations to chose from, including the Chamber of Commerce, where the TSBDC is located, on Medical Center Parkway.

The Center is helping to market the event, provide giveaways for participants and help coordinate all the small businesses in the area.

For those looking to help small local businesses, the TSBDC is always open to volunteers and partnerships with anyone looking for a legitimate, philanthropic effort to make the community better.

For more information about the Realm of Caring, visit theroc.us. Visit Kaleidoscope Custom Vapor Lounge at 2992 S. Church St. Suite B, and 3325 Memorial Blvd or online at kaleidoscopevapor.org.

For more information on the Tennessee Small Business Development Center or to schedule a consultation for your business, call 615-898-2745 or visit tsbdc. org/mtsu.

Opinion WHITE LIVES MATTERS RALLY PROMOTERS A NO-SHOW IN MURFREESBORO The

STOCKARD REPORT

BY SAM STOCKARD

As it turns out, white lives apparently don’t matter all that much to the League of the South, at least not when your group is going to run into a crowd estimated at 1,000-plus and a platoon of law officers.

After speechifying and talking about how to live by the Golden Rule in Shelbyville on Oct. 28, White Lives Matter rally-criers tucked tail and headed for the woods rather than coming to Murfreesboro as originally announced.

Only about 20 of their supporters entered the fenced-off area around the County Courthouse as hundreds of counter-protesters filled the area on the side of yet another fence in the Public Square streets.

This column often gives a hard time to law enforcement leaders, mainly when they act like 6-year-olds. This time, though, they deserve credit for derailing this debacle before it really materialized.

Truth be told, and don’t tell anybody, but I get along with most of the law officers I deal with on a daily basis. Who knows when I might need them on my side, and this was one of those times.

Teams of law enforcement officers from across Rutherford County, the TBI and elsewhere patrolled the entire downtown armed to the teeth and with plenty located in sniper positions too, including the highest point of the Judicial Building under construction.

They ran security checkpoints, too, prohibiting just about everything but car keys and cellphones. The check points might have scared off the League of the South.

In fact, so many counter-protesters showed up that a lot of them never got in before authorities called off the event at 4 p.m. after the League of the South sent out word it wasn’t coming to Murfreesboro after all.

A digital message said they received intel that it was a lawsuit trap or some other sort of nonsense, when, really, local officials bent over backwards to allow them to come and say whatever the hell they wanted.

If you’re getting intel from some of the 40 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

knuckleheads who showed up in advance, though, it raises some serious questions about your intelligence. Seriously, we’re not dealing with Einstein here. Oops, sorry about that. I think he was a Jew, and there’s no way they’d listen to him.

But anyway, and this is simply a question based on a day of observation: Does membership or support of these groups require people to be unkempt, unshorn and almost toothless? Dental insurance is expensive, and trips to the tooth doctor can be painful, so lack of teeth is understandable. Clean clothes, though, are relatively easy to come by. New ones are available at any Dollar Store or Walmart, and laundromats are located across the nation. It only takes a few quarters to wash and dry.

So if you’re going out to parade as a neoConfederate, Nazi or skinhead, don’t try to make it look as if the entire human race took a step back more than 200 years—unless you’re trying to play the part of Neanderthal.

SETTING NEW STRATEGY

In the wake of this farce, look for the Murfreesboro City Council and Rutherford County Commission to enact new policies regulating marches and protests.

They have no choice, considering these morons could seek a permit to rally here every week, effectively abusing the First Amendment to hold hostage Murfreesboro’s economy and turn it into a ghost town.

Make no mistake, they have the right to free speech, although the First Amendment clearly states Congress shall make no law prohibiting “the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”

Anyone who has seen video of other marches and rallies involving the League of the South, neo-Nazis and other organizations described as white supremacist groups would recognize they aren’t always holding hands and singing “Kumbaya.”

Unfortunately, Murfreesboro and Rutherford County governments weren’t prepared for this type of event. They’re accustomed to local groups holding somewhat peaceful rallies and political speeches in front of the County Courthouse, not hate-filled b.s. that threatens to take our nation back 250 years.

Consequently, they had to tread lightly to ensure they covered their legal rearends and could abide by the Constitution and still put on a massive security detail that turned the downtown into a military encampment and allowed law enforcement officers to run metal checkpoints and prohibit anything that could be used as a weapon.

Next time, expect them to be ready for this mess and designate a place for people to hold rallies. A good spot would be the field in front of the sheriff ’s office at 940 New Salem Highway. Then authorities could cut the distance they’d need to haul these people when they cart them off to jail.

Better yet: If someone seeks a rally permit and doesn’t show up, they should forfeit any future attempts to rally. No-show means a no-go.

A TIRED ARGUMENT

In the days leading up to the Public Square protest, a lot of people accused the antifascist group Antifa of coming to stir up trouble, too, more or less accusing them of causing these problems. While Antifa is said to be a communist or socialist group bent on confronting white supremacists with violent action, blaming them for the problem is about like blaming the kid who beats up a playground bully.

Without groups such as League of the South initiating these goofy gatherings, Antifa wouldn’t come to town.

Murfreesboro and Rutherford County just didn’t have the rules in place to handcuff this kind of rally. Who would have thought they’d try to come here?

But this is what you get when the president of the United States gives tacit approval for them to wreak havoc. In the wake of the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, President Donald Trump gave so many conflicting statements, placing blame on and excusing some on both sides, it took a scorecard to keep up with what he said.

But saying there were “good people” among those rallying for white supremacy is simply bad judgment. Since when do “good

people” carry torches with neo-Nazis and white supremacists?

The answer is: Since the KKK started trying to keep the Civil War going 150 years ago to beat down all those folks who would gain rights under a new system of laws.

For someone who’s supposed to know how to run the economy, Trump is awfully silent about these rallies, which forced downtown businesses to close and required hundreds of law enforcement officers to work all night and all day.

Notably, though, as people boarded up buildings Friday around the Square, many people stopped to write things on the plywood such as “Murfreesboro Loves” and “Love Love Love.”

CITY HALL TURNOVER

Just a few months after Murfreesboro Human Resources Director Glen Godwin turned persona non grata, Murfreesboro Police Chief Karl Durr resigned suddenly on Oct. 20.

Durr had barely gotten his chair warm at police headquarters, leaving 18 months after City Manager Rob Lyons hired him. Lyons and other city officials declined to comment in the days after Durr left, but either he couldn’t get along with anybody or he got involved in some sort of questionable activity.

People don’t just leave positions such as police chief for no reason.

The remaining question, though, is whether the City Council will show Lyons the door. Mayor Shane DURR McFarland expects to start drilling down into the reasons for Durr’s departure, as well as the leadership at the top of the city’s totem pole, which lies in the hands of Lyons.

In recent interviews, council members kept using the word “trust” when talking about Lyons, leading one to believe they are losing “trust” in him. But considering they gave him a decent job evaluation in September and a $5,000 raise, you have to wonder when that “trust” started to erode.

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

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

Since this is a new arena for the legal field, said Kevin Sharp, “There is no consistent standard that federal court districts across the U.S. use to decide the issue of legal standing in cyber breach cases. However, most have ruled that the theft of personal consumer data ‘is sufficient to establish standing,’ said Sharp, a former federal judge in Tennessee who’s now a managing partner for the Sanford Heisler Sharp law firm, which, according to McCoy’s September article, has also sued Equifax.

Regarding whether we will see more breaches in the future, “It’s not a matter of if—it’s just a matter of when,” Albright said. “145 million Americans were affected by this one breach, and then there have been just so many others in the last few months like Yahoo, which was a pretty large data breach, and then the Verizon data breach as well, and that’s just in the last two months. And those were the just the ones that have been reported to consumers . . . nobody is really safe from identity theft and it’s not going away. It’s just getting worse.”

If you would like Kristina Albright from Legal Shield to share information with your civic group or organization, contact her at 615.207.7555 or kristinacarver.com.

CORRECTION/ ATTRIBUTION: A column printed in last month’s edition of the Pulse contributed by State Rep. Mike Sparks contained portions of an article written for The American Catholic by Donald R. McClarey without attribution. In light of this alleged plagiarism, Sparks is hereby suspended for three months from appearing in the Murfreesboro Pulse and a fine and other disciplinary action may ensue after the completion of an internal investigation.

Live Exceptionally...Well!

BY JENNIFER DURAND

Be Ambitious With Goals, Not Deadlines

M

ost likely you’ve heard the expression “enjoy the journey, not the destination.” What does that really mean?

And how can you do that? Often there are risks involved, costs to incur and time and energy to expend. How can you enjoy what you’re striving for with all that pressure? First, it means understanding what it is you are working towards.

At first, you’re motivated by something that drives you to spend time, energy and money—perhaps at the expense of sharing time with others who would be supportive of your endeavor—and then along the way you become a part of the process. With each step and action you weave your spirit and intention into creating, forming and shaping your plan. Then, ultimately this plan becomes a part of you and you feel in sync with your ambition. That is the goal, anyway.

Let’s break it down. A goal is an intention—something to work toward, a plan for actively doing something.

A deadline is a time restriction—a time limit for an activity; the time by which something must be finished. One sounds flexible, the other sounds rigid and unyielding.

“It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens. That’s how change occurs.”

– Jillian Michaels It is important to know when you want be finished with something. That’s part of the motivation.

However, if you become focused on the deadline only, the attention to details, growth and quality can suffer or be overlooked altogether. The “a-ha” moments are part of the transformation, the real pieces that create a shift in our action or activity. Those are the silver linings you want to appreciate and let sink in. They build confidence, wisdom and satisfaction.

If you are rushing to “make the deadline” these nuggets lose their full value and leave you secondguessing yourself. You can’t appreciate the process nearly as much. And you miss seeing them come alive within you.

With a deadline, we are on edge or wound up so tight that the least little change in “the plan” sends us spinning or scrambling. That attitude can push others away and diminish support. When you turn back to the plan, or the goal for focus, the edge softens and you see what really matters. The love for what you are working towards becomes clearer. A

42 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

great attitude becomes a great day which becomes a great month which becomes a great year which becomes a great life.

“My goal is to create a life I don’t need a vacation from.” – Rob Hill Sr. The pressure of a deadline and its limitations increases intensity and stress when things aren’t going well. These attributes can produce negative energy. They are what push people to need a break or vacation from their work or life. Imagine if you woke each day with anticipation of being able to take action toward your goal. Just enjoying each part of the process, whether mundane or grand. How would this outlook make you feel? I believe it would increase your happiness factor and desire to keep on growing.

“At first they’ll ask you why you’re doing it. But later they’ll ask you how you did it.”

If you want to know how long something takes— ask someone who’s already done it. There is nothing more empowering than knowledge. Do your research. Make your path easier to walk by asking others about their experiences in reaching similar goals. Nothing is going to replace getting your hands a little dirty by proving to yourself what gets you to where you are going. It is, however, smart to look at the examples of others. Find what pieces of their journey fit into yours. Take the knowledge and put what is useful into practice for yourself. As you get closer and closer to your goals, your confidence and wisdom grows. Before you know it people will be asking you “how did you do that?”

So, bottom line . . . be ambitious and set your goals or objectives without getting a “locked in” mentality. Step back and look at your progress objectively along the way! You will be enjoying the “getting there” so much you’ll be thinking about any deadlines with a lot less stress.

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 facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or by calling (615) 896-7110.

Corker and Other Establishment Politicians Out of Touch With Constituents

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resident Trump’s latest feud with outgoing Senator Bob Corker is emblematic of the power struggle that’s going on in the Republican Party today. Corker represents the RINO wing—Republicans in Name Only—while Trump represents the drain-the-swamp wing.

It was people like Corker who kept Obamacare alive. He voted to shut down a filibuster by tea party Republicans when the Democrats controlled the Senate. It was a chance to starve the beast that has taken over our healthcare industry. Corker sided with the Democrats. Flash forward and America elects Donald Trump out of frustration that Washington is just not listening. Some in Washington still aren’t. Corker is near the top of that list.

Corker said, “Trump may be setting the U.S. on the path to World War III.” That quote, more than any other, encapsulates why Trump is president and Corker is not. What too many senators, congressmen and presidents have not understood is how to deal with brutal dictaVIEWS OF A tors. The last president we had who did was Ronald Reagan. He said we would relegate the COLUMN BY Soviet Union to the ash bin of history. We did.

PHIL VALENTINE The prior three presidents adopted policies philvalentine.com of appeasement toward North Korea. President Trump understands that appeasement policies only embolden dictators. His frank talk (and tweets) about North Korea have brought China to the table, something no predecessor was able to do. If we do go to war with North Korea it will be because too much damage has already been done by presidents Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama, not because of Trump.

As for the World War III crack, we seem to be as far from that as we’ve been since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Were the world to be at war, who would we be at war with? It would stand to reason that China would be our principal adversary. For the first time in a long time China respects the U.S. They respect us because they finally fear us. They fear us because of Donald Trump. Do you think our bombing Syria while the Chinese president was visiting Mar-a-Lago was by happenstance?

Everything Trump does is calculated.

It took months before he was vindicated for his remarks about Obama wiretapping Trump Tower. Now we know it was absolutely true. It only took days before his comments on Charlottesville, comments that were derided by Corker and others, were proven true. The man has instincts like no other president in recent memory.

The problem with Corker is he’s cut from the same cloth as Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan: go along to get along. They fret over decorum. Trump simply doesn’t care who he offends. What the Washington establishment finds so repulsive is exactly what the rest of America finds so refreshing.

The media and people like Corker decry Trump’s use of Twitter, but his tweets will go down in history as the essence of his genius. What other president has ever given us such incredible access to his stream of consciousness? The prior administration promised us transparency and gave us obfuscation. President Trump has given us a window to his soul.

Politicians and media complain incredulously that Trump shouldn’t pick a fight with Corker when he needs his vote to pass tax reform. Stop and think how juvenile that actually is. Bob Corker and these same politicians often accuse Trump of being immature.

Truth is I can’t think of anything more immature than voting against your own constituents’ and your own country’s best interests just because the president hurt your little feelings. These crybabies need to grow up.

CONSERVATIVE

“What the Washington establishment finds so repulsive is exactly what the rest of America finds so refreshing.”

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.

Sports

SPORTS

TALK

COLUMN BY “Z-TRAIN”

titanman1984@gmail.com

Pole Dancing, Dodgeball Among Sports Recently Recognized by International Federation “WINTER IS COMING” and the Train

Daddy is back, bringing sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk to you, the loyal readers of Middle Tennessee. As the leaves change and the cold creeps in, we all should be thankful for something! I can already state two things you probably have to be thankful for: first, you’re alive, and second, you live in America, two pretty awesome things to thank God for this Thanksgiving.

My original motto when I first started writing for the Pulse so many years ago was to live life following the 5 F’s: “Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends.” It was, and remains, a recipe for a successful, happy life.

The last few months had me pondering one of the F’s: “football”! I could be the last person on the planet saying this, and that would be okay, but shut up and stand up!

We have players in their 20s, players that

44 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

are millionaires, using the national anthem as a staging ground for—what?—to bring awareness or create division? Okay, enough, it’s tiring talking about the anthem protest.

Be sure to check out next month’s issue, nothing divisive. I promise you a beautiful Christmas edition next issue. I will stay clear of insensitive jokes and making fun of social justice warriors. Thanksgiving and Christmas truly are a time to set all this controversy aside and love your neighbor. I guess once 2018 gets underway then we can go back to disagreeing again.

Last issue I discussed dwindling NFL ratings, the Tennessee Titans, the race divide in American sports, rolling around in pumpkin patches with your lovely lady, and a biased ESPN network. I also begged UT to please fire Butch Jones!

Let’s get into this article, and discuss

something that has to do with sports, shall we? How about pole dancing? That’s right, the art of sliding down a pole is now officially a sport. Yippee!

As of this October, The Global Association of International Sports Federation has given pole dancing an observer status, the first step in making pole dancing legitimate in the sports world and one step closer to being an Olympic event.

Other newly recognized sports receiving observer status are arm wrestling, dodgeball, foosball and match poker. The pole dance may soon be making its way to your television set, thanks to the Global Association.

Many advocates pushing for this have made it clear they want to make pole dancing socially acceptable and help erase the stereotypes surrounding the pole. This isn’t something just for women willing to get naked for money anymore! Supporters claim this sport is for women, men—even children. It takes real strength, coordination and years of practice to become great. They want viewers to respect the chiseled athletes who artistically and gracefully dance the pole in the name of competition. Competitive pole dancing is already very popular in Israel. That’s right, the Holy Land loves it. It’s gaining legitimacy slowly around the world and advocates claim pole dancing competitions are as familyfriendly as any sporting event and just as well regulated. Watch the YouTube clip of Jess Norris. It is impressive.

I say go for it, pole dancing. I can think of dumber events considered sports. I am a single man speaking honestly here: I love beautiful women and I love sports; mix them together and bada-bing-bada-boom!

I love watching women’s Olympic beach volleyball—those toned, impressive athletes.

If you think that is sexist, you’re ridiculous!

I have much more respect for a woman’s ability as a dominant athlete than I do her looks. That’s fact! Beauty can captivate all of us, but greatness in one’s ability and skill far outweighs good looks.

What about those other events: arm wres-

tling, dodgeball, foosball and match poker?

The idea of arm wrestling in the Olympics doesn’t excite me. It’s actually quite boring, filled with a lot of grunting and straining.

Seriously, match poker. That’s pushing it.

I love poker but is it considered a sport? I imagine dodgeball would be dominated by Asian countries, and that’s a compliment.

Don’t go comparing me to Yuli Gurriel, who recently caused controversy after mocking an Asian player in the World Series. To be good at dodgeball you need to be quick and agile, like Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. Both of those men would have been phenomenal dodgeball players. We had a Pulse dodgeball team years ago that competed in the annual YMCA tournament, and we were awful. A bunch of heavyweights trying to dodge balls . . . we were defeated quickly!

MLB CATCHER ARRESTED

I have to talk about Bruce Maxwell, the MLB catcher. He already had my attention, and then, recently, he gets arrested on aggravated assault charges with a deadly weapon. Juicy!

So, short story, Maxwell is the only Major League Baseball player to kneel during the anthem. Maxwell recently visited a restaurant with friends in his hometown in Alabama and days later states he was racially profiled and denied service. A server and manager both claim Maxwell is lying.

The manager states one of Maxwell’s friends had an invalid ID, and was denied alcohol.

Reports claim Maxwell said, “Do you know who I am?” Later, the server claimed he had no clue, and doesn’t follow baseball. All reports pointed towards Maxwell lying, a serious accusation that could destroy that restaurant and employee’s reputation. Then, just recently they were given a present: Maxwell pulled a pistol on a female food delivery driver, after which police came and arrested an intoxicated Maxwell, who was yelling anti-police sentiments while being detained. Sounds like justice! The story reeked of lies, and Maxwell’s cred-

ibility is now destroyed after attacking not one, but two random food industry employees. That’s real discrimination.

“DAVID COP-A-FEEL”

Let’s wrap this up with something patriotic, and stick with baseball. Former President George H.W. Bush and son, former President George W. Bush, attended the awesome Game 5 of the World Series in Houston. The younger Bush threw out the first pitch and then afterward handed his 93-year-old father a microphone so he could shout “play ball!” This isn’t the first time the younger Bush has thrown out a first pitch during the World Series. He memorably did so in Game 3 of the 2001 World Series in New York, weeks after the 9/11 attacks. This recent pitch comes

after several women have accused the elder Bush of inappropriately touching them. The 93-year-old former president has been wheelchair-bound for five years, but one woman stated that she met the elder Bush and took a photo with him. He asked her, “You wanna know my favorite magician?” She replied “yes,” and Bush grabbed her buttocks after answering with “David Cop-a-Feel.” The former Presidents did apologize. Is it inappropriate, or simply the folly of an old and confused man?

Anyway, that’s it, the Train’s out the station.

Thanks to all you loyal readers. Choo-choo! the tablets and throw a football. Fall is in the air and it smells glorious! Love your family and live life by the 5 F’s—Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends.

Train’s out the station. Choo-choo!

Boro2Square Running Group Meets at The Boulevard Each Wednesday WHAT IS IT ABOUT WORKING OUT THAT YOU DISLIKE THE MOST, but is beneficial for maintaining weight loss. One common answer to this question that I hear echo out of everyone’s mouth: cardio.

Cardio gets your blood pumping, which in turn strengthens your heart, lungs and improves your endurance during workouts. And what better way to get a cardio workout than running.

I recently had a pleasant time meeting some of the participants a local group of runners called Boro2Square.

The founder, Scott Slaven, started the group seven years ago, saying that, while Murfreesboro has a sizable running community, it was “very fragmented” and that some of the running groups in the area could make participants feel uncomfortable. He wanted to create a “consistent group that included all paces, times and met at a regular location.”

Now, Boro2Square meets every Wednesday at The Boulevard Bar & Grille (2154 Middle Tennessee Blvd.) around 6 p.m. to run. The Boro2Square

Facebook page posts a map of each week’s route, generally between three and five miles in length, every Tuesday night.

After the group runs through areas near downtown Murfreesboro and the MTSU campus, many participants hang out at The Boulevard to eat, drink and socialize.

For anyone starting to run, Slaven suggests picking a race and setting a goal.

“Run the race to wear the shirt,” he said. That encouragement hit my heart profoundly.

He adds that finding an accountability partner can also help runners. So if you ready to get over your dislike for running, need inspiration or don’t want to run alone, join Boro2Square one Wednesday.

Additionally, or if you can’t make it on Wednesday nights, Fleet Feet has a group who meets and runs every Monday at 6 p.m. You can join them at 544 N. Thompson Ln. Be a better you everyday!

Follow Semaj on Instagram @BodyByShauty — SEMAJ THOMAS

Sports

BLUE RAIDER SPORTS BY GREG CRITTENDEN

BLUE RAIDERS HOPE TO SALVAGE THE SEASON IN NOVEMBER

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he Blue Raiders’ season has not gotten off to the start that they had hoped for before it began. Though the Syracuse upset seemed to be the beginning of great things to come, it came at the price of star quarterback Brent Stockstill, who was injured late in the game and has not played since. Without Stockstill’s services the Blue Raiders have gone 2–4, with two of those losses coming in games in which they were favored.

November’s schedule, however, looks to be set up for the Blue Raiders to salvage their season. Their opponents for the month (UTEP, at Charlotte, at WKU, and Old Dominion) own a combined record of 8–21, with WKU claiming five of those wins. However, if MTSU hopes to be bowl-eligible again this year, they cannot afford any slip-ups.

To avoid any such blunders they will need to get healthy, and no player will have a more

POTTS

ANDERSON

welcomed return than Stockstill. Bluntly, John Urzua is not getting it done and does not appear capable of doing so. With inconsistent offensive line play, Urzua has received a lot of pressure and has been prone to making bad decisions under duress. While he has completed a high percentage of his attempts, he has thrown nine interceptions against only seven touchdown passes. Stockstill is hopeful to return for the Nov. 4 game against UTEP, but that remains a game-time decision.

As injuries continue to plague the team, it is doubtful that Richie James will return this season. Coach Rick Stockstill stated after the game that James would “probably be on the shelf for a good amount of time.”

The Blue Raiders will return to the field in a home stand against UTEP on Saturday, Nov. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER GAMES Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.

University of Texas at El Paso Nov. 11, 1 p.m. @ Charlotte Nov. 17, 7 p.m. @ Western Kentucky Nov. 25, 2 p.m.

Old Dominion URZUA

46 * NOVEMBER 2017 * BOROPULSE.COM

AFTER TWO NCAA TOURNAMENT WINS, BLUE RAIDERS TRY TO KEEP SUCCESS GOING

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oach Kermit Davis looks to continue building Middle Tennessee basketball into a national brand as the 2017–18 season approaches. After having advanced to the field of 32 in the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons, continuing to build that brand will be a greater challenge than before. Davis knows that his recent success has presented lofty expectations.

“The push towards excellence and moving forward becomes tougher and tougher, but it is something we are excited to be a part of,” Davis states.

A great deal of that recent success is owed to Reggie Upshaw, both from a production standpoint and as a leader, but how do the Blue Raiders move on from arguably the greatest player to ever don the blue and white?

“I think if you ask anybody on our team from a leadership standpoint and having the loudest voice in the gym it’s Giddy Potts,” Davis said.

Potts has already proven what he can do statistically. He is just 568 points shy of the MT career record, which is only 16 more than he scored last year. Now he takes on the role of the primary leader, and the players are responding.

When comparing the leadership styles of Upshaw and Potts, junior forward Karl Gamble doesn’t see a major change.

“Their leadership styles are the same but I would say Reggie is a more in-yourface type of guy. So Reggie sees something, Reggie is going to say something,” Gamble said. “That’s pretty much how our whole

program is, we don’t sugarcoat anything. If you’re doing something wrong we’re going to tell you.”

Not only will the Blue Raiders have to replace leadership, but they also must replace a tremendous amount of production they lost in Upshaw and 2017 Conference USA Player of the Year JaCorey Williams.

To help offset those losses, Davis has brought in three JUCO transfers and a graduate transfer in Nick King.

King previously played at both Memphis and Alabama before becoming a Blue Raider. Davis describes him as a “hybrid four that can shoot and play-make” and calls him “a natural rebounder” which sounds refreshingly similar to Upshaw.

To make up for the loss of Williams, Davis is looking for major leaps forward from Brandon Walters and Karl Gamble. Walters looked great off the bench in the Tournament last season, posting 21 points and 11 rebounds in just 31 minutes of play over two games. Though some questions exist at forward, the Blue Raiders will be strong at guard. In addition to Potts, MT returns Tyrik Dixon, Ed Simpson and Antwain Johnson.

Davis also feels that freshman Therren Shelton-Szmidt could get a chance to play.

MTSU will be tested early, as nine of the team’s first 12 opponents played in either the NIT or NCAA Tournament last season.

NOVEMBER HOME GAMES

Nov. 10, 11 a.m.—Trevecca Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m.—Belmont Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.—Florida Gulf Coast

SISSOM

JOHNSON, SISSOM AND LADY RAIDERS PREPARE FOR NOV. 10 SEASON OPENER

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t is never easy for a team to move on after losing a player as decorated as Ty Petty. Petty finished her career with the second-most assists in MTSU Lady Raider history, posting the two highest single-season totals in the process, and ranks in the top 15 in career scoring. While that kind of production is difficult to replace, it may be her leadership that will be even more of a challenge to supplant.

While Ty was the sole unquestioned leader a year ago, head coach Rick Insell will look to a group of young women to replace what the team lost when Petty graduated.

“Well, we’ve got a group of seniors that I’ve really grown close to: Abbey Sissom, Becca Reuter and Gabby Lyon,” stated Insell, “The leadership kind of lays with them.”

However, Petty’s presence is not completely gone, and Sissom, for one, will draw from her to replace that leadership on the court.

“It’s been great still having Ty out there with us as a graduate assistant and I think that’s helped me a lot,” Sissom said. “Ty has been my mentor. She has helped me throughout my four years here.”

While the Lady Raiders have lost a legendary field general, they have gained a great deal of much-needed size.

Four newcomers have arrived, each measuring in at over six feet tall. They include freshman guard Anna Jones (6' 1"), JUCO transfer junior forward LaSonja Edwards (6' 1"), freshman center Kara Meadows (6' 4") and freshman center Jadona Davis (6' 5").

Coach Insell expects each freshman to become a key contributor, and Jones may even have a chance to start. Meadows, however, dislocated her ankle in October and is expected to miss six to eight weeks of action.

The added size should help C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Alex Johnson to become an even greater force on the court.

With added size inside, there should be more room for Johnson to work.

“I still feel that I can be dominant, but I still need help inside,” said Johnson. “It will help take some of the pressure off me, as well as some of the shooters coming in and putting down shots.”

The added size should also take pressure off of Johnson on defense and in rebounding, two areas in which Johnson has gotten herself into foul trouble.

If Johnson can stay out of foul trouble, the added minutes could put her within striking distance of Ebony Rowe’s career mark of 2,453 points for the Lady Raiders.

Johnson won’t be able to do all the scoring herself, though, and MTSU lost over 18 points per game in Petty’s graduation.

Insell will look to Sissom to pick up those points as the second scoring option.

Sissom’s role has primarily been a defensive one over the last two seasons, but she will need to bring some of that energy down to the other end of the court.

“I think that is definitely going to be a challenge for me,” Sissom said. “With Ty there and Alex’s scoring I knew that I didn’t have to do as much offensively as I did defensively, so I took pride in taking that extra energy and putting it on defense.

This season it will be a challenge to keep my defense up and help out on the offense end a little bit more than I have been.”

The Lady Raiders will open the 2017–18 regular season against Vanderbilt in Nashville on Nov. 10. The will also face road challenges against Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Louisville and USC before a home game against Kentucky in late December.

NOVEMBER HOME GAMES

Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.—Tennessee Tech Nov. 19, 2 p.m.—Lipscomb