October 2015 Murfreesboro Pulse

2006–2015: Celebrating 10 Years

MURFREESBORO

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

October 2015 Vol. 10, Issue 10

FREE For You!

SPORTS MTSU'S QUIDDITCH CLUB CELEBRATES THE SPORT OF WITCHES AND WIZARDS

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MURFREESBORO MAN COMPLETES EVEREST CYCLING CHALLENGE

Thrills and Chills

A GUIDE TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE'S HAUNTS IN MUSIC

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

FLASHBACK ARCADE BIGFOOT EXPEDITION BORO ART CRAWL MTSU FOOTBALL AND MORE!

ILLUMINATE, FIREKID, ASHES OF FOLLY, EVERETT BROWN, SOUNDHARVEST, MULETOWN MUSICFEST, J. BUCK

Contents

DEAR READERS:

30

t Theater Dog Sees God; The Addams Family FOOD

18

Review h Restaurant Meat & Sports: Sam’s Sports Grill Are We Meeting Again? j Where Confusing restaurant names of Murfreesboro

REVIEWS

k Movies The Visit, Black Mass

EVENTS Community Events 4 October HooDoo HullaBaloo; Little/Hooten Magic Show,

7 8

Ta-ta Trunk Show; Firefly Supper and more!

Entertainment Calendar Karaoke, Bingo, DJs and Live Trivia OCTOBER CONCERTS

SOUNDS Reviews 9 Album Ashes of Folly; Everett Brown

0 Illuminate Tennessee rapper shines on debut EP; holds release q w r

party at TEMPT Oct. 15. firekid Alabama group blends bluegrass and pop.

Music Notes New Venue The Block; J. Buck; SoundHarvest Everybody Drum Some Saturday morning drum circle on The Square promotes rhythm awareness.

LIVING for Bigfoot y Searching Expedition heads to the forest on Oct. 16.

Business i Scary A look behind the scenes at Auburntown Asylum.

p s

Thrills and Chills A guide to Middle Tennessee’s Haunted attractions.

Pacman Fever Flashback Arcade offers all-you-can-play vintage games.

Homeless in the ’Boro Mr. Bo and Brother Man: A homeless songwriter Farmers’ Market Education Series Collecting decorations and saving seeds

ART

CREW

PULSE

Art Events f October Boro Art Crawl; Todd Gallery Exhibits; Timothy McCoy Publisher/Editor in Chief: Contributors: Dylan Skye Aycock, Gloria Christy, John Connor Coulston, Bracken Mayo Greg Crittenden, Jennifer Durand, Art Director: Zach Maxfield, Ceyla Orton, Cameron Sarah Lankford Mayo Parrish, Darcy Payne, Robert Ritch, Bryan Ros, Edwina Shannon, Christy Advertising Reps: Simmons, Cecilia Sinkala, Jay Spight, Don Clark, Jeff Brown Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Copy Editor: Steve Morley Norbert Thiemann, Phil Valentine

l

Living Room Cinema Spirits Book Local author pens childrens’ book, Popcorn the Goat.

SPORTS

The Blue Thestrals Take Flight ; MTSU Quidditch Club celebrates the sport of wizards.

MTSU Football z Blue Raiders at 2-2; take on Vanderbilt Oct. 3.

Sports Talk with Z-Train x Fall and football are in the air.

Biking Everest c Murfreesboro man completes insane challenge.

OPINION

Live Exceptionally . . . Well v Breathe.

Phil Valentine: Views of a Conservative b Volkswagen to be fined heavily for rigging vehicles.

Builder n Business Use positive self-talk and visualization techniques.

Through the Decades m Music The Aluminum Street Dance Judicial Monarchy , The Supreme Court should not trump states’ rights.

Stockard Report . The High school referee’s criminal record uncovered.

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

Copyright © 2015, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 10 N. Public Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed

by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Murfreesboro Pulse is a free publication funded by our advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

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

ILLUMINATE COURTESY IN HIS IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

ON THE COVER

JUST BREATHE. That seems to be the theme of this edition.

I love how our wellness columnist, Ms. Jennifer Durand of the Nurture Nook, and our business columnist, Mr. Robert Ritch, both independently came to discuss the importance of breathing in this edition of the Pulse. Setting aside time for relaxing and breathing can immensely help physically, and even in the business world it’s important to slow down, visualize your goals and let solutions come to you.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed if you do not stay focused. So stay focused! Remind yourself what is important to you, and spend your time doing that.

Please join the Pulse at the Nurture Nook on Tuesday, Oct. 20, beginning at 5 p.m. for a celebration.

Read more about that on page 34.

Additionally, the next installment of the Murfreesboro Entrepreneurs Association will meet at Mayday Brewery on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. Come on out to either or both.

Further exploring the breathing theme, Ross Lester and the Everybody Drum Some team want everyone to be in tune with the rhythms of life. If your heart beats and your lungs inhale and exhale, you are a percussionist!

Join the drum circle every Saturday morning this month near Concert Musical Supply on West Main Street.

Even Phil Valentine gets into the quality of breathing topic this month as he calls out Volkswagen for trying to cheat pollution tests. It is crucial that everyone has air to breathe. We really don’t “need” very much when you get down to it, but everyone needs clean air and water. Let’s do what we can to make sure there’s plenty of that for everyone.

Explore the following pages of the Pulse, and find something interesting to get into this month.

MTSU football has a big Oct. 3 homecoming game with Vanderbilt coming up.

Venture into Sam’s Sports Grill each Monday at 7 p.m. for head football coach Rick Stockstill’s live radio broadcast, on Sundays for Sports Trivia Night or anytime through the week for fine ribs, chicken tenders and lots of sports.

The Boro Art Crawl project will be held the evening of Friday, Oct. 9, with numerous downtown area establishments participating in this community art endeavor.

Otherwise, there’s pig roasts and trunk shows, concerts and haunted houses, Quidditch and more in this edition, and around the area.

If you’ve ever wanted to see the Flaming Lips perform next to the Parthenon in Nashville, the Oct. 17 SoundHarvest Music Festival is your chance.

Who’s going camping this fall?

One team of local adventurers plans a special excursion to Kentucky on Oct. 16 in an effort to track down Mr. Sasquatch. The community has rallied behind this courageous group of explorers who are focused on locating a gigantic forest beast (who may have the ability to disappear).

Could this be the month that definitive scientific evidence of Bigfoot is found? Check out next month’s Pulse for the answer.

Peace, Bracken Mayo Editor in Chief BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 3

OCT. 3

ANDREA STOCKARD

Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

STONES RIVER CHAMPIONSHIP MARCHING BAND CONTEST

Kid-Friendly Fall and Halloween Events

OCT. 1

OCT. 3

FOUNDATION & FASHIONS

MTSU FOOTBALL GAME

The 8th Annual Foundation & Fashions Show, presented by The City Schools Foundation at Stones River Country Club (1830 N.W. Broad St.), begins on Thursday, Oct. 1, with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. The runway action gets underway at 6:15 p.m., featuring upcoming fashions from retailers like Bella’s Boutique, e.Allen, Sugaree’s, Francesca’s, Chico’s, Penny’s Closet and more. For more information, call (615) 893-2313 or visit cityschools.net/outreach/foundation.

The Blue Raiders will take on Vanderbilt at Floyd Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3. For more information, call (615) 898-2109 or visit goblueraiders.com.

OCT. 1 AFTER BREAST CANCER FASHION SHOW YMCA celebrates 15 years of service with the local breast cancer survivor community, featuring a fashion show with over 40 survivors displaying fall fashions from Dillard’s.

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at New Vision Baptist Church (1750 N. Thompson Ln.). The YMCA’s After Breast Cancer (ABC) program, launched in Rutherford County seven years ago, helps support local survivors with specialized wellness and nutrition guidance and has helped over 650 women to date. Enjoy light refreshments and door prizes. For more information, contact (615) 895-5995 ext. 3 or mcavender@ ymcamidtn.org.

OCT. 3 HALLOWED GROUND: A LANTERN TOUR OF STONES RIVER NATIONAL CEMETERY Spend an hour walking through the cemetery by lantern light while hearing the stories of soldiers and civilians about the terrible cost of the Civil War at Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free but reservations are required. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

OCT. 3 HOODOO HULLABALOO Join the first Smoopy’s Vintage Bicycles HooDoo HullaBaloo bicycle show, swap and ride at Central Magnet School (701 E. Main St.) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with specialty trophies for all types of bikes, a special award for best harvest/Halloween display, and a “slow ride” through downtown Murfreesboro. For more information, visit smoopysbicycles.com or find Smoopy’s Vintage Bicycles’s HooDoo HullaBaloo on Facebook.

OCT. 2

OCT. 4

WINE TASTING AT THE SMYRNA DEPOT

HOGS, HOPS & HOMINY

Taste a variety of wines at the historic Train Depot in Smyrna (98 Front St.) from 5–9 p.m,. with live music and light hors d’oeuvres to benefit Smyrna Senior Citizens Center. For more information, call (615) 459-4839.

Siegel High School (3300 Siegel Rd.) hosts the 1st annual Stones River Championship Marching Band Contest on Saturday, Sept. 3. Concert Music Supply offers free instrument repairs all day to participating bands. For more information, visit siegelband.org, contact Whiteal@ rcschools.net, or call (615) 907-2722.

SIEGEL BY MATT O’DONNELL

Events COMPILED BY

The Historic Sam Davis Home’s (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) inaugural beer tasting event—Hogs, Hops & Hominy, inspired by Sam Davis’ birthday—includes beer tastings by local craft breweries, food, a cornhole

tournament, house tours and a kid’s area from 2–6 p.m. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

OCT. 6 PURPLE PAWS CAT RESCUE Purple Paws raises funds for domestic, wild, and service animals in need of assistance in Rutherford County every month at Let’s Make Wine (208 W. Main St.) from 5–7 p.m. This month’s project supports Rutherford County Cat Rescue, a volunteer-run organization aiming to decrease the number of unwanted and homeless cats by spaying and neutering. Admission is $15 at the door with wine samples and light appetizers provided. For more information, contact purplepawstn@ gmail.com or (615) 530-0551.

OCT. 9 & 10 THE LITTLE/HOOTEN MAGIC SHOW Enjoy magic, mentalism and mayhem at Murfreesboro Little Theatre from 7–9:30 p.m., Oct. 9 and 10, for Blaine Little’s “walkaround magic” featuring mentalism, cards and other close-up illusions. Jimbo Hooten will then dazzle with his side-splitting comedy magic. Adult tickets include two compli-

Celebrate a ribbon cutting at the new location of Branches Counseling Center (1102 Dow St.), a faith-based counseling center that offers healing and hope for those struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction and shame regardless of their ability to pay, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.

Branches Counseling Center offers both state-licensed and pastoral counselors for couples, individuals, children and teens, mixing traditional counseling and biblical principles. For more information, call (615) 893-6565 or visit branches counselingcenter.com.

4 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

OCT. 10 MURFREESBORO HALF MARATHON The 13.1 mile race starts at MTSU at 7 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10, winds through historic downtown Murfreesboro and finishes in the MTSU Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. Free for spectators. For more information, call (615) 896-9062 or visit themiddlehalf.com.

OCT. 10 BRADLEY ACADEMY HERITAGE FESTIVAL Enjoy food, fun and history at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center (415 S. Academy St.) from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. as part of the Sharing Our Past Heritage Month. For more information, call (615) 867-2633 or visit bradleymuseum.com.

OCT. 10 MARKET BENEFITS BOOKS FROM BIRTH Shop at the annual fundraiser for Rutherford County Books from Birth at the Embassy Suites (1200 Conference Center Dr.) from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Admission is free and open to the public, though a donation to the Books from Birth booth at the entrance is appreciated. For more information, find a Fall Market Benefiting Books From Birth event page on Facebook.

OCT. 2 NEW BRANCHES COUNSELING CENTER

mentary beverages (wine and soft drinks).

There will also be a kids’ Saturday afternoon matinee show at 2 p.m., Oct. 10. For tickets or more information, visit mltarts.com or magicmentalist.webstarts.com.

OCT. 9 THE BORO ART CRAWL The Boro Art Crawl showcases some of Murfreesboro’s finest artistic talent from 6–9 p.m. For a complete list of stops click here, or for more information, contact info@ boroartcrawl.com.

THROUGH OCT. 10 PAINTING THE PRESIDENTS ART EXHIBIT Bob Gray’s “Painting the Presidents” exhibit is on display at the Center for the Arts (110 W. College St.) through Oct. 10. The gallery is open every Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.– “Pleiades” painting by Grant Cooley

5 p.m. For more information, call (615) 904-2787 or visit boroarts.org.

OCT. 13 THYROID RECOVERY WORKSHOP Participate in a free Thyroid Recovery Workshop with Dr. David Morris, D.C., at Magnolia Medical Center (210 Robert Rose Dr., Suite D) from 7–8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, with help and tips on how to diagnose and help treat thyroid issues. For more information, please call (615) 225-9100 or visit magnoliamedicalcenters.com.

OCT. 16 COFFEE WITH THE VETERANS Join Operation Adopt a Hero on the third Friday of each month at Cultivate Coworking (107 W. Lytle St.) from 7:30–9 a.m. for Coffee with the Veterans, an informal, social networking event designed to foster friendships between local veterans and their community. For more information, call (615) 893-6565 or visit oaahtn.org.

OCT. 16 3RD FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT AT CANNONSBURGH Enjoy the 3rd Friday Night Concert at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 7–9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Admission is free.

For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

OCT. 16, 17, 23 & 24 HAUNTED MURFREESBORO Tour Murfreesboro’s historic square with stories about Murfreesboro’s bizarre history, based on real events, beginning on the southeast side of the square at Sugaree’s (122 S. Maple St.) at 7 p.m. and departing every 15 minutes until 9 p.m.

Admission is $5. For more information, call (615) 962-9783.

OCT. 16 EVERGREEN CEMETERY TOUR This memorable mourning tour of Evergreen Cemetery departs from the entrance of the cemetery (Greenland Dr.) from 6–7 p.m.

Ticket cost is $15 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required as space is very limited.

Contact mb@oaklandsmuseum.org or (615) 893-0022.

OCT. 17 TA-TA TRUNK SHOW Tangerine Salon and Spa welcomes everyone to its second annual Ta-Ta Trunk Show to support breast cancer awareness from 7–9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, with various local artisans and one-of-a-kind inspired works designed by the Tangerine staff itself, The Painted Pair vintage, Acorn + Archer jewelry, The Radiant Life and more. Enjoy wine and food. Tickets are $5. For reservations, contact info@tangerinetn.com. Tangerine is located at 845 N. Thompson Ln.

OCT. 17

OCT. 23, 24 & 30

MTSU FOOTBALL GAME

FLASHLIGHT NIGHT IN OAKLANDS MANSION

The Blue Raiders will take on Florida International at Floyd Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17. For more information, call (615) 898-2109 or visit goblueraiders.com.

Wander through Murfreesboro’s most mysterious mansion as you explore some of the unusual mourning customs and creepy superstitions of the Victorian era at Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) from 7–11 p.m.

Admission is $5 per person.

For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

OCT. 17 LAMBERT DILLARD 5K The second annual Lambert Dillard Memorial 5K at Sharp Springs Park (1000 Espey Dr., Smyrna) honors the lives of Angi Ross Lambert and Carla Dillard, who were both tragically lost to violent crimes. Proceeds from all YMCA Race Series events benefit the YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s Annual Giving Campaign. The Kids Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, with a 5K at 9 a.m. For more information, visit give.ymcamidtn.org.

OCT. 17 HEALTHY ME, HEALTHY YOU Meet community health vendors, watch a karate demonstration, go through the UT Extension’s Germ City, attend a food demonstration and complete the obstacle course for a chance to win a free bike at the Discovery Center (502 S.E. Broad St.) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in partnership with Murfreesboro City Schools. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org.

OCT. 21–25 USDAA CYNOSPORT WORLD GAMES Come out for USDAA Cynosport World Games at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B N. Thompson Ln.) where dog agility tests a person’s skills in training and handling of dogs over a timed obstacle course with hurdles, scale ramps, tunnels and obstacle courses. For more information, call (972) 487-2200 or visit cynosport.com.

OCT. 22 FIREFLY SUPPER Enjoy farm-to-table food for the Firefly Supper, benefiting Doors of Hope, at The Barn at Stone Gate Farm (714 Floraton Rd.) featuring high-end area chefs and designs by Daffodilly Design. Sponsors include the Ragsdale Family Foundation, which donates primarily to nonprofit organizations involved in arts, education and human services, and Voyage, a residential treatment center for women treating substance abuse and mental health disorders. For more information and tickets, contact (615) 900-0634 or opendoorsofhope@gmail.com.

OCT. 24 HARVEST DAYS AT CANNONSBURGH VILLAGE Welcome fall in true fashion with old-time music and dance, hayrides, pottery demonstrations, broom making, blacksmithing, art and antique auto exhibits at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, with local crafters and food vendors. For more information, contact shodges@murfreesborotn.gov or (615) 890-0355.

OCT. 24 HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK Enjoy games, hayrides, corn maze, free inflatables, pie eating contest, $1 train rides, food vendors and a costume contest for ages 3–15 years with over 80 booths at Sharp Springs Natural Area Park (1000 Espey Dr., Smyrna) from 3–8:30 p.m. For more information, call (615) 459-9773 or visit townofsmyrna.org.

OCT. 24 ROCKVALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CRAFT FAIR Rockvale Elementary School (6550 Highway 99) features handcrafted items, direct sales and baked goods from 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24, with bounce houses for the kids and more. No yard sale or flea market items. Admission to the event is free.

Booth fee is $25. Interested vendors please contact rockvaleptok5@gmail.com.

OCT. 24 AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra presents “An American in Paris,” a masquerade ball at Stones River Country Club (1830 N.W. Broad St.) with music by the Music City Swing Band, Saturday, Oct. 24. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8 p.m. For more information and tickets, call (615) 898-1862 or visit murfreesborosymphony.com.

OCT. 24 NIGHT WITH RUDY RUETTIGER Listen to Rudy Ruettiger, the man whose true

story inspired the movie Rudy, at “A Night with Rudy Ruettiger” at Providence Christian Academy (410 DeJarnette Ln.) on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. The evening also features former Titans player Chris Sanders and MTSU Coach Kermit Davis.

Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger became known as the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame and today is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States.

Tickets are available at mwapevents.com. For more information, call (615) 904-0902.

OCT. 26 BUMBLE BEE CORNER FULL TRUNK SHOW Enjoy the Bumble Bee Corner Trunk Show from 4–6 p.m., Oct. 26, at Bombshells Hair Studio & Spa (803 N. Thompson Ln.), where the love for natural stones and jewelry blend together with one-of-a-kind natural creations

by Cynthia Jones, owner and principal photographer for StudioC Photography. All proceeds from the sale of jewelry will be donated to animal rescue organizations in Tennessee for rescue expenses, vaccinations, emergency medicine, and spay and neutering. For more information, call (615) 804-6580.

OCT. 27 SOCIAL MEDIA SEMINAR Need help with your business when it comes to social media? Join the Tennessee Small Business Development Center of MTSU for Social Media Marketing—The Smart Way! led by Jen D’angelo, Director of the TSBDC Online Counseling and Training Center, at The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce (3050 Medical Center Pkwy.) from 2:30– 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27. The seminar addresses how to market your business through social networks such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, and will introduce you to tools and tricks. For more information, visit tsbdc.org or call (615) 898-2745.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6  BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 5

EVENTS CONTINUED . . .

OCT. 28 & 29 WINGS & RINGS FUNDRAISER Savor chicken wings while donating to Special Olympians during the Wings and Rings fundraiser at Toot’s in Smyrna (301 Sam Ridley Pkwy.). School Resource Officers accept donations from customers from 5–8 p.m. Funds collected will pay expenses for the annual Special Olympics Bowling Tournament. About 450 disabled students from Rutherford County and Murfreesboro city schools will compete Oct. 28–29 at Smyrna Bowling Center. For more information, contact lmarchesoni@ rcsotn.org or (615) 904-3089.

OCT. 31

OCT. 29

PCA FALL FESTIVAL

GREAT PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: HEROES AND HEROINES Join Discovery Center (502 S.E. Broad St.) for a fun, family-friendly Halloween event from 4–7 p.m. Celebrate your favorite heroes and Halloween with this great lineup of activities. You can visit Iron Man’s lab upstairs, go outside and meet some of our everyday heroes at the firetruck and ambulance, race through our superhero training course, complete the hero look with face paint, and take part in the annual costume contest. Sponsored by Toot’s. Admission is $4 per person and members are free.

For more information, call (615) 890-2300 or visit explorethedc.org.

OCT. 29 DUCKS UNLIMITED PIG ROAST

AT CANNONSBURGH

The annual Murfreesboro Ducks Unlimited Pre-Season Pig Roast will be held at The Grove at Williamson Place (Batey’s Berries, just off of Medical Center Parkway) beginning at 5:30 p.m. Join the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited in kicking off the waterfowl season with decoys, guns, games, live music and whole hog barbecue. For tickets and more information, visit duboro.com or call (615) 691-2238 or (615) 491-8670.

Take the family to trick-or-treat at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) from 2–5 p.m. Admission is $2. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

OCT. 30 TRICK OR TREAT 

OCT. 30 13TH ANNUAL TRICK OR TREAT AROUND THE SQUARE Enjoy trick-or-treating on the historic Murfreesboro Square from 3–6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. For more information, call (615) 8951887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com

OCT. 31 MALL-O-WEEN AT STONES RIVER MALL Celebrate Mall-O-Ween at Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.) from 12–2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at participating retailers (while supplies last) for children age 12 and younger. Sign up your little ghouls and goblins for costume contests and enjoy a Monster Mash dance party in Center Court. Hancock Fabrics employees showcase their custom-made princess costumes during the event and JCPenney Portraits will be on hand for professional photographs. Admission is free. Stones River Mall requires that all children be supervised by an adult. For more information, call (615) 8964486, or visit stonesrivermall.com.

OCT. 31 TRICK OR TREATING AT THE OLD MANEY MANSION Bring the family for trick-or-treating in the dimly lit halls at Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. (or until all candy is given away.) Free and open to the public. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

Enjoy the annual PCA Fall Festival at Providence Christian Academy (410 DeJarnette Ln.) from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for children of all ages with bungee power jumping, mini-train rides, a petting zoo, rock wall, baseball speed pitch, giant inflatables, a toddler play area, game booths, live music and food. For more information, contact (615) 904-0902 or or visit providencechrisitan.com.

THROUGHOUT OCTOBER RANGER PROGRAMS AT THE STONES RIVER BATTLEFIELD Join park rangers for a 30-minute talk at 2 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends at Stones River Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

THROUGHOUT OCTOBER YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE REGISTRATION Ages 3–12 can register to participate in a youth basketball league throughout October.

Practice begins Nov. 30, and the season schedule is Dec. 12–Feb. 13. For more information, contact (615) 895-5995 or mmurray@ymcamidtn.org.

TUESDAYS COMMUNITY HERITAGE TALKS Bring your lunch and learn about the community’s past at The Heritage Center (225 W. College St.) at 11:30 a.m. each Tuesday as part of the Sharing Our Past Heritage Month.

For more information, call (615) 494-8869.

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS RUTHERFORD COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET Purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers and plants from more than 20 Middle Tennessee counties at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) from 7 a.m.–12 noon.

For more information, call (615) 898-7710.

SATURDAYS MAIN ST. SATURDAY MARKET Vendors on the west, north and south sides of the historic Rutherford County Courthouse in downtown Murfreesboro offer fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, meats and flowers from 8 a.m.–12 noon. For more information, call (615) 895-1887.

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

6 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

DJ, Bingo, Trivia & Karaoke NIGHTS IN MURFREESBORO

 MONDAYS

MELLOW MUSHROOM Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

NOBODY’S Live Trivia, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

WOODY’S BBQ Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

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

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

MT BOTTLE Karaoke, 9 p.m.–3 a.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 TUESDAYS

 THURSDAYS

OLD CHICAGO Live Trivia, 9 p.m.

COCONUT BAY CAFÉ Live Trivia, 7:30 p.m.

THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7–11 p.m.

NACHOS Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

NOBODY’S Bingo, 7 p.m.

THE BOULEVARD Karaoke, 7 p.m.

TGI FRIDAY’S Live Trivia, 9 p.m.

 SATURDAYS

CAMPUS PUB Live Trivia, 8:15 p.m.

COCONUT BAY Karaoke, 8 p.m.

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

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

SPORTS SEASONS Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

THE POUR HOUSE Karaoke, 9 p.m.

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

NACHOS Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

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

WHISKEY DIX DJ Cliffy D, 8 p.m.

 WEDNESDAYS

 FRIDAYS

CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

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

BUNGANUT PIG Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7–11 p.m.

AHART’S PIZZA GARDEN Live Trivia, 7 p.m.

 SUNDAYS O’POSSUMS Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

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

THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7 p.m.

SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

HEAR WHAT MURFREESBORO SOUNDS LIKE 

Want your band listed on our QR Classifieds? E-mail murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

Concerts OCTOBER 2015

Send show listings to listings@boropulse.com

Rawr Vanity

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble

THE BORO

All Star Open Mic with Mikey Ohlin

FRI, 10/9

Scott Houge, PLOW’D

Nat Durant

WALL STREET

Icona Pop

SUN, 10/4

MURPHY CENTER MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Women’s Chorale

FRI, 10/2

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Boro Boys

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Forever Abbey Road

MAYDAY BREWERY

Stephen Simmons

THE BORO

Lords of Renaissance

THE GREEN DRAGON

Uncle Don Clark

WALL STREET

Fuana Halo, Genie Child of God, TSUYU

SAT, 10/3

BUNGANUT PIG

The Mesa Project

Incredible Heat Machine

Sedona, Blue Matches

MAYDAY BREWERY

THE BLOCK

Goose Hollow, Clyde McGee, Gil Costello, Alex Cunningham

MON, 10/5

Tim Carroll, Tom Mason Medicine Mann, Vahalla, Fate of Adam

WALL STREET

Truslow, Shiny Penny

SUN, 10/11

BUNGANUT PIG

Reilly’s Writers Night

TUES, 10/13

BUNGANUT PIG

Hoo Doo Men

TEMPT

Crizzly

WED, 10/14

BUNGANUT PIG

Shane Douglas

TEMPT

DJ Rage

John Cochran & Friends Ben Miles, Adam Clark

THURS, 10/15

BONHOEFFER'S

S-Wrap + friends

TEMPT

Illuminate, Jonny Grande

Hovara

Mize & the Drive

BUNGANUT PIG

Reilly’s Writers Night

Student Brass Chamber Concert; MTSU Symphony Orchestra

MON, 10/19

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Stones River Chamber Players

TUES, 10/20

Jennifer Burgess; Heather Skaret; Corynn Moore Andrew Holmes, Kip Bradley

SUN, 10/25

BUNGANUT PIG

Reilly’s Writers Night

Carmen’s Taqueria 206 W. Northfield Blvd.

848-9003

Alyssa Baranski, ChingYi Lin, Andrew Braddock, Christine Kim, Kevin Class

Coconut Bay Café 210 Stones River Mall Blvd.

494-0504

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MON, 10/26

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Deanna Little and friends

TUES, 10/27

BUNGANUT PIG

Alayna Cate; Joe Gross

Journey Point Church 1267 Middle Tennessee Blvd., 896-9272

BUNGANUT PIG

TEMPT

WED, 10/21

WED, 10/28

BUNGANUT PIG

Mixtape

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Students of Paul Osterfield; Tali Morgulis

THE BORO

John Cochran & Friends

WALL STREET

Scrap Cat with The Best of Writer’s Night

THURS, 10/22 BONHOEFFER'S

nobigdyl.

BUNGANUT PIG

Charleyhorse

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU Jazz Ensemble

FRI, 10/23

BUNGANUT PIG

Reckless

Georgia’s Sports Bar and Grill 555 S. Lowry St. Smyrna, 267-0295 Hippie Hill 8627 Burks Hollow Rd. 796-3697

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Zippys Clutch

Eisenhouser 1209 Twin Oak Dr.

Andrew Holmes

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Paula Van Goes

Bunganut Pig 1602 W. Northfield Blvd.

893-7860

Caskey

Dysinger

JoZoara 536 N. Thompson Ln. 962-7175

MTSU Steel Band

Level III 114 S. Maple St. 900-3754

BUNGANUT PIG MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING THE BORO

John Cochran & Friends

THURS, 11/29

BONHOEFFER’S

Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822

Dakota Stiles, Keturah Brown, Jeff Woods

Main St. Music 527 W. Main St. 440-2425

Alan Ferber

Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 479-9722

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

FRI, 10/30

BUNGANUT PIG

Jake Leg Stompers

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Zone Status

MAIN STREET MUSIC

SkeetZo N' Krysis, Ballistic Whiplash

MAIN STREET MUSIC

MAYDAY BREWERY

MTSU Wright Music Building 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 898-2469 Nacho’s 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd.

907-2700 Tempt 211 W. Main St. 615-225-7757

FRI, 10/16

BUNGANUT PIG

MAYDAY BREWERY

THE BORO

TUES, 10/6

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Zone Status

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

The Bird and the Bear

TEMPT

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

12th Planet, Ape Drums

SAT, 10/31

Trane Spitta, The Renaissance, Exum

The Green Dragon 714-F W. Main St. 801-7171

COCONUT BAY CAFE

Jazz Combo

Marshall Creek

BUNGANUT PIG

MAYDAY BREWERY

ST. ROSE CHURCH

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Zippys Clutch

MTSU Trumpet Studio

THE BORO

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Obelisk, Iraconji, Behold the Slaughter

Dieselboy, Q-bik

MTSU Cup of Songs

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

JOZOARA

MAYDAY BREWERY

THE BORO

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

WED, 10/7

Three Simple Rules

Eliot Lipp, Flamingosis

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

JOURNEY POINTE

Lindsey Benedict, Delon Charley

TEMPT

THE BORO

Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra

Bonhoeffer’s 610 Dill Ln., 907-2890

SAT, 10/10

BUNGANUT PIG

Reilly’s Writers Night

THE BORO

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

That’s My Kid

BONHOEFFER'S

NATS

SUN, 10/18

Andrew Holmes

Arts Center of Cannon County 1424 John Bragg Hwy. Woodbury 563-2787 Autograph Rehearsal Studio 1400 W. College St. 631-2605

WALL STREET

MAIN STREET MUSIC

 IF YOU GO:

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

WALL STREET

Rockslide

SkeetZo N’ Krysis, Animality, Behold the Slaughter, Kneel Before None, Transcend The Fallen, Trigger Digit, Vile Desecration

JOZOARA

THE BORO

JOZOARA

AUTOGRAPH REHEARSAL STUDIO

Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau

THE BORO

BUNGANUT PIG

THE BORO

Brion Gamboa Band

MAYDAY BREWERY

MAYDAY BREWERY

Skeetzo N’ Krysis, Trigger Digit, Lillie Lemon

THURS, 10/1

MAIN STREET MUSIC

TEMPT

Red Depths, Rawr Vanity, Ostrich Primer

The Incredible Heat Machine is back. The super funky, trippy good-time jam band will regroup at Wall Street on Saturday, Oct. 3 to celebrate 10 years since they first started rocking the house. “We don't get to do the Heat thing nearly as much as we used to (or we’d like to), but this special occasion calls for a joining of the forces. We’ll be throwing the party at our old stomping grounds, Wall Street, and we really hope you can join us! Many of our (and your) friends, The Knugg Tribe All-Stars will be hopping on stage to kick things off. This is going to be a special night and we can't wait to see all of you again!”, the band shared.

Ernest Newsome

MAIN STREET MUSIC

Kim Kennedy

SAT., 10/3 @ WALL STREET

JOZOARA

BUNGANUT PIG

Burning Las Vegas

THE INCREDIBLE HEAT MACHINE

Scott Free

MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING

Minus One

PULSE PICK

COCONUT BAY CAFE

BUNGANUT PIG

Anitra Jay

John Cochran & Friends

THURS, 10/8

BONHOEFFER'S

Becca Bradley, Isaiah and Murkus Haas,

8 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

NATS

TEMPT

Phutureprimitive, Bass Physics, Wilsdorf

Penny Rae

Three Simple Rules Mathew Pyle

THE BLOCK THE BORO

Jonny Gowow

THE BORO

WALL STREET

SAT, 10/17

SAT, 10/24

Sky Hammer, Martars, The Boddixer Moxie

BUNGANUT PIG

Everyday People

Mountains Like Wax, Aave, Quinn Erwin

BUNGANUT PIG

First Avenue

Uncle Don Clark

PADAMN!, Quotixe Fugly Matt Lund

BUNGANUT PIG

My July

Scaryoke with Hitman Walker

MAIN STREET MUSIC

The Pour House 2404 Halls Hill Pk. 615-603-7978

Red Wine Hangover, Doc Sinister

Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090

Naveah

Willie’s Wet Spot 1208 S. Lowery St., Smyrna 355-0010

MAYDAY BREWERY FLOYD STADIUM

Contest of Champions

ALBUM REVIEWS

ASHES OF FOLLY

EVERETT BROWN

4

4

The Chemical Plan

Eveready

Ashes of Folly is a local three-piece rock band whose debut album was released in August. The group, which consists of guitarist and vocalist Rick Perry, bassist Kevin Torbett and drummer Sammy Baker, pulled together 11 tracks for The Chemical Plan, one of the most refreshing local rock albums to come out this year.

The enjoyment of this release derives from its embrace of ’90s rock sensibilities, or more specifically, the point during the ’90s when alternative rock became really catchy but still had a bit of an edge. Specific influences are hard to pin down, as Ashes of Folly combines the best elements of acts including Weezer, Marcy Playground, Bush, The Toadies and The Pixies into a straightforward, catchy rock album.

Sometimes certain tracks sound like particular acts, such as “Mimosa,” which would fit in on Weezer’s debut, and “Ewwwww,” where the band sounds like a heavier version of The Vines, but overall, Ashes of Folly does a good job of meshing sounds together to give them their own unique flavor.

Memorable instrumental and vocal melodies combine to turn melancholy cuts like “Mimosa,” “NYChasLA” and “Why’d You Call” into earworms that grow more attractive on each listen. The latter track in particular incorporates a guitar riff that’s just as strong melodically as the vocals.

While a couple tracks come off a bit juvenile lyrically, specifically “Mims” and the opening track “Make Up Make Out,” most of them are simple and relatable, incorporating just the right amount of angst to put The Chemical Plan right up a ’90s-rock fan’s alley.

Ashes of Folly’s The Chemical Plan can be found at Little Shop of Records near the Murfreesboro Public Square and on iTunes, Amazon or Spotify.

For more on the band, visit ashesoffolly.com.

— JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

RATINGS: AVERAGE

A CLASSIC BELOW AVERAGE

I never was cut out to step and strut out, give me the simple life, local artist Everett Brown sings out on the opening song of his 12-track album Eveready, a fresh batch of original love songs comprised of clever wordplay and nuggets of wisdom. Originally from Memphis, Brown, who recorded his first album in ’84, moved to Nashville about 30 years ago, where he continues to be an active member of Music City’s songwriting community.

Recorded over a three-year period in several Tennessee and Kentucky studios, Eveready features a steady string of acoustic numbers with a couple of full-band tracks scattered throughout, such as the saxophone-heavy “Saturday” and “I Took Mama to the Opry.” On the aforementioned track, Brown shares a meaningful message about seeing Little Jimmy Dickens and Porter Wagoner at the once-beloved Opryland, and urges listeners to take Mama to the Opry before it’s too late.

The album combines poignant tracks like the aforementioned with humorous love songs like “Google,” which features witty one-liners like I call my baby Google ’cause she thinks she knows it all and “Bell Buckle,” a banjo-centered track inspired by a woman from a neighboring town of the same name. However, the album’s lighthearted mood takes a somber turn on “Short-Lived Love” before Brown closes with an elegant cover of Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”

To best enjoy Brown’s jovial, adult-contemporary release, give it a listen with a good attitude and expect a few laughs along the way, as Brown almost always has a way of giving an unfortunate situation a happy ending.

For more information on Everett Brown, visit sonicbids.com/band/everettbrown.

— DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

OUTSTANDING AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 9

Sounds

A

s Nate Brownfield’s fingers eagerly hover over his desktop mouse, a glimmer of pure, childlike excitement flashes in his eyes.

Although he may be a bit anxious, he is confident that hitting the play button on his debut EP, Polymath (out on 10/9 via iTunes and Spotify), will etch a lasting first impression.

The release is a labor of love for the MTSU student who raps under the name “Illuminate,” and this is his unapologetic introduction to the world.

Across a synth-filled backdrop anchored by hard-hitting beats and honest lyrics, the 21-year-old raps about his journey as an independent “DIY” artist, all while effortlessly deflecting industry naysayers and even setting the record straight with an old-flame.

The polished seven-track EP emanates from over 100 song ideas crafted within the span of about two years. Brownfield self-pro-

10 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

duces and has written all of his own material.

Polymath is an apt title, as the word signifies “a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas.”

The humble emcee exemplifies his EP title, as he has built his entire “Illuminate” brand on his own from the ground up since he was a sophomore in high school.

Sitting at a desk showcasing his in-home studio under a high-rise bed, Brownfield exhibits a razor-sharp focus when divulging the creative process behind the EP. This dedicated mindset complements the clean-cut, gentlemanly look he sports.

“I do my own graphics, my own video production, mixing and mastering,” he revealed in a sit-down interview after a listening session at his home in Murfreesboro. “I even do my own marketing plans.”

He hopes that the EP title will shed light on the importance of self-improvement, and

Tennessee rapper Illuminate shines on debut EP Polymath.

STORY BY BRYAN ROS

that listeners will be able to use this release as a soundtrack for introspection.

Illuminate is no stranger to this concept of self-reflection, as he raps with poise on standout track “Just Be,” in which he broadcasts to the masses who he is as a daring artist and reminds people to simply concern themselves with who they are instead of constantly focusing on others. The budding rapper ties this important message in a neat bow with the lines: Well the moral of the story is, you are you / And I am me / Just be, as the tune takes a surprising but thrilling turn into a Bollywood-esque breakdown during the bridge.

On his handpicked favorite track, “You Would,” the Cleveland, Tenn., native shifts gears from his usually more aggressive tone to crooning over brooding synths about an ex’s potential before catapulting into his signature fast-paced verses.

I hope this song is the one I get rich from / Maybe then you’ll learn a lesson, he chastises.

Boasting a fan base of almost 9,000 combined followers across major social media platforms as well as having almost 250,000 views on YouTube, Illuminate has garnered a devoted audience through tireless self-promotion and grand exposure by opening for major acts such as The Ying Yang Twins and Twista.

He has also performed at the renowned A3C Hip-Hop Fest in Atlanta last year, which included notable guest performances by the likes of hit-rapper B.o.B. and hip-hop superstar T.I. This is quite the impressive feat for an independent rapper coming from a small town in the Volunteer state.

“I came up on music like in a vacuum,” he confessed. “There wasn’t really a music scene

PHOTO BY IN HIS IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

COMING OUT OF THE GATE

in Cleveland, Tennessee; Like, no one showed me anything. I learned everything about recording on my own.”

In fact, it wasn’t until the fall of 2012, when Brownfield entered MTSU as a Recording Industry major, that he connected with like-minded, driven musicians like himself.

“These past two or three years have been huge for me,” he said, referring to the symbiotic relationship he has developed with his peers.

“I’ve grown so much as an artist, as an engineer, as a producer. When I came here I was like, ‘Oh, you actually care about how this sounds?’”

He recently sold out a headlining show in his hometown of Cleveland, with a line of dedicated fans coiling around the outside of the venue.

Illuminate is undoubtedly capitalizing on this momentum; he is currently in the process of creatively directing stunning, cinematic music videos to visually accompany each track on the EP. He is also gearing up to perform at a joint album release party at downtown Murfreesboro nightclub Tempt on Thursday, Oct. 15, alongside EDM artist Jonny Grande, who lent a helping hand in mastering Polymath.

“This is me coming out of the gate,” Illuminate shared. “I’ve been rapping for a while but this is me as a new artist—at least it’s representative of where I am right now . . . it’s time to see what I can do.”

Tickets for the album release party are $5 in advance, $8 at the door.

For more information on the show, visit facebook.com/temptmurfreesboro; follow Illuminate on Twitter and Instagram @IlluminateYeahh.

Alabama-born, Nashville-based Dillon Hodges blends diverse elements on the debut from his band,

firekid STORY BY ANDREA STOCKARD

I FEW MONTHS AGO, I was advised to check out a band named firekid at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles.

I was blown away by the folksy vocals and fingerpicked guitar mastery emerging from within the calm demeanor of Alabama-born Dillon Hodges, who fronts the newly signed Atlantic Records act.

The musician fuses his Southern vibe with bluegrass, country, R&B, electronics, soul and more.

At the age of 17, in 2007, Hodges became the second-youngest winner of the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship. He then recorded an EP and a fulllength album before attending the University of North Alabama. Hodges now lives in Nashville, though he and his firekid bandmates spend more time on the road than at home; they’re touring with Nashville-based Moon Taxi (a personal favorite of mine) this fall, debuting their self-titled album. Fans of organic music that isn’t easily categorized—take, for example, Hodges’ anthemic, timeless-sounding bluegrass/folk/gospel crossbreed “Die for Alabama”—will appreciate Hodges’ genuine approach and the diversity of influences firekid utilizes.

You can catch firekid at the Muletown Music Festival Oct. 3 in Columbia, Tenn. (muletownmusicfest.com)

background on the record. [A lot of ] the instrumental is pop-leaning, but when you hear the guitar solos, it sounds like a bluegrass guitarist playing over it.

Murfreesboro Pulse: How has touring the country been going?

FIREKID: We’ve had a week and a half off before our fall tour, so it’s been good. We’ve had a chance to work on some merchandise-booth things, eye candy, decorated a drum head, things we’ve been talking about doing.

How did you begin touring with Moon Taxi?

Moon Taxi is also from Alabama. We put on a few shows with them, and just the first few shows we played with them, we thought they were amazing. I heard them say one night that they needed a disco ball for their show, and my drummer and I went and bought one one night and left it for them. It helped break the ice and we’ve been friends with them ever since.

What has been your favorite show so far?

We recently played in Minneapolis and it was a soldout show in a beautiful theater and the crowd was insane. It was the second time we played Minneapolis; the other was with Michael McDonald in the Minnesota Zoo, which was also an amazing and weird show.

What kind of sound can fans expect when listening to this new album?

When people hear the record, one of the things they’ll notice is the rootsy guitar playing and the bluegrass

What do you think you took from the South as far as the music you make now?

I’m from Alabama, and it has this legacy. There are all kinds of studios there, and great artists who recorded in them like Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and others, and it’s a world I didn’t even know existed until I was in high school . . . I started finding my voice from the soul singers that came through the area. I grew up going to this jazz festival in Florence, the W.C. Handy Music Festival, and it got me more into jazz and blues. I love “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy [Sledge]. He was born right where I was born.

Where did the name firekid come from?

When I grew up playing bluegrass when I was 11, I was playing with people all older than me. . . . so they always called me “The Kid” or “Kid,” so that was my name. Someone said that my music was fire one time and that stuck.

What do you love about playing in Nashville?

I love the creative energy of Nashville; so many of my friends are creative. My favorite part is all of my friends coming out to support you and also getting to do that with them. The Basement still sticks with me as the most fun place to play, even when we weren’t selling out shows, you can pack it out there and it still feels huge.

For more on firekid, visit firekidmusic.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 11

Sounds

MUSIC NOTES

NEW VENUE THE BLOCK PACKED WITH LIVE MUSIC Murfreesboro’s newest restaurant/venue, The Block, has gotten off to a quick start with several successful shows since opening in mid-September.

Their October slate of shows includes bills featuring local artists paired with touring acts from across the nation. On Saturday, Oct. 3, local favorites Wildfront and Vamptones will play alongside Maryland-based acts Chiffon, Elon and Jacob Marley. On Saturday, Oct. 10, Groove Circus, the Therapeutic Indulgence Trio, Tame the Beats and Young Kenneth will share the stage with Nashville’s Vega and Indiana’s Wake and Anthony Cottom. Aside from the concerts, The Block also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The venue is located at 123 S.E. Broad Street, and more information on upcoming shows can be found at facebook.com/theblockmurfreesboro.

NEW NASHVILLE MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS FLAMING LIPS AND MORE AT CENTENNIAL PARK The inaugural, one-day SoundHarvest Music Festival will bring a day packed full of alternative pop and rock music to Nashville’s Centennial Park on Saturday, Oct. 17. The festival’s two stages will boast local, regional and national talent including psychedelic rock heroes The Flaming Lips, Allen Stone, Nashville’s own bands The Weeks and Goodbye June, and more. In addition to the musical acts, SoundHarvest plans to highlight Nashville’s cultural landscape with local art, food, beer and music. Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the gate and are available for purchase at soundharvest.com.

R&B ARTIST J. BUCK TO DEBUT NEW EP AT MAYDAY SHOW Hailing from Memphis, local R&B and soul artist J. Buck will perform at Mayday Brewery on Saturday, Oct. 17, to celebrate the release of his debut EP, The J. Buck Experience.

The former MTSU student, Josh Buck, previously performed as the lead vocalist in the neo-soul trio Mocha Latte before embarking on a solo career. Local music acts  La Fever Band and Danielle Granderson will kick off the show, and there will be a cocktail hour beginning at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 9 p.m. General admission will be $10. To read more about J. Buck, visit jbuckmusic.com.

NURTURE NOOK DAY SPA’S CONCERT IN THE GARDEN Murfreesboro’s Nurture Nook Day Spa is holding a free concert in the garden on Friday, Oct. 16. Bring your lawn chairs to enjoy a two-hour, family-friendly show beginning at 6:30 p.m., featuring the dynamic, bluesy trio Still Scarlet. In addition to music, attendees can bring food for the community food table, and a wine tasting will be available. Nurture Nook Day Spa is located at 624 N. Walnut St.

12 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

MULETOWN MUSIC FEST BRINGS ECLECTIC LINEUP TO DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA Columbia, Tenn., has caught the music-festival fever with its inaugural Muletown Music Festival, set for Saturday, Oct. 3, with a VIP kick-off show at Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant the prior evening. The event will bring a wide span of genres to the city’s Public Square, including funk, blues, classical, country, barbershop quartet, bluegrass, children’s music and more. The one-day festival features performances by 18 South (with special guest artist John Oates), Peter Cooper & Friends, Humming House, Kelsey Waldon, Parker Millsap, Farmer Jason, Phil Madeira and several more local, regional and national acts. Muletown Music Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, and except for three ticketed venues, the festival is free to the public, including a dozen free performance areas located in downtown venues, restaurants and stores. A $30 wristband will guarantee access to the three ticketed venues for Saturday night, and a $50 VIP wristband will include Friday and Saturday nights. To view the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit muletownmusicfest.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 13

Sounds

Rhythm Awareness

Murfreesboro drummer unites community with Everybody Drum Some. BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

C

ars zoom past West Main Street as locals walk by carrying a bountiful supply of fruits, vegetables, breads and fresh-cut flowers purchased at downtown Murfreesboro’s Saturday morning farmers’ market.

It’s a few minutes past 10:30 a.m. and Ross Lester, founder of Everybody Drum Some, is leading a weekly drum circle, smiling at people passing by and offering a welcoming environment for those who want to join.

“It’s not always about talking,” Lester explains to a group of about 11 drummers under a tent, referring to them as his “drum disciples.” “Sometimes . . . it’s about listening,” he says, imparting wisdom about the importance of sensitivity and give-andtake in musical collaboration.

Drummers of all ages keep up a steady beat on drums of all shapes and sizes. One drummer beats on a violet, magenta and orange drum while another participant shakes a tambourine along with the beat.

“Percussion only,” he then says with a whisper. Moments later the beat slowly begins to build up again, and the heavy drumming is back in full force before coming to an abrupt halt. A group of people looking on ask if anyone can jump in and play.

Like everyone else who has approached the group, Lester greets them with a warm smile and a handshake before asking for each of their names.

“People really get into the drum circle be14 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

cause it’s participatory instead just something they spectate; this is music people are in on.”

Lester explained. “Everyone likes music in some fashion . . . how often do you find someone who says they don’t like music?”

One of many people who approached the tent was Murfreesboro resident Doug Smith, who said that although it’s been a while since he’s played the drums, it was a “nice surprise to join in with the group.”

Lester, originally from Little Rock, Ark., lived briefly in Memphis and Nashville before eventually settling down in Murfreesboro several years ago. Here, Lester’s involved in several projects, most recently the drum circle which began earlier this summer in accordance with the farmers’ market.

“There’s a lot of research out there that shows the benefits of drumming in a large group like this. Some say it’s good for our brains, good for our bodies and good for us socially,” he says. “It’s a fun and supportive environment, and even people who have never played the drums will walk up and join us and seem to have a great time.”

Lester says he began playing the drums as a small child and, as a result, performed in rock bands while in high school. Although he once had dreams of being a “big rock star,” Lester said he soon realized there was a lot more he wanted to accomplish in the realm of drumming.

“There’s so much joy for me, personally, while playing the drums and there are so

many great discoveries in music, rhythm and drumming,” he says. “It’s fun for me to share the discoveries with someone else, and it’s a big-light moment when others begin to see what I see.”

In addition to the weekly drum circles, Lester teaches drum lessons at Concert Musical Supply, leads The Drum Disciples, a band of friends and students who perform together occasionally, and serves as the director of the Creative Rhythm Percussion Team, a group of high school and middle school students at the Rutherford Tutorial Academy. The Drum Disciples and the Creative Rhythm Percussion Team both performed at Murfreesboro’s Earth Day celebration and, more recently, the Main Street Jazz Fest.

“Sometimes I come across students with a lot of talent, aptitude and music ability and who have the potential to go on to be accomplished drummers,” he says. “On the other hand, there are also people who are interested, but who know it’s more of a hobby and that they’re not necessarily going to grow up to be full-time musicians.”

However, it’s hard work and dedication, he says, that can transform an interest in drumming into a passion and potential career. Lester says this was the case with one of his former students, who originally struggled with the craft but, after a lot of time and practice, went on to play the drums for a Nashville band.

“People’s desire is the criteria for me to

work with them,” Lester explained. “You don’t have to be talented, but if you’re willing to work on it, good things can happen and that’s what I see as a big motivator for people.”

When Ross isn’t at a weekly drum circle, teaching a drum lesson or spending time with his three sons, he can be found performing with the CJ Vaughn Trio, a local blues and funk outfit. Additionally, Lester says one of the main reasons why he teaches drumming and holds the weekly drum circle is because he has a passion for promoting drumming and rhythm awareness in the community.

“We live in a world that is built in rhythm, we even got rhythms inside of us,” he says.

“Our heart beats to a rhythm, we breathe into a rhythm, we’re rhythmical beings living in a rhythmical world, so to play the drums is a natural thing for us to do. Sometimes it takes longer for others to find it, but they all have it in them.”

If you’d like to join Ross and others at the Saturday drum circle, there’s not much time left. The drum circle, which meets at 10 a.m. each Saturday outside Concert Musical Supply on West Main Street, will pack up until next summer after October.

“Some of us are gonna drum a lot,” he continued, “but everybody can drum some.”

To stay up to date on Ross’ events or to check out the services Everybody Drum Some has to offer, visit everybodydrumsome.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 15

Living

THE EXPLORERS

Search for

BIGFOOT

Expedition aims to find evidence of Bigfoot; team leader says creature may possess ability to disappear. BY BRACKEN MAYO

C

ameron Parrish, a Murfreesboro resident, explorer and adventure enthusiast, will lead an excursion into the dark woods of Kentucky this fall with the mission of locating evidence of Bigfoot.

Set for Oct. 16–18, Parrish and his diverse and talented team will set out to find and cast a footprint of the legendary beast, or perhaps collect even more solid evidence of this large hairy being. While some may meet the expedition’s goals with laughter, Parrish is serious about his belief that this elusive creature is out there.

Murfreesboro Pulse: What first sparked your interest in Bigfoot?

CAMERON PARRISH: My interest began

at a young age as I discovered books in the library on the topic and began to read eyewitness accounts. I couldn’t understand why so many people had no interest in finding out the truth regarding this phenomenon.

What will your team’s plan be on this excursion to uncover evidence?

We will be applying both high- and low-tech approaches to gathering evidence, but I can’t share specifics out of concern that certain agencies might attempt to hamper our efforts.

I believe higher level officials in our federal government are actually aware of the Bigfoot issue and would rather it remain unfound.

With numerous organizations already out there dedicated to “finding Bigfoot,” why have none been successful recently?

Finding evidence suggesting the existence of Bigfoot happens fairly regularly in the form of tracks and vocalizations. However, finding evidence that will satisfy the scientific community and the general public is more difficult to acquire because of the creature’s habitat and the overall intelligence of the Bigfoot. Native Americans also believed it has the ability to disappear. This may be true in some way that we don’t quite understand.

Do you think Bigfoot is a simple carnivorous beast? An intelligent being with advanced communication skills? A descendant of angels or aliens?

Nothing can be stated with absolute cer-

16 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

tainty, but the reported descriptions of behavior exhibited by these creatures indicates that they are an intelligent species. The estimated cranial capacity and bi-pedal locomotion also suggests this and is consistent with the beliefs of indigenous peoples who acknowledge their existence.

What do you tell those who say Bigfoot is

CAMERON PARRISH Expedition Leader  a myth, that there’s nothing out there?

I usually cite examples such as the panda bear and mountain gorilla, which were both once considered to be purely the stuff of legend even as recently as the early 20th century; I’d also share with them that both the Chinese and Russian governments have acknowledged the existence of such creatures.

 ANDREW MEDINA Security & Tactical Expert

ANGELA PARRISH Media Team Leader 

Why do you explore?

To learn the truth and because it’s in my nature to seek things which are hidden and secret. I also enjoy the physical challenge involved and refining my skills as an outdoorsman, and I have a passion for going new places.

 BENJAMIN CONNOR Commerical Pilot & Skeptic

Pick up the next edition of the Pulse for a report on the expedition’s findings.

JOEY ODOM

Quartermaster & Tracker 

CALEB PASCHALL  Skeptic / Martial Arts

MARC THOMPSON

Strongbody Nutrition Sponsor 

NESSA PARRISH  Videographer

ZOOK MONTAGUE Cameraman 

BRACKEN MAYO  Minister of Propaganda

KYLE TWYLEY

Millionaire Investor 

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 17

Living

Pac-Man Fever Flashback Arcade brings classic games and good times to Murfreesboro.

SCARY BUSINESS

BY JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

Chapman’s Auburntown Asylum is back for another season.

BY CEYLA ORTEN

I

t’s October. That means that Halloween, one of the best times of the year, is stealthily creeping in this direction.

Horror fans seeking an advance adrenaline rush can find it just outside of Murfreesboro at Auburntown Asylum, open every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 31. A journey up Highway 96 will be worth your time this season; in addition to the 20,000-squarefoot main attraction, the Auburntown Asylum also offers an outdoor maze.

While some assume that the revenue a haunted attraction brings in during its brief operating season is easy money, Asylum owner Dana Chapman says running an attraction like this is nearly a year-round, full-time job, with a building and sets to be prepared, actors to recruit and train, plenty of legalities and liabilities to keep in mind, advertising and promotion, and lots of other responsibilities and expenses.

Here, Chapman talks a bit about the behind-the-scenes workings as a successful haunted-attraction operator. 

Murfreesboro Pulse: When did you first have the idea to open a haunted attraction?

CHAPMAN: I started my first haunted house business in 2009; however, this asylum in Auburntown is my 2014 creation.

How much work did you have to do to the abandoned building in Auburntown to transform it into a haunted house that would attract people looking for a scare and to be entertained?

It took me six months to finish it. We actually bought this place. I thought it looked like an asylum hospital. I had to build all the walls, paint them, bring all the products in and then hook up the sound and do all the lighting.

What was the summer like as you were preparing for the opening of your attractions?

It was very busy. We worked very hard for our haunted attraction to be very competitive and reach horror fans’ expectations.

What is your favorite part about your business?

Creating the scares and special effects is a favorite part of my business. Coming up with new scary ideas and putting them into action is our priority. Blooding, making the dead bodies; we order latex foam bodies and put nylon on them so we can paint the face.

What is the most challenging part?

The challenging part is to get the word out to everyone about the location. Promoting, advertising was the hardest part.

Any advice for the small-business person or aspiring entrepreneur?

Check all your codes before you do anything. Like the fire codes, the fire marshall and your business licenses. These are the most important aspects before you enter this field, because it can be dangerous.

Auburntown Asylum is located at 776 Poplar Bluff Road E. For more information, visit auburntownasylum.net.

Thrills and Chills Auburntown Asylum 776 E. Poplar Bluff Rd. Auburntown auburntownasylum.net Bloody Acres Haunted Woods 318 Big Station Camp Blvd., Gallatin bloodyacres.webs.com Creepy Hollow Haunted Woods 2133 Joe Brown Rd. Spring Hill creepyhollowwoods.com Dead Land Haunted Woods 7040 Murfreesboro Rd. Lebanon deadlandwoods.com

Death Row: Sanitarium of Slaughter 418 Harding Industrial Dr., Nashville deathrowhauntedhouse.com Death Yard Haunted Attraction 118 Midtown Ct. Hendersonville deathyardhaunt.com Devil’s Dungeon 510 Davidson St. Nashville devilsdungeon.net Evilution 7091 Hwy. 41-A S. Pleasant View evilutionhauntedwoods.com

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GROWING UP, I FREQUENTED an arcade at the Old Hickory Mall in Jackson, Tenn. My mom would give me a few bucks and let me play Galaga, Cruis’n World, Whac-a-Mole and skee-ball to my heart’s content (at least until I ran out of quarters).

Sadly, that arcade shut down when I was in elementary school and the only places even remotely close to matching its distinct sense of fun were Chuck E. Cheese’s, the local bowling alley or the occasional CiCi’s Pizza game room. While those public gaming avenues are still around, they’ve never really captured the magic a true gaming arcade can have on a child.

However, over the last decade, small, independently owned arcades have been popping up around the country and holding their own against the Dave & Buster’s and Chuck E. Cheese’s of the world.

Murfreesboro’s own Flashback Arcade is the latest outlet to join the arcade revival movement.

It migrates away from the typical token-and-ticket

Check out these Middle Tennessee haunted attractions:

Haunted Hell 3930 Apache Trail Antioch hauntedhellnashville.com

Nashville Nightmare 1016 Madison Square Madison nashvillenightmare.com

Miller’s Thrillers 1431 Carters Creek Pk. Columbia millersthrillers.net

Nightmare Holllow 2595 New Hall Rd. Greenbrier Search for Nightmare Hollow on Facebook

Monster Mountain 273 McMurtry Rd. Hendersonville monstermountain.net Meyers Creek Haunted Woods 3800 John Bragg Hwy. Murfreesboro facebook.com/meyers creekhauntedwoods

Scream Creek 1765 Martins Chapel Church Rd. Springfield screamcreek.com Slaughterhouse 3445 Lebanon Pk. Hermitage fullmoonslaughterhouse.com

strategy and for a flat $10 all-you-can-play fee and you get as many rounds of Pac-Man, Donkey Kong or Street Fighter as you can muster.

After visiting Game Galaxy, an arcade located in Antioch, Flashback owner Brian Wood decided to bring the same game-loving atmosphere to the ’Boro.

“We have been all around the country getting games for over two years now,” said Jenna Ashley, who helps run the arcade. “We’ve got over 25 pinball and over 100 arcade (machines).”

Their River Rock Road location, which also houses Ashley’s craft business, Gypsy, contains their boisterous collection of games with everything from NBA Jam to Q*bert, and is also a safe environment that parents can feel comfortable taking their children to. “[Brian] likes kids to have fun and be happy,” Ashley said. “He likes to see smiling, happy faces.”

While it is primarily kids who take over the business’ joysticks on weekends, the typical weekday crowd is made up of an audience of lifelong gamers.

“All these games, I played as a kid,” said firsttime visitor Mike Moeller. “It’s pretty bad ass.”

You may have thought that the arcade age of gaming was beyond done, but as Jenna says, “Some stuff will always come back around.”

For more, find Flashback Arcade on Facebook.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 19

Living

I have friends, but I don’t ask them for help,” declares Todd. “What’s the point?”

LIFE ON THE STREET

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DARCY PAYNE

Mr. Bo & Brother Man A homeless songwriter copes in Nashville.

N

eon signs light up to guide a way for young, college crowds along The Gulch’s outskirts in Downtown Nashville. It’s mid-September in Tennessee, meaning blazing-hot days and chilly nights until sweet October arrives.

Bright lights flash. Sirens roar.

Emergency vehicles whizz around Music City Circle’s roundabout, anchored by the beloved Musica statue.

“Hey!” exclaims an unfamiliar voice. “Can you just . . . sit down and talk for a second?”

A 49-year-old man with a bandaged hand, blue baseball cap, full grey beard and sports jersey is sitting on his bench outside of Little Chicago Pizza on Demonbreun Street. The man sits on this bench every day as dusk falls upon the city.

“Sorry you have to see me in these conditions,” says the man, Todd, in a raspy, low voice. “I’m usually cool as a fan.”

Todd is a musician. He came to Nashville 15 years ago to find a career in music, and feels blessed to have made it this far. After hitting rock bottom in Key West (where he tried to land a job) someone stole all his belongings.

He made his way back to Nashville and has been homeless for six months since then because, as he puts it, he is “down on his luck.”

“I’m a songwriter of hit songs,” says Todd.

“I make money off writing, but I’m no artist.”

20 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

According to Todd, one of his songs almost got cut; it was on hold for six months. It’s called “Mister Bo and Brother Man.” While writing, Todd was inspired by his best friend.

He says to keep in mind that this was written a while back, when Hank Junior and Kid Rock were all on the same label. Todd begins singing in a delightfully calming voice: They like money big or money tight/ And women thick or thin/

Stayin’ drunk wrong or right/ Nights that never end/ What goes around will come around/ We will go through it all again/ Mister Bo and brother man He memorizes all his songs and sings with ease in front of the crowds walking by his bench. He sings with passion, his voice raspy and deep. Star-worthy.

In addition to being a songwriter, Todd lays tile to make extra money.

“My mosaics are all over town,” says Todd, “Ever been to Rebar? Well, that’s my tile.”

Rebar is a lively, rustic watering hole serving food and booze to Nashvillians on Division Street.

“I have two publishers,” says Todd. “If [my song] gets cut, I make my money. It’s a business. But it doesn’t pay the bills. So I lay tile and do other things . . .”

Todd has trouble laying tile for money now, considering his recent debacle with another homeless individual. Todd’s bandaged hand is shattered and needs a serious medical procedure.

His hand has been broken for four months.

“They want to operate and do all these things,” says Todd, “but I have nothing.”

Todd broke his hand while fighting someone who was bothering his ill girlfriend.

Although he never mentions his girlfriend’s name, Todd calls her “my girl” and “my love.”

Apparently, his girlfriend has cirrhosis. They were dating for a year, but now Todd and his girlfriend have parted ways.

“She chose dope over me,” says Todd. “She would rather pop pills than have true love, I guess.”

He has too much pride to get in debt to the hospital. Todd’s family gives him money, but he used it on his girl. He wasted it. He believes his life could have been better if he had spent the money wisely.

“I have friends, but I don’t ask them for help,” declares Todd. “What’s the point?”

Todd didn’t go to college, has never married and doesn’t have any children. When asked what he did after completing high school, Todd says he has been writing music his whole

life. When he turned 3 years old, Todd began to play piano. That’s where he passion began.

“Mind if I smoke?” asks Todd. “I try to be polite.”

Todd has great manners and truly cares about those around him. He says he is at a point in his life where is ready to give up everything just to have an opportunity again.

“I want to readjust,” states Todd seriously. “I want an opportunity to do the right thing.”

When asked what’s stopping him, Todd says he feels like no one cares about him and others in the homeless system with bigger needs are in line in front of him. Although he feels inferior and his confidence is shrinking, Todd believes in counseling. He just wants a place that gives him hope.

When asked what would help him accomplish those goals, he says, “That’s a good question.”

“After a breakup today,” says Todd, “I just want opportunity. That’s all I want, but it’s not easy to get.”

Todd isn’t usually one to complain, but he says he just wishes that there were a place where folks actually understand that some people don’t just “use the system.” There are some individuals that are really down and out, according to Todd.

“Forgive me. I’m not myself today,” Todd admits shyly.

A hospital recently kept Todd in the building for nine days. He was admitted for intestinal infection.

“I’ve been through the ringer, but I’m not trying to complain,” says Todd. “I’m trying to bring smiles!”

Todd aspires to inspire.

When asked what he needs, Todd expresses an extreme need for a safe place to lay his head where he won’t get in trouble. Currently, Todd sleeps under a gazebo in Music City Circle. Todd says he can’t even go in the park after dark or he will get a ticket, and he can’t afford that ticket.

“People need to be guided by what they want the most,” claims Todd. “But that passion is the hardest thing to figure out.”

Todd says he could go sell drugs on the side of the road right now, but that wouldn’t bring him satisfaction.

“I could go sell drugs and make a fortune, but I wouldn’t be on this bench talking to you right now,” says Todd.

When asked if he could be a songwriter for a living and pursue his childhood passion, providing that he would give up all addictions to do that, Todd responded quickly.

“Yes,” he answers simply. “Yes. Yes. Yes, I would.”

But, when asked what’s stopping him, Todd says, “There’s no one in my life that has shown me that they care about that.”

All Todd wants is a chance.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 21

Living

FARMERS’ MARKET EDUCATION SERIES

by EDWINA SHANNON

Collect Decorations and Save Seeds FALL IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF YEAR and nature is full of gifts. Aside from the planned bounties from planted gardens, wild areas and spent garden plants provide “free” decorations. Tall grasses, milkweed, cornstalks, dried berries, flowers, pods, nuts, cones and branches are just a quick list of items that can be converted to interior decorations. Now is the time to collect nature.

If there is a black mildew on your chosen plant, spray it with a bleach solution. Although the plants have started to die off and dry where they are growing, continue to dry for several weeks inside a garage or shed.

I sometimes hang the foliage upside-down from the rafters, which allows the stalks to dry upright.

After they are dry, you have the option to spray them with a matte poly coating that will allow their natural colors to be retained, or select a color in a spray paint can. The metallic gold, silver and copper spray paints work very well for the holidays. I have taken silversprayed dill heads, dipped them into a plate of glue, then into a plate of glitter . . . very sparkling and very inexpensive glitz.

While fruits like pumpkins and gourds do not have to be sprayed with a fixative, spraying them will extend their shelf life (though it will also make them inedible).

If you are going to create an arrangement with your collected items, select a container that balances the arrangement.

Visually, the container and the arrangement 22 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

should not be equal. I would choose to have the arrangement bigger than the container, emphasizing the arrangement.

When done with your natural arrangements, don’t throw them in the trash. Return them to nature, where they will decompose and become part of the soil.

Seed Collecting This is also the time of year to collect seeds.

Always choose to harvest from the best plants: biggest, most flavorful, most productive or other choice characteristics. Diseasefree heirloom varieties are good candidates.

Avoid saving seeds from hybrid plants, as their seed is often sterile or does not reproduce true to the parent plant. If you are not sure whether you have a standard (heirloom) or hybrid, don’t put any effort into saving their seeds. Next year, buy standard, heirloom or F2 plants, all of which have savable seeds.

Many gardeners successfully keep seeds saved from beans, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers, all self-pollinating plants. With self-pollinated crops, the pollen is transferred directly to the stigma within the flower. Different varieties can be planted several rows away from each other.

Crops that are not self-pollinated will be pollinated by wind/air or insects. The cross-pollination production of seeds is an area where commercial seed growers excel.

If the seed produced is to have the same genetic composition as the original plant,

it must be pollinated with pollen from the same variety. There are distance requirements for varieties, so the average home gardener does not bother saving seed from vegetables pollinated by wind and insects.

Leave bean pod crops on the vine until the pod dries. Then remove the pod from the vine and break open the pod to access the seed. Seed heads from herbs and flowers can be removed from the plant after they dry but before they drop. I have often dried the fleshy fruit with seeds from a tomato or a pepper on a paper towel. An alternate for these vegetables is to scoop the seed mass out and place with a small amount of warm water in a bucket or jar. Let the mixture set for two to four days. Stir daily. This is a fermentation process and kills viruses. It also separates the good seed from the bad seed and fruit pulp. The good, viable seeds will sink to the bottom of the container while the pulp and bad seed float. Pour off the pulp, water, bad seed and mold. Spread the good seed on a screen or paper towel to dry.

Seeds must be stored dry. Place them in a glass jar or envelopes. Marilyn Rogan, a Rutherford County Master Gardener, gave a class at the Farmers’ Market this year where she introduced the idea of using a roll-up shoe bag for organization. Label with the seed variety and year harvested. Put in the freezer for two days to kill any pests. Then store in a cool dry location like a refrigerator. Seed that grows mold was not sufficiently dry before storage. Throw it out.

Seed viability decreases over time. Most seed should be used within three years.

People more experienced than myself have advised against depending completely on collected seeds for your garden. When you purchase seeds next year, do consider heirloom seeds for next year’s seed harvest.

OCT. 6 Catie Beth Thomas: Nature Weaving Want to learn about weaving? Bring any pieces if fabric, dried flowers, and/or shells that hold a special place in your heart.

OCT. 9 Tony Johnston, MTSU: Apple Preservation It’s easier than you think!

Lean how to prepare and put away the harvest for the winter ahead.

OCT. 13 Art Whitaker and Ben Hodge, Mid-State Brew Crew: Homebrewing 101 Learn the basic principles of making your own beer at home.

OCT. 16 Linda Lindquist, CMG: Lasagna Gardening A way to create a garden bed for your flowers or veggies with no digging and no tilling.

OCT. 20 Jennifer Joines and Brenda Davis, CMG: Don’t Let your Muscles Winterize!

Tips to stay in shape so that you’re prepared for next season.

OCT. 23 Cynthia Allen, MTSU Stormwater Coordinator: A Rain Garden, More than Just a Pretty Space!

Combine beauty and function by installing a rain garden! Find out what they are, how they work, and how to plan your own.

We’ll visit one onsite, talk about more local examples and share lots of cool resources.

Farmers’ Market Classes

This is the final month for classes this year as the Market closes at the end of October.

These classes are free to the public. They are held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Lane Agricultural Park’s Community Center, 350 John Rice Blvd.

OCT. 2 Polly Rooker, TWRA Biologist: Native Bees, The Unknown Soldiers Learn about the more than 4,000 U.S. native bee species and what you can do to attract and support them.

OCT 27 Carla Bush, Ext. Agent: Seasonal Eating, Going Green Green vegetables aren’t just for summer.

Fall brings out the flavor in green vegetables and makes your meals a hit.

OCT. 30 Tony Johnston, MTSU: Homemade Mead How to make the sweet stuff at home!

Perfect DIY gift for family and friends.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 23

Art

 OCTOBER ART EVENTS

BORO ART CRAWL KICKS OFF OCT. 9. A SNEAK PEAK AT THIS

BY CEYLA ORTEN Murfreesboro’s art community is uniting under the organization of the Boro Art Crawl. Hosted by a variety of local merchants, area artists will be presenting artwork in styles ranging from fine, street, and alternative, on Friday, Oct. 9. These creative individuals are eager to share their work with the community’s art enthusiasts.

Organizers of The Boro Art Crawl aim to cultivate the local artists and provide venues in which they may display their talents in their hometown. They will exhibit locally created artwork in downtown-area businesses to present the best of what Murfreesboro has to offer.

“The art crawls in Franklin and Nashville have not only educated the public about art and become a fun community event, but they are having a serious economic and social impact in those cities,” says Lee Rennick, a Murfreesboro freelance writer.

People from all age groups will be able to stroll around and view art in this “Dreamer” by Grant Cooley, fascinating opportunity for sharing artistic one of the many local points of view and inspiration with one artists participating in another. the Boro Art Crawl.

The Boro Art Crawl will be a massive event, says Two-Tone Art Gallery owner Todd Wilson.

“We want it to be an ever-growing and ever-changing positive feature, and hopefully it will become a fixture in this town,” Wilson says.

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES: L&L Contractors 25 S. Public Square FunTiques 118 S. Maple St.

Two-Tone Art Gallery 113 W. Lytle St. Center for the Arts 110 W. College St.

The Write Impression 120 S. Maple St.

Moxie Art Supply 302 W. Vine St.

Sugaree’s 122 S. Maple St.

City Hall Rotunda 111 W. Vine St.

Let’s Make Wine 108 W. Main St. The Walnut House 116 N. Walnut St. Liquid Smoke 2 N. Public Square Cultivate Coworking 107 W. Lytle St. Hastings House B&B 223 N. Academy St. Carriage Lane Inn 337 E. Burton St. Dreaming in Color 504 N. Maney Ave. The Nurture Nook Day Spa 624 N. Walnut St. Murfreesboro Massage Therapy 416 N. Front St. 24 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

Murfreesboro Art League 312 S. Front St. Mayday Brewery 512 Old Salem Rd. Top of the Block Salon 314 W. Lokey Ave. Studio 903 903 Murfree Ave. MTSU Todd Art Gallery Student Photographic Gallery Baldwin Photographic Gallery The Boro Art Crawl will take place every other month, on the second Friday of the month, starting Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. For more information, visit boroartcrawl.com or find BoroArtCrawl on Facebook.

YEAR’S ART STUDIO TOUR This month in Todd Art Gallery | West, is an Art Studio Tour sampler, celebrating the strong tie between the MTSU art department and the community’s annual Art Studio Tour “All of the artists on the tour are excited to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to show “Lifeline” by Mary Veazie our work at Todd Art Gallery,” says Alan Daigre, President of the Stones River Crafts Association, which operates the Studio Tour. “We hope that through this exhibit interested students will have the chance to make connections with local artists and gain a broader understanding of all of the aspects of making art as a livelihood.”

All Todd Art Gallery exhibits, lectures and receptions are free and open to the public. For directions, parking and other questions contact eric.snyder@mtsu.edu or (615) 898-5532.

TOO HOT, MISTREATED ISLANDS AT TODD GALLERY

Painting by Vitus Shell

Too Hot and Mistreated Islands is a dual exhibition in the Todd Art Gallery, opening Wednesday, Oct. 14, addressing the sting of cultural stereotype. On display through Nov. 5, it features the work of Vitus Shell and Yoshiko Shimano.

Shell, hailing from Monroe, La., describes himself as a Southern hip-hop visual artist, and examines the gap between the older and younger generations.

Shimano, born in Tokyo, is currently a professor of printmaking at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

“My Mistreated Islands is about islands around the world that are becoming a cause of political conflict,” she states.

“These works address the discrimination and neglect focused on their residents, who by chance live there; thus the people living on these islands become minorities.”

TIMOTHY McCOY’S ALBUMEN AND PALLADIUM PRINTS AT MTSU’S BALDWIN GALLERY Timothy McCoy is bringing new pieces of history to MTSU’s renowned Baldwin Photographic Gallery with a new exhibit of his work on egg white- and metal-treated papers, “The Mark of Time,” on display through Thursday, Oct. 15.

McCoy’s albumen prints reproduce the technique that dominated photography from the 1850s until the 1890s, when consumers could buy albumen portraits and photos mounted on board as souvenirs. The technique still uses the whites from dozens of separated eggs to create a solution that turns sketching paper into light-sensitive photographic paper. McCoy sandwiches the treated paper in a vacuum frame with a large negative transparency, exposes it to ultraviolet light, then washes, tones and washes the paper again to create the photo.

The palladium prints McCoy creates also follow historic methods popular from the 1890s to the 1930s. The process involves a solution, created from the lustrous metal palladium, that is brushed onto vellum paper to again create a light-sensitive photographic medium.

“I create images to transform the ‘reality’ seen through the camera lens into expressions of the ‘oneness’ and wonder found in Buddhist/Taoist philosophy and on illustrations of those psychological archetypes found in cultural remnants left behind rather than the evanescence of contemporary culture,” McCoy said.

For more information on the Baldwin Gallery, call (615) 898-2085, email tom.jimison@mtsu.edu or visit baldwinphotogallery.com; learn more about McCoy and his work at timothymccoyphoto.com.

Theater MTSU THEATRE PRESENTS

“DOG SEES GOD”

The new MTSU Theatre production of the award-winning Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead runs through Oct. 9 in MTSU’s Tucker Theatre. The (From left) Student director Skylar off-Broadway hit speculates how the Grieco discusses Dog Sees God with cast beloved children of the “Peanuts” comic members Jay Mullens and Ben George. strip are facing adolescence. The verdict: Not well. The round-headed kid with the zigzag T-shirt has suffered some horrible losses and is trying to come to grips with love and life. His baby sister has gone goth. His fussbudget girlfriend’s been institutionalized. The blanket-carrying philosopher smokes pot.

The thoughtful piano prodigy is a school outcast looking for acceptance.

Ben George, a senior theatre major from Murfreesboro who portrays the piano prodigy, says the play is “just a beautiful piece.”

“I hope to remind people not to exclude someone who’s unique from the social aspects of school and life,” George says. “(My character) has to deal with a lot of bullying, and I’m hoping to get people to realize the consequences of that.”

 DOG SEES GOD

MTSU Tucker Theatre Corner of Faulkinberry Drive and Champion Way, on the MTSU campus Oct. 1, 2, 4 and 6–9 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. mtsuarts.com

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Center for the Arts 110 W. College St. Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 18, 25 and 31; Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. boroarts.org

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 25

Food

MEAT & SPORTS For chicken tenders, ribs, burgers, pizzas and more, head to Sam’s Sports Grill.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTY SIMMONS

THE DISH NAME: Sam’s Sports Grill LOCATION: 1720 Old Fort Pkwy.

PHONE: (615) 904-6464 HOURS: 11 a.m.–2 a.m. every day PRICES: Chicken Tender and Rib Combo: $12.99; Cheeseburger with Fries: $7.88; 12-inch Meat Lovers Pizza: $13.99; Southwest Chicken Salad: $7.49 ONLINE: samssportsgrill.com

26 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

A

side from the occasional hockey game, I don’t enjoy watching sports. I really don’t enjoy watching sports on TV or in person. But, I also realize that I am in the minority on this and that many of my friends and loved ones do enjoy sports, including my husband. As a compromise, I will go to sports bars and eat good food and people-watch while my husband and friends get their sports-watching needs met. One such sports bar in the Murfreesboro area that I enjoy going to is Sam’s Sports Grill.

This place is pretty big, decorated in what I call “man-cave chic”—there are one or two of those huge metal-blade fans, lots of awesome model planes hanging from the ceiling, tacky signs and old license plates hanging on the walls and, of course, no man cave would be complete without a few creepy taxidermied animals on the wall, right? There are plenty of those, many with horns, along with dozens of huge TVs, always playing a myriad of athletic contests so that any seat in the place has a good vantage point.

Sam’s also has a cozy covered porch for sitting outdoors when the weather is pleasant.

Every time that I have been here, the service has been mostly excellent (there were a few not-so-good experiences, but everyone has bad days). They can also handle large parties with ease, something I put to the test recently by eating lunch there on Labor Day with about 25 adults and 8 kids. One server handled our whole group and she did an amazing job.

The food is pretty standard bar food with a couple of twists, but most things are quite tasty. They have an array of appetizers to choose from, including chorizo queso dip, which is delicious. They also have several different types of burgers, sandwiches and wraps, even salads. I frequently get the chicken fingers, which are hand-battered and have never disappointed. The ribs are always a solid choice, as the meat falls off the bone, and the sauce they use is very good.

The pizzas are a big hit with my kids. The chicken nachos are excellent, but the fish tacos are not that great; they are a little bland, the amount of meat you get on them is meager, and generally fish tacos do not have shredded cheddar cheese on them.

The Southwest Chicken Salad, while tasty, is suffering from an identity crisis and perhaps should be named Asian Chicken Salad or something similar. As far as dessert goes, if you still have room for it, or if you are watching an entire game, the monster chocolate chip cookie, baked in a skillet and topped with ice cream, is delightful.

The beer selection, both on tap and in bottles, is extensive, with something for everyone.

They also have a full bar, of course, for those who want something a little stronger to drink while eating their burger and watching all of the sporting on the TVs. So, the next time you find yourself wanting to watch sports, but not wanting to cook, or just need a good meal after shopping at Stones River Mall, head over to Sam’s. You won’t be disappointed.

Where Are We Meeting Again?

Confusing Dining Options of Murfreesboro Let’s set the record straight on some of the area’s often confused eateries: BJ’s/CJ’s BJ’s is the new brewhouse near the Avenue, serving its own line of craft beers along with burgers, pizzas, steaks, ribs, jambalaya and more; CJ’s, which has taken over the former Fuji spot on Northfield, serves heirloom tomato salad and raspberry chipotle chicken along with burgers, steaks, fish and more.

Marina’s/Milano Two places to get pasta and salad within two blocks of one another, both near the Rutherford County Courthouse.

Maple Street/Wall Street/Main Street Maple Street is a steakhouse on Maple Street; Wall Street is also on Maple Street, just a few doors down. Main Street is a live music venue on Main Street. . . . Oh, yeah, Maple Street Grill also has a location in Eagleville . . . on Main Street.

The Alley/The Boulevard/The Block Some street, somewhere.

Bunganut Pig/Slick Pig Two very different pigs, they be. The people of Murfreesboro go to Bunganut for mixed drinks and live music; they go to Slick Pig for 99-cent barbecue sandwiches on Tuesdays and smoked wings.

China Panda, China Spring, China Garden, China Wok Where else? Chinatown!

Jim ’N Nick’s/Whitt’s/Rick’s Barbecue everywhere! Whitt’s has two Murfreesboro locations, as does Rick’s. Jim ’N Nick’s has only one Murfreesboro location . . . but it has two names.

Campus Pub, Campus Sub Do you want a pub, or do you want a sub?

Your Pie, Your Burger Pizza, or burger. Within a mile of each other.

Smoothie King, Burger King OK, now you’re grasping at straws. No one confuses those.

Have any more?

— BRACKEN MAYO

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 27

Reviews

LIVING ROOM CINEMA column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

THE VISIT

old Becca and her 13-year-old brother, Tyler, making a documentary of their visit is quickly overlooked and forgiven on the strength of these two young actors. They each deal with their father-abandonment issues in unique ways: Becca, a precocious aspiring filmmaker, wears her expansive vocabulary like a coat of armor, while Tyler, a Culkinhaired rapper with the nom-deplume T Diamond Stylus, lisps misogynistic verses to cope with his only male role model being an absent jerk.

These two nearly over-charismatic teens are mirror-matched

by their extra creepy Nana and Pop Pop, two more characters you can’t take your eyes off of, though you want nothing more than to do so. As the week goes by, the weirdness escalates.

Pop Pop puts white plastic bags of something in the shed. Nana runs and crawls around the house at night. By the final day, the kids have had enough and are ready to leave.

It wouldn’t be a Shyamalan movie without at least some kind of reveal and The Visit does not disappoint. Not initially anyway.

Under scrutiny, the logic becomes a little shaky, as does the camera and its sometimes too-perfect placement, but by that point the tension has been so expertly wound that any relief is welcome.

I guess the real twist is this: given a tiny budget, excellent child actors, and the freakiest Nana in recent memory, M. Night Shyamalan can still deliver on the promise of his early career—i.e. he’s good for a scare.

— JAY SPIGHT

man emotion and is reduced to a collection of tics that vaguely mimic human behavior.

Depp’s “physical transformation” is intended to inspire awe, but the awful makeup and colored contacts just diminish his believability even further.

The supporting cast is similarly disappointing. They’re uniformly great actors but all are

directed as if every scene is their Oscar clip. It results in shallow and often hammy performances that do every actor a disservice.

Black Mass is slickly directed

by Scott Cooper and looks stunning but has no inner life. We see all of Bulger’s terrible crimes but we never understand why he commits them. Every character and relationship exists solely on a surface level. There’s not even an attempt to explain why it’s called Black Mass in the first place.

There might be a great movie buried within Black Mass. The parts are all there; they just need to be crafted with a motivation higher than garnering attention at awards shows.

— CECILIA SINKALA

3.5

M. Night Shyamalan STARRING Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan DIRECTED BY

RATED PG-13

In an interview on NPR’s Planet Money, Jason Blum, head of Blumhouse Productions—the studio behind the Paranormal Activity series, as well as many other frightfully lucrative, low-budget horror flicks—laid out his three rules for making a successful (read: profitable) horror movie: 1) have as few speaking roles as possible; 2) use only one or two locations; 3) pay your crew as little as is legally allowed. This explains the fount of hauntings, possessions, and “purges” that have arisen onscreen in this young century, both good and bad, because, for every wildly successful film from Jason Blum, five might flop . . . but he never goes over budget.

It would seem odd, then, that a pairing of M. Night Shyamalan—whose previous feature After

Earth cost $130 million and made roughly twice that—with Blumhouse, who allotted Shyamalan $5m to make a modest horror flick about two grandchildren meeting their grandparents for the first time. At one time deemed the second coming of Spielberg, Shyamalan’s films have been growing in budget at a rate proportional to critics’ distaste for his now-predictable overuse of the twist-ending trope and his status as a pop-culture punchline.

The financial constraints do well to reign in Shyamalan’s more excessive imaginings. The Visit’s low-budget conceit of 15-year-

BLACK MASS 2

DIRECTED BY Scott Cooper STARRING Johnny Depp,

Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Kevin Bacon RATED R

Black Mass wants so badly to win an Oscar. The acting, directing, costuming, possibly even the sound mixing, all seem especially designed to result in winning an Oscar for something. Anything.

The desperation is blatant and it unfortunately hinders Black Mass from being worthy of reward.

Black Mass is based on the true story of James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp), an infamous crime boss who ruled South Boston from the ’70s to the ’90s.

Bulger’s childhood friend, John Connelly (Edgerton), is an FBI agent who approaches Bulger to RATINGS:

work as an informant. Bulger accepts, and with the FBI’s protection he eliminates his enemies, gaining power and notoriety in his neighborhood.

Many have hyped Black Mass as Johnny Depp’s “return to form” after spending more than a decade playing wacky characters, but this performance is closer to Dark Shadows than Donnie Brasco. It appears that Depp has lost the ability to convey recognizable hu-

A CLASSIC

28 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

Spirits

I

s there another plane of existence where spirits might live, yet still reside in our realm of perception?

Enter the Void (2009) is directed by Gaspar Noé. Noé, the noted auteur of difficult material, offers a reflection into The Tibetan Book of the Dead. It’s a stylized psychedelic journey worthy of your time.

Spirited Away (2001) is directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Possibly the most accessible anime movie for the masses, Spirited Away is thoroughly engaging. On a family outing, a young girl unwittingly enters the spirit world through a deserted amusement park.

Juliet of the Spirits (1965) is directed

by Federico Fellini. Fellini’s wife, Giulietta Masina, stars in his first color feature film. A wife’s suspicion is fostered during a forgotten anniversary and is intensified thereafter.

The Innocents (1961) is directed by Jack Clayton. Adapted from The Turn of the Screw, a new governess must look after two children in their haunted estate. The ghastly ghost story provides a rewarding ending.

BOOK Popcorn the Goat

by Elrena Parton Elrena Parton of Woodbury has recently self-released her first illustrated childrens’ book, Popcorn the Goat.

This book, which the author describes simply as “a book about a goat that likes popcorn,” tells the story of a young girl and her mother feeding animals on the farm, and the girl, Edith, befriending a young goat as they share a snack.

Parton’s account is largely autobiographical, as the writer grew up on a farm. Her family raised goats and various other animals and treated them as special pets, the author’s bio explains. The most memorable animal from her childhood was indeed a goat named Popcorn.

Parton has been volunteering to read to kids in Cannon County since 2004, and enjoys sharing her original story with youngsters, particularly during October, which is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month in conjunction with the corn harvest, as Parton reminds readers.

Her book is an example of perseverance; traditional publishers turned Parton’s story down more than 50 times, she said. So Parton took matters into her own hands and had the book printed at Murfreesboro’s Wax Family Printing.

While the story and the illustrations may seem simple and childlike, many young children enjoy the colorful barnyard images and the easy-to-read text in this fun story about a young girl who feeds popcorn to a goat. The book is especially well-suited to beginning readers.

For more on Parton and her book, visit facebook.com/popcornthegoat or email popcornthegoat@yahoo.com.

— BRACKEN MAYO BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 29

Sports I

f you happen to be driving on Middle Tennessee Boulevard on Friday afternoons, be on the lookout when passing by the field next to MTSU’s Bell Street parking lot. You’ll see about 14 college students tossing deflated volleyballs through giant hoops, dodging flattened dodgeballs, “flying” across the field on broomsticks and even chasing someone with a tennis ball attached to their waist.

It may be a strange sight for most “muggles,” or those who lack magical abilities, but for fans of J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter series, this may look familiar.

MEET THE BLUE TRESTRALS, MTSU’S QUIDDITCH TEAM A “thestral” is a winged, horse-like creature with a skeletal body and a pair of wings.

This figure, which is derived from the Potter series, was chosen in keeping with MTSU’s school mascot, Lightning, who is a wingedhorse as well.

“We chose the Blue Thestrals because MTSU’s mascot is a blue Pegasus,” said MTSU senior Chad McConnell, the team’s captain.

“Of course, it would sound silly to be the ‘Blue Pegasi,’ so we decided to go with another winged-horse, but use ‘thestrals’ instead.”

Quidditch is no longer just a sporting event within the magical realm of Harry Potter; it’s becoming a mainstay on college campuses and in communities across the world. MTSU’s team has been an official member of the sport’s muggle division, otherwise known as the International Quidditch Association, since 2012.

Despite popular belief, McConnell explained that it is by no means a requirement to have read the books, watched the movies or even to be a fan of the series that has inspired Quidditch, adding that previous experience with the sport isn’t a prerequisite to join the team, either. In fact, all you need is a little free time, the desire to learn the rules and a willingness to run around on a broom, he said.

“It’s kind of strange because even though I’m the captain, I’m not that big of a Harry Potter fan,” McConnell said. “I read the books when they first came out back when I was in second grade, but I’m not that big of a fan.”

Blue Thestrals The

Take Flight

MTSU quidditch club celebrates the sport popularized

by Harry Potter.

STORY BY DYLAN SKYE AYCOCK

McConnell, 21, who is double majoring in aerospace technology and applied physics, joined the team soon after it formed three years ago. Since then, the Blue Thestrals have competed in places like Tennessee Tech, Southern Illinois and North Carolina, where several regional Quidditch teams meet for a tournament.

“I had friends who were part of the team,” McConnell said. “They would ask me to come watch the games on campus at Walnut Grove, and I thought it looked like a lot of fun, so when they said they needed a keeper, I joined, and I’ve been playing ever since.”

The sports’ positions, in addition to the snitch, include three chasers, two beaters, a keeper and a seeker. The chasers and the keeper serve as the team’s entire scoring potential other than the snitch. One of their main goals is to throw the “quaffle,” or a deflated volleyball, through the hoops for 10 points.

The only difference between a chaser and a keeper is that, when inside the keeper zone, the keeper is immune to the knockout effect, which means being hit by deflated dodgeballs, or “bludgers,” as they’re referred to in the wizard world. If the player is hit with a bludger, whether it’s on their hair, uniform, broom, feet, anywhere, they must relinquish their broom and run back to the goals. McConnell said this keeps it from being a “rugby game with hoops.”

Finally, after 18 minutes of standing on the sidelines, the snitch is released.

30 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

It’s the seeker’s mission to catch the snitch; however, he or she must grab the tennis ball without tackling the snitch, pulling on their clothing and without the snitch being on the ground. Once the snitch is caught, the team scores 30 points (opposed to the 150 points in the book version of the game), and the game’s over. It takes about four or five minutes to catch the snitch, making the average game clock in at about 22 minutes.

“Aside from riding the fame of Harry Potter, Quidditch is actually a really fun sport to play and it’s something different,” McConnell said. “But having brooms between our legs limits what we can do.”

And while it’s not humanly possible for the team members to fly like in the series, McConnell said that aside from a few changes in the rules for fairness, the game remains fairly true to the sport portrayed in the series.

“The way that I always describe Quidditch is that it’s a lot like rugby and dodgeball came together to form one game, except we have a broom between our legs, which complicates things,” he said. “Someone may have in their head an idea of what Quidditch is, but it’s something people have to see and experience firsthand to know if they’ll enjoy it.”

If you’re an active undergraduate or graduate student, the team accepts new team members year-round. And, like McConnell said, no previous experience or knowledge of Quidditch is needed to join the Blue Thestrals.

Blue Raiders to Enter Homecoming Game vs. Vandy on Oct. 3 with 2-2 Record STORY BY GREG CRITTENDEN AFTER THE FIRST FOUR GAMES of the 2015 college football season, Middle Tennessee stands at 2-2 after two blowout wins, and two tough losses against power five opponents.

The Blue Raiders opened the 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a bitter taste in their mouths. A promising start to the 2014 season sadly became an underwhelming finish for such a talented group, as MT lost four of their last six games. However, the bitter end to 2014 created a stellar beginning to the 2015 campaign, and that bitter taste turned syrupy sweet in a hurry.

Brent Stockstill received the starting nod under center for MTSU when they opened the season against FCS foe Jackson State, and he did not disappoint. In his first NCAA start, Brent was 23-29 with 336 yards passing and four touchdowns.

Stockstill wasn’t the only player to come up big in his first NCAA start. Redshirt freshman receiver Richie James showed a lot of promise for the future of the MT receiving corps.

Redshirt senior receiver Ed Batties had a career day, tying his single game high in receptions (8) while topping his career high in receiving yards (123). Batties also pulled down two touchdown catches.

The veteran stable of running backs also contributed heavily to the Blue Raiders’ success, as MTSU rushed for 282 yards as a team.

Four different running backs went up against the JSU defense, and each one found the end zone either rushing or receiving with Jeremiah Bryson leading the way with two touchdowns.

When it was all over, Middle won the game in a rout, 70-14.

The following week, things started out pretty well vs. Alabama. MT forced the Crimson Tide offense off the field on the first possession of the game. However, that success was quickly followed by an MT turnover which would be a foreshadowing for the Blue Raiders offense.

The MT offense showed momentum at times, but it seemed any time they would get clicking a turnover stopped them cold in their tracks.

Alabama forced the MT offense into four turnovers, three of those being fumbles, en route to a 37-10 victory for the Tide.

Richie James again proved to be a budding star, catching 10 balls for 95 yards on what might be the biggest stage he’ll play in the foreseeable future. The MTSU front seven broke through to apply pressure multiple times. T.T. Barber, part of that front seven,

racked up seven tackles, with six of those being solo. The MT defense limited Alabama to only three third-down conversions, and transfer CB Jeremy Cutrer showed continued improvement with a 77-yard interception return.

Perhaps the greatest victory in the defeat was the play of the offensive line. They allowed no sacks against Alabama. Considering that Nick Saban has said this year’s Tide front seven is the best he’s ever had, which is saying quite a bit, that is an incredible feat for the MT O-line.

But Sept. 19, it was all about the Blue Raiders. In the 73-14 rout over C-USA (and FBS) newcomer Charlotte, the MT offense produced 695 total yards. Considering the production, it was difficult to pick one star for the offense.

Was it running back Jordan Parker, who broke out for 146 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries? Was it wide receiver-turned-tight end Terry Pettis, who caught four passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns? Was it wide receiver Ed Batties, netting 120 yards on five receptions while adding three touchdowns to his early season total? Was it QB Brent Stockstill, who completed 23 of his 27 attempts for 367 yards and five touchdowns? Maybe it was the offensive line.

“I give all the credit to the O-line, because there were definitely some huge gaps to run through.”

Parker said. And if you asked Stockstill, he’d give all the credit to the line as well, providing him with the time to patiently make his reads. This is a line that is down by two projected starters from the spring, one of which is a pre-season Conference USA first-teamer.

The defensive star was no question, however.

Cornerback Jeremy Cutrer had a coming-out party against Charlotte, pulling down two interceptions and securing a fumble recovery. Cutrer also had two pass deflections on the night.

Head coach Rick Stockstill and the Blue Raiders were quick to put the success against Charlotte behind them as the next assignment was a road trip to Champaign to take on Illinois of the Big Ten. Here, Middle Tennessee put forth a valiant effort before falling just short in a 27-25 setback at Illinois.

Cody Clark’s potential game-winning field goal from 43 yards away was wide left with eight seconds remaining as Middle Tennessee’s upset bid came up short.

Stockstill continued to shine in his first season under center. The redshirt freshman signal caller completed 29 of 42 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Batties had a record day

The MTSU defense gets after the quarterback; (inset) receiver Ed Batties has already pulled down 7 TDs through 4 games.

against the Big Ten defense. The senior receiver set a school record for single-game receptions with 13, besting the previous mark of 12 held

by Kendall Newsom and Tyrone Calico. Batties also had 175 yards and two touchdowns.

James also had a special performance with 12 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown.

James’ 12 catches are tied for second on the single-game list and would have tied the standard if not for Batties’ stellar outing.

Trailing 24-12 entering the fourth quarter, Stockstill connected with Batties for a 13yard touchdown to pull Middle Tennessee to within 24-19, then the duo hooked up once

more to give the Blue Raiders a 25-24 edge with 4:11 remaining.

A field goal put the Fighting Illini back in front, but Stockstill once again marched the Blue Raiders down the field, to the Illinois 26 to give Clark a chance at a field-goal attempt.

The attempt, however, was no good, so the Blue Raiders took a loss in an exciting game that went down to the wire, setting the stage for an Oct. 3 homecoming matchup against Vanderbilt in Murfreesboro.

For tickets and more on MTSU athletics, visit goblueraiders.com.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 31

Sports

T

SPORTS TALK

victory to Florida in the he Train Daddy is back swamp, I really felt for and it’s sexy time in column by ZACH all the Big Orange the ’Boro, without a “Z-TRAIN” MAXFIELD titanman1984yahoo.com faithful. It’s obvidoubt my favorite time ous to me the Vols of the year: fall. As we head are more talented than they have been into October and bask in the glory of the fall in over a decade, but these fourthseason, the leaves transform from dull green quarter meltdowns have to be blamed to a rich, beautiful color. The death of Tenneson the head coach. Off with his head! see’s humidity is a cool welcome also. But, Sir Train Daddy, is that why you love the fall season What about all you passionately loyal so much—the leaves and the temperature? Of Titans fans? It’s been ugly for you, also. As course not! It’s all about football, baby, and happy as I am with Marcus Mariota and the grilling meats, enjoying friends and family and obvious talent he possesses, the team is like Jekyll and Hyde, good then bad, pretty then ugly, watching so much football your eyes explode. winners then losers. In a Week 3 loss to the Admittedly, it is a tough time to be a fan of Colts I knew the Titans Tennessee football, with were doomed as soon as some very tough losses “IT IS A TOUGH commentator stated in the state. After watchTIME TO BE A FAN the the fact the Titans had the ing the Volunteers blow a OF TENNESSEE same 27–14 lead in the huge lead to Oklahoma at fourth quarter that the home and then give away a FOOTBALL.”

32 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

Marcus Mariota (left) came out of the gate strong, but Andrew Luck was the winner when the Colts came to Nashville.

Vols blew the day prior. Once that comment was made, I knew, and it was so, the Titans would blow the lead and Luck was with the Colts. So to all you Tennessee fans out there, the Train included, don’t cry in public, and hold your head high. Big Orange faithful, Code Blue Titan fans, it’s a rough time to be a fan of Tennessee football, but true and faithful fans always know the future is brighter! Just as William Wallace shouted FREEDOM!, we shall scream TENNESSEE! and destroy all who stand in our way.

An NFL season is 16 games long, so I have come up with a format for evaluating NFL teams called the Train Daddy Mafia Evaluation Breakdown. This is a very complicated and detailed system. I break down teams in every quarter of the season. Four games equals a quarter of a season, so if a team goes 4–0 in that stretch they are uptown funkin’ everyone up! If a team goes 3–1 they’re bringing sexy back, and if they go 2–2 it’s all good in the hood. It’s when your team goes 1–3 that you blame the coach, and off with his head! So what about 0–4? Well, it means the football gods despise you, they are mad at the fan base or they despise the head coach. Don’t ever insult the football gods, and remember that! I’m serious, anyone who has read my past articles over 7 years of writing for the Pulse, well, you know about Lady Football and the football gods, they must be appeased.

Don’t mess with these supernatural forces.

Now, I love fantasy football—I am entering my 11th season playing the game. It’s a game where we take athletes and they become no more than numbers and stats. If they break bones or have concussions, we don’t have sympathy, it’s all about stats and your personal team staying healthy as a unit. If Adrian Peterson beats his son with a stick, we don’t care— the average fantasy player is more upset that he was suspended. If Ray Rice beats his wife in an elevator or Michael Vick runs an underground dogfight club, we don’t care. Just please don’t suspended my fantasy players! Most of us understand the serious-

ness of child abuse, domestic abuse and dog abuse, but fantasy football is a disease rapidly spreading across America. Those of you who don’t understand the passion of people who play fantasy football, you never will . . . unless you play. It’s a game that, in the last 20 years, has gone from pencil and paper to a mobiledevice craze that has taken over America.

So, let’s wrap this thing up with my first comments on Tom Brady and the controversy that was Deflategate. I have never given my input on this matter, but now that the season has started and the Patriots are dominating yet again, I will speak up. First off the Patriots cheated, and they got away with it. It’s a fact the balls were deflated and they were caught, who knows how long they were doing it. Some say “who cares,” but I say it’s about integrity.

Let’s not forget about Spygate also—they only got caught spying on other teams and attempting to steal their secret signals. It’s disgusting. Brady can be properly disciplined and then a judge overturns it. What is the point of the commissioner? As much as I dislike the way the NFL commissioner has handled many situations, he did what he had to in this case. Brady destroys his phone right before his meeting with the bigwigs and that’s that.

Blame the ball boy, blame the team halfwit who hands out the water bottles, but never blame the star player Brady or the outspoken owner Robert Kraft, they can do no wrong!

That’s it, ladies and gentlemen. I truly hope you all enjoy the rest of the football season.

The Vols are much improved. I just hope they can give this loyal fan base some victories to be proud of. When it comes to the Titans’ loyal fan base, look to Mariota, he is the real deal. He is young, he is the future and as he ages and progresses so does the team. It may be rough for a season or two but it will come together. Fantasy players, look to the waiver wires and enjoy the beauty of the game; sit back and watch as many games as you can. The cheaters and Robert Kraft are dominating football again. The rest of the league may have to find simple ways to cheat to keep up with Brady’s many touchdown passes. The Train’s out the station. Choo–choo!

MARCUS BY DONN JONES/TITANSONLINE.COM

FALL AND FOOTBALL ARE IN THE AIR

PHOTOS COURTESY STRAVA.COM/ WHITNEY STANBROUGH

Biking Everest Murfreesboro man completes insane one-day vertical-climb cycling challenge.

T

For eight hours, Whitney had no human contact. It was just him, his bike, the monotonous surroundings around him and the hope for a celebratory meal of pizza and beer when it was all over. The isolation began to creep up on him, and Whitney began to doubt whether or not this was all worth it.

“As you can imagine, up was down and down was up. I was having hallucinations at night, audible and visual hallucinations,” he says. “‘What is this? Why am I doing this?’

These are all questions I asked over the 25 hours I was on the side of this six-tenths of a mile section of road.”

“Even the dogs out there were looking at

me crazy,” he adds jokingly.

This section of the journey pushed not only his mental limits but his physical limits as well. To top things off, Whitney realized he had miscalculated the amount of laps needed to achieve his goal. He initially projected it would only take 142 laps to reach the goal elevation, but it actually took 222.

Despite these setbacks, an exhausted but determined Whitney persevered.

“I can’t even really recall the last two hours of it, other than it just hurt a lot,” he says. “You’ve suffered so much and you don’t wanna quit at that point because then all the suffering was for nothing.”

Lasting through the night, he soon saw the sunrise, and with it, the return of his cheering section.

With the added confidence boost of the the sun’s rays and his friends’ support, Whitney completed his last repetition 25 hours, 19 minutes and 46 seconds after beginning his journey. He pushed himself to the limit, with mental and physical exhaustion taking its toll on the athlete. He became sick immediately after completing the challenge, putting his coveted celebration of pizza and beer on hold.

But looking back, Whitney says the grueling experience was more than worth it.

“It was definitely a mind-boggling event to grasp, but one that I’ll hold near and dear to my heart [and] something that I’ll cherish for a very long time,” he says.

STORY BY JOHN CONNOR COULSTON

aking a peek inside the workshop of Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle, among the many workers and visitors is Whitney Stanbrough, 29. While the hard-working, friendly technician may seem like just another bike enthusiast, he’s recently done something no other Tennessean has: ride the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest in one ride.

Whitney is the first Tennessean to date to complete an Everesting. Everesting is a biking challenge in which a rider pushes him or herself to complete a ride with a vertical climb of 8,848 meters, the same elevation of Mount Everest. The feat must be completed on a single route, which means the rider must go back and forth on the same path over and over again until the distance is achieved. The rider can take breaks for food and drink, but cannot sleep. As this task typically takes over 24 hours to complete, the lack of sleep can be a deciding factor on whether a rider can complete the ride.

“The thing that really got me on [my first attempt] was the sleep deprivation,” Stanbrough told the Pulse. “Riding past hour 12, that’s when you get really tired and you still have 12 hours to go. At that point, nothing really makes sense. You’re out of your mind, you’re out of your body and you’ve pushed yourself past what you’re humanly capable of. Anything after that is just mental toughness.”

Whitney’s first attempt was an Independence Day trek up Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains with a colleague this summer. Unfortunately, the two were unsuccessful. However, that trip helped Whitney understand the challenge ahead of him. He began training over the next three months, often going for six-hour nighttime rides in order to prepare himself for the most difficult part of the ride.

For his next attempt, Stanbrough chose a hill on Clever Creek Road near Statesville, off of Lascassas Highway. He began his long journey midday on Sept. 7.

During the daylight hours, Stanbrough was visited by friends, supporters and coworkers who either rode laps with him, provided him with water and cold towels periodically or just sat back in lawn chairs and cheered him on. But when the sun went away, so did his audience. The fatigued biker was now on his own.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 33

Opinion 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Live Exceptionally. . . Well!

BY JENNIFER DURAND

The Murfreesboro Pulse and the Nurture Nook will host an outdoor event at The Nurture Nook’s InSPAration Garden celebrating the new partnership in bringing Pulse readers information on improving their health and their lives. Everyone is invited to join us at the Nurture Nook, 624 N. Walnut St., on Tuesday, Oct 20, beginning at 5 p.m. for a Live Exceptionally . . . Well! launch party featuring music, nibbles and sips, wordplay and more. For more information, call the Nurture Nook at (615) 896-7110.

Are You

Really

Breathing?

EVER FIND YOURSELF FEELING ANXIOUS, nervous, depressed, frightened, fatigued or restless?

Want to neutralize or alter the way you are feeling, within seconds? Guess what “one common thing” you can do to achieve this? It’s free and available wherever you are, whenever you need it! B r e a t h i n g.

It’s true. Intentional breathing can calm the nerves, stabilize the senses, lower blood pressure, energize a tired body or help you sleep. It can even improve your complexion. How you breathe determines the outcome.

Sound simple? It is simple, but not necessarily easy. If it were easy, even the least disciplined of persons would do it more consistently. Perhaps you are one of the ones who just needs to know how, and will implement it immediately and begin feeling and seeing the benefits.

Almost two decades ago, when I started doing bodywork, I soon found that most people are very shallow breathers. They “carry the weight of their world” as if holding their breath. Sound familiar? I call it “holdingin syndrome.” It shows up in the form of tight muscles, stiff countenance, rigid chest and short breaths—not fully expanding lungs or belly. Most people feel as though they are relaxed yet their body suggests a different story.

I found that you can’t just say “relax” and, voila!, it will magically happen. As I learned different methods of breathing, I would instruct clients in these techniques.

This appeared to be the most profound approach in assisting them to surrender more deeply into relaxation.

They could quickly tell the difference between a truly relaxed state versus what they had previously thought was relaxed. After working with thousands of individuals, many of them return, even years later, and remark about the continued practice of a breathing technique they learned. Here are a few of my favorites to get you going.

Noticing Breath (Good for beginners)

Just sit or lie comfortably. Breathe normally. Close your eyes. Now, simply notice that you are breathing. Don’t judge how you’re breathing. Just breathe.

Notice how the inhalation feels in your body. Does it take three seconds to inhale fully, or more like seven or eight? How does the exhalation feel in your body?

Is it a two-count or six-count exhalation? Do you 34 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

breathe rapidly, slowly, deeply? Just notice.

Deepen your breath (Good for all)

Once you notice your breath count, increase it. Place your right hand on your chest and your left hand on your belly. Breathe in, counting in the same rhythm, as high as you can while breathing in. Exhale in the same manner. As you continue breathing, try to increase the number each time. This will take time to get to a significant number. (an initial goal would be a 10-count breath each on the inhalation and the exhalation.) Be patient, and practice each day. You will be able to increase as you go.

Breathe with a tiny motion (Helps you sleep)

Lie down. With your left or right hand, touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your middle finger. Find a relaxed, comfortable position for your hand. As you inhale (keeping those two fingertips connected) lightly separate the tension between your thumb and middle fingertips. Exhale, applying a light amount of pressure between the tips, for the entire length of the exhalation.

Repeat this exercise until you find yourself drifting away.

Nine-breath method (Energizer/heightener)

It consists of a rhythmic, more vigorous inhalation and more subtle, yet strong exhalation. The breath is continuous, without pause at the height of the inhalation for nine consecutive breaths. For an authentic experience, it’s best to get guidance from an instructor.

Breath empowerment (Full body vibration)

Great for stimulation, energy, balance, skin tone, even weight loss. This should be learned with a trained instructor. The body can release stored or trapped energy, emotions and sensations that may surprise you.

During this exercise you will breathe more vigorously (a “Warrior’s breath”) for an extended period of time. This method is very powerful and life changing!

For more on these or other styles of breathwork more fully, please email me or do your own research. Until next time: “Breathe deeply and see your magnificence!”

Jennifer Durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook Day Spa & Gift Shoppe. Let her help you find your personal “Ahh . . .” factor by visiting nurturenook.com or by calling (615) 896-7110.

Volkswagen to Be Fined Heavily for Rigging Vehicles

T

he car company that Hitler built may be coming to an end. No doubt, you’ve heard about the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Because of the conscious confusion of the global warming agenda, there’s confusion over just what Volkswagen has done. Let me elucidate. They have admitted to rigging some of their “clean diesel” vehicles to fool smog tests. When the vehicles are hooked up to emissions-testing equipment, they emit far fewer nitrogen oxides, which are major components of smog. Once the cars are on the open road, they emit far more nitrogen oxides than are allowed by U.S. law. Understand, this is real pollution, as opposed to the trumped-up charges against carbon dioxide.

An article from vox.com stated the following: “While diesel cars get better mileage and emit fewer carbon-dioxide emissions, they also emit more nitrogen oxides (NOx), which help form smog, and particulate matter, which can damage lungs. Both types of pollution can have serious health effects.”

Here’s the problem. Carbon dioxide poses absolutely no health effect. Also, there is no CO2 in smog. I’ll repeat. There is no CO2 in smog. Al Gore and the global warming alarmists have cleverly conjoined CO2 and smog by shortening carbon dioxide to just “carbon” to make it sound sinister. CO2 is not a pollutant and, in fact, is essential to life on earth. It’s known as plant food.

The problem with Volkswagen is they weren’t VIEWS OF A trying to get around the CO2 regulations, which would’ve been excusable. They were getting around column by the smog regulations, which is inexcusable. They PHIL VALENTINE philvalentine.com will be fined heavily, and they should be. How heavily? Estimates are a minimum of $18 billion. To put that in perspective, VW’s pre-tax net income last year was roughly $4.7 billion.

This could mean an end to the car company Adolf Hitler started back in 1937. Hitler wanted an affordable car for the masses. The problem was that, even with his subsidy plan, few Germans could afford it. But after World War II, when Allied forces were inspecting a bombed-out factory, the discovery was made of several VW prototypes and the Americans used Volkswagen as the centerpiece of their efforts to rebuild the German economy.

In 1959, an American advertising agency dubbed the VW the “Beetle” and an automotive phenomenon was begun. Twelve years later, VW surpassed the record set by Henry Ford and his Model T, selling more than 15 million vehicles. In 2011 VW built a production facility in Chattanooga, Tenn. The car company laid out about $1 billion. Federal, state and local governments chipped in another $577 million in incentives.

That looked like a great deal to proponents of government welfare until the proverbial defecation hit the fan. Now Tennessee is scrambling to figure out what to do. What they should do is not defend the indefensible. As someone who has fought the misinformation of global warming for many years, I understand the problem of real pollution. In California, for example, vehicles account for about 60 percent of the smog. That’s a real problem. The way to address the problem is through cleaner-burning engines. The trick is dodging the CO2 requirements while making a cleaner engine.

CONSERVATIVE

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.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 35

BUSINESS BUILDER

BY ROBERT RITCH

Make Goal Setting Part of Your Business

N

ow that you have a strong understanding of how the five-part formula works and understand how the formula can impact all areas of your business (see the September edition of the Pulse, or boropulse.com), it’s time to set some goals that support the vision you created.

Goals are specific, attainable targets that bring you to your vision. They’re the milestones you need to reach along the way. Goals focus your efforts and intentions, and direct your motivation in a productive direction. It can be easy at first to confuse a business vision with a goal. They are both projections of an ideal future situation that you have created based on your dreams. But goals are specific, measurable targets that a person or business sets out to achieve. Goals support the greater aspirations set out in the business vision statement. A vision statement is a broad, inspiring image of the state a business aspires to reach in the future, without specifying, how aspirations will be achieved, or when.

Studies have shown that only three to five percent of people in the world have written goals—the same three to five percent who have achieved success in business and are earning considerable wealth.

Setting strong goals and committing them to paper is the most effective way to achieve success. Goals will focus your time, energy and the outcomes that are the highest priority. When you prioritize and concentrate your efforts, you avoid being stretched too thin, and produce greater results.

Here are the areas of your business that you’ll need to think about when setting goals:  Lead Generation (In-store leads, phone leads, return on investment of marketing campaigns)  Conversion Rates (Individual staff targets, conversion rates, sales targets)  Transaction Frequency (Customer loyalty, sales targets)  Average Sale (revenue, add-on targets, sale increases)  Margins (Product or service evolution, profit, cost reduction)  Personal What happens when you achieve your goals?

You should reward yourself and your team each time a target is reached. This will not only train your mind to associate hard work with reward, but will develop loyalty and morale among your employees.

Once you’ve reached a target, ask yourself where the next rung of the ladder is. Can you improve upon the target you just reached? Get into the habit of setting a new, higher goal each time you achieve an existing goal.

The power of intention—a strong belief in yourself and your ability to be successful—is the keystone to achieving great things. This positive self-talk has a powerful impact on your reality.

When you program a positive stream of subconscious thoughts into your mind, you can control your reality, and ultimately the outcome of your goals.

For example, each time you say to yourself, “I’ll never be able to finish this . . .” or “I’m a terrible public speaker . . .” take a moment to stop and correct the

36 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

thought. Instead, say “I will do the best I can to finish this project,” or “I will get myself some training and become a better public speaker.”

Positive self-talk means getting rid of the negative thoughts that run through your mind: “That’s impossible,” “Don’t even bother,” “I’m too young,” “I’m too old.”

Autosuggestion often involves changing negative beliefs and perceptions that we learned from our parents, friends, partners and experiences.

You can practice autosuggestion anywhere, and at any time. All you need to do is sit quietly, breathe deeply and allow yourself to be open to the thoughts and ideas you are about to tell yourself. Then repeat positive statements about yourself and the future outcome of a goal.

Some examples of positive autosuggestions include: “I will close the sales presentation and secure this client!”

“I am a capable and positive person!” “I deserve the success that I have achieved!” “I am doing my best!”

Believe in and feel what you are telling yourself. Talk to yourself like you would a close friend. You are working to develop a good relationship with yourself.

Repetition is key.

Visualization is another mind tool that successful people use to program their brains for success. It’s simply visualizing in your mind how something is going to happen or play out on a repeated basis. Visualization is commonly used in sports training, and has been proven to improve performance better than just practice alone.

When we visualize a situation or an object, we attract it into our life. Visualization should be done with a relaxed and positive attitude, as well as with an openness to accept whatever outcome may present itself.

Sit comfortably in a quiet space: your office, home or in nature.

Pick a goal or intention to focus on.

Relax your entire body, and take several long, deep breaths.

Tune into your inner voice, and connect to the feeling that you truly believe this goal or intention.

Begin to visualize the achievement of that goal, or realization of your intention.

Create a clear and detailed mental picture, using all five senses.

Allow yourself to feel how you believe you will feel when you have achieved your goal, and how much you desire to reach that goal.

Finish with a positive affirmation about the outcome of your goal or intention.

Repeat this process at least once per day, for about 10 minutes.

Powerful, positive people have the strength to create powerful, positive change in their lives and the lives of those around them.

You are a powerful, positive person! Set some goals and think big. Spend some time working on your autosuggestion and visualization skills. You might feel a silly at first, but I promise that these are powerful psychological tools that will retrain your brain for success.

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

Murfreesboro’s Music Through the Decades

BY GLORIA CHRISTY

Celebrate, Dance and Live!

M

emories of a seemingly endless summer lingered in their minds. Brisk winds had filled the air tinging the leaves with a special kind of beauty as if brushed from an unknown feather, turning from green to varieties of gold, russet and crimson.

Although families had been separated by war that had transplanted its sons, fathers and husbands to a distant land to fight tyranny, Murfreesboro was learning to endure, pushing back the darkness through celebration and dance. Staying close in community with family and friends was the antidote in this time of hardship and crisis.

The smooth, romantic, down-home tones wafted through the atmosphere, accompanying the cool of the evening. The young had come to dance—circle up and swing your partner—but most had gathered on the Square to deposit their scraps of aluminum, pieces that had been crushed, cleaned and saved for the war effort.

After all, salvaged aluminum was another way folks could make a personal contribution toward bringing victory nearer. Scrap metal could be used for weapons of war: grenades, binoculars and machine guns.

What a sight! Under the amber glow of the street lights, the music playing over the huge loudspeaker was propelling the dancers madly in the center of the crowd.

A growing swarm of enthusiastic onlookers gathered around the circle, laughing and clapping. For a brief moment, the flurry of sounds seduced the crowd into forgetting the great peril and sacrifices of World War II. When America declared war in December of 1941, the Swing Era was already in full bloom. American popular music of the 1940s offered a dreamlike world, creating an atmosphere of conviviality and familiarity throughout the culture which actually made the horrors of WWII seem more endurable. More than any other media, it was the “big band” music of the day that ignited and drew together a truly communal spirit all across America.

In big-band music, the soaring brass riffs and driving rhythms, combined with memorable tunes and sometimes bittersweet lyrics, knit their hearts together with their longings for loved ones who, stationed so far away from every familiar county, village, town and city, struggled, sacrificed and dreamed to be home again. In

our community in 1943, many recall a celebration that affirmed this very strength of fellowship and common purpose, known as the “Aluminum Street Dance.”

Oral tradition has it that this event was the first to be broadcast in Murfreesboro. This significant moment in our community’s history paved the way for the creation of local radio station WGNS in 1947. In addition, the broadcast marked the first time when a slice of traditional American folk styles (string band music) merged with mainstream American swing band fare. Southern music would be changed forever as it cross-pollinated and scattered across America, blending with other genres.

Early hoedown bands from the first part of the 20th century drew from rural traditions of family and folk music, which included gospel traditions as well. No doubt the new, original songs were influenced by the introduction of jazz, Tin Pan Alley, vaudeville and pop music heard on the radio between the 1920s and the early 1940s.

The boisterous crowd celebrated as a fall breeze tossed leaves across the courthouse lawn. The seasons were changing, and so were the lives of this isolated and innocent rural community here. Many dreamed of another time, treasured scenes when parlor rugs would be pulled back and where porches would be filled with buck and clog dancers dancing wildly in syncopated rhythm on splintering wooden floors.

In American society, from its earliest colonial beginnings to the 21st century, the private thoughts of men and women are documented in its creative expression in music and dance. The universal language of music and dance successfully communicates with the masses, almost magically providing catharsis in troubled times.

The power of this creative expression lies in its ability to influence the culture. Throughout the ages, music and dance have been embedded in our daily lives. Somehow, no matter how fearful or destructive the outlook up ahead might be, hope and strength are found as long as mankind uses the magnificent mind to summon them through creative expression. Somehow, humanity has the capacity to shut out the struggle and learn to live and love again through music and dance.

Once more in our day, let’s celebrate, dance and live!

 Read the unabridged Murfreesboro’s Music Through the Decades series at BOROPULSE.COM BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 37

Opinion Supreme Court Monarchy Vs. States’ Rights and the Will of the People

BY DR. JONATHAN Z+

ANCIENT WRITINGS SUCH AS THE HOLY BIBLE show that most kings and courts gained power from Divine Law, often referred to as Divine Providence. All power, be it legislative, executive or judicial, originates from God, who is, was and will always be the supreme authority. Hence, for centuries, a king was the highest authority in his nation, jurisdiction or kingdom. This concept in Latin is known as “Rex Lex,” meaning the king is law with absolute authority derived from Almighty.

But over 800 hundred years ago, King John in England, after refusing twice to give liberties to his feudal lords and barons, was forced to sign a supreme law (or lex) that would trump the king’s authority, one which even he could not break. It was called, in Latin, ‘The Magna Carta” or “Great Charter.”

This birthed private property rights, and decreed that justice would no longer be able to be bought, delayed or denied to freemen or their heirs. Also, taxes could no longer be levied in England on freemen without the consent of the barons.

Do we still have a republic where “Lex Rex” reigns? Is the Constitution still the supreme law of America? Not according to Chief Justice Roberts, who held in his dissent: This 5-to-4 ruling granting same-sex couples equal rights to marry may be seen as a victory “but it has nothing to do with the Constitution” (author’s paraphrase).

How does divine law view marriage?

The oldest story on marriage originates from the book of Genesis. God said, “It is not good for Adam (man) to be alone, so I will make him a Helpmate (Eve)” (Genesis 2:13).

Not only was this the first time God ever said “it is not good,” it is the first divine institution created by Almighty God. The second divine institution was the church; the third and last divine institution, the state (government) then came forth. From that time until the present, marriage was the most important of God’s three social institutions and it was defined as a holy covenant between one man and one woman. Although the church and the state accepted this covenant for several thousand years as a holy and specific act of God, this changed in America just 800 years and eleven days after the signing of the Magna Carta.

What changed this holy covenant in America and when did it occur?

On June 26, 2015, five of the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples would have the legal right to marry in all 50 states and U.S. territories. This would also afford them all the rights of traditional

38 * OCTOBER 2015 * BOROPULSE.COM

couples to adopt children, to own property, to share health and pension benefits, etc. What is also unbelievable for some is that the court ordered those 14 states where it was forbidden to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples to do so, regardless of the 10th and 11th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

What does the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution say?

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

What does the 11th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution say?

“The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit (even the June 26, 2015 ruling?) in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.”

Did the five justices who ruled in favor of same-sex marriages violate the holy covenant of marriage being between one man and one woman?

It appears so. Some say the court has no jurisdiction over Divine Law mandates since it gains its legitimacy to operate from the will of the people and its powers come directly from Divine Law. To violate the basis of Divine Law is to disregard or nullify the legal power that allows the court to operate.

Did the justices violate the will of the 14 states where same-sex couples were prohibited from marrying?

They did by forcing the states that opposed same-sex marriages to accept them as if the states and the people therein were “subjects of the king.” I call this mandate a “judicial monarchy” in that it overrules states’ rights and the will of the people therein. How can one give greater rights to one group without restricting or denying them to another? is the Supreme Court required to uphold, defend, preserve and protect the Constitution (so help them God)?

All elected federal politicians and officials are required to do so. If Congress finds that a Supreme Court justice, federal judge or elected official violates his or her sacred oath of office, grave consequences may follow.

What is the original and appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

It is supposed to stick to interpreting the Constitution, not adding to it. They are judges of what is right and wrong under the constraints of their authority, not legislators of social law.

High School Referee Upended, Official’s Criminal Record Uncovered After Collision with Player IN ONE OF THE STRANGEST NEWS-STORY TWISTS IN SOME TIME, a Smyrna-based football referee was suspended from calling games after a Glencliff High School player upended him during a contest at Gallatin.

As far as reports go, the referee, Kyle Gill of Smyrna, did nothing wrong during the game, throwing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct flag on the player for running over him.

But, oddly enough, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association put the cuffs on the referee after obtaining information that he had a felony arrest in his past.

Gill, chief operator at the Smyrna wastewater treatment plant and nephew of Town Manager Harry Gill Jr., had his whistle locked up when the TSSAA discovered GILL he entered a plea to attempted statutory rape and aggravated criminal trespassing, both misdemeanors, in April 2007. The plea agreement stemmed from a felony statutory rape charge filed against him in April 2006.

He was sentenced to two one-year jail terms, which were suspended, and placed on probation. As part of the plea, he also was prohibited from taking a job with any school system.

But when filling out his application to become a TSSAA football referee, Gill apparently marked that he had never been convicted of a felony and failed to note he had been charged with a felony, which would have disqualified him from becoming a referee.

TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress said either the initial arrest or the plea would have been enough to disqualify Gill from registering to become a referee.

Smyrna Town Manager Gill defended his nephew, saying he was a great employee. He said the fact that Kyle Gill came “under any kind of scrutiny with what happened there is

The

STOCKARD REPORT

BY SAM STOCKARD sstockard44@gmail.com

absolutely unbelievable.”

Gill pointed out that if we look into everybody’s past, most people probably did something 10 years ago they regret.

He’s probably right about that. But sometimes those mistakes follow us for life.

This isn’t a case, either, where the media cost Kyle Gill his referee job. The TSSAA made that decision after someone tipped them off about the arrest in Gill’s background. Once they checked on the matter, they found out he never should have been a referee in the first place.

In fact, the referee brought attention to himself when he told media the collision with Glencliff player Malcolm Easley was “malicious.” He further noted in a radio interview that as long as young people are not held accountable they’ll keep doing whatever they want to do.

Kyle Gill could not be reached for comment once the TSSAA suspended his registration.

It’s too bad we can’t all wipe the slate clean and start over every day. Sure, we can repent and ask for forgiveness. But in a court of law, forgiveness is hard to find. An attempted statutory rape plea is not easily cleared, either. It’s not like underage alcohol consumption or some other small misdemeanor that can be expunged. It hangs around on a piece of paper, just waiting for someone to check.

Certainly, this is an unfortunate situation for Gill. Let’s hope he can bounce back from it. Meanwhile, the TSSAA Board of Control is set to consider in November requiring background checks for all current referees.

This is something the association should have done long ago.

LET ME UP, I’VE HAD ENOUGH

Just when you think you’ve heard everything possible out of the Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Office, Sheriff Robert Arnold recently dropped a bomb when he fired Deputy Chief Virgil Gammon. In the midst of a federal/state investigation into no-bid, unauthorized contracts at the sheriff ’s office, this would be a good time to keep things quiet out at 940 New Salem.

But rather than avoid another round of discussion, Arnold terminated Gammon, a 38-year veteran of the department, without giving a reason.

Of course, all sorts of speculation is swirling around Gammon’s firing. Most onlookers believe Arnold thinks Gammon gave the feds incriminating evidence about the sheriff ’s involvement with JailCigs, an inmate ecigarette vendor connected to the sheriff and his chief administrator, Joe Russell (Russell co-owns the company along with Arnold’s aunt and uncle, and the sheriff is an investor).

If Arnold fired him for providing information to the feds, that’s a clear whistleblower case, one that could wind up costing the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlement and legal fees.

Gammon also could have a due process claim, if he got fired without getting a chance to go through protocol.

All Arnold said about the matter is Gammon’s services were no longer needed.

In all honesty, it’s amazing Gammon lasted this long. He was the only holdout from former Sheriff Truman Jones’ administration and probably had designs on the sheriff ’s job himself before Arnold got it. He definitely has strong ideas about how a sheriff ’s office should be run.

Gammon has conGAMMON sulted with local attorney Terry Fann, who represented two sheriff ’s office employees fired or forced out of the office, but isn’t committing to legal action yet.

Fann won settlements of $275,000 for former Detective Jim Tramel, who ran for sheriff last year, and $307,500 for former sheriff ’s office employee Joy Nelson, who filed an age discrimination case after being released.

Fann also is representing former sheriff ’s office employee McKayla Black in a lawsuit against the sheriff and county. Cha-ching.

Cha-ching. You have to wonder if Arnold’s goal is to cushion Fann’s vacation and retirement accounts.

The FBI/TBI investigation into Arnold’s administration is ongoing. If he’s arrested, will the feds make an example of him and do a “perp walk”? More than likely.

KEEP OPEN RECORDS AVAILABLE; TAXPAYERS HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THEM In the midst of public hearings on legislation allowing government to charge fees for inspection of public records, state Sen. Jim Tracy changed course recently and said he won’t bring the bill for consideration in 2016.

“That was just to get the discussion started. I’m never gonna run that bill. That bill was presented just to get the discussion (started), both parties together,” Tracy, a Bedford County Republican, said.

Tracy, who represents part of Rutherford County, said representatives of groups on both sides of the issue met in his office during the 2015 session to discuss the measure he sponsored. He then took it off notice.

The Office of Open Records conducted public hearings across the state in mid-September to take comments on the matter and heard overwhelming opposition from media and residents of every political bent.

State law allows local governments to charge “reasonable” fees for copies of open records, but Tracy’s Senate Bill 328 would have allowed government entities to charge for access based on the time it would take a records custodians to obtain those records, redact any personal information and make them available for public requests.

Tracy said early this year he sponTRACY sored the bill at the request of the Tennessee School Boards Association, which contended some of its school systems were being inundated with requests for thousands of documents, taking personnel away from their main jobs and costing taxpayers money.

The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government and Tennessee Press Association, along with media outlets and residents statewide, oppose the measure, saying it would reduce access to government records the public already pays for through taxes.

The matter may be moot if Tracy doesn’t change his mind again. Sometimes, politicians say things to test the political wind, then they switch strategies. Not that Tracy would do that, but state lawmakers can be shifty.

People may ask why this is so important, and here’s why: journalists and some members of the public with inquiring minds spend a good deal of time poking around in government records. These could be personnel files, court records, financial documents, environmental reports, meeting minutes—anything that shines a light on how government is doing business.

In fact, most people don’t realize they have the same right as reporters to look at these types of records. But they do, and this type of legislation would make it much harder to obtain them. The legislation, as written, would allow government to charge hefty fees to review the information, anywhere from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the amount of records requested.

The government’s argument in favor of these fees is always based on the amount of time it takes a records custodian to find the records, redact personal information and make them available. They contend it takes them away from their normal duties.

Well, here’s another way of looking at it.

Make open records that person’s normal duty.

After all, the computers and the paper that contain these records belong to the public.

The people pay for them, just like they pay the custodian’s salary. They should be able to review them any time they want, and the idea of charging fees for records review is ludicrous.

BOROPULSE.COM

* OCTOBER 2015 * 39

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