Sept. 2014 Murfreesboro Pulse by The Murfreesboro Pulse

FARMER’S MARKET EDUCATION SERIES

MURFREESBORO

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3D PRINTING

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

THEATER EVENTS

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Vol. 9, Issue 9 September 2014

FREE For You!

Hypnotist M.C. RADFORD wants you to . . .

UNLOCK OF YOUR POWER MIND THE

MUSIC

ART

 Jay Smooth, Matt Lund and Co., 5j Barrow, Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s, Stephen Wade

 Greenway Arts Fest, Scott Walker Portraits, Tattoos by Jake Omen, Liz Kelly Zook Fashion, September Exhibits

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DEAR READERS:

CONTENTS

22 5 COVER STORY

EVENTS

September Community Events Pioneer Power Days, Play 4 Tay, Taste of Hope, Wheels and Wings Day, Pups Day at the Beach

Profile: Jake Omen f Artist A look at some of the tattoo artist’s work Art Happenings h September Small Town Big World by Scott Walker on display at City

Hall, MTSU Art Alumni Exhibit, Robots at Mayday Brewery, In/finite Earth, Greenway Art Festival

SOUNDS

7 8 q w

SEPTEMBER CONCERTS Karaoke, Trivia, DJ & Bingo Nights Places to go for fun with friends Music Notes MTSU guitar instructor Matt Lund brings his bandmates for an evening of music Sept. 26; Hippie Jack’s to hold Americana Music Festival. Jay Smooth Becoming Local Legend Talented Murfreesboro singer preparing to drop album. All My Friends Documentary focuses on the music of Murfreesboro.

LIVING

r y u i

Hypnotist Says Unlock the Power of your Mind A conversation with M.C. Radford, author and hypnotist. Fall Gardening and Farmers Market Classes Beets, broccoli and spinach quick to mature in the fall. Stones River Battlefield: A Place of Peace The cannons have been silenced at a bloody battlefield. NovaCopy Now Printing in 3D The next generation of print is here: 3D.

FOOD

M.C. RADFORD PHOTOS BY SCOTT WALKER; LIZ KELLY ZOOK BY LUCENT VINGETTE

REVIEWS

k Movie Boyhood

Book Where’d You Go Bernadette, by Maria Semple Living Room Cinema Sexploration: Provocation ONLINE AT: September Theater Schedule Sweet Charity, Wait Until Dark

BOROPULSE.COM

SPORTS

Talk with Z-Train ; Sports Unfortunately, Michael Sam is not being treated equally.

OPINIONS Rants x Granny Hold the pepper spray.

c Cravings Beat the powerful cravings that can throw off a diet. The Stockard Report v Alexander, DesJarlais come out on top in GOP primaries

Spice p Thai Rutherford Boulevard eatery delivers the pad and the pho.

Phil Valentine b High corporate tax rate driving businesses away

ART

Through the Decades n Music The 1940s, World War II and the home front

CREW

PULSE

Unparalleled Fashion Kelly Liz Zook creates one-of-a-kind statement pieces, set to launch imunparalleled.com.

Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo Art Director: Sarah L. Mayo Advertising Reps: Jeff Brown, Don Clark, Jami Creel, Jamie Jennings

Copy Editor: Steve Morley Contributors: Christi Bradford, Gregory Bronson, Gloria Christy, Mai Harris, Randal Jones, Zach Maxfield, Jessica Pace, Jay Spight, Andrea Stockard, Sam Stockard, Edwinna Shannon, Christy Simmons, Norbert Thiemann, Phil Valentine, Rick Wiseman

Innovation Gets You Nowhere , The proof: Tesla

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 © 2014, 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

FALL IS IN THE AIR, and it’s football time in Tennessee! MTSU won its first game of the 2014 campaign in dominant fashion, and the NFL, and all of its fantasy players, are set for its season to kick off. So, you ask, does the Pulse man have any comments on the recent local news? Sure I do. A local man threatened some kayakers last month, saying he would shoot them if they returned, and accused them of trespassing on his lake. The man evidently lives adjacent to Todd’s Lake, part of the Black Fox Wetlands near Rutherford Boulevard, and claims the boaters were on his land. However, he seems to have a misunderstanding of Tennessee law. Tennessee Code states that “the waters of the state are the property of the state and are held in public trust for the benefit of its citizens . . .” The law protects everyone’s access to water, and their rights to boat, swim, fish and float in it, as it should be. Now, this does not mean that one can trespass on someone else’s land to get to water, but it does mean that all water belongs to all Tennesseans—an individual cannot legally claim a particular section or amount of water, nor the wildlife living in it, as his own (And Tennessee Code goes on to ban some polluting activities, protecting access to clean water). A state law that many take issue with, however, is the Truancy Law. Many parents in Murfreesboro and beyond take advantage of the public school systems. They pay for them, and it is their right to use them. But should they be forced to use them? Some judges and lawmakers think so. I suppose the intention of the law is wellmeaning; a child’s education should not suffer because a parent is too lazy, busy or whatever to get them to school. I believe the schools are, overall, teaching incredibly valuable lessons to our children: how to read, write, count and interact, instruction on sports, music, art and crafts. But shouldn’t access to those schools be a right and not a requirement? What if parents choose not to send their children to school? Some say that is their choice; Judge Donna Davenport says it is not. Parents are obligated by Tennessee Code to get their kids to school, or face fines or even jail time, the judge says. But if a parent does not want them to be exposed to the schools, or feels like attending school is not the best way for their child to spend their time, I stand by their choice to live like that, and hope they will bring up their children to be well-rounded, educated individuals, independent of the government (or non-public) school. Peace, Bracken Mayo Editor in Chief BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2014 * 3

EVENTS

compiled by ANDREA STOCKARD

Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com

THROUGHOUT SEPT. LINEBAUGH BOOK GROUPS The Afternoon Book Group reads a mixture of books and meets at Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) the first Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. The Cozy/Traditional Mystery Group meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. The Tuesday Book Group reads a mixture of literary fiction, non-fiction and classics and meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The Lit Wits Book Group is a small, informal group that holds lively discussions with nonjudgmental, welcoming book lovers and meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information on the groups, visit linebaugh.org or call (615) 893-4131 ext. 119.

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS RUTHERFORD COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Market vendors from over 20 Middle Tennessee counties sell a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, plants and more at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) from 7 a.m.–noon. Call (615) 898-7710.

SEPT. 5 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERIES A free health and wellness informational seminar discussing prostate health and wellness will be presented by TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center and the North Rutherford YMCA in the Physicians Building Classroom, 300 StoneCrest Blvd., Smyrna, from noon–1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. The Food and Nutrition Services team presents a healthful lunch and discusses wellness and prevention through diet. Registration required. Call (615) 220-9622.

SEPT. 5–7 5TH ANNUAL PLAY 4 TAY BENEFIT The Live 4 Tay 5K kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Veteran’s Memorial Park (115 Floyd Mayfield Dr, La Vergne). Register at live4tay.org and a $15 registration fee will be collected when each participant checks in for the event. Additionally, the Live 4 Tay Foundation hosts its 5th Annual Play 4 Tay Benefit Softball Tournament at SportsCom’s StarPlex, McKnight Fields and Barfield Park Sept. 6 and 7 to support many families who have children with can4 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

cer. For more information, contact karen@ live4tay.org. All proceeds benefit the Live 4 Tay Foundation.

SEPT. 6 MURFREESBORO’S WHEELS & WINGS DAY Murfreesboro is full of numerous, captivating land and air vehicles that make living here safe, clean and fun. Join Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation at the Murfreesboro Airport (1930 Memorial Blvd.) from 3:00–6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, for a unique opportunity to explore these vehicles. A special edition of Movies Under the Stars will be held at the Murfreesboro Airport tarmac at 7 p.m. For more information, contact (615) 8905333 or recreation@murfreesborotn.gov. Admission is free.

SEPT. 6 TASTE OF HOPE The annual Taste of Hope (formerly Taste of Stones River) hosted by The Avenue Murfreesboro (2615 Medical Center Pkwy, Belk parking lot) from 4–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, features a culinary festival with signature menu items from the area’s finest restaurants, live entertainment and a Kid’s Fun Zone. Event admission is free; sampling tickets are 50 cents each. All proceeds support the Primary Care and Hope Clinic. For more information, call (615) 893-9390.

SEPT. 6–7 ARKANSAS AT STONES RIVER Watch musket and cannon demonstrations and discover how soldiers from Arkansas shaped the Battle of Stones River (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

SEPT. 6 HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL Barfield Crescent Park invites you to experience hundreds of hummingbirds from 3–5 p.m. at the Wilderness Station (697 Veterans Pkwy.) as they prepare to embark on a magnificent journey. The afternoon will include guest speakers, children’s activities, hummingbird merchandise and more. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 217-3017.

SEPT. 5–7 27TH ANNUAL PIONEER POWER DAYS Participate in crafts, tractors, exhibits, demonstrations and more at Eagleville Tractor Show Grounds (747 Chapel Hill Pk.). Call (615) 708-7086 or visit eaglevilletvppa.com.

SEPT. 7 GRANDPARENTS DAY Bring your grandparents to the Sam Davis Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) for a guided tour of the 1810 house; bring a picnic lunch. One free admission per grandparent accompanied by a paid child or adult. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

SEPT. 9 SHARE THE LIGHT Share the Light is a community group designed for practitioners in the healing and wellness arts and for those interested in holistic and integrated healing modalities. It is a place for you to recognize, claim, cultivate, and share your own gifts as well as to fully receive the nourishing gifts of others. These are free events held on the second Tuesday of each month at Yoga on the Square (423 W. Lytle St.) from 7:30–9:30 p.m. RSVPs are not required, but appreciated. For more information, call (615) 904-9642.

SEPT. 10–11 COMMODITY FOOD DISTRIBUTION Commodity Food Distribution Program provides non-perishable food items to

eligible households through a partnership with the USDA and the Tennessee Emergency Food Assistance Program with Allen Chapel Church (224 S. Maney Ave.) and Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency (1406 W. College St., Ste. A) beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, and 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. Households must meet USDA income guidelines. For more information, call (615) 893-7842 or (615) 893-8938.

SEPT. 11 UNIVERSITY WOMEN DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION The American Association of University Women meets for dinner and a silent auction at Forest Oaks I Clubhouse (1002 E. Northfield Blvd.) to benefit AAUW Educational Opportunities and Legal Advocacy Funds from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. New members (anyone with a college degree, including an associate’s) may join for 50% off dues. For more information, contact (615) 410-3661 or mdye@mtsu.edu.

SEPT. 11 FOUNDATIONS & FASHIONS The City Schools Foundation invites you to its 7th Annual Foundation & Fashions from 5:30–7:45 p.m. at Stones River Country Club (1830 N.W. Broad St.) Thursday, Sept. 11. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Enjoy food, drinks, a host of fashions for men and women, an enhanced runway show, new seating options and an upbeat event for men and women. Money raised benefits Murfreesboro City Schools’ prekindergarten–6th-grade students. For more information, call (615) 893-2313.

SEPT. 12–13 OLD TIMERS FESTIVAL If you like carnival rides, free concerts, great food, hot air balloon rides and more, Old Timers Festival is for you. The city

of La Vergne invites you to its annual city festival at Veteran’s Memorial Park (115 Floyd Mayfield Dr., La Vergne). For more information, call (615) 793-3224 or visit lavergnetn.gov.

SEPT. 12–14 FALL QUARTER HORSE SHOW TQHA Fall Quarter Horse Show kicks off at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304-B West Thompson Ln.) at 8 a.m., Friday, Sept. 12. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 494-8961 or visit mtsu.edu/tmc.

SEPT. 13 PUP’S DAY AT THE BEACH Bring your pup to enjoy a dip in the outdoor pool at the Sports*Com Outdoor Pool (2310 Memorial Blvd.) from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. All dogs must be current on vaccinations. Spayed and neutered pets are preferred. Humans will not be allowed in the water; dogs only. For more information, call (615) 895-5040. Admission is $1 per dog.

SEPT. 13 NASHVILLE ZOO IN THE PARK Share the day with friends and family at Nashville Zoo in the Park from 11 a.m.– noon at Gregory Mill Park (390 Enon Springs Rd., Smyrna). For more information, call (615) 459-9773.

SEPT. 16 EVENING ON MAIN Enjoy delicious refreshments and drinks while strolling through the lovely East Main Street home of Beth and Tommy Throneberry from 5–7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. The Throneberrys moved to 930 East Main in October 2013 after living on Tennessee Boulevard for 22 years. Reservations are suggested but not required. For

more information, contact (615) 895-1887 or mstmurf@bellsouth.net. Donations will be accepted at the door. All donations to Main Street are tax-deductible.

SEPT. 17 COMMUNITY BINGO Join a lively game of Bingo at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd., Patterson Park Dining Room) from 10–11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, with small prizes and a grand prize the third Wednesday of every month. Adults and seniors welcome. For more information, call (615) 893-2141 or e-mail tpullum@ murfreesborotn.gov. Admission is $2.

SEPT. 18 GIRLS NIGHT OUT Join Murfreesboro Medical Clinic for Girls Night Out (202 Arnette St.) from 6–8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. This is a free event open to women of all ages. In addition to one-on-one time with doctors and staff, all attendees can get health, beauty and wellness tips, goodie bags from local shops, door prizes, food and music. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be catered by Five Senses. Ladies only. For more information, call (615) 8934892 or visit mmclinic.com.

SEPT. 18 HUNGER IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY Local filmmaker Zac Adams presents his new 54-minute documentary at New Vision Church (*Children’s Chapel) from 6–8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 as a part of September events for Hunger Action Month. After the movie, Moderator Thom Christy will lead a 45-minute panel discussion about unmet needs relating to hunger in Rutherford County and the efforts to address them. Admission is free; donations of

food accepted. Contact (615) 896-6288 or thomchristy@gmail.com. View the movie trailer at hungerinamericamovie.com.

SEPT. 20 WINE AROUND THE SQUARE Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation’s The Power of Pink will host a fun winetasting on the square in the fight against breast cancer on Saturday, Sept. 6. The Square will be blocked off from 6–9 p.m. The event offers more than 75 wines and features honoree Dr. Susan Andrews, live music by Casual Exchange and tasty snacks courtesy of local restaurants. For tickets and more information, visit winearoundthesquare.org.

SEPT. 19–20 REDNECK RUMBLE The original, one and only Redneck Rumble features hot rods, custom cars, rat rods, motosickles, a huge swap meet, live music, demolition derby and more at the James Ward AG Center (945 E. Baddour Pkwy., Lebanon) Sept. 19–20. Rat Rod Magazine’s Rat Hard Build Off is at the end of the Rumble with awards. For more information, call (615) 364-1828, or visit bothbarrelspromotions.com.

SEPT. 19–21 INTERNATIONAL FALL FEST Smyrna’s largest community-wide yard sale (50-plus vendors) kicks off at St. Luke Catholic Church (10682 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna) at 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and continues Saturday, Sept. 20, beginning at 7 a.m., followed by a 5K run, international food, bake sale, live music, children’s games and a silent auction. Sunday concludes with pizza and ice cream at noon and announcement of the silent auction and raffle winners. For more information, visit facebook.com/stlukefallfest or call (615) 459-9672.

SEPT. 21

SEPT. 20 SPECIAL KIDS NEW BUILDING CELEBRATION Special Kids, a Christian nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic rehabilitation and professional nursing services to children with special needs, hosts a building dedication and celebration to commemorate their new 5,600 square-foot therapy center (2208 E. Main St.) from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Admission is free and festivities will include a bounce house, petting zoo, games, crafts, music and food as well as tours of the new building and a special dedication ceremony with the children of Special Kids as the honored guests. For more information, visit specialkidstn.com/nowgrow, call (615) 893-4892 or e-mail gspencer@specialkidstn.com.

JUVENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION ONE WALK Join the movement to cure type 1 diabetes by raising funds for the JDRF One Walk at Gateway Island (1272 Garrison Dr.) from 1–3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Families, companies, community groups, churches, and clubs are welcome to come out and form a team. For more information, contact (615) 383-6781 or abarker@jdrf.org.

SEPT. 25 RENEWED LIFE MINISTRIES BANQUET Renewed Life Ministries Outreach will hold its second annual banquet at the Embassy Suites (1200 Conference Center Blvd.) on Thursday, Sept. 25, to raise awareness and financial support for their future move to Murfreesboro. For more information,

visit rlmo.org, find Renewed Life Ministries on Facebook or call (615) 642-5800.

SEPT. 25–26 28TH ANNUAL HERITAGE DAYS Celebrate the beginning of autumn with living history presentations, skilled artisans, farm animals, live music and more at the Sam Davis Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26. Enjoy over 20 demonstrations, such as how to separate cream from milk and churn it into butter. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

SEPT. 25–27 FALL CRAFTERS’ EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SALE If you are looking to clean out your craft space, have craft items you want to sell, or if you want to shop for new project materials for yourself or for the kids, visit the Lane Agri-Park Community Center (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) Thurs. through Sat. from 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information e-mail pjpettymartin@aol.com or visit facebook.com/crafters.exchange.

SEPT. 26–27 8TH ANNUAL DEPOT DAYS Be a part of live music, 100 vendors and family fun with a cruise-in car show from 6–9 p.m. and live music from the O’Donnells on Friday, Sept. 26. Enjoy a wine tasting in the historic train depot, which benefits the Meals on Wheels program. Saturday’s street fair, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., will feature live music all day. Also on hand will be the new Health and Wellness Zone sponsored by TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center. For more information, visit smyrnadepotdays.com.

SEPT. 27 RUN UNITED 5K The Avenue Murfreesboro (2615 Medical Center Pkwy.) presents the 2014 Run United 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, to benefit the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. Registration prior to Sept. 12 is $30. For more information, contact (615) 8937303 or claire.wilson@yourlocaluw.org.

SEPT. 27 PATTERSON PARK FALL CRAFTS SHOW This non-juried show is a craft show for artists and crafters to showcase their talent at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Mercury Blvd.) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. All merchandise to be sold must be hand crafted or designed by the vendor; no yard sale or flea market items. Booth fee is $25, admission to the event is free. For more information, contact (615) 893-2141 or tpullum@ murfreesborotn.gov. BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2014 * 5

IF YOU GO:

SOUNDS SEPTEMBER CONCERTS

Send your show listings to listings@boropulse.com

THURS. 9/4 BUNGANUT PIG Tim Bogle NACHO’S Ivan LaFever WORLD OUTREACH CHURCH Gordon Mote

FRI. 9/5 ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Vicki Reid Band MAYDAY BREWERY Dynamo MURFREESBORO PUBLIC SQUARE The O’Donnells TEMPT LOUDPVCK TFG WORLD HEADQUARTERS Punk vs. Metal: Hurts to Laugh, Jukebox Chemistry, Bad Ideas, Sic Semper Tyrannis, Animality, Behold the Slaughter THE BORO Lower Caves

SAT. 9/6 ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG 11th Hour JOZOARA Rik Gracia MAYDAY BREWERY Heyday and the Blood TFG WORLD HEADQUARTERS Sic Semper Tyrannis, Heart of the Bereaved, NEGRA, The Strumms, The Duhz THE BORO Hooten Hollers, The Hardin Draw

TUES. 9/9 BUNGANUT PIG The O'Donnells MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Molly Barth (flute recital)

SPORTS SEASON GRILL 2Country4Nashville

WED. 9/10 BUNGANUT PIG JD Shelburne Duo LIQUID SMOKE 5j Barrow

THURS. 9/11 BUNGANUT PIG Martin Rodriguez NACHO’S Ivan LaFever THE BORO The Genders, Suez, Mystery Twins

MON. 9/15 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Stones River Faculty Quartet

TUES. 9/16 BUNGANUT PIG CJ Vaughn Trio MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Don Aliquo (saxophone) SPORTS SEASON GRILL 2Country4Nashville

WED. 9/17 BUNGANUT PIG Bobby Tomlinson

THURS. 9/18

ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Backlit HIPPIE HILL The Corbitt Brothers, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine GREGORY MILL PARK Missy Garnett and the $2 Pistols MAYDAY BREWERY Alyssa Jacey, Sam and Luke TFG WORLD HEADQUARTERS The Commonwealth of American Natives

BUNGANUT PIG Tim Bogle MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING MTSU Wind Ensemble NACHO’S Ivan LaFever

ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Zone Status JOZOARA Justin Caleb Driggers MAYDAY BREWERY Dear Salem TFG WORLD HEADQUARTERS The Average, Subkonsious, Chasing Charlie, Four7Six, Paradise In Ruins THE BORO Behind the Wheel

View Concert Listings Online: 6 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

Bunganut Pig 1602 W. Northfield Blvd. 893-7860

WALL STREET Easy Roscoe, Oh Grandpa

FRI. 9/12

SAT. 9/13

Alfonso’s 179 Mall Cir Dr. 439-6155

FRI. 9/19 ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Liberty Valance CANNONSBURGH VILLAGE Hands of Time TEMPT Liquid Stranger MAYDAY BREWERY The Winter Sounds THE BORO LOBO WALL STREET The Acorn People, Wild Front, The Stron-

5J BARROW

WED., 9/10 @ LIQUID SMOKE 5j Barrow @ Liquid Smoke, Wednesday 9/10 The members of 5j Barrow hail from all over the country, including Murfreesboro percussionist Ian Hunt, and converged in New York City to form a group that can transition in an instant from gentle and delicate to fierce and frenzied. The band brings its fiddlin’ folk-rock sounds from the boroughs of New York to the ’Boro of Tennessee for a performance at Liquid Smoke on the Square on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Check out some tunes from 5j Barrow beforehand on Facebook or at 5jbarrow.com. gest Man in the World, BAAST, Mantra Mantra Mantra

SAT. 9/20 3 BROTHERS Sugar Lime Blue ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Fender Bender MAYDAY BREWERY Buggaboo TFG WORLD HEADQUARTERS The Donelsons

SUN. 9/21 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Druid City Ensemble; David Loucky, Arunesh Nadgir

MON. 9/22 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING MTSU Jazz Combos

TUES. 9/23

TONY CASTELLANOS FRI. AND SAT. @ ALFONSO'S

PULSE PICK

PUL PIC SE K

Local guitarist Tony Castellanos has found a weekend home at Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant, located near Stones River Mall. The musician performs there each Friday and Saturday evening, and mixes it up with a variety of Latin, jazz, blues, rock, country and more. Bring the family, come hungry and take in the sounds as you dine.

BUNGANUT PIG John Sutton SPORTS SEASON 2Country4Nashville

WED. 9/24 BUNGANUT PIG JD Shelburne Duo

THURS. 9/25 BUNGANUT PIG Charleyhorse Band MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Christine Kim, Eunbyol Ko NACHO’S Ivan LaFever

FRI. 9/26 ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Reckless MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Rescued Souls, Axe of God, The Time Raiders (Matt Lund commercial music recital) THE BORO Agents of Athens MAYDAY BREWERY The Tip WALL STREET Skub Duger

SAT. 9/27 ALFONSO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Tony Castellanos BUNGANUT PIG Casual Exchange JOZOARA James Scott MAYDAY BREWERY Mize and the Drive WALL STREET Whyte Noyse, As Yourself

Cannonsburgh 312 S Front St. (615) 890-0355 Hippie Hill 8627 Burks Hollow Rd. (615) 796-3697 JoZoara 536 N. Thompson Ln. 962-7175 Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822 Main St. Music 527 W. Main St. 439-6135 Mayday Brewery 521 Old Salem Hwy. 479-9722 MTSU Wright Music Building 1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 898-2469 Nacho's 2962 S. Rutherford Blvd. 907-2700 Readyville Mill 5418 Murfreesboro Rd. Readyville 563-MILL Sports Season Grill 1935 S Church St. 624-6230 Tempt 211 W. Main St. 225-7757 TFG Productions 117 E. Vine St. The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 895-4800 Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090 Willie’s Wet Spot 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 355-0010

MON. 9/29 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Two Plus One: Christine Isley-Farmer (soprano), Rebecca St. Goar (mezzo-soprano), Joseph Walker (piano)

TUES. 9/30 BUNGANUT PIG Joe West SPORTS SEASON GRILL 2Country4Nashville

WED. 10/1 MTSU WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Shannon Thompson, Lillian Buss Pearson (piano)

DJ, Bingo, Trivia & Karaoke NIGHTS IN MURFREESBORO

 MONDAYS BREW U Live Trivia, 7 p.m. BUNGANUT PIG Live Trivia, 7 p.m. THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7–11 p.m. ROOSTER’S BBQ Live Trivia, 7 and 8 p.m.

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.

 THURSDAYS

IGNITE Karaoke, 8 p.m.–12 a.m. 3 BROTHERS Live Trivia, 7 p.m. OLD CHICAGO Live Trivia, 9 p.m. COCONUT BAY CAFÉ Live Trivia, 7:30 p.m. THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7–11 p.m. NOBODY’S Bingo, 7 p.m.

BIG EARL'S GRUB & PUB Karaoke, 8 p.m. CAMPUS PUB Live Trivia, 8:15 p.m. COCONUT BAY CAFE Karaoke, 8 p.m.–12 a.m. LA SIESTA (CHURCH ST.) Karaoke, 6 p.m. NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m. THE POUR HOUSE Karaoke, 9 p.m. WALL STREET Live Trivia, 8 p.m.

 WEDNESDAYS

 FRIDAYS

BIG EARL'S GRUB & PUB Live Trivia, 7:30 p.m. CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m. LA SIESTA (CHURCH ST.) Karaoke, 6 p.m.

 TUESDAYS

MT BOTTLE Karaoke, 9 p.m.–3 a.m. BREW U Karaoke, 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

 SATURDAYS NOBODY’S Karaoke, 9:15 p.m.–12:30 a.m. CAMPUS PUB Karaoke, 10 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

 SUNDAYS O’POSSUMS Live Trivia, 8 p.m. LA SIESTA (CHURCH ST.) Karaoke, 6 p.m. THE POUR HOUSE DJ, 7 p.m. WALL STREET Team Bingo, 5–7 p.m. SAM’S SPORTS GRILL Live Trivia, 8 p.m. To be included in the Pulse’s listings, or for information on setting up your own Karaoke night, contact zek@tnkaraoke.com

HEAR WHAT MURFREESBORO SOUNDS LIKE 

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

MUSIC NOTES MAIN STREET’S FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE CONCERT SERIES, SEPT. 5 THE O’DONNELLS will perform at the Murfreesboro Public Square Sept. 5 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chair. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtownmurfreesboro.com.

MUSIC AT THE MILL, SEPT. 12 MISSY GARNETT AND THE $2 PISTOLS will perform at Gregory Mill Park (390 Enon Springs Rd.) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. Food vendors available. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 459-9773.

CANNONSBURGH CONCERT, SEPT. 19 THE HANDS OF TIME BAND performs at the Cannonsburgh Concert Series (312 S. Front Series) from 7–9 pm. Friday, Sept. 19. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 890-0355.

FOLK SCHOLAR STEPHEN WADE TO VISIT MTSU SEPT. 24–25 Renowned folk scholar and Grammy nominee STEPHEN WADE is bringing the music, stories and photos of the American South to MTSU in a special campus visit that will feature free concerts and chats. Wade’s visit is part of the university’s Tom T. Hall Writers Series and is co-sponsored by the College of Mass Communication’s Center for Popular Music. The largest event, “A Concert and Conversation with Stephen Wade,” is set for Thursday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. in Room S102 of MTSU’s Business and Aerospace Building. Wade plans a mini-concert at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 24, in MTSU’s James Walker Library Atrium, followed by an informal meet-and-greet session in the library’s Periodicals Lounge from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. These events are free and open to the public. Wade also plans to work with MTSU students in Professor Martha Norkunas’s Oral History and Writing Oral Histories classes and in Professor Greg Reish’s History of Popular Music course. Dr. Reish, newly appointed Director of the Center for Popular Music, has known Wade for some time and worked with him. “Stephen is an extraordinary scholar and musician, passionately devoted to the vernacular music of the United States and the people who make it,” Reish says. “His presentations are truly marvelous.” Wade’s performances blend live music, projected imagery and spoken narrative to explore the stories in his award-winning 504-page book, The Beautiful Music All Around Us: Field Recordings and the American Experience. Winner of ASCAP’s Deems Taylor Award, Beautiful Music tells the fascinating stories of iconic Library of Congress field recordings made between 1934 and 1942, from Southern Appalachia down to the Mississippi Delta. Wade spent years researching the people behind these recordings and worked closely with their descendants. To learn more about 8 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

THE O'DONNELLS

press.uillinois.edu. the book and music, visit press.uillinois.edu Wade became intrigued by traditional music and folklore as a youngster growing up in the 1950s and ’60s in Chicago, where he met musicians moving into the city from the Mississippi Delta and the Southern Appalachian Mountains. He learned guitar at age 11 and eventually switched his attentions to the banjo, ultimately traveling across the United States to research American humor and folk tales and meet with folk musicians in the field. Wade developed acclaimed theater performances, including Banjo Dancing and On the Way Home, to share his love of folk music and history. Wade also was a part of the public television documentary The Unquiet Library, a study of the Library of Congress’s music division, and has authored essays, reviews and articles published around the country. He has recorded and/or produced more than a dozen albums, including his most recent, the Grammynominated Banjo Diary: Lessons From Traditions on the Smithsonian Folkways label. Wade’s appearances are co-sponsored by the MTSU’s College of Mass Communication, Center for Popular Music, College of Liberal Arts, Department of History, School of Music and the Virginia Peck Trust. The Tom T. Hall Writers Series in the College of Mass Communication at MTSU celebrates songwriters, authors, poets and screenwriters. Previous Hall Writers Series guests have included Vince Gill, John Hiatt and Ricky Skaggs and Dan O’Shannon (team member for Modern Family and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee). The Center for Popular Music (popmusic.mtsu.edu) is a research center devoted to the scholarship and dissemination of America’s popular music. The Center maintains a large archive of research materials stretching from the early 18th century to the present, and develops and sponsors educational and public programs in vernacular music. Anyone is welcome to use the Center’s collections and services for research and scholarly pursuits. STEPHEN WADE

MTSU GUITAR INSTRUCTOR LUND BRINGS BANDMATES FOR SEPT. 26 CONCERT MATT LUND presents a Middle Tennessee State University Commercial Music Faculty Concert on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in Hinton Music Hall in the Wright Music Building on MTSU’s campus. Free admission, all ages. Mr. Lund will perform originals and covers on vocals and electric guitar with members of his bands, Rescued Souls(modern rock), Axe of God (instrumental metal) and The Time Raiders (pop/dance cover band). All in attendance will receive a free download of Axe of God’s new album. Lund received a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1999 from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and in 2008 a Master of Arts in Jazz Studies from MTSU. Since receiving his degrees, Lund has been a MATT LUND highly sought after sideman for performances and recording sessions, and is also active in The Lund McVey Group. He directs the MTSU Commercial Music Ensembles and teaches Jazz Guitar Private Instruction and Introduction to Music, and is an instructor at the Middle Tennessee Arts Academy and Gene Ford Music. For more information, visit mattlund music.com.

BIG BANG DUELING PIANO BAR OPENING IN MURFREESBORO The Big Bang dueling piano bar recently announced the planned opening of its second Tennessee location in downtown Murfreesboro. The bar, which will feature live dueling pianos Thursday through Saturday, is scheduled to open mid-September in the old Social event space at 114 N. Church St. The Big Bang opened its first Tennessee location in 2007 on Broadway in downtown Nashville. With an additional location in Columbus, Ohio, Murfreesboro makes the third location for The Big Bang. The dueling piano concept features two grand pianos on stage played by a rotating group of entertainers who combine song requests with comedy and audience participation to create a truly unique entertainment experience. Entertainers take turns on drums, bass and guitar throughout the night. Audiences can expect to hear almost every genre of music from classic rock and country to modern pop and ’80s classics. The Big Bang Murfreesboro will feature a fullservice bar and craft kitchen, and will offer party packages for special occasions. The ownership team calls it “a casual, feel-good kind of place.”

HIPPIE JACK’S TO HOST FESTIVAL SEPT. 25–28 The Council of Americana Roots Music announced they will be hosting a festival for the preservation of Americana music Sept. 25–28 in Crawford, Tenn. Attendees can stay for a day, or camp the whole weekend. Headlining performers, who are also being recorded as part of the national Jammin at Hippie

THE SWEETBACK SISTERS

DARRELL SCOTT

Jack’s PBS series, include DARRELL SCOTT, THE BUS DRIVER TOUR, THE SWEETBACK SISTERS, NEW COUNTRY REHAB and THE BARSTOOL ROMEOS. The River Stage will host performances beginning at noon, continuing late into the night. The Roots Stage will provide yoga meditation, poetry readings and a children’s story hour. Bring your RV, camper, tent, chairs, sunscreen, a hat, warm weather clothes, cool weather clothes, your instruments, and anything else you think you’ll need to enjoy a fall weekend in the country (but no pets). The festival, held in the “home of Americana music,” Overton County, is also where partnering nonprofits Souls4Soles and the Overton County Food Pantry collect non-perishable food items, shoes and clothing, and raise awareness about hunger and poverty issues in the U.S. and abroad. The Jammin at Hippie Jack’s festival atmosphere is calm, serene and friendly. During the day families listen to music, play in the river, visit the arts and crafts area, and eat delicious barbecue accompanied by an evening espresso. After the music ends, a bonfire is lit where like-minded pickers perform, listen, and learn. For directions, ticket sales and complete schedule visit jamminathippiejacks.com.

MARK TAYLOR BENEFIT CONCERT, SEPT. 27 Chais Music Hall in the Walking Horse Hotel (101 Spring St., Wartrace) hosts a benefit concert for Mark Taylor, a local music store owner who recently endured misfortune. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, with music, a silent auction and food sales. Admission will be a voluntary donation with 100% of the proceeds going to Mark and his family. For more information, contact (615) 4287366 or vsmith@dremc.com. BOROPULSE.COM

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SOUNDS

SMOOTH AND SOULFUL

Jay “Smooth” Witherspoon proves himself a local vocal standout. STORY BY CHRISTI BRADFORD IT WAS A WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN A bar filled with smoke. I was deep into my fourth beer, wondering why on earth karaoke had sounded like such a good idea. I have one song for karaoke, maybe two if I throw caution to the wind for the night. I had already sat through a solid portion of the night, alternately cringing and clapping politely. Suddenly, I was bobbing my head and couldn’t figure out why. Did they turn on the jukebox? I leaned back in my chair—way back. Fell over. Got back up. And saw him: tall and broad and absolutely killing it with Marvin Gaye’s seminal “Let’s Get It On.” I reached over the bar to flag down the busy bartender, shouting to be heard. I pointed, obviously and rudely. “Who is that?” “Oh, him? His name is Jay Smooth.” I was smitten. Smooth is right. Smooth and soulful and so damn good. I made him my friend immediately, because I collect talented people in the hopes that it will rub off on me somehow. Though it hasn’t worked yet, listening to Jay Smooth sing nevertheless lightens my mood. The man can sing anything. From country to alternative to everything in between, and he can sing it all very, very well. After learning about the album he’s currently working on, I sat down with him and his producer Jerry Michael of Michael Entertainment to have a little chat. Jerry met Jay about four years ago at a wedding, where he sang the first song of the night. “The place was packed and somebody came out and said, ‘Man, you need to come out and hear this guy.’ I said, ‘OK, I’ll be right out.’ So I went out there and I heard him and

I thought yeah . . . this guy can sing.” Granted, Jay has been singing since the second grade. He grew up listening to country in his father’s barn, influenced by the likes of Ronnie Milsap and George Jones. From there, he says, “It just grew.” From the fifth grade through his high school years, his background lies in jazz. But always there is soul. It permeates every note. It runs through the core of his being. You can hear it in his voice; see it in the way he works a crowd: country-soul. About fifteen years ago he started working the circuit, singing at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, then at Conrad’s inside the Holiday Inn, where he gained popularity as Jay Witherspoon. Until, that is, singing for Dugger at Puffing Billy’s. “I used to sign my slips Jay Spoon [because my name is Jay Witherspoon] and he said. ‘No, you can’t be Jay Spoon. Your name is gonna be Jay Smooth.’ He called me that one night and it just . . . stuck.” Jerry has more to say on the subject of Jay’s singing. “I’ve worked with some great singers and that is what he is—he’s a great singer.” It’s easy to agree with him. Yes, he can reproduce the sounds you know and love. (In fact, he’s been taking requests for years.) But it’s more than that. You always know when Jay is singing. It’s not just the cacophony of applause or the excited shouting that erupts when his name is called. It’s the cadence and style, the sweet, dulcet tones and the easy movement between emotion and fun, unimpeded by genre or decade. His versatility and enthusiasm, coupled with kindness and humility, is unmatched in Tennessee, much less in Murfreesboro. When I learned he was releasing an album—very soon, in fact—I insisted on sitting down with him for the express purpose of sharing him with as many people as possible. For those of you who know Jay Smooth: you know what I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t: you can find him at any number of nightly bars in and around Murfreesboro until the release of his album and his inevitable skyrocket to fame and fortune. BOROPULSE.COM

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SOUNDS

All My Musical Friends Local documentary to tell story of Murfreesboro music. T

he evolution of Murfreesboro’s musical and subcultural landscape over the past 30 years is a story of significance untold through film until now through. In early April, three local videographers began working on a film to document the ’Boro’s music and arts scene, harkening as far back as the ’90s and the heyday of Spongebath Records. “It started off as wanting to just create some kind of small trailer for Boro Fondo,” said Mallory Burns, who is directing the film entitled All My Friends with the help of Cameron Chiles and film editor Chris Ott. “I wanted to experiment shooting house shows, and the idea of shooting mass amounts of cyclists [during Boro Fondo] would make really incredible footage. I was talking about it through Chris [Ott], and he took the idea and helped make it something a lot bigger.”

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An Ohio native who now calls Murfreesboro home, Burns said the college town has “a surprising amount of history” including notable independent label Spongebath Records and bands such as The Features, who’ve gained national recognition. “Murfreesboro is often overlooked since it rests under Nashville, but the community and sounds that come out of it are incredibly unique. The documentary will overall be exploring the past 30 years of house shows, bands, controversies and the growth of the music scene,” Burns said. As a director, Burns said she is also inspired by Murfreesboro as an open-minded community in the middle of the Bible Belt, challenging traditionalist values. In addition to artists who are a part of Murfreesboro’s musical equation now, such

STORY BY JESSICA PACE

as Josephine and the Wildfront and Tomato Face, All My Friends will also feature groups who have made the leap to Nashville, like Meth Dad, and reach further back to ’Boro bands of yore, such as Self, led by Matt Mahaffey. The director said she wants to achieve “raw truth” through this documentary. “There’s a lot of good to this city, but I don’t want to sugarcoat anything,” she said. “I don’t want this to be some kind of billboard for the greatest city on Earth. I want the feuds and the drama and the messy parts. I want [the documentary] to be stripped down. I want people to be able to connect to this film, and I find that’s difficult to do if we put Murfreesboro on a pedestal.” The filmmakers are campaigning for $2,600 through Indiegogo to fund extra equipment, with a variety of favors offered in return for donations. There will also be a benefit show Sept. 19 at

Wall Street to help raise money for the documentary. The projected completion date is the end of the year, contingent upon funding. When the project is finished, locals can expect a screening before the film enters the festival circuit and distribution process. “Overall, I want this film to reach the artistic minds who feel trapped in a small town,” Burns said. “I want them to realize that you don’t need a big city or a large, free-thinking community to get the most out of where you live. You can start a change if you want it badly enough. You can openly express yourself even if you feel challenged by a lot of elements. “The point of this film is that if a small college town in the Bible Belt can house one of the strangest art collectives I’ve ever experienced, anyone can.”

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LIVING Hypnotist M.C. RADFORD wants you to...

UNLOCK THE FULL POTENTIAL OF YOUR MIND

STORY BY BRACKEN MAYO

Radford’s book, Hypnosis, Cybernetics, Metaphysics, Parapsychology and Everything in Between is available at amazon.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT WALKER

n a modest apartment behind his daughter’s house in downtown Woodbury, M.C. Radford chats with a visitor about his life’s work: his career as a hypnotist has spanned over six decades. “Heaven is within; people just need to let their consciousness get out of the way,” Radford said. “A genius is someone who lets go of the ego, and lets ‘the big mind’ do the work.” A few old office chairs, stacks of cassette tapes containing self-help courses and peaceful music, a desk and a woodburning stove accent the minimalist surroundings. But a simple conversation in a simple setting is sometimes all that is needed to drastically alter the course of someone’s life. “The first 19 years (of my career) I just used hypnosis to entertain people,” Radford said of his time as the type of performer frequently found at circuses, retreats and county fairs. And while those types of shows can bring laughter and amazement, Radford said he found he wanted more, that he had

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the desire to help people, physically, mentally and spiritually. Hypnosis is effective for weight loss, phobias, quitting smoking or alcohol, increasing confidence in one’s business life or love life, and finding inner peace and calmness, Radford said, emphasizing that he does not want to control anyone’s mind. The subject in a hypnosis session does not “lose control” or enter into a trance, they are more self-aware than ever, he said. “No one will do anything under hypnosis that he would not ordinarily be willing to do,” Radford wrote in his 2006 book Hypnosis, Cybernetics, Metaphysics, Parapsychology and Everything in Between. “Suggestions must be accepted.” He said he wants to be the guide, like a boxing coach, offering suggestions from a perspective outside the ring, and to allow the individual seeking help to discover the answers they seek on their own. Relaxation and tuning out noise and distraction is crucial in effectively analyzing one’s life situation, he said.

Many carry tension in their foreheads, neck, back and shoulders. “Let go of this tension and free your body and mind up for more creative work,” writes Radford in his book. He said he believes humanity is on the cusp of a great spiritual awakening. “People are so bogged down in the physical world, they don’t see the spiritual. There’s so many people just waiting for someone to teach them,” Radford said. “We have advanced tremendously over the last century technologically. These next 100 years we are going to advance spiritually.” Furthermore, the medical industry doesn’t operate with the goal of making patients healthy and at peace, Radford claims, but rather to bill insurance for as much as possible, and to sell medication. “A good doctor can’t do what he knows how to do; he has to push that dope,” Radford said. However, according to the veteran hypnotist, many diseases and ailments will vanish if the individual will put aside negative,

disease-filled thoughts, replace them with healthy, happy visualizations and allow the body to heal itself, as it is designed to do. “A busy mind can’t be depressed; people who are depressed don’t have a goal,” Radford continues. “I’m 85 years old. The only thing that makes life worth living is learning something new each day.” He recommends work by Napoleon Hill, Hulda Clark and Charles Haanel, and studies the life and teaching of Jesus. “Jesus was a master hypnotist,” Radford said. “Jesus just taught plain ol’ common sense.” He understands that many in conservativeChristian Tennessee frown on hypnosis (saying that perception is largely based on misinformation and myth anyway), but Radford likewise frowns on many of the religious leaders in the area, saying many of them are “selling fire insurance” more so than legitimately promoting the teachings of Jesus. Many in the hypnosis community point out that in many cases when Jesus helped heal a person, he insisted that with faith, one could be healed before the healing took place. The

Hear clips from the interview at wgnsradio.com

power of positive thinking. Mark 10:52 does not say that God heals, a miracle heals, Jesus heals or magic heals, but rather “your faith has healed you.” Hypnosis can go by many names—prayer, meditation, positive thinking, focus—but all have similar meanings and results, said Radford, citing Thomas Edison as an example of a genius who used the power of the unconscious mind to uncover solutions. When faced with a challenge, Edison would rest for a few minutes for what he called a catnap; he would relax and let his subconscious figure out an answer, a process Radford calls self-hypnosis. Nearly everyone is already familiar with a form of hypnosis, Radford said, calling daydreaming a “light stage” of hypnosis. “Meditate for 10 minutes on what you want in life,” he tells a man eager to improve himself. Visualize it, focus on it, and it will come. For more information on hypnosis, or to set up an appointment with Radford, call (615) 351-2939.

Radford-isms “Don’t use ‘don’t’; focus on what you are going to do, not what you are not going to do.” “Stop blaming everything and everybody for your situation. Realize your thoughts have brought you to this very instant.” “Our thoughts become our future . . . think happy, healthy thoughts.” “To live right, you must think right.” “Expand the self-image and you expand the area of the possible.” “One of the greatest therapies is laughter. Every time you have a hearty laugh, the healing power shoots through every cell in your body . . . attitude is everything.” “An ounce of ink can color a gallon of water. A negative thought can color your whole day.” BOROPULSE.COM

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LIVING

FARMERS’ MARKET EDUCATION SERIES by EDWINA SHANNON

September Gardening SEPTEMBER IS UPON US and there is still time to get some quick-growing fall vegetables planted. • Beets and broccoli will mature to harvest in four weeks. • Lettuce, both looseleaf and head, can be planted. • English and snap peas can go in the ground and be ready for harvesting by October. • Spinach only takes three weeks to be ready for harvesting. • Turnip greens can go in right up until the end of the month. • If you want garlic next spring, you do need to get it in by October. Many summer crops, like tomatoes and peppers, are continuing to produce. Fresh produce can continue to come from your vegetable garden through October. The Rutherford County Farmer’s Market

Beets, broccoli, spinach quick to mature this season.

takes place every Tuesday and Friday, from 7 a.m. to noon through October. Free, educational classes are offered at 9 a.m. each market day and last approximately one hour. The Market is located at Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd. If you are interested in learning more about gardening or interests related to gardening, drop into one of the free classes at the Farmer’s Market. The Master Gardener’s Association also meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The potluck is followed by a presentation. The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning about gardening.

Farmer’s Market Classes

Sept. 9—Rainscaping Katie Peay, RC Stormwater, Learn to create a rain garden to reduce ﬂooding using native plants and conservation methods.

Sept. 26—Fall Tasks for the Garden Reggie Reeves, CMG What to do now to prepare your garden for spring. Focus on organic methods.  Sept. 30—Seasonal Eating Misty Layne-Watkins, RC Extension Agent Taste new dishes made with the seasons freshest, locally grown produce. Free recipes.

 Sept. 12—Backyard Poultry Michael Shirley, RC Extension Agent Requirements for meat-producing chickens on a small scale. Sept. 16—Vermicomposting Mark Murphy, CMG Make friends with worms! Let them eat your leftovers and create “black gold” to add to your gardens! Sept. 19—Disaster Preparation Misty Layne-Watkins, RC Extension Agent; Learn to keep your food and water supplies safe during disasters of all sorts. Sept. 23—Winterize Your Garden Tools and Equipment Ken Roberge, CMG; Garden tools can be expensive to replace. Learn to keep yours in top performance condition. 16 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

 Oct. 3— Fermented Vegetables Tony Johnston, MTSU Learn the ins and outs of preserving vegetables using the ancient method of brine pickling! For more information about the Rutherford County Farmer’s Market and upcoming gardening upcoming classes visit extension. tennessee.edu/rutherford.

IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, on the outskirts of a city known as Murfreesboro, rests a quiet little park which stretches out from the edge of Old Nashville Highway. From the highway, one can see a vast field of tall, yellow grass rippling in the autumn breeze. Surrounding the field is a roughshod fence made of old wooden planks arranged on top of one another in a zigzag formation. This fence weaves along by itself for a while until it meets a giant stone gateway. The gateway is composed of two towering pillars capped by huge, black pyramids made of cannonballs—easily the most imposing objects in this otherwise unimposing scene. Welcome to Stones River Battlefield. The pillars guard the parking lot of the welcome center, which in appearance is somewhere between a cabin and a castle. It is a relatively small one-story building with gray stone walls against a Lincoln-green roof which bleeds into the deep blue sky. Out in front rests an iron cannon set up to greet the tourists. Through the doors, the lobby is equipped with the bare essentials: a welcome desk, a gift shop and a small museum. Everyone here speaks in whispers. The sound of a few kids playing with their action figures might as well be a choir of angry lions, and their parents quickly put a stop to it. Even the rangers giving tours to those visiting the center speak in hushed tones, but they can be heard nonetheless. The silence isn’t exactly a solemn one. It is just there, as if the place itself banishes any idea of raising one’s voice. “The Civil War is—I would argue—the most important single event in American history,” says Jim Lewis, a park ranger whom staffers refer to as The Historian. “More so, even, than the American Revolution . . . because it really made us into a country. We really hardly were one prior to the Civil War. We had the states-versusthe-federal-government issue, we still had the issue of slavery hanging over our heads—so there was, you know, [the question] how does that jive with the Declaration of Independence? I mean, before the Civil War, most people didn’t even associate themselves with the country. If you said, ‘Where are you from?’ they might not even say their state, they might say their county. Because, you know, most people grew up, lived, and died inside that little spot.” Entering the museum, one is immediately struck by how well constructed everything is. The colors, the lighting, the illustrations, they’re all perfect. In one corner, you can see a life-sized Confederate mannequin propped up on one knee as he writes to his family by candlelight. Not content to simply give visitors facts and anecdotes about the titular battle, the exhibit is arranged to pull you into an ongoing story which begins the moment you enter through the doorway. On Dec. 31, 1862, eighty-one-thousand soldiers meet on the fields around Stones River. On one side, Braxton Bragg commands the Confederate army. These are early days, so many of them are dressed in civilian clothing— wide-brimmed hats, gray jackets, brown boots. On the other side, William S. Rosecrans com-

A Place of Peace: Stones River Battlefield STORY BY GREGORY BRONSON - PHOTO BY ROBBY MILLER mands the Union army, all of which are clad in the standard pale-blue duster worn for the cold winter months. These two groups are meeting over the matter of a valuable supply line: the railroad located here has been providing the Confederates with weapons, ammunition, medical supplies and food, among other things. Rosecrans and his commanders intend to take it and cut off the umbilical cord to the South. After a long, cold night in camp, the Union soldiers awaken to make themselves some breakfast before the inevitable battle. However, their coffee cups spill out over the ground as the Confederates launch the first salvo at the federal camp. The Union soldiers scramble into position and dig in for a long, hard fight. “Early in the battle,” Lewis explains, “The Confederates smash the Union right wing, and all that actually happens outside the boundaries of the park—down near where Interstate 24 intersects 96. So the Confederates are wheeling ’round the end of the Union line, kind of driving them. . . . Kind of ‘jackknifing’ them.” The right flank gathers its artillery and finds cover in a wooded area supplied with a cluster of natural limestone trenches. The soldiers settle down into the crags and take cover. Here they intend to pick off the advancing Confederate hoard one by one from relative safety. “The divisions of Generals James Negley and Philip Sheridan holed up for about two hours, entangled with nearly half the Confederate army, slowing them down long enough to allow this new line back along the Nashville Pike to form and later stop the Confederates on the afternoon,” continues Lewis, calling it “a very bloody affair.” Once the Confederates break the Union lines, sniping from afar is no longer an option. The Southerners sound the piercing “rebel yell,” their famous battle cry. Negley’s men begin to

retreat, but it is icy and wet. Those trenches which had protected them become a death trap as they try to scramble over the slippery limestone to safety. All the Confederates need to do is stand above the trenches and fire down at the now immobile Yankees floundering among

the ice and the rocks. The Union soldiers come to call this place “the slaughter pen.” Time has long since washed away the blood which trickled down the sides of the limestone walls. The last echo of the cannons died out over a century ago. But that clump of trees is still here, and the gray crags in which the Union soldiers took cover are still etched into the terrain, with green moss crawling up the sides. A cool breeze can be heard dancing through the tall trees overhead, but all else is silence. A little window at the exhibit reveals a diorama of miniature Union soldiers being shot down out in the open on a plowed field. One stands tall, sword drawn, calling out orders to the rest who are either shooting or getting shot; one man lies dying. A white button beneath the window invites a deep voice to explain the horrors being depicted. The sound of the guns crash out of the speakers as the voice tells us the name of this place: “Hell’s Half-Acre.” When asked, Lewis is ready with an account of this stage of the battle. “There’s fighting going on there from ten o’clock in the morning until nightfall, on Dec. 31. That position is held by Union Colonel William B. Hazen’s brigade, and they are the only Union soldiers that do not take a step backwards. They are the anchor of the new line here along the pike that will stop the Confederates. They will fight off four successive Confederate attacks, and never give an inch of ground.” Both sides are pounded constantly by bar CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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LIVING

Print: The Next Generation NovaCopy now printing in 3D. story and photos by BRACKEN MAYO

s communication and information are increasingly moving to a digital format, and certain marketing experts are chanting “print is dead,” one business machine company is poised to capitalize on what could be the next big explosion in print, manufacturing and even the lives of ordinary consumers: 3D printing. NovaCopy has rapidly grown its office copier sales, support and service business from the ground up; the company was founded in 1998, and has since grown by leaps and bounds into a multimillion dollar operation serving more than 15,000 business clients (grossing nearly $50 million in 2013, and once again making the inc.com Fastest Growing Companies in Tennessee list). Ever forward-looking, 3D printing is now here for NovaCopy, according to 3D Solutions Specialist Charlie Metz as he shows off just a few of the various items a 3D printer can produce. These creations can range from a prototype of an athletic shoe and a model of a human fetus in the womb to a building an architect is designing or a prosthetic foot for a duck. “We are seeing design engineers come up with some pretty cool items,” Metz said.

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“Doctors can create models of patients. We’ve printed out a heart model. “But the real application today is all about prototyping,” he said. If a manufacturer has an idea for a new product, he can let NovaCopy print it “before you spend a million dollars retooling your factory,” Metz said. “This is how 3D printing can help manufacturers bring their products to market faster.” Converse is one such manufacturer that has utilized 3D printing technology in its prototyping process. In the past, when conceptualizing and designing a new shoe, the company would send design plans from its designers in the U.S. to its manufacturing facility in Asia. The design

process, involving retooling and overseas travel, would take months. “It was ridiculous,” said Converse Manager for Digital Product Creation Bryan Cioffi. Today, 3D printing allows the company to print five shoe prototypes in 10 hours, and has saved it hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel and tooling costs, he said. These shoes aren’t for putting on your feet and wearing, they are prototypes made of plastic, but 3D printers can also “create some end-use products,” Metz said. One user printed out some decorative shower curtain rings. “You can put your head on an action figure,” Metz said from the company’s Nashville office. Often, a type of durable plastic similar to

the material Lego uses for its famous building blocks is the medium used by 3D printers. But they can create using a variety of plastics, metals, porcelain, even food. “Our manufacturer has one called the Chef Jet,” Metz said. These machines can take food, such as chocolate, and print it out in a particular 3D shape. “Our manufacturer, 3D Systems, has a partnership with Hershey,” Metz said. NovaCopy received international attention in 2013 when it successfully printed a prototype of a duck foot for a disabled duck named Buttercup. This experiment in engineering and medical technology shows that 3D printing is for far more than printing toys and models; it can make a huge quality of life difference in animals, and by extension, people. Medical, automotive, aerospace and bioengineering operations are now using these machines, which extract and apply its plastic line by line, similar to the way a desktop printer applies ink to a page line by line, pixel by pixel. But the Cube, made by 3D Systems, and other 3D machines build in three dimensions, from the bottom up, one level at a time. As with any product “you get what you pay for,” Metz said. For $1,299, any individual or business can have a personal Cube printer of their own, which prints at a resolution of 200–300 microns (.2–.3 millimeters). The higher-dollar machines are more precise than the Cube, and can use more colors and materials. Some, which sell for over $100,000,

3D printout of an ultrasound

print at a microscopically-detailed resolution of 16 microns (.016 millimeters), Metz said. If a business is not ready to purchase a 3D machine of their own, NovaCopy offers in-house prototyping services.

“We’ll look at your file for free,” Metz said. A designer can send over an .stl file (the CAD crew should know the term), and can pick up the object they desire within days or even hours. “How far away are we from going into a store and getting a custom-printed shoe insole?” Metz said. “The limitations aren’t necessarily cost, but speed,” he continued, noting even simple jobs on sophisticated machines can now take hours to print. But if the technology can continue to develop, soon consumers may be able to print out a gear for an automobile transmission or a lens cap for a camera from the local 3D printing center, or even from the comfort of their own home. If you are interested in learning more about 3D printing, view some of the machines and 3D items at NovaCopy’s downtown Nashville showroom, 15 Lindsley Ave., call Metz at (615) 775-8342 or visit novacopy.com. Additionally, NovaCopy will soon host 3D printing workshops, covering the basics of 3D printing and items that can be printed. Attendees of this entry-level workshop will experience the 3D printing process through hands-on experience and will learn the intricacies of 3D printing software. For more information on the class, e-mail novacopyusa@novacopy.com.

FOOD

Red Curry Chicken

Beef Pad Kee Mao

THE DISH

Summer Roll Appetizer

Tried Thai? story and photos by CHRISTY SIMMONS

Thai Spice serves fresh Asian flavor.

am not a big fan of all Asian food. I have yet to find any Chinese takeout that I like; it’s usually greasy, either laden with salt or tasteless, and for heaven’s sake, why are there peas and carrots in the fried rice? Not to mention the red-colored meat. I’ve been told that it is pork, but I have never understood why there has to be red food coloring. I do love Japanese food, especially sushi. Also, in an effort to give the readers full disclosure, I am a sucker for the pink seafood sauce. I put it on everything: fried rice, veggies, meats, my fingers; that sauce is the best thing about Japanese food for me. But, Thai food, that is my weakness. Give me a big bowl of spicy pho with beef or a plate of chicken pad see ew and I am in gastronomical heaven. When I have a cold, I much prefer a creamy bowl of tom ka gai over plain old chicken noodle any day of the week. So, I thought that I had sampled all of the Thai food that Murfreesboro had to offer and settled on the best one to frequent and get my bubble tea fix. I was so very wrong, and now I have a new spot to dine: Thai Spice. I actually wasn’t looking forward to the visit

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to Thai Spice, I have to be honest with you. As stated previously, I already had my favorite Thai restaurant in Murfreesboro. I don’t like fixing things that aren’t broken. Plus, I really hate going anywhere near the campus of MTSU, especially when classes are in session. It just so happened that the day I visited Thai Spice, the fall semester had started the day before and, since the restaurant was unfortunately located in the same strip mall as Textbook Brokers, the parking lot situation was particularly hellish. As I stole a parking spot from a young blonde coed, I found myself channeling Kathy Bates in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes and barely restrained myself from shouting “Tawanda!!” as I grinned at the furious, young girl. I’m pretty sure she keyed the back of my car. Thankfully, the restaurant was experiencing a lull before dinner and it was blissfully quiet. I was greeted by Noy, the owner of the establishment, and shown to my seat. Because I wasn’t in the mood for anything in particular, I asked him to prepare some of his most popular dishes. He smiled and asked me what spice level I preferred, to which I responded “medium” and

Shrimp Pad Thai

he went to the kitchen to prepare my food. As I sipped on my Thai tea (which was excellent), I took note of my surroundings. The restaurant isn’t very big and is decorated with the usual décor that you would expect to find. The tables are mismatched and the chairs are broken in— but it was clean, and that is the important part. Well, cleanliness and the quality of the food, which in no way disappointed. The first dish that was brought to my table was the Summer Roll Appetizer ($4.95). Crunchy carrots, sprouts and other veggies were paired with rice noodles, ground pork and steamed shrimp, wrapped up in sticky rice paper and served with a tangy plum dipping sauce. They were similar to summer rolls that I had tried at other establishments, but they were delicious and I could tell they were made right before they were served. The first entrée I tried was the Shrimp Pad Thai ($9.99). It is the most-requested Thai dish, and for good reason—it’s very tasty when made correctly. I have been to Thai restaurants where the pad thai was so sweet that I felt like I was going to get diabetes before I finished my plate. Not so at Thai Spice; the dish had just the right amount of sweetness with plenty of cabbage, egg, sprouts and juicy shrimp to balance out the noodles. (Quick tip: that wedge of lime that is served on the side of the plate is not a garnish—squeeze it over your noodles as the

NAME: Thai Spice LOCATION: 225 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10:30 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. PHONE: (615) 895-9757 COST: Green Curry (chicken, beef or pork): $8.95; Pad Thai: $8.99; Suki-Yaki: $10.50 ONLINE: bestthaispice.com

finishing touch. Trust me on this.) The next entrée I sampled was the Red Curry Chicken with Sticky Rice ($8.95): tender chicken, eggplant, potatoes, bamboo shoots and peppers simmered in a coconut milk broth laced with red curry paste. There is not a single thing to not like about this dish. It was spicy, full of flavor and very satisfying. My favorite thing to do is to take a small ball of the sticky rice and dip it in the curry sauce. If you have never had sticky rice with your curry, ask for it next time. Most places don’t list it on their menu, but all of them have it. The final dish that I was given was Beef Pad Kee Mao ($8.50). This was my favorite dish, hands down. It was unbelievably delicious. The dish consisted of sliced beef, sautéed with broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, basil, chilis and served with wide, flat rice noodles. The beef was very tender and not chewy, the veggies had a toothsome crunch and the Thai basil added a fresh, herbaceous note to the dish that kept it from being too heavy. The spice level was a little higher on this dish than I normally eat, but it was so good, I just kept eating even though my mouth was on fire. This is the dish that I will return for. I’m already craving it. To wrap things up simply, if you love Thai food and haven’t tried Thai Spice, you should do so. If you have never had Thai food but have always wanted to try it, this is where you need to go. Who would have thought that Murfreesboro would have had more than one truly excellent Thai restaurant? I’m more than a little jealous of the college students who get to frequent this place, and I plan to return to visit Noy and his excellent food very soon.

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ART

Liz Kelly Zook launches imunparalleled.com this month, a project dedicated to promoting fashion and empowering the individual.

STORY BY MAI HARRIS PHOTOS BY LUCENT VINGETTE

STATEMENT PIECE Be Unparalleled with Liz Kelly Zook.

MURFREESBORO ARTIST and designer Liz Kelly Zook premieres her new line of apparel, “Unparalelled,” this month. Zook says the collection was inspired by how she felt trying on a skirt she had made. “I made this skirt on an impulse without a pattern or any idea of what I was doing (which is not important). What is important,” said Zook, “is the feeling that I got when I put the skirt on. I can’t quite describe it. I imagine it to be something similar to what a woman feels like when she tries on her wedding dress, except with the knowledge that I could wear it whenever I wanted to. I was blown away. “The more I enjoyed it,” she said, “the more I wondered if everyone had something that made them feel as good as I felt in this skirt.” And so Unparalelled was born. When Zook was 6 years old, her grandmother, whose mother was a seamstress with her own shop in downtown Kansas City in the 22 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

’20s, sat her down at a sewing machine. “With a very patient, guiding hand, my grandmother taught me how to slowly press the pedal with my foot and ease the fabric under the needle. I’ve been sewing in some capacity ever since. I was amazed by the entire process; from the first cut of fabric to the finished product. Even in college, I was a theater major, but my favorite part of the day was being in the costume shop, where I had a working scholarship.” At age 13, Zook began designing her own clothes. “I wasn’t very good then, and, being from a small town in Missouri, I had no access to fashion designers or anything related. I made my own croquis. They were horrible. Eventually I got the hang of it, using templates that I made myself. For more than 10 years I’ve had a multitude of people telling me that I should be a fashion designer.”

“I don’t want to put out a new product that I’m not 100% on just because a million other designers are scrambling to make 20 new pieces every time the weather changes. However, the move to be a fashion designer never felt quite right for her; until now. One of the most unique features of Zook’s line is that she designed all of the fabric herself. She explains that the most important thing for her was offering items through Unparalleled that can’t be found anywhere else, so all of the fabric is custom designed for this line and not available anywhere else in the world! Zook decided for this to strictly be an online premier because it was more important for her to focus on making a good product than worrying about a glamorous showing at a

live event. She feels the same way about the seasons of fashion. “I don’t want to put out a new product that I’m not 100% on just because a million other designers are scrambling to make 20 new pieces every time the weather changes. I’d like everything that I put out to be something really wonderful, something unparalleled.” Eventually she would like to have some limited-edition pieces in major city boutiques, but hasn’t given much thought beyond that to the future of her collection. She explained she would be happy just making other women as happy as she was when she first tried on the skirt that inspired this collection. Don’t forget to visit imunparalleled.com for its Sept. 12 debut on to see this exciting new collection, which will also be available to purchase through the site. Until then you can visit the site early and find sneak peeks and inspiring quotes.

Mention This ad for a 10% Discount

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ART ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:

Last month, the Pulse decided to speak with a few of our very talented local tattoo artists and get some insights into their profession. Look for more coverage of local tattoo artists, and featured tattoos at BoroPulse.com/Art

Tattooed by Jake Omen BY MAI HARRIS

JAKE OMEN is a tattoo artist at

Icon Tattoo & Piercing. Check out Jake’s website at jakeomen.com.

Where are you from? OMEN: “I’m originally from Louisville. I had an apprenticeship there when I was 18 but left in 2005 to tour the country playing drums in a band called Look What I Did. That’s how I ended up in Nashville,” Omen said. “In 2010 I met Ben Ritchie and apprenticed under him and began tattooing in 2012. Fun fact: "I worked at Hooters on 2nd [Avenue in Nashville] for six years while on break from touring and during my apprenticeship.” What made you decide to become a

tattoo artist? Tattooing is something I’ve known I wanted to do since the 6th grade. I don’t really remember why or how that started. It just always was. I remember doing henna Soulfly tattoos on my buddies. We were dorks. View more of Omen’s work at JakeOmen.com

What was your experience learning the art and process of tattooing like? It was a lot of work. I apprenticed under Ben Ritchie at Icon, where I currently work. This consisted of working the counter, drawing, cleaning all of his equipment every day, construction on an addition to the shop (drywall, floors, paint, etc.), drawing, yard work as well as construction on Ben’s home, drawing, and any other grunt work that was needed all for little to no pay.

OPENING SPECIAL! HALF-PRICE ADMISSION—SATURDAY, SEPT. 13

What do you do, if anything, to make your clients feel more at ease? I do feel that making people comfortable is a huge part of the job. It’s customer service, though, that comes with any job. You wouldn’t want to go to a restaurant where the waiter made you feel stupid ’cause you didn’t understand the menu. It’s my job to explain how things work and help their idea along to make their tattoo more than they expected. Not saying that’s easy. I can easily see why some artists get jaded after years of dealing with the general public. I just try to remain calm. Who are some artists you admire? Dan Marshall, who did my first [tattoo] in New York: By day he paints beautiful watercolor landscapes, by night he does crazy dead-people tattoos. Do tattoos have popular trends in the same way fashion does? In other words, is there a certain kind of tattoo that is particularly popular now that maybe wasn’t several years ago?

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Yes, yes, yes. Trendy tattoos are a neverending cycle. And Pinterest is the root of all evil here. A tip: if you saw it on Pinterest, I’ve tattooed it 200-plus times, multiplied by every tattoo artist in the country. Trendy tattoos are like when you look at pictures of your parents from the ’80s at the stupid big hair that was so cool then. Now imagine if they had that same hairstyle for the rest of their life! I could go on for days on this subject. . . .

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 SEPTEMBER ART EVENTS

MURFREESBORO CREATIVE GROUP MEET-UPS

people’s history, traditions and contemporary life. Comprised of 15 years of photographic work by McPhee and more than 300 images, the exhibit promotes a positive new understanding of a modern China that is a rising economic and cultural world power. The exhibit opens with a lecture at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10. A reception for the MTSU Arts Patron Society will follow from 6–8 pm Thursday, Sept. 11.

ROBOTS!

ART EDUCATION AND THE HUMAN FIGURE

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 17, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. Two-Tone Gallery, 113 W. Lytle St. Artists of all genres meet up at Two-Tone Art Gallery bi-monthly to create. Each person brings his or her own project, and meets up with other artists to connect, learn from and support each other.

Through Oct. 9 at Mayday Brewery, 521 Old Salem Rd. Robots will be invading Mayday Brewery! View them all through Oct 9. Support your local art community and purchase a unique piece of art. An opening reception will be held from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4.

Through Sept. 11, Art Education and the Human Figure is an exhibition of works by MTSU art education majors that explore portraiture and the human form. Curated by senior art major Kelsey Rogers, the work is housed in TAG 210, the Student Art Gal-

2014 MTSU ALUMNI EXHIBIT

SCOTT WALKER’S PORTRAITS ON DISPLAY AT CITY HALL

Scott Walker is the president of WGNS Talk Radio in Murfreesboro, but in his spare time he explores a side of life that is invisible to the mainstream of our population. He seeks out the homeless, the poorest among us. Walker’s street photography are stories that you have to study. He photographs life, captures addiction, homelessness, pain, happiness and sorrow. As a photographer he is often asked why is drawn to these people. “I’m curious . . . I like to ask a lot of questions after I take pictures to ﬁnd out what makes a person tick, what landed them where they are today,” he said. Walker also said that he likes to help others and wants to encourage others to do so. He suggested, “Taking photos of the life that some lead can open the eyes of many who fail to slow down and take in what or who they walk past every day.” Usually he takes a friend with him as they seek out the subjects of his pictures. As they make that ﬁrst connection, often offering food, they are aware that they are walking into private places, homes to the homeless. They offer respect and give people a voice. He knocks on doors of some of the poorest homes, motels and trailers. Recently a visit to a homeless camp led to a conversation with a camper who described how he enjoyed smoking crack, but only if it was free crack. In March of 2014, Walker and Justin Holder loaded up a truck of canned food items and headed for one of the poorest areas in our nation in Kentucky to learn about the struggles that the residents in the small community face. “One of the residents we met actually

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lived in a bus, his son in another bus and his wife in a nearby camper. They invited us inside and shared a few stories,” Walker said. Photos from this trip are part of an exhibit currently at Murfreesboro City Hall. On a couple of occasions, Walker searched out the dirtiest motels he could ﬁnd and randomly knocked on doors. As the door opened, he asked to photograph everything and everyone in the room just as they were. Amazingly, every door he knocked on agreed to the project. You can see the photos that very few photographers have ever been allowed to capture at the City Hall exhibit. The exhibit of Scott Walker’s photographs and the people he befriended will be in the Rotunda at the Murfreesboro City Hall through Sept. 25 and is open to the public Monday–Friday. The hours are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Walker’s photos can also be seen at smalltownbigworld.com.

Through Friday, Sept. 5 Todd Art Gallery, MTSU campus The MTSU Department of Art presents the 2014 MTSU Art Alumni Exhibit. Curated by art alum Hans Schmitt-Matzen (who currently serves as the Frist Center for the Visual Arts’ exhibition designer), 42 works were selected from over 100 submitted for consideration. The exhibit includes ceramics, painting, printmaking, sculpture, video, photography, animation, drawing and mixed media. Participating are Anna Torrence, Barry Sparkman, Beth Keesler, Brady Haston, Carolyn Ford, Charles Clary, Charles Massey, Dan Brawner, Diane Fox, Emily Holt, Hannah Rowell, Jackson Martin, Jere Chumley, Joshua Petty, Lani Asuncion, Lisa Weiss, Mary Cunningham, McLean Fahnestock, Melody Vaughan, Nick Butcher, Patrick Brien, Paul J. Dodez, Rachel Brown Gresham, Rebecca Parker, Sarah Sullivan, Shaun MacDavid, Thomas Everett Green and Wayne White, representing graduates from each decade since the department was formed in 1959.

NOH8 OPEN PHOTO SHOOT

Saturday, Sept. 6, 2–5 p.m. Tribe Nashville, 1517 Church St., Nashville Join the NOH8 Campaign and Human Rights Campaign for this photo shoot. Come camera-ready, wear white, pose and make a statement. Cost is $40 for a solo photo. Your photo also includes an annual #HRC membership. Celebrity photographer and NOH8 co-founder Adam Bouska will photograph 5–10 frames for each person who attends the photo shoot.For more information, e-mail info@noh8campaign.com.

Artwork by Katie Scoggins

lery located in room 210 of MTSU’s Todd Hall. Rogers’ fellow exhibitors include Erin Porter, Gina Wills, Katie Scoggins, Leanne Hannington, Lindsey Shannon, Madison Land and Monica Provence. The selected works in this exhibition demonstrate a varied range of themes and approaches to the human form, from simple portraiture to anthropomorphized troll ﬁgures.

IN/FINITE EARTH

The MTSU Department of Art’s plays host to In/ﬁnite Earth, to be held Sept. 16–Oct. 1 at Todd Art Gallery, MTSU campus. The university is participating as one stop on a

CHINA: THROUGH THE EYES OF MTSU'S PRESIDENT

Sept. 10–12, Todd Art Gallery, MTSU campus. MTSU President Sidney McPhee tells of the beauty and wonder of China’s past, its undeniable progress and evolution through photography that illustrates the

Rings on Rings by Sarah Langsam; wood, epoxy resin, ﬁberglass

admission. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and other original artwork will be available, as well as music, food vendors and kids’ art activities.

IDENTITY: WHO ARE YOU?

AJ Kie, Mix-Up (detail) Acrylic paint on canvas

nationwide tour of artists organized by the VSA to showcase its Emerging Artist Program. The VSA, the International Organization on Arts and Disabilities, was founded by ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith in 1974 and strives to discover and recognize young artists living with disabilities while also working to create equal access and equal opportunities for them. Merged with Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2011 this year’s exhibit showcases 15 artists ages 16-25. The artists showcased in In/ﬁnite Earth do not allow their disabilities to handicap their lives, but rather embrace their differences and employ them through to their art.

Sept. 16–Oct. 3 at MTSU Tood Art Gallery, 210. This work by the Photography Society of MTSU focuses on the contemporary challenges and perceptions of identity. The social landscape now exists in both a physical and digital version, challenging each person with new form of identity. Self-identity has always been important, but in the world of the “selﬁe” and the “proﬁle” the question remains, who are you? Identity: Who Are You is curated by senior Mass Communications major Matt Masters. An opening reception will be held from 5–7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. Diane Fox, Mass Grave Permian Period, Morrill Hall, Lincoln Nebraska, archival pigment, print

GREENWAY ARTS FESTIVAL

Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Old Fort Park, 1025 Old Fort Pkwy. Talented artists will display and sell their work along the Greenway trail at Old Fort Park. Browse through booths of original artwork in a family-friendly setting. Free

PHIL WAGNER TO PARTICIPATE IN GREENWAY ART FEST

Artist Phil Wagner will be a newcomer at this year’s Greenway Art Fest in Murfreesboro, and will show some of his watercolor work. “The first time I was aware of the festival was when my fiancée and I drove by it last year,” Wagner said. “We turned around, parked and went in. It was great seeing all the variety on display there. “At the time, I was just beginning to paint and thought that being a full-time artist was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” Wagner says that lately he has been experimenting with watercolor on birch panels and poplar boards. “I am inexperienced at this whole festival thing,” Wagner said. “I guess I’m a bit eager, since this is the first time I’ve really put my work out in the public where I will actually interact with the people viewing it. Beginner’s butterflies . . .” For more on Wagner, visit facebook.com/ pwstudios. — MAI HARRIS

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LIVING ROOM CINEMA

REVIEWS

column by NORBERT THIEMANN

facebook.com/livingroomcinema

MOVIE BOYHOOD 4

Starring Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Patricia Arquette Directed by Richard Linklater Rated R Boyhood, director Richard Linklater’s latest feature, follows in the footsteps of Linklater’s own Before . . . trilogy as well as Michael Apted’s Up series in its depiction of the same people/actors and how they change and grow over the course of many years. Whereas Apted’s documentaries serve mostly as a series of time capsules of individuals, Linklater is more concerned with using the reallife passage of time as an ally to his storytelling. Filmed from 2002 to 2013, Boyhood is

BOOK review by MICHELLE PALMER

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple AT FIRST GLANCE, Maria Semple’s bestselling novel appears to wear a lot of hats—part comedy of errors, part coming-of-age tale and part mystery. But when you dig a little deeper, Where’d You Go Bernadette is an insightful, hysterically funny novel that will make you laugh out loud in one sentence and touch your heart in the next. Bee Branch has almost completed 8th grade at Chalen Street, a private school in Seattle, with straight S’s (they don’t give grades at Chalen; it undermines the children’s confidence) and is so excited she is about to burst. Her parents promised Bee that if she got perfect grades through her entire career at Chalen, she could have

RATINGS:

the perfect distillation of this process; a whole childhood in a single ﬁlm. The movie begins with Mason Evans Jr. (Ellar Coltrane), a 5-year-old boy living in Texas with his older sister, Samantha (Linklater’s daughter, Lorelei), and their mother (Patricia Arquette). The time capsule is in full effect as Coldplay’s “Yellow” plays over the opening. There’s an effortlessness and naturalism to these young actors, especially the gregarious and deviously intelligent Samantha, picking on

her younger brother only to play the victim when she gets caught. Watching as their mom juggles getting the kids ready for school, going back to school herself and the dating scene could be a movie in itself. The story is as much hers as it is Mason’s, her struggle to provide the best for her children expounded upon when a young Ethan Hawke—a fun-loving, care-free rocker dad not yet willing to give up his own childhood for the sake of his kids’—arrives to pick up the kids for the weekend.

anything she wanted as a graduation present, and what Bee wants, desperately, is a family cruise to Antarctica. What Bee doesn’t realize is that for her mother, Bernadette, this request is nearly impossible; Bernadette is mildly agoraphobic, and since her move to Seattle many years before, has become a recluse. At first, Bernadette, a gifted architect, and dad Elgin, a shining star at Microsoft, seem on board with Bee’s plan. As the trip draws near, however, friction between Bernadette and other Chalen Street moms (whom Bernadette refers to as “gnats”) escalates, and Bernadette simply disappears. Told entirely through letters, e-mails, messages and even police reports, Where’d You Go Bernadette is a novel unlike any other. While at first this style may seem hard to follow, within a few chapters you realize that Semple has

seamlessly wound together such a tightly written plot that you almost forget it’s written in such vastly different voices. Semple, whose resume includes writing for Arrested Development and Ellen, has a gift for dialogue. The unique qualities of each character emerge in their various ramblings, whether through a live blog or a frantic e-mail. At the heart of this story is Bernadette, whose passionate dislike of Seattle is evident in rants on everything from women’s hair (always gray) to traffic intersections (five-way stops!). It’s clear that Bernadette does not fit in with the other North Face and clogs-wearing, coffee-drinking, weather-obsessed mothers at Chalen Street, and it is this tension that eventually causes Bernadette to go off the grid. The latter part of the novel is

A CLASSIC

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OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

Linklater said his goal was to shoot a 10–15 minute short film every year and then edit it together as one. What sounds like a gimmick becomes Boyhood’s strongest asset; the resulting film is greater than the sum of its parts. We watch Mason and Samantha make friends and lose them, join families and leave them, and navigate the awkward teenage years. Their constant moving and acclimating to new schools and homes is made all the more poignant as they age in sped-up time before our eyes, and the novelty of watching the same people at different stages of their lives, rather than different actors or old-person make-up drawing attention to, rather than creating the illusion of passing time, makes for one of the most emotionally resonant coming-of-age films in recent memory. — JAY SPIGHT primarily told through Bee’s voice, as Elgin and Bee eventually take the last Antarctica cruise of the season. Through a bizarre twist, Bee winds up with every piece of correspondence leading up to her mother’s disappearance, and through these letters, e-mails and reports, Bee hopes to find clues as to where her mother has gone. This is where the novel shines: the moments that examine the lovely and complex relationship between Bee and Bernadette, the healing between Bee and her father, and the search not just for Bernadette, but to make a family whole once again. Where’d You Go Bernadette was ranked as an Amazon Best Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2013. Semple’s novel is a delightful read that will leave you laughing long after you turn the final page. Michelle Palmer is a member of Read To Succeed’s One Book Committee and is the author of the book blog Turn of the Page, michelle palmersbooks.blogspot.com.

BELOW AVERAGE

Sexploration: Provocation

hese ﬁlms unabashedly trespass across our mainstream moral boundaries with unsimulated sex scenes. Your curiosity should be piqued if you are interested in the politics and philosophies unique to sexual relations. Be warned that their storylines are generally more provocative than the mere co-mingling of ﬂesh across your screen.

Nymphomaniac: Vol I and II (2013) are both written and directed by Lars Von Trier. The two connected ﬁlms explore the journey of a nymphomaniac with contemplation being underscored. Her unbridled acts reach for context, and sometimes leave a notable mark. Extraordinary key players are Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard and Stacy Martin, and other pronounced actors also appear.

Anatomy of Hell (2004) is written and directed by Catherine Breillat. The controversial director is renowned for the sexual dissections weaved throughout her work. Anatomy of Hell is probably her most overt, and is intentionally overdramatized. It is certainly a difficult film about sex, but without the eroticism and intimacy that one might expect. Ken Park (2002) is written by Harmony Korine and directed by Larry Clark. Looking back on Larry Clark’s loose-narrative and kids-run-amok films, I find Ken Park to be the most successful. Aside from being in a “film camp” with Gaspar Noe and Harmony Korine, by photography, Clark is also relatable to Richard Kern and Terry Richardson. Celebrate the fringe. AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD

Sweet Charity

ONSTAGE IN SEPTEMBER NOISES OFF Sept. 19, 20, 26, 27, Oct. 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. The Arts Center of Cannon County 1424 John Bragg Hwy. artscenterofcc.com

 SWEET CHARITY Sept. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. Sept. 7, 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Murfreesboro Little Theatre 702 Ewing Blvd. mltarts.com

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Sept. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Springhouse Theatre 14119 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna springhousetheatre.com

 WAIT UNTIL DARK Sept. 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. Murfreesboro Center for the Arts 110 W. College St. boroarts.org

BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2014 * 29

SPORTS THE MEDIA IS NOT TREATING SAM EQUALLY

choose eight other teams to play in the here has been a lot of news surother four major bowl games. They rounding Michael Sam and his will also issue a Top 25 ranking each sexual orientation, and for that week starting Oct. 28. My hope is reason alone I feel sorry for him. column by Z-TRAIN titanman1984@ someday they will change from a fourThe NFL is a cutthroat business, and yahoo.com team playoff to an eight-team system . they could care less about anything . . slow steps, I reckon. other than the talent you present on Imagine though, an eight-team system would be ideal; the field of play. All this media coverage and inspiration never again would we cry that a deserving team got left talk is just added pressure to Sam, when all he wanted to out. But I should be happy with the death of the BCS, and do was find a spot on a NFL roster and progress his skills as a player. Equality and fairness for all is the goal here for I am thrilled to death even with a four-team playoff. Enough of that—it’s football time in Tennessee, and Michael Sam followers, but how can the man be an equal whether you’re cheering for the Titans, Blue Raiders, player in terms of treatment when his every move is scruthe Commodores, a smaller college or a team far away tinized and social media has put him high on a pedestal? from here, I have one solid piece of information to enrich Equality for all? Well, what about Tim Tebow, who your tailgating or house party on a game day—big fat was mocked for being a Christian? Now, Michael Sam gets praised for being gay. It’s a double standard, the way sausages! I’m speaking truth here, my friends. Batey Farms, located in the ’Boro not far from the Avenue, has this country thinks at times. Some may say this argubeaten the meat into a tasty treat for all to enjoy. Come ment makes no sense, but being gay is a lifestyle, being straight is a lifestyle, being a Christian is a lifestyle. Tim’s game day, there is nothing better than being with friends and family and watching fresh meat cook on top of a bed faith in God was never something he pushed on others of charcoal. My first choice is Batey Farms Kasekrainer, unless they wanted to listen; it was truly his character as a polish sausage filled with Wisconsin Swiss cheese, (my a man, and his haters were never called racists or bigots. personal touch is to marinate it in a mustard-base BBQ These days if you speak out against a person like Sam in sauce). The second option is jalapeño cheddar bratany way, well it’s the opposite and you will be called out wursts, packed with flavor; grill ’em up until the cheese as a hateful homophobic by some. oozes out. Women, vegetarians and the manliest of men Michael Sam hasn’t pushed his sexual orientation on others, but social media sure has, and has turned it into a will worship the sausage laid upon their plate. No one can deny the flavor explosion of goodness. Batey Farms campaign of who is on the right or wrong side of history. offers their product at numerous locations in Rutherford I wish Sam a successful career and I hope all this County (check out bateyfarms.com for more information). special attention directed towards him doesn’t mess with After Ray Rice beat his girlfriend (now wife) in an elehis training. It’s all about play, though, and what the vator, and received a controversial two-game suspension, coaches, scouts and experts see, they don’t care about the NFL has toughened its domestic-abuse stance. The anything else. Look at Richie Incognito, far from a popurules state that now, a first domestic abuse charge brings lar player, but a solid offensive lineman, and recently a six-game penalty, the second charge a lifetime ban. cleared to take the field again. He will be picked up soon without a doubt, and many find that unfair, but it’s about Good for the NFL—two games was far too lenient. Some people compare Ray Rice’s suspension to Josh Gordon’s skill. Signing Michael Sam is like inviting the circus into year-long suspension for testing positive for marijuana, your franchise—all the media and attention comes with stating, “What the hell?” Most don’t realize Gordon it. I agree with Tony Dungy—I wouldn’t sign him if I had already previously failed a test for THC and he was were an owner unless he was playing at a Pro Bowl level. entered into a last-chance program, where he failed to The Bowl Championship Series is dead, and college comply. With the direction this country is headed regardfootball and its fans are better off for it. So let’s break ing the legalization of marijuana, many disagree with the down the new four-team playoff system, an exciting, length of Gordon’s suspension. This will be the first time fresh college era! So, why the change? Because the since Jim Brown that a player led the previous season people spoke, and after 16 years of a flawed system, we in rushing or receiving and missed the next season. It’s have PLAYOFFS! Six bowls will host a semi-final four a deep conversation for players that pound their bodies times over a 12-year stretch: the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta day in and day out—pain pills or a little weed for the Bowl, Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar pain? I would vote for a little weed. I have seen firsthand Bowl. The title game will still change year to year, based what pain pills do to people. It’s a quick and awful addicon a bidding process. This year’s title game will take place in Arlington, Texas. There is a 13-member selection tion that is ravaging this country. Doctors pass them out committee that includes notable members such as Archie left and right, kids take to medicine cabinets, and they are as simple as pie to get on the street. Just saying, a Manning and former U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza little weed never destroyed a life as far as I’m concerned. Rice. The committee is a talented group of high-integrity Ask Brett Favre and millions of others: pain pills destroy individuals with experience as coaches, student athletes, lives, fast. That’s it, the Train is out the station. Can’t wait journalists and collegiate administrators. The role of for some football, baby. Choo-choo! this committee is to choose the top four teams, and also

30 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

SPORTS TALK

BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2014 * 31

OPINIONS Say It, Don’t Spray It WE’VE ALL HEARD THE STORY OR seen the video by now about that Deputy Vanderveer from the Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Office pepper-spraying an inmate point-blank in the face. The Sheriff ’s Department issued the following statement: Deputy Vanderveer has been employed in the booking division since May 2012. The booking staff uses the restraint chair for the safety of the inmates, other inmates and ofﬁcers, and to prevent destruction of county property. This inmate was placed in the restraint chair because he was drunk, belligerent and combative with the booking deputies. He was placed in the chair for his safety and the safety of others. The spit mask was placed on him because he was spitting on the booking deputies and Murfreesboro Police ofﬁcers. Once he was put in the chair, he was checked on regularly by the booking deputies and the medical staff. The booking staff was monitoring the

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inmate on a camera when they noticed his leg was loose from the restraint and he tried to tip over the chair. Booking deputies entered the cell for fear the inmate was going to tip over the chair and injure himself. Booking Deputy Vanderveer asked the inmate several times to allow him to re-restrain the inmate’s leg. The inmate refused to comply. Also, Booking Deputy Vanderveer feared the inmate would kick him in the face. When the inmate refused to comply, Booking Deputy Vanderveer applied a chemical agent to his face. The inmate then complied and allowed himself to become fully restrained. Anytime a chemical agent is applied, the inmate is secured and then the medical staff is immediately brought in to check the inmate. The medical staff checked him at regular intervals. The inmate apologized for his actions on release. ––––––– Well, this old lady calls B.S., as I think most

Granny RANTS individuals of sound mind do. fear started to feel undermined Use of the word “fear” stands and pissed off. At that point he’d probably been out to me. Is an inmate tipping over a chair something to fear? spit on, sworn at, maybe wrestled He was already fully restrained, with or even swung at—a tough by IMA job, no doubt—but part of the job, except for his foot, and wearing a TELLYA no less, with the most important mask. What’s the worst thing that part of the job being to maintain could happen? Maybe he’ll fall on calmness and peace of mind in such situahis head, then lay there and struggle until tions, free from personal anger or retaliation he passes out? That would be entertaining against individuals acting out. After all, he to watch. Maybe he’ll break the chair? I’ll knew the inmate was in a state of drunkenbet those chairs are built sturdy for such a ness and wasn’t himself. occasion, though. How were his actions deWhen you think about all of the ways the serving of having a burning chemical agent situation could have been handled better, sprayed into his eyes? it becomes very clear just how skewed the Have you ever accidentally sprayed deputy was in his thinking at that moment. sunscreen into your face? I got just a little in They said the inmate apologized upon remy face last week and gosh, did it sting like lease. Seems like it should have been the other the dickens, even after I rinsed with water. way around. Almost ruined my afternoon at the pool. Officers should have been able to maintain Imagine having it sprayed directly into your control of the situation without resorting to eyes while you’re wearing a plastic mask, unnecessary violence, and Vander-fear should then having to wear it for 10 minutes before first aid is administered. Sounds like torture to me! The inmate must have said or done some really terrible things to deserve that. The Sheriff ’s Department uses the word “applied” to describe the scenario in their explanation, just like sunscreen. What I don’t understand: why not let the inmate tip the chair over if he’s drunk and belligerent enough to do so? Or why not stick him in a jail cell and let him sober up first, then book him? The answer is pretty simple really. Because Deputy “Vander-fear”—who was previoiusly arrested for a DUI himhave been held accountable for his actions. self—acted out in his own mind-created anger. It’s troublesome that people are subjected They stated he feared the inmate would to that type of treatment upon arrival in the kick him in the face, but he doesn’t look custody of our county’s sworn keepers of the afraid in the surveillance video. His body lanpeace, and that law enforcement deems itself guage doesn’t indicate “fear.” He was down on one knee, talking directly into the inmate’s worthy to dole out that type of cruel punishment when someone doesn’t “comply.” face, ordering him to comply. That’s aggresWhen did the law become “submit sion, not fearfulness. completely to those wearing a badge or risk After all, it was a foot he was dealing with. subjecting yourself to whatever form of vioHow much harm was one unrestrained foot lence they see necessary in order to force you really going to do? to submit?” Question of the day: How many RutherSomeone needs to restrain Vander-fear to ford County Sheriff ’s deputies does it take to a chair, except for one leg of course, and let restrain a foot? him undergo that same kind of treatment, One? Two? Five? Thirty? . . . without rethen let him decide if it’s OK to treat other sorting to unnecessary violence? human beings that way. It’s almost comical, except for the poor guy If I’m ever incarcerated because I’m drunk who feels like his face is burning off. and belligerent and I’m unconscious of what Really though, at what point did it beI’m saying or doing, I hope they’ll just use an come a good idea to go ahead and injure the old-fashioned bucket of water, or dunk me in inmate with pepper spray in order to prethe nearest horse trough to sober me up, and vent him from injuring himself ? Probably hold the pepper spray. about the point in time that Deputy Vander-

HEALTH & FITNESS

Diets Don’t Work (Part 2) BY RANDAL JONES I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN THERE. You are driving down the road with no food in the car and you can actually taste that double cheeseburger and fries. I mean, the taste is actually on your tongue. How could that be? These are the dreaded cravings, and they can ruin any weight loss program. For some people, the drug of choice is chocolate. For others, it is sugar in general— anything with sugar. Some crave fat. But for anyone trying to reduce their weight and increase their health, “cravings” are the final nails in the diet coffin. Cravings are fueled by chemicals in your brain that are released when you eat certain foods. These foods create a rush of euphoria, causing you to feel a temporary high or satisfaction. Once your brain and your body discover that certain foods cause such a euphoric response, you begin to seek out those foods. Conventional thought suggests that you just need more willpower to overcome the temptation. But we know this is not true because we all know individuals who are otherwise very self-disciplined people who continue to be caught in a cycle of cravings. So how do you beat the cravings? The answer is found in two key areas of our lives: stress and habits. When you’re under stress, the hormone cortisol is released into your blood which can cause issues with dieting in general. The body starts to crave comfort foods to combat the stress. When it comes to our life habits, many of us have become like Pavlov’s dog. It is classic brain conditioning. The cat scratches you, the boss yells at you or every traffic light is red. So, you decide that the bag of Oreos is history when you get home. If you eat to relieve stress often enough, your brain learns that when cortisol is present you need to resolve it with your “drug” or “food” of choice. The food gets coded as a solution to your stressful life. Seemingly innocent routines, such as eating certain foods while watching TV, also create powerful associations. So, what can you do to help you win the battle? • Wait it out. One line of wisdom is that the craving will build to a mountainous wave if untreated so you should feed the body a small portion of the craved food. The only problem with that solution is that it takes a large amount of willpower to eat just one square of chocolate. Plus, if you are addicted to that food it could cause the beginning of a long binge session. Food cravings in our body behave much like waves in a pool. They

begin small, build up to a peak and then they do disappear. • Choose the best distraction. When you are tempted by a craving, try to figure out why that craving is attacking and then choose the best distraction. If you are bored, find a task that you find enjoyable. If you are sad, play some cheerful music or do something enjoyable. If you are stressed, a good hard workout always helps vent some frustrations. I took up gardening a few years ago because killing the weeds with a hoe was very therapeutic. • Eliminate sensory cues. Smells, sights and sounds all act as triggers. So meeting a friend at a bakery or a restaurant when you are trying to start a diet is a really bad idea. For me, watching a cooking show can make my mouth start watering. Avoid the landmines by knowing what foods make you crave and avoid places where you might see or smell that tempting aroma. • Change your palate. Many people can become addicted to refined carbohydrates, which include white flour, white sugar or high fructose corn syrup. The more refined the menu choices, the more you will crave it. Eliminate refined ingredients from your diet and your food cravings will grow weaker. Replace the refined foods with nuts, beans, fruits, vegetables and whole-wheat foods. • Shift your focus. When a craving hits, change your attention to something not related to eating like taking a hot bath, writing a friend, calling a loved one or just doing laundry. Indulge yourself in something enjoyable as long as it has nothing to do with food. • Be prepared. Keep your fruit bowl well stocked and always have healthy snacks in the fridge. If you feel your craving creeping up, beat the cravings back into submission by grabbing a banana and a big glass of water. Clean out the cabinets at work and home of anything that is tempting to eat, so that when that Oreo commercial comes on the TV, you can’t go to the pantry and down a bag. • Cellular nutrition. Finally, I suggest that you use a regimen of high-quality supplements. There are many vitamins, minerals and herbs that help with cravings and stress: B vitamins, biotin, stevia, ginseng and fenugreek are some. Since most of our food supply does not have enough nutritional value, be sure to supplement your nutritional intake. Healthy people do not have the cravings that less-healthy people do. Take care of your cells, and they will take care of you! For more information to help you win the cravings war, check out my favorite site, mygreat28system.com/information. Randal Jones is a certified health coach at Nashville Healthnote on Music Row. For more information on how to retune your body and information on nutrition, contact Randal at rjones@tnhealthnote.com. BOROPULSE.COM

* SEPTEMBER 2014 * 33

The

OPINIONS ALEXANDER, DESJARLAIS COME OUT ON TOP IN GOP PRIMARIES THESE NUMBERS ARE JUST PLAIN WEIRD

State Rep. Joe Carr couldn’t raise enough money last year to compete for the 4th Congressional District race, so he switched to a Senate run against Lamar Alexander, who’s held just about every political job known to man. Carr got swamped statewide by Alexander, the former governor, UT president, Education secretary, yada yada yada. But in Rutherford County, he brought in more votes—15,319 to Alexander’s 8,281 (that’s 62.4 percent)—than State Sen. Jim Tracy did against Congressman Scott DesJarlais. Tracy picked up 13,587 in Rutherford to DesJarlais’ 8,898—56.2 percent to 36.8 percent. If the veteran state senator had gotten as many as Carr, or won the 530 that Murfreesboro resident Steve Lane received or the 741 Bell Buckle resi-

Alexander

DesJarlais

dent John Anderson collected, he would’ve won the Republican primary with ease. Instead, he made a premature victory speech and fell 38 votes short of DesJarlais across the 16-county district. The primary care doctor from South Pittsburg won 34,793 (44.89 percent) to Tracy’s 34,755 (44.84 percent), according to the Secretary of State’s website. Apparently, the Bedford County Republican isn’t quite as popular as one might have thought. After all, he has represented much of Rutherford County for 10 years, but against a scandal-ridden DesJarlais and a field of unknowns, Tracy could garner only a little more than half the vote here. In his home county of Bedford, meanwhile, Tracy picked up about 65 percent of the vote, 3,375 to 2,052. But that has been his territory for years, and he should have skunked DesJarlais there. Once the votes were certified, Tracy lost by 38 to DesJarlais and ultimately decided not to contest. Now it’s back to being state senator, and the

34 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

dream of being congressman, which he has pursued for about six years, will be on hold again. Carr, meanwhile, will have to find a job. By running for U.S. Senate, he dropped the state representative seat he has enjoyed for six years. His legislative salary, combined with cattle farming, have provided his primary means of income. But check this scenario: If he can hold out for a couple of years, he could run against Tracy for state Senate. The election returns show he’s more popular than Tracy in Rutherford County, and as this county turns more Tea Party, Carr could have more appeal. In his run against DesJarlais, Tracy just couldn’t separate himself. The first day he announced his candidacy at Reeves-Sain Drug Store—before DesJarlais could be sworn into office in 2012—Tracy was unable to say how he would vote differently than DesJarlais. His only claims were that he would be a more morally upright candidate and that he was capable of working with people to get things done. That was right after revelations from 2001 divorce documents showed DesJarlais, a pro-life candidate, had encouraged his ex-wife to get two abortions and had urged a mistress to do the same. Apparently, those dirty little details didn’t matter to Republican voters, or they forgot. All they cared about was that DesJarlais voted against President Barack Obama on everything over the last two to four years, including about 35 votes against the Affordable Care Act. Tracy’s strategy might have backfired to some degree, too. The numbers show he was ahead of DesJarlais 7,710 to 4,491 in Rutherford County after absentee and early votes were counted. But on Election Day, he won here only 5,877 to 4,407. District-wide, it could be that he never produced a poll showing he was ahead. He may have been pretty far behind DesJarlais.

Tracy

Carr

STOCKARD REPORT BY SAM STOCKARD

But when the Tracy campaign started running attack ads against his opponent, he might have lost some traction in Rutherford, even as he picked up votes across the district. It was a crap shoot either way. But Tracy now has lost two congressional races he probably should have won. Four years ago, he came in third to U.S. Rep. Diane Black and Lou Ann Zelenik, even after the district was realigned to ensure someone from Rutherford County would win. Originally, that was thought to be state Sen. Bill Ketron before he bowed out. Of course, two years is an eternity in politics—heck, two weeks is—and there’s no telling who the players will be. But Carr, if he can keep his name out there, could be a winner again someday, once he settles on a race and sticks with it. His slogan could be “I need the job.” We all do.

NO RESPONSE

A few days before Election Day, I was hoping to write a story about the Carr-Alexander race. But Carr didn’t answer his cellphone, and campaign manager Donald Rickard said Carr was too busy to talk. I gave him a break and sent him a few questions by e-mail, which Rickard said he would answer. But either he didn’t have time to deal with those questions, or he didn’t like them. A couple were pretty basic, such as, “What is the main stance of your campaign?” and “You’re going against a former governor, UT president and senator. Can the Tea Party help you overcome that?” But I also wanted him to answer questions about $200,000 his campaign lent to Life Watch Pharmacy, a company owned by millionaire Andrew Miller, and got paid back with interest, according to a Nashville Scenereport. I was also interested in $26,000 his campaign paid to his daughter during the last reporting period, according to federal disclosure forms. Those moves may be legal, but the loan, at least, seems a little strange, considering Carr’s war chest was nowhere near Alexander’s. Carr had $442,221 on hand at the end of the last reporting period, while Alexander had $2.1 million in the bank after spending more than $6 million. The loan to Miller could be seen as a way to skirt campaign finance limits, the Scene reported. The Federal Election Commission requested more information about the loan, the Scene article points out, and it notes that the limited liability company that paid the interest is supposed to fill out documentation proving it is eligible to contribute. If nothing else, it appears Carr is wellversed in how to play the campaign-finance

numbers game. That should serve him well in a future political career.

EASY PREDICTION

The selection of Alan Farley as administrator of elections after Nicole Lester’s firing was the easiest bet in, well, history. Even Lester, the night she was fired, mentioned Farley and Carr as probably replacements, though Carr’s mention was coffee-shop talk all along. Farley, however, who was preparing to take a lateral move in athletics fundraising at MTSU, was the clear favorite for the Rutherford County Election Commission. Board members tried to make it look as if they were conducting an exhaustive search for administrator, posting the job, having HR pick top candidates and then interviewing seven finalists at the Election Office. Boy, was that a waste of note-taking. Not to say that Farley wasn’t the right person for the job. He did have 10 years as a member of the Election Commission. But commissioners had some pretty strong candidates, people who could have done the job without any word about favoritism. Heck, even I could do that job. The problem with that job could be that the Election Office employees do so much, that there’s not enough work for the administrator. Anyway, after the meeting was wrapping up that evening and election commissioners were talking to Farley about when they wanted him to start work, I was standing there talking to them. Someone later told me I said, “I could have written this story three weeks ago.” I’m not denying I said that. In fact, it sounds like something I’d say. OK, I’m claiming it. After all, Election Commission Chairman Ransom Jones did tell me he had called Farley and talked to him about the job after it became clear that Lester was going to be fired. What else was I supposed to think? I don’t think, however, that Jones planned the whole debacle just so he could give the job to Farley. He clearly agonized over the decision to raise questions about her job performance. She might have kept her job, too, if she’d responded differently, instead of defending every move she’d ever made regarding time worked and office management. If not an administrator, she’s a pretty good predictor.

EATING THEIR OWN

It’s funny how the local Republican Party works. Something said to have happened in 2002 when Farley was on the Election Commission popped CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

High Corporate Tax Rate Driving Amercan Business Away

ou may have heard that Burger King is planning to merge with Tim Horton’s, a donut company that is the Canadian equivalent of Dunkin’ Donuts here in America. The merger would effectively relocate Burger King’s headquarters to Canada. Most of what we hear about Canada is runaway socialism. So, why would any corporation want to move to Canada? Although their income taxes— combining national and provincial—may be high, their corporate tax rate is considerably less than that of the United States. When all corporate taxes are considered it’s about half of the U.S. rate. In fact, the U.S. has the highest corporate rate of any developed economy in the world. If Burger King relocates, just the corporate tax itself (not to mention other taxes related to running a corporation) would drop from 35% in the U.S. to about 26.5% in Canada. Ireland’s corporate tax rate is 12.5% and for companies doing business in Europe it has become the country of choice. The Obama administration calls companies like Burger King “corporate deserters.” Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is calling for a “new sense of economic patriotism.” They want Congress to pass laws preventing American companies from relocating outside the country, a sort VIEWS OF A of corporate Berlin wall. Their approach demonstrates their gross misunderstanding of, or total column by disregard for, capitalism as we know it. PHIL VALENTINE philvalentine.com In the world of business you try to remain competitive by aligning your prices with the competition. Or, if you’re more expensive, you make the case for why. With all of the emerging markets in the world, it doesn’t make sense to have the highest corporate tax rate. There are a lot of people who have been arguing for a long time that it needs to be lowered. I’ll go them one better. The corporate tax in America needs to be eliminated. That may be shocking to some of you who’ve become accustomed to believing that corporations should pay their “fair share,” but corporations don’t pay taxes. You do, as a consumer of their product. Taxes are just another expense to a corporation. There’s not some rich fat-cat who’s getting hosed by the corporate tax. Some people fear that’s the guy the corporation will give a raise to if the corporate tax rate is lowered. Chances are he’s already in the 39.6 tax bracket. That means if all the money the company saves went to him we’d be getting more in taxes than we do when the corporation pays it. But, as I’ve stated, the corporation doesn’t pay it. They pass it along. Let’s say you own a fast food restaurant. There’s the cost of labor, electricity, advertising, uniforms, food product, etc. Taxes are simply factored in as another expense like those when the owners are deciding what to charge for that burger. Can you imagine how much less that burger would be if there were no corporate tax? And don’t think they’d keep the prices high and pocket the money. Their competition surely wouldn’t and competition is what drives prices lower. Also imagine how many corporations around the world would be flocking to the United States if we eliminated the corporate tax. Imagine how many jobs that would create. Imagine the new taxes from income tax that would far surpass any money we’re getting from the corporate tax. Imagine how much better off we’d all be if we stopped with this class warfare and hating on corporations and realized that it’s the corporations that create the jobs and the tax revenue for the country. Remember, corporations don’t pay taxes; in the end, consumers do. It’s time to give consumers a break.

CONSERVATIVE

“Taxes are just another expense to a corporation . . . as I’ve stated, the corporation doesn’t pay it. They pass it along . . . imagine how much less that burger would be if there were no

corporate tax?’

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

* SEPTEMBER 2014 * 35

Murfreesboro’s Music Through the Decades

by GLORIA CHRISTY

The 1940s: World War II and the Home Front

mooth, romantic tones swirled through the atmosphere, arming the cool of the evening. The young had come to dance and swing, but most had gathered at 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 grenades, binoculars and machine guns. Mary clasped her daddy’s hand tightly. Frustrated that she could not see what was going on in the center of the circle, she began to twist and turn to the music. When she was much younger and smaller, often her dad would hoist her over his shoulders in such situations. Although her dad had reluctantly brought his young-

as a popular slogan of the day recommended. From far away across the ocean, a letter from Mary’s brother had been written with his impressions about the war. “. . . and honestly, Mom, I never realized what food means in a war until we got into Italy. Little kids with swollen bellies and peaked pasty faces crowded around us like starved dogs . . . men and women cried out, ‘Bread, bread, bread!’ I only wish you and Dad could have seen these people when we came in with the food. When we pushed on, we left friends behind us. If everybody back home could just see this once, they’d grow a Victory Garden just like you are doing. Don’t let any food go to waste. Tell everyone to handle food as carefully as we handle our guns and tools. Mom, food saves lives. Food is a weapon! I’ve seen it happen ﬁrsthand.” Mary’s father smiled and said, “You’re just too big for me to lift you up these days. How about we move closer An image from Shacklett’s historic photo collection taken at the Murfreesboro Aluminum Street Dance in 1943.

 Read more Murfreesboro’s Music Through the Decades series at BOROPULSE.COM est to the street dance, he had firmly instructed that—if she insisted on coming—she’d better not get in the way. Being a policeman, he had to watch for crowd control. She could barely see the movement through the tightly gathered crowd. The compelling rhythmic sounds so energized the atmosphere that no longer could Mary resist asking, “Daddy, please, lift me up on your shoulders. I really want to see what’s going on.” Mary’s family was one of the many of Rutherford County who remained on the “home front” providing citizen contributions during World War II. Her mother had purchased rationing books for food supplies, and her father had bought war bonds. Conservatively, Mom had saved ration stamps for weeks in order to get enough sugar to make her daughter’s birthday cake. They even had grown a “victory garden,” because Mary’s family wanted to do their part to “make food fight for freedom,” 36 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

to the front of the crowd so you can get a better look?” he suggested, trying to satisfy his fidgety daughter. What a sight she saw! 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 that the war had brought to their community. When America declared war in December of 1941, the Swing Era was already in full bloom. American popular music of the 1940s offered a dreamy world, creating an atmosphere of conviviality and familiarity throughout the culture and actually making 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. Its soaring, brass-produced riffs and driving rhythms combined with memorable tunes and lyrics that knit our hearts and longings for loved ones who struggled, sacrificed, and dreamed to be home again, so far away from every county, village, town, and city. In our community in 1943, many still 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 a local radio station, WGNS, in 1947. The broadcast marked the first time American traditional folk music styles (string band music) merged with mainstream swing band music. In 1943, all converged around the collection of aluminum at a street dance on the Public Square which was broadcast across the community. There’s no doubt that the Great Depression of the 1930s changed people’s values and thus changed American society forever. Up until the 1930s, the idea of government using its resources for relief was limited. Our national policy was not concerned with issues of social welfare. Prompted by loss of hope and despair, the country plunged into deeper poverty. By the 1940s, the country’s economic condition began to stabilize; however, the welfare policies of the New Deal under Roosevelt did little to bring the end of the Depression. As many Americans became unified in the war effort, the population was mobilized through rationing and collection of raw materials. In recent years, it has become more apparent to historians that it was World War II, not the Depression, which brought fundamental change in the American economy. The war itself became a social crisis that cut people adrift from normal and ethical moorings. It ushered in the runaway consumerism of the post-Second World War. As the economy took off after the war, potential consumers took off with it, surrounding themselves with as many material objects as possible to offset the “Great Depression” mindset. While the American society became more homogenized, merging values ultimately influenced popular music all across the nation. Before the war, music was ranked and charted through the popularity of sheet music by the “hit parade” and published in Billboard magazine. After a two-year musicians’ union strike and recording ban (1942–44) intended to prevent the new medium of recorded music from putting performing musicians out of work, live music on the radio airwaves was indeed replaced by records, which became big business as commercial radio stations sold airtime to subsidize playing them. The record industry was born and more and more Americans became consumers of music, defining a business archetype followed to this day (albeit one in the throes of transition). Once again, the paradigm is shifting as the digital era is changing the music industry, with more artists creatively taking control of their art. With this revolution, will a form of music come forth to unite and comfort in our day? So much of today’s musical landscape seems littered only with sound-alike “musical styles” and socalled artists who don’t even write their own songs. We can’t help but vividly recall and appreciate a much richer musical heritage of days gone by. Perhaps the conversion of the music industry in this digital era will impede the frenzied and fanatical exploitation that has been occurring in the music industry for decades. What if this mighty revolution in our midst changes music and finds its way to mainstream America once again?

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up last month when he was interviewing for the job. Election Commissioner Felicia Hix, a Republican who is new to the commission, said during the interview that the Rutherford County Republican Party Executive Committee voted for Farley’s removal from the commission because of absenteeism and dereliction of duty. The word is that on Election Day that fall, he was out campaigning for someone else in the state and missed the opening of the absentee ballot box at the Election Office. The other Republican on the commission was stuck in traffic, and Democrats wound up opening the box, according to street talk. That was the year former County Mayor Nancy Allen, a Democrat, narrowly beat Republican Jimmy Evans. In the aftermath, Evans made numerous allegations against Administrator of Elections Hooper Penuel and the Election Commission regarding vote-counting irregularities. Evans, who lost again this year vs. County Mayor Ernest Burgess, clearly was backing someone else besides Farley for the administrator of election post. And that likely caused the furor over his appointment, and all among Republicans. The mess over who should run the Election Office over the last few years created some good old-fashioned hatred among the Grand Old Party. Ain’t politics fun?

MURDER BY CHANCE

It turns out that road rage may have led to the alleged shooting death of Smyrna resident Jackie Warpoole in the early-morning hours of Dec. 15, 2013. For six months, all sorts of conjecture surfaced. Warpoole, who was found dead in his Dodge Magnum on the Sam Ridley Parkway exit ramp off I-24, engaged in a highway battle with Dawn Canady and her boyfriend “Dom” Covington from state Route 840 in Murfreesboro all the way to Smyrna, Canady testified. She said Warpoole tailgated them, swerving and flashing his lights at them on the 840 ramp before chasing them up I-24, signaling for them to pull over. He didn’t know Covington was loading his gun, and when Warpoole flicked a cigarette at them and flipped them a bird, Covington fired three shots at him, according to Canady’s testimony. She said she didn’t know one of them hit him in the head. Canady said they’d been at the house of her friend, Anita Nichols, just before the incident smoking hookahs. She didn’t say what was in the hookah. Since the shooting, Canady and Nichols have been charged with attempted murder. They planned to kill Amber Tate and Tempie Brown, going to the crime scene together with a weapon before one of them shot both victims in December 2013, according to their indictment. “Immediately after shooting the victims the conspirators left the scene without rendering aid,” the indictment states. Canady was tearful on the stand during testimony when she described how Covington held the gun out the window and fired. Oddly enough, the shooting for which she is charged happened in the same month that Warpoole was killed. The indictment was unsealed June 3 and bond was set at $150,000. Coincidentally, Warpoole’s family was offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to his killer. Canady made her statement to the Rutherford County Sheriff ’s Office not long after being arrested by Murfreesboro police. BOROPULSE.COM

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 rage after barrage of cannon and musket fire. The rebels send wave after wave of soldiers to meet them, but the now shattered Union line refuses to back down. The Union army takes huge losses and are all but defeated during this bout. The fighting finally stops at nightfall, when it is too dark to see one’s targets. Those Union soldiers still alive return to camp and await the next day of fighting. On the Confederate side, General Bragg is convinced the battle is over, and he has won a great victory for the south. Today, Hell’s Half Acre is said to look essentially the same as it did then, without the dead bodies or the deafening noise. There isn’t

a sound to be heard except the distant hum of a freight train traveling the railroad for which this whole battle was fought. You can reach out and touch the ground where the fighting took place, but the horror is gone. Hell has left this place, hopefully never to return. On Jan. 1, Bragg and his men awake to find that the federals still occupy the area. This time, neither side attacks. They allow New Year’s Day to pass without incident as both sides set about collecting the countless fallen. Citizens of the surrounding villages are allowed on the field to look for the bodies of lost relatives. Early the next day, Bragg orders a new attack on the Union left flank. They charge straight at the Yankees, firing off salvo after salvo into

the Union lines. The Federals are forced into a retreat across the Stones River itself. The Confederates give chase, splashing out into the middle of the river to fire into the backs of the fleeing soldiers. But this is a curse in disguise for the Southerners, as the pursuing troops are blown to pieces by 57 Union cannons which await on the other side. Not one Confederate soldier ever makes it across the river. At the end of this clash, the rebels are forced to retreat. General Sheridan declares the battle a victory for the United States. When the final toll is taken, the Battle of Stones River is recorded to have the highest percentage of deaths in the history of the American Civil War. Going back and standing by those two gray

pillars, you can see Stones River National Cemetery across the street. The road separates the cemetery from the battlefield, but the two are still inextricably linked. Like a checkerboard of monuments, the white stones stand straight in the shadow of a patchy forest, forming a vast expanse of graves, each one perfectly identical, in strict formation with the others. At the end of the exhibit, a tiny screen displays a short video when prompted by another white button. In it, one ranger talks as he stands beneath the trees in the cemetery, “It really . . . somehow seems fitting that a place that was . . . so terrible for three days is now so peaceful. And it really is a way of coming full circle from the events that took place.”

Innovation Gets You Nowhere, Here’s Proof BY RICK WISEMAN

WITH GENERAL MOTORS’ announcement of a recall of an additional 2.7 million cars this May, just four months after a different recall for a different reason, the number of GM vehicles recalled in 2014 is—wait for it—11 million. Such numbers are staggering to comprehend. We bailed out this failed automaker less than six short years ago. GM’s “thank you” is unsafe vehicles that they knew were unsafe and could cause accidents, injuries and even death! And with this latest recall, several models affected were built after the bailout. What’s worse is they knew, yet they said nothing. That’s right, GM kept it a secret. I’m not an economist or a high-finance guy. So my opinion is a humble one. Neither GM nor Chrysler should have gotten bailout money, a.k.a. tax dollars. In the United States, companies fail all the time and do not get bailouts. Often, competitors or new companies fill the void, avoiding the mistakes of their failed competitor, often resulting in better products and services. I’m not anti-big business. I’m just antistupid business. In fact, I’m a Ford fan. In the early 2000s, they planned years ahead, refinanced debt, restructured Union contracts, built better quality cars, and are stronger than ever. No bailout required. So, GM laid off thousands of workers and closed plants to lower costs by the billions and supposedly become more efficient. They even scrapped the “Pontiac” nameplate. Yet, why didn’t the list price of GM cars come down, even if only a little, to be more competitive, maybe even take some market share from Japanese, European and Korean carmakers? If you make a consumer product, wouldn’t one of the goals of being more efficient be 38 * SEPTEMBER 2014 * BOROPULSE.COM

greater cost competitiveness? Never mind; that’s a rhetorical question. Let’s move on to why innovation gets you nowhere. Tesla is a maker of electric cars. They make really good ones. They don’t catch on ﬁre and people want to buy them. In fact, Consumer Reports, known for being stingy with praise, says one of Tesla’s models is “simply the best car you can buy.” It isn’t cheap, north of 70K, but it runs a long time on a charge and owners drive right past the gas pumps. “Sounds great!” you’re thinking. “Where can I buy one?” Tesla sells them to consumers factory direct. That’s a really innovative sales model for the car business. One might even call it edgy. Some states, such as New Jersey, won’t allow that, though. You read it right. Here’s why: Regulators say Tesla’s sales model gives them an unfair advantage over GM, Chrysler and Ford, who sell their cars through costly, inefﬁcient dealerships (a.k.a. very expensive middlemen). Caught off guard, I had absolutely no idea that an innovative sales model was “unfair.” “Uh-oh!” I thought. “Other companies sell their products direct to consumers all the time, and they just haven’t gotten caught yet.” Of course, in a free market, innovation gets rewarded. However, when government gets involved, not so much. Instead of screwing Tesla, the position to the Big Three should be, “Tesla sells direct? Tough luck. We can’t keep protecting you from yourself. Get out of your own way. Figure it out, sell direct like Tesla if you have to, but we’re not penalizing innovation. Tesla’s ‘green,’ and after the president’s bludgeoning over Solyndra and others, he needs a ‘win.’” Instead, they take “K Street” money funneled there by the Big Three and in so doing, hurt innovation.