September 2012 Murfreesboro Pulse

MURFREESBORO

IN MUSIC Vol. 7, Issue 9 September 2012

FREE Read Me!

MIDDLE TENNESSEE’S SOURCE FOR ART, ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS

Rennerfest Laser Flames J.S. Yeary Elemental Justin Kline Ancients

By Lightning!

Lollapalooza Wick-It Seafood Hotline

IN FOOD

Readyville Mill celebrates 200 years

IN LIVING

White Bay Freddie Murfreesboro's own sailing, SCUBA-diving, guitar-picking pirate

The relationship between eating meat and malnutrition on the other side of the globe

GIVEWAWAYS INSIDE ONLINE AT: BOROPULSE.COM

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CONTENTS OPINIONS

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What Murfreesboro is Saying Pulse readers weigh in on the issues.

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Gagflex Political sabotage is molding the outcome.

Phil Valentine Look at what Rep. Akin actually said.

 Little B couldn't get enough of the tractors both old and new at the Wilson County Fair this past month.

LIVING

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Living Green Is your steak starving others? The relationship between eating meat and world hunger.

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Eye on the Markets: Milk

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Trifit Needs more kettlebell!

Gardening Why I garden.

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Read to Succeed Book Review Broken Harbor by Tana French.

w

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Eagleville's Pioneer Power Days.

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Murfreesboro Entreprenaurs Recycling fun at Media Rerun.

y

Living Simple College cooking 101.

FOOD

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Readyville Mill Restaurant offers delicious pancakes and more.

SOUNDS

p a s

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White Bay Freddy Plundering from Murfreesboro to the Virgin Islands.

CONCERT LISTINGS Rennerfest Renner's rowdy friends to converge on The Boro.

3 Brothers Beer Garden Deli to open town's first permenant outdoor venue.

d

Album Reviews Justin Kline, Laser Flames on the Great Big News, J.S. Yeary, Ancients, Elemental, By Lightning!

j

Local Acts Rock Lollapalooza JEFF the Brotherhood, Moon Taxi play Chicago.

SPORTS

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Another Season with the Mafia Vols looks strong in season opener.

ART

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Greenway Art Fest Old Fort Park hosts annual art festival.

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MOVIES

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Revenge of the Monsters of Vanceingville Taylor Gentry's black-and-white sequel.

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Reviews The Expendables 2, The Campaign Living Room Cinema Court Room Cinema.

THEATER Sex, Crime and Wonka Something for everyone on local stages.

CREW

PULSE

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Publisher/Editor in Chief: Bracken Mayo

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COVER STORY

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

Music Editor: Jessica Pace

Contributing Writers: Art Director: Sarah L. Mayo Terri DeLong, Ryan Egly, Bryce Harmon, Jason Johnson, Tony Lehew, Zach Maxfield, Advertising Reps: Michelle Palmer, John T. Powers, Jay Spight, Don Clark, Orrin McCullough Andrea Stockard, Justin Stokes, Norbert Copy Editor: Cindy Phiffer Thiemann, Adam Valentine, Phil Valentine

To carry The Pulse at your business, or submit letters, stories and photography: bracken@boropulse.com 116-E North Walnut St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130 (615) 796-6248

Copyright © 2012, The Murfreesboro Pulse, 116-E N. Walnut St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

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

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

WHAT'S UP, MURFREESBORO! The Pulse has info on all sorts of musical happenings for your enjoyment once again. We have White Bay Freddie and his pirate sounds, lots of new recorded material from some of our fine local players, a two-day soiree put on by Mr. Renner, the opening of the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra’s new season; it’s still cool as ever at Cumberland Caverns’ monthly bluegrass show. Muddy Roots did indeed get a little muddy and 3 Brothers Deli is ready to open the neighboring garden to the public.

Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and many more hit DeLuna Fest in Pensacola later this month, then in Bowling Green the following weekend Cage the Elephant curates its Starry Nights Festival. The first weekend in October, the gentlemen from Shorty’s Pizza Bus invite some of the best bands in town to Carl’s Barn for “the ultimate Murfreesboro house party,” and Nashville’s Soundland sets up two stages for a day in Riverfront Park.

Check out the penultimate (I've been wanting to drop that word) page 35 of this edition for info on how you can win tickets to various wonderful activities.

I definitely recommend a stroll around Old Fort Park on Satuday, Sept. 15, to view the work of all of the great artists participating in the annual Greenway Art Fest. It’s free, it’s fun, it’s family friendly.

We welcome the thousands of new faces to the area coming to MTSU this semester. Ms. Mayo offers some tips on gettin’ y’alls kitchens all stocked up for the first time. My culinary legacy left at MTSU was introducing my fellow residents in the now-demolished Clement Hall to the peanut butter and honey sandwich and the tuna, cheese and barbecue sauce on toast.

If you've gotten SPAM from The Pulse's yahoo account recently, sorry! Please do not block that address; I believe the problem is solved. To receive our weekly newsletters packed with information about what’s going on in Murfreesboro delivered right to your inbox, make sure you’re signed up at boropulse.com/newsletter.

The irony of placing my brief observations on local milk prices next to a column bringing attention to malnourishment and starving people is not lost on me. I am appreciative that a bad day in my food supply means milk goes up 30 cents, and is not filled with concern as to whether I will live or die. I love that writers Terri DeLong and Ryan Egly arrive at some of the same conclusions regarding food choices from vastly different approaches, from the very micro approach of growing our own food means healthier meals, to the very macro participating in the corporate industrial food machine affects others across the globe in a negative way.

Peace, Bracken Mayo Editor in Chief BOROPULSE.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2012

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OPINIONS WHAT MURFREESBORO IS SAYING: JOIN THE CONVERSATION FACEBOOK.COM/BOROPULSE TWITTER.COM/BOROPULSE BOROPULSE.COM/CONTACT

In response to “Welcome to the Jungle: Rutherford Co. IDB Offers Serious Tax Breaks to Lure Amazon Giant” Amazon's property tax breaks are all of YOUR (Murfreesboro folks & small businesses) tax hikes. Hope you enjoy Amazon and all the barely livable wages they're going to hire most of you all at . . . smh.

— Michael J. Carrasquillo In response to last edition's “Please Help, Don't Give” Corey, I agree with and support you. Thank you for speaking out on this problem in our community! — Beverly S. Maynard Long, long overdue. Thanks for informing folks.

— Edward Maynard This is a list of verses from the Bible that may be of interest to you.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35) Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

(Proverbs 19:17) 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

(Matthew 25:35-40) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

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Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

(Deuteronomy 15:11) Read more verses on the subject at openbible.info/topics/helping_those_in_need.

— Pam Ide Just a thought, Jesus never said, “Give to the poor . . . wait no, they might use it for crack.”

It is not up to us to make decisions for them. If you want to give them money because you see the good in humanity, then do it. Don't assume the worst in people. — Carl If people actually knew Biblical history, they would understand this post. There are recorded complaints historically that Christians did more for the poor than the government ever did because not only did Christians give to basic needs, they cared enough to rehabilitate people.

The Roman government complained that Christians helped the poor more because they cared enough to do more than throw change. If the organizations that are available were actually empowered by us giving to THEM, they could have a much deeper impact on the poverty problem. Care enough to know how to help.

Don't just throw money at a burning building.

— David, daveashworth@hotmail.com In response to last edition's business feature “Interview with a Panhandler” I love that you did a story on those people! I see them all the time and I'm pretty sure it pisses most people off.

— Ashley Morton Love, love, love it! The phone number at the end is hilarious! They pay almost DOUBLE what I pay in rent and I work my ass off to be able to pay that! Angers me to the core.

— Kayce The newest issue of the Pulse is one of the best yet!! I especially enjoyed Mr. Mayo's “Interview with a Panhandler.” If mortification and hilarity were your objectives, then you hit a homerun! I laughed out loud.

I notice sometimes Shameka wears a brace and sometimes she doesn’t. What a wonderful family!?! Lol I’ve been having a recurring dialogue with people about giving to the homeless. I learned a long time ago that giving cash simply doesn't help. Supporting organizations, that are experts in providing outreach, is the best way to help

the homeless population, and I'm just glad y'all spread the word! — James McClain Update: The panhandling family featured in the last edition still sits near the corner of Medical Center and Broad many days, but do they ever take breaks, feel the need to get away? Yes, even they need to escape for a vacation every now and then. According to some who ride the Gray Line bus from Murfreesboro to Casino Aztar in Evansville, Ind., Albert and Vanessa occasionally take the bus to the casino. If you have given money to these individuals, how does that make you feel? — Bracken In response to “I Am What I Am: Shelbyville Music Festival for Autism” That is amazing, we are really excited about this appearing over there, you boys are all heroes!

This is the big time.

— Laser Beak Man Wow Tim your talents are taking you to amazing places and inspiring others to do amazing things. You must be very proud and excited to be a part of this! We definitely are!!!

— Giles Bowen As president of BCAES, founder of Parents Act and Aut 2 Be Kids, I am so very honored to work with The Ghost Ballerinas and “I Am What I Am” Music Festival & Autism Benefit— Leta Frame Tim Sharp and Laser Beak Man ROCK! —Cameron Burnette This is for Will, my little four-year-old neighbor who has Asperger Syndrome, which is on the Autism spectrum: Woo hoo for this wonderful music festival which will help spread the word about autism spectrum disorders. Will, such a wonderful little kid, said today about a puppy I introduced to him, “This baby dog loves me.”

For Will, Luke, Zack, Jase and his brothers, Elliott (and Laser Beak Man), and all the kids out there with ASD, You Are What You Are and we celebrate your every achievement!

— Renee And Robbie In response to “Islam is Taking Over the US from the Inside” Thank you Eric for lending your support to what many of us have understood for quite awhile now. The last 1,400 years of history should be teaching enough but so many have buried their heads in the sands. We must never forget, never submit and never surrender.

— Cynthia Bloemer

Having a person like yourself, learning and accepting the catastrophic truth about Islam's intention for a global caliphate, is so comforting. Blessings. It is my hope that all of us will create a tsunami of truth that will literally wipe out all the falsehoods and misinformation that is found in our intellectual elite and media. — Zarayah Israel This article is testament to the culture of manufactured fear that we live in – which serves as a convenient distraction from real problems (climate change, poverty, income inequality to name three big ones). Islamaphobia is convenient because it feeds on prejudice and is quite an easy sell. While it is true that I have met Muslims who seem to hold a worldview that was present in the Middle Ages, the case is not so different for the mainstream US Christians, especially in Tennessee. Just this week I saw massive support for Chick-fil-a following their appeal to a second great manufactured fear – gay marriage. So the real question is: how will you invest your energy? Will it focus on a manufactured fear of 1 percent of the population (Muslims), or the vast group of US conservatives who are proving so disastrous to US policy? Consider what type of mindset is consistently on the wrong side of history. The conservative mindset, which is fear-based, opposed the abolishment of slavery, women's suffrage, civil rights, minimum wage, child labor laws, the 8 hour work day, social security, and continue to oppose the humane treatment of animals, gay marriage, religious freedom, Medicare, and environmental protection.

Please refer to the previous Pulse article: “Gagflex: The Fear of Islam“ — Ryan Egly I cannot believe The Pulse published a column

by Eric Allen Bell. And I don't want to hear about free speech rights. He has the right to free speech, but that doesn't mean you have to publish his hate propaganda. Don't you have any standards? Isn't it enough that there's one paper in town solely devoted to spreading that particular message of hate?

Bell is trying to equate what he is doing with fighting Hitler's anti-Semitism. Don't you think it's really the other way around? Would you publish a column from the Aryan Nation? From Fred Phelps?

Based on your own columns, I do not believe you agree with Mr. Bell. Why did you have to give him yet one more outlet to spread his message of hate?

This anti-Islam rhetoric is not about politics.

It's not about left vs. right. It's about targeting human beings because of their religion. Could anything possibly be more un-American?

Bell has not done “research.” He has read

some propaganda and jumped into the game.

Bell even begins with lies and distortion.

Mega mosque? Compared to what? And the Islamic Center did nothing illegal, ever!

Chancellor Corlew ruled that the Rutherford County government didn't give adequate public notice. The ICM was not involved in the lawsuit at all in any way. The chancellor's decision was overturned by a higher court. That means Corlew made a mistake! That's how our court system works.

Next paragraph, the Islamic Center was not occupied without a permit. They were waiting patiently despite intense overcrowding at the current Islamic Center. We are talking barely room to move. And the poor kids. No place to play except a tiny parking lot.

Not abide by our laws? The ICM has done everything possible to be good citizens. They just stood by while that ridiculous process went on and on in Corlew's courtroom and their religion was maligned in the name of inadequate public notice. The ICM has never broken any laws!

Bell is concerned that the Federal Government filed a lawsuit using our tax dollars.

What does he want now? A revolution against the federal government? That's what some mosque opponents want. Someone was passing out a pamphlet about overthrowing the Obama administration at the last Murfreesboro court hearing.

And a “backroom deal” circumventing the will of the people? More like upholding the Constitution of our democratic government.

Then there's the craziness about letting a Muslim student pray in a storage room. Why do Christians have a problem with someone praying at school? I fully support anyone's right to pray at school as long as it is not endorsed by the school and forced on other students. Unfortunately, this does happen frequently in TN. The Christian influence is pervasive.

If you don't recognize Bell's “research” as lies and propaganda not worthy of consideration, then you have likely already succumbed.

This is not a legitimate point of view. It's not even good propaganda. It's just utter nonsense.

(By the way, I really liked the feature on sustainable living in last month's edition. No one else is doing that. The Rutherford Reader, on the other hand, has hate propaganda pretty well covered.)

— Sara Mitchell, sami7@earthlink.net Dear Editor, The Democratic and Republican establishment's worst nightmare is quietly becoming a reality.

Mark Clayton has won the Democratic nomination to run against Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker in the fall election.

Mr. Clayton's views and positions are: he wants to preserve American sovereignty by not joining the North American Union, preserve individual privacy by opposing a National Identification card, preserve free trade in the hands of the people instead of a monopoly in the hands of international corporations under NAFTA, pre-

serve and protect our traditional family values, the Boy Scouts, and our public schools from the radical onslaught of an atheist, homosexual, feminist, liberal, socialist, communist coalition, protect our service personal from Islamic terrorists hiding in the service, strict adherence to the US Constitution, keep the country from turning into “AN ORWELLIAN SUPER STATE.“ It took the Tennessee Democratic Party establishment just 24 hours to disavow him.

So far it has amused the Republican establishment but it is about to become their worst nightmare. You now have a Democratic candidate that is five times more conservative then the Republican Senator Corker. We know that yellow dog Democrats will vote Democrat come hell or high water. The traditional state rights, family values, red neck individualist Democrats will vote Democrat. If the tea party members, independents, 9-12ers, Ron Paulers', Libertarians, family values, fiscal conservatives and all others who have vowed they would not vote for Senator Corker decide to vote Democratic, Mark Clayton could become our next Senator.

Should this happen there would be a stampede of Democrats rushing to embrace the same values Mark Clayton does. Mark Clayton is indeed a pain in the tailbone to both the Democrat and Republican establishment.

Get involved in politics; it can be fun.

— Clarence Jaeger In response to “The Magic of the Me Ma Shuffle, and the Beauty of Beach Volleyball” Train is the best; the Me Ma sounds awesome . . . Go Titans!! — John H. In Response to editor’s note on preferring to get his own water refills and food at a restaurant There is actually more that I do for a customer than just getting their drink and bringing their food. I probably know more about the ingredients in certain foods than the people who package it. There are many things that have to be considered when dealing with people and their food, like if someone is a vegan and they ask if the balsamic dressing contains honey. I don't have time to go look for this info, so I find out these things beforehand or if and when the issue comes up then I have to remember that info.

How about people who do portion control or are allergic to certain items like soy gluten?

I need to know what (and how much of it) is in every entree, appetizer, dessert and drink that I serve people. I need to be able to tell people the answers to all kinds of questions and I also need to be able to warn someone if they are ordering their food in a way that may cost them more than another way because they will be mad if their food costs more than they wanted, trust me I know.

Then I have to make sure I have entered it in to the computer to the exact specifications given by the customer and believe me that is

not always easy to try and manipulate whatever system I am working with in a timely manner. I also have to keep an eye on how much alcohol a customer is consuming per hour and factor in food consumption while watching for any possible signs of early intoxication to protect everyone else who comes in contact with said alcohol consumer so that I am not later held responsible for their mistakes. All this while keeping track in my head when I should refill the sometimes 20 people's drinks, plan for different times of heading back to the kitchen to grab the food, carefully plan when to approach a table so as not to bother them too much or neglect them, watch the speed that everyone is eating so that I can get the to-go boxes or get their plates out of the way at just the right moment. Then I have to make sure that I get their check to them, return quickly or not too quickly, process their payment, and get their change or card back to them in a fashion that makes them happy. All this for each table and this process for many different people at once all with different rhythms.

It is a sales job, a dance, a short term relationship, and at times it is awesome. I have been working in the restaurant industry for 20 years. I like working with people and making them happy. I have a bachelor's degree and I am in the middle of continuing my education. I have only recently become disgruntled because there seems to be a discrepancy in my past few years of serving as compared to all the previous years.

I know the deal I have with my employer and I can work there or find a different job. The thing is that I am never really sure what contract I have entered into with each table. I can give great service and that sometimes pays off really well and sometimes it doesn't matter what I do the tip is going to suck.

There are already restaurants out there that do not employ servers, fast food restaurants, buffet style restaurants or sandwich shops, there is also the option of ordering take out, though I do recommend a bit of a tip depending on the to-go situation.

Now, even I am sick of the subject so maybe, we will meet again on more common ground about a something that none of us do for a living.

— Wendy Jewell How about you bust your ass for some people, run back and forth for hours, do everything with a smile, then hand them the $62 bill that they ran you to death for and see they leave you $3, because to them, that is what you were worth. Then after they leave you get to clean up the nasty mess and not be upset about it because you have five other tables watching you.

It kills me to watch people take out their bad days on strangers. Then to hear people who have no clue about the actual job and work involved talk about it like its idiot work. You may not have meant for it to come across the way it did, but it did; you have pissed a lot of people off.

— Allison Lumpkin

Hey, if someone's working hard for their family, I do not look down on that. They can be cleaning toilets, trading stocks, selling shoes, delivering pizzas, practicing law, waiting on tables, blogging, playing golf, or whatever it is that they do. Some have been in the food service industry for decades, and really enjoy it and make great money at it. That's awesome, they need to be at their job. If someone can't handle it, or finds it miserable, they don't need to be doing that. Same goes for every industry.

— Bracken In response to “Gagflex: We need to talk about a gun” A little history lesson for you: what was the first thing Hitler did to the Jews? He disarmed them, told them, “you don't need your guns. I am your Father, I will protect you.” Yeah, we see where that went.

You ask, “what's the point of assault rifles and 100-round drums?” Here's the point if you already don't see it: it keeps your government from completely overrunning you. Look around when you go outside. Did you vote to put all those cameras up? Or to allow them to use software to read your emails or listen to your phone calls? Ever heard of the Patriot Act? Violates every one of your civil rights. Look at other countries that don't have these rights and how their governments treat them. Why don't you go live there?

Do you know what kept Russia from taking over Afghanistan in the late '70s-early '80s?

AK-47s and RPGs (it's a rocket launcher, not a Role Playing Game) Very basic weapons kept a HUGE Government from defeating a bunch of (at the time) goat herders. (Russia wanted southern water access to the Indian Ocean) All the regulations in world would not have stopped James Holmes from buying what he wanted: he had no criminal record. Therefore, he passed every extensive (and they are extensive) background check performed on him before any firearm was handed over to him.

He did not have the right to “carry” an assault rifle. Nobody does. A “carry” permit allows the carrying of a handgun, not an assault rifle.

Assault rifles must be kept in a case during transport, separate from the ammunition.

You can't stop crazy, but a couple of people in that movie theater with their carry permits and their handguns on them, sure would have slowed him down a bit and maybe saved a few lives. Yes, there could have been people caught in a crossfire. Yes, people could have been shot too by gun-toting civilians, but people were being shot anyway, so don't even go there.

Do you know why nobody shoots up a police station or a gun store? Because they all have guns!

You will never be able to stop someone if they are determined to carry out their evil acts no matter how many laws you pass. Criminals don't follow the law and people are killed every day with knives and clubs. You gonna outlaw those too?

— Angel Face, handofgod69@yahoo.com BOROPULSE.COM

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OPINIONS Political Sabotage is Molding the Outcome

T

here is a quote from the Doug Liman movie Go that stuck with me over the years. To paraphrase the quote, the character said that in the old days you got ahead by being better than the guy ahead of you. Now people get to the top by being so incompetent that the guy ahead of them can’t do his job and falls on his ass. And congratulations, you’re the boss. This sums up modern politics pretty well. While President Obama has far from failed, it’s undeniable that his job is infinitely more complex as a result of Republican incompetence and outright bitterness. It’s not in their best interest to compromise and work towards solutions because solving issues would be a win for the President.

One of the Republicans’ favorite tunes is how President Obama is so far left that he doesn’t believe in bipartisanship and compromise, and that he’s the most liberal president of all time. I wish. The truth behind this accusation is that it doesn’t matter what President Obama puts on the table because

there isn’t a bill that they would support. You cuts across the board that kick in next year. can give Republicans everything they are ask- Democrats and Republicans don’t want this ing for, which has happened, and they still because it means automatic massive cuts to won’t support it. They are trying to sabotage domestic and defense programs. But who their way to victory. cares, it’s a Tea Party win The pointless debt and Obama is bruised. ceiling fight that has lead This hijacking of the to the pending issue of system has actually lead column by JASON JOHNSON sequestration is a great to Republican Senators tuckwopat@yahoo.com example. The debt ceiling Olympia Snowe and Jeff was going to be raised. It Bingaman to retire bewas truly not an option, but it led to a long cause anyone in the party who isn’t extremely and bloody political battle, which is what the far right can’t get bills or even a conversation Republicans wanted. The unintended consepassed the political grinder that they’ve crequence is sequestration, the pending financial ated. Mitt Romney’s entire campaign is based

GAGFLEX

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YOU CAN GIVE REPUBLICANS EVERYTHING THEY ARE ASKING FOR, WHICH HAS HAPPENED, AND THEY STILL WON’T SUPPORT IT. THEY ARE TRYING TO SABOTAGE THEIR WAY TO VICTORY.

No Rape is Justified

G

ood grief! Have you ever seen such a commotion as we’ve seen over Rep. Todd Akin’s comments about rape?

Akin, who is seeking to unseat Sen. Claire McCaskill in Missouri, was asked if he supported abortion in the case of rape. When I first heard about the story all I heard was “legitimate rape.” I was puzzled by the term.

What could he have meant by that?

Akin The mainstream media knew what he meant by that but chose instead to demonize Akin over the remarks rather than have an adult conversation about their substance. Republicans, whether misinformed about the true content of the remarks or just spineless and wanting to distance themselves from the controversy, immediately condemned the remarks.

Terms like “outrageous” and “insensitive” flew, and that was just from the Republicans.

The liberals were trying to hang this around the neck of the entire tea party movement. That’s like saying that all gays are responsible for the nut case who went into the Family Research Council with a backpack full of Chick-fil-A sandwiches and guns blazing.

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on this political climate. He’s not running on his great ideas; he’s running against an atmosphere of political drudgery. If you waste an hour and read through his 59-point plan you’ll see very few new ideas, but little quips against Obama and how he will correct this air of uncertainty that Obama has created.

Make no mistake; this is a top-down effort to gut Democrats at all cost. Whether it’s Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker destroying unions, Republicans in Texas discriminating against minorities by redrawing district maps, or voter discrimination in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Republicans are rigging the entire political system at our expense. And don’t buy into the argument that this effort is working both ways, because it’s absolutely not true.

Democrats are under the impression that if they put the best ideas on the table to actually help people that they’ll be somehow be rewarded. But it’s for hard for people to notice anything good produced by the government in the midst of political warfare.

Stop your political profiling and look at what Todd Akin actually said.

It’s extremely difficult to there are times when a woman have an intelligent discusjust needs to be raped. That VIEWS OF A sion about Akin’s comments is utter nonsense. with all the hysteria swirling He’s making the point column by around them, so it’s instrucPHIL VALENTINE that a woman’s body, in time philvalentine.com tive to look at what he actuof trauma, will fight off the ally said. When asked if he sperm of a rapist (more on would support abortion in the case that in a moment), thus if this is a legitimate of rape he said the following: “It rape her chances of getting pregnant are greatseems to me first of all from what ly reduced. Legitimate rape? As opposed to . .

I understand from doctors that’s .? As opposed to someone who has consensual really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, sex, wakes up mad at the guy in the morning the female body has ways to try to and cries rape. It happens more often than you shut that whole thing down.” think. There are some high-profile instances of The left immediately latched guys actually going to jail for rape only to find onto the “legitimate rape” portion out later the woman was lying. So, when Akins of his remarks. They then twisted said “legitimate rape” he was ruling out, for his that into some far-fetched notion example of low pregnancy rates, women who that Congressman Akin thinks decided they were raped after the fact.

CONSERVATIVE

THE NORMAL PREGNANCY RATE IN PEOPLE “NOT TRYING TO STOP A PREGNANCY IS ABOUT

40 PERCENT. THE PREGNANCY RATE IN RAPES IS AROUND 5 PERCENT. IN OTHER WORDS, 95% OF RAPE VICTIMS DON’T GET PREGNANT.

”

That’s totally different from the way the comments were portrayed and something Akins himself did a poor job in explaining after the fact.

Now, on to the second part of his statement, that a raped woman is far less likely to become pregnant. Statistics back the congressman up on this one. The normal pregnancy rate in people not trying to stop a pregnancy is about 40 percent. The pregnancy rate in rapes is around 5 percent. In other words, 95 percent of rape victims don’t get pregnant.

Akin went on to make the point that the rapist should be punished, not the innocent child he helped create. That’s a controversial point but if you truly believe that life begins at conception and that child is a living human being then why would you kill a child just because of who her daddy is? I’m not saying I could support forcing a woman to keep a rapist’s child.

I’m just talking consistency.

What’s disappointing is many conservatives didn’t have the guts to talk about the facts and allowed hysteria to rule the day.

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

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LIVING IS YOUR STEAK STARVING OTHERS?

EYE ON THE MARKETS:

MILK PRICES

The relationship between dietary choices and world hunger

used to feed animals rather than people. Industrial meat systems, which make the daily consumption and exploitation of animals possible, can afford to pay higher global food prices than the starving citizens of poor countries. In other words: meat is not only a luxury for the rich, it is also the source OF THE 7 BILLION PEOPLE NOW on of much suffering for the poor. According to a the earth, it is estimated that over 1 billion suffer 2009 study by UNEP, the United Nations Environfrom hunger while approximately 1.6 billion ment Program, “the loss of calories by feeding are overweight. Both estimates are on the rise. the cereals to animals instead of using the cereals Although world hunger is a very complex and directly as human food represents the annual caloglobal problem that involves many factors (climate rie need for more than 3.5 billion people.” From a change, water scarcity, wealth distribution, etc.), world hunger perspective, reducing global meat the consumption patterns of consumption by a third could wealthy countries certainly play alleviate the crisis without a role. Commodity prices are increasing agricultural output. set in the global market and In addition to the global issues are heavily interdependent: concerning world hunger, wealthy citizens that can afford there are countless case studies column by RYAN EGLY a certain commodity are often that illuminate the present egly@boropulse.com on the demand side of the situation. As one example, equation, while the poor are consider North Korea. In often on the supply side. If the commodity is pens, 1997, despite extreme food shortages, the country world citizens with low purchasing power might exported around 1,000 tons of maize to a Japanese write with pencils. If the commodity is food, world poultry operation. Or take Ethiopia, which excitizens with low purchasing power are malnourported food to the UK during the famine of 1984. ished, have high infant mortality rates, spend a These two extreme examples involve country-wide large portion of income on sustenance, etc. The famine and the global market, but the same is well problem of world hunger actually has very little documented within countries. Consider the Indian to do with resource scarcity and very much to do poultry industry. Low-priced grain is used to feed with inequality, wealth distribution, purchasing the industry, which grew from 300 million birds power, and the preferences of the wealthy. in 1993 to 800 million in 2000. The target of the Over the past 50 intensified production years, developed is India’s expanding countries have exported middle class, which an ever increasing leaves even less for amount of food, while the malnourished and developing countries starving (see CIWF have exported an ever 2004. "The Global increasing amount Benefits of Eating Less of merchandise. This Meat"). system has proven As an example that disastrous for the local food security in developis closer to home, consider that at 270 pounds per ing nations, which has become dependent on the person per year, Americans consume 167 pounds global supply chain rather than on local markets. more than the global average, and rank No. 2 after A spike in the price of oil, a commodity which is Luxemburg. The poultry, beef and chicken that fill used at every level in industrial food production, that demand are fed primarily corn and soy, at an can lead to massive food shortages in developing enormous caloric loss. Around 80 percent of the countries. The most recent large-scale example of corn and 50 percent of the soy grown in the U.S. this was in 2008 when a price spike caused critical are used to feed animals. Beef that is imported food shortages in 36 countries. into the U.S. has a direct rainforest foot print, How are these disturbing realities related to which is comprised of land cleared for grazing dietary choices? Due to the culinary preference for and soybean production. If the rest of the world meat and other animal products by those who can were to adopt an American-style diet, which is an afford the market price, millions of acres of arable aspiration highly correlated with an increasing land in developed and developing countries are level of affluence, we would need the resources of

LIVING GREEN

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5-6 earth-sized planets.

There are numerous other ways in which the consumption of animals contributes to world hunger. In the FAO report "Livestock’s Long Shadow", it is estimated that the livestock industry contributes 18 percent to global greenhouse gas admissions, which is greater than the transportation sector. The negative effects of climate change on worldwide agricultural output are well documented and future predictions only continue to worsen, even without accounting for unforeseen environmental catastrophes. Water scarcity is yet another component of the world hunger crisis that could be abated by a worldwide change in dietary preferences. The UN estimates that 64 percent of the world’s population will live in water-stressed regions by 2025. In the same report it is asserted that livestock production contributes an estimated “55 percent of erosion and sediment, 37 percent of pesticide use, 50 percent of antibiotic use, and a third of the loads of nitrogen and phosphorous in freshwater resources.”

This is a short description of an immediate and massive problem. If more convincing is needed, simply search the Internet for “effects of meat production” and you will see that the evidence is overwhelming, and not only from the perspective of world hunger. There are also the issues of ethical treatment of animals, personal health and a host of environmental issues. If the past gives any indication of future trends in resource use, little will change to help the current crisis. Weakened from centuries of colonialism and suffering from internal problems, the governments of many developing countries lack the power to enforce meaningful policies. Many citizens of wealthy countries are aware of the hunger crisis but feel powerless. Consciously changing one’s diet is one way to directly contribute every day and generate discussion about the issue. Lifestyle choices is where the rubber hits the road. The solution to this crisis can’t be purchased though ethical consumerism or fixed by voting for the best among bad political candidates. Although as individuals we have little to no influence on the political situation that promotes such injustice, we can choose to make a difference every time we take a bite. Go vegetarian/vegan (or at least consider dramatically reducing meat consumption) for yourself, your community and the world!

F

BY BRACKEN MAYO

or months, Kroger had gallons of milk priced at $2.89, WalMart offered its milk for $2.99, and Publix priced theirs at $3.09.

Upon last check, however, Publix and Kroger both met at the $2.99 price point, but Walmart, which has incidentally dropped its “We Sell for Less” slogan, has taken the lead in the Murfreesboro milk price war, selling gallons for $2.79.

(And Aldi very well may have that beat, but I’ve found that the time it takes to get there from our residence usually does not justify the savings. So for personal concerns, the battle comes down to the three stores mentioned).

Of course, prices have risen substantially over the past decade across the board (about a 50 percent increase over just 10 years as far as milk goes); and only 20 months ago Walmart priced milk gallons at $2.58.

It’s easy for even the thrifty consumer to say “it’s just a 10- or 20-cent difference.

Big deal.” But a slight difference in milk prices could mean thousands and thousands of dollars for just one store in terms of annual profit or loss. Now, think about all of the Walmarts across the country, and all of the shoppers purchasing a gallon of milk each day, and a 10-cent increase, or drop, in the price becomes a major corporate decision. Obviously, the company wants to profit, but also it doesn’t want to price items high enough to motivate consumers to look elsewhere.

We encourage you to be mindful of your food purchases, not just to save a dime or two next week, but to let the stores know that you’re paying attention.

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LIVING NEEDS MORE KETTLEBELL

More quick exercises to add to your routine

by ADAM VALENTINE

IT'S BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, Tri-Fit is continuing our kettlebell training routine in this month’s article. If you remember, last month we explained the methodology behind using Russian kettlebells as unique exercises for both cardiorespiratory and resistance training all in one. This article will reinstate our confidence using kettlebells by displaying some more advanced movements that you can try out.

ONE LEG V-UP: I like to begin with some sort of core/abdominal exercise to prep my body for the workout. In addition, it allows me to have fresh muscles that haven’t been fatigued yet so that I’m in control throughout the entire movement. One of my personal favorite abdominal exercises due to its use of difficult positioning and load on the core muscles.

Anyone can perform this exercise, just remember to start by using lighter weight, then progress once you are comfortable.

The exercise begins on your back, one leg down while the other knee is bent. Keep the kettlebell in the hands, arm stretched out above the head on the ground as well.

When the movement starts, elevate your leg and the kettle bell at the same time, keeping both the leg and the arm straight the entire time. As the two begin to meet, raise the shoulders and lift your back off the ground, imitating a crunch, then return. Perform this movement 10 to 15 reps per leg for 2 to 3 sets.

THE DEADLIFT: A great way to strengthen your spine and hamstrings, the deadlift is recommended especially in women with osteoporotic complications.

Although basic looking, this exercise must be executed with strict form to avoid any potential injuries. To start, position the kettlebell between the feet, turning the toes out and keeping knees aligned with them. Next, squat down to pick up the kettlebell while keeping your back arched and head tilted up (Beginners should avoid looking down or bending back; stay upright and arched.). At the end of the movement, you should be standing upright with shoulders back, and then decelerate in the same way you came up. You should feel this exercise in the back and legs, specifically the hamstrings and lower back.

Once mastered, turn this move into an upright row and pull the kettlebell up to the chest. This will work the shoulders and trapezoids, giving you a total body workout in one movement!

Adam Valentine is a personal trainer with Tri-Fit. For more information or assistance in reaching your personal fitness goals, contact him at (615) 414-5974 or trifitadam@yahoo.com

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Why I Garden Don't trust the corporate mega farms to have your family's health in mind. by TERRI DELONG EVERY YEAR I GROW A PORTION OF MY FAMILY’S FOOD. There are many reasons why I choose to do this. Of course, one reason is that homegrown produce just tastes better than store-bought fruits and veggies. But to me, there are many, even more significant, reasons to having my own garden.

I find that providing my family with food that is not genetically modified or grown with toxic chemicals is extremely important. I am also concerned with the future of our national food supply for various reasons, and knowing that I am capable of growing food for my family eliminates a lot of my fears associated with that. And last but not least, gardening is a very sacred activity that helps me feel more connected to the Earth.

A study done in 2008 by the USDA Pesticide Data Program found 54 pesticide residues in conventionally grown strawberries. Many of these pesticides are known carcinogens, neurotoxins and hormone disrupters. I don’t know about you, but to me, that is downright scary! Besides the human health consequences, chemical pesticides are also disruptive to Earth and its inhabitants. They cause groundwater contamination and soil degradation and also destroy fragile ecosystems. A new study from Harvard University scientists concludes that certain pesticides are likely the primary cause of colony collapse disorder in honeybees. GMO’s are another potential threat to our health and environment. Genetically modified organisms have been banned by the European Union, Japan, Australia and a dozen other countries. No one knows if GMO’s are safe, yet here in America, they don’t even have to be labeled! The reason for this is purely political, which means, basically, it’s all about money. We cannot keep allowing

corporations to profit from killing us!

This year we are experiencing the worst drought in over 50 years. Some climatologists are worried that we are headed for a possible century-long drought in America’s breadbasket region. If this were to happen, food would become scarce. And the food that would be available would be extremely expensive. The price of oil also affects the cost and availability of food in the grocery stores. Our dependence on oil is a wee bit disturbing to me. Ninety-nine percent of food in the grocery stores is trucked in from thousands of miles away. When gas prices go up, naturally our food gets more expensive. Also, there is only a limited amount of fossil fuel beneath our feet.

Our present levels of consumption are simply unsustainable. What are we going to do when we run out of oil? Buying from local farms is a wonderful option, but local farms can’t feed us all.

Despite all of my concerns with the safety and constancy of our national food supply, I have another, more heartfelt, reason why I garden. Gardening is an escape from stress and the materialistic world. For me, there is something very comforting and natural about growing my family’s food. I feel at one with nature, so to speak. It doesn’t matter whether I am digging a hole, planting seeds or pulling a ripe tomato off its stem, it just feels good. I love gardening. I will probably continue to garden until I am no longer physically able to.

Having your own organic garden is very rewarding in many ways. It gives you more control over your health and also helps to preserve the earth. It can give you a sense of well-being and keep you better in touch with Mother Nature. And who knows, it may even save your life someday!

Broken Harbor

by Tana French Veteran detective Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy has seen plenty of cases through his years on the Dublin murder squad. But when the biggest case of the year falls into his hands, Scorcher has a bad feeling about it, and as the mystery unfolds, we learn that Scorcher’s instincts are correct. There is much more to the murder in Broken Harbor than meets the eye.

It’s a headline-making case: a young family of four is viciously attacked in their home, leaving father Pat Spain, daughter Emma and son Jack dead, and mother Jenny clinging to life. The family lives in a planned community that has fallen victim to the recession; instead of a neighborhood filled with happy families, there are skeletal half-built houses, disgruntled homeowners and squatters. Pat has recently lost his job as well, and the family has been struggling financially. At first glance, this appears to be an open and shut case of murder-suicide. But something is very wrong in Broken Harbor and in the Spain household in particular: baby monitors are hidden throughout the house, large holes are found in the walls and a large trap is set in the attic.

Scorcher has encountered a set of victims he rarely sees: the truly innocent. Years on the force have left him jaded, and this case shakes him to the core. He and rookie partner Richie begin to focus on how and why the Spains were chosen; Scorcher wonders what “bright lure had hooked something clawed and simian . . .” that followed the family home. Adding to his burdens is the memories this case brings to Scorcher personally—long before the housing boom, his family used to vacation in Broken Harbor. While Scorcher investigates what may be the most important case of his career, he must also face his own demons, for it is at Broken Harbor where Scorcher’s own family was torn apart by his mother’s suicide. Scorcher’s younger sister Dina was

by MICHELLE PALMER at a fragile age when the suicide took place, and as the murmichellepalmersbooks .blogspot.com der case becomes more convoluted, Dina begins to unravel.

Tana French’s descriptions are beautifully written and evocative; even the ocean in Broken Harbor takes on a personality through French’s skillful hands. Unlike many mysteries, the “whodunit” is almost secondary to the characters themselves; Broken Harbor is as much about the journey as it is the solving of the crime. Broken Harbor is not a light fluffy read; it is the kind of meaty novel that you sink your teeth into, with characters like Scorcher that you won’t soon forget.

READ TO SUCCEED

BOOK REVIEW

Michelle Palmer is a RTS One Book Committee member and author of the book blog, Turn of the Page at michellepalmersbooks.blogspot.com. Read To Succeed is the community collaborative created to promote literacy in Rutherford County. The objective of this partnership between schools, area agencies and businesses is to support local programming and raise awareness about the importance of literacy. For more information and to find out how you can make a difference in Rutherford County’s literacy rates, visit readtosucceed.org. The opinions expressed in this book review are not necessarily representative of Read To Succeed, but simply intended to promote the joy of reading.

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS Send event information to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com Wine on the Veranda Wine on the Veranda goes beyond a wine tasting, featuring 7 a variety of wines that will be expertly paired with local foods on Sept. 7, at The Sam Davis Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna), from 6-9 p.m. This event not only highlights wine tastings, but also grants an educational opportunity to learn how to pair the best wine with your meal. Admission is $30 per person and $25 for Sam Davis Memorial Association members. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

SEPT.

Main Street’s Friday Night SEPT. Live Concert Series Enjoy this month’s Main Street 7 Friday Night Live Concert Series 6:30–9:30 p.m. for music, food and more. This month features the O’Donnells, so bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music! For more information, please call (615) 895-1887 or visit downtown murfreesboro.com.

10th Annual Wings of SEPT. Freedom Fish Fry The 10th Annual Wings of 8 Freedom sponsored by Rotary Club of Smyrna and hosted by the SmyrnaRutherford County Airport and Corporate Flight Management will be held at 5 p.m. in honor of women in the military. For more information call (615) 459-2651 or visit rotaryofsmyrna.org.

MTSU Football Game Come cheer the Blue Raiders on to victory as they take on Florida 8 Atlantic University 6 p.m. at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium on the MTSU campus. Tickets available at the stadium ticket office or at any Ticketmaster location. Contact MTSU at (615) 898-2109 or 1-888-YES-MTSU. For more information, please call (615) 898-2109 or visit goblueraiders.com.

SEPT.

Art Barn Art Lessons Art Barn will be hosting numerous art lessons throughout September.

Sept. 8—Drawing the Human Head/Figure: 4-hour workshop 11 a.m.–3 p.m. – a live model will be available for the last part of this workshop.

Sept. 9—New Art Quilt Series: 4 week series 2 p.m.–4 p.m. Participants will design

SEPT. 8–29

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and make an art quilt wall hanging. (Think possible Holiday gifting!)

Sept. 15—Polymer Clay Tile Mosaic Workshop: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Learn to make your own polymer clay tiles for mosaics and create a fun trinket box piece.

Sept. 22—Altoid/Polymer Clay Figure Workshop: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Participants will construct a figure using an old Altoid mint tin, decoupage, polymer clay.

Sept. 29—Knife Palette Painting with Carol Berning: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Learn to paint with a palette knife and create a beautiful still life.

For more information, call (615) 7221026 or visit theartbarntn.com.

Earthsoul Gallery The Cultural Art League of Rutherford County will have art of display with an opening reception Sept. 8, from 6–9 p.m. at the Earth Soul Gallery (307 Hazelwood Dr., Smyrna).

With art work by artists from Russia, Nigeria and surrounding areas, the mission of this on-going art show is to ignite and nurture creativity in the community. The gallery offers a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere while experiencing the artistic visions of our community artists. Please come out and show your support! For more information,

SEPT. 8–29

25th Annual Pioneer Power Days SEPT. The 25th Annual Pioneer Power Days is the South’s largest antique tractor 7–8 and gas engine show with over 700 tractors. Gates open at 7 a.m. at the

Eagleview Showroom (747 Chapel Hill Pike, Eagleville). For more information, contact jessegeasley@yahoo.com, (615) 542-5656 or visit eaglevilletvppa.com.

please contact Diane Stockard at (615) 594-6647 or djss4423@msn.com.

Old Timers’ Festival This event features a country ham breakfast, parade, musical entertainment and fireworks.

Enjoy the City of La Vergne’s annual festival celebrating Lavergne and its citizens (115 Floyd Mayfield Drive, La Vergne). For more information, please call (615) 287-8690 or visit lavergnetn.gov.

SEPT. 14–16

Shacklett’s Photography 75th Birthday Celebration Join Shacklett’s Photography at 15 the 75th Birthday celebration at the Studio on the Square, September 14th from 5–7 p.m. and September 15th, from 9 a.m.–noon. Friday evening, National Dance Clubs of America will dance to the warm, orchestral sounds of the Ginny and Shack era (World War II), and Saturday from 9–11 a.m. there will be a Birthday Celebration Podcast and reception at Pa Bunk’s. From

SEPT

Horse FNH (Forage, Nutrition, Health) Workshop (Sept. 17 & 24, Oct. 1) 17 Join Extension Agents from Wilson, Rutherford and Bedford Counties from 7–9 p.m. for this three-night workshop at Lane Agri Park Community Center (315 John R. Rice Blvd.). The workshop is designed to teach the latest, proven methods to care for horses. Topics will include: nutritional requirements; how to economically feed for health and performance; how to establish, maintain and manage pastures; techniques for better grazing; first aid for horses; disease update and a health management calendar. Call (615) 898-7710 or (615) 444-9584 to reserve your spot. Seating is limited to the first 40 participants.

SEPT

11 a.m.–noon. the Renaissance Revival will be in concert on the Square. The studio will feature photos and memorabilia both days.

For more information about Shacklett’s Photography, visit shacklettsphotography. com, Facebook/shacklettsphotography or call (615) 893-2369.

Greenway Art Festival September 15 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., talented artists will display 15 and sell their work along the Greenway trail at Old Fort Park (916 Golf Ln.). Oils, acrylics, watercolors, pottery, sculpture and other original artwork will be available as well as music, food vendors and kids’ art activities. This is a juried festival.

Artists’ entry fee is $25. Visitors admitted free. For more information, please call (615) 893-2141 or visit murfreesborotn.gov.

SEPT

Murfreesboro Symphony Concert: An Evening 20 in Paris Join the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra at First Methodist Church (256 West Thompson Ln.) September 20 for An Evening in Paris and fine art, featuring the art of the Cultural Art League of Rutherford County and more. Leave your passport at home! For more information, please call (615) 898-1862 or visit murfreesborosymphony.com.

SEPT

Days of Washing, Churning and Learning 21 Teachers and parents can plan a day of hands-on activities, demonstrations, crafts and games on Sept. 21, from 9 a.m.–noon, at the Oakland Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.). Children can come and experience chores from the 1860s when they wash clothes on a washboard, make candles, churn butter and beat the

SEPT

rugs. Bring your own blankets and sack lunches and enjoy an old fashioned picnic under the colorful fall trees. Reservations required. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or visit oaklandsmuseum.org.

MTSU EYH Girls Camp Registration is ongoing for the 22 Sept. 22 girls’ 2012 MTSU Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics conference. The 16th annual event will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on campus. Up to 300 girls from the 5th through 8th grades, and up to 75 highschool girls from the Middle Tennessee region are welcome to attend the event.

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Dr. Judith IriarteGross at (615) 904-8253 or Judith.

Iriarte-Gross@mtsu.edu.

SEPT

mals, music and much more at the Sam Davis Home (1399 Sam Davis Rd.) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. All activities along with a limited house and museum tour are offered for students and the general public for the admission price of $5. Reservations are recommended for groups of 10 or more. Heritage Days is a weatherdependent event. For more information, please call Sam Davis Home at (615) 459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

Arts and Crafts Fair An Arts and Crafts Fair will 29 be held at Stones River Manor, which is an assisted living for the elderly. Rental space is only $25 and you keep 100 percent of your profit.

The vendor fee is going towards a Walking Trail for the residents. If interested, contact Holli Groom at Holli_ster87@ comcast.net or (615) 893-5617.

SEPT

Rally for Recovery 5K Run 29 The Dr. David T. Dodd Memorial Rally for Recovery 5K Run is held every year by the Recovery Support Foundation to support the services of the Rutherford County Drug Court Program. This year’s run takes place at the Gateway Trail Reception Center (Medical Center Parkway) Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 a.m. Entry is $25 through Sept. 15; $30 after Sept. 15; $15 Student fee (13 to 17 years old); One Mile Family Fun Run, $30 for Family of Four or $10 per person.

T-shirts guaranteed to all participants registered before Sept. 15. Amenities include great food, gift bags, prizes, inflatables and face painting for the kids! If you would like to be a sponsor for the Rally for Recovery or participate in the run, contact the Drug Court Office at (615) 217-7124 or mschneider@rutherfordcounty.org. Register at recoverysupportfoundation.org/race or active.com.

SEPT

Rockin for Rescue Beginning at 6 p.m. at 3 22 Brothers Deli, get ready for a fun-filled night of live music, silent auctions, amazing food and rock star dogs. Only $5 to get in, and all money raised goes straight to helping dogs and cats in need. Operation Education Animal Rescue, also known as OpEd, is a non-profit, all-breed, foster-based animal rescue group serving Middle Tennessee.

You can visit their website at opedanimalrescue.com or goo.gl/sBomt (Facebook Event) for more information about their rescue and what can be done to adopt, foster or help. All donations made to Operation Education are tax-deductible.

SEPT

Art Night on the Square A few of Murfreesboro’s 26 downtown businesses will open their doors for those participating in an art crawl from 6–9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26.

After visiting the Center for the Arts, Moxie and Liquid Smoke pedestrians taking in the work of local visual artists are invited to an after-party concert at 3 Brothers Deli.

SEPT

26th Annual Heritage Days 27 Now in its 25th year, Heritage Days celebrates the beginning of autumn with living history presentations, skilled artisans, live ani-

SEPT

Bicycle Tours at the Stones River National SEPT. Battlefield Join a ranger for a bicycle tour of the Stones River Battlefield at 9 a.m. every Saturday (1563 N. Thompson Ln.). For more information, please call Stones River National Battlefield at (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

Main Street Saturday Market SEPT. Do not forget about Main Street Saturday Market!

Every Saturday, from 8 a.m.–noon on the Murfreesboro Public Square (225 W. College St.), enjoy home grown veggies, fruits, eggs, flowers, herbs, baked goods and more. For more information, call (615) 895-1887.

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LIVING

(From left) Larry Pinkerton, Jesse Pinkerton and John Judkins (along with Peter from Family Guy hanging out) greet customers from behind the store's counter. (Above right) The staff frequently searches the 'net for information on pricing and what to pay for collectibles and media.

Media Rerun: Recycling Fun Family business buys, sells and trades music and more in its own little corner of the 'Boro. story and photos by BRACKEN MAYO

M

ost everyone likes to be entertained; and most everyone likes finding a good deal. So the next time you’re out Rutherford Boulevard way, stop by Media Rerun.

You may find an affordable and enjoyable book, CD, video game or movie, and a great group of friendly and hardworking Murfreesboro entrepreneurs. But be careful; in addition to five DVDs for $20, you may find yourself engaged in a conversation about media, music, politics, local restaurants or life in general with owner Larry Pinkerton, his son Jesse, and trusty employee John Judkins.

The store will celebrate its tenth anniversary next year, and offers previously owned entertainment media of all types, music, movies, games and more, plus other items like tapestries, musical instruments and incense.

Media Rerun can also be a source of cash for those finding themselves in a tight financial spot and happen to have a pile of DVDs laying around or if you just want to liquidate that video game system that never gets used. They pay cash or offer store credit for your items that others may be interested in.

MURFREESBORO PULSE: How did you get into the retail business?

LARRY PINKERTON: We’ve always appreciated the idea of recycling, so why not recycle fun?

JESSE PINKERTON: I started working in the retail field many years ago at stores like Tower records and Best Buy. When rumors first started to circulate of a new Walmart shopping cen-

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ter “College Central,” we started brainstorming and came up with Media Rerun, a store full of fun!

John Judkins: In 2003, Jesse pulled me out of a greasy restaurant and gave me the coolest gig in town!

MP: What’s your least favorite part?

LP: Having to pay the staff, no, again I digress—paying bills is our least favorite.

JJ: Trying to keep up with and sorting through all the trade-in inventory we get on a daily basis. It can get a little frustrating when you know you have an item somewhere, but just can’t find it because it might be hidden under a stack of DVDs or Barry Manilow records!

JP: Walmart next door siphoning the money out of everyone!

MP: What challenges have you overcome in starting and growing your business?

LP: Like the rest of the economy, our business began to slow down around 2007. Can’t recall who was President—wink, wink.

Then It began to return to normalcy around 2009, again don’t MP: Who are your customers? know who the President was then.

LP: Mainly good folks looking for a good deal.

JP: Aside from the occasional family squabble, JJ: College students looking for incense and I would have to say, for me, being pulled in too tapestries and rascally wild kids with their many directions at once! It wears on the skin. parents looking for DVDs and video games.

Murfreesboro Entrepreneurs Association MP: What businesses/people were an JP: People looking for something to take inspiration for you? home and wind down too.

LP: I’ve always been inspired by businesses that make a fair profit, treat customers fairly MP: What is your advice to someone and otherwise do no harm. My personal starting a business? mentor and business model would be Auston LP: Win the lottery.

FEATURED BUSINESS: Media Rerun “Pinky” Davis. I taught guitar and worked JP: Don’t get overzealous. Think it at his music shop in Shelbyville for years and through carefully and never be afraid to OWNERS: Larry and Jesse he was like a father to me. I love that man. He change it up. Find your niche and do it.

Pinkerton treated everyone, yes, everyone, who walked through his door with respect.

MP: How are you getting the word out JP: I can make this short and sweet, Judy L. Goldie (Phase II, Trendy about your business?

Pieces and Bella’s Boutique). I had the pleasure of working for Judy LP: Nothing spreads the word like giving somebody a good for a couple years, She’s the bomb! Business smarts and a great big deal—and the Pulse of course! heart. Anyone would benefit from her wisdom; she taught me a lot.

JJ: I play a lot of music around town and I usually get into a conversation with someone about gear, games or movies. I end up MP: What’s your favorite part of running your business? sending them over this way to get a good deal on something.

LP: Charging people more than an item is worth. Seriously, we JP: Networking, baby! I say let your character do the talking. have a great staff and that makes it fun.

If you can connect with people about something that they show JJ: Working with some of my best friends and meeting unique interest in or seem to care about, you’ve got ’em. If that doesn’t people who are trading in unique items. Also, getting to throw work there’s always the mafia, they can be very . . . persuasive. away Donny Osmond albums every few months.

JP: I get to hang out with the people who mean the most to me.

For more on Media Rerun, look them up on Facebook, call Where else could you work with your parents, wife and one of my (615) 907-0901 or stop in the store at 2820 S. Rutherford best friends? Not to mention all the goodies I get to take home!

Blvd.

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

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LIVING

COLLEGE COOKING 101

cause I don’t really like beer unless it’s part of a great pot roast recipe). It doesn’t take many nights of eating Corlew Cafeteria pizza for dinner before it starts to show up on your backside, if you’re a female anyway.

So students, many will not want to hear this, but upon going to college, it’s better for both your wallet and your waistline if you learn to cook for yourself.

GOING OFF TO COLLEGE is a special time in I already know what you’re thinking: you’ll be too one’s life. At last, you’re free to make your own decipressed for time, you have more important things to sions: chose your own décor, decide when and where do like study or socialize, you’re too tired to cook, or to study—or party—and set your own curfew. But one it’s easier to stand in line at Taco Bell or Subway. sad reality is that upon moving away from home, you I’ve been there, and believe me, I remember . . also leave behind mom’s home cooking. . but I also know this: if I had known what I know Throughout college I was very lucky now about cooking when I started that “home” (Carthage, Tenn.) was college, I would have eaten better only a short hour-long drive away, and food that was of higher quality, less sometimes on weekends when I visited expensive, healthier and simple to my parents, my mom would pack prepare. Fact is, cooking isn’t difficult leftovers or freeze meals for me to take or very time consuming at all with a column by back to school. Sadly, not every student a little planning and the right tools.

SARAH MAYO has that luxury. During the week, after Don’t be intimidated; even if you mom’s leftovers had run out, eating don’t have the kitchen space, budget Ramen noodles and Chef Boyardee, and even dining or willingness to follow every suggestion here, let in Corlew Cafeteria (if you’re a Freshman living on this be a beginning to your journey towards meal campus) gets really old as well as unhealthy as the preparation independence. As Sam says in Green year progresses. Yes, I gained the famous “Freshman Eggs and Ham, “Try it, try it, you will see!”

15,” and it wasn’t from drinking too much beer (beThe first step is stocking your kitchen. This is

LIVING SIMPLE

the most expensive part. Hopefully mom and dad will chip in since these are college necessities. If not, you’ll have to budget for essential cooking tools, maybe shop at Goodwill or hit up a few yard sales to find a used microwave, or purchase a few items at a time. Plus, most of these are a one-time deal. As long as you treat your cooking tools properly, they’ll last throughout all four years of college and longer.

Essential Appliances (In order of necessity): 1. Microwave: Should go without saying. It’s probably the one cooking tool that all college kids do know how to use.

2. Toaster Oven: More useful than a pop-up toaster because not only will it toast bread, but also mini pizzas, sandwiches (fresh or frozen), corn dogs, etc.

3. Crock Pot: (4 qt. or larger) A must have for any kitchen. The crock pot makes it possible to throw meat, veggies and seasonings into one pot, set it to low, leave for class/work and return home to a delicious meal at the end of the day. It doesn’t get any easier than that. [Pictured: Stainless steel Crockpot 4.5-quart Slowcooker at Target for $17.99].

4. Coffee Pot: For those who need their morning cup to get the day started. Purchasing a cup from Starbucks or even McDonald’s each morning isn’t feasible when you’re dining on a budget. Four beverages from Starbucks equals the cost of one sleek digital coffee pot that you can use for years to come.

The best deal: visit gevalia.com/freecoffeemaker and enroll in their coffee club ($19.99). Select four bags from over 40 premium coffees and/or teas and they’ll send you a free Gevalia coffee maker as an enrollment gift.

Even if you cancel the membership, the coffee pot is yours to keep.

Cooking Essentials (the bare necessities for cooking on the stove or in the oven): Nonstick Cookware: 1. 2-quart covered sauce pan (“Covered” means it comes with a lid. Lids are important because they help control cooking time) 2. 10” covered skillet (not to be confused with a sauté pan. You want a skillet with deep sides) 3. 6-quart covered stock pot 4. Cookie sheet Other Essential Cooking Gadgets: (Note: never use metal cooking tools on non-stick cookware) *Measuring cups/spoons *Slotted spoon *Basting spoon *Large or medium-size slotted plastic spatula *Can opener/bottle opener

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Note: Items listed above are available as a set at Walmart. (Farberware 14-piece Professional Tool and Gadget Set, $19.97, walmart.com). The set also comes with a Euro Peeler, which could come in handy for peeling fruits and veggies. I happen to own several Farberware pieces and they’ve held up nicely for the price. *Oven Mitt/Oven Pad, (usually sold as set) *Colander (for straining noodles, veggies, etc.) *Cutting board *3 Knives: (Note: Purchase high quality knives and they’ll last a lifetime).

1. Small paring knife (I recommend Pampered Chef ($9, pamperedchef.com, under the Outlet Specials link) The storage cases double as sharpeners.)

2. 5” chopping knife (less cumbersome than a larger one) I have a Farberware from Walmart that has held up well.

3. 8” Serrated bread knife (a musthave for cutting breads, sandwiches, cakes, pizza, oranges and pineapples). I recommend Pampered Chef brand ($19.50, pamperedchef.com) for this particular knife. I have one in my kitchen and use it for all sorts of things. *Medium-sized plastic mixing bowl (usually sold as sets, but the medium-sized ones are most useful) *Plastic storage containers of various sizes (for leftovers) I enjoy the Rubbermaid 24-piece Food Storage Set with easy-find lids ($10 at Walmart).

Non-essential Cooking Gadgets (because they just make life easier): *Small George Foreman Grill (or similar off-brand): Handy for grilling meats (i.e. chicken, steak or burgers), sandwiches or veggies (i.e. peppers for fajitas). I don’t consider this a necessity because this can also be accomplished in a non-stick skillet. *Micro Cooker by Pampered Chef ($8.50, pamperedchef.com): No, I’m not a pampered chef consultant, but this handy device allows you to cook meats and veggies in the microwave, and the lid serves as a strainer. *Hand mixer (nice to have on hand for tough mixing jobs: cake mixes, creamy mashed potatoes) *Ladle (for serving soups, etc.) *Spaghetti Server (or just use a fork) Basic Items: *Inexpensive dishes, cups, utensils (for dorm rooms I recommend disposable plates and utensils. I know it’s not great for the environment, but you can purchase paper instead of Styrofoam. It saves time and is much cleaner.

While living in the dorms I was always disgusted when people washed their dishes in the bathroom sinks and would leave food behind). *Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, salt/pepper shakers, cooking oil, flour, sugar, butter, non-stick cooking spray, baking soda (3 boxes—two to leave open in the refrigerator/freezer, one to use to bake).

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Blueberry Pancakes

FOOD (Right) Tony Lehew gets the scoop on Readyville Mill, and some breakfast, from Nora Robinson. (Below) Breakfast cornbread served with fresh fruit, salad and bacon.

THE DISH NAME: The Readyville Mill LOCATION: 5418 Murfreesboro Road, Readyville PHONE: (615) 563-MILL HOURS: Saturday 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

PRICES: Whole wheat buttermilk hotcakes or stone-ground corncakes, bacon or sausage, grits and maple syrup, banana syrup or blueberry sauce: $11.95 ONLINE: readyvillemill.com

Local musicians pick a little on a Saturday morning to add some sweet sounds to the air.

story by TONY LEHEW photos by SARAH MAYO

Step Back in Time Readyville Mill celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2012.

I

f you are awake before the crack of noon on a Saturday and want to do something really cool, I have a suggestion. Venture out to The Readyville Mill and have breakfast. It is well worth getting up early and making the drive. Readyville (pronounced REED-ee-vul) is a small community about halfway between Murfreesboro and Woodbury. It’s located on the Old Woodbury Highway, which runs off of State Route 70. The Mill is directly behind Russell’s Market, just across the bridge (or just before the bridge if you are coming from Woodbury).

THE HISTORY Although Readyville is small community, it plays a big role in the history of Middle Tennessee. Before Rutherford and Cannon County were carved out of the new state of Tennessee, Charles Ready (for whom Readyville is named) was in direct competition with William Lytle to donate the land on which Murfreesboro would eventually be built. Mr.

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Lytle came out the winner of this contest by being a little better at wining and dining local politicians than Mr. Ready. If Charles Ready had a few more barrels of beer, Murfreesboro might have been in Cannon County.

Charles Ready may not have been able to lure the county seat away from the location it sits on now, but he still left his mark. Most notably, by building the first brick house ever in this area. No small feat when you consider that roads at that time were almost nonexistent. The bricks were floated down Stones River via flat bottom boats from Nashville. He also built the only remaining grist mill left in Middle Tennessee. For those that don’t know, a grist mill is where farmers would take corn and wheat crops and have it ground into corn meal and flour. Mills in those days were powered by water. Readyville Mill is on the banks of Stones River and a large vertical wheel was turned by water current and that energy was used to turn the grinding stones that ground the corn and wheat into meal and flour.

PRESENT DAY The coolest aspect of this mill is, all that equipment is still there. Although they don’t use river

power anymore, they still grind meal there today.

Readyville Mill is no more than a 20-minute drive from anywhere in Murfreesboro and 100-year step back in history. When you enter, you notice all kinds of décor from years gone by.

Things like old ice cream coolers, antique steel blade fans, cast iron cooking utensils and old farming implements. The all-wood interior and ancient wood floors really give a feel of the mill’s history. Once seated, the aforementioned steel fan oscillated intermittently across my table to bestow its cool air on me and intensify the smell of good food that filled the place. Everywhere you looked, there were jars of homemade jams and jellies, bags of fresh ground whole wheat flour, corn meal, oldtimey cookware and art produced by local artists.

There was live folk and country music coming from the dining room down the hallway. The pickers all gathered in a semicircle in one of the dining rooms, and the music was played through speakers in all other dining areas. It’s a lot to take in, and the first time, it’s a bit of a sensory overload.

But by my second sip of coffee, I had settled in and started listening to the random sounds of conversation going on around me. Not eavesdropping mind you, aware of the surroundings. The overall

feeling of the room was as relaxed as a breakfast at your own kitchen table. It’s a very comfortable environment and a real testament to the character of the people who work there.

THE FOOD Readyville Mill is not a restaurant in the sense that we are accustomed to. They only serve food on Saturday mornings, 8 a.m. until noon. Their menu is limited to items that they buy locally, make fresh that day and as often as possible, and it involves products made at the mill. The menu changes with the seasons to reflect what produce is readily available at that time of year. At the time of my visit (mid-July), the menu included tomato pie. Now, that may not sound a bit odd to some, but I tell ya, it was delicious. It had cheese, fresh tomatoes, a whole wheat crust and a secret sauce that the chef would not share with me. It came with fresh strawberries and a side of bacon. Pretty much any time of year, it’s a safe bet that you can find a stack of banana, blueberry or whole wheat pancakes made from wheat flour that was very possibly ground that morning and fussed over in such a way as to make your taste buds recall them for the rest of the day.

Visitors to the mill park across the street and walk down a short path to the restaurant and mill area.

The Readyville Mill History 1812 Charles Ready builds a water-powered grist mill on the east fork of Stones River supplying Tennessee’s earliest settlers with flour, corn meal and livestock feed. The remnants of the dam from the first mill can be seen on the river bottom in back of the mill.

100% Whole Grain Stone Ground Grits

The food is very pleasing to the eye and served with obvious pride. The architect of these culinary delights is Chef Margot Riser and it is evident that she takes great care in the tasty offerings that reach the table. I asked Margot how she came to be the Readyville Mill chef. She said she has always enjoyed cooking and had long dreamed of being a chef. Since she can cook with the best of them, has the desire to do so and lives in the same community, she was the perfect fit. And fit she did, with a creative flair; Chef Margot and the kitchen staff bring a new taste and feel to a mundane meal that we have every day.

The Readyville Mill is worth the trip just for the breakfast, but for me, the atmosphere, the decor and the all-around community feeling is as big an attraction as the food. Generally, the first person you will meet when you walk in is hostess Nora Robinson. If you don’t know Nora, you should, and it’s no more difficult to get to her than it is to smile and say hi. From the moment you meet Nora, you get the feeling she has never met a stranger. Her outgoing personality and her obvious love for the mill and the community she lives in is apparent in everything she does. Nora has a grand knowledge of the workings of the mill and its history. To all you history buffs, she is quite formidable in her Tennessee history also. If you engage her in a discussion on Tennessee history, you just might learn more than you teach. The entire staff is local to the mill, including four waitresses who are sisters: Leslie, Mary Michael, Laura and Abby Jept.

It stands to note here that the mill is staffed by those that live in the surrounding community. This

1842 In order to better control the water flow, Mr. Ready constructs a dam and a mill race upstream from the mill. At the time, a new mill was built over the raceway where the mill sits today.

1859 Charles Ready dies, and his daughter Jane and her husband, Peter Tally take over the mill operations.

is historically more important than a convenient drive to work. In years past, community was far more important than it is in present day. Not to say that is better or worse, just more important to those who lived in those days. If you consider that livelihood and oftentimes survival depended on crops harvested every year, a mill and a supportive community become of utmost importance. Mills would keep a surplus of product on account for all who brought their corn and wheat to be ground, and this would be a food staple that guaranteed survival during the winter. A family that lost a harvest or just fell on hard times would often be at the mercy of Mother Nature. These communities of yesteryear would help those in need, not only because it was the right thing to do, but because next year, it might be them who needed help. With the advances of modern society, community is not as vital as it used to be, but at the Readyville Mill, you can still get that neighborly feeling.

The owner of the mill, Tom Brady, bought the mill and took several years to restore it. This was no small feat; the mill is huge and four stories tall.

The mill was abandoned for many years, and it was not in good shape. But all the old machinery was still there and in some cases, still functional.

“I remember, after I bought the mill, I went up the store on New Woodbury Highway one day and there were some farmers sitting around talking about me. They didn’t know who I was at the time, and one of them said to the other one, ‘The guy that bought that mill has more money than sense.’ So I had to go up and introduce myself to them,” Tom said with a laugh.

It’s obvious Tom has a good head on his shoulders because he has brought back to life a very unique piece of Tennessee history. The mill hosts weddings, reunions, luncheons for social and business groups and even the occasional baptism in the river behind the mill. According to Tom and Nora, they stay busy. The Saturday morning of my visit was one of the few days they didn’t have a wedding or other event planned. Since she had the free time, Nora gave a guided tour of the mill.

Not only do you get a unique and tasty breakfast, but you can tour one of the few working grist mills left in Tennessee, or anywhere for that matter. As Nora explained, they use electric motors to grind the flour now. The dam that supplied the water to the mill was breached years ago, and only during heavy rains does the water fill the hand dug channel that used to house the wheel.

Nonetheless, she explains how all the old machinery worked and can give insight to the lives of those who used the mill 200 years ago. As an example, a term that we still use today came from grist mills of this type. During busy seasons, lines would form to have their corn or wheat ground between two huge horizontal stone wheels that “turned” against each other. People in line had to wait for their “turn.”

Readyville Mill is a pleasant trip back to a time that most of us can’t remember to an age before big manufacturing, cross country shipping and processed foods. It’s a testament to small-town America. Go there and visit, and you will see that Tom, Nora, Margaret, the sisters and the rest of the staff have not forgotten.

1861 American Civil War breaks out. Readyville was held at different times by both Confederate and Union forces.

1863 When Abraham Lincoln gives the Gettysburg address, the mill is already 50 years old.

1864 Readyville Mill burns. Wartime arson or accident, the cause remains unknown.

1865–70 The Civil War is over, and Robert Carter rebuilds the mill complex that you can visit today.

1889 Carter sells the mill to W.B. Hayes and Arthur “Rat” McFerrin.

1896 Henry Ford builds his first gasoline-powered automobile. Readyville Mill is 77 years old.

1900 Rat McFerrin builds a water-powered generator to power an ice-making process. Now generating electricity, he is inspired to wire all the homes in the town of Readyville with electric lights, making Readyville the first in Middle Tennessee to have them.

1929 The Great Depression cripples the country. The mill is 117 years old.

1962 George and Leslie Justice were operating the mill in its 150th year.

1980 The mill closes and remains closed for the next 30 years.

2010 Readyville Mill is restored by Tom Brady and reopened for business, once again producing stone-ground corn meal, grits and whole wheat flour.

2012 Readyville Mill is now 200 years old and still operating.

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SOUNDS Tropical Sounds from the 'Boro to the Bay FREDDIE SNELL, KNOWN LOCALLY AS WHITE BAY FREDDIE,

is a Murfreesboro native who spent more than a decade living a dual life—the pirate’s life in the British Virgin Islands and a general contractor’s life in Murfreesboro. His two homes couldn’t be more different, but Freddie plays music whether he’s at the Bunganut Pig in the 'Boro or a bar on the beach. Here, the local music-making sea rover talks White Bay, the buccaneer life and Keith Richards.

STORY BY JESSICA PACE

When did you start playing music?

I started taking piano lessons at 8, but I messed around with it prior to that. My mother was a piano teacher. I started playing guitar at 12.

How did White Bay Freddie form?

I had my first garage band when I was 15, and I pretty much had some form of a band ever since.

When I was living in the British Virgin Islands on an island called Jost Van Dyke, I was living in a place called White Bay. A promoter from St. John came over and asked me if I’d play for his place on St. John. He didn’t even know my last name. In the Virgin Islands, people try not to have last names.

When he got back, he just decided that everyone knew me from White Bay, so he would call me White Bay Freddie, and it stuck. I didn’t know it until I got to St. John, and it was on the marquee.

When did you first go to the Islands?

It was 1994, and I had been working as a general contractor building houses and doing remodeling for a long time, and I was tired. I decided to take some time off. I picked the Virgin Islands because I had never been there. It just looked interesting.

When I got there, I started off in St. John, and it was nice, but then a guidebook said Van Dyke was the party island. I found it to be absolute paradise.

There were 150 people that lived there, and at that time there was no electricity. There was a campground with a little kitchen and bar. It was just about the most perfect setup I could find. Beautiful beaches, beautiful water. I’m a SCUBA instructor as well, and having a beach where I could go out to a pretty reef and dive was too good to be true.

That’s where I made my main place to be for about 10 years for the winter season.

How often do you go back there now?

I have a son, Trey, who just turned nine. Until he can travel with me, I just don’t do much. Since he was born, I’ve been to White Bay maybe four times, and really can’t stay more than a week at a time.

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Is it true you played with Keith Richards?

The way I like to say it is Keith Richards played with me. He walked into a bar I was playing in White Bay and picked up a guitar that was on the wall for decoration. It had a broken neck. I said, “Keith, you want a guitar?” He said, “You got a guitar, mate?” I had a Stratocaster sitting there. He played a little riff on it, and then all the electricity on the island went out. Down there, blackouts are no big deal. We call it “typical tropical.” But I was thinking, “Not now! Not right now!”

No one could hear us, so Keith and I walked down to the beach and started talking. People were running up and down the beach, waking people up and getting people off sailboats. “Keith Richards is on the beach talking to Freddie!” Thirty people gathered around really quickly. Keith was really fun; he wanted to know what I was doing, why I was down there. I told him, and he said, “You know Freddie, if I didn’t have to do what I do . . .” I looked at him like he was crazy. Then he said, “Wait, check that. If I didn’t love what I do so much, I’d be right down on this beach with you.”

I said, “Well Keith, whenever you get done doing what you love so much, come on down.”

The electricity came on later and we played from 2-4 in the morning. I saw him a couple nights later at another bar. He turned to his handler and said, “Give me some money, I want to buy Freddie a drink!” She said, “I thought you had the money!”

He said, “You mean I’m broke on this island? That won’t do.

Watch this, Freddie.” He walks to a table of tourists and offered them a picture with him for 20 bucks. They dropped the 20 on the table, and he did that five times in less than 5 minutes, and bought me and everybody else in the bar a drink [laughs].

He showed up at my birthday party a couple of days later, and

it was a big music thing. We were playing, and Keith jumped up onstage and played with all of us.

We played a lot of reggae and my stuff, and at one point, Keith and I and a local musician sang “One Love,” into one microphone. That was a magic moment, right there. That was Feb. 20, 2000.

How did your pirate persona develop?

Being in the Islands, there’s the history of piracy.

The way we were living on that campground was a fairly piratical life. We weren’t using guns and cutlasses and cannons, but we were using guitars and SCUBA equipment and sailboats, and were still taking treasure from the tourists—it’s just called gratuities now.

Before 9/11, we were active in a pretty piratical thing about going between the U.S. and the BVI. In other words, we ignored the border and very seldom checked in and out with customs. You can’t get away with that now [laughs]. On the morning of Jan. 1, 2000, the first thing I did in this millennium was an act of international piracy. I took a band from Jost Van Dyke back to St. John without checking in. I was in a BVI boat, which I had no documentation for, and there were guys that never checked in at Jost Van Dyke to start with, so I took illegal aliens back to the United States, never touched shore myself and came straight back [laughs]. Today, that would be a really huge deal.

How do you write songs?

I have written some songs that I struggled with, and I’ve written some in a really short time. Those are the best, when everything’s right and the idea comes and you write down words as you’re banging out a tune on the guitar.

In 1999, New Year’s Eve, I was building a picnic table for a party. It was early in the morning, and this guy walked by with two beautiful young women in bikinis. I don’t know what he was saying to them before or after, but I heard him say, “But if you don’t start in the morning, how can you drink all day?” I literally took a pencil out of my nail belt and wrote the line down on a 2×4. When I finished

“Keith was really fun; he wanted to know what I was doing, why I was down there. I told him, and he looked at me and said, ‘You know Freddie, if I didn’t have to do what I do . . .’ I looked at him like he was crazy”

the table, I made up this story about him going up and down the beach, going to all the bars all day.

Everyone thinks he’s such a lucky guy with these two beautiful women, but he ends up passing out in the sand, because he had too much to drink.

I was sitting on the porch with a friend one day and this really pretty young girl walked down the beach in a bikini top and a sarong. My friend, he’s an old pirate, he leaned over to me and said in his gravelly voice, “I’ve never seen a sarong look so right.” That’s one of my favorite songs and one that people have always reacted to really well.

What you like most about playing in the Virgin Islands?

The audiences are always there to have a good time. They’re there to listen to the music and be entertained. I love to play music anywhere, but sometimes in the bars around Tennessee, you’re playing for people who are more interested in who they can go home with, and the music is just background noise to them. I like it when the audience is really engaged in what you’re doing.

I also like the international flavor. I was playing for and with people from all over; and there’s something about the rhythm of the sea . . . it gives a little musical thing to everything that’s going on.

What do you like most about playing in Murfreesboro?

I love playing with my band here. My guitar player, Tom (Windham), has been playing with me 15 years. Sandy (Goodman) has been singing with me 15 years. One of my drummers has been playing with me since college. They’re old friendships, and you just don’t get that in the islands as much.

My wife Pam is now our bass player. Trey gets up and sings “Volcano” with us. He’s a pretty talented little entertainer himself.

It’s hard to say where my favorite place is one way or another . . . as much as I love the islands, I can’t imagine myself just pulling up and moving down there. There’s too much of me that’s a Tennessean. When Trey gets grown, I’ll see if I can work it out to spend time down there on a sailboat, if he wants to go; we’ll have to see what happens.

Send your show listings to listings@boropulse.com

BUNGANUT PIG Your Imaginary Friends WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & Lenny

THURS, 9/6

THURS, 9/27

3 BROTHERS Deep Machine, Scott Fernandez, Young Wolves BONHOEFFERS Jordan Fenton, Jeffrey Slape, Chandler Baldwin BUNGANUT PIG Radio Symphonic JOZOARA Rik Gracia MAIN STREET LIVE Framing Hanley

FRI, 9/7 3 BROTHERS Johnny Campbell & the Bluegrass, The Bonna Brothers 70s Throwbacks BUNGANUT PIG Marshall Creek FANATICS Junkbox THE BORO Tuscarora WALL STREET Japanese Cowboys, Flint Forehead, Langoliers WILLIE’S WET SPOT Fire & Ice WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG. Haiqioug Deng, Zheng, and Nan Liu, painter and calligrapher, present "Echos of Nature" (traditional Chinese music, painting and calligraphy)

SAT, 9/8 3 BROTHERS Leukemia Benefit Show: F***show, Oliver Fist, Terra Meets Gaia, Richard Koozie BUNGANUT PIG Rock Candy FANATICS Ivan LaFever MAIN STREET LIVE Blackout: Wick-It the Instigator THE ASCENT That’s My Kid THE BORO Hippietrain WILLIE’S WET SPOT Greez Monkeez

SUN, 9/9 3 BROTHERS Creative Mic Night with Anthony Adams BUNGANUT PIG Kelly Lee Culbreath

MON, 9/10 WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Christine Kim (cello), Arunesh Nadgir (piano) faculty recital

TUES, 9/11 BUNGANUT PIG Martin Rodriguez JOZOARA Bob & Linda

View Concert Listings Online:

LIQUID SMOKE Bellwether

WED, 9/12 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers Night BUNGANUT PIG CJ Vaughn Trio WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & Lenny, Freedom Hill

THURS, 9/13

PULSE PICK

WICK-IT

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 @ MAIN ST. LIVE The latest incarnation of the former 527, Gilligan’s, etc. is Club Sweetwater/Main Street Live, which is taking a step up in talent booking from the looks of their calendar. Tonight, Wick-It the Instigator makes an appearance via Blackout, an event started by two locals known as the G Spot Heroes who made their mark in Murfreesboro through a love for electronic dance music, heavy bass and BEATS. Blackout is hardly the first DJ event they’ve started in Nashville and the 'Boro, so you can be sure they’ve gotten good at throwing a great party.

3 BROTHERS Actual Nuns, Guide, Sovereign BONHOEFFERS The Rising, Jeremy Robertson BUNGANUT PIG Group of Dudes JOZOARA Rik Gracia MAIN STREET LIVE Space Capone WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG. Blair String Quartet of Vanderbilt University,

JOZOARA Bob & Linda LIQUID SMOKE Bellwether

THE BORO Transcend the Fallen WILLIE’S WET SPOT Junkyard Funk

FRI, 9/14

WED, 9/19

SAT, 9/22

3 BROTHERS Humps & the Blackouts, Enablers BUNGANUT PIG Clarence Dobbins FANATICS The Smoking Guns THE BORO Crayons & Anecdotes, Rales, Shelton Summersgill, Calicocat WILLIE’S WET SPOT Rebel Rulz

3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers Night BUNGANUT PIG Monica’s Cigar MAIN STREET LIVE Set the Controls WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & Lenny

3 BROTHERS Rockin’ for Rescue Paws BUNGANUT PIG Fender Bender THE BORO IRACONJI, Look What I Did, Ron Mexico WILLIE’S WET SPOT Shane & the Moneymakers

THURS, 9/20

SUN, 9/23

3 BROTHERS Body of Light, Crayons & Antidotes BONHOEFFERS Timothy Durham, The Get-Togethers, Abigail Blythe BUNGANUT PIG Cover Me Badd FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra: “An Evening in Paris” JOZOARA Rik Gracia MAIN STREET LIVE DJ Kidsmeal, DIGITAL INSOMNIA

3 BROTHERS Creative Mic Night with Anthony Adams

SAT, 9/15 3 BROTHERS Chase Perryman Band BUNGANUT PIG Bad Monkey FANATICS Eclectics MAIN STREET LIVE Absinthe, Chakras WILLIE’S WET SPOT Evil Twin

SUN, 9/16 3 BROTHERS Creative Mic Night with Anthony Adams THE BORO Blood Culprit, Wolves and Jackals, War Within, Defying Tyrants WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG. Jerry Perkins Memorial Concert

MON, 9/17

FRI, 9/21 3 BROTHERS Sweet Fancy Moses BUNGANUT PIG Nick Carver Band FANATICS Blues Fever

MON, 9/24 WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING MTSU Wind Ensemble Concert

TUES, 9/25 BUNGANUT PIG Matty McRee JOZOARA Bob & Linda LIQUID SMOKE Bellwether WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG. Sin-Hsing Tsai, piano of the University of TennesseeChattanooga

WED, 9/26 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers Night

WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Deanna Little (flute), Windell Little (piano) faculty recital

IF YOU GO: 3 Brothers 223 W. Main St. 410-3096

BONHOEFFERS Tyler Evanston Moore, Kensley, Ryan Kenney BUNGANUT PIG Charleyhorse JOZOARA Rik Gracia MAIN STREET LIVE Almost Kings, Lord T & Eloise THE BORO The Convalescence, Rising From Ruin WRIGHT MUSIC BUILDING Todd Waldecker (clarinet), Jackson Henry (piano) faculty recital

Aura Lounge 114 S. Maple St. 396-8328

FRI, 9/28

Fanatic’s 1850 Old Fort Pkwy.

494-3995

PULSE PICK

Coach’s Grill 127 SE Broad St. 962-7853 Coconut Bay Cafe 210 Stones River Mall Blvd.

494-0504

First United Methodist Church 265 West Thompson Lane JoZoara 536 N. Thompson Ln. 962-7175 Lanes, Trains and Automobiles 450 Butler Drive 890-3999

SAT, 9/29 3 BROTHERS Culture Cringe Movie Release Party BUNGANUT PIG Trevor Finlay Band FANATICS Pimpalicious THE BORO Calhoun, Dr. Gonzo, The Hardin Draw, Dirty Proper, The Likes of Us WILLIE’S WET SPOT Atomic Trunk Monkeys

Liquid Smoke #2 Public Square 217-7822 Main St. Live 527 W. Main St. 439-6135 MT Bottle 3940 Shelbyville Hwy. 962-9872 Murfreesboro/ Center for the Arts 110 W. College St. 904-ARTS

SUN, 9/30 3 BROTHERS Creative Mic Night with Anthony Adams THE BORO Levi Massie, Billy & Paige

Nobody’s Grill & BBQ 116 John R. Rice Blvd.

962-8019

TUES, 10/2

Social 114 N. Church St. 904-7236

JOZOARA Bob & Linda LIQUID SMOKE Bellwether

Temptation Club 2404 Halls Hill Pike 217-0944

WED, 10/3 3 BROTHERS Ryan Coleman’s Writers Night WRIGHT MUSIC BLDG Jan Berry Baker (saxophone), Kenneth Long (clarinet) guest artist recital

FRIDAY, SEPT. 28 @ THE BORO

BUNGANUT PIG Uncle Don Clark

Bunganut Pig 1602 W. Northfield Blvd.

893-7860

3 BROTHERS Dennis & the Menace BUNGANUT PIG Big Bamm Boom MAIN STREET LIVE Now the Never, The GoldRoom, Lazer Flames, Red Planet WILLIE’S WET SPOT Rock Candy

SEAFOOD HOTLINE

TUES, 9/18

Bonhoeffer’s 610 Dill Lane 202-3517

Who doesn’t love the audio assault of Seafood Hotline? With killer guitarmonies delivered via a hard rock/punk shredding style, they’re as good as any Nashville/Murfreesboro band doing the garage rock thing. They gotta be, since they jammed with Nashville’s JEFF the Brotherhood last year at the ol’ Walnut House and, more recently, played an awesome Exit/In show for 'Boro-based post hardcore outfit Tetsuo’s third record release. It will be good times at The Boro this eve.

The Ascent 831 Park Ave. 796-6545 SEAFOOD HOTLINE BY PHOTO BY DARRIN LEDFORD; WICK IT BY ASHLEY WRIGHT

CONCERT LISTINGS

The Boro Bar & Grill 1211 Greenland Dr. 895-4800 Wall Street 121 N. Maple St. 867-9090 Walking Horse Hotel 101 Spring St., Wartrace (931) 389-7050 Willie’s Wet Spot 1208 S. Lowry St., Smyrna 355-0010 Wright Music Bldg.

1439 Faulkinberry Dr. 898-2493

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SOUNDS

(Here) Dr. Gonzo in one of many appearances at The Boro. (Above right) Renner in the Hellbilly days. (Right) Trey and Natalie of Dirty Proper.

A BIG RENNER REUNION

Legendary local party animal bringing all his rowdy friends to The Boro. story by BRYCE HARMON IT MAY BE PURE CRAZINESS

and come from the mind of a madman, a hellbilly if you will, but to Michael Renner, it’s nothing more than a family reunion. And what do you have against family reunions?

The former front man for the Hellbillies (once Murfreesboro’s house psychobilly band) turned lead man for his new project, Calhoun, has organized a two day, six/seven band shebang to be held at The Boro Sept.

29-30 with acts including The Likes of Us, Dr. Gonzo, Hardin Draw, Dirty Proper and Calhoun on Saturday evening. Levi Massie, Billy Plant and Paige Small will ease everyone’s hangover with their country notions the following afternoon.

Why would one man go to so much of the trouble to organize a festival for himself in name and spirit, you ask?

There’s actually a solid reason; there’s a web of family pulling together

for these two days all brought on by the connections Renner has formed during his musical career in Murfreesboro.

“The first band . . . Hold on. Well, we’ll just start at the beginning of the lineup. Wait, we’ll start at [grows introspective]. Okay, I don’t know where to start,” Renner says over a plate of freshly grilled burgers and steaming baked beans. “We’ll start with Calhoun.

That’s my band, now. Straight up, just a band that’s put together to have some fun. We started out just playing some covers and Hellbillies songs. By the time our second show rolled around, we’d written about four songs, so now I guess we’re a real band? Well, as real as I want it to be. Does that make sense? I never want to be in anything that’s real damn serious. To start with, I can’t sing a lick, so I’m never going to be in any band that’s going to make it. [Hearty laugh] You know what I mean. I do it for the shear joy. I can’t sing a note,

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but I can get a hundred people to do something stupid.

“Calhoun is made up of myself and Trey Call, of the Hellbillies. This is where the whole family tree starts.

Trey was in the Hellbillies. [He and I] have been playing together for, getting close to 10 years. David Talley, the guitar player [of Hardin Draw], he plays for Calhoun, too. And Nicki Oliff, who plays accordion for Hardin Draw, she sings with Calhoun.”

Renner continues, “When I first started the Hellbillies, Dr. Gonzo’s drummer, Murray Gheesling, [and I] started the Hellbillies together.

Nathan, who sings for Dr. Gonzo, and I were in a band that never played a show . . . it just never happened. [Also] the guy that sings for The Likes of Us, Dave Gashaw, was one of my roommates and he helped write a couple of Hellbillies songs.

We adapted the style that he was

playing; definitely an influence.”

And finally, Dirty Proper?

“Oh, Trey,” Renner explains. “He’s my guitar player. He’s [also] the guitar player for Dirty Proper. Here’s what’s cool about this: Dirty Proper plays prissy, kind of like the Pretenders or Tom Petty, with a female vocalist. I know the Pretenders have a female vocalist, but it’s like [The Heartbreakers] with a female vocalist. It’s a different kind of music than Calhoun, or Hardin Draw or Dr. Gonzo does. It’s kind of poppy. And about Sunday, Billy and Levi live right next door. I listen to them pick and play in the back yard all the time and Paige used to be a backup singer for the Hellbillies.”

What made him want to do this?

Getting everyone back together?

“It’s real hard for Calhoun to practice because everyone that’s in the band has another band so you’ve gotta work around their schedules, so I got to thinking about it as said, ‘Why don’t we play a show where everybody is there on the same night. It’s really just a chance to check everybody else’s bands. It’s all there in one pile.”

To promote one another such as good friends will. It all comes full circle for the man with a plan, and surely seeing everyone getting together will be a hoot in itself outside of the rock that will ensue when they split and mingle into one another’s projects that evening and following afternoon.

“Everybody that’s doing this has something to do with me in some way or another,” Renner says. “All those bands with all those people are pretty much like one big family . . . We’ve got a scene of everybody just getting together. That’s what we’ve got Rennerfest for. It’s going to be like a damn rowdy family reunion.”

Rennerfest begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, and the following day will include lunch and soothing acoustical music for those returning with hungover ears. Cover at the door for Saturday night will be $5 while Sunday is free to the public. All proceeds will go to the next big idea coming out of the minds of all who are playing.

“Oh, and Lauren Wray, who’s on the American Pickers TV show, is hosting Rennerfest. She was a backup singer for Hellbillies, as well. She’s hosting,” Renner said.

MURFREESBORO’S FIRST OUTDOOR VENUE: 3 BROTHERS BEER GARDEN

BY ANDREA STOCKARD

W

hen I first discovered 3 Brothers Deli and Brewhouse, I was immediately greeted with smiles, friendly personalities and delicious beer. I was so happy when I heard about the Beer Garden opening next to the restaurant this month.

Finally, an outside bar and grill! I sat down with owner Eric Fortney, 34 year-old Ohio native and co-owner with his brother, Rob, of Buckeye Brothers, to find out more.

“It should be the first outdoor venue in Murfreesboro,” Fortney claimed. “There will be a full bar outside and a set schedule weekly.”

The grassy area to the left of 3 Brothers will host clients daily, and special events such as weddings and art shows and of course, music.

“It will be mostly show based,” Fortney says. “As far as what I am known for right now, [the music here] seems to be a lot of local, rock, younger stuff. I kind of want to branch away and draw a little more here. I hope to increase the level of music.”

As I agree that the outside bar should bring more local events and something new to Murfreesboro, we watch the workers outside expand the 12' x 16' event stage.

“Ultimately, this opens the Square up to something it has never seen before,” Fortney says. “Outside of Mexican restaurants, you do not see a lot of outdoor patios. In places like Memphis and California, they all have outdoor patios; we do not have that here. Hopefully, I can fill that gap."

As far as the law goes, “The coding does not allow for [getting an extended beer permit for a branchedout property], so for it to go through, it was just a process like every governmental process,” says Fortney.

“Not that there was a disapproval, it was just figuring out how to maneuver the system the way it is set up. Actually [city council] was very helpful."

Stay tuned for more info as it develops, or visit 3brothersfamily.com.

ALBUM REVIEWS

By Lightning!

Justin Kline

I was right in thinking that By Lightning!’s dreamy, strange, indie-whatever brew is better live; after seeing them at Road to Bonnaroo (which they bagged) before listening to their LP, I was convinced it was music better for filling a venue than being condensed on a record. Whatever, though. Even recorded, Left Hand Right Hand is still an original and intricate collection of odd-pretty songs.

It isn’t that an excess of instruments are layered into the tracks, though the band has seven members to its name, but the heavy, whispery vocals paired with breezy, whimsical melodies certainly create a rich texture for Left Hand Right Hand.

Huge clattery beats, like on the opener “More Than Breeding,” randomly bring to mind Matt & Kim, which

provide a backbone to the strummy, limber and bubbly melodies. Kat Brock’s voice is the epitome of tiredness in the blue and lackadaisical “Weather,” (which has a video created by Amelia Garretson Persans to go with it) and the jangly retro pop jaunt “Fancy Free” is perfection, encouraging a carefree spirit today because “tomorrow we may all be freaking out.” How true.

This record is sort of grand. Though it’s mellow, Left Hand Right Hand has a quality of needing to spread out and fill a huge room, or at least a nice outdoor tent, which the band indeed did at this year’s Bonnaroo.

With their quietly anthemic style, By Lightning! is kind of like a more sluggish Arcade Fire. But don’t take my word for it; check them out. Left Hand Right Hand is available on Amazon and at bylightning.com

Two years ago, singer/songwriter Justin Kline found himself trapped in an emotional cul-de-sac of sorts and made these 13 everything-laid-bare songs in his home with the intent of bringing himself closure. Brewed from brooding, these lyrics grapple with not being able to get out of bed, relationships that have fizzled, the weight of sadness and the inability to shake it. Though mixed and mastered at Nashville’s Hilson studio, all recording was done solo by Kline with just one mic, an acoustic guitar, shaky shakers, keys and some occasional bumbling bass.

A highly emotional pop record wouldn’t be news if Cabin Fever Songs wasn’t so uncomfortably candid and if the record wasn’t made by the same guy who made 2010’s Triangle EP, which is as exuberant as if possessed

by Richard Simmons. Here, Kline sheds some of the buoyancy and lets himself sink a little, resulting in possibly the best record he’s ever made.

Though the artist has taken his cheeriness down a major notch, the sun still filters into his melodies, and his vocals remain the smooth croon of a teenaged Ben Gibbard. It’s Kline’s lyrics that give the record its heavy heart.

“Resurrect With Me” in its entirety, with its vampirish keys creeping in the background, is a haunting puzzle of a song. Kline admits Sylvia Plath-style—“Happiness is dead/or at least gone in my head/it’s in a pair of dead man’s shoes/after all that I have bled/I feel safer in my bed/I can’t escape the Sunday night blues” in “Sunday Night Blues” and in “I Already Do”: “They said baby steps will be fine/but I say cheap bottles of wine.”

Specific names of friends spring up in tracks that are biting, like “Your Mystery”, or apologetic, like “Alison, I’m Here”, though nothing hits as hard as Cabin Fever Songs’ finisher, “Congratulations World.” Opened with the warning, “Here comes the bland, bitter song about stuff you don’t care for,” the closing track is the quintessential darkest-before-the-light song: “I spread myself thin/now I’m caving in/congratulations world/I’m giving up.”

Kline has apologized if he sounds like an “artist so tortured by his art crap.” Is he an artist so tortured by his art crap? Of course, but that doesn’t mean the crap is crappy.

— JESSICA PACE

— JESSICA PACE

Left Hand Right Hand

RATINGS: AVERAGE

Cabin Fever Songs

A CLASSIC BELOW AVERAGE

OUTSTANDING AVOID AT ALL COSTS

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ALBUM REVIEWS

J.S. Yeary

Elemental

Country Just Feels Good

Sound the War Drum

Most know Jason Yeary from the bands Hammertorch Elemental, which consists of Samuel Short on vocals or Shoot the Mountain, both of which have created a sizeand bass, Kieth Cripps and Alex Abernathy on guitar, and able impression on Middle Tennessee. What listeners may Ryan Cripps on drums, is a three-year-old band whose be less familiar with is J.S. Yeary the solo artist, who is a debut EP, Sound The War Drum, is some in-between of far different guitarist and vocalist flying solo than he is in extremely hard rock and soft(er)core metal. company. Following two previous recordings also done A product of Walnut House, Sound The War Drum’s on his own, Yeary’s EP release (recorded by himself ) is seven tracks were recorded in Summer 2011, and the titled with quite possibly the strongest observation about album was a highly collaborative work. Short and both country music put in the simplest terms: Country Just Cripps contributed lyrics, and all took part in structuring Feels Good. Truth. the music. Elemental’s sound is That explains the immediate comfort scuzzy, wah-pedaled and multiWe’re working faceted in rhythm and tempo; it’s of the slow tempo, sleepy warbling keys, hard to promote loud but not obnoxious, putting it faint background bird chirps and muted vocals of Mr. Yeary on opener “Anything is good music in somewhere close to what could be Possible,” over which a heavy harmonica Middle Tennessee. called metal lite. exhales lengthily.

Who is metal lite for? Kids I like that he doesn’t force an excessive who are terrified of mosh pits and Bands: Send your albums and promotional materials to twang—a fake that’s always audible to me. pissed off by indecipherable lyrics The Murfreesboro Pulse, A Southern-ness tilts his words slightly sung in guttural screams, but find 116-E North Walnut St., without turning one-syllable into five, and enough intrigue and craftsmanMurfreesboro, TN 37130. his croon rocks these five tracks softly. ship in the music to venture out When it comes to country, a record is to metal shows. And no one can typically better sans the sheen of quality production; the say Elemental is artless—the band steers the music in more lo-fi, the better. The polish is good in Yeary’s case, constantly changing directions, changes rhythms and however, as he crossbreeds country and ambience (his tempos, and take as many solos as an improv jazz combo. other projects likely helped develop the latter side of his There is a random cello intro on “Attack” and a sound). “The Valley,” especially, illustrates Yeary’s style rhythm funnily reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” with a romantic, bleary Western tone set by a solitary that opens “Siege.” Wah pedals singe the album, and acoustic strum answered with a faint tambourine and well-executed guitar solos stretch color over distorvocals that sound as if they’re echoing down a hallway. tion. The music is good, if Short’s vocals sound slightly There’s nothing to strongly dislike about the record; it underdeveloped, but musical force prevails over vocals feels good. Download Country Just Feels Good for a mere here, and a hard rock/metal band’s first record could be $3 at jsyeary.bandcamp.com. — JESSICA PACE horrifically worse. — JESSICA PACE

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Laser Flames on the Great Big News

Ancients

The Lyra Particle

Lambs to the Slaughter

Murfreesboro’s own Laser Flames on the Great Big News adds its first release—a self-produced four track EP, Lambs to the Slaughter, out of Jason Dietz’ Twin Oak Studios—to the weight of what local head-bangers and shredders so desperately crave. But instead of lumping themselves into any given style, this quartet (getting up to a septet, depending how many vocalists and/or viola players are needed) shows they’re collectively the jack of all metals by steering in and out of different forms of the heavy in a Gene and Dean Ween sans humor kind of way, throughout the 17 minutes the release fills.

Made up of vocalists/guitarists Stephanie “Stevie” Bailey and John Judkins backed by Brian Myers on bass and James Turk on drums, LFGBN begin its navigation with “Monster Truth,” starting it off with a straight grunge metal guitar hook accompanied by the Turk’s crash-heavy pounding of an early Metallica before the softening vocal harmonies and even more softening viola, played by Ashley Morris, halfway through when the lead track takes a turn into somewhat Evanescence territory.

The following track, “Dead River,” begins with a Nugent-esque guitar riff inviting a fugue of everyone else quickly turning it into an early Alice in Chains feel. If the EP didn’t catch you with “Monster Truth,” “Dead River” will do the deed. Screeching strings across the rockiest guitar as Bailey and Judkins swap verses back and forth until doubling down the tempo, most noticeably in Turk’s cymbals, before easing into the growls of the following “Faith of the Blackened Heart,” filled with the harmonizing of the band’s monster roars (including co-producer Jason Dietz’ cameo), over a Gwar-ish instrumentation.

The Final track, “Not Living,” stands as the longest song on the EP at five minutes and does a fair job, too, covering the basis of Motorhead in the first half of the song, but if Clutch’s Neil Fallon were on vocals before the track takes a turn into Blonde Readhead territory.

Not a bad ride at all. A name-your-price copy of Lambs to the Slaughter can be found at handshakeinc.bandcamp. com/album/lambs-to-the-slaughter, as well as other Handshake, Inc. offerings. — BRYCE HARMON

RATINGS: AVERAGE

A CLASSIC BELOW AVERAGE

The newest release from Nashville’s Ancients out of We Are Triumphant Records titled The Lyra Particle is as exciting as it gets so far this summer for our progressive metalcore-at-heart. The sound focuses on frontman Clint Gee’s muttered vocals and Corey Quinlan’s neck-bending scale fingerings that intertwine over the standard, steadfast and mathy heavy metal rhythm base of Cody Guthoerl’s and Micheal Chadwick’s rhythm guitars, all loosely held together throughout the album’s six tracks by Brent Terebinski on bass and Blaze Blake on drums.

The outstanding aspects of The Lyra Particle lay within the lyrics themselves—better understood in written form—and the production value, as all the songs were tweaked post-recording, giving most of them a borderline electronica/industrial feel with a few cliché eccentricities here and there during the intros and song transitions.

Starting off, the title track holds up as an instrumental sampler for the following five before Gee introduces his beautiful death scream that punches the unsuspecting listener in the temple within the first two seconds of the following track, “Self-Reflection.”

“10%” steps up next as an electronica metal with a callto-action theme stating only you can prevent the apocalypse whereas the final track, “Anima Mundi,” explores more of an industrial metal with a call-to-action theme that you can save yourself after listening to this album.

The catchiest track stands as “The Breeze of Immunity.”

It’s the slow song of the album, holding the best scream out of Gee’s neck, and protesting lyrics pertaining to the status of our corporate backed government leading the US through unreasonable wars. Don’t let the “slow song” description throw you off, though. There’s a good-sized double-time refrain that keeps the head bobbing and eyes wide with metal rage.

Good and sometimes noble parts can be found within the six-track EP, but it’s still a jumbled mess of an album.

That’s just what comes with the territory, though.

The Lyra Particle is available on Bandcamp (where the lyrics are posted, as well). Also, band videos are set up on YouTube, and updates for live shows are posted on the band's Facebook page. — BRYCE HARMON

OUTSTANDING AVOID AT ALL COSTS

DEAD BOROPULSE.COM

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FEATURED ARTISTS:

JUSTIN KLINE, ACE OF COINS, HARDIN DRAW, MIZE AND THE DRIVE

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SOUNDS

LOLLA ROCKS CHICAGO

Ozzy Osborne and his Black Sabbath brethren provided an energetic and entertaining Friday night set in Chicago

Moon Taxi, JEFF the Brotherhood represent Middle TN at Lolapallooza 2012.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRACKEN MAYO

L

ollapalooza once again drew world-class talent and thousands of music fans to downtown Chicago for a weekend in August in what may have been the most colorful popular music festival ever, at least when examining the band names.

RED Hot Chili Peppers, BLACK Sabbath, Jack WHITE and the BLACK Keys (and The White Panda, The Black Angels, Purple Apple, Yellow Ostrich, Milo Greene, Neon Indian, JJ Grey, White Rabbits, Red Oblivion, Kid Color and The Big Pink; we can’t help but notice a theme) joined a ton of other great artists such as Sigur Ros, At the Drive-In, Alabama Shakes and Middle Tennessee’s own Moon Taxi and JEFF the Brotherhood.

The Chili Peppers sprinkled in a few new tunes from its latest I’m With You record among old favorites like “Under the Bridge”, “Give it Away” and “Suck My Kiss”, as they did at Middle Tennessee’s Bonnaroo this year. And likewise, vocalist, Anthony Kedis, let famed bassman Flea take charge of inter-song banter with the crowd.

“We’re on the verge of something beautiful,” the shirtless slapmaster said in Chicago.

The set was delayed a bit after Grant Park’s evacuation earlier in the day during storms, but the fans were excited to see and hear the sounds of the Chili Peppers.

“Be nice,” Flea told the slightly muddy and exhausted crowd. “Support live music; music is all we have.”

While Lolla has some similarities to camping festivals, there are also some stark differences in experience and atmosphere. The event shares many acts and fans with Bonnaroo, but unlike the annual Tennessee music festival in the neighboring county to our southeast, Lollapalooza is an urban affair, a massive music festival in the middle of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Western Hemisphere—Chicago.

Also, in contrast to the ‘Roo, there are no wild raves or jam sessions spanning ’til the sun is peeking up in the morning. The music fans in Grant Park on the shores of Lake Michigan are asked to vacate the premises around 10 p.m. each night.

This can necessitate the rental of a hotel room, and staying in downtown Chicago when 100,000 other music fans have the same need can add a substantial amount to the total festival cost (at Bonnaroo, we are invited to pitch a tent right on the festival grounds and stay for the weekend).

In coordination with the core Lollapalooza festivities, though, plenty of other shows occur afterhours in many of Chicago’s indoor venues, with an additional ticket required. Jane’s Addiction and many of the bands performing during the festival participated in these affiliated after-parties.

These nightclubs and the middle-of-the-city setting can make Lollapalooza not quite such an escape from the “real world” as a camping event; this can be seen as a positive for some, a drawback for others. As soon as the music is over for the day and the people are herded back into the portion of the city not reserved for festival activities, the sights, sounds and smells of the Windy City are unavoidable—the “regular people” (non-concert attending) local residents, street vendors, elevated trains, horns honking and skyscrapers present on Chicago’s streets all year long.

Bonnaroo is more of a secluded other-world that pops up for a single weekend out of the year then disappears leaving only a 700-acre piece of pasture until the next year’s event.

Those attending Bonnaroo may not see anyone other than those specifically there for the festival the entire weekend.

At any rate, both events offer excellent music and great company and people-watching.

At the Drive-In made a rare appearance at Lollapalooza after a decade-long hiatus. Frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s constant ramblings on subjects from chanclas to John Madden to Latin Danzig to Quiet Storm provoked a “I don’t know what this guy is on, nor have I heard the name At the Drive-In in my past 10 years of music listening, but these guys are incredible” response from some.

Sigur Ros brought its full brass and string sections for a well-received performance Spin called “The Worst Placement of A Nighttime Band in the Day.” The EDM style was alive and well, and Ozzy looked very happy and energetic reuniting with his Black Sabbath brethren on Friday evening.

Lollapalooza, founded by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell in 1991, is now a worldwide brand, also staging festivals in Israel, Chili and Brazil. For more information, videos from 2012 and years past and updates on next year’s event, visit lollapalooza.com.

Flea gettin' on the bass like he does.

(Below) Middle Tennessee's Moon Taxi and (below left) JEFF the Brotherhood

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PHOTO BY WADE PAYNE

FOOTBALL AND MAFIA LOVE LOVE IS IN THE AIR, BABY, and it’s got the

your average league; this is the mighty 12 with Train Daddy feeling oh so right! The football fans yours truly as the commissioner. I am going to are cheering, the fantasy football enthusiasts are send a shout out to the mighty 12; word up to my studying, and the drunks are just pleased that people Big Slobber Knocker, The Captain Mayo, football gives them one more excuse to get hamBig Balls Batson, Young Jeezy, The Shank Nasty, mered. No matter your pleasure, this sport that Big Hunter, The D-Feva, John Poop Daddy, Justin we Americans call football unites many different hung like a Muslim Garner, The lone female and people in this diverse country. dirty towel swinging Steelers It doesn’t matter your team, it fan Courtney, and last year’s doesn’t matter if you prefer colchampion and big chedlege ball or pro, it doesn’t matcolumn by Z-TRAIN dar cheese winner, my boy ter your race or gender; all that Brandon Castle. The game has titanman1984@ yahoo.com matters is that football is powgrown bigger and bigger every erful enough to unite a country year, with around 30 to 35 milthat at times needs uniting. People all across the lion people playing the game this year; I have no country are excited: people like the MeMa, who is doubt the Mafia is the elite league to play in. ready to rock and roll with the shuffle, people like Enough fantasy talk. It’s football time in the Train Daddy Mafia, a sexy group of 12 who America and God bless it; all you need are the four meet every year for the love of football.

F’s to be successful this season: friends, family, When it comes to fantasy football, this isn’t football and faith!

SPORTS TALK

28 * SEPTEMBER 2012 * BOROPULSE.COM

People that have kept up with my work the past few years know that I write a lot on the Tennessee Titans. I like to think of myself as the elite Titans beat writer . . . maybe one day. I am going another direction here. The Tennessee Vols have caught my eye and the eye of Big Orange Fans with a spectacular showing opening week against NC State. I have been a loyal Big Orange fan through the rough times, and it has been rough for quite a while now. I am hoping the tides have turned for the football program and third-year coach Derek Dooley; the loyal fans deserve it! It’s been rough to be a Tennessee fan with the success of the super power SEC; Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Florida have all won a BCS championship over the past six years. The dominance here in the SEC is obvious and uncontested across the country. Teams like Ohio State and Michigan, USC and Oklahoma who all desire to get back on the big stage haven’t stood a chance in seven years, and I believe its going to be quite a while before we see a shift in power. I don’t know what it is; I guess all the boys down South are all corn-fed meat heads born to play football, and the recruiters down here know how to snatch them up; it’s easy to sell your program when you’re winning. So the top athletes will keep coming and playing for these SEC schools, and it will take a very special team from another division to dethrone this dominance.

Thank God for next season. Hallelujah! I cannot wait for this four-team playoff system to take effect next season; it is a step in the right direction.

I wish it was an eight-team playoff, but I am not complaining; even with a four-team system, I am convinced the country will agree with the champion, and there will be little talk of a deserving team getting left out.

Onto a few sad stories. The sports world has had two fan deaths in the past few weeks; at the Tennessee game a man fell to his death, and just a day prior to that fall, another man fell at the Houston Texans' stadium. A 20-year-old man attending the UT vs. NC State game fell from the upper level of the Georgia Dome 35 feet to the bottom and landed on another man in his seat below. Both men were rushed to the hospital as witnesses were stunned before being pushed away by security.

The man who fell was pronounced dead that night after arriving at the hospital, and the fan whom he landed on was later released with no injuries. A day prior to this incident, a man fell 60 feet from a fifth-floor escalator, and witnesses called the police; he was later pronounced dead. Whatever the reason for these incidents, and last year's sad fall at a Texas Rangers game where a man's 9-yearold son witnessed his falling to his death from the

stands reaching for a ball, being alcohol, foolishness or just an accident, they are all sad and the lesson is do not lean over the rail at ball games.

Back to opening week with the Volunteers and their smashing win over NC State, 35-21. UT finished last season 5-7 and last place in the SEC’s Eastern Division. Dooley said, “It really doesn’t mean anything than we won the first game.”

There was one very special surprise to the game, wide receiver and a first-year community college transfer might be superstar potential for the Vols. Cordarrelle Patterson, a 6' 3" receiver, had the game of his life with 6 catches for 93 yards, a receiving TD and 2 rushes for 72 yards and rushing TD; that’s big boy numbers!

Patterson was a surprise to the fans and NC State Coach Tom O’Brien who said, “We didn’t know a lot. He obviously is a heck of a player”.

He is just what Tennessee needs in the passing game. With 6’ 4” receiver Justin Hunter lined up on the other side of the field. It adds a lot of stress on defenses with tall boys on each side running like they do. Tennessee scored 16 points in 38 seconds on two TDs and a safety and rolled up

PHOTO BY KEVIN C. COX

SPORTS

Titans quarterback Jake Locker

UT’s Tyler Bray crowns Cordarrelle Patterson with the Vols’ leather helmet after a season-opening win over NC State.

528 yards total offense. The Vols had to have this game, especially with Florida coming to Knoxville in two weeks. Neyland Stadium and the “Rocky Top” faithful are sure to be rocking for the Gators; this seems to be a Tennessee team that could make some noise in the East.

I hope my Titans squad is ready to play vs. New England. That is a big first game. I hope Jake the Snake Locker is ready; his play has looked a little spotty this pre-season, and it’s time to step up.

Let me pray: Dear Lord, Please help the Titans this year. Please give Jake the Snake the ability to flourish into a solid quarterback who makes smart decisions and makes superstar plays. Finally, Lord, please give Chris Johnson the ability to run with feet of thunder and bolts of lighting, give the receivers the ability to catch these balls and the defense the ability to pound faces with the best of them. I pray for a 13-3 season, Lord; that’s not too much I think. Amen!

Alright, that’s it. Let’s go, Vols. Let’s go, Titans.

It’s football time in Tennessee! CHOO CHOO!

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ART New Works

by Merchant on Display at Center “Painting Painters Paint” Exhibit Opens Semester THE MTSU DEPARTMENT OF ART presents the opening exhibit of the Todd Art Gallery’s fall 2012 semester. Entitled “Painting Painters Paint,” the exhibition features the collected works of 15 innovative and currently producing artists.

Envisioned by Art Professor Sisavanh Houghton, she and fellow professors Melissa Newman, Bob Durham and Charles Clary invited colleagues from across the mid-south to participate. The result serves as an outstanding collection of style, interpretation and process. While including not only the traditional two-dimensional work of fine art painters, several may equally be considered sculptural in presentation. Those participating are well-known regionally with many also having achieved national recognition. The group also includes Mark Bradley-Shoup, Ron Buffington, Tom Burtonwood, Gianna Commito, Jeff Danley, Joshua Dildine, Hamlett Dobbins, Greg Eltringham, Jason Hoelscher, Joshua Huyser, Mead McLean, Laura Mosquera, John Nelson, Yvonne Petkus and Craig Drennen.

The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 20 and is free and open to the public. Todd Art Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 pm. For more exhibit or parking information, call Eric Snyder at (615) 898-5653.

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THE MURFREESBORO CENTER for the Arts will host “Inside Out,” an exhibition featuring new landscapebased paintings and drawings by Glenn Merchant. This show, on display throughout September, features a group of work executed this past year.

These color-filled landscapes hover between being incomplete sketches and fully realized pieces.

The works explore the psychological tension between suburban sprawl and rural memory, between real space and the imagined.

Glenn Merchant was born in Chicago and grew up in Tennessee. He earned his BFA in painting from Middle Tennessee State University. Along with being a practicing artist, Merchant is an active visiting artist and arts organizer. He is also the owner of Moxie Art Supply in downtown Murfreesboro.

An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 5–7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The Center for the Arts is located at 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro, (615) 904-ARTS.

Art at Old Fort Park ARTISTS WILL DISPLAY AND SELL their work along the Greenway trail at Old Fort Park, Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Art enthusiasts of all ages can browse through booths of original artwork as they enjoy a shady stroll through nature in a family-friendly park setting. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, pottery, sculpture and other original artwork will be available as well as music, food vendors and kids’ art activities.

This is a juried competition among the artists, but those viewing the art are admitted free.

Old Fort Park is located at 916 Golf Lane.

For more information, contact Melinda Tate at (615) 893-2141 or mtate@murfreesborotn.gov.

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MOVIES THE REVENGE OF THE MONSTERS OF VANCEINGVILLE With the rise of the digital age, the audiences of the 21st century have become all too familiar with the concept of “micromovies”—independent short films shot on “low-fi equipment” that are featured on such websites as YouTube and Vimeo. With this surge of young amateur filmmakers, users of the aforementioned websites are presented with a problem as unique as the films themselves: an overabundance of content produced at the local level. So, where to start?

Enter Taylor Gentry. Fresh out of high school, Taylor recently released Revenge of the Monsters of Vanceingville, a sequel to his first movie, aptly titled The Monsters of Vanceingville. Something of a cinema buff himself, Gentry was inspired by the cultural significance of James Whale’s partnered success of his 1931 classic Frankenstein and its

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sequel The Bride of Frankenstein, which Gentry feels surpassed the original in terms of production, writing and acting. Reconciling with the fact that he was a high-school student with a nonexistent budget, Gentry used a formula for success given to him by many iconic filmmakers when they were first starting out: he put together a camcorder, left-over Halloween makeup and a cast and crew of very dedicated family and friends. Add into the mix a healthy dose of “Murphy’s Law.” Gentry started pre-production in December of 2010 and had to recast several parts at least three times, as well as deal with the sweltering heat of the summer. After this, our young filmmaker had a monster all of his own: a movie.

The film itself follows Count Drahoon, a child of the night who must repay a debt for borrowed

lab equipment to a mad doctor. Utilizing the help of other monsters (whose inspirations will no doubt be recognized), Count Drahoon sets out to procure a new face for the doctor to whom he is indebted. Realizing its technical limitations, the film takes full advantage of its silver screen nature by making itself a black and white movie. By hiding the technical limitations under this creative blanket, we as viewers can focus on the emotional appeal of the narrative. It’s a funny story that feels reminiscent of something a young Mel Brooks would have created. Ultimately, it is a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously and lets both the performers and the audience have fun.

Last summer, the film was ready to be submit-

ted to film festivals. Though faced with initial rejection, our young filmmaker was not daunted.

He received a nomination for “Best High School Film” and has been accepted into the 6th Annual Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan, Okla., as well as one of the biggest horror film festivals in the country, the Louisville based Fright Night Film Festival. As of presstime, Gentry is waiting to hear back from the Knoxville Horror Film Festival and the Atlanta Buried Alive Film Festival.

“Looking back, I truly am humbled by the impact of this film,” Gentry reflects. “Of course, I don’t mean that I’ve made a million-dollar blockbuster, but by being on the festival circuit, I have met people that I never would’ve met. The responses have been everything from a milldly amusing ‘home movie’ to something that has brightened someone’s day. At the end of the day, however, people took the time to watch the film, whether they liked it or not.”

You can keep up with Taylor Gentry and his latest film endeavors via his YouTube channel, “Camcorder Films.” —JUSTIN STOKES

MOVIE REVIEWS

LIVING ROOM CINEMA column by NORBERT THIEMANN

cinespire@gmail.com

Court Room Cinema

THE EXPENDABLES 2 Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, BruceWillis, Arnoold Schwarzeneger, Randy Couture

TRIALS HAVE BEEN DRAMATIZED practically since the birth of theater and have yet to fall out of fashion. These classic films dared to push the boundaries of censorship with the production standards of the day, which was still in effect until the late 1960s. Just as science fiction has the ability to allude to present social problems, the court is also an effective venue to challenge what is right, wrong and even the vast spaces in between.

Directed by Simon West

Rated R

As a fan of the concept of the first Expendables film (a mammoth, explosion-soaked ensemble with the biggest icons of the action genre), let me say that despite having fun with the 2010 action film, I was still disappointed due to being misled into thinking the film would have a little more to it. My concerns, however, seem to be addressed with the sequel. Expendables 2, bringing back the entire squad with a few new players, washes over you like the tide of blood you were anticipating.

Following an ambushed operation that led to the death of one of their own, mercenary-leader Barney Ross leads his crew on a hell-or-highwater mission to stop a criminal mastermind (Van Damme) and his thugs, the Sangs, from selling the contents retrieved from a mysterious safe (Leaving a few things out here. Don’t want to spoil the ride). Encountering some old friends from the past, Ross proves that despite being

called an Expendable, he’s not about to leave a member un-avenged.

What really helped me have fun this time around was the fact that I took the movie for what it was. You cannot go to a movie like this and expect deep philosophy, heavy dialogue or even serious character development. But once you’ve cleared the table of all that clutter, you are now free to enjoy a three-course meal of hyper-violence, meta-humor, and ’80s nostalgia gratification that will leave your hunger satisfied.

In order to enjoy this film, however, you have to prepare yourself for what you’re getting.

My only real complaint about the film is that there seems to be no connectivity to its predecessor, and this worries me because of the fact that I would like to see a third installment in the franchise. A little bit of character development would be something nice to see in the future. Until that time though, just appreciate the film’s message: You’re never too old to kick a little ass.

paign gets. The candidates’ party affiliation is only a necessary afterthought, as both Brady and Huggins prove to be petty gasbags, too busy speechifying and trying to out-American one another to actually know what they’re talking about. In fact, Ferrell’s character fires his newly appointed campaign manager just for telling him about a recent tax-break for corporations that outsource labor. In this way, the film is spot on in its portrayal of politicians and their relation to actual politics on the campaign, but Ferrell and Galifianakis are such lovable boobs that they erase any trace of satirical bite.

Mostly, the candidates, and the film, run on the belief that sex and negativity sell. Brady runs ads featuring bikini-clad models and accusing Huggins of being Al-Qaeda because they both have facial hair. And the majority of their debates involve actual physical violence in which both a baby and a puppy get punched in the face. Jay Roach directs this supposed mayhem with the visual flair of Kevin Smith without the heart or wit to justify it. And Ferrell and Galifianakis provide some chuckle-worthy moments, but none as memorable as their previous incarnations of these decidedly non-political characters. — JAY SPIGHT

— JUSTIN STOKES

THE CAMPAIGN Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis Directed by Jay Roach

Rated R

The Campaign, a timely comedy set against the backdrop of a North Carolina congressional campaign, is less political satire than an excuse to give Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis a chance to reprise some of their most famous roles.

Ferrell is Cam Brady (D), the unopposed incumbent and career politician in it more for the fame and status than the issues, and a perfect fit for Ferrell’s “Dubya” meets Ricky Bobby style of Southern showboat. Zach Galifianakis inhabits the role of Brady’s unassuming rival Marty Huggins. With his mustache and fanny pack, Huggins is the effeminate spittin’ image of Seth Galifianakis, Zach’s fictional brother famous for a love of Fugees and Funions. The son of a local bigwig, Huggins is targeted by the Motch brothers (Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow), sibling CEO’s loosely modeled on a mispronunciation of the infamous Tea-Party backing Koch brothers, banking on Huggins being an easy patsy to greenlight their evil scheme to bring Chinese labor to North Carolina, a program they call “insourcing.”

But that’s about as “political” as The Cam-

RATINGS:

A CLASSIC

OUTSTANDING

AVERAGE

BELOW AVERAGE

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) is directed

by Otto Preminger, and stars Jimmy Stewart. The tone of the film is set early through the jazz music of Duke Ellington, who also makes a cameo appearance. The complexity of jazz mirrors the complexity of ethics in its many shades of gray. It is truly refreshing to see Jimmy Stewart masterfully seize a role away from the sanitized material that had won the hearts of his previous audiences. Preminger gets away with the unspeakable by utilizing more technical language. Anatomy of a Murder is a beautifully paced treat.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) is directed

by Robert Mulligan, and stars Gregory Peck.

Much care was taken to present the film in the spirit of the classic novel by Harper Lee. The story of rape and racism is told through the eyes of a child, which is a strong and crafty device that practically demands the matters be taken seriously. The film is a multi-dimensional account that has effects for a family and their deep rooted community. Its viewing is simply time well spent.

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DEAD SEPTEMBER 2012

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THEATER Sex, Crime, Wonka Something for everyone onstage in September.

T

column by JOHN T. POWERS

he month of September has a lot to look forward to; from Sexaholics to Crimes of the Heart and the deliciousness of Willy Wonka Jr., this month has a little something for everyone. This is yet another good month for theater, although the argument can always be made that there is no bad month for theater.

I will start with Out Front On Main, which will be showing the very racy play, Sexaholics.

It’s about two sex-addicted people who cannot control themselves. We first meet them while they are in the throes of a mad sexual encounter. We soon learn that they are both married to other people and that this is just a one-night stand. The woman, Julie, starts to feel guilty and starts talking about wanting to get some help with her sex addiction while the man, Tony, thinks that there is nothing wrong with

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this addiction. Eventually they both get into recovery and we see them when they have their “urges” under control. But all is not well. This play is both amusing and disturbing to watch.

This show will only run Sept. 13–15 at 7:30 p.m. so come and watch this show with me and let’s enjoy this as much as we did watching last month’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Visit outfrontonmain.com or call (615) 869-8617 for more information or reservations.

Murfreesboro Little Theatre will be having auditions for the great all-American show Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. The auditions are Sept.

10–11 from 6–8 p.m. (with show dates Nov. 9–11 and 16–18). As always, make sure you can commit to those nights and to all of the rehearsals before trying out.

Murfreesboro Little Theatre is showing Crimes of the Heart Sept. 7–9 and 14–16. Crimes

(Left) The Man of La Mancha opens at Lamplighters' this month. (Below) Kara Kemp, Cathy Spencer and Laura Schlesinger play in Crimes of the Heart at MLT.

Judas’ Stop in Out Front The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis presented by Out Front on Main was a fantastic dramedy. Directed by George W. Manus Jr., this production expressed simplicity in all technical aspects. However, the acting itself is far from simple.

The defense in the case of Judas Iscariot, Fabiana Aziza Cunningham (played by Holly Amber) is one unique “leading” lady. This challenging role was executed wonderfully by Amber. She took her defense and opposition in court to a whole new level. I felt as though I was of the Heart is a Southern tragi-comedy; rated sitting in the court room with her. The prosPG-13, it has a little language but is mostly just ecution, Yusef El-Fayoumy, played by Patrick adult themed. This play takes place in HazleGoedicke will have you rolling. His outlandish hurst, Miss., and is about how three sisters, a and flattering behavior and personality really cousin and a lawyer come together to help the gave excellent contrast to the somewhat uptight youngest sister get out of trouble with the law defense. The back and forth between these two after she just shot her Senator husband in the is nearly flawless. Possibly the most impressive stomach. This show promises to be extremely aspect of this show were the characters themfunny and entertaining. Please go to mltarts. selves. The audience is taken on a ride through com to make reservations history where we meet and to see what is coming personalities such as Saint up in its 50th season.

Monica, Sigmund Freud, Willy Wonka Jr. will PERFORMANCES Pontius Pilate and even once again grace the MurSatan himself. Each actor freesboro stage, this time portraying their respective Chicago 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 15, 21 and at The Center for the Arts. roles really had a set char22; 2 p.m. Sept. 16 and 23 This show is about Mr. acter down; most played The Arts Center of Cannon Willy Wonka hiding five several roles, but this in no County golden tickets in chocoway brought down the feel 1424 John Bragg Hwy. late bar wrappers for five of the show. Actors not only artscenterofcc.com lucky people, and whoever changed clothes, but entire Crimes of the Heart finds these tickets will get personalities, accents and 7 p.m. Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15; 2 a free tour of the Wonka demeanors. This is somep.m. Sept. 9 and 16 factory and will also win a thing not commonly found Murfreesboro Little Theatre lifetime supply of chocoin community theater.

702 Ewing Ave. mltarts.com late. This show will show As stated above, all you the worst and best the technical aspects of Man of La Mancha of the human mind, and this production were very 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15; you will fall in love with simple, understated even.

4:30 p.m. Sept. 9 and 16 some people and hate Upon entering the theater Lamplighter’s Theater 14119 Old Nashville Hwy., others. This is a great kids' you see a simple platform Smyrna show to see and is always and very few set pieces. It lamplighterstheatre.com. entertaining to watch. The was only when the actors Center for the Arts will entered the stage did the Sexaholics be performing this show set come to life. Anything 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13-15 Out Front on Main Sept. 7–23, and before the larger, fancier and brighter 1511 E. Main St. Sunday matinees, you can would have taken focus outfrontonmain.com have lunch with the oompa away from the action. The loompas at 12:30. For costumes had the very Willy Wonka Jr. more information on this same effect; their simplic7 p.m. Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22; 2 p.m. Sept. 8, 9, 15, 16, and their other programs, ity seemed to really force 22 and 23 visit boroarts.org. the actors to take on a very Center for the Arts I look forward to all of distinguished character.

110 W. College St. these shows and more as Manus did an excellent boroarts.org the year progresses. job on casting.

UPCOMING

WE'RE GIVING IT AWAY! TEXT ‘SOUND’ TO 86568 to win a pair of

tickets to Soundland with My Morning Jacket and many others at Nashville’s Riverfront Park on Saturday, Oct. 6

TEXT ‘BLUEGRASS’ TO 86568 to win a pair of tickets to Town Mountain with Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen at Bluegrass Underground on Saturday, Sept. 22

TEXT ‘MSO’ TO 86568 to win a pair of tickets to the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra’s French-themed performance at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, Sept. 20

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