JUNE 30, 2016
CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE
THE GRILL MASTERS THE BATTLE FOR BRAGGIN' RIGHTS FROM SOME OF THE CITY'S BEST GRILLERS By Stephanie Smith
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Contents
CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Gary Poole Editorial Assistant Brooke Dorn
June 30, 2016 Volume 13, Issue 26
Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Adam Beckett • Rob Brezsny Kevin Hale • Matt Jones Ernie Paik • Rick Pimental-Habib Stephanie Smith • Alex Teach Editorial Intern Hillary Eames Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow
Features 4 BEGINNINGS: Local busker mixes blues and country on street corners.
Cover Illustration FreePik FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL
ADVERTISING
Director of Sales Mike Baskin Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Linda Hisey Rick Leavell • John Rodriguez Logan Vandergriff • Joseph Yang
CONTACT
Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Website chattanoogapulse.com Email info@chattanoogapulse.com BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Contents Copyright © 2016 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.
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The Battle of the Backyard Chefs
Fire up the grill and get out the smoker—it’s grilling time in Chattanooga! But what makes for a good grilling/barbeque experience? We sat down with four local backyard chefs—Kent Whitaker, Doug Keller, Jim Brewer II, and Steve Ray—to find out their grilling secrets.
14
Making The Floor Your Own
Open mic nights can generate a wide range of reactions, from eagerness to be the first to hear a brilliant, undiscovered talent or, “Oh no, it’s open mic night? I just want to eat my burger in peace.” Then there’s the showcase The Floor Is Yours held on the first Friday of every month at Barking Legs Theater.
18
Iron Fez Defies Categorization
My dear friend Lazarus L. Hellgate (the L is for Lunchbox) had recommended Iron Fez to me some unspecified time ago. I did a little digging, heard some tunes and thought, “Hell yeah, these cats are great!”
7 BUSINESS: The best view of Chattanooga is from 18,000 feet. 16 ARTS CALENDAR 20 MUSIC CALENDAR 22 REVIEWS: Kane Brown debuts strong, while Chris Young rises to stardom . 23 DIVERSIONS 26 SCREEN: The Free State of Jones shines a light on a forgotten era of history. 25 MIXOLOGY: A brief history of the legendary gin and tonic (with a twist). 28 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY 29 JONESIN’ CROSSWORD 30 ON THE BEAT: Officer Alex ponders crime statistics and the stock market.
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 3
BEGINNINGS
NEWS • VIEWS • RANTS • RAVES
UPDATES » CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM FACEBOOK/CHATTANOOGAPULSE EMAIL LOVE LETTERS, ADVICE & TRASH TALK TO INFO@CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
Chatting With The Man Called Spoonz Busker mixes blues and country on street corners and in concert halls He calls himself Spoonz. And he doesn’t write songs, he writes hits. I first ran into Jerry Hayes, also known as Spoonz, about a year ago at Jefferson’s Restaurant. With its long tattered bar and worn KEVIN wood floors, the space served as a perfect place for a musician who belongs in a juke joint. He had his amplifier in tow but didn’t need it and start riffing on his harmonica. “I don’t do any covers,” he proclaimed. “I write hits that relate to your everyday life.” And sure enough, Spoonz
started playing to the dozen or so people gathered there. His brand of 12 bar blues and country was a combination sure to turn heads. After he proceeded to play a private song for every table in the place, HALE Spoonz sat down and said, “You gotta play with the same enthusiasm in front of one person as you would in front of thousands,” a quote attributed to his hero Ray Charles. I later found Spoonz busking around this year’s Riverbend Festival. In his trademark fedora and
CITY LIFE
bowtie, he once again came strutting across the street with his amplifier. He’s a natural showman and works a crowd even when he’s not performing. Blues has long been a genre of heartache and tragedy. Spoonz’s special style doesn’t pull any punches. “Cheating with Crack”, is probably the song that gets the most attention from listeners. “It’s hard to talk to someone about drug abuse,” he says. “This is my way of talking to my kids because there are always two sides to the story.” The song details the destruction any drug can cause a person and their family. The song connects to many people he’s encountered on the street. “You can walk around any city and find suffering,” he says “I look at it as an opportunity to play for a diverse audience.” Listening to his five song EP, he has a guttural growl of a voice that’s sounds like he’s seen his share of trouble. “Rabbit” talks about a woman and her cheating ways. “I’ve been married 32 years but before my wife I did have women who ran around on me,” he says. “But that’s ok. It just lets me know I married the woman I’m supposed to
be with.” But in the end, Spoonz wants to bring the party. “You gotta have that somethin’” he says “It’s a party, a groove. It’s entertainment.” To see Spoonz play on the street is entertainment indeed. It’s live, raw, soulful, relaxed, mellow and chilled all at the same time. So why the name Spoonz? He finally breaks out a set of spoons and starts keeping a beat with them, immediately getting the attention of a small child passing by. The child stops to investigate and Spoonz invites him closer. The child giggles with excitement at the show. “See!” says Spoonz. “That kid probably eats with spoons at every meal. It relates to his everyday life.” You can reach Spoonz at chattanooga_spoonz@yahoo.com
“You gotta have that somethin’” he says “It’s a party, a groove. It’s entertainment.”
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EdiToon by Rob Rogers
The Ultimate Spirit of the Ultimate Game The Chattanooga Flying Disc Club was founded by Shawn Adams, who started playing Ultimate Frisbee while he was still in high school in the early eighties. According to testimonies from his friends and family, Shawn Adams embodied the essence of Ultimate Frisbee—passion, sportsmanship, ambition— and was an inspiration to those around him. He lived for Ultimate, and, on April 10, 1994, he died for Ultimate. Shawn Adams was struck by lighting during an Ultimate Frisbee game in
Nashville. He was only twenty-nine years old. On his memorial page, friend Randy Hollingsworth described Adams as a martyr for the sport, elaborating, “If God had come to the fields that day in Nashville and asked, ‘Who will die for Ultimate right now? Someone must go with me now,’ Shawn would have been the first one to answer, ‘Take me!’ He was that kind of person...Shawn did as much as he possibly could to play, learn, and perfect his own Ultimate skills and, moreover, to pass along his knowledge,
IN THIS ISSUE
Stephanie Smith Over the years, Stephanie Smith has written for The Pulse about nearly everything. She is a Renaissance woman who has written stories, educated children, acted characters, sung songs, danced swing, cooked original culinary creations, and made dozens
spirit, and love of the game to others. He developed Ultimate into a local Chattanooga super cool thing that everyone enjoyed.” This Saturday and Sunday, the twenty-third Shawn Adams Memorial Spirit of the Game Ultimate Tournament will take place, giving the Chattanooga Flying Disc Club an opportunity to commemorate their founding father and his passion for the game. As with all CFDC events, amateur and professional disc golfers are both welcome. Both events will take place at the Camp Jordan Disc Golf course in East Ridge, Tennessee. — Hillar y Eames
Kevin Hale of people laugh with her uncanny ability to put her foot in her mouth at exactly the politically incorrect moment. She loves Shakespeare Chattanooga, Lake Winnepesauka, coleslaw, hugs, Summer Stock, Sally Field, and Grace Potter. Stephanie can relate everything in life to an episode of Friends and connect people to Kevin Bacon in six degrees or less. Oh yes, and she can easily kill your plants and tread water for over an hour.
Kevin Hale is a freelance journalist and experienced internet and television marketer living in North Chattanooga. Kevin is a student of human behavior and enjoys people-watching all over the Scenic City. He is currently working on his first how-to
book, “A Million Ways to Market.” Kevin’s Rolling Stone subscription doesn’t run out until 2055, at which time the collection will be up for sale. In the meantime, you can find him molding and shaping America’s next generation of movers and shakers, mainly his 3-year old son. And unlike Brian Williams or President Obama, he is not an expert at reading the teleprompter, but he does like chasing flying saucers. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 5
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Chattanooga Skydiving Offers The Best View Experience the very best view of Chattanooga from 18,000 feet The best view of Chattanooga is from 18,000 feet. That’s the catchy tagline for family-owned and operated Chattanooga Skydiving Company. In 1960, Vin Silvia made his first sport parachute jump in Orange, Massachusetts. Since HILLARY then, the family passion has continued to burn bright for over 50 years. It’s this passion that inspires owner Justin to ensure his clients have a quality skydiving experience, regardless of their skill level. If you’re an experienced jumper looking for an awesome community, the best aircraft in the southeast, and a gorgeous location, as long as you have a current USPA membership and log book, Chattanooga Skydiving will welcome you with open arms. If you’re looking to learn how to skydive solo, the Tandem Direct Supervision program is for you. And if you’ve never jumped before, there’s no better place to start. Tandem skydiving—skydiving attached to an instructor with a two-person parachute system— is the safest way to skydive as a
beginner, especially since it requires no prior experience or training. Each tandem skydiving experience begins with half an hour of instruction from Justin, where he explains the skydiving basics and EAMES prepares you for the experience of a lifetime. You’ll be introduced to your instructor, who’ll be one of the best in the business with years of experience and a catching enthusiasm for skydiving. As you gear up, Justin assures you, “The best view of Chattanooga is from 18,000 feet.” The view was enough for instructor Adam Johnson, who’s jumped for four years and at twenty-five locations. “You’ll see Sequatchie valley, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia,” he lists, “the river gorge, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain. The view had me hooked. That and the staff. Everyone here is really cool.” Laughing, he explains, “I’m not used to answering questions. Usually I’m the one
Business
Chattanooga Skydiving Company Tandem skydiving allows you to experience the exhilarating thrill of freefall, safely and securely, no prior experience required! 330 Airport Road, Jasper, TN • (855) 776-5867 chattanoogaskydivingcompany.com
“ You’ll see Sequatchie Valley, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, the river gorge, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain. The view had me hooked.” with the camera, asking people stuff.” “The camera” Adam referred to is the GoPro all the instructors wear. Another service that sets Chattanooga Skydiving apart: instructors will take photos and videos of your tandem skydiving experience. Afterwards, professional videographers will compile and edit the footage into a two-to-three minute, high-quality video. As opposed to others, which can charge up to $100, Chattanooga Skydiving has them beat by providing the service completely free of charge. Every video is posted to their YouTube channel, ready to share on social media. It’s such an essential part of
the experience that preparing for the video is incorporated into training for your first jump. “Hold your head up like this,” Justin says, tilting his head back and his chin up. “Don’t look down like this, with your chin in your chest, because then we’ll only see the top of your head, and it won’t be a good video. And smile. If you smile, we get a better video, and your face won’t flap around.” Adam echoes the sentiment, adding with a grin that “if you don’t smile, your parachute won’t work.” Other packages for videos and photos are available at unbeatable prices: photos from your jump are $40 instead of the com-
petitive price $69, and the Ultimate Video and Photos package, with photos and video from both the instructor’s perspective and an outside camera flyer and two DVDs of raw footage and still photos, is $125. After your training, you’ll enjoy a scenic flight to altitude, and then prepare for an experience you’ll never forget: an adrenalinepumping freefall followed by a parachuted descent overlooking beautiful Sequatchie valley. “Should I say, like, a quote or something?” Adam asks. It’s up to him. Without hesitation, Adam states, “The best view of Chattanooga is from 18,000 feet.”
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 7
COVER STORY
The Battle of the Backyard Chefs Four of Chattanooga’s best backyard grillers talk about their smoky passion By Stephanie Smith Pulse contributor
F
ire up the grill and get out the smoker—it’s grilling time in Chattanooga! But what makes for a good grilling/barbeque experience? We sat down with four local backyard chefs—Kent Whitaker, Doug Keller, Jim Brewer II, and Steve Ray—to find out their secrets, just in time for one of the biggest grilling weekends of the year. MEET THE GRILL MASTERS The Pulse: How did you come to be a backyard chef? Have you always been the cook in the family or is the grill a special place for you? Kent Whitaker: Grilling has always been part of my family. My Dad, grandparents, mom, wife Ally, brothers, sisters, and now our son Mace all love outdoor cooking as well as cooking in the kitchen. That’s the basis for my newly released grilling book, “Great American Grilling. Grilling”. It’s history, family history, and it’s part of our family’s way of life. I remember gathering pecan wood for my dad and grandfather’s pit in Mississippi. Grilling and long smoke sessions can equal fantastic family time. Doug Keller: Growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, grilling was usually just a weekend event. When I moved out on my own, I took a big interest in cooking, and grilling was my favorite way to prepare a meal. A grill was one of my first purchases. But then, I discovered the Kamado Joe and achieved a grilling Zen, so to speak. It replaced every type of grill I’ve ever had, and you can cook everything on it with ease. Since I pretty much do all the cooking in my family, my Kamado stays pretty busy—and not just on the weekends. Jim Brewer II: I’ve always enjoyed a cookout with family and friends. My father raised
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me around a Weber grill and Kingsford charcoal when I was growing up and I always loved watching him cook up some hamburgers. When I moved into my first apartment at 18, I bought a small Hibachi grill that day and today I cook with a smoker, Green Egg, and a gas grill. Kent: It’s important to note that there’s grilling and there’s slow smoking, which results in what we commonly call “barbecue.” Sometimes the term “barbecuing” is confused with “grilling.” The only reason I separate the two is that I write history packed culinary books for a living and the two different terms point to two different cooking methods. Grilling is direct cooking over high heat and Barbecue Smoking is low and slow cooking often using offset heat.
THE COMPETITIONS The Pulse: Have you competed in BBQ competitions? Steve Ray: My fellow pitmaster, Dan Griess, and I formed Owls Nest BBQ four years ago. We are a professional BBQ Competition Team. We cook competitions using gravity flow charcoal smokers that use charcoal for heat and we use hickory wood chunks for our smoke flavor. We do have fun at competitions, but BBQ Contests are a lot like golf tournaments: they’re long
and tedious and when you get down to the end with a chance to win…well, losing sucks. As Vince Lombardi said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” In other words, we take it serious. We are experts in chicken, pork ribs, pork butt and brisket. We have wins and top 10 finishes in each category. Doug: I mostly enjoy grilling for fun, but do occasionally compete in contests. I have competed in several Chattanooga area competitions. The biggest one was The Chattanooga Market Chicken Wing Competitions. Keller’s Grilled Wings has collected seven first place trophies between the Chef’s Choice and the People’s Choice categories. Those were big wins as I had developed my own dry rub and grilled the wings over hot coals on a grill I built myself. Jim: The last few years I’ve competed in the Battle Below the Clouds at Ruby Falls winning the Best Butt in 2015 and overall Grand Champion this year. I really did it for the comradery and to raise money for Lana’s Love Foundation and not the competition. Kent: I won the Emeril Live/Food Network Barbecue Contest and things changed a bit when I started working on culinary writing. I became interested in combining my love of cooking with my love of history—even a recipes history. Let me say this; I’m a big fan of barbecue competitions, as they are like state fairs. Lots of fun.
BARBEQUE SECRETS EXPLAINED The Pulse: What is the secret to good barbeque? Kent: Being safe. Wash your hands, wipe up, use handy wipes, avoid cross contamination. You want your family and friends to enjoy the event—not take a trip to the ER a couple of hours later.
It’s all about having fun and enjoying the moment with family and friends. And I always tell people to try new things, but try them once before you invite your new girlfriend’s parents over for a grilling session. Another nugget of advice is that you really need to understand the differences between grilling and smoking. Direct heat, off-set heat, slow and low, etc.—if you want to go beyond burgers, dogs, and chicken thighs. I guess a basic understanding of cooking skills is what I’m talking about. You don’t have to know the classic sauces, and your knife skills will not be graded. But knowing how ground beef patties cook over direct heat as compared to smoking a huge pork butt is some good information to have. Basic information helps understand how different foods cook, cooking times, heat levels, planning, and so forth. Doug: I’m sure every Chef has a secret to good barbeque. I believe it is loving what you do and practice, practice,
practice. I have had my share of disasters on the grill. But you learn from your mistakes and improve on them. And you will finally get certain foods just the way you want them.
ALL ABOUT THE SAUCE The Pulse: Dry rub or sauce it up? Or both? Steve: Barbeque in the South is sweet. All of our product is sauced with a blend of BBQ sauce that is sweet, savory and hot. We buy and mix our sauces to get the perfect blend of taste and twang. For those at home that want to replicate the recipe, simply use Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and mix it with honey. You’ll be the king of the cul-de-sac. The biggest mistake backyard chefs make is they don’t cook their meat long enough. You have to cook it until it’s done. And by done I don’t mean the meat is falling off the bone. That’s overdone. Done is when you bite into the meat and the texture, or tenderness, is
like silk—it pulls gently from the bone and the juice drips down both sides of your mouth. If you bite the meat and think, “Boy, this is chewy,” you haven’t cooked long enough. Good barbeque is done. It’s that simple. The meat is moist and has texture. It’s flavored with a sweet sauce and don’t be afraid to salt it more than normal. The sweetness overshadows the salt making a great savory flavor. The next time you have a tomato, slice the tomato and instead of putting salt on it, sprinkle sugar on it. It tastes nothing like you think—that’s savory.
PICKING THE MEATS The Pulse: Tips for fish vs. chicken vs. pork vs. beef? (All of the above if you have them) Kent: Seafood—fresh seafood if possible—ROCKS! My tip for fish fillets such as tilapia and swai is simple: don’t overthink it. Drizzle with lemon juice,
Jim and Sandra Brewer celebrate Jim's "Battle Before The Clouds" Grand Champion award.
“
Good barbeque is done. It’s that simple. The meat is moist and has texture. It’s flavored with a sweet sauce and don’t be afraid to salt it more than normal.”
>> Continued on pg. 11 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 9
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10 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
Kent Whitaker at the grill, alongside his highly recommened cookbook.
add a sprinkle of seafood seasoning and even a dash of Creole seasoning if you wish. Grill it until it flakes—done! Chicken thighs are budget friendly, packed with flavor, and very versatile. By far my favorite piece of chicken on the grill. I prefer cuts with skin on, with bones. A boneless and skinless chicken breast is a great thing, but tend to dry out for many people starting on the grilling road. Pork is as versatile as chicken. Chops and pork steak varieties seem endless depending on your grocery store. You can go lean, a little fatty, thick, thin, chops, steaks, ground, hams, Boston butts, and ribs. The common ingredient that works with all of them: apple. With beef, start with a tender cut when selecting a steak for grilling. My go-to steak is a ribeye. Top grilled steaks with a small pat of butter or flavored butter before serving. Jim: It’s all about heat management, moisture, indirect heat for some and not over cooking but getting the right temperature understanding that meat continues to cook. Most of the rubs are comprised of the same seasonings for barbeque, but I do prefer to slather on some Sweet Baby Rays and char ribs at
“With beef, start with a tender cut when selecting a steak for grilling. My go-to steak is a ribeye. Top grilled steaks with a small pat of butter or flavored butter before serving.” high heat at the end. I love Montreal seasoning for steaks and I’m all about Texas Pete and butter for wings. Baby Back Ribs I like to put in metal pan covered with Dale’s seasoning for several hours at about 250 degrees then pull them out and cook low and slow for another hour. Sauce them up for the last 15 minutes at high heat I like to brine chicken drumettes with Kosher salt for a day in the refrigerator, then cook on direct heat about 350 degrees. Melt a stick of butter and
mix in some Texas Pete hot sauce. Once the wings are done I swirl them in the hot sauce and put them back on for another five minutes For filets or ribeyes, I like to place on a ceramic plate with Kosher salt and leave in the refrigerator uncovered for several days. Once out, I add Montreal seasoning and let them get to room temperature before cooking on direct heat with charcoal on one side of the grill and steaks on the other. Tent the steaks at the end.
VEGGIES OR NO VEGGIES? The Pulse: What is your stance on vegetables? To grill or not to grill? Doug: I say always grill your veggies! There isn’t a vegetable that can’t be grilled and they are much healthier and tastier from the grill. Grilling brings out the flavor in broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, etc. Basically, you name it, you can grill it, and it will be better. My favorite grilled side dish is proscuitto wrapped asparagus. Steve: I think vegetables should be prepared inside the house in water by >> Continued on pg. 12 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 11
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Doug Keller keeping a close eye on his custom wing griller.
your spouse or significant other. Everyone says they like grilled vegetables, but they all taste like tire rubber to me.
THE SIDE DISHES The Pulse: Can you share any recipes or recommendations for good side dishes to go with barbeque? Kent: By barbecue I’m guessing you mean this tasty classic: Pulled Hickory Smoked Pork. When I’m ordering, I go with cole slaw, beans, onion slices, and either a diet coke or sweet tea. That being said, I’m a freak for broccoli salad. Sweet Broccoli Salad is a fantastic side dish for just about any meal but it fits perfectly in with grilling and barbecue. Here are Kent’s Broccoli Salad Rules: First, broccoli salad should look creamy, not runny. That means I prefer to make my batches as close to meal time as possible. Second, it’s okay to have some big and smaller pieces. I shoot for a nice combination of semifull florets as well as smaller pieces. I always try to include as much of the broccoli as possible including stems. That’s where the fine chopping comes in. Nobody wants chunks of stalk the size of a golf ball in their salad. Third, add some stuff. Why stop at broccoli
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and mayo? Get creative with bonus flavors from added ingredients ranging from other veggies to bacon bits. Lastly, broccoli salad is perfect for trimming calories from a recipe. Low fat mayo, sugar substitutes, low fat cheese, and other items can all be used. Well, if you plan on using fake bacon bits you should add those just before serving. The fake bacon bits tend to puff, get mushy, and even have colors that run.
ADVICE FOR THE NOVICE The Pulse: What is one word of advice you would give to a novice griller/ smoker? Steve: My advice to beginners is this: don’t spend a lot of time making rubs and sauces. Nothing you can make is better than what has already been made. Find something at the store that you like the taste of and use that. Secondly, don’t buy a cheap offset smoker—that’s a round barrel looking thing with a box sticking off the side. The single best cooking device on the market today for making great BBQ is the Weber Smoky Mountain Smoker. Some people call it the Weber Bullet. No matter what you call it,
Steve Ray alongside some of his many grills and smokers.
the Weber SMS is affordable and will do everything the more expensive egg style cookers do. And at a fifth of the price, it just can’t be beat. More barbeque contests have been won with the Weber SMS than any other smoker. And finally, don’t be afraid of salt and cook your product until it’s done. Jim: You’ve got to be patient and let the grill do its job. I’ll fix a smooth whiskey or Bloody Mary and get out my 36” Paella Pan and put on gas burner and fix some appetizers to keep busy rather than stare at the grills. I avoid lighter fluid. Did I mention that garlic works on everything? Hell Yea! Doug: My best piece of advice for a novice griller/smoker is to go to Southeastern Salvage and put the money down on a Kamado Joe Grill. The KJ Ceramics have a lifetime warranty so you will never have to buy another grill again. And this will alleviate you having to buy a new grill every few years. It will allow you to smoke, bake, grill and sear all kinds of foods. And buy a good instant read thermometer.
THE CHALLENGE The Pulse: Final words? Kent: I know this: Doug rocks
with his blend of seasonings and the man can flat out cook some awesome chicken! Steve...Steve...ohhh you dog you! Cool ideas on traditional sauces, slow smoked flavor, a barbecue man and foodie. I’ve never dined with Jim, but if you’re included with us—three goofy foodies, grilling gurus, and barbecue junkies—then you must know how to fire up the charcoal, gas, and hickory. Steve: Well, being an associate of Mr. Brewer, but never having the Sunday Open House invitation delivered to my door, I can only assume his expertise as he stated—or he knows how to read a cook book. I have seen pictures of food at his house on Facebook, but photoshopping these days is rampant. Mr. Brewer has been invited, and been present, at several of my cooking and contest venues, so my narrative is proven. There is a Barbeque Competition on July 9th at Virginia College where Mr. Brewer can set up right next to me and compete in pulled pork, brisket and pork ribs. I am even willing to bring the smooth brown whiskey and appetizers so he will not have to stare at the grill. Can I get a “Hell Yea” to that? Jim: Hell Yea! CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 13
ARTS SCENE
Making The Floor Your Own
Barking Legs hosts monthly “amped up” variety showcase
Inside AVA’s Reinvigorated Space The North Shore arts gallery gets a brand new look If you’ve taken a stroll down Frazier Avenue, you’ve likely walked past the Association for Visual Arts. If that stroll was recent, you were probably greeted with boarded-up window frames, traffic cones on the sidewalk, and a request to pardon AVA’s dust. However, this Friday, window frames will be filled, traffic cones will be put away, dust will be cleared, and the AVA gallery will celebrate its grand reopening. The newly renovated AVA will include a new window stage, custom hanging installation fixtures, new gallery and exhibit lighting, a custom built reception area, and a new sound system. In addition to showcasing the gallery’s renovations, the AVA reopening will include the salon show Examinations. The exhibit spawns from a partnership with the Hunter
Museum of American Art and lends the opportunity for exposure to upand-coming local artists. Thirteen artists were asked to choose their favorite piece from the Hunter’s collection, and on camera explain how the piece speaks to them personally and how it affects their art. The video interviews will play alongside recent original works by each of the artists. More information, and a preview from one of the videos, can be found on AVA’s website. Can’t make it to the grand reopening? Never fear. Examinations will show from AVA’s reopening all the way to July 29th, and the reimagining of the AVA gallery will stand anywhere between the next few months until the crumbling of society. The reopening will start at 5:30 p.m. until 8. Admission is free. — Hillary Eames
THU6.30
FRI7.1
SAT7.2
ART WISDOM
WHITE HOUSE
SHINING STARS
Stephanie Plunkett
"Camelot"
MoonShine Music & Arts Festival
The Art Wise Distinguished Speakers Series discusses the work of Harvey Dunn. 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org
King Arthur meets JFK in the final weekend for this award-winning play. 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com
Arts, music and camping fun for a three day experience! 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com
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O
PEN MIC NIGHTS CAN GENERATE A WIDE RANGE OF reactions, from eagerness to be the first to hear a brilliant, undiscovered talent or, “Oh no, it’s open mic night? I just want to eat my burger in peace.” Then there’s the showcase The Floor Is Yours held on the first Friday of every month at Barking Legs Theater.
Arts ERNIE PAIK
“
We invite unfinished works and improvised performance. We cultivate collaboration. We denounce competition. We build community.”
“The Floor Is Yours is an amped up version of a variety show,” said Erika Blackmon, one of the event’s hosts. With three rotating sets of hosts, the event stands apart from typical open-mic events by spotlighting a wide assortment of performing arts—including music, dance, comedy, poetry readings and drama—using a format that allows the evening to flow briskly. “When we host, we try to keep it as professional as we possibly can,” said actor and Pulse contributor Steven Disbrow, who cohosts with his “non-sexual life-partner” and First Draft Productions collaborator Kevin Bartolomucci. “Keep it light. Keep it funny. Respect the acts, and keep it moving.” At The Floor Is Yours, each act is limited to eight minutes, and new talent is given preference over regulars, to keep things fresh. This format upholds the method originally established by Angela Sweet for the series “Wide Open Floor,” under the leadership of Marcus Ellsworth, before that showcase’s name was shelved. “I made the call to reinstate the tradition of the show under a new brand name when I saw the outcry from the community around the show that it must continue,” said Ellsworth, who is the producer and occasional host of The Floor Is Yours and who handpicked its roster of hosts. “Kevin and Steven have drawn in more comedians and run a tight show that packs a punch,” said Ellsworth. “Garrell Woods has definitely opened us up to younger performers, and his shows have a more theatrical flair.”
“Erika Blackmon, who I often cohost with, brings a mellow soulful sensuality to her shows coupled with genuine excitement and has attracted a whole new group of spoken word artists,” said Ellsworth. “Because of them, the shows have even greater variety and possibilities than it ever did before.” “Before you can perform, you have to attend at least one previous performance of the show,” said Disbrow, about its “semi-curated” format. “Then you have to sign up. After that, anything goes. We don’t censor. We don’t judge. Though, we do put selfidentified ‘adult’ acts in the second half of the show.” “The Floor Is Yours pushes the envelope always,” said Blackmon. “Adult subjects approached in a creative way.” “This is the one place in Chattanooga where we invite artists to come and perform with so little hindrance,” said Ellsworth. “We have no requirements.” “Here, it’s okay to try out a new piece or even an entirely new art form,” said Ellsworth. “We invite unfinished works and improvised performance. We cultivate collaboration. We denounce competition. We build community.” While The Floor Is Yours can cover both the serious—such as political issues or personal struggles—and the absurd, such types of offerings aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, Ellsworth recalled one memorable performance by Bartolomucci and Disbrow, entitled “Ask a White Guy.” “They invited the audience, which was mostly black folks that night, to ask them any questions they had for white
people in general,” said Ellsworth. “It ranged from funny banter about music and art to serious questions about privilege and systemic racism.” When discussing The Floor Is Yours with its hosts, two things become apparent: Chattanooga has no lack of talent, and people will surprise you if you let them. “Everyone has something to offer the world,” said Ellsworth. “And when we intentionally open a space for all people to come and express themselves with as few restrictions as possible, people will show you the most wonderful and powerful parts of their souls.” “The people of this town are crazy talented and ambitious,” said Disbrow. “I have laughed, cried, been disgusted, stood in awe, faced fears, and found truths I didn’t know I was looking for with a mix of friends and strangers that no other experience could ever offer,” said Ellsworth. If there is an unspoken theme of The Floor Is Yours, it’s about challenges: being challenged by the unfamiliar, and everybody challenging themselves in some way. “Ninety percent of the time, we have no idea what we’ll be doing when we hit the stage,” said Disbrow, about the times when he and Bartolomucci are performing. For Ellsworth, his favorite aspect of The Floor Is Yours is how it carries “the promise of an evening unlike any that have come before or any that shall follow.” “It’s standing at the cliff’s edge and knowing you’re about to watch people fly,” said Ellsworth. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 15
ARTS CALENDAR
Masters Of The Golden Age: Harvey Dunn and his Students
THURSDAY6.30 Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m. Ooltewah Nursery 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com Signal Mountain Farmers Market 4 p.m. Pruett’s Market 1210 Taft Hwy. (423) 902-8023 signalmountainfarmersmarket.com St. Elmo Farmers Market 4 p.m. Incline Railway 3917 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com INTERMISSION Opening Reception 5:30 p.m. Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org Art Wise: Distinguished Speakers Series present Stephanie Plunkett 6 p.m. The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Roy Haber 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com
16 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
FRIDAY7.1 Masters of the Golden Age: Harvey Dunn and His Students 10 a.m. Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org River Gallery’s July Wearables Show 10 a.m. River Gallery 400 E. 2nd St. (800) 374-2923 river-gallery.com Cambridge Square Night Market 5 p.m. Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. chattanoogamarket.com/
PULSE PICK: ROY HABER Roy’s comedy is live, direct, and playfully honest, whether making fun of his lack of height, his numerous personal issues, or on society in general. Roy Haber The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com
cambridge/ Sunlight on Water 5 p.m. In-Town Gallery 26A Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intwongallery.com First Friday: Area 61 Open House 5:30 p.m. Area 61 Gallery 61 E. Main St. (423) 648-9367 facebook.com/ area61Chattanooga AVA Gallery Grand Reopening 5:30 p.m. Association for Visual Arts 30 Frazier Ave. (423) 265-4282 averts.com Ales & Tales 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga Zoo
301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. (423) 697-1322 chattzoo.org Roy Haber 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com “Camelot” 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com
SATURDAY7.2 Shawn Adams Memorial Tournament 8 a.m. Camp Jordan Disc Golf Course Camp Jordan Pkwy. playultimate.et Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 facebook.com/ BrainerdFarmersMarket Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0695 chattanoogarivermarket.com Northside Farmers Market 10 am. Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-7497 St. Alban’s Hixson Market
ARTS CALENDAR
First Friday on the Southside 10 a.m. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303 facebook.com/ StAlbansFarmersMarket Company Aytch at Chickamauga 2 p.m. Chickamauga Battlefield LaFayette Rd. (423) 752-5213 nps.gov BBQ, Brews, and Bluegrass 2 p.m. Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Chattanooga FC vs New Orleans Jesters 7:30 p.m. Finley Stadium 1826 Carter St. chattanoogafc.com Roy Haber 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com “Camelot” 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com MoonShine Music & Arts Festival 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com
SUNDAY7.3 Shawn Adams Memorial Tournament 8 a.m. Camp Jordan Disc Golf Course Camp Jordan Pkwy. playultimate.et Chattanooga Market 11 a.m. Chattanooga Market 1829 Carter St. (423) 402-9957 chattanoogamarket.com Pops on the River 5 p.m. Coolidge Park 200 River St. chattanoogasymphony.org Star-Spangled Supper 5:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Roy Haber 7:30 p.m The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com MoonShine Music & Arts Festival 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com ComedyFight 10 p.m. The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192 thehonestpint.com
MONDAY7.4 Red Bank Farmers Market 4 p.m. Red Bank United Methodist 3800 Dayton Blvd. (423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs Birmingham Barons 6:15 p.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com MoonShine Music & Arts Festival 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com
TUESDAY7.5 Basecamp in Miller Plaza 9 a.m. Miller Plaza 850 Market St. (423) 265-3700 millerplazachattanooga.com East Brainerd Farmers Market 4 p.m. Audubon Acres 900 N. Sanctuary Rd. (423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs Birmingham Barons 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208
WEDNESDAY7.6 Middle Eastern Dance 10:30 a.m. Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs Birmingham Barons 11:15 a.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com Main Street Market 4 p.m. 325 E. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Collegedale Market 4 p.m. Collegedale Commons 4950 Swinyar Dr. (423) 648-2496 collegedalemarket.com Wednesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m. Chattanooga Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com "Dragon Inn" 8:30 p.m. Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org
Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 17
MUSIC SCENE
Bluegrass, Folk, Blues, Rock, HipHop and Fun
Courtney Holder's Market Music Local singer-songwriter defines “up and comer” Singer-songwriter Courtney Holder’s been writing songs since she was thirteen, a fact that becomes more impressive when you learn that this was less than a decade ago. To her credit she’s got immense skill as a songwriter, a beautiful mastery of her guitar, and a voice like coming home. Young, talented, and surely up-and-coming, Courtney Holder is worth a listen—and then several more after. A Chattanooga native, Holder has played at the Granfalloon, Barking Legs, and, this Sunday, at the Chattanooga Market. She’s made herself known outside of her hometown too, playing at famous venues like The Silver Dollar Saloon, Tootsie’s, The Bluebird Café, and the Row in Nashville. She states on her Facebook, “I have a strong passion for sharing my music with those willing
to listen and connecting with people through my words.” Early 2015 saw her living out that passion, recording new music at Warner Robins Studio in Nashville. Don’t let her Chattanooga roots, her sweet Southern drawl, or her acoustic guitar fool you: you don’t have to be a country fan to be a Courtney Holder fan. Holder credits Norah Jones, Stevie Nicks, and Jewel as her inspiration, with lyrics that are “anything but sugar-coated,” her Facebook page warns. She’s not wrong: her lyrics are written based on life experiences, and she speaks with refreshing honesty and charming wit. Come hear Courtney Holder this Sunday at the Chattanooga Market, and in a couple years, you’ll get to say you saw her before she was famous. — Hillary Eames
THU6.30
FRI7.1
SAT7.2
FREE COUNTRY
MIDDLE FINGER
PINK EXPERIENCE
Eli Young Band
The Queers
The Scarlet Love Conspiracy
Come out for a free night of solid country with these Texas-based hitmakers. 8 p.m. Track 29 1400 Market St. track29.co
If you like your punk down and dirty, get your middle finger ready for The Queers. 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
SLC presents Pink Floyd's The Wall in its entirety. 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 E. 14th St. revelryroom.co
18 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
Iron Fez defies categorization while mastering musicianship and wit
L
ET ME TELL YOU, KIDS, THIS WEEK’S PIECE HAS been a convoluted adventure and so far I’ve only written the opening sentence. I love writing, I always have (since I first learned to write, anyway) and while anytime is a good time to write, some times are better than others.
Music MARC T MICHAEL
“
Most of these fellows have known each other a long time, they all have a quick wit and wicked sense of humor and they all have a worrisome addiction to fried chicken”
I have found that the ideal time for me to write is about twelve hours after deadline. Few things get the creative juices flowing like realizing that the paper is going to the printer in a few hours and I still haven’t submitted my column. Generally, this is not a problem (though it drives my editor nuts). I almost always have a subject picked out and it’s simply a matter of sitting, listening and writing. Ninety percent of the time it works every time, until a night like Monday night when I discovered that the subject I had picked out was much larger and more complicated than I had realized and was going to take more time than I had at the moment. So it was time for Plan B. Plan B was, “do something else.” Fortunately, I have a folder where I keep leads and recommendations and a quick scan reminded me that my dear friend Lazarus L. Hellgate (the L is for Lunchbox) had recommended Iron Fez to me some unspecified time ago. I did a little digging, heard some tunes and thought, “Hell yeah, these cats are great!” There was only one problem. A lack of general updates or upcoming gigs led me to wonder, “Is this band still together?”
Fear not, for at a much later hour than my editor needs to know about, I received word from the band that, yes indeed, they are still together, but are currently on hiatus over the summer until their bass player returns. They were a little cryptic about where the bass player had gone for the summer, but having known a few bass players in my time I thought it wise not to press the issue. Iron Fez is one my favorite kinds of bands. I’m not talking about genre; frankly I don’t know exactly what the hell to make of them genre-wise. Billing themselves as both “acoustic hiphop” and “a down and dirty fusion of bluegrass, folk, blues, rock and drunken good times” I’d have to say they’re all of the above and then some. Doesn’t matter, labels are for the unimaginative anyway. What they really are, at the core of the band, is a bunch of gifted musicians just having a hell of a good time. Everything about them is fun. Their name, their tunes, their performance, even their website is fun. Right now you can bop over to ironfez.weebly.com and, thanks to years of social media conditioning, take a test to determine which band member you are. I got Lyle. I hope Lyle is cool. I mean, he’s a drummer, but still…maybe. The band consists of Reed Landry (Reed Landry), David Morris (guitar, vocals), Kan Munson (guitar, mandolin, driver), Stephen Curry (lead guitar), Ben Arnold (bass, sitar?) and Lyle Cammon on drums. A few things stand out immediately. Most of these fellows have known each other a long time, they all have a quick wit and wicked sense of humor and they all have a worrisome addiction to fried chicken. Take those elements of lifelong friendship, wit, and genuine musical talent and you can’t help but have a band like Iron Fez; silly, cool, laid-back, comfortable and highly skilled at writing and performance. On SoundCloud (specifically soundcloud.com/munsond-records/sets/
Iron Fez, courtesy facebook.com/Ironfez
iron-fez) you will find five tunes by the band. Every single one epitomizes what I’ve said about them so far. “Butt Nipple” is full of spooky banjo and ripping guitar, though nary a butt or nipple. “Forgetting That I’m Quittin’” is full of fast-paced wordplay and reminds me of nothing so much as Roger Miller for the 21st Century (a phrase I think neatly captures some, but definitely not all, of what the band is about.) “Mexico” is another laugh-out-loud tune that isn’t so much bi-lingual as bilingual-curious and “Indie Song” sums up ninety percent of the self-described indie bands I’ve ever heard in a way I doubt they’d find flattering (though devastatingly accurate.) I am convinced that had Led Zeppelin heard the tune
“Rollin’” they would not have hesitated to rip it off. Although it is a shame we’ll have to wait another two months to go see these fellows live, I highly encourage you to seek out their music now. I’ve paid a lot of service to describing the band and their music as “fun” and “silly,” but here’s the thing: The silly part is only skin-deep; the cleverness goes to the bone. For all that the group and their work is fun, it’s also very smart which makes it some of the nicest ear candy I’ve heard in a while. You know how to use the inter-tubes, kids. Visit their webpage and Facebook account, but most importantly, go to their SoundCloud page and get set to have a good time. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 19
MUSIC CALENDAR
Nihilist Cheerleader
THURSDAY6.30 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m. St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Rick Rushing Blues Jazz N’ Friends 6 p.m. Bluewater Grille 224 Broad St. bluewaterchattanooga.com Eli Young Band 8 p.m. Track 29 1400 Market St. track29.co Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m. The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com Open Mic with Hap Henninger 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Nihlist Cheerleader, Jim Shorts 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
FRIDAY7.1 Old Time Travelers, Ben Durham 9 a.m. Rock City
20 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com DJ Fred Watson, Jimmy Algood, Sound Advice 5 p.m. Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd. bessiesmithcc.org The Possum Hunters Bluegrass Band 5:30 p.m. Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. cambridgesquaretn.com Nikki Lane, TJG & The 423's 7 p.m. Miller Plaza 800 Market St. nightfallchattanooga.com The Floor is YOURS 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
PULSE PICK: MEGAN SAUNDERS Megan Saunders writes and performs songs that are playful, sultry and haunting—think Memphis Minnie, Bill Monroe and Tom Waits go to the carnival. Megan Saunders Friday, 9 p.m. Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com
Roughwork 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Matt Stephens Project 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 E. 14th St. revelryroom.co Freddie Mac 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Megan Saunders and The Driftless 9 p.m. Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com/chattanooga The Queers, Genki Genki Panic, Loser Parade 9 p.m.
JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Black Cat Moon 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com
SATURDAY7.2 Old Time Travelers, AM Radio 9 a.m. Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Julie Gribble 12:30 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com MoonShine Music & Arts Festival 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com Roughwork 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Scarlet Love Conspiracy Presents: Pink Floyd's "The Wall" 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 E. 14th St. revelryroom.co Viscious Dreams 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia
MUSIC CALENDAR
Ani DiFranco 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Kara Ory Oke 10 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Black Cat Moon 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com
SUNDAY7.3 Old Time Travelers, Highbeams 9 a.m. Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Kara Claudy 11 a.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Courtney Holder 12:30 p.m. First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Kyle Nachtigal 1:30 p.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Slim Pickins 2 p.m. First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Pops on the River 5 p.m.
Coolidge Park 200 River St. chattanoogapops.com Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m. Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 MoonShine Music & Arts Festival 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com Ani DiFranco 9 p.m. Track 29 1400 Market St. track29.co
MONDAY7.4 Old Time Travelers, Tarryn Aimee Smith 9 a.m. Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Deaconbluz and the Chattanooga AllStars 11:30 a.m. Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace jewishchattanooga.com Mark Kelly Hall 5 p.m. Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com/chattanooga Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m. The Coconut Room
6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Very Open Mic 8 p.m. The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com Open Mic Night 6 p.m. Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m. The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com MoonShine Music & Arts Festival 8 p.m. Cherokee Farms 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd. moonshinemusicfest.com
TUESDAY7.5 Old Time Travelers, Tarryn Aimee Smith 9 a.m. Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m. Southern Belle Riverboat 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Langhorne Slim & The Law 8 p.m. Revelry Room 41 E. 14th St. revelryroom.co Open Mic with Mike McDade
8 p.m. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Adjy, The Mailboxes, Harbor 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
WEDNESDAY7.6 Old Time Travelers, Jennifer Daniels 9 a.m. Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Noon Tunes with Caleb Warren Noon Miller Plaza 850 Market St. rivercitycompany.com Emerald Butler 4:30 p.m. Collegedale Commons 4950 Swinyar Dr. collegedalemarket.com Wednesday Night Jazz 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Wednesday Blues Jam 8 p.m. The Office @ City Café 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
Chattanooga’s Greatest Hits brewer media everywhere. every day.
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 21
RECORD REVIEWS ADAM BECKETT
Traveling The Country Roads From Nashville To Murfreesboro Kane Brown debuts strong, while Chris Young rises to stardom
Kane Brown Chapter 1 (RCA Nashville)
K
ane Brown is currently a man on fire. With his less-than-contemporary country music look and sound, he has broken typical country music traditions and paved his own way. Where artists in all genres know some of the challenges that stand in the way of breaking through to stardom, Kane Brown has faced the obstacle course and prevailed. With the recent release of
Chris Young I’m Comin' Over (RCA Nashville) his newest album Chapter 1, Kane Brown is on a rocket ship to the next level of his music career. For local artists, getting noticed is never an easy task, and getting signed to a major recording label/recording studio is just plain difficult. Kane Brown put his heart and soul on the line, followed his dreams, and got signed by the major Nashville record label
RCA. After recently reaching number one on the iTunes country music chart, it seems as if “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” is the unofficial country music song of the summer. It has a feel good sound to it that will make people want to kick off their shoes, roll the windows down, and go cruise on down some back roads. “Used to Love You Sober” is a really down-to-earth song that is quickly climbing the charts, there is an excellent music video to accompany it. “Wide Open” is a song that talks about the passions of love and falling for a wildflower; it really demonstrates Kane’s powerful vocals. Kane Brown has a solid gold singing voice, his style is uninfluenced by any outside source, and he makes phenomenal music. Chapter 1 is a well put together masterpiece.
Regardless of musical preference, any music fan that likes great music with heart and soul will enjoy the album.
W
ith a whole lot of hard work, talent, and blessings along the way, Murfreesboro native Chris Young has shown the world that it is possible for local musicians to break through to the other side. He has been tearing up the charts since he won the USA Network television program Nashville Star in 2006. Under the Nashville music label RCA, he has produced many successful albums while managing to stay true to his contemporary country music sound, and has had numerous songs reach the top of the charts. With the release of his newest album I’m Comin’ Over, Chris Young has shifted from a rising Nashville Star to a country music powerhouse.
I’m Comin’ Over is a sensational album that only could come from an artist that was in their prime. The now seasoned Nashville artist just keeps getting better with time. Where some artists often hit a slope at a certain point in their career, Chris Young took the opposite path and accelerated it to another level. After gaining a Grammy nomination for the title track, “I’m Comin’ Over” was destined to be a hit from the moment it was released, however, it does not stand alone as the only significant song on the album. “Think of You”, a duet with Cassadee Pope, was also a country music chart topper, and the whole album is magnificent from start to finish. Other songs that stand out are “What if I Stay”, “Alone Tonight”, and “Sunshine Overtime”. Chris Young is obviously no stranger to heartbreak, and he portrays his understanding of the subject in a very personal and beautiful way. His music is very heartfelt, and his voice is magical. I’m Comin’ Over is highly recommended and a staple for any music collection.
Follow The Pulse on Facebook (we’re quite likeable) www.facebook.com/chattanoogapulse 22 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
Diversions
Consider This with Dr. Rick by Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D. “I choose to live by choice, not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; I choose self-esteem, not self-pity. I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinions of others.” — author unknown “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.” — Kurt Cobain It’s gay pride season, and it did my heart good to hear the recent comments from President Obama regarding the atrocity in Orlando, and also regarding the historical importance of LGBT pride. And then, in the most progressive papal interview in history, Pope Francis recently talked about “the need for Christians and Catholics” to ask the LGBT community for forgiveness. Chattanooga (and Atlanta) will be hosting Pride this fall, for members of the LGBT community, including allies, friends and families. Pride is a wonderful time for all compassionate beings—gay, straight, bi, trans, questioning and queer—to come together in solidarity and good will. I hope to see you there. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 23
24 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
FOOD & DRINK MIXOLOGY
Dutch Courage and Malaria Prevention Exploring a brief history of the legendary gin and tonic (with a twist)
T
o think of gin as a medicinal product isn’t so far-fetched for those of us who need a stiff drink after a long day. It’s what you need to take the edge off stress, and it was once used to ease pain and ailments. Conceived in the 1600s by a Dutch scientist, gin was formulated from juniper berries and gets its name from the English bastardization of the Latin term ‘juniperus.’ Part of the Cyprus family whose bark and leaves have been used in medicines for centuries, juniper plants’ bark and berries yield medicinal properties that soothe cramps and indigestion. Demand for the distilled spirit grew dramatically as people tried to acquire the ‘jenever’, but were left disappointed as it was only available through pharmacies, resulting in small distilleries sprouting up and the birth of the non-medicinal, commercial gin.
uid courage spread quickly as the English returned home, resulting in the Dutch exporting gin all over the world. To those of us drinking gin nowadays, our go-to is the gin and tonic, which also has quite the interesting history. We won’t take a trip so far back as 1600s Holland, but we will step back to 1857 as the British Crown took control of India and malaria took hold of British immigrants. It was then discovered that the indigenous people looked to the South American cinchona tree, also known as the ‘fever tree,’ as it’s bark
“Conceived in the 1600s by a Dutch scientist, gin was formulated from juniper berries and gets its name from the English bastardization of the Latin term ‘juniperus.’” The Dutch introduced English troops to the spirit during the Thirty Years’ War when the English noticed Dutch soldiers showed more than a little courage in battle thanks to the bottles they carried on their belts. News of the liq-
would cure fever chills thanks to copious amounts of quinine found inside. It was shown to cure and prevent malaria after it was brought back to Europe in the 1640s and thus the gin and tonic was born as the British learned the addition of
gin, sugar, ice, and citrus would cut the bitterness of the quinine and in turn produce a refreshing, malariapreventive beverage. Today, tonic water isn’t quite so bitter as it’s quinine levels have become more balanced with sweetening agents, but it still proves to be the perfect bitter kick to accompany the piney taste of the juniper berry-distilled gin. We’ve got a few tips and tricks on how to make the perfect gin and tonic…in our opinion anyway, we don’t know what the English have to say about it. Tip one: Get everything cold: glasses, tonic, and the gin. (Keep your gin in the freezer for gin and tonics. All other gin cocktails can be made with room temperature gin.)
Tip two: Only use small, freshly opened bottles of tonic water as larger bottles will go flat quickly. Tip three: Squeeze in two lime wedges rather than just adding a sliver after the fact. The Perfect Gin and Tonic (courtesy of thehuffingtonpost.com)
• 2 oz. gin • 4-5 oz. tonic • 2 lime wedges In a frozen Collins glass, add your gin. Fill the glass with large ice cubes. Squeeze in one lime wedge. Add your tonic. Squeeze in the second lime wedge and briefly stir. Then sit back and enjoy your perfect G&T. — Brooke Dorn
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 25
SCREEN SCENE
Strife and Peril in the Reconstruction South
All Are Welcome at Dragon Inn King Hu's 1967 masterpiece Dragon Inn gets restored We've written quite a bit recently about the new Cine-Rama independent film theater on the Southside, and for a good reason: they keep bringing in some amazing films that otherwise would never see the light of the big screen locally. The latest presentation is one of the greatest martial arts epics ever committed to celluloid: King Hu's 1967 masterpiece Dragon Inn. During the Ming dynasty, the emperor’s minister of defense is framed by a powerful court eunuch and executed, and his family is pursued by secret police. In the ensuing chase,
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a mysterious band of strangers begins to gather at the remote Dragon Gate Inn, where paths (and swords) will cross. This thrilling landmark of film history returns to the screen in a new, beautifully restored 4K digital transfer, created from the original negative. "Dragon Inn" Wednesday, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org
NEW IN THEATERS
The BFG A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. Director: Steven Spielberg Stars: Mark Rylance, Rebecca Hall
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The Purge: Election Year Two years after choosing not to kill the man who killed his son, former police sergeant Barnes has become head of security for Sen. Charlene Roan, the front runner in the next Presidential election due to her vow to eliminate the Purge. Director: James DeMonaco Stars: Elizabeth Mitchell, Frank Grillo
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The Free State of Jones shines a light on an oft-forgotten era of history
I
N 2013, THE SUPREME COURT INVALIDATED A KEY component of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law was meant to protect the rights of black voters in the south by forcing Southern states to gain federal approval before making any changes to their voting laws. Two months after the Supreme Court decision, North Carolina took advantage of the new law by passing strict voter ID requirements, eliminating same day voter registration, shortening the early voting period by seven days, and requiring that votes cast at the wrong polling station be thrown out.
Screen JOHN DEVORE
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Hollywood has long loved Civil War stories. From Gone with the Wind to Glory, film after film has told the story of our battle against each other.”
While these changes seem the lesser of evils when compared to previous voter disenfranchisement provisions in the south, which often featured violence and intimidation, the overall result is the same—limit the number of black voices that participate in elections in order to solidify the power structure of a white majority. That this happened so quickly after the decision shows that, despite arguments made by Chief Justice John Roberts that “our country has changed,” politics and race relations in the South are still haunted by events that started with the country’s very inception. Hollywood has long loved Civil War stories. From Gone with the Wind to Glory, film after film has told the story of our battle against each other. But very few have dealt with the immediate aftermath known as Reconstruction. The Free State of Jones tells the story of a different band of rebels in Mississippi, examining both the causes and consequences of the war and the ways that
wealthy southerners continued to manipulate the system to maintain their power long after the final shots were fired. Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) is a nurse for the Confederate Army who, like many poor southern farmers, increasingly felt disillusioned by the war effort. The film begins on the battlefield, with Knight caring for a fallen young man, ensuring he gets medical attention by telling the infirmary that patient is an officer. Much of the film focuses on questions of class and status, on the different worlds that exist for the wealthy and powerful. The Confederacy has recently passed a law allowing men who own 20 slaves to return home to their farms—if they own 40, they can also bring a son. The more slaves owned the more family members are excused from service. After his teenage nephew is conscripted and killed in the Battle of Corinth, Knight deserts to take the body home to Jones county, Mississippi. When he arrives, he learns that the Confederacy is raiding farms to fund the war effort, but instead of taking the allotted 10 percent, the soldiers take everything,
leaving women and children to starve. Knight defends a farm from these bandits and in the process becomes wanted and is forced to flee to the swamps, chased by the same dogs used to find runaway slaves. He lives for a time with escaped slaves before he begins to amass an army of deserters and resist the Confederates for the remainder of the war. Newton Knight’s rebellion is only part of the film, however. The second half is dedicated to what happens in the South afterwards. The action is interspersed with courtroom scenes a generation or two later, where a descendent of Newton Knight is on trial for marrying a white woman while being 1/16 black, just enough for it to be illegal in the state of Mississippi. It draws parallels between two time periods, showing just how resistant the South has been to change. The film shows how many of the white men that stood with Knight during his rebellion abandoned him and his belief in freedom as military governors from the North are installed and the South is forced to comply with the new “slavery free” world. There was ostensibly no difference
immediately following the war—the rich white masters swore allegiance to the Union, returned to their plantations, and continued to buy slaves as “apprentices” to work their farms. The North was forced to occupy the South to force compliance with the law, but the application of these laws were inconsistent and lenient, creating the environment that led to a Jim Crow South that endured for more than a generation. The Free State of Jones is an excellent film that examines a time period much of America wants to forget. Reconstruction is largely seen as failure, as the policies kept the South from advancing with the rest of the country. It took 100 years for the Voting Rights Act to be passed after the Civil War—100 years of disenfranchisement because of the mishandling of Reconstruction by the North. That southern states immediately began restricting the rights of voters in 2013 after the Supreme Court decision shows just how much of a failure those policies were. Good films encourage thought and reflection. The Free State of Jones is a good film. CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 27
DIVERSIONS FREE WILL ASTROLOGY CANCER (June 21July 22): Once upon a time, weren’t you the master builder who never finished building your castle? Weren’t you the exile who wandered aimlessly while fantasizing about the perfect ROB BREZSNY sanctuary of the past or the sweet safety zone of the future? Didn’t you perversely nurture the ache that arose from your sense of not feeling at home in the world? I hope that by now you have renounced all of those kinky inclinations. If you haven’t, now would be an excellent time to do so. How might you reinvest the mojo that will be liberated by the demise of those bad habits? LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In accordance with the astrological omens, I have selected three aphorisms by poet James Richardson to guide you. Aphorism #1: “The worst helplessness is forgetting there is help.” My commentary: You have the power to avoid that fate. Start by identifying the sources of healing and assistance that are available to you. Aphorism #2: “You do not have to be a fire to keep one burning.” My commentary: Generate all the heat and light you can, yes, but don’t torch yourself. Aphorism #3: “Patience is not very different from courage. It just takes longer.” My commentary: But it may not take a whole lot longer. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You may not know this, but I am the founder and CEO of Proud To Be Humble, an acclaimed organization devoted to minimizing vanity. It is my sworn duty to protest any ego that exceeds the acceptable limits as defined by the Geneva Convention on Narcissism. However, I now find myself conflicted. Because of the lyrical beauty and bighearted charisma that are currently emanating from your ego, I am unable, in good conscience, to ask you to tone yourself down. In fact, I hereby grant you a license to expand your self-love to unprecedented proportions. You may also feel free to unleash a series of lovely brags. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The next 28 days will not be a favorable period to sit around passively
wishing to be noticed. Nor will it be a good time to wait to be rescued or to trust in others to instigate desirable actions. On the other hand, it will be an excellent phase to be an initiator: to decide what needs to be done, to state your intentions concisely, and to carry out your master plan with alacrity and efficiency. To help ensure your success during the next 28 days, make this declaration each morning before breakfast: “I don’t want to OBSERVE the show. I want to BE the show.” SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “In life, as in bicycling, pedal when you have to, coast when you can.” So says author James Lough, and now I’m passing on his advice to you -- just in time for your transition from the heavy-pedaling season to the coastingis-fun phase. I suspect that at this juncture in your life story you may be a bit addicted to the heavy pedaling. You could be so accustomed to the intensity that you’re inclined to be suspicious of an opportunity to enjoy ease and grace. Don’t be like that. Accept the gift with innocent gratitude. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “When a jet flies low overhead, every glass in the cupboard sings,” writes aphorist James Richardson. “Feelings are like that: choral, not single; mixed, never pure.” That’s always true, but it will be intensely true for you in the coming weeks. I hope you can find a way to tolerate, even thrive on, the flood of ambiguous complexity. I hope you won’t chicken out and try to pretend that your feelings are one-dimensional and easily understandable. In my opinion, you are ripe to receive rich lessons in the beauty and power of mysterious emotions.
Homework: For one week, pretend to already be something you’re on your way to becoming. Report results to Truthrooster@ gmail.com Jay O’Dell, told me this story: “After my cancer surgery, a nurse said to me, ‘You may as well try magical thinking. Regular thinking hasn’t helped.’ I said to the nurse, ‘Well, why the hell not?’ That was seven years ago.” In bringing O’Dell’s testimony to your attention, I don’t mean to suggest you will have any health problems that warrant a strong dose of magical thinking. Not at all. But you may get wrapped up in a psychological twist or a spiritual riddle that would benefit from magical thinking. And what exactly is magical thinking? Here’s one definition: The stories that unfold in your imagination have important effects on what actually happens to you.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pop artist Andy Warhol said that in the future, everyone would be famous for 15 minutes. His idea had a resonance with the phrase “nine days’ wonder,” which as far back as Elizabethan times referred to a person or event that captured the public’s fascination for a while. You Capricorns are entering a phase when you’re far more likely than usual to bask in the spotlight. Between now and September 2017, I bet you’ll garner at least a short burst of glory, acclaim, or stardom—perhaps much more. Are you ready for your close-up? Have you prepped for the influx of attention that may be coming your way?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Let’s talk about X-factors and wild cards and strange attractors. By their very nature, they are unpredictable and ephemeral, even when they offer benevolent breakthroughs. So you may not even notice their arrival if you’re entranced by your expectations and stuck in your habitual ways. But here’s the good news, Pisces: Right now you are not unduly entranced by your expectations or stuck in your habits. Odds are high that you will spy the sweet twists of fate—the X-factors and wild cards and strange attractors— as they float into view. You will pounce on them and put them to work while they’re still fresh. And then they will help you hike your ratings or get the funding you need or animate the kind of love that heals.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): One of my readers,
ARIES (March 21-April 19): During winter, some
bears spend months hibernating. Their body temperatures and heart rates drop. They breathe drowsily. Their movements are minimal. Many hummingbirds engage in a similar slow-down— but they do it every single night. By day they are among the most manic creatures on earth, flapping their wings and gathering sustenance with heroic zeal. When the sun slips below the horizon, they rest with equal intensity. In my estimation, Aries, you don’t need a full-on immersion in idleness like the bears. But you’d benefit from a shorter stint, akin to the hummingbird’s period of dormancy. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Dear Dr. Brezsny: A psychic predicted that sometime this year I will fall in love with a convenience store clerk who’s secretly a down-on-his-luck prince of a small African country. She said that he and I have a unique destiny. Together we will break the world’s record for dancing without getting bitten in a pit of cobras while drunk on absinthe on our honeymoon. But there’s a problem. I didn’t have time to ask the psychic how I’ll meet my soulmate, and I can’t afford to pay $250 for another reading. Can you help? — Mopey Taurus.” Dear Mopey: The psychic lied. Neither she nor anyone else can see what the future will bring you. Why? Because what happens will be largely determined by your own actions. I suggest you celebrate this fact. It’s the perfect time to do so: July is Feed Your Willpower Month. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Of all the concert pianos in the world, 80 percent of them are made by Steinway. A former president of the company once remarked that in each piano, “243 taut strings exert a pull of 40,000 pounds on an iron frame.” He said it was “proof that out of great tension may come great harmony.” That will be a potential talent of yours in the coming weeks, Gemini. Like a Steinway piano, you will have the power to turn tension into beauty. But will you actually accomplish this noble goal, or will your efforts be less melodious? It all depends on how much poised self-discipline you summon. Rob Brezsny is an aspiring master of curiosity, perpetrator of sacred uproar, and founder of the Beauty and Truth Lab. He brings a literate, mythsavvy perspective to his work. It’s all in the stars.
ALL NEW. ALL FOR YOU.
ChattanoogaHasCars.com THE TENNESSEE VALLEY’S MOST POWERFUL AUTOMOTIVE SHOPPING TOOL 28 • THE PULSE • JUNE 30, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
Jonesin’ Crossword
MATT JONES
“You’re Getting Sleepy...”—relax with a nice puzzle. ACROSS 1 FitBit unit 5 Somber 9 Carson City neighbor 13 Repelled a mugger, in a way 15 Really small amount 16 Have ___ (know somebody) 17 Vegetable designed to stick in your nose? 20 Legal term that means “directed against a thing” 21 Saigon soup 22 ‘90s General Motors brand 23 Former “Tonight Show” announcer Hall 25 Gift decoration 27 Film composer Danny 29 Official who sings in Hebrew 32 It’s hardly a snack for a steed 34 Candied tubers 35 Worst score ever from Salt Lake City’s team? 38 Large part of the globe 39 “Here Comes
the Hotstepper” singer Kamoze 40 “___ Ruins Everything” (truTV show) 43 Places where you can only order sloe drinks? 47 Taj Mahal builder ___ Jahan 50 “___ tree falls...” 51 Add some sparkle to 52 Bothers 54 Smooth sax player Dave 56 Far from strict 57 Short-___ clothesline (wrestling move) 58 Rabbits, e.g. 60 Baloney 63 Wild coffee shop where everyone’s had 10+ shots? 68 Cookie with the crossed lines from the Nabisco logo on it 69 Corrida snorter 70 Pasta-draining device 71 Lament 72 Swing to and fro 73 Floral emanation
DOWN 1 Texting protocol initials 2 “Tic ___ Dough” (TV game show) 3 Spiny anteaters 4 Magician whose last name is Jillette 5 Whosamawhatsis 6 The New Yorker cartoonist Chast 7 “Break ___!” 8 Tool that’ll definitely hack it 9 Stereotypical cheerleader’s shout 10 Puzzlement 11 Start of a day shift, often 12 Burger toppers 14 Palme ___ (Cannes Film Festival award) 18 Alphabet book regular 19 Mustard’s rank: Abbr. 23 Old French coin 24 Facts and figures 26 Apple cofounder Steve 28 Existentialist Dostoyevsky 30 Chicken servings 31 California resort town
near Santa Barbara 33 Comedian Ansari 36 ___ Davis (publishing conglomerate with an agreement to buy Gawker Media) 37 Bring down the house? 41 Investigated thoroughly 42 Physical beginning? 44 Simpletons 45 ___ : France :: “Swing kid” : Germany 46 “___ is an emotion in motion”: Mae West 47 Manatee or dugong 48 Zimbabwe’s capital 49 $2 to get $20, perhaps 53 “Hail!,” to Caesar 55 “Here we go again ...” 59 Bank makeup 61 The 40 in a “40,” for short 62 “South Pacific” Tony winner Pinza 64 Dandy guy 65 Chapter of history 66 Ab ___ (from the beginning) 67 “ ___ the ramparts ...”
Copyright © 2016 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per3minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 0786 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 29
COLUMN ON THE BEAT
Sometimes It’s All About Perception Officer Alex ponders crime statistics and the stock market
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ALEX TEACH
There are two such issues of perception that weigh on my mind today though they’re not the notoriously sexy (and okay, mundane) fare you’ve grown accustomed to here.”
Photo illustration by SuriyaPhoto When officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center.
Perception is a funny thing. Like a good Progressive liberal agenda, it is nearly impervious to normally deadly weapons like “the truth” and “reality.” It deftly bobs and weaves its way around them like opposing poles on two magnets, an invisible but tangible push occurring when their distances decrease, the resistance to stay apart increasing proportionately with the pressure to make them meet. It’s like that psychologically as well of course, and that’s what makes it both interesting and foolish to try to alter. There are two such issues of perception that weigh on my mind today though they’re not the notoriously sexy (and okay, mundane) fare you’ve grown accustomed to here, but I’ve had a slow week and that’s the way it goes. One is the stock market. (Yup…you read that correctly.) The stock market has slowed to a crawl and threatens to slowly choke something fairly important to me, or at least important enough to make my own slow crawl through blood glass and a 48 pack of psychological trauma in order to reach the cheese at the center of my Municipal Maze: my pension. Quarter after quarter we’re being told who the greatest President in the history of Presidents is because everything is fine again after The Great Recession. “Perception.” Never mind the humor in the President taking and being given credit for such (it was done with gasoline prices, too, until it was pointed out they were $1.90 or so the month he was sworn in, lower than it is now but a credit to neither POTUS). We’re keeping interest intentionally low and still loaning inappropriate amounts of money to people with no better means of paying it back now than they could in 2007 before the market
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took a shot in the liver, and traditional investments that relied on paltry bond returns of seven plus percent are now returning zero to one percent, once again threatening “reform” to a pension that has already been excised into assisted living. Things are not great financially because nothing was fixed…except “perception”. Which leads to the other point: Crime. Violent crime is lower at this time of the year than it was at this time last year in my beloved City, yet if I said that to anyone that lives in its metropolitan foot print, they’d laugh (or scowl). Imagine the frustration of finding creative ways to attack the things driving crime and being successful, only to be met with disbelief. It’s kind of analogous to policing as a profession as a whole—being tasked with doing the impossible, and to measure our success based on crimes that do not occur as a result—but here we are. People in outlying Ooltewah and Apison are threatening to “leave this town it’s gotten so bad” despite not living in Chattanooga, and being cheered on by people who have already left places like Harrison and Middle Valley, also not in the city in question, and also not af-
fected by the crimes making the news because no one uninvolved with crime is buying or selling narcotics in one of three spots in this town and being ‘retaliated against’ for transgressions against the other gangs that really are involved and affected by these crimes. (Unless of course you’re a cousin of a political wannabe who’s cousin decides you were shot with a pistol by a wandering band of “Roadwarrior” style marauders in the core of the city and reports it as such…before finding out it was something actually involving a BB gun, a rebel flag, and a “person of color” that was delayed by nearly an hour to be reported second-hand from another city. What a wonderful case in point…) Wait, where were we now? Ah. “Perception.” The most frustrating part? At the end of the day it’s almost impossible to argue that perception is indeed reality. And while proof is not a part of this equation (if not the whole point), how appropriate…that this quote is most often attributed to Lee Atwater: a politician. Back to the mill, people. (But not before checking the S&P 500; things were bad before Britain voted to leave the European Union. Ah! “Perception.”)
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 30, 2016 • THE PULSE • 31