The Pulse 14.45 » November 9, 2017

NOVEMBER 9, 2017

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

MERRILL VAL LOVE · BARBIERO AND BOCCI · THOR: RAGNAROK

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VOL. 14, NO. 45 • NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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A LICENSE TO GILL

Despite their undeniable beauty, the Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout found in Southeastern streams are really just gilded aquatic invaders.

THOR CHANNELS HIS INNER COMEDIAN

Of the winners and losers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor has always been towards the bottom. His has a very specific character challenge.

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THE LOVE OF LIVE FRACTAL DESIGN ART

Merrill Val Love is a local artist who owns and operates Tree Dimensional, a digital design company that focuses on live action fractal designs which get projected onto various spaces and objects.

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FINDING THE MUSICAL “NON-PLACES” WITHIN

I have heard music that stirs emotion, that evokes imagery, that stimulates thought and conversation, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard another piece of music that has forced me to rethink completely how I’m going to write about it.

ALSO INSIDE CONSIDER THIS

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MUSIC REVIEWS

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SHADES OF GREEN

23

THE COMIX

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NEW IN THEATERS

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

14

ARTS CALENDAR

25

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

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MIXOLOGY

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GAME ON!

MUSIC CALENDAR

“Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub. And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Turn them out, knaves all three.”

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

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Punching The Clock

A newcomer to The Pulse family, Jessie Gantt-Temple moved here three years ago from the Carolinas with her husband, and has found roots on her 18-acre farm in Soddy Daisy and as Marketing Chair of the Chattanooga Rollergirls.

Sandra Kurtz has long been active in environmental education and activism. She founded Tennessee Environmental Education Association, and has consulted with National Environmental Trust, Clear the Air, and the Sierra Club.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 3

BEGINNINGS ∙ CITY LIFE

A License To Gill Vanity plate bolsters Aquarium’s Brook Trout restoration program

By Casey Phillips Pulse contributor

BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole Assistant Editor Brooke Brown Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Adam Beckett • Rob Brezsny Matt Jones • Jessie Gantt-Temple Sandra Kurtz • Mike McJunkin Ernie Paik • Casey Phillips Rick Pimental-Habib • Michael Thomas Editorial Interns Kelley J. Bostian • Jessica Manning Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

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ESPITE THEIR UNDENIABLE beauty, the Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout found in Southeastern streams are really just gilded aquatic invaders.

Rainbows are native to waterways west of the Rockies, and Browns arrived alongside Germany immigrants in the late 19th century. Since their introduction to the Eastern U.S. in the 1930s (Rainbows) and late1880s (Browns), these trout species have often out-competed Brook Trout, the only species native to the waterways of Southern Appalachia.

Consequently, the modern Southern Appalachian Brook Trout only occupies a fraction—less than 15 percent—of its historical range in Tennessee.

Through the sale of special vanity license plates, however, the Appalachian Chapter of Trout Unlimited has supported efforts by the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute and its partners to better understand and restore the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout to its native range.

Recently, Steve Fry, the chapter’s president, presented a check for $7,500 to Aquarium Vice President of Conservation Science and Education Dr. Anna George.

This grant is Trout Unlimited’s third contribution to the Institute’s ongoing research into and propagation of this beautiful fish, which is a popular target of anglers and immediately identifiable by its speckled patterning and white-rimmed, red fins.

“The biologists here are the experts,” Fry says. “They ensure these fish have the correct food, water conditions and temperatures. That’s their thing. We know they’ll do it right.”

The grant from Trout Unlimited will be used to fund the rearing of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout at the Institute’s new freshwater science facility. The fish raised

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“The system wasn’t set up for the heat because the water comes from a creek, and the creek got too hot, so they couldn’t raise fish last year.” through this program will be released into Stoney Creek, a waterway about 15 miles northeast of Johnson City, Tennessee.

Several years ago, scientists at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute pioneered techniques to rear Southern Appalachian Brook Trout in a recirculating system. Using a closed system indoors has several advantages over outdoor flow-through systems, especially when it comes to harsh weather conditions, Fry says.

“Last year, we had problems with a historic drought and the water temperature got too hot,” Fry says, referencing conditions at an outdoor hatchery. “The system wasn’t set up for the heat because the water comes from a creek, and the creek got too hot, so they couldn’t raise fish last year.”

Despite a range that extends north into the Great Lakes, Canada and New England, the south-

ern strain of the Brook Trout is genetically distinct from its northern cousins. A 2014 grant from Trout Unlimited also helped fund efforts by scientists at the Conservation Institute to conduct genetic testing on populations of Southern Appalachian Brook Trout released into another stream.

The ongoing support of Trout Unlimited is bolstering a multi-faceted approach to understanding and conserving this vitally important native species, says ichthyologist Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, the Institute’s manager of science programs.

“With the support we’re getting from the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited, we’re able to do some scientific investigations into why Brook Trout do what they do but also help to improve the status of a population,” Kuhajda says.

“We’re coming at it both from the scientific side and the management side.”

Consider This with Dr. Rick

EdiToon

by Rob Rogers

“Here’s to those who inspire us and don’t even know it.”

Anime(ted) Blast Returns For Its Seventh Year Anime is perhaps the most underrated and misunderstood form of modern entertainment. Taking stylistic direction and origin from Japan, anime (which definitely sounds better than saying “animation”) has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States and around the world, attracting fans through the complexity of its many unique universes and remarkable storytelling.

Sometimes, it’s hard to contain or explain just how exciting this art form actually is. If you live in Chattanooga and can relate to everything I just said, you should check out Anime Blast.

Taking place at the historic Chatta-

nooga Choo Choo, Anime Blast invites anime lovers from the region to gather for three days as a community in order to entertain, educate, and encourage fans of the art form to foster their fandom.

Cosplay is a highly encouraged component of Anime Blast. Have you always wanted to dress up as Sailor Moon or one of the now millions of Pokémon?

That’s fine, but be prepared to encounter stiff competition.

At Anime Blast you’re expected to dress in your anime best, so long as you follow the formality rules listed on the website.

The convention will also host a number of famous voice actors, animators, activities and cosplay legends in the anime world. If you even remotely enjoy anime, this is a once in a year event that you can’t miss. — Kelley J. Bostian

Think about a grade school or high school teacher who was a strong, positive influence on you. If you were to run into him or her today, what might you say?

Think about when an older sibling or parent (or parental figure) protected you, supported you, or taught you something that you’ve been grateful for your whole life.

In my experience, I sometimes hear from folks about how something we talked about, or something they read in one of my books or columns inspired them. It’s a wonderfully rewarding experience!

Now think about the times you’ve tried to help someone in need, or inspire a youth, or help a friend…even the smallest gesture might have made a big difference. You may be inspiring someone every day without knowing it. Kind of makes you want to be your best self whenever possible, eh?

You complete us.

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

Now recruiting Media Sales Professionals to represent Chattanooga’s Alternative Newsweekly Send your resume and cover letter to: Mike Baskin, Director of Sales mikebaskin@brewermediagroup.com In the subject line, please include: Brewer Sales Position Learn more about us at BrewerMediaGroup.com.

Brewer Media is an equal opportunity employer.

brewer media everywhere. every day.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 5

6 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

COLUMN ∙ SHADES OF GREEN

Plants Need Thanks This Season How you can help the environment and still celebrate the holidays

Sandra Kurtz

Pulse columnist

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T’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN. Trees are getting ready for winter. It’s my custom at this time to remind you of the wondrous seasonal change now in progress and answer that burning question: Why do leaves fall off the trees?

With the tilt of the Earth, it’s clear that there will be less light for photosynthesis for food making, and water will be harder to get. Trees begin to shut down. At the base of each leaf is a small corky layer that swells and cuts off the flow of water.

With no access to water, green chlorophyll disappears and we see the color of the leaves underneath. Eventually, the corky layer forms a disintegrating cell line that says ‘tear here’ and so each leaf falls to the ground. It’s a miraculous process.

Have you noticed? Tree color is coming ever later. Past Color Cruises have been held the second week of October at the height of the fall color show. Now the schedule has slipped a couple of weeks. Could it be that different trees species have confused timing for winter preparations given warmer temperatures? Is climate change the reason their color changes are stretched out over a longer period of time?

This skewed timing for plants due to climate change is more serious than it might first appear. Animals have all adapted to plant patterns and seasonal changes for food and shelter. Over eons migrations, hibernations, and insect and bird hatchings are all connected to plant timings

for growth and food production.

Temperature extremes and higher frequency of catastrophic storms don’t help either.

The new Scientific Climate Change Report is out. It concludes that “human activities are the primary driver of recent global temperatures”. Greenhouse emissions are the main problem. We can’t stop climate change, but since humans are the problem, we can take actions to slow change giving plants time to adapt.

What can you do? At least 20 precent of our personal carbon footprint comes from the food we eat every day. According to Environmental Working Group, if everyone in the U.S. chose a vegetarian diet it would be the equivalent of taking 46 million cars off the road.

Consider a low-carbon or carbon-lite Thanksgiving. You’ll be glad to know that Tofurkey is not a low-carbon choice because of all the processing required. Chicken and turkey are best choices for low-carbon meat.

The average weight of a Thanksgiving turkey purchased is 15 pounds. That equals 163 pounds of greenhouse gasses created in the production, transport, and roasting. That is equivalent to driving your car 170 miles.

Beef, pork, lamb and cheese have higher carbon footprints due to lots of water, food and transport to get meat to the store. It takes 1,799 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef while for corn

“According to Environmental Working Group, if everyone in the U.S. chose a vegetarian diet it would be the equivalent of taking 46 million cars off the road.” it’s 108 gallons.

The eco-friendliest Thanksgiving meal would be one without a turkey with lots of simply prepared organic vegetables and fruits locally grown. The table centerpiece would be created from colorful leaves or other natural items collected outdoors. Banish plastic bottles, plates, or cutlery. Food would come with cloth napkins on washable dishes, glasses, and silverware.

The meal would produce as little waste as possible. Send leftovers home with guests or store for another meal. Compost and recycle to avoid sending leftover food to the landfill where it breaks down

aerobically and produces methane gas.

Now it’s likely that tradition requires that turkey be on your menu. If so, make it an organic, free-range turkey. It will be a bit more expensive, but healthier and humanely raised.

Stick nametags in pinecones and celebrate being more fossil-free.

Work off that Thanksgiving food by planting a tree. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandra Kurtz is an environmental community activist, chair of the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance, and is presently working through the Urban Century Institute. You can visit her website to learn more at enviroedu.net

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 7

COVER STORY

Punching The Clock A butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker, Chattanooga style

By Jessie Gantt-Temple, Pulse contributor

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UB-A-DUB-DUB, THREE MEN IN A TUB. AND who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Turn them out, knaves all three.”

Originally published in 1798, the “Rub-A-Dub-Dub” nursery rhyme speaks of three tradesfolk and the nonsense of possible debauchery. Although the meaning behind this short lyrical piece may be cryptic, the three professions clearly prove to be in existence since the beginning of time and rhyme.

There is currently so much emphasis on farm-to-table and where your food comes from. But what about where your table comes from or all the other awesome things placed upon it?

With an influx of the working class going back to a less industrial time and working for themselves, becoming a craftsman can be trying on the back and the wallet, but so many choose to pursue it for a better work life balance.

However, it is a common theme to find those who own their own business, especially one where they produce a physical item, work non-stop but still their joy in life exudes beyond the time clock.

We sat down with three local artisans to see what their handcrafted day is like and what the end of their work week produces besides a tangible product.

Here is a little insight into what each one had to say and also what they eat for breakfast...

The Butcher: Any Way You Slice It Main Street Meats began adjacent to a butcher shop and as the demand for farm fresh beef, pork and chicken grew, so did the need for skilled butch-

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ers to intricately cut portions for restaurant patrons and wholesalers. After achieving a degree from the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont and investing over a decade on the west coast executing French cuisine, Brent Harding returned to his hometown and joined the Main Street Meats team.

“There’s a difference between cooking to pay the rent versus cooking because you love it,” Brent said when describing how work has been since he moved back. “I wanted to be a part of a place that cares and believes in putting out quality product.”

Although he received a formal culinary education, Brent said the classes briefly went over breaking down whole meats but not the precise, surgical cuts required to be successful solely as a butcher. He received further training from Main Street Meats’ original butcher, Milton White, and mastered the art of butchery.

Brent comments that while he can do the work, Head Butcher Parker Hudson who joined in 2015, can do it blindfolded.

“There is some romanticized idea of working with your hands. The incredible amount of physically demanding labor does make being a butcher like the construction worker of the food industry.”

Although his muscles may ache from standing on his feet in the USDA certified prep area, Brent says it’s the joys of working in a place with integrity and drive that keeps him standing tall every day.

“I’m proud, not because our stuff is made in Chattanooga. I’m proud because it’s damn good.” He continued his prideful speak when talking about the release of MSM’s revamped salami. The less crumbly concoction should be ready to release to the public in December.

And when it comes to his “Break-

COVER STORY fast of Champions”, Brent goes with the old standby: coffee. “It is terrible but I am usually a one-meal-a-day guy and the rest of my time if filled with a liquid diet consisting mostly of coffee. But if I had to have an Achilles’ heel and treat myself for something that would jumpstart my day, it would be a Velo Cappucino.”

The Baker: Flour Power Like the job of a butcher and other hands-on profession, you have to have above average strength to handle the physical demands of being a baker.

“Although flour does gets everywhere, I mean like even after you shower it’s still there, it’s the repetitive muscle motions that really hurt are the biggest hazard of being a baker,” says Sara Lanham.

A baker at Niedlov’s Breadworks for over six years, says that all her professions beforehand have always gravitated towards the lost arts. As an Art History major, who also dabbled in pre-med, book binding and metal-smithing, she finds joy in preserving the “process of feel.” With no formal training, this selfproclaimed dilettante claims it was the heaps and heaps of on-the-job training that helped shaped her into the successful baker today.

Although unsure why I went in with the preconceived notion that most bakers were female, Sara states that contrary that females in the baker’s world is a rarity but former Niedlov’s owner John Sweet wanted to mix things up so to speak.

“Pastries and the kitchen, not so much but bread is my world.” Sara said when describing which area she excelled at most. With baking, she added, there is this wonderful attribute where you get to give constant attention to one task.

Multitasking in baking is not common as there is a flow where you can’t begin one step before finishing another and therefore the concentrated time of only doing one thing is so simplistic and re-

“It is a common theme to find that those who own their own business work non-stop but still their joy in life exudes beyond the time clock.” warding.

The best advice she gives to anyone interested in pursuing becoming a professional baker is to experiment with a recipe like a science experiment with a control variable then observe any changes with all five senses.

And her “Breakfast of Champions”?

“Although I love all the sweet treats we make, I would have to say Niedlov’s granola is something I crave to get my morning routine going. And Black Tea” The Candlestick Maker: Churning & Burning Like Sara at Niedlov’s, Debbie Blinder of Full Circle Candles has a passion for baking, cooking and chemistry.

Although Debbie never thought she would be making a living from a craft oriented business since she did not consider herself crafty, she has been successfully in business for herself for the past five years.

Originally from New Jersey, she made several full revelations between her northern hometown and Florida before getting lost in route and finding a perfect place in the middle here in Tennessee. Full Circle Candles, has a focus about the karma of what goes around comes around says that was the idea behind the name of her Monteagle based candle company.

“You would think the hot burning wax would be the hazard but it’s really the olfactory gland being overwhelmed with all the scents,” Debbie explains when talking about the ups and downs of being a candle maker. She says the nuisance of the nose is better than what she was inhaling before, the tox-

ins from big business candle companies who mostly use crude oils, which is what causes the black smudge on the candle jar.

“I had breathing issues before I started my candle company so I looked into what they’re made out of and realized I needed to take care of my wellbeing inside the home as well as outside.”

Debbie says she is an activist and very involved in making the world a better place for her daughter and her customers. She does not test on animals, does not use petroleum, lead, carcinogens or other harmful chemicals. She is proud to use 100 percent renewable soy wax, eco-friendly wicks and has a fantastic recycling program.

Bring back your spent Full Circle Candle jars and get a $3 discount.

Debbie lights up when she says how she’s received more than 500 recycled jars in the last couple of years. With her shop set up at Hallelujah Pottery, during the week Debbie travels to more central locations to sell including festivals markets like the Sewanee Festival and the Sunday Chattanooga Market. Her scents are also available seven days a week at WholeFoods in North Chattanooga, EarthFare in Hixson and Blue Chair.

With over 50 scents to choose from, there is no description that could do any of her creations justice. Highlights include her first innovations like Sunny Day (Lemon and Verbena) and Soul Friends (Sage and Pomegranate). Top sellers include Hippyland (Cedarwood and Patchouli), Morning Start (Coffee), and an award winner from the Chattanooga Market Peach Festival, Georgia Peach.

She says her top three are Beach Paradise (Coconut and Lime), Ruby Red (Grapefruit) and the one named after her daughter, Autumn Spice (Cinnamon, Clove and Orange). Cute names like East Meets West (Ginger and Saffron) and Sizzling Sunrise (Bacon) are as enticing as the scents. There is something for everyone and the candles start a $9 each or 2/$16.

Debbie encourages anyone looking to start their own business to find your worth. Debbie is also teaching community classes as she enjoys sharing ideas in promoting positive health for body, mind, spirit and the environment.

She has received so much support from the community that she is starting to expand into soaps and scrubs.

Her “Breakfast of Champions” is the simple bagel and coffee. “I’ve got to represent Jersey here and say lox and bagel. An everything bagel with plain cream cheese, maybe some local tomato and lox. And of course, coffee.

Always start with coffee.”

Although extremely diverse in their educational backgrounds and professional discoveries, these three tradespeople have several things in common besides the rub-a-dub-dub.

None of them were officially trained by a certified expert in order to progress in a locally owned, successful business.

They each found a trade they thought interesting and could be lucrative, and pursued it. Each one, interviewed separately, said that they do this because they love the people and the process.

“A huge benefit is the people I get to meet,” Debbie says. “Their energy when they talk about how much they (or the friend they gifted it to) love my candles. A stranger’s genuine affirmation of what you’re doing really does help push you through an arduous day.”

It helps to do something you love and Marc Twain said it best: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 9

FILM & TELEVISION

Thor Channels His Inner Comedian

Ragnarok finds the right balance of humor and action

Of All The Gin Joints In All The World Every time film fans and critics try to put together a list of the greatest films of all time, one movie invariably makes the list, almost always at or near the very top: 1942’s Casablanca.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick Blaine, the owner of a nightclub in Vichy-controlled Casablanca, whose life changes forever when his lost love, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), walks into his club and back into his life.

But there is so much more to the film than the (relatively) simple plot. When the film was being made, based off of the unproduced stage play “Everybody Comes to Rick’s”, no one involved with the production thought it was going to be as ground-breaking and beloved as it became.

Sure, it had an A-list cast and some first-rate writers, but to Hollywood execs it was just another of several films rushed into production to take advantage of the publicity from the Allied invasion of North Africa a few weeks earlier. And its initial theatrical release was solid but wasn’t exactly setting the box office on fire, ranking seventh for the year.

But there was something special about the film. Bogart and Bergmann’s undeniable chemistry, the memorable score, and the whip-smart dialogue have made it the true definition of a classic.

Do yourself a favor and head out this Sunday and see for yourself just why Casablanca has justifiably become one of the greatest—if not the greatest—films ever made.

— Michael Thomas Casablanca 75th Anniversary Event Sunday, 2 p.m.

Sunday, 2, 7 p.m.

East Ridge 18 Hamilton Place 8 5080 South Terrace 2000 Hamilton Pl. Blvd.

(423) 855-9652 (844) 462-7342 www.fathomevents.com 10 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

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F THE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor has always been towards the bottom. His has a very specific character challenge.

It’s easy for Iron Man or Captain America to exist in the more realistic world Marvel has created for its characters (though this realistic world is fast disappearing in favor of flashy comic book fantasy).

They are more or less plausible, at least moreso than an immortal Norse god that wields lightning and short silver hammer of varying weight that depends entirely on a dubious understanding of ethics and morality.

Thor is, and has always been, a little bit dumb.

This isn’t to say he isn’t entertaining, especially as a foil for other, more rational characters within the Avenger’s films. If anything, he feels unde-

rused, much more of an outsider than the other heroes.

His previous standalone films always felt like more of necessity, a stepping-stone to the larger flagship films. The directors of these films, Kenneth Branaugh and Alan Taylor respectively, did their best to breathe life into a ridiculous idea, and were somewhat successful. Still, there was simply something off about the tone.

Enter Guardians of the Galaxy. Here was another film, with absurd characters, that could have easily come off poorly and underdeveloped. But James Gunn took the film a different way, using vibrant colors, humor, and classic rock to develop a team of misfits far more fun to watch than Marvel’s original team.

Suddenly, someone at Marvel remembered that comics books are supposed to be fun. Taking a page from Gunn’s playbook, director Taika Waititi embraces the absurdity of Thor in Thor: Ragnarok and makes a film that is absolutely the best treat-

FILM & TELEVISION

“Director Taika Waititi embraces the absurdity of Thor in Thor: Ragnarok and makes a film that is absolutely the best treatment of the character so far.”

✴ ✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴ ✴

ment of the character so far and one of the most enjoyable Marvel Cinematic Universe films since the previous Marvel Cinematic Universe film.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) hasn’t been doing much with the Avenger’s team since The Age of Ultron. He completely missed the whole Civil War debacle hanging out in Australia and then spent a lot of time wandering the nine realms restoring order and preventing catastrophes.

He was so busy, in fact, that he didn’t notice his brother Loki had faked his own death four years ago and had since been impersonating his father in Asgard.

This leads to some fun shenanigans until the brothers learn that their father Odin is now at the end of his life.

Turns out, Odin’s power was holding back Hela, goddess of Death and sister to the princes of Asgard. When he dies, she will be released from her

prison, thus ushering in Ragnarok, the prophesied end of Asgard. She does so with glee, banishing the brothers across the galaxy to a world of junk and gladiatorial combat.

Admittedly, the synopsis of the film sounds like more of the same nonsense that was found in the other Thor films. But Waititi, director of the hysterical vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows, takes the material and makes it his own.

It seems that with the success of films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel is allowing the creative talent they hire to be creative.

Waititi is a strange choice for Marvel—he has only two features under his belt and neither are as large and unwieldy as a Marvel film. Waititi handles it with no missteps beyond some obvious cribbing from James Gunn, and overall the film is fun, eye catching, and entertaining.

Murder on the Orient Express A lavish train ride unfolds into a stylish & suspenseful mystery. From the novel by Agatha Christie, the film tells of thirteen stranded strangers & one man's race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.

Director: Kenneth Branagh Stars: Kenneth Branagh and a whole bunch of stars

If anything, films like Thor: Ragnarok and the Guardians of the Galaxy series make anything that happens on Earth drab and depressing.

Even Tony Stark, with all his billions and rapier wit, might have a hard time competing with the likes of the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Here’s hoping that The Avengers: Infinity War is a marriage of these styles.

Most likely it will be. Harmony between franchises is the bread and butter for Marvel Studios. They’re great at set-up and promotion. They make flashy, fun movies with mass appeal.

Still, even with the spectacle on the screen, there is a temporary nature to these movies.

None of them feel long lasting or classic—everything is a continuation.

The films are as serial as anything found on Netflix. To their credit, this is exactly what reading comic books is like. It’s also why most adults eventually grow out of them. At some point, everyone needs closure.

But the Hollywood machine keeps churning. The MCU just passed $5 billion in the North American box office. There’s no end in sight.

At least the movies are good enough to justify it.

Daddy's Home 2 Brad and Dusty must deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays in a sequel to an all-but-forgettable movie that was made for reasons unknown.

Director: Sean Anders Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow, Linda Cardellini CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Love Of Live Fractal Design Art Merrill Val Love marries art and technology together

To Dream The Impossible Dream The Man of La Mancha musical has a complicated history, and even a different name (I, Don Quixote), which can be traced back to a popular 1959 teleplay that was based on a 17th-century book, had no music, and of which no footage has ever been recovered.

Instead, many people now know the musical from its 1964 production that was actually an adaptation of this early teleplay, one that went on to win five Tony Awards and has likely become the most endured Broadway production in history.

The story revolves around a captured Spanish prisoner who must distract his fellow inmates through theatrical presentation while awaiting the immanent Spanish Inquisition. This, oddly enough, becomes a play within a play, one that is now critically acclaimed for its clever storytelling and sense of immersion.

From November 9th to the 18th, Covenant College Theatre Department will be presenting The Man of La Mancha, their first musical performance in quite some time. It is a welcome addition to the respected theatre department and will bring the famous musical experience of the original Dale Wasserman novel to the city of Chattanooga. — Kelley J. Bostian Man of La Mancha November 9th through 18th Covenant College 14049 Scenic Hwy. (706) 820-1560 www.covenant.edu 12 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By Adam Beckett Pulse contributor

M

ERRILL VAL LOVE IS A LOCAL ARTIST who owns and operates Tree Dimensional, a digital design company that focuses on live action fractal designs which are projected onto various spaces and objects.

His art is unique and original, and Tree Dimensional is currently blowing the doors off of any sort of competition in its field, for the work that he creates is unmatched. He produces a gripping aesthetic environment that will lock in a wide variety of onlookers, in a multitude of settings.

Love uses state of the art computer equipment, projectors, and software programs to help create his magic light show. He singlehandedly creates, and renders, every aspect of his designs. Watching him work is truly fascinating, like watching a mad scientist bring their creation to life.

He starts with simple lines, shapes, and colors, and before it is over with, he has created a lightshow that is out of this world, ready to be projected to grasp the masses.

Typically, his rendered fractals are roughly twenty seconds each, however, they take considerably longer to build and process. Due to the high definition rendering aspect of his extremely high quality productions, creating the twenty second segments take several hours to build, and can take up to twenty-four hours to render once programming has commenced.

He puts forth a tremendous amount of time and effort into his artwork, one of his final products took about four months to build a three-hour show.

Love has formulated a way for the segmented creations to transition fluently into each other, they flow like water as they lead and follow, and then they melt into each other like lava. It is nearly im-

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“He puts forth a tremendous amount of time and effort into his artwork, one of his final products took about four months to build a three-hour show.” possible to determine where the segments start, finish, and switch.

While he has dominated the local lightshow scene by illuminating events such as the Earth, Wind, and Solar event featuring the Squonk Opera at Engel Stadium, The Official Flaming Lips after party at JJ’s Bohemian, The Psychedelic Ball at the Walden Club, The Chattanooga Earth Day Rally, Ryan Oyer’s So Far So Good CD Release Show, and countless other local nightlife events, his reach goes far beyond Chattanooga.

While the artistic light show that blares from Tree Dimensional’s realm is for anybody that can appreciate art and talent, or gnarly visuals in general, it does hold significant psychedelic weight.

His work is a hit for many of the music and arts festivals around the region thanks to the entrancing and trippy nature of the moving fractals. This year alone Tree Dimensional’s work has been featured at Further Festival, Nebulosity, and Actual Eyes music and arts festivals.

Even though the Tree Dimensional

fractal show coincides perfectly with music, almost as if they seem to dance hand in hand, Love does not confine himself strictly to music events. His light show is perfect for any gathering.

What separates him from the rest is his vision, talent, and incredibly powerful equipment. He can certainly fill venues with his lights, but also can project onto most objects. His fractals are perfect for settings such as weddings, graduation parties, art exhibits, house parties, and everything in between.

He is a nature lover at heart, bringing nature to life with his effects, and utilizing mother nature in his shows.

The light shows certainly implement an emphasis on multiple dimensions simultaneously with his effects, creating somewhat of a visual abyss that is truly amazing.

As Tree Dimensional shows begin, the trees appear to breathe, if you will, available to the sober naked eye, no chemicals needed.

Tree Dimensional has rapidly evolved over the last couple of years as Love started with only a vision, pro-

jector, and computer program. After seeing the endless capabilities, and a natural calling for him, his tenacity took over and turned the dream into a full scale operation, and legitimate business.

He now has multiple high powered projectors, and rendering devices that help him to continue producing new material more rapidly. He has come a long way, but after talking with him it is clear that he’ll continue to build his operation to new levels.

Cutting edge does not quite cover what exactly Love, and Tree Dimen-

sional’s capabilities are. Next level is an understatement as to what his abilities are, and the potential that is beaming from his live action art work.

It is just a matter of time before his services become tradition at local, regional, and perhaps nationally events annually.

Jaw dropping light shows never will go out of style, the sky’s the limit for this talented local visionary. Chattanooga, if you see Tree Dimensional on a flyer go check it out, regardless of what the event is, it will sure to be radical with Merrill Val Love on the scene.

THU11.9

FRI11.10

SAT11.11

Disney on Ice

The Crucible

Spectrum Gala & Live Auction

Come feel like a kid again with all your favorite Disney characters taking to the ice in a showstopping performance.

7 p.m.

McKenzie Arena 720 E. 4th St. utc.edu

Arthur Miller’s legacy drama is set during the Salem Witch Trials of the 1800's with ties to the “Red Scare” of the 1950's.

7:30 p.m.

Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St. bapshows.com

This year’s auction will feature a variety of artworks selected at galleries from Chicago to Charleston.

6 p.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. huntermuseum.org

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Climbing For A Cure!

THURSDAY11.9 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 Climbing For A Cure!

5 p.m.

High Point Climbing & Fitness 219 Broad St. (423) 602-7625 highpointclimbing.com Tragedy Girls 5 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Art by Bill Daniel 5:30 p.m.

The Apothecary Gallery 744 McCallie Ave. apothecarygallery.com Spectrum Cocktail Party 6:30 p.m.

Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org CxO Auction 6:30 p.m.

Stratton Hall 3146 Broad St.

14 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

(423) 826-8700 chatechcouncil.org Blade of the Immortal 7 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Disney on Ice 7 p.m.

McKenzie Arena 720 E. 4th St. (423) 425-4706 utc.edu Killer Beaz 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Human Flow 9:30 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave.

(423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

FRIDAY11.10 Philoptochos Annual Holiday Market 8 a.m.

Annunciation Church 722 Glenwood Dr. (423) 629-4881 annunciationgreek.org Chattanooga Market at Erlanger 10:30 a.m.

Erlanger Hospital Medical Mall 975 E. 3rd St. chattanoogamarket.com Anime Blast 3 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. animeblastchattanooga.com

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT With thousands of radio, television and stage appearances under his belt, Killer Beaz has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years. Truly the "best buzz in town!"

Killer Beaz The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

Paint & Sip 6 p.m.

Georgia Winery 6469 Battlefield Pkwy.

(706) 937-9463 georgiawines.com Disney on Ice 7 p.m.

McKenzie Arena 720 E. 4th St. (423) 425-4706 utc.edu UTC Chamber Singers “Northern Lights” 7:30 p.m.

Rolland Hayes Concert Hall 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu The Crucible 7:30 p.m.

Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St. (404) 915-6939 bapshows.com Killer Beaz 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Man of La Mancha 8 p.m.

Covenant College 14049 Scenic Hwy. (706) 820-1560 covenant.edu Improv Showdown 8 p.m.

First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com The Long Game

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Star Wars Day 10 p.m.

First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com My Friend Dahmer 10 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Nooga! Home for the Holidays 10 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com

SATURDAY11.11 Battlefield Marathon 7:30 a.m.

Chickamauga Battlefield 3370 Lafayette Rd. (706) 866-9241 battlefieldmarathon.com Dia De Los Muertos Zombie Run 8 a.m.

Finley Stadium 1826 Carter St. (423) 364-7824 zombierun.run St. Albans Hixson Market 9:30 a.m.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303 Anime Blast 10 a.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. animeblastchattanooga.com

Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 Star Wars Day 10 a.m.

Chattanooga Zoo 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. (423) 697-1322 chattzoo.org Disney on Ice 11 a.m.

McKenzie Arena 720 E. 4th St. (423) 425-4706 utc.edu Farmer’s Market 11 a.m.

Nutrition World 6237 Vance Rd. (423) 892-4085 nutritionw.com Red Wolf Feeding and Talk Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Harrison Bay Star Party 6 p.m.

Harrison Bay State Park 8411 Harrison Bay Rd. barnardastronomy.org Nectar 6 p.m.

Swine Gallery 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Spectrum Gala & Live Auction 6 p.m.

Hunter Museum of American Art

10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Killer Beaz 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com My Friend Dahmer 10 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

SUNDAY11.12 Anime Blast 10 a.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. animeblastchattanooga.com Chattanooga Market 11 a.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogamarket.com Big Band Day Noon First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogamarket.com Free Fiddle School 2 p.m.

Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 UTC Symphony Orchestra 3 p.m.

Rolland Hayes Concert Hall

752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu Open Mic Storytelling Night 5 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Chris Cope 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Southern Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m.

Collegdale Church 4829 College Dr. E. (423) 396-2134 collegedalechurch.com My Friend Dahmer 8 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

MONDAY11.13 Afternoon With An Artist 4 p.m.

The Rug Rack & Home Décor 301 W. 25th St. (423) 267-7847 therugrack.com A Brief History of Surface Transportation 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Public Library 5705 Marlin Rd. (423) 643-7700 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Conservation Institute Tour chattlibrary.com French Soiree 7 p.m.

The Granfalloon 608 Ward Pkwy.

(816) 753-7850 granfalloonchattanooga.com

TUESDAY11.14 Northside Farmers’ Market 3 p.m.

Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave (423) 266-1766 Conservation Institute Tour 4 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Lookout Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Christ United Methodist Church 8645 E. Brainerd Rd. lookoutfarmersmarket.com Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com Silent Sky 7:30 p.m.

Dorothy Hackett Ward Theater 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu My Friend Dahmer 8 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave.

16 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

(423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

WEDNESDAY11.15 Lookout Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Memorial Hospital 2525 DeSales Ave. lookoutfarmersmarket.com Middle Eastern Dance 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Art of Hope Noon Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Main Street Market 4 p.m.

522 W. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Comedy Open Mic 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com My Friend Dahmer 10 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse. com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

FOOD & DRINK ∙ MIXOLOGY

Combustible Cocktails What makes drinking ever more entertaining? Fire, of course.

By Kelley J. Bostian Pulse contributor

T

HERE ARE TWO MAJOR DISCOVeries in the history of humanity that have endured the test of time for so long it’s no surprise they inevitably would join together as one: alcohol and fire.

Like anything, our ancestors could have never predicted two logical opposites convening historically under various contexts.

At a certain point in time and space, a curious (or possibly bored) bartender decided to blend our favorite beverages with our insatiable primal desire to burn things.

The result is both breathtaking and dangerous, as you would expect.

It’s assumed that European alcohol was first powerful enough to be noticeably flammable around the early 16th century. It was during that time period that any respectable bartender would have a special tool up their sleeve—the loggerhead.

This device was usually a long metal pole, heated up in a stove or fireplace and used to instantly turn a patrons’ drink into a warm, frothy cocktail. You could imagine how this might unintentionally turn hard spirits into Molotov’s when placed in the wrong hands.

Germans were likely way ahead of any other European nations in officially creating flaming beverages, most notably in a long standing traditional Christmas beverage called Feuerzangenbowle. The procedure involves soaking a piece of bread in rum, suspending it over a glass of red wine, and waiting until the sugar melts off the bread and falls into the glass before serving. However, the fiery spectacle was largely for the show instead of the spirits.

Officially, the first flaming cocktail can be attributed to Jerry Thomas, the supposed

“father of American mixology.” In 1862, he published the first official mixology guide that methodically organized many famous cocktails.

Up until that point, signature cocktails had only been passed down through oral tradition and word of mouth.

The book includes his signature custom drink, the Blue Blazer, which gained notoriety in San Francisco at the El Dorado gambling saloon.

Simply put, it involves lighting high proof alcohol on fire and passing it back and forth between two metal cauldrons, creating a “river of fire” effect. The spectacle served two purposes when it was originally created—inducing “oohs” and “ahhs”, but also burning off any unfiltered compounds in the then unregulated spirits.

It goes without saying fiery cocktails are historically more of a spectacle than an actual drink. During prohibition, the flaming beverage Café Brulot Diabolique was a cleverly disguised coffee beverage that evaded the watchful eye of the federal government entirely.

The drink is a mixture of rum and

Flaming Dr. Pepper What you’ll need • A fire extinguisher, please.

• Amaretto • 80 or higher proof alcohol.

• Cheap beer • A pint glass and shot glass

coffee, which is lit on fire when delivered to a customer.

The bartender then holds an orange peel over the flame, which subsequently changes the color of the flame and flavor of the beverage entirely.

Somehow, no one ever questioned why coffee was able to so easily light on fire, but it definitely remains a popular regional beverage in Louisiana to this day.

Modern flaming cocktails take inspiration from their historical predecessors, like the alwayspopular Flaming Dr. Pepper. The cocktail is credited to Dave Brinks, a bartender out of New Orleans, and involves dropping a flaming shot glass of Amaretto and Bacardi into a half full pint glass of beer.

The result apparently tastes like Dr. Pepper, though it consists entirely of alcohol.

What to do Fill the shot glass with ¾ amaretto and ¼ high proof alcohol.

Fill the pint glass half full with beer.

Light the top of the shot glass on fire, turn off the lights if you want to make it a spectacle.

Often outlawed, flaming cocktails will continue to impress patrons that are looking for something different in their bar faring adventures.

Because of the inherent danger involved in playing with fire, some drinks will sadly never receive the limelight they deserve.

However, we can still appreciate the cunning of any bartender willing to take their trade to the next fiery level.

Drop the shot glass in the pint glass and drink as fast as you can.

Explain to everyone observing how it actually might taste like Dr. Pepper, but you’ll need to try again to be sure. Repeat until desired effect is reached.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 17

MUSIC

Finding The Musical “Non-Places” Within Barbiero and Bocci create a sonic masterpiece

N'awlins Party Jazz With Gino Fanelli This Saturday come hear Gino Fanelli’s three-piece New Orleans style jazz band at 6 p.m. sharp at the Embargo ‘62. You may have heard his name around town before, but if you haven’t heard his entertaining music now is the time, as Embargo ‘62 creates the perfect setting for Gino’s unique style.

Gino Fanelli is a Detroit-based jazz musician that came to Lookout Mountain in 2015 looking to start something new. He has played every genre of music from rockabilly to western swing and everything in between. After 15 years of hard work and tuning, Gino crafted his signature style N’awlins party jazz.

I promise his N’awlins style will be quite appealing to your ears as his music is able to transport you to New Orleans. You will find yourself swaying and dancing around on the famous Bourbon Street as his music fills your soul.

Gino’s combination of brilliant guitar technique, his good-time music and pleasant stage banter—paired with his charming vintage appearance makes him stand out as a musician and entertainer.

This one of a kind musician will make your Saturday night a magical one as you allow him to provide entertainment while you wine and dine. — Jessica Manning Gino Fanelli Saturday, 6 p.m.

Embargo ‘62 301 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 551-4786 embargo62.com 18 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor

I

HAVE HEARD MUSIC THAT STIRS EMOtion, that evokes imagery, that stimulates thought and conversation, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard another piece of music that has forced me to rethink completely how I’m going to write about it.

Non-Places is the second collaboration between Washington DC based double-bassist and composer Daniel Barbiero and electronic composer and bassist Cristiano Bocci, of Italy.

I pray it will not be their last as these gentlemen have found a powerful artistic synergy for which I have no basis for comparison.

This avant-garde compilation is presented as a concept album, the concept being the exploration and expression of “non-places,” public places “that impart a sense of anonymity or displacement to those who pass through them and use them to their own ends.”

The opening track is titled “Berlin Subway” and while I have never been on a Berlin subway, I have been on subways, in airport terminals and bus stations, the kinds of places where thousands of people mill through daily, aware of each other without really “seeing” each other, and in the midst of this onslaught of humanity there is, to the observer, an ironic loneliness that is beautifully captured here.

The mournful strains of the bass, set against

MUSIC

“I am no cinematographer—I know nothing of the art—but I wish I could capture on film the imagery this composition, all of these compositions, creates in my mind’s eye.” the backdrop of subway station sounds, and counterpointed by the sparing application of some instruments I recognize (and many I do not) creates in my mind a scene so solid and well-defined, a feeling so visceral, that though I have never been on a Berlin subway I cannot help but feel that I know the place.

In the bio portion of the literature accompanying the CD the phrase “sound artist” is used. At the time it seemed like an unusual expression, but having been exposed to the work now I can say there is no single better term to describe what these men are for although they are both highly accomplished musicians in the traditional sense of the word, what they do here is more akin to a painter with a

broad palette of tints, dabbing at the canvas, subtly altering brush strokes here and there, building layer upon layer to create an image that captures the essence of the subject.

I am no cinematographer— I know nothing of the art—but I wish I could capture on film the imagery this composition, all of these compositions, creates in my mind’s eye. Frankly, I would love to see a live performance of the pieces with graphic artists lining the stage, sketching and painting in response to the sounds. It is one thing to appreciate art for what it is, but art that inspires the creation of more art is a rare thing indeed and that is what these men have captured here.

There are other pieces on the album, of course, each

just as masterfully done, but I have chosen to focus on the one because, for me, what is far more profound than any individual piece is the technique by which the whole was created. That may be a failing on my part, it might have been more appropriate to deconstruct each piece with “this is this” and “that is that,” but I am simply overwhelmed by the subtlety and scope of the craft.

The combination of ambient sound, layered with the musical interpretation of the instruments and then expanded upon through electronic manipulation (Bocci is a master of this) creates a soundscape that is not so much heard as experienced.

The album is available on Acustronica label (at acustonica.com) and there is an accompanying essay by Barbiero, “Atopia: Soundings from the Non-places,” published at atreidolia.com. If you would like to experience a new frontier of music as art, I highly recommend investigating further.

Misty Ogle Benefit

There is an awful lot going on in the music scene in the upcoming week, but this time around I’d like to tell you about something non-musical.

Back on October 5th, local artist and friend-to-all Misty Ogle was diagnosed with breast cancer. Well known and loved throughout the scene, Misty is facing this trial with the gentle strength that is her hallmark.

In order to help cover the substantial medical expenses, a silent art auction of Misty’s work is being held on Saturday, November 11th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Village Plaza in Riverview at the former Blanche’s Turn location. The address is 1150 Hixson Pike, Suite E. There will wine, refreshments and art, along with the friendship, love and support for which our artistic community is known.

I have said it many times before, but if there is one thing I have learned about the scene here in Chattanooga over the last two decades, it is that we look out for each other so stop by, spend some money and more importantly, spend some time with one of Chattanooga’s own. — MTM

THU11.9

FRI11.10

SAT11.11

Toby Hewitt

MPH Record Release

Waxahatchee

One of the coolest (and most laid back) venues in town with one of the coolest (and most laid back) musicians in town.

7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com

The best blues rock band in town, bar none, headline JJ's with support from Uncle Lightning and Red Necklace for a great night.

9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

An indie music project fronted by singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, taking the small stage with Ought.

9 p.m.

Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café 505 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 752-5224

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 19

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Ray LaMontagne

THURSDAY11.9 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Forever Bluegrass 6 p.m.

Whole Foods Market 301 Manufacturers Rd. wholefoodsmarket.com Bluegrass & Country Jam 6:30 p.m.

Grace Church of the Nazarene 6310 Dayton Blvd. chattanoogagrace.com Toby Hewitt 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Open Mic Night with Ryan Oyer 7 p.m.

Moccasin Bend Brewing Company 3210 Broad St. bendbrewingbeer.com Bluegrass Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Feed Co. Table & Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7:30 p.m.

Mexi-Wing VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. mexi-wingchattanooga.com Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m.

The Social 1110 Market St.

20 • THE PULSE • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

publichousechattanooga.com Open Mic Night with Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Webb Barringer Band, Jesse James Jungkurth, The Patron Haints & Cat Man Smothers 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

FRIDAY11.10 Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Northern Lights

7:30 p.m.

Roland Hayes Concert Hall 615 McCallie Ave. utc.edu Testimony Quarter & The Hullender Family 7:30 p.m.

Patriot Hall 320 Emberson St. Ringgold, GA. shareamericafoundation.org David Grier 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Ray LaMontagne 8 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Departure: The Journey Tribute Band 8 p.m.

PULSE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT It's no exaggeration to say that David Grier is one of the world's greatest guitarists, and his solo performances are legendary. Come discover for yourself.

David Grier Friday, 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org

Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.com Amber Fults 8 p.m.

The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy. 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Instant Replay 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com MPH Record Release with Uncle Lightning, Red Necklace 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Mark Andrew 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Toby Hewitt & Tim Starnes 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Roshambeaux 10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com

SATURDAY11.11 Bluegrass Brunch Noon The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

The Orange Constant Gino Fanelli 6 p.m.

Embargo 62’ 301 Cherokee Blvd. embargo62.com Camino 7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com The Piper Concert Series 7 p.m.

Ooltewah UMC 6131 Relocation Way oumclive.org Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Convertibull 7 p.m.

Ceniza 9454 Bradmore Ln. cenizalounge.com The Reese & Rosser Band 8 p.m.

The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy. 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Instant Replay 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Waxahatchee & Ought 9 p.m.

Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café 505 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 752-5224 Sauced Up 9 p.m.

SPOT Athletic Arts Venue 3210 Brainerd Rd.

spotvenue.co Backwater Still 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com The Orange Constant 10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Dave Dowda 10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com

SUNDAY11.12 The Von Wamps 11 a.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Sweet Georgia Sound 11 a.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m.

Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 Gloria Dei Schola Concert 5 p.m.

The Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul 214 E. 8th St. stspeterandpaulbasilica.com Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m.

Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy.

(423) 822-9775 Southern Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m.

Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists 4829 College Dr. E. southern.edu/music

MONDAY11.13 Open Mic Night 6 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Very Open Mic with Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m.

The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com Gatefold-Vinyl Night 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

TUESDAY11.14 Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m.

Southern Belle

201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Danimal 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Open Mic Jam Session 7 p.m.

Crust Pizza 3211 Broad St. crustpizza.com John Carroll 7 p.m.

The Tap House 3800 St. Elmo Ave. #114 taphousechatt.com Holiday Spectacular with Luke Staisiunas 7 p.m.

Memorial Auditorum 399 McCallie Ave. chattanoogamusicclub.org Satoya 7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Hogpig 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com.

WEDNESDAY11.15 No Big Deal 6 p.m.

Spring Hill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Show 6:30 p.m.

Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 Jesse James Jungkurth 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Joel Brothers 8 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Priscilla & Little Rickee 8 p.m.

Las Margaritas 1101 Hixson Pike (423) 756-3332 Jazz In The Lounge 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Thirstain Daniels & Louisiana Purchase 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Prime Cut Trio 9 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 21

RECORD REVIEWS ∙ ERNIE PAIK

Giovanni Venosta, Ikebe Shakedown

Giovanni Venosta Olympic Signals (Soave)

Ikebe Shakedown The Way Home (Colemine)

S

ing a looped, incomprehensible vocal sample and Venosta adding his glistening minimalist piano repetition. The other collaboration is “Classic Comes Out,” which has a playful, even gleeful counterpoint between oboe, violin and piano—Penguin Cafe Orchestra comes to mind—plus wispy synths that add texture. This vibe continues in “Minimal Symphony” but with a more formal classical flavor.

Although much of the album resides firmly in the piano minimalism category, including the entire second half, each piece has its own character, such as “Tango But,” which feels like it could serve as a stripped-down horror soundtrack, evoking Goblin or John Carpenter.

The album concludes with its longest tracks, “Piano Piece No. 2” and “Piano Piece No. 3,” which lock into progressions and patterns yet sound human rather than robotic, with tiny imperfections, adding to and not subtracting from the album’s elegant and experimenting charm.

ubtitled “Improbable music for people who aren’t very disposed,” Italian film composer and keyboardist Giovanni Venosta’s debut album Olympic Signals marked the beginning of a brilliant recording career and also the start of a noteworthy collaboration with fellow Italian composer and world-traveling field-recorder, Roberto Musci.

Venosta and Musci took early inspiration from diverse sources that would prove to be profound in their careers: French musique concrète (using recording technology as a vital compositional tool), American minimalists like Steve Reich and Terry Riley, the piano patterns of South African jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim (a.k.a. Dollar Brand), Can co-founder Holger Czukay’s non-Can work, and David Byrne and Brian Eno’s astounding collaboration My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, created around various field recordings.

Recorded in 1984, when Venosta was just 23 years old, and released in 1985 on Music’s Raw Materials label, Olympic Signals had been an out-of-print obscurity for over three decades until this new vinyl and digital reissue from Soave Records.

Two tracks feature contributions from Musci, including the gorgeous and hypnotic “Woman in Late,” with Musci us-

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opular music can be considered a never-ending, long-term version of the “telephone” game, where a whispered phrase is gradually altered due to multiple exchanges, retaining some

of the meaning and while inevitably adding embellishments. A particularly convoluted game comes to mind when listening to the new album The Way Home from the Brooklyn 7-piece group Ikebe Shakedown, apparently named after a Nigerian boogie record.

Rock and soul music had origins in blues and gospel music, which developed from African sources. Crossing oceans again, rock, funk and jazz influenced key African musicians such as Fela Kuti and helped to shape Afrobeat and other genres, and new generations have adopted those flavors on this side of the pond.

Formed close to a decade ago, Ikebe Shakedown plays an amalgam of instrumental soul-funk with African influences, and if this sounds to you like a description of the Daptone Records group The Budos Band, well, you wouldn’t be off the mark. However, that’s a high compliment—like The Budos Band, Ikebe Shakedown are absolutely tight, with impeccable recordings, and clearly understand and respect their sources.

The Way Home kicks off with “Supermoon,” which could easily serve as a ‘70s film funk soundtrack with spotless brass arrangements and an irresistible groove, enhanced by ever-present conga beats; a mid-song breakdown section could double as an Incredible Bongo Band breakbeat.

It’s apparent that the band takes recording very seriously, and every instrument is clear without a place to hide; there’s great pleasure in savoring the details—anything from a satisfying Vibraslap rattle, a Harmon-muted trumpet melody or a very specific snaredrum timbre.

Of note are the brazen and nuanced trombone solos that pepper the album, like on the track “The Next 24,” and tasteful wah-wah electric guitar licks, blanketed in vintage amp reverb, add a psychedelic funk touch. If The Way Home was an obscure library funk record from 1973, crate-diggers would be drooling all over it.

THE COMIX

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 23

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY to give 2018 a title with you in mind, it might be “The Year of Maximum Social Impact.” And it all starts soon.

ROB BREZSNY SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Remember the time, all those years ago, when the angels appeared to you on the playground and showed you how and why to kiss the sky? I predict that a comparable visitation will arrive soon. And do you recall the dreamy sequence in adolescence when you first plumbed the sublime mysteries of sex? You’re as ripe as you were then, primed to unlock more of nature’s wild secrets. Maybe at no other time in many years, in fact, have you been in quite so favorable a position to explore paradise right here on earth.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): As a courtesy to your mental health, I minimize your exposure to meaningless trivia. In fact, I generally try to keep you focused instead on enlightening explorations. But in this horoscope, in accordance with astrological omens, I’m giving you a temporary, short-term license to go slumming. What shenanigans is your ex up to lately, anyway? Would your old friend the bankrupt coke addict like to party with you? Just for laughs, should you revisit the deadend fantasy that always makes you crazy? There is a good possibility that exposing yourself to bad influences like those I just named could have a tonic effect on you, Sagittarius. You might get so thoroughly disgusted by them that you’ll never again allow them to corrupt your devotion to the righteous groove, to the path with heart.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the coming months it will be crucial to carefully monitor the effects you’re having on the world. Your personal actions will rarely be merely personal; they may have consequences for people you don’t know as well as those you’re close to. The ripples you send out in all directions won’t always look dramatic, but you shouldn’t let that delude you about the influence you’re having. If I had

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The punk ethic is rebellious. It transgresses conventional wisdom through “a cynical absurdity that’s redeemed by being hilarious.” So says author Brian Doherty. In the hippie approach, on the other hand, the prevailing belief is “love is all you need.” It seeks a “manic togetherness and all-encompassing acceptance that are all sweet and no sour—inspiring but also soft and gelatinous.” Ah, but what happens when punk and hippie merge?

Doherty says that each moderates the extreme of the other, yielding a tough-minded lust for life that’s both skeptical and celebratory. I bring this to your attention, Aquarius, because the punk-plus-hippie blend is a perfect attitude for you to cultivate in the coming weeks.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I’m falling in love with the way you have been falling in love with exciting possibilities that you once thought were impossible. Oh, baby. Please go further. Thrilling chills surge through me whenever you get that ravenous glint in your mind’s eye. I can almost hear you thinking, “Maybe those dreams aren’t so impossible, after all.

Maybe I can heal myself and change myself enough to pursue them in earnest. Maybe I can learn success strategies that were previously beyond my power to imagine.”

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Adriana Martinez and Octavio Guillen got engaged to be married when they were both 15 years old. But they kept delaying a more complete unification for 67 years. At last, when they were 82, they celebrated their wedding and pledged their vows to each other. Are there comparable situations in your life, Aries? The coming months will be a favorable time to make deeper commitments. At least some of your reasons for harboring ambivalence will become irrelevant.

You’ll grow in your ability to thrive on the creative challenges that come from intriguing collaborations and highly focused togetherness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I had pimples when I was a teenager.

They’re gone now, although I still have a few pockmarks on my face as souvenirs. In retrospect, I feel gratitude for them. They ensured that in my early years of dating and seeking romance, I would never be able to attract women solely on the basis

Homework: If you could change your astrological sign, what would you change it to and why?

Write: FreeWillAstrology.com of my physical appearance. I was compelled to cultivate a wide variety of masculine wiles. I swear that at least half of my motivation to get smarter and become a good listener came from my desire for love. Do you have comparable stories to tell, Taurus? Now is an excellent time to give thanks for what once may have seemed to be a liability or problem.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The next two weeks will be one of the best times ever to ask provocative, probing questions. In fact, I invite you to be as curious and receptive as you’ve been since you were four years old.

When you talk with people, express curiosity more often than you make assertions. Be focused on finding out what you’ve been missing, what you’ve been numb to. When you wake up each morning, use a felttip marker to draw a question mark on your forearm. To get you in the mood for this fun project, here are sample queries from poet Pablo Neruda’s “Book of Questions”: “Who ordered me to tear down the doors of my own pride? Did I finally find myself in the place where they lost me? Whom can I ask what I came to make happen in this world? Is it true our desires must be watered with dew? What did the rubies say standing before the juice of the pomegranates?”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Things to say when in love,” according to Zimbabwe poet Tapiwa Mugabe: “I will put the galaxy in your hair. Your kisses are a mouthful of firewater.

I have never seen a more beautiful horizon than when you close your eyes. I have never seen a more beautiful dawn than when you open your eyes.” I hope these words inspire you to improvise further outpourings of adoration. You’re in a phase when expressing your sweet reverence and tender respect for the people you care about will boost your physical health, your emotional wealth, and your spiritual resilience.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Are you working on solving the right problem? Or are you being distracted by a lesser dilemma, perhaps consumed in

dealing with an issue that’s mostly irrelevant to your long-term goals? I honestly don’t know the answers to those questions, but I am quite sure it’s important that you meditate on them. Everything good that can unfold for you in 2018 will require you to focus on what matters most -- and not get sidetracked by peripheral issues or vague wishes. Now is an excellent time to set your unshakable intentions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Every one of us experiences loneliness. We all go through periods when we feel isolated and misunderstood and unappreciated. That’s the bad news, Virgo. The good news is that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to make loneliness less of a problem. I urge you to brainstorm and meditate about how to do that. Here are some crazy ideas to get you started. 1. Nurture ongoing connections with the spirits of beloved people who have died. 2.

Imagine having conversations with your guardian angel or spirit guide.

3. Make a deal with a “partner in loneliness”: a person you pray or sing with whenever either of you feels bereft. 4. Write messages to your Future Self or Past Self. 5. Communicate with animals.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The drive for absolute perfection could undermine your ability to create what’s very good and just right. Please don’t make that mistake in the coming weeks. Likewise, refrain from demanding utter purity, pristine precision, or immaculate virtue. To learn the lessons you need to know and launch the trends you can capitalize on in 2018, all that’s necessary is to give your best. You don’t have to hit the bull’s eye with every arrow you shoot —or even any arrow you shoot. Simply hitting the target will be fine in the early going.

Rob Brezsny is an aspiring master of curiosity, perpetrator of sacred uproar, and founder of the Beauty and Truth Lab. He brings a literate, myth-savvy perspective to his work.

It’s all in the stars.

JONESIN' CROSSWORD ∙ MATT JONES

“Chopped”—a little bit off.

ACROSS 1 Lumber mill equipment 5 Frittata ingredients 9 Datebook abbr.

13 Defendant’s response 14 Turing played

by Benedict Cumberbatch 15 “___ directed” (prescription phrase) 16 Somewhat 17 First-choice 18 “The Hunchback of ___ Dame” 19 No-frills hair stylings to look like a breakfast mascot?

22 Hall who followed McMahon on “The Tonight Show” 23 Teensy 24 “Fighting” NCAA team 26 “King” bad guy in Super Mario Bros.

28 Barbershop offering 31 Article for the Brothers Grimm 32 1040 recipient 34 Swelling reducer 35 “NFL Live”

network 36 Injuries from your book on the beach?

40 Mark Harmon military series 41 Smartphone program 42 ___ La Table (kitchen store) 43 Hockey legend Bobby 44 PC drive insert, once 46 Result of a three-putt, maybe 50 Basketball Hall of Fame sportscaster Dick 52 “Quite so,” in Quebec 54 Channel skipped on old TV dials 55 Sparring with a punching bag for only half the usual time, e.g.?

59 President born in 1961 60 Kristen of “Bridesmaids” 61 Laila and Tatyana, for two 62 Saucer-steering creature

63 Former education secretary Duncan 64 Actress Garr of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” 65 Houseplant with fronds 66 Cribbage markers 67 Old Internet suffix for Friend or Nap DOWN 1 “In the Bedroom” Oscar nominee Sissy 2 Reflectivity measure, in astronomy 3 Creep 4 Fill fully 5 Flyer with exceptional sight 6 World representations?

7 Cat, in Colombia 8 Cold shower?

9 Not ___ (nobody) 10 Most trifling 11 Pale carrot relatives 12 “The Waste Land” writer’s monogram 15 Mom’s brother 20 Cup, maybe 21 Sources of bile 25 Word after

Days or Quality 27 Alley targets 29 Zoo attraction with a big bite 30 Do superbly on 33 “The Blacklist” star James 35 100 cents, in some places 36 Doodle 37 High-altitude type of missile 38 Letters in a car ad 39 Noah’s Ark measurement 40 Election Day mo.

44 Tidied up 45 Providing some “Old MacDonald” sounds, maybe 47 Crooner Robert portrayed by Will Ferrell on “SNL” 48 Complete 49 Compliant agreement 51 History Channel show about loggers 53 Impulses 56 Make a trade 57 Add to the payroll 58 They’re good at landing on their feet 59 Fumbling person

Copyright © 2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents perminute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 857 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 25

FOOD & DRINK ∙ SUSHI & BISCUITS

Granny's Old Time Chow Chow The tangy, sweet, spicy, crunchy relish that rules Southern kitchens

Mike McKunkin Pulse columnist

G

RANNY SEEMED TO ALWAYS have something cooking. Pulling open the squeaky screen door to her kitchen was like opening a gift. Some days I would be greeted with the glorious aroma of pan-fried chicken livers and cathead buttermilk biscuits cooked up in her favorite Ovenex baking pan.

Other days I would be greeted with a simmering pot of pillowy light drop-dumplings suspended in a thick, almost gravy-like broth with chunks of juicy, poached chicken (that’s chicken and dumplings for the Southernfood impaired) Frequently, there would be a pot of turnip greens simmering away with a palmsized chunk of fat-back peeking through the murky green surface. Before the kitchen door even opened, I knew that either a “mess o’ greens” were cooking or granny forgot to take her Beeno because that infamous, mildly sulphurous smell would assault my nose with its greeting-cum-warning of what was to come.

I ate a lot of turnip greens growing up, but rarely ate them by themselves. Vinegar, hot sauce, and even ketchup (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it) were frequently sprinkled onto a pile of greens to not only help counter the bitterness, but to also add complexity to their naturally deep flavor.

But the thing I loved to add to my greens the most was kept in the door of the fridge in an unmarked jar. This yellowish-colored, tangy, sweet, spicy, and crunchy relish was

granny’s homemade version of what Southerner’s know as chow chow.

Long before the first self-righteous wellness blogger squirted lemon juice on kale and a century before perky-breasted food network hosts marveled at tongue exciting combinations of bitter, sour, sweet, and spicy, Southerners were adding chow chow to their greens.

In late fall and winter, the typical diet of the pre-supermarket Southerner was a bit monotonous—salt pork, dried beans, winter greens and maybe cornbread if you were lucky. Chow chow allowed flavorthirsty Southerners to spice up their greens with a hit of bitter, sour, sweet, and spicy by adding just a dollop of this multi-purpose condiment.

In the past, virtually every family across the South had their own, slightly unique recipe for chow chow—some were spicy, some were sweet, some went heavy on the tomatoes, while others were all about GRANNY’S CHOW CHOW Ingredients • 1 ½ cups diced red bell pepper • 1 ½ cups diced green bell pepper • 2 cups diced green tomatoes • 2 cups diced sweet onion • 1 cup diced green cabbage • 1 tbsp kosher salt • ¾ cup granulated sugar • ¼ cup water • ¾ tsp dry mustard

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cabbage and onion. Chow chow can now be found in most Southern supermarkets, but the best recipes are the ones handed down from grandparents and made at home.

A few chow chow recipes had their origins in the peppery sauces brought over

by Chinese railroad workers in the 19th century, but most had their origins in the practical realities of the seasons. Chow chow is an “end-of-the-season” relish that was traditionally made from whatever vegetables that were left in the garden that would be killed by the first frost, usually green tomatoes and late harvest vegetables like peppers, onions and cabbage.

Other parts of the country have a relative of chow chow called piccalilli, but do not be fooled. This is a sweeter, pickle-style relish with roots • 1 tsp mustard seed • ½ tsp turmeric • 1 ½ tsp red pepper flakes • ¼ tsp celery seed • ½ tsp ginger • ½ cup apple cider vinegars Directions Bring salt, sugar, water and all of the spices to a simmer in a large non-reactive skillet (reacive tmetals like aluminum and copper can impart a metallic taste and discolor your chow chow).

in Indian pickle relishes. Sure it’s tasty on a Chicago-style hot dog, but it’s no chow chow and don’t let anyone try to tell you otherwise.

Southern chow chow can be used on pulled pork, hot dogs, hamburgers, black-eyed peas or even as a side dish on its own, but I am especially partial to eating it on turnip greens. My granny’s recipe is below—smake it your own and make it often.

Mike McJunkin is a native Chattanoogan currently living abroad who has trained chefs, owned and operated restaurants.

Join him on Facebook at facebook.com/ SushiAndBiscuits

Add vinegar and bring to a boil.

Add all of the vegetables.

Stir to ensure the vegetables are thoroughly coated with the spice mixture, reduce heat to medium and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender.

Transfer to glass jars and refrigerate.

Your chow chow will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

Make Santa Your Holiday Companion!

SANTA 106.9 All Holiday Music 24/7 merrychristmaschattanooga.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • NOVEMBER 9, 2017 • THE PULSE • 27