FAIR TRADE • RETURN OF THE BOOK • REEL CINEMA
The Annual Holiday Issue
FREE • News, Views, Arts & Entertainment • November 19, 2009 • Vol. 6 - Issue 47 • www.chattanoogapulse.com • pulse news 95.3 WPLZ
President Jim Brewer, II
2009
Publisher Zachary Cooper Contributing Editor Janis Hashe News Editor Gary Poole Calendar Editor Kathryn Dunn Advertising Manager Rhonda Rollins Advertising Sales Leslie Dotson, Rick Leavell Leif Sawyer, Townes Webb Contributing Writers Gustavo Arellano, Rob Brezsny Chuck Crowder, Michael Crumb Hellcat, Joshua Hurley Victoria Hurst, Matt Jones Ernie Paik, Stephanie Smith Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D. Alex Teach, Colleen Wade Tara Williams Editorial Intern Tara Morris Copy Assistant Bryanna Burns Art Director Kelly Lockhart Art Department Sharon Chambers, Kathryn Dunn Josh Lang, Damien Power
cover story
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ontents
13 A MERRY FAIR TRADE HOLIDAY By Tara Williams The fair-trade system, as we know it today, can trace its roots to 1946 and the compassion of Mennonite Central Committee volunteer Edna Ruth Byler. Byler discovered a talented group of Puerto Rican women living in extreme poverty, despite their skill in creating intricate lace pieces.
feature stories
Staff Photographer Damien Power
14 THE RETURN OF THE BOOK
Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin
By Tara Williams Once upon a time, families gathered to hear stories read from the bound paper pages of a book. Kids asking questions were told, “Go and look it up in the encyclopedia.”
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16 THESE FLICKS ARE REEL CINEMA By Michael Crumb Hamilton County Bicentennial Library Director David Clapp presents an international sampling of cinema in his ongoing “Flick’s Café” series featuring 1950’s films.
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AL E E t NU LS SU lef U AN E P Y IS ays d TH IDA ing L pp HO sho
NOVEMBER
By Janis Hashe Charles Dickens has been credited with “re-inventing Christmas” and there is certainly something eternal about the tale of a miserable miser who is given another chance to live a better life.
34 DOUBLE FEATURE SUNDAY By Hellcat Sometimes it turns out that there is more than one awesome thing happening in our little city at the same time. We have Son Volt coming to Rhythm & Brews to support a new album and we have local favorites The Nim Nims releasing a new album at JJ’s Bohemia.
news & views 5 8 10 21 28 33 38
PULSE BEATS BEYOND THE HEADLINES SHRINK RAP LIFE IN THE NOOG ON THE BEAT SHADES OF GREEN ASK A MEXICAN
everything else 4 5 7 18 23 23 26 27 30 31 35 36
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CITY COUNCILSCOPE POLICE BLOTTER A&E CALENDAR NEW IN THEATERS DRIVING DESTINATIONS FREE WILL ASTROLOGY JONESIN’ CROSSWORD TABLE SERVICE SPIRITS WITHIN MUSIC CALENDAR NEW MUSIC REVIEWS
Cover illustration by Tyler Parker.
Editoon
by Rick Baldwin
Letters to the Editor
End Discrimination at Normal Park Last week the Tennessee State Report Card was published. Rivermont Elementary got straight Fs. Normal Park Elementary got straight As. The schools are close to one another. So the student body should not be that different. But, obviously, something went wrong. The statistical reports released with the State Report Card helps explain. Rivermont has a 53 percent African American while Normal Park has just 22 percent. The African American population in Chattanooga is around 36 percent. So the student population
should reflect a similar percentage. If you combined Normal Park and Rivermont’s student body, it does represent Chattanooga. But, at the individual school level, there is a dramatic disparity. How Normal Park cherry picks students is where things get interesting. Part of Normal Park’s student body is supposed to be from the local neighborhood. The other part is supposed to be selected by a lottery system that corrects for discrimination. Obviously, that correction is not happening. Instead we have economic and racial discrimination. Charles Bikas
still see some packed houses—Bud’s does well with its live music; Rhythm & Brews still gets some big shows. Here Come The Mummies packed the house to the max, again. The loss of The Tin Can, The Lowdown, and now Midtown Music Hall (rumored to soon be Midtown DJ Hall, with no live music) cost this town music spots for 25 or more shows per month. That’s hard to make up. The good news is that as demand for live music increases, someone will step in to meet the need. Until then, we just have to support the venues that still provide live music. Bob Payne
American Bands Damn it! I agree with Chuck Crowder [“We’re An American Band”, Life In The Noog]. I hate when that happens. He chose three of my favorite bands. I guess I can move on now and forgive him for that whole Guns ‘N Roses thing. Cheeky monkey. Paul Lecours
Rescuing Yourself Dr. Rick, I love this series on rescuing ourselves [“Rescuing Yourself, Part 2”, Shrink Rap]. Believing in oneself, and discovering neglected parts of who we are which also need to be “rescued” and honored is one of the best ways I know of to avoid playing the victim. With a little guidance and perhaps someone who believes in us, we really can help heal ourselves. Thank you for getting us to think, and consistently reminding us that we are worthy, lovable beings! Bearman Bill
Loss Of Local Music Venues What scares me is that some venues may discontinue live music in favor of a DJ, or worse yet, in favor of Karaoke [“Truly Scary”]. I
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Pulse Beats
Quote Of The Week: A rundown of the newsy, the notable, and the notorious...
“I have had a fulfilling and rewarding life and I plan to continue to be involved and expect to remain very active in my hometown of East Ridge. I look forward to the next chapter in my life.” —Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams, announcing his plans to step down from the commissioner at the end of his current term.
Google Earth, We Are Here By Janis Hashe “Putting Chattanooga on the Map—in 3D” (C3D) is one of the first citizen-inspired initiatives to emerge from Chattanooga STAND, itself one of the largest communityvisioning processes in history. C3D launched November 13 at 48HourLaunch, hosted at CreateHere. C3D wants to bring the Chattanooga downtown and region to life in Google Earth. Local entrepreneur and sponsor Stephen Culp says the idea is quickly taking on a life of its own. “It’s becoming clearer every day that this project can make our city more accessible to all kinds of people and organizations,” he says. The project will likely be staged in “layers,” corresponding to Chattanooga’s diverse architecture, downtown art, attractions, businesses, parks, greenways, and other civic sections. The C3D project also continues to take on new volunteers and partners, emerging from the local design, architectural, academic, and entrepreneurial communities, as well as early partners in organizations like RiverCity, CreateHere, 48HourLaunch, and Smart Furniture. The project will be supported by the Google Sketchup/3D design team from Smart Furniture, led by Karen Liwanpo, and Chris Wilson, who led a similar and successful effort with the “Main Street McMinnville” project. Anyone interested is invited to join the team of volunteers, including
Google SketchUp users, photographers, and other creative folks. Laptop and camera are desirable equipment, as the team will be zipping around the city, photographing, drawing, and “pushing up” the city in 3D. For questions about the C3D project, or to sign up, contact Karen Liwanpo via e-mail at kliwanpo@smartfurniture.com or call her at (423) 822-2266.
Here is one of the more interesting agenda items set to be discussed at the November 24 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.
5. Ordinances - Final Reading:
Banging The Hunger Drum For the tenth year, the UTC Percussion Ensemble will present its “Beat Hunger” concerts, for which admission is two non-perishable food items, or a $2 donation to the Community Kitchen. Pieces to look forward to in this year’s concert include “Head Talk” by Mark Ford, played entirely on drum heads—without the drums attached; “Dragoon” by Lynn Glassock, a Chattanooga premiere of a piece for a large percussion ensemble inspired by the sounds of horse-drawn artillery, and “Supercell”, another Chattanooga premiere, a concerto for alto saxophone and percussion ensemble. The alto saxophone for this piece will be played by special guest Clint Schmitt, a music professor at UTC as well as a sought-after performer throughout the Southeast. The concerts have become a tradition, and this year, hungry families need your help more than ever. Here’s your chance to start out the holiday season with real giving. The Annual “Beat Hunger” Concert by the UTC Percussion Ensemble Sunday, November 22, 7:30 p.m. & Monday, November 23, 7:30 p.m. Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center, corner of Vine & Palmetto Sts. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music
a) An ordinance waiving any fees or restrictions for use of the rightof-ways throughout the Downtown Central Business District to allow placement of signs, banners, decals, and other displays of various sizes to promote the NCAA Championship Game during the week of December 1419, 2009 only, subject to certain conditions. Chattanooga is facing competition from other cities around the country to steal away the NCAA Championship Game held at Finley Stadium every year. Not taking this lying down, the city is embarking on a very aggressive campaign to promote the event and show the NCAA that Chattanooga fully supports the game and that it deserves to stay here. So be prepared to be bombarded with signs and so forth next month if this ordinance passes—as expected. The Chattanooga City Council meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Building at 1000 Lindsay St. For more information on the agendas, visit www.Chattanooga.gov/City_ Council/110_Agenda.asp
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A weekly roundup of the newsworthy, notable and often head-scratching stories gleaned from police reports from the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dalton Police Department.
• One recurring theme in crime is the fact that most criminals just aren’t that smart. Especially the ones who try to pawn stolen merchandise in plain view of surveillance cameras. Back on October 23, numerous cars were burglarized in Lakeside. Thus past week, county detectives received a break in the case as a result of an anonymous tip from the airing of surveillance video obtained from a Soddy Daisy pawn shop. Following up on the lead, detectives arrested a man at his home and recovered numerous suspected stolen items including a hand gun, golf clubs, and electronic devices, along with marijuana and pills. This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated. • One of the more bizarre police chases ended on a positive note a day later. A burglary suspect was spotted by city officers last week near Shallowford Village Drive. When they gave chase, the suspect not only was able to elude pursuit, but was even able to stop
briefly to let out his pregnant passenger before continuing to run from the police. However, officers were able to track the man down the following day and take him into custody. The man is facing charges of aggravated assault (on police), theft over $10,000, felony reckless endangerment and felony evading. No word on the whereabouts of the pregnant passenger. • A Bradley County homeowner who was determined not to be a victim has helped authorities solve nine burglaries. A couple returned home to find a burglar in their bedroom, and after a brief scuffle, one homeowner subdued the burglar and called for deputies. While questioning the 19-year-old suspect, investigators collected enough evidence to solve multiple other crimes in the area. They also developed two more suspects, including the man’s uncle and a 16-year-old juvenile. Police say the three are responsible for thefts of more than $116,000 worth of jewelry, electronics and videogame systems. • And in another case of, “Smile, you’re on surveillance video”, a pair of Walker County students accused of
Chattanooga Street Scenes
vandalism at LaFayette Middle School were easily captured. Police say an18year-old student at LaFayette High School was caught just before tearing down a security camera. He, and a 7th grader from LaFayette Middle School, are accused of smashing windows, throwing TV sets around and ripping phones from walls. It’s estimated that more than $10,000 dollars in damage was done in the rampage. Both face numerous charges of breaking and entering, vandalism, and destruction of school property. Photography by Damien Power
Oak Street in the Historic Fort Wood district.
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Beyond The Headlines
Facebook Faces Growing Pains By Gary Poole News Edtor
Top 6 Movies So Bad They’re Good 1. Plan 9 From Outer Space Immortalized by Tim Burton in the great film Ed Wood, this was to be the director’s magnum opus, but instead it’s a top-notch pile of crap. 2. Manos: The Hands of Fate The film had practically disappeared until the geniuses at Mystery Science Theater 3000 found it and lampooned it. 3. Robot Monster Director Phil Tucker put a guy in a gorilla suit and a diving helmet, went out to Bronson Canyon in California and cobbled together the most bizarre tale of alien invasion ever. 4. Road House With all due respect to the departed Patrick Swayze, this movie has become known as one of the best camp classics ever. 5. The Blob The Blob may be one of the biggest B-movies of the ’50s, if only because it’s still an all-time crowd pleaser and it featured Steve McQueen in his first role. 6. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians This epic from 1964 is on many “Worst Movies of AllTime” lists, and for good reason. It’s just that bad. Source: www.listverse.com
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y now, either you or someone you know is part of Facebook. And judging from the demographics, chances are a whole of lot of your friends are on the social networking site even if you haven’t joined yet. U.S. membership is estimated to exceed 65 million people, with women outnumbering men (a bit of a surprise considering men traditionally use the Internet far more often than women). But the real change to Facebook, which started life as a site solely for college students, has been how the age demographics have changed in just the past year. While 18-24 year olds still make up nearly 40 percent of the users, those 35 and over have flocked to the site at staggering growth of 276 percent in the past six months, representing 17 percent of the userbase. Combine that with the 27 percent of people between 25 and 35, and college kids are now outnumbered 42 to 40 percent. Which has presented a real challenge to how Facebook programmers, as they deal with the change in how people use the site. Earlier in the year, the site was overhauled to make it more like the also-very-popular Twitter, a change that created a lot of very public consternation. Yet within a month or so, not only had the changes been accepted, but they had become very popular. Being able to share
your thoughts, your favorite webs ites and videos as well as photos of just about anything truly defined the “social” in social interaction. But apparently unable to leave well enough alone (the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is apparently unknown within Facebook’s development team), the most recent changes to the site have not only been roundly criticized, but have done something much more detrimental to the site—they’ve made the social aspect much more difficult. Instead of having one home page to see the things that interest you, now you basically have an all-ornothing choice; you can see just the “status updates” or your friends (but not the videos, web links, photos, etc.) or you can see every single thing your friends do, from who they’ve become friends with to their latest exploits in Mafia Wars of Farmville. This all-or-nothing approach has angered many who had become used to the cafeteria approach of picking just what they wanted to see. Making matters far worse, though, is a habit that Facebook developers have had from the very beginning of the web site: an unwillingness to openly communicate with users. The
changes were made without any announcement or explanation. The cries of frustrated users have been met with silence, nor has there been any attempt to communicate directly with users. They could learn a lesson from MySpace, where “Tom” sends out e-mail updates about every change. Whether or not Facebook will eventually respond to the literally tens of millions of complaints from users who at least want more control over what they are forced to view, if not an outright return to the previous system, remains to be seen. And if you wonder why a “simple” web site is that important, consider that even at 65 million members, the site is still growing at a rate of 59 percent this year. Fairly soon, it is perfectly reasonable to expect that a Facebook account will be as common as an e-mail account—and just as important.
at Alabama, Saturday @ 12:21 p.m.
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Shrink Rap
Three Questions to the Rescue By Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D www.DrRPH.com
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“You have opportunities all the time to make choices, the outcomes of which will either honor your highest self—or leave you not feeling very good about yourself.”
Dr. Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, minister, and educator, in private practice in Chattanooga, and is the author of “Empowering the Tribe” and “The Power of a Partner.”
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his is Part Three, the final chapter (for now, anyway) that deals with a topic begun several weeks ago in this column: looking at the ways we abandon and rescue ourselves. How we let ourselves down, and how we regain the fortitude to pick ourselves back up. I used as earlier examples a newly sober person experiencing great disappointment due to falling off the wagon. Or someone abandoning his or her personal principles in order to get ahead at work. Or when we suffer and grieve from shameful or remorseful behaviors with loved ones. Or how we simply give up on ourselves—our hopes and dreams, and live a life unfulfilled. We give up believing in ourselves. In Part One, I suggested ways to get back on track, to run to our own rescue, through the use of meditation, prayer, conversations that teach us valuable lessons, ponderings, living as consciously as possible. Paying mindful attention to our needs. Taking a breath and taking stock. And when we cannot (yet) rescue from within, we can reach out to trusted friends and loved ones for help. Having a sympathetic shoulder to cry on helps, as well as a non-judgmental ear to listen. In Part Two, we explored how our abandonments as well as our rescues all begin with our thoughts. For instance, when we think poorly of ourselves, we make choices that reflect those beliefs. When we think
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of ourselves positively, guess what? We make choices that reflect those beliefs. Our thoughts lead the parade, followed by our feelings, words, and actions. “I’m not deserving of …” is a perfect example of what I’m referring to. “I’m not deserving of good health”, for example, leads to not taking care of yourself. “I don’t deserve to be loved” leads to unhealthy relationships. As regular “Shrink Rap” readers know, what you think (and feel) about yourself determines every one of your choices in life. So by taking a few moments every day to think about what it would be like to be the person you wish to be, you take the all-important first step toward becoming. Becoming happier, or deserving, or more confident, or a better parent, partner, son, daughter, lover, contributor to a better world. It all begins with your thoughts. Now, in Part Three, let’s build on this further. You have opportunities all the time to make choices, the outcomes of which will either honor your highest self—or leave you not feeling very good about yourself. These “decision intersections” take countless forms. From how to best perform at work, to what to do if your kid is struggling in school. From getting along with your partner, to helping a parent with Alzheimer’s. How to stay healthy mentally and physically. How to grieve a recent loss. How to call upon your Higher Power for help. By the end of the week, you’ve probably logged about a million miles through these intersections. Some you handle easily. Others, however, plague your sleep.
So how can you consistently come from a healthy place as you navigate your world of choices? To not throw your hands up in the air and give up on yourself, nor simply shake your head and move into denial, nor abandon your good common sense. But instead, tap into your best self, your highest self? Here is my suggestion: When faced with a dilemma, ask yourself these three questions: 1. If I were an intelligent person, how would I proceed? 2. If I were a loving person (which includes loving yourself), how would I proceed? 3. If I were someone who took responsibility for all my actions, how would I proceed? In doing so, you regain, you rescue, your best parts, the parts of yourself that can handle the big decision intersections and, even when you stumble, can pick you back up to continue forward again, one step at a time, one choice at a time. Is it always easy? Of course not. It’s a process, and stumbling is an important part of the process. It’s one way we learn. Remember: It doesn’t matter how often you fall—only how often you get back up again. Until next week: “Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, and don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. Don’t waste your time being jealous—sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it is only with yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, and forget the insults. And if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.” — Kurt Vonnegut
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Cover Story
Have Yourself a Merry Fair Trade Holiday By Tara Williams
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he fair-trade system, as we know it today, can trace its roots to 1946 and the compassion of Mennonite Central Committee volunteer Edna Ruth Byler. Byler discovered a talented group of Puerto Rican women living in extreme poverty, despite their skill in creating intricate lace pieces. She began to transport these unique pieces to the United States, selling them and returning the money directly to the groups in Puerto Rico. Her work eventually grew into Ten Thousand Villages, which is now the largest fairtrade retailer in North America. From this humble beginning, the fair-trade system has evolved into a multi-billion dollar group of organizations. The Fair Trade Federation requires members to “create opportunities for economically and socially disadvantaged producers, develop transparent and accountable relationships, build capacity, promote fair trade, pay promptly and fairly, support safe and empowering work conditions, ensure the rights of children, cultivate environmental stewardship and respect the producer’s cultural identity”. Here in Chattanooga, the selection of fair-trade products is growing. More retailers are offering fair-trade certified goods and the number of products carrying the “fair trade” label is increasing. “At Blue Skies, it is important to us that products be created in a ‘fair trade’ environment because we want people worldwide to be able to support themselves and their families through the work they do,” says owner Tina Harrison. “We feel that by supporting fair trade we can, in a small way, influence the market in that direction.” Blue Skies features many fair-trade products including a sterling silver jewelry line by Far Fetched, “Good Luck” pigs crafted in Peru and Starlightz home decor.
“It is important to us that products be created in a ‘fair trade’ environment because we want people worldwide to be able to support themselves and their families through the work they do.” Although most of their products are made in the USA, particularly by local artists, New Moon Gallery does stock beautiful fair-trade certified
bags, scarves, journals and some jewelry. New Moon’s neighbor, Greenlife Grocery, carries a variety of fair trade food goods for holiday entertaining. Greenlife’s fair-trade gift items include, among others, woolen goodies from Andes Gifts, home products from World of Good and the Under the Nile line of baby items. For LaDonna Cingilli, it is her firm belief system that drives her to support fair trade practices. “My commitment to selling only fair-trade coffee is driven by my faith and my desire to ensure that I am not profiting at all from someone else’s slavery; even if I don’t know it,” says Cingilli, who owns Pasha Coffee & Tea in St. Elmo with her husband. “It may not be as profitable but I absolutely believe in equality over profitability.” Go Fish franchise owners Steve and Sherra Lewis wanted the chance to be part of something global—but it was the mission behind the business that drew this couple to the Brunswick, Georgia, based company. According to Sherra, Go Fish products are not fair-trade certified but the company follows all of the same principles. She explains that founder Curt Coleman meets with the families and buys directly from them. “Go Fish is not just a regular retailer,” says Sherra, “There is a story behind everything we sell.” According to All Things Groovy owner’s assistant Bonnie Hedgcroff, many of their vendors also follow fair-trade practices but deal directly with the artisans making their products. All Things Groovy does carry many fair-trade certified brands but, Hedgcroff explains, some vendors prefer to avoid the additional cost associated with the fair-trade label and keep the extra money in the impoverished villages where the goods are made. “Our African vendor will go into a village, with kids hanging off of each arm, buying products from individual families,” says Hedgcroff. “Those families can then take that money directly and buy food or whatever else they need.” For business leaders Kim and Will Honeycutt,
owning and running the exclusively fair-trade store World Next Door gives them a chance to educate the community on global issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, clean water and HIV/ AIDS. They feel that fair trade helps to empower those born into less fortunate circumstances to lift themselves out of poverty and take ownership of the businesses they create. They have recently taken this mission all the way to the White House through the Fair Trade the White House campaign. In the spirit of giving this holiday season and with the state of the global economy, it seems only natural to give a gift with added purpose. This is all the more reason to have a fairly traded holiday. Editor’s Note: Perfect fair-trade stocking stuffers for the travelers on your list are the handmade luggage tags from Jenny Krauss Designs. Each one is unique, made by a Peruvian or Bolivian craftsman, and at $12 each, are affordable art. Available at www.harrietandleo.com/tags.html
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Cover Story
Season’s Readings: The Return of the Book By Tara Williams
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nce upon a time, families gathered to hear stories read from the bound paper pages of a book. Kids asking questions were told, “Go and look it up in the encyclopedia.” Libraries and neighborhood booksellers held the key to worlds only accessed in the imagination. Books not only provided entertainment and a means of escape, but also shared vast stores of knowledge with anyone willing to open and read them. Naturally, this was before the dawn of 24-hour television, video games and the Internet. Yet even in the electronic age, the beloved book seems to be holding its own. In fact, with the expansion of several local bookstores, it seems that books might be making a comeback in Chattanooga. Barnes & Noble recently moved to a new location inside Hamilton Place Mall. Amid the multitude of humdrum mall store facades, the new Barnes & Noble stands out like a veritable shrine to the written word. Customer Relations Manager Elizabeth Murphy says, “The new location has been a great thing for us. We have a larger store and we have exposure to lots of new customers.”
“People who love to read will always read books.” Like the former location, the new store houses a Starbucks cafe, which has proven to be a great asset. “People like to browse through the stacks of books, sit down with a coffee and scan several books before they make their selections,” says Murphy. Customer Brooke Steele frequently visits the bookstore to relax and enjoy her free time. “Reading is definitely my favorite past time,” says Steele, “I love to get a good cup of coffee, grab a cozy chair and ‘sample’ several books before I buy one…or a few.”
The atmosphere at McKay Used Books, CDs and More is a little different—and exceedingly popular. The high-energy music, along with row upon row of assorted book spines may be slightly daunting for some. For a book lover—it’s heaven. McKay’s enormous amount of business caused them to outgrow their home and build a new Lee Highway location off of Bonny Oaks Drive. McKay buys and trades books of all kinds. “We try to take in as many items from the public as we can. This keeps the inventory fresh and always changing,” says General Manager Aaron Bandel. “At the same time, we try to keep our prices right so that we are able to sell as many items as possible.” Dealing in trade and used books has also worked well for Grumpy’s Music and Books. Late this past summer, owner Doug West moved the store to its new location in the Northgate Marketplace next to Northgate Mall. West has seen his business become more competitive over the years, but book sales are still strong. “More people are choosing to play games or other forms of entertainment,” says West. “But people who love to read will always read books.” Rock Point Books introduced the new Moon Pie General Store at their location on Broad Street this past weekend. Even with the new addition, the store continues to focus heavily on offering books and showcasing the talent of local authors. The store features a stage for book readings and signings, which take place about twice monthly. Rock Point is also home to many book club meetings. A list of events is available on their web site. For Winder Binder Gallery owner David Smotherman, the acquisition of neighboring A Novel Idea bookstore on Frazier is something
of a dream come true. “This is now the store I envisioned when I first started out,” says Smotherman, who opened his small original store 15 years ago, featuring art and rare books. The newly formed Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore still offers customers a wide variety of folk art and rare books but now includes a large inventory of used books and many local selections. “We don’t have anything from or about Chattanooga that doesn’t sell,” says Smotherman, “The only new books we offer are from local authors or are of local interest. Of course we can order any book.” Smotherman is thankful for the opportunity to support local authors in the same way that he has supported local artists over the years. This holiday season when you’re making your list and checking it twice—remember that the gift of a book is always welcome. Support the Return of the Book!
Hot Reads for the Holidays According to Books A Million Assistant Store Manger Robin Scott, newspaper and radio coverage dramatically affects their sales of certain books. This season she expects the big sellers to be Sarah Palin’s new book, new releases from both Stephen King and John Grisham, Mike Huckabee’s collection of Christmas stories and of course, the wildly popular “Twilight”
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series. Art books and recent releases are sought-after holiday items at Grumpy’s and gift cards seem to be popular across the board. Winder Binder’s David Smotherman points out that a book is a good gift for everyone for every occasion. He says, “It doesn’t matter who they are, there is a book that fits their interests.”
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Arts & Entertainment
These Flicks Are Reel Cinema By Michael Crumb
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amilton County Bicentennial Library Director David Clapp presents an international sampling of cinema in his ongoing “Flick’s Café” series featuring 1950’s films. Clapp believes that films of that decade are “more direct in their presentation of new ideas.” Film art in its second century still contends with basically divergent perspectives, even as its technological and stylistic maturation make possible the realization of ever more imaginative visions. How can a filmgoer appreciate the value of a film when most films bring such impressive visuality to theaters? Clapp believes it’s important for folks to pay attention to film detail in order to develop a more complex understanding of their own reality. He also believes that writer/directors create better films. Clapp brings his own artist’s sensitivity to select films for his series. Consequently, those who attend these films not only enjoy a relaxed presentation, but they also find the time for discussion of those films’ qualities.
improves both one’s sensitivity to the medium and one’s acuity with respect to reality—the illusive medium of our own lives. As an art community, Chattanooga shows harmony in that the director of the library, an artist himself, takes time to help people appreciate the complex art of film. Clapp was once apprenticed to an artist, and he became a portrait painter. His college studies included film. Clapp began as assistant director of the library in 1989, and he has been director since 2002. Clapp’s “Flick’s Café” series started about a year and a half ago. Clapp’s deep appreciation of film covers a broad range. He also follows his interests in plays and poetry. He finds film a poetic medium because of its emphasis on image and montage. Although Clapp believes better films tend to be made by writer/ directors, he dislikes the term “auteur”, because its usage tends toward elitism. If one pays attention to film, one can find a good deal of quality across the board. As more and more film is produced, the hierarchical perceptions concerning film become less important. This profusion of film also impels viewers toward a better awareness of this medium. Film has a rich history and knowledge of that history can be invaluable when one enters the digital theater. “Flick’s Café” events take place in the main auditorium at the central library downtown. Films are shown through DVD projection in a comfortable environment. There is a suggested donation of $1 for the film. Desserts are also for sale, and coffee is provided. Although some films may contain mature themes, the movies shown at “Flick’s Café” can be watched by kids. Also look for the Sunday afternoon film showings, now that the library has Sunday hours.
“Those who attend these films not only enjoy a relaxed presentation, but they also find the time for discussion of those films’ qualities.” The next film in this series is Early Summer by Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. Upcoming films include Federico Fellini’s famous La Strada and Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries. All of these directors have been included in Janus Film’s 2006 DVD box and book Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films. The book sees La Strada (1954) “as an international phenomenon.” I cannot sufficiently stress how being in the presence of such great films
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Flick’s Café 1950’s Film Series $1 suggested donation 6 p.m. doors open, 6:30 p.m film starts Tuesday nights through January 5 Hamilton County Bicentennial Library (central downtown) 1001 Broad Street (423) 757-5310. www.lib.chattanooga.gov
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A&E Calendar Friday
Thursday
UTC Jazz Band Concert Featuring Joy Divine singing standards made famous by Lady Day and Ella. Free 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, Roland Hayes Concert Hall, corner of Vine & Palmetto. (423) 425-4601. utc.edu/music
Send your calendar events to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
An Artful Evening 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org The Mystery of the TV Talk Show 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Cinema Opera 7 p.m. Rave Theatre, 5060 S. Terrace Ave. (423) 855-9652 anon(ymous) 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4269. Covenant Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Orchestrea 8 p.m. Brown Chapel, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy. Lookout Mtn, GA. (706) 820-1560.
“Love Supreme” Opening of solo show by Kevin Okeith; work inspired by John Coltrane. $7 Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-8658. www.caamhistory.org
Saturday
The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis’s novel, written from a demon’s point of view, catches fire onstage. $29-$49 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 642-TIXS. www.chattanoogaonstage.com
Monday UTC Percussion Ensemble 7:30 p.m. Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4645. Classical Jam 7:30 p.m. Squires Recital Hall, Lee University, 1120 Ocoee St. (423) 614-8343. “Speak Easy” Spoken word and poetry 8 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9040. “The Kennedys: Portrait of a Family” Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org “Echoes” River Gallery, 400 E. Second St. (423) 265-5033. Showing of Selected Works Gallery II/Studio II, 27 W. Main St. (423) 266-2222.
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C.S. Lewis Society Book Club, Mere Christianity 7p.m. Rock Point Books, 401 Broad St. (423) 432-8579. www.rockpointbooks.com Sunset Concert Series 7 p.m. North River Civic Center, 1001 Executive Dr. (423) 890-8924. The Secret Garden 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga State, Humanities Theater, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3133. chattanoogastate.edu/theatre Chattanooga Singers and Chamber Singers 7:30 p.m. Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4645. anon(ymous) 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4269.
Gallagher 7:30 and 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch & Giggles Grille, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Driving Miss Daisy/To Kiss A Rose 7:30 p.m. Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Cir., Ringgold, GA. (706) 935-9000. www.colonnadecenter.org Regrets Only 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Circle Stage, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com The Mystery of Flight 138 8:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. “Angels” by Mary Ferris Kelly Exum Gallery, St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 305 7th St. (423) 266-8195.
Sunday Meet the Artist: Jeff McKinley 10 a.m. River Gallery, 400 E. Second St. (423) 265-5033. Driving Miss Daisy/To Kiss A Rose 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Cir., Ringgold, GA. (706) 935-9000. Mosaic Market 11 a.m. 412 Market St. (corner of 4th/Market) (423) 624-3915. Art Until Dark Noon. Winder Binder Gallery, 40 Frazier Ave. (423) 413-8999. A Woman Called Truth Noon. St. Andrews Center, 1918 Union Center. (423) 987-5141. Staged Reading of Man Born to Be King 2:30 p.m. Sanderson Hall, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy. Lookout Mtn, GA. (706) 820-1560.
Triannual Pottery Studio Exhibition 5 p.m. John A. Patten Recreation Center, 3203 Kelly Ferry’s Rd. (423) 260-0255. “Magnificient Fifty” Artist Reception 6 p.m. North River Civic Center, 1001 Executive Dr. (423) 890-8924. The Secret Garden 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga State, Humanities Theater, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3133. anon(ymous) 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4269. Staged Reading of Man Born to Be King 8 p.m. Sanderson Hall, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy. Lookout Mtn, GA. (706) 820-1560.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Urban League of Young Professionals Book Club 6 p.m. Rock Point Books, 401 Broad St. (423) 504-0638. www.rockpointbooks.com Flick’s Café, Film from the Fifties Series: Early Summer 6:30 p.m. Chattanooga-Hamilton Bicentennial Library, 1001 Broad St. (423)757-5310. www.lib.chattanooga.gov “Sticky Situation” sculpture by Johnston Foster & “Gazer” paintings by Christine Gray Cress Gallery, 752 Vine St. (423) 304-9789. www.utc.edu/cressgallery “Love Supreme: An Exhibit Inspired by the Legendary John Coltrane” Bessie Smith Cultral Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 2668658. www.caamhistory.org
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“Perspective” Mosaic Gallery, 412 Market St. (423) 320-6758. www.mosaicchattanooga.com Works by Susan Dryfoos-Solo Show from New York Gallery 1401, 1401 Williams St. (423) 266-0015. “Weak Big Headed Baby” Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave. (423) 265-4282. www.avarts.org “Paris Comes to Chattanooga” Artful Eye Gallery, 5646 Brainerd Rd. (423) 855-7424. “Bob Fazio with Friends “ The Gallery, 3918 Dayton Blvd. (423) 870-2443. www.redbankgallery.com Art by Asher Mendonsa Asher Love Studio and Gallery, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 822-0289.
The Secret Garden Children’s classic comes to musical life at Chatt State. $10 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga State, Humanities Theatre, 4501 Amnicola Highway (423) 697-3113.
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Cinema Opera 1 p.m. Rave Theatre, 5060 S. Terrace Ave. (423) 855-9652 The Screwtape Letters 3 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 267-8587. www.chattanoogasymphony.org Mannheim Steamroller 7 p.m. Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 265-0617. UTC Percussion Ensemble 7:30 p.m. Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4645. “Reflections” Shuptrine Fine Art and Framing, 2646 Broad St. (423) 266-4453. “Close to Home” Photography by Mark Wood Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy. Lookout Mtn, GA. (706) 419-1430.
Editor’s Pick: Featured Event Of The Week
Cherokee Ancestry Workshop Explore basic ways of researching Cherokee ancestry in your family. Bring any materials you have that might provide clues. Workshop led by Suzette Raney. Advance registration requested. $3 materials fee 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, November 21 Chattanooga/Hamilton County Central Library, 1001 Broad St. (423) 757-5317. www.lib.chattanooga.gov
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Life In The Noog
The Big Haul By Chuck Crowder
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“I spent more money on something I didn’t want and gave to someone else than something I really wanted but didn’t get. Bah humbug.”
ext week marks the start of the busiest retail season of the year—Christmas…and Hanukah. For it is these precious annual holidays during which we bestow our friends and family with the gifts we think they’ll like in exchange for stuff that we hope we’ll like. Personally, I don’t know why we bother. I know, I know, “giving” is part of the spirit of the season. But why should I have to spend money buying a bunch of stuff for other people that I wouldn’t have bought for myself in hopes that they can read my mind and buy the very thing I would have bought for myself (“That’s just what I wanted—thanks!”)? Then you realize that what they bought you—which you didn’t really need or want because no one knows what you want or need any better than yourself—cost about a third of what you spent on them. What? So I spent more money on something I didn’t want and gave to someone else than something I really wanted but didn’t get. Bah humbug. Again, why do we bother? We live in one of the richest countries in the world, where everyone has at least two televisions for every car in their driveway and enough clothes not to have to wear the same combination twice—ever—and we still find it necessary to “need” things all of the time. “I really needed that second car for times when the other car was low on gas.” “My iPod is way too big so I need a smaller one.” “I just can’t live without my new Snuggie.”
My daughter is the hardest to buy for because she’ll never tell you what she wants for Christmas. I’d like to think that she feels the love of her family and the sacrifices we make to provide her with the best life possible is enough of a gift in itself not to have to shower materialistic sundries on her Christmas morning. But that’s likely not the case. I suspect it’s because she already gets so much stuff throughout the year that by the time Christmas rolls around, she literally can’t think of anything else she might want…or “need.” That certainly wasn’t the case when I was a kid. Christmas was the only time— except for maybe your birthday—when you could capitalize on the myth of Santa Claus and North Pole elves that just happen to market their wares in the pages of possibly the most profound publication known to children under the age of 18: the Sears Christmas Wish Book. As soon as it came in the mail, my brother and I would take turns in prescheduled installments flipping through its glorious pages marking toys and folding page corners as if we were conducting research for our doctoral dissertation. Then we’d compare notes in order to make the most of this once-a-year lucrative situation. “I’ll ask for the Stretch Armstrong and you ask for the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine. Then we’ll take the rest in GI Joe adventure gear and Legos.” For months we’d carefully put together a strategic plan that included procurement of only the finest, most fun-filled, time-consuming items every consummate toy box should include. We were always careful to make the most of “Santa’s” budget instead of squandering the entire nut on one
expensive item (such as a new bike) that we might be able to guilt the necessary parties into purchasing during some rogue period at another time of year. When the final list was complete, it was checked, double-checked—even triple-checked—to ensure it included everything we’d agreed upon. Then we’d carefully fold it and place it in an envelope that was addressed in unmistakable penmanship and finished off with at least three postage stamps (to ensure sufficient funds for North Pole delivery). And, after it was all said and done, we’d visit JC Penney’s and buy dad an ugly tie, and mom some God-awful perfume that she neither wanted nor needed but pretended to love just the same. Happy Holidays. Chuck Crowder is a local writer and general man about town. His opinions are just that. Everything expressed is loosely based on fact, and crap he hears people talking about. And be sure to check out his wildly popular website www.thenoog.com
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Film Feature
Never Too Many Christmas Carols by Janis Hashe
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am not a Jim Carrey fan. For me, he hasn’t done anything that really taps into his undeniable talent since In Living Color (OK, maybe “Eternal Sunshine”), and like many, if not most, comics, is misused and misdirected in many of the films he’s made since that classic TV show. (I should probably mention I am also not a fan of Jerry Lewis, Benny Hill or The Three Stooges, although I adore anything Python.) I am also not a big fan of director Robert Zemeckis’s work. Here at The Pulse, they will joke that I am much more likely to be sighted weeping over an independent film from Poland with subtitles than Forrest Gump. Yet I fully plan to see Disney’s A Christmas Carol, and luckily for me, it looks as though it will be playing all the way through the holiday season. There have been at least 30 film versions of A Christmas Carol, dating all the way back to a black-and-white version in 1901. Dickens has been credited with “re-inventing Christmas” and there is certainly something eternal about the tale of a miserable miser who is given another chance to live a better life.
horrific poverty, the child laborers, the disease, the filthy tenements that were glossed over by wealthy Victorians as they lived their lives of ease, Dickens has no peer in English for writing passionately about these injustices. Speaking about the poor living in workhouses, one of the philanthropists who approaches Scrooge says, “Many of them can’t go there, and many would rather die.” “If they would rather die,” retorts Scrooge, “then let them do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Not so very far from the declared views of some modern radio talk-show hosts and politicians, is it? When 14 percent of the American population says they have trouble putting food on the table, at least some of the time, how far have we really come? But as insightful as he was about this side of his times, Dickens was also incurably sentimental, another classic trait of Victorian literature. Today, many of his heroines seem insipid and even poor old Tiny Tim and his much parodied “God bless us, every one,” gives modern readers cavities with his syrupy story. Yet A Christmas Carol endures, and beyond enduring, is beloved. Why? Because it is a story of redemption and hope. Scrooge’s heart is definitely at least two sizes too small, and his life as a ruthless businessman has without doubt harmed many people. (Bernie Madoff, anyone?) Unlike Bernie, however, Scrooge is given the opportunity to review his life with the possibility of change, and we, as the invisible clingers to the
“Scrooge’s heart is definitely at least two sizes too small, and his life as a ruthless businessman has without doubt harmed many people. (Bernie Madoff, anyone?)” Several of the reviews of this film version call it “gothic,” as in “combining both horror and sentiment.” That appeals to me, for Dickens was a very gothic writer. Clear-sighted about the
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Ghosts’ skirts, see what has caused the young Ebenezer to become the wizened Scrooge. As we do so, we think about our own lives. When have we been miserly with our love, our compassion, our open-heartedness? Is it too late for us to change? Charles Dickens’s idea is that it is never too late. And that, for me, will always be his timeless holiday message. I read a version of this story every year and try to take its message to heart (and avoid shrinkage). So, off I’ll trot to see what Jim Carrey makes of Ebenezer. It doesn’t hurt that Zemeckis also cast Gary Oldham, Bob Hoskins and Colin Firth; good on you, Bob. And even if Carrey is no Alastair Sim, George C. Scott or Michael Caine (in A Muppet Christmas Carol), I strongly suspect I will hugely enjoy it anyway.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol Directed by Robert Zemeckis Starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldham, Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth Rated PG Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
New in Theaters The Twilight Saga: New Moon Not so long ago in a state not very far away (Utah), a woman by the name of Stephanie Meyer wrote a series of books about modern-day vampires. In case you’ve been completely outof-touch with the cultural zeitgeist for the past several years, the “Twilight” books have sold millions of copies and have already been turned into one very successful film. Think of the “Twilight” saga as the Lord Of The Rings for teenage girls, who have been the single largest demographic for both the books and the first film. The sequel, New Moon, does not neglect that core audience. In fact, it speaks directly to the fair-haired female youth of America in ways that almost no other film has done since James Cameron combined a teen romance into the disaster epic of Titanic a decade ago. If you are a fan, you will find great satisfaction in the new film. It is well acted, tightly directed, and delivers all the elements that make the series work: brooding vampires, a tortured love story, and the requisite moody sets to appeal to the lovelorn high school set. If you are not a fan, though, you might to check out one of the other new releases this weekend
(such as the surprisingly satisfying The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock). At the very least, you won’t have to suffer through endless high-pitched squeals of joy from the teenage throats meeting every appearance by the cast. Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Bill Burke Director: Chris Weitz Rating: PG-13
Also in Theaters The Blind Side (New) Sandra Bullock stars as a well-to-do suburban mom who forms an unlikely friendship with a struggling teen from a broken home Planet 51 (New) The sudden arrival of an alien–an American astronaut—wreaks havoc among the little green inhabitants of a distant alien planet. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (New) Nicolas Cage stars as a drug-addicted rogue cop who plays and fast and loose with the law in postKatrina New Orleans. 2012 A group of survivors struggle to stay alive when a global cataclysm— predicted by the Mayan calendar—brings an end to the world. Precious A pregnant, illiterate teen is accepted into an alternative school where a teacher helps her find a new path in her life. Pirate Radio In the 1960s, a group of
rogue DJs rocked the high seas and shook up stuffy British society, all for the love of music. Dare Three high school seniors decide they can no longer ignore their deepest needs and take the biggest risk of their lives. The Men Who Stare at Goats George Clooney is a shadowy figure who claims to be part of a secret U.S. military unit specializing in psychic warfare. The Box Cameron Diaz and James Marsden are an unhappy couple who receive a mysterious box that brings instant wealth at a deadly cost. Disney’s A Christmas Carol Jim Carrey is the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge in a new animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale. The Fourth Kind Milla Jovovich stars as a psychologist who discovers disturbing evidence of alien abductions in small-town
Alaska. Michael Jackson’s This Is It A rare glimpse into the final days of Michael Jackson, compiled from an estimated 80 hours of rehearsal and behind-thescenes footage. Astro Boy A young robot boy endowed with incredible powers embarks on a journey of acceptance and learns what it means to be a hero. Amelia Hilary Swank stars in the story of pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Saw VI In this latest installment of the horror saga, Detective Hoffman emerges as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy of terror. Where the Wild Things Are A rambunctious boy named Max escapes to an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures who crown him their king.
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Driving Destinations
Unplugged Mountain Paradise in Carolina by Janis Hashe
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ollowing the bends of I-40 through the Cherokee National Forest and then Pisgah National Forest on your way to North Carolina’s Briar Rose Farm, worries of the plugged-in world begin to fall away. You’re heading to a working farm, with three wood cabins, none of which have cell phone or Internet service—or commercial television. What they do have is peace, privacy, hot tubs on the decks, and fresh eggs and homemade bread right from the farm. Briar Rose Farm is owned by Chicago transplants Tom Hare and Judie Hansen, who bought it 15 years ago. The area is home to a mix of mountain people, whose roots go back to the Scotch-Irish and English settlers seeking a new life, and the recent wave of artists and early retirees seeking much the same.
“Complete privacy means that if you leave your curtains open, you can wake at dawn to a stunning green view of the Carolina mountains.” As you make the turn off Highway 63 into the farm’s long roadway, you’ll see a group of buildings and farm equipment, some old, some new. The Farm Cabin, completely renovated by Tom and Judie, sits across a pond from the farmhouse. In back are the organic gardens that guests have access to, providing seasonal produce year-round. Created from the original 1880’s farmhouse, the Farm Cabin now boasts white-pine interiors, includes a loft bedroom and a fireplace, and sleeps up to nine. Continuing up the long, unpaved road, you’ll pass the barns, housing the farm’s many chickens and its
goat herd. Tom and Judie encourage guests to save leftover food scraps for feeding to the animals. Briar Rose’s two other cabins, the Log Cabin for Two and the newer Knob Log Cabin, are each located on their own patches of land. These two cabins are equipped with an LCD TV that plays CDs and DVDs, but there is no television signal, complementing the cabins’ quiet vibe. Complete privacy means that if you leave your curtains open, you can wake at dawn to a stunning green view of the Carolina mountains. Morning coffee can be drunk sitting on the porch swing—or even better, in the hot tub under the apple tree. Briar Rose Farm’s Farm Cabin, sleeps up to nine ($150-$160 per night); the Log Cabin for Two can also accommodate a third person, ($135 per night); and the Knob Log Cabin, also designed for one-tothree persons ($135 per night). (828) 622-7329 or www.briarrosefarm.com. Life on the Farm and Close By • Hiking the steep two miles up the road to the Duckett Top Fire Tower. You’ll follow the chuckling creek most of the way. Katie, one of the farm dogs, loves this hike and may well accompany you, taking time off for forays into the brush. In season, wild blackberries line parts of the route, perfect for a sweet mouthful of juice. Once at the top, a breathtaking view from the mountaintop is revealed, including, on a clear day, Asheville and eastern Tennessee. •Scenic drive into Hot Springs/Pisgah National Forest. This pleasant, 30-minute drive will take you through Pisgah National Forest, where, if you choose, you can stop and picnic, or take advantage of its many hiking, rock climbing, bird watching and other recreation opportunities. Called “The Land of Waterfalls,” Pisgah is one of nation’s most beautiful forests. www.pisgahforest.com/public-lands/ pisgahnationalforest. • Hot Springs: rafting, walking—and a lot more Be advised: Hot Springs is not Asheville. The small, friendly town has only a few stores and restaurants. However, it’s the only North Carolina stop on the Appalachian Trail—in fact, as the town’s web site points out, its main street is the Appalachian Trail. If you’d like to say you’ve hiked part of the Trail, this is
your chance. It’s also a mecca for many other outdoor activities, including horseback riding, llama trekking, and especially water fun—rafting, kayaking, canoeing and fishing—on the French Broad River. Rafting companies include Blue Ridge Rafting (www.blueridgerafting.com), Huck Finn River Adventures (www.huckfinnrafting.com), Nantahala Outdoor Center (www.noc.com), and USA Raft (www. mtnadventureguides.com). For more information about the Trail, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/ northcarolina. For complete Hot Springs info, visit www.hotspringsnc.org. Shopping • Grits Country Café and Store, about three miles from the farm on the way to Hot Springs, features a section of local arts and crafts. (828) 622-3777. • Back at the farm, Judie offers a selection of handmade goat-milk soaps and lotions to take home with you for a sense memory of a relaxing stay. Where to Eat • If you prefer to eat in, Briar Rose’s cabins are equipped with full kitchens and cooking/serving utensils. • Hot Springs’ several restaurants include Martha’s at Mountain Magnolia. If you’re in the mood for a really good meal out, Martha’s has superb food (most locally produced) and a great wine list. (828) 622-3543 or www. mountainmagnoliainn.com.
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Free Will Astrology SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “There’s nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly,” said philosopher Buckminster Fuller. I encourage you to make that your personal motto in the coming weeks, Scorpio. From what I can tell, you are capable of generating a transformation that will look impossible to casual observers. You have the power to change something that everyone said would never change. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Have you resolved every last detail of your unfinished business? Have you tied up the loose ends, flushed out the lingering delusions, and said your final goodbyes to the old ways and old days? “Yes,” you say? You’re absolutely positive? Well then, it is with a deep sense of pleasure and relief that I hereby unbound you and unleash you. You are officially cleared for take-off into the wild blue yonder or the fizzy red vortex or the swirling green amazement, whichever you prefer. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “There is a saying that when the student is ready, the teacher appears,” writes Clarissa Pinkola Estes in her book Women Who Run with the Wolves. But the magic of that formula may not unfold with smooth simplicity, she says: “The teacher comes when the soul, not the ego, is ready. The teacher comes when the soul calls, and thank goodness— for the ego is never fully ready.” I’d love it if the information I just provided encouraged you to feel right at home with the jarring yet nurturing lessons that are on the way. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the ancient Greek epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, the nature of the psyche was portrayed differently from the way it is today. It was understood that people received information directly from the gods—not as vague feelings or abstract guesswork, but rather in the form of actual voices. In other words, divine beings spoke directly to human beings. These days that’s regarded as crazy; witness the incredulous reactions that most smart people had when George W. Bush said God personally told him to invade Iraq. With that as subtext, I’m going to prophesy that a deity will soon have a message for you. Be careful, though. An imposter may also slip you tips that you’d best ignore. How to tell the difference? The real thing won’t make you feel inflated or urge you to cause harm. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the coming week, keep a lookout for invisible snakes, pretend ghosts, and illusory dragons. Be prepared to gaze upon gruff displays that are no threat to you and hints of fermenting chaos that will never materialize. In other words, Pisces, your subconscious mind may be prone to conjuring up imaginary problems that have little basis in reality. I exhort you to fling them aside like a superhero brushing off toy monsters. ARIES (March 21-April 19): “A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. My wish for you, Aries, is that you will have many such days in the coming weeks. In fact, I hope that you will be blessed over and over again with the hair-raising thrill of having your imagination pricked, causing it to half-blossom, half-explode. To get the most out of the fantastic possibilities, set aside any tendency you might have to be a know-it-all, and instead open up your heart’s mind and your mind’s heart as wide and deep as they will go. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the beginning of his career, poet Linh Dinh loved to stay up late and write, sometimes riding a creative surge till dawn. The power of the darkness unleashed a stark fertility. He was free to think thoughts that were harder to invoke during the bright hours when hordes of wide-awake people were pouring their chattering thoughts out into the soup. Dinh’s habits changed as he aged, though, in part because he got married and chose to keep more regular hours. But his early imprint has stayed alive inside him. “Now I can write at any time of the day,” he
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By Rob Brezsny
says, “because I always carry the night inside of me.” In accordance with your astrological omens, Taurus, I’m making that your prescription for the coming week: Carry the night inside you during the day. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Mark, a friend of mine who lives in New Jersey, sent an overnight package via UPS to Jerry, a friend of his who lives 30 miles away in Pennsylvania. The delivery arrived on time, so Mark was happy with the service. But in checking the tracking information online, he discovered a curious thing: His package was loaded onto three different airplanes, passed through five different UPS offices, and eventually traveled over a thousand miles in order to arrive at Jerry’s house. I expect there’ll be a comparable scenario in your world, Gemini: A wish will be fulfilled by a very circuitous route. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Strictly speaking— going purely by the astrological omens—I conclude that you would generate amazing cosmic luck if you translated the Beatles’ song “Norwegian Wood” into Punjabi, wore shoes made of 18th-century velvet, or tried out for a Turkish volleyball team. I doubt you’ll get it together to pull off those exotic feats, however, so I’ll also provide some second-best suggestions. You won’t receive quite as much cosmic assistance from doing them, but you’ll still benefit considerably. Here are the back-ups: Begin planning where and when you’ll take a sacred vacation in 2010; meditate on who among your current allies is most likely to help you expand your world in the next 12 months; decide which of your four major goals is the least crucial to pursue; and do something dramatic to take yourself less seriously. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The most popular hobby in my home country of America—even more popular than owning guns and pressing lawsuits— is cultivating fears. From agonizing about being lonely to ramping up paranoia about pandemic illnesses to worrying about the collapse of the economy, my fellow citizens love to fret. Outside the U.S., angst accumulation ranks almost as high on the list of pastimes. Luckily, you Leos are less likely to wallow than most of the other signs— especially these days. That’s why I hope you’ll take a leadership role in the coming weeks, when many people will be dipping even deeper than usual into the fetid trough of scaremongering. Please help dispel this trend! Be your most radiant and courageous self—even bigger and brighter than usual. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): An article in the Online Noetics Network profiled the work of Robert Muller, who served as Assistant SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations. It said that Muller is “one of the best informed human beings on the planet,” with an “encyclopedic grasp of the facts concerning the state of the world.” And yet Muller doesn’t keep up with the news as it’s reported in the media. Instead, he simply talks to people, either in person as he travels, or on the phone, or through written correspondence. These interactions provide him with all the understanding he needs. I recommend that you try Muller’s approach for a while, Virgo. Assume that you can get all the information you really need by gathering first-hand reports from people about what’s actually happening in their lives. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I think it’s high time to mess with the tried and true formulas. In order to do the most good for the most people, and to regenerate a wounded and weak part of yourself, you simply must create some cracks in the way things have always been done. You must push beyond your overly safe limits. But wait! Before you plunge ahead, make sure you understand this: If you want to break the rules properly, you’ve got to study them and analyze them and learn them inside out. Homework: Make a guess about what you will be most proud of 15 years from today. Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com.
JONESIN’
By Matt Jones
“You Want Fries With That?” –some people do.
Across 1 “It’s A Wonderful Life” director Frank 6 Effects used in computeranimated movies, for short 9 Vulcan, e.g. 12 Ultraliberal’s place on the political spectrum 14 Actress Elizabeth of “Nothing Like the Holidays” 16 Olympics chant 17 Garnish that some upscale fries at Chicago restaurant mk are served with 19 Wedding rental 20 Heart monitor readout, for short (var.) 21 Miss America wear 22 Filled Jewish delicacy 24 Garden pest 26 Ingredient served with fries and brown gravy in the Canadian dish poutine 30 Inventor Jethro and namesakes 32 Abbr. after a lawyer’s name 33 Get up 34 Sounding like a sheep 37 Little Labrador 39 Sensed 40 Condiment most often used by the Dutch with their fries 43 “This guy walks into ___...” 46 Dog at the end of “Family Ties” credits 47 Scheme 50 Former Portland Trail Blazer RamÛn 52 “Supernanny” network 54 Leather sharpener used
in old-timey barber shops 56 Seasoning option for fries at the Japanese fast food restaurant First Kitchen 60 Stash away money 61 Cub Scout symbol of wisdom 62 Scantron answer, perhaps 64 Dizzy Gillespie’s genre 65 Boxing maneuver 67 Fast food dessert that some kids insist on dipping their fries in 70 Nighttime bird 71 Read retinas 72 Pashto speakers 73 “___, ya think?” 74 Gp. that regulates carryon luggage 75 Like a chimney sweep’s clothes Down 1 Group that specializes in Model Ts or T-Birds, e.g. 2 Rich, peppery salad green 3 Militant gp. that opposed the Oslo Accords 4 Football field figures 5 Insurance co. with a duck mascot 6 EMT’s skill 7 Tech support subsidiary of Best Buy 8 Foolish 9 “Alice’s Restaurant” singer Arlo 10 Sch. with a branch in Tulsa 11 Actor Shepard of “Baby Mama” 12 Analysis named after statistician Sir Ronald Fisher
13 “Worship at Red Rocks” musician John 15 Insurance company headquartered in Rhode Island 18 Navajo police detective Jim in a Tony Hillerman series 23 Overabundances 25 Genre for Gary Glitter 27 “Around the Horn” network 28 Internet connection via landline 29 Jazz band’s playlist 31 “The Girl You Lost to Cocaine” singer 35 Director Jim Jarmusch’s grad school alma mater 36 Lose one’s marbles 38 Comedy staple that goes “splat” 41 Worn-down pencils 42 Reptilian warning 43 Story line’s path 44 Scrooge’s kvetch 45 Friendly 48 Reaches for 49 MSNBC anchor Monica 51 Twists around 53 Perfume company with fragrances from BeyoncÈ and Jennifer Lopez 55 Diarist Samuel 57 Put in office 58 “Major” constellation 59 Cocoa ___ (cereal brand) 63 Therefore 65 Exercise in the park 66 Reverent feeling 68 The tiniest bit of evidence? 69 “Now I’ve got it!”
©2009 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle #0441.
Solution To Last Week’s Puzzle
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On The Beat
Dammit, Saint Nick By Alex Teach
T
he fake pumpkins were taken down and replaced with larger-than-life pastel-colored ornaments, and the imitation spider webs were swapped for fake wreaths and garlands, and “70% Off Halloween Items” were exchanged for “25% Off Holiday Items”. Corporate America had completely bypassed Thanksgiving due to its low retail value, and didn’t even have the decency to refer to Christmas as anything other than “The Holidays”, but it was still the same season to me, and I hated every aspect of it outside of my home. If Thanksgiving were to have had even a slightly marketable face, I’m sure it would spit on the ground, too. I hated the people who broke into cars on the parking lots of malls and stores everywhere to steal their well-intended contents, and I hated the people who had parked their cars with a $250 dollar Garmin on the dash and a shopping bag and purse in plain view below it in the first place. I hated that thieves would prey upon a holiday of giving, and I hated that victims would act baffled and shocked that anyone would take advantage of the opportunity they presented to said criminals. I hated the crooks’ boldness and I hated the victims’ naiveté, but I of course approached both in person with a gracious smile and professional demeanor; after all, as all my Adoring Readers know, professionalism is my trademark. A standard excerpt for your pleasure: Victim: “I just can’t understand it! I was only in the store for 15 minutes; how could this have happened?!’ Ofc. Teach: “It only takes about 20 seconds to break the glass, then snatch the items and run, sir. I’m sorry, I know how frustrating this must be.” Victim: “You’re damn right it’s frustrating! I can’t believe it! There
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are cameras here! Why wasn’t someone watching the cameras?!” Ofc. Teach: “I’m sure someone was watching the cameras, but again, in 20 seconds, there’s not a lot store security can do. Cameras deter some, but don’t prevent all.” (Cameras indeed show what is a man or perhaps a woman, five feet to six feet tall of unknown race in dark clothing smashing and grabbing items and fleeing on foot south, thus narrowing the suspect pool to roughly 250,000 locally. CSI: Chattanooga has a tough row to hoe on this one. ) Victim: “Well, then where were you?! I pay taxes for you to watch this place, this is outrageous! Can’t you check the glass for prints or something?!” Ofc. Teach pauses, then says: “I was actually across the street taking another report where someone else left their packages on the car seat. I’m afraid shattered glass leaves no real prints to lift, either. Let’s go ahead and itemize the losses, shall we?” While taking copious notes, another call comes out on the same lot. Burglary of another auto, of course. (If rolling of eyes had a sound, I would deafen the world.) My generous pay was dedicated to luxuries like “electricity” and “cable television”, so my own Christmas gifts were often derived from side jobs such as visible store security and traffic direction. And the only thing I hate more than store security and registered Democrats is (brace yourself) traffic direction. The contempt for careless and selfish drivers mates with the fear of being struck by a car every eight to 12 seconds, and born from that is an anxiety that a metric ton of Prilosec (God bless it) and Thorazine couldn’t put a dent in. Cars are not only more insulated from outside noises (such as police whistles and other car horns) than ever before, their drivers are more distracted by technology and highend sound systems than ever and the sight of a “STOP” sign is more of a suggestion than a rule these days. I usually work straight through until someone rolls past their stop sign through an intersection I’m
“The contempt for careless and selfish drivers mates with the fear of being struck by a car every 8 to 12 seconds, and born from that is an anxiety that a metric ton of Prilosec (God bless it) and Thorazine couldn’t put a dent in.” regulating, unaware of my presented palms and piercing whistle because they are busy texting the person in the back seat, and I am forced to open-hand slap the hood and roof of their car as I side-step them on their way into oblivion, stopping all directions of traffic while I bellow at them in lawful fury. I take five, and head back in until I have to repeat this. Yes. I hate “The Holidays”, but as you remind me from time to time, don’t judge too quickly…because I LOVE “Christmas”. There is a difference, you see. One of them has Rules. (Happy “Whatever Doesn’t Offend You”, folks.) When officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he is an occasional student at UTC, an up and coming carpenter, auto mechanic, prominent boating enthusiast, and spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center.
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Table Service
Visit Cancun—Right Here in the Scenic City By Colleen Wade
A
h, Cancun…warm, white sugar-sand beaches and crystal-clear cerulean water. Coral reefs, Mayan history and deep-sea fishing combine to make Cancun Mexico’s most visited tourist destination—not to mention a haven of relaxation and fun. Oh, wait—you thought this was going to be a travel article? No, no…27 years ago, a restaurateur decided to bring a little bit of Cancun’s hospitality to Chattanooga, opening an eatery on Broad Street downtown. As you pass through the arched doorways of Cancun Mexican Restaurant, it certainly feels as if you’ve walked into an authentic cantina. Bright, vibrant colors surround you, verdant plants cling to wires strung above your head or spill from plastic Corona buckets, and the booths serve to stir up feelings of comfort and peacefulness, some with intricately carved backs, others that appear to have maps of Mexico branded into them. Throughout the restaurant, you can look up and see clay tile overhangs, giving the impression of being in the open air. Everywhere you look, there are shades of Cancun. But it’s not just the décor. You’ll also find that famous Cancun hospitality. Raul Rojas, manager of the restaurant, has worked there for more than 20 years. Raul has stepped in wherever
needed in those 20 years—just the other day, he was in the kitchen chopping jalapeno and habanero peppers. His wife, Nina, was running the cash register and waiting tables. Then, the food: Everything from authentic Mexican fare to specialties like “Camarones al Diablo”, marinated grilled shrimp covered with a special spicy sauce and dished up with rice, pico de gallo and lettuce. Many of the dishes at Cancun Mexican Restaurant are family recipes handed down through generations, but there are concoctions created right there on Broad Street as well. Take their “Nachos Cancun”, crispy tortilla chips loaded with huge portions of beans, beef and chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream. Sometimes the kitchen just gets creative and scores a winner.” Fajita Quesadilla” is a case in point. Who’d have thought to combine fajitas and quesadillas? But now that it’s out there, I’ll bet you’re thinking, “H’mm, why didn’t I ever think of that?” Tamales, chimichangas, enchiladas—order them as part of a dinner or a la carte. But, hey, if you’re not sure what you’d like, check out their Sunday buffet. Starting at noon on Sundays and running until 4 p.m., you can try a little bit of everything for only $7.99. Fajitas, quesadillas, chimichangas, three different choices of enchilada, tamales, rice, beans, even BBQ ribs can be found on the Sunday buffet, along with guacamole, salsa, cheese dip and several desserts. Children 12 and under eat for only $3.99. Just think: You could feed a family of four a good, hearty meal for less than $30. But if you’d rather leave the kiddos at home, Monday through Thursday from 3 - 7 p.m., it’s happy hour! Two-for-one margaritas (no sharing, though). You order one, you get two and they’re both for you—yum! Their margaritas can
“Many of the dishes are family recipes handed down through generations, but there are concoctions created right there on Broad Street as well.”
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be ordered from a 12-oz. size all the way up to a Monster Margarita, a whopping 36-oz., served in what looks like a fishbowl. Take the atmosphere, add a dash of Cancun hospitality, a liberal helping of absolutely delicious food, and great savings from Cancun Mexican Restaurant to you, and you’ve got a recipe for success. Twenty-seven years in one location proves it! Cancun Mexican Restaurant, 1809 Broad Street, downtown Chattanooga. Hours: Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m., Saturday noon - 10:30 p.m., and Sunday noon - 9 p.m. (423) 266-1461.
Spirits Within
Best Beaujolais in Half a Century! By Joshua Hurley
W
ith the holidays upon us, Riley’s Wine and Spirits on Hixson Pike in Hixson has the perfect “Great Buy” in a holidaystyle wine. Great Buys is where Riley’s Wine and Spirits on Hixson Pike in Hixson picks something special from our large selection of wine and spirits from around the world and shared it with readers of The Pulse. With November coming to an end, wine lovers know what the third Thursday of November means —Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived! George Duboeuf has worked in the French winemaking industry since the age of six, when he started in the family-owned vineyard crushing grapes with a crank-operated crusher. At the age of 18, he delivered family wines to restaurants on his bicycle. Soon after, he began to bottle beaujolais on his own, forming a syndicate of 45 local growers, The Ecrin Maconnais Beaujolais.
“This year’s Beaujolais Nouveau by Georges Duboeuf is being hyped as the best vintage in 50 years.” This organization fell apart because of internal differences, and in 1964 he formed Georges Duboeuf Wines. Duboeuf produces 25 million cases of wine a year and is solely responsible for the booming popularity in beaujolais wines, giving
Georges Duboeuf the nickname Mr. Beaujolais. Beaujolais Nouveau wine is made from the gamay grape, which is grown in the region known as Beaujolais, located in Southern France’s Burgundy. Beaujolais starts north of Lyons and runs for about 35 miles north to the city of Macon. Beaujolais differs from other winemaking areas in Burgundy in that Beaujolais focuses solely on the growth of the gamay grape, whereas other areas focus mainly on Pinot Noir. Vintners of Beaujolais employ a different red winemaking process called carbonic maceration (also known as whole berry fermentation). This process gives beaujolais wine its lighter style, low tannin level, deeper color and flavors of fresh fruit. The first step in the process is to dump hand picked, uncrushed branches of grapes into vats filled with carbon dioxide and wine yeast. The key to this early step is that the bunches of grapes on the bottom are crushed by the weight of the grape bunches on top, producing large amounts of juice and carbon dioxide on the bottom, signaling the early process of fermentation. Soon, carbon dioxide envelopes the upper bunches and seals off the vat from any unwanted air exposure, and the upper bunches begin producing
juice. Once completed, the contents of the vat are pressed and fermentation is completed in the standard way. This year’s Beaujolais Nouveau by Georges Duboeuf is being hyped as the best vintage in 50 years. Perfect weather over the last year has helped to produce a gamay grape lush in color and flavor, always a sign of good health in grapes. Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be aged (in a cellar or otherwise). It must be consumed by May of the following year. Serve it chilled, around 55°F and enjoy its fruit forward, soft and smooth flavors. Beaujolais Nouveau pairs with any number of foods, from fine French cuisine, to pizza or hamburgers.
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Shades Of Green
A Local Cake and a Local Smile By Victoria Hurst
O
“The money we spend on local food and crafts goes to support our friends and neighbors, not the construction of another chain store.”
ne of the keystones of a successful community is a strong local economy. There has been more and more encouragement to buy local and contribute to the prosperity of our fellow Tennesseans, even before our fellow Americans or Earthlings. The Chattanooga Market downtown, located in the First Tennessee Pavilion, is a center for local food, arts and crafts, and entertainment. Open this year on Sundays until December 6, this open-air market, the largest in the region, provides products sold by the producers and represents 3,500 acres of regional farms. One can find him or her self among an enticing selection of fresh vegetables, flowers, and herbs. A variety of meats, cheeses, breads, honey, jellies and jams are available to complete the menu. For dessert, you can find treats ranging from candies to fudge to cake. With such a diverse assortment of fresh, local foods available, the market provides an excellent resource for people who are interested in both a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. By consuming what we can produce locally, we are investing a personal interest in the means of production and transportation of our products. We can know that the vegetables we are buying came to us by a pickup truck from 15 miles out of town instead of coming in a Mack truck from 1,500 miles away. The money we spend on local food and crafts goes to support our friends and
neighbors, not the construction of another chain store. Knowing all this, it is remarkable the sense of accomplishment you can achieve when simply buying a basket of apples or a jar of pickles. It’s amazing how much better a cake can taste when it comes with a smile from the woman who made it. The Chattanooga Market is not just an outlet for delicious foods. It also serves as a true community center. It is free to come into the market to stroll and enjoy live musical performances and let the kids play on the climbing wall. A monthly cooking class is offered (for a small fee) for those wanting to learn how to make the most of their market purchases. New this year, the market has introduced the S.A.F.E. program: Support Area Food Economies. There are different levels of customized memberships available for purchase, and members enjoy special benefits in addition to being able to receive curbside grocery delivery each week. Perhaps the most notable aspect of The Chattanooga Market is its support of charities: the true heart of a caring and connected community. The market serves as a venue for events held by varied organizations including United Way, American Cancer Society, and Pennies for Vicki, a local charity. Also, community members are now able to utilize the market as a donation center for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. According to the meter on The Chattanooga Market’s web site, they have already collected 2,487 pounds of food this year, as well as raised $52,429 for charities. Spending at the market, through the S.A.F.E. program, has also resulted in $434.78 to support the local food economy.
The regulations for what can be sold as arts and crafts at the market are extensive. There are four main standards: the items must be handmade with natural materials gathered by the seller or family member (the commercial components of the products must be used in a way that makes them unique), items must be of the artist’s original design, starting materials must be significantly altered or enhanced, and the products must meet “basic expectations of product life, function, and safety.” There are additional qualifications for each sub-category of items. The standards that the market employs ensure that the products offered to customers will be not only locally made but also original, quality work. When considering the necessary ingredients for a healthy community, one must consider what he or she can contribute and therefore expect to receive from local resources. The Chattanooga Market provides a space for local farmers, bakers, butchers, smiths, carpenters, musicians, and candlestick makers to share the fruits of their labor. It a place where citizens can also share use their fruits to stimulate and continue this resource. And most importantly, the market strives to provide care and consideration for a variety of local needs. Visit the Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 22, 29 and December 6 before it closes for the year. First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. (423) 648-2496. www. chattanoogamarket.com Victoria Hurst is a proud resident of the Appalachian Mountains. She has recently graduated from Warren Wilson College with a B.A. in English: Creative Writing.
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Music Feature
Double Feature Saturday By Hellcat
S
ometimes it turns out that there is more than one awesome thing happening in our little city at the same time. This week is one of those times. We have Son Volt coming to Rhythm & Brews to support a new album and we have local favorites The Nim Nims releasing a new album at JJ’s Bohemia. I have the scoop on both things, so let’s get down to business. When I spoke to Jay Farrar, the front man of Son Volt and formerly of Uncle Tupelo, to ask him about the new album, American Central Dust, this is what he had to say: Hellcat: Did you have any particular album theme? Jay Farrar: I set out to write with no plan. I like to make it as organic as possible. The songs are about a number of different things. HC: Tell me about some of them. JF: “Wheels Don’t Move” is about gas prices getting high and making it hard to get started out as a musician. It was written about a year ago when gas was getting up to $4 and $5 a gallon. The song is about how tough it would be to start out as a band at that time, because it was too expensive to travel to your own shows, particularly if you were a new band.
“I feel like there are a lot of pivotal moments in music and I am still trying to listen to all of them.” HC: Yes, it was pretty expensive to breathe around that time. JF: “Cocaine Ashes” is a tribute to Keith Richards, because in an interview a few years back, he was talking about his drug use, and the passing of his father and he said that he had mixed his father’s ashes with cocaine and snorted them, because he couldn’t resist such a tribute to his father. But I also thought it was very brave and honest that he would just come out and say it, so the song is my
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tribute to Keith. HC: Wow, that’s pretty intense. What are you listening to right now? JF: Well, Keith Richards inspired me to pick up the piano, when I heard him on piano on a bootleg recording, playing a song that I believe is called “Learning the Game”. Rolling Stones, more old stuff. I feel like there are a lot of pivotal moments in music and I am still trying to listen to all of them. I try to take it all in, as much as seems realistic. I like A A Bondy, with former members of Verbena. HC: What’s your favorite song on this album and why? JF: The first song, “Dynamite”, because I’ve always had this internal information saying not to use the words “love” and “heart” because they are overused, so I tried to stay away from that the whole time I’ve been writing songs. But I went back to it and used them both in this song. In a way, it was kind of liberating. Now, on to The Nim Nims. I don’t have any problem saying that I love this album. It’s called Patten Towers, and as I was a fan of the first one, you might wonder why this one has me all riled up. The sound and the feel is a little more honed. It’s just good. The lyrics, the beats, and the layering are all pretty awesome, and I would have trouble finding a complaint about any of it. But I will let the boys give you their thoughts on it. HC: How is this album different than the first? Blake Defoor: The production guy, Steven Nichols, of As Elyzum really made it. The layers that he added to, like, every song, makes it much more pleasing to the ear. Clay: I feel the album captures the
essence of what we are trying to do as a band. The sound and tone of the album is what we try to impart. HC: What about the songwriting process? Did it stay the same? BD: Half of the songs are really old, like “Narcissistic Delight”, and half of them are really new, as in they were written in the studio, like we were writing them as we were recording them. “Pills” and “Vindicated” were actually written in the studio, and those would have to be my favorites. HC: What makes them your favorite? BD: I like the lyrics to them and they are about everyday things that actually happened. HC: I love that about your songs. You had a few on the last album like that. I like the song “Pills”. BD: Yeah, that’s just about the whole cliché of having a pill that fixes something and messes something else up. Like a pill for anxiety that gives you insomnia. HC: How does it feel to have a new album out? BD: It’s exciting. I can’t wait for people to hear it. I like the old album, but his one just sounds like we wanted it to sound.
Son Volt Saturday, November 21 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com
The Nim Nims Saturday, November 21 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia
Music Calendar Friday
Thursday
Kyle Mackillop with Ryan Oyer The accordion is the gateway drug to the Waybackwhens folk-rock addiction. Free 7 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9043. www.mudpierestaurant.com
Send your calendar events to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
Charles Allison, Dana Rogers, Butch Ross, and Kelly Haskew 7 p.m. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111. Nailed Shut, Deterioration 8 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 634-1074 Dead Levy 8 p.m. T-Roys Roadhouse, 724 Ashland Terrace. Nathan Angelo 8 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. Georgia Scruff 9 p.m. Northshore Grille, 16 Frazier Ave. (423) 757-2000. Pink Cadillac 9 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. 423 Bragging Rights Web Site Launch Party 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.
Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ with Up With The Joneses Southern Rock veterans return to show us how it’s done. $18 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com
Saturday
Son Volt and Peter Bruntell Enjoy the robust Americana inspiration of Son Volt. $21 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com
Monday Old Tyme Players 6 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Monday Night Big Band 7 p.m. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111. www.lindsaystreethall.com DJ at the Palms 8 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Fireside Lounge 4021 Hixson Pike, (423) 870-7078. Lucky’s 2536 Cummings Highway, (423) 825-5145. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike, (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com
Noah Collins 11:30 a.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9043. New Band Showcase 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd. Priscilla and Lil Ricky 7:30 p.m. The Foundry, 1201 Broad St. (423) 424-3775. Tim Hughes Quartet 7:30 p.m. The Original Blue Orleans Restaurant, 3208 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 629-6538. Invisible Children Benefit with Farewell, The Less, Behold the Brave and more. 7:30 p.m. Club Fathom, 412 Market St. Peirce Pettis 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rd. Deep Machine, ID and the SuperEgo’s, Surreal
8 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 634-1074 Filament 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1966. Baadmojo 9 p.m. Riverhouse Pub, 224 Frazier Ave. (423) 752-0066. Husky Burnette 9 p.m. Paddy’s Pub n Grub, 5603 Hixson Pike. (423) 843-2658. Right Brain Shift 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. Shirtless Dave Birthday Roast featuring The Rayons and Captain Black 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. The Fuze 10 p.m. Midtown Music Hall, 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 752-1977. www.midtownmusichall.com
Sunday New Band Showcase 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd. Artifax Pereo, Everybody Loves The Hero, Seventh Under Tragic 7:30 p.m. Club Fathom, 412 Market St. Cattle Truck, Leigh Steinhouse, Hellbilly Iron Hymes, and more 8 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 634-1074 Richard Smith and Julie Adams 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. Priscilla and Lil Ricky 8 p.m. The Foundry, 1201 Broad St. (423) 424-3775. DJ GOP 8 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. Tommy Womack 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rd.
Nim Nims, Taxicab Racers, Mean Tamborines 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. Ryan Oyer 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1966. www.tremonttavern.com Open Mic Night 9 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9043. www.mudpierestuarant.com Bluegrass Pharoahs 9 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Lil Wyte 10 p.m. Midtown Music Hall, 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 752-1977. www.midtownmusichall.com DJ Groove 10 p.m. Riverhouse Pub, 224 Frazier Ave. (423) 752-0066.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Billy Hopkins & Friends 8 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. Open Mic with Hellcat 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. Channing Wilson 9 p.m. Spectators, 7804 E. Brainerd Rd. (423) 648-6679. Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m. Northshore Grille, 16 Frazier Ave. (423) 757-2000. www.northshoregrille.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1966. Karaoke 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. All U Can Eat Comedy Buffett with Devil Eyes and O’ Pioneers 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.
Tim Lewis 6 p.m. Big River Grille HP, 2020 Hamilton Place Blvd. (423) 553-7723. Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Bud Lightning 9 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com Roger Alan Wade 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1966. www.tremonttavern.com Channing Wilson 9 p.m. Northshore Grille, 16 Frazier Ave. (423) 757-2000. Fried Chicken 9:30 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055.
Christmas Music of Mannheim SteamRoller by Chip Davis Celebrating 25 years of unique energy and talent to start off the season. Starting at $29 7 p.m. Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 757-TIXS. www.chattanoogaonstage.com
Dana Rogers, Heather Luttrell Noon. First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. www.chattanoogamarket.com Gurl Haggard and Moon Slue Noon. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111. www.lindsaystreethall.com Open Mic w/Jeff Daniels 4 p.m. Ms. Debbie’s Nightlife Lounge 4762 Highway 58, (423) 485-0966. Irish Music Sessions 6 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1966. My Epic, Harvard, Tyler Maleshenko, Jordan Hallquist, Servant Advocat 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd. Sorry Dad, Indian Friend 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.
Editor’s Pick: Featured Event Of The Week
423 Bragging Rights Web Site Launch Party The Woes, Machines Are People Too, and Opportunities come together to celebrate the launch of one of the hottest sites to come out of Chattanooga. 423 Bragging Rights is a site inspired by the photography of David Ruiz and Robert “Robot” Parker. Their vision is to create a free site to
show the world the fun we are having here in Chatta-Vegas. The pictures from around town are available for you to view and share. So if you see these faces and a camera, try not to pick your nose, or, maybe, do... Thursday, November 19 $5 www.423braggingrights.com JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia
95.3 Pulse News www.chattanoogapulse.com 11.19.09 The Pulse
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New Music Reviews The Flaming Lips Embryonic (Warner Bros.)
“The Flaming Lips’ latest album, Embryonic, may not be an easy sell, but it quite possibly is the best thing the group has ever made.”
There’s a saying among comedians which goes, “If everybody laughs, you aren’t doing your job.” It takes the idea of comedy as something beyond mere delight—it has the ability to provoke and challenge and divide. Similarly, I find an odd comfort when I hear or read comments from devotees, in response to any type of art, that essentially say, “I don’t get it.” It means that the artist is defying expectations, for better or for worse. In the case of the Flaming Lips, musical departures have been very good for them. The first happened in the late ’90s, when the band went from a pretty good, kinda weird, semi-psychedelic fuzzpop-rock band to a micro-tweaked, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, expansive studio project, starting with the astoundingly dense Zaireeka and the band’s second breakthrough, The Soft Bulletin. The Flaming Lips’ latest album, Embryonic, may not be an easy sell, but it quite possibly is the best thing the group has ever made. There’s an overarching wicked feeling to the album, and much of it sounds dirtied-up—in particular, the drums are almost always distorted. The point of comparison that immediately springs forth is Miles Davis’s electric period (late ’60s to mid ’70s), especially on songs like “The Sparrow Looks up
Forest Magic Is Energy (www.myspace.com/forestmagic)
The idea behind the fascinating Chattanooga quintet Forest Magic helps explain why its music is hard to pin down: The concept is that the group is actually from the future, sifting through the remains of the past and shaping them into something new. For a time, it seemed like the band would approach each live performance with a different method, sometimes making a rhythmic maelstrom, and other times focusing on non-linear pop structures. However, the group’s main features were always present, with a combination of both organic and artificial sounds and a compelling drive, and every member brings a vital component to the sound balance. For the outfit’s debut album, Is Energy, the key elements are there, but there’s a different sonic environment at work; it’s a clean recording with a bit of
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The Pulse 11.19.09 www.chattanoogapulse.com 95.3 Pulse News
at the Machine” with a menacing groove, wah-guitar stabs, and icy electric piano chords. At other times, bands like Can or Pink Floyd come to mind—in particular, “Silver Trembling Hands” is reminiscent of the latter’s “One of These Days” with the throbbing keyboard part of early Suicide. Even on the album’s most playful track, “I Can Be a Frog” featuring Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs providing animal sounds and laughs via telephone, there’s a softly aching, melancholic tone, carried over to the “The Impulse,” which is like Kraftwerk playing jazz. With the last few releases, at times there was more frosting than cake, but the group has modified its rules so that it doesn’t seem to be an issue. Miles Davis had Bitches Brew, and Radiohead had Kid A—now, Embryonic is the game-changer for the Flaming Lips. — Ernie Paik
self-control, bringing the center of attention to the songs themselves, and synthetics are used sparingly. Live, the vocals are sometimes treated with echo effects, and the rhythm section dominates the sound. On record, the violin is a more prominent instrument, and the vocals and lyrics aren’t obscured. There are roughly three kinds of songs on Is Energy, and the structured, vibrant numbers comprise the meat of the album. Also featured are ambient sound punctuation, such as the opening piece and the mid-album “Protector,” and spontaneous alternate-world primitive folk songs like “O” and “It Is Good.” Highlights include the spry, constantly shifting, nearly eight-minute “Return/ Stroll,” which is possibly the band’s most complex track, and the piercing “Teeth,” featuring some feral vocals. After hearing some of these songs frequently live, it’s nice to have satisfying recordings of them, but it’s important to point out that it doesn’t provide a total picture; one might even go so far as to say that it isn’t quite representative of the band’s live shows, which have defined the group so far. In a way, much of Is Energy is perhaps like the band’s own personal time capsule, presenting the source material before it is re-imagined and sculpted, to confound easy definition. – Ernie Paik
local news and views
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Ask A Mexican
Do Not Mess With La Madre By Gustavo Arellano
“You just don’t question the logic of your madre, whether it’s hair color, superstition or her insistence that Vicks VapoRub and 7-Up cure everything—you just don’t.”
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Dear Mexican, Why oh why do most Mexican women cut their long, black hair after reaching the pivotal age of 40? Not only do they cut it, but they then proceed to cut it short and dye it all shades of the most unnatural hair color for Mexicans: red. My own madre is guilty of this offense and I see it on all the older women of SanTana! Why is this the case? Why do women in Mexico tend keep their long flowing hair and trencitas while women here in the States go for the Bozo look? Please help me with this! — A Que Tener Pelo Largo Dear Wab, Mujeres shearing their locks in el Norte has gone on longer than you think—and it’s not just the geezers. “During the 1920s, a woman’s decision ‘to bob or not bob’ her hair assumed classic proportions within Mexican families,” wrote University of California, Irvine professor Vicki L. Ruiz in her 1999 book, From Out of the Shadows: Mexican Women in Twentieth-Century America. She was specifically talking about young mexicanas following gabacho youth trends to the consternation of their elders, but you can use that same rubric with nuestras mothers and aunts. I don’t have any empirical data on the number of old ladies with short hair in the U.S. since the AARP isn’t exactly the Pew Hispanic Center of viejitos, but nearly every elderly gabacha the Mexican has ever met, seen, or heard about uses their pelo corto. I’m not a post-menopausal gal, but methinks it has to do with hair
The Pulse 11.19.09 www.chattanoogapulse.com 95.3 Pulse News
loss, a better framing of the wrinkled face, and the creation of an easier platform to dye those pesky grays. Since Mexicans take to American habits like we do to Reconquista, it follows que Mexican ladies copy their gabacha peers. But why the outrageous hair colores? For once, the Mexican will not dare answer a pregunta, because you just don’t question the logic of your madre, whether it’s hair color, superstition or her insistence that Vicks VapoRub and 7-Up cure everything—you just don’t. Dear Mexican, Why is it that Mexicans only want to go back to Mexico after they kill a gringo? — Gabe Ocho Dear Gabacho, Such ignorance, such stupidity, such lies! Lou Dobbs, was that you? Dear Mexican, Why do Mexicans put lard in their beans? I don’t know any fit-‘n’-trim Mexicans. Even the skinny ones have a lil’ belly. I just made some excellent refried beans with Goya extra virgin olive oil and butter. Just wondering. — Skinny White Boy Vegetarian from Dallas who Loves Healthy Tex-Mex Dear Gabacho, Refried beans made with olive oil? Why don’t you just add tomato and capers to ruin it even more? Whatever floats your barco, but no need to call us a bunch of fatties along the way. Besides, you’re muy wrong. Not only does the Mexican know too many wabby gym rats, all getting their buff bodies ready to further overrun the
United States, but lard ain’t what gives the gordos their panzas. “My friend Rick Bayless is skinny and he loves lard!” says Robb Walsh, author of The Tex-Mex Cookbook and perhaps the most Mexican gabacho after the famous Chicago chef. “As Señor Bayless likes to point out, lard is not unhealthy—it is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than butter. When rendered at a high temperature, as it is in Mexico, lard has a roast pork flavor that is part of the traditional taste of tamales, refried beans, and moles. Don’t use the hydrogenated stuff in the tub— buy your lard at the butcher shop. And it sounds better if you call it manteca.” One further food insult from me: using Goya products to cook Mexican cuisine is like making your Cuba Libre with Hornitos. Ask the Mexican at themexican@ askamexican.net, myspace.com/ocwab, facebook.com/garellano, find him on, Twitter, or write: Gustavo Arellano, P.O. Box 1433, Anaheim, CA 92815-1433!