ORGANIC DYNAMIC • 4/20 FUTURE • MIRREN DIVINE
Haiti: Song Amid the Sorrow A week in Haiti with Rebecca Cruz FREE • News, Views, Music, Film, Dining, Arts & Entertainment • February 25, 2010 • Vol. 7 - Issue 8 • www.chattanoogapulse.com
President Jim Brewer, II
2010
Publisher Zachary Cooper Contributing Editor Janis Hashe News Editor Gary Poole Calendar Editor Kathryn Dunn Advertising Manager Rhonda Rollins Advertising Sales Rick Leavell, Leif Sawyer, Townes Webb Art Director Kelly Lockhart Graphic Design Jennifer Grelier Staff Photographer Louis Lee Contributing Writers Gustavo Arellano, Rob Brezsny Chuck Crowder, Michael Crumb Rebecca Cruz, Hellcat Joshua Hurley, Victoria Hurst Matt Jones, Phillip Johnston Tara Morris, Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D. Stephanie Smith, Alex Teach Colleen Wade Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin Editorial Intern Jonathan Selby Copy Assistant Bryanna Burns Needs A New Car Josh Lang Contact Info: Phone (423) 648-7857 Fax (423) 648-7860 info@chattanoogapulse.com Calendar Submissions calendar@chattanoogapulse.com Advertising advertising@chattanoogapulse.com The Pulse is published weekly and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.
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AL AL M e NU IC IS uls AN TOR ON he P S R T HI ACH k in
FEBRUARY
11 HAITI: SONG AMID THE SORROW By Rebecca Cruz Like many others in the Score, International Group I was traveling with, I was under the impression there would be aid a-plenty in Haiti. After all the telethons and radio and Internet fundraisers, I truly expected to see aid workers giving out food and water and shelter everywhere I went.
feature stories 6 TRYING TO FATHOM IT ALL By Tara Morris Upon moving back to Chattanooga in ’05 at the ripe old age of 20, I was pleased to hear there was somewhere for teenagers to go besides unsupervised house parties with cougar moms and bars that were not tight on age requirements.
16 4/20 OF THE FUTURE...NEAR FUTURE By Hellcat I’ve been getting slammed with questions, e-mails, calls, and texts about the Sweetwater 4/20 Festival this year. As most of you know, it was a two-day, 25 band, free show upon contribution of non-perishable foods for our local food bank.
22 DIVINE MIRREN TAKES ON TOLSTOY By Janis Hashe Helen Mirren is a goddess.
24 ORGANIC DYNAMIC By Michael Crumb Artists Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse invite folks to view the final installation of “Place in the Woods” at Renaissance Park, facing the river. Viewers can watch a construction designed to dynamically interact with our natural light.
news & views 4 5 9 14 22 28 30
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PULSE BEATS SHRINK RAP LIFE IN THE NOOG ON THE BEAT SHADES OF GREEN ASK A MEXICAN
everything else 4 5 7 7 17 19 21 25 26 27 29 29
EDITOON CITY COUNCILSCOPE POLICE BLOTTER THE LIST MUSIC CALENDAR NEW MUSIC REVIEWS NEW IN THEATERS A&E CALENDAR DINING OUT SPOTLIGHT SPIRITS WITHIN JONESIN’ CROSSWORD FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Editoon
by Rick Baldwin
Letters to the Editor Fairmount Avenue Freeze Out To the letter writer that thinks that the Fairmount Avenue projects are a good thing, I recommend that after he has saved and invested in a house he ask to have a housing project in his own back yard. He could enjoy the thumping music at 2:30 a.m. on weeknights and booming crime rates while watching his property values crash. The Fairmount Avenue projects were a disaster when they were full. They will be a disaster this time as well. CHA promises no crime and noise disturbances, but if CHA can deliver on this promise, why doesn’t it create such a great situation at any of its other housing projects? Greg Whitcher Poor Taste In Cartoon While I normally enjoy the work of editorial cartoonist Rick Baldwin, last week’s cartoon featuring the Olympic medalists that included a luge athlete was, I felt, in very bad taste. The entire Olympic family is still trying to process to loss of Nodar Kumaritashvili, and his death is not something to be used for comedic purposes. Jessica Fowler Editor’s Note: Editorial cartoonist Rick Baldwin in no way meant to make light of the death of Kumaritashvili, nor was his cartoon meant to draw humor from his tragic death at the Olympics.
Jam Band Brouhaha The same preconceived notions and extremely angry rants that have just as much to do with the audience than the music only this time the comments prove either a lack of understanding or a deep-seated anger [“Not Just Another Jam Band’]. I am perfectly fine with anyone that does not like creative improvisation, but I have to question these two comments: “Lazy way to play music”—go listen to the jazz and classical influences in the music of Phish. That huge, diverse catalog of music was played note for note at their reunion tour starting. What you call noodling is actually very brave and inspiring improvisation within the bounds of complex, well-written arrangements. “You should have worked out your sound and your songs before I bought my first beer” —are you upset that the band can’t be pigeonholed and cataloged by your receptive ears in the first few minutes of the first song or do you have sympathy for record execs who find it difficult to shrink-wrap and mass produce these songs for popculture loving teenagers? Bo Nash Author Hellcat responds: Being a devil’s advocate and getting you guys riled up is part of my job. If you would breathe a minute and realize that I’m actually
giving this music a chance, where I probably wouldn’t have a few years ago. I liked Moon Taxi. I just don’t like the term “jam band” or what it makes me think of. Patton Towers Praise I am very impressed. I felt like I was actually there and could see, hear, and smell the area [“Inside The Tower Walls”]. Although it’s a rather sad fate that such a beautiful, grand, and historic building should become a rundown project tenement only to be damaged or destroyed by fire, I loved the story. Jackie Hampton
Send all letters to the editor and questions to info@chattanoogapulse.com We reserve the right to edit letters for content and space. Please include your full name, city and contact information.
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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
Pulse Beats Get Out The Vote for Stand & Deliver
Quote Of The Week:
A rundown of the newsy, the notable, and the notorious...
Stand & Deliver, the sixmonth change process that asks Chattanoogans to launch projects focused on improving and supporting education locally, is up for funding through a public vote—vying with other projects around the world for $50,000 through Pepsi’s Refresh Project. The project is competing for one of ten $50,000 grants to be awarded this month, and currently sits in the top 25. Winners will be announced March 1, meaning Chattanoogans have less than one week to get the vote out. Cast your vote by visiting Stand & Deliver’s application at www. refresheverything.com/createhere. The Lyndhurst Foundation has offered to match the project grant if Stand & Deliver wins. According to CreateHere’s Veronique Bergeron, “The Lyndhurst Foundation’s matching funds make it even more important that Chattanoogans vote daily: local support through a simple voting process could bring $100,000 into the city, focused exclusively on educational initiatives.” For information on this project, contact Bergeron at veronique@ createhere.org or at (423) 648-2195.
Possible Compromise on Fairmount Avenue? A compromise may have been reached in the often acrimonious debate over the Fairmount Housing
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development. The Chattanooga Housing Authority and Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield joined for a presentation this past Saturday morning to unveil a new plan. They unveiled a revised plan for re-building the aging apartments on Fairmount Avenue that will take advantage of nearly $5 million dollars in federal stimulus money. About 40 attendees of the Friends of Fairmount seemed to like the presentation. The new plan calls for nine threebedroom townhouses and nine twobedroom townhouses.
Can You Foster a Child? According to the nonprofit organization Youth Villages, there is an urgent need in the Chattanooga area to find foster families for children who enter foster care due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. These children need loving families who will care for them until they can return to their birth families or an adoptive
“Being there reminded me of why I wanted to sing. I just really know now that music is what I want to do.” — Lee University student Jermaine Purifory, who was eliminated just shy of making the Top 24 on American Idol during the “Hollywood Week” episodes.
family is found for them. When children become available for adoption, foster parents often have the first right to adopt. Youth Villages will hold foster parent training classes for adults interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents. This includes single and married adults over the age of 25. Classes start Saturday, February 27, 9 a.m., and run through 4 p.m. Location is the Youth Villages office at 5741 Cornelison Rd., Chattanooga. Call Kristin Stucker, foster parent recruiter, Youth Villages, at (423) 9548843 to register for training. For more information about Youth Villages, visit www.youthvillages.org
Final SDAT Report Now Available Online The final Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) report, giving the recommendations of a team of architects, planners and others for the future of the region, has been posted online on the American Institute of Architects web site www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/ documents/pdf/aiab082339.pdf The Pulse will follow up in an upcoming issue its 2009 series of six cover stories on sustainability and growth with an evaluation of the report’s findings.
Here is one of the more interesting agenda items set to be discussed at the March 2 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.
5. Ordinances - Final Reading: a) An ordinance to amend the Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 2, Section 2-553, relative to local preference. Following several weeks of debate, this proposed ordinance was deferred for several more weeks so that the merits of the proposal could be debated in full. The ordinance would give preference to local companies in case of a tie in bidding on city contracts. Aside from the fact that there has never been, according to our own research, such a tie in city history, much of the debate has focused on whether the ordinance would actually benefit or hinder Chattanooga companies when bidding for contracts with other cities, or whether those cities would retaliate against a “Chattanooga first” ordinance. The last vote on the measure, when it came up for a first reading, was a very close 5-4 vote in favor. 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
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Beyond The Headlines
Trying to Fathom It All
By Tara Morris
“After researching Mosaic/412 Market, and meeting with Tim Reid and other volunteers, I was astonished at their warm attitudes and realistic ideology.”
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pon moving back to Chattanooga in ’05 at the ripe old age of 20, I was pleased to hear there was somewhere for teenagers to go besides unsupervised house parties with cougar moms and bars that were not tight on age requirements. Club Fathom seemed like a place for young people to go where they weren’t under the pressure of underage drinking, drugs, and sexual experimentation. After remembering this epiphany, I began to laugh. Honestly—for most kids this is not a choice, no matter the venue. There is no way around it. Not just at Club Fathom—anyone can try to give youth a safe haven, although history seems to prove that kids with wrecked homes and teenage troubled minds will find a way to get in trouble. If you don’t believe me, work one day at any high school or teenage behavioral center. Watch The Breakfast Club. It’s nothing new. But as we get older and come through
The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
these scenarios, whether first-, second-, or third- hand, we learn and mature. The Mosaic and 412 Market (formerly Club Fathom) has done the same. If your thoughts, whether from personal experience or media-generated, are negative on this venue, then I challenge you to reach out and try it again. In Chattanooga we pride ourselves on the arts and community. More people then you can imagine are behind the scenes trying to build and provide more choices for professional and open entertainment; this includes those involved with the venue located at 412 Market Street. After researching Mosaic/412 Market, and meeting with Tim Reid and other volunteers, I was astonished at their warm attitudes and realistic ideology. Jessica Tanner, a longtime volunteer at Mosaic, put it best when she stated that the core of 412 Market lies in, “Real relationships with real people…and that people are messy because life is messy.” And it is. We must remember that even though you might not agree or like what another person is doing, that doesn’t mean they aren’t learning and growing too. From a professional standpoint, 412 Market is phenomenal. With a capacity of 1,000 people, it’s the largest noncommercial venue in the downtown area. As I entered, I couldn’t control the giddy awe from watching these young kids going to a heavy metal show. The memory of my mom’s face as she kicked me out of the house for a week after I went to Ozzfest in Atlanta at 17 rushed through me. Our kids don’t have to do that. They can go downtown. As we mature, we might let go of these enthusiasms, but for a 14 year old it, is all very new and exciting. The job doesn’t lie in fighting it–but guiding kids through it. Whether you call it a church, youth group, urban outreach, or club, after
seven years it is simply time to give The Mosaic a break. Justin Casey, a young professional in the area and his production company, JMJ Productions, in partnership with Gemini is doing just that. With the success of Boneyard Boogie, Bangers Ball and other events, these original hometown partiers have helped open the door to a slew of new events and creativity in Chattanooga. As their bio puts it, after three years of hard work, tanks of gasoline and even a bit of blood, sweat, and tears, JMJ is well on its way to a successful, all-in-one eventplanning business. JMJ works with local, regional, national and global bands. The production company holds events not only at 412 Market, but anywhere in town, ranging from the convention center to Loose Cannon to Coltrane’s on 9th. JMJ is widely known for an electronic style, but further down the road expects to open up 412 to multiple styles of music. Strongly concerned with safety and control, the company works closely with Tim Reid, police officers, and security at each event. Having JMJ rent facilities such as 412 Market for 18-and-up shows helps generate funds for Mosaic, while offering another venue to enjoy. From day one, reaching out to youth has been their goal. There have been twists and turns—but the core is still there. The people at 412 Market wish for those abandoned by conventional standards to be able to share their love for community and arts in an accepting environment. Isn’t that what Chattanooga is all about? As we continue to watch the molding and change in The Mosaic’s Urban Art Ministry and the effects new business will bring, go ahead and rehash that love for past times with heavy metal, break dancing, and martial arts. Enjoy a new kind of fellowship while being a mentor and shakin’ your booty! Can you fathom a place where you can do all three?
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
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 of the truisms of law enforcement is that criminals are creatures of habit. If a crook finds a way to “succeed” in breaking the law, chances are they’ll keep doing the same thing, never realizing the more they repeat their crime, the higher the probability they’ll get caught. Which is why officers began monitoring fitness center parking lots after a rash of “smash and grab” auto burglaries in which a pair of men targeted cars with purses inside, stole the credit cards, then used them at area gas stations to buy fuel, cigarettes and, for reasons known only to them, milk. Working on witness descriptions, officers nabbed a pair of men in the act of casing an East Brainerd fitness center and were able to solve nearly 30 open cases. On the positive, we hear there is plenty of milk in prison. • Another week, another bad driver with a car full of drugs. A Bradley County deputy patrolling I-75 last week noticed a car weaving back and forth over the lane line and initiated a traffic stop. During the ensuing consent search, they discovered almost
a thousand Oxycodone pills, more than 100 Somas and a small amount of marijuana, with a combined street value of $32,000. The driver and two passengers, all from Columbus, Ohio, were arrested on various drug charges, with the driver also facing charges of driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain lane. • It’s not only drug dealers that are bad at the basics of driving; it’s also wannabe car thieves. A young man attempted to purloin a car from the parking lot of a large retail store on Hixson Pike last week, only to be thwarted by the fact that he didn’t know how to unlock the steering wheel. While he was able to get the car started and moving, he wasn’t able to figure out how to steer the car, which resulted in him running into the side of the business. Witnesses were so surprised by the impromptu creation of a drive-thru window that no one was able to stop the suspect from fleeing on foot. One begins to think that the lack of driver education in schools these days is creating a new class of clueless criminals. • And remember the childhood trick of tying a piece of fishing line to a dollar bill and using it get free change from
Chattanooga Street Scenes
Top Chattanooga Landmarks 1. Lookout Mountain. Home to Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway, as well as the fabled “power structure” that secretly rules the entire valley, this is the primary destination for nearly every visitor to our fair city.
a change machine? Turns out that it actually works with some of the older machines. The manager of a Shallowford Village Drive hotel called police when he noticed a pair of men using that exact scam to get free money from a third-floor change machine. While the scam artists had fled before police arrived, surveillance video gave officers a good description of the pair, and they were later caught and arrested on charges of theft under $500. No word on if they tried to post their bond using small change. Photography by Louis Lee
The old clock in the Bluff View Art District.
2. The Tennessee Aquarium. Everyone loves fish, be they of the large river variety or the sharky ocean variety. Plus penguins, otters and butterflies. What’s not to like? 3. The Chattanooga Choo-Choo. More than a hotel, it’s a living reminder of the romantic bygone era of train travel and the fabled “Track 29”. 4. The Walnut Street Bridge. Sadly closed at the moment for needed renovation, the landmark walking bridge has been a destination choice for visitors and residents alike for years. 5. The ChattanoogaChickamauga Civil War Battlefield. Civil War buffs from around the nation (and the world) have made the trek to the hallowed grounds of Chickamauga since it was dedicated over a century ago. 6. The Creative Discovery Museum. Have kids that are driving you nuts and you need to get them out of the house? Head over to the CDM and not only will they be entertained, but they’ll also learn something (if they’re not careful). 7. International Towing and Recovery Museum. Yes, it’s a museum devoted to the tow truck. And if you haven’t been there yet, what are you waiting for? Seriously—it’s cool.
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February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
Shrink Rap
By Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D
The Shortest Month I
have a very good friend in Los Angeles, Owen, who is African American. He has about the best sense of humor of anyone I know. His take on February being Black History Month is, “Oh, sure, give us the shortest month!” During the course of our 20 years of friendship, Owen has added immeasurably to my sensitivity, awareness, and appreciation for African American culture. A new movie, novel, or a particular cultural event—if it’s related to the African American community, we will often discuss its merits, impact, history, pros and cons, etc. And since I love to learn about cultures that are in any way different from my own—the people, language, spiritual beliefs, food! —I soak up as much as I can. One of the best events I’ve attended since moving to Chattanooga about four years ago (and I go to quite a few!), was the Rickey Smiley benefit performance at the Tivoli. A wellknown B.E.T. comic, he was here two Februarys ago to help raise money for National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The man had the soldout audience in tears from laughing so hard. Now I must admit, I did not get all the jokes. But I got most of them. I think certain things are particular to certain communities, and if someone is outside that community, there are bound to be some colloquialisms and familial references that just don’t click. In a way, I felt a bit envious to be missing out on some of the punch lines that my audience neighbors were clearly enjoying. But even so, I believe that the funniest ironies of life are universal and cross racial lines, and Mr. Smiley certainly brought many tears of laughter
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to my eyes that night. Perhaps one of the most enduring traits of the human condition is our ability to laugh through tears. In the face of painful tragedies and sorrows, we find ways to reclaim our sense of humor, and use that humor to come up for air, gain some perspective, fortify ourselves, and remind us that we are surviving. It’s usually a pretty good sign someone is coping well with a personal loss once they are able to laugh again. Laughter, like tears, is a healthy, natural mechanism for getting through the tough times. And attending a comedy performance for HIV/AIDS, such as Rickey Smiley’s, is a perfect example of this. AIDS is the most globally devastating disease in the history of mankind, wiping out entire
villages in Africa and creating, for the first time, generations of orphans raising orphans. AIDS is an equal-opportunity problem, and knows no color, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. If there’s ever been a need to fortify ourselves and learn how to survive in the face of disaster, it’s been during the past 30 years of this epidemic. Here are a few sobering statistics (from 2008) that we all, regardless of the color of our skin, need to appreciate: 1. An estimated 44 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, 1.2 million of them here in the U.S., approximately 13,000 (reported cases) here in TN. 2. Half of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in our country occur among African Americans, even though African Americans account for less than 13 percent of the population. 3. Here in Tennessee, more than 600 African Americans test HIV-positive each year. And along with heterosexual women, African Americans represent the sharpest increase in infection rates. HIV has absolutely no prejudice. It is not a gay disease, nor a black disease. It’s not a Baptist disease nor a young person’s disease. It’s not a female disease, a blonde’s disease, or a tall person’s disease. We have HIV on our planet. Our planet. It belongs to all of us. And it’s up to all of us to become educated so we can take care of ourselves and our loved ones, friends and strangers alike. The pandemic is not over. Knowledge equals power, folks. Get smart. Get tested (it’s free). Get condoms and use them every time. Love yourself enough to play safely. And if you don’t love yourself, get some therapy so you can learn to. Your planet, and your loved ones, are counting on you. Till next week, a Celtic prayer: “I will bless my neighbor. May my neighbor bless me.”
“In the face of painful tragedies and sorrows, we find ways to reclaim our sense of humor, and use that humor to come up for air, gain some perspective, fortify ourselves, and remind us that we are surviving.”
Dr. Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, minister, and educator, in private practice in Chattanooga, and the author of “Empowering the Tribe” and “The Power of a Partner.” Visit his new wellness center, Well Nest, at www. WellNestChattanooga.com, and his website at www.DrRPH.com.
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
Cover Story
Haiti: Song Amid the Sorrow Story and Photographs by Rebecca Cruz
“They’ve just lost everything they had, are now forced to lived in tents, don’t know from day to day whether or not they’ll eat, and yet, these beautiful children still sing. Amazing.”
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February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Cover Story
Haiti: A Reporter's Journal
By Rebecca Cruz
“What I didn’t expect to see, however, were the thousands of homeless people surrounding the palace. Tens of thousands of people are living in tents, outside the palace, beside the palace, and behind the palace.”
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The following is a collection of stories from Pulse News’s Rebecca Cruz, based on her weeklong visit to Haiti with the mission group Score, International. For more, including photos, video, and podcasts from call-ins while she was in Haiti, visit the PulseBlog section of ChattanoogaPulse.com.
The Shock Like many others in the Score, International Group I was traveling with, I was under the impression there would be aid a-plenty in Haiti. After all the telethons and radio and Internet fundraisers, and as much as Americans had given so many large organizations, I truly expected to see aid workers giving out food and water and shelter everywhere I went. The reality was shocking. There was no aid in Croix-des-Bouquet, the town where our group was headquartered. Joel Hess, a missionary who had made the town his home, hadn’t seen any aid coming in to help his neighbors. “We’re it…we’re all the aid they’ve got right now,” he said matter-offactly. I thought about the food and handful of tents we’d brought with us. It seemed so little. “Prepare yourself to have to turn people away,” Joel said. Eventually, I convinced myself that the aid must all be in Port-au-Prince. It was the earthquake’s epicenter and the most populated area, so that would make sense, wouldn’t it? The real shock for me came when I finally did get to Port-au-Prince. Despite the devastation, despite the
The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
hunger, Port-au-Prince is a vibrant, bustling city populated by millions of people. Making our way through the city, we saw many military personnel: American, Canadian, Pakistani, Israeli, Cuban, and others I couldn’t identify. I did see about a dozen young men in yellow shirts sporting “USAID” on them, but mostly, I saw many groups of what appeared to be construction or volunteer relief crews, driving around in the backs of small trucks. What surprised me was the lack of big organized groups of aid workers giving out food or water—or anything. The city is in ruins. Three- and four-story buildings were reduced to rubble; others are still teetering over, just holding. We’ve all seen the video and pictures of the presidential palace. It looked much like I expected. What I didn’t expect to see, however, were the thousands of homeless people surrounding the palace. Tens of thousands of people are living in tents, outside the palace, beside the palace, and behind the palace. While there, we heard that the government had been trying to encourage those people to move out of the area, so that crews can come in to remove rubble and begin the long process of rebuilding the palace and surrounding governmental buildings. “Where would they go?” I asked myself. “They have nowhere else to go.” It was here that we were surrounded by Haitians. They could tell right away that we were American. They wanted to know where the aid was. “We heard you were sending millions of dollars in aid…We want to know where it is?” They weren’t angry, just disappointed. Their theories are that, somehow, there has been a breakdown in the system. But according to them, the aid is not reaching the people. In one narrow alley, I met Miguel. Miguel was a young man in his twenties, living on the street. He has no tent, or food, or hope of getting either. He, along with 20 others, was just surviving on the street of this narrow alley with power lines down around them and a hotel tottering overhead. Miguel had lost his mother and his home to the earthquake. It was a common story. Almost everyone had lost at least someone, and most lost their homes. Surprisingly, Miguel was just grateful to have his life. While
shooting video of a crushed hotel, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, two young men walking towards me with rifles slung over their shoulders. I turned to them and smiled, hoping for the best, but still a little nervous. “Bonjour,” they greeted me in Creole. “Sorry—just English and Spanish,” I replied. They smiled, as they spoke Spanish quite well. In our conversation, I found out they, too, were sleeping on the streets of this alley. The guns were for protection, they explained. I did not feel threatened in the least. As a matter of fact, I didn’t feel my life was in danger once during my visit to Haiti. If nothing else, I felt more welcomed there that I ever expected. Score, International had sent us with enough food to feed more than 2,000 people. We prepared small bags and devised a system to make the distribution as smooth a process as possible. By the time we got to the clinic, where we would be giving out the food, there were hundreds of people lined up, waiting for our arrival. Women, children of all ages, young and older men, anxiously waited to receive what little food we had to give. Many of them waited up to three hours for that food. I thought about all the reports I had seen and heard about the mobs of people trying to get food whenever a distribution was done. This wasn’t the angry, out-of-control mob I had expected to see. These people were not dangerous or crazed. They truly were just hungry themselves, and begging for food for their children as well. I was overwhelmed at how hungry they all were, and how very grateful they were to received the food that would probably only feed them for one day.
The Children Still Sing I expected devastation, hunger, even hopelessness when I arrived in Haiti. What I didn’t expect was how happy the people of Haiti are, despite it all. As we walked down the street on our first morning in the country, children greeted us with smiles and waves. “Bonjour, bonjour,” they would say. It did my heart good to see such happy people. But it was my visit to the Good Rest Orphanage that finally broke me. I wanted to meet Pastor Bob, who had built the Good Rest Orphanage 34 Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
Cover Story years ago. I was told that a real miracle had happened at the orphanage the day of the earthquake. Upon arrival, I saw the building that had been completely sandwiched in a way that joined together the ceiling and the floor. There was nothing left to salvage. It was completely gone. I saw dozens of children, all together in a corner of the orphanage grounds. They were so quiet, from the tiny babies to the teenagers, and at least one fully grown adult. Later, I would learn that the adult was 22 years old. He had lived at the orphanage since he was two years old. Off to the side, I could see a row of tents. I learned that this is where the children had been sleeping since the earthquake. They had to share six or seven tents between all 50 of them. It was all they had left since the earthquake had destroyed the two buildings it had taken Pastor Bob years of fundraising and scraping by to build. “How sad for these poor children,” I thought. “As if their lives weren’t tough enough already.” I saw an older white man walking towards me and immediately knew this must be the man I need to talk to to get the story. Bob told me about how he came to Haiti and how all the orphaned children roaming the streets just melted his heart. Bob told me how, the day of the earthquake, he had planned a church service for the children that was to begin at 5 p.m. Just before 5, the pastor grew angry, as he looked around to see the children playing and taking their time about getting to the church service. He went after them, to round them up when, at 4:50, the earthquake shook the entire building to the ground, and ripped the top half of the second building off. “So, you see, if the children had been on time to church that day, they would have all perished.” Bob cleared his throat, as if to fight back tears and continued, “so, I feel really bad that I was so angry with the children that day. I could have lost them all. I have never lost any children in the 34 years I’ve run this orphanage, and, I almost did that day.” He paused momentarily. “But now, I do still think children should be on time to church.” I had to laugh, and hoped it didn’t offend the pastor in whose home I was a guest. “What an incredible story,” I thought. Then, suddenly, I heard it...singing. I turned back towards the children, who had made their way to some beat-up, old wooden church pews, facing towards a
makeshift altar where they held their services now, outside, in the dark. Their voices rose in a glorious chorus. I began taking video. While I couldn’t see much, I didn’t want to miss the chance to record such a wonderful sound. Of course, I couldn’t understand what they were singing, since they sang in Creole, but it didn’t matter. The sound was beautiful, and I was touched beyond belief. These poor, sweet children have no one except Bob and each other. They’ve just lost everything they had, are now forced to lived in tents, don’t know from day to day whether or not they’ll eat, and yet, these beautiful children still sing. Amazing.
“Women, children of all ages, young and older men, anxiously waited to receive what little food we had to give. Many of them waited up to three hours for that food.”
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What Pleasantly Surprised Me • The Haitian Spirit—I was so impressed by the wonderful spirit of the Haitian people. Despite everything, they seem happier than we are. • Singing— I awoke a few times to hearing beautiful singing from the people in the village around me. • Language—I was surprised to find out that many Haitians are not just bilingual, but multilingual. Many speak Creole, Spanish, French, and English. • The Beautiful Country— Haiti is a breathtakingly beautiful country…gorgeous shorelines with beautiful blue water, mountain ranges. Lush coconut and other palm trees are plentiful.
What Can Be Done? The need is so great, the devastation so complete—it was, and still is, overwhelming for me at times to contemplate how to help the Haitians. As our trip organizer, Rachel Turner, said, “You have to focus on helping one Haitian at a time.” Rachel went on to explain that, because there are many small mission groups and orphanages that have been established in Haiti for years, they’re the ones who know what each small neighborhood or village needs in order to get those people on their feet. My suggestion to anyone with a desire to help the people of Haiti is to research those small groups, and contact them about their needs. If you’re adventurous, you may want to connect with a relief group going to Haiti, and see it all for yourself. The groups I worked with: • Score, International • Haiti Gospel Mission • Good Rest Orphanage February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Life in the Noog
By Chuck Crowder
Is It Close Enough To Walk? I
n my book, air travel is completely overrated. I’m sure we could all sit around telling countless tales of how some (any) airline ruined our vacation, or left us stranded, or lost our luggage, or cut us off from alcohol because we couldn’t stop laughing, or whatever. But in their minds, it’s business as usual. And they’re all in cahoots with each other to control the only straight-line thoroughfare between you and wherever it is you need to be—the open skies. You’d think they’d assume this power with an unwavering responsibility to uphold the majesty of flight while serving you a drink and then BAM!—deliver you and your bags (together) safely to any one of a thousand exotic locales in a matter of hours. Well, they all tried to do that back in the Sixties and Seventies. Back then, your airline ticket was a binding business contract between you—the shareholder—and a major corporation. That’s why people wore suits on planes. It was business time. Nowadays, if and when you and/or your bags arrive at another destination (albeit maybe not the intended one), the airlines unapologetically act as if you should be amazed that an aluminum flying machine can actually lift and carry 200 people somewhere else. It’s sad, really. Amtrak is all but gone. Greyhound seems to only transport axe murderers. And gas is creeping back up the price ladder. All the while, the airlines who squashed this competition beg for government
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assistance in order to keep things up in the air, force us to wait patiently at the gate trying really hard not to utter aloud words like “bomb,” “explosive” or “terrorist.” That’s another power they’ve misused—fear and intimidation. They can do whatever they want to whomever they want for whatever reason they deem necessary. Just look at Peter Buck of REM, who actually had to stand trial in London because he was too drunk on a plane. Like any member of the Rat Pack never goosed a stewardess after a few martinis. Just recently actor/comedian Kevin Smith was ejected from a Southwest flight for being too fat to fit in the seat. Now, seems to me they’d be able to tell that just by looking at him back at the ticket counter, without having to put him through the embarrassment and humiliation of boarding and then deboarding a flight. Oh well, Kevin Smith only has 1.6 million Twitter followers who read his post, and I’m sure Southwest would have made special accommodations for him if they’d known that at the time. I don’t have as many readers. Really, it’s just you at the moment. But I do have a complaint about a recent airline experience. My daughter just completed her first flight on her
own. She’s flown with me on several occasions, but has never navigated the airport and boarded a plane all by herself. This was a big deal. And apparently to US Airways it was a big deal too. For they charge $100 extra each way for unaccompanied minor travelers. You see my daughter is 14-1/2, not the minimum age 15 yet, so they needed to charge this fee because according to the wise men of US Air her knowledge of the airport system will not yet be fully developed until September 28 (her next birthday). Since she was flying direct from Chattanooga to Charlotte, they let the fee slide on the first leg of her journey. I mean, even as she went through security and over to Gate 1 she was never more 50 feet away from me. However, coming home, they weren’t so lenient. Not only did the lady at the Charlotte ticket counter shake down my daughter and 20-year-old niece for $100 cash (they refused to take my credit card without me being there), they actually required my niece (not a US Airways representative) to escort my daughter to her gate and wait with her until her plane took off. In fact, no US Airways personnel were taken away from their normal duties for one second to assist. So what’s the $100 fee for? My niece was the only one inconvenienced by my teenage daughter’s perceived inability to find a gate using a letter and a number. They should have given the fee to my niece. But it’s their policy. And I have a policy too. My policy is to complain when I’ve been overcharged and to carefully consider previous experiences when planning future travel. And unless I get a refund, they just lost another one to Delta. Take off!
“Amtrak is all but gone. Greyhound seems to only transport axe murderers. And gas is creeping back up the price ladder.”
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. Take what you just read with a grain of salt, but pepper it in your thoughts. And be sure to check out his popular website www.thenoog.com
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
www.chattanoogapulse.com
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Music Feature
4/20 of the Future…Near Future I
’ve been getting slammed with questions, e-mails, calls, and texts about the Sweetwater 4/20 Festival this year. As most of you know, it was a two-day, 25 band, free show upon contribution of non-perishable foods for our local food bank. Last year was pretty rad, although the rain on Sunday was a bit of a downer, but 700 dedicated music lovers still attended the event throughout the day. This year, to answer all of your questions, it is going to be different. Different, in this case, is not bad. Different, in this case, is pretty amazing. So here are the details, so you guys can go ahead and get ready for it. This year, I am teaming up with JJ’s Bohemia. OK. Pause. All of you that just made some sort of guttural sound or sigh, can just hold on a second. It seems as soon as I say this, people immediately are assuming that the entire festival is inside, which would indeed be smaller than last year. But—on the contrary, we are making it bigger and better this year. We will have JJ’s Bohemia’s indoor and outdoor stages, but we are also looking into building a stage in that huge parking lot, or building a stage out in the street. To build such a stage in the middle of the street, apparently, the city would have to close down that street, so we are looking at trying to make this little shindig a bigger shindig, with both indoor and outdoor refuge. So everyone who got all huffy, go ahead and calm it back down. See? Doesn’t that feel nice? We are looking at making this thing as proactive as possible, both locally and globally. Last year, we donated more food to the food bank than I could have imagined, and according to the grumblings of the volunteers picking up all the food, more than they had imagined as well. This year, with all of the tragedy that has struck Haiti, I would like half of the proceeds to go to our local food bank and half of the proceeds to go to the American Red Cross, Haitian Relief. This way, our little event can have several different impacts, in places that we can’t physically reach.
That being said, we are also branching out into the arts, so if you are an artist and would like to set up some of your wares to sell, let me know. If you are an artist of any kind who would like to donate to our cause, please let us know. Also, we are tossing around the idea of an auction, silent or loud, either is fine. This way, we can auction off some donated goods, and have some real paper money to send to the Haitian victims or give to the food bank, for them to do with as they see fit, based on their needs. We really want this to be a big community effort.
community for a common goal. This isn’t about the scene. This isn’t about being cool. This isn’t about anything as small as that—it’s about being human and helping those that need help. AND if we can have a good time doing that…well, why wouldn’t we? I prefer helping, actually, with a beer in hand and surrounded by good music. I mean, if you would rather just have a garage sale at your house, and donate that money to your favorite charity, well, I am not one to judge you, but if you are partying for a good cause, it is so much easier to justify, isn’t it? So, there is your update, Chattanooga, as well as your open invitation to throw ideas at me; I am listening. Let’s make this thing make a difference again this year. Also, we are working diligently to keep the event free with donation of food. I will have more updates on that and the line-ups closer to the festival, so stay tuned! Other than that, one of my favorite nights is coming up at Rhythm & Brews and it’s this coming Saturday: The Annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash! Each year, a bunch of talented performers, singer/songwriters, and full bands, get together and tribute my favorite man in black. Channing Wilson is always my favorite, but each year a few new ones at least make it into the running. Oh, and remember Moustache Friday is coming up, so throw out your razors and stop being afraid of your face!
“This year, with all of the tragedy that has struck Haiti, I would like half of the proceeds to go to our local food bank and half of the proceeds to go to the American Red Cross, Haitian Relief.”
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And just like last year, we will have two days, Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18. We will have backto-back music, with several stages and locations to choose from. We will have at least 25 bands, but there is the possibility of more slots…it is still in the works. We are currently booking this event, so if you have any ideas, suggestions, or requests, go ahead and let me know. I am very open to new ideas and ways to better our contribution back to our city and our world. We want to incorporate as much music, art, and expression as we possibly can, and come together as a
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
Music Calendar Highlights Friday
Thursday
Blacktusk, Night of the Wolf, Oxxen Swamp metal meets California eclectic. $7 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia
Send your calendar events to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
The Great American Beast, Steven Deeds, Tir Asleen 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd., East Ridge. www.myspace.com/warehousetn David Dykes and the Lonely Hearts 7 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9043. www.mudpierestaurant.com The New Deal, Agobi Project 9 p.m. 412 Market Street Channing Wilson 9 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. Open Mic 9 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Telepath 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com
YachtRock with Howlin’ Oats, Eric Nelson, karaoke Help Young Monster earn a berth to SXSW. Costumes encouraged. $10 9 p.m. Discoteca, 309 Main Street,
Saturday
Georgia Crackers Learn how bluegrass sounded before you were born. $7 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org
Paul Longhorn’s 18 Piece Big Band 7:30 p.m. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111 www.lindsaystreethall.com Karaoke 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com
Tuesday The Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th Street, (423) 756-8253. www.table2restaurant.com Spoken Word/Poetry Night 8 p.m. The Riverhouse, 224
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Yung Ralph, Yung P and Money, Tricky Fanguz 9 p.m. Loose Cannon,1800A Rossville Avenue. (423) 648-0992 Those Darlins, The Rayons 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. BaaddMojo 9 p.m. Bart’s Lakeshore, 5600 Lake Resort Dr. (423) 870-0777 Husky Burnette 9 p.m. Rhapsody Café, 1201 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-3093. Keith Moody 10 p.m. Riverhouse Pub, 224 Frazier Ave. (423) 752-0066. Slim Pickens 10 p.m. T-Bones, 1419 Chestnut Ave. (423) 266-4240. Southern Culture on the Skids, The Mad Tea Party 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644.
Sunday Look What I Did, Every Word a Prophecy, Permillisecond, Curse the Day 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd., East Ridge. Oh So Cavalier, Of Famine or Chance, Tir Asleen, Dirty Sebastian and the Manitees 7:30 p.m. Club Fathom, 412 Market Street (423) 757-0019. Gerle Haggard, Reid Wilson and Friends 8 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Open Mic 9 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9043. www.mudpierestaurant.com Farewell Drifters 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rd. (423) 892-4960.
Kamuy, Madre, Ethanol 9 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 634-1074. www.myspace.com/ziggyshideaway Annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash: Nathan Farrow, Channing Wilson, Davey Smith, more 9:30 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com Ronny Lee 10 p.m. T-Bones, 1419 Chestnut Ave. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com Iron Mike and the Delta Rockers 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com Computer and Friends Dance Party 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.
The Rest of The Week Monday
Feed the Lions, In This Hour, Amity, Thaddeus 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd., East Ridge. Matt Turnure Trio 7:30 p.m. The Original Blue Orleans Restaurant, 3208 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 629-6538. Fallacy, Rise with Honor, November Sky, Awaken the Dawn, Failing the Fairest, Cellpan 7:30 p.m. Club Fathom, 412 Market Street (423) 757-0019. Sacred Conflict, Rip Rock Renegades, Random Riverside Shooting 8 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 634-1074. Miche Fambro 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rd. (423) 892-4960.
Listener, Brando, Andy Goodner Open your mind with some indie music. $8 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd., East Ridge. www.myspace.com/warehousetn
Open Mic w/Jeff Daniels 4 p.m. Ms. Debbie’s Nightlife Lounge 4762 Highway 58, (423) 485-0966. myspace.com/debbieslounge Irish Sessions Music 6:30 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com Rick Rushing and the Blues Strangers 6:30 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9043. www.mudpierestaurant.com Open Mic 8 p.m. Gene’s Bar & Grill, 724 Ashland Terrace, (423) 870-0880. DJ GOP The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com
Editor’s Pick: Featured Event Of The Week Frazier Ave., (423) 752-0066. www.myspace.com/ theriverhousechattanooga Open Mic 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com DJ ScubaSteve Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, 2040 Hamilton Place Blvd., #150. (423) 490-1200. DJ GOP The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com
Wednesday Ben Friberg Jazz Trio 6:30 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market Street, (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com
Grand Theft Madicart 9:30 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com Hellzapoppin Sideshow 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Live Music 10 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Got a gig coming up that you want to tell the world about? All you need to do to get the word out for free is to e-mail the particulars to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse. com at least ten days before the event.
The New Deal, The Agobi Project, New Planet Hailing from Canada, The New Deal stops into 412 Market to let us experience their “beautiful accident” of live jam and contemporary flow (and they’re kinda hot). Described as unique, unforgettable and completely original, this trio has graced the stages of stellar events such as Langarado and Bonnaroo. The Agobi Project returns and the local New Planet will launch you into space! Show is 18 and up. Thursday, February 25 $15, 9 p.m. 412 Market, 412 Market St. (423) 757-0019.
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
New Music Reviews Miles Davis Isle of Wight (Columbia)
“With Sly Stone as a model, Miles Davis wanted to be a badass rock star in 1970. For all practical purposes, he was, and this CD has proof.” Various Artists Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox (Merge) Beloved songwriter and musician Chris Knox, unquestionably one of the most important figures of the indie scene in New Zealand, suffered a stroke last June, leaving him unable to speak normally and temporarily immobile. There was an outpouring of support and tributes—even Eddie Vedder sang one of Knox’s songs at a Pearl Jam show in New Zealand—and the most organized and abounding tribute yet comes as a double-album entitled Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox, with all proceeds going towards Knox’s recovery. Stroke may seem like an oddly stark title, but it’s in line with Knox’s willingness to tackle demons in song; here’s a man who is epileptic and names one of his albums Seizure. Few musicians can credibly cover the range that Knox covers,
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Getting rock-and-pop-centered listeners into jazz requires some kind of gateway. Some will respond to Duke Ellington’s big bands, Charlie Parker’s bebop, or vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday. Starting with a tried-and-true classic album isn’t a bad idea, such as John Coltrane’s Giant Steps or trumpeter Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue. But, to reach rock listeners who are particularly attracted to its visceral, charged aspects, it might be fun to take an aural sledgehammer to them, with the jaw-dropping, intense music of Davis’s electric period. After his adventurous second quintet in the mid-’60s, Davis shifted to an even more daring fusion style; acoustic instruments were replaced with electric ones, such as the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the electric guitar. His landmark 1970 album Bitches Brew alienated jazz purists, but for each jazz fan he lost, he probably gained a couple in the rock realm. The long overdue CD at hand documents the August 1970 set Davis played at the Isle of Wight Festival, which concentrated on folk and rock acts, like Jimi Hendrix, the Who, and Joan Baez; gauging from the receptive response from the 600,000-plus audience, people didn’t blink an eye at Davis’s appearance. The official name of the 36-minute long piece is “Call It Anything” (Davis’s response when asked what it was called); however,
based on some recognizable motifs, the set may be divided up into six pieces, reprising themes from recent albums. The opener, “Directions,” dives right in with a tight, funk groove from drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Dave Holland, and percussionist Airto Moreira, and it packs a wallop in seven minutes, with piercing staccato notes from Davis; it becomes increasingly busy and ends with some blistering, downright sick keyboard sounds from Chick Corea. Keith Jarrett on electric piano and saxophonist Gary Bartz round out the solid lineup, and it functions like some hectic, yet ultimately cohesive juggernaut of sound. The whole set never fails to be engaging, from the slow-burn vamp of “Bitches Brew” to the spark-spitting “It’s About That Time.” The sound quality is excellent, and after doing an A-B comparison with the 2004 DVD Miles Electric: A Different Kind of Blue (which features the same set in entirety), I conclude that both use the same source recording. Unfortunately, the only way a person can purchase this CD at this time is as part of the recently released, massive 71-disc The Complete Columbia Album Collection. With Sly Stone as a model, Miles Davis wanted to be a badass rock star in 1970. For all practical purposes, he was, and this CD has proof. — Ernie Paik
going from incredibly affecting songs to lighthearted ones to the more grotesque numbers with biological fixations, and he’s known as a must-see live performer, able to be simultaneously charming and goofy. The covers on Stroke are arranged chronologically, beginning with tracks originally by his punk-inflected, late’70s band Toy Love before moving to songs by his duo Tall Dwarfs, his solo material, and his most recent outfit the Nothing. Knox’s music often has certain recognizable elements, such as the frequent use of weird rhythm loops, his fuzz rhythm guitar sound, or his Omnichord (an electronic autoharp), and most of his music was taped using home recording equipment. The artists on Stroke for the most part don’t try to emulate Knox’s sonic styles, which keeps things interesting. As expected, his fellow kiwis come out to play, including his Tall Dwarfs partner Alec Bathgate and the Neil Finn (of Crowded House and Split Enz) family band the Pyjama Party capturing Knox at his catchiest on “It’s Love”; Flying Nun label mates such as the Chills, the Bats, both David and Hamish Kilgour (from the Clean), and the Verlaines are all present in fine form and
impart their own methods over Knox’s songs. The North American contingent is also strong, with artists such as Yo La Tengo and Lambchop dealing out their acoustic serenity, and AC Newman and the late Jay Reatard provide concise, 2-minute contributions with sharpened hooks. Perhaps the most anticipated contribution on Stroke is the one from Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum, and his acoustic-guitar-and-voice take on the Tall Dwarfs track “Sign the Dotted Line” is pretty straightforward yet certainly welcome. Most artists play it safe on Stroke, with a few exceptions, like Pumice’s ultra-low-fidelity static/fuzz piece “Grand Mal” and the wonderfully overloaded, off-kilter synthetics of “Beauty” by Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields, actually recorded in 1988. Knox himself even appears on the final two tracks of the compilation, providing mostly wordless singing that shows that his musical abilities are still intact. Stroke is a celebration born of misfortune, highlighting the durability and distinctiveness of Knox’s songwriting and returning the favor of his inspiration with a deluge of love not given lightly. — Ernie Paik
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Film Feature
The Divine Mirren Takes on Tolstoy
By Janis Hashe
“This is familiar territory to anyone who has read or seen Chekhov—but Mirren’s Sofya is over the top in a way that even The Seagull’s Arkadina can’t match.”
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H
elen Mirren is a goddess.
Not only is she one of the finest actors working today, with a breathtaking range and impeccable technique, but she’s also an icon to those of us who are convinced you can be over 30 and far from ready for the nursing home. That Dame has still got it—in spades. Mirren is receiving much acclaim for her role as Leo Tolstoy’s wife in The Last Station, including being nominated for a “best actress” Oscar and winning the Screen Actors Guild award for the same part. The film plays the Majestic beginning Friday, February 26 for a week as part of the ongoing Arts & Education Council’s Independent Film Series. And this role is one Mirren was literally born to play—her real name is Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov, and she is the daughter of a Russian immigrant to the UK. The British paper The Daily Express quoted her as saying, “I’d just very
The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
recently gone through an amazing experience going back to Russia. With the help of a journalist in Russia, I discovered my family’s estates in Russia. My sister and I also visited my grandmother’s gravesite. I had visited that cemetery a couple of years before, but I had no idea where her grave was, so I just wandered around, incredibly moved just to be where she was buried. And then the journalist found the grave. “The most amazing thing is having just experienced all that, walking on the set and finding myself looking like and walking into one of my family photographs, with all the extras dressed exactly the way the people are dressed in my grandfather’s photographs, myself dressed as my great-aunts were dressed in my grandfather’s photographs. That I found very, very moving.” The Last Station is the story of the last years of Tolstoy’s life. With the great novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina behind him, the aging Tolstoy, born a count, became more and more engaged by his spiritual journey. He was influenced primarily by the Sermon on the Mount, but also by his readings of Schopenhauer and the philosopher’s description of Eastern beliefs, including that “the nothingness that results from complete denial of self is only a relative nothingness, and is not to be feared.” Increasingly, he began to feel the need to renounce his aristocratic background and will the copyrights of his work to the Russian people. But his wife, Countess Sofya Andreyevna Tolstoy (Mirren), has no intention of taking a vow of poverty, and she wages war on the army of
“Tolstoyans” surrounding her husband, including her own sour-faced daughter. In many ways, this is familiar territory to anyone who has read or seen Chekhov—the fading world of the aristocracy, their tenacious battle to retain a way of life that has already slipped away—but Mirren’s Sofya is over the top in a way that even The Seagull’s Arkadina can’t match. As Ty Burr write in the Boston Globe: “What Helen Mirren does in ‘The Last Station’ can’t really be called overacting. It’s something bigger: emotional action painting, maybe, or symphonic installation art. If you’re uncomfortable with the grand gesture, her performance may make you look away in embarrassment, the way you do from a drunk at a party. Too much. Too, too much.” But as he goes on to say, the performance fits the grand emotions of the time and place: “…it’s Mirren who drives you nuts and breaks your heart, playing an aggravating, volcanic woman who slowly comes to understand it’s no longer about her, if indeed it ever was. When we arrive at the last station of the title, the movie slows down and breaks out the handkerchiefs; the exuberance of the early scenes vanishes in a haze of national mourning. The last one to concede to the inevitable is the countess, kicking and screaming almost to the end. History may not need such women, but actresses and audiences surely do.” And we need actresses of the stature of Helen Mirren, who are not afraid of the big and who refuse to be pigeonholed as anything other than “artist.”
The Last Station Directed by Michael Hoffman Starring Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti Rated R Running time: 112 minutes
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
New in Theaters
Also in Theaters
Cop Out
The Crazies (New) A picture-perfect American town is infected with a mysterious toxin that transforms the population into bloodthirsty killers. Shutter Island Leonardo DiCaprio is a U.S. marshall investigating a murderer’s mysterious disappearance from a hospital for the criminally insane. The Good Guy An ambitious young New Yorker wants it all: a good job, good friends and— often the trickiest of all—a good guy. The Ghost Writer A writer agrees to complete the memoirs of the former prime minister, only to uncover some dark, dangerous secrets. Celine: Through the Eyes of the World Celine Dion travels to five continents and 25 countries, putting on showstopping performances of some of her biggest hits. The Wolfman Benicio Del Toro stars in the terrifying tale of an
There’s been a theory in Hollywood for years on how to judge a Bruce Willis movie merely by looking at his head. If he’s going with the natural bald look, chances are it’ll be a good movie. If he’s using a hairpiece (or several), it’s best to pick another movie at the metroplex. Leave it to director Kevin Smith to bust that theory by throwing a clean-headed Willis into a tepid, by-the-numbers, opposites-detract buddy-cop film with a highly appropriate title, Cop Out. For Smith, a director with some of independent filmdom’s most provocative films in his oeuvre (see: Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma), this film is indeed a cop out on several levels. That’s not to say it’s a bad movie, per se. The acting is what you expect, the direction is smooth and professional, and the humor is, well…mostly humorous, at least for the level of humor one would expect from this type of film. The biggest problem is that you expect more from these three. Willis has been coasting for years and needs a juicy dramatic role to get his mojo back; Morgan is a gifted young comedian who seems unsure of his talent or what type of film career he really wants; Smith needs to get out of the big studio system as soon as humanly possible and go
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back to making his type of movie, not Hollywood’s type of movie. Sad to say, chances are the film will be financially one of the biggest successes of Smith’s career, which means it’s highly likely he’ll keep making these types of films until he either gets tired of them or realizes he’s wasted his own talent on formula bubble gum. Starring: Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan Director: Kevin Smith Rating: R
ancient, evil curse that turns the afflicted into werewolves when the moon is full. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief The Greek god Poseidon’s half-human son embarks on a fantastical quest to unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves. Dear John A soldier home on leave falls for a conservative college girl, but when he re-enlists, time and distance take a toll on the young lovers. From Paris With Love John Travolta stars as a wisecracking, fastshooting, high-ranking U.S. agent who’s sent to France to stop a terrorist attack. Edge of Darkness Mel Gibson is a veteran homicide detective who embarks on a dangerous mission to get behind the truth of his daughter’s murder. When in Rome While traveling in Rome, Kristen Bell plucks some
magic coins from a special fountain, attracting an assortment of odd suitors. The Book of Eli Denzel Washington fights his way across a postapocalyptic wasteland to protect a book that holds the key to humanity’s future. Extraordinary Measures Harrison Ford stars in the true story of a scientist who partners with a couple to develop a cure for a rare disease killing their children. Legion A group of strangers in a desert diner must defend themselves against a legion of angels sent by God to bring on the Apocalypse. The Tooth Fairy Dwayne Johnson is a pro hockey player nicknamed the Tooth Fairy, who is ordered to one week’s hard labor as the real Tooth Fairy. The Lovely Bones Peter Jackson directs the tale of Susie Salmon, a murdered girl who watches over her family—and her killer—from heaven.
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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On The Beat
By Alex Teach
Differential Diagnoses: Grayscale Dreams I
dream in black-andwhite film. I used to dream in cartoons…a two-dimensional format in primary colors in which the backdrop slid from left to right while the characters appeared to move in the foreground marching at an identical pace. Mice and rats, horses and donkeys with plow collars hanging jauntily from their necks as they marched happily about their business, cartoon flames occasionally appearing in the background while round-headed cherubic devils with tiny wings and tiny forked tails danced with tiny smiles. I don’t know why, and I don’t know when they stopped. Then I dreamt of dining with corpses, me sitting at the head of a long table of poorly lit bodies, all sitting stale in front of rotting plates of food, the only life to them being the moist, black eyes in their skulls, wet with determination and frustration, looking at me with still mouths and dead expressions. The occasional slit throat defied the common theme but even they, too, were boring asses mouthing silent breathless warnings after a few years of the same dream, over and over…even the moonlight being cast from the same direction over their shoulders. We might as well have been roommates. Recently however, the dreams had become a mix. A series of blackand-white still shots, snapshots of the deceased with their heads leaned back over the old-fashioned bench seat headrests of cars that had steel-lined window frames and no air conditioning, sprawled across alleys, lying in recliners beside real telephones with push buttons (and dials). Women in pleated skirts, men in three-piece suits, both in hats, refugees from the ’50s and ’60’s…straight off the front pages of newspapers where the blood always appeared to be black, monochromatic
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from the limitations of print and emphasized by dramatic bold headlines. There was no explanation for the change in my subconscious’s viewing pleasure. In the end, I believe I have finally seen the changing dreams for what they are: An abstract history lesson gleaned from hands-on experience, and the first-hand lessons from old paper files in restricted archival rooms, punctuated by musty smells instead of rumors and gossip from journalists and third-hand parties who heard things from people who heard things. I still knew the answers (or in most cases just the questions) and what I was supposed to do and how I was supposed to do it…but I believe the dreams were my subconscious crying out because of my own police establishment that was forgetting things. My own generation that took a lack of research and tradition as an absence of fact. They simply didn’t care, and my mind was recoiling at the lack of direction we were now taking as a profession. Police had historically been responders and preventers, but were now mostly reactors to popular opinions and panic, and the archival dreams were a reminder of a more simple and direct time. For the new generation, it seemed old mysteries were pointless and new mysteries that weren’t easily solved were a waste of time. Patrol cars had turned into chairs. The people had turned into desks, something static, and something to work around. Furniture. Those that ran the place were now too far apart from these new investigators to know these things, and therefore didn’t know the pulse of the people they served…they were strangers. And as bosses, they were allowed to continue insulating themselves even as they learned of this new apathy. I wondered if all administrations had barricaded themselves thusly? Whatever the case, I took comfort that I had stopped wondering that the images were distant signs of losing grip and slipping towards insanity over the months and years…but I
“Police had historically been responders and preventers, but were now mostly reactors to popular opinions and panic, and the archival dreams were a reminder of a more simple and direct time.” couldn’t shake knowing the feeling of the fluid of the world slipping through my fingers and around my ankles in every one of my dreams, and therefore through my heart as well. In the end though, they are cousins, aren’t they? Losing your sanity, and losing heart in something you hold dear? Ah well. Probably nonsense. Probably just random unrelated images and an internal conspiracy, one photo at a time. But I lack proof that my mind is completely wrong. Like the images, this is disturbing. Perhaps apathy isn’t so bad after all? I wish I could give it a try by just saying I didn’t care. Or perhaps I just miss the cartoons. In the end, it makes no difference. I’m off to bed now. Let’s see what happens. 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.
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
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February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Arts & Entertainment
By Michael Crumb
Organic Dynamic A
rtists Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse invite folks to view the final installation of “Place in the Woods” at Renaissance Park, facing the river. Now that the sun resumes its more regular presence over Chattanooga as spring approaches, viewers can watch a construction designed to dynamically interact with our natural light. “Place in the Woods” is part of an “Art in Public Places” grant made by the Benwood Foundation to the Hunter Museum. The popular sculpture “Arriving Home” by Dennis Oppenheim at Miller Park was also placed through this grant. Chattanoogans participated in the final selection of pieces through voting opportunities provided by the Hunter. Katrina Craven explains how this allows the Hunter to have a broader presence in the community. So far, this seems to be working well. In “Place in the Woods”, both design and material work to effect a sort of physical paradox, an enclosing structure with generous open space. The deeper question here involves our conception of space, and it’s interesting to see how a space may be altered to a purpose and yet still be connected to its natural environment; space that has been defined by natural forces. “We’re really interested to see how it changes
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over time. It will develop a patina,” explains Carol Mickett. This design uses architectural bronze and brass to frame an enclosure with a sort of rayed “roof.” These frame pieces are “extruded”; this means that they are hollow. Using extruded pieces reduces the weight of the structure. Still, the individual frame pieces weigh 85 pounds each. Robert Stackhouse remarks that this sculpture “has a broad footprint and many feet.” Carol appreciates the warmth of these metals as well as their ability to interact organically with natural elements. Carol and Robert work as artists in collaboration. Their creation of “Place in the Woods” nevertheless has required more hands to bring it to realization. Because it had to be constructed on site, contractor David Smith of DJ Smith Company has been engaged, since this sculpture is also a structure. Local artists Isaac Duncan and Rondell Crier assist with welding and other details. Consequently, this installation involves a broader collaboration of the arts community that has responded to Carol and Robert’s creative partnership. I believe this to be a wonderful expression of the Chattanooga arts community. “Place in the Woods” has been established by the river at Renaissance Park. Visitors can view the final stages of installation and appreciate its bright visuality and subtle tactile qualities. Enjoy!
“Visitors can view the final stages of installation and appreciate its bright visuality and subtle tactile qualities.”
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
A&E Calendar Highlights Friday
Thursday
Arts for Health Lecture: Dr. Ysaye Barnwell Singer with Sweet Honey In The Rock sings and teaches. $25 in advance, $35 at door. 6 p.m. Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View. (423) 495-4438. www.memorial.org/foundation
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Eye on the Prize Film Series Noon. Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-8658. AEC Independent Film Series: A Single Man 1:05, 4:05, 7:05 p.m, 9:40 p.m. Majestic 12 Theater, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370. “Textile Wall Hangings and Framed Pieces” by Martha McCallie closing reception 4 p.m. My Color Image Boutique and Art Gallery, 330 Frazier St. (423) 598-6202. “Celebrate the Arts” 5 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. “Chopin Celebration” 7:30 p.m. Roland Hayes Conert Hall, UTC, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4601.
Miss Evers’ Boys Based on the true story of the “Tuskegee Experiment”. $10 - $16 8 p.m. Ripple Theatre, 3264 Brainerd Road. (423) 242-5156. www.destinyentertainment.org
Saturday
Chopin Celebrated Joint recital of UTC and Bryan College music students. Free 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, Vine & Palmetto Streets. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music
Monday CSO Youth Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m. Brainerd Baptist Church, 300 Brookfield. (423) 267-8583. “Speak Easy” Spoken word and poetry 8 p.m. Mudpie Restaurant, 12 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9040. “Words and Images: And Evening with Israel Consul General Reda Mansour” 6 p.m. Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 N. Terrace. (423) 493-0270. Educational History Exhibit The Bethelem Center, 200 W. 38th St. (423) 619-0379. “Icebergs and Moonwalks” Cress Gallery, UTC, 752 Vine St. (423) 304-9789. All Members Exhibit Studio 2/Gallery 2, 27 W. Main St. (423) 266-2222.
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36th Annual Houston Museum Antiques Show 10 a.m. Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. (423) 267-7176. thehoustonmuseum.com/show Nancy Williams Book Signing, The Agent 21 Conspiracy 5 p.m. Rock Point Books, 401 Broad St. (423) 504-0638. www.rockpointbooks.com Music Documentary Film Series: The Fifth String 7 p.m. Mountain Music Folk School, 250 Forest Ave. (423) 827-8906. www.mmfolk.com The Deadlies 7:30 p.m. St. Andrews Center, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. Soul Cinema Film Series: This Is It 7:30 p.m. Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-8658.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Circle Stage, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Steve Hofstetter 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch & Giggles Grille, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. The Glass Menagerie 7:30 p.m. Lee University, 1120 N. Ocoee St. (423) 614-8343. Arsenic and Old Lace 7:30 p.m. Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Cir. (706) 935-9000. Lucifer 8 p.m. Sanderson Hall, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy., Lookout Mtn. (916) 642-3430. Sculpture by John McLeod Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy. Lookout Mtn., GA. (706) 419-1119.
Sunday 36th Annual Houston Museum Antiques Show 10 a.m. Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. (423) 267-7176. thehoustonmuseum.com/show “Penguin Encounters” 11 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. Mosaic Market 11 a.m. 412 Market St. (corner of 4th/Market) (423) 624-3915. Arsenic and Old Lace 1:30 p.m. Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Cir. (706) 935-9000. Lucifer 2:30 p.m. Sanderson Hall, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Hwy. (916) 642-3430. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Circle Stage, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com
Miss Evers’ Boys 2:30 p.m. Ripple Theater, 3264 Brainerd Rd. (423) 242-5156. www.destinyentertainment.org 6th Annual Black History Month Step Show 6 p.m. Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 642-TIXS. Arsenic and Old Lace 7:30 p.m. Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Cir. (706) 935-9000. Joint Piano Concert of Dr. SinHsing Tsai & Dr. Singrid Luther 7:30 p.m. Roland Hayes Conert Hall, UTC, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4601 The Deadlies 7:30 p.m. St. Andrews Center, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. Dance Theatre of Harlem 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. www.chattanoogaonstage.com
Tuesday
Wednesday
Flicks from the 60’s: Vividiana 6:30 p.m. Chattanooga-Hamilton Bicentennial Library, 1001 Broad St. (423)757-5310. “Heart Strings for Hope” 7:30 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. www.chattanoogaonstage.com 2009 UTC Feinstein Arts Scholarship Exhibition Cress Gallery, UTC, 752 Vine St. (423) 304-9789. “Themes of Identity” Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. “More than Words” River Gallery, 400 E. Second St. (423) 265-5033. “The Gifted Eye of Charles Eames” Smart Furniture Studio, 313 Manufacturer’s Rd. (423) 643-0025.
Classical Guitar Concert 1 p.m. UTC Brock Hall, 615 McCallie St. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music “Still Lifes from the Permanent Collection” Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. “Landscape: A Southern Perspective” Gallery 1401, 1401 Williams St. (423) 265-0015. “Millennial Classicism: Recent Modern Monumental Oils” by Daniel Swanger Mosaic Gallery, 412 Market St. (423) 320-6738. “Horsing Around” Artful Eye Gallery, 5646 Brainerd Rd. (423) 855-7424. Metal Sculpture by Julie Clark In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave. (423)267-9214.
The Last Station Helen Mirren is nominated for an Oscar for her role as Leo Tolstoy’s wife. Majestic Theater, 311 Broad Street. (423) 826-2370. www.carmike.com
36th Annual Houston Museum Antiques Show Noon. Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. (423) 267-7176. thehoustonmuseum.com/show The Glass Menagerie 2 p.m. Dixson Center, Lee University, 1120 N. Ocoee St. (423) 614-8343. The Deadlies 2:30 p.m. St. Andrews Center, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. Miss Evers’ Boys 4 p.m. Ripple Theater, 3264 Brainerd Rd. (423) 242-5156. www.destinyentertainment.org Pauly Shore 7, 9 p.m. The Comedy Catch & Giggles Grille, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. “Talk Portraiture” Shuptrine Fine Art Group, 2646 Broad St. 423-266-4453.
Editor’s Pick: Featured Event Of The Week
Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Interactive Performance Native Chattanoogan Fredrick Davis returns with the world-acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem in an interactive performance that will show what it takes to be a dancer. The Ensemble will also dance some of DTH’s most famous pieces. Saturday, February 27 $10 - $30 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad Street. (423) 821-2055. www.ballettennessee.org
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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The Pulse • Dining Out Spotlight
Diner Deluxe at Cherry Street Diner by Colleen Wade
“Diner.” Its actual definition is a “small, informal, usually inexpensive restaurant.” But you didn’t need me to tell you that. We all know what diners are. There have been movies about them, TV shows centered on them—heck, there’s even a whole little alternate language made up just for diners. “Lemme get an Adam and Eve on a raft—wreck ’em!” Or, for lunch: “Burn one, run it through a garden and pin a rose on it!” The whole experience is fascinating. Well, let me tell you this: Cherry Street Diner has taken the greasy spoon out of greasy spoon dining! Housed in the location of the original Krystal restaurant, Cherry Street Diner is taking diner dining to a whole new level. In November of 2009, Tony and Teresa Klein purchased the building and decided to open a diner. Both Tony and Teresa have worked in the restaurant business for many years. Tony’s vision for Cherry Street Diner, in his words: “What I wanted to do is take a place that has all the characteristics of a kind of a classic diner, but get rid of the grease and the grime and the slime and all of the pieces that make it a dirty little diner, and make it more into a classic nostalgic diner, where you have classic diner foods, but where you can come in and get something that’s not…not everything’s fried.” Several years back, when Tony first moved to this area, he made it his mission
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to check out Southern cooking. He tried country cookin’ restaurants, BBQ restaurants, and everything in between. And, man, does he have some great stories! “I think there’s a big group of people that want to eat at diners. But then they go to diners and they’re repulsed when they get there. So what I’m trying to do is give them that diner experience that they think they want with [healthier choices].” Just take a look at the menu and it’s apparent that the Kleins feel that way. Says Tony, “My goal is for people to be able to come in and get what they want. The way we’ve gone about it with the staff is if we have the ingredients to make, it we’ll make it. We’re trying to find out what the customer wants rather than ‘Here’s what we have. You should like it’.” According to Tony, about 75 percent of
the orders that come in include some form of customization. One of the unique things you’ll find at Cherry Street Diner is their meat-and-three breakfasts. Tony discovered, from all his taste testing, the Southerner’s love for the meatand-three. When he opened Cherry Street Diner, Tony decided to give us exactly what we wanted–even for breakfast! Choose from a variety of meats, including bacon, sausage links, bologna, a 6-oz. rib eye, or even a garden burger, and pick your sides. Two pancakes, anyone? How about hash browns? A muffin? You can even choose your coffee, juice or soda as a side, effectively making Cherry Street Diner’s breakfast specials all-inclusive! If breakfast is not your thing, check out their lunch menu. Hummus Salad—salad greens tossed in a light Italian dressing with hummus, feta cheese and kalamata olives for you healthy eaters. A halfpound cheeseburger, fries and a handspun milkshake for the artery cloggers like me. And there’s definitely something in-between the two extremes. Whether you’re a health nut or a greasy-spoon gourmand, you’re going to find something pretty tasty at Cherry Street Diner. Cherry Street Diner, 701 Cherry Street, downtown Chattanooga. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Closed weekends. (423) 266-4484. For menus and more: www.cherrystreetdiner.com.
Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
Spirits Within
By Joshua Hurley
Zin Go The Strings of Our Heart I
nstead of picking just one wine this week and sharing it with the readership of The Pulse, Riley’s Wine and Spirits on Hixson Pike in Hixson is going to pick a single grape varietal and explain its origins, characteristics and favored brands available at Riley’s. Riley’s Wine and Spirits offers the largest selection of wine and spirits in the tristate area with a friendly and knowledgeable staff to satisfy your adult beverage needs. This week’s pick is zinfandel—and all that it entails. The red zinfandel grape is considered California’s very own because it isn’t widely planted anywhere else in the world. It’s believed that “Zin” grapes were brought to California in the 1850s by Agoston Haraszthy. Haraszthy was an eccentric Hungarian count who came to California in the mid-1800s. Though known as the “father” of California wine, he wasn’t the first person to grow grapes specifically to make wine in the Golden State. In 1861, he traveled to Europe bringing back more than 300 different grape varieties that he later planted in Sonoma County. He also sold a large portion of the seeds to neighboring growers. Between this and the publication of his book Grape Culture,
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Wines and Wine Making, Haraszthy’s contribution to California’s wine industry cannot be overstated. He died in 1869, eaten by alligators on his plantation in Nicaragua. The best zinfandel comes from Lodi, California. Lodi, a town located between the Sierra Nevadas and the San Francisco Bay, offers the best climate to grow great zinfandel. Chilly breezes from the San Francisco
Bay cool the vineyards in the afternoon and evenings from the hot mid-day sun. By 1880, red zinfandel was widely accepted by the California wine industry and today is the state’s most extensively grown grape. For years, zinfandel’s origins were a mystery, but today it’s been accepted that it shares ancestry with Italy’s red “primotivo” grape. The zinfandel grape produces wines of many styles. Red zinfandel wine can be either light and fruity (almost like beaujolais nouveau) or hearty and robust with flavors of berries, pepper, and spice with enough tannins and complexity to stand up next to a cabernet sauvignon. White zinfandel isn’t a white wine at all. It’s pink in color (called blush or rose in wine-speak) and also made from the red zinfandel grape. Its color is created by taking out the grapes’ skins soon after pressing. This halts the transfer of color from the grapes’ dark skins. Most white zinfandels are sweet—but some are in fact dry with almost zero residual sugar. White zinfandel entered the wine market in the mid-1970s and has thrived ever since. Included in Riley’s selection of zinfandels are 7 Deadly Zins 2007 Lodi ($18.49 plus tax), Earthquake Zinfandel Lodi 2006 (15.9 percent alcohol, $30.49 plus tax), and Beringer White Zinfandel in three sizes: 1.5L $7.97, 750 ml for $5.99 or three for $16 and handy, picnic-ready 4 packs of 187ml for $6.99.
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
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Shades of Green
By Janis Hashe
Don’t Throw It Out—Make Art! E
arth Day celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and a city partnership is organizing an awareness campaign and art contest in city rec centers, leading up to Earth Day festivities in April. “The Art of Recycling” is being organized by a group of participants in the 2009-2010 Leadership Chattanooga class in partnership with the City of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture and Parks and Recreation Department. The idea is to encourage kids to participate in Earth Day activities in afterschool programs in rec centers across the city. This coincides with the Department of Arts & Culture’s recent launch of its citywide campaign for volunteers to reach out to young people during the “Most Dangerous Time of the Day—3 to 6 p.m.” “The Art of Recycling educates kids and teens about what to recycle and how to recycle it,” says Samantha Jones, project spokesperson and owner and general manager of Mellow Mushroom and Salon Haven. “We want to get young people excited about recycling so they will make it part of their everyday lives—so to jumpstart the movement, we’re launching a city-wide ‘recycled art’ contest.” The contest will ask kids and teens at each city recreation center to work together to create a collective “recycled art” project from the recyclables they collect at their centers. The Art of Recycling contest entries will be on display at Chattanooga Market on Earth Day weekend, Sunday, April 25, 2010.
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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
Recycling bins have been placed in city recreation centers to facilitate the Art of Recycling, compliments of the Electric Power Board. The contest will culminate with a free trip to the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX theatre, lunch courtesy of Mellow Mushroom, and a “recycled art” trophy created by Collier Construction for the winning recreation center and the kids and teens who participated in the project. For 25 years, Leadership Chattanooga has been educating rising community leaders—and part of the 10-month program is focused on community projects like The Art of Recycling. Other outcomes of Leadership Chattanooga group projects include TasteBuds (a local food guide produced in partnership with Crabtree Farms and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) and the award-winning Take Root campaign (an urban
tree-planting program developed in partnership with the City of Chattanooga). The Art of Recycling team includes Montrell Besley, City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department; Jim Catanzaro, Minor, Bell & Neal; Heather DeGaetano, Tennessee Aquarium; Karen Frank, Memorial Health Care System; Samantha Jones, Mellow Mushroom and Salon Haven; Todd Leamon, Hamilton County; Ketha Richardson, Electric Power Board; and Melissa Turner, City of Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture. For more information about the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and the service, action, and celebration taking place in communities and cities around the globe, visit www. earthday.net. For more information about The Art of Recycling, contact Melissa Turner at (423) 425-7826 or turner_m@mail.chattanooga.gov
“We want to get young people excited about recycling so they will make it part of their everyday lives— so to jumpstart the movement, we’re launching a city-wide ‘recycled art’ contest.”
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JONESIN’
By Matt Jones
“It's A Tough Job” –but you get totally used to it.
Free Will Astrology PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If you were going to launch a career as a rap artist any time soon, I’d suggest that maybe you use the alias “Big Try” as your stage name. If you were planning to convert to an exotic religious path and get a new spiritual name, I’d recommend something like “Bringit Harder” or “Pushit Stronger.” If you were about to join an activist group that fights for a righteous cause, and you wanted a new nickname to mark your transformation, I’d urge you to consider a tag like “Radical” or “Prime” or “Ultra.” And even if you’re not doing any of the above, I hope you’ll carry out some ritual of transition to intensify your commitment to your life’s vital dreams. ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Everything is complicated,” wrote poet Wallace Stevens. “If that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would be a bore.” I hope you will choose his wisdom to serve as your guiding light in the coming weeks. It is high time, in my astrological opinion, for you to shed any resentment you might feel for the fact that life is a crazy tangle of mystifying and interesting stories. Celebrate it, Aries! Revel in it. Fall down on your knees and give holy thanks for it. And by the way, here’s a big secret: To the extent that you do glory in the complications, the complications will enlighten you, amuse you, and enrich you. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): This is one time when you can be both the river and the bridge. In fact, I strongly suggest that you make every effort to be both the river and the bridge. I’ll leave it up to you to interpret how this metaphor applies to your life, but here’s a clue to get you started. Be a force of nature that flows vigorously along even as you also provide a refuge for those who want to be close to your energy but are not yet ready to be inside it and flow along with it.
Across 1 Convertible’s cover 7 Frowned-upon aerosol chemicals, for short 11 Controversial flavoring 14 Without a compass 15 Slave in Pearl S. Buck’s “The Good Earth” 16 iPhone program 17 Her hair hissed 18 Rapper with the hit single “How Low” 20 Anguish over a huge credit card bill? 22 Goes to the TV screen 23 Waste of fireworks 24 Bill Cosby’s late son 26 Shaq, once 28 “Gone With the Wind” plantation 31 “See ya” 32 What perverts did to dream of being more perverted? 35 Skosh 38 Gnarls Barkley singer ___-Lo 39 Conk out 40 Suffix with Power or Gator 41 Textiles elevated to a higher status? 45 “Parklife” group 46 Capital on a fjord 47 Fish, on an Italian
menu 51 They help you limber up 53 Washroom, to a Brit 55 Airport stats 56 Did a baby care activity (or this puzzle’s theme, literally) 60 Home of a chicken mascot 61 Mafioso’s code of silence 62 “The Fifth Beatle” Sutcliffe 63 Menial laborer 64 Laura of “The Squid and the Whale” 65 ___ Willy (schoolyard annoyance) 66 In ___ (at heart) 67 Venomous snakes Down 1 Flautist Jean-Pierre ___ 2 Title role for Hilary Swank 3 Suddenly lose power 4 Secured tightly 5 Brewer’s kiln 6 Kilt pattern 7 Hades rarity, it’s said 8 Chimney passage 9 Contemptible guys 10 Rickman, in the “Harry Potter” films 11 Red sauce
12 Full of life 13 Navigational tracker 19 “Why ___?” 21 Scissors users 25 “Soldier of Love” singer 27 Flavorful 29 It may list sped-up terms and conditions at the end 30 Garage sale condition 33 Take back property 34 Hatchery noise 35 Fro-yo establishment, for short 36 Earmark 37 It’s cheaper by the dozen 42 Threesome 43 “Finished!” 44 Where the diving boards are 48 “Tristram Shandy” author 49 President who won the Nobel Peace Prize 50 College application pieces 52 Take shots (at) 54 String quartet member 57 The Bee ___ 58 Inflated self-images 59 In the center of 60 Dir. opposite NNE
©2010 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 #0456.
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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Almost exactly ten years from now, you will be blessed with an eruption of personal power that’s so crafty and so practical that you will be able to visualize a solution to a problem that has stumped you for a long time. It may take you months to actually carry out that solution in its entirety, but all the while you will have the luxury of feeling perfect certainty about what must be done. And you know what the weird thing is, Gemini? Something very similar is in the works for the next few weeks: an eruption of crafty, practical power that will help you materialize the key to solving an old dilemma, hopefully followed by months of carrying out your lucid plan. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Last night I had a dream in which I was addressing a crowd of thousands of Cancerians in a large stadium. I was referring to them as dolphins rather than as crabs. “I say unto you, my fellow dolphins,” I proclaimed (I myself was born June 23), “that you have been given a sacred assignment by the great gods of time themselves. And that assignment is to master the art of Timeology.” When I awoke from the dream, I was awash with feelings of deep relaxation and ease, although I wasn’t sure why. I had never before heard that word “timeology,” so I googled it. Here’s how the Urban Dictionary defined it: “spending time doing what you want to do, not accomplishing anything major but also not wasting time.” It so happens that this prescription is well suited to our current astrological omens. I suggest that you and I be as playful as dolphins. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In an episode of the animated TV sci-fi series Futurama, we get to see inside the headquarters of Romanticorp, where “love research” is being done. One of the experiments involves robots delivering various pick-up lines to actual women. The line that works best is “My two favorite things are commitment and changing myself.” I recommend that you make that your own catchphrase, Leo—not just this week but for the foreseeable future. The entire year of 2010 will be an excellent time to deepen your commitments and transform yourself, and the weeks ahead will
By Rob Brezsny
bring unprecedented opportunities to intensify those efforts. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers,” advises a passage in the Bible, “for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” While that’s always good counsel, it’s especially apt for you in the coming days. I believe you will come into contact with people who can provide you with valuable teaching and healing, even if they’re disguised as baristas or pet shampooers or TV repairmen—and even if this will be the one and only time they will provide you with teaching and healing. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Metaphorically speaking, you have recently begun crossing the water in a dream boat that has a small leak. If you keep going, it’s possible you will reach the far side before sinking. But that’s uncertain. And even if you were able to remain afloat the entire way, the shakiness of the situation would probably fill you with anxiety. My suggestion, then, is to head back to where you started and fix the leak. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Some Scorpios bring out the worst in people. Other Scorpios draw out the best. Then there are those members of your tribe who sometimes bring out the worst in their fellow humans and other times bring out the best. Where do you fit in this spectrum? Regardless of your position up until now, I’m betting that in the coming months you’ll be moving in the direction of bringing out more of the best. And it all begins now. To get the process underway, think of five people you care about, and visualize the wonderful futures that it might be possible for them to create for themselves. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): More than a few fairy tales feature the theme of characters who accidentally find a treasure. They’re not searching for treasure, don’t feel worthy of it, and aren’t fully prepared for it. They may initially not even know what they’re looking at, and see it as preposterous or abnormal or disquieting. Who could blame them if they ran away from the treasure? In order to recognize and claim it, they might have to shed a number of their assumptions about the way the world works. And they might have to clear up a discrepancy between their unconscious longings and their conscious intentions. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Everyone alive has some kind of learning disability. I know brilliant physicists who are dumb about poetry. There are fact-loving journalists whose brains freeze when they’re invited to consider the ambiguous truths of astrology. My friend John suffers from dyslexia, while I myself am incapable of mastering the mysteries of economics. What’s your blind spot, Capricorn? What’s your own personal learning disability? Whatever it is, this would be an excellent time, astrologically speaking, to work with it. For the next few months, you will be able to call on what you need in order to diminish its power to limit you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “We cannot change anything until we accept it,” said psychologist Carl Jung. “Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.” Make that your hypothesis, Aquarius, and then conduct the following experiment. First, choose some situation you would like to transform. Next, open your heart to it with all the love and compassion you can muster. Go beyond merely tolerating it with a resigned disappointment. Work your way into a frame of mind in which you completely understand and sympathize with why it is the way it is. Imagine a scenario in which you could live your life with equanimity if the situation in question never changed. Finally, awash in this grace, meditate on how you might be able to actually help it evolve into something new. Homework: What are you doing to get ready for 2012? Read my suggestions at http:// bit.ly/2012now, then tell me your own at Truthrooster@gmail.com.
February 25, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | The Pulse
29
Ask A Mexican!
By Gustavo Arellano
Paisa R Us Dear Mexican, I am a lifelong resident of Arizona and have worked side by side with illegals for 25 years as a bloquero. In all that time, I never knew ONE of them to be an aspiring American. In fact, their loyalties remain with their home states, they listen to mariachi and cumbia, and their trucks sport lots of Mexican flag bumper stickers. Most of all, they have kept our wages below the national average—just ask any construction worker. That’s supposed to be OK? Because they work dirt cheap with no benefits? Wouldn’t opening the borders be a further reduction in quality of life for us American citizens who work beside these vatos? If I want to live in the Third World, I’ll move to Mexico. — Tucson Timmy Dear Gabacho, Y’know, that’s been the same argument used against immigrant laborers since Samuel Gompers was agitating to keep “Mongolians” from reaching our Pacific shores and railing about hordes of southeast Europeans destroying the gains that his American Federation of Labor made for the American working man. “The workers of America have felt most keenly the pernicious results of the establishment of foreign standards of work, wages and conduct in American industries and commerce,” the union pioneer wrote in a 1916 issue of the American Federationist. “Foreign standards of wages do not permit American standards of life. Foreign labor has driven American workers out of many trades, callings, and communities, and the influence of those lower standards has permeated widely”—wait a minute, how did Glenn Beck manage to sneak himself back in time? The great irony, of course, is that immigrant labor is the mostbountiful spigot in the modern-day
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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 8 | February 25, 2010
labor movement, and always has been. Simply put, Timmy: American workers need cheap labor, legal or not, to spur them into class consciousness and better their lot—or do you think Old Man Rockefeller simply allowed the eighthour work day to happen out of the goodness of his raisin heart? Oh, and your concerns about your unassimilated colleagues? Again, Gompers: “Of course the children of immigrants go to school, and after a few years they become Americanized. But how about the grown-up persons, the adults? Who makes an effort to Americanize them? The labor organization.” Instead of whining about non-assimilating illegals, maybe you should help them become Americans? If you don’t, then you have no right to chillar. Dear Mexican, Why do Mexicans seem to always have four different ATM cards and have to use each and every one of them when visiting the machine despite the fact that there are seven people backed up in line behind them? — All the Merrier Dear ATM: Just getting ready for the weekend, amigo! One fund to feed the family, otra, to wire money back to the
motherland, a couple bucks for booze, and the largest pot to use for padrino purposes at multiple weddings, baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations and quinceañera—pinche fecund Mexican loins… Dear Mexican, I tried to find an article search on the word paisano or paisa. I heard conflicting definitions from two different Mexican coworkers that the word means “homeboy” or “wetback.” I was wondering if this is the equivalent to the n-word for Latinos? —Thinking Out Loud Dear Gabacho, The n-word…you mean naco? Paisano literally means “countryman,” but has a secondary definition referring to country folk (both paisano and peasant ultimately share the same etymological madre: the Latin pagus, country or rural district). Combine the two meanings, and you have a synonym for “buddy,” as one of your coworkers accurately noted. But bigmouths long ago warped the rural sentido to turn it into paisa, slang for a wab—in other words, a paisa is a Mexican redneck, a FOB…a wab! Does it carry the same weight as n****r? No, that would be gabacho—but don’t tell gabachos that!
“American workers need cheap labor, legal or not, to spur them into class consciousness and better their lot—or do you think Old Man Rockefeller simply allowed the eight-hour work day to happen out of the goodness of his raisin heart?” Ask the Mexican at themexican@ askamexican.net, myspace.com/ocwab, facebook.com/garellano, youtube.com/ askamexicano, find him on, Twitter, or write via snail mail at: Gustavo Arellano, P.O. Box 1433, Anaheim, CA 92815.
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