The Pulse - Vol. 7, Issue 44

Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative

DAY OF THE DEAD

by Chuck Crowder • photos by Bob Edens

FREE • News, Views, Music, Film, Arts & Entertainment • November 4, 2010 • Volume 7, Issue 44 • www.chattanoogapulse.com

President Jim Brewer, II Publisher Zachary Cooper Contributing Editor Janis Hashe News Editor / Art Director Gary Poole Director of Sales Rhonda Rollins Local Sales Manager Jonathan Susman Advertising Sales Rick Leavell, Townes Webb Graphic Design Jennifer Grelier Contributing Writers Gustavo Arellano, Rob Brezsny Chuck Crowder, Joshua Hurley Phillip Johnston, Matt Jones Sandra Kurtz, Ernie Paik Mary Petruska, Alex Teach Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin Calendar Editors Bryanna Burns, Josh Lang Editorial Intern Blake Hampton, Reginald Owens Contact Info: Phone (423) 265-9494 Fax (423) 266-2335 Email Inquiries info@chattanoogapulse.com Calendar Submissions calendar@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.

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Brewer Media 1305 Carter Street Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 Letters to the editor must include name, address and daytime phone number for verification. The Pulse reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. Please keep letters within 300 words in length.

The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on culture, the arts, entertainment and local news.

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Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative

A ee TH t w x ne

NOVEMBER

12 DAWN OF THE DAY OF THE DEAD

By Chuck Crowder This week marks “Day of the Dead,” an ancient tradition that, while celebrated annually across the globe, has also found a home in the United States and Canada in recent years. In fact, some Chattanoogans are taking advantage of the occasion this Friday night with a special event called the Day of the Dead Art Exhibition.

Photography by Bob Edens • www.bobedens.com

feature stories 17 NEITHER SNOW NOR HAIL WILL STOP RAINES

By Janis Hashe When last winter’s snowstorm forced the cancellation of Missy Raines & the New Hip’s show at Barking Legs, newgrass/jazz fans were bummed.

But a happier time is at hand on Saturday as the re-scheduled show takes stage Saturday at the theater on Dodds Avenue.

27 CHATTANOOGA'S LANDMARKS

By Janis Hashe Jennifer Crutchfield’s three sons have heard tales of Chattanooga history since babyhood. The Crutchfield family name is woven through the city’s history.

32 GANGSTER HEART

By Phillip Johnston Jacques Mesrine was the last of the great French gangsters. His legendary career made him infamous in Canada in the 1960s and 70s, particularly after his escape from La Santé prison, one of the most highly secured facilities in Canada.

news & views 5 8 10 22 31 38

PULSE BEATS BEYOND THE HEADLINES SHADES OF GREEN ON THE BEAT LIFE IN THE NOOG ASK A MEXICAN

everything else 4 5 7 7 19 20 28 33 34 36 37

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CITY COUNCILSCOPE POLICE BLOTTER THE LIST NEW MUSIC REVIEWS MUSIC CALENDAR A&E CALENDAR NEW IN THEATERS SPIRITS WITHIN FREE WILL ASTROLOGY JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

Letters to the Editor Wolfe’s Own Words Thank you for letting John Wolfe have his own say, making clear he has no clue what America needs. Conserve Social Security and Medicare? They’re broke; they’re the world’s biggest bankrupt. They need change. They raise the living standards and opportunities of all Americans? I could use the 13% of my earnings that SS takes (half paid by my boss, but he could pay me if he weren’t paying SS); I could use a 13% pay raise. Conserve TVA? The biggest polluter in America. Student “loans”? How many get paid? Thanks for letting Wolfe have his say. I knew there were two better candidates than he; now I know there are three or four.

Andrew Lohr Public Prayer and Schools I do not appreciate having someone making decisions, legal counsel or not, that are certainly not holding to the majority thoughts or desires. If one student did not like the time honored prayer to God before a game then that student should have remained silent or departed from the stadium, the school, the county, the state, and finally, the country. Like it or not, God’s moral principles and His very

existence have always been acknowledged in this country since the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Insuring religious freedoms was certainly desirable to our founders but it was not atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Capitalism, Fascism, Communism, or any other “ism” that inspired the urgency for that freedom. The moral council for the majority of this nation’s leaders and citizens has always been the council of God Almighty whose truth can be found in the pages of the Holy Bible.

Charley Jason Hall Getting Older, But Still Cool In Chuck Crowder’s “Reunion” article he made comments regarding that now in his mature life, he and his high school friends are now the “cool crowd” and the then “cool crowd” of his high school days have “combovers, 3 or 4 kids, a few ex-wives” etc. He writes that the cool crowd of your high school days were cheerleaders, jocks, etc. I was, in my high school days, part of the cool crowd, as he calls them. I was a little insulted that he now thinks that crowd is off-center. I believe he mentioned in a earlier article that he is

bald or going bald, a single dad of a teenage daughter and now unemployed. Is Chuck still feeling he doesn’t fit in, because in my opinion, he fits in with the off center crowd of today now more than he might think. In high school I found we were all trying to find our personalities, abilities and discoveries, good or bad, while feeling off center, cool or not.

Teresa Johnson Antisocial Networking I just got through reading Chuck Crowder’s “Status is Everything” article and had to poke you guys at The Pulse. I should start by saying go see “The Social Network”. In it Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, has an “ah-ha” moment where at the last minute he adds “relationship status” to Facebook, all because he wants to stalk this girl who dumped him. And that’s basically what it gets down to. Facebook is an electronic way to monitor someone’s dating availability, i.e. stalking. Take a hint from your daughter’s blatant disregard of this Facebook feature. I look forward to the day when we can all get back to our real lives of true social interaction without social networks.

Kevin Hale

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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Pulse Beats

Quote Of The Week:

A rundown of the newsy, the notable, and the notorious...

“Including coaches, family and regatta viewers, we’re expecting over 13,000 people to come to this year’s regatta, having an estimated economic impact of $4.75 million on the community.”

— Bob Doak, Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau president, on this weekend’s Head Of The Hooch rowing regatta.

Still Time To Be More This Year The Chattanooga public television station will honor “local individuals and organizations dedicated to helping the community and all its citizens to reach their best potential with the 2011 WTCI Be More Awards”. The awards, which are part of a national program for PBS stations, recognize excellence in the local nonprofit community, bringing accolades to those who share WTCI’s commitment to offer everyone opportunities to “be more.”

The deadline to apply or submit names in this Friday, November 5.

Awards are given in six categories, each honoring a different aspect of making a positive difference in the lives of people within the WTCI viewing area. Application materials are available at www.BeMoreAwards.com.

Categories include: Be More…COLLABORATIVE Partnership Award, recognizing an organization that has extended its reach into the community by developing meaningful partnerships. Example includes an organization that collaborates with other organizations to recruit and diversify its volunteer base.

Be More…CREATIVE Innovation Award, recognizing an organization that displays the most imaginative and creative use of original ideas to achieve its mission. Examples include resourcefulness (i.e. limited budget) in creating a new project, program, or event, or developing a unique and inventive method to bring a particular initiative to fruition.

Be More…IMPACTFUL Local Service Award, recognizing an organization that has responded to a community need and is making a significant difference in the community as measured by specific outcomes and by par-

ticipation in its programs.

Be More…ENRICHED Educational Outreach Award, recognizing an organization that strives to educate the community through guidance, knowledge, and/or a mentorship program. Examples include a program/project aimed at improving specific aspects of community life and introducing and/or conducting community enrichment programs.

Be More…COURAGEOUS Individual Leadership Award, recognizing an individual who is a visionary leader, sometimes taking risks and facing adversity in order to make a difference in the community. Examples include someone who has founded a nonprofit, advocated tirelessly for societal change, or led an organization through difficult times.

Be More…ENGAGING People’s Choice Award, recognizing the local organization that

is most connected to the community and the people it serves. Through online voting, local citizens decide which organization they feel most exemplifies the spirit of the community.

Winners will be announced at the 2011 WTCI Be More AwardsTM ceremony at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center on March 9, 2011. WTCI-TV announced recently that Gwen Ifill will speak at the ceremony. Ifill is managing editor and moderator for Washington Week, and senior correspondent for the PBS Newshour. Ifill has covered six presidential campaigns and moderated two vice presidential debates—in 2004 the debate between Republican Dick Cheney and Democrat John Edwards and in 2008 the debate between Democratic Senator Joe Biden and Republican Governor Sarah Palin.

Forgotten Child Fund Moves to New Location The Forgotten Child Fund is gearing up for Christmas again and will be taking applications at a new location. This year, the toy store is located at 1715 E. Main Street, across the street from King’s Smokehouse.

This charitable organization provides toys for hundreds of needy families throughout the area who are unable to buy Christmas presents for their children. It is best known for the Santa Train, which involves a long parade of emergency vehicles delivering presents on Christmas Eve. Captain Kelly Simmons, president of the Forgotten Child Fund, said applications are being accepted today through December 12. The toy store and application center will be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Forgotten Child Fund is operated and supported by volunteers with many emergency response agencies, including: Chattanooga Fire Department, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue, Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Emergency Services, Hamilton County Sheriff ’s Department, Red Bank Fire Department, Signal Mountain Fire Department and several volunteer fire departments.

Here is one of the more interesting agenda items set to be discussed at the Tuesday, November 9 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.

7. Resolutions: a) A resolution authorizing the Administrator of the Department of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Chattanooga Golf and Country Club for improvements to the Sterling Avenue Storm Drainage System in an amount not to exceed $750,000.00.

This resolution has been deferred twice before, on September 28 and again on October 19. The reason is that several councilmembers had concerns over the city spending public money to repair drains that run alongside and underneath privately owned property. The city has an inconsistent record on these types of repairs, and a number of citizens were upset over the fact that a county club was getting what appeared to be a free ride.

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 agenda and minutes from past meetings, visit www.

Chattanooga.gov/City_Council/110_Agenda.asp

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A weekly roundup of the newsworthy, notable and often head-scratching stories gleaned from police reports from the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dalton Police Department.

• It’s been said that the only difference between an idiot and a fool is that even a fool knows when not to get behind the wheel. Such was apparently the case in Fort Oglethorpe after the driver of a white van had a rather destructive adventure.

Witnesses say he drove through a chainlink fence and then ran into several businesses—one of them a DUI driving school. While trying to extricate himself from the vehicular mayhem, the driver also caused damage to the nearby intersection, then making a getaway before police could arrive. Officials did recover the van near the Walker County line, but the driver ran away on foot in a nearby wooded area, where hopefully he wasn’t able to hit anything other than trees.

• Most people get over the urge to make prank calls once they get out of elementary school, especially if they are related to a high-ranking law enforcement official. And while the Police Blotter generally doesn’t print names of the accused, when the suspect is the son of Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers, it’s expected that everyone would know whom we were talking about anyway. Jeremy

Summers, 28, is facing a number of charges related to a prank call he made over the weekend to 911, claiming to have witnessed a shooting at a West 5th Street market. When authorities found no such signs of a shooting, they tracked Summers down and he admitted he had made the call. He is now facing a number of charges including public intoxication, abuse of the 911 systems, criminal impersonation, and commission of acts of terrorism.

well as unlawful possession of firearms, then transported to the Hamilton County Jail, where he was booked on these charges and is currently under a $46,000 bond.

• It used to be that people stayed at motels and inns when they were traveling and didn’t want to pay the higher prices for a hotel or upscale lodging. Nowadays, at least from reading police reports every week, it seems that motels and inns have became far too popular for drug dealers. A month-long joint investigation involving the Hamilton County Sheriff ’s Office Narcotics Division and Lookout Mountain Judicial Task Force ended this past week with the arrest of a 56-year-old Ringgold resident who was staying an Airpark Road motel. Found during the search was methamphetamine (ICE), marijuana, prescription pills, several weapons and a large sum of cash. He was charged with felony possession of the various drugs as

• And now we all know where meth labs go to die…or at least where the “meth lab graveyard” is located. A narcotics investigation initiated in Sequatchie County by the Sequatchie County Sheriff ’s Office became a joint investigation involving the Hamilton County Sheriff ’s Office Narcotics Division and resulted in information regarding locations where several meth labs could be found. Officers searched a section of West Ridge Trail Road and uncovered 27 “shake and bake” meth labs that had been discarded.

Charges are pending, as the investigation is still in the early stages and will continue by both Hamilton County Sheriff ’s Office Narcotics Division and Sequatchie County Sheriff ’s Office.

The List Best-Selling Hot Sauces 1. Matouk’s West Indian Hot Sauce 2. Matouk’s Calypso Sauce 3. Scorned Woman Hot Sauce 4. Matouk’s Hot Pepper Sauce 5. Busha Browne’s Pukka Hot Pepper Sauce 6. Matouk’s Flambeau Sauce 7. Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce 8. Zing (Capsicana Zing) Gourmet Sauce 9. Walkerswood Jonkanoo Pepper Sauce 10. Dave’s Ultimate Insanity Sauce Americans have had a longtime love affair with hot sauces, using them in everything from chili and Tex-Mex cooking to dousing pizza, scrambled eggs, and even popcorn with their favorite mouth-melting concoctions.

If you are one those cast-iron stomach types, any of the above will be sure to send your tastebuds into orbit…though we hope you have a handy supply of heartburn medicine nearby.

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Beyond The Headlines

By Mary Petruska

Tribute to a King of Trees T

his was our first up-close-and-personal encounter with tornado winds.

Every time there was a tornado warning, Bob would say to me, “This house is over 100 years old.”

And, I’d think, “It only takes one.”

But...I had to admit that living where we do, that was a seriously good track record...

I had been up earlier that night. I couldn’t sleep; I was restless and hot. I sat on the porch at 3 a.m. comfortably—at the end of October—and thought, “Something is not right.”

I read until I got sleepy again and went back to bed.

At around 5 a.m. all hell broke loose. It was LOUD and BRIGHT and INTENSE. I jumped up to close all the windows I’d opened. Bob was already up—he couldn’t sleep either.

The house shook from the winds, and then we heard things falling off shelves in the back room and rushed to close the door. The sound of the wind was so loud, it sounded like the train was rolling over the house—and then it stopped.

We went back to bed.

It wasn’t until the morning when I went out to pick up all the downed tree limbs I could see from the windows that I realized that the cedar had fallen. On the house. Bob was about to call our friend Tanya about wood for the winter when he saw from the back room that the cedar was on it.

One back room has 20 window panes. Not one broke.The other back room has a window with 12 window panes. ONE broke.

Lucky is too light a word. “Thank you” comes to mind.

I loved that tree. When we first got here, there was a rotted-out old tire hanging from a limb that really bothered Bob. He cut the tire off but the rope bugged him. He just wanted it gone. Our friend Dorah, visiting from Birmingham, climbed up and out on the limb and made it gone.

Then, after another storm, Chester, our landlord, decided that whole limb should be gone, because it was scraping the roof (and it was) and so it was gone. But the tree was still mighty and probably 50-60 feet high. It was SO regal.

“I can’t find a picture of it as ‘king’, other than in my mind. You are gonna have to trust me. It was a king.”

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It died last night—snapped like a twig.

I can’t find a picture of it as “king”, other than in my mind.

You are gonna have to trust me. It was a king.

The valley lost a lot of trees last night. But this one was personal—that’s what it always comes down to.

I loved this tree and it’s gone. But it will keep us warm this winter.

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Shades of Green

By Sandra Kurtz

A Costa Rican Eco-Lesson A

“What if we decided to protect one quarter of our land for biodiversity?

People here are actually thinking about this in terms of regional sustainability.”

Sandra Kurtz is an environmental education consultant, a former classroom teacher and a founder of Tennessee Environmental Education Association.

Presently she is executive co-director with the Urban Century Institute, a local nonprofit organization promoting sustainability and sustainable thinking.

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ll my life, I’ve heard people exclaim about the wonders of the Smoky Mountains, a Tennessee icon.

Over the years I have spent many days there, enjoying fast-running streams, gorgeous vistas, rhododendron, hemlock-strewn trails, and the occasional sighting of a black bear headed for human picnic fare.

As a beginning environmental educator, I heard many times that the Smokies constituted the most biodiverse place in the world, second only to China. I have always believed it, given trees at high elevations typical of glacial areas, or the many species of fish, tree frogs and salamanders plus wildflowers in isolated niches found nowhere else.

Then I visited Costa Rica, with five percent of the world’s terrestrial species and twice as many bird species as North America! I’ve been snookered. Costa Rica is home to a dizzying number of animals and plants. The country claims 875 bird species, 205 mammal species (many bats), 160 amphibian species, 215 reptiles, 10,000 plant species, and 360,000 insect species. Wow! Not only does Costa Rica have more biodiversity, but “Ticos”, as inhabitants call themselves, vigorously work to save it—if only for the ecotourism dollars it brings. In this country (the size of Maryland, with 4 million people), they have protected one quarter of their land, putting 12 percent in a national park system. Since 1995, the country’s goal is to consolidate and guarantee the conservation of the protected areas and the national biodiversity and to manage their sustainable

The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

use. Ticos also work to keep watersheds intact.

Costa Rican biodiversity is a result of many varied ecosystems: lush rain cloud forests, highland plains, jungles, and coastal areas with volcanoes thrown in.

One finds a variety of small niches and habitats within each ecosystem, plus plenty of rain, varied wind patterns, and occasional volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, Why is biodiversity worth saving? There are several answers to that question. Some say communities and species should be saved simply because they exist. Environmental economists point to free ecosystem services provided such as air and water purification, climate regulation, generation of moisture and oxygen, soil fertility maintenance, and waste absorption. Some resonate to Nicholas Tackacs’ utilitarian answer that the natural environment “harbours chemicals, fibers, flesh, resins, enzymes, genes and whatnot that we can manipulate, extract, breed, purify and prime into products that will cure our diseases, feed our hungry and line our pockets.”

Clearly, Costa Ricans have seen the economic benefit. Here in Tennessee, tourism is a growth industry, but still we seem ready to sacrifice biodiversity too easily. Is another big box store as valuable as a healthy wetland with its flora and fauna plus free flood buffering and water-cleaning services? What “price” do we

set on a child’s eagle sighting, the discovery of a salamander, or setting up a hideout in the woods?

Our metropolitan statistical area measures 1,337,984 acres. What if we decided to protect one quarter of the land (334,496 acres) for biodiversity? People here are actually thinking about this in terms of regional sustainability.

We may not be as biodiverse as Costa Rica— but that’s all the more reason to protect our endemic, threatened Tennessee treasures.

Rachel Carson asks, “Can any civilization wage relentless war on life without destroying itself and without losing the right to be called civilized?” When we lose enough biodiversity, humans will be less sustainable. Our quality of life will be poorer.

A commitment to preserve biodiversity here at home is worth considering as we partake of Mother Earth’s bounty during Thanksgiving dinner. After all, where would we humans be without life-supporting nature power?

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Cover Story

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Cover Story

Dawn of the Day of the Dead Story by Chuck Crowder • Photography by Bob Edens

N

in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) and includes festivals, parades, and generally a lot of partying.

Traditional observances include building private altars at the gravesites of loved ones with sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, photos and other memorabilia to honor their souls. Families even prepare the favorite foods and beverages of the departed to enjoy while spending a time of reflection that can sometimes take a humorous tack as stories and anecdotes about the deceased are retold right there where their bodies are laid to rest.

Afterwards, street parties and parades feature revelers wearing shells and bells on their clothing so that when they dance the noise will bring the dead back

ow that Halloween is over, it’s time to actually celebrate the dead rather than dressing up like mummies or slutty nurses and asking for candy. This week marks “Day of the Dead,” an ancient tradition that, while celebrated annually across the globe, has also found a home in the United States and Canada in recent years. In fact, some Chattanoogans are taking advantage of the occasion this Friday night with a special event called the Day of the Dead Art Exhibition.

Dating back thousands of years to an Aztec festival dedicated to a to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl, the modern-day Day of the Dead holiday is celebrated primarily

by Spanish cultures in Mexico, Spain and South America and focuses on gatherings of family and friends “JJ’s Bohemia will feature three who pray for and live bands to musically add to the remember those Day’s mood. Jucifer, Oxxen and loved ones whose days are done.

Scum of the Earth are all playing Day of the Dead together on a bill that is sure to normally occurs revive even the faintest of souls.” on November 2

to “life”—so to speak. Some even take things a step further by dressing up as the deceased or wearing masks honoring the dead, while carrying urns in which others can place slips of paper with prayers on them to be burned.

In the U.S., Day of the Dead festivities used to be celebrated by primarily Mexican Americans in Southwestern states such as Texas and Arizona, but now locations as diverse as San Francisco, Boston, and even Missoula, Montana have joined in the tradition. More recently, this party-centric festival has also become a hip way to honor those famous dearly departed who’ve inspired us.

West Coasters in Los Angeles, for example made Day of the Dead yet another occasion to hoist a couple of

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Cover Story “We want to bring the entire local artist community together to celebrate our own Day of the Dead in an effort to not only have a good time, but also dispel the myths surrounding some alternative forms of art.” cold ones at the graves of such celebrities as Jayne Mansfield and Johnny Ramone, both buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in—Hollywood.

Back here in Chattanooga, Triple 7 Studio and JJ’s Bohemia have teamed up to offer a unique take on traditional Day of the Dead festivities as a way of celebrating not only the dead, but living local artists as well.

The first of what will hopefully turn into an annual Day of the Dead Art Exhibition takes place this Friday night at both establishments, located next door to each other across from the Bessie Smith Hall on E. MLK Boulevard.

“We want to bring the entire local artist community together to celebrate our own Day of the Dead in an effort to not only have a good time, but also dispel the myths surrounding some alternative forms of art,” said Jennifer Edge of Triple 7 Studio. “Tattooing is just one of the mediums that isn’t always referred to in positive terms, but the tattoo artists we’re featuring are some of the best fine artists in town.”

Chattanooga’s Day of the Dead event features pencil sketches, paintings and three-dimensional art by local artists— most of which just happen to also be tattoo artists—exhibiting works that represent their own interpretations of the tradition’s iconic paraphernalia, including religious figures, alters, sugar skulls and even the handmade toys left at the graves of dead children called “little angels.” In addition, “living art” or art that is painted and/or tattooed on willing souls will be on display.

“Our ‘live canvases’ will be still or moving between the two venues throughout the night,” said Edge. “We’ll also be serving traditional Mexican dishes as a further homage to the Day of the Dead’s roots.”

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Next door, JJ’s Bohemia will feature three live bands to musically add to the Day’s mood. Jucifer, Oxxen and Scum of the Earth are all playing together on a bill that is sure to revive even the faintest of souls.

“Jucifer is a nationally touring band from Athens, Georgia that is considered ‘sludge metal’, which is sort of a combination of heavy metal and hardcore punk,” said John Shoemaker, co-owner of JJ’s Bohemia. “They’re a two-piece band of husband and wife team Gazelle Amber Valentine on guitar and vocals and Edgar Livengood on drums. I’m really excited to have this incredible band play the JJ’s stage as part of the event.”

While the place is sure to be hoppin’ with heavy rock, masked, costumed and/ or painted peeps and general debauchery for the sake of those whose partying days are long since departed, one of the main purposes of Chattanooga’s Day of the Dead event is to correct some of the misconceptions associated with the very people enjoying this cool time.

Despite popular perception, tattoo “parlors” aren’t necessarily seedy places where bikers, sailors, thugs and freaks hang out to get another dancing hula girl or skull and crossbones permanently adhered to a muscular arm ready to punch or at least intimidate the next 90-pound weakling that dares to enter.

On the other hand, these so-called houses of ill repute aren’t necessarily in existence to wrap meaningless tribal bands around the arms of muscle-bound dudes or bang out tramp stamps on the lower backs of promiscuous young ladies either. They have in fact become true “studios” where intricate, beautiful works of art have the power to turn a portion of one’s physique into a canvas for customized paintings, the subject matter of which can be very meaningful

Cover Story for the life-long curator who chooses to display them on the museum of their body.

“Our goal is to dispel the misguided, sometimes archaic perceptions of tattoo studios and promote the true art aspects of tattooing as a beautiful way to express yourself and the things you love,” said Edge. “Our customers these days come in and want us to create a living tribute to people and things in their lives that have made them who they are today. It’s a very personal and important decision for the wearer and that’s why many tattooists are fine artists who have decided that this is the perfect medium to present their works.”

There are in fact dozens of tattoo studios in the region, four of which are located in downtown Chattanooga alone. In addition to changing perceptions with a party sure to wake the dead, The Day of the Dead Art Exhibition also hopes to join together the art community in a concerted effort to unify and move forward for the sake of the living.

“Tattoo studios have always operated as independent entities that haven’t really joined together in the past to change the perception of this type of art,” said Brent Humphreys, owner of Triple 7 Studio and organizer of Chattanooga’s Day of the Dead event. “I want us to all to come together through events like this to finally give tattooing the recognition it truly deserves.”

So if you’re a fan of the tradition or just want to see what all the hubbub is about, join the lively souls getting down at Triple 7 Studio and JJ’s Bohemia for Day of the Dead, this Friday night from 8 p.m. until midnight—and beyond!

Local artists exhibiting include: Josh Griswald Danny Siviter Skip Cisto Emily Effler-Bond Jack Pendergrass Bob Edens Shaun Emory Brent Humphreys Jennifer Edge Vernie Music at JJ’s Bohemia features: Jucifier Oxxen Scum of the Earth Triple 7 Studio & JJ’s Bohemia, MLK Boulevard across from Bessie Smith Hall Friday, November 5 8 p.m. - Midnight No cover at Triple 7.

Small cover charge at JJ’s.

Info: (423) 266-1400

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Music Feature

By Janis Hashe

Neither Snow Nor Hail Will Stop Missy Raines W

hen last winter’s snowstorm forced the cancellation of Missy Raines & the New Hip’s show at Barking Legs, newgrass/jazz fans were bummed.

But a happier time is at hand on Saturday as the re-scheduled show takes stage Saturday at the theater on Dodds Avenue.

Raines and her band aren’t easily squeezed into one musical designation.

The GoodTimes Santa Cruz alt-weekly put it this way, “As the story goes, Bill Monroe, Joe Jackson and Ray Brown, three prominent players in the idioms of bluegrass, pop and jazz, respectively, had a spontaneous jam session in Raines’ subconscious one fateful night, and when the string bassist awoke, she knew just how to weave these three forms into one genuinely new, streamlined genre.”

Raines herself describes how she uses her own roots on her blog: “Then came the songs—This Morning at Nine, Two Little Boys, Down Where the Still Waters Flow, Amelia Earhart…the songs I grew up listening to, the songs by which all standards were measured. Yes, a little background history here might be in order. You see, my Mom (and Dad) were huge Country Gentlemen fans. In fact, there were times when I thought the Holy Trinity was John Duffey, Charlie Waller and Eddie Adcock…

OK, so not really, but you get what I’m saying. Their music was constantly on the stereo and life stopped when they sang…Just getting to hear these tunes again and play on these cuts was a sweet trip down memory lane.”

Raines has won seven International Bluegrass Music Association Awards for

her string bass playing, but continues to riff on the genre with the New Hip, whose name plays homage to Miles Davis’s Birth of the Cool. Band members include Michael Witcher (dobro and vocals), Ethan Ballinger (mandolin), and Dillon Hodges (guitar). The newest CD, Inside Out, is called “truly a dream come true for…Raines who has been envisioning it for the past decade. The album, which fuses bluegrass virtuosity with jazz-tinged grooves and a song-driven sensibility, is a true collaboration between Raines and her band.”

On Saturday, Raines and the New Hip will have an old friend opening the show: Ed Snodderly.

When Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled its new building in 2001, Snodderly was permanently honored by having his song lyrics literally inscribed into the wall. Born in East Tennessee, Ed’s love of music and his ability to inspire

“Raines has won seven International Bluegrass Music Association Awards for her string bass playing, but continues to riff on the genre with the New Hip.”

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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

others began with his own grandfather, who was an old-time fiddler. Together with Ed’s father on guitar and his uncles playing fiddle, piano and banjo, the family band played for the same square dances in the 1930s that the then-young Roy Acuff played on alternate weekends.

In 1976, Snodderly and a friend decided that East Tennessee needed a quality listening venue, and The Down Home Pickin’ Parlor in Johnson City was born, and continues to present the finest in Southern and national artists.

In the ’90s, Snodderly formed a duo with Eugene Wolf known as “The Brother Boys,” who made three now-classic recordings on Sugar Hill. As a side career, Snodderly is an actor, with his most famous appearance coming in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? as the fiddling “Village Idiot.”

Once again, the place to be on Saturday night is Barking Legs—and this time, we can be pretty sure it the show won’t be snowed out.

Missy Raines & the New Hip with Ed Snodderly $10.50 advance/$12 door 8 p.m., Saturday, November 6 Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347, www.barkinglegs.org

www.chattanoogapulse.com | November 4, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | The Pulse

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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

New Music Reviews

By Ernie Paik

Elizabeth Mitchell

Taxicab Racers

Sunny Day

Hunter/Beggar

(Smithsonian Folkways)

(myspace.com/taxicabracers)

A study was done on teddy bears (Google is failing me for a source, but trust me on this one) and their appeal to both young children and adults, and it was discovered that modern teddy bears were actually designed—with big eyes and big heads—to appeal to adults’ perception of “cuteness” (because, after all, adults are the ones with the money actually purchasing them). Young kids, on the other hand, will pretty much like any design as long as it is cuddly and vaguely bear-shaped. I propose that there is a similar situation when it comes to children’s music; I think it’s reasonable to assume that most youngsters will enjoy music that is bright, upbeat, and catchy, so my point is that parents shouldn’t feel guilty about obtaining children’s music that will appeal to adults, too.

The beautifully voiced Elizabeth Mitchell has created several charming, folk-centered children’s albums with help from husband Dan Littleton (both are in the New York band Ida), and Mitchell’s latest and second for Smithsonian Folkways, Sunny Day, could be subtitled “Bring Your Daughter to Work Day.” Mitchell and Littleton’s 8-year-old daughter Storey is all over this album, providing vocals and even penning two songs. When it comes to kids’ voices, though, a little goes a long way, and I think that the artists Komar and Melamid— whose “The Most Unwanted Song” features a children’s choir and is based on a poll asking for people’s least favorite musical elements— might agree.

Alongside folk standards are tunes sung in Japanese and Korean, several sing-along-type numbers, an adaptation of Augustus Pablo’s “Reggae in the Fields,” a fine duet with Jon Langford of the Mekons, and even a round by the unconventional composer Moondog.

If you are new to Elizabeth Mitchell, I would suggest sampling You Are My Little Bird or You Are My Sunshine before moving on to Sunny Day; although enjoyable and Mitchell’s most family-focused album, there’s a distracting disconnect, like seeing gorgeous Wyeth paintings beside cute crayon drawings on refrigerators.

The Nashville synth-dance-pop outfit Taxicab Racers, formerly of Chattanooga, conjures up enthralling songs featuring modern touches with an ’80s new-wave influence—but don’t mark it up as another tiresome slice of ironic ’80s-synth love/hate nostalgia. Taxicab Racers is a group that sets itself apart by being completely earnest about its music, delivered without smug winks or nods; the most emotionally detached hipsters probably won’t be able to get over this, so this a band for listeners who are open to a sort of wide-eyed, hopeful, shamelessly romantic tone. Lead singer and keyboard player Michael Roddy projects the band’s attitude with style and an eager energy, and mixing with the synthetic sounds is the solid rhythm section of bassist Adam Newport and drummer Josh Dillard, marking the debut of live drumming for a Taxicab Racers recording.

Following last year’s excellent Turnpike EP, Hunter/Beggar is a new, filler-free 7-song EP with charged performances and the kind of radiant vigor we’ve come to expect from the group. After a brief intro track, “In Mind” launches with a full, rich sound with soaring guitar work from Nathan Zensen which peaks with a dramatic, earworm chorus. There’s a loose, broad theme of seeking and pursuing, unfurled in the track “Angel Eyes,” with lines like, “We all need something to chase.” Various reference points come to mind, like New Order’s “Regret” crossed with OMD’s starryeyed synth-pop, and it’s apparent that the band puts a lot into each song.

Hunter/Beggar closes with the track “Show Us Love,” which strays away from the synthdance style for a moderate number, somewhat reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s breezy west coast guitar-rock-pop approach; Roddy has a warm duet with Brittany Painter, the lead singer of the group The Bridges, who lends her tender and assured voice. Hunter/Beggar is another meticulously crafted winner, simultaneously ardent and fun, and retaining the band’s identity while expanding its scope gingerly.

Taxicab Racers will play a CD release show at JJ’s Bohemia on November 6. www.chattanoogapulse.com | November 4, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | The Pulse

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Music Calendar Thursday Spotlight

Jonathan Wimpee Acoustic funk, r&b and a little boss nova.

No cover 9 p.m.

The Office, 901 Carter Blvd. (inside Days Inn) Facebook.com/theofficechatt

Thursday Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com A Song For The Children with Vince Gill 8 p.m. Tivoli Theater, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. www.chattanoogaonstage.com David Vandervelde, Brass Bed 8 p.m. Discoteca, 304 E. Main St. (423) 386-3066.

Find them on Facebook.

Convertibull 9 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. (inside Days Inn). facebook.com/theofficechatt Jack Corey and Friends 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com

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The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Friday Spotlight

SOULEDOUT! Classic and Modern Soul with DJ K7 10 p.m. The Social (next to Public House), 1110 Market St., Ste. 101. publichousechattanooga.com

Friday Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com Ben Friberg Trio 6 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th St. (423) 756-8253. www.table2restaurant.com Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Unspoken Triumph, Axiom, Everybody Loves The Hero, WideyDaze, My Friend The Captain 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd. myspace.com/warehousetn Jucifer, Oxxen, Scum of the Earth, G.N.P. 8 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.

Find them on Facebook.

Kiss Me I’m Dancing Dance Party 8 p.m. Discoteca, 304 E. Main St. (423) 386-3066.

Find them on Facebook.

Here Come The Mummies with Deep Fried 5 9 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com Camp Normal 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jstriker A.J. Valcarel’s The Bitter Lesson 9 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. (inside Days Inn).

Facebook.com/theofficechatt Ttotals, Beeravore 10 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 756-4786. myspace.com/ziggyshideaway Downstream 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com Roger Alan Wade 10 p.m. T-Bones, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com Subway Mars 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 6340260. www.marketstreettavern.com

Saturday Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000.

Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room

Day of the Dead: Jucifer, Oxxen, Scum of the Earth Get dead for a day (or night) at JJ’s. $7 8 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK. Blvd. (423) 266-1400. Search on Facebook for JJ’s Bohemia.

at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com A Tragedy In Progress, Amity, Behold The Brave, Unspoken Triumph 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 5716 Ringgold Rd. www.myspace. com/warehousetn Legionnaires Big Band 7:30 p.m. American Legion Post 95, 3329 Ringgold Rd. (423) 624-9105. americanlegionpost95.org Shinedown 8 p.m. Tivoli Theater, 709 Broad St. (423) 624-TKTS. chattanoogaonstage.com Muddy Mule 8 p.m. Southside Saloon & Bistro, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. southsidesaloonandbistro.com

Missy Raines & The New Hip 8 p.m. Barking Legs, 1322 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Kathy Tugman Quartet 8:30 p.m. The Foundry,

Music Calendar

Send your calendar events to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

Saturday Spotlight

Missy Raines & the New Hip Postponed by snow last winter, this show features Missy and full newgrass band. $10.50 advance, $12 door 8 p.m.

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

1201 South Broad St. (423) 756-3400. www.chattanooganhotel.com The Regulars 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jstriker DJ & Dancing 9 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Hagerty & DeYoung 9 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. (inside Days Inn).

Facebook.com/theofficechatt Shades of 7, Silence the Sorrow, Never Surrender 9 p.m. Ziggy’s Hideaway, 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 756-4786. myspace.com/ziggyshideaway DJ & Dancing 9 p.m. Bart’s Lakeshore, 5600 Lakeshore Dr. (423) 870-0777. www.bartslakeshore.com Nathan Farrow 10 p.m. T-Bones, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240.

Sunday Spotlight

Taxicab Racers CD Release Party with Jumbling Towers, Boss of Nova 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400.

Find them on Facebook.

Girlz, Girlz, Girlz 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com

Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Ryan Oyer, Roy Schneider 11 a.m. Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St., (423) 266-4041. www.chattanoogamarket.com Open Mic w/Jeff Daniels 4 p.m. Ms. Debbie’s Nightlife Lounge 4762 Highway 58, (423) 485-0966. myspace.com/debbieslounge Pay the Reckoning (Irish session music) 6 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com DJ & Dancing 9 p.m. Bart’s Lakeshore, 5600 Lakeshore Dr. (423) 870-0777. www. bartslakeshore.com Rocky Horror Picture Show 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400.

Find them on Facebook.

Old Tyme Players 6 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Big Band Dance 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055.

Ben Friberg Trio 6:30 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th St. (423) 756-8253. www.table2restaurant.com Lightning Billy Hopkins 8 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. 423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com Comedy Buffet with Joel Ruiz 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.

Find them on Facebook.

Wednesday Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055.

Music at The Market Shop, network and listen to two excellent songsmiths, Ryan Oyer and Roy Schneider.

Free 11 a.m, - 4 p.m.

Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. (423) 266-4041. www.chattanoogamarket.com

Johnny B. and Friends 8 p.m. Bourbon Street Music Bar, 2000 E. 23rd St. (423) 826-1985.

Angie Aparo 9 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com Kenny Berry 9 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com Groove Charmer 9 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055.

Open Mic with Mark Holder 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400.

Got a gig coming up that you want to tell the world about?

Email the particulars to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse. ten days before the event.

www.chattanoogapulse.com | November 4, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | The Pulse

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On The Beat

By Alex Teach

Freedom of Stupidity I

am having trouble coming to terms with something.

“What better time to bring this up than a week that is the frothy head of months (if not two years) of political rhetoric dominating the media locally and nationally?”

When Officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he is an occasional student, carpenter, boating enthusiast, and spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center. To contact him directtly, follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alex.teach

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I will allow the shockwaves of disbelief to subside before proceeding. (Seconds pass.)

“There.” All done.

You’d think I had trouble coming to terms with several things, in fact, but I do not. Substance abuse, chauvinism, elitism, injustice, indifference, Democratic Party economic theory, the irony of capital punishment…I know exactly where I stand with those things, unlike most people, and I am neither uncomfortable nor ashamed of any of my stances.

There are things I detest, things I cannot abide, and even things I think are horrible, but by and large, unlike the average shut-in, college student, or college professor, those are feelings arrived upon after thorough consideration based on life experience and its inherent wisdom. It is rare that I cannot settle into a definable emotional state, and such is the case of one former NPR news analyst Juan Williams.

“What does he have to do with a local police columnist?” you ask? Very little, yet nearly everything, and I wouldn’t bring it up were it not for the fact that it’s a precedent that could cost you this weekly column if this kind of thing goes unchecked, and what better time to bring this up than a week that is the frothy head of months (if not two years) of political rhetoric dominating the media locally and nationally?

Juan Williams is a self-described liberal journalist and minority civil-rights activist; a 10-year veteran of National Public Radio,

The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

frequent contributor to Ebony Magazine , both a guest and scriptwriter for Oprah Winfrey. He has won an Emmy for a civil-rights documentary series he authored and awards for his one of his books, Politics: The New Black Power, and even an award from the Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights. Obviously I could go on, but I think his credibility as a left-leaning liberal journalist is set even without mentioning his bachelors in philosophy. (In short: The above is hardly the resume of a “bigot”.)

So after decades of service, in the course of one interview he mentioned “getting worried, getting nervous” when boarding a plane with men in traditional Muslim garb, and went on to say that this is exactly what we have to guard against Constitutionally for these and all people.

What an incredibly genuine and salient point.

I am even being crazy enough to agree with him, naturally making Juan and I the only American citizens to still get nervous on planes with Muslim-garbed men, since we are the only two people that are still affected psychologically by the events on 9-11-2001 carried out exclusively by men of

that description. Right? Because to express such a feeling, no matter how rational or logical, apparently makes us bigots. Period.

For days after his termination, I fumed.

FUMED. This was the same week that Soddy-Daisy High School was reprimanded for Christian prayer over its loudspeakers at a football game. OK, you got ’em; it’s been decided by the Supreme Court and does, in fact, present a Constitutional issue. But on a micro level, is that the biggest problem the school system needs to focus its attention on? And on a macro level…is the selective use of common sense the direction we need to be going in?

As I said, I’ll give you the issue on pregame school prayer over loud speakers since that “forces” you to pray. If I was in a majority Muslim community and they did the same thing, I suppose I, too, would say “SCREW your local people and their practices, you are offending me and not

On The Beat accommodating me and I want you to change your local culture, you bastards!” too. Because that makes sense.

By the same token, however, you can protest and curse a funeral at the National Cemetery (with a permit), but technically you can’t legally pray at that same publicly viewed funeral on federal property (interpretations vary, but I interpret the technicality as such). You can’t say a prayer at school football games, but in a church you’re not allowed to post a note on a corkboard “looking for a Christian roommate” without being taken to court.

(This is being pursued by the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan; look it up.)

So let me summarize: A single woman doesn’t have the right to pick and choose who she wants to live with, based on her faith and done so on a note inside her church on a bulletin board. Building a Muslim temple on the site of a place where only nine years ago Muslims attacked and killed 2,977 “must” be built because it “can” be; that it’s in as incredibly poor taste as a Christian Identity sales kiosk

in Oklahoma City would be is beside the point. A civil-rights activist can’t express his feelings to underscore a point defending Constitutional vigilance without getting fired. So what’s a cop who wishes to express his personal feelings supposed to do…about anything?

I “can” write a ticket for 56 in a 55, but I don’t, because it’s frivolous, petty, and stupid, to name a few things…and that’s a lot easier to stop doing than it is for elected officials to stop trying to legislate the obvious, and for short-sighted citizens determined to make a point at any cost, including jobs and the sanity of a family trying to cope with loss at a funeral, or my stomach lining and the cost of whiskey and Prilosec.

I don’t write that 1 MPH ticket despite its technical viability. Why can’t the public, the media, or anyone on “that side” of the fence take a lesson from me, for once?

Perhaps it is they who cannot come to terms with it.

Pray for me and my freedom of speech.

If you’re allowed, of course.

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Arts & Entertainment

Chattanooga Landmarks: Well-Told Tales

By Janis Hashe

“The book’s seven chapters cover more than 100 landmarks, but the city’s rich past has provided so many more, she is already contemplating a sequel.”

J

ennifer Crutchfield’s three sons have heard tales of Chattanooga history since babyhood. The Crutchfield family name is woven through the city’s history. Ever fascinated by that history, Jennifer began writing “History Mysteries” for Chattanooga Parent magazine in 2006, and now has published a book, Chattanooga Landmarks: Exploring the History of the Scenic City that might just be the perfect holiday gift for all those local history buffs on your list.

“This book is dedicated to the families who turned their hope into Chattanooga’s

future,” she writes. “and to those who will take our history and weave it into new generations.”

According to Jennifer, the most difficult task in creating the book was deciding what to leave out. The book’s seven chapters cover more than 100 landmarks, but the city’s rich past has provided so many more, she is already contemplating a sequel.

Section One, “From Ross’s Landing to the Mountain,” tells the tales of everything from Maclellan Island to the Bessie Smith Museum. In “Dilemma of a Duel Denied,” part of the story of the Crutchfield House, she relates, “The story of the duel that was almost fought between Jefferson Davis and Chattanooga’s William Crutchfield spread like wildfire in the news-hungry papers in those days prior to the outbreak of war.”

It’s these unique tidbits of lore, told in an accessible, family-friendly style, that make a book an essential for Scenic City libraries.

And in fact, the Hamilton County School District has already purchased copies for every school library, something Jennifer is very proud of. “The book was written for adults,” she says, “but it’s definitely something you can share with your kids.”

Jennifer is a natural storyteller, with a knack for openings that compel the reader to read on. The section on the Citico Mound, for example, starts out, “He was searching for the ‘burn,’ that legendary feeling runners yearn for, but found bones instead.” How can you not want to hear the rest of that story?

Equally fascinating is the story of one of the city’s overlooked treasures, Audubon Acres. “Audubon Acres honors the Cherokee

naturalist Spring Frog, who was born in 1754 in the cabin at its center,” she explains. These intriguing facts make a book an outstanding “glove box library” find—when passing local landmarks, a passenger can narrate the stories related to them.

Jennifer will be selling and signing books at the Chattanooga Parent booth at this week’s Chattanooga Market, Sunday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will also be signing books at Winder Binder Gallery & Book Store, 40 Frazier Ave., on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. Chattanooga Landmarks is also available at local bookstores and in the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau store. You can also order books ($19.99) from publisher The History Press, www.historypress.net, or from Jennifer at jennycrutchfield@gmail.com.

And speaking of books, another timely find for the holidays is The Man Behind the Nose: Assassins, Astronauts, Cannibals and Other Stupendous Tales by Larry “Bozo” Harmon with Thomas Scott McKenzie.

Shortly before he died in 2008, the man known to millions as Bozo the Clown finished writing his autobiography, along with co-writer McKenzie. What emerges is a comic odyssey through a remarkable life, which included the iconic TV show (for which at one time there was a 10-year wait for tickets), but also “Bozo Boot Camp” and a 1984 campaign for president of the United States.

The Man Behind the Nose is beautifully designed and laid out by publisher HarperCollins/ITBooks and is available for $25.99 in bookstores and online.

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A&E Calendar Highlights Friday

Thursday

Howl Last chance to catch the film about Allen Ginsberg and his masterpiece.

12:45, 3:05, 5:25, 7:40, 9:55 p.m.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St www.carmike.com

Send your calendar events to us at calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

The Baubles & Bangles Bazaar 3 p.m. Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, 1800 McCallie Ave. (423)267-8583.

“Color Zone” Opening Reception 4 p.m. Reflections Gallery & Framing, 6922 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-3072.

“Passages” Opening Reception 5 p.m. St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Gallery, 290 Quintard Rd., Sewanee, TN. Spectrum 2010 Preview Party 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org Rally on the River: A Special Evening to Honor the Delta Queen 6:30 p.m. The Delta Queen Hotel, 100 River St. (423) 755-7588.

Adam Hunter 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com A Song for the Children with Vince Gill 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. www.chattanooga.gov

Songs for a New World Four actors play many roles in this “cabaret-style” musical review. $18 8 p.m.

Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 31 Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Circle Stage, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com

Saturday

Piano Recital with David Walters Both classical and jazz will be on the progam tonight.

Free 7:30 p.m.

UTC Fine Arts Center, Roland Hayes Concert Hall, Vine & Palmetto Sts. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music

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Friday Morning Art Therapy Group 10 a.m. Rivoli Art Mill, 2301 East 28th St. (423) 322-2514. www.jasmilam.com The Belle of Cincinnati Riverboat Excursions 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Chickamauga Dam Recreation Area.

(423) 499-9977.

Awesome Autumn Fall Leaf Cruises 1 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. naqua.org/RiverGorgeExplorer “Artanooga Holidays” Opening Reception 5 p.m. In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave. (423)267-9214. www.intowngallery.com “Waterworks: Autumn 2010 Opening Reception 5 p.m. Planet Altered, 48 E. Main St. www.planetaltered.com Scott Hill Exhibition Opening Reception 6:30 p.m. River Gallery, 400 E. 2nd St. (423) 265-5033. www.river-gallery.com

Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D 7, 9 p.m. IMAX Theater at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (800) 265-0695. www.tnaqua.org A Little Bit of Country & Rockn-Roll 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 7:30 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Adam Hunter 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Hubble 3D 8 p.m. IMAX Theater at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (800) 265-0695. www.tnaqua.org Mystery of Flight 138 8:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

Sunday Head of the Hooch 8 a.m. Ross’s Landing Park, Riverfront Pkwy. www.headofthehooch.org Chattanooga Chomp Canine Flyball Tournament 9 a.m. Play Dog Excellent, 4113 Dayton Blvd. (423) 886-4334.

Chatty Crafty – An Indie Craft Extravaganza 10 a.m. Renaissance Park, www.chattycrafty.com Chattanooga Porcelain Artists Guild Open House 10 a.m. East Ridge Community Center, 1517 Tonbras Ave. #2, East Ridge. (423) 867-6406.

Awesome Autumn Fall Leaf Cruises 11 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer, One Broad St. (423) 265-0698. naqua.org/RiverGorgeExplorer Mosaic Market (indoor artist market) 11 a.m. 412 Market St. (corner of 4th/Market). (423) 624-3915 Art Til Dark Noon. Northshore. (423) 413-8999. arttildark.wordpress.com

The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Ronald McDonald House 20th Anniversary Celebration 1:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald House, 200 Central Ave. (423) 778-4362. www.rmhchattanooga.com Anime at the Library 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, 1001 Broad St. (423) 757-5310.

Lil’ Red 3 p.m. Chauncey-Goode Auditorium, 1815 Union Ave. (423) 242-5156. www.destinyentertainment.org Jennifer Crutchfield signs Chattanooga Landmarks 4 p.m. Winder Binder Gallery & Bookstore, 40 Frazier Ave. (423) 413-8999.

A Little Bit of Country & Rockn-Roll 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 7:30 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125.

Songs for a New World 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com

“Celebrate Chattanooga” at the Market The Scenic City saluted. Join Jennifer Crutchfield as she signs Chattanooga Landmarks at the Chattanooga Parent booth.

Free 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. (423) 266-4041. www.chattanoogamarket.com

Head of the Hooch 8 a.m. Ross’s Landing Park, Riverfront Pkwy. www.headofthehooch.org Chattanooga Chomp Canine Flyball Tournament 9 a.m. Play Dog Excellent, 4113 Dayton Blvd. (423) 886-4334.

Chattanooga Market 11 a.m. First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. (423) 266-4041. www.chattanoogamarket.com Chatty Crafty – An Indie Craft Extravaganza 10 a.m. Renaissance Park, www.chattycrafty.com First Free Sundays Noon. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org UTC Ensemble Performance 3 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center Cadek Recital Hall, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music Rocky Horror Picture Show and Costume Contest 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.

Find them on Facebook.

A&E Calendar Highlights Monday Awesome Autumn Fall Leaf Cruises 1 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. tnaqua.org/RiverGorgeExplorer Speak Easy: Spoken Word and Poetry 8 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. www.facebook.com/theofficechatt “Flavors of Tuscany” by Cam Busch North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr. Ste. 102.

(423) 870-8924.

“Platters” Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 N. Terrace Rd. (423) 493-0270.

Charlie Newton: A Retrospective Exhibition Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.

(423) 266-8658. www.bessiesmithcc.org “Brushes with Life” Ringgold Art and Frame Gallery, 7825 Nashville St., Ringgold, GA. (706) 935-2844.

Tuesday Connecting the Dots Summit 9 a.m. United Way Community Room, 630 Market St. (423) 752-0300.

Awesome Autumn Fall Leaf Cruises 1 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. tnaqua.org/RiverGorgeExplorer “Women’s Work” Bill Shores Frame and Gallery, 307 Manufacturers Rd. (423) 756-6746. www.billshoresframes.com Scott Hill Exhibition River Gallery, 400 E. 2nd St. (423) 265-5033. www.river-gallery.com “Color Zone” Reflections Gallery, 6922 Lee Hwy. www.reflectionsgallerytn.com “Waterworks: Autumn 2010” Planet Altered, 48 E. Main St. (423) 400-4100.

All Member Salon Show AVA Gallery, 30 Frazier Ave. (423) 265-1282. www.avarts.org

Wednesday National Philanthropy Day Luncheon Noon. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 Awesome Autumn Fall Leaf Cruises 1 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698.

Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m. Main St. at Williams St. www.mainstfarmersmarket.com Nick Bonsanto Uncensored 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com “A Vested Interest” Shuptrine’s Fine Art & Framing, 2646 Broad St. (423) 266-4453. www.shuptrines.com “Domestic” Tanner Hill Gallery, 3069 South Broad St. (423) 280-7182 Artanooga Holidays In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave. (423)267-9214. www.intowngallery.com

Editor’s Pick: Featured Event Of The Week

First Free Sunday at the Hunter Enjoy an autumn day by the river and see the Hunter’s current exhibit, “Tradition: Tennessee Lives and Legacies”.

Free Noon to 5 p.m.

Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968. www.huntermuseum.org

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Life in the Noog

By Chuck Crowder

Party Out Of Bounds T

“The giving party hosts spent the next hung-over day picking up cans, cups, butts, broken glass and food scraps from every square inch of all three lofts and the entire city block out front.”

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 thenoog.com

his past weekend I went to a Halloween block party in three adjoining lofts around the corner from me. It was a cool time for the 150-200 people who stopped by throughout the evening to enjoy free drinks, a kick-ass DJ and the plethora of dudes in funny costumes and girls all dressed up as “sexy ______’s” (insert costume theme here). Yep, it was a blast for everybody there…except for maybe the hosts.

Think about it. These dudes spent literally thousands of dollars on liquor, decorations, DJs, lights, liquor, off-duty police, port-olets, liquor, food, liquor, bartenders and even more expensive liquor. They plastered the city with fliers, invited everyone they knew and encouraged them to invite everyone they knew, and so on, and so on.

Anticipating what would be a night to remember, they enthusiastically spent two days getting ready for the time of their lives—picking up supplies, icing down kegs, setting up bars, hanging decorations and making sure all of the people involved in the evening’s festivities were actually going to show up on time. And then, after the music was over and the last party guest had carelessly tossed their red solo cup sort of near the trash can, the giving party hosts spent the next hung-over day picking up cans, cups, butts, broken glass and food scraps from every square inch of all three lofts and the entire city block out front.

As I left the party to walk back over to my

house a block away, thinking, “Who in their right mind would go to the time and expense of proactively requesting that people of all kinds and in great numbers tromp through your home, spilling drinks that you paid for on your very own sofa, floor, table and whatnot shelf all for the sake of saying you had the coolest party e-ver?” I reentered my own nest to find the same types of post-party paraphernalia from the “pre-party” I had for a dozen or so friends before the loft party.

I’d done the same thing to myself. Argh!

But, even though my house won’t truly be back to “normal” until my cherished cleaning girl comes once more, I was glad to have hosted a good time, and I’m sure the boys down the street felt the same way. It’s nice to give back to the friends who’ve maybe hosted a party you attended at some time in the past, or will in the future.

Despite this short-lived satisfaction however, having a party is a lot like having a boat or swimming pool. Everybody wants to buddy-up and sign on for the fun, but few want to be the ones pumping the gas or chlorine in them to keep the good times going. They say that the two most exciting days in a boat owner’s life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it, and the same can be said for hosting a party.

The day you make the decision to have a party, set the date and start telling friends is a very happy day in your life. People are excited to hear about it, wanna mark their calendars for it, can’t wait to attend it and anticipate how cool your party will be compared to the other parties they’ve just recently enjoyed hosted by other suckers like

yourself. It’s an awesome feeling.

Then, almost as quickly, things start going downhill. Some people find out about the party who you hoped wouldn’t and are now guilting you into inviting them. You discover that you can’t invite this person because they just split up with that person and now that person is seeing this other person who happens to be better friends with your girlfriend that the original person in question, although you’ve known that person—and even attended parties at their house—since just after high school.

A trip to the liquor, beer and snack store empties enough from your bank account to pay for a nice weekend in Las Vegas. Then the party begins. Where’s the bottle opener?

Do you have any Cheez-Its to go with this?

Where did you get that? And that? And that? How long have you lived here? I knew this dude who lived just over there—do you know him? And then the dreaded, “Do you have any Shout?” Or, “What gets red wine out of upholstery?”

Afterwards you’re left with sticky floors and counters, stains that may never come out, enough garbage to fill a dumpster, a wicked hangover, missing bottle openers, a half box of Cheese-Its and an empty bottle of white wine used to get the red wine stain out of the rug. But, as you look at Facebook the next day to see all of the photos from your party that your guests are treating like souvenirs of a time they may never forget, it all becomes clear why people go to great lengths to perpetuate the good times.

Because it’s fun—damn it!

Cheers!

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Film Feature

Gangster Heart

By Phillip Johnston

“Brutal, never dull, and always enthralling, Mesrine: Killer Instinct is more than comfortable in their company and is one of the most thoroughly entertaining films of the year.”

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J

acques Mesrine was the last of the great French gangsters. His legendary career made him infamous in Canada in the 1960s and 70s, particularly after his escape from La Santé prison, one of the most highly secured facilities in Canada.

It was at La Santé that he penned Death Instinct, his autobiography. Death Instinct is the closest glimpse available into the mind of Jacques Mesrine and it is the primary source material for Mesrine, the latest masterful addition to France’s everincreasing stockpile of 21st-century mob films.

The complete Mesrine consists of two feature-length films: Killer Instinct and Public Enemy #1. Though Killer Instinct

The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

(this week’s selection in the Arts and Education Council’s Independent Film Series) opens with a short prologue set near the end of Jacques Mesrine’s life, the bulk of the film is devoted to Mesrine’s haunted invention of himself.

Killer Instinct shows us the young Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) as he becomes weary of middle-class law abiding in a home where his mother runs the show. At a friend’s suggestion, he is inducted into the neon glamour of the 1960s French underworld. In spite of this, Mesrine still attempts to lead a normal life after falling in love with Sofia (Elena Anaya), a beautiful Spanish virgin who lays claim to his heart during a weekend abroad.

The two attempt to start a family together, but by the time their first child arrives, Mesrine has already become a seasoned killer. Sitting outside the hospital room as his first child is born, Mesrine is asked by his mob mentor Guido (Gérard Depardieu) if a lifestyle change is in order. “Times change, not men. And me least of all,” Mesrine says as the first cry of his firstborn echoes through the sterile hospital hallway.

Killer Instinct offers almost no insight into the complicated psyche of Jacques Mesrine and, oddly enough, the film is all the better for it. Killer Instinct is structured in such a way that everything Mesrine does takes on a visceral quality. The moment in which his actions begin to seem predictable is the same moment he shocks everyone around him with something new. We are as mortified as Sofia when, before leaving

for a weekend job, Jacques turns on her, threatening his wife with a gun to the mouth. Why would he do it? In this case, that fact that we don’t know is what makes Mesrine a consistently powerful cinematic presence.

Vincent Cassel took home the French equivalent of an Oscar for his performance as Mesrine when the films were released there in 2008. Provoked to violence Cassel’s Mesrine ignites with rage, but it his restraint and poise in the scenes on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum that give Cassel the opportunity to turn in the best performance of his career. Jacques Mesrine was an intensely mysterious presence and though Cassel ensures that he stays one, the actor causes us to empathize with a man whose motives and actions we at the very least don’t understand and at most we detest.

About halfway through Killer Instinct, Mesrine strides into a bar and meets a woman who becomes his alter ego and, in an increasingly twisted way, his soul mate.

Her name is Jeanne Schneider and she is played Cécile De France (who you may have seen in Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter).

In one of the most enigmatic female performances in recent movies, De France effuses mystery and class even in a mostly silent role. The way in which she mirrors, imitates, and adds to the mythology of Mesrine is mesmerizing.

And did I mention that Killer Instinct is an action film? With Mesrine, director Jean-François Richet shows himself to be

Film Feature

New In Theaters Megamind Megamind is the most brilliant supervillain the world has ever known, though after several unsuccessful attempts to conquer Metro City, a new foe sees him attempt—for the first time in his life—to use his powers for good. DreamWorks Animation may not have the cachet (and box-office track record) of Pixar Studios, but they have been on an animated roll of late. Megamind features their usual mix of top-notch superstar voices in a superhero spoof that proves to a bit more subtle than expected. Part The Incredibles and part Monsters vs. Aliens, Megamind is another animated film that will entertain children and adults equally well and likely rake in loads of cash at the box office. Plus, the time of the release almost guarantees a strong merchandising haul for the holiday season.

Starring Will Ferrell, Johna Hill, Tina Fey, David, Cross, Brad Pitt Directed by Tom McGrath

Due Date a confident craftsmen of first-class action.

His direction is as fearless as Mesrine’s many exploits. In a cinematic climate where many directors are frightened to pull a camera away from close-up when the stakes are high, Richet’s action scenes are broad visions unlimited in scope and unafraid of wide-open spaces.

This is a film to see on a very big screen.

Though the events of Killer Instinct are mostly on a small scale (local bank heists, casino robberies, a prison break, a car chase through the Nevada desert), Richet’s direction composes a grand overture to the higher stakes of Public Enemy #1 (next week’s AEC Series Selection).

French cinema announced its entrance into the mob with last year’s bleak and disarming A Prophet. The winning streak continued this month as Olivier Assayas’ epic five-hour Carlos, a biopic of Carlos the Jackal, began a road show tour around the world. Brutal, never dull, and always enthralling, Jean-François Richet’s Mesrine saga is more than comfortable in their company and is one of the most thoroughly entertaining films of the year.

Mesrine Directed by Jean-François Richet Starring Vincent Cassel, Gérard Depardieu, Cécile De France Rated R Running time: 113 minutes

High-strung father-to-be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child’s birth on time. Zach Galifianakis has been getting very steady work the past few years, but even the most liberal of studio executives has to wonder how much he will help market a film when he lights up a joint on a television talk show, as he did in a recent taping on Bill Maher’s chatfest. Still, it’s not like Galifianakis is the face of an Oscarworthy drama this time around. Director Todd Phillips put this road comedy together in between development and shooting of The Hangover 2 and it shows as Phillips allows his actors to relax and have fun, especially Robert Downey, Jr., who comfortably inhabits a Steve Martinish straight role as a break from his franchise-leading Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes roles.

Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Zach Galiafanakis, Michelle Monaghan Directed by Todd Phillips

127 Hours Mountain climber Aron Ralston becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive. The director who brought Slumdob Millionaire to Oscar glory tackles the true-life story of an adventure junkie who is forced to make a horrific choice in order to survive. Early buzz has James Franco in a leading position for a Best Actor nomination and don’t be too surprised if you see Boyle picking up another golden statue next spring.

Starring James Franco, Amber Tamblyn Directed by Danny Boyle

For Colored Girls A drama centered on a group of black women whose lives and experiences intersect at a 12step healing program. Adapting the screenplay from Ntozake Shange’s play, Tyler Perry for the first step steps away from his own material—but not away from the controversy that seems to follow all his film projects. This time around, it’s not the film itself that caused headlines, but the fact that Mariah Carey had to drop out at the last minute after she became pregnant, plus the added fact that Whoopi Goldberg had planned to revive For Colored Girls on stage, but ran out of money, giving Perry the chance to take over the project and turn it into a film. Whether the film itself will find a broader audience than usual Perry films remains to be seen.

Starring Janet jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Whoopi Godlberg Directed by Tyler Perry

Fair Game While investigating the existence of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, CIA operative Valerie Plame discovers her identity allegedly leaked by the government as payback for an op-ed article her husband wrote criticizing the Bush administration. While film audiences have generally shown love for spy thrillers, they haven’t been all that warm to true-life thrillers.

And even the audiences at Cannes, who tend to love stars Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, were lukewarm about the film. One of the main concerns was whether director Doug Liman needed to take a fictionalized take on a fairly well-known story that had plenty of political intrigue all by itself.

Starring Naomi Watts, Sean Penn Directed by Doug Liman

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Riley's Spirits Within Best Nog in the Noog

By Joshua Hurley It’s now November—and the countdown to the holidays has begun. Why not stock up early and avoid the crowds? For this issue, Riley’s is proud to offer this season’s first holiday Great Buy. “Great Buys” is where Riley’s Wine and Spirits on Hixson Pike in Hixson picks something special from the largest (and favorite—Riley’s was voted #1!) selection of wine and spirits from around the world and then shares it with the readership of The Pulse.

This week’s picks are three pre-made alcoholic eggnog drinks for your holiday cheer.

Eggnog is a sweet, dairybased drink made with milk, cream, sugar and beaten eggs (the eggs give it a frothy texture), with cinnamon and nutmeg added for flavor.

Over the centuries, various liqueurs have been added including brandy, run and/or blended whiskey.

The origins of eggnog can be traced back to medieval England, where it was enjoyed by the aristocracy— its ingredients were too expensive for commoners.

The “nog” part of its name refers back to the Old English word “noggin”, which means a carved, wooden mug used to drink alcoholic beverages.

Once the drink crossed the Atlantic to early colonial

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America, it became known as “egg n grog” (eggnog with rum). The pre-Revolutionary War colonists substituted brandy for rum because English taxes on wine and brandy were too high. Sadly, the American Revolution greatly reduced the rum trade with the Caribbean, so whiskey was substituted.

Today, eggnog is enjoyed with each of those alcoholic ingredients, so next time you spike your eggnog you’ll know how it all began.

Riley’s offers three different eggnog with alcohol products in the 750mL size: Christian Brothers Brandy and Eggnog for $8.49 plus tax, Evan Williams Eggnog with Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey for $8.49 plus tax and Mr. Boston Creamy Eggnog with blended American Whiskey for $5.99 plus tax. Try them all!

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Free Will Astrology SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Technorati, a search engine for blogs, says there are well over 100 million blogs on the Internet, and that figure doesn’t include millions of Chinese language blogs. So self-expression is thriving on a global scale, right? Not exactly. Most blogs—the estimate is 94 percent—have not been updated for at least four months. In accordance with the current astrological indicators, Scorpio, I expect you to do something about this problem. Refresh your blog in the coming week, or consider launching one if you don’t have one. But don’t stop there. Use every other way you can imagine to show the world who you are. Be articulate and demonstrative and revelatory.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I think you can handle more hubbub and uproar than you realize.

I also suspect you’re capable of integrating more novelty, and at a faster rate, than the members of all the other signs of the zodiac. That’s why I think you should consider interpreting what’s happening in your life right now as “interesting adventures” instead of “disorienting chaos.” The entire universe is set up to help you thrive on what non-Sagittarians might regard as stressful.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Dear Rob: My boyfriend’s heart is in the right place. He likes to give me flowers. The only trouble is, the bouquets he brings are homely. A recent batch was a hodgepodge of blue delphiniums, white carnations, and red geraniums. Is there any way to steer him in a more aesthetically correct direction without deflating his tender kindness? — Unsatisfied Capricorn.” Dear Unsatisfied: In my astrological opinion, one of the tasks you Capricorns should be concerned with right now is learning to love the gifts that people want to give you. Maybe at a later date you can start training them to provide you with exactly what you want. But for the moment, it won’t kill you to simply welcome and celebrate their generosity.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your new vocabulary word for the week is “skookum,” a term from the Chinook Indians that is still used in some parts of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. My astrological colleague Caroline Casey says it means “in cahoots with good spirits” and “completely made for the job.” Wikipedia suggests that when you’re skookum, you’ve got a clear purpose and are standing in your power spot. According to my reading of the omens, Aquarius, these definitions of skookum fit you pretty well right now. (P.S. When skookum is used to describe food, it means delicious and hearty, which could definitely be applied to you if you were edible.)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the coming days, it’s crucial for you to be spontaneous but not rash. Do you know the distinction? Read the words of psychologist Abraham Maslow: “Spontaneity (the impulses from our best self) gets confused with impulsivity and acting-out (the impulses from our sick self), and there is then no way to tell the difference.” Be sure you stay true to the vitalizing prompts arising from your inner genius, Pisces—not the distorted compulsions erupting from your inner maniac.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In Marcel Proust’s novel In Search of Lost Time, one of the characters makes a vulgar observation about the odd attractions that sometimes come over us human beings: “Anyone who falls in love with a dog’s behind will mistake it for a rose.” It’s my duty to point out that the opposite occurs, too. People may think a marvelous thing is worthless, and dislike it or ignore it as a result. Van Gogh’s paintings, for example: He sold only one while he was alive, although today his work is regarded as extraordinarily beautiful. My advice to you, Aries, is to avoid both of these errors in the coming week.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Poet Paul Eluard frequently fantasized and wrote about his dream woman, but he never actually found her. “The

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By Rob Brezsny Truthrooster@gmail.com cards have predicted that I would meet her but not recognize her,” he said. So he contented himself with being in love with love. I think he made a sound decision that many of us should consider emulating.

It’s a losing proposition to wait around hoping for a dream lover to show up in our lives, since no one can ever match the idealized image we carry around in our imagination. And even if there were such a thing as a perfect mate, we would probably not recognize that person, as Eluard said, because they’d be so different from our fantasy. Having said all that, Taurus, I’m happy to inform you that the next two months will be prime time for you to cultivate your connection with an imperfect beauty who’s good for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When you begin treatment with a homeopathic doctor, his or her first task is to determine your “constitutional,” which is the remedy that serves as your fundamental medicine— the tonic you take to keep your system balanced and functioning smoothly. Mine used to be “aurum,” or gold, but due to certain shifts in my energy, my doctor ultimately changed it to “lac lupinum,” or wolf ’s milk.

After analyzing your astrological omens, I’m guessing that you might need a similar adjustment in the regimen that keeps you healthy. Your body’s needs seem to be evolving. Consider making some changes in the food you eat, the sleep you get, the exercise you do, and the love you stir up.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Freedom is in the unknown,” said philosopher John C. Lilly. “If you believe there is an unknown everywhere, in your own body, in your relationships with other people, in political institutions, in the universe, then you have maximum freedom.” I think this is the most important thought you could meditate on right now, Cancerian.

You are close to summoning the magic that would allow you to revel in what’s unknown about everything and everyone you love. And that would dramatically invigorate your instinct for freedom.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The first time I ever planted a garden was last summer. It wasn’t easy. The soil in my backyard was hard clay that I could barely penetrate with a shovel. Luckily, a helpful clerk at the garden store revealed a solution: gypsum. All I had to do was pour the white powder on my intransigent dirt and wet it down for a few days. The stuff performed as advertised on the package: It “worked like millions of tiny hoes,” loosening the heavy clay. A week later I was able to begin planting. In the coming days, Leo, I think you could benefit from the metaphorical equivalent of a million tiny hoes. You’ve got to break down a hard surface to create a soft bed for your seeds.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Recent research suggests that yawning raises alertness, enhances cognitive awareness, reduces stress, and strengthens the part of the brain that feels empathy. Andrew Newburg, M.D. goes so far as to recommend that you regularly induce yawns. He says it helps you solve problems, increases your efficiency, and intensifies your spiritual experiences. (Read more here: http://bit.ly/ YawnGenius.) So here’s my advice, Virgo. During the current phase of your astrological cycle -- which is a time when self-improvement activities are especially favored -- you should experiment with recreational yawning.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Check out this haiku by Mizuhara Shuoshi, translated from the Japanese by William J. Higginson: “stuck in a vase / deep mountain magnolia / blossoms open.” Does that remind you of anyone? It should. I think it pretty much sums up your current situation. More accurately, it captures the best possible scenario you can strive to achieve, given your circumstances. Yes, there are limitations you have to deal with right now: being in the vase. And yet there’s no reason you can’t bloom like a deep mountain magnolia.

Across 1 Uplift 6 Janitor’s tool 9 “I ___ a Putty Tat” (1947 animated short) 12 “When I Take My Sugar ___” (Frank Sinatra song) 13 “It’s ___-brainer” 14 “___ the Killer” (2001 Japanese film) 16 Moral system 17 Who the USO entertains 18 “A League of Their Own” star Davis 20 Stoner’s 2002 spy movie?

23 Boggy marsh 24 Stoner’s 1965 spy movie?

25 Leadup to L 26 Late comedian Kinison 27 Story line’s path 28 Gp. that often funds PBS 29 Civil rights figure Parks 31 Wolfed down

–the further adventures of Agent 00-420.

33 Classic line from Agent 00-420?

39 “Eww!” 40 Tara of tabloids 42 The Bayou Bengals sch.

45 Noah’s vessel 46 Music items in cases 49 ___-Magnon man 50 Girl pursued by Agent 00-420?

53 Airline to Amsterdam 54 Star of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Stash?”

56 Chilean pianist Claudio 57 Crew team’s item 58 Travels freely 60 Lowlifes 61 Hesitant syllables 62 Old lab heaters 63 Mag big shots 64 ___-bo (gym fad) 65 “___ I warn you?”

Down 1 Summer, in Paris

2 Fulfill all requirements 3 “Maybe, but possibly not...”

4 “Freaks and Geeks” creator and “The Office” director Paul 5 Marina vehicles 6 Tom Selleck title role 7 T. Herman Zweibel’s paper, with “The” 8 Put 12/31/2020 on checks, say 9 It gets its stripes early 10 Tart-tasting 11 “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator Joss 15 Flabbergasted 19 “Clan of the Cave Bear” heroine 21 “I’m onto you now!”

22 “___ Johnny!”

23 Cone-bearing tree 30 “Eat Drink Man Woman” director Lee 31 Pro-___ (mixed tournaments)

32 “Un momento, ___ favor” 34 Drab-colored Australian trees 35 Argentine author ___ Luis Borges 36 Inquire on 37 Ascot or cravat 38 Anyone effeminate, to The Governator 41 Burt Reynolds costar DeLuise 42 Annika Sorenstam’s org.

43 Plaintiffs 44 Nintendo product on many “worst game controllers of all time” lists 46 Like sandpaper 47 “Ask ___” (Chrysler ad campaign featuring chairman Dieter Zetsche) 48 Get fuming mad 51 Identity theft, e.g.

52 Spitting four-footer 55 Cop-out in the “Chicken Little” story 59 Ultra-fast jet

Crossword created By Matt Jones. © 2010 Jonesin’ Crosswords. 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 #0492.

Solution To Last Week’s Crossword

JONESIN’

“Drug Agent”

Crossword solutions every week at www.chattanoogapulse.com www.chattanoogapulse.com | November 4, 2010 | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | The Pulse

37

Ask A Mexican!

By Gustavo Arellano

In Which There Are Some Easy Answers

“If I go to the southern border states, will police check me for my papers because I look like Freddie Prinze, Sr.?”

Dear Mexican, I’m totally serious about my e-mail, so please forgive me if my question sounds ridiculous. I also mean no insult to anyone about my question or questions in this e-mail. There are a lot of antsy/jittery people along the United States’ southern border.

Lots of those antsy people seem to want to grab anyone who looks like a Mexican, or acts like a Mexican, and deport anyone who appears to be a Latino into the nations south of the U.S. border. I’m mostly Caucasian in ancestry, but I’ve been told that I have American Indian roots plus American Indian facial features. So, I’m a mustached guy who looks like Freddie Prinze, Sr., but I have a skin tone that makes me look like Freddy Prinze, Jr.. So, if I go to the southern border states, will police check me for my papers because I look like Freddie Prinze, Sr.?

— Rob AKA a Guy Called “Swarthy” by Some White Irish Friends Dear Gabacho, You know it!

Dear Mexican, While waiting for radiation treatment, I noticed a sign on wall: “If you are pregnant or may become pregnant…” The Spanish translation used the word embarazada. Why “embarrassed” to be pregnant for these fecund people?

— Old Fart from Vegas

Ask the Mexican at themexican@ askamexican.net, be his fan on Facebook, follow him on Twitter or ask him a video question at youtube.com/askamexicano!

38

Dear Gabacho, You know what they say when you assume—it makes a culero out of you and you!

Embarazada doesn’t mean “embarrassed” in Spanish; it means “pregnant.” But how two

The Pulse | Vol. 7, Issue 44 | November 4, 2010 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

words that come from the same root took on such dissimilar meanings is one of those great etymological stories that makes this columna so pinche nerdy when it’s not shockingly vulgar.

The English “embarrass” came from the French word embarrasser, itself deriving from the Spanish embarazar, which still has an alternate mean of “to impede.” That word came from the Portuguese embaraçar, and the Royal Spanish Academy theorizes that word originated from Celtic because its root palabra existed before the Romans conquered the Iberian Peninsula.

Why a word that signifies a blockage came to represent pregnancy is unknown to etymologists, but the Mexican theorizes it’s just a pre-Christian pun for a cock block— there’s that vulgarity of mine! The proper Spanish word for “embarrassed”, by the way, is avergonzado, which originates from the Latin verecundia and more accurately means “shame.”

Dear Mexican, I work in a white-collar computer job, so when the weekend rolls around, I like to do my own yard work. Weeding, planting, pulling out stumps, trimming—you name it. When I do it, though, there are usually Mexican workers in the neighborhood, and they always look at me strangely. Are they thinking, “Hey, we could do that work for you, buddy”? Or “How about that: a white guy who can actually do manual labor!” Or maybe something

else I haven’t thought of?

— I Can Trim More Than One Kind of Bush Dear Gabacho, You know it!

GOOD MEXICANS OF THE WEEK! For those of you looking for Mexican curios or ironic T-shirts with a Mexican theme (like the “Star Wars” logo spelled “Estar Guars”), Calacas, Inc. is for you! They’re based in the Mexican’s home base of SanTana but have an online store and co-sponsor one of the biggest Día de los Muertos celebrations in Southern California (happening this weekend on Fourth Street this Sábado).

Best of all? The people who run it are Jackie (the gabacha) and Rudy (the Mexi) Cordova, proving that not only does the Reconquista will take over all white women, it’ll also produce cute, smart kiddies! Visit them online at calacacinc.com.