Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative
ONTHEBEAT
F**K WHO?
CPD didn’t pull the plug at Track 29; they weren’t there, says ALEX TEACH Oh, yes they were!
ATTENT
ON
CHATTANOOGAHOME
SHOPPERS! GALORE BARGAINS
AWAIT YOU!
MUSIc
GEORGE McCONNELL
PICKS • Former Widespread Panic guitarist brings solo tour to town
IF YOU CAN NAVIGATE THE SHARK•
INFESTED
WATERS OF THE BUYER’S MARKET
FREE • NEWS | VIEWS | MUSIC | FILM | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • SEpTEMbER 15, 2011 • VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 37 • CHATTANOOGApULSE.COM
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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES ON THE BEAT LIFE IN THE NOOG DINING OUT FREE WILL ASTROLOGY ASK A MEXICAN
SEPTEMBER
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2011
ontent C
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 37 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
In Search of the
American
Dream “That’s how the housing crisis looks in Chattanooga: no swaths of abandoned McMansions, just hundreds of
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cases of individual misfortune
scattered throughout the city.”
www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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NEWS Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative President Jim Brewer, II Publisher Zachary Cooper Contributing Editor Janis Hashe News Editor Gary Poole Director of Sales Rhonda Rollins Advertising Sales Rick Leavell, Michelle Pih Contributors Gustavo Arellano, Rob Brezsny Dave Castaneda, Jonathan M. Cook Chuck Crowder, Michael Crumb John DeVore, Janis Hashe Matt Jones, D.E. Langley Kelly Lockhart, Ernie Paik Bill Ramsey, Alex Teach Art Director Bill Ramsey Photography Josh Lang, Louis Lee Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin Editorial Intern Beth Miller 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. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.
The Pulse is published by
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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Pulse Beats
TVA Changing Their Focus On Solar Power The Tennessee Valley Authority and local power distributors are making sure one of the Southeast’s most successful renewable energy initiatives will continue to be available for smaller renewable power producers in the future. The Generation Partners pilot program, which fueled an unprecedented but unsustainable solar industry boom in the region in 2010, is shifting its maximum project size from 200 kilowatts to 50 kilowatts after Sept. 16. The action focuses Generation Partners’ resources primarily toward small-scale, renewable projects and is a key initial step in the long-term plan to provide locally produced renewable generation at the lowest cost possible. The change does not affect current Generation Partners’ incentive levels, which will continue through 2012. “TVA is proud of what Generation Partners has accomplished,” said John Trawick, senior vice president of Commercial Operations and Pricing. “We feel it is our obligation to make absolutely sure that this renewable generation option will continue to be available in the future to the residential and small business generators it was originally designed for.” Generation Partners was launched by TVA and local power distributors as a pilot plan in 2003 with TVA paying premium incentives to spur small-scale renewable generation. It is supported by revenues from renewable power “blocks” sold through TVA’s
The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
“A lot of people go to McKamey anyway, think that’s what is servicing Red Bank because they are so close to us” — Red Bank City Manager Chris Dorsey on one of the reasons the city is looking to drop its affiliation with the Chattanooga Humane Society.
Green Power Switch program. The region’s tremendous solar growth in 2010 caused the pilot to quickly outgrow Green Power Switch. The shift back to the original focus on small-scale installations will restore the balance of supply and demand necessary to allow Generation Partners and Green Power Switch to continue as long-lasting, successful endeavors. The move comes as costs to produce solar power are dropping and the region’s solar industry grows more competitive, self-sufficient and less reliant on subsidies for long-term success. TVA’s action also guarantees incentives to the small-scale projects for which Generation Partners was originally designed. Renewable systems of less than 50 kilowatts make up more than 80 percent of all executed and approved projects as of July 31, but only 11 percent of the pilot’s energy capacity. TVA also is exploring ways to increase participation in Green Power Switch and extending its Renewable Standard Offer program to accept projects larger than 50 kilowatts and up to 20 megawatts in size. “The actions we take today will help ensure a steady, reliable and sustainable source of homegrown, renewable power in the TVA region for tomorrow,” Trawick said. “This approach aligns with TVA’s renewed vision to be one of the nation’s leading providers of low-cost and cleaner energy by 2020.”
News Briefs Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations reached its first significant milestone last Thursday when Passat number 10,000 rolled off the line in the brand new Chattanooga manufacturing facility. “A lot of hard work has gone into this milestone, and I’m very proud of our team for reaching the 10,000 cars produced mark while maintaining high quality,” said Frank Fischer, CEO and Chair of Volkswagen Chattanooga. “The ramp-up process is on target for market introduction and our team is really hitting its stride,” Fischer said. The 10,000th Passat built in Chattanooga is a white TDI clean diesel with a premium chrome package. The Passat has just earned the coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK rating for 2011, the highest possible from the nonprofit safety research organization. On July 15, 2008, Volkswagen announced plans to produce a car designed specifically for the North American consumer at a production facility in Chattanooga, investing $1 billion in the local economy. The Volkswagen Chattanooga team celebrated building the first customer car on April 18, 2011 and the plant officially opened on May 24, 2011. This number includes pre-series cars, technical training cars, dealer experience cars and customer cars. The all-new 2012 Passat goes on sale mid-month.
NEWS
Opinion
Crime & Punishment Downtown Kudos to Chuck Crowder for tackling headon the crime wave happening downtown [“Car 54, Where Are You?”]. As a fellow Southside resident, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in gang activity and petty crime that the police seem unable to combat. For all the feelgood stories about how old neighborhoods are being brought back to life and onceempty downtown streets are now filled with people, that’s all going to end quickly unless something is done, and done quickly. Sandy Benton In response to my hipster columnist counterpart Chuck Crowder, let me keep it in order by saying “We’re There, And We Packed A Lunch.” Of course there is organized gangrelated crime run out of that crap-box hotel, and I’m DAMN proud of your area residents taking up for themselves and drawing a line in the sand that says “NO MORE.” The hotel rooms are homes and subject to constitutional rules. So are the groups of young (and adult) men known to be causing the issues on the North Shore. If we do nothing, we’re slackards; if we do too much, we’re racists; welcome to my party…but we’re on it. I swear and promise, we’re on it, and we’ll win. ONLY with you and your neighbors’ help, though. Alex Teach
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.
Community Job Creation The nonprofit Bethlehem Community Center is working hard to create jobs and bring health and strength to the community. Some entrepreneurial locals just started the new Beth Bistro with great food for Chattanoogans. The Bethlehem Center is a 91-year-old faith-based non-profit organization, offering spiritual enrichment,
education, economic and leadership development, and other social services to people of all ages in the greater Chattanooga area. Elizabeth Tallman-Gazaway Bethlehem Community Center National Achievers Society The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is recruiting for the 2011-2012 class of the National Achievers Society, an honor society for youth in grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 who secure a 3.0 grade point average or better. Student members participate in monthly information sessions on a variety of topics such as How to Get a Job, Manners and Etiquette, Acing the College Application, Managing Your Money, Citizenship and Civic Engagement. ACT/ SAT Prep is an additional core component of the program. Most sessions are held on Saturday mornings. Trips to college fairs and a college tour round out the curriculum. Eligible members are also recommended for the Bi-Lo Urban League Scholarship and the National Urban League Scholarship. Interested students or their parents/guardians should visit www.ulchatt.net for the program application. All applications are due to the Urban League by September 29. James McKissic Urban League of Greater Chattanooga www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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NEWS
Politics & Crime A weekly roundup of the newsworthy stories gleaned from police reports from the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dalton Police Department.
• One of the first rules of gun safety is to never assume a weapon is unloaded. Apparently, the second rule of gun safety should be to never leave a weapon lying in the back seat of your car. The combination of breaking the two rules sent one man to the hospital after he was shot in the back…while riding in a car. The 25 year old told police that an unsecured gun in the rear compartment of his girlfriend’s Chevy discharged and a bullet went through his passenger seat, hitting him square in the lower back. The girlfriend immediately drove him to a local hospital, where surgeons were able to safely remove the bullet and repair the damage, although he will have a lengthy recovery. And one is safe in assuming that neither than man nor his girlfriend will ever assume anything again when it comes to handgun safety. • A good fisherman will often return to a “favorite spot” to drop a line. So do police, as they did last week when undercover detectives went back to the area around Eastlake, Highland Park and Rossville Boulevard, where they found plenty of women selling their bodies. Officers with the Chattanooga police department posed as “Johns” and approached suspected prostitutes to “make dates.” The vice sting resulted in 13 arrests, most of them repeat offend-
ers. In fact, one 46-year-old woman has been busted eight previous times for prostitution. And making matters a bit stranger (though probably more than a bit strange for the regular unsuspecting “Johns”), two of the “women” arrested turned out to be men. • Dog owners will all tell you that, given the choice, a dog will want to go everywhere their owner does. Some owners take this a bit further than others, though, which can lead to problems. A Chattanooga man called police after he found his two dogs missing. He told officers that he went to a fast-food restaurant on Highway 153 along with his canine companions, and left them tied to a tree along with a bucket of water. However, once he finished eating, he went back outside to find that his golden retriever and Australian shepherd were both missing. He said that an older woman had asked about his leaving the dogs tied to the tree and “expressed concern” about their welfare, which led him to believe that she may have taken them once he went into the restaurant and was out of sight. • The state legislature passed a new law that bans the sale of synthetic drugs in convenience stores and markets. To
help enforce the new law, the TBI and a number of local law enforcement agencies executed multiple search warrants over in Rutherford County last week on a number of stores. Between June and August, agents made around 150 undercover visits to more than 60 convenience stores and purchased illegal drugs both over the counter and behind the counter. All of the synthetic drugs had warning labels that read “Not for Human Consumption”, but officers said that was simply a ploy to get around the law and will not work in the state. Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper warned businesses to pull the products from their shelves, saying that what happened last week in Rutherford County could happen this week elsewhere in the state. Which pretty much means no more “Herbal Incense”, “Potpourri”, “Bath Salts” or “Plant Food” at the checkout counter.
Here is one of the agenda items at the September 20 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.
13. Recognition of Persons Wishing to Address the Council on Non-Agenda Matters.
At the end of every council meeting, anyone can have three minutes to address the entire body about anything on their mind, as long as it isn’t something already covered in the agenda for that meeting and is an issue that falls under the purview of the council. If you have a complaint, compliment, suggestion or even a beef with the city, this is your time to get the undivided attention of all nine council
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members (and the city attorney, to boot). Even better, the heads of the various city departments—ranging from the Police Department to Public Works to Neighborhood Services and a good dozen other city agencies and departments—are usually present at the meetings, which can be very beneficial. Just remember not to exceed your allotted three minutes. 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 current agenda, and past minutes, visit www.Chattanooga.gov/City_Council
NEWS
Beyond The Headlines
The CSO Meets The Video Gamers? By Jonathan M. Cook, Pulse Contributing Writer
preciate Bach and Beethoven. But most of the people I know who love to play orchestra-type instruments are s a Scenic City native, I take pride in calling Chat- also moved by the music of Uematsu and other modern tanooga home. Even though I have been living in Dal- composers such as John Williams and Danny Elfman. las for nearly four and a half years, I still tell my North Given the success of the “Final Fantasy” shows, I also Texas peeps where my true home is. believe there is an untapped market for similar shows However, one advantage to living in Dallas is that I using a different genre: animation. One of the best anican attend performances I would otherwise not see un- mators on the planet is anime master Hayeo Miyazaki. less I traveled to Atlanta or Nashville. Chattanooga is Parents alongside their kids have likely watched some of growing every day. Yet there are members of the “arts his masterpieces, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited elite” who believe that the Chattanooga Symphony and Way, and Ponyo. Older kids may have watched some of Orchestra (CSO) needs to stick with the tried and true. his more mature works, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s I, on the other hand, believe that now is the time for Moving Castle. The music incorporated in Miyazaki’s change. films help to emphasize the storytelling, so that it becomes more of an experience as opposed to be“Final Fantasy is one of the most ing “just a cartoon”. I understand that some of you reading this successful role-playing video game believe shows like these are way out of reach series of a generation. The music from may for a city our size. Ten years ago, I would have the games is conducted by legendary agreed with you. However, we now have people Japanese composer Nobuo Uematsu.” moving into positions of authority that can help make what With the hiring of Kayoko Dan as the new music di- was once an idea rector of the CSO, there is a golden opportunity for into a reality. the CSO to add more modern shows to their schedule. Please note these One show in particular should be the Music of Final Fan- are just my ideas for tasy. For those of you reading this over the age of 40, how the CSO can Final Fantasy is one of the most successful role-playing progress in the comvideo game series of a generation. The music from the ing years. The real games is conducted by legendary Japanese composer question is whether Nobuo Uematsu. The shows have played in sold-out au- the ideas will be ditoriums all over the country and do enlist the cities’ taken seriously symphony s to perform the program. I believe the CSO enough to generate should seriously consider such a show as a way to moti- any sort of action. vate more young people to attend CSO performances. It would be very My reasoning is simple: In school, we’re taught to ap- helpful if the CSO’s
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webpage had an email address where people could submit ideas regarding musical programming. What I have encountered is that when you try to submit an idea by phone, it usually is not taken seriously. This was exactly the case when I tried to submit the idea for the “Final Fantasy” show after seeing it in Atlanta in 2005. I’d like to suggest to the Chattanooga community that if you really want to support the CSO and all they do, let it be known that you, the consumer, would like to submit ideas for instrumental musical shows that you know you, and your friends and family, will attend. You don’t necessarily have to support my music tastes, but let your voice be known. As for my video-game, anime, cosplaying, G4-watching, Dragon-Con attending, exSushi Bar-current Tokyo Tower fans, let it be known that we want Nobou-san’s music in the Tennessee Valley and will bring everybody we know to see it.
Jonathan M. Cook is the former host of The Sushi Bar on WAWL. He currently resides in Dallas. You can contact him via e-mail at InuYasha23@aol.com
www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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COVER STORY
In a buyer’s market of falling prices and historically low mortgage rates, ALLISoN GoRmAN talked to new owners and renters all seeking the American Dream of a
“My neighborhood is diverse, and I enjoy that,” says Heather Brewster of her new Brainerd home.
home IN mY RANGe L
aST December, HeaTHer brewster arrived here from Knoxville, shell-shocked from a difficult divorce. She had lost two things she loved—her dog and her house—and she was determined to replace both in chattanooga. charmed by the North chattanooga home of an old friend, she spent christmas day there, trawling online for nearby real estate listings. “I put in this crazy number, and this house popped right up,” brewster says. “It was small, only two bedrooms and one bath, but it had 1,200 square feet and an attached garage, and it had been totally redone inside.” The house was on a short sale, having lingered on the market for a year without a single offer, and it
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was in brainerd, not North chattanooga. but it had the vintage vibe brewster wanted at half the price of a comparable home in the trendier neighborhood. “I wasn’t willing to double my house payment to live in North chattanooga,” she says. She made an offer December 26, took possession march 10, and hasn’t looked back. “my neighborhood is diverse, and I enjoy that,” she says. “right now it’s a very comfortable place for me with the dog.”
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chattanooga dodged a bullet in the housing market collapse of 2008, which left some areas of the country with whole neighborhoods looking as if they had been hit by a neutron bomb—just buildings, no people. “We never had the ‘bubble’ here,” explains
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Jennifer Grayson, president of the Greater chattanooga association of realtors. “I mean, we had great years, but not to the extreme of places like california and arizona. We didn’t have the real highs, so we haven’t had the real lows.” Small comfort to the brainerd homeowner who, trapped in the economic mire, sold a newly renovated home to Brewster for $66,000. but that’s how the housing crisis looks in chattanooga: no swaths of abandoned mcmansions, just hundreds of cases of individual misfortune scattered throughout the city. Those translate into diverse opportunities for homebuyers willing to look hard, be patient and bend when necessary. chattanooga homebuyers will experience one a universal side effect of the housing crisis: buying a
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On the advice of his financially savvy sister, Patrick Gigandet resisted the urge to buy his first home until he had paid off his vehicle, his credit cards and other “bad debt.” When he finally took the plunge, getting pre-approved for a mortgage was a breeze. So he wasn’t prepared for the finalization process, which was only slightly less invasive than an airport cavity search. “They asked really nitpicky stuff,” he recalls. “‘Why did you sell your truck? Who did you sell it to? We want a copy of the check.’… Clearly they had gone through my bank statement and looked at it line by line.” They asked him to explain a $500 PayPal transaction. “I responded, ‘I won my NCAA pool. Do you want me to send you my bracket?’ I don’t really know how to justify that.” Gigandet says the process was “a nuisance” but worth the prize: a home in a sought-after area of North Chattanooga. He had already lost a bidding war on a previous place near Frazier Avenue.
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If any part of the city has retained its market value, it is North Chattanooga. “It’s still a hot little area,” Grayson says. “It’s expensive. It’s not going up any higher, but it’s holding its own.” Part of the area’s appeal is aesthetics, certainly. Part is the school district. And part is its proximity to downtown—the only other sector that, because of limited supply, has suffered almost no devaluation, notes realtor Trevor Shaw. In general, however, the mildly inflated home prices that characterized Chattanooga’s housing heyday in 2005–06 are a thing of the past, Grayson says. “That was funny money,” she says. “We’re never going back.” Shaw suggests that in Chattanooga, a home’s marketability has less to do with location than price point; he’s noticed that homes in the $100-to-$200,000 range tend to move quickly and command competitive offers, while higher-priced homes can sit for years. Those upscale properties can offer the most bang for the (big) buck, he says, if buyers are willing to play the waiting game.
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For 82 percent of households being formed right now, [the suburban house is] not an ideal. This is something that’s not fully understood by our homebuilding industry right now.
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house, especially getting financing, has become an increasingly complex and protracted process. Brewster notes that although she had excellent credit and cash in hand, and hers was the only bid on the Brainerd property, the bank that held the note on the house wouldn’t accept her initial offer of $61,000—the home’s list price. Frustrated, she nearly walked away from the table before the bank agreed to offset some repair costs. “There’s nothing short about a short sale,” she warns. Short sales and foreclosures were once rarities in Chattanooga. Now they are common, adding another layer of complication to the home-buying process. Factor in banks’ stricter lending policies, and the standard closing now takes 45 days rather than 30, Grayson says. “It’s not just a walk in the park anymore. It’s a lot of documentation.”
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Last year, in preparation for her move to Chattanooga from Colorado, Priscilla Littau shopped online for homes in the $200,000s. She found an historic home on Missionary Ridge and tried to negotiate a lower price, but after several weeks abandoned the effort; the seller refused to budge. “There are houses still online that have been there since I looked,” Littau notes. “They’ve been reduced four or five times.” She bid successfully on a newer home on Big Ridge and applied for a loan with Wells Fargo, proposing a down payment of $110,000, nearly half the price of the house. “Can you put any more down?” the bank asked. “Can you pay off your car?” Littau did both. Still, the bank balked. “To be honest, I had some bad things on my credit,” she says. “But that was 10 years ago.” She stuck it out for several weeks, living in a La Quinta Inn with her five small dogs as Wells Fargo dithered and finally turned her down. She took her business to Regents Bank, which approved her loan in 17 days. “The federal banks won’t do anything for you PAGE 10 right now,” she says.
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“I got an opportunity to lease for a year or two, with an option to buy,” says Mwango Mainda. “If I like where the Southside is going, I definitely will.” www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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COVER STORY Like many realtors, Grayson suggests the underwriting process has become unnecessarily strict. “If they would just loosen up a little bit, it would be wonderful,” she says. But Shaw considers the tougher lending regulations a needed reality check. “If you have a good job and good credit, if you can afford your mortgage and you still have money left over to pay your other bills, banks will line up to give you a loan,” he says. “People that can legitimately afford a home are not having a problem buying one.” Statistics from mortgage lenders seem to support that argument. Nationally, the default rate for mortgage loans is dropping, Grayson says. The result of that recent trend is apparent in Chattanooga, where until recent months, a third of all home sales involved foreclosures. Robert Nodes, public affairs and governmental affairs director for GCAR, says foreclosures are now a quarter of those transactions. That’s a positive trend but still a big number; foreclosures might have comprised 5 percent of Chattanooga home sales a few years ago, Grayson says. “My opinion is we’ve hit rock bottom, and it’s only going to get better,” Shaw says. “We still have a lot of foreclosed homes that need to get sold before the market’s going to stabilize. But at the same time, you can get a great foreclosed home in East Brainerd for less than $50,000 for a three- or four-bedroom home.” There is, of course, a caveat. Most foreclosed homes need work—especially those in the ultra-low price range. “Most of my foreclose business is less than $50,000, and I’ll just put it straight up: those homes are nasty,” Shaw says. “But then again, I have a client looking at a $300,000 home in a half-million-dollar neighborhood. It’s still going to need work, but that house is a bargain.”
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Like most engineers, Ramando Bernard is exacting. In February, when he moved to Chattanooga from Michigan, he knew exactly what he wanted— a spacious home on a level lot with a real basement near a good school in a family-friendly neighborhood. And he wanted a bargain. Bernard asked to see some foreclosures; his realtors told him there weren’t any, and they nudged him toward a higher price point. He hired a new realtor. She said there were foreclosures, but they weren’t in the best shape. They toured houses, several a day, in East Brainerd, Ooltewah, East Ridge and Hixson. In the evenings, as his 11-year-old son slept, Bernard followed properties online and watched their prices drop. “You’ve got to stay on top of it,” he says. “You’ve got to do research on your own, because people will tell you anything.” That’s how he found his East Brainerd home, which the previous owners had tried unsuccessfully to sell. When it fell into foreclosure, he snapped it up and got everything he wanted, almost (no “real basement”—it’s a split-level)). “It’s got hardwood floors and everything,” he says. “It’s really nice, because these people really cared about the house. It’s just a shame they couldn’t keep it.”
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So what happens to all those people in Chat-
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tanooga who don’t have a good job or good credit, who can’t secure financing to take advantage of low housing prices and historically low interest rates? Because there are plenty of them. Robyn Judd of River City Property Management notes that in past years, a foreclosure or bankruptcy would have rendered someone ineligible even to rent one of her properties. Not anymore. “We’ve had to loosen our belt a little, because eight out of ten applications either have one or the other—if not both,” she says. Now, she says, “it’s turning into a renter nation.” And, of course, there are more places to rent. Judd, who has managed rental properties for 12 years, says her clientele once was 80 percent owner/ investors; they bought properties intending to lease them. That percentage has dropped to 40 percent, with the other 60 percent renting homes they couldn’t sell. It’s a self-perpetuating system with a positive byproduct: a “for rent” sign is no longer code for “there goes the neighborhood.” Grayson notes that almost all the Volkswagen executives who moved to Chattanooga have opted to rent. “Chattanooga’s rental market has been knocked on its ass,” Shaw says. “We’ve got all the executives wanting to rent, and we’ve got all the people who can’t afford to buy—whether they’ve been foreclosed on or just don’t have job security or just don’t have the money—that also want to rent. I could probably rent a house within any price point within 24 hours.”
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Christian Siler wants to rent. (And it’s a good thing, he adds. He took out a loan to start a new business, Southern Burger Co., and another to buy a car. So he probably couldn’t get a mortgage right now, anyway.) He and his fiancée have lived in a rented house on Barton Avenue since early summer, and they love it. They never worry about repairs, and they’re not saddled with a mortgage if opportunity—or necessity—takes them elsewhere. “I think I’m going to be in Chattanooga for a long time,” he says, “but honestly, in my demographic, in this job market? You never know.” Regardless, Siler figures the two of them will rent until they have children. “Once we have kids, we’ll buy a house,” he says. “Until then, we just don’t really see a need.”
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Families with kids created the suburb, with its promise of fresh air and room to roam. It was the post-war American dream, still evidenced in miles of modest ranchers in areas like Hixson and East Brainerd. Then came Pimp My Subdivision, and the dream suddenly included soaring foyers, three-car garages and master suites. While Shaw says conspicuous consumption is becoming uncool, the gated community is alive and well in Chattanooga. “They are still being built, and there are still buyers out there for them,” Grayson says. Ultimately, however, convenience tends to trump cool anyway. In his keynote address to Chattanooga’s Urban Design Challenge, Harvard urbanist and architect
COVER STORY Alex Krieger noted that only 18 percent of new American households involve a traditional family with a stay-at-home mom—the family for whom suburbs were created. “For 82 percent of the households that are being formed right now, [the suburban house is] not an ideal,” he said. “This is something that’s not fully understood by our homebuilding industry right now.” That is changing—slowly. Realtor Grace Frank says she’s selling a second subdivision of mid-sized, new-construction “green” homes on the Southside after the first phase of homes, set on modest lots, quickly sold out. Many of the buyers relocated from larger homes in the suburbs or mountains, she says.
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Patrick Gigandet says the process of getting pre-approved for his mortgage was “a nuisance” but worth the prize: a home in a sought-after area of North Chattanooga. He had already lost a bidding war on a previous place near Frazier Avenue.
Native Kenyan Mwango Mainda is the Goldilocks of American immigrants. She lived in California (“too fast”), then Florida (“too slow”). Last year, she moved to Chattanooga. Just right. She moved to the Southside, cycling distance to work and downtown’s nightlife, and she says she would have renewed the lease on her small Market Street loft had her brother not decided to move here from Kenya, too. She found a bigger place for their little household, a townhouse just steps away. “I got an opportunity to lease for a year or two, with an option to buy,” Mainda says. “If I like where the Southside is going, I definitely will.”
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Meet the new American Dream.
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OPINION
On The Beat
The Oppressed Idiot Speaks Out M
I was victimized by a few of Chattanooga’s ediocre country-ish singer Corey law enforcement Smith of Jefferson, Georgia, recently officials because of the posted on his website that he was a victim perceived controversy of “censorship” at local Chattanooga club of the lyrical content Track 29. It would seem that his big closing number of my song.” You want to consists of the song “F--- the Po Po”, and know what’s the club owners literally pulled the plug on really disturbing? it less than halfway through the bit. Chattanooga law At first glance, I too am saying, “What?! enforcement had Attica!! Attica!!”, but first glance is about NOTHING to do with all we usually get from print media and the call to pull the plug starving-artists blogs, so allow me to on his self-absorbed provide a few more glances at this event: journey with the Po-Po in 2003. ZING! (Before we get rolling here, allow me to In a statement of their own, club owners give you some background: This wasn’t said “Unfortunately, the show ended while NWA belting out their 1988 classic “F--Corey was playing his last song. Our team the Police” of which I am a HUGE fan and made that decision with the intent of have a collection of renditions of the song by no fewer than eight different artists, nor protecting our audience, our talent, and the long-term viability of Track 29 to bring was it a tribute to such. No. To envision great live entertainment to Chattanooga. this song, think more along the lines of Rest assured that we had no intention of the Phish rendition of “Gin & Juice”. If limiting any artist’s creative license or right you haven’t heard this, do so…for both the to speak freely. All decisions were made for laugh, and to get the picture here without safety and safety alone.” listening to Mr. Smith.) Chattanooga law enforcement officials Smith claimed the club management not only had no part in the decision, they “bowed to pressure from local law enforcement and unplugged the PA during were not even there. (Makes for a Ray Stevens song, should the first measure of my Corey Smith pass on the song. “Chattanooga chance to write a self“I stand firm in my law enforcement absorbed song about this conviction that ‘might does not make right’ had NOTHING event too.) As it turns out, just the and hope the officials to do with the week before, that same responsible will have call to pull the venue had an incident the courage to step inside that resulted in forward and be held plug on his a fight with The Po-Po accountable for their self-absorbed that resulted in one cop unjust decisions,” Smith journey with the getting his eye gouged said. “Let freedom ring. wrestling over Let it ring loudly. And Po-Po in 2003.” and his damn gun when a let it rattle the windows drunken customer had refused to leave at of City Hall in Chattanooga, Tennessee.” the request of club staff who then correctly He cited the First Amendment, peaceable called police. The wounds were literally assembly, and the U.S. Constitution itself. still fresh, and management decided that (I switched on Fox News right away to literally wasn’t the note they wanted the complete the mood, such was the flood of night to end upon. patriotism.) To his credit? Corey Smith is just the He summed it up best in this one latest in a series of stupid events stemming statement: “The disturbing reality is that
from that night. Despite being taken to a hospital where it was determined his actual eyeball was scratched by the drunken patron (described elsewhere as a “successful entrepreneur and contributing member of the community that minds his own business” between fighting cops) and also having had to wrestle over his own gun, Chief Magistrate Larry Ables refused to consider this “aggravated (or felony) assault”. Or “assault” at all, for that matter. I’ve read the law, folks; I actually have The Book of Law in the trunk of my car and at every computer terminal. If I calmly point a gun at someone without a word but don’t shoot, that’s a felony. But if I wrestle a cop and actually scratch his freakin’ eyeball while gouging it then try to pull his gun out of his holster…that’s not a felony. In fact, I’m pretty sure the guy got out without having to even make bond; he just walked. If you pull a cop’s gun out of the holster, then shoot them in the back of the head, that’s Second Degree Murder in Tennessee. (Isaac Jones established that in 2002.) But if you just wrestle around pulling on that holster while the cop fights for his (and everyone else’s life)? NOT a problem! (Chief Magistrate Larry Ables established that in 2011.) “Stupidity”, people. It’s not just for cops anymore. Watch your step, and indeed… “F--- the Police”, apparently.
Alex Teach
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. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alex.teach www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
ARTS
Feature
Advanced Techniques at the Cress Gallery By Michael Crumb, Pulse Arts Writer
C
urator Ruth Grover oversees a fascinating collection of the UTC art faculty’s productions that largely focus on techniques of painting and include unusual items. Grover explains that this show especially helps art students become acquainted with the wide range of styles that art faculty members develop. The show presents an invaluable index to the larger Chattanooga fine-arts community as well by documenting the efforts of these artists who both contribute works to this community and who influence those artists who will continue to develop our fine-arts scene. A most unusual offering here includes two books offered for examination. UTC’s art historian Gavin Townsend authored R.H. Hunt: Master Architect of Chattanooga, published by Cornerstones, Inc. and featuring many photos by Robert Schell Hammer. Anyone who resides in Chattanooga has likely been impressed by the stylistic diversity and aesthetic integrity of Chattanooga’s older buildings. See here now. The other book promises great relevance to current concerns. Leslie Jensen-Inman has served as creative director and co-author with nine other writers of Inter Act with Web Standards: A Holistic Approach to Web Design. An important part of Chattanooga’s economic development involves the Internet, and I feel sure this work will draw much interest from our designers, not to mention the larger Internet community, our whole world! The Internet also provides a computer-generated anomaly presented by photographer Lakshmi Luthra. Strange code surely lies behind a very weird newsprint page captured and printed. Luthra’s “Railroad Track Ballast” shows rocks against stark block that not only enhances detail, but suggests other context. The composition of “Lakewood Boulevard and Carson Street…” con-
“Anyone who resides in Chattanooga has likely been impressed by the stylistic diversity and aesthetic integrity of Chattanooga’s older buildings.”
trasts clear blue sky against Former Chair E. Alan blue industrial plastic, and White’s Florida Coastal the whole image provokes Structures Series of two questions. paintings and four works Ron Buffington’s works on paper use a sort of manage a fairly amazing contemporary postconfluence of photograimpressionist approach phy and painting. Technito effectively suggest cally photographs these varieties of texture and grayscale explorations of light. The paintings inthe interactions of light clude “Painted” frames. and paint pigments optiGeometry figures largecally scanned against a ly with nuanced color. mirror produce absorbing Susan Seaton’s abstract effects, a serious “Fore-closure” group, “wow” factor. The diptych based on the Czech “Fort/Da” suggests lines of Republic, may contain magnetic force with some utopian aspirations, but identical elements in posiI found myself intrigued tive/negative, other aspects are much harder to figure, a sharp by her play at perspective with a probable pun in the title. She aesthetic edge here. provides a dynamic tension between the attempts at depth in Rober Cox’s lovely two-panel painting “Arc” (2011), primarily the two-dimensional medium of paint. in acrylic black and blue, escapes the real to suggest complex More three-dimensional paint emerges in Angela Dittmar’s contexts. Cox boldly portrays subjective spaces. His layered “Staging Space Series” (2010-11). Geometric abstracts that “Geomancy” pictures of graphite on film over watercolor on pa- benefit from translucent materials and the judicious use of per suggest the possible macrocosmic/microcosmic interaction graphite. These works engage relationships of color with more that grounds divination. basic black and white. Viva contemplation! Approaches to landscapes feature largely in this show with Maggie McMahon’s iconography provocatively conflates renone meeting typical expectations. Mark Bradley-Shoup’s series ligion and history. (2009-11) neatly matches geometric and minimalist painting to I wonder about Kate Claiborn’s oil painted self-portrait (2011), actual minimalist landscapes. I recall actually seeing the site of executed with great sensitivity. Almost a “mosaic” of organic “Conifer Guard Shack in Niagara Mist” where the land has been colors, might greater distance provide different views? paired down to absolutely minimal functionality. Documenting Last and literally least, conceptual works by Dan Bethune and such spaces seems hardly edifying, but Shoup’s geometric puzzle Phillip Lewis risk much and provide necessary humor. Oh, to be portrayal remains visually engaging. a Zen mote floating in a corner—not! Even less edifying, but quite visually interesting are Matt Greenwell’s graffiti erasure 2011 Biennial Department of Art Faculty Exhibition documents. The stark digital medium presents Show runs until October 2 a collage-like effect merging diverse particulars Cress Gallery, UTC Fine Arts Center, Vine & Palmetto Streets and textures that make up an actual scene. The (423) 425-4269. www.facebook.com/pages/Cress-Gallery-of-Art medium is much the message here—and oppression?
www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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ARTS
Arts & Events Calendar FRIDAY
THURSDAY
Truck Farm
Potluck, panel and screening of doc about urban farming. $15 6 p.m. green|spaces, 63 E. Main St. (423) 267-1218. www.backrowfilms.com
Thursday, Sep. 15
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Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Art + Issues: Sustaining Biodiversity 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org RED: A Evening of Art and Wine 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org HandsOn Hunter: Casting the Figure 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. Photographic Society of Chattanooga Meeting 6 p.m. St. John’s United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. www.chattanoogaphoto.org Backrow Film Series: Truck Farm 6 p.m. green|spaces, 63 E. Main St. www.backrowfilms.com “Dances in Raw States” 7 p.m. Barking Legs, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
Mystery of the TV Talk Show 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Pat “Snowflake” Dixon 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com
Friday, Sep. 16
PARK(ing) Day 8 a.m. Multiple locations downtown www.parkingday.org Fresh on Fridays Marketplace 11 a.m. Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. (423) 265-3700. 18th Annual Great Grown Up Spelling Bee 6 p.m. Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. (423) 855-4443. www.chattanoogaspellingbee.org “Dances in Raw States” 7 p.m. Barking Legs, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Mystery of Flight 138 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. www. Pat “Snowflake” Dixon 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Lunch Money 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com
To Kill a Mockingbird 7:30 p.m. The Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA. (706) 935-9000. www.colonnadecenter.org I Wasn’t No Hero: stories from those who fought in World War II 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Lantern Tour 8:30 p.m. Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Hwy. (423) 821-2544. www.rubyfalls.com Stand Up Comedy! Eric Hunter 9:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images Showbar, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com
Saturday, Sep. 17
2011 Walk to End Alzheimers 10 a.m. Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 458-6281. Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496. www.chattanoogamarket.com Art till Dark Noon. 40 Frazier Ave. (423) 413-8999. www.arttildark.com
Dances in Raw States
Your chance to see dance pieces as they evolve. $5 7 p.m. Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org
Lunch Money 2 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Bonsai Tree Exhibit and Demonstration 2 p.m. River Gallery, 400 E. 2nd St. (423) 265-5033. www.river-gallery.com “A Cultural Awakening” Dance Presentation 4 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center Roland Hayes Hall, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music Mystery at the Nightmare Office Party 5:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. The Southeast Social 6 p.m. Bendabout Farm, 3824 South Lee Hwy, McDonald. (615) 244-5263. www.landtrusttn.org “Bubbles, Bites & Bling” 7 p.m. Loose Cannon Gallery, 1800A Rossville Ave. (423) 622-2872. Lee University’s Kickin’ It for Kids with Cancer 7 p.m. Lee University Soccer Field, Parker St. Cleveland. www.hatcherfoundation.org
ARTS
Arts & Events Calendar
SATURDAY
I Wasn’t No Hero: stories of those who fought in World War II
One-man show based on true war stories. $18 ($9 vets/current military) 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Circle Stage, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. The Small-Yang Duo 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center Cadek Recital Hall, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music Pat “Snowflake” Dixon 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com To Kill a Mockingbird 7:30 p.m. The Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold. (706) 935-9000. www.colonnadecenter.org I Wasn’t No Hero: stories from those who fought in World War II 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Mystery at the Redneck-Italian Wedding 8 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Lantern Tour 8:30 p.m. Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Hwy. (423) 821-2544.
SUNDAY
2nd Chance Prom Fundraiser 9 p.m. Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. Chattanooga Ghost Hunt 9:30 p.m. Patten Chapel, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Stand Up Comedy! Eric Hunter 10:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images Showbare, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com
Sunday, Sep. 18
Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. Chattanooga Market 11 a.m. First Tennesee Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. www.chattanoogamarket.com Chattanooga Book Arts Collaborative Meeting 2 p.m. CreateHere, 55 E. Main St. chattanoogabookarts.blogspot.com “When Love was Art - Music from Medieval France” 4 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. 7th St. (423) 266-8195. www.stpaulschatt.org Lunch Money 6:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Taste of Hamilton Place 7 p.m. Hamilton Place Mall, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. www.tasteofhamiltonplace.com Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448.
Pat “Snowflake” Dixon 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Movie Night 8 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Cafe, 501 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 752-5224. Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125.
Monday, Sep. 19
Dynamo of Dixie Downtown Tour 10 a.m. Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St. (423) 228-0448. Joseph Campbell Roundtable: Jung’s The Red Book 7 p.m.. Merritt Room, Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. Bluff and Bridges Downtown Tour 7 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 228-0448. www.chattanoogasidewalktours.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125.
Tuesday, Sep. 20
70th Annual Luncheon of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 11:30 a.m. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (423) 424-4426. 14th Annual First Things First Fall Banquet 6 p.m. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001. www.firstthings.org George T. Hunter Lecture Series: Michelle Rhee 7 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. www.chattanooga.gov
“When Love Was Art: Music from Medieval France”
Concert with Armonia Nova ensemble. $10 4 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 W. 7th St. (423) 266-8195. www.stpaulschatt.org
Laughs for Love 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com
Wednesday, Sep. 21 Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m. Main St. at Williams St. www.mainstfarmersmarket.com
Ongoing
“Born in Trenchtown” Sewanee University Art Gallery, 735 University Ave. www.gallery.sewanee.edu “A Breath of Fresh Air” Shuptrine Fine Art Group, 2646 Broad St. (423) 266-4453. www.shuptrinefineartgroup.com Athens Community Artist League Reflections Gallery, 6922 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-3072. Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. “The Fabric of Life” River Gallery, 400 E. 2nd St. (423) 265-5033. www.river-gallery.com www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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MUSIC
Feature
Musical Take-Your-Pick All Over Town George McConnell is a man who has worn many hats in the music industry. He’s served as the front man for many different bands, ranging from Widespread Panic, Beanland, and Kudzu Kings. When he’s not out on the road performing, George helms his own vintage guitar store in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi. Don’t expect just to hear one type of music from this man. With more than two decades of musical experience, George McConnell has taken influences from many of his peers in the jazz, soul, blues, country, jam, and rock circles. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to check out a very talented musician with years of experience behind him.
“From solid songwriting to deep cuts to folkpunk rockfusion, this is one of the best weeks in recent memory to check out different types of music.”
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By Dave Castaneda, Pulse Music Writer
T
he leaves are changing, the air feels cooler, the days are shorter, and the music is just getting better! This week is filled with so many events and happenings that some are sure to satisfy anyone’s eardrums. From solid songwriting to deep cuts to folk-punk rock-fusion, this is one of the best weeks in recent memory to check out different types of music. The best part is most of these events are $5 or free! Here are this week’s music features you should not miss: George McConnell 21+ 10 p.m. Saturday, September 17 Market Street Tavern, 850 Market Street $5
The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
Writer’s Night 18+ 7 p.m. every Thursday Sugar’s Ribs Downtown, 507 Broad Street Free www.sugarsribs.com Sugar’s Downtown, in a partnership between The Chattanooga Songwriters Association and Carter Distribution, will be hosting their very own Writer’s Night to build awareness about the new organization. The weekly showcases will line-up some of the best local songwriters in Chattanooga, including David Brown, Rand Johnston, Summer Hullender, Mark Merriman and Dennis Brown, plus a BMI songwriter. The Chattanooga Songwriters Association was founded by Thom Cavin, a local Chattanoogan who has been working in the Nashville scene for 15 years. Cavin brings with him loads of experience and a drive to support original music in Chattanooga. Having been a part of many successful concert specials, music video sets, and interviews,
he’s been in contact with some of the industry’s best acts. This weekly showcase provides an excellent opportunity for any upcoming songwriter to find a community to help drive their creative spirit and build a network with some of the best talent in the Scenic City. Spaceheads with New Planet, Natural Selection, Kalahari Crash, Iggy Beats, D. Money 21+ 10 p.m. Saturday, September 17 JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E 11th Street $5 Spaceheads—The Sounds of The Future. But what are “The Sounds of the Future”? D. Money answers this question with a new monthly showcase that looks into the sounds of experimental electronic music. This is an exploratory showcase that presents a large and mostly untouched pallette of dance music that ranges from psychedelic trance, deep techno, post-dubstep, house and more. Don’t expect heavy bass dubstep music, don’t expect a wild dance party, and do expect a large refreshing selection of new music that is much needed in a town that was once saturated with parties featuring nothing but bass-heavy music. This isn’t your normal affair that normally takes place at 412 Market. Gone are the frantic and borderline hedonistic antics that are a staple at Nightmoves or Bassheads. This is strictly a 21+ affair which means you can enjoy yourself and not have to worry about being too old for your age. If you’re less into Rusko, Bassnectar, or Pretty Lights and more into Flying Lotus, Burial, Washed Out or Spacey Music, then check this night out and vibe to the deep cuts.
MUSIC
New Music Reviews
Lindsey Buckingham Seeds We Sow (Mind Kit)
“Decades later, it’s comforting to know that Buckingham hasn’t rested nor given in to mediocrity.”
Demonstrating one of the most successful band reboots ever, Fleetwood Mac evolved irregularly, going from a good-to-great British blues-rock group to a staggeringly popular rock/pop phenomenon, with the inclusion of Americans Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid-’70s. For the current generation of listeners, understanding why other ’70s phenomena were huge and important may be easier to fathom—ABBA spawned modern pop, and Led Zeppelin bridged the transition from blues-worship to hard rock. But, understandably, Fleetwood Mac likely brings to mind, to vaguely informed youngsters, middle-of-theroad Californian soft rock and Stevie Nicks’s earthy longdress mysticism. The multimulti-platinum-selling album Rumours got most of the attention, but this writer maintains that the true masterpiece of the Fleetwood Mac reboot is the ambitious 1979 double-album Tusk, largely due to Lindsey Buckingham’s contributions; with home recording experimentation and bent pop conventions, his tracks were always a little offcenter but never unpalatable.
Keroøàcidu Suäväk ** * *
(ksuavak.bandcamp.com) Whether or not it’s an accurate assessment, São Paulo, Brazil has always seemed like a hotbed of awesome musical weirdness to this writer, spawning such oddball artists with myriad surprises like the vibrantly loony Os Mutantes and the eccentric and inventive Tom Zé. The São Paulo outfit Keroøàcidu Suäväk sounds nothing like the two aforementioned acts but is definitely strange and unconventional, citing influences such as the chaotic
Decades later, it’s comforting to know that Buckingham hasn’t rested nor given in to mediocrity, and his latest, Seeds We Sow, is actually the third in a run of solo releases in the last half-decade, following the excellent Under the Skin and Gift of Screws. With Buckingham’s own reboot (there’s a 14-year gap between Under the Skin and its predecessor), he has emerged with a style that highlights his acoustic guitar fingerpicking chops; this is apparent on the opening title track and throughout the album, like on “Stars Are Crazy,” with cascades of echoing note patterns. As possibly hinted by its title, “In Our Own Time” is hard to place in a certain time period, with drum machine beats, jarring string-ensemble hits, and the trademark Buckingham pop-song nervousness. He shows a D.I.Y. spirit, releasing and recording Seeds We Sow by himself, and his home recordings are stark and clean but not shiny-slick, with everything up front. It may come as a surprise—a solid album with strong hooks and irresistible vocal harmonizing, showcasing Buckingham’s vitality as a veteran who refuses to go through the motions. — Ernie Paik
Finnish sound group Kemialliset Ystävät, the vividly disturbing and surreal filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Fluxus art of the ’60s. The band members apparently are really into picnics, as well. Though both make wild, unstructured sound pieces, Keroøàcidu Suäväk’s new EP, ** * *, doesn’t really sound like Kemialliset Ystävät’s meticulously crafted madness; instead, it sounds much more loose, disorderly, and organic and not exactly like something shaped in a studio. Demonstrating almost no conventional musical skills, on some aesthetic level the group is reminiscent of primitive rock outfits such as Amon Düül or the Godz, but with a greater emphasis on making sound art than “songs.” The opening track is an incongruous combination of echoing synthetics, random harmonica and chord organ notes,
hand percussion instruments, loops, and disquieting, incomprehensible vocalizations, atop a bed of outdoor sounds such as insects chirping and dogs barking. The final two tracks suggest a chaotic, campfire dance gathering with animalistic vocals, bicycle bells, violin sawing, flutes, and simple drumming, which gradually gets faster and more tense and thunderous, whipping up a frenzied climax. Anyone expecting any semblance of normality or expert musicianship will surely be disappointed, but with the right mindset, ** * * can make for interesting listening. Just imagine it’s a field recording made by curious and terrified anthropologists who are eavesdropping on some crazy, outdoor ceremony from members of an obscure primitive culture, trying out instruments discovered in an abandoned ship’s wreckage. — Ernie Paik www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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MUSIC
Concert Calendar
THURSDAY
The Damn Choir with Josh Gilbert
The Damn Choir’s sound is “meandering and melancholic to pulsing and vengeful.” $3 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Parkway (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com
Thursday, Sep. 15
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Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th St. (423) 756-8253. Songwriter’s Night 7 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs Downtown, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com Blues Jam with Rick Rushing 7:30 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Audience Choice Night 7 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Ter. (423) 877-2124. www.mchalesbrewhouse.com Open Mic Night 7:30 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Jimmy Harris 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com The Crew 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
FRIDAY
Buckner Brothers 8 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Comedy Night 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191. Find them on Facebook. The Cadillac Saints 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia The Damn Choir with Josh Gilbert 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com One Shot Down, April Mae and the Junebugs 9:30 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com
Friday , Sep. 16
Mother’s Finest Noon. Thunder Creek HarleyDavidson, 7720 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-4888. www.thundercreekharley.com Rosedale Remedy 6:30 p.m. Southside Bistro & Saloon, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. www.southsidesaloonandbistro.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 Hannah Miller feat. Noah Collins 8 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Nathan Farrow Band 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com
Christy & Josh 8 p.m. Palms Patio at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd. #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Patrick Scott Band 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker Strung Like A Horse 9 p.m. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111. www.lindsaystreethall.com A. J. Stone 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191. Find them on Facebook. Skin Deep 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com The Unsatisfied, Telemonster, The Jackies, Riot Punch, Southern Love Kills 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Fried Chicken Trio 10 p.m. T-Bones Cafe, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com Soul Mechanic 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com The Stone Foxes, Glowing Bordis 10 p.m. Rhythm and Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Dana Rogers 10 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pk. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com
Telemonster, The Unsatisfied, Southern Love Kills, Riot Punch
Telemonster’s recent EP, lyrical, spritely and musically thoughtful, offers a great companion to their energetic live show. $7 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. myspace.com/jjsbohemia
Saturday, Sep. 17
Angela Easterling 10 a.m. Chattanooga River Market, Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. www.tnaqua.com Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com/localevents Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com River City Extension 7 p.m. The Hub, UTC Campus, 650 McCallie Ave. Paul Thorn 8 p.m. Riverfront Nights, 200 Riverfront Pkwy. www.riverfrontnights.com John M 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rd. www.christunity.org
MUSIC
Concert Calendar
SATURDAY
Future Virgins, The Shaking Ray Levis, Kreamy ‘Lectric Santa, Possible Side Effects Chattanooga band Future Virgins is a high-energy blend of pop-punk and oldschool garage rock. $5 10 p.m. Sluggo’s North, 501 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 752-5224
Finesse 8 p.m. Mountain Arts Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. (423) 886-1956. www.signalmountain.gov Fried Chicken Trio 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com Dana Rogers 8 p.m. Palms Patio at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd. #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Towe Jam 8 p.m. Palms Patio at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd. #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Truett Lollis Band 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimsrtriker Soul Survivor 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com
MONDAY
Danimal 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191. Find them on Facebook. DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Satisfaction: A Tribute to The Rolling Stones 10 p.m. Rhythm and Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Skin Deep 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com Natural Selections, Kalahari, DJ Drug Money, DJ New Planet 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia George McConnell 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Kreamy ‘Lectric Santa, Shaking Ray Levis, Possible Side Effects, Future Virgins 10 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café, 501 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 752-5224. Matt Stephens Project, Power Players Show Band 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com
Sunday, Sep. 18
Kickin’ Chicken 11 a.m. Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. Dana Rogers 12:30 p.m. Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. www.chattanoogamarket.com
Dave Dykes & The Grateful Hearts 2 p.m. Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. Free Range Mystics 3 p.m. Pasha Coffee and Tea, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 475-5482. www.pashacoffeehouse.com Irish Music Session 3 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com John Lathim and Company 7 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com Shawn Mullins 8 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Cough, Rough Rope, Generator Earth 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia
Monday, Sep. 19
Big Band Night 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Lubriphonic 9 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Your Heart Breaks, Bryan Hensley, Ashley King 10 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café, 501 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 752-5224.
Tuesday, Sep. 20
Open Mike with Mike McDade 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 203 Hixson Pk. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com
Lubriphonic
“Superb, adventurous, diverse, simply mesmerizing instrumental work.” $10 9:30 pm Rhythm & Brews, 22 Market Street (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com David Wax Museum 9:30 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Reigning Soul, Jam Messengers, Acid Baby Jesus, Hell Shovel 10 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café, 501 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 752-5224.
Wednesday, Sep. 21
Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Prime Cut Trio 8 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Lonesome City Travelers 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com Jenntastic Wednesdays Open Mic 9 p.m. Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 899-2695. www.holidaybowlbrainerd.com www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
OPINION
Life In The ‘Noog
A Man’s Plan For DIY Staging A House I
recently put my house on the market just to see if it would sell. I really have nowhere to go and no immediate plans for future digs. I’m self-employed, so I’m pretty sure I can’t get another mortgage right now. What the hell was I thinking? Well, the obligation of my current mortgage given the economy has me a little scared to be burdened with such a huge and seemingly unshakable ball and chain. I guess my gut was telling me to remain a little more nimble in these trying times. Anyway, there’s a sign out front. Regardless of whether it sells or not, I’ve been told by the ladies in my life that my place needs a little warming up before they, and most potential buyers, will truly feel at home there. As a bachelor with the part-time roommate of a 16-year-old daughter, my eye for decorating could be described as a mix of artsy hipster, rock critic and frat dude. There’s plenty of cool folk art, knick-knacks from around the globe and designer furniture. However, there’s also plenty of cheap IKEA furniture, framed vinyl LPs and a foosball table. I even have the 53-inch plasma television five feet away from the sofa like a good bachelor should. You can get seasick just from watching it. Lying on the sofa for a Saturday afternoon of channel surfing, I’ve been known to stop occasionally at those “doit-yourself-with-the-help-of-a-designerand-crew” shows. I’ve always thought I have a better-than-a-typical-guy’s taste for colors, furniture and what should be hanging where from a bulldog hanger. I’ve also acquired over the years the skill and sometimes-needed cajones to take on just about any type of home improvement. It only takes getting lit up once to learn the ins and outs of basic home electricity. Once you’ve made it a habit to flip breakers and switches, twist off water supplies and righty-tighty or leftyloosey everything else, half the battle of doing it yourself is won. The rest just relies on some essential tools and a knack for not throwing your hammer across the
Chuck Crowder “I’ve been told by the ladies in my life that my place needs a little warming up before they, and most potential buyers, will truly feel at home there.” room when the simple steps depicted on the instructions inevitably don’t come together exactly as pictured. I have my own 80 percent rule about project outcomes. If it works, it doesn’t necessarily have to be tightened all of the way, exactly level or anywhere close to “plumb” (a term I have yet to admit not knowing the true meaning of). I am proud to say however, that many household improvements, which successful completion of or even bonafide attempt of might forever elude some of my peers, have been happily tackled by this guy. It was with this experience that I approached the three ladies in my life, ranging in age from 10 to 30-something, for their ideas of what could be done to my place to turn it from a cold dungeonous cave of masculinity into a warm gingerbread house of sweet familyfriendly comfort and security. “Less show-off stuff and more everyday
stuff.” “Cover up those concrete floors with something warmer—like hardwood and lots of rugs.” “Ditch the foosball table and make another seating area there.” “Throw pillows—lots of throw pillows.” The ideas started coming in. As I sharpened the old pencil, I came up with some of my own ideas. A fresh (neutral) paint color here, a new light fixture there and yes—more throw pillows. I took down some of the rock n’ roll swag for more generic décor. I started looking at my house through the eyes of someone else. But you know what? I hate that changing things up is what it takes to make things a little more tolerable for a potential buyer. I’m one of those people who can walk into a house and completely ignore the furniture, drapes, paint colors, wallpaper and other examples of someone else’s bad taste. I can see past what’s there and look at the potential. Immediately see what I would do to make it my own. In fact, I prefer viewing places that way. There’s always something I’d do different if it were mine— whether it’s the man cave of a Mountain Shadows McMansion or the dining room of a McDonald’s. But as any of those shows on television will prove, the average person only has taste in their mouths. It kills me how many matching tan, overstuffed sofa/ loveseat/recliner sets there are pushed up against naked white walls in this country. Seriously? Tell me your imagination isn’t limited to Harry Potter books and Walmart. Anyway, I’m no designer myself, but I do pay attention to ideas I see in magazines and on TV. And that’s really all it takes. Don’t be afraid to try new things….like putting your house on the market without a plan for what happens if it sells. Wish me luck. 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. www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
Dining Out In Chattanooga
212 Market Stays a Step Ahead By D.E. Langley, Pulse Food Reviewer As I’ve detailed in this space before, 212 Market has prided itself on being ahead of the curve, in more ways than one. From their business practices to their menu choices, the Moses family and their staff have spearheaded responsible restaurant management for the better part of two decades. Furthermore, their cuisine is top-notch—not in spite of, but because of their forward thinking. When last I visited, 212 was in the midst of installing several new features to further amp up their eco-friendly credibility. Those plans have now come to fruition; they’ve recently installed more solar paneling, electric car chargers, and even renovated the restrooms in a water-saving measure. Those moves come on top of the steps they’ve taken for years, from buying local, to using corn-based take-out packaging, to composting kitchen waste. I could go on and on… But that’s not what this space is about, now is it? After all, the primary reason we dine out is the food. Thankfully, their menu is just as innovative as their infrastructure. With seasonally rotating menus for both lunch and dinner, you can almost always find something new. Specials change daily, from lunch to dinner, and brunch on the weekends. (You can check them out on their website.) Flavors come from around the globe, as well as around the block. Some items reflect the Caribbean, Europe, or the Middle East, while others draw from Southern roots or American classics. Often, multiple influences can be teased out of a single dish. Ingredients are always locally sourced if possible, and their seafood is sustainably harvested and shipped to ensure the freshest possible flavors. Many menu items even have their provenance listed right on the menu. I sampled a bevy of dishes on my visit, each reflecting 212 Market’s unique approach to food.
a perennial favorite: Wild Caught Shrimp and Falls Mill Grits. Black-eyed peas add a great texture to a classic dish, and the savory notes provided by Benton’s smoky ham take it to the next level. The second was a grilled local ribeye, with French fries dusted with cayenne. The heat stayed on my tongue as I switched back and forth, adding yet another level of flavor to a wonderful piece of meat that was topped with caramelized onions touched with balsamic vinegar. Accompanied by a CBC Imperial Pilsner (which is quickly becoming a favorite of mine for meat-and-potato meals), I couldn’t have been much more content. I finished with a trio of frozen delights. First was a watermelon and vodka sorbet, tart and sweet. Then, a coconut offering that straddled the line between sorbet and ice cream, with a fantastic mouthfeel and fresh flavor. Lastly came an astonishing bacon and ginger ice cream, served with a crunchy and delightful bread pudding confection. I wish I had more space to expound on the creativity and ingenuity of 212’s kitchen. Their approach to food (not to mention their ecological acumen) is remarkable, and worthy of a restaurant three times their price and a city ten times as big. I’ve not even touched on their multiple Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence, or the special events that they host regularly, including cooking seminars and wine dinners with preeminent hosts. Stop by, and be wowed.
“Their approach to food is remarkable, and worthy of a restaurant three times their price and a city ten times as big.” The Mediterranean Sampler contains an abundance of regional flavors. A very light and fresh tabbouleh is joined by kalamata olives, feta cheese, and marinated artichoke hearts. In addition, a delicious hummus with a creeping spiciness comes with housemade pita and lavash. The second appetizer I sampled was among the most revelatory dishes I have ever had. (I am craving this dish as I write.) The Grilled Georgia Quail Breasts retained their fantastically crisp skin, and were perched atop aptly named polenta “fries”—crusty on the outside, and tender and creamy on the inside. The plate was laced with a sweet and tangy blueberry ketchup. Simply unbelievable. Next up was a terrific spinach salad, combining classic flavors—apple, spiced pecans, gorgonzola, and bacon—with dried cranberries and a hazelnut vinaigrette. Well balanced, with just the right amount of each in every bite. I tasted two entrees on my visit. The first is
212 Market Restaurant, 212 Market Street. Lunch: Seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner: Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more info, call (423) 265-1212 or visit them online at www.212market.com
www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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SCREEN
Film Feature
Family Ties With A Kick
“Nolte injects a convincing, desperate humanity into a film already exploring the depths of desperation.”
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By John DeVore, Pulse Film Critic
I
’ve always thought that mixed martial arts only appeals to a certain demographic. I’ve never seen a UFC fight. I know what one is like; I’ve seen various clips and news stories showing the brutality. To me, it doesn’t seem that different from boxing. There seems to be long sessions of large, sweaty men hugging with occasional, shocking bursts of violent kicking and punching. I’m sure it’s like any other sport. Football, baseball, hockey and soccer are all boring to people who don’t follow the game. But still, mixed martial arts fans generally appear to have interests that are in no way compatible with mine. They aren’t interested in seeing independent dramas or going to film festivals. I’m sure Michael Bay suits them fine. This weekend, though, our interests converged unexpectedly. Mixed martial arts fans may accidentally see a film that is not just about their sport, but one that is about much, much more. Warrior could have been a boring action cliché, a Bloodsport-type movie that exists only to fill the ever-expanding bargain bin at Walmart. Instead, it is a real film, with real characters and re-
The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
alistic conflicts. The story is one of brothers, split apart by their violent drunk of a father. Tommy was a star wrestler, a potential Olympic-level athlete, taken by his mother to California to flee the daily beatings at the hands of her husband. Brendan was the older brother, who chose to stay behind, not out of love for his dad, but out of love for the pretty blond girl at his high school. Brendan marries this girl, escapes his father, and becomes a high-school physics teacher. Tommy watches his mother get sick and die and then joins the Marines. While their circumstances are drastically different, they are forced into prize fighting for equally desperate reasons. We know from the beginning that these two brothers must fight each other in the “big match.” We’ve seen this type of movie before. But here, the filmmakers allow the backstory to unfold so naturally that we become actively engaged in the characters. The film devotes a significant amount of time building the characters from the ground up, apart from each other, so that we identify and feel empathy for each one. Tommy is angry at his family, at his father and at himself. Given what we learn, he is entirely justified for the chip on his shoulder. Brendan chose a healthier way to handle his anger, most likely inspired by the love of a good woman. At the center is their father, played perceptively by Nick Nolte. Nolte injects a convincing, desperate humanity into a film already exploring the depths of desperation. His character has changed, been sober for nearly three years, but remains unable to make amends for the havoc he inflicted on his children. I was surprised by the length of the film, especially for what I expected to be a simple “Rocky” type story. But it was necessary to allow full development of the narrative. We follow the char-
acters from before training all the way through the inevitable tournament. This is a sports movie after all, and the sport must be featured prominently. The other competitors in the tournament are particularly amusing. They appear to be a nod to the first four “Rocky” films; there’s even an ominously named unbeatable Russian. The film succeeds because it devotes equal time to character building and action sequences. Balance is something that is missing in many movies right now, and it is nice to see it here. Of course, the film isn’t perfect. The supporting characters and their subplots are somewhat stilted. When there is such powerful tension between the main characters, mortgages and mild domestic squabbles feel extraneous. At times, the director relies too heavily on the shaky-cam, making the fights seem out of focus. I want to see every punch, every kick and every concussion. This is a fighting movie after all. Also, I didn’t quite buy Brendan as a high-school teacher. But maybe his character didn’t either. Every sport needs its movie to be truly recognized as legitimate. Boxing has Rocky, baseball The Natural. Basketball has Hoosiers and football has Rudy. Mixed martial arts now have Warrior. It has earned its place in the American consciousness. The strength of this film, however, isn’t the sport itself. The strength of this film is found between the punches, in the pauses of unfinished conversations and lost opportunities. Warrior Directed by Gavin O’Connor Starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte Rated PG-13 Running time: 2 hours, 19 minutes
SCREEN
New In Theaters
An Indie Action Star? Drive A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for the criminal underground finds himself on the run after a botched job. Riding shotgun and equally in danger are his neighbor and her child. Wait, haven’t we already seen The Transporter 2? But before you write this one off, take into account it is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, who brought great surrealism and mood to Valhalla Rising, not to mention the wonderful weirdness of the Pusher trilogy. Add in Ryan Gosling taking a break from his normal indie fare to anchor an old-fashioned action movie, plus the always powerful presence of Bryan Cranston, and this may be a welcome release in the midst of the September movie doldrums. Starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn I Don’t Know How She Does It Kate Reddy is a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her husband and two kids. A new account adds another layer to her already packed schedule—and it includes temptation in the form of business associate Jack Abelhammer. The film is based on the real-life escapades Daily Mail columnist Allison Pearson, who has lived a rather eventful life, including tiffs with Sarah Ferguson, a rather public relationship with film critic Anthony Lane, as well as ongoing bouts with depression. Sarah Jessica Parker’s decision to make this her first major post-Sex And The City role appears to be a good choice. While many viewers will be expecting Carrie Bradshaw, what they’ll get is far more complex and far less shallow. Whether it will appeal to a wider audience remains to be seen, though female-centric films have done well at the box-office over the past several years in spite of the normal Hollywood studio blind spot to this type of movie. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelsey Grammer, Pierce Brosnan, Directed by Douglas McGrath
Straw Dogs L.A. screenwriter David Sumner relocates with his wife Amy to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both. A remake of Sam Peckinpah’s “fascist classic” that still drives passionate film-school discussions, especially in regard to the original’s nihilism and extreme third-act violence. Yet, the past four decades have seen seismic changes in the South, which has been largely ignored by Hollywood studios and screenwriters, which brings the question of whether this is yet another movie that completely ignores the reality of the modern South in favor of tired storytelling. Considering that most of the pre-release hype has been centered on the romance between co-stars Kate Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgård, it’s highly likely that most audiences will pass with a yawn on a film that is at least a decade (or more) past its relevance. Starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård Directed by Rod Lurie www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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ENTERTAINMENT
Free Will Astrology
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Everything is unique,” said the 19th-century authors known as the Goncourt brothers, who wrote all their books together. “Nothing happens more than once in a lifetime. The physical pleasure that a certain woman gave you at a certain moment, the exquisite dish that you ate on a certain day—you will never meet either again. Nothing is repeated, and everything is unparalleled.” Of course this is always true. But I suspect you will be more intensely aware of it in the coming days than you have in a long time. In part that’s because the sensations and experiences headed your way will be so piquantly unique, so exquisitely fresh. And in part it’s because you’ll be wideawake to the novel pleasures that are possible when you appreciate the fact that everything changes all the time.
meals, please. Sleep well and exercise now and then.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul,” said environmentalist Edward Abbey. The “ruin” doesn’t happen all of a sudden, because of a single small failure to translate sincere intentions into good works. Rather, it’s the result of long-running laziness or passivity— a consistent inability to do what one’s passions demand. If there is even a shred of this tendency in your make-up, Libra, now is an urgent time to shed it. According to my astrological analysis, you simply must carry out your soul’s mandates.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “An awakened Aries would rather err on the side of making a daring, improvisational mistake than cuddle up with passionless peace,” writes astrologer Hunter Reynolds. “He or she knows that creative conflict can be a greater unifying force than superficial harmony.” This is an excellent keynote for you to keep in mind during the coming days. But make sure your motivations are pure and humble, please. If the daring improvisation you launch is fueled by arrogance or the urge to dominate, your efforts to shake things up for the greater good will fail. Fight against what Reynolds calls “terrified niceness”—but do it with fierce compassion, not sneering rage.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I would of course never advocate burning all copies of the book Faking It: How to Seem Like a Better Person Without Actually Improving Yourself. I’m a staunch defender of freedom of speech, even if the speech offends my moral sense. On the other hand, my freedom of speech allows me to advise you to strenuously avoid that book and any influence that resembles it. In my astrological opinion, you need to actually become a better person in the coming weeks, not just pretend you are. Here’s a good place to start: Don’t just pay lip service to the idea of supporting others’ freedom of speech. Help them claim and express that freedom, even if it makes you uncomfortable. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Every one of us is born with up to 150 new mutations that make us different from both of our parents. Most of those genetic alterations are neutral in their effects. Some are negative and a few may be beneficial. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because you’re entering a phase when it’s possible to take more advantage of your positive mutations than you ever have before. Can you guess what they are? Try to, because you’re primed to tap in to their fuller potential. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Dictionary.com says there are 19 words in the English language with no perfect rhymes. Among them are six words that are useful in constructing this week’s horoscope for you: cusp, glimpsed, depth, rhythm, gulf, and opus. I like the fact that none of them rhyme because it’s symbolic of the task you have ahead of you. You’re on the cusp of a shift in your rhythm that will take you out of your depth, compelling you to close the gulf between you and a resource that will be crucial for you to have access to in the future. You’ve glimpsed what needs to be done—the creation of a new opus -- but in order to accomplish it, you will need to be motivated by a frustration that feels like having to rhyme unrhymeable words. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Jerusalem Syndrome is a temporary psychological phenomenon that on rare occasions overtakes travelers who visit Jerusalem. Under the influence of ancient holy sites, these people may become obsessed with religious themes or experience delusions that they are characters from stories in the Bible or Koran. I don’t expect you to fall under the sway of such an outbreak, Aquarius, but I do suspect that you will soon have some intense spiritual stirrings. To ensure that they will enlighten you, not dishevel you, stay well-grounded. Have regular
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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): My Pisces friend Rana Satori Stewart coined some new words that happen to be perfect for you to begin using and embodying. “Blissipline,” she says, is “the commitment to experiencing a little or a lot of bliss every day; the practice of expanding one’s capacity for bliss and being open to receive it in any moment.” A “blissiplinarian” is “someone who enforces pleasure and invites opportunities for more pleasure,” while a “blissciple” is a person who aspires to master the art of blissipline. I encourage you to be a blissciple, Pisces, because it will put you in sync with the effervescent invitations the cosmos has scheduled for you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Back in 2009, John Allwood, an Australian melon-picker, used his head to smash 47 watermelons in 60 seconds. That broke the previous world record of 40 in a minute, also set by him a couple of years earlier. I’ve chosen him to be your role model for the coming week, Taurus—for two reasons. First, you’re primed to outstrip a personal best you achieved some time back. So do it! Second, it’s a perfect time to use your head in fun and creative ways. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): According to April Winchell’s book Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF, here are some of the treasures you can find for sale at Etsy.com: a toy pig made from a root beer can; a “juicy enchanted pouch” for holding runes; a handmade hornet’s nest; a stuffed feral goat fashioned to resemble a unicorn; fake tapeworms that are actually spray-painted fettucine; and a “haunted Ouija board Las Vegas casino-style blackjack roulette poker chip.” I would absolutely love it if you designed something like this and hawked it on Etsy, Gemini. Your skill as an idiosyncratic creator will soon be peaking, as will your capacity for marketing the most unique aspects of your shtick and style. CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Specialization is for insects,” said science-fiction writer Robert Heinlein. “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, pitch manure, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently.” I bring this thought to your attention, Cancerian, because it’s an excellent time for you to broaden your understanding and expand your repertoire. How many of the things that Heinlein names can you do? Make a list of your talents, and try to add some new ones to that list in the coming weeks. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A veterinarian in Nashville was asked to do something he had never done: diagnose and treat a wounded whooping crane. Experts devoted to safeguarding the endangered species advised him to wear a billowy white suit. That way the wild bird would be more likely to accept his attention. “You learn very quickly how to communicate dressed as a marshmallow,” the vet said after completing his work. Be prepared for a metaphorically similar encounter, Leo. You, too, may face a prospect that resembles interspecies conversation. I hope you’ll be as adaptable as the vet.
ENTERTAINMENT
Jonesin' Crossword — "I Get Around (As You'll Discover)" Across 1 Brain scan, for short 4 Makes a quick getaway 9 Style 13 Go for blood? 15 System that came with black joysticks 16 Machu Picchu culture 17 Memorable line? 20 Not so hot 21 Charles I and Mary II, e.g. 22 “Chaplin” actress ___ Kelly 26 Masseuse’s stuff 27 By means of 30 John of “Gandhi” and “Arthur” 32 Spam, most often 35 What a paranoid person may feel they have on their back 38 “The King and I” setting 39 In a bygone time 40 Letter after theta 41 Cartoon detective with a trench coat
46 Box office purchase, for short 47 Continued in one direction, like the stock market 48 Smelted stuff 49 Day planner abbr. 50 Letters on the farm 52 Greeted, in a way 56 Cream of the crop 60 Spending proposal, often 64 Drummer Ulrich 65 Penguin or Star 66 Soccer player Hope on “Dancing With the Stars” 67 “What ___ is there?” 68 She portrayed Frida 69 Chihuahua with the last name Hoek Down 1 Fix text 2 Art deco artist 3 “Unbelievable!” noise 4 Way out of reach 5 Inc., overseas 6 Be a gourmand
7 Cupid’s Greek counterpart 8 Separate, like gold and dirt 9 How some YouTube videos go 10 MIT grad, often 11 Rapper who “Loves Coco” in an E! reality series 12 Team from D.C. 14 Fancy 18 “___ Life” (Peter Mayle book) 19 One-named author of 1867’s “Under Two Flags” 23 Number on the right side of a clock 24 Mail-in offer 25 Little kid’s words after finishing a meal 27 Stop by 28 How legal documents are usually signed 29 “Stop,” to a pirate 31 LeVar, on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” 32 Whiskey ___ (L.A. club)
33 Prevent 34 It’s abbreviated with two letters 36 Rascal 37 Free (of) 42 Chopin exercise 43 Some Greek islanders 44 Exclamation from The Beaver 45 Word that may be bid 49 Not very wordy 51 Automobile brand that lasted 107 years, for short 52 ACME patron ___ E. Coyote 53 ___ retentive 54 Appliances that used to blink 12:00 when broken 55 Workplace watchdog: abbr. 57 “Young Frankenstein” role 58 Conference opener 59 James Bond’s alma mater 61 Right angle-shaped pipe 62 Rep.’s counterpart 63 Victoria’s Secret item
Jonesin' Crossword created By Matt Jones. © 2011 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle #0537
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OPINION
Ask A Mexican
Standing on the Corner Listening to Vikki Carr Dear Mexican, I’m a young white dude who drives to work everyday, and on my daily commute, I get off the freeway and drive through the streets. Every single day between the hours of 5 a.m. and 12 p.m., there are AT LEAST one hundred Mexican men out there waiting to be picked up for work of any kind. My question: is it really worth it to stand out there all day and pray to God that they will get picked up? And even if they do, why did they get picked up??? Did he look stronger and more capable than the other Mexicans? Did the pickupee look at him and say, “Hmm, that one looks like he can lay some tile, and pour concrete”? I don’t know how many get picked up every day, but I kind of think that unless you know the person who is looking to pick up some cheap labor, you are just a lucky pick. So is it worth it? Shouldn’t a Mexican work harder to gain citizenship and actually pick up a real job? It makes me feel bad, too, that I absolutely hate my job, and really, I take it for granted that I even have one. Thanks for listening. — Office Drone Dave
list for years? Who says being a day laborer isn’t a real job? I agree the employment isn’t an ideal one—“Even if day laborers have many more good months than bad months, it is unlikely that their annual earnings will exceed $15,000, keeping them at or below the federal poverty threshold,” found a report co-authored by my old UCLA boss, Dr. Abel Valenzuela, Jr., the nation’s premier expert on day laborers, in his 2006 paper, “On the Corner: Day Labor in the United States”—but it’s better than sitting on your ass and seeing the umpteenth YouTube clip of cats.
Gustavo Arellano
Dear Gabacho, Who says those jornaleros haven’t already applied for citizenship, or have been on the waiting
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Dear Mexican, My father is Mexican-American and my mother is white. Every time we go to visit older relatives on my dad’s side, they always play the same music--Eydie Gormé and Vikki Carr. Why are they listening to this stuff by white people and not genuine, authentic Mexican music? Do they think they’re above listening to real Mexican music? I’ve asked them but they just keep on playing the
The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 37 | September 15, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com
same damn records. — No Mas Vikki o Eydie Dear Half-Wab, Who says Gormé and Carr are white people? Who says your older relatives aren’t listening to Mexican music? Carr’s real name is Florencia Vicenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona, and she’s straight-up wab, son! She Anglicized her name back in the days when gabachos wouldn’t accept brownies completely but never forgot her roots and has sung in Spanish since “Vikki Carr’s the 1970s, recording classic real name ranchera albums with Vicente Fernández and Mariachi Vargas is Florencia de Tecalitlán. Vicenta Gormé is of Sephardic Jewish de Casillas heritage, which definitely isn’t Martinez gabacho, and recorded one of Cardona, and the most-beloved albums of Mexican abuelitas everywhere: she’s straightup wab.” Amor, a collection of Latin American boleros with the Mexican group Trio Los Panchos that’s all about Los Panchos’ twinkling triumvirate of guitars and Gormé’s sighing voice—just play “Sabor a Mi” to any chica, and watch her chonis melt away, the raison d’etre for hombres from sunrise to sunset. Have a question? Ask the Mexican at themexican@askamexican. net, be his fan on Facebook, follow him on Twitter or ask him a video question at www.youtube.com/askamexicano!
www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 15, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 37 | The Pulse
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