The Pulse - Vol. 8, Issue 9

Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative

By Stephanie Smith Photography by Josh Lang

FREE • NEWS, VIEWS, MUSIC, FILM, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • MARCH 3, 2011 • VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 9 | March 3, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

PULSE BEATS 4 BEYOND THE HEADLINES 7 ON THE BEAT 13 LIFE IN THE NOOG 23 ASK A MEXICAN 30

MARCH

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ontents C

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

“Breaking the cycle of gang violence must be addressed on a number of levels, including in schools and in the home.”

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“What do you bring into your own life that makes you feel special? And, what do you do for yourself that makes you happy?”

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— Janis Hashe on an upcoming gang awareness summit.

— Dr. Rick on learning how to become happier with life.

“Animals are reliable, many full of love, 14 true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal.”

— Author Alfred A. Montapert, in Stephanie Smith's look at animal adoption.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t you be 25 dead from smoke inhalation long before these ‘life savers’ engage?”

— Chuck Crowder on the push for sprinklers in local nightclubs

www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | 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 Jaye Brewer, Rick Leavell, Michelle Pih Calendar Editors Bryanna Burns, Josh Lang Graphic Design Jennifer Grelier Pulse Contributors Gustavo Arellano, Rob Brezsny Dave Castaneda, Chuck Crowder Michael Crumb, John DeVore Rick Pimental-Habib, Janis Hashe Joshua Hurley, Matt Jones Louis Lee, Kelly Lockhart Ernie Paik, Stephanie Smith Alex Teach Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin 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

"Q"

“Poor people would have to worry about how many glasses of water they could drink with their medicine and how many times they could flush the toilet.”

Chimpanzees, Snow Leopards & Tiny Tamarins

— NAACP spokesman Joe Rowe, speaking before the Tennessee Regulatory Authority against a proposed rate increase by Tennessee American Water.

The Chattanooga Zoo’s oldest resident, Hank the Chimpanzee, died in January from fluid around his heart, according to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiology. The necropsy report noted, “It appears based on the gross findings that this animal died due to heart disease with cardiac tamponade.”

The report also noted that this type of condition is “…a relatively common lesion in chimpanzees. This may prevent the ventricles and atria from filling properly and result in low stroke volume with subsequent systemic hypotension, shock and sudden death, which is the only clinical sign,” according to Dr. Danielle Reel, DVM and Diplomate ACVP who released the final report.

Zoo Director Dardenelle Long said, “Our staff misses Hank every single day. We know he had a great life here at the Zoo and the report points to the fact that Hank was simply facing challenges of aging. We appreciate the time the University of Tennessee took in looking at everything possible in determining the cause of death of our beloved friend.”

However, after one of the more trying winters in Chattanooga Zoo history, employees are

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 9 | March 3, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

beaming with pride and excitement over the first public viewing of their now seven-weekold snow leopard cub as well as the exciting birth of a pair of cotton-top tamarins on Saturday night.

The snow leopard cub, which has yet to be named pending the results of an ongoing contest, made her public debut to crowds of visitors and zoo staffers alike on Saturday morning.

Under the watchful eye of mother Kasmir, the cub began to explore the snow leopard habitat with all the curiosity of any youngster.

But Long had even bigger news.

“Sometime late Saturday night, our cotton-top tamarin female gave birth to a pair of twins,” she told The Pulse. The small primates, which are endangered in the wild, have been part of the zoo’s breeding program and this is the third successful birth for the mated pair in the past three years.

“We had learned she was pregnant about three weeks ago,” Long explained. “So we made up some birthing boxes and kept an extra-close eye on her.” The entire tamarin family—mother, father and two one-year-old siblings—are currently on display, with the newborns clinging tightly to their mother’s back.

• A federal fund used to clean up meth labs has run out, and Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd says there’s no local money in the budget to do the job. It can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 to perform an environmental clean-up of a meth lab.

A federal program provided the city with $75,000 a year to hire private companies to perform the clean-up.

Dodd says he and other police chiefs and sheriffs have written to the state Congressional delegation to request more funds.

• Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon, who has long been an active and respected poet in his time away from the bench, was deeply moved by the recent deaths of four Amish children who died in a swollen creek in Dublin, Kentucky. As many poets do, he turned to pen and paper to put his thoughts into verse. Sheriff Dewayne Redmon received the poem and agreed to deliver it to the Wagler family. Judge Moon was informed that it will be read and become a component part of the Amish memorial service for the children. The poem, “On A Creek and Heaven Bound”, can be read in the Pulse Blog at chattanoogapulse.com

NEWS

Commentary

Grand Jury Injustice The more I read last week’s story about the Hamilton County Grand Jury, the more angry I became with our county “leaders”.

Year after year, the grand jury has said the same thing, and year after year they’ve been completely ignored. Between the revolving door of the same thugs and crooks who never seem to serve any real time or find any reason to change their criminal behavior and the ever-worsening jail situation, is it any wonder the grand jury members have become so frustrated? Marsha Crabtree was removed as foreman for her “strident” tone? I’m amazed she wasn’t leading a sit-in protest at the courthouse like the one teachers have been doing in Wisconsin. What will it take for our commissioners to show real leadership and do something to fix the ongoing problems our county has? Apparently telling them something is broken over and over again is falling on completely deaf ears.

Jessica Farley Smoke and Mirrors Is the fire marshal going to cite churches that have well more than 100 people attending “performances” featuring live entertainment if they don’t have sprinklers?

Of course not, because they aren’t selling demon alcohol. This is nothing more than

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.

a shakedown on outdated moral codes that have no place in government. Shame on the council and shame on the fire department for acting no better than the Godfather.

Todd Simpson For all the talk about “safety”, it is clear the city council and the fire department really have one thing in mind: shutting down nightclubs. And not to hide behind the

elephant in the room, they aren’t going after safe middle-class establishments like Chili’s or Applebee’s, but the clubs popular with lower-income and—let’s be totally honest— minorities. That the council and the fire marshal are so against these establishments that they would use a retroactive fire code to force them out of business is completely unethical and dishonest. Plus, sprinklers don’t do anything to protect people in a burning building. They are there to keep buildings on either side from burning down, pure and simple.

Luther Barnes Middle East Makeover At first, I thought Rick Baldwin’s editorial cartoon last week was in very poor taste, appearing to poke fun at the wonderful work done for the Sharrock family in building them a new home. Then, the more I thought about, I realized that Baldwin has hit on a larger truth, that for all the good done for one local family, the risks being taken by tens of thousands in North Africa and the Middle East, including the very real chance of losing their own lives, is far more important. Not to take anything away from all the local volunteers, but we in American often forget how much we take for granted the freedoms we have.

Walter Jennings www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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NEWS

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

Here is one of the agenda items to be discussed at the Tuesday, March 8 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.

6. Ordinances – First Reading: a) An ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 12410, entitled “An ordinance, hereinafter also known as “the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Budget Ordinance”, to provide revenue for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2011; appropriating same to the payment of expenses of the Municipal Government; fixing the rate of taxation on all taxable property in the City, and the time taxes and privileges are due, how they shall be paid, when they shall become delinquent; providing for interest and penalty on delinquent taxes and privileges; and to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 2, Section 2-267, relative to paid leave for active-duty training and to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 31, Sections 31-36, 31-37, 31-41, 31-43, 31-39, and 31-40,” to amend Section 3136(a) pertaining to sewer rates.

Yep, it’s that time again. Pop some popcorn and buckle up—it’s going to be a bumpy and exciting ride.

The Chattanooga City Council meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Building at 1000 Lindsay St. For more information on the current agenda, and past minutes, visit www.Chattanooga.gov/City_Council

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Usually reports from the Mexican border involve people trying to sneak across into the U.S. However, three women from Dalton are being investigated after authorities say the women were caught trying to enter Mexico while carrying a combined $1.5 million in cash in their luggage. The San Antonio Express-News reports that the seizure happened last week at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge at Brownsville, Texas. For those who aren’t aware, it is illegal not to declare cash when carrying more than $10,000 into or out of the United States. The three were identified as being two U.S. citizens, ages 22 and 35, and a 55-yearold Mexican citizen. They were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementHomeland Security Investigations, which is the latest—and ever more wordy—name for what used to be known simply as “Immigration”.

And it’s not just Dalton residents running money across the border, some locals are passing bad traveler’s checks. Dalton police are investigating three incidents of fraud involving counterfeit traveler’s checks that were passed at stores in Walnut Square Mall last week. In all three incidents, a man and woman paid for small items with traveler’s checks for $100, and then left with the change in cash. In each case,

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the suspects presented a traveler’s check with the same number, 157 2139 159 175, issued from Interpayment Services Ltd., which is listed as payable in New York City. Investigators believe that this may not be a real institution, and the names on the checks are highly unlikely to be the real names of the perpetrators. Officials are warning all businesses in North Georgia to be aware of the bogus checks. If you think a traveler’s check may be counterfeit, you can hold it up to the light—genuine checks should have a watermark in them.

Sometimes the best police news involves reports that have no bad news. Such was the case last week when deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office along with members of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearm, Drug Enforcement Agency, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Chattanooga Police Department Crime Suppression Unit, HCSO K-9 Division and HCSO SRO Division conducted a routine “collaborative sweep” of three schools in Hamilton County. The three schools were East Ridge High School, Orchard Knob Middle and Central High School. All law enforcement involved worked very closely with school administration and faculty to conduct the searches in the least intrusive fashion possible. The ATF gun dogs were used in the search for guns possibly hidden on school property and bus stops.

Nothing illegal or dangerous was found. Good news and congratulations are due to students and faculty at all three schools for working so hard to keep their campuses safe.

If you’ve ever wanted to adopt a Chihuahua, now is a very good time. A Chattanooga man, who is facing charges of animal neglect, has been allowed to take two of his Chihuahuas home. Seventeen of the 19 dogs confiscated when animal control officers raided his Hixson trailer will be adopted out. When sheriff’s authorities went to the man’s residence to evict him earlier last month, they found the electricity had been shut off, and a kerosene heater had the temperature in the trailer at more than a hundred degrees. The man is being allowed to choose two of his pets to keep; the oldest will go to a friend of his, and the rest will remain with the McKamey Animal Shelter hoping for a good home.

OPINION

Beyond The Headlines

Gang Awareness Summit Timely and Needed

By Janis Hashe, Pulse Contributing Editor

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uring the past several years, Chattanooga has increasingly confronted the existence of gangs in our community. The Pulse addressed this issue in the July 16, 2009 cover story “Chattanooga Burning.” Denial has, for most people, ended. Those of us who have moved here from larger cities that have been struggling with the problem for many years know that just expecting the police to “deal with it” is shortsighted and foolish. Preventing kids from joining gangs in the first place—breaking the cycle of gang violence—must be addressed on a number of levels, including in schools and in the home. To that end, East Chattanooga Weed & Seed, the Chattanooga Eastside Taskforce, Multi-Cultural Youth Training and Development (MYTD) and Stop the Madness, Inc. are joining forces for a free gang awareness summit on March 12, 2011 at the Tivoli Theatre, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Titled “Do You Know What Your Children Know? Gang Awareness Summit”, the event will discuss “prevention, intervention and education’s role in building gang-free communities.”

“Breaking the cycle of gang violence must be addressed on a number of levels, including in schools and in the home.”

East Chattanooga Weed & Seed Youth Director Dana Kinamore told us that her organization coordinates a Youth Task Force that involves 27 different organizations, all of which have aspects targeting young people in Chattanooga.

“We decided we must approach this situation,” she said,

noting that it affects providing information and assistance everyone in the city, for parents and youth. “We’ve asked not just those living in people to donate some time for counparticular communities. seling,” she said. “Not everyone can The summit is designed pay for these services and they are to educate both youth very much needed. and parents about the “We are reaching out to everyone,” dangers of choosing Kinamore said. “We’ve put out postthe gang lifestyle, as ers, flyers, and contacted the schools. well as how to avoid the We’ve spoken to teachers, parents, the draw of gangs, how parcity council, churches and arts organients can recognize the zations. The Tivoli holds 1,675 people subtle signs of gang acand we would like to see the whole tivity in their children house filled.” and how parents can Asked about the issue of kids who help their children rehave nothing to do and no parental sumove themselves from pervision when they get out of schools, a gang. she agreed this is an area of major conKinamore said that cern, and that the organizations inSgt. Todd Royval, head volved in presenting the summit want of the Chattanooga to help address it. “We want to find Police Department’s ways to close that gap,” she said. crime suppression The summit is free but registration unit, will speak about the different gangs operating in is requested. “We will not turn anyone away at the door,” Chattanooga and what to look for. His talk will be fol- Kinamore emphasized, “but in order to plan properly, we lowed by a question-and-answer period. A short play, need a headcount of some kind.” Online registration is Many Colors, One Solution, will be presented by The available at: www.eastchattanoogaweedandseed.org MYTD Youth. Entertainment will be provided by T.J. Jordan and the Harriet Tub“Do You Know What Your Children Know? Gang Awareness man Express.

Summit” Campus Crusade National Director for Free, but advance registration requested Student Venture Darryl Smith will be the keySaturday, March 12, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. note speaker. “Mr. Smith had a rough childhood Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. and he knows what kids are facing. His whole www.eastchattanoogaweedandseed.org For more information, contact Dana Kinamore, East goal now is to educate kids and parents,” said Chattanooga Weed and Seed, Youth Director, (423) 752-4449, Kinamore. “We have to stop placing blame and ext. 3 or dana@eastchattanoogaweedandseed.org start focusing on solutions.”

Alternative resource vendors will be on-site

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OPINION

Shrink Rap

Learning to Use the Good Stuff D

id you grow up in a household where your family used “the good stuff”—the good china, or good crystal, or maybe even the “front room”—only when you had company? Or your grandmother made her famous red velvet cake only when relatives came to visit? I think lots of us have these kinds of childhood memories; the good stuff, those things deemed more valuable or special in some way, were for use with others…but not just for ourselves, not for everyday.

As a young adult having just moved out on my own, I remember living off paper plates. Then, when I first obtained “real” plates, I used them all the time. Whether for a very nice meal with friends or some greasy takeout, I’d break out my starving-student version of “the good stuff.”

I believe we give ourselves a clear message when we don’t allow the “good stuff” into our everyday lives. We teach others how to treat us based upon how we treat ourselves. It’s up to us to set the standard. Otherwise, how do others know what’s OK and what’s not OK? If we don’t let others know what we’re about and where we set the bar, who will?

For example, take this recent Valentine’s Day. Afterward I heard a few grumblings like, “He never brings me anything special,” and, “Doesn’t she know what would make me happy?”

Ask yourself this: What do you bring into your own life that makes you feel special? And, what do you do for yourself that makes you happy? Are you surrounding yourself with the moments, the people, the experiences that fill you with good feelings? In short, do you break

out “the good stuff” for yourself, or only when company visits?

Obviously, this is no longer about dinnerware. We’re talking about mindfulness, a way of thinking and living. Because how you think and live reflects how you think about yourself —your selfesteem—and how important (or not) it is to you to nurture it. How is a partner going to know how to do his or her part, if you don’t provide the example to follow?

We teach by how we live.

Let me share a story. Recently (despite all my efforts at improved nutrition, regular exercise, and plenty of good vitamins!) I came down with a severe case of influenza and bronchitis. One night I went to bed feeling fine; when I woke I was off to the emergency room—that’s how fast and hard it hit. Sidebar: If you’ve never had bronchitis before, as I hadn’t, it’s like breathing, coughing, and swallowing broken glass. Every cough is a knife in your lungs. Add all the usual, awful flu symptoms of fatigue, body aches, fever, etc., and it ain’t no party, let me tell ya.

The point is that becoming ill slowed me down and allowed me an opportunity to pay attention to some experiences around me. And what I realized is that I had the kindest people just casually coming in and out of my life during these days of bed rest. A friend of mine came over and brought muscle. He tackled items on my “to-do” list that I simply didn’t have the energy to do myself, and it was great to get these household projects completed. The talented gal who’s helping me get my garden up to snuff brought beauty. She came and went, and sometimes I didn’t know she’d been here until I

Dr. Rick

looked out the windows at the new plantings that put a smile on my face. And later in my week of recuperation another friend brought home cooking. The most delicious stew complete with a thermos of her special soothing tea and a decadent dessert.

I hate being ill (who doesn’t?), but in slowing down I really appreciated all this “good stuff” that came into my life—easily, without fanfare, but with much gratitude.

And it reminded me that we’re all worth the good stuff all the time. Let’s not need to become ill to appreciate that fact.

“What do you bring into your own life that makes you feel special? And, what do you do for yourself that makes you happy?”

So the next time you’re throwing together a quick dinner for yourself after a long day, here’s my suggestion: Consider using the good china, the good crystal, or whatever constitutes the “good stuff” in your cupboard. Buy the good wine. Pick up some good chocolate. Give yourself a “valentine” that raises the bar. Then see how this makes you feel. You may just start to like it.

Until next time: “Everything belongs and everything can be received. We don’t have to deny or dismiss, defy or ignore. What is, is okay. What is, is the great teacher.”

— Richard Rohr Dr. Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, minister, and educator, in private practice in Chattanooga, and the author of “Empowering the Tribe” and “The Power of a Partner.” Visit his web site at www.DrRPH.com

www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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COVER STORY

Humane Living

Rescuing Our Best Friends

By Stephanie Smith Photos by Josh Lang Art by Beth Gumnick

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to. — Alfred A. Montapert 10

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COVER STORY

Humane Living

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s I’m sitting here trying to write this article, I am also fending off a cat—my rescued cat, Lexi— who is insistent that she head-butt my typing hands and climb all over my laptop and me. Stop working! she says. Pay attention to me! She finally settles, half on my arm and half on my stomach, with one paw resting on the keyboard, as if to say Ah ha! Try to work now! And so continues our daily routine—in fact, it’s hard to imagine life without her constant demand for my love and attention.

Creating an environment of mutual respect between man and beast is not a new idea—it harkens back to the days of Adam and Eve—but many people don’t realize the amount of awareness it takes to achieve it. Almost any day of the week you can turn on the evening news and hear the latest stories about animal cruelty. Some of you may share my belief that it is our responsibility as human beings to treat all living things with love and care, so here are some basics that everyone should know.

people still don’t understand what we do every day,” says McKamey Executive Director Karen Walsh.

“Disney, for example, gives a bad first impression with movies like 101 Dalmatians and Lady and the Tramp. That is what kids start with. My kids get mad when they see those movies now because they know it’s not the truth.

“People don’t think of animal control as rescuers but we are. It’s hard to be a rescue officer. They make very little money and see the worst side of people.

“Twice last year we had to remove animals from hoarding situations. One was a home with 52 cats.

The lady’s mother had Alzheimer’s and she was covered in ringworm. People say ‘All you care about is animals’ but that is not true. We’re in the people business as much as the animal business.”

Do know the laws regarding animal rights.

“Legislation can be good or bad for animals and legislation in unincorporated areas of our county must be approved by the state,” says Bilyeu. “Therefore, we’ve worked to change the mentality of our officers from Animal Control to Animal Protection Services.”

“We’re really happy the city ordinances have changed,” says Walsh. “Like the chaining—it’s not allowed (for a significant amount of time) anymore.

A dog that is chained is actually less likely to protect you. By not chaining a dog, people are forced to interact with the dog and handle being a pet owner.

This creates less working complaints and dog bites.

So it’s not just for animals. It’s for people, too.”

“We try and work with residents to solve their animal problems and only enforce local laws when there is no other solution available and the owner is unwilling to properly care for their animals,” says Bilyeu.

Don’t be a part of the problem.

“The root of the problem comes from unwanted animals being born,”says Bilyeu. “Currently, of the 12,000 animals that are delivered to HES and McKamey each year, less than 5 percent of these animals are reclaimed by their owners. That

“Of the 12,000 animals that are delivered to HES and McKamey each year, less than 5 percent of these animals are reclaimed by their owners.”

Do know the facts about animal rescue.

“According to animal population estimates, there are 67,691 total dogs in Hamilton County and 88,845 cats,” says Humane Educational Society director Guy Bilyeu. “At this time the HES and McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center (McKamey) have a combined intake of over 12,000 animals annually; however, the total number of animals needing rescue is impossible to quantify, as animals cannot speak for themselves and there is no true way to verify all the animals in need of rescue unless we went door-to-door and verified the condition of all animals in Hamilton County.

“Animal overpopulation has been the subject of many a debate for over 100 years. Some communities have been successful, others have not. Unfortunately Southern communities for years have been known to have serious animal overpopulation problems”.

Do know the truth about animal rescuers.

“Shows like Animal Cops and Animal Hoarding have made people more aware of bad situations, but

Camp for Dogs Dogs pine when left at home for hours alone— and that is when they get into mischief, destroying property and barking. The recently opened Choo Choo Dog Camp is available each weekday for you to drop your favorite companion off for a day of play—and no barking.

“We ask that you make an initial eight-week commitment for the same day or days each week,” says owner Liz Fortanier. “This way we can focus on providing a consistent environment for the dogs.” The company also offers training classes—key for rescued dogs—and supports the Choo Choo Charity, which helps spay/neuter dogs, helps families raise a dog, and organizes adoption programs.

The Camp is located at 25 W. 20th St. downtown. For more information, visit online at www. choochoodogcamp.com or call (423) 521-4555.

Bi-Lo's Mike Deweese and Chattanooga Area Food Bank's Gary Paul

“Feed the Love” through March 22 Bi-Lo is teaming with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and caring citizens to provide food for pets in needy homes. Bi-Lo customers can purchase “Feed the Love” bags for $5, and the supermarket chain will donate PAWS pet food to the Food Bank. Said Darren Johnson, pet products category manager for Bi-Lo, “Our customers have always been very generous when it comes to supporting programs they know directly benefit those in need, and we’re privileged to be able to help such amazing organizations throughout our company footprint.”

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COVER STORY

Humane Living

“People don’t think of animal control as rescuers but we are. It’s hard to be a rescue officer. They make very little money and see the worst side of people.”

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means 11,400 of the animals we receive are unwanted. If these animals were not born then we would not have an animal overpopulation problem.

“When I first came to Chattanooga I quickly realized that many of the animal problems we see are due to the fact that some people simply have not received the proper training to care for their animals. We have specific communities that have routinely delivered the most unwanted animals to local shelters. By tracking the animals we receive from these communities, we have been able to create plans to specifically target those communities.

“One example is the Spay It Away program we created with Wally’s Friends for communities with the highest number of animals surrendered at local shelters. We are currently targeting these communities by going door-to-door to offer free spay/neuter for qualifying residents. We also have a Trap/Neuter/ Return program for feral cats. In this program we identify feral colonies, alter all feral cats, return them to their original location and adopt any cats out that are found to be domesticated.”

“Our goal is to provide education for animal care,” says Walsh. “We go to schools and events around the city and educate children. We take a pet carrier full of Beanie Babies and ask the kids how they care for their pets. We then tell them to imagine 80 kids who own 100 puppies each and we ask them ‘How would you take care of that many puppies?’ and watch their eyes get really big. We also work with the Chattanooga State Veterinary Technician program and the UT Knoxville Veterinary program.”

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 9 | March 3, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

“We, as a community, need to understand that animal overpopulation is a problem we all share whether or not we care about animals,” says Bilyeu.

Do be a part of the solution.

“I believe there is a bright future for animals in Chattanooga; however, it is important to realize that this problem must be solved by the community,” says Bilyeu.

“Volunteers are crucial to the success of any plan to stop animal overpopulation. At our shelter we have over 300 volunteers that do a tremendous amount of work to help us care for animals. They help care for our animals by walking, feeding, socialization, training, bathing, and adopting. They also work outside our shelter to help educate our public and to help bring in the funding necessary to provide the best care for our animals.”

“We’re trying to change what people feel,” says Walsh. “We (animal rescue centers) exist to help stop animal suffering and educate people to be better pet owners. We lose money on every animal we adopt out. Dogs are $50 and cats are $20 and that includes the pet being altered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and tested before adoption. You would pay over $200 for these services on your own, but we do it because it’s our responsibility to the community.”

“People say ‘Why can’t we just throw money at it?’ but that’s not the solution,” says Bilyeu. “We have to change the entire culture of the community.

People need to understand that (controlling animal overpopulation) is better for them and the animals, whether they like animals or not.”

COVER STORY

Humane Living

The Crutchfield Family: Libby

The Kerns Family: Darwin and Twyla “We rescued two dogs, an Australian shepherd and a border collie (Darwin and Twyla). We did rescues because there are many dogs in bad situations that are in need of loving homes. Also, many people are not prepared for the specific requirements and personalities of most pure breeds of dogs; there are many beautiful dogs that an owner was simply unprepared to spend the time on.

“Darwin was 10 months old when we adopted him; he was being kept by a breeder who planned on breeding him with a sibling. Darwin and this sibling are both merles (the distinct coloring many Australian shepherds have) and breeding merle couples often ends in dogs that are white (white Aussies are blind/ deaf). We found out about him through a husky rescue in North Georgia.

“Twyla was rescued through the East Tennessee Border Collie Rescue. She had been owned by a girl who married and left home and couldn’t keep her. She was three years old when we adopted her. Twyla’s parents were both work dogs, and her herding instinct is very strong. She hyper-focuses on balls and frisbees, and is happiest when she is allowed to play fetch for hours on end.”

— Jamie & Matt Kerns, Jonah, Cherith, Emaline

“I have three boys and we have wanted a dog forever. Our yard wasn’t right and made it too dangerous to have one until we moved and then the race was on!

Every day a boy would leave me a note with a picture of a dog from the shelter website. A collection of collars and leashes began to grow as my boys dreamed puppy dreams.

“I’m old, occasionally irritable and well aware of my limits, the responsibilities of pet ownership and the abilities and attention span of my boys. We stalked sites, searching for the dog that would fit best in our family. We talked about avoiding pet stores and puppy mills in favor of rescuing a dog that deserved a home as much as the boys deserved a pet.

“We found Libby and her soulful eyes jumped off the web site and captured everyone’s heart. She and our cat, a neutered male, took a bit to get used to each other and she started out a little skittish, reflecting the abuse she suffered in her earlier life. As a mom I worried, afraid of what could happen but trusting that the love she was getting would smooth things out.

“It didn’t take long before the skittish dog was replaced by a member of the family who carried herself with pride. This was her house and her family and her boys. She lets strangers know she is in charge of the security detail and plays with purpose with the boys, their friends and the cat.

“I’ve read about Maslow and the hierarchy of needs and seeing how Libby changed as she became a part of our family was a brilliant reflection of it. She has love, safety, belonging and self-worth and it shows in her smiles and her human family!

We are thankful for the people who rescued her, proud of the shelter who cared for her and honored to be her family.”

— Jennifer, Will, George and Max Crutchfield

www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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COVER STORY

Humane Living

McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center

The Jennings Family: Sweetie

212 N. Highland Park Ave. Phone: (423) 624-5302 Office and Kennel Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed & Sat: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m; Thurs: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m; Friday: Noon to 4 p.m.

Adoptions $85 www.heschatt.com

“This past New Year’s Eve, Andy heard a puppy screaming in our upper pasture. He had to crawl 30 yards on his hands and knees through the scrub brush to rescue a five-week-old puppy who weighed about two pounds. Sweetie is a wonderful pup that we have a lot of fun with!

“Over the past six years, we have rescued four dogs that were dumped by their owners to fend for themselves. We are advocates for spay/neuter and wish pet owners were more responsible when it comes to taking care of their animals.” — Polly and Andy Jennings

McKamey has a contract with the City of Chattanooga, while the HES serves Hamilton County. Though you can adopt from either location, you can only drop off animals at your respective center.

Beth Gummick and Richard Jones: Jaz, Melba, Riley, Babe, Monkey and Cricket

Dog Watch of Chattanooga (a place to list/find missing dogs) www.dogwatchofchatt.com

“I love dogs and cats. I’ve had eight rescued pets in my adult life. Stella (my first dog as a single grownup) was a dog who found me. She defined my adult life, since she came into my life right around the time I got my first “real full time job with benefits” after college.

“Stella lived a charmed life. She’s one of the reasons

4500 N. Access Road Adoptions Front desk: (423) 305-6500 Animal Services: (423) 305-6511 Animal Serivces (after hours): (423) 305-6515 Adoption Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Dogs $50 / Cats $20 www.mckameyanimalcenter.org

Humane Educational Society

Wally’s Friends (low cost spay/neuter) www.wallysfriends.com

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I started collecting dog-themed folk art, and thereby one of the reasons I started painting dog art myself.

Stella was the queen of the house, the alpha dog, the “play police” with her doggie friends. She was rotten and spoiled and generally grouchy, but had a soft spot down deep in her heart, and I always thought she was more “misunderstood” than bad.

“Stella passed away a year ago at 15. She is the standard by which all other dogs I ever have will be compared. Our next pet was a cat, Banjo, a hunter, big and black with amber eyes, who LOVED Stella.

He was a “dog person” and when Jaz came along, he loved her too.

“We now have Jaz, Melba, and Riley, as well as Babe, Monkey, and Cricket (our cats). Rambunctious, funny, cute as can be, Melba is like Stella 2.0. She wants to run the show at our house, and we are dangerously close to letting her. She bats those brown eyes at you and you lose all control. Melba came into our lives just after Stella died, picked out by Richard from the Humane Society’s vast collection of generic black mutts. She is fast as the wind, obsessed with toys, and constantly trying to find new ways to outsmart her humans. We are only able to stay ahead of her JUST SLIGHTLY.” — Beth Gumnick & Richard Jones

www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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MUSIC

Concert Calendar FRIDAY

THURSDAY

Space Capone

’70s-style funky dance grooves. $10 9:30 p.m.

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

Thursday

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Vinyl Night 6 p.m. Pasha Coffee & Tea, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 475-5482. pashacoffeehouse.com/events Jimmy Harris 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com YOUTH Presents: Trigger Mortis, Hidden Spots, Future Virgins 8 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Open Mic Night 8 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Jordan Hallquist 9 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. (inside Days Inn). facebook.com/theofficechatt Space Capone 9:30 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 9 | March 3, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Video DJ Nick 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Friday

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

Jimmy Harris 8:00 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055.

Jerry Fordham 7:30 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Ter. (423) 877-2124.

Dr. Lancaster 8 p.m. Ziggy’s Underground, 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 756-4786.

Jerry Fordham 9 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. (inside Days Inn). facebook.com/theofficechatt Sun Domingo 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. Spectators, 7804 E. Brainerd Rd. (423) 648- 6679.

Live DJ Party 9 p.m. Bart’s Lakeshore, 5600 Lakeshore Dr. (423) 870-0777.

DJ 33 and Dancing 9 p.m. Backstage (inside Holiday Bowl), 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 899-2695.

SoCon Party: Funktastics, Ryan Oyer, Dave Dykes Band 9 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055.

Mike Willis 10 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260.

Daikaiju, Ampline, Night of the Wolf, Racing Death 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute with Cadillac Saints 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com Muddy Mule 10 p.m. T-Bones, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com

Saturday

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

Paul Belcher Gospel Concert 6:30 p.m. Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 757-5050 Gears of Insanity, Piercing Deception 8 p.m. Ziggy’s Underground, 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 756-4786.

Daikaiju, Ampline, Night of Wolf, Racing Death

Surf music meets kabuki with the return of Daikaiju. $6 10 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400. myspace.com/jjsbohemia RB Morris 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, 105 McBrien Rad. (423) 892-4960. www.christunity.org Jimmy Harris 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Smooth Flight Jazz 8:30 p.m. The Foundry, 1201 S. Broad St. (423) 756-3400. www.chattanooganhotel.com Muddy Mule 8:30 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Ter. (423) 877-2124.

Ryan Oyer 9 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. (inside Days Inn). facebook.com/theofficechatt Critty Upchurch 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker

MUSIC

Concert Calendar

SATURDAY

Gears of Insanity, Piercing Deception

Is it time to bang your head again? $5 9 p.m.

Ziggy’s Underground, 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 598-6770. www.myspace.com/ ziggysundergroundmusic PeeWee Moore, Sizzormen, Mark Porkchop Holder 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia DJ 33 and Dancing 9 p.m. Backstage (inside Holiday Bowl), 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 899-2695.

DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. Bart’s Lakeshore, 5600 Lakeshore Dr. (423) 870-0777. www.bartslakeshore.com Filament 10 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com 1999: A Tribute to Prince 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com

SUNDAY

Bluegrass Pharoahs 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Roger Alan Wade 10 p.m. T-Bones, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com Soul Survivor 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Sunday

Traditional Irish Music 3 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192.

Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 4 p.m. Ms. Debbie’s Nightlife Lounge 4762 Highway 58, (423) 485-0966. myspace.com/debbieslounge Beppe Gambetta 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs, 1307 Dodds Avenue.

(423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org DJ Night 8 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Terrace.

(423) 877-2124.

DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. Bart's Lakeshore, 5600 Lakeshore Dr. (423) 870-0777. www.bartslakeshore.com Karaoke with DJ Stoli 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878.

Monday

Old Tyme Players 6 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (433) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Music Monday 7 p.m. Pasha Coffee & Tea, 3914 Saint Elmo Ave. (423) 475-5482. pashacoffeehouse.com/events Big Band Night 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055.

Karaoke with DJ Stoli 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Tuesday

Ben Friberg Trio 6:30 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th St. (423) 756-8253. www.table2restaurant.com Singer Songwriter Corner 7 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 9 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pike. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com Karaoke with DJ Stoli 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878.

Jucifer, Sourvein, Unspoken Triumph 10 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia

Beppe Gambetta

Top European flatpicking guitarist comes to Barking Legs. $15 7:30 p.m.

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

Wednesday

Open Mic Night 7 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St. (433) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Jimmy Harris 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202.

(423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Open Mic Night, National Rifle 8 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400.

DJ Spins – Karaoke Contest 9 p.m. Bart’s Lakeshore, 5600 Lakeshore Dr. (423) 870-0777. www.bartslakeshore.com Holy Ghost Tent Revival with Hoots and Hellmouth 10 p.m. Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St. (423) 267-4644. www.rhythm-brews.com www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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MUSIC

Feature

Sub Shanti Brings Peace and Bass to Town

By Dave Castaneda, Pulse Music Writer

I

t’s a Saturday night in Chattanooga and at any given time you can catch some of hardest-hitting beats from one of the many talented producers from the area. According to SaumG, half of dubstep fusion act Sub Shanti, “Some of the best producers in the world of electronic music live in Tennessee and that’s something that will come into light in the next couple of years.”

This past week was especially intense when music promoters March One Music packed more than 3,000 people into an auditorium to check out dubstep producer Bassnectar in Birmingham, Alabama on a Wednesday night—in a small Southern city where this type and turnout for a dance music concert has never happened.

This incredible night immediately went into the wee hours of the morning at Zydeco, where Chattanooga indie band Machines Are People kicked off the afterparty, opening up for Dominic Lali of Big Gigantic.

guitar and piano since he was very young. He got into electronic music when he was 16. SaumG is 21, originally from New Mexico, but has lived in Nashville for eight years. He’s been into music since age six and was trained in classical cello as a child. He says, “I started getting into electronic music when I was ten and listening to Paul Oakenfold.”

Both Dex and Saum are graduating from Belmont University with music business degrees this semester. What makes Sub Shanti unique is that they take sub-bass sounds of dubstep and add in organic elements of the cello. Dexter manipulates his beats live through his laptop while SaumG runs his beats with turntables and plays an electric cello.

Dex describes the Sub Shanti sound as, “organic raw beats mixed with dirty basslines and traditional melodies.” For someone who has never listened to dubstep, it’s best explained this way: The music is very technical, and there is a lot of variety in the mix.

The name Sub Shanti has a double meaning. Sub refers to the sub-bass sounds of dubstep, and shanti means, “peace and all” in Sanskrit, bringing together peace through bass.

Sub Shanti is already a breakthrough act in the region with a tour lined up with Los Angeles producer MiMOSA and having opened up for big acts such as Bassnectar.

Dex also hosts a yearly festival in Dandridge, TN called DexFest that drew more than 2,500 people last year featuring regional and national electronic music acts. He tries to pair some of the best talent from around the region with

“What makes Sub Shanti unique is that they take sub-bass sounds of dubstep and add in organic elements of the cello.”

These dubstep events are not only happening in Birmingham but all over the Southeast in small cities like Chattanooga and Knoxville—and the scene is growing exponentially every day. “People look at Tennessee and Nashville and instantly think of country music, but Tennessee is coming up in electronic music,” says SaumG. He and partner Dexter Palmer make up boundary-pushing dubstep act, Sub Shanti. What makes this duo unique is how much involvement they have in the regional electronic music community.

Dex is 22, originally from Knoxville, has been making electronic music professionally for five years and has played

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some of the best producers in the country to help push the electronic music community forward.

Dex explains, “It started out as my 21st birthday party and I started to collaborate with many different friends in Knoxville, like Arpetrio, Spooky Jones, Fast Nasty, Jonathan Watson, and Mike Palm. We all decided that instead of a birthday party to throw a music festival. The first year we had about 500 people, then the next year we got 2,500. All of this is a result of the demand from students in the area for the new style of music emerging in the Southeast.”

This year’s Dexfest will take place June 17-19 at Dandridge Farms in Dandridge, Tennessee. March One Music will be assisting in booking and organizing the event together with Dex. You can find out more information about the festival in coming weeks on DexFest.com.

Sub Shanti will be the headlining at this month’s Swagga at SkyZoo Club and Lounge on March 12. Swagga is a monthly electronic music night happening every second Saturday of the month at SkyZoo with resident producers Bassel and Antares. Swagga’s goal is to bring in “ground-breaking bass music” every month. Sub Shanti is guaranteed to be a boundary-pushing experience with mass appeal that is not to be missed.

Swagga with Sub Shanti $5 for 21-plus, $10 for 18-plus 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 12 SkyZoo Club, 5709 Lee Highway www.subshanti.com

MUSIC

Ernie Paik's CD Reviews

Jonathan Richman

O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth (Vapor)

The public may remember him as the minstrelnarrator in the comedy film There’s Something About Mary who gets shot. Leftof-the-dial music enthusiasts are familiar with him as the front man for The Modern Lovers and its canonized self-titled album.

However, that’s just a drop in the bucket of Jonathan Richman’s musical history as a prolific, love-him-or-hate-him songster who unabashedly creates both silly and affecting ditties that extol the small moments, making them seem big. His catalog is a glorious mess of both pearls and trifles—his fans are devoted, but even so, some would likely admit that his albums tend not to be meaty or solidly substantial.

Richman’s latest album, O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth, opens tenderly, with melodies on a nylon-stringed guitar before Richman’s voice enters the scene, sounding as warm and inviting as ever, with lines such as, “May there be no lights competing with your moonlight anymore.” Listeners get their first dose of Richman’s odd and conspicuous rhymes on the album on “These Bodies That Came to Cavort,” pairing “cavort” with “contort” amid strumming and flamenco-lite-flourishes. The most jokey, unmistakably-Richman number is easily “My Affected Accent,” about being a pretentious youngster, featuring a William F. Buckley imitation, and one of the highlights is the jaunty, sweet token of admiration, “I Was the One She Came For.” Reprising two tracks was overdoing it—only one version of “Sa Voix M’Atisse” was really necessary (the second one, with the more playful delivery and exaggerated French pronunciations).

While some Richman songs, like the Modern Lovers’ classic “Roadrunner,” are for blasting while driving around in a car, this album seems like one best heard at home, on headphones.

“The Bitter Herb” concerns the difficulty of changing and trying something new, which seems appropriate, since Richman stays in his comfort zone on the album, which has enough charm and well-played moments to make it worth a listen.

The Soft Moon The Soft Moon

(Captured Tracks) I’m always skeptical whenever some kind of music revival emerges; it’s safer and easier for musicians to imitate their heroes rather than take inspiration from them and break new ground. However, when it comes to the post-punk revival—which has been in full swing for a while now—I can’t really blame the revivalists. The post-punk era, spanning the late ’70s through the early ’80s, is one of this writer’s favorite musical time periods, sporting a mind-boggling concentrating of incredible, adventurous, and influential music. The Soft Moon—the one-man band of Californian Luis Vasquez—has released one of the better post-punk-inspired albums of recent memory, going a little beyond well-trod territory into darker, foggier, more sinister realms; this is the area covered by lesser-known bands of the period like Rema-Rema, Cindytalk and In Camera, almost touching the goth-rock side of bands like the Cure and Bauhaus.

It’s fun to rip-off Joy Division, and certainly, The Soft Moon has its share of love for that band, particularly on “Circles,” which features a beat suspiciously similar to that of “She’s Lost Control.” The song tempos are a little faster than expected, using artificial drums and copping beats and rhythms from Krautrock bands and kindred spirits like Suicide. Vasquez has copied a few pages from the notebook of producer Martin Hannett (linked with many groups on the legendary Factory Records label) for his chilly, reverberating recording style, like on the driving “Primal Eyes,” which is overtaken by a huge cloud of fuzz halfway through. The vocals—in the form of wordless singing and mostly indiscernible phrases—are almost secondary, which is okay; this music is focused on form, not meaning. Make no mistake—it’s nothing that post-punk fans haven’t heard already heard before, but, it’s total ear candy that certainly pushes the right buttons for aficionados who wish that era never ended. www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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ARTS

Feature

A Long Life in Vibrant Color

By Michael Crumb, Pulse Arts Writer

T

he Hunter Museum is currently presenting the art of Loïs Mailou Jones.

Entitled “A Life in Vibrant Color,”this exhibit runs until April 24, and it has been a fine show to feature during Black History Month. Jones died in 1998, and the dates on her works run from around 1923 until around 1995. This sevendecade, retrospective show gives us a rare opportunity to engage the development and sensibility of a major American artist.

My first view of this show was simply too much to fully absorb. I was struck by both Jones’s aesthetic ambition and her stylistic agility. All her pieces are carefully composed, and they encompass a broad emotional range from deep spiritual vision to affection to serenity. Here and there one may discover a playful delight in her use of detail.

I have remarked before that African American art tends to be unpretentious.

The actual confluence of fine art technique and the earthy conceptual approaches of African American artists seems relatively rare, but when this occurs, it is invariably astonishing. Jones has resided comfortably on both sides of this dichotomy and this surely testifies to her greatness.

note its surreal character and they explain that Jones painted this in Paris.

That she went to Paris seems so natural, especially considering her student work, some of which is on view. Her 1923 charcoal renderings of Rodin’s statues “Young Girl” and “The Flight of Love” are breathtaking.

Around age 18, Jones was a student at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where these statues were held. Her work has such quality that she clearly belonged in Paris, and her work there had impact. Fortunately, “Les Fetiches” is joined in the Hunter exhibit by other examples of her Paris work.

There are quite a few of Jones’s paintings on view at the Hunter. Presumably, these pieces are representative of her range.

Still, there remains a suggestion that she was quite prolific. I get the feeling that she really loved painting. Jones’s work is representational, but she clearly embraces various representational styles as well as combinations of these styles, almost as if she were working out all possible permutations of representation.

Neither was she averse to commercial aspects of art. Jones did a floral curtain design that flows fabulously (“Birds of Paradise…”). Another, “…8” charged fiercely. Some of her Haitian paintings are composed like travel posters, brimming with vitality. Also, you can go to Eden.

There hangs a pair of Paris paintings, “Nude Paris” (oil on canvas, 1938) and “Venus et Nature Morte” (oil on canvas mounted on board, 1938). In the nude, light and texture are so nuanced as to produce a sense of tactility, and the “fine arts” approach pushes straight through to a sense of “presence.” In the still life, a Venus torso

“Standing before ‘Les Fetiches’ (oil on linen, 1938), I felt the subtle, visceral impression of a masterpiece.”

Standing before “Les Fetiches” (oil on linen, 1938), I felt the subtle, visceral impression of a masterpiece. Expressionist strokes of auric force erupt from the great mask, among other masks and objects, rendered with a range of earthy colors suggestive of fire, light and earth itself unto darkness. “Primitivism” became a mark of the surreal, situated outside of institutionalized spirituality. With Jones, the merge of Expressionist and surreal imparts extraordinary force to this subject. I noticed that this piece was part of the Smithsonian’s collection. “Les Fetiches” is also shown in Art Since 1900 as emblematic of “race consciousness and cultural identity for African Americans” (p.305). The authors

rests on the table, behind it a painting of a flower, before it an actual flower, behind it another frame partially shows. A fat book also lies on this table. The whole not only represents forms, but its composition drives to the realization of forms’ potential realization. Jones displays an ecstatic play in these particularities.

Numerous portraits and landscapes, each with a special approach, line these walls.

Her “African” works show geometrical designs, something in common with Charlie Newton’s work lately shown at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Jones’s Haitian work includes two “Voodou” paintings, a rare subject in African American art.

“Paris Rooftops, Montmartre” (acrylic on canvas, 1965) features a night sky, apparently micaceous, that seems full of stars. Then “Paris Rooftops from Montmartre” (gouache on board, 1966) combines naturalism with an Impressionistic extension. If you love art, see this exhibit!

Loïs Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color $9.95 (free this Sunday and April 2 Hunter Museum, 10 Bluff View (423) 266-0944, www.huntermuseum.org www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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ARTS

Arts & Events Calendar FRIDAY

THURSDAY

11th Annual Cam Busch Endowed Arts for Health Lecture

Guest performers the Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater Company.

6 p.m. $25 advance; $35 door Hunter Museum of Art, 10 Bluff View (423) 495-4438. memorial.org/foundation

Thursday

26th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon 11:15 a.m. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 2011 SoCon Basketball Championships 1 p.m. UTC McKenzie Arena, 720 East 4th St. (423) 266-6627. www.tickettracks.com.

“Taste - An Evening of Flavors” 5 p.m. Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. www.tastechatt.com.

Art for Health 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (956) 459-8611 . www.huntermuseum.org Talent Show 6 p.m. Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3383.

Mystery of the TV Talk Show 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com The Diary of Anne Frank 7 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com

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Lester Bibbs 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com

Friday

2011 SoCon Basketball Championships 2 p.m. UTC McKenzie Arena, 720 East 4th St. (423) 266-6627. www.tickettracks.com.

Opening Reception: Bokeh & Zen 5 p.m. In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave. (423)267-9214. www.intowngallery.com Opening Reception: Take Art/Leave Art 5:30 p.m. AVA, 30 Frazier Ave. (423) 265-4282. www.avarts.org Chattanooga Boys Choir Civil War Concert 6:30 p.m. Baylor School Alumni Chapel, 171 Baylor School Rd. (423) 267-8505.

Dialogue Between Two Dance Communities 7 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Music Documentary Film Series: Pasajero: A Journey of Time and Memory 7 p.m. Folk School of Chattanooga, 250 Forest Ave. (423) 827-8906. www.chattanoogafolk.com Ghosts 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141.

Dinner Show 7:30 p.m. The Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA. (706) 935-9000. www.colonnadecenter.org

Crooked 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, Dorothy Ward Theatre, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-4601.

A Year With Frog and Toad 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Lester Bibbs 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 7:30 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later 8 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 698-2433. www. saygrace.net The Diary of Anne Frank 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Mystery of Flight 138 8:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

Saturday

Ghosts 2 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141.

A Year With Frog and Toad 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com

“Take Art/Leave Art” opening reception

Bring two pieces of art, take two pieces of art.

Free 5:30 - 8 p.m.

AVA, 30 Frazier Ave. (423) 265-4282. www.avarts.org

Mystery at the Nightmare Office Party 6 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Paul Belcher Gospel Concert 6:30 p.m. Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 757-5156. www.chattanooga.gov Runway for Hope 6:30 p.m. The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. (423) 894-2973.

AmuseUm 2011 – Time Warp!

7 p.m. Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. (423) 648-6043. www.cdmfun.org Dinner Show 7:30 p.m. The Colonnade Center, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA. (706) 935-9000. www.colonnadecenter.org Crooked 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center, Dorothy Ward Theatre, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-4601.

Chattanooga Ghost Tour 7:30 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Lester Bibbs 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com

ARTS

Arts & Events Calendar

SATURDAY

Crooked

Dramatic comedy about a 14-year-old girl, her mother, and a new friend. $10- $12 7:30 p.m.

UTC Fine Arts Center, Studio Theatre, Vine and Palmetto Sts. (423) 425-4269.

The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later 8 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 698-2433. www.saygrace.net The Diary of Anne Frank 8 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Mystery at the Redneck-Italian Wedding 8:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

Sunday

First Free Sunday Noon. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (956) 459-8611 . www.huntermuseum.org The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later 2 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 698-2433. www.saygrace.net A Year With Frog and Toad 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com

SUNDAY

The Diary of Anne Frank 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. (423) 267-8534. www.theatrecentre.com Open Improvisational Jam 3 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Ghosts 6:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141.

Lester Bibbs 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com

Monday

2011 SoCon Basketball Championships 4 p.m. UTC McKenzie Arena, 720 East 4th St. (423) 266-6627. www.tickettracks.com.

Chattanooga Bach Choir Annual Mardi Gras Ball Fundraiser 7 p.m. Walden Club, 633 Chestnut St. (423)877-9767.

CSO Youth Orchestra Winter Concert 7:30 p.m. Brainerd Baptist Church, 300 Brookfield Ave. 2011 SoCon Basketball Championships 9 p.m. UTC McKenzie Arena, 720 East 4th St. (423) 266-6627. www.tickettracks.com.

Tuesday

Songwriter’s Line-up 7 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702. 8081.

Wednesday

WTCI Be More Awards 11 a.m. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m. Main St. at Williams St. www.mainstfarmersmarket.com T’ai Ji Class 5:30 p.m. Call for address.

(423) 821-8947. web.me.com/timefortaiji Live Team Trivia 7:30 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings, 120 Market St. (423) 634-0468. www.chattanoogatrivia.com Speak Easy: Spoken Word and Poetry 8 p.m. The Office, 901 Carter St. www.facebook.com/theofficechatt

Ongoing

“Heirloom” Shuptrine Fine Art Group, 2646 Broad St. (423) 266-4453. www.shuptrinefineartgroup.com “Whispers” Shuptrine Fine Art Group, 2646 Broad St. (423) 266-4453.

“Skies” by the North Georgia Sky Painters Society North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr. Ste. 102.

(423) 870-8924.

“Living Daylights” Cress Gallery of Art, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-460. www.utc.edu “Take Art/Leave Art” AVA, 30 Frazier Ave. (423) 265-4282. www.avarts.org “Needleworks, Cultural and Contemporary” Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 N. Terrace Rd. (423) 493-0270. www.jewishchattanooga.com

MSL Soccer: New England Revolution vs.

Columbus Crew

Get your futbol fix before our own CFC takes the field for a new season. $10 advance/$15 gate 4 p.m.

Finley Stadium, 1826 Carter St. www.chattanoogafc.com

“From Africa to America” Mosaic Gallery, 412 Market St. (423) 320-67638.

“Wrapped in Pride” Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.

(423) 266-8658.

“Jellies: Living Art” Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944.

“Water Works” (thru 3/7) Exum Gallery, 305 W. 7th St. (423) 593-4265.

“Good for You: Healthy Fun on the Run” Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. (423) 648-6043. www.cdmfun.org “Loïs Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color” Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org “Bokeh & Zen” In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave. (423)267-9214. www.intowngallery.com “Exchange” Tanner-Hill Art Gallery, 3069 South Broad St. (423) 280-7182. www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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OPINION

Life In The ‘Noog

Sprinkling Some Logic, ’Noog Style L

ast week the City Council chose to defer for two more months a proposed ordinance that would require some “nightclubs” to install sprinkler systems within their hallowed halls over the next two years. This postponement has given “nightclub” owners and their loyal subjects cause to raise a glass in the name of democracy.

The way I understand the ordinance, it amends the adoption of an existing 2006 fire code compliance to also require that loosely defined “nightclubs” install costly sprinkler systems if they happen to serve alcohol to more than 100 patrons after 11 p.m.

Apparently, an unfortunate incident nearly 10 years ago when fans of the band Great White were subject to a fire in a Rhode Island club that killed 100 people now has our city council rethinking the safety of “nightclub” patrons in our town. I don’t know why it took so long for this revelation to make the agenda, but regardless, the tragedy serves as an event to point to when substantiating such an argument.

Whether proponent council members are fans of Great White or not, what they definitely aren’t fans of are establishments serving alcohol to hundreds of people past what should be their bedtimes. As mama said, nothing good ever happens after midnight. And the proposed ordinance’s prejudicial nature seems to be intended to save only the souls of those who like to enjoy an adult beverage in a local watering hole after 11 p.m. (should a fire break out, of course).

Despite the ludicrous notion that only fires that happen in nightclubs after a certain hour kill people, let’s look at some of the other myths surrounding the ordinance’s intent.

First of all, do sprinkler systems actually save lives? The

way I understand it, sprinkler systems are set to engage when direct heat reaches a minimum temperature of 100 degrees.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t you be dead from smoke inhalation long before these “life savers” engage? Besides, if an establishment already has the minimum number of clearly marked fire exits and fire extinguishers at the ready, would anyone still be around to see if they do engage?

Of course not. Sprinkler systems are meant to save property. Not only do they keep a fire under control until firefighters arrive, they keep fires from spreading to neighboring buildings (possibly even next-door nightclubs).

Secondly, are we to believe that patrons of nightclubs are more at risk because they may be too inebriated to react quickly in such an emergency? I’ve been too drunk to do a lot of things, but fleeing a burning building is not one of them. That’s when adrenaline kicks in.

Our current fire codes do plenty to help prevent fires, as well as minimize loss of life and property should the unlikelihood of such an event occur. Multiple, clearly marked exits, fire extinguishers, electrical codes and other precautions are already in place, and should be enforced. In fact, I’d much rather be on the ground floor of a nightclub than the second or third floor of a restaurant, office building or apartment complex in the event of a fire.

No, in my opinion, this proposed ordinance is a thinly veiled excuse to rid the city of unsightly bars, music halls, comedy clubs and other establishments that council members deem unsavory. The fact that my district’s councilman, and one of only three actively pushing for the ordinance’s passage, is an ordained minister raises some suspicion, to say the least.

Chuck Crowder

Most of the establishments that would be affected by this ordinance to the point of possible closure are locally owned, mom-and-pop businesses. The places we know and love. The places that make Chattanooga unique. They can’t afford the tens of thousands of dollars necessary to install sprinkler systems. All however, adhere to current fire code standards—and none have ever experienced a fire of any sort.

It’s sad to think that these local businesses—the ones that truly add character to Chattanooga—might be forced to throw in the towel at no fault of their own, other than not being able to spend more on sprinklers that they might have spent in starting capital. And, if dreaded chain establishments (that aren’t owned by your neighbors) didn’t fill the void, we’d be left in the long run with a lot of boarded up buildings and missing tax revenue. You know, the money that benefits everyone (including council members and their constituents).

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t you be dead from smoke inhalation long before these ‘life savers’ engage?

So do the ‘noog a favor. Look at the facts. The fact that sprinklers really don’t save lives. The fact that governmentenforced, substantial financial outlays are unfair to local businesses. The fact that our local economy would suffer tremendously under a ridiculous, unneeded ordinance. And the fact that you can make a difference by taking a minute to e-mail your district’s councilperson and voice your opinion. C’mon baby, light a fire!

Chuck Crowder is a local writer and general man about town. His opinions are just that. Everything expressed is loosely based on fact, and crap he hears people talking about. Take what you just read with a grain of salt, but pepper it in your thoughts. And be sure to check out his popular website at www.thenoog.com

www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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SCREEN

Film Feature

A Flawed But Real Barney’s Version

By John DeVore, Pulse Film Critic

I

t’s hard to make a good movie without likable characters. Sure, there are lots of films that focus on bad people. Quentin Tarantino has made a film career out of unsavory, violent men and women carving out a dark existence in the seedy underbelly of the West Coast crime culture. However, despite their savage nature, these characters are always clever, funny, or interesting; they might even be someone with whom you wouldn’t mind sharing a meal. Interesting people, despite their personal morality, are over-represented in film.

Why shouldn’t they be? We are surrounded by boorish idiots, boring housewives, vapid ideologues, and needy relatives. If art is to be an escape, it should reflect those who, if not the best among us, are at least the most entertaining. While most of us are predisposed to wanting to see the deserving succeed and the evil punished, we can make adjustments in our mindset for a really cool villain. That’s what makes Barney’s Version such a conundrum.

Here is a film about a guy who isn’t bad or good. It seems that he swings on a pendulum between the two, sometimes lingering on one side, only to completely swing the opposite direction without provocation.

The film is hard to nail down because Barney is far more human than we are used to seeing on screen. If man is a complicated marriage of desire, morality, and instinct, Barney is a pretty good illustration. The light that shows him to us might be a little too harsh for some audiences—at his best he’s a troubled romantic, and at his worst a complete jerk.

Barney (Paul Giamatti) is a thrice-married Jewish television producer at the aptly named Totally Unnecessary Productions in Montreal. We see him at different points in his life, as he reminisces about the past while dealing with his present. We see his first marriage, one forced by a pregnancy that ends in the worst way imaginable. We see his friends, hedonistic and hipster, stereotypically artistic, who laugh at his misfortunes and toast his shotgun wedding in Rome. The flashbacks to a young Barney in Italy serve only to inform his second mar-

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riage, much the way our own life choices only inform other life choices, having no real meaning other than setting a memory in the timeline a of hazy past. Barney later marries a Jewish golddigger with a master’s degree, who is only referred to as the second Mrs. P (Minnie Driver). Her family is the epitome of high-class narcissism, looking down at Barney’s blue-collar father, a retired New York cop. Barney marries her anyway, for reasons known only to him. Barney’s appeal is also odd. He’s not good-looking, nor is he particularly charming. He appears to have amassed some wealth, although it later seems like he merely made out well in his divorce. This divorce is clearly imminent in that Barney meets the love of his life at his wedding, going so far as to pursue her immediately, before the reception has even finished.

What makes the film interesting is Barney. And Barney is also what makes the film a chore. He is nonsensical in his pursuit of life, his choices, and his conversations.

But they also seem to be consistently nonsensical. To see a man completely disregard common decency in the pursuit of a love at first sight is irritating at times. Later, when we learn how genuine Barney’s feelings are, we are forced to accept his poor decisions

and feel sorry for his outcomes. The honest portrayal of Barney by Giamatti is wonderful to watch, as is the performance by Dustin Hoffman as his father. But I’m still not sure that I liked the film. At a certain point, I have to wonder how many more films I’m going to see about rich white men

“The film is hard to nail down because Barney is far more human than we are used to seeing on screen.” and their marital problems.

Here is a film that takes an ordinary life and attempts to make it extraordinary.

Barney doesn’t make excuses for himself, nor does he explain himself. He just is. We all know people like that. We all act that way from time to time. The film doesn’t quite succeed in what it attempts, mostly because what it attempts is never quite clear. That doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyable and even funny at times. There are worse ways to spend two hours.

Barney’s Version Directed by Richard J. Lewis Starring Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver Rated R Running time: 2 hours, 12 minutes

SCREEN

New In Theaters

Johnny Depp Changes His Colors...Often

By Kelly Lockhart, Pulse Film Reviewer Rango Rango is, simply put, the story of a chameleon with an identity crisis. Which would be enough to get the under-12 set into the theater, but adults usually need a bit more of a reason. OK— so how about the fact that Rango the Chameleon is voiced by Johnny Depp? Still need more?

Then how about Pirates of The Caribbean director Gore Verbinski reteaming with Depp and several of their fellow “Pirates” crewmates? Still not enough? Well then, how about that this is Depp’s first motion-capture performance? That’s right; Rango is not your standard animated film, and for the first time really puts a physically quirky actor such as Depp front and center into an animated feature. For all the parents who were dragged by the rug-rat set to the theater last weekend for the child-friendly but adult-boring Gnomeo & Juliet, here is this weekend’s excuse to take the tykes back to the multiplex for something everyone will enjoy. Oh, and one final note: If you saw the Super Bowl trailer for the film, be warned that it had almost nothing to do with the movie itself. And that is a good thing. Trust me.

Starring Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Timothy Olyphant Directed by Gore Verbinski The Adjustment Bureau A rising politician falls for a ballerina, only to be stymied by mysterious forces keeping the wouldbe lovers apart. Once again, Hollywood delves into the collected works of science fiction author Phillip K. Dick, loosely adapting his short story “The Adjustment Team”. We’re still not sure why Dick has become the go-to sci-fi writer for Hollywood, as opposed to far more talented writers such as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and even Harlan Ellison, but the fact is studios seem comforted when dealing with more mind-bending concepts if the pitch includes Dick’s name. And in light of the commercial success of big sciencefiction movies Avatar and Inception during the past two years, it’s not surprising to see more of these big-budget sci-fi flicks hitting the big screen. It also doesn’t hurt to have Bourne Ultimatum co-writer George Nolfi helming the movie, nor the fact that Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are among the more attractive people working in

big-budget movies these days. Whether or not anyone in the theater can figure out exactly what is going on is almost beside the point.

Starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt Directed by George Nolfi Take Me Home Tonight On Labor Day Weekend in 1988, normally sheepish Matt Franklin bluffs his way into a huge party, looking to impress his high-school crush.

That ‘70s Show writer/producers Jackie and Jeff Filgo teamed up with star Topher Grace in a film that has been making the rounds since 2007.

The reason the movie has taken so long to make it to theaters, especially since it is well known to be a “pet project” for Grace, is that it just did not test well when it was first screened for audiences. Nor did the second cut. Or the third. And so on…in fact, the film may be one of the most tested and re-tested and re-re-tested films in recent memory. Whether it is worth the wait, or will even find an audience in a rather fickle public that has not warmed at all to recent movies set in the retro-world of the 1980s, remains to be seen.

Starring Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler Directed by Michael Dowse Beastly Manhattanite Kyle Kingson is young, wealthy, beautiful, and cruel, but he picks the wrong classmate to prank when Kendra casts a spell that turns him into everything he despises. Banished to Brooklyn and informed that the only way to break the curse is to find someone who will love him as he is, a fateful encounter with Lindy, looks to literally and figuratively change his life.

H’mm…this plot sounds strangely familiar. Oh, yeah—it’s Beauty and The Beast, live-active edition. While director Daniel Branz showed promise with his critically acclaimed but little-seen Phoebe in Wonderland, this film comes across as little more than a big-screen version of a smallscreen “tween” girl TV show. Which is really not all the surprising, since it comes from the new CBS Films studio, an offshoot of the television network. Though some may watch it simply out of curiosity to see a grownup Mary-Kate Olsen.

Starring Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens Directed by Daniel Barnz

www.chattanoogapulse.com | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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WINE & SPIRITS

Riley's Spirits Within

Ooo La La: Chambord Vodka

By Joshua Hurley, Riley's Wine & Spirits A decade ago if you wanted to flavor your vodka, you simply added a dash of this or a twist of that.

These days, vodka comes in every flavor imaginable—cherry, orange, pineapple, lemon, apple and watermelon as well as such off-thewall flavors as bacon and whipped cream. Some of these vodkas are quite good, while others still need a little of this or that. One new product is simply sensational just the way it is—this week’s “Great Buy”, Chambord Raspberry-flavored Vodka. With “Great Buys”, I suggest a weekly special at Riley’s Wine and Spirits on Hixson Pike in Hixson. I pick something great, then share it with Chattanooga’s readership of The Pulse.

Chambord is a raspberry-flavored French liqueur that pays homage to the very same liqueurs once served to King Louis XIV in the early 17th century. During this time in history, it was commonplace for such types of liqueurs and cognacs to be served before and after elegant royal meals.

Chambord’s ingredients included real raspberries, blackberries, Madagascar and Moroccan vanilla, citrus peel, honey and the best French cognac, all of which are combined to create this one-of-a-kind flavored liqueur. It is made at a chateau located in the Loire Valley, considered France’s better grape-growing region, which is located along the beautiful Loire River that runs north through the Rhone Valley, once visited by King Louis himself. Chambord’s raspberries and blackberries are marinated in a French spirit for 30 days, the first step in achieving Chambord’s flavor and aroma. After this, a second portion of the French spirit is poured in with the first and allowed to marinate an additional 30 days. Once complete, the real fruit is removed. then pressed, with the resulting juice added back into the two helpings of French spirit. It is then combined with French cognac, the vanilla extracts, citrus peel, honey and other herbs and spices

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then distilled. The resulting product is a 16.5 percent alcohol raspberryflavored liqueur unlike anything else in the worldwide liqueur market.

Chambord Liqueur is used to make many drinks that are vodkabased including the “Chambord Vodka Gimlet” and the “French Martini”. In a fit of genius, the makers of Chambord simply got tired of sharing the business with all the other spirit companies producing vodkas and decided to manufacture Chambord-flavored raspberry vodka—ready-made for all those drinks that call for Chambord liqueur and vodka. You may be put off by another flavored vodka crowding the market, and to be honest there are hundreds, but in the spirits industry flavored vodkas are the one product that has not been affected by the current economic downspin.

Made from the finest grains grown in France, then infused with Chambord liqueur before distillation, this 70-proof “pink’” vodka contains aromas and flavors of ripe raspberries, then vanilla and chocolate, followed by a smooth, spicy vodka-burn aftertaste on the end. All in all, it’s perfect.

Suggested retail is $24.99 plus tax; buy it today at Riley’s for $19.95 plus tax.

ENTERTAINMENT

Jonesin' Crossword & Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If I were you, Pisces, I’d make interesting fun your meme of the week. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will be fully justified in making that your modus operandi and your raison d’etre. For best results, you should put a priority on pursuing experiences that both amuse you and captivate your imagination. As you consider whether to accept any invitation or seize any opportunity, make sure it will teach you something you don’t already know and also transport you into a positive emotional state that gets your endorphins flowing.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “The most fundamental form of human stupidity is forgetting what we were trying to do in the first place,” said Friedrich Nietzsche. So for instance, if you’re the United States government and you invade and occupy Afghanistan in order to wipe out al-Qaeda, it’s not too bright to continue fighting and dying and spending obscene amounts of money long after the al-Qaeda presence there has been eliminated. (There are now fewer than 100 al-Qaeda fighters in that country: tinyurl.com/forgetwhy.)

What’s the equivalent in your personal life, Aries? What noble aspiration propelled you down a winding path that led to entanglements having nothing to do with your original aspiration? It’s time to correct the mistake.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Carnival season gets into full swing this weekend and lasts through Mardi Gras next Tuesday night. Wherever you are, Taurus, I suggest you use this as an excuse to achieve new levels of mastery in the art of partying. Of all the signs of the zodiac, you’re the one that is most in need of and most deserving of getting immersed in rowdy festivities that lead to maximum release and relief. To get you in the right mood, read these thoughts from literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin. He said a celebration like this is a “temporary liberation from the prevailing truth and from the established order,” and encourages “the suspension of all hierarchical rank, privileges, norms, and prohibitions.”

Across 1 Garlic unit 5 Treasury agent, slangily 9 FDR’s dog 13 Dr. Frankenstein’s go-to guy 14 Feudal slave 16 Form of quartz 17 Chimney passage 18 Holodeck locale 20 Some college students can’t go without it 22 Mind reading?

23 Finish making payments on 24 Examines the depths 28 Detergent brand in a pink package 30 Once-homeless “Golden-Voiced” Williams 33 Atlanta university 34 Reason for a siren 37 Hired helper 38 Some high school students can’t go without it

41 Demeanor 42 “Listen up!”

43 Gymnast Kerri 45 “___ Punk!” (1998 Matthew Lillard movie) 46 Spot in the sea 50 “Old MacDonald” noise 52 Dictation stat, for short 54 The Diamondbacks, on scoreboards 55 Some elementary school students can’t go without it 59 They’re set by deadlines 62 Shakespeare’s “Poor me!”

63 Walkie-talkie word 64 Car, in Caracas 65 Russian music duo that often teases that they’ll kiss onstage 66 “Onion ___ Network” 67 Backtalk 68 Miasma

Down 1 Hit the ground hard 2 Less hot 3 Lizard’s locale 4 La ___ Tar Pits 5 “The Vampire Diaries” network 6 2006 ABC drama with Anne Heche 7 ___Vista (alternative to Google) 8 Wassailer’s song 9 How-to series with a distinctive yellow cover 10 Folk rocker DiFranco 11 Fleur-de-___ 12 Woodsman’s tool 15 Surround from all sides 19 Feature of a dirty desk 21 Tag shout 25 ___ and groan 26 Prison on a ship 27 Late Pink Floyd member Barrett 29 They’re dialed to send pages

31 Watercolor prop 32 They dry in the kitchen 35 Apt. ad stat 36 “Lost” actor Daniel ___ Kim 38 First name in Latin jazz legends 39 Gateway Arch architect Saarinen 40 Fairy tale surname 41 Big newspapers and magazines, etc.

44 Score for the San Jose Earthquakes 47 Dipsy’s playmate 48 Fake 49 It may pop out of a box 51 Psych ending 53 Model actions 56 Doc blocs 57 Costa ___ 58 Eightfold ___ (Buddhist principle) 59 Boatload 60 “___ Been Everywhere” 61 Sound from a litter

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+. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle #0509.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When Bob Dylan first heard the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, he only made it through the first few tunes. “Turn that s--- off!” he said. “It’s too good!” He was afraid his own creative process might get intimidated, maybe even blocked, if he allowed himself to listen to the entire masterpiece. I suspect the exact opposite will be true for you in the coming weeks, Gemini. As you expose yourself to excellence in your chosen field, you’ll feel a growing motivation to express excellence yourself. The inspiration that will be unleashed in you by your competitors will trump any of the potentially deflating effects of your professional jealousy.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Jungian storyteller Clarissa Pinkola Estes says one of her main influences is the Curanderisma healing tradition from Mexico and Central America. “In this tradition a story is ‘holy,’ and it is used as medicine,” she told Radiance magazine. “The story is not told to lift you up, to make you feel better, or to entertain you, although all those things can be true. The story is meant to take the spirit into a descent to find something that is lost or missing and to bring it back to consciousness again.” You need stories like this, Cancerian, and you need them now. It’s high time to recover parts of your soul that you have neglected or misplaced or been separated from.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ve been pretty smart lately, but I think you could get even smarter. You have spied secrets in the dark, and teased out answers from unlikely sources, and untangled knots that no one else has had the patience to mess with—and yet I suspect there are even greater glories possible for you. For inspiration, Leo, memorize this haiku-like poem by Geraldine C. Little: “The white spider / whiter still / in the lightning’s flash.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I wouldn’t try to stop you, Virgo, if you wanted to go around singing the Stone Roses’

song “I Wanna Be Adored.” I wouldn’t be embarrassed for you if you turned your head up to the night sky and serenaded the stars with a chant of “I wanna be adored, I deserve to be adored, I demand to be adored.” And I might even be willing to predict that your wish will be fulfilled -on one condition, which is that you also express your artful adoration for some worthy creature.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “The difference between the right word and the almost right word,” said Mark Twain, “is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.”

Because the difference between the right word and the almost right word will be so crucial for you in the coming days, Libra, I urge you to maintain extra vigilance towards the sounds that come out of your mouth. But don’t be tense and repressed about it. Loose, graceful vigilance will actually work better. By the way, the distinction between right and almost right will be equally important in other areas of your life as well. Be adroitly discerning.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Dear Rob: In your horoscopes you often write about how we Scorpios will encounter interesting opportunities, invitations to be powerful, and creative breakthroughs. But you rarely discuss the deceptions, selfish deeds, and ugliness of the human heart that might be coming our way —especially in regards to what we are capable of ourselves. Why do you do this? My main concern is not in dealing with what’s going right, but rather on persevering through difficulty. — Scorpio in the Shadows.” Dear Scorpio: You have more than enough influences in your life that encourage you to be fascinated with darkness. I may be the only one that’s committed to helping you cultivate the more undeveloped side of your soul: the part that thrives on beauty and goodness and joy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Acupuncturists identify an energetic point in the ear called the spirit gate. If it’s stuck closed, the spirit is locked in; if it’s stuck open, the spirit is always coming and going, restless and unsettled.

What’s ideal, of course, is that the spirit gate is not stuck in any position. Then the spirit can come and go as it needs to, and also have the option of retreating and protecting itself.

I’d like you to imagine that right now a skilled acupuncturist is inserting a needle in the top of your left ear, where it will remain for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, visualize your spirit gate being in that state of harmonious health I described.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In his parody music video, “Sickest Buddhist,” comedian Arj Barker invokes a hip hop sensibility as he brags about his spiritual prowess.

Noting how skilled he is when it comes to mastering his teacher’s instructions, he says, “The instructor just told us to do a 45-minute meditation / but I nailed it in 10.” I expect you will have a similar facility in the coming week, Capricorn: Tasks that might be challenging for others may seem like child’s play to you. I bet you’ll be able to sort quickly through complications that might normally take days to untangle. (See the NSFW video here: tinyurl.com/ illBuddhist.)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The sixth astronaut to walk on the moon was engineer Edgar Mitchell. He asserts that extraterrestrials have visited Earth and that governments are covering up that fact. The second astronaut to do a moonwalk was engineer Buzz Aldrin. He says that there is unquestionably an artificial structure built on Phobos, a moon of Mars. Some scientists dispute the claims of these experts, insisting that aliens are myths. Who should we believe? Personally, I lean towards Mitchell and Aldrin.

Having been raised by an engineer father, I know how unlikely it is for people with that mindset to make extraordinary claims. If you have to choose between competing authorities any time soon, Aquarius, I recommend that like me, you opt for the smart mavericks instead of the smart purveyors of conventional wisdom.

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OPINION

On The Beat

For The Children (Who Aren’t) “F

or the Children.”

It’s the mantra of tax dollars, of patience, of wise understanding.

And more often than not in my experience, trauma ICU bills (paid for with the aforementioned tax dollars…coincidence?)

An event last Saturday was sullied by a 15-year-old male shooting another 17-year-old male in the neck just outside the (historic) Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, then chasing his wounded ass down the street.

(Tragic, but thorough at least.)

Another noted crime by a “child” took place two months ago (December 7, 2010) in the 3200 block of Through Street in Chattanooga, in which (among others) a 16-year-old male fired six to 10 shots at other juveniles getting off a school bus, then led police in a wild chase that ended with them striking a utility pole (the “children”, not police).

(Fun Fact: The “child” that shot at the other juveniles at the bus stop was the same suspect that shot at yet other “children” in a now famous downtown Coolidge Park shooting last March of 2010 that resulted in five people being struck by bullets—one standing just a few feet from a police sergeant at the event. Made famous not by the shooting of course, but by the mayor stating that this was the result of a “flash mob”, the red and blue shirts involved apparently being coincidental.)

The consistency is even more relevant to me, having taken a loaded revolver out of the pocket of another “child” at an event at Finley Stadium last October after a brief riot ensued upon the event’s closing.

This is the second time one of these kids has taken a gun and shot into a crowd of people.

And 16-year-old Brendan Barnes? He’s the “child” getting tried as an adult as an accomplice in the brutal murder of the Pastor David Strong.

My question?

At what point do we stop referring to these suspects as “children”?

I’m not asking where their parents are before and after this horrific crap takes place; the one I took the gun off of only knew one of his, and even then, not where she was. Not his fault. Now, chasing the kid with the revolver he made a point to take with him, then go back to and retrieve from his ride’s car when he felt his reputation slighted? His fault…but Mom and Dad…yeah, I’ll give him a pass on that one.

I’m firm on one thing, however: He stopped being a child somewhere between “thinking it’s fine to carry a gun around”, and “me pointing my own pistol at his chest in a crowd of people close enough to him to be able to nearly whisper exactly what was going to happen to his thorax if he did anything, and I mean anything, other than I instructed.”

What’s sad is that I’ve got a .45 pointed at this “kid” as I’m having to monitor those behind him (known at this point as a “back drop”) in case I actually have to blow him away depending on the decisions he makes in the next few seconds, yet I’m thinking of how I will likely be complained about for “scaring this baby” by

Alex Teach

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 9 | March 3, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

using my own gun to keep him in check.

I’m aware these brutal, conscienceless “children” are still technically minors, but at what point do they start getting labeled something other than the same as 5, 6, and 10 year olds who break a plate in the kitchen or spit on their friends? Instead, people are focusing on “whose fault it is” that these babies are acting this way and not the acts they are committing.

It can’t be the parents. In almost every one of these cases, they are not in the picture, so how can they be blamed? You can’t punish these little darlings either, since they’re just “misguided”; why, how else was the 16 year old from the Coolidge Park crowd shooting going to be able to shoot at these other kids at the bus stop nine months later, unless we let him walk around (armed, again) while we “treasure his or her vast potential and youth”?

“He stopped being a child somewhere between thinking ‘it’s fine to carry a gun around’, and ‘me pointing my own pistol at his chest in a crowd of people’.”

Were I a cynical sort I’d be screwed. Until I become such though…let’s take this problem seriously, by taking these JUVENILES seriously. The clock’s ticking, folks.

And the clocks are little, cherubic time bombs looking for guidance and acceptance. Are we really that ill equipped?

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 | March 3, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 9 | The Pulse

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