intentional pompadour …southern culture in images and words…
intentional pompadour …southern culture in images and words… is a free quarterly zine based out of Augusta, Georgia and published by Betsey Venom submissions accepted by southern creatives and subscriptions are available for $10/year send your work or subscription request in the body of an email to: betseyvenom@yahoo.com if you are published, you will receive a copy of the issue in which your work is featured and you will retain all rights to your work issue 2 winter 2018 find intentional pompadour online at: intentionalpompadour.wordpress.com facebook.com/intentionalpompadour issuu.com/intentionalpompadour find Betsey Venom online at: betseyvenom.wordpress.com facebook.com/betseyvenom instagram.com/betseyvenom
winter 2018
FREE
INTENTIONAL POMPADOUR Welcome to the second issue of Betsey Venom’s intentional pompadour - a brand new zine that features words, art, and more - celebrating the South’s creative culture.
Say Hello to Our Cover Artist
Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman!
I am beyond honored, humbled and excited to present the latest work by Augusta, Georgia artist Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman! His latest pompadour-friendly creation is featured on the cover of this issue, and yes, I AM swooning! Our resident chef Bridget Reilly Long from Cumming, Georgia shares another of her wonderful, original Southern recipes. Look for her holiday inspired selection within these pages. You will also enjoy a short interview with North Augusta, South Carolina singer and woodworking artist, Steve Bouye. T. Leon Bigham of Cumming, Georgia presents another of his wonderful poems; this one entitled Something Old, Nothing New. Savannah, Georgia resident Echo LaVeaux drops in with a moon poem. Author Charles Campbell from North Augusta, South Carolina shares an excerpt from his latest spooky novel, Chasing the White Rabbit. Prepare to be scared! Our musical feature this issue is rock band The Raz from Columbia, South Carolina. They’re making folks sit up and take notice. If you like rock music, you will love The Raz. Their debut album drops on February 8, 2018! There are a few little things from me sprinkled in here, too. Does the idea of this zine sound good to you? Do you see the benefit of such a project? Would you like to see YOUR work in print? If so, send your - poem, essay, song lyrics, photos, drawings, you name it - to me at betseyvenom@yahoo.com and be sure to keep the word count at or below 500. As this is a small one-person project, I am unable to pay in $ but will mail you a hard copy of the issue where your work is featured. You retain all rights to your work. If you are looking for a fresh place to explore the most creative and independent Southern minds, then stick around. I’m sure you’ll find your place among the pages of this slim volume. Thanks for coming along. Enjoy the ride.
At an early age, Zimmerman distracted parishioners on Sunday mornings by drawing on church programs. His parents recognized his natural art ability and encouraged it by applying for his admission to John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, GA, and then to Savannah College of Art and Design. He graduated cum laude and began to pursue a career in graphic design. It wasn’t until the death of his partner in 2006 that he picked the paintbrush back up as a way to deal with his grief, and adopted the nom de brush “Porkchop”. Zimmerman has wasted no time spreading his signature cheer all over the city through murals and those small square HAPPY stickers. Steven Uhles once said in the Augusta Chronicle, “(Zimmerman) is a rare artist who can work quite seriously in a whimsical way, and his painting combine pop-culture kitsch with hard emotion and extraordinary levels of skill and talent.” Visit Porkchop at his website www.makemyporkchop.com as well as the website of his life-affirming feature film: https://happydocmovie.com
Southern Sights and Sounds
Rockabilly Roots - Feel The Twang!
Featuring The Raz
The Raz is a 4-piece rock band out of Columbia SC. The band is composed of 4 individuals from 4 different decades who love music, and more importantly, love to play music together. As The Raz, they bring their diverse backgrounds together and make it into what they like to call Raz-N-Roll. With Nick Meehan on Guitar, David Scott McBee on Vocals, Adam Shealy on Drums and Dale Raszewski (“Raz”) on Bass. The Raz was formed in the spring of 2016 by Raz and Nick Meehan when they met at Guitar Center in Columbia, SC where Raz was working. They got together at Nick’s house, jammed, and wrote 2 songs that first night. Soon after they recruited another Guitar Center employee by the name Andrew Bowers to play drums. They started thinking of names and Nick said why don't we call the band "THE RAZ"? So they started playing as a power trio. Soon Raz realized they needed a better singer, so David Scott McBee was asked to join the band. Soon after David joined the band, Andrew left, and the search for a drummer was on. The very first drummer to audition was Adam Shealy, and they offered him the job… and the rest is Raztory. Grab a copy of The Raz’s debut album, due out February 8, 2018 on Rockshots Records! Visit the record label here at www.rockshots.eu
L to R, King Cat and The Elders are: Dwight “Twang Cat” Bradham (lead guitar and vocals), Roger “Rhythm Cat” Davis (rhythm guitar and vocals), Steve “King Cat” Bouye (lead vocals and harmonica), Dean “Bass Cat” Klopotic (bass guitar), and Jeff “Beat Cat” Johnston (drums and vocals).
King Cat and The Elders are restoring rockabilly to the CSRA…and beyond! Excitement is building across the land as the band was invited to play their first-ever, out-of-town rockabilly festival ~ Rockabillaque in Charleston, South Carolina ~ on November 4, 2017! Charleston FELT THE TWANG and, by the enthusiastic response of the crowd, they enjoyed it for sure! Come see what everyone is raving about! Visit kingcatandtheelders.com for info, upcoming shows, bios, photos, and great band merch! For booking information, contact Steve Bouye at 803-474-0510
The Poet’s Corner Something Old, Nothing New By T. Leon Bigham
There's no place like home where buffalo roam big as life, al fresco, in broad daylight. Bet everyone knows what to do in Rome, fly off the handle and fight the good fight. After all's said and done, get over it! Paint the town red and whistle while you work. Your friends may not know shinola from shit, nor what evil in the hearts of men lurks. But a friend in need is a friend indeed, between the devil and the deep blue sea. Like a twinkle in the sky at light speed, work my mojo high to square E/MC. Fast and loose we'll give the devil his due and make him an offer he can't refuse. “I earned my Masters in March 2011 at University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. I have been writing poetry since fifth grade, fifty years of words needed for catharsis.” - T. Leon Bigham
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Remnants of a Dream Betsey Venom a velvet sky moon hanging low drip beams of love parched earth below a velvet sky
Cravings and Withdrawals – Big Mama’s Fruitcake An original Southern recipe by Bridget Reilly Long Does your family have fruitcakes...I mean a fruitcake recipe? Southerners love stories of generations past, each passing year, glorified and enhanced to epic proportions. My grandmother was a good Christian woman of the Baptist persuasion and as such she would never partake in the drink she would, however, enlist her son to get it for her to make fruitcakes each Christmas. The year my grandmother passed away she gave instructions on how to make the cake “a little more, a little more” she said as they mixed the flour and fruit together. I’ve never made the cake myself and I don’t know if I ever will, oddly it’s a bit intimidating, not to mention bank account breaking. It tickles me that it makes only 2 cakes that are 12 to 14 pounds! Big Mama's Fruit Cake 1 lb Raisins ½ Pound each Candied, lemon, orange, cherries, pineapple 1 C. Whiskey 1 lb. Butter 3 C. Sugar 6 Eggs, beaten 6 C. flour ½ gallon chopped nuts 3 tbsp. Baking Powder 3 C. Blackberry Wine Several tbsp. Milk Mix fruit together in large bowl, add whiskey, cover to soak over night. Cream butter and sugar together, add eggs. Sift flour and baking powder together. Mix in fruit with all the syrup/juices and nuts alternately with flour. Knead well by hand (this is a very stiff batter). Pack into 2 well-oiled tube pans, firmly and evenly, pat tops with milk to prevent overbrowning. Place a shallow pan of water in oven on bottom rack to keep steam in oven and prevent drying. Bake at 250 degrees for 3 and 1/2 hours. Reduce heat to 200 degrees and bake 1 hour more. Cool in pans. Place cakes on heavy cloth for wrapping. Using 1/2 cup wine per cake, spoon over the cakes slowly. Wrap in cloth, then foil. Next day, turn cakes over and spoon another 1/2 cup wine each and wrap as before. 3rd day again turn cakes and spoon 1/2 cup wine each. 4th day, turn cakes and place apple slices around sides and on top. Rewrap and let ripen. Remove apples when soggy, usually just a few days. Rewrap and seal and store in freezer or eat if you prefer. 12 to 14 lbs
The Harv’s Pick of The Litter
Today’s question comes from Ken Cresswell. In response to the first question from the last issue about the meaning of life, Ken asks: Q: Which then begs the answer to, what is ultimate question? A: The ultimate question is: What is the meaning to life, the universe and everything? Come back in 7 and a half million years and I will have the answer to that question. You won't like it though…the answer still will be 42! I'm tired after all that thinking, back to napping now, cheers! Meow. Got a question you’d like to ask the cat? Email The Harv at betseyvenom@yahoo.com and if you’re lucky, maybe he’ll pick your question next. ====================================== ====================================== =======
Betsey’s Best: Southern Eats Whiskey Bar Kitchen
Funky, regional cuisine gets me going on all levels. There is nothing more exciting than finding a restaurant that takes a ubiquitous food item and transforms it into something super special. Allow me to introduce to you one of my favorite downtown Augusta, Georgia burger joints. Whiskey Bar Kitchen 1048 Broad Street Situated next door to the Metro Pub & Coffeehouse is nestled this burger-lover’s dream. Cozy booths line the walls, high-top tables cuddle in the back, and the bar invites one to sit and sip. When you enter Whiskey Bar Kitchen for the first time, you will suddenly feel at home. The décor is hip, beautiful, and in a strange way…quite soothing. The menu offers burgers you won’t find anywhere else. Ever hankered for an Elvis-inspired hamburger, topped with peanut butter and banana? Order the TCB and prepare to yell “Thankyaverymuch!” after you take your first bite. The salads and appetizers satisfy the soul, and craft beer lovers will enjoy the wide selection of brews available. Service is fast and efficient and the bar staff is ultra friendly. Everyone there is ready to please and make you feel at home. If burgers are your thang, give your taste buds a twang. Tell ‘em Betsey at intentional pompadour sent you. whiskeybarkitchen.com
The poetry of Betsey Venom .99¢ for Kindle Available now at Amazon.com!
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FIRST QUARTER MOON A Poem by Echo LaVeaux That in-between place, that place Between empty and full, you rise Mid-day, burdened with weight Yet light with love, shining down upon the Earth Your purses filled with joyful things You scatter upon us with open hearts From “Echo LaVeaux’s Book of the Moon,” available on Amazon
Spotlight on Independent Southern Novels
Featuring Chasing the White Rabbit by Charles Campbell Renée was sweating from head to toe. The last box from their Hell-House was loaded into the back of the U-Haul. Barry waited behind the wheel as the box truck idled in the driveway. Not that long ago, they could have afforded a professional moving company. That was before The White Rabbit money had found its way up Barry’s nose and out of his pants. Now, this was their last shot to make it. Renée took one last look at the home that she thought they would grow old together in; now, she looked at it like a demon that must be exorcised before they could move on with their lives. To Renée, the red brick seemed to cry and the black shutters looked as if they wanted to blink back at her; beckon her to unload the truck and come on back. Things would be different. It won’t happen again, I promise. How many times had she heard this in between Barry churning out incoherent messes that he called novels? A dozen? A hundred? A million? It was time to leave North Augusta, South Carolina and hit a place of solace; a place free of distraction. Renée’s lips contorted into a halfgrin/half-frown as she turned away from their Hell-House for the last time – turned away to never look back; never to return; her hope was never to remember what happened behind the crying red bricks. She pulled the sweaty, sticky brunette hair away from her forehead and opened the passenger door of the U-Haul. “Try not to go too fast when we drive through Waynesboro. You know it’s a speed trap. This is our last shot, Barry. We can’t blow it, understand?” “I do,” he answered and smiled at his gorgeous wife. How could he have cheated on her so many times? “I’ll be behind you and you have the GPS in your phone if you need it,” she said as she locked onto him with those unique
gunmetal blue eyes. “I won’t need it. I could drive the route in my sleep,” Barry assuredly answered. “I know the old Barry would remember, but…” “The old Barry is coming back, Renée. Just give him a chance to show you,” Barry said as he looked away from Renée. A gust of hot air pushed past Renée as she gently pushed the U-Haul door closed. She whispered to herself, “I want this to be true, Barry. I want you to mean it this time. It really is our last shot.” A cardinal rested on top of the black mailbox; his head cocked to the side as he watched them pull away. He seemed to be speaking for the house; crying for them to turn the U-Haul and the light blue Nissan Rogue around and come back. Unload the stuff; Barry can make the change here. Don’t move to Florida. That will be a huge error in judgment. A cocaine addict moving to Florida was like taking a pedophile to a playground – nothing good could come from it. Like what you just read? Check out all of Charles Campbell’s novels at his website www.charlescampbellauthor.com and also at Amazon.com. You’ll be glad you did!
In the Woodshed
An interview with singer and artist Steve Bouye
September’s Pisces Full Moon A photo by Betsey Venom
Betsey - How long have you been making things for Used Earth? Steve - I’ve had Used Earth up and running for about 10 years now. Betsey - What inspired you to begin repurposing items and where do you get your ideas? Steve - I’ve always admired the vintage and the nostalgia in the world around me. I grew up in the country and was raised around family who enjoyed using their hands to create and build. I can say I was Farmhouse before Farmhouse was cool. ;) My grandpa on my mom’s side was a train mechanic with the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe railroad for over 35 years. He built and assembled his own Sears home back in the 1930’s. The lumber and materials all came in by train. My dad’s side of the family were from France and very handy as well. Back in 1971, as a young boy, I helped (or maybe more hindered) my dad build a barn on our property in Kansas. The barn is standing today. In that barn, l learned to care for horses, chickens and two litters of German Shepherd puppies. My dad taught me to work with wood, cement and how to weld. We had motorcycles and even two Austin-Healeys at one point. There was always something to fix or tinker with. Betsey - You are also a singer and a musician. Does music play a part in your creative process? Steve - I guess my music taste follows in the footsteps of my love for the past days of the simple and raw creation of America. My dad listened to “real country” music and the golden oldies. From Charlie Rich to Elvis, music could always be heard with lots of AM static around our home. Nowadays, when in my Used Earth workshop, strangely, I listen to classical symphony music. I can’t stand commercials or a lot of words cluttering up my thoughts, so the classical works best to keep my adult ADD on track. To find Steve’s works online, you may visit Used Earth at: https://www.facebook.com/Used-Earth-129545570474/
Catch Steve on tour with King Cat and The Elders (and buy a rockin’ t-shirt) kingcatandtheelders.com
This photo of the full Pisces moon was captured over the Atlantic Ocean at Daytona Beach, Florida on the night of September 5, 2017. Little did I know at the time, but category 5 Hurricane Irma was brewing in the Atlantic and on track to strike the southernmost parts of the state of Florida – and pummel a lot of the Southeast – within a matter of days. Never underestimate the power of weather. Live, love, laugh, and always stay intentional. peace, Betsey Venom
The Back Page Pick up your copy of intentional pompadour at two of the CSRA’s most fabulous businesses and, while you’re there, please thank both Chris and Joanie for supporting all things local!
thank you for picking up and reading this issue of intentional pompadour if you enjoy what you see here and would like to be included, drop me a note at betseyvenom@yahoo.com subscriptions - $10/year - email betseyvenom@yahoo.com next issue: spring 2018, to be released on or around the spring equinox ~ march 20, 2018