PLANET WEEKLY 515

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ENTERTAINMENT

STORIES The band 311 is as intent as ever on making new albums, and in fact could finish its next studio album before the end of the year.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS REGINALD ALLEN R A I H A B A J WA WILLIAM BARSHOP CO U R T N E Y BLA N CH A R D K A I T LY N B LO U N T TREY BROOKS KELSEY CAMERON JORDAN CISSELL MARGIE GOLDSMITH SHEENA QUIZON GREGG GARY HARRIS C I N DY H U G G I N S KEVIN LEDGEWOOD BRETT REID VA N R O B E R T S JON ROGERS RACHEL STEINER ALEJANDRA TENORIO

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4 311: UNITY TOUR // ALAN SCULLEY

L I N DA W. J OHN S ON

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7 WHY BEING A “GOOD GUY” IS NOT ENOUGH // JOE SAMALIN Either you’re actively working against sexual violence or you’re enabling it.

6 CHILDREN AND CHIROPRACTIC CARE //

RACHEL STEINER

How can chiropractic help children if they do not have back or neck pain? Many spinal problems that are seen in adults begin as early as birth.

22 COMMUNITY ARTS // RACHEL DODSON Exhibits and more.

5 CHAMBER NEWS 6 BOOK REVIEW 9 BEER/WINE REVIEW 10 IN THE KITCHEN

RESTAURANT GUIDE

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Planet Weekly is published every other Thursday. No part of this publication including editorials may be reproduced, in whole or part, by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the Publisher’s prior expressed written consent. One copy of each issue of THE PLANET WEEKLY is free to each of our readers. Any reader who takes more than four copies without expressed permission of the publisher shall be deemed to have committed theft. The views and opinions of the authors of articles appearing in this publication may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Publisher.

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 23 RECRUIT UPDATE STER3OLITHIC: The latest album by 311

GARY HARRIS

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311 // UNITY TOUR

BRIAN BOWEN SMITH

or a band like 311, which is now 26 years into its career, there’s been no question about whether the group needs to make new albums, according to vocalist Nick Hexum. Some veteran bands (Aerosmith and Styx being a prime examples) have debated whether there’s any point to making new music. In today’s streaming/downloading world, album sales have nosedived to where it’s difficult to recoup the expenses that go into a new album. And with deep catalogs of fan-favorite songs, groups like Aerosmith and Styx — as well as 311 — don’t need new material for their concerts. Audiences are happy to hear the hits and prime album tracks. But Hexum says 311 is as intent as ever on making new albums, and in fact could finish its next studio album before the end of the year. Whether doing a new album makes economic sense is really not the issue for 311. “Right now we feel so fired up about the new music,” Hexum said. “I remember when Aerosmith came out with that (quote) ‘There’s no point in making a new album,’ I kind of felt like if you were making songs that you were as excited about or were as good as ‘Sweet Emotion,’ you would just do it. You wouldn’t take no for an answer. You would put out that record. So I just think it varies from band to band. Some bands get really pigeonholed in a certain style, so that’s what I love about (us) insisting on being eclectic. Therefore, if we were like AC/DC or something, where people expected a really specific sound, that might be hard to keep going past 30 years. But for us, we can just transition into other cool styles that feel fresh. And as long as the fan base hangs with us, we’re all good.” At the moment, 311 is out headlining its Unity tour, which runs through August. Hexum and his bandmates, drummer Chad Sexton, bassist, P-Nut, guitarist Tim Mahoney and vocalist/deejay SA Martinez, will certainly be focused on putting on the best shows they can. But in talking to Hexum during a midJune phone interview, it’s also clear that thoughts about the next 311 studio album won’t be far from his mind either. He said it’s likely the band will work on a few of its unfinished songs during the tour and be ready to finish the next album not long after the group members come off of the road. The band got busy on the album early this year, hitting the studio before 311 Day, the two-night stand March 11 and 12 in New Orleans, where the band played special extended shows for its diehard fans. “We went in two batches and we finished up eight songs before 311 Day,” Hexum said. “We’re on batch two, which probably has four songs so far. So really we do have an album worth done, a regular length album. Over summer we’ll be able to finish out a few more. Then the first batch is already recorded for real…So that’s good to know we have basically the core of the album done. Then we’ll come home and finish up batch two and put it out.” What has Hexum particularly excited is that the next album is taking 311 in some

new musical directions. “I think we’re more influenced by more modern stuff on this one,” Hexum said, describing the in-progress album. “We kind of go through cycles where sometimes we’re happy just doing like bread and butter 311 styles. And maybe that, to me, I love it on (the band’s previous album) ‘Stereolithic,’ but the rap-rock and stuff like that, that was a little bit more looking back. And I would say this current batch is a little bit more looking forward, like let’s make sure these tunes don’t sound like anything else we’ve done before. So there’s a lot more uniqueness in the current batch. That’s exciting. I don’t feel there’s any end in sight with new ideas. It seems like the new ideas just keep coming and coming, and lately they’ve been really falling out of the sky. So it’s encouraging.” Hexum said in his case, he’s been influenced by listening to new music he’s come across on various streaming services, where artists are cross-pollinating styles like reggae with dubstep or exploring variations on drum-and-bass music and reggae rapping.

“I love the streaming services, both Apple Music and Spotify,” Hexum said. “I have huge playlists, and I can also use things like Pandora to find new artists in that genre. Where a few years ago, I was more like looking back to like the Meters and P-funk, now lately it’s just been really new stuff. That’s the great thing about music is it’s a never-ending journey.” 311 started its musical journey together in 1992 in Omaha, Nebraska. The group enjoyed a gradual build in popularity as it released early rap-rock oriented albums like “Music” (1993) and “Grassroots” (1994). Then came a first breakthrough with the 1995 self-titled CD (also known as The Blue Album), which featured the number one modern rock single, “Down,” and a top five modern rock hit,” All Mixed Up.” Another hit, “Come Original,” arrived in 1999 on the group’s fifth album, “Soundsystem,” and the group’s career hit another peak in 2003 when its seventh album, “Evolver,” produced two more hit singles, “Creatures (For A While)” and “Love Song,” the latter being a cover of a song by the Cure. Four more studio

albums have arrived since then, and last year, 311 put out a 4-disc box set, “Archive,” featuring outtakes and demos from its 25 years of recording sessions. Hexum compared the in-progress next album to the 1995 “Blue Album” in the way it blends styles. “The ‘Blue Album’ had a good amount of reggae mixed with hip-hop,” he said. “A song like ‘All Mixed Up’ is a dancehall reggae song, but it’s got a hip-hop beat, but reggae singing. I would say (there’s) more of those kind of cross-genre things that combine the latest in what’s going on in Jamaica and the electronic world and then with familiar (styles).” It sounds like Hexum and his bandmates will try to spend whatever time they have available on the tour working on new material. But Hexum is also looking forward to the shows on the Unity tour, which figure to feature varied set lists from show to show. “What’s cool is we just kind of go wherever the group conscious leads us,” he said of 311’s concerts. “So we’ll have the set list meeting after sound check every day. Maybe we’ll dig into ‘Archive.’ Maybe we’ll want to play old rockers. We did debut a couple of new songs at 311 Day, called ‘Hey Yo’ and ‘Island Sun,’ so who knows when we will bust those out now and then. But it’s fun to have the freedom to not need to play a certain album when we’re on kind of like an off cycle year like this. It was probably like 15 years ago now that we said ‘You know what, we are primarily a live band. So we’re just going to go tour every summer and work the albums around that.’”

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NEWS

Child Advocate and Author Liz Huntley to Keynote Adopt-A-School Kickoff Liz Huntley, author and child advocate, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Adopt-A-School Kick-Off Seminar and Lunch, scheduled for August 4 at University Church of Christ. Elizabeth “Liz” Huntley is a committed child advocate and a passionate litigation attorney. She practices law at Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC in Birmingham. She is a leader in numerous professional and community organizations, including serving on the boards of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance, Children’s First Foundation, Children’s Village, Leadership Alabama and Project Gear (president and co-founder). Liz regularly serves as a motivational speaker for groups and organizations throughout the country and recently published a book about her personal story titled “More Than A Bird.” She earned her law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law where she now serves as chair of the Farrah Law Society board of trustees. She received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University, where she is a member of the board of trustees. Presenting Sponsor for the event is Chick-fil-A at Midtown Village. Gold Sponsors are Alabama Central Credit Union, C&S Fabrication, Inc., McGiffert and Associates, LLC, RiverFall Credit Union and Ward Scott Architecture, Inc. The Silver Sponsor is Cintas. The cost to attend the event is $25 per person. To register call Carolyn Tubbs at (205) 391-0556 or email Carolyn@tuscaloosachamber.com.

Home2 Suites Hosts Popular July Business After Hours Chamber members enjoyed socializing and networking Tuesday evening at Home2 Suites by Hilton, located in Downtown Tuscaloosa. Music for the evening was provided by Loyd Watson, Jr., and Home2 Suites treated attendees to door prizes that included Taziki’s gift cards and stays at Home2 Suites hotels.

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CHILDREN AND CHIROPRACTIC CARE

THE POLITICS OF THE SUPERFICIAL

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hiropractic is steadily growing as a profession as the amount of parents who are seeking chiropractic care for their children. I have people all the time ask how can chiropractic help my child if they do not have back or neck pain. Many spinal problems that are seen in adults begin as early as birth. The birthing process in some situations can be a very traumatic that can stress the baby’s spine and skull. Colic, breathing issues, nursing difficulties, sleeping problems, allergies, and chronic ear infections often can be traced to the stress on the nervous system. As infants quickly grow and develop, spinal alignment is so important for activities like holding their head up, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. It is important to understand that chiropractic does not treat a condition or disease, rather improving misalignments. Misalignments in the spine that can impair the nervous system therefore affecting overall body function. Many parents are nervous when bringing in their children, especially if they have never been to a chiropractor themselves. This is completely understandable and those doctors with experience with pediatrics will explain everything in depth and gain your trust prior to any treatment being performed. So what to expect when bringing your child to the chiropractor? The doctor will do a thorough exam starting with taking a history of the child. Posture analysis, orthopedic tests, range of motion, and palpation of the muscles, bones, and ligaments will most likely be performed. Along with an exam of the body system that is affected will be performed. As mentioned above, there are many ways chiropractic care can help children through various stages of growing. EAR INFECTIONS Chiropractic care corrects misalignments in the spinal column, jaw, and possibly cranial bones. This also reduces muscle tension, decreases inflammation, increases mobility, and establishes proper blood flow and lymph drainage, all of which can affect the function of the middle ear and Eustachian tube. According to Dr. Joan Fallon, author of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, “Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build their own antibodies and recover faster.”

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COLIC Misalignments in the spine can compromise the major systems in the body, such as the digestive system. Problems with the digestion of breast milk and formula can cause major discomfort in a baby, leading to colic episodes. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying in an infant for as least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks (The Rule of 3). A colicky baby typically presents with a loud piercing cry, flexed legs, tensed abdominal muscles, and clenched fingers. Chiropractic care has shown some of the best results, with 94% of colicky babies demonstrating improvement with care. SCOLIOSIS Although scoliosis can begin at any age, it most often develops in adolescents typically girls between the ages of 10 and 15 due to the rapid growth of the body. Scoliosis can significantly affect the quality of life by limiting activity, causing pain, reducing lung capacity, and in severe cases affecting heart function. There are various forms of treatment for scoliosis depending on the severity of the curve. A doctor or clinician will take x-rays of the spine to make a firm diagnosis of scoliosis and how severe the curve is. Things then will be taken into account such as where the curve is in the spine, the degree of the curve, and the age and growing stage of the patient. Chiropractic care and procedures are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition. They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing spinal structures. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits. They also report that their children experience a greater level of health while under regular chiropractic care.

his first comprehensive biography of Thomas Goode Jones records the life of a man whose political career reflects the fascinating and unsettled history of Alabama and the Deep South at the turn of the twentieth century. Often overshadowed by the pharaonic antebellum period, the Civil War, and the luminous heights of the civil rights movement, the deceptively placid decades at the turn of the century were, in fact, a period when southerners fiercely debated the course of the South’s future. In tracing Jones’s career, Brent J. Aucoin offers vivid accounts of the great events and trends of that pivotal period: Reconstruction, the birth of the “Solid South,” the Populist Revolt, and the establishment of racial disenfranchisement and segregation. Born in 1844, Jones served in the Confederate army and after the war identified as a conservative “Bourbon” Democrat. He served as Alabama’s governor from 1890 to 1894 and as a federal judge from 1901 until his death in 1914. As a veteran, politician, and judge, Jones embodied numerous roles in the shifting political landscape of the South. Jones was not, however, a reflexive conformist and sometimes pursued policies at odds with his party. Jones’s rhetoric and support of African American civil rights were exceptional and earned him truculent criticism from unrepentant racist factions in his party. His support was so fearless that it inspired Booker T. Washington to recommend Jones to Republican president Theodore Roosevelt as a federal judge. On the bench, Jones garnered national attention for his efforts to end peonage and lynching, and yet he also enabled the establishment of legalized segregation in Alabama, confounding attempts easily to categorize him as an odious reactionary or fearless progressive. A man who both represented and differed from his class, Thomas Goode Jones offers contemporary readers and scholars an ideal subject of study to understand a period of southern history that still shapes American life today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brent J. Aucoin is an associate dean and a professor of history at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of A Rift in the Clouds: Race and the Southern Federal Judiciary, 1900–1910.

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REVIEWS “Brent Aucoin has performed a real service by rescuing Governor (and Judge) Jones from obscurity and explaining his importance not only to Alabama history but to American civil rights history. The book—particularly its vivid account of Jones’s legal fight against peonage— portrays Jones as a man who, like his fictional counterpart Atticus Finch, lived a complex and sometimes contradictory life as he tried to balance justice against the racial mores of the Jim Crow–era South.” —Joseph A. Ranney, author of In the Wake of Slavery: Civil War, Civil Rights, and the Reconstruction of Southern Law “I wish that I had read this before I wrote my book on Booker T. Washington. It would have improved my understanding of Alabama politics in the 1890s.” —Robert J. Norrell, author of Up from History: The Life of Booker T. Washington and Reaping the Whirlwind: The Civil Rights Movement in Tuskegee

The University of Alabama Press is a proud member of the Association of American University Presses. The Press currently publishes 70-75 new titles a year and has over 1,800 titles in print. It is a founding member of the University Press Content Consortium and is at the cutting edge of digital publishing. The Press is the publishing arm of the University of Alabama.


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WHY BEING A “GOOD GUY” IS NOT ENOUGH

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n 1993, the bombshell that would change my life dropped quietly. I was in 11th grade when my mother told me of the sexual violence she had experienced and witnessed as a child, memories she had begun to resurrect over time. It was my first Aha! moment about violence against women. Now, at age 40 and in my line of work, I know how common child sexual abuse is and how often survivors repress memories of that abuse. But as a teenager, I simply felt stunned, angry, sad, and at a loss for what, if anything, I could do. A few years after my mother’s revelation, when I was a sophomore at the State University of New York at New Paltz, I joined a few hundred other students, mostly women, in the Student Union just before midnight. It was my first Take Back the Night rally, a common event at colleges and universities designed to raise awareness about gender-based violence. Over the next three hours, nearly every woman in the room took to the stage and shared a personal story of being abused by a boyfriend, of being stalked, sexually harassed, and/or sexually assaulted. Some of the violence had taken place years before, some earlier in the semester on our very campus. Nearly every woman had a story to share, some sharing for the first time in that packed room. The experience and power of all those women sharing their stories, the sheer weight and scale of violence against women and girls, was clear to me that night as it had never been before. I remember an almost audible click in my head that night, the click of an Aha! too big to ignore, when I realized that sexual and gender violence was all around me, that my mom’s story wasn’t an exception. And with it came the realization that I was no longer comfortable accepting or ignoring the state of things anymore. It was the Aha! of realizing I have no choice but to act. I often liken these Aha! moments to Neo taking the red pill offered by Morpheus in The Matrix, a metaphor I came to love years ago while working for Men Can Stop Rape (a national organization based in Washington, D.C.). Once you have that moment, take that red pill, there is no turning back. Once you see the culture of gender-based violence around you, you can’t unsee it. You can deny it, minimize it, or ignore it, but you know it’s there. As a man, once you acknowledge that gender-based violence exists, people in your life, even strangers, begin to disclose to you stories of the violence they have survived or, sometimes, the violence they have committed. If they believe you are genuinely working to understand this violence, then they are likely to see you as someone they can confide in. There is a somewhat hard and important truth that men come to realize in these Aha! moments: We all are either supporting and enabling domestic and sexual

violence­— directly by perpetrating it or covering it up, or colluding with it through our silence—or we are actively working to end that violence. There is no neutral ground. Most men think they are the proverbial “good guys.” (For years, I thought the same.) Most men make the conscious choice not to commit acts of domestic or sexual violence against the women in their lives, or anyone for that matter. But that is the starting point, not the goal. In a culture that dehumanizes and objectifies women, we view men who don’t commit violence as “good.” But that is a very low bar for men if we are looking to stop this violence. It is not enough. It took a series of Aha! moments for me to decide that my work had to be focused on preventing and ending violence. For some men, it takes just one moment; for others, a lifetime. How do we get more men to have these Aha! moments in the first place? Men like me, young men in schools in my hometown of New York City, on college campuses in Wisconsin and Indiana? On military bases in Arizona, among business leaders in Japan, and among Native and indigenous men in Hawai‘i? Men who have committed violence and men who want to stop violence (sometimes the same men) and all sorts of men in between? How do we then take them from awareness to action? These are just some of the men I have worked with over the last 20-odd years, and it still amazes me how often the key, while not always easy, can be so simple: Engaging men very often begins with questions. Most often, I am asked, “Why?” Why, as a man, do I care about gender-based violence? Why, as a man, do I even know about violence against women and girls? It is a question I get from everyone, but mostly from women.

The underlying assumption is that it is not a man’s problem; gender-based violence is still seen as a “women’s issue.” But the question is critical for individual men and the movement as a whole. The answers differ from man to man, but there are definite commonalities, such as my own story—knowing someone affected by violence, not knowing how to support a survivor, being shocked by the statistics. These answers and stories help us get more men involved, which is critical. And after so many years of asking and answering questions of men and myself, I really believe that questions lead to more questions, which, in turn, lead to more effective and accountable work to end violence and oppression. For a long time, I thought this was the end of my journey: I had arrived. I am a man who knows about gender-based violence, and I have dedicated my life to ending it. My goal was to engage a group of men in a given community to recognize their responsibility to end violence against women and feel fired up to do something about it, whether supporting their local domestic violence shelter, helping a loved one affected by violence, or disrupting violent behavior when they see it. Once that was achieved, I could ride my horse out of town to the next community. What I have come to realize now is that this is not enough. For me, there is no final destination; there can’t be. This work is all about the journey, about always doing better. Male privilege, heteropatriarchy, white supremacy—these very systems we are trying to dismantle—are at the core of, and protected by, the violence we seek to eradicate. And it serves these systems when I stop interrogating those things I do to enable violence and oppression, when I

stop asking how I can do better. Aha! moments are not static. What it means to be a man, the roles we play in perpetuating a culture of violence, the violence committed in our name—our awareness of these is like that of a fish in water. It takes a lot of work to remain aware of the water we swim in: the many ways men as a whole benefit at the expense of equity, equality, and safe, full lives for women and girls. Not all men benefit equally, of course, especially men of color, Gay and Transgender men, immigrant men, and others. But men—and masculinity as a whole—do benefit. The question “What does it mean to be a man?” might seem simple, but even simple questions we have answered before can change as we ourselves and those around us do too. What we learn about what it means to be a man is often a factor in our choosing whether to commit violence. But it is also the reason that most men who witness and experience violence never seek the help or support they so often need, why so few resources exist for male survivors. Our ideas of masculinity are key factors in our choosing to support or blame victims and survivors of violence. What society says it means to be a man makes homophobia one of the most common tools used by men to keep other men in check, stuck in the box of uninterrogated masculinity. Asking “What does it mean to be a man?” has layers upon layers of answers. “How can I continue to deepen my empathy for myself?” “What can I do to hold the men in this work accountable when they commit acts of violence and discrimination themselves?” “How do my male privilege and white privilege enable each other?” I am still searching for my next Aha! moment. As I search, I struggle with doubt as I always have, wanting to ensure I do more good than harm, striving to live up to the trust that women and others in this work have invested in me, wanting to do right by the countless victims and survivors I have encountered in my life. It simply starts with a question (I can suggest a few). And then an Aha! (Let me know when you have them! I love those stories.) And then another and another, until an action you can take to help end violence becomes clear. Followed, of course, by one more question. Joe Samalin wrote this article for Gender Justice, the Summer 2016 issue of YES! Magazine. Joe is currently Senior Program Manager for Community Mobilization & Leadership Development with Breakthrough, a global human rights organization that works to challenge the culture of violence against women and girls.

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GHOST IN THE MACHINE // DOUBLE INDIA PALE ALE

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APOTHIC CRUSH // RED BLEND A

pothic Crush wine is a red blend that comes from Modesto, California, USA. Over the years, Apothic has grown its lineup to include several different wines. I’ve had the opportunity to review most, if not all, of them. I shared this wine with my friend Al, who is always a great help when it comes to wine reviews. FROM THE BOTTLE: A decadent red blend that combines red fruit flavors with notes of caramel and a velvety smooth mouthfeel. We tasted the 2014 vintage of Apothic Crush. APPEARANCE In appearance, Apothic Crush is very deep purple in color. You’ll see a lighter purple meniscus on the edge. The wine is very opaque with little to no light able to shine through. It’s a very leggy wine. The drips took awhile to get going, but once they started it was an onslaught of heavy legs! And, they were very slow to fall.

A

s we’ve mentioned before, there are certain beers that gain a bit of attention from craft enthusiasts around the country. If it’s hops, it’s Heady Topper, if it’s stouts, it’s Bourbon County, but sometimes there are beers that fly below that radar and really pack a punch full of surprises. Such is the case for a double IPA brewed in the town of Broussard, LA, by a company called Parish Brewing. You may have heard of Ghost in the Machine before, but if you haven’t, you’re not alone. It’s not as sought after as many beers, but I’m here to tell you that it definitely should be. Luckily, I have a friend in Lake Charles that had easy access to this brew, so I requested a 4-pack and it was delivered. Here are my thoughts: Let it be known that this only the second beer I’ve had from Parish, but both were extremely impressive and I cannot wait to seek out more. I poured this in a pub-style pint glass to get a good look at the beer. Before anything else, I noticed that the color was much lighter than I was expecting. There were hop particles floating all through the beer and when I saw that, I got too excited, because I knew that this was going to be good. The aroma is more complex than a lot of beers I’ve had lately. You get a ton of grapefruit and lemon with a nice biscuity backbone that compliments an earthiness I wasn’t expecting. It smells amazing. The taste is something special and almost unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It almost directly follows the nose, but my God is this a juicy beer. People throw that term around a good bit and really undermine what it really means. This is maybe one of three beers I can wholeheartedly give that endorsement to. First you get this intense taste of grapefruit and pine, but as the sip continues, the grapefruit turns to lemon and the pine changes to a maltier flavor to even out the taste. The flavor is so well rounded and it’s easy to pinpoint the different profiles that shine at different times. It takes someone with a real understanding of brewing techniques and flavor profiles to execute something this intense and wonderful. Mouthfeel was done so that the hops could continue to be magnified. Low carbonation levels and medium body continue to let the hops shine through. Everything was creamy and smooth and had great head retention all the way down the glass and created beautiful lacing. Overall, this is one beer I hope to drink many more of in the future. The amazing flavors and complex body allow the hops to shine and take center stage. If you’re looking for something that appeals to your inner hop head, I suggest finding someone near the brewery to pick up some for you. You will not be disappointed. Cheers.

AROMA The wine’s aroma is deep, rich and noticeable from afar when poured. Up close, you get notes of black cherry along with hints of mocha and sweet cinnamon. We both commented that we noticed very little alcohol in the aroma. Apothic Crush alcohol content 14.5% by volume per the bottle. From the aroma alone, it wouldn’t seem as though it would be that high. But, the richness of the aroma definitely masks the alcohol. TASTE We didn’t notice any of the cinnamon from the aroma carrying through to the taste. But, the mocha and black cherry definitely did and those were the primary flavors in this wine. We commented that Apothic Crush is “easy drinking” and “smooth and sippable.” MOUTHFEEL AND TANNINS We both felt the wine’s tannins were noticeable all over the palate. For myself, I had an immediate strong tingling sensation on the tip of my tongue. We generalized that the wine’s tannins were velvety and supple. And, the overall mouthfeel was silky smooth. FINISH The finish of Apothic Crush is quite long. You may note a nice balance between the flavors and the tannins.

OVERALL OPINION Overall, we both really enjoyed this smooth red wine blend. We liked that it was silky smooth and flavorful and were appreciative of the balance this wine maintains across all its layers. I’ve found the other Apothic reds to be very unique in flavor. And although enjoyable, I found them to NOT be a wine I would want to have over and over again. However, I think Apothic Crush breaks that mold and IS a wine you can keep around as a “house wine.” To me, that was the biggest difference I noted with this particular blend from Apothic. So… Recommend! Plus it’s a bit lower in price than some of the other Apothic reds out there. Apothic Crush price $9.99. SUGGESTED FOOD PAIRING Let’s start with what NOT to pair this with. I wouldn’t pair this with a grilled steak as I don’t think it would hold up. It’s a bit too smooth for that. I should also note that I would drink this now and not worry about letting it age. What I would pair this with is either a Gruyere Cheese or Lump Blue Crab Cakes. And finally, my friend thought this would go nice with a Waldorf Salad or with a dessert such as a Cherry Cobbler.

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JULY 21 + AUG 4

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>>> I N T H E K I T C H E N | R AC H E L PA X T O N

EASY PASTA SIDE DISHES FOR SUMMER MEALS

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O SA

BREAKFAST / LUNCH Brown Bag

9425 Jones Road | Northport // 333.0970 Its speciality, fried green tomatoes, joins barbecue plates and fish filets on an extended list of meats and vegetables. Tues 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Wed-Sat 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Pasta dishes are healthy and easy to throw together. You can use fresh produce either from your own garden or a local farmer's market to prepare these quick pasta meals. You can also serve pasta with many different main dishes, such as fish, pork chops, or grilled chicken. Fresh fruit and some garlic bread would make great additions to these easy meals. Any leftovers can be saved for the next day to make a quick lunch.

City Cafe 408 Main Ave | Downtown Northport // 758.9171 Established in 1936. Big on food, low on price. Open for breakfast and lunch. Historic downtown Northport. Closed weekends.

LEMON AND GARLIC PASTA

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 4800 Doris Pate Dr | Exit 76 // 562.8282 www.crackerbarrel.com

Ingredients: 1/2 lb. thin spaghetti 2 cloves garlic 1/4 c. olive oil 2 tbsp. butter 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. grated lemon zest 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper

Cooking Instructions: Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until done; drain and return to the hot sauce pan. Mince the garlic. In a small pan, heat the olive oil and butter. Add the minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Toss the garlic, oil, parsley, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper with the pasta.

SPAGHETTI SALAD Ingredients: 1 small pkg. thin spaghetti, cooked, and rinsed under cool water 1 red onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped 1 (8 oz.) bottle Italian dressing 1 pkg. Italian dressing Parmesan cheese, grated

Cooking Instructions: Prepare spaghetti and add remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top until covered.

FLORENTINE PENNE Ingredients: 1 (12 oz.) box whole-wheat penne pasta 2 (16 oz.) bags frozen spinach 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

CountryPride Restaurant 3501 Buttermilk Rd // 554.0215 www.ta.travelcenters.com Breakfast 24 hours. Lunch and Dinner buffet.

International House of Pancakes 724 Skyland Blvd // 366.1130 Jack's 1200 Hackberry Lane | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 Mr. Bill's Family Restaurant 2715 McFarland Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 333.9312 Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd *402 | Tuscaloosa // 366.8780 Quick Grill 1208 University Blvd | The Strip | Tuscaloosa // 342.0022 Rama Jama’s 1000 Bryant Dr // 750.0901 Closest restaurant to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Sweet Home Food Bar 2218 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 764-9346 Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Waysider 1512 Greensboro Ave // 345.8239 Open for breakfast and lunch. Smoke free.

Cooking Instructions: Cook pasta as directed, then drain. While pasta is cooking, place spinach in a colander and run it under cold water until thawed. Press out water and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and saute mushrooms, olives, garlic for 10 to 15 minutes, until mushrooms are cooked. Add the spinach to the sauteed mixture. Combine cooked pasta with sauteed vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

SPAGHETTI WITH GREEN SAUCE Ingredients: 1 pkg. (16 oz.) thin spaghetti or vermicelli 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. minced basil leaves 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 c. minced parsley 1/4 c. butter or margarine, softened 1 medium clove garlic, crushed 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper 1/4 c. olive oil 2/3 c. boiling water

The Side by Side Restaurant 2410 University Blvd. | Embassy Suites | 561-2500 thesidebysiderestaurant.com

JAPANESE

Benkei Japanese Steak House 1223 McFarland Blvd // 759-5300 Hours: Mon–Thurs 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Fri–Sat 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Bento Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar 1306 University Blvd // 758.7426 Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant 607 15th Street Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ichiban Japanese Grill & Sushi 502 15th Street // 752.8844 Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar 6521 Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 366.1177 Offers steak, seafood, tempura, teriyaki and sushi. Including cooking at your table, if you choose. Sun–Thurs 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri & Sat 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Don Tono's 2312 4th Street | Temerson Square // 345.9191

Broadway Pizzeria 2880 Rice Mine Road Northeast Tuscaloosa, // 391.6969

El Mariachi 3520 McFarland Blvd E |Tuscaloosa // 409-8585

DePalma’s Italian Cafe 2300 University Blvd, Downtown // 759.1879 Menu ranges from sanwiches to finer pasta dishes and pizza. Varied beer and wine selection. Hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. www.depalmascafe.com

1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0140 www.chipotle.com

El Rincon (2 locations) 1225 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 366.0855 1726 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.1274

Iguana Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 752.5895

ITALIAN

Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.345.4343

Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill 2001 New Watermelon Rd | Northport // 342.3378

Mellow Mushroom 2230 University Blvd // 758.0112 Pizzas, calzones, hoagies and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. www.mellowmushroom.com

LaGran Fiesta 9770 Hwy 69 S // 345.8871

Mr. G’s 908 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 339-8505

Los Calientes Mexican Grill 3429 McFarland Blvd E // 553.1558

Olive Garden 2100 McFarland Blvd E // 750-0321 Open daily from 11 a.m. | www.olivegarden.com

Los Tarascos (2 locations) 1759 Skyland Blvd // 553.8896 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.0919 Margarita's Grill 1241 McFarland Blvd E // 343.0300 Moe’s Southwest Grill (2 locations) 2330 McFarland Blvd E // 342.1487 1130 University Blvd // 752.0234 moes.com Pepito’s (2 locations) 1203 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9028 1301 McFarland Blvd NE // 391.4861 Taco Mama 2104 A University Blvd, Tuscaloosa // 409.8173

FINE DINING

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m. Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials: Monday - $20 Bottles of Wine; Tuesday - Ladies Night 1/2 off Domestic Beer and House Wine, Select $5 Martinis, $2 off Select Sushi Rolls for Everyone; Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp; Featured Cocktails and $20 Bottles of Wine.

Cooking Instructions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Mix remaining ingredients together. Toss pasta and sauce together. Place on platter or in large bowl. Sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of five. For more recipes, gardening, organizing tips, home decorating, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.

Epiphany Cafe 19 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 344.5583 “New American cuisine” with a strong emphasis on local produce, organic meats, and sustainable seafood. The menu is always changing and features include an extensive wine list, a large vibrant bar and martini lounge area, as well as patio seating. Reservations are available online at epiphanyfinedining.com or through open table. Hours: Mon–Sat 5 p.m. - until

JULY 21 + AUG 4

Kozy’s 3510 Loop Road E | near VA Medical Center // 556.4112 Great locally-sourced foods and live piono music on the weekends. |killionrestaurants.com/kozys/

Kobe Steak House 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 759-1400 Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sat & Sun 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Cypress Inn 501 Rice Mine Rd // 345.6963 Fax: 345.6997 | www.cypressinnrestaurant.com 2003 Restaurant of Distinction. Beautiful riverfront location. Steaks, seafood and more with Southern flavor. Wine list, full bar. Specialities of the house include Shrimp Cypress Inn and Smoked Chicken with white barbecue sauce. Kid friendly. Closed Saturday lunch. Mike Spiller is featured the first Thursday of every month. Happy Hour- Mon-Fri from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. featuring 1/2 price appetizers. $2 Domestic Draft Beers and $3 Well cocktails.

10

FIVE Bar 2324 6th Street. // 205.345.6089 A restaurant/bar based on simplicity. We offer 5 entrees, 5 red wines, 5 white wines, 5 import beers, 5 domestic, and 5 signature cocktails, to go along with our full liquor bar. Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 5-10; Friday and Saturday 5-12 Lunch: Friday and Saturday 11-3; Sunday Jazz Brunch: 10-3 five-bar.com; 205.345.6089

MEXICAN Chipotle Mexican Grill

Fernando's Mexican Grill 824 McFarland Blvd E | Northport // 205.331.4587

1 (8 oz.) package fresh sliced mushrooms 2 (3.8 oz.) cans sliced black olives 6 cloves pressed or minced garlic

Evangeline’s 1653 McFarland Blvd. North // 752.0830 Located in the Tuscaloosa Galleria. 2004 West Alabama Tourism Award Winning Restaurant. American Eclectic Cuisine. Lunch: Mon–Fri 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: Tues–Sat 5 p.m. until... Fall: Saturday Brunch.

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CASUAL DINING

Avenue Pub 405 23rd Avenue // Tuscaloosa Brunch, lunch, and dinner. Specialty cocktails, local pints, bottled beer, and wine. Mon - Fri. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sat. Noon – 11 p.m., Sun.Noon p.m. – 9 p.m. Big Daddy’s Cafe 514 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 759.9925 The Blue Plate Restaurant (Was Northport Diner) 450 McFarland Blvd, Northport // 462-3626 Brumfield's Restaurant 4851 Rice Mine Road | Tue. - Thu.: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fri - Sat.: 11 a.m. 10 p.m., and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Buddy’s Ribs & Steaks 2701 Bridge Ave | Northport // 339.4885 Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd // 523.0273 Mon–Wed 11 a.m. - midnight | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Chicken Salad Chick The Shoppes at Midtown & Essex Square, Northport | Said to be the very best chicken salad that can be found anywhere. www. chickensaladchick.com Chili’s 1030 Skyland Blvd | Near McFarland Mall // 750.8881 Fax: 758.7715 // www.chilis.com Dave’s Dogs 1701 McFarland Blvd E | University Mall // 722.2800 Five Guys Burgers & Fries 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0575 www.fiveguys.com Glory Bound Gyro Company 2325 University Blvd // 349-0505 Glory Bound Gyro Company is a unique restaurant that focuses on great food and service in a funky, fun-filled atmosphere. Open Mon-Thu: 11am - 10pm | Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm | Sun: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.


>>> RESTAURANTS |

W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O SA

Heritage House 700 Towncenter | Northport // 758.0042 Open Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Moe's BBQ 101 15th Street | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 752.3616 Mon-Sat 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Bar open until 2 a.m., 3 a.m. on Fridays

Hooligan’s 1915 University Blvd // 759.2424 From hamburgers to hummus. Open daily 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Mugshots Grill & Bar 511 Greensboro Ave // 391.0572 Great burgers. Full service bar. Open late. www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com

Horny's 508 Red Drew Ave | Tuscaloosa // 345.6869 Mon 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. | Tues-Thurs 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Fri 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. | Sat 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. New Orleans style atmosphere in the heart of Tuscaloosa on the strip. Horny's offerings include a full liquor bar, beer, and a variety of classic American food. Horny's Bar and Grill offers a limited late night menu from 1:30 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. Logan's Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd E // 349.3554 Madear’s 1735 Culver Road // 343.7773 Mon–Fri 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 2nd & 3rd Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mugshots Grill & Bar 511 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 391.0572 Great burgers & sandwiches. Unique setting, full service bar, veggie entrees, kid friendly, and open late www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com Newk’s Express Cafe 205 University Blvd. East // 758.2455 Fax: 758.2470 // www.newkscafe.com Express casual dining experience in a refreshing and stylish atmosphere. Serving fresh tossed salads, oven baked sandwiches, California style pizzas and homemade cakes from Newk’s open kitchen. Sun–Wed 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. O’Charley’s 3799 McFarland Blvd // 556.5143 Open daily lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch // www.ocharleys.com Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 366.8780 www.panerabread.com

Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers. Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts Wilhagan’s 2209 4th St | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 366.0913 Wings U 1800 McFarland Blvd East Suite 218 | Pick-up Tuscaloosa // 561.3984 Features the first coal-fired pizza oven in Alabama. Owned by former UA/Miami Dolphins great Bob Baumhower. Completely open concept! www.wingsu.com WingZone 1241 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 342.2473

BARBEQUE

Archibald & Woodrow's BBQ 4215 Greensboro Ave | Tuscaloosa // 331.4858 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Sun lunch Bama BBQ & Grill 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.9816 Dickey's BBQ (3 locations) 9770 Alabama 69; Midtown; and 13544 Hwy 43 North at Rose Blvd. in Northport. Texas Barbecue. | 344.6500 1800 McFarland Blvd, Midtown Village, Tuscaloosa. | 758-1133 13544 Hwy 43 North, Winn Dixie Shopping Center, Northport. | 330-1147 Dreamland (2 locations) 5535 15th Ave | Tuscaloosa // 758.8135 101 Bridge Ave | Northport // 343.6677 The legend. On game day, get there early if you want to make kickoff. Seating is limited. Hours: Mon–Sat 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Sun 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Piccadilly Cafeteria 1701 McFarland Blvd E | University Mall // 556.4960 www.piccadilly.com Quick Grill 1208 University Blvd | The Strip // 342.0022 www.bamaquickgrill.com Ruby Tuesday (2 locations) 6421 Interstate Drive | Cottondale // 633.3939 Just off I-20/59 at exit 77. Near Hampton Inn and Microtel Inn 311 Merchants Walk | Northport // 345.4540 www.rubytuesdays.com Ryan’s 4373 Courtney Dr // 366.1114 Near Marriott Courtyard and Fairfield Inn Sitar Indian Cuisine 500 15th St // 345-1419 Southern Ale House 1530 McFarland Blvd N Monday-Thursday 11a-9p, Friday-Saturday 11a-10p Sunday Brunch 11a-2p A warm and inviting restaurant just north of the river with both classic and contemporary interpretations of Southern Cuisine. We boast a large variety of local craft beers on tap and other options in bottle for our beer loving constituents. Wine and Signature cocktails

Hick’s BBQ 4400 Fayette Hwy // 339.3678 // Tues–Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Moe's Original BBQ 2101 University Blvd.. // 752.3616 Mon–Sat 11am - 10pm | Bar service Mon-Sat 2am and Fri -3am | Kitchen closes at 10pm Pottery Grill (2 locations) Highway 11 | Cottondale // 554.1815 3420 Alabama 69 | Northport // 333.5848 Menu: thepotterygrill.com Awesome barbecue. The Pottery Grill serves up everything from pork, chicken, ribs and sausage to burgers, hot dogs and salads. Take-out and catering available. Tee’s Ribs and Thangs 1702 10th Avenue // 366.9974 |11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

STEAKS

Southland Restaurant 5388 Skyland Blvd E // 556.3070 Steaks, chops and home-cooked vegetables Mon–Fri 10:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Logan’s Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd | next to Sams // 349.3554 Steaks, ribs and spirits

T-Town Café 500 14th Street, Tuscaloosa | 759-5559 |www.ttowncafe.co Mon - Fri: 5 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat: 5 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Longhorn Steakhouse 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 345-8244 #412

Tacogi 500 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 342.3647

New Orleans Steak and Seafood House 824 McFarland Boulevard |11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. daily. 248-7666

Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers. Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts.

Nick's In the Sticks 4018 Culver Rd | Tuscaloosa // 758.9316 A long-time Tuscaloosa tradition. Good steaks at a reasonable price Try a Nicodemus if you have a designated driver.

Zoe’s Kitchen 312 Merchants Walk // 344.4450 A wonderful selection of Greek foods

Outback Steakhouse 5001 Oscar Baxter Dr // 759.9000

SEAFOOD

SPORTS GRILL

Baumhower's Wings of Tuscaloosa 500 Harper Lee Drive | catering-Pick-up Tuscaloosa // 556.5858 | Always fresh and always fun. Owned by former UA/ Miami Dolphins great Bob Baumhower. Kid Friendly Buffalo Phil’s 1149 University Blvd | The Strip // 758.3318 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine selection, full bar Billy's Sports Grill Historic Downtown Northport // 879.2238 Good food, beverages and family friendly Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. (Sunday Brunch 10:30am-3pm). Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd. East | Tuscaloosa // 523.0273 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine, full bar Champs Sports Grille 320 Paul Bryant Drive | inside Four Points Sheraton Hotel // 752.3200 Breakfast and lunch buffets. Sunday brunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hooter’s 5025 Oscar Baxter Dr | Next to Jameson Inn // 758.3035 Wings, clams, shrimp and of course the Hooters Girls www.hooters.com Innisfree Irish Pub 1925 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m. Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials. New Orleans Steak and Seafood House 824 McFarland Blvd |11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. daily. // 248-7666 Red Lobster 2620 McFarland Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.553.8810 Sun-Thurs 11AM-10PM//Fri & Sat 11AM-11PM Reservations Accepted Take-Out Available Private Dining Area Available for Advanced Booking (Lunch Specials Available Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM) Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Over 160 craft beers. Large selection of decadent desserts. The Levee Bar and Grill 1 Bridge Ave | Northport // 632.3136 Casual riverfront dining Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM, Sun 10:30 AM-3 PM (Happy Hour Mon-Thurs 2 PM-6 PM) leveebarandgrill.com

CHINESE

Buffet City 1747 Skyland Blvd E // 553.3308 All you can eat buffet. Open 7 days a week.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

JULY 21 + AUG 4

11


>>> RESTAURANTS |

W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O S A (CO N T.)

Chang’s Chinese Restaurant 1825 McFarland Blvd N // 391.9131 China Fun 2600 University Blvd | Alberta City // 553.2435 Chongwah Express 1425 McFarland Boulevard, Northport. 333-1088 Hot Wok Express 6751 Alabama 69, Tuscaloosa // 758.0148 Lee Palace 6521 Highway 69 S // 391.9990 / Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking & Oriental Market 514 14th St. | In the Oz Music shopping center // 343.6889 // Open Sun - Thu 11am - 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am - 9:30pm Pearl Garden 2719 Lurleen Wallace Blvd | Northport // 339.0880 Peking Chinese Restaurant 1816 McFarland | Northport // 333.0361 Open 7 days a week. Super lunch and dinner buffet. Hours: Sun–Thurs 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Swen Chinese Restaurant 1130 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9887 Trey Yuen 4200 McFarland Blvd E // 752.0088

PIZZA AND SUBS

A Taste Of Chicago 1700 Greensboro Avenue 205-342-DOGS Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. 17th Street and Greensboro Avenue. Authentic Chicago style foods. Italian Beef Sandwiches, Chicago Rib Tips, and Chicago Style Pizza. California Underground 13552 Highway 43, Northport | 339.8660 Firehouse Subs 1130 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 248.0680 Hungry Howie’s (2 locations) 1105 Southview Ln | South Tuscaloosa // 345.6000 1844 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.2633 1211 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa | The Strip // 366.1500 4851 Rice Mine Rd | Northriver/Holt // 345.3737 Lenny’s Sub Shop 220 15th St // 752.7450 // Fax: 752.7481 // www.lennys.com Little Caesars Pizza 1414 10th Ave // 366.2220 | 1www.littlecaesars.com Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. // 345.4354 Mellow Mushroom 2230 University Blvd | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 758.0112 Subs n' You 2427 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.758.0088 Roly Poly Sandwiches 2300 4th Street | Tuscaloosa // 366.1222 The Pita Pit 1207 University Blvd | The Strip // 345.9606 Hours: Mon–Sat 10:30 a.m. - 3 a.m. | Sun 11:30 a.m. - midnight Pizza 120 50115th St. East | 561.6853 Pizza Palace Buffet 6521 Alabama 69 | 752.5444 Tut’s Place 1306 University Blvd | The Strip // 759.1004

DELICATESSEN

Honeybaked Ham Company 421 15th St. E // 345.5508 //www.honeybaked.com Jason’s Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd // 752.6192 Fax: 752.6193 // www.jasonsdeli.com Located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center. Jimmy John’s (3 locations) 1400 University Blvd | The Strip // 366.3699 1875 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 752.7714 815 Lurleen B. Wallace S | Tuscaloosa // 722.2268 Delivery 7 days a week. www.jimmyjohns.com Manna Grocery & Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 752.9955

McAlister’s Deli (2 locations) 101 15th St | Tuscaloosa // 758.0039 3021 Tyler Dr | Northport // 330.7940 Sandwiches, salads and spuds www.mcalistersdeli.com Momma Goldberg’s Deli 409 23rd Ave // 345.5501 |www.mommagoldbergs.com Newk's 205 University Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 758.2455 Schlotsky’s Deli 405 15th St. E // 759.1975 // schlotskys.com Which Wich University Blvd.// Downtown Tuscaloosa // Mon – Sat 10:30 – 9 // Sunday 11 – 7 // Fresh ingredients, great sandwiches. 764.1673

ASIAN CUISINE

Ruan Thai 1407 University Blvd // 391.9973 | ruanthaituscaloosa.com Exotic Thai cuisine. Offers vegetarian options, outdoor dining, and a full bar. Sushi on Thursdays. Lunch: Mon–Sat 11 a.m. -2 p.m. | Dinner: Mon–Thurs 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri & Sat 5 p.m. -10pm | Sun 11 a.m. -3 p.m. Surin of Thailand 1402 University Blvd // 752.7970 Authentic Thai restaurant and sushi bar. Open daily. Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. www.surinofthailand.com

COFFEE SHOP

Barnes & Noble 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 349.6366 Five Java Coffee, fresh juices, smoothies and treats from Mary's Cakes. Open Monday - Saturday at 7am; 9am on Sundays Heritage House 700 Towncenter | Northport // 758.0042 Open Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Krispy Kreme Doughnut 1400 McFarland Blvd // 758.6913 //www.krispykreme.com Starbucks (2 locations) 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 343.2468 1901 13th Ave East | inside Super Target // 462.1064 starbucks.com

DESSERTS

Celebrations Bakery, Inc. 1832 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 339.3221 Fax: 349.1945 Cold Stone Creamery 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa //343.1670 Specializes in customized ice cream Hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sun 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Dunkin' Donuts 2520 Stillman Blvd. |Tuscaloosa// 349.3400 McCorvey Dr. | Tuscaloosa // 348.4041 www.dunkindonuts.com Mary's Cakes & Pastries 412 22nd Avenue | behind Opus | Northport // 345.8610 www.maryscakesandpastries.com Mon–Fri 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Smoothie King (2 locations) 415 15th Street | Tuscaloosa // 349.1721 Fax: 349.1945 1403 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 462.3664 Sweet CeCe's Frozen yogurt Treats 2217 University Blvd. | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 561.6458 A fun and friendly make your own creation, yogurt experience! TCBY (3 Locations) 2304 Mcfarland Blbd | Meadowbrook Shopping Center // 349.4661 // 2 Mcfarland Blvd | Northport | Essex Shopping Center // 758.6855 // 1130 Univ. Blvd. | The Strip // 345.0804 Yogurt In Love Patriot Center 7402 Highway 69 South Phone Number: 764.9173 Fax Number: 764.9228 Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-10 pm. Yogurt Lab 920 Paul W. Bryant Dr Ste 200 | Tuscaloosa // 347.9522 Yogurt Mountain 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 342.1484 Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - midnigh

TO HAVE YOUR RESTAURANT LISTED HERE PLEASE EMAIL PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

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JULY 21 + AUG 4

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JULY 21 + AUG 4

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>>> PET PLANET

CASPER // FULL OF LIFE!

PIPER // SHE HAS SIBLINGS!

This good looking dog is Casper, a 1-yearold male Labrador/Retriever mix. He has a solid white, thick coat with a few tan spots on his ear. Casper is a big boy, weighing 58 pounds, and he may put on a few more pounds. Casper was pulled from our local shelter, where he was found as a stray. No one came to claim him after being down at the shelter for over a month! He is a super friendly, fun, sweet and playful dog! Casper is full of life and energy, so he will need some help getting that energy out of him! He would be great to take walking, jogging or hiking. He would love to have some kids to play with (but older than 8 due to his size, because he may knock them down by accident) and/or some other dogs. Casper will require a fenced in yard. We have started him on his crate training. Casper is up to date on his vet care, neutered, heartworm negative and is microchipped. He is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. WOW -- what more could you ask for in a dog?!

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The Humane Society of West Alabama is in need of volunteers for both the cat and dog facilities. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteerhswa@gmail.com or go ahead and download a volunteer application from www.humanesocietyofwa.org/ formsinfo.html and send to the same email.

Piper has amazing eyes! She was born on 3/27/16 with her siblings Leroy, Misty and Cindy. They are all gray short haired tabbies and look very much alike except Piper does not have white feet. Piper is a cuddle-bug that likes to chase... well everything! She is current on her vaccinations and also house trained. If you are interested in giving CASPAR or PIPER the forever home they want and deserve, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at http://www. humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at (205)-554-0011.

VOLUNTEER

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>>> M O V I E R E V I E W | V A N R O B E R T S

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN // A NAILBITER ★★★★

OU T OF 4

T

arzan movies were once a Hollywood staple between the 1930s and the 1960s. Actually, Hollywood had been producing Tarzan movies during the silent film era as early as 1918. During the sound era, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer inaugurated the first cinematic “Tarzan” franchise when the studio cast Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Johnny Weissmuller as the Lord of the Jungle in 1932. Weissmuller toplined twelve Tarzan films for MGM and RKO. Meantime, Tarzan novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs abhorred Hollywood’s adaptation of his literary sensation, primarily because Tinseltown portrayed Tarzan as a primitive savage who spoke in broken English. Eventually, Burroughs produced his own Tarzan serial “The New Adventures of Tarzan” (1935) with Bruce Bennett. Bennett shared more in common with Burroughs’ literary troubleshooter. Not only did he speak in clear, unbroken English, but also he donned a dinner jacket in some scenes! Nevertheless, most moviegoers preferred Weissmuller, and later Tarzans imitated Weissmuller until Las Vegas lifeguard Gordon Scott started uttering complete sentences in “Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure” (1959) and “Tarzan the Magnificent” (1960). Cowboy stunt man Jock Mahoney inherited the role from Scott and spoke in complete sentences, too. When former NFL football player Mike Henry took over the role in “Tarzan and the Valley of Gold” (1966), movie audiences saw Henry’s Tarzan decked out in a suit and tie as well as toting a briefcase. After the short-lived “Tarzan” television show with Ron Ely on NBC-TV, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ outdoor adventurer appeared in fewer movies, and those movies were mediocre. French actor Christopher Lambert played Tarzan in the last great Tarzan film “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan” (1984), but the well-made film—that Burroughs would have applauded-- didn’t generate enough interest to fuel a franchise. Walt Disney reverted to the MGM Weissmuller template and scored a huge hit with their animated “Tarzan” (1999) and a straight-to-video sequel “Tarzan & Jane” ensued in 2002. More short-term television series and films followed, but the character lacked tenacity. “Harry Potter” director David Yates may succeed where everybody else has failed with “The Legend of Tarzan” starring Alexander Skarsgård, Christoph Waltz, Margot Robbie, and Samuel L. Jackson. Not only would Burroughs approve of Skarsgård’s Tarzan, but also “The Legend of Tarzan” is a genuinely exciting, often suspenseful, and ultimately satisfying epic adventure that venerates its literary origins. “The Legend of Tarzan” takes place in 1890, several years after the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference when Great Britain and Belgium split up the Congo between themselves and established European settlement and commerce in Africa. Surprisingly, this is one of the few Tarzan movies that appropriates factual history, and Belgium King Leopold II did indeed dispatch an envoy to the Congo. Léon

Rom (Oscar winning actor Christoph Waltz of “Inglourious Basterds”) is the fictional envoy in Yates’ film, and Rom has embarked on an ambitious scheme to obtain the fabulous diamonds of Opar to finance Leopold’s dream of equipping an army to enslave the natives of the Congo. Unfortunately, Leopold is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy because he has spent a fortune to build a railroad and forts for an army he cannot afford to pay. Rom plans to acquire the diamonds from native tribal Chief Mbonga (twice-Oscar nominated actor Djimon Hounsou of “Blood Diamond”) so Leopold doesn’t lose his foothold on the Dark Continent. Mbonga is both willing and eager to hand over an untold wealth in gems if Rom can convince Tarzan to come back to the Congo. As it turns out, Tarzan killed Mbonga’s son during a hunting trip after Mbonga’s son slew Tarzan’s ape mother. Since this tragic incident, Tarzan has returned to England and inherited not only his late father’s estate as John Clayton, but also his title as the Earl of Greystoke, a member of the House of Lords. The treacherous Rom invites Africa’s favorite son back to the Congo for a tour of the new railway and other infrastructure constructed by King Leopold to usher civilization into the depths of the Dark Continent. Moreover, the British Prime Minister (Oscar winner Jim Broadbent of “Iris”) implores Lord Clayton to go as does an American, George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson of “Pulp Fiction”), who wants to accompany him on the tour. Initially, Lord Clayton refuses to accommodate the Prime Minister, but Williams convinces him to accept Rom’s offer. Williams trusts neither the Belgium monarch nor Rom; he believes that this deceitful, imperialist pair plan

to enslave the natives. Naturally, when Lord Clayton’s wife Jane (Margot Robbie of “Focus”) learns about her husband’s impending trip to Africa, she decides to join him against his will. No sooner have the couple and Williams arrived than the dastardly Rom and a murderous army of mercenaries attack the village where Tarzan met Jane. They take Tarzan and many natives as hostages. Williams helps Tarzan escape, but Rom abducts Jane. He uses her to lure Tarzan into a trap so that Mbonga can kill Tarzan for his son’s death. Unlike previous “Tarzan” movies, “True Blood’s” Alexander Skarsgård shuns the traditional loincloth. Instead, John Clayton retains his European apparel and eventually sheds everything but his breeches. In this respect, he resembles the Incredible Hulk more than Burroughs’ protagonist. Aside from this departure,

“The Legend of Tarzan” remains largely faithful to the literary character and his heritage. Meanwhile, Yates and scenarists Adam Cozad of “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” and Craig Brewer of “Black Snake Moan” don’t exploit the African tribal characters for comic relief. Although she is abducted by Rom, Jane Clayton doesn’t behave like the conventional, lily-livered, damsel-in-distress, and she displays contempt for Rom because he expects her to act like one. The CGI of the great apes is truly spectacular. Happily, Yates didn’t resort to men in monkey suits. Visually, the scenery is as gorgeous as the cinematography is impressive. The explosive showdown between Tarzan and Rom is comparable to a James Bond extravaganza. Anybody who loves Edgar Rice Burroughs and his immortal hero should swing in to watch “The Legend of Tarzan.”

Accepting New Patients! Chiropractic Care Nutritional & Weight Management Programs Sports Physicals 9770 Highway 69 South Unit A | Tuscaloosa Englewood Plaza next to Winn Dixie

205-409-6333

Check us out online at www.freemanchiropracticandwellness.com Now Accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield!

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JULY 21 + AUG 4

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>>> M O V I E R E V I E W | V A N R O B E R T S

FREE STATE OF JONES // GREAT DEPTH

“H

unger Games” writer & director Gary Ross’ impressive American Civil War epic “Free State of Jones”, starring Matthew McConaughey, ranks as the best theatrical release of summer 2016. Ostensibly, this factual American Civil War period drama breaks ranks not only with traditional sagas about the Civil War but also is relevant to contemporary racial issues. Essentially, Hollywood specializes in two types of Civil War movies. First, you have those about Union battlefield victories, like “Gettysburg” (1993) and “The Horse Soldiers” (1959). Second, you have those about Confederate triumphs on and off the battlefield, such as “The Raid” (1954), about the Saint Albans foray in Vermont. These movies tend to alienate Northern and Southern audiences. Presumably, part of the reason for the scant number of American Civil War movies is the polarities they generate. Southerners abhor having defeat rubbed into their noses. Similarly, the politically correct loathe notorious pro-Southern movies like “Gods and Generals” (2003) that applaud ‘the Lost Cause’ of the Confederacy. If “Free State of Jones” achieves anything of distinction, it shows that not all nativeborn Southern whites whistled “Dixie” during the Civil War. Consequently, “Free State of Jones” qualifies as a revisionist film. Forget about that travesty of a movie “Tap Roots” (1948) that Universal Pictures based loosely on the Jones County insurrection that the Matthew McConaughey movie commemorates. The only recent major theatrical Civil War movie that has shown the seamier side of the South was writer & director Anthony Minghella’s “Cold Mountain” (2003), star-

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ring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renée Zellweger. Kidman portrayed a destitute wife in “Cold Mountain” who contended with despicable Confederate soldiers assigned to patrol the home-front where she resided. These unsavory Confederates terrorized poor Southern families and intimidated widows when they were not engaged actively in searching for and executing deserters. The male protagonist in “Cold Mountain” was a Confederate deserter (Jude Law) struggling to get home to his wife. Along the way, the Jude Law character joined runaway slaves and they helped him conceal himself from pugnacious Confederate patrols. Similarly, Ross’ “Free State of Jones” follows the exploits of rebellious Confederate Army medic Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey of “Interstellar”) who deserted and embarked on a home-front campaign against the Confederacy that tied down troops that could have been more strategically employed against Union forces. Historically, “Free State of Jones” is one of the few accurate films about the Civil War. According to Mississippi History Now, the Mississippi Historical Society’s on-line publication, Knight lived in Jones County, and Jones County owned the least number of slaves in the state. Most Civil War historians will tell you the non-slave owning sections of the old South, principally the hill counties, espoused Unionist sentiments. Unfortunately, anybody who shirked their duty to serve in the army often found themselves in front of a firing squad. Mississippi History Now states that “on May 13, 1862, Newt Knight enlisted as a private with his friends and neighbors into Company F of the Seventh Battalion, Mississippi Infantry in Jasper County.

They enlisted together so they could avoid being drafted away to serve with strangers. After the war, Newt claimed that he only agreed to serve as an orderly to care for the sick and wounded.” Eventually, Knight assembled a home-grown militia of Confederate deserters and fugitive African-American slaves and mounted a resistance movement against the Confederacy. When the army wasn’t tangling with Knight and his militia, they preyed on impoverished Southerners and imposed heavy taxes on them to benefit the Confederate cause. The Army appropriated crops and livestock and left the widows to starve. Historian Rudy H. Leverett, in his book “Legend of the Free State of Jones,” points out that Knight and his militia clashed 14 times with Confederate soldiers. Ross stages these violent encounters with enough cinematic blood and thunder to justify an R-rating. Meantime, according to Mississippi History Now, the controversial “Twenty Negro Law” prompted Newton to desert from the Confederacy. Newton’s friend and fellow soldier Jasper Collins hated this law, too. If he owned 20 slaves or more, a planter was exempt from military service. Reportedly, Collins uttered the immortal words, “This law … makes it a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight.” Basically, Ross turns Newton Knight into a Robin Hood figure that united escaped slaves and disenfranchised white Southerners. Moreover, Ross has turned the Confederate Army into the equivalent of Robin Hood’s infamous adversary--the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham. At the same time, Knight trained vulnerable women and children in the art of self-defense. In one memorable scene, Knight arms adolescent girls with

★★★★

OU T OF 4

weapons, and these girls convince a Confederate patrol to skedaddle. Eventually, after several savage skirmishes, Knight strangles a prominent Confederate officer with his bare hands in the film’s single instance of vengeance. After the war, Knight conducted a campaign for racial inequality for African-Americans despite overwhelming opposition from intractable whites. Rarely does Hollywood illuminate the plight of the poor white farmers who opposed both the Confederacy and the wealthy slave owners who sought to preserve ‘the peculiar institution.’ Before “Cold Mountain,” “Tap Roots” (1948) and “Shenandoah” (1965) were the only movies that tackled anti-Confederate sentiment. Although inspired by Newton Knight’s deeds, “Tap Roots” shared more in common with “Gone with the Wind” (1939), while “Shenandoah” (1965) depicted an obstinate Virginian patriarch (James Stewart) who refused to let his sons participate in the war. Ultimately, the thing that distinguishes good movies from bad is good films offer something new and refreshing. “Free State of Jones” presents a historical narrative of far greater depth and complexity than previous Civil War movies. In our woebegone, politically correct era, when holier-than-thou factions harangue Southerners discriminately about flying the Confederate Star and Bars battle flag, “Free State of Jones” rejects the notion that every Southerner subscribed to slavery and succession. Altogether, Gary Ross’ “Free State of Jones” isn’t comparable to Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” but this authentic actioneer displays more than enough of those sentiments.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS


>>> E V E N T S THURSDAY, July 21

Live music at Green Bar this weekend WHEN: 10:30pm-12:00am WHERE: Green Bar 2350 4th St. Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 752-2060 LINK: greenbarttown.com DESCRIPTION: Green Bar will feature live July 21-23. Thursday, July 21: Blue Healer Friday, July 22: Oak House Saturday, July 23: Niles Rooker Trio Doors open at 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, July 22

Live At The Plaza Concerts are back — Fridays in July 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Government Plaza 7th St. and 22th Ave. SE. Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 469-2182 LINK: visittuscaloosa.com DESCRIPTION: Each concert will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Government Plaza, downtown Tuscaloosa. Children and dogs are welcome. The public is invited to bring coolers, food, lawn chairs, blankets and settle in for a great musical line-up. This Friday, July 22, will feature the local Graystone Band.

SATURDAY, July 23

Blues artist Henry Gipson at the Drish House WHEN: 4:00pm-6:00pm WHERE: The Drish House 2300 17th St Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 469-2182 LINK: visittuscaloosa.com DESCRIPTION: Renowned blues man Henry Gipson will be playing at the Drish House July 23, in conjunction with our “Art on the Circle” event, Food Truck Rally and the opening of our very special collection of Cuban, American and Vietnamese art by artist and art collector Stephen Humphreys. SATURDAY, July 23 Food Truck Rally WHEN: 4:00pm-11:00pm COST: Free WHERE: Band of Brothers Brewing 1605 23rd Ave. Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 246-2569 LINK: bandofbrosbrewing.com/ DESCRIPTION: Band of Brothers

Brewing Company is hosting a Food Truck Rally on Saturday, July 23rd. Food trucks present will include Local Roots, JoJos Food Trunk, Archibald’s and Woodrows, SouthFresh Mobile Catfish Kitchen, Cantina on Wheels, NOLA Ice Birmingham, Southern Wanderer, Just Chillin Frozen Treats, Steel City Pops, and more. Nearby Drish Mansion will also be open with “Art on the Circle” at 6 pm. Live music, great beer, good company. Event Schedule: 1 pm: Band of Brothers opens 4 pm: Food trucks open 5 pm: Gip of Gip’s Place performs at Drish Mansion 7:30 pm: The John Wilson Band live at Band of Brothers

Center serves as headquarters and offers showers and swimming after the ride. Bradford Health Services provides lunch.

MONDAY, August 1

Screen on the Green WHEN: 8:00pm-12:00am COST: Free WHERE: Midtown Village 1701 McFarland Blvd. and 15th Street LINK: www.midtownvillagetuscaloosa. com/ DESCRIPTION: Free movies every Saturday night at dusk on the Green

Effective

ADS CONTACT 205.523.8007

WEDNESDAY, July 27 Live music at Rhythm and Brews this weekend WHEN: 10:00pm-12:00am WHERE: Rhythm and Brews 2308 4th Street Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 750-2992 LINK: rhythmnbrews.com/index.html DESCRIPTION: Rhythm and Brews will host live music July 27-30. Wednesday, July 27: Christopher Gladden Band Thursday, July 28: Loxley at 10 p.m. Friday, July 29: Missused at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 30: Smoke n Guns at 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 30

Hot Hundred — the Hottest Ride in the South! WHEN: 7:00am-4:00pm COST: $45-$60 WHERE: Theatre Tuscaloosa 9500 Old Greenboro Road #135 Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 394-6152 LINK: bikehothundred.weebly.com/ DESCRIPTION: The Tuscaloosa Mental Health Alliance in partnership with the Druid City Bicycle Club, hosts the Hot Hundred Bicycle Ride to benefit the efforts of the TMHA to increase community awareness of mental health issues. Now in its 14th year,the ride is part of the Alabama Backroads Century Series and has grown to average over 600 registered cyclists from as many as 15 states. Supported routes include 29, 36, 51, 72, and 103 miles. DCH Sports Trainers, Tuscaloosa Police Department, WAARS Ham Radio and so many more volunteers support the event. The UA Rec

>>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM

JULY 21 + AUG 4

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>>> E V E N T S , continued

BMR VARIETY SHOW COMING TO BJCC’S FORUM THEATER

B

irmingham Mountain Radio’s Lochamy Brothers will host a variety show with trivia, celebrity guests and live music at 7 p.m. July 30 at BJCC’s Forum Theater. “Right You Are! With The Lochamy Brothers” will be a modern variety show, featuring a trivia game with help from Mental Floss and live musical guests, prizes and celebrity contestants. Audience members will be asked to participate from their seats – and sometimes from the stage – when their names are randomly called. The show will be recorded and broadcast on Birmingham Mountain Radio and iTunes at a later date. Will and Reed Lochamy of Oh Brother Radio will host the production and hope to develop it into a recurring show to be held in the BJCC’s intimate and interactive Forum Theater. A portion of proceeds will go to a different local charity each month, starting with Camp Smile-A-Mile. Their programs benefit many local pediatric oncology patients, survivors and their families. Between rounds, live musicians will perform. Singer Jackson Capps, who made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry at 12 years old, will be the inaugural musician. Capps has developed into a seasoned musician by adapting the sounds of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at TicketMaster.com. For more information, visit www.bjcc.org or call 800-745-3000. Listeners can play along when it airs in Birmingham on 107.3FM , in Tuscaloosa on 97.5FM , and around the world on iTunes. For specific media inquiries about the BJCC campus, contact Cindy Fisher Crawford at 205-458-8214 or cindy.crawford@bjcc.org. For specific concert or event information or inquiries, contact Anna Jones at 205458-8428 or anna.jones@bjcc.org. About the BJCC’s Forum Theater The Forum Theater at the BJCC was renovated and opened in September 2015 for performances meant for a more intimate setting. With 275 seats, the Forum Theater is located in the Forum Building at the corner of 22nd Street and Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard. It is part of the BJCC, Alabama’s foremost convention, meeting and

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entertainment center. The BJCC is home to over 200,000 square feet of exhibit halls, meeting rooms and three entertainment venues, including Legacy Arena, the state’s largest indoor event space. The BJCC campus also includes Alabama’s largest hotel in the 757-room Sheraton Birmingham, the 294-room Westin Birmingham Hotel and the Uptown Entertainment District. Follow the BJCC on Facebook (@TheBJCC), Twitter (@ BJCC) and Instagram (@theBJCC). About Birmingham Mountain Radio Birmingham Mountain Radio is an internet-based radio station that has a world-class rock/adult album alternative format and focuses on local content through local DJs, specialty shows, promotions and through highlighting local and regional bands. The station can be heard at bhammountainradio.com and in Birmingham on 107.3FM and in Tuscaloosa on 97.5FM.

>>> VISIT US ON THE WEB @ THEPLANETWEEKLY.COM


>>> ROAD TRIP | S O U T H E A S T E R N CO N C E R T S A N D E V E N T S BIRMINGHAM SATURDAY, JULY 30 Boombox // Iron city TUESDAY, AUG. 2 311 // Iron City

FRIDAY, AUG. 5 Phantom Of The Opera // Legacy Arena at the BJCC SATURDAY, AUG 6 Oak Ridge Boys // Legacy Arena at the BJCC Regae At Historical Boutwell // Boutwell Auditorium

FRIDAY, AUG 5 The Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul & Tribe Society // Ascend Amphitheater

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10 The Big 98 Presents Guitar B Que Benefitting St Jude // Ascend Amphitheater

SUNDAY, AUG. 7 Twenty One Pilots // Ascend Amphitheater

SUNDAY, AUG 14 Drake & Future // Bridgestone Arena Gipsy Kings // Schermerhorn Symphony Center Michael McDonald and America // Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater

SATURDAY, AUG 6 Meghan Trainor // Ascend Amphitheater

MONDAY, AUG 8 Blink 182 with A Day To Remember // Ascend Amphitheater

FRIDAY, AUG. 12 Jaws // The Alabama Theatre

FRIDAY, AUG 12 Flogging Molly // Carl Black Chevy Woods Ampthitheater

TUESDAY, AUG 16 Guy Clark Celebration // Ryman Auditorium

WEDNESDAY, AUG 17 Steven Tyler // Ryman Auditorium Dixie Chicks // Bridgestone Arena

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17 Def Leppard // Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

THURSDAY, AUG 18 Lyle Lovett // Schermerhorn Symphony Center

SUNDAY, AUG. 21 Southern Bridal Show // BJCC THURSDAY, AUG 25 Lewis Black // Lyric Theatre

Dixie Chicks // August 17

NASHVILLE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 Journey & Dave Mason // Ascend Amphitheater TUESDAY, AUG 2 WWE Smackdown // Bridgestone Arena Boston: 40 Anniversary // Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater Bryan Ferry // Ryman Auditorium

CONTACT

205.523.8007

SATURDAY, JULY 30 Ray Lamontagne // Fabulous Fox Theatre

TUESDAY, AUG 2 Jeff Beck with Buddy Guy // Chastain Park Amphitheater Peter Frampton // Cobb Energy Performing Arts Blink 182, A Day to Remember // Lakewood Amphitheatre THURSDAY, AUG 4 Meghan Trainor, Hailee Steinfeld // Chastain Park

FRIDAY, AUG 5 The Noise Presents: Periphery // The Masquerade Richard Marx // Chastain Park Amphitheater SATURDAY, AUG 6 Boston // Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Clint Black // The Villages Amphitheater The Affordable Old School Concert // Wolf Creek Amphitheater Riff Raff // Center Stage THURSDAY, AUG 11 Brad Paisley // Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

THURSDAY, AUG 4 Carnival of Madness // Ascend Amphitheater

Blink182 // August 8

ADS

FRIDAY, JULY 29 Kellie Pickler // The Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater 311 // Tabernacle Gwen Stefani & Eve // Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

FRIDAY, AUG 10 Alice Cooper // Symphony Hall Atlanta

WEDNESDAY, AUG 3 Jeff Beck & Buddy Guy // Ascend Amphitheater

Effective

ATLANTA

FRIDAY, AUG 12 Def Leppard // Lakewood Amphitheatre Gipsy Kings // Chastain Park Amphitheater

>>> R OA D T R I P D I R E C T O RY Travel the South's best venues. Visit their website for ticket info and more. Acoustic Café 2758 County Hwy 9 205.647.3237

Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE 404.881.2100

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100

Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345

Amphitheater at the Wharf 23101 Canal Rd 251.224.1020

The Hangout 251.948.3030 thehangout1.com

The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831

WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082

Bridgestone Arena 501 Broadway 615.770.2000

Marathon Music Works 1402 Clinton St 615.891.1781

Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N 205.324.1911

Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy 404.733.5010

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

JULY 21 + AUG 4

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>>> PUZZLEMANIA | C R O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E

Across 1. William of Hopalong Cassidy fame 5. Unfamiliar with 10. Profit's opposite 14. Home furnishings chain 15. Turgenev heroine 16. Passage out 17. Part of CD-ROM 18. Greek salad ingredient 20. Eve's youngest 21. Home healthcare worker (abbr.) 22. Rutabaga, for one 23. " ___ Was a Lady" (1930s tune) 25. Publicize 26. High-____ (on edge) 28. Special praise 33. "The Thin Man" co-star 34. Empire, to Germans 36. U.S.-Canada mil. acronym 37. Brought into play 39. Come in 41. 1,901, to Caesar 42. "Totally cool!" 44. Flogged 46. Cooperstown bldg. 47. "Oh, Lady, Be Good" writer 49. Like some sheets 51. Texas school initials 52. Kind of friend 53. Account of events 57. Saloon 58. Mae of film 61. Teenager 63. Dame of comedy 64. Like much fine wine 65. Legally old enough 66. Shakespearean king 67. Storage unit 68. One who roams about 69. Fort Bliss VIP SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 21

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Down 1. Auction offers 2. Tom Joad, for example 3. Time not long past 4. Infamous site near Munich 5. Nightgown 6. Marry in a hurry 7. Accustom to solid food, e.g. 8. Tiny colonist 9. Maneuver 10. Lascivious look 11. Plow-pullers 12. Acapulco affirmative 13. Short distance 19. Another name for the Wyandot 24. Patient request (abbr.) 25. Was sore 26. Threw 27. "The better ____ you with, my dear!" 28. Be a part of, as a play 29. Herbert of the "Pink Panther" movies 30. Early calculator of pi 31. Pythias's pal 32. Impart knowledge to 35. "I didn't know he had it ___!" 38. The shakes (abbr.) 40. Turned (to) 43. Frequent site for flight layovers 45. "___ Rheingold" (Wagner opera) 48. Golfer Tom 50. Bathroom hangers 52. "___ Gong (Get It On)" 53. Broccoli ___ 54. Innovative and daring 55. Keats, for one 56. Like some shoppes 57. Ceiling support 59. Stumbling block 60. Sour 62. Corp. exec

>>> PUZZLEMANIA| S U D O K U

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>>> HOROSCOPES | W E E K L Y O V E R V I E W A purchasing decision may be in the cards this week, especially if you're considering making changes to your home, holding a celebration, or improving your yard. The thrill of adventure could be on your mind, too, as the Full Moon encourages you to consider how nice it would be to get away. If you've felt pressured by various events recently, a quick break could be very tempting. The Sun in your home zone as of Friday encourages a family vibe. Working constructively with others could mean you accomplish much more than usual, and this week looks helpful for doing just that. A Full Moon on Tuesday could put you in the mood to spend, making you less careful with your money than you would normally be. Think before purchasing any big-ticket items. If you can't resist, be sure to keep the receipts and paperwork. The Sun's move into Leo on Friday could enhance creative thinking. Time management could be of the utmost importance this week, enabling you to get much more done than you might normally. If you find this way of working useful, you might want to keep it up. Tuesday's Full Moon in your sector of relating could spotlight a relationship and associated feelings. If you and another are currently dealing with an issue, this is when it could come to a head. Avoid doing or saying anything you might regret later.

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This could be a very constructive week for you, particularly if you're working on a creative project or want to get a business idea off to a great start. Regarding romance, though, it might not be so positive. Saturn's energy suggests that a date or outing could be a little restrained. The Full Moon on Tuesday could see you getting irritated at work, but your vitality and joie de vivre should return once the Sun enters your sign on Friday. A little quiet time may be all that's needed to enable you to resolve an issue linked with home or family matters. Perhaps the opportunity to get a little distance from it can give you a fresh perspective. Tuesday's Full Moon could see you in the mood for some fun and perhaps a sizzling date night. Take it to the max and enjoy every moment. You may find your creative inspiration peaks once the Sun enters your spiritual sector. Plans and projects will involve teamwork, perhaps when a group you belong to convenes this week, even though you may have your doubts. Much can be achieved with some focus. A Full Moon in your home zone on Tuesday could be the reason that feelings run high among family members. Avoid making any decisions for a few days. Things should calm down by that time. The Sun in your social sector from Friday indicates an upbeat few weeks ahead. Get used to the limelight, because you may find yourself the center of attention once the Sun moves into the topmost sector of your chart on Friday. The Full Moon is in your communication sector on Tuesday, so be careful what you say. If you've been feeling emotional, you might upset someone. Adopting a tactful approach could sidestep this. In addition, an opportunity to help boost your finances may show up. Don't refrain from doing anything that could expand your horizons. It's natural to be cautious when embracing change. Saturn has been in your sign for a while now, so you may feel a little more nervous than usual about entering new terrain. This week an opportunity that's too good to miss might involve leaving your comfort zone. If you're nervous, think baby steps. Finally, a Full Moon in your money zone could encourage a spending spree. This could be a week when you feel naturally inclined to resolve an issue that has bugged you for some time. Perhaps it's been subtly holding you back and you may not have had much opportunity to deal with that. Over the days ahead a concerted effort can help you unpick the various threads and get to the heart of the matter. In addition, a Full Moon in your sign could coincide with the completion of a key project. Tuesday's Full Moon might best be handled by reducing your schedule early in the week. If you can take some time out, you'll find that relaxing and recharging leave you feeling more energized and upbeat. Avoid tackling complex tasks if you can. On another note, friends may be around to help you with a project. A more formal event could bring some fabulous opportunities your way, so it might be worth going even if you have doubts.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

The more creative and communicative you are this week, the more you'll impress those in high places. You may find that you can forge ahead with a plan in a way that is very pleasing. With a little bit of focus and charm, obstacles can vanish, clearing the way ahead for success. The Full Moon on Tuesday can be excellent for a party or other celebration, even if it does turn out to be boisterous. There's certainly fun to be had! In theory, you have the ability to channel your attention and get ahead of the game, but with this week's Full Moon you may find that when it comes right down to it you feel restless and can't quite concentrate as much as you'd like. Although you want to focus on just one thing, many options grab your attention. Once the Sun edges into Leo, leisure plans may override everything else. You might as well kick back and have fun.

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JULY 21 + AUG 4

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>>> C O M M U N I T Y A R T S

ONGOING & UPCOMING EXHIBITS NOW-JUL 8 Troika: Cuba Soul Deep: Karen Graffeo, Chip Cooper and Julio Angel Larramendi, Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, Tuscumbia NOW-JUL 25 B-Side Rock and Roll Exhibition, Shelby County Arts Council, Columbiana JUL 6-27 Another Man’s Treasure, Rose Gallery, Chilton County Arts Council, Clanton NOW-JUL 29 Paintings by David Gosselin, UA Gallery and Arts Council Gallery, DWCAC, Tuscaloosa NOW-JUL 29 Breaking out of the Briar Patch: Joel Chandler Harris in Perspective, 2nd Floor, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, Tuscaloosa JUL 7-30 Community Postcard Show, Kentuck Gallery; David Betak, Clarke Gallery, Northport NOW-JUL 30 Mermaids, Monsters & Miscellaneous: New Paintings & More by Rachel Dobson, Manna Grocery, 2300 McFarland Blvd., E., Tuscaloosa JUL 6-31 Farewell, Alabama - Paintings and Drawings by Sue Blackshear, Betak Frangoulis Gallery, Canterbury Episcopal, Tuscaloosa AUG 4 Art Night at Kentuck: Laquita Thomson, Kentuck Gallery; Anne Stickney, Clarke Gallery, Northport (through Aug 31) AUG 5 First Friday Reception, What’s in Bloom? - Photography by Paul Stewart, Betak Frangoulis Gallery, Canterbury Episcopal, Tuscaloosa NOW-AUG 14 Annual Flora & Fauna Exhibition, Daniel Day Gallery, 3025 6th Ave., S., Birmingham NOW-AUG 23 In Miniature - Small Pictures from the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art, PRJ Gallery, Tuscaloosa AUG 25 Reception, Second Alabama National Juried Exhibition, Sella-Granata Art Gallery, UA, 4-6 pm AUG 1-31 What’s in Bloom? - Photography by Paul Stewart, Betak Frangoulis Gallery, Canterbury Episcopal, Tuscaloosa AUG 1-31 The Art of Food, fundraising exhibition for hunger at The Red Door, Cullman AUG 15-SEP 2 Alabama National Biennial Juried Art Exhibition, SellaGranata Art Gallery, UA SEP 2 First Friday Reception, UAB/UA Faculty Exhibition, DWCAC, 5-8 pm NOW-SEP 4 Going Home: Paintings by Anne Goldthwaite (1869–1944), Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts SEP 8 Reception, Dennis Ritter | Eleanor Aldrich, Sella-Granata Art Gallery, 4-6 pm NOW-SEP 24 Remembering 4 Little Girls, Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, Tuscaloosa

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>>> H I G H T I D E S P O R T S | GARY HARRIS

SABAN SUSPENDS ALPHONSE TAYLOR Nick Saban has announced that senior right guard Alphonse 'Shank' Taylor has been indefinitely suspended from the football team. Taylor was arrested on Sunday morning for driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident. "We are very disappointed any time a player makes a choice that leads to this kind of behavior," Saban said in a statement released today. "We are still in the process of gathering all of the details on the situation, but from a football standpoint, Alphonse Taylor has been indefinitely suspended from the team." Taylor started all 15 games in Alabama's national title run last season. Partly due to being overweight, Taylor spent spring drills trying to hold onto to his job at right guard. Redshirt freshman Brandon Kennedy ran with the first unit at the position most of the spring.

AKIAL BYERS

Tide staff made the difference Recruiting is all about relationships. And the relationship that the Alabama staff built with Akial Byers and his family paid off with a big commitment from the standout defensive lineman from Fayetteville, AR. The 6-2, 280-pound Byers was in Tuscaloosa this past weekend meeting with UA academic advisers and visiting with the Tide coaching staff. The visit concluded with Byers' casting his lot with the Tide over FSU, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Ole Miss. "What he's told me is that the relationships that Coach Karl Dunbar and Coach Billy Napier built with him, his mother and his brother, were the difference between Alabama and the other schools," says Fayetteville assistant Benji Mahan. "Obviously, Alabama has a program that speaks for itself. Everybody knows that. But it's the time and effort they invested in him that made a big difference." As a junior, Byers had 69 tackles and three sacks. "They're getting a guy who fits into their system," Mahan says. "He's the type of guy they've had in the past that's made them so successful. He fits the mold with his size, hips and his speed. He's got everything they look for. "The sky is the limit for Akial, and Alabama sees that. They think the sky is limit for him. And he's a kid who has barely touched the weights. It's hard to imagine what he can become once he gets on a good nutrition program and gets in their weight program." Byers gives Alabama 15 commitments in the 2017 class.

BUTKUS AWARD WATCH LIST Courtesy UA Media Relations

Alabama football seniors Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams have been named to the 2016 Butkus Award watch list announced by the Butkus Foundation. The trio is among 51 linebackers from around the country named to the preseason list recognizing the nation's top linebacker and the Tide's three watch list selections are the most of any team in the country. Three Crimson Tide players have won the award previously C.J. Mosley (2013), Rolando McClain (2009) and Derrick Thomas (1988). Dangerous off the edge, Anderson enters his senior campaign as one of the nation's top pass rushers and one of the most reliable linebackers for the Crimson Tide defense. He notched 37 tackles a season ago, with 11.5 of those going for a loss (-50), and added six sacks (-41 yards), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine quarterback hurries. Anderson got stronger as the season wore on, recording 9.5 of his tackles for loss in his last 10 games, including a career-high two tackles for loss at then-No. 20 Mississippi State, against Florida

in the SEC Championship and finally against Michigan State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. He played a key role in the Tide's late-game, regular-season win over Tennessee, forcing a fumble on the Volunteers' final offensive drive with less than two minutes to play, sealing the 19-14 win and keeping the Crimson Tide's title hopes intact. Foster returns for his senior season to anchor the Alabama defense after learning under unanimous first team All-American and current Buffalo Bills linebacker Reggie Ragland during his junior campaign. An instinctive backer who earned the starting job at inside linebacker a season ago, Foster finished second on the team with 73 total tackles, eight for a loss (-24 yards), with two sacks (-7 yards), three quarterback hurries and nine pass breakups in 2015. One of the nation's top pass rushers on the outside, Williams returns for his senior season with the Tide. He played in all 15 games as a junior and ranked second on the team with 10.5 sacks (-78 yards) to go with 12.5 tackles for loss (-92 yards), four quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. Heating up as the season progressed, Williams used his last five SEC games and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to record at least half a sack and added 2.0 sacks apiece at Auburn and versus Florida. Williams notched 11.0 of his 12.5 tackles for loss (-61 yards) during that time, and added 7.0 of his 10.5 sacks (-60 yards). The Butkus Award has been presented annually since 1985 by the Butkus Foundation to recognize the top linebacker in college football. The award is named in honor of college and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus. The 2016 winner will be announced at the conclusion of the regular season.

BILETNIKOFF AWARD

Two Tiders make watch list Alabama Senior Gehrig Dieter and Crimson Tide sophomore Calvin Ridley have been named to the prestigious Biletnikoff Award list for the nation's top receiver. Dieter caught 94 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at Bowling Green. As a true freshman last season, Ridley was Alabama's leading receiver with 89 receptions for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns.

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