Planet Weekly 445

// IN THIS ISSUE // IN THIS ISSUE

ALABAMA BREWFEST SABAN WANTS BETTER THE LITTLE BAR THAT COULD

ShakeSpeare Spoken & Sung Dualing pianiStS Walkin’ in t-toWn

>>>

NEWS |

T H E C H AM B E R OF COMM E R C E

NEWS

NEW EVENT IN DOWNTOWN T-TOWN merchandise, and a host of other goods available for purchase.

This exciting new event, hosted by our Young Professionals of Tuscaloosa group or YP(t) will be held November 1-2 at the end of Greensboro Ave., between the former Chevrolet lot and the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.

Entry is only $5/person/day for the public and children 12 and under are free. Patrons will be able to walk around and talk with competitors while viewing a variety of cooking styles and grilling techniques. Times are 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday.

The nights will be full of performances by live bands and there will be a designated play area for children. Vendors will be on site offering food, beverages, festival

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

Marketing Your Business with Google+: You Can’t Afford to Ignore G+ Don’t overlook the second largest social networking site in your marketing plan. Google+ is free! Donna Gilliland, MOSTraining, Inc., will walk you through an overview, detail the benefits of using it, discuss profile vs business page, help you understand creating circles, communities, online events, local marketing using Google places and more. Class will be Wed., Nov. 6 from 9am – 4pm. Registration fee is $125 for members. Register

by Oct. 30. This is hands-on training so please bring your laptop or iPad. Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter Named a Difference Maker Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter was recognized as a Difference Maker at our Oct. mixer. It handles over 7000 animals a year, offers adoptions, rescues animals, offers humane education, has a lost and found hotline, and offers volunteer op-

portunities. It's the only animal shelter in Tuscaloosa County and it serves as a good resource for area citizens looking for a new family member or info pertaining to animals. It's located at 3140 35th St. in Tuscaloosa. Learn more by calling 205.752.9101. Thanks to Linda Hill and crew for your commitment to making such a difference in our community! Together with Moody Radio, we recognize a group each month for being a Difference Maker in our community. Nominate a group today (even your own) at moodyradiosouth.fm.

Social Media Marketing Manager Training Are you drowning while trying to manage your social media marketing? Do you know what content to post for various social channels? Social Media management requires planning, strategy, organizing, writing and scheduling content. Many go into being the online voice of their company without any formal training. In this class, Donna Gilliland, MOSTraining, will help you determine which social media platforms you should be using, discuss how to choose the best social media

channel based on customer demographic, help you create and use a social media editorial calendar, and so much more including creating video content using Vine and Instagram. This hands-on training class will be held on Wed., Nov. 13 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fee is $125/members. Register by Nov. 6.

MBC Business Expo Our Minority Business Council will present this event on November 12 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Bryant Conference Center.

Limited booth space available. Cost of setup is $100 ($50 registration fee, plus $50 value door prize). Payment and registration must be submitted to the Chamber

by October 31. Contact Carolyn Tubbs at 205.391.0556 or carolyn@tuscaloosachamber.com Correction: In the previous issue of the Planet Weekly, our headline erroneously stated, "T-TOWN TO GET $9B BUSINESS INCUBATOR". The amount should have read, $9-million. Actual amount will be approximately $9.31 million. The location will be on 10th Avenue.

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inside

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>>> planetweeklyissue445

FEATURES

SPORTS

4 A BEAUTIFUL PAST // TIM STEERE

21 HIGH TIDE // GARY HARRIS Bama keeps improving

An uncertain future

7 ESCAPE // VAN ROBERTS As fun as all get-out

9 KENYAN DRAKE // STEPHEN SMITH PUBLISHER LIN DA W. J OHNSON MANAGING EDITOR H ER B NEU ASSISTANT EDITOR RYAN PHILLIPS COVER DESIGN LAU R A LIN E B E R R Y SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR R YAN P H ILLIPS DESIGN/LAYOUT HERB NEU

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS W ILLIAM B A R S H OP R YAN P H ILLIPS TIM ST E E R E ST E P H E N SMIT H T R E Y B R OO K S VAN R O B E R TS D OU G P E R R Y GARY HARRIS P. O. FRITZ JIM REED

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2 05. 79 2 . 7 2 3 9 Planet Weekly P. O . B o x 2 3 1 5 T u s c a l o o s a , AL 3 5 4 0 3 Phone: 205.792.7239 | 205.765.8007 Email: publisher@theplanetweek ly.com Please direct correspondence to: publisher@theplanetweekly.com The Planet Weekly is a proud member of The West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. © 2013 All rights reserved. THE PLANET WEEKLY is a registered trademark.

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 two copies without expressed permission of the publisher shall be deemed to have committed theft (as if...).

The views and opinions of the authors of articles appearing in this publication may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Publisher.

Proven No. 2 Back

13 DUO PIANOS //STAFF REPORT Shelton's Terrific Tuesday event

17 WALKIN' IN T-TOWN // P.O. FRITZ Ideas to remedy T-Town's urban sprawl 20 OUT OF THE BOX // WILLIAM BARSHOP Making music from unlikely sources

25 SIMONE SAYS // ADVICE FOR THE ASKING 27 SHAKESPEARE SPOKEN & SUNG // STAFF REPORT

A must-see for everyone

FEATURE // RYAN PHILLIPS

entertainment 10-12

RESTAURANT GUIDE

16-17

Events Calendar

18

Road Trip

19

Tuscaloosa music

LEADERDOG

5 Ready to rock the house

23 Horoscopes // Sudoku 24 CROSSWORD PUZZLe

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

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>>> THE RIVER | TIM ST E E R E

A BEAUTIFUL PAST; AN UNCLEAR FUTURE // THE TWISTING TALE OF THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER

Upon first visit, a guest to Tuscaloosa is sure to observe myriad sights and sounds that are innate qualities to the west Alabama city. They might notice remnants of damage still lingering in dilapidated cavities of the city after a devastating 2011 EF-4 tornado.

Perhaps the tumultuous roar erupting from Bryant-Denny Stadium on a warm Saturday evening welcomes them to town. Or, it could be the faint, yet remarkably neighborly tolls of Denny Chimes on the campus of the University of Alabama.

Yet one of the most prominent features of the city, The Black Warrior River, slices through the city as a silent, yet utterly vital vein. The early livelihood of Alabama and by extension, Tuscaloosa, was largely dependent upon The Black Warrior, just as the future livelihood of The Black Warrior is largely dependent upon Alabama. At the end of the day, there is no Tuscaloosa without The Black Warrior River and there may not be a Black Warrior River without Tuscaloosa. To further understand this remarkable relationship, let us first consider how Tuscaloosa came to be, in the arms of the Warrior.

It begins with Moundville. Located just outside of Tuscaloosa, Moundville began as an early settlement of Mississippi Native Americans along The Black Warrior River, which surprisingly enough, was the largest settlement north of Mexico during the 14th century. From that point forth, the region had

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remained an integral area for Native American settlement and trade, as the river provided the medium for transport and livelihood, allowing the present-day site of Tuscaloosa to develop into what was then known as Black Warriors Town.

Creek, Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes had used the river primarily for sustenance and transportation. The river provided additional utility in the form of a border between the respective lands of each tribe, following the expeditions of de Soto. These explorations forced each tribe to move closer than ever before.

With the river enabling a variety of interactions between tribes and outsiders alike, a road between the Tennessee Valley and the Alabama-Tombigbee region had been established shortly after the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century. As many American tales go, the settlement of the white man was devastating for the three primary tribes of the river. In the form of many battles and ensuing federal land patents, the dominant Indian presence in the Tuscaloosa region was condemned to the expansionist and settlement minded Americans.

By the early years of the 19th century, settlers began to flood into the region and The Black Warrior River began to foster life for a new population. While the former Black Warriors town had been burned by General John Coffee during the Creek Indian War, the area’s settlers had chosen the name Tuscaloosa, in respect to the former Native American Chief Tushkaloosa, meaning “black warrior,” from which the river takes its name.

The ensuing growth of Tuscaloosa led to the city being named state capital from 1826 until 1846, a major impact of and on the river. The first load of coal traveled down the Black Warrior River in 1827. Steamboat traffic on the Black Warrior River stopped at Tuscaloosa from that point on.

With enhanced transportation, came enhanced commerce. The cotton planters of Tuscaloosa, taking advantage of the regions rich, fertile soils, were able to see enlarged profits at the hands of the two-mile stretch of shoals along the Tuscaloosa banks. In the warm summer months, one could cross the river in a wagon.

During the Civil War, the river saw increased industrial presence. Iron furnaces scattered the banks from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham.

These facilities, providing the means to make weapons, remained through the war, until 1865 when Union forces under the command of James H. Wilson raided Tuscaloosa.

The Reconstruction years saw continued development along the river, despite the loss of the area’s iron works.

An 1888 article in the Tuscaloosa Gazette described the river in romantic fashion while commenting on the state of Tuscaloosa.

Although the state capital was no longer Tuscaloosa, the river remained an integral piece of the west Alabama culture and commerce.

“Besides having all the attractions and equipment of a metropolitan city, she has

these grand old oaks, this beautiful river…and a climate as healthy as any spot on earth, water as limpid and pure as the dew of heaven,” the transcription read.

The impoundment of the river is still an unending process.

“The first locks were built sometime in the late 1800s and were made of rock and sandstone. There were three in Tuscaloosa,” claims a spokesman at the Tuscaloosa office for The Army Corps of Engineers. These original locks are currently submerged, but remain visible and present no obstacles for the Corps of Engineers in taming the river.

At the time, the lock and dam system of the Black Warrior River was the longest channelized waterway in the world. The original nineteen locks and dams were completed in 1917. However, the current system, consisting of six locks and dams, were built between 1954 and 1991.

These locks and dams are an essential feature of the river, as they provide not only flood control, but also a way for commodities such as coal to be shipped to the Port of Mobile. The Black Warrior is thus Alabama’s primary gateway to the globe.

The economic and commercial benefits that blessed Tuscaloosa by way of the Black Warrior River came with a price. The twentieth century wrapped the river in a cloak of pollution. No longer was the Warrior a beautiful, crystalline seam of life. Rather, the river became the backyard dumping spot for a variety of riverside operations including a large Westervelt Paper Mill and the Merichum Chemical Plant.

“Old timers tell me the river in Tuscaloosa was so polluted in the sixties and seventies that people wouldn’t dare get in it,” says Nelson Brooke, a staff member of Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

“They say the paper mill and chemical plants would discolor the river and give it a foul smell on a regular basis. Creeks that fed into the river from Birmingham had nicknames such as ‘creosote creek’ or ‘shit creek’ to give you an idea,” adds Brooke.

The Clean Water Act of 1972 was the river’s lifeline. It enacted the goal of eliminating pollution in surface waters by establishing the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which remains the major administrative rule for regulating point sources of water pollution. Through this legislation, major pollution sources were eliminated and measures to ensure the health of the nation’s waterways met national standards defined by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Brooke explains, “While there is no argument needed to say the river is exponentially cleaner than it was prior to the passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972, there is no such thing as a large river being ‘clean’ these days.”

Brooke’s testimony begs the question: What does the future hold for The Black Warrior River?

How healthy or unhealthy can the river become?

That, according to Brooke, depends on the context. The most crucial areas for preservation are relative to the aim of the preservation itself. If one is concerned about drinking water sources, then Shepherd Bend on the Mulberry Fork near Birmingham, threatened by a pro-

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posed 1773-acre surface coal mine, is paramount. Or, in the case of wildlife protection, the Locust Fork flowing through Blount Etowah and Marshall counties is a focal point. Brooke says the Locust Fork is threatened by, “multiple surface coal mines, municipal sewage, chicken farm runoff and a chicken processing plant.”

For others, such as Keith Kirkley, a senior at the University of Alabama and member of the school’s bass fishing team, the potential of the river is enormous. Kirkley, who has been fishing competitively since the age of six, attests the Black Warrior River is an incredibly diverse body of water.

“I absolutely think The Black Warrior River is an attractive place to fish because it is so versatile,” says Kirkley. “There are parts of the river that the tournament winning fish are predominantly spotted bass, then there are parts that are dominant largemouth areas, like the Akron area.”

Kirkley also believes that the river could easily be a thriving destination for the two main competitive angling tournaments, B.A.S.S. and FLW, respectively, but the river does not get the attention it may deserve.

“I personally don’t think that the Black Warrior will become a stop for the FLW Circuit or the B.A.S.S. Elite Series in the near future simply because it doesn’t get enough media exposure compared to places like Guntersville or Pickwick,” explains Kirkley. “But, I believe that is either of the big circuits were to fish the Black Warrior, then it would become a regular stop for either circuit because it is so versatile.”

Clearly, the river has the potential to prosper further. Much of that prosperity, according to Brooke, is dependent on Tuscaloosa.

“Tuscaloosa is the largest population center directly associated with the river, so the city provides a platform for understanding the need to protect a great resource. As the city and university grow, it is important they take great care to protect and restore the riverfront and tributaries flowing into the river,” explains Brooke. “A clean and healthy river directly associates with a healthy and prosperous city.”

The Black Warrior River is a source of life, not only for Tuscaloosa, but for the entire state of Alabama. Conversely, Tuscaloosa and Alabama need to provide the necessary guards for the river’s security.

The fate of Tuscaloosa and the Black Warrior River, just like their respective histories, are undoubtedly intertwined.

>>> M U S I C | R Y AN P H ILLIPS

LEADERDOG // RELEASE PARTY AT THE GREEN BAR // "EVIL IN A GOOD WAY" Fans of the growing local music scene will be pleased to hear that on Saturday, November 2, Tuscaloosabased hard rockers, Leaderdog, will host a release party at Green Bar for their most recent studio project, “Evil In A Good Way”.

Dave Bowman, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Leaderdog, cited this event as a welcoming back to their roots in Tuscaloosa.

“We picked Tuscaloosa for the release because it’s where it all began,” he said. “Even though the album is available now, people have already gotten it so why not play in support of it and have a kick ass fun time and play it for the people who support us.”

According to Bowman, the band’s latest album was a project that took years to develop and culminated in a new, yet familiar lineup and sound for Leaderdog.

“It was recorded over a couple of years between 2011-2013,” he said. “Evil In A Good Way" was recorded in Leeds at Dream Catcher Studios. All the previous albums were done there and the guy that recorded the previous stuff is now in the band and is another guitarist with us.

He has been part of us for a while with recording and when we were wrapping up this latest album, he joined the band.

Given the time span of their recent recording venture, Bowman said that it took the band’s personal experience to construct a relatable album that encapsulates the time it took to make it.

“A common theme with this album is to overcome struggle and part of that could be from the band's long time together”, he said. “We haven’t done anything in three years and in late 2010 we backed away for personal reasons.

Some of that time away from it, I was able to talk a little bit about continuing being a band and being with the same group of guys for so long. We have children now and we are just kind of living life and we want to write about how you can kind deal with those struggles. Its down to earth and I believe most of our friends and fans can identify with that.”

The band's break mentioned by Bowman, helped to give the group an identity that they could use to further develop their sound and through this pseudohiatus, a new musical project was born.

According to Bowman, the inspiration came from a simple question.

“A few years ago we kind of decided to back off from playing and clean up our act a little bit”, he said. “We had come close a couple of times. The reason for the album, as far as the creative part, we had a little bit of gas left in the tank so to speak and if we had not done it another 10 years would have gone by and we would have been asking why we did not try. Its all the what if factor. Personally, I did not want to ‘what if?’

On the technical side of the album,

Bowman pointed to a complete creative and qualitative overhaul to explain a fresh new sound that fans of the earlier material will be excited to hear and groove to.

“We have just been writing better songs,” he said. “I feel confident in that and the growth is evident. The subject matter is a little more clear. The hooks are there, some great solos and riffs.

Its still hard and edgy but it is more defined as a song and not just a bunch of overwhelming guitar parts. We are going to play everything on the album on Saturday.”

With the release party scheduled for a weekend that does not have a home football game, Leaderdog is expecting a capacity crowd of fans ready to rock the house. Along with the local favorites, familiar friends will also take the stage to get the crowd warmed up.

“We also lucked out in that Alabama does not have a game, so maybe people will come out who want to have fun since,” he said.

“There is an album available on iTunes along with earlier recordings. We do have an opening act Beitthemeans who are longtime friends of ours and the singer of the band actually recorded a song on our album with us.”

Bowman and Leaderdog encourage fans old and new to come to the release party in the hopes of providing a fun atmosphere with great music. In a place that means as much to the band as Tuscaloosa does, fans are sure to get there moneys worth, all while supporting a thriving local music scene.

“Fans can expect the exact same thing that they have been missing for awhile except with a little more sobriety, a little more maturing, better songs have been written and the same old energy will be there, but the overwhelming excitement that we are actually doing this speaks for itself”, he said.

“The show will also be filmed for a DVD. We will have cameras there to document it because it will be such a historic night for the band. I think most of the people who are longtime followers of the band and our families, I hate to say fans but longtime friends, live in the area and we felt confident playing

there as opposed to some of the larger cities. We have done well in those places but why not rock out here in a small club that we know so well—it’s home for us.”

All of Leaderdog’s recorded material can be purchased online via iTunes.

Beitthemeans kick things off for the release party at 9:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

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>>> F I L M | V AN R O B E R TS

ESCAPE PLAN // OLD RETREAD IS FUN AS ALL GET-OUT «««

3out of 4

Action superstars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger co-star in “1408” director Mikael Hafstrom’s “Escape Plan”, an audacious but improbable prison break epic that delivers brawny thrills and chills galore. Unlike the last two “Expendables” outings, Stallone and Schwarzenegger appear here on equal footing in more than rather than a couple of scenes.

Basically, we’ve got “Rocky” and “The Terminator” tangling with Mr. Reese from the provocative, CBS-TV thriller “Person of Interest.” If you’re expecting another wise-cracking yarn with our heroes spouting clever one-liners, you’re going to be disappointed. Indeed, little of the dialogue in “Escape Plan” deserves to be immortalized on bumper stickers. Refreshingly, neither do our stars make any references to their previous Hollywood blockbusters.

Everybody plays it straight-forward in this survival-of-the-fittest saga. Meanwhile, most of the testosterone-laden action consists of men either beating or shooting the living daylights out of each other in examples of outlandish, over-the-top violence. Stallone is cast against type as a mature, serious-minded, MacGyver-like hero with a Houdini talent for crashing out of prisons, while Schwarzenegger plays one of the most dangerous men alive behind bars. Jim Caviezel is cast against type, too, as a villain so dastardly that you will squeal with glee when he gets his comeuppance. Former British soccer star Vinnie Jones chews the scenery with relish as Caviezel’s second-in-command.

Jones’ evil prison guard shows no qualms about smashing inmates to a pulp as if

they were drums.

Scenarists Miles Chapman of “Road House 2: Last Call” and Jason Keller of “Machine Gun Preacher” generate plenty of suspense about the mysterious setting of the prison. After an exciting introductory sequence at a Colorado prison where our hero demonstrates his masterly escape artist credentials, the remainder of “Escape Plan” occurs in an imposing penitentiary designed for the worst of the worst. Essentially, the convicts occupy cells that resemble glass cages stacked atop each other and framed with steel beams. “Source Code” production designer Barry Chusid has surpassed himself with this visually intriguing setting. Well-armed, incorruptible, prison guards decked out from head to foot in black uniforms with sinister Guy Fawkes masks reminiscent of the police in director George Lucas’ dystopian sci-fi chiller “THX-1138” patrol the premises.

An around-the-clock surveillance system denies the inmates any privacy. Hafstrom and his writers will keep you guessing for about an hour into the action where this impressive pen could be situated. When Stallone finally figures out its whereabouts, the revelation is comparable to the lair of a James Bond villain. While “Escape Plan” recycles some of the usual prison movie shenanigans, the imaginative setting sets this movie apart.

Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone of “First Blood”) has bro-

ken out of 14 prisons over the last eight years. He has formed his one-of-kind company with Lester Clark (Vincent D'Onofrio of “Full Metal Jacket”) along with Abigail (Amy Ryan of “Green Zone”) and computer wizard Hush (Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson of “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’”).

Out of the blue, the Central Intelligence Agency makes Ray an offer that he cannot refuse. They challenge Ray to break out of their super-max slammer, and they are prepared to pay him twice his usual million dollar fee. Initially, Ray doesn’t like the set-up. Abigail and Hush share his dread. Lester thinks it will be a picnic.

Reluctantly Ray accepts their dare against his better judgment. Predictably, things go badly from the outset. Our hero is abducted, drugged, and the homing device embedded in his body that enables Abigail and Hush to track him is removed. The moment Ray awakens in his exotic prison cell, he wants out of the proposition. Unfortunately, he learns that he is going nowhere. It seems treacherous Lester has

double-crossed him, and Warden Hobbes (Jim Caviezel of “The Thin Red Line”) has orders to keep him permanently on ice. Ironically, Ray discovers Hobbes has designed his prison security measures based on Ray’s book about the most common structural flaws in prison security!

Cloud Ray findsAtlas himself surrounded by a formidable population of inmates that want to kill him. Initially, one of these brutes is Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger of “The Last Stand”), and they don’t cotton to each other. When Ray clobbers Emil with his first blow, Emil observes with a smirk, “You hit like a vegetarian!” When the Muslim brotherhood decides to gang up on Ray, Emil changes his mind and comes to our hero’s rescue. Eventually, Ray and Emil become friends. Ray explains that he has been paid to break out.

He suffers a number of set-backs, but he recovers from Hobbes’ savage treatment with Emil’s help. Ray reveals his formula for success. He must study the layout of the prison, and this means he must incite a riot so Hobbes can throw him in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement is the equivalent of Hell where inmates are caged up and subjected to a blazing battery of search lights that turn the cage into an oven. Ray notices the screws that in the floor plates are steel rather than aluminum. He suspects the prison may be located in a vast underground cavern. Next, he scrutinizes the rotation of the guards and their routines while they watch the inmates. The most important part of Ray’s plan is finding somebody on the inside who will help them since he is cut off from Abigail and Hush. The most likely candidate is the prison doctor, Dr. Kyrie (Sam Neill of “Jurassic Park”), but he displays considerable reluctance.

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger should have teamed up long before “Escape Plan” because they radiate convincing camaraderie. Director Mikael Hafstrom never lets the momentum lag, and he minimizes the clichés that crop up in most prison flicks. For example, the Muslim inmates are rehabilitated as heroes after they join Ray and Emil. Our heroes suffer considerably at the hands of the sadistic warden and his lieutenant before they triumph. The worst thing about “Escape Plan” is that its exterior computer-generat-

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

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Best GAMEDAY Attire

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>>> PLAYER PROFILE | ST E P H E N SMIT H

KENYAN DRAKE // A PROVEN NO. 2 BACK

PHOTO BY CEDRIC MASON

College football is all about balance.

Though it starts on the offensive side with the quarterback, running backs play a pivotal role in maintaining balance in the run/pass ratio. In the same manner that coaches enjoy having two talented quarterbacks, they probably relish having two game changers at the running back position even more.

For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the fortune of recruiting the best at the running back position talent wise continues to be successful. Though Shaun Alexander stole the show from 1996-2000, the Crimson Tide began installing the duo running back system in 2002 with Santonio Beard and Shaud Williams. The system didn’t really catch on for the Tide until 2008.

In Nick Saban’s second season as head coach, Alabama had its first dynamic duo in Glenn Coffee and Mark Ingram.

Ingram and Coffee guided the Tide to an undefeated 12-0 season in 2008. The next year, Trent Richardson joined the party. In 2009, Ingram and Richardson terrified defenses in the Southeastern Conference and the nation. The one, two punch of Ingram and Richardson gave Alabama an SEC title, its 13th national title and its first Heisman winner, Ingram.

In 2011 and 2012, there was no drop off.

Behind Richardson and Eddie Lacy (2011) and Lacy along with TJ Yeldon (2012), the Crimson Tide continued to thrive and win championships. This season looks to be no different as a new star will look to make his mark.

As a native of Powder Spring, Ga., Kenyan Drake attended and played football for Hillgrove High School. Despite seeing little action in his first three years, Drake exploded onto the national surface as a senior. Under head coach David Ironside, Drake proved that he was ready for the collegiate world. In his senior season, he had 175 carries for 1,610 yards (9.2 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns.

The thing that had college scouts baffled about Drake was his versatility. He was more than just a running back in high school. He was a gifted receiver and an outstanding return specialist. He totaled

315 yards on the receiving end with five touchdowns and returned two kickoffs for scores as well. Drake was a two sport guy; along with football he also had a love for track and field. He won the 100-meter dash in the 4-AAAAA Championship.

With his ability in being a dominant allpurpose back in high school, Drake was considered a consensus four-star recruit.

Rivals.com ranked him as the No.13 prospect in Georgia. 247 sports listed him as the No.4 all-purpose back and ESPNU ranked him as the No.15 running back.

Scout.com ranked Drake as the No.17 running back nationally.

As far as high school awards are concerned, Drake was Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year. He was named second-team All-State Selection by the

Georgia Sports Writers Association (2010 & 2011). He earned Super 11 honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In 2012, Drake decided to take his skills to Alabama. He chose the Crimson Tide over Georgia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Purdue. As a freshman, Drake took his time learning behind Lacy and Yeldon. In 11 games, Drake had 39 carries for 273 yards and five touchdowns.

He scored his first collegiate touchdown against Western Kentucky on a 32-yard run. Of his five touchdowns, three of them came against SEC opponents (Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi State).

Though Drake accomplished a championship in being a member of the team, he didn’t get the opportunity to do too much and really show off his abilities.

With Lacy now in the NFL with the Packers and Yeldon as the featured back for the Tide, Drake has stepped in and has assumed his role as the No.2 guy. Despite not playing against Virginia Tech (off-thefield issues) in the season opener, Drake has really stepped up and has shown his teammates, the coaching staff and the fan base that he is a productive player.

Following the matchup with the Hokies, Drake scored a touchdown in each of the next three games against Texas A&M, Colorado State and Ole Miss.

He didn’t run the ball particularly well against Colorado State, but he came up huge on special teams (defense) in blocking a punt that was recovered by teammate, Dillon Lee for a touchdown. Against Mississippi, Drake watched as Yeldon torched the Rebels with 17 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown. When he got his

opportunity, Drake embraced it. He totaled 12 carries for 99 yards including a 50-yard burst to pay dirt. Against Kentucky and Arkansas, he has rushed for over 100 yards and scored twice in both games.

Drake has brought the soft hands that he had in high school to the Crimson Tide in the receiving aspect as well. He has eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Currently, Drake has 49 carries for 402 yards and seven touchdowns.

Like the No.2 backs before him, Drake has assumed the job and is doing it well thus far. If he can continue to secure the football and be that great change of pace back opposite of Yeldon, Alabama is going to be a very difficult team to stop now and in the future.

Contributing sports columnist Stephen Smith is a reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and touchdownalabama.net.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

9

>>> wine REVIEW | R y a n p h i l l i p s

>>> RESTAURANTS |

North Carolina Winery Blazes A New Trail // A THRILL FOR YOUR TASTEBUDS

BREAKFAST / DINNER

W here t o E a t i n T u s c a l o o s a

15th Street Diner 1036 15th St // 750.8750 Open for most lunch and dinners, with limited hours on weekends.

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.

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

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 4800 Doris Pate Dr | Exit 76 // 562.8282 www.crackerbarrel.com International House of Pancakes 724 Skyland Blvd // 366.1130 Jack's 1200 Hackberry Lane | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 Maggie's Diner 1307 Ty Rogers Jr. Ave | Tuscaloosa // 366.0302 Mr. Bill's Family Restaurant 2715 McFarland Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 333.9312 Northport Diner 450 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.7190 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.

When the average consumer thinks of wine country, generally the mind will gravitate to regions such as Sonoma and Napa Valley. However, one lone vineyard and winery in Watauga County, NC is blazing a new trail of wine making as the first of its kind in the region.

Grandfather Winery and Vineyard can trace its origins to a family hobby that started in 2003 and blossomed into an impressive family-owned winery in the present day. Offering a wide variety of vinos, Grandfather Winery is sure to have something that thrills your taste buds.

The wine selection offered by Grandfather Winery is intermediately priced, ranging from $15 to $28 and can all be purchased online through various mediums.

For the sake of structure, lets start with the higher priced 2010 Pinot Noir that weighs in at $28.95 online. Sporting subtle hints of plums, tobacco and cherries, this particular Pinot Noir evokes the tastes of the Carolina region. The rich red blend of varietals leads into a warm cherry taste with a smooth vanilla finish that can be filling after a couple of glasses but this will be a welcome sacrifice to those concerned primarily with taste. For optimum enjoyment, try pairing this red with fresh vegetables or grilled poultry to further highlight the fruit accents masked by a dark disposition. If you have the money to spend, the 2010 Pinot Noir is worth every penny.

Another prolific red from Grandfather Winery is the pricey Field Blend Profile that features four distinct varietals all aimed at presenting the drinker with a taste of the region. Named for its diverse profile, the Field Blend combines the flavors of lavender, roses and pomegranate all made possible

by Barbera, Carignane, Petite Syrah and Alicante Bouschet Varietals. To give an idea, the profile does live up to its name and shifts to provide an unconventional balance with an eye toward a crisp fruit flavor. Given this fruit taste, the Field Blend is much more versatile in terms of food pairings. Grill lovers should try pairing this red with pork or beef in order

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

to fully unlock the crisp fruit undertones.

Moderately priced at $25.95, this would be a great buy for those drinkers who value creative craftsmanship over a price tag.

Transitioning to the lighter side of the Grandfather Winery selection, a white wine stands out as a crisp reminder of what this family owned vineyard is capable of. The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp white that hits the drinker with a refreshing splash of fruit flavors and accents. The nose on this wine is quite welcoming, with a cool blended-fruit accent. According to the winemakers, a light hint of oak and butter is included in the production of this white, which can be tasted in a heavy finish that is not heavy on the stomach. With its unconventional approach in such a bold finish, try pairing this 2012 with white meat or spicy seafood dishes to truly capture the refreshing qualities. Priced at $18.95, the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is more expensive than competitors, but a solid buy for any summertime get-together.

Lastly, one wine offered by Grandfather Winery attempts to appeal to fans of both the bitter and sweet ends of the taste spectrum.

The Watauga River White bridges the gap via winemaking nuance. According to the winemakers, “with 2% sugar it starts sweet and fruity and finishes dry and crisp.” For this reason, the Watauga River White is the tastiest of the aforementioned wines, and will most certainly be a favorite at any function due to its mass appeal. The sugar allows for a smooth, semi-sweet taste that leads into a savory, dry finish. If you are a fan of sharp whites, this treat is worth your time. On the lower end of the price scale at Grandfather Winery, this white can be purchased for $18.95 online. Spicy foods, like hummus or buffalo dip can be enjoyed thoroughly with a glass of this refreshing white, as the cool fruit blend can satisfy a thirsty customer. Given its taste, price should be irrelevant. This is a $50 wine offered at near bottom shelf so grab a bottle and see for yourself.

The 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.

The Waysider 1512 Greensboro Ave // 345.8239 Open for breakfast and lunch. Smoke free.

MEXICAN Chipotle Mexican Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0140 www.chipotle.com Don Rafa's 2313 4th Street | Temerson Square // 345.9191 El Rincon (2 locations) 1225 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa, AL // 366.0855 1726 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.1274 Fernando's Mexican Grill 824 McFarland Blvd E | Northport // 205.331.4587 Iguana Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 752.5895

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 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.

The Globe 405 23rd Avenue Owned by legendary thespian and chef, Jeff Wilson. The decor takes one back to merry old England. The food is internationally acclaimed, priced reasonably, and the service is cheerful and professional. Cocktails are excellent as are the wines. Open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and from 5-9 pm. Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

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 Kozy’s 3510 Loop Road E | near VA Medical Center // 556.0665 Eclectic menu, extensive wine list. Dinner at Kozy’s is a romantic experience complete with candlelight and a roaring fireplace. | www.kozysrestarant.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 REOPENING SOON! 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.

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.

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

LaGran Fiesta 9770 Hwy 69 S // 345.8871

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

Los Calientes Mexican Grill 3429 McFarland Blvd E // 553.1558

Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.345.4343

Los Tarascos (2 locations) 1759 Skyland Blvd // 553.8896 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.0919

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

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

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

FINE DINING

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch. Great atmosphere and excellent service.

Ladies Night on Tuesdays. Ladies receive ½ off on drinks.

Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp, $8 Uptown Tacos.

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.

Mr. G’s 908 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 339-8505 Olive Garden 2100 McFarland Blvd E // 750-0321 Open daily from 11 a.m. www.olivegarden.com

CASUAL DINING Big Daddy’s Cafe 514 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 759.9925 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.

Cafe J 2523 University Blvd // 343.0040 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 Desperados Steak House 1530 McFarland Blvd // 343.1700

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here t o E a t i n T u s c a l o o s a ( c o n t . )

Sun–Wed 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 11p.m.

FIG (Food Is Good) 1351 McFarland Blvd NE // 345.8888 Mon–Fri 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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.

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

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. So, if you're hungry after "last-call for drinks," Horny's is the place to be.

KK’s Steakhouse 13242 Hwy 69 South // 633.1032 Tacogi 500 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 342.3647 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 An 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 for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch www.ocharleys.com Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 366.8780 www.panerabread.com 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 The Local Catch // 331.4496 2321 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa Full Menu including breakfast served all day.

Live Music Mon-Sat 11 a.m. - close | Sun 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

For a complete schedule http://localcatch30a.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 Southland Restaurant 5388 Skyland Blvd E // 556.3070 Steaks, chops and home-cooked vegtables Mon–Fri 10:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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

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 Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd. East | Tuscaloosa // 523.0273 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine selection, 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

Sweetwater // A Southern Approach TO WORLDWIDE FAME

Innisfree Irish Pub 1925 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 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 Mugshots Grill & Bar 511 Greensboro Ave // 391.0572 Great burgers. Full service bar. Open late. www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com 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 Billy's BBQ Downtown Northport 364.1400 We specialize in BBQ, fresh ground beef, poultry, and pork made fresh, served fresh. Ask about our specialty potatoes.

Mon & Tues 10-7// Wed. 10 – 5:30// Thurs, Fri, & Sat. 10 - 9 Costa's Famous BBQ and Steaks 760 Skyland Blvd // 331.4526 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.

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 Serving up an award-winning, all things Southern BBQ and Live music experience. Come dine-in or sit on the patio and enjoy some great Que, beers, whiskey, and live music on Thursday-Saturday. Roll Tide!

Mon–Sat 11am - 10pm | Bar service Mon-Sat 2am and Fri -3am | Kitchen closes at 10pm Pottery Grill Highway 11 // 554.1815 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 Logan’s Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd | next to Sams // 349.3554 Steaks, ribs and spirits Longhorn Steakhouse 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 345-8244 #412 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.

Outback Steakhouse 5001 Oscar Baxter Dr // 759.9000 Desperados 1530 McFarland Blvd. N. | Tuscaloosa // 343-1700 Sun–Wed 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

SEAFOOD Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave // 248.9370 Local Catch Bar & Grill 2321 University Blvd // 205-331-4496 American, Seafood, Cajun/Creole. Coastal Cuisine with a Southern Twist!.

Monday & Wednesdays half off house wine and appetizers at happy hour Tuesday $3 fried shrimp taco all day Thursday ladies night 20% off ladies tabs 4pm-close Sunday half off mimosas and bloody Marys all day Lunch 11am-2pm; Dinner 11am-until Happy Hour 3pm-6pm with $5 house wine, $5 top shelf, $3 well. $1 off bottle beer Red Lobster 2620 McFarland Blvd // 553.8810 McFarland Plaza Shopping Center Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar 4851 Rice Mine Rd NE #460 // 462.3399 McFarland Plaza Shopping Center Wintzell’s Oyster House 1 Bridge Ave | Northport // 247.7772

>>> beer review |R Y AN P H ILLIPS

S ome beers are as memorably tasteful as they are different, which holds true for Atlanta-based Sweetwater Brewing Company. Since 1997, Sweetwater has crafted memorable brews under a banner that proclaims, “Don’t Float The Mainstream”, a fitting motto for brew masters that strive to stand out among a growing craft beer market.

While brewing deliciously unconventional beer has been the primary motive of operation, Sweetwater has also helped support donation projects geared at protecting the Black Warrior River, which should provide even more incentive for Alabama drinkers.

Since their inception, Sweetwater has garnered worldwide fame, but stayed true to its roots with an everchanging selection of colorfully named treats that reflect the personalities of the people who make it. With such a wide spectrum of beers, reviewing each is a beautiful possibility, but lets stick to a theme for the sake of conciseness. It only seems appropriate that the theme of choice is Sweetwater’s is the year round selection, which you are going to be drooling over once the description is given.

Are you a Bob Marley Fan? Sweetwater certainly is and has attempted to carry on the already enduring legacy of the father of reggae with the Exodus Porter, a dark brew that is rich and savory sweet.

Brewed with 2-row, Munich, Chocolate, and Caramel Malts, the Exodus Porter is a tasty, well-balanced brew that has a lush chocolate finish. The Centennial and Golden hops start the drinker off with a rich taste, made possible by a thick head typical of a good Porter.

With an ABV of 6.5%, this brew is heavy enough to fill the drinker quickly but light enough in alcohol that allows for a six-pack to be enjoyed over the course of a day. Try pairing the Exodus Porter with salty treats and any food complimented by bacon in order to bring out the flavors

of the Chocolate Malts. Also try the Exodus to wash down tangy pasta or anything with a sharp, spicy accent.

Next in line from Sweetwater, we have the award-winning LowRYEder IPA, which took home the prestigious Bronze Medal at the Great American Beer Festival. While lighter than the Exodus Porter, this particular brew is full of bold flavor that is made possible by a delectable blend of Columbus, Mt Hood, Centennial hops. Perfect for tailgating season, the LowRYEder IPA is a must for treats of the grill, such as roasted tilapia, steaks or shrimp skewers and vegetable. The LowRYEder also sports a middle of the road ABV at 6.2% that gives it a lighter quality that still packs a heavy punch to the taste buds. The Brew Masters sum it up perfectly when they say, “A flame throwin’ Rye IPA ignited by a 25% shot of rye malt and capped by a booty hoppin’ blast of Mt Hood and Centennial hops that makes this IPA bounce.”

Lastly, lets take a look at a beer that encapsulates the spirit of Atlanta, The Sweetwater Georgia Brown.

Like the Exodus Porter, Georgia Brown is a beer crafted with an eye towards sweetness masked by a dark, deceiving hue. According to the Brew Masters, “[The Georgia Brown is] a river of deep caramel and chocolate malts meandering through undercut currents of hop additions. Georgia Brown is part of our year round lineup and is line priced with Sweetwater’s other lip smackin’ core styles.” With an ABV of 5%, this beer is the weakest of the lineup in terms of alcohol content but don’t let that fool you in regards to taste. The sweetness of this beer makes for an ideal pairing with crispy fried treats or heavy holiday meals that require a sugary beverage to wash down the flavors of the season. Of the beers previously mention from Sweetwater, the Georgia Brown is by far the most balanced for this reviewer’s palate and acts as a perfect mate to five-alarm spicy Buffalo wings and a loaded baked potato.

You can find these selections at various establishments in downtown Tuscaloosa or anywhere that craft beer is sold. To learn more about Sweetwater and their wide range of products, visit sweetwaterbrewing.com.

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

11

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here t o E a t i n T u s c a l o o s a ( c o n t . )

Casual riverfront dining Sun–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri–Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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

Chang’s Chinese Restaurant 1825 McFarland Blvd N // 391.9131 China Fun 2600 University Blvd | Alberta City // 553.2435 China Garden Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 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

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

PIZZA AND SUBS A Taste Of Chicago 1700 Greensboro Avenue 205-342-DOGS Mon. - Thurs. 10:00am - 9:00pm; Fri. - Sat. 10:00am - 10:00pm 17th Street and Greensboro Avenue. Authentic Chicago style foods with a taste of Chi-Town in every bite. Italian Beef Sandwiches, Chicago Rib Tips, and Chicago Style Pizza.View our menu online and order at CRIMSON2GO.COM. Follow us @ TasteofChicagoTtown on Instagram.

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 www.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

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 // Fun atmosphere,fresh ingredients, great sandwiches. 764.1673

COFFEE SHOP Chloe's Cup 2117 University Blvd.| Tuscaloosa // 764.0218 Crimson Cafe International Coffee House & Gourmet Deli 1301 University Blvd | The Strip // 750.0203 Mon–Fri 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. | Sat & Sun 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. thecrimsoncafe.com Five Java Coffee, fresh juices, smoothies and treats from Mary's Cakes.

Open Monday - Saturday at 7am; 9am on Sundays Heritage House 18 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 758.0042 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 www.coldstonecreamery.com 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.

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 Lab 920 Paul W. Bryant Dr Ste 200 | Tuscaloosa // 347.9522 Yogurt Mountain 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 342.1484 Self-serve frozen yogurt experience Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - midnight

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. - 3:00 a.m. | Sun 11:30 a.m. - midnight 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

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

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>>> CO N C E R T | D OU G P E R R Y

Willie and Merle Close Out DUO PIANOS SLATED FOR SHELTON STATE'S TERRIFIC TUESDAY Fall Concert Season At The Amp

PHOTO: RYAN PHILLIPS

PHOTO: RYAN PHILLIPS

Many say that age is just a number, and how right they are. In closing the fall concert season, country music legends Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson took the stage at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on Thursday October 24, and played to a capacity crowd of excited fans The Paula Nelson Band opened the night and brought a thunderous set that included a rendition of by Kenny Rogers' “Just Dropped In” and ended with bluesy cover of Waylon Jennings' “Lonesome On’ry And Mean”. After the set finished, the country and blues appeal of the Paula Nelson Band had set the tone for the remainder of the night.

Fan’s burst into cheers when the legendary Merle Haggard took the stage and subsequently took the crowd on a journey through his illustrious music career. Haggard, 76, plowed through a twangfilled set that included classic hits such as “Silver Wings” and “Mama Tried” along with a healthy rendition of the Johnny Cash smash, “Folsom Prison Blues”. Playing on his signature white and sunburst Fender Telecaster, Haggard picked many of his well-known guitar solos in crowd-pleasing fashion. Naturally, the strap supporting this iconic guitar read in the classic print “MERLE”.

Merle and company rarely broke during the set, and kept the tempo at a proper honky-tonk pace that effectively intertwined the more political songs that made him famous, such as “Okie From Muskogee” and “Are The Good Times Really Over For Good?”

Fans were also treated to a Merle Haggard backing band worthy of taking the stage with any country music act in this or any day. Fans of that classic country sound would have been satisfied following Merle, but another living legend took the stage for the final gig of the night.

Willie Nelson, 80, warmed the crowd up as the breeze cooled the night, opening his set with his mega-hit “Whiskey River”. Following the initial loud burst of applause, Willie and his band continued into a masterful set that covered all ends

of the country music spectrum. The last concert of the night featured Willie’s hits that included “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”, “Georgia” and “You Were Always On My Mind”, all of which were met with thunderous applause. Amidst his vast catalog of classic songs, Willie mixed in a short set of Hank Williams covers that included “Hey Good Looking”, “I Saw The Light” and “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)”.

Each song was better than the last and at no time did his age show as the hits flowed out of his Flamenco guitar.

To polish off the evening, members of The Paula Nelson Band joined Willie for a stunning interpretation of the Creedence Clearwater Revival smash hit “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” The harmony in the song more than did justice to a song that has been covered more times than there have been people to listen to it.

As the night came to a close, Willie made the trek along the stage and signed

memorabilia for his adoring fans while his band, all with a signature grin on his face.

Overall, fans were left with a memorable night of music featuring two men that have left a profound mark on the music industry that stretches far past the country-western genre.

The November 5 Terrific Tuesday Concert will feature Adam Bowles and Kathryn Fouse in concert in the Alabama Power Foundation Recital Hall on the campus of Shelton State Community College, 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa. The 1:15 p.m. performance is free and open to the public.

Both performers are members of the Birmingham Art Music Alliance, a nonprofit organization with the twofold mission of promoting music by Alabama composers and presenting concerts of recently created art music to communities in Birmingham and beyond.

Members include local composers, professional performers, students, and enthusiasts who wish to preserve and maintain the long tradition of music as a living art form.

Pianist Adam Bowles is a dedicated performer of newly composed art music who also remains an active and passionate interpreter of established solo piano, chamber music, and vocal repertoire from the Twentieth Century and earlier.

Dr. Bowles frequently performs throughout the country with the Luna Nova ensemble – of which he is a founding member. Through Luna Nova, Dr. Bowles regularly participates in formal concerts, master classes, and a variety of educational outreach activities.

Dr. Bowles is also an active member of the Birmingham Art Music Alliance, having served as Treasurer and Vice President of Membership. Recently, Dr. Bowles has served as adjudicator for competitions such as the Lois Pickard Piano Competition and the NFMC Young Artists Competition and gave a presentation on NFMC Solo Festival Repertoire for the Birmingham Music Teachers Association in the fall of 2010.

He holds degrees from Eastman School of Music (BM) and New England Conservatory (MM), and received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conser-

vatory of Music.

Dr. Bowles is currently on the faculties of the Birmingham-Southern College and Conservatory, where he has taught piano, keyboard harmony, theory, and accompanying. He is recorded on the Living Artists label and was recently featured on a CD of music by Argentinian composer Valdo Sciammerella, “Rosas de Pulpa Rosas de Cal.” Kathryn Fouse serves on the faculty of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama where she is the Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy and Class Piano. In addition to her commitment to education, she continues to maintain an active career as a virtuoso pianist and a professional accompanist. Having developed a strong interest in contemporary music, Dr. Fouse frequently presents lecture-recitals in an effort to bring greater understanding of this music to audiences. In 1992 Kathryn was the national recipient of the Merle Montgomery Doctoral Grant awarded by Mu Phi Epsilon for her research into the Surrealist movement and its influence on American composers.

Her special interest in the study and performance of American piano music of the Twentieth Century has resulted in invitations to present her research in lecturerecitals at such prestigious institutions as the University of Illinois, Baylor University, the Dallas Art Museum, Gothenburg University (Sweden) and the Norwegian State Academy of Music (Oslo).

On the program will be works by Alabamians Adriana Perera, Michael Coleman, Cynthia Miller, William Price, Holland Hopson, Edwin Robertson, and Monroe Golden.

The Birmingham Art Music Alliance is supported by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

For additional information on the November 5 performance at Shelton State Community College, contact Syble Coats at 205.391.2270 or scoats@sheltonstate.edu.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

13

>>> UA EVENT | STAFF R E PO R T

MELLOWN TO PRESENT INAUGURAL TALK FOR THE ALABAMA CENTER FOR THE BOOK

Photo by Jeff Hansen

O n Thursday, N ovember 7, at 12 noon, the public is invited, for free, to hear Dr. Robert O. Mellown, Associate Professor of Art History Emeritus at the University of Alabama, and a recognized authority on the architecture of Tuscaloosa and of the UA campus, present the inaugural talk of the Alabama’s Center for the Book Lunchtime Speaker Series, spotlighting recent works by Alabama writers. He will talk about some of the fascinating history of Alabama’s historic campus from his new book, The University of Alabama: A Guide to the Campus and Its Archi-

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

tecture [http://www.uapress.ua.edu/ product/University-of-Alabama,5713. aspx] Dr. Mellown has written numerous articles for Alabama Heritage Magazine [http://www.uwa.edu/alabamareview/] and The Alabama Review [http:// www.uwa.edu/alabamareview/]. He is a recognized authority on Tuscaloosa historic structures, including Bryce Hospital, Jemison-Van de Graaf Mansion, the Marmaduke Williams House, and the Drish Mansion, writing detailed reports for the Alabama Historical Commission. Mellown has also participated in historical archaeological investigations of the UA Rotunda, Alabama Capitol (in Capitol Park) and is currently consultant for the UA Department of Archaeology in the historical investigation of the Downtown Hotel Site. Dr. Mellown is also a popular speaker for the Tuscaloosa Preservation Society and other venues.

The talk will be presented in room 205 in the east wing of Gorgas Library.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch or purchase lunch in the library’s grab-and-go café.

For more information email: jdwilson@ uapress.ua.edu For parking and other info: uapress.ua.edu/pages/ centerforthebook. aspx.

The Support the Arts License Tag Committee is now seeking submissions for a new design. The deadline is NOVEMBER 21, 2013 For information and guidelines please send an e mail to: ArtsTagDesign2014@gmail.com Students, Teachers, Artists, Graphic Designers, etc. are all encouraged to submit.

Electronic submission is required. Guidelines are very specific and will be e mailed to anyone who is interested.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

>>> A L B U M R E V I E W |W ILLIAM BA R S H OP

ARCADE FIRE // IFFY AT BEST

An interactive experience, employthe user’s webcam and smartphone to let them manipulate the media they’re consuming, sounds like a string of words a frustrated CEO would shout at his board of directors, slamming his fist on the table, desperate to appeal to millennials.

But that’s the best way to describe the short film that accompanies the nu-disco title track from Arcade Fire’s new album, Reflektor.

The Vincent Morisset-directed video that complements the seven minute disco epic reacts to a smart phone pointed at the webcam like a mirror concentrating light rays. It sounds like a cheap gimmick, but when you actually watch the film, waving around a device with more processing power than the Apollo 11, it doesn’t feel like something that would have been impossible 50 years ago. The surreal images of mirror monsters roaming beautiful Haitian landscapes trump the absurdity of technology.

The song itself does lend to the invigorating magic of the full package. The shadowy verses on “Reflektor” explode into a dazzling chorus with grandiose lyrics about a desperate search for meaning.

David Bowie swoops in toward the end, lending dramatic vocals to the song’s gravitas. By the time the band comes down from the theatrical high with the lyric “If this is heaven, I want something more,” the space of the record has expanded and contracted in rhythm like a working lung.

The final product gives infectious energy to the sum of its parts.

Unfortunately, a great deal of Arcade Fire’s fourth album does almost the opposite. The Montreal band takes the earnest intensity of their seven-man ensemble and crushes it between too many sweeping ideas. While the production of LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy usually gives glossy dance music ample room to breathe in a rock atmosphere, here it suffocates Arcade Fire’s ethos, turning the roots of ambitious songs into cheesy club fodder. Buoyant melodies are held down by overbearing arrangements (“You ing

Already Know”). Whooshing transitions into brassy breakdowns (“Afterlife”) command the listener to dance like a mother insisting her son show off what he learned in trombone lessons to house guests. It might be fun if it didn’t point at itself so explicitly.

The disco direction of Reflektor can’t take all the blame for its shortcomings, though. The songwriting, with lyrics mostly from vocalist Win Butler, lacks the precise and powerful emotional blows that their previous works dealt so gracefully. Funeral brought palpable pain to the budding sounds of modern indie rock, documenting a loss of family and a search for peace in mortality. The Suburbs brought the same longing to the pains of displacement and leaving childhood behind. The only longing inspired by Reflektor is for more convincing disco.

“Normal Person” is the worst offender in terms of lyrics. The worn-out sentiment that no one is really normal would feel equally at home on a Hot Topic tee shirt and a Ke$ha song designed to piggyback on the parade of packaged individuality.

And for all the cluttered arrangements on Reflektor, “Flashbulb Eyes” packs the most into three minutes. Every quirky sound in the excessive menagerie begs for attention instead of leading the listener to something more substantial.

Buried toward the end of the second disc, though, is “Porno,” a gem that reflects the themes presented in the title track, mourning a failure to communicate. The relative calm and the gentle lyrics let Butler’s voice remind the listener of the bitter tales Arcade Fire can spin at their best.

With a Grammy award for Album of the Year under their belt, Arcade Fire may be shooting for the crown of the biggest band in the world. Making their music an event, something worth talking about, is a great result of their dreams of the big leagues in the “Reflektor” single. However, the rest of the album is a failed attempt to be deep and cultured enough for critical acclaim while being funky enough to score summer blockbusters, a balance of sensibilities Arcade Fire is not yet equipped to deliver.

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

OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

15

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31

Trick or Tricking WHEN: 9 a.m. - 9p.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library, Main Branch COST: Free PHONE: 205.345.5820 DESCRIPTION: Goodies for the kids; green screen photos for the kids in their costumes from 10:30 – 12.30 and from 5 – 7 p.m.

Intermediate Microsoft Word WHEN: 10:30 - noon WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library Weaver Bolton Branch COST: Free CONTACT: 205.345.5820, ext. 1264 to register.

DESCRIPTION: Become familiar with tools to make document creation faster/ easier: inserting headers and footers, page numbers, using borders, creating labels and envelopes and learn how to create graphs and charts, along with inserting formulas into spreadsheets.

Toddler Time WHEN: 10 – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library Story Castle COST: Free DESCRIPTION: Toddler Time consists of stories, songs, activities and crafts. Ages 24 months to 36 months

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

First Friday WHEN: 5 – 9 p.m.

WHERE: Cultural Arts Center and Downtown Tuscaloosa Galleries, Businesses and Restaurants COST: Free LINK: tuscarts.org "Charlotte's Web" presented by Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre WHEN: 7 - 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bama Theatre COST: Not listed PHONE: 205.758.5195 CONTACT: tuscarts.org/calendar of events.php DESCRIPTION: Showtimes also on Nov. 2 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Nov. 3, at 2 p.m.

"Little Shop of Horrors" WHEN: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bean-Brown Theatre COST: $22 adults; $18 seniors 60+; $14 students/children PHONE: 205.391.2277 LINK: theatretusc.com Prentice Chorale and The Rude Mechanicals Present "Shakespeare Spoken & Sung" WHEN: 8 – 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Cultural Arts Center Black Box Theatre COST: $10 adults; $5 students DESCRIPTION: An evening of scenes, monologues and songs taken from a variety of Shakespeare plays.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 "Little Shop of Horrors"

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

T H E SOUT H E AST ' S LA R G E ST

WHEN: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bean-Brown Theatre COST: $22 adults; $18 seniors 60+; $14 students/children PHONE: 205.391.2277 LINK: theatretusc.com Prentice Chorale and The Rude Mechanicals Present "Shakespeare Spoken & Sung" WHEN: 8 – 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Cultural Arts Center Black Box Theatre COST: $10 adults; $5 students DESCRIPTION: An evening of scenes, monologues and songs taken from a variety of Shakespeare plays.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

"Little Shop of Horrors" WHEN: 2 p.m.

WHERE: Bean-Brown Theatre COST: $22 adults; $18 seniors 60+; $14 students/children PHONE: 205.391.2277 LINK: theatretusc.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Jeff Speck's Walkable City // How Downtown Can Save America One Step at a Time WHEN: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Cultural Arts Center, Black Box Theatre COST: Free LINK: tuscarts.org DESCRIPTION: Presentation and discussion by renowned city planner, Jeff Speck.

Basic Microsoft Word / Excel WHEN: 9 - 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library, main library, computer lab.

COST: Free CONTACT: 205.345.5820, ext. 1264 DESCRIPTION: Learn the basics about word processing, spreadsheets and using them to compute financial data with a simple formula. Users should have a basic understanding of how to use a computer with a keyboard and a mouse.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Dance Alabama WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Morgan Auditorium/UA Campus COST: $18 adults; $15 faculty, staff & seniors; $12 students CONTACT: 205.348.3400 LINK: theatre.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Presented University of Alabama department of Theatre & Dance.

>>> PET PLANET | T H IS MONT H ' S P E TS

MEET SALLY AND VANNA // SUPER SWEET AND FRIENDLY Forget the chocolate and give a furry gift of love this Valentine’s Day! I’m Sally, a short-haired gray female tabby. I am about one-year-old.

My caretakers at the Humane Society of West Alabama say I’m petite for my age and may not get much bigger. I am super sweet and very friendly. I have a good amount of youthful energy but not so much as a younger kitten. I am friendly with other cats, and should do fine around children. I’ve never met a dog but I might not mind a smaller one. I would love to make a gift for a special someone this Valentine’s Day! If you are interested in giving me the forever home I want so badly, visit my friends and caretakers at the West Alabama Humane Society at humanesocietyofwa.org or call them at 205.554.0011.

Vanna is a two year old female Hound/Terrier mix with a gorgeous black and brown smooth brindle smooth coat and an adorable nub tail with a bit of curled hair on the end!

Vanna is a good size dog, weighing 40 pounds. She is fun loving and full of energy and excitement! She will be great for an active owner who likes to run, walk or hike. Vanna will require a fenced in yard and probably has too much energy for an apartment unless she gets plenty of exercise. She is very friendly and playful and would be fine with kids 12 and up, though she would not be the best fit for a younger child due to her energy level. Vanna is good with other dogs but does like to be the dominant dog. She has never been around cats. Vanna has started her crate training. She is up to date on her vet care, spayed, heartworm negative and is microchipped. She is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. If you are interested in giving Vanna the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the West Alabama Humane Society at humanesocietyofwa.org or call them at 205.554.0011.

Margaret Wrinkle WHEN: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: UA Gallery, Cultural Arts Center COST: Free PHONE: 205.758.5195 LINK: tuscarts.org/calendar of events.php DESCRIPTION: The Summersell Center for the Study of the South presents artist and novelist Margert Wrinkle who will speak about her novel, "Wash," dealing with slavery. Also an exhibition of her photography that will run through Nov. 15.

Pre-School Story Time

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>>> FUTURE TUSCALOOSA | P. O. FR IT Z

WALKIN' IN T-TOWN // THE MAKINGS OF A WALKABLE CITY

D espite never having set foot in Tuscaloosa, renowned city planner, architectural designer and author, Jeff Speck, believes that T-town just might have the makings of a “walkable city”.

Exploring its design using Google Maps, he is especially interested in the interface between the University of Alabama campus and the city itself.

As Director of Design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, Speck oversaw the Mayors' Institute on City Design and created the Governors' Institute on Community Design, a federal program that assists state governors in creatively combating suburban sprawl.

He “advocates for smart growth and sustainable design” in urban areas, emphasizing that walkable cities are healthier, more economically resilient and more environmentally sustainable.

Speck describes a walkable city as one where the "walkability score" is high and where walking is safe, convenient, interesting — a place where dependency upon vehicles to meet the

basic needs of citizens is much decreased. With decreased commuting and increased recreation and access to services in city centers, the quality of life for the residents goes up.

In a TED talk he gave recently, the city planner referred to suburban sprawl as the “worst idea we [America] have ever had”, detailing the negative impact that shift has had on people through increased sedentary lifestyles leading to obesity, breathing difficulties due to auto emissions, and the budget-devastating costs of purchasing gasoline necessary to commute to suburban and rural homes. He also points out that as the baby-boomer generation ages, they will be forced to move further away from urban areas and into contained communities due to a lack of walkability in American cities and a decline in driving skills to get there.

Speck cites Portland, Oregon, as an example of a city that implemented a policy of limited urban sprawl as early as the 1970s, investing instead in protected bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways. As a result, college-educated millennials have been relocating to that city, and others like it, in increasingly greater numbers. He thinks Tuscaloosa has good potential to move in this direction as well.

Larger, more pedestrian-friendly cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston are attractive to people, but expensive, notes Speck. By drawing increased numbers of its citizens to a walkable downtown, Tuscaloosa can become more competitive.

Jeff Speck, an entertaining and thought-provoking speaker, will be sharing his knowledge and ideas, on this subject, from his recent book, Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time, at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center on Monday, November 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

T H E SOUT H E AST ' S LA R G E ST

(cont'd)

WHEN: 10 – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library, Story Castle COST: Free (age 3 - 5) CONTACT: 205.391.9989 EMAIL: childrens@tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: Simple stories, songs, activities and crafts.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Dance Alabama WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Morgan Auditorium/UA Campus COST: $18 adults; $15 faculty, staff & seniors; $12 students CONTACT: 205.348.3400 LINK: theatre.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Presented University of Alabama department of Theatre & Dance.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Art Night at Kentuck WHEN: 5 – 8 p.m.

WHERE: Kentuck Art Center's Courtyard of Wonders, Downtown Northport COST: Free CONTACT: 205.758.1257 LINK: kentuck.org DESCRIPTION: An Ode to Warhol.

Dance Alabama WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Morgan Auditorium/UA Campus COST: $18 adults; $15 faculty, staff & seniors; $12 students CONTACT: 205.348.3400 LINK: theatre.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Presented University of Alabama department of Theatre & Dance.

Toddler Time WHEN: 10 – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library Story Castle COST: Free - ages 2 - 3 year-olds EMAIL: seymour.emily@gmail.com LINK: tuscaloosa-library.org/calendar-ofevents DESCRIPTION: Stories, songs, activities and crafts.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Chuck Leavell & the Randall Bramblett Band WHEN: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

COST: $47.50 main floor reserved; $35 balcony general admission WHERE: Bama Theatre CONTACT: jackleighautomotive.com or tuscarts.org Bama vs. LSU Masquerade WHEN: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. (Sat.) WHERE: Cypress Inn loft at 504 Greensboro Ave. CONTACT: eventful.com/tuscaloosa/ events for ticket information Dance Alabama WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Morgan Auditorium/UA Campus COST: $18 adults; $15 faculty, staff & seniors; $12 students CONTACT: 205.348.3400 LINK: theatre.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Presented University of Alabama department of Theatre & Dance.

Readers' Theater for Children WHEN: 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library main branch Story Castle COST: Free CONTACT: 205.345.5820, ext. 1134 EMAIL: childrens@tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: Fun, interactive story time where children listen to a story, think and ask questions about the story, and then become a part of the story by acting it out with their friends. This activity is also held the first Saturday of each month in the Story Castle at 10:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Menagerie WHERE: UA Ferguson Center Gallery COST: Prepaid reservations required CONTACT: Facebook.com/events DESCRIPTION: Exhibition by Claire Siepser

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Tuscaloosa Academy Players Present "Alice in Wonderland" WHEN: 7 – 9 p.m.

WHERE: Bama Theatre COST: Call LINK: tuscarts.org

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Tuscaloosa Academy Players Present "Alice in Wonderland" WHEN: 7 – 9 p.m.

WHERE: Bama Theatre COST: Call LINK: tuscarts.org

Pre-School Story Time WHEN: 10 – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Library Story Castle COST: Free LINK: tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: Ages 3 to 5 years

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Homework Help WHEN: 3 - 5 p.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library, Weaver-Bolden branch COST: Free LINK: tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: One on one homework assistance for students K - 8. Drop in.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Author Wendy Reed WHEN: 6 p.m.

WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library Rotary Room COST: Free LINK: tuscaloosa-libarary.org DESCRIPTION: Discusses her book, "An Accidental Memoir".

Introduction to the Mac WHEN: 10:30 – noon WHERE: Tuscaloosa Public Library, Weaver-Bolden branch COST: Free PUBLICIZE YOUR NONPROFIT EVENT. CONTACT

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

planeteditor@yahoo.com OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

17

>>> ROAD TRIP | SOUT H E AST E R N CONC E R TS AN D E V E NTS UNKNOWN HINSON // BIRMINGHAM //

NOVEMBER 2

BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY // LUPE FIASCO // NASHVILLE // NOVEMBER 3

ALICE COOPER // MONTGOMERY // OCTOBER 31

fun. // OCTOBER 22 // ATLANTA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

August Burns Red, Rocketown Alabama, Ryman Auditorium

Birmingham James Gregory, Comedy Club Stardome

Chris Tomlin, The Arena at Gwinnett Center

New orleans Washed Out, Republic New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS Cocorosie, Tiptina’s

ATLANTA Thomas Rhett, Wild Bill’s Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Georgia Tech

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

ATLANTA Alkaline Trio and New Found Glory, The Buckhead Theater

NASHVILLE Blue Oyster Cult, Wildhorse Saloon NEW ORLEANS STS9, The Joy Theater Voodoo Music Experience, New Orleans City Park

NASHVILLE Gary Gibson, Nashville Palace Wayne Mills Band, Blue Bar

saturday, NOVEMBER 2

NEW ORLEANS Coheed and Cambria, The Civic Theater Lupe Fiasco, Tiptina’s

ATLANTA

Wa Wa Band, The Beach on Bourbon St

Lupe Fiasco, Vinyl Sense Fail, Masquerade

MONTGOMERY Red Clay Revival, Kenan’s Mill Another Hero, Rock Bottom NEW ORLEANS Voodoo Music Experience, New Orleans City Park

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

sunday, NOVEMBER 10

birmingham J Fresh, Zydeco

ATLANTA Journey, Buckhead Theater Suicide Girls, Masquerade NASHVILLE The O’Jays, Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Montgomery Don Williams, Montgomery Performing Arts Center

NASHVILLE Krewella, Nashville War Memorial Auditorium Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Exit In

New orleans Two Door Cinema Club, House of Blues

ATLANTA The Head and the Heart, The Buckhead Theater Tori Kelly, The Loft

NASHVILLE Cat Power, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

ATLANTA Hugh Laurie, Vinyl

THURSday, NOVEMBER 7

NEW ORLEANS Tornado Brass Band, Preservation Hall

BIRMINGHAM Steve Vai, WorkPlay Theater The Story So Far, Zydeco Velvet Elvis, The Nick

NASHVILLE Lupe Fiasco, Nashville War Memorial Coliseum Dierks Bentley, Riverfront Park Lovenoise, 12th and Porter NEW ORLEANS Voodoo Music Experience, New Orleans City Park Theresa Caputo, Saenger Theater Mario, House of Blues

ATLANTA Black Uhuru, Variety Playhouse NASHVILLE Fitz and the Tantrums and Capital Cities, Marathon Music Works

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Birmingham Don Williams, Alabama Theatre

DON WILLIAMS // MONTGOMERY // NOVEMBER 6

BLACK UHURU //

ATLANTA // NOVEMBER 7

WEDNESday, NOVEMBER 13

NEW ORLEANS The Head and the Heart, Tiptina’s

Montgomery Biscuit Miller and the Mix, Capitol Oyster Bar

BIRMINGHAM Motion City Soundtrack and Reliant K, WorkPlay Theater

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Birmingham Festival Expressions, Zydeco

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

BIRMINGHAM Unknown Hinson, Zydeco King Bee, Gip’s Juke Joint

Montgomery Claire Lynch Band

VOODOO MUSIC FESTIVAL //NEW ORLEANS // NOVEMBER 1 - 3

BIRMINGHAM // OCTOBER 25

THURSday, NOVEMBER 14

ATLANTA Whiskey Myers, The Local at Sidelines

Birmingham Sinbad, Montgomery Performing Arts Center NEW ORLEANS Jamey Johnson, The Civic Theater

Saving Abel, Iron Horse Café Larry Mitchell, War Eagle Super Club Verge of Bliss, Head on the Door

ATLANTA Kevin Gates, Masquerade

NASHVILLE

>>> 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

Moe’s Original BBQ 6423 Park Dr 251.625.7427

Amphitheater at the Wharf 23101 Canal Rd 251.224.1020

The Hangout 251.948.3030 thehangout1.com

Bridgestone Arena 501 Broadway 615.770.2000

Marathon Music Works 1402 Clinton St 615.891.1781

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

205.324.1911 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy 404.733.5010

THE O'JAYS //

NASHVILLE // NOVEMBER 10

Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345

The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831

WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082

Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N

Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

TO HAVE YOUR VENUE AND EVENTS LISTED HERE PLEASE EMAIL PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

>>> TUSCALOOSA MUSIC | WHO'S PLAYING AROUND TOWN

LEADERDOG

BLACK JACK BILLY

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31

Jupiter Bar: CBDB & Looksy, 9 pm, $5 Green Bar: Economy Cartel / Dead Balloons / Pen Pals Rounders: DJ Boxhead. Halloween party with best costume prizes Rhythm & Brews: Halloween party / Mojo Trio

SOULD TIDE

GREEN BAR // NOVEMBER 2

RHYTHM & BREWS // NOVEMBER 1

ROUNDERS// NOVEMBER 14

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

RANDY ROGERS BAND

JUPITER // NOVEMBER 2

Green Bar: Downright Rounders: Sean Rivers, DJ Spinnzz Jupiter Bar: The 17th Floor // DJ Houndstooth Rhythm & Brews: Velcro Pygmies

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Rounders: DJ Alchemy Green Bar: Belle Adair / RTB2 / Daniel Markham Jupiter Bar: DJ Silence Rhythm & Brews: Rexton Lee // Black Jack Billy

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

wednesday, NOVEMBER 13

Rhythm & Brews: DJ ProtoJ Green Bar: Open Mic with Ham Bagby

thursday, NOVEMBER 14

GREEN BAR // NOVEMBER 7

Rounders: DJ Alchemy Green Bar: Leaderdog / Beitthemans Rhythm & Brews: Mojo Trio Jupiter Bar: DJ Silence

Rounders: The Devines // Sean Rivers band // Trio // DJ Spinnzz Jupiter Bar: DJ Proto J // Mellowship Rhythm & Brews: Snazz

Rounders: Soul Tide // DJ Spinnzz Green Bar: New Madrid

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Rhythm & Brews: DJ ProtoJ Rounders: Borland Green Bar: Open Mic with Ham Bagby Jupiter Bar: Minnesota with Manic Focus

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Jupiter Bar: Jamey Johnson Rhythm & Brews: Wes Loper

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Jupiter Bar: Randy Rogers Band with Wade Bowen Green Bar: "Out of the Box" Folk Art Show Rounders: DJ Spinnzz

TO HAVE YOUR BAR AND MUSIC EVENT LISTED HERE PLEASE EMAIL PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

>>> LO C A L B A R S 4th & 23rd

Bo's // 759-1331

Downtown Pub // 750-0008

Innisfree // 345-1199

Mugshots // 391-0572

1831 // 331-4632

Buffalo Wild Wings // 523-0273

Gallettes // 758-2010

Jackie's Lounge // 758-9179

The Red Shed // 344-4372

Alcove // 469-9110

Capones // 248-0255

Gnemis Top Shelf Tavern // 343-0020

The Jupiter // 248-6611

Rhythm & Brews // 750-2992

Bear Trap // 345-2766

Carpe Vino // 366-8444

Grey Lady // 469-9521

The Legacy // 345-4848

Rooster's Blues House // 334-4507 Rounders // 345-4848

Big Al's // 759-9180

Catch 22 // 344-9347

Harry's Bar // 331-4151

Mellow Mushroom // 758-0112

The Booth // 764-0557

Copper Top // 343-6867

Houndstooth // 752-8444

Mikes Place // 764-0185

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

OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

19

>>> THE ARTS | W ILLIAM B A R S H OP

OUT OF THE BOX // HOME MADE INSTRUMENTS // AMAZING MUSIC // GREEN BAR

A banjukimer and a three-neck diddley bow aren’t creatures from a Dr. Seuss story — they are instruments played by Tuscaloosa musician One Hand Dan. Daniel Russell, 28, will be playing with other cigar box musicians Nov. 7 at Green Bar in Tuscaloosa.

The Out of the Box art show will feature art with a musical theme, including homemade musical instruments like One Hand Dan’s. The art displays, curated

by Neel Alexander of the Maubilans Art Collektive, will be accompanied by music played on the same kind of instruments made from recycled materials.

“We’re all inspired by music,” Alexander said. “That’s one of the reasons we wanted to be at Green Bar, was because we think people who love music will be interested in

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

different kinds of art. And we think they’ll be interested in the sounds these guys can make.”

Green Bar’s event coordinator, David Allen, said he is glad to have folk artists coming in to Green Bar, which promotes mostly musical acts. Allen said he had been working with One Hand Dan and wanted a way to show people the kind of instruments he makes with mundane materials.

“We wanted to show some art to separate from what’s going on around Tuscaloosa and also be appropriate to Green Bar,” Allen said.

“This just seemed like the way to bring those worlds together.”

One Hand Dan, a 28 year old Alabama native, said people are always surprised by how easy it is to find all the components of a guitar. He said he’s seen instruments made

of everything from broom handles to Sharpie markers, and some even more bizarre.

“I’ve seen coke bottle guitars, ash tray guitars, everything you can think of,” Dan said. “If I came to your house right now I could probably build a guitar in about ten minutes, and not have it sound that bad. I’ve made one in minutes just being bored at work” Dan credits the origin of cigar box guitars to Depression-era rural Mississippi, where poor workers would use the metal wire of porch screens as a guitar string and play through the nights. Now the culture has grown to include passionate musicians and “builders” around the world.

“It’s amazing how detailed these things are getting now, but there are also people selling $200 guitars that are absolute crap,” Dan said. “At the same time, though, you can pay $600 for a beautiful piece.”

Dan said while there’s a lot of trickery being pulled by builders who sell guitars for more than they are worth, but at the same time cigar box guitars aren’t always about making a high-quality instrument.

“It’s not really about how good you can play a Bob Dylan song on it,” Dan said. “It’s more about what kind of sound you can get out of it. What can you get to make a note.”

Some instruments are even made of materials with significance to the musician. Dan recalled a friend made an instrument of his grandmother’s kitchen cabinets, door hinges and sewing bobbins after his grandmother passed.

The banjukimer, an original instrument

by Dan himself, is a combination of a 4 string banjo scale neck on top, ukulele scale in the middle, and 3 string dulcimer on the bottom. The three-neck diddley bow is a modification of the one-string instrument that gave Bo Diddley his name. The Out of the Box show will also feature a washboard equipped with bells and a harmonica, and a two-string bass.

“The bass is just gorgeous, too.” Dan said.

“I had to rush to get it finished. I really wanted it in the show.”

Dan became a part of the Maubilans Art Collektive in March when the group

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

came together, after moving to Tuscaloosa and busking on University Boulevard with his homemade instruments. Dan said some of the more crude inventions can be rough to play for long periods.

“Playing on the street, my hands will get cut up. I’ll get splinters and I’ll be bleeding,” Dan said. “I used to busk on the strip but the cops were giving me a hard time so I lay low now.”

Alexander, who is also a painter in the art collective, said it was formed to expose artists who aren’t usually shown in galleries.

“We create an atmosphere to view art in a non-gallery setting,” Alexander said. “We tend to do live things around town, bring art to places that you don’t expect it.”

Alexander does live paintings from time to time, and said a lot of the Maubilans members like to translate the emotions of music onto a canvas or into a sculpture, and that’s where the idea for the Out of the Box show originated.

“I can speak for myself, when I’m working.

I listen to art when I make it,” Alexander said.

“The emotions people get across in music can also be portrayed visually, and I think all of us get inspired by that.”

For Maubilans shows, Dan said he always brings his authenticity, and doesn’t let the oddity of his instruments prop up the whole show. He said homemade instruments can be a gimmick for some artists who want to stand out.

“Some of these guys, they’re not in love with the music, they’re in love with playing on a cigar box,” Dan said. “Me, I play the blues because I love it. Although some of us don’t, I’ve always loved some simple country songs.”

While Dan has his opinions about the craft, he said he is confident that anyone could build their own guitar with a little guidance, and it’s not that difficult to learn the basics of how to play.

“People spend ten minutes just fooling around with these instruments,” Dan said.

“Before they leave they’re playing halfway of a song. I like to think of it as art but it’s something anyone can do if they want.”

Alexander said he expects the show to be an enjoyable and relaxed night of music and art, and he’s excited to see his fellow artists show their work to Green Bar customers.

The Out of the Box show will start at 8 p.m. at Green Bar, with art for display and sale by Neel Alexander, Jamie Cicatiello, Raquel Duplin, Tyler Key, Kat Snider, and Piper Walder. The music by One Hand Dan and Johnny Nickel will start at 10 p.m.

>>> HIGH TIDE | G A R Y H A R R IS

ALABAMA CONTINUES TO IMPROVE // BAMA IS 8-0 WITH LSU UP NEXT

The Alabama football team's mission to win a third consecutive BCS National Championship is now just six wins away.

The 45-10 thumping of arch rival Tennessee moved the Crimson Tide to 8-0, and with a number one ranking in the BCS, Alabama needs to win it's remaining four regular season games, the SEC Championship Game and the BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl. It's getting closer but there is still much work to be done. The Good news is, Alabama continues to improve and the team looks better each week.

TIDE OWNS TENNESSEE Bama Blows Out Vols Again Alabama's victory over Tennessee was its seventh straight win in the series and the 35 point margin of victory was the largest in the historical rivalry since the Tide posted a 35-0 shutout win over the Vols in 1963. This year's Alabama team matched that 35-0 score in the first half.

"We played especially well in the first half," head coach Nick Saban said. "We want every guy to dominate his space when he plays his position. That's what we want our identity to be. I'm pleased with the way our team has come out and competed in the past four games. You get defined by what you do every week."

Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns and said afterwards he wasn't happy that Tennessee had refereed to Alabama as "The Red Team" during the week prior to the game.

"I usually don't take trash talk personally, but I did this time. For them to say they're playing 'The Red Team' and not Alabama is disrespectful. Then, they're coach (Butch Jones) said they could play with anybody.

We're not just anybody. We're Alabama, and we've got three national championships in the last four years. It feels great to say my class left here never losing to Tennessee in five years. It was a great win."

One player indicated the talk from Knoxville about "The Red Team" didn't faze him.

Junior linebacker Trey DePriest said of the Tennessee chatter, "Sure, we heard about it.

It gave a little something (extra) to the game, but we can't worry about things like that."

At the end of the day, Alabama is all

about taking care of business and the Tide did exactly that against Tenneessee NEXT UP IS LSU Tide And Tigers Will Tussle In T'town Alabama can now turn it's attention to the November 9 matchup against the LSU Tigers.

Both teams have a bye week to get ready for the showdown which usually decides the SEC West Division Championship. This year, the Tigers will come into the game with two losses but they still will provide a formidable challenge to top ranked Alabama. LSU is one of the few teams that can match up with the Tide from a size and speed standpoint. As is the case almost every season, the game will probably not be decided until the final few minutes of the fourth quarter.

RECRUITING UPDATE Hand Recaps Alabama Visit The spotlight was on Da'Shawn Hand this past weekend in Tuscaloosa. The Woodbridge, VA standout defensive end/linebacker was in town making his official visit to Alabama. Hand, who has narrowed his list to Alabama, Florida and Michigan, made the trip with his father.

"It was a great visit," says Hand, who

measured 6-4, 256 at UA. "Really all I can say about it is that it was great. I flew down there Saturday morning with my dad. It was really a great experience overall.

"The game was a great atmosphere.

Great enthusiasm and energy there. The people are great. People were passionate.

The fans, the coaches, the players, everybody around, they were all great. I enjoyed taking it all in at the game. The crowd was pretty awesome. Not much else I can say about all of that. I thought the team played well."

For Hand, the visit was more than about football. During a visit to Michigan this past summer, Hand was blown away by the sports management program offered in Ann Arbor. In Tuscaloosa this weekend, his focus was on learning more about Alabama's engineering program.

"I spent most of my time on the visit to Alabama focusing on the academic side of things," Hand says. "I spent most of the day on Sunday with the academic people. If I were to go to Alabama, I'd major in engineering. If I went to Michigan, I'd major in sports management. If I went to Florida I might major in something else. I just have to decide what I really want to major in. But at Alabama I spent my time with the engineering people.

Dean Carr from the engineering department spent a lot of time with me. He's an awe-

some guy. I really enjoyed him. I have a great relationship with him."

"While I was taking the academic tour, I got to experience an earthquake simulator they have," Hand says. "Man, that is an awesome thing. They actually have two of them at Alabama. If you haven't experienced it, you need to. That was really awesome. That was the highlight of the whole visit for me.

"The overall academic presentation was great. It covered everything I wanted and needed to know."

Hand also spent time learning more about the Alabama football program from current players. He spoke with some of them about what it's like to be a player at Alabama.

"I spent most of the time with OJ Howard, " Hand says. "I spent a little time with Reuben Foster, too. The players are real cool. Everything went well there."

Hand says that his meeting with Coach Saban also went well. "Basically, Coach Saban just went over facts," Hand says.

"He just talked about the facts of the program. That's really all it was about. I got to hang out at his home a little bit. That was great. I felt comfortable with everything."

Hand's next visit will be to Florida on November 9. He'll announce his decision on November 14.

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

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>>> K I N D N E S S | R Y AN P H ILLIPS

EAGLES’ WINGS EXPANDS TO MEET DEMANDS // HELPING TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE

Jerry Pike ran a finger across a wide expanse of property on a map in his office and with a smile said, “We are so excited to get moved over there.” As he gazed over the map, he pointed to each individual structure and explained its intended purposes.

Pike, along with his wife Sandra, own Eagles’ Wings Inc., a Northport-based organization that provides a hybrid care and work atmosphere for adults with special needs. Since September 2008, they have facilitated work programs aimed at giving individuals a sense of independence and monetary compensation for their work while also providing on-site medical care.

According to Jerry Pike, Eagles’ Wings has grown in popularity, leaving many still waiting for a place in the program. This led to their current expansion project on 96 acres in Coker, Ala. “We have around 20 people on the waitlist currently and when those individuals do not have an outlet for independence, they are more likely to stay at home and regress,” he said. “This growth really led to our move into a new facility that will be able to support around 40 adults with special needs. The new facility will include houses, a recreation center, a stable for horse riding therapy, a walking track—basically it will function as a community for these individuals.”

Government support has also been given that will help fund other therapy projects. Jerry Pike then said through these funds, the groundwork has already been laid for gardening therapy.

“We recently got a grant from the De-

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partment of Agriculture, so we just built two new green houses on the new property,” he said. “If things go like we hope, we want to build seven more green houses in the future. It’s located in Coker, and we want to hopefully start building homes next year.

This will give the individuals a place to live and basically will function as a community for adults with special needs.”

Jerry Pike also pointed out that while the local school systems do cater to students with specials needs, there are still regulations in place that restrict participation based on age. After directly learning about the lack of adult special-need care in Tuscaloosa, Pike set out to provide a socially stimulating atmosphere where individuals over 21 could go during the day.

“My wife and I have a son that is special needs”, he said. “He is also medically fragile and has a permanent feeding tube. He has a rare syndrome called Marshall-Smith syndrome that affects him mentally and physically. The way all the individuals we have here are, they can go in the school system until they are 21 years old, then they are out of the school system and have to sit at home or another facility like ours.

The problem is that there isn’t that many facilities like us in Tuscaloosa, and what few we do have here are backed up with waitlists. In our case, even if these facilities that were out here had an opening, they would not take our son, because they were not set up to take medical fragile individuals who have to have a nurse with them at all times.”

After their son aged out of school, the Pikes began to think about the future, which led them to found Eagles’ Wings.

“After he turned 21, he sat at home for two years basically regressing so me and my wife wanted to do something about it,” he said. “We were also concerned with what he was going to do after we are gone so we wanted to make sure he had a safe, Christian environment and a gated community.”

The name “Eagles’ Wings’” was decided upon by Jerry and Sandra after their

frustration over a title led to biblical inspiration. When they found the right verse, it just seemed to click.

“Sandra and I had a hard time thinking of a name and had been wracking our brains,” he said. “Then she opened the Bible and turned to Isaiah 40:31 where it says ‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.’ It fit perfectly with what we are trying to do here, so we knew that would be our name. It gives me chills right now thinking about it.”

Co-owner Sandra Pike, affectionately called “Mama Sandra” by the individuals she cares for, said Eagles’ Wings has had an impact on her from day one.

“Opening day was very memorable,” she said. “We had five individuals to walk in, and they were all so excited to have somewhere to attend. That number quickly changed from five to 15. We knew there was such a need in Tuscaloosa for something like this and once we opened the door, it was like ‘if you build it they will come.’ Right now we have 20 individuals

Jerry Pike that we serve, and we probably have 25 or 30 on our waiting list.”

A key component of Eagles’ Wings operation is getting the special needs individuals involved with the community.

Lorrie Spencer, who leads devotion and is the floor supervisor for Eagles’ Wings, said this is made possible by supportive partnerships with major institutions in the area.

“We want to get them out into the community by teaching them job skills catered to their abilities,” she said. “They shred documents for law offices, crush cans for recycling and various other jobs tailored to the individual. They get paid adjusted minimum wage, and they love getting that paycheck. It is always nice to see them light up on payday.”

In addition to work therapy, Eagles’ Wings also offers other forms of therapy aimed at fostering a sense of belonging in the community. According to Spencer, those in the area also contribute and can benefit from this outreach.

“Art and singing therapy are something we enjoy with the individuals we have here,” she said. “There are times where we will take them to nursing homes to sing, and the people there really enjoy it.

We also have someone come in and do art therapy, which has proven successful.

Several of their works have gone to charity auctions and been purchased by people in the community.”

Sandra Pike was especially proud of

the Eagles’ Wings choir, which is booked for performances at churches and nursing homes through January of next year.

“We go around to different churches and nursing homes to sing, and it truly is special,” she said. “When we go to the places and our individuals get up and start singing, there is not hardly a dry eye in the house. These individuals sing from their heart, and when you hear them doing that and praising God, it just blesses your heart. We are booked all the way through January and if anyone wants us to come to their church and sing, just give us a call.”

In setting themselves apart from other facilities, Jerry Pike stressed the importance of on-site care.

“There are a few across the country doing what we are doing but not many,” he said. “What sets us apart is having on-site care for medically fragile individuals like our son.”

Cherri Edge, an on-duty registered nurse, has enjoyed watching the individuals grow and has gain a special attachment to the people for whom she cares.

“I have been here a total of three months, and my experience has already been wonderful,” she said. “Once you come here you get such an experience.

I have never worked with a population like this until a few months ago, but I am already so close to all of them. It is great to watch them grow. Watching them at their utmost ability and whatever is wrong does not inhibit that. “ Edge also cited the importance of the therapy done with the special-needs individuals.

“We do arts and crafts, exercise, objectives and music,” she said. “With the objectives, we encourage them in relation to their abilities to do jobs. They do things like shred documents and weigh things.

We have it to where they come in and clock in like it is a job.”

According to Jerry Pike, there has been no lack of support from many around the state, which lends hope to the future of care for adults with special needs.

“We have had so much support from around Tuscaloosa, such as Alabama Power, Mercedes, Jim Walter Resources, local delegations and the University of Alabama,” he said. “Governor Bentley has also been supportive and when I saw him a couple of weeks ago in Montgomery, he said ‘I still want to come to the grand opening of your new facility and will find a way to work it into my schedule’.”

>>> PLANETWEEKLY • tuscaloosa's SOURCE for entertainment, music, sports & THE ARTS

Lorrie Spencer

>>> HOROSCOPES |

>>> PUZZLEMAniA |

week l y o verv i ew

Sudoku

Be careful about going overboard with your sarcasm. Some people take your comments seriously. Not everyone understands your humor. This could make communication unclear at times. Deliver a straight story without exaggeration or embellishment thrown in to make things juicier. Don't just tell the truth - tell the whole truth. You'll feel better about the situation.

Self-image could be a difficult issue for you. Perhaps you've painted a false picture of yourself lately. In an effort to cover your insecurity, you may not have expressed how you feel to some people. When you look in a mirror, you may find that the person you see is quite different than the person other people see. This conflict may put you in some uncomfortable situations.

You may feel like there's absolutely nowhere to turn. Reality is a scary thing to face. The last thing you want to do is be serious. But you're finding it difficult to get satisfaction from your fantasy world. Your dreams beckon to you, but you're afraid to give in to that temptation because you feel a strong sense of duty to other people and places.

You have a strong sense of self. You take charge of situations instead of letting them take charge of you. But this sense of independence and self-confidence may threaten other people.

There are some who feel secure knowing that you rely on them.

This is one of those days when you may feel a few growing pains as shifting personalities clash with comfortable behavior patterns.

You may feel like a mediator between two camps, or you may be the one in a struggle that needs mediation. The big problem with the tension today is that one side could be headstrong and bound to the facts and the truth, while the other is bound to a broader perspective, not necessarily a realistic one. Facts could get twisted in all directions depending on who's delivering them.

Be careful about taking everything as a personal offense. Others' inconsiderate actions may hurt you emotionally, but they don't have to. As long as you're able to maintain a healthy perspective on the situation, you'll see that many of the behaviors that upset you result from someone else's insecurities as opposed to their lack of affection for you.

It's easy to play Sudoku! Simply fill every column, row and 3x3 box so they contain every number between 1 and 9. The game is easy to play but difficult to master! Solution Page 27

Difficult tension may be frustrating for you to handle. You may wonder why everyone can't just get along. The answer may seem simple to you, with your easygoing attitude. Unfortunately, there are big egos and unrealistic attitudes involved that make it difficult for other people to see things so simply. You may find that the best you can do is take a step away from the fire.

Tension may arise among friends when someone suddenly feels like an ignored third wheel. People tend to pair up. Do what you can to stay on topics to which everyone can contribute equally. Staying united is key. Together you're extremely powerful allies, while divided you're each other's worst enemies.

Your lively, imaginative spirit is in tune with the collective. The need for a worldly consciousness and evolving humanity has become more obvious to you as time goes by. These issues come up today, but don't be surprised if you get a reality check. Your dreams may be unrealistic. Someone could try to burst your bubble, so be careful.

Don't lose sight of your goals

Just when you slow down, simplify, and plan, things start to pick up again. Your imagination starts to fly. Stabilization hinders your creative spirit. The last thing your artistic mind wants to do is slow down.

Resolving this inner conflict may be hard, but it's possible. These two sides are on the same team, not opposing ones. If they work together, you can both achieve both goals.

Your sense of play might get you into trouble. This sort of attitude could run up against someone who's trying to stay on task and take things seriously. It may be difficult for you to know how far to push a situation. You may want to force the other person to join your escapades, but you also see the need to settle down and get serious.

Gadgets and new devices that are supposed to make it easier to accomplish certain tasks may actually cause more confusion. You're often a big fan of doing things the old-fashioned way. Even though people may laugh at you, you tend to insist that the old way is the best way. Take your time to complete chores and tasks today.

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

23

>>> PUZZLEMANIA | C R OSS W O R D PU Z Z L E

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

Across 1. Noted James Earl Jones stage role 5. Like a cold fish 10. Adam's second 14. Arctic abode 15. "She ___ Yellow Ribbon" 16. Mount from which Moses viewed the Promised Land 17. Test-taker's tool 19. "Star Trek: TNG" counselor Deanna 20. Thumb ___: hitchhike 21. Post-danger signal 23. Sufficient, old style 26. Architectural wing 27. Mississippi River boat 32. Ending for ball or bass 33. Long time periods 34. Misleading maneuver 38. Savings plans: Abbr.

40. Drench 42. 602, Roman-style 43. Cleaner/disinfectant brand 45. "The Devil Wears ___" 47. Yore 48. Relaxed 51. Hedy of 'Samson and Delilah' 54. Belgrade citizen 55. Very brave 58. Pluperfect, e.g.

62. Actress Kate of "Atlantic City" 63. "White Christmas" setting, 1942 66. "...one ___ two!" (Welk intro) 67. O'Connor's Supreme Court replacement 68. Extra things in the env.

69. Tarry 70. Actor J. Carrol ___ 71. European freshwater fish Down 1. Feminine name 2. "Rome of Hungary" 3. Jai____ 4. Glider section

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5. Stupefaction 6. Pitcher Warneke of the '30s and '40s Cubs and Cardinals 7. Seal hunter 8. Trompe l' __ (visual deception) 9. Bit of finery 10. Like the male moose 11. Artist's headgear 12. WW II German torpedo craft 13. The longest river in France 18. Quaker State: Abbr.

22. First symbol on a musical staff 24. Is indebted 25. "Uh-oh" 27. Flower pot filler 28. Broadway award 29. Onetime Spanish queen and namesakes 30. Make used (to) 31. Emerson products 35. Decorates a cake 36. 4,160-mile river 37. Orderly 39. Time interval from one midnight to the following midnight 41. Inch 44. Tribal stories and such 46. Major blood carrier 49. Annie was one 50. Followed the leader 51. Italian coins replaced by euros 52. In regard to 53. Highest peak in Crete: Abbr.

56. City in Kansas 57. Mid-sixth century date 59. Historic ship.

60. Rights org. estab. 1960 61. First word in Mass. motto 64. "___ in his kiss" (1964 pop lyric) 65. Homer Simpson's outburst SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 27

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SIMONE says...

Q: Simone, I’m a thirty-year-old engineer who has experienced a career setback. For now, that’s how it feels, and it’s blown my confidence and trust in myself. I’m struggling to regain a foothold; in other words, I’m floundering and a bit depressed. In college, I changed my major a number of times until I finally landed in mechanical engineering, and it has felt right ever since. I’ve always been creative and inventive and am good at what I do. Right after college, I got a local engineering job, which I liked. I stayed there a year before I took a job opportunity in Dubai (I love travel) and had a great time in terms of my work, my income and my no-doubt-too-often partying (and the tabs I accrued). And Train I still managed to stash a chunk of cash in my savings, a habit I acquired early in life.

The job in Dubai ended as the building surge slowed. When I got back to the states, I didn’t find work in my field for many months, and that put a scare in me.

As I said, I had a reserve, and I generated multiple sources of income: I started a dogwalking business, got a part-time job, and bought low and sold high musical instruments, motorcycles, etc. I’m resourceful.

Finally, I landed an engineering job again. I was relieved, but didn’t it enjoy nearly as much as my first two jobs. The firm was small, the employees (most of whom were related) were conservative, and I’m fairly liberal. It just wasn’t a good fit; I dreaded going in most days. And I learned that I’m not really as much of a nine-to-five kind of guy as I imagined, but I think I was still quite competent at my work.

Then I got sacked; I was stunned. Still am.

Some small voice in my head says: It’s okay.

You’ll land on your feet; it wasn’t a good fit.

But a slightly louder voice is yelling: Failure!

Now what are you going to do? (Sigh) I’m single and planning to stay that way for now. Although I have a steady girlfriend, I’m only responsible for me. But I have been saving to buy my first house, so this is a set-back on a number of fronts.

To be honest I’m feeling embarrassed, confused, kind of lost, and I need some objective input.

Signed, “Sacked” A: Dear “Sacked”, To quote you: “It wasn’t a good fit.”

Getting fired from a job feels so major to the employee, and sometimes, depending on the grounds, it is. But in private, non-civil-service jobs, it can occur for little more reason than the whim of the

employer. You describe yourself as resourceful, and the examples you provide seem to prove this is an understatement.

I feel more than confident in telling you that I believe you will land on your feet in employment much more suited to your temperament and talents. And kudos to for your saving savvy, which resulted in the safety net in these unexpected times of need.

Regarding your observation that you may not be a perfect fit for the nine-to-five formula, I would say: observe it, acknowledge it and be patient. The day and opportunity will arrive when you will know how to create a more perfect fit. You are, no doubt, an amazing guy with a fortuitous future. I salute your destiny!

Signed, Simone Q: Simone, I hope the subject I want to discuss doesn’t make me seem superficial: It’s money, or rather the way my boyfriend handles money. We live together and split most costs, so I wouldn’t be sticking my nose into his financial affairs, except that we’re getting more serious and he’s starting to drop hints about marriage. I love him a lot; he’s a great guy, but I’m worried about his attitude toward money.

I was raised to be financially responsible from an early age. My older brother, younger sister and I were given an allowance since we were young and required to save ten percent each week. If we had done this, at the end of each month, my father matched the amount we’d saved.

At age eighteen, each of us was allowed to do as we chose with our respective accumulated funds. Seven years later, I’m still adding to mine. My boyfriend, on the other hand, spends his money almost as fast as he earns it. His attitude is easy come, easy go. And to a point, I actually like this; he just takes it too far, in my opinion. He can be down to a few hundred and blow one hundred on a lavish meal out. He often picks up the tabs for others, and again, while I value his generosity, something seems off about it, kind of reckless. That worries me. Am I being silly?

Signed, “Fiscal fog” A: Dear “Fiscal...”, On the objective, purely physical level, money is a commodity that is assigned an agreed-upon value which can then be exchanged for goods and services. In the reality of our human cultures, the role of money has evolved into something much greater than that, representing and reflecting beliefs and related emotions of people — collectively and individually.

Of course, some people center their lives around the acquisition of pecuniary resources such as may wield great power and allow lavish lifestyles. At the other end of the money-management and lifestyle continuum are those that reject it almost completely. The rest of us fall somewhere in between.

Attitudes and behaviors toward money

Flo Rida

reflect varied personality patterns and feelings: greed, guilt, selfishness or generosity, fear, defiance, responsibility versus irresponsibility, self-worth and self-sabotage, and so on. So I don’t think you’re silly, but are instead wise to question and address your potential fiancé’s financial patterns before you combine resources and commit to a future together.

I’ve long thought that basic money management courses should be taught as a part of our general education. There are good money management courses available to adults for a fee. And there are books which address money issues from all angles, including addiction to the highs and lows of acquiring and squandering vast sums.

If you’re boyfriend is growing serious about a long-term future with you, most likely he will be open to honest communication about your combined approach to financing that future. A toast to your joint wisdom and prosperity!

Signed, Simone Q: Simone, I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman who finds it difficult to socialize and make friends easily.

This has always been a bit of an issue for me but less of a challenge when I was a girl in school and belonged to a small circle of odd-ball friends who had grown up together.

College was a little more difficult, but, again, I found a couple of girls in my dorm the first year who were as nerdy (wink) as me and I felt okay. Now, however, I’ve graduated and begun my career in urban planning in a mid-size town ten hours away from my parents and my home town. Suddenly my social awkwardness is a bigger problem. And the more I see others having a social life, the more I compare and critique myself, feeling even less confident. I feel like I’m digging a mental hole and I need a ladder out.

Signed, “Nerd in need” A: Dear “N.I.N.,”

You didn’t say, but I hope you are enjoying your job. I’m glad that you are able to stand back and observe that you are engaging in critical self-talk, negatively critiquing and comparing yourself to others. So, step one is to stop doing that. Accept yourself as you are and begin there. You didn’t say what you do socially. Is church an activity in your life? Do you have hobbies? What are your interests?

How do you pursue them? Begin where you are by embracing your nature: make a list of ten things you like and value about yourself.

This is to get your thinking back in order. Don’t put it off. Then determine what kind of activities appeal to you. If social gregariousness is not your cup of tea, try connecting with likeminded others through your interests. Join a club or a group or find a hobby that allows you to connect with others around your shared interests. Develop a sense of humor about your perceived shortcomings. We all have a niche.

Find and celebrate yours. And congratulations on landing a job in urban planning. Sounds super interesting.

Signed, Simone

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THE HALLOWEEN THAT ALMOST NEVER WAS // BUT COULD HAVE BEEN

©2013 by Jim Reed

I’m meandering the ever-changing aisles of a dollar store after work, trolling for Halloween candy with which to bribe any would-be evildoers who appear on our porch on The Night.

Since we live in Norman Bates’ mother’s house, a beautiful 1906 carpenter gothic dwelling that fits us like an old shoe, I am constantly aware that we may or may not see trick-ortreaters this year.

Some years, the ‘hood is too bereft of children and too daunting to parents who are afraid to drive down a street that sports, among other things, a permanent giant Smiley Face placed there by the Lost Boys, many years ago.

Then, other years, parents are brave and adventuresome and bring their kids to see what’s what, in a community that just might nourish ghosts and ideas about ghosts.

This makes my task easy. Just in case nobody rings the bell this year, I stock up on goodies that Liz and I won’t mind having around—stuff we ourselves like. I pick up a bag of candy corn, but it tastes of Clorox and a bit of staleness, so I’ll have to find another brand in another place on another day.

I get Reese’s Cups for Liz so that I can always tell from her peanut butter breath when she’s been into the stash.

I buy a dark chocolate bar for Liz, because she LOVES that stuff. I pick up some small candy bars mixed together in a variety pack and try not to eat all the Mounds Bars on the way home.

By Halloween, we’ll be all set for the kids. I’m dressed as a weird-looking bearded geezer, just to play along—it’s a come-as-you-are Halloween event.

Liz dresses like the smiling and sweet and always-interested-in-kids person she is— she’s ready to play all year long.

Will the Munchkins come and will we see our fair share of Star Wars characters and princesses and zombie dudes and Bat Man midgets, or will we be sick to our stomachs by Thursday, having eaten all that candy ourselves?

Stay tuned

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OCTOBER 31 + NOVEMBER 14 2013

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TOP 10 REASONS TO ADOPT AN OLDER DOG

SHAKESPEARE SPOKEN AND SUNG // DON'T MISS

1. What You See Is What You Get Older dogs are open books—from the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, personality and grooming requirements. All this information makes it easier to pick the right dog and forge that instant love connection that will last a lifetime. If you’re not so into surprises, an older dog is for you!

2. Easy to Train Think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Hogwash! Older dogs are great at focusing on you—and on the task at hand—because they’re calmer than youngsters.

Plus, all those years of experience reading humans can help them quickly figure out how to do what you’re asking.

3. Seniors are Super-Loving One of the cool parts of our job is reading stories from people just like you who have opted to adopt. The emails we get from pet parents with senior dogs seem to all contain beautiful, heartfelt descriptions of the love these dogs give you—and those of you who adopted dogs already in their golden years told us how devoted and grateful they are. It's an instant bond that cannot be topped!

4. They’re Not a 24-7 Job Grownup dogs don’t require the constant monitoring puppies do, leaving you with more freedom to do your own thing. If you have young children, or just value your Snoop Lion “me time,” this is definitely a bonus.

6. Fewer Messes Your floors, shoes and furniture will thank you for adopting a senior pooch! Older dogs are likely to already be housetrained—and even if they’re not, they have the physical and mental abilities to pick it up really fast (unlike puppies). With their teething years far behind them, seniors also are much less likely to be destructive chewers.

7. You Won’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew There are those who yearn for a doggie friend of their own, but hold back because they worry what might happen in their lives in the years to come. And they are wise to do so—a puppy or young dog can be anywhere from an 8- to 20-year responsibility, which is not appropriate for the very elderly or those with certain long-term future plans. Providing a loving home for a dog in her golden years is not a less serious commitment, but it can be a shorter one.

8. They Enjoy Easy Livin’ Couch potato, know thyself! Please consider a canine retiree rather than a highenergy young dog that will run you ragged. Not that older dogs don’t require any exercise—they do—but they’re not going to need, or want, to run a marathon every day.

9. Save a Life, Be a Hero At shelters, older dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized.

Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together.

10. They’re CUTE! Need we say more?

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@TreyBrooks88

Prentice Concert Chorale, under the direction of Leslie Poss, featuring The Rude Mechanicals, directed by Steve Burch and Mark Hughes Cobb, present “Shakespeare Spoken & Sung.” Performances are scheduled on November 1st and 2nd at 8:00 PM in the new Black Box Theatre in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, located on the corner of Greensboro Avenue and Seventh Street, downtown Tuscaloosa. General admission tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for students, will be available at the door.

Music played an important part in Shakespeare’s work; his words not only filled dozens of sonnets and narrative poems, but also appeared in songs sprinkled throughout his plays. The Rude Mechanicals’ selections for “Shakespeare Spoken & Sung” include scenes and soliloquies from a variety of plays including: “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” “As You Like It,” “Hamlet,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” and “Twelfth Night.” Interspersed among the theatrical excerpts will be choral, ensemble, and solo settings of Shakespeare’s song texts from many of these plays, and from “Measure for Measure” and “The Tempest.” Additional music is also included from “Kiss Me Kate” and “Westside Story,” modern musical theatre adaptations of “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Romeo and Juliet.”

Scene selection was influenced either by the role of music and how it played an important – and sometimes direct – influence on the characters or the scene’s ability to stand alone outside the larger work. Musical settings of Shakespeare’s texts were selected to Widespread Panic provide either a direct connection to a specific play or to provide musical commentary to a scene’s general theme. Certainly, the quality of Shakespeare’s spoken and sung words is without debate. The composers, too, who set his words to music, are superior: Emma Lou Diemer, Thomas Morley, Cole Porter, John Rutter, and Leonard Bernstein.

William Shakespeare's influence exceeds that of many historical figures. Four hundred years after his death, contemporary writers, actors and filmmakers continue to find inspiration in his work. Filled with quotable quotes and commonly used words and phrases that he originated, his plays touch on timeless themes of love and friendship and incorporate characters that are real and recognizable. “Shakespeare Spoken and Sung” provides an accessible portal into Shakespeare’s view of human behavior, the comedy and tragedy of life observed through carefully chosen scenes and songs, and eliminates the fear and frustration frequently associated with watching an entire Shakespearian play.

The Rude Mechanicals just completed their eleventh season of highly successful outdoor summer performances of Shakespeare in the Park. Affectionately referred to as “Shakespeare Camp,” the Rude Mechanicals is comprised of University of Alabama students and community theatre artists. Co-founder and musical director, Mark Hughes Cobb composes original music for each production and works with Steve Burch to co-produce The Rude Mechanicals, and Deborah Parker serves as company manager.

Taken from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” The Rude Mechanicals refers to Quince and his six artisans, referred to as “Rude Mechanicals” by Puck, who must put on a show in order to please the Duke.

Prentice Concert Chorale is an auditioned choir of professional and amateur singers joining to perform major works of choral literature, original compositions by local composers (including commissioned pieces), and high quality choral music of all genres, from classics to pop. Founded inDispatch 1970 as Tuscaloosa Community Singers, Prentice Concert Chorale has been and is actively engaged in the local Tuscaloosa and West Alabama communities. Beyond its Tuscaloosa home, Prentice Chorale has recently performed in Demopolis and this past season presented free concerts in Greensboro and Brent. Prentice Chorale’s most recent events include invited performances at the 2013 Alabama Choral Director’s Summer Celebration Workshop and at the gala opening of the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center.

5. They Settle in Quickly Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time!

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