Planet Weekly 474

>>> N E W S | T H E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

NEWS

CHAMBER AMBASSADORS // FUTURE LEADERS Chamber Ambassadors Sought Applications are being accepted for our Ambassador program.

Any employee of a member firm is eligible. Term is one year and the group meets once a month. Our active Ambassadors group is designed to bridge members with services provided by the Chamber. Ambassadors welcome new members and share ways to get the most of a membership through an informal mentor relationship. They serve as greeters at our events and generally foster good will. This personal contact is a pleasant surprise to the member and a networking experience for the ambassador.

Also, the program has proven to develop future Chamber leaders. Click here for an application. Deadline for submission is Dec. 31. Call 758-7588 for details.

Home Fit Consulting Opens Home Fit Consulting is Alabama's largest in-home personal training team,

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proudly serving Tuscaloosa and the surrounding communities. It specializes in training medical and business professionals, who are chronically busy with no time to make it to the gym. HomeFit provides you with the personal attention of a Fitness Consultant in the comfort of your own home or office.

Visit www.homefitconsulting.com to learn more.

WTI Transport Hosts Open House WTI Transport, Inc. celebrated its new Tuscaloosa facilities on 7300 Commerce Dr. with an Open House on Dec 1. Events involved a ribbon cutting, dedication of the new Willie James Barnes

Drivers suite, and a presentation to Steve Rumsey commemorating 25 years of service and association. WTI Transport, Inc., founded in 1989, is a Tuscaloosa-based, flatbed carrier with 400 driver associates and 70 staff members. It is a member of the Daseke family of companies.

Massaged Life & Wellness Academy Opens This new school in town offers a strong Therapeutic Massage Program including Massage Theory & Practice, Kinesiology, Yoga, Eastern Modalities, Clinical/Medical Massage, Spa Techniques & more. The spa it houses offers massages by professional & student practitioners. Address is 3518 Loop Rd., Ste. 1 in Tuscaloosa.

Learn more at www.mlwacademy.com or call (205)248-7416.

The Trunk Heybama.com has moved its storefront to The Strip. Address is 1217 University Blvd.

The Trunk is owned by Alabama alumni and has been providing a host of official Alabama merchandise and apparel since 1946. It does custom work for UA fraternities, sororities, and the Athletic Department. It also has a selection of clothing for women and men as well as toys and apparel for the young Bama fans in your family! For details, drop by the store, visit the website or call 1-800-HEYBAMA Wishing you a

Never-Ending Season

The Trunk Relocates to The Strip

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

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>>> planetweeklyissue474

STORIES 4 THE WATER IS WIDE // CARMEN SISSON

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 23 ADONIS THOMAS COMMITS // Gary Harris

A review of a Pat Conroy book

5 BOLDEST CHRISTMAS TRADITION // PRESTON THOMPSON

The 45th annual Hilaritous concert PUBLISHER L I N DA W. JOHN S ON MANAGING EDITOR BE R T PAUL S EN ASSISTANT EDITOR W I L L I AM BA R S HOP COVER DESIGN L AU R A L I N E B E R R Y EVENTS WILLIAM BARSHOP ROAD TRIP T R E Y B R OOK S PRODUCTION HERB NEU

IMAGES Creative Common License unless otherwise credited.

ADVERTISING 205.792.7 239 205.765- 8007

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS WILLIAM BARSHOP CARA BRAKE TREY BROOKS A LY X C H A N D L E R JORDAN CISSELL GARY HARRIS SHEENAH GREGG KEVIN LEDGEWOOD ALANA NORRIS BRETT REID JON ROGERS VA N R O B E R T S CARMEN SISSON STEPHEN SMITH PRESTON THOMPSON

Planet Weekly P. O . B o x 2 3 1 5 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 Phone: 205.792.7239 |

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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. © 2014 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 four copies without expressed permission of the publisher shall be deemed to have committed theft. The views and opinions of the authors of articles appearing in this publication may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Publisher.

6 SOON TO OPEN // ALANA NORRIS Alberta School of Performing Arts

7 MUSIC STREAMING SITES // TREY BROOKS Are they fair to artists?

8 TOP 40 DEMOCRACY // WILLIAM BARSHOP Interview with author and UA professor Eric Weisbard

11 CHRISTMAS BEER // BRETT REID Good alternative to eggnog

17 HOLIDAY ACOUSTIC NIGHT // KEVIN LEDGEWOOD Celebs to raise funds for Druid City Garden Project

FEATURE 22 FILLING A NEED // Stephen Smith

ENTERTAINMENT 10-12 15

RESTAURANT GUIDE / WINE & BEER

MOVIE REVIEW

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LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

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ROAD TRIP

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LOCAL MUSIC

20 PUZZLEMANIA 21 HOROSCOPE

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DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

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>>> B O O K R E V I E W | CARMEN SISSON

THE WATER IS WIDE // EASY TO LOSE YOURSELF IN

Photo: Raul Lieberwirth/flickr/cc

A few years ago, I would have told you that the South Pat Conroy describes — the pitiable state of its education system, the political machinations, the injustices both slight and great—was a mercifully vanquished scourge, visible only in history books and dusty museums.

Then I became an education reporter at a small Mississippi daily newspaper, caught in the middle of a racial divide navigated not by violence in the streets but by broad, sweeping pen strokes, bangs of the gavel, midnight phone calls, and executive sessions.

The city school system was a disaster, rife with poverty, negligence, apathy, and illiteracy. Each year, the schools failed state test scores by appalling levels. Systems all around were being overtaken by the state, as will likely be the fate of that one. Slick "conservators" in nice suits will show up for a few years, draw large salaries, and accomplish nothing other than lip service to the traditions that continue to strangle the South.

The county school system was a shining example of desegregation's unintentional legacy: private academies masquerading as public schools.

It would be a mistake to assume that all Southern cities are like this, that no progress has been made, that black children are doomed from birth, that racial inequality is the sole obstacle for Southern schools, or that a handful of do-gooders can transform decades of mistrust between all parties.

I will not divulge the end to Conroy's story, but I will say that he dispels the notion of the white savior and the black savage, instead disrobing all of humanity for the reader to reflect upon.

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

The Water is Wide, published by Random House

LEARN MORE AT WWW.FUTUREFIRST.US

Painting: Kathy Hiers

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If none of that strikes your fancy, you might be pleased to note that The Water is Wide is also a good story, easy to lose yourself in, which is sometimes all a person wants from a book.

And though I am a big fan of Conroy's sometimes over-the-top, melodramatic prose, it is, for the most part, subdued in this early effort.

I enjoyed my time in Conroy's classroom, and though I would have liked to have explored more of the island, it was still a memorable trip to a place I might otherwise never have seen.

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>>> P E R F O R M A N C E | P R E S T O N T H O M P S O N

HILARITAS // BOLDEST CHRISTMAS TRADITION

The furry monsters from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc don’t usually deliver worldclass choral performances, but Hilaritas is no ordinary show. Earlier this month, Peanuts characters joined in song with Princess Elsa of Frozen and Cindy Lou Who when the University Singers dressed up for their annual Christmas performance, in silly costumes that defy the professional talent that has captivated the University of Alabama for generations.

On Dec 5 and 7, the University of Alabama School of Music presented the 45th annual Hilaritas Christmas special.

Featuring three of the University’s finest musical ensembles, Hilaritas has long been a staple of the Tuscaloosa holiday season. The University Singers performed beloved classics like "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" with the accompaniment of the various Alabama orchestras. The Alabama Jazz Ensemble rounded out a diverse program, belting out a cool rendition of "You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch" along other classics.

Hilaritas first hit the stage in 1969, back when Bear Bryant still led the Crimson Tide football team. Since then, fans have packed the seats at the School of Music for the opportunity to see UA’s finest performers celebrate the holidays.

The orchestra consists of string players from the Huxford Symphony Orchestra, brass players from the UA Wind Ensemble, and members of the UA Jazz Ensemble. This cornucopia of talent is coached and conducted by Christopher Kozak, the director of jazz studies at the university. Although it presents a challenge, Professor Kozak relishes in the idea of not only bringing together the music community, but the Tuscaloosa community as well.

“Hilaritas is a truly diverse showing for the school of music. Every aspect

of what we do is showcased in the music we have selected,” Kozak said. “Beautiful choral pieces, challenging orchestrations, and Jazz Big Band music is programmed as well a traditional holiday tunes that many of us grew up on are present. It really is a joy to see all of our students come together and perform for our community and fellow students at the University of Alabama.”

Kozak puts in a lot of hours in the winter months preparing for the show, but he is in good company at the UA School of Music.

“Sharing the responsibility of preparing, directing and conducting for the concert came along with all of the other duties as Director of Jazz Studies,” Kozak said. “It is a wonderful collaboration with my colleague, Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Conducting, Dr. John Ratledge.”

Ratledge is conducting for his fourth year at the University, but is a more than accomplished professional in his own right. As a world-renowned musician, Ratledge leads the University singers into the holiday’s with beautiful choral arrangements.

“I like that it gives us a chance to get creative and perform a variety of music that both the choir and the audience can really connect to and enjoy,” said standout Junior soprano Lauren Goldfuss. “It's just a fun program that gets everyone involved, smiling, and into the holiday spirit,”

Goldfuss is one of many talented students that perform in the University Singers, a group that since it’s inception has been building a reputation across the country. The students seamlessly switch from Brahms and Beethoven, to the Christmas classics as the season goes on. Goldfuss performed a solo work entitled "Breath of Heaven," a song first performed by Christian music and pop singer Amy Grant, with an arrangement by Craig Courtney.

The students also enhance the experience with another form of creativity. Each year, the university singers are asked to divide themselves into groups of four.

These groups are then charged with coming up with a Christmas theme to decorate themselves with. For example, a Disney movie Christmas could bring a youthful charm to the stage. Not only do you get put in the Christmas spirit, but Woody from Toy Story and Beast from Beauty

and the Beast will sing your favorite holiday tunes.

“Working together with a group of friends and coming up with a theme for each quartet is a lot of fun and our costumes and decorations always give the audience a laugh,” Goldfuss said. “It's a creative bonus that really adds to the overall holiday experience of everyone involved.”

Themes this year included Monsters Inc., How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frozen, Charlie Brown, and others. The Grinch competed with Lucy van Pelt for biggest Christmas grump, while Sully and Princess Anna were all smiles. The stage was yet again bursting with cheer and decorations, as Hilaritas audiences have known for more than 40 years.

The 45th performance of Hilaritas was up to the task, starting this year's holiday season on a high note.

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

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

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>>> EDUCATION | AL ANA N OR R IS

ALBERTA SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS // FROM CATASTROPHE TO CELEBRATION

An empty stage is waiting like a blank slate for a performer and a story at the new Alberta School of Performing Arts.

Anticipation is rising for a community that is building back after being 65 percent destroyed by the April 27, 2011 tornado.

The Alberta Elementary School facility that was built in 2000 was flattened. The Alberta School of Performing Arts will take its place in 2015.

This school will be the first of its kind in this district. The school board and superintendent used community input to examine the district and saw a need: No other county or private schools in the area have a performing arts-driven curriculum or facility. Because of the singular nature of the program, the elementary school is being built to accommodate a middle school. School board member Marvin Lucas wants to eventually expand the performing arts curriculum to one of the high schools.

The new school has been hard work for Fine Arts Coordinator Jeffrey Schultz and Principal Brenda Parker who attended conferences to learn ways of integrating the performing arts curriculum with traditional subjects. This year the elementary children are being exposed to the new curriculum through music and art classes.

Schultz said the four fine arts fields are dance, theater, music, and art. In fourth and fifth grade students will dive deeper into individual interests like guitar or piano.

“The offerings expand in terms of detail, so that instead of just a broad music now you might actually work on a specific instrument,” Schultz said.

Then sixth through eighth grades will have intensive arts study through collaborations with their classmates in musical theater and other performances.

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“We might do a show that involves a chorus with soloists that is backed up by musicians on the instruments playing music that is danced to so that all of those things are working together,” Schultz said.

The performing arts labs boast large inside windows where people can watch without disturbing the class. A 300-seat theater for performances can be accessed for community needs without having to enter the school. The facility encloses two courtyards one of which has a mini ample theater that can be used for learning and performances. The hall of classrooms that split the courtyard doubles as a storm shelter that’s windows can be locked by thick metal doors and concrete in the ceiling. The facility is being funded by insurance and FEMA money as well as the one-cent sales tax.

The building has a way to go before opening in January, but workers are toiling six, sometimes seven-day weeks to complete the facility. Many of the classrooms are in the final stages with wallpaper and bookshelves going up and science labs in place. Bleachers are being installed in the gym this week. A second floor is available if the school ever needs to expand.

“The classrooms are a lot larger than some of the classrooms we’ve had in other schools because you have students working more in project based learning more now than the traditional way of lining up desks in rows,” Lucas said.

Tuscaloosa Magnet School was fortunate enough to have spare room for Albert Elementary students just a week after the storm. While Parker has appreciated the hospitality, the logistics of having Alberta Elementary with Tuscaloosa Elementary and Middle Magnet schools in one building has been challenging.

The school board adopted enrollment guidelines at the Nov. 4 meeting.

These guidelines say applications to the new performing arts school will be due in January 2015 and auditions will begin in February. Applications consist of letters of recommendation in addition to submitting a piece of artistic work as in an audio or video recording or an art portfolio. All K through third-grade residents zoned in Alberta will be accepted in the elementary school. Alberta zoned students in grades four and five will attend the school with students from outside the residential zone who wish to apply. Approximately 25 spots are open for both grade levels. Students in grades six through eight will be purely applicants, and all Alberta zoned residents will go to Eastwood Middle School unless they wish to apply. Around 50 spots are available for each middle school grade level.

Lucas said for this to be a true performing arts school there has to be an audition process. Parker said they have already presented and reviewed the purposed guidelines and have not heard any negative feedback. Shultz agreed saying minor changes will be made, but the basic format is in place. The community is open to bringing

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students from other parts of the city into their school because they want Alberta to thrive.

The elementary school will open in January. The middle school will open in August.

Parker is emotional about moving into the new building. The milestone is a momentous occasion for the school family after being displaced for two and a half years.

“Having lost our school in the tornado, there will be a lot of joy and celebration to get to move back to the original site and get to have a home school again,” Parker said.

While the tornado left the Alberta community completely devastated, the opportunities that have come from it are encouraging to Tuscaloosa.

>>> M U S I C | T R E Y B R O O K S

MUSIC STREAMING SITES // ARE THEY FAIR TO ARTISTS? // TAYLOR SWIFT SENDS SHOCKWAVES Taylor Swift now, Metallica was already a platinum-selling band and didn’t need the exposure Napster provided. Groups like Dispatch, who were not getting much run on radio or MTV, saw their profiles raised significantly through the service.

After Napster, for-pay sites such as iTunes, Spotify and Rhapsody became the norm for streaming or downloading music on the internet. However, these sites have been criticized for giving artists a much lower percentage of profits than they saw from traditional record sales. With the industry quickly heading towards downloads being the main source of music for consumers, many artists have been vocal about the need to change the business models of these sites.

As an artist, Taylor Swift is in a unique position on this subject. Her career began and rose during the height of services such as iTunes. She has also benefitted from an incredible amount of media exposure, due in large part to her ability to be relevant in both the pop and coun-

Since the 1990’s, recording artists have seemingly had a love/hate relationship with the internet. On one hand, the medium allows gives exposure to artists on an unequaled scale. And selfpublishing done over the web has allowed some musicians to bypass the normal means of distribution. However, the “wild west” nature of the internet has also led to massive copyright infringement and other issues with revenue collection. Recently, the spotlight in this ever evolving narrative has shone on the streaming site Spotify.

Spotify, which lets users stream songs instantly or use an internet radio, pays for the rights to provide these songs by selling advertising space on its various platforms. However, the percentage of revenue they give to artists has been criticized by the artists themselves. The issue came to the forefront when pop/ country artist Taylor Swift pulled her music off the site. Swift is one of the best-selling artists in the music industry today, so los-

try markets. She has, without a doubt, benefitted from digital sales throughout her career. But she is also financially stable enough to afford pulling her music off Spotify and famous enough to promote sales anyways. This is not a criticism of Swift, just noting that she is in a position that allows her to do things other artists cannot afford.

Like Napster, Spotify has its defenders in the industry. Dave Grohl, the lead singer of the Foo Fighters, expressed the sentiment that recordings themselves are promotional material to encourage fans to attend live performances. While profits from record sales have long been the main source of income for artists, with the dynamic changing in the digital age the live show has become more important than ever to the livelihood of many groups.

What happens next will be interesting to watch, but I think we can all agree that Taylor Swift has sent the first major shockwave of the for-pay era of music on the internet.

ing her music was a major blow to Spotify.

Furthermore, her actions brought back the question of just how fair are the business practices of streaming sites.

The issue has certainly been raised before regarding how much control artists should have over how their music is shared over the internet. Probably the most famous case involved the site Napster back in 1999. Napster allowed users to freely share audio files with each other.

Record companies and artists alike saw this practice as copyright infringement and took the site’s creators to court. Top-selling heavy metal band Metallica famously testified against the service. However, other artists such as Dispatch and Chuck D defended the site. Eventually, the courts ruled against Napster and the service was forced to discontinue. Napster would relaunch as a for-pay music site, but it never repeated its success.

The Napster case also showed a divide in the music community. Like

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DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

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

TOP 40 DEMOCRACY // DIFFERENT KINDS OF "NORMAL" Would you believe Dolly Parton was born in the same year as President Bill Clinton? They seem to have come from entirely different eras, but they were both born in the first year of the Baby Boomer generation, 1946.

“Our immediate assumption is that a Baby Boomer went to Woodstock, a Baby Boomer listened to rock music and Bob Dylan, and that’s kind of true for Bill Clinton,” said Eric Weisbard, a University of Alabama professor of American studies. “Not so true for Dolly Parton. That shows that you can have two figures, both preeminent Southerners, same age, different paths.”

Parton took the path from a rural upbringing to the highest level of celebrity ever seen by a country singer, hopping across cultural boundaries with songs like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” as stepping stones. When she had the

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attention of every Southerner with two ears and a heart, she tweaked the formula to pull in the rest of the nation with “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5.”

“The minute Dolly Parton was a start on the Johnny Carson Show, she decided ‘I’m gonna switch formats. I’m gonna go from a country music figure to a crossover superstar,’” Weisbard said. “And she pulled it off, and she’s had misgivings ever since, but it was a momentous achievement.”

Those spots on Johnny Carson were a big moment for country, a leap into a new world, and Weisbard dissects the moment in detail with his new book, Top 40 Democracy. The sharp, detailed history of the mainstream looks at a success story like Dolly’s, and sees a mirror image of the radio format she climbed to the top.

“Country music, when Dolly Parton starts, is an AM radio format with the Grand Ole Opry and some syndicated television shows,” Weisbard said. “By the time Dolly Parton is hitting her peak, there’s 2000 radio stations across America playing country music.”

She built up a kingdom, then left it for a bigger one, and country fans have been cynical of genre-traitors ever since. See the public scourging of Taylor Swift for repeated history. Parton cashed in on a superhuman knack for being loved everywhere she goes, and cashed in enough to build an amusement park about herself.

“She’s this person who could be at home with evangelical Christians one minute and drag queens the next minutes,” Weisbard said. “You have to pay attention to someone like that.”

Top 40 Democracy looks at not just the mainstream, but multiple mainstreams as different groups of people in America saw it. Throughout the past few generations, white Southerners have been experiencing a different America than urban blacks, and the DNA of those different experiences can be traced in the waves of country and R&B music.

“What I focused on was a very particular thing: how we ended up with commercial music in the form that it started to take in the 1970s,” Weisbard said. “That was the decade that cars started to have FM as much as AM radio.”

With the introduction of FM radio channels, a station could cater to a specific prototype –™œone version of “normal” – and get narrower and narrower as that type of person started listening.

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

Continued from previous page More and more, anyone could flip through a time. the channels and find something that was PW: What does that mean for hip-hop designed just for them. now, where a rap verse on a pop song “Unlike a blockbuster movie, which is seems obligatory to appeal to the widest competing with other blockbuster movies audience? . . . music was ahead of the curve with Ten years ago, almost all top 40 music seeing the audience as divided,” Weishad a strong hip-hop beat, and it was easy bard said. “Instead of having one station for songs from R&B radio to cross over that played all the hits all the time, you and become a top 40 hit. These days, that have a situation where almost anywhere has really shifted. The sound that is the you went, there were different kinds of underpinning of top 40 is more of an EDM normal. Anytime you listen to the radio dance sound. As a result, it’s become . . . it feels like you’re encountering the harder for rhythm and blues songs to have ‘normal’ world. Everything is mainstream. top 40 success. Incredibly successful figEverything has the widest possible apures like Beyonce, who sell tons of albums peal.” and pack stadiums, now find it harder to But what does it mean if there’s have top 40 hits than a decade ago. Even five different versions of this normal? It within these mainstreams, the rules of the means that every tailor-made radio format road can change a lot. reflects something about the people We get so caught up in whatever three listening. Dolly Parton was something year period we’re living in, we tend to think country music listeners were asking for, that whatever is happening in that period and something they can’t decide if they should define the prior history of music. really want again. Weisbard sat down with It’s was all building up to these past three the Planet Weekly to talk about the book, years!

Bruno Mars’ ethnicity and the therapy What’s nice about looking at these long channel. Here are chunks of time is you some questions and start to see cycles. answers from the One moment country "One moment country conversation. music is having a music is having a big big boom, the next Planet Weekly: moment New York is boom, the next moment When someone begoing ten years withNew York is going ten comes more successout a country radio ful than anyone would station. You start to years without a country have thought they see how, for all that could be, does that pop music moves radio station." say something about quickly, it’s actually the audience? structured around Eric Weisbard: social divisions that There’s a great line about country music don’t change that fast. that a writer called Patrick Carr uses. . .

PW: You mention Dolly having a conHe says “Nashville has always accepted nection with Jimmy Carter, too. You can success.” I love that notion. Why wouldn’t look at these things as somewhat repreyou accept success! If you’re not defining senting the zeitgeist. Does that carry over yourself around a musical ideal, if you’re for politicians from the 70s on? not saying “everything has to sound this EW: If you remember that politics is way,” then if someone comes in with a new also about . . . feeling like a citizen, feeling way of doing things, you say “sure.” like you’re part of a community. You have Here’s the one thing. What is the case, a strong voice in your society. Who you there are styles of music that have very are is as valid and vital as anybody else much defined themselves as taking issue is, that leads you more to how music rewith music formats. As having kind of really functions politically. I think that music bellious attitude towards that. In the case sometimes is about direct messages, but of rock, it’s because part of the countercul- more it’s about feeling like you belong in ture of what a rock figure was doing was to the world, and that you’re confident see the music as resisting commercialism.

Right now I think top 40 is often a place There was always, to this day, a tension in for people who are multiracial or people rock. Should rock be allowed to be a radio who are immigrants. I always think of Bruformat? Does the best rock resist that? no Mars as someone who’s from this very In hip-hop it’s a little bit different. It’s complicated ethnicity. We’re not exactly less about issues of commercialism, and sure of all the elements of his background. it’s more about the fact that when hip-hop emerged, rhythm and blues was often quite resistant to playing rap songs on radio. Hip-hop used non-radio means to promote itself. There were underground mixtapes, there was street marketing, there were all sorts of ways until about the mid-1990s when R&B radio accepted success and said “come on in.”

Those are two categories of very important music that have a touchy relationship to radio. . . I’m at least as interested in that, in how one kind of genre might resist another category or format. I’m less interested in a quirky individual figure who Paul Hornsby might be seen to challenge the system for

So where is he at home? He’s at home in top 40. He becomes – like Rihanna, who also has a kind of complicated lineage – a symbol of how America is becoming increasingly a multiracial place where people come from a variety of different backgrounds.

I think me miss the point somewhat with music if we only look to direct political ends, although they’re fun when we spot them. What we should more concentrate on is how, in a sense, commercial music provides a different version of what in presidential terms is sometimes called the “bully pulpit.” The large platform from which to announce who you are and what your message is. Music does that but it does it more symbolically.

PW: Now especially, you see a lot of “me” and “we” and songs that say “I’m important” and “I’m special.”

EW: It’s fascinating to me that Mary Blige just put out a song called “Therapy.”

And it’s a great song because the adult contemporary format has increasingly been like the therapy channel for music.

It’s a place where you think of a Kelly Clarkson song like “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.” You think of messages that are kind of like an affirmation through music.

Formats like top 40 and adult contemporary in particular have become dominated by women as listeners and become much more open to women as performers. We have a funny thing where we do have black-oriented radio, and in country

something that’s more Southern-oriented.

We don’t necessarily have formats that build themselves as women-oriented, but in a sense, top 40 and adult contemporary become the women-oriented aspects of mainstream culture. They become important places for women’s voices to be heard. It’s interesting to me that it had to happen in crossover, in mediated music. The categories of music that don’t proclaim their identity quite as overtly.

Nonetheless, it happens there.

Some of the “me” and “we” in music can be seen in this therapeutic sense, so thank you Mary Blige.

Eric Weisbard’s book Top 40 Democracy is available via University of Chicago Press. You can get it in paperback or hardcover on Amazon, for the music or pop culture junkie on your Christmas list.

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

Eric Weisbard

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

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>>> RESTAURANTS |

>>> WINE REVIEW | J O N R O G E R S

TWO REVIEWS // OLD ZIN VINES ZINFANDEL // MACMURRAY PINOT NOIR Pepperoni Pizza. So, give that a shot!

OZV Zinfandel price about $13.00 – $14.00. Recommend!

MacMurray Pinot Noir MacMurray Pinot Noir comes to us from the Central Coast region of California, USA. For this review, I tasted the MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 2012.

On the back of the bottle was an interesting story about the history of the MacMurray Ranch.

Back in the 1940’s, the MacMurray Ranch was purchased by actor Fred MacMurray (of My Three Sons fame). He farmed it and raised cattle there for fifty years.

Now, the ranch is home to the vineyards from which MacMurray creates their wine.

Alcohol content of MacMurray Pinot Noir 14.8% by volume, per the bottle.

MacMurray Pinot NoirIn the glass, this wine exhibits colors of light plum and cherry. A good amount of light shines through, as would be expected for a Pinot Noir. Legs are fairly wide and thick. But, not overly numerous.

On the nose, I sensed aromas of cherry and maybe a hint of vanilla. It’s an enjoyable aroma with little noticeable alcohol, even for a 14.8% wine.

Taste of the MacMurray Pinot Noir was of more cherry and a little bit of tobacco .

But, mostly just classic Pinot Noir which to me has its own unique flavor.

The wine’s finish was fairly long lasting. Mouthfeel was of cotton. This wine is pretty dry for a Pinot Noir. It’s similar to the dryness and mouthfeel you’d find in a typical Cabernet Sauvignon.

Overall, I found this wine to be very enjoyable. I especially liked the “pure Pinot” taste and the bit of similarity to the dryness of a Cabernet.

This wine would go great with grilled or roasted chicken or turkey. Recommend!

Price paid for MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir 2012 was $18.99. A little pricey but definitely worth it, in this case.

OZV Zinfandel comes from the Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi, California. For this review I tasted the 2012 OZV (Old Zin Vines), which is actually a blend of 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah.

This wine’s grapes come from 50 – 100 year old Lodi vines.

Lodi is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California that is well known for its old vine Zinfandel. The Oak Ridge Winery was founded in 1934 and recently transformed by Rudy Maggio and Don and Rocky Reynolds.

OZV Zinfandel has won several 90+ awards over the years, including 95 points, Gold at the California State Fair.

In the glass, this wine is light plum in color with garnet reflections. It showed many medium sized legs on the sides of the glass.

Aroma of the OZV Zinfandel was strong and enjoyable. It reminded me of two things. First, blackberry jam.

Second, the smell of a jelly filled chocolate candy. Like you’d find in a box of chocolates.

There was also a muted whiff of alcohol in the aroma. Alcohol content of OZV Zinfandel 13.95% per the tasting notes.

The wine’s taste carried the aroma forward. Noticed were jammy flavors and mocha. This wine’s taste is quite rich and sweet compared to other Zinfandels you might try.

Mouthfeel was creamy. Soft tannins were noticed on the sides of the tongue.

Finish of the OZV Zinfandel was very long and lingering. The sweetness lasted on the palate for quite some time.

Overall, although I was surprised by the sweetness of this wine, I really liked it! It’s very different and will definitely appeal to the current “dark” flavor trend in Red Wines these days.

It’s almost on its way to a port or dessert style wine, in term of its flavor.

I would suggest sipping this on its own versus The MacMurray Ranch trying to pair it with a speMore wine reviews by Jon Rogers at www. cific food. However, OZV recommends honestwinereviews.com pairing it with Memphis-style BBQ ribs or

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DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

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

BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Brown Bag 9425 Jones Road | Northport // 333.0970 Its speciality, fried green tomatoes, joins barbecue plates and fish filets on an extended list of meats and vegetables.

Tues 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Wed-Sat 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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 Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd *402 | Tuscaloosa // 366.8780 Quick Grill 1208 University Blvd | The Strip | Tuscaloosa // 342.0022

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.

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 // 556.4112 Eclectic menu, extensive wine list. Dinner at Kozy’s is a romantic experience complete with candlelight and a roaring fireplace. |killionrestaurants.com/kozys/ Twin 3700 6th St, Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa Country Club | 758-7528 | http://twinpowersactivate.com Certified USDA Prime Steaks; specialty Sushi and cocktails.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 5 – 10 p.m.

JAPANESE

Rama Jama’s 1000 Bryant Dr // 750.0901 Closest restaurant to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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.

Sweet Home Food Bar 2218 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 764-9346 Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bento Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar 1306 University Blvd // 758.7426

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 Mariachi 3520 McFarland Blvd E |Tuscaloosa // 409-8585 El Rincon (2 locations) 1225 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 366.0855 1726 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.1274

Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant 607 15th Street Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ichiban Japanese Grill & Sushi 502 15th Street // 752.8844 Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar 6521 Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 366.1177 Offers steak, seafood, tempura, teriyaki and sushi. Including cooking at your table, if you choose. Sun–Thurs 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri & Sat 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

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

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

Avenue Pub 405 23rd Avenue

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

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

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

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

LaGran Fiesta 9770 Hwy 69 S // 345.8871 Los Calientes Mexican Grill 3429 McFarland Blvd E // 553.1558 Los Tarascos (2 locations) 1759 Skyland Blvd // 553.8896 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 330.0919 Margarita's Grill 1241 McFarland Blvd E // 343.0300 Moe’s Southwest Grill (2 locations) 2330 McFarland Blvd E // 342.1487 1130 University Blvd // 752.0234 moes.com Pepito’s (2 locations) 1203 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9028 1301 McFarland Blvd NE // 391.4861 Taco Mama 2104 A University Blvd, Tuscaloosa 409.8173

FINE DINING

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m.

Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials: Monday $20 Bottles of Wine; Tuesday - Ladies Night 1/2 off Domestic Beer and House Wine, Select $5 Martinis, $2 off Select Sushi Rolls for Everyone; Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp; Featured Cocktails and $20 Bottles of Wine.

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.

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Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.345.4343 Mellow Mushroom 2230 University Blvd // 758.0112 Pizzas, calzones, hoagies and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. www.mellowmushroom.com 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

Avenue Pub 405 23rd Avenue // Tuscaloosa The pub offers a different menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Feature foods include pineapple French toast, pork sliders, and a house burger which changes daily. The drink menu features specialty cocktails, local pints, bottled beer, and wine.

Monday through Friday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday Noon – 11 p.m., Sunday Noon p.m. – 9 p.m.

Big Daddy’s Cafe 514 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 759.9925 The Blue Plate Restaurant (Was Northport Diner) 450 McFarland Blvd, Northport // 462-3626 Brumfield's Restaurant 4851 Rice Mine Road | Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Buddy’s Ribs & Steaks 2701 Bridge Ave | Northport // 339.4885 Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd // 523.0273 Mon–Wed 11 a.m. - midnight | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Chicken Salad Chick The Shoppes at Midtown & Essex Square, Northport | Said to be the very best chicken salad that can be found anywhere.

>>> RESTAURANTS |

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

www.chickensaladchick.com Chili’s 1030 Skyland Blvd | Near McFarland Mall // 750.8881 Fax: 758.7715 // www.chilis.com Dave’s Dogs 1701 McFarland Blvd E | University Mall // 722.2800 Five Guys Burgers & Fries 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0575 www.fiveguys.com Glory Bound Gyro Company 2325 University Blvd // 349-0505 Glory Bound Gyro Company is a unique restaurant that focuses on great food and service in a funky, fun-filled atmosphere.

Open Mon-Thu: 11am - 10pm | Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm | Sun: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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.

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 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 vegetables Mon–Fri 10:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Champs Sports Grille 320 Paul Bryant Drive | inside Four Points Sheraton Hotel // 752.3200 Breakfast and lunch buffets. Sunday brunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hooter’s 5025 Oscar Baxter Dr | Next to Jameson Inn // 758.3035 Wings, clams, shrimp and of course the Hooters Girls www.hooters.com Innisfree Irish Pub 1925 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199 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 Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers.

Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts Wilhagan’s 2209 4th St | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 366.0913 Wings U 1800 McFarland Blvd East Suite 218 | Pick-up Tuscaloosa // 561.3984 Features the first coal-fired pizza oven in Alabama.

Owned by former UA/Miami Dolphins great Bob Baumhower.

Completely open concept! www.wingsu.com WingZone 1241 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 342.2473

BARBEQUE

Archibald & Woodrow's BBQ 4215 Greensboro Ave | Tuscaloosa // 331.4858 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Sun lunch Bama BBQ & Grill 3380 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.9816 Dickey's BBQ 9770 Alabama 69; Midtown; and 13544 Hwy 43 North at Rose Blvd. in Northport. Great Texas Barbecue. | 344.6500 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 (2 locations) Highway 11 | Cottondale // 554.1815 3420 Alabama 69 | Northport // 333.5848 Menu: thepotterygrill.com Awesome barbecue. The Pottery Grill serves up everything from pork, chicken, ribs and sausage to burgers, hot dogs and salads. Take-out and catering available.

Tee’s Ribs and Thangs 1702 10th Avenue // 366.9974 |11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily

STEAKS

The Southern Dining Room Grill (Behind Ryan's) 4251 Courtney Dr, Tuscaloosa 331-4043

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

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

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

Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers.

Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts.

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 Billy's Sports Grill Historic Downtown Northport / 879.2238 Good food, beverages and family friendly Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. (Sunday Brunch 10:30am-3pm).

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

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 Twin Restaurant 3700 6th Street |Tuscaloosa | 758-7528 A full service restaurant specializing in Sushi, Prime Steaks, made fresh daily pasta, and whiskey oriented cocktails. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. // Former Tuscaloosa Country Club

SEAFOOD

Chuck’s Fish 508 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 248.9370 Monday - Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 5-11 p.m.

Steak, seafood, & sushi specialities. Daily specials: Monday $20 Bottles of Wine; Tuesday - Ladies Night 1/2 off Domestic Beer and House Wine, Select $5 Martinis, $2 off Select Sushi Rolls for Everyone; Uptown Wednesday - $6 Uptown Shrimp; Featured Cocktails and $20 Bottles of Wine.

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 & Temerson Square

>>> BEER REVIEW | B R E T T R E I D

CHRISTMAS BEER // A GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO EGGNOG

I grabbed three holiday-themed beers to try out. There was a method to my deciding: grab one I’ve had, one I’ve heard of, and one I know nothing about. This proved to be a great decision-making process.

A lthough it may not feel like it, we’re neck deep in the Christmas season. This time of year produces a lot of things I’m not really fond of: Christmas music, gatherings with relatives you rarely see, and egg nog. I’m sorry if you like that stuff, but it’s super gross and should be eliminated. But that's just me talking. There are a few things that I think are great and should be celebrated: like holiday-themed beers, of course! Dark beers are usually commonplace, but sometimes things can get mixed up a little and you get something that is completely unexpected.

So, for the sake of being a literal “drunk uncle”, I grabbed three holiday themed beers from Hop City in Birmingham to try out. There was a method to my deciding: grab one I’ve had, one I’ve heard of, and one I know nothing about. This proved to be a great decision making process, because if all else fails, I still have a beer I know I like in the end.

Something I consider when determining if a beer fits the season depends on a few characteristics. Does it warm my insides for these brisk winter nights (I know we don’t have many of those, so just imagine we live above this second equator that lies somewhere below the Tennessee Valley,) does it embrace the tones and flavors of the winter, and is it a somewhat limited release? All of these factors play a part in my evaluation, because it’s not really a good holiday beer if it’s available all year, right?

With that being said, the first beer I grabbed was the Shiner Holiday Cheer, a Dunkelweizen that incorporates pecans and oranges into a dark brew made available only in the winter months, the Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hopped IPA, a beer I had heard from several reputable sources that vouched that this was the beer of the season, and, finally, a beer that I had never heard of, the Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve, which is a traditional American Red Ale that is also only available in the winter months.

This is my first time to review three beers in one article, so pardon me if my words start to ramble; I’m drinking these back to back to back. Here are my thoughts:

Cheer, an old favorite that I discovered a few years ago. A lot of people have their own opinions about Shiner and the beers they make, but I have never really had anything that has made me develop distaste for and of their products. This brew only added to my affinitive love for Shiner beers; regardless if they are one of the biggest craft breweries in the country (behind Sam Adams,) because just because it’s a big brewery doesn’t mean they can’t make quality options. Anyways, I poured this beer into a Good People pint glass and settled in with an old favorite.

The beer pours a slightly clear brown with red hue, could be considered cranberry, but we’re not talking about paint swatches. About two finger widths of fluffy head, slightly off-white, without any significant lacing on the glass. When you smell this beer, you’re immediately hit with the scent of roasted nuts and ripe peaches. You can pick up some slightly less pronounced notes in the background that favor the malt and barley, but nothing worth noting extensively.

Upon first taste, you can notice that

I started off with the Shiner Holiday

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continued on page 13 DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

11

>>> R E S T A U R A N T R E V I E W | S H E E N A H G R E G G

MR. CHEN'S // MORE THAN A RESTAURANT

Photos: Sheenah Gregg

>>> RESTAURANTS |

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

Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers.

Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts.

Wintzell’s Oyster House 1 Bridge Ave | Northport // 247.7772 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 Hot Wok Express 6751 Alabama 69, Tuscaloosa // 758.0148 Lee Palace 6521 Highway 69 S // 391.9990 Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking & Oriental Market 514 14th St. | In the Oz Music shopping center // 343.6889 // Open Sun - Thu 11am - 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am - 9:30pm Pearl Garden 2719 Lurleen Wallace Blvd | Northport // 339.0880

As someone with both Filipino and Chinese heritage, my parents always made it my mission to find the most authentic Asian restaurants and markets when available. Enter Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking & Oriental Market.

Opened since 2012, the eatery has provided Tuscaloosans with the authentic flare of Chinese cuisine. Those local to the Birmingham area may recognize Mr. Chen’s as part of the original Hooverbased company.

The main entrance of Mr. Chen’s welcomes patrons to the fairly large oriental market. I was pleasantly surprised by the nostalgic smells of various Asian candies, spices, and novelty snacks like dried squid strips and tamarind candies. To my right I noticed the restaurant entrance and hostess waiting to take me and my husband to our table. Given the option for traditional fork and spoon utensils versus chopsticks, I kindly asked for both.

I was happy to see the adequate amount of seating in the restaurant area as well as the stark contrast in ambiance compared to the market side of Mr. Chen’s.

Dark wood tables, subtle lighting, and Asian décor including bamboo stalks and oriental paintings made the restaurant atmosphere worthy of a date night despite the harsh fluorescent lighting happening on the other side of the business.

Reviewing the menu, I quickly went for the standard lunch options available and opted for Kung Pao chicken with fried rice, an egg roll, and egg drop soup. After making our order, I regretted my choices as carts of large seafood clay pots and authentic tapioca milk tea were taken to the various Asian patrons in the restaurant. Our soup came fairly quickly and I was satisfied with the flavors and temperature of the egg drop soup. And though my husband ordered the cashew chicken made extra spicy, our entrees looked virtually the same when brought to the table. I was impressed with the quickness of our food delivery but realized that the

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quality of the fried rice paid for the swift food prep. The flavors of my actual entrée were enjoyable; however, I found the rice to be nothing more than steamed rice with a tan of soy sauce.

Our server was good to bring anything we needed while balancing between hovering and good service. I got the impression that the staff likes to get diners in and out as quickly as possible. My husband and I ate quickly and made our way to explore the market after paying for our meal.

Walking the aisles of the grocery I found rows of various Asian ingredients including fresh produce and frozen products that are uncommon to your neighborhood market. My favorite finds were the unique soup-based blends such as tamarind, crab, and ginger. Those that love the heat of Siracha will enjoy the 8.5 pound containers of fresh chili paste for purchase.

Overall, I would like to visit Mr. Chen’s again. For a restaurant that boasts authentic Chinese cooking, I regret not being more adventurous in my food selection.

However, I appreciate the restaurants attempt to keep classic “American Chinese” dishes available to meet the needs of the various palates in Tuscaloosa. The prices were affordable, the service is quick, and the variety of food available is bountiful.

Foodies will also enjoy the unique ingredients available in the market and the costeffective prices of the produce compared to traditional grocery stores in town.

Mr. Chen’s is located in the Parkview Plaza Shopping Center next to Oz music and open from 11:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. daily.

Tweet us @ThePlanetWeekly and let us know where you are eating!

Sheena Gregg, MS, RDN,LD is a registered dietitian and local “Filipino foodie.” Follow her on Twitter @AFilipinoFoodie

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

Fax: 752.6193 // www.jasonsdeli.com Located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center.

Jimmy John’s (3 locations) 1400 University Blvd | The Strip // 366.3699 1875 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 752.7714 815 Lurleen B. Wallace S | Tuscaloosa // 722.2268 Delivery 7 days a week. www.jimmyjohns.com Manna Grocery & Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 752.9955 McAlister’s Deli (2 locations) 101 15th St | Tuscaloosa // 758.0039 3021 Tyler Dr | Northport // 330.7940 Sandwiches, salads and spuds www.mcalistersdeli.com Momma Goldberg’s Deli 409 23rd Ave // 345.5501 www.mommagoldbergs.com Newk's 205 University Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 758.2455 Schlotsky’s Deli 405 15th St. E // 759.1975 schlotskys.com Which Wich University Blvd.// Downtown Tuscaloosa // Mon – Sat 10:30 – 9 // Sunday 11 – 7 // Fun atmosphere,fresh ingredients, great sandwiches. 764.1673

COFFEE SHOP

Barnes & Noble 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa 349.6366 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

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.

Heritage House 18 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 758.0042

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

Starbucks (2 locations) 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 343.2468 1901 13th Ave East | inside Super Target // 462.1064 starbucks.com

PIZZA AND SUBS

A Taste Of Chicago 1700 Greensboro Avenue 205-342-DOGS Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

17th Street and Greensboro Avenue. Authentic Chicago style foods. Italian Beef Sandwiches, Chicago Rib Tips, and Chicago Style Pizza.

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

DELICATESSEN Honeybaked Ham Company 421 15th St. E // 345.5508 www.honeybaked.com

Krispy Kreme Doughnut 1400 McFarland Blvd // 758.6913 www.krispykreme.com

DESSERTS

Celebrations Bakery, Inc. 1832 McFarland Blvd N | Northport // 339.3221 Fax: 349.1945 Cold Stone Creamery 1130 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa //343.1670 Specializes in customized ice cream Hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Sun 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Dunkin' Donuts 2520 Stillman Blvd. |Tuscaloosa// 349.3400 McCorvey Dr. | Tuscaloosa // 348.4041 www.dunkindonuts.com Mary's Cakes & Pastries 412 22nd Avenue | behind Opus | Northport // 345.8610 www.maryscakesandpastries.com Mon–Fri 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sat 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Smoothie King (2 locations) 415 15th Street | Tuscaloosa // 349.1721 Fax: 349.1945 1403 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 462.3664 Sweet CeCe's Frozen yogurt Treats 2217 University Blvd. | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 561.6458 A fun and friendly make your own creation, yogurt experience!

TCBY (3 Locations) 2304 Mcfarland Blbd | Meadowbrook Shopping Center // 349.4661 // 2 Mcfarland Blvd | Northport | Essex Shopping Center // 758.6855 // 1130 Univ. Blvd. | The Strip // 345.0804 Yogurt In Love Patriot Center 7402 Highway 69 South Phone Number: 764.9173 Fax Number: 764.9228 Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-10 pm.

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

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

Jason’s Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd // 752.6192

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

>>> B E E R R E V I E W | C O N T ' D F R O M P A G E 11 the flavors really match the aroma in the way of a strong nuttiness and a emphasis on a sweet peach flavor. Up front, you get a lot of that said sweetness from the peaches with a nice roasted element from the pecans, and as you continue, you start to pick up on a mild hop bitterness that brings in a nice balance to the brew.

Something that seems to be the main constant in this beer is the sweetness of the peaches. From year to year, I can get that same level of sweetness in every bottle. It’s not some horrible artificial flavoring either, or if it is, it’s the best artificial peach flavoring I’ve ever experienced.

There’s some bitterness on the back end of the beer that brings it all together.

Mouthfeel is superb as all Shiner beers are, and it doesn’t really sit very heavily on the stomach; although, it is definitely warming my insides. The beer comes in at 5.4% alcohol so it’s extremely sessionable and is something that even non-beer drinkers can enjoy.

Everyone should try this one at least once before the holiday season is over, because it’s a well-balanced and extremely complex beer from a brewery that doesn’t really delve into the realm of creativity all that often.

Okay! We’re off to a great start, so let’s keep the train moving on into Sierra Nevada. I heard about this beer from a guy that I worked with at Good People.

He was raving about it and he has great judgment so I took his word for it, and I’m so glad I did. This was one of the best beers I have ever had, and I completely understand why it has a 97 rating on Beer Advocate. So I saw the Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA in the pick six at Hop City and said why not. Got it home and chilled it for two days before drinking, and to be honest, it could have been a little warmer, but whatever we’re going with it. Being that this was an IPA, it was a little exciting to stray from the generic guidelines of what a winter beer should be.

I poured this one in another pint glass and first off, I noticed the cloudy copper complexion that had about one finger width of off-white head that fizzled out to a really thin, splotchy layer of foam covering the top of the beer. The nose is strong in the way of grapefruit and some other citrus fruits. I picked up a little bit of pine and a good bit of malt. It’s a very balanced aroma and very aromatic as well. I like a strong scent on an IPA, because it tells me that the quality is present and it’s not just a busted attempt at trying to offer that beer to the public.

Taste really ex-

plodes when you allow the beer to warm slightly, which I highly suggest doing. Up front you get a lot of citrus hop flavors that meld with bread-like malt that fade into a piney, earthy tone. The finish has signature IPA hop bitterness, but coupled with a great citrus hop character that leaves a serious citrus flavor on the tongue after each sip. It’s really refreshing for an IPA, but I don’t think it could be a session beer by any means. It settles on the stomach pretty heavily, like a Jai Alai or really any darker beer for that matter. This is a really well balanced beer and even more so if the beer is allowed to warm up for about five or ten minutes before drinking. Really top notch. The alcohol begins to show up toward the middle to late portion of the beer so it begins to taste a little boozey if it warms too much, just forewarning.

The mouthfeel is really nice for a Sierra Nevada beer, to be honest. Equipped with a full body, moderate carbonation, and a lightly noticeable alcohol level make it the epitome of a winter style IPA. Usually with Sierra Nevada beers, I find that the mouthfeel is usually the most depressing parts. It’s more times than not more carbonated that it should ever be, tastes fairly dank, and sometimes even just tastes too watery. This was a great take on a unique style of brew. The fresh hop addition really adds to the beautiful bouquet of aromas and flavors that this beer packs into each bottle. I can’t wait to try more of this one in the near future before the season is over.

ence. I wish the flavors of the caramel and citrus could have been much bolder and in your face, along with those very prominent earthy notes that really seemed to disappear upon tasting. Big miss for me. One thing that was a somewhat positive note was the lingering aftertaste. A mix of caramel and slight bitterness lingered for a good while after each sip and seemed to enhance as the beer warmed. This was a welcomed quality since the flavors were so lacking. I felt like I had nothing to hold on to in the beer, until after I had already drunk it. Mouthfeel was very nice in my opinion. The light carbonation could have possibly been bumped up a bit, but to me, it was very nice and allowed the flavors to have a chance to develop without an overbearing carbonation level.

All in all, this one was my least favorite and can’t really see myself ever drinking this again unless someone else pays it for and I don’t have to consume many. It was a big let down by a brewery I have come to expect great things from. No one bats 1,000 forever and, to me, this could be one strike out on the record. Lacking flavors and missed opportunities made

this a beer that I will more than likely pass on next time.

These holiday beers were a great way for me to try some things I have never had, although, there are tons of options in the way of holiday beers for every type of beer drinker. I picked these three beers because they were the first ones I saw available and they represented a good mix of styles. So, go out, find one that you’ve never heard of and try it. You may be surprised how easily you can replace egg nog at your holiday parties with a new favorite beer. Cheers!

Last but not least, the Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve Ale. I picked up this beer to round out my selections and also to throw in a little mystery. I had never heard of this beer before I grabbed it, so I did a little research online to see what a few other people had to say about it. Turns out, I disagree with most of these people and their opinions, because this beer was nothing more than that basic Rogue American Amber ale. It was pretty boring, but I drank it for the sake of drinking a holiday beer. Here are my thoughts: The beer pours a deep, golden amber with a slight brown hue that lacks any visible carbonation. After pouring into my pint glass, about two finger widths of off-white head forms and falls to a crater-filled half finger width. This beer is seriously foamy; not sure if it’s because I poured it weird or because of the temperature, but it was more fluffy than any other Rogue beer I’ve ever had. As it settles and is consumed, a thin layer of lacing lines the glass, but doesn’t retain much throughout the beer. The beer has some seriously strong scents in the way of caramel, some pine, and citrus; with some earthy notes mixed in as well. The aroma is pretty full and gave me the impression that it would be a very heavy beer.

The taste doesn’t really follow the scent at all. I got a lot of pine and resin up front followed by some caramel and then some light hop bitterness. I wish the flavors had matched the aroma, because it smelled like what I reference Red Ales to be like. It just let me down. Another note about the flavor, it seemed a little watered down, which made for a less than enjoyable experi-

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

BACKROAD ANTHEM DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

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>>> T H E F L A T S C R E E N | C A R A B R A K E

BANDING TOGETHER // RED BAND SOCIETY

Hospital dramas aren’t rare on television, from “ER” to “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Usually, they’re about doctors and nurses dealing with their work life and personal lives intermingling through a sordid affair or unwanted visitors. Rarely do they focus on the patients, unless said patient helps push the doctor’s storyline. This isn’t the case for Red Band Society, where the patients take center stage.

Red Band Society is about a group of teenagers in a hospital as they deal with their lives and loves while trying to get well. The teens have a variety of disorders, ranging from anorexia to cancer. Each teen has their own disease, and coupling

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DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

that with drama and angst can lead them to danger. The main storylines are narrated

by Charlie, played by Griffin Gluck, a young man in a coma who narrates the show and makes his presence known in other ways.

Casting a television show is a finicky process-it takes a mix of known and unknown actors to both catch the watcher’s attention and keep them interested and get them invested in new actors. Red Band Society does just that, adding a few favorite actors to the cast of mostly new ones. The most notable being Octavia Spencer as Nurse Jackson, the head nurse of the ward. The other actors are all up and coming, some having a few acting credits

and others not so much. A few stars of the 8 to 10 range, it is not so staggering. Deshow are Dave Annable as Dr. McAndrew, spite the setback, TV.com reports that FOX X-Factor contestant Astro as Dash, Ciara has ordered more scripts for the show, but Bravo as Emma, and Charlie Rowe as Leo warns that it doesn’t mean it will come back Roth. for a second season. Red Band Society The show is still fairly new, only airing finished its first season, but all episodes earlier this year and only airing for ten are available to stream on FOX’s website. episodes in the first season. It’s already No notice has been given for a renewel. garnered some attention, however, including a People’s Choice Award nomination for Best New TV Drama. Along with award nominations, it’s garnered great reviews, including one from People magazine, saying, “Red Band Society, which could turn out to be one of the best new shows of the fall, is like that, constantly catching you unexpectedly. A show about young people dealing with terrible illnesses (cancer, failing hearts, eating disorders) could have us weeping nonstop without even having to try – it could go for broke either with reminders of early death or life-affirming lessons about the enduring human spirit.” Not many shows would take on such serious illnesses in children, but it’s time television made people remember that these illnesses don’t just happen to adults.

Much like the patients the show circles around, fans of the show now ask the big question: the showclosed be saved?

Such The 1981can production shortly after opening despite wide audience acclaim. Today, serious content may have worked against it's among the most popular musicals in the U.S. it, since the ratings and views were less than FOX hoped they would be. 3.5 million viewers may seem like a lot, but when more popular shows rank upwards into the

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

HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 1 // LIKE WATCHING HALF OF A GOOD MOVIE ✭✭✭

OU T OF 4

As much as “The Hunger Games” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” captivated me, I’m less than elated that Lionsgate has split the final novel of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling trilogy into two movies. Watching “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” is like watching half of a good movie. Worse, Lionsgate plans to make audiences wait for another year before they fold this franchise. Of course, the “Harry Potter” and the “Twilight” franchises made a mint with this shrewd strategy, so it’s no surprise Lionsgate, the same studio that released the “Twilight” epics, would not pass up such an obvious opportunity. As fastidious and wellmade as “Mockingjay Part 1” remains, all “Catching Fire” director Francis Lawrence and scenarists Peter Craig of “The Town” and Danny Strong of “The Butler” have done is produce a potboiler that simmers more often than sizzles for two hours and three minutes. Indeed, this qualifies as the shortest entry in “Hunger Games” franchise. Comparatively, “The Hunger Games” clocked in at 142 minutes, while “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” edged it out at 146 minutes. The way they’ve made “Mockingjay Part 1,” we see more of Katniss Everdeen and Plutarch Heavensbee than President Snow, Haymitch Abernathy, Gale Hawthorne, Effie Trinket, Finnick Odair, Caesar Flickerman, and Johanna Mason. Oscarwinner Jennifer Lawrence spends more time shedding tears than shooting arrows. Indeed, she shoots only one arrow in this installment. Making the most of his handful of scenes, a gleefully wicked Donald Sutherland delivers the best line: “Miss Everdeen, it is the things we love most that destroy us.”

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” picks up the plot after Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright of “Casino Royale”), and Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin of “The Quiet Ones”) have been rescued. Unfortunately, the treacherous Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman of “Doubt”)

and the resistance have failed to liberate Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson of “Red Dawn”), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone of “Sucker Punch”) and Annie Cresta (Stef Dawson of “Manhaters”) in the aftermath.

Meantime, Katniss and her traumatized companions are recuperating from their tribulations in District 13, but our heroine doesn’t know if Peeta managed to survive Panem's third Quarter Quell. If you haven’t seen “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” you may be at a disadvantage. Eventually, she learns that Peeta is alive, but he is being held in the Capitol

by President Snow. Plutarch and District 13 President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore of “The Big Lebowski”) convince Katniss to serve as their standard-bearer for the rebellion. They need her “anger-driven defiance” desperately to shore up the sagging support among the other districts in the wake of District 12’s annihilation.

Remember, Katniss, Peeta, and Gale Hawthorne all (Liam Hemsworth of “The Expendables 2”) grew up in District 12.

The action alternates between above ground and below ground. The above ground scenes where either Katniss or the rebels battle the enemy provide the most excitement. The scenes below ground in District 13’s deeply entrenched bunkers, where Katniss agonizes over poor Peeta’s ordeal, constitute classic, four-handkerchief, hand-wringing, chick flick fodder. Worse, the scenes involving the secret mission to snatch Peeta from under Snow’s nose yield only a modicum of suspense. Nevertheless, as static as this sophomore sequel is, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” easily surpasses the half of the novel that it depicts without sacrificing much source material fidelity.

Essentially, “Mockingjay Part 1” combines elements of a war movie with a love story. The war story sequences generate fewer thrills than the tournament sequences in the two previous outings, while the scenes between a love-sick Katniss and a tortured Peeta are histri-

onic in every negative sense of the word.

Katniss wanders around and whines, while a visibly wretched Peeta looks woebegone and far away. These scenes are as dreary as the air-raid sequence is tedious. The scenes of the lumberjacks scrambling up trees to avoid being massacred by President Snow’s trigger-happy soldiers and later the assault on the dam are sensational, but these scenes cannot compensate from the loquacious inactivity during the subterranean sequences.

The new characters that flesh out the action are fresh, but they lack charisma, while the regulars have been confined largely to the sidelines in cameos. Of course, each will play a larger part in the second half.

Mind you, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” looks terrific. The producers have blown a bundle on every scene. The destruction of the District 5 dam is nothing short of spectacular, with a chorus of suicidal heroes storming a gauntlet of soldiers to detonate crates of explosives. The concrete mountains of rubble, twisted metal, and skeletons galore in District 12 appear thoroughly convincing, too. Philip Messina’s production designs, Larry Dias’ set decoration, and the art direction by Andrew Max Cahn, Lauren E. Polizzi, David Scheunemann,

Steve Summersgill, and Dan Webster enhance the atmosphere and credibility of the film. The sumptuous looking sets and slick production values, however, don’t offset the film’s sluggish pace.

Basically, nothing groundbreaking happens in “Mockingjay Part 1.” The best scenes occur in the final moments, while most everything else serves as expository filler. Indeed, you know neither Katniss nor Peeta are in jeopardy. In other words, neither are going to die, and what happens to Peeta is the equivalent of having a regular series character slip into a coma while the filmmakers pause the plot to conjure up suspense. Altogether, neither Lawrence nor his scenarists have done anything in “Mockingjay Part I” other than delay the inevitable.

The hospital bombing sequence, the air raid scene, Katniss’ propaganda speeches to arouse the other districts as well as singing a song are dreary. Jennifer Lawrence has a few good lines. Unfortunately, when she isn’t decked out in her combat fatigues with a bow and arrow in her fists, she doesn’t cut the mustard.

Lawrence looks ridiculous in her baggy uniform, and Julianne Moore actually upstages her. Hopefully, Lionsgate is saving the best for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2.”

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DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

15

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

NOTE: All events listed here have phone numbers in the 205 area code unless otherwise indicated.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION WHEN: 5 – 6:30 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 300 Paul W. Bryant Dr PHONE: 345.6640 LINK: uwwa.org DESCRIPTION: Join United Way of West Alabama for its 2014 campaign celebration where you'll meet and hear from campaign volunteers and learn West Alabama's fundraising total for the annual United Way campaign. The Bryant Museum is a great place to be a part of the Tuscaloosa community, so come out to show your support for United Way.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

CONTEMPORARY ART TREASURE TROVE WHEN: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 700 Capstone Dr PHONE: 348.1891 LINK: art.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: UA’s last exhibit of the fall semester, Contemporary Treasures: Selections from the Permanent Collection, features more than 30 pieces belonging to the gallery collection. Artworks selected for this exhibit span five decades and were created primarily by American artists.

Come take in the fine works collected in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art at Garland Hall. The last day to visit is Dec 12.

TCT PRESENTS: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET THE MUSICAL WHEN: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. December 12-14 COST: Varies WHERE: Historic Bama Theatre LINK: tuscaloosachildrenstheatre.com/ SHOWTIMES: Friday, December 12 @ 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 13 @ 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 14 @ 2 p.m. School Show dates are Thursday, December 11th; Friday, December 12th and Monday, December 15th.

DESCRIPTION: Single mother, Doris Walker, doesn’t want her daughter Susan’s head filled with romantic notions. Their neighbor Fred Gailey tries to woo Doris by charming Susan and taking her to see Santa Claus at Macy’s, where Doris works. Doris is not impressed, but when it turns out Macy’s Santa may in fact be the real Kris Kringle, a wave of love spreads across New York City that melts even the most cynical hearts. Filled with humor, spectacle, and such beloved songs as “Pinecones and Hollyberries,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “My State, My Kansas,” this joyous, heartwarming musical is pure family entertainment, wholesome with being cloying. A star-vehicle for a female actress that features great roles for children, the show is a cast and crowd pleaser.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

FAMILY CAMPING 101 WHEN: All weekend COST: $10 WHERE: 7321 Robert Cardinal Airport

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DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

>>> PET PLANET | K E L S E Y C A M E R O N

THE SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST

Rd, Northport PHONE: 331.5600 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Take this perfect weekend and turn it into a family camping experience that your family will never forget. The setting of Van de Graaff Park and the associated arboretum will be your wilderness as you learn the skills from expert campers and take part in all the fun activities of a traditional camping trip.

SNOWFLAKE SATURDAY & ELF WORKSHOP WHEN: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

COST: $6 – 9500 WHERE: 2213 University Blvd PHONE: 349.4235 LINK: chomonline.org DESCRIPTION: The Children’s Hands-On Museum is the perfect place for families to get in the holiday spirit. Kids will love making snowflakes and looking around the elf workshop. If you loved Santa’s breakfast, you will love this day at the museum, with all activities included in the price of admission.

RECYCLING DAY WHEN: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 1115 14th Street PHONE: 348.8798 LINK: recycling.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Keep the planet healthy by dropping off your recyclables at this event open to UA faculty, staff and students. Accepted items include paper & cardboard, aluminum, plastics, scrap metal, ink & toner cartridges, and computers & electronics. No televisions will be accepted. On site shredding of documents will also be available.

SUNDAY, Dec 14

LITTLE WOMEN WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

COST: $12 – 17 WHERE: 9500 Old Greensboro Rd PHONE: 391.2277 LINK: theatretusc.com DESCRIPTION: Based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women interweaves the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March. Their mother strives to provide her daughters with a happy childhood despite the absence of their beloved father, who is away fighting in the Civil War. This cleverly written story of a family’s enduring love is a perfect show for the holiday season. Dec 14 is the last day to see the show at Bean-Browne Theatre, so get your tickets while you still can.

UA PRESS HOLIDAY BOOK SALE WHEN: 2 – 7 p.m.

COST: $3 and up WHERE: 2000 Hackberry Lane PHONE: 800.621.2736 LINK: uapress.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: From Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 14, the University of Alabama Press (UAP) will host its annual Holiday Book Sale in its offices at 200 Hackberry Lane. At the event, the Press offers hundreds of new and backlist books at deep discounts as low as 50 to

CASH IS COOL // NALA IS FEISTY This handsome lad is Cash, a three-year-old male Golden Retriever mix. He has a golden medium-long coat with white and black markings. Cash is a good-sized dog, weighing 40 pounds, but he could stand to put on some more weight. He was pulled from our local animal shelter, where he was found as a stray by Animal Control and no one came to claim him after being down there several weeks! Cash is pretty shy and quiet at first, but once he gets to know you and is comfortable, he is a very friendly and sweet boy!!

He is really starting to come out of his shell and is becoming more active and playful. He has such a nice, calm, easy going nature to him. He is not too high-energy but will require a fenced-in yard if left outside any unattended. He may be okay in an apartment if he gets daily walks. Cash seems to do well with other dogs and should be good with children ages 8 and up. We have started on his crate training. Cash is up to date on his vet care, neutered, heartworm negative and is microchipped. He is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. Cash is a wonderful dog that will make such a great companion for one lucky person! If you are interested in giving Cash the forever home he wants and deserves, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554-0011.

This feisty little kitten is Nala.

She is around 3 months old, and is a beautiful pale orange/yellow.

Nala has the cutest scrunchedin face! She is extremely playful and needs a lot of activities to keep her busy. She is constantly playing with the other kittens and will sit with you during her play breaks. She would make the perfect playmate for another playful cat. Nala was abandoned at a local veterinary clinic when she was only a few weeks old, but now she rules the roost at the cat house. Nala is negative for FIV and FeLK and current on her vaccinations. Due to being underage for a spay/neuter surgery, her adoption requires an additional refundable spay/neuter deposit to reinforce state requirements for all adopted pets to be fixed by age of maturity. If you are interested in giving Nala the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554-0011.

Christmas Critter Craft Bazaar

Come shop for your loyal four-legged companion at the Christmas Critter Craft Bazaar sponsored by Humane Society of West Alabama.

Handcrafted items, t-shirts, homemade gourmet dog and cat treats, Christmas decorations, magnets and other animal related Christmas gift items will be for sale. The bazaar will be held in front of Pet Supplies Plus, located at 2600 McFarland Boulevard, on Saturday December 13 from 10 am. – 4 p.m. and Sunday December 14 from noon – 4 p.m.

Funds are needed to cover veterinary bills of rescued animals and to prepare animals for adoption.

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>>> E V E N T | K E V I N L E D G E W O O D

HOLIDAY ACOUSTIC NIGHT // A BENEFIT FOR THE DRUID CITY GARDEN PROJECT

The A rts C ouncil of Tuscaloosa will present a Holiday Acoustic Night on Dec. 17, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Bama Theatre’s Greensboro Room, and all proceeds will be donated to the Druid City Garden Project.

Mark Hughes Cobb (singer-songwriter); Ed Miller & Don Penzien (Celtic Christmas Music); Amy McCarley (Americana singer-songwriter); and The Voodoo Saints (New Orleans Jazz) will be the featured musicians.

Suggested donation is $5, and a full service bar will be available. Acoustic Night features new and upcoming and also established musicians from around the country throughout the calendar year in the intimate setting of the Greensboro Room.

The mission of the Druid City Garden Project is to increase access to fresh, locally-grown produce and empower the community to make healthy and sustainable food choices. The organization uses school gardens, farm stands and educational programs to help diverse communities in Alabama build vibrant food systems. K-5 students experience a hands-on science- and math-based curriculum through participation in an outdoor teaching tool, the garden, every week during the school year. DCGP works with each school for 2-3 years, installing a garden, training educators and running professional development so that, ultimately, the school will take over the program on their own. For more information visit www.druidcitygardenproject.org.

“The Druid City Garden Project is an important program that will impact future generations and the overall health of our community. We are pleased that Acoustic Night can contribute to their worthwhile mission,” said David Allgood, Bama Theatre Manager.

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR | 75 percent off. Some books are as little as $3! Get your books while the time is right!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15

TUSCALOOSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WHEN: 6 p.m.

COST: $10 - 20 WHERE: 810 2nd Ave PHONE: 752.5515 LINK: tsoonline.org DESCRIPTION: First, the silent auction will be held at 6 p.m. in the Moody Hall Lobby of the University of Alabama School of Music. Then the Alabama Choir School and Prentice Concert Chorale will blow everyone away with a host of Christmas delights. The TSO Christmas show sells out every year, so buy your tickets online!

INTRO TO PC / INTERNET WHEN: 9 – 10:30 a.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 1801 Jack Warner Pkwy PHONE: 752.8300 LINK: Tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: Take your first steps into the 21st Century with this library program. Experts will help you use computer programs and navigate the Internet, no matter how new you are to the digital world. Learn terminology, components of a computer, how to turn on the machine and much more.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16

HATHA YOGA WHEN: 6 – 7:10 p.m.

COST: $9 WHERE: 2200 Rock Quarry Dr. PHONE: 562.3230 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Learn relaxation techniques and increase your strength and flexibility. New classes begin every month.

Bring your yoga mat any Tuesday or Thursday and join us for some calming exercise. The other December session will be the 18th, so get your relaxation in before the holiday weeks.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17

WATERCOLOR MINI-SESSION WHEN: 1 – 3 p.m.

COST: $35 WHERE: 2200 Rock Quarry Dr PHONE: 562.3230 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Have you always wanted to learn to paint but were afraid to try? An awardwinning instructor uses a step-bystep method of teaching that has proven successful for many years.

For students of all abilities, register online and attend classes at the Phelps Center, and try out the mini-sessions to see if the full

THE SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST course is right for you. Advanced classes also available.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

BASIC MICROSOFT WORD & EXCEL WHEN: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

COST: Free WHERE: 2522 Lanier Ave PHONE: 758.8291 LINK: tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: Learn the basics about word processing using Microsoft’s newest version of its popular application. And Learn about basic 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 the keyboard and mouse. Register over the phone.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

WADE HALL’S LIBRARY WHEN: All day COST: Free WHERE: 711 Capstone Dr PHONE: 348.0506 LINK: lib.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Wade Hall’s personal collection of books allows researchers to see the full flowering of American writing through nearly 17,300 titles that date from 1779 through the 1990s. These books encompass a wide range of genres including poetry, prose, travel narratives, religious tracts, abolitionist material, government documents, and cookbooks. The collection will be in the J. Wray and Joan Billingsley Pearce Grand Foyer of Gorgas Library through the month of November.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22

YOGA THERAPY WHEN: 4 – 4:45 p.m.

COST: $9 WHERE: 2200 Rock Quarry Dr PHONE: 562.3230 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: This class is for anyone with MS, back conditions, arthritis, senior adults or beginners who would like to take an adapted (gentle) yoga course. You may use a chair during this session. Drop-in any Monday at the Phelps Center.

PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT. CONTACT

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

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

17

>>> ROAD TRIP | S O U T H E A S T E R N CO N C E R T S A N D E V E N T S

FLY BY RADIO // MONTGOMERY // DECEMBER 12

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11

BIRMINGHAM Seryn/Eric Sommer, The Nick MissUsed, Tin Roof

CARRIE UNDERWOOD // NASHVILLE // DECEMBER 13 MOLOTOV // ATLANTA // DECEMBER 16

NASHVILLE Carrie Underwood, Ryman Auditorium Manchester Orchestra, Volcano Room NEW ORLEANS Bianca Del Rio, House of Blues

ATLANTA Peter White, Variety Playhouse NASHVILLE Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Ryamn Auditorium Tony Bennett, Schermerhorn Symphony Center Jacob Whitesides, Rocketown NEW ORLEANS Dave Chappelle, Saenger Theatre The Soul Rebels, Le Bon Temps

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14

MONTGOMERY The Ori Naftaly Band, Capitol Oyster Bar ATLANTA Living Colour, The Masquerade

NASHVILLE The Head and the Heart, Ryman Auditorium NEW ORLEANS RL Grime, Republic New Orleans Alex Clare, House of Blues Hot 8 Brass Band, Howlin’ Wolf

HUNTSVILLE Blackbird, Bishop’s East Side Pub Roses Unread, 11th Fame Live

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15

NASHVILLE Relient K, Nashville War Memorial Auditorium Sebastian Bach, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom Rave of Thrones, Anthem

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

BIRMINGHAM Eric Church and Dwight Yoakam, BJCC Blues Ball, WorkPlay Theatre Them Dirty Roses, Tin Roof Rollin’ in the Hay, The Oasis

HUNTSVILLE Pickin’ and Grinnin’, Tims Ford State Park Jonathan Laird, Below the Radar MONTGOMERY Liquid Crush, Playoffs Pub ATLANTA Tyler the Creator, Tabernacle Chase Rice, Wild Bill’s The Yacht Rock Revue, Variety Playhouse

NEW ORLEANS Trans-Siberian Orchestra, New Orleans Arena Walter Wolfman Washington, DBA Lounge Molotov, Howlin’ Wolf

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

BIRMINGHAM Blue October, Iron City The Park Band, Zydeco Susie the Wedding Fiddler, Bottletree Café ATLANTA Emmure, The Masquerade

BIRMINGHAM Trampled By Turtles, Iron City Beitthemeans and Leaderdog, Zydeco

HUNTSVILLE The Cains Trio, Stone Bridge Farm

MONTGOMERY Joe Bonamassa, Montgomery Performing Arts Center Whompus Cats, Alley Bar Fly By Radio, Rock Bottom

ATLANTA Opeth, Tabernacle Alex Clare, Center Stage Nonpoint, The Masquerade

MONTGOMERY Earthquake, Montgomery Performing Arts Center

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16

BIRMINGHAM Nothing More, Zydeco L. Cole, The Nick

ATLANTA Molotov, The Masquerade NASHVILLE Hunter Hayes, Ryman Auditorium RL Grime, Exit In

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17

BIRMINGHAM Frontier Ruckus, Bottletree Café Mary Lambert and Hoodie Allen, Iron City ATLANTA Trace Adkins, Symphony Hall Atlanta

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 BIRMINGHAM North Mississippi Allstars, Iron City

ATLANTA Justin Timberlake, The Arena at Gwinnett Center Yelawolf, Wild Bill’s Flosstradamus, Tabernacle NASHVILLE Kelly Clarkson, Bridgestone Arena Augustana, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

BIRMINGHAM Chris Brown, BJCC

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23

BIRMINGHAM Mannheim Steamroller, BJCC

>>> 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.

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

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

18

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

DECEMBER 19

ATLANTA North Mississippi Allstars, The Buckhead Theatre

NASHVILLE

Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE 404.881.2100

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE // ATLANTA //

NASHVILLE Justin Timberlake, Bridgestone Arena

NASHVILLE Andrew Peterson, Ryman Auditorium

Acoustic Café 2758 County Hwy 9 205.647.3237

BIRMINGHAM // DECEMBER 18

Steel Panther, Marathon Music Works

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

BIRMINGHAM Sharrif Simmons, Black Market Bar and Grill Kenny George, Tin Roof

SUSIE THE WEDDING FIDDLER //

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100 The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831 Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N 205.324.1911 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy

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

404.733.5010 Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345 WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082 Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

KELLY CLARKSON // NASHVILLE // DECEMBER 20

>>> LOCAL MUSIC | WHO'S PL AYING AROUND TOWN

THE JAUNTEE // GREEN BAR

// DECEMBER 12

THURSDAY DECEMBER 11

DEBBIE BOND / RADIATOR RICK // DRUID CITY BREWING // DECEMBER 18

JOHNATHON EAST// CRIMSON BAR // DECEMBER 20

GLEN TEMPLETON // RHYTHM & BREWS // DECEMBER 20

Cutting Loose, Crimson Bar Soul Tide, Coppertop

Cooter Brown, Rhythm & Brews Jon Byrd, Green Bar

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

Jonathon East, Crimson Bar Glen Templeton, Rhythm & Brews Plato Jones, Copper Top

Cotton Box Road, Crimson Bar Desperate Measures, Rhythm & Brews Sean Rivers Band, Copper Top The Jauntee, Green Bar

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

Karaoke w/DJ ProtoJ, Rhythm & Brews

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

Hipnotic, Rhythm & Brews Riverband, Crimson Bar Steels / Roamer, Green Bar Lamont Landers, Copper Top

Unicorn Stud, Copper Top

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15

Jordan and Mike, Coppertop

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16

Plato Jones Acoustic, Copper Top

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17

CBDB, Coppertop Karaoke w/DJ ProtoJ, Rhythm & Brews

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

Solo Cupp, Copper Top Rebel, Rhythm & Brews Debbie Bond & Radiator Rick, Druid City Brewing

HAVE YOUR LOCAL MUSIC EVENT LISTED FREE IN PLANET WEEKLY.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

JUST EMAIL

PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

FarmersDaughter, Rhythm & Brews

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

Capones // 248-0255

Gnemis Top Shelf Tavern // 343-0020

Mellow Mushroom // 758-0112

1831 // 331-4632

Carpe Vino // 366-8444

Gray Lady // 469-9521

Mugshots // 391-0572

Alcove // 469-9110

Catch 22 // 344-9347

Harry's Bar // 331-4151

Rhythm & Brews // 750-2992

Bear Trap // 345-2766

Copper Top // 343-6867

Houndstooth // 752-8444

Rounders // 345-4848

Big Al's // 759-9180

Crimson Bar // 764-0185

Innisfree // 345-1199

The Booth // 764-0557

Downtown Pub // 750-0008

Jackie's Lounge // 758-9179

Gallettes // 758-2010

The Legacy // 345-4848

Buffalo Wild Wings // 523-0273

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

WRITERS WANTED CONTACT PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

19

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

Across 1. United: Comb form 5. Three-line work 10. Geometric middles: Abbr.

14. "Mourning Becomes Electra" man 15. "Not you ___!"

16. "We want ___!": baseball chant 17. "Psycho" setting 19. Valley in Calif.

20. West Indies sorcery 21. He calls up 23. Actor Edmund 26. Trig term 27. Georgia Tech player 32. Comic Olsen 33. Kind of bean 34. Book after Micah 38. Detroit financing co.

40. Pastry bag squeezers 42. Not good, but not bad 43. "___ in the dark" 45. Brief moment 47. President pro ___ (Senate bigwig) 48. 1984 Bill Murray slimefest 51. Warning gesture 54. Make up yarns 55. She can't see the sea 58. New York and London areas 62. Swarming pest 63. June 6, 1944 event 66. Prime-time hour 67. Dislike, plus 68. One-named Art Deco designer 69. British refs.

70. Devout 71. French biplane of W.W. I Down 1. TV camera screen 2. Waif of the streets, a la Alger 3. Small amount 4. Common tie score in soccer

20

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

>>> PUZZLEMANIA| S U D U K O

5. Hardly an underperformer 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 21 6. Long, long ___ 7. "...believe ___ the whole thing!"

8. Ukrainian city 9. Open with a key 10. Card games 11. "You're the One ___ Want": "Grease" song 12. Possible GOP birthplace 13. Look fixedly 18. Drives off 22. Joel who directed "Raising Arizona" 24. What V-J Day ended 25. Singles out 27. Pilates relative 28. Stately shade trees 29. Jacob's wife before Rachel 30. Nip in the bud 31. Natives encountered by Columbus 35. Table d'-36. America Online patron 37. They're honored in May 39. Fantรกstico and fantastic, e.g.

41. Food fish 44. Holier-thou connector 46. "___ wahr" ("It's true") 49. It's hard to teach one new tricks, so they say 50. Some government securities, for short 51. "In hoc ___ vinces" 52. Kind of navel 53. Kidney or liver 56. Edible root 57. Foray 59. Complain 60. Numeric prefix WRITERS 61. Calendar a la Variety WANTED 64. Brynner who starred in "The King and I" For Information, please 65. Humor writer Sedaris email PlanetEditor@ yahoo.com SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 21

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

>>> HOROSCOPES |

W E E K LY O V E R V I E W You'll be eager to explore ideas for earning more money, and you may be tempted to invest in classes with this aim in mind. Information is key this week, and accessing the knowledge you need could prove a turning point. At home, Jupiter's retrograde phase may slow down your plans for your house or family. Seeds planted may take longer to come to fruition. Later, a potent transit suggests you may be limited by outdated beliefs. It's time to replace them.

Partnerships and relationships flourish this week as your involvement with others expands. You can expect a lot of encouragement, but try not to promise more than you can deliver. Later, the cosmos encourages you to reflect on deep soul bonds and committed relationships and how much you're willing to share. Key could be finding the balance between keeping things lighthearted and desiring security and commitment. However, social delights await you over the weekend, with the potential for a love adventure.

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME! Good Reading—Great for Stocking Stuffers!

There are advantages to be gained from stepping outside of your comfort zone this week. Say yes to new people, places, and experiences, particularly if you're looking for a new job or hoping to set up a business for yourself. Meanwhile, Jupiter's retrograde phase encourages you to ponder the spiritual source of your supply. Doing so could be a revelation. Finally, a revolutionary transit encourages you to take your goals and dreams seriously.

Don't let personal relationships stand in the way of your success.

Creative and romantic opportunities seem well starred, especially early in the week. Yet as Jupiter rewinds in your sign, you may find certain associations or projects a bit too superficial. It's time to direct your energy to activities and people who have depth and inspire you. Despite this, your social life continues to flourish, as do romantic options. Big questions circle around in your head as you may notice a desire to escape from too much responsibility, but at what cost?

Focus on home affairs, plans, and projects that need to get sorted before the holiday week. You may be the one organizing gettogethers, especially as people seem to enjoy chilling out at your place. Give yourself a chance for some alone time, as this is when inspiration could strike, bringing solutions to problems and creative ideas. Over the weekend you might be faced with a dilemma, as a potent transit encourages you to be honest about your feelings rather than hold back.

Your outlook is upbeat and expectant, with a desire to reach out and connect. As the festive season gets underway it's time to send cards and messages to those who are dear to your heart, which you'll enjoy. Jupiter turns retrograde in your social sector, so you may prefer your own company and the chance to reflect at times. Still, there will be enough get-togethers to keep you occupied. Later, ask yourself if you're resisting an idea whose time has come.

Spend time at home where you can think up ambitious plans and share your ideas with family and friends. You might want to invest in gadgets and other devices that make life easier. Jupiter turns retrograde in your career sector on Monday, so a goal or career move could take longer to materialize. This might not be a bad thing, encouraging you to reflect on what's best for you. Finally, you might notice how your thoughts affect your well-being for better or worse.

Your responsibilities to others may seem to restrict your freedom and dampen your enthusiasm. If real-life demands weigh you down, perhaps you'll escape through travel or other adventures.

As Jupiter turns retrograde in Leo, you may prefer to acquire more knowledge. Regular meditation and reflection over the weeks ahead can encourage you to review and change outdated beliefs. Avoid impulsive moves over the weekend that might affect your financial security, even if you're tempted to take a gamble.

You may want to help out with charity work or volunteer your time in other ways. A focus on your spiritual sector encourages you to be generous, as by giving you will receive. Meanwhile, Venus hikes into your sign on Wednesday, boosting your confidence and making you an attractive option. Later, you may notice a conflict between putting yourself and your own thoughts and feelings first versus doing your duty and making sure you fulfill your responsibilities. You may need to strike a balance.

Your social life is busy, but you aren't complaining! With festive gettogethers keeping you busy, you're in your element. Jupiter turns retrograde in your relationship sector on Monday, so interactions could slow. For instance, a business partnership may see you both acting more independently for a while and learning much as a result. If you're in a long-term relationship, you may relish more alone time. Finally, the weekend may set you thinking about what's holding you back from being successful.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

A focus on Sagittarius and your career sector makes this a good time to get your message out to the world, and to be bold and forthright about doing so. When it comes to everyday matters or lifestyle issues, it might be time to journey within to uncover and release anything blocking success. Your social life picks up midweek, with romance looking likelier. Finally, if a friend disapproves of your behavior, you might wonder why you hang out with him or her Though action and adventure may call to you, Jupiter's retrograde phase encourages you to slow down and opt for inner journeys that encourage greater self-knowledge. The emphasis shifts with a focus on exploring those beliefs that affect your creativity and experience of romance.

You may feel a desire to be free of rules and regulations, and you might consider working for yourself as opposed to a company or corporation.

Don't act impulsively, though. Take it one step at a time.C

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

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

21

>>> STEPHEN'S REPORT | S T E P H E N S M I T H

DR. BRENT HARDIN // FILLING A NEED

Brent Hardin and spouse, Margaret Stran M any ingredients go into making a successful sports program. Coaches are paid, players experience the action and fans wear every emotion on their sleeves. Winning is great because it brings excitement, but where does the joy come from? It stems from individuals who had an idea and brought it to life using teamwork and perseverance.

Alabama’s adaptive athletics program is building a tradition. It’s witnessed five national championships, including three in wheelchair basketball. Players provide sweat, heart and passion, but this adaptive program was founded on $5,000 and a Georgia native.

Dr. Brent Hardin, founder and director of Alabama adaptive sports, studied physical education as an undergraduate at Ambassador College. He went on to achieve a master’s degree at the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. at Florida State University in adaptive physical education.

“Being involved in adaptive sports is something I always wanted to do,” Hardin said. “I saw a need for it at Georgia and Florida State. We started a small position-formed wheelchair basketball program at Florida State and everything else took off from there.”

Hardin arrived at Alabama in 2003, after three years at Florida State. He accepted a position as an assistant professor in adaptive sports. Like Georgia and Florida State, Hardin saw a need for adaptive sports at Alabama. He reacted on impulse, instead of asking for permission.

“I wanted to start a women’s wheelchair basketball team,” Hardin said.

“We didn’t have a budget or a place to practice, but it’s what I wanted to do.”

Hardin didn’t have a budget, but he did have help. Margaret Stran, another Georgia native, accompanied Hardin to Tuscaloosa. Stran was an assistant professor in the kinesiology department. She coached wheelchair basketball, while Hardin was teaching at the

22

DECEMBER 11 + DECEMBER 25

University of Georgia. The two married before arriving at the University of Alabama.

Fundraising was a factor in keeping the dream alive. The Christopher Reeve Foundation responded to Hardin’s grant application, supplying Alabama’s adaptive program with $5,000. The program continued raising funds for equipment and road trips, but it finally had a home at Foster Auditorium.

“Production causes people to give money,” Hardin said. “Our percentage of funds is basically 85 to 15. 85 percent is hard money. The other 15 percent comes from fundraising. We’ve been blessed to pull in funds from grants and sponsors.”

Alabama’s adaptive athletics program struck gold in 2009. Hardin coached the women’s wheelchair basketball team to its first national title. President Robert Whitt (chancellor) and provost Judy Bonner (president) both took notice. UA donated $6,000 to the program.

“Our women’s team was finally getting national attention,” Hardin said.

“Whitt and Bonner both were huge, but ABC medical was the biggest surprise.

It became one of our main sponsors, donating $10,000. The people there allowed our athletes use their wheelchairs.”

Hardin accomplished a second national title with the women’s wheelchair team in 2010. He was having success as a coach, but he wanted to be more involved in fundraising and expanding the program. Hardin hired Elisha Williams in 2011. His investment paid off as the women’s team captured its third national title.

“A coach’s main goal is to prepare players for a career,” Hardin said. “If it’s in sports, the goal is to make sure your players are excellent athletically. If not, a coach has to make sure the players are mentally prepared to make a positive impact on society.”

Ford Buttram, Alabama men’s

wheelchair basketball coach, was in Wisconsin when Alabama started a men’s team started in 2006. Hardin hired him in 2009 to assist the women’s wheelchair team. Buttram was a member of three national title teams, but he wasn’t hands on with the group. Hardin offered him a head coaching position with the men’s team in 2012. Buttram guided the team to its first national title in 2013. Buttram said Hardin has always had his back.

“Brent and his wife, Margaret are the driving forces behind the adaptive sports program,” Buttram said. They are very intelligent, friendly and loving people. Brent’s impact on the program has been through financing and interacting with our players.”

Failures of past coaches caused Hardin to spend more time with the women’s wheelchair team. The hiring of Williams has allowed him more interactions with both teams.

“Brent has impacted our players by providing scholarships, tutors and more sporting venues,” Buttram said. “He has so much fun with our boys, especially on road trips.”

Coaches are taught to be a student of the game. Times and seasons may change, but it’s never too late to learn.

Flexibility is a must if one desires to stay ahead of the curve.

“Brent is constantly thinking of

Photos: UA Athletic Photography

ways to expand the adaptive sports program,” Buttram said. “One of my favorite memories was when he and I went golfing. He came across an idea of wanting to start a golf team. I thought he was joking, but he ended up raising enough money and now we have one.

The man is a visionary.”

Dequel “DQ” Robinson, junior shooting guard for Alabama men’s wheelchair basketball, said Hardin has no problem with spending money on both teams.

“Dr. Hardin was one of the first people that welcomed me to the team,” Robinson said. “He’s always smiling and cheering. He buys food for both teams during road games.”

Paul Bryant and Mal Moore both were great athletic directors at Alabama. Bryant was a historic coach before becoming a director. Moore was an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach before accepting a director’s baton. Both men will be remembered as legends to Alabama fans. Hardin is making strides to a legendary call, but doesn’t about his legacy much.

“I’m not one of those people who put a lot of thought into that stuff,” Hardin said. “If I was to die today, all I want is for this program to remain strong. If the program can go on without me, then I have done my job. Another championship would be nice, but growth in this program is better.”

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

>>> H I G H T I D E | GARY HARRIS / WVUA SPORTS DIRECTOR

ADONIS THOMAS GETS AN ASSIST FROM BLAKE SIMS // QUARTERBACK LED HIM TO BAMA Blake Sims Alabama to the SEC Championship.

And now the Tide's quarterback has assisted in winning over star linebacker Adonis Thomas, who committed to UA following a visit from Nick Saban on Monday.

Since de-committing from Florida earlier this fall, the 6-4, 220-pound Thomas, of Central Gwinnett HS in Lawrenceville, GA, appeared to be lock for Alabama. It was discussions with Sims that helped seal the deal for the Tide.

"You get kids taking visits and these schools set them up with players," Central Gwinnett head coach Todd Wofford says.

"Being that I know Blake so well, because I coached him when he was in high school, I made sure that Blake talked to Adonis.

"Blake had nothing but great things to say about the whole program, the coaching staff, the campus, the school, everything.

"If there's anybody that could've said anything negative, it would've been someone who had to wait four years to get his chance to play. So when Blake had all of those great things to say, that made all of us feel comfortable with Alabama, because I knew we could trust Blake and trust his judgment."

Of his decision, Thomas says, "Alabama just seemed like a good fit for me. I felt really good about Alabama the times I've visited and I felt like I'd fit in with their program.

"I've got a real good relationship with the coaching staff, Coach Saban and Coach Smart. We talk on a regular basis. We talk about things outside of football and recruiting. I like that and I'm comfortable with them, so I feel real good about Alabama.

They develop you as a person and as a football player. I think that's very important."

Alabama plans to use Thomas as an inside linebacker. This season he finished with 124 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery.

"He's special on the field and off the field," Wofford says. "As a player, you're talking about a kid that's 6-4, 220 pounds and runs a 4.5 40. He's the type of linebacker everybody is looking for. When you're playing these spread offenses, you don't have to sub him out.

"He still has so much room to grow physically. You're talking about a kid that could be 240 by next year and not lose any speed. I think the sky is the limit for him. In the classroom, he's a 3.4 GPA student. He takes academics seriously."

Thomas says his commitment to Alabama is solid. He will make an official to UA in January. He's not sure if he'll visit other schools. led

FOOTBALL AWARDS BANQUET HELD Tide Players Honored in Birmingham The Alabama football team held its annual award banquet Sunday evening at The Cahaba Grand Conference Center.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban addressed an audience that included members of the team, coaching staff, administration and support staff following the awards session in which he recapped the 2014 season and stated the goals for the upcoming semifinal game in the College Football Playoff at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The Crimson Tide named four captains on Sunday with Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Jalston Photo: UA Athletic Photography Fowler and Blake Sims selected. The complete list of award winners is as follows:

in the effectiveness of this unit: Cyrus Jones, Reggie Ragland, Xzavier Dickson, Eddie Jackson Offensive Achievement Award To the player who has played a critical role in the effectiveness of this unit: Austin Shepherd, Derrick Henry, Amari Cooper, DeAndrew White President's Award To a player from each unit who has shown perseverance in making outstanding contributions to the team's success Ryan Kelly, T.J. Yeldon, Jalston Fowler, Blake Sims Jefferson County Distinguished Alumnus Award A former player who has exemplified the principles, values, character and attitude that make a person successful either during a particular life experience or over a period of time: Wayne Davis

Special Teams Player of the Year Award To the most valuable special teams player: Christion Jones, JK Scott, Adam Griffith, Dillon Lee Offensive Player of the Year Award To the most valuable offensive player: Amari Cooper, Blake Sims Defensive Player of the Year Award To the most valuable defensive player: Trey DePriest, Landon Collins Most Valuable Player Award To the overall most valuable player on the team (voted on by the players)Amari Cooper Captain Awards To the players elected by their teammates as permanent team captains (voted on by the players): Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Jalston Fowler, Blake Sims

*UA Media Relations Contributed To This Story

Unsung Hero Award To the player who has made significant contributions to the success of the team and received the least recognition for it: Jarrick Williams, Denzel Devall, Leon Brown, Kenyan Drake Outstanding Senior Scholar To the senior with the highest GPA: Nick Perry, Arie Kouandjio Commitment to Academic Excellence To the player who has demonstrated the greatest commitment and achievement in his academic endeavors during the previous year: Denzel Devall, Adam Griffith, Jonathan Allen, JK Scott, O.J. Howard, Geno Smith Iron Man Award To the player(s) who have shown the most dedication to the individual and team goals of the Crimson Tide's year-round strength and conditioning program: Ryan Anderson, Derrick Henry, Brandon Greene, D.J. Pettway Most Inspiring Player To the player who affects the whole team by his attitude as well as his performance (voted on by the players): Blake Sims Pat Trammel Award To a senior player whose character and contributions to the Alabama Football Team most personify the All-American youth of today and has reflected qualities of Integrity, Character, Importance of Academics and Inspirational Leadership during their time at Alabama: Brandon Ivory, Brian Vogler Outstanding Defensive Performer To the player with the most tackles/points: Landon Collins, Trey DePriest Up-Front Award To the outstanding lineman from each unit: Arie Kouandjio, Cam Robinson, A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed Defensive Achievement Award To the player who has played a critical role

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