Planet Weekly 475 by The Planet Weekly

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NEWS

BEST WISHES FOR YOU IN 2015

We're taking some time off to be with our families and friends, as well as to prepare for the year ahead. We encourage you to visit our newly redesigned website, www.tuscaloosachamber.com. The site was designed by our friends at Nine.

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STORIES 4 2014 in music // WILLIAM BARSHOP

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 23 RECRUITING UPDATE // GARY HARRIS

Planet Weekly's favorite music

5 REST IN PEACE, JOE COCKER // TREY BROOKS Iconic musical legend departs this earthly realm

PUBLISHER LIN DA W. JOHNSON MANAGING EDITOR B E R T PAULS EN ASSISTANT EDITOR W ILLIAM BAR SHOP COVER DESIGN LAU R A LIN E B E R R Y EVENTS W ILLIAM B A R S H OP ROAD TRIP T R E Y B R OOK S PRODUCTION HERB NEU

IMAGES

COVER IMAGE: Richard Ross Images: Creative Common License unless otherwise credited.

ADVERTISING 205.792.7 239 205.765- 8007

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS W ILLIAM B A R S H OP c a r a br a ke T R E Y B R OO K S R AC H E L D O B SON G A R Y H A R R IS CIN DY H U G G INS kev i n l edgew o o d A D AM MILL E R J IM R E E D BRETT REID j o n r o ger s VAN R O B E R TS STEPHEN SMITH RACHEL STEINER

Planet Weekly P. O . B o x 2 3 1 5 T u s c a l o o s a , AL 3 5 4 0 3 Phone: 205.792.7239 |

7 RED CLAY DIARY // JIM REED

Being privy to the privileged privacy of the privy

8 JUVENILE-IN-JUSTICE // RACHEL DOBSON A stunning photographic exhibit by Richard Ross

9 EATING RIGHT // RACHEL STEINER What to eat during our Southern winter

13 BAMA ART HOUSE // KEVIN LEDGEWOOD Winter film series lineup

22 SHARING THE WEALTH // STEPHEN SMITH There is much to be proud about in Alabama Football

entertainment 205.765.8007

Email: publisher@theplanetweek ly.com Please direct correspondence to: publisher@theplanetweekly.com The Planet Weekly is a proud member of The West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. © 2015 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.

10-12

Bold new quintet to be featured at Acousic Night

RESTAURANT GUIDE / WINE & BEER

THE FLAT SCREEN

MOVIE REVIEW

16-17

FEATURE 22 HARPETH RISING // KEVIN LEDGEWOOD

LOCAL Events Calendar

Road Trip

LOCAL music

PUZZLEMANIA

HOROSCOPE

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2014 IN MUSIC // PLANET WEEKLY'S FAVORITE RECORDS

FKA Twigs

he first half of the 2010s has crowned more than its fair share of “instant classics.” Critics were just as quick to call Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City a masterpiece as the average hip-hop head. Bon Iver’s most sprawling, colorful vision saw just as much success with craft-beer, lumberjack types as high school girls and whoever watches the Grammys. And of course, Kanye West pushed his dynastic control of pop culture to new limits with two albums that play as polar opposites: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the pristine self-portrait, and Yeezus, the messy, manic tableau. In 2014, though, the critics and the people seem to be at odds, disagreeing on what is worth saving from the recent stream of pop, rock, electronic and hip-hop. There are plenty of records that we will surely remember a year from now, like the grinding two hours of Swans’ To Be Kind or St. Vincent’s bold self-titled project, but it’s unclear what will last for generations. What will we look back on and say “now that was some good music”? At the Planet Weekly, we know that only time will tell, but we still would like to share some music we loved this year. Here are three albums we found to be outstanding since the planet last made its way around the sun, and a few fantastic songs as well.

FKA Twigs // LP1

How long has electronic music been trying to sound lifelike? Since the beginning? From the thumping heart of Chicago house, to the earthy texture of Bjork’s Homogenic, to James Blake’s dubstep-soaked sadboy hum, the most robotic sounds still imitate flesh and blood. The farther we swing from the analog, the harder we swing back to the visceral and the real. This year, one quiet, London background dancer made the full revolution, leaving any dichotomy behind. Percussion that sounds like popping joints and synths as smooth and warm as skin make every song move and bend on its own. You can hear lungs fill up and cheeks flush. You can feel the singer’s fingertips run across Painting: the music. Kathy Hiers

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And who better to the human body and its most entertaining functions than a professional dancer? FKA Twigs was a go-to background performer for big-budget music videos just a few years ago, adorning dance pop with her commanding weirdness. Now she moves to her own creations, scuttling around in Google Glass like a mantis or spider, seducing death row inmates with her hypnotic sway. In the spotlight, she’s even more bizarre, and volumes more compelling. Never has the sound of pleasure come across so vividly than on LP1. There’s no telling what Twigs will Raul do with all the attention Photo: Lieberwirth/flickr/cc she’s earned, but if we can trust the lyrics of “Two Weeks,” it won’t be long before we don’t recognize the artist we thought we knew.

horns float you away. For every syrupy sweet Sam Smith number, Half the City brings teeth-gnashing, foot-stomping, honest-to-goodness soul. Check out Planet Weekly Issue 448 on Issuu.com for our profile of the band and their nationwide shake-up.

Open Mike Eagle // Dark Comedy

“I see the deepest greens/ I hear the darkest blues/ Might not be synesthesia/ Might be apartment fumes.” Mike delivers genius so playfully that it’s easy to miss. On “Qualifiers,” he juggles the parts of his identity that don’t add up, making pilgrimages to Africa and playing thirteen games of Words with Friends, and that’s just in a few minutes of Dark Comedy’s length. He’s your average millennial with the wit to unpack what that means, and the wordplay to make it irresistible to replay.

St. Paul & the Broken Bones // Half the City

While the rest of the world was smitten with Sam Smith, Alabama fell for a wilder breed of soul singer, Paul Janeway. The choir boy squawked, sputtered and roared all over Half the City, doling out the pretty with healthy doses of the pretty ugly. His golden pipes anchor the seven-piece Birmingham band while lifting it to heavenly heights. Janeway told NPR that he learned more from training to be a preacher than from church singing, and that sensibility resonates on songs like “Grass is Greener.” He coaxes the brass section to its feet, turns the soul up to a boil, and pleads with time itself like a prophet in a haze of visions. When you sing with that much conviction, every word sounds like the gospel truth. Lead single “Call Me” is the most forceful song you’ll ever about pining by the telephone, and “That Glow” stews in the kind of brooding, dark energy that makes your own breakups seem like a cool breeze. “Broken Bones & Pocket Change” was made for wandering city streets under the moonlight, cursing lost love, and letting the tender

I fall”? The horns lifted from Outkast’s “Spottieottiedopealiscious”? The cackle of a woman who knows she just set the internet on fire? I could go on naming just about every line from the repurposed, reupholstered empowerment track, but Twitter has hashtagged them to oblivion since the song popped up on Beyonce’s website. But how could I not mention Beyonce calling out “Onika” like a goddess summoning a behemoth? Can we discuss this remix without deciding if the rap verse stands up to “Monster Nicki from Sri Lanka?” There just isn’t enough space to celebrate every brilliant hook and punchline packed into four minutes. Beyonce went from being positive to being aggressive, taking the hypermasculine tropes of brag-rap and injecting them with femininity without losing one degree of firepower. Nicki Minaj may have opened the door for female rappers, but Beyonce burned down the house and rose from the ashes with Nicki in tow. The collaboration, to put it simply, is flawless.

Drive-By Truckers // Pauline Hawkins

Every pun is a backflip over expectations. Instead of peddling opulence, Open Mike Eagle plays up the narrative of the starving artist. Instead of boasting sexual conquests, Mike boasts the fines on his library card. On “Very Much Money,” he describes his friends as superheroes who “make hair grease out of fruits and herbs” and “take selfies like Dubuffet,” tame but free spirits who don’t seem to earn much appreciation these days. If you want to spend the next few weeks turning punchlines over in your head like riddles, just give one listen to Dark Comedy, one of the most forward-thinking and rewarding hip-hop projects of this year.

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The lyrics of “Pauline Hawkins” were inspired by Willy Vlautin’s 2014 novel, The Free, from the perspective of a character as weathered and beatendown as the road music that Drive-By Truckers has played for more than 15 years. Pauline is a nurse with a heart too worn by trauma and a soul to used up by her patients, and something about her story moved Patterson Hood to write the most poignant song on English Oceans, the band’s tenth studio album. “I won’t stand beside you or answer your calls,” Hood channels from Nurse Hawkins, with the hard-hearted tone set by Jason Isbell on guitar. The alt-country group has always had a knack for bringing a personality to life with a few words and a windblown riff, but this little story stands out as a gem in their long discography.

Clipping // Knees on the Ground

Noise music easily translates to anger or fear. Deafening blasts of chaos describe what you feel in your gut in the face of danger. But on “Knees on the Ground,” Clipping use noise to express confusion, hopelessness and dread, not feelings of action but feelings of deep turmoil. For this experimental hip-hop group, noise is what Favorite Songs you hear when the world doesn’t work like Beyonce featuring Nicki you thought it did, or when violence seems Minaj // Flawless Remix like an inevitable end. Which moment on “FlawDaveed Diggs paints bloody pictures less Remix” truly heralded a and punctuates his story with a zen-like new era of rap music? Miss koan: “Times have made a choice of what Minaj rhyming the drug that to keep and what to throw away.” Between killed Michael Jackson, Promoments of clarity, all we hear is LEARN MORE ATthese WWW.FUTUREFIRST.US pofol, with “I know they hope noise.

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JOE COCKER // MAD DOG RESTS IN PEACE

ock, blues and soul all lost an iconic voice this holiday season. Joe Cocker, one of the most prominent singers throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, lost his battle with lung cancer. He was 70 years old. Cocker gained fame by putting unique spins on classic songs, and his live performance style was as engaging as they come. Though other artists are more celebrated or highly regarded, he was part of a scene that forever altered the musical landscape in both his native United Kingdom and the United States. With his passing, the world loses another relic from this incredible period in popular music. Cocker was part of the British blues scene that revolutionized rock n’ roll in the mid to late 1960’s. He began his career mainly covering early rock n’ roll musicians such as Chuck Berry and Ray Charles, but developed an appreciation for American blues and began to shift his focus in that direction. After several early struggles, Cocker formed the Grease Band in 1966 and began to have his first successes in the recording industry. He struck gold in 1968 when his bluesy rearrangement of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends”, which was a top ten hit in the UK, and reached number 68 on the American charts. Cocker and his band were part of the Woodstock music festival, one of the most significant moments in rock n’ roll history. By the end of the decade, he was a bonafide star. Cocker’s success continued into the 1970’s when he toured with his new group Mad Dogs and Englishmen. He put out a string of hits that included “The Letter”, “Feelin’ Alright”, “Cry Me a River” and “You Are So Beautiful To Me”. However, like many other rock artists of the time, Cocker succumbed to substance abuse, and this led to trouble both in the studio and with the

law. Despite these problems, he was able to release several well-received records. In 1982, his career was revived when he won a Grammy, Oscar and had a number 1 hit with “Up Where We Belong”, a duet with Jennifer Warnes that was featured on the soundtrack for the film An Officer and a Gentleman. This was followed by another series of commercially successful and well-received albums. In 1994, his career came full circle when he opened the 25th anniversary edition of Woodstock, one of the few artists from the original festival to play at the ’94 incarnation. As a singer, Joe Cocker was gritty and soulful. His voice wasn’t beautiful in any classic sense, or even by many standards for rock music. But much like Janis Joplin, who came up during the same period, it was the imperfections in his voice that gave a realness to his music that others could not match. His performances were from another world as well. Cocker was famously out-of-control when he was on stage. He would sway wildly, almost to the point of convulsing. He was always covered in sweat, and many times looked downright sickly. But it was a style that had the audience captivated every time he went on stage. Cocker had a sense of humor about it though, even going on Saturday Night Live to perform alongside John Belushi who was doing an impression of Cocker’s wild movements. With age, the movements decreased dramatically, but his raw emotion was always present in his performances. Joe Cocker was part of a musical revolution. It was a time when British blues musicians created a new form of rock n’ roll that would dominate the scene for a decade and influence countless of other musicians and artists throughout the years. The Mad Dog now rests in peace.

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Images courtesy of Erin Colleen Johnson

SEEK YOU // GOATS, MORSE CODE AND ICE FISHING IN EXPERIMENTAL VIDEO what light does and is and communicates.” In the video, we see Johnson film herself cutting a hole through a cardboard box. The pinpoint of light expands into a dusty heavenly body that glints off her blade as Tom Johnson, a veteran ice fisher instructs her over the phone. Erin never set foot in an ice shack herself, but she makes a stark connection to what it must be like with footage from various firsthand videos.

“I think that a lot of my work comes out of conversations that I have with people,” Johnson said. “An image that someone describes to me, I usually latch onto.” The Sella-Granata gallery will hold Seek You, an exhibition of Johnson’s experimental film, performance and photography Jan. 7 – 27. Johnson will give a gallery talk on Jan. 15 at 5 p.m., with a reception to follow, through 8 p.m.

The Goatman

riving around West Georgia, Erin Colleen Johnson spots a goat, so she pulls over to ask some questions. “I would say ‘Hey I just moved here, and I have goats and I’m just starting. Can you offer me some advice?’” Johnson said. “That launched so many friendships and conversations about all kinds of things. Goats are fascinating, but the people I got to work with are much more interesting.” Johnson first bought her own herd of goats after moving to Carrollton, Ga. to teach art at the University of West Georgia after earning her MFA from the University of California, Berkeley. “As I was driving to Georgia the first thing I did on my road trip across the country to my new home, was that I called the city of Carrollton and asked if I could have goats within city limits,” Johnson said. “I knew they would be art somehow, I had no idea how.” She had farmed vegetables before, with a few animals here and there, but goats were new for her. She started using her herd as a reason to strike up a conversation with fellow goat farmers, a community she found to be a sharp and creative bunch. Her experiences went on to become a video called “If it won’t hold water, it surely won’t hold a goat,” a piece that will be featured in her show at the University of Alabama’s Sella-Granata gallery in January. “There is not a single industrialized farming operation of goats in the country,” Johnson said. “What that means is the people who decide to raise goats are people who are willing to try to do something people haven’t figured out how to do with ‘efficiency.’” One woman that Johnson met made a hay feeder out of a used trampoline. With no goat-specific tools on the market, farmers have to craft their way to keeping their herds under control. “Goats are very elusive, slippery animals,” Johnson said. “They can get out of most fencing. I’d say most of the goat farmers that I’ve met are very much artists.” Johnson has always had an artistic

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habit of slipping into communities to find out what makes them tick. When she lived in California, Johnson began visiting the Marin County Morse Code station, interested in the Morse code enthusiasts that still existed in small numbers. She learned about the antiquated technology, and she explored its intertwined history with the Spiritualist Church, a religious group founded by Leah, Margaret and Kate Fox, who claimed they could communicate with the dead. “When Morse code was invented, it kind of allowed people to communicate in an instantaneous way,” Johnson said. “This was so shocking and exciting, and it led to kind of a justification of Spiritualism in which people said they communicated with the dead, because here we were communicating with someone we couldn’t see.” With the medium of video, Johnson could put two spaces together: the church and the Morse code station. The side-byside view is eerie, the intermittent beeps overlapping with prayer. “The quietness of the two spaces was important,” Johnson said. “If I had asked the people from these two spaces to come together and talk about what they do, or if I had done a field trip, it wouldn’t have allowed for people to see these spaces side-by-side and how similar and different they are. “ About 50 years after the founding of the Spiritualist Church, the Fox sisters denounced it as a hoax, but it lived on for more than another century. “So it exists today in small numbers, at least in the US,” Johnson said. “Both groups not really knowing for sure if their messages are going somewhere. There’s no tangible response.” Johnson also connects with an unseen space in “Hole,” a video that centers around darkhouse shacks made for ice fishing, and the strange light that refracts through the lake and comes up through the hole in the floor. “My friend told me, ‘No, it’s really incredible. It’s light coming from the ground,’” Johnson said. “I’ve always been fascinated by

PLANET WEEKLY Op-Ed

“What Carl Sagan envisioned we could become: Conscious, wise, compassionate, energetically curious, eternally skeptical, immune to the manipulations and intimidations of the powerful, free of the walls that imprison and divide us; awe-inspired by the beauty of an ever-broadening identification horizon, welcoming of its expansion; no longer stunted by the old primate hierarchies, but instead, proud of our capacity to care for each other and to discern our tiny, utterly decentralized place in the fabric of nature, space and time; secure enough at last to embrace the wonder inherent in this reality, awakened to our responsibilities as a link in the generations past and future, at peace with our self-knowledge, alert to a heightened and consequential sense of the sacred; long-term thinkers, solid citizens of the planet and the cosmos; fully alive; completely connected.” ~ Ann Druyan, Sagan's widow ~

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>>> R E D C L AY D I A RY | J I M R E E D

BEING PRIVY TO THE PRIVILEGED PRIVACY OF THE PRIVY It also allows me to run a very public bookstore and love it. I can perform for each customer, one on one or in groups, playing the part of book dealer. Then, I can go home to my quietness and recharge for the next day. Because of who I am, because of how I was raised, I have the best of both worlds. I’m able to be alone anywhere

was brought up in a two-bedroom asbestos-shingled bungalow housing two parents and four brothers and sisters. Sounds crowded, but we didn’t know it. My younger younger brother, Tim, slept in the den (where books and television and dining room and family room mingled), my older younger brother, Ronny, slept on the bottom bunk and I on the top bunk of our own bedroom, older sister Barbara slept in a room that was once our paneled-in front porch, and younger sister Rosi occupied Barbara’s room, then our bedroom, once we had up and moved away. Our parents had their own bedroom. So, we made do. And it all seemed perfectly natural. But the one sacred room in the house was our sole bathroom. It was the primp room, the reading room, the telephone booth (our single phone cord reached from the hallway into the bathroom)…the only place any member of the family could disappear into for a little privacy. The primary challenge was timing. In order to escape the merry chaos of seven people and assorted visiting pets and neighbors and relatives was to find the bathroom vacant and maximize your private time. That’s why the bathroom always housed books and magazines and notepads. It was the only place you didn’t risk having somebody look over your shoulder. All spaces were small, in that little home on Eastwood Avenue in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. You learned to get a lot done in a tiny area…and to this day, I tend to work within a few square

anytime with any number of people… and I’m able to switch on, enjoy, joke with and entertain whenever I feel like it. I get my jollies, then ride off into the sunset. Ain’t life great © Jim Reed 2015 A.D.

feet, no matter how much space is at my disposal. I surround myself with books and diaries and papers and magazines and keepsakes wherever I am. I even write and edit in small spaces—it just doesn’t feel right, sitting in the middle of a large, vacant room with plenty of stretch space. It’s not quite as extreme as hunching over your food, prisonerlike, guarding your plate on three sides, but it is the way I’ve survived all these years. Five out of the seven of us Reeds are what you call introverts. For instance, I take my privacy with me wherever I go. Even in a crowded room, you’ll often find me in a corner looking at books or examining artifacts or talking with just one person at a time. Two of us introvert Reeds are performers, so sometimes you’ll see us entertaining large groups of people and mistake us for extroverts. Not so. We’re merely performers, actors. I am comfortable in front of a crowd when they’re all paying attention, when they have brought me in to entertain. It’s exhilarating. But, in the true tradition of introversion, it’s also exhausting. After a performance, I re-charge by being alone and quiet. All these years, I’ve been grateful for learning at the age of 13 that I was an actor, performer, public speaker at heart. This skill enables an otherwise shy person to excite crowds and classrooms—easy to do, so long as I know that I can ride away afterward, saying, as the Lone Ranger used to comment to his companion, “Our job is done here. Let’s go!”

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JUVENILE-IN-JUSTICE // STUNNING EXHIBIT OF YOUTH INCARCERATION T

he Sarah Moody Gallery of Art invites you to Juvenile-in-Justice: Photographs by Richard Ross, January 8 through February 8, 2015 in 103 Garland Hall on UA campus. The artist will give a public lecture on his work Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. in 205 Smith Hall. Everyone is invited to a reception on Thursday, January 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the gallery. California photographer Richard Ross turns his lens on the socially relevant topic of youth incarceration. Culled from nearly 1,000 images of juveniles at more than 200 detention facilities in 31 states taken over a sixyear period, this exhibition is a sobering look at America’s prison system. Richard Ross has documented the placement and treatment of American juveniles housed by law in facilities where officials treat, confine, punish, assist and, occasionally, harm them. About his art,

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Image credit: Richard Ross

Ross says, “the work exists at the juncture of art, social practice, and politics with the goal of creating interest and action that goes beyond ‘liking’ or ‘sharing.’” Richard Ross has been the recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Education Association, the Center for Cultural Innovation, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, as well as Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships. Ross was the principal photographer for the Getty Conservation Institute and the Getty Museum on many of their architectural projects. He has photographed extensively for the Canadian Center for Architecture, Nike, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Examiner, Vogue, COLORS, Courrier and many more. He has published twelve books of his work including Architecture of Authority, Waiting for the End of the World, Gathering Light and Museology. Ross has been a professor of art at the University of California, Santa Barbara since 1977. His photographs have been exhibited in museums worldwide and he is represented by Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York. See the entire project at juvenile-in-justice.com. The Sarah Moody Gallery of Art is supported by the College of Art and Sciences and the Department of Art and Art History. Additional program support comes from

the Farley Moody Galbraith Support Fund. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday: 9:00 – 4:30 p.m. and Thursday evenings: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The gallery is located at 103 Garland Hall in the heart of the UA campus on Woods Quad. There is no admission charge. For further information, contact the gallery at 348-1891 or on the web: art.ua.edu/gallery/smga/.

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>>> H E A L T H | D R . R A C H E L S T E I N E R , D C

HOW TO EAT RIGHT // DURING THE HEART OF WINTER Kale – Contains 3 grams of protein per serving, which is huge for a vegetable. It is high in fiber, which aids in controlling blood sugar levels and helps you feel fuller longer. It is high in Vitamins A, C, and K. Personally, if you throw a handful in a smoothie you will not even notice (Other than it might turn your smoothie green!). Mushrooms – One of the few vegetables that are an excellent source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D has an important role of promoting healthy bones by aiding in Calcium absorption. Mushrooms are also high in B vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which help support our nervous system.

Carrots - you might have heard that ow that we're into the colder months, these orange sticks help with vision, or fresh fruits and vegetables become that is what they tell us in school nonetheless available. We tend to turn to comfort less. This is true! Carrots contain betathings such as soups, carbohydrates, carotene, which help nourish the retina and creamy foods that help us feel full and specifically help with night vision. and warm inside. However, often people Along with this, they have been shown (myself included) forget about “winter” produce because they are not as common to prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. and can take some out of the box thinking to cook with. Chard – this dark leafy green proLuckily, Alabama as a state has a mild vides 300% of your daily value of vitamin climate and a long growing season, which K. Vitamin K aids in blood clotting and means more readily available produce preventing heart disease. It contains for us. If there is a certain time of year a phytonutrients or what I like to call them, person were to become malnourished or FIGHT-O-NUTRIENTS. They help fight pack on the pounds, it is definitely in the and prevent diseases. Research has winter months. Thanksgiving through New shown that chard can actually help preYears feasting and parties does not help vent Alzheimer’s disease. the matter, but statistically winter is when the most weight is put on. So what can we Collard Greens – Are an excellent do to make sure we are always getting the source of Vitamin A and K, providing proper nutrients and not adding inches to 222% and 426% respectively of your our waistline? daily intake. The stems Here in Organic produce means and leaves are high Tuscaloosa, we are that pesticide exposure was in minerals such as very fortunate to have the River Market year kept at a safe standard thus iron, calcium, copper, manganese, selenium, around on Saturday decreasing the harmful mornings to purchase side- effects and increasing and zinc. produce that is grown nutritional quality. StatistiFennel– Contains here in the area. Also, cally, organic produce has lots of antioxidants, as I drive into work meaning it has properon Highway 69 South about 50% more antioxities to help prevent heading toward town, dants than non-organic. cancer from forming. It there is a stand along also has an anti-inflammatory effect which the side of the road with fresh fruits would highly benefit those with arthritic and veggies most days of the week. conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Area grown produce is always best, as we need to support our local farmers. Green Onions – One of the properHowever, regardless of how or where we ties of green onions that I find fascinating get them, they need to be on our plate is that it helps speed up blood circulation year around. and absorb vitamin B1. What does this The following items are in season right mean? This helps reduce fatigue, which I now in Alabama and should be easily believe is a common issue we face in the available and fresh! Also, I included some winter months with the decreased amount nutritional facts to show the benefits and hopefully win you over to start eating them of daylight. In ancient days, green onions Paul Hornsby were used to fight the common cold. if you are not already.

All right! So you have a list of produce that is growing right now in our state. If you don’t eat these items already, try adding one to your diet each week. Make sure you are buying organic if possible. I know it is more expensive, however it is worth every penny. Organic produce means the pesticide exposure was kept at a safe standard thus decreasing the harmful side effects and increasing nutritional quality. Statistically, organic produce has about 50% more antioxidants than non-organic. I know it isn’t realistic to always buy organic—it does

get pricey and it isn’t as readily available, which is another reason why it costs more. There are natural vinegar- based sprays to soak your produce in to safely remove the chemicals. Fortunately for us, our body does an amazing job of filtering out toxins and harmful chemicals through digestion and elimination. The only time this isn’t the case is if we have a disconnect between our nervous system and digestive organs or if our bodies are overloaded with toxicity. This is the cause of many problems such as acid reflux, irritable bowl syndrome, and many other digestive problems. These conditions are preventable and can be treated naturally by eliminating interference, which allows our body to function properly. So the bottom line is, although it is winter there is still fresh produce available in our area. Shop local, the produce will be fresher and you will be supporting our community and local farmers. Lastly, when possible- buy organic! If you have any more questions or would like more information on detoxification, call my office at 345-5035. As it is the New Year, to help kick start all those health related resolutions, I am offering a complimentary consultation to any readers who are interested! Happy 2015, I hope your year is full of happiness, laughter, and great health!

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

ITALIAN WINE // TWO UNIQUE Di Sardegna Resonates // Costa Al CHOICES // Cannonau Sole Nero D'avola is Organic Excellence T

his tasting is of the Sella and Mosca Cannonau Di Sardegna Riserva 2010. According to the bottle, Sella and Mosca was founded in 1899 and they consider themselves “among the most progressive and magnificent wine estates in Europe.” Cannonau Di Sardegna comes from the island of Sardinia in Italy. The varietal is Cannonau, which is the region’s name for the Granache wine grape. It’s speculated that Granache may have actually originated from Sardina. In the glass, this wine is somewhat dark and shows colors of garnet and rust. I noticed that the wine coated the inside of the glass with many bubbles. To be clear, this is not an effervescent wine. It is a very leggy wine, though. The legs were many and varied in size. They fell at various speeds down the sides of the glass. The wine’s aroma was pronounced and complex. It was very aromatic and noticeable from a good foot away from the glass after pouring. There were earthy notes of black fruits, primarily. I also noted hints of tar and spice. There was definitely a good whiff of alcohol when sniffed. Alcohol content of this Cannonau Di Sardegna was 14.0% by volume. When I tasted this wine, I noted deep full bodied flavors of blackberry, black cherry and other dark fruits. The wine’s taste definitely echoed the aroma and was very enjoyable. When initially tasted (prior to letting it breathe) the wine seemed a little young and bright. But, the taste quickly matured with a little air. The wine had a cottony mouthfeel with nicely behaved tannins noted all over the mouth. Finish of the Cannonau Di Sardegna was medium to long. Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable wine. It could be appreciated on its own or paired with red meats. Speaking of appreciation, I recieved this wine as a gift from a friend I recently reconnected with and I’m appreciative of her good taste in wine! What resonated with me the most about this wine was its complexity in aroma and taste. Consider decanting this wine for a little while before drinking it.

had the pleasure of sharing this tasting with two close friends and they had a lot of great comments about this wine. Specifically, we reviewed the Costa Al Sole Nero D’Avola 2013. According to the bottle, this wine is Certified Organic. This was my first time tasting and reviewing the Nero D’Avola varietal. The Nero D’Avola grape is said to be indigenous to Italy and well known in Sicily, per Wikipedia. Costa al Sole Nero D'AvolaIn the glass, this wine is burgundy in color. It’s not quite red enough to be called ruby and also lacks any rust color you might find in other Italian red wines. The three of us noted just a few slowly falling legs in our glasses. Aroma of the Costa Al Sole Nero D’Avola was of dark fruits and tobacco. There was a mild whiff of alcohol in the aroma that dissipated with air and time. Alcohol content of Costa Al Sole Nero D’Avola 12.5% per the bottle. The wine had an earthy and mild flavor. One person noticed the taste of cooked beets and after giving the wine another sip, we all agreed that was the flavor we were trying to figure out. We also noted that, although this wine is very drinkable and smooth, the flavors were not overwhelming on the palate. We decided the wine had a cottony mouthfeel with delayed tannins that weren’t over developed or grippy. One person described the tannins as “stem-ish” which made us wonder if the organic nature of this wine had any effect on the tannins. Finish of the wine was medium to long. Overall, 2 out of 3 of us really enjoyed this wine. The other didn’t warm up to it at first, but felt it did improve quite a bit with air. So, consider decanting this wine to give it a chance to breathe. I personally liked the uniqueness of this wine. It was different than anything I had tried previously, and I enjoy new wine experiences! Finally, we paired this wine with Cheddar, Asiago and Pepper Jack cheeses. The wine didn’t pair well with the Cheddar. It just washed out the flavor. However, the Asiago and Pepper Jack brought out the wine’s fruit and brightness. We said it “fruited it up!” Costa Al Sole Nero D’Avola price about $10.00 – $12.00 depending on vintage.So, if you’re up for a unique Italian wine tasting experience, definitely give Costa Al Sole Nero D’Avola a try!

Costa Al Sole Nero D’Avola is an Italian dry red wine bottled in Tortona, Italy. I

More wine reviews by Jon Rogers at www. honestwinereviews.com

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W here to E at in T uscaloosa

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 here to E at in T uscaloosa ( cont . )

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

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

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

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

I was really surprised and found myself checking the bottle to make sure that Abita was the one that brewed this one. It was a pleasant surprise from a brewery that I want to love.

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

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

ABITA'S NEW BREW // SURPRISINGLY GOOD

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

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

>>> beer review | B R E T T R E I D

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

t’s been a while since I’ve had an Abita beer that’s worth my time or that could actually be labeled as “good,” for that matter. The Restoration Pale Ale is decent and very sessionable, but it lacks the hop character that I and many others look for; the Jockamo IPA is pretty weak in my opinion as well, and that Grapefruit IPA tastes like medicine. Abita seems to be going through a surge in brewing, branding, and, really, the overall handling of their business. They’re introducing several new beers in the coming months, already released two new brews, and taking a nice turn in the way the art on the bottles looks. So, when I heard that Abita had recently introduced a new IPA, I figured I would give it a try. The Wrought Iron IPA received some nice ratings on Beer Advocate and RateBeer, so when I scooped it up, I had my expectations set fairly high, and they were met. The gothic lettering against the black background really sets this one apart from the rest of Abita’s lineup, but in the best way possible. This beer is nothing like any Abita beer in that it is outstanding. Here are my thoughts: First of all, I love the bottles that Abita uses. I’m not sure why, but if I’m not drinking out of a can, I prefer it to be a stubby bottle. Anyway, I poured this hazy orange, almost a light copper beer into a pint glass and watched about a finger- and-a-half width of white head rise to the top of the glass, and then slowly dissolve. The fragrance of this beer is extremely hoppy and citrus-filled. I picked up a lot of orange, and grapefruit, but pair that with breadiness from the malt and a touch of resin, this beer smells great and stays true to the style. Immediately, I’m reminded that most Abita beers just don’t have the aroma of what they’re supposed to be. This one delivers. Trust me.

As I lifted the glass to my mouth, I could already begin to pick up on the hops. It’s that feeling you get when you are eating a spicy food and you get hit with the heat and it stings the inside of your nose. Upon first taste, I was bombarded with huge flavors of juicy grapefruit and hop. The citrus component is so flavorful, it seemed as if my mouth was watering because of the beautiful fruit flavors. Midway through, you really start to get a lot of that bread-like malt that mellows out the flavor and adds a bit of heaviness to the beer. Finally, it finishes with another round of hop bitterness that rests on the back of your tongue, but not too strong. A nice balance of tropical citrus fruits, bready malts, and great hop bitterness. I’m coming back for more just on that initial flavor. Mouthfeel was fantastic on this beer. Feels a little heavier due to the malt and very fine carbonation used. I felt as if it was a little dry, but nothing like where most IPA style beers fall on the scale. This one is probably on the border for me of being somewhat sessionable and just a dinner beer. I could see this one being paired with a big bowl of gumbo or some red beans and rice. The heat of the food would be a great partner to the hops and citrus flavors in this beer. I was really surprised and found myself checking the bottle to make sure that Abita was the one that brewed this one. It was a pleasant surprise from a brewery that I want to love. This just goes to show that regardless of what you’ve had in the past and despite what you’ve heard, you should always try new beers. That practice has yet to prove faulty with me and I will continue to do so. All in all, good job Abita, you have restored my faith in your brewery and your capability of creating tasty brews, because this one is top-notch. I definitely plan on picking up another six-pack or two of this one.

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JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

>>> R estaurant review | C I N D Y H U G G I N S

BRUNCH ON THE BLACK WARRIOR // ANOTHER BROKEN EGG

>>> RESTAURANTS |

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

runch, a late 19th century meal time enjoyed by socialites, offers an elegant combination of breakfast and lunch foods served late morning to early afternoon. Entrees are heartier and coffee is often replaced with spiked juice, which makes me wonder why breakfast is the most important meal of the day? This combination of meals gives great opportunity for creative menu and recipe development. Another Broken Egg Café developed a menu with sweet and savory specialty entrees with a captivating twist. This gourmet style café is an extended franchise of 34 operating restaurants with 75 underway for production. Menu features are traditional southern breakfast entrees infused with vibrant flavors from fresh fruits, spices, and creams. Unusual and playful food pairs, like berries in grits and chocolate milk topped with whipped cream, leave customers with a hungry curiosity. Located along the beautiful Tuscaloosa Riverwalk providing a casual dining experience perfect for indulging in breakfast, brunch, or lunch. My first time at Another Broken Egg was over the holiday break. I attended brunch with a fellow foodie and dietitian, Sheena Gregg. Inside was charming and simple with off-white exposed brick walls and dark hardwood floors. The large windows extend the view through the tall trees looking out at the calming movement of the Black Warrior River. A covered patio wrapped around the café. The tables were occupied by young and old enjoying good company while sipping on morning mimosas. At our table, Sheena and I pondered the menu flipping it over and over again attempting to narrow our likings. Don’t let the dietitian title fool you; we enjoy good food. Everything sounded delicious: Biscuit Beignets topped with powdered sugar and honey marmalade, Monster Cinnamon Roll with cream cheese icing, Lobster and Brie Omelets. Burgers and sandwiches are also offered along with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Lost in the menu, I nearly forgot I was sitting with company. Our server was

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

nice enough to help us decipher through our options. She expressed a clear understanding of the menu and recipes. When I landed on biscuits and gravy my tummy rumbled with sounds of approval. Sheena went with the sweet potato pancakes or, as the waitress called them, “diabetes on a plate.” Two large flat pancakes draped over the plate. On top, spiced pecans and whipped cream. Conveniently, the server provided the cinnamon-marmalade unfused syrup on the side. My plate consisted of a large open-faced biscuit covered in hand made country gravy accompanied by scrambled eggs, bacon, and seasoned country potatoes. In other words, a small fest. The biscuit was light and fluffy, not at all soggy from the gravy. Surprisingly, nothing was overly salty but, seasoned lightly creating a nice balance. All mindful eating went out the door as Sheena and I engaged in conversation I completely cleaned my plate. Pricing was fair for the generous portions and fresh ingredients. Another Broken Egg is located at 1650 Jack Warner Pkwy Ste 1102b Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Hours of operation are Monday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Afternoon and evening private parties and special occasion bookings available. Cindy Huggins is a registered dietitian nutritionist and local “foodie”. Tweet her @ DietitianCindy

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

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>>> T H E AT R E | A D A M M I L L E R

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA // BAMA ART HOUSE // AUDITIONS FOR "WIT" WINTER FILM SERIES // T WOW! visit bamatheatre.org/bamaarthouse

est Alabama movie buffs will be pleased to know that it's time for the 2015 Bama Art House Winter Film Series. Screenings will begin on Jan. 6 and seven films will be featured. A program of The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, the movies represent the organization’s goals to bring new and unique film to the West Alabama area. Screenings will take place at the Bama Theatre on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. with the box office opening at 6:30 p.m. and doors at 6:45 p.m. Fresh popcorn, snacks and beverages will be available in the Greensboro room. Discount Punchcard Tickets ($60) will be available at the door prior to screenings and will be good for any 10 Bama Art House films during the year. Single Tickets will be priced at $8 general, $7 seniors & students and $6 Arts Council members. Patrons can visit bamatheatre. org/bamaarthouse to view the list of films, details and accompanying trailers. Here's the current lineup: January 6

Boyhood (2014) Drama (R) Director & Writer: Richard Linklater Stars: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke Synopsis: The life of a young man, Mason, from age 5 to age 18.

January 13 The Babadook (2014) Drama/Horror/ Thriller (R) Director & Writer: Jennifer Kent Stars: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall Synopsis: A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her. January 20 Citizenfour (2014) Documentary (R) Director: Laura Poitras Stars: Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, Jacob Appelbaum Synopsis: A documentarian and a

reporter travel to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden. January 27: Zero Motivation (2014) Comedy/ Drama (R) Director & Writer: Talya Lavie Stars: Dana Ivgy, Nelly Tagar, Shani Klein Synopsis: A unit of female Israeli soldiers at a remote desert base bide their time as they count down the minutes until they can return to civilian life. Sponsored by Left Hand Soap Company February 3 The Homesman (2014) Drama/Western (R) Director: Tommy Lee Jones Writers: Tommy Lee Jones, Kieran Fitzgerald, Wesley A. Oliver Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer Synopsis: Three women who have been driven mad by pioneer life are to be transported across the country by covered wagon by the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy, who in turn employs low-life drifter George Briggs to assist her.

heatre Tuscaloosa will hold open auditions for its upcoming production of “Wit” on Monday, January 5, at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, January 6, at 6 p.m. in the Wilson Carr Rehearsal Hall off the lobby of the Bean-Brown Theatre at Shelton State Community College (9500 Old Greensboro Rd). “Wit” is the story of Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant and difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne. Bearing has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Her approach to the study of Donne is aggressively probing and intensely rational. But during the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital— Bearing comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience.

Men and women of all races are encouraged to audition. Auditions will include cold readings from the script. Actors may present a headshot and acting resume if available. Those auditioning should bring their calendars to list any conflicts they may have with the rehearsal schedule. Copies of the script are available to read in the Theatre Tuscaloosa ticket office, however scripts may not leave the premises. The ticket office is open Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. – noon. Rehearsals for “Wit” will begin shortly after the auditions. Rehearsals are generally held Monday through Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Some Saturday and Sunday evening rehearsals may occur. Each show is unique and a precise rehearsal schedule will be finalized after casting. “Wit” will run February 20 – March 1, 2015, in the Bean-Brown Theatre on Shelton State Community College’s Martin Campus. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sundays, and Saturday, February 28. A Pay-WhatYou-Can dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. More details, including a list of characters, are available at theatretusc.com or by phone at 205.391.2277.

February 10 Listen Up, Philip (2014) Drama (R) Director and Writer: Alex Ross Perry Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss, Jonathan Pryce Synopsis: Anger rages in Philip as he awaits the publication of his second novel. He feels pushed out of his adopted home city by the crowds and noise, a deteriorating relationship with his girlfriend Ashley, and his own indifference to promoting the novel. When Philip's idol Ike Zimmerman offers his isolated summer home as a refuge, he finally gets the peace and quiet to focus on his favorite subject: himself. February 17 To be announced in the next edition.

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BACKROAD ANTHEM JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

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

NEW SHOWS FOR THE NEW YEAR

"Agent Carter"

new year brings new goals, new friends, and new media for all. Musicians create new music, producers start selling new movie scripts, and creators start brainstorming how to keep people interested in television. 2015 promises to be a great year in television, with a few new shows airing and some old favorites coming back. One of the first new shows starting this coming year, and one of the most highly anticipated, is Marvel’s “Agent Carter”. If anyone is familiar with the Captain American story, they’ll recognize Agent Peggy Carter as Steve Roger’s love interest. She, however, is much more than that in her new show. Peggy, in the wake of losing her love, has to

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

balance life as a marginalized, single woman in the 1940’s with her life as a double agent for both the SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve) and Howard Stark, risking life and limb for the good of her country. Hayley Atwell reprises her role as Agent Peggy Carter, with the show premiering on January 6th at 8/7 central on ABC Family. What if you could go back in time and change the past to save humanity? Would you take the challenge? One such challenge is taken on by James Cole in the new Syfy thriller “12 Monkeys”, premiering on January 16th at 9/8 central. Cole, using an unstable method of time travel, goes back to the past, in this case, 2015, to try and eradicate a virus that

Ryan Murphy hasn’t stopped with in the future will have killed 93% of the Glee, however, as his smash hit “Ameripopulation. Cole must try to save humancan Horror Story” returns with the final ity in time-or accept that it may be too three episodes of “Freakshow”. Dandy late. Aaron Stanford plays James Cole in delivers troubling news, Maggie sets out the new show, and it promises to be an to prove her love and loyalty to Jimmy, interesting take on a an old trope. and the freaks heighten security as Stan2015 also seems like the year to bring ley poses more of a threat. Will they be back documentary style shows, and one such premiere is “Nightwatch”, created by able to protect their loving freak show? “Freakshow” returns on January 14th at Dick Wolf. “Nightwatch” follows the lives 10/9 central on FX. of real-life graveyard shift EMTs in one of Some shows are starting 2015 with the most dangerous cities-New Orleans. a bang-or a blow. In the wake of learnThese people risk their lives to help othing the identity of Sam Keating’s killer, ers, and this show gives a look into their the characters of ABC’s “How to Get lives. “Nightwatch” premires on January Away With Murder” must deal with the 22nd on A&E at 10/9 central. aftermath of their actions-and whatever This new year also shows some comes next. Between keeping secrets of new favorites returning, some for a final their own, and dealing with their instrucseason and some just getting started. tor’s secrets, the group of students “Glee” returns for a final farewell, as have a lot on their plate for the coming season six will be the last season of the premier, which airs on January 29th at hit musical show. The old friends return to 10/9 central. Lima, some closer than others. Between dropouts, humiliating experiences, and breakups, each one goes their own way, but you can never stray too far. Blaine is still upset from his breakup with Kurt and returns to Ohio to coach the Warblers, Rachel comes back to teach at McKinley and coach New Directions with Kurt, and they bring back the old gang to help recruit. Glee returns Janu"12 Monkeys" ary 9th at 8/7 central on FOX.

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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

EXODUS // GODS AND KINGS // UNDERWHELMING EXTRAVAGANZA ✭✭

obody has made a landmark Biblical movie since Mel Gibson helmed “The Passion of the Christ” in 2004. Recently, contenders have cropped up, primarily “Noah” (2014) with Russell Crowe, but it amounted to little more than a pretender with its apocryphal allusions to the Books of Enoch with its stone angels. “Son of God” (2014) doesn’t really qualify since its producers re-edited it from The History Channel miniseries “The Bible.” Sadly, nothing about director Ridley Scott’s “Exodus: Gods and Kings” appears divinely inspired. Scott, best known for lavish spectacles such as “Alien,” “Gladiator,” “Black Hawk Down,” and “Prometheus,” has spent $140 million on this sprawling recreation of ancient Egypt. Admittedly, Scott doesn’t qualify as a saint. In a recent New York Times interview, Scott said about “Exodus,” “I’ve got it fairly well plotted out. I’m an atheist, which is actually good, because I’ve got to convince myself the story works.” Not surprisingly, the secular screenplay credited to four scribes, among them “Tower Heist” duo Adam Cooper & Bill Collage, “The Constant Gardner’s” Jeffrey Caine, and “Schindler's List’s” Steven Zaillian, adopts a realistic rather than a scriptural slant to its subject matter. Moses behaves more like Rambo rather than Charlton Heston, and our hero discovers with considerable chagrin that he isn’t an Egyptian. Comparatively, “Exodus” neither takes its cues from Cecil B. DeMille’s 1923 or 1956 versions of “The Ten Commandments” nor Mel Gibson’s subtitled “Passion of the Christ.” Certainly, nobody would expect anything less from a luminary like Sir Ridley Scott, whose last two films—“The Counselor” and “Prometheus”--excited as much as mystified audiences. Traditional believers may judge “Exodus” a questionable expense. For example, when Moses initially encounters God on the side of a mountain after a mudslide, the former finds himself dealing with an eleven-year old boy who reads him the riot act. Later, during a subsequent confrontation with this obnoxious urchin, Scott presents the interview from two perspectives. Again, Moses is conversing to a child. Mean-

while, Joshua eavesdrops on Moses, but all Joshua sees is Moses addressing a rock with nobody present in either human or divine form. Sure, this resembles the movie “Fight Club” (1999) where narrator Edward Norton argues with Brad Pitt, who turns out all-along to have been nothing but Norton’s hallucination of himself. If this kind of nonsense doesn’t bother you, you may enjoy “Exodus,” but I think that depicting God as a petulant punk undermines the gravity of the film. Basically, “Exodus” duplicates virtually everything that DeMille depicted in his two “Ten Commandments” spectacles. The celebrated saga concerns oppression and intolerance. The Egyptians are proud and powerful, while the Jews are poor and powerless. Moses appears and pleads for the release of his people. Predictably, the Egyptians with their architectural enthusiasm for worshipping themselves with massive monuments balk at turning the Jews loose. Ramses and Moses remain at odds until God intervenes with ten deadly plagues that make Ramses into a believer. The Egyptian ruler releases the Jews, and they head off for Canaan. A vindictive Ramses has second thoughts and decides to pursue Moses and his minions. The big showdown occurs at the Red Sea where Moses waves his staff and the waters recede just long enough for his people to cross. Along rampages Ramses with murder on his mind and his army, but he doesn’t arrive in time to take his toll. Instead, the toll takes him. This is the stuff of which Sunday school lessons are taught and most movies about the event have depicted. Scott takes exception to several things. He doesn’t include the adolescent years when Moses and the future ruler Ramses were playmates. When “Exodus” unfolds, Moses and Ramses are adults and rivals to the throne. Of course, Ramses’ noble father Seti (John Turturro of “The Big Lebowski”) thinks that Moses has a better head on his shoulders than his petulant son and confides as much in Moses. Unfortunately, Seti points out that he cannot appoint Moses over his

son. This relationship resembles a similar relationship in Ridley Scott’s earlier epic “Gladiator” (2000) when the dying Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) preferred Maximus (Russell Crowe) to his repellent son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) for the throne. During a savage war with the Hittites in 1300, Moses displays his martial ardor and saves the once and future pharaoh from certain death in battle. Moses serves chiefly as Seti and Ramses’ advisor. In other words, he does all the dirty work with which neither wishes to soil their hands and clashes with a corrupt Viceroy Hegep (Ben Mendelsohn of “Killing Them Softly”) who reveals Moses’ genuine origins as a Jew. Moses goes into exile and bids farewell to Ramses. Ramses’ mother Tuya (Sigourney Weaver of “Alien”) isn’t as content as her son to let Moses off as easily and sends a pair of fiendish assassins to finish him off. “Batman Begins” star Christian Bale and “Star Wars” actor Joel Edgerton generate neither chemistry nor camaraderie respectively as a militant Moses and a ramrod-straight Ramses. Scott and his scenarists want us to believe that these two grew up together in the same house, but they share little in the way of brotherly affection. Bale’s Moses relies

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more on the sword than the staff, and this differentiates this cinematic interpretation from Charlton Heston’s staff wielding Moses. Scott surrounds Bale and Edgerton with a robust supporting cast, including Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, and John Turturro. Sadly, they make only a minor impression. Mendelsohn registers best as the slimy villain who gets his just comeuppance in the final reel. The spectacular computer-generated imagery and the craggy scenery—lensed in Spain and the Canary Islands--qualify as top-drawer assets. The film generates some unforgettable moments during the ten deadly plagues montage, particularly when the crocodiles crunch on fishermen. Clocking in at a leaden 150 minutes, the lackluster “Exodus: Gods and Kings” fares far better as a special effects extravaganza than a faith-based bonanza.

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JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR |

THE SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 XXX

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

KIDDIE CRAFT AT THE LIBRARY WHEN: 10 – 11 a.m. COST: Free WHERE: 1801 Jack Warner Pkwy PHONE: 752.8300 LINK: tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: The first Saturday of each month join us for family bonding, creative play, and just plain fun. Each program will feature a themed craft project for children ages 6-10 and their parent/ care giver. Join us at the Tuscaloosa Public Library main branch.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5

AUDITIONS: WIT WHEN: 6 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 9500 Old Greensboro Rd #135 PHONE: 391.2277 LINK: theatretusc.com DESCRIPTION: Audition for this Pulitzer Prize-winning play at the Bean-Brown Theatre of Shelton State Community College. The starring role is Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned professor of English who spent years teaching the brilliant sonnets of John Donne. The play will be brought to life by Theatre Tuscaloosa veteran Drew Baker, so be ready to show off your best acting skills for a chance to be a part of this production. Auditions held on the 5th and 6th. FREE ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP WHEN: 6 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 500 Towncenter Blvd PHONE: 764.1262 LINK: redoaklegalpc.com DESCRIPTION: Join us for a FREE educational workshop on estate planning and asset protection at Red Oak Legal, PC. Workshop presented by local attorneys Steve Wiggins and Raley Wiggins. Covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Please call to register.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

BAMA ART HOUSE PRESENTS ‘BOYHOOD’ WHEN: 7:30 COST: Free WHERE: 600 Greensboro Ave. PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: bamatheatre.org DESCRIPTION: Come see the cinematic vision of Richard Linklater, who created this film over a period of 11 years, documenting the growth of a young boy into adulthood. The film also features the award-winning performance of Patricia Arquette, and has been named the best movie of the year by numerous media publications. HATHA YOGA WHEN: 6 – 7:10 p.m. COST: $9 WHERE: 2200 Rock Quarry Dr

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

PHONE: 562.3230 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Learn relaxation techniques while 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. Register online for the whole month of January at just $36.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

SEEK YOU: ERIN COLLEEN JOHNSON WHEN: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 109 Woods Hall PHONE: 348.2783 LINK: art.ua.edu/gallery/sgg DESCRIPTION: The Sella-Granata Art Gallery presents Seek You, an exhibition of experimental film, video art and video installations by Erin Colleen Johnson, January 7-27, 2015. Johnson will give a gallery talk on Thursday, January 15 at 5:00 p.m. A reception will follow from 6 to 8 p.m. Erin Colleen Johnson uses video, performance, photography and installation to investigate practices of hope and empathy enacted by people ranging from Morse code agents to ice fishermen.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 6 – 7 p.m COST: Free WHERE: 1801 Rice Mine Rd PHONE: 765.6549 LINK: morningpointe.com DESCRIPTION: A free support group that is open to anyone affected by Alzheimer’s. Sponsored by the Morning Pointe of Tusclaoosa, no RSVP is required. Just drop in and feel the support of a community that understands. RICHARD ROSS: AMERICA INCARCERATED WHEN: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 103 Garland Hall PHONE: 348.1891 LINK: art.ua.edu/gallery/smga DESCRIPTION: California photographer Richard Ross turns his lens on the socially relevant topic of youth incarceration. Culled from nearly 1,000 images of juveniles at more than 200 detention facilities in 31 states taken over a six-year period, this exhibition is a sobering look at America’s prison system. Visit the Sarah Moody Gallery on UA campus to see Ross’ work, hear him lecture at Smith Hall at 7 p.m. Jan. 14, or meet the artist at the reception from 6 – 8 p.m. Jan. 15 in the gallery.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

GUNS & HOSES 5K RACE WHEN: 8 a.m. COST: $30 – 35 WHERE: 6198 Watermelon Rd. PHONE: 758.0419 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Run with our local heroes as they duke it out in a race for bragging rights. Bring the family and friends for an early morning race packed full of fun and lots of laughs. All fitness levels welcome. Arrive at Sokol Park an hour early to reg-

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

FAYE IS FANTASTIC // MARLEY WILL STEAL YOUR HEART This beautiful young lady is Faye, a 7- to 8-month-old female Labrador/Terrier mix. She has a smooth chocolate brown and white coat with super cute tipped ears. Faye will be a good-sized dog, probably getting to around 45 pounds when full-grown. Faye was pulled from our local animal shelter, where she had been picked up as a stray by Animal Control and had been down there for over 2 months! That is not how a puppy needs to grow up. Faye now has fresh air and lots of room to run and play with other dogs, which is just what she needs! Faye is a very fun-loving, playful pup! Like any other puppy, she will need training and structure to help her develop into a well-mannered adult dog. Faye seems to do well with other dogs and should be fine around children over 12, only because she is still jumpy. Faye may have too much energy for an apartment and will require a fenced yard. We have started on her crate training. Faye is up to date on her vet care, spayed, heartworm negative and is microchipped. She is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. This wonderful dog really needs to find out what a good home life is all about – is she the one for you?! If you are interested in giving Faye the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554-0011. Meet Marley! She is a fluffy brown and white tabby and is about one year old. She is very playful and loves attention. Marley is the official greeter at the cat house. She loves everyone that comes to see us! Marley is very friendly and will steal your heart. She would also make a great companion for another cat. It took her a little while, but now she gets along well with the other cats in the room. She was previously adopted with one of her siblings, but her owner relocated and they were returned. Her siblings are Wily Kato and Amadu. Marley is negative for FIV and FeLK, current on her vaccinations and spayed. Marley will make someone a wonderful pet and companion. If you are interested in giving Marley the forever home she wants and deserves, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at 554-0011.

If you ever decide to adopt a dog, check out your local shelter. Buying dogs from pet stores or online increases the demand for the cruel puppy mills that often supply them. If you already have a dog, please remember to get it spayed or neutered. It's the best way you can help prevent dog overpopulation.

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

BAMA ACCOUSTIC NIGHT // HARPETH RISING // JAN. 14 UNPARALLELED FRESHNESS

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR | ister, or save $5 by registering early. WEST ALABAMA QUILTERS’ GUILD MEETING WHEN: 8:45 – 11:30 a.m. COST: Free WHERE: 1000 28th Ave, PHONE: 248.5800 LINK: waqg.com DESCRIPTION: Monthly guild meeting at the Tuscaloosa Dept. of Transportation. 8:45 am Basics and Beyond Demonstration; 9:30 am Projects and Committee reports; 10:30 Program Presentation. Visitors are always welcome.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

nstrumental and vocal trio, Harpeth Rising, will be featured in a performance on Acoustic Night on Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bama Theatre. Presented by The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, the project features both solo and ensemble performances of a wide range of acoustic music throughout the calendar year in the intimate setting of the theatre’s Greensboro Room. Cover charge is $15 with a full service bar available. Since their formation in 2009, Harpeth Rising has been building a reputation by breaking down musical boundaries. Their virtuosic instrumentals of banjo and violin mixed with cello and foot percussion create an exciting and unique blend of musical genres that include folk, rock, bluegrass and roots music. Their original lyrics, conveyed through powerful three-part vocals, are both gritty and poignant. The all-female group met while studying classical music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and were united—and continue to be driven by— their eclectic musical interests. Within one year of their formation and their move to Music City, they were voted “Best Local Band in Nashville” by The Tennessean. The ensemble has been touring both nationally and internationally for four years with performances that include the Kerrville Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, London Folk Festival, Blissfest, Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Music City Roots, The Bluebird and ROMP Music Festival. After an impressive discography of four studio albums in four years, Harpeth Rising released their first live album in Nov. of 2014. The album consists entirely of performances at The Dreaming Tree Coffeehouse in Baptistown, N.J. and includes both original songs and previously unrecorded covers that the trio’s fans had been requesting. A unique feature of their live shows, their covers range from Led Zeppelin to Pete Seeger with unparalleled freshness and originality. The trio’s most recent studio album, “Tales from Jackson Bridge,” reached No. 6 on the Folk DJ Charts and No. 15 on the EuroAmericana Charts. While the album remains true to Harpeth Rising's folk and classical roots throughout, it expands on their blues, Latin and rock influences and adds in new flavors such as Texas Swing and Gypsy Jazz. This constant innovation combining old and new genres of music, technical mastery and heartfelt sensibility has earned the group the distinction of one of the most engaging and dynamic new ensembles in folk music today. The album has been named on the Americana Radio Top Five Most Added List, the Roots Music Report's Top Forty, Alternate Root's Top Ten Songs of the Week and Amazon's Top Twenty Hot New Releases in Roots Rock. The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

GOSPEL FEST 2015 WHEN: 4 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 600 Greensboro Ave. PHONE: 492.9673 LINK: bamatheatre.org DESCRIPTION: This event will uplift, inspire and set the atmosphere that YOU don’t want to miss at the historic Bama Theatre. Featuring Choirs and Praise Teams from Cornerstone Full Gospel, First African, Daystar Family Church, Weeping Mary Baptist, Beulah Baptist and Christian Community. Also this year we welcome the Tuscaloosa City Wide Middle School Honor Choir, Obsessed Mime Ministry, Eagle’s Wings Choir, and Brittany Bates a.k.a Bee Starr.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12

BILINGUAL STORYTIME AT THE LIBRARY WHEN: 10 – 11 a.m. COST: Free WHERE: 1801 Jack Warner Pkwy PHONE: 752.8300 LINK: tuscaloosa-library.org DESCRIPTION: Designed for ages 4 and up. Storytime is presented in Spanish and English and is an excellent experience for both monolingual and bilingual children. Join us at the Tuscaloosa Public Library main branch.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

BAMA ART HOUSE PRESENTS "THE BABADOOK" WHEN: 7:30 COST: Free WHERE: 600 Greensboro Ave. PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: bamatheatre.org DESCRIPTION: If you have a taste for a scare, come see Bama Theatre’s screening of this Australian horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent. The Babadook creeps out of the pages of a children’s book and terrorizes a troubled single mother played by Essie Davis. William Friedkin, the director of ‘The Exorcist’ called this the scariest movie he had ever seen!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14

ACOUSTIC NIGHT: HARPETH RISING WHEN: 7:30 COST: $15 WHERE: 600 Greensboro Ave. PHONE: 758.5195 LINK: bamatheatre.org DESCRIPTION: The historic Bama Theatre presents Harpeth Rising as part of

THE SOUTHEAST'S LARGEST Acoustic Night in the Greensboro Room. Harpeth Rising are a folk trio from Nashville, Tenn. that play a modern type of American on traditional instruments. The cover charge goes to the artists. ADVANCED WATERCOLOR WHEN: 1 – 3 p.m. COST: $75 WHERE: 2200 Rock Quarry Dr PHONE: 562.3230 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Have you ever wanted to learn to paint beautiful artworks with watercolors? An award-winning instructor uses a step-by-step 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 course is right for you. Advanced classes are also available.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

BREAKFAST AND BINGO WHEN: 8 – 10 a.m. COST: $4 WHERE: 2101 Bowers Park Dr PHONE: 562.3200 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: Come and join us for a fun and a delicious brunch at the Belk Activity Center for an affordable price. Afterwards, those purchasing breakfast can play bingo for free. This event is designed especially for seniors as a joint effort between PARA and North River Village Assisted & Independent Living. GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA WHEN: 6 – 9 p.m. COST: $65 WHERE: 2200 Rock Quarry Dr PHONE: 562.3230 LINK: tcpara.org DESCRIPTION: This class is designed for those who have gotten their first digital camera, or for those who have had one for a while but never felt comfortable shooting in any mode other than the full auto-point and shoot. Students should bring their camera and its manual. Taught by certified instructor Hank Seigel at the Phelps Center. MUSIC FACULTY RECITAL: WENDY RICHMAN WHEN: 7:30 – 9 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 810 2nd Ave PHONE: 348.1672 LINK: music.ua.edu DESCRIPTION: Wendy Richman plays the viola as part of the University of Alabama’s faculty recitals, showing off the incredible talent that the University offers to its students. Kevin Chance accompanies. Visit the Moody Music Building for this lovely evening.

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

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

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

DANCING W/THE STARS // NASHVILLE // JANUARY 6

COLLAPSE OF THE EMPIRE // ATLANTA

MONSTER JAM // BIRMINGHAM // JANUARY 9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

ATLANTA Umphrey’s McGee, Tabernacle

BIRMINGHAM High on Fire, Zydeco

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

NASHVILLE Blue Man Group, TPAC-Andrew Jackson Hall Dancing with the Stars, Ryman Auditorium Alyssa Bonagura and Friends, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

BIRMINGHAM Winston Ramble, Zydeco Adam Klein & the Wildfires, The Nick The Whiskey Dix, Tin Roof

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

HUNTSVILLE Kozmic Mama, Humphrey’s NASHVILLE Gedeon Luke & the People, High Watt The Exotics, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom NEW ORLEANS Jawa Command, Gasa Gasa

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

BIRMINGHAM Gabriel Tajeau, Bottletree Café

saturday, JANUARY 3

NEW ORLEANS Eric Church, New Orleans Arena New Orleans Most Wanted, House of Blues

ATLANTA Talib Kweli, Apache Café Indigo Girls, Actor’s Express at King Plow Arts Center Clutch, Center Stage

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

BIRMINGHAM Monster Jam, BJCC Archnemesis, Zydeco

NASHVILLE Monster Jam, Bridgestone Arena Jeffery Steele, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

ATLANTA Sam Smith, Fabulous Fox Theatre Gary Allan, Wild Bill’s

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

sUNday, JANUARY 4

BIRMINGHAM The Bama Gamblers, Zydeco Skeptic?, The Nick

ATLANTA Sundale, Swayze’s Venue

NASHVILLE Steelism, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

HUNTSVILLE Pickin’ and Grinnin’, Tims Ford State Park Clayton Anderson, Goose Pond Colony

NEW ORLEANS Hot 8 Brass Band, Howlin’ Wolf

MONTGOMERY Rebel, Blue Iguana

NASHVILLE The Time Jumpers, 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill Luke Wade, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom

ATLANTA MC Lightfoot, Gwinnett Center for Performing Arts The Wind and the Wave, Smith’s Olde Bar Collapse of the Empire, The Masquerade

NASHVILLE Eric Church, Bridgestone Arena NEW ORLEANS Bricks in the Wall, House of Blues

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

ATLANTA Seether and Papa Roach, Tabernacle Don Williams, Symphony Hall Atlanta

MONTGOMERY Harlem Globetrotters, Von Braun Concert Hall NEW ORLEANS Miranda Sings, The Civic Theater

Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE 404.881.2100

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

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

WWE RAW // NEW ORLEANS // JANUARY 12

ATLANTA Periphery, The Masquerade

NEW ORLEANS WWE Raw, New Orleans Arena

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14

BIRMINGHAM Chippendales, Iron City

NASHVILLE Gregg Allman, Ryman Auditorium

GREGG ALLMAN // NASHVILLE // JANUARY 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

BIRMINGHAM Greensky Bluegrass, WorkPlay Theatre Sons of Bill, Bottletree Bigfoot, Tin Roof

ATLANTA Sylvan Esso, Variety Playhouse Marlon Wayans, The Improv Comedy Club and Dinner Theater NASHVILLE Kenny Rogers, Schermerhorn Symphony Center NEW ORLEANS Clint Coley, House of Blues The Radiators, Tipitina’s

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

MONTGOMERY // JANUARY 11

ATLANTA Four Year Strong, The Masquerade

MONTGOMERY Keith Sweat, Wind Creek Wetumpka Casino

NEW ORLEANS Departure, House of Blues Solar Strut, Gasa Gasa Dauzat St. Marie, Howlin’ Wolf

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS //

MONDAY, JANUARY 12

ATLANTA Upon a Burning Body, The Masquerade Jessica Meuse, Smith’s Olde Bar

BIRMINGHAM Wrongway, Zydeco The Springs, Tin Roof

MONDAY, JANUARY 5

NEW ORLEANS Jet Lounge, House of Blues

// JANUARY 10

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

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

THE DOCTORS AND THE LAWYERS // GREEN BAR // JANUARY 8

DON WILLIAMS // // JANUARY 15

BAMA THEATRE

THEM DIRTY ROSES // CRIMSON BAR // JANUARY 16

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

Forgotten Grey with Doc Holiday, Green Bar

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

Neon Smoke, Crimson Bar Swamp Bird, Green Bar

SUNDAY JANUARY 4

BLACKWATER THIEVES// GREEN BAR JANUARY 9

Jon Kilgore / Drew Dye, Crimson Bar

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

The Doctors and the Lawyers, Green Bar

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

Wayne Travik, Crimson Bar Blackwater Thieves with Loose Ends, Green Bar

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

The Freaky Deakys, Green Bar Southern 'Comfort, Crimson Bar

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

Don Williams, Bama Theatre

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

Preston Summerville / Kirste Lovelady / Them Dirty Roses, Crimson Bar

PRIVATE AD. DO NOT READ!

HAVE YOUR LOCAL MUSIC EVENT LISTED FREE in planet weekly. just EMAIL

PLANETEDITOR@YAHOO.COM

>>> LO 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

Buffalo Wild Wings // 523-0273

Gallettes // 758-2010

The Legacy // 345-4848

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

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JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

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

Across 1. Sale scenes 5. "It's possible" 10. Magic show sound 14. Food fish 15. Give ___ (care) 16. ___ Julia of "The Addams Family" 17. Music timekeepers 19. "____ Perpetua," Idaho motto 20. Musical segment 21. Pool users 23. "Dona ___ and Her Two Husbands" 26. Pretenses 27. Sergeant's shop 32. 'Sands of ___ Jima' 33. Newscast summary 34. Mazatlรกn misses: Abbr. 38. Pouting face 40. More in need of liniment 42. Football Hall of Famer Dickerson 43. "That's ___!": director's "We're finished" 45. Faulty car: Slang 47. It became Tokyo in 1868 48. Abby Cadabby's show 51. Trumpeter Herb 54. Never, to Keats 55. Special features 58. Leyte neighbor 62. Coating of frost 63. Counterbalancing 66. Er's brother 67. Train station 68. Cast forth 69. Telegraphed 70. Comedian/actor Murphy 71. Family rooms

5. Beatnik's interjection 6. 'Much ___ About Nothing' 7. Common Thanksgiving side dish 8. Make, as tea 9. Coast Guard rank 10. First showing of a film 11. Places for camels to drink 12. Unusual and startling 13. Dental care item 18. Former Houston player 22. Coffee containers 24. Big galoots 25. Coke rival 27. Cotton 28. "Man, that hurts!" 29. Making the mouth pucker, say 30. Whale of a household 31. Early characters in "2001" 35. Arboretum purchase 36. Right-hand person 37. Glaswegian 39. Property owner's right to limited use of another's land 41. Ascended 44. Section of Istanbul. 46. Big bomb trial 49. Took large steps 50. For adults, as films 51. Old autos 52. Frankie who sang "Mule Train" 53. Image consultant 56. Britney's ex, briefly 57. Real-life org. seen in "Bullitt" 59. Marcel Marceau 60. Have ___ (be connected) 61. Mil. units 64. '___ Married an Axe Murderer' (Mike Myers movie) Down 1. Place to see 20th-centurypaintings in N.Y. 65. Season, French style 2. Assn. with many Gulfmembers 3. Sheet of cotton SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA 4. Short___ CROSSWORD ON PAGE 21

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

>>> PUZZLEMANIA| S U D U K O

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

WRITERS WANTED

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

>>> HOROSCOPES |

weekly overview You'll enjoy New Year's Eve and the start of 2015 with the Moon in your sign to nurture your gourmet palate and love of all good things in life. The action speeds up as the week progresses. On Thursday you'll be eager to put ideas into action that you've been mulling over in the holiday week. Come the weekend, career opportunities may coincide with enhanced networking and a willingness to reach out to the right people. The Full Moon on Sunday encourages sharing. You'll make use of the holidays to get your bearings and relax, but once January 1 rolls around you'll be ready to explore the potential that 2015 has in store for you. Money matters still count for a lot, and you'll be eager to organize things so you don't have to contend with any unnecessary worry. Venus and Mercury hike into your travel and adventure sector over the weekend, encouraging you to explore alternative ideas and experiences. Something good may happen if you do.

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Although your social life still sparkles and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day bring plenty of fun your way, you're ready to enter a new phase. Saturn in your lifestyle sector may act as a catalyst, encouraging you to consider taking up a healthier lifestyle and looking for work that reflects your mission and purpose in life. Over the weekend the Full Moon in your sign may coincide with a feeling of accomplishment because of something you've achieved.

Perhaps your New Year's resolution is to lose weight, get fit, and feel fabulous. If so, the planets are in the right place to help you with your goal. This is a good time to plan a new diet or fitness routine and start as you mean to carry on. With Saturn in your zone of leisure and pleasure, you may want get involved in a competitive sport or get serious about a hobby for which you have natural talent. Romantic opportunities beckon over the weekend. The focus on your pleasure and leisure sector continues, so you could decide to take an extended vacation this week. Whether or not you're at work, take any opportunities to have fun and enjoy yourself. You'll benefit in more ways than one. A Mars/Jupiter link encourages you to consider meditating regularly in order to release stress and develop inner peace. The weekend could become a gadget fest if you're hoping to find a bargain at the sales.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day could be busy times for you, as you'll be entertaining and making sure everybody has a good time. The presence of Mars in Aquarius is still calling to you to get involved in the things you love best. Indulge yourself in a favorite hobby or engage your senses by enjoying a massage or spa treatment. Whatever you get up to, fully surrender to it. Romance looks possible as Venus sashays into Aquarius, encouraging you to flirt. You'll enjoy mixing and mingling with old and new friends on New Year's Eve and January 1. Use this chance to rebuild connections that may have been in danger of disappearing. You'll also enjoy entertaining people at your place, playing host and watching pals cut loose and be completely themselves. With Saturn now in your zone of personal finances, you'll be eager to explore ways to enhance your income. If you get an intuitive hunch about how to do this, follow it. You may feel a subtle inner pressure to get things done now that Saturn is in your sign. Use this opportunity at the start of the year to review priorities. Meditate and make use of periods of introspection to discover the goals and plans that are most meaningful to you. Later this week your zone of communication livens up as Venus and Mercury move in. If you like gadgets, you may want to add a few to your collection. You're in your element this week! You'll enjoy New Year's Eve and January 1. If you're planning ahead, take into account any goals that enhance self-expression. If you have an artistic skill or other ability, factor it into your daily schedule so you can develop and use it. Personal finances seem to be important to you this week, as a planetary lineup in Aquarius inspires you with ideas and ways to earn extra cash. The weekend's Full Moon might enhance romance. Although you're still in a phase in which it helps to relax and recharge, there is a lot to do. Continue to pace yourself this week. Enjoy spending New Year's Eve at home with pals and family - it could be a night to remember. As Saturn edges into your social sector, you may get choosier about the people with whom you associate. You'll also get a sense of who your friends really are. Romantic options sparkle when Venus sashays into your sign on Saturday.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

You're going to have a great time this week, especially over New Year's Eve and January 1. The party isn't over yet, and you seem to be taking full advantage of the chance to hang out with friends and loved ones. You'll also want to achieve a key ambition as Saturn moves to your career sector. Start now to research your options, get the knowledge you need, and make a plan. It's going to be an exciting ride. Love may blossom over the weekend. Relax and enjoy sensual pleasures on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day as the Taurus Moon enhances the fun of the occasion. A focus on your career zone keeps you busy and eager to make a start with plans and projects. Don't be tempted to bite off more than you can chew on Thursday, though. Try to pace yourself. The Full Moon over the weekend may coincide with a need to relax, but hitting the sales might also be on your mind.

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

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

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

Photos: UA Athletic Photography

ALABAMA FOOTBALL // SHARING THE WEALTH and a touchdown against Missouri.

Lane Kiffin and Cameron Sims

labama’s offense has been explosive this season. The play-calling of offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has allowed the Crimson Tide’s skilled players to attack opposing defenses on the perimeter. Alabama’s receivers' manto-man coverage, resulted in 30 total passing touchdowns from Blake Sims (26) and Jake Coker (4). Junior receiver Amari Cooper has had a stellar year. He ended 2013 strong, and returned this season with a lot to prove. Cooper’s totaled 115 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is Alabama’s bellcow offensively, and Kiffin has used him in a variety of ways. Cooper is Alabama’s all-time leading receiver, posting 219 receptions for 3,392 yards and 29 touchdowns. He finished the 2014 regular season with numerous prizes, including a Fred Biletnikoff Award. Cooper finished third in the Heisman Trophy race, and was recognized as an Offensive Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference. Cooper is one of two (Landon Collins) Crimson Tide players that were unanimous voted as All-American. Cooper is the main course, but Alabama’s roster is rich with talented receivers. Senior quarterback Blake Sims has excelled at spraying the ball across the field. Cooper is Sims’ primary target, but 1,594 of his 3,250 passing yards aren’t registered to Cooper. Notable Alabama Receivers DeAndrew White Classification: Senior Size: 6-0/192 pounds Best games: West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, LSU and Auburn Summary: DeAndrew White is one

JANUARY 1 + JANUARY 15

of the best route-runners on Alabama’s roster. He’s put together some solid performances, despite nagging injuries. White started the season with six catches for 73 yards against West Virginia. He caught a touchdown pass in Alabama 14-13 victory over Arkansas, but White’s best moments came against LSU and Missouri. He caught three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown against the Tigers. Two of White’s three receptions came at critical moments. His 16-yard reception in the fourth quarter set up Adam Griffith’s game-tying 27-yard field goal. White’s 6-yard touchdown catch was the final score of the game. Alabama’s matchup with Missouri resulted in White’s lone 100-yard receiving performance. He caught four passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Christion Jones Classification: Senior Size: 5-11/187 pounds Best games: Florida Atlantic, Southern Mississippi, LSU and Missouri Summary: Christion Jones hasn’t been target much, but he’s been huge down the stretch. Jones contributed against West Virginia with three catches for 31 yards. He brought in six passes for 106 yards combined against Florida Atlantic and Southern Mississippi. Jones had three catches for 38 yards against LSU, including a 22-yard reception on Alabama’s final drive in the fourth quarter. He totaled three catches for 40 yards

O.J. Howard Classification: Sophomore Size: 6-6/240 pounds Best games: Ole Miss, LSU, W. Carolina and Missouri Summary: Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban wanted to develop a total package in O.J. Howard. Crimson Tide fans saw him as a pass catcher in 2013. Howard was involved more with blocking this season, but Sims still managed to target him occasionally. Howard created matchup problems with his size. He displays a good combination of hands and speed. Howard caught three passes for 81 yards in Alabama’s 23-17 loss to Ole Miss. He totaled four receptions for 53 yards combined against Western Carolina and Missouri, but Howard’s best moment came against LSU. He caught two passes for 12 yards, but both of Howard’s two receptions came on Alabama’s final drive in the fourth quarter. He did a good job of getting out-of-bounds to stop the clock. Chris Black Classification: Sophomore Size: 5-11/186 pounds Best games: Florida Atlantic and Western Carolina Summary: Chris Black wasn’t on the field much, but he made his presence felt against Florida Atlantic and Western Carolina. He accounted for 45 yards on three receptions against Florida Atlantic. Black led all receivers against Western Carolina with six catches for 101 yards. He is a fluid route runner, but it’s Black’s speed that sets him apart. Black will have a lot of

opportunities next season, but it will all start in the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State. ArDarius Stewart Classification: Redshirt freshman Size: 6-0/193 pounds Best games: Florida Atlantic, Western Carolina and Mississippi State Summary: ArDarius Stewart burst onto the scene in Alabama’s 2014 spring game. He’s emerged as one of the Crimson Tide’s future weapons in years to come. Stewart doesn’t have the offensive output that Amari Cooper has, but he is a crisp route runner. Stewart caught three passes for 63 yards against Florida Atlantic. He finished second on the team in receptions against Western Carolina, collected five passes for 51 yards. Stewart made an appearance for Alabama against Mississippi State. He totaled two catches for 25 yards. Cameron “Cam” Sims Classification: Freshman Size: 6-4/208 pounds Best games: Arkansas, Western Carolina, Tennessee (blocking) Summary: Cam Sims is one of few freshmen that have earned playing time this season. His size allows him to snatch balls out of the air, and display exceptional body control. Sims’s 15-yard reception against Arkansas set up a touchdown (DeAndrew White, 6-yard reception) for Alabama in the fourth quarter. He caught three passes for 33 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown reception against Western Carolina. It was Sims’s first collegiate touchdown as an Alabama receiver, and the first score of the contest against the Catamounts. He didn’t catch a pass against Tennessee, but Sims’s blocking was spot on. He sealed blocks in the run game, and sprung Amari Cooper free on one of his two touchdown receptions.

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ALABAMA RECRUITING UPDATE // DAMIEN HARRIS AND TYRONE WHEATLEY, JR. // WE CAN HOPE was on the field too much. He had a lot games where he'd have a carry and a touchdown, a carry and a touchdown, a carry and a touchdown. So we've scored on our last three offensive plays, but our defense was on the field for 15 minutes, too. So we actually minimized his carries to keep our defense a little more rested. "I know that sounds like a strange thing to do, but that's the way it happened." Bama making a move on Wheatley One of Alabama's top priorities for the 2015 class is to find a big, strong, physical, athletic tight end. Such tight ends are very hard to find. So hard that the Tide staff has traveled nearly a thousand miles from Tuscaloosa to pursue Buffalo-Canisius, New York Damien Harris star Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. Wheatley's father is a former star oes Alabama have a legit shot at running back at Michigan and in the Damien Harris? NFL and is the current running backs Damien Harris might be the best prep coach for the Buffalo Bills. running back in the country. He might also With dominating performances on both be the most tight-lipped prospect in the sides of the ball this fall, Wheatley lead his country. The 5-11, 205-pound star from team to an undefeated record and a state Berea-Madison Southern Academy, KY championship. At tight end, he provided rarely does interviews. strong blocking and had two touchdown What we do know is that when Harris receptions. At defensive end, he had 68 announces at his school on January 9, tackles and 10 sacks. he's expected to pick Alabama or Ken"TJ is a heck of a player," says tucky. Given that he lives just 45 minutes Canisius head coach Rich Robbins. "He's from the UK campus, the Wildcats are every bit of 6-6, 260 pounds. He moves thought to be the favorite. well for his size. He's a good route runner. Does the Tide have a legitimate shot? A real dominant blocker in the run game "I don't get involved in saying anything and can catch passes when you need him about how he feels," MSA head coach to. At defensive end, he's dominant. He Jon Clark says , "but I know that he's very takes away half of the field on the high interested Alabama. I do know that. school level. With his length, his size and "From what I can tell, yeah, he's highly his get off, he's a handful." considering Alabama." Alabama has missed out on a few Clark thinks Harris is a rare talent with other top tight end targets in this year's the ability to make a major impact at any class. But the Tide appears to be in excelschool. lent position with Wheatley. "He's got a unique combination of size "He's down to about five schools and and speed," Clark says. "His ability to run Alabama is right at the top of that short list," through tackles and his vision are probably Robbins says. "It's Alabama, Oregon, the his two most unique things. People bounce two Los Angeles schools, USC and UCLA, off of him. He's very powerful with his speed and Michigan. Those would be his five. and his size. His vision to see things you "He's going to take all of his official can't even see sometimes on film. He finds visits. He's going down to Alabama in things with his vision that's very unique. January. After he takes the visits, that will "Not many guys at 205-210 pounds, give him some clarity and allow him to once they get to the third level, have the start making some decisions." speed to separate. He definitely has that Robbins praises the Alabama staff for kind of speed." its straight-forward, no-non-sense apDue to an injury, Harris only played in proach to recruiting Wheatley. seven games this past season. He ran for "The coaches have done a great 1,576 yards and 23 touchdowns. job," Robbins says. "TJ has liked the way "He averaged almost 15 yards a carry Alabama's staff has handled everything. this year and averaged 12 for his career," There's some schools that come in offerClark says. "He averaged a touchdown ing the world. Alabama was a pretty quick every 3.6 carries in his high school career. visit. They come in and, you know, 'We're That's unbelievable over a four-year career." the best program in the country. We've Clark says that, in some games, Harris got the best coaches. We've got the best actually scored touchdowns too quickly. facilities. We win national championships "It impacted our play-calling," Clark says. and we put guys in the NFL draft. Give us "We realized we were winning a lot of close, a call if you're interested.'" high scoring games because we weren't "Alabama doesn't have to beg anyrunning enough plays and our defense body. They just let TJ know what they're

"I know his plan is to get on campus all about and that they're looking forward at these schools and meet coaches and to having him down on campus to visit, meet players, you know, touch it, feel it, showing him the facilities, letting him talk smell it, meet people, see everything," to the guys (players) and the coaches. Robbins says. "Then when he gets done "I think TJ kind of respected and with the visits, he'll have a much more enjoyed that kind of approach, because clear idea of where he wants to be. So I it was very simple and very clear. There don't think he'll do anything until end of were no big promises. They were more January or maybe signing day." or less saying, 'If you want an opportunity to compete at the best program in the country, give us a call.'" "I think Alabama right now might be one of his top two," Robbins says. "TJ is pretty savvy. His dad played in the league and coached in college and has recruited kids and he's now coaching in the NFL, so they're pretty savvy about this. And if you're looking at any school in the country four years down the road, you can almost be pretty sure that Coach Saban will be the head coach, and as a recruit you don't want to go somewhere there's musical chairs every off-season. TJ is excited about playing for the same coach every year and Alabama is one of the few opportunities where he could do that. So, yeah, he's very excited about Alabama and he's looking forward to getting down there for a visit." Wheatley isn't expected to make a Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. decision until late in the process.

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