PLANET WEEKLY 502 by The Planet Weekly

// IN THIS ISSUE ARTS IN TOWN GERMAN DISHING EMPTY FILLERS A FORCE TO RECKON WITH THIS OLD DOG

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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STORIES

ENTERTAINMENT

5 YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND // ALAN SCULLEY

6 RESTAURANT/BEER REVIEW

Yonder Mountain String Band has never been a group to plot out its career – or just about anything the group does.

7 COMMUNITY ARTS //

PUBLISHER

L I N DA W. J OHN S ON

MANAGING EDITOR

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EVENTS

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T R E Y B R OOK S

RESTAURANT GUIDE DOC FRANKENSTEIN

PRODUCTION

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IMAGES

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

KEVIN LEDGEWOOD/RACHEL DOBSON Singer-songwriter Amy McCarley will be the featured artist in a performance on Acoustic Night at the Bama Theatre; Upcoming art exhibits.

10 EMPTY CALORIES // RACHEL STEINER

Many of the foods and more commonly the beverages we consume contain empty calories, filled with sugar and artificial sweeteners.

22 IN THE NEWS //

SKIING, WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, BLOOD DRIVE

10 RESTAURANT GUIDE 14/15 MOVIE REVIEWS 16 PETS 18 EVENTS 19 ROAD TRIP 20 PUZZLEMANIA / EDITORIAL CARTOON 21 HOROSCOPE

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

HIGH TIDE SPORTS 23

BAMA RECRUITING UPDATE BAMA ROLLS OUT CRIMSON CARPET FOR 'THE HULK' GARY HARRIS

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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>>> F E A T U R E | A L A N S C U L L E Y

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND A

dam Aijala says Yonder Mountain String Band has never been a group to plot out its career – or just about anything the group does. To hear him tell it, there was no strategy to the path that has carried the group from do-ityourself upstarts that self-released its early albums to a place where it is now one of the leading acts on the bluegrass/ jam band scene. These guys couldn’t be calculated if they were math majors. “That’s kind of the way we do it,” guitarist/singer Aijala said in a recent phone interview. “It seems like from the very beginning, even our shows are like that. We don’t play the same set every night. We’re always kind of winging it in general. I’d like in the business sense to maybe not wing it as much, but as far as the artistic side, I like that element of it.” So perhaps it’s not surprising that when Yonder Mountain String Band’s future was thrown into question in April of 2014 — after mandolin player Jeff Austin left the group,— there was no clear plan for how to move forward. Now, some 20 months later, Yonder Mountain has come out of that time of uncertainty smelling like a rose. Two new members have joined — mandolin player/ singer Jacob Jolliff and violinist/singer Allie Kral — and the group is moving full speed ahead. “The way it all played out was not planned at all. We didn’t know what was going to happen,” Aijala said, when asked about confronting the Austin-less future. “We had some people in mind other than the people we’re playing with. And the way it worked out, I think, I really hope they (Jolliff and Kral) stick around. I love playing with them. They’re having a blast, too. I always check in to make sure they’re still cool. They’re loving it. Maybe this will be something that goes on for awhile.” Kral, in a case of excellent timing, crossed paths with Yonder Mountain just before the split with Austin occurred. “I’d met her a handful of times,” Aijala said. “She sat in with us a couple of times over the years. And really, she sat in with us on that last tour with Jeff in April (2014) for like three different shows. She came to some different shows. She

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lives in Portland and it was when we were up in the Northwest. And we had a blast. And hanging out with her, I was like ‘This chick’s cool.’” Jolliff, however, wasn’t someone who’d had met or jammed with the group. Instead, his name came up via Yonder Mountain’s former manager, DJ McLaughlin, who knew Jolliff was looking for a gig. “He (McLaughlin) is like you should really call him,” Aijala recalled. “He’s like ‘You know I know you, Adam. He’s a lot younger than you guys, but I know you’ll get along with him. He’s a standup dude. He comes from a solid background, a great musician. You should call him.’… And next thing you know, he (Jolliff) is on a plane out here and we’re in the studio working on the new record.” That excellent new record was released in June. It’s called “Black Sheep,” and its arrival may have come as a pleasant surprise to many Yonder Mountain fans. That’s because prior to Austin’s departure, it looked like album making would not be as much of a priority for the group. The three band members – Aijala, banjo player/singer Dave Johnston, and bassist/ singer Ben Kaufmann -- had seen their time for writing and recording diminish as they got older and family obligations joined Yonder Mountain’s extensive touring schedule in limiting the time left for studio work. The release in early 2014 of the foursong EP, “EP 13,” ended a four-year gap that had followed the release of the group’s previous album, 2009’s “The Show.” Before Austin left, the group members were thinking that making EPs,

which take less time to write and record, might be the best way to get new music to fans. Then Austin’s departure changed that line of thought and put the idea of doing “Black Sheep” (which is a full-length album, by the way) on the front burner. “In light of Jeff’s departure, we thought it was important to make it a priority, to have something new to deliver, so people could see a representation of the new sound,” Aijala said. Fans will still recognize “Black Sheep” as the work of Yonder Mountain, even without Austin, who along with Johnston, Aijala and Kaufmann, formed the group in 1998 in Nederland, Colorado. In fact, because “Black Sheep” is a largely acoustic album without drums, it in some ways is more similar to Yonder Mountain’s first couple of albums – which introduced the group’s tuneful and energetic blend of bluegrass-rooted music and rock improvisation -- than the group’s 2006 self-titled album and “The Show.” The latter two albums were produced by Tom Rothrock (who is known for his work with rock acts like Beck, the Foo Fighters and Elliott Smith) and added a notable instrument to Yonder Mountain’s music – drums. “I think that this album (“Black Sheep”) is more akin to ‘Elevation’ and ‘Town By Town,’” Aijala said, referring to the band’s first two albums. “But it’s also the band that’s been around for 17 years, too, so it’s evolved as well. “And that’s not to diminish the records we did with Tom (Rothrock),” the guitarist said. “I think those records were great and they were really fun to do, and he really helped us get to a point where our

only limitations in music are our musical abilities. It’s not the style or what we do with it, or what instruments we play or any of that.” Aijala doesn’t hesitate to say Yonder Mountain is also a different band live without Austin, who was a charismatic performer and a focal point on stage. But he likes what Jolliff and Kral bring to the live show. “I think it’s a huge difference,” the guitarist said. “You know, it’s one of those things where it’s different, but it’s still good. It’s different and for me, I’m loving it. I feel like the Yonder energy is still there, and this is not a dig on Jeff at all, but he tended to take us to a darker place sometimes. We don’t really do that as much (now). That’s just a fact. I’m not saying that in a negative way at all. I think that (darker edge) was a good quality as well. But I can’t be who I’m not. I am who I am. “Ben’s picked up a lot of the interaction with the crowd. I think he’s doing a really good job,” Aijala said. “Allie’s stage presence is awesome. People just love her. There are like women and men screaming ‘Allie, Allie,’ like every show. It’s awesome. And Jake’s just a demon. People just look at him while he’s soloing, and putting their arms up the air like ‘What the hell? This dude’s out of control. He’s so good.’ So it’s a different dynamic completely. It feels more, I don’t know what the (word is), there’s more camaraderie. Even though we were super tight with Jeff, maybe it’s because these dudes are stepping into something new, and so therefore they’re paying a lot of attention. But I feel on and off stage, I feel really synced.”

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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

>>> B E E R R E V I E W | B R E T T R E I D

SIERRA NEVADA // COFFEE STOUT W

EDELWEISS // EXPERIENCE GERMANY IN TUSCALOOSA I

t’s no secret that there’s a strong German presence and influence in Tuscaloosa. With many employed and associated with the Mercedes Benz U.S. International in Vance, Tuscaloosa’s German families have grown in numbers over the past few years. Luckily for those with European taste buds, and a love for a good ol’ fashioned cup of coffee and amazing dessert, there lies an eatery in Tuscaloosa serving up German classics. Enter Edelweiss German Bakery and Coffee Shop, opening in July 2007 in an effort to fulfill the longtime dream of being restaurant owners for Chris Wiedmann and Ester Scheef. Both newbie and regular patrons can agree that it is the authenticity of the atmosphere and dishes that set Edelweiss apart from other coffee shops and eateries in the area. Those in the mood for breakfast can look forward to homemade scones, cinnamon rolls, an almond crescent or even a German breakfast of 2 pastry rolls with preserves and spreads. If you’re looking for something heartier, German classics including bratwurst and maultaschen are all there for the taking. Other tasty café items include the Wolfgang signature sandwich featuring chicken, mozzarella, tomato and pesto as well as a filling creamy potato soup. Coffee and dessert lovers can look forward to the Mandarin cheesecake, fruit tartlets, or apple strudel just to name a few. I decided to enjoy my peaceful Monday afternoon with a little dessert at Edelweiss. Immediately walking into the bakery, I was filled with aromas of fresh brewed coffee and homemade breads. Though the numerous lunch items got me tempted to have a second lunch that afternoon, I stayed on my mission to enjoy a made in-house dessert and hot cup of strong coffee. My eyes danced through the glass display case of desserts boasting various muffins, pastries, cheese cakes, and pieces. I finally settled on a chocolate banana cream cake flaunting layers of heavenly flavors and topped with a chocolate medallion and whipped cream. Quickly I was brought my coffee in an oversized Edelweiss mug and the beautiful chocolate banana cake delicately on a plate. Before enjoying my treat, I decided to sit back and let my coffee cool while I took in the ambiance of the shop. I noticed old friends laughing while reading the newspaper and others in serious concentration on laptops while enjoying their German delicacies. My black coffee was nice and strong, the perfect complement to the light yet rich chocolate banana cake. Each layer of the dessert provided distinct flavor without being overwhelming. After finishing my indulgence, I walked around the shop to find a temptation of pretzels to take back to the office for a late afternoon snack. Instead I walked over to the back of the eatery noticing a cabinet of German specialty products on display. Whether you’re finding a place to meet with old friends or just a quiet area to enjoy coffee and your favorite book, Edelweiss German Bakery and Coffee Shop has you covered. Patrons will find the quaint atmosphere to be the perfect complement to the authentic German dishes that Edelweiss aims to provide daily. Edelweiss German Bakery and Coffee Shop is located in Temerson Square and opened daily Monday through Sunday. Tweet us @ThePlanetWeekly and let us know where you are eating! Sheena Gregg, MS, RDN,LD is a registered dietitian and local “Filipino foodie.” Follow her on Twitter @AFilipinoFoodie

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

e finally made it, everyone. Cold weather is here and that means firing up the heaters, holiday food, and, most importantly, dark beers. I love this time of year for many reasons; one being that I love to bundle up. You can only take so many layers of clothing off before the police are called, but you can bundle up until you look like the Michelin Tire Man if you choose to do so. Either way, you’ll be able to find me sitting on my porch in the evenings enjoying a rich, roasty stout or porter. While at the grocery store recently, I picked up a mixed 12 pack of the Sierra Nevada Snow Pack Seasonal Sampler. It had two old favorites, the Pale Ale and the Torpedo Extra Pale Ale, but there were two others in the mix that I had never had before. One was the Snow Wit White IPA that was mediocre at best, but then there was what I was really after, the Coffee Stout. I got them home, chilled them, and cracked open the first of three to see how this seasonal offering stood up to my high standards for stout beers. First of all, let it be known that I’m not a huge fan of Sierra Nevada’s beers. I am however a fan of what they’ve done for the craft beer environment and the economic landscape of beer. If it were not for Sierra Nevada, we wouldn’t have our Good People or our Druid City beers that we all know and love. So in that aspect, I salute them. Although, I’ve only had one Sierra Nevada beer that I’ve just been crazy about and it’s only made once a year. Anyways, the beer they make is good, just not my favorite and probably never will be. I drank this beer from a pint glass and as I poured, a thick, pitch-black body filled the glass. Topped with a smooth, frothy khaki colored head that was about two finger widths thick. The head sticks around for a long time and recedes more in the middle and makes a crown-like head of foam on top of the beer. As it dissipates though, there is a nice amount of lacing that lines the glass and sticks around very nicely. The aroma is a beautiful bouquet of coffee and roasted malts that blend together in an amazing way. There are faint notes of chocolate on the back end and a biscuit like malt rounds out the finish on the nose. The coffee was the strongest aroma I picked up with the chocolate coming in a close second. I really love the smell this beer has, because it’s everything that I enjoy in stouts. That rich, roasted malt aroma mixed with the right amount of chocolate and fresh roasted coffee is a match made

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in heaven. The taste resembles the aroma slightly, but man, the coffee really shines here. When you take the first sip, you’re punched in the mouth with an extreme coffee flavor that sticks around in your mouth throughout the duration of the entire beer. Along with the coffee is an overwhelming presence of roasted malt and dark chocolate. Towards the end of each sip, you pick up on a bit of pine and citrus from the hops, and it finishes up with more of that coffee flavor and another mouthful of the roasted malts. There’s a light sweetness that gives you another depth of flavor and takes the beer to another level that you normally don’t get with Sierra Nevada beers. This is an extremely balanced beer that I honestly didn’t see coming at all. The body is where everything kind of fell flat for me, literally. The body just isn’t there as with a lot of their other beers. You get this amazing rush of flavors and then the mouthfeel just goes limp and it almost feels like you’re drinking cold coffee. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the worst beer I’ve ever had, but it’s definitely lacking in some areas that I happen to feel are quite vital for having a great beer. Carbonation was pretty weak for the most part, so there’s that as well. There was a very dry finish to the beer that wasn’t exactly pleasing either. I don’t know, it just wasn’t hitting where I wanted it. Overall, Sierra Nevada played it safe with a classic Sierra Nevada beer. It’s good for what it is, but it’s nothing to write home about either. I’m afraid I’m predisposed to criticizing their beers too harshly, but on the other hand, I think I just know what I’m talking about when it comes to each beer style. The aroma was awesome, the taste was awesome, but everything after that was a huge setback that I just couldn’t get over. Easily a six out of ten for me, but for me to buy it again, it would have had to register at least an eight. Oh well, there are plenty others that are worth my time and money from here on out. Better luck next time,

>>> CO M M U N I T Y A R T S

inger-songwriter Amy McCarley will be the featured artist in a performance on Acoustic Night on Feb. 14, 2016 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 $10 with a full service bar available. Growing up in rural Alabama, Amy McCarley began playing guitar, sounding out chords to the 70s and 80s rock and country her young parents kept on heavy rotation at home. While in the 5th grade, she formed her first rock band with classmates and spent hours rehearsing in the attic of her grandparents’ barn. McCarley says “Music is just something that’s always been on my mind. Ever since I can remember I’ve admired the ability to conduct emotion in that way; to communicate something meaningful through that medium.” It wasn’t until her junior year at Rice University that she answered an ad for “guitarist wanted” in the Houston Chronicle and played her first show weeks

later at the Mausoleum, a wine bar in the trendy Montrose district. While pursuing a BA in Economics, McCarley also studied classical guitar and music theory at Rice’s prestigious Shepherd School of Music. During this time she continued to write lyrically, a compulsion that started in early childhood, and bought a four track to record her original tunes. Upon graduation, she returned to Alabama where she gained full-time employment with a NASA contractor in Huntsville. After nearly a decade of performing locally with the occasional regional outburst, she went on hiatus from the Huntsville area stages to dedicate herself more fully to writing, recording, mixing and playing all the instruments on the tracks she put down in her home. The debut record of her work —a collection of gorgeous ballads interspersed with a smattering of up-tempo emotional rockers— has an intimate, lived in quality not often matched within the conventional parameters of a professional studio environment. The anticipated follow-up, “Jet Engines” (2014), has garnered positive reviews and made its way onto various “Best Of” lists including the Top

DENNIS KIEM

AMY MCCARLEY RETURNS TO BAMA THEATRE FOR ACOUSTIC NIGHT

Americana Albums list in “LoneStar Music Magazine”. Her song, “Everybody Wants To”, earned her an honorable mention in American Songwriter’s Lyric-Only Contest (Nov. 2014). In support of “Jet Engines”, McCarley has appeared at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, the Folk Alliance, SXSW as well as first-time appearances at Alabama’s famed W.C. Handy Festival in Muscle Shoals, The Space Camp Alumni Festival in Huntsville and Tuscaloosa’s Summer Shindig at The Bama Theatre. Heavy influences for the artist include Lucinda Williams, Chrissie Hynde, Gillian Welch, Bob Dylan and Steve Forbert, but

what echoes most prominently in her music is the distinctly southern inflected ache to communicate hard fought conclusions drawn to an audience. For more information about the artist, visit www.amymccarley.com. The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Ave. in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, CAC 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.

ARTS AND MORE! ONGOING & UPCOMING (in order of ending date)

JAN 25-FEB 26 Double Exposure Adult Division Exhibit, Arts Council Gallery, DWCAC, Tuscaloosa NOW-FEB 26 Thomas Spake: The Phoenix Transformation, Glass & Light, Kentuck, Northport JAN 15-FEB 26 Fine Folk Art III exhibition, Shelby County Arts Council, Columbiana MAR 4-5 West Alabama Quilters Guild Biennial Quilt Show, Taylorville UMC, 640 Bear Creek Road, Tuscaloosa MAR 6 5th Street Vintage Market, Northport Farmers Market, Northport FEB 24-MAR 9 Anna Katherine Phipps MFA Exhibition | Aushrea Adams, Tanika Powers and Haylee Walker BFA Exhibition, Sella-Granata Art Gallery MAR 21-APR 8 BA Group Exhibition, Sella-Granata Art Gallery, UA MAR 10-APR 10 Selections from the Permanent Collection, Sarah Moody Gallery of Art APR 18-30 2016 Annual BFA Juried Exhibition, Harrison Galleries, Tuscaloosa (Reception APR 22) APR 18-MAY 3 Turner Williams MFA Exhibition | Celestia Morgan MA Exhibition, Sella-Granata Art Gallery NOW-MAY 15 Haitian Flags from the Cargo Collection, Birmingham Museum of Art

Works by Thomas Spake. APR 19-MAY 27 Faculty Biennial Exhibition, Sarah Moody Gallery of Art ANYTIME Stroll between galleries through our Woods Quad Sculpture Garden with five outdoor sculptures, plus other sculptures in adjoining campus lawns.

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

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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

NEWS Joint Transportation Committee Kicks Off Listening Tour in Northport

“

orthport City Hall’s Council Chambers were standing room only Jan. 7, as interested area residents filled the room to beyond capacity for the Alabama Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee met to give an infrastructure update and receive public comment. Representatives from the Alabama Department of Transportation were on hand to answer questions. The first of five statewide meetings, the event is part of what the committee sees as a listening tour that will allow them to gather public input prior to taking action on changes to the gas tax. Legislators on hand for the event included Committee Chair Rep. Mac McCutcheon, House District 25; Vice Chair Sen. Gerald Dial, District 13; Sen. Gerald Allen, District 21; Rep. Chris England, House District 70; Rep. Alan Harper, House District 61; Rep. Ralph Howard, House District 72; Rep. A.J. McCampbell, House District 61; Rep. Kyle South, House District 16; Rep. Tim Wadsworth, House District 14 and Rep. Rich Wingo, House District 62. Jim Page, President and CEO, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, spoke on behalf of the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure, a grassroots advocacy coalition that promotes financially responsible investment in Alabama’s roads and infrastructure. “The investment in Alabama’s infrastructure has not kept pace with the rate of population growth,” Page said. “The Alabama Department of Transportation is facing significant funding challenges for projects that have a price tag that totals in the billions of dollars. More efficient vehicles mean less revenue, and the current transportation funding module is not sustainable.” During the public Jason Hoff, Mercedes-Benz, addresses the Committee. comment period, more than 30 people addressed the committee, including Jason Hoff, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, which, as Alabama’s top exporter, exceeded $5.5 billion in exports last year. Hoff said more than a thousand trucks per day come into the plant, many of which are sequence trucks that will cause a break in production if they are delayed or do not arrive. Hoff said infrastructure problems have created issues with production. “We have been impacted more this past year than we ever have been in the past,” he said. “I can think of 26 separate instances in which road related problems have caused downtime. We’ve had more infrastructure-related downtime in 2015 than I’ve ever seen.” Hoff said road conditions had forced the acquisition of new trailers in 2015, as the current fleet could not withstand the route. Commissioner Frederick Kennedy of Pickens County said improved infrastructure is crucial to the citizens of his region. “Many of our citizens have to drive out of the county to work,” he said. “For me, this is personal. For example, we have young ladies driving at night to work the late shift at Mercedes. They need good roads to drive. Pickens County needs your support.” Rendy Taylor, who spoke on behalf of WTI Transport and the Alabama Trucking Association, noted that 73 percent of manufactured tonnage is transported by trucks, and traffic congestion is costing the economy billions of dollars. He also spoke to the safety issue. “Having a well-designed infrastructure will reduce the interaction between passenger cars and trucks,” he said. Safety was a big topic of concern for more than one speaker, as Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson, 911 Director Rod Coleman, Sammy Watson of DCH and Lynda Gilbert of the University of Alabama System all discussed their concerns with outdated infrastructure hampering ingress and egress during emergency situations. “For most of us, a good road system is a convenience,” Watson said. “But when you’re having a heart attack, it’s a matter of life or death.” The American Society of Civil Engineers, which has rated the state’s roads D+, and given the state’s overall infrastructure a C-, ranked Alabama fifth in the nation as drivers being more likely to

be involved in a fatal traffic accident. Chairman McCutcheon, who previously introduced a bill to raise the gas tax by 5 cents per gallon (currently 12 cents per gallon), thanked the crowd for their interest and participation. “We’re just here to listen to the people of Alabama,” he said.

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

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

>>> H E A LT H | D R . R AC H E L S T E I N E R

EMPTY CALORIES

>>> RESTAURANTS |

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

BREAKFAST / LUNCH

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

TRY MEAL PREPPING Most people want to eat healthy but time gets in the way. We wait until we are starving at work and have nothing to eat and resort to convenience like fast food. Try making your grocery list on Saturday for the following week, shop, and then cook all your food for that week on Sunday. This is

a great way to insure you have food made before your schedule gets hectic on that Monday and can be an easy way to avoid empty calories. If you are having trouble getting your family on board with the new changes, sit down with them and come up with new recipes you all want to try. STOCK YOUR PANTRY AND FREEZER Keep healthy staples like beans, raw nuts, and quinoa in your pantry and stock up on frozen veggies, berries, and chicken in your freezer. Personally, I buy a big pack of boneless chicken and put two pieces in different zip lock bags with some marinate. Put them in the refrigerator for a whole day to allow the chicken to marinate and then put them in the freezer. The day you want to cook them, just pull a bag out that morning and let it thaw and cook that evening. The chicken is perfectly marinated and requires little work, time, and energy. KEEP HEALTHY SNACKS CLOSE  Healthy snacks are a great way to bridge between meals so you don’t find yourself starving at the end of the day and go for unhealthy option from the vending machine or take out. Mix up some raw nuts and raisins, fresh veggies with hummus, or try apple slices or celery sticks with peanut butter. These are a few tips to help make sure you are eating foods that are full of nutrients and fueling your body in a way that is the most beneficial. Time can be the biggest factor with healthy eating but with a little time management and meal prep, this is a really easy way to avoid those empty calories when hunger calls. Good luck and Happy 2016!

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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 Great locally-sourced foods and live piono music on the weekends. |killionrestaurants.com/kozys/ The Side by Side Restaurant 2410 University Blvd. | Embassy Suites | 561-2500 thesidebysiderestaurant.com

JAPANESE

Benkei Japanese Steak House 1223 McFarland Blvd // 759-5300 Hours: Mon–Thurs 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Fri–Sat 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Bento Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar 1306 University Blvd // 758.7426 Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant 607 15th Street Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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.

Ichiban Japanese Grill & Sushi 502 15th Street // 752.8844

MEXICAN

Chipotle Mexican Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0140 www.chipotle.com Don Tono's 2312 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 Fernando's Mexican Grill 824 McFarland Blvd E | Northport // 205.331.4587 Iguana Grill 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 752.5895 Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill 2001 New Watermelon Rd | Northport // 342.3378 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. 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

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.

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

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

any of the foods and more commonly the beverages we consume contain empty calories. Empty calories are solid fats and/or added sugars that contain high amounts of calories but have very few or no nutritional value. Now more than ever specialty coffee, sodas, and energy drinks have become extremely popular but unfortunately are filled with sugar and artificial sweeteners. The problem with empty calories is that they do not keep us full very long because there is no nutritional value to satisfy the needs of our body to perform their daily functions. Because of the high amount of sugar and fat, they often give us a quick spike of energy and then a crashing effect shortly after. Not only are beverages a source of empty calories but foods like chips, fries, syrups, and salad dressings are culprits as well. There are many steps we can take to insure the foods we are consuming are nutritional ones and not just full of empty calories. We need to have the mindset that food is designed to fuel our bodies to perform at its best ability. In our society we have forgotten that and we tend to eat to satisfy our taste buds instead and many times that is by comfort foods that usually lack nutrients but contain lots of sugar and fat. Below are some steps you can take to insure you are getting the most nutritional value for what you are eating.

open table. Hours: Mon–Sat 5 p.m. - until

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Tokyo Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar 6521 Hwy 69 S | Hillcrest Center // 366.1177 Offers steak, seafood, tempura, teriyaki and sushi. Including cooking at your table, if you choose. Sun–Thurs 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Fri & Sat 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Kobe Steak House 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 759-1400 Lunch: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Dinner: 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sat & Sun 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

ITALIAN

Broadway Pizzeria 2880 Rice Mine Road Northeast Tuscaloosa, // 391.6969 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 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 Brunch, lunch, and dinner. Specialty cocktails, local pints, bottled beer, and wine. Mon - Fri. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sat. Noon – 11 p.m., Sun.Noon p.m. – 9 p.m. Big Daddy’s Cafe 514 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 759.9925 The Blue Plate Restaurant (Was Northport Diner) 450 McFarland Blvd, Northport // 462-3626 Brumfield's Restaurant 4851 Rice Mine Road | Tue. - Thu.: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fri - Sat.: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Buddy’s Ribs & Steaks 2701 Bridge Ave | Northport // 339.4885 Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd // 523.0273 Mon–Wed 11 a.m. - midnight | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Chicken Salad Chick The Shoppes at Midtown & Essex Square, Northport | Said to be the very best chicken salad that can be found anywhere. www. chickensaladchick.com Chili’s 1030 Skyland Blvd | Near McFarland Mall // 750.8881 Fax: 758.7715 // www.chilis.com Dave’s Dogs 1701 McFarland Blvd E | University Mall // 722.2800 Five Guys Burgers & Fries 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 391.0575 www.fiveguys.com Glory Bound Gyro Company 2325 University Blvd // 349-0505 Glory Bound Gyro Company is a unique restaurant that focuses on great food and service in a funky, fun-filled atmosphere. Open Mon-Thu: 11am - 10pm | Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm | Sun: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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In historic downtown Northport 430 Main Avenue 205-879-2238 www.billyssportsgrill.com text “billys” to 46786

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

>>> RESTAURANTS |

W H E R E TO E AT I N T U S C A LO O S A (CO N T.) Mugshots Grill & Bar 511 Greensboro Ave // 391.0572 Great burgers. Full service bar. Open late. www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com

Heritage House 700 Towncenter | Northport // 758.0042 Open Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hooligan’s 1915 University Blvd // 759.2424 From hamburgers to hummus. Open daily 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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

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.

Wilhagan’s 2209 4th St | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 366.0913

Logan's Roadhouse 1511 Skyland Blvd E // 349.3554

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

Madear’s 1735 Culver Road // 343.7773 Mon–Fri 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 2nd & 3rd Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WingZone 1241 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 342.2473

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

Archibald & Woodrow's BBQ 4215 Greensboro Ave | Tuscaloosa // 331.4858 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Sun lunch

BARBEQUE

Newk’s Express Cafe 205 University Blvd. East // 758.2455 Fax: 758.2470 // www.newkscafe.com Express casual dining experience in a refreshing and stylish atmosphere. Serving fresh tossed salads, oven baked sandwiches, California style pizzas and homemade cakes from Newk’s open kitchen. Sun–Wed 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Thurs–Sat 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. O’Charley’s 3799 McFarland Blvd // 556.5143 Open daily lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch // www.ocharleys.com Panera Bread 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 366.8780 www.panerabread.com 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

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

Sitar Indian Cuisine 500 15th St // 345-1419 Southern Ale House 1530 McFarland Blvd N Monday-Thursday 11a-9p, Friday-Saturday 11a-10p Sunday Brunch 11a-2p A warm and inviting restaurant just north of the river with both classic and contemporary interpretations of Southern Cuisine. We boast a large variety of local craft beers on tap and other options in bottle for our beer loving constituents. Wine and Signature cocktails Southland Restaurant 5388 Skyland Blvd E // 556.3070 Steaks, chops and home-cooked vegetables Mon–Fri 10:45 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tacogi 500 Greensboro Ave | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 342.3647 Tuscaloosa Burger & Seafood Company 1014 7th Ave. | Tuscaloosa // 764.1976 Over 160 craft beers. Tue. - Thu 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large selection of decadent desserts. Zoe’s Kitchen 312 Merchants Walk // 344.4450 A wonderful selection of Greek foods

SPORTS GRILL

Billy's Sports Grill Historic Downtown Northport // 879.2238 Good food, beverages and family friendly Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. (Sunday Brunch 10:30am-3pm). Buffalo Wild Wings 2710 McFarland Blvd. East | Tuscaloosa // 523.0273 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine, full bar Champs Sports Grille 320 Paul Bryant Drive | inside Four Points Sheraton Hotel // 752.3200 Breakfast and lunch buffets. Sunday brunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hooter’s 5025 Oscar Baxter Dr | Next to Jameson Inn // 758.3035 Wings, clams, shrimp and of course the Hooters Girls www.hooters.com

The Levee Bar and Grill 1 Bridge Ave | Northport // 632.3136 Casual riverfront dining Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM, Sun 11 AM-8 PM (Happy Hour Mon-Thurs 2 PM-6 PM) leveebarandgrill.com

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

CHINESE Buffet City

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

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

Chang’s Chinese Restaurant 1825 McFarland Blvd N // 391.9131

Manna Grocery & Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 752.9955

China Fun 2600 University Blvd | Alberta City // 553.2435

McAlister’s Deli (2 locations) 101 15th St | Tuscaloosa // 758.0039 3021 Tyler Dr | Northport // 330.7940 Sandwiches, salads and spuds www.mcalistersdeli.com

Chongwah Express 1425 McFarland Boulevard, Northport. 333-1088 Hot Wok Express 6751 Alabama 69, Tuscaloosa // 758.0148 Lee Palace 6521 Highway 69 S // 391.9990 / Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking & Oriental Market 514 14th St. | In the Oz Music shopping center // 343.6889 // Open Sun - Thu 11am - 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am - 9:30pm

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.

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

STEAKS

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

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

Swen Chinese Restaurant 1130 University Blvd | The Strip // 391.9887 Trey Yuen 4200 McFarland Blvd E // 752.0088

PIZZA AND SUBS

A Taste Of Chicago 1700 Greensboro Avenue 205-342-DOGS Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. 17th Street and Greensboro Avenue. Authentic Chicago style foods. Italian Beef Sandwiches, Chicago Rib Tips, and Chicago Style Pizza. California Underground 13552 Highway 43, Northport | 339.8660 Firehouse Subs 1130 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 248.0680 Hungry Howie’s (2 locations) 1105 Southview Ln | South Tuscaloosa // 345.6000 1844 McFarland Blvd | Northport // 333.2633 1211 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa | The Strip // 366.1500 4851 Rice Mine Rd | Northriver/Holt // 345.3737

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.

Lenny’s Sub Shop 220 15th St // 752.7450 // Fax: 752.7481 // www.lennys.com

Outback Steakhouse 5001 Oscar Baxter Dr // 759.9000

Little Italy 1130 University Blvd. // 345.4354

SEAFOOD Chuck’s Fish

Mellow Mushroom 2230 University Blvd | Downtown Tuscaloosa // 758.0112

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

Buffalo Phil’s 1149 University Blvd | The Strip // 758.3318 Sports grille with TVs galore. Diverse beer and wine selection, full bar

Tut’s Place 1306 University Blvd | The Strip // 759.1004

Moe's Original BBQ 2101 University Blvd.. // 752.3616 Mon–Sat 11am - 10pm | Bar service Mon-Sat 2am and Fri -3am | Kitchen closes at 10pm

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.

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

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

Pearl Garden 2719 Lurleen Wallace Blvd | Northport // 339.0880

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

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.

1207 University Blvd | The Strip // 345.9606 Hours: Mon–Sat 10:30 a.m. - 3 a.m. | Sun 11:30 a.m. - midnight

Hick’s BBQ 4400 Fayette Hwy // 339.3678 // Tues–Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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.

Ryan’s 4373 Courtney Dr // 366.1114 Near Marriott Courtyard and Fairfield Inn

Red Lobster 2620 McFarland Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.553.8810 Sun-Thurs 11AM-10PM//Fri & Sat 11AM-11PM Reservations Accepted Take-Out Available Private Dining Area Available for Advanced Booking (Lunch Specials Available Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM)

Little Caesars Pizza 1414 10th Ave // 366.2220 | 1www.littlecaesars.com

Subs n' You 2427 University Blvd. | Tuscaloosa // 205.758.0088 Roly Poly Sandwiches 2300 4th Street | Tuscaloosa // 366.1222 The Pita Pit

Pizza 120 50115th St. East | 561.6853 Pizza Palace Buffet 6521 Alabama 69 | 752.5444

DELICATESSEN

Jason’s Deli 2300 McFarland Blvd // 752.6192 Fax: 752.6193 // www.jasonsdeli.com Located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center.

Momma Goldberg’s Deli 409 23rd Ave // 345.5501 |www.mommagoldbergs.com Newk's 205 University Blvd E | Tuscaloosa // 758.2455 Schlotsky’s Deli 405 15th St. E // 759.1975 // schlotskys.com Which Wich University Blvd.// Downtown Tuscaloosa // Mon – Sat 10:30 – 9 // Sunday 11 – 7 // Fresh ingredients, great sandwiches. 764.1673

ASIAN CUISINE

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

COFFEE SHOP

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

DESSERTS

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

Innisfree Irish Pub 1925 University Blvd | Tuscaloosa // 345.1199

Yogurt Lab 920 Paul W. Bryant Dr Ste 200 | Tuscaloosa // 347.9522

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

Yogurt Mountain 1800 McFarland Blvd E | Midtown Village // 342.1484 Mon–Thurs 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | Fri & Sat 11 a.m. - midnight

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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

The Weeknd • Calvin Harris • Florence + The Machine

Alabama Shakes • Ellie Goulding • Lenny Kravitz • Flume Haim • Cage The Elephant • Panic! At The Disco • Grimes The Chainsmokers • Walk The Moon • Leon Bridges • Miike Snow BIG BOI + Jason Isbell • Big Grams ( PHANTOGRAM ) • Run The Jewels • Foals Fetty Wap • The Neighbourhood • Portugal. The Man • Moon Taxi 3LAU • Courtney Barnett • Silversun Pickups • X Ambassadors

Bro Safari • Kurt Vile and the Violators • Børns • Thomas Jack Coleman Hell • Alessia Cara • Wailers • Mayer Hawthorne Nahko and Medicine for the People • Brett Dennen • The Struts Atlas Genius • Vince Staples • Pepper • Raury • Snails Stick Figure • Judah & the Lion • Tourist • Kaleo • Magic Man Health • Alison Wonderland • The Griswolds Hippie Sabotage • The Revivalists • GIVERS Coasts • Phases • Bully • Lizzo • Jack Novak The Royal Concept • Pell • Bass Drum of Death Jai Wolf • Muddy Magnolias • Meg Mac Lazyboy Empire • Jerry Folk • Speaker of the House Powers • Lost Kings • Half Moon Run Strangers You Know • Koa

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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

THE FORCE AWAKENS // FULL-FLEDGED SEQUEL ★★★

OU T OF 4

confirm this matter. Rey makes a greater impression on-screen than either Finn or Poe. Finn and Poe received some of Han Solo’s attributes. Finn cannot tolerate the amoral regimen of a Stormtrooper, and Poe rivals Han’s superior skills as a pilot without his mercenary impulses. Kylo Ren resembles Anakin Skywalker, but Ren emerges as far more murderous. Although Kylo Ren is every bit as dastardly as Darth Vader behind the helmet, he doesn’t dredge up adequate dread to match him as an adversary. Meanwhile, the holographic Snoke pales by comparison with the evil Emperor. Altogether, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” doesn’t depart from the classic formula but provides a few surprises, like Daisy Ridley.

pparently, “Star Trek” and “Star Trek into Darkness” director J.J. Abrams adopted the strategy ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ for Disney’s revival of George Lucas’ “Star War” franchise. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” qualifies as an uninspired but entertaining science fiction/fantasy saga with spectacular CGI special effects. Unfortunately, it suffers from half-baked villains and a shamelessly derivative script. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt must have cherry-picked their favorite scenes and characters from earlier “Star Wars” epics, retooled them for this reboot, and then placed them in similar order to comply with the formula. Originally, George Lucas hired Kasdan to rewrite “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” while Arndt wrote “The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire” and “Toy Story 3.” Despite this gifted talent, Abrams and company don’t awaken as much as recycle the Force. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” duplicates the formulaic narrative of the original trilogy without a flaw, but Abrams cannot conjure up Lucas’ buoyant spirit of feelgood spontaneity. Nevertheless, unless you’re a nitpicky franchise aficionado, you’ll have four reasons to appreciate this melodramatic franchise reboot from the House of Mouse. First, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is a full-fledged sequel instead of a prequel. (Mind you, the prequels weren’t entirely ponderous, and each chronicled Anakin Skywalker’s walk on the dark side.) Second, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker return after a 32-year hiatus. Mind you, C3P0 and R2-D2 are back, but they linger on the periphery. A new droid designated BB-8 replaces R2-D2 as comic relief. Third, Harrison Ford gives one of his strongest performances as Han Solo. You’ll enjoy his shenanigans with the ‘rathars,’ tentacled, carnivorous, alien predators aboard his spaceship. Abrams confines Carrie Fisher to the sidelines, while Mark Hamill appears at the last minute. London-born Daisy Ridley, whose character draws on both Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, is the fourth reason you’ll want to see the seventh movie again. You won’t take

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

your eyes off this scrappy waif until Solo emerges to challenge her dominance. “Attack the Block” actor John Boyega plays the most interesting new character but his character appears to be given the shortshrift, Combat fighter pilot Oscar Isaac of “The Bourne Legacy” emulates Han Solo with his daredevil aerial skills. At the least, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” amounts to a swiftly plotted, larger-than-life, crowdpleasing space opera with dialogue that propels the plot. The fourth sequel unfolds on the desolate, sun-scorched planet of Jakku. A lone girl named Rey (Daisy Ridley of “Scrawl”) survives by scavenging parts from a crashed Empire starship. She lives alone in the desert. Eventually, Rey rescues an adorable little droid BB-8 from another native scavenger. BB-8 is an insufferably scene-stealer. Meantime, the infamous First Order regime has risen from the ashes of the defeated Empire. These imperialist minded maniacs are no different from their draconian predecessors. They’ve been scouring the galaxy like bloodhounds for the last surviving Jedi knight, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill of “Kingsman: The Secret Service”), and they’ve finally located a lead on Jakku. Simultaneously, the rebel Resistance, led by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), has dispatched a pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac of “Ex Machina”), to retrieve information from Lor San Tekka (Max von Sydow of “The Exorcist”) about Luke’s whereabouts. No sooner has San Tekka confided in Poe than the First Order, led by wannabe Dark Vader lookalike Kylo Ren (Adam Driver of “Lincoln”), arrives with squads of Stormtroopers. One of those armor-clad soldiers, FN-2187 (John Boyega), suffers a crisis of conscience and deserts from the ranks when he is ordered to massacre innocents. FN-2187’s superior, Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie of “The Zero Theorem”), keeps him under close scrutiny because he refused to fire his blaster. Although the First Order rounded up Poe, FN-2187 sticks around long enough to rescue him. He pretends to take him at gunpoint into the hanger. They steal a TIE fighter but crash on Jakku. Eventually, a lost and wandering FN-

2187 befriends Rey. When maurading Stormtroopers invade Jakku, our heroes stumble accidentally onto Han Solo’s long, lost Millennium Falcon spaceship and steal it to escape. Han intercepts them while engaged on a mission to deliver exotic but carnivorous alien wildlife. Despite a fresh crop of new characters, including Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, and Snoke, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” imitates virtually everything in the six previous entries as well as the title. Han Solo’s cliffhanger confrontation and the finale with the new Death Star situated in a planet recalls the original. Helmer J.J. Abrams directs with slick but soulless efficiency. Rarely does he let the breathless momentum abate. When the momentum does slacken, however, you realize that this is just a glossy facsimile. Of course, unless you have seen the first six films, you may not recognize the rampant similarities since you’ll be too swept up in the whirlwind of heroics. Happily, Rey emerges as a tenacious but sympathetic female version of Luke. The charismatic Ridley radiates personality galore, and casting her as the nononsense heroine was a stroke of genius. She shares two scenes with Luke’s old lightsaber, and she wields it with surprising familiarity the second time. It should be obvious that Rey is Luke’s daughter, but we’ll have to wait for Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars: Chapter VIII” to

In association with Margot Astrachan and Michael Rubenstein

February 16–20 Tickets at 205.348.3400 or theatre.ua.edu

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THE FOREST // INCOHERENT STORYLINE

★★

OU T OF 4

unger Games starlet Natalie Dormer plays twin sisters in jeopardy in firsttime film director Jason Zada’s “The Forest,” a superficial, supernatural saga set in the unsavory ‘suicide forest’ in Japan. Basically, this tame twin sisters tale of terror recycles cobwebbed clichés from dozens of standard-issue horror movies, but conjures two few legitimate scares. This half-baked, hallucinatory horror epic features two kinds of scares. A ghoul or group of ghouls materialize out of nowhere in front of our heroine or a zombie stalks her. Indeed, some of these sightings occur at night when our heroine is where she shouldn’t be stumbling through the foliage with nothing more than her cell phone to illuminate the gloom. Otherwise, neither Dormer’s sympathetic performance nor the exotic real-life setting of Aokigahara makes this exercise in suspense remotely memorable. Clocking in at 95 minutes, “The Forest” could have conjured up more spooky encounters. Nothing here is comparable to genuinely, hair-raising chillers like either “The Grudge” or “The Ring.” Essentially, freshman scenarist Sarah Cornwell, “30 Days of Night: Dark Days” scribe Ben Ketai, and “Hannibal” television writer Nick Antosca have penned the equivalent of a routine haunted house thriller. In the latter, somebody— usually a fickle female—survives a night in a haunted house either to prove her pluck or her folly and skirmishes with ghouls galore. Similarly, after our heroine’s twin sister vanishes into the suicide forest, her anxious twin jets off to Japan to search for her in that 35 mile acreage of cursed woods. Dormer’s heroine isn’t the only American loitering in the land of the Rising Sun. An enigmatic American journalist (Taylor Kinney) fluent in Japanese accompanies her on her quest, and he wants to write a story about her search for her sister. Life hasn’t been a lark for either Sara or Jess Price (Natalie Dormer of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and

2”) since their parents died when they were youngsters. According to their grandmother, a drunken driver killed their mother and father as the couple were coming home. Sara never saw the blood-splattered bodies because she kept her eyes shut, but her identical twin sister Jess had no such qualms. (Yes, we’re given a ghoulish glimpse of the corpses.) Predictably, Jess appropriated the dark look of a Goth girl and a selfdestructive personality. On the other hand, Sara married and settled down with Rob (Eoin Macken of “Centurion”) who runs a restaurant. Meantime, Jess relocated to Japan, and a high school hired her to teach English as a second language. Sara and Jess have always had an uncanny psychic connection. One can sense when the other is in trouble. Suddenly, Jess disappears

under mysterious circumstances, and the news that she was seen last wandering in the Aokigahara worries Sara. Our heroine books a flight to Tokyo. No sooner has Sara entered the Aokigahara Park Visitors Center than she learns that her sister’s body has been found. The center temporarily stores suicide case corpses until the next of kin claim them. Naturally, the body isn’t Jess because that would have deprived Sara as well as the audience of a dreary tour of murky terrain inhabited a faction of evil fiends. While she is contemplating her options, Sara meets an attractive American travelogue writer, Aiden (Taylor Kinney of “Zero Dark Thirty”), at a nearby bar. She tells him about her wayward sister. Conveniently, Aiden knows a forest guide who checks the woods regularly for suicide victims. Sometimes, Michi (Yukiyoshi Ozawa of “The Hidden Blade”) manages to locate lost people before they can take their lives and convinces them to refrain from suicide. Michi agrees to help Sara and Aiden search for Jess. Warning signs about sticking to the path clutter the Aokigahara. Reluctantly, Michi escorts them off the beaten path. Things take a turn for the best when Sara spots Jess’s tent, but Jess doesn’t return. Michi refuses to conduct the search after dusk because it is too easy to get lost. Headstrong Sara informs Michi that she is not leaving without his sister. Aiden surprises Michi with his decision to stay with Sara. Michi warns Sara that the evil spirits can play tricks on them and prompt them to perform acts that they could never imagine. “If you see something bad, it’s in your head.” Sara spends the night in that tent while Aiden sleeps by the fire. Things get really weird. Our heroine sees ghosts and

pursues a disheveled Japanese school girl who says she knows Jess through the undergrowth. Eventually, Sara plunges into a hole that appears as if it were designed for Alice of “Alice in Wonderland” fame. At this point, you get fed up with Sara and her frantic antics. Similarly, Aiden incriminates himself with suspicious behavior after they stumble onto a cabin in the woods. The best thing about “The Forest” is its singularly creepy setting. Ironically, most of action was lensed in Serbia’s Tara National Forest rather than in the Aokigahara. Japanese officials have banned film crews from shooting in the so-called “Sea of Trees” at the northwest foot of Mount Fuji. Over the years, thousands of depressed Japanese have embarked on pilgrimages there to commit suicide. According to Rob Gilhooly’s award-winning article in the “Japan Times,” suicide is not illegal in Japan as it is in most Western countries. Remember, Japan boasts a colorful history of defiant samurai who preferred to disembowel themselves through ritual suicide rather than face dishonor. Furthermore, Gilhooly has documented evidence that 54 out of the 247 Japanese who made their pilgrimage to Aokigahara in 2010 did so to end their suffering. Although they have chosen a picturesque setting with incredible cultural significance, Zada and his three writers never take appropriate advantage of it. Instead, they generate little more than hackneyed hokum with a minimal of blood and gore. Ultimately, “The Forest” contributes few insights into the tragic history of the Aokigahara, and Natalie Dormer’s sincere performance cannot compensate for the hopelessly incoherent storyline.

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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

BETSY // A BEAUTY QUEEN

DON’T PASS UP THAT SENIOR DOG!

This beauty queen needs a home and a tiara! This striking-looking dog is Betsy, a 2- to 3-year-old female. We are guessing she is a Labrador/ Setter mix. She has a beautiful white, thick coat with black and white markings on half of her face and some spots on her body that remind us of an English setter or pointer, but who knows!? Betsy is a large dog weighing 47 pounds, and this is full-grown. She was pulled from our local shelter, where she had been picked up by Animal Control and no one came to claim her or adopt her for over 2 months. We don’t see why! Betsy is a very friendly, sweet and loving dog. She loves people and loves to be with you. Betsy does have some energy and will require a fenced in yard. She is too big and active for an apartment. She seems to do well with most dogs, but she tends to be the dominant dog. Betsy is still pretty jumpy (we are working on that) so she would do fine with children, but over age 12 just so she doesn’t accidentally knock down anyone. We have started on her crate training. She is up to date on her vet care, spayed, heartworm negative and is microchipped. Betsy is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention. Betsy is a wonderful dog that is ready for her forever home – we hope it will be yours!

BOOTS // TALL, DARK & HANDSOME Meet Boots! Boots is an extremely playful little boy. He is always ready for an adventure. He especially enjoys shoe strings and pouncing on the closest toy. What a fun kitten! Boots would do well in a home with other cats or as an only cat. He is negative for FIV and FeLK and current on vaccinations. Vet records will be provided to his adopters. Due to being underage for a spay/ neuter surgery, adoption requires an additional refundable spay/neuter deposit of $100 to reinforce state requirements for all adopted pets to be fixed by age of maturity. He will be neutered before being adopted out if old enough at that time. This precious boy needs a home, will it be yours? If If you are interested in giving BETSY or BOOTS the forever home they want and deserve, visit the Humane Society of West Alabama at http://www. humanesocietyofwa.org or call us at (205)-554-0011.

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

s your family thinking about adding a dog to the household? So many decisions have to be taken into consideration: Big or small dog? Rescue/shelter dog or one from a breeder? Puppy or older dog? Consider a senior dog from a shelter or a reputable rescue organization! There are many reasons to select an older dog when deciding what is best for your family. In many cases, these dogs were once owned and loved by someone, and for whatever reason, they were given up to a shelter and need a loving home, a second chance. Unfortunately, these dogs are often the first to be euthanized if they aren’t adopted in a timely manner. By adopting a senior dog, you are not only providing it with a better life, but you are also saving its life. Also, most older dogs are easily trainable and already understand at least basic commands such as “sit” and “stay”. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks- dogs can be trained at any age and are as smart as younger ones. Older dogs have a longer attention span, making them easier to train. Also, senior dogs are calmer, which means less barking, less destructive behavior, and they have the physical ability to hold their bowels and bladder for longer periods of time, resulting in less accidents in the house! Puppies go through several stages, one of the most annoying being the “chew everything in sight” stage. Older dogs have their adult teeth, so they are less likely to chew what they are not supposed to. Puppies need to be fed three times a day in many cases, but mature dogs need to be fed only twice a day. For those of you who want a walking or running partner, an adult dog is ready (with a little training) from day one to participate, whereas you may have to wait months for your puppy to be able to make it on your daily run! These are only a few of the many reasons to adopt a senior dog. We at the Humane Society hear quite often from our adopters that their new older furry friend seems to want to please their new found family- they are fast to love and quick to trust! At The Humane Society of West Alabama, we have a wide variety of dogs from which to choose your next fur-ever friend. We would love to talk with you about your family’s specific needs when it comes to your next pet. Our dog adopters have first hand knowledge of our dogs’ behaviors, and in many cases we even know the dogs’ history. We are happy to spend time with you to help you make this most important decision, so please consider adopting a senior dog. Remember that no dog is perfect from the get go. A new pet always requires time, love, consistency, and effort no matter if you adopt a puppy or an older dog. Soon, your new addition will quickly become your loyal companion. For a complete description of the wonderful dogs and cats in our care, along with some really cute pictures, please visit our website at www. humanesocietyofwa.org. Tina Miller is vice president of the board of directors for the HSWA, volunteer coordinator, WVUA guest speaker for “Pet of the Week”. The HSWA is a nonprofit, all volunteer, no kill animal rescue organization.

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

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

>>> EVENTS CALENDAR | T H E S O U T H E A S T ' S L A R G E S T NOTE: All events listed here have phone numbers in the 205 area code unless otherwise indicated.

THURSDAY, Jan 22

Sipsey Valley Middle School Beauty Walk WHEN: 6:00pm-8:00pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://bamatheatre.org/

THURSDAY, Jan 23

Sipsey Valley Middle School Beauty Walk WHEN: 1:30pm-3:00pm, 6:00pm-8:00pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://bamatheatre.org/

TUESDAY, Jan 26

Bama Art House - “The New Girlfriend” WHEN: 7:30pm-9:30pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://bamatheatre.org/ DESCRIPTION: (2014) Drama (Rated R) Director: François Ozon Writer: François Ozon (screenplay), Ruth Rendell (novel) Stars: Romain Duris, Anaïs Demoustier, Raphaël Personnaz Synopsis: A young woman makes a surprising discovery about the husband of her late best friend.

WEDNESDAY, Jan 27

Quoth the Raven WHEN: 9:00pm- close COST: no cover WHERE: Rhythm N Brews PHONE: (205)-534-6511 LINK: https://www.facebook.com/ XbloodmoontheoryX/timeline DESCRIPTION: Quoth the Raven is composed of like-minded musicians who just like to play good old fashioned Smash Mouth hard rock with a little southern flare and a melodic melody with one hell of a hook (like a rollercoaster through hell) with a background of musical taste from Alice in Chains to Asking Alexandria and everything in between. Acoustic Night Featuring Hiroya Tsukamoto WHEN: 7:30pm-9:30pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://www.hiroyatsukamoto. com

SATURDAY, Jan 31

The Anointed Brown Sisters - Concert WHEN: 5:00pm-7:00pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://bamatheatre.org/ comingattractions.php

TUESDAY, Feb 2

Bama Art House- “Mustang” WHEN: 7:30pm-9:30pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre 600 Greensboro Ave Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://bamatheatre.org/bamaarthouse. php DESCRIPTION: (2015) Drama (Rated PG-13) Director: Deniz Gamze Ergüven Writers: Deniz Gamze Ergüven (screenplay), Alice Winocour (screenplay) Stars: Günes Sensoy, Doga Zeynep Doguslu, Elit Iscan Synopsis: Early summer. In a village in northern Turkey, Lale and her four sisters are walking home from school, playing innocently with some boys. The immorality of their play sets off a scandal that has unexpected consequences. The family home is progressively transformed into a prison; instruction in homemaking replaces school and marriages start being arranged. The five sisters who share a common passion for freedom, find ways of getting around the constraints imposed on them.,

SATURDAY, Feb 2

Yonder Mountain String Band WHEN: 8:00pm-11:59pm COST: $24 WHERE: Druid City Music Hall 1307 University Blvd Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 523-7078 LINK: http://visittuscaloosa.com/calendar-ofevents-old

Monday – $5 Bud Light Pitchers Tuesday – Free Poker Tournament Wednesday – $3 Pint Night @7 p.m.

Thursday – Live Team Trivia and beer specials @8 p.m.

Sunday – Free Poker Tournament @2:30 p.m.

DOWNTOWN TUSCALOOSA 205.366.0913 DESCRIPTION: For nearly 17 years, Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n’ roll and improvisation. YMSB has always played music of their own design, in the process attracting a devout coterie of fans that often resembles a tight knit family on an epic musical journey as Yonder traverses the country with an ever-rigorous tour schedule. Yonder is a quintessential ensemble honing its craft night after night on the road, and the fans are there to experience it in real

Hillcrest Middle School Beauty Walk WHEN: 3:00pm-5:00pm COST: Admission WHERE: Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://bamatheatre.org/

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

willhagans

time. The result is music that doesn’t stand still, it’s always progressing and breaking unprecedented ground.

MONDAY, Feb 4

Aaron Carter WHEN:10:00pm-11:59pm COST: Admission WHERE: Gallettes, 1101 University Blvd Tuscaloosa PHONE: (205) 758-5195 LINK: http://visittuscaloosa.com/calendarof-events-old

Quoth the Raven // JAN 27

SATURDAY, Jan 30

willhagans.com

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

BIRMINGHAM

SATURDAY, JAN 30

Selena Gomez // JAN 21

Curren$y // Zydeco

THURSDAY, JAN 21

TUESDAY, FEB 2

Greensky Bluegrass // Iron City Steve Earle // City Winery

For Today // Zydeco

TUESDAY, FEB 9

WEDNESDAY, JAN 27

Ringling Ros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus // Legacy Arena at the BJCC

Bryson Tiller // Iron City

THURSDAY, JAN 28

Blackberry Smoke // Iron City AMSOIL Arenacross // Legacy Arena at the BJCC

Peppa Pig Live // The Alabama Theatre

FRIDAY, JAN 29

Rebelution // Iron City

SATURDAY, FEB 13

NASHVILLE THURSDAY, JAN 21

Willie Nelson // FEB 11

Selena Gomez // Bridgestone Arena

SATURDAY, JAN 23

Billy Gibbons And The Bfg’s // Variety Playhouse Sebastian Maniscalco // Tabernacle

SATURDAY, JAN 23

Tool and Primus // Bridgestone Arena

SUNDAY, JAN 24

MONDAY, JAN 25

Breaking Benjamin // Ryman Auditorium

Tool & Primus // Infinite Energy Center

MONDAY. JAN 25

WEDNESDAY, JAN 27

Jess Glynne // Mercy Lounge

Robert Earl Keen // Variety Playhouse

WEDNESDAY, JAN 27

THURSDAY, JAN 28

Journey & the Doobie Brothers // Ascend Amphitheter Justin Bieber // Bridgestone Arena

G -Eazy // Tabernacle

SATURDAY, JAN 30

The Crabb Family // The Church at Liberty Square Star Trek National Concert Tour // Fabulous Fox Theatre

Justin Bieber // JAN 27

IMAGING

Rebelution // Nashville War Memorial Auditorium

LIMELIGHT

SATURDAY, JAN 30

Carrie Underwood // FEB 1

ATLANTA

SUNDAY, JAN 31

An Acoustic Evening with Jewel // 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill

TUESDAY, FEB 2

Diana Ross with the Nashville Symphony // Schermerhorn Symphony Center

WEDNESDAY, FEB 6

Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins // Ryman Auditorium

THURSDAY, FEB 11

Willie Nelson & Family // Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Naughty by Nature // The Masquerade Peppa Pig Live // Cobb Energy Performing Arts

MONDAY, FEB 1

Carrie Underwood // Infinite Energy Center

THURSDAY, FEB 3

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes // Variety Playhouse

FRIDAY, FEB 5

Led Zeppelin 2 // The Masquerade

WEDNESDAY, FEB 10 Wilco // Tabernacle

Effective

ADS CONTACT

205.523.8007

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

Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE 404.881.2100

Montgomery Performing Arts Center 201 Tallapoosa St 334.481.5100

Von Braun Center 700 Monroe St SW 256.551.2345

Amphitheater at the Wharf 23101 Canal Rd 251.224.1020

The Hangout 251.948.3030 thehangout1.com

The Nick 2514 10th Ave S 205.252.3831

WorkPlay 500 23rd St S 205.380.4082

Bridgestone Arena 501 Broadway 615.770.2000

Marathon Music Works 1402 Clinton St 615.891.1781

Sloss Furnaces 20 32nd St N 205.324.1911

Zydeco 2001 15th Ave S 205.933.1032

Centennial Olympic Park 265 Park Ave W NW 404.223.4412

Minglewood Hall 1555 Madison Ave 901.312.6058

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 2200 Encore Pkwy 404.733.5010

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

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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

Across 1. Armand of "American Gangster" 8. Fermented apple juice 13. Focus of a pedicure 14. Minnesota's state fish 16. "___ calls" (request to a secretary) 17. Sent via cyberspace 18. Little ones, in Lille 19. Take _____ 20. German negative 21. Thai isthmus 22. Navy enlistee (abbr.) 23. Aides (abbr.) 25. Wyo. neighbor 27. NYC clock setting 28. Film about Polish musician Wladyslaw Szpilman 31. The shakes (abbr.) 32. Talk-show host Hall 33. Pres. advisory grp. 36. Extenuation 40. "I get it now!" 41. Opposite of avec 42. Witch's home, in the Bible 44. Sung syllable 45. "The Once and Future King" author's monogram 46. Show of hands 47. Certificate of merit 49. Varied 52. Pill-bottle phrase, maybe 53. Inauspicious 54. Mandela and others 55. Meadow 56. Curves 57. Collects SOLUTION FOR PUZZLEMANIA CROSSWORD ON PAGE 21

JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

1. Wise Olympian 2. Earliest date 3. Egocentric 4. Moderately slow, in music 5. Tandoori bread 6. Joust 7. Bracket shapes 8. Barton who founded the American Red Cross 9. Tennis' Nastase 10. Postponed 11. DMV requirement 12. Frankfurters, informally 14. Milksops 15. Olympian repast 24. Cybertrash 25. Certain island dwellers 26. 1997 Aaliyah hit "____ a Million" 29. Dublin native 30. Shopping bag 33. Socially improper 34. Places to pray 35. Vow-exchanging sites 37. Creates 38. Fragrant or stinky 39. On the fence 43. Big name in peanut butter cups 45. Hubbubs 48. Perform eye surgery, perhaps 49. L-____ (drug used in Parkinson's treatment) 50. Mosque figure 51. Payment option62. Competed 63. Signaled "thumbs up" 64. Union inits. 66. Ger. currency, once

>>> PUZZLEMANIA| S U D O K U

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 â&#x20AC;˘ TUSCALOOSA'S SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, SPORTS & THE ARTS

>>> HOROSCOPES | W E E K L Y O V E R V I E W Compassion could be the reason you're motivated to volunteer your time to help others this week. Indeed, a connection between Mars and Neptune might even see you making a regular contribution to a charity or other good cause. A romantic relationship could also benefit from heightened sensitivity and imagination, making for some sensational dates. If you're thinking of entertaining at your place, the weekend spotlights a Full Moon, which could be perfect for a party or get-together. Hold to your vision at the start of the week, as a powerful blend of energies suggests that your intuition could override logic. If you get a feeling to connect with someone or move in a certain direction, go with it. If you have doubts, don't hesitate to get feedback from good friends. The Sun dances into Aquarius and your sector of travel and adventure midweek, making for a lighter, more upbeat vibe. It's time to go exploring and perhaps make travel plans. Inspiration could strike, encouraging you to hire a life coach or take a course that can help you utilize your skills and abilities. You're naturally psychic, so if you want to develop this skill, this is very much a time to make a move. The Sun glides into Aquarius and your zone of shared resources this week. Be careful around the time of Saturday's Full Moon, especially if you're shopping the sales. You could come home with more than you bargained for.

For Winter Reading Lists Try the Best!

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You'll easily tune in to other people's feelings, particularly at the start of the week. And while this might give you insights into what makes others tick, you can also use it to your advantage, particularly if you're eager to resolve relationship or financial matters. The mood shifts a little once the Sun eases into your opposite sign of Aquarius, with a more sociable aspect showing up. The Full Moon in your sign on Saturday can be excellent for a party or other celebration. You'll need to take a little bit of care this week, especially if you're discussing important matters. There's a chance that a misunderstanding could result. However, your sixth sense will let you know which people you can trust (or not), so be sure to make use of that. If your regular exercise and diet schedule has fallen by the wayside, you'll be eager to explore other options as the Sun dances into Aquarius on Wednesday. Avoid overindulging on Saturday! It might help to write a to-do list before the week begins, because it could be all too easy to get sidetracked once Mars aligns with Neptune. The days ahead could see you volunteering your time to help others when you may have a stack of tasks of your own to complete. However, tension could ease somewhat as the Sun enters sociable Aquarius. Leisure and pleasure options may tempt, particularly when the weekend's Full Moon could see you eager to join the party. Save your romantic intentions for the first half of the week. A special alignment between Mars and Neptune in your zone of leisure and pleasure could see you enjoying some spectacular dates. If your love life has been a bit dull recently, this is your chance to rekindle the spark. The Sun eases into your home and family sector midweek, encouraging you to take a bit of a respite and indulge in a massage or a few spa days. It's time for some nurturing! Make sure your plans are realistic, particularly early in the week. You may be tempted to promise more than you can deliver. You also have a chance to clear away unwanted emotional baggage, though this may be at the prompting of a friend. You might need to address a blind spot around a key relationship if you're to remain on good terms. Saturday's Full Moon in Leo can pave the way for travel plans, especially if you're smitten by pictures of sunnier climes. There's a romantic quality showing up early on that could give special sparkle to your relationship with a significant other. However, when it comes to collaborating on a project, make sure that you're both on the same page. The Sun moves into Aquarius and your personal financial sector midweek, encouraging you to take stock of your money situation and be inventive about ways to earn extra cash or increase your income. Saturday's Full Moon could bring a desire to splurge, so go easy. A potent Mars/Neptune tie in your money sector could see you eager to exploit an idea that could enhance your status and income. However, be sure it's completely above-board before you commit. You'll begin to feel more energized once the Sun dances into your sign midweek. Indeed, it's time to take those projects off the back burner and make a start. In addition, Saturday's Full Moon can make for a boisterous evening out if you're up for it.

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It's time to pursue your dreams and explore far horizons. If you need inspiration or feel you could do with some self-improvement, this might be the opportunity to take on the services of a life coach who can help you. However, you'll enter a natural phase in which it's wise to kick back and relax as the Sun eases into Aquarius midweek. Use this opportunity to get your bearings and think about what you'd like to achieve in the coming months. Early on you could notice a desire to escape from life's responsibilities, stresses, and strains. This is due to a tie between Mars and Neptune, which might even see you sacrificing time and resources to help others. And you'll also enter your social high point of the year as the Sun hikes into Aquarius. Again, your attention may be drawn to groups or causes that you might profitably join or help. And Saturday's Full Moon could bring a touch of drama your way!

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>>> IN THE NEWS

UA WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL SWEEPS TOURNAMENT IN WICHITA by Benjamin Clark

ALABAMA’S ONLY SNOW SKI RESORT OPEN FOR BUSINESS W

ith the arrival of cold temperatures in northeastern Alabama, Cloudmont Ski Resort, located atop Lookout Mountain in Mentone, is open for business and welcomes visitors for day and night time snow skiing and snowboarding. Great for beginners and intermediate skiers and snow boarders, Cloudmont Ski Resort contains two one thousand foot, beginner/intermediate slopes. Two “pony lifts” take skiers to the top of the slopes that have an elevation of 1,800 feet and a vertical rise of 150 feet. For current ski conditions and availability, call 256.634.4344 or visit www.cloudmont. com/conditions.html. Ski equipment rental is available on a first come, first serve basis, and a variety of packages, which include equipment, lift ticket and a beginner lesson, are available to purchase ranging from $28 to $55 per person. The cost for a snowboard package is $55 per person, and for those who own ski equipment, lift and slope ticket packages are available from $18 to $33 per person.

Cloudmont is located at 721 County Road 614 in Mentone. Hours of operation are weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information or reservations, call 256.634.4344. Snow can be found each year at Cloudmont, a family-owned resort in northeastern Alabama, when overnight temperatures drop to 28 degrees or colder, which allows snow to be made at the resort. Since snow is typically not found in Alabama, family members operate up to eight snow machines that manufacture the powdery substance. For more information on the process, visit www.cloudmont.com. For those in search of an overnight getaway, an assortment of ski chalets, cabins, bed and breakfast inns, and hotels are available within a short drive to the resort. For more information or to plan your next getaway, contact DeKalb Tourism at 888.805.4740 or visit www. DiscoverLookoutMountain.com.

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he Men’s wheelchair basketball team at the University of Alabama kicked off 2016 in a big way this past weekend at the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash in Wichita, Kansas. The team finished the tournament 4-0, and are now 10-3 (Conf. 9-2) on the season. This is the first time in the program’s history that they have gone 4-0 in a tournament. On Friday, the team first defeated Southwest Missouri State 73-37, followed by a win over the University of Illinois, 65-43. Freshman Michael Auprince led all scorers in both games, with 18 points against sMSU, and then 29 (12-14 FG) against the Illini. While Auprince’s performance really stood out, head coach Ford Burttram believes that teamwork was the key to the team’s success. “We played really good team basketball this weekend,” Burttram said. “We played extremely well on the offensive side of the ball, and our defense has been tremendous all weekend, holding all teams under 40 points. Auprince is a major part of what we accomplish as a team!” Part of this team mentality can be seen directly applied to the scoreboard.. In game 1, Justin Obermeyer led the Crimson Tide with eight assists and five rebounds, and in game 2, Jordan Bartley finished with seven assists and six rebounds. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide continued to dominate, defeating Edinboro 65-20. Led by Junior DQ Robinson who had 17 points, Alabama’s offense kept churning, producing their biggest spread of the season. Burttram said that the team’s fire in 2016 hasn’t been anything different from the season as a whole. “We’re just focused on making a decision and sticking to it,” Burttram said. “We are creating our offensive space, and finishing each and every possession.” In their last game of the tournament, Alabama finished just as strong as in the first, defeating Missouri 52-31. 21 of those points came from Michael Auprince, who finished the tournament with 81 total points. Robinson also came up big again, scoring 13 Not to be overshadowed, the defense kept the Tigers at bay, benefiting from 14 steals. For the entire tournament, the Crimson Tide outscored their four opponents by a combined 255-125. They will continue to build on their hot start to 2016 in two weeks. Alabama will next travel to Auburn for a tournament January 29-30. They will face Illinois again, followed by rematches with Wisconsin-Whitewater, Texas-Arlington, and Missouri. The Crimson Tide are seeking redemption after falling to Texas-Arlington 55-68 and Wisconsin-Whitewater 45-61 earlier this season. These rematches only add fuel to the fire, according to Senior James Cook. “It’ll be a different experience because we will get to play a good amount of teams,” Cook said. “In the past, we only played Auburn. I am really looking forward to getting a chance to play UTA and Whitewater and getting another shot at them after dropping

BLOOD DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

he American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment to give this winter. Eligible blood donors of all types are needed, especially those with O, AB, B negative and A negative. Blood is needed to respond to emergencies large and small, across the country every day. For Heather Von Glahn, it was a personal emergency – her 8-year-old daughter’s leukemia diagnosis – that inspired her to make the commitment to give blood regularly. “I’ve seen blood save her life at least 10 times,” said Von Glahn. “When friends and family ask what they can do for my daughter, I tell them to donate blood. It matters so much!” Blood donations are urgently needed now and throughout the winter to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients in need. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at checkin. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

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BAMA RECRUITING UPDATE Bama rolls out crimson carpet for 'The Hulk'

endell Jones' official visit to Tuscaloosa not only sealed the deal for the mammoth 6-5, 370-pound defensive lineman from Shoemaker HS in Killeen, Texas, but it also made a lasting impression on his father, Kendell Jones, Sr. "Ah man, it was fantastic," Jones Sr. told Tider Insider. "They rolled out the red carpet -- or the crimson carpet, I guess. It's really hard to compare it to anything else. "It exceeded our expectations to be honest with you. Kendell has been to Alabama before, but this was my first time. It was special. It was really special coming for an official visit. "For me, the highlight of the visit was last night going to the stadium. It's a big stadium. We got to tour the locker room. They had the national championship trophy out and we got to see it up close and take some pictures with it. We had a good time with that. He got to put on an Alabama jersey." As with all of the prospects who make official visits, the Jones family had an opportunity to spend time with the Tide coaching staff, including Nick Saban. "That was another one of the highlights," Jones, Sr. says. "Of course they talked with him about the future. He knows he's got to get in shape. They told him to do that and to be ready to come in ready to play next season. They're going to need him to be ready." Jones was hosted by freshman defensive lineman O.J. Smith. "All of the prospects visiting hung out together almost the whole time," Jones Sr. says. "They all seemed to be having a good time. I think all of them were very receptive to the visit. Everybody was having fun." For Jones, all that's left now is national signing day on February 3rd. "No more visits for us," Jones Sr. says. "We're done."

AMIR RASUL FSU commit says Alabama is amazing Amir Rasul didn't necessarily grow up a fan of the Crimson Tide. But he admits that he's always been very fond of the Tide's running back tradition. In fact, Rasul can rattle off the names of every Alabama running back from Mark Ingram to current freshmen Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris without missing a beat. "I just named eleven of them," says the 5-11½, 205-pound standout from Coral Gables, FL. "I watched every single one of them. I watched their highlight tapes and I was like, 'Wow!' "The thing that stood out to me the most about those guys was that the ones who stayed in the process, every single one of them are now prospering in life and in the world of football. That really got my

attention." Rasul was among several prospects who made official visits to Alabama recently. It was his first time in Tuscaloosa. "My visit was amazing," Rasul says. "The University of Alabama is an amazing place. Coach Saban has done a great job with the football program, and the campus is beautiful." A key part in Rasul's visit was the opportunity to sit down in individual meetings with Coach Saban and running backs coach Burton Burns. "Coach Saban was amazing," Rasul says. "There was no pressure. He didn't try to get me to commit or anything like that. He just talked with me about their program and how I'd fit in. "He said that I'm a very good running back and that I'm also a great receiver. He said they could use me in the slot as a receiver. He said that I've got a great burst and that I can break the long run." "Coach Burns was also amazing," Rasul says. "He said basically the same things Coach Saban said. It was my first time to sit down with him one-onone. It was probably one of the best conversations I've ever had. Everything he and Coach Saban said was hitting me. It all made sense. I could relate to everything and I retained everything they said. "It was just a great opportunity to hear Coach Burns tell me I was a top priority for them." For now, Rasul remains committed to FSU. He plans to make an official visit to Tallahassee the weekend before signing day. "Yes, I'm keeping Alabama under consideration ," he says. "I'm going to make a final decision on signing day."

Mayden was hosted by Tide defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey. "That was good to be around them," Mayden says. "We just hung out and talked about what it's like to play at Alabama. They said it's hard work and those kind of things. "Minkah told me what it was like to be a freshman. He talked about how he approached it when he came in this year. Marlon got redshirted his freshman year, so he was a redshirt freshman this past year. He told me what it was like to be redshirted. It was good to get an idea of what that would be like if I got redshirted." Mayden has now made official visits

to Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and Oregon. His final visit will be to Oklahoma. Mayden's parents attended Oklahoma. His father played basketball for the Sooners. "I like OU and Coach Stoops," Mayden says. "My parents having gone there, I know a lot about the program. It's a good program, but I'm not going there just because my parents went there. Yes, that helps. But I've got to make the best decision for myself." Where does the Tide stand? "It's kind of hard to say right now," Mayden says. "I haven't visited Oklahoma yet. I want to take that visit before I start thinking about where things are. I probably won't know until signing day."

JARED MAYDEN Texas star recaps official visit His official visit to Alabama wasn't Jared Mayden's first visit to Tuscaloosa. The 6-0, 202-pound standout from Sachse, Texas made a trip to UA two years ago as a sophomore. But this trip was a little different. "There were some new things I didn't see the last time I was there," Mayden says. "I got to see all the facilities and everything they have to offer. It was all nice. The visit was good." Mayden met with Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. "They're both pretty cool," Mayden says. "I've known Coach Pruitt since he was at Georgia. He recruited me when he was there. I've always liked him. But it wasn't like I was meeting someone new. I already had a pretty good idea what he was like. "We just talked about how they'd use me. They think I could come in and compete at corner and at the star position."

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JANUARY 21 + FEBRUARY 4

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