Evince Magazine March 2024

Evince Magazine Page 3

Presented by Showcase Magazine

CEO / Publisher / Andrew Scott Brooks

Editorial Director / Paul Seiple editor@evincemagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Barry Koplen, Linda Lemery, Val-Rae Lindenau, Josh Lucia, Paul Seiple, Mack Williams, Emily Wilkerson

Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont)

Finance Manager Cindy Yeatts (1.434.709.7349) cindy@showcasemagazine.com

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On the Cover: Marcus Clements. Photo by Jameel Rashad Autsin.

March 22nd at 6 p.m.: Early viewing and reception (museum members)

March 24th at 2 p m : Exhibit opens to the public

March 27th at 6 p.m.: Local women ’ s history discussion

March 28th at 6 p.m.: Local women ’ s history discussion

April 15th: Exhibit closes

MONTH

Under the pulse of a jovial beat, Marcus Clements, better known as Phishnets, stands as a curator of memories spun from tracks that encourage a sea of strangers to move as one. His story, like his music, is an intricate tapestry of passion, rhythm, and the pursuit of shared joy.

A teacher by day and a DJ by night, Clements’ tale is a fervent love affair with music and the magic it weaves. “I’ve been curating playlists for myself, friends, and family for years,” he said. The cost of Djing was an obstacle for Clements in the beginning. But he soon realized it wasn’t as expensive as he thought. Reflecting on the years before he took to the turntables professionally, he added, “Investing in yourself may seem risky at first, but it’s worth it.”

Clements is a “ball of energy,” as some would say, but even the liveliest flames need time to rest and rekindle. In his downtime, he enjoys cooking, dancing, and

the ultimate recharge—a good night of sleep.

His approach to music is as personal as it is professional. Whether it’s for a cookout or a festival, Clements’ sets are tailored to the venue and the vibe. It’s a thorough process that has him deep diving into genres and atmospheres. “I keep lots of songs in my library,” he said, discussing how he aligns his tracks with the mood of the audience. But the research is not all science. There’s an art to it—a candle lit, the scent of essential oils, the right lighting— all setting the stage for creativity to blossom.

Clements is no stranger to the emotional power of music. His aim is to craft sounds that stir the soul, that resonate with a frequency that elicits goosebumps, transcending the mere act of listening to become an experience felt deep within.

Reading a crowd is second nature to Phishnets, a skill honed

through keen observation and an intrinsic understanding of body language. He starts his sets with familiar hits, earning the trust of his audience, before weaving in the unexpected—those deep cuts that mark the signature of a true DJ.

The tools of his trade are humble yet effective—an older Dell laptop, a pair of trusty speakers, a versatile Yamaha mixer, and a custom DJ booth built with care by the hands of students from Chatham High School. His software of choice, Rekordbox, is a nod to his preference for user-friendly interfaces that allow the music, not the technology, to take center stage.

In a world where music trends can switch on an algorithm, Clements keeps his ear to the speaker through the simple act of love. A playlist born out of social media stories, titled “I’m Hip,” became a cornerstone of his journey to DJing. Teaching and coaching are his windows to tap into the pulse of the younger generation.

Investing In Yourself May Seem Risky at First, But It’s Worth It

by Paul Seiple photo by Jameel Rashad Austin

Phishnets understands the art of timing and pacing in his sets, recognizing the perfect moment to slow down, to allow for a collective breath, a shared glance, a momentary rest before the night escalates once more. It’s in these transitions that the story of an evening is told, each chapter marked by a beat, a lyric, a melody.

Striking the balance between crowd-pleasers and personal favorites is a dance in itself— one that Phishnets performs with grace. “I am there for the crowd,” he said, and in that simplicity lies the essence of his artistry.

In a world often divided, DJ Phishnets weaves a narrative of unity, his soundtrack a bridge over which differences are set aside and for a moment, under the spell of his music, everyone speaks the same language and shares the same dance floor.

Harper Scollo could hardly have helped but become an artist. Her father, a wellknown potter, photographer, and painter, and her mother, a jeweler and knitter, are both artists and, throughout Harper’s childhood, were constantly occupied in their artistic endeavors. “I grew up in a household where someone was always creating something,” Harper told us. Besides receiving an early education in the arts from her parents, Harper attended summer classes at the museum, including classes with Robert Marsh, and made the formal study of art a central part of her public-school experience as well.

The high school art classroom was one of the few places Harper felt safe and accepted. “Most of my friends were made while in art class. It was the only class I felt free and open to be myself.” So influential were those early lessons in art that Harper chose to teach art as an adult. She wanted to create the safe space for others to express themselves that she had found for herself.

Like her parents, Harper is familiar with many mediums. “I can’t seem to pick one I like most as an artist,” she says. Currently, she is focused on pottery and printmaking. The first pottery was, of course, introduced to her by

Collage Inside OWE Arts & Culture Exhibit: Harper Scollo

by Val-Rae Lindenau photos courtesy of Harper Scollo

her father when she was quite young. Printmaking came to her by way of those museum classes and by artist friend and mentor Linda Gourley. In high school, her love for printmaking was reignited, and by the time she found herself in college, she was making it her main focus.

Having grown up on a farm in the rural countryside, surrounded by nature and animals, Harper’s work is often inspired by the natural world. Once she has an idea of what she would like to recreate, she takes some time to research its composition, looking up and collecting reference pictures of the object she wishes to draw. At other times, she may be inspired by something she has seen on social media, by random encounters in her daily life, or even by her own work, finding ways she can reexamine and express in a new way something she has already created. She sometimes makes lists of things she would eventually like to draw, gathering reference images as she goes about her day, and then, when she feels the urge to create, she makes a selection from one of these. Once the image is down on paper, she’ll seek editorial help from friends or family. When it’s at last right, she transfers the image to block for reproduction.

As she matures into her art and comes to accept herself as an artist, Harper is both seeking and finding opportunities to get her work out into the world, attending art festivals and events. She looks forward to more such events occurring locally, perhaps with a return to the River District Art

Festivals that used to happen on Craghead Street and the Art in the Old West End events which were initiated this winter (and which will resume in the spring). As for her personal goals, Harper wants to create art that people will love and that they will hang in their homes—art that makes people happy. “When someone can look at my art and it makes them feel or remember someone or something important in their life, that’s when I most feel like an artist. When I’m able to help someone or give them a moment of happiness through looking at what I made.”

To see Harper’s work and to learn more about her as an artist, find her on Instagram at handmadebyharper98.

OWE Arts & Culture exists to highlight the diverse range of talent among Danville’s creative community and to provide opportunities for that community to come together.

March Calendar of Evince

Ongoing

Danville Science Center. ExhibitsStream Into The V.O.I.D, Go!, Water, Various Dome Shows, Creativity Labs. www.dsc.smv.org.

Ruby B. Archie Public Library

Programs - Adult & Tween Arts & Crafts, The Write Stuff, Pop Culture Geek Out Hour, Computers for Beginners, Just Write, Get More from Google, Unrequired Reading –Classics Book Club, Youth Dungeons and Dragons, Knitters Unravelled, LEGO Brick Engineers, Little Explorers Storytime, Little Learning Lab, Book Babies, Coding with Cubetto, March Through the Stacks - Women’s History Month, Paint Pals, Lessons in 3D Printing, Maker Mondays, Tree House Tuesday, Code Challengers, Random Fandom - Pokemon.

Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! Exhibit. Solve a variety of challenges, from simple sorting and shape identification to more complex engineering obstacles, such as completing a train track. Danville Science Center. www.dsc.smv.org.

DSC Dome: Dinosaurs. Come join Celeste on a time-traveling adventure to unveil the colossal creatures of yesteryears and witness the incredible transformations they experienced over millions of years. Dinosaurs of Antarctica. Journey into prehistoric Antarctica and discover a world of bizarre dinosaurs and gigantic amphibians. Danville Science Center Dome. www.dsc.smv.org.

Parks & Rec Children & Teens

Programs: Families Unplugged, Homeschool Physical Education, S.T.E.A.M. Night, Crafty Creations: Pressed Flower Lanterns, Homeschool Youth & Teen Archery, Lego Lab. Coates Community Center. playdanvilleva.com. 434.799.5150.

Thru March 16

PAA Exhibit. The Gee’s Bend Experience, Antiquity Second Hand: Jonathan Lee & Life’s Journey: Works by Karen Despot. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.

Thru March 30

Danville Farmers Winter Market Sat 9am-1pm. Community Market. 434.797.8961.

March 1

Campfire Friday. Enjoy s’mores, campfire games, and fun stories. 5:30-6:30pm. Ballou Park. 434.99.5150.

March 1 & 2

Antique Tractor Pull. 9am-6pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. 434.432.8026. www.theodac.com.

March 2

Southern Soul vs R&B Karaoke. Live performances, soul food & DJ. 6pm. Cottontail Weddings & Events. Danville Symphony Orchestra Concert - South of the Border. Paul Manz, Guest Conductor. 7:30pm. Historic North Theatre. 434.793.7469. Live Music - Creekside. 7:30pm. Old 97 Tavern. 434.549.5912.

March 2 & 23

Karaoke. 3/2-Hip Hop Night; 3/23 Movie Night. Homeplace Vineyard. 434.432.9463.

March 2 (thru 30)

Live Music. 3/2 On the Margins; 3/8 90 Weight; 3/9 Donovan Scott; 3/15 The LoOG Trio; 3/22 Andy Burnett Trio; 3/23Kyle Foster Moore; 3/29 Between 3; 3/30 The Poorhouse. 7-10pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.

March 3 (thru 22)

Live Music. The League of Ordinary Gentlemen performs. Various times & locations. www.TheLeagueOf OrdinaryGentlemen.com.

March 3 (thru 31)

Live Music. Hosted by Stuart Jennings. Sundays 2-6pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.

March 5

Food and Beverage Workshop

Special Dream Launch class that is open to the public, and perfect for those who are thinking about opening a food or beverage business in the region. Registration is required. 6-8pm. Zoom Meeting. River District Association.

March 5 (thru 21)

Parks & Rec Outdoors. Junior Naturalists 3/5 5:30-6:30pm; Tiny Explorers 3/6 10-10:45am; Junior Wall Warrions 3/7 & 21 5:30-7pm. Glenwood Community Center Programs. 434.799.5150.

March 6

Wednesday Club Program. The Danville-Roanoke Navigation Co.

Canal: Past & Present. Presented by Travis Hackworth. 3:15pm. Wednesday Club. 434.792.7921. Sip & Paint with That Crafty Diva. Luck of the Irish Door Hanger. 6-8pm. River District Golf & Social.

March 6 (thru 30)

MSAC Classes. 3/6 Puzzle Swap; 3/16 Paint a Hello Spring Door Hanger; 3/23 Clay Jewelry Making; 3/29 Kids Class; 3/30 • Barn Quilt Painting. $. Main Street Art Collective. (See ad page 12)

March 7 & 12

Legal Aid Workshop: Custody and child support. Questions and answers workshop. 3/7 5:30-6:30pm; 3/12 1-2pm. Ruby B. Archie Public Library Auditorium. 434.799.5195.

March 7

Live Music: Mama BriBri and The Stranger. 7:30-9:30pm. Old 97 Tavern.

March 7 (thru 10)

Picasso at the Lapin Agile. 7pm. www.thesmokestack.org. (See ad page 6)

March 8 & 9

Cinderella. Spring Musical. 3/8 6pm; 3/9 2pm & 6pm. Westover Christian Academy. 434.822.0800.

March 8 & 9

True Grit Extreme Bull Bash. Bull riding, mini bull riding, barrel racing,

and mutton busting. 7:30pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. 434.432.8026. www.theodac.com.

March 9

Genealogy Day Resource Fair

Begin your family research journey - tour our collection, explore online resources, and meet community groups including VA-NC Piedmont Genealogical Society, VirginiaCarolina Scottish Society, and Danville Historical Society. 10am-2pm. Ruby B. Archie Public Library Auditorium. 434.799.5195.

Dancing for the Arts. PAA fundraiser with local celebrities in a dance competition. 4pm. Martinsville High School Auditorium. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.

Meet the Browns. Keith Johnson, Mr. Brown impersonator, will have you laughing with this audience participation show. Dinner will be served. Limited seats. Ages 50+. 6-7:30pm. Ballou Park. 434.799.5216. Cabin Fever Music Series. The Bogeys. Tickets at door. Danville Community Market. 7pm. 434.799.5200.

Big Dad Energy Tour. Featuring comedian Mike Goodwin. 7:30pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

March 13

Sip & Paint with That Crafty Diva Easter Gnome Door Hanger. 6-8pm. The Golden Leaf Bistro.

March 14 (thru 17)

Danville Kennel Club Agility Trials 7am-6pm. 434.432.8026. Olde Dominion Agricultural Center.

March 15

Dance & Dine Traditional Irish Ceilidh Party. Enjoy some Irish foods, hear Irish stories, and learn beginning Irish folk dances. 7pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

March 15, 16 & 17

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Live music kicks off Friday with Junkyard Jones out of Galax, Virginia, followed by Jake Earles on Saturday and the Bobby Frith duo with some Irish tunes to commemorate “the day”. Mountain Valley Brewing.

March 16

Youth Entrepreneur Expo. Youth entertainment, community resources, services and entrepreneurship. Food trucks. 12-4pm. Pepsi Building. 434.342.9704 or 434.250.4952. Levi’s Memorial Car Show and Bike Run. Chatham Middle School. levismemorial@gmail.com.

St Patrick’s Day Celebration. Music by League of Ordinary Gentlemen, beer from 2 Witches Brewery and food trucks. 4pm. The Homeplace Vineyard. 434.944.3406.

St. Patty’s on the Dan Party. Music with Just Cauz bluegrass band & dance the night with DJ Stephen Edmunds. The green beer will be flowing. 4-11pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.

March 20

Wednesday Club Program. The River City Players present The Reluctant Bride - one-act play taken from the Plaza Suite series by Neil Simon. 3:15pm. Wednesday Club. 434.792.7921.

March 22, 23 & 24

101 Dalmations Kids. Based on the classic animated film. 3/22 & 23 7:30pm; 3/24 3pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

March 23

The Green Monster Ultra-running Race. Approximately 2-mile course

mixing gravel, wooded trail, and a touch of pavement for a 12hour day. 8am-8pm. Anglers Park. 434.799.5150.

Spring Egg-stravaganza. Activities will include pictures with the Bunny, a take home egg hunt for the first 100 children, a cookie decorating station, crafts, and more. 10am-12pm. Lower level, Ballou Rec. Center. 434.857.3384.

Gentry’s Spring Fling. Artisan crafts, boutique clothing, vintages and antiques, spring home items, bakery treats, handcrafted goods, art pieces, gifts, food and drinks, face painting, livestock, and more. 10am3pm. Gentry Farm. 434.483.0232. thegentryfarm.com.

Live Music: Ray Martin. 7-10pm. Golden Leaf Bistro.

March 24

Cabin Fever Music Series. Matt Boswell & the Hillbilly Blues Band. Tickets at door. Danville Community Market. 7pm. 434.799.5200.

March 24 (thru April 15)

DMFAH Exhibit. Guides - A local Women’s History Exhibit and History Presentations. Opening Reception 3/24 2pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. 434.793.5644. DMFAH. See ad page 4)

March 25

Public Information Meeting - Rt. 41. Community meeting to provide input and receive info from VDOT regarding the “Project Pipeline” study of Rt. 41 / Franklin Turnpike. The study purpose is the identify potential solutions to safety issues. 5:30pm. Mt. Hermon Volunteer Fire Dept.

March 26

Paint Party. Paint either a Spring Bunny or Spring Duckling. 6:30-8:30pm. Jr’s Mexican Grill, Gretna.

March 27

Wine Down Wednesday. Evening of great food, games, drinks and live music featuring R&B & Soul Artist, QthePraise. Proceeds benefit the T.A. Byrd Youth Enrichment Program. 6-9pm. Cottontail Weddings & Events. Smokestack Improv. Stand-Up Comedy and Improvisational Sketch Comedy. 7pm. www.thesmokestack. org. (See ad page 6)

March 29 (thru May 11)

PAA Exhibits. Salvador Dali: Le Chants de Maldoror on loan from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Citizens and Soldiers: The Mostly World War II Paintings of Ken Smith; Lintspiration by Meritha Alderman. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.

March 30

Southside Audible Egg Hunt. For children with visual impairments. 1-3pm. Smith River Sports Complex, Field 5, Axton. 276.252.3632.

Upcoming

April 5

Racin’ & Tastin’. A night of entertainment with music by Funky Bone, all-you-care-to-eat BBQ, and more. 5:30-10:30pm. Community Market. Eventbrite.

April 5, 6 & 7

SCCA Super Tour. Virginia International Raceway.

April 9

The Gifts in Our Genes. Andrew McKnight weaves music about, and by, his ancestors into an interactive, enlightening and highly entertaining program. 7:30pm. Prizery. 434.572.8339.

Though she currently lives in Italy, performing with an acting troupe for young audiences, Ashley Jones’ roots are in Danville, Virginia. She lived there her whole life and earned her Bachelors in Theatre at Averett University, but all that changed in 2018 when Jones decided to take the plunge and pursue acting professionally. Since then, she has traveled all over, including Kentucky, Montana, Oklahoma, and Alaska, for acting work. In between gigs, you will find her back home in Danville, Door-Dashing and doing community theatre to keep herself busy.

Jones first got into acting in the ninth grade at Galileo Magnet High School. She credits her theatre teacher, Mrs. Johnson, for being one of the main reasons why she fell in love with theatre. She shared, “Surprisingly, I used to be very shy. Theatre helped me find a new way of expressing my emotions that I hadn’t been able to do before.” When asked if she always knew she would make a career out of acting, Jones

responded, “Absolutely! I realized I would not be genuinely happy if I didn’t. Through my journey, I have had to have other jobs outside of theatre, which made it even more clear that I would feel an emptiness in my life if I didn’t pursue my dream.”

When preparing for an audition, the first thing Jones does is research the company she is auditioning for. This gives her an idea of who and what she is going to be walking into and helps inform her decisions when choosing audition materials. Then she researches the show and picks the best monologue and/or song that showcases the type of character she is going for. Once her pieces have been chosen, she said, “I have found that repetition is my best friend. I also like to record my voice and videotape myself prior to my audition to allow myself to study my progress.” If she is offered a role, her next step is to study the script so she can get to know the character and discover what ways she relates to them. This helps her bring the character to life.

Jones’ favorite character she has brought to life is Madam May Do-ya from the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway, Alaska. “Through this character, I have been able to find a better way to connect and be comfortable with who I am as a person. This was a character/ tour guide role. I have always loved creating new relationships with humans. This role has allowed me to do that so eloquently in a very fun way.” Though Madam May Do-ya may have a special place in her heart, if there was any role she could choose to take on, Jones would love to have the chance to play Penny in Hairspray!

While theatre may have taken Jones to many places, there are some things that never change. Before every performance, Jones likes to take “a solid 20 minutes of gratitude and appreciation for where I’m at in life before I go on stage.” This is really her only set ritual, but she is very openminded and will gladly join in on any pre-show rituals the cast she is working with has. She shared that the best part of putting on a show

Action!

Inside the Method of Acting Ashley Jones

by Emily Wilkerson photo courtesy of Smokestack Theatre Co

is “to be introduced to another group of people that I can share the experience with. In every single show or theatre experience I have done, I have developed another family because of it. Some of these people will always be a part of my heart, no matter where our life goes.”

The hardest part of acting, according to Jones, is “to be so raw and vulnerable to the point where you let go of what’s happening in this world. It can be hard, but when you get to that point, it is so rewarding, and that is what drives me.” She has some words of encouragement, however. Jones’ advice is to “Just do it. Put yourself out there. Make yourself uncomfortable. Understand you will get tons of “No’s,” but that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to finally get that ‘Yes.’ I had to learn that the hard way, but now I’m actually living my dreams. If I had given up after graduating college, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

THE POET’S CORNER Racing

by Barry Koplen photo by Barry Koplen

Feint, then dodge; avoid obstacles and roadblocks. Master hairpin turns.

This track, where racers race, has its own etiquette; its harsh demands attracts those who test skill and survival lap after lap at speeds that make defying death more visible, its vital glimpse much nearer.

About Barry’s Writing:

I spent years finding my style and improving it. That will always remain a challenge. Language must be pertinent, cohesive, and energetic in order to captivate readers. Simple sentences are just as important as longer complex sentences. A well-functioning

vocabulary is essential. So is honesty.

As for poetry, that will always be one of the most challenging of the verbal arts. Poetry writing can humble any writer; knowing that has made me measure myself as a poet by this thought: a poet is only as good as the next poem he or she writes.

Thanks to Eric Chou, an amazing Chinese author (and ‘second’ father to me), I learned the most important lesson about becoming a bona fide writer: writing has to be done every day That has been my golden rule.

Send Barry a note at barry@ evincemagazine.com

The Meeting

by Linda Lemery

“

You dog, you. What are you doing here?”

“Hah. Got your cat-tention, did I?”

“I hate the fact that you’re in my home. Don’t touch my food bowl.”

“There’s food? Where?”

“No food for you! I’m going to eat it. Don’t touch my water fountain, either. Or my litter box.”

“I go outside. I am trained, you agoraphobic.”

“Agora-what?”

“Fear of wide-open spaces.”

“Who are you, anyway?”

“I’m Cooper. They call me Minicooper, four on the floor. I’m lifting my leg, see? Got four of ‘em.”

“Canines are less-evolved. Why would they name you after a car? Did my Grandma Linda bring you? What bad taste she has.”

“Linda and Steve brought me. They got a crate for the back of their van so we can travel together when we go away. They said it’s not safe for me to leap around the van, maybe because I tap dance on the power window buttons.”

“So, now they are officially demented. Why would they want you when they already have me?”

“Linda and Steve don’t have you. I heard them talking. You live down here with their son Jason and daughter-in-law Chelsea. You’re their cat. What’s your name?”

“Time.”

“Time for what? For a walk? I love walks. I could do my business.”

“My name is Time.”

“Thyme? Like the spice? Linda puts it on turkey. Love the smell of cooking bird.”

“Time, you dense dog. As in the time it took for the car to bring your carcass down here locked in that crate.”

“Beats being left at home or at the vet’s office. Halfway here, we went for a walk in Hillsborough in the park behind Weaver Street Market. I marked all my territory. And what kind of a name is Time?”

“Don’t mark territory here. This is my jurisdiction. And I’m named after the cat in Timecat by Lloyd Alexander. Chelsea read the book. Grandma Linda read me French for Cats. I’m going to be bilingual. I’m learning to berate dogs in French.”

“Linda reads what she writes to Steve and me. I listen. Plus, they were going over Steve’s lab work, and when they covered cholesterol, Steve said HDL stands for Having to Deal with Linda. I don’t know why they were laughing.”

“Grandma Linda is A-OK. She

stays with me when Jason and Chelsea are out of town. She gave me that teal-colored pet bed. Don’t touch my bed.”

“What about that red pad on the floor?”

“She gave me that, too. Don’t touch it. My home, my territory.”

“Where am I supposed to sleep?”

“Anywhere away from my bed, pad, food, water, owners, grandparents, or toys.”

“Sheesh. Touchy, aren’t we?”

“And don’t chase me, either. I don’t run.”

“Bet I can catch you.”

“Not on your life. I’ll climb the curtains and drop down on you with an 18-pound thud when you least expect it.”

“Hey. I weigh 18 pounds. We have that in common.”

“And we have a common language. You speak cat.”

“Hel-LO-OOOO…I’m a dog. You’re the one who’s speaking dog.”

“Wait…I’m a cat and I don’t speak dog. I speak cat.”

“If I don’t speak cat, and you don’t speak dog, how can we understand each other?”

“Wait. Repeat after me: The quick tiger-striped cat ran roughshod over the lazy, black-

and-white dog.”

“The quick tiger-striped cat ran roughshod over the lazy, blackand-white dog.”

“Gotcha…Wait…Your mouth wasn’t moving.”

“Maybe you can’t see that I was talking because of my facial hair. I haven’t been to the groomer in a while since I nipped her the last time.”

“Wait…maybe we’re telepathic…”

The cat and dog gasped and stared at each other.

••••••••

Linda scooped up the dog. “Great visit,” she said. “There, Cooper, we’ve clipped on your leash. Time to go.”

Cooper’s last view of the apartment interior was of Time staring at him.

So many questions, thought Cooper. So little time.

A French term, thought Time. That’s it. Maybe we need a temporary détente to explore this.

About the author: Linda Lemery llemery@gmail.com wishes Evince readers Happy St. Patrick’s Day. She welcomes reader comments.

Scene: At Jason and Chelsea’s apartment in North Carolina

Movies You Missed from 20 years ago

by Josh Lucia

Jersey

Girl (6/10 Rating)

Released March 26, 2004

For rent/purchase on all major platforms.

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Comedy, Drama, Romance PG-13: Language and Sexual Content

1h 42m

Did you see that movie with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez that came out like 20 years ago? No, not Gigli. The one Kevin Smith directed…that didn’t have Jay and Silent Bob…and was rated PG-13. Jersey Girl came out just behind one of the lowest rated films of all time, Gigli, which also starred Affleck and Lopez. The reception of that film was so bad that Miramax removed J. Lo from all the marketing for this film. This was also Kevin Smith’s first PG-13 rated film and with his fans just wanting more explicit dialogue

and the 6th appearance of Jay and Silent Bob, it was bound to fail. Which brings me to why I chose this movie over a few must-sees, like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Dawn of the Dead. Give Jersey Girl a chance. No, it is not like Smith’s “Askewniverse” films prior to this, but it is better than most of the ones that followed. It does follow a fairly predictable pattern, depending on how much you know about the plot going into it. The end is nothing shocking, but this is just a sweet story based on Smith’s own experience as a father. What I love about Kevin Smith is that he is willing to go to intense places many of us would rather avoid. It hurts a little, but that’s life and sometimes we need the bad to appreciate the good. Affleck as Ollie Trinke has some strong scenes and his daughter, played by Raquel Castro, is enjoyable to watch.

This is George Carlin’s last on screen performance and he may be the best part of this movie, with a nice range of his blunt comedic deliveries and serious moments as Ollie’s father. We get some fun cameos as well. I would recommend this movie for date night, especially for those with children. Without spoiling anything, there are references to Will Smith that involve ruining a PR career, which feels very ironic considering “The Slap Heard Round the World.” If you

want the same heart with all the adult content, check out Smith’s last entry into his “Askewniverse,” Clerks III, for more of a Bromantic Comedy that offers similar relatable life situations.

Also released in March 2004: Hidalgo, Starsky and Hutch, Dawn of the Dead, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Dogville, The Ladykillers, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (follow @ jlucia85 for these reviews and more)

434.799.0843 • dahsinc.com

Serving animals and humans in Danville and Pittsylvania County since 1975 through our programs: Spay/neuter assistance | Sheltering services for all animals | Adoption programs | Transfer partnerships Rescue efforts | Neglect and cruelty investigations | Humane education programs Free sheltering for animal victims of domestic violence | Pet food bank

By January 1st of each year, each Virginia releasing agency (public animal shelter, private animal shelter, and homebased rescue group) must submit an annual summary of the animals received and what happened to them (returned to owner, adopted, transferred, died in shelter, euthanized, still in shelter) to the State Veterinarian. We were in favor of the bill that made this report into law about 20 years ago. Beginning in 2006, the summary reports are required to be posted on the State Veterinarian’s website.

What no one could foresee was how those reports would become weapons to vilify the work of shelters, especially public shelters. There are some that would reduce the work of a shelter to one number – the “live release rate.” The simple numbers on a report can never be taken at face value because each number represents a voiceless animal who has an unknown story.

We are their voice and this is their story.

Under contract with the City, we operate the city public animal shelter. We remain one of the few truly open admission shelters in the country. We could choose the easier path that other shelters have taken to become limited admission.

Some people will tell you that because of our euthanasia rate, we are among the lowest performing shelters in Virginia.

We disagree. We believe we are among the highest performing shelters in Virginia because:

• We never turn away an animal, no matter the behavioral

issues, medical issues, age, adoptability, or locality.

• When considering a potential home for our animals, we do everything in our power to ensure that animal will never again be hungry, cold, thirsty, hot, stray, abandoned, or mistreated. We treat every animal as if he were our own beloved companion we can no longer take care of and must find a home for.

In the early 2000s, we attended an annual statewide conference. A woman conducting one of the workshops asked if we ever worried about an animal once we found a home for them. Almost everyone in the room raised a hand. The woman then said, “Don’t. It’s your job to get them out of the door. Forget about what happens to them in their new home.”

A couple of years later, again at an annual statewide conference, we were told that the only way to decrease euthanasia was to decrease the number of animals received. This would be achieved by not accepting unadoptable animals or animals from owners. Possible methods to discourage people from bringing an animal to a shelter included waiting lists, charging a fee, or simply not returning telephone calls.

We rejected both of those workshop presentations then and we reject them now.

We have seen the consequences of those actions. Our minds and eyes cannot erase the suffering. The animals, as always, are the victims. We cannot and will not turn them away. Animals will never be numbers to us.

We will explain our policies and programs and invite you to

follow us on dahsinc.com or on Facebook Danville Area Humane Society Virginia or on Instagram dahsvirginia.

OUR HOURS OF OPERATION

The shelter is open to the public from 12:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday and 12:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The shelter is closed on Sundays. The adoption areas are closed on Wednesdays. The shelter telephone number is 434.799.0843.

Drop-off cages are available afterhours, but we request that you call the phone numbers on the cages. An employee will be dispatched to take the animal inside. The cages are supplied with blankets, food, and water for the animal’s temporary comfort.

For after-hour emergencies, please call 434.799.5111 for the City and 434.432.7937 for the County. Officers will be dispatched to help the injured animal.

A Grand Day Out!

by Mack Williams

You often see “Christmas in July” store sales. Well, this is my “July in March” writing (four months apart, but only two seasons apart).

When my little family lived in Yanceyville, we frequented two more-urban areas: Danville and Greensboro. In those days, before the existence of Danville’s marvelous Science Center, the Greensboro Natural Science Center (now, just Greensboro Science Center) was a favorite “day vacation” spot for my late wife, Diane, daughter, Rachel, son, Jeremy, and me. Feeling nostalgic, last July, daughter, Rachel and I visited the Greensboro Science Center (hence my title: “July in January”).

Years ago, a huge log of petrified wood from North Carolina’s “Down East” was displayed at the museum’s entrance and housed in brick and glass. It now lies exposed along the museum’s walking trail. But even to the untrained eye, it stands out from other rocks there as “something special!” Back in nature again, it appears none the worse for wear; since for most of its multiple millions of years of “petrified life,” it “felt” the heat, cold, rain, and snow.

Along that walk-trail we met a menacing reptilian gaze, along with gaped mouth and curved, sharp teeth! But it was only a dinosaur model. Years ago, in the museum lobby, its “openmouthed greeting” welcomed one and all.

Both petrified log and dinosaur were “alive” again, just like our memories of visiting the museum years ago.

The gift shop’s plush animals were cute, among them, representations of the museum’s pink flamingos and penguins. I spied rocks and fossils there and thought back to my youth, happy with a rock or fossil in my pocket, kind of like a “support rock.”

There is a “living diorama” of penguins, rock, and water. Each penguin has a wrist (flipper)attached nametag. About half of them stand “at attention” on a rocky outcrop, while the other half takes a swim. While we were there, they stayed in place, making me wonder if at some point later, a “shift change” occurs.

As we watched from a bench, one penguin named Dwight (yes, after “Dwight” from The Office) stared at us and vigorously flapped in the water. I believe if he could have burst through the barrier, he would have wound up at our feet, and possibly in the lap of either of us.

Dwight’s “straight-on” flapping and staring reminded me of those movie scenes just after Dracula has turned into a flapping bat (and, like Dracula, the penguin is also “formally” dressed).

For some years, a two-headed turtle from Badin Lake resided at the Greensboro Science Center. A docent said it had passed. She actually said “died “ but I say “passed,” for I feel that all the attention he received, and the wonderment he gave, made him worthy of honorary “soul hood!”

The great aquarium’s denizens swam round-and-round, reminding me of the moving scenery of a vaudeville show

(except it was they who were moving, not the scenery).

One otter in the otter habitat continually scratched its back on a log, but a docent said: “It’s normal.” A staff member later corroborated the unpaid docent. Science museum docents evidently know their subject better than some hardware-store workers do theirs. When we left that room, the otter was moving about, “itch less!”

We bought snacks there for lunch, sitting outside and having interaction with local wildlife (finches and starlings love pieces of buttered bagel).

Each fossil in the “fossil room” is displayed inside an Indiana Jonesstyle wooden crate raised up on one side to reveal the fossil, along with a small holographic man sliding down a rope, “spieling” the fossil’s particulars (of course, he wears a leather jacket and a fedora along with a curled-up whip, I think).

When I pined for the “traditional” form (glass cases) of fossil display, Rachel reminded me of the dedication of funding and ideas in an effort to reach out and grab

the attention of today’s youth (as is also the case with our own Danville Science Center). I guess I’m just an “old kid,” having grown up when rocks and fossils in glass cases were kind of calm and “reassuring” during the excitement and fear of all that “other science stuff” involved in “Duck and Cover!”

While seated there on crates designed as seating, Rachel and I took in the “storeroom” aspect of the space’s design, floor, walls, rafters, and ceiling, all of wood. I told her how attention-grabbing it would be for that same Indiana Jones-styled holographic explorer to appear, fully life-sized, and slid down from the ceiling on his rope right there in front of us. Rachel thought that might be too intense for the kids. And I thought it might be a little too intense for adults, as well.

Borrowing a quote from Wallace and Gromit, Rachel later referred to that day of our Greensboro Science Center trip as “A Grand Day Out!” And it was. Just like that dinosaur on the trail, nostalgia pleasantly caught up with us while we crafted memories for “future nostalgia”, all on that “Grand Day Out!”