April 2, 2013

Page 2, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 3

www.theloaferonline.com

Volume 27 Issue #17

!"#$%&'()*+*,%$$*-%$$%./&*0*12%34)*+*5')%&36*7(.8'*0*9:;8(*<.=.>()*+*7"8%*?.3( 54@()*A(&%>=*+*,%$$*<.6*0*B).C'%8*D)3&*A%)(834)*+*A4=*EC)%=F$(*0*!'434>).C'6*+*<.)F*<.)G"(33( D2@()3%&%=>*+*A.@(*5.)3()H*DF(6*I%=8.%2H*7%&.*764=&H*?.#%3'.*7./#()3H*?())6*!.33()&4= 54=3)%#"3%=>*E3.::*+*J%/*I($$6H*D=26*K4&&H*I(=*E%$@()&H*<.)F*<.)G"(33(H*!.3*,"&&.)2 !"#$%&'(2*#6*5)(.3%@(*!"#$%&'%=>H*L=8MH*!M9M*,4N*OPQRH*J4'=&4=*5%36H*?S*OTRUV Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof.The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement,including claims or suits for defamation,libel,right of privacy,plagiarism,and copyright infringement.

Page 4, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

This week’s cover story has been provided by our very own Ken Silvers, author of the weekly Screen Scenes movie review. The photos of Dolly are thanks to T. Duane Gordon of www.dollymania.net.

I always look forward to March, which brings Spring and a new season for Dollywood.

I made the annual trek to Pigeon Forge on March 22nd, for media events with Dolly Parton as she opened the park for the 2013 season.

Dollywood presents an

introduction to the latest Festival of Nations on opening day, and this year there are many new shows.

The headlining shows are Cirque Shanghai from China, featuring acrobatics, feats of balance, and magic, and Mystic India, a high energy show combining dance and theater.

Dolly was in the Celebrity Theater on Friday to introduce Cirque Shanghai, and several new shows coming to the park in 2013.

The Great American Country Show will run from May 11th

through October 26th, and is a 40 minute fast‐paced show featuring six performers and a live six‐piece band. My People‐ Dolly’s Letter Home will run from May 10th until January 4th, and will feature her brother Randy and sister Cassie, along with other family members in what will surely be one of the hottest shows in the park.

Running June 22 through August 4th will be The Great American Summer, which will see the park staying open until 10pm with nightly !"#$%&#'()*

The popular Christmas at Dollywood will be highlighted by the new show Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol, running from November 9th until January 4th. The production is a never before seen version of the Charles Dickens classic, and features new songs written by Dolly for the production.

After enjoying the show previews for 2013, I was able to sample some of the international food being

served at the park for the Festival of Nations. I tried the Backstage International Buffet at the Backstage Restaurant, which delighted my taste buds.

When you enter the park you can get a world “passport” to food, which will +$,,* -&.* %/$#$* -&.* 012* !"23* food from various countries throughout the park.

In addition to the Continued on page 5

www.theloaferonline.com

Continued from page 4

wonderful food, Dolly made an appearance at the Mystic India show, and closed her Friday events with a parade in the park.

On Saturday Dolly returned to the park for several appearances, again at the new Mystic India show and Cirque Shanghai. Despite the chilly temperatures, Dolly again held her parade through the park with stars of the internationals shows.

The festival also features the Grammy Award winning act Mariachi Divas from Mexico, and a duo from Poland performing music using crystal glassware.

France is featured at the park this year via Pause Cafe, a duo performing traditional

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 5

and modern folk music using various instruments including the rare hang drum. The Uganda Children’s Choir is on hand to perform Ugandan drum songs. Returning to the festival this year is Swoon Sway pole act from Australia, and the Zambian Vocal Group.

Germany is represented by the Zebra Stelzentheater, stilt dancers who interact with guests throughout the park.

So when you look above you head in Dollywood you may see someone swaying on a pole, or on a pair of stilts.

Making what has become an annual visit to the park, is the vocal group Atahualpa, from Ecuador, whose soothing sounds greet you shortly after you enter the park.

I was very impressed with the new international shows this year, from the barefoot dancers with colorful costumes in Mystic India, +&* +/$* /"4/* !,-"24* 10#&51+(* in Crique Shanghai. Don’t miss your chance to see the Festival of Nations this year, featuring new acts and wonderful food.

2013 is shaping up to be a fun year for Dollywood, packed with new shows and the always thrilling rides.

Dolly, as did I, had a wonderful time opening weekend.

The Festival of Nations runs until April 22nd.

See Dollywood.com, and Dollywood’s Facebook or Twitter pages for more information.

Page 6, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Another RoadSide Attraction Acoustic Coffeehouse April 5th, 6pm

Husband/wife duo, Jordan Rivers & Lucy de los Rios created Another RoadSide Attraction (from Roanoke, VA) in January of 2010. They create an intimacy amidst the spectacle, as their

unique shows invite the child out in all of us! They play some covers but write most of their own songs that range in style and mood: from abstract and otherworldly to playful and interactive to dark and moody to simple and silly...foot stompers, hip shakers, sing‐a‐longs & contemplators = exploring a wide range of the human condition.

They like to perform as a 3 piece, featuring homemade drum kit and washboard rig, the guitarron (6‐string, acoustic, mariachi bass), an assortment of ukuleles (resonator, 8‐string, baritone), musical saw, kazoos, and other odd devices!

Their sound and style has been described as “Blue Ridge Cabaret”, “Steinbeck/Through the Looking Glass”, and “Eclectic, acoustic, bittersweet tomfoolery”.

“The music is as distinctive and colorful as its look—beautiful, bizarre, sometimes eerie, and always fun.” ‐ Gemma de Choisy, Garden & Gun Magazine (Oct/Nov 2012)

“They (Another RoadSide Attraction) have created a family

and have built their lives around that which they love to do. When I go over to one of their houses they always seem to be practicing, writing, making costumes, gear, instruments or manufacturing their own merchandise. A lot of people talk about passion and devotion to craft, but I have never seen this level of commitment.

This is a band of true believers.

I have seen them at work. They

know how to get things done and they know how to have fun doing it...You have to love their aesthetic. I like to call it Steinbeck/Through the Looking Glass. These guys don’t put on costumes to perform. They go to bed in them, they wake up in them, they go to Grandma’s house in their costumes.” ‐Geoff Conley (Lucid Press, and The Situationist)

“Ah, but what about the music? It’s weird, it’s hypnotic, it’s occassionally beautiful and sometimes even frightening.” ‐Bill DeYoung (Connect Savannah, Feb. 2012) More information about the band can be found at www.ReverbNation.com/ AnotherRdSideAttraction

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 7

Bone Prophet CG’s Garage April 6th, 7pm

CG’s Garage (a ministry branch of Common Ground) is bringing the heavy rock Christian band, Bone Prophet, to the Tri‐Cities for a one‐night‐only concert on Saturday, April 6th.

The concert will be held inside Common Ground at 2844 Hwy.11E (across from the entrance to Bristol Motor Speedway). This unique venue is an old converted garage which now houses worship services in a coffeehouse environment, as well as monthly concerts showcasing both local and national talent.

Admission to the concert is by donation at the door, with 1,,* 6#&0$$3(* 5$2$!"++"24* ,&01,* charities. Special guests Seven Day Disciple will take the stage before Bone Prophet. The music will begin at 7:00 p.m., but the doors open at 6:00 and we suggest you get there early as seating is limited. The show is expected to wrap up around 10:00, and light refreshments will be available.

So, how is the up‐and‐coming Christian Rock band Bone Prophet transforming the way we hear today’s rock music?

Just listen to their music and message. In a very short time, these rockers have hit the music scene with a punch as powerful as their signature sound. Every music scene has that one group +/1+*3$!"2$(*1*2$%*7&8$7$2+*+&* surpass a listener’s expectations, and these guys truly succeed in doing that for today’s Christian rock.

Bone Prophet is a hard‐hitting and edgy with yet a very positive twist on lyrics and attitude. The band derives from Knoxville, TN but in a few short years has watched their efforts reach international status. Members of the group include Eddie Moles (lead vocals and guitar), Randall

Timko (bass guitar), Brian Settle (lead guitar) and Rodney Bell (drums). Together the group has experienced enormous success as an indie band and plans to reach millions of listeners who can share their triumphs in this life. The band strides under the belief that music isn’t just a hobby but also gives a person, group or country an identity, brings people together, calms the soul and at times just makes us feel good.

With powerful lyrics and a tight sound, Bone Prophet seeks to transcend today’s rock scene 5-*01,,"24*&2*61(+*"2!,.$20$(*123* experiences, and molding them with the cries of today’s rock generation. Since the launch of the group’s self‐titled album, the band has been featured at

some of Christian Rock’s largest festivals and events, including two appearances at The Ichthus Festival in Wilmore, KY and The Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, IL. The group is also enjoying international success with concerts in Ontario, Canada and talks of performing

in the UK. Bone Prophet has 1,(&* 0&,,15&#1+$3* %"+/* !",7* producer Bob Denney to record on the music soundtrack for +/$* "23$6$23$2+* !",7* 9"4/+* released in June 2011. Two of the band members also 166$1#* 1(* 10+&#:(* "2* +/$* !",7) Legendary producer Danny

Brown of East Tennessee’s Southern Sound Studios produced both of the band’s albums. All songs on the album’s are original’s written and arranged by the band. With fan favorites like “Cross”, “Filthy Rags”, “Find Me”, “Somebody Help Me” and “Momma” to name a few, the group is riding a wave of success including a heavy road schedule and a huge web fan base. “We aren’t out there just to give a rock concert”, explains Moles, “More importantly than songs, God gives us messages and it’s our honor to share his message with everyone.

Extremely excited to make their mark with today’s generation, the group is currently busy touring and working on projects for the coming years. It is more than worth your time to check out Bone Prophet’s must‐ see show, and let them bring out the inner rocker in you. www.boneprophet.com www.boneprophetrocks.com boneprophetrocks@yahoo.com

Page 8, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Follow the Leader

A Journey of Political and Personal Discovery ETSU’s Culp Auditorium April 8th, 7pm Mary B. Martin School of the Arts presents Follow the Leader, a political coming‐of‐age story, Monday, April 8 at 7 p.m. with Director, Producer, Cameraman and Editor Jonathan Goodman Levitt as part of the South Arts Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.

After the free screening of +/$* !",7* "2* ;<=>:(* ?1#+/1* =+#$$+* Culp Auditorium, Levitt and the audience will engage in a 3"(0.(("&2*15&.+*+/$*!",7*123*/"(* %&#'*1(*1*!",771'$#)*@*#$0$6+"&2* will follow. Film and reception are free and open to the public.

Follow the Leader is Levitt’s !"#(+*!",7*713$*"2*+/$*>)=)A*1B+$#*1* 3$013$*&B*%&#'"24*1(*1*!",771'$#* in London. “A journey of political 123* 6$#(&21,* 3"(0&8$#-A* +/$* !",7* promises to spark meaningful 123* #$!,$0+"8$* 0&28$#(1+"&2(* about American political realities in the months surrounding the 2012 U.S. Presidential election,” says Brian Geldin of The Film Panel Notetaker.

Levitt said he worked very hard to make the documentary fair and unbiased. “Documentaries’ natural audience is typically a liberal audience, and hopefully the documentary will reach that audience,” Levitt told Geldin in Christian Science Monitor. “But for conservatives, there aren’t 712-*!",7(*"2*%/"0/*+/$-*012*($$* themselves portrayed in a fair‐ 7"23$3*%1-)*C.#*!",7*6&#+#1-(*1,,* political views in a fair‐minded way.

DE* B$$,* ,"'$* +/$* !",7* "(* #$1,,-* unique and that it will appeal to people regardless of they believe, and that it will force many people to question their own beliefs.

Because of that, we have the opportunity to bring people together to talk about issues in a way that doesn’t happen often in our public sphere.”

Americans need to have better discussions regarding politics and leadership issues, the !",771'$#*(1-()*D=&*7-*166#&10/* to provoking discussion and

change is quite different …” he told Geldin. “A lot of people think documentaries are about understanding where people are coming from, whether they 14#$$*%"+/*+/$*!",7*61#+"0"612+(:* attitudes or not. But there’s a political correctness among many decision‐makers that #$!,$0+(* +/$* 6&,"+"0(* &B* &.#* country that we need to get past. We need to take a step back and think about even how we have these discussions on a very basic level – rather than either getting angry or otherwise pussy‐footing around the realities.”

Levitt studied psychology, political philosophy and studio art at Stanford University and was a Fulbright scholar studying at the United Kingdom’s National Film School in 1999.

“When I was a college student in Texas, we actually didn’t have student government but there was a lot of political activity and interest on campus,” says Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Director Anita DeAngelis.

“Now, interest in our city, state and national governments 3&$(2:+*($$7*+&*5$*1(*("42"!"012+* to students. This documentary can perhaps draw attention to the many ways government and what’s going on politically impact our daily lives.”

For more information on Follow the Leader, visit www. !"##"$%&'#'()'*+,#-./"-.

The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is a program of South Arts. Southern Circuit screenings are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. =&.+/* @#+(A* 1* 2&26#&!"+* regional arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to address the role of the arts in impacting the issues important to our region and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts.

For more information, visit www. southarts.org

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 9

JamesBen:

Studio and Gallery Art Center Grand Opening Reception April 4th, 5pm

In the season of growth and renewal, Greeneville’s regional art center is ready to open its doors. JamesBen: Studio and Gallery Art Center is already enjoying its new home, #201 Crescent School, located at 615 West Main Street in Greeneville’s downtown historic district. The &B!"0"1,* &6$2"24* "(* (0/$3.,$3* for Monday, April 1st, when the public can enjoy the artistic works of Tennessee’s most creative residents, many of them part of the Greeneville/Greene County community. JamesBen Stockton, director of the art center, is inviting patrons, friends, and art lovers to celebrate with him at the Grand Reopening Reception on Thursday evening, April 4th, from 5 to 7 PM. “I am so pleased and excited +&* 0&2+"2.$* &.#* #&,$* 1(* 1* !"F+.#$* on Greeneville’s Main Street, in the building that symbolizes the effort to preserve and renew the downtown Historic District,” says gallery director Stockton. “I have long believed that the arts have a vital part to play in Main Street communities across our state as well as nationwide.” Since moving to Northeast Tennessee and the home of the 17th president more than a decade ago, Stockton

has focused his efforts not only on promoting local artists and artisans but on inspiring creative efforts that emphasize the rich history of the region. In keeping with this theme, both the timing of the gallery opening and the choices for the initial gallery displays honor the month of April as Greene County Heritage Month. Subjects presented in artistic expression, in the form of painting, sculpture, functional and decorative pottery, include Andrew Johnson, Davy Crockett, the Trail of Tears, John Hunt Morgan, and the Overmountain Men. “This focus on historic themed art was our way of connecting to the community %/$2* %$* !"#(+* &6$2$3* "2* Greeneville,” says Stockton. “It is an expression of the traditions of the mountain region; the creative talent that is a birthright in the Appalachians, and the fact that artistry goes back so many generations that it is a part of history itself.” The connection to 4$2$#1+"&2(*61(+*"(*$8$2*#$!,$0+$3* in the location of JamesBen: Studio and Gallery Art Center within the Crescent School. #201, facing onto West Main Street, is the old band room for the former elementary school, which taught

the young people of Greeneville from 1925 to 1981. One of the most appealing features of the space is the natural light coming from high windows on the north, west, and south sides. “There is a good reason artists prefer natural light for creating their work,” says Stockton. “It has the more complete spectrum, and is better for seeing color and detail.

So the best way to see art is also in natural light, which our space has in abundance. I couldn’t be more pleased with our new home in the Crescent School. As you climb the steps and turn at the landing, you can see the light from our doorway, beckoning you in. That’s how it strikes me every day. I hope our guests will feel the same.”

The address for JamesBen: Studio and Gallery Art Center is #201 Historic Crescent School, 615 West Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. The phone number has remained the same, (423) 787‐0195. The Grand Reopening Reception is open to the public on Thursday, April 4th from 5 to 7 PM. www.james‐ben.com www.facebook.com/pages/ James‐Ben‐Studio‐Gallery‐Art‐ Center/179020098827415

Page 10, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Intro to Buddhism & Meditation April 11th, 7pm The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC) is offering a free six‐week course called “An Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation” beginning Thursday, April 11, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The classes will meet on the second and fourth Thursdays, ending June 27. The course will cover Buddha’s life, his basic philosophy, and his prescription for overcoming suffering in our lives. Several different types of meditation will also be taught.

This is an opportunity for anyone who has ever been interested in discovering more about meditation and Buddhism to learn about the practice and the Dharma Center in an opening and welcoming environment.

The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center opened in June 2011. ADMC is a place where Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness and meditation can be learned and practiced.

“Dharma” refers to the Buddha’s teachings and philosophy. Mindfulness and meditation can be practiced by anyone for stress relief, healing or for Buddhist awareness of mind.

The Center welcomes anyone interested in Buddhism or meditation.

There are a number of groups practicing various Buddhist traditions at the Center, including Zen, Vipassana , Western Buddhism, and the soon‐to‐be‐added Tibetan Buddhist tradition. There are also groups related to Buddhist healing; a grief support group, a 12‐ Step program for Buddhists, and the Tibetan healing practice of Chöd is offered several times a month.

ADMC is located at 108 West 10th Avenue, Johnson City, TN. For more information on attending the introduction class or any other groups and courses, contact dharma4et@ gmail.com. For more information about the Center and its offerings, check out the Appalachian Dharma and Meditation Center’s website at www.dharma4et.org.

Cherokee United Methodist Women’s Annual Quilt Show April 5th, 6th

Hands to Service, Hearts to God Cherokee United Methodist Women’s Annual Quilt Show Friday, April 5th and Saturday, April 6th, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Come Help Us Celebrate Our 22ndYear!

This annual event features a marvelous display of family heirlooms and works of art in the medium of needlework from quilters and crafters throughout the area. For more information or for group reservations for the famous tea plate luncheon, please call 423‐928‐4786.

To show a quilt, please call 423‐431‐8822. Go to http:// w w w. c h e r o k e e c h u r c h . com/#/events‐wednesday‐ night/cherokee‐quilt‐show for details.

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 11

www.theloaferonline.com

Pegi Young & The Survivors

Freedom Hall Civic Center April 4th Pegi Young & The Survivors, will be coming to Johnson City on Thursday, April 4th to play at Freedom Hall Civic Center in support of Willie Nelson.

Young is supporting her third album, Bracing For Impact (Vapor Records), once again accompanied by her acclaimed recording and touring band, The

Survivors: legendary keyboard player Spooner Oldham, bassist Rick Rosas, guitarist Kelvin Holly, and drummer Phil Jones. The group is scheduled to perform on David Letterman on March 26th and will then hit the road for a string of dates supporting Willie Nelson.

Bracing For Impact follows up

2010’s Foul Deeds, which Pegi co‐produced with veteran multi‐ instrumentalist Ben Keith. Her debut album, 2007’s self‐titled Pegi Young, was described by Allmusic.com as “an intimate, hopeful and melancholy look at life and love from a songwriter who has been there.”

G$4"* H&.24* !"#(+* 5$017$*

known via her longtime role as backup singer—onstage and on record—for her husband Neil Young. Pegi and Neil, whose son Ben was born with cerebral 61,(-A* B&.23$3* +/$* 2&2I6#&!"+* Bridge School in 1986, serving

children with severe speech and physical impairments. The Youngs are also the driving force behind the annual all‐star Bridge =0/&&,*J$2$!"+*0&20$#+() Photo by Phil Denslow

Page 12, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Music on the Lawn Martha Washington Inn Sundays, 1-3pm The Abingdon Music Experience presents Music on the Lawn sponsored by BVU Authority. Come enjoy an afternoon of great Classical and Jazz performers each Sunday from 1pm‐3pm on the Martha Washington Inn and Spa lawn during the month of April. These are free events and open to the public. Bring your picnic basket, a blanket and a lawn chair and enjoy the music. In case of rain, these events will be moved indoors to the Backstage at the Martha.

The 2013 Schedule for Music on the Lawn is: April 7th‐ Classic Strings Duo consists of two brothers, Kevin (on Violin) and Bryan (on Viola) Matheson. They received critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners? tour. Recognized for mesmerizing and spirited performances ‐ two perfect virtuosos, playing as one, the duo?s new CD features two world premiers. The Duo is awakening audiences to music for the violin‐ viola duo.

April 14th‐ Brass 5 is based out of Roanoke, Virginia ‐ the ‘Star City’ ? They have been an active part of the Mid‐Atlantic arts scene since 1982. Brass 5 performances have been featured on local public radio programs and broadcast live on National Public Radio. Eager to create exciting music, Brass 5 has been featured in concerts throughout the Mid‐Atlantic United States and Europe.

Based in Roanoke, Virginia ‐ the ‘Star City’ ‐ Brass 5 has been an active part of the Mid‐ Atlantic arts scene for 26 years.

Brass 5 performances have been featured on local public radio programs and broadcast live on National Public Radio. Eager to create exciting music, Brass 5 has been featured in concerts throughout the Mid‐Atlantic United States and Europe.

Based in Roanoke, Virginia ‐ the

‘Star City’ ‐ Brass 5 has been an active part of the Mid‐Atlantic arts scene for 26 years. Brass 5 performances have been featured on local public radio programs and broadcast live on National Public Radio. Eager to create exciting music, Brass 5 has been featured in concerts throughout the Mid‐Atlantic United States and Europe. Based in Roanoke, Virginia ‐ the ‘Star City’ ‐ Brass 5 has been an active part of the Mid‐ Atlantic arts scene for 26 years.

Brass 5 performances have been featured on local public radio programs and broadcast live on National Public Radio. Eager to create exciting music, Brass 5 has been featured in concerts throughout the Mid‐Atlantic United States and Europe.April 21st‐ Marcolivia is an award‐ winning violin and violin/viola duo performing music of many styles and periods, including Folk Music, Jazz and Salon/ Virtuoso works. The Marcolivia Duo appears frequently on NPR’s “Performance Today” and ?Front Row Washington?. They are regular guest artists at the Tokyo College of Music, Japan, and have performed for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington DC, at the Cosmos Club, and annually at the Phillips Collection (where they are included on several CDs of Series Highlights and Distinguished Performers).

April 28th‐ Le Hotclub will be playing the 1930?s style of music that was made famous by the legendary Django Reinhardt and Le Hotclub de Paris. From Roanoke, VA, this group was formerly called Le Hotclub de Biglick (Biglick, being the old name for Roanoke, VA).Their music paints a picture with the seductive sounds that will take you back in time.

For more information on these music events, visit www. abingdonmusicexperience.com or call the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau at 276‐676‐ 2282.

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 13

Pirate Expert Gail Selinger Northeast State April 3rd, 7pm Get a crash course on pirates and plunder when noted author and all‐out “piratologist” Gail Selinger delivers her fascinating lecture “Pirates and Popular Culture” at 7 p.m. on April 3 at Northeast State Community College.

Selinger’s evening lecture will be held at the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts Theater on the College’s main campus at Blountville. This free and open to the public lecture happens in conjunction with Northeast State’s presentation of Treasure Island in April.

Selinger began her writing career at age seven, self‐ publishing a weekly newspaper highlighting her family’s activities. So how did she get interested in pirates? Following after her big sister Carol Sue, Gail watched pirate movies. When Selinger turned nine, she discovered pirates were real people. She became fascinated by that fact and thus began a life‐long interest. The Selingers grew up two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York where the sight of sailboats and commercial ships by helped fuel her imagination of the high seas. When riding on the Staten Island ferry the sisters made believe it was their pirate ship.

After graduating college with a B.A. in art education and history, she traveled the East Coast of the United States, Great Britain and the Caribbean Islands researching pirates. With her wealth of knowledge, Selinger is considered a pirate historian or as some labeled her a piratologist. She was thrilled when asked to %#"+$*1*2&2I!"0+"&2*5&&'*&2*/$#*B18&#"+$*(.5K$0+) Selinger penned The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pirates, a spellbinding book tracing real pirates from the Ancient Phoenicians to modern day.

The book also takes a look at the social, political 123* $0&2&7"0* #17"!"01+"&2(* &B* 6"#10-* &2* %&#,3* history. It is also an eye‐opening look at the modern day pirates who raid oil tankers, cargo ships and even cruise ships.

Her workshop “Real Life on the Rolling Sea: The Golden Age of Piracy 1690‐1720” is a highly acclaimed course in which she incorporates authentic items of the period for a unique hands‐ on experience. Her lectures and workshops are adapted to the age of her audience. She also teaches writing classes in character development and research techniques.

Selinger is seen on the History Channel programs “Modern Marvels: Pirate Tech” and

“True Caribbean Pirates.”

She appears in the Special Features section on the DVD Princess Bride, Dread Pirate Roberts and Buttercup editions. She provided the historical pop‐up’s for the Blu‐Ray edition of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

She is currently a member of the privateer historical re‐ enactment group, Port Royal Privateers, having been one of the original founders of the re‐ enactment group Brethren of the Coast in 1984.

She has written numerous novels, short stories and articles on a variety of subjects including Jack Tar, With Admiration, The Magic Toybox, and Devil’s Blade.

She is a member of The Authors Guild, Science Fiction Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society, and a Patron Saint of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS).

For more information, contact 423.279.7669 or jpkelly@northeaststate.edu.

Page 14, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Grascals to Appear on Song of the Mountains April 6th The award winning and high energy bluegrass band the Grascals will headline the Song of the Mountains public television concert taping on Saturday, April 6th at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, VA. Also on the concert with the Grascals The Grascals

will be the old time music of the Whitetop Mountain Band along with two bluegrass gospel bands, the Easter Brothers and Jonathan Buckner and Chosen Road.

The Grascals are among the most beloved and acclaimed bands on today’s bluegrass scene,

having won SPBGMA’s Bluegrass Band of the Year award in 2010, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2005 and earning its Entertainer of the Year honor in both 2006 and 2007. For those who know them, the quick emergence of the group came as no surprise, for these are musicians whose roots and crossed paths reach back over more than two decades in bluegrass ensembles like the Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, the Sidemen and New Tradition.

The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family‐based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop is an area rich in the old time music tradition, and this band has deep roots in mountain music.

The band’s members have worked tirelessly to preserve the Whitetop region’s style &B* &,3* +"7$* !"33,"24* 123* 512K&* picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style. Their shows are very versatile and entertaining; they contain everything from !"33,$*123*512K&*"2(+#.7$2+1,(* to powerful solos and harmony vocals on blues, classic country, honky tonk, traditional bluegrass numbers, old timey ballads, originals, and four‐part mountain gospel (&24()**=/&%(*1,(&*"20,.3$*!,1+* foot dancing. The band is well‐ known for their high energy and charisma on stage.

From the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to the west coast and all points in between, the American people are being treated to a special blend of music Continued on page 15

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 15 Whitetop Mountain

Continued from page 14

by The Easter Brothers. This trio of men ‐‐ who actually are brothers ‐‐ are helping forge a new frontier in gospel music for their unique style. Some call their style of singing Southern Gospel. Others have termed it traditional country gospel.

Whatever name you choose to call it, you will have to agree it is music in it’s purest form. Music with feeling, depth, sensitivity and backed with a solid message.

There is a special magical feeling

one gets when listening to the Easter Brothers sing. You are transformed as you listen to their clear style of singing back to the days of simpler times and purity in thinking. Perhaps this is what stands out most in their music, it is clear, pure and simple, not complex by musical arrangements that confuse the intent of the songs; but good, honest simplicity. Their fabulous harmony, augmented by the purity of their instruments is further enhanced by the clear cut message of faith and inspiration that mark their songs.

Jonathan Buckner and Chosen Road is an exciting young bluegrass and acoustic gospel music ensemble which was incepted in July of 2009 and immediately signed with Poor Mountain Records.

The group has released four projects with Poor Mountain and their latest release “Expectations” is seeing great success on the airways.

Jonathan Buckner and Chosen Road

Chosen Road travels full time and keeps an extensive tour schedule holding approximately +%&*I*/.23#$3*123*!"B+-*31+$(*6$#* year. The ensemble travels the east coast sharing their form of bluegrass and acoustic gospel music to audiences in a variety of venues including churches, theaters, festivals, and fairs.

Jonathan Buckner and Chosen Road’s unique sound is guaranteed to please fans of all musical genres and leave them wanting more.

This Song of the Mountains

concert on April 6th begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets and information is available at www. songofthemountains.org or by calling 276‐783‐6093.

Memberships and Song of the Mountains merchandise are available at the website and your purchases help support the concert series. Donations are accepted at the website as well.

Underwriting opportunities are available by contacting Song of the Mountains through our website, www.songofthemountains.org

Page 16, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

New Music

DRAKE WHITE RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE “THE SIMPLE LIFE” Singer/songwriter infuses country, rock, and blues MCA Nashville singer/ songwriter Drake White released his debut single, “The Simple Life,” to radio this week tying Justin Moore for the most added song. “The Simple Life” is co‐written by Drake, Jeremy Stover and Brian Dean Maher and will appear on Drake’s upcoming debut album (title TBD) due out late 2013 on MCA. Drake explains what’s behind the debut single saying “There’s a buzz in this world. There’s a distraction and a constant noise. ‘The Simple Life’ is about getting away from that and knowing what is important to you‐‐‐family, friends, God, whatever and really feeling that you don’t have to be going 90 million miles an hour all the time.“ He adds, “You can slow down, live simply and when you let the loose ends drag, they say the stress levels go down, the health goes up. When you’re healthy and stress free, that’s a good life.

That’s the simple life.”

The Alabama native describes his sound as “country rockin’ B#$$(+-,$*5,.$(L*%"+/*"2!,.$20$(*

by Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, whom Drake toured with on the Country Throwdown tour. He has also opened for Eric Church, Kid Rock, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and most recently, Blackberry Smoke.

For more information, visit www.drakewhite.com Photographer Credit: James Minchin III

Newcomer JOANNA MOSCA Releases New EP, Let It All Begin, Produced By Award­ Winning Artist Bryan White Disc Features Duet With Lonestar’s Richie McDonald Joanna Mosca, selected as one of CMA’s 2012 Who’s New To Watch, is excited to release her new dynamic EP, LET IT ALL BEGIN, which was produced by award‐winning singer‐ songwriter Bryan White.

The six‐track outing offers a fresh sound to Country radio and its audience, presenting Mosca’s "77$3"1+$,-* "3$2+"!"15,$* 8&"0$* on relevant, well‐written songs that should appeal across the Country demographic. The EP, which includes a memorable duet with Lonestar’s Richie McDonald, kicks off with her current single/video, “Dream On Savannah.”

“Dream On Savannah” is resonating at radio and the video can be seen on The Country Network (TCN), CMT.com, GACtv.com and Yallwire.com.

The up‐tempo song pulled on Mosca’s heartstrings the minute she heard it. This deceptively sing‐along number contains two serious, yet positive core messages: preventing ‘bullying’ among our youth and the importance of staying true to -&.#*3#$17()**E+*6$#B$0+,-*#$!,$0+(* Joanna’s innate compassion and her grasp for the need of global social responsibility.

The EP as a whole marks 1* 3$!"2"+"8$* 7.("01,* 0/124$* for Mosca. She and White looked outside the box for contemporary songs and the production is crisp, vibrant and clean. “It has a much purer sound than my previous outings,” Joanna notes. “Bryan has a great ear and a wonderful singer’s sense. It was an amazing experience for me.”

www.theloaferonline.com KACEY MUSGRAVES RELEASES SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK Mercury Nashville singer/ songwriter Kacey Musgraves releases her debut album Same Trailer Different Park today. The anticipated album by the 24‐year old is co‐produced by Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Luke Laird.

Kacey co‐wrote all tracks on the album.

Kacey was the subject of a four‐ 614$* 6#&!",$* +"+,$3* DM"+/* @* N$5$,* Twang” in the highly regarded New York Times Magazine.

Reviews of Same Trailer Different Park are already coming in. Rolling Stone gave Kacey’s debut outing a glowing FOUR out of FOUR Star review and labeled her as an “Artist To Watch.” The iconic music magazine says “Same Trailer Different Park proves Musgraves is for real,” adding “The album showcases a songwriting voice you won’t hear anywhere else in pop: young, female, downwardly mobile, !"$#0$,-*%"++-)L Entertainment Weekly gave the album a grade A‐ review and touted “On her [Musgraves] 0&2!"3$2+A* 7$,&3"0* 71K&#I,15$,* debut, Musgraves’ vocals are pleasingly agile, but what Same Trailer Different Park continually showcases is her writing prowess.”

And the Washington Post $F0,1"7$3* DO$#* 7142"!"0$2+* 2$%* album ‘Same Trailer, Different Park,’ contains some of the most straightforward storytelling you could ever ask of a dozen country tunes. No bells, no whistles, no throwaway lyrics — just 12 pithy singalongs, often beautiful, sometimes brilliant.”

Catch Kacey on the road this summer with Kenny Chesney on the No Shoes Nation stadium tour which began this past weekend in Tampa, FL. For a full list of tour dates please visit www. kaceymusgraves.com.

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 17 The Bourbon” recalls late night communions with ex‐pats found around the globe. Other writers contributing to the project include: Tim Buppert, Michael Burton, Austin Cunningham, Brad Davis and Steve Williams.

“There’s not a song on this 6#&K$0+* +/1+* 3&$(2:+* !"+AL* @"'$2* explains. “The album was two Mike Aiken Releases Sixth Studio Album CAPTAINS & COWBOYS April 22 Well‐Traveled Virginia Troubadour Brings Chivalric Code To Wide Open Spaces And The High Seas Produced by Dan Baird, Ben Strano, Mike Aiken Well‐traveled Virginia troubadour Mike Aiken may well have been born in the wrong century. An inner sense of chivalry oozes from every track on CAPTAINS & COWBOYS, his sixth studio album on Northwind Records, which issues April 22.

As the title track says, “Save the babies, kiss the ladies, having drinks with my friends” is a code Mike lives by. Aiken also addresses global environmental issues, love, loss and personal freedom in this conceptualized offering.

Aiken has drawn tales ‐ and hope ‐ from “trail riders, aging rodeo champs, sea captains, Rastafarians and outlaws on the lamb” and crafted a disc that draws the threads of these independent spirits together.

“Dan and Ben really ‘got’ the appeal that old silver screen heroes, singing cowboys and swashbuckling sailors have always held for me,” Mike notes.

“That gave me the freedom to focus on the songs,” he adds.

With the warmth of Lightfoot, the earthiness of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the unerring timing of Billy Joe Shaver, Aiken’s vocals are uninhibited on his own sweetly vibrant “Virginia” and Country Joe McDonald’s poignant lament “Save The Whales.” The title track crackles with a longing for the old West and the open sea, while the earth‐shattering “Coal Train” (Mike Aiken, Larry Berwald) sadly outlines the destruction of our shrinking Appalachian mountains. “Get Down River” (Brian Henneman) highlights the challenges of living hand‐in‐hand with Mother Nature, while Aiken’s “Bring Out

years in the making. I’d written many tunes during that time but not many made it onto this record. They weren’t bad, but +/$* !"+* %1(2:+* #"4/+AL* /$* 133()* @* writer of enormous depth, Mike knows whereof he speaks: he has lived on a sailboat for the past 20 years, sailed across oceans as a USCG‐licensed captain, raised

horses and made his living as a farrier. His inspirations and talent come together on this seminal CD that should move Mike to the forefront of the Americana/Roots movement. So saddle up, put sail to the wind and enjoy this ride with him. www.mikeaikenmusic.com

Page 18, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Spectrum, A Tribute to Motown and R&B Milligan College April 6th, 7:30pm

Spectrum, A Tribute to Motown and R&B, comes to Johnson City for the Mary B. Martin Memorial Concert Spectrum, A Tribute to Motown and R&B, will be the featured artists for this year’s Mary B. Martin Memorial Concert performed by the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Robert J. Seebacher.

The concert will take place Saturday, April 6, at the Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Chapel at Milligan College. The Mary B. Martin Memorial Concert is sponsored by Jim Martin as a tribute to his late wife.

M$5(+$#* 3$!"2$(* =6$0+#.7* as a “series of radiations arranged in regular order” or a “continuous sequence or wide range.” This could not be a more

appropriate description of the group Spectrum, which draws upon the talent of four radiant voices and diverse personalities +&*B&#7*1*!"#(+*0,1((*8&01,*P.1#+$+)* After spending six stellar years recreating the sound and style of the Four Tops in Las Vegas’ multi‐ million dollar production shows “American Superstars” and “Legends In Concert,” the group has developed the versatility to credibly cover the music of groups from The Platters to The Temptations to Boyz II Men. It is this versatility that has propelled them to the status of headlining their own shows in which they perform stirring renditions of the all the best cover tunes.

In addition to regular corporate and private parties, Spectrum’s credits include European tours; a Doo‐Wop to Soul Review at

the Hollywood Palladium; and performances with over 40 symphony orchestras throughout North America. In 2009 they were selected to receive the Vegas Entertainment Consumer’s Living Legends Award for Excellence in Entertainment.

Spectrum performs in Las Vegas, throughout the nation, and around the globe.

Spectrum’s credentials, collectively and/or individually, include starring in no less than six major production shows on the Las Vegas Strip and internationally; appearances on numerous television shows as special guests including the Today Show; featured

appearances in motion pictures; starring roles in equity theater; special appearances at professional sporting events singing the National Anthem; and performing/recording with or opening for artists as varied as Tony Bennett, The Temptations, Blue Magic, Little Richard, the late Marty Robbins, The Platters, Frankie Lymon’s Teenagers, Doc Severenson, and Fat Larry’s Band, to name a few.

The group boasts four incredible singers, each with the voice of a solo artist, who combine their voices and dexterity to create the angelic harmonies and deft choreography that have become trademarks of Spectrum.

The members of Spectrum consist of master recording artist Darryl Grant of Oakland, Calif.; Chicago‐born musician and versatile entertainer Pierre Jovan; David Prescott, the silky‐ (7&&+/A* (&1#"24I8&"0$3* !"#(+* tenor from Rochester, N.Y.; and lastly, singer, actor, and group founder Cushney Roberts, from East Orange, N.J., who left the life of a Princeton‐educated corporate engineer and cut his teeth in the casino lounges en route to becoming a well‐ respected Las Vegas showroom entertainer. Let’s just say this is a group of well‐mannered, college‐ educated, world‐traveled veterans of the entertainment business, who will entertain you!

The concert is at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6, 2013, in the Mary B. Martin Memorial Auditorium in Seeger Chapel at Milligan College. Tickets are now available online at www. jcsymphony.com or by calling +/$* (-76/&2-* &B!"0$* 1+* QRSI 926‐8742. Tickets for this Mary B. Martin Memorial Concert are $15 and $25 depending on location of seats. Senior and student tickets are $10.

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 19

ETSU Old Time Band Carter Family Fold April 6th, 7:30pm

Saturday, April 6th, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert by the ETSU Old Time Band. Admission to the concert is $8 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.

Bands with the ETSU Bluegrass and Country Music Program have performed at the Fold since the beginning of the program at ETSU in 1982. The ETSU program has grown so popular that students travel from all over the world to study there. There are now almost twenty different bands maintained by the program.

ETSU’s bands have performed in Japan, Belgium, and Russia. =&7$*&B*+/$*!"2$(+*(+.3$2+(*+/$* Bluegrass and Country Music Program has to offer will be performing with the ETSU Old Time Band.

Roy Andrade, formerly with the Reel Time Travelers, will be heading up the group.

From exploring the history of mountain music to traveling the country in a string band, old time banjo musician Roy

Andrade has a passion for the music of Appalachia. He’s currently passing on that fervor as a teacher at ETSU. Roy was raised in Asheville, N.C., and has carried around an instrument as long as he can remember. He was playing accordion by the time he was four. Later he picked up +/$* !"33,$A* 4."+1#A* 7123&,"2A* 123* &+/$#*"2(+#.7$2+()**@23#13$*!"#(+* came to ETSU as a student in the Appalachian Studies program.

While in Johnson City, he met three other old time musicians and started the band Reel Time Travelers. The group traveled for six years, playing over 600 shows alongside notable musicians like Alison Krauss and Ralph Stanley. They produced a CD and cut a track for the movie “Cold Mountain.” After the band split, Andrade returned to ETSU +&* !"2"(/* /"(* 3$4#$$)* * M/$2* /$* isn’t teaching, Roy spends most of his free time picking with area musicians.

If you like old time music, don’t miss Roy Andrade and the ETSU Old Time Band.

Their instrumental work is

outstanding, and their vocals and harmony defy description.

Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

The group puts tremendous energy and drive into every performance. For more information, go to www.etsu. edu/.

Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a 2&26#&!"+A*#.#1,*1#+(*&#412"T1+"&2* established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to http://www. carterfamilyfold.org. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at http://www.carterfoldshow. com. Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at http:// thecrookedroad.org. Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276‐386‐6054.

Page 20, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

ETSU Celebrates April’s Earth Month

East Tennessee State University will celebrate Earth Month in April with a variety of “green” activities.

Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Brown Hall auditorium, Erin Savage of Appalachian Voices will speak about some of her organization’s projects involving water quality testing.

Saturday, April 6, from 7 a.m.‐ 2 p.m. the ETSU Recycling Center will host a site for the City of Johnson City’s Great American Clean‐up. Household items not accepted in weekly pick‐ups can be discarded that day. For information about acceptable items for donation, call (423) 975‐2792.

April 8‐12 will be University Woods Appreciation Week which includes a nature walk and service day.

Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in Brown Hall auditorium, the Dirty Energy Road Show Lecture will address the impact of coal and nuclear energy.

Also on April 9 at 8 p.m. the whole family can enjoy a screening of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” in the ETSU Amphitheatre.

On Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in the D.P. Culp University Center’s meeting room 6, Steve Kemble of Mudstrawlove will

share his expertise in sustainable building techniques with the Mudstrawlove Green Building Lecture.

Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m. in the Amphitheatre will be Campus J$1.+"!"01+"&2* U1-* %"+/* ($#8"0$* projects for anyone willing to participate.

Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in the Culp Center Forum Room, there will be a showing of “Kilowatt Ours,” a solution‐ &#"$2+$3* 3&0.7$2+1#-* !",7* examining energy‐related problems.

Wednesday, April 17, at 3 p.m., Borchuck Plaza outside the Charles C. Sherrod Library will be the gathering point of the ETSU Bike Parade, with participants traversing the campus in support of alternative transportation.

Also on April 17 at 7 p.m. in Sam Wilson Hall room 334, there will be a screening of “The Island President,” a documentary about

President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives as he faces the plight of his islands, one of the world’s most low‐lying countries, faced with waters rising due to climate change.

Also on April 18 at 7 p.m. in Rogers‐Stout Hall room 102 at 7 p.m., the Frontline documentary “Climate of Doubt” examines the information and misinformation surrounding the concept of climate change.

Monday, April 22, from 10 a.m.‐2 p.m. in Borchuck Plaza, the ETSU Earth Day Festival will offer information, activities and celebration.

For a full schedule of events, visit http://gogreen.etsu. edu. For further information, contact the ETSU Department of Sustainability at (423) 439‐7766 or gogreen@etsu.edu.

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 21

Broadway’s Next Hit Musical

Clayton Center for the Arts April 6th The Clayton Center for the Arts closes out 2012‐2013 Season with “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical April 6.

On April 6, the Clayton Center for the Arts will bring back Dinner Theatre to the Grand Foyer with Broadway’s Next Hit Musical. A buffet dinner will be provided by Maryville catering company First Fruits at 6:30 pm with the show at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are $75 for dinner and the show and may be purchased by calling 865‐981‐8590 or at www.claytonartscenter.com After the success of “An Evening with Groucho” the

!"#(+* ($1(&2A* ;F$0.+"8$* U"#$0+&#* Robert Hutchens knew he wanted to have dinner theatre again. “ Someone suggested I look at Broadway’s Next Hit Musical and the premise seemed perfect for a dinner theatre. The cast interacts with the audience, which suggests a more intimate gathering, which the dinner theatre will be.” The concept is that these master improvisers gather made up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor and (&24)* U.#"24* +/$* !"#(+* 10+A* +/$* actors come up with songs from

titles suggested by the audience.

The audience votes for their favorite song and the cast turn it into a full‐blown improvised musical for the second act.

Audience members can go to www.broadwaysnexthitmusical. com after June 1, 2013 and vote for their song to receive a “Phony Award”. The favorite song from the Clayton Center show will compete with songs such as “Lincoln was no Saint.” “Back Woods Huntin’ “ and “Outa My Yard Mister”.

The performance will close the Clayton Centers third season.

“We have had a successful season and have provided our audiences with theatre, music and laughter.

M$* 1#$* !"21,"T"24* 2$F+* ($1(&2* and look forward to announcing it soon.” Says Hutchens.

The Clayton Center for the Arts, located on the Maryville College campus and constructed through a unique partnership between the College and the cities of Maryville and Alcoa, is East Tennessee’s newest venue for arts and entertainment.

Page 22, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

Spring Galaxies Make for Celestial Contemplation Nothing makes me contemplate the why and wherefore of the Universe more than looking at a galaxy in my backyard through a telescope.

Here on my own piece of earthly real estate, photons of light are hitting the back of my eyeball after traveling, let’s say, 35 million miles at the speed of

light.

The galaxy I’m looking at has a designation of M‐104, and is called the Sombrero Galaxy. It is just one of dozens of galaxies that anybody can see through a a modest telescope.

It’s spring galaxy time! The entire southeastern night sky is an open window into our

celestial neighborhood in the vast Universe.

Most of the year the nights are !",,$3*%"+/*,&+(*&B*2$1#5-*(+1#(*"2* our own Milky Way Galaxy.

But during the months of April and May, our orbit around the Sun places Earth in an area where we can look away from our own Galaxy and into the the rest of the Universe. And much of it is occupied by galaxies of all sizes and shapes but containing thousands of millions of stars.

There is no Moon in the evening skies for the next two weeks, and amateur astronomers everywhere are getting out their telescopes. At 9 pm DST, the huge constellation of Virgo occupies the southeast part of the night sky, and it is absent of any bright stars except one exceptionally bright one, called Spica.

Virgo is famous for its dozens &B* 41,1F"$(* $1(-* +&* !"23* %"+/* 1* backyard telescope. This area of the night sky is known as the Realm of the Galaxies. We are literally looking out a window away from our Milky Way, and seeing our neighbors.

The famous Virgo Cluster contains some 3,000 members that lie some 65 million Light Years away. That means that the light we see tonight in our telescopes left those galaxies when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!

Now a backyard stargazer can’t see all 3,000 members of the Virgo Cluster, but we can see a couple dozen. Photons from unfathomable distances stimulate the visual sensors of the human eye, and the stargazer’s brain processes the starry information.

And there are galaxies all over the Spring night sky, just beyond the eyesight of mere mortals.

High overhead are the familiar stars of Leo the Lion, who’s boundaries are also full of distant stellar islands of billions of suns.

Toward the north, Ursa Major and its famous Big Dipper outline is also chock full of galaxies.

In a the eyepiece of a backyard telescope at around 150 power, any distant galaxy Continued on page 23

www.theloaferonline.com Continued from page 22

looks like a gray smudge.

Amateur astronomers fondly refer to them as “faint fuzzies.”

In fact, modern photography in the 1900s was needed to make the distinction between the gaseous clouds of nebulae from the similar looking galaxies.

Some of the smudges look like cigars, others have a pinwheel shape. From our line of sight, we see some galaxies edge on, some tilted at various angles, and others full face. There are hundreds of spring galaxies out there in tonight’s night sky just beyond human eyesight, but waiting discovery by a modest backyard telescope.

The faint fuzzies seen with an average backyard telescope were categorized by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th Century. His famous list of 110 “M” objects are what newbie amateur astronomers cut their teeth on. We see M‐66 and M‐67, two spiral galaxies nearly side by side in Leo, in our telescopes just like Messier did.

But visual astronomers

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 23 like Messier didn’t know the exact nature of what they were looking at. They had no idea that these tiny “clouds” were actually immense aggregates of stars.

In fact, its only been 100 years ago when astronomers like ;3%"2* O.55,$* !"4.#$3* &.+* +/$#$* 1#$* &+/$#* 41,1F"$(* !",,$3* %"+/* billions of stars throughout an immense Universe.

Today, the Hubble Space Telescope has visually shown the existence of thousands of millions of galaxies in the Universe. Each galaxy containing thousands of millions of stars... which makes billions and billions of possibilities for the existence of intelligent life in the Universe.

I turn my telescope to M‐104 in Virgo with only 150 power.

It is a gigantic spiral galaxy that we see edge on, and resembles a Mexican sombrero hat, even in a small telescope. Photos show a bulging center ringed by a dark, dusty lane on its rim. The images from the Hubble Space Telescope are spectacular of the Sombrero Galaxy, some 35 million Light Years away.

In a backyard telescope, I can see the Sombrero Galaxy as a gray, fuzzy bar with a dark line in its center and a noticeable central bulge. I’m seeing the the combined light from billions of stars. That faint fuzzy I’m seeing in my telescope is 35 x 6 trillion miles away (according to the data in a handy reference and star map book). That light has been traveling at 186,000 miles a second for 35 million years to reach my eyes.

I know it’s all hard to understand. The idea to grasp is that our Sun, our Milky Way Galaxy, even our own Local Group of two dozen galaxies, are not alone in the Universe.

There are more stars in the Universe that there all the grains of sand on all the beaches all over the Earth. Times a million!

There are billions of galaxies in every direction we look. And these galaxies are attracted by gravity into clusters and

superclusters of galaxies whose spacial immensity boggles even the minds of the world’s most brilliant cosmologists.

Our cosmos is beyond our comprehension.

Yet, with a telescope costing just hundreds of dollars and a 4&&3*(+1#*716A*E*012*!"23*1*3&T$2* distant galaxies in an hour.

And with the visual impression of light from a distant world, like M‐104, the Sombrero Galaxy, I can later look up the photographic image of the galaxy and the factual data.

Then, I think, what are the odds that there are planets orbiting some of the stars of M‐104, and what are the possibilities that just one of those stars has life?

My imagination can roam from my backyard to worlds beyond our own Milky Way. That’s why every chance we’re able, amateur astronomers like myself relish the chance to see a galaxy through any telescope.

And looking across the cosmos through my telescope, I imagine.

Page 24, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 2, 2013

www.theloaferonline.com

Celestial events in the skies for the week of April 2‐8, 2013, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

The sky is changing quickly from the winter constellations of many bright stars to the somewhat “quieter” large and sprawling constellations of spring. The difference is the position of our Earth in its orbit about the Sun. Springtime is when we are looking away from our Milky Way Galaxy, into the Universe and the sparsely populated outer arm of our Galaxy. During summertime we are looking directly into the center of the Milky Way, and Fall and Winter we still have a lot of our starry Galaxy in front of us.

But now we are like a spaceship looking outside at the other galaxies of the Universe.

Virgo in the south and Ursa Major in the north are full of other galaxies, aggregates of hundreds of billions of stars, like our Milky Way and it’s 200 billion or so stars.

Tues. April 2 The two most recognized star patterns occupy the night sky at the same time this month. Orion the Hunter and its seven brightest stars of shoulders, knees and belt is beginning to set in the west, while the seven stars of the Big Dipper asterism of Ursa Major are in the north.

Wed. April 3 Last Quarter Moon is today at 12:37 am. Only night owls will be seeing it as it rises after 1 am DST, and keeps moving deeper toward the east. That leaves the evening hours without moonlight and only starlight.

Thurs. April 4 Look north and the famous Big Dipper is standing on its ladle, its outer two stars of the bowl pointing to the North Star, Polaris. The Little Dipper has its bowl pouring on the handle of the Big Dipper, and Polaris is the last star of the little one’s handle. Both dippers are just part of their respective constellations, Ursa Major and Minor‐‐the Big and Little Bears.

Fri. April 5 Canis Major and Canis Minor are directly south, and the two dogs each have a bright star to guide you. The brightest star of all, Sirius, is the lower one in the Big Dog, %/"0/*10+.1,,-*,&&'(*,"'$*1*(+"0'*!"4.#$*&B*1*712)**@5&8$*+/$7*"(*G#&0-&2*"2*+/$*9"++,$* Dog. To the right of Procyon, the red star Betelegeuse in Orion makes up the third point of the Winter Triangle.

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 25

Sat. April 6 On this 1965 date in space history, NASA launched Early Bird also known as Intelsat V**!"#(+*0&77$#0"1,*0&77.2"01+"&2(*(1+$,,"+$*+&*5$*6,10$3*"2*4$&(-20/#&2&.(*&#5"+) </$*;1#,-*J"#3*(1+$,,"+$*%1(*+/$*!"#(+*+&*6#&8"3$*3"#$0+*123*2$1#,-*"2(+12+12$&.(* contact between Europe and North America, handling television, telephone, and telex facsimile transmissions. It was fairly small, measuring nearly 2.5 × 2.0 feet and weighing 76 pounds. Early Bird is deactivated but still in orbit with a dozen other communications satellites 22,000 miles high like those that provide service for Dish and Direct TV. Sun. April 7 Darkness doesn’t grip the land until well after 8:30 pm, and as the night deepens in the west the bright planet Jupiter will catch your eye. In the constellation Taurus the Bull near the bright star Aldebaran, Jupiter has The Pleiades star cluster on the other side. This group will get more interesting as it gets closer to the horizon from a winter of high overhead, when most of us were inside.

Mon. April 8 The pre‐dawn sky has the crescent Moon above the horizon with the planet Mercury below it, glowing reddish in the dense 1+7&(6/$#$)*</$*6#$I31%2*"(*!",,$3*%"+/*+/$*(+1#(* of summertime, and the Milky Way.

Page 26, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

The Croods

While The Flintstones were the “modern stone‐age family”, +/$* (+1#(* &B* +/$* 2$%* !",7* D</$* Croods” are simply a “stone‐age family”.

“The Croods” is a new 3D 12"71+$3*!",7*15&.+*+/$*%&#,3:(* !"#(+*B17",-*123*+/$"#*138$2+.#$(* in the prehistoric world. We are introduced to the Croods, led by dad Grug (Nicholas Cage), as a family who are afraid to leave their cave very often lest to face the dangers of the outside world.

Their goal is simple: survival.

Grug is very protective of his

family, especially of his daughter Eep (Emma Stone), who has the constant desire to leave the cave and explore the outside world.

Also watching over Eep is her mom Ugga (Catherine Keener), who is also determined to keep her daughter and the rest of the family, including grandmother Gran (Cloris Leachman) safe.

However, one night Eep peeks out the cave opening and catches a glimpse of a glowing light, and sneaks out to locate the source of the mysterious light. Eep not only discovers the source of the

,"4/+)))!"#$)))5.+* 7$$+(* 12&+/$#* human, Guy (Ryan Reynolds), who will change the lives of the Croods forever.

As expected, Grug is not exactly thrilled with Guy, and wants nothing to do with the upstart teen and his pet sloth.

Despite misgivings toward Guy, he eventually convinces the Croods to leave their cave as the earth begins collapsing beneath them.

Guy and the family are “following the sun”, which they hope will lead them to safety.

The journey is perilous, but

when they rely on each other, and the pets they pick up along the way, they make it to safety. </$* !",7* "(* 12* 12"71+$3* B$1(+* for the eyes, and I recommend 8"$%"24* +/$* !",7* "2* +/$* SUA* 1(* there are many moments when &5K$0+(* 1#$* !,-"24* 1+* -&.#* B10$A* which may make you jump or !,"20/)* The storyline is as simple as the family, but that doesn’t deter from the proceedings. I really enjoyed the banter between Gran and Grug, which was a 3$!"2"+$*/"4/,"4/+*&B*+/$*!",7)* The actors are all well matched

with their characters, and Cage gives his best performance in years.

Perhaps like Adam Sandler, he needs to stick to vocal work in 12"71+$3* !",7()* M/",$* 0$#+1"2,-* 2&+* +/$* 5$(+* 12"71+$3* !",7* E* have ever seen, “The Croods” is nevertheless a fun animated romp for kids and adults alike.

Now if the Croods would discover Bedrock and The Flinstones in a sequel, that would truly be an epic prehistoric event. (Rated PG) B

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 27

Save the Date

I’ll just ask it: How many wedding invitations and/or “save the dates” have you gotten yet? I’m up to two, and that was BEFORE March. Of course, we live in a modern digital age, where you don’t even need paper and pen to announce the world your intentions of committing your bank account to another person. Our little digital friend, Facebook, again comes to the rescue! It seems you can’t swing a digital cat on there without hitting someone who just got engaged, and wants you to know about it.

There’s a spectrum to gauge the reaction one has when they receive a wedding or engagement notice. On one end we have the happy reactions, the kind you have when the notices all involve a close friend, or someone who you genuinely know is in love. You say things like “Aww, how sweet!”, or

“Finally! They’re gonna tie the knot!” Then we have the middle ground, “Oh, I didn’t know they were even dating.” and “I’ve not ($$2* /$#* ("20$* +/$* !"B+/* 4#13$A* guess she just wants a bunt cake pan out of me.”

Then there’s the lower end.

The end which is reserved for immediate judgmental sounding reactions. You open +/$* $28$,&6$* 123* !"23* -&.#($,B* naturally saying “Well that’s a mistake.” How about “He’s been divorced twice, she has been divorced once...”, and then there’s the classic “I hope they don’t have children.” The other 5$2$!"+*+&*+/$($*,&%*$23*#$10+"&2* recipients, is that you usually pitch them in the trash, so if you have a large number of weddings to plan out for the year, it helps with the clutter.

At the time this went to print, I’ve already seen six engagements, and know of two

weddings I’ll be going to this year. You’ll be happy to know that the weddings I’ll be going to are very much on the happy end of the reaction spectrum. Matter of fact, I knew one of them was coming clear out of the gate. I won’t bring up her name, out of fear that I might embarrass her, so we’ll call this lovely lady “A”.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, but right before Thanksgiving, “A” told me that she was practically engaged.

“We’ve talked about it, and it seems like it’s going to happen.

I’m just waiting for him to propose. I hope he does soon.” is what “A” told me. As the turkey went away, and the tinsel went up, “A”’s anxiousness over getting a ring slowly increased.

“When’s he gonna do it!? I keep dropping hints! I know he has the ring already!” was the next info I heard from her.

The anxiety subsided when on December 26th, she promptly changed her relationship status on Facebook (everything comes back to Facebook these days) to “Engaged”. This was a wedding

I was most happy to hear about, and even was on hand to get responses to music choices, dress choice, and the like. People seem to like my advice, I know, doesn’t make sense to me either.

So ladies and gents, let’s get ready for a new slew of marriage announcements and “save the date” cards coming our way.

There’s no way to stop them, and no way to end what might be a potential huge mistake for some of them. See you next week, follow me on Twitter @ ThatAndyRoss.

Page 28, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 2, 2013

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Loafer, Page 29

Page 30, The Loafer • April 2, 2013

The New Status Seekers

Vance Packard (1914‐1996), a cultural icon in the 1950s and early 1960s, is best known today for his trilogy of books about the pitfalls of American 0&2(.7$#"(7)* </$* !"#(+* 5&&'* &B* his trilogy, The Hidden Persuaders WVXYZ[A* "2!,.$20$3* 1* 4$2$#1+"&2* of public relations enthusiasts with its tantalizing and alarming tales about the ways in which often subliminal advertisements are crafted to manipulate us into buying products we don’t need. The Status Seekers (1959) used the language of the 17th century New England Puritans to warn us about the inherent 3124$#(* &B* (&0"1,* (+#1+"!"01+"&2* in the “Mad Men” era, and The Waste Makers (1960) showed us how “planned obsolescence” guaranteed the purchase of even more products we don’t need. Although his books are no longer bestsellers, and have been updated by more sophisticated research and conclusions, they still deserve a prominent place on our bookshelves.

In The Status Seekers, Packard wrote that ‘’under its gloss of prosperity,’’ Americans were becoming more socially divided and contentious as +/$-* 0&2+"2.$3* \:+&* !"23* 2$%* ways to draw lines that will separate the elect from the non‐ elect.’’ According to Packard, in the brave new world of mid‐ 20th century America the old Puritanical divisions of the elect and non‐elect have been updated to include those with and without material possessions; in Packard’s view, no one could hope to enter the promised land without a bevy of gadgets that would soon be rendered obsolete by next year’s bright and shiny new models.

I came across a couple

of online articles this week that would no doubt pique Packard’s interest were he still %"+/* .()* </$* !"#(+A* DY* N$1(&2(* You’ll Wear A Smart Watch,” appeared in “Laptop: The Pulse Of Mobile Tech”, and predicts that although most people today prefer not to wear old‐fashioned wristwatches, these same people should soon be sporting new “smart watches,” which are little more than miniaturized iPods or iPhones strapped to our 1#7()* </$* !"8$* #$1(&2(A* $10/* &B* which reveals a great deal about who we are or want to be, are (1) Smart watches “are more discreet than phones and Google Glasses,” (2) they enable us to “do more” with our voices, whatever that may mean, (3) they have longer battery life than other mobile devices, (4) they can “help you live longer,” supposedly with the many health‐related and health‐monitoring apps that are cropping up every day, and (5) they provide quicker access to vital information (i.e. Facebook) than do smart phones. Smart Watches are apparently going to be “the next big thing,” and that’s something Packard would no doubt write a new book about— The Watch Watchers perhaps?

A very interesting little piece from LiveScience, “What Your Gadgets Really Say About You,” written by Barbara E. Hernandez, sounds like an updating of The Status Seekers, and reveals how smart phones are creating social friction and division in today’s society. In a very Packardesque piece of prose, Hernandez observes that “People judge each other on what they drive, what they wear and where they live, so it’s not a surprise that people may also judge each other on what electronics they whip out

to use in public.” In fact, "3$2+"+-*+&31-*"(*3$!"2$3*"2* large part by the gadgets were choose to use. And it seems the world is quickly being divided into two broad camps—those who use Apple products and those who don’t.

And the socio‐economic divisions between these two groups are somewhat pronounced. For instance, users of Apple products make up around a third of mobile device users, and they tend to have graduate degrees, be liberal in the their political beliefs, make more than $200,000.00 a year, are extroverted, and generally describe themselves as “high maintenance.” And they tend to be female and residing in a big city.

Users of Android‐based smart phones, by contrast, tend to live in more rural areas, vote for conservative candidates, and are “10 percent more likely to be male.” Most of them have never been outside the United States, are fans of Comedy Central, and send messages via Yahoo Mail.

Commenting on how all these statistics (and there are far more than I chose to include in this brief column), Forrester

Research’s Charles S. Golvin tells us that individual devices are not as important as “ecosystems.”

For instance, “Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft all aim to translate customers’ investments — of money, information, personalization and social connections — into a 4#18"+1+"&21,* !"$,3* &B* ,&-1,+-* (&* powerful that few customers will ever attain escape velocity.” And in this no‐escape world, Apple and Samsung seem (for now,

at least) to be the main players. By the time you read this, of course, the lines of battle may have changed.

Hernandez concludes her very provocative column with the observation that ownership of a smart phone in many ways implies status the way 01#* &%2$#(/"6* 3$!"2$3* status in the 1950s. The new status seekers this time are making their mark on the world by displaying their smart phones.

All this makes me wonder what kind of person reads my column each week. If only Vance Packard were still around to write a new book called The Loafer Seekers. Now that would be some useful information.

See you next week with another example of my clever method of planned literary obsolescence as the column you 1#$* 2$1#,-* !"2"(/$3* #$13"24* "(* replaced by a brand new and hopefully improved version that will in turn become outdated the following week.

www.theloaferonline.com

April 2, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Loafer, Page 31

Page 32, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 2, 2013

www.theloaferonline.com