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Volume 28 Issue #11
Publisher - Bill Williams • Editor/Graphic Arts Director - Don Sprinkle • Office Manager - Luci Tate Cover Design - Bill May • Photography - Mark Marquette Advertising - Dave Carter, Akey Kincaid, Lisa Lyons, Terry Patterson, Pam Johnson-Bowling Contributing Staff - Jim Kelly, Andy Ross, Ken Silvers, Mark Marquette, Pat Bussard Published by Creative Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 3596, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com • 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.
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Heartwood:
Cultural Gateway to Southwest Virginia By Debra McCown
ABINGDON, Va. – It was built as a showplace for Southwest Virginia culture. Now in its third year of operation, Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway – and the comprehensive regional effort it represents – is beginning to see the fruits of success. “The communities are revitalizing, and the communities are transitioning themselves from goodsand-services centers to cultural centers,” said Todd Christensen, executive director of the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, who has worked for years on culture-based economic development efforts in the region. “They’ve become their own special places by having farmers’ markets and music venues, artisan centers, coffee shops, restaurants, and other small businesses where people can come and spend time.” It’s hard to briefly describe the kind of broad-based regional effort that’s driving this kind of economic shift. It covers an area of 19 counties and four cities, a cultural spectrum from music to craft to food to outdoor recreation, a conglomeration of collaborative projects that are too numerous to list. Heartwood is the physical, bricks-and-mortar center of that transformation – what Christensen calls “a downtown for Southwest Virginia” – which itself grew out
of a broad, regional effort with the help of local and regional leadership with both state and federal support. With an impressive interior featuring local wood and natural light, Heartwood houses a restaurant, wine and coffee bar, four craft galleries, a Southwest Virginia gift shop and The Crooked Road Store, a regional visitors’ center with videos and interactive touch-screens, and a music performance and event venue where free bluegrass concerts are offered every Thursday night. Visible from Interstate 81 beside Exit 14 in Virginia, the $16.5 million, 28,000-square-foot facility has a unique deconstructed barn design – a standout building with familiar elements. When Heartwood opened in 2011, Christensen described it as a place where travelers could get off the Interstate and “tumble down the rabbit hole” into Southwest Virginia’s unique culture – an experience of discovery that would make them want to come back for more. Heartwood brought the region’s existing cultural heritage initiatives together under one roof, with side-by-side offices that facilitate collaboration. The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail is focused on the music; the 333-mile driving
route links a variety of venues that showcase Southwest Virginia’s music; Heartwood is one of nine major venues along The Crooked Road, which also connects to numerous other music destinations. ’Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network works with hundreds of artisans throughout Southwest Virginia, promoting studios and venues throughout the 19-county, fourcity region as well as jurying the craft that’s sold at Heartwood. The creation of Southwest Virginia’s network of 15 Artisan Trails was
and community development – the development of a quality of life that’s good for the people who live here and provides jobs and opportunity – that preserves the valued traditions of Southwest Virginia’s craft, music and natural beauty. Collectively, it’s referred to as “the creative economy” – a form of economic development that relies on the value innate in the region’s culture and its people. There are no big, over-arching statistics – at least not yet – that measure the current state of progress. There have been studies look-
a project of ’Round the Mountain. The newest initiative, Appalachian Spring, is focused on developing and marketing Southwest Virginia’s outdoor recreation assets, similarly linking them together into a network that is easy for visitors to navigate and understand. The idea behind all of these initiatives – including Heartwood as the showplace – is to brand Southwest Virginia’s generations-old culture for visitors who crave places that are “Authentic, Distinctive, Alive,” It is also to engender pride in the region while giving locals and those from the surrounding area a taste of what’s available in their own backyard. The ultimate goal is economic
ing at individual areas and communities, all of them pointing to small business and job growth. Mostly there are the stories of individuals who have, for the first time, seen the opportunity to start a business in a newly revitalized hometown – or who have moved from elsewhere after a visit to the region gave them a glimpse of a special place. “There are numerous cases where people have visited these communities in Southwest Virginia and decided it was a great place to live and started a business,” Christensen said. There are also the before-and-after realities of places like Marion – where the once-collapsing Lincoln Theatre now anchors downtown
and an arts school is being developed – and tiny Glade Spring, a once-abandoned train-stop square now busting at the seams with newly renovated buildings that house new businesses.
It’s no coincidence that all over the region, downtown revitalization, coupled with renewed interest in Southwest Virginia’s culture, is taking hold. What’s happening in Southwest Virginia is truly something to behold. If you’re looking for an opportunity to delve into Southwest Virginia’s unique culture, Heartwood – the physical center of this regional movement – is a good place to start. Located off Exit 14 in Abingdon, it’s a great lunch-and-shopping stop and also hosts a variety of public events – many of them free – throughout the year. To find out more, go online to www.heartwoodvirginia.org.
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2014 Heartwood Events For more information go to www.heartwoodvirginia.org
May 8 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase: UVa.-Wise Bluegrass Band May 10 – Crooked Road Youth Music Festival May 11 – Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet May 15 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session March: May 17 – Southwest Virginia March 6 – The Crooked Road Wine Festival Open Jam Session May 22 – The Crooked Road VenMarch 8 – Artisan Demonstration ue Showcase (Margaret Rich, fiber artist) May 29 -- The Crooked Road March 13 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Youth Music Showcase: Albert Hash Memorial Band & Wy- June: theville Community College June 5 – First Thursday! Featured String Band arts event and The Crooked Road
ue Showcase and Square Dance September: Sept. 4 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Sept. 11 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase Sept. 12 – Heartwood’s Famous Seafood Buffet Sept. 18 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Sept. 25 – The Crooked Road Venue Showcase Sept. 25-27 – Abingdon Crooked Road Music Festival
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Special March 20 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session March 21 – Heartwood’s Famous Seafood Buffet March 27 – The Crooked Road Venue Showcase: Capo’s Music Store Jam March 29 – Farm to Fashion Day: Live alpacas, craft demonstrations & crafts for kids
Open Jam Session Oct. 9 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase Oct. 16 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Oct. 23 – The Crooked Road Venue Showcase Oct. 30 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session
February Feb. 20 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Feb. 21 – Application Deadline for ’Round the Mountain Spring Jury Session Feb. 27 – The Crooked Road Venue Showcase: Smyth County Jam
April: April 3 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road Open Jam Session April 10 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase: Pike City & Virginia Highlands Community College Old-Time String Band April 12 – Folk Soul Revival Concert April 17 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session April 20 – Heartwood Easter Brunch Buffet. April 24 – The Crooked Road Venue Showcase: Lays Hardware Jam May: May 1 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road Open Jam Session May 4 – Mother’s Day “Make and Take” Craft for Kids May 5 – Cinco de Mayo Lunch Special
Open Jam Session June 7 – Father’s Day “Make and Take” Craft for Kids June 12 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase June 13 – Heartwood’s Famous Seafood Buffet June 19 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session June 26 – The Crooked Road Venue Showcase June 28 – Texaco Country Showdown
October: Oct. 2 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road
November: Nov. 6 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Nov. 13 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase Nov. 20 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Nov. 22 – Christmas Tree Lighting at Heartwood Nov. 27 – Heartwood Thanksgiving Buffet
July: July 3 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road Open Jam Session July 10 – The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase July 17 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session July 24 – The Crooked Road VenDecember: ue Showcase July 31 – The Crooked Road Open Dec. 4 – First Thursday! Featured arts event and The Crooked Road Jam Session Open Jam Session Dec. 5 – Heartwood’s Famous August: Aug. 1-3 – ‘Round the Moun- Seafood Buffet tain Artisan Showcase Market at Dec, 6 – Christmas “Make and Take” Craft for Kids Heartwood Aug. 7 – First Thursday! Featured Dec. 11 – The Crooked Road arts event and The Crooked Road Youth Music Showcase Dec. 18 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Aug. 14 – The Crooked Road Open Jam Session Dec. 25 – CLOSED for the holiYouth Music Showcase Aug. 21 – The Crooked Road day. Merry Christmas from Heartwood! Open Jam Session Aug. 28 – The Crooked Road Ven-
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3rd annual
Marathon Jam The 3rd Annual Marathon Jam is an international fund raising event to benefit the Fisher House Foundation. The mission of the Marathon Jam is to gather people from all walks of life and musicians of all styles and genres from across the globe to gather together for a day of public service. In recent years, the focus of the Marathon Jam has been to give tangible support to our service members and their families as they recover from injuries sustained in the line of duty by raising money for the Fisher House Foundation. Bristol, TN will again be the only Tennessee city host site to proudly represent the state for this year’s event which will be held at the Hacienda Los Limon located @ 329 Eighth St. and Intersection of Volunteer Pkwy.(near Applebees) It will begin on Saturday, February 22nd starting at 12 noon and
will continue nonstop until midnight. Some of the best regional musicians will come together to jam and to provide music entertainment in support of this important and worthy cause. The public is encouraged to attend in order to enjoy the excellent line up of music and atmosphere. Anyone who would like to support this event by participating or by your donations rest assured that ALL the PROCEEDS will go to help our military families @ Fort Bragg Fisher House. Please put the date and times for this event on your calendars and come help support this event. For more information, please contact: Jim Graybeal (423)-646-8353 or CanJoe*John (423)-323-0174 more details about the the Fisher House Foundation or the Marathon Jam can be found at www.marathonjam.com.
Gina Sicilia Renaissance Arts Center Theatre Feb 22, 2014
Acclaimed blue artist Gina Sicilia is a dynamic roots music vocalist. Her 2007 debut recording Allow Me To Confess was nominated for a Blues Music Award “Best New Artist Debut”. While well known in the blues world, Sicilia demonstrates an array of influences from country, Americana, R&B, to pop which gives her a unique soulful voice that separates her from other singers on the scene. A bona fide
rising star, Sicilia has opened for acts such as Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, Shemekia Copeland, and others while performing at some of the biggest Blues Festivals in North America including the Ottawa Blues Festival, Pittsburgh Blues Festival, and the Bayfront Blues Festival..
“Not since Susan Tedeschi has a young female blues singer made such a strong impression...remarkable voice”. --Blues Revue In April 2013, Sicilia released It Wasn’t Real on the VizzTone Label Group and has begun picking up blues airplay on CKUT in Montreal, WRFG’s Good Morning Blues in Atlanta and WQCY’s Blues till noon w/Jerry D out of Quincy, IL and more. Gina’s Official Web Site: http://www.ginasicilia.com For complete descriptions of the Skyflight shows and to purchase tickets visit the City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts’ website: www.EngageKingsport.com or call (423) 392-8414
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Abingdon: An Arts Destination Heartwood isn’t the only creative asset in Abingdon, which has long been a center for arts and creative culture. Dating back to its frontier days, Abingdon – due to its location on the main westward migration route and availability of raw materials – has been a center for skilled artisans. For many visitors, Heartwood is
a lunch-and-shopping stop on the way to Abingdon’s Barter Theatre, the state theatre of Virginia, which has kept audiences entertained with high-quality theatre since the 1930s. Barter’s name comes from its legendary start during the Great Depression; it was founded by starving actors who invited theatre-goers to barter for admis-
sion with farm produce. Abingdon is also home to several other arts venues. The Holston Mountain Artisans shop features juried craft; after more than four decades, the craft cooperative is one of the oldest in the United States. William King Museum has art exhibits that change regularly and feature fine art and contemporary regional art as well as cultural heritage collections. The Arts Depot contains working artist studios and galleries that are open to the public. The town is also home to several art galleries and a variety of other interesting places – including a specialty olive oil shop that offers free tastings, an artisan dessert shop, and a brewery – as well as a variety of unique restaurants, antique shops and boutiques. Abingdon is also home to the Virginia Creeper Trail and is in close proximity to other outdoor recreation destinations. Go to visitabingdonvirginia.com/ to find out more!
One-Stop Shop for Southwest Virginia Wines Speaking of artisans, wine is another finely crafted product that’s taken off in Southwest Virginia in recent years. There are literally dozens of wineries in the region, and just about all of them have wine for sale at Heartwood. Heartwood is the only place in Southwest Virginia that has all of
these wines in one place, and four featured wines are always offered for tasting – for just $1 per taste! Heartwood also hosts the Southwest Virginia Wine Festival each year (put May 17, 2014, on your calendar!), a great opportunity to experience the multitude of wines that the region has to offer.
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Submit Your Art! CALL FOR ENTRY: Eighth (8th) Annual Sculpture Walk Exhibition in Downtown Kingsport, Tennessee
The City of Kingsport is seeking artwork for the Eighth (8th) Annual Sculpture Walk Exhibition in Kingsport, Tennessee. Dates for the Exhibition are May 2014 through April 2015. Works can be in any media, must be suitable for outdoors and may be functional or non-functional, temporary in nature or permanent. The temporary exhibit will be located in the heart of downtown Kingsport on Main and Broad Streets. Since 2007 the City of Kingsport has been very fortunate to purchase 12 works of art from the annual temporary Sculpture Walk exhibition and place them in the growing Permanent Public Art Collection. This has been accomplished with both private and public money and generous support from the community. Annually a full color brochure is produced and distributed. Application & required materials: www.EngageKingsport.com For additional information or to submit application: (423) 392-8414 All application materials must be received by: March 1, 2014
Free Grief Recovery Support Group offered at Meditation Center The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC) is pleased to announce a free 10week session “A Mindful Journey Through Grief: Grief Recovery Support in the Tri-Cities Community,” led by Debra Brewer, a clinically trained chaplain. The support group is for anyone who has lost someone through death; however, the program is open to anyone who has suffered a loss of any kind and wishes to learn more. To sign up for the group or learn more about it, please contact Debra Brewer at debibrewer@aol.com or call (423) 737-5162.
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SIMPLE GIFTS
Painter finds niche in creating, bringing ‘life’ to marionettes Painter Joseph Cashore has always been fascinated by puppets, especially marionettes. He saw his first marionette at a gift shop when he was 10 or 11, he says, and promptly set out to craft his own puppet from clothespins, wood, string and a tin can. “I was intrigued by it,” Cashore told phillyburbs.com. “I could see the possibilities of playing with it and doing things with it, the illusion that it could be a living thing.” He made his second puppet after college while pursuing a career in oil painting, determined to bring a fluidity of movement that would truly bring his characters to life. After many hours of study and effort, Cashore’s experimenting worked, and, since 1990, Cashore has been traveling the world engaging and enchanting audiences with the truth and poignancy of his stories and the realism of these miniature actors and animals. As the first ticketed event of Mary B. Martin School of the Arts’ spring season, Cashore Marionettes will perform Simple Gifts Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. in ETSU’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium. “Puppetry purists (and their children) will be entranced by the lifelike delicacy and details of the mastery of this blending of beautiful craftsmanship and artistry with insight and illusion,” says the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The appeal of Cashore Marionettes’ unique type of theater to both youngsters and adults is what attracted Mary B. Martin School of the Arts Director Anita DeAngelis to the performance. “We have not scheduled a lot of family-oriented programming,”
DeAngelis says. “Our primary mission is to address college-age students, and I have long wanted to do some family programming. This performance was actually created to attract children, as well as adults. It runs the gamut of human and animal emotion. There is humor, pathos, love, joy and success.”
Like most visual artists, Cashore is an observer of life, and his puppet characters stem from his everyday experiences – from seeing a homeless man on a park bench, a new mother with a baby or an elephant in a zoo. “I keep a little notebook and if I see something I think will make a good marionette piece, I’ll start to make little drawings of who I think the character is,” the artist says. “I’m trying to think of positions I have to get the body in to communicate the main theme of the piece. That’s really how the work develops.”
The themes are universal, Cashore says, although the vignettes are accompanied only by music, not words. In fact, the artist himself is not much of a talker. “I didn’t start out thinking I was going to have a career as a puppeteer,” he says. “I liked making the marionettes. I always felt I was too shy to perform with them but I started getting out in front of people and realized they are only watching the marionette if I’m any good … “Some puppeteers are masters at creating characters with the voice. I’m interested in keeping the marionette alive. That seemed to have more psychological power for the audience, to keep them more engaged. It seemed like the fewer the words, the better the piece.” In addition, the intricate design and engineering work and Cashore’s skill as a puppeteer have made his marionettes internationally renowned, DeAngelis says. “The quality of puppets is high,” she says. “Cashore has performed at the Kennedy Center and has received a grant from the Henson Foundation. The marionettes are very much artistic pieces, each one unique. It will be intriguing to see how he is able to take inanimate objects, these complex puppets, and animate them.” What is the result of all the observation, design, planning, engineering and animating? “Brilliant … spellbinding,” says the Calgary Herald. “Powerful,” says the University of Notre Dame. “Aweinspiring,” says The Toronto Sun. “Amazing … a once in a lifetime event,” says Sunrise Theater in North Carolina. “Like” ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts on Facebook and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ArtsAtETSU.
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The Search is On! Modeling in Johnson City
Tribe Model Management, downtown Johnson City’s latest business addition, specializes in scouting, developing, and placing individuals in regional and global markets. Though the business is new, the expertise is not. Director Scott Harris has developed his eye for talent with years of practice and professional assistance, including course enrollment in the photography program at Daytona State University. His journey into the trade began when he was contracted to test models for an agency in Orlan-
do, Florida; shortly after shooting and developing his craft, he and his new bride had a dream to open their own office in 1993, which is still successfully operating after 20 years and two children. Transitioning from the Sunshine State to the Volunteer State has been exciting, but Harris was brought back to the driving force of photography when he came to Johnson City to visit his brother, and owner of Tribe, Keith Harris. Together, they’re going to be diligent in their company mantra:
to ensure a fun and relaxed atmosphere that is conducive for achieving their client’s goals. As a photographer, the most important thing Scott Harris has found in his profession is the connection he maintains with his clients. “They trust you; they’re letting their guard down to capture what’s in their eyes,” says Harris. “The more open a person is the easier and more enjoyable the shoot will be. It has everything to do with communication, mood, and the incorporation of the atmosphere, but it’s also about building confidence in someone and being able to reflect that image back to them.” To Harris, it’s more than just taking a good photo: It’s a belief. His work is all about making memories and humble beginnings that traverse into the possibility of global recognition. He can’t promise you superstardom, but he can tell you that there’s a place for everyone in the industry. It’s not just a sin-
gle-person enterprise, it’s a family thing; Tribe represents models from 4 to 64, offering the opportunity for placement in the proper division. Though his move spurred a short hiatus, when posed the question, “Did you miss the business?” he replied, “With the absence of creativity, the mind has a tendency to return to a dormant state. It is important for an artist to get back to their creative side, and that was what I missed the most.” This zeal is what led him back into the industry, where he is once again reunited with the challenges and adventure of discovering the homegrown talent which abides in small American towns. So how does Tribe scout? The process of scouting models stems from many sources. For example, Lisa D., who was the 1997 U.S. representative for Supermodel of the World of prestigious Ford Models, was scouted by Harris in a mall
food court, eating pizza with her dad. Some of this process comes from referrals; it’s the initial recognition of potential, anywhere it can be found. From there, they utilize expertise, knowledge, and contacts to bring about success, developing the diamonds they find in the rough. How does Tribe develop models? Once a person has been scouted and consulted, Tribe begins to chart a path geared for each individual. They mold potential of physical attributes recognized by the experts in the field, keeping in line with classic, timeless looks, as well as staying up-to-date on popular trends. With this foresight of the future, they bolster a model’s best features, like eyes, hair, and bone structure. When it comes to posing, they work with stance that is not so contrived, but embraces spontaneity. The best of the best picks, along with a model’s stats,
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are then compiled onto a composite card. These cards are an essential tool for introducing a model to a client. People ask Harris all the time “Is there really money to be made in modeling?” Absolutely! Modeling can be a part-time means to supplement your income, such as promotional modeling in local print and commercial work, or a full-time venture. Harris has signed models to top international agencies, some of which being Ford, Next, IMG, and Elite, as well as top brands, including Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hanna Andersson, and American Eagle, to name a few. Utilizing that template, Harris aims to recreate that success and bring it to Johnson City. The call is out! If you’ve always wanted to model, but weren’t sure if you have what it takes or how to go about it, we invite you to join the Tribe – Tribe Model Management. The search is on! For more information about the Tribe, log on to www.tribemodelmanagement. com and call to make an appointment for a free consultation at (423) 631-0119.
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The Daughters Rea and Adam & I at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
Far from their home in the Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounding Yosemite National Park, singer-songwriter duo The Daughters Rea will be performing at The Acoustic Coffeehouse on Wednesday, February 19 at 10 pm. The girls are traveling the country promoting the release of their debut album, “Dust and Thunder.” Johnson City’s Mal Cooper kicks off the night at 8 pm. The show is free. The daughters of late folk musician David Rea, the girls grew up listening to the licks their father played as a guitarist for Ian & Sylvia Tyson, Gordon Lightfoot and
other folk icons. Both songwriters themselves, the girls subvert sweet harmonies with gutsy lyricism, creating a powerful, energetic sound with dark edges that transcends their folk roots. Their subject matter ranges from wistful odes to their mountain home to haunting stories of loves lost and hearts broken. In their few years together, Sarah (mandolin) and Caitlin (guitar) have amassed a catalog of original songs that bring to mind summers under high Sierra stars, bonfires and whiskey drinkin’ straight from the bottle.
Adam & I is set to release their self-titled debut album on February 11, 2014, after their first EP, Amelia’s Living Room Volume 1 released in late 2012. Adam & I’s sound bears the strong influence of Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ collaboration, while still retaining a unique authenticity all their own. Their simple slogan, “We Make Music . You Might Like It” simply allows listeners to decide for themselves if they connect with the songs. Adam explains, “Make no mistake. We want people to dig our music. We want people to love it! Still, the courage to be yourself,
to be honest… that’s what we’ve poured into our music. It’s a huge risk that we take, but it’s worth it.” “I’m not sure I can tell you what to expect,” says Andrea. “Who do we sound like? We sound like us.” Adam & I will be spending much of 2014 on the road. Their Our House Has Wheels tour will be coming to Johnson City’s Acoustic Coffeehouse February 20, at 10pm, in promotion of the new album. You can pick up your copy of the new record at the show, in the iTunes store, or on the duo’s website: www.adamandimakemusic.com
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Music Legend Merle Haggard to Perform at MerleFest 2014
Haggard and bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs round out the festival’s 2014 lineup
As announced earlier today via Billboard.com, legendary country music artist Merle Haggard will perform for the first time at MerleFest as he closes MerleFest 2014 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on Sunday, April 27. The festival also welcomes back MerleFest favorite Ricky Skaggs, whose Saturday, April 26, evening performance will mark the 12th time that the famed bluegrass musician has appeared in the lineup. MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 24-27, 2014, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans that takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College. As a performer and a songwriterMerle Haggard was one of the most important country artists to emerge in the 1960s, and he became a leading figure in the Bakersfield country scene in the ‘60s. While his music remained hardcore country, he pushed the boundaries of that music, drawing from all forms of traditional American music – country, jazz, blues and folk – and in the process, developed a distinctive style of his own. As a result, Haggard found his songs at the top of the charts on a regular basis. In addition to his 40 No. 1 country hits, Haggard charted scores of Top Ten songs. He has won just about every music award imaginable, both as a performer and as a songwriter, and in 1994 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His body of work easily places him beside Hank Williams as one of the most influential artists in country music. Ricky Skaggs struck his first chords on a mandolin over 50 years ago, and by age 21 was already considered a master of one of America’s most demanding art forms. Today, this 14-
time Grammy Award winner continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music and remains one of the most respected and beloved bluegrass performers in the genre. With 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated classics behind him, all from his own Skaggs Family Records label, the gifted Skaggs creates diverse and masterful tones that come from a life dedicated to playing music that is both fed by the soul and felt by the heart. The all-star lineup of Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder includes Andy Leftwich (fiddle), Cody Kilby (lead guitar), Paul Brewster (tenor vocals, rhythm guitar), Eddie Faris (baritone vocals, guitar) and Scott Mulvahill (bass, bass vocals). Skaggs’ last appearance at MerleFest was in 2008. The full MerleFest 2014 lineup is viewable at www.MerleFest.org/lineup; the daily stage schedules for the festival will be posted at the site on Wednesday, February 19. Ticket purchases for MerleFest 2014 can be made on the web at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. With more than 130 acts performing on 13 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest is an excellent entertainment value. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 10, 2014.four-day event. The annual event
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BARTER THEATRE’S 2014 Season is Here!
When there is nothing else left, hope still remains. Barter Theatre’s epic musical “Man of La Mancha” is a powerful reminder that we can choose to accept the world as it is, or hope for something better. With gorgeous songs, imaginative sets and unforgettable characters, the musical is the perfect way to kick off Barter’s ambitious 2014 season.
it a fascinating twist. Author Miguel de Cervantes becomes a character himself, sharing the story of his novel as a play within a play. When he is thrown in to a dungeon by the Spanish Inquisition, Cervantes rallies his fellow prisoners, pulling them in to the fictional world that he has created. In this bleak prison where no prisoner is likely to escape alive, their play-acting becomes more and more
“Man of La Mancha,” is the funny, imaginative musical based on the story of Don Quixote de la Mancha, directed by Barter Producing Artistic Director Richard Rose. Filled with memorable songs like “Dream the Impossible Dream” and “Dulcinea,” and “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote),” it won five Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1966. Barter Theatre gratefully acknowledges the sponsor for “Man of La Mancha,” Wells Fargo Advisors, as well as the media sponsor Charter Media. Season sponsors Alpha Natural Resources, Eastman Credit Union, Food City, Mountain States Health Alliance and The United Company help make all of Barter Theatre’s programming possible. Barter Theatre is a non-profit arts organization, and sponsorships like these (as well as contributions from individuals) help support Barter Theatre’s educational programs, outstanding professional productions, and enormous economic impact. The musical is a mix of humor, romance and tragedy, based on the classic Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes and featuring the unforgettable characters of Don Quixote, his faithful sidekick Sancho Panza, and his idealized lady Dulcinea. In the novel, the elderly Don Quixote convinces himself that he is a gallant knight, roaming the countryside to battle giants, defend his lady’s reputation, and seek honor and glory. Are the monsters real or merely windmills? And is his lady Dulcinea really a common barmaid? Others may see him as a lunatic, but he brings an irrepressible sense of optimism and adventure to every encounter. “Man of La Mancha” takes the original novel and, inspired by Cervantes’ own life story, gives
real, offering them all a temporary escape and a vision of real hope. Rick McVey (Cervantes/Don Quixote) was last seen as Javert in Barter Theatre’s 2013 production of “Les Miserables.” He expressed excitement about stepping in to the iconic role. “People are going to come in with certain expectations,” said McVey, “So you have that kind of pressure and that’s exciting and scary at the same time.” McVey is joined by Hannah Ingram as Aldonza/ Dulcinea, the fiery object of his affections, and Parris Cromer as his sidekick Sancho Panza. Cromer is known for her physical comedy in plays like “Unnecessary Farce,” and now she gets to tackle a role that is just as iconic in its own way. A cast of Barter’s Resident Acting Company fills the rest of the roles, playing desperate prisoners in a Spanish dungeon, as well as the characters Don Quixote encounters in his adventures. Is Don Quixote a madman, a fool, or a true hero? As Cervantes says, perhaps Don Quixote is sane, and the rest of the world is crazy: it might be “maddest of all, to see life as it is, not as it ought to be.” The story of Don Quixote’s quest to find meaning in a brutal, chaotic world has stood the test of time, whether in 17th Century Spain, 1960s America, or now. When he enters the prison, “Cervantes brings them a new way to live, one with real hope,” according to director Richard Rose. “He brings them hope that they can change their world and live a life of more than mere survival. He brings hope that the world is a better place together than alone, isolated, and in despair.” “Man of La Mancha” playing now at Barter’s Main Stage. For show details, dates, and information about the rest of Barter Theatre’s spring lineup, visit BarterTheatre.com or call the box office at (276) 628-3991
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Three Bizarre Worlds of Our Sun’s Family
Our favorite star has a big family of worlds that are each diverse and distinct in their size, structure and surface detail. There is Uranus wacked over on its side, and Venus rotating backwards; the planet-sized moon Titan has lakes of super cold liquid methane; the asteroid Eros has a fluffy surface of dust; and Halley’s Comet has cracked fissures that spewed ice and dust. The number of bodies in the Solar System started with the Moon and five naked eye planets, and today
is pretty much fixed by interplanetary probes and powerful telescopes like the Earth-orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. There are eight planets, 10 dwarf planets and counting, at least 179 discovered moons, millions of asteroids and billions of comets. Each is an alien world of their own. And many are dynamically involved with interactions that are unique to themselves. Let’s focus on three small moons of Saturn, each discovered more than a century ago as pinpoints of light, only to become in the 21st Century
real alien worlds with a detailed surface. Three strange worlds…Phoebe, Iapetus and Hyperion…are named after the Titans of Greek mythology. In the telescope era of discovery of the 17th and 18th Centuries, astronomers agreed to keep a theme for each planet’s moons and features. Phoebe is the farthest out of this unique trio, 8 million miles from the cloud tops of Saturn. Phoebe has the distinction of being the first moon discovered with photography, imaged by Charles Pickering and staff at the Harvard College Observatory in 1899. It revolves around Saturn clockwise, instead of counter-clockwise like its other 61moons. When Voyager 2 flew through the Saturn System in 1981 it captured some data about Phoebe, an oval sphere at 135 miles in diameter. Beginning in 2004 NASA’s orbiting spacecraft named Cassini has made close passes of Phoebe and sent back amazing images of a battered world. Phoebe is most likely a captured Kuiper Belt object, half ice and half rock with hundreds of deep impact craters that have dark bottoms and bright ridges. The impacts have tossed dark material into space, creating a unique distant and diffuse ring 7 million miles from the last bright rings. Phoebe is small, but makes quite an impact…as discover reading on. Four times closer to Saturn than Phoebe is Iapetus, 930 miles wide and Continued on page 15
www.theloaferonline.com Continued from page 14 two million miles from Saturn and its ring system. In 1671 it was the sixth satellite discovered in the Solar System and second around Saturn. The famous French astronomer Giovanni Cassini saw it on the west side of Saturn, but nobody would see it on the east side of its orbit. It was 34 years after he discovered it that Cassini finally saw Iapetus on the east side of Saturn, some 6 times fainter. The astronomer whom the Cassini division of the rings is named after realized Iapetus was tidally locked and had two distinct hemispheres, one bright and one dark. Again, the $3 billion Cassini orbiter (named for the legendary astronomer) has solved the puzzle of this light and dark world—and Phoebe plays a role. Iapetus’ occasionally dips into some of the diffuse debris ring that impacts on Phoebe have created hundreds of millions of years ago. The leading edge of Iapetus is bombarded by the dark debris that floats inward by Saturn’s gravity. Meanwhile, the backside of this unique moon is covered in ice. Iapetus could be called the “walnut” as the rather large moon has a high ridge circling the equator—a feature seen nowhere else in the Solar System. Finally there is Hyperion, the eighth satellite discovered around Saturn after a hiatus of 59 years when no new Solar System moons were found. American father-son astronomer team of William and George Bond found it in 1848, about a million miles from Saturn’s outer ring. But it would be the Cassini spacecraft in 2005 that revealed it to be an irregular body 204 miles by 133 miles. Close-up images of Hyperion are amazing, reminding one of a porous sea sponge. Spacecraft data shows it is mostly ice with dark rock, and battered with craters, including one that covers a third of one side. Indeed, Hyperion is like a gigantic, dirty and partially melted snowball, possibly so light and fragile that another big impact might destroy it! Since their discovery, it took centuries to understand the true nature of these three intriguing moons of Saturn. Thanks to the amazing data from the Cassini mission, planetary scientists understand the true nature of Phoebe, Iapetus and Hyperion. They are just three of the 179 moons in our own Solar System that not only intrigue us, but teach us the physical potential of alien worlds elsewhere.
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Arts Array presents
“Out of the Furnace” The Arts Array Film Series presented by Virginia Highlands Community College is in its 43rd year. All films are presented at the Abingdon Cinemall on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and again at 7:30 pm. “Out of the Furnace” (February 24 and 25) Russell and his younger brother Rodney live in the economically-depressed Rust Belt, and have always dreamed of escaping and finding better lives. But when a cruel twist of fate lands Russell in prison, his brother is lured into one of the most violent and ruthless crime rings in the Northeast - a mistake that will almost cost him everything. Once released, Russell must choose between his own freedom or justice for his brother. The Arts Array Film Series is part of the comprehensive cultural outreach program of Virginia Highlands Community College. The series is co-sponsored by the Abingdon Cinemall, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Emory& Henry College, Virginia Intermont College, and
King University. Admission to the films is free for the faculties and students at the supporting institutions. Members of the general community may attend for $7.75. For a brochure on the series or more information, please contact Tommy Bryant at 276-739-2451 or email him at tbryant@vhcc.edu.
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www.theloaferonline.com After Valentine’s Day, anticipation grows for Easter Sunday, and this year it is very late, April 20th. Last year in 2013 Easter Sunday was on March 31. So, why so late this year, 2014? It all has to do with the Full Moon. The date for Easter is the first Sunday after the first Full Moon that occurs after the Vernal Equinox (the 2014 first day of Spring is March 20). That Full Moon falls on April 15, a Tuesday early morning that will see a total lunar eclipse beginning at 3:30 am! So, the next Sunday is April 20th, and the date for Easter is set. In 2015, Easter Sunday will be April 5th. Tues. Feb. 18 On this 1930 date in astronomy history, Clyde Tombaugh discovered “Planet X” on photographic plates after two years of intense searching. Called the ninth planet Pluto until 2006, it is now classified as a “dwarf planet,” joining another dozen objects its size and larger that in a distant region called the Kuiper Belt.
Wed. Feb. 19 In the after midnight skies, the Moon travels in Virgo the next three days, moving from bright white star Virgo to reddish planet Mars. Earth is lapping the Red Planet in our two year “opposition” of the planets close approach to each other. Mars is getting brighter and will peak at its closest distance to Earth, 57 million miles, on April 13.
February 18, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 17 Thurs. Feb. 20 On this 1962 date in space history, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in space, his three orbits in
Skies This Week Celestial events in the skies for the week of Feb. 18-24, 2014, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
the Mercury spaceship making him a national hero. The 92-year-old former US Senator also spent nine days aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998 at age 77, still the oldest human to travel in space. Fri. Feb. 21 Orion with bright planet Jupiter in Gemini above it dominates the late winter night. There are several deep sky wonders to see in Orion, even with binoculars, including the Great Nebula, or M-42, in the hunter’s dagger that dangles from his belt of three bright stars. Sat. Feb. 22 Last Quarter Moon is today 12:16 pm, and it will rise around midnight. But you can see it directly south in the morning daylight, a beautiful sight against our blue sky. Sun. Feb. 23 February was the last month of the year in early Roman times when around 680 BC Emperor Numa Pompilius added January and February to the previous 10 month calendar to create the winter season. Mon. Feb. 24 Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, is directly south at 9 pm. It is also called the “Dog Star,” as it is in the Big Dog, Canis Major.
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“Vampire Academy” The “B Movie” Adventure
For some reason I have developed an attraction to what I consider “B movies”. These types of movies typically have a bit of “cheesiness” to add to the proceedings. The most recent example of my “B movie” adventure would be “Vampire Academy”. The title alone is enough to add cheese to your cracker. The series, (shock!) is based on a series of Young Adult novels, which began in 2007, and have reached a total of six.
For film fans unfamiliar with the series, the story follows Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch), a Dhampir, which is a half human/vampire, who guard the Moroi, peaceful, mortal vampires which live discretely in our world. Rose purpose in life is to protect the Moroi, in particular Lissa Dragomri (Lucy Fry) from the bad, immortal vampires, which are know as Strigoi. How can one tell the Strigoi from the Moroi’s? Well, they have red
eyes and a very bad attitude. The story opens with Rose and Lissa living outside the Academy, after they fled the school in order to protect Lissa, who is actually Princess Vasilisa Dragomir, and being the last of her line, is in danger. Rose and the princess are eventually caught by other Dhampir’s and taken back to the Academy. What is the Academy like? Imagine Hogwarts crossed with any university with a dash of “90210” type actors thrown in for good measure and you get the idea. Despite the fact the Academy is filled with vampires, there are still the typical cliques you see in any high school. The difficulties of high school are further driven home when the Lissa returns and is almost immediately rejected by everyone, until she figures she can use her special power to “persuade” her fellow classmates to be her friend. Meanwhile, while Rose is training and watching after Lissa, she develops a huge crush on Dimitri (Danila Kozlovsky), a Dhampir trainer at the school. No sooner than you can cue up “Hot for Teacher”, the two are fighting their mutual attraction as not to be distracted from the danger and melodrama at the school. During the course of the story, we learn Lissa is to be used as part of a devious plot by the vile Victor Dashkov (Gabriel Byrne). As with any good movie villain,
Victor has plenty of time to overemote and spout snappy dialogue. Speaking of snappy dialogue, Rose also has plenty of time to spout her own, and several swipes are made
at the “Twilight” series. In the end, as expected, the good vampires win out, but not without the filmmakers showing us pending doom coming from the Strigoi, who set the stage for the possible sequel. Overall, the actors were fine for the subject matter, and I was pleased to see Sarah Hyland, of televisions “Modern Family”, almost unrecognizable in the role of the geeky Natalie. Lead actress Deutch is as perky as they come, and helps keep the film enjoyable. For a film classified as an action/comedy/fantasy/horror/ mystery, we get dashes of all the aforementioned. Overall, while “Vampire Academy” may not “take a bite” out of the box office, it would certainly be at home on the CW Network. (Rated PG-13) B
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Psychic Pat Bussard Returns to Star Museum
Noted Appalachian psychic Pat Bussard, recently returned from three days of appearances in Atlanta, will give 7:30 p.m. gallery readings on two Friday nights during both February and March, at Abingdon’s Star Museum. She’ll be addressing patrons’ spiritual concerns on February 21 and 28, and March 14 and 21, encompassing the last gasp of winter and the first blush of spring. The event will last each evening until approximately 9:45. Bussard will seek contact with those in spirit whom visitors wish to contact, or address spoken concerns to her guardian guides, conveying their suggestions and observations from beyond the veil. The sometime contributing columnist for ‘The Loafer,’ and the author of ‘30 True Tales of the Weird, Unusual & Macabre,’ Bussard has upcoming appearances at Pittsburgh’s Horror Realm convention, Cincinnati’s Horror Hound Weekend, Newport News’ ParaCon and Lynchburg’s ParaQuest. But she loves returning to Star Museum for its “incredible vibrations, haunted history, and as the place where I began exercising my spiritual gift during public appearances. I’ve grown so much since I first started at Star Museum last September. My insight has become focused, deeper, more grounded. ” “I also have to say it’s the only place I’ve given messages where bells have been heard to ring! It’s a one-of-a-kind setting for paranormal investigation.” Bussard believes her gift of third generation psychic mediumship is meant to be used to help people find direction: “Your path is your path. Living offers us a lot to utilize. Messages from spirit offer those interested an insight, a tool. Anxiety is so epidemic in modern living, people rarely take time to hear the authentic still voice within, which may be drowned out by the critical voice. Spiritual wisdom strengthens a person, clears emotional baggage and help hone their own spiritual instincts.” Bussard’s gallery readings create an opportunity to receive guid-
ance for less than her private fee of $125. Admission is $40 each. After making reservations, folks are encouraged to arrive by 7:15 p.m., at 170 East Main Street, uptown in Abingdon’s historic district. They should avoid auraclouding alcohol prior to a reading, and be prepared to turn off their cells for a time just exceeding two hours. All Friday night programs will begin promptly. Paid reservations should be secured in advance by going online to eventful.com, and typing in ‘Pat Bussard.’ Or visitors may pay in cash at the door once a reservation
is confirmed with either Bussard’s associate, Jennifer Woodward, at 276-698-1092; or Star Museum’s Robert Weisfeld, at 276-608-7452.
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My Sochi Adventure
I was surprised and excited when The Loafer asked me if I’d be willing to go and cover the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Naturally I said yes, and after equipping myself with a ton of winter gear from L.L. Bean, I boarded an airplane and off I went. There’s been many reports about the conditions of the hotels in Sochi, and let me tell you, from a first hand experience, those reports are absolutely correct. It’s as if someone decided to use the first level of the N64 Goldeneye game as a style guide. When these winter games are over, the leftover incomplete hotels can be marketed as the first accommoda-
tions in line with a “Choose Your Own Adventure” theme. Standing in the potato field, um, lobby of my hotel, I looked to the left, then to the right. To the left looked like a mishmash of treachery that could have been passed off as a low rent attempt at a Russian version of the 90s kids game show, Legends of the Hidden Temple. I went to the right, and found a moderately clean hallway leading towards the rooms. Moderately clean, outside of the three live electric wires, dead rodents, and empty vodka bottles. My room was, considering what I had seen so far, nice. The bed appeared to be habitable, and the 56k Dial
Up internet was something to behold. There was a TV on the wall, which surprised me, however it only received one channel. A channel made of nothing but an endless loop of shirtless pictures of Vladimir Putin, with The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me?” playing on repeat. The bathroom was warm, which was nice, it was small and cozy. The shower only worked once during the day, and the toilet wasn’t so much a toilet as much as a bucket with a note attached to it that informed me that once a day, a man named Klauss would dispose of whatever was inside it. The first night in my room was OK, I slept some, but it was hard to drift off to sleep with the constant sounds of ferrets crawling around in the walls. Waking the following morning, I washed myself as quickly as I could and left my hotel. The road to the the arena where the game I was going to cover was bumpy, and felt like I was on a ride at Disneyland. Sochi had done their best to give the town a look of olympic glory, and a large velvet painting of Tonya Harding was alongside the venue I ar-
rived at. The venue was where the ice skating would be taking place, but at the time I was there, there was no ice skating going on. Instead there was a children’s game taking place called “Jump the Fish,” which is exactly what it sounds like. Kids dressed in parka’s jumping over fish on ice. I’m sure it was the type of quality event that lived up the standards that a stadium with a velvet painting of Tonya Harding outside of it would have. I decided to return to my hotel instead of chronicling this fascinating game. I returned to my room to discover that Klauss had done his duty. There was a press luncheon in the newly constructed hotel ballroom, that they literally just finished an hour before the event. I took my seat at the table I was assigned to, and the entertainment began. The Russian Police Choir was there singing, they wowed everyone at the opening ceremony with their version of Daft Punk’s hit “Get Lucky,” but equally impressive is their rendition of “Do The Funky Chicken.” The luncheon began when I was served a piece of cheese shaped like their presi-
dent on a cracker, the menu simply referred to this as “A Putin on A Ritz.” There was vodka to go with all of this, no surprise, and I was thankful for it, as the main course, some type of poached fish, looked eerily enough like the same fish the children were jumping over not too long ago. Thank heaven Tums travel well. As I pondered the rest of my day, I came to the conclusion that I didn’t like the idea of a man named Klauss emptying my bucket, jumping the fish, or presidential cheese, though the vodka was nice. I made a phone call, and left Sochi for a long plane ride back to the good ole U.S of A. I went home, took a hot bath, and was thankful for the little things in life, like indoor plumbing. See you next week.
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Things we can’t see or understand: A Tail of Quantum Computing and Pixels Several years ago—about 23 to be more or less exact—a reader accused me of writing about stuff no one could understand. In other words, she said my columns were way above everyone’s head and that I should stop writing them out of consideration for my readers’ sanity and peace of mind. Well, I ignored her suggestion and here I am still writing about things that some people may or not be able to understand; I can only hope I’ve developed some clarity over the years because that is the only letter I have received with those somewhat distressing accusations of obfuscation (see, there I’ve done it again). So, to continue my tradition of confusing and baffling my audience, I am going to write about some things this week that even I can’t understand. We can only hope my dear reader of so many years ago has hung in there each week, praying that one column might contain something that actually makes sense. Well, she will be out of luck this week. So, if you’re ready, let’s see how much confusion we can create. This should a fairly easy task, because politicians and legislators perform this kind of service on a daily basis. I will warn you at the outset that I know little to nothing about physics or computer science, although I am fascinated by the prospect of all the things I might learn if only I knew the right questions to ask. So, bear with me as I dive into the wild, wonderful, and
arcane world of quantum physics. What we are talking about specifically is a neat little device called the Quantum Computer, designed and marketed by a firm called DWave. Operating out of Burnaby, a small town near Vancouver, Canada, this company has the blessings (and the money) of backers such as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and the entrepreneurs who bankrolled Skype and Tesla Motors. Costing a mere ten million dollars, D-Wave’s brainchild, the D-Wave Two (no mention is
doing many (i.e. billions and billions and beyond) functions at the same time, going beyond a mere mortal’s capacity to comprehend what the heck is going on. In the current (as I write, that is) issue of Time, we are asked to think of classical computing as one person walking around by him or herself surveying a mountain range, one hill and valley at a time; quantum computing is like an army of surveyors looking at multiple points at the same time while walking every which way. All this multiple
with certainty that the D-Wave Two is actually doing quantum physics or is just doing things faster than the normal classical computer. The reason why this is so is that no one really understands quantum physics when they see it (or don’t see it, which is one of the more fascinating things about this whole mess—we can’t really observe quantum physics but can only suppose that it’s taking place as it should). I’m sure I will get lots of mail from all the physics experts out there for my oversimplifications and misunderstandings. But, this is apparently the name of the game when it comes to quantum supercomputing—the more confusing and the more baffling, the more powerful it is and the more our lives are going to be revolutionized once we have access to it, even if we will never know what the heck it is. If you want to delve into this in more detail—at the risk of getting even made of a D-Wave One), promises computing stuff is called super- more confused and frustrated—I to radically change the world of positioning—the idea that “bits urge you to look up the famous computing as we know it. Com- could be 1, or 0, or 1 and 0 at the Schrodinger’s Cat theory. So, let’s leave quantum puting-As-We-Know-It is based same time.” Being released from on classical computing, which is the limitations and boundaries computing behind before I experia system whereby all informa- of classical computing, quantum ence a total meltdown, and move tion and computation is based on computing will take computing on to something a little more fathe manipulation of strings of 1s to the next level, giving us powers miliar—our cherished high-defand 0s. All these computations, as never before seen, or understood. inition TVs (or monitors, as they complex and as speedy as they are, Apparently, the possibilities for are more properly termed). Here, are basically being performed in a production and problem-solving in a product field that changes with each season (remember the serial fashion—that is, one step are staggering, to say the least. at a time. Quantum computing, There is one hitch, how- dilemma about whether to buy a on the other hand, is capable of ever. At present, no one can say plasma or a LCD screen?), we now
have the next “big thing”—Ultra HD TV (aka 4K)—that promises the most defined and spectacular images human beings have ever seen. Or, never seen, as the case may turn out to be. Right now, there is a heated debate going on about whether or not the human eye can tell the difference between the increased number of pixels generated by Ultra HD TV and our current, and soon to be oldfashioned, Hi-Def screens. According to the online NBC News Technology blog, DisplayMate Technologies’ Raymond Soneira believes that “A regular human isn’t going to see a difference” between the old and the new when it comes to Hi-Def. I wonder if an “irregular human” can tell the difference? So, it appears that, owing to the physiological and neurological limitations of our eyes, the money we spend on this impressive new 4K TVs will be wasted. Why not just keep our “old” LED TVs and use the saved money to place a down payment on a new D-Wave Two? That way, you will trade a TV with sharp images you can’t see for a computer you can’t possibly understand. Is this a great world, or what? So many choices and so many things that are beyond or comprehension. I guess we should get used to the fact that we are going to become immersed in a world of things that defy comprehension—like death, taxes, and legislators. Now that I’m finished with this week’s column, you can rest your brain and I can await the deluge of letters once again accusing me of going way over my readers’ heads. Obfuscation is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? See you next week with something a little more comprehensible but maybe not readable—how about a 4K version of “Kelly’s Place” composed on my D-Wave One?
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