Page 2, The Loafer • August 16, 2011
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August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 3
August 16, 2011 Volume 25, Issue 36
Publisher - Bill Williams Editor - Mike Clark Office Manager - Luci Tate Cover Design - Bill May Graphic Arts Director - Don Sprinkle Photography - Mark Marquette
Classic Covers: The Bill May Collection
Contributing Staff Jim Kelly, Andy Ross, Ken Silvers, Mark Marquette, Sam Jones, Pat Bussard Advertising Dave Carter, Akey Kincaid, Mark Marquette, Andrea Morgan, Lisa Lyons Published by Creative Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 3596, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com e-mail: loaferboss@gmail.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.
For Notes of Interest, visit www.theloaferonline.com, and download this week’s issue.
Page 4, The Loafer • August 16, 2011
Appalachian Fair celebrates 85th season
The opening night of the Appalachian Fair is always exciting. And it is particularly exciting for the young women who are vying for the title of “Fairest of the Fair” for 2011. The fair opens on Aug. 22 and continues through Aug. 27. The Fairest of the Fair contest will be staged at 8 p.m. on opening day at the Museum Stage. The winner will preside at this year’s fair; she will also receive a cash award and represent the Appalachian Fair in the Tennessee Fairest of the Fair contest in January. The requirements are that a contestant must have reached her 16th but not her 21st birthday on or before Dec. 31. She must be a resident of Tennessee. The costume must be formal and of floor length. The contestants will be judged on beauty, poise and personality. Brittany Holloway is the 2010 Fairest of the Fair and she will crown the new queen on Aug. 22. The Fair has a full schedule of entertainment on the Museum Stage this year and some new exciting acts, “Richard Storey, president of the Appalachian Fair, said. The fair opens on Aug. 22 and continues through Aug. 27 at the fairgrounds. The Little Miss contests will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The Youth Talent Contest is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25. The winner will go on to compete in the Youth Talent show at the Tennessee Valley A&I Fair in Knoxville in September. Savannah Jack will set the stage at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday Aug. 26. The annual Baby Show will be on Saturday, Aug. 27. Main stage shows will again be nightly at 8 p.m.
On Monday Jerrod Niemann will be performing. His hits include One More Drinkin Song , What Do You Want , Lover Lover and many more. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Frankie Ballard will be performing on the main stage. Hits include A Buncha Girls.
Wednesday, Aug. 24, Thompson Square, who sings Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not, and I Got You.
Thursday, Aug. 25, Colt Ford, who performs She Likes to Ride in Trucks, Chicken and Biscuits and many more. Friday, Aug. 26, will be Justin Moore. His hits include Small Town USA, If Heaven Weren’t So Fair Away and many more.
Saturday, Aug. 27, Bradley Gaskin will be taking the stage. His current hit is Mr. Bartender. On sale are season passes. A 3-day season pass is $18 and a six-day season pass is $36. Ride tickets are again half price if purchased before opening day of the fair. A sheet of 22 tickets will be $11. A $3 transaction fee will apply to all advanced sales. Free grandstand seating is available with gate admission of $8 for adults and $3 children 6-11 when accompanied by an adult. Fair ticket office is open July 30 through August 21, Monday – Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. Visit the website at www.appalachianfair.com
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Photos by Mike Clark, 2010 Appalachian Fair For more info on the fair, check pages 20 & 21
August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 5
Page 6, The Loafer • August 16, 2011
INAUGURAL EXHIBIT OF THE GRACE BRADING SPURRELL GALLERY FEATURES THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF JEFFREY STONER An Opportunity for a Dream, the inaugural exhibit in the Grace Brading Spurrell Gallery in the new Tipton-Haynes Exhibit Hall in Johnson City, TN features the fine art images of photographer Jeffrey Stoner. The exhibition will be on view from September 24 to December 3, 2011. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stoner will discuss his work in the gallery during a reception at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 24 following the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Exhibit Hall. Stoner’s color and black-and-white images show the connection between TiptonHaynes in northeast Tennessee and the founding of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains. The exhibit includes images of the historic structures of Tipton-Haynes and Cades Cove as well as the beautiful landscapes of the Great Smoky Mountains. Tipton-Haynes was settled in 1784 by Colonel John Tipton. Tradition says the site was visited by both the Cherokee and Daniel Boone prior to Tipton’s arrival. French botanist and explorer Andre Micheaux stayed with Colonel Tipton while traveling through the area. It was also the site of the Battle of the Lost State of Franklin which pitted the forces of State of Franklin Governor John Sevier against those of Tipton and the North Carolina militia. That battle ended the last hope of Franklin becoming the 14th State. The settlement of Cades Cove took the combination of the foresight of Revolutionary War veteran Colonial William Tipton, John Tipton’s son, in acquiring the first land grant in the Cove and the courage of the first settlers, Carter County’s John and Lucretia Oliver and their young daughter. The Olivers arrived in late fall and only survived the winter of 1818-1819 with the help of the Cherokee Indians. William Tipton and many of his extended family settled in Cades Cove and he was instrumental in the formation of its first church. Jeffrey Stoner is known for making photographs that capture the essence of place. His passion is to capture images of the beauty and wonder that surround us. From the mystery of a trail leading through the fog, to the beauty of rhododendron flowers highlighted by the first rays of dawn, his images tell a story that touch the spirit. His fine art photographs have appeared in international, national and regional
publications. Most recently his images were published in a 22-page portfolio in the April 2011 inaugural edition of Still Point Arts Quarterly of Brunswick, ME. The Nov-Dec 2010 Appalachian Trail Journeys magazine featured his photography on the cover and a three-page portfolio inside. Regionally his photography was on the cover of the March and April 2011 editions of A! Magazine for the Arts.
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August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 7
9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition Opens for Registration and Submissions The 9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) is open for registration and submissions. Amateur and professional photographers 13 years of age and older are encouraged to submit at www.appmtnphotocomp.org prior to the competition’s close at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 18. A partnership between Appalachian State University Outdoor Programs, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, AMPC celebrates the unique people, places, and pursuits that distinguish the Southern Appalachians and attracts entries from across the United States. The Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition has grown into one the region’s most prestigious photography competitions with over 600 submissions last year and viewed in person by over 10,000 people at the Turchin Center for Visual Arts. The AMPC is made possible through the sponsorship of Virtual Blue Ridge, the premier online resource for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mast General Store is sponsoring 5 categories for this year’s competition and will be providing over $1,000 in prizes for those category winners. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is sponsoring the category Blue Ridge Parkway—A Ribbon of Road. Photographers are encouraged to capture images of the Blue Ridge Parkway that incorporate some aspect of the actual roadway itself. Those submitting images to the Blue Ridge Parkway—A Ribbon of Road will be asked to identify the Parkway location (e.g. GPS coordinates, Mile Post, or other identifying indicators of the road’s location), and describe in a short story of a paragraph or more why the Parkway is of particular significance as captured by the composition of the photograph. Entries will
be judged on creativity, impact, subject matter, center of interest, and storytelling - effectively sharing the journey by celebrating the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition offers seven separate categories that will be chosen as winners with over $4,000 in cash and prizes. Competition categories include: Best in Show; Blue Ridge Parkway; People’s Choice; Culture; Adventure; Flora and Fauna; Landscape, and Our Ecological Footprint. The Best in Show wins a $1,000 cash prize and the Blue Ridge Parkway category will win a $500
cash award. A panel of professional photographers will review all entries and narrow them down to approximately forty-six that will be displayed in exhibition at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, February 3 through June 2, 2012. From those images, the judges will select the final winners which will be showcased during the exhibition. About Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition: The AMPC is a partnership between Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs, The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
AMPC is made possible through the sponsorship of Virtual Blue Ridge, the premier online resource for the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the generous support of Mast General Stores’ sponsorship of 5 categories. Additional support is provided by Appalachian Voices; Bistro Roca, Inventive American Cuisine; Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters; and Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants. Keep up on Twitter - Follow BRPGuide using hashtag #appmtnphoto. For more information about this photography competition, please visit www. appmtnphotocomp.org, or call Outdoor Programs at 828.262.2475.
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ROSS*
ANDY
*batteries not included
So You’re Going To The Fair
The end of Summer brings several things. The first, every store with pens and pencils is fighting for your attention to attend their back to school sale. Second, there’s the act of getting the kiddies ready to go back to school, which is helped by the back to school sales and the wonderful world of new school clothes. Lastly, but not at all leastly, there’s the annual county fair. Ah, take a deep breath, smell that wonderful county fair air. Hints of fried food, car exhaust, cut grass, perfume, and body odor. I used to attend the fair quite often as a child, I actually looked forward to it. Now however, as an adult who dislikes being outside when it’s hotter than then sun, I look forward to going to the fair as it means you can get funnel cake. What does one do first when they arrive at the fair? Do you wanna take little Billy for a ride on The Inducer - which promises that he will regurgitate that corn dog you just got him before the ride is over? Or would you prefer to wander over to the pavilion and see Farmer Johnson’s Prized Corn Collection. There’s so much food to choose from! Cotton candy, pop corn, hot dogs, fried hot dogs, fried pop corn, fried cotton candy, and
everything else you can think of that you could batter dip and fry. Fried butter, fried bacon, fried Twinkies, fried brownies, fried sesame chicken, and fried sweet tea. No wonder The American Heart Association has a booth at the end of Heart Attack Lane. There’s also the livestock shows to behold. A fine display of Farmers far and wide and their cattle. It’s also the only time you can use the phrase, “Check out the rump on that heffer,” in public without someone slapping you. Wanna go on more rides? Let’s see, there’s the loop-de-loop coaster (I’d avoid the splash zone if I was you), then there’s the haunted house ride (where the real terror is if the thing’s gonna break down while you’re in it or not), and the Ferris Wheel (a very convenient way to discover if you suffer from vertigo). Head on back to the dirt track behind the main stage and get ready for the demolition derby! Watch cars with numbers sprayed on the side all run into each other for no other point than that people - and by “people” I mean men - like watching destruction (why do you think Michael Bay movies make so
much money?). Let’s go to the main stage, where the real attractions of the fair are. First up you can see a number of country singers one night, the local rip off of American Idol the next... and lastly. the beauty pageants. Ah, nothing like the Fairest of the Fair (how cute) pageant, and it’s tiny counterpart the Little Miss Fairest of the Fair pageant (Toddlers and Tiaras the home game). Soccer moms county wide all pour out of their mini-vans in order to tart their daughters out, all in the name of the trophies and glory that they were denied in their youth. As the night winds down, you’ll grab another corn dog, and head over to the games and try your best to win your beloved a cheap stuffed monkey that you could have bought at the dollar store, than the $25 you spent trying to knock down the milk bottles. You meet up with daughter, who didn’t win the pageant, and then you grab more fried food and head home. There you try to wash the smell of the fair out of your hair, while daughter tries to wash out the shame of loosing a beauty pageant. This provides fuel so that one day, when she has a daughter of her own, she can tart her out for the glory that she was denied tonight.
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August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 9
Barter Theatre Presents A Southern Exposure Barter Theatre premieres a new Appalachian work, A Southern Exposure, playing August 19 – September 10. A Southern Exposure reminds me very much of Steel Magnolias, which I directed here in 2003,” said Director Karen Sabo. “Like Steel Magnolias, A Southern Exposure is about appreciating Southern culture and our families.” “The family in this play loves one another very much and that love is sometimes comical to watch, but sometimes it is fierce and unforgiving, perhaps because it is a love so strong. But no matter what, true love, family bonds and connection to home are enduring,” said Sabo. Set in a small town in Kentucky, A Southern Exposure pulls up a chair at the kitchen table of the lives of three sisters: Hattie, Ida Mae, Mattie and Hattie’s granddaughter, Callie Belle. With doting aunts Ida Mae, who is obsessed with the Cincinnati Reds and outrageous wigs that somewhat change her personality, and Hattie, who often serves as referee between Callie Mae and Hattie’s antics and the voice of reason, we see the humorous side of a strictly female Southern family. At age 23, Callie Belle decides to follow love (she’s known the guy for three months, of course they’re in love) to New York. Hattie simply does not want to see her go and face the change that is about to take place. “A young person thinking the grass is always greener in the big city is a common and eventful theme in Appalachian stories,” said Sabo. “The question is, will Callie Belle understand the importance of her roots and what will that mean for her Grandmother and her aunts?” Callie Belle is played by Holly Williams, who has acted in various theatres across the country and has made a name for herself at Barter this year in Civil War Voices and more recently, as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Producing Artistic Director Richard Rose is thrilled to bring back three famous Barter alumnae for this world-premiere: Elizabeth St.Clair, Diane Hill Hardin and Marcie Hubert-Ledogar. All three actors were here in the mid 1950s and have gone on to highly successful careers across the country. “Marcie, Diana and Elizabeth are all incredible actors. They have a long history with Barter – as they were all three Barter
Award winners – as well as with each other. I am familiar with their work and know
how incredibly appropriate they are for the roles they will be playing in A Southern Exposure, said Richard Rose. All of us at Barter are extremely excited about their return as not only will they be incredible to watch onstage, but Barter’s Resident Acting Company and education programs will also benefit from their presence,” he added. Elizabeth St.Clair played in 500 performances of Mary, Mary on Broadway and in two national companies, she was seen as a regular on NBC soap opera Young Dr. Malone for four years and film credits include Star! with Julie Andrews, Love Machine with Dyan Cannon and Robert Ryan, and Welcome to Arrow Beach with Laurence Bottom left to right: Holly Harvey. Diane Hill Hardin met Williams, Marcie Huberthusband Jerry Hardin Ledogar, top left to right: during her time at Barter Elizabeth St.Clair, Diane Hill Theatre. Diane and Jerry performed in regional Hardin star in the worldthroughout the premiere of a new Southern play theatres U.S. and Canada before opening at Barter Theatre, A settling in Hollywood, where they moved to Southern Exposure. television and film.
Diane created Young Actors Space and has managed the careers of many young actors including Zac Efron in 17 Again, discovered and managed Jessica Beil, Robin Wright Penn’s 1st acting coach when she was on the soap opera Santa Barbara, Graham Phillips on The Good Wife, and many others. Marcie Hubert-Ledogar performed with Ned Beatty, Mitchell Ryan and Jerry Hardin while at Barter. On Broadway, she
was leading lady in the opening season of The Lincoln Center Repertory Company and also appeared in the revival of The Rose Tattoo with Maureen Stapleton. A special Southern Ladies package, complete with a Southern meal and discounted tickets is available. Call (276) 628-3991 or visit www.BarterTheatre.com to purchase tickets and to read more about the Southern Ladies Package.
Page 10, The Loafer • August 16, 2011
8th annual Culturefest coming in September
The eighth annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival will take place September 8-11 at The Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, WV. The event features two stages full of music and dance performances, workshops, a children’s village, healing arts, artisan vendors, drum circles, a parade, an after hours cabaret, camping and more. Organ-
izers call the event “a weekend long immersion in the creative arts” and “an inspired, forward thinking diversion from the norm.” The goal of the festival is to celebrate diversity and promote unity. The event has become an annual convergence of creative minds from Southern WV and has been referred to as “a creative oasis.” The performance lineup includes: • Richmond, VA’s Ethio Jazz and World Groove powerhouse Rattlemouth blazes through spirited instrumental updates of classic tunes from around the world (Mali, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cuba, Jamaica, Lebanon, etc.), plus similarly flavored originals. They have been together for 22 years. • Dark Water Rising, Natives of the Lumbee Tribe of North
Carolina, deliver their powerful, genre-bending music with soul, truth, and harmony. Front woman Charly Lowry was a Semi-Finalist in American Idol Season 3. • World/Reggae/Folk ensemble Appalatin has a mission is to share original, folkloric and popular songs from Appalachia and Latin America and bring a message of a fair and just world, one of hope, joy and love. They are based in Lousville, KY. • Pittsburgh-based Dream Job are conservatory trained musicians who create original Alternative / Indie / Soul / Pop / Rock compositions featuring cello, squeeze-box and an urban spin. • The fresh Americana sound of The Lizzy Ross Band garnered Lizzy the title of “2011 Best Female Rock artist” by the NC Music awards.
• WV Music Hall of Fame inductee, Nat Reese, is a blues legend who has toured the world with great musicians like B.B. King. Having grown up in the coal camps of McDowell County, Nat is a local treasure. Several popular West Virginia acts are featured in the line- up as well: Option 22 (world folk), The Carpenter Ants (Gospel Soul / Americana), 600LBS of Sin! (Rock, Jam-band), Kathleen Coffee (folk/ singer-songwriter), Melissa McKinney & Soul Mountain (blues/ rock), The Captain Lazerblast Band (techno-folk), Jimmy & The Beast (-w- members of the former Big Phat Delicious- jazz/rock/funk), Albert Perrone (healing folk), Chally Erb (movement theatre/ comedy), Miss Behavin’ (rock), The Ions (theatrical/art-folk-rock), Soul Shuttle (jam/funk/rock), Liberty High School World Percussion Ensemble, Briddy Morris (alternative/ lyrical), and Samadhi Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. Other out -of- state acts include VA’s Groova Scape (funk/jam), OH’s Shakira Al Fanninah and Fire-
light (folk dance), VA’s Wild Earth Hoops (hoop dance) and SC’s Four 14 (jam). There will also be an After Hours Cabaret each night featuring a variety of artists and an Open Mic on Thursday (those wishing to participate should call ahead to reserve a time slot). Workshops include instruction in hoop dancing, world percussion, belly dance, art, yoga, meditation, and Zumba. The children’s area will include arts & craft activities, open mic, song and dance and more. The full schedule, program and additional information can be found online at culturefestwv.com or by calling 304-425-6425. Tickets are available on the website and at the gate. Advance tickets are recommended. A full weekend pass costs $30 and includes all four days plus camping. Day passes are $15 (price does not include camping) on Friday and Saturday. A Thursday only pass is $7 and a Sunday only pass is $12. Children’s tickets are discounted; see the website for those prices. Kids 5 & under are free.
www.theloaferonline.com The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Robert J. Seebacher, will open its 2011-12 season with their annual free outdoor concert on September 11, at Winged Deer Park. This year’s season celebrates the symphony’s dedicated patrons, featuring favorite guest artists in return performances and best-loved symphonic masterworks as requested by audience members. “You will not want to miss a single moment of this powerful season,” said Seebacher. “This is a very special way for us to say ‘thank you’ for your continued support.” This year’s free outdoor pops concert is “A Symphonic Salute” and features members of the University of Kentucky Opera program along with the JCSO playing marches and patriotic, movie, and show music. The September 11 concert starts at 6 p.m. at the Goulding Amphitheatre at Winged Deer Park. Opening Night for the subscription series, October 8, features Antonin Dvorak and Richard Strauss and includes Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” French horn virtuoso Elizabeth Freimuth joins the orchestra in Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 1. All concerts in the subscription series will be held in the wonderfully refurbished Mary B. Martin Auditorium at Seeger Chapel, Milligan College, at 7:30 p.m. The second concert in the series, scheduled for November 5, features Aryn Sweeney, principal oboist with the JCSO until she took a position at Ball State University School of Music in Muncie, Ind.; the Milligan College Choir, Noah DeLong, director; the King College Choir, under the direction of Pat Flannagan; and, returning from last year’s season, pianist Chih-Long Hu. Music selections include Felix Mendelsohn’s Hebrides Overture, Eric Ewazen’s Down a River of Time, Bela Bartok’s Rumanian Folk Dances, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. December 17 is the date for the symphony’s annual holiday concert. “Home
August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 11
Johnson City sets schedule for 2011-2012 season for the Holidays” features the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy, under the direction of Jane Morrison. Traditional holiday favorites and other selections to celebrate the season will be played. Valentina Lisitsa will have an encore engagement with the symphony on February 25, 2012. This pianist made a splash as a last-minute substitute last year and promises to wow the audience again playing Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Totentanz. Also on the program will be Jean Sibelius’s Karelia Suite, and Capriccio Espagnol by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The season series finale on March 24, “The Enigmatic Elgar,” will feature cellist Benjamin Karp playing
Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Also on the program are Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Benjamin Britten’s arrangements of March and Tarentella from “Soirees Musicales” by Gioachino Rossini. The fourth in a series of special concerts offered by James Martin in memory of his wife, the Mary B. Martin Memorial Concert, will be held April 21, and will feature the return of Mark O’Connor and his violin to the Seeger Chapel stage along with Kelly Hall-Tompkins on violin. This show will present a mix of Appalachian, Jazz, and Bluegrass music as well as a thrilling performance of O’Connor’s latest violin music creation, the Double Violin Concerto. This concert is also at 7:30 p.m. in
the Mary B. Martin Auditorium and tickets are $20. Season tickets are now available online at www.jcsymphony.com or by calling the symphony office at 423-926-8742. Tickets for the entire season range from $70 to $120. Individual concert tickets are also available for $30 for adults, $20 for seniors (65+), and $10 for students. The Mary B. Martin Memorial Concert is not part of the subscription season and tickets must be purchased separately. The symphony accepts Master Card, Visa, and Discover. Concerts are partially funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Page 12, The Loafer • August 16, 2011
Jasmine is a one-year old terrier mix, she is very sweet and needs a good home. To adopt her call Regina at (423) 239-5237.
ETSU Pride 2011 August 24 ETSU PRIDE Night at BMS. Come show your ETSU PRIDE at Bristol Motor Speedway. For more information contact the Alumni Office at (423) 439-4218
August 24 ETSU PRIDE Decorating Contest. Campus offices and community businesses are encouraged to show their ETSU PRIDE by decorating their doors, offices and/or storefronts. Creativity welcome. T Community judging will be on August 24th and the Campus judging will be on the 25 th. Winners will be announced on the 26th. For more information contact the Alumni Office at (423)R 439-4218. “ETSU PRIDE…Imagine the Next 100 Years” is this year’s theme. T
7 August 25 ETSU PRIDE Move-In Day and New Students Welcome Stations 6:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. All residence halls will be open on campus. Traditional freshman begin PREVIEW. For more information contact s Jess Helton at (423) 439-8411 or (423) 439-7505.
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c August 26 ETSU Annual “State of the University” address by ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton, Jr. at the a Martha Street Culp Auditorium in the D.P. Culp Center as part of the opening of the faculty convo- a cation at 9:00 a.m. For more information contact the University Relations office at (423) 439-4317.
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p August 26 ETSU PRIDE Tri-Cities Blue and Gold Day: All businesses are encouraged to have employees wear d PRIDE T-shirts or other ETSU paraphernalia. For details contact the Alumni Office at (423) 439“ 4218. For ETSU Shirts and Supplies, contact the ETSU Bookstore at (423) 439-4436 or visit www. a etsubookstore.com.
August 26 w ETSU PRIDE Night at the Appalachian Fair: $1.00 off admission 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for everyone showing their ETSU PRIDE by wearing ETSU apparel. For more details contact the Alumni Office a t at (423) 439-4218 or the Fair Office at (423) 477-3211.
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August 26 p Buccaneer Expo: Attention student organizations and campus departments, here is your chance to meet, greet, and recruit new students. The event will be held from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Basler Center for Physical Activity (CPA). If you would like to participate, please contact Jeff Howard at m (423) 439-4210. August 26 ETSU PRIDE Bluegrass on Broad Street at 7:00 p.m. sponsored by TK’s Big Dog in downtown Kingsport. For more information contact Tom Keller at (423) 245-6300.
s C o August 26 ETSU Women’s Soccer vs. TN Tech at 7:00 p.m. For more information, contact Coach Adam Sayers p at (423) 439-4294. s a August 27 ETSU Men’s Soccer vs. Presbyterian at 6:00 p.m. Exhibition game. For more information, please w c contact Coach Scott Calabrese at (423) 439-8438. a
August 27 ETSU Pride – Bristol Motor Speedway College Student Tailgate Party and Race – Special ticket price for Irwin Tools Night Race, $55 each, limit 2 per student. Must show current college I.D. v Special College Grandstand and Tailgate Areas. To order tickets visit www.bristolmotorspeedway. a com/college l August 29 ETSU PRIDE Night with the Johnson City Cardinals vs. Burlington Royals. Gates open and 6:00 p.m. and the game begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free with an ETSU ID or by wearing ETSU paraphernalia. For more call Chuck Arnold at (423) 461-4866 or check out www.jccardinals.com. August 29 ETSU PRIDE Night with the Bristol White Sox vs. Kingsport Mets. Gates open at the Howard Johnson Field at 6:00 p.m. and the game begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free with an ETSU ID or by wearing ETSU paraphernalia. For more information call Mahlon Luttrell at (276) 206-9946 or visit www.bristolsox.com.
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August 29 v ETSU PRIDE Night with the Elizabethton Twins vs. Princeton Rays. Gates open at the Joe O’Brien a Stadium at 6:00 p.m. and the game begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free with an ETSU ID or by wearing ETSU paraphernalia. For more information call Mike Mains at (423) 547-6441 or check out l http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t576 o
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August 30 ETSU “Welcome Back” Picnic from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Amphitheatre. Come and enjoy t s food, fun, games, and music. For more information contact Joy Fulkerson at (423) 439-6633. August 30 ETSU Volleyball vs. Appalachian State at 7:00 p.m. in Brooks Gym in Memorial Hall. For more information, contact Coach Lindsey Devine at (423) 439-4259. August 31 ETSU PRIDE Community Showcase in the Borchuck Plaza in front of Sherrod Library from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. sponsored by the Johnson City/Jonesborough/Washington County Chamber of Commerce (www.johnsoncitytnchamber.com) and the ETSU Alumni Association. For more information contact the Alumni Office at (423) 439-4218,
m i g a b a h
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Registration for Acting Classes in Jonesborough begin soon
The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will hold its K-12 Fall Class Registrations on Mon., Aug. 22 and Tues., Aug. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the theatre. The classes are designed as an introduction to theatre. Each course will review and include various avenues of theatre from pantomime and improvisational games to developing scenes and “story-building” skills, as well as theatre basics. Classes begin the week of August 29th and continue through the week of November 18th, concluding with parent presentations. Cost per class is $90 ($30 per month). Classes offered include: Beginners Drama: This is designed as an introduction to theatre. Classes will include various avenues of theatre from pantomime and improvisational games to developing scenes and “story-building” skills, as well as theatre basics. Students will be required to participate in class and prepare some scene work at home. Drama I: Students will explore various jobs involved in producing a play and learn theatrical vocabulary, stage directions and the layout of a typical theatre. Through the use of drama games as well as scene and character studies, students will improve skills in pantomime, stage voice and movement, character development, improvisation, communication, group cooperation and awareness and self confidence. Drama II: Students will explore various jobs involved in producing a play and learn theatrical vocabulary, stage directions, and the layout of a typical theatre. Through the use of drama games and scene/character studies, students will improve skills in pantomime, stage voice and movement, character development, improvisation, communication, group cooperation and awareness, and self confidence. Students will be required to participate in class and prepare some scene work at home. Drama III: Students will explore
various jobs involved in producing a play and learn theatrical vocabulary, stage directions and the layout
of a typical theatre. Through the use of drama games and scene and character studies, students will improve skills in pantomime, stage voice and movement, character development, improvisation, communication, group cooperation and awareness, and self confidence. Students will be required to participate in class and prepare some scene work at home. All classes strive to work with each student as an individual, whether they are beginners or have
experience in theatre. Instructors will strive to identify each student’s skill level and talents as they work to strengthen and improve them. The education sessions will be instructed by two newcomers to the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, Tabetha Winn and Matt Brewer. Tabetha Wynn is currently working on a Master of Arts in Teaching at ETSU and holds a Bachelor of Arts from ETSU in speech with a concentration in theatre. Matt Brewer is a recent graduate of ETSU with a degree in English and theatre. He is currently working on his Masters in the Art of Teaching in secondary education, English and theatre. Schedule: Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m., Drama I, 3rd-5th grades, Tabetha Wynn 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Drama II, 6th8th grades, Tabetha Wynn Tuesdays, 5 to 6 p.m., Drama III, 9th-12th grades, Matt Brewer Wednesdays, 5 to 6 p.m., Beginners Drama, K-2nd grade, Matt Brewer For more information, visit www.jonesboroughtheatre.com or call (423) 791-4440.
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Rob Russell plays solo at the Down Home Rob Russell will be playing a solo, acoustic show at the Down Home in Johnson City on Saturday, Aug. 20th at 9 p.m. While Rob has fronted the Sore Losers on and off for most of the past eleven years, playing solo – especially at the Down Home – is an even deeper part of his past. “The first time I played music in Johnson City was solo, just myself and an acoustic guitar at an Open Hoot at the Down Home when I was eighteen,” Russell explains. “I was so nervous. But I made so many friends, long-time friends from that first time on stage.” At the club that night were Brian Relleva, of Brian & the Nightmares, and
Robert Alfonso, who became Russell’s songwriting partner for many years. “What I went on to learn from those two, from Brian in terms of showmanship and Robert in terms of language, changed my music and the course of my life in so many ways.” It’s language that will take the forefront as Russell will take the stage for the first time in a long time without the Sore Losers. “I love having the band around me, that power and the confidence it brings. But playing solo really makes you focus on the words and the phrasing of the songs, digging a little deeper.” Saturday’s show will feature a core of half a dozen new songs, along with favorites from the band’s two CDs and songs that pre-date the Sore Losers. “I’ve been posting lyrics and some demos of the new songs to our website, robrussellmusic.com, but this will be the first time that some of these songs have been played for a live audience.” Doors open at 6 pm; music will begin at 9 pm. There will be a $10 cover charge. The Down Home is located at 300 W. Main St. in Johnson City, TN. Call 929-9822 or go to their website (www.downhome.com) for more information. The Virginia Bluegrass Gospel Country Music Association will hold auditions on Saturday,Sept. 3 at the Kingsport Town Center. The auditions are open to solos, duos, bands and groups from ages three to adult performing bluegrass, gospel, new country, traditional country,clogging, country line dance or square dance. You must schedule a performance time with a member of the executive board. Phone Tony (304)952-4345,Pam (423)579-0715,or Dani (423)863-6051 or email vbgcma@gmail.com. Virginia Bluegrass Gospel Country Music Association is a non-profit group formed to promote the development of Bluegrass, Gospel and Country Music singers, musicians songwriters and dancers. Its goal of discovering and showcasing new talent includes fostering these aspiring artists who would otherwise have no chance to perform before state and national music industry personnel.
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New interactive exhibit at Grandfather Mountain Grandfather Mountain recently installed its first interactive exhibit since opening the Nature Museum in 1990. Made possible by a partnership between NASA, Appalachian State University and the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the exhibit focuses on weather and climate. Guests use interactive touch screens to view a presentation on the weather-related science behind the earth’s climate. The presentation provides information about current conditions on Grandfather and about the Mountain’s weather
records. It also allows visitors access to the NASA Climate Kids website, EPA website and ASU climate quiz. “We are very excited about this opportunity to display our unique weather in real time and to add a
new element for guests to enjoy in the Nature Museum,” said Jesse Pope, director of education. The program is sponsored by NASA and Appalachian’s Climate Action Network through Direct
Observations and Outreach (CANDOO) program. The CAN-DOO program complements the NASA Science Mission Directorate Education and Public Outreach portfolio by promoting public awareness of climate science and by introducing various levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles to students from public school, university and home school settings. “We partnered with Grandfather Mountain to implement citizen science activities that would engage public interest in climate science in a hands-on way,” said Ginger Kelly, CAN-DOO outreach coordinator. The new exhibit is part of a largescale effort by Appalachian State University and the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation to conduct educational programs centered on climate curriculum. Climate programs take place at 11 a.m. daily outside of the Mountain’s environmentally friendly fudge shop. Measurements such as incoming solar radiation, density of
particulate matter in the atmosphere, temperature and precipitation are recorded. Grandfather Mountain has been charged to take long-term daily measurements as part of NASA’s international climate database. Park guests are invited to take part in this activity led by staff naturalists. Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a notfor-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities. For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www. grandfather.com.
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Nana’s Naughty Knickers The Blue Moon Dinner Theatre in downtown Johnson City proudly presents Nana’s Naughty Knickers. Opening Aug. 19, this hilarious Broadway-style comedy written by Katherine DiSavino is sure to be a laugh a minute. The story revolves around Bridget who is moving in with her favorite grandmother in New York City for the summer. Little does she know, her precious Nana is running an illegal boutique out of her apartment, making and selling naughty knickers to every senior citizen in the five boroughs. Can Bridget keep her precious Nana from being evicted - or worse, being thrown in jail? “I’m sure there won’t be a frown in the building while watching this show,” said Artistic Director
Edward Breese. “The situations the characters find themselves in are purely hysterical.” Director Larry Bunton collaborates with Stage Manager Kelsey
Acosta, Assistant Stage Manager Jamie Hill and Set Designer Brandon Jones to bring the comedy to life. “The set is also a major part of the show,” said Jones, who has designed several sets at the Blue Moon. “It really is its own character.” The cast of Nana’s Naughty Knickers is comprised of some of the areas top performesr such as Linda Wakely, Colleen Dunn, James Allen Andes, Derrick Smithpeters and Jill Bergeron. Dinner begins with an appetizer of NYPD hummus served with our homemade pita wedges. The main course is Nana’s Chicken Bake, a boneless chicken breast coated in French onions and baked to a golden brown served with creamy mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley. Dessert is a Bridget Blondie brownie topped with vanilla bean ice cream with a caramel drizzle. This sweet treat is accompanied by organic Bhali Blue Moon Cocoa and Hazelnut Coffee from official Blue Moon sponsor and downtown merchant Coffee and Tea Haven. Patrons will enjoy this delicious dinner in an intimate candle-lit setting, perfect for a first date or night out with the spouse yet is the perfect place for a group because the Blue Moon seats 84. Performances for Nana’s Naughty Knickers are Friday and Saturday nights through Sept. 24. Ticket prices very and discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more. Due to adult situations and references, the production is rated PG-13. For more information and to reserve your tickets, call the Blue Moon at (423) 232-1350 or visit the web site at bluemoondinnertheatre.com. Come support live theater in beautiful downtown Johnson City at the Blue Moon Dinner Theatre, where the stars come out to shine.
SILVERS
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KEN
Screen Scenes
Another new look at Planet of the Apes In 1968 the first Planet of the Apes film burst into theaters and unleashed a series of sequels that ended with 1973’s Battle for the Planet of the Apes. The film series spawned two television series in the 1970s, one liveaction and the other animated. There were also comic books released at various times to tie in the with the films and television shows. The apes returned in 2001, with the Tim Burton directed Planet of the Apes, and Burton’s stamp is all over the film. While I enjoyed, and have the film in my DVD collection, most critics were not thrilled with the film. Despite mixed reviews, the film still grossed over $180 million. So there. The apes have returned to theaters in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and this latest effort is a reboot of the original film series and is intended to set the course for a new set of Apes films. The film begins by introducing us to Will Rodman (James Franco), a San Francisco scientist at a company called GEN-SYS, who is trying to develop a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Will is conducting tests on chimpanzees using a genetically engineered retrovirus. The retrovirus has an unexpected effect on the chimps: human level intelligence. After an accident at GEN-SYS involving one of the chimps, Will’s boss orders the project to end, and to put all the test chimps down. There is one baby chimp the handler of the animals cannot put down, so he convinces Will to take the baby home and keep it until he can find a savehaven for the animal. Will does take the baby home, and
the animal becomes fast company for his dad Charles (John Lithgow), who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The two name the new housemate Caesar, and decide to keep the chimp and raise him to adulthood. Will quickly learns Caesar has inherited his mother’s high intelligence, and the ape learns a a rapid pace. The film flashes forward three years, and we see Caesar enjoying life in his attic room, and with the run of the house. During this time, Will is giving his dad shots of the retrovirus used on the chimps, and he begins to see his dad make a remarkable recovery. At this point the film jumps five years forward and Will’s dad is again suffering from dementia despite use of the retrovirus. During this period Caesar has an unfortunate run-in with a neighbor, forcing the chimp to be taken to a primate facility where Draco Malfoy, I mean Dodge Landon (Tom Felton), is employed. Dodge might as well be Draco, as he brings all of the same nastiness to this character as he did to his role in the Harry Potter films. In the beginning, Caesar is treated badly by both the staff and the other apes, but eventually wins over the other apes with his extreme intelligence. Caesar eventually manages to escape from the facility and heads to Will’s house where he steal an airborne version of the virus to treat the apes at the primate facility in order to increase their intellect. Caesar then releases all the primates at the facility, and shocks Dodge by yelling “No”! at him. Caesar then heads to the local zoo where he frees all the
apes, and heads to GEN-SYS to free the test chimps. Caesar’s ultimate goal is to get all the primates to the Muri Woods National Monument forest where he wants to live peacefully with his newly freed companions. The trip to the forest is treacherous and often tragic, but the apes eventually make it, setting up the sequel. As for the humans, I will just say a character infected as a result of testing on the chimps, has unknowingly spread a deadly virus that is soon spanning the globe. Oh my. I love the fact the film is an origin story, and reveals just how the apes became super intelligent. The film moves at just the right pace, and I was very impressed with the CGI primates. I was concerned the assorted primates would appear less-than-impressive, but I pleasantly surprised at how realistic they appear. After all, in this day of Avatar, all CGI creatures must be impressive. The only real fault I had with the film, was lead actor James Franco, who, despite being nominated for an Academy Award, is fast becoming the Keanu Reeves of his generation. To me, Franco is an actor who needs to choose his material carefully, less he fall into the Reeves school of “stone face acting”. Case in point: Caesar, the lead “fake” ape, often out performed the live actor. Otherwise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an excellent start to the new series, and I hope we see further adventures with Caesar and company.
(Rated PG-13) B+
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Storytelling Live! Welcomes Dolores Hydock
Storyteller Dolores Hydock of Birmingham, Alabama will be the next teller in residence for the popular Storytelling Live! series, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. She will offer a series of matinees throughout her residency, which runs August 23–27. Concerts are daily at 2 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall, an intimate theater in the heart of the International Storytelling Center. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations are strongly recommended. While Hydock has built her name on her personal stories, literary tales, and medieval performance pieces, she has been exploring a new genre: the extraordinary true stories of ordinary people. The idea came from a piece that was commissioned in conjunction with a museum exhibit about the Wild West. Hydock was taken with the life stories of five women - a pioneer, a homesteader, a mail-order bride, a professional gambler, and an actress—who helped settle the frontier in the second half of the 19th century. “It has been so interesting to explore these real women beyond the Annie Oakley legends that we’ve all heard,” Hydock says. “Compared to our lives now, these women dealt with incredible challenges - physical, emotional, and mental challenges that they were so tough and creative and resourceful in dealing with. I don’t know about you, but for me, a really hard day is when my cell phone battery goes dead.” Her work on that piece helped lead to the realization that there might be other extraordinary stories right under her nose. Hydock started to search for story treasure in Birmingham, visiting with elderly members of the community. She didn’t have to look far before she found a local born in 1913, a woman who watched the century unfold from her perch as the Head of Fashion for an influential downtown department store. Hydock eventually transformed her tales of collaborations with Hollywood celebrities and other adventures into a one-woman show. “She was so pleased to have a way to have her story told,” Hydock says. “Those of us who are storytellers are so fortunate to have a place to be invited to come and talk about whatever stories we want to share. And there are so many people who have amazing lives who don’t have the microphone to tell their own story. “For some of these people, their life adventure just begs to be told,” she continues. “They’re just people in your community that make you start to think, ‘Who else lives down the street from me that I don’t know who also has a story?’” It’s a question Hydock encourages all of us to ask of each other. Tickets for all performances are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. For more information about Storytelling Live! or to make a group reservation, call (800) 952-8392 ext. 222 or (423) 913-1276.
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Contra & Family Dance in Jonesborough! The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, August 20, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $5 for full time students. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. No partner is necessary. Families and children are welcome! The evening will begin with a family dance from 5:30-7 p.m. The family dance is truly a family event where parents or grandparents and children ages four and up learn traditional dances. The dance will consist of easy steps for participants of all ages. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of dancing with a focus on having fun and placing less of an emphasis on dance techniques. Types of dances include circles, long-ways sets, squares, and odd number sets. All dances will be taught and called with high-energy and live string band music. Family dances promote com-
munity, inter-generational interaction, and bring traditional dance to a new generation, making the dance community stronger and enduring. This is the second in a series of Summer Family Dances. Admission to the family dance is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Family package costs $15 for parents and all their children. Neighbors and friends cannot be part of the family package. If the participants wish to stay for the regular dance, their Family Dance admission can be applied to the regular admission costs. “The Family Dance on July 16th drew a large group of families and children as young as three years of age. Everyone had a fantastic time and plan to come back”, offers event organizer, David Wiley. Performing for the regular contra dance will be The Reel High Boys from Johnson City. The caller will be Jennie Wakefield from Clemson, SC. A class for
beginners will be held at 7 p.m. where newcomers and experienced dancers alike will learn the basic steps, formations and flow of contra dance. The Reel High Hoppers band is made up Doug Dorschug, Ed Snodderly, Roy Andrade and Brandon Story. Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways country dances popular in English society centuries ago. Contra dance communities now thrive all over the country. There are websites that can direct you to contra dances in most states. The modern contra dances provide dancers of all ages and experience levels with the opportunity to smile, move, connect, flirt and create an evening of dance nirvana with each other. No previous dance experience is necessary. No fancy footwork is required. If you can walk and count to eight, you can contra dance! Contra dances are community
events. At almost any contra you will find people of all ages and all dance skill levels, from young to old, beginner to expert. Contra dancers form a very open and welcoming group of people. You can come alone or with others since it is a tradition to dance with a variety of partners throughout the night. It is perfectly acceptable for either a man or a woman to
ask someone to dance. It’s a great way to make friends with someone they haven’t met before. You will find contra dancing a great way to make new friends. For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley, at (423) 913-3246 or visit www. historicjonesboroughdancesociety. org and Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.
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BUSSARD
PAT
Weird World
Chupacabra, a Contemporary Legend In Puerto Rico, March 1995, a farmer found several of his sheep dead. Mysteriously, three puncture wounds were found in the animals’ chests and - most interestingly - none of them had blood left in their veins. The towns of Orocovis and Morovis seemed to be plagued by some unknown force intent on slaughtering the villagers’ livestock. The vampiric killing spree continued and spread to dozens of towns and villages, as well as the countryside. Before it was over, as many as 150 animals on the iland were drained of their blood. The official story from the authorities was that the deaths were due to attacks from packs of feral dogs, monkeys, or panthers. Reports of a variety of animals
slaughtered by an unknown beast followed quickly in a number of countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Brazil, and the United States. Several reports in Texas began in the summer of 2004, when a Rancher killed a weird looking and hairless canine type creature that had been attacking and killing his livestock. Named the “Elmendorf Beast,” a DNA test discovered that the fallen animal was a coyote with sarcoptic mange. A variety of reports paint an uneven version of the true physical nature of the cryptid, which came to be known as the chupacabra. Some reports described a lizardlike creature; there are witnesses who say it looked like an unusual breed of dog; still others reported
that the animal reminded them of a wallaby or dog that stands on its hind legs and moves with a hopping action. There are some who even wondered if the legend of the beast is just a cover up for alien activity in which governments are complicit. There are, however, several common traits that exist between the reports. The creatures tend to be three feet or taller in height and humanoid in shape. Some reports also gave them special abilities, like red eyes, with the power to paralyze their prey so as to make an easy meal of them, or wings to make personal transportation a breeze. Someone who has been on the trail of this elusive creature, whose name means “goatsucker,”
www.theloaferonline.com is one of the nation’s most notable cryptozoologists, Ken Gerhard. He is a world traveler, having visited 26 foreign nations and 43 states. On his quest to find proof positive of cryptids, or “hidden animals,” he has camped along the Amazon, hiked the Australian Outback and explored the Galapagos. He has also explored a number of ancient sites from Machu Pichu to Stonehenge. Gerhard has shared the results of his findings on a number of television programs on such networks as the History Channel, Travel Channel, A&E, Nat Geo and truTV. As an author, he has penned the books Big Bird! Moderns Sightings of Flying Monsters and Monsters of Texas. In addition, he has completed research for The Centre for Fortean Zoology and The Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research. He also serves as a fellow of the Pangea Institute. From a very young age, Gerhard knew that he wanted to be involved in fortean research. “I remember watching a newscast about Bigfoot when I was a young boy and I was hooked. From that point on, I read every book I could get my hands on and watched every show about Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster that came on television. But, when I actually got a chance to visit Loch Ness at age fifteen, that had a huge impact on me. I can’t really say why I became so interested in cryptids. I imagine that everyone finds the subject intriguing, but obviously the vast majority of people don’t take the time to become involved in the search. “So, I guess I’m just a little bit eccentric,” said Gerhard. His quest for proof of the chupacabra did not come until later in his career. “The chupacabra really didn’t come onto the cryptozoology scene until the mid-1990s and those cases were in Puerto Rico at a time when I was busy pursuing a music career. As far as the Texas version, I first heard about it in 2004, when the Elmendorf Beast turned up. I was initially interested in the man beasts like the Yeti and Sasquatch. There was something compelling about the thought of a gigantic, elusive human-like being lurking about,” said Gerhard. As knowledge of the chupacabra began to trickle into mainstream America, he was tapped to do an episode for MonsterQuest,
August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 23 a television show that focused on cryptids of all ilk. “I really became intensely involved when I did an episode for the television show. Three years ago, I met with Devin McAnally, who found the Elmendorf Beast, as well as Phylis Canion, who preserved the remains of a chupacabra near Cuero, Texas. Both witnesses were very familiar with animals and really felt that something had been drinking the blood of their chickens,” said Gerhard. “I began researching material for my Monsters of Texas book and I traveled around the state for a few years, interviewing lots of witnesses, in addition to looking for evidence of these animals. There definitely seemed to be something going on that was very unusual.” The question remains: Why did sightings of the elusive animal
begin pouring into authorities, creating one of the world’s few contemporary cryptid legends? “The great mystery that remains about the Texas chupacabras, relates to why there are so many of them popping up all of a sudden and why their skin is completely hairless. It was recently proven that these animals are mostly coyotes that have been inflicted with a mite called mange,’ said Gerhard. “My recent Facebook post referred to the discovery that, in the main areas where these diseased canids were appearing there are also large amounts of sulfur dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere. This has led me to think that there might be a link to pollution and the sorry condition of these poor animals.” But, does the world renowned cryptozoologist believe in the possibility of a canine type beast
who sustains itself through blood? “I am impressed by the number of reports that have been logged in the past decades all over the Americas, but the notion of an extraterrestrial, blood sucking creature really seems more related to our fascination with vampires and not really traditional zoology or evolution. The Texas version seemed to be something entirely different all along, though the claims of blood drinking were familiar. I did discover that the chupacabra legends go back much farther in Mexican culture then we ever realized,” said Gerhard. Although Gerhard’s hunt for the chupacabra continues, one encounter with the beast stands out. “I had a carcass that someone gave to me about a year ago. It looked like the other Texas chupacabras. It had been found dead on the side of a road. In fact, several
people had pulled their cars over to the gawk at its remains,” said Gerhard. “For several days, I had this rotting thing on my patio in an igloo cooler full of ice; quite a memorable experience! I ended up preserving some tissue samples and burying the bones in a friend’s garden, since I couldn’t find a taxidermist who would touch the thing.” “The significance of the Texas chupacabra saga is that it demonstrates that there are things running around out there in the woods of our state that are not easily explainable.” And, just when were thought it was safe to go back into the woods, he asks, “If animals like these bizarre, wild dogs exist, then why not some other unidentified species?”
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Fifth Year of the Museum’s Autumn Train Excursions Features New Destination and New Travel Options The North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will host two day trip excursions to Roanoke, Va. and Toccoa, Ga. this fall. These trips allow passengers great views of the fall colors combined with the romance of riding the rails to a great destination. If you want to see the Appalachian Mountains at their peak of beauty, these trips are for you. Now in their fifth year, the Virginia Autumn Special will travel to Roanoke, Va. Oct 29. The
Georgia Autumn Special features a day trip to Toccoa, Ga. Oct. 30. While Roanoke was a destination for last year’s excursions, Toccoa is a new location and an exciting opportunity for those who take the trips each year. Saturday’s Virginia Autumn Special departs from the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer at 7 a.m. with additional passenger pick-up at the Greensboro Amtrak Station at 8 a.m. The train will travel through the northern portion of the North Carolina Piedmont, including the cities of High Point and Reidsville,
before crossing into Virginia. The western part of central Virginia offers spectacular views of the fall foliage, crossing the Dan and Roanoke Rivers. Moving onto the old Virginian Railway line, the train will pass through the towns of Huddleston, Moneda and Goodview, traveling through four tunnels. Passengers will also enjoy traveling over trestles that provide views of the tributaries into Smith Mountain Lake. Arriving in Roanoke, the “Star City of the South,” at noon, the train will pass by the historic Roanoke Shops, where Norfolk Southern built their classic steam engines. Passengers will debark at the restored Norfolk & Western Passenger station, home to the O. Winston Link Museum. Passengers can enjoy downtown Roanoke or visit the museum, home to Link’s beautiful photography of 1950sera steam locomotives. Advance tickets to the museum are available to excursion passengers at the discounted group rate of $4 per person. Departing at 2:45 p.m., the Virginia Autumn Special will return to Greensboro at 6:30 p.m. and Spencer at 8 p.m. Sunday, the Georgia Autumn Special will also depart from the N.C. Transportation Museum at 7:00 am with additional stop/pick-
www.theloaferonline.com up at the Spartanburg, SC Amtrak station at 9:00 am and will traverse what was once Southern Railway’s main line, running from Washington, D.C. to Atlanta, Ga. Passengers will enjoy the gala fall colors of Carolinas’ rolling foothills, before crossing the 100-foot Seneca River trestle spanning Lake Hartwell to arrive at Toccoa. Nestled into the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the historic town will be bustling with activity during the 29th annual Harvest Festival. Passengers will have approximately three hours to enjoy the festival, which features handmade, handcrafted and home-grown items from more than 200 vendors, as well as delicious regional foods, great entertainment on two stages, children and youth activities, buggy rides and much more. Toccoa Falls, named for the Cherokee word “Toccoah” meaning beautiful, is a must see.Located on the campus of Toccoa College, the 186-foot falls are 26 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Shuttle buses will be making a continuous loop between downtown Toccoa and Toccoa Falls. Departing Toccoa at 3 p.m., the Georgia Autumn Special will return to Spartanburg, SC at 5:45 pm and back to Spencer, NC at 8 p.m. Four classes of tickets are available, Dome Class, First Class Premium tickets, Deluxe Coach tickets and Tourist Class. Tickets are on sale now. Dome class seating features two levels and the best views of the passing scenery. Windows stretch across the walls and ceiling of the second level, providing a panoramic view of the entire ride. Tickets include a continental breakfast and newspapers on the journey both to Roanoke and Toccoa, plus dinner on the return trip served in vintage dining cars. Dome tickets are available for $280 per person. Premium First Class fare features travel in vintage lounge or parlor cars. The ride includes continental breakfast and newspapers on the journey to both Roanoke and Toccoa, plus dinner on the return trip served in a vintage dining car. Premium First Class tickets are available for $245 per person. Deluxe Coach will ride in vintage passenger cars with adjustable seat backs and leg rests, as well as large windows for better viewing. Lunch will be served in lounge and dining cars. There is also convenient access to the commissary car.
August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 25 Deluxe Coach tickets are available for $145 per person. Tourist Class seating features the convenience and comforts of modern Amtrak travel. Each car has a center aisle with two adjustable seats and a wide window on each side. The seating area provides convenient access to the souvenir and café cars. Tourist Class tickets are $145 each. All rail cars feature air conditioning, heat and rest rooms. For those wishing to eat on the train to provide more time for sightseeing, an optional Gourmet Boxed Lunch will be offered. Delivered to your seat, the $15 meal will be served in a souvenir lunch tote, including chicken salad on a croissant, pasta salad, fresh
fruit, homemade pound cake and a drink. This option is only available in advance and can be purchased with your ticket. Tickets will be available online now. Simply log on to www. nctrans.org and click the available links or call 704-636-2889. The N.C. Transportation Museum, located in historic Spencer Shops, the former Southern Railway repair facility is located just five minutes off I-85 at Exit 79 in Spencer, N.C., and about an hour from Charlotte, Greensboro or Winston-Salem. The North Carolina Transportation Museum and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society are both non profit organizations.
Crooked Roots
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Concert Series is proud to announce the inaugural Crooked Roots Music Festival, scheduled for Saturday, August 20th at the Big Glades Community Square in Wise, Virginia. Music will begin at 4pm and the festival is free to the public. Since 2009, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has worked to bring the best in folk, bluegrass, and Americana music to Wise County. Crooked Roots Music Festival continues that tradition. Scheduled to appear are William Walter & Co., Ian Gilliam & The FireKings, James Justin & Co., and If Birds Could Fly. “Crooked Roots Music Festival will showcase many of the musical styles that fit under the umbrella of Americana music,” said Dave Stallard, Wise resident and co-chair of the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music committee. “There will be a little bit of something for everyone at this festival – folk, blues, rockabilly, bluegrass, rock and roll. All of these bands are great, and folks will certainly dig what they do.” The four bands appearing at Crooked Roots Music Festival will also perform at the 11th Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, located in historic downtown Bristol, between September 16th and 18th. “We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate great roots music in the heart of Wise,” said Leah Ross, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion’s executive director. “Big Glades is a wonderful new facility, and we are thrilled that the town has opened its arms to our bands. We hope to have a big crowd out to enjoy the show.”
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MARQUETTE
MARK
Stargazer
Mars Opportunity’s shot of the rim of Endeavour Crater, Aug. 2011
Robots Scattered About the Solar System It’s amazing all the robots that are scattered throughout the Solar System. No less than 10 spacecraft built with nuts and bolts twisted by human hands are actively sending data back to Earth that is constantly changing the facts about the worlds around us. Three NASA spacecraft have recently made news headlines, as nearly everybody takes an interest in rocket ships headed to alien worlds. Spaceship DAWN is the size of a pickup truck and is orbiting the brightest and second largest asteroid, Vesta. Vesta is cratered with a unique row of canyon stripes around its equator, and is showing lots of new geologic features across its 300-mile diameter. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has photographic proof of seasonal wa-
ter flowing on the surface of Mars, oozing out of cliffs onto plains, than later sublimating like dry ice. And, many have heard the news about the NASA launch of space probe JUNO on a five-year journey to Jupiter that will figure out the giant planet’s inside composition. There’s even more action in the Solar System: NASA has received the first full month of data from Mercuryorbiting MESSENGER space probe; the European Venus Express is in orbit about Earth’s hostile twin and discovering suspected active volcanoes; two American and one European space probe are in orbit about Mars, and NASA Rover Opportunity is still truckin’ on the surface after seven years and 20 miles of travel; and the massive, $1 billion Cassini science platform is still orbiting Saturn into its seventh year of an extended mission.
Finally, heading for the planet Pluto and our first close-up of this dwarf planet in 2014 is the space probe New Horizon. The Hubble Space Telescope recently discovered two new small moons orbiting Pluto, making a total of four moons for this mysterious world that his half the size of Earth’s Moon. The Solar System is rockin’ with amazing, robotic spaceships loaded with an array of science instruments that are rewriting our knowledge of where we came from and how we fit into the cosmic scheme of our celestial home. That’s an important question to be answered by JUNO, as how giant Jupiter works is not well understood. Jupiter almost became a star orbiting our Sun, but it just wasn’t big enough in mass. Still, the volume of the immense gas sphere is so huge that every planet, moon, asteroid,
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Skies This Week Celestial events in the skies for the week of Aug. 16-22, 2011, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette. You might find it of interest that to write this column I rely on three sources of astronomical data. First, is the desktop calendar “Year in Space,” compiled by Steve Cariddi and his Starry Messenger Press. The current week is also available by weekly e-mail at www.YearInSpace.com. My main resource for what’s up in the dark of night is the Astronomical Calendar 2011 by Guy Ottewell, retired physics professor at Furman University in nearby Greenville, SC. My final reference is the canopy of stars themselves, recreated on my computer screen like a planetarium show. Though I’ve bought several programs showing the night sky in great detail, I - like many amateur astronomers - enjoy using the quick, easy and free (!) program called Stellarium, downloadable by going to www.stellarium.org. Tues. Aug. 16 Venus is at superior conjunction with the Sun, passing into the evening sky. The brightest planet will be hugging the western horizon all fall and winter. Wed. Aug. 17 Mercury is at inferior conjunction with the Sun, passing into the morning sky. It will keep rising ahead of the Sun and be visible for a few months above the eastern horizon. Thurs. Aug. 18 The Moon is at apogee at 12 noon Eastern Daylight Time, 63.53 earthradii from our surface. That means the Moon is at its farthest distance from Earth. Our radius is about 3,960 miles, multiplied by 63.53, equals the Moon being about 251,578 miles away! Fri. Aug. 19 Saturn is in the southwest as darkness descends around 9 pm. But look quick as the ringed world will be gone by 11 pm. Sat. Aug. 20 Jupiter is 5 degrees south of the Moon in the constellation Pisces the Fishes. Sun. Aug. 21 Last Quarter Moon is today at 6:54 pm. You’ll easily see the Moon in the mid-morning sky, directly south. It’s a beautiful cottony white with dark splotches against the powder blue sky. Mon. Aug. 22 Neptune is at opposition. This is the middle of the best time of the year to see it. It is on the meridian at midnight, and now moves from the morning into the evening sky.
August 16, 2011 • The Loafer, Page 27 meteor and comet could comfortably fit inside of Jupiter! Traveling a billion miles to intercept and orbit Jupiter, JUNO will begin its science in 2016, and have a mission lasting five years or so. Whatever is inside of Jupiter also generates a terrific electromagnetic field that has tremendous, harmful radiation. Unlocking the secrets of this radiation field will be a major goal of JUNO. Asteroids are rocky debris numbering in the thousands between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The largest is Ceres at 800 miles wide, now classified with Pluto as a “dwarf planet.” The brightest is Vesta, third in size yet second in weight. Mankind is now getting its first close-up look at the 300-mile-wide Vesta, and the view is incredible. There are lots of craters on one side, and few on the other. And this global swath of ridges and valleys ring the equator - a very strange geological combination that will keep planetary scientists busy for
decades. DAWN will orbit Vesta for a year, and then in July 2012 its unique ionpowered engine will gently push away from Vesta and begin a trajectory to Ceres. Reaching the largest asteroid in 2015, DAWN will spend another year orbiting and investigating the 590-mile-wide globe of Ceres. Though eight asteroids have been seen close-up by other NASA spacecraft—including one that orbited potato-shaped Eros - this will be the first time a man-made object will visit two different planetary targets. New discoveries about first planet Mercury are also being made almost weekly as the NASA space probe Messenger has been orbiting since June. Mercury is heavilycratered as the Sun’s gravity has sucked in debris of every size that has riddled the world not much larger than our Moon. Mercury’s surface is extremely hot (800 degrees F.) with permanently frozen areas at the poles that never see
sunlight. MESSENGER will spend several years gathering data that will revolutionize our concept of Mercury. Though NASA Magellen spacecraft orbited Venus in the 1990s for five years and pierced the permanent, global layer of poisonous clouds, the European Venus Express is refining that radar imagery and finding active regions that have changed over the 20 years of data comparison. Moving attention to the currently active space probes orbiting and on the surface of Mars, discoveries are pouring in weekly that continue to create optimism for finding at least primitive life on its surface. Mars Odyssey is in its 7th year, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in its 5th, and the European Mars Express in its 5th year of orbiting the Red Planet. Mars Excursion Rover Opportunity is into its 7th year of operation, now moving to the edge of a huge, 25-mile-wide crater called Endeav-
our after traveling 20 miles from its landing site. Mars Rover Spirit finally succumbed to the Antarcticlike cold of the planet in March 2010, but outlived its planned 90day mission. The accumulated data from the two Rovers is incredible, and will be analyzed for decades to come. With all these space probes beaming back to Earth scientific data and tens upon thousands of images being warehoused on NASA computer hard drives, uniquely, anybody can access the information. That’s right. American taxpayers have paid for these interplanetary emissaries, and their scientific harvest is freely available on the Internet. You could do your own research about Mars, Mercury or an asteroid right from the comfort of your laptop computer... and maybe make an important discovery! So... what’s holding you up? Surf NASA on the Internet and be amazed at what’s going on in our incredible Solar System.
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The Bloodroots Barter will be playing at Johnson City’s Acoustic Coffeehouse Wednesday, August 17, with The Galt Line. This is the group’s fourth time performing in Johnson City (second with The Galt Line) and they have been steadily building a fan base in this region. Laura writes to say “this is going to be a truly face melting show as The Bloodroots Barter has just come off of a veggie-oil powered two month tour in the NE (D.C., NY, VT, ME), ending with playing Floyd Fest in VA.”
Final Bash!!
Believe in Bristol, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and The Birthplace of Country Music are proud to announce the final Border Bash... Because Its Great on State summer concert series!! The last summer concert of the year will be held on Friday, August 19 at the Downtown Center, Bristol, TN. Children’s activities, crafters, concessions and the Misfit Gypsies will start at 6 p.m, Live music begins at 6:45 p.m. with Efren, followed by Impeach Dixon at 8 p.m. and closing out the show at 9:15 will be The Black Lillies. The Black Lillies. This alt-country, Americana grouped kicked off their first national tour at the Ryman Auditorium, the hallowed mother church of country music, and have since labored through three crosscountry treks, with a fourth during the summer of 2011. They’ve performed on National Public Radio’s Mountain Stage, on two episodes of PBS’s Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s, and conquered numerous festivals – Pickathon, the Americana Music Association Festival, Four Corners Folk Festival, even Bonnaroo. In June the Grand Ole Opry invited the band to make their debut on the historic circle of wood where so many other legends have performed. Efren. Efren is a folk group hinting on the psychedelic, from areas around Athens, GA. Reaching out into the musical world with introspective lyrics and brooding energy, Efren entertains on many levels. The players of this music have roots in jazz and blues, folk, bluegrass and rock. Efren touches on Southern Americana music, draws from indie lo-fi ideas, and respects the multitudes of great songwriters of our past. Impeach Dixon. Impeach Dixon is an Americana/Folk Rock/NeoSoul band out of Johnson City. English professor Philip Ferguson held a talent show at his college and this band is the resulting congregation. Drummer Tony Dixon was nearly “impeached” from the band when he refused to agree on a band name, thus Impeach Dixon was born. Phil is the front man singing most of the rustic lyrics; you can still hear his SWVA accent slightly in the high notes as he yells out loud about swinging on the swing set. For more information about Border Bash and other events happening in Downtown, please visit www.believeinbristol.org, www.bristolrhythm.com, or call (423) 573-2200 or (423) 573-4898.
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Music On The Square 2011
Music on the Square presents FREE outdoor concerts every Friday night at 7 p.m., May - September, in historic downtown Jonesborough. Performers are subject to change and openers may be added. Please feel free to confirm schedules before traveling great distances. For more information, visit musiconthesquare.com or call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 423-753-1010.
August 19 Bayou Diesel myspace.com/bayoudiesel Bayou Diesel plays all types of highly danceable Mardi Gras music. While performing both traditional and progressive Cajun and zydeco music, they spice it up with rock-n-roll, rhythm and blues; serving up a family-friendly, allaccess approach to their shows.
Theatre Bristol is proud to present, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown as the first show on the 46th anniversary season. Friday, August 19 & Saturday, August 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 21 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online at Theatre Bristol’s website, www.theatrebristol.org For more questions, call (423) 968-4977.
August 26 Johnson City Community Concert Band jcccband.com The Community Concert Band is made up of approximately 60 members who have a diverse background in music, from professional band directors to non music professionals of all ages that just want to continue the joy of playing music and performing for their community. September 2 Louise Mosrie with opener, Anna Denison
louisemosrie.com and annadenisonmusic.com Mosrie is a Grammy award-winning producer, musician and songwriter who combines Americana, bluegrass, folk melodies and stories. Denison has sung and played backup for many artists. She is also a music instructor of guitar, banjo, mandolin and ukulele. September 9 18 South myspace.com/18SOUTHBAND 18 South’s music is created by a wide array of influences. The organic and earthy quality of their sound rings with overtones of blues, bluegrass, jazz and gospel that lends itself perfectly to their stripped down acoustic approach that is truly Americana. September 16 Kids Our Age kidsourageband.com KOA has performed copy material and original
tunes from rock to beach music and everything in between for over 20 years in the Tri-Cities and beyond in clubs, shows, wedding receptions and for about anyone who needed live music. September 23 The Mudbugs play New Orleans style saxophone, accordion, drum, piano and bass; bringing a bit of Canal Street to any stage inviting everyone to swing, dance, strut and let the good times roll. September 30 The Jonesborough Novelty Band The Novelty Band plays for children’s events, in retirement homes and for festivals performing and fundraising for the love of it. They play spontaneous old sing-a-long-songs that audiences remember the words to; and before you know it, everyone is smilin’, clappin’ and tappin’!
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NPAC welcomes Eddie Miles
A Salute to Elvis & Country Legends coming Saturday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Eddie Miles, who has himself had theatres in Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach, is known throughout the country as presenting one of the best Elvis shows around. Miles, born in Kentucky, always wanted to be an entertainer, and says he was hooked after hearing Elvis Presley on the radio when he was only five years old. His shows are never the same – there are many facets of this exceptional entertainer, and the class and professionalism of his concerts set him apart from all the rest. He sings more than 200 of Elvis’ songs. Miles’ personality is so infectious you cannot help but be enthralled by his stage presence! The entertainer’s pre-show is a collection of songs from his favorite country artists. A few of his heroes are Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison, and Merle Haggard. Miles tells some jokes and talks about his family, and interacts with the audience. After a brief intermission Eddie Miles will return to the stage to thrill his audience with his presentation of music from the King, Elvis himself. He is as meticulous in his attire as he is with the music he presents. People who have actually worked with Elvis like J.D. Sumner, Ed Enoch, Charlie Hodge, and Scotty Moore have praised Eddie “as being a great entertainer and one of the closest Elvis stylists they have ever seen.” For ticket information, call the NPAC Box Office at (423) 638-1679 (Open from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). The Box Office will open at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. NPAC is located adjacent to Greeneville High School at 212 Tusculum Blvd.
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An evening with Skeeter and the Skidmarks
Saturday, August 20, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass and old time music by Skeeter and the Skidmarks. Admission is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free. Like their name, the Skidmarks’ music is unique. In the world of old time music – music usually associated with barn dances and community get-togethers – this group stands out. The band was formed in the 1990s. They took a hiatus from their music briefly, but they’re now back on the road. Edwin Lacey is featured on banjo. Scott Freeman plays fiddle and mandolin. Willard Gayheart plays guitar, and Sandy Glover plays bass. Willard Gayheart is a nationallyknown pencil artist. The Washington Post deemed him the Norman Rockwell of Appalachia. From a childhood of Appalachian poverty, Willard has drawn from his memories to capture the very things that have given mountain people the strength to endure any adversity.
Born in Hazard, Kentucky, he attended Berea College. Many of his subjects today are mountain musicians, but all his drawings are of mountain people. A self-taught artist, his heart is in his drawings. For anyone who has seen them, that goes without saying. Several of his drawings depict members of the Carter Family. Edwin Lacey is a Presbyterian minister. Scott Freeman is an old time music instructor. Sandy Glover has played with various bluegrass and old time bands. Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at http:// www.carterfoldshow.com. For information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054.
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This Week In The
The Bristol Public Library invites local and regional artists and groups to apply to exhibit their artwork in the Virgie R. Fleenor Art Gallery in 2012. Each month artwork is displayed by a different artist or group for the community to view. We are encouraging local and regional artists and groups to apply. These exhibitions provide an opportunity for artists to display their work for public viewing in a variety of media and styles and to further the Bristol
Public Library’s mission of “Expanding Minds, Building Community.” Applications will be available on the library website, www. bristol-library.org, soon. The application can also be picked up at the Reference Desk during the Bristol Public Library hours. Deadline for submission of the application is August 12. For questions on how to apply or any other information on the Virgie R. Fleenor Art Gallery call (276) 645-8781.
Mountain Empire
Are you a BONUS MOM? Tri-Cities Stepmother Support Group meets monthly to share and empower one another to be successful stepparents. We discuss the challenges and look for solutions.Enhance your relationship with ‘his’ kids and keep your marriage going strong! FREE! Constructive and group led. Join us! Call (423) 646-8148/(423) 8636823 for more information. Tuesday, August 16 Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling teen author, will be speaking to the Bristol community as part of the Bristol Public Library’s 2011 Discovery
Series at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room at the Bristol Public Library. Ms. Hopkins’ presentation is free and open to the public, no ticket is required. For questions about this Discovery Series event or any other library programs, call (276) 821-6148 or email marketing@bristol-library. org
Thursday, August 18 Join Joyce Manis with SingleVision at 6:30pm at the Putt-Putt Course on East Stone Drive (near Teasel Drive), Kingsport, TN for a game of Putt-Putt. For $3 you can play both courses. Afterwards, you may want to stay for a hand or two of the card game, Hand and Foot. For questions call (423) 245-7734. The Plum Good Players at Munsey will be perform-
ing the musical adaptation of Robert Fulghum’s All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten on August 18-20. Shows are one weekend only: Thursday, Aug. 18 and Friday, August 19 at 7 pm and Saturday, Aug. 20 at 3 pm. Tickets are on sale now at Munsey Church, 201 E. Market Street or online at Munsey.org. Adults $10, children 12 and under $5. For more information, contact Dianna Cantler, 461-8070, ext. 210.
Saturday, August 20 The Kingsport Gems and Minerals Society will be having their annual picnic at the Eastman Cabins near Bays Mountain Park. The picnic will be at shelter number 40 and all members and guests are encouraged to attend. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member is welcome
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to attend also. It is a covered dish- potluck dinner so bring your favorite food to share. Gathering time begins at 4 pm and dinner is at 5:30 p.m. Come to Listen. Come to Learn. Come to Tell. Doc McConnell Yarnspinner meet at the Kingsport Renaissance Center, Rm 209 on Saturday, August 20 from 3-5 p.m. Come share a story to a forgiving audience and receive gentle coaching, if you wish. Call for more information, 423272-8549 The Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center will be hosting the third event of the new family dance series along with the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society designed specifically for families with young children. The popular family dance series has taken off with steam, boasting a record crowd in July. The remainder of the dances for this season will take place
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on August 20th, September 17th, November 29th and December 17th. Dances consist of easy steps for participants of all ages. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of dancing with a focus on having fun and placing less of an emphasis on dance techniques. Types of dances include circles, long-ways sets, squares, and odd number sets. All dances will be taught and called with high-energy and live string band music. Family dances promote community, inter-generational interaction, and bring traditional dance to a new generation, making the dance community stronger and enduring. The Historic Jonesborough Family Dance is open to families and groups with children ages 4 and up. Adult admission is $5 and children ages 4 and up is $3. Family packages are available for parents and children for $15. Those wishing to not participate
in the dance but are accompanying others are admitted for free. The Family Dance will begin at 5:30 p.m. each evening. Immediately following the Family Dance, a regular contra dance will begin at 7 p.m. For more information contact David Wiley at 423-534-8879. Monday, August 22 If you ever dreamed of being in the circus … now is your chance! Theatreat-Tusculum is seeking not only actors, singers and dancers, but also jugglers, unicyclists, acrobats, clowns and stilt-walkers for its fall production of the Tony Award winning musical, “Carnival!” One and all are invited to audition to be a part of the glitter, excitement, romance and magic of “Cirque de Paris.” Director Marilyn duBrisk
has gathered her gifted production staff together with guest artist Russ Crum, and plans to present another successful Theatreat-Tusculum production to enchant the whole family on Nov. 4-6 and 11-13. “Carnival!” requires a strong acting cast and able vocalists to bring the musical to life. Lead roles include Lili, an orphaned girl seeking a job in the carnival; Paul, a handsome puppeteer with a tragic past; Marco the Magnificent, the flamboyant magician (to be played by Crum), and the Incomparable Roselie, his vivacious partner. Other roles include B. J. Schlegal, owner of the carnival; Jaquot, Paul’s loyal partner; Grobert, a very nasty character, and a host of other carnival personalities and stars from roustabouts to exotic dancers, French clowns to
Siamese twins. Auditions for adults (high school age and above) are scheduled on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 22-23. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. with auditions beginning at 6 p.m. Children’s auditions (first through eighth grade) will be Wednesday, Aug. 24. Registration will begin at 3:30 p.m. with auditions starting at 4 p.m. Call backs will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, as needed. On Friday, Aug. 26, there will be a special audition for friendly performing dogs and their handlers at 5 p.m. Leashes are mandatory. Those who many need “props” to illustrate their talent are asked to bring them to the audition. For further information, please call 423-798-1620 or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu
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Page 38, The Loafer • August 16, 2011 Thanks to one of those wonderful Amazon “Deal Of The Day” offers, I now own the complete series box set of The Prisoner in Blu-Ray - all seventeen episodes plus an entire disc full of extras, including a 90-minute documentary consisting of recent reminiscences by surviving cast members. Sadly missing is the presence and voice of Patrick McGoohan, the series’ star and creative force who passed away just prior to this A&E release in 2009. Without a doubt, this is one of the best Blu-Ray packages available, and I encourage you to add it to your collection. And it is a very fitting tribute to McGoohan’s genius and to the Cold War era from which it originated. I have just finished watching this series for the first time. When this show made its American premier on CBS in 1968 I was in high school, but don’t recall ever watching it then. In fact, I don’t remember even being aware of the series until much later. Like many other aspects of my younger days, I have had to wait until I’ve gotten older to realize their impact on my life - good examples being Miles Davis’ 1969 album Bitches Brew and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, both of which I have come to appreciate and love long after their initial release date. During the time when these albums and The Prisoner first appeared, I was immersed in the poetry of Rod McKuen, the best-selling poet in American history (and arguably also the worst poet in our history, as I eventually came to realize as my teenage acne started clearing up). While I was being mesmerized by profound lines like “Do you know my friend the sea?; he watches everything we do,” I was totally bypassed by The Prisoner, a truly profound work of art. But, given my state of mind (or lack thereof) at the time, I doubt I would have understood what McGoohan was trying to tell us. So it’s probably best I’ve waited this long to visit The Village. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here is a brief synopsis that hopefully contains no “spoilers.” Patrick McGoohan plays an unnamed British secret service agent who decides one day to quit the agency. On the same morning that he turns in his letter of resignation, he is kidnapped from his London row house and transported to a place only referred to as “The Village.” He soon learns that this very attractive and architectually fascinating place is in fact a prison - a place reserved for those who, like him, conceal many secrets and possess desirable information that the
KELLY
JIM
Kelly’s Place
AT HOME IN THE VILLAGE: Serving time with The Prisoner
authorities constantly try to get them to reveal. No one in The Village has a name - only a number. McGoohan is known as Number Six, and The Village is run by a succession of pretty despicable people known as Number Two (there is a different Number Two for each of the series’ seventeen episodes, except for three that feature the same person, played to perfection by Leo McKern). As you can imagine, Number Six isn’t very happy in The Village, a place where everyone’s daily activities are regulated and constantly subject to surveillance by ever-present video monitors - something that probably seemed positively futuristic and unbelievable in 1967, when the series was filmed, but a fact of life that now seems terrifyingly commonplace. Nearly every episode is devoted to Number Six’s plans to escape
(two of his actual attempts are foiled in particularly nasty ways) and his obsession with discovering the identity of Number One. Fans of the series still debate the meaning of the final episode, Fall Out, when Number Six meets his nemesis face-to-face in one of the most enigmatic endings in television history. What makes The Prisoner so enthralling is its attempt to raise serious questions about our existence. Each episode takes as its theme an important, and sometimes unanswerable, philosophical question that attempts to shake the viewer out of his or her complacency (to encourage them to “escape” from The Village, if you will). For instance, one of my favorite episodes, The General (Episode Six), is about the educational system and its insistence on rote memorization and mindless conformity. When this
episode aired, on November 3, 1967, viewers were familiar with the Cold War obsession with “brainwashing” and the fallout from the Sputnik launch 10 years earlier than changed the direction of the educational system and based its pedagogy on the lock-step conformity of standardized testing. Today, as we struggle with the authoritarian and non-criticalthinking demands of the No Child Left Behind program, this episode seems more prescient than ever. Other episodes, dealing with such issues as political manipulation, mind-altering medication, cloning (1967-style), rebellion against authority, and identify theft, make the series seem both historical and contemporary. This should be required viewing in our school systems. In the end, McGoohan’s primary aims in creating the world of The
Village was to make us aware of how imprisoned we are in the modern world and to question the meaning of freedom in a world of media-enforced conformity. As TV Guide put it in a later review of the series, “Fans still puzzle over this weird, enigmatic drama, a Kafkaesque allegory about the individual’s struggle in the modern age.” McGoohan himself said his series is “the sort of thing where a thousand people might have a different interpretation of it.” In the introduction to their definitive (but in need of updating) book, The Official Prisoner Companion (published in 1988), Matthew White and Jaffer Ali note that “It’s easy to say that The Prisoner was ahead of its time, but that’s missing the point. The Prisoner was a product of its time, the same time period that produced the Beatles and Timothy Leary and Vietnam. Many of the episodes have been properly interpreted as expressions of contemporary issues, be it the Vietnam War or recreational drug use or alternative life-styles. But few people watch The Prisoner for these reasons. People continue to watch and talk about The Prisoner because it remains the most unusual, the most provocative, and the most controversial television series ever produced. It dared to probe the boundaries of what a television series could be, and as such, it is unique and deserving of respect.” Perhaps the series that most resembles The Prisoner in presentation and intent is Rod Serling’s 1960-65 series, The Twilight Zone. And there is no doubt that both shows have influenced much that followed, particularly movies like The Truman Show and the TV series Lost. I encourage you to watch The Prisoner and to draw your own conclusions. I also advise you to steer clear of the 2009 AMC updating of the series, starring Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen. AMC should have shown the original episodes instead. Interestingly enough, Patrick McGoohan was consulted about this series and offered some good suggestions for casting and other matters, but died before the show aired. Before I go, I will leave you with some words of wisdom uttered by Number Six when he is first interrogated after arriving in The Village: “I will not make any deals with you. I’ve resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered. My life is my own.” And I’m sure that were he alive today, he also wouldn’t want to be “friended” in the vast modern Village known as Facebook.
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Arts
Looking for someone to hand quilt a quilt top. Please call in Kingsport @ 423-863-5911 or email tnfreckles@ gmail.com Scrapbooking Classes! Learn about exciting new ideas and techniques whether you’re a beginner or not! Individual classes, workshops and crops available. Contact teachu2scrap@charter.net or call (423) 383-2897 for more information. The Art Gurls, who are a group of creative women who get together once a month at the Wild Flour Restaurant in Abingdon, VA. To eat, drink, exchange stories and ideas, and to hatch out art projects. For further information call Barbara Carter at (423) 239-5757 or (423) 943-7505. Ceramic Classes, Fridays 5-8 p.m., Drop-ins welcome. All day on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (423) 426-1027 or (423) 257-5117 for more information. Wednesday Morning Painters meet at 10 a.m. each Wednesday at Abingdon’s Arts Depot for a few delightful hours of painting and artistic interaction. All persons interested in painting in an informal, relaxed atmosphere are encouraged to attend. All skill levels are represented and there is no fee. Contact the Arts Depot at (276) 628-9091 for more information. Flowers by Fran. Classes for painting flowers, wild life & landscape. Classes being taught. Call Fran at (423) 753-7310. Art Life will offer a Creative Arts Program for children featuring workshops in creative writing, drama, play writing, are and photography. Workshops will be held Saturdays throughout the year. Cost is one-time (per year) fee of $40 per student, $60 for two in one family, and includes all workshops, art events and subscriptions to an arts publication featuring stories, poetry and other works by students. Call Kim at (423) 245-4711.
Classes/Workshops
Breastfeeding Support/LLL Johnson City Meeting – NEW Second Sundays 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 East Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601. Meets in the lower level, room LL14.Call Samantha with questions at 423-956-3525 Parenting Information and Support - Johnson City Meeting – NEW TriCities Parenting, API Second Sundays 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 East Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 Meets in the lower level, room LL14. Call Samantha with questions at 423-956-3525 Parenting information and help – NEW TriCities Parenting, API Second Wednesdays 10:00 to 11:00 am Java Js coffee house on State Street in Bristol (501 State Street, Bristol, VA, 24201) Students from King College will have something for older children to do - this is optional and for your convenience, as desired. More info: Samantha, 423-956-3525 Breastfeeding Cafe – NEW Second Wednesdays 11:00 am to 12:00 p.m. Java Js coffee house on State Street in Bristol (501 State Street, Bristol, VA, 24201) Meeting style is casual, come get your questions answered, encourage others, etc. Students from King College will have something for older children to do - this is optional and for your convenience, as desired. More info: Samantha, 423-956-3525 Breastfeeding Support/LLL Bristol Evening Meeting Fourth Tuesdays 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. YWCA Bristol, State Street, Bristol, TN Call Katherine with questions at (276) 466-4860 Breastfeeding Support/LLL Bristol Day Meeting First Fridays 10:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Avoca Branch Library, Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN Call Katherine with questions at (276) 466-4860 Preparing for 2012-Before, Then & After Workshops are ongoing and held in Gray, TN. The 10-week workshop series explains the 2012 phenomena and provides the information necessary for students to understand what is happening on our planet and what they must do about it. Students learn to prepare themselves and their families mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually to effectively endure these occurrences. These workshops are not about fear, panic and desperation; they provide comfort, awareness, and knowledge of the truth during times of uncertainty. Dr. Mitzi Pyles intuitively received this vital information, and it is scientifically supported throughout the series. Contact Dr. Pyles at 423-467-3302 or visit www.PreparingFor2012.com for more information or dates and times of upcoming workshops. An Introduction to The Heart of Huna: 7 steps to a whole-hearted life. Meets the 2nd Wednesday from 6:30-9:30p.m.. Imagine living your perfect life! This introduction to Hawaiian Huna and Aloha offers simple principles to live in harmony in relationship with oneself, each other and the environment. By applying the ancient principles of Huna you can achieve a life centered in love-for a more meaningful, whole-hearted life. For more information contact Kaleo Wheeler (423) 926-1648 or www.kaleowheeler.com
Are you looking to give your life meaning? Therapeutic Foster Parenting offers tremendous fulfillment. We need singles or married couples in Washington County, VA or Bristol, VA to work with children from ages 5 to 18, who have some history or emotional instability. Specialized training and a monthly fee are both provided. Call Andre-Highlands Community Services at (276) 645-4781 for more information.
Interested in fostering or adopting a Child? The Tennessee Dept. of Children’s Services is currently offering a FREE Foster/Adoptive Parent Training. Classes will be offered in Johnson City, Greeneville, Rogersville, Elizabethton, and Blountville. Please call 877-DCS-KIDS (877-327-5437) for more information. Therapeutic Yoga. To manage & control Parkinson’s Disease. Learn concentration, techniques, to neutralize, daily stresses & increase focus & memory. For more information call (423) 246-3805 or (423) 246-5149
Mavis Beacon Typing - Free of Charge. Boost efficiency and enhance productivity with excellent keyboarding skills. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 15 is an ideal tutorial program for any keyboard user. Featuring customized lessons, motivating speed tests and progress reports, dictation practice and more, this versatile program is equally effective for the young student typist, the busy executive or the professional administrative assistant seeking to improve their skills. Instructor: Kim Skeens, Lab Coordinator. Visit our website @ www.ywcabristol.org or for more information call for details, (423) 968-9444.
Trinity Baptist Church announces the start of two new programs for children. Daughters of the King is a class for young ladies in 4th-6th grade where they will explore the basics of beauty. Through games, discussion, visiting consultants, and field trips we explore the world of beauty and then they will learn about what God describes as beautiful. Sons of the King is a program designed to build Godly character in young men grades 4-6 through Bible study, games, skill building and adventure. Both groups meet on Mondays from 3:30-5 p.m. separately at the church located on Headtown Road in Jonesborough. Transportation may be available. Call the church at (423) 753-4394 for more information.
Learn to use therapeutic grade Essential Oils to benefit mind and body. Day and evening workshops limited spaces. For information and registration call (423) 232-6254. Magic Classes. Learn to do amazing magic tricks with everyday items. Tuesday nights at “Top Hat Magic Supply” in Bristol, TN from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Limited space. All ages welcome! Call Dave Vaught or Ryan Robinette for further information at (423) 968-3200. Spanish Classes. John Arredondo & Associates is offering a variety of Spanish classes including Basic Spanish, Spanish II, Spanish for Building Trades, Spanish for Healthcare Workers, Spanish for Home Schoolers, Spanish Tutoring. For more information call (423) 483-4650. Floral designing courses. A complete custom floral designing course day and night classes. Limited space, 10 persons per class. Call Fran (423) 753-7310.
Knit Too Together (Regional knitting guild) meets the third Tuesday each month at 1 p.m. at Christian Fellowship Church off Interstate 81 at exit 63. Johnson City knitters carpool to meetings. Call (423) 232-0644 in Johnson City for further information. Blue Ridge Quilt Guild, Johnson City – meets 1st Wednesday of month. Social 9:30 am, meeting 10 am. Our Savior Luthern Church, Sunset Dr. Meeting times/locations subject to change per current program schedule. Ask at local quilt shops for specific contact information.
First Frontier Quilters, Kingsport – meets 3rd Tuesday of month, 10 am at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Warpath Drive. Meeting times/locations subject to change per current program schedule. Ask at local quilt shops for specific contact information.
Holston Quilters Guild, Bristol TN – meets 3rd Saturday of month, 10 am at the First United Methodist Church, Vance Drive, Bristol. Meeting times/locations subject to change per current program schedule. Ask at local quilt shops for specific contact information. Sycamore Stitchers, Elizabethton – meets 2nd Thursday of month, 9 am. At Sycamore Shoals State Park. Meeting times/locations subject to change per current program schedule. Ask at local quilt shops for specific contact information.
Appalchian Heritage Quilters, Gray – 1st Thursday of month is stitch-in, 3rd Thursday of month is meeting/program. Gray Community Center. 6 p.m.. Meeting times/ locations subject to change per current program schedule. Ask at local quilt shops for specific contact information.
Unaka Piecemakers Quilt Club, Erwin – 1st Tuesday is business meeting, then working on projects. 3rd Tuesday is stitch-in. Social, 9:30 a.m., meeting 10 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, Rock Creek Rd. Meeting times/locations subject to change per current program schedule. Ask at local quilt shops for specific contact information. Quilting Classes. Sponsored by Tennessee Quilts in Jonesborough. For additional information phone at (423) 753-6644.
Dance
West Coast Swing Classes! Thursdays at 7p.m.. Only $10 per class! Held at Stardust Dance Centre. 321 E. Sullivan St. Downtown Kingsport. Call (423) 292-9512 for more information.
Dancing Divas Class for Women! Ladies, learn Hip Hop, country and western, salsa, line dancing, belly dancing and more. Great workout. Lots of fun! Thursdays at 8p.m.. Held at Stardust Dance Centre. 321 E. Sullivan St. Downtown Kingsport. Call (423) 292-9512 for more information. Group discounts available.
Hip-Hop. Learn the hottest new street dance moves and burn the floor! Every Thursday we offer beginner lessons for adults and kids. Children 7-12 meet at 4p.m.. Ages 13 and up meet at 5p.m.. Learn short routines to the latest songs or join a dance team and perform. Classes are held in downtown Kingsport. Monthly payments are the lowest in the tri-cities. Taught by Mike and Mark. Call now to pre-register 292-9512. Beginner Belly Dance Class. “Veil and Zill” This class will focus on dancing with accoutrements (veils and finger cymbals). Dancers must bring their own accoutrements or they can be purchased at the studio on the first day of class. This (8) week class will be held on Mondays at 7p.m.. Coin skirts are recommended but not required. Dancers will learn short routines. Belly dancing is great for toning abs, thighs, triceps, biceps and buttocks. Routines are sexy, fun and mildly aerobic. Call 292-9512 to pre-register.
Magic Classes. Classes for beginners and up. Weekend workshops also available. Call Andrew Hyder for more information or to set up a time. (423) 213-9312
Tumbling, ballet, hip hop, tap classes available for ages 2 through 14 in Kingsport, Johnson City, Blountville, Allandale. No registration fees or contracts. Parents observe in the classroom. For more information phone (423)288-8346
Chics ‘n Chaps women’s motorcycle club meets the first Friday of each month at at 6:30p.m.. Please call (423) 341-8914 or (423) 292-7923 for meeting location.
Monthly Ballroom Dance: Fourth Friday of each month at Virginia Ballroom at 300 Senior Drive Abingdon - a relaxed way to practice your skills or hone them at the lesson before the dance. Lesson 7p.m., Dance 8p.m. - 10p.m.. Alcohol and smoke free. No partner or experience necessary. A $5.00 donation to the Senior Center and a snack to share will be appreciated. Beverages will be provided. Call (276) 623-4400 for more information.
Learn to get what you want out of life. Personal Empowerment Workshops, Meditation and other new ongoing classes are now being formed. All of these workshops and classes offer powerful, practical techniques and tools that are specifically designed to help enhance all aspects of one’s life. Workshops are held each Monday night. Meditation classes are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Other classes are offered as needed. Dr. Mitzi Pyles facilitates them. For more information call (423) 467-3302.
Latin Dance Aerobics Class – Salsa, Cha-Cha, Swing, Samba, Merengue, Hip-Hop, Belly Dance, Pasa Doble. Loose weight, tighten and tone. Fit into that new bikini or little black dress! Learn a new dance and make new friend. This class is an exciting and fun way to get in shape for the summer. Just $10 per dancer. No pre-registration or partner required. Just show up! Classes are every Monday at 6p.m.. 321 E. Sullivan St. Kingsport. Call 292-9512 for more information.
Beginner Belly Dancing - $10 per dancer. Mondays at 7p.m.. Classical, Egyptian and Tribal styles. Lean basic belly dance movements and mini routines. Dress in beautiful costumes. Fun way to tone target areas. Low impact but full body workout. Bring your friends, family and co-workers. Call Sharah for more information at 292-9512.
FREE Summer Hip-Hop High School Class – Tuesdays at 5p.m.. Hip-hop / cha-cha / salsa / lyrical. High school students only, no exceptions. 321 E. Sullivan St. Kingsport. Taught by Brooklynn. Call 292-9512 for more information.
required areas of study and meets from 8:30am-4:30p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. The CSAC and CSAC-A are the baseline credentials for individuals seeking to enter the field of addictions treatment in Virginia. For more information, call Eric Greene at (276) 523-8300.
There will be Line Dance Lessons held every Tuesday at Fanatics Sports Club in the DoubleTree Hotel. Beginner lesson is at 6:30 and intermediate is at 7:30. Dance to the latest dances being done nationwide to country, pop, latin, tango and hip-hop music. No experience needed and no partner required. Located at 211 Mockingbird Lane, Johnson City. For more information call (423) 282-1848 or tnlinedancer@hotmail.com.
Federation of Families: Lee, 2nd Monday 6:30 p.m. Jonesville First United Methodist Church Federation of Families meets monthly to provide support and education for families dealing with the challenges of raising a child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues. The group meets the 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30. Registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, call Brenda or Theresa at (276) 431-4370 or 888-443-1804. Children are welcome. Calling 888-443-1804 can provide transportation assistance.
Lyrical for Children and Adults! Learn to express the lyrics of a song with movement! Children Thursdays 5-6p.m., Adults Thursdays 6-7p.m.. Pre-registration required. Call (423) 292-9512 for more information.
Federation of Families: Scott, 3rd Monday 6:30 p.m. Holston View United Methodist Church Federation of Families meets monthly to provide support and education for families dealing with the challenges of raising a child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues. The group meets the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30. Registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, call Brenda or Theresa at (276) 431-4370 or 888-443-1804. Children are welcome. Calling 888-443-1804 can provide transportation assistance.
Toddler Dance Class! 18mo’s, 2’s and 3’s. 1 parent must attend with child. 10 student maximum (so hurry and reserve your child’s spot.) Learn rhythm, movement and get some socialization. Pre-registration required. Call (423) 292-9512 for more information. Saturdays 11am. Youth Ballroom! Waltz, Rumba, Tango, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Swing and More! Dance lessons being taught for couples and singles every Friday night at the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Center, 300 W. Mill St. in Elizabethton. Class begins at 6:30 p.am. and includes a one hour lesson and 30 minutes of practice. Cost is $10 for singles and $15 for couples. Dances includes Two-step, swing, waltz and more. You do not need a partner to attend. Call 547-6441 for more information.
Federation of Families: Wise, 1st Monday 6:30 p.m. Presbyterian Church Federation of Families meets monthly to provide support and education for families dealing with the challenges of raising a child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues. The group meets the 1st Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30. Registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, call Brenda or Theresa at (276) 431-4370 or 888-443-1804. Children are welcome. Calling 888-443-1804 can provide transportation assistance.
Line dance lessons every Tuesday at The Doubletree Hotel, Johnson City. Beginner lessons from 6:30-7:30 and Intermediate from 7:30-8:30. $5 for one or both lessons. Learn the latest dances to Music including Country, Pop, Waltz, Tango and Swing. No partner or experience needed. For more information contact (423) 282-1848 or tnlinedancer@hotmail.com
Lee County Suicide Prevention Coalition 4th Thursday, 2 p.m. Lee County Behavioral Health Services. The Suicide Prevention Coalition, formed to raise awareness and determine the available resources in the Lee County community for suicide survivors, will meet the fourth Thursday of every month. Anyone interested in helping support this cause, please contact Bill or Phyllis Russell at (276) 346-1641.
Monthly Social Dance for couples and singles. There will be a Social Dance held for couples, singles and line dancers on the second Saturday of each month at the Jonesborough Visitor Center. There will be a brief couples lesson and a brief line dance lesson at each event. Cost is $5 at the door and includes the lessons and the dance. Everyone is welcome. No dance experience is needed. Come and learn to dance or just enjoy watching in a friendly non-smoking atmosphere. 117 Boone St. Jonesbrough. For more information call (423) 928-2786 or email tndancer1@comcast.net
Moral Reconation Therapy Group, Wednesdays, 2-4 p.m. Wise County Behavioral Health Services. A Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) Group meets each Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. The group will be ongoing and juveniles ages 13-17 may join any time. Pre-registration is required by calling Jessica Williamson at 523-8370. MRT is a group designed to help juveniles on probation or who have a criminal or substance abuse history to make good choices by doing what is right.
The Bellydance Company is offering a promotional free of charge into to belly dance classes. Youth groups ages 14 to 25. Classes cover veil dancing and how to dance with finger cymbals, basic steps and combination. For additional information call (423) 202-3208. Bellydance workshop now offering at The Broadway Café, Kingsport Saturdays from 5-6:30p.m.. Also, sponsoring a FREE to the public, International Language Club every Sunday from 11am – 2p.m.. Any level of language skills. Students, instructors & bilinguals of French, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Chinese, Tagalog, Hebrew and Latin are welcome. Call (423) 246-4666 for more information. Shimmering Oasis! The first belly dance school in the Tri-Cities has relocated. Anna Broyles (aka Ozma) teaches American/Middle-Eastern Dance or belly dance at Shimmering Oasis. Learn the ancient form of belly dance while toning your body. An excellent core workout that engages the entire body. Classes run Beginning through Advanced. For anyone regardless of age, size or previous experience. Try the first class free! Gift certificates are available. Also, dance troupe HIPnotic: The Gypsy Queens is available to perform at local events. Contact Ozma at (276) 591-9736 or email: ozmadances@bvunet.net New Dance Class for Children at The Rose Center. The Rose Center is extremely pleased to offer new dance classes for children. We have an excellent teacher in Tammy Plasencia who will teach ages 3 and older in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern and lyrical dance as well as acrobatics. Classes are offered Monday through Friday; contact Rose Center for the specific schedule for your child. Fees range from $30 per month for pre-school 30-minute classes to $60 for advanced student classes; substantial discounts are offered for more than one class per week. Call Rose Center at 423-581-4330 for more information and to register for class. In the Introduction to Ballroom Dance class, students will start with the four basic movements used in ballroom dancing. Three to four dances will be taught with 3 to 5 patterns used in each dance. A native of Knoxville, Kennedy has been teaching and competing in ballroom dancing for over 20 years and is a certified adjudicator in all five categories of competition. He has trained some of the finest teachers in the country and has worked with some of the world’s top champions. He teaches the American style of dance. Private lessons are also available at $50 per session. Contact Lynn directly at 865-455-6975 to schedule private lessons. Kennedy would also like to offer a call to those who would like to become dance instructors. Contact Rose Center if you are interested in learning to teach ballroom dance. Contra Dances are held twice a month in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone St. Live music in a smoke/alcohol free environment. For more information and schedule visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or call David Wiley at (423) 913-3246 Mountain Empire Shag Society dances the Carolina Shag on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in the lounge at the Holiday Inn on N. Roan St., Johnson City. Free basic lessons at 8 p.m. Private lessons available by appointment. Club DJ Bigfish Calhoun plays the best in shag, r&b and beach until 10 p.m. For more information call Carl Edwards, VP, (423) 878-5877 or Larry Calhoun, DJ, (423) 239-5906. Ballroom Dance. Learn the waltz, swing, cha-cha, rumba, salsa, tango, foxtrot and more in your choice of a group or class or private lesson. Both male and female instructors make learning easy, fun and exciting. A national champion offers Competitive and social instruction available and ongoing classes. Couples are welcome but no partner or dance experience is necessary. Friday night parties are offered to practice what you’ve learned. Classes conveniently located in Johnson City. Group class and parties $10/person. Please contact Amanda at (423) 833-5093 for more information.
Education
Tobacco Education programs. Tobacco Education Group (TEG) offers a positive alternative to suspension from school for students in trouble because they have violated their school’s policy on tobacco use. This 8-week program motivates students to reduce tobacco use, make healthier choices, quit tobacco on their own, or join a voluntary tobacco cessation program. Tobacco Awareness Program (TAP) helps students with information, motivation, and support to quit using tobacco. Each student designs his or her approach by choosing a suitable quit date and cessation methods. Both programs, available in Lee, Scott, & Wise Counties, and the City of Norton, are fully funded by the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF), Planning District 1, and Frontier Health. For more information, call (276) 523-8360. TRACES Foster Care. Frontier Health’s TRACES Foster Care Program needs therapeutic foster parents in Northeast Tennessee. TRACES foster parents receive free training, 24-hour support services, and tax-free reimbursement for care. Caseworkers are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week for emergency needs. Call 423-224-1043, for more information on becoming a foster parent. VALUES Foster Care. Frontier Health’s VALUES Foster Care Program, a child-placing agency licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services, needs therapeutic foster parents in Lee, Wise, and Scott counties and the city of Norton. The program offers training, guidance and links to services needed to maintain foster care placement. Caseworkers are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week for emergency needs. To become a foster parent, call 1-888-443-1804. Didactic Training Requirement for the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Frontier Health and Planning District One Behavioral Health Services is presenting a 10-month comprehensive training for people seeking to fulfill the 220 hours of Didactic Training Requirement for the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Credential offered by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. The training covers all 10
“Children in the Middle”. Frontier Health offers a SAMSHA Model divorce education program titled CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE. This program is a skills-based curriculum that helps parents deal with their children’s reactions to divorce. Classes are offered each month in Lee, Scott and Wise Counties. The registration fee is $15 and participants will receive a workbook, guidebook and a certificate of completion. For more information, call Tracie Johnson at 1-888-443-1804.
American Sign Language. The Communication Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing teaches several classes in American Sign Language, including Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV. When scheduled, the six-week classes are scheduled on Tuesdays at the Victory Center, Johnson City. Each Level class is $75 and will be taught by CCDHH instructors. For more information, for a schedule, or to register, call 434-0447. The Communication Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a division of Frontier Health and provides communication between people who are hearing and people who are deaf or hard of hearing. CCDHH is a community service center providing services under contract with Federal and State Government Agencies, Businesses, Industries, Hospitals, Service Agencies, Courts and Individuals who are in need of assistance in communicating with people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Services are available in Carter, Claibourne, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington. This program is funded in part by the Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services.
Job Corps has a limited number of openings for eligible youth between the ages of 16-24 in NE Tennessee area. The program helps young people complete their high school education and obtain skills training in high demand occupations. The program has been in existence since 1964 and operates 122 full-time residential training centers throughout the country. Training will last from 6 months to 2 years + there is an opportunity for advanced education following completion. If eligible, there is no cost for this training. To obtain more information contact Patty Sausser at the Northeast Tennessee Career Center located in Johnson City at (423) 610-0222 ext. 222.
Upper East Tennessee Human Develop.m.ent Agency’s Head Start Program is currently accepting applications 3 & 4 year old children for the 2009-20010 school year. Head Start is a comprehensive educational and nurturing program which also addresses the emotional and physical needs of each enrolled child. Children must meet the eligibility requirements of the federal income guidelines and local Policy Council standards. The Head Start program also provides services to three and four year old children with disabilities. All this is totally FREE to the family. In addition, transportation is provided except for the two Full Day/Full Year classes. Slots are limited. Apply today. For more information about an application or qualifications call Melissa Roark at (423) 764-7365 or come by 703 Florida Ave. Bristol, TN.
Venture Crew 1861 now seeking young men and women between the ages of 15 and 21 who enjoy scouting and outdoor activities but want an added twist of adventure and living history. VC 1861 is a co-ed Venture scout group portraying civilians and military, Confederate and Federal, from the Civil War. We do living history in our area and re-enactment’s at major battlefield sites in other states. Interested in joining or want more information? E-mail us at venture_1861@yahoo.com with your name, age, address and telephone # and we will get back with you with more information.
Patricia Freedman Literacy Academy offers help with GED preparation, remedial reading and math, English as a second language, English for Speakers of Other Languages, military entrance test/ASVAB, and college entrance exams. The Literacy Academy also offers computer classes for Windows, Internet Usage, Basic Excel, keyboarding, resume writing, and assistance filing for financial aid. There is no charge for this assistance, but donations are always appreciated. For more information, call (276) 645-8790. Patricia Freedman Literacy Academy is located at 701 Goode St. inside the Bristol Public open Mon-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
State of Franklin Homeschoolers (SOFH) has several regular activities each month for area homeschoolers, as well as occasional field trips and other opportunities. SOFH is an inclusive group open to ALL homeschoolers regardless of race, religion, creed or educational philosophy. For more information contact Michelle at (423) 538-6159.
Toastmasters: Learn to develop effective communication and leadership skills! Participate in a self-paced program designed to improve your speaking, listening and thinking. The Mission of Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. Wednesday Orators Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday from 12:05-1 p.m. at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center on Wilcox Drive in Kingsport. For more information, contact Kathy Padgett at (423) 247-7983 or email at kpadgett@eastman.com.
Toastmasters: Learn to develop effective communication and leadership skills! Participate in a self-paced program designed to improve your speaking, listening and thinking. The Mission of Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. Twin City Toastmasters Club meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 5:45-6:45 p.m. at the Central Christian Church located at 424 Melrose St. in Bristol, TN. For more information contact Wanda Earp at (423) 764-2288 or email at wandaearp@chartertn.net.
YMCA Elementary After School Care. Kingsport YMCA is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Elementary Age After School Child Care Program in the following schools: Jackson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Jefferson, Rock Spring, Indian Spring, Kingsley, Miller Perry, Holston and Sullivan. For further information, please call the YMCA office at (423) 247-9622.
Gardening
Plant Swap. Meeting at Mize Farm & Garden, 929 W. Watauga Ave. JC. The first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. Trade plants/seeds you have in excess for something you don’t have. Have fun and meet new friends. For information call Sarita at (423) 434-1800.
with the serious disease of diabetes. This help comes in the various forms of informative meetings, events and personal support. For more information call Jim Smallwood at (423) 288-4576.
Health/Fitness
Color My World Healthy classes at Carver. Come and learn how you can keep a healthy heart after by-pass, stent, or other cardiac surgery. The class will be taught by members of “Mended Heart”, an American Heart Association affiliated group. Join us Tuesday morning, 10:00am – 12:00 noon Feb. 9th at Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave. Johnson City. Space is limited so call and reserve your seat. For more information call (423) 461-8830.
Pilate’s Classes. Beginning Pilate’s mat classes offered Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Wear comfortable clothing, mats are supplied or bring your own. 112 W. Main St. Kingsport, TN. For additional information call (423) 392-4325.
Masters Swimming Program in Johnson City. Certified coach tailors the program to meet each participant’s needs and abilities. Practices are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6-7 a.m. For further information, contact Coach Chris Coraggio at (423) 833-5595.
An introduction to Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure. The Neck & Shoulder release. 3rd Mondays of the month from 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. at Waterfalls of Wellness Healing Center. 739 Bluff City Hwy, Bristol.
Want to quit smoking? Lose weight? Reduce Stress? Improve your performance at school, work or sports? Healing Energies can help you meet your goals through Hypnosis. Please five us a call if you want to change your life. (423) 257-3521.
An introduction to Free Your Voice – Free Your Self. 3rd Tuesdays of the month. 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m.. Kaleo Wheeler (423) 202-3862.
The Johnson City Judo Club offers beginning classes in the sport of Judo for adults only at Girls, Inc. every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Classes are $2 per session. You will need to purchase a uniform. Visit www.johnsoncityjudo.com for more information, or call Brian Rowe at (423) 439-2047 or Bill Perkins at (423) 975-0171, We are a non-profit organization.
Gentle Flow Yoga Classes. Tuesday evenings from 7:15-8:15p.m. at Piney Flats United Methodist Church (fellowship hall). Suitable for all levels of students. Please bring your own mat and blanket. Only $5.00. Call Wendy @ (423) 220-0552 for more information. Come and learn how you can take simple and affordable steps to improve the health and quality of your life. This series of workshops will present a variety of ways to improve your personal health, the health of your home, manage stress, deal with change, and more. The workshops will be held every 4th. Thursday of the month starting at 7p.m.. at Wellness Way Chiropractic: 103 Keystone Dr. in Blountville. Space is limited so call and reserve your seat. For further information please call 423-646-4038 or email us at WillVanInwagen@gmail.com Aikido in Johnson City! Classes held Mon and Thurs in downtown Johnson City. 103 W Market St. All skill levels welcome. Traditional Hombu style. Directions and more information at www.jcaikido.com Roller Derby – Are you female, over 18, and need to get out some aggression? Come try roller derby! Strap on some skates and join one of the fastest growing competitive sports in the nation. The Little City Roller Girls are currently seeking new skaters and referees to expand their roster. No previous experience or special skill sets necessary. Women of all shapes and sizes welcome! Men can join in on the fun as referees. Stop by our practices held every Wed 6:30-8:30p.m. and every Sun 12-2p.m. at the Johnson City Family Skate Center to get more info. The JCFSC is located at 930 W Watauga Ave at the corner of State of Franklin and Watauga. Check us out on the web at www.littlecityrollergirls.com ZUMBA – The hot new aerobic workout. Zumba is inspired by Latin dance and music, Zumba uses a variety of styles in its routines, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, hip-hop, pop, mambo, rumba, flamenco, and calypso and Salsaton. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms to help tone and sculpt the body. Anyone can do it..beginners to advanced. Only $7 per class Mondays & Wednesdays at The Muscle Factory, 2318 Buffalo Rd. Johnson City. For more information call (423) 929-7471. Yoga Classes – Iyengar Inspired yoga classes offered at New Paradigm Health Center, 113 E. Unaka Ave. Johnson City on Fridays at noon and Saturday s from 9-10:30am. Call (423) 928-9394 for details. Basics of Belly Dance! Ladies, get a jump start on that New Year’s resolution! All ages, sizes, fitness levels. Tone your body and boost self-esteem through tasteful Middle Eastern dance movements. Classes held every Monday, 6-7 P.M. at the Princeton Arts Center (2516 Oakland Ave.). Cost is just $5 per session. Call PAC at (423) 283-5800 for info or to sign up. Wear flexible clothing and join the fun! Mountain Yoga, inside Mullins Shaolin Kung Fu on Springbrook St. in JC, offers yoga classes. Class times are Monday s & Wednesday s at noon and Tuesday s & Thursday s at 6:30am. First class is free. After that, there is a $10 drop-in fee, or $50 for a month of unlimited classes. Contact Jennifer Chisam at (423) 262-9551. Learn to maintain a healthy weight naturally. Programs individually crafted by holistic nutrition and healthy living consultant Marie Browning. Sessions provide the information, guidance and support your need to improve your own health and well being. For information call (423) 367-1396 or visit www.healthiersolutionsbymarie.com Learn to maintain a healthy weight naturally. Programs individually crafted by holistic nutrition and healthy living consultant Marie Browning. Sessions provide the information, guidance and support you need to improve your own health and well being. For information call (423) 367-1396 or visit www.healthiersolutionsbymarie.com Take Yoga with an experienced Yoga Teacher and leave class feeling calm and refreshed. Yoga helps with pain management, Fibromalgia, Back problems, Stress management, and general well being. Stretch your body and relax your mind. Certified with Asheville School of Yoga. Beginner and advanced classes available. Call (423) 384-6440 for times and locations. Yoga-Pilates classes on Tuesday and Thursday s at 6:30p.m. at Science Hill ALC. Call (423) 434-0206 ext. 1 to pre-register. Pilates on the ball class at Breastfeeding Essentials. Monday nights at 5:30p.m.. Stroller Fitness classes Wed. & Fri. at 9am. Meet at Warriors. $5 per class. Call Lorie for more information at (423) 299-4014. Aikido – Traditional Aikido. Increase your balance and center, refine your movements, and enjoy a vigorous practice. Classes taught on Tues. & Thurs. Dojo is in downtown Johnson City above Albert’s Pawn. ASU affiliated. All affiliations, ranks, and skill levels are welcome. Adult classes only. Call (423) 232-9600 for more information. Karate/Yoga/Tai Chi for mind, body conditioning. $25/mo or $5/drop in. Call (423) 335-3903 for more information. Learn the ancient form of belly dance while toning your body. An excellent core workout that engages the abdominals, legs, arms, shoulders and back. Try the first class for free! For any woman regardless of age, size or previous experience. Beginning through advanced. Gift certificates are available! Also, dance troupe Gypsy Queens is available to perform at local events. Contact Ozma at (276) 591-9736 or email: ozmadances@bvunet.net Attend a free workshop that will help you to create greater levels of health and wellbeing in your life. For more information call Will at (423) 646-4038. American Cancer Society’s Look Good…Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. Class will be held at Wellmont Outpatient Center, 130 W. Stone Dr. Kingsport from 12p.m.-2p.m. the first Monday of each month, at Laughlin Memorial Hospital, 1420 Tusculum Blvd. Greeneville from 10am-2p.m. the second Monday of each month and at American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Rd. Johnson City from 1p.m.-3p.m. the third Monday of each month. Please contact 1-800-ACS-2345 for more information. Water Aerobics. Tired of not having the energy to function during the day? Need a way to relieve stress? Want to be fit? Reduced your blood pressure? Increase muscular strength and endurance? Have a healthier, stronger heart? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, the water aerobics program at Elizabethton High School is for you. Beginner to advanced. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00p.m. (water walking) and 6:30-7:30p.m. (structured class) $3 per session. Dressing rooms available. Doors open 15 minutes prior to class. Lifeguard on duty. For more information contact Cindy Gober at (423) 474-0140 The Kingsport Diabetes Association meets the second Tuesday of each month at Indian Path Hospital Bldg 2002, 2 floor, Room #203 across from the emergency room. All are welcome. The KDA helps diabetics, parents of diabetics and their families to deal better nd
Christian Life Center at Munsey; indoor walking track, exercise room (includes Body Solid Weight Machine, Nordic track/elliptical crosstrainer, treadmill, stepper, rowing machines, stationary bike, etc.) Annual Fees: $25 - adults; $15 - youth/college. Also offered (some additional fees): Tai Chi, Scottish Country Dancing, Volleyball, Badminton, Yoga, Basketball, Softball, Ballroom Dance Lessons/Dances, Upward Basketball. Open Daily, Mon-Thurs. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m; closes at 4p.m. on Fridays. Call for additional information (423) 461-8070 ext. 213.
The YWCA Fitness Spa invites members and non-members to participate in our Group Fitness Classes at our new 106 State St. facility. We are offering both Classic and Specialty Classes. All classes are appropriate for beginners. Please call (423) 968-9444 for more details and scheduling.
“Secure Plus Medicare Seminars” are held every Monday at the Slater Community Center from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. by John Deere Health Care. Call the Bristol Tennessee Leisure Services at (423) 764-4023 for more information.
Strength Training is offered on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 9 a.m. for adults 55+ at the Slater Community Center. Becky Harris is the instructor. Call the Bristol Tennessee Leisure Services at (423) 764-4023 for more information. Seniorcise for adults 55+ is held Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. at the Slater Community Center. Shirlene Coffey and Anna Horne are the instructors. Call the Bristol Tennessee Leisure Services at (423) 764-4023 for more information.
Therapeutic Touch/Energy Healing. Learn to use bioenergies to heal you and others. Limited size group for intensive learning experience. No experience needed, only an open mind and heart Call Liza (423) 247-6765.
Aerobic classes. Held at Johnson City Seniors’ Center on Mon, Wed, & Fri. from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Teachers provided by students at ETSU. Classes are $1. per class. For info. Call (423) 434-6237
Reiki Clinic and Classes. Experience the profound healing effects of the Reiki System of Natural Healing. Clinic is open to the public, free of charge, 1st and 3rd Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m. Classes are held monthly for first and second degrees. For information and appointments, call Reiki Master/teacher, Sylvia Lagergren, (423) 928-0747. T.O.P.S. The Take Off Pounds Sensibly Club meets every Monday at 9:45 a.m. at the Harmony Baptist Church Fellowship hall. For more information call (423) 349-7239.
Science of Deliberate Creation study group. Meets each Wed. night at 7p.m. to listen to and discuss the “Abraham” tapes. Contact Dan at jcmassagetherapist@yahoo.com or (423) 741-1566.
Meetings
Interested in amateur (HAM) radio or are you a ham that’s looking for a local club? Come visit Johnson City Amateur Radio Association at their monthly club meeting held at the North Side Hospital on every third Tuesday at 7p.m. in Johnson City. For more information, please visit www.jcara.org or call Dick, N4ARO, at (423) 929-1256. Chanting Circles for Healing and Peace meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month from 6:30-8:30p.m. at Waterfalls of Wellness Healing Center, 739 Bluff City Hwy. Bristol. For more information contact Kaleo Wheeler (423) 202-3862
Wolf Hills Fan Club is a gathering for seniors, 60 plus, with a Free lunch, starting at 10am at Abingdon Senior Center. For information, please contact (276) 628-5859.
Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club starts at 9:00am on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. Breakfast, fellowship, and so much more at the Abingdon Senior Center, 300 Senior Dr. Abingdon, VA. For information, please contact (276) 628-5859. The Quilting Club meets every Tuesday at 9:30am at the Abingdon Senior Center. You can learn, work on existing projects, or help with a community project. For information, please contact (276) 628-5859.
Law enforcement officers from the area recently organized a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge based in Erwin, TN. The name of the Lodge is Tennessee Unaka Lodge #93. The Fraternal Order of Police started in Pittsburgh, PA in 1915 with 23 members. Today the organization has over 2100 Lodges with 325,000 members. Unaka Lodge is the newest lodge in Tennessee and was started by Dan Moeser, an 18 year veteran of the National FOP organization and a retired federal law enforcement officer. He has also worked 5 years with the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office. In 1998 Moeser also started a local Chapter of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Law Enforcement Club which is comprised of active and retired law enforcement officers who own and ride a motorcycle. That club presently has over 50 members. The FOP organization has a Mission Statement which in part encourages fraternal, educational, charitable and social activities among law enforcement officers. It strives to cultivate a spirit of mutual helpfulness among members and the people they serve with a goal to increase the efficiency of the law enforcement profession and establish the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property. Membership in the Unaka Lodge is open to all certified full time law enforcement officers and those retired from full time law enforcement duties, regardless of where they work or have worked in the past. Presently the Lodge has 20 members and applications are being processed for additional members. Meetings are held at the Erwin police department on the fourth Thursday of the month. Anyone interested in joining the Unaka Lodge may contact Dan Moeser at 423-232-8825.
More information about the National and TN State FOP is available at www.tnstatefop.com.The General William Campbell chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution meets on alternating months at the Abingdon Senior Citizen’s Center located at 300 Senior Drive just off White’s Mill Road. The meetings begin at 11:30 on the third Saturday of Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, and Dec. Programs are presented primarily on historical subjects by interesting and informed guest speakers. Interested men are invited along with their friends to visit and explore membership in this organization which is dedicated to promoting education of America’s Heritage and the values esteemed by the founding fathers of our Nation. For further information please contact Joe Alexander at (276) 494-6079 or joealexander@ bvunet.net, or Jack Butterworth at jbutter208@Charter.net 423-652-2240, or Sydney Wike at 423-878-3474 or sidneywike@embarqmail.net
A monthly women’s circle, 4th Wednesday of the month at 7p.m.. Come together, share stories and discover commonality with other women. This Circle of Women’s Voices gives women the opportunity to come together in community to help find our strength, independence, selfesteem, and satisfaction with ourselves and who we are. Through talk story, informal and interactive dialogue, we rediscover our own stories and realize our commonality. For more information contact Kaleo Wheeler (423) 926-1648 or www.kaleowheeler.com
New Moon Gatherings. As the moon regularly moves through its phases and the year moves through the seasons, so human life has cycles and phases. This is an opportunity to come together in sacred space and celebration to experience the lunar cycle in action – setting our intentions for what we choose to create during this particular month and phase. For more information contact Kaleo Wheeler (423) 926-1648 or www.kaleowheeler.com Ex-Pats of Great Britain and Ireland are meeting the 1st Saturday of each month from 6:30-7p.m. at The Celtic Cupboard in Jonesborough. Come and meet others from your homeland. Refreshments served. Call (423) 948-9076 for more information. The Newcomers Club of Kingsport is a women’s club that provides a fun, friendly, informal venue for both current residents and new residents to gather for social activities and to meet others in the community. Meetings of the Newcomers Club of Kingsport are generally held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, Sept. through May, at the MeadowView Marriot Resort and Convention Center, 1901 MeadowView Dr. Kingsport at 11:00am. The meetings will feature a social half hour, a cold buffet lunch for $11, a guest speaker, and discussion of events and activities in the great Kingsport area. Log onto www.newcomersclubofkingsport.com for more details. The Twin City Photo Club of Bristol conducts their monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at the meeting room of Bristol Chamber of Commerce, corner of State and Volunteer/Commonwealth streets. Anyone interested in photography at any skill level is welcome to attend the meetings. TCPC has a monthly “Photo Safari” for location photography and are organizing the inaugural Rhythm & Roots Photography Contest. For more information, please call (423) 946-4132 Same-Sex Fellowship is an alliance of men 30 and older. This is a newly formed group which will engage in bi-monthly social activities with emphasis on strengthening a social support system. For more information email Shayne at doforothers101@yahoo.com Friends of Nature. We are now looking for new members to come join us in promoting both parks and nature programs. Meetings are held every 3rd Tuesday each month at Wing Deer Park. Please join us in the boardroom, behind the main office at 6p.m.. If you have any questions, contact Brad Jones at (423) 283-5821 or email chjwdp2@ johnsoncitytn.org The Happy Hillbillies Volkswagen Club, a newly formed club for all VW enthusiasts in the Tri Cities area, are meeting each second Saturday of the month to caravan to a local eatery and discuss events for Volkswagens. We welcome anyone who would like to come meet with us, learn more about our club and fellowship. Call for meeting places and times or for more information at (423) 743-0341 or (423) 735-2577. Overmountain Sam’s club camps once a month and is looking for new members. We enjoy the outdoors, fishing, cookouts, traveling and meeting fellow campers. Contact Ron Hughes at (423) 928-1919 or John Williams at (423) 422-6287 for further information Center for Light and Healing invites you to attend their “Opening to the Miracles” Natural Healing Group from 12 to 6 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, except on holidays. Join us for a wonderful afternoon of meditation, healing, enlightenment, and fellowship! When healers come together with the same intent, our collective energy is increased manifold. We are delighted to have more than two dozen healers from our area working together, and the healing energy of our group is simply amazing! Group healing is a powerful way to manifest miracles! If you are an experienced healer or simply have an interest in healing yourself or others, join us as we open to the miracles! We meet at the Round Table Conference Center, 1104 Tusculum Blvd., in Greenville, on a love-offering basis. For further details on our group, services, or other activities sponsored by the Center for Light and Healing, visit our website at www.centerforlightandhealing.com or call (423) 638-2461. Beaver Creek Storytelling now meets at Java J’s the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. with storytelling program at 7:30 p.m. Contact Mimi Rockwell at (276) 669-8358 or appalachianstory@aol.com Wine Lovers in the Tri-Cities area. The Tri-Wine Bunch, a non-profit group of friendly folks who share the love of wine, food, and good friends is heading into its 6th year. Wine tastings, wine dinners, charitable events with wine and food themes are regularly held in the Johnson City area. Please visit our website, click on the buttons and become more familiar with us, and if you are interested in attending our events, just send an email to the address given on the website. www.sites.google.com/site/triwinebunch “The ARC, Alternate Realities Center”, is a internationally recognized research and membership organization dedicated to the philosophical and scientifc study of paranormal phenomena including Ghosts and Haunted Places, Bigfoot, UFOs - or Unidentified Flying Objects, Alien Abduction, Psychic Abilities as well as how these extraordinary experiences affect the human psyche. The ARC staff of Certified Ghost Hunters perform paranormal investigations of historic structures for the levels of spiritual presence. We offer monthly special interest group meetings to discuss personal experiences and hear about those of others. Local meeting times and locations may vary. In addition, through our public awareness tour company - Appalachian GhostWalks - we offer guided haunted history tours of the Historic Districts throughout our region and these operate nightly, year round. Our tours showcase the rich history and heritage of the Appalachian Mountains dating back to the Cherokee occupation of the area through the Frontier, Revolutionary, and Civil War eras of our past. Ten percent of our annual profits go to support Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Please visit our website at www.AppalachianGhostWalks.com for more information, or call (423) 743-WALK (9255) to schedule one of our haunted historic walking tours, or attend one of our local monthly group meetings. The Moms Club of Bristol TN/VA Chapter Moms offering moms support. Are you a stay-at-home mom or just new to the area? Come on and join the fun and meet other moms just like you - playgroups, park days, field trips, community service and social MOMS night out are some of the events we do monthly. For more info call Mary Johnson at (423) 391-8818 or Veronica Hurley at (423) 383-5473 The Tri-Cities Miata Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30p.m., alternating between Ryan’s Steakhouse in Johnson City and The Golden Corral in Kingsport, TN. Club drives take place the third Saturday of each month. Check www.tri-citiesmiataclub.com for details. The Kingsport Gems and Minerals Society meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Normally, the meeting place is in the Eastman Toy F. Reid Employee Center, room 219. Some meetings will be in member’s homes to see their collections. Show and Tell will begin at 6:30p.m. followed by a seminar. Bring things you want to show off or get help identifying. If you are interested in gems and minerals, come join us! Visitors are always welcome at our meetings. Contact Jim or Anne Small at (423) 357-1509 for more information. The Iris Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30p.m.. Meetings are usually held at Peerless Restaurant, 2531 N. Roan St. Johnson City. ABWA offers great networking opportunities for professional businesswomen. Come join us for friendship and community involvement. For more information, please call Barbara Barfield (423) 895-1726 The Newcomers Club of Johnson City meets at The Johnson City Country Club, 1901 E. Unaka Ave. on the third Thursday of every month. Social time begins at 10:30 a.m., and business meeting at 11 a.m. A buffet lunch, at the cost of just $14 all-inclusive, will follow. For luncheon reservations, please contact Bonnie Tuttle at (423) 477-3646. If you are interested in joining The Newcomers Club, contact Benita Turner at (423) 283-7217 or (423) 202-1679. Women Social Group meets every Thursday at Hibbert Davis Coffee Gallery at 9:30 a.m. 1459 E. Center St. Kingsport. (423) 245-0443. Women, come and join us and learn to play mahjongg. Voluntary Simplicity group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 136 Bob Jobe Rd. in Gray. The purpose of the group is to motivate individuals to examine and transform personal values and habits, to accept responsibility for the Earth, and to act on that commitment. For directions or more info, call (423) 349-6119 or email simpleintn@yahoo.com Tennessee Right To Life is the state’s oldest and largest pro-life advocacy organization. We are a non-profit, non-sectarian, volunteer-based organization affiliated with the National Right to Life Committee in Washington, D.C. Local chapter serves all counties of Northeast Tennessee. Tennessee Right To Life is an advocate for protection of human life through educational outreach, protective legislation and the develop.m.ent of an active grassroots movement statewide. Members of Tennessee Right To Life assist in providing direct and tangible resources to women and families facing difficulty or unexpected pregnancies. For more information on what you can do to participate or to attend our meetings call (423) 282-9621.
in writing is welcome to attend. For more information call Donna (423) 245-4711.
Sullivan County Genealogical Society meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Sullivan County Archives beside the courthouse in Blountville. Those researching ancestors from any area are welcome. Call (423) 323-1477 or www.scgs-tn.org
SEEKING TRI-CITIES PARROTHEADS!! The Hillbilly Parrot Head Club of the Tri-Cities TN/VA invites all interested persons who would love to “Party With A Purpose” to join in on the fun each month. Meeting dates, events, and times are always subject to change. For up to date event/ meetings schedule, visit us online www. hillbillyphc.com OR email hbphc@yahoo.com. Our club supports several local charity & environmental causes while occasionally living the life that Jimmy Buffet sings about.”
State Line All Scalers Model Railroaders Club meets the second Saturday of every month. Please contact Richard Armstrong for locations and time, (423) 538-6578.
WAND. Tri-Cities Chapter now forming! Tri-Cities WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions) is a part of a grassroots organization working to empower women to act politically to reduce militarism and violence, and to redirect excessive military resources toward human and environmental needs on both the local and national levels. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at the Princeton Arts Center, 2516 Oakland Ave in Johnson City. For information or directions, please call Wendy at (423) 926-5116.
What is Altrusa? It is an international organization of business & professional women and men who want to make a difference in their community. While it was first organized in Nashville in 1917, it is far from being an old fashioned ladies group.” The Johnson City club is involved with the Elizabethton Emergency Child Shelter, the International Students at ETSU, and scholarships for women improving their lives by returning to school after being out in the work force. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For further information call Susan Miller at (423) 833-3449 or email susanalbromiller@yahoo.com Kingsport Bicycle Association has rides year round. Those interested in this social/touring club can call 239-4406 or link to www.kba.tripod.com. Christian Motorcyclists Association. Rays of the Son meets the 1st Saturday of the month at Mama’s House Buffet, 2608 N. John B. Dennis Hwy, Kingsport (across from North Highschool). Guests welcome. Call (423) 239-4921.
Book Review Group meets from Noon-1 p.m. at the Women’s Resource Center, Panhellenic Hall, basement suite 2 (ETSU campus). Participants in this Book Review Group for women at ETSU discuss published works by and about women. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch. Regular meetings are planned for the third Wednesday of each month. For more information, call the Women’s Resource Center, (423) 439-7847.
Tri-Cities Metaphysical Study Group meets each Thursday at Holston Valley Unitarian Church, Interstate 26, Eastern Star Exit #10, Gray, TN. TMSG is a group dedicated to love, peace and wisdom and provides a place to share information for those interested in new age sciences. For information call Peggy at (423) 477-3339.
The First Tennessee Regional Group of the Mustang Club of America meets the fourth Thursday of each month excluding November and December at 7 p.m. at Mama’s House Buffet, 2608 N. John B. Dennis Hwy. Kingsport, TN. Open to all Mustang enthusiasts. Call (423) 323-8345.
The Phoenix Group plastic modelers. Meetings held the 1st Thursday of each month in Bristol, TN at 7p.m. Modelers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. Workshops available. For additional information, please contact Jerry Hughson at (423) 968-9699.
Mental Health Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network meets at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th Tuesday of every month at Boone’s Creek Christian Church, 305 Boone’s Creek Rd. in Johnson City. The network is a grassroots collaboration of Tennesseans and organizations working to eliminate the stigma of suicide, educate the community about the warning signs of suicide, and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our state. For more information, contact Harold Leonard at (423) 857-5231.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Johnson City affiliate meets on the second Thursday at 7 p.m. each month at Harrison Christian Church, 2517 Browns Mill Rd. Johnson City. For information call (423) 282-0676 or (423) 543-4315.
Does it feel as if life is too much to handle? Do memories keep you locked in the past not letting you move forward? Are you questioning your spiritual beliefs wondering just where you fit in? Healing Energies can assist you in reducing your stress, healing past events, and finding answers to your questions. Please give us a call if you want to change your life. (423) 257-3521.
YWCA girls after School Program. The YWCA girls after school program will meet after school, Monday through Friday from 2:30 ñ 6:30p.m..This program is designed to meet the individual needs of each girl to assist her in maintaining good grades in school, to increase her knowledge in technology and introduce her to potential career choices. The State of Tennessee Department of Education funds the YWCA girls after school program. Girls who participate in this new innovative program are selected through the Bristol Tennessee City Schools by referrals (only) from the School Counselors. Visit our website@www.ywcabristol.org or for more information call for details @ (423) 968-9444. Tennessee Mental Health Consumers’ Association (TMHCA) is a statewide advocacy and education organization for mental health consumers. For more information please call toll free (888) 539-0393. Problem solving. Learn how to solve problems in life and create success in daily living. Call (423) 246-3805 or (423) 246-5149.
The Depression/Bipolar Group of Bristol VA/TN meets each Fridays from 1-3 p.m. in the meeting room of the Bristol Public Library, 701 Goode St. Room 22 ground floor. If you need to arrive later than 1 p.m., or leave earlier that 3 p.m., that’s OK. This is a meeting only of people suffering from these illnesses, and not for family members or others, although anyone may make a referral. All names, and any other information, are kept strictly confidential.
Lesbifriends: a great group of women, 40+ years, who get together for various events, including parties, dinners, hiking, atving, kayaking, games, golfing, and just hanging out. Come join the laughter, fun and support. Call (423) 753-4364 and ask for Carol.
Attention high school and college students: Do you want to earn recognition towards scholarships, or build up your resume? You can, as a Care Companion or Hotline Worker at The Crisis Center. Be a part of an agency that’s been helping neighbors for over 30 years. You can even volunteer from home! For more information contact Darlene at (276) 466-2218. The Crisis Center serves Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia as well as several national hotlines. Be a part of our volunteer team!
For Love of Words, a writers group meets the third Thursday of each month at Hibbert-Davis Coffee Gallery, 1459 E. Center St. Kingsport at 6 p.m. Anyone interested
Post Abortion Women’s Group. For women struggling with a past abortion. Group meets weekly at the Crisis
Pregnancy Center and provides in-depth discussion, spiritual help and support. Services are free and confidentiality is respected. Group participants will decide day and time of meetings. For more information call (423) 968-4673.
& B, Jazz style, ‘70s funk, classic rock and original music for any event. We play for private parties, company parties, special events, nightclubs, car shows, reunions, country clubs, etc. Do you like good music ya, ya? Call (276) 782-1842
CONTACT. Troubled? Need someone to talk to? Someone will listen and talk to you about any problem at all. Call CONTACT confidential. Dial (423) 926-0144.
Up-to-date information about Drum circles in the Tri-Cities area is available online at www.FairyDrum.com or by emailing Tiffany@FairyDrum.com.
Adult Children of Alcoholics. Meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Princeton Rd. in JC. For more information call (423) 926-0144. Grief counseling. By Medical Field professional. Modest fees for individuals by Parish Nurse (RN) Call (423) 753-6182. Music Singer for former show band needs musicians. Bass, Key Board, Guitar, Ect. To appear in up coming movie. Serious inquiries only. Contact. Earl 423-232-1938, 423-737-1162. Female Back Up Singer Needed For Corporate Band. Must be able to sing soprano harmonies, move well on stage, have positive attitude, and be available for weekend gigs. For more info call (423)483-8001 Girls Vocals needed for a girls band. No instruments needed. Top 40’s and 80”s songs. Please contact (423) 202-3208. Experienced keyboard looking for funky drummer with good r & b and jazz chops. Needed immediately for bookings. Funk, jazz, disco, rock. Experienced keyboard looking for funky drummer with good r & b and jazz chops. Needed immediately for bookings. Funk, jazz, disco, rock apply to bass37615@yahoo.com. Appalachian Express Men’s A Cappela Chorus. The Appalachian Express Men’s A cappella Chorus meets each Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Suite 203, Building 2002, at the Indian Path Medical Complex, Kingsport. Visitors and prospective members are welcome. Call 423-384-9992. Seeking Male vocal talent for on-going studio session work located in Bristol, TN. We seek top notch Nashville calibre vocal talent, country, country cross-over a plus, but not limited to. Permanent, steady part time contract work for the right exceptionally talented individual. (423) 878-3535 e-mail: studiocat2@yahoo.com Nashville Label, looking for lead guitar player for artist. Contact (423) 534-3909. Lead Guitarist looking to join/form band. Mix of classic and new rock and blues. Plenty of experience and equip.m.ent. Call Wayne at (423) 737-8724. Vanderbilt performance major offering affordable flute and piccolo lessons for the summer. 11+ years of experience. Call (423) 341-1872. Band in need of guitar player and keyboardist for local hot cover band with booked gigs. Must have experience, work ethic, good attitude, and be on time. Weeknight rehearsals and weekend gigs possible at any time. Call (423) 833-8178 A new Beginning Guitar class will start at Rose Center on Saturdays .The group class meets from 11 AM to 12 P.m. each Saturday for ten weeks. Beginning Guitar will cover all the basics to lead into any style of playing. Basic chords, strums, notation reading, and basic music reading will be taught as well as physical technique how your hands work to play guitar. Craig Carroll is the instructor for this class. The fee is $50 for the 10-week course. Students must provide their own guitar and will purchase a chord chart and music book from the instructor at a cost under $15. Group size is limited to ten students. Call Rose Center at (423) 581-4330 or 586-6205 for more information or to pre register.
Need Keyboard Player for 4 to 6 person Jazz Band. Call Chuck McVey (423) 245-6932. Violin Lessons - All ages and levels. 30 minute and 1 hour lessons available. Call 534-5359 for more information. Piano Lessons – Beginner to adult. In your home or mine. It’s never too late to learn. Contact tricitiespianostudio@yahoo.com for more information Piano Lessons - beginner to intermediate. Free orientation. Contact David at (423) 538-4486.
Flute Piccolo, Pennywhistle and Irish Flute Lessons. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced players welcome. Also, flute repair service available. Martha A. Egan, teacher. For information contact (423) 677-8909 or maegan26@yahoo.com
The Hills are Alive! Chorus of Sweet Adeline’s International meets each Tuesday from 7-9:30p.m. at the Carolina Pottery Outlet Mall, Suite 247, located on Interstate Hwy 81 at Exit 66. New members are placed by voice range and trained in their particular parts. For more information contact: Jane McKamey at (423) 247-5465 or Jean Miller at (423) 926-5572.
Parenting Parenting Classes, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.Develop.m.ental Services, Big Stone Gap, Va. Free parenting classes for parents and guardians of children age 5 and under are offered every Wednesday from 10 to Noon for parents in Lee, Scott, Wise counties and the City of Norton. Siblings are welcome to attend any class. Call to schedule at (276) 523-8376.
Parenting Wisely. Frontier Health is offering a program for parents of children ages (8-18), titled Parenting Wisely. There is no charge for this program. Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information, call Tracie Johnson or Amy Bledsoe at 1-888-443-1804.
Parents as Tender Healers. Children in foster care need adults willing to look out for their best interests and put them on the road to healing. Adults who think they may want to be foster parents can explore that option through “Parents As Tender Healers” (PATH), an intensive training program for prospective foster parents. Frontier Health, Planning District One Behavioral Health Services and VALUES Therapeutic Foster Care sponsor this event. The program is free; participants’ interest will determine location and time. For more information, call Jon Holmes at 1-888-443-1804.
Parents Who Care, Mondays, 9 a.m., Addington Hall, Duffield, VA. Frontier Health and PD1 offers a program for parents of teen-agers in Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the city of Norton on Monday mornings from 9 to 10:30. There is no charge. Pre-registration is requested. 1-888-443-1804.
Attention Mothers of Preschoolers: MOPS is a program designed to help mothers with children from infancy to kindergarten be the best moms they can be through teaching, discussion and community while children are cared for in the parallel program called MOPPETS for the morning meeting. Abingdon MOPS will meet the first Wednesday morning of each month at Abingdon Bible Church, 9:15am to 12:15 p.m. MOPS offers two night meeting times: the third Monday night at 7 p.m. or the third Wednesday night at 6:45 p.m. Both night meetings will study the 5 Star Family Curriculum, which includes segments of Love, Fun, Loyalty, Faith and Growth. For more information on MOPS, call Christina Moore, MOPS Coordinator, (276) 356-8225.
MOMS club of Johnson City - Expecting Mom? New Mom? New in town? Just a mom that needs support? We have activities to keep you busy throughout the month such as playgroups, park days, luncheons, field trips and moms night out. We also do service projects to benefit our community. Come on and join the fun and meet other mothers just like you! For more information visit www.geocities.com/momsclubjohnsoncity or call Janice at (423) 753-3891.
Breastfeeding support and information. La Leche League meets every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the YWCA of Bristol; TN. Mothers-to-be and nursing mothers are all welcome. For further information, please contact Samantha at (423) 878-8359 Do you have room in your Heart and Home - for a child? Holston Home for Children has been serving children and families in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia since 1895. We are currently looking for individuals and families to become part of this vital ministry to children and youth. To find out how you could open your home to a child in need please call 1-800-628-2986 or visit our website at holstonhome.org
New Tri-Cities Contemporary Christian band is looking for a Guitarist and a Keyboardist. E-mail or call for more information. (423) 202-8416, stclowe@yahoo.com.
Children’s Cultural Arts. Providing private sessions in sculpturing, drawing, painting and fibers, which facilitates your child’s art with history and science. To generate more interest, excitement and creativity, call for your appointment with Marty King at (423) 239-3104.
Christian Musician available. Experienced with church music. I play piano, organ & direct church choirs. Call Susan at (423) 542-2911.
Tri-Cities Twins and More Club, an affiliate of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs. We offer support and education to mothers of twins, triplets, etc. Meetings are every fourth Monday of each month at 7p.m. in the Cafeteria of the Johnson City Specialty Hospital, 203 E. Watauga Ave. Johnson City. For more information, call Jill at (423) 257-2177.
The Zonkers, a dynamic 4-piece group featuring sax, keyboards, Tropical rock, Buffet, classic saxophone rock, “limbo rock”. “We’re Bonkers for Zonkers” available for all events both corporate and private. Contact Zane Wooten at (423) -5554 or www.thezonkers.net Keyboard Player available. 30+ years professional experience. I play all styles/good references. Call Bruce at (423) 323-9378 Have an open night on your entertainment calendar? Don’t worry at all, call “Wail’n Perry Show. The live music specialist with the lowest rates! Free Audition/CD (276) 646-3680 The Civic Chorale is an auditioned volunteer choir drawing its members from throughout the Tri-Cities region. The choir offers a concert season featuring a variety of musical styles at area venues. Audition information, concert schedules, and repertoire listings can be found at www.thecivicchorale.org or contact the conductor, David Hendrickson at conductordavid@embarqmail.com or call (423) 247-1147.
Religion St. John’s Episcopal Church is seeking singers to assist our choir with the Christmas season. For more information contact Kyle Osborne at musicstj@charterinternet.com.
Jonesborough Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 2p.m. at Jonesborough Presbyterian Church. Contact Zel Hester at (423) 913-1214 for more information.
Light House Ministries of the Tri-Cities, Inc. An independent, alternative Christian Community. We welcome ALL of God’s people! With NO exceptions! Sunday evening services at 7 p.m. 136 Bob Jobe Road, Gray, TN. (423) 913-2715
Young adults and college students are invited to the Upper Room CoffeeHouse, every Wednesday at 9 p.m. at First Assembly of God, 2213 Brandon Lane, Kingsport. For information please call (423) 247-1169
Musical Seeds Ministry is a faith-based ministry promoting Unity in the body of Christ. We encourage people to discover their gifts and talents and use them for the Kingdom of Heaven. We are also establishing a Unity Quest – a gathering of God’s people. For more information please call Robert and Susan Hawkins at (423) 542-2911.
Drummer – 40 years experience playing many styles-seeks R & B, Funk, Jazz type gig. Also do BG vocals and play congas/bongos. Call Bob at (423) 946-5294
Looking for like-minded people who believe in Protecting the Earth, Elimination of prejudice, Equality of men and women. There are spiritual solutions of economic problems. Check our web site at www.bahai.org or call (423) 232-6254. Give us a call and let’s get together.
Honky Tonk Piano, B3-style keyboard player needed to fill the fourth spot of a new local Original/Rock band. Please, professional players only! Please call (423) 943-5552 for an audition and more information.
St. Anne Catholic Church invites anyone who is interested in learning about the Catholic Church, is Catholic but no longer attends Mass, is curious about what Catholics really believe, to come talk with us on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Parish Library. St. Anne Catholic Church is located at 350 Euclid Ave. Bristol, VA. For directions to St. Anne’s or for more information, call Jim Yencha at (276) 669-8200 ext. 23 or email Jim at jpy@stannes-bristol.org. We’re here to listen and answer your questions.
With a voice like that, you should be singing! Singer’s Network connects singers with ensembles and venues for performance. Madrigals, Classic 40’s & 50’s, Vocal Jazz, Celtic, Americana and beyond – Celebrate the human voice and the gift of song. (423) 542-9799 or rg2sing@yahoo.com Wanted: Lead Guitarist w/ experience to join working Rock-n-Roll cover band. Background vocals a plus. Contact J.R. at (423) 677-3702 Seeking Saxophonist and vocalist for Tri-Cities jazz ensemble. Call (423) 483-3243. Glenn Body and The Blues Cruzers, a top notch pro styled band plays the best of 50’s, 60’s, Motown soul, R
Trinity Baptist Church is offering a scrapbooking Bible Study titled “Fruits of the Spirit.” Participants will enjoy 10 weeks of a two-hour class, which incorporates a bible study devotion with the hobby of scrapbooking. Each class member will complete a 20-page album. The class is open to novice as well as experienced scrapbookers. Classes will meet on Saturdays from 10am until noon. There is a $16 fee for the class book and some supplies will be necessary. Please call (423) 753-4394 for more information or to register.
The Oasis Church has moved to 1109 Old Gray Station Rd., Gray, TN. And is meeting Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Are you dried up from boring, pointless sermons, sad, lifeless music, cold unloving people and powerless services? Well, come to the Oasis and get a drink of the Living Water! It’s full of life, love, power, uplifting music, and instructions for living. You’ll find something for every member of your family. For more information call (423) 292-4728 to talk with Pastor Tony Marshall. We are affiliated with the Assemblies of God.
Christ’s Church United of Northeast Tennessee holds services at 7 p.m. every Sunday evening. Communion is held on the third Sunday of each month. The church meets at 136 Bob Jobe Rd., Gray, TN. (at HVUUC facility). Call the church office at (423) 915-0655 and leave a message or send us an e-mail to frankflanigan@earthlink. net for more information. Trinity Kid Express, the children’s ministry division of Trinity Baptist Church, announces the return of the Daughters of the King class. This class is for you ladies ages 10, 11 and 12. The group meets every Monday from 3:30-5 at the church to learn about beauty tips, fashion tips, etiquette, and more. They also study what the Bible teaches about Godly beauty. Crafts and visiting consultants are also included in the curriculum. Interested young ladies should call (423) 753-4394 for more information. Transportation may be available to those who need it. Unity Church of the Tri-Cities – A “Spiritual Home” where ALL ARE TRULY WELCOME! Please come see us at 703 S. Roan St. in Johnson City. Warm, loving people, great music, great messages, and None of the guilt! Sunday church service start at 10:30am, adult and children Sunday school. A Course in Miracles class Wednesday nights at 7p.m.. Rev. Sharon Davidson, Minister. Call (423) 975-9159 for more information. Seniors If you are 55 or older, unemployed, living on a limited income and want a job, we can help. Meritan is a non-profit organization offering paid training and job placement assistance for qualified seniors. For more information, call Holly Hudson at (423) 610-0222 ext. 221 or email her at hollyhudson@meritan.org. TN residents only. Johnson City Senior’s Center serves all adults 55 and over. The Center hosts card groups, computer classes, a varied sports program, art classes, regular health screenings and much more to keep you active and healthy. Please call (423) 434-6237 for more information. The Kingsport Senior Center offers a variety of exercise classes for all fitness levels. Monday – Friday, including aerobics, strength training, yoga, Pilates, dance and stretching using resistance bands. Call (423) 392-8400 for more information. Kingsport Senior Center. The resource for senior service information and recreation! Open to all adults 50 and over. The Center offers over 20 exercise/fitness classes, as well as computer, art, basket and woodcarving classes, a fully operational woodshop and clay studio, weekly jam session for area musicians, plus much more. City residents pay $15. per year and county pays $60. For additional information call (423) 392-8400. Omnbudsman Program. Volunteer to assist residents of long-term care facilities by mediating and resolving concerns and problems. Training is required and provided. For more information call (423) 246-1650. Sports Little City Roller Girls is an all female flat track roller derby team in the Tri-Cities area. Currently recruiting females 18 years of age and up. We hold practice on Wed. from 7-9p.m. and Sundays from 12-2p.m.. Practice is located at the Johnson City Family Skate Center located at the corner of Watauga & State of Franklin. For more information visit our website at www.littlecityrollergirls.com. The Barracuda Swim Club is multi-level youth swim team for children ages 7 through high school. New swimmers are always welcome. We have practice locations for Johnson City and Kingsport. A free trial can be arranged with the coach. For more information call (423) 833-5595 (Johnson City) or (504) 231-9941 (Kingsport), or check us out at www.BarracudaSwimClub.org The Kingsport Judo Club will be offering free Judo classes to girls who are of 8-9 years of age. For more information call Mr. Collier at (423) 288-6862. Visit us online at www.kingsportjudo.com. We are located at 2305 Ft. Henry Dr. Kingsport.
course offered by Pregnancy Resources, Inc. PACE allows a women the openness and encouragement she needs to work the healing process. The PACE groups are lead by trained volunteers, many of whom have experienced an abortion themselves. If you want more information on PACE for yourself or a friend, please call Elaine Wallen at (423) (276) 9070.
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences, the death of a loved one. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. We meet weekly on Monday nights at 7p.m. in Room 205 at Celebration Church, 427 Shipley Ferry Rd, Blountville. There is a registration fee of $12, which includes the workbook. Pre registration is requested and can be done at the Welcome Center or by calling the church office at (423) 323-3969 and leaving a message. For more information check out thecelebrationchurch1.org or visit www.griefshare.com
Wee Remember Support Group, Every Quarter, 7 p.m. Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap. A parent support group for families who have experienced the death of a baby is held every quarter. Call (276) 423-8641 for next meeting date.
Wise County Suicide Prevention, 10 a.m. Wise Trinity United Methodist Church TBA. The coalition formed to raise awareness and to determine available resources in the Wise County community for suicide survivors. Anyone interested in helping support this cause, please contact Jean Layell at (276) 328-6825. SAFE House Domestic Violence Support Group. Weekly in Kingsport For information on the location and time of meetings, please call 246-2273.
SAMSON Support Group. Mondays, 7 p.m. His Ministries, 407 Wood Ave., Big Stone Gap.SAMSON Support Group for people with addictions meets weekly on Mondays. SAMSON, or Steps and More Strength Overcoming Narcotics, helps individuals face everyday life situations, overcome their addictions and create purpose through a step process, education, life skills training and most important, unconditional love. Call (276) 523-7447, for more information
Scott County Suicide Prevention Coalition. 3:45. Addington Hall. The coalition is working to raise awareness on the issue of suicide and to find out more about available resources in the Scott County community for suicide survivors. Anyone interested in helping support this cause or wishing to attend meetings, please contact Amy Bledsoe at (276) 431-4370. Southwest Virginia Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition, 11 a.m., Develop.m.ental Services, Big Stone Gap. The regional coalition is working to coordinate suicide prevention efforts in local communities. For more information on upcoming meetings, contact Ken Taylor at (276) 523-8300.
Pickleball, Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m. at Munsey Memorial UMC (Christian Life Center); Roan/Water St. entrance. Call (423) 461-8070 ext. 213 for more information.
Survivors of Suicide Support Group – Virginia, 1st, 3rd Monday, 6 p.m. Lee Regional Medical Center. A support group for Survivors of Suicide is being held every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. The group meets in the Medical Plaza West Wing classroom. For more information, call Bill Russell at (276) 346-1641.
The Appalachian Whitetail Association is a state chartered non-profit organization that is offered to all sportsman and their families. The Appalachian Whitetail Association focuses on 3 main issues. Preservation of the Whitetail Deer as a species. Preservation of quality habitat for all wildlife. And preserving the heritage of Whitetail Deer hunting in the Appalachian region and beyond. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month starting at 7 P.m. in Kingsport at Mama’s House Buffet, 2608 N. John B Dennis Hwy. For more information on other locations, call (423) 247-6249.
NAMI “With Hope in Mind”/Bridges Support Groups, 7 p.m. Harrison Christian Church, Johnson City. Journey of Hope is open to family members and friends of those who suffer from a neurobiological brain disease. Bridges Support Group meets with “With Hope in Mind” before breaking off into a separate meeting. It is for mental health consumers of all diagnoses. For more information, call Shelby Ward at 543-4315.
Cherokee Rod & Gun Club, a Family Oriented Organization, meets on the first Thursday night of each month at 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse on Reservoir Road. Cherokee offers practice ranges for Pistol, Rifle, Archery, Trap & Skeet in addition to classes appropriate for all ages. Call (423) 247-6249 or visit www.cherokeerodandgunclub.com.
In-Fuze Support Group Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Lee County Behavioral Health Services Support group members will learn the signs and symptoms of substance abuse; what to expect in the recovery process; and how substance abuse and dependence affects mental, physical, and spiritual develop.m.ent. The group will teach how to encourage recovery, about relapse and how to help maintain recovery, and will show family members how to care for themselves during their loved one’s recovery process. Call Frontier Health’s Martha Davis or Kathy Rowles at (276) 346-3590.
The Mountain Empire Tennis Association (META) is forming junior and adult social and competitive leagues. Membership is $10 for juniors, $15 for adults and $20 for families. Visit us on the web at www.meta-web.org or call (423) 282-4727 for info. The East Tennessee State University Cycling Club meets regularly on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. at the dual slalom course at ETSU, gathering in the same area where the challenge will be held. Area cyclists with any level of experience and any bike, including mountain, road, BMX, trials or any other type are invited to ride with the group. For further information contact McIntyre at (423) 433-2294. 3-01 Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee with the Tri-City Ultimate Club. For information, please visit www.tricity-ultimate.tripod.com or call (423) 929-1446. Christian Bass Anglers Association. Meets the second Monday of every month at the Blountville Court House in the upstairs courtroom. Meeting begins promptly at 7 p.m. All are invited to attend. For more information call (423) 246-7764. Come join us for some fun! The East TN Mashers Ski club does more than just ski. We are a year round club engaged in a variety of activities for socialization, friendship, and charitable cause. Visit us at our website for the latest event/meetings schedule at etmn.net. For more information, email president@etmn.net or call Barb at (276) 275-3061. The Senior Basketball league for adults 55+ will be held on Mondays with practice starting at 7 p.m. at the Slater Community Center gym. Fred Overbay is the coordinator. Call the Bristol Tennessee Leisure Services at (423) 764-4023 for more information. Kingsport Bicycle Association has rides year round. All adult riders are welcome to this social / touring club. Call (423) 239-4406 or link to www.kba.tripod.com Support Groups You don’t have to wait for an overdose or jail sentence to get help from N.A. It is possible to overcome the desire to use drugs with the help of the Twelve Step Program of Narcotics Anonymous and the fellowship of recovering addicts. For more information call (866) 360-4929 or mana-e-tn.org Support Group for Individuals Experiencing Divorce. This support group is for anyone in the Tri-Cities area who has experienced divorce and/or the challenges of coparenting. For more information please contact Diana Puckett, BSW at (423) 737-4695 or (423) 952-2612. OA – Overeaters Anonymous – A 12 step program for those with food problems, meets every Thursday at 7:30pp.m. at First Church of God in Bristol. Corner of E. State and Georgia Ave. For more information contact Christy at (423) 383-3541. MidSouth Lupus Support Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at WellCare, Ft. Henry Mall/Kingsport Town Center, 2101 Ft. Henry Dr. Kingsport at 5p.m., light refreshments provided. For further information contact the Lupus Foundation of America, Mid-South Chapter. www.lupusmidsouth.org, or (877) 865-8787. Email: info@ lupusmidsouth.org. Volunteers are needed!!! A new meeting of the peer group BRIDGES (Building Recovery and Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support) will begin at 7p.m., at Wesley UMC, Room 107 every third Tuesday of each month. BRIDGES is a self-help program, facilitated to provide a safe atmosphere of respect, honesty and encouragement for persons managing mental illness/emotional conflict. For more information, call Jenny Roman at (865) 599-0481. Do you know someone who/you had an abortion? If you are experiencing symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome, there is hope for healing and reconciliation. If you are ready to deal with your abortion, a qualified lay counselor can help you through the steps of healing. The PACE (Post Abortion Counseling and Education) program ministers to women who have been victimized by abortion, and is designed to lead them through the healing process of God forgiveness and love. PACE is a 12-week
Lee County Foster Parent Support Group. A new support group is being formed for foster parents in Lee County to provide education, support, and information. Call Frontier Health’s Eric Greene, (276) 523-8300.
Women’s low self-esteem/social anxiety/shyness/domestic abuse support group. The purpose of the session is to provide support & healing through sharing common feelings & ideas. FREE. Please call (423) 794-8909 or (423) 929-7575. 100 W. Maple St. Johnson City.
Hepatitis C Support Group: near Tri-Cities airport, The Center for Digestive Wellness meets the first Tuesday from 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m.. The group is for people with Hepatitis C or B. Guest Speakers monthly. 10461 Wallace Alley Dr. Kingsport, TN. Contact Tracy Luther, FNP at (423) 279-1400.
Lupus Foundation of America Kingsport Area Support Group meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 914 Broad St. West Park Professional Bldg. Classroom #1 (Take elevator to lower level) Kingsport. For more information call (877) 865-8787.
Social Anxiety Disorder/Shyness support group meeting at the Bristol Library study room every Saturday from 10:00-11:30am. We are a group of individuals dealing with social anxiety who have come together to share our stories in a mutually supportive environment. You will not be ‘put on the spot’ or expected to join in. Feel free to just come and listens. Contact Tracy from more info: (276) 429-2338 or tracyw@ntelos.net
A.W.A.K.E. – N.E. Tennessee A.W.A.K.E. support group for people with sleep apnea, their family members, and friends. The group will be part of the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASSA) A.W.A.K.E. (Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic) Network. The purpose of these sessions is to provide support through education and sharing of ideas and information among person affected by sleep disordered breathing. Together we can help each other with similar interests, problems, and solutions. Meetings held every other month in Johnson City and Erwin. Call Michelle at (423) 283-1003 for more information.
Hope House of Scott County, Inc. will be providing confidential weekly support groups for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more information call (276) 386-1313. Childcare will be provided.
Celebrate Recover. Every Sunday Evening. 6:00 p.m. Refreshments, 6:25 p.m. Celebration Service, 7:15 p.m. Open Share Groups: Life Hurts for Women and Men, Issues for Women, Issues for Men, Chemically Dependent Men, Chemically Dependent Women, Codependent Women, Divorce recovery for Men and Women, CR 101 for those who are wondering how to get plugged in? What group is best for me? 9 p.m. Recovery Cafe. First Baptist Church, Kingsport, Fellowship Hall. For more information call (423) 247-4122
In a custody battle over your children and feel discouraged? Need a listening ear and support? I’m starting a
support group for people going through this. Please call Camille at (423) 773-5862 if interested. The “Young and the Breathless” a support group for persons with chronic lung disease, their friends and family are invited to attend our monthly meeting on the 4th Thursday of each month, at Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital, D-bldg., 4th level at 6 p.m. A featured speaker will present at each meeting. Light refreshments are provided. For more information, please contact Pulmonary Rehab at (423) 224-5800. 24-Hour Hotline! Do you need to talk to someone? Someone who will listen without judgement, gives options instead of telling you what you should do? There is no “crisis” too big or too small. All you have to do is give The Crisis Center a call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Walk-ins welcome from 9am - 5 p.m. weekdays. Celebrating 31 years of compassionate response to your needs. Volunteers welcome and all training is free! Hotline: (276) 466-2312 or (276) 628-7731 Business Line” (276) 466-2218. The BRIDGES program is based on the belief that those of us living with psychiatric symptoms can and do recover a new and valued sense of purpose by accepting and overcoming the challenges of a disability that has affected every aspect of our lives: physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. Support groups are being held in Johnson City, Kingsport (2), and coming soon Bristol. For more information please call (888) 539-0393 Widowed Persons’ Service Support Group. Monthly meetings, persons who have experienced widowhood are invited to attend the meeting. Call (423) 926-9101. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Bristol affiliate meets on the first Tuesday at 6:30p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 672 Island Rd. in Bristol. For information call (423) 234-2516. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) - Johnson City area, meets second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., at Harrison Christian Church, Browns Mill Rd., JC. A support group for families and friends of those who suffer from mental illness. For more information call (423) 543-4315 or (423) 282-0676. NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) of Kingsport for families who encounter mental illness meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7p.m. at First Baptist Church, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport (Room #304 in the Welcome Center located off Holston St.) Contact Connie Whaley at (423) 234-2516 or (866) 337-3291 for more information. Tri-Cities Survivors of Suicide Support Group meets every 4th Monday at Johnson City Medical Center, 5th floor Conference Room from 6-8 p.m. Facilitator: Dorothy Gregory. For more information call (423) 224-1300. We welcome family, friends, or anyone that has been affected by a suicide of someone they know and love. SAFE House, Kingsport’s Domestic Violence Shelter, has a weekly support group for women and children who are victims of family violence. For more information call (423) 246-2273. All services are free and confidential. Cancer Patients, caregivers and families are welcome to the Take Time support group, meeting the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Cedar Room of the Conference Center at Wellmont Hospital in Bristol. The group also meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in Kingsport at the Holston Valley-Wellmont Hospital at 6:30 p.m. Call Diane Cross at (423) 844-2180 or Kathy Visneshi at (423) 244-5592 for more information. Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Support Group. Meets fourth Monday of each month at Colonial Heights Baptist Church. For more information, call Kathy Cassidy at (423) 224-5197. Abingdon Resource Center, sponsored by Hospice and Palliative Care of Virginia, is holding a Caregiver’s Support Group. The group will meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Abingdon Resource Center from 1-3 p.m. This group is designed to provide information and support to those in the community who are taking care of friends or family experiencing long term illness or disability. The Abingdon Resource Center is located on the second floor of the Ellis Professional Building, 211 West Main Street, Abingdon. Refreshments will be provided. For more information call (276) 628-4343. Crisis Center is organizing several new support groups for victims of sexual violence. If you are an adult molested as a child, an adult rape survivor or the friend, spouse or other family member of someone who has been sexually assaulted, there is a group organizing now. There is no cost to attend and all meetings are confidential. If interested contacted The Crisis Center, (276) 466-2218 or (276) 628-7731. Volunteers Want to help people in your community while learning valuable life skills? Volunteer as a Hotline Worker for the Crisis Center’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline. Volunteers assist callers with emotional and personal crises, with crisis intervention along with information and referral to community agencies. 40 hours training offered in interactive classroom atmosphere. Must be over 18 and NO experience is necessary. Contact Micah Morris at (276) 4662312 or email at mmorris@crisiscenterinc.org Amedisys Hospice Care is looking for volunteers in Kingsport, Bristol, Blountville, Church Hill and Fall Branch. We have volunteer opportunities to visit patients and provide companionship (no patient care). Our patients are wonderful people. Please call 423-288-9777 and ask for the volunteer coordinator. We would love to have you join our team! Appalachia Service Project Tri-Cities is seeking individual or group volunteers for home repair projects in the Tri-Cities area. ASP is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that fosters human develop.m.ent by addressing the housing needs of Central Appalachia. Projects range from wheel chair ramp construction to roof repair, prior construction experience is not required. If you or your club/group is interested in volunteering for a Saturday or a week long project please contact Amanda at (423) 854-8800 ext. 239 or email amanda.gastreich@asphome.org. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to ensuring that abused, abandoned, and neglected children have a voice in court. In many cases only stability in the lives of these children comes from their volunteer Advocate. We have a great need for more volunteer advocates to serve the children in our community. For more information please contact CASA of Northeast Tennessee, PO Box 1021, Johnson City, TN 37605, (423) 461-3500 or (423) 741-3181 Big Brothers Big Sisters are seeking volunteers who live or work in Washington County, VA. You must be 18 years of age or older. Being a Big Brother or Sister is a great way to make a difference in the life of a child in your community. You will be mentor, a friend, and a confidant to your little brother or sister. Contact Stephanie at (276) 628-7053 or email stephaniebbbs@gmail.com to get started. Give back to those individuals that have given so much, THE VETERANS. The James H. Quillen VA Medical Center has numerous volunteer positions available like visiting, assisting with the feeding, and escorting patients to and from other areas of the Medical Center as well as parking lot shuttle drivers. Other administrative/clerical positions are also available. Hours are flexible and no experience is needed. To find out more on how you can GIVE BACK, please contact the Voluntary Service Office at (423) 979-2891.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are desperately needed in Bristol and Sullivan County to advocate for alleged abused and neglected children in the juvenile courts. CASA volunteers conduct investigations that help judges make the best decision for the safety and future of a child. Do you have a passion to help children fin a safe and secure home? CASA is looking for you! CASA volunteers receive extensive classroom training, mentorship with other volunteers and support from CASA for Kids, Inc. staff. Training classes are forming for May for the Bristol area; to find out how to become a CASA, contact Jan Marshall at (423) 652-1171.
Adventa Hospice of Kingsport is in need of Volunteers. We currently need volunteers to visit patients and provide Companionship. Our patients are wonderful people and would be so happy to have somebody visit. Please call, Desiree Saunders, Volunteer Coordinator, at (423) 288-9777. We would love to have you join our team!
Volunteers needed at local domestic violence, sexual abuse and homeless shelter program. Training provided for crisis calls, administrative assistant, direct services. Marginalized underserved populations encouraged to apply. Call (423) (276) 386-1313 for application. EOC
Hope House “Women’s Shelter” of Scott County, Inc. is seeking dedicated individuals to volunteer their time and assist with the Sexual Assault Specialist and Outreach Programs. Volunteers must reflect the county demographics and willingness to assist with the traditionally underserved populations of Scott and Lee counties. Individuals of color are encouraged to apply. For more information call (276) 386-1373. EOC
SCORE (Counselors to America’s Small Business) Chapter 584 are looking for volunteers in the Northeast Tennessee area. SCORE is a non-profit nationwide organization staffed by active and retired businessmen and women who volunteer their time and services to offer free individual counseling in all areas of starting and improving a small business. Responsibilities of counselors include meeting with new and future business clients, to guide them on their way to starting or continuing with their business. As a SCORE member, training in our policies and procedures is provided. New counselors will team with an experienced member. Volunteers also support out efforts using computer, computer maintenance, graphics, and web page creation skills and writing, proof reading, photography and general office skills. If you are interested in becoming a SCORE volunteer, please call our office (423) 461-8051 Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 12:00 noon. Our website address is scoretn.org and the email address is scoretn@wireco.net Northeast Tennessee SCORE, 2203 McKinley Rd. Johnson City, TN. 37604
The Crisis Center is accepting applications for Volunteer Hotline Workers, Sexual Assault Care Companions, Computer/Technical Office Assistant, and Board of Directors positions. The Crisis Center, Inc. is accredit by the American Association of Suicidology, Tennessee Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and is a participating member of: Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network, RAINN: sponsored by Lifetime TV for Women, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, The Virginia Sexual Assault Hotline, The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Intensive training and ongoing support provided to prepare the volunteer as they serve victims of crime and those facing life-changing crisis. Contact staff at (276) 466-2218, (423) 230-0900 or (276) 628-7731 for more information.
Volunteers to Touch Your World at King Benevolent Fund, a 501(c)-(3) ministry located in Bristol, VA. That serves the hungry, hurting and neglected here at home and around the world. We are looking for volunteers to help with cooking onsite meals, sorting various donations and packing items for ship.m.ent. Call our volunteer supervisor, Audrey Lambert, at (276) 466-3014, ext. 255 for further information.
Volunteers Needed: Tipton Haynes Historic Site, Johnson City. Our upcoming fall season has several opportunities for individuals interested in various activities. We are looking for people who have skills/abilities/interests in sewing costumes, portraying living historians of the antebellum era, gardening, and working “behind the scenes”. For more information, please contact Penny McGlaughlin- director Tipton Haynes at (423) 926-3631 Hope house of Scott County, Inc. is in need of some male volunteers to help families that move from our shelter into independent living. For more information call (276) 386-1313
Volunteers are needed at a local domestic violence shelter. Answering the 24-hour crisis line, providing transportation, childcare, light housekeeping, yard work, minor repairs and assisting with residents’ needs. Training provided. For more information, please call Ann Jones at (888) 250-HEAL.
Have you always wanted to be a hero? Ever wonder how you can make a difference in your world? If you have just 10 hours a month to spare, you can be a hero by making a difference in a child’s life. Each year over one million children are abused and neglected and these children’s futures are put at risk. As a CASA you can stand up for these children and speak out for them, helping ensure these children find safe, permanent homes – something every child deserves. Be a hero. Volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and change the world; one child at a time. Call (276) 642-2344. Training classes are forming now.
Adventa Hospice Care is looking for volunteers in Kingsport, Bristol, Blountville, Church Hill and Gray. We have volunteer opportunities to visit patients and provide companionship (no patient care). Our patients are wonderful people and would be happy to have somebody visit them. Please call (423) 288-9777 and ask for a volunteer coordinator. We would love to have you join our team!
Volunteers needed. Can you give an hour a week to assist with parties, or bingo? Do you have a craft demonstration to share or a performance that would entertain? The Grand Court is looking for volunteers to add a spark to residents’ lives. If interested, call (276) 669-1111 and ask for Libby Bailey to find out more about how you can help.
Abuse Alternatives, Inc. of Bristol, serving victims of domestic violence is presently in search of volunteers to be trained to take Hotline calls and monitor the shelter/ clients on occasion during M-F, between 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and on Tues. 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. Also registering individuals & small groups for “on-call talent bank”, consisting of volunteers with special skills such as clerical, mentoring, parenting, tutoring, bi-lingual, budgeting/finances, organize donations & storage area, ability to help transport/ move clients into new residences, etc. For more info, please call (423) 652-9098.
Volunteers are needed at a local domestic violence shelter answering the 24-hour crisis line, providing transportation, childcare, light housekeeping, yard work, minor repairs and assisting with residents needs. Training is provided. For more information, please call Ann Jones at (888) 250-HEAL (4325).