The Loafer - August 19th

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Volume 28 Issue #37

Publisher - Bill Williams • Editor/Graphic Arts Director - Don Sprinkle • Office Manager - Luci Tate Cover Design - Bill May • Photography - Mark Marquette Advertising - Dave Carter, Akey Kincaid, Terry Patterson Contributing Staff - Jim Kelly, Andy Ross, Ken Silvers, Mark Marquette Published by Tree Street Media, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com • info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof.The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement,including claims or suits for defamation,libel,right of privacy,plagiarism,and copyright infringement.

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Wednesday, Aug. 20th

WHELEN MODIFIED SERIES BUSH’S BEANS 150 and CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES UNOH 200

The spectator gates open at 8:30 a.m., followed by various practice and qualifying sessions for these two races. The Bush’s Beans 150 begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by the UNOH 200 at 8:30 p.m. Red flag conditions notwithstanding, the second race should end about 10:15 p.m. After a 45-minute transition period, a concert ranging from 70 to 90 minutes will take place, ending shortly after midnight.

Thursday, Aug. 21st

TRANSPORTER MOTORCADE

The Transporter Motorcade departs Bristol Mall and 9:00 p.m. and travels to Bristol Motor Speedway via Gate City Highway, Euclid Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Volunteer Parkway, and Highway 11E. The motorcade is scheduled to arrive at Bristol Motor Speedway at approximately 9:55 p.m. and enter the speedway via the South Entrance from Highway 11E. From approximately 9:30 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m., Highway 11E between Exide Drive and Highway 394 will be closed to vehicular traffic for the motorcade; motorists will be detoured around this closure via Highway 394 and Exide Drive.

Friday, Aug. 22nd

FOOD CITY 300

The spectator gates open at 10:30 a.m. Qualifying for the Nationwide Series race begins at 3:40 p.m., followed by Sprint Cup Series qualifying at 5:40 p.m. The Nationwide Series race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. It is estimated that this 300-lap race will end about 9:15 p.m., red flag conditions notwithstanding. Please note that 2014 marks the first time that the August Nationwide Series race is 300 laps long, rather than 250 laps long as in previous years.

Saturday, Aug. 23rd

IRWIN TOOLS NIGHT RACE

The spectator gates open at 1:00 p.m. The race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Typically, red flag conditions notwithstanding, this race could end by about 10:45 p.m. or so.

Photo by: Mark Marquette

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Food City names Race Grand Marshal and Honorary Starter

As the area prepares for the upcoming race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, the folks at Food City are gearing up for the running of the August 22nd Food City 300.

Company officials recently announced that a gathering of at least ten Medal of Honor recipi-

ents will serve as the event Grand Marshals. Numerous public officials and well-known figures have been privileged to give the command for the start of the Food City showdown, one of the most popular Nationwide Series races on the NASCAR schedule.

‘The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.’

The historic assembly will include Medal of Honor recipients Sammy Davis, Joe Marm, Jim Taylor, Ron Rosser and Hal Fritz, President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

“Our region is privileged to be hosting the Medal of Honor Convention in Knoxville, Tennessee in September of this year. Food City is proud to serve as a major sponsor for the event,” says Food City president and chief executive officer Steven C. Smith. “It’s an honor to have such a valiant group of individuals represent our company as this year’s Grand Marshals.”

U.S. Army Veteran and Paralympic Alpine Skier Heath Calhoun has been named Honorary

Starter. ‘A retired Army Staff Sgt., Calhoun has gone from the battlefield to the ski slopes, all in the name of representing his country – first in the military and now as an athlete’.

‘Born in Bristol, Tennessee, Calhoun is a native of Grundy, Virginia. At a young age, he earned respect for the U.S. military. His father served in Vietnam and his grandfather in World War II, and in 1999, Calhoun made the decision to carry on his family’s dedication to the military and to the service of his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army. While deployed in Iraq, Calhoun served as Squad Leader for the 101st Airborne Division. He was severely wounded when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Humvee in 2003, resulting in the amputation of both of his legs above the knee. For his service, Calhoun received a Purple Heart’.

‘As he was learning to walk on prosthetics during rehabilitation, Calhoun learned about the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which provides programs and support for wounded service members, and through the program was introduced to adaptive skiing. Calhoun is an advocate for wounded warriors and helped to get the Wounded Warrior Bill

passed through Congress in 2005.

Then in 2007, the WWP awarded him the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of his achievements’.

‘In 2006, Calhoun began training with the USOC Paralympic Military Program in alpine skiing through a partner organization, Challenge Aspen, in Snowmass, Colo. He is now a certified monoski instructor’. Calhoun competed in the 2010 and 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, taking home the silver.

“We are humbled to have the opportunity to host such an esteemed group of veterans. We are excited to welcome them to the World’s Fastest Half Mile in recognition of their sacrifice, dedication and service to our country.” says Smith.

Food City is Bristol Motor Speedway’s longest running sponsor and the second longest in NASCAR. The Food City 300 gets under way at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014. Qualifying for the event takes place at 3:40 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are still available and may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com or by calling the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).

Have an event coming up?

Email a press release and photos to:

editorial@theloaferonline.com

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Food City Race Night Returns to State Street As the area prepares for the onslaught of race fans and RV’s, the folks at Food City are gearing up for the annual Food City Race Night, which paves the way for a weekend of action-packed Nationwide and Sprint Cup racing at one of NASCAR’s most popular venues. The event will take place on Thursday, August 21, 2014 on State Street in downtown Bristol, VA/TN. Food City has hosted the highly popular event, which has contributed over $500,000 in proceeds to area non-profits for more than twenty-five years.

Join Food City as they honor U.S. Army Veteran and Paralympic Alpine Skier Heath Calhoun during welcome ceremonies beginning at 5:30 p.m. ‘Born in Bristol, TN, Calhoun is a native of Grundy, Virginia. While deployed in Iraq, Calhoun served as Squad Leader for the 101st Airborne Division. He was severely wounded when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Humvee in 2003, resulting in the amputation of both of his legs above the knee. For his service, Calhoun received a Purple Heart. He is an advocate for wounded warriors and helped to get the Wounded Warrior Bill passed through Congress in 2005.

Then in 2007, the WWP awarded him the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of his achievements. In 2006, Calhoun began training with the USOC Paralympic Military Program in alpine skiing. He competed in the 2010 and

2014 Paralympic Winter Games, taking home the silver.’ Calhoun will serve as the Honorary Starter for the upcoming Food City 300.

Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty will also make on-stage appearances, along with Medal of Honor recipients Ron Rosser, Sammy L. Davis, Harold A. Fritz and James A. Taylor. ‘The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.’

Fans can expect a fun-filled evening jam-packed with driver autograph sessions, show cars,

simulators, souvenir trailers, entertainment and a smorgasbord of free food samples. The action will get underway at 1:00 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m. $5.00 advance tickets are available at area Food City locations. Tickets will be $6.00 on the day of the event.

Children twelve and under are admitted free of charge. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Birthplace of County Music. This year’s media sponsors are Bristol Herald Courier and News Channel 11.

Food City has already received confirmation from several big name drivers and attractions, with more expected in. Among those already confirmed are Kevin Harvick (6-6:45 p.m., 200 wrist-

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Food City .. continued from page 8 bands will be given out at 1 p.m. at the Armour display), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (6-8 p.m., 200 wristbands will be given out at 4 p.m. at the beginning of his line), Austin Dillon (3:30 p.m., 250 wristbands will be given out at 2:30 p.m. at the beginning of his line), David Ragan (6:30-7:30 p.m., 150 wristbands will be given out at 4 p.m. at the beginning of his line), Greg Biffle, Regan Smith, Eric McClure, Morgan Shepherd, Derrike Cope, Joey Gase, Michael McDowell, Joey Coulter, Brennan Newberry, Spencer Gallagher, Gray Gaulding, Caleb Holman, John King, Chris Lafferty, Jake Crum and Jennifer Jo Cobb, NASCAR Whelen drivers Jenna Wagner and Chad Finchum, ARAC driver Blake Jones, Lonesome Pine driver Kevin Wolfe, Vintage drivers Gary Potter, Haskell McKee and Danny Casteel, NASCAR Legends Paul Lewis, Brownie King, John A. Utsman and Travis Tiller, Late Model driver Tyler Goodwin, Kart drivers Dillon Hodge and Brandon Morris, along with drivers Brandon Rogers, Tim Lopata, C.J. Hulsey, Adam Gray, Mike Blevins and Jon Pittman.

Special appearances will also be made by Hermie Sadler of SPEED, NASCAR Artist Sam Bass, Miss Food City Kayla Neikirk, John Earnhardt, local authors Chuck Thompson, Joe Tennis, David McGee, Michael Manuel and Larry Timb, Jr. and Mayberry Deputy

David Browning. The Food City Big Cart will also be on hand.

Live entertainment on two stages is schedule to begin at 1:00 p.m. Cody Shuler & Pine Mtn. Railroad will perform from 2-2:45 p.m. on the Pepsi stage, followed

by Kaitlyn Baker from 3-3:45 p.m., Rhonda Vincent & The Rage 4-5:15 p.m. and Daniel Johnson, Charee’ White and Southern Edge 6:408:15 p.m. Performances will also be given on the downtown center stage by Kids Our Age, Southern 76, Shooter and James Meadows.

Free food sampling will be available from 4 until 9:00 p.m., while supplies last. Shuttle services will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Pick-up and drop

off locations include: the Bruton Smith Building (front entrance) at Bristol Motor Speedway; Tower C/Speedway Blvd. at BMS; Hwy. 11E & Whitetop Road; Hwy 394 and Whitetop Road; Hwy. 394 & Copperhead Road and the Bristol Mall - Exit 1 off I-81. The event site is just minutes from Bristol Motor Speedway.

For a complete listing of attractions, please visit the website at www.foodcity.com, where updates will continue to be posted as they become available. Please note that driver autographs are limited to time available and schedules are subject to change.

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Jonesborough Repertory Theatre Kicks off 2014-2015 Season with Cinderella Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is happy to kick off their 2014-2015 season with the hilarious retelling of the great classic, “Cinderella”, August 29 through September 14.

Poor Cinderella, belittled by her stepsisters and overworked by her stepmother, has no prospect of happiness on the horizon. Could Poor Prince Rupert be the key?

He has a mother pushing him to marry, a father trying to avoid any more bruises from his wife and a faithful steed with the unfortunate name of Daisy. What’s a prince to do? Star-crossed lovers, grumpy sidekicks, unforgettable stepsisters and some fairy friends will help audiences laugh all the way

BMS

Track Facts

to a happy ending. Join Jonesborough Repertory Theatre as they kick off a great season of laughter and love.

“Cinderella” runs August 29 through September 14 with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

A special opening night gala will take place on Friday, August 29 after the 7:30 performance. The gala will feature a meet and greet with actors from “Cinderella”, as well as characters in costume from every production in the 2014-2015 season.

Tickets are $15 general admis-

sion and $13 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Historic Jonesborough Visitor’s Center at 423-753-1010 or online by visiting www.jonesboroughtn.org .

For more information about “Cinderella” contact the theatre at 423-791-4440. For more information about upcoming events, princess parties and more, visit www. jonesboroughtheatre.com.

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is located at 125 ½ Main Street, Jonesborough, across from Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, next door to the Historic Eureka Inn.

0.533-mile concrete oval Degree of banking in corners: Variable, 24 to 28 Degrees Degree of banking in straights: Variable, 6 to 10 Degrees Straightaways: 650 feet Concrete racing surface is 40 feet wide

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Bass Pro Shops Celebrates Store Opening Partners with BMS for August 2014 qualifying Day

Constructed to salute the region’s picturesque landscapes and vast outdoor opportunities, America’s favorite outdoor store celebrates the opening of its new Bristol, Tenn. location on Aug. 20 by partnering with another East Tennessee tradition – NASCAR racing at the Last Great Colosseum.

Bass Pro Qualifying Day joins a full slate of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) on Friday, Aug. 22 that includes NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Food City 300 along with knock-out qualifying for both series.

“We are very excited to bring Bass Pro Shops to the Tri-Cities area and be a part of the Pinnacle development,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.

“The area’s long history of great fishing and hunting traditions, along with the highly visible and easily accessible location, make it the perfect place to allow us to better serve our many customers and outdoor enthusiasts that visit and live in this beautiful part

of the country. We also look forward to partnering with the Smith family, Jerry Caldwell and all our friends at the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway to promote events for the hundreds of thousands of race fans who also love the outdoors.”

Already involved in motorsports through partnerships with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart and Richard Childress Racing, adding Bristol Motor Speedway’s title sponsorship of Qualifying Day to Bass Pro Shops’ NASCAR portfolio seemed a natural fit.

“Bass Pro Shops is a longtime supporter of NASCAR, and their brand is a favorite among our fan base,” said Jerry Caldwell, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Bristol Motor Speedway. “I know their new retail location will quickly become a regular, race weekend destination for our loyal guests.”

Located at Exit 74 off of Interstate 81, the new 100,000-squarefoot store includes a bowling alley with food and beverage options and also offers shuttle transpor-

tation to the store from BMS on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 3 – 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23.

Tickets start at just $35 for the Friday, Aug. 22 Bass Pro Qualifying Day and Food City 300 with half-price entry for children 15 and under, until Aug. 16. The cost of a full weekend experience at the famed short track begins at only $99 and includes Friday’s full day of racing and Saturday’s IRWIN Tools Night Race.

Tickets for the Wednesday night tripleheader featuring the Whelen Modified Bush’s Beans 150, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by ZLOOP and full-length Dierks Bentley concert presented by Mountain Dew start at just $30 for adults (until Aug. 16) with children 15 and under free.

For information on reserving your seat at Bristol, visit www.

BristolTix.com or call (855) 5805525.

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TNT Sportsplex

Opening in Downtown Kingsport

TNT Sportsplex, a new multi-purpose sports facility, is slated to open in downtown Kingsport in early 2015. The 30,000 squarefoot facility will house four high school regulation-size wood basketball courts with seating for 140 spectators per court.

The Sportsplex is designed to host leagues, tournaments, and camps for various sports including basketball, volleyball, soccer, and wrestling, as well as others. The facility will also offer court rentals for individual teams and be available for birthday parties and large or small group functions.

“We are excited to be offering this unique complex to the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas,” said Mark Tincher, one of the part-

ners behind this new development.

A Kingsport native and father of three athletes, Tincher has been involved in the competitive sports arena for more than 20 years.

“While traveling with my kids to different tournaments over the years, it became evident Kingsport needed a venue specifically designed to cater to athletes in our region.”

Local businessman and partner Michael Thomas, whose two sons also participate in several competitive organizations, shared his sentiments. The two fathers joined forces and began planning a way to make this dream a reality.

“Choosing the right location was paramount,” Thomas stated. “The City of Kingsport was extremely supportive of our decision to bring the project to the downtown area. Not only will the location provide easy access from I26, but we anticipate this will bring lots of new business to existing downtown restaurants and stores.”

The Sportsplex will be located at 600 East Main Street beside the new Habitat Resale store, and construction is slated to begin later this month. For more information and updates, visit us on Facebook – TNT Sportsplex and coming soon www.TNTSportsplex.com.

Goodwill Back-To-School

Four-For-One: Donate, Purchase, Save and Create Goodwill Industries of Tenneva is encouraging residents of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to pull off a quadruple play this summer! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4: 1. Donate last year’s school clothes to Goodwill.

2. Pick up some fresh threads for the upcoming school year.

3. Keep your wallet happy by not spending a lot.

4. Help create a job for someone in your community.

“Summer is the time of year for getting the most things accomplished with the fewest moves,” said Robert Miller, President and CEO. “And when it comes to back-to-school shopping, you can get four things done with just one simple step — making a trip to Goodwill.”

Start out by going through your closet and dresser drawers and look for items you no longer need. Gather that stuff and take

it to Goodwill. Then, after you’ve dropped off your donation, take a few minutes to do some back-to-school shopping. If you haven’t shopped at a Goodwill store in a while, you might be surprised at some of the great bargains and cool clothes you can find.

Plus, Goodwill’s clothing is tax free every day!

At the checkout, you’ll realize your wallet didn’t take the hit it usually does during back-to- school shopping — saving you cash for more important things. You’ll also realize that your acts of donation and purchasing have helped your local community in the process. The money raised through the sale of donated goods goes to fund Goodwill’s main mission — providing job- training and career services to help people gain job skills, earn employment and advance in their careers. For more information, call 423.245.0600 or visit www.goodwilltnva.org.

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Auditions for Theatre-at-Tusculum’s production of

‘The Addams Family’ set Aug. 26 -28

In preparation for the August 26-28 auditions, Brian Ricker, Barbara Holt and Marilyn duBrisk of Tusculum College Arts Outreach (from left) discuss costuming ideas for Theatre-atTusculum’s November production of “The Addams Family” musical.

They’re creepy. They’re kooky.

They’re coming to Tusculum College.

Auditions have been announced for Theatre-at-Tusculum’s annual fall production. This year Director Marilyn duBrisk and her talented team are bringing a touch of the macabre to East Tennessee with their production of “The Addams Family Musical.”

Actors, singers and dancers are needed to fill roles in a cast of 23, a decidedly smaller number than the usual cast requirements for many of duBrisk’s fall productions, which have numbered close to 100 in the past few years.

The musical comedy, which is based on the single-panel cartoon characters originally created by Charles Addams in 1938, features the well-known Addams Family: the patriarch and fencing enthusiast, Gomez Addams; his voluptuous wife Morticia; and

their slightly demented children, Wednesday and her younger brother Pugsley.

The show includes other major members of the Addams Family clan, living and dead, including Gomez’s brother, Uncle Fester, Grandma Addams and their loyalto-the-grave-and-beyond butler, Lurch.

In addition, the show’s cast includes members of the Addams Family clan that have departed the living world in the form of a chorus of 12 ghostly Addams Family ancestors that span the ages, each from a different era.

Other roles include the Beinekes, a normal midwestern family, who get pulled into the creepy, kooky, and mysterious world of the Addams Family for one evening. Lucas Beineke is Wednesday’s love interest, and his parents, Mal and Alice, are invited to dinner with the Addams Family.

Auditions for adults, including high school students, will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 26 and 27, at 6 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium at Tusculum College. Registration begins at 5 p.m. with auditions starting at 6 p.m.

Junior auditions for “Pugsley Addams” will be held on Thursday, Aug. 28, for boys in fifth through eighth grade. Registration will start at 4 p.m. with auditions beginning at 5 p.m., also in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

No prepared pieces are required for either audition.

The show is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, who also co-wrote “Jersey Boys.” The music and lyrics were written by Andrew Lippa.

For more information please contact Arts Outreach at 423-7981620.

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August 2013

- “IT’S BRISTOL BABY” - Photo courtesy of BMS

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Dierks Bentley Headlines BMS’s Camping World Truck Series Post Race concert

Boasting one of the most competitive doubleheaders in racing, Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) revs up Wednesday night’s UNOH 200 presented by ZLOOP (Aug. 20) with award-winning country music star Dierks Bentley. Bentley will electrify racing and countrymusic fans with a full-length concert presented by Mountain Dew. “Wednesday night at Bristol Motor Speedway is already one of the most exciting nights in motorsports,” said BMS Executive Vice

Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet, attended races at BMS and recently revamped his numberone single “Sideways” for race broadcasts on FOX. This is his first solo concert at the Last Great Colosseum.

“Racing fans are some of the best and loudest fans anywhere,” said Bentley. “We’ve been out all summer on the RISER TOUR having the time of our lives, so getting to swing by Bristol to hang with all the race fans is an added bonus.”

CMT will record a portion of the Mountain Dew CMT Summer Concert finale and feature one of Bentley’s top hits from his headlining RISER TOUR during a Hot 20 Countdown episode next month. CMT Hot 20 Countdown is a weekly live music video show that counts down the twenty most popular country music videos.

In addition to filming Bentley, President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell. “Now, with the CMT hosts, Cody Alan and Alecia support of our friends at Moun- Davis, will record their portion tain Dew, we are able to offer fans of the Hot 20 Countdown show an unbelievable night. The combi- at Bristol Motor Speedway on nation of intense racing, a country Aug. 19 – 20. The episode featurconcert with music superstar Di- ing Dierks Bentley at the World’s erks Bentley and a $30 ticket price Fastest Half Mile airs Sept. 6 and 7 makes Wednesday night a can’t- at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (EDT).

The Bush’s Beans 150® fires miss event.” up its engines at approximately Bentley, who is currently on the 5:45pm and the UNOH 200 preroad headlining his 2014 RISER sented by ZLOOP is slated for an 8 TOUR, is no stranger to motorsports. He performed at the 2013 p.m. start. The Dierks Bentley concert follows the Camping World Truck Series Race.

Tickets for Wednesday’s tripleheader start at just $30 with free entry for children 15 and under, until Aug. 16. All tickets increase by $5 starting Aug. 17.

A limited number of VIP passes for the Mountain Dew CMT Summer Concert Series are available.

VIP passes give fans on track, front-stage access following the Truck Series race. VIP passes are $35 for the general public and $25 for Bristol iBelong season ticket holders. A Wednesday event ticket is required for the VIP pass upgrade.

For more information, visit BristolMotorSpeedway.com or call (855) 580-5525.

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Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland Band returns to Bristol Motor Speedway One of East Tennessee’s favorite tunes once again reverberates through The Last Great Colosseum this August as the University of Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland Band returns for the IRWIN Tools Night Race.

Set to ignite the crowd before one of the most popular races on

the NASCAR circuit, 100 performers from the prestigious 330-member band treat guests to their wellknown rendition of “Rocky Top” as part of Bristol’s pre-race show.

“The University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band is excited to once again be a part of the IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Dr. Donald Ryder, Interim Director of Bands. “Last year proved to be an exciting time for the band members as well as all of the Big Orange fans attending the prestigious NASCAR event.

“It was so great to hear race fans singing along to ‘Rocky Top!’ The band is geared up for this event as they also look toward the Battle at Bristol Football game scheduled for Sept. 10, 2016 versus Virginia

Tech.”

Excited to enhance fan experience through the band’s inclusion in pre-race, Bristol Motor Speedway officials look forward to the group’s repeat performance.

“The Pride of the Southland Band put on a great show for our fans last August, and we’re excited to welcome them back to Bristol in 2014,” said BMS General Manager Jerry Caldwell. “The University of Tennessee has been and continues to be great partners of ours, especially with the announcement of the upcoming Battle at Bristol, and we look forward to making this a tradition for years to come.”

Ticket options remain for those ready to experience the excitement of racing inside the Last Great Colosseum. Beginning at just $75

for single-day tickets or $99 for weekend packages, fans purchasing early can save $5 off the race week price. Cost for Food City 300 tickets start as low as $35 and halfprice for youth 15-and-under.

For those looking to attend one of the most competitive doubleheaders in racing – Wednesday

night’s Whelen Modified race and Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 – tickets start at just $30 with free entry for youth 15-and-under.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (855) 580-5525 or visit www.BristolTix.com.

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Appearance by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Headlines New Diet Mountain Dew Tailgate at Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway teams with Diet Mountain Dew for a new IRWIN Tools Night Race Hospitality Experience featuring an appearance by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Located in Hospitality Village, guests may upgrade their Saturday, Aug. 23 ticket to include the Diet Mountain Dew Tailgate for just $88 (or $68 for iBelong Bristol Season Ticket Holders). Along with an appearance by the popular Hendrick Motorsports driver, guests are also treated to appearances by other racing personalities

and receive a $20 food voucher good for purchase at Levy concession stands located inside the hospitality tent.

Tickets still remain to attend the next epic battle inside the Last Great Colosseum with Saturday single-day tickets starting at just $75 and weekend packages for as low as $99.

Cost to attend the expanded Food City 300 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying start as low as $35 and half-price for youth 15-andunder, and those looking to one

of the most competitive doubleheaders in racing - Wednesday night’s Whelen Modified race and Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by ZLOOP - tickets start at just $30 with free entry for youth 15-and-under.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (855) 580-5525 or visit BristolTix.com

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Speedway Children’s Charities Offers Wide Array of Events

During August Races at Bristol Motor Speedway

SCC offers numerous ways for fans to participate in unique race weekend experiences - like joining their favorite drivers during pre-race introduction laps - while benefiting children’s organizations in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Since its inception in 1996, the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) has raised more than $7.5 million in support of children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia - a feat made possible by the organization’s loyal supporters.

“Each year, we are humbled by the support we receive from our community and the loyal fans of Bristol Motor Speedway,” said

Claudia Byrd, executive director of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. “In 2013 their generosity enabled us to distribute more than $742,000 to 87 children’s agencies in the region.

Through continuing contributions and our full schedule of events, our goal is to exceed those expectations in 2014.”

SCC offers guests of Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) numerous

ways to contribute ranging from the new Night Race 5K and 4th annual NRA Shooting Stars Tournament to the Live Memorabilia Auction and on-property purchase of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

August 2014 race week events benefiting the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities includes: • NRA Shooting Stars Tournament - Test your marksmanship against some of NASCAR’s rising stars at the 4th annual NRA Shooting Stars Tournament. Participants in the Tuesday, Aug. 19 event are outfitted with a .22 handgun and ammunition before taking aim at 15 different targets. Cost for the event, held at Shooter’s Edge Indoor Range in Piney Flats, Tenn., are $100 for individual entries and $650 for teams of four. Dinner is provided by Riverfront Seafood Company.

• Memorabilia Live Auction Purchase items from your favorite racing teams including sheet

Children’s .. continued on page 24

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Wynonna and The Big Noise Concert Headlines Built Ford Touch Pre-Race at Bristol Motor Speedway The Five-Time Grammy Winning Artist Performs Before Aug. 23 IRWIN Tools Night Race The robust sounds and dynamic vocals of Wynonna and The Big Noise spice up an already powerful Built Ford Tough Pre-Race.

Spirits soar and tensions mount during the Saturday night show as The University of Tennessee’s Pride of the Southland Band fires up fans with their rendition of Rocky Top, and for the third consecutive year, Michael Buffer readies drivers to rumble after entrances accompanied by music of their own selection.

The Aug. 23 performance marks the five-time Grammy winner’s first show at Bristol Motor Speedway, but not her first visit to the Last Great Colosseum. BMS officials are proud to include the legendary country artist among its fans and growing list of talent performing during the IRWIN Tools Night Race week.

“Wynonna’s distinctive country sounds and high-energy hits are perfect additions to the electric atmosphere of the IRWIN Tools Night Race,” said BMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell. “I’m confident she will put on a great show for our guests, and we’re thrilled to welcome her back to Bristol as part of pre-race entertainment.”

Tickets still remain to witness Saturday night under the lights of the Last Great Colosseum. Singleday tickets start at just $75 with weekend packages as low as $99.

Guests may attend Friday’s full day of racing, including Bass Pro Shops Qualifying and the newly expanded Food City 300, for as little as $35 with half-price admission for children 15 and under.

For information on reserving your seat at Bristol, visit BristolTix. com or call (855) 580-5525.

August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 21

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 23

Page 24, The Loafer • August 19, 2014 Children’s .. continued from page 20 metal, autographed jackets, rides with NASCAR’s stars and much more at the Thursday, Aug. 21 auction. Plus, find out which of the sport’s current stars is kicking off the night by playing auctioneer for their own piece of memorabilia.

Preview items on the 3rd floor of The Bruton Smith Building beginning at 5 p.m. The live auction begins at 6 p.m.

• The Night Race 5K - New for 2014, Bristol Motor Speedway fans can race on the high banks of the Last Great Colosseum during the Thursday, Aug. 21 Night Race 5K. Participants are provided the

and the top four teams from each match advance to the Championship Tournament, set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23. Entry is $40 per team with each player receiving a souvenir t-shirt. No top 120 ACO world-ranked players as of Jan. 1, 2014 may enter.

• Krispy Kreme Booth Sales Race fans can purchase their HOT NOW doughnuts benefitting the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Krispy Kreme Booth located in the display lot alongside Beaver Creek.

• Sharky 500 Tickets - Purchase your chance to win the Bristol Motor Speedway Pace Car in the

full night race experience as the course winds around the property through the Speedway, Bristol Dragway and on-site campgrounds. After crossing the finish line, runners are invited to cool down with some live music and cheer the NASCAR haulers as they fill the BMS infield. The 5K starts at 8:30 p.m. and space is limited to 500 participants.

• Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Alongs - Suit up and take a ride around the World’s Fastest Half Mile with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. From 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21 participants have their chance to experience the pressure of the high banks as they circle

Bristol Motor Speedway. Cost is $159 per person, and pre-registration is required. Riders must be at least 14 years old or stand taller than 4-ft. and weigh a minimum of 80 lbs.

• Flex Seal Charity Cornhole Classic - Toss the beanbags for a chance at the 2014 Grand Prize Pack - $1,000 cash, 2015 IRWIN Tools Night Race suite seats and free Aug. 2015 camping space - in the 2014 Charity Cornhole Classic. Two qualifying tournaments are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and two for Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. First place teams in each qualifier earning two grandstand tickets for the 2015 Food City 500,

BMS

Bristol Motor Speedway celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011. The half-mile oval hosted its first NASCAR Sprint Cup event July 30, 1961.

Track Facts

Sharky 500. Each $10 ticket buys the entrant a rubber shark for the Oct. 11 race down Beaver Creek with the owner of the winning shark driving off in the 2014 IRWIN Tools Night Race Ford Mustang. Prizes are also awarded to sharks placing 2nd - 10th. Participants do not have to be present to win.

Proceeds or a portion of the proceeds from all events benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. For more information on participating in these August race week events or to learn more about Speedway Children’s Charities, visit Bristol.

SpeedwayCharities.org.

Darrell Waltrip leads all drivers in the win category at BMS with 12 victories. Tied for second with nine wins each is Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Cale Yarborough.

Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch are the current drivers with the most wins with five apiece.

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 25

Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys @ the Carter Family Fold

Saturday, August 23rd, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of traditional bluegrass music by Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys. Adult admission to the concert is $10, $1 for children 6 to 11, and under age 6 free.

Kody Norris is young, confident, and bluegrass proud. He’s been fronting his own band now for over nine years, but he’s been playing blugrass music for much longer. Kody grew up in Mountain City, Tennessee. According to Norris, playing bluegrass in the traditional style is the only way he knows how to play it – or wants to play it. His bright colored suits are reminiscent of Jimmy Martin, and his sound carries you back to the early days of bluegrass. Although he respects and appreciates other music styles, his first love is bluegrass. Despite his young age, Norris’s stage presence and musical ability place him in the ranks of seasoned, veteran performers.

Kody has played with various bands and also performed with his idol, Dr. Ralph Stanley.

Serious and focused on their music, the Watauga Mountain Boys exemplify the pride they have in their musical heritage. Always performing in suits and hats, they are reminiscent of Flatt and Scruggs and the Clinch Mountain Boys. They have performed at the Wisconsin State Fair, the Pickin’ Porch, Bean Blossom, the High Country Jam, on RFD TV with the Cumberland Highlanders Show, and at many festivals across the U.S. In fact, they’ve played in nearly every state. They’ve performed at the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center, and their work has been featured in the New York Times. Often playing old tunes that are nearly forgotten, they try to keep their music as original as possible. For more information, check out Kody & the Watauga

Mountain Boys on Facebook.

If you like hard-driving, oldstyle bluegrass, don’t miss Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys at the Carter Fold. Bring along your friends, and don’t forget your dancing shoes. Dance away your cares while enjoying some of the finest traditional music the region has to offer. For more info, go to MySpace and You Tube on the net.

Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to http://www.carterfamilyfold.

org. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at http://www.carterfoldshow.com. Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site at http://thecrookedroad.org.

Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054. The Fold is on Facebook – page Carter Fold – and Twitter – Twitter @carterfoldinfo.

To speak to a Fold staff member, call 276-594-0676.

Page 26, The Loafer • August 19, 2014

Spacecraft Orbits Comet Shaped Like A Duck!

Oh, my stars!

News from the Solar System includes the somewhat whacky comet shaped like a rubber ducky and two ranging volcanoes on a tortured moon of Jupiter.

Toss in NASA announcing a narrow miss from a solar flare that would sent Earth back to the “stone age”, and there’s a lot of excitement in our outer space neighborhood.

The decade-long wait for this space first was worth it when the first images came back to Earth— an odd-shaped comet that looks like two giant boulders fused together!

The European Space Agency’s amazing spacecraft called Rosetta is the first to orbit a comet beginning July 13, 2014, but it’s unlikely you know anything about it. Such is the general media’s neglect of non-medical, scientific discoveries.

Yet the images of a comet closeup are jaw-dropping—two cosmic snowballs merged together in an irregular shape that from one angle looks like a bathtub toy duck.

Incredible. Amazing. Bizarre. Unexpected. And unpredictable. All these apply to the close-up images of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, whose long name will be forever remembered for the secrets it is about to reveal.

ESA’s Rosetta will not only observe from close-up the changes in an orbiting comet, on November 11, 2014 the spaceship will release a small lander called Philea.

The size of an office desk, the 220-pound platform of cameras and sensors will actually anchor itself to the icy world and prepare for a wild ride as the surface comes alive from solar heat. That wild ride will be peaking in a year when Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko is closest to the Sun on Aug. 13, 2015.

As usual, science fact is stranger than science fiction, and the comet discovered in 1969 by Klim Churyumov and Svetlana Gerasimenko is another example. When targeted for the Rosetta mission, it was a renegade from the asteroid belt orbiting the Sun every 6.45 years. ESA saved money by using a small booster rocket but requiring a 10-year voyage and gravity assists from Earth and Mars along the way. The long wait and voyage will be worth it.

In fact, ESA’s Rosetta comet mission might become one of the top scientific expeditions of all time as the spacecraft will orbit and watch for two years the changes of this “dirty snowball” as it approaches the sun, warms up and begins spewing debris and gas into space.

Comets are the leftovers from the beginning of the Solar System about 5 billion years ago, and their high water contents and hydrocarbon-rich rocks are thought to hold pristine clues to life. The Rosetta

spacecraft is already getting struck by microscopic particles off the comet.

Just as the historic Rosetta Stone helped decipher the Egyptian hieroglyphics with Greek words, spacecrafts Rosetta and Philae will provide breakthroughs in understanding comets and their role in the early Solar System.

In an astronomy story closer to home, national news made many people aware of a huge solar flare last Summer that narrowly missed the Earth, avoiding a possible melt-down of our wireless communication infrastructure.

Well, that’s a little overblown from the reality, it is not unusual for the Sun to erupt with large flares of its ionized hydrogen/ helium gases. In fact, that’s what causes the Northern (and Southern) lights, or aurora.

Every day solar particles are magnetically drawn to the poles, and the friction interacts as light energy similar to a neon light.

The Sun always has small flares of plasma gas called “prominences” erupting from the surface. And occasionally there are more violent solar flares that erupt rarified gases into the Solar System, sending out harmful X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation. The energy hitting Earth can, to put it simply, short circuit power grids and electronic microwaves like those used by all those gadgets in our pockets and purses. Everything in our 21st century world depends on electricity, from water treatment plants to fuel pumps—and it’s easy to see how crippled our world would be for an determinable time.

Normal eruptions from the Sun takes three days to reach Earth, but the super flares can travel near the speed of light and reach Earth in 30-60 minutes, so an advance warning of any harmful solar flares is desirable. That’s why the Sun is now under constant surveillance by four satellites—SOHO, Solar Dynamics Observatory and Solar Stereo A and B. Check out their websites or SpaceWeather. com for up to the hour images of our favorite star in many different wavelengths of light.

More recent news in the Solar System may have escaped your news feed, but it’s a literal blast.

Jupiter’s inner moon Io, the size of Earth’s Moon, constantly has its insides ripped out by the tremendous gravity of the giant planet.

That’s what astronomers observed in August 2013 ago when Io had three volcanoes erupting over a three week period—each more violent than anything experienced on Earth. The images from Keck Observatory in Hawaii were em-

bargoed nearly a year pending the publishing of the scientific papers by the astronomy team observing the volcanoes.

The first active volcano in the Solar System was discovered by NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1975 kj during a close flyby of Io. Then in the 1980s the planet and it’s retinue of 60-plus moons were studied in-depth by the Galileo space probe. Io’s surface was found to be covered with 400 volcanoes that oozed molten sulfur-based lava all over the surface! That earned the moniker “pizza moon” from the astronomers, as the surface of Io looks like a cheese pizza of reds and yellows.

The material from these alien volcanoes escapes into space and is captured by Jupiter in a tubelike ring around the planet. While Io is full of fire, Jupiter’s other three big moons are full of surface life and underground water—and all four may harbor extreme life.

There will undoubtedly be more huge volcanic eruptions on Io— until it’s ripped apart by Jupiter’s forces. And as for a “killer” solar flare from our Sun? That too will happen sooner than later, for our Sun is a star like all others, a controlled nuclear reactor that lashes energy out at its surroundings.

But you can bet that when things beginning heating up on that ugly comet with the long name, there will be more spectacular images for astronomers to drool over.

There are always surprises in our Solar System, and with today’s Internet—solar flares excepted—you can keep up on the latest news from outer space.

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 27

10th Annual Watauga Lake Triathlon & 2nd Annual SUP Race The Tenth Annual Watauga Lake Triathlon will be held in Butler, TN, on Saturday, August 23, beginning at 8 a.m. The USA Triathlon-sanctioned event includes a 1000 meter swim, a 35 kilometer bike ride and a 8 kilometer run.

The event also features a separate race, the Appalachian Challenge Stand Up Paddleboard Race, to be held at 9 a.m. There will be prizes and awards for all participants and a BBQ lunch. The event is open to spectators.

It was a decade ago when Scott Vandiver and some friends thought it would be fun to create a local triathlon competition to be held in the beautiful setting of Watauga Lake. Vandiver, a native of Johnson City, TN, lives and works in Boone, NC. An anesthe-

siologist with Watauga Anesthesia Associates, Vandiver and his buddy Chuck Dumke, at the time a faculty member in the Health, Leisure and Exercise Science department at Appalachian State University, developed a course that would highlight their favorite bike ride in the area.

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been putting on this race for 10 years.

It takes a lot of volunteers to pull this off, and we are fortunate to have some great people helping out,” said Vandiver recently. He is particularly excited that his original co-director, Dr. Dumke, is returning for the tenth anniversary.

“It’s been six years since Chuck competed in this event, and he still holds the course record!” Dumke now is a professor of exercise sci-

ence at the University of Montana.

The first year was a wash out, literally: it was cancelled due to the arrival of heavy rains from Hurricane Ivan. Not to be deterred, they worked hard the whole next year to put on the best local race they could. It paid off with over a hundred participants coming out to compete in this friendly triathlon.

The event has consistently drawn about 140 participants each year since it started.

When Dumke moved on for his career, his successor, Travis Triplett, took up the mantle assisting Vandiver for the past six years.

Triplett is a professor of exercise science and acting department head at Appalachian State University.

The organizers are proud of

their event, and Vandiver notes the race was given an honorable mention in Triathlon Magazine for one of the best small triathlons. It takes about 40 volunteers to put on a triathlon of this caliber and each year the event has donated its profits to local charities. This year they will once again give a donation to The Cancer Resource Alliance, an outreach arm of Seby

B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, which empowers cancer survivors and their loved ones to be active partners in their healing journey through education and support.

The event has contributed $30,000 to charities over the past decade.

They also give a donation to the Sugar Grove Baptist Church which is the site of the race in Butler and

Triathlon ... continued on page 29

Page 28, The Loafer • August 19, 2014

Skies This Week Celestial events in the skies for the week of Aug. 19th - Aug. 25th, 2014, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

It’s NASCAR week at Bristol, baby, and the celestial racetrack of the Zodiac has two prime contenders battling it out for the finish line in Scorpius. And this week it is the Red Planet taking the inside lane and passing the Ringed World in Cancer on the way to the Scorpion. Mars spent the Spring lingering around the white star Spica in Virgo the Virgin, but now the red warrior is back on track and has sped past yellow Saturn in Cancer the Crab and will be on the border line of Scorpius in another week. Look south at dark around 9:15 pm and see the planets paired up, yellow Saturn above red Mars.

Tues. Aug. 19

Moonless nights mean a great time to learn the dot-to-dot patterns of the constellations. Use a planisphere that dials in the sky for any time of year, or download a star chart from Sky Maps.com and beginning learning the familiar patterns known since ancient time.

Wed. Aug. 20

Dark skies mean the Milky Way will be easy to see from a dark site free of light pollution. Spanning from north in Cygnus the Swan to south in Sagittarius, a pair of binoculars will provide lots of entertainment.

Dark nebula, star clusters and star after star after star are revealed in this long arm of our Milky Way Galaxy.

Thurs. Aug. 21

Scorpius looks like a giant fishhook with red star Antares in the creature’s heart. To the left is Sagittarius the Archer, though the outline is that of a Teapot. Out of the spout is steam in the form of the Milky Way. Above the spout is the center of our Galaxy, and looking in that direction—unseen by all the

stars blocking our view—is a tremendous Black Hole! Astronomers have discovered that most other galaxies have a Black Hole in the center…and they are not sure why.

Fri. Aug. 22

The crescent Moon moves in close to the two brightest planets, golden Jupiter, above, and white Venus, below, as they hug the eastern horizon at 6 am. All this week it’s worth getting out before dawn and watching the Moon converge on the horizon of planets. Those with an eastern vista will find it a photo opportunity.

Sat. Aug. 23

There won’t be any moonlight at the NASCAR race in Bristol tonight, but Mars and Saturn will put on a show in the early evening. During the stock car race the Milky Way will be high overhead for much of the stock car race. Easy to see from the campgrounds are the three bright stars of the Summer Triangle, Deneb, Vega and Altair.

Sun. Aug. 24

The Summer Triangle is an asterism of three constellations: to the north is Deneb in the tail of Cygnus the Swan, also looking like a giant Northern Cross; distinctly white Vega is the brightest in Lyra the Harp, and Altair is the southern point in Aquila the Eagle, a small cross of stars.

Mon. Aug. 25

The Moon is at new phase today, below the Sun in the daytime sky and invisible. But in two days it will reappear as a thin crescent in the western sky. It’s always a challenge to see the “young Moon” near the evening horizon—see if you can see it Wednesday or Thursday.

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 29

Triathlon .. continued from page 27

has been very supportive.

Coming back for a second year is the Appalachian Challenge Stand Up Paddleboard Race. Expected to draw competitors from all over the southeast, the Appalachian Challenge was inspired by Marc Nachman of Kingsport, TN. Commonly known as SUPs, Nachman opened the area’s only dedicated SUP store in April last year in Bristol, TN. Called TriCities Stand Up Paddleboard Company or TriSUP, the store sells boards, provides rentals and lessons. Interested in providing local athletes a chance to compete in a points event, Nachman teamed up with his old

school friend Vandiver who thought the new event would work well with the established Watauga Lake Triathlon. The event is part of the Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

The Appalachian Challenge features a long course race of 8 miles, a short course race of 3 miles and a 1 mile fun paddle. It begins at 9 a.m. You can find more details at the website www.Trisup.net.

Participants can preregister for either the Triathlon online through Active.com or the SUP race through paddleguru.com. Visit the website www.wataugalaketriathlon.com for more information.

Open Auditions for AMEn The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble (AMEn) is seeking new members for the upcoming 2014-15 season.

We will be holding open auditions on Tuesday, August 26th at 6:30PM. The auditions will take place in the choir room of Mun-

sey Memorial United Methodist Church located at 201 E. Market Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.

AMEn performs a variety of choral works and styles throughout the region. Come see us at the audition.

Page 30, The Loafer • August 19, 2014

Back Roads Music Festival, Sept. 5th & 6th Back Roads Music Festival incorporation with a Visit Wise County Tourism Production; is pleased to announce the outdoor music event of this year BACK ROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL. Friday and Saturday September 5th & 6th 2014 Location for the event will be the Wise County Fair Grounds in Wise, VA Featured will be over 21 local, regional, and national bands including: Larry Cordle, and Lonesome Standard Time, Scott Miller w/ Rayna Gellert and Bryn Davies, Nick Stump, Bone Pony, Ras Alan & the Lions, Brett Ratliff & the Giant Roster Side Show, Mike Williams founder of B F Deal Records from Austin Texas, Brandon Maggard, If Birds Could Fly, Foddershock, Craigs Street Ramblers, Parts Department, Katie Did-it,

Nobody Famous, Ron Short, Gene Cole, The Tadcaster, Neal Spears and Unit 31, and T-Bone.

Master of Ceremonies is the world renowned poet and radio personality Wiley Quixote aka Jim Webb!

Weekend pass including free camping with your car!! (no pets, no glass bottles).

Cost is $ 50.00 if purchased before Sept 1 st. If purchased at gate $60.00. Both prices include parking and camping. For all weekend.

Limited RV access for additional cost.

Larry Cordle and Mike Williams will be conducting singer/ songwriters workshop on Saturday! Please see website to sign up. Limited seating available for this event. Please contact Marlena Doka 304-687-5563.

Appalachian folksinger Ras Alan mixes old-time and bluegrass music with reggae!

Equal parts Doc Watson and Bob Marley, The Carter Family and Burning Spear, Ras Alan has been blending old time Appalachian music with reggae rhythms and Rastafari spirit for over 15 years. His self-styled “reggabilly” has won Alan wide acclaim; he has toured Jamaica numerous times with his band, The Lions, has been profiled on programs on both CMT and PBS, was a featured performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival during their Year of Appalachia in 2003, and three of his albums are now permanently housed in the Smithsonian Archives.

Scott Miller once said “Growing up, my family was isolated

just by mere location. Turns out that doesn’t insulate you from any of the troubles all of us have…”

Steve Earle has declared Miller a “world class” songwriter - signing him and his former band The V-Roys to his record label ESquared and producing their two bedrock Americana albums. BIG BIG WORLD is the third release on Miller’s record label F.A.Y. Recordings. “I really was ahead of the curve by starting my own label years ago” said Scott.

For more information on the Back Roads Music Festival, and/or to purchase tickets & sign-up for workshops and see the complete line-up including videos of the bands please visit us at one of the following sites: www.backroadsmusicfestival.com and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ backroadsmusicfestival, www. facebook.com/vipticketsllc For questions or more information. Please contact Marlena Doka (606) 237-4482 / (304) 687-5563

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 31

Iconic Bus Station To Become Brewery Bristol, Virginia is well on its way to becoming the craft brew hub of the region, as plans were announced today for an eclectic brew house that will soon occupy downtown’s historic bus station.

Brewmaster Ken Monyak will create Bristol Brewery, a smallscale brew pub that will house a 7.5 barrel system.

“Initially, we will focus on smallbatch, unique craft beer which we will sell on-site,” Monyak explained. Future growth includes distribution to local restaurants, he added. After bringing home second place at the Hops & Howlers Craft Brew Fest held in Abingdon, VA last month, Monyak added that Bristol Brewery will open with an initial rotation of eight beers, including signature IPAs and ambers.

“Bristol, Virginia’s Greyhound Bus Depot is one of only a handful of original stations still standing in the United States. Due to its historical and cultural significance, it

was imperative that any readapted use of the property retain the personality of the building,” Monyak said.

Through the application of $260,000 in capital investment, Monyak hopes to see the future of Bristol Brewery become intertwined with the building’s rich legacy, by opening its doors to a host of events and public engagements.

“We are certainly excited to be in the midst of all that is fantastic about historic downtown Bristol, and we are committed to helping visitors to our city have the best downtown experience possible,” he said.

“Our downtown is a model for the entire Commonwealth,” said Catherine Brillhart, Mayor of Bristol, Virginia. “The very fact that Bristol Brewery is committed to investing in our downtown, and, by doing so, preserving an iconic property for generations of Bristolians to enjoy, speaks volumes

about the lengths our local entrepreneurs will go to in order to create an authentic experience for our visitors,” she added.

“In addition to our award-winning brews, an evening at Bristol Brewery will truly be experiential.

Our wraparound patio will provide the perfect venue for music performances and catered events, and our unique bus terminal layout will allow us to be a frequent parking stop for some of the region’s most unique food trucks,” he added.

“Not only will Bristol Brewery provide an inviting and comfortable environment that will encourage patrons to linger over an array of custom-designed brews, we will also serve as a resource to those who may be interested in entering into the rewarding world of home brewing,” he said. Future plans include classes and educational series for beer enthusiasts, and novices, alike, he added.

With a projected opening date

of November 1, Monyak predicts Bristol Brewery will create 7-10 new jobs.

Bristol Brewery was the recent recipient of The Downtown Bristol Entrepreneur’s Prize coordinated

by Believe in Bristol. Bristol Brewery was selected by an independent panel of judges based on the company’s comprehensive business plan, marketability and potential for growth.

Page 32, The Loafer • August 19, 2014

Blues Duo Belmont & Jones

Go Back to the Beginning of the Blues at Acoustic Coffeehouse

While on an east coast tour, Tallahassee blues duo Belmont & Jones stop by The Acoustic Coffeehouse at 425 W. Walnut St. on Thursday, August 21st. The duo plays a different kind of blues than one might expect, as they go back in time to the beginning of the blues, when Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy were making records.

Blues enthusiasts have fallen in line behind the duo’s unique approach to this most American of genres. Bob Weinberg of Jazz and Blues Florida said, “The pair conjure early blues greats such as Memphis Minnie and Charley Patton. Both partners are strong, natural singers. Their repertoire

ranges from familiar staples to obscure gems, and their originals sound authentic enough to have emanated from an old 78.”

Blues documentarian George Mitchell said, “Belmont and Jones, in my opinion, is the best traditional, downhome, country blues duo performing today. With every lick on his guitar, you can tell that Belmont has blues in his bones.

Jones has one of the most beautiful blues voices I have ever heard.”

Music starts at 8 pm for the Thursday, August 21st event. The Acoustic Coffeehouse is located at 415 W. Walnut St in Johnson City.

Find out more by calling 423-4349872 or at the artist website www. belmontandjones.com

Fall into tennis at Memorial Park Community Center Fall is just around the corner, and so is tennis at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Men’s and women’s doubles/singles league play begins Monday, Aug. 25. Top four teams in each division will play in a double elimination tournament for prizes.

Fee is $25 per player for doubles and $35 for singles. For more information or to register, email Marley Woods at tennisinjc@gmail.com or visit www.myjcparks.org. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, Aug. 21.

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 33

Blue Moon Dinner Theatre to Present

“Fishin’ for Trouble”

Get out your jewels and furs, because Blue Moon Dinner Theatre is about to unveil a mystery dinner show that spoofs celebrity fundraiser’s, questionable causes, and the “beautiful people” who support them.

Fishin’ for Trouble, (A Whale of a Fatal Tale), takes place at the annual gala fundraiser for the International Feed the Whales Foundation, headed by actress and whale activist Sally Crouthers Besides Sally, you’ll meet her husband, Peter St. Croix, the suave CEO of Pirate Pete’s Frozen Fish Sticks empire; Captain Dick Rudder, the bawdy captain of the Save the Whales fleet; the filthy rich Countess Stella de Marina, the Foundation’s major benefactor; famous whaleologist Dr. Myrna Fluke; and Nautical Nick and the Mermaids, entertainers for the evening.

The plot twists and turns as guilty secrets are revealed and people show their true colors. Is the Save the Whales Foundation above board or will it sink like the Titanic? Is the Countess as ditzy as

she seems? Will Peter ever change out of that ridiculous pirate outfit?

Are those fish sticks really good for you? And who stole the backup singers’ lucky underwear?

Keep your eyes and ears open because someone will meet an untimely death tonight, and it’s up to the audience to solve the crime!

Prizes will be awarded to the first people who correctly guess the murder and motive.

The curtain rises on August 22nd and has a limited run of 3 weekends!

What can you expect from an audience participation murder mystery? Fun the minute you walk in the door! Doors open at 6pm At 6:30 you’ll enjoy a delicious appetizer and dinner, while the cast keeps a low profile. The main show starts after dinner, at around 7:30pm.

Tickets for the dinner and show are 33.99 plus Tax. For information and reservations, call (423) 232-1350 for tickets or visit the website at BlueMoonDinnerTheatre.com

Need a past issue of The Loafer? download it at:

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Page 34, The Loafer • August 19, 2014

Into The Storm The first issue I will address about the new film “Into the Storm”, is why wasn’t this new release filmed in 3-D? The studio that release this film missed a perfect opportunity to show a tornado in 3-D. I was completely shocked when I found out the movie wasn’t in 3-D, as I even walked into the theater with the special glasses assuming this disaster film was perfect for the format. When the film was over, I left

them on the floor in disgust. See, I even told on myself. My disappointment aside, the film is set in Oklahoma, and follows two teen brothers who attend high school in the town of Silverton, where their dad Gary is the vice-principle. The movie is presented in the “found footage” format, with one of the brothers, and a group of tornado chasers doing the filming.

The film opens with the high school preparing for the gradua-

tion ceremony, with vice-principle Gary, along with the principle being well aware of the pending bad weather. However, just as in the film “Jaws”, instead of the beach remaining open, the graduation must go on. Of course the ceremony is outside, which will add to the pending danger. While the high school is prepping for graduation, some storm chasers are tearing around tornado alley in search of the perfect storm.

After several sightings and near misses, one of the group, Sarah (Sarah Wayne Callies of “Walking Dead” fame), advises her crew to head to Silverton. As they head to Silverton, with a heavily armored vehicle called Titus in tow, one of the lead teens heads off to help a fellow student with a school project (never a good idea with storms kicking up). When Sarah and crew arrive in Silverton, they discover the storm cell has dissipated, but just as they are about to leave, the cell abruptly strengthens and a hailstorm begins. This is quickly followed by the first tornado. Yes, I

said first tornado. You don’t really think this film would only have one tornado? Not even the 1996 film “Twister” had one tornado.

By the time the tornado has hit the ground, the storm chasers realize the twister is headed to the high school, where by now all those in attendance have taken shelter. Meanwhile Gary’s son who is out helping a student with her project become stranded in an abandoned warehouse. After the storm hits part of the school, Gary heads out with his younger son in an attempt to find his missing son, and runs across the storm chasers, and the group combines forces after a tornado touches down near them. The worst is yet to come for Silverton, as a massive EF5 tornado touches down and heads straight for the high school. Sarah and her group realize they must head to the high school to get everyone out, and the school will be leveled by the monster twister.

The school is quickly evacuated, but Sarah, Gary and a small group are trapped in the path of the

storm and must seek shelter in a conveniently located storm drain.

By this time, Gary has retrieved his missing son, only to see him in danger once more.

As the film ends, the townspeople begin the long clean up process, and Gary and his sons are happy to be alive. The actors in the film are all adequate, with the only recognizable star being Callies. If I am truthful, the real stars of the film are the tornadoes, as the actors play second fiddle to the special effects. In fact, the special effects save the film from being an average film that could have easily played on a cable channel.

While the film is far more serious than “Sharknado”, it still attempts moments of levity thanks to some “country bumpkin” characters, who are so annoying I cheered for the tornado to snatch them away, but alas, they make it to the end of the film. While I was entertained by the tornadoes in “Into the Storm”, the rest is mostly hot air.

(Rated PG-13) C+

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 35

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Jonesborough Welcomes Storyteller Michael Reno Harrell Michael Reno Harrell, a respected folk singer and storyteller, will be the next performer in the International Storytelling Center’s Storytelling Live! series.

Harrell is known for his personal stories, which he has honed over many long years on the road.

“I love hearing a good teller tell a folk tale, but it’s not what I do,” he says. “Jack and the Beanstalk is lovely, but it’s a fairy tale. No one has ever thrown beans in the ground and climbed to the sky. People have wrecked on a bicycle or taken piano lessons when they wanted to be playing baseball, so that’s what I like to talk about.”

During his weeklong residency, the guitarist will play songs and share stories during daily matinees August 26 – 30, Tuesday through Saturday, at 2:00 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall. Tickets for all shows are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. Advance purchase is highly recommended.

In addition to his afternoon performances, for one night only, Thursday, August 28, at 7:30 p.m., Harrell will host “Wait Until Your Father Gets Home,” an exclusive evening concert.

“I tell a lot of stories about coming of age because that’s when a lot of interesting things happen,” Harrell says. “It’s the nostalgic stuff people look back on. I have breakfast every morning at a little coffee shop in my hometown. I go in around 8:30 or 9:00, after everybody’s gone to work. It’s just me and the old guys, and we sit around and talk about growing up.

“A lot of times the guys will ask me, ‘When you go out in the world and talk about us, do people understand it?’ And I say, ‘Bicycle wrecks are bicycle wrecks, boys.’ Blowing a door off a mailbox with a cherry bomb happened in Iowa. It happened in Texas. It happened in New York City. It’s all just the human experience.”

Harrell plays many stories for laughs because it tells him that people are “getting it”—that they recognize themselves in his tales. “If you’re telling stories about family picnics, we’ve all done that,” he says. “If you talk about a vacation that didn’t turn out too well, we’ve all done that.”

When you’re in the audience at one of his shows look around. You’ll see people nodding along.

Harrell is the latest performer in ISC’s Storytelling Live! series, which hosts a new storyteller every week through October.

Tickets for Harrell’s evening concert are

only $15, and all ticket holders will save 10 percent on same-day dining at The Olde Courthouse Diner, The Dining Room, Jonesborough General Store and Eatery, or Main Street Café. Advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Information about all TIR performers, as well as a detailed schedule for 2014, is available at www.storytellingcenter.net. Ticket holders will save 10 percent on same-day dining at The Olde Courthouse Diner, The Dining Room, Jonesborough General Store and Eatery, or Main Street Café.

The International Storytelling Center is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 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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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 37

Elle Carpenter @ Acoustic Coffeehouse Elle Carpenter grew up as a young singer and actress in Central Vermont. Her mother, Renee Carpenter was a single mom with five children, all of whom she taught to value music, particularly folk. Musical artists such as Peter, Paul & Mary, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Joan Baez played the turn table daily in the Carpenter household.

Mama Renee taught her children to sing, to harmonize and to cooperate as a family: in order to take all five kids on the folk festival circuit, touring and singing as a family multiple years in a row.

Taking the VT regional theatre scene by storm starting at age 8, Elle found her home on stage as a young actress. She also performed and recorded with the following rock, folk and world music groups: The Re-Bops, The WeeBops, The Fiddleheads, Village Harmony, and the Oolites. Years later, while receiving a degree in Musical Theatre from American University Elle started writing her own music and performing as a solo artist in Washington, DC at small bars and coffee houses.

After moving to Los Angeles in 2006, Elle returned to NYC and DC to rehearse and perform as a cast member in “Carnival” the musical, at the Kennedy Center.

Back in Los Angeles, Elle entered the world of the recording artist in 2009 when she released her first solo album “The Best” - named after track 2 “The Best”(alternate title “As Far As I Can See”). Contrary to her folk upbringing, and in light of her recent discovery of classic rock, this first album began Elle’s pop-rock phase, followed by an international tour to Vietnam in November of 2009 and an East Coast USA tour in the spring of May 2010. In December of 2010, Elle appeared on the Conan O’Brian show as a featured performer.

2011 was dedicated to recording her second album, “With Open Hands” produced by Ignacio “Iggy” Elisavetsky, an accomplished producer and songwriter from Argentina. This album

is a compilation of 14 original songs, all written or co-written

by Elle. “With Open Hands” is the most versatile album by far, ranging from pop-rock to funk, to hip hop, and back to folk. Elle released two music videos that year from the album “With Open Hands” by the same director (Eric Goodwin).

2012-2013 brought Elle’s first co-star role in a major TV show: House, M.D. She also worked on various Feature Films, TV shows and Commercials, her favorite being Grey’s Anatomy. She did all of this while writing and preparing to record her third full album, which took most of 2013 to complete.

Third album “Simple Girl” was released in Jan 2014, a collaboration produced by Elle, brother Will Carpenter, (Ships Have Sailed, 7lions) Ignacio “Iggy” Elisavetsky, Scotty Lund.

What is the next step? Fans have been asking for an Elle Carpenter “unplugged” album, and she is excited to return to her folk roots. Look for new single “See The Light”. Elle is touring solo acoustic this summer and also just recorded a tribute to Pete Seeger (a childhood hero) “Where Have All The Flowers Gone”.

Elle Carpenter is playing at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City TN on Sunday August 24 at 10 pm. www.ellecarpenter.com

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August 2013

- “IT’S BRISTOL BABY” - Photo courtesy of BMS

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August 19, 2014 • The Loafer, Page 41

A Letter to my Sixteen Year Old Self

School is back in session, one of my cousins is entering the 10th grade and changing schools all at the same time. The Sophomore was so nervous, so scared, so anxious, that on their first day of school they were visibly shaking.

My heart sank when I was told of this, and I thought back to myself at that age, and my general experiences about high school— which weren’t great, as I’ve talked about before. With that in mind, this week’s column is going to be something different. This week I’d like to offer a letter to my sixteen year old self.

Dear Andy, This is future Andy, the future is not all too different from where you are now. Everything is not covered in chrome, and we still have not invented a flying car. No clue if they are working on that, it’s almost 2015 and hover boards are not a thing yet either. You’re getting ready to start your second year of high school, let’s talk about that, and being sixteen for a moment. Sixteen is such an interesting year for everyone, and it’s going to be no exception for you.

This year is will be a little different than your Freshman year, and that’s OK. I know that you’ve always felt a

little out of a place, like you don’t quite fit in with everyone else.

These are feelings that are going to become a little stronger this year, but what you need to know is that there is nothing wrong with you. You are not abnormal, you are actually pretty awesome.

You just don’t have people in high school who will make you realize that. People are going to make fun of you, but that’s nothing new.

They’ll make fun of you for your weight, the things you like, the movies you love, the music you listen to, and they’ll make fun you for loving the things you love.

Don’t internalize all of that.

Don’t use the hatred of confused people, who only want to follow what everyone else does, as a reason to hate yourself. They will only have these fours years as a time to be cheerful about, you’re gonna have a whole life of cheer.

They don’t know how to react to someone who is so fully formed as an individual. That is why their only response will be hate. Don’t listen to the teacher you’re gonna have this year who wants to crush your dreams. Hold your dreams close, follow them, don’t listen to what anyone else tells you. They’re scared.

Don’t worry about sports, it

doesn’t matter that it’s not your thing. Socialize a little bit more, but not with people who make you feel bad about being you.

It’s OK to spend weekends alone watching movies, there’s nothing wrong with that. Above all, while you navigate these years, realize that most the times you feel out of place or hurt is not your fault.

Don’t harbor on it, move on, and know that better things are coming. Quite possibly, get a copy of “This Year’s Model” by Elvis Costello. You’re gonna love that record, and it’ll do you so much good having it now then when you find it 2 years later.

You will find that after school is when you begin to meet the people who truly understand you, and you’ll find you’re not as alone in the world as you feel. The reality is that you’re not the crazy one for being yourself, everyone else is crazy for trying to copy everyone else. Remember this on the nights when it’s tough.

Best, Future Andy PS: Don’t binge on McDonald’s french fries each day after school, that’s not great. OK?

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Three Hundred and Fifty Two Pages of Selfies Accompanying the tragic news about the couple who fell to their deaths off a Portuguese cliff while taking selfies comes the very bizarre, yet not at all surprising announcement that none other than Kim Kardashian will soon be tantalizing us with a book devoted to her selfies. Yes, you read that correctly. Kim Kardashian, the celebrity who is famous for being famous and for being married to Kanye West, is working on a book of her selfies. Expected to be released next April, her book is tentatively titled selfish (ironically with a small “S”). According to the Amazon.com review, you can preorder this book for $13.21 (discounted from the $19.95 asking price). Sounds like a bargain to me. And, unbelievable as it might sound, Kim’s proposed magnum opus will be 352 pages in length!

Believe me, I don’t make this stuff up.

And what do you get for your thirteen bucks? Amazon says it is the “selfie photography of Kim Kardashian, featuring many never-before-seen personal images from one of the most recognizable and iconic celebrities in the world.” If that’s not enough, we learn than “Kim connects with her fans on a daily basis, sharing details of her life with her selfie photography.” But, wait, there’s more.

“Widely regarded as a trailblazer of the ‘selfie movement’—a modern-day self-portrait of the digital age—Kim has mastered the art of taking flattering and highly personal photos of oneself.” Well, it’s nice to know she has some talents after all. But I’m wondering just what types of skills one must possess to take “flattering and highly personal photos of oneself.”

Knowing where the shoot button is on your smartphone and being able to point the lens in the right direction, perhaps? Hey, it can’t

be that easy or I would consider publishing a book containing both of the selfies I’ve taken of myself— more like a pamphlet than a book I suppose.

Consider this Part Two of last week’s narcissism column. When I wrote that, I had no idea I’d be revisiting the same topic again this week, but it isn’t really difficult to find examples of narcissism in today’s society. After all, it’s the lubricant that greases the wheels of pop culture. I just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see where this news about Kardashian’s book would take me.

I actually did some research for this column and found out more than I ever wanted to know about Kim’s selfie expertise. In a Huffington Post piece from last December, “Kim Kardashian’s Rules On How To Take The Perfect Selfie,” I learned (well, I guess that’s what you might call it) that “You always need [your phone] to be a little bit higher than lower, and know your angle.” Okay, now what? It’s pretty simple. Just continue holding your phone as high as possible and then, after knowing your angle, know your lighting, and, most important, “Work that duck face!”

If anyone might have difficulty understanding these simple rules, there’s a video of Kim and Brittny Gastineau going over these rules in their own special way. Clocking in at just over a minute, this is a mini-masterpiece for the new Age of Narcissism.

A recent BuzzFeed posting by Alison Vingiano shows some of the selfies expected to be in Kim’s new book. Never mind that most of these are already available on her Instagram, and that you can therefore get most of the stuff that will appear in her forthcoming book for free. Why would you want to get something free when you can pay just under fifteen

bucks to have a glossy coffee table book to display in your home as a symbol of your trendiness? Pepper Schwartz, in her August 13 posting on CNN Opinion gives us additional insights into what this new publication might mean.

Calling Kim the “Queen of Narcissism,” Schwartz observes that “Normal people would find a 352page compilation of selfies in bad taste. But in truth we recognize the basic instinct: It’s hard to resist walking by a mirror and not having one of two reactions—to look or, at all costs, to avoid looking.”

Acknowledging that many of us “are mini-narcissists,” Schwartz says that “most of us have a sense of our flaws and the limits of how much time we should spend on adoringly looking at our own image.” Remember that Narcissus, the subject of the famous Greek story, died while looking at his own image reflected in a pool.

Schwartz doesn’t look very kindly on the appearance of this new selfie book. She rhapsodizes about how wonderful it would be “if Kim K’s selfie book sat moldering in book stores and on Amazon,” and asks us to consider that instead of “sending Kim K to the bank, let’s encourage her to go to a really good therapist,” because “this kind of narcissism need to be treated, not celebrated.” Where do you stand on this issue?

Although I will be the first to say that Kim Kardashian has more than earned her “Queen of Narcissism” title, maybe we should look at her new book from several different angles before we pass judgment. First, the new book is a perfect example of contemporary pop culture and belongs in a time capsule that will give the generations who come after us some insight into who we were. I suppose we should thank Kim K for becoming our historian of the selfie. Second,

this book demonstrates our endless fascination with reflective images. I am currently reading Mark Pendergrast’s insightful book, Mirror, Mirror: A History Of The Human Love Affair With Reflection, and hope it will find its place alongside Kardashian’s book to provide a little cultural context for those who think selfies are something new, having no precedent in our history. We should indeed thank Kim for providing future historians with some substantial documentation of our moment in time, albeit a very self-absorbed moment—after all, it might be that future generations who come upon this book will assume that humans living in the 21st century

all looked alike, reminding me of one of my favorite “Twilight Zone” episodes, “Number Twelve Looks Just Like You.” And, last, isn’t it pretty wonderful to live in a culture that can provide this much entertainment? I know I am thankful that stories like this exist, or otherwise I would be out of a job.

I will now bring this column to a close while you contemplate what all this means. Could it be that Shakespeare was correct when he wrote in “Hamlet” that this is a tale “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”? You be the judge.

See you next week with something a little less narcissistic.

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