The Loafer August 22nd by The Loafer

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

on the cover Main Street

Volume 31 • Issue #38 Publisher Luci Tate

Cover Design Bill May Advertising Patti Barr Paul Kavanaugh Janie Jarvis

Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley Langley Shazor Distribution Jerry Hanger Teresa Hanger Published by Pulse Publishing, 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 adcopy@theloaferonline.com 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 lossof 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.

Founder: Bill Williams Let’s Get Social!

columns & reviews

Office Coordinator Amanda Lane

18 Stargazer Blinding You With Space Science 19 Skies This Week 20 Batteries Not Included The Clapping Dread 23 Pop Life Kidnap 24 Appalachian Wanderers The Biltmore House: Part 2 25 Mountain Movers The Preston Ayres Interview 27 The Casual Word Will Low 28 Puzzle Page 31 Kelly’s Place The One Device (?)

your week’s line-up

BUSKERFEST

Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle

4 5 6 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 21 22 29 30

Abingdon Main Street Buskerfest New on the Midway Fall Season @ ETSU School of The Arts Grand Opening of Kingsport Centennial Park Two Exhibits @ William King Museum of Art Theatre Bristol presents "Tom Sawyer" Bike Night Finale @ HRBC Auditions for musical "Oliver!" Fine Art in the Park Spotlight Mountain Brew Trail Blountville Flea Market & Yard Sale Pets Of The Week Things To Do

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Main Street Buskerfest returns to Abingdon Labor Day weekend Abingon’s popular festival Main Street Busker Fest returns Saturday September 2, 2017 with a lineup of brand new acts, including sword swallowers, yo-yo artists, psychics and musicians. The free street festival aims to bring totally unique performers to downtown Abingdon, for a weird and wonderful experience for all ages. After the daytime festival, select acts will return for Buskers After Dark, a 21+ event to benefit Abingdon Main Street.

“Busking”

is an age-old tradition in which artists perform on street corners and play publicly for tips. Musicians, jugglers, aerialists, acrobats, and more – street artists add character and fun to their communities.

Now in its third year, Main Street Busker Fest has grown, offering more artists in more locations. Thanks to support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, AMS has scheduled over 30 acts, including 11 new performers from as far away as Colorado, Kansas City, Asheville, and NYC as well as home-grown talent from the Tri Cities area. Schedule: The fun starts at 11a.m. for the youth and the young at heart with the Imagination Station on the Barter green, sponsored by Paper Moon Studio. From noon until 5 p.m., entertainment can be found all along Main Street. When the sun goes down, adults 21+ are invited to the Abingdon Market Pavilion for Buskers After Dark at 8p.m., a fundraiser featuring roving performances from the best of the buskers (photo ID required to enter, no exceptions). In keeping with the traditions of the festival, attendees are encouraged to bring a “tip” for Abingdon Main Street, aka a donation at the door. The 2017 festival features performers like Imagine Circus Aerialists, A Great Distraction (sidewalk chalk art), Nerdy Noah (comedy variety show), Justin Weber Yo-Yo, Jonathan Austin (juggling and magic show) and Rob and Miss Jane (comedy variety show), in addition to musicians, jugglers, clowns, circus performers and psychics. Busker Fest will also feature fantastic local musicians including JP Parsons, Ian Feathers, Pointer Brothers and even students from the high school marching band. Three anchor stages will offer space for larger acts, with additional performers located along Main Street in downtown Abingdon. Food trucks will be available, and Abingdon’s downtown restaurants will be open for lunch and dinner. Downtown merchants are participating in the festival with sidewalk sales and giveaways, turning all of downtown Abingdon into a carnival atmosphere for the day. The festival is free, but visitors should plan to bring change so they can show appreciation to their favorite artists with a tip. Volunteers will be available to help make change, and several ATMs are located on Main Street. Festival maps will be provided at the event; for a sneak peek at some of the artists performing, visit www. mainstreetbuskerfest.com. This event is sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Commission of the Arts, Holston Medical Group, and Virginia Highlands Community College. Media sponsors include Bristol Herald Courier, The Loafer, and 99.3 The X. For more information, visit www.mainstreetbuskerfest.com or contact Event Coordinator Sara Saavedra at (276) 676-2282 or ssaavedra@abingdon-va.gov.

ecretary/Manager Phil Booher says, "We have been very happy with James H. Drew Corporation for over 65 years and they have an outstanding safety record." Drew Expositions is often referred to as America's Amusement Park on Tour because of their amusement park like atmosphere with highlights on a live working band organ and high capacity European amusement attractions. Three new rides this year are The Surfer, The Cherokee and The Dalmatian. Rides such as the Enterprise, Wave Swinger, Pirate, Super Himalaya, and Seattle Wheel are all unique attractions that are rarely seen on a domestic carnival midway. Another new attraction provided by Drew Exposition is TheTeam Rock Ninja Experiencea show unlike anything you'll see anywhere else. A mixture of Extreme Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Breaking, Weaponry and Comedy. World record breaking non-stop action. 2 Shows Daily AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION. The Fair runs through August 26th.

www.appalachianfair.com

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

NEW On The Midway

The James H. Drew Exposition will provide rides and games for the Midway at the Appalachian Fair.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Windows on the World Fall season of events at ETSU School of the Arts peers into diverse, regional, international cultures, issues

all 2017 at Mary B. Martin School of the Arts throws open windows to far-flung cultures, American roots and regional, national and international social and political issues. The program’s fall season of events begins with a whisper of winds wafting from India, crescendos with the jubilant melodies of the Gullah culture of coastal Carolina and J.S. Bach’s inventive polyphony and wanes with the poignant breezes of Appalachian music and a stroll through William Blake’s Garden of Love. “In the fall, we are bringing international artists and regional artists from our own country, particularly the South,” says Anita DeAngelis, director of Mary B. Martin School of the Arts. “This is an opportunity to celebrate our region and to learn more about international cultures that we may not know much about. It’s not just educational. It’s also inspiring and entertaining.” On Sunday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in East Tennessee State University’s Martha

Street Culp Auditorium, North and South India come together in the Wind Whisperers of India concert. The fall’s first ticketed event features Pandit Ronu Majumdar from North India on bansuri or bamboo flute and Vidwan Rajhesh Vaidhya from South India on saraswati veena, the multi-stringed chordophone. The virtuoso duo performs the ancient art of jugalbandi, a duet of two solo musicians in a musical meeting of the minds. In the second portion of the performance, they will be joined by other “whisperers” on Indian percussion instruments. More music is in the sights on Sunday, Oct. 1, when the quintet of Ranky Tanky – which is Gullah for “work it” or “get funky” – blends timeless songs, spirituals and lullabies of the sea islands of Georgia and South Carolina with joyous doses of jazz, funk and R&B creating a “heartland of American music” that is “the best of both worlds,” says Paste Magazine. South Carolina native musicians Quentin Baxter, Kevin Hamilton, Charlton Singleton and Clay Ross are joined by Quiana Parler, a popular Lowcountry singer “with a big, soulful voice,” says the Charleston Post and Courier. Social and political commentary also comes to the fore in early October, as the fifth annual FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Socially and Politically Engaged Art goes on display Oct. 9-Dec. 15 at ETSU’s Reece Museum. The international juried exhibition – in memory of Fletcher Dyer, a BFA senior at ETSU who passed away in 2009 in a motorcycle accident – focuses on work that reflects “current issues that affect contemporary culture and investigate societal and political concerns,” the exhibit website says. Entries for the 2017 FL3TCH3R Exhibit will be selected by illustrator/painter Anita Kunz, a

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

visual artist whose work – including magazine covers for 7 The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Time, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair and Fortune – has made her one of The National Post’s 50 most influential women in Canada. Kunz will give an artist’s/juror’s talk on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. in Reece Museum, to be followed by the exhibit reception from 6-8 p.m. The talk and reception are free of charge and open to the public. Cellist Matt Haimovitz is “a musician who positively thrives on challenge,” says The New York Times. Since making his solo debut with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic, Haimovitz has established himself as one of classical music's most adventurous artists. On Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 1 and 2, the cellist will bring his Moveable Feast of Bach Suites and contemporary overtures to four differing locations in upper East Tennessee. On Nov. 1, he will perform Bach Suite I at noon at ETSU’s Sherrod Library: Bach Suite III at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson City’s Memorial Park Community Center; and at 5 p.m., take the feast to Eastman’s Corporate Business Center in Kingsport where he will play Bach Suite V. At all these public venues, the 35-minute mini-concerts will be free and open to all. Then at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 2, Haimovitz will conclude this two-day musical repast with a ticketed event, performing Suites II and VI at Culp Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. A New Subjectivity: Figurative Painting after 2000 – at Reece Museum Oct. 15-Dec. 15 – looks at Expressionism in new terms, through the lens of exclusively women painters and their work in the new millennium. The exhibition, that originated at Pratt Manhattan Gallery, references cartoons, fashion spreads and personal narratives as the artists address the fragmentation of individual subjectivity in a technological world. New York painter and writer Jason Stopa, exhibition, curator, will provide the lecture on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. A reception for the exhibition will follow at 6 p.m. Both events are free of charge and open to the public. November will conclude, on Thursday, Nov. 30, with a trip to The Garden of Love and the poetry of 18thcentury English writer William Blake, from the perspective of singer/songwriter Martha Redbone and the Martha Redbone Roots Project. Her performance of The Garden of Love: Songs of William Blake fuses the mystical, humanistic words of the poet with the melodies, drones and rhythms of Appalachian string-band music. The New Yorker calls it a “brilliant collision of cultures,” from the American roots singer known for her own Appalachian-Native American roots. Redbone’s concert will start at 7:30 p.m. in Culp Auditorium. Cultural and political issues are addressed on the big screen in the three films from South Arts Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers – a series that the ETSU School of the Arts has brought to the campus for eight years. On Sept. 25, the audience will see behind the veil of an Iranian fatwa, or death sentence edict, against Iranian musician Shahin Najafi in the rap-punk-rock documentary When God Sleeps. This view of Shahin's frantic escape and exile is set against a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story. The camera turns to Texas and issues regarding the American justice system and LGBT persecution with the documentary film Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four, which screens Oct. 23. The film depicts the nightmarish stories of Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassandra Rivera, Kristie Mayhugh and Anna Vasquez — four Latina lesbians wrongfully convicted of gang-raping two little girls in San Antonio, Texas. The final independent film this fall focuses on dwindling abortion access in the Deep South and the debate over reproductive healthcare in America. Jackson, screening at ETSU on Nov. 6, is an intimate look at the lives of three women caught up in these complex issues in Jackson, Miss. At ETSU, all Southern Circuit films are free of charge and are followed by a catered light reception with the filmmakers, who also provide a talkback after each screening. All fall 2017 Southern Circuit films are on Mondays at 7 p.m. and in Culp Auditorium. For more information about ETSU’s Mary B. Martin School of the Arts or to purchase tickets, visit www. etsu.edu/martin or call 423-439-TKTS (8587).

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

he Centennial Commission invites you to join in the celebration as they host a grand opening for Kingsport Centennial Park. The celebration will open with the national anthem sung by Kingsport’s own Carla Karst with the Dobyns-Bennett Band as accompaniment. The ribbon cutting will be the first official turning-on of the interactive water feature, the park’s core. Opening day will continue the celebrations after the ribbon cutting, so bring the whole family out for a fun-filled event. Festivities include Cheerwine visiting us as they, too, are 100 this year. Their samples will provide the perfect centennial refresher. Face painting, free bubbles, and more will be available for kids to enjoy. Local downtown businesses are offering specials, so watch the Kingsport100 Facebook page for announcements. A variety of entertainment will join the celebration, including the Central Baptist Choir, Kingsport Showtime, Kingsport Ballet, the State Theatre Group and a magician! They will light up the stage and make you want to stay all day. While the festivities finish at 2:00pm, the park is yours forever! Along the wall of the pump station, you will find beautifully hand-crafted tiles by students from Lincoln Elementary and Dobyns-Bennett High School. This art project was made possible in part by an ‘Art Builds Community’ Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

“

Now that I’m going to be a grandfather, I have even more love for this park,” says city manager Jeff Fleming.

“It was built for future generations, and I will bring my grandkids here every year to show them the importance of celebrating history and sharing values with family.” Kingsport Centennial Park came to fruition through a collaborative effort between the Kingsport Community Foundation and the City of Kingsport Centennial Commission. In celebrating the ‘Kingsport Spirit’, the park provides a unique destination and link to downtown Kingsport that commemorates the community’s past, present and future. The fundraising effort for this legacy project grew organically in a way that went beyond the chair’s expectations. Brenda White-Wright states, “We all hope for a time that we can be a part of something special. Many thanks to everyone from across our community who gave their time and support to make Centennial Park a truly special landmark for centuries to come.” Centennial Park is located at 245 E Main Street, across from Main St Pizza. The grand opening park celebration will occur Saturday, August 26 from 11:00am - 2:00pm.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Kingsport Centennial Park

Grand Opening

Leave your mark on history by celebrating with family and friends on this special day.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

William King Museum of Art presents

The Great War: Printmakers of World War I and In the Trenches William King Museum of Art will display two companion exhibits from September 1 - November 5 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; entry into World War I.

he Great War: Printmakers of World War I, on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, is a collection of 27 prints by American and British artists that depict battlefield scenes and life on the home front. In the Trenches is comprised of World War I memorabilia from Southwest Virginia, including uniforms, weapons, letters, trench art, and more. An opening reception for the two exhibits will be held on September 1, 2017 from 6 - 8 p.m. The exhibit will be on display from September 1 to November 5, 2017. Admission is free and the museum is open to the public. For more information on The Great War: Printmakers of World War I and In the Trenches, visit www.williamkingmuseum.org or call 276628-5005.

William King Museum of Art is located at 415 Academy Drive, off West Main Street or Russell Road, in Abingdon. The Museum features five exhibition galleries, artist studios and outdoor sculpture garden. Educational programs in the visual arts are offered year-round for both children and adults, and school audiences are served by inhouse and outreach programs. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the William King Museum of Art is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the Virginia Association of Museums and is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Mark Twain’s TOM SAWYER

Theatre Bristol Present

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer takes us on an adventure at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 506 State Street, weekends, August 25 through September 10 in a live performance of the classic tale. Tickets are on sale now online at www.TheatreBristol.org.

om, Huck, Becky, Aunt Polly, Judge Thatcher, Injun Joe, Muff Potter, Sid, and others are brought to life by a cast of 19 actors in a stylized version of the traditional story, seasoned with folk and bluegrass music. Directing will be Theatre Bristol actor/director veteran Steve Baskett, recent director of The Adventures of Robin Hood, title performer in Scrooge! The Musical, and most recently Belle’s father Maurice in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Theatre Bristol is pleased to present Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer as part of its family-friendly 52nd season. It thanks Artisan Center Theater for generously making this performance possible. Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer had its world premiere at Artisan Center Theater in Hurst, Texas, in February of 2015. Based on the book by Mark Twain, it was adapted and directed by Joe Sturgeon, with music direction by Richard Gwozdz, choreography by Gina Gwozdz, stage management by Cassondra Plybon and design by David D. Hyde Jr. The production will open August 25 and run for three weekends through September 10 with evening and matinee performances at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, available online at www.TheatreBristol.org. The cast includes Kerry Morton as Tom Sawyer, Brad Rhoton as Huckleberry Finn, Andrew Hunt as Muff Potter, Kami Rice as Aunt Polly, Bob Dotson as Injun Joe, Dakota Otey as Judge Thatcher and Doc Robinson, Jeanette Winston as Miss Dobbins and Old Mother Hopkins, Anthony Underwood as Rev. Sprague, Brooklyn Vance as Becky Thatcher, Mason White as Sid Sawyer, Enelisa Sutton as Amy Lawrence, Luke Gray as Joe Harper, Caleb Hale as Ben Rogers, Braiden King as Alfred Temple, Zaiah Gray as Billy Fisher, Carly Street as Gracie Miller, Ava White as Mary Sawyer, Tawny Clark as Susy Harper, and Lucy Tester as Sally Rogers. Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee and now celebrating its 52nd season. Its Main Stage season consists of up to six productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multipurpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120, and other performances are on stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is volunteer run and we invite you to get involved. For more information, visit Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@ theatrebristol.org.

Bike Night Finale

Yes, it’s the last Bike Night of the summer next Tuesday the 29th. The headliner for this “Texas Style” finale is the Urban Pioneers.

Tuesday August 29 7:00 – 11:00

uesdays have seen quite the successful run of Bike Nights at the Brewery with many different bands playing over the summer. The array of different bikes has had folks just walking around the parking area taking them all in. Tuesday will be a big double event at the Brewery. 99.3 the X is bringing Barns Courtney for a session at 7:00 on the main stage. The Bike Night Finale will begin at 8:00 PM. There is no cover on Tuesday – two bands for the price of none! As a special treat for this finale, Jon McGlocklin, the entertainment director, is bringing in a band from Texas that not many in our area are familiar with, The Urban Pioneers. Traveling near and far, The Urban Pioneers are a trio of road warriors that spend their lives playing music to please anyone anywhere. There isn’t one word or feeling to describe this band because they stretch in every which way bringing to the table a wide variety of old time, western swing, and folk tunes that are all toe tappin and dancin goodness. Just sit back, buckle up, and prepare to be driven on a journey of blistering fast highs and

lonesome lows. To give you an idea, their slogan is “Trappin pigs and playin gigs.” This ought to be quite the show! Also at the Brewery over the weekend, they have a great music lineup. Friday at 8:30 is Ryan Kendrick and the Hip Gypsies. This show will be a first for the Brewery. You can expect a mixture of Ryan Kendrick Blues and Rock N Roll with his new band, the Hip Gypsies!!! Saturday night is the ever-popular Lauren Cole Band. They take the main stage at 8:30 and will definitely keep you entertained for the next three hours. All in all, some great music to go along with the great beer and delicious food that is the feature of the Brewery.

13 theloaferonline.com | March 28, 2017

Holston River Brewing Company’s

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Open Auditions for Lionel Bart’s musical ‘Oliver!’

uditions will be held Monday, Aug. 28 and Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. for the senior cast (ninth grade through adult) and Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. for the junior cast (third through eighth grade). Registration for auditions will begin 30 minutes prior to the listed audition times for each date. All auditions will take place in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus. Auditions will consist of singing, choreography, and readings from the show’s script. No prepared audition pieces are required. Callbacks will take place as needed on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. Performances are scheduled for Nov. 10-12 and 16-19. Rehearsals will take place during the fall on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with some Sunday afternoons scheduled. Rehearsals begin with a cast call on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. and a tentative rehearsal schedule will be posted during auditions. The production team is looking to compile a cast

Theatre-at-Tusculum will have auditions Aug. 28-30 for its annual fall musical directed by Marilyn duBrisk. This year duBrisk and her creative team will be bringing the classic musical “Oliver!” to the stage.

of approximately 60 men, women and children for the production. Those wishing to audition should be prepared to list any scheduling conflicts between Sept. 3 and the performance dates during registration. Roles include Oliver Twist, a lonely orphan boy; Fagin, a conniving career criminal who takes in homeless boys and teaches them to pick pockets for him; Nancy, a tragic heroine who takes a liking to Oliver and helps look after Fagin’s Pickpockets; Mr. Brownlow, Oliver's grandfather; Bill Sikes, Nancy's brutal and abusive lover and burglar; Mr. Bumble, the pompous beadle of the orphanage workhouse; The Artful Dodger, the cleverest of Fagin's pickpockets; Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, the insensitive couple who take in Oliver and use him in their funeral business; Mrs. Corney, the matron of the orphanage workhouse, and several others. For more information regarding auditions or to see a full character breakdown, please visit the Arts Outreach website at http://arts.tusculum. edu, Tusculum College Arts Outreach on Facebook or call 423-798-1620.

Costume Director Erin Schultz; Assistant Director Brian Ricker and Director Marilyn duBrisk, from left, discuss costuming for Theatre-atTusculum's production of “Oliver!”

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Ninth Annual Fine Art in the Park Call for Artists

The ninth annual Fine Art in the Park held on the 15 International Storytelling Center grounds Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22, is now taking applications for new artists now through September 8.

he goal of this show is to highlight the fine art produced in our region. Featuring nearly 50 artists located inside the International Storytelling Center and the surrounding Storytelling Park, the juried and judged event accepts unique fine arts and crafts from around the region. In keeping this a fine art event, the attempt is to offer a venue for professional artists to showcase their artwork. Booth space is limited to approximately 50 artists. The inside booth fee is $125 for both days, plus a $20 jury fee. Lawn/Park booth fee is $100 for both days plus a $20 jury fee. For more logistical information: http://jonesboroughtn.org/images/2017_Call_to_Artists_Final.pdf Eligible artists can find an application by visiting the Town of Jonesboroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: http://tinyurl.com/y8ayu7h6. Or contact Theresa Hammons, theresah@jonesboroughtn.org. Another popular aspect of Fine Art in the Park includes the tasting area complete with wine samples, mouthwatering chocolates, tempting sauces and savory bread samples complete with the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own marketplace where folks can sample before they buy. The ever popular Best of Show honor will be given amongst the regional artists that includes $1,000, second place will be awarded $500 and third place $300. Two Honorable Mention certificates will be awarded and one Best of Tasting certificate. There is also space available in the Best of Tasting area for new culinary artists. Interested vendors should contact Director, Theresa Hammons, theresah@ jonesboroughtn.org or 423.753.0562.

Spotlight

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

- TUESDAY - August 22nd -

If you or your band are playing in the upcoming week and would like to be in The Spotlight, call in advance to (423) 283-4324 or go online to: theloaferonline.com. Due to last minute cancellations or changes, please call the location to confirm.

- SATURDAY - August 26th -

- FRIDAY - August 25th -

Brett Young Appalachian Fair

David Crowder Appalachian Fair

Double Shott Holiday Inn

Downtown Country Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria

Chris Cornell Tribute The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

Nathan Wright Acoustic Coffeehouse

Asylum Suite Holston River Brewing Company

Wyatt Rice & Richard Bennett Down Home

Stemwinder Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill

Acoustifried Lakeview Marina Marker II

Asylum Suite Holston River Brewing Company

Wyldeheart Sonny’s Cafe

Old Movie Night Bears Bar

Borderline Band at Quaker Steak & Lube

- WEDNESDAY - August 23rd Clint Black Appalachian Fair Hillbilly Bad Appalachian Fair Sundown Band David Thompson’s Produce Joe Cat Acoustic Coffeehouse Bike Night Bears Bar

- THURSDAY - August 24th Chris Janson Appalachian Fair Jaystorm Project Wild Wing Cafe Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass Allandale Mansion

Live Music at Bone Fire Smokehouse The Fugitives Painter Creek Marina Banjo Mickaru/The Ands Acoustic Coffeehouse Ryan Kendrick & The Hip Gypsies Holston River Brewing Company Whyskey Outlaws Country Club Bar & Grill Shooter Band CJ’s Sports Bar

- SATURDAY - August 26th High Valley Appalachian Fair Asylum Suite Lakeview Marina Marker II

Farmhouse Ghost at Quaker Steak & Lube

My New Favorites at Quaker Steak & Lube

Live Music at Bone Fire Smokehouse

Dori Freeman Down Home

Marques- Karoke Painter Creek Marina

Retroville Kingsport Moose Lodge #972

Benny Wilson Los Amigo’s Momma Molasses/Elena Lacayo Acoustic Coffeehouse Nostalgia Duo Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill Open Talent Night Bears Bar Beth Snapp Model City Tap House

Easton Corbin Niswonger Performing Arts Center Sundown Band David Thompson’s Produce

The Diamonds Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill Lauren Cole Band Holston River Brewing Company The Dusty Travelers Bears Bar Copper Ridge Country Club Bar & Grill Limited Edition American Legion Below 7 O’Mainnin’s Pub Jake Silvers Band Capone’s The Bosses Live Downtown Erwin - Benefit Concert

- SUNDAY - August 27th KT VanDyke Bone Fire Smokehouse Ivy Road Lakeview Marina Marker II Travis O’Quinn Sonny’s Cafe Scott Bianchi/ Of Sea and Stone Acoustic Coffeehouse Symphony of the Mountains King University

- TUESDAY - August 29th Downtown Country Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria Barns Courtney - 7pm Urban Pioneers - 8pm Holston River Brewing Company

Southern Rebellion Sonny’s Cafe Drop Dead Dangerous Woodstone Deli James Meadows Painter Creek Marina

for show time & more details, visit

theloaferonline.com

Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423-844-0400

Model City Tap House 324 E Market St. Kingsport 423-765-0875

Bear's Bar 4460 Highway 421 Bristol TN 423-502-1975

Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr. Bristol VA 276-466-4100

Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St. Bristol VA 276-644-9464

Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon VA 276-623-0037

Holston River Brewing Company 2623 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN

Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 3119 Bristol Hwy. Johnson City 423-262-0444

CJ’S Sports Bar 516 Morelock St. Kingsport 423-390-1361

Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock Drive Kingsport

KARAOKE

TUESDAY Karaoke w/ Tina and West at Dawg House Tavern Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Logans Karaoke w/ Marques at Painter Creek Marina Karaoke with Top shelf Entertainment at Boomershine’s Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** WEDNESDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez & Top Shelf Entertainment at Holston River Brewing Company Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at Quaker Steak & Lube Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Smokey Bones - Johnson City TN Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN *********************** THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ Marques at Painter Creek Marina Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at New Beginning’s Karaoke at Jiggy Rays Pizzaria ***********************

Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One Street Gray, TN 423-282-9440

FRIDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Los Amigos - Kingsport Karaoke w/ Shane Rouse at Bear’s Bar Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at BoBo’s - Damascus VA Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez & Top Shelf Entertainment at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN *********************** SATURDAY Karaoke at The Horseshoe Lounge Karaoke w/ Toddzilla at Sportsmans Pub Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at Numan’s - Johnson City TN ***********************

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SPOTLIGHT DIRECTORY

Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423-434-9872

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Blinding You With Space Science Maybe the best seat in the house for the Great American Eclipse was aboard the International Space Station when orbiting 250 miles above the Earth they saw glimpses of the Sun/Moon spectacle three times during daylight of their 90-minute orbit.

Stargazer

By Mark Marquette since 1996 stargazermarq@ gmail.com

nd while their reaction was certainly not hindered by any clouds, the attention to the ISS was welcome as not many of us pay much attention to what’s happening on what NASA workers just call “Station.” There is plenty going on aboard the multi-national space station that benefits mankind below. Take for instance the Monday, Aug. 14th launch of SpaceX’s Dragon resupply ship that had fresh fruit, clothing, computers, medical experiments and mice on board. About every three months a supply ship is needed for the six people making up an “Expedition.” Expedition 52 is underway with the addition of three new astronauts arriving in early August aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, making a full crew of six. The Expedition crews are staggered in six-month stays on the Station and the next three space fliers will leave Sept. 3 for return to Earth aboard Soyuz MS-04 after their approximate half-year in space. Then there will be just three astronauts aboard Station until the three members of Expedition 53 are blasted off the Russian spaceport in Kazahstan on Sept. 13. The International Space Station is at the forefront of improving human life on Earth. The $100 billion Station is the size of a six-bedroom house with 15 segments including five laboratories and an array of eight, 239-foot long solar panels—the whole complex covering the size of a football field. Orbiting around the world at 17,500 mph and making 17 revolutions each day, nearly everyone enjoys catching a glimpse of The Station in the twilight hours of morning or evening. It has been continuously occupied since November 1999 with more than 250 international astronauts calling it home. But can we put a face to the six people aboard? Probably not. Allow me to introduce you: The commander is Fyodor Yurchikhin, a Russian veteran of five missions who just performed his ninth extravehicular activity (EVA) outside Station in mid-August. He will return to Earth Sept. 3 with former commander Peggy Whitson, who’s latest 10-month stint in space makes her the most experienced American space flier at 660-plus days in space over four missions. American Jack Fischer will also return to Earth after five months on his first mission. The 52nd Expedition crew to the ISS will leave behind new commander Sergey Ryazanskiy of Russia on his second flight. He leads the Expedition 53 crew of American Randy Bresnik on his second flight and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli on his third space journey.

They will be joined by the other three Expedition 53 members on Sept. 13 when launched aboard the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. They are NASA astronauts Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei, and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. While Yurchikhin and Ryazanskiy performed a six-hour EVA on Aug. 17th, the other four Expedition 52 crew members were busy emptying SpaceX Dragon of the 5,000 pounds of supplies that arrived the day before. Among the new stuff is an experiment that might help find treatment and maybe a cure of Parkinson’s Disease. The important medical research is a collaboration between The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS). There is a type of protein called LRRK2 that mutations in the coding gene are thought to cause Parkinson's disease in some people. Researchers have hypothesized that developing drugs to inhibit LRRK2, or block its activity, could help prevent Parkinson's or slow its progression. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects people's movement abilities, and can result in symptoms such as tremors, slowed movements and muscle stiffness. There are currently no treatments to stop or reverse the progression of the disease, according to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. But before scientists can develop a drug to inhibit LRRK2, they need to know the precise structure of this protein. One way to get a detailed view of its structure is by growing crystals of LRRK2 in lab dishes. However, on Earth gravity can interfere with the growth of these crystals, and keep them small. The quality of earth-based crystals is not good enough for necessary research. This is where the ISS research comes in: Researchers hope that the microgravity of outer space will allow crystals to grow bigger with fewer defects. The scientists can then get a sharper view of the crystal structure. Scientists will grow the LRRK2 crystals for about a month in space. Then, the crystals will be sent back to Earth, where they will be analyzed with high-energy X-rays. And hopefully the data will help find treatments and eventually a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Take some time and inform yourself about all the things in our daily lives that have their roots in our proud American space program. It’s all there at spinoffs.nasa.gov. The impact of the International Space Station on our high-tech society is truly amazing.

ow did you like the Great American Eclipse? Because of The Loafer’s Friday deadline, look for my observations next week in the Tuesday, Aug. 29th issue. Meanwhile, we have the Moon moving into our evening skies, the beautiful crescent being the guilty suspect in the solar coverup Aug. 21st.

Tuesday, August 22

Friday, August 25

The Moon is still too close to the Sun to be seen, or is it. As it is new Two beautiful weekend evenings today and tomorrow as the waxing Moon moves through phase passing in front of the Sun at about 2:25 pm EDT, it is challenging Scorpius from planet Jupiter in Virgo to Saturn in Ophiuchus. to see the eastern edge of craters within 24-36 hours into the first lunar day on the earth-facing side. Saturday, August 26 Paired with their brighter planet partner in the sky are two well-known stars. In the evening, Wednesday, August 23 western twilight, Jupiter shines brightly gold with distinctly white Spica to its left, the You probably can see the Moon tonight as a super-thin crescent in the brightest star in Virgo the Virgin. To the left of the Moon is the red heart of Scorpius, Antares, evening twilight. The next few days the Moon will make a beautiful with yellow Saturn to the star’s left. photograph for you Shutterbugs because it’s easy to get a foreground object in the image for important perspective. Just use a telephoto lens Sunday, August 27 or zoom out to about 300mm, and expose for the dark lunar seas. At 400 On this 1985 date in space history, NASA launched Space Shuttle Discovery on a “pay for ISO and 300mm lens at F5.6, the full phase Moon is exposed at around delivery to orbit” mission for three clients. Communications satellites were deployed for 1/250th of a second, so crescent phases are around 1/60th . Bracket Australia, American Satellite Co. and the US Department of Defense at about $50 million your exposures and have fun framing the beautiful Moon with earthly each (plus cost of the satellite) as the Space Transportation System of NASA began ramping landscapes. up to pay for itself. This mission even retrieved and repaired in the cargo bay another satellite of DOD that was deployed and failed in April 1985.

Thursday, August 24

The Summer Triangle is an asterism of three constellations: to the north Monday, August 28 is Deneb in the tail of Cygnus the Swan, also looking like a giant Northern On this 2009 date STS-128 with orbiter Discovery was rocketed into orbit for the International Cross; distinctly white Vega is the brightest in Lyra the Harp, and Altair is Space Station. The seven crew members spent 10 days docked to the ISS delivering the the southern point in Aquila the Eagle, a small cross of stars. Leonardo logistics module loaded with physics and chemistry experiments to be conducted in zero gravity, correctly called “micro gravity.”

19 theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

THIS WEEK

SKIES

Celestial events in the skies for the week of August 22-28, 2017 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

The Clapping Dread I want you to imagine that you’re out at a restaurant having dinner with a group of friends. It’s a pleasant evening, you’re having a wonderful time.

T Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross aross@ theloaferonline.com

he atmosphere is very celebratory. You’ve just laughed at a very funny joke told by someone with all the wit and charm of a--let’s say--Andy Ross. That’s when you hear it. Faintly in the background. Soft, but distinguishable. It’s a rhythmic clapping sound, maybe that of another group of fun people at a distant table? You turn towards where you think you heard the sound come from. That’s when you see it. Not just one person clapping, but a whole line of the restaurant’s wait staff. Clapping and moving inward from the kitchen to the dining area. In a split second, the jovial dinner you and your friends were enjoying has turned into an Agatha Christie drama. You and your friends are all locking eyes with one another. Tensely looking around the table with a glance that says “Who did it? Was it YOU!?” As this dramatic scene plays out, you hear the train of clappers moving closer and closer. A sense of dread begins to wash over you. Intense. Paralyzing fear. “Are they going to stop here?” you think over and over again. In your mind, someone else at the table is responsible for this, but what you don’t know is that your friends are all experiencing the

exact same thoughts that you are. The clapping gets louder, they move closer and closer still. All that’s left to do is to close your eyes and let a silent prayer go out that this will be over quickly. Eyes shut, the clapping intensifies until it's almost deafening. They've made it to the table. You open your eyes to witness the terrifying sight. The entire wait staff of the restaurant has the table surrounded. They smile like robots, still, insincere, creepy. Your friends have the same look on your face that you now do. Terror hid behind a fake grin. The staff sings to you, they wish you the happiest Birthday. The singing ends, you all clap politely and say "thank you." Just as the staff begins to depart, the manager rushes over “No, no! It’s not THAT table! It’s the one next to them!” they yell. A

family with two kids at the table to your right gestures the staff to them, they surrounded them and sing, and you and your friends look at each other and feel closer to one another than you ever have before. A bond has been forged between you all that can never be broken, for you have now gone through hell together. See you next week.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Mountain Brew Trail

Southwest Virginia

TheLoaferwaspleasedtobeamongabout100business 21 leaders, brewers and politicians that attended a press conferenceTuesdayatStudioBrewinBristol,VA.

he purpose was to announce the Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail and debut the new logo. Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Virginia Tourism Corp. President and CEO Rita McClenny were the guests of honor handling the announcement. This Brew Trail is an innovative way to build tourism and add jobs to the local economies of the various cities included. Their mission statement describes it quite accurately: The Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail is a craft beer trail and marketing initiative through Southwest Virginia. Craft beer is booming in Southwest Virginia and our goal is to encourage more visitation to the Commonwealth by using craft beer to pair with our region’s vast offerings of outdoor recreation, music and arts as catalysts to increase visitation and visitor spending. The Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail is a regional effort. Sen. Warner went on to say: “The Mountain Brew Trail is the product of years of conversations and planning between local stakeholders and my office, all working together to highlight the success of this growing industry in the region,” he said. “Heritage trails like these, which highlight heritage music and local artisans, help bring new jobs and attract business and tourism to Southwest Virginia.” Virginia is home to 206 licensed breweries, with the craft beer industry contributing more than $9 billion annually to the commonwealth’s economy and employing over 28,000 people in production, distribution and retail, according to Ms. McClenny. “People come here to make family memories,” she said. “And this trail will give them a reason to come taste, see and fall in love with all that Southwest Virginia has to offer. There's no better way to get a taste of the local flavor than to show visitors why Virginia is for craft beer lovers.” At present, there are 16 breweries on the trail with 3 more scheduled to join as their operations get underway. The website for the brew trail is www.mountainbrewtrail.com. The Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail app can be downloaded at https://appsto.re/us/m4sRlb.i

Blountville Flea Market & Yard Sale

9th Annual Historic

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Get ready! The 9th ANNUAL HISTORIC BLOUNTVILLE FLEA MARKET & YARD SALE will be held in downtown Blountville from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Often referred to as the town's "heritage days" celebration, it is truly a "Flea Marketer's Paradise" with bargains galore!

he event will include arts and crafts, flea market goods and yard sale items, great food and some exciting music! Food vendors will offer a wide array of food with everything from barbeque ribs, barbeque chicken, pulled pork, deep fried oreos and moon pies, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork skins, snow cones, kettle corn, chili cheese fries and more. In addition, the Blountville Ruritan will be serving soup beans and cornbread! Vendor spaces for the Historic Blountville Flea Market and Yard Sale are $15, first-come, first-serve basis... Better hurry! Preregistration and fees are required by Friday, September 1, 2017. Don't miss this one! The 9th ANNUAL HISTORIC BLOUNTVILLE FLEA MARKET AND YARD SALE is sponsored by the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism located at 3425 Hwy. 126, Suite 100, Blountville, TN. Registration forms may be downloaded at www.historicsullivan. com/events.htm. Completed forms should be mailed with registration fee to SCDAT, P.O. Box 3179, Blountville, TN 37617. The 9th Annual Historic Blountville Flea Market and Yard Sale is sponsored by the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism. For further info, please call (423) 323-4660. Vendor spaces for the Historic Blountville Flea Market and Yard Sale are $15, first-come, first-serve basis... Better hurry! Preregistration and fees required by Friday, September 1, 2017. For additional information, please contact the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism at (423) 323-4660. Don't miss this one! Click here for Registration Form. For additional upcoming events, visit our website at HistoricSullivan.com.

(Rated R) 2 1/2 cars (out of 4)

Academy Award winner Halle Berry is back in the big screen in the new thriller "Kidnap", and she is not to be trifled with. Berry stars as Karla Dyson, a down-on-her-luck mother of one who works at a waitress in a New Orleans diner.

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers ksilvers@ theloaferonline.com

he is separated from her husband and is fighting to keep custody of her six-year-old son Frankie (Sage Correa). We meet Karla at her job where she is about to leave work to take her son to the park for some afternoon fun. While the two are enjoying the local carnival, Karla gets a phone call from her divorce lawyer that so upsets her she temporary walks away from Frankie. When she returns to the bench where she left her son, he is missing. Karla begins a frantic search throughout the carnival area until she spots Frankie being placed in a Ford Mustang by a blonde lady. She immediately chases after the car on foot until she is able to get in her vehicle in pursuit of her sons kidnappers. At this point the film becomes a fast pasted chase film, with Berry's character suddenly having the driving skills of Jason Bourne or any cast member from "The Fast and the Furious" films. Never mess with a mother in pursuit of her kidnapped child. Eventually Karla discovers her son has two kidnappers and offers them everything she has in her wallet in order to get her son back. The maddening chase continues throughout the interstate highways and back roads of New Orleans, causing major traffic accidents along the way. After several unbelievable happenings (this is a fictional movie after all), Karla is able to find the location where the kidnappers (one hideous large blonde lady and a tacky white trash male) have taken her son. The house of the kidnappers

provides yet another showdown, this one featuring a climatic battle between the bad hair year blonde and Karla. I really kept hoping an alligator would come out of the water and snatch blondie, but alas, no such luck. After events finally turn in Karla's favor, she is met with yet another shocking turn of events, and must again step up and be the hero, which she accomplishes with B-movie aplomb. I came to realize while watching this film, even though the budget was $20 million, I was witnessing an expensive B-movie. Don't get me wrong, there are many fun low-budget B-movies, this one just happens to be on the expensive side, and is certainly an edge-ofyour-seat thriller. I'm just a bit surprised to see Berry in this type of film, but I can understand how strongly she must have felt about a movie displaying the unwavering love of a mother. To me it wasn't Berry who made the film seem B grade, it was her co-stars portraying the kidnappers. The actors to blame (Lew Temple and Chris McGinn) left no white trash stereotype behind, and at times were a bit too overthe-top. The kid playing her son Frankie was awesome, and held his own with Berry. The film is also saved by the exciting car chase sequences, and had me jumping in my seat and yelling out loud twice, which didn't bother me since the theater was empty for my screening. If you take "Kidnap" for the pursuit film it is, you will have an enjoyable pedal to the metal time at the theater.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Kidnap

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

The Biltmore House Part 2

Last week we left you after only completing the first floor of this astonishing house. Even with this second issue further exploring the home, we are still not going to be able to cover every detail that we feel you need to know. So this is going to be a whirlwind tour of the basement, second and third floors.

Appalachian Wanderers

By Jason & Daniel Worley jdworley@ theloaferonline.com

ow remember, we told you last week that the Biltmore House has 135,800 feet of living space between a total of 5 floors. That’s a lot of stepping to do on a daily basis and if you are only traversing the 3 main living floors, the grand staircase has 102 steps of its own! So let’s get moving and start this week’s tour in the sub-basement. When most people think of the basement, they immediately see the floor directly below the main floor of the house. We are going to go another floor below that. Yes, that’s right, this castle extends two stories below ground! The sub-basement is where all the workings of the house’s mechanics are found. The boiler rooms, the electrical boxes, the elevator gears (yes, the Biltmore house actually has a working elevator that is over 100 years old!). Moving up to the actual basement level of the house, here you will find some of the fascinating amenities that were never heard of in a home over 100 years ago, or even today for that matter! Mr. Vanderbilt didn’t want his guests or family to leave the Estate for any reason if they didn’t have to. Here on this level, guests would find things such as the Halloween Room. This brightlypainted room would have been used for storage during the first 30 years of the house and then as a party room during the wedding of Vanderbilt’s daughter, Cornelia. Guests will also find a full-size bowling alley with two lanes. Balls were returned by rolling them down a center track, and pins were reset by hand. The next thing guests would come to is a long hallway of dressing rooms. What were these dressing rooms used for? Well none other than the indoor 27,000-gallon heated and lighted swimming pool. Here guests could relax in the luxurious pool any time of the year. The luxury measured 53 feet long by 27 feet wide, 8 and a half feet. The pool included underwater lighting and diving boards. What’s good for the body after a nice swim? Working out in the underground gymnasium using the parallel bars, chain-driven rowing machine, medicine balls and other up-to-date apparatuses. The basement was also the center hub for the house. Here the three kitchens were found, along with the pantries, walkin refrigerators and laundry rooms. Every meal cooked during the day, be it a main meal such as breakfast or dinner or just a midnight snack, came from the basement in one of the kitchens. Kitchen servants were on hand until the last guest was asleep and then the fires were roaring again at 5am to start the next day. From the main kitchen, there are two dumbwaiters, one manual and one electric to take food to any level that was needed during the day or night. Here you will also find the servants dining room and sitting room. While there were much more modest than the grand dining hall just above, they were more than what was found in most homes for the day. Cold walk-in refrigerators were unheard of during this time, and the Vanderbilts pulled it off by running pipes filled with cold water through the room to chill it. After leaving the basement, we will now take you to the 2nd floor of the house. This floor housed the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt and several guest bedrooms. Walking into Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom, you can surely see this is the bedroom of a king. His bedroom was filled with heavily carved and turned walnut pieces including a dressing table, chaise lounge and chairs in the grand Baroque style. Mr. Vanderbilt filled his room with items he loved such as fine engravings and bronze sculptures from the 19th century France. It was common to have bathrooms in early homes of the 1800’s, but not one with hot water at the touch of the tap as in Mr. Vanderbilt’s bathroom. These hot water pipes were fueled by two coke furnaces in the sub-basement. Between the Vanderbilt’s bedrooms is the oak sitting room. This room was used for the couple to spend time together talking and planning events. It was also used by Mrs. Vanderbilt to sit with her head maid and plan daily activities and meals for the estate guest. Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom is next in line down the row and fit for a queen. Decorated in the Louis XV style, originated in France around 1700 and adopted by affluent American’s in the 1800’s. This room has luxurious styles as silk wall coverings, fancily trimmed mirrors, Savonnerie carpets and cut-velvet draperies on the windows and bed. The second floor also included a massive living hall that included several hundred books of Mr. Vanderbilt’s 23,000 volume collection. There was a hidden staircase that went from this room behind the fireplace in the Library where guest could come and go to fetch new reading materials. It also has a piano and table games to entertain guests on this floor. The third floor of the Biltmore House was reserved for guest rooms and a few of the house maid rooms. This level also included a living hall for guest on this level to have entertainment such as the second-floor guest. Here rooms such as the Madonna Room, Morland Room, Van Dyke Room, and Watson rooms were lavishly decorated in early pieces from the 1700’s and early 1800’s such as the French Empire style. This concludes the inside of the Biltmore House. Make sure to come back next week for a full review of the 8,000 acres that make up the “Estate”.

There are some professions where those who do the job share common experiences. Sometimes those experiences can’t be explained unless you live them. Police, fire, ems and military quickly come to mind. In a time where journalists on the national level are under scrutiny for the way they operate, it is important to stop and appreciate the honesty of local news.

s a hometown news journalist a person can be there to cover everything from good times like festivals or winners at the race to horrible things like fatal wrecks and house fires. It is a tough and unique group of people who can excel at that. Over the years, it has been a privilege to work with some of the best journalists in our area and Preston Ayers is among them. He is a great person who will look you straight in the eye and tell you the truth. Get to know him. BRIAN: We have known each other for many years through our work and I know you could go work in any market you choose. What is so special about this region that has kept you here as your home? PRESTON: This is home. It sounds cliché to say, but I truly believe we live in one of the greatest places on Earth. My wife Lara and I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit both in this country and beyond and while there are many places we like to visit, there’s something special about “home.” Lara and I are both very close to our families and we want our daughter to grow up with close, strong bonds with grandparents and extended family. Additionally, the values and traditions of this region are very special to me, and I want my daughter to grow up with the same sense of pride in community and love for your neighbor that is engrained in Appalachia.

Mountain Movers

By Brian Bishop bbishop@ theloaferonline.com

BRIAN: Preston, thanks for taking time to talk with me and let folks get to know you a little better. Let’s take it from the beginning, I know you grew up locally. What was it like growing up for you? PRESTON: I may wear a suit and drive an SUV today, but my roots are blue jeans and pickup trucks. I had a wonderful childhood growing up on a farm in Bowmantown, a small community in Washington County, TN. Much of my childhood was also spent in Mosheim in Greene County at my grandparents. My mom was an elementary school teacher, my dad was an administrator for a local company, and they still live in the same house today. We raised cattle which led to one of my favorite things to do. I love to square bale hay. To say I went to a lot of ETSU sporting events is an understatement. My parents have been season ticket holders for around 40 years, so I watched A LOT of the blue and gold. No surprise I chose ETSU for college. I’m a better sports fan than athlete. I played Babe Ruth Baseball for Limestone Ruritan most of my early years, but don’t bother checking the record books because you won’t find my name there. I also played Boone Hoops basketball; let’s just say I was on the rooster. I went to Sulphur Springs Elementary and Daniel Boone High School.

BRIAN: Obviously faith and family are a huge part of your life. How do those two things drive you every day? PRESTON: I am a Christian. I believe faith and religion are key threads that make up the fabric of who we are as individuals. I hope that people can see that through the way I live my life and the decisions I make. I’ve recently gone through one of the biggest challenges to my faith through our journey to a family. The long and difficult path led us to a place I would have never dreamed, becoming a foster parent. Five years ago I would have said I couldn’t do it, now I can’t imagine not being a foster parent. It has been the most angering, frustrating, wonderful, rewarding experience of our lives. Looking back now I can see how God led us down a road to where He wanted us to be. It’s reminded me how important it is to step back and just trust His plan no matter how hard it is to do. BRIAN: I have always been impressed by how hard you work to stay involved in various ways throughout the community like the Appalachian Fair, for instance. What drives you to want to give back in so many ways? PRESTON: I enjoy it. When I started reporting, I quickly saw how great things happen when the community comes together. If you find organizations, events, or causes you believe in and care about it’s not work instead it’s a joy. From the Appalachian Fair to the other boards and committees I’m part of they are all organizations that I personally believe help make our community better.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Preston Ayres: The Interview

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Festivals

Got an event coming up?

Events

Send it to The Loafer! info@theloaferonline.com

Concerts

Exhibits

I wonder why they weep Why they stand silent Swaying with sadness I have always loved them So majestic

The Casual Word

By Langley Shazor Follow Langley at TheCasualWord

Quietly they conquer Every year Returning to bring forth shade Every year And yet They still weep

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This is one of the best local free papers you can get. I never miss an issue, and I love the spotlight section very helpful for local bands! Great job, keep up the great work!" Amy K.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Will Low

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Answers on page 32

Boss is a 3 year old male pit mix. He is neutered and up to date on all vaccines. This sweet fellow has been at the shelter for awhile. He is full of personality!

Fresca is a 4 year old female Lab mix. She is spayed and up to date on all vaccines. This sweet girl has also been at the shelter for awhile. Please consider her for your family!

he Bridge Home has an ongoing aluminum can can collection in front of the shelter at 2061 Hwy 75 in Blountville,TN 37617. The cans are collected by a volunteer and the money from the aluminum goes towards badly needed food and supplies for the animals The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue has started a pet food pantry for people that have had financial hardships because of job loss or medical problems and are struggling to feed their pet. They can come by the shelter and get cat or dog food to get through the tough time. Donations can be sent to The Bridge

Home Shelter PO Box 654 Blountville, TN 37617 Every animal in their care is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted. Being a non profit the shelter is funded entirely by membership dues and private donations. They always need volunteers or monetary donations. Other always needed items:pet food, cat litter & cat toys dog treats & dog toys,paper towels, cleaners, office supplies,Purina weight circles. Phone: 423-239-5237 Hours are Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm Sat 12pm3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www. bridgehomerescue@gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ bridgehome

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

PETS

OF THE WEEK

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

THINGS TO DO Blood Drive Marsh Regional Blood Center will conduct public blood drives at the area locations. Visit http:// tinyurl.com/n4aujx9 to find a location near you. In addition to scheduled blood drives, donors are welcome at Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 276-679-4669 or visit www. marshblood.com. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Casual Word Adult Creative Writing Class Join us for a free, fun, engaging, and different look into writing. In this class, we will not focus on structure, form, or rules, but on the freedom of writing. It is the goal of this class to open the mind to its full creative potential by allowing participants to write what they want, how they want to write it. Sessions will be student lead; we will engage in topics and subjects that are of interest to the students. The atmosphere is casual and jovial. This class is designed for all those 18 and up who wish to try their hand at creative writing. Thursdays @ 6:00 p.m. Jones Creativity Center. Bristol Public Library. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• JC Community Drum Circle The Johnson City Community Drum Circle meets every Wednesday evening (April – October), 7pm - 8:30pm, inside the Farmers’ Market Pavilion next to Found-

ers Park. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. Come drum, hoop/holler, dance, or just relax and take in the scene, no experience or “talent” necessary. There are shared instruments and of course you can bring your own drums or percussion. It's all improvised, so there are no mistakes. We just smile and keep playing. Bring your own seating! •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Stress Clinic Community Acupuncture Enjoy a de-stressing and pain relieving thirty minute seated acupuncture session in the Art Gallery of The Renaissance Center in Kingsport. Hosted by Acupuncture Associates, come and get your painless acupuncture and get your nervous system strengthened! $40 (plus get a $20 bonus voucher to apply toward your next visit). Join us EVERY THIRD THURSDAY 12-3pm. For infomations, call 423-239-7044. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Off The Couch Tri-Cities Ladies Only Social Activities Group For bi, lesbian or straight ladies. The goal of this group is to get you off the couch and out of the house so you can have fun going to various activities, meet new people and make friends. Activities include live music, open mic night, drum circle, storytelling, social/ coffee hour, comedy, bingo, billiards, sporting events, theatre and karaoke. Locations for activities can take place in different areas throughout the tri cities. Johnson City- The Willow Tree Coffeehouse, The Down Home, Founders Park, JC Community Theatre, Acoustic Coffeehouse, Yee-Haw Brewing Company, 50fifty Sports Tavern Bristol- Border Bash, Quaker Steak and Lube, Studio Brew,

Bristol Station Brews & Taproom Kingsport- , Rush Street Neighborhood Grill, Gypsy Circus Cider Company, Sleepy Owl Brewery Possible singers/groups: Wise Old River, Yarn, Amythyst Kiah, Annabelle's Curse, If Birds Could Fly, Beth Snapp, The Black Lillies, The SteelDrivers, Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band, Bill and the Belles, Sang Sarah, Indighost, The Steel Wheels, The Dustbowl Revival, The Get Right Band, The Ragbirds, Underhill Rose, Dangermuffin, Folk Soul Revival, The Jake Quillen Band, The Whiskey Gentry, and The Way Down Wanderers. To join visit: http://tinyurl.com/ y8utzb4r. Any problems with signing up on Meetup send an email to offthecouchladiessocialgroup@gmail.com. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Volunteer Needed The Johnson City Board of Commissioners will consider one appointment to the Health and Education Facilities Board. This board meets on an as-needed basis and aids medical and educational facilities in obtaining tax-free loans as allowed by a combination federal and state statutes. Each term is three years.

Applicants should be interested in community affairs and must be city residents. Applications are available at the Municipal and Safety Building, 601 E. Main St., and can be faxed or mailed by calling 423-434-6009. To complete an application online, please visit www.johnsoncitytn. org/boards. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 22. For additional information regarding the Health and Education Facilities Board, please contact Sheri Keenan at 423-434-6009 •••••••••••••••••••••••••• ETSU at Kingsport to hold Fall Yard Sale East Tennessee State University at Kingsport Allandale will hold its Fall Yard Sale on Friday, Sept. 1, from 8 a.m.-noon in the parking lot at 1501 University Blvd. near Allandale Mansion. The ETSU at Kingsport Student Service Organization sponsors this event and invites members of the community to participate. Spaces are available for a $10 fee to accommodate individuals who wish to sell items or for commercial representatives who wish to promote businesses. Each space is equivalent to two parking spaces. Vendors may

reserve spaces by Aug. 24 by calling the number below and specifying the number of spaces desired. Vendors must bring their own tables. Donations of money, used books and miscellaneous items are welcome and may be dropped off at the ETSU at Kingsport Allandale main office MondayThursday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Proceeds from the sale go to the Megan Smith Scholarship Fund, which, to date, has assisted seven students. A resident of Church Hill, Smith was a 2008 graduate of Volunteer High School and had just completed her freshman year at ETSU at Kingsport Allandale at the time of her death in 2009. For more information or to reserve a space, contact Barbara Shirley at 423-439-8000 or shirleyb@etsu.edu or Debbie Marsh at 423-392-8004 or marshd@etsu.edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Free Tastings Free Tastings, usually 2 liquors and a wine at Tri Liquor, every Friday from 4-7pm. 6681 Bristol Hwy, Piney Flats. Next to Food City. 423-538-7000.

Cryptogram: A nuclear power plant is infinitely safer than eating, because 300 people choke to death on food every year. DropQuote: "Washington has got to lower taxes for small businesses so that our mom and pops can reinvest and hire people, so that our businesses can thrive."

The One Device (?)

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107

Brian Merchant’s controversial and very thoughtprovoking new book THE ONE DEVICE: THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE iPHONE has appeared just in time to help us commemorate the tenth anniversary of the device Merchant describes as “the foundational instrument of modern life.”

Kelly’s Place

By Jim Kelly since 1989 jkelly@ theloaferonline.com

egardless of whether you agree or disagree with his assessment, you have to agree that the smartphone world the iPhone helped create has redefined who we are in the span of ten short years. Next week, I plan to ask my history students to reflect on how the iPhone (and indeed all smartphones) connects us to the very convoluted history of human development. For instance, this one device can be used to organize an entire course with topics that range from communications and art to photography and language. Along the way, we learn about how technology has shaped human culture, why we are social animals, and how we are driven by creativity and curiosity. What we hold in our hands is nothing less than an entire course in human history. We most certainly should add the smartphone to the evergrowing list of innovations that have served as pivotal moments--a list that includes the mouldboard plow, the printing press, double-entry bookkeeping, and the camera. Each of these inventions altered the way we see and understand the world around us. And now the smartphone that is best represented by the iPhone puts all of these inventions, and countless more, into one small package. As Merchant observes, the “iPhone intertwines a phenomenal number of prior inventions and insights, some that stretch back into antiquity. It may, in fact, be our most potent symbol of just how deeply interconnected the engines that drive modern technological advancement have become.” At the heart of Merchant’s book is his destruction of the “lone inventor” myth. Although Steve Jobs will perhaps be remembered as the face of Apple for a very long time, his involvement in creating the iPhone was in fact very minimal. The creation of this one device spans several decades and represents the work of countless (and often nameless) individuals who work in subterranean mines, in rather bizarre factories in various parts of the world, in laboratories, in government agencies, in educational institutions, and in their own homes to create the components and the code that make everything work. As Merchant states, “My goal is that by the end of this book, you’ll glance into the black mirror of your iPhone and see, not the face of Jobs, but a group picture of its myriad creators--and have a more nuanced, true, and, I think, compelling portrait of the one device that pulled us all into its future. . . the one device is the work of countless inventors and factory workers, miners and recyclers, brilliant thinkers and child laborers, and revolutionary designers and cunning engineers. Of long-evolving technologies, or collaborative, incremental work, of fledgling startups and massive public-research institutions.” Until I read Merchant’s book I had never given much thought to the human costs of producing an iPhone. For instance, we learn that a “billion iPhones had been sold by 2016, which translates into 34 billion kilos (37 million tons) of mined rock [and that] producing a single iPhone requires mining 34 kilos of ore, 100 liters of water, and 20.5 grams of cyanide, per industry average.” And for the Apple teams that developed the iPhone from a technical standpoint, the project took its toll in terms of failed marriages and neglected children. A particularly interesting, and rather scary, chapter recounts Merchant’s risky journey

to the very bowels of Foxconn City, the enormous Chinese manufacturing facility that is responsible for final assembly of the iPhone. In a section that reminds us of something out of Upton Sinclair’s novel, THE JUNGLE (or, perhaps more appropriately, Ridley Scott’s movie “Blade Runner”) Merchant, after making analogies between Foxconn and Henry Ford’s fabled River Rouge automobile plant, describes how the slaughterhouse was an early model for the most efficient way to build an assembly line. Today, instead of sausages, Foxconn is turning out shiny iPhones for human consumption. The human costs in either scenario are very high and, sadly, hidden from the typical iPhone user’s view. This book has given me a much different and much-needed perspective on what it means to use my iPhone every day. And it has reinforced my conviction that we live our lives in the shadow of what Sherry Turkle calls “evocative objects”--those products, created with our own hands and heads, that eventually come to rule us with their beguiling and life-changing appeal. As you contemplate the many ways your own chosen one device has redefined the meaning of your life, I will bid you a fond farewell until next week.

theloaferonline.com | August 22, 2107