Page 2 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
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December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 3
Volume 29 • Issue #52
Miracle on 34th Street
Publisher Luci Tate
& our own Dave Carter as Santa!
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Terry Patterson Lori Howell Beth Jinks-Ashbrook Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Brian Bishop Nathan Cox 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 (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.
Founder: Bill Williams
happenings 4
Miracle on 34th Street
5
Annual Food Drive Show at Acoustic Coffeehouse
6
The Night Owl Circus
7
Get Festive at Northeast State Holiday Concert
8
Auditions for ‘The Odd Couple”
9
Events coming up at The Capitol Theatre
10
“Along Virginia’s Route 58” book signing
11
Dugger Band at NPAC
13
Rocky Mount Museum’s “A Candlelight Christmas”
20
Milligan College Arts Events
23
“Christmas In The Country”
music & fun 14
Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times
24
Crossword & Sudoku
columns & reviews
12 Batteries Not Included - Hide In A Bathroom and Panic 16 Stargazer - Window Stargazing 17 Skies This Week 18 Screen Scenes - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 19 The Trivial Traveler - Before Starbucks was FOURbucks 21 Mountain Movers - Food Truck Junction 2015 22 Pets Of The Week 25 Lock, Stock & Barrel - Range Bag Basics 26 Kelly’s Place - Making Your List and Checking it Twice
Page 4 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
Miracle on 34th Street opens December 3rd in Jonesborough This Christmas season, the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre will bring to stage the delightful story that asks the big question: Is there a Santa Claus? Miracle on 34th Street introduces a kind, elderly gentleman who looks remarkably like Santa Claus and is hired to play Santa at Macy’s department store in New York City. When he claims to be the real-life Kris Kringle, efforts are made to declare him insane and to have him dragged away to a psychiatric hospital. However, friend and lawyer Fred Gayley steps in to defend Kris against the skeptical prosecuting attorney during a court case that catches the eye of the media and the heart of the community. Bringing this classic Kris Kringle role to you is longtime Tri-Cities actor Dave Carter, and he has some great insights about the true story and spirit of Santa Claus. What makes the Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street so special? “He is special to us because in this story we see him as a real flesh and blood person. It’s set in New York City, a place we are familiar with, as opposed to the North Pole or some sort of fantasyland.” In what ways do you relate to him? “I relate to him because I know him so well. My earliest memory of seeing the film was probably at age 8 or 9, and I have enjoyed it once or twice every year since. The ending still makes me cry a bit every time I see it. “I have a great sentimentality to my childhood and the wonderful Christmases I had. We were not rich, lower middle class, but I was always surprised by the wonderful gifts that were labeled, ‘FROM SANTA CLAUS’: electric trains, chemistry sets, bicycles, later a motorcycle. And I will never forget a Chuck Connors Rifleman Rifle that I tried to spin around just like The Rifleman and conked myself square on the top of my skull and screamed and bled and moaned, to my brother’s delight. He thought it was hilarious. That’s a memory.” What message do you want people who see the show to walk away with? “I think Santa’s belief in peace and good will and helping others is at the core of this story. We should be kind to each other, not just at Christmas but all year long. I think there are some folks who truly try to live that way, but just not nearly enough people do so. The world needs a lot more love than it is getting. “And keep in mind, Santa Claus, or Sinterklaas, was a real person: Saint Nicholas (270 - 343), patron Saint of Children. If you accept that spirits never die, then he is still with us. I believe that. He is as real and alive as we want him to be. In our hearts and our imagination.” You’ve been involved with the local arts for many years. How long have you been doing theatre? “I have been in theatre since Christmas 2001. I
by Pam Johnson
started later in life than most. Dee Bailey, the owner of The Highlander Dinner Theatre, talked me into my first show, The Nerd. I played Axel, the upstairs neighbor. As they say, I got the bug. I have averaged two or three shows a year since then. Some of my favorite shows and roles include The Nerd, The Foreigner, The Good Doctor, Norman in On Golden Pond, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tim Roof, The Wizard of Oz/Prof. Marvel, Hector Nations in Foxfire, St. Claire in the 1940s Radio Christmas Carol, Gandalf in The Hobbit, and many more.” In what other arts-related fields are you involved? “I have volunteered to emcee many public events, mostly music concerts. I believe the arts are essential, and I like to support the local arts scene as much as I can. “I’ve been a radio broadcaster for going on 51 years. With acting, they are two of the great pleasures of my life. For the past 21 years I’ve been at WETS producing and hosting STUDIO ONE, a live performance radio show I founded in 1994 to help and promote singer/songwriters, musicians and bands of literally all genres. “I’ve also worked for The Loafer for 20 years. This is a great publication about the arts, music, theatre, art galleries, and public arts events of all kinds.” Back to your love of the theatre, now that you’ve played Santa, do you have any other “bucket list” roles? “I never really thought of playing Santa Claus until one day, not too long ago, when I looked in the mirror, and there he was. I had to get old and gray enough for him. “What role do I want to do? Well, I think I would like to try Ebenezer Scrooge sometime soon. He’s another interesting character. His story of redemption is one I and many people can relate to, and that is probably why A Christmas Carol is so timeless.” Do you have any additional comments? “I have to thank my wife of 32 years, Carrie, for her support and being such a fine ‘Theatre Widow.’ Actors will know what that means.” Miracle on 34th Street is directed by Pam Johnson. The cast includes Brian Moore as Fred Gayley, Lorianne Carver as Doris Walker, and Ella Carver as Susan Walker. Performance dates for Miracle on 34th Street are December 3- 20. Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 general admission, $14 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010 or go online to www.jonesboroughtheatre.com. The theatre will also be collecting canned good and nonperishable food items for the Jonesborough Food Pantry. Each patron is encouraged to bring at least one item for donation.
---------------------www.jonesboroughtheatre.com ----------------------
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December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 5
Annual Food Drive Show at Acoustic Coffeehouse
RubyScream : (left to right): Barry Creek, Ruben Creek, and Bill Godfrey
In what’s become an annual tradition the past few years, Kryss Dula & Friends will be playing an early December show at Acoustic Coffeehouse, and making it a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. They always open and find a great local band to take the headliner slot, and this year is no different, as they’ll be joined by RubyScream. This show is free, but they ask everyone who is able to bring as much canned/non-perishable food as they can spare, to put in the barrel at the door. Recogniz-
ing not everyone has extra food, a donation is not required to attend, just encouraged. The show will be held this Thursday, December 3rd. RubyScream is a formidable power trio, who play original music in classic and alternative rock styles. Brothers Ruben Creek and Barry Creek hold down the drums and lead guitar/vocals, respectively. And, Bill Godfrey plays bass and also sings. The Creek brothers have been working together since the early 90s, and say that they “have delved into many musical genres, but our roots are
firmly planted in rock and roll.” They list bands such as Third Eye Blind, Tonic, and Fuel as groups which they resemble in sound. Kryss Dula & Friends is a freewheeling ensemble of rotating membership, which has included over 50 local musicians across the years, ranging from one appearance to a fairly steady representation. They play covers of rock, pop, and folk songs, and you never quite know who will be on stage until the actual shows. Dula says his goal “is to get people to loosen their inhibitions and have a great time while supporting important causes.” And, this is indeed an important cause. Our regional Second Harvest chapter notes that recent US Census data show almost 100,000 people in Northeast Tennessee live in poverty. That represents
about 20% of the entire local population, where about 25% of those under age 18 are living under the poverty level. It is estimated that about 14% of adults and 25% of children are food insecure in this area. The local chapter delivered over 10 million pounds of food to residents in 2014. Thus, any and all donations are always vital and very welcome to the program. Kryss Dula & Friends will
play from 8 to about 9:45 and RubyScream will play from 10pm onward. The Acoustic Coffeehouse is located at 415 W. Walnut St., in Johnson City, TN. You can find more information at http://www. netfoodbank.org/, www.acousticcoffeehouse.net, www.facebook. com/kryssdula, and http://www. rubyscreamrox.com/
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The Night Owl Circus
set to perform Dec. 11 & 12th Johnson City Circus Arts was founded in March 2013 by Craig Lewis to teach classes in circus arts, with a focus on aerial silks and juggling. Aerial silks is a fun, challenging fitness activity that anyone can try! Today we have taught over 600 classes and worked with over 400 students. Our students range all the way from ages 7 to 60, and we teach total beginners through to advanced, professional aerialists and circus performers. The performance branch of our company, The Night Owl Circus is currently in the process of rehearsing for an upcoming public performance on December 11th and 12th at our studio. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at JCCircusArts.com. Showtimes are: Friday, Dec 11th at 7:30 PM (doors open at 7) Saturday, Dec 12th at 7:30 PM (doors open at 7) at Appalachian Tumbling and Gymnastics, 1777 Old
Gray Station Rd, Johnson City. If you are interested in trying out an aerial silks class, your first class is just $10, and you can sign
up online at JCCircusArts.com, or call Craig Lewis at (423) 782-6479. Anyone can learn!
Santa At the Kingsport Carousel Santa at the Kingsport Carousel Thursday December 3rd from 5-8 PM, Special holiday hours announced. Let the Holidays begin! The Kingsport Carousel is always a happy place and will be especially so on Thursday, December 3 from 5–8 PM as “Santa Milt” greets children of all ages for this special late hour session. The Kingsport Carousel was established through volunteer effort – over 300 volunteers and 700 sponsors made the dream a reality by carving, painting and planning for over 5 years. Since opening to the public on July 10, 2015, the Carousel has hosted over
41,000 riders and visitors from all over the world. Regular public hours of the Carousel are Wednesday – Friday 11 AM – 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday 1 – 5 PM. Birthdays and Special Events can be scheduled through reservation by calling 423-392-8414. On Thursday, December 3 the carousel will stay open until 8 PM and from 5 – 8 PM host “Santa Milt”. “Santa Milt” is also known as Milton Nelson, one of the original horse carvers and creator of Nellie the horse and Adahy the Wolf on the Kingsport Carousel. All rides are $1. Bring your family and bring your cam-
era. The band organ and sound system will be stocked with Holiday music and the gift shop will be open for shoppers. Holiday hours are: Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 11 AM – 3 PM* closing early Christmas, Friday, December 25, CLOSED New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31 11 AM – 3 PM* closing early For New Year’s DAY, Friday, January 1, CLOSED For weather related closings or updates to Carousel Schedule, please call 423-343-9834.
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Get festive at the Northeast State Holiday Concert
After decking the halls and stringing the tinsel, hop in the sleigh and come out to enjoy a Holiday Musical Concert at Northeast State Community College. Presented by the College’s Department of Music, the show happens Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Wellmont Regional Center for Performing Arts Theater at the Blountville campus, next to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The concert is free and open to the public. The concert features performances by Martha Egan on flute, Margaret Swiney on solo handbell, and Northeast State student Jennifer Gryder on trumpet. The Northeast State Singers and Women’s Ensemble will also perform holiday classics and Christmas carols we all know and love. The concert will include both traditional and new selections such Albrecht’s The Christmas Rush! Beck’s Light the Lights, and Gilpin’s Skye Boat Song.
Egan is a native of Kingsport and is an experienced flute, pennywhistle, and Irish Flute teacher. She is a frequent performer of Celtic, sacred, folk and classical music. She has been featured at the East Tennessee Celtic Society and played for the Celtic Society’s Festival in September. She will be playing The Holly and the Ivy and Come, Little Children. Swiney is a native of Bristol and is pianist for Sinking Springs United Methodist Church. In addition to her playing the piano and solo handbells, she plays solo desk bells, ukulele, bowed psaltery, dulcimer, one-string banjo, and thumb harp. She will be playing traditional favorites such as I Wander As I Wonder, the Huron Carol Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, Simple Gifts, and Be Still, My Soul. For more information, contact tcteague@ northeaststate.edu or 423.354.5164.
East Tennessee State University’s student vocal ensembles will present the Holiday Choral Concert titled “Rise Up, Shepherd!” on Saturday, Dec. 5. This annual concert, a tradition that spans more than 35 years, will be presented in two performances, at 3 and 7:30 p.m., at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 E. Market St. The concert features the ETSU Chorale, East Tennessee Belles, BucsWorth Men’s Choir and Greyscale, performing under the direction of Drs. Matthew Potterton and
Alan Stevens, director and associate director, respectively, of choral activities in the Department of Music. The choirs will be joined by the ETSU Faculty Brass Quintet. The program includes choral masterworks, holiday favorites and sing-along carols. The concert is free and open to the public. A donation of $10 is suggested. For more information, call the ETSU Department of Music at 423-439-4276. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.
‘Rise Up, Shepherd!’: ETSU ensembles to present Holiday Choral Concert
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Auditions for Theatre-at-Tusculum’s production of
‘The Odd Couple’ Dec. 8-9 The Odd Couple are moving to Tusculum College. Neil Simon’s award winning comedy, “The Odd Couple” will be the spring production of Theatre-at-Tusculum, and actors and actresses are being sought for the play to be directed by Marilyn duBrisk. Open auditions will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the David Behan Arena Theatre in the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum campus. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the auditions beginning at 6 p.m. on both days. No prepared audition pieces will be required. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. The comedy has six roles for men and two roles for women of varying ages. The female roles are those of the giggly Pigeon sisters,
Cecily and Gwendolyn, who are upstairs neighbors to Oscar and Felix. Performance dates will be Feb. 26-28 and March 3-6 in the Behan Arena Theatre. “The Odd Couple” follows the lives of two distinctly different best friends, Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. The tightly wound, hypochondriac Felix is forced to move in with the slovenly and brash Oscar. Hilarity ensues as they try to make peace with their opposing personalities. They are supported by their poker buddies - the police officer Murray, the gruff and sarcastic Speed, the henpecked Vinnie and the dry-witted Roy. The play premiered on Broadway in 1965 with Walter Matthau and Art Carney portraying Oscar and Felix. The production was awarded several Tony Awards in-
cluding Best Actor (Play) for Matthau and Best Author for Simon, and was nominated for Best Play that year. The play spawned the 1968 film of the same name, starring Matthau and Jack Lemmon, and also the hit 1970s television show featuring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. A remake of the series premiered on CBS in February 2015 starring Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon. “The Odd Couple” helped Simon become one of the best known American playwrights of the 20th Century, and the play has become culturally iconic and an American theatre staple, leading The New York Times to opine, “There is scarcely a moment that is not hilarious.” For more information regarding auditions please call Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-7981620.
Theatre-at-Tusculum Technical Director Frank Mengel and Director Marilyn duBrisk discuss props and pause for a photo with the audition poster for the spring production of Neil Simon’s comedy, “The Odd Couple.” Auditions are set for Dec. 8 and 9.
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Lots of Great Events Coming up At The Capitol Theatre
The Fugitives
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EST) The Fugitives is a 4-man country/southern rock and blues band from Greeneville, TN bringing real music back to nightlife. Band Member: Nick Fillers, Brandon Hensley, Eric Shelton, Chris Kelley Tickets are just $10 online or at the door.
Amythyst Kiah and Ashley Heath
Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EST) Amythyst Kiah is a Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer/ songwriter based out of John-
son City, TN, which has been her permanent residence for nearly a decade. She has been performing in what is known as the Tri-Cities (Bristol, TN/VA, Johnson City, TN, Kingsport, TN) and in various parts of Southwest Virginia. Not only are her influences eclectic, but they span across decades. She draws heavily on Old Time music (Mississippi Sheiks, Son House, Jimmie Rodgers, Olla Belle Reed, Carter Family) and is inspired by vocal stylings of R&B and Country music from the ‘50s-’70s (Big Mama Thornton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn). She also draws heavily from contemporary artists that have similar powerful vocal integrity (Adele, Florence and the Machine, Megan Jean and the KFB, Janelle Monae, Thom Yorke, Tori Amos, Bonnie Raitt). Needless to say, Amythyst has got a lot of tools in her vocal tool box, and is also well on her way to join the powerhouse vocalist pan-
theon. Her sound on her solo album, “Dig”, is raw and sparse, with heavy lyrical content regarding such themes as loss, betrayal, and murder. She has opened for such acts as Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott, The Duhks, Megan Jean and the KFB, and has played the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival 2012 alongside the Ebony Hillbillies and Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, and has performed on Music City Roots. Ashley Heath is a singer/songwriter from Marshall, NC who plays a wide range of Americana music. You can hear influences from Eva Cassidy to Bonnie Raitt in her velvety vocals and bluesy guitar picking. Ashley plays a solo act which is a collection of original songs as well as soul, blues, and country cover songs. She has always had an interest in singing; starting out in church
as a small child and later joining rock bands throughout high school and college, but her interest in songwriting didn’t develop until her sophomore year of college in 2008. She since has entered many songwriting competitions including The Brown Bag Singer/ Songwriter competition in Asheville, NC in which she placed second and crowd favorite in 2014. Since the Brown Bag Competition, Ashley has gone on to record her first record.. The album was recorded at Echo Mountain Studios along with producer Ryan Burns
and Engineer Clay Miller. The album will be released late fall of 2015. She also sings third part harmony in a country group from Asheville, NC named Raising Caine. Throughout Ashley’s musical career she has had the privilege of sharing the stage with artist such as Oteil Burbridge, Ivan Hampden, Artimus Pyle, Melissa Reaves, Bobby Hicks, and The Del McCoury Band. Be sure to keep an eye out for this upcoming singer/ songwriter! Tickets are just $10 online or at the door.
Page 10 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
Author Joe Tennis to sign new book “Along Virginia’s Route 58”
Local author Joe Tennis explores weird and quirky legends and landmarks in his new book, “Along Virginia’s Route 58: True Tales from Beach to Bluegrass” (The History Press, $19.99). The 224-page book includes a chapter on how a teenager named Michael Mullins became the country’s youngest mayor at Clinchport – with write-in votes – and won an appearance on David Letterman’s talk show in 1990. Other stories include an account of Johnny Cash and June Carter’s time at the Carter Fold of Hiltons; the Civil War at Jonesville; Natural Tunnel; The Crooked Road; the Wreck of the Old 97 at Danville; ghosts at the Martha Washington Inn of Abingdon; and how “The Offset” came to be along the Tennessee-
Virginia border. “Along Virginia’s Route 58” is an expanded and updated edition of the author’s 2007 book “Beach to Bluegrass.” Tennis recently re-traced all 500 miles of U.S. 58 to collect photos plus pen new and updated stories of haunted hotels as well as mysteries, like where tobacco king R.J. Reynolds’s sixyear-old niece died in 1912. Expanding other stories, like Rye Cove’s deadly “Tale of the Tornado” in 1929, inspired the author to work on this book, he said. “Route 58 is the longest road in Virginia, running between Virginia Beach and the Cumberland Gap,” said Tennis. “In between, you’ll find a courthouse shootout, a bloody slave rebellion, the Great Dismal Swamp, a UFO landing, the birthplace of Mr. Peanut and how farmers once traded dead snakes and milked cows on Main
Street to get into the Barter Theatre of Abingdon.” “Along Virginia’s Route 58” features a new mix of historic photographs, including a 1960s postcard showing Jackson Street in Gate City; a 1971 landslide at the ScottLee county line on Powell Mountain; and views of long-gone train depots at Wheeler and Damascus along what are now rail trails. Tennis, 46, of Bristol, Virginia, is also the author of 2014’s “Virginia Rail Trails: Crossing the Commonwealth” (The History Press, $19.99), which features chapters on the Devil’s Bathtub, Guest River Gorge and the Virginia Creeper Trail. The author is signing copies of his books at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3030 Franklin Terrace, of Johnson City, Tennessee, on Dec. 10, 3-6 p.m.; and on Dec. 1112, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Holiday Book Fair of the Kingsport Town Center/Fort Henry Mall on the lower level, just outside Spencer’s Gifts. For more information or to order copies, call 888-313-2665 or visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.
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Dugger Band
December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 11
Friday, December 4 at NPAC
Greeneville natives, Jordan and Seth Dugger, are on the move with their country music career. Dugger Band will perform original music from their Christmas album Sleigh Ride as well as their renditions of your favorite Christmas classics on December 4 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Appearing with Dugger Band will be saxophonist, Dominic Amato. The Greeneville High School drum line and the Greeneville Middle School choir will make special appearances during the 7:00 pm show. The brothers draw from their country, rock and pop influences as a house band at world famous venues like the Wildhorse Saloon, Tootsie’s and Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, TN. Jordan and Seth both write, sing, and play multiple instruments. The Dugger Band has a steadily increasing fan base as their unique country/rock sound grabs the attention of their audience. Dugger Band’s debut album Fly is receiving rave reviews from audiences worldwide. The brothers explored several emotions and musical directions with their first
country record. In the album’s title track, “Fly,” Jordan encourages listeners to believe that no matter how badly we have failed or how hard we have fallen, we can get back up and fly again. Join us for an evening filled with sounds of the season with Greeneville’s own Dugger Band at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Friday, December 4 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20 for orchestra level seating, $15 for mezzanine level seating and $10 for balcony seats. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville.com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423638-1679. NPAC offers online seat selection with no processing or delivery fees. There is a $1.50 ticketing fee per ticket regardless of purchase method. The box office Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will offer Functional Fitness Fridays from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on hours are Monday through Friday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18. This program will offer three different classes for ages 50 and older. 10 am until 5 pm. The 1150 seat • Dec. 4 – Body weight training performing arts center is located • Dec. 11 – Balance and flexibility adjacent to the campus of Green• Dec. 18 – Cardio with a twist eville High School in Greeneville, Cost is $2 per class. No pre-registration is required. Participants will need to sign in and pay before each TN. For venue information, please class. For more information, please call (423)434-6237. visit www.npacgreeneville.com.
MPCC to offer Functional Fitness Fridays
Page 12 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
Hide In A Bathroom and Panic
The holiday season is upon us, people are frantic, shopping is chaotic, cooking is unceasing. Family shows up, sometimes you have to rush to pick them up. It’s an overwhelming time of year, and it has been just that since the Monday before Thanksgiving. It’s going to be this way straight through the new year. I suffer from anxiety and an-
other wide array of “side effects” that come from leading a creative life, so I’ve been 0 to 100 real quick. If you don’t suffer from all these lovely things, I’m sure you may find yourself wanting your own peace of mind at this time of year. It’s an election year next year, so I’m sure someone at the family gathering will break the secret peace of not talking politics, causing the whole thing to break down into “50 Shades of Lord of The Flies.” The great thing about being at a family gathering of any kind at someone’s house is that there is bound to be a bathroom available somewhere. Bathrooms are the perfect place to hide, as no one is going to ques-
tion why you’re going to the bathroom a lot--unless you’re a hormonal teenager. Outside of normal bathroom activities, the bathroom offers many a option to recharge and forget about all the madness around you. My aunt has wifi! Bless the wifi! I can pull out my phone and stream a few minutes of Turner Classic Movies on my phone, all while I say “Yes, Robert Osborne! Send me to sweet serenity with behind the scenes facts about Fred Astaire!” Bathroom serenity is a lovely thing, appreciate it when you get to experience during your family gatherings. The other time the bathroom is a helpful hideout is when you’re feeling that you can’t handle any
of it any longer. That’s when the bathroom is not only a sanctuary of serenity, but a palace of panic. Need to crawl under the vanity where a chair goes for putting on makeup and cry? Go for it! Need to let a stream of obscenities fly underneath your breath? Go for it! Need to imagine jerking the bottle of wine out of someone’s hand and smashing it to the ground? Yes! When leaving the bathroom after having a moment of letting it all
out through the watery discharge of the eyes, someone may look and ask “were you crying?” The best answer you can provide this holiday season is to look at them directly, with a moment of pause, and say “I was thinking about that Adele song.” When you need that important break this season, just remember, the bathroom is your friend. That and your phone. And maybe Grandma’s Cheesecake. See you next week.
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December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 13
Rocky Mount Museum’s “A Candlelight Christmas” to occur Fridays and Saturdays, December 4,5, 11 & 12.
Rocky Mount Historical Association Museum will present “A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS” on the Friday and Saturday evenings of Dec. 4,5,11, and 12. Tours begin every 15 minutes from 4:30 until 8:00. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children (ages 5-17). Members of RMHA receive discounted admission, group discounts available. Reservations can be made through Rocky Mount Museum (423) 538-7396, Mon-Fri 9-5. In this day of a highly commercialized Christmas, a visit to Rocky Mount Historical Association Museum can readily provide a glimpse back to an earlier time when Christmas was recognized simply as the birth of Christ, rather than the shopping frenzy it often seems to be today. The “Candlelight Christmas” Living History Tour takes through the historic home of Rocky Mount, transformed to Christmas Eve of
1791, meeting historic interpreters portraying the Cobb family of Rocky Mount, Gov. Blount and his family, and friends and neighbors. The historic two-story log cabin and the other outbuildings are decorated simply with attractive traditional decorations,
made from locally available greenery such as pine and holly, and colorful fruits such as apples. Hand dipped candles, which adorn each room and illuminate the walkways, complete the cozy look and feel of a frontier home in the eighteenth century. Traditional music,
dancing, heart-warming stories, are all part of this Christmas celebration perfectly demonstrating that though the traditions may have changed , the “Spirit of Christmas” and the warmth of fellowship with friends and family, transcends the centuries. After the tour, which takes about 90 minutes, visitors are welcomed back to the 21st century with a modern reception. For more information or to make a reservation call (423) 5387396 or 888-538-1791. Rocky Mount State Historic Site is a “living history” museum, which uses first-person interpretation to portray people living in 1791. Rocky Mount is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. Living History tours and the facility are available by reservation at any time, including Sundays and Mondays for school and other groups, with advance reserva-
tions. For more information, call (423) 538-7396 or visit our website at www.rockymountmuseum.com. Rocky Mount State Historic Site is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission.
Page 14 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
- TUESDAY - Dec. 1st DOWNTOWN COUNTRY at Jiggy Ray’s 6:30pm
ETSU OLD-TIME BANDS at Down Home
SIM ROSS
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- WEDNESDAY - Dec. 2nd OPEN MIC
at WoodStone Deli
THE FUGITIVES
at Capitol Theatre 8pm
THE STEELDRIVERS at Down Home
OPEN MIC
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- THURSDAY - Dec. 3rd RYAN WARD (Indie) at O’Mainnin’s Pub
ETSU CELTIC BAND
NIGHTSHIFT
NIGHTSHIFT
HARPER & THE BEARS CC CLEVENGER
DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER w/ THE MALPASS BROTHERS
ADAM LAWSON
ANCIENT CITIES
(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at The Outdoorsman 7pm at Sleepy Owl Brewery 8pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub 10pm at Yee Haw Brewing Co.
BOOGIE ROCKERS at Quaker Steak & Lube
CUTTHROAT SHAMROCK at The Hideaway
BENNY JONES
at The Family Barn 7:30pm
LOST FIDDLE STRING BAND at Bone Fire Smokehouse
JERRY PIERCE & THE NIGHTLIFE BAND
at The Paramount Center for the Arts 7pm at Holston River Brewing Co. 8pm NOSTALGIA BAND (50’s - 80’s) at Peerless Steakhouse Lounge 7pm
TOWN BRANCH BLUEGRASS BAND at Carter Family Fold
COPPER RIDGE
at Country Club Bar & Grill
ETSU BLUEGRASS BANDS at The Down Home
at Johnson City Senior Center 7pm
AMYTHYST KIAH & HER CHEST OF GLASS / ASHLEY HEATH
(Classic Country & Southern Rock) at Country Club Bar & Grill 8pm
JAM UP LANE
SOUTHERN SOUND
at Down Home
at Capitol Theatre at Capone’s
THE COLOR 7
at The Casbah 9pm
RON SHORT & THE POSSUM PLAYBOYS
FIRESIDE COLLECTIVE at Bone Fire Smokehouse
ZACK MILES STERLING SPRINGS OPPOSITE BOX & THE COMET CONDUCTORS - Next Door
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
JAZZ
at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel 8pm
KRYSS DULA RUBYSCREAM
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse 8pm
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- FRIDAY - Dec. 4th MICHAEL CODY / JAS PATRICK
- SUNDAY - Dec. 6th BILL & THE BELLES
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
MARK LARKINS at Capone’s
(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at Buffalo Ruritan 7pm
OPEN MIC
at Uncorked 7pm
- SATURDAY - Dec. 5th OPEN JAM
at Biggie’s Clam Bar 9pm
MARK LARKINS
- MONDAY - Dec. 7th OPEN MIC
TBA
BLUEGRASS JAM
RYAN WARD (Indie) LANCE STINSON JIM PERKINS
at Bristol Brewery 8pm
DAN DEEL
at Jiggy’s Ray’s 8pm
THE BOXCARS at The Down Home
at Kosher Pickle
at Sportsman’s Bar
at The Family Barn 7:30pm
SUNDOWN COUNTRY BAND (Country) at David Thompson’s Produce 7pm
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
at Hardee’s (Boones Creek)
JAMES O’REILLY
Saxophone Concert at King University Chapel 7pm
KARAOKE TUESDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
WEDNESDAY
Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke At Bristol VFW - BTN Turn the Page Karaoke At VFW Post 2108 - JCTN ***********************
THURSDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Macadoo’s 8pm Karaoke At Holiday Inn - JCTN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
FRIDAY
KaraokeAt Bristol VFW - BTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marques At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - BVA Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
SATURDAY
Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke at Bristol VFW Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Macado’s - Kingsport ***********************
SUNDAY
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
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Spotlight Directory
Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon VA 276/623-0037 Bristol Brewery 41 Piedmont Ave Bristol VA 276/ 608-1220 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Buffalo Ruritan 200 Willowbrook Dr. Bluff City 423/391-7382 Capitol Theatre 104 S. Main St. Greeneville TN 423/638-1300 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons VA 276/594-0676 The Casbah 807 W. Walnut St. Johnson City Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400 The Dispensary 271 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine NC 828/765-0050 Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822 Family Barn 15559 Lee Hwy Bristol VA Holiday Inn (Exit 7)
3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100 Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN Jiggy Ray’s 610 E. Elk Ave Elizabethton 423/ 518-1500 Johnson City Senior’s Center 510 Bert St. Johnson City 423/ 434-6238 Kosher Pickle 3900 Bristol Hwy Johnson City 423/ 979-7000 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 The Outdoorsman 4535 Highway 11W Kingsport Peerless Steakhouse Lounge 2531 N. Roan St. Johnson City 423/ 282-2351 Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647 Sportsmans Pub 1403 Bluff City Hwy Bristol TN Wellington’s Restaurant Carnegie Hotel 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Johnson City 423/979-6400 The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 216 E Main St Johnson City Woodstone Deli 3500 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport 423/245-5424 Yee Haw Brewing Company 126 Buffalo St. Johnson City
Ryan Ward
O’Mainnin’s Pub Thursday, Dec. 3rd
• • • • • •
Uncorked Friday, Dec. 4th
December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 15
Page 16 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
Window Stargazing Baby, I know it’s cold outside! And though I love to write about getting under the stars and enjoying the light of the cosmos, I know many of us stay inside because it’s just too darn cold outside! I know the feeling. It’s clear outside and I see through the kitchen window facing west the bright star Vega low between bare tree limbs. I want to go outside and bag some starlight, but the thermometer says 30 degrees. Unless I bundle up from head-to-toe for an hour or so of stargazing, I run for the warmth of inside after just five or 10 minutes of looking around. So, why not look through the windows? While it distorts the views through a telescope or binoculars, you can see plenty of bright stars and some constellation patterns by looking out a window from the comfort of inside. And it’s a comfortable way to get familiar with star maps, our outline of what’s up in the night sky. First, turn out the lights! And get comfortable right up near the glass as you allow your eyes to adjust to the dark, just like outside. In 10 minutes or so you’re eye pupils will dilate open to let in more light, and once they do, a red flashlight will allow to read charts and not contract those pupils. You might have a little used room like a bedroom, or a dining room with big windows. Wherever in the house, you can see plenty just getting your face close. Now what you’ll see depends on the direction your window faces. So you’ll have to become familiar with the cardinal points around your house of north, south, east and west. That’s always the first place to start whether inside or outside. One of the best views will be
eastward, where the new constellations of Winter are rising, the scene changing by the hour. From 6-9 pm there will be at least eight very bright stars to see: first The Pleiades star cluster and Aldebaran in Taurus the Bull; to the far right is Capella in Auriga the Charioteer. Rising on his side will be Orion the Hunter and its bright dot-to-dot of stars including white Rigel and red Betelgeuse. Next are the hunters two dogs and bright stars Procyon and Sirius, the brightest star of all. To the left of Orion around 9 pm will be the brothers Gemini, Castor and Pollux. A window to the south won’t have much to look at until later in December when Orion dominates the southern landscape. But you will see one bright star all by itself, that’s Fomalhaut, nicknamed “The Lonely One.” Look around this star that is the mouth of the South-
ern Fish and you’ll see no companions. This vast area is the domain of Capricornus the Sea Goat to the right, Sculptor and Phoenix to the left. Above are Cetus the Whale, to the left, and Aquarius to the right, both large but made up of faint stars you won’t see out a window. If you have a set of windows looking west you’re lucky, there’s always plenty of celestial action going. The crescent Moon makes a monthly appearance, and many times there’s a planet or two to see. Looking westward in November and early December you will see the remains of the Summer Triangle and Milky Way before they dip below the horizon by 10 pm. Bright stars Altair, left and Vega, right, are parallel to the horizon, and topping the Summer Triangle is Deneb. Their constellation stars of Aquila, Cygnus and Lyra will be a challenge through a window.
If you are lucky to have a north view of windows from inside your house, you can get familiar with the circumpolar constellations that never set, but circle around the North Pole. The North Star is Polaris, the last star in the ladle of the Little Dipper asterism of Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. All but Polaris will be hard to see from inside looking out a window. Also hard to see will be the familiar seven stars of the Big Dipper, because it is scraping the horizon like a plow digging the Earth—in fact, most of Europe including England call it “The Plough.” But
come springtime, the hindquarters of Ursa Major will be standing on its tail easy to watch as it moves counter clockwise. Of course after midnight the Big Dipper will be rising on its end, and before dawn it will be dumping its bowl on the horizon. Part of the beauty of spending hours under the stars is watching the constellations move about the sky from east to west. Every hour there is something new to see, and the higher up the object the clearer the view. Easy to see outside any north-facing window this time of year will be five equally bright stars making an “M” shape in the sky. This is the chair of Cassiopeia the Queen. As this distinctive group of stars move to the left in a circle, they can also look like the letter “W.” Temptation will be to use binoculars or a telescope while inside,
but the glass will greatly distort the image, creating false colors. But experiment because it’s harmless. Some people want to open a garage door and stick their telescope out to look at a celestial object. You might be able to get away with this if the garage is not heated, as the hot air will create invisible convection currents that distort images. Using a telescope from inside a garage, carport or covered patio may help cut some of the cold air flowing around. And block some neighborhood light. It can be okay for the Moon and planets Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. You’ll even be able to see some of the brightest nebula, like the Great Nebula of Orion. Serious observing is the domain of a cold, lonely night free of lights. And the less houses and buildings you look over the better. That’s why the most serious professional telescopes are on top of remote mountains, away from city light and industrial pollution. But backyard stargazers have to take what they can get, that’s why we’re always looking for ways to quickly get our equipment outside and then back inside. Many of us might purchase a shed to quickly access our telescopes, tripods and binoculars, as well as a place to keep star charts, red lights and other observing tools. If you get real serious, of course there are backyard observatories of various shapes and sizes. Very practical is a roll-off roof on a small building. Depending on your observing passion (and disposable money), there are many plans for backyard observatories that can be researched on the Internet. But stargazing out a window from the comfort of your warm home is really not cheating—not as long as you know the star you are seeing. Those lucky to have a big, bay window looking to a clear sky can have some fun learning the constellations as they beckon beyond the glass. And when you are outside under the canopy of stars, you’ll begin to see the rhythm of the night sky. And that knowledge translates to the seasons of stars becoming signposts of our lives as we journey around the Sun and repeat the cycle of life both on Earth and in the night sky.
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December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 17
Celestial events in the skies for the week of Dec. 1st - Dec. 7th, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
This is a week when 37 people were blasted off the Earth into orbit about 225 miles high aboard six Space Shuttle flights. Now merely memories since the 2011 retirement of the Shuttle fleet, each of the 135 flights were amazing in their own right. One standout mission is the repair of the near-sighted Hubble Space Telescope 22 years ago this week, correcting a manufacturing flaw and paving the way for the incredible success of one of mankind’s greatest scientific tools. Tues. Dec. 1 Looking north, Cassiopeia the Queen’s brightest five stars make an “M” shape in the sky, and opposite it somewhere dredging up the horizon are the familiar seven stars of the Big Dipper. Between them, of course, is the Little Dipper, its end star of the handle being the North Star, Polaris. Wed. Dec. 2 Four American Space Shuttle crews totaling 24 astronauts will be thinking about today as their blast off date with outer space. In 1988, Atlantis was launched with five astronauts on a classified US Defense Department mission deploying a spy satellite; in 1990, Columbia and seven astronauts were launched on an astronomy mission with Astro 1, an array of four telescopes in the payload bay; in 1992, Discovery was launched with five astronauts on another top secret mission for the Defense Department; in 1993 STS-61 had Endeavour on the important 10day repair mission of the myopic Hubble Space Telescope with seven astronauts taking part in the successful mission. Only the Orbiter Challenger didn’t fly on this date. Thurs. Dec. 3 The Moon is at Last Quarter today. In 1974, the first photos from Pioneer 11 were being seen after the spacecraft on Dec. 2nd flew by Jupiter, following its twin Pioneer
10, which flew by almost exactly a year earlier on Dec. 4, 1973. Becoming the first unmanned spacecraft to fly by the largest planet Jupiter, Pioneer 10 not only dazzled the public with amazing close-up images of its complex cloud system and famous Red Spot, but scientists were elated with the bonanza of scientific data, revealing a complex magnetic field among other discoveries. Fri. Dec. 4 In 1998, Space Shuttle Endeavour was blasted into orbit with six astronauts carrying the American module Unity in its cargo bay. The primary docking adapter Unity was connected with the orbiting Russian Zarya command module to form the core of the International Space Station. Today the ISS has been continuously occupied for 15 years. Sat. Dec. 5 In 2001, Endeavour and seven astronauts were rocketed into orbit three years after connecting the first modules of the International Space Station. The Shuttle had in its cargo bay the Italian module Raffaello being ferried up with supplies to the half-complete ISS. Raffaello was used four times to ferry supplies, bringing back experiments, used equipment and garbage. Sun. Dec. 6 With the early darkness by 6 pm, it is easy to see the parade of Winter constellations popping up over the eastern horizon. First Taurus the Bull with The Pleiades cluster, and then Orion the Hunter, followed by the two dogs, Canis Major and Minor. Mon. Dec. 7 Early morning risers are treated to the two brightest planets, Jupiter blazing high above in Leo and Venus is even brighter below. Between the two is much dimmer but red Mars.
Page 18 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
IN THEATRES NOW Box Office Top 10
In Theaters Now
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2 “The Hunger Games” film series burst onto theater screens in 2012 starring Jennifer Lawrence, and became a worldwide smash. The series had the 2013 sequel “Catching Fire”, followed by the 2014 release “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1”. 2015 brings the release of “The Hunger Games: Mockinjay-Part 2”, to conclude the series. If you know nothing or little about the series, the story is the futuristic tale of the nation of Panem, a totalitarian country made up of 12 districts and the Capitol. Every year two young representatives from each district are chosen to participate in an event called The Hunger Games. While the event is considered entertainment, it is actually a brutal retribution for a rebellion that occurred in the countries past. The games are broadcast throughout Panem, and are required watching. The 24 young participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the entire country watches. I will add here, the eliminations involve death. In the first film the character of Katniss (Lawrence) takes the place of her sister Prim (Willow Shields), in the games after her younger sister was chosen to represent District 12. Also chosen from District 12 is Peeta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson), who is teamed with Katniss against stronger representatives most of whom have been trained all their lives. The movies follow Katniss and Peeta in their quest to survive the games and deal with the horrible President Snow (Donald Sutherland), who leads The Capitol.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015) As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance. Spectre (2015) A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
The Peanuts Movie (2015) Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their archnemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home. The Night Before (2015) On Christmas eve, three lifelong friends, two of whom are Jewish, spend the night in New York City looking for the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Secret in Their Eyes (2015) A tight-knit team of rising investigators, along with their supervisor, is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered. Love the Coopers (2015) When four generations of the
During the course of the series, Katniss has conflicting emotions of her love and devotion to both Peeta, and her friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), as she knows she must eventually choose between the two. Eventually Katniss becomes the main attraction of The Hunger Games, and is used by President Snow to control the rebellious districts. In the last chapter of the film, Katniss knows
what she must do in order to get her life, and that of the Districts of Panem back to normal: help Peeta after he was poisoned by Snow, and assassinate Snow. The aforementioned actions will not be easy, as Katniss has basically been on the run from Snow, and is dealing with District 13’s President Coin (Julianne Moore) who wants to use Katniss more for propaganda than in warfare against The Capi-
tol. While President Coin’s attack on The Capitol is about to commence, Katniss must devise a way to get to Snow. The new film is full of exciting action sequences and all the actors have been together long enough to have developed great onscreen chemistry. The film also has its share of heartbreaking moments, which will tug at your heartstrings. Academy Award winner Lawrence is in her best Katniss mode, and represents a
Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday. The Martian (2015) During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Spotlight (2015) The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. The 33 (2015) Based on the real-life event, when a gold and copper mine collapses, it traps 33 miners underground for 69 days. Bridge of Spies (2015) During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers. IMDb.com
(11/28/2015)
strong female role model through the character. The supporting cast also includes Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and all are wonderful. The film series has a very satisfying conclusion, making “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2” one of the top films to see during the holiday movie season.
Rated: PG - 13
A-
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December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 19
Before Starbucks was FOURbucks Ah, Starbucks – love it or hate it, you’ve seen them. Heck, there are more than 20,000 of them around the world. From China’s Forbidden City to 125th Street in Harlem, they seem to be everywhere. In fact, there are some places, usually in densely populated urban areas, where you might find one Starbucks just down the street from, and well within sight of, another. And yet, I can remember when Starbucks was a real treat. This wasn’t really that long ago either, Starbucks didn’t even begin expanding outside the Seattle area until 1987. Today though, there are actually more Starbucks stores in the United States than there are McDonalds. Better yet, for those of you who might like to give a nod to coffee history (and dance on Ronald McDonald’s grave), you can visit the original Starbucks back in Seattle. Sort of. You see, when Starbucks was founded by three college buddies in 1971 (two of whom actually preferred the name Pequod’s), it was located at 2000 Western Avenue before moving to Pike Place Market in 1976. And there it remains to this day. You really can’t miss it either, as it’s directly across the street from the Pike Place Fish Market (epicenter of tourism in Pike Place), the shop where they toss giant fish around. The best part? Since the Pike Place Starbucks is located in what is now an historic district, ownership has to leave the building façade exactly the way it is, as opposed to updating it to match other Starbucks locations. I’m not sure they’d necessarily want to admit it, but somehow I think the company owes its rapid growth in part to the fact that they decided against imposing their original
logo on the rest of the world. Nevertheless, at least it provides
a pleasant distraction for those fish mongers across the street.
Page 20 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
Milligan College Arts Events
Milligan Jazz Combo presents
8th Annual ‘Buffalo Tales’
Fall Concert
The Milligan College Jazz Combo will present its fall concert on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. in Sub7 in the McMahan Student Center on Milligan’s campus. The performance will feature small group arrangements and individual improvisations along with different genres of jazz per-
formed in a variety of styles including swing, Latin and rock. A jazz version of a familiar Christmas song also will be included. This event is open and free to the public. For more information on Milligan arts events, visit www. milligan.edu/arts.
Milligan College students will share their talents and knowledge of storytelling during “Buffalo Tales” on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the McGlothlinStreet Theatre located in Milligan’s Gregory Center for the Liberal Arts. Audiences will experience a wide range of emotions in both sessions as story genres vary from personal stories to Biblical accounts, children’s stories to folk tales. “Buffalo Tales” serves as the students’ fall semester final exam tra, brass choir and the organ. The and as an opportunity for the stoevenings also will include a carol rytelling students to showcase the sing-along and will conclude with work they have accomplished in a moving candle-lighting and class. This event is free and open to singing of “Silent Night.” The concerts are free; however, the public. For more information a suggested donation of $5 will be on Milligan arts events, visit www. taken to benefit the Milligan music milligan.edu/arts. area. For more information on Milligan arts events, visit www.milligan.edu/arts.
Annual Christmas Concert
Audiences will have two opportunities to experience the glorious sounds of the season at the annual Milligan College community Christmas concert onSaturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6. Milligan’s music area will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the seasonally decorated Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Chapel. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The identical performances will feature choirs, orches-
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December 1, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 21
Food Truck Junction 2015 The annual Johnson City Christmas parade will have something new this year that is guaranteed to hit the right spot. Several local food truck vendors have joined together to create a one-of-a-kind food truck court along the route. The Food Truck Junction organizers hope to give parade goers a taste of the diverse foods available through truck vendors around town. And they say this is just the beginning. Dave Ramos of Caribbean Grill took the time to chat with me about what is driving this Food Truck Junction 2015 event.
Brian: First, thank for taking time out of your schedule to talk with me so the Loafer audience can know more about what you do. The first thing that struck me about the event was the timing to go along with the Christmas parade. Was that intentional? Dave: We weren’t planning to do this with the Christmas Parade, it just worked out that way. We were just looking for a day when everybody could get together. It just worked out for us to have it on the same day. We feel like this will help get more folks out to the
event. This first time holding the event is just to break the ice. We are going to put this on six times a year at the same spot. We could have waited until spring but we just want to get ourselves out there and worry about bigger umber in the spring Brian: How long have you been running a food truck and what do your serve? Dave: I have been running a food truck for almost three and a half years now. I do Puerto Rican, Peruvian and some Jamaican food. Some of my favorites are the jerkchicken, our number one seller is a PR Cuban sandwich. It is a Puerto Rican guy serving Cuban sandwiches the right way. Brian: Who is organizing this event with you and why is this so important? Dave: There are a lot of food truck vendors from all over the region coming to be involved. The three heads of the association are Foodie Fiction, Caribbean Grill and Me & Kays. It is important for people to know what we do because I feel we are in the stone ages regarding food trucks in this
region. This is a great opportunity to create business. We create a great environment and make the diversity of food offered into a fun time of creativity by the chefs. There are a lot of different regions represented by food truck vendors. We come from everywhere between here and California to New York. This is a great idea for a new beginning in cuisine for this region and a way to embrace the next best thing in food. Brian: Once this event is over, what come next for the region’s food trucks? Dave: Eventually this will be a weekend thing on a Friday and Saturday night where families can come and hang out with us while they enjoy delicious food and drink. The environment is a key to creating what people want and we are going to make this a weekend food paradise. The Food Truck Junction 2015 event is being held December 5th from noon until 10pm. Vendors will be located in the empty lot between Harman Ice and Cold Storage and the Next Nightclub on West Walnut Street.
For vendors go to Food Truck Junction on FB
Page 22 | The Loafer | December 1, 2015
Pets Of The Week
Tiger a sweet girl that is spayed and up to date on all vaccinations.
Stripes she loves to be held and petted. She is also spayed and up to date on all vaccinations. Please come and visit Tiger and Stripes and their friends at The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue!
Senior Services announces December’s Friday Night Dances Put on your dancing shoes and join Senior Services at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., the first and third Friday of December to dance the night away. Entertainment will be: • Jerry Pierce and the Nightlife Band from 7-10 p.m., Dec. 4. Cost $5 is in advance; $7 at the door. Participants are asked to bring a finger food to share. Please register in person at the MPCC Senior Services desk. • Big Band Theory from 7-10 p.m., Dec. 18. Cost is $12 in advance; tickets will not be sold at the door. No refunds after Dec. 1. Semi-formal attire for this Christmas dance. Please register in person at the MPCC Senior Services desk. For more information, please call (423)434-6237.
The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue recently moved in to their new 7,300 sq foot building @ 2061 Hwy 75 Blountville, TN,37617. The Bridge Home is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2002 dedicated to the welfare of homeless or abandoned animals. They provide care and compassion for stray and unwanted cats and dogs until they can be adopted into a forever home. 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 12pm-3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www.bridgehomerescue@gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome?fref=ts.
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“Christmas In the Country”
Get ready for the “most wonderful time of the year” as the Exchange Place hosts its formal kickoff with the annual “Christmas in the Country” celebration on Saturday, December 5, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Kingsport’s tradition-rich Living History Farm located at 4812 Orebank Road. Christmas in the Country features fresh greenery and trees, handcrafted wreaths and roping, and other holiday decorations. Unique folk arts and crafts will be found on both sides of Orebank Road, including hand-crafted wood items, barn wood furniture, handmade baskets, hooked rugs, pottery, quilts, handmade greeting cards and jewelry. Your taste buds will be tempted with baked goods, hot sauces, jams and jellies, and goat cheese, and you can pamper yourself with a variety of herbal products, soaps and natural lotions. More than two dozen area and regional vendors will have their wares on display and for sale on both sides of the historic Gaines-Preston farm. Most especially, Christmas in the Country furthers the mission of Exchange Place by demonstrating a slice of 1850s wintertime farm life in our region, and showing how our ancestors would have prepared for the holidays. Inside the hearthside kitchen there will be day-long demonstrations of 19th century cooking and baking, as the Eden’s Ridge Hearth Cookery Society will be preparing traditional holiday fare, focusing on the European cultures that settled in Appalachia English, Scots/Irish, and German. They will be making boiled plum pudding, Moravian sugar cake, and Christmas meat pie, with salsify fritters and mashed parsnips rounding out the meal, and of course everything will be cooked on the open hearth (no gas or electric stoves in those days!). Meanwhile, Exchange Place’s Junior Apprentices will be popping popcorn for stringing in the Cook’s Cabin and chopping wood and splitting shingles in the barn. Over in the blacksmith shop, the skills that were needed to make hardware and tools for the farm, fix wagon wheels and, of course, shoe the horses, will be demonstrated throughout the day. There may also be demonstrations of candle-dipping and lye soap making.
Finally, capping off the day will be the traditional Yule Log Ceremony, which will begin around 4:15 pm. Originated by the Vikings, it served as a way for them to honor their gods and request good luck in the coming year. Later it was incorporated into the harvest festivals of Germany and Scandinavia, then moved to England when the Normans conquered the isles, and eventually was brought to the New World by the Pilgrims. While the Preston family may not have burned a Yule Log, we like to make it a part of our Christmas in the Country as a symbol of peace and good will for our wonderful community. Since it was often decorated with evergreens and sometimes sprinkled with grain or cider before it was finally lit, we encourage everyone to bring a sprig to cast onto the fire, and also to wear fine, colorful headgear to the event, which will conclude with the singing of carols and, of course, a cup of hot wassail! Derived from the Anglo-Saxon “waes hael,” which meant “Be in Health” or “Here’s to You,” wassail helps us to emphasize the spirit of health and friendship. For additional information, please call (423) 288-6071. Admission is free, and the general public is cordially invited. For additional upcoming events, please visit historicsullivan.com.
MPCC to host outing to Lady Volunteer basketball game
Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will host an outing for all ages to a Lady Volunteer basketball game on Dec. 6. The Senior Services bus will leave from MPCC at 11 a.m. The game starts at 2 p.m. The Lady Volunteer basketball team will be playing Virginia Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena at 2 p.m. Pre-registration and payment is required by Nov. 30 at the Senior Services desk. Cost is $30 per person, which includes game ticket and transportation. For more information, please call (423)434-6237.
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Range Bag Basics It never fails, there’s always that one person at the range who has the most ridiculous range bag, they have everything but the kitchen sink in there and it has to weigh fifty pounds. This is likely the result of a novice or beginner shooter who fell prey to a savvy sales clerk at the sporting goods store. You can almost always pick out an experienced shooter by their range bag. Don’t worry, even if you’re a beginner this article should give you all the info you need to fool everyone into thinking you’ve been shooting for years.
The first thing to consider is the bag itself, this comes down to preference. Do you like a duffle style bag or a backpack? Once you’ve figured that out don’t pick the biggest one they have, likewise don’t pick the smallest one either, typically a medium size bag works best. Range bags are constantly being tossed around and beat up so quality is very important. It is better to spend a little more for a rugged bag that will last for years instead of buying a new cheap bag every year. The second thing to consider If you’re shooting at an outdoor is where you will be shooting. range in August it might be pru-
dent to have a couple bottles of water and some snacks. Nothing makes you hungry and thirsty like shooting. If you’re shooting in the cold some warm clothes, gloves etc. can be imperative. You should have everything you need to clean your gun in your range bag, this includes a cleaning kit, gun oil, cleaning mat, bore snakes, terry towels, etc. You never know when you’ll need to field clean your gun, especially if you’re shooting all day it is recommended that you clean your gun every 250 rounds or so. Cleaning rods may also be necessary to clear squib-loads. It is also recommended that you have basic gunsmithing tools such as screwdrivers, and punches as these might be necessary to fix a weapons malfunction. If you train with dummy ammunition you should keep these in your range bag too. Especially if you’re practicing presentation and troubleshooting weapons stop-
pages as these can be extremely dangerous with live ammunition. Dummy ammo can also be used to teach kids proper handling, and loading on the range. Ammunition and magazines should be transported to the range in a range bag as it provides privacy and ease. However they should not be stored long term as moister can compromise the ammunition. Lastly every range bag should include safety equipment including hearing protection, eye protection. If you are shooting on private land you should have a small trauma kit in your range bag in case of accidental shooting. If you are at a range there should be a trauma kit on site, but just to make sure keep your kit in your range bag at all times. As always I hope you enjoyed this article if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me, I look forward to your feedback.
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Making Your List and Checking it Twice With only twenty-odd days left to do your Christmas shopping this year, I hope the following gift list will be helpful. Although I don’t expect any of these items to appear under my non-existent tree, I believe each one offers an interesting peek into the state of our culture.—something that Christmas gifts have done for quite some time. In fact, an examination of Christmas gifts can speak volumes about our history, and a whole course could be built on gift lists. If you are interested in pursuing this topic, I recommend you read Zac Bissonnette’s fascinating new book, THE GREAT BEANIE BABY BUBBLE: MASS DELUSION AND THE DARK SIDE OF CUTE (2015). What I find most interesting is that each of the following gifts connects us to gifts from Christmases past, while at the same time pointing to what the future may hold (moving target as it is). Take the current fascination with vinyl records for instance. If you have visited one of our local bookstores lately, you have no doubt noticed that a sizable chunk of their floorspace has been given over to displays of LPs and turntables. Why all this obsession with vinyl? Not being a fan of vinyl (either “back in the day” or now), I can only surmise that it has to do with pure nostalgia and a certain negative reaction to all the new technology that is being thrown at us on a daily (and even hourly) basis. I have no doubt that most people who purchase vinyl and turntables also listen to digital music on their smartphones. We can definitely have our cake while eating it in 2015. So, the first item on our list is vinyl albums, which are probably
purchased most often by consumers who were not alive when CDs supposedly replaced vinyl back in the early 1980s. Our world changed forever when photography was invented in the 1820s, and we now live in a totally video immersive world while being largely unaware of how things got to be that way. Two items on our list—the Go Pro Hero 4 camera, which allows us to record every moment of our lives, and the very retro-yet-totallymodern Polaroid Socialmatic Instant Digital Camera, which unites nostalgia and modernity in one neat little gadget—illustrate how we continue to be shaped by visual culture in all of its forms. Like the new turntables that are being marketed, the Polaroid camera is probably being purchased by people who have never held an original instant camera in their hands. For a thought-provoking discussion of this phenomenon, I recommend your reading Gary Cross’ new book CONSUMED NOSTALGIA: MEMORY IN THE AGE OF
FAST CAPITALISM (2015). I grew up in the age of skateboards, and now I can continue to enjoy this unique form of mobility by purchasing one of many new powered (and rechargeable) scooters on the market. One that has caught my eye is the Footwelt Mini Self-Balancing 2-Wheel Scooter With LED Light ($365.00). Also referred to as Monocycles, these new state-of-the-art scooters will get you where you want to go, provided you have enough electrical charge left. Can’t wait to try one out. I already own an Apple TV, but of course want to upgrade to the
new and improved Apple TV with Siri ($149 or $199, depending on how much internal memory you want). This gadget joins many other similar devices in redefining what a TV is. About three years ago, my wife and I ditched our cable box and joined the streaming revolution (if you can call it that), and we currently use the previous, and now hopelessly outdated version of Apple TV. What these devices represent is a new mindset that no longer is chained to broadcast schedules. Today, TV means total freedom to watch what we want whenever we want, and Apple TV with Siri earns its place under our tree. Welcome to the age
wish her command. Intriguing, isn’t it? Next up is another Internet of Things gadget, the Mr. Coffee Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Coffee Maker ($149.00), which takes its cues from a smartphone App called WeMo. Now we can enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of coffee ordered from our iPhone from any location and at any time. This neat little item joins new IoT innovations like smart egg cartons, which tell us when our eggs aren’t fresh, smart thermostats, and Wi-Fi enabled door locks. A virtual cornucopia of modern and gift-worthy gadgetry. If you are looking for that perfect gift for the drone lover on your list, look no farther than the DJ1 Phantom 3 Professional 4K Quadcopter Drone With Video Camera. For a mere $1,235.00, and approval from the FAA, you can treat that special person to a drone of his or her own. Drones are apparently here to stay, and we should be prepared for their ubiquitous presence in the very near future, along with long-promised driverless cars. We indeed do live in interesting times. Needless to say, you will want to stuff a few stockings with a set of Tile Bluetooth Key Finders ($70.00 for a set of four). These little square tiles attach to an object of your choice, and if this object is misplaced you can send a signal from your smartphone that causes the missing object to beep or be located via GPS. Just hope your smartphone isn’t the gadget that is missing. If you are interested in gathering even more gift suggestions, please explore one of my favorite sites, The Grommet (thegrommet. com), which is filled with innovative products designed by various of voice-activated TV. Speaking of voice-activated in- start-ups. One of my favorites is novations, what home can claim Heather Jernegan’s Nautical Coto be complete without the new ordinate Pillows and Totes, which Amazon Echo ($180.00), a harbin- gives you the opportunity to have ger of things to come, and a perfect a custom pillow or tote embroiexample of what is meant by the dered with a map of your choice— Internet of Things (IoT)? This neat which can be anything from your little cylindrical device is poised to street address to entire continents be the centerpiece of a new smart (with prices ranging from $85.00 home filled with IoT gadgets. We to $150.00). I hope I have stimulated your no longer need to push keys and buttons to access information and imagination and caused you to music—all we need to do is speak think a little more deeply about our commands. Echo puts us back how our gifts reflect our cultural to the world of the Genie, and Al- concerns. See you next week with more exa (Amazon’s version of Siri) is our new Genie, making our every seasonal reflections.
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