The Loafer December 6th by The Loafer

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

on the cover

Volume 31 • Issue #1 Publisher Luci Tate

Christmas Drama

Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Cover Design Bill May

Stop the holiday drama and go watch one!

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

16 Batteries Not Included Thoughts While Upon A Christmas Parade Float 16 The Casual Word Pax Romana 20 Stargazer Saturn Continues To Amaze 21 Skies This Week 22 Pop Life Moana 28 Appalachian Wanderers Natural Tunnel State Park 30 Puzzle Page 35 Kelly’s Place The Shape Of Things To Come (?)

your week’s line-up

Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley Langley Shazor

columns & reviews

Advertising Dave Carter Patti Barr Sam Jones Shawn Hale Paul Kavanaugh

4 Christmas Dramas 6 Holidays On Main 6 Cantemus’ Christmas Concert 7 Spread The Glove Campaign 8 KGT’s Believe! & Follow The Star 9 Christmas In The Smokies Helping Diaster Relief 10 Kingsport Ballet “The Nutcracker” 11 A Midwinter’s Carol 12 Breadfoot @ Acoustic Coffeehouse 14 A Country Christmas w/ Home Free 15 Intercity Ballet “The Nutcracker” 17 Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder 18 Spotlight 29 Christmas Tree Lighting 32 Things To Do 33 Visit With Santa 34 Pets Of The Week

e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com adcopy@theloaferonline.com

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 Let’s Get Social!

SANTA SIGHTINGS!!!

All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/

Milk & Cookies with Santa

Mullins Academy, Bristol VA Thursday, Dec. 8th 5pm Join Sullins Academy for the 3rd annual, Milk & Cookies with Santa! This event is free of charge and will include pictures with Santa, milk and cookies, writing letters to Santa, and a holiday craft! This event caters to children ages 12 and under. Please preregister online so we can prepare for your visit! docs.google.com

An evening with Santa

December 22 5:30pm 215 Whitehaven Drive, Kingsport Come and have your picture made with SANTA! Hot Chocolate and Cookies will be served. Make memories to last a lifetime. Don’t forget your donation of pet supplies for the Bridge Home No Kill Shelter!

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

OHTHE HOLIDAYDRAMA…….

Llama Llama holiday drama, Llama Llama holidays. Jingle music. Lights ablaze. How long till that special date? Llama Llama has to wait.

If there’s one thing Llama Llama doesn’t like, it’s waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree….but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Sound familiar? We all get in to the rush of the holiday drama. Finally, Llama Llama just can’t wait any more. It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that gifts are nice, but there is another: The true gift is, we have each

Stocking Stuffers

A festive collection of holiday stories for the whole family The Capitol Theatre 104 S. Main Street, Greeneville TN December 8 - 11 Bring your family and friends and get into the Christmas spirit. Performances are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, December 8, 9, and 10 at 7:00 pm and Sunday afternoon, December 11 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children, students, and seniors (age 65 and older) and may be purchased online at www.greenevilletheatreguild.org or reserved by calling 423-470-2792.

The Nutcracker

McGlothin Center for the Arts @ Emory & Henry College 30481 Garland Dr. Emory VA THURSDAY 12/8: School Performances 9:30am & 11:30am FRIDAY 12/9: School Performances 9:30am & 11;30am Gala Performance 7:30pm SATURDAY 12/10: Family Matinee 2:00pm Gala Performance 7:30pm SUNDAY 12/11:Family Matinee 2:00pm Tickets can be purchased online at ehc.tix.com

SCROOGE!

Mars Hill University 100 Athletic St. Mars Hill NC December 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 pm December 10 & 11 at 2:30 pm Tickets are $5 (children), $10 (students) and $22.50 (adults). Call the box office for more information at 828-689-1239. Students may attend the dress rehearsals on December 6th and 7th free with MHU ID. Event sponsored by Mars Hill University Department of Theatre Arts and the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre.

A Christmas Carol

other. This holiday season, stop the drama and go watch one. Grab your friends, your significant other, your children, whoever, and enjoy the season with them. We are blessed to live in a region that provides so many great theatrical holiday dramas at this time. We’re providing a great list of this years Holiday Dramas around. Look it over. Find one. Relax and enjoy the season. Have a very Merry Christmas.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

at The Lee Theatre 41676 W Morgan Ave. Pennington Gap VA December 10 7-9pm First United Methodist Church invites everyone to come to the play. In this hilarious Christmas tale, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids - probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Living Christmas Tree

Carver Recreation Center 322 W. Watauga Ave, Johnons City December 9 & 10 8pm The inspirational program feature a 25-foot tree filled with 65 singers, soloists, drama, and video and is accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra. Free tickets are available at Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave or Central Baptist Church, 300 N. Roan St. prior to each concert.

All An Act Theatre Project Players 207 Shawnee Avenue East, Big Stone Gap VA December 9, 10, 16, 17 : 7-9pm December 11 3pm

Bristol Ballet presents

The Nutcracker

at The Paramount Center for the Arts 518 State Street, Bristol TN December 10 5:30 - 7:30pm Visions of Sugar Plums.....and Nutcrackers and Rat Kings! The mighty battle between the mice and soldiers that brings Clara’s dream to life begins right here at the Paramount Center for the Arts with Bristol Ballet’s full length production of this popular holiday classic. Eighteen local company dancers, 35 students from Bristol Ballet, 20 community members, and three professional guest artists make up the cast for this production. Guest artists Erin Ginn (originally from Kingsport Tennessee) and Israel Rodriquez (who most recently was the Prince in Bristol Ballet’s “Cinderella” in May 2016) return to Bristol Ballet to perform as The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier/Nutcracker, and local thespian and Head Football Coach Mike Locke returns as Drossylmeyer. Full of beautiful costumes and scenery, breathtaking music, and great dancing, this is a show you’ll love to see. Tickets available at www.paramountbristol.org

The Muppet Christmas Carol

at Capitol Theater 104 S Main Street, Greeneville TN December 18 2pm Kick off the Christmas season with the classic movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol. The classic Charles Dickens’ tale is brought is retold with humor and emotion. This movie tells an outstanding tale and works for kids of any age – especially the young at heart. Admission Cost: $5.00 1hr 25min run time

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

at Johnson City Community Theatre 600 E Maple Street, Johnson City TN December 15 - 18 Bring the family, neighbors and friends and see this wonderful Christmas play! Visit their website at www.jcct.info/tickets.html or call the Box Office at 423-926-2542 for tickets! Tickets now on sale. All tickets, all seats, $10.

RELIGIOUS

at Gregory Center Milligan College Blowers Blvd, Elizabethton TN December 10 7pm December 11 2:30pm East Tennessee Youth Ballet & Academy of Elizabethton is a classical ballet school with a focus on technique and artistry. ETBA production of ‘A Taste of the Nutcracker’ follows Clara’s adventures beginning with a Christmas eve party, the battle between her beloved Nutcracker and the Rat King, a snow storm and a journey to the Land of the Sweets where Clara is entertained by characters from around the world. The Nutcracker ballet is perfect for all ages! Adult $15.00 Student / Senior $10.00 Tickets available - Elizabethton Public Library, ETBA 423 512 1722 and at box office half hour prior to performance

DRAMAS Shepherds & Kings

A Christmas Carol

at Niswonger Performing Arts Center 212 Tusculum Blvd. Greeneville TN December 16 7pm Don’t miss Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s delightful stage production of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic! Bring the whole family for a spectacular holiday treat! Orchestra: $35 / Mezzanine: $30 / Balcony: $25 Ticket Fee: $1.50 per ticket No processing or delivery fees npacgreeneville.ticketforce.com

A Candlelight Christmas

at Rocky Mount State Historic Site 200 Hyder Hill Road, Piney Flats TN December 9 & 10 Travel back in time to Christmas Eve 1791! Take a step away from the commercialized Christmas we see today and see a simpler time and a simpler celebration. Visit the Cobb family home adorned with handmade greenery decorations and lit by candles. Tours begin at 4:30. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 5+. Group rates are available for groups of 12+ by reservation only. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call us at (423) 538-7396 to make your reservation today. Start a new holiday tradition with your family and join us!

SANTA SIGHTING!!!! Breakfast with Santa

December 17 9am Heartwood 1 Heartwood Circle, Abingdon, VA

Drop by and enjoy breakfast while also seeing Santa! Breakfast includes: -Two hotcakes, One sausage patty, Water, milk or orange juice -$5 + TAX - gratuity not included Make sure to bring your own camera to grab a photo with Santa! Please call Heartwood today to make your reservations (276-4922400).

A dramatic Musical for Christmas at Towering Oaks Baptist Church 1985 Buckingham Road, Greenville TN December 9 7pm December 11 5pm Call 423-638-7464 for more information

A Journey Through Bethlehem

First Baptist Church 1525 Highway 93, Fall Branch TN DECEMBER 10th, 11th, 12th, & 13th 6:00 - 8:30 PM each evening As you enter the city, allow the sights, sounds and smells to carry you to a period of time that changed the world. Register your family with the census taker at the gate, encounter Roman soldiers as you walk the crowded streets, visit the marketplace with vendors busy in their shops. You will experience the excitement of Jesus’ birth and hear the angels singing! This event will be an outdoor, interactive experience so please dress for the weather. Like salvation, admission is free! Park at the ADESA East TN Auto Auction (195 Joe McCrary Rd., Fall Branch) and transportation will be provided to take you to and from the church.

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

The Nutcracker

HOLIDAYS ON MAIN

bingdon Main Street is hosting its first “Holidays On Main” holiday shopping celebration on Saturday, December 10, 2017 in Abingdon’s Main Street footprint. The day will feature shopping deals, refreshments and a holiday window display contest.

A ROSE IN WINTER

Shoppers can vote for their favorite holiday window display, and the business who garners the most votes will be named as the inaugural Abingdon Business of the Month in a program introduced by Abingdon Main Street. Additionally, the organization will officially roll out an Abingdon-specific smartphone app and will invite the public to join in on that day. The public introduction of this app on December 10 will make Abingdon only the second town in the Commonwealth of Virginia to launch this interactive, educational addition to smartphone activities. Abingdon’s businesses that will be participating in the activities for “Holidays On Main” include Abingdon Merchantile & Frame Gallery, Forget-Me-Not, Jerroleens Shed, Goodman Jewelers, Greer Jewelers, Necessities, Shady Business, and The Candy Shed. For a full list of participating businesses, check www.AbingdonMainStreet.com. Abingdon Main Street is a 501 C 3 and is designated as an accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center and is recognized for its exemplary commitment to preservationbased economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach®. Abingdon Main Street’s programs include community events like Main Street Busker Fest, and the Abingdon Wolf Project “Who’s Afraid of Virginia’s Wolves,” as well as leveraging grant programs and sponsorships to support small businesses. For more information on Abingdon Main Street, including upcoming events and ways to get involved, visit www.AbingdonMainStreet.com or call (276) 492-2237.

Cantemus’ Christmas Concert

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

Cantemus, the region’s premiere women’s choral ensemble, will hold its Christmas concert, “A Rose in Winter”, at 7pm, December 11th.

The Sunday evening performance will take place at Waverly Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, and will include works by John Rutter, Randall Thompson, William Byrd, Randall Stroope and Craig Courtney. Capturing the gentle spirit of the season, several familiar ‘Rose carols”, including Lo How a Rose, December Rose and the Carol of the Rose, will be featured. Now entering its third season, Cantemus – “Let us sing” – was started by Patricia Denmark, who is also Director of Music at St Christopher’s Episcopal Church. Denmark and the thirty women under her direction have quickly established themselves as “a wonderful addition to the Tri Cities arts community”, according to Dr David Hendricksen. The former long-time Director of the Civic Choral, Hendricksen notes the “high level of musical excellence” and the “camaraderie” among the singers. “They set a high bar with the very first program”, he says, “and have continued to raise it since.” In addition to her musical leadership of Cantemus and at St Christopher’s, Denmark serves as Assistant Director in the DobynsBennet High School Choral Department. “I was honored to learn the tricks of the trade singing under Robert Shaw, John Rutter and Andre Previn”, she says. Cantemus is accompanied by Erin Raines, a fine pianist and a 2013 graduate of Milligan College, who also played for the Milligan Concert Choir. Many of the singers in the group are, in fact, accomplished musicians in their own right. The Concert is free, though donations are accepted with gratitude. For more information contact Patricia Denmark at cantemuswomenschoir@ gmail.com

on Thursday, December 1 and will continue through the end of February. Donations of any new or gently used gloves, hats, and scarves may be brought to the lobby in Bristol Tennessee’s City Hall, or any of the city Fire Stations. Staff will collect the items and attach a note letting everyone know the items are not lost, but are there for the taking if someone should find themselves out in the cold and in need of something warm. City staff will be responsible for placing the items in the downtown area.

“

Winters can be long. It will take a true community effort for the initiative to be successful again this year.”

For more information on the program, contact Terrie Talbert at 423-989-5500 Ext. 2055 or email tsmith-talbert@bristoltn.org.

The program will be held in the Jones Meeting Room on Thursday, December 15 at 6:00 p.m. No registration is required for this free program. Materials are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information about this free program or other Youth Services programs, please call 423-434-4458.

PARENTS

NIGHT OUT

Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will offer a Parents Night Out with Santa as a special guest on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6-9 p.m. Children ages 3-12 will meet Santa and enjoy pizza, swimming, games and crafts. Children will be split into age groups, and all participants must be potty trained. Please provide a change of clothes and towel for each child. Cost is $15 for the first child; $10 for each additional child in a family. Price includes a slice of pizza and a drink. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, Dec. 8 at Memorial Park Community Center. Space is limited to 50 registered participants. For more information, please call (423)434-5749.

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

Last winter the City of Bristol’s Spread the Glove campaign proved to be an overwhelming success, with over 1,000 items donated. The campaign actually began two years ago when a transit driver saw some of her bus riders without gloves and other cold weather necessities. She decided she had to do something to help out, so she set out to gather cold weather items. On cold days, she tied the items to umbrellas located at the city’s transit center for anyone to take who needed such. Other members of the community reached out to help and began knitting toboggans, mittens, gloves and scarves to donate. Last year the city’s Community Relations Department took on the program; and with the assistance of local radio stations and high school sports teams, the Spread the Glove campaign began without any expectations of how it would work out. With those partnerships in place, the department was able to spread the word to the public. “We were overwhelmed

ORIGAMI

With cold weather quickly approaching, with the thoughtfulness shown by so many in winters like this are especially difficult for our community,” said Terrie Talbert, Director of Community Relations for the City. those less fortunate in the community. This year’s Spread the Glove initiative will begin

LEARING

SPREAD THE GLOVE

Families with children of all ages will learn the art of origami together.

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

TWO SHOWS, ONE NIGHT Believe! & Follow The Star Kingsport Theatre Guild is excited to combine two one-act shows into one night of Christmas cheer which address the current commercialism of Christmas, yet also tells the traditional Christmas story, complete with nativity scene and familiar carols. The audience will have the opportunity to join in and sing along to familiar favorites such as: Jingle Bells, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel and more! The first show, Believe! is the perfect combination of traditional Christmas music with a sweet, contemporary story. It’s ten days before Christmas, and 15-year-old Alex Norton is struggling. He’s always loved Christmas, but the shine has left his favorite holiday. He sees Christmas as nothing more than an over-hyped, greedy, present-grabbing time of year. Where is the peace in this season that’s supposed to be all about the Prince of Peace? Alex wants to believe in something… but what? Throughout the show, he learns “It doesn’t help to curse the darkness;

it only helps when you light a candle. That’s what God did for us that lovely, silent night.” Filled with warmth and laughter and brightened by traditional Christmas songs sung by the actors, a choir, or even our audience members, everyone touched by this play will find something in which they can truly… Believe! After taking a 10 minute intermission, this phenomenal cast will be back with Follow The Star which follows a modern day Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem where they are able to relive the miraculous night from over 2000 years ago. Show dates and times are December 9, 10, 16, 17 @ 7 p.m. and December 10, 11, 17, 18 @ 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for Adults, $10 for Seniors and Students and $8 for Children under the age of 12. Special rates are available for groups of 20 or more. To reserve your seats, please visit www. kingsporttheatre.org or call 423-7413282. Kingsport Theatre Guild is located at 1200 East Center Street in Kingsport on the Second Floor of the Renaissance Arts Center & Theatre.

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

“

We are blessed that the fires have been contained and that the area where we host the festival is free of any problems. As the promoter, I feel that the best way to help the community is through Dolly Parton’s My People Fund. Please join us in helping out the victims of this terrible experience by coming to the festival and supporting the area economy with your tourism dollars and your ticket donation,” said Lorraine Jordan.

Scheduled to perform throughout the festival produced by Jordan Entertainment are: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Lonesome River Band, Goldwing Express, Ralph Stanley II, Ronnie Reno & Reno Tradition, Paul Williams and Victory Trio, the Bluegrass Mountaineers, Garrett Newton Band, Balsam Range, Williamson Branch, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Malpass Brothers, Salt and Light and the Dean Osborne Band, The Grascals, Smoky Mtn All-Stars: Tim White, Jerry Butler, Matt Leadbetter, Matt Wallace, Josh Goforth, Larry Stephenson Band, Edgar Loudermilk Band Featuring Jeff Autry, Sideline, Mark Templeton, Deeper Shade of Blue, The Moore Family. Click here for band schedule. For more festival information and to purchase special Disaster Relief tickets, visitwww. BluegrassChristmasInSmokies.com or call 919-779-5672

SANTA SIGHTING!!!!

Helping Disaster Relief Efforts

Christmas in the Smokies

he annual Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival will be held December 7-10 at the Ramada Inn & Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Hosted by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, the festival brings together many traditional bluegrass and gospel bands for an early Christmas celebration. This year, the festival will go on with no interruption to the musical program or accommodations due to the wildfires. However, the festival has also has been blessed with the opportunity to help local residents who have been impacted by the devastating fire that has ravaged the area. By aligning with the Dollywood Foundation’s unprecedented support of east Tennessee, Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies created a special, $15 general admission ticket for Friday and Saturdaynight. All proceeds from these tickets will be donated to the Dollywood Foundation’s Smokey Mountain “My People” fund.

Sensitive Santa

Gray United Methodist Church 2108 Oak Street, Gray TN December 10 10am Come visit Santa in a calm, non -threatening environment; a Santa who understands the unique circumstances of children with special needs. Rather than waiting in line at the mall, your child can play or do crafts with our volunteers in a relaxed atmosphere, or run off their stress in a safe environment. If verbal communication is an issue, your child

can use provided “Santa Letter” forms or bring pictures to show Santa what they would like to receive for Christmas. Siblings are welcome as well! The day will also include: • Digital photos of your child with Santa (suggested donation: $5) • Visits with the Chick-fil-A Santa Cow, and Santa’s elves. • Numbers will be issued so children can play while waiting their turn. • Christmas themed crafts and sensory activities • Wonderfully Made t-shirts available (suggested donation: $15) Learn more at www. wonderfullymadegrant.com

THE NUTCRACKER 2016

KINGSPORT BALLET HOSTS INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

Kingsport Ballet prepares for a vibrant, exciting season kickoff with The Nutcracker, December 15th-18th, 2016 at Northeast State College’s Wellmont Performing Arts Center. A holiday favorite around the world, this has proven to be the preferred family outing at this time of year. The Kingsport Ballet production will be staged on Thursday, December 15th at 10am for school children. This show is already sold out. There will also be three public performances, December 16th and 17th, both at 7pm, and Sunday, December 18th at 2:30pm. “By staging The Nutcracker the weekend before Christmas it provides folks an optimal event to kick off the season with the whole family,” said board president Lee Houston. “We had several sold out performances last year, so I intend to plan early and get our tickets in advance!” All seats are numbered and assigned and sold on a first come-first served basis. Tickets are available at the door provided they have not sold out prior to performance dates. Updates will be posted on the company’s social media outlets and their box office answering service. Kingsport Ballet’s traditional Russian version is full of holiday warmth, elegance, and the magic of the season. Fittingly, they will once again feature and impressive slate of international artists, specifically Nations WilkesDavis and SeHuyn, principals with Columbia Classical Ballet. Nations and SeHuyn performed lead roles in Kingsport Ballet’s Swan Lake earlier this year, as well as for their own company. “They are young, talented, and very exciting to watch,” says Artistic Director, Valeria Sinyavskaya. “We also have an accomplished and strong company this year. Audiences will not want to miss their performances,” she said. Kingsport Ballet will feature an expanded ballet boutique at the theater during The Nutcracker performances, as an extension of their in-house store, kbBoutique. Unique gifts, ornaments, holiday cards and Rifle Paper gift wrap are available for purchase. Tickets are now on sale through www.kingsportballet.org or through the Kingsport Ballet facebook page. Purchasers may print their tickets at home, or pick them up at ‘will call’ the night of the performance. Children ages 4-11 will enjoy the traditional Clara’s Tea and Chocolate, which takes place just prior to Saturday evening’s performance on December 17th. The tea party is at 5pm, and tickets are sold separately at $10 per child, by calling Kingsport Ballet: 423-378-3967. For school groups and homeschooled families who are unable to get seating during the sold out school performance of The Nutcracker, there is the option of making early reservations for Seeds of Change – a Centennial Production featuring a new contemporary ballet inspired by Kingsport’s history, as well as Chopiniana, a short romantic ballet popular around the same time as Kingsport’s founding - the early twentieth century. Seeds of Change will be performed March 16th-19th, 2017.

A JOYOUS AND HEARTFELT VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

Step back in time to Victorian England and celebrate Christmas at LampLight Theatre. A Midwinter’s Carol is a Christmas musical presented in traditional Victorian fashion. The story is inspired by Little Peter: A Christmas Morality for Children of Any Age, which was published in 1888. As the Narrator, Malak, says in this production…“There are tales and legends about Christmas that have been handed down through ages past, but this one bears a message that could change the hardest of hearts.” A Midwinter’s Carol follows the measures of the Barkley family from Shropshire, England. Capturing the era of Victorian England, this musical will warm the cockles of all hearts that attend. The production is filled with the sounds and images of Christmases of yore. Carols and original songs herald the message of hope as they fill the streets of Shropshire, England and spill into the hearts of the audience. The story centers on the Barkley family. Constance and Enoch have four children. The oldest son, Garrett, is struggling to prove his manhood to his father, Enoch, who is often away serving in the Royal Army. He seeks for his hardened father’s approval. The oldest daughter, Claire, hopes to be chosen by spinster, Matilda Haddlewick, to go to finishing school. The youngest children, Nora and “Alfie”, befriend the town outcast, Lige Mizenthorpe. Lige carries scars of a squalid past and holds secrets that haunt townsfolk, including

Enoch Barkley. Constance is a woman of faith who tries to hold her family together and change her husband’s heart. The production is sprinkled with the whimsical antics of comedic house servants, the gossip of dressmaker, Stella Pattison, and the magical legends of Christmases past. An impending winter storm is brewing as the village of Shropshire prepares for the live nativity at Shrewbury Abbey. As Enoch waits at home for his family to return from the village, a blizzard hits and tragedy strikes. It is Alfie’s faith in God and his love for an outcast that reveals secrets and heals hearts that will change the Barkley home forever. This enchanted story promises to inspire you and will become one of your Christmas favorites. Performances for A Midwinter’s Carol will be held Dec. 2nd through Dec. 18th, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. Additional matinee performances will be held on Saturdays - Dec. 10th & 17th at 2:00 p.m. and on Sundays - Dec. 4th, 11th, and 18th at 3:00 p.m. (Exception: there will be no 7 pm performance on Dec. 17th.) Doors will open one hour prior to performances. A suggested donation for each performance is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students, FREE for children 5 years of age and under. A love offering will be taken at each production. For more information or to make a reservation, call the LampLight box office at 423-343-1766, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit online at www.LampLightTheatre.com. LampLight Theatre is located at 140 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN.

Breakfast with Santa

Bank Street Bristol 14 Bank St. Bristol TN December 10 10am-11am ]Looking forward to hosting our annual breakfast with Santa Please call Lisa Martin @423-3602445 for your reservation seating is limited 10.00 per child and 15.00 per adult! Let’s make some memories!

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

“A MIDWINTER’S CAROL” SANTA SIGHTING!!!!

Breadfoot is a Tin Pan Folk & Americana Songwriter and Multi-instrumentalist based in North Carolina. He is currently touring in support of his latest release Salvatella, which is his third full-length studio album. Described by Americana UK as “…a refreshing alternative to some of the more archetypal Americana.”, it is his most adventurous to date. From the opening solo acoustic salve of the title track to the final cymbal crash of the Dixieland inspired Still Can’t (Find My Heart) that closes out the side the album is as fRoots Magazine remarks “...beguiling and varied...well-crafted songs of love and loss...superior stuff and very charming.” Salvatella was funded via Kickstarter. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at On Pop Of The World Studios in Greensboro, NC and features some truly exceptional local musicians from bands like Vaughn Aed,

D.O.G, Jack Carter and The Armory, Tommy Flake, Damn Frank, Corporate Fandango, Ameriglow, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Sarah Shook and The Disarmers and Lost In The Trees. Live Breadfoot has been described by London Time Out, as “....gritty guitar picking and home-spun wisdom....a raconteur par excellence.” He has shared the stage state side with The Avett Brothers, Regina Spektor, Kimya Dawson, and Langhorne Slim and in the UK with such acts as The Decemberists, Richard Buckner, and the Larry Love Show Band (the acoustic branch of Alabama 3). Breadfoot has written and recorded as Just About To Burn, with Antifolk legend and Ramseur Records recording artist, Paleface who has collaborated with the Avett Brothers and has been sited by Beck as a musical influence. In addition Breadfoot has also written and recorded with former Trans Siberian Orchestra Lead Soloist & String Mistress and Papillon violinist, Anna Phoebe who has been known on occasion, to perform live with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Breadfoot’s music has been featured in several episodes of Roadtrip Nation on PBS. You can also find his music in the feature length documentary 10 MPH and the feature length comedy The Karaoke Brothers. In addition, Breadfoot contributed music to a work in progress reel for the locally produced original documentary film Bringing It Home and his song ‘A Hard Day In Manhattan’ was featured in the investigative documentary ‘Abandoned’ which premiered in Greensboro, NC earlier this year. Also premiered this year is the new video for ‘Room In Her Heart’ created in collaboration with Breadfoot’s good bud Brian A. Bernhard at Blight Productions. The video, filmed in the 106 heat of the most rattlesnake infested part of California’s Palm Desert, is a sweetly absurd Don Quixoteesque riff on the heart worn story of a yearning for a love long lost. Beyond a smattering of shows to finish out the year Breadfoot is booking now for an early spring run out to SXSW and is also planning his next project - a trans-media experience that will include a stop motion / live action video and cover art featuring his own illustrations - with a working title of ‘Charmed, I’m Sure’.

Saturday, Dec. 10 at Acoustic Coffeehouse

Photo by Brian A. Bernhard

AMERICAN SONGWRITER

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

TIN PAN FOLK &

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS HOME FREE AT NPAC

Home Free is bringing new music, new production, more country and holiday favorites as they return to Greeneville with “A Country Christmas Tour”. album, Country Evolution. The release debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Country Charts,

“from auxiliary entertainment to headlining attraction” elevating the band

The 5-man band has become known for their show-stopping performances that mix their signature no-instrument, allvocal music with their quickwitted humor. Home Free takes the NPAC stage for a sold-out show on December 10th at 7:30 PM. Home Free has become a household name for peppering Nashville country standards with country-dipped pop hits (and having a great time doing so). “A Country Christmas Tour” brings new music from an upcoming Christmas re-release, plus new country hits like Maren Morris’ “My Church”, pop slams like Shakira’s “Try Everything”, and fan favorite classics like the calypso-infused arrangement of Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire.” Home Free came crashing into the country world in 2013, after winning NBC’s The SingOff. Since catapulting into the national spotlight, they have sold 250,000 albums, racked up more than 80-million YouTube views, and entertaining more than 100,000 people live in concert. The group recently celebrated the release of their third studio

(Times Leader). Produced by Darren Rust, the deluxe version includes five originals and nine new renditions of hit songs that showcase the band’s extraordinary talents, tight harmonies and intelligent arrangements that are uniquely their own. Home Free has been perfecting their live show for nearly a decade performing together for packed crowds at major fairs, colleges and theatres. Their experiences on the road helped carry them to The Sing-Off victory, build a loyal fan base and bring their homegrown country style into the national spotlight. Get into the Christmas spirit with Home Free at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 PM. This performance is sponsored by MDS. 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 hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm. The 1150 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School. For venue information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.npacgreeneville.com.

formed Ballet Fleming. She just spent her seventh summer performing and teaching at Burklyn Ballet Theatre and now teaches with the Hunting Dance Theatre and the Morgantown Dance Studio. Intercity Ballet Theatre of Kingsport, with the help of area sponsors such as Eastman Chemical Company, Eastman Recreation Club, WKPT TV/AM, WTFM, Kingsport Town Center Mall, and Hampton Inn will present it’s 37th Annual Performance of the magical THE NUTCRACKER for all to see and enjoy.

This year Christmas will come just a little bit early for 4,500 area school children at the morning shows at Eastman’s Toy F. Reid Employee Center Theater on December 8th and 9th at 9:30 a.m. These special performances will be presented free of charge, as they have been for the past ten years, to all area students and teachers, with additional seating for the public at a nominal fee. The public is invited to enjoy the evening performances on Friday, December 9, 2016 and Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. Join us and experience a snow storm, see a forest magically appear, and a tree grow from 10 feet to 30 feet, all inside the Eastman Theater. Membership in Intercity Ballet Theatre of Kingsport is open to all area dancers. Each year dancers from all over the area come to the annual audition for The

Nutcracker. This year our production will have a cast of over 160 dancers and actors from six different regional schools, along with many adult community leaders and business people. Local dancers giving their time and talent include, Phil Clemons, dancing the role of The Nutcracker with Colin Rose as Brigidier. Isabella Blevins and Hannah Brickey, will be sharing the role of Clara, with Ella Egan as understudy. Aaron Jackson will dance the role of Nicholas, Anthony Hathaway will be dancing the role of Fritz, with Micah Lawson as understudy. Dancing the role of Mecanical Doll will be Sara Stewart and the role of Military Doll will be danced by Abby Bright. Dew Drop Fairies will be Samantha Hess, Hallie Miracle and Chloe Lowe. The role of Tree Fairies will be danced by Gracie Blevins and Chloe Rose. Dancing the role of Reed Pipes will be Kihley Bellamy, Hannah Halliburton, Taylor Hubbard, and Hannah Watson.The role of Spanish will be dance by Madeline Howe. The roles of Clara’s parents will be shared by Jeff Luethke and Amy Luethke, and Darrell Duncan and Kristen Looney. The role of Grandfather will be shared by Darrell Duncan and Kevin Odom. Daniel Ratcliff will be performing the role of the ever popular Rat King and will be adding the role of Mother Ginger. Mr. Mike McGinn will reprise his role of Uncle Drosselmeyer. Dancing the role of Trepak will be Molly Kate Blalock and Abby Lester and role of Chinese will be Phil Clemons, Jessica Gallimor and Madison Rice. For more information about Intercity Ballet Theatre and The Nutcracker school performances, public performances, or ticket sales, please visit our web site www.intercityballet.org or call 246-2199.

15 theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

COMES TO INTERCITY BALLET THEATRE

NEW YORK CITY

oming to Kingsport will be Stephanie Salts and Gregory Brown, both of whom are currently dancing with the Metropolitan Opera this season. Stephanie began her dance training in Beckley, WV with the Beckley Dance Theatre. At age fifteen she was awarded a scholarship with the famed Rock School for Dance Education and has also trained with the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. Stephanie has danced professionally with Utah Regional Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Lustig Dance Theatre, The Steps Repertory Ensemble, Lott Dance, Zest Collective and the Traverse City Dance Project. Stephanie will be dancing the role of Sugar Plum for Intercity Ballet Theatre. Gregory born in Illionois began dancing at twelve years of age, and at sixteen was awarded a full scholarship to the Houston Ballet Academy. He has danced with Houston Ballet II, Texas Ballet Theater, Ballet X, and Radio City’s Chirsmas Spectacular. Gregory recently published a work titled A Dancer Descended Mt. Kenya, a story of faith of his serving in Rwanda and climbing Mt. Kenya. He will be performing the role of Cavalier. Also joining Intercity Ballet this season will be Brian Murphy. Brian has danced with Ohio Ballet, Ground Works Dance Theater, Cleveland Ballet, San Jose Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Met to name just a few. He currently dances with Verb Ballet. Brian will be dancing the roles of Coffee (Arabian) and Snow Prince. Jesse Tidquist will be joining Brian and Intercity Ballet in the role of Coffee and as Snow Queen. Jesse first began dancing professionally with Charleston Ballet, West Virginia, she then joined Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and was asked to be part of the newly

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

THOUGHTS WHILE UPON A

CHRISTMAS PARADE FLOAT H Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross aross@ theloaferonline.com

ow long does this last again? Eh, it’s not that cold out. I’ll be fine. I’ve got my jacket. I wonder who is driving the truck this is hitched to? Should I scoot my chair back a little? I’m not that close to the edge, but things could go wrong. No. No, I will not think about it this way. That’s negative thinking. My therapist said I should make a conscientious effort to squash negative thinking. It’s a Christmas parade! This is a happy place. Ah, we’re moving now, a good slow crawl. What float is this again? I don’t remember what group this represents, I just was told “look for the red flatbed with the inflatable Snoopy on it.” Maybe this isn’t a group, just a kindly soul who is enthusiastic about Christmas parades. I did it all because she asked me to and I like her. Is it infantile the way I approach potential relationships now that I’m in my 30s? There I go talking like my therapist again. Maybe that’s good? I dunno. Smile, wave, toss candy to kids. That’s all I have to do. I can do that, I can appear jolly for the season. Now why on Earth am I feeling this way? Oh, hell. Is this the seasonal depression kicking in? I never thought I’d have an existential crisis about my life while sitting on a Christmas parade float, but hello new and uncharted frontier! There’s my

Aunt in the crowd, better say “hello” and toss some peppermints her way. Why does that guy up the street look familiar to me? Is that...is that? Yeah, that’s the jackass who made my life a living hell during High School. I’m gonna throw some candy at him for sure. Maybe throw it with more gusto than usual? Maybe throw it with just a little bit of intended force behind it? This is a bag full of Brach’s after all--the hard candy that can leave a welt if thrown properly. What am I saying? This is Christmas! I can’t take my vengeance out on an old enemy at Christmastime. Then again, “Die Hard” is set at Christmas. I’m glad I didn’t beat him with candy. I’m glad I held my hand to my face to look like I was coughing as we went by and whispered obscenities at him. Jackass. Turning a corner now, figuratively and literally. How much longer does the route go? Feels like it’s been at least an hour so far. I’m out of candy, better look behind me for another bag. Ah, there are none. The whole float is out of candy. Guess I’ll just smile and wave till this thing ends. Can’t be much longer, can it? Will it take me back to my car? I hope so. I guess I could text a friend to pick me up if need be. Maybe I’ll make it home before sundown. Maybe. I hope so.

PAX

ROMANA Precipitously Perched Pretorian preeminence Patiently prepares A polyphony of predominance Proliferates platonic prophesy

The Casual Word

By Langley Shazor Follow Langley at TheCasualWord

Propagating predestination Poorly proposed plans Protectively pretend Pretentious platitudes Prime premadonna perceptions Pursing patriarchal Perfection

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

In the 1970s, the McPeak Brothers from Wytheville left a lasting mark with their recordings of contemporary material in a bluegrass format. In a great example of what heritage music is all about, young mandolinist Adam McPeak is carrying forward the family tradition with his own band, Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder. Mike McPeak now plays the proud papa in his son’s band, and the music is as dynamic as ever, featuring excellent harmony vocals and interesting repertoire that fans have always associated with the family’s music. The Crooked Road Music Series takes place each Thursday at Heartwood. The series features youth artists each 2nd Thursday and showcases venues of The Crooked Road region each 4th Thursday. These events, along with open jams on the 1st, 3rd, (and 5th) Thursdays showcase Southwest Virginia performers. The Crooked Road Music Series is sponsored by Heartwood, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway is located off I-81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon, VA, and features food, music, and craft of Southwest Virginia. Admission to the concert is free and donations will be accepted for Crooked Road Traditional Music Education Program (TMEP). More information can be found at The Crooked Road website, www. thecrookedroad.org, and at www.heartwoodvirginia.org. For additional information, please call (276) 492-2409 or email: info@thecrookedroad.org.

SANTA SIGHTING!!!!

ADAM MCPEAK & MOUNTAIN THUNDER

he Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail presents Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder in concert on Thursday, December 8th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.at Heartwood in Abingdon, VA. This concert is part of The Crooked Road Music Series at Heartwood.

COOKIES WITH SANTA Blackberry Bakery 56 Piedmont Avenue, Bristol VA December 13 6pm

Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa’s coming to Blackbird on Tuesday evening, December 13th from 06:00 pm until 08:30 pm. Be sure to drop by and share your wish list with Santa. He’ll be giving away cookies (while supplies last). Merry Christmas!

Spotlight

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

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.

Crooked Road Rejects

Bobaflex

The Hideaway

Country Club Bar & Grill

Downtown Country

Kids Our Age

Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria

Randy & The Lugnuts Acoustic Coffeehouse

- WEDNESDAY - Dec. 7th -

Open Mic

At Acoustic Coffeehouse

Open Mic

Studio Brew

Adam McMillan

Hungry I at The Apex

The Broadcast

Down Home

Kaitlyn Baker

Sovereign

Live Music

Woodstone Deli

Chris Long

Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria Down Home

Trapped in the Vault

Josiah Whitley / Trail of the Lonesome w/ Doug Gibson

Jon Stickley Trio Sleepy Owl Brewery

Scott Miller

Acoustic Coffeehouse

Crystal Bright & the Silverhands Bone Fire Smokehouse

Randy and the Lugnuts

Holston River Brewing Company

- SATURDAY - Dec. 10th -

Down Home

Ryan Ward

Wayne Henderson & Friends

Carter Family Fold

Rainbow Asian Cuisine

Wellington’s Restaurant

Eric Caldwell / Breadfoot

Acoustic Coffeehouse

Elizabethton Senior Center

Scott Miller

Christmas Jazz

Sundown Band Scott Miller

The Hideaway

Adam McMillan

Capone’s

Shooter

Holiday Inn (Exit 7)

Not So Silent Night

Jerry Pierce & the Nightlife Band

- THURSDAY - Dec. 8th -

Jimmy & The Jawbones

David Thompson’s Produce

Wolf Hills Jazz Open Mic

Buffalo Ruritan

The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

Yee Haw Brewing Company

Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria

Nightshift Band

The Damascus Brewery

The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room The Harvest Table

- SATURDAY - Dec. 10th-

- FRIDAY - Dec. 9th -

- TUESDAY - Dec. 6th -

Coal Creek w/ Big Don

Bone Fire Smokehouse

Double Shot

Holston River Brewing Company

- SUNDAY - Dec. 11th -

The Jasons w/ Reppertons & Porno Arcade

The Mecca Lounge

Goatwhore & Crowbar Tennessee Capone’s

Ed Gerhard

at Northeast State Center for the Performing Arts Center

Bonnie Blue

Studio Brew

David Allen Buckner / Holy Smokes

O’Mainnin’s Pub

Country Club Bar & Grill

Acoustic Coffeehouse

Brandon Fields

Death Thrash Punk! Cemetery Filth Povertybomb / Dire Hatred / Phenex

Live Music

Acoustic Coffeehouse

The Hideaway

EC Frazier

at Model City Tap House

Marshall Ballew

Bone Fire Smokehouse

- FRIDAY - Dec. 9th -

Jackdaw’s 7

Capone’s

The Johnson City Jingle Bell Jamboree

The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

Southern Breeze

CJ’s Sports Bar

Railway Express

The Eagles Club

Bone Fire Smokehouse

- MONDAY -Dec. 12th -

Open Mic / Hymn For Her Acoustic Coffeehouse

for show time & more details, visit

theloaferonline.com

Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822

O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049

Eagles Club 1097 Boody Rd. Castlewood Va 276/762-9837

Our House Restaurant 4903 N. Roan St. Johnson City 423/ 282-1555

Elizabethton Senior Ctr 428 E. G Street Elizabethton 423/543-4362

Rainbow Asian Cuisine 2412 N. Roan St. Johnson City 423/ 232-6688

Buffalo Ruritan 200 Willowbrook Dr. Bluff City 423/391-7382

The Harvest Table Restaurant 13180 Meadowview Sq Meadowview Va 276/944-5140

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

Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295

The Hideaway 235 E. Main St Johnson City 423/ 926-3896

Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons VA 276/594-0676

Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100

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

Holston River Brewing Company 2621 Volunteer Pkwy Bristol TN

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

Jiggy Ray’s 610 E. Elk Ave Elizabethton 423/ 722-3410

The Damascus Brewery 32173 Government Rd. Damascus VA 276/ 469-1069

Kingsport Moose Lodge 935 Wilcox Drive #105. Kingsport 423/ 247-9109

Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon Va 276/623-0037 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262

David Thompson’s Produce 251 Highway 107 Jonesborough 423/913-8123

Model City Tap House 324 E Market St. Kingsport Northeast State Community College 2425 Highway 75 Blountville TN

KARAOKE

TUESDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment Boomershine’s Pizza Karaoke w/ Sean Dawg House Tavern Karaoke -Numan’s *********************** WEDNESDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke American Legion Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment Smokey Bones - Johnson City Turn the Page Karaoke VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City *********************** THURSDAY Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke - Numan’s Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke Holiday Inn - Johnson City Karaoke - Jiggy Rays Pizzaria Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment Mellow Mushroom - Johnson City ***********************

Sleepy Owl Brewery 151 E. Main St. Kingsport 423/390-8476 Studio Brew 221 Moore Street Bristol VA 423 / 360-3258 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

FRIDAY Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City Karaoke - CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke - Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marques Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment Moe’s Original BBQ Karaoke - Numan’s *********************** SATURDAY Karaoke - The Horseshoe Lounge Karaoke Kingsport Moose Lodge Turn the Page Karaoke VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke - Numan’s ***********************

19 theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

SPOTLIGHT DIRECTORY

Birthplace of Country Music Museum 520 Birthplace of Country Music Way Bristol

SATURN

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

CONTINUES TO AMAZE

While it’s hard to come up with original words to convey the awe and beauty that is the ringed world Saturn, more words will definitely be needed as a NASA spacecraft sends back its final images this year.

Stargazer

By Mark Marquette since 1996 stargazermarq@ gmail.com

The billion-dollar Cassini spacecraft has spent 12 and a half years orbiting the gas giant with the intricate ring system. And it has revolutionized our understanding of the gaseous globe of Saturn, its 62 moons and, of course those sheets of rings. Cassini is now beginning a new orbit that will take it a mere 4,000 miles from the edge of the rings and looping over Saturn’s poles once every seven days for three months. And then in April, like threading a needle, the spaceship will plunge into the gap between the planet and rings—a dangerous bonus maneuver where photos and data will be spectacular. Those planned 22 orbits inside the rings will be the icing on the cake of one of NASA’s most successful interplanetary missions. The sight inside the rings looking out was never imagined when Cassini was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida on Oct. 15, 1997. But as the original 4-year year mission was extended several times, planetary scientists conceived of a plan to loop the spacecraft over the poles and through the ring gap and

planet. T h i s maneuver will be risky, as the rings consist of millions of gravel-like ice and rock of all sizes sorted out by gravity and controlled by a host of small, “shepherd” moons. Though the space looks empty between the innermost ring and the outer edges of the super cold hydrogen gas of Saturn, there are undoubtedly thousands of stray objects from the size of sand grains to marbles that could rip through Cassini. The rings are unbelievable. Like grooves on a vinyl record, they are superthin sheets of rocks and ice that are sifted by size in regions that undulate up and down like rafts on an ocean. They are divided into sections, labeled A-F from the inside out, and the sections have different compositions and the orbital periods vary by distance. They are about 100,000 miles wide on each side of the planet.

But here’s the amazing fact—the rings are around 1,000 feet thick! That is less than a quarter-mile thickness, or the length of three football fields. To put Saturn’s rings into perspective, hold a business card in your hand edgewise and imagine it is 20 miles wide: that’s the thickness/distance ratio of the rings. Really? Yes, that’s pretty delicate. So tenuous are the rings that small perturbations in gravity from nearby moons will pull and push the rocky-ice material. There are moons just a mile or so big, that are imbedded inside rings, clearing out small sections. And, there are actual cliffs rising out of the rings, betrayed by long shadows captured by the cameras of Cassini. As jaw-dropping as many of the images from Cassini have been, we are in for more scintillating views of Saturn’s rings as the NASA mission comes to a close. In September the spacecraft will be commanded to crash into Saturn, burning up by friction as it flies through the dense gases.

But there will be 300,000 images and hundreds of terabytes of data files to analyze over the next years and decades, no doubt providing more answers to the riddle of the rings. But understand, in time, we will. As mankind’s nature is to explore and satisfy our curiosity about who we are and where we live. For more Saturn images, visit the official site: the Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations—www.ciclops.org.

he Moon takes center stage again in our evening skies, it and brilliant Venus guiding home those workers driving south or west. Mars is to the left of Venus, a former shell of its brilliant garnet color of the Summer. When darkness grips our land by 6 pm, The Pleiades are high in the east and Pegasus the Horse flies overhead. This week also remembers the last manned, American voyage to the Moon by Apollo 17. Tues. Dec. 6 Mercury peaks above the western horizon during this week, but it’ll be seen for a half hour or so in the twilight. Stringing above the horizon are brilliant Venus and much fainter, red Mars. Wed. Dec. 7 First Quarter Moon is today, between Aquarius and Pisces. A beautiful scene among the bare trees of late Autumn, there is plenty of detail to see with just binoculars. Thurs. Dec. 8 There is a big difference in the southern skies from 6 pm when the dull and faint stars of Capricornus and Pisces are replaced at midnight by Taurus the Bull, Orion the Hunter, and the brightest star in the sky, Sirius. Fri. Dec. 9 On this 2006 date in space history, Space Shuttle Discovery was

launched on a mission 12-day “hard hat” mission with six astronauts 21 joining the three aboard the International Space Station. Check out the SmartPhone apps or on the Internet for times when the ISS flies overhead—usually one week a month in the evening and one week in the morning twilight. Sat. Dec. 10 Saturn is in “conjunction” with the Sun, astronomers-speak for and object directly behind our star, either above or below and too bright to be seen. The ringed-world will move into the morning sky and be visible above the pre-dawn horizon in a couple of weeks. Sun. Dec. 11 On this 1972 date in space history, Apollo 17 lands on the Moon in the Taurus-Littrow highlands, the last time humans have set foot on an alien world. Commander Gene Cernan and astronaut-geologist Harrison Schmitt spent three days on the surface and drove 21 miles on their Lunar Rover exploring. Cernan became a corporate leader in the rocket industry, and Schmitt served one term as US Senator from his native New Mexico and advocates returning to the Moon to mine its energy source of oxygen three. Mon. Dec. 12 Are you getting through the cold thinking of summertime memories? Well there are still signs of summer lingering in the western skies as two of the three stars of the Summer Triangle are still hanging in there. Altair, to the left, and much brighter Vega, right, are visible in the 6 pm twilight, and set around 8:30 pm. Vega in Lyra the Harp is almost circumpolar—visible all night—and will be the North Star in about 10,000 years.

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

THIS WEEK

SKIES

Celestial events in the skies for the week of Dec. 6-12, 2016, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

MOANA

A BREATHTAKING ANIMATED FILM

I must say Walt Disney Studios sure knows how to present strong female leads in their animated movies. The female character I most remember from a Disney film who was strong and would not be deterred from her life’s mission was Merida from the 2012 film “Brave”.

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers ksilvers@ theloaferonline.com

Joining Merida in the category of strong female animated characters is Moana from the new film “Moana”. Moana ( Auli’i Cravalho) is the daughter of the chief of a Polynesian tribe, who knows, even as a toddler, that she has an undeniable attraction to the sea even though her father is determined to keep her from straying beyond the reef. The story of the film is based on Polynesian mythology and tells us the story of how the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) stole a small pounaum (a form of jade) stone in order to harness its power. However, when Maui is confronted by the lave demon Te Ka, Maui looses the stone along with his magical fishhook. The main problem with Maui’s theft of the stone is how it has brought darkness to the island where Moana and her tribe live. Fish the tribe depends on are becoming scarce and coconuts are spoiling, leaving the islanders at the brink of disaster. Moana is convinced she must go beyond the reef and take the newfound pounaum stone with her to confront Maui in an effort to set everything right once more so her tribe will not starve. While on her journey to find Maui she is accompanied by her pet rooster Heihei, who has a pea sized brain, driven home by his antics. The two eventually make it to the island where Maui has taken

up residence, and the fluffy-haired demigod wants no part of Moana’s request. In fact, Maui is so self-absorbed he tries to ignore the “living” tattoos on his body that are attempting to tell him Moana is correct in her demands. Eventually Maui is convinced to help Moana, but not before he steals her boat in a horribly failed effort to escape from our hero. The two, with the rooster in tow, set out for Moana’s island and all runs smoothly until they run across some coconut pirates (!) and the lava demon Te Ka. After the aforementioned interactions end well for our duo, Moana and her fellow villagers are soon sailing the open ocean in an effort to find new islands to inhabit, while Maui passes over them in hawk form. This animated film is beautiful, and while the film is considered a musical, is not overwhelmed with songs. In other words, the rooster never sings. While Moana is a really strong presence in the film, every scene she shares with Maui is stolen by the boisterous demigod. I recommend seeing the film in 3D, even though in most cases you can see a film in 2D with not much difference, this film, with its popping colors and brilliant animated scenery, is a must see in the 3D format. Overall, “Moana” is a breathtaking animated film that is a delight for movie fans of all ages. (Rated PG) 3 1/2 coconuts (out of 4)

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

ABCs

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

A is for Abingdon Olive Oil

G is for Gifts Galore from Macâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medicine Mart

B is for Baked with love at Another Touch Bakery

H is for Heavenly Stitches

C is for Christmas Cocktails with Jonesborough Wine & Spirits

I is for iReverse Home Loans

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

Christmas

D is for Dalton Direct Carpets

J is for Johnnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shoe Store

E is for Express Oil Change

K is for Kingsport Piranhas

F is for Family Medicine at Horizon Family Medicine

L is for Liquor & wine at Parkway Discount Wine & Liquor

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

ABCs Christmas O is for Old Time Virginia Homes

U is for Uncle Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Loan Office

P is for Pit Row Wine & Liquor

V is for Victoria at West Main Antiques

Q is for Quickway Printing

W is for Washington Co. Co-op

R is for Rainbow Motors

X is for Xtreme Lashes by Sher Extensions

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

N is for New looks begin at Studio 33

M is for Mulligansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gaming

S is for Sextonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wrecker Service & Towing

Y is for you should be Stellar!

T is for Tan Tanks are US! Admiral Propane

Z is for Zoom on up and see the wolves! Bays Mountain Park

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

Legends tell and retell the story of a young couple desperately in love but forced by their families to remain separate. Across the centuries, whether portrayed in Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy or passed down in the legends of the Cherokee, the tale of two kindred souls torn apart is once of the most romantic and doleful stories that will be ever told. Located in the rolling countryside of Scott County, Virginia, Lover’s Leap is the famed site of one iteration of the tale.

Appalachian Wanderers

By Jason & Daniel Worley jdworley@ theloaferonline.com

l ra tu

n Tu

th ith

e ra

ilroad

and observation deck .

Directions: From I-26 West in Kingsport, continue north onto U.S. 23 North into Virginia. Continue straight onto U.S. 58 West 14.4 miles and turn right onto Natural Tunnel Parkway in Duffield. To reach the main visitor center, turn right at the park entrance sign after 1.3 miles. To reach the other side of the park bear right just after the park entrance sign onto Bishoptown Road. Turn right onto State Route 795 after 0.7 mile and the park entrance will be on the right. Park hours are usually 8:00 A.M. to dusk, but special hours are in place during the special Christmas event.

pause and take in the amazing canyon walls that plunge from heights of several hundred feet. At the gorge floor, the trail splits in two different directions. A quick trip to the right will lead to the historic Carter Cabin, while a left turn will take you to the park’s main attraction. The boardwalk crisscrosses the creek which spills from the tunnel, allowing for some picturesque photographs. Please be careful on the last portion of the trail, for you will need to cross the train tracks which still pass through the tunnel. While the passenger trains of the last century are gone, locomotives loaded with coal still pass through the area several times a day. Finally, you will have reached the amazing geological feature for which the park is named. Stretching almost a thousand feet through a limestone ridge, the tunnel was carved out with water and the stream which passes through it over ages gone by. The tunnel stands almost one hundred feet high. It is somewhat disappointing that visitors are not allowed to walk through the tunnel due to the presence of the rail line, but the view from the outside is by no means unimpressive. Further adding to the grandeur are the sheer cliffs which almost completely encircle the entrance, making a natural amphitheater which echoes and reverberates the sounds of the stream. Longtime enemies, the Cherokee and the Shawnee fought for the control of Back up on the gorge rim, you can get an even more impressive view by walking resources and hunting grounds throughout the areas where the Southeast and the Lover’s Leap Trail which begins just behind the visitor center. An observation Midwest merged. Romance knows no tribal boundaries, however, and so the forces area allows for stupendous views which might cause some to get weak in the knees. of love brought together the lives of a young maid and a brave from the rival tribes. Don’t worry; a strong fence lines the cliff edge to keep inquisitive folks safe. Keep When faced with the wrath of their clans, instead of bending to the will of those going 0.36 of a mile to reach the end of the trail, high atop Lover’s Leap itself. Here who would control them, they stole away into the night to meet one last time. you are almost directly above the tunnel entrance, and nothing but air separates Climbing the rocky pinnacle that overlooks Natural Tunnel, they watched the sun you from the creek hundreds of feet below. rise one last time before joining hands and jumping to an eternity together in the We have barely scratched the surface of all the activities available for those who afterlife. visit this little-known gem of southwest Virginia. The Bowling Cave is accessible Today you can climb to that windy peak and take in the same breathtaking view, only by ranger-led tours and features some of the karst rock formations that helped as the craggy summit has been protected as part of Natural Tunnel State Park. to create the natural tunnel. Hiking trails wander through all the landscapes of Established in 1967 to protect the remarkable cavern known as Natural Tunnel, the the state park and offer access to bikers as well. Swimming is a great activity in park was opened to the public in 1971. Visitors had been coming to the location for the summer season, and a picnic area nearby can accommodate larger events or well over a century, however, as the site has been famous throughout the Southeast intimate family gatherings. A large campground encourages visitors to linger during and Mid-Atlantic region ever since Daniel Boone discovered it while blazing the the warmer months. Cabins are also available to rent for two-night minimum stays Wilderness Road. Many visitors saw the area then by train, as a passenger rail line during the off season. It is advised to reserve the cabins up to thirty days in advance was routed through the tunnel back in the late 1800’s. during the busy season to make sure they are available. Currently the state park covers 909 acres of rolling hills, plunging December is possibly one of the best months to visit the cliffs, rocky spires. The park facilities a split on either side liffs, you can see the m park, as the reserve is currently holding their Christmas c k c o r of the canyon which divides the natural playground. a mm the Lighting of the Tunnel event. While the park grounds p oth Entering the main gate on the southern side ato op and facilities near the visitor center are adorned m o en r of the park will bring you to the main in √F with festive lights, a fabulous light show g park visitor center. Here you will find a of takes place at the tunnel entrance below. Na museum which covers the park and Lights line the boardwalk and hiking surrounding area’s varied history trail as well. Local bands serenade as well as a store with great the natural amphitheater with park souvenirs and trail maps. the festive sounds of the This is also where you’ll be season, while Santa Claus able to purchase tickets himself welcomes everyone for one of the park’s most with open arms for a onepopular attractions. The on-one meet and greet. chairlift station lies just Historical reenactments across the road from of Christmases long, the visitor center and long ago are brought to takes those who can live at the Carter Cabin. brave the heights on an You can enjoy all these exhilarating trip down festive activities while the steep mountainside also enjoying the warm to the valley floor far gooiness of s’mores or below. sipping hot cocoa. Check If that’s not your thing, the park website for a wonderful hiking trail information on this special weaves its way slowly event and to find out what down to the same point, days you can visit allowing more time to

This year’s festivities will begin at 6 PM, on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at the Sullivan County Courthouse located at 3411 Hwy. 126, Blountville, TN. Special guests will include Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, District Attorney General Barry Staubus, Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable, and WJHL’s Josh Smith who will preside as Master of Ceremonies. Mayor Venable will do the honor of lighting the town Christmas tree, a massive thirty-foot blue spruce that adorns the front lawn of the historic courthouse. Christmas caroling will be presented by a combined choir of over 100 students from Blountville Middle School under the direction of Darren Malcolm, and Holston Middle School under the direction of Melissa Haas. Additional music will be provided by special bagpiper, Jon Schell, of Elizabethton. As a unique addition to this year’s event, the Hope for Victims Support and Advocacy Group will light a special tree in remembrance of victims of violence. Victims Remembrance Tree Organizer Joan Berry said, “It is in remembrance of everyone that has lost a loved one to homicide. Holidays can be extremely sad for families who have lost a loved one to violent crime. The remembrance tree gives families from East Tennessee the opportunity to do something special for their loved ones.” Area residents are encouraged to participate by bringing an ornament in honor of family members lost to violence. The Old Deery Inn and Museum will be open from 5 PM to 6 PM, and from 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM. The historic inn will showcase its own 1800s Christmas tree and period Christmas decorations. Historians in period attire will be on hand to lead the tours. Food vendors will be offering hot chocolate and a variety of other items including hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque, funnel cakes, deep fried oreos, nachos, chili cheese fries and more.

What a wonderful way to ring in the Christmas Season!

29 theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

“One Special Town… Two Special Trees”

Christmas Tree Lighting

The Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism is pleased to announce that Historic Blountville will host one of the largest tree lighting ceremonies ever held at the county seat.

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Answers on page 32

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THINGS TO DO DIY Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft The Johnson City Public Library’s Adult Services will host a DIY Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft program on Thursday, December 8 at 6:30 pm in the Jones Meeting Room. Participants will be able to create a decorative gingerbread house with paint, candy, and other embellishments. Registration is required. Please call Johnson City Public Library at 423-434-4454 for info.

Parks and Rec accepting applications for seasonal lifeguards The Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for seasonal lifeguards. Applications are available at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. For more information, please call (423)434-5755. Here’s how to take a refreshing break from the Christmas Shopping Rush.... The “Limited Edition” band will be playing our favorite fun dance music on the 4th Friday of this month, December 23rd, at the Jonesborough Visitors Center located at 117 Boone St. If you have never visited this dance, this is the one you won’t want to miss! While it is billed as a Ballroom Dance, a variety of music is played from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s that provides enjoyable dance opportunities for everyone...can you still do the Twist? Also, Line Dance Sessions are offered at 6:30 and during the break. The dance goes from 7:0010:00 pm and cost is only $6.00. For additional information call 423-943-4190. If you would like to receive a monthly email listing of local dances simply send an email request to tricitiesdanceinfo@ gmail.com.

First Ever Contra Dance in Abingdon with Live Caller, Live Band The Community Center of Abingdon, in partnership with the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will present the first ever community contra dance in Abingdon on Saturday December 10, 2016. The dance will be held at The Community Center, in The Virginia Ballroom, 300 Senior Drive, Abingdon, Virginia. Class for beginning contra dancers will start at 7:00 pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:00 pm. Snacks will be available for purchase. Now that contra dance has become so popular all over this country, there are many step-bystep guides on how to do contra dance on the internet. “Even though we teach a brief workshop prior to the dance, there are other resources including contra dance videos, essays and other instruction available all over the web” states event co-organizer David Wiley. “We also encourage newcomers to partner with experienced dancers for the first few dances to build their confidence and show them how easy and fun contra dancing is. You can bring the whole family to dance.” Come as you are; wear soft flexible shoes for dancing. Come to dance or just to listen and watch. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught. This dance is smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7. For further information call The Community Center of Abingdon at 276-628-3911 or visit thecommunitycenterofabingdon.com

MPCC to offer Finding Mindfulness Through Meditation class Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will offer a free course on Finding Mindfulness Through Meditation for ages 12 and older on Tuesdays

beginning Jan. 10. From 3:30-5 p.m., participants will have a safe, comfortable space to meditate, practice mindfulness techniques, and relieve body tension with gentle yoga poses. Please register in person at Memorial Park Community Center, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.5 p.m. For more information, please call (423)434-5749. Saint Paul’s Christmas Dinner Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kingsport will host its annual Christmas Day dinner for anyone in the community wanting to enjoy a festive meal with others. Turkey, dressing and all the trimmings are provided by Holston Valley Medical Center, with home-baked desserts made by Saint Paul’s parishioners. The meal is served from 3 – 5 pm on Dec. 25 in the church parish hall on the corner of Watauga St. and Ravine Rd. There is no charge to attend, and all are welcome. 12 Days of Christmas Programs Senior Services at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will offer Twelve Days of Christmas programs for ages 50+. All programs are free. For every program attended, participants will be entered in a chance to win gift cards. • Dec. 6 - Silversneakers® Yoga, 11:45

a.m. or 1 p.m. • Dec. 7 – Travel Sign Up, 9 a.m.-noon • Dec. 8 – What’s Cooking? Holiday Dessert, 11:30 a.m. • Dec. 9 - Silversneakers® Circuit, 10 a.m. • Dec. 12 – Herbs for Arthritis, 11 a.m. • Dec. 13 – Dig Into History, 11 a.m. • Dec. 14 – Coloring Class, 1 p.m. • Dec. 15 – Heart Healthy Bingo, 11 a.m. • Dec. 16 – Pickleball, 8-11:30 a.m.

Dec. 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. This free class is suitable for adult beginners and up. Participants should bring their own mats and water bottles. This will be the only yoga class offered in December, due to the holidays. However, classes will start up again in January. Call the library at 477-1550 for more information.

Please call (423)434-6237 for Emmanuel Episcopal Church more information. 36th Annual Christmas Dinner Emmanuel Episcopal Church Gray Fossil Site Events will once again open its doors to Tues, Nov.15th - Sun, Dec. 4th the community for the Annual Alligator Alley Christmas Dinner. Emmanuel Discover the significance of has welcomed the community to the alligator to the Gray Fossil this event for 35 years. This year Site. Put together pieces of the Christmas celebration will be a 3-dimensional puzzle of Sunday, December 25 from 4:00an alligator skull, and learn 6:00 pm, 700 Cumberland Street, about the differences between Bristol, Virginia, and will include alligators and crocodiles. all the traditional holiday dinner trimmings. Tues, Dec 6th - Sat, Jan 1st Reservations are not necessary Curious Coal and there is no fee for the dinner. Celebrate Miner’s Day by Just bring your family and friends learning about the link between and some holiday spirit to share. coal and fossils. Get an up close We welcome everyone to partake and personal look by examining in the joy of Christmas as we coal specimens and core share a wonderful meal and a samples. fun-filled evening of fellowship, If you have any questions on entertainment, and caroling. these or other programs, please For additional information call (423) 439-3662. please contact Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 276-669Gentle Flow Yoga Class 9488 or emmanuelbristol@gmail. A gentle flow yoga class will be com. offered at Gray Library, Tuesday,

Cryptogram: Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well. Drop Quote: “Extensive traveling induces a feeling of encapsulation, and travel, so broadening at first, contracts the mind.“

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

SEE THE NEW CABOOSE AT CHUCKEY DEPOT

VISIT WITH SANTA

45-year-old railroad caboose. Santa will talk with the children and everyone 33 can tour this famous car, along with refreshments. Miss Jonesborough (Morgan Munsey) will be on hand in the Caboose with Santa and Ms. Claus signing her picture cards for guests as they come through. The caboose will also be open prior to the greeting of Santa the same day from 2pm to 3pm for tours of this historic piece of equipment. Santa will arrive at 3pm on the caboose. The Chuckey Depot/Museum at Jonesborough will not be open for this event since the museum has not been opened yet. Many railroad enthusiasts in the area are likely familiar with the caboose as the Southern Railway x450. The Santa Caboose car was used for many years on the Southern Railway train tracks traveling through Jonesborough on trains. The car has never been open to the public for its grand showing. Santa will ride the car from the North Pole to Jonesborough to greet everyone, giving his reindeers a vacation. Southern Railway Caboose X450 was built in 1970 and ran the rails for over 22 years before it was donated to the Town of Morristown, TN. It was purchased 12 years ago by the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society from the Town of Morristown. It was moved to Jonesborough in 2005 and stored at the Spring St. Rail Yard in Jonesborough. It was restored recently to its original status and was moved in October to its new home, the Chuckey Depot/Museum at Jonesborough site on Second St. near the railroad crossing. This will be a unique opportunity for both young and old to visit Historic Jonesborough, see Santa and step aboard this historic railroad car and attend the Jonesborough Christmas Parade, this will be a memorable event for the whole family for years to come.” Plenty of parking at the depot parking lot will be available. There is no charge for this event which is located on Second St. in Jonesborough. Miss Historic Jonesborough will be on hand to greet everyone. Visits with Santa and the historic train car are sponsored by the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum. For information call Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010.

he Historic Southern Railway X450 Caboose at the Chuckey Depot/Museum at Jonesborough will be open for everyone to see Santa Claus greeting Guest on board the caboose on Saturday, December 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and., prior to the Annual Jonesborough Christmas Parade that begins at 6 p.m. Santa will greet guests from inside the caboose.

Providing the perfect photo opportunity along with a chance for everyone to come aboard the historic

PETS

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

OF THE WEEK

Henry is a year old male neutered and up to date on all vaccines. He is deeply bonded with his brother George and must be adopted with him.

Simba is a 3 year old male who is neutered and up to date on all vaccines. What a beautiful and sweet cat!

The 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 12pm-3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www. bridgehomerescue@gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www. Facebook.com/bridgehome

THINGS TO COME (?) I vividly remember those way-over-my-head issues of Popular Science that were mixed in among the out-of-date Field and Stream magazines that were randomly arrayed on the coffee table in the Sparta (NC) Barbershop during my formative years.

Kelly’s Place

By Jim Kelly since 1989 jkelly@ theloaferonline.com

Although I couldn’t understand most of the stuff in the magazine—and I was equally confused by Field and Stream—I immediately turned to the end section that contained all sorts of predictions about what our world would look like in twenty or thirty years. There, as I awaited my geeky trim, I was dazzled by flying cars (everyone would have one), robots that would do our bidding, and screens that would adorn our walls. Well, here we are in the future, where we will soon by flying in our driverless cars (flying down the freeway, that is), and are presently dealing with all sorts of robotic devices while living our lives on screen. We are forced to adopt a stay-tuned and FOMO (fear of missing out) mentality. I came across an article during Thanksgiving that reminded me of my “back in the day” barbershop reading experiences. Writing in Advancing Technologies, Vivek Wadhwa (author of the forthcoming book, DRIVER IN A DIVERLESS CAR: HOW OUR TECHNOLOGY CHOICES WILL CREATE THE FUTURE), informs us about six new technological advances that will shape our future—which could be only days away. Needless to say, we are inundated by articles, tweets, and blogs about these predictions all the time, and it is probably a good thing that we stop every once in a while to ponder the meaning of how our lives are changing on a daily basis. So, let’s take a look at what Wadhwa has to say. In what sounds a little old-fashioned by now, Wadhwa reminds us that “many of the old assumption that we have relied on will no longer apply. Technology is creating a new set of rules that will change our very existence.” How many times have we heard this? Nothing new here. The first of Wadhwa’s six rules is that “Anything that can be digitized will be.” With the increasing evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT), we will be hard pressed to find anything that isn’t digital. In his discussion, Wadhwa includes DNA sequencing, machine learning, and media such as music, movies, and books. I read today about how stores like Walmart and Target are experimenting with light fixtures that monitor our smartphones, reporting back to store managers on our shopping habits—and supposedly cutting down on shoplifting and other suspicious behavior at the same time. We should add constant and ubiquitous surveillance to Wadhwa’s list of how the world is becoming digitized. The second rule is something we have come increasingly to fear—namely, “your job has a significant chance of being eliminated.” This fear is based on the presence of robotics in our daily lives. Here, Wadhwa makes reference as expected to the infamous 19th century Luddite movement, which was, contrary to what most people believe, not a revolt against technology, but a movement to regulate its use and to respect human workers. We have already seen some of the results of the robotic revolution—from more and more self-service and

tendency toward excess in all areas of our lives. With the grown of a digital economy, we will witness more and more reasons to be excessive—in our eating habits, our media consumption, our fashion choices, our egos, our religious and political beliefs, and our ever-shortening and impatient attention spans. I suppose we could refer to this as the “super-sized” economy. We see signs of these everywhere we look. And the Kardashians are our poster children for this development. Wadhwa’s last point is that the “distinction between man and machine will become increasingly unclear.” Here I am reminded of the unsettling movies, “Ex Machina” and “Her,” that chillingly describe the parameters of the man-machine continuum where the lines are becoming very blurred and even non-existent. In his thought-provoking survey of the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics, IN OUR OWN IMAGE, George Zarkadakis asks us to ponder the implications of “What a historical irony it would be if the intelligent machines that we created to be like us end up transforming us to become like them.” He then adds that the “future of humanity will be defined by this dilemma.” Some have described this as evolution toward a post-human or trans-human society. The scary part is that this assumption doesn’t sound like science-fiction anymore. I will leave you to contemplate the consequences of living in a digitized world as I prepare to send my string of 1’s and 0’s to our fearless editor, Don. See you next week, unless I am replaced by a robotic entity. But then, how would you know?

35 theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016

THE SHAPE OF

self-checkout lanes to automated tasks like all those little bots that gather social media statistics and Amazon.com orders and preferences. The growth of big data seems to go hand-in-hand with the use of non-human laborers and bean counters. The third assumption is a little suspect. According to Wadhwa, life in the not-too-distant future “will be so affordable that survival won’t necessitate having a job.” This idea is based on cellphone minutes that are “practically free” (a very questionable assumption), computers that are getting more powerful and less expensive (Chromebooks maybe, but certainly not MacBooks and Surface Pro), and shared-car services like Uber (I guess it will be cheaper to hire Uber drivers than to make monthly car payments?). Do you agree that “health care, food, telecommunication, electricity and computation will all grow cheaper very quickly as technology reinvents the corresponding industries”? The jury is obviously still out on this one. “Your fate and destiny will be in your own hands as never before,” is Wadhwa’s fourth rule. Here he refers to online learning, mobile medical apps like WebMD that will turn us into to amateur physicians, open-source information, and DIY and 3D printing solutions that will turn our home garages into miniature factories, freeing us from the familiar chains of manufacture and distribution. This rule sounds a little more plausible than the previous one. As we become less and less reliant on traditional “experts,” however, we should be very careful that we don’t lose sight of the necessity to verify our sources of information (the subject of last week’s column). Fifth, “abundance will become a bigger problem than poverty.” What Wadhwa is referring to here is not so much our bank accounts as our

theloaferonline.com | December 6, 2016