Page 2 | The Loafer | December 8, 2015
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December 8, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 3
Volume 30 • Issue #1
A Candlelight Christmas
Publisher Luci Tate
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Terry Patterson Lori Howell Beth Jinks-Ashbrook Don Stuck Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Brian Bishop 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
A Candlelight Christmas at Rocky Mount Museum
5
Intercity Ballets 36th Year of ‘The Nutcracker’
6
Dailey & Vincent at NPAC
7
American Cancer Society to host New Year’s Eve Celebration
8
Kingsport Ballet welcomes International Artists for ‘The Nutcracker’
9
Tyler Hughes & Cripple Creek at Heartwood
10
Historic Clinchfield 100 Santa Train Car
11
Gehard & Mize Holiday Concert
13
Annual Elves Workshop
20
Rhythm Of The Mountain Empire
14
Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times
24
Crossword & Sudoku
music & fun
columns & reviews 12
Batteries Not Included - Breathless, Heaving Flames
16
Stargazer - Last Moon Walk a Footprint in History
17
Skies This Week
18
Screen Scenes - The Good Dinosaur & Secret In Their Eyes
22
Pets Of The Week
25
Lock, Stock & Barrel - Tried and True: .30-30’s
26
Kelly’s Place - Buy A Town For Christmas & Learn To Outthink
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Final Weekend of Rocky Mount Museum’s “A Candlelight Christmas” ---------------------Rocky Mount Historical Association Museum will present “A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS” on the Friday and Saturday evenings of Dec. 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) 538-7396 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 reservations. 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.
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Intercity Ballet Theatre Welcomes New York City To Kingsport for the
36 Year Christmas Tradition of The Nutcracker
Coming to Kingsport will be Michelle Joy and Gregory Brown, both of whom are currently dancing with the Metropolitan Opera this season. Michelle an Arcata, California native has danced with many companies, including Colorado Ballet, Pittsburg Ballet Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, to name but a few. She also performed in the International Tour of Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Joy has danced throughout the Untied States, Australia, Japan and Indonesia. Michelle will be performing Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in the Intercity Ballet’s, The Nutcracker. 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 with his long time friend and partner in dance as Snow Prince and 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 role of Coffee (Arabian). Jesse Tidquist will be joining Brian and Intercity Ballet in the role of Coffee. 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 formed Ballet Fleming. She just spent her sixth 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 36th Annual Performance of the magical ballet “THE NUTCRACKER” for all to see and enjoy. This year Christmas will come
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
Intercity ....
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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 10th and 11th at 9:30 a.m. These special performances will be presented free of charge, as they have been for the past nine 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 11, 2015 and Saturday, December 12, 2015, 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
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Dailey & Vincent
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12 at NPAC Acclaimed bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent has been hailed throughout the music industry as one of the most exciting, reputable and elite Bluegrass bands in America. They will appear live on stage performing their bluegrass hits with choral backup provided by the Greeneville High School Advanced Chorus on December 11 at 7:30 pm. The duo returns on Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 pm to bring holiday cheer to NPAC with their Spirit of Christmas Tour. The tour is one of the most requested shows for Dailey & Vincent. Classic and fan favorite songs include: “New Kid in Town,” “Christmas Times Comin’,” “White Christmas,” “The Spirit of Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” and “Silver Bells.” Dailey & Vincent have won numerous awards for their uniquely contagious and riveting music, including: 13 IBMA Awards (International Bluegrass Music Awards) for three-time “Entertainer of the Year,” three-time “Vocal Group of the Year,” and “Album of the Year.” In addition, the duo earned three GRAMMY® Award Nominations including nomination for the 2014 “Bluegrass Album of the Year,” and three Dove Awards for “Bluegrass Album of the Year.” Prior to forming the duo in 2007, both Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent were already seasoned veterans in the Bluegrass world, having garnered great personal success. A
four-time IBMA “Vocalist of the Year” award winner, Dailey sang and performed with groups such as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Vincent has accumulated five GRAMMY® Awards, has been voted Bluegrass Bass Player of the Year four years in a row (20092012), and is a former, 10-year band member for the GRAMMY® Award-winning Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Both have performed alongside famous acts such as Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and more. Don’t miss Dailey & Vincent on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville. Tickets are $35 for orchestra level
seating, $30 for mezzanine level seating and $25 for balcony seats. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville.com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423-638-1679. These performances are sponsored by U.S. Nitrogen and Morristown Drivers Service Inc. 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 in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, please visit www. npacgreeneville.com.
SilverSneakers® Christmas Karaoke Celebration slated for MPCC
Senior Services at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., will host a SilverSneakers® Christmas Karaoke Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m.noon. The program is free and open to adults ages 50 and older. The celebration will include karaoke, pickle ball, table tennis, billiards, basketball, refreshments, and door prizes. Pre-register at the Senior Services desk by Dec. 14. For more information, please call (423)434-6237.
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American Cancer Society to host inaugural
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Jana Jilton to chair New Year’s Eve Celebration at Doubletree in Johnson City With 2016 quickly approaching, the American Cancer Society of Northeast Tennessee will host its inaugural New Year’s Eve Countdown Soirée: A Toast To Hope at Doubletree in Johnson City. This 1920’s themed event will include a gourmet buffet, live entertainment, silent auction, and more. The event will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will last into the early hours of 2016. Also included in the $50 ticket price is a live performance from The Diamonds, a cancer Survivor and Caregiver recognition, a costume contest, and a dance party and celebration leading up to the midnight countdown champagne toast and balloon drop. The hotel will offer a special rate for those wishing to make overnight reservations. The chair of this exciting evening is Jana Gonce Jilton. A native of Kingsport and graduate of Milligan College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and from King University with a Masters of Business Administration, Ms. Jilton has over 10 years of healthcare human resources experience and currently works for Wellmont Health System – Bristol Regional Medical Center as an HR Generalist. Jilton is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and also holds SHRM – CP credentials. She serves as Board Member and Secretary for the Northeast Tennessee SHRM Chapter and also as Chapter President for the Northeast Tennessee Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, for which she received the 2014 Outstanding Chapter President Award. Additional professional awards and accolades include a 2015 Wellmont Health System Standing Ovation Award and 2012 MetLife Scholarship Recipient to the ASHHRA 48th Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado. Jana enjoys playing the piano, spending time with her two children, and the family dog. Cancer has directly impacted Jilton’s family on both the paternal and maternal side and she has personally witnessed family members fight and beat cancer. She
has friends also affected by cancer, some who lost their battle and some of whom continue to fight. Ms. Jilton highly values the work of the American Cancer Society and its service to the community, and enjoys sharing her time in furthering their local and national impact in the fight against cancer. Tickets to the New Year’s Eve evening celebration are limited and cost $50 each. They can
be purchased through your local American Cancer Society of Northeast Tennessee office at 508 Princeton Road in Johnson City or by contacting 423-975-0635. Tickets may also be purchased online via Eventbrite at www.acsatoasttohope.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Jessica Poff, ACS Community Manager, at the office or jessica.poff@cancer. org
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Kingsport Ballet Welcomes International Artists for The Nutcracker at Northeast State
Kingsport Ballet prepares for a vibrant, exciting season kickoff with The Nutcracker, December 18th-20th and Northeast State College. A holiday favorite around the world, this ballet is not just a holiday staple, but for many, it has become a wonderful event to bring the entire family to. “We had a great response last year, staging The Nutcracker closer to Christmas,” said board president Lee Houston. “By staging this classic the weekend before Christmas it provides folks an optimal event to kick off the season with the whole family. Next to decorating the tree, I believe going to see The Nutcracker has become a must for children during the holidays. Those are the wonderful traditions we remember when we get older.” And 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. “We usually have several guest artists in our productions,” explains executive director, Bertina Dew. “We are really excited about this year, as we will be bringing back Lyvan Verdecia, formerly with the National Ballet of Cuba and now with Ballet Hispanico in New York, as well as Zoltan Boros, originally from Hungary, currently with Columbia Classical Ballet.” Both men were featured soloists in Kingsport Ballet’s Swan Lake production last April at Eastman’s Toy F. Reid. The role of Princess Clara will be danced by Andrea Maciel de Faria. In the United States, she has performed with Columbia Classical Ballet and Orlando Ballet, among others. Ms Maciel de Faria trained under notable teachers in Brazil and Germany, and has been recipient of numerous dance awards in Brazil, Argentina, France and the U.S. Ms. Ms. Maciel de Faria embodies the role of Princess Clara with her charming
and delicate demeanor and graceful lines. Vadim Burciu, instructor at Kingsport Ballet and frequent soloist in Company productions, will once again dance the role of Herr Drosselmeyer. His interpretation of this character role is both charming and mysterious and considered to be very true to the rendering of the eccentric uncle who woos the children, especially Clara, with his magic and craftines. 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 19th. The tea party is at 5pm, and tickets are sold separately at $10 per child, by calling Kingsport Ballet: 423-378-3967.
Vadim Burciu as Herr Drosselmeyer, Emma Brown, performing the role of Clara and Keaton Breeding as Fritz, in KB’s Nutcracker 2014. Kingsport Ballet is a non-profit, 501-c-3 organization and is supported in part for general operations by the Tennessee Arts Commission, under an agreement with the General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Outreach programs are supported in part by TAC’s Funds for At-Risk Youth, and the City of Kingsport. Additional support comes from area businesses and private donors.
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Tyler Hughes and Cripple Creek Featured at Heartwood
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail presents Tyler Hughes and Cripple Creek in concert on Thursday, December 10th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Heartwood in Abingdon, VA. This youth music concert is part of The Crooked Road Music Series at Heartwood. Tyler Hughes has been representing old time Appalachian music and culture on stages all across the east coast since age twelve. Hailing from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, his music is closely associated with that of the Carter Family, Dock Boggs, and Kate Peters Sturgill, among many others from the region. Tyler performs regularly as a solo performer, with the ETSU Old Time Pride Band, and with the Johnson City-based, Empty Bottle String Band. Cripple Creek is the brainchild of fiddle prodigy, Kitty Amaral. Kitty thought it would be fun to have a group of friends and musicians to collaborate with on several styles of folk and country music. The collaboration includes traditional to neo-traditional music ranging
Tyler Hughes (Photo by: Kristen Bearfield)
from old time and western swingjazz to bluegrass, new-grass and early-modern country and hymns. The group is based in Grayson County, VA. and includes banjoist, guitarist and songwriter, Kyle
Dean Smith, and mandolinist and vocalist, Luke Morris, along with Kitty Amaral. The Crooked Road Music Series takes place each Thursday at Heartwood. The series features
Cripple Creek (Photo by: Noel Amaral) youth artists every 2nd Thurs- I-81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon, VA, day and showcases venues of The and features food, music, and craft Crooked Road region every 4th of Southwest Virginia. Admission Thursday. These events, along to the concert is free and donations with open jams on the 1st, 3rd, will be accepted for Crooked Road (and 5th) Thursdays showcase Traditional Music Education ProSouthwest Virginia performers. gram (TMEP). The Crooked Road Music Series is More information can be found sponsored by The Crooked Road at The Crooked Road website, with support from Heartwood, www.thecrookedroad.org, and at Virginia Commission for the Arts www.heartwoodvirginia.org. For and the National Endowment for additional information, please the Arts. call (276) 492-2409 or email:info@ Heartwood: Southwest Virgin- thecrookedroad.org. ia’s Artisan Gateway is located off
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Come See Historic Clinchfield 100 Santa Train Car
The Historic Santa Train Car will be parked in Jonesborough for two days with Santa Claus greeting Guest on board the car on Friday, Dec. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. , prior to the Annual Jonesborough Christmas Parade that begins at 6 p.m on Saturday. Santa will greet guests from the Santa Car Platform. Providing the perfect photo opportunity along with a chance for everyone to come aboard the Historic 100 year old railroad passenger car. Santa will talk with the children and have a tour of this famous car, along with refreshments. Many children have never been on a railroad car, especially the “ Santa Train Car”. Many railroad enthusiasts in the area are likely familiar with the Santa Train Car known as the Clinchfield 100. The Santa Train car was used for many years on the Clinchfield Railroad Santa Train where Santa threw candy off the back of the car as the train traveled from Elkhorn City, Ky. to Kingsport, Tenn. The car has not been open to the public for nearly 30 years. Santa will ride the car from the North Pole to Jonesborough to greet everyone, giving his reindeers a vaParks and Recreation invites teens ages 13-18 to participate in an Elf on the Shelf Instagram contest. Here’s cation.” In its approximately 100 year hishow it works: tory, Car 100’s passengers have in• Follow JC Parks (@johnsoncityparks) on Instagram • The Elf on the Shelf will be moved to different locations in Johnson City on Mondays and Thursdays Dec. cluded railroad officials, business leaders and even Santa Claus. Car 3-22. The elf’s location will only be revealed on Instagram. 100 began its run in 1914, when the • Take a selfie with the Elf on the Shelf and post it on Instagram using hashtag #teentakeoverjc. An awesome prize will be awarded to the teen with the most elf selfies. Registration is not required. For all-steel coach car was built by the more information, please call Memorial Park Community Center at (423)434-5749. Pullman Co. for the Atlantic Coast
Elf on the Shelf Instagram Contest
Line Railroad (ACL). Originally, the car was known as the ACL 985. Around 20 years after its construction, what would come to be known as Car 100 was rebuilt by the ACL’s main passenger shop in Rocky Mount, N.C. It was a fulloperating dining car by the ACL, which dubbed the car the “Orlando.” Until 1951, the Orlando operated as a full diner car on the ACL’s main line between Washington, D.C. and Miami. In 1951, Clinchfield 100 was purchased by the Clinchfield Railroad in Erwin, Tenn. It was rebuilt and became the Clinchfield Official Santa Train Car and the office car for the General Manager of the Clinchfield Railroad. In 2013, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum purchased the car and restored it for special events. This will be a unique opportunity for both young and old to visit Historic Jonesborough, see Santa and step aboard this historic railroad car. This will be a memorable event for the whole family for years to come.” There is no charge for this event which is located at 210 Spring St. in Jonesborough. Miss Historic Jonesborough and Miss Johnson City 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.
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Gerhard & Mize return to Northeast State for holiday concert
They are back and better than ever. Guitar legends Ed Gerhard and Bill Mize return to Northeast State Community College for a free Christmas concert on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Wellmont Regional Center for Performing Arts Theatre on the College’s Blountville campus. The duo will perform instrumental Christmas and holiday favorites as well as selected original works. From Tokyo to Rome and venues across the US, Ed Gerhard’s music has touched audiences all over the world. Performing on 6-string, 12-string, slide guitar or Acoustic Hawaiian Lap Slide, Gerhard captivates his audiences with virtuosity, generosity and sly humor. Based truly on the quality of his work, Ed built his considerable reputation, beginning with his debut album “Night Birds” in 1987. It garnered a spot in the Boston Globe Critics Poll Top 10 Albums of the Year.” He has released his eighth CD Sunnyland in homage to his early blues heroes. He was awarded a Grammy for his inclusion on the CD Henry Mancini; Pink Guitar. Warner Brothers, MelBay and Hal Leonard have all released Ed Gerhard’s music in books.
Also a Grammy-winning guitarist and renowned instrumentalist, Bill Mize is a son of Tennessee, and a more fitting representative of his state’s rich musical heritage would be hard to find. His critically lauded fingerstyle compositions are fluid and intricate, and their delivery masterful. The links to his Tennessee roots are unmistakable, but so are the elements of the far wider musical realm he inhabits, and the mixture is as intoxicating as Tennessee moonshine. He has released albums Sugarlands, Tender Explorations, Coastin’, and Joyful Noise. His release,
Holiday Housewares Sale at Goodwill All items are $5 and under!
Do you still need to find that perfect gift for the holiday season? Or maybe you’re looking for that final piece of holiday decoration to complete your home? Stop by the Goodwill Processing Center, located at 3020 Brookside Drive, on Saturday, December 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to take advantage of the Goodwill housewares sale! Customers are able to look through tables full of all sorts of items, including frames, decorative floral pieces, appliances, kitchen items,
household decorations and other assorted knick-knacks! By hosting this holiday houseware sale, Goodwill is able to give these items one last chance to be sold before being recycled. The proceeds from our sales and all our retail stores help fund our employment service programs for individuals with barriers to employment. For questions, please call the Goodwill office at 423-245-0600.
Goodwill Industries of Tenneva operates 14 retail locations throughout a 17-county service area, spanning from East Tennessee into Southwest Virginia. The mission of Goodwill Industries of Tenneva is to provide access to employment services for people with barriers to employment. In 2014, Goodwill Industries of Tenneva provided service through employment training, job readiness and vocational assessments to over 1,000 individuals. For more information, call 423.245.0600 or visit www.goodwilltnva.org.
The Angel’s Share, was called one of the “essential acoustic albums” to own by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Bill has put the finishing touches on his newest recording, The Back of Beyond. This recording pays homage to Bill’s Smoky Mountain heritage with brand new acoustic guitar compositions, plus a stirring cover of Piazzolla’s “Milonga del Angel”. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit billmize.com and www.virturerecords.com. For additional information, contact 423.279.7669.
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Breathless, Heaving Flames
If there’s one thing about Hollywood you can still count on these days, it’s the axiom that the true test of movies is time. Films that were hits can become forgotten footnotes, and films that were flops can become cherished classics. A shining example of this would be Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” “Vertigo” wasn’t a hit at the box office, and critics hated it. Yet today “Vertigo” is not only considered to be Hitchcock’s masterpiece, it’s also considered by many to be finest film ever made. There’s a film which falls into
that category, flop now beloved. The film in question happens to my favorite movie. A movie that I can almost recite word for word, and a movie which celebrates its 30th anniversary this coming Sunday. On December 13, 1985 Paramount Pictures released a little comedy called “Clue.” Now if you, like I, are a devotee of this movie, I bet our stories are similar. There seems to be a connection between people of my generation with “Clue” because we were the ones who “discovered” it. Now if you’re one of a handful of people who have never heard
of this movie, let me fill you in. “Clue” is based on the board game we have all grown up playing, or in my case loving. Someone gave me a copy of the game for my fifth birthday and it quickly became my favorite. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered a movie based on the game was a thing. How did that happen? Forgive me, I’m going to jump around again. Let’s go back to the theatrical run of “Clue.” “Clue” was met with mixed reviews, most critics didn’t know what to think of it, or they didn’t
care for it. They were confused by the film’s multiple endings-perhaps a gimmick, but something well within keeping the game’s “anyone could do it” theme. On home video and TV you see all three endings, but in the theaters, each screen showing the film had a different ending. It was also a box office flop making only $14.6 million at the box office, just shy of recouping the film’s $15 million budget. “Clue” was released on home video, and to television, and that was the end of the story. Or was it? Back to when yours truly first encountered the film, which was in actually a bittersweet moment due to the events surrounding me. The year is 1992, I’m seven years old, and my grandfather was battling cancer. I understood he was sick, but the weight of the matter was lost on my young mind. We were in Ohio so he could get some type of “top treatment,” I can’t recall exactly. I do recall that the TV in his hospital room was on a crane that allowed it to be lowered, raised, and moved around the bed area. My grandfather was one of the kindest and warmest human be-
ings to ever walk this Earth. He said to me “Here, Andy. Lower the TV so you can sit in the floor and find yourself something to watch.” This was back when cable was still young, cost about $20, and everyone had different channel numbers everywhere you went. A local TV channel in wherever we were Ohio was on as the TV warmed up. I can’t recall if the movie has just begun--as I recall seeing the titles, or if an announcer said the film was about to start. What I do remember vividly was being blown away there was a movie based on this board game I love. I didn’t get to see all of the movie that day. Back in our hotel I tried to find it on the TV and couldn’t. This was pre-internet, pre-netflix, preIMDB. If you saw a movie on TV you wanted to see, you had to fight like hell to track it down. My parents--who were the font of knowledge when you’re seven, didn’t even know the film existed. But the film stayed with me, I kept hoping my local video store would have it,
Batteries ....
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WKMA presents annual Elves Workshop
William King Museum of Art will host the annual Elves Workshop, a day of holiday-themed projects for children of all ages. Elves Workshop is Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at William King Museum of Art in Abingdon. William King Museum of Art’s annual Elves Workshop is a day of art and ornament-making in December. Attendees are encouraged to spend a morning with family and friends making holiday ornaments and art projects, dressing up in festive garb for a photo booth, and enjoying some delicious treats. Lori Rouse, Director of Outreach Education, says Elves Workshop has been successful the past couple years. “Elves Workshop is fun for everyone. Children, parents, friends, and Museum staff always have a great time making Christmas projects and dressing up for the photo booth.” Elves Workshop focuses on a different subject matter every year.
Last year’s theme was “Christmas Around the World” and this year’s is “Victorian Christmas.” Children will make sheet music ornaments, Victorian Christmas crackers, and paper flower tree hangers. Elves Workshop is Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Museum in Abingdon. Entry cost is $5 per person and includes all three projects. No preregistration is required. For more information about this and other special events, call (276) 628-5005 or visit us on the web at www.williamkingmuseum.org. William King Museum of Art is located at 415 Academy Drive,
off West Main Street or Russell Road, in Abingdon. The Museum features five exhibition galleries, artist studios and outdoor sculpture garden. Educational programs in the visual arts are offered year-round for both children and adults, and school audiences are served by in-house and outreach programs. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the William King Museum is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the Virginia Association of Museums and is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Christmas In Historic Blountville Get ready for a wonderful Christmas season chocked full of festivities in downtown Historic Blountville! Please join the town for an old-fashioned Christmas on December 10th thru 12th! Events begin at 6 PM on Thursday, December 10th with the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting, followed by some joyous Christmas caroling by the Blountville Middle School Choir under the direction of Darren Malcolm. Festivities continue on Saturday with the annual Blountville Ruritan Christmas Parade beginning at 2 PM. And, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a candlelight tour of Blountville’s hidden gem, the Old Deery Inn! The Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Caroling are free and open to the general public. Tours of the Old Deery Inn are suggested donation of $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Come one, come all... Blountville is the place to start your Christmas celebrations! For further information, please call 423.323.4660 or visit the website at www.historicsullivan.com. • Dec. 10, 6 PM, Christmas Tree Lighting, outside Historic Sullivan County Courthouse (free admission) • Dec. 10, 6:05 PM, Christmas Caroling by Blountville Middle School Choir, outside Historic Sullivan County Courthouse (Hot chocolate and refreshments will be available.) (free admission) • Dec. 10, 6 PM to 9 PM, Candlelight Tours of the Old Deery Inn, downtown Blountville ($5/adult) • Dec. 12, 2 PM, Annual Blountville Ruritan Christmas Parade, main street in Blountville • Dec. 12, 1 PM to 5 PM, Candlelight Tours of the Old Deery Inn, downtown Blountville ($5/adult)
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SINNERS & SAINTS - TUESDAY - Dec. 8th DOWNTOWN COUNTRY at Jiggy Ray’s 6:30pm
JEFF RUBY
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- WEDNESDAY - Dec. 9th OPEN MIC at WoodStone Deli
MATTHEW CORKIN & FRIENDS MAL COOPER at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- THURSDAY - Dec. 10th SCOTT MILLER at Down Home
ED GERHARD & BILL MIZE
at Northeast State Community College 7pm
FORLORN STRANGERS
at The Hideaway 7pm
JERRY PIERCE & THE NIGHTLIFE BAND
at Elizabethton Senior Center 7pm
SOUTHERN 76
at The Family Barn 7:30pm
FARMHOUSE GHOST at Bone Fire Smokehouse
SHOOTER
(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at Kgt. Renaissance Center 7pm
CAROLINA REIGN
at Country Club Bar & Grill 8pm
- SATURDAY - Dec. 12th OPEN JAM
at Bristol VFW
CHRIS LONG
at Yee Haw Brewing Co. 7pm
BIG DADDY LOVE
at Holston River Brewing Co. 9pm
SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND at Buffalo Ruritan
UNIQUE SOUND OF THE MOUNTAINS LARRY SIGMON & MARTHA SPENCER at Carter Family Fold
at The Family Barn 7:30pm
NIGHTSHIFT
LAST CHANCE BAND APPALCHIAN STRINGS
JUSTIN MYCHALS
at Peerless Steakhouse Lounge 7pm
at The Tavern at Ridgefields 7pm
CORBIN DRIVE
CAROLINA REIGN
JAZZ
at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel 8pm
at Natural Tunnel State Park
at Kosher Pickle
at David Thompson’s Produce 7pm SUNDOWN BAND (Country) at Willoughby Ruritan
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
RYE COVE METHODIST CHURCH CHOIR
NOSTALGIA BAND
NATHAN LEIGH
at Country Club Bar & Grill (Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at The Show Palace 7pm
SCOTT MILLER at The Down Home
SHOOTER
(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 9pm
JUST B’CUZ
at Jiggy Ray’s 7pm
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse 8pm
BELOW 7 at Capone’s
- FRIDAY - Dec. 11th LILLI JEAN
BLUESMAN
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
OPEN MIC
CHRIS LONG
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
at Triple B Brewery 7pm
CRAZY LIKE LEXI
- SUNDAY - Dec. 13th MARSHALL BALLEW
at Jiggy’s Ray’s 7pm
POPLAR HILL REUNION at Natural Tunnel State Park
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
at The Down Home
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
OPEN MIC
SCOTT MILLER
AMYTHYST KIAH
CROCODILE SMILE
- MONDAY - Dec. 14th OPEN MIC
BEFORE THE STORM
CLAY BANK
at Sleepy Owl Brewery 8pm
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
at 50Fifty Sports Tavern
at O’Mainnin’s Pub 8pm
THE LOCAL HONEYS
at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 7pm
BELOW 7
at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch at Acoustic Coffeehouse
BLUEGRASS JAM
at Hardee’s (Boones Creek)
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
50 Fifty Sports Tavern 2102 N. Roan Street Johnson City 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’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Buffalo Ruritan 200 Willowbrook Dr. Bluff City 423/391-7382 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons VA 276/594-0676 Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400 Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822 Elizabethton Senior Center 428 E. G Street Elizabethton 423/543-4362 Family Barn 15559 Lee Hwy Bristol VA The Hideaway 235 E. Main St Johnson City 423/ 926-3896 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
Kingsport Renaissance Center 1200 E Center St Kingsport 423/392-8415 Kosher Pickle 3900 Bristol Hwy Johnson City 423/ 979-7000 Natural Tunnel State Park 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway Duffield, VA 276/ 940-2674 Northeast State Community College 2425 Highway 75 Blountville TN O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 Peerless Steakhouse Lounge 2531 N. Roan St. Johnson City 423/ 282-2351 Show Palace 14364 Lee Hwy Bristol VA 276/494-6610 Sleepy Owl Brewery 151 E. Main St. Kingsport 423/390-8476 Tavern @ Ridgfields 2320 Pendragon Road Kingsport 423/ 765-0031 Triple B Brewery 935 Wilcox Ct. #105 Kingsport 423/963-3609 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 Willoughby Ruritan 5145 Marvin Rd Bulls Gap VA Woodstone Deli 3500 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport 423/245-5424 Yee Haw Brewing Company 126 Buffalo St. Johnson City
The Lilli Jean Experiment
The Lilli Jean Experiment to play Acoustic Coffeehouse December 11th @8pm! The Lilli Jean Experiment is a post-Rock N’ Roll band, astral American band of musicians from Asheville, NC. They are currently in the studio working on a new album, which will be released in March 2016. They are stepping out to showcase their new work at the Acoustic Coffeehouse on Friday December 11th at 8pm. The Lilli Jean Experiment features singer/songwriter Lilli Jean, percussionist Brett Beddard, and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Santini, but may also feature some guest appearances. Each show is one of a kind, and with the momentum of a new record and many recent area dates, this band is on the run and set to stun! To get a taste of the new tunes, please visit www. lillijeanmusic.com
December 8, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 15
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Last Moon Walk a Footprint in History The last time humans walked on an alien world was a long 43 years ago, now just a mere footprint in history. Apollo 17 made a precise landing between two mountain peaks in the Taurus-Littrow Valley on Dec. 11, 1972 at 2:54 pm EST, and the 11th and 12th men on the men began a three-day camp-out on the first true geology expedition of Moon. Aided with their battery-powered moon buggy and the experience of five previous successful Moon landings, veteran astronaut Gene Cernan, 81, and geologist, rookie Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, 80, made three excursions each lasting nearly 8 hours, traveled 21 miles and gathered 234 pounds of rock and soil made up of 741 individual samples. While the two astronauts worked on the surface around their moonship named “Challenger”, orbiting in the mother ship “America” was rookie astronaut Ron Evans. He kept busy for three days photographing the surface, doing experiments and on the return trip home did a spacewalk to retrieve film canisters. Like at all the Apollo landing sites, Cernan and Schmitt deployed an array of scientific instruments, and some continue to work. The decision to land in the Taurus-Littrow valley was made with the primary objectives for Apollo 17 in mind: to sample lunar highland material older than the impact that formed Mare Imbrium and investigating the possibility of relatively young volcanic activity in the same vicinity. Taurus-Littrow was selected with the prospects of finding highland material in the
valley’s north and south walls and the possibility that several craters in the valley surrounded by dark material could be linked to volcanic activity. Apollo 17 also broke several records set by previous flights, including the longest manned lunar landing flight (12 days, 14 hours); the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities (22 hours 4 minutes during three excursions); the largest lunar sample return (244 pounds); and the longest time in lunar orbit (75, 2-hour orbits). It was the last and only night launch, of the mighty Saturn V rocket. And the lift-off from the Moon was televised by remote control from the abandoned Lunar rover. I have had the privilege to meet
moonwalker Schmitt several times and have heard him speak with the same message: we need to go back to the Moon. Schmitt says America squandered an opportunity to develop bases on the Moon and that NASA’s new Constellation manned space program “just gets us to where we were 40 years ago.” “We let it all go,” said the 12th and last moonwalker. “We did not advertise our investment we put into Apollo.” “We walked away,” said Schmitt. “And I believe history will judge us harshly.” His opinion that America blew it by not continuing manned exploration of deep space in the 1970s was echoed by the apathy Americans
have toward NASA’s incredible achievements. Apollo 17 commander Cernan echoes his geologist’s sentiments that it was a backward step to cancel the more advanced missions of Apollos 18, 19 and 20. Cernan regrets that his footprints have been the last to touch the Moon for more than four decades when he stepped on the ladder of his moonship called Challenger. He also has said publically he wish he had taken a photo of that last set of footprints. “So, going up the ladder, I never took a photo of my last footstep,” he has said. “How dumb! Wouldn’t it have been better to take the camera with me, get the shot, take the film pack off and then throw the camera away?” Instead, the astronaut had left his Hasselblad camera lying in Moon dirt with the lens pointing up. Cernan was certain a lunar expedition would have revisited the Apollo 17 site and analyzed the glass lens glass and camera body after years of exposure to Sun and cosmic rays. Back in 1972, Cernan thought his voyage “wasn’t the end but the beginning” for manned exploration of the Moon, and believed an astronaut would have set foot on Mars by the end of the century. Winning the Moon Race buoyed the credibility of America among the nations of the world. Losing not only cost the Soviet Union international integrity, but also its national pride after years of staging one first space spectacular after
another. America’s manned space program was executed for all the world to watch as launches, landings and moonwalks were broadcast on live television. The USSR’s space program was done in secret, with news details often used as propaganda to bolster the Communist image of superiority. Astronaut Schmitt said that after each Apollo landing, United States pride and confidence rose, and other people around the world were encouraged to improve their country and support the sciences. “It was remarkable on our world tour to see the turnout,” Schmitt said of the goodwill trips his Apollo 17 crew and all the other moon men took after their lunar voyages. “We, as a nation, didn’t capitalize on that. And we’re paying the price.” Before taking his last looks from the surface, Cernan read the plaque left on a leg of his moonship for any future species to see: “Here Man completed his first explorations of the Moon, December 1972 AD. May the spirit of peace in which we came be reflected in the lives of all mankind.” Schmitt talks about the cultural legacy of Apollo, that the space program advanced civilization to a new revolutionary state. The new level: it is possible for humans to live on the Moon. “But we don’t know what to do with it,” the last moonwalker said. That’s been obvious for the past four decades.
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December 8, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 17 of Capricornus and Pisces are re- circumpolar—visible all night— placed by dazzling Taurus the Bull and will be the North Star in about 10,000 years. and Orion the Hunter.
Fri. Dec. 11 Celestial events in the skies for the week of Dec. 8th - 14th, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette. The best meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, peak this Saturday and Sunday night when after midnight you might see between 50-130 meteors an hour. Even more reliable than the better known Perseids of August, this meteor shower is often ignored because of the cold weather and hectic holiday activities before Christmas. But if you get up and gawk up a few hours, you will be justly rewarded with possibly dozens of bright and slow “shooting stars.”
New Moon today. On this 1972 date in space history, Apollo 17 lands on the Moon in the TaurusLittrow 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.
Sun. Dec. 13
Tonight and tomorrow night is the peak time to see the Geminid Meteors, which will possibly produce 50 to 130 meteors an hour from 2 am to sunrise Monday morning. The tiny rocks pelting Earth are from an asteroid named 3200 Phaethon, just three miles wide and in 1.5 year orbit between Earth and the Sun.
Mon. Dec. 14
In 1972, this was blast off day from the Moon for Apollo 17, which linked up to its command module piloted by astronaut Ron Evans. Their booty was about 234 pounds of rock and soil form the Moon. It is now 43 years since Sat. Dec. 12 Tues. Dec. 8 Are you getting through the American footprints walked the Tonight is the earliest sunset cold thinking of summertime chalky dust of the lunar surface. at 4:35 pm—making it dark at memories? Well there are still Bets are it’ll be Chinese boots makaround 5:30 pm! The shortest day signs of summer lingering in the ing the next surface impressions, is still a couple weeks away. All week the Great Square of western skies as two of the three maybe in 10 years. And the Rustional Space Station. Check out the SmartPhone apps or on the Pegasus is overhead at dark— stars of the Summer Triangle are sians are talking of going back to Wed. Dec. 9 On this 2006 date in space his- Internet for times when the ISS which is 6 pm—and begins set- still hanging in there. Altair, to the Moon. But Americans have no tory, Space Shuttle Discovery was flies overhead—usually one week ting as Orion the Hunter rises the left, and much brighter Vega, firm plans because of the failure of launched on a12-day “hard hat” a month in the evening and one in the east. There is a big differ- right, are visible in the 6 pm twi- the U.S. Congress to commit the ence in the southern skies from 6 light, and set around 8:30 pm. necessary money. mission with six astronauts join- week in the morning twilight. pm when the dull and faint stars Vega in Lyra the Harp is almost ing the three aboard the Interna- Thurs. Dec. 10
Page 18 | The Loafer | December 8, 2015
IN THEATRES NOW Box Office Top 10
In Theaters Now The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
ish, spend the night in New York City looking for the Holy Grail of As the war of Panem escalates Christmas parties. to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, Secret in Their Eyes (2015) the reluctant leader of the rebelA tight-knit team of rising inveslion, must bring together an army tigators, along with their superviagainst President Snow, while all sor, is suddenly torn apart when she holds dear hangs in the bal- they discover that one of their ance. own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered.
This week I present a double feature!
“The Good Dinosaur”
First up this week is the new family film “The Good Dinosaur”, a CGI animated film from Pixar, those masters of cinema magic. The movie features the voices of Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, and Steve Zahn among others. The film is set millions of years ago, and imagines a world where dinosaurs were not wiped out by an asteroid. The film begins with the asteroid missing the Earth, and then flashes forward in time and introduces us to a Apatosaurus family living on a farm. The family features three siblings, the least of which, Arlo, is the main star of the film. During the course of their farming, the dinosaur family deals with a thief who has been stealing their corn crop. As it turns out, the thief is a human boy Arlo eventually names Spot. Arlo and Spot became companions after Arlo is separated from his dad during a terrible storm. Thus, Arlo and Spot begin a perilous journey back to the farm. The journey is fraught with danger as the two run afoul of various tempered dinosaurs. The best of the dinosaurs the two meet are a family of T-Rex’s who herd longhorn cattle. Yes, they heard cattle. The T-Rex family is hilarious, and are very “western” in every way. The group also crosses paths with some Raptors, who are cattle rustlers. As expected, Arlo eventually makes it home, and after dealing with heartbreak and various challenges, overcomes his fears to be the dinosaur he was meant to be. “The Good Dinosaur” is not quite as “adult friendly” as most
Pixar films, but nevertheless provides for a fun night at the cinema
Rated: PG
The Good Dinosaur (2015)
B+
“Secret in Their Eyes” The second film this week is the crime drama “Secret in Their Eyes”, starring Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The most shocking aspect of this film is how bad Julia Roberts looks. It seems if an actress agrees to appear on film with bad hair and little or no makeup, she is a
shoo in for an Oscar nomination. If you remember Kidman from the film “The Hours” (large fake nose, little makeup), for which she won the Oscar, you get the idea. So apparently Julia took this role in the hopes the same would happen for her. Julia’s tragic appearance aside, the film is the story of Jess Cooper
An epic journey into the world Brooklyn (2015) of dinosaurs where an ApatosauAn Irish immigrant lands in rus named Arlo makes an unlikely 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly human friend. falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, howCreed (2015) ever, she must choose between The former World Heavyweight two countries and the lives that Champion Rocky Balboa serves exist within. as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend Spotlight (2015) and former rival Apollo Creed. The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive Spectre (2015) scandal of child molestation and A cryptic message from Bond’s cover-up within the local Catholic past sends him on a trail to uncov- Archdiocese, shaking the entire er a sinister organization. While Catholic Church to its core. M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels The Martian (2015) back the layers of deceit to reveal During a manned mission to the terrible truth behind SPEC- Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is TRE. presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But The Peanuts Movie (2015) Watney has survived and finds Snoopy embarks upon his great- himself stranded and alone on the est mission as he and his team take hostile planet. With only meager to the skies to pursue their arch- supplies, he must draw upon his nemesis, while his best pal Charlie ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist Brown begins his own epic quest and find a way to signal to Earth back home. that he is alive.
The Night Before (2015)
On Christmas eve, three lifelong friends, two of whom are Jew-
IMDb.com (12/05/2015)
(Roberts) and Ray Kasten (Ejiofor), two FBI investigators who are best friends working in the same unit. The film flashes back and forth between 2002, when Jess’s daughter is murdered, and 2015, where Ray’s former co-worker, Claire (Kidman), is now the DA. As the years have passed, Jess has longed to confront her daughter’s killer, and actually crosses paths with him on several occasions. In
present day, Ray teams with Claire (of whom he has always had the hots for), in an effort to tack down the guy who murdered Jess’s daughter, who was never formally charged due to his stance as an informant against a terrorist organization. The heartbreak endured by Jess has left her a former shell
Scenes ....
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Scenes .... Contiuned from previous Page of herself, and soon she must deal with something she has done that shocks both Ray and Claire. The film takes awhile to really get going, and even though Kidman is the most glamours DA you will likely ever see, keeps you guessing until the end. The actors, led by Roberts, are all in fine form, with Ejiofor more than holding his own against his Oscar winning costars. Is her role strong enough to garner Roberts a Oscar nomination? I have my doubts, but bad makeup, bad hair, and time will tell. Meanwhile, “Secret in Their Eyes” provides plenty of opportunities for the star to emote.
Rated: PG - 13
B-
Intercity .... Contiuned from page 5 business people. Dorothy Hanner Ratcliff, a native New Yorker, is Artistic Director of Intercity Ballet of Kingsport. Ms Ratcliff studied dance with the American School of Ballet, Ballet Arts, Robert Joffrey, Tour Jete International in Cannes, France and graduated from the New York School of Performing Arts with a major in Ballet and a minor in Modern and Drama. Dorothy has danced professionally throughout the United States and Canada, and was a member of the world famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. She has taught dance and choreographed events throughout the Southeast and now is director of the Centre for the Performing Arts . Local dancers giving their time and talent include, Phil Clemons, dancing the role of The Nutcracker with Colin Rose as Brigidier. Mollie Kate Blalock and Sara Stewart, will be sharing the role of Clara, with Isabella Blevins as understudy. Sam Stewart, ( yes #15) will dance the role of Nicholas, Aaron Jackson will be dancing the role of Fritz, with Tony Hathaway as understudy. Sharing the role of Mecanical Doll are Madeline Howe and Candi Young. New this year is Military Doll, it will be shared by Gracie Blevins and Chloe Rose. Dew Drop Fairies will be Hannah Gossett, Samantha Hess, Sofia Lawson, Chloe Lowe. The role of Tree Fairies will be danced by Madison Bailey and Hallie Miracle. Dancing the role of Reed Pipes will be Ashlyn Jackson, Chloe Lowe, Bailey Stidham, Hannah Watson, Beth Hartsock, Madeline Howe. The role of Spanish will be shared by Ayleonna Camp
and Whitney Welch, with Paizhia Holman as understudy.The roles of Clara’s parents will be danced by Jeff and Amy Luethke and the role of Grandfather will be danced by Darrell Duncan. 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. Ben Blevins will be dancing the role of Trepak. Dancing the role of Chinese will be Madeline Howe, Chloe Lowe, Phil Clemons Samantha Hess, Candi Young Party Parents dancing with their daughters in the role of Ma Petite. Tickets for the evening performances will be on sale beginning November 21st at Kingsport Town Center Mall next to Santa Claus’ Workshop, and at Eastman’s Toy F. Reid Employee Center. Reserved seating will be sold for the Orchestra floor of the theater while the Balcony tickets are festival seating. If available, tickets may be purchased at the door. 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. This year’s celebration of the 36th anniversary of The Nutcracker is sure to be memorable. Former dancers and families are invitied to a special recognition at the end of both evening performances. This is a holiday tradition that the whole family can enjoy together. Come be a part of the holiday magic that is The Nutcracker.
December 8, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 19
Page 20 | The Loafer | December 8, 2015
“Rhythms Of The Mountain Empire”
A Ten Part Original Series About Local Music, Supported by Tri-Cities Communities & Adoring Fans
HAPPY HOLIDAYS LOAFER FANS FROM “RHYTHMS OF THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE”..!
Written by: William Camelot
HAPPY HOLIDAYS LOAFER FANS FROM “RHYTHMS OF THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE”..! This is truly the best time of the year with our holiday season in full swing; time spent with family and friends. Thought I would share a poem to set the mood and spirit of the season “To Be Jolly”..! “May Your Holidays Be Happy Days, Filled With Love And Laughter And May Each Day Bring Joy Your Way In The Year
That Follows After…” (Musician Poems...) NEW YEAR..READY..SET...GO..! Let me take a moment to bring you all up to date on where we are with the 10 part original storytelling TV series: “Rhythms Of The Mountain Empire”... We have invested quite a bit of time to pull the series together with many more facets than we originally anticipated but here we are...At the beginning of the “New Year”, we will begin shooting the segments for real ! All our preparation is ready and the opening scripts are almost complete and boy are they outstanding... We have created a segment based around the Woodstone Deli “Open Mic Night”...The musicians chosen for the first episode are top notch local talent with a surprise
host and the storyline will set the tone for what’s to follow. WOODSTONE WILL BE A “MUSICAL EVENT”...! This is more than just a segment filming; it’s going to be an “Event”..! We are going to “Live Stream” the filming, placing it everywhere across Tennessee, and to kick off the opening segment we will “Live Remote” for several hours with musician and cast interviews. Fans will be able to follow the event on any of 3 screens and “Twitter Chat” about the series. RHYTHMS SEGMENTS TO BE TOTALLY UNIQUE, WITH “CAMEO” PERFORMANCES BY ASPIRING ACTORS ACROSS USA... We will include in opening promos and segments, inclusion
of “Cameo” appearances by aspiring actors and actresses from around the county that will be given the opportunity to create a “Character” that enhances the original scripts. You will recognize several of the “Cameo” actors as they got their start right here in the Tri. Two of our favorites are: James Allen Andes now performing in Ohio at “Shadowbox Live” and Doug Reiser, teaching & acting from right here in Tennessee. They have been given an “overview” of the series and insight into the two main characters: Donnie Drummond, rock drummer with Bazooka Boys & Samantha Starling, rock radio DJ in Johnson City @ WUYI... “GIVE BACK” TO THE ACTING COMMUNITY IMPORTANT TO THE PRODUCER...
Part of the “Give Back” philosophy of the entire production includes filming of the “Cameo”, that is available to each actor as part of their portfolio in seeking new film opportunities. If the fans like a character, it could be added on a regular basis to the storyline. Key to our success as an evolving film experience is the “Interaction” with the local music fans... **Donnie & Samantha complimented by cameo performances is truly a “story within a story” as the local music filming unfolds. The screen play is being developed by some of the very best in the business and will stack it against any network programming... MUSICIANS TO ADD MONO-
Rhythms ....
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Rhythms .... Contiuned from page 20
LOGUES PROMOTING THE SERIES... The musicians that participate in the series have consented to put individual promo monologue on camera as pre- promotion for the series. These monologues will be interspersed digitally as we get closer to the first segment at
December 8, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 21
“Future Generations May Write with “All Proceeds” going to help Novels About Them, Place Their “Homeless Vets”...through local Lyrics In “Iambic Pentameter”, But organizations such as: Tri-Cities For Now, Set In The Present Day, Military Affairs Council & Mr. ErWe Will Do Our Very Best To Film nie G. Rumsby, President. Them Not Just As Talented Musi- VENUES AND RESTAURANTS cians And Vital Contributors To THROUGHOUT THE TRI WILL Our Communities, But “Heroes” CARRY THE “LOCAL MUSIC To So Many And The “Voice” Of ROCKS” T-SHIRT… Our Time..! As of the printing of this arA T-SHIRT THAT HAS BECOME ticle for Tuesday Dec 8th WoodA MOVEMENT..! stone Deli, Kingsport and Smokey Rhythms Of The Mountain Bones in Johnson City will have Empire is so much more than an the T-shirts available for purchase. original series about local music, The shirt sells for $20 with “All it touches the very “soul” of our Proceeds” going to help “Homecommunities as we weave the sto- less Vets”... ryline through the Tri... The film ONLINE SALES WILL BE series is truly a “Give Back” to AVAILABLE IN TWO WEEKS. those less fortunate that are often Please visit: rhythmsoftheoverlooked... mountainempire.com you will see Sometimes a community a link to the order page. Homeless defines itself through unself- Vets need our help so, lets extend ish acts of compassion...This is a grateful hand to those veterans Woodstone... that time..! The Gary Bortz de- that put it all on the line for us and Of all the words that have been signed T-shirt: “LOCAL MUSIC have been forgotten. written to date about the upcom- ROCKS” is being sponsored by May You All Have a Blessed ing series, including the screen companies such as Budweiser Christmas Season..! play itself, we will always have a fond place in our heart for the folrhythmsofthemountainempire.com lowing, as it poetically allows us facebook.com/rhythmsofthemountainempire to say “Thank You” to our local williamcamelot@mymorningcoffee.tv musicians..!
Page 22 | The Loafer | December 8, 2015
Pets Of The Week
Tanner is a 2 year old neutered male Beagle and up to date on all vaccines and loves to play!
Good Boy is a 2 year old neutered male bull terrier mix up to date on all vaccines and ready to find his forever home! Please come and visit Tanner and Good Boy and their friends at The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue!
Bristol Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Where: Paramount Center for the Performing Arts When: School performances: December 10 and 11 at 10:00 am Public performances: December 11 at 7:30 pm, December 12 at 12:30 pm, and December 13 at 2:30 pm Cost: School performances: Free to school children and qualifying chaperones Public performances: $6 children under 6, $12 students and seniors, $15 Adults
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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Batteries .... Contiuned from page 12 or it would turn up on TV again. It would be two years before I saw the film in its entirety. In the local video shop in 1994 “Clue” still was in the back of mind. After years of waiting, I finally asked if they had the movie. The clerk typed into their computer “No, we sure don’t.” I was sad “But let me see if we can order it for you.” What!? Order it!? This is a thing!? You can order movies for people!? I was once again shocked. The clerk reached underneath the counter and produced a huge paper catalog of movies. “Clue” was in there, they could get it for me. Not just to rent, but a copy of my own. My mom gave her approval, and after what seemed to be two months of wait, it arrived at the video store. I watched it, I loved it, my mom loved it, I showed it to friends, they loved it. As I aged into my early twenties it struck me as strange that more people didn’t love this movie as I did. That when I would say it was my favorite movie, I would get looks from people. Why? I didn’t understand why people seemed to think of “Clue” as a “lesser film.” Let’s look at the cast and crew for one thing. The cast is perfect, it is impossible to imagine anyone else playing the game’s infamous house guests: Martin Mull as Col. Mustard, Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Peacock, Madeline Kahn as Mrs. White, Christopher Lloyd as Professor Plum, Michael McKean as Mr. Green, Lesley Ann Warren as Miss Scarlet, and the two characters not from the game, Wadsworth--the butler--played by the glorious force that is Tim Curry. Along with Colleen Camp as Yvette--the maid. The film was written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, an Englishman best known for the UK sitcom “Yes, Prime Minister” and stateside--outside of “Clue”-- “My Cousin Vinny.” “Clue” as a film began as a project for American director Jonathan Landis--who shares a story credit with Lynn for the film. Landis, of course, would be a film God if the only film he ever made was “The Blues Brothers,” but let’s not forget this is also the man whose filmography includes “Animal House,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “The Kentucky Fried Movie,” “Coming to America,” “Three Amigos,” and a little music video you may have heard of called “Thriller.” Power creative forces here. Before I jump back into my own love of the film, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Buzzfeed ran a piece about a year or so ago that is the most in depth look at “Clue” to date. Google “Something Terrible Has Happened Here” and you should find it--it’s a must read, and far beyond what I could offer you here. Instead, I just want to tell you why I love “Clue.” A love letter to my favorite film on the eve of its 30th Anniversary. I’d be will-
ing to bet I have seen “Clue” more than any other movie. I think of “Clue” as the last great Screwball Comedy. It’s a brilliant farce with one of the wittiest screenplays any Hollywood comedy of last 30 years could have. Matter of fact, there is only one single bit of improvised dialogue in the entire film, perhaps “Clue’s” most famous line. A line that was improvised by the great Madeline Kahn. When Mrs. White talks of her hatred of one character she states “It flames. Flames on the side of my face. Breathing, breathless, heaving breaths.” Perfection from a genius comedic actress. The rapid fire pace of the dialogue is clearly of the screwball tradition, to prepare the cast, director Lynn showed them all the rapid fire masterpiece “His Girl Friday” from 1940. It all shows on screen. “Clue” is a movie that I hold very dear to my heart. If you tell me you haven’t seen it, I’ll show it to you or buy you a copy. As someone who has loved the film for most of his life, and questioned why others haven’t, you can imagine my delight in the past few years seeing the film getting its due. Articles online, and in print--all largely from people of my generation. “Clue” is one our touchstone films. The movie that was out when all of us were barely one, and a film we all discovered on TV or video during the ‘90s. “Clue” also was given a tribute episode on the comedy-detective series “Psych,” an episode that is worth seeking out if you too love “Clue.” The cult of “Clue” is alive, well, and growing. A few months ago I sat my 12 year old cousin, and his 16 year old sister down and showed them the movie. They loved it. Matter of fact, I can’t think of a single time I’ve shown “Clue” to anyone and them not liking it. Everything about “Clue” is perfect. No changes could be made to improve upon it. Perhaps that’s why when Universal announced plans to remake the film a few years ago, the backlash was strong. Universal canceled their plans to remake it. Which is as it should be. “Clue” to me is just as scared as “Casablanca” or “It’s A Wonderful Life.” It’s precious and you share it with others. And now, if you’ll allow me, I shall close out this week’s column with one of my favorite exchanges from a film that is full of favorite exchanges. After a series of murders have taken place, the doorbell rings. Mrs. Peacock rushes to the door exclaiming “Whoever it is, they gotta go away, or they’ll be killed!” Mrs. Peacock opens the door and finds an evangelist there: Evangelist: Good evening. Have you ever given any thought to the kingdom of heaven?
Batteries ....
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Batteries .... Contiuned from page 23 Mrs. Peacock: What? Evangelist: Repent. The kingdom of heaven *is* at hand. Miss Scarlet: You ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie. Evangelist: Armageddon is almost upon us. Professor Plum: I got news for you - it’s already here.
Tried and True: .30-30’s Few firearm platforms have stood the test of time like the lever-action .30-30. The .30-30 was created by Winchester in 1895 in the form of the famous Model 1894. It is important to note that the designation “.30-30” was actually started by Marlin, the original name for the cartridge was the .30 Winchester Center Fire, but Marlin didn’t want to promote a cartridge with their competitor’s name in it, so they released their model 1893 in “.30-30”, and the name stuck. Most people consider lever-action rifles synonymous with cowboys; in fact I can’t recall a single western growing up that didn’t have at least one lever-action in it. Today the rifle is favorited by cowboys, hunters and shooters alike. In fact Mossberg just released a tactical version called the Model 464 SPX which features a collapsible sock, tri-rail forend, and a rubberized grip and forend. It retails for a low $431.00. You might be thinking that lever-actions come in a plethora of various calibers,
and you’d be right. This was particularly helpful and still remains helpful in cowboy applications when they wanted their rifle and pistol to use the same ammo such as .45 Long Colt. Although at least in modern lever-actions, the .30-30 is the most practical and popular. This is because it is a heavy-hitting round that doesn’t skimp on accuracy. Modern offerings include the Marlin 336C commonly called the “Marlin .30-30” which is my personal favorite. This rifle includes an American black walnut stock, and deep bluing. It retails for around $484.00. This is a small price to pay for a high quality, American made rifle. Next we have the Winchester Model 94 which has been around for 120 years. This is the Cadillac of .30-30’s, although many argue that you should strive for a pre1966 model because of “Quality Concerns” I think like most things, firearms aren’t made like they used to, but new Model 94’s
are still fine firearms. Unfortunately they are twice as expensive as there Marlin counterparts with a retail price of $972.00. Like all cowboy-style firearms of course Rossi has a 30-30 lever action rifle known as the Rio Grande. It retails for $549.00. No offense to Rossi but I would never spend more for their rifle than an American-made Marlin. 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.
Mrs. Peacock: Go away. Evangelist: But your souls are in danger! Mrs. Peacock: Our lives our in danger, you beatnik! Mrs. Peacock slams the door in his face, and film continues. That, my friends, is everything. See you next week.
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Buy A Town For Christmas And Learn To Outthink Why not buy that hard-toplease person on your list a town for Christmas? I realize you might have some difficulty wrapping this and placing it under the tree, but just think what excitement you will bring to Christmas morning with this very unique kind of gift. You might want to include a pair of airline tickets, however, because this town is located in South Dakota. That’s right. According to a November 30 piece by Kathryn Vasel in CNN Money, Swett, South Dakota (located a little over a hundred miles from Rapid City) is for sale. And before you totally ignore this offer, thinking you could never afford a whole town, understand that you can have this town for a mere $250,000, which is “just a bit more than the cost of an average home in the U.S.” What a bargain. And a heck of a lot more impressive than those stars or moon real estate that rack up seasonal sales this time of year. Before you whip out your checkbook, did I mention that Swett is a ghost town? Yes, a good old-fashioned ghost town--the kind you generally only see in the movies. But, in Vasel’s estimation, being a ghost town might increase the incentive to buy Swett. “Of course,” says Vasel, “ the town is abandoned. . . and possibly haunted. But then that only adds to the charm. The ‘ghost town’ comes with a home, which is rumored to be haunted, a garage/shop and a bar--the Swett Tavern—which has a stage and party room.” Sorry, folks, but the town’s post office, which apparently is no longer standing, closed in 1945. We are not told what the residents after
1945 did for mail. Entire towns being for sale is apparently not a totally unknown event, because Alladin, Wyoming (located about 200 miles from Swett) is being offered for one and half million bucks, and another ghost town in Connecticut sold at auction a little over a year ago for $800,000. No word yet on whether our not our very own East Tennessee ghost town—the submerged town of Butler—will ever show up on the auction block In a related piece from the Grand Forks Herald, we learn that Swett occupies six acres and at one time, during the 1940s, had, interestingly enough, a peak population of 40. And we also learn that the
“tiny prairie domain also comes with a new town sign, courtesy of the state, to replace the previous one that was riddled with bullet holes.” We can only wonder who fired the bullets. As I find myself virtually wandering the deserted streets (or street) of Swett, savoring the isolation and the space it affords for deep meditation, escape, and ghost hunting, I can’t help but contrast this vision with one offered in a current IBM Watson ad inviting us to join the “Cognitive Era.” And what is this Cognitive Era, you ask? Well, the ad, as splashy and impressive as it is, offers only the briefest of hints about possible answers. For one thing, we learn that
we “produce over 25 quintillion bytes of data everyday” (that’s 2,500 followed by a very large string of zeros) and that “80% of it is unstructured. Therefore, it is invisible to current technology.” Because IBM Watson—the same, but improved platform that beat Ken Jennings on that famous round of “Jeopardy”—“is a cognitive system that can understand the data, learn from it and reason through it” we are apparently on the threshold of being able to gather all of the world’s data in one place and somehow improve our lives by mining all of it, junk and all. So, in summary, the old ways of computing data are giving way to
based APIs,” which is a number “expected to rise by 50% by the end of 2016.” This rather dense claim is followed by testimonials from various businesspeople, including, rather surprisingly, Bob Dylan, who is apparently engaging in a dialog with Watson about “music, lyrics and language.” We can only hope Watson is a little more articulate than the aging pop icon. I guess one of the first fruits of the Watson-Dylan collaboration will be an updated version of a Dylan classic, “Cognition, My Friend, Is Blowing In The Wind,” featuring lyrics like “How many bytes will Watson compute, before he begins to outthink?” Yes, Bob,
a new cognitive era that will supposedly make sense of all those quintillion bytes and improve our lives in the process. The heart of the IBM ad is a claim that we can all, with the assistance of Watson of course, learn to “outthink. “In a sense,” says the ad, “Watson can think. When Watson thinks with you, you can outthink.” And Watson, being a cognitive computer, can understand “natural language,” and learns rather than being programmed. Some of the things IBM claims we can outthink are cancer, trends, risk, competitors, doubt, old school, winds, and threats. And IBM boasts that all this outthinking will be done with its “28 cloud-
the times they are a changin’. So, I supposed we should be prepared to greet the arrival of 2016 as the Era of Cognition And Outthinking. Numbers crunching has never sounded sweeter. And in the midst of all this the general store in downtown Swett still stands as a silent witness to a world that was created by a different sort of cognition. Outthink that if you will. And I find it rather curious that I’m staring at the image of the Swett general store on the large screen of the new iPad Pro that is propped on the arm of my recliner as I write this. See you next week with “Kelly’s Place” #1375.
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