The Loafer January 23rd by The Loafer

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

on the cover

Volume 32 • Issue #8 Publisher Luci Tate

Cover Design Bill May Advertising Patti Barr Paul Kavanaugh Janie Jarvis Carolyn Kestner Office Coordinator Amanda Lane

Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian Bishop Daniel Worley Jason Worley Langley Shazor Jon Lester Distribution Jerry Hanger Teresa Hanger Published by Pulse Publishing, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com adcopy@theloaferonline.com All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/ or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any lossof expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.

Founder: Bill Williams Let’s Get Social!

columns & reviews

Social Media Manager Jon Lester

12 Batteries Not Included An Open Letter To The Telemarketers 16 Stargazer Super, Duper Full Moons 17 Skies This Week 18 Mister #Hashtag Tech 19 Pop Life Paddington 2 20 Appalachian Wanderers Chestnut Branch Trail 21 Mountain Movers The Jason Hagood Interview 23 The Casual Word Lifeless 24 Puzzle Page 27 Kelly’s Place Get Rid Of Your To-Do List?

your week’s line-up

HI! TECH

Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 22 22 25 26

AI: Aiding TO Dominating Chili Cook Off The Twelve Dancing Princesses Tech Team Wins "Motivate Award" Guest Artist Recital The Breakfast Club @ Capone's Benny Wilson Highlights Music Weekend Call For Entries An Evening With Jayne & Wayne Henderson Spotlight Mental Health First Aid Course Paramount Partners Pets Of The Week Things To Do

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

When my dad was a child, he remembered a conversation his dad and grandfather had about technology. The television set had just hit marker when his dad turned to his grandfather and said, "Well that's it! Everything that could be invented, has. The end of time is near." Could you imagine hearing that as a child? Pure fear! Thank God they were wrong and my how far we've come since the first black and white cathode ray tubes. That's the scary part. We've developed so much more tech since then, that their statement, "...end of time is near," may not be that far off with the advent of good AI (artificial inelegance).

grandfather said, "Well that's it! Everything that could be invented, has. The end of time is near."

AIDING TO DOMINATING

AI has been around for a good while, in tech years that is. Think back to early video games. Pac Man had a pattern, the "ghosts" had no "thought", a specific programmed path telling each one where to go. Memorize their patters and you can play endlessly for 25Â˘. Fast-forward to now and these intelligent "bots" can anticipate your every move. This is why video games now have levels of game play from "Can I play daddy?" to "Inhuman." Hmmmm..Inhuman, that could be a scary word for the future. Fast-forward another 20 years or so and the human landscape could be largely different. And somewhat scary. Think about what would happen if we got that one codebase just right where the machine "woke up," thinking for itself. It seems like everything is cloud connected these days, and now this "aware" machine could talk to every connected device, including 3D printers to replicate themselves or make better versions. What if the human race were determined a virus to the machines and the planet, now their home as well? I mean we kind of are with constant thoughts of war, need to kill, tossing trash wherever we please, pumping junk into the atmosphere, and the need to be numero uno. While these thoughts aren't new, they are a little scary. We aren't there yet though, so let's have some fun with our currently "dumb" AI slave counterparts.

Fun With AI Anki Cozmo Hot Wheels Ai Starter Set Street Racing Edition The AI Revolution: Will Artificial Intelligence Serve Us Or Replace Us? Read more or purchase these at amazon.com/shop/stellarstudios

Siri and Google Now use AI, here's some fun things to do with them:

Siri I see a little silhouetto of a man When is the world going to end Beatbox for me What is your best pick up line Testing 1,2,3 I am your father What is the meaning of life What is zero divided by zero Where does Santa live Why are firetrucks red Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Why do you vibrate Why did the chicken cross the road Will you marry me Talk dirty to me How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood

Google Now can you rap Beatbox what is the meaning of life what do you think of Siri do you like iPhones do you know Cortana do you know Alexa did you fart? clean my room can you do my homework ask me a question self-destruct are you going to take over the world aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper Star Trek or Star Wars open the pod bay doors what is your voice

JANUARY 27

at 1:00PM bit.do/sbhdchilicookoff TH

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

oin the SBHD family for our 3rd annual Bikes, Beans, and Burnouts Chili Cook off! Last year was a huge success and we look forward to sharing the heat with you again this January! The winner of this year's competition will win $100 in CASH and a $100 Gift Card to use at Smith Brothers Harley-DavidsonÂŽ. There is a $5 entry fee and anyone can enter! Competitors MUST register in advance - the last day to sign up will be January 26th. All participants must bring their own food and cookware. Limit one crock pot per entry. We will provide tasting cups, spoons, table set up, and electrical hookups. For further questions or inquiries, please contact Heidi at marketing@ smithbrosharley.com We would like to invite all of our Smith Brothers family to come down and help us judge this head to head battle! Tastings are $2 per person and come with 1 ticket that you may use to cast your vote on the best pot of chili at the dealership!

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

CentralBalletTheatreofGreeneville

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

he Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville has announced its newest ballet, “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” to be performed at the Annie Hogan Byrd Auditorium at Tusculum, January 26 – 28. Central Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Lori Ann Sparks, along with Marilyn duBrisk, director of Tusculum’s Arts Outreach program, give life and new meaning to The Twelve Dancing Princesses. The play was originally a German fairy tale written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. While the story stems from the Brothers Grimm, Sparks has adapted it to be family-friendly and to be more uplifting, rather than to be tragic as it was originally written The ballet will star three male professional dancers: Dillon Davis, Samuel Chester and Cole Companion. Many local dancers also appear in this ballet. Hanna Johnson of Greeneville and Eliza Burton from Jefferson City share the lead role of Princess Dolcina. Other local dancers include Hallie Frank, Elizabeth Bosse and Maggie Sanders.

“

It is an exciting event, and we wish to present it as a gift to the region,” says Parke Brumit, one of the dancers. “CBT is proud to be considered a part of the Greeneville/ Greene County community and is honored to be financially supported by so many businesses and individuals here. Our goal is to contribute to others and give back to our community.” Tickets can be purchased at Catalyst Coffee Company, Esther & Ella’s, The General Morgan Inn, Appalachian Chiropractic, and Halos & Threads, or by calling (423) 724-7014 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 60+, and $5 for students. The box office opens an hour before show time. Performances are January 26 at 7 p.m., January 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and January 28 at 2 p.m. at Tusculum in the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building.

Left to right: Lori Ann Sparks playing Queen Adelaide, Samuel Chester playing Samothraki the under-world king, and Dillon Davis playing Lothair II the outer-world king.

Motivate Award

irst Appalachian Robotics, a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team based in Bristol TN/VA was the first place Motivate Award winner at the 2018 South Central Virginia Regional Qualifier in Lynchburg, Virginia, on January 13, 2018. First Appalachian Robotics (FAR), a team of high school students from the community, has been preparing since September 2017 for state qualifiers. They are led by Team captain Declan Egbert, a Bristol, TN junior, and include Isaac Perkins, a Bristol, VA sophomore, and Luke Gray, a Bluff City, TN sophomore. They are coached and mentored by Greg Perkins The objectives of the FTC robotics competition are to transport blocks into positions that create a design, or hieroglyph; decode and release a gem; and strategically place a relic, all in the theme of the 2017/2018 competition season, Relic Recovery. In a match, two teams compete against two other teams, and in another round, teams that competed against each other could be aligned. Top scores win the day, but so does supporting and encouraging other teams. Teams can also be awarded in other categories reflecting outreach, design, support, and other efforts. The Team’s design for the robot was to bring in blocks and then raise them to the proper height and then eject them by reeling them in with side wheels, running the block through the robot, and then place them with an automated plate. Other features allowed the blocks to be lifted into place and to read the randomly selected code. FAR’s robot had wheels that allowed it to move traditionally, but also from side to side, or strafing. Some of the features of the robot were not operating well until the fifth and final round, unfortunately, resulting in a less than competitively scoring robot at this competition. Teams are judged by how the robot scores in points, in judging of the design and process, and also in efforts to advocate for robotics in the community and work with other teams. The five-year-old Team has scored better in other competitions, but they were proud to place first at this competition for the Motivate Award for helping to foster a FIRST Lego League team that qualified and went on to compete at the Virginia State Competition. At a previous qualifier, the Team competed in the finals and was awarded the Judge’s Award for their determination, finishing strong with their robot after arriving with some technical difficulties. At this qualifier, only eight teams out of 48 competing advance to the State competition to vie for a place at the World Championships in the spring. The Team is determined and continues perfecting their robot, hoping for a chance at the remaining qualifiers this year. The Team is grateful to its sponsors Muncy Family Chiropractic and Best Buy, and friends and family for their support. In addition to competing and mentoring a FIRST Lego League team, Team FAR provides an introduction to robotics for students at Bristol Public Library events and this past year created the robotic rose for Theatre Bristol's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. FAR’s competition season begins in the fall and those interested in applying to join the team can contact the mentor, Greg Perkins, at gperkins@firstappalachianrobotics.org, or contact the Team at is website, firstappalachianrobotics.org, or Facebook page, facebook.com/ FirstAppalachianRobotics/.

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Bristol's First Appalachian Robotics , A FIRST Tech Challenge Team Awarded

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Guest Artist Recital

ocalist Dr. Jaeyoon Kim will perform in a Guest Artist Recital at East Tennessee State University on Monday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mathes Hall auditorium. The Seoul, South Korea, native earned his doctor of musical arts degree in vocal performance at the University of South Carolina, where he was the recipient of the Carroll Taussig Opera Fellowship. He has been praised for his lyric tenor repertoire and has performed extensively in the United States, South Korea and Europe. In 2016, Kim and his wife, concert pianist Dr. Seung-Ah Kim, released a CD titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Romantic Art Songs,â&#x20AC;? featuring works by Donizetti, Bellini, Turina, Liszt, Duparc, Rachmaninoff and Tosti. Kim is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, where he coordinates vocal studies and directs the UNCP Pembroke Singers. He is also the music director at Hay Street United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Tickets are $10 for general admission and free for students with ID. For tickets or more information, visit www.etsu.edu/music or contact the ETSU Department of Music at 423-4394276 or music@etsu.edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.

The

t s a f k a e r B

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

b u Cl

he Breakfast Club, the region's most 9 popular recurring live music event, returns to Capone's in Johnson City on Saturday, January 27. Last year proved to be a high-profile year for the band, as The Breakfast Club played at Bristol Motor Speedway on Food City 500 weekend. The band's annual January show is typically the most heavily attended club show, as hundreds of local fans succumb to "cabin fever". Admission to the show is $12, and the show begins at 10:30 p.m. For more than 16 years, The Breakfast Club has entertained live music fans in the Tri-Cities region. Several line-up changes, social changes, and changes in popular music haven't slowed down the '80s music juggernaut. Hundreds of fans routinely flock to The Breakfast Club shows to sing and dance along to their favorite nostalgic tunes. Since their first show in the region, The Breakfast Club has become woven into the fabric of local music tradition. For more information, visit thebreakfastclub.com or caponesjohnsoncity.com. The event is produced by Ansley Roberts Promotions.

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

BENNY WILSON BAND

Highlights Big Music Weekend at Holston River Brewing

t’s always a treat to hear the Benny Wilson Band. They have such a smooth, polished sound that it becomes very hard to not get up and dance. So, get up and dance! The band describes themselves as “Dirty old men playing old Rock n Roll!” I don’t know about the ‘dirty’ part but they do play old rock, and quite well I might add. The band has been together since 2008. Obviously, Benny Wilson provides the vocals as he shares the stage with Tommy Starnes on Bass, Gary Sutherland on Guitar, Chris Simmons is the Drummer and Bill Bentley handles the Keyboards. If you haven’t heard them lately, your missing out on some of the best old-time rock n roll in the Tri Cities. Saturday is a great opportunity – head over to the Brewery, enjoy a cold one and get entertained. Friday night is no slouch either with Rusty Steel and Quarterbounce taking the main stage at 8:30. Quarterbounce hails from southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. The band is composed of serious and seasoned musicians who would rather perform than just about anything else. Tagged as a classic rock band, their music is a bit more diverse; toss in a few ballads, a few country & western tunes and the mix equals a very good dance band. Just like the

By Paul Kavanaugh

name implies, Quarterbounce is about having fun, good times and forgetting about your worries for a while. Sounds like a plan, and Friday night is the night to make it happen at the Brewery. See you all out there!

theloaferonline.com

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Knoxville Photo 2017 Best of Show - "Knoxville Weekend" by Khoa Dinh

CALLFORENTRIES Knoxville Photo 2018 Exhibition

Festivals

Got an event coming up?

Events

Send it to The Loafer! info@theloaferonline.com

Concerts

Exhibits

he Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville announces a call for photographic works for its sixth annual Knoxville Photo 2018. The national call for entries is open to all artists. This juried exhibition was developed to provide a forum for artists to compete on a national scale and display their work. Approximately 40-50 photographic works from both emerging and established artists will comprise the exhibition in the main gallery of the beautifully-restored Emporium Center at 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville’s downtown arts anchor location, from June 1-29, 2018. The Emporium is free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and additional hours for special events. The deadline for entries to be received is Sunday, March 25, 2018. Prizes include over $1,000 in cash awards, and exhibiting artists will receive a catalog of the exhibition. Artists may view the information, complete the entry form, and/or download an application at www.knoxalliance.com/photo-entry. The call for entries is open to all artists. Entries must be original works taken within the last two years in the following categories: The Human Experience, Our Earth, Still Life, Travel, and Digital Imagination. The nonrefundable entry fee is $30 for up to three images ($20 for Arts & Culture Alliance members and students). Up to seven additional images may be submitted for $5/each ($4 for members/students). About the juror: Leigh Mitchell is a fine art photographer and educator. She was a college instructor for over ten years, teaching Film Photography I and II, Digital Photography I and II, and Photography Appreciation. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Studies from Warren Wilson College and a master’s degree in Studio Art from Western Carolina University. Her work has been in galleries locally and nationally, including The Center for Fine Art Photography (Fort Collins, CO), Rochester Contemporary Art Center (Rochester, NY), Five Spot (Atlanta, GA), The Asheville Art Museum, and The Asheville Area Arts Council. More information about the program, as well as images from previous exhibitions, can be found at www.knoxalliance.com/ knoxville-photo/. Knoxville Photo 2017 featured the work of 37 artists as selected by juror Baldwin Lee.

LETTER

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

AnOpen

Batteries Not Included

By Andy Ross aross@ theloaferonline.com

ear Persons. Though I appreciate that you have the tenacity and persistence of the most skilled and determined people of our generation, I would also like to think that after calling my home seven times a day, leaving no voicemail message, for over three months, you would pick up on the subtle hint that I will not talk to you. But no. You, o mighty who persevere, keep right on calling. Day in, day out. Morning. Noon. Night. Sometimes you have become so clever that you call me from different numbers, causing my caller ID to think it’s an important call. On these occasions, I have answered my phone. You begin with the same, prerecorded spiel, and I hang up in rage. The other day, when an actual human called to ask me if I was interested in signing up for Life Alert, I told that I had already fallen and broken every bone in my body. I asked where you were when I needed you? I began to sing emotional Barbara Streisand songs at you. You hung up in confusion, and I felt good about myself. For a week there were no phone calls, but then you began again. Calling while I try to watch “The Price is Right.” This is infuriating and will not stand. My time watching “The Price is Right” is precious and sacred. What boggles me is that you assume that one day, after the daily barrage of phone calls, I will suddenly snap and say “YES! Here is my personal and banking information! PLEASE, RUIN MY LIFE!” I will sign up for all the medical things you wish me to sign up for, I will take that vacation, I will let you run a virus check on my windows infected computer—despite using a Macintosh. I will pay my debts to the IRS with iTunes

to the Telemarketers Who Keep Calling My House gift cards. You and I both know that at no point I am going to concede and go along with your shenanigans. Yet, you call over and over and over. I am sorry that you have to be a telemarketer unless you really enjoy your job, way to go! I won’t judge if your goal in life was to annoy the hell out of people on the telephone all day long. Congrats on achieving this special goal! I hope it brings you joy and spiritual fulfillment for all your days on this planet what we call Earth. However, stop calling. I’m never going to answer, or give in, or allow you the time of day when you ring. It’s especially shifty when you ring my caller ID saying you are some type of medical center within my area code. I have family members who are very sick, and I fear that this is news about one of them. But no, it’s your being a turd. Does your mother know you do this? I should call her and tell her. I don’t have her number, but I’ll just call you every day until you give it to me. Sounds fair, right? Is “Jeopardy” your special show time? If so, I’ll call you during each and every Daily Double. In closing, because the time is short and I’m in those precious ten minutes away from “The Price is Right” coming on, I want to share with you some advice. This was a beautiful piece of advice shared on that great cartoon series “Freakazoid.” The advice was given by the title character, who informed a creepy man “Why don’t you leave us alone! Go have some coffee! With cream!” Stop calling my house. If it didn’t work the first 995 times, what makes you think it will suddenly work the 996th time? See you next week—but not you who keeps calling.

Jayne & Wayne

HENDERSON Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Join us Friday, January 26 at 7pm for an evening of stories and music with luthiers Jayne Henderson and Wayne Henderson. Jayne will give a talk on her road to becoming a luthier, learning from her father Wayne, and the innovations in eco-sustainability she is bringing to the craft. She will also present a brief demonstration showing some of the tools, woods, and techniques she uses. After the talk and demo, Wayne will give a short performance playing some of Jayne's instruments for the audience. This program is inspired by the current special exhibit The Luthier's Craft: Instrument Making Traditions of the Blue Ridge. Both Jayne Henderson and Wayne Henderson are featured in this exhibit. An Evening with Jayne Henderson and Wayne Henderson is free and open to the public, though there is a suggested donation of $5. Seating is limited so we are asking that people RSVP for the event. Special thanks to Renasant Bank for their generous support of this event. Visit: tinyurl.com/ybvkf9op to reserve a seat.

13 theloaferonline.com | March 28, 2017

An Evening With

- FRIDAY - January 26 -

Royal Thunder w/ Backwoods Payback, Sabrewulf, Bones of Mary The Hideaway

Open Mic The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

Stemwinder Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill

Dan Deel Quaker Steak & Lube

Open Mic O’Mainnin’s Pub

Muddy Magnolias January Jams at The Barter Theatre

- WEDNESDAY - January 24 -

Rusty Steel Wild Wing Cafe Open Mic Woodstone Deli Jangling Sparrows O’Mainnin’s Pub - THURSDAY - January 25 -

Wolf Hills Jazz Quartet Wellington’s Restaurant The Diamonds Blackbird Bakery Songwriters Night Our House Restaurant Jason Edwards Wild Wing Cafe

Hip Gypsy O’Mainnin’s Pub Kirk Fleta w/ Fritz & Company Bloom Cafe and Listening Room Curb Side Orchestra Sleepy Owl Brewery Rusty Steel & Quarterbounce Holston River Brewing Company Kids Our Age Jonesborough Visitors Center Live Music at Bone Fire Smokehouse Greyscale Capitol Theatre Shooter Band Elizabethton Elks Lodge

The Tides Rock’s Wood Fired Pizza & Grill

Appalachain Styrings, Railway Express, Benny Wilson CJ’s Sports Bar

Davy Williamson O’Mainnin’s Pub

Rock and Roll Freakshow Woodstone Deli

- FRIDAY - January 26 -

Dugger Band Capone’s Live Music at Bone Fire Smokehouse Koolin Mecca Lounge

Beth Snapp Down Home From The Edge Country Club Bar & Grill

- SATURDAY - January 27 -

Wyldeheart Wild Wing Cafe

Asylum Suite CJ’s Sports Bar

Us, if, Fox Grin, Jake Quillin The Hideaway

Jet Black Audio Woodstone Deli

Loose Leaves Quaker Steak & Lube

Stepping Out David Thompson’s Produce

Wallace Coleman Down Home

Yarn / Dangermuffin The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

Suthern Boyz Silver Spur Railway Express The Eagles Club Magnolia Justice Sleepy Owl Brewery JV Squad Bloom Cafe and Listening Room Live Music at Bone Fire Smokehouse If Birds Could Fly Kingsport Moose Lodge #972 The Green Rumours Our House Restaurant The Bosses Johnson City Country Club Dallas Danger Wolf Hills Brewing Glen Harlow & North Fork at Carter Family Fold Shooter Band Holiday Inn Cross Road “Formerly Southern Countrymen” Buffalo Ruritan Shooter Band Holiday Inn

Tracy Lawrence Niswonger Performing Arts Center Below 7 O’Mainnin’s Pub Benny Wilson Band Holston River Brewing Company Junkyard Dogz Bears Bar Copper Ridge Country Club Bar & Grill

theloaferonline.com

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

- TUESDAY - January 23 -

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.

for show time & more details, visit

Spotlight

Family Night Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ Crossroads & Josh Blevins at Dawg House Tavern Karaoke w/ Marques at The Cave Karaoke at Numan’s Karaoke w/Absolute Entertainment at Marx the Spot Karaoke w/Ron Hutchins at Zachary's Steakhouse - Kingsport

WEDNESDAY

Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at Quaker Steak & Lube Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Smokey Bones - Johnson City Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City

THURSDAY

Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at CJ’s Sports Bar Karaoke at Numan’s Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at New Beginning’s Karaoke at Jiggy Ray's Pizzaria Karaoke w/Ron Hutchins at Zachary's Steakhouse - Kingsport

FRIDAY

Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill Karaoke w/ Shane Rouse at Bear’s Bar Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodge Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Moe’s Original BBQ Karaoke w/ DJ Brad & Top Shelf Entertainment at BoBo’s - Damascus, VA Karaoke at Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marquez & Top Shelf Entertainment at Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke at Numan’s

SATURDAY

Karaoke at The Horseshoe Lounge Karaoke at Kingsport Moose Lodg Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Macado’s - Kingsport Karaoke at Numan’s

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Kara ke TUESDAY

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Super, Duper Full Moons To Drive You Looney

Stargazer

By Mark Marquette since 1996 stargazermarq@ gmail.com

he month of January 2018 has been filled with lunacy as it began with a Full Moon and ends with a full, eclipsing Blue Moon, and that’s a good thing to keep us looking up. And in a rare event, February is full moonless, while the Blue Moon phenomenon repeats itself in March! The celestial orb that always turns heads is the astronomy darling of cold January with two full phases and a lunar eclipse turning the Moon to a shade of red for everyone west of the Mississippi River. The New Year’s Day “Howling Wolf” Full Moon and the “Ice Moon” on Jan. 31 are both super close to Earth, making them “Super Moons.” Though not official lingo of astronomers, the phrases Blue Moon, Super Moon and Blood Moon are all media concoctions that weren’t in the stargazing vernacular until twenty years ago or so. And that’s a good thing—anything to get people to look up at the night sky! The two Full Moons in January—on the 1st at 9:24 pm EST and 31st at 8:26—makes the second one the “Blue Moon.” The rare event happens about once every two and one-half years, hence the popular phrase “once in a Blue Moon.” There will be no Full Moon in February! With the Moon taking 29.5 days between full phases, obviously the 31-day months are the only months having the event. This occurrence happens once every 19 years. The last time February didn't have a Full Moon was in 1999, and the time before that was 1980; the next time there will be no Full Moon in February will be 2037. Native Americans gave names to the full phase Moons, so important was the light to their lives and safety. That made Jan. 1 the Wolf Moon, and the 31st the Hunger Moon, symbolic of the animals looking for food and finding very little. The two March Full Moons will be the Worm Moon or Crow Moon on the 1st, and the Sap Moon on the 31st. To Native Americans, our world is coming alive in March as the ground softens and the trees begin to awake. Both Full Moons of January are at the closest point of its slightly oval orbit around the Earth. That’s called perigee, and the farthest distance of an object from its orbital companion is apogee. Hence, they are “Super Moons,” appearing an unnoticeable 14 per cent larger, but noticeably 30 per cent or more brighter. That lunar orbit around Earth will be at the approximate 234,000 minimum (perigee) distance between the worlds, while the farthest point, apogee, is approximately 253,000 miles. Photographers can get some dramatic images by capturing the Moon the two days before full phase when the landscape is still illuminated. Some photo tips include: use a telephoto lens or camera zoom, put the camera on a tripod; use 400 ISO and the exposure will be around 250th of a second to reveal the dark

maria; use a self timer to eliminate any camera shake; the challenge is balancing the exposure of the landscape with the dark areas of the Moon. What good is a moonrise that looks like a flashlight? A good rising Moon landscape has the lunar surface dark areas easily seen. The fun part of lunar photography is finding a site that is near buildings, trees or mountains. You can also juxtapose people holding the Moon, holding it like a balloon or other clever poses. Look up some moon rise images on the Internet to get ideas—I think you’ll be amazed at all the effort photographers go through to get an incredible image. If that’s not enough lunacy this month, there is a Total Eclipse of the Moon to end January. The Blue, Super Full Moon of Jan. 31st will pass into the Earth’s shadow the early morning hours. The East Coast will see the Moon setting in the morning twilight as the eclipse begins, but west of the Mississippi River the entire eclipse will be seen spectacularly against the morning twilight. Unlike last July’s Solar Eclipse that was seen partially around America for an hour with a narrow path of totality lasting less than 3 minutes, when the Moon slips behind the Earth’s huge shadow cast into space, the entire eclipse lasts more than four hours. And one hour, 16 minutes of the eclipse will be total—the bright, Full Moon being rendered dim in various reddish hues. The partial phase starts at 6:48 am on the East Coast of the U.S., just a half-hour or so before the Moon sets. But farther west, the predawn sky will be beautiful with the sight of the Full Moon turning into a crescent as it orbits through the shadow of our planet. From 4:51 am to 6:07 am on America’s West Coast the Moon will be immersed in the dark shadow of Earth, turning to a reddish hue that can range from blood to orange—all depending on the particles in Earth’s atmosphere creating the color. No doubt that social media will be filled with terrific images of the Super, Blue, Blood Red Lunar Eclipse. And good luck with your moon photography. Super Moons, Eclipsing Moon...makes one want to grab an ice cold Blue Moon beer, kick back…and keep looking up!

his is NASA’s darkest week as the lives of 17 brave astronauts are remembered after three space tragedies. The anniversaries are Apollo 1 and three astronauts on Jan. 27, 1967; Space Shuttle Challenger on Jan. 28, 1986; and Shuttle Columbia on Feb. 1, 2003. Around the country will be celebrations of the lives of the astronauts, many of whom have streets, schools and institutions around America.

Tuesday, January 23 Darkness falls and the stars of winter shine, with the Moon moving to First Quarter phase Wednesday, and beautiful on Thursday in Taurus between the bull’s “eye,” bright star Aldebaran, and star cluster The Pleiades in its shoulder. Wednesday, January 24 On this 1985 date in space history, Space Shuttle Discovery was launched on a quick, three-day voyage by five astronauts with a Top Secret mission of the Department of Defense. Space watchers later figured out Discovery deployed a sophisticated spy satellite called Magnum ELINT. And on this date in 1986, NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft flew past Uranus, taking eight years to reach the seventh planet. Voyager 2 gave mankind it’s only close-up views of Uranus 32 years ago. Thursday, January 25 On this 2004 date in space history, Mars Excursion Rover named Opportunity landed on the Red

Planet, and its’ still alive and well! Fourteen years later, the golf-cart-sized, six-wheeled Opportunity has drove 28 miles, and is rounding the rim of a seven-mile-wide crater. NASA’s amazing success story was guaranteed to last 90 days—the American taxpayer has gotten their money’s worth! Friday, January 26 The Moon is above Orion, surrounded by bright stars in Gemini to its left, Auriga above and Taurus to its right. Any binoculars will show the largest craters, details of the dark lava plains and the white, mountain highlands. Saturday, January 27 On this 1967 date in space history, three astronauts were killed during a fire inside their Apollo 1 spacecraft while conducting tests on the launch pad. Asphyxiated after a spark ignited the pure oxygen atmosphere inside the spacecraft was rookie Roger Chaffee and space veterans Gus Grissom and Ed White, both tapped as future

moonwalkers. The tragedy derailed America’s moon program for 18 months, but by July 1969 the first moon landing by Apollo 11 avenged the deaths of Apollo 1. Sunday, January 28 Another space horror on this date in 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 70 seconds after launch. Dead were 7 astronauts, including the first true civilian, teacher in space Christa McAuliffe. The other astronauts who gave their live on the 25th Shuttle launch were Commander Dick Scobee, pilot Mike Smith and mission specialists Judy Resnick, Ellison Onizuka, Ron McNair and Gregory Jarvis. Monday, January 29 Orion the Hunter takes over the sky, moving from southeast to directly south to southwest as the night wears on. The bright stars bisected by three stars of the hunter’s belt are a beautiful sight in the cold, crisp nights of winter.

17 theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

THIS WEEK

SKIES

Celestial events in the skies for the week of Jan. 23-29, 2018 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Mister

By Jon Lester jlester@ theloaferonline.com

Pop Life

By Ken Silvers ksilvers@ theloaferonline.com

Rated PG 4 Bears (out of 4)

he fictional character of Paddington bear became a part of pop culture back in October of 1958. The bear was featured in well over 100 books written by British author Michael Bond. The bear, with a friendly demeanor, was part of a new species of bear found in the jungles of Peru, and has the ability learn English. The bears love marmalade, and in the case of Paddington he wears a duffle coat, wears a red hat, and when discovered as an orphan, was adopted by a couple of adult bears. Paddington made a splash on the big screen in the 2014 live-action/CGI animated film "Paddington", and the film was a smash hit. The first film took Paddington to the streets of London where he was eventually adopted by the Brown family. In first film features a kidnap attempt so a villainous taxidermist can add the sweet bear to her collection. Flash forward to 2017 and fans of the kind brown bear can enjoy "Paddington 2" in theaters. In the new film Paddington is continuing his happy life with the Brown family, headed by Henry (Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey"!), until he reveals his desire to purchase a rare pop-up book of London to send to the aunt who helped raise him. While the desire to purchase a rare book would normally present no issues, Paddington must begin working hard at odd jobs to save the money for the book. During the course of his efforts, the villain of the story, actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), hears about the rare book, and realizes this is the book he needs to find a vast collection of valuable jewelry hidden by the books author. While Buchanan is able to "find" the book, this results in Paddington being framed for supposedly sealing the valuable pop-up book. Unfortunately, our beloved bear is sent to prison for the crime, where he finds life challenging as he runs afoul of his fellow prisoners and the mean prison cook Knuckles (Brendan Gleeson). Not one to give up, Paddington, thanks to his friendliness and love for marmalade, soon wins over his fellow prisoners, and the quest begins both inside and outside the prison to

prove his innocence. While he has been incarcerated, the Browns have been working feverishly to prove their beloved family member is innocent, while watching and dealing with the antics of actor neighbor Buchanan, who has never seen a mirror he didn't love. Eventually, after an exciting sequence involving two trains, all is well and Paddington is reunited with his family. The film is very British, which should be no surprise if you saw the first film, and I loved that aspect of the films. These films have even left a desire in me to travel to England. The film features several surprise cameos by various British actors, including Joanna Lumley ("Absolutely Fabulous") and Richard Ayoade ("The IT Crowd"). As for the main cast, they are all wonderful, and after playing a rather stiff role in "Downton Abbey", Bonneville is able to display his wonderful comedic talents in these films. With Grant, you can tell he relished his role as a fading egotistical actor, and he plays the role to the tilt, nearly stealing the film. The actor who voices Paddington, Ben Whishaw, is probably best know to American audiences for his role as Q in the two most recent James Bond films. Ben is a perfect match for the friendly bear, and the warmth in his voice brings the character to life and into our hearts. The film has plenty of witty dialogue, and provides a few lessons for kids along the way. If you have never seen a "Paddington" film, the time to start is now. I encourage you to watch the original and then head out to a theater to catch "Paddington 2" for the latest adventures of the inspiring bear, and you will leave the theater with a smile on your face and a sudden hunger for marmalade.

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

l i a r T h c n a r B t u n t s e h C

f weeks, o e l p u o he last c t r e v O . ra ngeancenditions. e v poles o y c i n rekking s well in T a o . e c h ic t f g i a to of socks he threa Valley w acherous drivin e e with it t xtra pair or two s s s g e in r n b n t re ne ter ’t let tha , so win sure to pack a in the Te es, snow, and t ter, don e its path e r in s B g e e w . n t g h th s lo u in lo a r d c t lie du am er. e correc tick are ozen ov igh is ngerous as arrive gid temperatur h r re the h h walking s ivulets aren’t fr somewhat da tion, wearing th Appalachians. e e h t w n s i y it is W w da ara fri the se r this trail st a few s is prep r curl up ays take ase tho inter in ndured e ve at lea uld much rathe great time c hile it may seem efore, all it take se to enjoy w d; you can alw nheit a e h v l ’ ’l e e e n W w rs that w ou’ll ne stated b tually a of us wo es Fahre mon se

Appalachian Wanderers

By Jason & Daniel Worley jdworley@ theloaferonline.com

ea g. ac st plannin inter is hile mo y, it app hankfull ove freezing. W the fireplace, w reparation and National p s y ab actually ok (or Netflix) b it takes is a little moky Mountain il wasn’t S ll a o t A b tr . a s l d re a o in G a go origin ounta ike at ady re the m take a winter h ow. While our l backups alre lo p x e n to ra s ite to e u n v d q e e e -fall ad s lose ecid ek we d njoy the newly g closed, we h park roads c e does e w t s a L he rvic ld e bein issue. T park se we cou s k roads Park so due to the par is might be an months, as the ad, snowplow te g s le th e in In ib r th . w s p s s acce e kne early s system read on g since w ter and gile eco nd is sp planned during the win mages the fra fore a gritty sa park’s wellbein da be tly ns, the frequen lt or brine as it mulated snow s huma u r u a fo c s c t e a e park nien not us e majority of from th nd inconve le m ib e th s e s e s e v y c ma y ac remo burg a . hough it er one concern s that are easil wntown Gatlin center. lt A . s d do roa trail mb itor several e our nu ht #10 in t the vis should b efore, there are ins at traffic lig its terminus a rail and leads to T g b e River As said inburg Trail be Pigeon River to istoric Nature onalufte Bald H tl e c f a tl O o G it e L d r. n g e th bord kee, t Pron ddron t the e starts a untain in Chero Finally, the Ma forest of the Wes o follows in Creeks Trail r. al e m ic rd e g ss th e ma Tw ark bo ess to th Nearby Bud cabin. Acro tarting at the p c c a s e id h es nd prov nnessee the Noa els its namesak Cosby a beyond. t the Te you’d in a ll 1 0 ra 2 4 a 3 I. p Trail tate, n Trail off U.S just off e inters ins just palachia ic located Trail beg ve and the Ap a is Big Creek, cated just off th er station, picn lo re Gro ng il a t ’s ra ra h d it T A e ig r k h h r. e g c e lb u a A ig Cre ily-re Altho summ B s . . a in e e re n n r e li d e e h n v a te e le red Anoth lina sta ed the area is, night Ho ities offe d rth Caro the facil lls such as Mid Sterling, one p u and No d at how seclu e k waterfa to Mt. rise und ma e to a fire be surp mall campgro sses numerous arduous climb s a and hom n d p a e n g it a rs n s , e a a ra ff , o re n in a o ta rail r attracti m Moun Creek T e is the sta ek Falls. Baxter rk’s Great Balsa n River Gorge. season, but th o a e r re p a ig C te e P in e in th s e it w Mou of th the past eaks in during le views ble just d ighest p of the h h offers incredib are shut down arking is availa trails will nee .P a hic ned ies n t w it io s io r il t t e c ju n ta e w s fa s m r to afore range e begin ’s main e e ik k h h e h t t e ly r e r n u to C ik Big pen up ish to h ground area. O a short hike-o , oad is o Visitors who w is p on gravel r . t the cam ut Branch Trail mb in any seas rking lo ile of road to li n a t he c t s p g e r e h in e g x C r d la il un e a ta alf m g lot. b ra h in T n e k a r h n c a t ia p It areas ou. lach to walk ards past the th fool y eet the Appa ams and soggy g n y le d s it re m e hund all str on’t let sand feet to veral sm u es-but d two mil ds over a tho osing peak. Se p cen as it as t. Cammerer’s im M w shado

ink y egre com u. As rs deter yo ear, and using an what you th d seventeen d our outer laye a d th re e tw s v o e o re fo th m tu lo d re c ra n e a p we ore bring m hough the tem minutes later am of Always ty n . Alt e m r. r the stre out tw a te ’t e w la n s id ly ff s a b o g w n ta r it m the ly alo ellows e car, comfo e left th was getting un climbing sharp the ascent m eautiful, w n e h n w b by so. Soo am is b the clim begins feet or bing. The stre m valley. Not d because Branch Trail re d n u m lh t cli strea Besides Chestnu ame for severa r really stops own the steep n snow. were e d n e v s ll e e a le n m -f b a it ly s m the e new ough s it tu sheet at, alth cades a perfect d nched th somewh everal large cas d our boots cru h marred the y prints showe ic s e n h k a g r e w , u nes e. T Furth r featurin ul was around e only o Smokies hom re we arrived. ome th o , s e r d e a anoth s befo we m all the quite s which c y minute otprints trail for those fo e wild animals by not too man t followed the f th y tidy passed a bobca those o arked b ay ock had paw prints of st. m fl y e ll rg a u la w that a takable g into the fore ng the trail, us , the path e unmis in alo the hike acks pass s h e g it s u along, th fore disappear e ro b be old hom alfway th f switch distance r eyes open for asins. About h ge. A series o er open stream b id u h r o s It was s the g anoth Keep y es or rusty wa ly scale efore reachin nder the snow. low p n e to te s s f piles o nnel b isappeared u ht and om be d arply rig winds fr ndron tu ir veers sh dark rhodode aller and soon arnia. Swirling ad piled on the m h N a s s f h e h h o ic n g c h e s u u c u w thro air. S ded now k is m his cree y forest remin the powdery s onds filled the T . y e ll a v ing iam now , scatter ar as if d me. at the s the sun here th rough the trees e made it appe ch a magical ti cy, and or so n u in th s te h s o d s e p ie n k k u whis feet sed in e Smo right s ousand d increa s. The b ter in th e branche that make win e crest, the win ep climb of a th hian Trail. To th ste lac are idg re l r a fi is a p e n e p th fi n th A e e A k d to li s e s. ere lies th historic e cloud pproach As we a ifted behind th the state line. H merer and its nd Mt. Sterling m t a h a a ap .C us ly s ad sudden e trail’s termin ay to Mt enport G te and then ro th u all the w pproaches Dav d ro b e is m ld li th c ra he the take nt a ntinues p desce you can left, it co e right, a stee ke a loop hike, nger Station. a a o th Creek R like to m tower. T u would back to the Big o y If . d iles Roa last 1.5 m walk the

BRIAN: Family is an important part of who we are, what does family mean to you? JASON: Family is extremely important to me for many reasons. My mother has been there good or bad for the entire ride. My parents and grandparents did everything they could to teach me right from wrong. They all were very patient when I made mistakes. My parents and grandparents were very good teachers. They got after me when I needed it and believe me I did. [Laughs] They were great. My whole family has always been there for me. When we lost my dad, it was rough. Mom has been very supportive of me ever since then. That event had a huge effect on my life. It put a delay on my marriage to my wife. We didn’t marry back then because of complications. We’re married now though and have a strong bond because she was there for that. It bonded all of us. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my family. They love me and keep me on track. I love them all very, very much.

JASON HAGOOD: Mountain Movers

By Brian Bishop bbishop@ theloaferonline.com

The Interview

met Jason Hagood so long ago I can’t honestly remember when it was. We have played against each other on the tennis court (he beat me a lot), and we have been friends since we were both kids. If you want to meet the real deal from right here in this region, Jason is “good people”. Take a minute to catch up with ole Hagood. You will be glad you did.

BRIAN: Jason, thanks for taking time to do this. Start at the beginning and tell us, where did you grow up? JASON: I grew up primarily in Kingsport. My parents were from Rogersville so I spent a lot of time down there also. We lived in Chicago for 3 years when I was 5 years old. Thankfully we came back and I got to be in Kingsport and Rogersville. I love both places very much. BRIAN: This area is truly unique and the people are a big part of that regional personality. Why do you love it here so much? JASON: I love it here so much because it is so beautiful here. I love the rivers and the mountains. It’s so peaceful and safe. I love the outdoors. I like to camp, fish, and ride horses. I love mowing the yard. I love to be outside. I love the fact that here we’re not suburban, not really. We’re not like the bigger cities either. I like the small town feel to this area. I love the fact that we still have a strong sense of community. We take care of our families but we also care very deeply for our friends and neighbors. This is just a great place for families. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

BRIAN: Another part of our regional identity is religion. How does your faith impact your life every day? JASON: Faith is huge part of my life. It’s the reason I’m alive. Faith is what keeps me going. Faith gets me up in the morning and keeps me moving forward. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without faith. Like anyone else, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Faith in God, his Mercy and forgiveness are the reason I’m alive. Every good thing in my life has come from God. I’m very lucky just to be here. My faith has saved me and made me what I am. I’m very thankful for God's grace and mercy. Lord knows I’m far from perfect, but I’m extremely blessed. BRIAN: And we have to talk about your work. What do you want people to know about what you do and how can they learn more? JASON: My work? I’m so glad you asked. I am the owner and operator of All Star Lawn Care. I started the business in 2011. We primarily do mowing and lawn maintenance. We have started doing quite a bit of landscaping over the past couple of years. I love doing the work. I get to do it with my wife, Pennie. She and I have dated off and on since high school. We also played mixed doubles together in many tennis tournaments so we know what it’s like to be partners. Our son Lincoln is also getting involved as he grows so it’s great because it’s a family business. We hope to grow and prosper over the coming months and years. We value the customer. The relationship with the customer is vital for a great working relationship. Anyone that needs quality lawn care, please give us a call for a free estimate.

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Mental Health

n eight-hour course leading to certification in “Mental Health First Aid” will be presented by the East Tennessee State University Office of Professional Development on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the ETSU Innovation Lab, 2109 W. Market St. Like traditional first aid classes, “Mental Health First Aid” will provide training to participants to help in emergency situations. Topics include identifying the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and how to provide initial aid before guiding a person in distress toward appropriate professional help. The instructor will be Dr. Julia Bernard, an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at ETSU. She has published on sibling relationships, ethics and the family. Besides being a certified mental health first aid instructor, she is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a clinical fellow in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, a certified family life educator and a board-certified human services practitioner. The cost of the course is $89, which includes the textbook. Group rates are available. Continuing education unit (CEU) certificates are available for $25. For registration or more information, visit www.etsu.edu/professionaldevelopment and click on the appropriate picture or call 800-222-3878.

Discounts available with ticket stub day of performance

First Aid Course

Paramount Partners

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

• Bristol Station Brews & Taproom Half off first pint or flight • Broad Street on State 20% off your check of $6 or more • Stateline Bar & Grille 2 for 1 Appetizers • Studio Brew 1/2 Half off first pint Free Appetizer or dessert w/Entrée Purchase • Machiavelli’s Free order of breadsticks with any entrée • Whiskey Rebellion Half off your appetizer • J Frank Free dessert and immediate parking • The Angry Italian Free dessert and immediate parking Discounts valid for any and all performances at The Paramount.

If I were As cold inside As outside The transference in temperature Not withstanding

The Casual Word

By Langley Shazor Follow Langley at TheCasualWord

Leaving nowhere For warmth to be held Against its will Forced into exile And slowly dissipates Leaving me passing Through these winters With an equally cold heart Adrift Snow tapped condensation Freezes rapidly As this dense fog Quickly becomes An icy tomb

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Lifeless

theloaferonline.com | Decem ber 5 2017

Answers on page 26

Good Boy a 3 year old hound mix. He is neutered and up to date on all vaccines. He is well named as he is such a sweet dog! He has been at the shelter for a very long time. So many get adopted and this sweet fellow is still waiting on his forever home. Please consider this cutie for your family!

Boss a 4 year old pit retriever mix. He is neutered and up to date on all vaccines. This sweetie would do best with a fenced in yard! He loves to play!

he Bridge Home has an ongoing aluminum can collection in front of the shelter at 2061 Hwy 75 in Blountville, TN 37617 and a second aluminum can collection site at Airworks Heating and Cooling, 5633 Memorial Blvd Kingsport. 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 12pm6pm Sat 12pm-3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www.bridgehomerescue@ gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome

25 theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

PETS

OF THE WEEK

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

THINGS TO DO Big Brothers Big Sisters Looking for Community Volunteers Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities (BBBSGTC) is looking for community volunteers to make a difference in a child’s life. Spending approximately 4 hours a month with an at-risk youth can help them improve in school, their behavior and their self-esteem. “Our kids have a need, and we are looking for caring adults to step up and volunteer,” said Kathy Lowdermilk, Regional Director of BBBSGTC. “If you have a few hours a month and the desire to make a difference, we want to talk with you about our program.” Our local Big Brothers Big Sisters office, which serves the Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City area, is part of one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organizations in the United States. It’s a system that has been proven to work and transforms the lives of children who might not otherwise ever get the support they need to grow and successfully meet life’s challenges. Child-volunteer matches are made based on in-depth and comprehensive interviewing with parents, children and potential volunteers. Stringent safeguards are in place to assure that all parties are safe. Volunteer and parent engagement and training also play a big role. Anyone wanting to find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities should contact the office by calling 423-247-3240, or visiting TennesseeBig.org. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Blood Drive Marsh Regional Blood Center will conduct public blood drives at the area locations. Visit tinyurl. com/n4aujx9 to find a location near you. In addition to scheduled

blood drives, donors are welcome at Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 276679-4669 or visit marshblood.com. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Casual Word Adult Creative Writing Class Join us for a free, fun, engaging, and different look into writing. In this class, we will not focus on structure, form, or rules, but on the freedom of writing. It is the goal of this class to open the mind to its full creative potential by allowing participants to write what they want, how they want to write it. Sessions will be student lead; we will engage in topics and subjects that are of interest to the students. The atmosphere is casual and jovial. This class is designed for all those 18 and up who wish to try their hand at creative writing. Thursdays @ 6:00 p.m. Jones Creativity Center. Bristol Public Library. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Author Fair Sure Fire Publishing teams up with The Casual Word publishing to host their first annual author fair at the Bristol Public Library, 701 Goode St. on Februrary 10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Casual Word and Sure Fire will be there to answer any questions for anyone who is interested in writing and/or publishing. Several authors will be at the event for book signings, Q an A's, and round table talks. This event is drop in and all are welcome. There will

be drawings through the day for door prizes. Don't Miss it! • 10 a.m.: Question and Answers with our publishing teams. • 12 p.m.: Author Book Signings. • Door prizes every hour, on the hour: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Workshops for Entrepreneurs The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at East Tennessee State University will offer three workshops for entrepreneurs in January at the ETSU Innovation Laboratory, 2109 W. Market St. “Hiring for Your Small Business: Getting Started” will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 10-11 a.m. Ashley Cox, human resources partner for small businesses at sproutHR, will cover steps for preparing a business to hire, including different types of workers and knowing which type will meet the needs of the job. She will also provide tips for writing job descriptions and posting openings, creating an interview process and conducting effective interviews. “Advanced Facebook Techniques” will be offered Thursday, Jan. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. This workshop, designed for Facebook users with business

pages, will focus on Facebook’s Power Editor. Each workshop is $25, and pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, contact Teresa Shipley of the TSBDC at 423-439-8505 or shipleyth@etsu.edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Adult Book Club The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden will be discussed at this month's Adult Book Group at Gray Library. The group meets at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, led by Christy Widner, Jonesborough Library branch manager. New members are always welcome! Call the library at 477-1550 for more information. •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Sew Crazy Meeting The next Sew Crazy meeting will be held on Saturday, January 20, from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. The group will be meeting at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 201 E. Watauga Ave., Johnson City. This will be a Sit and Sew session to complete the current project making 100 draw-cord backpacks for use by

UMCOR - United Methodist Committee on Relief. There is no cost to attend this meeting; sewing materials and notions are provided. For more information, please contact Donna Horowitz at 423434-0424 or info@sew-crazy.org . •••••••••••••••••••••••••• UMOJA Homeless Drive UMOJA has partnered with W Market St Walmart to prepare "get warm" bags for the homeless in our community through January 31st. The bags contain different items including scarves, gloves, hot hands, blankets, etc. and are priced under $10. Visit the W Market St Walmart today to purchase the "get warm" bags to help those in need this winter season. Your purchase will benefit our local community. Stay connected visit Facebook. com/UMOJAFESTJCTN for distribution dates and locations.

Cryptogram: Under a government which imprisons any man unjustly, the true place for a just man is in prison. DropQuote: "Some people imagine that nuclear war will mean instant and painless death. But for millions this will not be the case. "

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018

Now that the new year is well underway, I’m sure you are assessing the success of your New Year’s Resolution(s) for 2017 and being very optimistic about the new one (or ones) you have made for this year.

F Kelly’s Place

By Jim Kelly since 1989 jkelly@ theloaferonline.com

or the past 20 years, I have made and so far successfully kept the same very simple resolution--to not watch the movie version of “The Sound Of Music.” I have to qualify this resolution because I did watch the play that my daughter was in a few years ago. This doesn’t count, because I have still never seen the movie. Yes, I have played the songs from the movie on piano many times, especially “My Favorite Things,” but have stayed far away from the movie. Not that I have anything against the movie. It is just a very easy and random thing to designate as my perennial New Year’s Resolution. And hopefully I will be able to keep it for another eleven months and many more after that. I have adopted a second resolution, however, and I intend to keep it as well. After reading a Travel+Leisure article by Andrea Romano, I am intend on doing away with my largely ineffective to-do list, replacing it with an old-fashioned desk calendar. I hope I’m not falling prey to the countless efficiency experts who offer all sorts of (usually annoying) advice about how to best maintain our lives. Like the one I heard a couple of years ago who advised us to never have more than six messages in our inboxes at one time. Yeah, right. But this calendar things sounds very practical and perhaps doable. According to Romano, to do-lists aren’t “the most effective workflow to get things done.” And why not? Calendars, preferably the old-fashioned paper kind rather than digital manifestations, keep us better informed, especially when we use them to schedule both our professional and personal events and goals; this doesn’t not negate the usefulness of digital calendars. And they seem more tangible and visible (in a nagging sort of way, of course). In a very informative piece by Srinivas Rao in medium.com, he informs us that “if there’s one pattern I’ve come across in dozens of articles, books I’ve read, and the 100’s of people that I’ve interviewed, it’s that the most prolific, productive and successful ones don’t depend on to-do lists, they depend on a calendar [because] the likelihood of me getting anything done goes up significantly when I put something on the calendar.” And this is presumably because our lives are dominated and organized by units of time, just like the format of a calendar. To-Do lists don’t give us this sense of time, and therefore don’t convey a sense of context. Rao outlines several benefits of using calendars rather than to-do lists. First, calendars can change your behavior, directing your attention from making endless lists and toward developing a scheduling mentality. Of course, we don’t want to turn into obnoxious anal retentives who can’t think outside the [calendar] box, but it is very useful for us to envision our plans in a reasonable form. Second, calendars should be the place where we record our tasks and reminders. “When it comes to task completion the major difference between a calendar and a to-do list is that the calendar accounts for time. You’re forced to work within the constraints of the 24 hours that you have.” Third, calendars can be used for goal-setting and “should help you make the most of your time--not

just be tools to track events.” Fourth, calendars can be used to schedule meetings--something that most people only use after the fact. I would add a fifth reason and that is to make sure you make lots of allowances for reflection and spontaneity. Although it sounds odd to be scheduling spontaneous time, it certainly makes sense in this fast-paced and overstimulated world in which we live. Why not include such goals as “Be Batman,” “Watch An Episode Of ‘The Monkees’,” or “Drink Coffee Through A Straw.” Life is much too short to only use cal endars for serious business (not that being Batman isn’t a pretty serious endeavor).

Get Rid Of Your To-Do List??

ANEWYEAR’S RESOLUTIONOFSORTS Although I plan on using my $5.99 desk calendar extensively, I did some research on the best calendar apps for this year from a dubious site called “Tom’s Guide” (the identity of Tom is anybody’s guess). First up is Fantastical 2 for iOS, followed by Calendars 5 (iOS), Google Calendar (Android, iOS, and my favorite, particularly because it is free), Accompany (iOS), Outlook (Android, iOS), Newton Calendar (iOS), Timepage (iOS), Vantage (iOS), Saisuke (iOS), Shift.Cal (Android), My Study Life (Android, iOS), Informant 5 (Android, iOS), Awesome Calendar (iOS), CloudCal (Android), DigiCal (Android), aCalendar (Android), Business Calendar 2 (Android), Jorte Calendar (Android, iOS), Wave (Android), BusyCal (iOS), tinyCalendar (iOS), Simple Calendar (Android), Week Calendar (iOS), and Calengoo (Android, iOS, and my favorite name). Some of these apps are free and some have a nominal charge, but they all have one thing in common--they all do the very same things, albeit with different colors and bells and whistles. Contrast that with my black and white version that never needs updating and can’t send me notifications. I will leave you to decide how best to organize your life. Good luck. Just don’t write that down on a to-do list. See you next week (and that’s already on my calendar).

theloaferonline.com | January 23, 2018