The Loafer June 23rd

Scene & Tyler 11 Seldom Hughes at Natural Tunnel 28 Storyteller Beth Horner

...plus so much more

Page 2 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 3

Volume 29 • Issue #28

Meet Our Newest Additions!

Publisher Luci Tate Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Elaine Farris Terry Patterson Lori Hughes Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Karie Grace Duncan Brian Bishop 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

columns & reviews 4 5 5 6 19 20 21 24 30

Mountain Movers - “Tim White Interview” She Does It Herself - “Someone Say..... Cupcakes?”

Lock, Stock & Barrel - Personal Tactical Training - Pt. 4 The Trivial Traveler - “The Whispering Giant of Knob Creek Rd” Batteries Not Included - “Best Coast & Courtney Barnett” Stargazer - Venus & Jupiter Stange Bedfellows Skies This Week Screen Scenes - “Jurassic World” Kelly’s Place - “Remembering Christopher Lee & Ornette Coleman”

music & fun 16 28

Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times Crossword & Sudoku

and even more ....

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 25 26 29

Red, White and Bluegrass Weekend Indpendence on the Frontier Abingdon’s Famers Market’s Berry Festival Vicki Genfan Trio plays NorthEast State PUSH! Film Festival Is A Wrap!

NPAC Announces 2015-2016 Season ETSU to host Sports Literature Association Conference Pianists to Perform in Benefit Concert ETSU Arts Calendar Auditions for “One Man, Two Guvnors” 17th Annual Home & Garden Tour Carter Family Fold presents Acoustic Heritage “Old Stinky” found at Gray Fossil Site

Page 4 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

This week we highlight our newest columnists, “The Trivial Traveler”, Brian McManus, “She Does It Herself”, Karie Grace Duncan, “Lock, Stock and Barrel” Joshua Hicks and our newest addition, “Mountain Movers”, Brian Bishop.

Our writers welcome your comments, so email one or all and let them know what you think.

BRIAN: Alright, since you brought it up, there is a change going on with the television show, “Song of the Mountains.” Can you give the people of this region who might not now a brief version of what is going on here? And also tell them what is being lost?

Tim White Interview It’s right there ringing in your ear! Can you hear it? What you ask? Bluegrass pure and simple, just the way it has always been played right here in the mountains of Appalachia. And everybody who considers themselves a serious bluegrass fan or picker knows the name Tim White. Tim is a legend when it comes to bluegrass and he is known worldwide for his efforts in preserving and expanding the art form of country picking.

Tim, it has been far too long since we have talked my friend.

You and I go way back and have some great tales including the pig story. It is great to hear your voice.

But enough of that, let’s get right into this.

Tell me how old you were when someone first handed you an instrument and when you caught the bluegrass bug?

TIM: Brian, Thanks so much for contacting me and your interest in my work and music. I first remember hearing bluegrass music as a small boy in Roanoke, VA. There was an early morning show on TV there called “Top of the Morning” with host Irv Sharp. The main musical talent on the Top of the Morning Show was the bluegrass band Reno & Smiley. I can remember my mother getting me up early in the mornings and eating breakfast and hearing and watching Reno & Smiley play music and I guess that planted the seed in my mind.

Later when I was about 10 or 11 years old my mother had me and my sister take piano lessons in Roanoke. My first banjo I bought from Blountville Music Stare in Blountville, TN in 1975 after moving there with my family. I was 18 years old and took lessons from Tim Harkleroad who was 3 or 4 years younger than me. He was a great teacher and we are still close friends to this day. In 1976 my dad bought me a pre-war Gibson from a man named Tony Ellis and that is the banjo I have played since.

BRIAN Folks from around here see a lot of musicians but they may not realize where all you have been. Tell our readers some of the places you have traveled to playing music?

TIM: I have been very blessed to play with several bands over the past 38 years. I stared out with Troublesome Hollow in 1978 and played with them for 20 years.

I had a brief stint with the band the Beagles in 1996 as well and in 1997 Dave Vaught, Larry McPeak & I formed the VW Boys. Larry passed away last year from health issues and previously came off the road with us three years earlier. His position was filled by our good friend Fat Albert Blackburn.

In my career I have played all over the eastern U.S. as well as Canada and Mexico. I have performed twice on the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry in Nashville including

the Ryman Auditorium, many times at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, VA, I hosted Song of the Mountains on national public television since 2005 which airs on 190 PBS affiliates across America, I have played at the Ford Theatre at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, I have been able to perform for two presidents of the U.S. as well as several State Governors, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Convention several times over the years. There are lots more but those are some highlights.

BRIAN: Now, changing gears on you here, religious tunes make up a large part of the song catalog for bluegrass in general. Do you have any religious roots that tie into some of that?

TIM: Well, I’m not a preacher or a saint but I am a believer in Jesus Christ. That was instilled in me by my late mother, Jackie White and both of my grandmothers as well. I have been very blessed with some talent and I have always tried to keep gospel music in my performances I made a promise to the Good Lord too that during my Song of the Mountains days I would always keep a portion of the music on that show in the gospel traditions. That is a fabric of our region and it is good.

TIM: The current story of Song of the Mountains at this time is still unfolding. I was released from a 5 year contract last month by the Lincoln Theatre board of directors.

My contract still has 3 ½ years remaining on it. I was told that after 11 years of very successful concert tapings and airing on over 190 PBS affiliates across America that the Lincoln Theatre board of directors wanted to “re-brand” the show and take it in a new direction with new partners, specifically the Crooked Road, BCM and Rhythm & Roots (based in Bristol). The reason I was told that they severed my contract was that I breached it. This is absolutely not true in my opinion and I have contacted my attorney to look into a legal

response to the Lincoln’s board’s actions. I love Song of the Mountains, the Lincoln Theatre and the Town of Marion.

I have been very touched and emotionally moved by the positive reaction toward me from fans across America and beyond concerning the board’s decision to terminate my association with the show. I want to thank everyone who has sent me words of encouragement through Facebook, emails, phone calls and letters.

Like I say, it has been overwhelming. I love the bluegrass. Old time and Americana community. What great people who always, always stand together for what is right and for those in need whether it is a career or even health situations.

What a great extended family we all have!

In any case. I have the faith that this will work out one way or another and I’m ready for the next adventure the Good Lord has in store for me. Thank you.

BRIAN: Tim, a pleasure as always my friend.

Tim at 22 months

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 5 because, for cupcakes, you don’t have to stick with just one design.”

The cashier, like you, laughed and probably thought I was crazy.

But decorating your own cupcakes is extremely fun and easy with the right supplies. I even suggest it to do with friends, or as a party activity.

To create your cupcakes, you simply bake them as directed on the back of any box that you pick out. I used pink and blue velvet cupcakes because bright colors remind me of my sister.

While the cupcakes are baking, I mix my frosting colors. I use a different bowl for each color frosting: pink, blue, lavender, green, and yellow. Food coloring works fine for most colors but for specific color I desire, like lavender, I use Wilton Icing Colors. When the frosting colors are mixed well, so that no white remains, I store it in the refrigerator. This makes it hard, and easier to decorate with.

After your cupcakes are done baking, they must be completely cooled to decorate. I place mine in the freezer for a few minutes to do the trick.

I made a lot of cupcake designs for my sister’s birthday, but my favorites are the flowers. I make flowers with three kinds of Wilton tips: 104, 2D, and 1M. For each tip, you simply place it into a disposable piping bag, turn the edges of

the bag down to shield your hand and fill with frosting.

The 104 tip is the most difficult of the three to work with. It creates individual petals. I start by creating a bud in the middle of the cupcake with the chubby end of the tip downward. It helps to hold the cupcake in one hand and the bag in the other. I continue by creating circles around the first bud, turning the cupcake and not my piping bag, until I have covered the entire surface.

The other two tips are very simple. With both the 2D and 1M, I start in the middle of the cupcake, and create a swirling motion outward until I reach the edge.

The two create a very similar rose but the 2D appears to be a slightly more open bloom.

Lastly, I use a 1A tip, which is a simple round opening, to create a very special watermelon themed cupcake. This cupcake is great, because if you don’t have a tip, you can simply cut a larger opening in a piping bag or Ziploc bag. To create this, I used green icing on a pink cupcake and the same swirling motion from before but starting from the outside and working inward. Once I reached the middle, I lifted up quickly, creating a perfect peak in the icing. Then, I sprinkled with chocolate chips as seeds.

ing two shots once we’ve reached step three, and also practicing shooting from step two. Speed is not the end goal for this exercise, it’s technique. I’d rather you be a second slower and not shoot yourself in the foot.

• If possible practice walking and shooting, take a few steps forward shooting, and backward. As you might have to fire while being backed against a wall etc.

• Practice drawing and shooting from a “Surrendered Pose” i.e. both of you hands held up or behind you head.

• Kneeling, I know kneeling usually comes to mind when shooting rifles, but you might find yourself in a situation where you enough the importance of practic- often cooler, and easy to use, de- need to shoot from a kneeling poing with your unloaded gun be- pending on the range you might sition. The examples I typically fore trying any of the drills on the be limited on what you can do. I use are shooting scenarios where range. I take no responsibility for recommend if possible using an you haven’t been detected by the injury or death as a result of any outdoor range. shooter like in a grocery store; advice in this article.

• Drawing, so for this exercise we shooting from a kneeling position Okay so while indoor ranges are will practice our presentation, fir- might be to your advantage.

• Practice shooting one handed, two handed and weak handed.

You never know when you might have to shoot with one hand or my personal nightmare left handed. I can do it but it’s really awkward.

These are just a few of the things you can do on the range to increase you skills. However, with ammo being as expensive as it is, and range time costing more and more I recommend the bulk of your practice be with unloaded guns and dummy rounds at home.

That being said marksmanship is a perishable skill so don’t skip range time altogether, just don’t feel like you have to go three times a week.

I hope you have enjoyed this series. It has been a personal favorite of mine, as everyone wants to know what to do after taking a class, and this is pretty much it, practice, then practice some more.

As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me. I look forward to your feedback.

Someone say.. Cupcakes?

Many naysayers will tell you that a cupcake is just a little piece of cake. They are wrong. A cupcake is more personal. Each cupcake has its own character and personality within its design. That is exactly what I love so much about cupcakes.

I realized this as I checked out at my local Food-Lion and felt obligated to explain my purchases to the questioning face of the cashier as he bagged: four different kinds of cake mix, three 12oz tubs of buttercream frosting, food coloring, two variety packs of Wilton decorating tips, pearl colored Sixlets, chocolate chips, and edible glitter.

“I’m baking cupcakes for my sister’s birthday,” I explained. “I need a lot of decorating supplies

Personal Tactical Training Pt 4

Wrapping up our four part series on personal tactical training we will venture to the range. Up until now we have been practicing with unloaded guns and dummy rounds. Now we will train with live rounds. I cannot emphasize

Page 6 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

The Whispering Giant of Knob Creek Road

As many people know, Johnson City’s contributions to the culture of Tennessee and the nation as a whole are many and varied.

It is home to East Tennessee State University, the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site and within shouting distance of the Davy Crockett Birthplace and Museum and NASCAR’s Bristol Motor Speedway. It is also the hometown of Heisman Trophy winnner Steve Spurrier, television’s Matt Czuchry, and yours truly.

One of Johnson City’s lesser known, but equally noteworthy bits of trivia is that it is the site chosen by renowned sculptor Peter Wolf Toth for the Tennessee example of his series of large, wooden, Native American-inspired sculptures, a project he calls The Trail of the Whispering Giants. In 1972, at the age of just 25, Toth began sulpting the carvings to honor the spirit of the Native American people, conferring with representatives of the tribe(s) local to the area where he intends to build a Whispering Giant, and designing each individual to be a composite of facial features prevalent to the tribe with a nod toward its stories and history.

To date, Toth has created 74 Whispering Giants, including one in each US state and most Canadian provinces. In undertaking his spectacular creations, which generally range in height from 2040 feet, Toth primarily uses only a hammer and chisel, although occasional steps call for larger tools, such as a mallet or an axe.

He donates his time, talents, and the eventual finished product to the community in which it resides, free of charge. Admirably, he asks

only for temporary housing, living expenses, and raw materials – generally consisting of a large log, 6 to 10 feet in diameter, coming from a species of tree that is native to the local area. In our case, he used oak.

Johnson City’s Whispering Giant is particularly special to me.

As I said above, Johnson City is the town where I was raised, and I have fond memories of my father taking me to watch Mr. Toth work on our sculpture, named Junaluska, in the summer of 1986. He told us all about his current project and his goal of eventually placing a sculpture in each of the 50 states.

Just a mile from the house where I grew up, I passed by Junaluska every day on my way to school, sparking memories of visiting its construction and fostering the wonder of knowing it would remain in that very spot long after I was gone.

You can see Junaluska in MetroKiwanis Park at Knob Creek Road & Guaranda Drive. For further information on the story of the Whispering Giants and where to find one close to you, I highly recommend Mr. Toth’s book, Indian Giver, available for purchase on Amazon and elsewhere

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 7

Red, White and Bluegrass weekend in Western, NC

Get ready to party with an extensive list of talented musicians at the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival on July 1st – July 4th, 2015! This four-day event has become one of the largest traditional bluegrass festivals in the world and will continue to grow this year with more than 23 bluegrass artists performing.

The City of Morganton invites families to celebrate with national and regional bluegrass talent including many International Bluegrass Associations award winners.

Meet Bluegrass music’s greatest ambassadors, Cindy Baucom of the Premiere Radio Network “Knee Deep In Bluegrass,” Dennis Jones of WNCW 88.7 and “Goin Across The Mountain.”

Take a free tram ride on a twenty-seven passenger train! The free train service will provide shuttle services on July 4th. Golf Cart shuttles will be able throughout the four-day festival. The shuttles pick you up in the parking lot and you are dropped off right at the festival gate. Festivities include a bluegrass camp for kids (July 1st July 3rd), tent sales of bluegrass instruments, music and other related materials, food and drink vendors, official festival caps and t-shirts.

As you make your way back to camp after enjoying a great day of bluegrass, sit back, relax and enjoy our bluegrass jam sessions after dark at the camp sites.

While in Morganton for your summer destination, please enjoy this charming city and all it has to offer. Visit the vibrant downtown filled with restaurants, galleries,

and shops before making your way to the festival area. Also, be sure to make plans to take advantage of Beanstalk’s Journey zip line and climbing tower attraction at Catawba Meadows Park.

Compliment your Bluegrass vacation with visits to regional attractions such as Lake James, South Mountain State Park, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the City’s beautiful Catawba River Greenway.

Morganton is also the home of

Ben Long Fresco and the History Museum of Burke County. The friendly Burke County Visitor’s Center is ready to help you with information and directions to local and regional attractions!

Celebrate the 12th Annual Red, White and Bluegrass Festival! Call (800) 939-7469 for tickets. For more information regarding the festival or camping details call (828) 4337469, (800) 939- 7469, (828) 4391866, or visit www.redwhiteandbluegrass.com. Visit this Featured Event at www.festivalnews.info.

Page 8 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

Independence on the Frontier Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

Step back in time 239 years to a colorful revolutionary world and witness life as it was on the 18th century frontier during a very tumultuous time. In the summer of 1776 colonial leaders met in Philadelphia to draft a document that would forever change the world.

As our guest to Fort Watauga, you too can be part of the excitement as news of American Independence reaches the colonial frontier.

What did the colonists think about a new nation? Walk among historical characters and hear their varied reactions to the Declaration, from fear of war to the hope of a brighter future.

The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, host living history organization at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, will be encamped in and around Fort Watauga giving visitors a glimpse of life in 1776. A myriad of activities will unfold

throughout the weekend such as militia drill and training, artillery firing demonstrations, open hearth cooking, tomahawk throwing and a special reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday at 1:00 followed by a short celebration.

Get an early start on your Independence celebrations and bring the entire family out for a weekend full of history, patriotism, education, and family fun. The event will run from 10:00 until 4:00on Saturday, June 27th and 10:00 until 3:00 on Sunday, June 28th.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area is located at 1651 W. Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643. For more information about this event please contact the park at 423-5435808 or log on to these websites: www.sycamoreshoalstn.org or http://tnstateparks.com/parks/ about/sycamore-shoals

Independence on the Frontier: Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 27th 10:00 – Raising the Colours: Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection and raises the flag with a patriotic ceremony.

10:30 – Wataugan Footsteps: Join Gillian in the visitors center and learn about an important woman on the frontier, Ann Robertson, who played a crucial role during the siege of Fort Watauga in 1776.

11:00 – “Fix Bayonets”: Join Mr. Davis of the Continental Army and learn about the uses and tactics of the bayonet, one of the most feared weapons used in the Revolutionary War! Then cheer on the Militiamen as they test their skill and aim with this 18th century weapon.

12:00 – “Echoes of Revolution”: The Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums perform martial and field music of the Revolutionary War.

1:00 – Reading of the Declaration of Independence: Join in the excitement as the document declaring our freedom from Great Britain is read publicly inside Fort Watauga. A short celebration will follow.

2:00 – Kids Militia & Rubber Band Rifle Shoot: Attention all able bodied kids! Fall in and drill with the Washington Co. Militia. Then join in the fun of an old fashioned rubber band shooting match!

3:00 – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18th century artillery as the Militia fires the Fort’s Cannon.

4:00 – Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours - The Washington County Militia demonstrates the tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, and then retire the flag for the day.

Camps Close to the Public: Join us tomorrow for another exciting day

of 18th century living history.

Sunday, June 28th 10:00 – Raising the Colours: Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection and raises the flag with a patriotic ceremony.

11:00 – Worship Service: Join us for Sunday Service held inside Fort Watauga.

1:00 – Kids Militia: Attention all able bodied kids! Fall in and drill with the Washington Co. Militia.

2:00 – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18th century artillery as the Militia fires the Fort’s Cannon.

3:00 – Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours: The Washington County Militia demonstrates the tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, then lowers the flag for the day.

Ongoing Activities Throughout the Weekend Include…

18th Century Cooking Techniques and Foodways – Colonial Carpentry – Wool Spinning and Fiber Arts – Flintlock Rifle and Musket Firing Demonstrations – Colonial Woodsmen Skills And Much More!

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The Abingdon Farmers Market’s Berry Festival

The Abingdon Farmers Market will hold its first annual Berry Festival Saturday, June 27th. With free berry tastings, a best dessert competition, live music and fun activities for kids, the festival is a time to celebrate the start of berry season in Southwest Virginia and the true beginning of summer.

The Abingdon Farmer’s market opens at 8:00am Saturday, with Berry Festival events kicking off at 9:00am.

Between 9:00am and 1:00pm, vendors will be offering free samples of many different types of berries, including blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries and

more, all locally grown.

There will also be a “Berry Best Dessert” contest held on the lawn underneath the white tent. After having a taste, customers may cast their vote for the “Berry Best Dessert.” There will be approximately five growers entered into the contest, and desserts will be available for sampling. This event will begin at 9am and prizes will be awarded at 12:30.

The Berry Festival includes a coloring competition for kids ages 3 to 10 years old. Coloring sheets are available to pick up between now and the 27th at the information table during regular market

hours or the Abingdon Visitor Center at 335 Cummings Street.

The contest will be split into two age groups, 3 – 5 and 6-10. Winners will receive small prizes from local business and vendors. Participants can drop off their completed coloring sheets any time during market hours between now and 1:00pm Saturday June 27th. The winners will be announced on the Abingdon Farmers Market Facebook page.

The Abingdon Farmers Market will be having its regular market during this event. Over 45 vendors will be selling all local produce, meats and crafts from 8am to 1pm. The Music at the Market program will also be hosting local band “Strange Awakenings” from 9am-12pm.

The Abingdon Farmers Market is sponsored by Berry Home Centers, The Washington County Rotary Club, The Harvest Table Restaurant, The Town of Abingdon and Iron Mountain Crossfit.

Contact Market Manager Haley Stewart at (276)-698-1434 or email abingdonmarket@gmail.com with any questions, or visit the market website at www.abingdonfarmersmarket.com or follow them on Facebook.

June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 9

ETSU to host

‘Olympic Day’ event The U.S. Olympic Training Site at East Tennessee State University will host the “2015 Olympic Day Celebration” on Friday, June 26 at Memorial Park Community Center.

The event is open to children ages 5-12. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the Olympic games at 9:15 a.m.

Closing ceremonies will take place at 12:10 p.m. Games will include soccer, rugby, weightlifting, field hockey, track and bobsled/skeleton.

All activities are free. Athletes from the ETSU weightlifting team and other teams and clubs will lead the games.

Olympic Day events are held each year in more than 160 countries to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic games and to promote fitness and well-being in addition to the Olympic ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship.

This Olympic Day activity is one of more than 700 events that will take place across the nation between June 14-30.

Memorial Park is located at 510 Bert Street. For more information, contact Emily Brockelman at 423-439-8477 or Brockelman@etsu. edu.

Page 10 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

The Vicki Genfan Trio plays Northeast State

Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, Vicki Genfan is redefining singer/songwriter culture.

Hear this masterful guitarist/ songwriter when the Vicki Genfan Trio performs at Northeast State Community College on June 23 in the Wellmont Regional Center for the Performing Arts Theater, located on the College’s Blountville

campus, next to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The show beings at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to all.

With a mastery of the acoustic guitar that borders on pure alchemy, audiences are mesmerized by the waves of sound Genfan creates with just two hands and her voice.

Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls ‘slap-tap’, Genfan’s pure, expres-

sive vocals dig deep and stir the heart to be the perfect accompaniment on many of her songs.

Genfan writes and beautifully sings her own brand of music and lyrics while putting her unmistakable imprint on familiar tunes like the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.”

An evening with Genfan is far more than a concert; stories, warmth and humor are gift wrapped in an unforgettable evening of music that leaves the audience always wanting more.

She has been recognized among the world’s greatest guitarists and musicians at festivals such as The International Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany’s Open Strings Guitar Festival, Italy’s Soave Guitar Festival, as well as at venues and Performing Arts Centers across the United States and abroad. In 2005 she was one of the featured artists on La Guitara, the first compilation CD featuring female guitarists from around the globe, released by Vanguard Records.

With several additional groundbreaking recordings behind her, recent acquisitions of the 6-string banjo, 12-string and baritone guitars, high demand at clinics and music camps and an ongoing European presence, she continues to reach beyond musical borders and into new territory.

For more information about this or other events in the Hot Nights, Cool Music series, visit www.

NortheastState.edu or contact 423.279.7669 or jpkelly@NortheastState.edu.

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 11

PUSH! Film Festival Is A Wrap!

PUSH! Film Festival is a wrap!

The festival hosted a variety of curated movies, workshops and presentations about film, along with screenings of juried films including shorts, features, and films focused on Tennessee and Virginia during its inaugural weekend in Historic Downtown Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee.

PUSH! Film Festival kicked things off Friday afternoon with its first block of Short Films screened to filmgoers. In addition, with partnership with BVU, the festival also showed the family classic “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” at sundown in Cumberland Square Park to a large audience.

“We are very pleased and proud of the success of the inaugural year of PUSH! Film Festival! There were films that stirred many emotions with our audiences, and filmmakers were very excited to be included as part of PUSH!,” said Festival Chair, Jessica Barnett. “This Festival has opened the doors to enhance and expand Downtown Bristol’s Art District, and we are so excited at what next year holds for PUSH! Film Festival.”

The Festival Committee also screened its curated films over the course of the weekend, which were “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Wadjda,” “Banjo Romantika,” “The Ballad of Shovels and Rope,” “Big Mocca-

sin,” and “Psycho.”

“The PUSH! Film Festival is nested in Bristol, VA/TN, an excellent place to bring together filmmakers and cinephiles for a weekend of storytelling. With a rich history of artistic culture, Bristol and PUSH! create a dynamic combination. I look forward to submitting year after year.” stated Marc A Hutchins, Roanoke, VA. Film winners are as follows; Best Virginia Film, “The Last Pyramid”, directed by Dave Schachter Best Tennessee Film, “The 7th Man”, directed by Bristol native Jason Liggett Best Short Film, “The Gospel of Hip Bones”, directed by Micah Troublefield Best Feature film, (TIE): Johnny Walker, directed by Kris De Meester, and Lost Colony, directed

by Christopher Holmes PUSH! Film Festival has merchandise available through its online store at www.pushfilmfest. com and the Believe in Bristol Office, located at 36 Moore Street Bristol, Virginia. Filmgoers and PUSH! supporters can purchase specially designed posters, stickers, and more!

For more information about PUSH! Film Festival, visit www. pushfilmfest.com, or contact Christina Blevins at 276-644-9700 or cblevins@believeinbristol.org.

Charity Flea Market Coming June 27, 2015...

“Finding cures, Saving children”... A special Charity Flea Market will be held on Saturday,

June 27, 2015, from 8 AM to 5 PM, at the Blountville Farmer’s Market located behind the Historic Sullivan County Courthouse at 3411 Hwy. 126, Blountville, TN. All proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. This event is sponsored by the Sullivan County Highway Department. Donations of sellable items will be accepted in the parking lot of the Sullivan County Highway Department on County Hill Road from 7 AM to 5 PM, June 22-25, and from 8 AM to 5 PM on June 26. For additional information, please contact Richard Dunbar at 423.534.7874.

Page 12 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

Niswonger Performing Arts Center Announces the 2015-2016 Season

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN, is excited to announce another great line up of entertainment.

The 2015-2016 Season will feature over 30 performances. Since opening in December 2004, NPAC has hosted numerous concerts and events in the 1150 seat venue.

From bluegrass to ballet, from Jungle Jack Hanna to Huey Lewis and the News, NPAC has brought outstanding performances to the stage. NPAC is recognized nationally as a leading entertainment venue for performing artists and theatrical productions. Performing artists this season represent many genres and nationalities including Canada, Ireland, Russia, and Africa. NPAC will continue to bring exciting performances to the stage this season including country, rock, contemporary Christian, comedy, jazz, family programming and many more.

“NPAC offers an outstanding

selection of entertainment options for a wide audience. We have a variety of musical artists and performances scheduled for the 20152016 Season, which begins August 22nd with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. Musical performances will include names such as Foreigner, Rick Springfield, Peter Frampton, Josh Turner, Charlie Daniels Band, Big Daddy Weave, and NewSong, just to name a few.

There are also many family friendly performances such as the Moscow Festival Ballet – Sleeping Beauty, Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, Cirque Zuma Zuma, Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, and for the first time ever on the NPAC stage, Winter Ice Solstice. The theatre will transform into a winter wonderland for this professional ice skating performance like no other,” said Angie Cook, Managing Director of NPAC.

“Tickets for the 2015-2016 Season will go on sale Wednesday, July 1st at 10:00 am,” states Vicki Hud-

son, Business Manager of NPAC. “Guests may purchase their tickets online at www.npacgreeneville. com, by phone at 423.638.1679, or in person at the NPAC box office. A small ticketing fee has been added this season to help offset ticketing expenses. A $1.50 ticketing fee will be added to the purchase of each ticket. In the past, NPAC has offered no fee ticketing, but due to the rising cost of these fees we have incorporated a small fee for each ticket. However, NPAC will continue to offer no processing or delivery fees.”

NPAC offers a variety of ticketing options including individual tickets, season tickets, a pick 5 or more bundle which includes a 10% discount, and discounted group packages for groups of 20 or more.

Current box office hours are Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm. NPAC is located adjacent to the Greeneville High School Campus

www.theloaferonline.com

June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 13

ETSU to host Sport Literature Association Conference

East Tennessee State University will host the 32nd annual Sport Literature Association Conference June 24-27, at Millennium Centre.

Sessions will feature presentations from various academic disciplines, as well as original fiction and poetry, delivered by participants from across the country and as far away as Canada, France and England.

ETSU’s Division of Theatre and Dance, under the direction of Bobby Funk, will perform “How She Played the Game” by awardwinning playwright Cynthia Cooper on Wednesday, June 24, at7:30 p.m. in ETSU’s Bud Frank Theatre.

The event is open to the public and although admission is free, donations are welcome to finance graduate students’ travel to conferences.

Playwright Cooper will be in attendance and will hold a question and answer session after the performance. The play features the

lives of acclaimed female athletes, such as multi-talented American athlete Babe Didrikson.

The performance is sponsored by the ETSU Women’s Studies Program, the Department of Literature and Language and the Department of Communication and Performance.

ETSU is partially responsible for publishing the peer-reviewed

publication “Aethlon: The Journal of Sport Literature.” Also, ETSU is the repository of the Lyle Olsen sport literature collection and counts faculty members as founding members of the association, among them Dr. Jack Higgs and Dr. Don Johnson.

For further information, contact Joyce Duncan at duncanj@etsu. edu or 423-202-0937.

Page 14 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

Pianists to perform in Ross Scholarship Benefit concerts at ETSU

Two internationally known pianists will perform in the eighth annual LaFaye Vickers Ross Scholarship Benefit Concert Series at East Tennessee State University.

These concerts, which will begin at 7 p.m. in Mathes Hall on Monday and Tuesday, June 29 and 30, will be held in conjunction with ETSU’s Summer Piano Camp and are sponsored by the Dr. James A. Ross Family. Proceeds will provide scholarship assistance for qualified students attending the camp.

On June 29, Dr. David Brunell will play works by Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Chopin, Gott-

schalk and Canfield.

A professor of music at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Brunell has performed on four continents: North America (including Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean), South America, Europe and Australia. With numerous concertos and solo recitals to his credit, he has been broadcast on radio and television in many countries and has made several recordings for Enharmonic Records.

Brunell is an active church pianist and has recorded a CD of hymn arrangements by Mark Hayes. He has also performed sa-

cred music on national television in Dr. D. James Kennedy’s “Coral Ridge Hour.”

The June 30 concert will feature Dr. Wayne Johnson, the Summer Piano Camp’s second guest artist.

This multimedia lecture/recital, “Keyboard Wizards of the Gershwin Era,” features vintage photographs and original piano music of George Gershwin. The program also includes examples of Gershwin’s piano roll transcriptions, arrangements of several songs by the composer and others, and original piano works composed by other musicians from the 1920s and ’30s.

Johnson has appeared as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Europe and Latin America. In the early 1970s, he was a concert pianist for the U.S. Army.

As an educator, Johnson was professor of piano and music history and served as chair of Keyboard Studies at Seattle Pacific University from 1977-2014. Following his retirement from academia last summer, he and his wife, Claire, moved back to his hometown of Kingsport to enjoy the mountains, family and Southern cuisine.

Tickets, which are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors per concert (with a 20 percent discount for both events if purchased at the same time), will be available at the door or in advance by calling the ETSU Department of Music at 423-439-4276. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.

www.theloaferonline.com

ETSU June Arts Calendar

June 15 thru August 14 From An African American Perspective

423-439-5789 or duncanj@etsu.edu

Monday, June 29, 2015 Monday, June 29, 2015 thru Fri- Mathes Hall Auditorium An exhibition of the work of day, July 3, 2015 -- Mathes Hall Piano Camp Guest Artist Recital w/ David Brunell Sammie Nicely from his personal Summer Piano Camp Directed by Ms. Jerilyn Paolini Two nationally and internationally known pianists will perform in the eighth annual LaFaye Vickers Ross Scholarship Benefit Concert Series at East Tennessee State University.

These concerts, which will begin at 7 p.m. in Mathes Hall on Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30, will be held in conjunction with ETSU’s Summer Piano Camp. Proceeds Thursday, June 18, 2015 thru will provide scholarship assistance Saturday, June 27, 2015 for students attending the camp.

Mathes Hall Suzuki Institute Directed by Mrs. Rebecca Paluzzi Tickets are $15 per concert, $10 per The East Tennessee Suzuki Flute concert for students and seniors. A Institute International provides a 20% discount will apply if you atfamily-oriented environment for tend both performances with a prolearning which is founded on the mo code. Please call for the code. basic keystones of the Suzuki Phi- Tickets can be purchased from the losophy: love, encouragement, pos- Department of Music at 423-439itive reinforcement, respect, expo- 4276, and at the door. For more insure to fine musical performances, formation, contact Jerilyn Paolini at opportunity for review and refine- 423-439-4418, or paolini@etsu.edu. ment of skills, and development of personal character. students playing. The Institute concludes with the Celebration Concert on Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. in Mathes Hall.

For more information, contact Rebecca Paluzzi at 423-439-6956 or by email: paluzzir@etsu.edu collection as well as the collections of Dr. Jerome W. Wright and Sylvia and Jan Peters. Reception and Panel Discussion dates to be announced. The Reece Museum hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information visit www.etsu.edu/cass/reece or contact 423-439-4392.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 7:30 p.m. Bud Frank Theatre How She Played the Game

The play, How She Played the Game, is being produced by the Division of Theatre and Dance, ETSU Women’s Studies, the Department of Literature and Language and The Sports Literature Association.

It is a play about six highly talented and spirited women from sports history that shows how each overcame obstacles, broke records and crashed stereotypes. Characters include: Babe Didrikson, Gertrude Ederle, Althea Gibson, Sonja Henie, Eleanor Randolph Sears, and Gretel Bergmann. Playwright Cynthia Cooper will attend the performance. For more information, contact Dr. Joyce Duncan at

A professor of music at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Dr. David Brunell has numerous concerto performances and solo recitals to his credit. He has been broadcast on radio and television stations in many countries, including New York City’s WQXR. Brunell has made several recordings for Enharmonic Records in concerto, solo, and collaborative performances. He is an active church pianist, and recorded a CD of hymn arrangements by Mark Hayes. Brunell has been heard performing sacred music on national television in Dr. D. James Kennedy’s Coral Ridge Hour. Tickets for the event are $15/$10/$10 for students w/ID can be purchased by calling Sabrina Sutton at 423439-4276 or by email at Suttons@ etsu.edu

June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 15

Page 16 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

ELI & BILL PERRAS KYLE ADEM

TUESDAY - June 23 JASON LLYOD & FRIENDS at Biggies Clam Bar

OPEN MIC w/ DAN HERRELL

6pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

SCRATCH RIVER TELEGRAPH & WOLF CREEK

at Downtown Gate City VA

THE JONES BOYS

7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

VICKI GENFAN TRIO

HIDDEN VALLEY BAND

THE MUDBUGS

NIGHTSHIFT

at NE State Performing Arts Center at Acoustic Coffeehouse

WEDNESDAY - June 24 OPEN MIC at The Willow Tree

Coffeehouse & Music Room

ADAM CHURCH 6pm at Sonny’s Cafe

OPEN MIC w/ THE DUO TONES at Marker “2” Grill

STEPHEN EVANS at Acoustic Coffeehouse

THURSDAY - June 25

at Family Barn

(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) 7pm at The Lion’s Club

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

7pm at Buffalo Ruritan

YATES FAMILY BAND at Carter Family Fold

APPALCHIAN STRINGS 7pm at David Thompson’s Produce

OLDE SCHOOL REVUE at Family Barn

JERRY PIERCE & THE NIGHTLIFE BAND 8pm at The Dispensary

THE SHIFTERS (Rock)

10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub & Grille

RUN AWAY HOME

LOOSE ENZ

MARK LARKINS

JEFF JOPLIN BAND

8pm at Bone Fire Smokehouse 9pm at Triple B Brewery 9pm

ASYLUM SUITE

7pm at Marker “2” Grill

SOUTHERN SOUND

(Classic Country & Southern Rock) 9pm at Elizabethton Elks

SHOOTER

(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) 9pm at Biggie’s Clam Bar

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country) at The Outdoorsman ACOUSTIFRIED (Country)

9pm at Horseshoe Lounge

at Country Club Bar & Grill

ROCK N ROLL FREAKSHOW at Triple B Brewery

HONEY CHASERS at Bone Fire Smokehouse

LOGAN FRITZ & CO BRIAN SMALLEY at Acoustic Coffeehouse

SUNDAY - June 28

JAZZ at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS Thursday Jams

at Country Club Bar & Grill

SATURDAY - June 27

MARK LARKINS

THE DUO TONES

WOLF CREEK

MARK LARKINS

CATFISH FRYE BAND

JOHN CONDRONE / CHRIS LONG / RICK IRWIN / ROBERT JOHNSTON JR

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

SHOOTER

IVY ROAD at Marker “2” Grill MARSHALL BALLEW

at The Acoustic Coffeehouse

SHOOTER

PEA PICKIN’ HEARTS

7pm at Abingdon Market Pavilion at Biggies Clam Bar

7pm at Marker “2” Grill

NATE MONTGOMERY SUSAN DAVID

FRIDAY - June 26 CATFISH FRYE BAND (Rockin’ Boogie Blues)

8pm at Quaker Steak & Lube

SUNDOWN BAND (Country)

at Amvets Post 67

7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe Rockin’ Boogie Blues) 7pm at Marker “2” Grill

1pm at Smith Brothers Harely-Davidson Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) 8pm at JC Moose Lodge

NIGHTSHIFT

5pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe SONGWRITER SHOWCASE with

6pm at Triple B Brewery

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

at Natural Tunnel State Park

LILLI JEAN at Acoustic Coffeehouse

(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) 7pm at The Show Palace

MONDAY - June 29

(Classic Rock, 80’s hairband) at Biggie’s Clam Bar

at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch

ELIJIAH FEELGOOD

VICTORIA LEE & NEW GROUND

OPEN MIC at Acoustic Coffeehous

KARAOKE TUESDAY

Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN ***********************

WEDNESDAY

Karaoke At Bristol VFW - Bristol TN Turn the Page Karaoke At VFW Post 2108 - JC ***********************

THURSDAY

Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Electric Cowboy - JC Karaoke At Holiday Inn - JC Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JC ***********************

FRIDAY

Karaoke At Bristol VFW - Bristol TN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertaiment at Rainbow Asian Cuisine - JC Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JC Karaoke At Elizabethton VFW Elizabethton TN Karaoke w/ DJ Marques At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - Bristol VA Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN ***********************

SATURDAY

Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - Johnson City TN Karaoke At Numan’s - Johnson City TN ***********************

SUNDAY

Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment at Mellow Mushroom - JC Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille -JC ***********************

www.theloaferonline.com

June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 17

Drew Halcomb & The Neighbors

June 25th | 7pm | Abingdon Market Pavilion Drew Holocomb is a Tennessee-born, duck hunting, French speaking, bourbon drinking, 1st edition book collecting, golf playing Eagle Scout with a Masters degree in Divinity from Scotland’s University of St Andrews (he wrote his dissertation on “Springsteen and American Redemptive Imagination”) who has spent the better part of the past decade as a professional musician. Since releasing their first album, 2005’s “Washed In Blue,” Drew & The Neighbors have established themselves as a formidable indie act, selling more than 75,000 records, playing more than 1,500 live dates, selling-out headline shows, and touring alongside such varied acts as The Avett Brothers, Ryan Adams, Los Lobos, NEEDTOBREATHE, Susan Tedeschi, North Mississippi Allstars, Marc Broussard, and more. Their songs have been used in countless television shows and commercials. One thing Holcomb – who follows Bruce Springsteen’s motto that the audience is like an extra member of the band – hopes for those in attendance is the ability to relate to what they’re witnessing, no matter the emotion.

Spotlight Directory Abingdon Moose Lodge 15605 Porterfield Hwy Abgindon VA 276/628-2756

Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Biggies Clam Bar 417 W Stone Dr Kingsport 423/765-9633 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 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

David Thompson’s Produce 251 Highway 107 Jonesborough 423/913-8123 Family Barn 1718 US Highway 19 Hansonville VA

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

Mad Greek Restaurant 2010 Franklin Terrace Johnson City 423/328-9070

Marker “2’ Grill at Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock, Kingsport 423/323-4665 The Outdoorsman 4535 Highway 11W Kingsport Quaker Steak & Lube 629 State St Bristol VA 276/644-9647

Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One St. Gray TN 423/283-4014

State Line Bar & Grill 644 State Street Bristol 423/652-0792

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

Page 18 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

Encore Announces Auditions for “One Man, Two Guvnors” Encore Theatrical Company announces auditions for the awardwinning smash comedy and regional premiere of “One Man, Two Guvnors.” Get ready to laugh out loud with this uproarious knockabout comedy is set in 1963 London as one man tries to serve, and hoodwink, two employers at the same time. Easily confused and distractedly hungry, Francis Henshall takes on two jobs resulting in two bosses. One “guvnor” is a mobster and the other is a criminal who is on the run. Neither is aware of the other, and Francis goes to extremes to prevent them from discovering each other and his deception. Throw in a sweet and beautiful but dimwitted young woman, a vain actor, a woman disguised as her murdered twin brother, a crooked lawyer, and a couple of level hoodlumbs, and it’s almost more than one man can govern.

Based on “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni, playwright Richard Bean gives us a lighthearted show that is a guaranteed evening of laughs and entertainment. The play opened at the National Theatre in London in May 2011 and soon moved to Broadway. It was nominated for seven Tony Awards and James Corden won the Tony for Best Actor in a Play.

Encore will hold auditions on Friday, June 26 and Sunday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Studio ETC, located at 180 W. Main Street in Morristown. The production team is looking for 8 men, 3 women, 3-4 male singers, plus a small ensemble of actors. Some actors will need to sing. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. If you sing, please prepare a verse of an a cappella selection (early Rock and Roll in the style of the Beatles).

Rehearsals are scheduled to begin late July with performances scheduled for September 11-27.

For more information, please visit www.etcplays.org or call 423-3188331.

Roles in “One Man, Two Guvnors” MEN: FRANCIS – (30’s - 40’s) A portly, lovable buffoon. In an attempt to get more lunches he finds himself struggling to please two bosses. A very funny and very physical role with some improvisation.

STANLEY STUBBERS – (30’s) One of Francis’ guvnors. A snooty fop who attended boarding school.

HARRY DANGLE – (50’s - 60’s) The crooked, Latin-speaking solicitor to the Clenches.

CHARLIE “THE DUCK” CLENCH – (50’s) Gangster. Tight with money.

LLOYD BOATENG – (40’s - 50’s) A Jamaican ex-con and friend to Charlie Clench.

ALAN – (20’s - 30’s) Harry Dangle’s son and Pauline’s fiancé. An aspiring thespian who is always performing.

GARETH – (30’s - 50’s) A trained head waiter. May be double cast as ensemble.

ALFIE – (80’s - can be played by a younger actor) A slow and dod-

dering waiter. The role is very physically demanding. May be double cast as ensemble.

WOMEN: RACHEL CRABBE – (20’s - 30’s) A tough cookie. Disguised as her dead twin brother, she bears an uncanny resemblance to Ringo Starr.

PAULINE CLENCH – (20’s - 30’s) Charlie Clench’s daughter. Pretty and stupid.

DOLLY – (30’s - 40’s) Charlie Clench’s bossy, voluptuous, and feminist secretary. Francis’ love interest.

ENSEMBLE – A few actors will be cast as an old man, a boy scout, police officers, etc. These are mostly non-speaking roles.

SKIFFLE BAND SINGERS & MUSICIANS – Seeking actors would play as singers in the Skiffle Band - Early Beatles style music. Those who play instruments (i.e. guitar, electric guitar, stand up bass, etc) are encouraged to audition.

www.theloaferonline.com

June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 19

Best Coast & Courtney Barnett That’s right, these are album reviews. Two of them in fact. I’ve not done album reviews on a regular basis in these here pages for a years, but lately I’ve been thinking of dipping my toes back into that water again. There’s been a number of albums lately that have really excited me. Some that I’ve been telling others about, or some others have been telling me about. There are even some cases where we all

just came on board at the same time and geeked out together on the internet.

Now at some point this year, just before Fall, around August, a think tank will try to decide “What was the song of the summer for 2015!?”

I doubt if any of my offerings will be those chosen by those who need to tell others what is “important.”

However, the two records I have picked to talk about this week, are

the two I suspect I’ll be listening to the most this Summer. Both are excellent additions to your library.

Best Coast--California Nights: I’m late to the Best Coast party.

California Nights is their third album, and the first one I’ve bought.

I wasn’t unaware of the band. I recall when their debut album came out there was a lot of excited chatter. What I heard off that first album I liked, but I didn’t rush out

to buy the record. It wasn’t even upon hearing the lead single off thei new album—the title song— that I became excited, it took a few listens before I got into the song.

What clinched it for me was the second single “Heaven Sent.” I was hooked, and I bought the record the week it came out.

California Nights is, from what I’ve heard from friends who were on the Best Coast bandwagon before me, similar in theme to what they do—songs about love, loss, and getting high. To my ears, California Nights is a really solid, guitar driven, California rock album. Imagine if the mid 70s Flaming Grooves were making records today, with more of an indie rock background than a blues background. That’s what I hear on this record. Every song drills right into your brain, it’s simply an infectious record that I find impossible to resist. Perfect for hot winds, poolside adventures, and late night ponderings.

Courtney Barnett—Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit: Oh, Holy Hot Damn!

Have you heard Courtney Barnett? If not, I want a 300 word es-

say explaining why on my desk by morning. Courtney Barnett is a singer/songwriter from Australia, and she may just be the most exciting thing to have happened to rock music in years. In some ways, Barnett reminds me of the early early Elvis Costello—but without all the anger. There’s a thrash element to some of the songs, but above all her distinct singing style grabs you, with songs full of smart, often humorous lyrics.

One of the ways Barnett reminds me of Costello, is the way she can cram songs full of words. On the track “Pedestrian at Best,” it almost feels like the song is overflowing with words, check out the video on YouTube, I couldn’t do it justice here. The first pressings of Barnett’s debut album seemingly flew off record racks in March when it came out, for a while trying to track down a copy—even online—was a task. However, it seems a second pressing has finally been rushed and the record is out again. I’m thankful after waiting for months I finally have a copy. This is one time when the hype is all real, she’s amazing, and absolutely worth your time.

Page 20 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

Venus & Jupiter Strange Bedfellows

The two brightest planets are ready to consummate a half-year of courting and nearly merge as one star Tuesday evening, June 30th.

And they certainly make strange bedfellows, though they are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart.

To watch this beautiful conjunction is to observe the celestial dance of bodies in outer space, as fundamental as the laws discovered by Johannes Kepler in the late 1500s and expounded upon by Sir Isaac Newton 100 years later.

It was through plotting such planetary movements that the great mathematician Kepler and one of the world’s greatest geniuses Newton proved their laws of gravity and celestial motion— the bedrock of all our knowledge about the Universe.

So bright and beautiful are Venus and Jupiter in our 21st Century skies polluted by urban lights. Just image only 100 years ago—and then a thousand years ago—how such an encounter of Venus and Jupiter would have been a spectacle watched by almost everyone.

And until just 40 years ago,

those humans looking up at Venus and Jupiter had little sense about what these planets looked like. For most of antiquity they have been thought of as Gods—the gold one for king Jupiter and the pure white one for Venus. Ultimate authority and virgin beauty have always been associated with these two wandering “stars.”

Oh, sure there have been great telescopic views of Jupiter and its bands of belts, dark Polar Regions and the gigantic oval “Red Spot.”

Jupiter’s cloud tops reveal the most detail in a planet seen in a telescope. And the planet’s swift rotation provides a constantly changing view.

But Venus is enshrouded in a global cloud system that hides its surface from telescopes and fueled fantasy speculation that it might be a lush paradise of vegetation. Or maybe a thriving civilization technologically behind our own.

The Space Age has showed us the real characteristics of Venus and Jupiter. And as usual, science fact is stranger than science fiction.

First up, Venus. She is known as Earth’s twin is size (7,521 miles

in diameter to our 7,926 miles), but is a hot, hellish world. That global cloudbank is 30 miles thick, divided by a one mile gap. The carbon dioxide atmosphere is laced poison and rains sulfur dioxide that evaporates before reaching the 900 degree surface—hot enough to melt lead.

But that’s not all that’s weird about Venus. It is upside down, rotating slowly backwards compared to other planets. So slow that a day on Venus is 243 days, longer than its 224 earth-day time orbit around the Sun! Something knocked Venus over in the early Solar System creation 5 billion years ago. The same is true about gas giant Uranus, which rolls along its orbit on its side like a bowling ball. Everything else in the Solar System moves clockwise as seen from overhead (excluding a few odd-ball moons and dwarf planet Pluto).

Venus was the first interplanetary target by NASA and Russia after probes to our Moon in the early 1960s. Russia made it a pet project in the 1970s by sending eight successful landers that transmitted

photos and data until literally being crushed by the incredible pressure from that thick atmosphere.

And NASA spacecraft Magellan spent from 1990-94 orbiting Venus, which penetrated the thick clouds with radar and other instruments.

The Russian photos of Venus from the surface show a flat, rocky landscape that looks like earthly lava fields. From orbit the globe has been mapped in detail and reveals three small plateau areas rising above a relatively smooth landscape. There are a few huge volcanoes that are probably dormant, but we’re not sure. And there is some intense lightning in the clouds rarified by solar radiation.

Jupiter is also cloud-cloud covered but in a very different way.

Actually a failed star because it was too small, it is so huge that 100 globes the size of Venus would fit inside. In fact, everything in the Solar System, all the planets, moons, asteroids and comets can fit inside Jupiter!

The clouds we see are super cold and mostly hydrogen in the minus -200 degree range. The spin of Jupiter is so fast that the cloud features are whipped around the huge globe in less than 10 hours— the speed exceeding 1,000 miles an hour noticeably flattening the planet at its poles.

The deeper you go into Jupiter, the more the atmosphere heats up and the world becomes bizarre. There might be an actual temperate zone of balmy 70 F. degree temperatures where floating creatures like jelly fish might evolve.

Deep inside Jupiter hydrogen turns to a liquid and then a solid—at pressures which cannot be duplicated on Earth. The metallic-

hydrogen core spins like a dynamo, creating a wicked magnetic field laced with electricity. The result is an invisible atmosphere surrounding Jupiter that is hundreds of thousands of degrees hot extending thousands of miles from its surface.

This picture of Jupiter has been deduced from four NASA flybys and orbiter Galileo. But the picture is incomplete. A new orbiter, Juno, will begin orbiting in July 2016 with a specific mission to learn more about the exotic magnetic field, cloud structure and interior workings. The information will help unlock many secrets of Jupiter’s birth and role in this Solar System.

Where Venus has no moons, Jupiter has an entire system of 65plus moons, including four large ones that are visible in backyard telescopes. Jupiter also has a small ring of rocks and ice that girdles it like a ropy hoop. Those four moons discovered by Galileo in 1609 include the Ganymede larger than planet Mercury and slightly smaller Callisto and Europa, all three being ice worlds. The moon closest to Jupiter is called Io and the size of our Moon. It is a bizarre world of hundreds of volcanoes spewing sulphur in the air, the result of Jupiter’s gravity stretching Io back and forth like a rubber ball.

Looking at Venus and Jupiter in our evening twilight is a thing of beauty with mystical feelings, far from the physical qualities of these alien worlds. As we revel in the naked eye splendor of Jupiter and Venus in our evening sky, you can think of each as exotic, alien worlds where amazing things are happening.

Look up and think…there is always more than meets the eye!

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 21

Celestial events in the skies for the week of June 23- June 29, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

A dramatic week in the western sky after sunset as Venus creeps closer each day to Jupiter, the two brightest planets nearly merging as one star on the night of Tuesday, June 30th. Get outside and gaze up at this astronomical conjunction of planets. The event is duplicated every eight years or so, but none more dramatic than June 17 2 BC when the planets actually merged—a possible event that was interpreted as the “Star of Bethlehem.” While this beautiful conjunction is occurring in the west, planet Saturn is rising in the southeast.

Tues. June 23

With daylight lasting nearly 16 hours, there’s not much time for stargazing, but hanging out under the stars after 10 pm has its rewards of two planets and a handful of bright stars. And the Milky Way climbs higher as the night wears on, its border full of deep sky objects for sky hunters and their telescopes. One of the real pleasures of Summer stargazing is the sounds you hear while looking around the night sky. From the incessant chants of insects, to dogs parking and that distant, lonesome train whistle, the night will fill your senses with awe and satisfaction.

Wed. June 24 First Quarter Moon is today, and it will be to the right of Spica in Virgo the Virgin. It’s called “first quarter” and not “half moon” because it is the first of four quarters in its complete orbit going through phases from new to quarter to full to quarter and back to new.

Thurs. June 25

On this 1997 date in space history, two cosmonauts and an American aboard the Russian Mir Space station narrowly escaped death when a Progress supply spaceship collided with the Spektr module.

The huge complex began losing pressure, but quick action shut off the crippled section and Mir was returned to its normal operations.

Fri. June 26

The Moon and Spica are next

to each other—sometimes our satellite will pass over this star (and others in the Zodiac) in an event called an occultation. Spica is actually two giant stars orbiting each other just 11 million miles apart, each star being many times larger than our Sun.

Sat. June 27

Campers will no doubt gaze up at the stars, and the later the hour the higher the Milky Way will be.

Even a pair of binoculars will open the eyes to the tremendous number of stars beyond the reach of human vision. Keep looking up and you’ll see lots of airplanes, a few satellites and maybe a meteor or two.

Sun. June 28

Download a free guide to the night sky at Skymaps.com and begin to learn the dot-to-dot pat-

terns of constellations. Other useful tools for the night sky is the free planetarium program Stellarium.org. And there are several sky identification “apps” for your Smart Phone that show you what you are point to in the sky. Don’t forget the library—it has lots of books on amateur astronomy with star charts.

Mon, June 29 On this 1971 date in space history, three cosmonauts were asphyxiated during reentry of their Soyuz 11 spacecraft. The cosmonauts spent 28 days on the world’s first space station, Salyut 1, and the tragedy rocked the Soviet public who watched almost daily televised reports from the spacemen.

The space heroes were honored with a state funeral at Red Square in Moscow.

Page 22 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015 Send The Light Distribution is an international distributor of Christian products including books, Bibles, communion cups and wafers, toys, homeschooling products, jewelry, apparel, home décor, fair trade products, books CDs, music, movies, and DVDs. Bailey states, “Our primary customers are bricks and mortar retailers in North America, but we also send containers of discount Bibles and books overseas through our Great Value Books division.

Our fastest growing customers use the internet as an additional showroom and our warehouse as their backroom.”

“Our community is alive with development and growth,” said City Manager Bill Sorah. “We were elated to see Send The Light Distribution become a part of our said, “We have worked very hard community. We are here to proto develop well designed business vide assistance as needed to see parks that are functional for years the company continue to expand into the future. This park is an ex- and prosper,” Mayor Lea Powers ample of that effort. We welcome added. companies like Send The Light The company ships to more than Distribution to our community. 10,000 locations and ships out I see this move as a very positive more than 25,000 Bibles and Testaments per day. contribution to our city.”

Distribution Company Relocates to Bristol The City of Bristol is pleased to welcome a new company that recently relocated to Bristol, Tennessee’s Bristol Industrial Park. Send The Light Distribution (STL) is one of the largest Christian product distributors in the world. Glenn Bailey, President and CEO of the company said of the move to Bristol, “We were four hours away from signing a lease for another county when Mark Vance and Mayor Venable decided that we needed to be here. Since that time the Bristol community has pulled out all the stops to make us glad we made the decision to be here.”

The company has local roots that date back to the early 1970’s. Lea Powers, Mayor of Bristol, Tennessee said, “I am excited to welcome a company with such a long and valued history as Send The Light Distribution to the Bristol business community. We believe that this

company saw the huge benefit that comes from locating in our city in terms of access to a superb work force and an ardent support system we offer to all our businesses from the small start-ups to large corporations.” The city will see an increase in workforce numbers increase by 100 employees with the move and the possibility of more through additional company contracts coming to fruition.

The company move took place over Memorial Day weekend, when the entire content of Send The Light Distribution’s warehouse was moved to the new warehouse in Bristol, TN. The move required 205 tractor trailer loads of 1,250,000 units (65,000 SKU’s) plus shelving, as well as additional truckloads of office furniture, record and IT equipment. Tom Anderson, Economic Development Business Specialist

Comedian Jim Florentine to Perform in Kingsport

Comedian Jim Florentine, known for hosting “That Metal Show” on VH-1 and for his recurring appearances on MTV’s “Crank Yankers” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will perform at the Kingsport Renaissance Center, Saturday, September 19th at 8pm. Known for his irreverent comedy style, this is Mr Florentine’s first trip to Kingsport.

The event is hosted by etncomedy.com, a group whose goal is to bring A-List comedy to the Tri-Cities. “Since the main comedy club in Knoxville closed, fans in the TriCities have had to travel to Nashville or Asheville to see nationallyknown comedians,” says Dianna Daggs, the event’s promoter, “our goal is to change that.”

Given Mr. Florentine’s penchant for music, he will be preceded on stage by local metal band, Asylum Suite. There will be a craft beer tasting room provided by JRH Brewing Company, from Johnson City, TN. Asylum Suite and craft brew tasting starts at 7pm, and Jim Florentine goes on at 8pm. Tickets are reserved seating and are on sale now, exlusively through etncomedy.com.

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 23

Few Little Notes Applications being accepted for JC101 The City of Johnson City is accepting applications for the allnew summer school edition of JC101, an adult educational program designed to enhance citizen awareness and understanding of government’s role in the community. This eight-week program on the basics of government includes presentations, tours, and questionand-answer periods.

Classes will meet at various locations throughout the City from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning July 7. Class size is limited, and registration is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available at the Municipal and Safety Building, by calling 434-6021, and can be downloaded at www.johnsoncitytn.org/cr/jc101.

“JC101 not only gives our citizens a comprehensive overview of how their government works, but it is the perfect way to really get involved in the community, whether you are a lifetime resident or a newcomer,” said Community Relations Director Becky Buchanan. “The course has become increasingly popular with couples, and some of our participants have gone on to serve the community on various boards and committees.”

For more information, call the Community Relations Department at 434-6021.

Parks and Rec sets meetings for soccer officials, volunteer coaches Johnson City Parks and Recreation is looking for soccer officials and volunteer coaches for the upcoming season. Practices will begin the week of July 13 with the season starting Aug. 10.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a coach should attend a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24 at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St. Anyone age 16 or older who is interested in serving as a soccer official should attend a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13 at the Winged Deer Park Athletic Tower, 4137 Bristol Highway.

For more information, please call (423)283-5822.

Memorial Park Community Center Chalk It Up! contest set for June 30 Registration is now under way for Memorial Park Community Center’s first-ever chalk drawing contest. Children ages 5-12 are invited to Chalk It Up! from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Participants will be placed in age groups, with prizes to be awarded in each.

Cost is $2 per child. Register in person at MPCC, 510 Bert St. For more information, call (423)434-5749.

ETSU’s Carter Railroad Museum receives historic ‘Tweetsie’ document Dr. Fred Alsop, director of East Tennessee State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum, has unexpectedly received an unusual piece of local railroad history.

One room in the museum is dedicated to the creation of a miniature replica of the route of the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad, affectionately known as “Tweetsie.”

Dean Smith, a Tweetsie fan who is building his own replica, contacted Alsop about a document in his possession that he wished to donate to the Carter Museum.

He presented Alsop with the last train order for the final run of the Tweetsie Railroad on Oct. 16, 1950, signed by engineer George Allison and conductor Cy Crumley.

The train went from Elizabethton to Cranberry, North Carolina, and back.

No one knows how the document traveled from the company’s headquarters in Johnson City to a yard sale in a small town in Missouri, where a friend of Smith’s purchased it to give to Smith.

Alsop has presented the train order to ETSU’s Archives of Appalachia for inclusion in the extensive railroad history collection there. A copy will hang in the museum.

For further information, contact Alsop at alsopf@etsu.edu or 423-439-6838.

Page 24 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

In Theaters Now

Box Office Top 10 Jurassic World (2015)

“Jurassic World” Where did you see the film “Jurassic Park” for the first time?

I remembering traveling over the mountain to Asheville, NC, to take in a first viewing, and the film left this viewer mostly speechless throughout, and I will never forget my first viewing of a CGI dinosaur. The film was a world wide smash and spawned two sequels, and now a third, “Jurassic World”. The new film, benefiting from even more advanced special effects, doesn’t miss a beat with the action and thrills. The new film is set 22 years following the closing of Jurassic Park (which never opened to the general public), and not only is the park still on Isla Nublar, but it’s a fully functional dinosaur theme park. The story introduces us to all new characters, led by Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), a Velociraptor trainer, and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), the park’s operations manager.

The story begins with Claire dealing with potential investors vising the park, along with park owner Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan), who has come to see his newly “created” and grown dinosaur. The invented dinosaur has been dubbed Indominus rex, and was created as a terrifying new beast to draw larger crowds, because apparently the public has grown tired of seeing a plain old T. Rex. Oh, the fickle public.

While Claire’s visitors are on hand, Owen is showing InGen (the company creating the dinos) head of security Vic Hoskins (Vincent D’Onofrio) how he has become the alpha of four raptors, but even with his new relationship with the raptors, they cannot be completely controlled or tamed.

While Claire is dealing with her

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitors’ interest, which backfires horribly.

Movie star Vincent Chase, together with his boys Eric, Turtle, and Johnny, are back - and back in business with super agent-turnedstudio head Ari Gold on a risky project that will serve as Vince’s directorial debut.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels Spy (2015) just might be able to restore order: A desk-bound CIA analyst volun- Max, a man of action and of few teers to go undercover to infiltrate words, and Furiosa, a woman of the world of a deadly arms dealer, action who is looking to make it and prevent diabolical global di- back to her childhood homeland. saster.

San Andreas (2015)

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescuechopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his daughter.

Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

distractions, her two nephews are at the park without their parents, clearly setting up a “kids in peril” scenario. Faster than you can take another bite of your popcorn, the Indominus rex has escaped its enclosure and is a threat to the parks 20,000 visitors. Buffet time! After Owen barely escapes the jaws of the beast, Claire’s nephews are the next target for a potential meal as they are out in the plains area of the park in a cool round vehicle called a gyrosphere. Soon Owen and Claire are searching for the boys and fleeing the Indominus during the hunt. Meanwhile, the guests have been evacuated to the main area of the park, but are soon being attacked by a large group of pterosaurs which have been accidental freed by the Indominus.

Entourage (2015)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.

Tomorrowland (2015)

Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.

Love & Mercy (2014)

After a humiliating command per- In the 1960s, Beach Boys leadformance at Lincoln Center, the er Brian Wilson struggles with Barden Bellas enter an interna- emerging psychosis as he attempts The scene of the pterosaurs attack tional competition that no Amerito craft his avant-garde pop masreminded me a bit of the film “The can group has ever won in order terpiece. In the 1980s, he is a broBirds”, but with larger beaks and to regain their status and right to ken, confused man under the 24huge teeth added. With all the cha- perform. hour watch of shady therapist Dr. os on the island, Owen gathers a Eugene Landy. group of men, and along with the four raptors hunt down the IndoSource: IMDb.com • (6/20/2015) minus, but the results are not what he expected. The film concludes with a knock out fight between the Indominus and a surprise dino references to the original “Jurassic wonderful in 3D, and is definitely that is worthy of any Godzilla Park” film, and a very brief cameo equal if not better than the first Juby singer Jimmy Buffett (!). The rassic film. So far, “Jurassic World” movie.

The actors are all wonderful film is filled with thrills and action, is the must-see movie event of the in their roles, and Pratt proves he and plenty of dinosaurs to please summer, and I expect will not be will not be overshadowed by dino- fans of the series. The film may matched in box office numbers unsaurs or impressive special effects. be a bit too intense for those un- til December, when a little film seThe only returning actor from the der 10 years of age, so be cautious. ries know as “Star Wars” returns. original “Jurassic Park” movie is In fact, you may want to prepare B.D. Wong, reprising his role as the younger ones with a viewing Dr. Henry Wu, chief geneticist for of one of the original films before the park. There are also plenty of heading to the theater. This film is

Rated: PG-13

A

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Abingdon’s 17th Annual Home and Garden Tour

The residential charm of historic Abingdon, Virginia will welcome visitors when the Abingdon Garden Club hosts its 17th Annual Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, June 27th. Homes are open between 10:00am and 5:00pm for self-guided tours; open rain or shine.

This year, visitors will be welcome to tour not only the gardens, but the first floors of three homes, including two in the Historic District.

The Daniel Lynch House, built in 1832, features many historical and architectural highlights including handmade bricks and ornate moldings. Inside the home, heart pine floors, a hand carved mantle and the three story staircase. The classic English garden features a natural spring Koi pond. The Fairy Garden in the back, draws young visitors from the Creeper Trail.

A second home, also in the historic district, is a two story frame house built in the 1800’s. Formally a B&B, the new owners added a welcoming back porch overlooking a perennial and cottage garden with a bubbling fountain and paved walkways.

Tickets are $10.00, and all pro-

ceeds benefit the Abingdon Garden Club. Organized in 1927, the Abingdon Garden Club uses proceeds from the tour to promote youth education and environmental responsibility.

Continuing projects of the club include plantings at Eberhardt Park, floral containers at the JMH Cancer Center and the Shakespearean Garden at the William King Museum of Art.

Pre-tour tickets will be on sale at local businesses Greer Jewelers and Necessities in downtown Abingdon. Tickets will also be on sale the day of the tour at the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Center, 335 Cummings Street, as well as at any of the gardens on the tour.

For more information, contact Linda Wynne at 276-608-1574 or dlwynne@comcast.net.

Gone Fishing

at Kingsport Goodwill!

The Goodwill retail store in Kingsport, Tennessee is the place to be for all people who love toss out their fishing lines and reel in the big fish! On June 26, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the John B Dennis Goodwill, located at 105 Indian Center Court, is holding its annual customer appreciation event.

This year, the theme is Gone Fishing so get your fishing poles out and start rounding up some night crawlers! The store will hold a tent sale featuring items 75 percent off and a 50 percent off blue tag sale inside the store!

The John B Dennis Goodwill employees will have all your fishing necessities, from poles to hats

to vests with pockets for all your lures! The tent sale will feature various items such as clothing, housewares, children’s toys and accessories at 75 percent off. Beverages and snacks will be provided and there will be door prize drawings all day!

If patrons cannot attend this customer appreciation sale, join us at the Johnson City South Goodwill retail store located at 2004 S. Roan Street, Johnson City, Tennessee, on July 17.

The proceeds from the retail stores funds Goodwill Industries of Tenneva’s employment services and vocational programs for people with barriers to employment.

For more information, please call the Marketing Department at 423.245.0600.

Goodwill Industries of Tenneva operates 13 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.

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Carter Family Fold presents Acoustic Heritage The Tim & Debbie Yates Family Band Saturday, June 27th, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of traditional bluegrass music by Acoustic Heritage – the Tim and Debbie Yates Family Band. Adult admission to the concert is $10, $1 for children 6 to 11, and under age 6 free.

Tim and Debbie Grim Yates have combined their lives, amazing talents, and deep musical roots to forge one of the country’s most accomplished and entertaining music groups on the scene today.

Both performing over 35 years, Tim began playing with his family band, John Yates and the Yates Brothers. Debbie started out playing with the Konnarock Critters.

Together they formed Acoustic Heritage – the Yates Family Band.

The Yates Family Band is the culmination of several generations of talented singers and musicians who performed old time and bluegrass music while passing on the love of the unique Appalachian Mountain sound to the generations that now follow after them.

Their two daughters, Molly and Sadie Yates, have been performing since they could stand and hold an instrument on stage. The most powerful presence of the siblings is their breathtaking harmonies.

The two sisters possess both positive and good-hearted stagemanship. They continue to learn as they grow.

Molly plays mostly mandolin, guitar, and sometimes throws in some old time banjo. Sadie plays bass fiddle and dojo (half dulcimer/half banjo). The Yates Family live in Konnarock, Virginia.

They are sometimes accompanied by friends or family filling in at shows. Bruce Waters, also from Konnarock, plays various instruments to accompany the musical

diversity of the band. He has been playing with the Yates Family Band for many years, and he, too, has observed the girls’ growth in music. Jordan Yates, nephew to Tim, also fills in at various times.

He is an accomplished drummer in a rock band, and plays various acoustic instruments with the Yates Family.

For some of the best old time music you’ll ever hear, don’t miss Acoustic Heritage at the Carter Family Fold! For additional information on the group, check out their web site – http://www. acousticheritage.com/.

The Konnarock Critters played many times at the Carter Fold through the years, and it will be a pleasure to welcome Debbie back along with her family. The Fold is steeped in musical family heritage, and the Yates and Grim families are part of that tradition.

Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit, rural arts organization established to preserve traditional, acoustic, mountain music. For further information on the center, go to http://www.carterfamilyfold. org. Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at http://www.carterfoldshow.com. Carter Music Center is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. You can visit the Crooked Road Music Trail site a http://thecrookedroad.org.

Partial funding for programs at the center is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054. The Fold is on Facebook – page Carter Fold – and Twitter – Twitter @carterfoldinfo.

To speak to a Fold staff member, call 276-594-0676.

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 27

Jonesborough Welcomes Storyteller Shonaleigh A new voice and instant fan favorite at the National Storytelling Festival in 2013, the acclaimed performer Shonaleigh will soon return to Tennessee as a guest of the Teller-in-Residence series, a weeklong storytelling residency in downtown Jonesborough.

From the week of June 30 – July 4, Tuesday through Saturday, she’ll host daily matinees in the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall.

All performances begin at 2:00 p.m. sharp, and tickets are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18.

Shonaleigh is traveling from across the pond, where she says she lives “in Heathcliff country, along the Yorkshire moors,” (a reference to the dark and romantic setting of Wuthering Heights). The setting really does sound like a novel—almost too good to be true.

“We can see down into the village, which is all cobbled streets and stone houses,” she says. “We literally have roses growing around the door of our cottage. We’re very lucky.”

It’s the kind of place that suits someone who collects all kinds of tales. Shonaleigh originally learned the art of storytelling from her grandmother. But she also picks things up from local legends or even gossip at the town bakery.

“I absorb stories,” she says. “You find them under your feet. You can’t move in England without tripping over a story. They’re just hidden in the landscape.”

The storyteller’s grandmother was a powerful force, teaching Shonaleigh thousands—literally!—of traditional Jewish stories starting at the age of four. The rigorous practice gave the most of her repertoire, as well as a super sharp memory.

“I’m severely dyslexic, and I think my dyslexia helps because I visualize things very strongly,” she says. “On a very basic level, it’s easy for me to do a shopping list of 60 or 70 items because I see it as a story. I very rarely forget things because I plan my day as a map or a journey with little touch points as I complete different tasks.”

In the spirit of her grandmother, who was paid in eggs and chicken and bread, Shonaleigh turned to professional storytelling after she had her son Isaac, who made it difficult to pursue her first career in theater as a traveling set designer.

“I put Isaac in a papoose. I literally had him on my back and took him with me everywhere,” she recalls. “One summer I told at every festival in England with him on my back. I have a beautiful picture of me on stage when he was really tiny. You can see his little face over my shoulder, and he’s obviously watching the audience.”

Isaac’s 18 now—too big for the papoose—but he will accompany Shonaleigh to Jonesborough. Keep an eye out and say hello.

Reservations for all performances are highly recommended, and all ticket holders will save 10 percent on same-day dining at The Dining Room, Jonesborough General Store and Eatery, or Main Street Café. Season passes that of-

fer nearly half off the price of regular admission are still available while supplies last.

Information about this season’s performers, as well as a detailed schedule, is available at www. storytellingcenter.net.

Storytelling Live! is supported by program sponsors CrestPoint Health and Eastman Credit Union, and media sponsors News 5-WCYB, FOX TriCities, Tri-Cities CW, Johnson City Press, Kingsport Times-News, Herald & Tribune, Cumulus Media and Foster Signs. Additional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Niswonger Foundation, and the Arts Fund of East Tennessee Foundation.

The International Storytelling Center is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information about Storytelling Live! or to make a group reservation, call (800) 952-8392 ext. 222 or (423) 913-1276.

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New species of turtle nicknamed ‘Old Stinky’ found at Gray Fossil Site

Preparator Shawn Haugrud shows the small size of the Gray Fossil Site mud turtle. This drawer in the collections of the ETSU and General Shale Natural History Museum is designated for the new species.

Haugrud is the preparator who put these turtles back together again.

The Gray Fossil Site has produced another animal that is completely new to science. This time, it is an ancient type of small pond turtle.

Dr. Blaine Schubert, associate professor in the Department of Geosciences at East Tennessee State University and director of the ETSU and General Shale Natural History Museum, recently completed a paper about two new species of the oldest fossil musk turtles known, one of which was discovered at the Gray Fossil Site.

The paper was completed with Jason Bourque, a paleontologist and preparator at the Florida Museum of Natural History who is particularly well-known for his research on turtles.

The paper was published ear-

lier this year in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and describes two new species of musk turtles, one from Gray and the other from Florida.

“Turtles from the Gray Fossil Site are significant because they fill in major gaps in the fossil record and can teach us about the evolution and prehistoric distribution of many turtle groups that inhabit North America today, including musk turtles, painted turtles, box turtles, and snapping turtles among others,” Schubert and Bourque wrote. “Because our fossils fill significant gaps in the fossil record, they tend to represent previously undescribed new species that show intermediate characteristics between more ancient and modern forms. It truly is a

wonderful glimpse of evolution in action.”

Musk turtles are small and spend much of their time underwater. These turtles earned the name “musk turtle” from their ability to emit a foul, musky odor from scent glands along the edge of their shell.

The new species, Sternotherus palaeodorus, derives from the name of a living genus, Sternotherus, but is represented by the name palaeodorus. This species name combines the Greek palaios, meaning “old,” and the Latin odorus, which means “stinky.” Because of this, the turtle has been nicknamed “Old Stinky.” Specimens of “Old Stinky” are now on exhibit at the museum.

“Sternotherus palaeodorus is significant in that it represents the oldest occurrence of musk turtles (genus Sternotherus), a group of small, bottom-dwelling, freshwater turtles that have a relatively poor fossil record,” the scientists continued.

“The Gray Site is exceptional in that numerous almost complete shells have been discovered. The completeness of the fossils makes it possible to hypothesize the relationship of Sternotherus palaeodorus with the living species of musk turtles which are relatively common in rivers and lakes in the eastern United States today.”

The ETSU and General Shale Natural History Museum and Gray Fossil Site showcases the 5-millionyear-old Gray Fossil Site and its unique ecosystem. Visitors are invited to observe live excavations from May through October. There are also many special events held at the museum, such as lunchtime lectures each month, “Fossil and Artifact ID Nights” every other month, and many ongoing youth programs, including the summer Paleo Camps, which are currently under way.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located 1.8 miles off Exit 13 on Interstate 26. For more information, call 866-202-6223 or visit www.etsu.edu/naturalhistorymuseum. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.

Page 30 | The Loafer | June 23, 2015

“The Shape Of Pop Culture To Come: Remembering Christopher Lee And Ornette Coleman” Last week we lost two very important pop culture icons (forgive me for using that very over-used term): Film actor Christopher Lee and jazz musician Ornette Coleman. I have thought about ways I could write about these seemingly-unrelated characters in this column, and hopefully have found a way to do this in a manner that reflects the tradition of jazz improvisation that Coleman spent his life inspiring us to emulate and enjoy.

First, let’s look at the nearly seven-decades-long career of Christopher Lee. It’s very difficult to do this without compiling yet another “best-of” list, so I will fall into this trap. After all, there’s hardly a person alive (or dead) who hasn’t seen at least one Christopher Lee film. He appeared in his first film—“Corridor of Mirrors”—in 1948 and it probably comes as no surprise that this was a little potboiler with supernatural overtones. His last movie, “Extraordinary Tales,” which is awaiting release, is, appropriately enough, an anthology of animated horror tales based on Edgar Allan Poe short stories. In between, Lee created a legacy—a mixture of good and not-so-good—composed of 276 movies reflecting a wide range of subjects, most of them related to horror, fantasy, and the supernatural.

What follows is a (very subjective) list of my favorite Christopher Lee movies—a list which excludes his much-touted roles in the “Lord of The Rings” and “Star

Wars” series, not because I dislike these films but because including them would be way too obvious and not very imaginative. So, let’s take the road less traveled.

With such an impressive resume, it comes as no surprise that Lee appeared in some less-thanstellar movies, including “Season Of The Witch,” a “Police Academy” installment, an episode of TV’s “Charlie’s Angels,” and a forgettable turn as the narrator of “The Meatcleaver Massacre” (the title alone should have won an Oscar). Fortunately for us, he did occasionally make some wonderful and very memorable movies to redeem himself from the embarrassments.

As I write this I am rewatching Lee’s memorable role as the villainous Scaramanga in one of my favorite James Bond movies, “The Man With The Golden Gun.” Despite having the very worst Bond theme song, this film is very watchable, and Lee chews acres of scenery in his turn as the Bond villain for 1974 (“You see, Mr. Bond, I always thought I liked animals until I discovered I liked killing people even more”). Like most Bond movies, this one’s plot makes little to no sense, but who watches James Bond movies for their understandable plots? Despite the limitations of what he has to work with, Lee does a great Ricardo Montalban impersonation

alongside his co-star Herve Villechaize.

I really like Lee in “Hugo” (2011), Martin Scorcese’s loving Valentine to the early pioneers of cinema, “Dark Shadows” (2012), Tim Burton’s tribute to the cult TV show and another excuse for him to feature his friend in one of his movies, and “To The Devil A Daughter” (1976), the final Hammer horror film and a classic example of how B-movies could often be raised to the level of art (well, sort of).

Lee was often partnered with his friend Peter Cushing, and two of my favorite Lee-Cushing vehicles are “The Creeping Flesh” (1973) and “Horror Express” (1972), which brought in Telly Savalas in to lend a little camp to this story about a very unpleasant train ride, directed by Freddie Francis (who, as Director of Photography, created the creepy atmospherics in my favorite horror film, “The Innocents.”).

Lee established his reputation with two classic Hammer horror films, “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957), in which he played a very non-Boris-Karloff-like Creature, and “Horror of Dracula” (1958), one of the very best Cold War era horror films that redefined the vampire genre for a world that Bram Stoker would no doubt find incomprehensible. Although he played a vampire once again, Lee demonstrated his flair for comedy in Joseph McGrath’s very funny, essential, and irreverent “The Magic Christian” (1969), that found Lee sharing screen time with Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers.

My two favorite Christopher Lee movies are “The Wicker Man” (1973)—forget the disappointing 2006 remake starring Nicholas Cage and Ellen Burstyn reprising the role originated by Lee—and “City Of The Dead” (1960). Although I’ve seen it several times, “The Wicker Man” becomes more unsettling with each viewing, and Lee is perfect as the megalomaniac Lord Summerisle; Britt Eklund, who would appear with Lee in “The Man With The Golden Gun” the following year, also graces this disturbing film about a colony of less-than-altruistic religious fanatics who have a penchant for roasting their enemies alive.

“City Of The Dead” (aka “Horror Hotel” in its American release) is at the top of my list. In addition to being the foggiest (literally)

movie ever made, this little yarn about modern-day witchcraft was filmed entirely on a soundstage with no outdoor shooting at all.

Most of the film’s budget was no doubt spent on fog machines and on the 17th century costuming that was used in the six-minute prelude to the movie (which echoes the last scene of “The Wicker Man”).

Lee is perfect in his dual role as a modern-day college professor and as the reincarnated (i.e. undead) inhabitant of the small (and I do mean “small”) Massachusetts village of Whitewood, circa 1692.

This is one of the most claustrophobic movies I have seen, and it is a case study in how to shoot a movie with very little material to work with. It is creepy and very effective, although the ending is pretty unsatisfying and hokey. But Lee makes the film what it is, and I always include this on my Halloween viewing list.

Okay, I know you must be wondering how I can work Ornette Coleman into this column. Taking my inspiration from the infamous parlor game that involves playing Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” while watching “The Wizard of Oz,” I am going to ask you to locate Ornette Coleman’s historic 1959 album “The Shape Of Jazz To Come” (the record that fueled the so-called “free jazz” movement) and begin playing it 38 minutes into “City Of The Dead,” at the moment when Nan Britton (Venetia Stevenson) opens the trap door in her room at Raven’s Inn. You will now be listening to “Lonely Woman,” the opening cut of the album, and the album’s remaining five cuts will take you through the remainder of the movie, giving you the perfect jazz score to accompany the frenzied mayhem you will be witnessing on the screen (“frenzied mayhem” being defined in the context of the early 1960s, that is).

In any event, I hope you will enjoy Coleman’s defining moment and one of my favorite jazz albums.

After you do this, you might want to try the “Wizard of Oz” experience, although I think it pales by comparison with the Christopher Lee-Ornette Coleman pairing. Enjoy yourself and celebrate the rich legacy left to us by these two masterful artists.

See you next week with a reasonably scary HQ quiz that has nothing to do with Christopher Lee or Ornette Coleman.

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June 23, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 31

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