The Loafer May 5th

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JRT presents “Father of the Bride”

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AAME Speakers Series

...plus so much more

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Volume 29 Issue #22 Publisher Luci Tate

Happy Mother’s Day

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 Nathan Cox 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

in this issue ....

4 5 6 7 9 10 12 13 16 17

10 Gift Ideas for Mothers Day Diamond Rio performs at NPAC Founders After 5 Concert Series Kicks Off Barter Theatre presents “The Road To Appomattox” Storytelling Live!

“Doubt: A Parable” The Great Solar Eclipse of 1869 Abingdon in running for “Best Southern Small Town” Ralph Stanley II @ Carter Fold Spring Excursion

music & fun 14 Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times 24 Crossword & Sudoku

columns & reviews 18

Stargazer - Leap Into Spring Time Stargazing

19

Skies This Week

20

Screen Scenes - Monkey Kingdom

22

Batteries Not Included - How To Vacation With Your Family

23

Lock, Stock & Barrel - “Choosing the Right Handgun..” Part 2

25 The Trivial Traveler - The Whimsy of Waverly Place 26

Kelly’s Place - Commencement Redux

Page 4, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

10 Gift Ideas For That Special Mom! Mother’s Day will be here before you know it! Thinking of the perfect gift for the mother figures in your life can take some time.

Whether you’re near or far, surprising your mom with one of these gifts is sure to be a hit!

1. Subscription Services

Who doesn’t love getting surprises in the mail? Sign your mom up to receive a monthly subscription box so she can get a little present each month. There are subscription boxes for everything these days, from the traditional wine of the month club, to glutenfree goodies, and of course beauty products.

2. Create Something Together

Arts and crafts are always fun!

Pick a night to go paint pottery together or attend a Wine & Canvas class- a painting class plus cocktails...we’re sold. You’ll get some quality time with your loved one and create a beautiful masterpiece all in one!

3. Photo Book

Photos can be cherished forever!

Get an old and new picture of you and your mom framed side by side, or create an awesome custom photo book.

4. Have Something Delivered

Live far away? Arrange for something special to be delivered on Mother’s Day. How about a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or delicious Edible Arrangements?

5. Deliver Something Yourself

The perfect gift doesn’t have to be expensive! If you live close by, surprise your mom with her favorite coffee, baked good or one of these adorable DIY crafts. She will love the personal delivery!

6. Treat Your Mom (and yourself)

We could all use a spa day (yes guys… you can too)! Plan a day of relaxation with your mom, whether that be getting manicures and pedicures or splurging for a nice massage- reflexology anyone?

7. Send a Letter

No matter if you live close by or far away, all moms can appreciate a nice handwritten note on cute stationery. Take a walk down memory lane by writing down some of your favorite memories you two have shared. Whether the note is delivered by hand or by mail, she will love reminiscing!

8. Magazine Subscription

Get your mom a subscription to her favorite magazine. Each time the magazine arrives, she will be reminded of how much you love her!

9. A Touch of Green

If your mom is into gardening, buy some seeds and help her spruce up her garden. Or you could opt for a nice indoor or outdoor potted plant that she can keep for years to come.

10. Plan a Weekend Getaway

Get some quality time with your mom on a weekend getaway!

Depending on where you live you could go wine tasting, to the beach, or to an attraction nearby.

Don’t want to travel? Book a “staycation” at a hotel in your town!

Did you know?

More phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. These holiday chats with Mom often cause phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent.

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 5

Diamond Rio at Niswonger Performing Arts Center

Grammy and Dove awardwinning band Diamond Rio will perform at Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 9th at 7:30pm.

Six-time Vocal Group of the Year, Diamond Rio, won their first Grammy for their first Christian album, The Reason on Word Records. The release also garnered the band their first Dove award.

Formed in 1984, Diamond Rio features lead singer Marty Roe, guitarist Jimmy Olander, drummer Brian Prout, Dan Truman on keyboards, bass player Dana Williams and Gene Johnson on mandolin.

The band signed with Arista in the early 90’s and embarked on one of the most successful careers in country music. Diamond Rio has indeed accomplished more than they ever imagined. In addition to two compilations of Greatest Hits, the band has achieved gold or platinum sales with each of their studio albums; racked up 13 Grammy nominations and 15 consecutive Country Music Association nominations for Vocal Group of the Year. In addition, the group has been named Vocal Group of the Year two times by the Academy of Country Music and four times by the CMA. “Some-

“a great evening to spend with mom”

times you can’t believe we’ve done so much,” bass player Dana Williams marvels. “It pretty well blows your mind.”

When they debuted in 1991 with the hit “Meet in the Middle”, Diamond Rio became the first group in the history of country music to have a debut single reach number one. The group continued to place 32 more singles on the Billboard chart, including “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “Norma Jean Riley,” “Beautiful Mess,” “Love a Little Stronger,” and “One More Day.”

Throughout their career, Diamond Rio has also explored a wide range of musical styles. “We’ve cut things that were way out of the box or outside of our comfort zone, because the groove was more R&B,” keyboard player Dan Truman observes. “But in doing that, we’ve learned that you put our voices and our instruments together and it sounds like us.”

Selflessness has become another hallmark of Diamond Rio. The band serves as National Spokesmen for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, for which they

have raised over 1.5 million dollars to date.

Diamond Rio performs at Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $35 for orchestra level seating, $30 for mezzanine seating and $25 for balcony seats.

This performance is sponsored

by MDS Transport. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville.com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423638-1679.

NPAC offers online seat selection and no-fee ticketing. The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm. The 1130 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.npacgreeneville.com.

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Founders After 5 Concert Series Announced Last year, the Johnson City Development Authority selected four pillars of priorities for development of the downtown district.

One of those was a commitment to provide events in the district that would allow people to enjoy the district and see all that it offers.

A new music series has been

“kick back to, beer in one hand and lover swinging on the other”. No longer easily dubbed an Americana or roots-rock band, the group’s sound encompasses ska, calypso, and even Southern rock, often within the same song. No longer easily dubbed an Americana or roots-rock band, the

scheduled for every Friday in May. Founders After 5 will be held in the Founders Park Amphitheater and features a wonderful cross section of music genres. Kicking off the series will be Chuck Johnson and the Charlyhorse Band out of North Carolina, a group of outstanding musicians and modern day troubadours who weave tales of small southern towns and down home philosophers. Charlyhorse is Americana roots, with soulful performances.

On May 8, a regional favorite, 49 Winchester, from Southwest Virginia will take the stage. Combining acoustic traditional styles with modern day influences to create an energetic and melodic blend of folk rock, 49 Winchester always leaves the public wanting more.

Bringing a unique sound of the influence of Appalachia with the salty vibes of the Carolina coast, Dangermuffin is a band you can

group’s sound encompasses ska, calypso, and even Southern rock, often within the same song. Dangermuffin, from the Carolinas, will play on May 15.

My New Favorites, based out of Johnson City, features awardwinning songwriters that have hooked up with top-notch players who fly off into an Americana frenzy. Eclectic in all things, they combine musical styles without fear and serve up high energy at every show, including the one on May 22.

Closing out the spring series will be The Reginals, made up of musicians Alex Ball, Meade Richter and Jamison Dunham. These gents play beautiful, bluegrass music on their own, and when they get together, the sound will amaze you. The Reginals will play on May 29.

Each evening, the featured bands will play two sets; one at

5:45pm and one at 7:20 pm, with solo artists filling in between. You are invited to bring a blanket or chair, pick up a to go order from your favorite downtown restaurant or make plans to dine downtown after the music ends. Beer, soft drinks and water will be available for sale at the event.

Founders After 5 is sponsored

by Peoples Community Bank, Holston Distributing, The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce/ Convention and Visitors Bureau, CrestPoint Health and Johnson City Bedding Company.

The Founders Park Amphitheater is located off State of Franklin Road at Sevier Street.

For more information about Founders After 5, go to facebook. com/downtownjc. To stay up to date about all that is going on in downtown Johnson City, download the mobile app or text DowntownJC to 40518.

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 7

“The Road To Appomattox” Returns To Barter Theatre

Back By Popular Demand, Snowed Out Show Reappears

“The Road To Appomattox” will return to Barter Stage II this May for five performances to satisfy public demand for the show.

In a surprise decision, Richard Rose, Barter Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, announced “The Road to Appomattox” would be returning for a brief, five show run May 5-15.

Because of inclement weather

said Amber Bird, Director of Sales and Services, “After many patron requests, Barter was able to find a way to work five more performances into the, already packed, schedule for this spring.”

“The Road to Appomattox,” penned by Barter Theatre’s Playwright-in-Residence Catherine Bush, captures a couple’s road trip as they retrace the route of General Robert E. Lee’s final retreat. The Civil War scenes are historically accurate, but the focus is less on the battles, and more about the decisions and feelings of the “Man Inside the Marble,” as Lee is often described. The couple follows Lee’s footsteps as he retreats to Amelia Courthouse and then Appomattox, Va., where he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The couple must also decide what it means for them to surrender.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring the show back for five performances,” said Rose, “We hope everyone will take advantage of seeing this incredible show as the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.” Barter Resident Actor Rick McVey reprises his role as General Robert E. Lee, admittedly one of his favorite roles at Barter. “Playwright Catherine Bush helps us see that in the moment of what some might consider to be his greatest failure, Robert E. Lee succeeds in showing us who he really was and reveals a greatness that continues to echo throughout time,” said Rick McVey. Hannah Ingram, Nicholas Piper, Justin Tyler Lewis and Sam McCalla round out the five-person Rick McVey as Robert E. Lee cast. in February, Barter Theatre was The five new performance dates forced to cancel several perfor- are: May 5 at 2:00 p.m., May 10 at mances of, “The Road to Appo- 7:00 p.m., May 12 at 2:00 p.m., May mattox” and with this season be- 14 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 at 8:00 ing Barter’s biggest season ever, it p.m. seemed impossible to reschedule For tickets and more informathe lost performances, which were tion, call 276.628.3991 or visit baralmost entirely sold-out. tertheatre.com.

“We have been overwhelmed “The Road to Appomattox” is with requests from patrons to made possible by corporate sponschedule more performances,” sor The Bristol Herald Courier.

Page 8, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

Rose Center Announces Auditions for The Hobbit the Musical!

The Rose Center Council for the Arts is excited to announce their 39th annual Summer Player’s production of “The Hobbit the Musical”! Auditions will be held on May 11th and 12th at 4PM. Those who wish to audition must prepare 16-bars of music from a musical theatre selection and might be asked to cold read from the script.

This Summer Players production will accept Tolkien fans in Middle School, High School, College, and all adults who are kids at heart. With a special sponsorship from Hamblen County, the production will take place outside at the Cherokee Park Amphitheatre.

Performance dates are set for July 23-26th.

This enchanting musical begins

with a song by the greatest of all wizards. (Gandalf, singing? What is this magic!?) The reluctant Hobbit hero Bilbo Baggins is asked to join the wizard and a troupe of warrior dwarfs, for they can hardly hope to succeed as an unlucky thirteen. Bilbo finally agrees to the adventure! They encounter the dangerous trolls, then escape into Goblin country where Bilbo finds a gold ring with magical power.

It’s a ring of invisibility. Bilbo is cautious and thoughtful but saves

them in every crisis, even in the climactic scene with the dragon Smaug.

The show will be directed by Nathan McGhee with Lauren Holt serving as musical director.

The production crew is looking to cast 20-30 individuals. If cast, there will be a materials fee of $40 to cover t-shirts, scripts, and rehearsal materials. For more information, contact the Rose Center at 423.581.4330 or at Nathan@rosecenter.org.

Sullivan County Rabies Vaccination Clinics Scheduled The Tennessee Department of Health, Rabies Control Service has scheduled Rabies Vaccination Clinics throughout Sullivan County for Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal” that occurs “in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported cases with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.”

“In 2014 Tennessee reported 40 animals positive for rabies. Of those 40 animals there were 8 bats, 1 cow, 1 dog, and 30 skunks. Sullivan County reported 2 skunks out of those 40 positive animals. Since January of 2015 there have been 9 positive cases of rabies statewide including a dog in Washington County.,” stated Jerry Taylor, Environmental Health Specialist with the Tennessee Department of Health. Taylor also stated that it is

essential to have all of your pets, both, outdoor and indoor, vaccinated against rabies.

Tennessee State law requires that all dogs and cats three (3) months of age or older must receive and maintain current rabies vaccinations. Rabies vaccinations will be offered at a reduced rate of $10.00 per vaccination at the locations listed on the following page.

For more information regarding Rabies vaccinations for your pets, call Jerry Taylor with the Tennessee Department of Health at 423279-1616 extension 4.

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 9

Connie Regan-Blake to Host Storytelling Live!

A fixture on the storytelling scene since the first days of its inception, Connie Regan-Blake will be the next performer in the International Storytelling Center’s Teller-in-Residence program.

She’ll offer a week’s worth of personal stories, folk tales, and true-life accounts from May 12 – 16, with daily matinees scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Storytelling Hall.

For Regan-Blake, the tiny Tennessee town is almost like a second home. “I enjoy being in Jonesborough and the leisure of chatting with people in the community, some of whom I’ve known for a long time,” she says. “I also love meeting new people.”

She’s come a long way since her first job as a storyteller at the Chattanooga library, in the late 1970s.

Now she’s sifting through boxes of correspondence, handwritten contracts, and vintage recordings for the Library of Congress, which is digitizing about 17 boxes’ worth of old stuff in an effort to tell “the

story of storytelling,” as she puts it.

“Someone recently asked me if I had always been a hoarder, but I like the word ‘archivist’ a lot better,” Regan-Blake says. “If you had asked me in 1979 why I was saving so much, I don’t know that I could’ve verbalized it. I think I had an intuitive feeling that it might really be important someday.”

In addition to her matinee performances, the storyteller will also host a morning performance benefiting BeadforLife, a nonprofit that helps Ugandan women pull themselves out of poverty by crafting beautiful handmade jewelry.

The benefit is on Friday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m. Admission is just $10, and all attendees will receive a free bracelet.

“Eight years ago, I interviewed 17 women in Uganda,” ReganBlake says. “They came out of what I used to call unimaginable situations. I don’t say that anymore because we humans can imagine it—we just don’t want to.

“I had never been with so many people that were consistently in a place of joy and bliss,” she continues. “It opened my eyes to a whole other way of looking at the world.

In Western culture, we spend a lot of time getting our stuff, protecting our stuff, and thinking about what other stuff we want to get.

All of that revolves around money, but I was introduced to a new way of living and being present in the moment.”

Tickets for Regan-Blake’s matinee performances are just $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, students, and children under 18. (Season passes that offer nearly half off the price of regular admission are also available while supplies last.) All ticket holders will save 10 percent on same-day dining at The Dining Room, Jonesborough General Store and Eatery, or Main Street Café.

Information about all TIR performers, as well as a detailed schedule for 2015, is available at www.storytellingcenter.net. Story-

telling Live! is supported by program sponsors CrestPoint Health, Eastman Chemical Company 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, and the Niswonger 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.

Page 10, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

Encore presents

“Doubt: A Parable”

Encore is proud to present one of the most riveting and popular dramas written in the last decade.

“Doubt: a Parable” opens with a haunting question: “What do you do when you’re not sure?” Written by John Patrick Shanley, this captivating drama captured both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2005.

Set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, “Doubt” concerns Father Flynn, an amiable new priest who believes the clergy should be thought of “as members of the family” to its congregation. His forward-thinking views immediately clash with those of Sister Aloysius - the authoritarian principal who favors discipline over compassion. The conflict mounts towards an explosive climax when Aloysius accuses Flynn of “interfering” with a student based on unproven evidence.

The production stars Linda High as Sister Aloysius. Linda was last seen with Encore as Violet in “August: Osage County.” High worked with many theatres in the Washington D.C. area, including the Signature and Arena Stage.

She also toured Ireland twice in productions of “The Glass Menagerie” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” She is joined by Micah-Shane Brewer as Father Flynn.

Brewer was last seen as George in Encore’s production of “Sunday in the Park with George” and has been in and directed numerous productions for Encore. For the past three years, Brewer was an actor with the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville. Leah Winstead joins the cast as Sister James. Leah was last seen in “Into the Woods” and as the Ghost of Christmas Past in “A Christmas Carol.” Encore

welcomes newcomer Tynesha Davis to the stage as Ms. Muller.

Mike Howard returns to work with Encore, but this time, as the director for the production. Audiences are familiar with his work onstage in shows like “Les Miserables,” “The Full Monty,” or “Cats.” “I’m very excited to bring this timely and profoundly important work to Morristown,” said Howard. “The incredible theatrical artistry and talent that abounds in the Lakeway area is deftly highlighted by John Patrick Shanley’s though provoking script. Audiences are definitely going to be treated to a transformative theatre experience.”

Encore’s production of “Doubt” is proudly sponsored by JTEKT,

Lakeway Dermatology Associates, McFarland Pharmacy, McKenna Orthodontics, Tarr Chevrolet, and Walters State Community College.

Performances of “Doubt” will run for two weekends only May 8-17 at the Judge William H. Inman Humanities Theatre located on the campus at Walters State Community College in Morristown. Evening performances are May 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8:00 p.m. with matinee performances on May 10, 16, 17 at 2:00 p.m. There is a special talkback session with the cast following the May 17 matinee. Tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.etcplays.org or by calling 423-318-8331.

Get Active Tri-Cities Announces Launch of New Website

Get Active Tri-Cities is pleased to announce the launch of its brand new website: getactivetricities.com The purpose for this website is to provide information on all different types of fun, outdoor activities in the Tri-Cities, TN area. These activities are targeted to all ages and athletic levels of youth in an effort to encourage participation in active, healthy lifestyles. From caving to rafting, we hope it will add adventure and entertainment to your day!

This website was developed by Jay Lettich, members of Boy Scout Troop 112, friends, and mentors as an Eagle Scout project. The beneficiary of this project is the University School Fitness Program administered by elementary and middle school physical education teacher, Sharon Cradic. This program includes Morning Fitness, Hoops for Heart, and Jump for Heart.

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Popular Taste of Jonesborough Event Returns to Downtown

The Jonesborough Area Merchants & Services Association will host the fifth annual “Taste of Jonesborough” sampling and showcase event at The International Storytelling Center on Tuesday, May 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Guests will be able to sample cuisine from local restaurants and bakeries, beer and wine, along with an insider’s look at new merchandise and product offerings from a variety of shops and other establishments located throughout Jonesborough, Tenn.

Tickets are $20 in advance and

May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 11

$25 on the evening of the event as a percentage of proceeds will be designated to benefit local charities.

More than 40 local businesses will be represented including many snack and dining establishments. A silent auction will also take place throughout the evening showcasing a variety of popular items and activities throughout the area.

To purchase tickets, visit jonesboroughnt.org or contact the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010.

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre Presents Father of the Bride

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is proud to present Caroline Franke’s heartwarming family comedy, Father of the Bride. Set in the 1950s, this charming play is sure to tickle the funny bone and enchant the heart. Performances will run between May 8 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The show features a cast of Jonesborough Repertory Theatre veterans including Kate Palmer as the bride and Shawn Hale as her often overwhelmed father.

Father of the Bride tells the story of one family’s journey to getting their daughter down the aisle. The Banks family is joined by a feisty

maid, an overworked secretary, an outlandish wedding planner and more zany yet loveable characters.

Each character keeps the audience laughing and on their toes as folks follow the Banks family to their daughter’s special day.

Tickets are $15 general admission and $13 for students and seniors. Tickets are available to purchase by calling the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010 or online by visitingjonesboroughtheatre.com.

For more about Father of the Bride, contact The Stage Door Box Office at 423-788-3403. For more information about events at the theatre, visit jonesboroughtheatre.com.

ETSU Response website activated to assist victims of Nepal earthquake East Tennessee State University has activated its ETSU Response website to provide information on how to support victims of the April 25 earthquake in Nepal.

Nine current ETSU graduate students are from Nepal. These students did not lose any family or friends due to the earthquake, but they reached out to ETSU officials on Monday about organizing an awareness and fundraising effort on campus to assist the people of their native land.

The website, www.etsu.edu/response, provides links to Help Nepal, the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund and the Sikshya Foundation, as well as other national and international organizations providing humanitarian aid, for those who wish to contribute online. Links are also provided to counseling services for any ETSU student or employee who may have been affected by the disaster.

In addition, the Nepali students are working with the ETSU International Student Association to hold a fundraiser on campus this week. Stations will be set up for contributions on Thursday, April 30, at Borchuck Plaza in front of the Sherrod Library and on Friday, May 1, at the Cave patio of the D.P. Culp University Center. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.

The ETSU Response website has been used several times in the past to give individuals a way to provide assistance for victims of disasters both near and far, including the 2011 tornadoes in Greene County, the 2010 Millercrest Apartments fire in Johnson City, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the 2011 tsunami in Japan. For more information, call the ETSU Office of Student Affairs at 423-439-4210.

Page 12, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

The Great Solar Eclipse of 1869

Forever Remembered In Bristol History

Bristol history is immersed with unique tales that help document where we live. One unique story to our city is how the Great Solar

Eclipse of 1869 is forever connected to a local Bristol neighborhood.

William Van Huss will present a program before the Bristol Histori-

cal Association on Bristol’s infamous Solar Hill on Monday, May 11, 6:30pm at the Bristol Public Library. This is an intriguing story that brought national attention to the fledging towns of Goodson Virginia and Bristol Tennessee.

The library will be closed the evening of May 11 but this public meeting will be held in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room accessible from the rear entrance and parking lot.

Mr. Van Huss will speak about his research on the Great Solar Eclipse of 1869 and the observatory that gave Solar Hill its name.

In August of that year, the growing towns of Goodson and Bristol played host to a group of scientists and surveyors from Washington as they erected an observatory on a grassy hill overlooking the downtown. The rare event would provide an opportunity for them to observe and study the phenomenon. It would also mark a turning point in the history of Bristol as the development of the historic Solar Hill neighborhood would soon follow.

Huss is a native of Bristol. He is an artist, writer, and graduate of King University with a B.A. in History. Active in independent press and performing arts for over 20 years, Mr. Van Huss has published essays and poetry in academic journals, small press, and national publications. He currently paints on the forgotten medium of black velvet and enjoys hiking in our beautiful Appalachian mountains.

The May 11 meeting is open to the public and held in conjunction with the library’s mission of “Expanding Minds and Building Community”. Please note that you will enter the meeting room at the rear entrance.

An upcoming program for the association will be presented by Charlie Barnette & Carol Hawthorne-Taylor, on Lost Cemeteries of the Region, on Monday, June 8.

Contact Tim Buchanan, president, for details of this or other upcoming programs, buchanan03@ bvu.net.

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 13

ETSU sport management students Abingdon is in the running to win USA Today’s “Best Southern Small Town are racing ahead to future careers Visitors have long known that Abingdon was special, for the famous Barter Theatre, Virginia Creeper Trail, bustling historic downtown and more. Now Abingdon has a chance to prove itself to millions of people across the country, as one of the “Best Southern Small Towns” according to USA Today’s travel site 10Best. com. Online voting is open through May 25th.

Abingdon is one of only 20 towns to be nominated by USA Today’s panel of travel experts.

USA Today wrote “there’s all kinds of play to be had in Abingdon, whether you’re watching one on the stage of its celebrated Barter Theatre or finding active to-dos in the great outdoors. Cyclists, hikers and historians enjoy the spoils of the 34.3-mile Creeper Trail, a working train line that’s enjoyed a successful rails-to-trails conversion, and Main Street, with its shops and galleries, keeps the

historic downtown buzzing every day of the year.”

The winner will be announced May 27th on 10Best.com and then on USA Today, potentially putting Abingdon in front of millions of readers across the country.

Abingdon has won previous accolades from regional publications like Blue Ridge Outdoors and Virginia Living Magazine, and in 2014 The Virginia Creeper Trail was inducted in to the na-

tional Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. But winning the competition from USA Today would be the first time Abingdon is lauded by a major national newspaper.

Fans of Abingdon can vote once a day from each device they own (computer, tablet, laptop and smart phone) at http:// www.10best.com/awards/travel/ best-southern-small-town/abingdon-va/. Voting ends Monday, May 25th, 2015 at 11:59am EDT.

East Tennessee State University’s Sport Management Program undergraduate and graduate students are benefitting from a partnership between ETSU and Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) and Dragway, gaining real-world experience at the track.

Dr. Amanda Greene, an assistant professor of Sport Management, says, “During the Food City 500 in Support of Steve Byrnes and Stand Up to Cancer race weekend, the students were able to go through training in the track’s suites, dive into marketing efforts and help with data collection. Students received tickets to the races to experience a professional event of the highest magnitude. The rain even threw in some problem-solving scenarios for the students!”

BMS also offers undergraduate and graduate internships.

Through this partnership, BMS provides financial support for a graduate assistantship, allowing

a sport management student to work at the race track while having educational costs covered.

“This is the second year of the partnership,” says Greene. “Last year’s graduate assistant already landed her first full-time career position—one with the Tennessee Titans. The experience she gained at BMS helped her land her dream job in professional sports.

“BMS has hired employees directly from our sport management program,” she says. “In fact, the current director of the Bristol Dragway, Brandon Cross, is one of our graduates.

“In addition, the partnership has provided guest speakers, facility tours, even hands-on learning experiences and volunteer opportunities,” Greene notes. “The partnership has positively impacted our program in many ways.”

For further information, contact Greene at 423-439-5257 or greenea@etsu.edu

Page 14, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

SHOOTER

TUESDAY - May 5

FRIDAY - May 8

JASON LLOYD & FRIENDS

MILES WIDE

NEW OLD STOCK

7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

8pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

at Bone Fire Smokehouse 8pm

11am at Heartwood

at Biggie’s Clam Bar

(New Rock n Roll, Rockabilly, Honky Tonk) at La Carretta - Kingsport

THE MUDBUGS MILLIE PALMER at Acoustic Coffeehouse

WEDNESDAY - May 6

At Acoustic Coffeehouse

RETROVILLE

BAKERSFIELD (Country) MARK LARKINS

(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) 7pm at David Thompson’s Produce

THE GRAND OLE UPROAR (Country) 10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub

JEFF SHAYNE

at Acoustic Coffeehouse

THURSDAY - May 7

ACOUSTIFRIED (Country)

at Marker “2” Grill

FROM THE EDGE

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

SARAH ALI KYSHONA ARMSTRONG

YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL at Marker “2” Grill

SCOTTY MELTON

6pm at Sonny’s Cafe

UNDER HILL ROSE

6pm at State Line Bar & Grille

OPEN MIC

7pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at Stone Drive Eagles

at Triple B Brewery

at Boozy Creek

BENNY WILSON BAND at Biggie’s Clam Bar

SHOOTER

(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) 7pm at The Renaissance Center

NIGHTSHIFT

QUARTER BOUNCE at Country Club Bar & Grill

ROCK N ROLL FREAKSHOW at Triple B Brewery

JOHN PAFFORD BAND at Bone Fire Smokehouse

JONATHAN PEZZUTI at Acoustic Coffeehouse

SUNDAY - May 10

SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country)

MARK LARKINS

SHADES OF ACOUSTIFRIED

THE HONEY CUTTERS

at Marker “2” Grill

ETSU ROCKIN’ COUNTRY MUSIC PARTY

DAVID CALDWELL

JAZZ

at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel

7pm at Sonny’s Cafe

7pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

LAURA THURSTON

(Folk) 10pm at O’Mainnin’s Pub & Grill

MARK LARKINS at Marker “2” Grill 7pm

ANDY FERRELL

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

DEAD SEA HORSES at The Acoustic Coffeehouse

at The Outdoorsman

8:30pm at The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room at Country Club Bar & Grill

SATURDAY - May 9 JOHNSON DEPOT

4pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

IVY ROAD

LIVE MUSIC

at Bone Fire Smokehouse

THE CARLEANS at Acoustic Coffeehouse

MONDAY - May 11

9pm at Biggie’s Clam Bar

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

7pm at Sonny’s Marina & Cafe

OPEN MIC / LOBO MARINO

RETRO-REVOLVER

SOUTHERN REBELLION at TN Hills

RALPH II

at Carter Family Fold

at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch at Acoustic Coffeehouse

Spotlight Directory

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

Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100 La Carretta Eastman Rd. Kingsport

Marker “2’ Grill at Lakeview Marina 474 Lakeside Dock, Kingsport 423/323-4665 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 The Outdoorsman 4535 Highway 11W Kingsport Renaissance Center 1200 E Center St Kingsport 423/392-8415

Sonny’s Marina & Café 109 One St. Gray TN 423/283-4014 State Line Bar & Grill 644 State Street Bristol 423/652-0792

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 15

Miles Wide plays the Acoustic Coffeehouse on solo acoustic tour

Miles Wide, a singer-songwriter based in Rochester, NY, will perform at The Acoustic Coffeehouse on May 8. Acoustic originals will kick off at 8 and run until 9:30. This solo performance will be his fifth stop on the national Heart in Hand Tour, which stretches from coast to coast, beginning in New York and reaching San Diego by mid-summer. The set will feature songs from Lone on the Mountain, a stripped and unplugged EP released independently in late 2014.

From Boulder, Colorado to Cambridge, Massachusetts to Paris, France, front man Kyle Donovan has played for audiences near and

far from his hometown of Rochester, NY in the past year. The singer-songwriter quit a desk job in Boulder in early 2014 and started a relentless pursuit of his homegrown music career. Since then, he has appeared live in-studio on WBER 90.5 FM, WBZA 98.9 FM, and WRUR 88.5 FM’s “Open Tunings.” And with over fifty performances under his belt in just under a year, he has already wowed audiences at dozens of popular Upstate destinations like Dinosaur BBQ, Victoire Belgian Beer Bar, and The Little Theatre.

As an independent, “do-it-yourself” artist, Donovan books and promotes all of his own shows, designs his logos and website, records and engineers his own albums, and manages all the other odd jobs that working musicians face. The rising indie solo performer is also a self-taught musician, having just taken his very first voice lesson in January. Rochester’s CITY Newspaper reviewed his latest release, “Lone on the Mountain” in February, calling it “as much a platform for Donovan’s vocal skills as it is a showcase for his mellow, atmospheric numbers.”

You can also find this travelling troubadour performing in living rooms, at local community events, open mics, and busking in subway stations throughout every step of his tour – and online at mileswide.com.

Celebrate with BIG DADDY LOVE

The Bone Fire Smokehouse is proud to be celebrating its third birthday by hosting the first annual Backyard Barbeque Bash! Join us on the evening of May 9th at 7 p.m. at the outdoor stage behind the restaurant.

Stone Drive Eagles 926 E Stone Drive Kingsport 423/2456-6148

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 16, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

Ralph Stanley II

performs at Carter Family Fold Saturday, May 9th, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert by Ralph Stanley II. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free.

If you were to gather together an average cross-section of people and ask them if they thought it would be an advantage for a performer to be the child of a living legend, most would probably conclude that it would have to be a definite plus. After all, the doors of opportunity would be quicker to open, and the spotlight of public attention that so many artists spend years trying to cultivate would be yours because – well – just because. Famous by de-

fault, so to speak, and doubtless those are very real and tangible advantages. But then there’s the downside – pressure. The learning curve, the whole growth process with all its potential missteps and pitfalls, is a public document.

Most artists get to take those perilous first steps of their careers in relative anonymity, a nameless face in the crowd.

As one might expect for the son of a renowned banjo player, the first instrument Ralph II ever held was a banjo. At the ripe old age of three, Ralph (or simply “Two” as he is called by his family and friends), had his first lesson from the elder Stanley, learning a simple finger roll. It turned out, however, that he would not be following

in his father’s footsteps when it came to his choice of instrument.

He soon fell under the spell of the undisputed king of boyhood musical desires, the guitar. He spotted one under his sister’s bed, and according to Ralph, “I wanted to play it. When I was five years old, I started with the guitar and I’ve been playing it ever since.”

But despite his interest in the guitar, and the fact that he was occasionally traveling with the Clinch Mountain Boys on the road, he had not yet developed an ambition to play professionally. It took until age twelve and an old 1977 video of the late Keith Whitley during his tenure as lead singer for the Clinch Mountain Boys to inspire him to become a professional musician. After seeing Whitley with the elder Stanley, he was hooked and spent hours in the family basement honing his

Ralph .......

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Ralph ......

Continued from previous page skills, and weathering the comparisons to his late Uncle Carter. His persistence paid off, and he took the stage as lead singer with Ralph Sr. and the Clinch Mountain Boys in June of 1995. Since then, he has earned the respect of Stanley fans everywhere and has garnered praise as a strong new artist in his own right.

Ralph II has had two Grammy nominations on previous albums he recorded with Rebel Records.

In 2002 he earned his first Grammy along with his father, Dr. Ralph Stanley, for their collaboration with Jim Lauderdale on Lost in the Lonesome Pines. Ralph II has proven to be an accomplished songwriter and has six solo albums under his belt, along with the newly released and highly acclaimed duet album with his father titled Side by Side. Ralph II’s newest release Born to be a Drifter is his most recent release.

His newest CD is available through his website, and will also be available at the show.

This will mark Ralph II’s sixth performance at the Fold with his band – now an annual event. The Stanley and Carter families have been pivotal in preserving the region’s rich musical tradition and carrying the music of the mountains throughout the world. Come see this legendary performer in one of the region’s most historical venues – the Carter Fold! Go to either www.ralph2.com/ or www. drralphstanleymusic.com for additional information.

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 www.carterfamilyfold.org.

Shows from the Carter Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at 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 at 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 276386-6054.

ETSU Carter Railroad Museum offers spring train, steamboat excursion

The George L. Carter Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) and East Tennessee State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum will sponsor a scenic spring train excursion and steamboat ride on Saturday, June 13. Tickets must be purchased by May 30.

The price for the excursion is $95 for adults and $80 for children ages 3-12. Younger children may ride free. The fee includes bus transportation to and from Knoxville, a 90-minute steam train ride and a luncheon cruise on the Tennessee Riverboat.

Passengers should arrive at ETSU’s parking lot 22A on Go Bucs Trail for a 7 a.m. departure to travel by motor coach to Knoxville.

Following a tour of the Knoxville Locomotive Works, a steam engine repair shop, passengers will board the Three Rivers Rambler steam train for a 10 a.m. ride following a scenic route along the Tennessee River. Upon returning to the

station at 12:30 p.m., passengers will go to the Tennessee Riverboat Company for a luncheon cruise.

Buses will begin loading at 3 p.m. for the return to Johnson City, arriving around 5:30-6 p.m.

Ticket order forms and liability waivers are available at the Carter Railroad Museum on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or online at the Mountain Empire Model Railroaders website at www.memrr. org by choosing “NRHS News” and then “Ticket Order Form.” A signed liability waiver form must accompany each ticket request.

Payment may be made by check or money order payable to the George L. Carter Chapter, NRHS, and mailed to George L. Carter Chapter, NRHS, Attention: Rail Excursion, 519 Headtown Road, Jonesborough, TN 37659.

For more information, contact Carlene McLeod at 386717-2925, 423-342-6449 or chardanmcleod35@comcast.net.

May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 17

Page 18, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

Leap Into Spring Time Stargazing

Spring is the time of year when I first got serious about learning the constellations and using a small telescope.

That was many moons ago. But little has changed in learning one’s way around the night sky.

It takes ambition and desire, a star map and a red flashlight, and, of course, a fairly dark sky. And no matter what kind of telescope you may own, learning to use it the best you can will maybe inspire you to own a better instrument in the future. Even the cheapest department store telescopes are much better than those used by pioneers like Galileo 400 years ago!

The warmer nights of Spring make it more comfortable to stargaze, and you can recline on a lawn chair, or even the hood of your car if you drive to a dark site.

If not in your backyard, always use common sense in the country, lakeside or mountains. Don’t go alone, but make sure someone knows where you’re going if you do.

If not on public property, you’re a prowler to most, and prey to a few sick individuals. So, always use good judgment as to where you stargaze. And that’s advice from a stargazer who’s been run off some private land (that I thought was public) by an owner who could care less about the rings of Saturn!

To help you identify the stars and their patterns, a planisphere can be used to dial in the month and date to match the seasonal constellations. Most book stores and some nature centers (like Bays Mt. in Kingsport) sell the popular planisphere—a tool used by stargazers for centuries.

Also to familiarize you with the constellations, the library is filled with beginner books on stargazing, and free star maps are available on line—just check out Skymaps.com.

It’s always good to prepare a stargazing night during the daytime, familiarizing yourself with what’s up in the night and figuring out some celestial targets to hunt down. That’s some of the fun of

stargazing, hunting down the treasures of the night by star-hopping around to your target.

It is important to allow about 15 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark—you’ll be amazed at how much more you’ll see. Your pupils open up wider to let more light inside your eyes, just like when you turn out the bedroom lights—at first you think the room is dark but in a few minutes you see everything in great detail.

Stargazing during this transition time from winter to spring has some of the most prominent and easy to identify constellations. The new group of spring constellations is rising in the east while the winter ones are saying goodbye in the west.

Taurus, Orion, Canis Major and Minor, and the twins Gemini are all setting it he west one by one after 9 pm. The Spring constellations of Leo, Bootes and Virgo are taking over while the hindquarters of the Great Bear, Ursa Major, is high in the north—the Big Dipper.

But springtime to me means Leo the Lion and Hercules the mighty hero.

High above the eastern horizon after 9 p.m. is the mighty lion of the skies, Leo. His front looks like a backward question mark, dotted by the bright star Regulus. The hindquarters of the lion are three stars forming a right triangle. This Spring 2015, ahead of the lion’s mane is the bright “star” that is giant planet Jupiter.

Rising behind Leo is the square of Hercules, these four mediocre stars forming the “Keystone.” The arms and legs of Hercules trail off

the corners, giving the hero a modern day “SpongeBob SquarePants” cartoon look.

On the western side of the boxy “Keystone,” or the side of the square that rises first, is one of the first distant objects in the sky I ever found--the Great Globular Cluster of Hercules. This is one of about 100 densely packed balls of hundreds of thousands of stars that circle our Milky Way Galaxy like electrons around an atom nucleus.

In most backyard telescopes these globular clusters are faint, fuzzy balls in the eyepiece. But in a bigger telescope, globular clusters reveal their individual compact stars.

The “faint fuzzies” that serious amateur astronomers hunt down

of the Greek hero’s square body—a rite of Spring for me.

But there are a lot more Messier Objects to see in the spring skies with a telescope. Any telescope— even a cheap department store one like I started out with.

Springtime is “galaxy time” when dozens of these stellar islands are visible and on the Messier list. Leo the Lion has two groups of three galaxies each: M-105, M-96 and M-96 are clustered together in the lion’s belly, and M-66 and M-65 are below the hindquarters triangle of stars. Ursa Major has the famous Whirlpool Galaxy, M-101, and a huge concentration of galaxies in a cluster. And sprawling Virgo has a few easy Messier targets, but contains thousands and thousands

among the stars of the constellations mostly look like irregular grey patches of light—much like dust balls under a bed. They range from globular clusters, to gaseous nebulae to entire galaxies to exploded stars usually shaped like tiny disks and called planetary nebulae.

In the 18th Century, the great astronomer Charles Messier catalogued more than 100 objects that stayed put so they wouldn’t be mistaken for comets that he vigorously hunted. This famous Messier Catalog of 105 deep sky objects is where amateur astronomers cut their teeth in exploring the Universe.

That was the case for me way back in the 1960s when I bagged my first “deep sky” object with a Sears 2” refractor, the Hercules globular cluster called M-13 in Messier’s Catalog. I still enjoy hunting it down on the west side

seen in professional photos in the giant Virgo Cluster of galaxies.

We see all these galaxies this time of year because the position of Earth in its orbit has us looking away from our Milky Way and into the cosmos. Therefore we see the millions of galaxies beyond ours.

The 25-year-old Hubble Space Telescope has several now famous images called “Deep Space Galaxies” that show hundreds of galaxies in an area of Ursa Major smaller than the size of our one-half degree Moon.

The night sky is filled with the treasures of our Universe, and they are yours to find—no matter how trivial you might think your telescope is. The important thing is to use any telescope the best you can…as it might lead to a more serious instrument and a life-time of enjoyment chasing down the “faint fuzzy” gems of our night sky.

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 19

Celestial events in the skies for the week of May 5 - May 11, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

The western twilight sky has an interesting grouping of the brightest star, the brightest planet and a couple other 1st magnitude stellar gems. Catch them at 9 pm and watch them set one by one beginning at 9:30 pm: Sirius, the brightest star at -1.5 mag., is just above the horizon while Venus, the brightest planet at -3.7 mag., is high above. Between them are white Procyon, above, and red Betelgeuse, below, both of equal magnitude 0.40 on the logarithmic scale of star brightness. High overhead is the second brightest planet, Jupiter, -1.65 mag. Meteors seen all week could be pieces of the famous Comet Halley as the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower is in progress, as is the Eta Lyrid Mefew decades before America deteor Shower. clared its independence from EngTues. May 5 On this 1961 date in space histo- land. ry, America’s first spaceman, Alan Shepard, was launched on a rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida for a short 15 minute ride to the weightless environment of space and back to the Atlantic Ocean.

Sat. May 9

Leo the Lion and Jupiter reign overhead and the Big Dipper is pouring its contents on the north horizon. Those Pointer Stars of the Dipper’s bowl show us the unwavering North Pole star, Polaris.

suburban skies. Both constellations are associated with the great god Apollo. In legend, Crater is the goblet that Corvus brought to Apollo…and Apollo turned himself into a crow in another legend.

Mon. May 11

Last Quarter Moon is today, the Moon rising at 2:45 am. That leaves most of the night free of Wed. May 6 moonshine. In the 10 pm-midTonight is the peak of the Eta Sun. May 10 Corvus the Crow is easy to see night sky is the largest constellaAquarid Meteor shower, and you in the southeast as four stars form- tion lurking nearly out of sight, might see up to 20 meteors an hour after midnight—and a bunch ing a lopsided square, all about Hydra the Snake. But the reptile is of strays throughout the evening. the same 3rd magnitude bright- there snaking along the southern These “shooting stars” are sand ness. Above the Crow is a larger horizon from west to east with no grain-sized pieces of Halley’s constellation, Crater the Cup, but bright stars to distinguish it and Comet as Earth passes through it has no stars brighter than 4th most of them drowned out by light its orbit. Halley’s Comet was last magnitude, the threshold of our pollution. seen in 1986, and will return in 2061.

Thurs. May 7

On May evenings, the Milky Way is circling around the horizon, but next month (or after midnight) it will begin showing its glory above the eastern horizon.

Fri. May 8

Virgo the Virgin sprawls across a vast area of the southeast skies at 10 pm, yet only one bright star draws our attention, the powerhouse Spica. It is a very hot blue white star, 260 Light Year away.

That means its light hitting our eyes tonight left Spica in 1755, a

Page 20, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

In Theaters Now

Box Office Top 10 Furious Seven (2015) Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.

“Monkey Kingdom” The yearly release of the latest film from Disneynature is always a treat for yours truly. The films open each year around Earth Day, and the proceeds from opening week are donated to Conservation International. The film series began in 2007 with “Earth”, and has featured such releases as “African Cats” (2011), “Chimpanzee” (2012), and “Bears” (2014). If you haven’t seen any of the aforementioned films, I highly recommend them.

The new film, “Monkey Kingdom” takes us to the jungles of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka, where we experience the daily lives of a toque macaque monkey tribe living among ancient ruins. The film focuses on a monkey the filmmakers dub Maya, and her struggle as a member of the “bottom rung” of the monkey hierarchy. I never knew monkeys had such a class system. The higher in the trees you are, the better your social position. We see how the alpha male, and his entourage treat those beneath them, and it’s often not pretty. Poor Maya and her group are left on the ground at feeding time, and are forced to eat whatever those above them have left over. Maya and her lower group must be available at the whims of those above them, and often come off as servants. Eventually Maya has a suitor from outside the monkey tribe, and gives birth to a son, dubbed Kip, which proves to be very beneficial in her tribe standing. After many trials and errors, Maya, Kip and her suitor Kumar are eventually part of the upper crust in the tribe. The movie shows us how monkeys behave with one another, and how their diet varies from fruits to termites

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015) After six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well-deserved vacation. He heads to Vegas with his teenage daughter before she heads off to college.

But safety never takes a holiday and when duty calls, Blart answers.

Ex Machina (2015) A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I. The Longest Ride (2015) After an automobile crash, the lives of a young couple intertwine with a much older man, as he reflects back on a past love.

Get Hard (2015) When millionaire James King is The Age of Adaline (2015) jailed for fraud and bound for San A young woman, born at the turn Quentin, he turns to Darnell Lewis of the 20th century, is rendered to prep him to go behind bars. ageless after an accident. After many solitary years, she meets a Monkey Kingdom (2015) man who complicates the eternal A nature documentary that follife she has settled into. lows a newborn monkey and its mother as they struggle to survive Home (2015) within the competitive social hierOh, an alien on the run from his archy of the Temple Troop, a dyown people, lands on Earth and namic group of monkeys who live makes friends with the adventur- in ancient ruins found deep in the ous Tip, who is on a quest of her storied jungles of South Asia. own.

Woman in Gold (2015) Unfriended (2014) Maria Altmann, an octogenarA group of online chat room ian Jewish refugee, takes on the friends find themselves haunted Austrian government to recover by a mysterious, supernatural artwork she believes rightfully beforce using the account of their longs to her family. dead friend Source: IMDb.com (5/2/15)

(yikes!). Apparently monkeys like to stay clean, as they are forever grooming each other. Did you know monkeys could swim, and do so very well? I had no idea, so the moment they began diving for food, I was completely surprised.

Of course their swimming is met with danger from Monitor lizards,

the films main bad guys. Lizards and the occasional jaguar aside, the monkeys live a relatively calm life, unless a rival tribe attempts to take over their territory. I haven’t seen so much plotting from rivals this side of “Game of Thrones”. As with all these Disneynature movies, the love of a mother is on full

display, and baby animals abound.

The film also features several appearances by a Sloth bear and her cubs. The Sloth bear looks like a black bear in need of a hair cut, and they pose little danger to the monkeys. After many adventures with other animals, and indirectly with humans (some great mo-

ments), the film ends on a happy note for all the main “characters”.

“Monkey Kingdom” is the eighth film in the Disneynature series, and provides a marvelous behind the scenes peek at some of nature’s most fascinating creatures.

Rated (G)

A

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 21

AAME Speakers Series features Cornelia Laemmli Orth

The Arts Alliance Mountain Empire, in cooperation with the Bristol Public Library, is pleased to announce the completion of the 2014-15 AAME Speakers Series. The AAME Speakers Series features local and regional personalities sharing their expertise on topics that enrich and encourage the arts and general communities of our region. This series also provides a forum for member organizations of AAME to tell of their contributions to the Mountain Empire region.

This event, taking place on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m., will feature Cornelia Laemmli Orth, music director of the Symphony of the Mountains. Orth will talk about the role of the symphony orchestra in the modern community, the responsibilities and opportunities to serve both the traditional musical community and beyond, and how arts groups, both symphonies and in general, build audiences.

Cornelia Laemmli Orth is in her eighth season as music director of

Symphony of the Mountains. In addition to her Masterworks Series, she has developed new series of Family, Young People, Movies, Pops, Patriotic and Cross-Over concerts. World renowned soloists are regular guests with Symphony of the Mountains. As an advocate for Contemporary Music, Cornelia brings a variety of new music to the region.

Her concert lectures, involvement with area schools, colleges and universities, speeches for clubs and civic organizations, regular TV and radio appearances and collaborations with regional art organizations have made her a vital part of the community.

During the 2014-2015 Season, Cornelia served as guest conductor for the Asheville Lyric Opera in Asheville, NC. From 2010-2012, she served as interim music director for the Appalachian Philharmonic and the Appalachian State University Opera Program in Boone, NC. Prior to her engagement with Symphony of the Mountains, Cornelia served as

music director of the Oak Ridge Symphony and Choir.

She served as Associate Conductor and later Principal Guest Conductor of the Knoxville Symphony from 2002-2008 and is now a regular guest conductor with this orchestra. Outside of these regular appointments, Cornelia is a sought-after guest conductor in the USA and in Europe.

In Europe, she was music director of the Operetta Theatre in Moeriken, Switzerland, guest assistant conductor under Philippe Jordan at La Scala in Milano, Italy, worked with the Bohuslav Czech Republic, and conducted many concerts with choirs and ad hoc orchestras with musicians from the Zurich Opera House and the Tonhalle Orchestra.

Cornelia received her Lehrdiplom in piano from the Conservatory at Winterhur and graduated from the Conservatory and University in Zurich with her Masters in Music Education and Choral Conducting. She obtained her Masters in Orchestra Conducting

from Northwestern University, where she studied under Victor Yampolsky. In a variety of workshop settings, she studied under Larry Rachleff, Marin Alsop, Joann Falletta, Robert Spano, Kirk Trevor, Tsung Yeh, Milen Nachev and Johannes Schlaefli.

Cornelia convincingly combines the classical-romantic tradition

of her old world origins with the unique American, and particularly Appalachian, flavor that her international background and extensive working experience in her adopted country has provided her.

Each of the AAME Speakers Series events takes place at the Bristol Public Library, located at 701 Goode Street, Bristol, Virginia.

Page 22, The Loafer • May 5, 2015

How To Vacation WithYour Family Last night I was in bed with my wife, Ladybird, and we were winding down from the day.

Ladybird was reading a magazine, while I was looking off into space pondering a question. The question on my mind being: “If I woke up to the smell of Folgers coffee brewing, coming from my kitchen, why would I assume it’s Peter home from college, and not a kindly vandal?” Pondering that question then led to the inventible thought that Folgers coffee doesn’t smell as good as it used to.

As I began to wonder why Larry King had invaded my brain, Ladybird turned to me and said “The kids will be out of school soon, we should think about going on a family vacation this Summer.”

Ladybird was right, it had been a long time since we had all enjoyed a road trip together, and this summer would be the perfect time to go on a big family trip together. It may be the last big one we have for a quite some time. Soon the kids will graduate, go to college, become bitter and jaded, and blame everything on me. Since I’ve been planning this road trip for the past few weeks, I realized that a lot of what I’m going through might be helpful to those of you wishing to cash in on your children’s goodwill before they lock themselves in their rooms listening to “The Killing Moon” on repeat.

I’ll leave the destination of choice up to you and your family, we picked the old tried and true theme park. First, let’s talk about what to do with all that luggage.

Does you vehicle have a luggage

rack? Mine does, but I never use it. Well, I shouldn’t say never. The best use I’ve had of the luggage rack has been to tie down restless family who refused to go on the trip. Grandma may have not been too keen of going down the interstate at 85 strapped to a luggage rack, but it did put an end to her night terrors, so there’s that.

Early the morning we were to leave, I was loading all of our gear into the back of my SUV, ever thankful for that fold down third row with impact seating and storage. There’s an art to packing the back of a vehicle, the same kind of art that all those years of playing Tetris prepared you for. As I began to lay the luggage in, I could hear that Tetris music playing ever so gently in my brain. When I was finished, I had a nice even top with a full view of the back glass from the rear view mirror. My stacking was a success.

Family all settled in for the long haul, we made sure everything was locked, coffee maker off, and we hit the open road. The nice thing about modern cars is many have various ways to keep the children happy. DVD players, not to mention iPads and what nots now, so the kids have many a way to keep themselves occupied for hours upon end. Still, they have to take a break from all that at some point, which is when you, as parental units, should partake in the great tradition of embarrassingly singing along to a song from your youth. Ladybird and I serenaded our children with a loud, off-key, rendition of “No Scrubs” by TLC.

We arrive at our destination in the late afternoon, we’re tired, and we want to take a nap. We check in to our hotel, unload the car, and then try to figure out where to eat.

We settle for a quick bite at that chain restaurant that doesn’t have a location where we live. Full of food that can only be described as a “Guy Fieri wet dream,” we return to our hotel and settle down for a night of rest. I try to sleep, but I can’t get my mind off the thought I left something on at the house. I text a friend to drive by and see if everything looks fine, they do, tell me it is, and I sleep.

We wake the next day, and with everyone showered and full of hotel breakfast, off to the theme park we go! It’s the same type of affair you see at most theme parks, you have to park two states away and walk there, then more standing and walking just to go on a ride that lasts for two minutes and soaks your clothing with a splash zone. After three days of this, the children are all very happy, and very understanding of my need to hit up the area’s record shops.

Sleeping in on day four, which was worth it, meant we would get home late. The luggage loading game had now changed, as there was more luggage in the back of the car than we began with. I still managed to get it mostly sorted, but I’m not saying that I didn’t put a stack of records between the two kids, who treated them as the blameless, sacred objects they are.

We arrive home after dark, the children are tired and rush to their bedrooms, each and every single one of us happy to be back in our own beds. The children sleep, and I unload the car. With all the things put away, I finally settle into bed alongside Ladybird around 11:30 at night. As tired as I am, I as-

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 23

Choosing The Right Handgun: For Concealed Carry Pt 2

Last week we looked at the different types of handguns available, as well as their various pros and cons. Before I get any emails from my cowboy readers out there, no I didn’t include the single-action revolver. Because although they are fine guns and I personally enjoy shooting them, I don’t consider them a viable concealed carry option. That being said let’s continue our discussion.

Which brings us to the second thing to consider, how do you carry? Outer waist band, inner waist band, pocket carry, shoulder holster, or in a bag/purse? This is based entirely on preference, considering both comfort, and functionality. How you carry will directly affect the type of gun you should buy. For example I like to inner waist band carry. I carried a Glock 19 for over a year, but it was very uncomfortable and I wouldn’t recommend it. That’s

because Glocks are square and blocky. Ideally carried outer waist band or shoulder etc. I traded my Glock for a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, which is the most comfortable gun I’ve ever carried inner waist band. This is because the Shield is thinner, and all the edges are rounded off. All this to say consider carefully your preferred carry method before you purchase your handgun or else you’ll be in for some costly trial and error.

The third thing to consider is your skill as a marksman. I say this because most of your smaller guns such as pocket pistols have very short barrels and are therefore not all that accurate. Granted most self-defense scenarios occur at less than 7yrds. However, what if the attacker is across the room with a rifle? Do you feel confident that you could hit him with a 2” barrel and a .380 bullet? If I’m honest with myself, as a marksman and

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sumed sleep would come quickly, but it did not. As I began to relax, I couldn’t help but notice the aroma of Folgers coffee brewing in the

air. Terrified, Ladybird and I went to kitchen, and found a fresh pot of coffee sitting in the machine. After a hour of Ladybird driving me

an avid shooter I think a shot like that would be very difficult, and I might hit someone else by accident. However there is no doubt in my mind that I could make that shot with a Glock 17 or 22.

The last thing to consider, once you’ve picked the right type and size of gun is the price. Now you might be reading this and thinking price is no object, and that’s great for you, but for the rest of us it’s a big factor. Before you walk into your local gun shop have a good Idea of what you’re looking for first. Then weigh your individual options within the confines of what you’re looking for, if you don’t do this you might walk out with a gold plated Desert Eagle, when you went in for a Glock.

For example if you’ve decided you want a pocket pistol, first you have to choose a caliber, .22, .32, or .380. Now you have the choice of brand. Now Sig Sauer makes a fine product, but so does Ruger or KelTec, the difference however is hundreds of dollars. I recommend also looking at magazine capacity, and what extras come with the gun, extra mags, a case etc. These will help you determine the value of the gun you’re looking at. I hope you have found this article helpful and insightful, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. If you have any questions or comments please email me, I look forward to your feedback.

around town while I was strapped to the luggage rack, I finally got some peace. It was a successful vacation. See you next week.

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May 5, 2015 • The Loafer, Page 25

The Whimsy of Waverly Place As anyone who has ever been tasked with navigating the bewildering street layout of Lower Manhattan can tell you, it’s easy to get lost. Yet, for many first time visitors to New York City, this isn’t really a concern. Most of the tourist ammenities in Manhattan can be found in Midtown and other neighborhoods further north where an efficient and comforting grid of avenues and streets, though unimaginative, is a welcome feature to new arrivals as it is virtually impossible to lose your way.

Downtown though, it’s a different story. Settled back in the mid-1600′s, the southern part of the island was laid out without adherence to any coherent survey system. Roads were merely placed to follow the features of the natural (or previously built) environment. For example, the famous Wall Street was built on the site of an actual wall, while Canal Street follows the course of an old canal.

What eventually developed from this habit of building whatever, wherever, without any regard toward city planning, was a confusing network of streets that makes navigation in this part of the city a total nightmare. By 1811, New Yorkers had come to realize that a more logical basis for city expansion was absolutely necessary. As a result, new legislation mandated the imposition of the grid of streets and avenues we see today north of 14th Street - all of uniform size with no respect at all to the physical landscape. The only exception to this being Broadway, which began as a trail originally used by the Lenape people.

Residents who had already built homes and businesses in conflict with this urban plan were out of

luck. Thousands were forced to relocate, including many living on the 843 acre parcel that was set aside for open space, now known as Central Park.

However, the streets of Lower Manhattan still follow the haphazard planning of the originial Dutch, and later English colonists.

This is where, even today, we can find several eccentricities that no logically-minded person would ever design on purpose. Among these are numerous hidden alleys, streets that turn back on themselves or seemingly come to an end, only to resume their course several blocks later, and my personal favorite - one street that actually intersects with itself.

Waverly Place, recently featured in the film I Am Legend and the children’s show, The Wizards of

Waverly Place forms the northern edge of Washington Square Park, at the uppermost extent of Greenwich Village. Following this street west from the park though, one comes upon a fork where a spur branches off to the left for just a block or so before terminating at Grove Street. This spur, however, while a divergence from Waverly Place, oddly retains the identity of - you guessed it - Waverly Place.

No kidding, there is even a street sign informing wayward travelers that Waverly Place splits and extends in two different directions.

In the centuries since the spot was settled, no one has ever bothered to correct this anomaly. So, I guess we can only hope that those residents of the blocks in question seem to be geting most of their mail.

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Commencement Redux For my annual commencement address commentary—and it’s hard to believe that time of year is here once again—let me begin by suggesting the perfect present for the graduate in your life. For this Selfie age in which we live, what could be more appropriate than a Hammacher Schlemmer Selfie Toaster? For a mere seventy bucks, you can show how much you care on this very special occasion. Allow me to quote from the company ad that promotes this marvelous device: “This is the appliance that indelibly brands its owner’s image onto a slice of bread . . . A subject’s full facial details are converted into twin removable stainless steel inserts, allowing its heating elements to brown light or dark likenesses of the subject onto one side of toast, removing any question as to the ownership of the next two slices.”

Do we live in an age of miracles, or what? As wonderful as this is, we all should lament the fact that it will now be very easy to burn likenesses of anyone or anything onto a slice of toast, thereby ending all the cheesy (no pun intended) pop culture (again, no pun intended) mysteries about the toasty likenesses of Jesus, Willie Nelson, or Mother Teresa that often appear in the pages of National Enquirer and other scholarly publications as well as on our breakfast tables.

But, despite the myth-busting qualities of this new device, I still urge you to “toast” your favorite graduate with this present. There are certainly worse ways to blow seventy bucks.

Last year I devoted this column to some sage advice about how to write and deliver the perfect graduation speech, like keeping

it under eighteen minutes, grabbing your audience’s attention immediately, and understanding the needs and wishes of your audience. This week, I came across a neat little game you can play while listening to this year’s commencement address. Hopefully, this little diversion will focus your attention on what the speaker is actually saying (no easy task, of course) while having a little bit of subversive fun while doing so. Hey, this might be more worthwhile than texting during the ceremony.

This neat little tidbit comes from a May 2014 edition of Wired magazine, but probably needs little or no updating to fit any commencement ceremony you might attend.

Called “Commencement Speech

Bingo,” this little game resembles a typical Bingo card, but replaces the conventional numbers with well-worn, yet too-often-used clichés from commencement addresses. The object is to place your chips over each phrase you hear uttered in the address, and declare yourself a winner when your card is filled; needless to say, you should probably avoid shouting out “Bingo” during the ceremony itself.

The Bingo card contains twenty-four phrases—all of which I’m sure you have heard at one time or the other (most likely during the same speech). These include “It’s a great/wonderful/enormous/awesome honor,” “Here’s the secret . . ,” “Be true to your

self/values/passion/voice,” “I’m humbled,” “This is the first day of the rest of your life” (anyone who utters this phrase should be immediately arrested and hauled out of the auditorium), “Follow your passions/dreams/heart,” “This is only just the beginning,” “Never stop learning,” “Do good,” “The future is yours to shape,” “Make a difference,” “Pay it forward,” and “Here are [x number] pieces of advice.” Does all this sound much too familiar?

USA Today has devised a similar Bingo card with very simple instructions: “Unlike in traditional bingo where filling up your card makes you a winner, you’re a win-

ner in this bingo game if the commencement speaker at your school does NOT say all the cliché words on this card. Some of the words and phrases found on this version of the Bingo game card include “Facebook,” “Create opportunities,” “Great honor,” “Public service,” “Job market,” “Social media,” “Technology,” “Potential,” “Discover your passion,” “Twitter,” “Game changing,” “Personal journey,” “Embrace change,” and “Challenging economy.” I’m sure you can mix and match phrases from both versions of this game for even more fun and diversion—but keep in mind that you will have to pay careful attention to the speaker in order to play the game. This should make everyone

happy.

If I were ever asked to deliver a commencement address—which is highly unlikely—I would studiously avoid the words and phrases listed above, except perhaps the advice to never stop learning, and would pepper my address with references to Groucho Marx and his infamous brothers, “You Really Got Me,” by the Kinks, Miles Davis’ album “Kind of Blue,” Ernie Kovacs, Lieutenant Columbo, the Hammond Organ solo from Deep Purple’s “Hush,” Daft Punk, “The Office,” World Book Encyclopedia, The Enormous Egg, the children’s book by Oliver Butterworth, the pleasures of eating large bowls of cereal, and the many benefits derived from learning how to tie a bowtie. Needless to say, I would never be invited back to speak.

Actually, I would probably avoid any of the references above, preferring instead to opt for a much shorter and more meaningful speech. Following up on the remarks I made a couple of weeks ago in my “Are You Curious?” column, I would borrow/steal the advice offered by Todd Kashdan in his stimulating 2009 book CURIOUS?: “I hope at some point. . . .when someone asks you what you want most from your life, instead of quickly replying, ‘All I care about is being happy,’ you might respond, ‘I want to be curious and do something that matters.” This fifteen-second piece of advice is all our graduates need to hear. I know this would spoil the fun of playing Commencement Bingo, but it would not only shorten the ceremony but also make for some meaningful discussion. Perhaps after I gave this one sentence address, the graduating class could divide into groups to discuss ways in which they could apply this advice to their lives and careers.

There is probably no better skill to learn in and out of school than how to be curious. Everything else follows from the cultivation of curiosity, and nothing of any value ever occurs without it.

So, I sincerely hope that the commencement speaker you have the pleasure of hearing will urge our graduates to be curious and to do something that matters. If not, reach for your bingo cards!!

See you next week. In the meantime, cultivate curiosity and discover your passion while embracing change.

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