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November 17, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 3
Volume 29 • Issue #50
Food Truck Junction
Publisher Luci Tate
Editor Graphic Arts Director Don Sprinkle Office Manager Luci Tate Cover Design Bill May Advertising Dave Carter Terry Patterson Lori Howell Beth Jinks-Ashbrook Contributing Staff Jim Kelly Andy Ross Ken Silvers Mark Marquette Brian McManus Joshua Hicks Brian Bishop Nathan Cox Distribution Jerry Hanger Teresa Hanger Published by Pulse Publishing, LLC., P.O. Box 3238, Johnson City, TN 37602 Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising) All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, including claims or suits for defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
Founder: Bill Williams
happenings 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 19 21 23 25
Food Truck Junction Big Daddy Weave, My Story Tour at NPAC The Grapes of Wrath at E & H American Buffalo at Northeast State Theater ‘Childlike’ theme at Story & Poetry Slam NBBB at Carter Family Fold Spirits of the Season ETSU to stage musical ‘Rent’ The Yarn Exchange Celebrates Traditions James Gregory “The Funniest Man In America” Contra Dance & Food Raiser Eric Congdon Making 1st JC Appearance Rhythms Of the Mountain Empire
14
Spotlight - Great Music & Fun Times
24
Crossword & Sudoku
music & fun
columns & reviews 12
Batteries Not Included - Mr. Thompson, Thanksgiving, and Her
16
Stargazer - The Pleiades Known Through Antiquity
17
Skies This Week
18
Screen Scenes - Spectre
20 The Trivial Traveler - The Tale of a Crypt 25
Pets Of The Week
26
Kelly’s Place - Let’s Give Thanks for Curated News Apps
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Food Trucks To Invade Johnson City! Tri-Cities, its time to tantalize your taste buds! First event of it’s kind in the Tri-Cities. 14 local NETN/SWVA food trucks, trailers & carts assembled in one location! Showcasing the diverse mobile food options that are available locally. Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 12:00 pm10:00 pm @ 820 West Walnut Street, Johnson City. The location is the parking lot of “Next Night Club” and it is located directly on the route of the Downtown Johnson City Christmas Parade. Individually, a portion of each unit’s proceeds will be donated to the “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals”.
Here’s the lineup so far • Backdraft BBQ (Gate City, VA) • B & B BBQ (Gray, TN) • The Caribbean Grill (Johnson City, TN) • Cha Cha’s (Kingsport, TN) • Fire In The Hole (Elizabethton, TN) • Foodie Fiction (Piney Flats, TN) • HellYa TN Hot Dogs (Kingsport, TN) • Jae’s Smoked Meat Shack (Bristol, VA) • KB’z Kitchen (Bristol, VA) • Me & K’s (Johnson City, TN) • Mona Lisa’s Gelato (Johnson City, TN) • My Father’s Table (Kingsport, TN) • Street Eats Hot Dogs (Johnson City,TN) • Top Dog Hot Dogs (Greeneville, TN)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1257682144257603/
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Big Daddy Weave, My Story Tour
Sunday, November 22 at Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Big Daddy Weave, one of Contemporary Christian music’s most successful groups, will bring its My Story Tour to the stage at Nis-
tion with the recent release of Beautiful Offerings, Big Daddy Weave’s highly anticipated seventh studio album. The album’s first single, “My Story,” sparked the title for the tour and has resonated with listeners everywhere, breaking into the top 20 on both the Hot Christian Songs and Christian AC charts. Through more than a decade of hits like “In Christ,” “Audience of One,” “You’re Worthy Of My Praise,” “Every Time I Breathe,” “What Life Would Be Like,” and “You Found Me,” Big Daddy Weave has shared the journey in a way that has won the ongoing respect of fans, press, and industry alike. Their musical journey began with a Dove Awards nomination as “New Artist of the Year” in 2002 and wonger Performing Arts Center includes a 2010 Dove on Sunday, November 22 at 6:30 Award for the album Christ Has pm. Come. They have been honored at The tour is launching in conjunc- ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards,
were chosen for the WOW Hits compilations in five of the last six years, and are one of the 10 most played artists in Christian radio over the past decade. Joining Big Daddy Weave on tour are Jason Gray and Citizen Way. The night will include hit songs from all the artists including “Love Come To Life,” “Overwhelmed,” and “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave, “Remind Me Who I Am” and “Nothing is Wasted” by Jason Gray and “Should’ve Been Me” by Citizen Way. The night will be one full of celebration and worship as the artists and community come together as one. Be moved and inspired with the Big Daddy Weave My Story Tour at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Sunday, November 22 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $30 for orchestra level, $25 for mezzanine level seating and $20 for balcony seats. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville.com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423-638-1679. NPAC offers online seat selection with no processing or delivery fees. There is a $1.50 ticket-
ing fee per ticket regardless of purchase method. The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm. The 1150 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, please visit www.npacgreeneville.com.
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WOMEN OF THE PALETTE: “Back to Nature”
Art in the Heart Gallery proud- They hope to inspire their viewers ly presents its November Spot- to take time to look more closely light Show: Women of the Pal- at nature’s beauty in all its varied ette: “Back to Nature” Monique forms and changing atmospheresCarr, Nancy Jane Earnest, Theresa -to entice them to get Back to NaMarkiw, Joy McGinnis, and Renee ture. Pitts, the five professional artists Art in the Heart Gallery is open of Women of the Palette, will pres- Wednesday and Thursday, 11 AM ent a showing of their recent work to 5 PM, Friday 11 AM to 7 PM and in an exhibit titled “Back to Na- Saturday 11 AM to 3 PM. For more ture” thru November 28, 2015, at information call the gallery at (423) Art in the Heart Gallery, 246 Broad 480-9702 Street, in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. Known for their exquisite use Women of the Palette: of color in varied media, local Theresa Markiw, Renee Pitts, Nangroup, Women of the Palette, take cy Jane Earnest, Monique Carr and great joy in painting breathtak- Joy McGinnis ing outdoor scenes of our region.
The Grapes of Wrath
largest theatrical production at Emory & Henry The Grapes of Wrath, one of the largest productions undertaken by the Emory & Henry Department of Theatre, will debut at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19-21 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the new McGlothlin Center for the Arts on campus. The large-scale production will be held in the center’s Main Stage Theatre. Daniel L. Wheeler, chair of the college’s theatre department, is director of the production adapted by Frank Galati from the novel by John Steinbeck. According to Wheeler, among
the 55 theatre majors, the production will utilize 30 student actors, three to four child actors, 14 student crew members, and another 43 students who will assist with lighting, set construction, painting, and costumes. “We wanted a large production to open the main stage of the new McGlothlin Center for the Arts, and the chance to present John Steinbeck’s beautiful literature was an option we could not refuse,” said Wheeler. “This production is a great opportunity for our performance
students to concentrate on their chosen craft using such beautiful language to paint the vast picturesque landscape of John Steinbeck’s novel. The students will be acting on a much larger stage with an audience capacity of nearly 500. Previously we had a small 100-seat studio theatre,” said Wheeler. “I think our audiences are going to be both impressed and amazed at the development and growth of the strong theatre program at Emory & Henry College.” The story focuses on the Joad family and their flight from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to California. The journey is wrought with intolerance, exploitation, death and terrible deprivation before reaching their destination--- where their waning hopes are dealt a final blow by the stark realities of the Great Depression. The production demonstrates a deeply moving affirmation of the indomitability of the human spirit and of the essential strength that - then as now - resides in the hearts and minds of the “common man” throughout the world. Tickets are $12 for the public. For tickets call the box office at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts at (276) 944-6333 or visit www.ehc. edu/mca/.
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Local Craft Beer Store Opens Its First Store in Kingsport
“The Beer Run” is Kingsport’s only store exclusively selling craft beer and accessories. Supporting local beer and cider brewers, The Beer Run also has a wide selection of artisan beers from throughout the US and internationally. “We really saw a growing supply of great locally produced beers,
but very few places to buy them,” says owner Scott Fitzpatrick. “We wanted to fill that niche, help local producers, and offer an insanely huge selection to our customers.” Craft Beer is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States with a 16 percent increase in just the last year according to the
American Brewers Association. Small and independent brewers sold 12.2 barrels of beer, up from 10.6 million during the first half of 2014, according to CNBC. In addition, there are approximately 3739 breweries in the US, an increase of 699 breweries over the same time period a year ago. The Beer Run has one of the largest selections of on-tap beer and cider, with a 28 tap growler station. They have custom glassware and “growlers” as well. The store manager, Sean Ryan is a noted expert in beer selection and food pairing. 1139 N. Eastman Rd, Kingsport • 423-967-1424.
Northeast State Theater presents American Buffalo
The Northeast State Community College Department of Theater presents the award-winning, volatile drama American Buffalo for three nights only beginning Nov. 19 at the Blountville campus. Playwright David Mamet’s hard-hitting, profane tale delves into man’s ongoing struggle to rise above his lot, a goal which ultimately eludes most of us. The action centers inside a dusty Chicago junk shop where three small-time crooks plot the robbery of a coin collection including a prized “buffalo nickel.” While the thieves fancy themselves businessmen, they must face the cold reality of violence and betrayal resulting from their choices. The play is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. The production dates are Nov. 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium (A202) of the College’s Blountville campus. Due to adult situations and language, the play is recommended for ages 18 years and older. For more information, visit www.northeaststate.edu/theatre or contact Northeast State Theater at 423.354.2479 or e-mail emsloan@NortheastState.edu.
(From left) Teach (Charles Clark) Bobby (Dylan Jantz) and Don (Jonathan Proctor)
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Bristol Motor Speedway Breaks Ground On Colossus
Digging began at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) last week for the first of four foundations supporting Colossus, the world’s largest outdoor, center-hung video display. Announced in October, Colossus will revolutionize the look and sound of the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. Four massive towers weighing in at 437 tons and ranging in height from 190-200 feet will be anchored outside the stadium, providing the framework necessary to suspend the 78-ton gondola and screens above the infield. “This is a game changer,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager for Bristol Motor Speedway. “This fan enhancement goes beyond providing our guests a great experience,
it opens us up to many future options in the sports and entertainment world.” The project draws on the expertise of multiple corporations and vendors including Panasonic, GoVision, Rentenbach Constructors and Hayward Baker Geotechnical Constructing.
Once completed in April 2016, Colossus will provide guests with a premium viewing experience that rivals the sharpness of the outdoor screens in Times Square, as well as thunderous, high-quality sound provided via 428 stadium speakers.
‘Childlike’ is theme of ETSU’s November Story and Poetry Slam “Childlike” is the theme for November in East Tennessee State University’s fall 2015 “Re-Generation: A Johnson City Story and Poetry Slam” series. The slam will be held Friday, Nov. 20, from 8-10 p.m. at Nelson Fine Art Center, 324 E. Main St. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. Storytellers and poets in the audience may share true (or mostly true) tales based on their interpretations of the “Childlike” theme. Tales might focus on moments from childhood or times later in life when the tellers felt like children. Topics could include spelling bee championships, sandbox drama or times of silliness.
Patrons who wish to tell a story or share a poem may drop their names into a hat, and names will be drawn at random to compete. Judges selected from the audience will pick the winners, and the firstplace winner will receive a cash prize. “Re-Generation: A Johnson City Story and Poetry Slam” is sponsored by the ETSU Department of Communication and Performance and its Storytelling Program. Despite the “Childlike” theme, this event is not suitable for children. For more information, contact the ETSU Storytelling Program at 423-439-7606 or storytel@etsu.edu.
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New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters at Carter Family Fold
Saturday, November 21st, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert by the New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters, an old time band. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $1 for children 6 to11, under age 6 free. The New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters took their group’s name from the original Bogtrotters, the famous Galax, Virginia, area band of the 1930s, and because band leader Dennis Hall lives on Ballard’s Branch. Galax is home to the world-renowned Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, and the area has traditionally produced some of the country’s finest old time string bands. Carrying on that rich musical tradition, the New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters features Dennis Hall on guitar, Leon Frost on mandolin, Jesse Morris on bass, Eddie Bond on fiddle, and Josh Ellis on banjo. The guys have been playing together for over nearly fifteen years. Eddie Bond’s four great grandfathers were old time banjo players. He was raised by his grandmoth-
er who was a singer and guitar player. His family on both sides is packed with musicians who played the traditional music of the Blue Ridge. Eddie began performing at age 3 dancing for quarters. Through the years, he’s added guitar, autoharp, fiddle, and banjo to the list of instruments he plays. He grew up in Fries where some of the first old time music had its beginnings at the Washington Cotton Mill from 1923 to 1929. Fries is about six miles from Galax. Dennis Hall is a grand nephew of Uncle Eck Dunford – the droll voiced fiddler and spokesman for the original Bogtrotters. Their dance band was recorded by Alan Lomax in the 1930’s. Lomax left a trove of important recordings by the Bogtrotters and others at the Library of Congress. Uncle Eck was very conscious of his Ulster Irish background and his name. The Bogtrotter heritage is closely tied to that of Eck Dunford. Dennis is noted among old time musicians for his unerring and rocksolid guitar time. In addition, he’s a master carpenter and home
builder. Dennis is the keeper of a rich score of older, historic music. Jesse Morris is a bassist and the son of a bassist. His timing is rock solid. Jesse comes from a musical family. His father, Dale Morris, has been a string band musician for many years, working in many Galax bands; he’s also a respected scholar of traditional music. When he isn’t playing music, Jesse teaches high school agriculture classes. Josh Ellis was a Clapton-style rock and roll guitar player when he came to Galax, but all that changed when he picked up a banjo. Like the other Bogtrotters, Josh is very passionate about timing. The banjo and fiddle are the original string band created by Virginia slave musicians in the early colonial period. Keeping with that tradition, Josh works closely with Eddie to adhere to that ancient musical combination. Josh manages a business in Galax and has helped construct many beautiful homes in that area. The group won the old-time band competition at the Galax Fiddler’s Convention on six dif-
ferent occasions. In addition, they have played their music at such regional and national festivals as the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, Merlefest, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the University of Chicago Festival. Having performed many times at the Fold, they’re a favorite of Carter Fold audiences. This group covers it all – great fiddle and dance tunes, outstanding vocals and harmony, beautiful gospel numbers, waltz tunes, and some of the finest instrumentals you’ll ever hear.
For more information, check out the Bogtrotters on Myspace, Facebook, and Youtube. If you love old time music and dance, don’t miss the New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters at the Carter Family Fold. Everyone loves the Bogtrotters, so get ready for an evening of old fashioned fun. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes – and your friends! For recorded information on shows coming up at the Fold, call 276-386-6054. To speak to a Fold staff member, call 276-594-0676.
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Spirits of the Season
to kickoff the holiday season, benefit American Cancer Society programs, services Eat, drink and be merry. That’s the essence of Spirits of the Season – an event that pairs food with exquisite wines and spirits – which has become a dazzling tradition celebrating the holiday season in Northeast Tennessee. Spirits of the Season, an event to benefit the American Cancer Society, is set to take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, at The Johnson City Country Club. The event is being underwritten by One Stop Wines and Spirits so that 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. “One Stop Wines is thrilled to host Spirits of the Season again,” Phil Scharfstein, owner said. “It gives us the opportunity to invite the community to kickoff the holiday season, present some of our finest selections and, most importantly, help raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s mission. This will be the event of the season.” As many as 75 different bever-
ages will be available for tasting during the event. This is a great time to pick out gifts for friends, or that special bottle of wine for your holiday party, or just find a new wine or two that you really enjoy. Tickets for Spirits of the Season are $75 each, and can be purchased at One Stop, 1735 W. State of Franklin Road., Johnson City or your American Cancer Society office, 508 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City. One hundred
percent of the ticket cost is a taxdeductible donation to the American Cancer Society. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the American Cancer Society at 423.975.0635 or One Stop Wines and Spirits at 423.926.8366. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.spiritsoftheseason.org. The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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ETSU to stage musical ‘Rent’
The hit Broadway musical “Rent” will be presented by the Department of Communication and Performance at East Tennessee State University. Performances will be held in the Bud Frank Theatre Nov. 18-22 (Wednesday – Sunday) at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday (Nov. 22) at 2 p.m. Set in the East Village of New York City, “Rent” follows a year in the life of a group of young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Written by Jonathan Larson, “Rent” won the Tony Award for “Best Musical” as well as a Pulitzer Prize for drama. The show opened on Broadway in April 1996 and closed in Sept. 2008 after more than 5,100 performances. Well-known songs from “Rent” include “You’ll See,” “Goodbye Love” and “Seasons of Love.” The ETSU production of “Rent” stars Luke Hatmaker as Mark, Nyle Pierson as Roger, Ryan Stapleton as Tom, Morgan Canty as Benjamin, Britny Fox as Joanne, Trenton Fines as Angel, Reagan
James as Mimi and Isabel Hodgson as Maureen, with ensemble members Whitney Bates, Michael Bister, Jordan Click, Ariel Davis, Caroline Denning, Kimberly Grez, Zoe Heter, Taylor Hutchison, Christian Melin Johnson, Kathleen King, Tyler Logan, Jacob Mencini and Katie Rowe. ETSU faculty member Pat Cronin is directing “Rent,” with Cara Harker as choreographer and Dominic Aquilino as musical director. Set design is by Delbert Hall, technical direction is by Nate White, and lighting design is by Melissa Shafer, with Stevi Ash,
Senior Services at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., offers the nation’s leading fitness program designed exclusively for older adults. The SilverSneakers® Fitness program is a fun, energizing program that helps older adults take greater control of their health by encouraging physical activity and offering social events. Regular participation in the program has been proven to help older adults manage their health and increase strength, balance and endurance. SilverSneakers® members have access to a wide variety of benefits, including but not limited to: SilverSneakers® Classic – a fun, active class designed to increase strength, range of motion, agility, balance, and coordination along with improving functional capacities, physical fitness and a sense of well-being. Classes can be
done standing or sitting. SilverSneakers® Circuit – designed to increase cardiovascular endurance and improve strength. This is a low impact class that offers upper body strengthening. SilverSneakers® Yoga – designed to increase flexibility, improve balance, and encourage mind-body integration. The class is appropriate for everyone. SilverSneakers® Splash – a fun, shallow-water movement class designed to improve agility and flexibility while also improving cardiovascular endurance and strength. No swimming ability required. If you’re a group retiree or part of a Medicare health plan, you may already have a SilverSneakers® membership. Most classes are free to SilverSneakers® members. For more information, please call (423)434-6237.
Silver Sneakers® available at MPCC
Patricia Kramer and Karen Brewster as costumers, Brian Collins as stage manager, Caileen Jones as assistant stage manager, Dustin Lawson and Matthew Schott as wardrobe assistants, Michael Lee as sound board operator, and Chanley Garber and Catie Holliday as crew members. Zach Ross is leading the band. Tickets are $7 for students and $15 for general admission. Reservations can be made at http:// www.etsu.edu/cas/comm_perform/theatre/boxoffice.php or by calling 423-439-6511.
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Mr. Thompson, Thanksgiving, and Her
I was standing in the fresh market, and I was having a panic attack. I’ve cooked Thanksgiving meals before. I’ve been in supermarkets the day of Thanksgiving with no trouble at all. This was different. I was getting ready to cook Thanksgiving dinner for a woman
I found myself attracted to. We had gone out a few times, and each time was even lovelier than the last. Despite my angst and bitter disposition at the universe for the way that romance has treated me, the fact of the matter is, as Morrisey said, “I am human and I need to be loved.”
Grocery shopping is one of the ways I relax, I know that’s weird, but that’s me. The rational part of my brain began to counter my panic centers as soon as the attack started. “Dude, you’re in a grocery store! You love this! Bread! Food! Cheese! Cookies! Those really nice
organic cleaning products! Chill, brah.” Logically I knew I had this. I’ve cooked entire holiday meals by myself before. But the part of my brain that fuels the anxiety and panic just kept telling me “You’re six years old again, and this is the water level of Super Mario Brothers.” The meal would not be on home turf, I couldn’t handle cooking Thanksgiving for her and my family and having all the worlds together at once--that would have warranted me turning into a boneless mass of something human-esq asking where the GMO free mayo was. I was cooking at her place, in her kitchen, which was nice. I had already made a playlist of tunes to amp myself up during the cooking. What’s the fun of cooking if you can’t do it to a killer soundtrack? In one way I felt a tinge of guilt that I was not spending Thanksgiving with my family. I really wasn’t missing out on much this year, and in some ways I was saving myself a lot of grief. My father--a dyed in the wool hypochondriac--recently was solidly convinced he was going to have his gallbladder removed. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, this was my father’s only talking point. “Well, I’m sure I’ll be having surgery before the year is out” is how he would begin conversations when asked how he was doing. I’ve never seen anyone so upset to learn they didn’t need surgery in my entire life. As I went towards the check out, this reminded me that maybe I shouldn’t feel so much guilt. In the car I plugged my iPhone into the car stereo and loaded up The Jonathan Channel, an internet radio station that plays a lot of Sinatra. As I drove to her place, with groceries in the back seat, I could feel the panic slow. It helped that I was distracting myself with a sing along to a Gershwin tune than focusing over and over on a thousand fictitious scenarios of how it was all going to go horribly wrong. Example: “What if I send scalding turkey gravy flying into the air and it burns her skin!? Then the FBI are called in and Larry King goes on TV to say he hates me?” The attack ended on the drive over, anxiety was still present, but I had accepted that this was just going to be one of those “constant low-ball stream of anxiety” kind of days. I arrived at her place, parked my car, got my groceries, and
walked to her door. “Calm down, relax” kept repeating itself over and over in my brain as I got closer. Managing to free a hand, I knocked on her door, and after a moment she opened it. She opened the door, and she was beautiful. “Hey you!” she said as she welcomed me in. Walking into her apartment I was greeting by the aroma of turkey roasting in the oven, with a hit of yeast rolls rising mixed with it. I brought what was needed to make mashed potatoes and my mac and cheese. I took the groceries to the kitchen and said hello to her cat, Mr. Thompson. “How’s your dad’s health thing?” she asked, “He’s perfectly healthy and it’s driving him crazy” I told her, then went about setting up to make the mac and cheese. I loaded up one of my cooking playlists and had it going, a funk mix of 70s Memphis soul. As I was grating the cheese for the mac and cheese, Mr. Thompson came walking into the kitchen, surveying all that was going on, and making gentle meowing sounds. I figured it was the cheese that attracted Mr. Thompson, and it being Thanksgiving, I saw no harm in offering him a little bite. “Here you go, Mr. Thompson” I said as I dropped a bit of cheese on the floor for him to eat. “Your cat like being in the kitchen, doesn’t he?” I said, after Mr. Thompson finished his bite of cheese, he went over to a chair by the dinner table and laid on it. “Yeah” she said, “Just don’t let him eat a bite of any cheese or something, he has a sensitive digestive system.” I froze. “Um, yeah! Sure!” I said with as much calm conviction as I could, then I went back to making my mac and cheese. The rest of the cooking went with ease, no mishaps. A good hour or so had passed and I hadn’t heard any sounds of distress from Mr. Thompson--I felt all was good on that end. We both began to get the table ready, I told her I would set the dishes and silverware--it may have been a Thanksgiving for two, but we were still being fancy. As she was in the kitchen doing those final little touches, “Lovefool” by The Cardigans began to play--she flipped my iPod to shuffle. If you know the song, then you know it’s downright irresistible to
Batteries ....
Contiuned on page 22
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Holston View Elementary Student Artwork Displayed in Historic Downtown Bristol
The Arts & Entertainment District is hosting the 5th Annual Student Art Gallery in Downtown Bristol. In an effort to “Cultivate Bristol’s Creativity,” the district has invited the local schools to help us beautify our community by providing art to decorate the front windows of the former Hayes Furniture Building on State Street. “The Student Art Gallery is an important part of the A&E District’s mission,” says René Rodgers, the Arts & Entertainment chair. “It gives students an outlet for their artistic efforts and shows them the value of creativity, while also beautifying an empty storefront and sharing the arts with our downtown visitors. I am always excited to see the wonderful projects and the different ways the students express themselves each month.” Each school or group that participates has a month-long period to display their students’ art in the space. The first gallery of art went up today, showcasing art from students in the 4th and 6th grades at Holston View Elementary School. Roslyn Eitel’s students have the opportunity to complete a piece of art that has both emphasis and contrast. The fourth-grade students first trace their hands on gridded paper, then filling in every box with designs, pictures and words that represent themselves. Next, they chose a favorite color scheme and color in all the outside boxes with colored pencils. “This is one of my students’ very favorite projects,” Eitel explains. “It takes them quite a while to complete, but they always love it and keep it for years to come.” Artwork by the students from Holston View Elementary School will be on display at the Hayes Furniture Building until November 30, 2015. For more information, please contact Maggie Bishop at Believe in Bristol on 276-644-9700, Maggie@believeinbristol.org, or visit the website at www.believeinbristol.org.
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A Night With the Yarn Exchange Celebrates Traditions
This season is all about family traditions, and this month’s Yarn Exchange radio show is full of heartwarming and quirky stories about our traditions here in northeast Tennessee. Join the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange on Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at the International Storytelling Center. Tradition stories include Depression Era Christmas tales, where stockings are too few to hang, so pots and pans are set out for Santa to fill with nuts and fruit. Hear a soldier’s story about always leaving an extra seat at the table for anyone who may stop by and need to be fed. Sitting up with the dead was a longtime practice, but are two teenage boys in Boones Creek to blame for the eventual decline of the tradition? Who remembers waiting on the train to deliver Christmas packages? Al-
fred Greenlee shares a story about a time when the train arrived late, but Christmas came anyway. Gather together with your family this month for A Night with the Yarn Exchange: Tradition Episode on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Featured entertainment also includes the Sycamore Shoals Fife and Drum Unit, a group with a long tradition going back to the Revolutionary War Days. Then, join the Yarn Exchange a week later on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. for another tradition they began five years ago. The Story of the Carols is back, this year at the McKinney Center, and they have added an exciting new element. At this fundraising event, guests will get to choose their own hand-made, one of a kind soup bowl, made by a local potter. Then, guests can fill it up with one of five different
soups. Folks will also enjoy fellowship with others at dining tables set up family style in the McKinney Center auditorium. Then, take in the annual performance of Story of the Carols: A Christmas Singalong with the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange and the Jonesborough Novelty Band. The Story of the Carols fundraiser on Nov. 30 is $25 and includes dinner, the show and a beautiful handmade bowl of choice. There will also be a silent auction for special bowls and bread platters. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. It is a great way to kick off the Holiday Season! A Night with the Yarn Exchange is made possible through a grant with the Harris Fund, in partnership with East Tennessee State University and through generous support from CrestPoint Health.
A Night with the Yarn Exchange is part of Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts. Seating for the monthly shows of the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange, as always, is limited as tickets are available at a rate of $5 for adults and $1 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the night of the performance, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center by calling 423.753.1010 or by visiting jonesboroughtn.org. 2016 Jonesborough Yarn Exchange Season Passes are also available for $55. The season pass includes all shows for the 2016 year, exclusive reserved seating and an invitation to the season kick-off for their fifth year on January 25 at the Storytelling Center. You may purchase passes now by calling 423-753-1010.
Page 14 | The Loafer | November 17, 2015
SAM GLEAVES - TUESDAY - Nov. 17th 20 WATT TOMBSTONE at Sleepy Owl Brewery 9pm
PI JACOBS
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- WEDNESDAY - Nov. 18th OPEN MIC
at WoodStone Deli
KELSEY WALDEN at Down Home 8pm
CHRIS LONG
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- THURSDAY - Nov. 19th JAZZ at Wellington’s - Carnegie Hotel
PAYTON TAYLOR
at Yee Haw Brewing Co. 7pm
JEN ALLEN & THE TENNESSEE ZIP at Down Home
LORNA SHORE
at The Hideaway 7pm RYAN WARD (Indie) at O’Mainnin’s Pub 10pm
at The Down Home
GTA
at 50Fifty Sports Tavern
SEASONS OF ME
at Poor Richard’s Campus 8pm
THE FARMHOUSE GHOST
at The Willow Tree Coffee House & Music Room 8pm
IF BIRDS COULD FLY at O’Mainnin’s Pub 10pm
MARCUS BOYD
at Quaker Steak & Lube
ADAM LAWSON at Uncorked
HONEY CHASERS
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
MOONLIGHT RUN
at Country Club Bar & Grill 8pm
- SATURDAY - Nov. 21st CATFISH FRYE BAND
OPEN JAM
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
HILLBILLY BAD at Capone’s
MARK WHITE
at Jiggy Ray’s Pizzaria 7pm
SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND at The Family Barn 7:30pm SHOOTER (Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at State Line Bar & Grill 7pm
CHRIS LONG PI JACONGS
at Triple B Brewery 7pm
RUSSELL MOORE AND III TYME OUT at The Down Home
MAGNOLIA MOTEL at The Mecca Lounge 9pm
WYLDEHEART
at O’Mainnin’s Pub & Grill 10pm
LAURIE COLE BAND at Capone’s
DAVID & VALERIE MAYFIELD at Bone Fire Smokehouse
AARON ROBERTS / JOE CAT at Acoustic Coffeehouse RYAN WARD (Indie) at Uncorked
at The Willow Tree Coffee House & Music Room 8pm at Kosher Pickle
Ryan Ward
NIGHTSHIFT
(Country, Southern Rock, Oldies) at Buffalo Ruritan 7pm
VALLEY GRASS
at The Family Barn 7:30pm
SOUTHERN COUNTRYMEN BAND (Country) at JC Moose Lodge
SHOOTER
(Country, Classic Rock, Oldies) at The Show Palace 7pm
NEW BALLARD BRANCH BOGTROTTERS at Carter Family Fold
THE WHISKEY STICKS at The Damascus Brewery
KARAOKE TUESDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
WEDNESDAY
Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at American Legion 8pm Karaoke At Bristol VFW - BTN Turn the Page Karaoke At VFW Post 2108 - JCTN ***********************
THURSDAY
Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Macadoo’s 8pm Karaoke At Holiday Inn - JCTN Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
FRIDAY
at Jiggy Ray’s Pizzaria
BENJAMIN JAMES JOE DUNN
- FRIDAY - Nov. 20th ERIC CONGDON
at Country Club Bar & Grill
MONK & MALONE
MARSHALL BALLEW
at The Acoustic Coffeehouse
ALI RANDOLPH & THE OUTTA LUCK BAND
(Rockin’ Boogie Blues) at Holiday Inn (Exit 7)
FAT CHEEK KAT & JAKE & THE COMET CONDUCTORS
at Bone Fire Smokehouse
SUNDOWN (Country) at David Thompson’s Produce 7pm
- SUNDAY - Nov. 22nd BIG SANDY & THE FLY RITES at Bone Fire Smokehouse
DIGG
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
- MONDAY - Nov. 23rd MOTEL RODEO at Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch
OPEN HOUSE
at Acoustic Coffeehouse
BLUEGRASS JAM
at Hardee’s (Boones Creek)
KaraokeAt Bristol VFW - BTN Karaoke w/ Southern Sounds Karaoke at Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 9pm Karaoke w/ Reverb Karaoke at The Cottage 8:30 pm Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Elizabethton VFW Karaoke w/ DJ Marques At Holiday Inn (Exit 7) - BVA Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN ***********************
SATURDAY
Turn the Page Karaoke at VFW Post 2108 - JCTN Karaoke At Numan’s - JCTN Karaoke at Bristol VFW ***********************
SUNDAY
Karaoke w/ Absolute Entertainment At Everette’s Bar & Grille - JCTN ***********************
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Spotlight Directory
50 Fifty Sports Tavern 2102 N. Roan Street Johnson City Acoustic Coffeehouse 415 W Walnut St. Johnson City 423/434.9872 Bone Fire Smokehouse at the Hardware 260 W Main St Abingdon VA 276/623-0037 Bristol’s Pickin’ Porch 620 State St Bristol 423/573-2262 Buffalo Ruritan 200 Willowbrook Dr. Bluff City 423/391-7382 Capone’s 227 E Main St Johnson City 423/928-2295 Carter Family Fold 3449 A. P. Carter Hwy Hiltons VA 276/594-0676 Country Club Bar & Grill 3080 W State St Bristol 423/844-0400 Down Home 300 W. Main St. Johnson City 423/929-9822 Family Barn 1718 US Highway 19 Hansonville VA The Hideaway 235 E. Main St Johnson City 423/ 926-3896 Holiday Inn (Exit 7) 3005 Linden Dr Bristol Va 276/466-4100 Jiggy Ray’s 610 E. Elk Ave Elizabethton 423/ 518-1500 Johnson City Moose Lodge 1801 W. Lakeview Dr. Johnson City 423/926-6400
Kosher Pickle 3900 Bristol Hwy Johnson City 423/ 979-7000 The Mecca Lounge 117 Spring St Johnson City 423/928-9360 O’Mainnin’s Pub 712 State St Bristol 423/844-0049 Poor Richards 825 W. Walnut St. Johnson City 423/ 928-8611 The Show Palace 14364 Lee Hwy Bristol VA 276/494-6610 Sleepy Owl Brewery 151 E. Main St. Kingsport 423/390-8476 State Line Bar & Grill 644 State Street Bristol 423/652-0792 Triple B Brewery 935 Wilcox Ct. #105 Kingsport 423/963-3609 Uncorked 316 Broad St. #102 Kingsport Wellington’s Restaurant Carnegie Hotel 1216 W State of Franklin Rd Johnson City 423/979-6400 The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room 216 E Main St Johnson City Woodstone Deli 3500 Fort Henry Dr Kingsport 423/245-5424 Yee Haw Brewing Company 126 Buffalo St. Johnson City
Hillbilly Bad
who came together and became Hillbilly Bad. With backgrounds from bluegrass to rock and Capone’s | Friday, Nov. 20th everything in between--surprisingly it works. This band plays original songs with catchy lyrics and music that won’t let you sit still. They throw in a few cover songs here and there just for fun. Stage presence is also a plus with this group. They have fun on stage and it shows. No “over the top” egos-just good music. So, if you get the chance to Sometimes when a group of guys get together with the intent see Hillbilly Bad, don’t of forming a band, it just doesn’t work--- and then, sometimes it miss’em! You’ll have a does. This would be the case with five guys from East Tennessee rockin’ good time.
November 17, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 15
Page 16 | The Loafer | November 17, 2015
The Pleiades Known Through Antiquity Aside from the Sun and Moon, the most viewed object in the sky that has been looked at with awe by all civilizations is probably the star cluster called The Pleiades. Now in our crisp Autumn skies rising in the east, the crystal knot of bright, white stars form a tiny dipper that has mesmerized every person who has looked up to see The Pleiades. Not to be mistaken for the celebrated and much larger Little Dipper (that is part of the Little Bear way left of The Pleiades in the north), star cluster is a jewel in the sky that turns heads and inspires the mind. Known by many other names but most commonly as the “Seven Sisters,” The Pleiades are an easy to see six or seven stars with the naked eye, but turn into a hundred in binoculars and telescope. All civilizations have put this star cluster in their sacred stories of the night sky. And modern observatories still probe this astronomical wonder that still teaches us about the make-up of stars in the Universe. One look at the shiny sparkle of stars tucked neatly together in the shoulder of Taurus the Bull and one can have inspiration. The great poets and writers have not ignored The Pleiades, and indeed it is referred three times in The Bible (Job 9:9 and 38:31; and Amos 5:8) Great writers like Poe, Milton and Tolkien have all referred to The Pleiades in prose. None more famous than the first lines of Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall”: “Many a night from yonder ivied casement, Ere I went to rest, Did I look on great Orion, sloping slowly to the west. Many a nighty I saw the Pleiads,
Rising tho’ the mellow shade, Glitter like as warm of fireflies Tangled in a silver braid.” So what are The Pleiades? Simple. They are a young group of stars, born out of the same cosmic cloud during the Jurassic Epoch of Earth when dinosaurs ruled North America. Their birth approximately 100 million years ago created a hundred hot stars, many larger than our own Sun and all moving toward Orion the diameter of our Moon every 30,000 years. The Pleiades are about 1,500 Light Years away, meaning the light we see from these bright stars left around 500 AD. But that’s actually pretty close to us in our Milky Way Galaxy. This stellar nursery has been the most photographed object in the entire sky over the history of imagery, and still has yet to reveal all its secrets. Six stars are easily seen by the average observer, and there is an elusive seventh that will test your
eyesight. However, on exceptionally clear nights under optimum conditions, some people have seen 8, 9, even up to 13 individual “Pleiad” stars with eyes only. Any binoculars will show a gorgeous scene of glittering stars numbering dozens. This is agreed as the best way to visualize the cluster of stellar siblings, as telescope power just shows individual stars. In many photographs and barely perceived by those with the keenest eyesight are wisps of stellar clouds that envelope some of the stars like transparent strands of cotton candy. Time exposure photography shows the remnants of the embryo from where The Pleiades were born. The names of individual stars have been around since man began talking, and those commonly given to the stars of The Pleiades have originated from the Greeks and their mythology. The Pleiades are the children of
Atlas and his lady Pleione. Many myths abound from many cultures, but the Greek legacy gives us the names of the Seven Sisters, who found mates and propagated more mythology. Of the classic seven, the brightest star is Alcyone (magnitude 2.9), the middle left of the cluster. To its left is the “handle” of Atlas (3.6 mag.) with Merope (4.2 mag.) to the right. The stars of the upper right are Maia (3.9 mag.), Electra (3.7 mag.), Celaeno (5.5 mag.) and Taygeta 4.3 mag.). Asterope (5.8 mag.) above Taygeta and Pleione (6.3 mag.) above Atlas are two elusive stars that may be seen. The Pleiades are an object, like our Moon, that appears large in our minds but is actually quite small in the sky. Our Moon is just one-half a degree across, meaning 360 Moons end-to-end would span from directly east to directly overhead (the zenith) to directly west over the 180-degrees of our sky. Our Moon will comfortably fit inside The Pleiades, and sometimes does when it cruises through in an occultation in this Zodiac star cluster. The next occultation of The Pleiades will be in 2014, as these occur in clusters every 18 years. To ancient sky watchers and the public alike, anytime the Moon passes in front of a star or planet, it was an ominous event of great portent. Go outside and look at this stunning sight. Even in moonlight you can see the crowded spot of starlight. But when very dark they can be mesmerizing. What do they look like to you? The Medieval Europeans saw a hen and her chickens; The Greeks
saw a flock of doves; the Arabs envisioned a herd of camels. Chinese first recorded observations in 2357 BC, and ancient Hindu stargazers started festivals with their lamps. Visible from the early fall through all winter and setting in the early spring, The Pleiades have made a big influence on sailors who navigated the seas and added these stars to their tales. The Lost Pleiad is a legend of many cultures that explains why only six stars are easy to see. That seventh can be Electra or Caleano, and there are many stories around this disappearing sister. Some North American tribes would test the eyesight of their young men to see who would make the best scouts. If they saw seven or more stars, they were trained for their eagle eyes. If not, the boys would stay in the camp and help the squaws. Japan mythology around this group of stars which they call Subaru, a word for united. That’s right, just like the automobile, which uses the seven stars as its logo. Amateur astronomers call The Pleiades “M-45” as it is the 45th object on the famous list of 115 celestial sights logged by astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th Century. It’s always a favorite for new stargazers, and a familiar friend to the veterans. Like comfort food, the site of The Pleiades rising in the east brings a warm feeling of the coming holidays—and long winter naps! Wrap yourself up, grab the binoculars and enjoy a few minutes with a group of stars that have stimulated the folklore and science of humanity.
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November 17, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 17
Celestial events in the skies for the week of Nov. 17th - Nov. 23rd, 2015 as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.
The Moon waxes to First Quarter phase on Thursday, and the moonlight illuminates a barren Appalachian landscape for the first time this season. Saturn is setting right after sunset, but it’s in the morning, pre-dawn sky where the planets are located. This week is filled with space history, including the second manned landing on the Moon by Apollo 12.
Tues. Nov. 17
Planet Jupiter is high and bright in the hours before sunrise, and Venus is the brightest “star” close to the morning horizon. Much fainter is red Mars, all crowded around Leo the Lion.
Wed. Nov. 18
Peak morning for the Leonid Meteor Shower, and there should be several dozen an hour to see. The best time is after 2 am (Sunday night/Monday morning) when the Earth is facing into the swarm of debris caused by Comet Tempel-Tuttle. No special equipment is needed, just some patience while scanning the skies in a lawn chair— and some warm clothing!
12 safely landed on the Moon. Commander Pete Conrad, deceased, maneuvered the lander called Intrepid to the edge of football field-sized crater where the Surveyor 3 spacecraft was waiting after landing two and one-half years earlier. The other moonwalker, Alan Bean, 81, came back from the mission to later command the second Skylab Space Station mission. Bean is an accomplished artist, painting huge murals of his space experience that sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia was launched twice on this date, in 1996 and 1997 on STS-80 (the longest Shuttle mission at 18 days) & STS-87 missions.
Fri. Nov. 20
On this 1998 date in space history, Russian launched the Zarya module, the first element of the International Space Station. Now finished for five years and continuously occupied for 15 years, more than 220 people have been rocketed to the orbiting complex.
Sat. Nov. 21
Pegasus flies high overhead while the mighty hunter Orion leaps over the eastern On this 1969 date in space history Apollo horizon to become a familiar starry friend through the winter. A star map from Skymaps.com, library book, monthly astronomy magazine or a planisphere from a bookstore will guide you through the changing night skies.
Thurs. Nov. 19
Sun. Nov. 22
The Sun enters the constellation Scorpius, but astrology erroneously says it is in Sagittarius. If you could turn out the Sun in the broad daylight, you’d see. Actually, you can to that on a stargazing application on your Smart Phone or computer.
Mon. Nov. 23
On this 2002 date in space history, STS-113 was launched with orbiter Endeavour.
Page 18 | The Loafer | November 17, 2015
IN THEATRES NOW Box Office Top 10
In Theaters Now Spectre
“Spectre” 007 is back! Daniel Craig has returned as James Bond in the new film “Spectre”, which is the 24th adventure in the iconic film series, and the 4th one featuring Craig. The film is the second in the series directed by Sam Mendes, who brought us the previous Bond outing, “Skyfall”. The new Bond adventure is a globe hopping affair, with segments shot in London, Mexico City, Rome, Austria and Morocco. The film also marks the return of the global criminal organization Spectre, which hasn’t been a part of the series since the 1971 release “Diamonds are Forever”. The film also reintroduces Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), the head of Spectre, to the series. Oh, and the films theme song is a sure-to-be-classic sung by Sam Smith. If all the aforementioned doesn’t make you excited enough about a new Bond film, I don’t know what will. The story begins in Mexico City with Bond on a unofficial mission as ordered by the previous M. During the mission, Bond kills two men who are planning to blow up a local stadium. During his attack on the men and the assassin who set up the attack, he steals a ring which is emblazoned with a stylish octopus. When he returns to London, Bond is immediately taken off field duty by the current M (Ralph Fiennes), who has his own struggles with C (Andrew Scott), the head of a privately owned joint intelligence service determined to shut down the 00 section of British intelligence. Of course, Bond is not a bit concerned about being taken off field duty, and seeks help from
A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
The Peanuts Movie
Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their archnemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home.
The Martian
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
Hotel Transylvania 2
Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.
Burnt
Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a Chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.
The Last Witch Hunter
The last witch hunter is all that stands between humanity and the combined forces of the most horrifying witches in history.
The Intern
70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back Goosebumps in the game, he becomes a senior A teenager teams up with the intern at an online fashion site, daughter of young adult horror founded and run by Jules Ostin. author R. L. Stine after the writer’s imaginary demons are set free on Paranormal Activity: the town of Madison, Delaware.
The Ghost Dimension
Using a special camera that can During the Cold War, an Ameri- see spirits, a family must protect can lawyer is recruited to defend their daughter from an evil entity an arrested Soviet spy in court, with a sinister plan. and then help the CIA facilitate an Source: IMDb.com exchange of the spy for the Soviet (11/14/2015)
Bridge of Spies
and their interactions with Bond are some of the highlights of the film. It’s also refreshing how this Q (Ben Whishaw) in his efforts to Ernst learning Bond is at one of film ties in with the previous Bond leave London and attend the fu- Spectre’s meetings, leads to the films featuring Craig, something neral of the assassin he killed in action and excitement we expect the series had never done until order to locate the mastermind from a Bond film. Bond also dis- Craig came along. In addition to of the planned attack. While in covers C is not all he appears to being exhilarating, the latest Bond Rome, Bond gathers informa- be, and must convince M to see effort is an intelligent thriller that tion and discovers the worldwide the threat to his job is taken down. proves of be the perfect ending for criminal organization Spectre is I really enjoyed the fact Q and Craig as Bond. I’m sure you have behind the planned Mexico City Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) read Craig is tried of playing Bond attack. His discovery, along with were heavily involved in the story, due to all the time it takes to make
one of these films. As is common with 007 films, the closing credits state “James Bond will return”. Will he be played once again by Craig? Time will tell if my favorite Bond (up to this point) will be back. Until then, “Spectre”, along with “Skyfall”, are two of the best Bond films ever made.
Rated: PG - 13
A
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James Gregory
November 17, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 19
“The Funniest Man In America” Niswonger Performing Arts Center welcomes “The Funniest Man In America”, James Gregory, back to the stage on Saturday, November 21st at 7:30 PM. Join us for an evening of non-stop laughter with Gregory’s wry sense of humor, Southern accent and universal storytelling. The ridiculous, the common and sometimes even the simplest events all become hilarious in the hands of this master storyteller and world-class comedian. For over two decades, the unforgettable caricature of veteran comedian James Gregory has stood grinning: his shirt untucked, his arms outstretched, a carefree welcome to a downhome, hilarious comedy experience. It’s storytelling at its best. The trademark caricature is the essence of humorist James Gregory’s comedy: rib-tickling reflections on life from the front porch. James does not “tip-toe” through life as if he’s walking on broken glass or eggshells. That style is evident on stage as well. He is not politically correct. Much of his humor is centered on brilliant observations of crazy relatives and people obsessed with the slightest change in weather conditions – now referred to as global warming. He delights in poking fun at modern sensitive parents and out-of-control environmentalists. Gregory has been quoted as saying, “If you want me to be concerned about endangered species, you need to convince me that we’re about out of chickens.” James is heard weekly on syndicated radio shows such as Rick and Bubba, John Boy and Billy, and Bob and Tom. Combined, these shows are broadcast to people in over 220 cities nationwide. As a result, he now has a grassroots following that numbers in the millions. James’ success, like his com-
edy, is the direct result of the values he grew up with. And now, twenty something years later, it is this unique brand of humor that packs the crowds into his sold-out shows. The absence of vulgarity sets James apart and his stories are carefully crafted art. “I have lived long enough to know people, know life”, Gregory reflects. “My comedy is based on my life experiences. It’s real, it’s funny and the audience loves it. That’s why I’m still in business.” Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss James Gregory at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center (NPAC) in historic downtown Greeneville, TN on Saturday, November 21st at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 for orchestra or mezzanine level seating and $15 for balcony seats. Tickets may be purchased online at www.npacgreeneville. com, in person at the NPAC box office, or by calling 423-638-1679. NPAC offers online seat selection with no processing or delivery fees. There is a $1.50 ticketing fee per ticket regardless of purchase method. The box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm. The 1150 seat performing arts center is located adjacent to the campus of Greeneville High School in Greeneville, TN. For venue information, please visit www.npacgreeneville.com.
2015 Kingsport Christmas Parade
Your Kingsport Chamber of Commerce welcomes your participation in the annual Kingsport Christmas Parade. Thank you for choosing the parade as a way to display your holiday cheer and good wishes to the community. The parade will be held Saturday, November 21, at 3:30 p.m., beginning on Main Street. The parade route is Main Street to Clay Street, right onto Center Street, ends at Center and Wexler Street. Registration fee is $25 and forms are due by Wednesday, November 19. The parade will be televised on WAPK-TV and replayed on WKPT-TV. Questions? Please contact Karen Jobe at (423) 392-8800 or kjobe@kingsportchamber.org or Vanessa Bennett at (423) 392-8813 or vbennett@kingsportchamber.org.
Page 20 | The Loafer | November 17, 2015
The Tale of a Crypt The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is home to a myriad of interesting attractions and, as such, is worth a visit if ever you find yourself with the opportunity to do so. I have been there on several occasions and have seen a lot of what an outsider can see because I was bing led by a well-qualified tour guide: my father (LT Paul D. McManus
USN, member of the USNA Class of 1964). And while the campus (known to midshipmen as “The Yard”) is an active military installation anyone can visit, so long as they have a plausible reason (tourism among them), a photo ID, and no vehicle. While this last point may sound a bit harsh, the visitors’ entrance is only a short walk from downtown Annapolis, where there is parking aplenty. Now, back to the USNA and what might be the most interesting draw for the common fan of US history. One of the first stops you should make is the Naval Academy Chapel. Built in 1908, with the
cornerstone having been laid by Admiral George Dewey, the chapel is quite an impressive piece of architecture (a topic I know very little about, mind you). It includes stained glass windows featuring naval figures from Sir Galahad to David Farragut, as well as many others. Furthermore, it is capped by a dome which rises above an oculus - or circumferential skylight - that is 20 feet across and 121 feet above the chapel floor. After having marveled at the exquisite design and décor of the chapel and its interior, take some time to look around the outside (back toward the rear) for the
steps descending to a small room beneath the altar. There you will find, guarded by several midshipmen, the crypt of the father of the United States Navy – John Paul Jones. I’m talking about the Revolutionary War hero (not the bassist from Led Zeppelin, you metalheads) who once taunted a British Captain by yelling, “I have not yet begun to fight!” Jones, and his command at the time, Bonhomme Richard, were patroling the waters off the coast of Yorkshire, looking to harass British shipping when they became engaged in what would be a battle of attrition with the British Frigate, HMS Serapis. Though his ship had taken heavy damage, it was when British officers called for his surrender, that Jones let forth the now famous line quoted above. Despite the damage, the day would belong to Jones and the Americans, thanks
in part to a well aimed grenade that found its way into the belowdeck hold of the Serapis. It is said, “it ain’t over till it’s over.” Well at that point, it was over. John Paul Jones, never one to sit idly by, later enlisted in the Russian navy, before eventually dying of natural causes in Paris in 1792 (not by guillotine – which was the custom that year in France). Though he was buried in Paris shortly thereafter, his body was exhumed in 1906 and returned to the United States to be re-entombed in the crypt built just for him beneath the Naval Academy Chapel. His remains now lie there permanently in a bronze and marble sarcophagus, below which is a deck inscribed with the names of his seven commands: Ranger, Alliance, Serapis, Ariel, Alfred, Providence, and of course, Bonhomme Richard.
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November 17, 2015 | The Loafer | Page 21
West Virginia Quartet plays for Jonesborough Contra Dance & Food Raiser The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Jonesborough Visitors Center. The featured band will be the Contrarians with Dean Snipes calling. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members and students $5. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. A workshop for beginning contra dancers will be led by the callers at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm where, once again, Klondike Bars will be served to all who attend. The Food Raiser, a month-long collection, is being organized to supply non-perishable food stuffs for the Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association Food Bank. Nationwide food bank donations continue to decline. Donor fatigue may be setting in as the economy puts more and more families at risk and unable to feed themselves. “We are asking all dancers
and members of the local community to bring non-perishable food stuffs to give to those in need” adds even organizer, David Wiley. Some truly exceptional talent is coming to Jonesborough! The Contrarians hail from the Charleston, WV area. The Contrarians consist of Paul Epstein on fiddle, John Longwell on mandolin and tenor saxophone, Will Carter on bass and Andy Park on guitar. From early childhood, John Longwell played piano. Into high school, the tenor saxophone and folk guitar were his preferred musical instruments. In the early 70’s, he moved from Pennsylvania to rural West Virginia near Charleston as part of the “Back to the Land” movement. He and his wife Peggy found themselves in somewhat of an intentional community that was filled with Old Time music devotees. John picked up and mastered the fiddle and mandolin and became part of Paul Epstein’s band “Booger Hole Revival” and later on the “Back Road Travel-
ers”. Professionally, John was involved in every part of the wood working industry after starting the Green Creek Woodshop in the early 80’s where he had a sawmill, custom cabinet and furniture shop and also ran a sizeable farm. He and Peggy raised a son who now lives on their farm with two grandchildren. Andy Park is a retired public school teacher from who currently lives in Charleston, WV. Now 58 years old, he has played music in bands since he was 16. During the 1990s I was in an alternative band called “Crazy Jane” that had some regional success. They released 3 CDs. After Crazy Jane disbanded, he joined a band named “Voodoo Katz” which is a world beat band. World Beat is a music genre that blends Western pop music or rock music with traditional, folk or world music influences. “Voodoo Katz” released two CDs to date..
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get caught up in it. I began to quietly sing along and dance around the dinner table as I placed the knives and forks. The adage goes “dance like nobody’s watching” and that’s fine advice, unless you sometimes are super self concious and shy about other people watching you dance, like I am. As I got more and more into the song, the more I began to dance--and sing-like nobody was watching. Come the second round of the chorus, I was belting it out and shaking it all around the table. Considering the anxiety I felt earlier, it didn’t really help that the chorus of “Lovefool” begins with “Love me, love me. Say that you love me.” At the end of the chorus, I heard a laugh, followed by “Well that’s what I’m thankful for.” In getting caught up in the song, I didn’t know she had come back in from the kitchen. I froze. I froze in a way that would have been more appropriate if I had been caught with a pornographic magazine, not singing and dancing to a song from the ‘90s. We sat down to eat, and it was oh so good. The food was amazing, the turkey was perfect, the gravy was divine. It was all a good Thanksgiving meal should be, even if it was a small one. In the moments of chatter and gushing over recipies, I began to feel genuinely thankful.
There was no reason to think that anything more would come of it all, no reason to think it would be start of something grand. The only thing I knew was that in the now, in that moment, it was really lovely. Though the moment of lovely would linger, it was quickly interrupted by a loud meow, more a howl really. “Was that Mr. Thompson?” I asked. We both had a look of concern on our faces, as we began to wonder if an investigation was in order, the answer came wafting over to the table. An aroma that was the antithesis of everything that had come before it. We left the table and headed for the hallway where the aroma got stronger. Mr. Thompson’s digestive issue--from the front end to be clear--had decked the hall. “He must have had some cheese, you didn’t give him any did you?” she asked me as we both surveyed the sight. I thought of what to say, if I should tell the truth, or come up with a wrap around reason. “Maybe by accident? A piece must have landed on the floor without my knowing, you know when you grate you get all that physics force going and food flies around. You know? Science and stuff.” As I helped her clean it up, all I could think about was how it clearly must be over. I had failed on an epic scale by accidentally poison-
ing her cat with cheese, and now surely I must go on the International Cat Poisoner Database. We returned to the meal and my anxiety returned as well. “Way to go, Ross!” I thought to myself, “You blew it big time, and now you get to spend another damn Christmas alone suffering through schmoopy couples pictures on Facebook.” In true human fashion I have moved from thankfulness to being indignant in the flash of a second. I sat there pondering my own doom, her voice interrupted the looping patterns in my mind. “Hey, it’s OK. This happens. Don’t worry about it. Ready for pie?” I smiled, the doom dissipated, and I said “Always.” Thankfulness returned. I silently chided myself for being so quick to jump to doom--a terrible trait that I fall into all too easily and all too often. We laughed, we played rounds and rounds of Uno, we talked about movies. It was honestly one of the nicest Thanksgiving I’ve ever had. On those days when all seems impossible and filled with doom, and you feel that maybe you just threw it all away, it’s important to be thankful for the good things in your life, and the good things that are bound to come. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Eric Congdon making first Johnson City appearance Asheville music fixture and guitar virtuoso Eric Congdon will be appearing at the Acoustic Coffeehouse Nov 20th at 8pm. This is Eric’s first appearance in Johnson City, and he promises a fun, entertaining and surprising show. Eric was originally scheduled to appear back in April, but a bad car accident and subsequent brain injury forced him to cancel the show and many others. 2015 has been a year of recovery. In the midst of this downtime, Eric conceived a project that chronicled his healing process aptly named Hiking Jams. Unable to play guitar for two months, once he felt strong enough to go outside, Eric spent the next few months visiting the beautiful waterfalls of Western North Carolina. Taking along an instrument each time, and reconnecting and relearning with Nature as his medicine. Eric Congdon is a guitar virtuoso whose style effortlessly blends the styles of Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Jimmy Page and Tony
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Rice. In addition, Eric is pushing the boundaries of acoustic music with his trusy Irish Bouzouki and his mind bending interpretations of classic songs you have to see to believe. Do not miss this opportunity to catch Eric in an intimate setting while you still can.
www.ericcongdon.com
Gray Book Club - Gray Library
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Do you like to read? Do you like to talk about books? Then come to our book club meeting at the Gray Library on Thursday afternoon, November 19, at 2:00 p.m. The book for discussion this month is The Stranger, by Harlen Coben The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. His identity is unknown. His motives are unclear. His information is undeniable. Then he whispers a few words in your ear and disappears, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world. Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good
job, a seemingly perfect life. Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne’s deception, and realizes that if he doesn’t make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he’s stumbled into will not only ruin lives—it will end them.’ This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. If you are interested in attending, please call the Gray Library at 477-1550. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Washington County –Jonesborough/Gray Libraries
ETSU Planetarium Show to focus on ‘Forensic Astronomy’ “Forensic Astronomy: CSI in the Sky” is the focus of the Planetarium Show for November at East Tennessee State University. The free public program, sponsored by the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the ETSU College of Arts and Sciences, will be shown Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. This show, which explains how astronomical observations may be connected to legal investigations, will showcase the visual graphics capability of the planetarium’s state-of-the-art, full-dome digital projection system. The ETSU planetarium is on the top floor of Hutcheson Hall in room 207. Visitors may enter Hutcheson Hall at the east end of the building where the elevator is located, and may park without permits during the evening hours in either student or faculty/staff lots. For more information, contact Dr. Gary Henson, planetarium director, at 423-439-6906 or hensong@etsu. edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.
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Pets Of The Week Mickey is a 2 year old male, neutered, and up to date on all vaccines. A sweet cat that loves to be petted.
Kelly is a 3 month old girl spayed and up to date on all vaccines. This girl loves to play!
Please come and visit Mickey and Kelly and their friends at The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue! The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue recently moved in to their new 7,300 sq foot building @ 2061 Hwy 75 Blountville, TN,37617. The Bridge Home is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 2002 dedicated to the welfare of homeless or abandoned animals. They provide care and compassion for stray and unwanted cats and dogs until they can be adopted into a forever home. Every animal in their care is spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated before being adopted. Being a non profit the shelter is funded entirely by membership dues and private donations. They always need volunteers or monetary donations. Other always needed items:pet food, cat litter & cat toys dog treats & dog toys,paper towels, cleaners, office supplies,Purina weight circles. Phone: 423.239.5237 Hours are Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm Sat 12pm-3pm and Sun 2pm-4pm. Website is www. bridgehomerescue@gmail.com or like them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/bridgehome?fref=ts.
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Andy joined the Contrarians in September of 2013 playing guitar in addition to some fiddle, mandolin and banjo. He has a solo CD called “True Love” in which he sings original tunes. Andy played at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City several years ago. Will Carter, the Contrarian’s bass player, was raised in Charleston, West Virginia and now lives in a small intentional community in rural Putnam County, West Virginia. He and his wife Martha are the parents of Trace Carter, an avid contra dancer who a second-years student at Warren Wilson College. Will also plays bass in Blue Yonder, an acoustic honky-tonk trio featuring national-award-winning musicians John Lilly (singer-songwriter) and Robert Shafer (guitar), and is the founder of the Appalachian String Band Music Festival, better known as “Clifftop”. A Harvard-educated attorney, Will’s day job is leading a company he founded that specializes in holistic financial planning. Band leader, Paul Epstein, is also a retired educator. Paul plays
fiddle and does abundant song writing, composing and arranging the tune sets for the band. Dean Snipes is a favorite caller of the Jonesborough dance community. He is known for his great choice of dances, easy teaching and brings a sense of generosity and great enthusiasm to the dances. Dean also wrote a dance to honor the dance community called “The Jonesborough Way”. Contra dance is one of the best ways to interest and initiate people into folk dance. Interest in dance in general is widespread in the Tri-Cities region because of programs aired on public television and the very popular TV hit, “Dancing with the Stars.” For most everyone who tries, contra dance is simple and easy to learn. If you
have a good caller, they’ll start the evening with dances with simple but fundamental formations that emphasize a few basic rules which include listening to the music and following the steps that are taught. After a couple of walk throughs, you just dive into the dance. “We have been drawing many beginners lately of all ages,” states event organizer, David Wiley, “It’s a real challenge for the caller, but they manage to make the dance happen very quickly. This further illustrates how contra dance converts just about anyone to a folk dancer in short order.” For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-534-8879, visit www. historicjonesboroughdancesociety. org. and on FACEBOOK.
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Let’s Give Thanks For Curated News Apps Andy Ross’ column last week was titled “Gosh, I’m Thankful,” and I hope he won’t mind that I’m taking a cue from his column this week. I generally write a thankful column or two at this time of year, so it was perhaps inevitable that me and Andy would write somewhat similar columns during this month. And, as you might guess, this is not the first time this has happened. In any event, it’s good that we pause and consider things for which we are thankful. This is especially important now that it seems Thanksgiving is being slowly but surely edged out in favor of Halloween and Christmas (no more “Hallowthanksmas”?). The signs are everywhere that we are in the midst of a War on Thanksgiving. Each year, the Christmas decorations go up as soon as we pack away our Halloween costumes, and we begin hearing Christmas music before the last chords of “Monster Mash” fade away. Yes, those annoying 24-hour Christmas music stations begin broadcasting closer and closer near the end of Halloween each year (one of my Sirius stations converted to its all-Christmas format on November 2!!). To make the picture complete, we are bombarded with Black Friday ads earlier and earlier. For instance, this morning’s paper came stuffed with a plethora of flyers announcing Early Black Friday deals for this weekend! So, without further ado, let’s give thanks while there’s time. Before we do that, and before I start getting hate mail along with my Black Friday deals, let me say that I do enjoy Christmas. I just want to have some time to enjoy
Thanksgiving before the arrival of Santa. Is this asking too much? This week I want to give thanks for a fairly recent phenomenon that helps get me through breakfast every morning. Used to be (“back in the day”) that I enjoyed my bowl of Cherrios while I read the morning paper. Now I take a tour through my ever-growing list of curated news apps while indulging in my oh-so-delicious habit. I still read the “real” paper quite often (it’s never a question of “either/or,” of course), but I have become reasonably addicted to my curated list of news items. During my lifetime, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformation of the news from a very small selection of daily items to a virtual deluge of choices. In the old days I didn’t have a choice of what I could read in my morning paper or watch on my evening news broadcast, I now have access
to a frankly overwhelming choice of news items that cater to my special interests. Along with the evolution of music from a very limited choice (radio, phonograph, or live performance) that was dictated by the performer or the DJ, to today’s enormous and highly personal playlists, we live in a world of curation that can sometimes be as frustrating as it is exciting. The frustration is caused by our FOMO (fear of missing out) and our excitement is produced by the same fear—seemingly-unlimited choice is both a blessing and a curse. In the realm of music, for example, I was once told what Christmas music I could listen to—now I can create my own playlists, either physically by burning CDs or streaming online, that are very open ended and become finite only when we come to the end of the musical rainbow (if such a thing is possible). Yes, we can de-
vote ourselves to curating all the bad versions of “Little Drummer Boy” if we wish. One of the things I keep telling myself I will eventually get around to doing is creating a customized Pandora station based on The Beatles (for example) and then every time a Beatles song is played giving it a thumbs down. Wonder how long it will take Pandora to transform my Beatles station into something completely different? From Beatles to Justin Bieber perhaps? My iPad desktop contains a folder called “News” (how original!) where I collect my favorite curated news Apps. Here you can find News360, Flipboard, Evernote, OZY, AppleNews, Feedly, Long-
form (which tends to be buggy at times), Engadget, Zite, Newseum (a neat app that lets me browse the front pages of countless newspapers around the world—talk about a long breakfast!), and Newsy, which is not technically a curated news app but a lot of fun anyway. Each of these Apps lets me choose which topics I want to build. For instance, I can create a newspaper that only gives me news about Apple rumors on a daily basis (with frequent updates,
of course). No one should limit themselves this strictly, of course, so I have topics running the gamut from Medieval Theology and Academy Awards to Top News Headlines and Books and Literature. Along the way, I can also read a daily, and sometimes hourly dose of items about Contemporary Art. My hometown paper never gave me this kind of depth. This paper, Sparta, NC’s “The Alleghany News,” gave me a choice of reading about town building projects, high school sports scores, weddings, and farm news, with an occasional piece about someone winning some sort of award thrown in for good measure. And since we had only one AM radio station, we could listen to gospel music in the morning, country at mid-day and early-afternoon, and rock in the late afternoon and early evening (up until the station signed off around 8:00 p.m.). I obviously think we should give thanks for the advent of curated news, which also includes curated music, movies, and books. We definitely live in interesting times, and you will be happy to know that I just added a Black Friday Shopping topic to my extensive and ever-growing AppleNews list. Sure beats the heck out of standing in line and risking personal injury on Black Friday (whenever and how often that might occur during the remainder of this month). And, before I go, I must share my thrill at reading a recently posted article, “Why more of your favorite stores are closing on Thanksgiving.” A glimmer of hope for those of us who worry about the disappearance of Thanksgiving. But before you get too excited, this piece is followed by one that reads, “Here Are The Stores That WILL Be Open On Thanksgiving This Year.” See you next week with more stuff for which to be thankful. In the meantime, find something to curate.
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